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Post by cozyal on Nov 19, 2006 22:51:16 GMT -5
Go for it Dreamtide, always good to see folks doing reviews too!!! All power to you on your variety of different rock styles as well. Can only really comment on the Styx release fairly myself, as I've just done a review of it elsewhere - Another site ... - but I have total respect for both Arena & Spock's Beard for both bands ability & there is simply no doubting their talent, sadly for me though they are both too Proggy for me - Ha! Too Proggy, is that a fair statement? As to Blackmore now doing a Christmas carols album, I guess it was due following his switch to Renaissance music from rock! If you had even suggested the idea of Purple or Rainbow doing a carols albums to him whilst he was in each band, you'd probably have ended up wearing his Strat! Ha ha! Twisted Sister though, Dee must be getting hard up for cash! I guess since certain other bands have been doing it, can't blame 'em for getting on the bandwagon really can you? I guess look at Savatage going out as Trans Siberian Orchestra, anything is possible right?! I tend to disagree on the Styx review though & was actually really impressed! I mean these are High school kids, not the Royal Philharmonic or London Symphony Orchestra's or any other fully professional orchestra, it was kids! I know Collective Soul did the same thing recently & it's really applaudable! In fact you don't get "all" the big hits / well known songs either & as I said in my review, this should have been a 2 disc set. There's only 12 tracks in total on the CD, which include 2 covers, 2 new songs & 1 track from Keys man Lawrence Gowan from his back catalogue. Of course it's always good to hear Blue Collar Man, Renegade, Fooling Yourself, Crystal Ball, Miss America & Too Much Time On My Hands, Boat ...., aah it's OK as a track but it really well done on here. The DVD comes out this week you'll be glad to know & yes, it pretty much covered the whole show, which is why I think they should've released this as a 2 disc set! Anyway, don't let me stop you & keep up the good work! Cheers Cozy Al
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Post by cozyal on Nov 9, 2006 23:17:36 GMT -5
Hi there, Just got this Press Release from Frontiers music! There are soundbites available @ Frontiers site as usual. Should be a good 'un! Keep on rockin' Cozy Al +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ The fans asked for it and they are getting it ! HOUSE OF LORDS last ever live recording with the original line-up, mirroring the show held at Firefest in Nottingham, England on November 26th 2005 will be released worldwide on Frontiers Records on January 26th 2006. HOUSE OF LORDS is a legendary arena-rock band born on the ashes of GIUFFRIA. With three studio albums recorded between 1989 and 1992, this group became a milestone in Melodic Hard Rock music. Mixing influences from JOURNEY, WHITESNAKE and VAN HALEN, HOUSE OF LORDS music has become a staple in Rock fans' collections and playlists. HOUSE OF LORDS reunited in the year 2000, after a seven years hiatus, with the classic line-up featuring James Christian, Gregg Giuffria, Chuck Wright, Lanny Cordola and Ken Mary with Giuffria who opted out of the recording at the last minute. Following the release of the come back album "The Power & The Myth", HOUSE OF LORDS decided on a reunion tour that took the band to England & Greece for two outstanding shows in the fall of 2005. The release of "Live in the UK" reflects the entire show held at Firefest in Nottingham, by the line-up featuring Christian, Wright, Cordola and Mary. A testament to a glorious line-up before HOUSE OF LORDS decided to move forward with new members with their successful new record "World Upside Down". A special studio track, "Havana" (written by Christian and Giuffria together with Tim Pierce and Mark Spiro - originally the Japan-only bonus track of "The Power & The Myth" album) has been added as a special gift to the fans. Enjoy ! "Live In The UK" includes the following tracks: Sahara; Chains Of Love; Love Don't Lie; Pleasure Palace; Talkin' Bout Love; The Edge Of Your Life; Mind Trip; All Is Gone; The Rapture; I Wanna Be Loved; Can't Find My Way Home; Slip Of The Tongue; Havana (studio bonus track).
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Post by cozyal on Nov 9, 2006 23:23:51 GMT -5
Yep, it's her alright ...., that's what I heard too ... Ozzy couldn't make up his own mind ..., so she did her usual ........., rule his world! To be honest, we all know it Sabs, I think Heaven & Hell is cool for the project, as you know that's all it will be. I loved Dio with Sabs, worked better for me than Ozzy, but we all know how that one goes, right all?! I'm sure the flak is about to start now ...., haaarrrr haaaarrr! Well, actually the 1st 2 albums & the live release, Dehumanizer just didn't work for me! Any Dio enjoys doing his own stuff too much, so another reason why it potentially won't last, that said, since it's not Sabbath - As such ... - does this mean Tony Iommi will be riffing out Long Live Rock & Roll?! WOW! What a thought! Keep rockin' Cozy Al
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Post by cozyal on Nov 9, 2006 0:31:59 GMT -5
Ha ha! Yes, I hear you, but these have actually just been posted!!! Yep, sad so & so that I am, I've been checking back for dates there on a regular basis, so I know they're new, just posted with the wrong date ....., er year! Ha ha! Too funny & yes, guess it was getting late when I posted it & didn't double check ...., obviously! Ha ha! Cozy Al!
