Wednesday, April 24, 2013

NEW RELEASES


I have to admit to having quite high expectations for this one ...  

After all, The Surf City All-Stars (and Philip Bardowell in particular) COMPLETELY blew us away when we saw them in concert a few years ago.  

Acting primarily as Dean Torrence's back-up band that night (but still showing some pretty impressive chops of their own ... there is a very clear and definite love of this material), the guys put on one heck of a show ... and, in fact, we were fortunate enough to talk to a couple of them afterwards.  

For this brand new project (being released as The Bamboo Trading Company), they've selected "Endless Summer Quarterly" Publisher David Beard to help by both co-writing the majority of the tracks as well as co-producing the entire cd.  

It was a good choice ... David's love and appreciation of this music is unrivaled ... and the results make for a very listenable and enjoyable LP. (In fact, there are even a few surprises thrown in along the way, by way of some very special guests helping out on some of the tracks.)  

And Gary Griffin, Matt Jardine, Randall Kirsch and Philip Bardowell are all on hand as well, along with indie artists Chris English and Miami Dan Yoe. Each of these guys has paid their dues, cut their teeth ... and gotten their feet wet playing with the likes of The Beach Boys Band, The Jan and Dean Band and The Surf City All-Stars.  


Repeated listenings will keep any number of these tunes spinning in your head. They're all brilliantly executed and stay true to the very essence of what we fell in love with as The Beach Boys' sound matured in the mid-to-late '60's.  

My personal favorite tracks include "Drinkin' In The Sunshine", "Star Of The Beach","Shrewd Awakening" and "Tonga Hut" ... but all of the tracks master the fine line of maintaining both a fresh and vintage sound to them. The band holds very true to their surfin' roots throughout.  



A bonus treat includes Dean Torrence on lead vocals on the contemporary track "Tweet (Don't Talk Anymore)". David Beard tells us that "Tweet" is the very first complete recording that Dean has performed on since 1967's "Save For A Rainy Day", recorded for a Jan and Dean album. (Dean made a "guest" appearance on The Laughing Gravy's cover version of "Vegetables" in 1968 and did a "Wild Thing" remake with Mike Love for the Rock And Roll City album. Finally, in 1985 he cut "Sunny Afternoon" for the Jan and Dean "Silver Summer" LP.) But this is is first full-blown appearance as LEAD VOCALIST on a commercially released track in nearly 46 years!!! So it's a bit of history in the making" with this one!  



As for the other tracks, "Kitty Hawk" is one of those that will grow on you ... as is "Don't Say It's Over".  The more I listen, the more I like! 

And check this out ... 

These guys even have their own theme song!  



The previously mentioned "Tonga Hut" has a great feel to it but borrows heavily from The Rascals' 1967 Hit "It's Wonderful" in the vocal department. Being such an obscure Rascals track, most casual listeners won't even notice, as The Bamboo Trading Company does such a fine job with their vocal blends on this track. (We'll forgive them this one because they totally nail it vocally!)  

However, after listening to "Jericho", I'd be willing to bet the ranch that these guys must have enjoyed Fastball's "The Way" nearly as much as I did ... in fact, it's absolutely one of my ten favorite songs of the past twenty years. BTC does what can only be called a "reworking" of that melody into a still-pleasing-sounding track. Nothing obnoxious, mind you ... it's still a great tune ... but a simple nod to its musical inspiration (or perhaps even a co-writing credit for the melody) might have been nice.  

Other surprises? You'll find David Marks lending both his guitar work and vocals to "Star Of The Beach" ... his guitar is also present on "Jericho".  

"Shrewd Awakening" kicks off a little bit like "Kokomo" but then quickly turns into an almost Sergio Mendes / Brasil '66-sounding bossa-nova beat, with some outstanding vocals by female guests Katie and Jillian Torrence. (Papa Dean helps out as does Phillip Bardowell, Gary Griffin, Elizabeth Griffin and Katelyn Reigel.) The liner notes make mention of this track (and a few others) as coming from the soundtrack of "Return Of The Killer Shrews". I'm hoping that David Beard will fill us in a little bit on this project in the days to come.  Meanwhile, here's a link to the official movie website:  Click here: The Return of the Killer Shrews   

Interested fans can order a copy of The Bamboo Trading Company's self-titled debut through Amazon.com.  (In fact, click on the link below and you can listen to 30-second samples of each track before you buy!)
Click here: Amazon.com: Bamboo Trading Company: Bamboo Trading Company: Music



Kent:   
Here’s another Forgotten Hits exclusive premiere!   
It’s the latest from Freddy “Boom Boom” Cannon. 
This is a tune Freddy wrote with the lead guitarist, Spike, from the popular Los Angeles band, The Gears, who are backing him on this production. It’s called “Keep Movin’.”

