Def Leppard, Heart headline Jack's 6th Show in Irvine

Def Leppard's Phil Collen and Joe Elliott perform for the crowd during the Jack FM event at Verizon Wireless Amphitheater on Sept. 10, 2011.

Over the last several years, I've come to the realization that nostalgia-minded music festivals bring out crowds more interested in drinking beer (or alcohol of any variety), shooting photos of pals with their cellphones and generally just taking advantage of any excuse to party.
Such was mostly the case at Jack's 6th Show, an annual event held at Verizon Wireless Amphitheater in Irvine on Saturday, Sept. 10.

The good news was despite the casual attitude of the majority of the less-than-capacity crowd, there was some solid music making courtesy of Def Leppard, Heart, Dramarama and Marcy Playground.

Best known for their 1997 hit "Sex and Candy," Marcy Playground performed that hit and other solid original rock during a nine-song set. In truth, while the fans responded loudest when the trio out of NYC played "Sex and Candy" near the end of their 30-minute outing, other songs outdistanced that; the indie rocker "Poppies" and Nirvana-styled "Saint Joe on the School Bus" were decidedly more powerful.

Singer-songwriter John Easdale led Dramarama through a mighty performance, even overcoming a power failure that silenced the quintet's music making only two songs into their all-too-brief set.

"We broke the system," Easdale joked.

The good news is that Dramarama was ultimately able to start playing again, performing that song ("Scenario") and many others with a fiery style highlighted by "Prayer," "Work for Food" and "Last Cigarette." The ferocious performance of "Anything, Anything (I'll Give You)" ended a 30-minute set celebrating one of the 1980s' unsung alternative rock heroes.

There is nothing necessarily wrong Everclear, although I admit to never having been a big fan of the outfit. I had reviewed Art Alexakis and company several times before seeing them perform on Saturday and I found the group's best-known hits ("Father of Mine," "I Will Buy You a New Life") still don't resonate with me. What's worse is that Alexakis' voice was croaky and by the time the band got to the breezy, reggae-tinged "Wonderful" (my favorite song by Everclear) nine songs into the 10-song set, it was a painful listen. Don't even get me started on his flat acoustic version of Van Morrison's "Brown Eyed Girl" a few songs before that.

When the action shifted over to the main stage at Irvine Meadows - oops - Verizon Wireless - singer-songwriter-guitarist Evan Watson took the stage to offer up a short set of acoustic blues. His voice was not especially effective, with his set reaching its zenith when Def Leppard guitarist Vivian Campbell joined him on the stage for a cover of the Prince classic "Purple Rain."

Thankfully, there were a couple of good acts on the way to keep the party crowd and even us few discerning listeners happy.

Heart, featuring sisters Ann and Nancy Wilson, offered up plenty of firepower over the course of an appearance stretching just over an hour. From the opening salvo, a straight-ahead cover of Led Zeppelin's "Rock and Roll" to new material ("WTF" from the group's 2010 effort Red Velvet Car) and an assortment of '70s and '80s hits, the crowd was given frequent reasons to cheer. "Barracuda," "Heartless," "Crazy On You" and "Magic Man" showcased Ann's still-powerful soprano, while Nancy's rhythm guitar work and work on the mandolin (notably on "These Dreams") was as impressive as her fantastic harmony vocals - all of which really helped elevate the set.

Heart's encore featured the one-two punch of Led Zeppelin's "The Battle of Evermore" and the Who's epic "Love Reign O'er Me."


Headlining was Def Leppard, who turned in a fantastic, heavy-on-the-hits 90-minute showcase; the only downer being the bass mix that made everything sound a bit muddy. In fact, sometimes the lead guitar solos just didn't sound as mighty as they should have. I'm not the first to note this; writer George A. Paul also wrote this in his review that ran on the Soundcheck blog.

The performance was solid, with Joe Elliott and his long-time band mates belting out hits like "Let's Get Rocked," "Hysteria" and "Pour Some Sugar on Me." A strong lighting component and effective visuals projected on large screens added to the show, notably during the opening "Undefeated" (a new song featured on Def Leppard's recently-issued Mirror Ball - Live & More collection).

Guitarists Phil Collen and Vivian Campbell offered up plenty of flashy solos, with Campbell shining on "Love Bites" and Collen's fretwork shining on "Photograph" and "Foolin’."

The most emotional part of the show came when Def Leppard paid tribute on the eve of the 10th anniversary of 9/11. Performing an acoustic-styled "Two Steps Behind," the group then remained on a small stage that was positioned out in the crowd. After playing that poignant song, the ensemble performed "Bringin' on the Heartbreak" with acoustic guitars most of the way, before Collen and Campbell were handed electric guitars to bring the classic home in full electric glory.

Setlist: Def Leppard at Jack’s 6th Show, Verizon Wireless Amphitheater, Irvine, Sept. 10, 2011
Main set: Undefeated / Let’s Get Rocked / Animal / Foolin’ / Love Bites / Rock On (David Essex cover) / Rocket / Two Steps Behind / Bringin’ on the Heartbreak / Switch 625 / Hysteria / Armageddon It / Photograph / Pour Some Sugar on Me
Encore: Rock of Ages

Sights and Sounds: Coldplay, She & Him, Bob Seger

What do Coldplay, She & Him, Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band have in common? All have new releases, reissues and/or tours set to arrive later this year.
Here are highlights of some of the most recent releases to land in my stuffed inbox. Hey, and have you heard Coldplay's "Paradise"? Talk about an infectious, "can't get it out of your head" single, wow!

“PARADISE,” THE NEW SINGLE FROM COLDPLAY’S MYLO XYLOTO, TO BE RELEASED MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 12


Mylo Xyloto To Be Released In U.S. On Monday, October 24th

Album Pre-Order Begins Today On The iTunes Store Worldwide


“Paradise,” the new single from Coldplay’s upcoming album, Mylo Xyloto, is available beginning Monday, Sept. 12, 2011. The album pre-order for Mylo Xyloto also begins today on the iTunes Store worldwide (www.itunes.com). See below for the full track listing. Fans who pre-order the album on iTunes will instantly receive a download of “Paradise.” The track ships to radio today. Capitol Records has scheduled Mylo Xyloto for U.S. release on Monday, October 24, 2011. It will be available in digital, CD and vinyl formats and as a special limited edition Pop-Up album.



“[The new songs] suggest Coldplay’s forthcoming album may be more gritty, fun, strange and (yes) danceable than any so far,” observed Rolling Stone. Just as the album art was inspired by the work of New York graffiti artists of the 1970’s, Mylo Xyloto takes its cue from the sense of freedom those artists embodied. Songs like the frenetic “Hurts Like Heaven” and “Major Minus” – described by Billboard as “an ominous, thundering beast of a song with rattling guitars, potent (and rare) Buckland solos, and restless, shifting musical patterns” – contrast sharply with the delicate “Us Against The World,” the shimmering summer single “Every Teardrop Is A Waterfall” and “Charlie Brown,” with its transcendent message of hope for the outsider in all of us. The track “Princess of China” features vocals by Rihanna. Mylo Xyloto was produced by Markus Dravs, Daniel Green and Rik Simpson, with enoxification and additional composition by Brian Eno.

Coldplay – comprising Guy Berryman, Jonny Buckland, Will Champion and Chris Martin – has sold more than 50 million records worldwide and won numerous awards, including seven GRAMMY® Awards, six Brit Awards and four MTV Video Music Awards. The band’s last album, 2008’s Viva La Vida, charted at No. 1 in 36 countries, including the United States and the United Kingdom.


The track listing for Mylo Xyloto is as follows:

1. Mylo Xyloto
2. Hurts Like Heaven
3. Paradise
4. Charlie Brown
5. Us Against The World
6. M.M.I.X.
7. Every Teardrop Is A Waterfall
8. Major Minus
9. U.F.O.
10. Princess of China
11. Up In Flames
12. A Hopeful Transmission
13. Don't Let It Break Your Heart
14. Up With The Birds



Coldplay – Upcoming Festival Dates


9/16 Austin, TX Austin City Limits Festival

9/23 Las Vegas, NV iHeart Radio Music Festival

9/24 Atlanta, GA Music Midtown

10/1 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Rock In Rio




Merge Records is set to release She & Him’s first-ever holiday recording, A Very She & Him Christmas, on Oct. 25.

A collection of holiday tunes from two of music’s most impressive artists – Zooey Deschanel & M. Ward, it was inspired by seminal holiday albums by The Carpenters, Vince Guaraldi, The Beach Boys, Elvis Presley and more.

