February 28

ON THIS DATE
1942 Brian Jones of the Rolling Stons is born in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, England. Jones died in 1969
1970 Led Zeppelin had to change their name to the Nobs for a show in Copenhagen in order to avoid a lawsuit from the family of airship creator Ferdinand Von Zeppelin
1976 At the Grammys: The Eagles - "Lyin' Eyes' Best Pop Vocal Performance by a Duo or Group
1984 At the Grammys: The Police - "Every Breath You Take" Best Pop Performance and Song of the Year, "Synchronicity" Best Rock Performance
1996 At the Grammys: Hootie And The Blowfish - Best New Artist, Allman Brothers Band - "Jessica" Best Rock Instrumental
2007 The Doors receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. John Densmore does not attend the ceremonies as he is still angry with Ray Manzarek and Robby Krieger

IN CONCERT
Friday, April 23 ALICE IN CHAINS City Of Palms Park Ft. Myers
Sunday, April 25 POP EVIL State Theatre St. Petersburg
Tuesday, April 27 POP EVIL Backbooth Orlando
Wednesday, May 5 SALIVA Firestone Live Orlando

IN THE NEWS
METALLICA – Rare 1982 Demo Of “Hit The Lights”
West Palm to give Ozzy Osbourne key to city on Friday
Disabled AC/DC Fan Impaled At Brisbane Concert

February 27

ROCK BIRTHDAYS FOR FEBRUARY 27
Neal Schon from Journey is 56; Adrian Smith from Iron Maiden is 53; Johnny Van Zant from Lynyrd Skynyrd is 50; Mike Cross from Sponge is 45;

ON THIS DATE
1977 Keith Richards from the Rolling Stones is arrested in Toronto for heroin, cocaine and narcotics paraphernalia. Police believe his intentions are to traffic the drugs. He got off with a fine and community service
1980 At the Grammys: Billy Joel - 52nd Street Best Pop Vocal Performance and Album of the Year
2002 At the Grammys: U2 - Best Rock Album for All That You Can’t Leave Behind, Record of the Year “Walk On”, Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group “Stuck In A Moment You Can’t Get Out Of”, Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group “Elevation”
2006 It is announced that Cold has broken up. They reunited in 2009

IN CONCERT
Friday, April 16 COLD The County Line Saloon Melbourne
Saturday, April 17 COLD Firestone Live Orlando

IN THE NEWS
National Medal of Arts Winners Include Bob Dylan, Clint Eastwood and Maya Lin
Unearthed Rolling Stones Tracks Set to Debut on “Exile on Main Street” Reissue
Aerosmith Reconcile to Announce “Cocked, Locked” Tour of Europe

1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die - #131. The Zombies - Odessey and Oracle (1968)

The Zombies - Odessey and Oracle (1968)

Label – CBS
Producer – The Zombies
Art Direction – Terry Quick
Nationality – UK
Running Time – 33:31

Track Listing (standout tracks listed in bold)

1. Care Of Cell 44
2. Rose For Emily
3. Maybe After He's Gone
4. Beechwood Park
5. Brief Candles
6. Hung Up On A Dream
7. Changes
8. I Want Her She Wants Me
9. This Will Be Our Year
10. Butcher's Tale (Western Front 1914)
11. Friends Of Mine
12. Time Of The Season

What a great record. Sadly the Zombies record “Odessey and Oracle” was all but overlooked completely in England and in the US, against label resistance, it was released in America. It was destined to become a “lost” classic until a strange thing happened. . Two singles, “Care Of Cell 44” and “Friends Of Mine”, had been released to total indifference to push the album, but it wasn’t until the single "Time of the Season," was released (a label executives insisted it was a hit) and it topped the charts nearly two years after it was recorded!!
By then, the group had long disbanded. But this record was recorded by the band knowing it would be their final release. They had worked hard for three years only to see the quality of their live shows suffer and the hits had long stopped coming. They decided to split, but they recorded one last record and broke up before the record had even reached the store shelves. While their first albums included several cover versions, “Odessey and Oracle” consisted entirely of original compositions by the group's two main songwriters, Rod Argent and Chris White.
I knew of them from their two massive hits – “She’s Not There” and “Time of The Season” but really that’s all I had ever heard by them, so this record was a pleasant surprise. Not that the entire album is full of coulda been hits, but it's all consistently interesting and very good listening, and superior to most other psychedelic albums that I have been listening to lately.
The famous misspelling of "odyssey" in the title was the result of a mistake by the designer of the LP cover Terry Quick. The band tried to cover this up at the time of release by claiming the misspelling was intentional.
In 2003, Rolling Stone placed the record in 80th place on their list of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time. In addition it has appeared on a number of greatest albums lists. Stylus magazine selected it as the 196th on their 101-200 Favorite Albums List. The Guardian placed it 77th on their Top 100 Albums That Don’t Appear In All The Other Top 100 Albums Of All Time. Mojo magazine named it the 97th greatest album ever made. It placed 32nd on NME's list and 51st on Q magazine's list of the greatest British albums ever. It consistently ranks in the top 50 on the constantly changing Rate Your Music greatest ever albums list.
It is highly recommended.


You can purchase the CD here

ROCK BIRTHDAYS FOR FEBRUARY 26
Fats Domino is 82; Paul Cotton from Poco is 67; Jonathan Cain from Journey is 60; Tim Commerford from Audioslave is 42;

ON THIS DATE
1985 At the Grammy's: Best Rock Male Performance - Bruce Springsteen "Dancing In The Dark"
1996 At the 38th Grammy's: Best Hard Rock Performance - Pearl Jam “Spin The Black Circle”
2008 Buddy Miles dies at the age of 60. He had been the drummer for Jimi Hendrix. He had also performed with Carlos Santana and David Bowie

IN CONCERT
Saturday, February 27 YES Sea World Orlando
Saturday, February 27 BREAKING BENJAMIN/THREE DAYS GRACE St. Pete Times Forum Tampa
Saturday, April 24 THEORY OF A DEADMAN Embry Riddle University Daytona Beach
Saturday, July 3 PAT BENATAR/REO SPEEDWAGON Universal Studios Orlando

IN THE NEWS

Genesis Says Peter Gabriel Missing Rock Hall Induction Is No 'Snub'
Bon Jovi Tour Doubles As Homeless Research Mission
Billy Joel Dismisses Rumors He Yanked Tour With Elton John

1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die - #130. Scott Walker - Scott 2 (1968)

Scott Walker - Scott 2 (1968)

Label – Phillips
Producer – John Franz and Peter J Olliff
Art Direction – Uncredited
Nationality – USA
Running Time – 43:47

Track Listing (standout tracks listed in bold)

1. Jackie
2. Best Of Both Worlds
3. Black Sheep Boy
4. Amourous Humphrey Plugg
5. Next
6. Girls From The Streets
7. Plastic Palace People
8. Wait Until Dark
9. Girls And The Dogs
10. Windows Of The World
11. Bridge
12. Come Next Spring

I had never heard of Scott Walker before playing this record. Turns out he was originally in a 60’s band called the ‘Walker Brothers’ and they had a number of top ten albums and singles including number 1 chart hits "Make It Easy on Yourself" and "The Sun Ain't Gonna Shine (Anymore)" – neither of which I can recall ever hearing!
As the album title might suggest, this was Walker's second album and was his biggest commercial success, where it actually reached number one in Britain for 18 weeks! It is considered by many to be his greatest artistic triumph. At the peak of this fame in 1969, he had his own British TV series, Scott, featuring solo Walker performances of ballads, big band standards and introductions of his own and Jacques Brel compositions.
Best way to describe him is a crooner. Think Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin or even Neil Diamond. They all came to mind as I listened to this record. On the surface it’s ok enough, but then as I listened closer the humor in the lyrics made me really like this record. Complete with Burt Bacharach, Tim Hardin, and his main influence Jacques Brel (who is covered three times on this record) the production is over-the-top, with schmaltzy orchestral arrangements, it’s easy to miss what is going on lyrically. Tracks about prostitutes, homosexuality, brothels and ganaria!
The Brel tune "Next" with its not-so-hidden hints of homosexuality and abuse. Another Brel tune, "The Girl and the Dogs," with it’s jaded view of romance comparing girls to dogs. The album included his first Top 20 U.K. hit, "Jackie" who he sings about "in a stupid ass way"! That over-the-top show ballad production did get overbearing and by the last few tracks I was ready for the record to be over.
It is recommended with caution.


