donderdag, maart 31

Passion, drive, and great writing – these adjectives define the music and life of Susan Cattaneo. Raised in the farm country of New Jersey, Susan found her place in the musical world at an early age, singing six-part harmony with her family around the dinner table. After stints in bands in college, she spent a year in Italy, where she studied Italian and performed a mix of standards and traditional Roman songs in various piano bars in Rome.

Upon her return to the States, she began a dual career in New York City. By day, Susan was a television writer/producer, earning an Emmy nomination and NY State Broadcasters Award. By night, she was the lead singer in the Blackfish Band, a funk-folk outfit that also launched the career of Mike Errico, and that became a regular fixture at clubs like The Bitter End and Kenny’s Castaways.

Applying her writing talents to the craft of songwriting was a natural next step, and following her musical dream, Susan headed to Boston to attend Berklee College of Music on a vocal talent scholarship.
Hired by the Berklee songwriting department upon graduation, Susan has spent the past few years splitting her time between teaching, raising two kids, and writing in Nashville, where three of her songs have been signed by producer/A&R man Michael Lloyd (Dirty Dancing, Belinda Carlile, Righteous Brothers, Frank Sinatra) for Curb Publishing. In 2009 she returned to performing and released her first full solo album, Brave and Wild.

Susan can be tender but she is not afraid to rock. Okedan !


woensdag, maart 30

Sweden’s Electric Boys were one of the first and most celebrated purveyors of the short-lived funk metal phenomenon of the late ’80s and early ’90s. Led by charismatic singer and guitarist Conny Bloom and with a splash of beatle-esque pop-psychedelia, the quartet garnered rave reviews and built an impressive following in Europe & America.

Their creative juices were also quickly spent, causing the band to disintegrate into obscurity after only three albums.

To be honest I’m not really sure what my expectations were for this reunion album from the Swedish funk ‘o metal combo, but they sure as hell were exceede! The boys sure prove they mean business already in rock-out-smash-in-your-face rocker opener Reeferlord. Man, this band ROCKS!!

All in all this is a really killer album, proving that the boys don’t get older, some just lose their curls or at least cut them a bit shorter. The power’s not in the hair, that’s for sure! Them boys done swang, yes indeed.


dinsdag, maart 29

Mick Jagger werd geboren in het Livingstone Hospital in East Hill, Dartford, Kent, Engeland. Mick heeft nog een jongere broer, Chris Jagger, die ook actief is als muzikant. Na zijn humaniora ging Jagger studeren aan de London School of Economics. Na een jaar liet hij de studie vallen om zich te richten op zijn carrière als zanger.

Hij liet zijn studie vallen nadat hij
Keith Richards ontmoette. Beide mannen kenden elkaar uit hun jeugd, toen ze naar dezelfde school gingen. Nadat ze elkaar uit het oog verloren hadden, ontmoetten ze elkaar weer in een station. Mick had tijdens die bewuste ontmoeting een aantal Rhythm and blues-platen onder zijn arm en Richards sprak hem hierover aan. Hun oude vriendschap werd hersteld en Keith en Mick begonnen een bandje - Little Boy Blue and the Blue Boys - samen met Dick Taylor, die er al snel uitstapte, en Brian Jones.

maandag, maart 28

Zonder benen

Gerrit zit zonder benen in zijn rolstoel in het winkelcentrum vóór de Hema even uit te rusten. Hij heeft zijn pet afgezet en op zijn schoot gelegd. Komt er een man aan die een biljet van 20 euro in Gerrit's pet gooit en zegt: "Alsjeblieft, koop daar maar een paar mooie schoenen van."

Gerrit natuurlijk flink over de rooie.

Even later komt zijn vriend eraan. "Sjonge sjonge, wat zie jij er boos uit. Wat is er gebeurd?" Gerrit vertelt het hele verhaal. "Wat vervelend," zegt de vriend, "Ik had het niet gepikt en die kerel direct een flinke schop onder z’n kont gegeven." Als Gerrit dit hoort, slaan de stoppen bij hem helemaal door en rolt hij laaiend van woede naar huis.

Zegt zijn vrouw tegen hem: "Jeetje wat ben jij boos. Is er wat gebeurd?" Gerrit vertelt haar het verhaal van de man met de 20 euro en de reactie van zijn vriend. Waarop zijn vrouw zegt: "Nou zeg, jij bent ook snel op je teentjes getrapt....."

Het Metal Archives-bestand van de Deense thrash metal-band Essence doet de indruk wekken dat we het nodige gehalte pubers te horen gaan krijgen dat even hun jamsessies op een plaatje gegooid heeft.

Uit Denemarken komt Essence en zij bestaan sinds 2005. In 2007 komt hun eerste wapenfeit uit, een EP die de naam "Art in imperfection" draagt en nu is de eerste langspeler "Lost in violence" uitgekomen via Ultimhate Records. Over- en overduidelijk beïnvloed door de Bay Area Thrash scene leveren deze Denen een debuut album af waarbij de energie en passie uit je speakers knetteren alsof het weer de jaren 80 zijn. Originaliteit is ver, erg ver te zoeken maar in het geval van Essence is dit niet erg, sterker nog, het geeft de plaat juist dat extra tintje wat ze met kop en schouders boven de concurrentie doen uitsteken. Het is een feest der herkenning en Essence heeft de juiste sfeer op deze plaat weten te proppen.