The holiday collection sees the duo stepping back slightly from the layered, lush aesthetic of their critically acclaimed second album, "Volume Two," often recording with just acoustic guitar and vocals.


The track listing is:

The Christmas Waltz
Christmas Day
Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas
I’ll Be Home for Christmas
Christmas Wish
Sleigh Ride
Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree
Silver Bells
Baby, It’s Cold Outside
Blue Christmas
Little Saint Nick
The Christmas Song

For more information, visit http://www.mergerecords.com/


BOB SEGER & THE SILVER BULLET BAND

ANNOUNCE NEW TOUR DATES
2011 NORTH AMERICAN TOUR


‘LIVE BULLET’ AND ‘NINE TONIGHT’ CONCERT ALBUMS

REMASTERED WITH BONUS TRACKS IN STORES SEPTEMBER 13



Detroit, MI – Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band have announced new dates for the second leg to their 2011 North American Tour (see below). The dates will include a wide range of venues including New York’s newly renovated Madison Square Garden, the Eastern Michigan University campus, Connecticut’s Mohegan Sun Casino, and Seger’s first stadium festival show in decades, Orlando Calling. Additional dates will be announced shortly including the West coast swing of Seger’s tour. Fans can expect Seger and his Silver Bullet Band to perform timeless classics like “Night Moves” and “Old Time Rock & Roll” alongside new songs from his upcoming new release.


On Tuesday, September 13, Capitol/EMI will reissue Seger’s multi-platinum Live Bullet and Nine Tonight concert albums digitally remastered with exclusive bonus tracks. Both titles will be released with restored original artwork and updated packaging and offered in a special CD/T-Shirt Box combination at select retailers.


Seger & his Silver Bullet Band’s live performances led to record sales in excess of 51 million including 11 platinum and seven multi-platinum RIAA-certified album awards. Seger holds the distinction in 2010 for the #1 Catalog Album of the Decade for his Greatest Hits, which has sold over nine million copies (U.S.A.) to date, posting an unbroken 16-year streak on Billboard’s Top 200 Albums and Catalog Albums charts.

Information: www.bobseger.com

BOB SEGER & THE SILVER BULLET BAND
2011 NORTH AMERICAN TOUR ANNOUNCED DATES


Show Date City Venue On Sale Date

Wed, Nov 2 Ypsilanti, MI Eastern Michigan University Sat, Sep 24



Fri, Nov 4 Columbus, OH Nationwide Arena Sat, Sep 24



Wed, Nov 9 Evansville, IN Ford Center Sat, Sep 17



Fri, Nov 11 Greenville, SC BI-LO Center Sat, Sep 24



Sun, Nov 13 Orlando, FL Orlando Calling Festival On Sale Now



Tue, Nov 15 Birmingham, AL BJCC Arena Sat, Sep 24



Thu, Nov 17 Louisville, KY KFC Yum! Center Sat, Sep 24



Sat, Nov 19 Pittsburgh, PA Consol Energy Center Sat, Sep 24



Fri, Nov 25 Baltimore, MD 1st Mariner Arena Sat, Oct 08



Sat, Nov 26 Uncasville, CT Mohegan Sun Arena Sat, Sep 17



Tue, Nov 29 Worcester, MA DCU Center Sat, Sep 24



Thu, Dec 01 New York, NY Madison Square Garden Sat, Sep 24



Sat, Dec 03 Philadelphia, PA Wells Fargo Center Sat, Oct 1

Doheny Days set to return to Dana Point this weekend

Photo courtesy of Kelly A. Swift

This post actually features a highlight of material that was used in two previews I wrote of the event for The Orange County Register that were originally published on Sept. 7, 2011.


Doheny Days ready for revival after years away

While many people said goodbye to summer over Labor Day weekend, local music fans know they get to celebrate at least one more weekend of summer thanks to the return of Doheny Days on Sept. 10-11.

After a hiatus of seven years, fans of eclectic music can once again hit Doheny State Beach in Dana Point to soak in the sounds of modern rockers (Weezer, Cake and Neon Trees, above, all of whom appear during Day 2), reggae greats (Ziggy Marley, Black Uhuru), O.C.-spawned heroes (Donavon Frankenreiter, Ken Garcia, Common Sense) and genre-defying champions (Day 1 headliner Ben Harper). Other featured performers include G. Love & Special Sauce, JJ Grey & Mofro, Hyper Crush and Blitz the Ambassador, the moniker of Ghanaian-American hip-hop artist Samuel Bazawule.

“Festival-goers are much more experimental in 2011 than in 2004, the last year that we held Doheny Days,” explained Rich Sherman, president of Lake Forest-based Omega Events, which stages both this event and the annual Doheny Blues Festival.

“So it was very important to present an exciting mix of acts, ones that would fit the vibe of the festival. Very few festivals are as fortunate as we are — our backdrop is the Pacific Ocean, so acts like Ben Harper and Donavon Frankenreiter were a natural fit.”

The mix of acts from a variety of genres will perform amid a setting that includes a Ferris wheel, midway games, four stages and an overall experience that Sherman insists will be different from what Omega puts together for Doheny Blues every May. That makes sense considering the appeal of this lineup skews younger.

Neon Trees, for instance, is one of modern rock fastest-rising new bands, bolstered by the smash success of its single “Animal.” Since issuing its debut, Habits, in early 2010, the quartet from Provo, Utah, has toured with the Killers, impressed a large crowd at Coachella in April and did so again in Costa Mesa with a headlining performance at Pacific Amphitheatre in July.

“That Pacific show was absolutely one of my favorites of this last year,” Neon Trees frontman Tyler Glenn (pictured above) said during a phone chat shortly before a gig in Seattle recently. “There was a magical quality in the air and it never felt dull; it never felt like there was a lull in the set.”

Neon Trees — also including guitarist Chris Allen, bassist Branden Campbell and drummer Elaine Bradley — will play a 75-minute set on Sunday at Doheny Days, ahead of equally long or longer turns from Marley, Cake and Weezer. The group also has a number of dates with Duran Duran in September and October.

Glenn finds it highly flattering to be opening for so many of his heroes: “I have a lot of moments where I catch myself because bands I listened to four years ago as a normal Joe, I’ve (now) wound up playing shows with them. It’s insane.

“I grew up loving a lot of punk music — Social Distortion was a big band that I loved seeing down in Orange County, and Mike Ness came to watch our whole set and then wanted to meet us, which was completely mind-blowing. It used to be the other way around, but he wanted to meet us. Those kinds of things are crazy.”

Glenn said Neon Trees approaches each show uniquely, so local fans who caught the group at Pacific will get something new at Doheny Days.

“I think we treat festival shows and our headlining shows and our club shows all a little differently. The aesthetics are different. The kind of fans that are there are different. Festivals especially are a huge opportunity to get new fans or (encounter) ‘Oh, I’ve heard of this band’ or ‘I really love Weezer but I get to see Neon Trees, too.’ That’s our opportunity to wow them for 40 minutes or whatever. We usually choose more of the high-energy songs and try to create those dynamics — and hope for the best.”

Though most attendees will likely come to Doheny Days for the music, Sherman contends there are plenty other reasons to spend the weekend on the beach.

“We have produced 23 music festivals at Doheny State Beach, and it would have been foolish to reinvent the wheel, so there are certainly some similarities with the blues festival,” he says. “But our foremost goal was to create a new environment for Doheny Days. That will be evident from the first steps onto the boardwalk. The overall vibe will be fresh.

“For the last several years, we have been talking with the State Parks Department about bringing back (this festival), specifically what type of event would take shape – music, attractions, (the number of) attendees. They seemed comfortable with our original sketch, so it then became our job to deliver an event that exceeded all expectations — an event that would improve upon the eight-year history of Doheny Days.”

Doheny Days takes place at Doheny State Beach, 25300 Dana Point Harbor Drive. Gates open at 11:30 a.m. each day, with music ending at 9:30 p.m. on Saturday and 9 on Sunday. Day 1 features Ben Harper, Donavon Frankenreiter, G. Love & Special Sauce and more. Day 2 includes Weezer, Ziggy Marley, Cake, Neon Trees, Black Uhuru and others. Tickets are $50 for single-day general admission ($60 day of show) or $80 for a weekend pass. Click here or call 949-360-7800 for full details, including VIP availability. Click here for a complete schedule of performances.



Here are my top three picks from each day at Doheny Days!

