Saturday, 4 August 2012
MICHAEL DES BARRES: Israeli review
When I was a young hippy anarchist all those years ago, a lot was talked about the concept of the 'Global Village'. I always loved the idea that all the peoples of the world would be united through the mystick power of rock and roll, and although I never really thought it through it was a concept that stuck itself deep in my psyche. Now I am a middle-aged and fairly battered hippy anarchist I am particularly impressed by the way that Gonzo artists are loved and appreciated across the globe. I take a childlike delight in reposting all the foreign reviews I can find, like this one from Israel...
http://dmme.net/reviews/reviews51.html#desbar
Check him out at his Gonzo Artist Page
 THE MICHAEL DES BARRES BAND - | The rocking nobleman revisits the place of the best threads in town to stitch a new gown for wearin' 'n' tearin'. There are several sorts of aristocrats on the scene: there are new knights like Paul McCartney and faux peers such as Lord Sutch, and then there's Michael Des Barres, a genuine marquis. With glam outfit SILVERHEAD in the early '70s and more intelligent DETECTIVE later in the decade, and the front position with POWER STATION when they played Live Aid, one might not see the wild man behind Des Barres' debonair facade, yet on stage, Michael has always been a fount of untamed energy. Those who heard him belt out "Good Rockin’ Tonight" have surely missed the singer since he changed the mike stand for acting career. But finally the "MacGyver" assassin is back with a vengeance - still rockin' good. The vim is still there, so when this ten-tracker fizzles out with the booty-shaking "My Baby Saved My Ass" one feels like having drunk from that fount, and if there's a sign of the lord's 64 years Des Barres blurs the time with the slow-burning opener "You're My Pain Killer": the shimmering soulful blues with a pulled punch in the groove that grows its weight on the organ slide and finds resolution later on in the streamlined "From Cloud 9 To Heartache". Tripping down the memory lane, to "Granny Takes A Trip" and beyond, in the Mod mode yet with sharp modern edge, Michael delivers catchy "Hot And Sticky" and "Forgive Me" that Steve Marriott would have been proud of, and then comes, his voice richer in tone than ever before, with the title piece. "I was 19 in 1967, on the streets of London, I was in Heaven... Everything you've heard is everything I see", goes "Carnaby Street": here's swinging London, its myth clad in a kaftan embroidered with guitar-and-bass rocking patterns and infectious "ooh-ooh's", before the boogie of "Route 69" spins the globe forward and gospel-infused ballad "Please Stay" picks up where the evergreen "Stay With Me Baby" left off. Class oozing out of every sonic pore, it's a high-spirited record. The marquis may have lost his locks but not his grit. Great to have his Lordship back on-stage. ***** |
Check him out at his Gonzo Artist Page
LINK: Martin Stephenson at Blurt
Martin Stephenson & The Daintees
California Star
Despite 20 years of peddling his wares and releasing albums in abundance both on his own and in the company of his backing band the Daintees, journeyman troubadour Martin Stephenson remains all but unknown outside their native U.K. Whether California Star will be able accumulate the sunny vibes beckoned by the title track remains to be seen, but Stephenson and company are clearly intent on providing something special for everyone.
Check out the artist page for Martin Stephenson
Check out the artist page for Martin and Helen
Check out the artist page for The Daintees
LINK: Erik Norlander at Prog Rock Music Talk
I can you tell you he does back up that initial statement with a solid back log of recordings and most recently this 2CD/1 DVD collection Live In Gettysburg distributed by the folks at Gonzo Multimedia.
YES: The revealing science of interviews
In all the years that I have been following Yes, they have always seemed to be very guarded in interviews and have given very little away. Recently, however, that seems to have changed, and the latest round of interviews have been rather revealing...Another year, another new singer for Yes — or at least that’s how it seems at times. The veteran British progressive rock group first lost founding frontman Jon Anderson to health issues in 2005, then controversially replaced him with Benoit David, who sang in a Montreal-based Yes tribute band. Then, after recording Yes’ 2011 album “Fly From Here,” David also contracted a respiratory illness, leading Yes to bring on Jon Davison of the Nashville group Glass Hammer.
Guitarist Steve Howe says that Davison is “doing fantastic” but acknowledges that it’s been a turbulent period in the group’s nearly 45-year history.
Read on...
Check out the Yes artist page at Gonzo
TONY HAWKS WROTE TO ME THIS MORNING
JonathanAs a unique way of raising money for the care centre I've founded in Chisinau Moldova for kids with cerebral palsy, I've made a feature film of my book Playing The Moldovans At Tennis. It's been very well received as you'll see from the testimonials below.
