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.

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

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

Thin Lizzy Pay Tribute to Phil Lynott

Thin Lizzy is still together and released this statement yesterday in honor of Phil Lynott

"Philip Parris Lynott passed away 23 years ago today. Philo, we, indeed, remember you while you're away - thousands and thousands of people around the globe who you touched with your music and words. And it seems fitting to post the lyrics you wrote about another icon so many years ago, as it most definitely describes how so many of us feel tonight. We shall miss you and we raise a glass to you today, tonight!"


King's Call

It was a rainy night the night the king went down
Everybody was crying it seemed like sadness had surrounded the town
Me I went to the liquor store
And I bought a bottle of wine and a bottle of gin
I played his records all night
Drinking with a close, close friend

Now some people say that that ain't right
And some people say nothing at all
But even in the darkest of night
You can always hear the king's call
You can always hear the king's call

We still love you Phil !

Who Do You Think Has the best Voice in Rock ?

The U.K's Sun newspaper has just revealed it's top 40 Voices in Rock, what do you think, agree disagree ?

The Top 40 Greatest Voices In Rock:

1. Robert Plant (LED ZEPPELIN)
2. Freddie Mercury (QUEEN)
3. Paul Rodgers (FREE/BAD COMPANY)
4. Ian Gillan (DEEP PURPLE)
5. Roger Daltrey (THE WHO)
6. David Coverdale (WHITESNAKE)
7. Axl Rose (GUNS N' ROSES)
8. Bruce Dickinson (IRON MAIDEN)
9. Mick Jagger (ROLLING STONES)
10. Bon Scott (AC/DC)

PS: check Robert's tightest jeans in Rock ?

'Neil Young Archives Volume 1 (1963 - 1972)' (Blue-Ray & DVD Box Sets) Release January 27 2009

From Uncut.co.uk

"New details on Neil Young's expansive The Archives Vol. 1 1963-1972 box set, due for release early in 2009, have been revealed. According to a newly-released trailer, the box set, on 10-disc DVD or Blu-Ray, will contain 128 audio tracks, including 43 unreleased and 13 of these never heard before. The set, which comes with a 236-page hardback book, will also feature access to thousands of images and hours of video.

One of the videos included is Journey Through The Past, Young's 1974 film never before released on DVD, which includes footage of Buffalo Springfield and Crosby Stills Nash And Young. An audio track of 'Aurora' by Young's high school band The Squires is also included. The previously-released Archives albums, Live At The Fillmore East and Live At Massey Hall 1971, will also be included in the box set, although it is currently believed that the newly-released Sugar Mountain - Live At Canterbury House 1968 will not. Hand-written lyrics, letters, newspaper cuttings and memorabilia will also be available in the Archives, along with a detailed interactive timeline"

Graham Nash - 'Reflections' (3 CD Set) Box Set Release Febuary 2009

On February Rhino celebrates Graham Nash’s career with Reflections, a three-CD boxed set containing 40 years of music with 64 songs; half of which are unreleased mixes, alternate versions and unissued tracks.

This is a deluxe package that features a 150-page booklet with 75 unseen photos and track notes by Graham Nash.

"Arranged chronologically, Reflections spans Graham Nash’s recordings from 1967 to 2007, starting with a trio of singles he released with The Hollies in 1967: “On A Carousel”, “Carrie Anne” and “King Midas In Reverse”. Nash left the group a year later, joining with Crosby and Stills to record the trio’s self-titled album......Reflections gathers several songs from that album-and its follow-up, released a few months later with the addition of Neil Young - including “Pre-Road Downs”, “Marrakesh Express”, “Our House” and “Teach Your Children”. The set also includes tracks from the group’s other albums: “Just A Song Before I Go”, “Wasted On The Way” and “Heartland”.

The collection also brings together several classics from Nash’s four solo albums, ranging from the politically-charged (”Military Madness” and “Chicago” / “We Can Change The World”) to the emotionally raw (”Simple Man” and “Sleep Song”) and the socially conscious (”Barrel Of Pain” and “Chippin’ Away”.) Reflections spotlights 32 songs with different mixes and alternate versions that have never been released. Among the highlights is Nash’s solo acoustic demo of “Right Between The Eyes”. Recorded during the Déjà Vu sessions, a live version of the track popped up in 1971 on a CSN&Y live album. The compilation contains six unreleased tracks, including “Water From The Moon”, “Try To Find Me” and “In Your Name”, a song he recorded in 2007"


Pre-order Spincds.

Rock Revival's Classic Trax (1965): Tom Jones 'It's Not Unusual'

OK, confession time, 'It's Not Unusual"by Tom Jones is one of my favourite songs, albeit I have thousands of favourites.

Tom Jones may be associated with the likes of Engelbert Humperdink now but back in the day he was one of the best white soul singers, taking advantage of his Welsh roots where everyone can sing and he knew he was well liked by the ladies

'It's Not Unusual' went to number one in the UK charts in 1965, Jones's, peaking at #10 in May of that year in the US

Check it out!

Garage Rock 101: Proto-Punk Pioneers

Every now and then on Rock Revival we have a look at a specific genre in the history of rock. Todays focus, garage rock from the mid-1960's is one of the most unrecognised but important. Garage rock was raw rock and roll, popular in the US and Canada, heavily influenced by The British Invasion (ie: The Who, The Kinks, The Animals)

The rough and ready party anthems were a precursor to US punk and were revived in the early 70's when The Ramones, New York Dolls and Stooges burst on to the scene.

There were literaly thousands of bands in the US, very few of which became commercial successes.

Songs that did make it, however, include, "Louie Louie" by The Kingsmen (1963-64), "Psychotic Reaction" by The Count Five (1966), "Pushin' Too Hard" by The Seeds (1966), "Gloria" by the Shadows of Knight (1966), "96 Tears" by Question Mark and the Mysterians (1966), "Talk Talk" by The Music Machine (1966), "Dirty Water" by The Standells (1966), "Double Shot (of My Baby's Love)" by The Swingin' Medallions (1966), "Respect" by The Rationals (1966), and "Little Bit O'Soul" by The Music Explosion (1967).

Garage rock has continued to rear its head over the years; The Romantics in the late 80's, The Fuzztones in the 80's, The Vines in more recent times.

Check it out

Rock Revival's Forgotten Classics (1971): Ruby Jones 'Stone Junkie'

Here's clear evidence that back-up singers are often so much better than the artist they support,
Singer Ruby Starr was best-known as a backup singer for '70s macho man rockers Black Oak Arkansas.

This album was her debut, supervised by the great Curtis mayfield of all people. She shows that she is equal in vocal talent to Janis Joplin, funky, raucous, wild... she completely out classes Black Oak Arkansas frontman Jim Dandy who spotted her shortly after it's release

She was renamed Ruby Starr and toured with the band for several years before leaving the group to form the Ruby Jones Band in 1976, and issuing the album Scene Stealer the same year.

You must have this album !

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(Source AllMusicGuide)