Saturday, Sept. 10, 2011

Ben Harper – On Ben Harper’s latest album, “Give Till It’s Gone,” the GRAMMY Award winner is joined by the celebrated likes of Jackson Browne and legendary Beatles drummer Ringo Starr. But when Harper performs in Dana Point, it will be songs such as the confessional “Don’t Give Up On Me Now,” psychedelic-reeling “Spilling Faith” and poignant “Feel Love” that will carry the weight.

JJ Grey & Mofro – Serving up a well-balanced menu of soul, funk, R&B, Southern rock and blues, Florida-based JJ Grey & MOFRO is may go into Doheny Days as one of Saturday's best-kept secrets. Don't expect JJ Grey (vocals, guitar, harmonica) and six-man troupe to be a secret when they have finished their performance.

Ken Garcia – Whether it’s dubbed surf rock, soft rock or folk rock, Orange County’s own singer-songwriter-guitarist Ken Garcia’s material is both infectious and intelligent. His set in Dana Point will feature songs from his forthcoming album set for release later this year.

Sunday, Sept. 11, 2011

Weezer – Whether they are cranking out crunchy power pop (“Buddy Holly,” “Undone”), infectious sing-along gems (“Island in the Sun,” “Beverly Hills”) or alt rock (“Hash Pipe”), few bands to emerge in the early ‘90s remain as relevant or remarkable as the Rivers Cuomo-led Weezer.

Ziggy Marley – A five-time GRAMMY winner, Ziggy Marley has released more than a dozen albums throughout his long career. He will likely be unleashing good vibes and great songs (“Tomorrow People,” “Tumbling Down,” “Look Who’s Dancing”) when he performs at Doheny Days.

Neon Trees – With songs that recall the best of ‘80s New Wave without being mired in the past, indie rock heroes Neon Trees consistently deliver concerts that get fans on their feet and dancing like there is no tomorrow. Singer Tyler Glenn & company are a force of nature, so the quartet should be right at home on the scenic shores of the Pacific.

Sights and Sounds: George Harrison subject of new exhibition at The GRAMMY Museum

First Major Exhibition To Explore The Life Of George Harrison To Premier At The GRAMMY Museum®



George Harrison: Living in the Material World Slated To Open October 11, 2011



LOS ANGELES — The GRAMMY Museum, in cooperation with Estate of George Harrison, will debut a major new exhibition, George Harrison: Living in the Material World opening on October 11, 2011. The exhibition will open the week following the broadcast premiere of Martin Scorsese’s documentary of the same name, showing on HBO in two parts on October 5 and 6, and will be the first major museum exhibition to explore the extraordinary life and career of 12-time GRAMMY Award® winner George Harrison.


"I’m honored that Olivia Harrison has chosen to work with us to create George Harrison: Living in the Material World,” said Bob Santelli , Executive Director of The GRAMMY Museum. "We are particularly excited to celebrate Harrison ’s extraordinary musical legacy with the legions of fans who admire him, as well as to introduce him to a new generation of music lovers.”


During a career spanning four decades, George Harrison earned a reputation as one of rock’s most talented and innovative musicians and songwriters. As a Beatle, Harrison was responsible for writing some of the group’s most beloved songs, including “While My Guitar Gently Weeps,” “Here Comes the Sun,” and “Something.” In addition, Harrison’s spiritual quest led him to India where he studied the sitar, and began a lifelong friendship with Indian sitar master, Ravi Shankar; their collaborations profoundly influenced the introduction of Indian classical music to the West.


After the dissolution of The Beatles in 1970, Harrison embarked on a highly successful solo career, resulting in several critically acclaimed albums, including his ground-breaking debut triple-album, All Things Must Pass. In 1971 Harrison staged the now legendary Concert for Bangladesh , raising both money and awareness for the country and ushering in an era of other important benefit rock concerts. Harrison was also a member of the supergroup, the Traveling Wilburys, which had its share of successful recordings as well. George Harrison passed away at age 58 in 2001.


“As a Beatles fan, working on this exhibit has been a fascinating journey for me personally,” said Santelli, who assumed the role of co-curator with GRAMMY Museum curator Tory Millimaki and GRAMMY-Award winning designer Masaki Koike. “I came to realize George Harrison was a more deeply complex musician than I previously knew, and a beautifully spiritual man whose interests touched not only songwriting and music, but also included photography, filmmaking and book publishing. Hopefully, the exhibit will bear this out, enabling other fans of George Harrison to see him and hear his music in a brand new light.”

Living in the Material World will provide an in-depth look at all aspects of Harrison ’s creative life. Bringing together a collection of diverse artifacts, rare photographs and footage, the exhibit features dozens of items from the private collection of the Harrison Estate, including:


* Several guitars used by George Harrison during his years with The Beatles and in his solo career;

* Handwritten lyrics;

* Personal journals and sketches;

* Stage outfits; and

* Personal photographs shot by Harrison.



“We are very pleased with the results of our collaboration with The Grammy Museum, said Olivia Harrison, George’s widow. “Bob and his team have brought a great deal of passion and commitment to the project; their collective efforts have resulted in a wonderful exhibit. We look forward to sharing our memories of George with his fans through this first major exhibition about his life.”

George Harrison: Living in the Material World will be on display in The GRAMMY Museum’s Special Exhibits Gallery through February 12, 2012.



Museum admission is $12.95 for adults; $11.95 for senior citizens (65+); and $10.95 for students with I.D. (ages 6 – 22) and members of the military. GRAMMY Museum members and children 5 and under are admitted free. Located at 800 West Olympic Boulevard, Suite A245 , Los Angeles , CA 90015 , with an entrance off of Figueroa Street , the Museum resides within the L.A. LIVE campus, at the intersection of Olympic Boulevard and Figueroa Street in downtown Los Angeles . For more information, please call 213.765.6800 or visit www.grammymuseum.org.



About The GRAMMY Museum
Paying tribute to music's rich cultural history, this one-of-a-kind, 21st-century Museum explores and celebrates the enduring legacies of all forms of music, the creative process, the art and technology of the recording process, and the history of the premier recognition of excellence in recorded music — the GRAMMY Award. The GRAMMY Museum features 30,000 square feet of interactive and multimedia exhibits located within L.A. LIVE, the downtown Los Angeles sports, entertainment and residential district. Through thought-provoking and dynamic public and educational programs and exhibits, guests can experience music from a never-before-seen insider perspective that only The GRAMMY Museum can deliver.

Nils Lofgren remembers 9/11: "When You Are Loved"

I received this email in my inbox and wanted to share this with you all as we approach the 10th anniversary of September 11, 2001. I hope many of you will visit Nils' official Web site and take advantage of his offer to download his new song "When You Are Loved." It's one of many ways to remember and reflect on the 10th anniversary of 9/11.

Photo credit: JAN M. LUNDAHL

"When You Are Loved" - a 9-11 song honoring heroes, victims and families

"When You Are Loved" is a song written to honor the love, courage and spirit of the 9-11 victims and their surviving family members. In this instance, a grieving wife and mother, with a young son, finds the strength and spirit to carry on, honoring her fallen husband and loving their child.

Whether a fireman, policeman, EMT or any of the hundreds of first responders and citizens who heroically gave their lives saving others, in addition to the thousands of victims, the surviving parents and family of every age, now have a mountain of grief to navigate and we all remain inspired and grateful at their dignity and spirit on this lifelong, overwhelming journey.

May God bless you all and may God bless America.

--Nils Lofgren--


"When You Are Loved"

The crumbling towers, the widowed wife, fatherless son, to share my life
And when the grief has me convinced, I won't survive
Our son holds my face in two soft hands and I'm impossibly alive

When you are loved, when you are loved
Life can be lived, when you are loved

Wakes in your Yankee cap every day, wears it to school, what can I say
And sorrow's dark promise is broken and I'm free
When our sweet little Yankee cries, "Ma, come lay down with me"

When you are loved, when you are loved
Life can be lived, when you are loved

Fatherless son, the widowed wife
We honor you dear, embrace our life


Words and Music by Nils Lofgren

www.nilslofgren.com


The song is also available on the site (free download) - http://www.nilslofgren.com/Downloads07.html

Phil Collen bringing Def Leppard to his own backyard

All photos taken by Helen Collen except where indicated.

How did one of hard rock's most successful acts decide to make its first-ever live album? In the case of Def Leppard, the answer was not to even think about it.

“The reason we've never recorded a live album before is because we've either been in tour mode or we're recording a (studio album), so a live album was never really a priority,” said guitarist Phil Collen, who recently invited me to his Laguna Hills home to talk about Def Leppard’s newly released CD/DVD collection Mirror Ball: Live & More and a variety of other music and fitness-related projects.