You can purchase the 180 gram vinyl here

TOP 10 ROCK CD'S/DOWNLOADS FOR THIS WEEK (2-25-2010)
(2)1. Various Artist...2010 Grammy Nominees
(5)2. NICKELBACK...Dark Horse
(3)3. ROB ZOMBIE...Hellbilly Deluxe 2
(4)4. DAUGHTRY...Leave This Town
(7)5. THEM CROOKED VULTURES...Them Crooked Vultures
(1)6. DAVE MATTHEWS/TIM REYNOLDS...Live In Las Vegas
(8)7. SHINEDOWN...The Sound Of Madness
(9)8. BREAKING BENJAMIN...Dear Agony
(Re-enter)9. Various Artist...Twilight soundtrack
(Re-enter)10. THREE DAYS GRACE...Life Starts Now

ROCK BIRTHDAYS FOR FEBRUARY 25
Dennis Diken from The Smithereens is 53; Mike Peters from The Alarm is 51; Richard Liles, formerly with 3 Doors Down, is 37;

ON THIS DATE
1943 George Harrison is born in Liverpool, England. Harrison died in 2001
1963 VeeJay Records releases "Please Please Me" by the Beatles in the U.S. It does nothing
1981 At the Grammys: Billy Joel-Glass Houses Best Rock Vocal Performance, Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band-“Against The Wind” Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group With Vocal
1985 U2 begin their first U.S. tour. That same night Sting performed his first solo gig in New York City
1986 At the 28th Grammys: Don Henley-“The Boys Of Summer” Best Rock Male Vocal Performance
1992 At the 34th Grammys: Bonnie Raitt-Luck Of The Draw Best Rock Vocal Performance, Solo and “Something To Talk About” Best Pop Vocal Performance, Female
1990 At the 40th Grammys: The Wallflowers-"One Headlight" Best Rock Song and Best Rock Performance By A Group. That same evening Roy Orbision is inducted into the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences
2008 Eddie Van Halen and Valerie Bertinelli appear on the Oprah Winfrey Show. The topic: their failed marriage

IN CONCERT
Friday, February 26 THREE DAYS GRACE/BREAKING BENJAMIN Germain Arena Estero
Sunday, May 9 TOM PETTY AND THE HEARTBREAKERS/JOE COCKER St. Pete Times Forum Tampa
Sunday, September 5 SURVIVOR Busch Gardens Tampa Bay

IN THE NEWS
Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers Announce New Album, Tour
Sting To Play Police, Solo Hits With Royal Philharmonic
Carlos Santana Celebrates 'Supernatural' Reissue, Talks Covers Album

February 24

ROCK BIRTHDAYS FOR FEBRUARY 24
Paul Jones from Manfred Mann is 68; Lonnie Turner, formerly with the Steve Miller Band, is 63; George Thorogood is 60;

ON THIS DATE
1969 The Jimi Hendrix Experience performed their last concert in London at the Royal Albert Hall
1992 Kurt Cobain of Nirvana and Courtney Love marry
1993 At the Grammys: Eric Clapton's "Tears In Heaven" is the big winner of the evening, Melissa Etheridge’s "Ain’t It Heavy" wins Best Rock Performance, Female, Best Hard Rock Song goes to the Red Hot Chili Peppers "Give It Away"
1998 The Smashing Pumplins are sued by Virgin Records, who claim the band owed them an album three months earlier
2004 After We Go by Tantric is released
2008 ZZ Top play a pre-race show at the '08 Auto Club 500, the debut West Coast event of the NASCAR season, at the California Speedway

IN CONCERT
Sunday, March 14 LYNYRD SKYNYRD Florida Strawberry Festival Grounds Plant City
Saturday, Rocktober 2 RICHIE HAVENS Orange County Convention Center Orlando
Thursday, Rocktober 28 STARSHIP featuring Mickey Thomas Disney World Lake Buena Vista

IN THE NEWS
Black Eyed Peas Take John Lennon Educational Tour Bus On The Road
Jeff Beck on New LP “Emotion & Commotion” and Recording the Perfect Guitar Solo
Roger Daltrey Wants to Sing the Blues With Jimmy Page

1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die - #129. Caetano Veloso - Caetano Veloso (1968)

Caetano Veloso - Caetano Veloso (1968)

Label – Phillips
Producer – Caetano Veloso
Art Direction – Uncredited
Nationality – Brazil
Running Time – 34:04

Track Listing (standout tracks listed in bold)

1. Tropicália
2. Clarice
3. No Dia Em Que Eu Vim-me Embora
4. Alegria, Alegria
5. Onde Andarás
6. Anunciação
7. Superbacana
8. Paisagem Util
9. Clara
10. Soy Loco Por Tí, América
11. Ave Maria
12. Eles

We were on such a great roll of some fantastic albums, and then this. Just not my cup of tea at all. Caetano Veloso is a self titled album released in Brazil in 1968. There are not any tracks sung in English, and was really rough to sit all of the way through. Knowing Portuguese helps a lot I’m sure.
I’m sure if you are into this type of music, this is probably one of the best as I read it had 3 chart topping tracks, and Rolling Stone Brazil named it the 37th best Brazilian music album of all time. It attained little commercial success outside of Brazil. Not too much more I can say about this record.
I cannot recommend it.


You can purchase the CD here

ROCK BIRTHDAYS FOR FEBRUARY 23
Johnny Winter is 66; Brad Whitford from Aerosmith is 58; Michael Wilton from Queensryche is 48; Jeff Beres from Sister Hazel is 39;

ON THIS DATE
1965 The Beatles begin filming their second movie Eight Arms To Hold You, later named Help!, in the Bahamas
1978 At the Grammys The Eagles win Record Of The Year for "Hotel California" and Fleetwood Mac wins Album Of The Year for Rumours
2000 Carlos Santana won eight Grammy awards, including album of the year for "Supernatural," tying the record set by Michael Jackson in 1983 for most trophies in one night. Elton John receives the Living Legend Award
2005 Muscle Shoals Studio in Sheffield Alabama has to close due to lack of business. We've all heard music that was recorded there by acts such as the Rolling Stones, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Bob Dylan and others
2006 The Rolling Stones have a free concert in Buenos Aires, Argentina. 20 people are injured as the crowd becomes a little rowdy

IN THE NEWS
U.K. Govt Steps In To Protect Abbey Road
Hackers expose security flaws with 'Elvis Presley' passport
Velvet Revolver To Continue Singer Search Despite Solo Projects

1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die - #128. Jeff Beck - Truth (1968)

Jeff Beck - Truth (1968)

Label – Columbia
Producer – Mickie Most
Art Direction – Uncredited
Nationality – UK
Running Time – 40:50

Track Listing (standout tracks listed in bold)

1. Shapes Of Things
2. Let Me Love You
3. Morning Dew
4. You Shook Me
5. Ol' Man River
6. Greensleeves
7. Rock My Plimsoul
8. Beck's Bolero
9. Blues Deluxe
10. I Ain't Superstitious

What a great record. This is another one of those records that I first discovered during my high school days. “Truth” was the first ‘solo’ album by Jeff Beck and his backing group. And what a backing group. Vocals by the still virtually unknown Rod Stewart, Ron Wood on bass and Mickey Waller on drums, as well as Beck himself on guitar. At the time of it’s release it did get some great reviews, but is now widely regarded as one of the first heavy metal albums, and it IS heavy with a nice blending of hard rock and blues.
The record opens using Beck’s old Yardbirds hit "Shapes of Things" but it is a totally re-worked version of the track. Other highlights are versions of Willie Dixon's "You Shook Me" and "I Ain't Superstitious"; a interesting version of Jerome Kern's "Ol' Man River" given a slow electric blues treatment, and the delicate solo acoustic version of "Greensleeves". Guests include both guitarist Jimmy Page and bassist/keyboardist John Paul Jones on "Beck's Bolero".
The album did really well for an ‘unknown’ band reaching number 15 in America.
It is highly recommended.


