tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11223881439325437642024-03-18T21:53:21.060-07:00Still Got The FeverRamblings of a rock and roll writerPaul Colehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02389708284861201831noreply@blogger.comBlogger180125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1122388143932543764.post-78028141340646204002024-02-08T03:01:00.000-08:002024-02-09T03:49:17.776-08:00Blackberry Smoke new album's life-affirming message<p><span style="background-color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: white;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 16px;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkhIXAGWuzQK_J9g_8lQVeyh2n-IGyH8c8KvB4sPOoKAhLYoRAehKwq-1UayemvKCMSBzyIrqJ1RjjK8Fn4ChFkg96DC6qxrpGr77o-FcZqS4dR2GoAGI13JQx-20YTFoGLnXkTrSPItYyvKOHvORfvY6CTQLn48PgcwOBGR4kRgb5ZSQHpFgXP8X65kyb/s7360/BLACKBERRY%20SMOKE%20Colour.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4912" data-original-width="7360" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkhIXAGWuzQK_J9g_8lQVeyh2n-IGyH8c8KvB4sPOoKAhLYoRAehKwq-1UayemvKCMSBzyIrqJ1RjjK8Fn4ChFkg96DC6qxrpGr77o-FcZqS4dR2GoAGI13JQx-20YTFoGLnXkTrSPItYyvKOHvORfvY6CTQLn48PgcwOBGR4kRgb5ZSQHpFgXP8X65kyb/w633-h424/BLACKBERRY%20SMOKE%20Colour.jpg" width="633" /></a></div><p><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 16px;">A LESSER band of brothers might have despaired that the fates were against them. First, Covid, then a major health crisis, have conspired in recent years to scupper Blackberry Smoke’s plans.</span></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 12px;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;">The Atlanta southern rock band, grown from country roots, saw the release of their last album – the chart-topping <i>You Hear Georgia</i> – delayed by a year because of the pandemic.</span></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 12px;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;">And their new album, <i>Be Right Here</i> – set for release on February 16 – was recorded back in late 2022 as drummer Brit Turner began his recovery from surgery to remove a brain tumour.</span></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 12px;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;">Turner’s bombshell brain cancer diagnosis followed the heart attack he had suffered earlier in 2022, for which he also underwent major surgery, and the 2009 cancer that struck his daughter, Lana.</span></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 12px;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;">But Blackberry Smoke are made of sterner stuff than most and it says much for their grit and determination that they’re on their way back to Birmingham for a gig at the 02 Academy this summer.</span></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 12px;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;">Happily, Turner’s recovery has gone well – he designed the new album jacket and hopes to be back behind the drums in Birmingham – while his daughter’s cancer is in remission. </span></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 12px;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;">Lana has gone on to become a successful actress, famously playing Seven in the fourth season of smash hit <i>Stranger Things.</i></span></p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 12px;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI5_4GJkLxrcyIHyyiMupWnam81KdI-DmrHMqkq3f0oCzLdvCqMbs59yCQdOWQFEetXAoLju2ChwhiOWwT6mEBql3bKMdvNRkmCWFD2tX3IZeQs-BlngmlmELARcld9VQARRAE8UuGbfkVm1JbyByPaghsDrIQMZlAHBufKogpini1sH7QjZ3E9QTCbWRw/s3768/BLACKBERRY%20SMOKE%20Album.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3768" data-original-width="3768" height="610" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI5_4GJkLxrcyIHyyiMupWnam81KdI-DmrHMqkq3f0oCzLdvCqMbs59yCQdOWQFEetXAoLju2ChwhiOWwT6mEBql3bKMdvNRkmCWFD2tX3IZeQs-BlngmlmELARcld9VQARRAE8UuGbfkVm1JbyByPaghsDrIQMZlAHBufKogpini1sH7QjZ3E9QTCbWRw/w610-h610/BLACKBERRY%20SMOKE%20Album.jpg" width="610" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 12px; text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;">The health scares have, says frontman Charlie Starr, made them all appreciate every day they enjoy together with bandmates, family and friends. Since 2011, the band has also donated more than £800,000 - a million dollars - to childhood cancer research.</span></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 12px; text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;">“It gave the recording process, and then everything after, a sense of urgency,” says Starr says of <i>Be Right Here</i>. “But we didn’t feel a whole lot of pressure to go in and make this one quickly.</span></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 12px; text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;">“It didn’t hurry us but rather made all that time really precious. Everybody took a long hard look at it and count our blessings – we get to make music and make records and work together.</span></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 12px; text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;">“And it just made it all seem so special.”</span></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 12px; text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;">The eighth studio album is already picking up plaudits thanks to the now commonplace streaming of initial tracks to build anticipation of the full set’s release.</span></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 12px; text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;">The consensus is that, almost a quarter century since they first got together, the band may well have come up with their best yet, a blend of country, rock and Americana recorded mostly live.</span></p><div><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcEG-dcCL1ysLZXQYNcDduq3FMdOC90ndLUHA09o8n9tWmCKxBRZRvTiwV2nTHjaGAR3VwQQL0FItWqw4cUwViFzn8Ds_BCbogU2vbWl2U95M9grMmdkSuBXhCGZo5HyDm9yM40K6iTgmDB3TmeSX-OlxLZb_5ycRkgfzmBEWleHRzBK1jmz-KlR9tfq1w/s5131/BLACKBERRY%20SMOKE%20Mono.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3421" data-original-width="5131" height="407" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcEG-dcCL1ysLZXQYNcDduq3FMdOC90ndLUHA09o8n9tWmCKxBRZRvTiwV2nTHjaGAR3VwQQL0FItWqw4cUwViFzn8Ds_BCbogU2vbWl2U95M9grMmdkSuBXhCGZo5HyDm9yM40K6iTgmDB3TmeSX-OlxLZb_5ycRkgfzmBEWleHRzBK1jmz-KlR9tfq1w/w613-h407/BLACKBERRY%20SMOKE%20Mono.jpg" width="613" /></a></div><p></p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 12px;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;">Lead track </span><i style="background-color: black; color: white;">Dig A Hole </i><span style="background-color: black; color: white;">sums up the album’s evolution in adversity.“In life, we all are faced with choices,” Starr says. “Are we going to do good, or are we going to do bad?</span></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 12px;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;">“Are we going to love, or are we going to hate? We have a finite amount of time, each of us on this Earth. So we probably want to make the best out of it instead of wasting time.”</span></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 12px;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;">Elsewhere, both <i>Azalea</i> and <i>Other Side Of The Light</i> have hints of Midland supergroup Led Zeppelin, of whom Starr has always been a fan, occasionally dropping Zeppelin covers in the live setlist.</span></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 12px;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;">The band played a sold-out Academy gig last year, and wanted to return such has been the long-time support of fans on this side of the Atlantic, particularly in Birmingham, the home of heavy metal.</span></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 12px;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;">Support comes from Nashville country rockers The Steel Woods, friends of the band and themselves a big attraction back in the States. <i>Be Right Here</i> is out on February 16.</span></p>
<ul>
<li style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 12px;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><i></i><i>Blackberry Smoke, 02 Academy Birmingham, September 13.</i></span></li>
</ul>Paul Colehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02389708284861201831noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1122388143932543764.post-9144281346118740762022-12-14T01:19:00.000-08:002022-12-14T01:19:42.361-08:00From Black To Blood - Albums Of The Year 2022<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1t_2XdTKgFYq-uac7g-fSXwfYIc4wgiWdt-NfQpA9FhvOGIwjDOLxhN0ozb_xiwdo6mMojU4sTCdEqxjQF_jQv4mCbsvhTUkwOWZdyeA4npn8YkDiyabPOqn-atGtpCwDxEr54YFToaTeZaZn95_0S9UB-X1vA4L2lqAyBkD9CAyquXyuZ_yHZudeXQ/s3000/26EC1C37-03AD-415C-A225-CC40B85C9D1C.webp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1t_2XdTKgFYq-uac7g-fSXwfYIc4wgiWdt-NfQpA9FhvOGIwjDOLxhN0ozb_xiwdo6mMojU4sTCdEqxjQF_jQv4mCbsvhTUkwOWZdyeA4npn8YkDiyabPOqn-atGtpCwDxEr54YFToaTeZaZn95_0S9UB-X1vA4L2lqAyBkD9CAyquXyuZ_yHZudeXQ/w640-h640/26EC1C37-03AD-415C-A225-CC40B85C9D1C.webp" width="640" /></a></div><b>1. CARDINAL BLACK : January Came Close</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b> </b><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">Long anticipated debut album from the Cardiff band whose stop-start journey has seen them supporting Myles Kennedy and The Struts, headlining Cardiff Castle, and picking up plaudits. Slash is among the band’s fans, championing guitarist Chris Buck whose gorgeous licks adorn songs spearheaded by the soulful vocals of Tom Hollister. A sublime set in every way.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-aQhI7iD3uzU7xIWKxIGj1SBkYAMw0LmJgPHM726h4U1vpXxqogPFjsxHC_Vlw7BqeZmHs1viLBy9DBf2UYYOln3dvGBCT4VOpfoQsU02aTz5Gcv6HTOnHQMhP2hP-Z79mTCIA27EmsjHRHMhwfzzUhyCgS8kUtSY8L4-8a1nh_z9rEpKrHI3csi9uA/s600/E0804883-A423-4C13-A5EC-54CE58FAD517.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-aQhI7iD3uzU7xIWKxIGj1SBkYAMw0LmJgPHM726h4U1vpXxqogPFjsxHC_Vlw7BqeZmHs1viLBy9DBf2UYYOln3dvGBCT4VOpfoQsU02aTz5Gcv6HTOnHQMhP2hP-Z79mTCIA27EmsjHRHMhwfzzUhyCgS8kUtSY8L4-8a1nh_z9rEpKrHI3csi9uA/w640-h640/E0804883-A423-4C13-A5EC-54CE58FAD517.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>2. GRADY SPENCER & THE WORK : Wait</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"> Contemporary Americana combining Red Dirt, rock and folk served up by the West Texans now on their fourth album. Spencer quit his construction job to pursue a full time music career in 2020, just as the pandemic locked the world down and tour dates had to be scrapped. I’ve loved all of the band’s albums so far - let’s hope they make it to the UK in 2023.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFQJls8I43Ey0pHssDV7mc0AnmGtApHURB8an0NLH6ISnwwhkh1pXXWKIC4mhvfR0b7Po3jLTsYRisYetIa1gNKqaoxoZh6kSI3cPH7XXc6d19jEleqb87-bcSmHoakMCVMYqiZoQ36F3mpWM0l_6OHJJZVzm_Efd-2Vrr6InbMMQx0TA0tUlJHrlpUQ/s1500/D05B7906-95A6-4806-AA16-2E74253BFB41.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1500" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFQJls8I43Ey0pHssDV7mc0AnmGtApHURB8an0NLH6ISnwwhkh1pXXWKIC4mhvfR0b7Po3jLTsYRisYetIa1gNKqaoxoZh6kSI3cPH7XXc6d19jEleqb87-bcSmHoakMCVMYqiZoQ36F3mpWM0l_6OHJJZVzm_Efd-2Vrr6InbMMQx0TA0tUlJHrlpUQ/w640-h640/D05B7906-95A6-4806-AA16-2E74253BFB41.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>3. MORGAN WADE : Reckless</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"> She supported The Eagles in Hyde Park this year, headlining the second stage, and it’s only a matter of time until the Virginian singer-songwriter plays the biggest stages. This is the deluxe edition of 2021’s debut album, adding extra tracks and including Wilder Days, rated one of the year’s 10 best songs by Rolling Stone. A contemporary country delight.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicjO9tui5vkWgN1trDkRhSxoRobuM86CVNL6QM-kaLXSKjUKGDxkNST3YSRfN2BXcu5Txd0ioQviv6hRogju1UQVwRpO1v18C07pjFxEkcnRX8GISGNz88KfIWaWzmRKh2QXjA1VyHMLbi_yfa94tjXdWNPjszACEzuimBpqMX_HtWuXI3P9xlhq1jxw/s1500/6E08DE19-FD3F-4A85-AA06-1B6EAF743E6C.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1500" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicjO9tui5vkWgN1trDkRhSxoRobuM86CVNL6QM-kaLXSKjUKGDxkNST3YSRfN2BXcu5Txd0ioQviv6hRogju1UQVwRpO1v18C07pjFxEkcnRX8GISGNz88KfIWaWzmRKh2QXjA1VyHMLbi_yfa94tjXdWNPjszACEzuimBpqMX_HtWuXI3P9xlhq1jxw/w640-h640/6E08DE19-FD3F-4A85-AA06-1B6EAF743E6C.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>4. WHISKEY MYERS : Tornillo</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><b> </b>Superb sixth album from the Texan band who combine southern rock, country and Americana roots - and this time they’ve brought company in the shape of a added horn section adding brass punch to their riffs. The Mariachi band who open the album just happened to be playing in a Tornillo street outside the studio, so Whiskey Myers dragged them in to the sessions! </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy5PGSk69iAuXiUf3mjRXkUcKKl4VuSfrpaGBBVbL6x-30ze5DuZdtD4Eqqov-67NZU8tw94ZHQRmjOjWdLHbCjkBCnXd9P5uInie2wtclP13a8dbL8VggCVL9wtJfB91Ge4jpGK1hxkm-a6xKs_LaXMFzFM2ApkDZ_gTpB_KvOPEYQTvRkSP0aqYZkg/s846/44709C30-CD22-4DBA-9935-9690EF348250.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="846" data-original-width="846" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy5PGSk69iAuXiUf3mjRXkUcKKl4VuSfrpaGBBVbL6x-30ze5DuZdtD4Eqqov-67NZU8tw94ZHQRmjOjWdLHbCjkBCnXd9P5uInie2wtclP13a8dbL8VggCVL9wtJfB91Ge4jpGK1hxkm-a6xKs_LaXMFzFM2ApkDZ_gTpB_KvOPEYQTvRkSP0aqYZkg/w640-h640/44709C30-CD22-4DBA-9935-9690EF348250.