Let It Roll: Songs By George Harrison

The track listing for the new George Harrison compilation coming out on June 16 has apparently been released on Amazon.com it is as follows:

1. Got My Mind Set On You
2. Give Me Love (Give Me Peace On Earth)
3. The Ballad Of Sir Frankie Crisp (Let It Roll)
4. My Sweet Lord
5. While My Guitar Gently Weeps (Live - "Concert For Bangladesh" Soundtrack)
6. All Things Must Pass
7. Any Road
8. This Is Love
9. All Those Years Ago
10. Marwa Blues
11. What Is Life
12. Rising Sun
13. When We Was Fab
14. Something (Live - "Concert For Bangladesh" Soundtrack)
15. Blow Away
16. Cheer Down
17. Here Comes The Sun (Live - "Concert For Bangladesh" Soundtrack)
18. I Don't Want To Do It
19. Isn't It A Pity

There also has been a track listing posted on the Japan Tower records web site which differs slightly with it's track running order and substitutes "Marwa Blues" for "This Song".
An interesting collection to be sure. Not a hits disc nor a career spanning compilation but kinda falls somewhere in between. My initial reaction is one of disappointment. I do like the inclusion of "I Don't Wanna Do It" making it's debut on a Harrison CD. I am hoping for the single mix of the tune and not the one already included on the "Porky's Revenge" soundtrack.
Several albums receive no inclusion ("Dark Horse"; "Extra Texture"; "Gone Troppo" and "33 1/3" if you don't include the Japan listing), this is just a shame.
I HAVE read that this track listing may NOT be the final listing.
Let's hope not! We will of course keep you posted.

(LW)TOP 10 ABSOLUTE ROCK CD'S/DOWNLOADS FOR THIS WEEK
(1)1. Various Artist...Twilight soundtrack
(2)2. NICKELBACK...Dark Horse
(3)3. U2...No Line On The Horizon
(4)4. THEORY OF A DEADMAN...Scars And Souvenirs
(5)5. HOLLYWOOD UNDEAD...Swan Song
(7)6. SHINEDOWN...The Sound Of Madness
(Re-enter)7. SEETHER...Finding Beauty In Negative Spaces
(10)8. KID ROCK...Rock 'N' Roll Jesus
(8)9. PAPA ROACH...Metamorphosis
(9)10. METALLICA...Death Magnetic

ABSOLUTE ROCK BIRTHDAYS FOR APRIL 30
Clark Vogeler of the Toadies is 40; J.R. Richards of Dishwalla is 37; Chris Henderson of 3 Doors Down is 38;

ON THIS DATE
1971 The New York Times reports that Bill Graham is planning on closing the Fillmore East. Graham ends up closing both the Fillmore East and Fillmore West
1983 The original Manfred Mann reunites for a London concert. Also that day Muddy Waters dies in his sleep at his home in Westmont, Illinois at the age of 68
1991 Nirvana signs a recording deal with DCG Records
1993 Elton John’s “Simple Life,” from his 1992 album The One enters Billboard’s Top 40 breaking Elvis Presley’s longstanding record with 24 consecutive years of Top 40 hits
1999 Darrell Sweet of Nazareth suffers a fatal heart attack in New Albany, Indiana at the age of 51. That same day the members of Aerosmith visit with Lance Kirklin, a shooting victim at Columbine High School

CONCERT NEWS
Friday, June 19 SALIVA The Coliseum Dayton Beach
Sunday, July 5 FABULOUS THUNDERBIRDS Floyd's@Seminole Hard Rock & Casino Tampa

April 29

ABSOLUTE ROCK BIRTHDAYS FOR APRIL 29
Klaus Voorman of Manfred Mann is 71;

ON THIS DATE
1970 George Harrison announces the Beatles will eventually reunite
1976 Bruce Springsteen tries to climb over the fence at Elvis Presley’s Graceland estate in an attempt to see Presley. He is escorted off the premises by guards
1998 Aerosmith postpone the remaining 14 shows on their North American tour after Steven Tyler has a knee injury during a show in Anchorage, Alaska
1999 Tommy Lee quits Mötley Crüe to spend more time with his new band Methods of Mayhem
2002 Scott Stapp has a car accident here in Orlando forcing Creed to cancel their remaining dates on their tour

CONCERT NEWS
Thursday, April 30 GIN BLOSSOMS Hard Rock Hotel Orlando
Thursday, April 30 RANDY BACHMAN Jannus Landing St. Petersburg
Thursday, April 30 SEVEN MARY THREE and SPONGE The Coliseum Daytona Beach
Sunday, July 12 THE WALLFLOWERS House Of Blues Lake Buena Vista
Monday, August 17 WHITESNAKE & JUDAS PRIEST Hard Rock Cafe And Casino Tampa

Quick Bits (Mini Reviews Of New Releases)

Crooked X – Crooked X
Hailing from Coweta, OK, the four members of Crooked X were only 14 years old when they broke through in 2008. Sounding like a mix of their heroes Black Label Society, Pantera, and Shinedown, the teen group caught the attention of the EMI label after opening gigs for the likes of Kiss and Ted Nugent. EMI signed the band and “Crooked X” is the debut self-titled album released in February of 2009. The fact that some tracks were written when members were as young as 11 shouldn’t alarm you, this record rocks hard. Recommended. Standout tracks: Rock And Roll Dream; Adrenaline; You Gotta Bleed. You can purchase the CD here.


Morrissey – Years Of Refusal
Morrissey settles into a robust middle age on “Years of Refusal”. It is comfortable in its settled nature, in its roaring guitars and swaying melodies, sometimes ratcheting up the aggression -- especially so on the tight, compacted opener, "Something Is Squeezing My Skull". He's fine with not changing his sound and writing songs about his happy middle-aged miserablism, a miserablism that increasingly feels like a device to fuel Morrissey's satire. Nothing here is surprising but it is a full-bodied, full-blooded album that feels fully realized. Recommended Standout tracks: Something Is Squeezing My Skull, You Were Good in Your Time, That's How People Grow Up. You can purchase the Deluxe Version here and the LP record here.

1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die - #99. Merle Haggard - I'm A Lonesome Fugitive

Merle Haggard - I'm A Lonesome Fugitive

Label – Capitol
Producer – Ken Nelson
Art Direction – Uncredited
Nationality – USA
Running Time –25:14

Track Listing (standout tracks listed in bold)

1. I'm A Lonesome Fugitive
2. All Of Me Belongs To You
3. House Of Memories
4. Life In A Prison
5. Whatever Happened To Me
6. Drink Up And Be Somebody
7. Someone Told My Story
8. If You Want To Be My Woman
9. Mary's Mine
10. Skid Row
11. My Rough And Rowdy Ways
12. Mixed Up Mess Of A Heart

Out of the blue we have a country record! And it’s actually a pretty good one. It’s more of a country-rock record then an all out country one. The amazing thing that stood out when I played this early Merle Haggard album is how much current star Alan Jackson sounds like Merle in his younger days. I actually did a double look at the display to make sure it was actually Merle Haggard that was playing!! This is on of Haggard’s early Capitol album and it contains the haunting "House of Memories" and also a nod to his country roots with a cover of "Rough and Rowdy Ways," the Jimmie Rodgers classic. The album is very short and maybe that is a good thing. Right as I was thinking to myself – ok I’ve enjoyed this up until now – but I am getting that “wish this was over” feeling – it WAS!! So it left me totally fulfilled. Short and sweet and packed with some decent sounding tunes, which was a pleasant surprise. So – surprisingly - It is recommended!

"
You can purchase the CD and mp3's here.