Waar de oudere bands, die nu met het revival circus meedoen, vooral strak geproduceerde platen op de markt gooien heeft Essence juist weer die ruige en scherpe sound die zo kenmerkend was voor die tijd. Ook de zangpartijen klinken lekker gemeen en zijn een welkome aanvulling in het grote aanbod van grunt bands van tegenwoordig.


Na het grijs draaien van de cd en de nekpijn van het headbangen, is het tijd om nu eens wat zinnigs te schrijven over dit plaatje. Op de factsheet staat: “Voor fans van Kreator, Exodus, Testament en Slayer”. Daar is geen woord van gelogen. De jonge Denen van Essence maken muziek die klinkt alsof het rechtstreeks uit de jaren ’80 komt, zij het met een hedendaagse productie.

Het album staat bol van de geweldige riffs, bonkende drums en fantastische baspartijen. De zanger heeft ook nog eens een strot van schuurpapier waarmee hij de teksten het album op brult. Het gelul over het eigen geluid op hun website ten spijt, het is geen eigen geluid dat de band brengt. Maar dat geeft niets, want wat ze brengen is van topkwaliteit. Nu zal het volgende wel een gewaagde uitspraak zijn, maar deze jongens zouden van mij mogen optreden als Slayer het voor de zoveelste keer laat afweten.


zondag, maart 27

Michael Trempenau was born in Denmark, and grew up in Vesterbro with his mother, Doris, who died April 2010 at the age of 80, and two brothers, Dennis and Kim. Mike started his musical career singing in a youth group club in Copenhagen.

After the demise of White Lion in 1992, Mike formed the rock band Freak of Nature, with whom he released three albums. In 2005, Tramp formed the band, "Tramp's White Lion", playing only White Lion songs. TWL toured during 2005 and released a double-live CD entitled Tramp's White Lion: Rockin' In The USA.

In 2006 Tramp's White Lion toured Europe in November and December 2006 with British band Crimes of Passion, however this tour was cancelled after a show in Belgium due to illness. White Lion toured the USA & played at two European festivals in the summer of 2007.

On November 13th, 2010, "Mike Tramp and the Rock'n'Roll Circuz" released a new song called "Hymn To Ronnie," a tribute song to former Heaven & Hell and Black Sabbath vocalist Ronnie James Dio, who passed away on May 16, 2010 after a 6-month long battle with stomach cancer. It will not be released on any studio album, but is available for free download at Eddie Trunk's website.

The next solo album will be released early in 2011.
Nou, die heb ik hier voor je. Hij is leuk en lekker.


zaterdag, maart 26

After spending the majority of the past decade as a successful pop and adult contemporary artist, Josh Kelley returns to the Southern sound he’s loved since childhood with his upcoming MCA Nashville country release. While it may be his official debut into the country genre, Josh's previous hits, have always contained discernible country flair.


"This record is a time capsule. It's by far the best thing I've written and I've never been more proud," revealed Josh, who wrote or co-wrote each of the album's eleven songs.

"I'm finally in a genre where I can write lyrics, tell stories and be a man."


It’s evident that this latest project is very much autobiographical, having gotten married, moved and adopted a baby girl all in the past two years. These events created the album and the stories he tells in it.


"My life has completely changed. My wife is a very strong independent woman, she allows me my own independence and from the first time my baby girl brushed her hand against my face, my life was changed. This album reflects those changes.”


Josh's MCA Nashville project not only showcases his talents as a singer and songwriter, but reveals him to be the latest definition of a true renaissance man; a man who's confident enough within his own skin to reveal a new take on sentimental themes by employing thoughtful lyrics.


“Georgia Clay”, the project's lead single, recalls the carefree summers of Josh's youth, when he and his brothers would hitch up jet skis to their Dad's '77 Chevy Silverado and head down to the lake. The memories made those summers are engrained their lives, as well as the tires of that old truck.


"The whole idea behind "Georgia Clay" is that we could go back to the garage and look at that truck, which hadn't been driven in years, and still find layers of mud stuck to the tires. That is the mud from our childhood, those memories are still there."


vrijdag, maart 25

A truly breathtaking collection of 11 exquisite songs, Paper Airplane is Alison Krauss' 14th album and the band's follow-up to 2004's triple Grammy® winning Lonely Runs Both Ways (Rounder). It is Krauss' first release since her 2007 internationally acclaimed, multi-platinum collaboration with Robert Plant, Raising Sand, which won six Grammys including "Record Of The Year" and "Album Of The Year."

Alison Krauss and Union Station features the talents of Krauss (fiddle and lead vocals), Dan Tyminski (guitar, mandolin and lead vocals), Barry Bales (bass and harmony vocals), Ron Block (banjo, guitar and harmony vocals), and Jerry Douglas (Dobro and harmony vocals). Paper Airplane was produced by the band and recorded in Nashville with engineer Mike Shipley (Maroon 5, The Cars, Def Leppard, Joni Mitchell). As bluegrass virtuosos the members of Union Station are beyond compare, and the music they create together transcends all genres.

