Monster Mash-Up of Halloween Hits

The Twilight Zone TV theme leads off our Monster Mash-Up Halloween mix because it's long been my favorite spooky television series; I was imitating Rod Serling's deadpan delivery of "there's a signpost up ahead, the next stop...The Twilight Zone" since I was a kid.

Monster Mash is the all-time favorite by Bobby "Boris" Pickett, who's been twisting to this record since the sixties.

People Are Strange - The Doors sound is perfect for a Halloween soundtrack. Jim Morrison always sounded so haunted anyway, but it's the chemistry of John Densmore's rhythmic drumming, the organ and bass lines of Ray Manzarek, and Robby Krieger's innovative guitar style, that really created such a mysterious atmosphere in all of their songs.

Cream whips up a Strange Brew, with those big bad Bruce bass lines stretched out over Baker's huge drum sound and Clapton's stinging guitar.

In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida...the 17 minute opus, is my personal classic rock favorite because of the extended drum solo. I used the radio edit in my mix CD since the long version would have taken up too much space and eliminated other worthy songs from this compilation. In any case, Iron Butterfly set the standard for heavy metal bands in the late sixties, IMHO.

Cities On Flame With Rock And Roll - Blue Oyster Cult generates that awesome full power sound of a Gibson Les Paul thru a stack of Marshalls, and that Hammond B3 organ piped through a leslie speaker that gave this band a certain mystique. These guys are a perfect pick for this Monster Mash-Up mix, our first Halloween celebration on CybersMusic.

Life During Wartime - I heard this tune on the radio recently and I've always been a fan of the Talking Heads anyway. David Byrne's eerie vocals and the driving rhythm of Chris Frantz on drums and Tina Weymouth on bass make this song a favorite of mine.

Frankenstein is one of Edgar Winter's coolest tunes, itself a construction project more than a song, because of several parts that are strung together by the overdubbed drum solo. Taken as a whole, the song works beautifully.

Strange Days - The Doors outdo themselves by casting their musical spell of strangeness to produce a hypnotic theme in this song.

Werewolves of London - Warren Zevon was a masterful storyteller, weaving the tale of werewolves running amok in the heart of London. Zevon's songwriting leaves quite a legacy behind; as the music world suffered his loss in 2003. A new tribute album was just released called Enjoy Every Sandwich, featuring some of his closest friends...Jackson Browne, Bonnie Raitt, Don Henley, Bob Dylan, David Lindley & Ry Cooder.

The Time Warp from the Rocky Horror Picture Show is a natural for Halloween; I recall masked strangers throwing toast at the screen during my first midnight movie experience of this classic film. This was the soundtrack that made Meatloaf famous.

In fact, Bat Out Of Hell III is being released today. Featuring guest artists Brian May and Steve Vai, Meatloaf unleashes the final album in his Bat Out Of Hell trilogy. Produced by Desmond Child, with additional vocal arrangements by Todd Rundgren, who produced the first BOOH album.

Meatloaf performs his first duet with Marion Raven on the video for "It's All Coming Back to Me Now." QuickTime : WinMedia

Alice Cooper follows with Feed My Frankenstein. I remember seeing the Alice Cooper band on their Welcome To My Nightmare tour at San Antonio's Municipal Auditorium...he instantly became a favorite; his stage show was as much theatrical as musical, being a pioneer in the shock rock stage arena at that time.

Season of the Witch is another natural, not only by the title, but by the way Vanilla Fudge paint such a picture in sound as they tell this timeless story. I like the other verson by Donovan too, but I only had this copy by the Fudge, one of my favorite early heavy metal bands of the late sixties.

The Addams Family TV theme is a classic everyone remembers, this series was one of my favorite afternoon television shows as a kid, and still is. I just love the characters. A close second was The Munsters with Fred Gynne. Both of these TV classics are available on DVD now too.

Stevie Ray Vaughan presents the Slight Return of Voodoo Chile...I always thought SRV was channeling Hendrix anyway, so this song is proof positive that he was plugged into a different cosmic wavelength that the rest of us were.

Santana calls out to Singing Winds, Crying Beasts, which segues nicely into Black Magic Woman/Gypsy Queen. Carlos and his fierce guitar rips open their Abraxas album with this concept trio of tunes. The high impact percussion of Santana's early hits just blew me away.

Jimi Hendrix provides the sonic fireworks to a big finish with Fire, on this year's Monster Mash-Ups. The song has a killer bass line coupled with a staccoto snare and back beat that ranks it as one of my favorite Hendrix tracks.

And that concludes our first Monster Mash-Up mix of our favorite Halloween Hits. Please...Don't let friends drive drunk...elect a desecrated driver for the evening, and have yourself a happy and safe Halloween!

Related Tags: Music, Rock and Roll, Classic Rock, Halloween, CybersMusic

Posted by Mike

Tales of the Rat Fink Ed "Big Daddy" Roth

Tales of the Rat Fink, the story about Ed "Big Daddy" Roth, becomes available this week on DVD. It's the tall tale about the wild man who shifted America's love affair with customized cars and souped-up hot rods into high gear in the fifties and sixties.

The Rat Fink character, America's alternative rodent, was a fixture on most of Roth's plastic model cars that I built as a kid, but my favorite memory is the music from that era. There was an actual album, which had this kooky concept of being "hairy," but had some outrageously great music that was generally associated with the whole customized car craze.

While I don't have the actual track listing, I can just imagine crankin' up these tunes along for the ride...

The Ventures were a staple of this era with songs like "Telstar, Apache and Walk Don't Run," but their biggest hit was probably with the TV theme to "Hawaii Five-O."

Chuck Berry's version of "Route 66" was a classic tune that took us down that famous highway, most likely in a Corvette, like the guys in the TV show of the same name did.

Duane Eddy did a killer version of Peter Gunn, which was always a great song to cruise down the street to. The bass line in E just nails this track down into a solid groove.

