Category Archives: Rock

HERE TODAY!-THE SONGS OF BRIAN WILSON VINYL EDITION.

HERE TODAY!-THE SONGS OF BRIAN WILSON VINYL EDITION. One of Ace Records’ longest running and most successful compilation series is their Songwriters’ series. It looks back at the careers of some of the most successful songwriters in the history of modern music. This includes Bacharach and David, Goffin and King, Serge Gainsbourg, Dan Penn, Laura …

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TUXEDOMOON-HALF-MUTE.

TUXEDOMOON-HALF-MUTE. Success came quickly for Tuxedomoon. They were formed in 1977, and released their debut single in 1978. A year later, Tuxedomoon’s sophomore single No Tears was hailed a post punk classic. Tuxedomoon were one of music’s rising stars.  So it was no surprise that in 1980, Ralph’s Records signed Tuxedomoon and they released their …

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FIRE! ORCHESTRA-RITUAL.

FIRE! ORCHESTRA-RITUAL. For their fourth album Ritual, the Fire! Orchestra has undergone  a change in lineup. This isn’t unusual. Many groups, including Pink Floyd, Genesis, The Rolling Stones and even The Beatles’ lineup changed. Usually, this happened when one member of the group left. However, what has happened to the Fire! Orchestra is very different. …

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STIAN WESTERHUS-AMPUTATION.

STIAN WESTERHUS-AMPUTATION. Over the last few years, Stian Westerhus has established a reputation as one of Europe’s most accomplished and innovative abstract guitar players. This has been the result of a lifetime’s work. That is how long it has taken Stian to hone and tame his unique sound. This dedication has paid off, and nowadays, …

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THE BLUE NILE-A WALK ACROSS THE ROOFTOPS.

THE BLUE NILE-A WALK ACROSS THE ROOFTOPS. To celebrate the fifth anniversary of this particular blog, I decided to revisit one of my favourite albums of all time, The Blue Nile’s debut album A Walk Across The Rooftops. This is an album I’ve treasured and loved for over three decades. It’s been like an old friend, and has been …

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SKADEDYR-CULTUREN.

SKADEDYR-CULTUREN. Between the late sixties and the early eighties, a musical revolution took place in Germany. Groups like Amon Düül II, Ash Ra, Can, Cluster, Harmonia, Kraftwerk, Neu! and Popl Vuh released truly groundbreaking music. Sadly, much of that music was way ahead of its time, and passed the German record buying public by. It …

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I HAVE A TRIBE-BENEATH A YELLOW MOON.

I HAVE A TRIBE-BENEATH A YELLOW MOON. Back in 2013, Patrick O’Laoghaire was a member of Slow Skies, the group he had formed with Karen Sheridan and Conal Herron in 2012. They released their debut E.P., Close in May 2013. Close was well received by critics, and a great future was forecast for the Dublin based …

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MOGWAI-ATOMIC- VINYL EDITION.

MOGWAI-ATOMIC- VINYL EDITION. Glasgow-based post rock pioneers Mogwai, are no strangers to the world of soundtracks. They’ve previously released three soundtracks in the last ten years. The first was Zidane: A 21st Century Portrait in October 2006. Just a month later, Mogwai released the soundtrack to The Fountain in November 2006. After releasing two soundtracks …

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WILLIAM FITZSIMMONS-CHARLEROI: PITTSBURGH VOLUME 2.

WILLIAM FITZSIMMONS-CHARLEROI: PITTSBURGH VOLUME 2. It was Mark Twain who wrote: “write about what you know.” Many aspiring writers have taken Mark Twain’s advice, and have gone on to enjoy long and successful careers. However, Mark Twain’s quote also applies to songwriters. This includes William Fitzsimmons who has drawn upon personal experience throughout his career. …

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MACARTHUR-MACARTHUR.

MACARTHUR-MACARTHUR. Having completed a tour of duty with the United States Marine Corp, Ben MacArthur returned home to Sagina, Michigan in 1977. When Ben returned home, jobs were few and far between, and it looked as if a recession was about to hit the rustbelt. It was hardly the welcome home he had envisaged. The …

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THE LADIES OF TOO SLOW TO DISCO.

