Friday New Releases – March 23rd

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Happy Friday!  Of course, all Friday’s are happy.  The last day of the work week and new album releases.  What could be better…maybe everyday being a Friday.  There are a handful of albums this week for me and one was on pre-order and should be at my door when I get home from work…yes, it will be a great Friday.  My choices are highlighted in Blue.  Let me know what you are interested in or if I missed anything which happens all the time.  Have a great weekend and enjoy any new music you pick up.

  • 51eohOeVCWL._AC_US436_QL65_  W.E.T. – Earthrage – (Frontiers Records):  Jeff Scott Soto is a busy man between his solo album, Sons of Apollo and now a new W.E.T. album.  And it has been too long since the last one, 5 years I believe since the last studio album and that is way too long.  Jeff’s vocals are what keep me coming back to everything he releases.  With W.E.T., he teams up with Erik Martensson and Robert Sall to form this sensational trio.  The bands this trio is from makes up the name…Work of Art, Eclipse & Talisman…all three great bands in their own right.  If this first song is what we can expect, hold on tight!!  Check them out!

  • 51i8VbzMIkL._SS500  Kip Winger – Solo Box Set Collection – (Frontiers Records):  Kip Winger is such an underrated talent…well at least he used to be.  He is now a Classical Composer (Grammy nominated I think)…pretty cool!  This set is a collection of all his solo works (it isn’t classical music though). We get 5 CDs, the 3 solo albums, an acoustic album (with Winger songs included) and some rare demos and an unreleased track.  Pretty damn fine set of music and worth picking up.  This is what I have on pre-order and should keep me busy for awhile!!  Here is the collections trailer…

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New York City Record Stores?

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I have a question for everyone out there that shops for vinyl…I am going to be in New York City in a couple weeks so what are a couple good record stores for me to visit?  There has to be some special place you like to go.

I am looking for old vinyl, bootlegs, anything that is Rock from the 70’s, 80’s and even 90’s.  Maybe even some Punk would be good.  I would even like some old 45’s and some used CDs would also be nice.  I am looking for a cool place to get lost in for an hour or so, I think that is all the time my family will allow me to browse around.

I can look stuff up and see what is out there, but what I want are places people have actually been to or heard about.  Any advice would be greatly appreciated, just leave me a comment.  Thanks in advance.

The Original vs. The Cover – “Once Bitten, Twice Shy”

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For this version of The Original vs. The Cover, we are covering (pun intended) Ian Hunter’s classic “Once Bitten, Twice Shy”.  The song was written by Ian and included on his self-titled solo album he released in 1975 after his departure from Mott the Hoople.  The song went to #14 on the UK singles chart and was produced by Ian and great Mick Ronson.

The song hasn’t been covered by a whole lot of acts, but one of the most famous was by Great White.  So, let’s sit back, have a listen and compare the two and determine who has the best version of “Once Bitten, Twice Shy”.

The song tells the story of a rock musician who meets a girl why he is out on tour and becomes intimate with her (meaning he has sex with her).  He thinks she is young and innocent until to his dismay he discovers she has been around quite a lot and been with a lot of other musicians.  It is a classic tale of old!!

The title of the song comes from the old expression meaning once you have been hurt once, you become less trusting and cautious going forward.  The phrase dates back to 1484 and is traced back to an English printer (William Caxton), the first to publish a translation in to English of Aesop’s tales.  There is your history lesson for the day.

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Tuesday’s Memes – Tom Petty

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It is about time I did a Tom Petty collection of memes.  I know you have been wanting one and so have I.  So here they are!  Sit back and let’s celebrate all that is Petty…Tom Petty that is!!  Enjoy!

There were so many to choose from and mostly they were about the songs, so here we go…

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Ratt – ‘Out of the Cellar’ – Album Review

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After the success of their self-titled E.P., Ratt signed a record deal with Atlantic Records and that deal brought us the incredible debut album ‘Out of the Cellar’.  On March 27th, 1984, the album was released and thanks to MTV, the band became a huge sensation.

The band’s line-up was unchanged from the E.P, consisting of the following members:

  • Stephen Pearcy – vocals
  • Robin Crosby – lead guitar
  • Warren DeMartini – lead guitar
  • Juan Croucier – bass
  • Bobby Blotzer – drums

With the incredible dual guitar combo of Crosby & DeMartini and the bluesy, raspiness of Pearcy’s vocals, the band had an arsenal of great songs that took them to the pinnacle of rock and selling millions and millions of records.  It also didn’t hurt that they looked the part which was crucial for the MTV world that was exploding on the scene at the time.

Take that and add a beautiful woman on the cover your album and there was denying this band.  Tawny Kitaen graced the cover of the debut album as she was the then girlfriend of Robin Crosby.  She also graced the cover of their E.P. but that was just her beautiful legs.  This time, you got the whole package.  For those that didn’t know, Tawny is the video vixen that was dancing on the pair of Jaguars in the Whitesnake videos in the late 80’s when she was dating David Coverdale.

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My Sunday Song – “Whistle for the Choir” by The Fratellis

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My Sunday Song #83 is “Whistle for the Choir” by The Fratellis.  The song is off their debut album ‘Costello Music’ which peaked at #2 on the UK charts and gave us a few hits including “Chelsea Dagger”.  However, I really liked this song the best.  “Whistle for the Choir” was their third single off the albums and it reached #9 giving them their 2nd Top 10 hit in the UK.  I don’t see where they did very well in the States which is a shame.