The Beach Boys were crusin' along the California beaches in their 409, a cherry customized Woody, complete with surf boards and eight-track stereo. They also had the Little Deuce Coupe and the T-Bird, you know the one that daddy took away.

Jan and Dean's biggest hit "Dead Man's Curve" involved a Corvette StingRay and a Jaguar XKE.

GTO was a hit for Ronny and the Daytonas, even if they did try to sound like the Beach Boys.

Wilson Pickett's Mustang Sally became a classic standard because the Ford Mustang was just the coolest car when it first came out. My Aunt and Uncle had a white '64 with a black vinyl roof. Later on, my Cousin had a red '68 model with a stick shift. Hot cars always had a cool soundtrack to go along with the ride, and these are some of my favorites.

The animated DVD documentary features the voice talents of John Goodman, Ann-Margret, Jay Leno, Brian Wilson, Matt Groening, Tom Wolfe, Steve Austin, Robert Williams, Paul LeMat, Billy F Gibbons and The Smothers Brothers.

Special Features on the DVD include:
Big Daddy Lives! - Rare Interviews with Ed "Big Daddy" Roth
Rat Fink Reunion - Painting Jam with Ed Roth and Von Dutch
Big Daddy's Garage - Virtual Art Gallery
Interview with Director Ron Mann
Deleted Scenes
Theatrical Trailer
Sadies music video

WinMedia & QuickTime Preview Trailer

Related Tags: Music, Rock and Roll, Classic Rock, Cars, Hot Rods, CybersMusic

Posted by Mike

Goo Goo Dolls On Tour

The Goo Goo Dolls will be on the road soon in support of their new album, Let Love In. The North American tour will cover the US and Canada beginning November 4th in Seattle and wind up in Anaheim, California, with a special show on New Year's Eve. The band will also appear on NBC's The Tonight Show in December.

Exclusive recordings have just become available for online purchase at iTunes and Rolling Stone Originals. Of the twenty-three tracks on iTunes, many of them were recorded live at Capitol Studios in Hollywood. Rolling Stone Originals features new live-in-the-studio versions of "Broadway," "Become," "Let Love In," and "Stay With You."

The album's title track and current single is "Let Love In."

"Let Love In" Video: QuickTime LO : HI : WinMedia LO : HI

Goo Goo Dolls Online:
www.googoodolls.com
www.myspace.com/googoodolls
www.usaharvest.com

Tour Schedule:

Sat Nov-4 Seattle, WA Paramount Theatre
Sun Nov-5 Vancouver, BC Orpheum Theatre
Tues Nov-7 Edmonton, AB Shaw Conference Center
Wed Nov-8 Calgary, AB Jack Singer Conference Hall
Thurs Nov-9 Regina, SK Conexus Centre of the Arts
Sat Nov-11 Winnipeg, MB Burton Cummings Theatre
Sun Nov-12 Thunder Bay, ON Community Auditorium
Tues Nov-14 Toronto, ON Massey Hall
Wed Nov-15 London, ON John Labatt Centre
Fri Nov-17 Ottawa, ON National Arts Centre
Sat Nov-18 Montreal, QC Olympia Theater
Mon Nov-20 Moncton, NB Moncton Coliseum
Tues Nov-21 Halifax, NS Halifax Metro Centre
Wed Nov-22 Bangor, ME Bangor Auditorium
Fri Nov-24 Portland, ME The Dome
Sat Nov-25 Albany, NY Palace Theatre
Sun Nov-26 Syracuse, NY Landmark Theatre
Tues Nov-28 Baltimore, MD Lyric Opera House
Wed Nov-29 Upper Darby, PA Tower Theatre
Fri Dec-1 Boston, MA Orpheum Theatre
Sat Dec-2 New York, NY Hammerstein Ballroom
Sun Dec-3 New York, NY Hammerstein Ballroom
Tues Dec-5 Erie, PA Warner Theatre
Fri Dec-8 Chicago, IL Chicago Theatre
Sat Dec-9 Atlanta, GA Arena at Gwinnett Center
Mon Dec-11 Poughkeepsie, GA Mid Hudson Civic Center
Tues Dec-12 Hartford, CT Hardford Civic Center Coliseum
Fri Dec-29 Niagara Falls, NY Seneca Niagara Casino
Sun Dec-31 Anaheim, CA House of Blues

Related Tags: Music, Rock and Roll, Classic Rock, Goo Goo Dolls, Classic Rock

Posted by Mike

The Best Music You Never Heard (Of)

It's funny how your own memories can be so strongly stirred just by reading someone's blog. Case in point, my brother Cybercoder points out Dave's blog at classicrock.about.com about classic rock bands that were huge in one part of the country, but never received national acclaim. Of course, that prompted our own search of bands that we grew up listening to in south Texas, that may not be very well known elsewhere.

We both grew up in and around San Antonio, which has always been a hard rockin' town. I was especially into the hard rock and metal scene because I worked at local rock station KISS-FM. So my brother and I would hang out with the other guys at the station and talk about music, guitars and the local scene. Joe Anthony would play entire LP sides if he liked a particular band.

One of the more popular artists we recall is Legs Diamond. The band has been called the American Deep Purple. Their official website attests to the fact they are huge in San Antonio to this day. The band is still alive, and still rocking and releasing albums, since 1977. Their latest album is Diamonds Are Forever, from 2005. Going back through their discography, the band contributed four songs to a compliation album in 1992 titled Rock On!, with Legs Diamond on one side, and The Runaways on the other side. The big album I remember was their self-titled 1977 release, with a guitar leaning up against a bullet-ridden car.

And speaking of The Runaways, we must acknowledge the passing of Sandy West, whose powerful drumming powered the beat behind this all-female hard rock band. She died of lung cancer at age 47. Sandy co-founded the Runaways in 1975 with singer guitarist Joan Jett. Along with band members Lita Ford and Cherie Currie, the Runaways charted hits like "Cherry Bomb" and "Born to be Bad."

