UDR/EMI

The brainchild of rock god Ritchie Blackmore and his wife Candice Night, Blackmore’s Night is a folk-inspired tour de force that paved the way for many artists to use traditional/pagan/medieval instrumentation and rhythms in their music and still get signed to labels. It could certainly be argued that Blackmore has now done more than his fair share of bringing new music into the world. Their latest release is a live album recorded  at a concert in 2011 at The Opera House in York, England.

While this doesn’t feature the entire show, it does give a well-rounded sampling of what Blackmore’s Night has to offer. The production is top notch as you can easily hear each instrument instead of the muddied mix that plagues similar traditional folk bands. The package includes both a DVD and a BluRay disc that look superb. Everything is sharp and well-shot, capturing the band’s modest stage set and the obviously fun atmosphere. Everyone’s smiles which really endears you more towards the music if you are standoff-ish about it. The smiles culminate with the band breaking into Lady Gaga’s “Bad Romance”- proof positive that pop music borrows much from the pagan sounds of yore.

The highlights here include the driving “The Circle” which comes dangerously close to rock and roll (Zepplin style!), the gorgeous “Darkness” which really highlight’s Night’s beautiful vocal work, and the rollicking “All the Fun of the Fayre.” The latter is a carnival romper that could probably be compared to a modern day barn dancing tune. “Journeyman,” while not my favorite tune here, has a rippin’ guitar solo that reminds you that a guitar god is in tow in case you’d forgotten.

Overall, this is a solid live album. The video doesn’t really make it any better but it’s a nice addition to a diehard fans collection. I would say that this or either of the band’s prior live releases are the best place to start for new fans or curiosity seekers. There’s a good sampling of songs and just a little extra spark that could never be captured on a studio recording that makes it just that much better.

Reviewed by Mark Fisher

Heart's Strange Euphoria Gets Boxed

Epic Records/Legacy Recordings

After delivering four decades of blistering, straight-forward, true blue Rock and Roll Heart have really hit their stride. While the band seemed to struggle musically through much of the nineties as well as the early new millennium, 2010’s Red Velvet Car revealed them to be focused, mature, and more comfortable in their skin than they had been in decades. Strange Euphoria, follows that lead by revealing deep cuts, demos, alternate takes, and live performances that leave little question as to how this band survived over the years. Superb musicianship, integrity, and more raw talent than you can shake a stick at come front and center on this three disc, one DVD collection. For the most part, this box set explores Heart’s inner workings in three eras. Disc one is basically the seventies, disc two is basically the eighties, and disc three covers the nineties and on.

The highlights here include pretty much everything if you are even a semi-well-versed Heart fan. Disc one starts out with the pre-Heart (but still pretty much Heart) “Through Eyes & Glass.” It’s a beautiful early track and is billed as Ann Wilson & the Daybreaks (which sounds like a Motown band doesn’t it?!). The demos of “Magic Man” and “Crazy on You” aren’t as biting as their official versions but you definitely get a better sense of the sister’s urges early on. They have a different kind of groove, despite the fact that they are not a million miles from their finished versions.  Disc two highlights include the often overlooked “Bebe Le Strange” (I always felt that this was a classier version of “All I Wanna Do Is Make Love To You”…) and an acoustic live performance of “Never” featuring John Paul Jones. “These Dreams” and “Alone” are two of my favorite Heart songs and I was excited to hear the versions on Strange Euphoria- to say they lived up to those expectations would be an understatement. Disc three rounds it all out simply by including three tracks (two of which are live) that are technically Lovemongers songs and a live track from Nancy Wilson (“Everything”) that quite assuredly rivals anything on Strange Euphoria. The “Any Woman’s Blues” demo is performed with the Seattle Blues Revue Horns and stands out due to its different musical nature. It really highlights what vocalist Ann Wilson has become over the years as it’s undeniably her but also an entirely different kind of thing. The semi-comical box set title track is also contained on this disc. I’d be lying if I didn’t say I smirked a little bit when it was playing. The recent hit “Hey You” is a highlight here as well and kisses the box set off in a way that lets the fans know that Heart’s well is nowhere near running dry.

