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Friday 30 November 2012

The Heartbreakers Definitive Box Set

Wow, this is very exciting! One of my favourite albums from 1977 getting the box set treatment!

 A 4-CD clam-shell box set with a 44-page booklet and 4 badges.
Includes the original 1977 Track LP restored, with the infamous ‘mud’ removed, plus 13 early demo tracks, including previously unreleased tracks with Richard Hell, and 21 alternative mixes from the epic 1977 mixing sessions at five London studios.

The Heartbreakers (Johnny Thunders, Walter Lure, Billy Rath and Jerry Nolan) were at the centre of the London punk scene in 1977, having been invited by the Sex Pistols onto the infamous ‘Anarchy Tour’.  UK punks treated the US band as rock royalty because of their New York Dolls pedigree.  Malcolm McLaren had briefly managed the Dolls in NY.

Signing to The Who’s label, Track Records, they were treated to the best recording studios in London to record their only album, ‘L.A.M.F.’.  But when the LP came out, there was universal criticism of the sound quality.  Journalists who’d been championing the band such as Jon Savage, Julie Burchill, Nick Kent, Tony Parsons et al criticised the ‘muddy mix’, and drummer Jerry Nolan left the band because of it.

Both Track and the Heartbreakers ran out of money and collapsed when the album didn’t sell to expectations.  Manager Leee Black Childers broke into the bankrupt Track offices to retrieve the multitracks and mixes (though not the master), leading to efforts to remix and recompile the album in ’84 and ‘94.   

This ‘definitive edition’ 4xCD box set at last restores the original LP, uncovers three early demo sessions from 1976 and 77, and presents a wide selection of the 200 mixes made at five different studios.  A 44-page booklet with recollections from guitarist Walter Lure, a detailed Heartbreakers timeline 1975-78, and an introduction by biographer Nina Antonia accompanies it, along with four punk pin-badges.


Disc 1:  ‘L.A.M.F. – the lost ’77 mixes’  
Recompiled in ‘94, as Johnny Thunders and the
Heartbreakers
Born To Lose, Baby Talk, All By Myself, I Wanna Be Loved, It's Not Enough, Chinese Rocks, Get Off The Phone, Pirate Love, One Track Mind, I Love You, Goin' Steady, Let Go, Can't Keep My Eyes On You, Do You Love Me.
 

Disc 2:  ‘L.A.M.F. – the Track LP restored’ 
As it was intended with the ‘mud’ removed.  
Born To Lose, Baby Talk, All By Myself, I Wanna Be Loved, It's Not Enough, Chinese Rocks, Get Off The Phone, Pirate Love, One Track Mind, I Love You, Goin' Steady, Let Go.
 

Disc 3:  ‘L.A.M.F. – the demo sessions’ 
Three sessions in ‘76 and ‘77, incl. with Richard Hell.
I Wanna Be Loved (mix 2), Pirate Love, Goin' Steady, Flight, Born To Lose, Can't Keep My Eyes On You, It's Not Enough, I Love You, Take A Chance, Do You Love Me, Let Go, Chinese Rocks, Born To Lose.
 

Disc 4:  ‘L.A.M.F. – the alternative mixes’ 
21 mixes from the sessions at 5 London studios
Born To Lose, Born To Lose, Baby Talk, Baby Talk, All By Myself, All By Myself, It's Not Enough, It's Not Enough, Chinese Rocks, Get Off The Phone, Pirate Love, Pirate Love, One Track Mind, One Track Mind, I Love You, Goin' Steady, Goin' Steady, Let Go, Let Go, Can't Keep My Eyes On You, Do You Love Me.


Get it at Amazon for a great price!

Thursday 29 November 2012

Bruce Springsteen - Wrecking Ball Tour - Portland 28th November 2012


Not many links around yet but will check again later. The version of 'Loose Ends' is pretty sweet.