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>5. A THOUSAND HORSES : Broken Heartland</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"> The Nashville band serve up a set shot through with unashamed country, classic rock and a shot of Jack Daniels on the side. Not afraid to tie enticing hooks to accessible songs, they list among their influences The Rolling Stones, Dwight Yoakam, Tom Petty and Noel Gallagher. Not prolific, it’s only their third album in 12 years but each one has been worth the wait.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTzjpBA0EZD_PqJstoT2-reHQxm6QNOE2mZBkUQdTFxHAx-GfLfssf65k5ERhjv11aZJPDQ6EpAu_LdY7rClio-DrgiCmJS6VmaRjzyavcT4LaYAGfNrxYkIO14zU1bzKXI8uClbsVy4hxHqlDr5-VocRoNVwaVwuXOPduoihsFx5PFi70Pdn2VV5VmA/s2400/5731F94B-1E0C-484F-8895-D19E2AA0C5F8.webp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2400" data-original-width="2400" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTzjpBA0EZD_PqJstoT2-reHQxm6QNOE2mZBkUQdTFxHAx-GfLfssf65k5ERhjv11aZJPDQ6EpAu_LdY7rClio-DrgiCmJS6VmaRjzyavcT4LaYAGfNrxYkIO14zU1bzKXI8uClbsVy4hxHqlDr5-VocRoNVwaVwuXOPduoihsFx5PFi70Pdn2VV5VmA/w640-h640/5731F94B-1E0C-484F-8895-D19E2AA0C5F8.webp" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>6. WEYES BLOOD : And In The Darkness, Hearts Aglow</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"> Second in a planned trilogy by singer-songwriter Natalie Mering, who has performed under various Weyes Blood guises since 2003. It’s the warmth of her vocal that makes you sit up and pay attention as it cosies up to all manner of lushly produced, occasionally experimental, soundscapes. Her voice has been compared to that of the late Karen Carpenter, although I feel Aimee Mann is nearer the mark.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT00BghU2KisYsKv-NQDiLSdQV0y_H9z3tIyvurypdZWIFx3i4pGpOblN2NgEGwAWsh19Rvgl_575u2P-CdEsGrQ9zKnnp-n4n0EJOYjmXRUjScuyGWtSHQMSZuTUdrmDn8-8e8Y4FWsag6R_vwZGKmTFRS5Vuy1gCwp1UKC527wn3kMxKIv8T9WFJcA/s600/B6CB28F7-0634-4368-B5DA-C13D683BBE15.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT00BghU2KisYsKv-NQDiLSdQV0y_H9z3tIyvurypdZWIFx3i4pGpOblN2NgEGwAWsh19Rvgl_575u2P-CdEsGrQ9zKnnp-n4n0EJOYjmXRUjScuyGWtSHQMSZuTUdrmDn8-8e8Y4FWsag6R_vwZGKmTFRS5Vuy1gCwp1UKC527wn3kMxKIv8T9WFJcA/w640-h640/B6CB28F7-0634-4368-B5DA-C13D683BBE15.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>7. THE WANDERING HEARTS : The Wandering Hearts</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"> The Londoners among the vanguard of the British Americana boom serve up an eponymous debut album that ranges from rootsy retro to 60s Laurel Canyon and never fails to charm. The harmonies at times recall Rumours era Fleetwood Mac as the lead vocal swaps between band members, and the performance is casually tight - a feat few can pull off properly. They supported the Eagles at Hyde Park too.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRVzoR_peAhZLz_DMMulNzx_chIdppW2o8UdQDUwoKYLFSt8nzjD9zZrRTl5t-ofRWtWdJL2Vd2xbg2aE-CwRkvDdluSBS9L-HV7tjQFzZIhnGEwlKYEOzQNsT_ljcoGi_GW_Nd0XdJhOBgyy3_gab7fH9AfrrVgoVKCfc3O558pKZM8hcnK57p3W-6A/s600/7026B423-3F4E-43BC-90F4-C6758B381178.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRVzoR_peAhZLz_DMMulNzx_chIdppW2o8UdQDUwoKYLFSt8nzjD9zZrRTl5t-ofRWtWdJL2Vd2xbg2aE-CwRkvDdluSBS9L-HV7tjQFzZIhnGEwlKYEOzQNsT_ljcoGi_GW_Nd0XdJhOBgyy3_gab7fH9AfrrVgoVKCfc3O558pKZM8hcnK57p3W-6A/w640-h640/7026B423-3F4E-43BC-90F4-C6758B381178.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>8. SHAWN WILLIAMS : Wallowin’ In The Night</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><b> </b>Heartbreaks and hangovers, break-ups and booze, vices and vulnerability all rub shoulders on the New Orleans singer’s fourth outing that serves as a late rainy night soundtrack. Williams describes her work as “alt-rocka countrybilly serial killer blues” and it covers all the angles of a strong set ranging across genres. Just when you thought you had her figured out, Everything You Stood For goes all Radiohead. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8YcUY2iluxOREdVx2_Dn0320E-3SHX9S3WYQsH-0y1klERtAAW7yOaY-c4voPB8hCYlolVlEIfnM9k8vSonuVhgc-PyP_RsTMqkpj9etuQ4svsAxC5M27h19vDQLpdmh3FSaQgoJo-UY5LqG2manwZ-CcOSqFAVXDbuod3DqQb1YdPVg50AiNILz-tA/s600/6F6E8D51-1A8D-4207-971A-1B23938494F3.webp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8YcUY2iluxOREdVx2_Dn0320E-3SHX9S3WYQsH-0y1klERtAAW7yOaY-c4voPB8hCYlolVlEIfnM9k8vSonuVhgc-PyP_RsTMqkpj9etuQ4svsAxC5M27h19vDQLpdmh3FSaQgoJo-UY5LqG2manwZ-CcOSqFAVXDbuod3DqQb1YdPVg50AiNILz-tA/w640-h640/6F6E8D51-1A8D-4207-971A-1B23938494F3.webp" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>9. EDDIE VEDDER : Earthling</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><b> </b>The Pearl Jam frontman’s first solo set in a decade offers guest spots to Stevie Wonder, Elton John and Ringo Starr but they’re just a sideshow for an accessible album that includes some of Vedder’s best vocals yet. Highlights include Tom Petty soundalike Long Way, which just happens to be washed by Heartbreaker Benmont Tench’s trademark organ, and the anthemic, aptly titled and multitracked, Invincible.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM6oNtG_eG_p8CVlbdfKFCZX_8Syg-mXRzIaW5qVKAyapNRIPuOmlVzG2072f4V-KkIwaLNUvo7fMqYbhww4QsSP7eLtT3jAJYQbK1EukGlG5ZXLCybgC2_eHxjaSw-nTiA2nxyoxp7pc82te_U8GMEXs7X49s2PyPwvExmcv17iLLuTXrBh4rRG2HSw/s600/915BBC02-4C96-4AC6-959D-CED012677472.webp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="597" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM6oNtG_eG_p8CVlbdfKFCZX_8Syg-mXRzIaW5qVKAyapNRIPuOmlVzG2072f4V-KkIwaLNUvo7fMqYbhww4QsSP7eLtT3jAJYQbK1EukGlG5ZXLCybgC2_eHxjaSw-nTiA2nxyoxp7pc82te_U8GMEXs7X49s2PyPwvExmcv17iLLuTXrBh4rRG2HSw/w636-h640/915BBC02-4C96-4AC6-959D-CED012677472.webp" width="636" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>10. MIKE CAMPBELL & THE DIRTY KNOBS : External Combustion</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"> Speaking of Tom Petty, longtime sideman Mike Campbell is back with a second helping of his Dirty Knobs that, while reminiscent of his late friend, is not the slavish soundalike session of </span><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">the band’s debut. Sure, there’s plenty here that Heartbreakers fans will lap up, but also more stretching of musical muscle. Most of the time, regardless, you can hear Campbell & Co having a ball in the recording studio.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"> * Yes, of course, it’s a personal collection and I’m aware of an ongoing shift toward country influences this year, but these are great albums well worth your time, whatever your tastes in music. I’ve also not included a trio of great live albums: Creedence Clearwater Revival Live At The Albert Hall, the huge Tom Petty Live At The Fillmore 1979 box set and ZZ Top’s Raw rockumentary soundtrack.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"> Last, but not least, have a great Christmas and a Happy New Year!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p></p>Paul Colehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02389708284861201831noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1122388143932543764.post-25312238231669193462021-11-26T11:34:00.004-08:002021-11-29T02:30:23.289-08:00Black Sabbath icon Tony Iommi: Pandemic blues, new band, new single, and working with Ozzy again<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-DZe4lt6GxbzItBM07fvc7Wp8-xwRV56GjATjfZGUhYuk6CkdmXYYtlMu6CdRkEzWxR4NrswBQ_fzZjy3Za3RlN0cZFZNqo7j7c7Sf240s3XitHfQnUblUJ0DwE2SsWyVDyJScyNGF-63/s1910/Screenshot+2021-11-22+at+11.33.56.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: right;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1221" data-original-width="1910" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-DZe4lt6GxbzItBM07fvc7Wp8-xwRV56GjATjfZGUhYuk6CkdmXYYtlMu6CdRkEzWxR4NrswBQ_fzZjy3Za3RlN0cZFZNqo7j7c7Sf240s3XitHfQnUblUJ0DwE2SsWyVDyJScyNGF-63/w621-h398/Screenshot+2021-11-22+at+11.33.56.jpeg" width="621" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">WHEN Tony Iommi famously sliced off the tips of his right hand fingers in a metal press at the age of 17 he feared he would never play guitar again.</p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">He defied the odds and conquered the world with Black Sabbath, of course. </p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">When he was diagnosed with blood cancer lymphoma in 2012, he started planning his own funeral. This time there was more at stake than music.</p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">He battled back, took to the Sabbath swansong stage, and is now in remission.</p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Then along came Covid-19 and – just a few weeks ago – another accident, this time at his Cotswolds home, that left him fearing once more for his career.</p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Just as he returned with a new band, his first new music in eight years, and the launch of a signature scent, the horizon was clouded by concern.</p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="502" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Xala32PZ5vU" width="605" youtube-src-id="Xala32PZ5vU"></iframe></div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: x-small;"><div style="text-align: center;">The long-awaited new track - his first in eight years</div></span><div><br /><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">“I snapped a tendon in my left arm – my one good arm,” he reveals. “A delivery man came with a a big box on a pallet – it contained 200 bottles of the perfume we’d just developed. I said I’d give him a hand but as we were walking through my hallway, I went flying.</p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">“I grabbed to save the box because I didn’t want the bottles to smash, and – bang! – my tendon just snapped. I knew what it was because the pain was horrendous. I realised that I’d done some serious damage somewhere.</p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">“I couldn’t move my arm at first. It was bruised from the wrist right up to the shoulder where it had snapped from.</p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">“I went last week to have an MRI scan, then back to the Priory Hospital in Solihull for the results. They said I’d left it too late to repair. If the tendon shrinks, and you don’t get it done within the first week, it can be a big problem.</p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4oSB8h8lHPsDAleYC8yjJPZuUY0Z6QS-J8rImHGHO68EZhd8I9wYD168c9K30T1WxzRn96xXXwW6YdMfBpLZmnk57PGD6zwZpzPx8TbO5uo_iUd_BwDfX7HBhmrUr58lz_DaWzp3Saedq/s2048/TONY+Shadow.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1365" height="912" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4oSB8h8lHPsDAleYC8yjJPZuUY0Z6QS-J8rImHGHO68EZhd8I9wYD168c9K30T1WxzRn96xXXwW6YdMfBpLZmnk57PGD6zwZpzPx8TbO5uo_iUd_BwDfX7HBhmrUr58lz_DaWzp3Saedq/w607-h912/TONY+Shadow.jpg" width="607" /></a></div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: x-small;"><div style="text-align: center;">Tony Scent of Dark photoshoot. Pic: Ross Halfin</div></span><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;">“They could take a tendon from my leg to fix the problem but the consultant said he wouldn’t like to guarantee that I’d be able to straighten my arm afterwards. Even if I could, he warned that it might take over a year.</p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">“I thought ‘Forget it’. It’s OK. I can still move it round enough to play guitar – that was the main thing for me. That was what I was really concerned about.”</p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">The injury means that Tony cannot pick up heavy objects but has not stopped him carrying on with this week’s big heavy metal comeback.</p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDsdVyBGaDx8bFv8W2ICUfltZFgx6DBuOPDIorkU_g6hmXhVmPMncXsr7tS8Hyi6nC9J1apDY0TvC6DUSxEFkxx6VVW0xJsDyr2gm9SF2dhyphenhyphen3xTWnnk9yeliBvfTo6Vzx7V7C26mUA02La/s2048/Screenshot+2021-11-22+at+11.34.58.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1097" data-original-width="2048" height="332" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDsdVyBGaDx8bFv8W2ICUfltZFgx6DBuOPDIorkU_g6hmXhVmPMncXsr7tS8Hyi6nC9J1apDY0TvC6DUSxEFkxx6VVW0xJsDyr2gm9SF2dhyphenhyphen3xTWnnk9yeliBvfTo6Vzx7V7C26mUA02La/w605-h332/Screenshot+2021-11-22+at+11.34.58.jpeg" width="605" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: x-small;">Tony and the new scent, filmed at Sudeley Castle</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">The 73-year-old guitar hero has recorded a four-minute rock single titled Scent of Dark, initially to promote the new scent of the same name he has designed with Sergio Momo, designer for Italian luxury perfume house Xerjoff.</p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Over the past 18 months he has been working secretly on the new scent, which recalls the heady patchouli days of rock festivals in the late 1960s and 70s, and hits stores ahead of Christmas.</p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">“It’s mainly patchouli,” says Tony from his second home in Sandbanks, where Harry Redknapp is a near neighbour, on the South Coast. “I didn’t know this but apparently they used to use the smell of patchouli oil to get rid of the smell of people smoking dope back in the day.</p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAb1euEoIr0bdt9eqBbGQvX3p57KsXuqGVKt47gefQOmqLgXWZ2rkXQGaID98J69mH-5TSesj0JGOWZ6dwDS6DIDuFo-Xv4Kyz9TyStUuBlAEzY_7uHSrk8JSxu0o3q6sZ_D0NV_ZQSVFG/s2048/Screenshot+2021-11-22+at+11.29.52.