'Lynyrd Skynyrd - One More For The Fans' coming July 24 via deluxe CD/DVD set

Seldom do you see this many greats gather to honor a single artist, but Lynyrd Skynyrd is definitely deserving of the celebration...

LYNYRD SKYNYRD – ONE MORE FOR THE FANS

available July 24, 2015

on Loud & Proud Records in partnership with Blackbird Presents

Two CD/DVD set features performances by Lynyrd Skynyrd and a star-studded line up of top-tier talent 

CONCERT EVENT TO AIR ON AXS TV SUNDAY, JULY 19 AT 8 p.m. EST / 5 p.m. PST

NEW YORK, NY (May 19, 2015) – On one special night last November, an extraordinary collection of artists came together at the historic Fox Theatre in Atlanta, GA to perform and celebrate the songs of Lynyrd Skynyrd, one of the most influential bands of our time.  This unique concert event centered around performances by Lynyrd Skynyrd, including a special rendition of “Travelin’ Man” with Johnny Van Zant singing along with an archival video of his late brother, Ronnie performing, as well as a rousing rendition of “Sweet Home Alabama” with Skynyrd inviting the entire star-studded line-up up on stage to perform along side them.

The show will be available July 24, 2105 as a two CD/DVD set titled Lynyrd Skynyrd - One More For The Fans on Loud & Proud Records in partnership with Blackbird Presents.  The band will also be hitting the road this spring and summer (tour dates below) and will return to the CMT Crossroads stage for a taping with Brantley Gilbert.

One More For The Fans features performances by Lynyrd Skynyrd as well as music legends and young talent, culled from multiple genres including Classic Rock, Country and Americana with Trace Adkins, Alabama, Gregg Allman, Blackberry Smoke, Cheap Trick, Charlie Daniels, Peter Frampton, Gov’t Mule, Warren Haynes, John Hiatt, Randy Houser, Jason Isbell, Jamey Johnson, Aaron Lewis, moe., O.A.R., Robert Randolph and Donnie Van Zant all coming together to perform songs from Lynyrd Skynyrd’s extensive catalog of music.  

“Hearing all of these incredible musicians sing our songs was unforgettable,” says Rossington.  “It was a really special night and I’m so happy our fans will now get to enjoy the show at home.”

Keith Wortman, creator and executive producer of the concert event, broadcast special and music release worked with Ken Levitan and Ross Schilling who also served as executive producers of the show. Don Was led the all-star house band as musical director for the evening.   

As part of the campaign to save the Fox Theatre from demolition, Lynyrd Skynyrd recorded their 1976 live album, One More From The Road, at the landmark theatre. The title Lynyrd Skynyrd - One More For The Fans! was inspired by that legendary album’s title.

Joining in the celebration of the legendary band is AXS TV as it serves as the official broadcaster of Lynyrd Skynyrd - One More For The Fans. AXS TV will premiere the concert event on Sunday, July 19 at 8:00pm EST / 5:00pm PST, allowing fans nationwide to enjoy these remarkable performances.

With a catalog of over 60 albums and sales beyond 30 million worldwide, Rock & Roll Hall of Famers Lynyrd Skynyrd remains a cultural icon that appeals to multiple generations. Lynyrd Skynyrd continues to build on the legacy that began over 40 years ago in Jacksonville, Florida.  Led by core members Gary Rossington (guitar), 

Johnny Van Zant (vocals) and Rickey Medlocke (guitar), along with longtime drummer Michael Cartellone, the band also includes Mark "Sparky" Matejka (guitar), Johnny Colt (bass), Peter Keys (keyboards) and The Honkettes-Dale Krantz Rossington and Carol Chase-on background vocals.

