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DJ LX
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Posts: 523
Location: Madison, WI

PostPosted: Sat Sep 12, 2015 5:57 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I really liked Everybody Loves a Happy Ending as well, and I was never really a Tears for Fears fan prior to that.
It's very Beatlesque, which in my world is a good thing.
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Buckeye Randy
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Location: Rock n Roll Capital

PostPosted: Fri Sep 18, 2015 11:10 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Tix purchased for Todd Rundgren at Rocksino (Akron/Cleveland).

This upcoming tour is supposed to be a "best of" show which are few and far between with Todd. He's similar to Sparks in that tours are usually unique onto themselves.

Website says more to be announced

December 1, 2015 Arcada Theatre Chicago IL
December 3, 2015 Harrah's Kansas City MO
December 4, 2015 Whiskey Roadhouse @ Horseshoe Council Bluffs IA
December 6, 2015 Riveria Theater North Tonawanda
December 7, 2015 Carnegie Music Hall Munhall PA
December 9, 2015 The Fillmore Detroit MI
December 10, 2015 Hard Rock Northfield OH
December 12, 2015 Calvin Theatre Northampton MA
December 13, 2015 Keswick Theatre Glenside PA
December 15, 2015 Ridgefield Playhouse Ridgefield CT
December 16, 2015 Wilbur Theatre Boston MA
December 18, 2015 Wellmont Theatre Montclair NJ
December 19, 2015 Gramercy Theatre NY NY
December 20, 2015 Sugerloaf PAC Sugar Loaf NY
December 22, 2015 Birchmere Alexandria VA
December 23, 2015 Sunoco Theatre @ Whitaker Center Harrisburg PA
January 6, 2016 Sabban Theater Beverly Hills CA
January 8, 2016 Talking Stick Resort Scottsdale AZ
January 9, 2016 Spotlight 29 Casino Coachella CA
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Buckeye Randy
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PostPosted: Wed Sep 30, 2015 2:06 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Artist: Hollywood Vampires
Title: Hollywood Vampires
Released: September 11, 2015

Never heard of Hollywood Vampires? The Hollywood Vampires are according to the CD booklet: Alice Cooper, Johnny Depp, Dennis Dunaway, Bob Ezrin, Perry Farrell, Dave Grohl, Tommy Henricksen, Brian Johnson, Robby Kreiger, Abe Laboriel, Sir Christopher Lee, Sir Paul McCartney, Joe Perry, Slash, Neil Smith, Glen Sobel, Zak Starkey, Joe Walsh, Kip Winger, Bruce Witkin. That’s a quality line-up.

Packaging; a shiny jewel case with a nice 16 page booklet and intro written by Bernie Taupin. Even the smell of the ink emanates quality. Death to digipak!

I usually pay attention to albums dedicated to cover songs. Almost all releases qualify as fun and though it’s usually disposable fun they supply an instant bang for your buck, “Hey I know that song”.

I’ve always enjoyed the discussion about what makes a good cover; faithfulness to the original or making it your own. I’ve heard it work both ways and anytime people talk about music it is a good thing. This release should have people talking.

OK, we have quality musicians and quality packaging but what about the bands being covered? The Who, Led Zep, Spirit, The Doors, Harry Nilsson, Badfinger, T Rex, John Lennon, Jimi Hendrix, Small Faces, Alice Cooper & Pink Floyd. That list passes most any test I can think of.

I had zero idea of the songs on this CD when I pushed it into the CD player for the ride home after buying it. Usually after new purchases, I listen to each of the tracks for a minute or so to get an idea of what sort of thing I’ve bought. Not this time, I was enjoying the songs too much to skip anything yet really anxious to hear what would be next. Not sure the last time I had such a positive vibe during a first listen.

Highlights O plenty with a new favorite nearly every listen. Right now it is Perry Farrell and Alice singing a medley of Nilsson songs (One Is The Loneliest Number, Jump Into The Fire, Lime In The Coconut). Pretty cool hearing Sir Paul McCartney singing the Badfinger song he wrote and lots of fun hearing Brian Johnson take whack at a verse of School’s Out. Even more fun is School’s Out suddenly morphing into Another Brick In The Wall. Alice has done this live plenty of times but a pleasure hearing a studio version of the medley. You haven't heard Itchycoo Park until you hear this trumped up version, it gallops.

I’m telling you, this is a great party disc. I doubt I’ll be listening to this in a month but I’m loving it right now. Well done.