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1168" data-original-width="2048" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAb1euEoIr0bdt9eqBbGQvX3p57KsXuqGVKt47gefQOmqLgXWZ2rkXQGaID98J69mH-5TSesj0JGOWZ6dwDS6DIDuFo-Xv4Kyz9TyStUuBlAEzY_7uHSrk8JSxu0o3q6sZ_D0NV_ZQSVFG/w583-h333/Screenshot+2021-11-22+at+11.29.52.jpeg" width="583" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: x-small;">Tony and Sergio comparing notes in the new video</span></div><br /><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">“The main ingredient is patchouli but there’s a lot more to it than that. Sergio asked me to list my favourite smells – like the new car smell, leather, strawberries and raspberries – and added stuff that he thought was right until we were very pleased with it.”</p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">It was the decision to record a heavy rock riff to promote the perfume that fuelled Tony’s hunger to return to the fray after a frustrating pandemic lockdown.</p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Still in remission from lymphoma, with which he was diagnosed in 2012, the Sabbath legend had to self-isolate at his house in Broadway because of his weakened immune system – and still wears a mask whenever shopping or at an indoor event.</p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">“I was petrified, to be honest,” he admits. “I had to be really careful with everything. I really did cut myself off for quite a while. You start going a bit mental because you can’t do what you normally do. It stopped me from working so much musically because people couldn’t come in your home.</p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">“When restrictions were eased, my friend and producer Mike Exeter came round again but we both had masks on and it was crap, sitting there with a mask on and trying to get into something. Oh blimey. It just seemed odd so we didn’t do that much in the end.</p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3ZO-NAJf0jterOx2yDatoeUSeQzhogXY89WWhrbHS1y9NdTnn-zG9iYiT1KckGna4tAsYf9V7SSOij1ecd6yeABXh7J8F4WUlcUfF4y7Ht1Ud1YduEDylhUd4qLLeCwHhn3aT56OC_C5z/s2048/Screenshot+2021-11-22+at+11.33.28.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1146" data-original-width="2048" height="329" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3ZO-NAJf0jterOx2yDatoeUSeQzhogXY89WWhrbHS1y9NdTnn-zG9iYiT1KckGna4tAsYf9V7SSOij1ecd6yeABXh7J8F4WUlcUfF4y7Ht1Ud1YduEDylhUd4qLLeCwHhn3aT56OC_C5z/w588-h329/Screenshot+2021-11-22+at+11.33.28.jpeg" width="588" /></a></div><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: x-small;">Tony soloing in the Scent of Dark video</span></p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">“My wife Maria and I had just bought the house in Sandbanks when the pandemic hit, and we couldn’t travel down to sort it out because all but essential journeys were banned. That was very frustrating too. Then my daughter Toni and her partner got Covid and we couldn’t see them.</p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">“As things eased off a bit, I did this thing with Robert Plant. We signed a guitar for charity. He came over to my house and we did it socially distanced in the garden while Maria took photos of us both with our masks on. We both had gloves on, too, sitting there drinking coffee.</p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">“Eventually we were able to go down to Sandbanks and that has kept me busy, with work being done on the house. Now, when we’ve had all the jabs and everything, hopefully we’re all a bit safer – but I still wear a mask whenever I go shopping or to get petrol.</p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">“I don’t like them but I’d rather feel safer wearing one – and you’re also protecting other people.”</p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Tony still has regular blood tests to monitor his condition. A private doctor visits him at home when required, and he has tests and check-ups back at the Spire Parkway Hospital in Solihull, where he was treated for his lymphoma.</p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Scent of Dark is Tony’s first new music to be released since Black Sabbath’s ’13’ album back in 2013, four years before the band played their final farewell in hometown Birmingham.</p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIt8iFOYSCFX8bfVlJSNHbFZUFnYVWG-QXdT_vF4PpH0aIOR-Dm74oO_XKH1aol5I1XyToujoe2m1LjC24i7jKycbzZgpTvheNFG9ByL6U01LH4Fve53mnw6dl0mYPW7Qp9T6vI3MkZe5Y/s2048/TONY+%2526+SERGIO+.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIt8iFOYSCFX8bfVlJSNHbFZUFnYVWG-QXdT_vF4PpH0aIOR-Dm74oO_XKH1aol5I1XyToujoe2m1LjC24i7jKycbzZgpTvheNFG9ByL6U01LH4Fve53mnw6dl0mYPW7Qp9T6vI3MkZe5Y/w550-h550/TONY+%2526+SERGIO+.jpg" width="550" /></a></div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: x-small;"><div style="text-align: center;">Tony and Sergio Pic: Max Sticco</div></span><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;">Joining him are Sergio Momo on guitar, bassist Jimmy Crutchley, drummer Ash Sheehan, Mike Exeter on keyboards, and strings players Rebecca Rose and Julianne Bourne. The track was </p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">mainly recorded at Gospel Oak studio in Rowington, Warwickshire.</p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKpoKhsiSFgIz2Gmox4tCQwD5hqs8T-SOs10YGa4qAOBjk14aExuCnok7jWCG4TeXYPuvgDpHwmOfk2WGkWAxhLyWogmElPPamUIALMOZS1-XK9OciKiK2tMN-DHpxHrfm3ucqxQJeqkhh/s2048/Screenshot+2021-11-22+at+11.30.26.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1105" data-original-width="2048" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKpoKhsiSFgIz2Gmox4tCQwD5hqs8T-SOs10YGa4qAOBjk14aExuCnok7jWCG4TeXYPuvgDpHwmOfk2WGkWAxhLyWogmElPPamUIALMOZS1-XK9OciKiK2tMN-DHpxHrfm3ucqxQJeqkhh/w553-h298/Screenshot+2021-11-22+at+11.30.26.jpeg" width="553" /></a></div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: x-small;"><div style="text-align: center;">Jimmy Crutchley</div></span><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;">“It’s based on a riff I’ve had around for some years,” says Tony. “It wasn’t right for a Sabbath album but it just seemed to fit this project. I added some heavier, doomier bits so it’s part old and part new, but we’re all really happy with it.</p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAvhdelBHn3thQy3VfI1Fzqu-i24443Xioxf_KZadPCbxTqq1dyssy0qPclKnDMa6H726JyiAOJNxNaeWDOW_slra4hDPdG7U8CAaDxXxObgoUMZjnw4PV-g8Ul2t4QK7otfgf-IsAUwc3/s2048/Screenshot+2021-11-22+at+11.30.47.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1063" data-original-width="2048" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAvhdelBHn3thQy3VfI1Fzqu-i24443Xioxf_KZadPCbxTqq1dyssy0qPclKnDMa6H726JyiAOJNxNaeWDOW_slra4hDPdG7U8CAaDxXxObgoUMZjnw4PV-g8Ul2t4QK7otfgf-IsAUwc3/w550-h285/Screenshot+2021-11-22+at+11.30.47.jpeg" width="550" /></a></div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: x-small;"><div style="text-align: center;">Ash Sheehan</div></span><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;">“I knew Jimmy, Mike and Sergio – he plays guitar as well as making magic with scent – but I hadn’t met the others before we went in to do the session. I developed a band overnight and it worked so well that I’m definitely going to make an album now.”</p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8bY5itauFxqGWllrnVA2zGgbpsU2snlU33SaOJHuNrWgHBmOFmWvDCtIHZFcIemlcvsHiDaw4oFbr9b7sK5ZMZ6uj4OyBUXpXt815YhYcFFHWgU_d1nhyphenhyphenj7QkT5bqDbEJsQgTdTj-a02q/s2048/Screenshot+2021-11-22+at+11.32.45.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1092" data-original-width="2048" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8bY5itauFxqGWllrnVA2zGgbpsU2snlU33SaOJHuNrWgHBmOFmWvDCtIHZFcIemlcvsHiDaw4oFbr9b7sK5ZMZ6uj4OyBUXpXt815YhYcFFHWgU_d1nhyphenhyphenj7QkT5bqDbEJsQgTdTj-a02q/w554-h296/Screenshot+2021-11-22+at+11.32.45.jpeg" width="554" /></a></div><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: x-small;">Rebecca Rose and Julianne Bourne</span></p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">In the meantime he has also played on a charity track with fellow Brummie and Pink Floyd drummer Nick Mason and appeared as guitar guest on a track by metallers Candlemass, earning him a Grammy Award nomination for best heavy metal performance.</p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Next up is a collaboration with old bandmate Ozzy Osbourne, for whose new album Tony has written, and played on, a track titled No Escape From Now. A stellar guitar line-up also includes Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck and Zakk Wylde.</p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">“I don’t know what it sounds like, mind,” he smiles. “I haven’t heard it yet. I wrote the track for Ozzy, sent it to him and he really liked it. I recorded it at home, with Mike Exeter on bass and programmed drums. They’ve had Chad Smith from the Red Hot Chilli Peppers re-do the drums.</p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">“I still talk to Ozzy a lot, and keep up with Geezer and Bill from time to time. I just wish Ozzy wouldn’t forget the time difference and call me from the States at two in the morning!”</p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOuhX7W8tqa5wc6OpQ_RGaKSt9QE-CTANYghxsIatiw3BPTkGi1cSdPHdor-IMqHme223-fdl5KxByBXPQUQHXpEDRKLkWlOTkP__m6drMJ2DsCnhGI0kah0xATvnxiwOtRFv3cbVLAvbT/s2048/Screenshot+2021-11-22+at+11.36.08.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1105" data-original-width="2048" height="307" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOuhX7W8tqa5wc6OpQ_RGaKSt9QE-CTANYghxsIatiw3BPTkGi1cSdPHdor-IMqHme223-fdl5KxByBXPQUQHXpEDRKLkWlOTkP__m6drMJ2DsCnhGI0kah0xATvnxiwOtRFv3cbVLAvbT/w568-h307/Screenshot+2021-11-22+at+11.36.08.jpeg" width="568" /></a></div><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Who is the ghost in the video? It's someone you won't expect, that's for sure. All is revealed in my sister blog <a href="http://paulcoletravels.com"><span style="color: #fcff01;">paulcoletravels.com</span></a></p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><div><br /></div></div>Paul Colehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02389708284861201831noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1122388143932543764.post-11355537590715406682021-11-25T09:00:00.012-08:002021-11-28T10:04:38.223-08:00Black Sabbath legend Tony Iommi releases first new music in eight years<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-N4TfoHnLUBllBvrO1SMCX8GFCzBWlwko-FiV5SzWMs0t3e0d9YdFzAEIQaYvAzm8mW7B7F6wcOszcgGN5ORPCGu-lKOuuKorbck7-v_rlU_RczN_jlKuKbl9wu-Wk9RA6AA9Y1X2tVzw/s2048/TONY+Shadow.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1365" height="714" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-N4TfoHnLUBllBvrO1SMCX8GFCzBWlwko-FiV5SzWMs0t3e0d9YdFzAEIQaYvAzm8mW7B7F6wcOszcgGN5ORPCGu-lKOuuKorbck7-v_rlU_RczN_jlKuKbl9wu-Wk9RA6AA9Y1X2tVzw/w498-h714/TONY+Shadow.jpg" width="498" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: xx-small;">Picture: Ross Halfin</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">BLACK Sabbath legend Tony Iommi today releases his first new music in eight long years, complete with a new band, a single, plans for an album … and the sweet smell of success.</p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">The 73-year-old heavy metal hero has recorded a four-minute rock single titled Scent of Dark, initially to promote the new SCENT he has designed with a leading Italian perfumer.</p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1h2rYYsFuMYuVL0N8mbPiIPDiyfW4XU9dDHRXNNaczE9bUUZ0OzkdXuqZ2JOhKcS9ie_4ZGf1UP43UvG8doxCgmxZNTityp1YP1fNJhFavtNktl8tDNhkEOE-LjAiVikaE6MhO2a8-k_H/s2048/TONY+%2526+SERGIO+.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="490" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1h2rYYsFuMYuVL0N8mbPiIPDiyfW4XU9dDHRXNNaczE9bUUZ0OzkdXuqZ2JOhKcS9ie_4ZGf1UP43UvG8doxCgmxZNTityp1YP1fNJhFavtNktl8tDNhkEOE-LjAiVikaE6MhO2a8-k_H/w490-h490/TONY+%2526+SERGIO+.jpg" width="490" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: xx-small;">Picture: Max Sticca</span></div><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Over the past 18 months of the pandemic, he has been working secretly with Sergio Momo, designer for Italian luxury perfume house Xerjoff, on a new project not to be sniffed at.</p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Or rather, it IS to be sniffed at.</p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">The perfume is called Scent of Dark, recalls the heady patchouli days of rock festivals in the late 1960s and 70s, and hits stores ahead of Christmas, with a barnstorming instrumental track and video.</p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="453" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Xala32PZ5vU" width="545" youtube-src-id="Xala32PZ5vU"></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;">“It’s mainly patchouli,” says Iommi from his second home in Sandbanks on the South Coast. “I didn’t know this but apparently they used to use the smell of patchouli oil to get rid of the smell of people smoking dope back in the day.</p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">“The main ingredient is patchouli but there’s a lot more to it than that. Sergio asked me to list my favourite smells – like the new car smell, leather, strawberries and raspberries – and added stuff that he thought was right until we were very pleased with it.”</p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">But the decision to record a heavy rock riff of the same name has sparked Iommi’s hunger to return to the fray with an exciting new band.