CD/DVD Review: Rick Wakeman Revisits His Past With Two New Releases

In 1925, there was a silent film created, based on the Gaston Leroux novel "Phantom Of The Opera." The film starred Lon Chaney as the disfigured phantom who roamed the halls of the Paris Opera House.  The film became famous for Lon Chaney's self-devised make-up, which became the basis for monster make-up for years to come. The only thing missing from this masterpiece was sound.

English keyboardist Rick Wakeman was commissioned to create a modern soundtrack for this original "Phantom Of The Opera" silent film upon its release on DVD. The film has been fully restored, along with the lost "Ballroom Scene" and Wakeman's full conceptual soundtrack has been included with this classic movie masterpiece.

This new Rick Wakeman version of the "Phantom Of The Opera" was released on February 3rd through Gonzo Multimedia as a 2CD/DVD set. The soundtrack spreads across two discs and expands upon Wakeman's "Phantom Power" album. The music soundtrack features the original, unedited versions of the songs that are being released for the first time on CD. The DVD includes, along with the movie, some bonus features like Rick Wakeman's commentary throughout the movie and an introduction by the late-great Christopher Lee. To find out more about this unique 2CD/DVD set, please visit rickwakemansmusicemporium.com.

In 1982, former Yes keyboardist Rick Wakeman teamed up will fellow English pianist Tony Ashton for the British television show "GasTank." It was an outlet for musicians to come and talk about anything they wanted and perform live on a television soundstage. Some of the many guests that appeared on the show ranged from Eric Burdon and John Entwistle to Steve Hackett and Ian Paice. The show only lasted for six episodes but featured some of the greatest English artists from the seventies performing some of their favorite songs live with Wakeman and Ashton and the "GasTank" house band.

Gonzo Multimedia is releasing a new 3CD set, along with a double-DVD set with newly remastered sound, featuring the highlights of the "GasTank" show. Each of the three discs are broken up into episodes, as you hear Eric Burdon performing some classic blues with "Trying To Get Back To You," then tackling the classic "Be Bop A Lula." On Episode 2, Andy Fairweather Low joins in for the calypso classic "Man Smart, Woman Smarter" and for Wilson Pickett's "In The Midnight Hour." Folk/rock artist Donovan performs a live version of his hit single "Mellow Yellow" in episode 3, while guitarist Alvin Lee take over "Stormy Monday Blues," pushing the jam past the nine-minute mark.

Alvin Lee returns in episode 4 for the guitar blazing rocker "Tell Me Baby What's On Your Mind," before the disc continues with Ian Paice on the intense rhythm of "Resurrection Shuffle" and Suzi Quatro on the blues favorite "C.C. Rider." Disc 3 kicks off with Steve Harley on the smooth sounds of "Mr. Soft," then The Strawbs perform their prog-rock classic "The Hangman." The Who's John Entwhitle delivers a rocking version of "Twist & Shout" and Roy Wood revisits' The Move's "California Man," before closing the set with Steve Hackett featuring "Camino Royale (Hackett To Pieces)" and "Hackett's Bogie." To find out more about this new 3CD set from Rick Wakeman and Tony Ashton's "GasTank," please visit gonzomultimedia.com.

CD/DVD Review: Michael Schenker Invites Special Guests To "Michael Schenker Fest Live"

World-Renown guitarist Michal Schenker released one of his most famous live solo albums "Live At The Budokan" in 1982. He decided that Tokyo, Japan would be the perfect place to film his latest live album titled "Michael Schenker Fest Live." This time Schenker would invite his past singers from throughout the Michael Schenker Group (MSG) to lend a hand at this show, which took place August 24, 2016.

Michael Schenker is best known as helping define the iconic guitar sound of The Scorpions and bringing the British rock band U.F.O. from out of the shadows and turning them into one of the biggest hard rock bands of 70s. Throughout the 80s and 90s, Michael Schenker has maintained a steady solo career, creating the Michael Schenker Group and Michael Schenker's Temple Of Rock and has since become known as one of the greatest guitarists of our generation. His new live video and album with be released on March 24th through Inakustik in many different formats including Blu-ray, DVD, CD, vinyl and digital. The video was filmed in high quality and tries to capture every highlight of the night from every angle. At times, you'll feel as if you are backstage watching from behind the drumkit and the next minute you will be in the front row, drooling over Schenker's amazing solos.

The night begins with the instrumental, "Into The Arena" as the members of the Michael Schenker Group were on hand to back Schenker for the first time in almost a decade. Lead singer Gary Barden gets the crowd going with the MSG originals "Attack Of The Mad Axeman" and "Victims Of Illusion." After his short five-song set, Barden finishes with "Armed And Ready," before exiting to a roaring applause. Michael Schenker and the band lock into the instrumental "Coast To Coast," before Graham Bonnet dives into three songs from the 1982 "Assault Attack" album. The final special guest singer of the night was Robin McAuley who joined forces with Michael Schenker in the late 80's to form the McAuley-Schenker Group. McAuley also joined Michael Schenker on his "Temple Of Rock" tours, this night he would dive back in time, performing "This Is My Heart," "Save Yourself" and "Love Is Not A Game." Both McAuley and Schenker performed with smiles on their faces as the night closes with a trio of songs from U.F.O., beginning with "Shoot Shoot,. It seemed everyone was enjoying themselves rocking out to the classic U.F.O. tunes "Rock Bottom" and "Doctor Doctor," which featured all of the special guest lead vocalists performing together on this closing number.