April 28

ABSOLUTE ROCK BIRTHDAYS FOR APRIL 28
Chuck Leavell formerly with the Allman Brothers Band is 57;

ON THIS DATE
1963 Andrew Loog Oldham becomes the Rolling Stones’ manager
1973 The Dark Side Of The Moon by Pink Floyd is number one, but only for a week. Interesting for an album that stayed on the charts for 700 weeks
1981 Steve Currie of T-Rex dies in a car crash near Val De Parra, Portugal. He is 33
1991 Bonnie Raitt marries actor Michael Noonan O’Keefe in New York
1999 Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers get a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame
2006 Donna D'Errico files for divorce to end her nine year marriage to Nikki Sixx of Motley Crue
2008 Scott Weiland of Stone Temple Pilots is sentenced to eight days in jail for drunk driving

CONCERT NEWS
Tuesday, September 15 CREED Venue TBA Orlando

Quick Bits (Mini Reviews Of New Releases)

U2 – No Line On the Horizon
Contrary to the suggestion of the first single "Get on Your Boots" — its riffs and chant sounding like a cheap mashup stitched together in GarageBand — this isn't as bad as it seems. The white-boy funk of "Stand Up Comedy," the not-nearly-as-bad-as-its-title track "I'll Go Crazy if I Don't Go Crazy Tonight" - “No Line on the Horizon” is about mellow tones and midtempo meditation. Too often, the album whispers in a murmur so quiet it's quite easy to ignore. Upon first listen it seems as if it would be a classic grower, an album that gets better with repeated spins, but that repetition only makes the album more elusive, with no direction at all. Recommended with reservations. Standout tracks: Stand Up Comedy; I'll Go Crazy if I Don't Go Crazy Tonight. You can purchase the Box Set here.



Bruce Springsteen – Working On A Dream
With bright, brittle production you expect a pure positive record, which isn't true. Most vividly in the broken spirit of "The Wrestler," and Bruce mourning departed E Street Band member Danny Federici with "The Last Carnival." Van Zandt and Nils Lofgren's guitars chime like the Byrds; the band knocks out a tough little blues number on "Good Eye"; and Springsteen shows a knack for pure pop on "Surprise, Surprise” But other than those highlights the album is hampered by the digital production that muffles the music's imagination and impact. The production feels tiny and constrained. The album would be better if the sound matched the sentiment. Not recommended. Standout tracks: The Wrestler; Good Eye; The Last Carnival. You can purchase the Deluxe Edition here.

1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die - #98. Donovan - Sunshine Superman (1967)

Donovan - Sunshine Superman (1967)

Label – Pye
Producer – Mickie Most
Art Direction – Dick Smith
Nationality – USA
Running Time –49:26

Track Listing (standout tracks listed in bold)

1. Sunshine Superman
2. Legend Of A Girl Child Linda
3. Three Kingfishers
4. Ferris Wheel
5. Bert's Blues
6. Season Of The Witch
7. The Trip
8. Guinevere
9. The Fat Angel
10. Celeste

An interesting album. Of course I have heard of Donovan and heard some of his music – but this is the first record of his I have ever heard. It kicks off with his mega hit – the title track “Sunshine Superman” just a great tune. It’s the two “side” openers, "Sunshine Superman" and "Season of the Witch," that are easily the highlights of the album. It’s the rest of the record that leaves me head scratching. The rest of the album is filled with lengthy, abstract, repetitive folk jams, that are actually pleasant enough, but lack any real punch. I read one review where they called the record a “perfect for lazy summer afternoons” listen. That’s pretty accurate, but with tracks such as "Legend of a Girl Child Linda" it plods along for nearly seven minutes not going anywhere. "Guinevere," is nice with it’s Indian backing of sitar and tabla and "Three King Fishers," and "Ferris Wheel" are pretty good – but I couldn’t help but feel empty as the record ended. Thinking I was cheated somehow. Some of songs that sound good on their own – like the hits on the radio, but overall it’s not a terribly bad record, just not a consistently good one.
Note this record appeared in two different versions, one in America and another almost 16 months later in England. (Donovan was fighting to be released from his contract with Pye Records in England.) The 1001 book lists the albums origins in the UK – but uses the US cover art and mentions songs that were on the US not UK version. It is the US version that I played and reviewed here.
This one is a toss up. I recommend SOME of the record, but not all. Listen with caution.

"
You can purchase the CD here.

New Releases

NEW RELEASES

April 28
HEAVEN AND HELL...The Devil You Know
BOB DYLAN...Together Through Life (Deluxe)(vinyl w/CD)
SWEET...Action: The Sweet Anthology
THE BLACK CROWES...Warpaint Live
Various Artist...Change Is Now: Renewing America's Promise

May 5
THE DOORS...The Soft Parade (Gold CD)
OASIS...And It's a Good Night from Him (DVD)
ROBERT CRAY...The Robert Cray Collection (DVD)
MUDDY WATERS...The Johnny Winter Sessions 1976-1981
RICK DERRINGER...Knighted by the Blues
LAZY LESTER/JIMMY VAUGHAN...Blues Stop Knockin
JOHN LEE HOOKER...Stomp Boogie
B.B. KING...Icons: B. B. King
THE ROLLING STONES...Sticky Fingers (Original Recording Remastered)
THE ROLLING STONES...Goats Head Soup (Original Recording Remastered)
THE ROLLING STONES...It's Only Rock 'N' Roll (Original Recording Remastered)
THE ROLLING STONES...Black And Blue
THE SMITHEREENS...Tommy
ELTON JOHN...The Red Piano (DVD) and blu-ray
Various Artist...Soundstage: Michael McDonald - A Tribute to Motown Live (DVD)
EDDIE COCHRAN/GENE VINCENT...Live: Rock N Roll Rebels
EDDIE COCHRAN...Nervous Breakdown
STEPPENWOLF...The Early Years (DVD)
ELTON JOHN...Spirit in the Sky: Rare Sessions (LP record)
BUDDY HOLLY...Collection
LITTLE RICHARD...Collection
MARC BOLAN & T. REX...Electric Tracks (LP record)
JERRY LEE LEWIS...Collection
GREEN DAY...The Lowdown

ABSOLUTE ROCK BIRTHDAYS FOR APRIL 27
Ace Frehley is 58; Rob Squires of Big Head Todd and the Monsters is 44; Travis Meeks of Days of the New is 30;

ON THIS DATE
1947 Pete Ham of Badfinger is born in Swansea, Wales
1981 Ringo Starr marries Barbra Bach
1990 Axl Rose marries Erin Everly, daughter of Don Everly from the Everly Brothers. It lasts 29 days
2006 Cheap Trick and the Allman Brothers Band initiate a class-action suit against Sony BMG claiming that the music company hasn't paid them what’s due from digital-download sales
1994 The historic Fillmore club reopens in San Francisco