You can purchase the CD here

NEW RELEASES
February 23
New
Various Artist...Covering Clapton From Cream And Beyond
URIAH HEEP...Official Bootleg - 19.12.2009 Gusswerk, Salzburg
JANIS JOPLIN/BIG BROTHER AND THE HOLDING COMPANY...Lost Tapes

Reissues, Remasters, Box Sets
STEVIE RAY VAUGHAN...Texas Flood (vinyl)
STEVIE RAY VAUGHAN...Couldn't Stand The Weather (vinyl)
STEVIE RAY VAUGHAN...Soul To Soul (vinyl)
Various Artist...Classic Rock Hits (Box Set)

March 2
New
PETER GABRIEL...Scratch My Back (Deluxe Edition)
LIFEHOUSE...Smoke And Mirrors (Deluxe Edition)
Reissues
DIRE STRAITS...Communiqué (180 gram vinyl)

March 16
Reissues, Remasters
DEEP PURPLE...Machine Head (24 karat gold)

ROCK BIRTHDAYS FOR FEBRUARY 22
Scott Phillips of Creed and Alter Bridge is 37;

ON THIS DATE
1963 Northern Music Publishing Company is formed by the Beatles
1965 The Beatles leave for the Bahamas to begin filming Help!
1967 "A Day In The Life" is finished by the Beatles, which would appear 4 months later on Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band
1989 At the 31st Grammy's: Jethro Tull beats out Metallica for Best Hard Rock/Metal Performance Vocal or Instrumental
2007 It is announced that Ryan Yerdon is the new drummer for Puddle Of Mudd

IN THE NEWS
EMI Wants to Hold on to Abbey Road
Rock Star: KISS TV Show Coming?
SLASH Says VELVET REVOLVER Vocalist Search Is Still Ongoing

February 21

ROCK BIRTHDAYS FOR FEBRUARY 21
Jerry Harrison from the Talking Heads is 61; Eric Wilson from Sublime is 40; Tad Kinchla from Blues Traveler is 37;

ON THIS DATE
1951 Vince Welnick of the Tubes and the Grateful Dead is born in Phoenix, Arizona. Welnick died in 2006
1968 The rights for Hunter Davies' authorized biography of the Beatles is given to McGraw-Hill Publishing
1990 Bonnie Raitt wins big at the Grammys, Album of the Year (“Nick Of Time”), Best Pop Vocal Performance, Female (“Nick Of Time”), Best Rock Vocal Performance, Female (“Nick Of Time”)
2001 At the Grammy's: Steely Dan wins Album Of The Year and Best Pop Vocal Album for Two Against Nature, Record Of The Year, Song Of The Year and Best Rock performance go to "Beautiful Day" by U2
2006 Kid Rock iles a lawsuit in Detroit seeking to halt the sale and distribution of a '99 videotape featuring him and Scott Stapp of Creed engaging in sex acts with four women
2007 Danny Carey, drummer for Tool, undergoes surgery for a torn bicep

IN CONCERT
Thursday, April 15 STEPHEN STILLS House Of Blues Lake Buena Vista

IN THE NEWS
Derek Trucks Goes Behind the Allman Brothers’ Beacon Box Set
The Who’s Future Uncertain as Townshend’s Tinnitus Returns
Senator Mellencamp? Grassroots Campaign Urges Rocker to Run

February 20

ROCK BIRTHDAYS FOR FEBRUARY 20
J. Geils is 64; Walter Becker from Steely Dan is 60; Jon Brant, formerly with Cheap Trick, is 56;

ON THIS DATE
1967 Kurt Donald Cobain from Nirvana was born.
1976 Kiss embedded their platform boots into wet cement outside Grauman’s Chinese Theatre in Hollywood
1980 Ronald Belford Scott of AC/DC is pronounced dead
In 2003 A fire broke out during a rock concert at The Station nightclub in West Warwick, Rhode Island killing 100 people and injuring about 200 others. Great White was performing that night. Ty Longley from the band was one of the 100 to die
2007 Dave Navarro, formerly with Jane's Addicition and the Red Hot Chili Peppers, has has divorced finalized from Carmen Electra
2008 Devon Townsend receives a 2 year sentence behind bars. She is found guilty of harrassing Chester Bennington of Linkin Park and his wife

IN CONCERT
Sunday, February 21 HUEY LEWIS AND THE NEWS Busch Gardens Tampa
Sunday, February 21 GREAT WHITE Ocala Entertainment Complex Ocala
Sunday, February 21 JOHN MAYALL Coachman Park Clearwater
Friday, April 30 ZZ TOP Kings Center For The Performing Arts Melbourne

IN THE NEWS
Kurt Cobain Biopic Moves Along as Fans Mark Nirvana Icon’s Birthday
Beck and Clapton Trade Epic Licks as Co-Headlining Tour Launches
Alice Cooper on Loving Lady Gaga and His Broadway “Nightmare”

1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die - #127. The Band - Music From Big Pink (1968)

The Band - Music From Big Pink (1968)

Label – Capitol
Producer – John Simon
Art Direction – Milton Glaser – Painting by Bob Dylan
Nationality – Canada / USA
Running Time – 42:00

Track Listing (standout tracks listed in bold)

1. Tears Of Rage
2. To Kingdom Come
3. In A Station
4. Caledonian Mission
5. The Weight
6. We Can Talk
7. Long Black Veil
8. Chest Fever
9. Lonesome Suzie
10. This Wheel's On Fire
11. I Shall Be Released

Famous for being Bob Dylan’s backing band and time spent at a shared house in upstate New York recording what would become “The Basement Tapes”, the first release by The Band came as a surprise. On the surface the album has a laid back feel to it like the tapes were rolling and captured some great jam sessions made up right then and there. It’s on closer inspection that that the quality of the playing, the arrangements and the lyrics begin to sink in. All of the members shine on this record. That tenor haunting fragile voice of Richard Manuel gives the record an almost scary tinge to it, where as Rick Danko and Levon Helm’s vocals are strong, ragged and rustic. It’s all held together by Garth Hudson's organ and Robbie Robertson's inventive guitar passes. Having been associated with Dylan it’s not surprising that it features three songs he has a writing credit on. He also painted the cover art for the record. However the groups "The Weight" became a minor singles chart entry, and this record established the group as one who stood on their own as well. Over time, “Music from Big Pink” has come to be regarded as a benchmark in the history of rock. At the time, "The Weight" peaked at #63 on Billboard's Hot 100 singles chart (North America). The album peaked at #30 on Billboard's Pop Albums chart in 1968, and then recharted as a #8 hit on the Top Internet Albums chart in 2000. In 2003, the album was ranked number 34 on Rolling Stone magazine's list of the 500 greatest albums of all time.
It is highly recommended.