Other bands we love from those heady days in the 70's:
AC/DC
April Wine
Budgie
Crack The Sky
Mahogany Rush
Max Webster
Leslie West & Mountain
Pat Travers Band
Point Blank
Rush
Scorpions
Ted Nugent
Tommy Bolin
Triumph
Thin Lizzy
UFO

It was the music, not the technology that drove our imagination back then. Nowadays, it seems to be the reverse, where technology drives the music. I'm all for technology, it has a real place as a valuable tool, but today's music appears to suffer from that mindset, which is a real shame. "It's gotta be (real) rock 'n roll music; if you wanna dance with me."

Related Tags: Music, Rock and Roll, Classic Rock, The Runaways, CybersMusic

Posted by: Mike

Ramblin On

Chuck Berry is a living legend. He just celebrated his 80th birthday with family and friends in front of a standing-room-only crowd at Blueberry Hill's Duck Room. Aerosmith guitarist Joe Perry joined Berry on-stage for "Rock 'n Roll Music." The band included Berry's daughter Ingrid on harmonica and his song Charles Edwards Berry Jr. on guitar. Now that's what I call a family affair. Online: www.chuckberry.com

And speaking of rock...these guys really know how. Frank Marino and Mahogony Rush are playing a 3 and a half hour show at the Granda Theater in Dallas this Thursday. Remember the stories about how Frank was supposed to be a reincarnation of Hendrix?

The World Series is always a hit, in more ways than one. Bob Seger performed "America The Beautiful" in game 1...Anita Baker sang our anthem in game 2.

The Beatles songs are probably covered more than any other band, ever, but I've never seen or heard of any heavy metal artists doing a Beatles tune, until now. Over 50 international recording artists came together for this project, called Butchering The Beatles. Produced by Grammy award-winning producer/guitarist Bob Kulick and ace engineer Brett Chassen, Butchering The Beatles features 12 new, ass-kicking versions of The Beatles’ hits including "Hey Jude," "I Feel Fine," and "Day Tripper," plus "Hey Bulldog," done by none other than the legendary Alice Cooper and "Tomorrow Never Knows," as interpreted by Billy Idol. The set also includes the fab classics "Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds" and "Magical Mystery Tour."

Brian Setzer is releasing his 13th album of originals, ranging from southern to classic rock, new wave to almost metal. Featuring a guest appearance by Stray Cats drummer Slim Jim Phantom on "Really Rockabilly." Setzer begins a US tour in November.

Paul Stanley has recorded his second solo album, Live To Win. It's his first solo release since the members of KISS issue self-titled solo albums in 1978.

There's a new DVD available of Robert Plant & The Strange Sensation. It's his Soundstage performance that includes (of course) Led Zeppelin classics "No Quarter, Black Dog and Four Sticks," which is dedicated to longtime friend and Zep drummer John Bonham. Also features some of Plant's solo songs like "Freedom Fries." There's a cover of "Hey Joe" and an extended bluesy version of "Whole Lotta Love," the show's finale.


Related Tags: Music, Rock and Roll, Classic Rock, CybersMusic

Posted by: Mike

Review: Waiting On Judgment Day

Lost Immigrants bring forth a full flavored blend of americana, country, folk, bluegrass and a touch of rock 'n roll, on their debut album "Waiting On Judgment Day." Their sound reminds me of what we used to call progressive country back in the 70's. Now that's not an old hippie flashback, but a nostalgic, good-time-feeling that kind of music gave me then, and still does now.

The title track "Waiting On Judgment Day" reminds me of the Marshall Tucker Band, in the way the song builds up to, and then through the end chorus...a definite sing along song. Adding a "radio edit" is a smart move for a new band; they're making themselves more accessible to radio programmers. In fact, it's pretty easy to imagine hearing Lost Immigrants on the air. Especially here in Texas.

The album bears repeated listening...their songs have got those great hooks that bring you back for more. The lead guitar work fits in nicely with the vocals in every song, and the recording is punctuated with fiddle, Hammond B3 organ, and piano. The album is produced by Ray Wylie Hubbard, who also plays a Dobro acoustic and sings on "Ghosts You Can See." A really nice surprise is the guest appearance of rock keyboardist Ian McLagan, who plays Hammond B-3 on
"Waiting On Judgment Day, Let's Drive and Circle In My Hand," and plays piano on "Something Better."

Cybercoder: Favorite track "Dixie Queen." Reminds me of Point Blank. Dixie Queen sounds more like southern rock; "Judgment Day" sounds like Waylon and Willie. If you like Waylon and you like southern Rock, you certainly should be listening to Lost Immingrants.

The band just played the 13th annual Bocktoberfest in Shiner, Texas, along with Godsmack, Blue October, Pat Green, Old 97's, Diamond Rio, and Restless Heart.

On the Road:
Oct. 27th @ Shaker's - North Richland Hills, TX
Nov. 1st @ Lakewood Bar & Grill, Dallas (acoustic show)
Nov. 4th @ Love & War in Texas, Grapevine
Nov. 9th @ White Elephant, Fort Worth (acoustic show)
Jan. 26 @ Country River Club, Proctor, TX

Online: www.lostimmigrants.com & www.myspace.com/lostimmigrants

Related Tags: Music, Rock and Roll, Classic Rock, Lost Immigrants, CybersMusic

Posted by: Mike

Just Say The Word Josh Kelley

Josh Kelley's third album Just Say The Word is a refreshing listen. The title track "Just Say The Word" was a hit this summer on iTunes, and brought the album into their Top 30. The entire album was written, produced and performed by Kelley.

The eCard features 4 streaming songs!