Their work on films such as Cold Mountain and O Brother, Where Art Thou? has contributed immeasurably to a renaissance of American roots music. Part of Alison Krauss' incontestable talent is how effortlessly she bridges the gap between roots music and country, rock and pop. A highly sought-after collaborator, Krauss has worked with some of the biggest names in popular music, including James Taylor, Phish, Dolly Parton, Yo Yo Ma & Bonnie Raitt. Since signing with Rounder Records at the age of 14 in 1985 Krauss has sold in excess of 12 million albums and garnered 26 Grammy® Awards, the most for any female and the third most of any recording artist in Grammy® history.

woensdag, maart 23

Het langverwachte vijfde studioalbum van Within Temptation getiteld 'The Unforgiving'. Dit conceptalbum is gebaseerd op een serie comics, geschreven door scriptschrijver Steven O'Connell (BloodRayne & Dark 48) en geïllustreerd door Romano Molenaar (Witchblade, Darkness en X-men).

'The Unforgiving' komt uit in maart 2011 en valt samen met de aftrap van de Europese tour van de band.


Zangeres Sharon den Adel: "Voor dit album zijn we met een totaal andere insteek aan het werk gegaan omdat we graag een nieuwe stap wilden zetten in onze creatieve ontwikkeling.

Elke track op "The Unforgiving" is geschreven op basis van de comic. De hoofdkarakters uit de comic belichamen de karakters in de songs. Door het concept werden we uitgedaagd onze grenzen te verleggen en het inspireerde om de sound vanuit een andere hoek te benaderen. Dit resulteerde in een album met onze beste liedjes tot nu toe!"


dinsdag, maart 22

From the offbeat compilations to the live Extended Versions, I can’t resist picking up some good ol’ Skynyrd. Regardless if I already own the songs on these compilations, Lynyrd Skynyrd is one of those bands that secured my allegiance a long time ago, therefore building a collection of their vinyl and CD’s is fun. Hey, I just recently saw on television a woman who collects finger and toe nails. She then makes little “creatures of art” with them. Yes I did see that. Therefore, collecting the CD offbeats and compilations of Lynyrd Skynyrd is not a bad deal.

All along, the patriotic lyrics and vibes that shine through the songs of Lynyrd Skynyrd is an attribute that I find very special. Being born and living my entire life in America has obviously made me proud to be an American and to love my country. Still, the patriotic nature of this band with their undying love for America should serve as a symbol for anyone out there to love their respective country as well. It’s like that old saying: there’s no place like home.

With regards to lineup changes over the decades that have reshaped Lynyrd Skynyrd’s makeup, past tragedy and death are facts of life and are unavoidably sad. Changes in this Lynyrd Skynyrd family has never compromised their original sound or character. This is an American Band that has prospered on the dedication to their music, acting on what they believe in and forging ahead despite what tragic roadblocks may have stood in their way. This characteristic of Lynyrd Skynyrd alone has made them an inspiration to me… and to countless others that are know as: SKYNYRD NATION.

maandag, maart 21

De nieuwe pastoor was zo zenuwachtig dat hij de eerste mis bijna niet kon spreken en vroeg daarom de bisschop om raad. Deze raadde hem aan voor de mis twee a drie druppels wodka in een glas water te doen en dit op te drinken.

De pastoor deed dit en de mis verliep prima: Hij was de rust zelve en alles ging zoals het moet. Nadat de pastoor het recept nogmaals had genomen maar deze keer met iets meer wodka bleef hij zelfs rustig tijdens de avondmis, terwijl het buiten regende en stormde alsof de wereld verging. Toen hij na de mis weer in de pastorie kwam lag er echter een briefje voor hem van de bisschop:

Beste Pastoor:

Bij deze neem ik de vrijheid enige feedback te geven op uw laatste mis en hoop dat u aan deze punten zal werken:

- Het is niet nodig citroenschijfjes op de rand van de misbeker te steken;

- Het hokje naast het altaar is de biechtstoel en geen WC;
- Er zijn 10 geboden, geen 12;
- Er waren 12 apostelen, geen 14;
- Geen van de apostelen was een dwerg en niemand droeg een rood kapje;
- Jezus Christus en de Apostelen duiden we niet aan als "J.C. and the Gang";
- Mozes bevrijdde Israël van Egypte niet van Irak;
- In het paradijs woonde Adam en Eva, niet Adolf en Eva;
- David won van Goliath maar niet door het geven van een "trap in zijn ballen";
- We noemen Judas niet Hoerenjong en de paus noemen we niet El Padrino;
- Bin Laden heeft niets te maken met de dood van Jezus;
- Het weiwater is er om te zegenen, niet om de nek te verfrissen;
- Waarom u de miswijn in een teug heeft leeggedronken, vervolgens zout oplikte en daarna in een citroen heeft gebeten, snap ik nog steeds niet!?;
- Die "muts met die kleine tieten" was Moeder Maria;
- In het vervolg niet meer steunen op de beelden, deze al helemaal niet meer zoenen;
- De "Freak in het midden" is overigens Jezus. Hij hangt daar niet uit verveling maar is aan het kruis genageld;
- Diegene in de hoek bij het koor welke u eerst betitelde als homo en later als travestiet in een nachtpon was ik;

Verder was het oke.

De volgende keer graag twee druppels wodka in het water en niet omgekeerd.
Met vriendelijke groet, De Bisschop.
Chrissie Hynde - one of the boys or femme fatale? Provocateur or force of nature? Tremulous alto or ultimate rock & roll chick? Woman of the world or bandleader? How about all of them?


