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Should Rock Revival Be Revived ?

Hi, Paul here, after four months I am amazed that Rock Revival still gets around 200 hits a day, rock never dies !!!

Not sure if anyone will see this post though but i am wondering if there is interest in reviving the site ?

Shall I do it ? Does anyone else want to use the site for free, all proceeds go to them ?

Let me know

Paul

Rock Revival's Best Albums of the 2000's

Lists seem to be the most popular posts on Rock Revival so here's a really tough one.

What are the best albums produced from 2000 to now. I'm sure you have your own, let me know. Here's ours

1 Kid A (2000) - Radiohead

2 Heartbreaker (2000) - Ryan Adams

3 Opeth Watershed (2008)

4 Illinois (2005) - Sufjan Stevens

5 Vespertine (2001) - Björk

6 De-Loused in the Comatorium (2003) - The Mars Volta

7 Joanna Newsom: The Milk-Eyed Mender (2004)

8 Yoshimi Battles The Pink Robots (2002) - The Flaming Lips

9 The Black Album (2003) - Jay-Z

10 Amon Tobin: Out From Out Where (2002)

11 Eminem: The Marshall Mathers LP (2000)

12 Porcupine Tree - In Absentia

13 Godspeed You Black Emperor: Yanqui UXO (2002)

14 Iron & Wine: Our Endless Numbered Days (2004)

15 Mastodon: Leviathan (2004)

16 Mum: Finally We Are No One (2002)

17 Sunn O))): Black One (2005)

18 Johnny Cash American Series (2000+)

19 Amnesiac (2001) - Radiohead

20 The Streets: A Grand Dont Come For Free (2005)

What the ? Cheap Trick to Perform Sgt. Peppers in Vegas ?

The iconic American rock band Cheap Trick is close to finalizing a headliner deal with the Las Vegas Hilton that would feature the group performing The Beatles' epic album "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" live with a full orchestra.

Word has it their performances could begin as soon as March and stretch throughout 2009.
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Cheap Trick's original members would be involved in the exclusive agreement with the Hilton.

The band has sold 20 million records and produced 29 movie sound tracks. They hit it big in 1979 when "I Want You to Want Me" peaked at No. 7 on Billboard's Top 40. "The Flame" topped the charts in 1988 and their cover of Elvis Presley's "Don't Be Cruel" reached No. 4 a couple of months later.

VH1 listed Cheap Trick No. 25 among the "100 Greatest Artists of Hard Rock."

info: lvrj.com

Cheap Trick - 'At Budokan! 30th. Anniversary' Release Febuary 2 2009

This deluxe package is highlighted by the premiere commercial DVD release of a video recording of the second concert, a one hour 15-song program that was broadcast only once on Japanese television 30 years ago.

The stunning DVD artefact features a new stereo mix and 5.1 Surround Sound by original 1978 producer Jack Douglas and engineer Jay Messina. At last, Cheap Trick fans can actually see and feel the moment come to life when – for the first time in history – lead singer Robin Zander exhorts the Japanese audience, “I want YOU… to want… ME!”

The four-disc package goes on to include (on disc two) a CD that replicates the audio of the DVD in its full 19-song length, also produced by Jack Douglas and Jay Messina.

Discs three and four represent the previous 20th anniversary (1998) double-CD Live at Budokan (culled from multiple night’s concerts, as was the original 1978 LP), beautifully re-mastered, produced by Cheap Trick and Bruce Dickinson.

1Giant Leap: It's Not Rock But It Will Blow Your Mind

I have just listened to what may be the best album I have ever heard, it's moving, beautiful, mindblowing..........................................................

Here's some info

Jamie Catto and Duncan Bridgeman went around the world to Senegal, Ghana, South Africa, Uganda, India, Thailand, Australia, New Zealand, America and Europe, equipped solely with a a laptop and recording equipment - they wanted to capture and weave together a unique fusion of sound, image and spoken word from some of the world's most happening musicians, authors, scientists and thinkers and to explore 'The Unity in the Diversity'.

