Friday, May 30, 2014

Aerosmith's Joe Perry Hoping to Change Things Up with Summer Set


Beginning on July 10th of this year, world renowned guitarist Slash and legendary rock band Aerosmith will be embarking on a summer tour that they will be calling 'Let Rock Rule'. During the course of the tour, Aerosmith lead guitarist Joe Perry is wanting to throw in some lesser known tunes into the set list.

The band is currently on tour in Europe and has been keeping mostly to the same set list that they have been using since last year though recently in Moscow they played "Freedom Fighter", a song from their 2012 album Music From Another Dimension for the first time live.

In a recent interview with Rolling Stone, Perry said, “We’re going to do a few off-the-wall ones that there will be some discussion about,” also stating that the current set list has “started to get very heavy on the ’70s, with a lot of album cuts. Once we’re back in the States, we’ll definitely do more from the new album and things from the ’90s we haven’t played in a long time. Off the top of my head, that might include ‘Monkey on My Back’ or maybe even ‘Hangman Jury.’”

Since former Guns N' Roses and Velvet Revolver lead guitarist Slash and his solo band Myles Kennedy and the Conspirators will be opening for a lot of the American dates of the tour, Perry is very much looking forward to jamming with him during the shows. "I want to go out and play with him at least a couple of times," Perry says. "It's always fun to play something different. He might also play during our set. We're known for doing 'Mama Kin' together, but there are other songs he likes. Rocks is one of his favorite records. I'm sure he's got a couple of songs he wants to play, and we'll oblige him. We're really good friends and it's going to be a really good tour."

Perry is also hoping to also release an autobiography titled Rocks: My Life in and Out of Aerosmith that will "set the record straight" on the story of Aerosmith this coming October

“We’re going to do a few off-the-wall ones that there will be some discussion about,” adding that the setlists have “started to get very heavy on the ’70s, with a lot of album cuts. Once we’re back in the States, we’ll definitely do more from the new album and things from the ’90s we haven’t played in a long time. Off the top of my head, that might include ‘Monkey on My Back’ or maybe even ‘Hangman Jury.’”

Read More: Aerosmith Looking To Introduce Deep Album Cuts On Upcoming Tour | http://ultimateclassicrock.com/aerosmith-perform-deep-cuts/?trackback=tsmclip

Thursday, May 29, 2014

Throwback Thursday: Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon

Cover of The Dark Side of the Moon, created by Storm Thorgerson

On March 1, 1973 progressive rock band Pink Floyd released what to this day is one of best selling albums worldwide. It maintained a place in the Billboard charts from 1973 to 1988; a total of 741 weeks. An estimated $50,000,000 in sales have been made on this album alone. Recorded at Abbey Road Studios in London and produced by Alan Parsons, The Dark Side of the Moon featured heavy analog synthesizer presence and some of the most advanced recording techniques available at the time. Such techniques included multi-track recording and tape loops.

The lyrical content of the album covers mostly philosophical topics ranging from greed, passage of time, mental illness, conflict, and death. Part of the inspiration for including mental illness was former Pink Floyd member Syd Barrett, whose deteriorating mental state caused by drug use caused him to leave the band.

The Dark Side of the Moon was constructed and recorded as a suite, where each piece of music continues into the next on both sides of the record and certain musical themes recurring throughout multiple parts of the album. Part of this is due to the fact that many of the musical ideas that contributed to the album were taken from pieces of experiments the band had attempted during many of their live performances where one part would flow to the next with no pauses.

It becomes slightly difficult to dissect individual tracks from the album because it is meant to be listened to from start to finish. However, it did spawn two hit singles: Money and Time/Us and Them.

Money starts off with multiple sound effects of a cash register being opened and used over and over again. After a few seconds of this, the main riff of the song kicks in to get things going. Though written in an odd 7/8 timing, the whole song has a very strong straight up bluesy vibe to it. One of the most memorable aspects of the song is the strong soulful tenor saxophone solo provided by Dick Parry which leads into the multi-tracked guitar solo performed by guitarist David Gilmour. The lyrics themselves mock greed and modern consumerism.

Time being one of the other more notable singles from The Dark Side of the Moon is set at a fairly slow to moderate pace, but has one of the single greatest and most memorable guitar solos of David Gilmour's career. It begins with many different kinds of old fashioned clocks and alarm clocks all going off at once (which would more than likely scare the daylights out of someone who had never listened to the album before and had their volume turned up), followed by a rhythm that sounds like a clock ticking. From there an instrument build up begins and the rest of the band comes in to accompany. The lyrics discuss how time can pass in the blink of an eye; how years can get shorter as we all get older.