“Mirror Ball” is not a traditional live album. Released on June 7, 2011, to coincide with the band’s 2011 tour (which includes a headlining spot at Jack’s Sixth Show at Verizon Wireless Amphitheater in Irvine on Sept. 10), the album’s first 2 discs feature more than 20 live tracks that were each recorded at different tour stops on the band’s 2008-2009 Sparkle Lounge Tour. There are also three new studio tracks. In addition, the third disc is a DVD with behind-the-scenes footage, live performances of hits such as “Rock! Rock! (Till You Drop)” and “Pour Some Sugar On Me” and official music videos.

“We thought of doing one, but never had the time,” Collen said of the band’s long wait in issuing a live collection.
“But we had a year off in 2010, which was our first year off in 30 years - which is ridiculous if you think about it. And Ronan (Ronan McHugh, who handles sound for the band) had been recording (all) these shows; it wasn't as daunting as it sounds. Say (we played) Denver, he'd mark it off on the hard drive, 'Good tonight, good audience'; I didn't have to go in and redo any parts, any vocals - not one…”
Back before the days of digital downloads and YouTube, live albums from a favorite band were on the dream list of many music fans. The first-rate performances and bonus materials on “Mirror Ball” will likely thrill fans of Def Leppard, a hard-rocking outfit that has sold more than 65 million albums since emerging in Sheffield, England in the late 1970s.

“It's a real live album. We wanted to make it a bit different. We didn't want to call it 'Def Leppard Live.' So it got an official name, which is 'Mirror Ball'. Our last album was called Songs from the Sparkle Lounge, (now) 'Mirror Ball,' is kind of a tie-in to that,” explained Collen, who has lived in Orange County since 1990.

While Collen, 53, is best-known for his long-time role playing guitar in Def Leppard, his successful side project MANRAZE (seen below) has just issued its aptly-titled sophomore effort punkfunkrootsrock. The release of the latest MANRAZE disc on Aug. 2 again teams Collen (lead vocals, guitar), bassist Simon Laffy (who played with Collen in Girl before he joined Def Leppard in 1982) and Sex Pistols drummer Paul Cook playing a wide range of original material.


“I was in London. My dad had terminal cancer…So I went over there and hung with him,” Collen recalled of the situation leading up to the creation of MANRAZE in 2004. “I had an amazing time with him. I had, probably the best time since I was 7 or something.”

While Collen was staying in London, he reconnected with Laffy.
“We never wrote together when we were in the band and he played me some of his demos, and I said I've got this idea for a song and it clicked. (I said) ‘Wouldn't it be great if Paul Cook was the drummer?’ This is a true story. (Two days later) I went to see my dad at the hospital before I got him out to go home and there was Paul getting in a car.”

“All of a sudden it changed. It was a completely liberating experience for me. You can go off on crazy tangents in a three-piece band. In Def Leppard, we actually have another instrument, the backing vocals. It takes a lot of effort from us. We have to be on cue for choruses and bridges. We really use it to an extreme. It's a focal point. It was weird all of a sudden not having to do that. Let's drag this guitar solo out a little longer or go into a groove, the whole thing was totally liberating. And then I understood the Hendrix Experience and the Police, Nirvana, Cream, all the great 3-piece bands. You can go wow.”

This writer first met Collen when he appeared at the NAMM music trade show in Anaheim in January 2011. Collen was there on behalf on several music manufacturers, including Jackson Guitars, but he was thrust into the spotlight when he was invited to jam with bassist/Gov. Mike Huckabee. The widely-featured footage of the famed lead guitarist who is a vegetarian and is widely recognized for his dedication to the martial art of Muay Thai Kick Boxing jamming with the well-known 2008 presidential candidate summed up the spirit of NAMM which brings together people from all backgrounds together for the shared love of music making.


“He was a really nice guy. I've got to say he was genuinely warm and just cool. He does this thing called 'Wanna Play' – it’s a foundation and they get musical instruments to kids who either can't afford them or schools where the program has been cut. I have a thing for it because I was a really late starter; I was 16 when I started to play guitar...I was raised and grew up in the East End of London and it was rough and a lot of the kids did violent things,” said Collen, who added that playing music allowed him to stay on a positive path and avoid getting into trouble like other kids in the neighborhood.
“So the 'Wanna Play' thing starts with Mike Huckabee. What a great idea.”


Only a couple of weeks after appearing at NAMM, Collen and Muay Thai trainer Jean Carrillo were featured at a demonstration at the Los Angeles Fitness Expo. A long-time vegetarian who stopped drinking alcohol in 1987, Collen continues to be dedicated to the art of guitar playing while on a simultaneous mission to inspire others to lead healthy and active lives. He understands many people don’t have the time or access to hire a trainer, but says everyone can do something.

“There is a pecking order of things. Most people want to lose weight. To lose weight, you do cardio. You don't do isolation exercises like dumb bell curls or crunches. You won't even see that until the fat gets removed. Walking is great to start with. Biking is great because it's low impact. Again, it's a catch 22. You're a bit heavy, so you're putting so much stress on your back, your knees and your ankles, so therefore you want to do something low impact. A spinning class is brilliant and you just build it up,” explained Collen, noting he is sad to see so many of his friends – even those 10 or 15 years younger – struggling from health issues related to a poor lifestyle.

Collen plans to issue a DVD designed to help inspire and demonstrate how easy it is to get fit.
“We're talking about it now. It's going to be called 'Physical Mechanics' and it's a three-tier system. It's like a workout for someone who couldn't do one push-up without hurting them self. It does involve walking. You don't need any workout equipment.”

Collen, who married his wife Helen a year ago, couldn’t be happier despite a crazy schedule that includes high-energy workouts, sold-out tour dates with Def Leppard and upcoming club shows with Man Raze.

“I'm in a really great place now. I'm totally happy. I love it here in California. I've been in this house 21 years,” Collen said.


“The only downer about doing hometown gigs is your guest list,” admitted Collen when asked about performing in Irvine at a venue located so close to his home.
“I love it; the quickest I've got home was nine minutes. Last time (October 2009) was 12 minutes.”

Sights and Sounds: Freddie Mercury, Joan Jett, Styx

Photo courtesy of Bob Steshetz

GOOGLE TO CELEBRATE FREDDIE MERCURY’S BIRTHDAY WITH VERY SPECIAL GOOGLE DOODLE

TRIBUTE TO LEGENDARY QUEEN FRONTMAN GOES LIVE ON SEPTEMBER 6

To mark the 65th birthday of one of rock’s most iconic artists, Google posted a rare and extraordinary tribute to Freddie Mercury with a very special Google doodle on its homepage. The Google doodle was created to celebrate the life and talents of the legendary Queen frontman.

The video clip seeks to capture the dynamism and diversity of Mercury’s career through an animation that’s as colorful and playful as his stage performances.

Created by Google’s in-house team of illustrators, animators, and engineers, the doodle was available for users outside of the US on September 5th, Mercury’s 65th birthday. The doodle is available on Google.com in the US today, September 6th, as a belated “Happy Birthday” to Freddie since his actual birthday fell on Labor Day.

Google runs special doodles on its homepage as a celebration of holidays, anniversaries, and the lives of famous artists, pioneers, and scientists. The worldwide tribute from Google is something that doesn’t happen very often. Google has previously run video doodles for other legendary entertainers including John Lennon and Charlie Chaplin.


www.queenonline.com
www.youtube/queenofficial
www.freddieforaday.com


For more information on the “Freddie For A Day” charitable fundraiser go to

www.freddieforaday.com



Backbeat Books publishes Joan Jett bio from Dave Thompson



Bad Reputation: The Unauthorized Biography of Joan Jett by Dave Thompson (Backbeat Books, September 2011, $19.99) is the unexpurgated story of Joan Jett, the single most exciting rocker of the American 1980s, one of the biggest-selling acts of the age, and one of punk rock’s most valued elders.

Through its pages, a welter of exclusive interviews and observations paint what might well be the last great tale of rock hedonism, but one that comes with a twist. The rockers are women; the groupies are guys. It could have been the plot line for a movie or even a sitcom, but the Runaways, Jett’s first band, made it happen, and Jett made it last.

The first serious female rocker of the 1980s, Jett became the template for everyone who followed. But unlike so many of her peers and counterparts, she never lost her credibility, never sold out, and never gave up. And, she has backed her reputation up with stardust, following the chart-topping “I Love Rock ‘n’ Roll” – one of the 80s’ most played anthems – with “Crimson and Clover,” “Do You Wanna Touch Me,” and “I Hate Myself for Loving You” before the decade ended. The ensuing decades saw Jett purposefully step away from the spotlight, as Thompson writes, “there has been no gradual mellowing or slackening of fury – onstage in 2011, Joan Jett is still the same ball of energy that she was back in 1976, and because she often plays the same songs she did back then, it’s easy to compare the two.”