You can purchase the vinyl here

ROCK BIRTHDAYS FOR FEBRUARY 19
Tony Iommi from Sabbath and Heaven and Hell is 62; Mark Andes from Heart is 61; Daniel Adair from Nickelback is 35;

ON THIS DATE
1974 Kiss appear on Don Kirshner's Rock Concert


1980 Bon Scott from AC/DC goes out drinking on the town with friends. This is the night that Scott would end up passed out in a car and found unconscious the next day. Doctors were unable to help him
1996 Oasis win a couple of awards at the BRIT Awards in London for Best Video ("Wonderwall") and Best Album (“(What’s The Story) Morning Glory?”). During one of the acceptance speechs they refer to record industry folks as "Corporate pigs"
2009 Kelly Groucutt, formerly with Electric Light Orchestra, dies in Worcester, Worcestershire, England. Groucutt was 63

IN CONCERT
Saturday, February 20 THE ROBERT CRAY BAND Coachmen Park Clearwater
Saturday, February 20 WHTQ'S BLUES-B-Q FESTIVAL featuring JOHN MAYALL City Hall Plaza Orlando
Saturday, February 20 BLONDIE Universal Studios Orlando
Tuesday, April 27 GOO GOO DOLLS Hard Rock Cafe Orlando

IN THE NEWS
Tool's Maynard James Keenan Turns Attention To Puscifer
Eric Clapton On Jeff Beck’s Singing and Having An Old Man’s Voice
Slash on Recording With Ozzy and Lemmy, Plans for Summer Tour

Top 10 Rock CD's/Downloads For This Week (2-18-2010)

TOP 10 ROCK CD'S/DOWNLOADS FOR THIS WEEK (2-18-2010)
(Enter)1. DAVE MATTHEWS/TIM REYNOLDS...Live In Las Vegas
(1)2. Various Artist...2010 Grammy Nominees
(2)3. ROB ZOMBIE...Hellbilly Deluxe 2
(5)4. DAUGHTRY...Leave This Town
(4)5. NICKELBACK...Dark Horse
(Enter)6. THE WHO...Greatest Hits
(7)7. THEM CROOKED VULTURES...Them Crooked Vultures
(8)8. SHINEDOWN...The Sound Of Madness
(9)9. BREAKING BENJAMIN...Dear Agony
(3)10. DAVE MATTHEWS BAND...Big Whiskey And The GrooGrux King

ROCK BIRTHDAYS FOR FEBRUARY 18
Dennis DeYoung, formerly with Styx, is 63; Robbie Bachman, formerly with Bachman-Turner Overdrive, is 57; Larry Rust, formerly with Iron Butterfly, is 57;

ON THIS DATE:
1968 David Gilmour becomes the guitarist for Pink Floyd, replacing Syd Barrett
1974 Kiss by Kiss is released
1980 Bill Wyman announces he will be leaving the Rolling Stones. However, he doesn't do it until 1992.
1992 Vince Neil leaves Motley Crue. As we all know, he is with the band currently
1995 Bob Stinson from the Replacements passes away

IN CONCERT
Friday, February 19 THE ROBERT CRAY BAND Plaza Theatre Orlando
Saturday, May 29 EVE 6 Firestone Live Orlando

IN THE NEWS
Kurt Cobain Biopic Moving Ahead
Aerosmith Plots Summer European Tour
Bruce Springsteen Fans To Get Ticketmaster Refund

1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die - #126. The Small Faces - Ogden's Nut Gone Flake (1968)

The Small Faces - Ogden's Nut Gone Flake (1968)

Label – Immediate
Producer – Ronnie Lane and Steve Marriott
Art Direction – Ronnie Lane
Nationality – UK
Running Time – 38:27
Track Listing (standout tracks listed in bold)

1. Ogden's Nut Gone Flake
2. Afterglow Of Your Love
3. Long Agos And Worlds Apart
4. Rene
5. Song Of A Baker
6. Lazy Sunday
7. Happiness Stan
8. Rollin' Over
9. Hungry Intruder
10. Journey
11. Mad John
12. Happy Days Toy Town

“Ogdens' Nut Gone Flake” was a concept album by the English rock band Small Faces. Coming after the success of "Itchycoo Park" this album was a mix of all the popular albums being released at the time. It’s a variety show, it’s a storytellers album and it’s a actor/performer piece. The Small Faces tried a little bit of all of these approaches on this record. Side one's material would not have been out of place on any other Small Faces release, and it is top notch. "Afterglow (Of Your Love)", "Rene", "Song of a Baker." and "Lazy Sunday," are all guitar crunching bass and drum pounding anthems the Small Faces were known for. Side two – the story side - is more elaborate, with overdubbed harps and light orchestration here and there, all linked by a narration about a character called "Happiness Stan." The core of the sound is still the pounding beats on tracks like "Rollin' Over".
This was a very enjoyable album to listen to and it’s not surprising that the record went to number one spot on the U.K. charts for six weeks in 1968. Although the core of the group would go on to greater success as simply the Faces – this was the Small Faces crowning achievement. The album was originally released on vinyl in a circular novelty package of a metal replica of a giant tobacco tin inside which was a poster created with 6 connected paper circles with pictures of the band members. The title and the design of the distinctive packaging was a parody of Ogdens' Nut-brown Flake, a brand of tobacco which was produced in Liverpool from 1899. In 2000 Q magazine placed Ogden's Nut Gone Flake at number 59 in its list of the 100 Greatest British Albums Ever
It is recommended.


You can purchase the vinyl LP here

ROCK BIRTHDAYS FOR FEBRUARY 17
Billie Joe Armstrong from Green Day is 38;

ON THIS DATE
1972 Pink Floyd perform the Dark Side Of The Moon album in a concert in London. The album would not be released for another year
1973 In Hollywood, Florida Free performs their final concert
1975 Rock And Roll by John Lennon is released
1976 Their Greatest Hits 1971-1975 by the Eagles is released. It is currently the second highest selling album of all time in America
1990 Aerosmith appear on "Saturday Night Live" in a "Wayne's World" skit

IN CONCERT
Saturday, March 20 SAVING ABEL St. Pete Times Forum Tampa
Friday, May 28 EVE 6 The State Theatre St. Petersburg

IN THE NEWS
Jeff Beck Takes Risks For 'Emotion & Commotion'
Yoko Ono Brings Eric Clapton, Bette Midler, Sean Lennon To Rare Brooklyn Gig
Lady Gaga, Soundgarden, Green Day, Strokes Tipped For Lollapalooza 2010

February 16

ROCK BIRTHDAYS FOR FEBRUARY 16
Andy Taylor from Duran Duran is 49; Dave Lombardo from Slayer is 45; Taylor Hawkins from the Foo Fighters is 38;

ON THIS DATE
1975 Lou Reed gets hit with a brick while a political group tries to stop his concert and police use tear gas
1993 At the 12th annual BRIT Awards in London Nirvana is given the award for Best International Newcomer
2005 In London Jimi Hendrix memorabilia go on auction. A 1965 Fender Stratocaster owned by Jimi goes for $190,000
2005 An arrest warrant is issued for Kid Rock after he allegedly punched a DJ at a strip bar. Rock turns himself in to Nashville police and is charged with misdemeanor simple assault and released after posting a $3,000 bond
2006 Elton John wins a libel case he filed against London's Sunday Times newspaper over an article it ran claiming that he exhibited rude behavior at an '05 charity ball
2007 Ian Astbury leaves Riders On The Storm, the band formed by Ray Manzarek and Robby Krieger

IN CONCERT
Thursday, August 26 SOUL ASYLUM Hard Rock Hotel Orlando

IN THE NEWS
EMI to sell iconic Abbey Road studios
AEROSMITH, RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE Added To UK's Download Festival
Def Leppard: Behine The Music