 Land of Hope and Dreams
No Surrender
Hungry Heart
We Take Care of Our Own
Wrecking Ball
Death to My Hometown
My City of Ruins
Spirit in the Night
Loose Ends
Growin' Up
Jack of All Trades
Seeds
Johnny 99
Darlington County
Shackled and Drawn
Waitin' on a Sunny Day
Drive All Night
The Rising
Badlands
Thunder Road
* * *
If I Should Fall Behind (Bruce solo)
Born to Run
Rosalita (Come Out Tonight)
Dancing in the Dark
Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town
Tenth Avenue Freeze-out








Bruce Springsteen - Wrecking Ball Tour - New Dates Announced


Tuesday 27 November 2012

Bruce Springsteen - Wrecking Ball Tour - Vancouver 26th November 2012


Bruce and the E Street Band performed a 3hr 7min show in Vancouver on Monday night. Set included a rare outing for 'Red Headed Woman' and 'Streets of Fire'.
No links yet but when they become available I'll post them.

1. Shackled and Drawn
2. Out in the Street
3. Hungry Heart
4. We Take Care of Our Own
5. Wrecking Ball
6. Death to My Hometown
7. My City of Ruins
8. Spirit in the Night
9. Does This Bus Stop at 82nd Street?
10. Red Headed Woman (Sign request)
11. Streets of Fire (Sign request)
12. Because the Night
13. She's the One
14. Cover Me
15. Darlington County
16. Waitin' on a Sunny Day
17. Raise Your Hand
18. The Rising
19. Badlands
20. Land of Hope and Dreams
Encores:
21. Racing in the Street (Sign request)
22. Radio Nowhere (Sign request)
23. Born To Run
24. Dancing in the Dark
25. Santa Claus in Comin' to Town
26. Tenth Avenue Freeze-out

The Who v The Stones



A lot has been said the past couple of days about The Rolling Stones show at the O2 in the London the other night and it seems people have been falling over themselves to give big ups to Jagger and Co. for a job well done. I don't for a minute discount that on their night they are pretty good live but from the evidence of tv footage and you tube footage that I've watched Jagger sounds just a little rough around the edges! I mean, he was never the world's greatest singers in the first place but being in good voice for a show of this magnitude and the fact that the punters have spent their hard earned cash to get even a "cheap seat", you would have thought that Jagger would have stepped up his game just a little.

On the other side of the pond at the moment those other 1960's icons, The Who have been laying waste to audiences with fantastic performances of 'Quadrophenia'. The Who are sounding just as good as they have done for years. Daltrey is in fine voice and I'm sure that his recent solo tour had a lot to do with how good he sounds at the moment. Townshend as well is sounding good, he was never a great vocalist either but he's sounding a lot better than Jagger is!

If given the choice of a ticket for either The Who or The Rolling Stones I wouldn't have to think too much about it. The Who would win out everytime!

Monday 26 November 2012

New Releases from The Alarm and Mike Peters

Some new and interesting releases from The Alarm and Mike Peters. The links contained within this blog are not direct connections to the actual track that appears on the album or DVD but live versions of the specific song drawn from a number of different shows by Mike Peters and The Alarm.


In The Poppy Fields Collected Works brings together every single recording of Mike Peters and The Alarm's modern masterpiece into one comprehensive 5 disc collection

Every single song of the original work has been remixed, re-focused and reappraised by Mike Peters from the ground up from the original master recordings. "The original project was so intense", says Mike Peters, "and the deadlines so tight in making 5 albums in 5 months, that I have always wanted to go back to every single recording and give them all the individual attention that they deserved. 'In The Poppy Fields Collected Works' is like hearing a brand new album as it brings all the work together in one complete package which is how it is best experienced. I'm very proud of each and every second of the listening experience". 

In The Poppy Fields Collected Works also comes with a double disc set of the songs as performed live at The Gathering over the course of the project's original creation timeframe plus an intensely personal 8000 word essay by Mike Peters is also included in the extensively detailed booklet with many previously unseen photographs. 