This song will be available later this month on iTunes and released as a 7 inch vinyl single.      

Freddy is gearing up for an active year on the road.

Last night (April 13), he headlined a show in Montreal, Canada. A review from a local newspaper is attached:
http://blogs.montrealgazette.com/2013/04/14/concert-review-legends-of-rock-n-roll-at-the-rialto-theatre-April-13-2013/

Upcoming dates include:
May 4 — Tiles Center for the Performing Arts, Greenvale (Long Island), NY
May 14 — Hemsby Rock & Roll Show, Norfolk, England (UK)
July 14 — The Villages, Villages, Florida
July 28 — The Wolf Den, Mohegan Sun Casino, Connecticut
July 31 — Waterfront Park, Newburyport, MA
Oct. 5 --- State Theatre, New Brunswick, NJ (with Lou Christie, Kenny Vance & the Planotones, & Shirelles lead singer Shirley Alston Reeves)
Nov. 3-10 — Time Life Malt Shop Cruise http://www.maltshopcruise.com/2013/Lineup
Dec. 7 — New York (Venue TBA)
-- Tom Cuddy

Here's a vintage shot of Freddy with Wolfman Jack!

Rare Psychedelic Debut Album By ANT-BEE 'Pure Electric Honey' Released On CD For First Time
London, UK - Music collectors across the planet are clamoring about the release of the rare out-of-print psychedelic debut album by avant-garde music artist ANT-BEE titled 'Pure Electric Honey' on CD for the first time by Gonzo MultiMedia UK! Possibly one of the most unusual acts to emerge from the US in the early 1990's, ANT-BEE's music defies categorization, yet acts like Syd Barrett's Pink Floyd, Smile-era Beach Boys, The Mothers and Sgt. Pepper era Beatles immediately spring to mind upon listening. At the time of release many thought the album was an unearthed lost gem from the 1960s, while others didn't know what to think.
Andrew Stecz, Cincinnati Music Examiner touts, “ANT-BEE's 'Pure Electric Honey' was a dense synthesis of Syd Barrett's eccentric pop of Pink Floyd and the oneiric vocal harmonies of The Beatles and Beach Boys psychedelic pop. When everyone else was trying to sound louder, angrier, more paranoid, more depressed, ANT-BEE was reaching back into the '60s of Frank Zappa, The Beach Boys, The Beatles, Pink Floyd and re-imagining their consciousness for the late 1980's and 1990's, showing the ability to mimic as well as improve upon the great progressive artists of 'the golden age' of rock. 'Pure Electric Honey' is a dream of the 1960's cut up, glued back together, and enameled with sugar to a highly sweet and overwhelming gloss. The percussion is good, The vocals are great. The various tape manipulations are what make ANT-BEE a master, and what makes the previous two and other elements pop till you drop!”
Through a series of musical experiments in the recording studio back in 1987 in Los Angeles, ANT-BEE was born! In 1988, ANT-BEE was signed to Los Angeles record company Voxx / Bomp Records. The first Ant-Bee album 'Pure Electric Honey' garnered rave reviews worldwide, propelling ANT-BEE to overnight legend status in the European underground. The album also featured guest performances by Bob Harris (Frank Zappa) and Rick Snyder (Captain Beefheart). In support of 'Pure Electric Honey', ANT-BEE filmed a series of videos ("Here We Go Round The Lemon Tree" and “The Girl With The Stars In Her Hair”) which were viewed in Los Angeles, Japan and Canada. Also during this period ANT-BEE recorded a cover version of the Beach Boy's "Do You Like Worms?" from the legendary aborted 'Smile' sessions. Oddly through a bizarre turn of events the ANT-BEE cover version of the song was mistakenly played on a Beach Boys radio show as a rare Beach Boys demo. In turn the track was released on several elaborate European Beach Boys bootlegs as an unreleased outtake from 1966!
ANT-BEE would go on to release several more critically acclaimed albums in the '90s and 2000's that would feature guest appearances by original members of the Mothers of Invention, ex-Capt. Beefheart's Magic Band members, original members of the Alice Cooper group, Daevid Allen and Gilli Smyth of GONG, Peter Banks, Jan Akkerman and many other notable music artists. GONZO MultiMedia will be re-releasing ANT-BEE's back catalog, as well as the unreleased 'Child Of The Moon' EP, featuring Michael Bruce of the Alice Cooper group and artwork by Daevid Allen.
To purchase ANT-BEE 'Pure Electric Honey' CD:
For more information: www.ant-bee.com
 