Central Florida Concert Datebook

CENTRAL FLORIDA CONCERT DATEBOOK

Friday, May 8 THE NELSONS Disney World Lake Buena Vista
Saturday, May 9 JANE'S ADDICTION & NINE INCH NAILS Ford Ampitheatre Tampa
Saturday, May 9 THE NELSONS Disney World Lake Buena Vista
Sunday, May 10 SAVING ABEL House Of Blues Lake Buena Vista
Sunday, May 10 HINDER The Ritz Tampa
Sunday, May 10 THE NELSONS Disney World Lake Buena Vista
Tuesday, May 12 PAPA ROACH House Of Blues Orlando
Sunday, May 17 GIN BLOSSOMS Private Function Orlando
Monday, May 18 GAVIN ROSSDALE Jannus Landing St. Petersburg
Tuesday, May 19 QUEENSRYCHE Ruth Eckerd Hall Clearwater
Tuesday, May 19 GAVIN ROSSDALE House Of Blues Lake Buena Vista
Wednesday, May 20 QUEENSRYCHE House Of Blues Lake Buena Vista
Saturday, May 30 LITA FORD Club Firestone Orlando
Wednesday, June 3 BLUE OYSTER CULT Captain Hiram's Resort Sebastian
Tuesday, June 9 NEW YORK DOLLS State Theatre St. Petersburg
Thursday, June 11 NEW YORK DOLLS House Of Blues Lake Buena Vista
Friday, June 12 BETTER THAN EZRA Jannus Landing St. Petersburg
Friday, June 12 STEELY DAN Ruth Eckerd Hall Clearwater
Saturday, June 13 BETTER THAN EZRA House Of Blues Lake Buena Vista
Monday, June 15 STEELY DAN Bob Carr Performing Arts Centre
Friday, June 19 SALIVA The Coliseum at North Beach Daytona Beach
Saturday, June 27 KID ROCK and LYNYRD SKYNYRD Ford Ampitheatre Tampa
Friday, June 26 PAT BENATAR Peabody Auditorium Daytona Beach
Saturday, June 27 PAT BENATAR Tropicana Field St. Petersburg
Sunday, June 28 PAT BENATAR House Of Blues Lake Buena Vista
Friday, July 3 BULLETBOYS Muscle Fairgrounds Sarasota
Sunday, July 5 FABULOUS THUNDERBIRDS Floyd's@Seminole Hard Rock & Casino Tampa
Saturday, July 11 AEROSMITH and ZZ TOP Ford Ampitheatre Tampa
Sunday, July 12 THE WALLFLOWERS House Of Blues Lake Buena Vista
Thursday, July 16 THE OFFSPRING Hard Rock Cafe Orlando
Friday, July 24 RICK DERRINGER Clearwater
Saturday, July 25 EDGAR WINTER BAND & RICK DERRINGER Shepherds Clearwater
Saturday, July 25 DREAM THEATER Hard Rock Cafe Orlando
Sunday, July 26 DREAM THEATER Ruth Eckerd Hall Clearwater
Saturday, August 1 DAUGHTRY Tropicana Field St. Petersburg
Monday, August 3 GREEN DAY Venue TBA Tampa
Wednesday, August 5 GREEN DAY Amway Arena Orlando
Wednesday, August 12 DAVE MATTHEWS BAND Ford Ampitheatre Tampa
Friday, August 14 DEF LEPPARD, CHEAP TRICK & POISON Ford Ampitheatre Tampa
Saturday, August 15 INCUBUS Ford Ampitheatre Tampa
Sunday, August 16 JUDAS PRIEST & WHITESNAKE St. pete's Times Forum Tampa
Monday, August 17 EDDIE MONEY Marriott World Center Orlando
Monday, August 17 WHITESNAKE & JUDAS PRIEST Hard Rock Cafe And Casino Tampa
Friday, August 28 CRUE FEST w/MOTLEY CRUE, DROWNING POOL, GODSMACK, and THEORY OF A DEADMAN Ford Ampitheatre Tampa
Tuesday, September 15 CREED Amway Arena Orlando
Monday, September 28 RICHARD MARX Epcot Center Lake Buena Vista
Tuesday, Sewptember 29 RICHARD MARX Epcot Center Lake Buena Vista
Saturday, Rocktober 3 METALLICA St. Pete Times Forum Tampa
Wednesday, Rocktober 7 BETTER THAN EZRA Disney World Lake Buena Vista
Thursday, Rocktober 8 BETTER THAN EZRA Disney World Lake Buena Vista
Friday, Rocktober 9 U2 Raymond James Stadium Tampa
Saturday, Rocktober 17 FOGHAT Broken Spoke Saloon Ormond Beach
Thursday, Rocktober 22 BONNIE RAITT Ruth Eckerd Clearwater
Sunday, November 1 NIGHT RANGER Epcot Center Lake Buena Vista
Monday, November 2 NIGHT RANGER Epcot Center Lake Buena Vista
Friday, November 6 LOS LOBOS Disney World Lake Buena Vista
Saturday, November 7 LOS LOBOS Disney World Lake Buena Vista
Sunday, November 8 LOS LOBOS Disney World
Saturday, January 23 RICHIE HAVENS Mt. Dora Community Center Mt. Dora

Quick Bits (Mini Reviews Of New Releases)

The Derek Trucks Band – Already Free
There is a homegrown organic looseness to these proceedings that sets the album apart from all of Trucks' previous offerings. The material is stellar. Its careful attention to feel creates a vibe that is altogether missing from the vast majority of recordings made in the last 30 years, yet it sounds timeless -- not retro -- because of the expert, tasteful nature of the playing and recording. “Already Free” is an excellent entry in the Trucks catalog. It's a stone killer. Recommended. Standout tracks: Down In The Flood, Sweet Inspiration, Back Where I Started You can purchase the CD here or the LP record here.


Prince - LotusFlow3r/MPLSound
Left to his own devices, Prince will indulge in his peculiar vice of releasing triple-albums. Technically, one of the three discs here isn't a Prince album: “Elixer” is the debut of Bria Valente, the latest in a long line of sultry soul protégés. “LotusFlow3r” is a Prince guitar showcase, and “MPLSound” is a revival of his '80s funk. “MPLSound” winds up with the greatest number of both highs and lows, while “LotusFlow3r” is constrained by its guitar-heavy concept, offering great moments instead of great whole songs. A nice one disc compilation would be nice, but this set is full of too much fluff and not enough substance. Not Recommended. Standout tracks: Crimson And Clover, 77 Beverly Park, Love Like Jazz You can purchase the CD here.

1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die - #97. The Kinks - Something Else By The Kinks (1967)

The Kinks - Something Else By The Kinks (1967)

Label – Pye
Producer – Ray Davies and Shel Talmy
Art Direction – Pye Records Studios
Nationality –UK
Running Time –36:26

Track Listing (standout tracks listed in bold)

1. David Watts
2. Death Of A Clown
3. Two Sisters
4. No Return
5. Harry Rag
6. Tin Soldier Man
7. Situation Vacant
8. Love Me Till The Sun Shines
9. Lazy Old Sun
10. Afternoon Tea
11. Funny Face
12. End Of The Season
13. Waterloo Sunset

Now this was a great record!! 13 classic British pop songs from the Kinks. The Kinks never rock very hard on the album, preferring acoustic ballads, music hall numbers, and tempered R&B to full-out guitar attacks. Part of the album's power lies in its calm music, since it provides an elegant support for Davies' character portraits. From the stomp of "David Watts" to "Waterloo Sunset," there is really not a weak track on the record. "Two Sisters," "End of the Season," the rolling "Lazy Old Sun," and "Situation Vacant" -- are all just great tracks. “Something Else” is a fascinating album with the emergence of Dave Davies as a truly talented songwriter. These are not your standard songs trying to be hit singles. In fact, the album title may come from Davies' appeal to the Kinks' management in the summer of 1967 that he wanted to do "something else" besides writing hit singles. It also marks the final involvement of American producer Shel Talmy in the Kinks' 1960s studio recordings, and from this point on Ray Davies would assume recording production credits.
The album sold poorly in the UK, and not to be outdone, it also sold poorly in the United States. The record does have a strong British theme and also the group was still the subject of a U.S. ban on live and television performances. Critics at the time mainly gave the record very positive reviews. Many years on in 2003, the album was ranked number 288 on Rolling Stone magazine's list of the 500 greatest albums of all time, finally getting some overdue recognition. It is HIGHLY recommended.

"
You can purchase the CD here.

ABSOLUTE ROCK BIRTHDAYS FOR APRIL 24
Doug Clifford of Creedence Clearwater Revival is 64; Glen Cornick of Jethro Tull is 62; Boris Williams of the Cure is 52; Billy Gould of Faith No More is 46; Aaron Comess of the Spin Doctors is 41;

ON THIS DATE
1961 Bob Dylan plays harmonica on Harry Belafonte’s “Midnight Special” earning $50
1970 Grace Slick is invited to the White House by Tricia Nixon. She is escorted by Abbie Hoffman, who is not allowed by the Secret Service to enter, therefore they leave
1984 Jerry Lee Lewis marries Kerrie McCarver, his sixth wife
1989 Full Moon Fever by Tom Petty is released
1992 David Bowie marries fashion model Iman

CONCERT BEWS
Saturday, April 25 REO SPPEDWAGON/NIGHT RANGER Ruth Eckerd Hall Clearwater
Saturday, April 25 GREAT WHITE Leesburg Bikefest Leesburg
Saturday, April 25 EARTH DAY BIRTHDAY SWEET 16 Tinker Field Orlando

Quick Bits (Mini Reviews Of New Releases)

Mastodon – Crack The Skye

Reported to be a mystical concept record about Tsarist Russia, this is actually the most involved set of tracks, both in terms of music and production, the band has ever recorded. There is so much going on in these seven tracks that it's difficult to get it all in a listen or two. “Crack the Skye” rocks, and hard! Is the sound of a band stretching itself to its limits and exploring the depth of its collective musical identity as a series of possibilities rather than as signatures. And yes, that is a good thing. Recommended. Standout tracks: Divinations; The Czar; The Last Baron You can purchase the CD here.


Ian McLagen and the Bump Band – Never Say Never

McLagan is a survivor who keeps playing the old Faces hits in concert and rocks out occasionally here, but the bulk of this self-penned set swims in more folksy, introspective waters, similar to those of Lane's post-Faces career. But from its opening title track ballad, arguably one of the keyboardist's most beautiful and touching melodies, Never Say Never is an older, wiser statement from a musician who has been there, done that, and is ready for some reflection as he winds into the final quarter of his life. There area a handful of lovely, heartfelt tracks dedicated to Lane's recently deceased wife, Kim. “Never Say Never”, is Mac's most personal and melodic statement yet and shows that his songwriting talents are finally on par with his magnificent keyboard playing. Recommended. Standout tracks: Innocent Man. When the Crying Is Over; A Little Black Number You can purchase the CD here.