“Lynyrd Skynyrd - One More For The Fans” Track Listing:

1. Whiskey Rock A Roller – performed by Randy Houser                 

2. You Got That Right – performed by Robert Randolph & Jimmy Hall           

3. Saturday Night Special – performed by Aaron Lewis                   

4. Workin’ For MCA – performed by Blackberry Smoke         

5. Don't Ask Me No Questions – performed by O.A.R.  

6. Gimme Back My Bullets – performed by Cheap Trick

7. The Ballad of Curtis Loew – performed by moe. & John Hiatt

8. Simple Man – performed by Gov't Mule                  

9. That Smell – performed by Warren Haynes           

10.  Four Walls of Raiford – performed by Jamey Johnson               

11.  I Know A Little – performed by Jason Isbell  

12.  Call Me The Breeze – performed by Peter Frampton

13.  What's Your Name – performed by Trace Adkins           

14.  Down South Jukin’ – performed by Charlie Daniels & Donnie Van Zant

15.  Gimme Three Steps – performed by Alabama                 

16.  Tuesday's Gone – performed by Gregg Allman              

17.  Travelin’ Man – performed by Lynyrd Skynyrd With Johnny and Ronnie – Ronnie on big screen

18.  Free Bird - performed by Lynyrd Skynyrd

19.  Sweet Home Alabama – performed by Lynyrd Skynyrd and the entire line-up

Lynyrd Skynyrd 2015 Tour Dates:

5/28 - Westbury, NY – Theatre at Westbury

5/29 - Mashantucket, CT – Foxwoods Resort Casino

5/30 - Virginia Beach, VA – Patriotic Festival

6/11 - Tulsa, OK – Hard Rock Hotel and Casino – The Joint

6/12 - Grande Prairie, TX – KZPS / Bo and Jim Bash @ Verizon Theatre at Grand Prairie

6/13 - Austin, TX – 20^th Anniversary ROT Rally @ Travis County Expo Center

6/19 - Alpharetta, GA – Kicks Country/Rock 100.5 CROCK FEST – Verizon Amphitheater at Encore Park

6/20 - Bluefield, WV – “Second Chance Rocks The Two Virginias” @ Mitchell Stadium

6/26 - Dover, DE – Big Barrel Festival

6/27 - Gilford, NH – Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion at Meadowbrook

6/28 - Cohasset, MA – South Shore Music Circus

7/14 - Ottawa, ON – Ottawa Bluesfest

7/16 - Oshkosh, WI – Rock USA


7/17 Chillicothe, IL – Country Life Music Festival – 3 Sisters Park

7/31 - Morton, MN – Jackpot Junction Casino

8/1 - Council Bluffs, IA – GrassRoots II Festival @ River’s Edge Park

8/2 - Littleton, CO – The Hudson Gardens & Event Center – Outdoor Amphitheatre

8/4 - Sturgis, SD – Sturgis Buffalo Chip Campground

8/6 - Roseburg, OR – Douglas County Fair

8/7 - Airway Heights, WA – Northern Quest Resort & Casino

8/8 - Billings, MT – Montanafair

8/14 - Bethel, NY – Bethel Woods Center for the Arts

8/15 - Watertown, NY – Freshener/F.X. Caprara Summer Concert Series presented by DPAO at Watertown Fairgrounds

8/18 - Lewiston, NY – Artpark

8/19 - Harrisonburg, VA – Rockingham County Fair

8/21 - Avondale, IL – Eastbound Hoedown Music Festival

8/28 - Huber Heights, OH – Music Center at The Heights

9/3 - St. Paul, MN – Minnesota State Fair Grandstand

9/4 - Alton, IL  - Liberty Bank Amphitheater

9/5 - New Lenox, IL – New Lenox Commons – Community

9/6 - Wauseon, OH – Fulton County Fair

9/15 - Saratoga, CA – The Mountain Winery

9/17 - Jackson CA – Jackson Rancheria Casino & Hotel

9/20 - Scottsdale, AZ – Talking Stick Resort & Casino

10/2 - Nashville, TN – Ascend Amphitheater

Paul Rodgers talks Doheny Blues Festival, Free, Bad Company, Queen, The Doors, and more

Paul Rodgers performing in 2008. Photo: Thilo Rahn

I have seen Paul Rodgers in concert a handful of times dating back to the mid-1980s (when I first saw him perform with The Firm) and have always been impressed by his amazing singing voice and ability to inspire. On April 27, 2015, I had my first-ever chance to interview the legendary vocalist.

Robert: I remember one of my first big concerts was seeing you with The Firm in the mid-1980s.

Paul: Really.

Robert: I know you're coming up to the Doheny Blues Festival and I want to talk with you about what fans can expect to hear. 'The Royal Sessions' (released in early 2014) is great and very different from some of your previous releases.

