Ginger Baker Dealing with Serious Heart Problems - Cancels Tour

It would seem that former Cream drummer Ginger Baker is dealing with some rather serious unfortunate health problems right now. He just had to cancel an entire tour on doctor's orders due to the fact that he has just be diagnosed with "serious heart problems".

The tour was for Baker's current band Baker's Air Force 3 had they had only 10 shows booked for the entire length of the tour (not entirely surprising given his advanced age).

The announcement of the tour cancellation and Baker's heart problems was announced via his official Facebook page, saying:

"To all fans; it is with great sadness that we announce the cancellation of all shows. Ginger's doctor's have insisted that he have complete rest due to diagnosis of serious heart problems. We hope you will all join with his family in wishing him well. God bless Ginger Baker. " Team Baker"

Baker honestly shouldn't have been doing much in the way of any work anyway given the fact he already knew he had health problems to begin with, but due to money troubles he has had to find ways to make ends meet. Kind of a real shame for someone so talented who has had such a huge influence on multiple generations of musicians. Hopefully Baker can find some way to get his money affairs sorted out and then just retire. It would probably be the best thing for him.

5 Songs to Get You Through the Week #62

5 Songs to Get You Through the Week is a feature I run on Young Ears, Fresh Perspective on Sundays/early hours of Monday morning where I pick out 5 tunes that I think are notable and tell you a bit about them. The point is to give you some rocking music to help you deal with your weekday blues. You can either listen to one each day, listen to them all at once, or any other combination that you feel. As long as you can get through the week without the man getting you down, that's all I care about. Without further ado, here are the 5 tracks I've picked out for this week:

1. Wind Cries Mary, by The Jimi Hendrix Experience

This is not one of Hendrix's more rocking shredding tunes, but I still feel it is one of his absolute best. He shows just how much blues influence really does go into his playing without an overabundance of fuzz or whammy. It's something you can get lost in the groove of and let go of yourself in; especially during the main chord progression. Honestly, this is not a bad song for blues beginners to learn on guitar.

2.  Comfortably Numb, by Pink Floyd

This is a rather powerfully emotional song on multiple levels. Even if you don't have the drug problems that the character in the song has, if you've suffered from depression you know just how the concepts mentioned in the song can feel. It does not take long for it to cut you right to the bone and give you feels. Layer that on top of one of David Gilmour's greatest guitar solos of all time and you've got a tune that is a masterpiece and played constantly on the radio for damn good reason. 

3.  Man on the Silver Mountain, by Rainbow

This is one of Ritchie Blackmore's most famous guitar riffs of all time. It gets ingrained in your head and absolutely will NOT leave no matter how hard you try. Anyone who is a 70's or 80's metal head knows this tune, as it is also where Ronnie James Dio made his big time band debut. It's one of those songs that makes you feel like you're at the beginning of a fantastic amazing adventure of AWESOME. To be honest, given what all is in Rainbow's catalog your feeling would not be wrong at all whatsoever.

4. 2112, by Rush

Like big long grand rock operas? Look no further! This Rush classic clocks out at over 20 minutes and it is the most epic 20+ minutes you could ever hope to spend your life on. In a dystopian future a boy discovers a guitar and how to play it, but when he shows it to the people they shun him and kill him just because he is doing something outside the norm and challenging the ideals of the modern society they have. Add that onto some big riffs, wailing vocals, and thundering drums and you have an epic.

5. I Wanna Rock, by Twisted Sister

What do you want to do with your life? I WANNA ROCK! Who doesn't? This is one of the ultimate 80's metal songs of teenage rebellion against parents, teachers, and the establishment at large. Twisted Sister may have looked absolutely ridiculous, but they understood kids and their problems better than any adult ever will regardless of the fact that they were once teenagers themselves. It definitely reflected in their music and I Wanna Rock is the best example of that besides their other hit We're Not Gonna Take It.

 

5 Essential Guitar Albums

I've been noticing a lot lately that all kinds of big shot rock stars are putting together lists of what they consider essential guitar albums. I figure if they can do it, why can't I? In this list I've put together five albums that I consider to be absolutely necessary for anyone who wants to hear some of the best guitar playing to ever happen. These albums have had HUGE influence over multiple generations of players. Have a look and let me know your favorites as well.
 

Surfing With the Alien, by Joe Satriani

In 1987 Joe Satriani did something almost completely unthinkable: put out an entirely instrumental guitar oriented album that made it high into the charts. It's not surprising Surfing With the Alien became so popular though because so many of the songs are incredibly memorable despite the fact there are no vocals. The songs range from ripping and running to slow and melodic. Satriani really did bring the art of technical shred to the public in a way they could really understand it.