1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die - #96. Jefferson Airplane - Surrealistic Pillow (1967)

Jefferson Airplane - Surrealistic Pillow (1967)

Label – RCA
Producer – Rick Jarrard
Art Direction – Uncredited
Nationality –USA
Running Time – 33:40

Track Listing (standout tracks listed in bold)

1. She Has Funny Cars
2. Somebody to Love
3. My Best Friend
4. Today
5. Comin’ Back to Me
6. 3/5 of a Mile in 10 Seconds
7. D. C. B. A.—25
8. How Do You Feel
9. Embryonic Journey
10. White Rabbit
11. Plastic Fantastic Lover

This was the second album by Jefferson Airplane, and the first to feature Grace Slick. By all accounts this was the groundbreaking moment that one can point to as the defining piece of folk-rock-based psychedelia. Sure there were other bands who were doing the same type thing (most notably the Grateful Dead) but more than just a local success, “Surrealistic Pillow” actually rode the pop charts for most of 1967 and resided beside other records of the year by the Beatles and the Rolling Stones. Suddenly this music was taken seriously. Many years on this is still their defining work. It does feature their Top Ten singles "White Rabbit" (#8) and "Somebody to Love" (#5) but there is also the nice acoustic "Embryonic Journey" as well which is equally as good. Actually, for the most part, the rest of the record is actually nothing like the two hits. I was unaware until reading about this records that Jerry Garcia (serving as spiritual and musical advisor and guitarist) was involved with the making of the album. The songs are straightforward and rock. In stark contrast to the excessive experimentation (musical and chemical) that affected the group’s ability to do a straightforward song on later recordings. They never made a better album.
“Surrealistic Pillow” peaked at #3 on Billboard's Pop Albums chart. In 2003, the album was ranked number 146 on Rolling Stone magazine's list of the "500 Greatest Albums of All Time." It is recommended.

"
You can purchase the CD here.

(LW)TOP 10 ABSOLUTE ROCK CD'S/DOWNLOADS FOR THIS WEEK
(1)1. Various Artist...Twilight soundtrack
(2)2. NICKELBACK...Dark Horse
(3)3. U2...No Line On The Horizon
(5)4. THEORY OF A DEADMAN...Scars And Souvenirs
(Re-enter)5. HOLLYWOOD UNDEAD...Swan Song
(4)6. NEIL YOUNG...Fork In The Road
(10)7. SHINEDOWN...The Sound Of Madness
(6)8. PAPA ROACH...Metamorphosis
(9)9. METALLICA...Death Magnetic
(7)10. KID ROCK...Rock 'N' Roll Jesus

ON THIS DATE
1936 Roy Orbison is born in Vernon, Texas
1960 Steve Clark of Def Leppard is born in Sheffield, England
1975 Pete Ham of Badfinger commits suicide at home in Surrey, England. He is 27

CONCERT NEWS
Friday, April 24 REO SPEEDWAGON Hard Rock Cafe Orlando
Friday, April 24 CANDLEBOX Jannus Landing St. Petersburg
Sunday, May 10 HINDER The Ritz Tampa

Quick Bits (Mini Reviews Of New Releases)

Queensrÿche – American Soldier
Loosely woven concept record about war from the point of view of those in the United States Armed Forces. Songs are interspersed with recorded voices of servicemen relating their stories in either brief samples or slightly longer interludes. This is a very fine album that takes on a very hot and noteworthy -- as well as timeless -- topic that no one else has had the guts to take on in such a grand scale thus far. Standout tracks: If I Were King; Home Again; Man Down! - Recommended You can purchase the CD here.





Heaven And Hell – The Devil You Know
This is as we all know Black Sabbath with Dio on vocals calling themselves Heaven and Hell. Oddly, it's the closest in spirit to the first two Black Sabbath albums. Tony Iommi's riffs and Vinnie Appice's drumming punishing the listener like medieval monks scourging unbelievers. Dio's voice is as powerful as ever. The Osbourne-fronted and Dio-fronted versions of Black Sabbath are very different bands yet this is an album that matches its moment every bit as perfectly as Paranoid did back in 1970. Standout tracks: Bible Black; Turn Of The Screw; Atom And Evil - Recommended You can purchase the CD here.

1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die - #95. The Young Rascals - Groovin' (1967)

The Young Rascals - Groovin' (1967)

Label – Atlantic
Producer – Tom Dowd / Arif Mardin / Young Rascals
Art Direction – Uncredited
Nationality – USA
Running Time – 34:44

Track Listing (standout tracks listed in bold)

1. Girl Like You
2. Find Somebody
3. I'm So Happy Now
4. Sueño
5. How Can I Be Sure
6. Groovin'
7. If You Knew
8. I Don't Love You Anymore
9. You Better Run
10. Place in the Sun
11. It's Love

The Young Rascals best record. The album was a huge seller thanks to the title track, which is the group's signature tune (#1 one on the pop charts, #3 on R&B), but there is more to the record than just "Groovin'". The record has a garage band feel about it with a dash of psychedelia thrown in, including fuzztone guitars and downright catchy lyrics and choruses and just feel good music. "How Can I Be Sure" is the another song that sounded familiar to me but tracks I had never heard before such as "I'm So Happy Now," leave you compelled to tap your feet and bob your head. Which is what I think good music should do. Make you physically MOVE. "You Better Run" is another track that I was familiar with, but more so due to the cover versions by Pat Benatar and KISS member Peter Criss. It is a good track and a great piece of rock & roll. There is also a really good cover of the Motown track, "A Place in the Sun".
This was the last album on which the band was billed as "The Young Rascals"; by their next album they would be credited as simply "The Rascals" – and never reached the popularity they achieved with this record.
I was lucky enough to have seen Felix Cavaliere in 1995 when he toured with Ringo Starr and his vocals that night were just amazing!
This record is recommended.

"
You can purchase the CD here.

ABSOLUTE ROCK BIRTHDAYS FOR APRIL 22
Peter Frampton is 59; Paul Carrack of Ace, Mike + the Mechanics and Squeeze is 58; Shavo Odadjian of System of a Down is 35; Daniel Johns of Silverchair is 30;

ON THIS DATE
1969 John Winston Lennon legally became John Ono Lennon on top of the Apple building, and he and Paul McCartney record "The Ballad Of John & Yoko". That same day the Who performed for the first time the rock opera Tommy in Dolton, England
1974 The Who start filming the movie of Tommy
1981 Eric Clapton has a car accident in Seattle, suffering broken ribs
1998 Faith No More announce they are finished
2008 Richie Samboara of Bon Jovi pleads no contest to a drunk driving charge due to an arrest a month earlier in Laguna Beach, California

CONCERT NEWS
Thursday, April 23 COLD The State Theatre St. Petersburg
Tuesday, June 9 NEW YORK DOLLS venue TBA St. Petersburg
Thursday, June 11 NEW YORK DOLLS House Of Blues Lake Buena Vista
Friday, June 12 STEELY DAN Ruth Eckerd Hall Clearwater
Monday, June 15 STEELY DAN Bob Carr Performing Arts Centre
Sunday, August 16 JUDAS PRIEST & WHITESNAKE St. pete's Times Forum Tampa

1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die - #94. The Byrds - Younger Than Yesterday (1967)

The Byrds - Younger Than Yesterday (1967)

Label – Columbia
Producer – Gary Usher
Art Direction – Uncredited
Nationality – USA
Running Time – 28:27

Track Listing (standout tracks listed in bold)

1. So You Want To Be A Rock 'N' Roll Star
2. Have You Seen Her Face
3. C.T.A.-102
4. Renaissance Fair
5. Time Between
6. Everybody's Been Burned
7. Thoughts And Words
8. Mind Gardens
9. My Back Pages
10. The Girl With No Name
11. Why

This record by the Byrds was their 4rth and in some ways overlooked when it was initially released and began the end of the Byrds and started their commercial downslide. That’s a shame as this is a really decent record that I enjoyed very much.
"So You Want to Be a Rock & Roll Star" was a terrific single (charting at #29) and "My Back Pages," was also a small hit (#30) and was a Bob Dylan cover track – but what Byrds record would have been complete without a Dylan cover! This would be the final time the band cracked the top 40.
It’s a very short record – just over 28 minutes and it goes by very fast. "Thoughts and Words," “Renaissance Fair," "Have You Seen Her Face," and "Time Between" are all easily among the best songs the Byrds ever recorded. Not all is great however. "Everybody's Been Burned" is a pretty good David Crosby track, but "Mind Gardens" isn’t that good and neither is “CTA-102”. But those don’t detract to much from the overall record.
Despite the album's moderate chart performance (it peaked at #24 in the Billboard charts), its critical stature has grown substantially over the years. In 2003, the album was ranked number 124 on Rolling Stone magazine's list of the 500 greatest albums of all time. It is recommended.