</p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjshyphenhyphenfLJrzXc2tGBO6KQsS8ATrUDsNdZtKAiD4oiPZa0ojM54__x5m5ib1e4y-sS2nheqnGMi7JSLjh8w6zZ_rX17MEjT5fSYVSbFiP1CzI1KP7VrSTrUwCgkb9iT0GwfFfcsTaWwgV-2pO/s2048/Screenshot+2021-11-22+at+11.31.42.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1076" data-original-width="2048" height="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjshyphenhyphenfLJrzXc2tGBO6KQsS8ATrUDsNdZtKAiD4oiPZa0ojM54__x5m5ib1e4y-sS2nheqnGMi7JSLjh8w6zZ_rX17MEjT5fSYVSbFiP1CzI1KP7VrSTrUwCgkb9iT0GwfFfcsTaWwgV-2pO/w486-h255/Screenshot+2021-11-22+at+11.31.42.jpeg" width="486" /></a></div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: xx-small;"><div style="text-align: center;">Recording the track in the studio</div></span><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;">Scent of Dark is his first new music to be released since Black Sabbath’s ’13’ album back in 2013, four years before the band played their final farewell in hometown Birmingham.</p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Joining Iommi are Sergio Momo on guitar, bassist Jimmy Crutchley, drummer Ash Sheehan, Mike Exeter on keyboards, and strings players Rebecca Rose and Julianne Bourne.</p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">It was recorded mainly at Gospel Oak studio in Rowington, Warwickshire with a spooky video shot at haunted Sudeley Castle in the Cotswolds.</p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8ZsApabgL0fQuZOJljcXjB7lP8aCNJeMOZnw3eK9VUpI-pfGdwLunsj3S-8eTvceA4Xza84yIbGUJ_KNorZTo0ZDOgDcsUF9GFCH2C-rHZ6rz0n8ttf5ONUU_ofHLkE1tJV17GioWdjMW/s2048/Screenshot+2021-11-22+at+11.32.18.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1078" data-original-width="2048" height="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8ZsApabgL0fQuZOJljcXjB7lP8aCNJeMOZnw3eK9VUpI-pfGdwLunsj3S-8eTvceA4Xza84yIbGUJ_KNorZTo0ZDOgDcsUF9GFCH2C-rHZ6rz0n8ttf5ONUU_ofHLkE1tJV17GioWdjMW/w484-h255/Screenshot+2021-11-22+at+11.32.18.jpeg" width="484" /></a></div><br /><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;">“It’s based on a riff I’ve had around for some years,” says Iommi. “It wasn’t right for a Sabbath album but it just seemed to fit this project. I added some heavier, doomier bits so it’s part old and part new, but we’re all really happy with it.</p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">“I knew Jimmy, Mike and Sergio – he plays guitar as well as making magic with scent – but I hadn’t met the others before we went in to do the session. I developed a band overnight and it worked so well that I’m definitely going to make an album now.”</p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Still in remission from lymphoma, with which he was diagnosed in 2012, the Sabbath legend had to self-isolate at his house in Broadway because of his weakened immune system – and still wears a mask whenever shopping or at an indoor event.</p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">“I was petrified, to be honest,” he admits. “I had to be really careful with everything. I really did cut myself off for quite a while. You start going a bit mental really because you can’t do what you normally do. I’m just so glad to be back making music again.”</p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Read about the haunted castle video shoot in my sister <a href="http://www.paulcoletravels.com"><span style="color: #fcff01;"><i>paulcoletravels blog </i></span></a></p><div><br /></div>Paul Colehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02389708284861201831noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1122388143932543764.post-55880434780070753352021-04-21T04:56:00.000-07:002021-04-21T04:56:06.495-07:00Treasures from the Attic No 8: When Genesis were just the warm-up act for Lindisfarne<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxoyM_vA06YU-JrtBPwQixDBjKdWdBoqv75xpTdIjTQePspF9ekY_96647gQk4nwdAyfxsP-7aLQbl4PZXwFZ9A0MfOdyKLybpw1MdIlrRDDArL9zH51YT0IEZb7k_cqvcktj9mAgQGA_C/s960/LINDISFARNE+TICKET.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="489" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxoyM_vA06YU-JrtBPwQixDBjKdWdBoqv75xpTdIjTQePspF9ekY_96647gQk4nwdAyfxsP-7aLQbl4PZXwFZ9A0MfOdyKLybpw1MdIlrRDDArL9zH51YT0IEZb7k_cqvcktj9mAgQGA_C/w650-h489/LINDISFARNE+TICKET.jpg" width="650" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">October 10, 1972 and folk/poppers Lindisfarne were huge, playing sell out theatres and festivals.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Here, at Manchester's Free Trade Hall, they were supported by singer songwriter Rab Noakes ... and the opening act was a bunch of strange guys called Genesis.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">It was the month Peter Gabriel & Co released fourth album Foxtrot and, much to the bemusement of Fog On The Tyne fans, Gabriel wore a fox’s head.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOz6B-fqUHmBAYDLcRQQFNDE03HDGQ3sDMYJfSoaIdrVk4iMC-Tzbtr9o9adeySSO8FI5_UXVqW8UN3SQsYhiRss07H13pPECuIelm2qG__1PfbRA8VvR8CDXM2DUsOYgk3A6MFVjxSGfx/s623/FOXTROT.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="623" data-original-width="344" height="1172" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOz6B-fqUHmBAYDLcRQQFNDE03HDGQ3sDMYJfSoaIdrVk4iMC-Tzbtr9o9adeySSO8FI5_UXVqW8UN3SQsYhiRss07H13pPECuIelm2qG__1PfbRA8VvR8CDXM2DUsOYgk3A6MFVjxSGfx/w649-h1172/FOXTROT.jpeg" width="649" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">The only reason for such a mismatched bill was that they were all then on the Charisma record label. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Wonder whatever happened to Genesis....</span></div><div><br /></div>Paul Colehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02389708284861201831noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1122388143932543764.post-81868953203468260372021-03-12T04:49:00.004-08:002021-03-16T03:24:18.054-07:00Treasures From The Attic No 7 : Pink Floyd's shortest gig<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq7UZ5lcf_gp2qDHVDILJQqn9aZ2_ivzs254OzHfa_YYWWpnP780mSRllm-g4AByz2NotAeYSWU1v2Cd7yIeHCYN21KTz0ymql80ahQNAP5V96tZpMHw-VHkui0uhLQvXYu_TUt2kN46Dp/s720/FLOYD+TICKET.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="720" height="489" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq7UZ5lcf_gp2qDHVDILJQqn9aZ2_ivzs254OzHfa_YYWWpnP780mSRllm-g4AByz2NotAeYSWU1v2Cd7yIeHCYN21KTz0ymql80ahQNAP5V96tZpMHw-VHkui0uhLQvXYu_TUt2kN46Dp/w651-h489/FLOYD+TICKET.jpg" width="651" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">More than a year before the album came out, Pink Floyd were trialling Dark Side of the Moon with a quadraphonic PA.<br /><br />What they hadn’t factored in was the miners’ strike which led to phased power outages across the nation.</span><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW2URCwP20wEbhRwY8GGkOieNk7kvH7qNRAZx6DB2vVAlxcrrCO8jCxo8lwPMWkptrX9qKgHYrMVvTvCvfQhodCmqlZP3nNmGhuEjrytSI6ALXV7PnZYwNrN1oEqbHmZQk510dIeXRuyyb/s440/9C498E6C-4023-4E74-87D5-D47FD44374A2_1_201_a.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="407" data-original-width="440" height="571" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW2URCwP20wEbhRwY8GGkOieNk7kvH7qNRAZx6DB2vVAlxcrrCO8jCxo8lwPMWkptrX9qKgHYrMVvTvCvfQhodCmqlZP3nNmGhuEjrytSI6ALXV7PnZYwNrN1oEqbHmZQk510dIeXRuyyb/w617-h571/9C498E6C-4023-4E74-87D5-D47FD44374A2_1_201_a.jpeg" width="617" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">We’d been warned before the gig at Manchester's Free Trade Hall started that there might be a power cut so the band ripped up the set list just in case.<br /><br />They played One Of These Days and Careful With That Axe Eugene then the 10-minute warning came.</span><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfMMk3QLpCNwRe2p77CMgvqM6pZ5_978DPsDRkCjZXZ6HzBzA_FZjtsm37AldHSV_m5g6C4UnCDIs8BXKJSwS60IgJx14DnqMg5yldkQMF0u6YcfNdFRKhb-8JkeOd-a88Ttu6qznwnU_E/s441/5F36257F-E26F-4D6E-85E0-97D43548D620_1_201_a.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="417" data-original-width="441" height="576" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfMMk3QLpCNwRe2p77CMgvqM6pZ5_978DPsDRkCjZXZ6HzBzA_FZjtsm37AldHSV_m5g6C4UnCDIs8BXKJSwS60IgJx14DnqMg5yldkQMF0u6YcfNdFRKhb-8JkeOd-a88Ttu6qznwnU_E/w609-h576/5F36257F-E26F-4D6E-85E0-97D43548D620_1_201_a.jpeg" width="609" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Floyd launched into a blues jam as the Free Trade Hall emptied and the lights went out in the Dark Side of Manchester.<br /><br />They came back a month later to play the full mind-blowing show so we got two gigs for the £1.25 price of one!</span><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">From the attic came the gig ticket and the two photos I snapped with my Instamatic camera at the gig before the power cut.<br /></span><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBP2mryEx8bXWPs3GxbtH94X-RALU56o1g6xwTzQaVFJxYLQ2TVXD-Jk5IOBZC0SfN34XbTdSYC1LKW_YmRh41azuu1CGoPBiT7jkwW2T8WxcFKKlGmCVcz0Tzjlipe2LQoZcKJa9NClh_/s810/FREE+TRADE+HALL.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="539" data-original-width="810" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBP2mryEx8bXWPs3GxbtH94X-RALU56o1g6xwTzQaVFJxYLQ2TVXD-Jk5IOBZC0SfN34XbTdSYC1LKW_YmRh41azuu1CGoPBiT7jkwW2T8WxcFKKlGmCVcz0Tzjlipe2LQoZcKJa9NClh_/w601-h400/FREE+TRADE+HALL.jpg" width="601" /></a></div><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #060606; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 15px;"><br /></span><p></p></div>Paul Colehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02389708284861201831noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1122388143932543764.post-18394937252579196972021-01-14T01:19:00.000-08:002021-01-14T01:19:30.042-08:00Treasures From The Attic No 6: The night Eric Clapton paid West Bromwich Albion to play<span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Another treasure from the keepsakes box.<br /><br />It was September 27, 1978 the night Eric Clapton paid for a West Bromwich Albion football match.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXuQiZbuElrDNwvwyjxJGEcvuemJPZEEJmjJhF_1p2KwbwNGGiKrJoHxPPCp_FLX2JV_TFWnAaVMQymYh-ob6blgGH3zck9PBjKmc5TKQVyJf-3sevhBG2WGVxPZUhOeqNwPDp9xoE5AHp/s640/130448685_4237315159628920_6060292226033184846_n.jpg"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXuQiZbuElrDNwvwyjxJGEcvuemJPZEEJmjJhF_1p2KwbwNGGiKrJoHxPPCp_FLX2JV_TFWnAaVMQymYh-ob6blgGH3zck9PBjKmc5TKQVyJf-3sevhBG2WGVxPZUhOeqNwPDp9xoE5AHp/w653-h653/130448685_4237315159628920_6060292226033184846_n.jpg" /></a><br /><br />I'd only been at the town's Sandwell Evening Mail for just over a month when the news editor asked if I'd do a colour piece on Albion's second round UEFA Cup tie against Galatasary.</span><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br />And, by the way, could I see if I could get a chat with Eric Clapton, who was sponsoring the whole shebang?</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br />I dutifully headed for the Hawthorns more in hope than expectation and came back with an exclusive.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhiGreYWGFUREOnvryN8tyrrctvAAh7osSRLA2-kiqNaQzbeJlCSLHxnhQwKqrU87aSmq0tjq3dwPg608aNIrdBN3tBqc1dudyWu81AWlsVglha63FN6d4QwNyAzER4Agt2RfZQrwxui5D/s640/130757949_4237316606295442_6452454341851632498_n.jpg"><img border="0" height="857" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhiGreYWGFUREOnvryN8tyrrctvAAh7osSRLA2-kiqNaQzbeJlCSLHxnhQwKqrU87aSmq0tjq3dwPg608aNIrdBN3tBqc1dudyWu81AWlsVglha63FN6d4QwNyAzER4Agt2RfZQrwxui5D/w643-h857/130757949_4237316606295442_6452454341851632498_n.jpg" width="643" /></a><br /><br />I met Eric and other members of his family, headed by his 70-year-old gran Rose, who he'd brought up for the game in a minibus.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br />"It's a family tradition to support Albion," he told me before the kick-off. "Rose has been a fan as long as I can remember. No-one really knows what started it.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br />"I grew up in this Albion atmosphere and played a bit of soccer at school. My football never really took off but I've always really wanted to play for West Brom. Albion are simply the best..."<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIqHns_35RAoIdys29U2DtN_o27aMznzm6GosbDn4-jfJqTRXLOi9wH961Id58n_ewtbGlpUgpUCDs_C-Ou0B7B6JdboGlaY6BdZMdX7R1W52hda1Z2i1jEdS6f_GVbvYlX3uPwetPg-eR/s1024/130695513_4237315812962188_5210455222063576762_o.jpg"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIqHns_35RAoIdys29U2DtN_o27aMznzm6GosbDn4-jfJqTRXLOi9wH961Id58n_ewtbGlpUgpUCDs_C-Ou0B7B6JdboGlaY6BdZMdX7R1W52hda1Z2i1jEdS6f_GVbvYlX3uPwetPg-eR/w637-h623/130695513_4237315812962188_5210455222063576762_o.jpg" /></a><br /><br />They certainly were on the night. Already leading Galatasary 3-1 from the first leg in Istanbul, the Baggies replicated that scoreline with goals from Bryan Robson, Laurie Cunningham and John Trewick.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br />Eric later presented gold discs of his Slowhand album to each member of the team.<br />There was a sting in the tale. Eric later played a 'secret' gig at West Bromwich Gala Baths for John Wile's testimonial year, and I organised tickets for the Mail.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br />My news editor pulled rank, took the tickets and got to see the show!