The DVD included here is from The Second Ending. It was recorded in early 1976 for KWSU-TV and contains hits like “Dreamboat Annie,” “Crazy on You,” “Magic Man,” and “Heartless.” The band rips it up here musically, sounding loose and anthemic all at once, but it’s quite honestly not much to watch as the band doesn’t seem to have much room to move. I also thought the bass player was a girl at first until I noticed that I could see his nipples so it couldn’t be a girl (they were on television and all). Weird. Fans of Heart’s early history will most enjoy this and it’s a nice inclusion on the box set, even if you won’t find yourself returning all too often to it. On the other hand, aside from a Jethro Tull performance, where else will you see a rock and roll flute solo?

One of the most impressive things about Strange Euphoria though is the booklet. Bound as proper book, it contains a ton of great photos spanning the band’s amazing career. It’s really easy to see the band’s different eras visually through the photographs, names on the tour passes, and, of course, the use of different logos. It’s a fun trip through time for us older folks. Additionally, there are fairly detailed descriptions of each song choice. The Wilson sisters explain why they like each song, why this particular version was chosen for the set, and why they feel it represents this or that in a real way. I’d buy this book as a stand alone without a doubt and it makes me look forward to their upcoming memoir.

“Personally curated by Ann and Nancy Wilson” is the phrase that says the most here. Strange Euphoria feels very natural. It has an artistic flow that you don’t always get on a Heart album. After hearing their choices and reading about why they chose them, you realize that Heart’s veins run even deeper than you may have thought. You also realize quickly what kinds of things they were “talked into” over the years and what was really representative of who they were as people and as a group. Strange Euphoria, in some ways, sets the record straight for both longtime, die-hard fans and music enthusiasts. This is a great piece of musical history that any fan of rock and roll should own.

Reviewed by Mark Fisher

Yesterday’s Got Nothing For Me

There’s a healthy bit of interest in the Rock and Roll air right now about what might happen at Guns N’ Roses Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony. Almost overshadowing the other inductees, fans all over the world wonder what might happen on what is sure to be a fateful night. I wanted to weigh in with my dream scenario here and maybe offer some unwanted advice to W. Axl Rose. Just for kicks off course.

Axl Rose stands to lose a lot at this induction if he doesn’t play his cards right. If he sucks it up though, he can kickstart his on again/off again career. And, no, I don’t mean reuniting with the original members. Velvet Revolver was proof that no one cares who plays the GNR catalog as long as Rose sings it. Further proof is that the new GNR is selling out arenas all over the world while Velvet Revolver struggled to fill 2,000 seat clubs, and GNR are even doing it despite nearly 15 members having passed through the band since the mid-nineties. People want to see Axl sing the songs and I think he should pull a Blondie and give the people what they want.

Imagine this, the original members show up and accept the award. MAYBE Axl even comes out and accepts with them. When it comes time to rock, Slash, Adler, and McKagan play, possibly even adding Sorum into the mix, with Myles Kennedy (not a fan but he’s the logical choice here) on the mic. Hell, maybe Izzy joins them too. When they finish, Axl and the current GNR line up come out and play “Riad and the Bedouins” from Chinese Democracy. Obviously written about the music industry and featuring the line “I don’t give a f**k about them cause I am crazy,” it’s a natural choice, maybe even tagging part of “Get in the Ring” on the end for good measure. It’d be even more Rock and Roll if Izzy or Duff joined the current GNR on stage in lieu of the “original lineup.” I guarantee that would be Axl’s biggest coup to date and with the GNR name buzzing everywhere again, guess who people are gonna buy tickets to see in 2012? Here’s a hint, not Velvet Revolver. And another hint, not Loaded. There’s always that minimal chance as well though that Slash will stay home and the rest of the guys will reunite. C’mon Slash. If you read this, I’m asking you to be the bigger man and stay home so we can see the rest of the guys bring Appetite back to life. We all know Izzy was behind those songs anyway.