"
You can purchase the CD here.

Fleetwood Mac – Amway Arena, Orlando, Florida 4/20/09

Set List: Monday Morning, The Chain, Dreams, I Know I'm Not Wrong, Gypsy, Go Insane, Rhiannon, Second Hand News, Tusk, Sara, Big Love, Landslide, Never Going Back Again, Storms, Say You Love Me, Gold Dust Woman, Oh Well, I'm So Afraid, Stand Back, Go Your Own Way, World Turning, Don't Stop, Silver Springs

The latest tour by Fleetwood Mac is being billed as the "Unleashed" tour. While there wasn’t any reckless abandon one would associate with being ‘unleashed’ what Fleetwood Mac delivered was a set full of the hits in a 2 hour 20 minute concert Monday night at the Amway Arena in Orlando.
Just to have it said and over with – I really missed not seeing Chrisine McVie. To me, Fleetwood Mac is as much about the sweetness of McVie’s voice in the mix as anything, but the band members Mick Fleetwood, Lindsey Buckingham, Stevie Nicks and John McVie were all in fine form and they had a trio of backing vocals and two additional musicians rounding out the band.
No offense to Mick or John, but this was basically a Buckingham-Nicks concert! And they delivered. Relying heavily on the “Rumours” lp (7 songs from the record were performed) they delivered the hits mostly in the arrangements we’ve all come to love from years of rotation on the radio.

Stevie Nicks, now at 60, mostly stands in silhouette with her trademark lace and bead capes and doesn’t do much spinning these days – but her voice has not failed her, and she was definitely the star of the show. “Sara” and “Landslide” were simply fantastic, and her vocals at the climax of “Gold Dust Woman” brought chills to the spine.
Lindsey Buckingham, also at 60, probably ranks as one of the most under-appreciated guitarists around. He CAN play that’s for sure – but it was his solo spots – most notably in “Big Love” (barely recognizable from the original in this frenzy version) - that had the isles full of people heading for the next beer and bathroom. His solos during the hits, while mostly spot on, often turned into bloated wanderings that at times sounded like he was playing a different track than the rest of the band, and was WAY to loud in the mix. His extended solo in "I’m So Afraid" - while impressive, turned into an overlong session on how to play the same highest as possible note over and over and over. But none of these things really detracted from the evening very much, and his voice is as strong as ever.
John McVie and Mick Fleetwood laid down a solid backbeat all evening and they are still the ‘core’ of the band. But besides a “frantic” or shall I say “unleashed” drum solo from Mick during the encore, they relegated themselves to being background session men – which is I’m sure just how they prefer it.
If you get the chance to see the band on this tour definitely do so. It was time well spent.

“Landslide” performed in Orlando – 4/20/09

April 21

ABSOLUTE ROCK BIRTHDAYS FOR APRIL 21
Iggy Pop is 62; Robert Smith of The Cure is 50;

ON THIS DATE
1961 The Beatles perform at the Cavern Club in Liverpool, England for the first time
1980 Empty Glass by Pete Townshend is released
1993 Bill Wyman, formerly with the Rolling Stones, marries Suzanne Accosta
2001 Peter Buck of R.E.M. is arrested for assaulting 2 crew members on a trans-Atlantic flight to London

CONCERT NEWS
Wednesday, April 22 JOE COCKER Ruth Eckerd Hall Clearwater
Wednesday, April 22 FLEETWOOD MAC St. Pete's Times Forum Tampa
Friday, May 15 FILTER Wall Street Plaza Orlando
Monday, August 3 GREEN DAY Venue TBA Tampa
Wednesday, August 5 GREEN DAY Orlando venue TBA

1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die - #93. The Doors - The Doors (1967)

The Doors - The Doors (1967)

Label – Elektra
Producer – Paul A. Rothchild
Art Direction – William S. Harvey
Nationality – USA
Running Time – 43:25

Track Listing (standout tracks listed in bold)

1. Break On Through
2. Soul Kitchen
3. Crystal Ship
4. Twentieth Century Fox
5. Alabama Song (Whiskey Bar)
6. Light My Fire
7. Back Door Man
8. I Looked At You
9. End Of The Night
10. Take It As It Comes
11. The End

This is the birth of Rock Theater. No one was better at this than Jim Morrison and the Doors, and this is a not only a incredible debut album, (and perhaps one of the best debuts in rock history period) this is nothing short of a music masterpiece. And anyone who know me, knows that I do not throw that tag around loosely.
The Doors music is hard to classify. Yes they are a rock band, but they sprinkle their work with blues, with classical, with jazz, and Jim Morrison’s lyrics are more poetry then typical lyrics. There is the sparseness to their music that actually expands the tracks leaving open spaces for Jim Morrison to fill with his aura. Very lean, “spider” type guitar sounds and those organ riffs interweave between the pounding snare hits – all create a menacing atmosphere for Morrison's yelping vocals and poetry readings. It was "Light My Fire" the topped the charts in 1967 - and it did established the group as stars – but that is also one of the weakest tracks on the record. To me the rest of the album is what is impressive, including some of the best songs they would record. "The Crystal Ship," is an overlooked track with a incredible Morrison vocal, a vibe driven "End of the Night," the stomp rocker "Soul Kitchen" and of course the album closer “The End”. This 11 minute track is the group at its best. From start to finish, there is really very little here that can be criticized negatively. When the album was released, the tracks "Break on Through (To the Other Side)" and "The End" were both released censored. During "Break on Through" the part where Jim Morrison sings "She gets, she gets" was originally recorded as "She gets high." The interlude singing part near the end of "The End" was censored and taken out. It included Jim using the word ‘fuck’ over and over. Subsequent releases of the album have both of the original parts intact and is the preferred version.
This record is generally thought of as the band's best work. In 1998 Q magazine readers voted “The Doors” the 93rd greatest album of all time. In 2003 VH1 placed it at number 60. Also in 2003, the album was ranked number 42 on Rolling Stone magazine's list of the 500 greatest albums of all time. It is HIGHLY recommended.

"
You can purchase the CD here.

1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die - #92. Frank Sinatra & Antonio Carlos Jobim - Frank Sinatra & Antonio Carlos Jobim (1967)

Frank Sinatra & Antonio Carlos Jobim - Frank Sinatra & Antonio Carlos Jobim (1967)

Label – Reprise
Producer – Sonny Burke
Art Direction – Ed Thrasher
Nationality – USA
Running Time – 28:34

Track Listing (standout tracks listed in bold)

1. Girl From Ipanema
2. Dindi
3. Change Partners
4. Quiet Nights Of Quiet Stars
5. Meditations
6. If You Never Come To Me
7. How Insensitive
8. Concentrate On You
9. Baubles Bangles And Beads
10. Once I Loved

I’m not a big Frank Sinatra fan. I’m not a big bossa nova fan. So I really had no idea what to expect from a Frank Sinatra bossa nova record. I’ve reviewed a few and it’s just not my kind of music. I’m sure I am much more tolerant now than I would have been even 5 short years ago and totally dismissed all of them without giving them a chance.
I try to think about the artists and the recordings in the context of the times they were recorded and released. So it’s 1967, and bossa nova had become quite popular in the US with jazz and pop audiences, so it’s no wonder Frank Sinatra decided to team up with the leading bossa nova composer Antonio Carlos Jobim. He brought in arranger Claus Ogerman and went to work. The trio concentrated mainly on Jobim original titles, but did add a few ‘American’ classics as well (most notably -- "Baubles, Bangles and Beads") and re-arranged them to suit the bossa nova theme of the record.
The record is actually a low key affair, and not as ‘bouncy’ as I was thinking it might be for bossa nova Latin music. Sinatra is – well Sinatra. Relaxed and forceful for sure – but I have never considered him a great singer, but he’s not terrible either. Brass, percussion, soft strings, and a sweet sounding guitar makes the music ‘pleasant’ to listen to, but there us no fire or excitement to the tracks whatsoever.
Perhaps that ‘pleasantness’ would be expanded on with time and repeated listenings that one doesn’t get with just one listen, but it really became only background music for me, and my mind would often wonder to other thoughts while playing – so obviously didn’t keep my attention.
At the Grammy Awards of 1968 Francis Albert Sinatra & Antonio Carlos Jobim was nominated for the Grammy Award for Album of the Year, and while not especially bad – I would not recommend it.