The Dark Side of the Moon has a few themes that bring the whole album together as a suite. For instance, it begins with a synthesized rhythm that sounds like a heartbeat and ends the album in the same way; making it almost possible to listen to the album on loop without missing a beat. Also, some of the melodies recur in certain songs such as: Speak to Me/Breath, Time, and The Great Gig in the Sky.

One of the most popular urban legends about The Dark Side of the Moon is that it was recorded as a soundtrack for the 1939 film The Wizard of Oz. There are rumors of certain synchronizations between the album and the film such as Dorothy balancing on a fence during the line "balanced on the biggest wave" in "Breathe" as well as Dorothy starting to run at the line "no one told you when to run" during the song "Time". Since then the band has denied any connection, but bassist Roger Waters noted that he found the idea "amusing".

Pink Floyd's The Dark Side of the Moon is nothing short of a musical masterpiece. From its seamless musical transitions to its philosophical lyrics to its impeccable composition, it is very evident why the album has left such an undeniable legacy. Many musicians to this day still derive much inspiration from the groundbreaking work laid down by Pink Floyd over 40 years ago. It accomplishes what not many artists are able to do. It is progressive in art form while still also being accessible and digestible to the mainstream. There is not a single shred of doubt that this album will still be on people's turntables, CD players, mp3 libraries, etc. for many years to come.

The Dark Side of the Moon, by Pink Floyd receives 5 out of 5 stars.

Buy the album on Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/Dark-Side-Moon-Experience-2011/dp/B005NNUKF4/ref=sr_1_1_bnp_1_mus?ie=UTF8&qid=1401421734&sr=8-1&keywords=The+Darkside+of+the+Moon


The Dark Side of the Moon, by Pink Floyd (Full Album)


Wednesday, May 28, 2014

Axl Rose Rejects Title of World's Greatest Singer


Not too long ago, Guns N' Roses front-man Axl Rose was scientifically declared the "World's Greatest Singer". A little over a week after this statement was made, Rose has publicly responded to the declaration.

Rose, having decided to be humble about the whole affair wrote a letter to Spin iterating that there is more than sheer vocal octave range that makes a singer great.

In his letter, Rose states:

"Big thanks to all the fans and media for the props reacting to the Spin top vocalists article.

From what I could tell, the original article was for the most part only talking about the professionally recorded vocal range of the singers they compared calling the entire group “The World’s Greatest Singers.” It’s very flattering and humbling to be included in such an illustrious ensemble.

If I had to say who I thought the best singers were, I’d say first that I don’t know there’s a definitive answer as in my opinion it’s subjective, and second that my focus is primarily rock singers.

That said, I enjoy Freddie Mercury, Elvis Presley, Paul McCartney, Dan McCafferty, Janice (sic) Joplin, Michael Jackson, Elton John, Roger Daltrey, Don Henley, Jeff Lynne, Johnny Cash, Frank Sinatra, Jimmy Scott, Etta James, Fiona Apple, Chrissie Hynde, Stevie Wonder, James Brown and a ton of others (predominantly 70′s rock singers) and would rather hear ANY of them anytime rather than me!

Peace!

Axl"

Since then, the list has been made more up to date. The original survey took from Rolling Stone's list of the 100 Greatest Singers along with this year's BMA Awards nominees. Van Halen's David Lee Roth and Faith No More's Mike Patton are now ranked above Rose in terms of vocal range.
Big thanks to all the fans and media for the props reacting to the Spin top vocalists article.
From what I could tell, the original article was for the most part only talking about the professionally recorded vocal range of the singers they compared calling the entire group “The World’s Greatest Singers.” It’s very flattering and humbling to be included in such an illustrious ensemble.
If I had to say who I thought the best singers were, I’d say first that I don’t know there’s a definitive answer as in my opinion it’s subjective, and second that my focus is primarily rock singers.
That said, I enjoy Freddie Mercury, Elvis Presley, Paul McCartney, Dan McCafferty, Janice (sic) Joplin, Michael Jackson, Elton John, Roger Daltrey, Don Henley, Jeff Lynne, Johnny Cash, Frank Sinatra, Jimmy Scott, Etta James, Fiona Apple, Chrissie Hynde, Stevie Wonder, James Brown and a ton of others (predominantly 70′s rock singers) and would rather hear ANY of them anytime rather than me!
Peace!
Axl