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgou0cT4qhPt5V-5q3AXlkbmQluZ3sOD1OOmAu1NBxwYBb2hdhNeX_YR3gYPocVmgQxztLgpmTrlnbgwUonwNrqOdX5bfx_vQT5SCLWZ8TdZbtX8sGHG9qhQUfQhNqGfci-x2jkaLemWd7-/s1200/130739975_4237316256295477_1259732466039849666_o.jpg"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgou0cT4qhPt5V-5q3AXlkbmQluZ3sOD1OOmAu1NBxwYBb2hdhNeX_YR3gYPocVmgQxztLgpmTrlnbgwUonwNrqOdX5bfx_vQT5SCLWZ8TdZbtX8sGHG9qhQUfQhNqGfci-x2jkaLemWd7-/w636-h624/130739975_4237316256295477_1259732466039849666_o.jpg" /></a></span><br /></div>Paul Colehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02389708284861201831noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1122388143932543764.post-70773617682253251892021-01-11T04:10:00.002-08:002021-01-11T04:12:36.398-08:00Treasures From The Attic No.5: The day I made the earth move for Britt Ekland<span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwxe8P_YcrgP7tyJWCO0ZMEz7i62zx4UC-A9_DorxhoFB9G8X9GZBQcxSHlkBwAHoYLdDHZ_Yjz24c6GTaJ0QCkJ9rMhoYjcGyEgPnEncUuuB1D4iXmP62Qx9_d3f_uD3w_XZjiHoOt0Ey/s1533/BRITT+BARE-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1533" data-original-width="957" height="900" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwxe8P_YcrgP7tyJWCO0ZMEz7i62zx4UC-A9_DorxhoFB9G8X9GZBQcxSHlkBwAHoYLdDHZ_Yjz24c6GTaJ0QCkJ9rMhoYjcGyEgPnEncUuuB1D4iXmP62Qx9_d3f_uD3w_XZjiHoOt0Ey/w563-h900/BRITT+BARE-1.jpg" width="563" /></a></div><br /><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">NOVEMBER 22, 1979. It was the day that I made the earth move, quite literally, for Scandi superstar Britt Ekland. <br /><br />The Swedish movie star was out on the road to promote saucy single Do It To Me (Once More With Feeling), a pop picture disc bearing a photo of Britt in her birthday suit.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoUWIhqGUNvUkHD9qLh6XTGV8UIQ42Dj_fZhSk80NbyaZ1F2pLnuKiKAhThch_AkO0J54v8WHgETYvvCRT6vvsn_e36R4Eo_a6ViAaDAfETOWuVvZVfdbPvYUw5gdBVPGPJmAqnMikFS0s/s1200/BRITT+SINGLE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="609" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoUWIhqGUNvUkHD9qLh6XTGV8UIQ42Dj_fZhSk80NbyaZ1F2pLnuKiKAhThch_AkO0J54v8WHgETYvvCRT6vvsn_e36R4Eo_a6ViAaDAfETOWuVvZVfdbPvYUw5gdBVPGPJmAqnMikFS0s/w609-h609/BRITT+SINGLE.jpg" width="609" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">So what better, she decided, than to head out to the Wolves training ground to have a kickaround with the players?</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">It was a photo opportunity any tabloid would snap up. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br />Except the Birmingham Evening Mail, for whom I was working.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">At the time the Mail’s editor believed that no self-respecting Brummie would have any interest in Wolverhampton. <br /><br />Hence anything happening over the border was out of bounds. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUpmAcky6g85c0gL-DweyNC0Q1PyXxv02Nt-_Jse4nLdsLfKbmolFiYU3twJlAzEbzE8BQH1gaD2QxfLg4_HBDOlIKp4GJjccfteQEOgDWx_Z8XwMkdBWIwEWM6hcUcD4inS7wBS4JnnHk/s2048/BRITT+EKLAND-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1350" height="912" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUpmAcky6g85c0gL-DweyNC0Q1PyXxv02Nt-_Jse4nLdsLfKbmolFiYU3twJlAzEbzE8BQH1gaD2QxfLg4_HBDOlIKp4GJjccfteQEOgDWx_Z8XwMkdBWIwEWM6hcUcD4inS7wBS4JnnHk/w600-h912/BRITT+EKLAND-1.jpg" width="600" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">But this was beautiful Britt, then a huge star. Almost on our patch. <br /><br />Today you could snap a picture then photoshop it onto a more local background. But back in 1979 that was still the stuff of a picture editor’s dreams. <br /><br />I decided to take drastic action. With a photographer, I popped in to the Sandwell Council sign writing depot somewhere down Great Bridge way. <br /><br />I explained our predicament. Did they have, I enquired, a spare West Bromwich sign that I might borrow for a few hours? The man on the desk disappeared into a back room. <br /><br />He emerged brandishing a huge metal West Bromwich sign which he said was surplus to requirements. He’d be happy for us to have it. <br /><br />We bundled it into the back of my Marina estate, then drove up to the leafy training ground where I collared Britt for an interview and asked if she’d pose for pictures. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY4wNNmPRBxhV0sUEc0y_TBIJjhjGfg9dK39DWZlK3sCEzQujJKvMayySYMPm2BpplOoBKKbI4wTlEzFHHQAmaIS_hBtwr28-QmnTeYyc3ZAjUV5MKEwTEPxdSr_Ewp9QGEJ4YDige1yk1/s2048/BRITT-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1357" data-original-width="2048" height="421" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY4wNNmPRBxhV0sUEc0y_TBIJjhjGfg9dK39DWZlK3sCEzQujJKvMayySYMPm2BpplOoBKKbI4wTlEzFHHQAmaIS_hBtwr28-QmnTeYyc3ZAjUV5MKEwTEPxdSr_Ewp9QGEJ4YDige1yk1/w635-h421/BRITT-1.jpg" width="635" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">And, by the way, would she mind holding a giant metal sign while she was at it? <br /><br />Ever the professional, Britt did the deed and the next day’s Mail carried a front page picture under the headline ‘Britt visits Sandwell for kicks’ or some such. She autographed the sign for us too.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwqFxwTCxRKrfDT_xancZL5OHgLvD_Rr1paKLQwnM-NXZmsGxMELcjqyNR0Dg81VBMKSUvmEx2vqGdk9bD08WiLachSqN9WjCz2AG0B9wdFQjqiYi16gTe6GcQoscj3QFpBbK1Lr2FLaHJ/s2048/BRITT+SIGNS-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1350" height="985" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwqFxwTCxRKrfDT_xancZL5OHgLvD_Rr1paKLQwnM-NXZmsGxMELcjqyNR0Dg81VBMKSUvmEx2vqGdk9bD08WiLachSqN9WjCz2AG0B9wdFQjqiYi16gTe6GcQoscj3QFpBbK1Lr2FLaHJ/w649-h985/BRITT+SIGNS-2.jpg" width="649" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Fake news? No, not really. A chat with a A-lister who chose the West Midlands as the place to promote her record - just displaced by five miles or so.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE0hKkOil9TeTNNMgGO74xNUbW02XHKPgWeEEhkVxOOz2jVDMcjlMl1doxAUFI68OYMA0_cqv1arvMGy_XWr0kW89UQ1rA1JjWiOmO45IWL6lyczOLKInv5WOdrs2CM_btD1KfhzVEXlGz/s595/BRITT+SINGLE+COVER.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="595" data-original-width="593" height="644" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE0hKkOil9TeTNNMgGO74xNUbW02XHKPgWeEEhkVxOOz2jVDMcjlMl1doxAUFI68OYMA0_cqv1arvMGy_XWr0kW89UQ1rA1JjWiOmO45IWL6lyczOLKInv5WOdrs2CM_btD1KfhzVEXlGz/w642-h644/BRITT+SINGLE+COVER.jpg" width="642" /></a></div><div><br /></div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">So yes, I'd made the earth move for Britt, for those five miles at least...</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div><br /></div></div>Paul Colehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02389708284861201831noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1122388143932543764.post-27712622359243573252021-01-08T06:10:00.003-08:002021-01-11T04:13:47.884-08:00Treasures From The Attic No 4: The day I babysat for Meatloaf<p><br /></p><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; word-wrap: break-word;"><div dir="auto"><span style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-family: arial; font-size: medium; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvxKouy2dlYHx0HOpkLqL_zLhkKGUPavsQBEVMK3LMy3gyT7ATcBsnLY_WxLsq8dexuAh14VN37e34IPeG72VsvXCfX2JwsJIvR-ViZENlrtmUPVyLPIU9hj3vNoOQE5QZXWIyxWYkhh8c/s2035/MEATLOAF+FAMILY.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2035" data-original-width="1349" height="852" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvxKouy2dlYHx0HOpkLqL_zLhkKGUPavsQBEVMK3LMy3gyT7ATcBsnLY_WxLsq8dexuAh14VN37e34IPeG72VsvXCfX2JwsJIvR-ViZENlrtmUPVyLPIU9hj3vNoOQE5QZXWIyxWYkhh8c/w564-h852/MEATLOAF+FAMILY.jpg" width="564" /></a></div><br /></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">August 20, 1983.</span></div><div dir="auto" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Birmingham Mail photographer Alan Tromans and I had backstage access at that year's Monsters of Rock Festival at Castle Donnington, and mopped up several interviews.</span></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; word-wrap: break-word;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br />We were chatting with Meatloaf and his wife Leslie, also a backing singer in the band, outside their trailer just before they were due to go onstage.</span></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; word-wrap: break-word;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br />We had earlier got the mighty Meat to square up to Twister Sister frontman Dee Snider for a fun photo, and we got on well.</span></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; word-wrap: break-word;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br />As the couple got ready for their set, Alan and I looked after the children as they played and drew pictures of their rock star daddy.</span></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; word-wrap: break-word;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br />Alan snapped this rare picture of the family that Meatloaf liked so much he later included it in his autobiography!</span></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; white-space: pre-wrap; word-wrap: break-word;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWHilhF43SmBRgHOB2FOO3LsficGyEu6vVogwlaHveLj_gQtiY2tC8WcEKGghwRyXLQxTwToKjJvObN2pZ5qy1tvDEzpZ08VtT6YToW4BnWy2zCA5SKEEf3EJtz3OUb677HGmqSndacITe/s720/MEATLOAF+POSTER.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="504" height="807" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWHilhF43SmBRgHOB2FOO3LsficGyEu6vVogwlaHveLj_gQtiY2tC8WcEKGghwRyXLQxTwToKjJvObN2pZ5qy1tvDEzpZ08VtT6YToW4BnWy2zCA5SKEEf3EJtz3OUb677HGmqSndacITe/w564-h807/MEATLOAF+POSTER.jpg" width="564" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div></div>Paul Colehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02389708284861201831noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1122388143932543764.post-34414975201345034602021-01-07T03:03:00.007-08:002021-01-11T04:14:25.410-08:00Treasures From The Attic No 3: The surreal night I had dinner with Michael Jackson<p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">As I ransack the contents of my keepsake boxes in the attic during lockdown, here's one of the strangest of them all.<br /><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Would I like to have dinner with Michael Jackson? It was an invitation that, as a showbiz writer, I’d never even dreamed of.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><a href="https://www.blogger.com/u/1/#"><img border="0" height="578" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgbL1LosN7_SPMddb_alwa2tKS1sCzUbkaYEPTqycWDiqkN3_qb-KiqjcNy0Jn_qUr0rr3wFSLxrw9aNE6M4msAwmb3pZb-Pks0pmESDtGQJ-rzuxt6gt1H7mfcPZMr_HVaR_937ocVVEK/w667-h578/JACKSON+programme.jpg" width="667" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">So it was that I found myself a VIP guest at London’s Guildhall on July 20, 1988 for the most surreal evening of my career.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: arial;">T</span><span style="font-family: arial;">he King of Pop was in town to celebrate his imminent Bad shows at Wembley Stadium, and they laid on a party like no other. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />Guests of honour at Guildhall banquets are more usually kings and queens, world leaders and politicians.</span><br /><br /><a href="https://www.blogger.com/u/1/#"><img border="0" height="444" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtUYR7W0w8Jhk77-btfI0lKPMUHEvxoCY-p3d-4b4Gw4rjFByc6HdF0wIoLXa5DWCSqWeiMUmVCSth9ZtfGrJJT8er2O_ROpajekZer21o4_-Sz6n4Uf97OWsahhpirQ2HrDNw9QFpnhfT/w672-h444/The-Guildhall-Interior.jpg" width="672" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">And, indeed, Michael was treated like royalty. He became the first commoner ever to enter by the hall’s Royal Entrance, a unique privilege that required the Queen’s personal approval. <br /><br />His arrival was heralded by the red-jacketed trumpeters of the Life Guard cavalry, usually seen marching along the Mall. There followed a £75,000 banquet, during which the roast beef was paraded through the room by the Corps of Drums of the Honourable Artillery Company. <br /><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: large;">Dancers in Olde English costume scattered rose petals at Michael’s feet. Then he watched wide-eyed as first Henry VIII, then Elizabeth I, Lord Nelson, Nell Gwynn, Robin Hood, Maid Marion and Dick Whittington paid their respects.</span><br /><br /><a href="https://www.blogger.com/u/1/#"><img border="0" height="885" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYILfodgHVesBuc6HvCnktsZqQ56tU5Mip4CxQ6XuVsh-_7ISr7yYWyTo0T6yfPM9jbNg9RtUsP8Bxh9-Gof5HmX5-XKXcfcWKmXEty3Y-SdSSF2ve3AoIZ32HOfET7LF-QcDfK50-VWk6/w664-h885/IMG_0762.jpg" width="664" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Ballet dancers burst from a box. Fire-eaters, jugglers, jesters and Elizabethan musicians visited his table. Then Michael was stunned as Merlin appeared in a puff of smoke, and glittering knights in armour bowed before him. <br /><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">But as guests tucked into the finest food England had to offer, the reclusive singer nibbled only at corn on the cob, vegetable salad and orange juice prepared by the personal chef he had flown over. <br /><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">It was after the dinner that things took an even stranger turn. I joined Jackson and his pony-tailed manager Frank Dileo in the Guildhall courtyard, where the star took the salute as the Band of the Corps of Royal Engineers beat the retreat, walking up and down a line of liveried Life Guard troops as if he were a general inspecting them. <br /><br />He bopped lightly on his heels as the band played and grinned wildly when they launched into a version of Billie Jean. Then a knight in shining armour galloped across the courtyard, leapt from his saddle, pulled a sword from a stone and went down on one knee before handing the sword to Michael.