Summertime brings a wealth of sounds

The summer of 2024 is seeing a parade of highly-anticipated releases for music fans, including new music and deluxe reissues. Here is a roundup of several upcoming high-profile titles.

Artist: Deep Purple

Title: =1 (earMUSIC)

Tell me more: Set for release on July 19, Deep Purple's wonderful Bob Ezrin-produced return =1 definitely delivers on the British rock troupe's signature rock sound. Several enticing advance tracks from =1 have already been released, including the infectious "Lazy Sod," bewitching "Portable Door" and hard rocking "Pictures Of You." =1 will be released on a number of formats including CD+DVD (Digipak), audio CD, and several collectible vinyl editions. In connection with the release of =1, Deep Purple will perform more than 60 concerts across the globe as part of the band's "=1 More Time" Tour. Information: deeppurple.com.

Artist: Cat Stevens

Title: Foreigner (Interscope/Geffen/A&M)

Tell me more: Yusuf / Cat Stevens' classic 1973 album Foreigner has been remastered and will be reissued via A&M/UMe on vinyl for the first time since its original release as well as on audio CD and via streaming services on July 26. As noted in a media release, Foreigner showed enormous artistic ambition and courage with Cat boldly stepping away from his signature acoustic sound in order to freely explore the heat and love of the soul and R&B genres. Recorded in the heart of Jamaica, his fearlessness was rewarded with the album reaching No. 3 on both the U.S. and U.K. album charts. The album will be available on vinyl for the first time since its original release, on both 180-gram black vinyl and limited edition 180-gram blue vinyl, with a replica 12” lyric card insert. The blue vinyl pressing can be purchased exclusively at CatStevens.com, uDiscover Music and Sound of Vinyl. Foreigner will also return to CD for the first time since its reissue in 2000, complete with a 16-page booklet. The new remaster will also be available for streaming in both standard and stunning hi-resolution audio. The initial production run of the vinyl and CD versions will feature the super rare color front cover, originally released only on the original A&M pressings in 1973.

Additionally, his trio of iconic 1970s albums (Mona Bone Jakon, Tea For The Tillerman and Teaser and the Firecat) were released on limited edition color vinyl on July 5, 2024. Information: CatStevens.com.

Artist: Oasis

Title: Definitely Maybe (Big Brother Recordings)

Tell me more: Set for release on Aug. 30, the 30th Anniversary Deluxe Editions of Oasis' Definitely Maybe will be released on deluxe 4LP, 2CD, exclusive colored vinyl, digitally and even cassette. The expanded reissue features tracks from the British band's abandoned original recording session completed at Mono Valley Studios, as well as outtakes from the definitive album recording sessions at Sawmills Studios in Cornwall where the official debut album was recorded. All of the aforementioned formats will include the 2014 remastered version of Definitely Maybe as well; the enduring masterwork includes favorites such as "Supersonic," "Slide Away," "Live Forever" and "Rock 'n' Roll Star." Information: amazon.com.

Artist: Phil Collins

Title: Both Sides — 30th Anniversary edition (Rhino Records)

Tell me more: The fifth solo album from Phil Collins, Both Sides was originally released in 1993. Now the album will be reissued on Sept. 20 as a 5LP box set. According to a news release from Rhino Records: This deluxe edition contains the remastered full original album, cut at half-speed by Miles Showell at Abbey Road Studios, and is a compendium of early demo tracks from the recording of the album as well as rarities from the singles originally released on the album — "Both Sides of the Story," "Everyday" and "We Wait and We Wonder." Both Sides (All The Sides) brings this full collection together with live tracks from the era, such as “Can’t Turn Back the Years,” “Both Sides of the Story” taken from Collins’ MTV Unplugged performance, “Doesn’t Anybody Stay Together Anymore” and more, as one release for the first time on vinyl. The set is housed in a slipcase with picture sleeves and a 16-page booklet containing newly written and extensive liner notes by esteemed journalist Michael Hann. Information: rhino.com.

Artist: Keith Urban

Title: HIGH (UMG Nashville)

Tell me more: Acclaimed country music artist Keith Urban will return with his first new album HIGH on Sept. 20. According to a news release, HIGH is "a musical journey, intentionally sequenced through themes of what it is to be alive, human connection, cutting loose, huge hook choruses, hope, nostalgia, shredding solos, straight-up fun, and some personal life revelations." Fans interested in hearing music from the forthcoming album are in luck; "Wildside," "Straight Line," "Go Home W U" with Lainey Wilson and "Messed Up As Me" are among the advance tracks available to hear now. 

Information: keithurban.com.