“The Last Vampire”
Narration: Sir Christopher Lee
Keyboards and Sound Design: Johnny Depp, Bob Ezrin and Justin Cortelyou

“Raise the Dead”
(Johnny Depp, Bruce Witkin, Tommy Henriksen, Alice Cooper, Bob Ezrin, Rob Klonel)
Vocals: Alice Cooper
Guitars: Johnny Depp, Tommy Henriksen, Bruce Witkin
Drums: Glenn Sobel
Bass: Bruce Witkin
Background Vocals: Alice Cooper, Tommy Henriksen, Bob Ezrin

“My Generation”
Vocals: Alice Cooper
Guitars: Johnny Depp, Tommy Henriksen
Bass: Bruce Witkin
Drums: Zak Starkey
Background Vocals: Tommy Henriksen,

“Whole Lotta Love”
Vocals: Brian Johnson, Alice Cooper
Guitars: Joe Walsh, Johnny Depp,
Orianthi, Tommy Henriksen, Bruce Witkin
Harmonica: Alice Cooper
Drums: Zak Starkey
Bass: Kip Winger
Programming: Tommy Henriksen
Backing Vocals: Alice Cooper, Tommy Henriksen

“I Got a Line”
Vocals: Alice Cooper, Perry Farrell
Guitars: Joe Walsh, Johnny Depp, Tommy Henriksen, Bruce Witkin
Drums: Abe Laboriel Jr.
Bass: Kip Winger
Background Vocals: Perry Farrell, Tommy Henriksen, Bob Ezrin

“Five to One / Break On Through”
Vocals: Alice Cooper
Guitars: Robby Krieger, Johnny Depp, Tommy Henriksen
Drums: Abe Laboriel Jr.
Farfisa: Charlie Judge
Bass: Bruce Witkin

“One / Jump Into The Fire”
Vocals: Alice Cooper, Perry Farrell
Guitars: Robby Krieger, Johnny Depp, Tommy Henriksen, Bruce Witkin
Drums: Dave Grohl
Bass: Bruce Witkin
Keyboard: Bob Ezrin, Bruce Witkin
Programming: Tommy Henriksen

“Come and Get It”
Vocals: Paul McCartney, Alice Cooper
Guitars: Joe Perry, Johnny Depp
Piano: Paul McCartney
Drums: Abe Laboriel Jr.
Bass: Paul McCartney
Background Vocals: Johnny Depp, Alice Cooper, Abe Laboriel Jr., Bob Ezrin

“Jeepster”
Vocals: Alice Cooper
Guitars: Joe Perry, Johnny Depp, Tommy Henriksen,
Drums: Glenn Sobel
Bass: Bruce Witkin
Programming: Tommy Henriksen
Background Vocals: Bob Ezrin

“Cold Turkey”
Vocals: Alice Cooper
Guitars: Joe Perry, Johnny Depp, Tommy Henriksen
Drums: Glenn Sobel
Bass: Bruce Witkin
Programming: Tommy Henriksen
Background Vocals: Alice Cooper, Tommy Henriksen

“Manic Depression”
Vocals: Alice Cooper
Guitars: Joe Walsh, Johnny Depp, Tommy Henriksen
Drums: Zak Starkey
Bass: Bruce Witkin
Piano: Bob Ezrin

“Itchycoo Park”
Vocals: Alice Cooper
Guitars: Johnny Depp, Tommy Henriksen
Drums: Glenn Sobel
Bass: Bruce Witkin
Programming: Tommy Henriksen
Background Vocals: Alice Cooper, Tommy Henriksen, Bob Ezrin

“School’s Out / Another Brick in the Wall Pt. 2″
Vocals: Alice Cooper, Brian Johnson
Guitar: Slash, Joe Perry, Johnny Depp, Tommy Henriksen, Bruce Witkin
Drums: Neal Smith
Bass: Dennis Dunaway
Background Vocals: Kip Winger, Bob Ezrin

“Dead Drunk Friends”
(Johnny Depp, Bruce Witkin, Tommy Henriksen, Alice Cooper, Bob Ezrin)
Vocals: Alice Cooper
Guitars: Johnny Depp, Bruce Witkin
Drums: Glenn Sobel
Programming: Tommy Henriksen
Bass: Bruce Witkin
Piano: Bruce Witkin, Bob Ezrin
Background Vocals: Alice Cooper, Johnny Depp, Tommy Henriksen, Bruce Witkin, Bob Ezrin
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DJ LX
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Location: Madison, WI

PostPosted: Tue Oct 20, 2015 6:58 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Fans of No. 1 in Heaven would do well to check out Rey Pila. They're from Mexico City and do the retro synth pop thing really well. Their debut, The Future Sugar, is best album released this year not titled FFS. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NmK-zK5YJSw
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Buckeye Randy
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Joined: 21 Aug 2013
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Location: Rock n Roll Capital

PostPosted: Thu Oct 29, 2015 2:30 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I really like when we share music, a rare example of the Internet actually being useful other than getting directions or scores of games.

