Sandi Thom

I went down to Mr Kyps in Poole last night to see Sandi Thom. I first saw her as a support act for Joe Bonamassa (who also started out at Kyps) after she had just released her new album "Merchants and Thieves" and was pleasantly surprised, she didn't disappoint at the smaller venue. Quite a motley crew had assembled for the gig with age ranges from early teens to late fifties but all were equally getting into it. Luckily, her newest album has moved away from the "punk rocker with flowers in her hair" sound and is more blues based with a harmonica making an appearance on a fair few of the songs. The rest of the band were good, none really awe inspiring players; the lead guitarist had a few Stevie Ray Vaughan fiddly bits and the keyboardist had a few flourishes but it was the drummer that caught my attention as he bounced about a foot in the air in time with some of the beats, also the fact that he looked like Brian Johnson.
Well worth watching if she tours in your area if you're a fan of the blues.

Image courtesy of http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/resources/images/1334224/?type=display

Black Country Communion

 
There have been a few "super groups" of late such as Chickenfoot and Them Crooked Vultures, but I have to say I didn't rush out to buy either of the debut albums. However, I have found a new super group which has got me frothing at the mouth (I'm 90% sure this isn't rabies related) - Black Country Communion 
The members are: Glenn Hughes, Joe Bonamassa, Jason Bonham and Derek Sherinian
Glenn Hughes is very much a veteran of the rock scene, with stints in Trapeze, Deep Purple and Black Sabbath (amongst others), and an album with Toni Iommi (an all-time hero of mine). I read a recent interview with Hughes and he said that he has gone back to his 'funk' roots on this album, this mixed with Bonamassa's blues background promises to be a crackin mix. I'm also hoping that Jason Bonham brings his dad's energy and that Derek Sherinian brings the melodic rock of Dream Theater to the mix.
To me this all looks very promising, I'm just really hoping that this isn't another super group that never lives up to the hype.
The Album 'Black Country Communion" is out 21st September.

Image courtesy of classic-rock-and-more.blogspot.com

Fireworks

I recently saw this independent magazine (Fireworks) in WHSmith and later found out that this is the first issue that has been distributed throughout the whole of the UK although the magazine has been running for ten years. There is an issue every two months and its main focus is on rock and metal music. There are also in-depth reviews of new releases and gigs. I bought the magazine about three days ago and read it for a couple of hours and I've still got another 3/5th of it to go! I'm well aware that this isn't the best way of quantifying how much material is in there beacause I may be like a slug when it comes to reading but I assure you there's alot in the magazine. The vast majority of it is really well written and for any rock/metal fans I would give it a go. The free CD on this issue is also excellent, with tracks from up and coming artists such as Bronz, Wheels of Fire and Sister Sin. I generally don't hold very high expectations for samplers but all these songs really grow on you.  

Image courtesy of melodicrock.com

A crackin buy

This post may not mean much to many people but hey ho. I'm a bit of a nerd in many respects and today I got myself the complete Jeremy Brett Sherlock Homes collection on DVD, that is a big win! I can recommend this collection to anyone, but if for some crazy reason you don't feel like splashing the cash on such a splendid collection then they're on itv 3 loads.
I also thought it was brilliant on the back of the case where it said 2358 minutes approximately

Pearl Jam Bootlegs

 
I have been a huge fan of Pearl Jam for ages, but only within the last year did I become aware of their live bootlegs on their website! I had no idea how much material they'd covered, from All along the Watchtower to Baba O'Riley. I believe they started this in 2000 in order to beat the bootleggers at their own game by getting fans to upload songs onto napster, the band then turned some of these into albums. Obviously some songs/albums are better than others with some iffy numbers but due to plethora of excellent material on these bootlegs I think Eddie and Co. can be let off a couple. The first bootleg I got was Wembley Arena 29/05/2000 which is a brilliant recording and then two more from 2008, both of these also had great sound quality. The one thing about the bootlegs is that once you've heard a couple you're pretty much sorted and only die hard fans/nutters would get all of them.
Although the idea of a archive of bootlegs was genius and every Pearl Jam fan should get one!

Picture courtesy of sleevage.com

Bad Co. Impress

 


The first thing I thought I'd write about was the new limited edition Bad Company live CD from their recent tour which ended with a rip roaring concert at Wembley arena (11th April 2010). I was lucky enough to go to the concert so when I heard they were bringing out a CD I swiftly put myself on the pre-order list on amazon.
I was glad to see that they hadn't tinkered too much with the sound on the CD; as I've heard on other live releases keeping the, and I hate to use this word but, raw live sound of the gig. The additions to the band, after the sad loss of Boz Burrell, are Lynn Sorensen on bass guitar and Howard Leese on guitar and paino.
I would heartily recommend this CD to any Bad Co. fans.

Image courtesy of www.jcrmusicnews.com

Starting up

Hey everyone
Just thought I'd start this blog to write about and review any new music out, any recent gigs and any other stuff that takes my fancy. So I hope you like it!