The Fratellis are a Scottish trio with a very retro feel and garage rock sound.  This song for me is more of the retro feel as it is a slow ballad using only an acoustic, bass and drum (well it’s a trio – what else are they going to use).  The song has a Beatlesque quality to it and even a little Ray Davies vibe.  I think for those reasons, the song struck a chord with me.  The simple sound and hypnotic beat pulled me in and put me in a trance where I swayed back and forth while listening.  It was encapsulating.  There is a little guitar solo, but also a nice whistle solo as well.

The song tells the story of a guy, who after a night out on the town, meets a girl that is way out of his league.  This doesn’t stop him.  He is going to try and get her anyway.  The nice thing is it doesn’t tell you if he gets the girl or not.

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Friday New Releases – March 16th

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Another Friday and another week of some great releases.  There are some re-issues and so old bands back with new singers and some newer bands as well.  Hopefully there is something for you.  The two that really peak my interests are highlighted in Blue as usual.  Leave me a comment on what interests you this week…if anything. Also, let me know if I am missing anything as that is usually the case.  Happy Friday!!

  • 81-7puQHUFL._SX522_  Stone Temple Pilots – Stone Temple Pilots – (Play Pen Music):  The boys in STP are back and with a new lead singer, Jeff Gutt.  The three songs I have heard are great and I am looking forward to the rest.  Jeff sounds a little like the late, great Scott Weilan, but he also has his own sound and style.  The old STP sound is there as well so hopefully the have their groove back and we will see some great things from them.  Give it a try…if for no other reason than my brother-in-law was involved with recording the album.  That makes it worth it right there alone!!

  • 51gscNxcR2L._AC_US436_QL65_.jpg  Dorothy – 28 Days in the Valley – (Roc Nation Records):  A new band on the scene is Dorothy.  The band really delivers some great, heavy, old school blues rock & roll.  The lead singer, Dorothy Martin, is a powerhouse and force to be reckoned with.  Her searing vocals exploded on the scene with “Raise a Little Hell” and can’t wait to hear what she has to offer this time around.

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Reach – ‘The Great Divine’ – Album Review

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I am going to go ahead and say I had no idea who this band was before listening.  I saw their album reviews on other sites I visit and the ratings were really good so I decided to check out the album.  And let me tell you, those reviews were no where close to how I good this album really is.  I will put it out there…this is my FAVORITE album so far this year.  It is unbelievable!!

Now, who is Reach?  Reach is a band out of Sweden and ‘The Great Divine’ is actually their second album.  I completely missed the first.  The band is now a power trio and consists of the following members:

  • Ludvig Turner (Guitars & Vocals)
  • Marcus Johansson (Drums)
  • Soufian Ma’Aoui (Bass)

The album was was recorded at Rocksta Sound Studio, produced by Jona Tee (H.E.A.T) and mixed by Tobias Lindell (Europe, Avatar).  That is the basic summary I have found on the band.  They are labeled as a melodic rock band as it seems most bands from Sweden seemed to be labeled.  Well, that and Glam.  But I feel that label limits them.  They have that sound – the strong hooks and melodies, but their sound is also so modern and varied that I think they are so much more.  Ludvig’s vocal abilities are definitely showcased throughout the album.

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Rick Springfield – ‘The Snake King’ – Album Review

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Rick Springfield has been releasing music since the early 70’s.  You have the teeny bopper music from the 70’s to the pop hits he had in the 80’s including “Jessie’s Girl” which made him very famous. And now at 68, he brings his 20th studio album called “The Snake King”.

He has done many styles over the years and this time he ventures into the Blues genre.  The album is a mixture of Blues Rock and straight up Blues.  Now, this isn’t Blues like you would think with Curtis Mayfield or Robert Johnson, heck it isn’t even Blues like Kenny Wayne Shepherd and Jonny Lang.  This is Rick Springfield Blues.  He can try different genres, but he will always have that Rick Springfield sound and feel to his albums.  You can’t be around for 5 decades in music and not have your own style or vibe.

The Blues can be very depressing and sad at times and you might think, how is Rick going to honestly convey those emotions.  Well, let me tell you he hits the nail on the head with the blues.  Rick has suffered immensely with depression and he has had many issues in his life.  He digs deep and captures the stories and feelings from those dark times.

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Gene Simmons the Vault Experience or the Kiss: Kissteria Box Set – Which would you choose??

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Let’s have a little fun.  If you had $2,000, which would you buy…the Gene Simmons Vault Experience or the Kiss Kissteria Road Cast Box Set?  Yes, I know there is better things you can do with your money, but this is for fun.  I am not planning to get either of these…at least not right now.  Now before you answer the question, what is included with each?

The Gene Simmons Vault Experience

What is the Gene Simmons Vault Experience?  It is just that…an experience.  For your $2,000 you get to attend an all day Vault Experience which includes the following:

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  • Gene Meet & Greet: You and a guest will spend one-on-one time with Gene in your area (maybe 5 minutes based on what I have read, but he will sign anything you want including the top of the Vault and anything inside)
  • “Songs & Stories” Playback Session and Q&A: You and a guest will attend an intimate Vault preview
  • Gene photo/video/autograph session
  • Gene hand delivers your limited-edition personalized Vault (which has a special section with bonus items individually selected by Gene that are included that are unique to your vault – some guy got Kiss Kondoms)
  • Vault Pre-Pack: Signed Golden Ticket, T-Shirt, Download Card (with “Are You Ready”), And laminate

Let’s just let Gene explain:

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