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Post by cozyal on Nov 7, 2006 23:58:45 GMT -5
Yep, it's me again & just thought I'd check out Europe's much updated Website with the new "HEAVY" CD, Secret Society out now(?) or soon, figured I'd share this update that there are full tour dates at the website now: www.europetheband.com/I wanted to post the dates here, but in that respect the website is not that friendly! The title track sounds great - When you get into the website, you'll hear it in full! - & I have to say JT's voice sounds different again & musically it sounds like a track that wouldn't have gone amiss on the UFO CD You Are Here. Certainly Mr. Norum's playing sounds akin to Vinnie Moore's style or is it the other way around! Ha ha! Check it out anyhow, the US dates presently run from: 22 april 2005 House Of Blues Anaheim, CA USA 23 april 2005 Canes San Diego, CA USA 24 april 2005 House of Blues Los Angeles, CA USA 26 april 2005 House Of Blues Chicago, IL USA 27 april 2005 I - Rock Detroit, MI USA 28 april 2005 HOB Cleveland, OH USA 30 april 2005 Jaxx West Springfield, VA USA 1 may 2005 Ramshead Live Baltimore, MD USA 2 may 2005 BB Kings NY, NY USA 4 may 2005 Trocadero Philadelphia, PA USA 5 may 2005 Starland Ballroom Sayreville, NJ USA 6 may 2005 Crocodile Cafe Allentown, PA USA With a sole Canadian date in Ontario: 8 may 2005 Lee's Palace Toronto, ON Canada The Detroit gig @ I-Rock is the one I'll be checking out, as much as a dive as it is, on the nice side of town - NOT! Keep on rockin' gang! Cozy Al
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Post by cozyal on Nov 7, 2006 22:58:31 GMT -5
Hey folks, I know it's been a while since I posted anything but got this update today on Kelly Keagy (Night Ranger, World Stage, The Mob, etc) & figured I'd share it! Sound samples available @ www.frontiers.it too! Keep on rockin' Cozy Al Frontiers Records is excited to launch the release of the forthcoming KELLY KEAGY new solo album entitled "I'm Alive" on January 26th 2007. KELLY KEAGY is better known as drummer / singer with the US Melodic Rock heroes NIGHT RANGER. NIGHT RANGER's first album "Dawn Patrol" (1982), reached number 38 on the U.S. charts, yet it was 1983's "Midnight Madness" that established the band as a commercial force. Featuring the hits "(You Can Still) Rock in America" and "Sister Christian", the record peaked at number 15 and sold over 1 million copies. 1985's "7 Wishes" was even more successful, reaching number 10 on the charts. The band reformed in the mid-90s and have since released 4 more albums. In 2001, Kelly took a turn down the solo album trail. "Time Passes" saw Kelly handling drums and vocals and collaborating with such artists as Jim Peterik, Kevin Chalfant, Brian Bart with obvious features from his band mates Brad Gillis, Jack Blades and Jeff Watson. To date, Kelly and NIGHT RANGER are busy working on a new studio album. But in the meanwhile he found the time and the inspiration to finish his second solo work entitled "I'm Alive". The new record was written and produced by Keagy in cooperation with Jim Peterik (PRIDE OF LIONS, ex SURVIVOR) and also features contributions from Kelly's THE MOB band mate Reb Beach (WINGER, WHITESNAKE), Mike Aquino (PRIDE OF LIONS, MECCA), Brian Bart, Bruce Gaitsch, Tommy Denander on guitar and Michael Lardie (GREAT WHITE, NIGHT RANGER) on keyboards among others. The new album sees Keagy exploring a slightly rougher edge compared to his debut album with a more live feel in the mix. "I look forward to playing these songs live, as they were written to be played live", says Kelly and the joyful ride that this record offers, proves just that! Final tracklisting of "I'm Alive" is as follows: I'm Alive; Stolen; Blink of an Eye; When Nobody's Looking; Back of Your Mind; Life Worth Remembering; Re-Imagine; World Before and After; Where Are We Now; Where the Road Ends; Everything I Need in a Woman; Call In Another Day; Half a World Away. Release is scheduled on Frontiers Records in Europe on January 26th 2007 and in Japan on King Records.