Since forming the Pretenders three decades ago, Hynde has proven to be a one-of-a-kind tough-minded, outspoken and an utterly uncompromising artist - yet also capable of moments of heart-wrenching tenderness... Rock’s great iconoclast, Neil Young, perfectly summed up what we all know about Chrissie Hynde: "She’s a rock & roll woman. She’s got it in her heart. She's gonna be rocking till she drops." The truth of that statement is right here.

zondag, maart 20

The Sainte Catherines are a 6 piece punk-rock band who formed in Montreal, Quebec, Canada in 1999. The group's name comes from Rue Sainte-Catherine, one of Montreal's main streets.

Their third record, The Art of Arrogance was released on local label Dare to Care Records in 2003 and on the German label Yo-Yo Records. In 2006, the band released its fourth LP, titled Dancing for Decadence. The album was released in the USA by Fat Wreck Chords. The Sainte Catherines are the first band from Quebec to be signed to Fat Wreck. In August 2006, The Sainte Catherines played their 500th show.

They also released split 7" records with Fifth Hour Hero and Whiskey Sunday. In 2008, The Sainte Catherines won a GAMIQ Award for punk album of the year. Several members of the band also play in a side-project, country-folk band; Yesterday's Ring. Yesterday's Ring doesn't have any plans for the future.

Their last shows were on September 24–25-26 2010.
Over the years, the band shared the stage with many established acts such as NOFX and Mad Caddies, as well as peers Anonymus, Grimskunk, Deadly Apples, Dirty Tricks and many more. They release an album called FIRE WORKS on anchorless records (USA), Union Label Group (Canada) and Guerilla Asso (France) oct 26th 2010.


zaterdag, maart 19

On January 1st, Hank Williams III was officially done with his long, contentious 14 year relationship with Nashville major label Curb Records, but when he left, he left with unfinished business. Sitting on a shelf somewhere inside the Curb Records complex was an album called This Ain’t Country that Hank III had turned into them for release. The ensuing legal battle over the release of the album is where the cold war between Curb and Hank III became hot. Curb sat on the album, never releasing it, and refusing to allow Hank III to release it independently or on another label. Now Curb has decided to release it many years later, as well as possibly other shelved recordings as a title called Hillbilly Joker.

The name ‘Hillbilly Joker’ comes from This Ain’t Country’s opening track.
The album was recorded in the early 2000′s, and once Curb would not release it, an online petition was started that read in part: Music is probably the most widespread form of expression throughout the world, crossing many boundaries of race, religion, and gender. When an artist is not allowed to have his or her voice heard because of oppression from those with different views, I consider this a sad and unrighteous act by those who won’t let them speak out. The purpose of this petition is to bring to light the voices of those people who would like to have a fair chance to listen to the recorded material by Hank Williams III and Assjack known as “This Ain’t Country.”

Hank III is saying:
“Don’t buy it, but get it some other way and burn the hell out of it and give it to everyone.”


vrijdag, maart 18

If any act embodies the place to which country music has evolved in the new century, it is Rascal Flatts. Since their inception a decade ago in 1999, the trio has helped change the face of popular music. Their trademark sound--Gary LeVox's powerfully emotive lead vocals coupled with the soaring harmonies of Jay DeMarcus and Joe Don Rooney, set amid world-class arrangements and production, have made the band the standard bearers for cutting-edge country.

Drawing on Nashville's best tunesmiths and their own enviable songwriting skills, they have released, in songs like "These Days," "Bless The Broken Road," "What Hurts The Most" and "Take Me There," some of the most important and successful music to come out of Nashville in recent years. Along the way, they have placed 10 #1 singles and 20 Top Tens, seen every one of their studio albums go multi-platinum, with total sales approaching 19 million, been the ACM and CMA top vocal group every year since 2003, and won multiple American Music Awards and People's Choice Awards.


donderdag, maart 17

Joe Bonamassa levert al enkele jaren op rij een goede plaat af. Het wachten was op een klassieker, een gitaarplaat zo goed en compleet dat er decennia later nog over gesproken wordt. Is Dust Bowl die klassieker geworden?

Slow Train begint veelbelovend en het navolgende titelnummer is werkelijk uitstekend door sterke staaltjes instrumentbeheersing. Tennessee PlatesThe Meaning Of The Blues en Black Lung Heartache zijn overtuigende bluesrocknummers zoals we die van Bonamassa gewend zijn. De samenwerking met Black Country Communion maatje Glenn Hughes op Free’s Heartbreaker levert eveneens een geslaagd liedje op. Hun samenwerking op de recente Pushking plaat was echter nog beter.

De tweede helft van Dust Bowl levert met The Whale That Swallowed Jonah en Prisoner nog twee sterke composities. met gastzanger John Hiatt is swingende, opzwepende country dat herinnert aan de samenwerking van David Lee Roth met Travis Tritt. Tegelijk zorgt het nummer voor de nodige variatie.

Op dit twaalfde album bewijst Bonamassa dat hij als componist is gegroeid, uitstekend en ingetogen kan spelen, solo’s schrijf die in de nummers passen en een goed oor heeft voor variatie, toon en sfeer. Ondanks alle superlatieven sluimert het gevoel dat Bonamassa nog beter kan.

Hij zit al jaren in een zeer productieve cyclus met minimaal één en soms twee albums per jaar. Als hij iets meer tijd zou nemen voor contemplatie gaat die klassieker er vast en zeker komen. Tot die tijd vermaken we ons opperbest met het zeer goede Dust Bowl en kijken we reikhalzend uit naar de tweede schijf van Black Country Communion.

woensdag, maart 16

In "Southern Kind of Life," a song on her debut album, The Captain, Kasey Chambers convincingly describes a rural Southern upbringing -- poverty stricken and Bible dominated - and since she performs in a style associated with the Appalachians as developed into commercial country music, it's easy to assume she's singing about the American South. But she isn't; she's singing about the Nullarbor Plain in south-central Australia, where she grew up, apparently listening to a lot of country records.