Their treasure hunt brought many unexpected collaborations with such inspirations as Michael Stipe, Kurt Vonnegut, Tom Robbins, Dennis Hopper, Brian Eno, Asha Bhosle, and Baaba Maal.

'1 Giant Leap' is nothing short of an electronic drum circle, drawing the citizens of Earth together for a planet-wide cautionary pep talk. Mesmerizing and utterly profound, yet wonderfully accessible, '1 Giant Leap' reminds us all of what we're capable of achieving.

(info from Calabashmusic.com)

Check it out; (the first one features Michael Stipe about halfway through)

Special Funk Show This Week on Rock Revival Radio

We take a slight detour this week on Rock Revival Radio into the wonderful world of classic funk.

James Brown, Parliament, Tower of Power, Curtis Mayfield, Cameo..............OOOOW!!

Listen directly on your computer at the following time...

Thursdays 8-10PM Sydney
Thursdays 9-11AM GMT Anywherelse...

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Rock Revival's Classic Albums (1976): Brand X 'Unorthodox Behaviour'

In the history of Jazz Fusion Brand X are a critical yet less well known institution. They formed in 1974, broke up in 1980 and reformed in the 90's and are amongst the most talented and sophisticated artists in the genre.

Brand X are perhaps best known for hosting Phil Collins as their some-time drummer. Other members included Keyboard player Robin Lumley, previously with Bowie's Spider's From Mars and John Goodsall of Atomic Rooster

Their first album, Unorthodox Behaviour, was turned down by Island Records and released by Genesis's label, Charisma

The album shines with everything a fan of prog-jazz needs: complextime signatures, adventurous arrangements, and experimental sounds. Phenomenal bass grooves, ferocious driving drums and complex solos snaking in and out of off-kilter themes. Think funky Mahivishnu and you just about have it

Highly reccomended.

Another Aussie Jazz Fusion Master: Frank Gambale

Two new artists I have discovered this week, Tal Wilkenfeld, young bass prodigy and Frank Gambale, incredible fusion guitarist

Toured with Jean Luc Ponty in 1986 and went on to be a member of Chick Corea's band for 6 years. He's also released ten of his own albums

Let the music do the talking

Rock Revival's Top Best 25 Bass Lines Basslines of All Time

I'm not a bass player so I know this is a dangerous post but here is my atempt to list Rock Revival's favourite basslines of all time. A tribute to the least appreciated but most critical instruments.

I haven't just stuck to rock but have instead try to draw on funk, jazz and jazz fusion as well

Let me know what I've missed or what you would put as your top basslines

1 Waiting for an Alibi Thin Lizzy

2 NIB Black Sabbath

3 Chameleon by Herbie Hancock

4 Dead Ringer The Stranglers

5 Armando's Rhumba Chick Corea

6 Teen Town - Weather Report Jaco Pastorius

7 Peace Frog The Doors

8 Footstompin Music Grand Funk Railroad

9 My Jelly Roll Soul Charles Mingus

10 Roundabout Yes

11 Josie Steely Dan

12 Thankyou for Letting Me Be Myself Again Sly and the Family Stone

13 One Nation Under A Groove Funkadelic

14 Dazed And Confused Led Zeppelin

15 Badge Cream

16 Freewill Rush

17 Sunshine Of Your Love Cream

18 Ramble On Led Zeppelin

19 Fight the Power The Isley Brothers

20 Velmwind Ozric Tentacles

21 The Joker Steve Miller Band

22 Elbow Grease Niacin

23 Maceo Parker Shake Everything You've Got

24 Frankenstein Edgar Winter

25 Day Tripper The Beatles

Here's the great Jaco Pastorius, a true genius

Who Loves Tal Wilkenfeld ? Bass Prodigy

Wow what a story, picks up the bass at 14 years old, drops out of High School at 16 and immigrates from Australia to the US to pursue her music career, makes her name is New York clubs and then becomes one of the most celebrated new bass players on the planet.

Don't believe me ? Here's what she has done since 2006

Played with the Allman Brothers, toured with Chick Corea and Jeff Beck, attended Eric Clapton's Crossroad Guitar Festival and joined Jeff Beck and Eric Clapton and the famous Ronnie Scott's in London. All that and released a brilliant Fusion album called Transformations

Check her out

With Jeff Beck, the beauty and the beast !! Makes me cry !!