Paul: Yes, it's interesting because people's influences are often a surprise to a lot of people. It's a little different from what I'm actually known for. I loved going back into my roots early and singing those songs. It was really challenging because I was singing the songs by people who were my heroes, do you know what I mean? But when I come to play I will be performing a best of my career so far, including songs like 'Shooting Star,' 'Feel like Makin' Love,' ' Bad Company,' 'Rock 'n' Roll Fantasy,' 'All Right Now' and also include some of the songs from the latest vinyl album you mentioned, 'The Royal Sessions.'

Robert: You are one of the veteran artists who doesn't seem to want to stand still and rest on their laurels. You not only sound great, but you have a great artistic spirit. Talk about what keeps you motivated after selling 90 million albums.

Paul: It's a great question Robert. I think of myself as a free spirit. I don't tie myself down. If I'm tied to anything it's music itself, and it takes me on many journeys. As you mentioned, I've been through and formed actually a lot of bands; Free, Bad Company, The Firm - and then worked solo. With Queen, it was the only existing band I ever actually joined. It was an existing band; most of the bands I formed. That was challenging and it was very different, and I did it for that reason just to see if I could do it. And I really enjoyed it. What I really love doing is playing with my solo band.

Robert: Is that amazing guitarist Howard Leese still with you too?

Paul: Howard Leese (of Heart fame), and I also have a terrific rhythm section from Canada in Todd Ronning on bass and Rick Fertig (?) on drums. And we've been together as this unit for a number of years so they really are an amazing band. 

Robert: So they will also be backing you up on 'The Royal Sessions' material as well?

Paul: Yes they will. I like to put a show together. And I'm really in a unique position because I can pick and choose from all of the songs I've written with all of the different bands I've been with and it makes for a really powerful show I find. And I really enjoy that and the audience seems to like it too. I like it when the audience takes part in what we do, and very often they will sing. They are singing so many of the songs now - even 'Burning Sky' for instance - which is not a song you would think 'Let's everybody sing.' But they are really singing it and it sounds amazingly soulful when they do.

Robert: Speaking of singing, you sound as great now as when I first saw you 30 years ago. Do you really have to stay on top of that to sound good, and you look fit too.

Paul: Well, I actually really enjoy singing. I do a lot of singing at home, and do sort of try to stay in shape. We all do (laughs a bit); we have to. One of the things I do is play a limited number of shows each year. I don't overdo it. This year I have just 15 shows worldwide, and my focus is in North America. And the response of the fans is so terrific it uplifts me as well when I am performing on stage. And we all - every member of the band - will go to a higher place when we're in front of a crowd you know.

Robert: Being that you are only playing 15 shows this year, do you have extra rehearsals? Or because you have been playing these songs together for so many years, is it pretty simple to do them...

Paul: Well, that's a very good question actually. It is something I do think about. Because if we have not played together for a couple months, you know, you need to rehearse. So we will rehearse before a show for certain. And because I like the show to be, to have dynamics, highs and lows, light and shade. And a lot of that comes naturally to a band playing every night. So we need to kind of rehearse and work on that...but I do find when we are rehearsing there is so much energy I have to hold them back actually. It kind of works for us.

Robert: I know you are busy outside of music. What are some other things that you are involved with right now?

Paul: Well, actually I'm amazingly busy. It sounds like I do 15 shows (laughter from both Paul and Robert)...I write, we try to help out where we can, my wife and I, Stax Academy of Music (the Memphis-based Stax Music Academy), and a charity called Willows over in Scotland in the U.K. We try to give back. 

Robert: 'The Royal Sessions' is such a great album, but I imagine you are already thinking ahead to your next project. Are you writing songs for another album?

Paul: Absolutely, all the time. One of the things we do have in the can, when we played in Royal Albert Hall with 'The Royal Sessions' musicians - you know the Rev. Charles Hodges and the guys - we all went over to England and recorded and filmed that so we do have that in the can. It's just a matter of getting to that and mixing it, and we'll put that out. It was a great night. (Concert was held on Nov. 3, 2014)

Robert: I know you do keep busy. I saw a DVD where you came out and performed with Joe Bonamassa, right? You seem to like to do many different things...