On another note, original drummer Steven Adler has the most to lose here believe it or not. At least in my opinion. For one, he doesn’t have the career or the name recognition that the other members have. For another, he’s obviously still struggling with his addictions and maybe renewed fame or a promise of another fifteen minute run isn’t the best thing for someone who probably became a junkie off of coattail riders in the first place.

I’m sure none of this will happen as it does in my “dream scenario” anyway but it’s what I’m rooting for. Even if it’s against all odds! In reality, this will likely be a bigger trainwreck than either Blondie or Van Halen. In reality, I doubt Axl or Izzy will choose to partake but here’s hoping they do because they deserve as much recognition, and likely more, than the rest of the band.

These Weeds Are Growin' Where the Sun Once Shown

As my friends know, one of my favorite bands of all-time is Life of Agony. They are a band that has had many glimpses of success but they have never seemed to be able to capitalize on it. As their name suggests, the members of the band have many stories to tell and their lyrics are practically a therapeutic diary for singer Keith Caputo who was a victim of abuse and, as a child, watched his parents succumb to drug addictions, among other things. To say that he has “issues” would likely be a massive understatement but he always sang things that I could relate to in some way and the music brought the lyrics to life in profound ways.

I don’t know Keith Caputo at all. I’ve met him a few times and he was always super-gracious to me. I’ve interviewed Life of Agony a few times over the years as well and you won’t find a more down-to-Earth, nicer bunch of guys in the music industry. They are stand up guys all-around and Keith always means what he sings as far as I can tell. These are simply my thoughts as a distant observer.

I read online today that Caputo has “transitioned” into being a woman, dubbing herself KeithMina Caputo from here on out. I was pretty shocked at first, but after considering his public history as well as his move to Amsterdam a few years back, I suppose it’s not a huge surprise. I can see why someone with such deep scars would want to become someone else after suffering so much pain, particularly so early in life.

What I was left thinking about though was how so many people eventually give in and make their own personal demons their friends in an effort to either disconnect from their own histories or reconnect with what they perceive was a better point in their life. The things that drag us down or take us to places we actually don’t want to go to are nicknamed “demons” for a reason. An alcoholic doesn’t refer to alcohol as his a “personal demon” because he feels like it benefits him or his life. A drug addict would probably not tell you that crystal meth makes her life better. The things that drag us down have been given a negative connotation for a reason….they hurt us. They blind us. They keep us from realizing who we were made to be.

Now, what I’m not saying is that transgender, etc. people are evil. I can see how that could be drawn from this writing though, so I want to make that very clear. What I am saying is that people with deep-seeded issues don’t think clearly and they try to make their “demons” their friends. It’s like the old saying goes, “Keep your friends close and your enemies closer.” The funny thing is that that saying is completely wrong and anyone who has tried to do that will be the first to testify that it doesn’t work.

I don’t really have much to say here other than my heart is sad today. Keith Caputo’s words have gotten me through some very trying times in my life. I wish only the best for him and his new life as a woman but I can’t shake the feeling that this can only end poorly simply because it’s treating a symptom instead of the cause. If your heart hurts, changing your outside won’t help. I hope Caputo finds what he’s looking for and I hope that he finds the cause instead of dwelling on the symptom.

A Sad Day for Metal Fans

On Sunday, May 16th, 2010, the world of heavy music lost one of its premier voices, Ronnie James Dio to a battle with stomach cancer. If you like any kind of heavy music, it’s hard to deny the influence of RJD on countless bands throughout a variety of subgenres.

Along with Rob Halford and Ozzy Osbourne, RJD’s voice “is” metal. Throughout the years, the man created classic hit after classic hit with his bands Elf, Rainbow, Black Sabbath, DIO, and Heaven & Hell, his recent reunion with one of Black Sabbath’s classic lineups. Without RJD there would be no devil horned, heavy metal salutes, no operatic Power Metal bands, and certainly there would be far less Dungeon’s & Dragons style imagery. This week I have been listening to DIO’s first album over and over. Holy Diver is a Heavy Metal essential (as are Dream Evil, Lock Up the Wolves, and the often ignored Strange Highways album) and brings back fond memories of being a carefree teenager in a pre-Nirvana world.