Anyways, i stumbled across something interesting. First off, has anybody ever heard of Parov Stelar or am i late to the party?

Proclaimed as electro swing which is a new phrase to me. I'm finding it pretty listenable at least for now.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BP2jz7UCiig&list=PLpKD1FhD79jKnapXVOejaXYgovcXAKurr

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cBu6eEKJH3M&list=PLpKD1FhD79jKnapXVOejaXYgovcXAKurr&index=5

Not quite as fun as Gogol Bordello but honestly, what is?
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DJ LX
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PostPosted: Tue Nov 03, 2015 8:50 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Buckeye Randy wrote:
Anyways, i stumbled across something interesting. First off, has anybody ever heard of Parov Stelar or am i late to the party?

Proclaimed as electro swing which is a new phrase to me. I'm finding it pretty listenable at least for now.

Not only have I not heard of Parov Stelar, I've never heard of the genre electroswing. Nice find!
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DJ LX
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PostPosted: Tue Nov 03, 2015 8:54 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

My favorite releases of 2015 thus far:

FFS - FFS

Live+ - Jeff Beck

The Future Sugar - Rey Pila

Untethered Moon - Built to Spill

I Wasn't Meant to Lose You - Swervedriver
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Buckeye Randy
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Location: Rock n Roll Capital

PostPosted: Fri Nov 06, 2015 1:57 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

FFS would top my list and Todd Rundgren's Global was my disappointment of the year. I don't really hold a grudge, I'll be seeing Todd for a 16th time next month.

Holy Holy (the band) is coming to the U.S. to perform "The Man Who Sold The World".

In the band are Tony Visconti and Woody Woodmansey from the original Bowie album.

promo poster
https://www.facebook.com/davidbowie/photos/a.424610777664.193516.30899502664/10153066244327665/?type=3&theater

https://www.facebook.com/holyholybowie/

I listened to a show from the U.K. on YouTube (audio only). A rough audience recording but a nice enough tease to buy tickets. A two hour show that besides TMWSTW includes songs from Hunky Dory, Ziggy Stardust and Aladdinsane.

Mick Ronson's sister, daughter and niece being on this recording is pretty cool. Benny Marshall appearing at this show registers as very cool. Benny was the vocalist for The Rats which morphed into The Hype which morphed into The Spiders From Mars.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Umuihk-FI4

Ode To Joy
The Width Of A Circle
All The Madmen
Black Country Rock
After All (vocals - Marc Almond)
Running Gun Blues
Saviour Machine
She Shook Me Cold
The Man Who Sold The World
The Supermen
Life On Mars? (aborted)
Life On Mars? (take 2)
Hang On To Yourself
Ziggy Stardust
Watch That Man (vocals - Glenn Gregory and Marc Almond)
Cracked Actor
Lady Stardust (vocals - Lisa Ronson)
Starman (vocals - Steve Norman)
band introductions
Time (Dylan Howe on drums)
Five Years
Moonage Daydream
encore break and thanks
White Light/White Heat
The Jean Genie

Band:

Tony Visconti - bass guitar
Woody Woodmansey - drums
Glenn Gregory - lead vocals
Steve Norman - backing vocals, 6- and 12-string acoustic guitar, tenor sax
Erdal Kizilcay - keyboards, bass
Paul Cuddeford - lead guitar
James Stevenson - lead guitar
Rod Melvin - keyboards
Maggi Ronson - backing vocals, hand-held percussion, recorder
Lisa Ronson - backing vocals
Hannah Berridge Ronson - backing vocals, keyboards
Malcolm Doherty - 12-string acoustic and backing vocals

Guests:
Marc Almond - vocals on After All and Watch That Man
Gary Kemp - guitar on Starman and encores
Benny Marshall - harmonica on Cracked Actor and encores
Simon - flute
Dylan Howe - drums on Time
Morgan Visconti, Jessica Lee Viconti, Daphne Guinness - backing vocals on encores
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sjadey
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PostPosted: Fri Nov 06, 2015 2:50 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

DJ LX wrote:
Buckeye Randy wrote:
Anyways, i stumbled across something interesting. First off, has anybody ever heard of Parov Stelar or am i late to the party?