Robert Kinsler

Sights and Sounds: Eric Clapton, 1960s San Francisco Sound, Duke Ellington

A fantastic film showcasing highlights from Eric Clapton's series of shows staged at London's Royal Albert Hall in the early 1990s is coming to movie theaters on May 17, as well as a DVD title revisiting the "San Francisco Sound" of the 1960s and a reissue of two Emmy-nominated programs celebrating the legacy of Duke Ellington are showcased in my column this week.

Artist: Eric Clapton
Title: Across 24 Nights (Warner Records)
You might like if you enjoy: Eric Clapton, Phil Collins, Buddy Guy, Albert Collins
Tell me more: In 1990 and 1991, singer-songwriter/guitar master Eric Clapton played a record-breaking 24 nights at London's Royal Albert Hall. These unique concert events featuring blues, rock and orchestral sets are revisited via Eric Clapton: Across 24 Nights; the global cinema event arrives on Wednesday, May 17 with an encore showing on Sunday, May 21. Eric Clapton: Across 24 Nights features standout performances from the run of shows staged more than 30 years ago, and the restored visual and audio quality of the performances shines throughout the outstanding performances. A who's who of top-tier guests are featured performing with Clapton, further elevating the magic of the film. Early highlights of the film include an inspired take on the Cream classic "Crossroads," reggae-tinged take on the Bob Marley and the Wailers favorite "I Shot the Sheriff" featuring drummer Phil Collins, ambitious rocker "White Room," a funk-flavored "Tearing Us Apart" (elevated by the guest vocals of Katie Kissoon and Nathan East's bass playing), and a three-song run where blues greats including Jimmy Vaughan, Albert Collins, Johnnie Johnson, Jerry Portnoy and Buddy Guy share the limelight. When Clapton and his bandmates team up with conductor Michael Kamen and the National Philharmonic Orchestra, Clapton standards take on a new life that frequently reveals new emotional and sonic layers. Indeed, a lavish take on "Holy Mother," poignant "Wonderful Tonight" (the latter showcasing Clapton's nuanced guitar playing and strong lead vocals) and soaring "Layla" are truly memorable via the symphonic readings featured in the fast-moving film. To see a movie theater location near you and purchase tickets to Eric Clapton: Across 24 Nights, visit www.ericclaptoncinema.com.

Artists: Jefferson Airplane, Grateful Dead, Santana, Quicksilver Messenger Service
Title: A Night At The Family Dog/Go Ride The Music/West Pole (Mercury Records)
You might like if you enjoy: Quicksilver Messenger Service, Jefferson Airplane, The Grateful Dead, Santana

Tell me more: Anyone wanting to travel back in time to glimpse the musical forces that launched the so-called "San Francisco Sound" in the late 1960s is in luck. Mercury Studios has just released an essential two-DVD set featuring "A Night At The Family Dog" (1970), "Go Ride The Music" (1969) and "West Pole" (1969); the trio of Ralph J. Gleason psychedelic-drenched television documentaries feature the groundbreaking artists who forged a new sound. Watching the three documentaries is a bona fide treat; the viewer will get to see freewheeling performances from Santana, Quicksilver Messenger Service, The Grateful Dead, Jefferson Airplane and others. Among the terrific performances from Jefferson Airplane featured on "Go Ride The Music" are a tuneful "We Can Be Together," rollicking "Volunteers" and reworked "Somebody To Love." Quicksilver Messenger Service showcases their rootsy Americana brew via the Gram Parsons-flavored "Somebody's Crying" and winning "Subway." "A Night At The Family Dog" finds Carlos Santana and his band firing up a sonic firestorm via "Soul Sacrifice," while the Grateful Dead performs a version of Otis Redding's "Hard To Handle" and their own "China Cat Sunflower" segueing into "I Know You Rider." Additionally, artist interviews shed additional insight into the important period in music history. Collectively, the three specials that fill the two discs provide an eye-opening look back at the late 1960s. Information: mercurystudios.co.

Artist: Duke Ellington
Title: Love You Madly + A Concert of Sacred Music at Grace Cathedral (Mercury Studios)
You might like if you enjoy: Duke Ellington, Dizzy Gillespie, 20th century jazz
Tell me more: Jazz lovers will want to add the new title "Love You Madly + A Concert of Sacred Music at Grace Cathedral" to their music library. Indeed, history comes alive via the new DVD which features two programs focused on jazz icon Duke Ellington. "Love You Madly" is a 1965 profile of Ellington, who was acclaimed for his role as a composer, pianist, conductor and bandleader. In addition to insightful interviews, there is performance footage captured at a number of different locations; musical selections featured on that program include "Take The 'A' Train," "In My Solitude" and "Sophisticated Lady." The hour-long "A Concert of Sacred Music" is a historic program filmed on location at the premier performance on Sept. 16, 1965; Ellington put together the program for the consecration of the Grace Cathedral, which was finally ready after decades of stop-start reconstruction following the 1906 San Francisco Earthquake. The individual selections fuse classical, jazz, spirituals, blues, gospel and dance. Highlights include "In The Beginning, God," "Ain't But The One," "The Lord's Prayer" and "David Danced Before The Lord." Although next year will mark the 50th anniversary since Ellington's death, the jazz great's music and legacy is sure to endure; "Love You Madly + A Concert of Sacred Music at Grace Cathedral" goes a long way to make sure discerning music aficionados gain a greater appreciation of Ellington. Information: mercurystudios.co.