The Edward Henry Street suite of 14 songs can now be seen and heard as a film which was shot and edited by Mike Peters himself and the audio discs also contain 9 of the original 'Fun In The Sun' documentary recordings that formed the beginnings of 'Edward Henry Street', for the first time ever. 

The DVD Film disc also includes a never before seen film of The Alarm live at the San Siro Stadium, Milan from June 6th 2002. This multi camera film was the source for the original 'Close' promotional video but now you can see the entire concert in glorious widescreen. 

The' In The Poppy Fields Collected Works' 5 disc set features some 110 performances and approximately 6 hours of viewing and listening time.


DISC 1 IN THE POPPY FIELDS COLLECTED WORKS

EVERAFTER
ALONE TOGETHER
FREE INSIDE
RESURRECTION
SAFE HOUSES
THE INNOCENT PARTY
WHEN EVERYTHING WAS PERFECT
THE NORMAL RULES DO NOT APPLY
MY DEFENCES
IT HAPPENS
THE LIFE YOU SEEK DOES NOT EXIST
WHEN YOU CAN’T HAVE WHAT EVERYBODY ELSE HAS
HOW LONG AND HOW MUCH LONGER
THE SEARCH FOR THE REAL LIFE
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
YOU’RE ONLY YOUNG [AND INNOCENT] ONCE
WITH FRIENDS LIKE YOU WHO NEEDS ENEMIES
IN THE POPPY FIELDS

DISC 2 IN THE POPPY FIELDS COLLECTED WORKS

IN THE BEAUTY OF MY SURROUNDINGS
CLOSE
CONTENDERS
RIGHT BACK WHERE I STARTED FROM
TRUE LIFE
PEACE AGREEMENT
KALEIDOSCOPE
FEDERAL MOTOR VOTER
FESTIVAL OF LIGHT
TRAFFICKING

DISC 3 IN THE POPPY FIELDS LIVE AT THE GATHERING

Trafficking
Close
How Long and How Much longer
In The Beauty Of My Surroundings
Contenders
When Everything Was Perfect
Few and far between
The Rock And Roll
Normal Rules
1959
The Crescent
Edward Henry Street
Wherearewegoingandwhatarewegoingtodowhenwegetthere?
Up Downtown
In You I See The World
Bank Holiday
It's going to be a good year
Swansong

DISC 4 IN THE POPPY FIELDS LIVE AT THE GATHERING


Innocent Party
True Life
Kaleidoscope
Free Inside
It Happens
Festival Of Light
In The Poppy Fields
Federal Motor Voter
The Unexplained
Resurrection
When You Can't Have What Everybody Else Has
In The Poppy Fields

FUN IN THE SUN DOCUMENTARY RECORDINGS

Fun In The Sun
Height Of Summer
Waiting For Summer
Seafarers Tune
Knickerboker Glory
Hit The Town
Golden Sands
A Place In The Sunshine
It’s Going To Be A Good Year

ORIGINAL IN THE POPPY FIELDS DEMO TAPES

Free Inside
Trafficking

IN THE POPPY FIELDS  B-SIDE

Conscientious Objector [2012 remix]

Disc 5 DVD 

The Alarm Live at San Siro Stadium June 6th 2002 (44 mins.)
Dressing Room and Pre-show build up (Close instrumental)
Walk to the Stage
Breathe
Rain In The Summertime
Knife Edge
Sold Me Down The River
Spirit Of 76 
Rescue Me

Edward Henry Street - A personal film by Mike Peters (30 mins.)
1959
The Crescent
Edward Henry Street
The Sea
Wherearewegoingandwhatarewegonnadowhenwegetthere?
Waiting For The Summer
Land Of Hope And Glory
Bank Holiday Weekend
Mercenary Skank
Up Downtown
In You I See The World
Lazy Dayz
Where Have The Good Times Gone?
It's Going To Be A Good Year

The Making Of In The Poppy Fields (15 mins.)