Proclaimed as electro swing which is a new phrase to me. I'm finding it pretty listenable at least for now.

Not only have I not heard of Parov Stelar, I've never heard of the genre electroswing. Nice find!

There was a French electro-swing band called Caravan Palace on Later...with Jools Holland last Friday.
They were also on The Jonathan Ross Show last Saturday when they played "Lone Digger".
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Buckeye Randy
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Location: Rock n Roll Capital

PostPosted: Fri Nov 06, 2015 4:09 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

sjadey wrote:

There was a French electro-swing band called Caravan Palace on Later...with Jools Holland last Friday.
They were also on The Jonathan Ross Show last Saturday when they played "Lone Digger".


That's pretty good...that's real good.

Within one week I have gone from not knowing what electro swing is to now thinking Sparks should give it a go.

It seems like a natural progression to me, what do you think?

On a lighter note...maybe Malcolm McLaren really was a visionary. Yikes!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9SgvJY9xxcA
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Buckeye Randy
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PostPosted: Mon Nov 23, 2015 4:24 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Artist: Queen
Title: A Night At The Odeon
Released: November 20, 2015

What archive type material is essential for a Queen fan? If I (a former fan club card holding member) would have been asked that question five years ago I would have said the De Lane Lea demo tapes, Rainbow concert ’74 and Christmas show ’75.

The De Lane Lea tapes appeared as a bonus disc with the 40th Anniversary release (2011) of Queen’s debut with no disappointment. 2014 saw the release of Queen At The Rainbow (CD, DVD) which was two Rainbow shows packaged about 10 different ways but even my next to low end 2CD release was worthy of being called essential. Only thing left to release is the Christmas show from ’75.

The ’75 Christmas show was originally broadcast on the BBC and appeared shortly thereafter on a syndicated BBC concert hour that aired in Cleveland (WMMS The Buzzard!). This was my introduction and I taped this (8-track) off the radio and it was instantly one of my favorites. I’ve had a few versions of this show over the years; the 8-track off the radio, a vinyl boot and even a CD boot complete with artwork and though all my versions have been slightly different than one another whether it be tracks or between song chatter, they have all been a favorite.

Maybe I should better define what I mean when I say one of my favorites. When I sit outside on a summer night by the fire, what do you think the last CD to be put in the player to end the evening is? Yep, it’s normally the ’75 Christmas show by Queen. This concert has absolutely stood the test of time for me, I love it. (I hope this official release isn’t botched)

Let’s start with packaging of this long awaited release. This is similar to the Rainbow release as it is available on CD, DVD, SD Blu Ray, 2 LP and Super Deluxe Box Set. Luckily for me (and family members wanting Christmas gifts this year), my store only had the CD version.

Jewel case is a good start because I hate digipaks. The front cover of the 12 page booklet has a live image of Freddie superimposed over an outside shot of The Odeon entrance and marquee. The contents of the 12 page book do not include a retro review or summary of events surrounding the show. Included are really basic b/w pics and the usual credits but nothing more. The back of the booklet appears to be a tribute to bootleg art. Different parts of artwork from A Night At The Opera are combined with “QUEEN LIVE!” underneath.

I was a little apprehensive about how this was going to sound. I liked how this show sounded on a bass heavy 8-track, I liked it on scratchy vinyl and I even liked it on a cd that sounded like the source tape was speeding up and slowing down. All had a certain charm. We have all heard remastered digitized improvements that audiophile geeks rave about but bear little resemblance to inferior recordings that we happened to really like allot. Rest easy, if you liked it before then you’ll love it now.

The music. This is the last time Queen would sound like this, an absolute punch in the face. Aggressive versions of early favorites. I will say it is odd that this show is part of ANATO tour and a grand total of one song from that album is performed. I’m just saying odd, I’m not complaining.

There are highlights here for everybody from casual fans to hard core Queenies. The biggest for people hearing this for the first time will be the Bohemian Rhapsody medley which includes Killer Queen and March Of The Black Queen instead of the opera section in Bo Rhap. The prize for people familiar with bootleg versions is the inclusion of the encore (Big Spender, Jailhouse Rock medley (Stupid Cupid, Be Bop A Lula), Seven Seas Of Rhye and See What A Fool I’ve Been.