Robert Kinsler

Phil Collins...Still Not Dead Yet, Live! coming this fall

This will likely be the biggest music release of the day, so I wanted to share it early!

PHIL COLLINS… STILL NOT DEAD YET, LIVE!

THE LEGEND RETURNS TO THE U.S. FOR EXCLUSIVE 2019 RUN

“Collins proved once again to be the show stopper we all know him to be” – Setlist.FM

“There was something in the air as Collins and band created the ultimate fan experience” (Consequence of Sound)

Citi Presale Begins Tuesday, March 26 at 10 a.m.

Tickets On Sale for Verified Fans Friday, March 29 at 10 a.m.

General On Sale Begins Saturday, March 30 at 10 a.m.

LOS ANGELES, CA (Mar 21, 2019) – Due to overwhelming demand, Live Nation and S2BN Entertainment today announced a limited run of Phil Collins Still Not Dead Yet, Live! dates have been confirmed for fall 2019. The 15-city limited engagement will kick off September 23^rd in Dallas, TX and make stops in Houston, Tampa, Atlanta, Charlotte, Detroit, Pittsburgh, Buffalo, New York City, Louisville, Omaha, Denver, Phoenix, and San Francisco before wrapping October 19^th in Las Vegas, NV. Tickets for all dates will go on sale starting Friday, March 29^th.

One of the world’s most acclaimed hitmakers with over 100 million record sales and an unstoppable catalogue of Number 1 albums, Phil Collins Still Not Dead Yet, Live! follows his highly successful Phil Collins Not Dead Yet 2018 outing which included multiple sold out dates and will once again feature Phil Collins accompanied by longtime guitarist Daryl Stuermer, keyboardist Brad Cole, bassist Leland Sklar, percussionist Richie Garcia), 4 piece horns & stellar backup vocalists with Phil’s son Nicolas once again handling the iconic drum beats Phil himself made so famous and compelling a generation before.

“The atmospheric and electrifying In The Air Tonight was magnificent. Collins, poignantly, stood to sing this classic. His thousand-yard stare penetrated those in the far-flung seats facing the stage and his haunting vocals were sung with an intensity that had many fans standing and swaying on their feet, eyes closed, mesmerised.” (The Herald, AU).

Phil Collins Still Not Dead Yet, Live! will continue to be a celebration of his epic career. With more top 40 hits than any other US artist in the 80’s crowd pleasers “Against All Odds,” “Another Day in Paradise,” “I Missed Again,” “Follow You Follow Me,” “In the Air Tonight” “Invisible Touch” and “Easy Lover” amongst others had the rapturous crowds air drumming and dancing in their seats.

Citi is the official credit card for the Phil Collins Still Not Dead Yet, Live! Tour, and as such, Citi cardmembers can take advantage of a special Citi Presale powered by Verified Fan opportunity for tour dates in the United States. Citi cardmembers can register now through Sunday, March 24 at 11:59PM ET to unlock access to tickets and use their Citi card to complete the ticket purchase if verified. The Citi Presale begins Tuesday, March 26 at 10AM and will continue through Thursday, March 28 at 5PM. To register for the Citi Presale powered by Verified Fan visit: citiprivatepass.com.

Additionally, fans may register now through Sunday, March 24^th at 12am local time at https://philcollins.ontouraccess.com/  to unlock tickets for the Verified Fan on sale Friday, March 29^that 10am through 11:50pm at www.ticketmaster.com. If tickets remain, general on sale will begin Saturday, March 30^th at 10am local time at LiveNation.com.

The tour is presented by Live Nation & S2BN Entertainment Studios by Arrangement with Solo & Tony Smith Personal Management.

PHIL COLLINS STILL NOT DEAD YET, LIVE! TOUR 2019 DATES:

Monday, September 23, 2019	Dallas, TX	American Airlines Center
Tuesday, September 24, 2019	Houston, TX	Toyota Center
Thursday, September 26, 2019	Tampa, FL	Amalie Arena
Saturday, September 28, 2019	Atlanta, GA	Infinite Energy Center
Sunday, September 29, 2019	Charlotte, NC	Spectrum Center
Tuesday, October 1, 2019	Detroit, MI	Little Caesars Arena
Wednesday, October 2, 2019	Pittsburgh, PA	PPG Paints Arena
Friday, October 4, 2019	Buffalo, NY	KeyBank Center
Sunday, October 6, 2019	New York, NY	Madison Square Garden
Wednesday, October 9, 2019	Louisville, KY	KFC Yum! Center
Friday, October 11, 2019	Omaha, NE	CHI Health Center
Sunday, October 13, 2019	Denver, CO	Pepsi Center
Tuesday, October 15, 2019	Phoenix, AZ	Talking Stick Resort Arena
Thursday, October 17, 2019	San Francisco, CA	Chase Center
Saturday, October 19, 2019	Las Vegas, NV	T-Mobile Arena