The result is a style that will remind some listeners of Dolly Parton and others of Lucinda Williams, as Chambers, backed by her father and produced by her brother, both of them members of the family's Dead Ringer Band, sings in a breathy voice that breaks expressively. Her tunes tend to be either "I am" songs of self-description like "Southern Kind of Life" and "Cry Like a Baby," accounts of romantic difficulties, or celebrations of life on the road.

Though she has a gift for wordplay that favors internal rhyme, her imagery can be trite ("You got the car and I got the break"), and her compositions are less interesting in themselves than in the performances she gives them. Like many young artists, she is still a compendium of her influences rather than a distinct figure unto herself, but The Captain is a sincere effort steeped in the kind of country/folk/rock style that made Lucinda Williams a critical success in the late '90s, and it is likely to attract similar attention. - cduniverse.com


dinsdag, maart 15

Words are never enough for a band with such a history like Bachman & Turner. The band appeared at the mid seventies with the name Bachman & Turner Overdrive, sold about thirty millions of records, awarded with lots of gold and silver discs, composed the anthem “American Woman” and earned the respect of listeners all over the world.

After two decades of disbanding the time came for Randy Bachman and Fred Turner to reunite and get in the studio to record the album “Forged In Rock”.


maandag, maart 14

Tsja, wat zal ik zeggen over deze ? Toch een beetje een "must post" denk ik.Whitesnake heeft een nieuwe CD en hij is goed ook

Whitesnake are a British hard rock supergroup formed in 1978. "Here I Go Again" and "Fool for Your Loving" are among their best known hits.

Whitesnake was the baby of Deep Purple frontman David Coverdale. He originally gathered the members together to support his solo projects, and it was under this arrangement they released White Snake and Northwinds. They took the name Whitesnake for 1978's Snakebite EP, which included "Ain't No Love in the Heart of the City" - a hit which has remained popular with fans.


Whitesnake - the legendary monsters of rock founded by the enigmatic David Coverdale - are back with a brand new, statement called "Forevermore". From its earliest blues based origins to the overwhelming MTV exposure in the 90's, Whitesnake have captured audiences worldwide with their live shows, incredible songs and Coverdale's signature vocals. "Forevermore" is the band's 11th studio album, and produced by Coverdale, guitarist Doug Aldrich and Michael McIntyre.


zondag, maart 13

Lukestar’s third album, Taiga, was released in Norway February 25th 2011. The sound of Taiga resonates in more earthly surroundings than Lukestar’s earlier work. We go into the boreal forests of the northern hemisphere.

In the intersection between nature’s and human’s consciousness, the songs have found their way into the light, guided safely by Truls Heggero’s distinctive and angel like vocals. The album’s sonic qualities are secured by star-producer Carl Vikman. The first single “Flying Canoes” was A-listed on NRK P3 on the day of its release in January 2011. The band was immediately booked to both the Roskilde- and the Öya-festival. Aftenposten – Norways biggest newspaper – caught on early and gave the album 5/6 stars.


Growing up in the far outskirts of Oslo with the wilderness as their nearest neighbor, Truls and the gang started making songs inspired by 80s pop music and Queen. Turning teenagers in the early 90s, the band got swept up by the Nevermind-revolution, as a great deal of their generation did. This led to the fascination that Lukestar still has for 3-chord pop-songs covered in energetic guitars and melodies provoking waves of spine-chills. Since then, Lukestar’s sound has evolved, with guitars, drums, bass & keyboards creating a dynamic universe surrounding the otherworldly falsetto of lead singer Truls´ magnetic voice, which comes to him naturally and quite unexpectedly.


zaterdag, maart 12

Go Radio formed in April 2007 after Jason Lancaster left Mayday Parade. Together with Matt Burns, as well as Steven Kopacz and Patrick Hosey of the Florida band Don't Die Cindy, Lancaster started Go Radio. The name "Go Radio" was originally going to be the name of a Mayday Parade side project of Lancaster's. Hosey left the band in late 2007, and was replaced by Tony Planas.

In 2008 Go Radio released their debut EP Welcome To Life. Planas would leave the band in late 2008, and was replaced by Alex Reed, formerly of the Michigan band "Carawae" formerly known as "The Useful Sound". Reed contacted the band through Myspace and originally joined only as a touring guitarist, but was later promoted to a full time member.

On September 8, 2009 the band released their first studio update. They revealed that they were in the process of recording a new EP with producers Zack Odom and Kenneth Mount, both of whom produced Mayday Parade's A Lesson in Romantics. On October 5, 2009, Go Radio released two of the songs from the EP on their MySpace. The band then signed to Fearless Records on January 21, 2010 and went on to release Do Overs and Second Chances as their Fearless Records debut on April 20, 2010.

In the July 2010 Issue of Alternative Press Jason Lancaster revealed that he had begun writing for Go Radio's debut LP for Fearless Records. On August 31, 2010 in Brooklyn, NY the band headed into the studio with Tim O’Heir (The All-American Rejects, Hot Rod Circuit, The Starting Line, Say Anything). They finished recording on September 29th, 2010. The resulting album, Lucky Street was released on March 1, 2011.


vrijdag, maart 11

Sara Lynn Evans, geboren op 5 februari 1971 in Booneville, Missouri, is een Amerikaanse countryzangeres.Evans groeide op op een boerderij als de oudste van zeven kinderen.