If you like the film, and the cause then you can make a donation online - and recommend it to someone else! Or you can buy a DVD
Thanks in anticipation of your help….
Tony
"Funny, charming and moving" – Dave Baddiel
"A feel-good film with the unbeatable combination of tennis, Moldova and British eccentricity" Sandi Tocsvig
"Tony Hawks is the Brad Pitt of films shot mainly in Moldova. His quest to beat the Moldovan football team at tennis is simultaneously insane, moving and hilarious. If Andy Murray's near miss upset you, Tony Hawks' triumphant film will restore your faith in British tennis." Sir Tim Rice
"Thoroughly enjoyed the film, as did everyone from their reaction. I’m proud to say I had a little tear in my eye occasionally" - Tim Brooke Taylor
"A funny, touching, true story" - Alan Davies
"It’s brilliant" - Claudia Winkleman, Radio 2 arts show
"A great piece of work." Marcus Brigstocke
"An explosive mix of cultures and shared sense of humour" - Iulian Fruntasu – Moldovan Ambassador to the UK
"What a brilliant achievement to have created a film like that." - Mark Steel
“I loved it!’ John Inverdale
"It was great, we loved it! We're telling everybody about it!" Stacey Kent
“Unbridled amusement value” The Guardian
"It’s a fantastic movie” Pat Cash
"A great project" – Sue Perkins
Check it out at Gonzo
Friday, 3 August 2012
Hawkwind supports Devon Air Ambulance Trust
Dave Brock and Huw Lloyd-Langton, of Hawkwind, will next week turn out to support a fund-raising open mic event at Sidmouth Folk Week.
The event, which has been organised by local students, is to be staged in Connaught Gardens and will be a showcase of local talent - featuring everything from singer/songwriters to metal acts.
Dave said: “I’ll be bringing my harmonica and guitar along, and me and Huw will do a couple of numbers together. It’ll be fun and it’s for a very good cause.”
Entry is free, but there will be a collection to raise money for the Devon Air Ambulance Trust, a charity which relies solely on donations.
The event is taking place on Wednesday, August 8, from 1pm to 6pm.
SUNFLOWER JAM 2012
Host Jeremy Irons will be on hand once again to move marshall the proceedings, and the musical line-up this year is spectacular. Living Legends BRIAN MAY, BRUCE DICKINSON, IAN PAICE and JOHN PAUL JONES will all perform along with ALFIE BOE and MARK KING, who is appearing for the first time!
And once again there is a brilliant house band on show to back up those legends. The house band features Paul Wix Wickins as Musical Director & keyboardist, Uli Jon Roth on guitar, Steve Balsamo and Margo Bucanhan on vocals, Jerry Brown on drums and Nick Fyffe on bass.
As well as a great bill and some great music, this is bound to be a poignant affair as the late, great Jon Lord - a longtime supporter of the Sunflower Jam - had been due to perform, which means that this year's event will give some of his close friends a chance to say goodbye.
CHINESE SWIMMERS AREN’T THE ONLY ONES SMASHING RECORDS
Planet Rock continued its amazing year with yet another record breaking survey and even more listeners than ever. The station's weekly reach has increased to 948,000, up an impressive 10.7% year on year (10.1% quarter on quarter).Planet Rock’s hours are up as well… 13.8% year on year to 6,639,000 maintaining a six million plus share for the last 12 months and keeping its position as number one commercial digital only radio station.
Legendary DJ Nicky Horne and Rock Icon Alice Cooper were the highlights of a fantastic weekday result, posting record figures of 373,600 and 226,300 respectively. This was backed by record reach on Saturday afternoons and evenings with Def Leppard’s Joe Elliott, Bernard Doherty and Murray J all seeing 25%+ increases year on year.
The audience profile of Planet Rock has continued to get younger with 10.7% growth in the 15 – 24 (51.2% quarter on quarter). Our target audience 25 – 54 has grown 14% year on year and 1% quarter on quarter.
Malcolm Bluemel, Planet Rock's Chairman and owner said "This is a fantastic result for all the team and proves there’s still a massive audience for great rock music. Next stop a million!”