1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die - #125. Simon and Garfunkel - Bookends (1968)

Simon and Garfunkel - Bookends (1968)

Label – Columbia
Producer – Art Garfunkel, Roy Halee, Paul Simon
Art Direction – Uncredited
Nationality – USA
Running Time – 28:55

Track Listing (standout tracks listed in bold)

1. Bookends Theme
2. Save The Life Of My Child
3. America
4. Overs
5. Voice Of Old People
6. Old Friends
7. Bookends Theme
8. Fakin' It
9. Punky's Dilemma
10. Mrs Robinson
11. Hazy Shade Of Winter
12. At The Zoo

Simon and Garfunkel just made great music. Period. “Bookends” was a ‘kinda’ concept album, with the first side following the views of ageing, while the second side contained what were essentially throw away songs from “The Graduate” soundtrack. It all starts with the most minimal of openings with the theme, an acoustic guitar stating itself slowly and plaintively before erupting into a big sound of synthesizers that is "Save the Life of My Child." The classic "America" is next The song is a message of hope as two people travel the American landscape searching for America until it dawns on them that everyone else on the freeway is doing the same thing! The final three tracks, "Mrs. Robinson," (the theme song for the film The Graduate) "A Hazy Shade of Winter," and "At the Zoo," are all just top notch Paul Simon classics.
“Bookends” was a #1 hit on Billboard's Pop Albums chart, as well as in the UK. Four singles charted: "A Hazy Shade of Winter," "At the Zoo," "Fakin' It" and "Mrs. Robinson," which peaked at #13, #16 and #23 and #1, respectively. Interestingly, the song “America” was released as a single in 1972, to coincide with the album “Simon and Garfunkel's Greatest Hits”, and eventually hit #97 on the Billboard Hot 100.
In 2003, the TV network VH1 named the record the 93rd greatest album of all time. In 2003, the album was ranked number 233 on Rolling Stone magazine's list of the 500 greatest albums of all time.
It is HIGHLY recommended.


You can purchase the CD here


New Releases
February 16
Reissues
SANTANA...Supernatural (Deluxe Edition, Extra Tracks)
THE BLACK CROWES...Warpaint Live (vinyl release)

February 23
New
LIFEHOUSE...Smoke And Mirrors
Various Artist...Covering Clapton From Cream And Beyond
URIAH HEEP...Official Bootleg - 19.12.2009 Gusswerk, Salzburg
JANIS JOPLIN/BIG BROTHER AND THE HOLDING COMPANY...Lost Tapes

Reissues, Remasters, Box Sets
STEVIE RAY VAUGHAN...Texas Flood (vinyl)
STEVIE RAY VAUGHAN...Couldn't Stand The Weather (vinyl)
STEVIE RAY VAUGHAN...Soul To Soul (vinyl)
Various Artist...Classic Rock Hits (Box Set)

March 16
Reissues, Remasters
DEEP PURPLE...Machine Head (24 karat gold)

ROCK BIRTHDAYS FOR FEBRUARY 15
Mick Avory from The Kinks is 66; John Helliwell from Supertramp is 65; Stevie Benton from Drowning Pool is 39; Brandon Boyd from Incubus is 34;

ON THIS DATE
1947 David Brown, who was a member of Santana twice, is born. Brown died in 2000
1977 Rumours by Fleetwood Mac is released
1998 The Rolling Stones wrap up their Bridges To Babylon tour in Las Vegas
2006 The National Trust heritage organization declares the gravesite of Bon Scott of AC/DC in Fremantle, Australia a historic site
2007 It is announced that Audioslave has officially called it quits
2008 Don Henley of the Eagles and his wife donate $4,000 a piece to Lt. Gov. Beverly Perdue of North Carolina, who is running for governor. Her rival, Richard Moore, holds a press conference apologizing for using "Life In The Fast Lane" in commercials without permission

IN THE NEWS
Axl not sweet to fashionistas
DEEP PURPLE - Machine Head Being Reissued By Audio Fidelity
Creed Goodies To Be Won!

February 14

ROCK BIRTHDAYS FOR FEBRUARY 14
Roger Fisher from Heart is 60; Ricky Wolking from The Nixons is 44; Rob Thomas from Matchbox Twenty is 38;

ON THIS DATE
1970 The Who perform at Leeds University in Leeds, West Yorkshire in the UK. This turns out to be the Live At Leeds album, which totally will ROCK your butt off!!!
1972 John Lennon and Yoko Ono begin a week long stint as co-host of The Mike Dougles Show. An interesting week, indeed
1972 Steppenwolf officially call it quits
1984 Aerosmith performs in Boston. In attendance were original members Joe Perry and Brad Whitford. They rejoin the group after meeting the band backstage after the show
2008 And ex member of Boston, Barry Goudreau, had been performing the Boston classic "More Than A Feeling" at rallies for Republican presidential hopeful Mike Huckabee. Tom Scholtz sends Huckabee a letter asking him to stop using "something of mine and using it to promote ideas to which I am opposed"

IN CONCERT
Saturday, April 24 98 ROCKFEST with ALICE IN CHAINS, LIMP BIZKIT, PUDDLE OF MUDD, SEVENDUST, HELLYEAH and others St. Pete Times Forum Tampa
Saturday, May 1 EARTHDAY BIRTHDAY with KORN, PAPA ROACH, CHEVELLE, FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH Tinker Field Orlando

IN THE NEWS
Judas Priest British Steel Revisited
Alice In Chains Make Comic Decision
R.I.P. Doug Fieger

February 13

ROCK BIRTHDAYS FOR FEBRUARY 13
Peter Tork from The Monkees is 68; Peter Gabriel is 60; Ed Gagliardi, formerly with Foreigner, is 58; Henry Rollins is 49; Todd Harrell from 3 Doors Down is 38;

ON THIS DATE
1955 Elvis Presley performs in Lubbock, Texas. Buddy and Bob open for Elvis. The Buddy is, yes, you guessed it, none other than Buddy Holly himself
1970 Black Sabbath release the debut album Black Sabbath
1972 Government officials in Singapore refuse to let Led Zeppelin off of their plane simply because their hair was to long
1982 Police find the stolen gravestone belonging to Ronnie Van Zant of Lynyrd Skynyrd in a dry river bed
2005 The Grammy Hall Of Fame inducts Let It Bleed by the Rolling Stones. The 47th Grammys award U2 with the Best Rock Song for 'Vertigo', Best Rock Album goes to Green Day for American Idiot, Best Hard Rock performance-Velvet Revolver for 'Slither'. In the meantime Slash has his tophat stolen that he had worn for 15 years
2006 It is announced that Brett Scallions has left Fuel

IN THE NEWS
The Who’s Townshend Reveals the Story Behind Big Super Bowl Set
AC/DC Fans Warned To Go Easy On Alcohol
Sass Jordan Slams Possibility of Replacing Steven Tyler in Aerosmith