Growing up in rural Pennsylvania meant that bands like DIO were an integral part of our teen existence – offering us a rally cry against the world in which we lived and offering us a moment of relief from the unjustness of our world. As a thirty five year old man who has lived a few different places now, I find DIO’s music surprisingly relevant in many ways. I’m rallying against different things these days and I occasionally chuckle at the mythology DIO loved, but the music he made stands the test of time- just listen to “Hungry For Heaven,” “Stand Up and Shout,” or “Jesus, Mary, & the Holy Ghost.” Better yet, listen to the final moments of Holy Diver when RJD delivers a genre defining performance with “Shame on the Night.” The songs make me think of campfires, backwoods parties, and wonderful (if not sometimes illegal) happenings in the Alleghany National Forest.

The world of heavy music has lost one of its original icons and it’s truly a sad time. Unfortunately it also serves as a reminder that the legends of the genre are getting older and there are no new icons to take their place. Here’s hoping for the rise of a new icon but until then Horns up for Ronnie James Dio.

Waking Up and Smelling the Carcass

In the mid-nineties I loved Carcass. Go ahead, laugh. After all Carcass is a pretty stupid name. I get it. The fact remains though that what Bill Steer did with his guitar was otherwordly and almost single-handedly created not one but TWO cult favorite extreme metal genres. By the time I became fully aware of them though they were, sadly, on their last legs. And a band with a name like Carcass that plays a style of music most people hate didn't have anything to gain from a reunion. That was that.

Last year though the band surprisingly reunited and did a limited number of dates. None were near me. I cried tears of sorrow at having missed them yet again. They are back with round two now though and I'm off to Cleveland, OH this weekend to enjoy the unfathomable mastery of the mighty Carcass. A host of great, newer bands and fellow metal legends Samael will open for them as well. Sweet, sweet icing.

Perhaps the best part though is taking it all in with my cousin Patrick. He's only been into this style of music for a few years but has delved in with his whole heart. Each show he goes to with me is awesome because you can see the music excite and ignite something in him. He is connecting with it in a spiritual well- something that all great art does - connecting with the right person at the right time. It's an emotion that is very hard to replicate and I love watching someone experience it all for the first time.

So off we go in hopes of a great time. As my boys in Carcass would say, "Keep on rotting, keep on hoping!"

Cleveland Rocks

You know, sometimes being a music reviewer/interviewer sucks. Believe it or not, it's not that much fun to know all the insignificant little factoids about most bands that have appeared in the last 20 years. Sure, it's a cool party trick but it doesn't move me any closer to my goal of making a difference in the world around me. It also takes a lot of dedication and time. Have you ever listened to a band you didn't like? Imagine it being your job to listen to all of that band's releases multiples times over a decade. Not so fun. Those are the big negatives.

Other times though, it does not suck to do what I do. Despite the fact that it's your job to know as much as possible about a wide variety of music, you get pleasantly surprised 10-15 times a year by either a new band or one that finally comes into their own. That sort of makes the time spent with the things you don't like worthwhile.

10 years ago, when I was first starting 1340mag.com, I stumbled upon an Australian extreme metal band and fell in love with their music almost immedietly. Their name is Virgin Black and over the years I got to know their guitarist through email. After trading online notes for much of the aforementioned last 10 years, I finally had the chance to sit down with them after seeing them open for Amorphis and Samael in Cleveland, OH. It's weird meeting someone you have only known as an email address for so long but it was a truly amazing experience. Of course, their live show was jaw-dropping. Never have I seen a band command silence in a dingy rock club, and I have seen hundreds of shows.

So, thanks Virgin Black for reminding me why I still love music. Thanks for reminding me that music still matters. Thanks for offering me an experience I was priviliged to have, the kind that not every one gets to have.

So, as the music industry collapses around us, remember that music at it's best is still about connection. Seek it out. Invest in it emotionally. Invest in it financially. Become a part of what you love. That's how it used to be done. That's what created the classic rock of today. You won't regret it.

Mark