"Just Say The Word" WinMedia : QuickTime

"Pop Game" WinMedia : QuickTime

Josh reflects on his recent musical and personal evolution:
"I often heard people say that sometimes you just wake up in life and realize that you want to be better – well, that's what happened to me about one year ago. I became a better guitar player, drummer, piano player, bass player, singer and songwriter. I found a new love in my life and an extra spark to my passion for music. "Just Say the Word" is a direct reflection of my growth. I had a vision for this record and finally there was only one cook in the kitchen." Source: Hollywood Records press release.

Josh Kelley is currently on tour with the Gin Blossoms and Shawn Mullins.

Cybercoder:
Oh I love it. It's got a few real soft songs, but overall very nice. Sounds like Paul Simon and James Taylor.

mikiesoft:
"Opposite Of Me" is my favorite track so far. Overall, Josh Kelley reminds me of a mix of Elvis Costello and Paul Simon. His songs are easy to listen to, and hard to forget.

Online/www.joshkelley.com

Buy at CybersMusic Store, an amazon.com affiliate!

Related Tags: Music, Rock and Roll, Classic Rock, Folk Music, Josh Kelley, CybersMusic

Posted By: Mike

The Beatles reunite with LOVE!

"LOVE" is the first new Beatles album in 25 years...it will be released on November 20th in stereo on CD, and on DVD in 5.1 audio. The disc is a DVD-Audio/Video hybrid, with Dolby Digital surround sound in DTS, as well as a PCM stereo mix.

After being asked by the remaining Beatles, Ringo and Paul, along with Yoko Ono Lennon and Olivia Harrison, to make experimental mixes from their master tapes for a collaboration with Cirque du Soleil, Sir George Martin, The Beatles legendary producer, and his son Giles Martin have been working with the entire archive of Beatles recordings to create the LOVE album.

The result is an unprecedented approach to the music. Using the master tapes at Abbey Road Studios, Sir George and Giles have created a unique soundscape. The release of this album, which is also featured in the Cirque du Soleil/Beatles collaborative production of the same name at The Mirage in Las Vegas, has been much anticipated.

“This album puts the Beatles back together again, because suddenly there’s John and George with me and Ringo,” said Paul McCartney. “It’s kind of magical. The band is back together!"

“George and Giles did such a great job combining these tracks. It’s really powerful for me and I even heard things I’d forgotten we’d recorded.” commented Ringo Starr.

“The album has the feeling of love and that’s why the title is Beatles LOVE,“ added Yoko Ono Lennon, "They have let everything that is beautiful and daring come out.”

“The music is stunning. I think the most amazing thing about it is that you can pull it apart and all the elements carry with it the essence of the entire song,” said Olivia Harrison.

Tony Wadsworth, Chairman and CEO of EMI Music UK and Ireland said, “George and Giles’ highly original work in creating the LOVE album gives us a genuinely new Beatles album. It makes us respect even more, if that were possible, the creativity and brilliance of the band behind the greatest catalogue in the history of recorded music.”

The 5.1 disc is a DVD-Audio/Video hybrid. The audio is presented in high-resolution 96/24 5.1 surround sound on the DVD-Audio part of the disc. The DVD-Video part carries 5.1 surround sound in DTS and Dolby Digital as well as a PCM stereo mix. This DVD album is designed to be played on DVD video equipment but will carry no video component.

The LOVE CD and DVD track listing is:
1. Because
2. Get Back
3. Glass Onion
4. Eleanor Rigby/Julia
5. I Am The Walrus
6. I Want To Hold Your Hand
7. Drive My Car/The Word/What You’re Doing
8. Gnik Nus
9. Something/Blue Jay Way
10. Being For The Benefit of Mr. Kite!/I Want You (She’s So Heavy)/Helter Skelter
11. Help!
12. Blackbird/Yesterday
13. Strawberry Fields Forever
14. Within You Without You/Tomorrow Never Knows
15. Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds
16. Octopus’s Garden
17. Lady Madonna
18. Here Comes The Sun/The Inner Light
19. Come Together/Dear Prudence/Cry Baby Cry
20. Revolution
21. Back In The U.S.S.R.
22. While My Guitar Gently Weeps
23. A Day In The Life
24. Hey Jude
25. Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band (Reprise)
26. All You Need Is Love

CirqueDuSoleil/www.cirquedusoleil.com

The Beatles/www.beatles.com

Posted by Mike

Freddy Fender 1937-2006

Freddy Fender died Saturday at the age of 69 at his home in Corpus Christi, Texas. He was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer early in 2006, and was reported to be in failing health as of Friday Oct. 13th.

Fender had battled drug and alcohol abuse, and had his family at his bedside at the time of his death, according to Ron Rogers, a family spokesman. He also dealt with diabetes...which included having to have a kidney transplant.

The singer was born in 1937 in San Benito, Texas and was the son of migrant workers. He made it to the big time in 1975 thanks to the release of his hit single "Before the Next Teardrop Falls," which reached number one on both the pop and country music charts.

Fender also had number one singles with "Wasted Days and Wasted Nights," "Secret Love" and "You'll Lose a Good Thing." The best part of his career was the Texas Tornados. I had the pleasure of seeing them play live sometime in the 90's and no one in the audience could keep still. There's something so appealing about the mix of Tex Mex, Tejano and good ol' rock and roll.

Fender took home a Grammy for Best Latin Pop Album in 2002 for his album "La Musica de Baldemar Huerta," and shared two Grammys with the Texas Tornados and with Los Super Seven. The singer was awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in February, 1999.

"Texas has been blessed with a handful of singular voices that define the sound of our state and the pinnacle of artistic expression," Casey Monahan, director of the Texas Music Office in Austin and a former music critic, told the Dallas Morning News in 1997.

In 2001, Fender received a Grammy Award for best Latin pop album for "La Musica de Baldemar Huerta." He also shared two other Grammys for best Mexican American performance in 1990 with the Texas Tornados and in 1998 with another group of Latin all-stars, Los Super Seven.