Central Florida Concert Datebook

CENTRAL FLORIDA CONCERT DATEBOOK

Thursday, March 4 THE MOODY BLUES Ruth Eckerd Hall Clearwater
Monday, March 8 THE MOODY BLUES Hard Rock Cafe Orlando
Tuesday, March 9 THE MOODY BLUES King Center for the Performing Arts Melbourne
Thursday, March 11 THE MOODY BLUES Van Wezel Performing Arts Center Sarasota
Thursday, March 11 JOHN CAFFERTY Orlando
Saturday, March 13 ED KOWALCZYK (of LIVE) House Of Blues Lake Buena Vista
Saturday, March 13 ERIC CLAPTON/ROGER DALTRY Amway Arena Orlando
Saturday, March 13 COLLECTIVE SOUL City Hall Plaza Orlando
Sunday, March 14 LYNYRD SKYNYRD Florida Strawberry Festival Grounds Plant City
Thursday, March 18 RICHARD MARX Capitol Theatre Clearwater
Friday, March 19 RICHARD MARX Plaza Theatre Orlando
Saturday, March 20 FOREIGNER King Center for the Performing Arts Melbourne
Saturday, March 20 SAVING ABEL St. Pete Times Forum Tampa
Sunday, March 21 GEORGE THOROGOOD AND THE DESTROYERS House Of Blues Lake Buena Vista
Wednesday, March 24 AARON LEWIS of STAIND Hard Rock Cafe Orlando
Thursday, March 25 BLUE OYSTER CULT Hard Rock Cafe Orlando
Friday, March 26 FOGHAT Downtown Bradenton
Friday, March 26 .38 SPECIAL Jannus Landing St. Petersburg
Saturday, March 27 BRYAN ADAMS Polk Theatre Lakeland
Saturday, April 3 LEON RUSSELL The Plaza Theater Orlando
Friday, April 9 TAMPA BAY BLUES FESTIVAL: JIMMIE VAUGHAN Vinoy Park St. Petersburg
Saturday, April 10 TAMPA BAY BLUES FESTIVAL: KENNY WAYNE SHEPHERD Vinoy Park St. Petersburg
Saturday, April 10 CHRIS HILLMAN & HERB PEDERSEN TBA St. Petersburg
Sunday, April 11 JIMMIE VAUGHAN The Plaza Theatre Orlando
Sunday, April 11 CHRIS HILLMAN & HERB PEDERSEN TBA Lakeland
Tuesday, April 13 LOCAL H Orpheum Tampa
Wednesday, April 14 LOCAL H The Social Orlando
Thursday, April 15 STEPHEN STILLS House Of Blues Lake Buena Vista
Friday, April 16 NELSON Epcot Center Lake Buena Vista
Friday, April 16 STYX Hard Rock Cafe Orlando
Friday, April 16 COLIN HAY (of MEN AT WORK) Capitol Theatre Clearwater
Friday, April 16 COLD The County Line Saloon Melbourne
Saturday, April 17 COLD Firestone Live Orlando
Saturday, April 17 NELSON Epcot Center Lake Buena Vista
Saturday, April 17 BON JOVI St. Pete Times Forum Tampa
Saturday, April 17 COLIN HAY (of MEN AT WORK) Plaza Theatre Orlando
Sunday, April 18 NELSON Epcot Center Lake Buena Vista
Monday, April 19 NICKELBACK/BREAKING BENJAMIN/SICK PUPPIES Amway Arena Orlando
Friday, April 23 ALICE IN CHAINS City Of Palms Park Ft. Myers
Saturday, April 24 WARRANT Leesburg Bikefest Downtown Leesburg
Saturday, April 24 98 ROCKFEST with ALICE IN CHAINS, LIMP BIZKIT, PUDDLE OF MUDD, SEVENDUST, HELLYEAH and others St. Pete Times Forum Tampa
Saturday, April 24 THEORY OF A DEADMAN Embry Riddle University Daytona Beach
Sunday, April 25 POP EVIL State Theatre St. Petersburg
Tuesday, April 27 GOO GOO DOLLS Hard Rock Cafe Orlando
Tuesday, April 27 POP EVIL Backbooth Orlando
Thursday, April 29 SPIN DOCTORS Hard Rock Hotel Orlando
Friday, April 30 ZZ TOP Kings Center For The Performing Arts Melbourne
Saturday, May 1 EARTHDAY BIRTHDAY with KORN, PAPA ROACH, CHEVELLE, FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH, HELLYEAH, HALESTORM Tinker Field Orlando
Wednesday, May 5 SALIVA Firestone Live Orlando
Sunday, May 9 TOM PETTY AND THE HEARTBREAKERS/JOE COCKER St. Pete Times Forum Tampa
Friday, May 28 EVE 6 The State Theatre St. Petersburg
Saturday, May 29 EVE 6 Firestone Live Orlando
Saturday, June 12 PAT TRAVERS TBA Kissimmee
Saturday, July 3 SURVIVOR Busch Gardens Tampa
Saturday, July 3 PAT BENATAR/REO SPEEDWAGON Universal Studios Orlando
Tuesday, July 13 RINGO STARR AND THE ALL-STARR BAND (with EDGAR WINTER, GARY WRIGHT, GREG BISSONETTE, RICHARD PAGE, RICK DERRINGER and WALLY PALMER) Ruth Eckerd Hall Clearwater
Wednesday, July 28 DAVE MATTHEWS BAND Ford Ampitheatre Tampa
Tuesday, August 10 ROCKSTAR ENERGY MAYHEM FESTIVAL featuring ATREYU, FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH, KORN, ROB ZOMBIE and others Ford Ampitheatre Tampa
Thursday, August 26 SOUL ASYLUM Hard Rock Hotel Orlando
Sunday, September 5 SURVIVOR Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
Saturday, September 11 RED Disney World Lake Buena Vista
Friday, Rocktober 1 LOS LOBOS Orange County Convention Center Orlando
Saturday, Rocktober 2 RICHIE HAVENS Orange County Convention Center Orlando
Saturday, Rocktober 16 JERRY LEE LEWIS Reunion Resort Orlando
Thursday, Rocktober 28 STARSHIP featuring Mickey Thomas Disney World Lake Buena Vista
Saturday, December 4 DON FELDER Youkey Theatre Lakeland

1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die - #124. The Pretty Things - S. F. Sorrow (1968)

The Pretty Things - S. F. Sorrow (1968)

Label – EMI
Producer – Norman Smith
Art Direction – Phil May
Nationality – UK
Running Time – 37:54

Track Listing (standout tracks listed in bold)

1. SF Sorrow Is Born
2. Bracelets Of Fingers
3. She Says Good Morning
4. Private Sorrow
5. Balloon Burning
6. Death
7. Baron Saturday
8. Journey
9. I See You
10. Well Of Destiny
11. Trust
12. Old Man Going
13. Loneliest Person

What an interesting record. Here is another one of those groups that I had heard of – just never heard any of their music before. In this case it the British band The Pretty Things. This is a concept album. For those unfamiliar, it tells the story of "S.F. Sorrow," a sort of British Everyman from birth through love, war, tragedy, madness, and the disillusionment of old age. One of the first rock concept albums, S.F. Sorrow was based on a short story by singer-guitarist Phil May. Although the album is also a ‘Rock Opera’, it has been stated by The Who that it had no major influence on Pete Townshend and his writing of their album Tommy although there are some similarities. “S.F. Sorrow's” narrative is different than others in the Rock Opera/Concept Album genre: while Tommy and Pink Floyd's The Wall relay their concept through the lyrics of their songs, The Pretty Things tell the bulk of the story through small paragraph-like chapters which were printed between each song's lyrics in the liner notes of the LP. Another reason to miss vinyl records!
The album was produced by Norman "Hurricane" Smith, who had engineered the earlier Beatles recordings including “Sgt Pepper’s”.
This is a really good record, but it never stood a chance really. It was released the same week as The Beatles' "White Album", The Rolling Stones' "Beggars Banquet" and The Kinks' "Village Green Preservation Society." Making things worse, the album was barely promoted by EMI. It is recommended.