The 2CD set features the entire 18-song set list and the Blu-ray/DVD also features a bonus slideshow of pictures and a special 12-minute invite to soundcheck. Michael Schenker has only a couple of festival dates line-up at the moment. To find out more about his new live release "Michael Schenker Fest Live," please visit michaelschenkerhimself.com.

CD Review: Chickenfoot Gathers Favorite Tracks For New "Best + Live" Release

Most bands wait until they have a handful of albums released before putting together their first "greatest hits" set, but Chickenfoot isn't like most bands. This supergroup was built out of the ashes of Van Halen when singer Sammy Hagar and bassist Michael Anthony teamed up with guitarist extraordinaire Joe Satriani and Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer Chad Smith to show how much fun bands could have performing together and creating new exciting rock music.

 

In 2009, Chickenfoot released their self-titled debut album and then quickly followed two years later with "Chickenfoot III," but then the group went quiet. Chad Smith went back to work with the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Joe Satriani released two brand new solo albums and a box set of all his former albums. Sammy Hagar released two new albums of his own and Michael Anthony became part of another new band, The Circle (along with Hagar).

 

Now with a newly recorded song titled "Divine Termination," Chickenfoot is gathering together ten of their most popular songs for their latest release titled "Best + Live." This is a 2CD set that features one disc of their favorite studio songs and live covers and another disc of their show recorded in Phoenix in 2009. The new two-disc set will be released on March 10th through eOne Music. 

 

The first disc contains 14-tracks, beginning with the grinding rhythm of "Divine Termination" supplied by Smith and Anthony. Hagar's vocals are timeless as he shouts out the chorus as Satriani's electrifying solo is the cherry on top. Then the "Best" of Chickenfoot delivers the favorites like "Oh Yeah" and "Big Foot," before ending the first disc with three covers songs from The Who, Montrose and Deep Purple.

 

The second disc is completely live and features, for the first-time on CD Chickenfoot's show in Phoenix, which was first available on the "Get Your Buzz On" DVD/Blu-ray. The band just released their first album and were anxious to take their new music out on the road and this live album showcases a band excited to be playing new music together with friends. The songs have that extra boost of energy that only comes in a live setting. Songs like "Avenida Revolution" and "Down The Drain" get extended as Satriani's guitar just shreds, while Anthony and Smith try and keep up. Hagar breaks down the wall between the band and the audience, by including them in the stories of the songs they wrote for their debut album.

 

The band throws in shots of Led Zeppelin here and there with the most noticeable reference is when Chickenfoot break into the "Immigrant Song" during the closing jam of "Get It Up." They finish their set with back to back, nine-minute versions of "Turning Left" and "Future In The Past." To find out more about Chickenfoot and their latest release "Best + Live," please visit chickenfoot.us.

RJ Podcast: Bluegrass Legend Ricky Skaggs Discusses His New Tour With Bruce Hornsby

Country/Bluegrass legend Ricky Skaggs took some time out of his busy touring schedule to talk with us about performing live and how he feels about being the elder statesman of his group, Kentucky Thunder. He also discusses with us about today's country artists and who were some of his favorite musicians to perform with. Ricky Skaggs is currently on a U.S. tour with pianist/singer Bruce Hornsby.

CD Review: New Music From Indie-Artsits Scotch Hollow, My Heart Is A Metronome & Mad Ones

Kansas City blues/roots band Scotch Hollow have returned with their third album titled "Little Tortuga." It was written while the band was holed up on a rural family farm, away from civilization and they let nature be their canvas. Their new eleven-song release begins with the blues romp of "Hocus Pocus" as Carley Martin's vocals steal the show right from the beginning. They get the joint jumpin' with the classic fifties-style swing of "Kansas City Pepper" and the punk-like speed of "Too Bad Poor Boy." Martin's vocals get seductive on the blues/jazz of "Nobody But You," while Mark Verbeck's guitar work highlights "Little Tortuga." The album finishes with the slow stomp of "Bamma Lamma Jamma" and the wildly exciting gallop rhythm of "City By The Sea." To find out more about Scotch Hollow and their latest release "Little Tortuga," please visit scotchhollowmusic.com.

From Sweden comes the three-piece band My Heart Is A Metronome (MHIAM) with their newly released EP titled "Tierp." The new 4-song album was released on February 10th and begins with the addictive, guitar driven rocker "Tierp." The new release continues with the upbeat, pop tones of "Pick It Up" and the Kings Of Leon replica "Queen." Their new short album finishes with the attractive, alternative rock appeal of "Bubble." To find out more about My Heart Is A Metronome and their latest release "Tierp," please visit myheartisametronome.com.

From Toronto, Canada comes the new album titled "Regretless" from rockers Mad Ones. It is the band's third full-length release and comes out nearly one year since their last album "Sanciety." The new 11-song release begins with the clap-stomp rhythm of "End Of You" as the song builds with intensity. They keep the energy flowing with the guitar rocker "Love Me Again" and the lo-fi shuffle of "Regretless." Then, they bring out the energy with the grunge-like delivery of "Leave It" and the classic rock appeal of "Different Kind Again." The album finishes with the aggressive punk feel of "Amaze" and the slower, acoustic pop of "Love Me Again (Again)." To find out more about Mad Ones ad their latest release "Regretless," please visit madones.ca.