Paul: Well, I do. I love a challenge, and I love to do something different. Joe is such a great musician and such a great guy. I'm really proud of him actually the way he has come on and how organized he is with doing the shows. So yes, he invited me out and some other people to feature on his dvd. And that's another thing that limiting my amount of shows allows me time to do; it gives me time to jump on a plane to New York or wherever it was, and do that.

Robert: I have to ask you about something I read on wikipedia. Is it true that the Doors approached you about joining the band after Jim Morrison passed away (in summer 1971)?

Paul: It's interesting you should mention that because you know you had mentioned me playing (on a bill) with the Doors (at Pacific Amphitheatre in Costa Mesa on Aug. 11, 2007). Robby Krieger came up to me that night. We had never had a conversation before. It was very interesting to meet him and talk. And he said 'You might be interested to know that back in the '70s after we had lost Jim the whole band jumped on an airplane and we flew to England and we were looking for you. We wanted to ask you to join us.'

Robert: You apparently were not easy to find at that time...

Paul: Exactly. Nobody could find me. I had a place out in the English countryside and I had just bought that place and nobody knew where I was. In those days there wasn't the internet or any of that there is. If you didn't have somebody's phone number, you couldn't find them. What I was doing at that point was putting Bad Company together and writing songs with Mick (guitarist Mick Ralphs) and the guys.

Robert: A final question. Looking back, is there something you wish you had been able to do that you didn't? Any regrets?

Paul: Yeah, I have some regrets, but that's life. I regret that we lost Paul Kossoff (the Free guitarist died in March 1976 at age 25) when he was so young. He was the guitar player in Free and I wish he was still around because we were good buds and we had a great chemistry together. It's a shame I lost him. But that's life; life goes on. As far as music itself; music is like a journey of discovery. I'm still finding things that I love. I'm reached back to some of the old folk material, the kind of stuff you might play on mandolin or a ukuele. "This Land Is Your Land" - amazing songs...like mountain country songs. The interesting thing about them is they have poignancy in their power simply because they come from the spirit I think, they come from somewhere else. And they have not been promoted by a big record label or anything like that, they're just folklore. They pass from one generation to the next. And it's amazing that they're still there, and that there is such power in these old songs. They fascinate me and the idea of longevity...is very fascinating to me.

Robert: Your songs are also standing the test of time...

Paul: Well you know Robert, it does amaze me that songs like 'Feel Like Makin' Love' and those songs I mentioned, 'Shooting Star,' still seem to have that poignancy and I think we got something from the blues in that sense. The blues has that quality. Because when I started, when I picked up on blues, that music was 30 years old at that time and still had tremendous power you know. And tremendous power to communicate. I think that's what I still love about the blues, and that old folk music. It has such a power to communicate with people no matter how much time seems to go by... (noted a dual citizen; Canadian and British)...I love living here. Sort of like England with elbow room.

B.B. King will long be remembered

After a lifetime of playing the blues and thrilling fans with his powerful performances and wonderful personality, B.B. King is gone. It truly is hard for blues fans to imagine a world without the iconic singer-songwriter-guitarist who carved out a career like no other. The King of the Blues died at his home in Las Vegas last night (May 14, 2015) at the age of 89.

There will likely be a feeling of sadness hanging over the faithful at this weekend's Doheny Blues Festival (where King performed several times), but I hope to hear some wonderful tributes celebrating King's 70-year career at the event being held in Dana Point.

I had the chance to review the great Riley B. King a number of times dating back to the early 1990s and was always reminded of his role as both blues ambassador and enduring artist. Here is a review that ran in The Orange County Register on January 4, 2008:

B.B. King still thrills at Anaheim Show

By ROBERT KINSLER / Special to the Register.

Blues guitarlst B.B. King wow fans with the licks he
played on his trademark Gibson guitar "Lucille"
in early 2008. Photo: Kelly A. Swift

B.B. King's well-deserved iconic status among fellow musicians and music lovers was long ago set in stone, but the superb shows the Mississippi-raised bluesman has been giving in recent years have added an emotional warmth to his legacy that outdistances fellow blues and soul greats that have been lost over the past decade or so (Robert Lockwood Jr., John Lee Hooker, Wilson Pickett).

Watching King, now 82, perform for close to two hours on Thursday night at the House of Blues in Anaheim was to rekindle a listener's joy for music, and even life itself. 