Read More: Axl Rose Denies Being The World's Greatest Singer | http://ultimateclassicrock.com/axl-rose-denies-worlds-greatest-singer/?trackback=tsmclip

Tuesday, May 27, 2014

Queen to Release Unheard Material With Freddie Mercury



In 1991, the extraordinary voice of Queen frontman Freddie Mercury was silenced forever when he succumbed to AIDS. In his career that spanned nearly two decades, he left a remarkable legacy behind for the world to remember. There is good news for fans of Queen, however. Queen guitarist Brian May recently announced in a BBC Wales interview that they will be releasing a brand new album with recently discovered material which Mercury sang on that has NEVER been released to the public before.

This will be the band's first release of unheard material with Freddie Mercury since their 1995 release Made in Heaven. May announced last week that the new album will be titled Queen Forever. While it was announced that the material had been discovered back in January, only recently were details of the coming release announced. It has also been confirmed by May that this will be the absolute last of the unheard Freddie Mercury material.

As was done with Made in Heaven, the material will feature new bigger arrangements. When asked about the tracks May said, “Most of it comes from the ’80′s when we were in full flight. It is quite emotional. It is the big, big ballads and the big, big epic sound. It wouldn’t have been if we hadn’t have done this restoration job. We had to start from scratch because we only had scraps. But knowing how it would have happened if we had finished it, I can sit there and make it happen with modern technology.”

In the mean time however, Queen will be kicking off a new tour on June 19th in Chicago, IL with former American Idol contestant Adam Lambert whom the band has worked with in the past at the front manning the vocals.
May says, “Most of it comes from the ’80′s when we were in full flight. It is quite emotional. It is the big, big ballads and the big, big epic sound. It wouldn’t have been if we hadn’t have done this restoration job. We had to start from scratch because we only had scraps. But knowing how it would have happened if we had finished it, I can sit there and make it happen with modern technology.”

Read More: Brian May Reveals New Queen Album Title, Release Plans | http://ultimateclassicrock.com/queen-forever/?trackback=tsmclip
May says, “Most of it comes from the ’80′s when we were in full flight. It is quite emotional. It is the big, big ballads and the big, big epic sound. It wouldn’t have been if we hadn’t have done this restoration job. We had to start from scratch because we only had scraps. But knowing how it would have happened if we had finished it, I can sit there and make it happen with modern technology.”

Read More: Brian May Reveals New Queen Album Title, Release Plans | http://ultimateclassicrock.com/queen-forever/?trackback=tsmclip
May says, “Most of it comes from the ’80′s when we were in full flight. It is quite emotional. It is the big, big ballads and the big, big epic sound. It wouldn’t have been if we hadn’t have done this restoration job. We had to start from scratch because we only had scraps. But knowing how it would have happened if we had finished it, I can sit there and make it happen with modern technology.”

Read More: Brian May Reveals New Queen Album Title, Release Plans | http://ultimateclassicrock.com/queen-forever/?trackback=tsmclip
May says, “Most of it comes from the ’80′s when we were in full flight. It is quite emotional. It is the big, big ballads and the big, big epic sound. It wouldn’t have been if we hadn’t have done this restoration job. We had to start from scratch because we only had scraps. But knowing how it would have happened if we had finished it, I can sit there and make it happen with modern technology.”

Read More: Brian May Reveals New Queen Album Title, Release Plans | http://ultimateclassicrock.com/queen-forever/?trackback=tsmclip
May says, “Most of it comes from the ’80′s when we were in full flight. It is quite emotional. It is the big, big ballads and the big, big epic sound. It wouldn’t have been if we hadn’t have done this restoration job. We had to start from scratch because we only had scraps. But knowing how it would have happened if we had finished it, I can sit there and make it happen with modern technology.”

Read More: Brian May Reveals New Queen Album Title, Release Plans | http://ultimateclassicrock.com/queen-forever/?trackback=tsmclip
May says, “Most of it comes from the ’80′s when we were in full flight. It is quite emotional. It is the big, big ballads and the big, big epic sound. It wouldn’t have been if we hadn’t have done this restoration job. We had to start from scratch because we only had scraps. But knowing how it would have happened if we had finished it, I can sit there and make it happen with modern technology.”