Van Halen, by Van Halen

How could I NOT have this album in my list? Without Van Halen rock and metal as we know it today would simply not exist. Eruption alone was enough to inspire multiple generations of guitar players trying to copy Eddie Van Halen by learning how to finger tap on their fret boards and create all kinds of wicked melodies; some better than others of course. Aside from that, the album pretty much laid the foundation for what would in a couple years be the hair metal movement, which say what you will about it - some of those bands could REALLY play.

Led Zeppelin, by Led Zeppelin

Before Led Zeppelin there really wasn't such a thing as hard rock. Their debut album was a real game changer starting from track 1 all the way to the finish. By taking the blues and adding a loud gritty edge to it, upping the tempo in some areas, and then in some moments completely blasting things into outer space Led Zeppelin laid the foundation for countless bands to come. Nothing had ever sounded that big and monstrous before. Everything had been all psychedelic or folksy up to that point. Thanks to the vision of Jimmy Page Led Zeppelin took rock n' roll and for the first time really gave it some balls.

Are You Experienced, by The Jimi Hendrix Experience

Naturally Hendrix was going to come into this list sooner or later. The man practically invented the art of the guitar solo as well as funk music. Plus, before Led Zeppelin came along he was the closest thing to hard rock that existed, taking the blues and going in an exploratory direction with it. Hendrix's debut album Are You Experienced is absolutely dripping with the fuzz, fire, and acid trip fueled musical adventure that he would become known for. This album alone due to Hendrix's imaginative song writing and playing technique really does show why many consider him to be the greatest guitar player to ever live.

The Complete Recordings, by Robert Johnson

Without Robert Johnson we more than likely would not have rock n' roll or any of the great guitar players that we know and love today. His simplistic warm delta blues style was pretty much the blueprint for virtually everyone who came after him. In the late 1920's/early 1930's he wrote and soulfully performed countless blues standards like Sweet Home Chicago, Crossroads, From Four Till Late, and more. I would honestly venture to say that this guy is the father of the blues and popular music as we know it. 

Throwback Thursday: Diary of a Madman, by Ozzy Osbourne

In 1981 Ozzy Osbourne and his solo band then known as The Blizzard of Ozz were coming hot off the tail of the success of Osbourne's debut solo album The Blizzard of Ozz which had spawned multiple hits of his that are still well known and frequently played to this day. Osbourne and his band needed a big follow-up album to help keep the momentum going, and they managed to do so with their sophomore release Diary of a Madman.

Diary of a Madman does not alter too drastically in terms of musical style from The Blizzard of Ozz, except it does get a bit more exploratory and technical, mostly due to the fact that guitarist Randy Rhoads was a genius musically. It is still very much a melodic heavy metal album, but you can hear Rhoads's neo-classical influences in different parts; especially in the title track of the album where he is literally playing a modified version of something Mozart had written. Some of the tracks are also done in irregular time signatures, making things a little more interesting.

Believer in my opinion is one of Osbourne's most under rated tracks. Though it is simplistic in nature, that big beefy bass line and crunchy stomping guitar riff make you feel rather powerful while Osbourne is singing all kinds of encouraging messages about believing in one's self. Not really what you would expect to hear out of him considering he is known for singing about supposedly evil things, but maybe this is a good thing honestly.

Flying High Again while not all that spectacular as a song is brought to a godly level of awesomeness when Rhoads's iconic guitar solo kicks in. Supposedly during the recording of the album Rhoads locked himself in the studio and would not eat, drink, or sleep until he got the solo exactly the way he wanted it. If this is true, then it definitely paid of because it is some of the most fantastic guitar work he ever put to tape. This is a moment where his musicianship and skill as a guitar player really managed to shine through.

There isn't a single bad track on Diary of a Madman. It is definitely an adventurous album to say the least, though not to the point where an average listener will feel bamboozled and bored. You can hear just how much the musicians loved and cared for what they were doing, even if Osbourne was the star of the show. That said, if you want to get this album make sure you do NOT get the 2002 rerelease of the album because it has rerecorded bass and drum tracks by other musicians that absolutely pale in comparison to the original performances.

Diary of a Madman, by Ozzy Osbourne receives 4.5 out of 5 stars.

Track List:

1. Over the Mountain
2. Flying High Again
3. You Can't Kill Rock and Roll
4. Believer
5. Little Dolls
6. Tonight
7. S.A.T.O.
8. Diary of a Madman

Buy the album on Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/Diary-Madman-Legacy-Ozzy-Osbourne/dp/B004RQVVGU/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1456476173&sr=8-2&keywords=Diary+of+a+Madman

Joe Lynn Turner Beats Up on New Rainbow Line-Up

Many of former Deep Purple and Rainbow guitarist Ritchie Blackmore's fans are excited about the fact that the man in black is making a brief return to rock music for a few shows after playing exclusively renaissance music with his group Blackmore's Night the past two decades. However, it would seem that former Rainbow vocalist Joe Lynn Turner does not share the enthusiasm.