With the Mouse House at full capacity upstairs and down, King was given a thunderous ovation when he walked out on stage. He was greeted by affectionate applause and cheers throughout his set.

Anyone who has seen King this decade likely knew the songs in his set; the rousing "Let the Good Times Roll," confessional "Everyday I Have the Blues," a breezy take on the Bono-penned "When Love Comes to Town" immortalized 20 years ago in his performance with U2 in "Rattle and Hum" and his chilling cover of Roy Hawkins' "The Thrill Is Gone." 

Truth be told, King's shows are equal parts music and entertaining chat. On Thursday night, King noted early in the evening he suffers from diabetes and has bad knees and a bad back (into the 1990s, King performed while standing. He now sits through the majority of his shows).

He also continues to get chuckles for his humorous advice about how to treat women, and tales about his medical care (noting that it comes courtesy of Doctors Viagra and Cialis).

But witty insight was only a part of his storytelling. He also spoke at length of growing up in the segregated South and in the end noted "I want to thank you that have made the world much better today."

That story and poignant experience was the perfect segue into the joyous "Bluesman."

King continues to possess a larger-than-life baritone voice able to deliver songs with power or with nuanced emotion. Armed with his Gibson guitar named "Lucille," King played with his usual grace and style throughout the night. And his backing band, including a forceful horn section, made everything that much sweeter.

In short, King remains a fantastic concert experience. 

The good news for those who haven't yet seen King - and those who have - is he promised to be back. 

As good a headliner as King was, opening act Mason Casey failed to deliver anything approaching the magic that was to come. The 30-minute set featuring the singer-harmonica player and a four-man band came off as a sort of Fabulous Thunderbirds, but without that Kim Wilson-fronted outfit's rollicking Austin roadhouse gusto.

Inbox Update: Mystery Science Theater 3000:Vol. XXXIII; SLASH partners With The International Fund For Animal Welfare (IFAW); Billy Joel update

Happy Thursday everybody (almost Friday!)

Here is a roundup of what's new and exciting...

Mystery Science Theater 3000: Vol. XXXIII

Four DVD Box Set Features Previously Unreleased Episodes

Daddy-O, Earth vs. the Spider, Teen-Age Crime Wave

and Agent for H.A.R.M. coming July 28, 2015

Do you dig the flicks, daddy-o? This summer you can get your kicks with the cool cats on the Satellite of Love, in orbit with some of the cheesiest movies ever made. Don’t be a square, it’ll be a gas! On July 28th, 2015, Shout! Factory will release Mystery Science Theater 3000: Volume XXXIII, featuring four episodes never before on DVD: Daddy-O, Earth vs. the Spider, Teen-Age Crime Wave and Agent For H.A.R.M.

The set also includes a bevy of brand-new bonus features including the featurettes Beatnick Blues: Investigating ‘Daddy-O’, This Movie Has Legs: Looking Back at‘Earth Vs. The Spider’ and Film It Again, Sam: The Katzman Chronicles; interviews Tommy Cook: From Jungle Boy To Teenage Jungle  and Peter Mark Richman: In H.A.R.M.’s Way, MST hour wraps, theatrical trailers and four exclusive Mini Posters by artist Steve Vance. Fans who pre-order their collection throughShoutFactory.com will receive exclusive MST3k coasters with their order.

  Bonus Features Include:

·         Beatnick Blues: Investigating Daddy-O

·         This Movie Has Legs: Looking Back At Earth Vs. The Spider

·         Film It Again, Sam: The Katzman Chronicles

·         Tommy Cook: From Jungle Boy To Teenage Jungle

·         Peter Mark Richman: In H.A.R.M.’s Way

·         MST Hour Wraps

·         Theatrical Trailers

Mystery Science Theater 3000: Volume XXXIII brings us Daddy-O, the story of a truck-driving singer searching for the killer of his best friend among the denizens of a seedy L.A. club, and accompanied by the short Alphabet Antics;  Earth vs. the Spider, a tale of a ticked-off tarantula and the town it calls dinner-plus the short Speech—Using Your Voice; Teen-Age Crime Wave, wherein  a trio of juvenile delinquents promises all sorts of 1950s danger to a nice family; and Agent for H.A.R.M., Cold War "sci-spy-fi" thriller, featuring H.A.R.M agent Adam Chance as he works to protect a recently defected Soviet scientist from Russian agents who want his formula for preventing alien spores from turning flesh into fungus.