Source: Associated Press

Related Tags: Music, Tex Mex, Tejano, Freddy Fender, CybersMusic

Posted By: Mike

Lindsey Buckingham gets Under the Skin

Fleetwood Mac guitarist Lindsey Buckingham has recorded solo for the first time in 14 years with his old friends Mick Fleetwood and John McVie.

Click on Lindsey Buckingham to CyberSearch, there is a great video of him explaining how he wrote his new album, Under the Skin.

Lindsey Buckingham has always been one of my favorite acoustic players, all the way back to Buckingham Nicks, which I still think is some of his and Stevie's best work....raw talent before fame set in. ~"Cybercoder"

I remember seeing Lindsey Buckingham play several acoustic songs on a promo tour at the WEA office in Dallas...he was absolutely captivating in the way he seemed to ascend to another place in time with just an acoustic guitar!


Related Tags: Music, Rock and Roll, Classic Rock, Lindsey Buckingham, Fleetwood Mac, Stevie Nicks, CybersMusic

Posted By: Mike

Flying under the radar

There are some albums that need mentioning here, as they are out of the mainstream; what I would call flying under the radar. But they also appeared in CD World's recent newsletters, and that's what I love about their stores; if it's worthy of a listen, then it's worthy of a mention.

Jerry Lee Lewis 'Last Man Standing'
Twenty-two rock and country legends duet with Jerry Lee Lewis on this incredible package, celebrating The Killer's impact on American music. Among the luminaries igniting these all-new recordings of seminal rock 'n' roll are Eric Clapton, The Rolling Stones, Willie Nelson, Toby Keith, Little Richard, Merle Haggard, Neil Young, Ringo Starr, John Fogerty, Don Henley, and more. My two favorite tracks are "Rock and Roll" featuring Jimmy Page on guitar and "Pink Cadillac" with Bruce Springsteen. Not bad for 71 years old..."all Killer, no filler!"

Side Note: Jerry Lee Lewis is virtually the last man standing, of all the original Sun Records artists comprised of Elvis, Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins, Roy Orbison and of course, owner and producer Sam Phillips.

Sean Lennon 'Friendly Fire' CD+DVD
Following 'Into the Sun,' Sean Lennon's acclaimed 1998 solo debut, Friendly Fire is a cinematic suite of songs which share the same dizzying wealth of musical styles as its predecessor, but eschews some of it's freeform tendencies for more traditional song structure and some unifying themes. The CD contains a bonus DVD of film vignettes for each track, with appearances by Bijou Phillips, Lindsay Lohan, Carrie Fisher and Lennon himself. 'Friendly Fire' Video

Lindsey Buckingham 'Under The Skin'
The next solo album from Lindsey Buckingham, renowned for his work as the pop visionary for Rock and Roll Hall of Fame band Fleetwood Mac, has been the stuff of legend. That album, his first solo outing since 1992, has finally arrived. Under The Skin, with nearly every track performed and produced by Buckingham and all but two penned by him, proves to be a pop masterpiece well worth the wait. It's a CD World Pick! I remember seeing Buckingham play several acoustic songs on a promo tour at the WEA office in Dallas...he was absolutely captivating in the way he seemed to ascend to another place in time with just an acoustic guitar!

Captain Beefheart 'Doc At The Radar Station'
2006 digitally remastered CD reissue of this 1980 album. This album was harder and more powerful than it's predecessor, Shiny Beast (Bat Chain Puller), and was widely regarded as the strongest album of his latter years. Features extensive liner notes written by Beefheart expert Mike Barnes. 12 tracks.

Captain Beefheart 'Ice Cream For Crow'
2006 digitally remastered CD reissue of this 1982 release. Recorded with the inevitable Magic Band line-up change as a result of personal and financial conflict, it was the swansong for the career of Beefheart and represents his final musical offering before concentrating on his canvas painting, Features extensive liner notes written by Beefheart expert Mike Barnes. 13 tracks.

Sarah McLachlan 'Mirrorball: Complete Concert'
Every serious music fan yearns to be present at that point immediately before a truly talented artist springboards into superstardom. For Sarah McLachlan that moment was the Mirrorball tour Spring of 1998. It was later that year that Sarah founded the Lilith Fair which summarily catapulted her to international prominence. Recordings culled from 35 different tour dates made up the 3-times platinum live collection Mirrorball. Now for the first time ever, the spectacular closing show in Portland is available on CD in its entirety and as it was performed. Beautifully re-mastered from the original tapes, Mirrorball - The Complete Concert is a 2-hour snapshot of Sarah at her purest, on the brink of her huge success.

John Lennon 'John and Yoko' DVD
Subtitled Give Peace A Song, this DVD captures the events of May 26, 1969 when John & Yoko moved into the Queen Elizabeth Hotel in Montreal as part of their famous bed-in for peace. The DVD highlights various visits from celebrities including Tom Smothers, Derek Taylor, Petula Clark, Dr. Timothy Leary, and others. On the last day of the bed-in, John posted the lyrics on the suite's wall for a spontaneous group recording of 'Give Peace A Chance', the recording of which is also shown here. Bonus features include TV interviews, a John & Yoko press conference, new interviews, a wealth of unreleased photos and much more.

Source: CD World

Related Tags: Music, Rock and Roll, Classic Rock, CybersMusic

Posted by Mike

Rocktober Releases

Here's a peek at the recent new releases from our friends at CD World:

Aerosmith 'Devil's Got A New Disguise'
Here at last is the iconic outfit's single-disc greatest hits compilation. This definitive collection adds all the anthemic early Aerosmith chart-toppers cut for Columbia Records like "Dream On" and "Walk This Way," to the band's gem-hard Geffen Records sides, such as "Love In An Elevator" and "Janie's Got A Gun." Add to this mouth-watering synthesis a pair of newly-recorded Aerosmith tunes, and you've got the answer to every Aerosmith fan's feverish dream.
“Devil's Got A New Disguise” WinMedia : RealPlayer : QuickTime

Jimmy Buffett 'Take The Weather With You'
Take The Weather With you returns Jimmy Buffett back to his country foundation with breezy ballads, interpretations of alt-country songs, a version of Merle Haggard's "Silver Wings" and mariachi horns in "Cinco De Mayo In Memphis." A tribute to the historic bars along the Gulf Coast in "Bama Breeze" is flavored with sublime Southern riffs, and Buffett fulfilled a dream of playing with Mark Knopfler, who wrote and guests on "Whoop De Doo." Jimmy’s first country release, the now platinum License To Chill, debuted at #1 on both the country and overall soundscan charts. This album features Mark Knopfler, Gomez, Jake Shimabukuro, Bill Payne, and Sonny Landreth. The album was recorded in Key West, Muscle Shoals, and London.

