January 31

ABSOLUTE ROCK BIRTHDAYS FOR JANUARY 31
Jeff Hanneman from Slayer is 45; Al Jaworski from Jesus Jones is 43; Jason Cooper from the Cure is 42;

On this date in 1969 Jethro Tull refuse to perform after their opening act, none other than Led Zeppelin, thrill the audience too much for their liking. On this date in 1998 Kirk Hammett from Metallica gets married in Hawaii. On this date in 2005 Cream sold out 4 shows in about 2 hours.

CONCERT NEWS
Tomorrow BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN Super Bowl Halftime Show Raymond James Stadium Tampa
Tomorrow MARSHALL TUCKER BAND Private Function Tampa

1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die - #54. B. B. King - Live At The Regal (1965)

B. B. King - Live At The Regal (1965)

Label - ABC
Producer – Johnny Pate
Art Direction – Uncredited
Nationality - USA
Running Time – 34:46

Track Listing (standout tracks listed in bold)

1. Everyday I Have The Blues
2. Sweet Little Angel
3. It's My Own Fault
4. How Blue Can You Get
5. Please Love Me
6. You Upset Me Baby
7. Worry Worry
8. Woke Up This Mornin'
9. You Done Lost Your Good Thing Now
10. Help The Poor

Good times blues in a live setting with B.B. King! Can it get any better than that! This is a great record. This recording captured at the Regal in Chicago is perhaps King at his best. With a nice horn section and rolling blues shuffles he treats the audience (which at some points shriek after he delivers each line) to a blistering set of some of his finest hits. The backing band is also razor-sharp which helps so much with blues artists who sets wildly very from performance to performance.
I’ve always seen and ‘elder’ King on TV and different places so I was a bit taken back as to how strong his voice was! Shifting between falsetto and his regular range with ease. One standout track is "How Blue Can You Get," where the ending just builds with excitement. Not surprisingly King’s guitar (dubbed ‘Lucille’) is all over this record, and his playing here is just top notch. According to a 2003 listing in Rolling Stone, B.B. King is the greatest living guitarist, and ranked 3rd among the "100 greatest guitarists of all time" (behind late Jimi Hendrix and Duane Allman).
‘Live at the Regal’ is an absolutely necessary for fans of B.B. King or just blues music in general, and is highly recommended.


You can purchase the CD here.

ABSOLUTE ROCK BIRTHDAYS FOR JANUARY 30
Marty Balin from Jefferson Airplane and Jefferson Starship is 67; Phil Collins is 58;

On this date in 1969 the Beatles perform their rooftop concert in London, which the majority of ended up in the Let It Be movie. On this date in 1973 Kiss performed their first show ever at a place called Popcorn Club in Queens, New York. On this date in 1989 the American Music Awards were held in Los Angeles where Don Henley drummed with Guns 'N' Roses.

CONCERT NEWS
Tomorrow Night 31 THE EAGLES Amway Arena Orlando

1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die - #53. John Coltrane - A Love Supreme (1965)

John Coltrane - A Love Supreme (1965)

Label - Impulse
Producer – Bob Thiele
Art Direction – George Gray
Nationality - USA
Running Time – 32:59

Track Listing (standout tracks listed in bold)

1. Acknowledgement
2. Resolution
3. Pursuance
4. Psalm

This is another of those records that when you read about, you see phrases like “easily one of the most important records ever made”, and “It is almost impossible to imagine a world without A Love Supreme having been made, and it is equally impossible to imagine any jazz collection without it.” I don’t know about all of that – but this was a nice listen. John Coltrane's ‘A Love Supreme’ is considered to be his best studio outing. As I read about the album it is described as being “composed of four parts, each has a thematic progression leading to an understanding of spirituality through meditation.” I’ll just take their word for it.
It IS however very pleasing to listen to – doesn’t ramble on and on as I have come to find out most jazz records do – and at just over half an hour it was over actually pretty quickly so I didn’t begin to tire of it – which has happened with several jazz records I’ve listened to and they just turn into a laborious listen.
I really liked the opening track "Acknowledgement" the best - but there are only 4 tracks here and you can’t really fault any of them. ‘A Love Supreme’ is usually listed among the greatest jazz albums of all time and it was ranked at number 82 in a 2005 survey conducted by a British television channel to determine the 100 greatest albums of all time!!
It is recommended.


You can purchase the CD here.

January 29

ABSOLUTE ROCK BIRTHDAYS FOR JANUARY 29
Tommy Ramone from the Ramones is 57; Louie Perez from Los Lobos is 56; Eddie Jackson from Queensryche is 48; Jonny Lang is 28;

On this date in 1967 The Who and Jimi Hendrix perform at the Saville Theatre in London. On this date in 1977 Aerosmith hit the Top 10 on Billboard's Pop Singles chart with "Walk This Way." On this date in 1992 Willie Dixon dies.