For complete tour and ticket information visit: www.PhilCollins.com & www.LiveNation.com

Sights and Sounds: Genesis, The Brand New Heavies, Roger Hodgson

I've returned from a short vacation and it's no surprise my inbox was stuffed with news! Here is a quick roundup as it relates to a number of exciting new albums and DVD/Blu-ray releases set for release in the coming months...

Genesis to release official career-spanning documentary 'Sum of the Parts' on January 13, 2015 on Eagle Vision

After more than 300 million album sales, the current rediscovery of the hugely successful and influential Genesis continues with the DVD and Blu-ray release of an official career-spanning documentary Sum of the Parts which will be released on January 13, 2015 on Eagle Vision.

Featuring contributions from key members past and present Tony Banks, Phil Collins, Peter Gabriel, Steve Hackett, Mike Rutherford and Anthony Phillips, as well as a wealth of archive performance footage of the band’s biggest tracks and fan favorites, this first official study of the band’s history commences with their formation at Charterhouse in 1967 and reunites the band for the first time in many years.

Produced by Eagle Rock Film Productions and directed by John Edginton, the film recounts an extraordinary musical story, exploring the band’s song writing as well as emotional highs and lows, alongside previously unseen archive material and rare performance footage from across their entire career.

Sum of the Parts explores the dynamic between the band members that have enabled them to survive numerous line-up changes alongside solo careers outside of the band.

The remarkable story encompasses their visionary influence as the leading lights of progressive rock with landmark albums such as Foxtrot, Selling England By ThePound and The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway; the huge crossover success of the Eighties and Nineties which saw them hit the upper reaches of the singles charts with era-defining hits such as “Turn It On Again,” “Invisible Touch,” “No Son of Mine,” and “I Can’t Dance”; and through to their 2007 Turn It On Again comeback tour which included a show in front of 500,000 people at Rome’s Circo Massimo.

Sum of the Parts contains the BBC’s Together and Apart documentary, which aired on October 4. It adds more than 30 minutes of previously unseen footage, and represents the perfect DVD and Blu-ray companion to the 3CD anthology R-Kive which was released by Warner Music Group / Rhino on September 30.

“We’re the only band, I think, that have managed the solo thing and the band thing for quite a few years side-by-side, and made it a plus rather than a problem,” says Mike Rutherford. Peter Gabriel concurs: “I think when we got it right we had something that none of us could do on our own. And there were different musical histories merging together in a powerful way.”

Tony Smith, Genesis Manager: “It’s fascinating to see the breadth, diversity and worldwide success of the songs and compositions that have come from this one group of people, in this truly unique film”

In terms of what they’ve done together, and what they’ve done apart, there’s never been a band like Genesis. It’s a captivating story, told here from the beginning for the first time.

View trailer here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MJx1FLme6kQ

The Brand New Heavies to release new studio album on November 24th

London-based Acid Jazz innovators and expert purveyors of funky grooves and incredibly soulful harmonies, The Brand New Heavies are releasing their new studio album Sweet Freaks on Nov. 24, 2014.

The eleven tracks featured on the quartet’s tenth studio album Sweet Freaks is full of the band’s signature irresistible grooves, well thought-out melodies and as much lively energy and enthusiasm as on any of their highly successful early outings. The band’s electrifying new vocalist, Jersey born Dawn Joseph originally debuted on 2013’sForward (sharing vocal duties with the band’s then lead singer N’Dea Davenport). Now as lead vocalist, Joseph has come into her own in a big way, as evidenced on tracks like “In the Name of Love”, “Self Portrait” or “Get On,” which showcase her self-assured, powerful and also immensely versatile voice.

The album’s title song “Sweet Freeek” makes clear what the album is all about: melodies that get stuck in your head for days. The album doesn’t lose any of the band’s trademark sound but spikes it up with fresh, crispy grooves.

“We, The Brand New Heavies, are very excited to be releasing our new album with new singer and amazing gifted Dawn Joseph who appeared out of a dream. It‘s freeeky, but Sweet - We hope you love it.”