Eagle Rock Entertainment Presents: Frank Zappa - 
 A TOKEN OF HIS EXTREME ~ On DVD June 4, 2013~
 

New York, NY (April 15, 2013)—EAGLE ROCK ENTERTAINMENT and the Zappa Family Trust are pleased to announce the first official release of A TOKEN OF HIS EXTREME, an original program created by FRANK ZAPPA for TV [Pre-book Order Date May 10, MSRP $14.98].
Recorded on August 27, 1974 at KCET in Hollywood, A TOKEN OF HIS EXTREME features Frank Zappa with five incredibly talented band members for this extravaganza of live music. The line-up exists of Frank Zappa — guitar, percussion, vocals; George Duke — keyboards, finger cymbals, tambourine, vocals; Napoleon Murphy Brock — sax, vocals; Ruth Underwood — percussion; Tom Fowler — bass; Chester Thompson — drums.
The Program, as edited and thoroughly tweezed & produced by Frank Zappa for Honker Home Video includes these delights: The Dog Breath Variations / Uncle Meat, Montana, Florentine Pogen, Stink-Foot, Pygmy Twylyte, Room Service, Inca Roads, Oh No, Son Of Orange County, More Trouble Every Day, A Token Of My Extreme.
Stereo Mixes Produced by Frank Zappa with Kerry McNabb at Paramount Studios, 1974. Mastered by Bob Ludwig, Gateway Mastering, 2009
Frank Zappa: “This was put together with my own money and my own time and it’s been offered to television networks and to syndication and it has been steadfastly rejected by the American television industry. It has been shown in primetime in France and Switzerland, with marvelous results. It’s probably one of the finest pieces of video work that any human being has ever done. I did it myself. And the animation that you’re gonna see in this was done by a guy named Bruce Bickford, and I hope he is watching the show, because it’s probably the first time that a lot of people in America got a chance to see it.” - (Frank Zappa, appearing on the Mike Douglas Show, 1976)
Because Token has never been commercially released until now, it is one of the most sought after Frank Zappa programs.
Howard Kaylan once told me that he has met two geniuses in his life ... John Lennon and Frank Zappa. Flo and Eddie, of course, performed with Zappa for years. Howard holds Zappa ... the man and his talent ... in the highest regard. Fans may want to check out this extremely rare production ... available June 4th through Eagle Rock Entertainment. (kk)  
 

Another new release you'll want to know about ... we talked this one up pretty good a few months back when it was making its debut on cable:
 
EAGLE ROCK ENTERTAINMENT PRESENTS THE ROLLING STONES - CROSSFIRE HURRICANE - OUT ON DVD, BLU-RAY AND DIGITAL VIDEO ~MAY 21, 2013~
 
 
New York, NY (April 16, 2013)—Eagle Rock Entertainment has announced details of the release on DVD and Blu-ray of The Rolling Stones’ Crossfire Hurricane [Pre-book Order Date April 26, MSRP $14.98 DVD, $19.98 Blu-ray]. Available on May 21, 2013, Crossfire Hurricane is the kaleidoscopic new film that documents the key periods of the Rolling Stones’ career and their incredible journey.
Directed by Brett Morgen, Crossfire Hurricane provides a remarkable new perspective on the Stones’ unparalleled journey from blues-obsessed teenagers in the early 60’s to rock royalty. It’s all here in panoramic candor, from the Marquee Club to Hyde Park, from Altamont to Exile, from club gigs to stadium extravaganzas.
With never-before-seen footage and fresh insights from the band themselves, the film will delight, shock and amaze longtime devotees, as well as a new generation of fans, with its uniquely immersive style and tone. Crossfire Hurricane places the viewer right on the frontline of the band’s most legendary escapades.
As befits the first rock band to reach the 50-year milestone with their global stature now greater than ever, the film combines extensive historical footage, much of it widely unseen, with contemporary commentaries by Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Charlie Watts, Ronnie Wood and former Stones Bill Wyman and Mick Taylor. Period interviews, extensive live performance material and news archives give the production a truly kinetic aura and no-holds-barred approach.
Bonus features on the DVD and Blu-Ray include previously unreleased concert footage - “Live in Germany ‘65”, NME Poll Winners concert footage from 1964 and 1965, a new interview with director Brett Morgen, “The Sound and Music of Crossfire Hurricane”, footage from The Arthur Haynes Show (1964), and the theatrical trailer
Crossfire Hurricane received its worldwide premiere at the London Film Festival in October, where Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Charlie Watts and Ronnie Wood all hit the red carpet to the delight of fans and media from all around the world. The film received a similar premiere in the U.S. the following month, hosted by HBO at the Ziegfeld Theatre.
Asked in a formative interview in the film what it is that sets them apart from other groups, Jagger says with quiet understatement: “A chemical reaction seems to have happened.” Keith Richards added, “You can't really stop the Rolling Stones, you know when that sort of avalanche is facing you, you just get out of the way.” It’s been happening ever since, and the life and times of the Rolling Stones have never been as electrifyingly portrayed as they are in Crossfire Hurricane.  
 