De familie is van Welshe en Ierse afkomst.
Vanaf de leeftijd van vijf jaar zong ze mee met de Evans Family Band. Op achtjarige leeftijd werd Sara Evans aangereden door een auto, waarbij ze haar beide benen zwaar verwondde. Toen ze 16 jaar was stond ze al regelmatig op het podium van een nachtclub in Columbia, Missouri. In 1991 trok ze naar Nashville, waar ze eerst als serveerster werkte.

In Nashville ontmoette ze Craig Schelske met wie Evans in 1993 trouwde.
Evans begon met het maken van demo's in 1995. De demo's werden opgemerkt door muziekschrijver Harlan Howard. Howard besloot Evans te helpen, hetgeen uiteindelijk leidde tot een platencontract bij RCA.

Dit was de start van een succesvolle carrière als countryzangeres.
Sometimes the best way for an artist to move forward is to take time to be still. There’s nothing that feeds a creative soul like taking time to soak up life and marinate in the moments that matter. Sara Evans embraced that philosophy, and now, six years after her last studio album, she’s back with Stronger, a landmark record filled with the kind of gutsy explorations on life and love that have made Evans one of the most compelling female vocalists of her generation.


donderdag, maart 10

Maiden cloon ?

Cover artwork and tracklisting of BLOOBOUND´s new album "Unholy Cross" have been unveiled now. The forth effort from Sweden´s premiere power metallers will be released on March 18th.

The band comments: "The album cover made by Mark Wilkinson (Iron Maiden, Judas Priest etc) is very symbolic for the band as it symbolizes the resurrection of bloodbound. It shows our monster mascot "Nossen" rising from the dead. We as a band feel we're resurrected as well, as we now have a stable line up and we all like working together as a band unit. Unholy Cross was a fun album to write and record and musically we wanted to go back and create the magic from the Nosferatu album but with an updated 2011 production."

Zoals sommige heavy metal fans het zullen weten zijn gitarist Tomas Olsson en toetsenist Fredrik Bergh van AOR-band Street Talk ook al een aantal jaren bezig met Bloodbound. Al vanaf het begin heeft deze band echter te maken met het komen en gaan van muzikanten en andere zakelijke perikelen. Ondanks alles is de band steeds met krachtige albums voor de dag gekomen. Voor de vierde release, ‘Unholy Cross’, is dat niet anders. Zo is men opnieuw van platenmaatschappij gewisseld en is zanger Urban Breed (o.a. bekend van Tad Morose en Pyramza), die te horen was op de eerste plaat ‘Nosferatu’ en derde album, ‘Tabula Rasa’, alweer vertrokken. Zijn positie is opgevuld door Dawn Of Silence’s Patrick “Pata” Johansson. Het album luistert makkelijk weg en pakt je meteen bij de eerste luisterbeurt. Liefhebbers van de eerdere albums en een ieder die geen genoeg krijgt van snelle, melodieuze power metal kan dit album gerust in huis halen. Dat kan via het plaatje.


woensdag, maart 9

Just for clarification, her name is Melody, her last name is Guy and she's one of the hottest talents on the Portland music scene today. Whether or not you're a fan of country music, Melody has the ability to breakdown anyone's dislike for the genre with her sugar-sweet voice that goes perfect with every skillfully crafted lyric she sings.

Melody Guy's debut CD, titled Ready For Sunshine, is a wonderful representation of this gifted artist's ability to create emotionally charged lyrics so powerful that they reach in and seriously move you.

Her abilities seem limitless as she exploits a voice with tremendous range, from pillow-soft ballads to foot stompin' blues that seem to virtually rip from her vocal chords. But Melody is most impressive in her live performances, which have landed her opening slots with artists including Sherrie Austin, Nanci Griffith, Jim Messina, Dan Seals, Joni Harms, Lee Ann Womak and Chad Brock.

Although her stage presence is charming, to say the least, her songwriting reveals that her life has been less than perfect. This is one reason why Melody is so captivating - she's writing beautiful, honest songs and singing her heart out. "I think that's what makes listeners connect...my music is heartfelt. It comes from experience. I'm not making it up. It's about heartache, getting strong and moving on. I think people appreciate that it's real."


dinsdag, maart 8

Preview hier

Toen de Texaanse singer-songwriter Tift Merritt in 2002 debuteerde met het uitstekende Bramble Rose voorspelde ik haar een prachtige toekomst in de eredivisie van de alt-country. Met het door Ethan Johns geproduceerde Bramble Rose zaagde de jonge Amerikaanse nadrukkelijk aan de stoelpoten van grootheden als Lucinda Williams en Emmylou Harris en leek troonopvolging slechts een kwestie van tijd. Op één of andere manier wilde het sindsdien echter niet echt vlotten met de carrière van Tift Merritt.


Het in 2004 verschenen en door George Drakoulias geproduceerde Tambourine werd weliswaar goed ontvangen, maar bleek toch wat teveel een soulplaat om in alt-country kringen de handen op elkaar te krijgen en te weinig een soulplaat om in soulkringen potten te kunnen breken. Na een stilte van vier jaar keerde Merritt in 2008 terug met het wederom door Drakoulias geproduceerde en behoorlijk overtuigende Another Country, maar deze plaat, waarop Tift Merritt nog wat verder opschoof richting mainstream pop, werd in Nederland eigenlijk nauwelijks opgemerkt.