He seems to feel that the new line-up of Rainbow is just a cover band and it is not what the fans deserve. In an interview on Eddie Trunk's SiriusXM show, Turner says:

“I was shocked. I wanted an authentic lineup. I was talking to Bob Daisley, Bobby Rondinelli, Roger Glover, Don Airey. There’s a whole bunch of guys that were really willing to get involved. I spent a good year working that out with his manager. Everybody thought I was delusional, and I know I wasn’t delusional at all – they were telling me this was going to happen. It made so much sense, especially with the deal that was presented to him. I have no sour grapes about this, so let that be told. But I think a man of his status, an icon, really deserves a lot more. I really wish he had done it a different way for the fans – I think the fans deserve better than a cover band.”

Personally I think Turner is only making a big stink because he wasn't asked to join Blackmore for his temporary return to rock. Honestly, I don't think he really gets how Rainbow works if he is that shocked. Rainbow has always been about Blackmore bringing in new different talent to keep things fresh and interesting. If he always kept going back to old guys he has worked with in the past it would kind of defeat the exploratory adventurous purpose that Rainbow has had since its inception in the mid-70's.

Throwback Thursday: Northwinds, by David Coverdale

In early 1978 former Deep Purple and current Whitesnake vocalist David Coverdale released a follow-up album to his solo debut Whitesnake titled Northwinds. This time around Coverdale wanted to keep up the momentum he had just started to build up with the tour to promote the first album, using some of the same musicians he had worked with previously. In addition, that passion seems to be very much present in the tracks on Northwinds. Coverdale would later form the first incarnation of Whitesnake with the musicians he used to tour for the album.

Northwinds has a more blues rock type sound to it than its predecessor, though it still has some of the gospel and R&B elements the previous one did in certain places. You can hear the amount of soul and unfiltered passion from Coverdale's song writing and vocals. For a white British guy he sure has a hell of a lot of soul in his music. Half the tracks would later on be used as the B-side to Whitesnake's first EP Snakebite.

A little known fact about Northwinds is that it has a song that features the late Ronnie James Dio and his wife Wendy Dio as backing vocalists. This would be a song called Give Me Kindness. You can hear Coverdale's obvious gospel influence come pouring through on this one. With horns, piano, and powerful backing vocals that remind you of a sunny day it's hard to not get swept up in the moment of this walking paced tune.

Only My Soul is arguably one of the best songs David Coverdale has ever written in his 40+ year career. It's a soulful rock ballad that the man puts every last fiber of his being into. One of the coolest parts of the song however contains no vocals at all, but is rather just an interlude containing drums, bass, and haunting synth. Kind of raises the hairs up off of your arms and neck. When the chorus comes crashing back in from that however, it absolutely blows it all out of the water.

This is another one of those obscure 70's albums I'm a big fan of that in my opinion is deeply under rated. It's understandable why Northwinds isn't highly remembered by the general masses, but for those who take the time to actually pick it up and give it a listen there are treasures aplenty to be found. There is a great deal of soul, passion, and energy that emanates from this Coverdale classic. Definitely worth buying.

Northwinds, by David Coverdale receives 4 out of 5 stars.

Track List:

1. Keep on Giving Me Love
2. Northwinds
3. Give Me Kindness
4. Time & Again
5. Queen of Hearts
6. Only My Soul
7. Say You Love Me
8. Breakdown

Buy the album on Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003P2LL1M?ie=UTF8&keywords=David%20Coverdale%20Northwinds&qid=1455872978&ref_=sr_1_2&sr=8-2

Lemmy Kilmister's Son on Late Father: "Great Example For Hard Working Musicians"

Motorhead founder/front man Lemmy Kilmister was known not only as the definition of rock n' roll to some people, but to many he was also looked up to as a great man and a real stand up guy. This praise seems to have been furthered by Kilmister's son Paul Inder who also praised him for being so hard working and dedicated to his art and fans.

In a recent interview with Loudwire, Inder said:

“He had his up days and he had his down days. He would battle to go onstage sometimes, but he would always get it together. Even if he was laid out on his back, like one show I heard from his assistant. Like one show, he was actually laid out on his back backstage and he heard the crowd chanting, ‘Lemmy, Lemmy’ and he got up and he went out and did it. So he was determined all the way to the end. That’s all he lived for. 

He said, ‘There’s nothing else I’m gonna do. I’m not gonna retire.’ Retire didn’t exist in his vocabulary. For him, he wanted to go all the way to the end with his boots on and he kind of did. He set a great example for hard working musicians. For anyone who gains respect from just sheer hard work and never giving up and not ever giving in, I think he represented that.”

I had a great amount of respect for Lemmy as it was, but this just goes to show you what lengths you will go to when you really care. When you care so much that you are willing to go through excruciating pain just to make music and please your fans. You really can't get much more rock n' roll than that. Props to you, Lemmy. Hope you're resting in peace with an endless supply of Jack and Cokes. You clearly earned them.