Rare Concert Recording Of Classic Rock Legends Captain Beyond 'Live in Texas October 6, 1973' To Be Released On CD & Double-LP By Purple Pyramid Records May 21, 2013
Los Angeles, CA - Purple Pyramid Records will be releasing a vintage live recording of legendary classic rock band Captain Beyond 'Live in Texas October 6, 1973' on May 21, 2013 on CD & Double-LP. One of the most underrated classic rock bands of the early 1970's, Captain Beyond were considered a 'supergroup' of sorts at the time and featured original Deep Purple lead vocalist Rod Evans, former Iron Butterfly guitarist Larry 'Rhino' Reinhardt and bassist Lee Dorman, and ex-Johnny Winter drummer Bobby Caldwell. Although the band only lasted three critically acclaimed albums and several tours of the US and Europe, the band's following is as strong today as it was back in their heyday! Now with the release of this rare sought after concert recording on CD and vinyl for the first time, fans can relive the magic that was Captain Beyond in concert! Recorded just after the release of the group's second album 'Sufficiently Breathless', Captain Beyond 'Live In Texas' captured the band while on tour with King Crimson.
"This was an exciting night of music! Captain Beyond at the University of Texas in Arlington ...
All the best ..."
- Bobby CaldwellTracks include ...
“Distant Sun”
“Dancing Madly Backwards (on A Sea Of Air)”
“Armworth”
“Myopic Void”
“Drifting In Space”
“Pandora's Box (It's War)”
“Thousand Days Of Yesterday”
“Frozen Over”
“Mesmerization Eclipse”
“Stone Free”
The amazing liner notes were written by famed rock historian Dave Thompson. Through extensive conversations with Bobby Caldwell, the story of Captain Beyond unfolds, including listening parties with the Allman Brothers, the unusual signing to Capricorn Records, and a fruit-flinging show with Sha Na Na!
To pre-order Captain Beyond – Live In Texas October 6, 1973:
For more information: www.CleopatraRecords.com
CLEOPATRA RECORDS, Inc.
11041 Santa Monica Blvd #703
Los Angeles CA 90025
 


And, speaking of new releases, have you played Ronnie Allen's brand new, highly-addictive "Snippets" Game yet?  Kind of a "name that tune" for oldies fans, we were one of the lucky ones who got to help Ronnie beta-test his new site ... and this one's a whole lotta fun.  

It's finally up and running for the general public to enjoy.  Here are all the details from Ronnie himself ...

Hi Kent,
I am very pleased to announce that my single-player multiple-choice song clip game called "Snippets On Demand!" is now officially up on the "Jersey Girls Sing" website. The object of the game is to identify well-known oldies by hearing small portions of them ("snippets") and to do so in as short a time as possible. Please share this information with your readers.
This FAQ page contains a detailed explanation of the game.
These are some of my game's significant features:
There are more than 8500 snippets.
There are 24 categories of pop and country music.
The music range is 1940 through 1979 for pop and 1944 through 1989 for country. (80s pop will be added shortly).
Multiple-choice includes a "(none of the above)" answer which makes the game a bit more challanging. (That can be turned off by the user.)
Your time for guessing each snippet as well as your average guessing time per snippet to that point are both displayed following each snippet.
Both the correct title and artist are displayed after each snippet.
Following the game you get an onscreen report card (which you can print) telling your final right-wrong score, overall average guess time per snippet and a detail line for each snippet showing if you were right or wrong, the guess time (which is always the maximum snippet length for a wrong guess) and the correct title and artist of that snippet. The detail lines are color-coded: green for right and red for wrong.
You can optionally experience an instant replay (audio and video) of the game you just played.
To play the game, please visit the Jersey Girls Sing home page (link is below) and click on the prominent "Snippets On Demand" banner at the top of the screen.
Jersey Girls Sing home page
I hope that everyone who plays the game will consider emailing about their experience and will be most appreciative of suggestions for future enhancements.
Ronnie Allen

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