"
You can purchase the CD here.

New Releases

NEW RELEASES

April 21
JANE'S ADDICTION...Cabinet of Curiosities (3 CD/1 DVD BOX SET)
MUDDY WATERS...Live at the Chicago Fest (DVD)
JIMMY PAGE...Burn Up (LP record release)
LEADBELLY...60th Anniversary Edition (BOX SET)
JETHRO TULL...Live at Montreux 2003 (LP Record release)
BLACK LABEL SOCIETY...Skullage
MICHAEL SCHENKER GROUP...Built to Destroy (Remastered)
MICHAEL SCHENKER GROUP...Assault Attack (Remastered)
MICHAEL SCHENKER GROUP...World Wide Live 2004 (DVD)
MICHAEL SCHENKER GROUP...Rock Will Never Die (Remastered)
GREAT WHITE...Rising
METALLICA...Broken, Beat and Scarred (Pt. 2) (SINGLE)
LINKIN PARK...Road to Revolution: Live at Milton Keynes (Blu-ray)
STYX...Styx & the Contemporary Youth Orchestra of Cleveland: One with Everything (Blu-ray)
GARY MOORE AND FRIENDS...One Night in Dublin - A Tribute to Phil Lynott (Blu-ray)
JEFFERSON STARSHIP...Modern Times/Nuclear Furniture (Remastered)
SANTANA...Acapulco Sunrise: 1968 Demos (LP Record release)
DEE SNIDER...Desperado

April 28
HEAVEN AND HELL...The Devil You Know
BOB DYLAN...Together Through Life (Deluxe)(vinyl w/CD)
SWEET...Action: The Sweet Anthology
THE BLACK CROWES...Warpaint Live
Various Artist...Change Is Now: Renewing America's Promise

ABSOLUTE ROCK BIRTHDAYS FOR APRIL 20
Craig Frost of Grand Funk Railroad and Bob Seger's Silver Bullet Band is 61;

ON THIS DATE
1968 Deep Purple perform their first concert in Tastrump, Denmark
1981 John Phillips of the Mamas and the Papas is sentenced to five years in jail after pleading guilty to drug possession charges. His sentence is suspended after 30 days
1991 John Fogerty of Creedence Clearwater Revival marries Julie Lebiedzinksi in Bristol, Indiana. That same day Steve Marriott of Small Faces and Humble Pie dies in a fire at his home in Essex, England, at the age of 44
2004 Bono of U2 makers the list of Time Magazines 2004 list of the 100 most influential people

April 19

ABSOLUTE ROCK BIRTHDAYS FOR APRIL 19
Alan Price of The Animals is 67; Rod Morgenstein of Winger is 56; Bekka Bramlett, who was briefly a member of Fleetwood Mac, is 41;

ON THIS DATE
1980 Brian Johnson replaces the late Bon Scott as lead singer for AC/DC
2002 The body of Layne Staley of Alice In Chains is found in his apartment in Seattle. It is believed he died two weeks earlier of a drug overdose at the age of 34
2006 A Miami-Dade Circuit Judge throws out a lawsuit by a woman who appeared in a sex tape with Scott Stapp and Kid Rock, saying that she cannot sue while remaining annonymous

CONCERT NEWS
Monday, April 20 FLEETWOOD MAC Amway Arena Orlando

April 18

ABSOLUTE ROCK BIRTHDAYS FOR APRIL 18
Mike Vickers of Manfred Mann is 69; Greg Eklund of Everclear is 39;

ON THIS DATE
1946 Skip Spence of Jefferson Airplane was born in Windsor, Ontario. He died in 1999 just 2 days shy of his 53rd birthday
2005 Clare Torry wins a lawsuit against Pink Floyd for royalties and songwriting credit for "The Great Gig In The Sky" on the Dark Side Of The Moon album

CONCERT NEWS
Sunday, April 19 JOE COCKER Downtown Orlando
The Randy Bachman concert scheduled for April 29 at the House Of Blues has been cancelled

April 17

ABSOLUTE ROCK BIRTHDAYS FOR APRIL 17
Maynard James Keenan of Tool and A Perfect Circle is 45;

ON THIS DATE
1960 Eddie Cochran dies at the age of 21 in a car accident in Wiltshire, England
1998 Linda McCartney of Wings dies at the age of 56 due to breast cancerin Arizona
2004 ABC News says that the U.S. Marines rattle Iraqi insurgents by playing "Shoot To Thrill" by AC/DC
2008 Danny Federici, the keyboard player for Bruce Springsteen, died in New York City at age 58

CENTRAL FLORIDA CONCERT DATEBOOK

CENTRAL FLORIDA CONCERT DATEBOOK

Friday, April 24 REO SPEEDWAGON Hard Rock Cafe Orlando
Friday, April 24 CANDLEBOX Jannus Landing St. Petersburg
Saturday, April 25 REO SPPEDWAGON/NIGHT RANGER Ruth Eckerd Hall Clearwater
Saturday, April 25 GREAT WHITE Leesburg Bikefest Leesburg
Saturday, April 25 EARTH DAY BIRTHDAY SWEET 16 Tinker Field Orlando
Sunday, April 26 NICKELBACK Ford Ampitheatre Tampa
Thursday, April 30 GIN BLOSSOMS Hard Rock Hotel Orlando
Thursday, April 30 RANDY BACHMAN Jannus Landing St. Petersburg
Thursday, April 30 SEVEN MARY THREE and SPONGE The Coliseum Daytona Beach
Saturday, May 2 SEVEN MARY THREE Bourbon Street Nightclub New Port Richey
Saturday, May 9 JANE'S ADDICTION & NINE INCH NAILS Ford Ampitheatre Tampa
Sunday, May 10 SAVING ABEL House Of Blues Lake Buena Vista
Sunday, May 10 HINDER The Ritz Tampa
Tuesday, May 12 PAPA ROACH House Of Blues Orlando
Sunday, May 17 GIN BLOSSOMS Private Function Orlando
Monday, May 18 GAVIN ROSSDALE Jannus Landing St. Petersburg
Tuesday, May 19 QUEENSRYCHE Ruth Eckerd Hall Clearwater
Tuesday, May 19 GAVIN ROSSDALE House Of Blues Lake Buena Vista
Wednesday, May 20 QUEENSRYCHE House Of Blues Lake Buena Vista
Saturday, May 30 LITA FORD Club Firestone Orlando
Wednesday, June 3 BLUE OYSTER CULT Captain Hiram's Resort Sebastian
Tuesday, June 9 NEW YORK DOLLS venue TBA St. Petersburg
Thursday, June 11 NEW YORK DOLLS House Of Blues Lake Buena Vista
Friday, June 12 BETTER THAN EZRA Jannus Landing St. Petersburg
Friday, June 12 STEELY DAN Ruth Eckerd Hall Clearwater
Saturday, June 13 BETTER THAN EZRA House Of Blues Lake Buena Vista
Monday, June 15 STEELY DAN Bob Carr Performing Arts Centre
Friday, June 19 SALIVA The Coliseum at North Beach Daytona Beach
Saturday, June 27 KID ROCK and LYNYRD SKYNYRD Ford Ampitheatre Tampa
Saturday, June 27 PAT BENATAR Tropican Field St. Petersburg
Friday, July 3 BULLETBOYS Muscle Fairgrounds Sarasota
Saturday, July 11 AEROSMITH and ZZ TOP Ford Ampitheatre Tampa
Thursday, July 16 THE OFFSPRING Hard Rock Cafe Orlando
Friday, July 24 RICK DERRINGER Clearwater
Saturday, July 25 EDGAR WINTER BAND & RICK DERRINGER Shepherds Clearwater
Saturday, August 1 DAUGHTRY Tropicana Field St. Petersburg
Monday, August 3 GREEN DAY Venue TBA Tampa
Wednesday, August 5 GREEN DAY Venue TBA Orlando
Wednesday, August 12 DAVE MATTHEWS BAND Ford Ampitheatre Tampa
Friday, August 14 DEF LEPPARD, CHEAP TRICK & POISON Ford Ampitheatre Tampa
Saturday, August 15 INCUBUS Ford Ampitheatre Tampa
Sunday, August 16 JUDAS PRIEST & WHITESNAKE St. pete's Times Forum Tampa
Monday, August 17 EDDIE MONEY Marriott World Center Orlando
Friday, August 28 CRUE FEST w/MOTLEY CRUE, DROWNING POOL, GODSMACK, and THEORY OF A DEADMAN Ford Ampitheatre Tampa
Monday, September 28 RICHARD MARX Epcot Center Lake Buena Vista
Tuesday, Sewptember 29 RICHARD MARX Epcot Center Lake Buena Vista
Saturday, Rocktober 3 METALLICA St. Pete Times Forum Tampa
Wednesday, Rocktober 7 BETTER THAN EZRA Disney World Lake Buena Vista
Thursday, Rocktober 8 BETTER THAN EZRA Disney World Lake Buena Vista
Friday, Rocktober 9 U2 Raymond James Stadium Tampa
Saturday, Rocktober 17 FOGHAT Broken Spoke Saloon Ormond Beach
Thursday, Rocktober 22 BONNIE RAITT Ruth Eckerd Clearwater
Sunday, November 1 NIGHT RANGER Epcot Center Lake Buena Vista
Monday, November 2 NIGHT RANGER Epcot Center Lake Buena Vista
Friday, November 6 LOS LOBOS Disney World Lake Buena Vista
Saturday, November 7 LOS LOBOS Disney World Lake Buena Vista
Sunday, November 8 LOS LOBOS Disney World
Saturday, January 23 RICHIE HAVENS Mt. Dora Community Center Mt. Dora