- Planet Rock – Two time winners Arqiva Digital Station of the year
- Planet Rock – Two time winners Freesat Radio Channel of the year
- Planet Rock – Four time Sony gold winner
- Planet Rock – On digital radio, Sky 0110, Virgin Media 924, Freesat 730 and www.planetrock.com
LINK: Brazilian review of Rick Wakeman
http://progshine.com/artistas/letra-r/rick-wakeman/rick-wakeman-in-the-nick-of-time-resenha-diego-camargo/
Rick Wakeman - In The Nick Of Time (Review Diego Camargo)
Review: Diego Camargo
Note:
Band: Rick Wakeman
Album: In The Nick Of Time - Live in 2003 Year: 2012 Label: Gonzo MultimediaType: Live
Tracks:
1. Catherine Parr - 11'07
2. Out There - 13'17
3. In Earthly Connection - 8'06
4. Dance Of A Thousand Lights - 5'48
5. The Cathedral In The Sky - 10'36
6. White Rock - 3'15
7. Wurm - 9'29
Training:
Rick Wakeman - keyboards
Ashley Holt - vocals
Ant Glynne - guitars
Lee Pomeroy - bass
Review:
Rick Wakeman is a complex guy, not only musically, but in a general context. It took me a long time to understand your music, but today I can say that is one of my favorite artists in the Progressive scene. Many people think the keyboardist began his career Yes , that is completely wrong, he had already recorded a lot of people important before joining the English band, including the band Strawbs.
The career of Rick Wakeman has always been ups and downs, and all this is justified. Rick never really gave in to commercialism, although he admitted that several of their albums were released purely for money, and why are so bad. This is one of the highlights of the 'wizard of keyboards,' he is sincere and honest in what he says.
During 73-76 Rick Wakeman has enjoyed a very successful career, releasing albums that sold millions around the world: The Six Wives Of Henry VIII (1973) , Journey To The Center Of The Earth (1974) , The Myths And Legends Of King Arthur And The Knights Of Round Table (1975) and No Earthly Connection (1976) . But with the progressive change in the world since 1977 much has changed for him as well. His records do not reach the initial quality for more than two decades.
The CD I have on hand for reviewing, In The Nick Of Time (2012) was recorded live on their tour promoting her album Out There (2003) . It was an album that brought Rick Wakeman back to its proper Prog. After several years touring the piano he had just spent the format and decided it was time to reassemble his band, The English Rock Ensemble, here renamed The New English Rock Ensemble. Was born then your disk that was a throwback to the old days, a concept album about the life that possibly exists beyond Earth. On this tour he had his two musicians and longtime friends Tony Fernandez (drums) and Ashley Holt (voice) as squires, completed the team Ant Glynne (guitar) and Lee Pomeroy (bass).
This lineup recorded the live album in question that only now (in March) is being released via Gonzo Multimedia. And I must say it's a great record from beginning to end, well-chosen repertoire and a very sharp band!
The album is a mix of classic Rick Wakeman with the new songs (like any good show should be) and brings seven bands in total of just over 61 minutes.
The opening could not be better with the classic 'Catherine Parr' track that closes the album The Six Wives Of Henry VIII (1973) , but it comes with the double 'Beware Your Enemies. "
Then the great 'Out There' from newly released self-titled album. Ashley Holt comes through singing 'stranger', seems to be no rhythm at first, but after the first verse everything fits. The band remembers the good times in an atmosphere completely The Myths And Legends Of King Arthur And The Knights Of Round Table (1975) , the difference is that your 13 minutes as well as bring many keyboards, solos and heavier parts and guitar, formerly non-existent disks in Wakeman , Ant Glynne's fault.
'No Earthly Connection' follows on and is certainly one of the most interesting tracks on the disc, this track is actually a combination of two parts of the disc of 1976, these are 'Music Reincarnate - The Spaceman' & 'Music Reincarnate - The Realisation 'together in a single song. The dynamic between the rhythm section, keyboards and vocals are at least bright.Vocal that this is one of the highlights of the disc. Ashley is quite a powerful voice.
One thing I can tell when you read one of my articles speak well of a live album can trust, because I do not like live albums.
'Dance Of A Thousand Lights "is a beautiful theme on the keyboard and comes with orchestra, in fact this is the only track that was not recorded in 2003 but in 1999 for the album Return To The Centre Of Earth (1999) . There is no denying the chemistry between the music of Rick Wakeman and an orchestra. He always wrote the classic way, this track just said that. And his performance at the keyboard is simply killer.