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Post by cozyal on Oct 13, 2006 23:39:28 GMT -5
So, Tom Scholz got the new website up & running! Apparently it's been up since Oct. 2nd. Kind of fun, so check it out! www.bandboston.com/flash14.htmlKeep On Rockin' Cozy Al
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Post by cozyal on Oct 13, 2006 22:57:08 GMT -5
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Post by cozyal on Sept 26, 2006 5:55:58 GMT -5
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Post by cozyal on Sept 19, 2006 19:04:47 GMT -5
Newman – Heaven Knows (Escape music).OK, this is the album I’ve been promising Steve I’d review for ages, so yes it’s been a long time coming Steve but here you go! Newmans latest album opens with potentially the strongest opener in it’s title track Heaven Knows, since One Step Closer, which still tends to have the overall edge to me over his subsequent releases …, until now …?! The Vai / Satriani guitar soloing is killer as he brings the intro in. Sure, Dance In The Fire & Sign Of The Modern Times both had excellent stand out tracks, but didn’t seem as complete as OSC. Higher is next & has such a commercial hook, hints at Leppard – Hysteria era - in places & dare I say Steve’s riffing is kick ass! Ain’t Gonna Cry Forever is next & it’s power ballad type sound so many influences seem to ooze from this one, again his own production sounds so good again, strong Leppard type sound musically with Vai type guitar touches & the harmony guitar parts are …., sweet. Excellent! Steve’s really reaching with his vocals with this album, but it seems with each release he loves to push himself. Great AOR stuff mate. Next up Move On, the intro perhaps misleads as it’s almost the same approach as Taboo from OSC, i.e. heavy approach before getting on track with true melodic rock swagger & the solo is excellent stuff Steve. With Steve doing pretty much everything on this release bar Rob McEwen on Drums throughout & a guest appearance from Anders Rydholm (Ex Grand Illusion) he’s your closet Jeff Lynne / Tom Scholz! The Way You Love Me is so atmospheric almost sounding in places like Seal - Sorry Steve, atmospherics mate! – but this track is nothing like Seal otherwise, but it’s a different direction for Newman, almost hints at Bryan Adams at times musically but of course Steve’s vocals are like none other. Oh Steve, Learning To Live …., I don’t know but thoughts of Europe’s Carrie almost spring to mind, with the songs structure. The sound layers throughout are great, so I’m not taking anything away from the song. Another good one. The Circle …, will have you singing the chorus forever .., “Safe inside the circle.., safe inside your arms ... etc,” the rest of the song may not be as instant as it’s chorus & the bridge / change midway through really kind of threw me, but it’s another goodie! So you’re asking what’s wrong with this release? Not much & I still haven’t finish the review yet, but I only wish Steve could’ve had the opportunity to release this stuff during the 80’s & been promoted, I mean today who’s gonna get to hear this great piece of music. This Time is next & it’s intro is almost Lizzy’ish in guitar sound, but the rest of the song just continues the positive trend. Great chorus, great soloing again & of course reflects many of Steve’s influences in his style of playing. An awesome piece follows in Never Meant To Fall In Love, so much in this song, big song structure, some strain on the voice almost there Steve .., steady mate, you’re good but leave the Geddy Lee / Steve Perry stuff to them! ;-) OK, now the next track Wait is really, no I mean really different for Newman, certainly in the intro anyway & no it’s not the White Lion track of the same name! I don’t think Steve’s about to release a covers album anytime soon! Everytime I speak with the guy, he’s always writing something new, which of course always makes it that much harder to decide which songs to include on each album. Wait is good & again certainly Steve’s got this big chorus thing down a treat. OK, when Steve told me about his writing & playing of Sport Of Kings with Anders Rydholm ex of Grand Illusion I was really expecting a huge epic type track & I guess I am a little disappointed as I don’t think it reaches that level. It actually almost reminds me a little of a mix – Certainly in it’s verse – of earlier Newman tracks Tears Are Not Enough / Say You Believe / Taboo in structure, but not the chorus. It’s a good track but many others on the album are stronger for me. Closing ballad On Any Other Sunday is Steve paying his respects to the Tsunami tragedy & it’s a great piece almost akin to say a Richard Marx type ballad or Extreme even, which is no bad thing ballad wise. Some people would question closing an album with a ballad but hey, it worked for Night Ranger before! Good job Steve, good luck with the upcoming gigs, good to see another date added, even if it is a warm up gig! Heaven Knows I’d rate as 4 out of 5 may not have been instant on all the songs, but without doubt Steve’s skill is great choruses & hook-lines. Keep it up mate & perhaps one day we’ll hear that Butterfly Tattoo stuff! ;-) Check out Newman @ www.newmansound.com/Index.htm