THE LADIES OF TOO SLOW TO DISCO. Over the last few years, there’s been a resurgence in interest in the West Coast sound. It fell from grace in  the late seventies. Before that, the West Coast sound had won over the hearts and minds of record buyers, and provided the soundtrack to much of the …

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MICHAEL CHAMPMAN-SAVAGE AMUSEMENT-VINYL EDITION-RECORD STORE DAY 2016.

MICHAEL CHAMPMAN-SAVAGE AMUSEMENT-VINYL EDITION-RECORD STORE DAY 2016. Nowadays, artists can spent years recording an album.  They announce that they’re about to start work on their next album. That’s the last anyone hears of the artist for years. They’re locked away in their home studio, with only a DAW and a handful of plug-ins for company. …

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NUGGETS-HALLUCINATIONS: PSYCHEDELIC POP NUGGETS FROM THE WEA VAULTS.

NUGGETS-HALLUCINATIONS: PSYCHEDELIC POP NUGGETS FROM THE WEA VAULTS. For many record collectors, Record Store Day is regarded as one of the most important days in the record collecting year. There’s a sense of anticipation about the day from weeks in advance. This begins the moment the list of Record Store Day releases is published. Record …

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RED SQUARE-RARE AND LOST 70S RECORDINGS.

RED SQUARE-RARE AND LOST 70S RECORDINGS. Far too often, innovative music falls to find the audience it deserves. Instead, it’s enjoyed by a small, discerning and appreciative audience. These musical connoisseurs recognise the importance of music that could, and should, influence another generation of musicians. Sadly, all too often this doesn’t happen.  To rub salt …

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HARMONIA-DOCUMENTS.

HARMONIA-DOCUMENTS. By 1974, supergroups were popular on both sides of the Atlantic. This had been the case since 1966, when Eric Clapton, Jack Bruce and Ginger Baker formed Cream. Since then, several supergroups had been formed, including Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young, Blind Faith, Emerson, Lake and Palmer and Bad Company. These supergroups enjoyed varying …

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JOHN MARTYN-GRACE AND DANGER-VINYL EDITION.

JOHN MARTYN-GRACE AND DANGER-VINYL EDITION. In November 1977, John Martyn released what’s was undoubtably one the finest albums of his career, One World. It was an atmospheric, experimental and genre-defying album. Everything from folk, jazz, reggae and rock melted together over eight tracks. Released to overwhelming critical acclaim, One World was hailed a classic album. …

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JETHRO TULL-TOO OLD TO ROCK ’N’ ROLL: TO YOUNG TO DIE-STEVEN WILSON STEREO MIX-RECORD STORE DAY VINYL EDITION.

JETHRO TULL-TOO OLD TO ROCK ’N’ ROLL: TO YOUNG TO DIE-STEVEN WILSON STEREO MIX-RECORD STORE DAY VINYL EDITION. By December 1975, Ian Anderson was only twenty-eight, and was the lead singer of one of the most successful progressive rock bands in the world, Jethro Tull. British music magazine Melody Maker went further. They asked in …

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KLAUS SCHULZE-IRRLICHT.

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 a meeting …

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DALINDEO-SLAVIC SOULS.

DALINDEO-SLAVIC SOULS. The Dalindèo story started back in 2003. That’s when composer and guitarist, Valtteri Laurell Pöyhönen, decided to found Dalindèo. They were no ordinary band. Instead, Dalindèo decided to recruit some of Finland’s top jazz musicians. Joining him in the rhythm section were drummer Jaska Lukkarinen and Pekka Lehti on double bass. They were …

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DIETER MOEBIUS-NURTON.

DIETER MOEBIUS-NURTON.  Although the late, great Dieter Moebius is best known for his groundbreaking work with Kluster, Cluster and Harmonia, he also enjoyed a successful solo career. However, Dieter Moebius’ solo career had to fit round his other musical commitments. So solo albums were sporadic. In total, Dieter Moebius released just five solo albums during …

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