Category Archives: Rock
CULT CLASSIC: GANDALF-JOURNEY TO AN IMAGINARY LAND.
Cult Classic: Gandalf-Journey To An Imaginary Land. Prior to embarking upon a musical career, and becoming one of Austria’s most accomplished, innovative and successful musicians, Gandalf travelled extensively. That’s why the talented multi-instrumentalist never released his debut album Journey To An Imaginary Land until 1980. By then he was twenty-nine. However, soon, Gandalf would make up for …
CULT CLASSIC: TIM MAIA-DISCO CLUB.
Cult Classic-Tim Maia-Disco Club. By 1978, Tim Maia had released nine albums since his 1970 eponymous debut, and although some of these album had been released to critical acclaim and were a commercial success, the charismatic Brazilian singer found himself financially embarrassed. Things had been going from bad to worse over the last few years …
MOGWAI-TEN RAPID (COLLECTED RECORDINGS 1996-1997).
Mogwai-Ten Rapid (Collected Recordings 1996–1997). Label: Rock Action Records. Nowadays, there aren’t many bands that stay together twenty-eight years, and release thirteen studio albums, five soundtracks and two live albums. There’s also the small matter of two remix albums and the four compilations that the Glasgow-based band Mogwai have released. The very first album that Mogwai …
IKARUS-THE STORY OF KRAUTROCK’S NEARLY MEN.
Ikarus-The Story Of Krautrock’s Nearly Men. In Greek mythology, Icarus, the son of the master craftsman Daedalus, who created the Labyrinth, met a tragic ending. Icarus and Daedalus were desperate to escape from Crete. So Daedalus constructed wings made of feathers and wax. As Icarus prepared to make his escape, Daedalus warned his son of complacency …
YESTERDAY HAS GONE-THE SONGS OF TEDDY RANDAZZO.
Yesterday Has Gone-The Songs Of Teddy Randazzo. Label: Ace Records. The name Teddy Randazzo means different things to different people. To some, he’s the singer who had Billboard 100 hits with 1958s Little Serenade, 1960s The Way Of A Clown and Big Wide World in 1963. He featured in rock revues alongside Chuck Berry and …
CULT CLASSIC: KLAUS SCHULZE-IRRLICHT.
Cult Classic: Klaus Schulze-Irrlicht. In 1969, Berlin’s vibrant musical scene was thriving. At the heart of Berlin’s music scene was the Zodiak Free Arts Lab. It was the cultural centre of the city. This was where some of Germany’s top bands took their tentative steps towards greatness. However, the Zodiak Free Arts Lab was also …
CLASSIC ALBUM: EMERSON, LAKE AND PALMER-BRAIN SALAD SURGERY.
Classic Album: Emerson, Lake and Palmer-Brain Salad Surgery. When the time came for Emerson, Lake and Palmer to record their fourth album, Brain Salad Surgery, the trio were determined to record an album that they could replicate live. That hadn’t been the case with their their three previous albums. Something had to change and Brain Salad Surgery marked the start …
CLASSIC ALBUM: YES-TALES FROM TOPOGRAPHIC OCEANS
Classic Album: Yes Tales From Topographic Oceans After a three month break, Yes’ 1972-1973 Close To The Edge Tour was due to resume on the 8th of March 1973. This was the fifth leg in what had been a gruelling world tour. The new lineup of Yes had criss-crossed the world, playing North America and then …
AMERICAN TUNES-SONGS BY PAUL SIMON.
American Tunes-Songs By Paul Simon. Label: Ace Records. Ace Record’s critically acclaimed and commercially successful Songwriter Series is one of their longest-running compilation series. It’s featured songs by such luminaries as Burt Bacharach, Harry Nilsson, Dan Penn, Serge Gainsbourg and Tony Hatch. There’s also been compilations featuring the music of some of the greatest songwriting …
CLASSIC ALBUM: COUNTRY JOE AND THE FISH-ELECTRIC MUSIC FOR THE MIND AND BODY.
Classic Album: Country Joe and The Fish Electric Music For The Mind and Body. Classic is one of the most overused words in the English language. However, classic is the perfect way to describe Country Joe and The Fish’s 1967 debut album, Electric Music For The Mind and Body. Quite simply, Electric Music For The …
CLASSIC ALBUM: NEW YORK DOLLS-NEW YORK DOLLS.