Follow Eagle Rock Entertainment at:

Facebook:   www.facebook.com/EagleRockEnt

Twitter:  www.twitter.com/EagleRockNews

YouTube:  www.youtube.com/user/eaglerocktv

Follow earMusic at:

Youtube: www.youtube.com/earmusicofficial

Facebook: www.facebook.com/earmusicofficial

Website: www.ear-music.net

Track Listing

1. Sweet Freeek

2. Sledgehammer

3. In The Name Of Love

4. Bring The Rain

5. ‘95 Tonight

6. Pleased To Meet Ya

7. Get On

8. We Live For The Summer

9. Self Portrait

10. You Are The Fire

11. Don‘t Let Go

www.thebrandnewheavies.net

 www.ear-music.net

www.youtube.com/earMUSICofficial

www.facebook.com/earMUSICofficial

www.twitter.com/earMUSICedel

Supertramp co-founder Roger Hodgson readies Fall Tour as "Crime of the Century" celebrates 40th Anniversary

HODGSON'S SHOWS GIVE NORTH AMERICAN AUDIENCES OPPORTUNITY TO ONCE AGAIN EXPERIENCE THE MAGIC AND SPIRIT HODGSON CREATED WITH SUPERTRAMP

Roger Hodgson, legendary vocalist and singer-songwriter from Supertramp, is heading back to North America for a series of fall dates. Following extensive tours of Europe and Brazil, Hodgson kicks off his North America tour on November 4 in Wabash, Indiana.

Hodgson, one of the most gifted composers and lyricists of our time, co-founded the progressive rock band Supertramp in 1969.  Roger was the driving force behind what fans call the "golden years" of the band that made Supertramp a worldwide phenomenon with album sales in excess of 60 million. He wrote, sang, and arranged the enduring rock standards such as "Breakfast in America," "Give a Little Bit," "Take the Long Way Home," "The Logical Song," "Dreamer," "It's Raining Again," "School," and "Fool's Overture."

Accompanied by a four-piece band, Roger Hodgson continues to perform all his hits he wrote and later recorded with Supertramp plus other classics of his such as "Child of Vision," "Hide in Your Shell," "Sister Moonshine,"  and "Even in the Quietest Moments," plus favorites from his solo albums - "Only Because of You," "Lovers in the Wind," and "In Jeopardy" - many of which can be found on his current CD release, Classics Live.

Uniting generations, Hodgson is transporting baby boomers back to their youth while giving younger concertgoers a taste of why his heartfelt songs have endured. In fact, this year marks the 40th Anniversary of "Crime of the Century," released in September 1974 (see press release below). Hodgson's song, "Dreamer," became Supertramp's first international runaway hit, driving the album to the top of the charts. "School," "Hide in Your Shell," and "If Everyone Was Listening" are also fan favorites from the album that Hodgson wrote and composed and often plays in concert.

Roger's shows give North American audiences the opportunity to once again experience the magic and spirit that Hodgson created with Supertramp.

 Roger Hodgson North America Tour Dates:
 November 4 - Wabash, IN - Honeywell Center
 November 6 - Detroit, MI - MotorCity Casino Hotel
 November 7 - Niagara Falls, NY - Seneca Niagara Falls Casino and Resort
 November 8 - Ridgefield, CT - Ridgefield Playhouse
 November 9 - Bethlehem, PA - Sands Bethlehem Event Center
 November 11 - Huntington, NY - The Paramount
 November 14 & 15 - Rama, ON, Canada - Casino Rama
 
"Whether it's the melodic complexity of his songs, the harmonies he weaves with his band, the lyrics that sweep you away or his ability to still command the incredible upper range of his voice, 'beautiful' was what kept coming to mind over and over again during his performance. 'Breathtaking' might also apply. 'I want more' certainly would." ~ Ted Hansen - Mesa Classic Rock Music Examiner
 
"All these years I thought I was a Supertramp fan when actually I was and am a Roger Hodgson fan. What a show! WOW is all I can say."~ David Wild, Contributing Editor, Rolling Stone

Check out his latest release, "Classics Live." This spectacular collection of Roger's hit songs from concerts recorded around the world on his 2010 tour is available through his Store and iTunes.

Enjoy this video montage of Hodgson performing some of his timeless classics.

For more information, visit the Tour page on Hodgson's Website or Events on his Facebook page.

 For additional information on Roger Hodgson, visit his Bio.

 www.RogerHodgson.com
 www.Facebook.com/RogerHodgson
 www.Twitter.com/RogerHodgson
 www.Youtube.com/RogerHodgson
 www.Instagram.com/RogerHodgson

 

ABOUT SUPERTRAMP'S CRIME OF THE CENTURY:

Celebrating the 40th Anniversary since its release in 1974, Crime of the Century features the cream of Rick Davies' and Roger Hodgson's songwriting, and was the first of the many peaks in Supertramp's illustrious career; an album that had everything to prove and tunes that effortlessly straddled the world of pure pop and progressive rock. The significant change that happened with Supertramp on this album was that Hodgson and Davies had each found their strength as songwriters and were writing alone. With the unmistakable blend of the two songwriters – Davies' and Hodgson's work, it married the sweetness of Hodgson's Dreamer -- the band's first big hit single -- with the grit of Davies' similarly beloved Bloody Well Right. In School, Rudy, and the title track, the band – Davies, Hodgson, John Helliwell, Bob Siebenberg, and Dougie Thomson – helped define what would soon be known as Adult Oriented Rock. This was -- and is -- not just an album that showed Supertramp's increased maturity, but a timeless gem marked by the incredible melodies and thoughtful lyrics of Roger Hodgson and Rick Davies.