For more information, visit shoutfactory.com.

SLASH partners with the International Fund for Animal Welfare

SLASH--the iconic American rock guitarist, songwriter and film producer-today (May 7) announced the release of the song and video"Beneath The Savage Sun."

SLASH has partnered with International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) to raise awareness of the slaughter of elephants which is leading to their early extinction. To watch the video and get the song for free, DONATE (HERE) and TAKE ACTION (HERE). The U.S.-based charityIFAW works around the world on every aspect of the elephant crisis-on the front lines to stop the killing of elephants, in transit countries to stop the trafficking of ivory and in consumer countries to stop the demand for ivory products. For more information, visit: www.ifaw.org.

While on tour in South Africa, SLASH and the lead singer of his bandMYLES KENNEDY witnessed the devastation of the elephants first-hand and knew they had to act. Together, they wrote the song "Beneath The Savage Sun" from the perspective of an elephant whose family has been wiped out. The hypnotic rock song is a highlight on the group's critically acclaimed current album WORLD ON FIRE.

"An elephant is killed every 15 minutes for its ivory and the result is the elephant population has declined 95% in the past century," explainsSLASH. "Seeing that these majestic animals are on the path to extinction, possibly within the next decade, we wrote 'Beneath The Savage Sun' and partnered with IFAW. Donate to IFAW's work to take action and protect elephants."

IFAW's CEO Azzedine Downes expressed gratitude to SLASH and MYLES KENNEDY for calling attention to the current elephant poaching crisis, "To save elephants from this senseless slaughter, we need everyone to stand up and demand stronger protection and we need to help fund action on the ground in Africa and Asia. We are grateful to Slash, Myles Kennedy and The Conspirators for reaching out to their fans to share this important message."

SLASH and his band Featuring Myles Kennedy and The Conspirators are currently in the midst of a U.S. headlining tour which stops at Terminal 5 in New York City, tonight. The month-long tour--encompassing headlining shows and festival appearances--is the first solo trek supporting the group's acclaimed studio album WORLD ON FIRE which is SLASH's third straight solo album to debut in the Top Ten in the U.S and the second album with his official band The Conspirators which features MYLES KENNEDY (vocals), BRENT FITZ (drums), TODD KERNS (bass) and FRANK SIDORIS (touring guitarist). Tickets are on sale at www.slashonline.com.

SLASH: FEATURING MYLES KENNEDY AND THE CONSPIRATORSand IFAW:

SHARE the "Beneath The Savage Sun" video: https://youtu.be/VrJJz-VQWWg 

BUY the "Beneath The Savage Sun" song and donate to IFAW's work to protect elephants: http://slashonline.com/ 

Read more facts about elephants (HERE).

Find out more about IFAW here: www.ifaw.org

www.slashonline.com

https://twitter.com/#!/Slash

 http://www.youtube.com/slash

Audio Fidelity To Release Billy Joel's Critically Acclaimed Third Album “Streetlife Serenade” On 4.0 Quad Multichannel Hybrid SACD

“A classic album by one of rock's foremost piano men”

Much to the excitement of Billy Joel fans worldwide, Marshall Blonstein's Audio Fidelity will be releasing Streetlife Serenade on 4.0 Quad Multichannel Hybrid SACD. Billy Joel is an incomparable musician, having sold more than 150 million records, he ranks as one of the most popular recording artists and respected entertainers in the world. Streetlife Serenade is Joel's third studio album originally released in 1974. This album usually gets overlooked when discussing Billy Joel's career, but all these years later, Streetlife Serenade may rank as one of his finest efforts. Joel keeps things lively and diversified from song to song. “The Great Suburban Showdown” and “Last of the Big Time Spenders” have an openly spaced, laid-back western vibe, not unlike what the Eagles were doing during their 1970s heyday. The spunky instrumentals “Root Beer Rag” and “The Mexican Connection” show off Joel's formidable piano-playing skills and are pure fun. “Weekend Song” is an awesomely rugged rocker and the quirky hit “The Entertainer” is sheer pop genius, both lyrically and sonically.