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Post by cozyal on Sept 19, 2006 19:02:01 GMT -5
All of us, who else dude!! ;-) Heh heh heh! Yes, he is indeed a strange one but likewise I have the utmost respect for his playing. I think in recent years the albums have started to disappoint but he still - when he sober! - can put it across live, at least from video / DVD footage I have seen. It would certainly be a tragedy for him to really quit, perhaps a rest is what's needed. Shame he couldn't hook up with Gary Barden or Graham Bonnet again, with a strong backing band. Would be great to see. Ah well ...., pipe dream I guess! Cozy Al
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Post by cozyal on Sept 17, 2006 21:54:39 GMT -5
Hey folks, You know, I've always really admided Mr.Schenkers playing ability but obviously he's had some personal issues in the last few years, probably one too many more than he'd like but ..... I'm curious as since I like the guys playing I do keep tabs on his website & just lately ..., well, in the last week to be exact, his website looks weird .... Does anyone know what is going on with him, the band, the website? michaelschenkerhimself.com/Let us know what you find out folks! Cozy Al
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Post by cozyal on Sept 17, 2006 21:21:26 GMT -5
I used to love Saxon, would be great to see them again, as back in the UK, they like so many- Magnum, Thunder, UFO, etc ... - Brit bands would tour every year & now I'm in the States, I know I'll not get to see them again. - Yes, I know they play South America, but it's a bloody long trek from Michigan! The Wheels Of Steel era was great, as was the Strong Arm Of The Law, Destiny & yes, I liked Crusader too, much as it turned off many true fans. I really love Princess Of The Night, it's killer, but my fav track just so happens to be Suzie Hold On. Keep On Rockin' Cozy Al
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Post by cozyal on Sept 17, 2006 21:25:40 GMT -5
Kind of like Mickey Schenker I guess, arranges US tour, after tour, then pulls out! Damn shame!
Cozy Al
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Post by cozyal on Sept 17, 2006 21:47:28 GMT -5
Hey, wel, being a Brit we of course were deprived of so much Canadian & US stuff, but I was one who searched the stuff out ...., consequently I love so many Canuck bands along with so many US bands - & yes of course I love good ol' Blighty bands too! First item of Triumph's I bought was a Red Vinyl 45 / single of Hold On. This of course from Just A Game, totally blew me away, the sheer power in one song all very Rush at the time of course! Went & bought Just A Game & soon after tracked down a Chrome Vinyl copy of Rock & Roll Machine, which had each of the guys autographs etched into the runout area of each side of the disc. R&RM is a good album & has standout tracks to me, but doesn't it tend to be - 9 times out of 10 - that the first album you buy by a band, ends up being your fav? Yep, did buy Progressions Of Power & was fortunate enough to catch the band live in the UK on that "one" proper UK tour. Sad thing was at Southampton - the night I saw them - Rik Emmetts voice was not too great & they only play for 1 hour. Damn shame. Was a hell of a light show though! Killer! They had Praying Mantis & White Spirit - 2 old NWOBHM bands - open for them. Also bought & enjoyed Allied Forces & Never Surrender, both graet albums also. Thunder Seven, Sport Of Kings, Surveillance ....., didn't really grab me, but the live Stages I love too! Kind of left them alone after that. Guess they pretty much gave up on people after that too, except for Edge Of Excess in '92. Shame really ... Rik of course got the blues ..., literally & changed direction doing blues stuff & acoustic shows. The blues direction put me off although I recently found his 20th Century Best Of in a bargain bin, which I do like. Maybe one day I'll check out his Toronto club when he's playing there! Later Cozy Al
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Post by cozyal on Sept 20, 2006 6:39:54 GMT -5
Just been going back through old posts & found that Sandi had started this all back here around the beginning of the month. I'd been away to the UK on vacation with family when I came back (13th Sept.) & started doing my usual websites runaround to see who's doing what & when & that was when I stumbled on his site with the MSG logo upside. I then happen to see Dave Ling's (UK's Classic Rock mag.) site notice where he had basically posted what you had here Sandi, in so much as Schenker said he was giving up playing as he's now uninspired to continue ..... I sent the Ling stuff to Andrew @ www.Melodicrock.com & he of course then posted it there. MS really should get his shit together, stop acting the idiot & work with people at a normal level, if such a thing could ever exist for His Highness! He should think himself lucky people have tolerated him this far .... As I said in my posting elsewhere here, perhaps the break is what he needs. He's posted so much crap - Being honest with fans? .... - at his site about so much personal stuff, his email communication between his ex-missus / manager & another person he was involved with, who he was saying about her ripping him off etc & that he had to cancel the US tour before because he was scared to enter the US for fear of being arrested! I couldn't the guy was that unstable, I mean that is really ....., out there. Sad days in the rock world when top muso's start acting like that .... Sad days indeed! Cozy Al