This 40th Anniversary edition will be released December 9 in the US and contains the classic original album, remastered by Ray Staff at Air Studios, and a second disc features the band’s 1975 Hammersmith Odeon concert, mixed from the original tapes by original on-the-night engineer Ken Scott.  It captures the band on the verge of stardom, showcasing all of Crime, and also previewing tracks from the then-as-yet-unreleased follow-up, Crisis? What Crisis? The LP eventually peaked at Number 4 on the UK charts and saw the band on the US Top 40 for the first time.

Dreamer also became the band's first hit single. "I'm fortunate to have written songs that have become hits without ever trying to write one," Hodgson says. "I've never sat down and said 'OK I'm going to write a hit song.' Inspiration comes in many different ways. Usually it comes when I get out of the way losing myself in the sound of the instrument I am playing – it's almost like being in a meditative state. With Dreamer, the inspiration was born out of excitement and just erupted out of me." Hodgson continues, "Looking back, it was quite serendipitous that as a young songwriter with so many dreams I had my first hit with a song named Dreamer. It was certainly a thrill to hear it being played all over the radio. Creating our reality, I've since realised, often starts with our dreams."

If Everyone Was Listening, another of Hodgson's philosophical musings, reaches back to Shakespeare's As You Like It adage ('All the world's a stage, and all the men are merely players') for allegorical inspiration.

"It's all simply a play," says Hodgson, "The world is the stage for all of us, and the song is more about just becoming aware of what is really real in life. And it's a longing for love in a world that is falling apart." Hodgson added, "To this day it has always been my ambition as an artist to try to make the world a better place through my music ever since The Beatles inspired me by how they made such a difference in the world."

Sights and Sounds: World Party, Jack White, Phil Collins, The Who, Joan Baez, Jerry Lee Lewis

Hope everybody had a good weekend! Lots of news to share for a Monday...

I sadly wasn't able to catch World Party this weekend. My pal George A. Paul did and you can read his full report on Music Minded here.

During a Glastonbury performance of the White Stripes tune "Cannon," Jack White included a good chunk of Metallica's "Enter Sandman." You can watch it courtesy of Spin here.

Is it really possible? Is Phil Collins considering coming out of retirement? Stereogum has the latest here.

The Who are set to celebrate their 50th anniversary with another tour. NME has the scoop.

Joan Baez

Joan Baez is coming to the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles this week. The Orange County Register has an insightful preview on the legendary folk singer you can read here.

Finally, legendary rocker Jerry Lee Lewis is set to release a new album aptly titled Rock & Roll Time on Oct. 28, 2014. The collection will feature a mix of newly-recorded classics and will find Lewis joined by the celebrated likes of Keith Richards, Neil Young, Ron Wood, Robbie Robertson and Nils Lofgren. 

Currently, Lewis has two upcoming concert dates scheduled: on July 5, 2014 he will be performing at Harrah's Resort in Valley Center, CA and on Oct. 30, at B.B. King's Blues Club and Grill in New York. Visit www.JerryLeeLewis.com for all the details.

Rock & Roll Time Tracklisting:

1. ROCK & ROLL TIME (with Doyle Bramhall II and Jon Brion)
2. LITTLE QUEENIE (with Keith Richards and Ron Wood)
3. STEPCHILD (with Daniel Lanois and Doyle Bramhall II)
4. SICK AND TIRED (with Jon Brion)
5. BRIGHT LIGHTS, BIG CITY (with Neil Young and Ivan Neville)
6. FOLSOM PRISON BLUES (with Robbie Robertson and Nils Lofgren)
7. KEEP ME IN MIND (with Jon Brion)
8. MISSISSIPPI KID (with Derek Trucks and Doyle Bramhall II)
9. BLUES LIKE MIDNIGHT (with Robbie Robertson)
10. HERE COMES THAT RAINBOW AGAIN (with Shelby Lynne)
11. PROMISED LAND (with Doyle Bramhall II)
 

www.facebook.com/JerryLeeLewisOfficial

Sights and Sounds: Valentine's Day, Phil Collins, Walter Trout

With today being Valentine's Day, I wanted to kick off this post with an interesting update I received from Facebook about music listened to by those getting in or out of love. Kind of fun. Also, there is big news for fans of singer-songwriter-drummer Phil Collins and blues great Walter Trout.