Sting 'Songs From The Labyrinth'
Sting ventures into "new" musical territory with an album featuring the music of acclaimed Elizabethan songwriter, John Dowland (1563-1626.) Sting is joined on this recording by much-admired lutenist Edin Karamazov, in what he describes as "a soundtrack to Dowland's life in words and music." "This project was never really meant to be a record. It was a labour of love. Those that are familiar with John Dowland normally think of him as being this melancholy, doom-laden character; but he can write songs that are absolutely joyful. I'm not a trained singer for this repertoire, but I'm hoping that I can bring some freshness to these songs that perhaps a more experienced singer wouldn't give. For me they are pop songs written around 1600 and I relate to them in that way; beautiful melodies, fantastic lyrics, and great accompaniments."

KT Tunstall 'Acoustic Extravaganza'
Recorded on a cold day between Christmas and New Year's on the Scottish island of Skye, KT Tunstall unveils a delicious mix of stripped-down gems from Eye To The Telescope, a version of her limited-edition single "Throw Me a Rope," and a tasty cover of Beck's "Golden Age." The companion DVD features special behind-the-scenes footage of the making of Acoustic Extravaganza and an intimate look at both KT and her band.

Sarah McLachlan 'Wintersong'
3-time Grammy and 8-time Juno Award-winning multi-platinum Sarah McLachlan, who has sold over 30 million records around the world, ushers in the spirit of the season with the release of her first holiday album, Winstersong recorded in her home studio in Vancouver. Sarah McLachlan presents these classic songs on Winstersong with a unique twist, making them her own and translating them into her repertoire. Winstersong could be considered the soundtrack to a blustery winter day. The album opens with her version of John Lennon's timeless declaration of peace from 1971, "Happy Xmas (War is Over)." John and Yoko and the Plastic Ono Band originally recorded the song with the Harlem Community Choir, and Sarah is also joined by a choral group -- a children's choir of students from the music school she personally funds and oversees in her hometown of Vancouver.

Austin Lounge Lizards 'Drugs I Need'
Their second album on Blue Corn contains more than the usual share of songs about current events. In 2005, the Austin Lounge Lizards were commissioned to write five songs for various consumer advocacy groups. "The Drugs I Need" tackles the prescription drug industry, "The Tower" concerns the monopolization of big media, "Christmastime For Visa" takes on credit card debt, "Go Ahead And Die" is about health insurance, and "Toast The Earth" is concerned with a boycott of Exxon/Mobil. All five songs are on this release and they've been paired with hilarious animation, available for viewing on the Internet. "The Drugs I Need" is featured on Jib Jab and is one of the site's most popular numbers. Other songs here feature gospel-tinged tunes, a bilingual Tex Mex tune, a Les Barker poem set to music, an American folk classic, and a German hip-hop song.

Love 'Definitive Rock'
Love emerged out of Los Angeles’ culture-shifting mid-’60s music scene, and their pioneering, psychedelic folk-rock sound proved profoundly influential. One of the first integrated acts in pop music the visionary Arthur Lee’s brainchild was also the first rock band signed to Elektra. This 2 CD collection includes the Billboard® Top 40 smash 'Seven And Seven Is,' the hits 'Alone Again Or,' 'My Little Red Book,' 'She Comes In Colors,' and many more classics.

Maria McKee 'Live Acoustic Tour 2006'
For Acoustic Tour 2006, Maria McKee decided to mix it up and go it alone; together with old friend & colleague Susan Otten in tow, she embarked upon an acoustic tour of Western Europe and a few select cities in the U.S, devising a set list between them including the best of 'Lone Justice' and Maria's solo work as well as some choice covers.

Vince Gill 'These Days'
In an unmatched outpouring of virtuosity and energy, Vince Gill has created a 4-CD set of 43 new and original songs under the title These Days. The collection is an artistic tour de force that displays Gill’s mastery of lyrics and musical styles, ranging from traditional country and bluegrass to jazz and rock. To accompany him on this ambitious undertaking, Gill turned both to artists he knew and had worked with before and to those whose music he admired at a distance. By the time the project was completed, that group included Sheryl Crow, Bonnie Raitt, Diana Krall, Rodney Crowell, Phil Everly, the Del McCoury Band, Emmylou Harris, John Anderson, Lee Ann Womack, Jenny Gill, Amy Grant, LeAnn Rimes, Gretchen Wilson, Guy Clark, Trisha Yearwood, Bekka Bramlett, Michael McDonald, steel-guitar master Buddy Emmons and many other musical standouts.

Primus 'They Can't All Be Zingers: Best Of'
Primus, with legendary bassist Les Claypool, avant-garde guitarist Larry ''Ler'' Lalonde and Tim ''Herb'' Alexander's skillful beat-down on the skins, have crafted over the years a truly spectacular catalog, consisting of seven abums, four EPs, two VHS home videos and two DVD collections, but no retrospective CD collection. They Can't All Be Zingers finally settles that vital missing element to any band's arsenal with a 16 track compilation covering fan favorites and singles including ''Tommy The Cat,'' ''Jerry The Race Car Driver,'' ''My Name is Mud'' and the previously unreleased and extended version of "Shake Hands With Beef". Covering the band's legacy from their first official studio album Frizzle Fry to the 2003 EP included in the DVD Animals Should Not Try To Act Like Pleople, this collection of the best Primus songs is also the first time that band's music has been digitally remastered.