I’ve always felt that this show contained definitive live versions of Now I’m Here, White Queen, Keep Yourself Alive, Liar and Lap of The Gods. I still feel that way. The versions of Ogre Battle and Brighton Rock are really strong. All killer, no filler.

If a person is going to own only one live release by Queen, this should be it.

Highly recommended.
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DJ LX
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PostPosted: Fri Dec 04, 2015 8:34 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I moseyed down to the local record shop during my lunch break and got the new Queen live set. I spent the rest of the afternoon listening to it on my computer at work, via headphones of course. And a good thing too, as this music would have caused quite a ruckus. This is Queen at the rockingest best, throwing down the gauntlet.

I also like that they've retained between-song stage banter and the interlude -- with the fans clamoring for more --between the end of the set and the beginning of the encores. It gives a better sense of of the concert experience.

Here's Brian May's thoughts on the performance: http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/brian-may-talks-queens-1975-concert-film-performing-bohemian-rhapsody-live-20151012

Finally, when I put the CD into my computer and opened it with Widows Media Player, the song titles were in Japanese! Not that I mind, but it's amusing all the same.
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Buckeye Randy
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PostPosted: Fri Dec 11, 2015 1:53 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Artist: Todd Rundgren
Date: December 10, 2015
Where: Rocksino Hard Rock (Northfield, Ohio)

Last night was my sweet 16th time of seeing Todd in concert. As far as fandom in the Todd universe, I’m more than casual but far from obsessive though I was borderline rabid in the ‘70’s. I’ve taken long lapses from visiting Todd shows the last 30+ years and there are even some albums I don’t own. I suppose it is accurate to say that my current love of Todd is a somewhat conditional love. The condition is, play the music that I like! Yes, that means I like mostly the old stuff.

I don’t normally go to concerts during Christmas shopping season. However, after seeing Todd play a brilliant set with an orchestra this past September, I found myself weak and snatched up two tickets for this December show.

Accompanying me last night was a relative newbie to the Todd circuit. Mrs. Buckeye was seeing Todd for merely the 14th time…rookie. This tour is being billed as “An Evening With Todd Rundgren” and sources claim that 50 songs were prepared for these shows with half of those played nightly. Sources also claim it is a career overview and not a deep tracks or novelty type show. That sounds great to me.

Clinching the deal was the band; Prairie Prince, Jesse Gress, Kasim Sultan and John Ferenzik. All veteran members from some of Todd’s best tours. There is no way this train can come off the track.

This is my second visit to Rocksino and it is exactly what you would imagine in a newly built casino. A really clean conference hall with temporary seating for 2600 and a stage at one end. On my first visit, The J Geils Band somehow turned this sterile environment into a rowdy beer hall. Last night we saw this venue exposed for more of what it actually is.

I attribute this completely with the people attending the show. The J Geils fans were being treated to their first real tour in over 20 years and they greeted the band as if welcoming home a long lost friend. Todd is playing Northeast Ohio for probably the 20th time in the last four years and he was greeted like somebody stopping back home because he forgot his lunch. You’ll always have the loyal dogs that get excited when you return from the mailbox but there were plenty of people that seemed like they were in a “same ole, same ole” mode.

I wasn’t in the “same ole” mode because not counting the orchestra show a couple months back this was my first Todd show in over 5 years. I don’t want to imply the crowd was dead because it wasn’t. Todd did bring the entire place to their collective feet on a few occasions, most notably after a blistering version of ‘Black Maria’ that featured Todd in full guitar hero mode. For the most part though it was a seated crowd that would applaud and occasionally stand after a song. I absolutely could not believe the lack of interest as Todd performed a pounding version of ‘Black & White’, to each their own I guess. I must give a nod to the small pocket of 20 or so rowdy dancing fans up front, stage right. Well done, you guys rock!

This was definitely a career spanning show. Included was the first song from the first album by Nazz, ‘Open My Eyes’ (1968) and Todd spanned all the way to ‘Soothe’ from his 2015 release (Global). That’s like 47 years of spanning, how many active artists can do this?