Top 10 CD's/Downloads For This Week

(LW)TOP 10 ABSOLUTE ROCK CD'S/DOWNLOADS FOR THIS WEEK
(1)1. Various ASrtist...Twilight soundtrack
(3)2. NICKELBACK...Dark Horse
(2)3. U2...No Line On The Horizon
(Enter)4. NEIL YOUNG...Fork In The Road
(8)5. THEORY OF A DEADMAN...Scars And Souvenirs
(5)6. PAPA ROACH...Metamorphosis
(9)7. KID ROCK...Rock 'N' Roll Jesus
(Enter)8. GRATEFUL DEAD...To Terrapin: Hartford '77
(Re-enter)9. METALLICA...Death Magnetic
(Re-enter)10. SHINEDOWN...The Sound Of Madness

ABSOLUTE ROCK BIRTHDAYS FOR APRIL 16
Gerry Rafferty is 62; Peter Garrett formerly with Midnight Oil is 56; David Pirner of Soul Asylum is 45; Dan Rieser of March Playground is 43

ON THIS DATE
1924 Rudy Pompilli of Bill Haley and the Comets was born in Chester, Pennsylvania. Pompilli died in 1976 of lung cancer from second hand smoke
1943 Lonesome Dave Peverett of Faghat was born in Dullwich, England. Peverett died in 2000 in Orlando, Florida
1972 Electric Light Orchestra makes its debut in Croydon, England at the Fox and Greyhound pub
1993 David Lee Roth is arresated for buying a small amount of marijuana in New York
1996 Kiss announce a world tour with all 4 original members at a press conference in New York
1999 Skip Spence of Jefferson Airplane dies at the age of 52 of lung cancer in Santa Cruz, California

CONCERT NEWS
Friday, April 17 BLACKFOOT Titusville

April 15

ABSOLUTE ROCK BIRTHDAYS FOR APRIL 15
Dave Edmunds is 65;

ON THIS DATE
1982 Billy Joel collides into a car with his motorcycle breaking his wrist
2004 A prostitute files a civil suit against Vince Neil of Motley Crue, claiming he became viloent toward her after she refused to have sex with him for free

April 14

ABSOLUTE ROCK BIRTHDAYS FOR APRIL 14
Ritchie Blackmore of Deep Purple and Rainbow is 64; Vinnie Moore of UFO is 45; Barrett Martin of the Screaming Trees and Mad Season is 42; Martyn Le Noble of Jane's Addiction and The Cult is 40;

ON THIS DATE
1980 A bill is introduced to make the New Jersey state song "Born To Run" by Bruce Springsteen
1983 Pete Farndon of the Pretenders dies of a drug overdose in his home at the age of 30
2008 At the Country Music Television Awards Robert Plant and Alison Krauss win the Wide Open Country Video of the Year for "Gone Gone Gone (Done Moved On)", Bon Jovi and Leann Rimes win the Collaborative Video trophy for "Till We Ain't Strangers Anymore"

CONCERT NEWS
Saturday, June 27 PAT BENATAR Tropicana Field St. Petersburg
Saturday, July 11 AEROSMITH and ZZ TOP Ford Ampitheatre Tampa
Saturday, August 1 DAUGHTRY Tropicana Field St. Petersburg

New Releases

BREAKING NEWS: PHIL SPECTOR FOUND GUILTY


NEW RELEASES

April 14
BUDDY GUY...The Definitive Buddy
B.B. KING...Icons: B. B. King
WILLIE DIXON...Wang Dang Doodle (DVD)
Various Artist...Rock Heroes, Vol. 2: Metal Edition
THE WHO...The Who: Maximum R&B Live (DVD)
GENESIS...1970-1975 (6 LP 180g Vinyl)(BOX SET)
HARRY CHAPIN...The Story of a Life (DVD)
HURT...Goodbye to the Machine (LP release)

April 21
JANE'S ADDICTION...Cabinet of Curiosities (3 CD/1 DVD BOX SET)
MUDDY WATERS...Live at the Chicago Fest (DVD)
JIMMY PAGE...Burn Up (LP record release)
LEADBELLY...60th Anniversary Edition (BOX SET)
JETHRO TULL...Live at Montreux 2003 (LP Record release)
BLACK LABEL SOCIETY...Skullage
MICHAEL SCHENKER GROUP...Built to Destroy (Remastered)
MICHAEL SCHENKER GROUP...Assault Attack (Remastered)
MICHAEL SCHENKER GROUP...World Wide Live 2004 (DVD)
MICHAEL SCHENKER GROUP...Rock Will Never Die (Remastered)
GREAT WHITE...Rising
METALLICA...Broken, Beat and Scarred (Pt. 2) (SINGLE)
LINKIN PARK...Road to Revolution: Live at Milton Keynes (Blu-ray)
STYX...Styx & the Contemporary Youth Orchestra of Cleveland: One with Everything (Blu-ray)
GARY MOORE AND FRIENDS...One Night in Dublin - A Tribute to Phil Lynott (Blu-ray)
JEFFERSON STARSHIP...Modern Times/Nuclear Furniture (Remastered)
SANTANA...Acapulco Sunrise: 1968 Demos (LP Record release)
DEE SNIDER...Desperado

April 28
HEAVEN AND HELL...The Devil You Know

ABSOLUTE ROCK BIRTHDAYS FOR APRIL 13
Jack Casady of Jefferson Airplane is 65; Max Weinberg is 58; Jimmy Destri of Blondie is 55; Joey Mazzola of Sponge is 48; Lisa Umbarger formerly with the Toadies is 44; Marc Ford of the Black Crowes is 43; Aaron Lewis of Staind is 37;

ON THIS DATE
1945 Lowell George of Little Feat was born in Hollywood, California. George died is 1979 of a massive heart attack
1962 Hillel Slovak of the Red Hot Chili Peppers is born in Haifa, Israel. Slovak died in 1988 at the age of 26 of a heroin overdose
1965 The Beatles win a Grammy for Best New Artist
1967 The Rolling Stones perform in Warsaw, Poland, their first performance behind the Iron Curtain
1979 David Lee Roth of Van Halen collapses on stage in Spokane, Washington due to exhaustion

April 12

ABSOLUTE ROCK BIRTHDAYS FOR APRIL 12
John Kay of Steppenwolf is 65;

ON THIS DATE
1954 At their first session for Decca Records Bill Haley and the Comets record "Rock Around The Clock", thus pretty much beginning the Rock 'N' Roll era
1979 Mickey Thomas becomes the lead singer for Jefferson Starship, replacing Marty Balin
1993 Lisa Bonet files for divorce from Lenny Kravitz
2000 The fight between Metallica and Napster gets underway as the band files a suit against the file sharing company
2006 Are You Experienced by Jimi Hendrix is chosen to be preserved in the Library of Congress' National Recording Registry