You can purchase the CD here

ROCK BIRTHDAYS FOR FEBRUARY 12
Ray Manzarek from The Doors is 71; Steve Hackett, formerly with Genesis, is 60; Michael McDonald is 58;

ON THIS DATE
1967 Keith Richard becomes the third member of the Rolling Stones to be arrested for “various substances of suspicious nature.”
1968 Jimi Hendrix receives the key to the city in his hometown of Seattle, Washington
1988 Axl Rose walks off the stage in Phoenix, Arizona at a concert where Guns 'N' Roses were the opening act for David Lee Roth. The rest of the shows with DLR are cancelled
1997 David Bowie receives a star on Hollywood`s Walk Of Fame
2005 Led Zeppelin, Janis Joplin and Jerry Lee Lewis receive the Recording Academy’s Lifetime Achievement Award the day before the Grammys.
2007 Heaven And Hell announce that Vinny Appice will be their drummer instead of Bill Ward

IN CONCERT
Saturday, February 13 HEART Universal Studios Orlando
Saturday, February 20 BLONDIE Universal Studios Orlando

IN THE NEWS
Guns N' Roses Plays Surprise New York Club Gig
Peter Gabriel To Skip Genesis Rock Hall Induction
Dylan, Mellencamp, Baez Bring Civil Rights Songs to White House

1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die - #123. Iron Butterfly - In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida (1968)

Iron Butterfly - In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida (1968)

Label – Atco
Producer – Jim Hilton
Art Direction – Loring Eutemey
Nationality – USA
Running Time – 36:00

Track Listing (standout tracks listed in bold)

1. Most Anything You Want
2. Flowers And Beads
3. My Mirage
4. Termination
5. Are You Happy
6. In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida

This is the second record by Iron Butterfly, and to be honest, the only one I have ever heard by them. I remember buying this record as a teenager in high school. With its endless, droning minor-key riff and mumbled vocals, "In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida" is easily the most recognized and celebrated song of the acid rock era. Legend has it that the song was actually titled "In the Garden of Eden" but when recording the band was so stoned lead singer Doug Ingle couldn’t pronounce the words correctly and hence it became the classic we know today. The track rambles on for a full 17 minutes which seems like an eternity. I do like the track, but must admit that I like the trimmed down version much better.
The other tracks on the record are also pretty heavy with lots of organ work in them, but I enjoyed listening to it again after all of these years. The entire record still stands as the group's definitive album, and the one that best represents them and the times it was recorded and released in.
The LP peaked at #4 on the Billboard charts and was given the distinction of being the first album to be awarded platinum status when the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) began that achievement level in 1976. Today it is a multi-platinum album with sales of over 25 million copies. It was also Atlantic Records' biggest selling album until it was surpassed by Led Zeppelin IV. It is recommended.


You can purchase the CD here

TOP 10 ROCK CD'S/DOWNLOADS FOR THIS WEEK (2-11-2010)
(1)1. Various Artist...2010 Grammy Nominees
(Enter)2. ROB ZOMBIE...Hellbilly Deluxe 2
(8)3. DAVE MATTHEWS BAND...Big Whiskey And The GrooGrux King
(2)4. NICKELBACK...Dark Horse
(4)5. DAUGHTRY...Leave This Town
(3)6. Various Artist...Twilight soundtrack
(7)7. THEM CROOKED VULTURES...Them Crooked Vultures
(6)8. SHINEDOWN...The Sound Of Madness
(5)9. BREAKING BENJAMIN...Dear Agony
(Re-enter)10. BON JOVI...The Circle

ROCK BIRTHDAYS FOR FEBRUARY 11
David Uosikkinen from the Hooters is 54; Mike Shinoda from Linkin Park is 33;

ON THIS DATE
1935 gene Vincent is born in Munden Point,Virginia. Vincent died in 1971
1963 The Beatles record their debut album Please Please Me in one day.
1964 The Beatles play their first concert in America in Washington, D.C.
2006 Scott Stapp of Creed is arrested at the Los Angeles International Airport for alleged public intoxication. Stapp had gotten married the day before. The charges are later dismissed
2007 At the Grammys the Red Hot Chili Peppers win 4, including Best Rock Album ("Stadium Arcadium") and Best Rock Song ("Dani California"), Bob Dylan wins in the Best Solo Rock Vocal Performance and Best Contemporary Folk/Americana Album, Bruce Springsteen wins the Best Traditional Folk Album and Best Long Form Music Video
2008 Lenny Kravitz has severe symptoms of bronchitis, therefore he is admitted to a hospital in Miami Beach, Florida

IN CONCERT
Saturday, April 10 CHRIS HILLMAN & HERB PEDERSEN TBA St. Petersburg
Sunday, April 11 CHRIS HILLMAN & HERB PEDERSEN TBA Lakeland

IN THE NEWS
Lady Gaga Salutes Elton John With Special Set at All-Star amfAR Gala
Axl Rose Lashes Out on Message Board Over Slash Ban Rumors
U2’s Larry Mullen Jr. to Guest Voice on “The Cleveland Show”

1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die - #122. Dr. John, The Nighttripper - Gris-Gris (1968)

Dr. John, The Nighttripper - Gris-Gris (1968)

Label – Atlantic
Producer – Harold Battiste
Art Direction – Marvin Israel
Nationality – USA
Running Time – 33:12

Track Listing (standout tracks listed in bold)

1. Gris Gris Gumbo Ya Ya
2. Danse Kalinda Ba Doom
3. Mama Roux
4. Danse Fambeaux
5. Croker Courtbullion
6. Jump Sturdy
7. Walk On Gilded Splinters

This is the debut album by Mac Rebennack – aka Dr John (named after a black man named Dr. John Montaine, who claimed to be an African potentate). I was looking forward to listening to this record as when I hear his name I think “oh yeah I like Dr John” but in truth, save for a few tracks I haven’t heard very much of his music. The musical style of “Gris-Gris” is a hybrid of New Orleans rhythm and blues and psychedelic rock. That said – the R&B style tracks are really good, while the psychedelic rock tracks have much to be desired. He has that great rasping, bluesy vocals, and has soulful backup singers, as well as spooky melodies on flute, sax, and clarinet, not to mention odd Middle Eastern-like chanting and mandolin runs! Yeah it’s that kind of record! Label exectuve Ahmet Ertegun was reluctant to release the record at first, famously exclaiming "How can we market this boogaloo crap?" He was in part right as the record failed to chart in the United Kingdom or the United States, and it wasn’t until it was re-issued on compact disc decades later that it was to receive much greater praise from modern critics, including being listed at #143 on Rolling Stone magazine's list of the 500 greatest albums of all time.
While I do recommend this record, proceed with caution.


You can purchase the CD here

ON THIS DATE
1969 The Beatles company "Apple" takes control of all of their business affairs
1978 Van Halen release their debut album
1979 Rod Stewart is at number one on the Billboard Pop Singles chart with "Da Ya Think I'm Sexy?"
2004 Lucky by Melissa Etheridge is released
2005 ZZ Top, along with Kid Rock, Lynyrd Skynyrd and Dickie Betts perform in West Hollywood at the Jam Sessions Concert, where proceeds benefit the VH1 Save The Music Foundation
2005 Mick Mars from Motley Crue is sued for $10 million by an ex girlfriend claiming Mars promised to support her throughout her life by hasn't
2006 At the Winter Olympics in Turin, Italy Yoko Ono took to the stage making a plea for peace, and afterwards Peter Gabriel performs John Lennon's "Imagine"
2006 Scott Stapp from Creed marries former Miss New York, Jaclyn Nesheiwat
2006 It is announced that James LoMenzo is the new bassist for Megadeth
2008 At the 50th Grammy Awards The Foo Fighters won Best Hard Rock performance for "The Pretender" and Best Rock Album for "Echoes, Silence, Patience & Grace", Solo Rock Vocal Performance and Rock Song went to Bruce Springsteen for "Radio Nowhere", Best Compilation Soundtrack Album For Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media went to the Beatles for "Love" and the Eagles won Best Country Performance By A Duo or Group With Vocal for "How Long