'The Cathedral In The Sky' is also Out There (2003) and as the name suggests, the music has tones of church choirs and everything. Closing the disc have a double strange, 'White Rock' of the disk of the same name released in 1977 which is the only low point of the disc in my opinion and also an unusual choice as well, that would be more natural to play something from Rick Yes , since they took part in the history of the band, but Rick chose 'Würm' Party of 'Starship Trooper' disc The Yes Album (1971) . Now explain why it is an unusual choice, first because Rick was not part of the band when this track was released, because this second section of the music is composed by guitarist Steve Howe ... one ... and the band is totally dedicated to the guitar. However this version we have Lee Pomeroy a killer bass solo and then a long guitar solo in anything that pleased me, too technical demonstration and little musicality. This only shows that Wakeman know that music comes first, not the egos that destroyed so long ago Prog.
To close the CD booklet we normally live albums come with inserts which found only meager information recording techniques, not here. A booklet with 20 pages in waiting, where 6 of them are a long and very good text that Rick Wakeman wrote more biographies of all the musicians in the band and various funny pictures of the tour 2003.
Conclusion:
I never imagined that a live album recorded 9 years ago could be so good and so full of surprises in this incredible performance. Wakeman is back in the game.
Check out his Gonzo Artist Page
MICHAEL DES BARRES SINGS T.REX
One of my watchwords is that the best pop music is three and a half minutes long and has no more than four chords **. Michael Des Barres obviously agrees, as this blistering cover version of a T.Rex classic testifies.
** An awful lot of what we cover here is not pop music
** An awful lot of what we cover here is not pop music
Thursday, 2 August 2012
HAWKWIND: Spacerock tour dates
Over the years Hawkwind’s shows have become the stuff of legend….
With the original Overlord of space rock Dave Brock at the helm, ex-Gong synthesiser player Tim Blake on keys / Theremin, Mr Dibs on bass, long serving drummer Richard Chadwick, and Niall Hone on guitar….take a sonic boom rollercoaster worm hole of a trip through Hawkwind’s wonderful otherworld of dancers, stilt walkers, psychedelic lighting, and projections.
Even though Tim Blake broke his wrist earlier this week, all tour dates are going ahead and they have added on a concert at HMV Ritz in Manchester in January next year.
Announced Tour dates 2012/13
Friday 17th August – Clumber Park Classic Rock Concert, Clumber Park, Near Worksop. http://www.ukeventsandproduction.com/classicrock.html,Ticket line – 01909 512534 or http://www.hmvtickets.com/events/5795
Friday 24th August - Rhythm Festival, Mansion House, Old warden Park, Biggleswade, Beds. Hawkwind to headline the Friday night. http://www.rhythmfestival.com/
Saturday September 8th – Ino-Rock Festival 2012, Inowroclaw , Poland http://www.inorock.pl/
Sunday 23 September – Brisfest, Ashton Court, Bristol http://www.brisfest.co.uk/
2013
Friday 25th January – The Ritz, Manchester, Tickets on sale Monday 30th July. http://hmvritz.com/search/hawkwind
*Friday 25th – Sunday 27th January – The Great British Rock & Blues 2013, Butlins Holiday park, Skegness. *Hawkwind to appear on the Saturday night 26th
http://www.bigweekends.com/your-break/91391
For further information
PETER McADAM: A stonking review
http://www.thecrackmagazine.com/index.php?section=2&category=17The Nine Henrys
Peter McAdam,
Gonzo Media Group,
£8.99
If you’re in need of a real leftfield treat (and let’s face it WHO ISN’T?) then grab a hold of Peter McAdam’s collection of cartoons which feature his bunch of cloned cartoon characters, The Nine Henrys. His line drawings are rudimentary at best (he makes David Shrigley’s efforts look like the work of Raphael) but it’s the whirrings of his fevered brain which are really being mapped out here. One Henry (they look like a potato crisp, with mouth and eyes) looses a leg and is captioned “The side effects of Nietzschian philosophy and Post-Hegelian dualism were taking their toll” while another sprouts battlements with the accompanying legend “Beginning with his arms, Henry was turning into a heritage site”.
Elsewhere Henry goes to the movies for a wonky take on Blade Runner, Dirty Harry, The Elephant Man and more, but wherever they turn up, they’re underpinned by McAdam’s supremely surrealistic take on life. (Note: The book is having a launch at The Stand Comedy Club on Saturday August 18, 2-6pm, with Martin Stephenson, Gypsy Dave Smith and guests). RM
ERIK NORLANDER: Israeli review
I have just been sent a whole string of Israeli reviews for Erik Norlander. The only trouble is that I have no references as to where they come from. If anyone knows, can they tell me...Once mortars are silenced the music gets loud, The Rites of Spring Festival plays host to one fantastic project.