This was the last album that Billy Joel recorded with the singer-songwriter style. Most of the compositions look back intimately at Joel's life. The album has great arrangements and rhythms and lyrics that tell a story with feeling and hints that he had enough with California, enough with the music industry, enough with being a sensitive artist. It was time for Billy to say goodbye to Hollywood and head back home to New York.

Tracks:

Streetlife Serenader

Los Angelenos

The Great Suburban Showdown

Root Beer Rag

Roberta

The Entertainer

Last of the Big Time Spenders

Weekend Song

Souvenir

The Mexican Connection

Producer: Michael Stewart & Billy Joel

Mastered for this SACD by Kevin Gray at Cohearent Audio

For more info: https://audiofidelity.net/product/billy-joel-streetlife-serenade

Moody Blues perform one for the ages

Images of the early Moody Blues flashed behind the 2015 version
of  the Moodies performing at the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles
on May 5, 2015. Photo: Robert Kinsler

Deftly balancing nostalgia and a contemporary concert experience, the Moody Blues’ inspired performance at the Greek Theatre on May 5 was both a trip down Memory Lane and a chance to hear a fantastic group of seven players share their unique blend of psychedelic, folk and art rock in a perfect setting.

With no opening band, the Moody Blues (featuring singer-guitarist Justin Hayward, singer-bassist John Lodge and drummer Graeme Edge) were able to deliver a two-part 18-song set that featured all but one of the group's big hits (the exception being "Go Now") as well as some deep album cuts of interest to hardcore fans.

Opening with a spirited version of their early ’80s hit “Gemini Dream,” the selection was the first of many to feature Hayward’s melodic and precise style of lead guitar. “The Voice” followed, with Hayward's still-potent vocals and the group's shining harmonies engulfing the open air theater.

Having joined that rare group of rock acts still thriving after 50 years together, the Moody Blues’ ability to shift gears from its ELO-ish ’80s material back to psychedelic rock carved out in the ’60s and art rock from the ’70s material was relatively easy because of the talents of the talented musicians on stage.

Norda Mullen was particularly effective in helping bring the ambitious and wide-ranging material to life, using her virtuoso talents on flute along with her acoustic guitar play and strong soprano to enhance the songs. On the rarely heard “You and Me” (off the band's 1972 disc “Seventh Sojourn”), Mullen’s skillful work on acoustic guitar mirrored Hayward’s intensity on his electric instrument as the folk rock song built in intensity to a dramatic finish.

The near-capacity crowd was tuned into the band’s concert from the beginning, but seemed to really get into the spirit of the special night when the band performed “I Know You’re Out There Somewhere” near the end of the first half of the show, many remaining on their feet for the psychedelic rocker “The Story in Your Eyes.”

The Moody Blues lost no momentum when they returned from an intermission to perform another hour of original music. The uplifting “Your Wildest Dreams,” introspective British-styled folk piece “Isn't Life Strange,” ardent “Tuesday Afternoon” and straight-up rocker “I'm Just a Singer (in a Rock and Roll Band)” were among the highlights of the fast-moving second act.

Justin Hayward performing "Nights in White Satin" at
the Greek Theatre on May 5. Photo: Robert Kinsler

“Nights in White Satin” remains a powerful piece of symphonic rock, with Hayward’s mighty voice and sterling work on his 12-string guitar a key part of the song’s magic. The song was reworked where Edge came down from behind his kit to recite the iconic "Late Lament" poem he wrote that closes out the 1967 studio recording to begin the piece, before Hayward comes in with his 12-string guitar to launch the compelling song itself he wrote when he was only 19. After the masterwork, the band received a long and enthusiastic standing ovation, with the Moodies obviously moved by the audience continuing to clap for a minute or so.

Justin Hayward, left, and John Lodge on May 5.
Photo: Robert Kinsler

As strong as the Moody Blues were at performing the symphonic rock that yielded their most iconic song, the band wasn't afraid to rock. “Steppin' in a Slide Zone” (played early in the set) and the night-ending “Ride My See-Saw” could have pleased the masses at Coachella with their fiery mix of British blues-rock, powerful rhythms and the one-two punch provided by Lodge and Hayward on bass and guitar. Even a rousing version of their 1969 song “Gypsy (Of a Strange and Distant Time)” had a contemporary edge with its propulsive beat positioned around its progressive rock foundation.

A night of classic and timeless rock to be sure.