Classic Album: New York Dolls-New York Dolls. No other group epitomises the rock ‘n’ roll lifestyle like the New York Dolls. Drink, drugs and death touched the New York Dolls. Despite this, the Dolls continued to court controversy, with a disaster always just a heartbeat away. Just like a game of daring do, they egged each …
CLASSIC ALBUM: GEORGE HARRISON-ALL THINGS MUST PASS
Classic Album: George Harrison-All Things Must Pass On the ‘10th’ of April 1970, Paul McCartney announced his departure from The Beatles. This signalled the end of The Beatles, and start of his solo career, which began a week later, when Paul McCartney he released his debut album McCartney. Meanwhile, The Beatles were in the process of releasing …
50 YEARS AGO IN 1969 DAVID AXELROD RELEASED SONGS OF EXPERIENCE.
50 Years Ago in 1969 David Axelrod Released Songs Of Experience. By 1968, composer, musicians and producer David Axelrod was just about to embark upon a solo career after nine years working in the music industry. Buoyed by the experimental climate of popular music, David Axelrod wrote and recorded what was akin to a suite-like …
50 YEARS AGO IN 1969 THE INCREDIBLE STRNG BAND RELEASED CHANGING HORSES
50 Years Ago In 1969 The Incredible String Band Released Changing Horses Fifty years ago in 1969, the Incredible String Band hit the road, and embarked upon what was a gruelling touring schedule. During this period, the recently expanded lineup of the Incredible String Band continued to live communally in a farmhouse in Newport, Pembrokeshire. It was also during …
45 YEARS AGO IN 1974 ERIC CLAPTON RELEASED 461 OCEAN BOULEVARD.
45 Years Ago In 1974 Eric Clapton Released 461 Ocean Boulevard. By 1974, Eric Clapton had established a reputation as a survivor. He had managed to overcome heroin and alcohol addiction. His life had spiralled out of control after releasing his debut solo album, Eric Clapton in August 1970. It reached number seventeen in Britain …
40 YEARS AGO IN 1979 THE DAMNED RELEASE MACHINE GUN ETIQUETTE.
40 Years Ago In 1979 The Damned Release Machine Gun Etiquette. Not many bands get to celebrate their fortieth anniversary. Especially punk bands. They were mostly short-lived affairs, who released one or two singles, before calling it a day. However, one band are still going strong after forty-three years, The Damned. One of their finest releases was third …
IN 1984 THE BLUE NILE RELEASED A WALK ACROSS THE ROOFTOPS.
In 1984 The Blue Nile Released A Walk Across The Rooftops. Some albums are like old friends, and that is the case with The Blue Nile’s debut album A Walk Across The Rooftops. It’s an album I’ve treasured and loved for over three decades, and has I been a faithful companion in an ever-changing musical world. A Walk Across The Rooftops …
45 YEARS AGO IN 1974 BAD COMPANY RELEASED BAD COMPANY.
45 Years Ago In 1974 Bad Company Released Bad Company. When Free split-up in for the second and final time in 1973, vocalist Paul Rodger and drummer Simon Kirke joined the latest rock supergroup Bad Company. Completing Bad Company’s lineup, were Mott the Hoople guitarist Mick Ralphs and bassist Boz Burrell. They would become part …
35 YEARS AGO IN 1984 SIMPLE MINDS RELEASED SPARKLE IN THE RAIN.
35 Years Ago in 1984 Simple Minds Realised Sparkle In The Rain . Success didn’t come easy for Glasgow’s very own Simple Minds. It took five years and five albums before they found commercial success and critical acclaim across Europe with New Gold Dream (81–82–83–84). This was the start of the rise and rise of Simple Minds, and …
IN 1979 LED ZEPPELIN RELEASED IN THROUGH THE OUT DOOR.
In 1979 Led Zeppelin Released In Through the Out Door. On 15th August 1979, Led Zeppelin released their eighth studio album In Through the Out Door, a and by then, they were one of the biggest selling bands in the world. Their first seven studio albums and their 1976 live album The Song Remains The …
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