April 11

ABSOLUTE ROCK BIRTHDAYS FOR APRIL 11
Nigel Pulsford of Bush is 48; Dylan Keefe of Marcy Playground is 39;

ON THIS DATE
1958 Stuart Adamson of Big Country was born in Manchester, England. He died in 2001 at the age of 43, due to heave alcohol consumption
1961 Bob Dylan opened for John Lee Hooker at his concert debut at Gerde’s Folk City in New York
1964 The Beatles hold 14 positions on Billboards Pop Singles Chart, thus breaking the old record of 9 set by Elvis Presley
1970 Peter Green leaves Fleetwood Mac
1981 Eddie Van Halen marries Valerie Bertinelli
2002 Kid Rock asks Pamela Anderson to marry him
2007 A Japanese tour for Guns 'N' Roses is postponed after Tommy Stinson tumbles down a flight of stairs and injures his hands. That same day Richie Sambora and Heather Locklear's divorce is finalized
2008 Def Leppard cancel some Canadian shows after Joe Elliott falls ill

CONCERT NEWS
Sunday, April 12 SALIVA The Coliseum Daytona Beach

April 10

ABSOLUTE ROCK BIRTHDAYS FOR APRIL 10
Brian Setzer of the Stray Cats is 50; Tim "Herb" Alexander of Primus is 44; Mike Mushok of Staind is 40; Bryce Soderberg of Lifehouse is 29

ON THIS DATE
1962 The Beatles original bass guitarist, Stuart Sutcliffe, dies of a brain hemorrhage at the age of 21 in Hamburg, Germany
1970 Paul McCartney announces that the Beatles have broke up
1994 At the Seattle Center a public memorial is held for Kurt Cobain of Nirvana

CONCERT NEWS
Friday, April 10 DICKEY BETTS AND GREAT SOUTHERN State Theatre St. Petersburg
Saturday, April 11 DISTURBED Amway Arena Orlando

April 9

(LW)TOP 10 ABSOLUTE ROCK CD'S/DOWNLOADS FOR THIS WEEK
(1)1. Various Artist...Twilight soundtrack
(2)2. U2...No Line On The Horizon
(4)3. NICKELBACK...Dark Horse
(Enter)4. QUEENSRYCHE...American Soldier
(3)5. PAPA ROACH...Metamorphosis
(5)6. Various Artist...Now That's What I Call Power Ballads
(Enter)7. STEVIE NICKS...The Soundstage Sessions
(6)8. THEORY OF A DEADMAN...Scars And Souvenirs
(7)9. KID ROCK...Rock 'N' Roll Jesus
(8)10. HOLLYWOOD UNDEAD...Swan Song

ABSOLUTE ROCK BIRTHDAYS FOR APRIL 9
Kevin Martin of Candlebox is 40; Gene Parsons formerly with the Byrds is 65;

ON THIS DATE
1932 Carl perkins was born in Tiptonville, Tennessee. He died in 1998 at the age of 65
1966 Jeff Beck, as a member of the Yardbirds, collapses while in conert in Marseilles, France
1970 The Beatles are over, as far as a group recording together goes
1973 Queen makes its debut performance in London at the Marquee Theater
1997 Soundgarden are officially over

CONCERT NEWS
Friday, April 10 CHEVELLE, DISTURBED, DUFF McKAGAN'S LOADED, SALIVA, STAIND AND STATIC X St. Pete Times Forum Tampa

April 8

ABSOLUTE ROCK BIRTHDAYS FOR APRIL 8
Steve Howe of Yes and Asia is 62; Mel Schacher of Grand Funk Railroad is 58; Izzy Stradlin of Guns 'N' Roses is 47; Julian Lennon is 46; Paul Gray of Slipknot is 37;

ON THIS DATE
1994 The body of Kurt Cobain is found in his Seattle home. Cobain of Nirvana had committed suicide three days earlier. He was 27
2004 Vince Neil of Motley Crue is given a 30-day suspended jail sentence and is ordered to complete anger-management sessions and is fined $1,000 for allegedly assaulted a prostitute in Nevada in 2003
2006 The Rolling Stones play in Shaghai, their first concert ever in mainland China

CONCERT NEWS
Monday, September 28 RICHARD MARX Epcot Center Lake Buena Vista
Tuesday, Sewptember 29 RICHARD MARX Epcot Center Lake Buena Vista

April 7

ABSOLUTE ROCK BIRTHDAYS FOR APRIL 7
Mick Abrahams formerly with Jethro Tull is 66; Bill Kreutzmann of the Grateful Dead is 63;

ON THIS DATE
1952 Bruce Gary of the Knack was born. Gary died in 2006 in Tarzana, California of Non-Hodgkin lymphoma
1962 Mick Jagger and Keith Richards see Brian Jones perform at The Ealing Club in London. They ask Jones to join their group which eventually will be called the Rolling Stones
1975 Ritchie Blackmore leaves Deep Purple to start Rainbow
1995 At a Burbank airport Eddie Van Halen is detained after a Beretta semi-automatic pistol in his carry-on luggage that is loaded is discovered
1998 Wendy O. Williams commits suicide, and Cozy Powell, drummer for Whitesnake, Rainbow and Black Sabbath, dies in a car accident

CONCERT NEWS
Friday, July 3 BULLETBOYS Muscle Fairgrounds Sarasota

New Releases

NEW RELEASES

April 7
U2...The Lowdown Unauthorized
MUDDY WATERS...King Of The Blues
THE BAND...The Band (Original Recording Remastered)
BLACK SABBATH...Paranoid (Remastered LP, CD/DVD
WHITE LION...Live At The Bang Your Head Festival 2005
NEIL YOUNG...Fork In The Road
GRATEFUL DEAD...To Terrapin: May 28, 1977 Hartford, CT
HURT...Goodbye To The Machine
Bob Dylan Never Ending Tour Diaries: Drummer Winston Watson's Incredible Journey (DVD)
METALLICA...Broken, Beat and Scarred (Part 1) (3 Panel Digipack) [Single)
METALLICA...Broken, Beat and Scarred (Pt. 2) (Single)
FOREIGNER...Soundstage: Foreigner - Live (DVD)
DUFF McKAGAN'S LOADED...Sick
OASIS...I'm Outta Time EP (Japanese Tour Edition)
BUDDY HOLLY...Definitive Story/The Music of Buddy Holly and the Crickets (DVD)
BONO...Bono: Big Daddy (DVD)
EDDIE COCHRAN...Somethin' Else:The Ultimate Collection (Box Set)
MICHAEL SCHENKER...Greatest Riffs
EDDIE COCHRAN...Singin' to My Baby/Eddie Cochran Memorial Album
RANDY MEISNER...Live 1981
ROBERT PALMER...Classic
JERRY LEE LEWIS...Road Begins
BUDDY HOLLY...Blue Days Black Nights
SPENCER DAVIS GROUP...Classic
TEARS FOR FEARS...Classic
FREE...Classic

April 14
BUDDY GUY...The Definitive Buddy
B.B. KING...Icons: B. B. King
WILLIE DIXON...Wang Dang Doodle (DVD)
Various Artist...Rock Heroes, Vol. 2: Metal Edition
THE WHO...The Who: Maximum R&B Live (DVD)
GENESIS...1970-1975 (6 LP 180g Vinyl)(BOX SET)
HARRY CHAPIN...The Story of a Life (DVD)
HURT...Goodbye to the Machine (LP release)


April 28
HEAVEN AND HELL...The Devil You Know

ABSOLUTE ROCK BIRTHDAYS FOR APRIL 6
Warren Haynes of the Allman Brothers Band is 49; Markku Lappalainen formerly with Hoobastank is 36;

ON THIS DATE
1968 Syd Barrett is asked to leave Pink Floyd
2005 The Allman Brothers Band At The Fillmore East (’77) and Nirvana’s Nevermind (’91) are added to the Library of Congress' National Recording Registry. That same day Judas Priest is forced to cancel a show in Katowice because of a decree put forth by the Polish government after the death of Pope John Paul II
2006 Alice In Chains announce that William Duvall will be replacing the late Layne Staley

CONCEET NEWS
Tuesday, April 7 SHINEDOWN House Of Blues Lake Buena Vista