Featuring a complete discography and classic photographs from throughout her career, Bad Reputation is a celebration of an artist who remains as vital and vibrant in her 50s as she was at 16.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Dave Thompson is the author of six previous Backbeat Books, including Your Pretty Face is Going to Hell, about David Bowie, Iggy Pop, and Lou Reed. He is also the author of the highly acclaimed Kurt Cobain biography Never Fade Away, as well as books on Cream, George Clinton, Judas Priest, Deep Purple, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and others. He is a frequent contributor to Rolling Stone, Alternative Press, MOJO, AllMusic Guide, and Melody Maker. He lives in Newark, Del.

September 2011 $19.99 Paperback Original 8 page B/W photo insert
978-0-87930-990-9 260 pages 6" x 9"
Backbeat Books is an imprint of Hal Leonard Performing Arts Publishing Group


EAGLE ROCK ENTERTAINMENT TO RELEASE NEWLY-RECORDED CAREER-SPANNING STYX OVERVIEW, REGENERATION, VOLUME I & II

Styx will have its entire career encapsulated within the 16 tracks of Regeneration, Volume I & II on a double-disc to be released via Eagle Rock Entertainment on October 4, 2011. [MSRP $17.98]


With over 30 million records sold in North America alone, Styx is one of the most beloved rock bands on the planet. Tommy Shaw, James “JY” Young, Chuck Panozzo, Lawrence Gowan, Ricky Phillips and Todd Sucherman have been together longer than any other lineup in the band’s 40-year existence.

In addition to 13 Styx classics and a brand new song “Difference In The World,” Regeneration, Volume I & II also includes interpretations of “High Enough,” and “Coming Of Age,” originally recorded by Damn Yankees, which featured Shaw, along with Night Ranger’s Jack Blades, Ted Nugent and drummer Michael Cartellone.” The band had originally re-recorded these acclaimed anthems to sell only at their live shows, as they continued to tour the globe and introduce a new generation of fans to their chart-topping hits. Now, for the first time, this music is being made commercially available.

Eagle Rock Entertainment has previously released Styx: One With Everything, a DVD and Blu-Ray filmed with The Contemporary Youth Orchestra Of Cleveland. Upcoming in December will be The Grand Illusion/Pieces Of Eight – Live, on DVD/CD, DVD, and Blu-ray.

For more information on Styx, please visit www.styxworld.com.

Track Listing:

DISC 1
1) The Grand Illusion

2) Fooling Yourself (The Angry Young Man)

3) Lorelei

4) Sing For The Day,

5) Crystal Ball

6) Come Sail Away

7) Difference In The World



DISC 2

1) Blue Collar Man (Long Nights)

2) Miss America

3) Renegade

4) Queen Of Spades

5) Boat on The River

6) Too Much Time On My Hands

7) Snowblind

8) Coming Of Age

9) High Enough

Craig Chaquico delights crowd at The Coach House

Guitarist Craig Chaquico utilized the laser-guided Beamz during several original compositions at The Coach House on Sept. 3, 2011.

Photos courtesy of Bob Steshetz

Craig Chaquico has carved two careers out of his skill and love of playing guitar.

From 1974 to 1990, Chaquico was the lead guitarist of Jefferson Airplane and Jefferson Starship (later dubbed simply Starship), with his masterful work on his instrument enlivening classic tracks such as the beautiful "Miracles," hard rocking "Jane," popular rock ballad "Sara" and my favorite Jefferson Starship song, the Chaquico-penned "Find Your Way Back."


At the dawn of the 1990s, Chaquico embarked on a solo career crafting instrumental music, which has earned him an equally-strong appreciation with the release of a number of strong releases, including Acoustic Highway (1993), Acoustic Planet (1994), Midnight Noon (2004) and Follow the Sun (2009).

Chaquico took a break from work on his upcoming album (set for release in early 2012) to perform a full-length concert at The Coach House in San Juan Capistrano on Saturday night, Sept. 3, with the 75-minute performance serving as a celebration of his solo career.

Although this night found Chaquico performing on stage by himself, his use of technology allowed him to effortlessly perform with the accompaniment of a full group via backing tracks. But it was Chaquico's live playing that most impressed, including some of his best-known compositions. Indeed, "Cafe Carnival," "Acoustic Highway," "Sacred Ground" and "Return of the Eagle" allowed him to showcase his guitar skills blending his virtuoso skills on the fretboard with musical landscapes incorporating jazz, rock, Native American music, blues and flamenco.

A naturally-gifted storyteller, he often provided the inspiration and stories behind his selections. In several works, including "Gathering of the Tribes," he used his laser-guided Beamz (see the image at the top of this review) to add another dimension to his piece inspired by an invitation to perform and attend at a Pow Wow. He also had a fan in the audience come up on stage and use the technology-minded instrument to play with him during the show.

Chaquico ended his concert with an impressive version of "Return of the Eagle," with his guitar playing soaring like the track's namesake.

For more information on Chaquico, visit his official Web site.

For more information on photographer Bob Steshetz, visit his Bob By Request site.

Sights and Sounds: Paul Rodgers & Friends, Gary Moore, Pearl Jam

Wow! Eagle Rock Entertainment is releasing several highly-anticipated releases, including DVD titles a legendary performance by Paul Rodgers & Friends and the final live performance by guitarist Gary Moore. And fans of Pearl Jam can get amped about the broadcast premiere of Pearl Jam Twenty this fall!


Paul Rodgers & Friends 'Live At Montreux 1994' On DVD And CD September 13, 2011


To be totally succinct about it, Paul Rodgers (pictured on the right, courtesy of Thilo Rahn) is simply one of the best rock frontmen in history. Period. No argument. End of discussion. His soulful blustery pipes have stood the test of time from Free, Bad Company and The Firm to Queen and beyond. Be it blues, rock’n’roll, ballads, R’n’B, or pop, there isn’t anything this man cannot sing.

On September 13, Eagle Rock Entertainment will simultaneously release Paul Rodgers & Friends Live At Montreux 1994 on CD and DVD [MSRP $14.98 for DVD, $13.98 for CD]. Touring in support of his Grammy nominated Muddy Water Blues album (available on Eagle Records), Rodgers assembled a top notch unit of blues and rock veterans to give the Montreux faithful the night of their lives. What a lineup! , Queen’s Brian May, Black Country Communion’s Jason Bonham , Toto’s Steve Lukather and Journey’s Neal Schon, joined guitarist Ian Hatton, bassist John Smithson and such blues performers and players as Eddie Kirkland, Sherman Robertson, Luther Allison, Robert Lucas and Kenny Neal. As Willie Dixon says, it’s a wang-dang doodle!

Material consisted of many of the songs Rodgers penned and built his sterling reputation on (including “All Right Now,” “Can’t Get Enough” and “Feel Like Making Love”) but the bulk of the evening was nothin’ but the blues: faithful joyously jam-happy renditions of songs written by Robert Johnson in 1936 (“Crossroads”), Sonny Boy Williamson in 1937 (“Good Morning Little School Girl”), Booker T & The MGs in 1967 (“The Hunter”) and three that Willie Dixon wrote for Muddy Waters in 1954 (“I’m Ready” and “Hoochie Coochie Man”) and 1961 (“Let Me Love You Baby”).

Complete Track Listing:
1) Introduction
2) Travelling Man
3) Wishing Well
4) Louisiana Blues
5) Fire And Water
6) Muddy Water Blues
7) Good Morning Little School Girl
8) I’m Ready
9) Little Bit Of Love
10) Mr. Big
11) Feel Like Making Love
12) Let Me Love You Baby
13) The Hunter
14) Can’t Get Enough
15) All Right Now
16) Crossroads
17) Hoochie Coochie Man

Eagle Rock Entertainment is an international media production and distribution company operating across audiovisual entertainment programming. Eagle Rock Entertainment works directly alongside talent to produce the highest quality programming output covering film, general entertainment and musical performance. Eagle Rock Entertainment has offices based in London, New York, Los Angeles, Toronto, Hamburg, & Paris.