Read More: Brian May Reveals New Queen Album Title, Release Plans | http://ultimateclassicrock.com/queen-forever/?trackback=tsmclip

Monday, May 26, 2014

Steve Perry First Performance Since 90's, Audience Takes Him With Open Arms

Don't stop believing! It's true! On Sunday, May 25th former Journey lead singer Steve Perry took to the stage to perform live for the first time in almost 20 years with alternative rock band Eels at the Fitzgerald Theater in St. Paul, MN.

While the collaboration may have been unusual and unexpected, the audience was incredibly stoked by Perry's surprise performance with the band. Though the age of Perry's voice was apparent, the renditions of classic Journey songs 'Open Arms' and ‘Lovin’, Touchin’, Squeezin’ were nearly flawless and were well received; initiating cheering and the audience singing along.

Perry initially left Journey back in 1986, only to return for one album (Trial By Fire) and tour ten years later. Outside of Journey, Perry only has two solo albums; the more recent of the two having been out since 1994. Since the 90's Perry has for the most part stayed off of the public radar. However, recently he has alluded that he may have new music in the works. It is confirmed that not long ago he worked on one track with electronic band AWOLNATION for their upcoming album which is currently unnamed.

 Steve Perry's performance with Eels:


Sunday, May 25, 2014

California Breed: A Breath of Fresh Air



When rock super group Black Country Communion broke up back in 2012, many of the fans wondered what would be next for the members: Glenn Hughes, Joe Bonamassa, Derek Sherinian, and Jason Bonham. While Bonamassa and Sherinian have gone their own way, Bonham (son of the legendary Led Zeppelin drummer) and Hughes (of Deep Purple, Black Sabbath, and Trapeze fame) decided to start something new together. For several months Hughes on all of his social media accounts alluded to a brand new band he was working with that would be something new and amazing. He gave no clue however as to who was in the band and what kind of a sound they would be aiming for until late 2013.

The new band was revealed to be called California Breed and it would consist of Hughes on bass and lead vocals, Bonham on drums, and a relatively unknown 23 year old Andrew Watt on guitar and backing vocals. A short snippet from one song was then released to tide fans over until another song Sweet Tea was released as a single. On May 20, 2014, the band dropped its 12 track debut album California Breed.

Produced by Dave Cobb, who is known for producing Rival Sons, California Breed features a sound that is very divergent from Hughes's and Bonham's previous venture together. Rather than a heavy blues rock sound that is reminiscent of Led Zeppelin, Free, and Deep Purple this power trio focuses more on bass heavy funky groove rock. This new sound while still being very signature of Glenn Hughes still sounds very fresh and original; no doubt this can be attributed to Watt's young blood.

One track in particular that stands out is the opener, The Way. It sets the vibe for the whole album with its loud low end punch set to a really steady groove that the listener can move their head to while driving in their convertible down the highway. Hughes shows off his 62 year old vocal ability by going from loud Robert Plant type wailing to softer more melodic singing within very quick transitions. Watt makes his presence very much noticed with a thick punch from the song's signature riff. The tone and feel Watt's playing gives off is distinctly different from many other guitarists his age. Naturally Mr. Bonham upholds the prestige of his family name by providing absolutely animalistic skin smacking while still keeping everything in time.

Another memorable song from California Breed is Midnight Oil. While still a loud raucous tune, there are minor nuances of the guitar playing that are vaguely reminiscent of Hughes's early 70's funk band Trapeze. However, it still stands very much on its own. The abilities of both Bonham and Watt truly shine through in this tune. Bonham has multiple thunderous drum solos and Watt shows off how quick and flashy his shredding chops really can be.

All in all, California Breed is a breath of fresh air for the rock scene. It's overall vibe is wonderful for cruising around in a car with the windows rolled down on a warm summer night. Due to that fact, the timing of its release could not have been better. In essence, the band is aptly named because it gives that feel that is expected when thinking of California. Even if you are unfamiliar with the musicians' previous works, this album is worth the money of anyone who is a fan of rock n' roll or music with good rhythm and vibes.

Track List:

1. The Way
2. Sweet Tea
3. Chemical Rain
4. Midnight Oil
5. All Falls Down
6. The Grey
7. Days They Come
8. Spit You Out
9. Strong
10. Invisible
11. Scars
12. Breathe

California Breed receives 4 out of 5 stars.

Midnight Oil, by California Breed:



Buy the album on Amazon:

http://smarturl.it/CB_AmzCDDVD

Buy the album on iTunes:

http://smarturl.it/CaliforniaBreed