</span><br /><br /><a href="https://www.blogger.com/u/1/#" style="font-family: arial;"><img border="0" height="1445" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4Et38dQLbbFDClEGkL77G7RbVvH40BOo-Kawflzy1U7c8Este8oCt2rnypcet2zpG4ypBxsyGGZV-g0XsXq2RNXagVpCVCuae_Mb53RH5XxRuevCxjPsRHYj0UuxAKPZIDkCv9P0vR4bR/w654-h1445/JACSON+Sword.jpg" width="654" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">He was blissfully unaware of the historical significance, and handed the sword to a 7ft minder wearing a top hat. “Do you realise,’ I said, “that you’ve just become the King of England? That’s supposed to be the sword King Arthur pulled from the stone before he recruited the knights of the Round Table.” <br /><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">His response was utter delight. “Gee,” he said. “A King? I never knew. I love your traditions!” And with that, he was whisked away to a limo to take him back to his Mayfair hotel.</span></p><p><br /></p>Paul Colehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02389708284861201831noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1122388143932543764.post-34196471839937958732021-01-06T02:04:00.003-08:002021-01-11T04:16:47.715-08:00Treasures From The Attic No.2: Seeing The Byrds at Manchester Free Trade Hall - by accident<p><span style="font-family: arial;">When I reached the age of 15 I was desperate to go to my first rock gig.</span></p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">I’d heard The Strawbs were good, so my dad queued up in Manchester to buy tickets.</span><br /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><br /></span><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">A few days later we saw them on a TV show called Disco 2.</span><br /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><br /></span><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">They strummed their guitars, playing jangly folk rock – and they were bloody awful.</span><br /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><br /></span><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Dad and I looked at each other and said, as one: “Naaaahhh....”</span><br /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><br /></span><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">He managed to swap the tickets for the next gig onsale at Manchester's Free Trade Hall – by The Byrds.</span><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Roger McGuinn’s Byrds. McGuinn, Clarence White, Skip Battin, Gene Parsons.</span><br /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><br /></span><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Lovers of the bayou.</span></span><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwvzrXW20SFecUu72ExKvkWr-nDCdgFh3BZaQl_tZnola5zz-Vs_4eShFzAPpqCzd6PB_ocNKGrKxtbrDExhzpJ6R4YLosLvtbjYLk_Zqu0BTXV9zpeGcUkmY31KKZoq9MYNiYOyC4FfGf/s365/byrd70.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="250" data-original-width="365" height="355" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwvzrXW20SFecUu72ExKvkWr-nDCdgFh3BZaQl_tZnola5zz-Vs_4eShFzAPpqCzd6PB_ocNKGrKxtbrDExhzpJ6R4YLosLvtbjYLk_Zqu0BTXV9zpeGcUkmY31KKZoq9MYNiYOyC4FfGf/w519-h355/byrd70.jpg" width="519" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">I wanted to fit in so my dad took me to a shop in Blackpool where I got kitted out.</span><br /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><br /></span><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Yellow flowery shirt, blue flares, a big steel buckled belt, a suede jerkin.</span><br /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><br /></span><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">If he raised an eyebrow, I missed it. I thought I looked the bee’s knees.</span><br /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><br /></span><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Truth was, I looked more like a very camp window cleaner.</span><br /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><br /></span><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">We got to the Free Trade Hall on May 11, 1971 to find everyone wearing faded T-shirts, denim and greatcoats.</span><br /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><br /></span><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">I didn’t care. We loved every minute.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Support band for the night was Rita Coolidge, then backed by her Dixie Flyers and the first artist I ever saw live (other than a childhood panto appearance by Freddie & The Dreamers).</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Then The Byrds played an unforgettable show.<br /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><br /></span><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Eight Miles High stretched out to nigh on half an hour. I was hooked.</span></span><br /><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">The set included all the songs you'd want to hear, and then some.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">It was based on the set that appeared on the live disc of the (<i>Untitled)</i> album.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPl3dvlX2rLKDEhxzPct21LHn_h7iXrSsE89GbMjr-zfttqAiz8zd8HkxcS3Gh4WZDw20a1iPrkWv6GLT67nb6Kg1su2Qbag40dYMnnisRH8A6Q-odcJEwHTSk8TZFTQ7Bnvdrzbn7zrHe/s400/0001099967.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="400" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPl3dvlX2rLKDEhxzPct21LHn_h7iXrSsE89GbMjr-zfttqAiz8zd8HkxcS3Gh4WZDw20a1iPrkWv6GLT67nb6Kg1su2Qbag40dYMnnisRH8A6Q-odcJEwHTSk8TZFTQ7Bnvdrzbn7zrHe/w424-h424/0001099967.jpg" width="424" /></a></div><br /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Here's the </span><span style="font-family: arial;">setlist...</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: arial;"><i>Lover Of The Bayou</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: arial;"><i>You Ain't Going' Nowhere</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: arial;"><i>Truck Stop Girl</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: arial;"><i>My Back Pages</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: arial;"><i>Baby What Do You Want Me To Do?</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: arial;"><i>Jamaica Say You Will</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: arial;"><i>Black Mountain Rag / Soldier's Joy</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: arial;"><i>Mr Tambourine Man</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: arial;"><i>Pretty Boy Floyd</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: arial;"><i>Take A Whiff On Me</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: arial;"><i>Chestnut Mare</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: arial;"><i>Jesus Is Just Alright</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: arial;"><i>Eight Miles High</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: arial;"><i>Hold It</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: arial;"><i>So You Want To Be A Rock'n'Roll Star</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: arial;"><i>Mr Spaceman</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: arial;"><i>It's Alright Ma (I'm Only Bleeding)</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: arial;"><i>The Ballad Of Easy Rider</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: arial;"><i>I Wasn't Born To Follow</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: arial;"><i>Hold It (Reprise)</i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">You can actually hear the Free Trade Hall gig at the wonderful Wolfgangs concert archive <span style="color: #fcff01;"><a href="https://www.wolfgangs.com/music/the-byrds/audio/20010004-7215.html?tid=49095292">here</a> </span></span></span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Sadly, I've long since lost the ticket for my first ever gig but here's the programme.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3i8yYRU01uURaEmkQco0TeaakNILYv-Q4wQh1bv5q5t_L5VlqSw7ztq33ZZJUEUcmEZGA_HN7ZjcE7-eUN9ZwUKIArIhyphenhyphen9ZoqXpWxH1QwTUBhy8Vozo7YmUo5uZAnWAhwOyCUW4F-020A/s2048/127174855_4194560503904386_3185195600806884222_o.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="541" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3i8yYRU01uURaEmkQco0TeaakNILYv-Q4wQh1bv5q5t_L5VlqSw7ztq33ZZJUEUcmEZGA_HN7ZjcE7-eUN9ZwUKIArIhyphenhyphen9ZoqXpWxH1QwTUBhy8Vozo7YmUo5uZAnWAhwOyCUW4F-020A/w406-h541/127174855_4194560503904386_3185195600806884222_o.jpg" width="406" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Thank God The Strawbs were so awful that night on TV...</span></div></div>Paul Colehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02389708284861201831noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1122388143932543764.post-68994124205112274132021-01-05T05:29:00.006-08:002021-01-06T02:04:20.318-08:00Treasures From The Attic No.1 : The night Creedence played Manchester<p><span style="font-family: arial;">During lockdown I've been raiding my keepsake boxes in the attic and running a brief series on my Facebook page. As the UK enters Lockdown 3.0 I thought I'd share them with a wider audience by reviving my long-rested blog.</span></p><div><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">So here we go... The most exciting gig of my life. It was September 1, 1971, the night a 16 year old fanboy got to see his rock and roll idols live for the first, and sadly final, time.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid1niQ0yOZKSs4EWhPfStXQFefEt5EHU_mFLSawZiaUXuZyP5XI4HizU3wwLPFx_4WecMpa0G0aBTeYSo_5zRZbLkbmAs7cARG_QX5Ew7o0omP4199hMFfOm8xs7-xvyJDBpvVtMB8Ac1Y/s2048/5F3E0515-AFAA-4809-9D81-13F4D2B8A5B0.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="383" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid1niQ0yOZKSs4EWhPfStXQFefEt5EHU_mFLSawZiaUXuZyP5XI4HizU3wwLPFx_4WecMpa0G0aBTeYSo_5zRZbLkbmAs7cARG_QX5Ew7o0omP4199hMFfOm8xs7-xvyJDBpvVtMB8Ac1Y/w610-h383/5F3E0515-AFAA-4809-9D81-13F4D2B8A5B0.jpeg" width="610" /></a></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Although I grew up with The Who and The Kinks, my obsession was Creedence Clearwater Revival. Early in the year I’d written to them, pleading with them to play Manchester.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCOU6IF6flKR1IhHvYLYfFcnx6bNHkatNCPZSlxX7IcNiqW0HqsCC8ShzdcdHfbh6iEjrlJDKDs9j5LnCnX_MEXFFB8aKzx7Yh1TdrktuS8acJ-2Unsiwm9TzOI4C4_AjmFPis6ih8AagO/s2048/126138692_4178554135505023_1059880684296020974_o.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="417" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCOU6IF6flKR1IhHvYLYfFcnx6bNHkatNCPZSlxX7IcNiqW0HqsCC8ShzdcdHfbh6iEjrlJDKDs9j5LnCnX_MEXFFB8aKzx7Yh1TdrktuS8acJ-2Unsiwm9TzOI4C4_AjmFPis6ih8AagO/w556-h417/126138692_4178554135505023_1059880684296020974_o.jpg" width="556" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: arial;">They wrote back a lovely letter thanking me for my support and enclosing a folder full of CCR goodies and, when the UK dates were announced, there was just Manchester Free Trade Hall and London’s Royal Albert Hall.</span><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL3UeJoy4seuYn1i68u_Sc-eLeMqTcsD2y6LaLTR8HFuCGnZSnECq6jRJ4fdRQQQ5ca8sK0h4v00-BTAYoS6GdqN-Tn3Mvn19QK8LXrvReWsxMNo_lUh6hEryiQ9rb3tlKtWMlYpG-ENjM/s275/82EAFF01-9F3A-4EF1-8543-B8F01D3D330A.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="275" data-original-width="183" height="609" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL3UeJoy4seuYn1i68u_Sc-eLeMqTcsD2y6LaLTR8HFuCGnZSnECq6jRJ4fdRQQQ5ca8sK0h4v00-BTAYoS6GdqN-Tn3Mvn19QK8LXrvReWsxMNo_lUh6hEryiQ9rb3tlKtWMlYpG-ENjM/w405-h609/82EAFF01-9F3A-4EF1-8543-B8F01D3D330A.jpeg" width="405" /></a></div><p><span style="font-family: arial;">By now a trio after the departure of Tom Fogerty, they played two sets on the same night, both only about an hour long and I saw the late 9pm show, a performance I can never forget packed with short sweet CCR classics.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKtMJTZFoikpgxplc_A6_Ht23wpyDOFPGkoBPn831-AGG5g8fPO9jnFub4f1rLXmxcjzRyIKY1StNK7ii06ZzLJt2NqzQ-B0sCH-TGu3xk_O-m4gMeDH9lFbtzf1AksfagfpTD0sivtk6r/s1024/130735742_4239823189378117_1172686695546915191_o.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="979" height="468" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKtMJTZFoikpgxplc_A6_Ht23wpyDOFPGkoBPn831-AGG5g8fPO9jnFub4f1rLXmxcjzRyIKY1StNK7ii06ZzLJt2NqzQ-B0sCH-TGu3xk_O-m4gMeDH9lFbtzf1AksfagfpTD0sivtk6r/w448-h468/130735742_4239823189378117_1172686695546915191_o.jpg" width="448" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;">Here's the short, sharp and sweet setlist...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: arial; text-align: left;"><i>Born On The Bayou</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: arial; text-align: left;"><i>Green River</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: arial; text-align: left;"><i>Door To Door</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: arial; text-align: left;"><i>Bad Moon Rising</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: arial; text-align: left;"><i>Proud Mary</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: arial; text-align: left;"><i>Fortunate Son</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: arial; text-align: left;"><i>Who'll Stop the Rain</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: arial;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(252, 255, 1);"><i>Sweet Hitch-Hiker</i></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: arial; text-align: left;"><i>Travelin' Band</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: arial; text-align: left;"><i>Keep On Chooglin'</i></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><div><ol style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Roboto, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; list-style-position: inside; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 0px; padding: 0px; width: 718px;"><br /></ol></div><div>Not the best gig I've seen - contenders for that include Zeppelin, Lucinda Williams, The Who, Bowie, The Prayerboat, Ian McNabb and more - but the most exciting.