GARY MOORE LIVE AT MONTREUX 2010

Eagle Rock Entertainment will release, on September 20, 2011, the very last live performance in the life of acclaimed guitarist/singer/songwriter Gary Moore. Live At Montreux 2010 strikingly shows a major return-to-rock for the musician who spent years exploring the blues. In fact, in the last days of his life, Moore, who died on February 6 of this year, was working on a new rock album. [MSRP $13.98 for CD, $14.98 for DVD, and $19.98 for Blu-ray]


What makes this release so compelling is the inclusion of three never-before-released gems, “Days Of Heroes,” “Where Are You Now” and “Oh Wild One,” that he previewed for the Montreux audience and had fully intended to put on the album he was writing and recording at the time. The rest of the set is heavy on the 1980s rock he pioneered solo, as well as his late 60s/70s work with Phil Lynott in Thin Lizzy and Skid Row. And, of course, some blues.

Gary Moore was born in 1952 Belfast, Ireland. Heavily influenced by Fleetwood Mac’s Peter Green, he joined Skid Row (not to be confused with the American band of the same name) as a teenaged phenomenon in 1969 for three albums before going solo, joining Thin Lizzy, and going solo again. His hit single “Parisienne Walkways” catapulted him into the hearts and minds of discerning music lovers around the globe and subsequent forays into Celtic (Wild Frontier, 1987) and blues (Still Got The Blues, 1990) preceded an album with Ginger Baker and Jack Bruce (BBM, 1994). Much more blues would follow, most notably Power Of The Blues in 2004. Through it all, he maintained the highest level of musicianship and became revered for his constant searching and the redefining of his own artistry.

Track Listing:

CD:
1) Over The Hills And Far Away
2) Military Man
3) Days Of Heroes
4) Where Are You Now?
5) So Far Away/Empty Rooms
6) Oh Wild One
7) Blood Of Emeralds
8) Out In The Fields
9) Walking By Myself
10) Johnny Boy
11) Parisienne Walkways

DVD/Blu-ray:
1) Over The Hills And Far Away
2) Thunder Rising
3) Military Man
4) Days Of Heroes
5) Where Are You Now?
6) So Far Away/Empty Rooms
7) Oh Wild One
8) Blood Of Emeralds
9) Out In The Fields
10) Still Got The Blues
11) Walking By Myself
12) Johnny Boy
13) Parisienne Walkways

For more information on the Paul Rodgers or Gary Moore collections, visit Eagle Rock's official Web site.



THIRTEEN's American Masters celebrates Pearl Jam's 20th anniversary with Cameron Crowe's intimate new film




Pearl Jam Twenty premieres Friday, October 21 on PBS as part of the first PBS Arts Fall Festival


Features never-before-seen footage, career-spanning performances and new band interviews


Watch the trailer and connect with other music icons at pbs.org/americanmasters

American Masters continues its 25th anniversary season with Pearl Jam Twenty, premiering nationally Friday, October 21, 2011, at 9 p.m. (ET/PT) on PBS (check local listings). Academy Award®-winning director and music journalist Cameron Crowe creates a definitive portrait of the seminal band carved from over 1,200 hours of rarely and never-before-seen footage, plus over 24 hours of recent band interviews and concert footage. The captivating, two-hour documentary gives viewers and fans an intimate first glimpse into Pearl Jam's journey in honor of the band's 20th anniversary. American Masters Pearl Jam Twenty is part of the first PBS Arts Fall Festival, a multi-platform event anchored by nine films that highlight artists and performances from around the country.

Told in big themes and bold colors with blistering sound, Pearl Jam Twenty chronicles the years leading up to the band's formation, the chaos that ensued soon-after being catapulted into superstardom, their step back from the spotlight with the instinct of self-preservation, and the creation of a trusted circle that would surround them - giving way to a work culture that would sustain them. Part concert film, part insider hang, part testimonial to the power of music and uncompromising artists, the film celebrates the freedom that allows Pearl Jam to make music without losing themselves, their fans, or the music lovers they've always been. Pearl Jam Twenty features new interviews with original band members Jeff Ament, Stone Gossard, Mike McCready, and Eddie Vedder, drummer Matt Cameron, and friend and Soundgarden singer/guitarist Chris Cornell, as well as archival performance and interview footage of Mother Love Bone, Pearl Jam, Temple of the Dog, Kurt Cobain, and Neil Young.


Complex and relevant after two decades, Pearl Jam remains a giant musical force and one of the biggest and most magnetic touring acts in the world. With over 60 million albums sold worldwide, they continue to create and perform all on their own terms. Known for their passionate expression, intense and philosophical lyrics, and amazing relationship with fans, Pearl Jam is not known for their media or personal exposure, making the revelations in Pearl Jam Twenty all the more special.

"When I set out to make this film, my mission was to assemble the best-of-the-best from Pearl Jam's past and present and give audiences a visceral feeling of what it is to love music and to feel it deeply - to be inside the journey of a band that has carved their own path," says Cameron Crowe. "There is only one band of their generation for which a film like this could even be made, and I'm honored to be the one given the opportunity to make it."


Crowe was among the band's inner circle when they formed and has maintained a close friendship with the band since his days as a reporter for Rolling Stone in Seattle. Almost 20 years after the band's inception, Eddie, Jeff, Stone, and Mike gave their longtime friend the okay to raid the vault and assemble the story no one but those closest to them ever knew. Audiences will become intimate with the Seattle musicians whose sound and social consciousness were revolutionary - Pearl Jam stood up to both the prevailing social politic and the oppressive music industry.

"We are delighted to be presenting Pearl Jam's 20th on American Masters' 25th - a truly perfect anniversary celebration. We continue the tradition of matching world-class filmmakers with subjects like this band, who revolutionized our culture with their music and their exemplary social consciousness," says Susan Lacy, series creator and executive producer of American Masters, a seven-time winner of the Emmy® Award for Outstanding Primetime Non-Fiction Series.The seriesis a production of THIRTEEN for WNET New York Public Media. WNET is the parent company of THIRTEEN and WLIW21, New York's public television stations. For nearly 50 years, WNET has been producing and broadcasting national and local documentary and other programs to the New York community.

As part of their year-long "PJ20" celebration, Pearl Jam will release the Pearl Jam Twenty soundtrack and book in September. The soundtrack from Columbia Records/Sony Music is comprised of tracks selected by Cameron Crowe, making the album a true companion piece to the film. Published by Simon & Schuster in the U.S. and Atlantic Books in the UK, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa, the book is an aesthetically stunning chronicle of Pearl Jam's past two decades, compiled and written by veteran music writer Jonathan Cohen with Mark Wilkerson, and featuring a foreword by Cameron Crowe and material from all his own band interviews. Also this September: Pearl Jam's Alpine Valley Labor Day anniversary weekend concert and 10-date Canadian tour, followed by the film's theatrical release. The DVD will be available in October after the PBS broadcast premiere. For more information, visit pbs.org/americanmasters.



To take American Masters beyond the television broadcast and further explore the themes, stories and personalities of masters past and present, the companion website (pbs.org/americanmasters) offers streaming video of select films, interviews, essays, photographs, outtakes, and other resources. As part of the PBS Arts Fall Festival, PBSArts.org will host an online interactive exhibit that takes viewers into the design process behind Pearl Jam's CD and poster artwork.

American Masters is made possible by the support of the National Endowment for the Arts and by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. Additional funding for American Masters is provided by Rosalind P. Walter, The Blanche & Irving Laurie Foundation, Rolf and Elizabeth Rosenthal, Cheryl and Philip Milstein Family, Jack Rudin, The André and Elizabeth Kertész Foundation, Michael & Helen Schaffer Foundation, and public television viewers. This PBS Arts Fall Festival presentation is in collaboration with PBS member station KCTS. Funding for the launch of PBS Arts has been provided by Anne Ray Charitable Trust, public television viewers and PBS.



About WNET New York Public Media
WNET is America's flagship public media outlet, bringing quality arts, education and public affairs programming to over 5 million viewers each week. The parent company of public television stations THIRTEEN and WLIW21 and operator of NJTV, WNET produces such acclaimed PBS series as Great Performances, American Masters, Nature, Need to Know, Charlie Rose, Tavis Smiley and a range of documentaries, children's programs, and local news and cultural offerings available on air and online. Pioneers in educational programming, WNET has created such groundbreaking series as Get the Math, Noah Comprende and Cyberchase and provides tools for educators that bring compelling content to life in the classroom and at home. WNET highlights the tri-state's unique culture and diverse communities through SundayArts, Reel 13, NJ Today and the new online newsmagazine MetroFocus.