FACEBOOK CHRONICLES THE LOOK (AND SOUNDS) OF LOVE WITH TIMELY PLAYLISTS

Jason Derulo is popular among lovebirds on Facebook with two songs in the top 10 on the “In a relationship” playlist, including his hit "Don't Wanna Go Home" coming in at #1 and "It Girl" at #6. On the other hand, people prefer Drake when breaking up. The hip-hop star has two songs on the break-up playlist, including “Take Care” and "Crew Love." Bruno Mars has a universal appeal with “Just the Way You Are” on the love playlist and “It Will Rain” on the breakup list.

"The Cave" by Mumford and Sons, "All of the Lights" by Kanye West and "Rolling in the Deep" by Adele are also frequently listened to songs when ending a relationship. Those three tunes are also nominated for Song of the Year at the GRAMMY Awards last Sunday! Another fun fact is that people tend to listen to fewer songs when they enter relationships than when they end them.

Most listened to songs by people after changing their status to 'In a relationship':
1. Don't Wanna Go Home by Jason Derulo
2. Love On Top by Beyoncé
3. How to Love by Lil Wayne
4. Just The Way You Are by Bruno Mars
5. Good feeling by Flo Rida
6. It Girl by Jason Derulo
7. Stereo Hearts by Gym Class Heroes feat Adam Levine
8. Criminal by Britney Spears
9. No Sleep by Wiz Khalifa
10. Free Fallin' by John Mayer

Most listened to songs by people after changing their status to “Single”:
1. The Cave by Mumford and Sons
2. Crew Love by Drake
3. All of the Lights by Kanye West
4. Rolling in the Deep by Adele
5. Take Care by Drake
6. It Will Rain by Bruno Mars
7. We Found Love by Rihanna & Calvin Harris
8. Call It What You Want by Foster the People
9. Love You Like a Love Song by Selena Gomez and the Scene
10. Without You by David Guetta featuring Usher


For more information & To Link:
https://www.facebook.com/notes/facebook-data-team/lovebirds-or-heartbreak-top-valentines-day-playlists-on-facebook/10150560271528859

Facebook love mix:
http://open.spotify.com/user/slycoder/playlist/2SSUnGaPl8YtWFNYrPYHg1

Facebook breakup mix:
http://open.spotify.com/user/slycoder/playlist/4yXygxW4AtM722kquUikD0


PHIL COLLINS IS LIVE AT MONTREUX 2004


Eagle Rock Entertainment To Release Blu-Ray Concert Spectacular On March 27

Eagle Rock Entertainment will release Phil Collins Live At Montreux 2004 on Blu-ray. This marks the first time Phil Collins can be experienced in high-def performing every single one of his major hits live in concert.

The 25-song, 231-minute blockbuster features the celebrated drummer-turned-frontman singing the hits from his long and storied solo career. "In The Air Tonight," "Sussudio," "Two Hearts," "Take Me Home," and many others are prominently on display in DTS-HD Master Audio, Dolby Digital 5.1 and LPCM Stereo, and the high-definition of the Blu-Ray visual.


As a bonus, 13 songs from his 1996 Montreux appearance (filmed in standard definition) are included, performed by the Phil Collins Big Band. The rarely seen big band material, with a special guest appearance by Tony Bennett, completes the Live at Montreux 2004 disc, showcasing the breadth of musical genres that Phil Collins has perfected.


Previous Phil Collins titles from Eagle Rock Entertainment include Going Back: Live At Roseland Ballroom, NYC (DVD and Blu-Ray) and Classic Albums: Face Value (DVD).


Track Listing:

2004 Set List:

1) Drum Thing

2) Something Happened On The Way To Heaven

3) Against All Odds

4) Don't Lose My Number

5) You'll Be In My Heart

6) One More Night

7) Can't Stop Lovin' You

8) Hang In Long Enough

9) True Colours

10) Come With Me

11) A Groovy Kind Of Love

12) I Missed Again

13) Another Day In Paradise

14) No Way Out

15) Separate Lives

16) In The Air Tonight

17) Dance Into The Light

18) You Can't Hurry Love

19) Two Hearts

20) Wear My Hat

21) Easy Lover

22) Sussudio

23) It's Not Too Late

24) Drums Again

25) Take Me Home



1994 Set List:

1) Two Hearts

2) That's All

3) In The Air Tonight

4) Invisible Touch

5) West Side

6) Against All Odds

7) Hand In Hand

8) There'll Be Some Changes Made (featuring Tony Bennett)

9) Milestones

10) Los Endos

11) Always

12) Do Nothing 'Til You Hear From Me

13) Sussudio





WALTER TROUT RETURNS WITH BLUES FOR THE MODERN DAZE VIA THE MASCOT LABEL GROUP ON APRIL 24, 2012

FIRST 35 DATES OF MAJOR NORTH AMERICAN TOUR ANNOUNCED
Trout Hits The Road On February 25 In Regina, SK

The Mascot Label Group has announced an April 24 release date for Walter Trout's 21st album Blues For The Modern Daze. The offering displays the contemporary guitar legend returning to his hard-core blues roots, with songwriting at a creative and personal zenith. Blues For The Modern Daze is Trout’s sixth recording for Provogue Records, a division of the Mascot Label Group, and his first pure blues album in 23 years as a bandleader.