</div></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Poignant too because it turned out to be the farewell tour. Like Elvis they’d rarely played the UK and they called it a day the year later.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Here are a couple of reviews of the gig.<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh488brpr3pfd5IM0-31keLTYdE-oD0DPpDsrQDALwF0xkEWBFIwaI8-fRF_-h57OggEKwpjyjXQt2iyyxki_zw7fX9Vw1h9YWM7vCIQiZdUjKfSs9xkUMAO2F2xtBCHGVcDv8yd1lVQS7F/s2048/130263357_4239823076044795_9165406257693885411_o.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="594" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh488brpr3pfd5IM0-31keLTYdE-oD0DPpDsrQDALwF0xkEWBFIwaI8-fRF_-h57OggEKwpjyjXQt2iyyxki_zw7fX9Vw1h9YWM7vCIQiZdUjKfSs9xkUMAO2F2xtBCHGVcDv8yd1lVQS7F/w446-h594/130263357_4239823076044795_9165406257693885411_o.jpg" width="446" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">I’ve seen John Fogerty three times since, and interviewed Stu Cook when he launched Creedence Clearwater Revisited but it could never be the same again.</span></div><p></p><p></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWC6GvnxFm8lBnU0eAsWAYkeYPpZ_rJOTK9ekpjVqDGudCwtZZRRft1PgNxs3CRG0tVIFULD1FhK8_9EGDRrV74VVlwTwNDGa0Qhab3IX92gRbAoa7mY7SZEBtpq_C3yf5WZAtTzgPsouv/s2048/130778761_4239823316044771_4104980302534342766_o.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="607" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWC6GvnxFm8lBnU0eAsWAYkeYPpZ_rJOTK9ekpjVqDGudCwtZZRRft1PgNxs3CRG0tVIFULD1FhK8_9EGDRrV74VVlwTwNDGa0Qhab3IX92gRbAoa7mY7SZEBtpq_C3yf5WZAtTzgPsouv/w455-h607/130778761_4239823316044771_4104980302534342766_o.jpg" width="455" /></a></div></span></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><p></p></div>Paul Colehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02389708284861201831noreply@blogger.com0Manchester, UK53.4807593 -2.242630525.170525463821157 -37.3988805 81.790993136178855 32.9136195tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1122388143932543764.post-65314595062097157542017-07-16T11:10:00.000-07:002017-07-16T11:25:52.168-07:00The day I took ZZ Top to the barbers<div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP38xrWHKGhHI_dBFowYOp5WYCB9IM6-0kVl05gQvu-TtY_gFOZvZOy_Fmczq41b_NXAFfXLU02KQbxaTPkwhi-a54vUfX5lvq-WSi0Wm-7PWHNFXJhzQKgJeqGG2aMz43UuPI0nr2n0RY/s640/blogger-image--538103511.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP38xrWHKGhHI_dBFowYOp5WYCB9IM6-0kVl05gQvu-TtY_gFOZvZOy_Fmczq41b_NXAFfXLU02KQbxaTPkwhi-a54vUfX5lvq-WSi0Wm-7PWHNFXJhzQKgJeqGG2aMz43UuPI0nr2n0RY/s640/blogger-image--538103511.jpg" width="412" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It is the once-in-a-lifetime photograph that suggests the unthinkable.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Yes, that's iconic Texan rockers ZZ Top at a Birmingham barber shop.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Bearded Billy Gibbons and Dusty Hill await their turn in the chair, while drummer Frank Beard - ironically the only bandmate without one - gets a trim.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The band popped in to Hollins and Gregg in Brum's Newhall Street after a spot of shopping.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">But there's more to the much sought-after picture than meets the eye.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The date was August 16, 1985, and I was the Birmingham Mail's rock and pop writer.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">ZZ Top were set to headline the giant Donnington Monsters of Rock festival - now known as Download - next day.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I met them at Birmingham Airport as they got off a private jet, and asked to pop into town.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">After calling in to the HMV store to buy some albums, the Mail took the trio into uncharted territory.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The barber's chair.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">They were still riding high on the success of the 25 million-selling Eliminator album. Singles Sharp Dressed Man, Got Me Under Pressure and Gimme All Your Lovin' had made them a household name.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There was huge interest in the band and speculation that they might unveil a new look.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Might they be - shock, horror - clean-shaven?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We stepped inside Hollins and Gregg and asked if we could snap some photos. But only on one condition.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"Nobody is to touch the band's beards," a nervous ZZ Top aide informed me. "It's more than my job's worth!"</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The trio played along with the stunt, laughing and joking in their gruff Texan drawl.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">But what was with the shades, the cheap sunglasses they wear to this day?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">“We wrote a song called Cheap Sunglasses when we used to tour in cars," Frank told me.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"Every gas station in the world had a cardboard display of the cheapest and ugliest sunglasses you could imagine.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"I've bought a thousand pairs of them."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Billy added: "The hip trip for us was to throw them into the audience at our gigs.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"But we ran out and we couldn't get any more. So we now have to make do with Ray Bans.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"The Ray Ban Wayfarer was the original cheap sunglasses. You could buy a pair for six bucks."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Next day, ZZ Top rocked the Castle with all their hits - and a stunning spectacle.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Their famous Eliminator hotrod (well, a replica at least) was flown in, dangling from a helicopter.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">But the beards were intact, untouched by the demon barber of Brum.</span><br />
<br />Paul Colehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02389708284861201831noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1122388143932543764.post-26739035561636228502015-02-21T06:21:00.001-08:002015-02-21T06:29:06.859-08:00After sexy Glad Rag Doll Diana Krall slips into something comfortable with Wallflower<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTIgKBXO5UMUwnwSBK9006SEEX1aGm50FPVaUqSX65UB1cPyZ_dZIijkZFpMpIAkmLYA35gH3I2FXuwwGgCX0_0uadO37wOTpHvViw5WlpK6vSTf0zQkQqH2X8APUYJGolv5lZmkxUthgs/s1600/Diana-Krall-Wallflower-300x300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTIgKBXO5UMUwnwSBK9006SEEX1aGm50FPVaUqSX65UB1cPyZ_dZIijkZFpMpIAkmLYA35gH3I2FXuwwGgCX0_0uadO37wOTpHvViw5WlpK6vSTf0zQkQqH2X8APUYJGolv5lZmkxUthgs/s1600/Diana-Krall-Wallflower-300x300.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">She smouldered through the rootsy Glad Rag Doll back in 2012.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now Diana Krall slips into something comfortable, a long delayed album of classic pop songs given a loving late night makeover.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Originally due last October but postponed first by a bout of pneumonia and then the death of her father, Wildflower is subtly seductive.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Eleven covers plus a new Paul McCartney song find Krall delivering classy pop with a pure jazz-rooted vocal.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Among the best are Eagles hallmark Desperado, Crowded House hit Don't Dream It's Over, 10cc chart topper I'm Not In Love and Elton John's Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Less obvious are Bob Dylan's Wildflower, from which the album takes its title and Jim Croce's Operator - sublime songs waiting to be rediscovered. McCartney track I'll Take You Home Tonight, however, is forgettable.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Michael Buble guests on an unlikely take on Gilbert O'Sullivan's Alone Again (Naturally) perhaps reflecting Krall's own feeling of loss.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It`s very different from Glad Rag Doll's back to basics earthiness but a good album nonetheless ahead of her live dates.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRVfDrEi7dMIT8XAjnLk8fqKgAYp-jATO74UEOgwG5RXOa0zZFnqcWyTVYvgIHbqXVMmuhnqKw6uWMb-mc46X8-DJkmEhBROPCPLJLAcpTzaQGWykvypYOQcDhQHb1dGUWg8lNMVOIWUmB/s1600/DIANA+KRALL+seated.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRVfDrEi7dMIT8XAjnLk8fqKgAYp-jATO74UEOgwG5RXOa0zZFnqcWyTVYvgIHbqXVMmuhnqKw6uWMb-mc46X8-DJkmEhBROPCPLJLAcpTzaQGWykvypYOQcDhQHb1dGUWg8lNMVOIWUmB/s1600/DIANA+KRALL+seated.jpg" height="630" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<br />Paul Colehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02389708284861201831noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1122388143932543764.post-61314663015729865682015-01-25T06:09:00.000-08:002015-01-25T06:14:28.851-08:00Devil's Train : Devil's Train II review<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_djv61jLY56jQGu7rDE_s7GZLDFF49s1mrVhmxkdfUhEuS1NB719zi-nqBaNAE2Y-QcbdmNYCIyinRt4y7-FGfu_2PZLwevRD432MlbYnD1JxArFh6fKU9hN8Qw7aUwRMBm03KvehdcFm/s1600/tfhZuPm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_djv61jLY56jQGu7rDE_s7GZLDFF49s1mrVhmxkdfUhEuS1NB719zi-nqBaNAE2Y-QcbdmNYCIyinRt4y7-FGfu_2PZLwevRD432MlbYnD1JxArFh6fKU9hN8Qw7aUwRMBm03KvehdcFm/s1600/tfhZuPm.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Accepted wisdom is that cover versions only succeed if you radically revise them. Don't tell Devil's Train.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On their debut album a couple of years back the Euro metallers blasted their way through a high energy hard rock and roll set.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Riff rockers such as Roll The Dice and Room 66/64 proved irresistible, runaway express trains to rival the Crue's Kick Start My Heart.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But they ended the set with a cover of American Woman, the classic rock single that once made The Guess Who temporary titans.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And, defying expectation, it became a huge youtube hit.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Little surprise then that the band, originally a part-time project for members of Stratovarius, Mystic Prophecy and Evergrey, have gone and done it again.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sophomore set Devil's Train II owes much to Guns 'n Roses and, more recently, Black Stone Cherry (check out Mr Jones) with its helter skelter rock and roll and southern holler.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But fast forward to track nine and Steppenwolf hallmark Born To Be Wild leaps from the speakers.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It hasn't been turned into an acoustic strum; they haven't added a choir and strings; there's not a rap at the bridge.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Aside from a little more contemporary crunch, they've just rocked the f*** out of it - and it's revisited in all its original glory.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Perhaps it`s just that we don`t get to hear the likes of American Woman and Born To Be Wild anymore that both work so well.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">They try for the hat trick, by the way, with a bonus track cover of Zeppelin's Immigrant Song that's unnecessary.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The album's stong enough without over-egging the pudding.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Best bets: Mr Jones, Born To Be Wild, Hollywood Girl.</span><br />