CONCERT NEWS
Tomorrow Night HOOBASTANK Williams Park St. Petersburg
Sunday, February 1 JOURNEY Super Bowl Pre-Game Show Raymond James Stadium Tampa
Saturday, February 28 HOLLYWOOD UNDEAD Jannus Landing St. Petersburg

1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die - #52. Beach Boys - The Beach Boys Today! (1965)

Beach Boys - The Beach Boys Today! (1965)

Label - Capitol
Producer – Brian Wilson
Art Direction – Uncredited
Nationality - USA
Running Time – 28:42

Track Listing (standout tracks listed in bold)

1. Do You Wanna Dance
2. Good To My Baby
3. Don't Hurt My Little Sister
4. When I Grow Up (To Be A Man)
5. Help Me Ronda
6. Dance Dance Dance
7. Please Let Me Wonder
8. I'm So Young
9. Kiss Me Baby
10. She Knows Me Too Well
11. In The Back Of My Mind
12. Bull Session With Big Daddy

For whatever reason – I just never got into the Beach Boys. They just seemed to campy for me – like it wasn’t ‘serious’ music. Nothing about this record changed my mind about that.
Today! is the ninth studio album by The Beach Boys, and their first of THREE that they released in 1965. On December 23, 1964, Brian Wilson had a nervous breakdown and had officially ‘retired’ from performing with the band (which was only the beginning of his problems as it turned out) and instead would just concentrate on studio recording and production for the group. To me I suppose that did help SOME with this record, as it does have a consistent feel about it from start to finish and not just a lot of filler to put around their current surfer hit on the charts. Again – not saying that makes this a great album – or even good for that matter – just bearable. Too harsh? Maybe.
This is another of those records which makes you yearn for the return of actual vinyl records. This record was another set up in two ‘sides’. One side of up-beat songs and the second side of melancholic ballads.
There are some decent tracks. There is a nice cover of "Do You Wanna Dance" with Phil Spectorish type arrangements. "When I Grow Up" is really good – and the best track on the record. The other track that stood out is "Please Let Me Wonder" just a nice delicate track with heartbreaking melodies and the classic Beach Boys harmonies. This record does include "Help Me, Rhonda" – but it is an earlier (and slower) rendition to the familiar hit single which was included on their next album.
Today! was a #4 gold-selling smash in the US, and the following year it would reach #6 in the UK. So it sold a ton – but I still do not recommend it.


You can purchase the CD here.

ABSOLUTE ROCK BIRTHDAYS FOR JANUARY 28
Dave Sharp from the Alarm is 50; Dan Spitz from Anthrax is 46;

On this date in 1965 The Who make their first TV appearance playing "I Can't Explain" on the British show Ready, Steady, Go. On this date in 1968 Jim Morrison of the Doors is arrested for vagrancy and public drunkeness. On this date in 2006 just before a concert here in Orlando Eddie Hawrysch, keyboardist for the Black Crowes, parts ways with the band after an argument about some long unresolved issues.

CONCERT NEWS
Tomorrow Night THE EAGLES St. Pete Times Forum Tampa
Sunday, February 22 TESLA House Of Blues Lake Buena Vista

January 27

ABSOLUTE ROCK BIRTHDAYS FOR JANUARY 27
Bobby "Blue" Bland is 79; Nick Mason from Pink Floyd is 64; Janick Gers from Iron Maiden is 52; Mike Patton from Faith No More is 41;

On this date in 1956 RCA Records release their first single by Elvis Presley, "Heartbreak Hotel." In 1976 Queen begin a four month tour in Waterbury, Connecticut. In 2004 the book “Ordinary People: Our Story” is published. It chronicles Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne and their children.

CONCERT NEWS
Tomorrow Night 3 DOORS DOWN Hard Rock Orlando

1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die - #51. Otis Redding - Otis Blue: Otis Redding Sings Soul (1965)

Otis Redding - Otis Blue: Otis Redding Sings Soul (1965)

Label - Stax
Producer – Jim Stewart
Art Direction – Haig Adishian
Nationality - USA
Running Time – 32:54

Track Listing (standout tracks listed in bold)

1. Ol' Man Trouble
2. Respect
3. Change Is Gonna Come
4. Down In The Alley
5. I've Been Loving You Too Long
6. Shake
7. My Girl
8. Wonderful World
9. Rock Me Baby
10. Satisfaction
11. You Don't Miss Your Water

Otis Redding is one of those artists that I had heard the ‘hits’ from, but not much else. Also – I didn’t know that much about him personally. I actually find it refreshing to run across an artist that I feel like I SHOULD know more about, yet don’t. This was Otis Redding's third album, and what most considered to be his first fully realized ALBUM. In an era when it was all about the 45 single record – and lp’s were an afterthought, this record finds Otis with his talent front and center, the records direction clear, and his confidence at an all time high. It’s no mistake that more than a quarter of this album is given over to Otis Redding's versions of songs by Sam Cooke, his idol, who had died the previous December. Two of them, "A Change Is Gonna Come" and "Shake," pop up on every anthology and hits package, but they shine better when set with the other soulful tracks on this record. especially "Wonderful World," which is seldom compiled elsewhere.
Also featured is the original “Respect” which became popular by Aretha Franklin.
It’s a shame Otis Redding died so young – age 26 - as it seems he never reached his full potential and was just finding his voice. I knew he had died – but never knew the story. He and six others were killed when the plane on which they were traveling crashed into Lake Monona in Madison, Wisconsin on December 10, 1967. Otis Redding's body was recovered when the lakebed was dragged and photos exist of his body being brought out of the water.
This is a very good album and recommended.


