Sights and Sounds: Eric Clapton, Ron Sexsmith, Kacey Musgraves, Mike Porcaro, Billy Idol

Happy St. Patrick's Day everybody! I'm listening to one of my new favorite Irish bands Pugwash (the wonderful 2014 Omnivore Recordings collection "A Rose in a Garden of Weeds") in celebration of the day!

Now on with a slew of news to share...

Legendary songwriter, vocalist, guitarist and 19-time Grammy Award-winner Eric Clapton will release a brand-new 'Best Of' compilation, entitled Forever Man, via Reprise Records on April 28, 2015 in the U.S.

Featuring 51 tracks over three CDs, Forever Man spans three decades of Clapton's Reprise Records years and features classic studio tracks and a Blues-themed disc.

The collection traces much of Clapton's career featuring the Grammy Award-winning tracks"Change The World", "Tears In Heaven", "Bad Love" and including materials form Eric's Grammy Award-winning albums From The Cradle and Unplugged. Guest performers include B.B. King and J.J. Cale.

The release of Forever Man coincides with an upcoming tour, which includes nine concert dates in celebration of his 70^th birthday on March 30^th. The shows will take place at New York City's famed Madison Square Garden on May 1^st and 2^nd and at London's Royal Albert Hall on May 14^th, 15^th, 17^th, 18^th, 20^th, 21^st, and 23^rd. The shows will feature Clapton, accompanied by his band members Paul Carrack, Steve Gadd, Nathan East, Chris Stainton, Sharon White, and Michelle John, with opening support act Andy Fairweather Low and the Low Riders.

Forever Man is available for pre-order beginning today, March 17, and will be available in multiple configurations: a 3-CD, 2-CD, a vinyl 2-LP set and digital downloads. The package also comes with liner notes written by noted rock journalist and author Malcolm Dome. Click here or here to pre-order.     

Please see below for all Forever Man track-listings.

3CD and Digital Download Edition:

CD1- Studio

1. Gotta Get Over
2. I've Got A Rock 'N' Roll Heart
3. Run Back To Your Side
4. Tears In Heaven
5. Call Me The Breeze
6. Forever Man
7. Believe In Life
8. Bad Love
9. My Father's Eyes
10. Anyway The Wind Blows - with J.J. Cale
11. Travelin' Alone
12. Change The World
13. Behind The Mask
14. It's In The Way That You Use It
15. Pretending
16. Riding With The King - with B.B. King
17. Circus
18. Revolution 

CD2 - Live

1. Badge
2. Sunshine Of Your Love
3. White Room
4. Wonderful Tonight
5. Worried Life Blues
6. Cocaine
7. Layla (Unplugged)
8. Nobody Knows You When You're Down & Out (Unplugged)
9. Walkin' Blues (Unplugged)
10. Them Changes - with Steve Winwood
11. Presence Of The Lord - with Steve Winwood
12. Hoochie Coochie Man
13. Goin' Down Slow
14. Over The Rainbow

CD3 - Blues

1. Before You Accuse Me
2. Last Fair Deal Gone Down
3. Hold On, I'm Comin' - with B.B. King
4. Terraplane Blues
5. It Hurts Me Too
6. Little Queen Of Spades
7. Third Degree
8. Motherless Child
9. Sportin' Life Blues - with J.J. Cale
10. Ramblin' On My Mind
11. Stop Breakin' Down Blues
12. Everybody Oughta Make A Change
13. Sweet Home Chicago
14. If I Had Possession Over Judgement Day
15. Hard Times Blues
16. Got You On My mind
17. I'm Tore Down
18. Milkcow's Calf Blues
19. Key To The Highway - with B.B. King 

2CD and Digital Download Edition:

CD1

1. Gotta Get Over
2. I've Got A Rock 'N' Roll Heart                              
3. Anyway The Wind Blows - with J.J. Cale                      
4. My Father's Eyes                                            
5. Motherless Child                                            
6. Pretending                                                  
7. Little Queen Of Spades                                      
8. Bad Love                                                    
9. Behind The Mask
10. Tears In Heaven
11. Change The World
12. Call Me The Breeze
13. Forever Man
14. Riding With The King - with B.B. King
15. It's In The Way That You Use It                             
16. Circus
17. Got You On My Mind
18. Travelin' Alone
19. Revolution