Shooter Jennings 'Live At Irving Plaza 4.18.06'
The title says it all. One night, one special artist, one incredible set of music. This isn’t one of those over dissected, market-tested, ProTools-pitch-corrected concert recordings that give the term recorded live a bad name. This is a take-no-prisoners set of high-volume honky tonk music; this is Shooter Jennings and the .357’s captured raw and real. If you’re looking for perfect or just like the record, go pick up any of the million-and-one live albums out there. But if you’ve been yearning for the real thing from a true artist, you need look no further.

Dwight Yoakam 'Guitars Cadillacs Etc. Etc.'
Dwight Yoakam's debut brought the high-kicking spirit of Buck Owens's Bakersfield country back to the radio and rescued it from urban cowboy blandness. Along with Steve Earle's Guitar Town, Yoakam's Guitars, Cadillacs, Etc. is a cornerstone of what became the '90s alternative country movement. Yoakam remains a vital recording artist, and this is the first and best place to get familiar with him. Produced by Pete Anderson, Yoakam's 1986 Reprise debut is a sinewy mix of traditional honky-tonk, red-hot Bakersfield twang, and rock 'n' roll attitude; and it spawned a trio of hits, including "It Won't Hurt," the title track, and a cover of Johnny Horton's "Honky Tonk Man." A second disc captures Dwight and the Babylonian Cowboys delivering an incendiary and previously unreleased 1986 performance recorded at the Roxy Theater on L.A.'s Sunset Strip.

Source: CD World Newsletter October 17, 2006 www.cdworldtx.com

Posted by Mike

John Lee Hooker 50 Years of Blues & Boogie

Shout! Factory is releasing a new 4-CD box set to honor the career of master bluesman John Lee Hooker. Representing half a century of blues and boogie, the box set titled 'Hooker' features performances by Eric Clapton, Robert Cray, Bonnie Raitt, Carlos Santana, Van Morrison, Ry Cooder, Jimmie Vaughan, Charles Brown and Los Lobos. This new collection spans his entire career; from a primitive 1948 recording of “Boogie Chillen’” to a version of the same song recorded exactly fifty years later with Eric Clapton.

“I hope this set will introduce John Lee Hooker to a new generation of fans, and reintroduce him to those who might have forgotten,” says Shout! Factory A&R head Shawn Amos. “It shows how much gravitas he held in his presence, and even in a single note of his playing.”

Zakyia Hooker, John Lee Hooker’s daughter, adds, “I think this is phenomenal, to have all of my father’s music pulled together. It cuts through a really wide swath of music, from music recorded at a 1949 house party and an old acoustic spiritual, to his later music. The music was all over the place until Shout! Factory pulled it together for the edification of everyone – and they did so in a beautiful package. My father would have been smiling.” Source: www.shoutfactory.com

My introduction to John Lee Hooker was through my favorite boogie band Canned Heat, who recorded a double album with him called 'Hooker n Heat' in 1971. One of their best albums!
This new box set comes out October 31st from Shout! Factory.

"Boom Boom" WinMedia : QuickTime

"Boogie Chillen'" (featuring Eric Clapton) WinMedia : QuickTime

Shop CybersMusic Store

Related Tags: Music, Rock and Roll, Classic Rock, Blues, John Lee Hooker, CybersMusic

Posted by Mike

The Cream always rises to the top

Cream @ Royal Albert Hall:
London May 2-3-5-6 2005
2 CD Set $22.99 @ CyberStore

It's really something to see a new CD and two new Cream DVD's in the store. Even more interesting, is how one set can be so great and the other so bad. At least that's the impression I get from the reviews on amazon.com. But nothing's better than getting the real scoop from fans who dug it, bought it, watched and listened to it, and then gave their review feedback, for what it's worth.

Cream @ Royal Albert Hall:
London May 2-3-5-6 2005
2 DVD Set $22.99 @ CyberStore

That said, the two Cream DVD's are both recorded at the famous Royal Albert Hall . The first is a fabulous reunion recorded May 2 - 6 in 2005, in which Eric Clapton, Jack Bruce and Ginger Baker make an electrifying return as THE power trio of the sixties. They've also been called the first rock supergroup. Either one works for me. The Cream always rises to the top.

Cream - Farewell Concert
DVD $13.99 @ CyberStore

The second...the actual farewell concert Cream performed in November 1968. This DVD just came out, and from the looks of the customer reviews, they shouldn't have bothered. Bad sound and terrible camera shots ruined what otherwise might have been a worthwhile glimpse of the band, so you just take it at face value, and call this a historical document. Kinda like Woodstock...great music; bad sound and video, but that was the state-of-the-art at the time. Sour Cream.


Our Halloween Top 10:
Badge
Rollin' & Tumblin'
White Room video @ cream2005.com
Spoonful
Born Under A Bad Sign
Crossroads
Stormy Monday video @ cream2005.com
I'm So Glad
Sunshine of Your Love
Sitting On Top of the World

Posted by Mike

Tom Snyder's Electric Kool-Aid Talk Show

It's Friday the 13th, in October, no less, so I thought I'd do something a little different...

This DVD should be interesting viewing, not only because of the great guest lineup on the show, but because Tom Snyder had such a loose vibe in his studio when doing interviews. It seems like his guests would open up alot more on his show, kinda like Dick Cavett's interviews with John Lennon and Ray Charles, among other celebrities.

This two-DVD set just came out a couple of weeks ago, so it should be available just about everywhere by now. It's titled Tom Snyder's Electric Kool-Aid Talk Show. Well, that's not really how I remember the show, but I do recall The Tomorrow Show was one of the few late night shows I did watch, other than the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson. That's also available on DVD now, but you'll have to browse over to CybersDVDs.com to check it out.