About PBS Arts Fall Festival
As part of its commitment to increase every American's access to and participation in the arts, PBS kicks off the multi-platform PBS Arts Fall Festival October 14th. Anchored by Friday night broadcasts, the Fall Festival features artists and performances from nine communities across the country and celebrity hosts from each locale. With full-length performances; local mini-documentaries of arts scenes around the country; backstage access through interviews; artist and performer profiles; online immersive exhibits; and classroom resources, the PBS Arts Fall Festival entertains and inspires consumers by offering a front-row seat to the creativity, culture, history and scope of the arts. Funding for the launch of PBS Arts Fall Festival has been provided by Anne Ray Charitable Trust, public television viewers and PBS.

Craig Chaquico plays Coach House on Saturday, Sept. 3

Former Jefferson Starship guitarist (seen here at NAMM in January 2011) has carved out a successful solo career blending rock, contemporary jazz, blues, new age and American Indian styles. He’ll be the headliner at a three-act concert in San Juan Capistrano on Saturday, Sept. 3, 2011.


Craig Chaquico, the lead guitarist who performed on all of Jefferson Starship’s hits from 1973 to 1990, quickly reinvented himself as an influential instrumentalist who went on to sell more than a million albums as a solo act, with compositions that blend rock, contemporary jazz, blues, new age and American Indian styles.

Chaquico (pronounced Cha-KEY-so) will headline Saturday night (Sept. 3, 2011) at The Coach House in San Juan Capistrano. He most recently came to Orange County in January, when he attended the NAMM music trade show in Anaheim and performed on acoustic guitar and the laser-guided instrument Beamz.


I had the pleasure of getting to meet the legendary guitarist and see him perform at NAMM, and even took him up on his offer to play on the Beamz while he played guitar. That is likely the closest I'll ever get to performing with a high-profile player of his calibre to be sure!

Compositions such as “Indian Spring,” “Cafe Carnivale” and “Gathering of the Tribes” are among Chaquico’s memorable works.

The Sacramento native’s most recent full-length album, Follow the Sun, was released in 2009 as a tribute to his late parents. The disc includes the flamenco-style “Azores Lisboa” (a reference to the Azores Islands and Lisbon, Portugal, where his parents lived before coming to the United States), the jazz-tinged “Solar Wind,” the funky “Circus Beach” and a cover of Kenny G’s “Songbird.”

Other releases include the Grammy-nominated Acoustic Highway (1993), Acoustic Planet (1994), Four Corners (1999), Shadow and Light (2002) and “Midnight Noon” (2004).

Tickets for Chaquico's performance at The Coach House, 33157 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano, CA, are $20.

For more information, contact the Coach House at (949)496-8930 or visit www.thecoachhouse.com.

Lou Reed & Metallica join forces; Peter, Paul and Mary celebrate the holidays; Michael W. Smith goes instrumental

Fans of Lou Reed, Metallica, Michael W. Smith, and Peter, Paul and Mary will all find truly-anticipated releases on the way this fall. Here are some highlights of the latest releases to land in my inbox.


LOU REED & METALLICA 'LULU' DUE FROM WARNER BROS. RECORDS ON NOVEMBER 1, 2011



In what is sure to be one of the most talked-about alliances of the year, New York king of avant-rock Lou Reed has teamed up with best-selling hard rock band Metallica to record a brand-new album, entitled Lulu, which will be released by Warner Bros. Records on November 1st, 2011. The album was co-produced by Reed, Metallica, Hal Willner who has produced albums for Reed, Marianne Faithfull, and Laurie Anderson, among others and Greg Fidelman. Fidelman also mixed the record.


The idea for these two giants of modern music to work together was born after the 25th anniversary Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame concerts in New York City in October 2009. Metallica -singer/guitarist James Hetfield, drummer Lars Ulrich, guitarist Kirk Hammett and bassist Rob Trujillo - played with Reed on Velvet Underground classics "Sweet Jane" and "White Light/White Heat." "We knew from then that we were made for each other," Reed says.


After that triumphant performance, Reed suggested they all make a record together. At first they planned to record an album of Reed's older material, what Ulrich describes as "some of Lou's lost jewels - songs that he felt he'd like to give a second spin, and we could do whatever it is we do to some of those songs." That idea "hung in the air for a couple of months." Then, a week or two before that session was to begin, "Lou called up and said, 'Listen, I have this other idea.'"


That idea was to record a series of songs Reed had written for American avant-garde theater director Robert Wilson and German theater group the Berliner Ensemble's production of the Lulu Plays, which premiered in Aprilat the Theatre am Schiffbauerdamm in Berlin, founded by Bertolt Brecht. The songs are inspired by German expressionist Frank Wedekind's early 20th century plays Earth Spirit and Pandora's Box, and were a rewrite of Edgar Allan Poe's, The Raven, which emerged as a graphic novel on Fantagraphics Press.

"We were very interested in working with Lou," says Hetfield. "I had these giant question marks: What's it going to be like? What's going to happen? So it was great when he sent us the lyrics for the Lulu body of work. It was something we could sink our teeth into. I could take off my singer and lyricist hat and concentrate on the music part. These were very potent lyrics, with a soundscape behind them for atmosphere. Lars and I sat there with an acoustic and let this blank canvas take us where it needed to go. It was a great gift, to be asked to stamp 'TALLICA on it. And that's what we did."


"We had to bring Lulu to life in a sophisticated way, using rock," Reed says. "And the hardest power rock you could come up with would have to be Metallica. They live on that planet. We played together, and I knew it: dream come true. This is the best thing I ever did. And I did it with the best group I could possibly find. By definition, everybody involved was honest. This has come into the world pure. We pushed as far as we possibly could within the realms of reality."


"It's definitely not a Metallica album, or a Lou Reed album," adds Hammett. "It's something else. It's a new animal, a hybrid."


About Lou Reed: The king of New York avant-rock, Lou Reed made innovative, iconoclastic music with the profoundly influential The Velvet Underground before "Walk On The Wild Side" gave him 1972's most unlikely pop hit. He reacted to this development with admirable perversity; releasing a stream of diverse and challenging solo albums, from the macabre, monumental Berlin to the subtle, seductive Coney Island Baby, from the wallpaper-peeling Metal Machine Music (Cash Box review: no stars) to the punk pivot Street Hassle. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum in 1996. Recent years have seen his always-present literary bent come increasingly to the fore on works like New York, Magic And Loss, and The Raven.

About Metallica: Formed in Los Angeles in 1981 by drummer Lars Ulrich and guitarist and vocalist James Hetfield, Metallica have become one of the most influential and commercially successful rock bands in history, having sold 100 million albums worldwide and playing to millions of fans the world over. They have scored several multi-platinum albums, including 1991's Metallica (commonly referred to as "The Black Album"), which is the best selling album in history of Soundscan scanning almost 15.7 million albums in the United States alone. Their latest album, Death Magnetic, was certified platinum just six weeks after it debuted atop the Billboard Top 200 Album chart in October 2008. Metallica have also garnered numerous awards and accolades, including nine Grammy Awards, two American Music Awards, and multiple MTV Video Music Awards, and were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum in 2009.


Peter, Paul and Mary's 'Holiday Concert' in stores on Oct. 18, 2011

The Family Favorite Finally Debuts on DVD



'Holiday Concert' features performances of “We Wish You A Merry Christmas,” “O Come All Ye Faithful” and other classic holiday songs plus the Hits “Puff, The Magic Dragon” and “Blowin’ in the Wind”


What began in 1981 as a benefit for the New York Choral Society has now become a decades-long holiday music tradition. Peter, Paul and Mary’s legendary Holiday Concert makes its DVD debut October 18, 2011 from Shout! Factory. Long anticipated by fans, the concert was only available on VHS and is currently out of print.


The live concert features a symphony orchestra and a 200-voice chorus performing a mixture of the group’s iconic folk classics such as “Puff, The Magic Dragon,” Christmas and Hanukkah songs and carols as well as traditional spirituals and holiday songs. A longtime holiday family favorite, the DVD is a must have for fans of the trio and DVD collectors alike. Fans can now pre-order the DVD on Amazon.com.

The annual PBS special became a holiday ritual for families throughout North America who faithfully watched the show. Highlights of The Holiday Concert DVD include performances by children from Mary’s elementary school accompanying the trio on “Light One Candle” as well as Peter’s Hanukkah song written especially for this show. Renowned conductor emeritus Robert DeCormier of the New York Choral Society, makes an appearance, sharing the stage with the trio as his former student, Mary Travers, sings gloriously with Paul and Peter, completing a remarkable musical circle.