You can purchase the CD here.

January 26

ABSOLUTE ROCK BIRTHDAYS FOR JANUARY 26
Corky Laing from Mountain is 61; Eddie Van Halen from Van Halen is 54; Tom Keifer from Cinderella is 48; Chris Hesse from Hoobastank is 35;

On this date in 1974 Ringo Starr is at number one on the Billboard Pop Singles chart with You're Sixteen. In 1977 Fleetwood Mac's former guitarist, Peter Green, is committed after he had shot at a delivery boy. In 1995 the Rolling Stone magazine names Soundgarden Best Metal Band in their '95 Music Awards.

January 25

On this date in 1968 David Gilmour plays his first Pink Floyd gig. In 1980 Paul McCartney is released from jail in Tokyo, Japan after serving 10 days for possession of marijuana that was found in his luggage as he and his band, Wings, were arriving for a Japanese tour which, obviously, had to be cancelled. In 1999 in Oakland, California the Rolling Stones begin their No Security tour.

January 24

ABSOLUTE ROCK BIRTHDAYS FOR JANUARY 24
Jools Holland is 51;

On this date in 1962 Brian Epstein and the Beatles sign a mangagement contract. In 1973 Ringo is at number one with Photograph.In 1976 Kiss hit number 12 on the Billboard Pop Singles Chart with a live version of Rock And Roll All Nite. In 2008 Gene Simmons appears on Ugly Betty on ABC.

1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die - #50. Bob Dylan - Bringing It All Back Home (1965)

Bob Dylan - Bringing It All Back Home (1965)

Label - Columbia
Producer – Tom Wilson
Art Direction – Uncredited
Nationality - USA
Running Time – 47:21

Track Listing (standout tracks listed in bold)

1. Subterranean Homesick Blues
2. She Belongs To Me
3. Maggie's Farm
4. Love Minus Zero/No Limit
5. Outlaw Blues
6. On The Road Again
7. Bob Dylan's 115th Dream
8. Mr. Tambourine Man
9. Gates Of Eden
10. It's Alright, Ma (I'm Only Bleeding)
11. It's All Over Now, Baby Blue

Now here is some Dylan that I CAN get into. Yes – his voice still has a lot to be desired – but with “Bringing It All Back Home” he begun moving past folk, and produced an album that he went electric on. The rollicking "Subterranean Homesick Blues," and "Maggie's Farm" are some of his best tracks he has ever recorded. Now for his faithful fold devoties – he did not leave them out and the ‘second side’ of the record is where the more traditional folk type songs are, highlighted by the classic “Mr Tambourine Man” and “It’s All Over Now, Baby Blue”. Side A and B are so different from each other they could almost be considered two different records. This is one of those records that makes you miss the old lp records – as it truly is a tale of two “sides” but now that is lost on todays compact disc and digital music world.
A really good album when it comes to Dylan’s vast recorded output – and recommended.


You can purchase the CD here.

ABSOLUTE ROCK BIRTHDAYS FOR JANUARY 23
Patrick Simmons of the Doobie Brothers is 59; Danny Federici from the E Street Band is also 59; Robin Zander from Cheap Trick is 56;

On this date in 1958 Buddy holly and ther Crickets release "Maybe Baby". In 1986 Chuck Berry is inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame by Keith Richards. Jerry Lee Lewis is inducted as well. In 1990 Allen Collins from Lynyrd Skynyrd passes away from complications due to pneumonia. He was 37.