Inmiddels zijn we weer twee jaar verder en is er, bijna geruisloos, weer een plaat van Tift Merritt verschenen, See You On The Moon.
Ook voor haar vierde plaat heeft Merritt een topproducer weten te strikken, want dit keer nam niemand minder dan Tucker Martine (Laura Veirs, Sufjan Stevens, The Decemberists) plaats achter de knoppen. De keuze voor Tucker Martine blijkt een verstandige, want See You On The Moon klinkt net wat frisser en avontuurlijker dan we van Tift Merritt gewend zijn, waardoor haar muziek aan zeggingskracht heeft gewonnen.

Alt-country puristen zullen ook dit keer concluderen dat Tift Merritt voorgoed verloren is gegaan voor het genre, maar voor iedereen die haar de uitstapjes richting soul, pop en rock kan vergeven valt er op See You On The Moon flink wat te genieten.
Tift Merritt is de afgelopen jaren steeds betere songs gaan schrijven en beschikt over een prachtige stem die in meerdere genres uitstekend tot zijn recht komt. Door de muzikale bijdragen van onder andere My Morning Jacket's Jim James and pedal steel virtuoos Greg Leisz klinkt See You On The Moon weer wat meer als een rootsplaat dan zijn twee voorganger, maar dat Tift Merritt zich niet wil laten beknotten door één genre is duidelijk. Zolang het platen van het niveau van See You On The Moon oplevert wil ik dat haar best vergeven. Met See You On The Moon dwingt Tift Merritt wat mij betreft definitief het plekje in de spotlights af dat al zo lang voor haar gereserveerd wordt. Erwin Zijleman (de krenten uit de pop).

Preview hier !

maandag, maart 7

Awesome southern-fried, blues-based, heavy guitar rocker from the mid-70s featuring and produced by JOHNNY WINTER. "Thunderhead'75" is the rare, unreleased studio recording that scored THUNDERHEAD a major label deal and includes nine killer alternate songs/jams that have never seen the light of day until now. Outstanding and Essential, hard-assed, bluesy, 70s heavy guitar rocker featuring awesome riffage/vox.

Thuderhead never became households names like the Marshall Tucker Band or Lynyrd Skynyrd. They never even achieved the sort of FM radio credentials that the Outlaws did. In fact, they only released one album, their self-titled 1975 offering for ABC which was never promoted, never received airplay, and was virtually never heard. However, they had recorded another album prior to this which was largely responsible for them getting a record deal and it has recently been reissued as Thuderhead '75.

The album was produced by Johnny Winter and brother Edgar is featured as a guest on one track. It is pure hard Southern rock from start to finish, with a sound reminiscent of Molly Hatchet (if Molly Hatchet had included an excellent flute player who doubled as lead vocalist). The opener "Busted in Georgia" is on the level of "Sweet Home Alabama" and "Flirting With Disaster", if not "Freebird" and "Green Grass and High Tides". The rest of the album doesn't quite live up to those standards, but it does include social statements such as "Make Your Own Good News" and "Stop the Madness", jam-based pieces such as "Lay It On the Line" and the instrumental "Apathy", and the superb paranoid country-rocker "Houma" which closes the album and simply must be heard to be believed. This is a great purchase for fans of the Southern rock genre or '70s rock in general.


zondag, maart 6

Aynsley Lister is an English blues-rock guitarist/singer and songwriter. Aynsley has never been an artist to reheat the music of yesteryear.

Influenced from an early age by the 60’s RnB era, Lister takes these key elements and mixes them with a more current and melodic lyrical approach.

He is one of very few artists playing blues infused rock with a modern edge - tangible, heartfelt, soul searching and full of fine songwriting; played with passion and vitality. His hard hitting rhythms and guitar work are reminiscent of a young Clapton.

Lister began his career when he signed to Ruf Records in 1998.

During his time on the label he worked with producers such as Jim Gaines (SRV, Santana) and Greg Haver (Manic Street Preachers) and recorded four studio albums, two live albums and two DVD’s. However, if these earlier albums were Lister making his mark as a well respected blues rock artist, it was when he signed to Manhaton Records in June 2008 that he showed he had more commercial appeal to a bigger audience.


Aynsley Lister video kanaal. (leuk)
Gitaarles (ook wel leuk lijkt me)

zaterdag, maart 5

I’ve only been to Nashville once and the closest I came to East Nashville was a stroll to the end of Broadway where I unknowingly gazed at what lies beyond the Cumberland River.

Therefore, forgive me the limits of my East Nashville knowledge, most of which has been garnered from colorful Todd Snider and Steve Earle stories and interviews. Also, I missed the first two volumes of this ongoing series coordinated by Eric Brace and Mary Ann Werner. Obviously I do know that there is more to Nashville than that offered by the modern conglomerates hiding behind the curtain of the country-pop Oz. Clocking in at more than an hour, a more than satisfying collection of inspired music is compiled here.