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Paul Colehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02389708284861201831noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1122388143932543764.post-86037028887062615162015-01-03T01:17:00.001-08:002015-01-03T01:27:00.725-08:00Songwriter Albums Of The Year 2014<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDKsxEJYk3nyjZerdSRz57i7mUdEiWWL6dxqFn0Fthm9_wcqEfF_4mYxDrqptfHT-JSXAG2FmdvoOteXxWscsi-9iIQoZo3jg6Zj6yzE0W0373o4fsymtbaRA4eY0sujCIdtDB-fde7kXd/s1600/songs-cover-800.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDKsxEJYk3nyjZerdSRz57i7mUdEiWWL6dxqFn0Fthm9_wcqEfF_4mYxDrqptfHT-JSXAG2FmdvoOteXxWscsi-9iIQoZo3jg6Zj6yzE0W0373o4fsymtbaRA4eY0sujCIdtDB-fde7kXd/s1600/songs-cover-800.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1. JOHN FULLBRIGHT : Songs - Proving that less is often more, the Oklahoma troubadour delivers a masterclass in simply sung Americana.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2. RYAN ADAMS : Ryan Adams - After all those years of sublime singer-songwriter subtlety, Ryan Adams finally plugs in and rocks like Tom Petty.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3. ANDY WHITE : How Things Are - Belfast boy charts his marriage break-up heartache in sublime songs ranging from fragile folk to dark rock and roll.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">4. ROBERT PLANT : Lullaby And The Ceaseless Roar - Plant says this is “a celebratory record, powerful, gritty, African, trance meets Led Zeppelin” – and he’s so right.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">5. JACKSON BROWNE : Standing In The Breach - His first album in six years wants to set the world to rights but don’t let that put you off such superb songwriting.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">6. SION RUSSELL JONES : Lost No More - You’ve heard the Cardiff singer-songwriter’s songs in the soaps, but this set smacks strongly of classic Paul Simon.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">7. NEIL YOUNG : Storytone - The ornery ol’ cuss still loves to bowl curveballs, this time bringing in a concert orchestra and a sassy, swinging big band.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">8. SUZANNE VEGA : Tales From The Realm Of The Queen Of Pentacles - Loved her when she started out in Tom’s Diner but soon got bored. Thankfully, Vega’s back big-time and even rocks out.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">9. MARTIN STEPHENSON & THE DAINTEES : California Star - Upfront and upbeat, Stephen’s no longer as delicately Daintee as he used to be, and it’s a gold star success.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">10. MARY CHAPIN CARPENTER : Songs From The Movie - Mary Chapin Carpenter’s warm vocal is caressed by the sweeping strings of a full orchestra for the first time.</span>Paul Colehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02389708284861201831noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1122388143932543764.post-33839833420292361592015-01-03T01:05:00.000-08:002015-01-03T01:25:48.812-08:00Pop Albums of the Year 2014<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir7w4ufJHa2MLR7YVy82dEiAe0-qP8ilpC-6M3jFFKNlY2UM1oiFpFNddc_91ucYvRnFCfqNmTuPsBo1QXYJvtMiaOVDOKjAvKQCIQXOaT9-Gzj4FJq4obyk7kD2lbCE67oW93-DtcY99N/s1600/lewis-watson-morning.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir7w4ufJHa2MLR7YVy82dEiAe0-qP8ilpC-6M3jFFKNlY2UM1oiFpFNddc_91ucYvRnFCfqNmTuPsBo1QXYJvtMiaOVDOKjAvKQCIQXOaT9-Gzj4FJq4obyk7kD2lbCE67oW93-DtcY99N/s1600/lewis-watson-morning.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1. LEWIS WATSON : The Morning - Debut album by the Youtube sensation from Bicester includes Stones Around The Sun, one of the year’s best songs.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2. A GREAT BIG WORLD : Is There Anybody Out There? - Ian Axel and Chad Vaccarino write witty pop, but Say Something, featuring one Christina Aguilera, is heartbreaking.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3. JENNY LEWIS : The Voyager - Former Rilo Kiley frontwoman Jenny Lewis revels in skewed story-telling pop and rock with a subversive edge.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">4. RON POPE : Calling Off The Dogs - Great setlist highlighted by show-stealers Explain and Nothing will surely be coveted by all X-Factor wannabes.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">5. PASSENGER : Whispers - Brighton’s Michael Rosenberg’s quirky voice stole hearts this year – but standout Bullets is deliciously disturbing.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">6. TWIN ATLANTIC : Great Divide - The Glaswegian festival favourites give The Killers a run for their megabucks with irresistible pop hooks and rock riffs.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">7. ED SHEERAN : X - There’s no stopping the carrot-topped troubadour, who builds on his debut with the most streamed album in the world.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">8. GEORGE EZRA : Wanted On Voyage - Where on earth does that amazing, old beyond his years, voice come from? Well, actually it’s from Hertfordshire.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">9. NINA PERSSON : Animal Heart - The only Cardigan you’ll ever want to find under the Christmas tree, Nina’s warm pop vocal gives you a huge hug.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">10. RUBY TURNER : All That I Am - Birmingham soul queen Ruby returns with an eclectic genre-striding set, including a delightful duet with Passenger.</span>Paul Colehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02389708284861201831noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1122388143932543764.post-91851373170631172772015-01-01T01:46:00.000-08:002015-01-01T01:52:01.174-08:00Rock Albums Of The Year 2014<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAdVuRImdbv35P-4Xhij0sBLzDc5aGl5gkel-Xk_ZuxtWgGFIMD6tbyBR1qgpRN4SbOz9OJmwHRFnD9KvmyxMufDOfOP2yUlOyuO3HSPdgWiEHdxJrxwJV0sCeM2lsllKKzFOvlpN4LrfI/s1600/RB_AlbumBW_600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAdVuRImdbv35P-4Xhij0sBLzDc5aGl5gkel-Xk_ZuxtWgGFIMD6tbyBR1qgpRN4SbOz9OJmwHRFnD9KvmyxMufDOfOP2yUlOyuO3HSPdgWiEHdxJrxwJV0sCeM2lsllKKzFOvlpN4LrfI/s1600/RB_AlbumBW_600.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">New Year! Here are the Still Got The Fever rock albums of the year.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1. ROYAL BLOOD : Royal Blood - Okay, so how the hell do they do that? Bassist Mike Kerr and drummer Ben Thatcher out-muscle mighty Metallica.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2. FOO FIGHTERS : Sonic Highways - Dave Grohl & Co hit the road to record at a string of famous studios but the band’s strength is consistent at ever.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3. ANTI-MORTEM : New Southern - Oklahoma rockers give Metallica a run for their megabucks with relentless riffola that takes no prisoners.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">4. PROSPERINA : Harness-Minus - Gethin Woolcock’s Welsh wonders barnstorm a sophomore set of densely layered guitar prog-rock and roll.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">5. BLACK STONE CHERRY : Magic Mountain - Business as usual for the Kentucky festival favourites, who crank up the amps for a heavier set than last time.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">6. THE ORWELLS : Disgraceland - Pop hooks meet swaggering sloppy rock and roll with more than a hint of The Raconteurs and The Faces.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">7. BUSH : Man On The Run - They were bigger than Oasis in the US, and now Gavin Rossdale’s Brit grunge-rockers return to top form.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">8. CRIPPLED BLACK PHOENIX : White Light Generator - Think Pink Floyd on steroids, soaring widescreen melody with prog-rock muscle. Do not miss them live.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">9. PINK FLOYD : The Endless River - Rejigged Richard Wright rejects represent reclusive rockers’ reflective return. A fitting tribute and last hurrah.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">10. BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN : High Hopes - Rage Against The Machine axeman Tom Morello adds musical muscle to The Boss’s E Street shenanigans.</span>Paul Colehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02389708284861201831noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1122388143932543764.post-28283193628618144112014-12-07T12:31:00.001-08:002014-12-07T12:31:52.241-08:00The 10-Word Album Review - Foo Fighters : Sonic Highways<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqXmLR2WuFOmyx97HWZZoJt-LequKrcQMFC_RkiyHQPuVOg-AUsK7MwuEeDLdm8hWGxCKeIfZohbPFsmPxe71ZK05kwB1MvEzECSXWUaGp7TZG0ss1rGxP-q4iEI39kN8R8de83sA9mcJ5/s1600/Foo_Fighters_8LP_Sonic_Highways.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqXmLR2WuFOmyx97HWZZoJt-LequKrcQMFC_RkiyHQPuVOg-AUsK7MwuEeDLdm8hWGxCKeIfZohbPFsmPxe71ZK05kwB1MvEzECSXWUaGp7TZG0ss1rGxP-q4iEI39kN8R8de83sA9mcJ5/s1600/Foo_Fighters_8LP_Sonic_Highways.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Punch the air or sway your mobile - both options available</span>Paul Colehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02389708284861201831noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1122388143932543764.post-1546233659741707502014-11-28T13:59:00.001-08:002014-11-28T13:59:31.008-08:00The 10-Word Album Review - Boyzone : Dublin To Detroit<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixvphPWzfulBJRGpQlnsGi6GvajtWGIkL4UGXs_WNDNISQ8IXgemEL5IA8cmtv6jhUG1AVUWVfaxclydks4tAxGTX7bsrFv2NEGdG3EGWf7Ym3TZd2oCH_ieY2zmr9PwSAXefzYUsdUIgu/s1600/A1nRlg7VA-L._SL1500_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixvphPWzfulBJRGpQlnsGi6GvajtWGIkL4UGXs_WNDNISQ8IXgemEL5IA8cmtv6jhUG1AVUWVfaxclydks4tAxGTX7bsrFv2NEGdG3EGWf7Ym3TZd2oCH_ieY2zmr9PwSAXefzYUsdUIgu/s1600/A1nRlg7VA-L._SL1500_.jpg" height="640" width="638" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Can white boys sing the blues? On this evidence, no</span>Paul Colehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02389708284861201831noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1122388143932543764.post-51639249018209930452014-11-28T13:53:00.000-08:002014-11-28T13:53:59.141-08:00The 10-Word Album Review - Pink Floyd : The Endless River<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGs3YzZglDM0wl0p2jR31ePnI8-tgq79Xp1LsxHmYEo2VysQh176cHPA3TVhkJTLXSaWe4BCYesTzVeEUmmfA96Nnubck89kDI23PKK3xlVAsQ7mhOHJ5nTF31rACOz-sRlsAB4k76lR01/s1600/The-Endless-River.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGs3YzZglDM0wl0p2jR31ePnI8-tgq79Xp1LsxHmYEo2VysQh176cHPA3TVhkJTLXSaWe4BCYesTzVeEUmmfA96Nnubck89kDI23PKK3xlVAsQ7mhOHJ5nTF31rACOz-sRlsAB4k76lR01/s1600/The-Endless-River.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Rejigged Richard Wright rejects represent retired rockers' reflective return really</span>Paul Colehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02389708284861201831noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1122388143932543764.post-23321622430381625182014-10-26T00:19:00.001-07:002014-10-26T00:19:48.497-07:00The 10-Word Album Review - Alvin Stardust : Alvin<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB7lCQP5OiOUCiWap3QMtbs0YhdcW_zMGPLMQxF-AmogKLBDoqRHdCvT8iKWihjSGGvt3J8iyY4ljpjVin-GgLzCuqO1JZARzD_7NHCp9fceCFTiiIofQUeiO9jY4HOxPkb8TwXNH1Ffrr/s1600/alvin_stardust_2014_album.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB7lCQP5OiOUCiWap3QMtbs0YhdcW_zMGPLMQxF-AmogKLBDoqRHdCvT8iKWihjSGGvt3J8iyY4ljpjVin-GgLzCuqO1JZARzD_7NHCp9fceCFTiiIofQUeiO9jY4HOxPkb8TwXNH1Ffrr/s1600/alvin_stardust_2014_album.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Not quite Rick Rubin but credible reinvention tragically too late</span>Paul Colehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02389708284861201831noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1122388143932543764.post-20263898593670893272014-10-25T11:54:00.000-07:002014-10-25T11:55:52.079-07:00The 10-Word Album Review - Billy Idol : Kings & Queens of the Underground<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLq95vsH0Xc0gcYf7xNJRrZytWki-TB4jC9dPPsl5TrOQW0QwT1ALMpYH4uQK6igrtTLLTSzH2hyphenhyphenbq9BfjatgRk7PMgrgG_h8NGD9H0K6Q8bSY2qhGBfLXBOPLU8k2uTkRKdCiM58H4P_B/s1600/kings_queens_cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLq95vsH0Xc0gcYf7xNJRrZytWki-TB4jC9dPPsl5TrOQW0QwT1ALMpYH4uQK6igrtTLLTSzH2hyphenhyphenbq9BfjatgRk7PMgrgG_h8NGD9H0K6Q8bSY2qhGBfLXBOPLU8k2uTkRKdCiM58H4P_B/s1600/kings_queens_cover.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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Setting punk memories to syrupy strings is just bone idle</span>Paul Colehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02389708284861201831noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1122388143932543764.post-61992659865897124372014-10-25T03:27:00.000-07:002014-10-25T03:27:03.851-07:00The 10-Word Album Review - Gerard Way : Hesitant Alien<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtM-2EsbpvnLSmlWwsa9nZ3dwhDZNvnUoFRGWkZIKja5wQ5zQxWVEFyRy1Ir87BzAwlr6yOmR9UFyoihpmf3_WDy1lG3Tf6T_j_g37O7XcWNjhuavNGvyEjSdz4Zup0EfU94WMX5rVPSv6/s1600/Hesitant_Alien.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtM-2EsbpvnLSmlWwsa9nZ3dwhDZNvnUoFRGWkZIKja5wQ5zQxWVEFyRy1Ir87BzAwlr6yOmR9UFyoihpmf3_WDy1lG3Tf6T_j_g37O7XcWNjhuavNGvyEjSdz4Zup0EfU94WMX5rVPSv6/s1600/Hesitant_Alien.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Welcome to the black charade - Mychem frontman loses his way</span>Paul Colehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02389708284861201831noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1122388143932543764.post-51040600591841446372014-10-24T12:21:00.001-07:002014-10-24T12:21:36.375-07:00The 10-Word Album Review - Bush : Man On The Run<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNS2TWCuCDeblm7Yo1ium6Wv7075tDSztlRVKxCJi4WUsRQpfEuLz044eAAHE38I3K8gdPF38IkdMtp_HFHULiP6yL1XfW6ad5Rb6U9o13o9Ir9-bLdSWmnrHDLjyRzX53Qj02W2_RV3Vm/s1600/Bush-Man-On-The-Run-300x300.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNS2TWCuCDeblm7Yo1ium6Wv7075tDSztlRVKxCJi4WUsRQpfEuLz044eAAHE38I3K8gdPF38IkdMtp_HFHULiP6yL1XfW6ad5Rb6U9o13o9Ir9-bLdSWmnrHDLjyRzX53Qj02W2_RV3Vm/s1600/Bush-Man-On-The-Run-300x300.jpeg" height="640" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">No beating about Bush as Britrockers pack grunge rock punch.</span>Paul Colehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02389708284861201831noreply@blogger.com0