Trout’s practical schooling in blues started when he arrived in Los Angeles in 1973 and got gigs behind Hooker, Big Mama Thornton, Finis Tasby, Pee Wee Crayton, Lowell Fulsom, Percy Mayfield and Joe Tex. In 1981 he joined the remaining original members of Canned Heat. But the real turning point was his tenure with British blues giant John Mayall. Trout became part of the Bluesbreakers’ lineage of great guitarists along with Eric Clapton, Peter Green and Mick Taylor. Beginning in 1984 he shared six-string duties with Coco Montoya in Mayall’s band, creating a flexible guitar dynamic that helped provide the Bluesbreakers a renaissance that returned the group to the apex of the international blues touring circuit. Trout began leading his own group in 1989 and cut his debut album Life In the Jungle, rapidly becoming a star in Europe. His first Stateside release, 1998's critically heralded Walter Trout, made him start down the road towards becoming the fixture of the American blues-rock scene that he is today.

Trout's travels over the past 39 years, and his wide appreciation of his predecessors, yield a significant influence to Blues For The Modern Daze. Trout shares, "My main inspiration for this album was the country bluesman Blind Willie Johnson, an early blues innovator who recorded such timeless gospel informed blues numbers as 'Soul of a Man' and 'Nobody’s Fault But Mine.' His music is so beautiful, primal, direct and deeply spiritual that I wanted to feel it at my back when we were cutting these songs.” He continues, "This album captures my interest in exploring a side of my music that’s rooted in my first musical love, and it reveals something about me too. It sums up the thoughts and attitudes of somebody who is getting a little older and is feeling a little like he’s a part of another era, with different values and a different perspective on life than often seem to be prevalent today. And I stand behind those values, like compassion, authenticity and honesty, as strongly as I stand behind my music.”

Blues for the Modern Daze was recorded at Entourage Studios in North Hollywood, California, with Trout and engineer Eric Corne producing. It’s the fifth time Trout has collaborated with Corne, who contributed to the arrangements and sonic palette of the songs that Trout wrote and demoed on acoustic guitar during the year before the sessions.

Trout returns to the road in the U.S. on April 25th in Solana Beach, CA. Confirmed appearances include:
2/25 Regina, SK (Canada) Mid-Winter Blues Festival @ Casino Regina
4/25 Solana Beach, CA Belly Up Tavern
4/26 Las Vegas, NV Boulder Station Casino
4/27 Santa Ana, CA The Observatory
4/28 Simi Valley, CA Simi Valley Blues Festival
5/09 Collinsville, CT Bridge Street Live
5/10 Bethlehem, PA River Jazz Festival @ Musikfest Café
5/11 Shirley, MA Bull Run
5/12 Stanhope, NJ Stanhope House
5/14 Buffalo, NY The Tralf
5/16 Fall River, MA Narrows Center for the Arts
5/18 New York, NY Iridium Jazz Club
5/19 New York, NY Iridium Jazz Club
5/20 New York, NY Iridium Jazz Club
5/21 New York, NY Iridium Jazz Club
5/23 Charlotte, NC Double Door Inn
5/24 Asheville, NC Orange Peel
5/25 Atlanta, GA Smith’s Olde Bar
5/26 Biloxi, MS MS Gulf Coast Music, Art, Craft & Seafood Festival
5/27 Biloxi, MS MS Gulf Coast Music, Art, Craft & Seafood Festival
6/02 Hagerstown, MD Western Maryland Blues Festival
6/06 Davenport, IA Redstone Room
6/07 Milwaukee, WI Shank Hall
6/08 Canton, OH Canton Blues Festival
6/09 Minneapolis, MN Famous Dave’s Blues Festival
6/10 Des Moines, IA House of Bricks
6/12 Lincoln, NE Zoo Bar
6/13 Kansas City, MO Knucklehead’s Saloon
6/14 St. Louis, MO Old Rock House
6/15 Chicago, IL House of Blues
6/16 Henderson, KY WC Handy Blues Festival
6/30 Silverado, CA Irvine Lake Blues Festival
8/12 Duluth, MN Bayfront Blues Festival
8/26 Marshfield, MA North River Blues Festival
9/01 Laramie, WY Snowy Range Music Festival