While it does suffice for mere mortals to have polished their best works, Erik Norlander who fashioned an integral album out of his classic pieces under the "Galactic Collective" banner took his project a step further and brought it all on-stage in 2011 to stun the public and pay tribute to his hero Bob Moog. As documented here, on a video facet of the performance available also in audio-only form, Norlander did so impressively, the focus of attention being not so much a monstrous stack of circuit boards, The Wall Of Doom, taken on-stage but Erik's playing and command of his ensemble.
Now the group include the maestro's wife Lana Lane who, together with Debrissa McKinney, seems lost in a reverie on "Sky Full Of Stars" which switches to black and white when the tension ebbs down and bursts back in color once the tune is taken to the next spiral level with Freddy DeMarco's soaring guitar solo. Later on, Lady Lane steps forward to deliver "Capture The Sun" and "Secrets Of Astrology" with Norlander's contribution accentuated visually, as is his operating of an iPad-like gizmo with a finger-painting interface on "Dark Water". Equally spectacular is Nick LePar's non-intrusive playing - as if in slow motion - on "Fanfare For Absent Friends" and sensitive tom tom's work on "Trantor Station". The leader comes up with a background of the latter theme, so there's a link to a studio DVD, as well as - a great dose of humor on display - of other pieces and the "Wall Of Doom" moniker. Despite the place, Gettysburg, the concert doesn't have an historic aura: that's perhaps, because Erik Norlander's journey continues. Yet it's as great a landmark as it gets.
And check out the dedicated Gonzo artist page for Asia featuring John Payne, and for Erik solo
YES: Alan White interview
On the Gonzo Daily we have been following the progress of the latest round of Yes promotional interviews. There have been lots of interviews with Chris Squire, but now we have an interview with drummer Alan White, who has been one of my favourite dr
ummers since he appeared on Live Peace in Toronto with John and Yoko...It's easy to define a rock band's eras by its singers. Take, for instance, Van Halen. The popular rock act had the David Lee Roth years, the Sammy Hagar period and the brief Gary Cherone phase. Then there's Yes. The prog-rock band has been adored by musical technicians since the late 1960s. It's had four lead vocalists since then, ranging from original frontman Jon Anderson to its current singer, Jon Davison.
While it's common for fans to divide the group's legacy by vocalist, drummer Alan White sees his band's history differently. He categorizes Yes' phases by album. White said "Fly From Here," the group's 2011 album, reflected the return of keyboardist Geoff Downes and producer Trevor Horn. Horn and Downes had been in pop duo The Buggles - famous for the song "Video Killed the Radio Star" - in the late 1970s, and they joined Yes for the 1980 album, "Drama."
Although both left the band after that, Horn returned to produce the band's popular 1983 album, "90125," which features the hit single "Owner of a Lonely Heart." Now Horn and Downes are back, with longtime members White, Steve Howe (guitar) and Chris Squire (bass), along with Davison.
With Horn and Downes involved with Yes again, White defines what they bring to the group.
While it's common for fans to divide the group's legacy by vocalist, drummer Alan White sees his band's history differently. He categorizes Yes' phases by album. White said "Fly From Here," the group's 2011 album, reflected the return of keyboardist Geoff Downes and producer Trevor Horn. Horn and Downes had been in pop duo The Buggles - famous for the song "Video Killed the Radio Star" - in the late 1970s, and they joined Yes for the 1980 album, "Drama."
Although both left the band after that, Horn returned to produce the band's popular 1983 album, "90125," which features the hit single "Owner of a Lonely Heart." Now Horn and Downes are back, with longtime members White, Steve Howe (guitar) and Chris Squire (bass), along with Davison.
With Horn and Downes involved with Yes again, White defines what they bring to the group.
Check out the Yes artist page at Gonzo
Wednesday, 1 August 2012
MICHAEL DES BARRES: Sex, Drugs and Chick-Fil-A
The music business is dead, and like a phoenix from the ashes, passion-filled music is very much aliveIt took me three months to get a drum sound in 1977. Those heady days of rock ‘n’ roll excess, when music was in the hands of rock stars with vast fortunes and very tight trousers.
I was on the mighty Led Zeppelin’s label Swan Song. My band was Detective, and we recorded our first album at the legendary Record Plant in Los Angeles -- as famous for its hot tubs and Jacuzzis, its private rooms and tales of depravity, as much as its magnificent roster of rockers. All at thousands of dollars per hour.