There are many fans of Todd that think his best work was with the band Utopia. These folks were not disappointed last night because six of the 24 songs performed were Utopian. Now, I saw more than a few Utopia shows back in the day and they had one thing in common. You got a dose of Utopia’s most recent album with a heapin’ helpin’ of Todd songs mixed in. Last night was different, there were six Utopia songs from five different albums. It was fun hearing ‘Love In Action’ again and ‘Hammer In My Heart’ for the first time; two of my favorites by Utopia.

The remaining songs came from 10 albums with double digit selections from Todd’s most popular work in the ‘70’s . I might not be an obsessive fan but I’ll never get tired of hearing ‘I Saw The Light’, ‘Love Of The Common Man’, ‘Couldn’t I Just Tell You’, ‘Sometimes I Don’t Know What To Feel’ or ‘A Dream Goes On Forever’. Last night’s show also included ‘Hello It’s Me’, ‘Bang The Drum All Day’, ‘Can We Still Be Friends’, ‘Buffalo Grass’ and my highlight was ‘Determination’.

The crazy thing is, there are nearly as many essential songs that were not included in last night’s set as he performed. The wealth of Todd’s catalogue is huge.

A pretty nice way to spend a Thursday night, already looking forward to number 17.
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PostPosted: Sat Dec 12, 2015 6:15 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Anyone a fan of the Pretty Things? I've only recently discovered their albums S.F. Sorrow and Parachute, and am smitten. This is some really inspired and highly adventurous music.
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Buckeye Randy
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PostPosted: Tue Dec 22, 2015 9:48 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

DJ LX wrote:
Anyone a fan of the Pretty Things? I've only recently discovered their albums S.F. Sorrow and Parachute, and am smitten. This is some really inspired and highly adventurous music.


I know the song that Bowie covered on Pinups, 'Roaylyn'.

I also know they had a release earlier this year, 'The Sweet Pretty Things (Are In Bed Now, Of Course...)'. Reviews are quite good.

Any thoughts memories on the HOF class? (Cheap Trick, Steve Miller, Deep Purple, Chicago and N.W.A.)

Kind of a vanilla class though I have no argument with any being worthy. I've never seen N.W.A. or Chicago and really have no regrets about that. I saw a nice 'best of' set by Steve Miller about 1991. Pretty good show and fun because I knew nearly every song without actually owning any albums by Steve Miller. I saw Ian Gillan not with Deep Purple but as a vocalist for an '80's version of Black Sabbath touring for the album 'Born Again'. Memorable more for the opening band, Quiet Riot.

It gets a little more personal with Cheap Trick. I was on the bandwagon with them almost from the beginning. I wasn't able to see them their first time in Cleveland because they played a show at the '18 and over' Cleveland Agora sandwiched between The Dead Boys and The Dictators. However, I was able to catch them a few months later when they opened for Be Bop Deluxe at Cleveland Music Hall. A fabulous memory.

I loved the first two studio albums, tolerated 'Heaven Tonight' and started to slowly stroll away after 'Dream Police'. The fact remains, I have seen these guys four times and their first couple albums still are in the rotation at my house almost 40 years after they were released. Pretty cool.
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PostPosted: Tue Dec 22, 2015 11:05 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Buckeye Randy wrote:
Any thoughts memories on the HOF class? (Cheap Trick, Steve Miller, Deep Purple, Chicago and N.W.A.)

They're running out of *mainstream* top shelf talent to induct. Now they could induct Sparks or Mink/Willy Deville. But we know that will never happen. And in a way, it's probably for the best. Other than that, my main impression was how well my neck of the woods is represented. Cheap Trick is from Rockford IL, just south of the Wisconsin border and not too far from Madison. Steve Miller's from Milwaukee. And we all know where Chicago is from (even though they've lived in L.A. since their 2nd album). I'm fine with any (or none) of the nominated acts getting in. In other words I don't have a horse in this race.

Buckeye Randy wrote:
However, I was able to catch them a few months later when they opened for Be Bop Deluxe at Cleveland Music Hall. A fabulous memory.

I must say, I'm envious.
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PostPosted: Wed Dec 23, 2015 1:24 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

DJ LX wrote:

Buckeye Randy wrote:
However, I was able to catch them a few months later when they opened for Be Bop Deluxe at Cleveland Music Hall. A fabulous memory.

I must say, I'm envious.