British Sea Power to reissue expanded version of debut album on June 8, 2015

British Sea Power is set to reissue their classic debut, 'The Decline of British Sea Power,' on June 8, 2015 via Golden Chariot

THE REISSUE IS COMING OUT ON A HOST OF FORMATS WITH A GREAT DEAL OF BONUS MATERIAL!

'The best band in Britain’ – The Sunday Times.

‘Out of this world… The track Carrion is truly wondrous, the crowning moment of a dazzling debut’ – NME.

“One of the most exciting albums of 2003 has arrived… a near hysterical fervour runs through every song’- The Daily Telegraph

‘Stadium-sized melodies and exquisite songwriting… The intelligent, nonconformist listener has a new band to love’ – MOJO.

‘This always poised, often epic rock oscillates between the frenzied and the elegiac. A strange and exhilarating record’ – The Independent on Sunday

 

British Sea Power are set to reissue their classic debut, The Decline of British Sea Power, on their own Golden Chariot imprint on June 8, 2015. Aside from offering the album itself on multiple formats, the band is reissuing an incredible amount of bonus material.

The 2 CD package includes the the original studio album, as well as a whole host of b-sides.

The album is also being reissued on vinyl–a format it hasn’t been available on for some time.

The band is also releasing “The BSP Handbook”, a 2 CD and DVD set that includes the re-mastered version of the original studio album, b-sides and a DVD featuring rare and unseen British Sea Power footage. An incredible book is part of the package as well–that will feature unseen photos and other images, plus a new British Sea Power narrative from Roy Wilkinson, author of the BSP-themed memoir Do It For Your Mum.

British Sea Power are playing select shows and festivals in the UK throughout 2015.

Blur's 'The Magic Whip' stirs up sales storm

Blur's fantastic new album 'The Magic Whip' is truly one of the best albums of early 2015. It's nice the album is connecting commercially too...Here is the official media release.

Blur Magic Whips up a Storm

LONDON, Sunday, May 3, 2015  --

'They've only gone and made a masterpiece' - The Sunday Times

'Blur have returned with inspiration… a seductive set that cements a legacy' - Rolling Stone

'A triumph' - NME

'A gem… The Magic Whip shows there's more distance left to run' - Time Out

'Classic Blur album! Never change a winning team…' -  @GVerbeelen

'The ULTIMATE Blur album! ...defines the best of their past AND new sounds!' - @supernova_zine

'Amazing! One of their best! No fillers…' - @Scott_chegg2

With their most recent album The Magic Whip entering the UK Album Chart today at No. 1, Blur are enjoying the widest chart success of their career. The Magic Whip has peaked at No. 1 in iTunes charts in eight countries from Ireland to Hong Kong, within the Top 5 in an additional 20 countries*, and has reached their highest ever US chart place of #15.

The Magic Whip is also the first album to have its own official ice cream. Produced in collaboration with British ice cream makers The Licktators, 'The Magic Whip' is an individual tub of dairy vanilla ice cream rippled with raspberry coulis and will be in shops from June, in time for Blur's UK festival dates this summer at the Isle of Wight (13th June) and Hyde Park (20th June).

This February - on Chinese New Year - in London's Chinatown, the band surprised fans with the news that they had completed a new album, their first as a four-piece in 16 years. Recordings started during a break in touring in Hong Kong in 2013 and guitarist Graham Coxon completed the process late last year with the help of producer Stephen Street. Albarn added lyrics after a return visit to Hong Kong and on 27th April the 12 songs on The Magic Whip were released, to widespread critical acclaim.

Blur will headline the Isle of Wight Festival on Saturday 13th June, and as the only artists to play Hyde Park four times, the band will return to the historic London park for a headline show on Saturday 20th June 2015 as part of Barclaycard presents British Summer Time Hyde Park. For full details visit http://www.bst-hydepark.com

http://www.blur.co.uk

*The Magic Whip - iTunes Chart Positions

#1 - Argentina, Chile, Czech Rep, Ireland, Denmark, Hong Kong, Poland, Portugal

#2 - Austria, Belgium, France, Italy, Norway, Singapore, Slovakia, Sweden

#3 - Germany, Indonesia, Netherlands

#4 - Mexico, Russia, Spain, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand

#5 - Finland, Japan, New Zealand

#15 - USA