CD2 - Blues

1. Before You Accuse Me
2. Last Fair Deal Gone Down
3. Hold On, I'm Comin' - with B.B. King
4. Terraplane Blues
5. It Hurts Me Too
6. Little Queen Of Spades
7. Third Degree
8. Motherless Child
9. Sportin' Life Blues - with J.J. Cale
10. Ramblin' On My Mind
11. Stop Breakin' Down Blues
12. Everybody Oughta Make A Change
13. Sweet Home Chicago
14. If I Had Possession Over Judgement Day
15. Hard Times Blues
16. Got You On My mind
17. I'm Tore Down
18. Milkcow's Calf Blues
19. Key To The Highway - with B.B. King

Vinyl Edition:

Side 1

1. Gotta Get Over
2. I've Got A Rock 'N' Roll Heart                              
3. Anyway The Wind Blows - with J.J. Cale                      
4. My Father's Eyes                                            
5. Motherless Child                                            

Side 2

1. Pretending                                                  
2. Little Queen Of Spades                                      
3. Bad Love                                                    
4. Behind The Mask 

Side 3

1. Tears In Heaven
2. Change The World
3. Call Me The Breeze
4. Forever Man
5. Riding With The King - with B.B. King 

Side 4

1. It's In The Way That You Use It                             
2. Circus
3. Got You On My mind
4. Travelin' Alone
5. Revolution

Canadian singer-songwriter Ron Sexsmith is preparing for the release of his new studio album, Carousel One, out in North America on Tuesday, March 31, 2015. The album will be released in the U.S. via Compass Records and in his home country by Warner Music Canada. Carousel One, produced by Jim Scott, features 14 new Sexsmith originals. It was recorded with an incredible cast of musicians including bass player Bob Glaub (John Lennon, Lucinda Williams, Jackson Browne), guitarist Jon Graboff (John Lee Hooker, Dr John), drummer Don Heffington (Bob Dylan, Emmylou Harris), and keyboard player John Ginty (Dixie Chicks).  Carousel One finds Sexsmith in surprising territory for a man often pegged as a downbeat balladeer: he’s actually contented. "I didn’t realize until we were putting the songs together for Carousel One that this would be more outgoing. There's a lot more humour,” says Ron. “I mean, there’s even a smiling picture on the cover, which I've just never had before. I just hope it doesn't scare the children."

Watch the official lyric video for "Saint Bernard" via the embedded link above The first single off Carousel One, “Saint Bernard,” is a tribute to an anonymous family dog from a photograph picked up in a second-hand shop by Ron's  wife. "They’ve always been my favorite type of dog," says Ron, recalling the genesis of the song. "I was sitting in the kitchen one day playing guitar. I had this melody but no lyrics, so I looked up at the picture and just started singing the opening lines. I guess the album is kind of a travelogue of music that I like which was mostly a happy accident."

Mercury Nashville singer/songwriter Kacey Musgraves earns the No.1 most added song at Country radio this week with her new single “Biscuits.” From her upcoming sophomore album, the Grammy winner co-wrote the tune with good friends Shane McAnally and Brandy Clark. The same trio wrote the gold-certified “Follow Your Arrow” which won the 2014 CMA Song of the Year. “Biscuits” is available now at digital retailers worldwide:http://umgn.us/BiscuitsSingle.

“‘Biscuits’ is just another example of why Kacey is one of the most brilliant and original singer-songwriters in country music today.” – Johnny Chiang, OM KKBQ

Musgraves earned numerous accolades for her critically-acclaimed debut album Same Trailer Different Park including 2014 ACM Album of the Year and 2014 Grammy Awards Best Country Album. The Texas native recently took her ‘Same Tour Different Trailer’ tour to Australia for several shows including a performance for the CMC Music Awards. She will continue the remaining US dates of the tour on March 26^th in Washington, DC. Musgraves’ second album is set to be released later this year.

Tickets and additional information can be found at www.KaceyMusgraves.com.


I was very sad to hear the passing of long-time Toto bassist Mike Porcaro over the weekend. Here is the statement from The Recording Academy's Neil Portnow on the passing of the gifted musician:

The Recording Academy Statement^® re: Mike Porcaro
Monday, March 16, 2015
 
Mike Porcaro, three-time GRAMMY^® winner and longtime bassist for the multi-platinum selling rock group Toto, was a dynamic musician and performer. Mike joined his brothers Steve Porcaro and the late Jeff Porcaro in the band in 1982, around the time of the release ofToto IV, which ultimately earned Album Of The Year honors. Throughout his career, his love for music and performing was always evident, and was showcased frequently due to the group’s relentless touring and international popularity. Our music community has lost an influential and charismatic creator, and his legacy will continue to inspire and entertain. Our thoughts go out to his family, friends, and fellow group members, as well as to all who have been entertained by his exceptional talent.
 