It was essentially the Live In The Air Age album with the movie Metropolis playing backwards as a backdrop. Our tix were somewhere in the front ten rows but we were sitting in the front row for over half of the Be Bop show. When Bill Nelson threw a sweaty towel toward the crowd it fell short and landed in the orchestra/photo pit. A photographer handed it to my buddy. My buddy who was a guitarist kept this towel on his amp so the sweat of Bill Nelson could inspire his equipment. He came home one day from work and the towel was folded neatly on his bed with all his other laundry. His Mom washed it because it seemed dirty.

Looking back, I'm very fortunate to have seen this show...my kids would not have been allowed! It was a school night, I was 16 years old and I was going with a guy that had already graduated from high school. What were my parents thinking letting me go to Cleveland?

I still consider this one of my favorite concert memories.
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Buckeye Randy
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PostPosted: Tue Dec 29, 2015 2:02 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Artist: The Dictators
Title: The Dictators Go Girl Crazy, 40th Anniversary
Released: December 4, 2015



Probably the only band that is proto x2. The Dictators are saluted by punks as being ‘proto-punk’ and by (big hair) metal heads as being ‘proto-metal’. No arguing the punk connection as they are the only band to bridge the Stooges and NY Dolls to the CBGB scene of the mid ‘70’s. The hair metal connection has direct lineage as members later landed in the ‘80’s with Twisted Sister and Man O War.

I like the smart guy liking dumb stuff approach (I’m talking about the band, not me). This probably explains why as a teenager I liked George Carlin better than Cheech & Chong and why I liked CREEM magazine better than Rolling Stone. I think that a decent IQ morphed with bad pop culture should be embraced and not something that we try to elevate from. Dumb is fun.

OK, I buy into all the hype and ideology about the importance of The Dictators. I might buy all the hype but I’m normally pretty skeptical about buying re-issues with bonus tracks. However…‘tis the season of giving so I decided to give myself a Christmas present plus how often do I see a disc by The Dictators in a ‘normal’ CD store. Disc purchased.

The packaging: …I love the jewel case and I love how the disc looks like the orange Epic center label from an lp. The booklet has a nice article by Andy Shernoff that was written just a couple months ago. The article is a smart overview that firstly covers the atmosphere of the early ‘70’s music scene and secondly how The Dictators fit into this music scene. My favorite part of the article is how Andy would catch a weekly radio show on WNEW that was dedicated to U.K. glam. He would get to hear music that U.S. stations wouldn’t play like Bowie, Mott The Hoople, Slade, Roxy Music, Wizard and Suzi Quatro. For those that don’t know, The Dictators covered Mott The Hoople’s “Moon Upstairs” on their first live release in 1981.

The music: …I’m not hearing a night/day difference in the sound of the nine tracks that appeared on the original CD release and this re-issue. We can say that's because I have a crap sound system but I really don't hear the difference. The next two numbers (10, 11) are called ‘bonus tracks’ and these are remixes from 2015 of “Two Tub Man” and “Weekend”. These would fall into the category of not needed. I’m not a fan of retro mixing music from old tapes.

The last seven tracks are referred to as ‘Session Outtakes’, five of which are previously unreleased. Now this is the sort of stuff we want. “Backseat Boogie” also appeared on the 2008 compilation of demos and outtakes titled, “Everyday Is Saturday”. I’m not 100% sure this is the same version but regardless, this song should have been included on the original release. The other previously released song is an alternative take of “Next Big Thing” which has an unfinished demo quality.

The last five tracks are the previously unreleased material. One is a single version remix of “Cars And Girls”, two are instrumental versions of songs that already appear with vocals. The other two have what sound like drunken and off key vocals, this isn’t exactly what I was hoping for.

I can’t say it is a bad purchase because it was a Christmas present. No way would I recommend this to anybody that already has an original CD copy. If you don’t own anything by The Dictators I would skip this debut and grab the 2014 release, “Faster... Louder: The Dictators Best 1975-2001”. That release has 6 of the 9 tracks from “Go Girl Crazy” plus it has 14 other tracks a whole lot more accessible than the bonus material on the 40th Anniversary release of “Go Girl Crazy”.

DFFD
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Buckeye Randy
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PostPosted: Fri Jan 08, 2016 4:04 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Artist: David Bowie
Title: Blackstar
Released: 1/8/16



I’m old and I’m bored and I have a little disposable income so I buy releases by artists from my youth. I bought Bowie’s 2013 release (The Next Day) and let it play on continuous loop for three days before banishing to alphabeticalville, it hasn’t seen a CD player since. I didn‘t hate it but when I play Bowie it just isn’t one of the discs I go for. However, it was decent enough that I’ll give this new Bowie release a try.