1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die - #49. The Sonics - Here Are the Sonics (1965)

The Sonics - Here Are the Sonics (1965)

Label - Etiquette
Producer – Kent Morrell and John Ormsby
Art Direction – John Vlahovich
Nationality - USA
Running Time – 29:20

Track Listing (standout tracks listed in bold)

1. Witch
2. Do You Love Me
3. Roll Over Beethoven
4. Boss Hoss
5. Dirty Robber
6. Have Love, Will Travel
7. Psycho
8. Money
9. Walkin' the Dog
10. Night Time Is the Right Time
11. Strychnine
12. Good Golly Miss Molly
13. Keep a Knockin'
14. Don't Believe in Christmas
15. Santa Claus
16. Village Idiot

Loud and in your face! The Sonics debut album when unleashed in 1965 the band pulled out all the stops. No pretty love songs, political songs or any kind of serious artistic statements. They wanted to rock hard, loud and nasty. And that is just what they did!
Lead singer Gerry Roslie screams his lungs out – doesn’t really sing, the drums thunder not always on time and the guitar sound is rugged and absolutely filthy. They really can’t play that well, and yet when you listen to the record you think – “wow 0 how great was that”?
Sadly there are only four original tunes on the album – and they are the ones that stand out - "The Witch", "Boss Hoss", "Psycho" and "Strychnine". While the remaining covers DO rock they do not hold up very well with ther tryuly original sound the Sonics were carving for themselves – and that hurts the quality of the overall album. The version of the record I listened to was a CD reissue containing three bonus tracks from which are pretty funny but do not add much to the overall record.
More than a decade before punk there were the Sonics. This record is the first in a long line of important music that originated in and around Seattle. It’s actually interesting to think what those who listened to this back in 1965 must have thought!!
Recommended – mainly for the 4 original songs.


You can purchase the CD here.

ABSOLUTE ROCK BIRTHDAYS FOR JANUARY 22
Steve Perry, formerly with Journey, is 60; Steve Adler, formerly with Guns 'N' Roses, is 44; Ben Moody, formerly with Evanescence, is 28;

ON THIS DATE
1959 Buddy Holly had his final recording session. It was just Buddy and an acoustic guitar. The tracks were later finished and released after Holly died
1960 Michael Hutchence of INXS was born in Sydney, Australia. Hutchence died in 1997
2008 Ringo Starr walked off the 'Live With Regis and Kelly' show after the producers asked Ringo to shorten his performance of 'Liverpool 8.' Rightfully, Ringo refused, but said that he still loved Regis.

1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die - #48. Jerry Lee Lewis - Live at the Star Club, Hamburg (1965)

Jerry Lee Lewis - Live at the Star Club, Hamburg (1965)

Label - Phillips
Producer – Siegfried E. Loch
Art Direction – Uncredited
Nationality-USA
Running Time – 37:48

Track Listing (standout tracks listed in bold)

1. Mean Woman Blues
2. High School Confidential
3. Money
4. Matchbox
5. What'd I Say
6. Great Balls Of Fire
7. Good Golly Miss Molly
8. Lewis Boogie
9. Your Cheatin' Heart
10. Hound Dog
11. Long Tall Sally
12. Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On
13. Down The Line

Now THIS is what rock and roll is all about! The performance captured on “Live at the Star Club, Hamburg” contains the very essence of rock & roll and Jerry Lee Lewis in all his rock and roll glory.
Oddly – when the concert that became this album was recorded - in the spring of 1964, his career was probably at its lowest point ever. His scandalous marriage to his teenage cousin had virtually blacklisted him in the U.S. – and by this time almost six years had past since his last real hit single. Worse yet for Jerry Lee, America had fallen in love with the Beatles and the British Invasion leaving him behind. How ironic it is that he wound up in the Beatles' old haunt of the Star Club in Hamburg, Germany, in the spring of 1964!
It was actually quite interesting reading about this recording. Jerry Lee is backed by the Nashville Teens. They had been touring on and off with Jerry Lee and actually had been playing at the Star Club nightly for two weeks, but was only joined by the Killer (Jerry Lee’s nickname) for just this one night – and it was this night that was captured on this fantastic recording.
You’d never know he was at the lowest point in his career the performance was that good. One wonders if he was angry that night taking his aggression out on the piano, or maybe this is the way he sounded on an average night in 1964!! Whatever the reason “Live at the Star Club” is extraordinary.
He tears into "Mean Woman Blues" at a fast tempo and he never, ever lets go from that moment forward. He actually increases the tempo on each song! It is so relentless that you can't even appreciate how fast it is after the first couple of tracks, because you get used to the sound. He joins in with the audience chanting his name, sounds possessed, hitting the keys on the piano with a fierce force.
Is it a stretch to call this the greatest live album ever? Maybe. But it is damn close and one I recommend everyone seek out and play today as it truly has to be heard to be believed.
Absolutely HIGHLY recommended


You can purchase the CD here.

CONCERT NEWS
Friday, January 30 HOOBASTANK Williams Park St. Petersburg
Thursday, April 23 COLD State Theatre St. Petersburg
Saturday, April 25 GREAT WHITE Leesburg Bikefest Leesburg

ABSOLUTE ROCK BIRTHDAYS FOR JANUARY 21
Richie Havens is 68; Mark Trojanowski from Sister Hazel is 39; Chris Kilmore from Incubus is 36;

On this date in 1966 George Harrison married Patti Boyd, in 1990 MTV Unplugged premieres with Squeeze, and 5 years ago, in 2004, the recording industry sued 532 computer users it said were illegally distributing songs over the Internet.