Neil Portnow
President/CEO
The Recording Academy


Finally, make sure to check out writer George A. Paul's review of Billy Idol's tell-all autobiography Dancing With Myself here. Anyone interested in not only Idol, but the costs of rock stardom will find the honest look at the rocker's life a good read.

Sights and Sounds: Paul McCartney and Kanye West; 2014 remembered

Happy 2015 everybody! No time like the present to begin sharing music news, notes and reviews, right?

Kanye West and Paul McCartney have released a new song titled "Only One." Read about this collaboration in an article on the Los Angeles Times site.

George A. Paul has an interesting roundup of noteworthy albums from the celebrated likes of Simple Minds, Erasure and others that people (including yours truly) missed in 2014. You can read the post on his Music Minded blog here.

Also below are the embedded episodes where TJR and I discuss some of our favorite albums, and reissues of 2014. Enjoy!

Eric Clapton's 'Planes, Trains And Eric' On DVD, Blu-ray, And Digital Formats 11/4/14

One of rock's most enduring and influential guitarists will be the focus on an upcoming DVD/Blu-ray release courtesy of Eagle Rock Entertainment. Here is the media release...

EAGLE ROCK ENTERTAINMENT PROUDLY RELEASES

ERIC CLAPTON

PLANES, TRAINS AND ERIC

~DVD,  BLU-RAY, AND DIGITAL FORMATS OUT NOVEMBER 4, 2014~

On November 4, 2014, Eagle Rock Entertainment will release Planes, Trains and Eric by Eric Clapton on DVD and Blu-ray [Pre-book Order Date October 10, MSRP $19.98 Blu-ray, $14.98 DVD].  This is an intimate film documenting life on the road during part of his 2014 tour intercut with superb full-length performances.  The film features many classic tracks including: “Layla,” “Wonderful Tonight,” “Cocaine,” “Tears In Heaven,” “I Shot The Sherriff,” “Crossroads” and more.

Planes, Trains and Eric follows Eric Clapton and his band on the Far and Middle Eastern leg of his 2014 World Tour. The film features 13 full-length performances blended with interviews with Eric Clapton and the band members, rehearsal and soundcheck footage, travel by trains and planes, presentations and “fly on the wall” filming of all the many aspects of being on the road with Eric Clapton.

Eric Clapton is one of the most revered and influential guitarists of all time. From his early days with the Yardbirds, through John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers, Cream, Blind Faith, Derek And The Dominos and on to his solo career he has had consistent critical and commercial success.

The line up of the band featured on the film is Eric Clapton (guitar & vocals); Steve Gadd (drums); Paul Carrack (Hammond & vocals); Nathan East (bass & vocals); Chris Stainton (keyboards); Michelle John (backing vocals); Shar White (backing vocals).

Planes, Trains and Eric offers an unrivalled peek into the world of one of today’s greatest performers; and of course plenty of fantastic music.

Eagle Rock Entertainment is the largest producer and distributor of music programming for DVD, Blu-Ray, TV, Audio and Digital Media in the world.  Eagleworks directly alongside talent to produce top quality, High Definition and 3D programs, both concerts and documentaries, including The Rolling Stones, Pink Floyd, The Who, Queen, The Doors, Jeff Beck, U2, Peter Gabriel, Paul McCartney and Ozzy Osbourne. Eagle is a Grammy Award winning company and has received over 30 multi-platinum, over 50 platinum and over 90 gold discs, worldwide. Eagle Rock Entertainment has offices in London, New York, Toronto, Paris and Hamburg.

Follow Eagle Rock Entertainment at:

Facebook:  www.facebook.com/EagleRockEnt

Twitter: www.twitter.com/EagleRockNews

YouTube: www.youtube.com/user/eaglerocktv

TRACK LISTING:

1) Tell The Truth  

2) Pretending  

3) Crossroads  

4) Driftin’  

5) I Shot The Sherriff  

6) Little Queen Of Spades  

7) Layla  

8) Wonderful Tonight  

9) Key To The Highway  

10) Before You Accuse Me  

11) Tears In Heaven  

12) Cocaine  

13) Hoochie Coochie Man  

14) High Time (Credits – Audio Only)