In those ravaged rooms of Babylon, occupied by cocaine-filled delirium where Brian Wilson sat in a sandbox and the Stones rambled way past midnight has been replaced by a Starbucks and God forbid, a Chick-Fil-A.
Making an album in those days was of course, very different than it is now. This was the ‘70s. In the ‘60s, there was more freedom in that the phenomenon of rock ‘n’ roll was in the early stages of a revolution that would rock the world, and we were flying by the seat of our velvet pants.
THESE ARE EXCITING TIMES FOR JON ANDERSON AND HIS FANS
There is an awful lot of interesting Jon Anderson news at the moment, and those of us who have been Andersonfans for yonks are like pigs in clover. There are new recordings, gigs and all sorts of stuff. We have already covered most of this stuff on Gonzo Daily, but it does no harm to reiterate it..
Are you sitting in front of the television or computer, tuned in to Olympic progress in women’s basketball, beach volleyball, archery, swimming, badminton, boxing, and fencing? A special treat is in store! Jon Anderson, the original vocalist from “Yes,” has just shared his special tribute to the 2012 Olympics. The singer/songwriter released his lyrical composition, entitled “Race to the End.” The accompanying YouTube video (see inset) features some of the most inspirational and memorable visual moments of Olympic pageantry and competition across the summer sports.
Anderson’s dynamic, yet comforting, vocals are undergirded by the instantly recognizable strains of the Vangelis classic, “Chariots of Fire.” It’s likely to become a top download in the coming days.
If you’re vacationing in London in time for the Olympics, plan to stay a few more days, because Anderson will also be performing a special concert at the Sadler’s Wells Theatre in London on Wednesday, August 8. This will be the first time he has performed in the United Kingdom in two years. Anderson toured the UK in 2010 with friend and former bandmate, Rick Wakeman.
Said Anderson, ““The concert in London is with the Slovakian Chamber Orchestra with the help of my good friend, composer Peter Machajdik, plus a semi-acoustic group I performed with a couple of years ago in Bratislava.” Jon also shared “'Concert for Earth and Peace' – the show will be around one hour long, with classic YES songs, and Vangelis songs, plus 'Earth and Peace', a new song written with the music of Austin Haynes, and some surprises.” Tickets are available here.
Another special performer that evening will be Miro Zbirka from Slovakia, who is internationally recognized as a singer/songwriter for more than 40 years. The best of classic rock music will be performed, accompanied by the symphonic orchestra Cappella Istropolitana, under the baton of the celebrated conductor, Adrian Kokos.
If you’ve not had the chance to hear Anderson in concert lately, be assured that he sounds better than ever. Chicago Music Examiner, Ashley Perez, said, “It was clear the audience was having a good time as they sang along with Anderson, cheered him on, danced at their tables, and gave him a standing ovation during the end of the show and the encore – the place was filled with excitement, happiness and lots of love!”
Anderson is not one to rest on his laurels and remains one of the most active, creative forces in rock today. His “Open” digital download project has been well received, as well as his CD, “Survival and Other Stories,” from Gonzo MultiMedia.
Recorded in France and California just this month, in “Race to the End,” Anderson’s voice is uniquely complimented by Christophe Lebled’s keyboards and soundscapes. In this dynamic age of digital music and instant access, the single is available today on iTunes and Amazon.com.
Jon is due to head to South America for a Fall 2012 tour. To reach out and find the latest on Anderson, check out his web site or find him on Facebook. When asked what else he is doing musically, Anderson said, “Music is constantly happening all around me. I'm busy working on 'Ever', a follow up to 'Open', part two of my journey into the longer form music I love to create.”
Anderson is also completing the sequel to his signature first solo album, “Olias of Sunhillow,” entitled, “Zamran.” He admits, “Zamran is slowly finding me, or I'm slowly finding Zamran (Son of Olias); sometimes good things take time, I'm told.” True, but good things come to those who wait.
Check out the Original Post
Check out Jon Anderson's Gonzo Artist Page
MICHAEL DES BARRES: Little Latin Lover - Live on The Andy Dick Show
I am 52, and I have always tried to be cool. I have also been a rock music journalist on and off since I was seventeen and first wrote columns about music for my school magazine. I have always been aware of the pitfalls of hyperbole, and know that Jon Landau (for example) has never really recovered from his faux pas in writing that "I have seen rock and roll's future and its name is Bruce Springsteen" back in 1974.