1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die - #47. Buck Owens and his Buckaroos - I've Got A Tiger By The Tail (1965)

Buck Owens and his Buckaroos - I've Got A Tiger By The Tail (1965)

Label - Capitol
Producer – Ken Nelson
Art Direction – Uncredited
Nationality-USA
Running Time – 28:19

Track Listing (standout tracks listed in bold)

1. I've Got a Tiger by the Tail
2. Trouble and Me
3. Let the Sad Times Roll On
4. Wham Bam
5. If You Fall Out of Love With Me
6. Fallin' for You
7. We're Gonna Let the Good Times Roll
8. Band Keeps Playin' On
9. Streets of Laredo
10. Cryin' Time
11. Maiden's Prayer
12. Memphis

I admit I am not a country music fan. And this is REALLY country!! Therefore this was a tough one to get through!
In reading up on Buck Owens, (and was surprised to find out he had passed. Don’t know why I though he was still alive – I just did. He passed in 2006) he had his decent share of country hits prior to the release of “I've Got a Tiger by the Tail” but the title track to the record was Owens' national breakthrough hit. Another standout track was the hit "Cryin' Time," later to be a crossover hit of its own when recorded by Ray Charles
Buck Owens signature sound is thanks to the guitar picking of Don Rich – and he is all over this album and even shares vocals on "Wham Bam" and a feature with Buck on a duet of Chuck Berry's "Memphis."
Also getting in on the act is Doyle Holly who handles the vocal chores on "Streets of Laredo,".
Buck Owens created the Bakersfield honky tonk sound with this record —a reference to Bakersfield, California, the city Owens called home and from which he drew inspiration for what he preferred to call "American Music, and he did eventually scored twenty one number one Billboard country hits so he was doing something people liked – but again – it’s just not my kind of music, so I’m really probably not the most qualified person to make a review of this album.
Not recommended.


You can purchase the CD here.

January 20

ABSOLUTE ROCK BIRTHDAYS FOR JANUARY 20
Eric Stewart formerly with 10cc is 64; Paul Stanley from Kiss is 57; Ian Hill from Judas Priest is also 57; Greg K. from The Offspring is 44; Rob Bourdon from Linkin Park is 30;

ON THIS DATE
1964 Meet The Beatles by the Beatles is released
1965 The Byrds recorded "Mr. Tambourine Man", written by Bob Dylan. Did you knbow that CBS Records insisted that Hollywood musicians be used rather than the band? Jim McGuinn is the only group member to play on the track.
1968 Bob Dylan made his first public appearance since his motorcycle accident 2 years earlier. He performed with the Band at Carnegie Hall in New York City.
1982 Ozzy Osbourne is treated at a hospital in Des Moines, Iowa after biting off the head of a bat
1988 The Beatles are inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall of Fame, with Mick Jagger as their presenter

January 19

ABSOLUTE ROCK BIRTHDAYS FOR JANUARY 19
Phil Everly is 70; Martha Davis from the Motels is 58; Dewey Bunnell from America is 57; Whitfield Crane from Ugly Kid Joe is 41; John Wozniak from Marcy Playground is 38;

On this date in 1985 "Born In The U.S.A." by Bruce Springsteen peaked at number 9 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles charts.

January 18

ABSOLUTE ROCK BIRTHDAYS FOR JANUARY 18
Jonathan Davis from Korn is 38;

On this date in 1964 the Beatles made their first appearance on the Billboard charts as 'I Want To Hold Your Hand' entered at number 35.

January 17

ABSOLUTE ROCK BIRTHDAYS FOR JANUARY 17
Mick Taylor, formerly with the Rolling Stones, is 61; Steve Earle is 54; Kid Rock is 38;


On this day in 1969 the debut album from led Zeppelin is released in the US.

1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die - #46. The Rolling Stones – The Rolling Stones (1964)

The Rolling Stones – The Rolling Stones (1964)

Label - Decca
Producer – Andrew Loog Oldham
Art Direction – David Bailey
Nationality- UK
Running Time – 32:59

Track Listing (standout tracks listed in bold)

1. Route 66
2. I Just Want To Make Love To You
3. Honest I Do
4. Mona (I Need You Baby)
5. Now I’ve Got A Witness
6. Little By Little
7. I’m A King Bee
8. Carol
9. Tell Me
10. Can I Get A Witness
11. You Can Make It If You Try
12. Walking The Dog

The debut album by The Rolling Stones, was released in the UK in April 1964. The US edition of the LP, with a slightly different track list, came out the following month, under the title “England's Newest Hit Makers – The Rolling Stones”.
Recorded over the course of five days in January and February 1964, the majority of the tracks reflect the band's love for authentic R&B material. Mick Jagger and Keith Richards were still very much fledging songwriters during early 1964 and therefore contributed only one original composition to their first album – “Tell Me (You're Coming Back)" – although two tracks are credited to "Nanker Phelge" - a name the band used for group compositions in their early days.
It’s was actually pretty hard for me to write the review for this record. I just never have been that thrilled with the early Rolling Stones albums. Now don’t get me wrong - it is a good album and there is definitely some good stuff to recommend. Just for ME it leaves me a feeling bit ‘under whelmed’ when I listen to it. Perhaps it’s because I know that there are some fantastic Stones albums looming in the near future (some we’ll get to review too!!) that leaves me with that under whelmed feeling.
Basically this is a blues record, and that IS a good thing, it’s just there is nothing particularly exciting about it. It IS the Stones and at some point you should listen to this record therefore it IS recommended.