Assembling material from a number of labels and even more artists, Brace and Co. have provided a cross-section of Americana that is faultless. Every tune works both as a stand alone and as a component of this multi-dimensional conversation about independent music. Some songs have twang, most don’t. Some tell as story, others sketch emotion. Previously unreleased tracks from Peter Cooper (featuring steel from Lloyd Green), Kevin Gordon, Elizabeth Cook, and Tim Carroll are nestled alongside material from Kieran Kane, Audrey Auld, Phil Lee, and Chuck Mead that may have already been heard by many finding the compilation of interest.

While I get to hear more modern Americana music than most, folks like Anne McCue, Amelia White, Taylor Bates, and Stephen Simmons have somehow escaped notice. The benefit of a finely crafted compilation such as this one is that I have now corrected the oversight and sought out albums from those performers. Brace’s “Tranquility Base,” Matt Urmy’s “Renaissance Rodeo” and Tom Mason’s “Chano Pozo’s Shoes” are highlights, as are the Lee songs that bookend the set.

In the liner notes, the “style-blending spirit” of the late Duane Jarvis (whose exceptional “I Miss You Already” is included) is mentioned as typifying the album and the musical community it attempts to represent. Also included is an invitation to visit the area; if I again make the 2,200 mile journey to Nashville, I think I’ll be calling Brace for a personal tour of his East Nashville. by Donald Teplyske

Meer weten ? Hier staat een hele zooi.

vrijdag, maart 4

Een van de weinige opvallendheden aan de nieuwe plaat van Kim Richey is de titel: Wreck Your Wheels. Richey maakt popcountry voor bij de thee. Niemand zal zich verslikken. Deze singer-songwriter uit Ohio lijkt dan ook de laatste die andermans auto zou mollen of ook maar iemand enigszins voor de voeten zou rijden.

Wreck Your Wheels was recorded in Nashville last year and features co-writing credits with The Jayhawk's Mark Olson, English blues/pop singer and '09 Brit Award nominee Beth Rowley and the always dependable U.K. writer (and Eddi Reader collaborator) Boo Hewerdine.

The vibe throughout Wheels is warm and inviting, the relaxed Americana atmosphere richly textured even when the folk-pop instrumental backing is spare. Richey's plaintive, emotionally composed singing has never sounded more appealing on songs such as the lovely, downbeat Hewerdine co-write "Keys", the bittersweet gem "99 Floors," or the haunting ballad "Back To You". Languid but never lax, Wreck Your Wheels is a revelation of small gestures, low heat and the power of restraint. Highly recommended.










donderdag, maart 3

Kimberly Kay "Kim" Richey is an American singer/songwriter. Though her work fits into the general country music category, her sound is not easily categorized. Her songs have been hits on both the country and pop charts. She has often been described as an Americana artist.

Richey finds her inspiration in the Southern-California country-rock of Linda Ronstadt and the Eagles, and the folk-rock of Tom Petty and the Byrds. The album is full of Beatles-esque touches, such as the string quartet on "Can't Find the Words," the odd McCartney-esque intervals on "Let the Sun Fall Down," or the open tuning and uptempo, three-part vocal harmonies on "Good."

If Nashville labels can keep releasing country tributes to the Beatles, surely there's room in town for a woman who can come up with new Beatles-esque songs. And inasmuch as Richey is exploring the strain of the Beatles' music that comes straight out of the Everly Brothers and Buddy Holly, surely there's a country audience for her.

De CD hierboven is al wat ouder, ze heeft ook een nieuwe (wreck your wheels) die hier op haar site te beluisteren is. Zodra ik die aan boord heb vind je hem ook hier. Het is leuk.


dinsdag, maart 1

Adam Klein weet mij telkens te charmeren met zijn muziek. Wounded Electric Youth is daarop wederom geen uitzondering. Zijn albums zijn tot dusver allen uiterst gedetailleerd verzorgd. Een enorm gevoel voor smaak zal ik deze toondichter dan ook allerminst ontzeggen.

Echter niet alleen de uiterlijke verzorging is smaakvol, het belangrijkste, de melodieën zijn weer dik in orde zijn laatst plaat. Aangezien hij afkomstig is uit Athens Georgia zou je geneigd kunnen zijn dat zijn muziek country gerelateerd is, maar dat valt reuze mee. Gevoel voor traditie hoef je hem daarentegen niet te ontzeggen. Adam Klein schuift binnen de genres eerder naar de folkzijde, en voegt daar met gemak een smaakvolle steel gitaar aan toe. Rustieke singer songwriter muziek, waaraan ik wil toevoegen dat zijn stijl niet tot indommelen aanzet.

De structuur van zijn liedjes is gevarieerd en boeiend. Muziek die je denkbeeldig beleeft vanaf de veranda. Passie spreekt uit zijn muziek. Niet allen een passie voor zijn werk (“zijn leven” had ik ook kunnen schrijven, want bij dergelijk gedreven artiesten zijn die twee elementen synoniem aan elkaar), maar ook de passie om een publiek te behagen.

Een verhalend nummer als Of Pirates & Vagabonds laat horen waardoor een artiest als Adam Klein zich onderscheid. Muziek als een schilderij, eentje waarvan je in 1 oogopslag ziet: “ja, deze man heeft een bijzonder talent.” In Wayward Son verteld hij iets over zijn liefde voor Georgia, en zijn “Traveling Shoes”. Reisverhalen, heimwee en overpeinzingen het zit allemaal verscholen in het werk van Adam Klein. Bovendien bevat dit album in de vorm van Tired Afternoon (Out for Love) een roep om liefde zoals je hem zelden hoort. Eentje van absolute wereldklasse. Van Johnny's garden