Archive for 2012

Vinyl

'Well, who’s the singer?': Journey guitarist Neal Schon's role in the Sammy Hagar era of Van Halen

Journey co-founder Neal Schon knew, from the first, that Eddie Van Halen was a special guitar talent. He’d also worked with Sammy Hagar on a project away from Journey — and that’s how Schon played a role in the second Van Halen era. You May Also Like: No related posts.

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Steely Dan Sunday, "Shanghai Confidential" (1988)

“Century’s End” wasn’t just released as a part of a soundtrack, it was the A side to a Donald Fagen single. Thus, Fagen had to come up with another song and so he recorded a rare instrumental, “Shanghai Confidential.” You May Also Like: Walter Becker, “Hard Up Case (Live atRead More

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Fred Hersch Trio – Alive at the Vanguard (2012)

The title is so very appropriate, and not just because this set was recorded during a week-long stint at the Village Vanguard. Fred Hersch, after a near death experience in 2008, has never sounded more present — more, in short, alive. You May Also Like: Mark Wade Trio – ‘TrueRead More

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On Second Thought: Enrico Rava – The Pilgrim and the Stars (1975)

“Woo!!!” And with that, we have “2” — the official total number of “Woo!”‘s in the ECM catalog. This one comes from Enrico Rava, as guitarist John Abercrombie unleashes a particularly intense solo passage. You May Also Like: Steve Million – ‘What I Meant to Say’ (2021) Bill Laswell, BernieRead More

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New album in works from Yes alums Jon Anderson, Rick Wakeman and Trevor Rabin: ‘Recording as we speak’

Jon Anderson’s on-again, off-again recording project with fellow Yes alums Rick Wakeman and Trevor Rabin is apparently back on again. The three are passing around demos, and even contemplating a tour together. You May Also Like: Jon Anderson, of Yes and Anderson Rabin Wakeman: Something Else! Interview Trevor Rabin –Read More

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'It's a Kiss thing': Tommy Thayer stands by using Ace Frehley's makeup, guitar effects

Long-time Kiss fans know that Tommy Thayer not only takes the stage in ex-member Ace Frehley’s iconic makeup, he also shoots rockets out of his guitar — one of Ace’s signature moves. But Thayer says those things are part of the band’s legacy, and don’t belong to any one member.Read More

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'A real labor of love': Billy Gibbons on the long journey ZZ Top took toward La Futura

The lengthy period of time that ZZ Top took in completing its forthcoming release La Futura was spent, Billy Gibbons says, literally tearing the songs apart to make sure that each element worked perfectly. You May Also Like: ZZ Top’s “El Diablo,” “Thunderbird,” “Rough Boy” + Others: Gimme Five

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'He never wants to stop': Daughter Kelly says Ozzy Osbourne lives for busy tour schedule

Is Ozzy Osbourne continuing on what seems like a never-ending tour because he can’t stay off the road — or because his controlling wife/manager pushes him to continue at this torrid pace? Their daughter says: The love of music. You May Also Like: Why You Should Count ‘No Rest forRead More

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YamaYama – Party Dog (2012, EP)

Remember when fusion jazz was both fertile and fun? Eugene, Oregon’s YamaYama does. You May Also Like: Dave Holland, Chris Potter, Lionel Loueke, Eric Harland – Aziza (2016)

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Shows I'll Never Forget: The Richie Furay Band, August 30, 2009

At the Sellersville Theater, Sellersville, Pennsylvania: Richie Furay took the stage with his current band who, not coincidentally, are all parishioners of the church he leads in Broomfield, Colorado. You May Also Like: Jeff Lynne’s ELO, August 15, 2018: Shows I’ll Never Forget Ringo Starr and His All Starr Band,Read More