You can purchase the CD here.

On this date
1957 the Cavern Club opened on Matthews Street in Liverpool, England.
1964 The legendary Whisky A Go-Go opens on the Sunset Strip in LA, a venue where many famous rock acts performed, most notably the Doors
1976 Peter Frampton released platinum live album "Frampton Comes Alive".
1980 Paul McCartney jailed in Tokyo for 10 days on marijuana possession.

CONCERT NEWS
Saturday, February 17 PAT BENATAR Universal Studios Orlando
Sunday, April 26 NICKELBACK Ford Ampitheatre Tampa

1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die - #45. Dusty Springfield - A Girl Called Dusty (1964)

Dusty Springfield - A Girl Called Dusty (1964)

Label - Philips
Producer – John Franz
Art Direction – Uncredited
Nationality- UK
Running Time –28:37

Track Listing (standout tracks listed in bold)

1. Mama Said
2. You Don't Own Me
3. Do Re Mi
4. When The Lovelight Starts Shining Through His Eyes
5. My Colouring Book
6. Mockingbird
7. Twenty Four Hours From Tulsa
8. Nothing
9. Anyone Who Had A Heart
10. Will You Love Me Tomorrow
11. Wishin' And Hopin'
12. Don't You Know

Another pleasant surprise. This 1964 album was the U.K. equivalent of the LP that Americans knew as “I Only Want to Be with You”. The record I actually listend to was a CD re-issued in 1997 under its original U.K. title with eight bonus tracks taken from her first two Eps - which never made it onto an album in England. I try to just listen to the albums as they were released – and not get involved with the bonus tracks and such – but in this case – I didn’t mind – as the music Dusty was producing was just down right good!
The bonus cuts – just for completeness sake - include an alternate mix of "I Only Want to Be with You" and covers such as "Everyday I Have to Cry," "Can I Get a Witness," (which the Rolling Stones were also covering at this time) "All Cried Out," "I Wish I'd Never Loved You," "Once Upon a Time," and "Summer Is Over." These tracks combined with the original album tracks such as Springfield's fantastic cover of "Will You Love Me Tomorrow," make this just a well rounded release and one that I enjoyed from start to finish. If Dusty had never recorded another LP, she would still have been a legend just based on the contents of this one release.
“A Girl Called Dusty” surprised me as it is actually a very good soul album, and a lot of fun and is highly recommended.


You can purchase the CD here.

On this date in 1965 the Who releases their first album "I Can't Explain"

CONCERT NEWS
Thursday, February 12 DAYS OF THE NEW Club Firestone Orlando
Friday, February 13 THE SMITHEREENS has been changed to the State Theatre in St. Petersburg

1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die - #44. Solomon Burke - Rock 'n' Soul (1964)

Solomon Burke - Rock 'n' Soul (1964)

Label - Atlantic
Producer – Bert Berns
Art Direction – Uncredited
Nationality- USA
Running Time – 34:06

Track Listing (standout tracks listed in bold)

1. Goodbye Baby (Baby Goodbye)
2. Cry to Me
3. Won't You Give Him (One More Chance)
4. If You Need Me
5. Hard, Ain't It Hard
6. Can't Nobody Love You
7. Just Out of Reach
8. You're Good for Me
9. You Can't Love 'Em All
10. Someone to Love Me
11. Beautiful Brown Eyes
12. He'll Have to Go

Full disclosure – I had no clue who Solomon Burke was before I played this record. I am now a fan! Just a great record!! Burke moved to Atlantic Records in 1964 and ‘Rock And Soul’ was his first album for them and features no less then SEVEN bona fide hits as well as other tasty tracks done in an incredibly soulful, almost preacher like croon.
The records title refers to Burke's ranking at the time as the "King of Rock 'n' Soul" a label Burke embraced because of the connections of the musical styles of rock and roll and soul music.
As I mentined, the album contained SEVEN top 100 Billboard hits, including "Just Out of Reach (Of My Two Open Arms)", "Cry to Me", "Can't Nobody Love You", "If You Need Me", "You're Good For Me", "Goodbye Baby (Baby Goodbye)", and his heartbreaking interpretation of "He'll Have to Go". To me – that’s amazing. But the tracks ARE that good.
A most pleasant surprise and a record I hope everyone would seek out to give as spin.
HIGHLY recommended.