I will be cool then. I will ignore the fact that this is the best thing I have seen all year. I will not deign to comment on the sheer rock and roll surrealchemy of a little person dressed as superman, and I certainly won't say that on this video Michael Des Barres is the living embodiment of what rock and roll is all about.
I have to remain cool for goodness sake.
I will be cool then. I will ignore the fact that this is the best thing I have seen all year. I will not deign to comment on the sheer rock and roll surrealchemy of a little person dressed as superman, and I certainly won't say that on this video Michael Des Barres is the living embodiment of what rock and roll is all about.
I have to remain cool for goodness sake.
Check him out at his Gonzo Artist Page
MICHAEL DES BARRES: What's been did and what's been hid (and the Obama claim was a joke)
Bloody Hell Michael. He is getting so much good press at the moment that it is impossible to keep on top of it all. I went away for a few days to deal with her Majesty's constabulary in Oakham, and then truncate yesterday to have my ears syringed, and when I come back there are so many bits of Des Barres-related news that I am forced to steal a round-up of latest events from the front page of his website. However, for days I have been promising to post a video that Michael sent me last week of Little Latin Lover live on the Andy Dick Show. So today we have two Michael Des Barres stories on the Gonzo Daily. Good innit?
Carnaby Street continues to generate a lot of positive feedback.
Nick Cristiano of The Philadelphia Inquirer gives the album 3 ½ stars and writes the following:
“Michael Des Barres describes his new album as “authentic rock-and-roll, based in American blues, R&B . . . three-chord, unabashed rocking music.” That pretty much nails it.
The real treat here is how well the British musician and actor and his four-man band grasp those rock-and-roll basics, stirring echoes of the Stones and the Faces (with the rasp in his voice, the 64-year-old Des Barres sometimes brings to mind Rod Stewart).
“You’re My Pain Killer” begins the album on a slow burn, and “Please Stay” is a pleading, gospel-inflected ballad that sounds like a lost Stax classic. Mostly, though, Carnaby Street is glorious, pedal-to-the-metal riff-rocking, played with swagger and panache and – beginning with Des Barres himself and his thoroughly unpretentious, hook-heavy songs – plenty of heart.”
grande-rock.com (7.5/10):
“Michael’s voice is great after all these years and along with his music he’s delivering an oldies-tasteful rock and roll album without being retro whatsoever… but rather fresh and strong. The production is as clear as water and full of energy.”
Music blog musoscribe:
“The title track, in particular, is a superbly driving affair that should appeal to fans of the Stones, Faces, Free, Mott the Hoople and other highly-regarded British rock acts. And don’t let the album’s title and Union Jack packaging fool you: Carnaby Street is no exercise in nostalgia. Des Barres and his band – band, I say: not anonymous studio hacks – sing and play like they mean it.”
classicrockrevisited.com:
“This album may give a tip of the hat to the 1960’s style rock he first played, however, the album still remains fresh. The songs are well written and performed well. This album came out of nowhere and is a really nice surprise.”
There are also a couple of new interviews out there. One can be found at heralddeparis.com. (But be aware that any mention of a collaboration with President Obama was a joke).
Another interview has been posted on the Portuguese music blog Via Nocturna, along with a review of the album. “A fantastic album, full of rhythm, groove and sensuality” is the verdict from Portugal.
GONZO DAILY NEEDS YOU
Now, I enjoy writing and compiling the Gonzo Daily very much, and apart from occasional pieces by Davey Curtis, Dave McMann, Graham Inglis and my lovely wife Corinna I do it pretty well single handed. However, the volume of response that we have had proves to me that I am not as much of a lone voice crying in the wilderness as I have always thought. There are still people out there who believe in the sort of things that I believe, and who want to read about the sort of music that we write about. So I am vaguely planning to expand the Gonzo Daily; still keeping exactly the same raison d'etre but making it bigger and better.
So, I am looking for more writers. Do YOU fancy trying your hand at rock journalism? Have YOU ever wanted to be the next Lester Bangs? Please email me at jon@eclipse.co.uk - I think that the next stage of this journey could be an exciting one...
LINK: Captain Beefheart review
Today I am reposting a review of the Gonzo Captain Beefheart DVD which can be found here. Whereas it is a very good review, it ends with the sentence "For the Captain Beefheart completists, this will be a must have, though at barely 30 minutes there's not much here for the casual fan." I just have one thought. The good Captain wasn't exactly Take That. Are there such things as casual fans of Captain Beefheart?