IN CONCERT
Saturday, March 27 BRYAN ADAMS Polk Theatre Lakeland

IN THE NEWS
U2, Pete Seeger, Sinead O'Connor In PBS 'Music of Ireland' Doc
Eric Clapton Enlists Jeff Beck, John Mayer, ZZ Top For Crossroads Fest
Bob Dylan, Jennifer Hudson, Queen Latifah Play White House Concert

1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die - #121. The United States Of America - The United States Of America (1968)

The United States Of America - The United States Of America (1968)

Label – Columbia
Producer – David Rubison
Art Direction – Eric Schon
Nationality – USA
Running Time – 37:07

Track Listing (standout tracks listed in bold)

1. The American Metaphysical Circus
2. Hard Coming Love
3. Cloud Song
4. The Garden Of Earthly Delights
5. I Won’t Leave My Wooden-Wife For You, Sugar
6. Where Is Yesterday
7. Coming Down
8. Love Song For The Dead Ché
9. Stranded In Time
10. The American Way Of Love

This is a self titled debut album released in 1968 by The United States of America – their one and only album and it received positive reviews on its release. I had actually never heard of this group nor had heard any of their music. And I still wish that I never had. This album was just dreadful. Featuring no guitars and just synthesizers, the music is like a bad acid trip. Although I suppose at the time if you were on acid this was probably a pretty decent record. Think Velvet Underground – just nowhere near as good – and I can’t stand Velvet Underground!! Think about it - the group’s leader was a member of the communist party - in a group called The United States of America getting a recording contract and having a record released. Only in the sixties!!
To be fair, I just don't care for this type of music and only the track "Coming Down" held my interest for very long.
Somehow the album spent nine weeks on the charts in the United States, peaking at number 181 on the Billboard album charts in May 1968. For reasons unknown, the album has been re-issued several times and continues to receive critical acclaim decades after its original release. It is however not recommended.


You can purchase the CD here

ON THIS DATE
1964 The Beatles appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show.

1981 Bill Haley dies of a brain tumor at the age of 55
2005 Roger Daltry of the Who is given the honor of "Commander of the British Empire" 2006 Paul Stanley of Kiss appears at a New Jersey Gallery to promote exhibitions of his artwork
2007 During Grammy Week in Los Angeles Don Henley of the Eagles is named the 2007 MusiCares Person of the Year

IN THE NEWS
Ringo Starr Honored With Walk of Fame Star
Super Bowl Ads Tap KISS, Beyonce, Cheap Trick, T-Pain
Bon Jovi Adds London O2 Arena Dates With Kid Rock

1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die - #120. Big Brother and The Holding Company- Cheap Thrills (1968)

Big Brother and The Holding Company- Cheap Thrills (1968)

Label – Columbia
Producer – John Simon
Art Direction – Robert Crumb
Nationality – USA
Running Time – 36:54

Track Listing (standout tracks listed in bold)

1. Combination Of The Two
2. I Need A Man To Love
3. Summertime
4. Piece Of My Heart
5. Turtle Blues
6. Oh Sweet Mary
7. Ball And Chain

Cheap Thrills is the second album from Big Brother and the Holding Company and their last album with Janis Joplin as primary lead vocalist. Big Brother had obtained a good amount of attention directly after their 1967 performance at the Monterey Pop Festival, put out a reasonably successful debut and based on that success had been signed to Columbia Records. There was a delay in releasing the record as the band was still under contract to Mainstream Records.
The record itself featured three cover songs "Summertime," "Piece of My Heart," and the nearly ten-minute "Ball and Chain". Easily the greatest white female rock singer of the 1960s, Janis Joplin was also a great blues singer, making these covers her own with her wailing, raspy, supercharged emotional delivery.
Initially, the album was to be called Sex, Dope and Cheap Thrills, but the title was not received well by Columbia Records. Also not well received was the band's original cover idea, a picture of the group naked in bed together, which was vetoed by the record company. Instead the cover was drawn by underground cartoonist Robert Crumb. The cover was originally meant to be the record's back picture but the band did not like Crumb's original front drawing. It has however become iconic and is number nine on Rolling Stone's list of one hundred greatest album covers of all time!
The album was released in the summer of 1968 and reached number one on the Billboard charts in its eighth week in October. It kept the number one spot for eight (nonconsecutive) weeks while the single, "Piece of My Heart," also became a huge hit. By the end of the year it was the most successful album of 1968, having sold nearly a million copies. The success was short-lived however, as Janis Joplin left the group for a solo career in December, 1968. In 2003, the album was ranked number 338 on Rolling Stone magazine's list of the 500 greatest albums of all time. They previously ranked it #50 on their Top 100 Albums of the Past 20 Years list in 1987. It is often regarded as one of the key recordings of the late 1960s.
It is highly recommended.


You can purchase the CD here

NEW ROCK RELEASES
February 9
New
SHANNON CURFMAN...What You're Getting Into
DAVE MATTHEWS BAND...Live In Las Vegas
THE PRETENDERS...Live In London
BLACKMORE'S NIGHT...Shadow Of The Moon

Reissues
DEEP PURPLE...Fireball (180 Gram Vinyl) (Ltd. Edition Gatefold Cover)

February 16
Reissues
SANTANA...Supernatural (Deluxe Edition, Extra Tracks)
THE BLACK CROWES...Warpaint Live (vinyl release)

February 23
New
LIFEHOUSE...Smoke And Mirrors

ROCK BIRTHDAYS FOR FEBRUARY 8
Vince Neil from Motley Crue is 49; Keith Nelson of Buckcherry is 41; Phoenix from Linkin Park is 33;

ON THIS DATE
1988 The Who receive the Outstanding Contribution to British Music honor at the BPI Awards in London
1990 Del Shannon commited suicide. He was 55
2004 At the 46th Grammy's: Best New Artist and Best Hard Rock Performance-Evanescence. Best Rock Album-Foo Fighters. Best Metal performance-Metallica
2005 Keith Knudsen, drummer for the Doobie Brothers, dies due to complications with penmonia. He was 56
2005 Seventeen Days by 3 Doors Down is released
2006 At The 48th Grammy's: Album of the Year and Song of the Year-U2. Record of the Year - "Boulevard Of Broken Dreams" by Green Day, Best Hard Rock Performance-System Of A Down, Best Metal Performance-Slipknot. Bruce Springsteen, Bob Dylan and Dire Straits also get trophies
2009 At the 51st Grammy's: Robert Plant and Alison Krauss won five Grammys, including Album of the Year, for "Raising Sand". Best Rock Song-"Girls In Their Summer Clothes" Bruce Springsteen

IN THE NEWS
The Who Perform Hits Medley For Superbowl Halftime
Chickenfoot Begin Writing Next Album
Kiss: The Vinyl Boom

February 7

ROCK BIRTHDAYS FOR FEBRUARY 7
David Bryan from Bon Jovi is 48; Wes Borland of Limp Bizkit is 35;

ON THIS DATE
1964 The Beatles began their first American tour as they arrived at New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport

1971 Tom Fogerty leaves Creedence Clearwater Revival
1980 Pink Floyd play the first show of their 2 city tour for 'The Wall' in Los Angeles
2006 Cream and David Bowie receive the Recording Academy Lifetime Achievement Award
2008 the Rolling Stone's documentary 'Shine A Light' directed by Matin Scorsese premieres at the Berlin International Film Festival, which Scorsese and the band attend
2008 Mel Galley, formerly with Whitesnake, announces he has terminal cancer. Galley died July 1, 2008

IN CONCERT
Saturday, April 3 LEON RUSSELL The Plaza Theater Orlando

IN THE NEWS
Joe Perry: ‘Tyler’s Still In Aerosmith’
Bad Company: Live DVD On The Way
OZZY OSBOURNE's Memoir Lands On NEW YORK TIMES Best-Seller List