Mike Peters - 30th Anniversary Acoustic Alarm Tour Double CD





Where you there? This compilation double CD set brings together the concert highlights and best performances from last year's marathon tour across the UK,  from Manchester in the North to Cardiff in the South and all points in between. Throughout the course of the tour,  Mike performed enough individual songs that he could have played 5  X two hours sets on separate nights without a single song being repeated….!  

This collection brings together the best and most interesting songs as requested by the fans who attended the 30th Anniversary Acoustic Alarm Tour, chosen from a catalogue of music that began in 1981 with Unsafe Building and continues to be added to with quality and distinction, year upon year. If you were there, then this set will bring it all back for you and even If you weren't….…this collection will take you there. 

This two disc set features 51 songs and a combined performance time of 2 hours and 40 minutes...  

TRACKLISTING

MANCHESTER
ONE STEP CLOSER TO HOME (video is from Brecon)

TELL ME

WE ARE THE LIGHT (video from Derby)
EDWARD HENRY STREET

PEACE AGREEMENT

IN A BIG COUNTRY

DECEIVER 

MAJORITY

DRUNK AND DISORDERLY

BRECON

THE ROCK 

BREAKING POINT

FATHER TO SON

DERBY

HARDLAND

THE WASTING LAND (video from Cardiff)
ONLY THE THUNDER(video from Cardiff)

RIVERS TO CROSS (video from Brecon)
Bells of Rhymney (video from Bristol)
LIE OF THE LAND

ELDERS AND FOLKLORE

KEIGHLEY
ALL IS FORGIVEN

WHAT HAPPENED TO THE LOVE WE MADE?

EXETER

WITHOUT A FIGHT (video from Cardiff)
DEESIDE

HALLOWED GROUND

WORKING CLASS HERO

CHANGE II

LIVERPOOL

SUPERCHANNEL

REGENERATION

HAPPY XMAS [WAR IS OVER]

LONDON

THIRD LIGHT

SHOUT TO THE DEVIL

ANOTHER COUNTRY (video from London)
HIGHER CALL

NEWCASTLE

MY TOWN

LEVI'S AND BIBLES

WORCESTER

BACK INTO THE SYSTEM

WHO'S GONNA MAKE THE PEACE?

DEVOLUTION WORKIN' MAN BLUES

PERMANENCE IN CHANGE

IT'S ALRIGHT / IT'S OK

OTLEY

THE DAY THE RAVENS LEFT THE TOWER

The Alarm - Live AtThe Gathering 2012 

DVD / Audio 4 Disc Collection - The Music Must And Shall be Preserved



This is the ultimate way to re-experience the Gathering 2012 again and again. The four disc collection captures every single ounce of intensity and emotion as displayed by Mike Peters and The Alarm throughout the course of two phenomenally diverse sets. The Friday set featured the entire band in the round climaxed by an unforgettable 1983-1984 medley that can be seen in it's entirety here. 

The groundbreaking Saturday night set shows off the 'big band' Alarm that Mike put together for one night only and sees the eight piece group rip through spine-tingling performances of 'Permanence In Change', 'No Frontiers'  and many many others. The highlights of both of  these amazing Gathering  evenings can also be listened to on the accompanying audio discs. 

The film viewing time clocks in at an incredible  four and a half hours and contains over 50 individual song performances (the two audio discs contain concert highlights with a running time of 2.40 hours).