Here she is teaching at a Bass Clinic, wow !!



With Chick Corea

Hugh Cornwell Stranglers Frontman Free Download Here

Hugh Cornwell of the Stranglers has launched a solo album "Hooverdam" and has made it available on the internet for free

Get it here

He has launched a stinging attack on bands like Metallica who fight against free downloading

"The internet is the perfect delivery system for music, so why not use it? I don't see it as being exploited at all - I think we are exploiting the internet,"

"It's silly. Come on! It's hysteria. You have got to grow up and move forward"

"I think you have just got to find more ingenious ways of generating a living than by ripping people off, charging them £15 for an album that they can get for free. It just means people aren't being ripped off any more."

"To physically print up a CD it costs about 50p. It you're charging £15 for it, that's a huge profit margin. It just means that all these years, people have been ripped off."

New U2 Album Influenced By Led Zeppelin ?

I'm not sure about you but U2 haven't really turned us on here at rock revival for over a decade, especially given Bono's carry on as saviour of the universe,etc.

The Edge, however, is claiming that U2's new album titled 'No Line on the Horizon' will be heavily informed by Led Zeppelin, or at least the guitar playing by Jimmy Page. The Edge is also pretty enamoured by Jack White. All three hung out recently while filming the documentary It Might Get Loud.

"I was just fascinated with seeing how Jimmy played those riffs so simply, and with Jack as well," says The Edge

We are ready to be surprised.....

Tune in To Rock Revival Radio This Week

Rock Revival Radio is back on air this week after a two week break and is streamed direct to your computer.

Thursdays 8-10PM Sydney

Thursdays 9-11AM GMT Anywherelse....

This week we'll feature the following:

1. Women in Rock: We'll focus on the real belters including Koko Taylor, Janis Joplin and Big Mama Thornton, women who can outdo the likes of Ian Gillan or Ronnie James Dio in the power stakes

2. Metal: We'll find out what happens when the likes of Ozzy Osbourne and Lemmy team up with contemporary metal bands

3. Untold Stories: A focus on Chicago before they went soft, including their meeting with Hendrix

4. Mash-Ups: Ever wondered what would happen if you speeded up Sabbath's war Pigs more than 1000 times and added Outkast's Bombs Over Bagdad ? No ? Well you'll here it anyway, plus what The Specials would have sounded like if they teamed up with grime rapper Dizzee Rascal.

5. Covermania: Rock goes country is some pretty beautiful country versions of rock songs (including Dolly gets her Led out)

Plus, Classic Album, This Week in Rock and much more.........

Thursdays 8-10PM Sydney
Thursdays 9-11AM GMT Anywhereelese

iPod Candy: Rock Revival's Top Twenty Soft Rock Songs

At the moment I am doing the highly suspect activity of listening to alot of soft rock.

Why? You ask. Well call it a pallette cleanser but there is a certain joy in listening to music has no intellectual challenge whatsoever.

Here's Rock Revival's Top Ten, let me know what you think is missing.

1 Drift Away - Dobie Gray
2 Sailing - Christopher Cross
3 Summer Breeze - Seals & Crofts
4 Minute By Minute - The Doobie Brothers
5 Chuck E.'s in Love - Rickie Lee Jones
6 More Than Words - Extreme
7 Dreams - Fleetwood Mac
8 Babe - Styx
9 Black Water - The Doobie Brothers
10 Can't Fight This Feeling - REO Speedwagon
11 Show Me the Way - Peter Frampton
12 On and On - Stephen Bishop
13 Baker Street - Gerry Rafferty
14 Tin Man - America
15 What a Fool Believes - The Doobie Brothers
16 Arthur's Theme (Best That You Can Do) - Christopher Cross
17 You're So Vain - Carly Simon
18 I'd Really Love to See You Tonight - England Dan and John Ford Coley
19 Piano Man - Billy Joel
20 Rosanna - Toto