In 1972 Captain Beefheart (the late Don Van Vliet, who passed away in 2010) and the Magic Band were touring Europe after releasing the album The Spotlight Kid and getting set to release another, Clear Spot, when they took some time out from their schedule to film a session at the Beat Club studios in Germany for later broadcast on television. Only one song from these sessions has ever been broadcast, and the rest of the footage has been locked away in the vaults for 40 years. Now, thanks to the folks at Gonzo Multimedia, they are releasing these sessions in their The Lost Broadcasts DVD series. At roughly 30 minutes, this is pretty brief but does give you a quick snapshot of where Beefheart and his band were at musically in 1972.
The band at that time was comprised of Captain Beefheart (Don Van Vliet) vocals, harp; Rockette Morton (Mark Boston) guitar and bass; Zoot Horn Rollo (Bill Harkleroad) guitar; Orejon (Roy Estrada) bass; Ed Marimba (Art Tripp) drums; and Winged Eel Fingerling (Elliot Ingber) guitar. Some will remember Estrada as being with Frank Zappa's Mothers of Invention, as well as Little Feat, and he had recently joined the Magic Band prior to this recording. There are only a few songs on display here, some from the classic Trout Mask Replica as well as a few new pieces. The bulk of what is on display here are three takes of the excellent "I'm Gonna Booglarize You Baby", a wild mix of funk, rock, blues, jazz, and avant-garde, with the guitar army laying down some heavy, funky riffs and Beefheart spewing out his bizarre rantings and noises. A real treat is the jazz-fusion piece "Steal Softly Thru the Snow" from Trout Mask Replica, complete with Beefheart tearing it up on clarinet.
The audio is decent here, as is the video quality, though the camera work for the most part is terrible, failing at almost every spot to zoom in on whoever is soloing, which is very annoying. For the Captain Beefheart completists, this will be a must have, though at barely 30 minutes there's not much here for the casual fan.
Track Listing
1) Mascara Snake (bass solo)
2) Click Clack 1
3) Click Clack 2
4) Golden Birdies
5) Band Intros
6) I'm Gonna Booglarize You Baby 1
7) I'm Gonna Booglarize You Baby 2
8) Steal Softly Thru the Snow
9) I'm Gonna Booglarize You Baby 3
In 1972 Captain Beefheart (the late Don Van Vliet, who passed away in 2010) and the Magic Band were touring Europe after releasing the album The Spotlight Kid and getting set to release another, Clear Spot, when they took some time out from their schedule to film a session at the Beat Club studios in Germany for later broadcast on television. Only one song from these sessions has ever been broadcast, and the rest of the footage has been locked away in the vaults for 40 years. Now, thanks to the folks at Gonzo Multimedia, they are releasing these sessions in their The Lost Broadcasts DVD series. At roughly 30 minutes, this is pretty brief but does give you a quick snapshot of where Beefheart and his band were at musically in 1972.The band at that time was comprised of Captain Beefheart (Don Van Vliet) vocals, harp; Rockette Morton (Mark Boston) guitar and bass; Zoot Horn Rollo (Bill Harkleroad) guitar; Orejon (Roy Estrada) bass; Ed Marimba (Art Tripp) drums; and Winged Eel Fingerling (Elliot Ingber) guitar. Some will remember Estrada as being with Frank Zappa's Mothers of Invention, as well as Little Feat, and he had recently joined the Magic Band prior to this recording. There are only a few songs on display here, some from the classic Trout Mask Replica as well as a few new pieces. The bulk of what is on display here are three takes of the excellent "I'm Gonna Booglarize You Baby", a wild mix of funk, rock, blues, jazz, and avant-garde, with the guitar army laying down some heavy, funky riffs and Beefheart spewing out his bizarre rantings and noises. A real treat is the jazz-fusion piece "Steal Softly Thru the Snow" from Trout Mask Replica, complete with Beefheart tearing it up on clarinet.
The audio is decent here, as is the video quality, though the camera work for the most part is terrible, failing at almost every spot to zoom in on whoever is soloing, which is very annoying. For the Captain Beefheart completists, this will be a must have, though at barely 30 minutes there's not much here for the casual fan.
Track Listing
1) Mascara Snake (bass solo)
2) Click Clack 1
3) Click Clack 2
4) Golden Birdies
5) Band Intros
6) I'm Gonna Booglarize You Baby 1
7) I'm Gonna Booglarize You Baby 2
8) Steal Softly Thru the Snow
9) I'm Gonna Booglarize You Baby 3
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