My Bowie fandom has never been complete, he had already started his Philly Soul period before I even discovered the five killer albums by Bowie with Mick Ronson heading up the Spiders. Those five albums are part of my musical DNA but everything released since I’ve received with semi-comparative and skeptical ears or I just haven’t bothered at all. Don’t get me wrong, there have been moments I’ve really liked but it is usually just songs, not albums.

My Bowie collection is woefully incomplete, barely double digit regular releases plus a few oddities and boots. I’m a fan but I’m not ‘all in’ for everything he has ever done.

So I’m not a real fan and I wasn’t wowed by his last album yet I’m caught up in the buzz surrounding this new release. I’m not positive but it’s probably the girl in the Blackstar video that has a tail. (Chicks with tails are sorta cool). I also think it’s pretty cool releasing an album on your birthday, Happy 69th.

The packaging: I’m a fan of jewel cases; we aren’t getting that but we aren’t getting a cheapie budget digipak either. We get a tri-panel fold out with a cd tray in the middle. We also get a 16 page booklet with some lyrics but this is not very user friendly as far as I’m concerned. Glossy black ink on matte black ink or vice versa. If black on black isn’t bad enough, everything is in all caps which makes fluent reading (for me anyways) impossible. Hey Mr. Jones, a big chunk of your fan base is on the plus side of 50 and has trouble trying to read food nutrition labels which is annoying but happens to be easier than reading these lyrics. Your booklet has proven that art trumps usefulness.

I can live with worthless packaging, I can google up lyrics or find out the musicians if I really want to do so. The music is what’s important so here we go with first impressions.

Seven songs covering 42 minutes with most in the five minute range except the ten minute Blackstar. I like the title track but there is also familiarity since the video has been out for quite some time. The overall vibe of the rest is slow to medium paced crooning with the musical highlight being the saxophone weaving in and out. When I was 17 years old I thought long meandering songs by Steve Hillage or Peter Hammill were pretty cool but I’ve become less patient as I’ve grown older.

Quick comparison to Bowie’s previous release “The Next Day”. “The Next Day” had a quicker pace (17 songs in 60 minutes). It also had songs that resembled rock music where “Blackstar” has zero riff rock.

OK, I don’t care for the unreadable booklet and I generally prefer crisp riffs over listening to an amoeba.

The thing is, there is something sort of cool about this whole thing. The lyrics have lots of great one liners that catch your attention, I really need to get a lyric sheet. The music isn’t forced and the songs develop as they go which is something “The Next Day” didn’t really do. Easiest comparison is snapshots versus moving picture. I am actually starting to like this as the fourth listening is beginning.

No way that this will ever become a disc I pop in the car when going to a sporting event or anywhere for that matter. It is however a disc that will most likely get some late night listens and that’s not all bad. Also not a bad way to celebrate David Bowie’s B-day.
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PostPosted: Sun Feb 21, 2016 6:50 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Milk 'n' Cookies legendary s/t album is getting the deluxe reissue treatment (release date April 15) thanks to Captured Tracks.

Quote:
MILK ‘N’ COOKIES

Milk ‘N’ Cookies are the stuff of legends — or would be legends. Forming in the early 1970s in Long Island, New York, this Power Pop group was originally signed to Island Records and seemed destined for greatness. Yet, through many cases of “right place, wrong time,” the band never managed to break. The core line-up of the band was made up of Ian North, Justin Strauss, Sal Maida and Mike Ruiz and, in their time, they played classic NYC venues like CBGB’s and Max’s Kansas City. They shared bills with everyone from Talking Heads to The Ramones and have amassed a cult following, influencing the likes of Thurston Moore (Sonic Youth) and Debbie Harry (Blondie).

After working extensively with the band members, Milk ‘N’ Cookies is a lavish reissue of the group’s entire recorded output. Housed in a deluxe slipcase is the band’s original legendary LP, a 2xLP featuring rare and unreleased tracks, as well as a book that chronicles the full history of the band’s wild ride through the music biz—as told by the band themselves, through accounts from their many (in)famous admirers (Sonic Youth, Talking Heads, the Ramones) and through never-before-seen photographs. “Get out your Tinkertoys once again as we’re happily blessed with this new Milk ‘N’ Cookies package.

“As the guys so eloquently state in their song, ‘Buy This Record.’” – Russell and Ron Mael a/k/a Sparks
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