You can purchase the CD here.


ABSOLUTE ROCK BIRTHDAYS FOR JANUARY 14:
Geoff Tate from Queensryche is 50; Zakk Wylde is 42; Dave Grohl from the Foo Fighters is 40;


On this date in 1966 David Bowie releases his 1st record (Can't Help Thinking About Me)

CONCERT NEWS
Sunday, March 15 MUDVAYNE The Ritz Ybor City
Monday, April 20 FLEETWOOD MAC Amway Arena in Orlando, and Wednesday, April 22 St. Pete's Times Forum Tampa

1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die - #43. Jacques Brel - A L'Olympia (1964)

Jacques Brel - A L'Olympia (1964)

Label - Barclay
Producer – Jean-Marie Guerin
Art Direction – Uncredited
Nationality- Belgium
Running Time – 47:56

Track Listing (standout tracks listed in bold)

1. Amsterdam
2. Timides
3. Dernier Repas
4. Jardins de Casino
5. Vieux
6. Toros
7. Tango Funèbre
8. Plat Pays
9. Bonbons
10. Mathilde
11. Bigotes
12. Bourgeois
13. Jef
14. Suivant
15. Madeleine

This record is also known as “Enregistrement Public à l'Olympia 1964”. Jacques Brel's recordings have been released in many different permutations, in different countries, and on different formats. Furthermore, releases of Brel's recordings are sometimes known by different titles, and sometimes exist in different versions with the tracks arranged in different running orders – so it was tough to nail down a copy as described in the book.
Whatever title you’d like to call it – it’s simply dreadful. I try to keep an open mind when I play albums that I’m sure I will have zero interest in – and have been surprised by many already (mainly some of the jazz ones) but this record just seemed to go on and on and on. At almost 48 minutes it seemed twice as long.
Again – to be fair as I have mentioned in reviews before – there is not 1 word of English on this record which I’m sure has something to do with me not caring for it – but it’s actually more than that. Lackluster vocals and droning songs – I cannot imagine having to been sitting in the audience when this was recorded. On the vocals he sounds angry, outrages, determined and retarded (listen to ‘Bonbons’ and you will know what I am meaning!).
The standout track – ‘Amsterdam’ is the only one of these songs that I had ever heard of before as David Bowie did a English cover of it in the 70’s. Other than that just dreadful and NOT recommended.


You can purchase the CD here.

January 13

ABSOLUTE ROCK BIRTHDAYS FOR JANUARY 13:
Trevor Rabin, formerly with Yes, is 55; Graham "Suggs" McPherson from Madness is 48;


On this date in 1967 the Rolling Stones appear on Ed Sullivan Show, in 1969 the Beatles release "Yellow Submarine" album, and in 2003 Pete Townshend of The Who was arrested in London on suspicion of possessing indecent images of children. He was later cleared.

1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die - #42. The Beatles - Hard Day's Night (1964)

The Beatles - Hard Day's Night (1964)

Label - Parlophone
Producer – George Martin
Art Direction – Robert Freeman
Nationality- UK
Running Time – 29:47

Track Listing (standout tracks listed in bold)

1. A Hard Day's Night
2. I Should Have Known Better
3. If I Fell
4. I'm Happy Just To Dance With You
5. And I Love Her
6. Tell Me Why
7. Can't Buy Me Love
8. Any Time At All
9. I'll Cry Instead
10. Things We Said Today
11. When I Get Home
12. You Can't Do That
13. I'll Be Back

What can I say. Another Beatles album. Absolutely fantastic. All tracks could be selected as standouts they are all THAT good!!!
Released at the height of Beatlmania 'A Hard Day's Night' was not only the soundtrack for the movie of the same name (perhaps the best rock and roll movie ever made), it was the first to be filled with nothing but Lennon-McCartney originals. This is the record that found the Beatles truly coming into their own as a band.
Decades after its original release, its infectious rhythms, bright guitars, and singalong melodies is still remarkably fresh. George Martins production puts air underneath the songs that makes them sound exciting and vital years after it was recorded. Even more impressive are the songs themselves. Lennon and McCartney have found a number of variations to the basic Merseybeat style that formed their earlier records. There is the smash hit McCartney classic “Can't Buy Me Love", the power of Lennon’s vocals on "Any Time at All" and the gentleness of it on "If I Fell". It's possible to hear both songwriters/singers developing their distinctive styles on the album.
John and Paul must have known how strong their material was and gave "I'm Happy Just to Dance With You" to George – but oddly Ringo – who arguably is the star of the movie - didn't have a vocal.
In some ways this can be considered that last true BAND effort – as the distinctive styles of Lennon and McCartney started rising to the front following this record as they (for the most part)stopped collaborating on each others material.
Highly recommended

January 12

ABSOLUTE ROCK BIRTHDAYS FOR JANUARY 12:
Charlie Gillingham from the Counting Crows is 49; Rob Zombie is 43;