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Post by cozyal on Aug 31, 2006 22:15:29 GMT -5
PS I actually thought Black Pearl was a pretty sweet album! Love that one, as to me it was a huge improvement on C&B & Radioactive. I could never track down Hot Shot in the UK & kind of gave up trying?! Maybe I'll start looking again now! Cozy Al
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Post by cozyal on Aug 31, 2006 22:12:24 GMT -5
Hey chaps, I have to 4th you on that! PT is totally, make that TOTALLY underrated for sure in my books & I first got into Pat's stuff, after hearing Boom Boom on sadly now much missed, Tommy Vance's old BBC Radio 1's, "Friday Rock Show" @ 10pm - Midnight. - That was way back in ....., 1979! Now who's old! Our UK once a week treat that we all waited for often wrapping up the pub early to get back for it, then crack open a few more brewski's! On the strength of Boom Boom, yes, I went out & got that absolute classic "Go For What You Know", nay CLASSIC live release, that is essential for any discerning rock fan that's not already aware of it. My copy was a Ltd Edition of only 10,000 copies pressed in the UK in Red Vinyl. Sadly I'm guessing it took a while to shift those 10K. It was great stuff though & Jim, you're spot on with those early reviews & if there are any die hard Lizzy fans out there, Brian Robertson & Scott Gorham appear on Makin' Magic (Statesboro' Blues) & Putting It Straight (Speakeasy) respectively. For trivia buffs also, Glenn Hughes does backing vocals on "Stevie" - Makin' Magic & Pete Solley (Procol Harem & Whitesnake) plays some keys on Makin' Magic & Tony Carey (Ritchie Blackmores Rainbow) on Puttin' It Straight also. I went out & brought everything that preceded GFWYK, after hearing that masterpiece. Those early albums, there's some killer stuff on them, as well as the novelty Hot Rod Lincoln! So cool! I was lucky enough to see Pat @ Hammersmith Odeon - As it was then - on the Crash & Burn tour, just before the Reading gig, but agree that C&B was a real disappointment to me too, after GFWYK from the HITS tour. Girl (Phil Lewis & Phil Collen's early band.) actually opened & I met up with them again then, after getting to know them from when they had opened for UFO on a previous tour. They were good guys. I never got to meet Pat then though but did in later years in the "Blues album releases" phase. Ala SOHK's & Blue Tracks, when he played low key UK gigs in the 90's. He's just come over with guitar & hire musicians to tour pub/club gigs with him. Still good though. Also saw him in Windsor, ON - Across the river! - as part of the Voices Of Classic Rock tour. He's still great live, but agree, I think he's found it tough to come up with anything to compare or even raise a spark compared to those early days, hence no doubt his current gigs, with whoever he can pull into play in semi-supergroups. i.e. Carmine Appice. I have all the old vinyl stuff & plan to transfer these to CD in the not too distance future. Rock on Pat, we miss the old band but I guess David Coverdale's wages to Tommy Aldridge wouldn't make him quit to rejoin the old PTB again. Pat Thrall, what have you been up to since Asia & the much talked about 2nd Hughes / Thrall album? "From the streets of Toronto, to the streets of London ....... Now here to kick your ass!!! Pat Travers Band!" I miss it! Cozy Al
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Post by cozyal on Aug 31, 2006 22:54:47 GMT -5
Hiya folks, Just noticed this brief piece at Blabbermouth, so sayeth Gene Simmons! KISS To Tour With QUEEN In 2007? - Aug. 31, 2006 According to KissKollector.com, KISS bassist/vocalist Gene Simmons told the "Dudley & Bob" morning show on Austin's classic rock station KLBJ that KISS will take out QUEEN + PAUL RODGERS on the band's 2007 tour. Gene said that both bands had talked during the "VH1: Rock Honors" show and agreed to hit the road together. In typical Gene fashion, he went on to claim in the interview that "QUEEN is playing with us, we're not playing with QUEEN." Cozy Al PS Am I OK to quote Blabbermouth as source or is that a "no no" also?
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Post by cozyal on Aug 31, 2006 21:21:07 GMT -5
I actually miss seeing MSG live! In the UK, it became an annual event, like UFO, etc, then every 2 or 3 years & so on. Haven't seen his band live in ages!
Cozy Al
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