So anyway, back on topic here...This Tomorrow Show DVD features some cool guest interviews like The Grateful Dead's Jerry Garcia, Bob Weir, Mickey Hart and Bill Kreutzman, who also perform "On the Road Again, Cassidy, Dire Wolf and Deep Elem Blues."

There's also a interview with Dr. Timothy Leary, which just happened to be a rare television appearance for him. This DVD package sounds like more of a time capsule than anything else. Great stuff for us baby boomers!

Program Listing:
1. May 7, 1981 - The Grateful Dead (interviews and performances) and author Ken Kesey

2. August 6, 1979 - author Tom Wolfe talks about his bestselling book, The Right Stuff.

3. October 14, 1980 - artist Tom Wolfe talks about his current project called In Our Time, a collection of his drawings

4. August 9, 1981 - Dr. Timothy Leary talks about his short-lived performance art as a "stand-up philosopher"

Video from Shout Factory

Related Tags: Music, Rock and Roll, Classic Rock, Tom Snyder, The Tomorrow Show, Talk Show, CybersMusic


Posted by Mike

The Pretenders Reissued

The Pretenders...vocalist Chrissie Hynde, guitarist James Honeyman Scott, bassist Pete Farndon and drummer Martin Chambers were one of the best bands of the eighties. The combination of their sharp-as-a-razor songwriting, Hynde's unmistakable voice, Honeyman Scott's inventive guitar work, as well as the driving rhythms created by Farndon and Chambers created a raw, unforgettable sound. It didn't hurt that their albums were on Sire Records either, because the label was on the cutting edge of music on both sides of the Atlantic.

The band's legacy continues today with the release of their first two albums from 1980 and '81...enhanced double disc editions featuring live tracks, demos, and previously unreleased songs...from the fine folks at Rhino Entertainment.

Released in 1980 and featuring the band's classic lineup, their debut album featured the classic "Brass In Pocket." A second bonus disc includes outtakes like "Cuban Slide," BBC sessions "Mystery Achievement," and previously unreleased demos and live tracks. An extensive booklet has additional photos & new liner notes. Source: rhino.com

eCard : Listening Party: RealPlayer : WinMedia : LO : HI

The band's sophomore release in 1981 delivered the hit single "The Adultress," as well as "Message Of Love." A second bonus disc includes previously unreleased demos of "Talk Of The Town," outtakes "I Go To Sleep," and "Pack It Up," and thirteen live tracks recorded at the Santa Monica Civic Center. Source: rhino.com

The Pretenders Greatest Hits DVD also captures the band from their early days on Sire Records, through their last album on Warner Brothers; 1999's Viva El Amor. It's the band's only career-spanning video collection, featuring "Brass In Pocket," "Middle Of The Road," (my personal favorite,) "Back On The Chain Gang," and "Night In My Veins." Also includes the 45-minute documentary No Turn Left Unstoned, featuring interviews with Chrissie Hynde, Nick Lowe, Bono, and Motorhead's Lemmy.


Related Tags: Music, Rock and Roll, Classic Rock, The Pretenders, Chrissie Hynde, CybersMusic


Posted By: Mike

Miles Davis Cool & Collected

Miles Davis celebrates his 80th birthday and his recent induction into the Rock And Roll Hall of Fame with 'Cool & Collected,' a new CD anthology of his work between 1956 to 1984. Yes, it's only thirteen tracks out of his amazing body of work over half a century, but a good way to start if you're just dipping your toe into the cool world of jazz.

Track Listing:
1. So What (recorded 1959)
2. Summertime (1958)
3. Générique (1957)
4. Stella By Starlight (1958)
5. Fran-Dance (1958)
6. Milestones (1958)
7. ’Round Midnight (1956)
8. Bye Bye Blackbird (1956)
9. Seven Steps To Heaven (1963)
10. Time After Time (1984)
11. E.S.P. (1965)
12. Human Nature (1984)
13. It’s About That Time (recorded 1969, remixed 2006 featuring Carlos Santana)

From Legacy Recordings on Columbia/Legacy Jazz, a division of Sony BMG Music Entertainment.

Discography @ www.miles-davis.com





Related Tags: Music, Rock and Roll, Classic Rock, Jazz, Miles Davis, CybersMusic


Posted By: Mike

Lost Immigrants Waiting For Judgement Day

Lost Immigrants...

Their debut album 'Waiting For Judgement Day' is now available...featuring the songs "Judgment Day" and "Dixie Queen." Produced by Ray Wylie Hubbard.

Pulling a little from a variety of genres, the music of Lost Immigrants spans the entire Americana spectrum. So much so, the band seeks only to be known as “American music;" the very best of country, Southern rock, blues and pop melodies. Their influences are as wide-reaching as their aspirations...Tom Petty, Skynyrd, Charlie Robison, George Jones, Counting Crows and U2, to name a few. But instead of emulating these famous acts, the members of Lost Immigrants seek to join their ranks and create their own unique sound for the world to enjoy.
Source: www.lostimmigrants.com

Audio on www.myspace.com/lostimmigrants
"Judgement Day"
"Dixie Queen"
"Ghosts You Can See"
"The Weight" (Live)

Online: www.lostimmigrants.com

On the Road:

• Oct. 14th @ Bocktoberfest - Shiner, TX - The Lost Immigrants will be in good company this Saturday with Godsmack, Blue October, Pat Green, Old 97's, Diamond Rio, and Restless Heart at the 13th annual Bocktoberfest, presented by the Spoetzl Brewery in Shiner, Texas.
• Oct. 27th @ Shaker's - North Richland Hills, TX
• Oct. 28th @ the Harley-Davidson Store - Garland, TX

Related Tags: Music, Rock and Roll, Classic Rock, The Lost Immigrants, CybersMusic

Posted by: Mike