Peter, Paul and Mary are undoubtedly, one of the most cherished musical ensembles of all time and The Holiday Concert DVD showcases the warmth and universal reach of their music.


Peter, Paul and Mary’s 25th Anniversary Concert Program Listing:

1. We Wish You A Merry Christmas

2. A Soalin’

3. I Wonder As I Wander

4. O Come O Come Emmanuel

5. The Magi

6. Children Go Where I Send Thee

7. Twas The Night Before Christmas

8. The Friendly Beasts

9. Hayo, Haya

10. Light One Candle

11. Weave Me The Sunshine

12. Marvelous Toy

13. The Cherry Tree Carol

14. Puff, The Magic Dragon

15. Blowin’ In The Wind

16. This Land Is Your Land

17. O Come All Ye Faithful

18. Hark The Herald Angels Sing

19. Silent Night

20. Hallelujah Chorus

21. We Wish You A Merry Christmas




MICHAEL W. SMITH RELEASES LONG-AWAITED SECOND INSTRUMENTAL PROJECT, 'GLORY'
Smith’s 23rd Career Studio Album Available Nov. 22, 2011


One of contemporary Christian music’s most enduring and beloved artists, Michael W. Smith presents the highly anticipated instrumental follow-up to his 2000 RIAA Gold-selling album, Freedom. Titled Glory, the project, Smith’s 23rd career record, will be available at national retail outlets on Nov. 22, 2011.

Recorded with a 65-piece orchestra at London’s prestigious AIR Studios (Andrew Lloyd Webber, Peter Gabriel, Pirates of the Caribbean, “The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader”), Glory was arranged by Smith’s longtime friend David Hamilton and features a moving collection of original music. Included on the album, produced by Smith, are “Glory – The Overture,” “The Patriot,” “Heroes,” “Whitaker’s Wonder,” “Redemption,” “Atonement,” “The Romance,” “The Tribute” and a larger-than-life symphonic version of “Agnus Dei.”

Smith comments, “I’ve said many times that Freedom is my favorite record, so I’m very excited to be releasing my second instrumental record. I think the people that enjoyed Freedom will love this one; and I actually think some of the unique musical twists this project is taking will open it up to a whole new audience as well.”

On the inspiration for Glory, Smith notes, “When I work with an orchestra I feel like I’m in my element. I often think of the film ‘Chariots of Fire’ and the famous quote by the film’s hero Eric Liddell. He says, ‘when I run I feel His pleasure.’ This statement encompasses my experience when I work on instrumental music. When I’m able to see sweeping melodies and epic, cinematic songs come to fruition, it’s like I am offering a prayer to our Father in Heaven.”

Glory will be released via MWS Group and distributed by Provident Distribution/Sony Music.
Standby for additional on Smith’s forthcoming fall and winter tours. For a list of current tour dates, visit: www.michaelwsmith.com.

About Michael W. Smith
Throughout his 29-year career as a recording artist, Michael W. Smith has amassed an impressive catalog of achievements. His prior 22 albums have garnered multiple honors including an American Music Award, three GRAMMY ® Awards (from 13 nominations), 44 GMA Dove Awards and 33 No. 1 radio hits. In addition, he holds 16 Gold, 7 Platinum and 2 Double-Platinum albums for career sales of 15 million. Wonder, Smith’s 22nd career album, released Sept. 28, 2010. Inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 2009, Smith has scored film projects, written 12 books and been featured by media outlets including “Hannity,” NBC’s “Today,” ABC’s “Good Morning America,” “NBC Nightly News,” “Larry King Live,” “FOX & Friends,” The Associated Press, Billboard, USA Today, The New York Times, The Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, Newsweek and more.

Constantly giving back to the community, one of Smith’s current projects is Rocketown – a nightclub for teens in his hometown of Nashville, Tenn. – which serves as a safe place for young people to enjoy music and for artists to be discovered. He and wife of 30 years, Debbie, are the proud parents of five children.

For more information on Michael W. Smith please visit: www.michaelwsmith.com or www.facebook.com/michaelwsmithofficial.

Vanguard Records new releases set: Merle Haggard, Chris Isaak, Indigo Girls, Stephen Kellogg and The Sixers

After a strong schedule of summer releases featuring new full-length albums from Glen Campbell and David Serby, a stunning live album from Bad Company, and - not one - but two collections paying tribute to Buddy Holly, fall is looking pretty good too. Vanguard Records has just announced a number of exciting releases on the way.

Vanguard Records New Fall Releases: MERLE HAGGARD, INDIGO GIRLS, CHRIS ISAAK & STEPHEN KELLOGG AND THE SIXERS


Merle Haggard - Working In Tennessee - October 4th
Iconic country music legend, Country Hall of Famer, and most recently a Kennedy Center Honoree, Merle Haggard’s Working In Tennessee, marks his second disc for Vanguard Records. This is a collection of self-penned Haggard riches, plus a couple of classics made famous by Johnny Cash, as well as a new version of Merle’s stalwart “Working Man Blues” featuring Willie Nelson and his son Ben Haggard. Working in Tennessee is another in a long line of stellar discs filled with Haggard’s honest and candid observations of the world with backing by his longtime band The Strangers plus a number of veteran studio cohorts. Produced by Haggard and Lou Bradley at the Hag’s Northern California Tally studio, the album is another worthy addition to his tremendous body of decades of radiant work.

Click here to pre-order Working In Tennessee.



The Indigo Girls - Beauty Queen Sister - October 4th
Grammy-winning folk-rock duo Indigo Girls’ fourteenth studio album, Beauty Queen Sister is a stunning 13-song collection featuring the signature storytelling that fans have grown to love, touching on modern-world worries and romanticizing the simplicity of days gone by. Recorded in Nashville, the duo reunited with producer Peter Collins, with whom the Indigo Girls worked on 1992’s Rites of Passage and 1994’s Swamp Ophelia. The Indigo Girls’ constant touring, as well as staunch dedication to a number of social and environmental causes, has earned them a fervidly devoted following over the years. So many artists who launched their careers in the late 1980s have slipped from our collective memory, yet the Indigo Girls continue to sing night after night to multi-generational audiences who flock to their shows and give themselves over to the power of their music. Beauty Queen Sister will be the fourth album released on their own IG Recordings/ Vanguard Records.

Click here to listen to the first single, "Making Promises."



Chris Isaak - Beyond The Sun - October 18th
Beyond the Sun, Chris Isaak’s Vanguard Records debut is a self-described labor of love. Since he fell in love with his parents’ 45s as a child in Stockton, California, this passionate writer/artist has been obsessed with the glory days of Memphis’ Sun Studio and the visionary artists who got their starts there—including Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Roy Orbison, Carl Perkins and Jerry Lee Lewis—all of them discovered and nurtured by the great producer Sam Phillips. Now, at long last, Isaak magically recaptures the transformative brilliance of the classic sides cut by these greats at Sun with Phillips during the mid-’50s, while also getting down to the nitty-gritty of his own deeply rooted musical identity. Isaak’s longstanding desire to musically salute his inspirations was fast-tracked when he read a 2000 interview with Phillips that appeared in the Oxford American. Phillips was asked if any contemporary recording artists grabbed his attention. His response blew Chris away. “I don't keep up with the business like I used to,” said Phillips, “but I love to listen to Chris Isaak. He’s very talented, and his music is so damned honest. It’s incredible.” That pretty much sealed the deal for this Sun worshiper. Produced by Isaak, Beyond the Sun was recorded mostly at the historic Sun Studio in Memphis with his longtime band and features a guest performance by the Memphis legend, ‘Cowboy’ Jack Clement. Beyond The Sun will be released in a standard and deluxe package. The deluxe package includes 14 tracks plus 11 additional recordings. A 2 LP vinyl edition of the deluxe package will be available in November.

Click here to stream samples from Beyond The Sun



Stephen Kellogg and The Sixters - Gift Horse - October 11th
Massachusetts rockers Stephen Kellogg and The Sixers, Kit “Goose” Karlson (keys, bass, vocals), Brian “Boots” Factor (drums, vocals) and Sam “Steamer” Getz (guitars, vocals)— return this fall with Gift Horse, their second studio release on Vanguard Records. Produced by Mark Weinberg, Gift Horse brings the rich legacy of rock & roll into the present tense with 11 real-life narratives about love, family, and what it means to be an American today. With Gift Horse Stephen Kellogg and The Sixers make a bold statement with a simple message. If you are ready to embrace the core values of life wrapped in timeless rock & roll then this is the record you’ve been waiting for.

Click here to listen to the first single, "Gravity." / Click here to pre-order the album.