On this date in 1974 "The Joker" by Steve Miller Band peaks at #1

January 11

ABSOLUTE ROCK BIRTHDAYS FOR JANUARY 11
Clarence Clemons is 67;

On this date in 1963 the Beatles release "Please Please Me" and "Ask Me Why"

January 10

AVSOLUTE ROCK BIRTHDAYS FOR JANUARY 10:
Rod Stewert is 64; Donald Fagen from Steely Dan is 61; Scott Thurston from Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers is 57; Pat Benatar is 56; Michael Schenker from the Scorpions is 54; Matt Roberts from 3 Doors Down is 31; Brent Smith from Shinedown is 31;

On this date in 1964 The Beatles' first album in the United States, "Introducing the Beatles," was released.

1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die - #41. Stan Getz and Joao Gilberto – Getz / Gilberto (1963)

Stan Getz and Joao Gilberto – Getz / Gilberto (1963)

Label - Verve
Producer – Creed Taylor
Art Direction - Uncredited
Nationality – Brazil / USA
Running Time – 34:02

Track Listing (standout tracks listed in bold)

1. Girl From Ipanema
2. Doralice
3. Para Machuchar Meu Coracao
4. Desafinado
5. Corcovado (Quiet Nights Of Quiet Stars)
6. So Danco Samba
7. O Grande Amor
8. Vivo Sonhando (Dreamer)

Fresh from a holiday/medical break I’m back with some more reviews.
You learn a lot when you read about albums and artists that you never have heard of before. I did not know that this record was one of the biggest-selling jazz albums of all time, and considered to be bossa nova's finest moment! It does include one of the biggest smash hit singles in jazz history (and the ONLY track I had heard prior to spinning this record) "The Girl From Ipanema,". It’s a Jobim classic sung by João's wife, Astrud Gilberto, who as it turns out had never performed outside of her own home prior to the recording session!!
To ME – it’s really hard to distinguish one song from the other as they are all so close in style and feel and after a while it just became background music for my drive! And while pleasing in a way – that’s not a good statement to make about a record. To be fair, most of the lyrics are in Portuguese which I cannot understand a word of! The two tracks I listed in bold as standout tracks are the only ones with any English sung in them – which is probably why they stood out for me! So while frankly, there isn't much to really criticise here, I do not recommend it.



BIRTHDAYS FOR JANUARY 9
Jimmy Page from Led Zeppelin is 65; Carl Bell from Fuel is 42; Dave Matthews is 42;

January 8

ABSOLUTE ROCK BIRTHDAYS FOR JANUARY 8
Robby Krieger from The Doors is 63; David Bowie is 62; Jeff Abercrombie from Fuel is 40;

On this date in 1935 rock-and-roll legend Elvis Presley was born in Tupelo, Miss.

January 7

ABSOLUTE ROCK BIRTHDAYS FOR JANUARY 7:
Kathy Valentine from The Go-Go's is 50;

On this date in 1994 Nirvana performed on stage for the last time in the US at a concert in Seattle.

January 6

ABSOLUTE ROCK BIRTHDAYS FOR JANUARY 6
Kim Wilson from the Fabulous Thunderbirds is 58; Malcolm Young from AC/DC is 56;

January 5

ABSOLUTE ROCK BIRTHDAYS FOR JANUARY 5:
Chris Stein from Blondie is 59;


On this date in rock history in 1973 Bruce Springsteen's debut album, "Greetings From Asbury Park, N.J.," was released.

January 4

ABSOLUTE ROCK BIRTHDAYS FOR JANUARY 4:
Michael Stipe from R.E.M. is 49;

January 3

ABSOLUTE ROCK BIRTHDAYS FOR JANUARY 3:
George Martin is 83; Stephen Stills from Crosby, Stills and Nash is 64; John Paul Jones from Led Zeppelin is 63;

January 2

ABSOLUTE ROCK BIRTHDAYS FOR JANUARY 2:
Doug Robb from Hoobastank is 34;

Top 10 CD's/Downloads For This Week

(LW)TOP 10 ABSOLUTE ROCK CD'S/DOWNLOADS FOR THIS WEEK
(1)1. NICKELKBACK...Dark Horse
(2)2. AC/DC...Black Ice
(3)3. KID ROCK...Rock 'N' Roll Jesus
(5)4. METALLICA...Death Magnetic
(4)5. GUNS 'N' ROSES...Chines Democracy
(6)6. HINDER...Take It To The Limit
(7)7. SLIPKNOT...All Hope Is Gone
(8)8. DISTURBED...Indestructible
(10)9. SAVING ABEL...Saving Abel
(9)10. LINKIN PARK...Minutes To Midnight

ABSOLUTE ROCK BIRTHDAYS FOR JANUARY 1:
Country Joe McDonald from Country Joe and the Fish is 67;