The Gathering Friday DVD

THE DAY WE CAUGHT THE TRAIN
MY TOWN

SUPERCHANNEL
WITHOUT A FIGHT
STRENGTH
THE WASTING LAND
BADGE OF HONOUR
RIVERS TO CROSS
ALL SEEING
UNBREAK THE PROMISE
HOW THE MIGHTY FALL
RIGHT BACK WHERE I STARTED FROM
FADE IN FADE OUT FADE AWAY
INTO THE TWENTY FIRST CENTURY
1983 / 84
UNSAFE BUILDING
MARCHING ON
SIXTY EIGHT GUNS
GOLD
WHERE WERE YOU HIDING WHEN THE STORM BROKE?
1983 / 84 [REPRISE]

FOR ONE NIGHT ONLY (Special Feature)

ONE GUITAR

The Gathering Saturday DVD

Control
Knife Edge
Coming Home
Levi's and Bibles
No Frontiers
Hardland
The Rock
Shelter
Kill To Get What You Want [Die For What You Believe In]
Higher Call
We Are The Light
Breathe
Rain In The Summertime
Sold Me Down The River
Alarm Calling
A New South Wales
68 Guns

Mike Peters - Talking Sleevenote CD

[Only available as part of the Xmas 2013 Bundle]

A unique CD recording from Mike Peters that contains a spoken word reading of a very personal essay written by Mike that details the inspiration and recording history that gave rise to The Alarm's modern day masterpiece 'In The Poppy Fields'. Together with some rare and unreleased tracks, this CD really is a unique and insightful document of the inner workings of Mike Peters and The Alarm's creative process.

Only available as part of the Mike Peters & The Alarm Special Offer Xmas Bundle 2012 which also includes free postage if ordered before 2013.
Go to The Alarm Website Store to order

Saturday 24 November 2012

The Ramones - Rocket to Russia 35 years old!


There's so many albums this year that are celebrating 35 years since their first release back in 1977.

One of the finest is surely the third album by The Ramones, 'Rocket to Russia'. It was released on 4th November. In January of '77 they had released their 2nd album 'Leave Home (Click Here to Listen to the album in full)'.

 


Tommy Ramone gave an interview to the Huffington Post recently where he was chatting about the making of the third album.

The single from the album was 'Rockaway Beach', and if Sire Records had their head screwed on correctly it could have been a summer hit single, but it was released in the winter of 1977!
  

 

Status Quo - Amsterdam 21st November 2012


I have to confess to being just a wee bit of a fan of The Quo. When I was a kid their music was always a big part of my life. I was watching the new movie that has just come out, 'Hello Quo' and it reminded me all over again what I really loved about their music. There was a total simplicity to it, no thrills, just a desire to rock and roll. Some of the stuff they released in the 80's was a bit pants but those early albums from the 70's are just amazing.

One thing in the film that disappointed me a bit was when Francis Rossi mentioned the live album released in 1977 that was recorded at the Glasgow Apollo. He said that he hated it! For me, I think it is one of the best live albums ever! It truly captures the power and the passion of the Quo concert and overflows with so many of their classic tracks as they were out promoting the 1976 release 'Blue For You'.



I punched in their name on You Tube and came up with a show from a few days ago in Amsterdam. I was keen to see how they were sounding after all these years and again was quite taken by the fact that their show is nothing fancy, just a bunch of guys playing some loud rocking tunes. Anyway, I thought it would be fun to post the links to the videos from the show.

Here's the setlist from the night:

Thursday 22 November 2012

Happy Thanksgiving


Happy Thanksgiving to all who read this blog in the USA. Here's a few tracks for a musical interlude during the celebrations of the day. Enjoy.


Almost Thanksgiving Day - Graham Parker

Kind and Generous - Natalie Merchant

Thanksgiving Day - Ray Davis

Alice's Restaurant - Arlo Guthrie

Thank You - Bonnie Riatt


Tuesday 20 November 2012

Buddy Miller and Jim Lauderdale - Buddy and Jim album (2012)


Set for a December release, 'Buddy and Jim' brings together two of the finest Country session men and solo artists in their own right - Buddy Miller and Jim Lauderdale. It's not like they haven't worked together before but this is the first time that they have gone on the record together and have put together a superb 12 track collection of duets.

This one probably has turned up a little too late to be considered for a spot on the nominations for album of the year which is a shame because it is a mighty fine slice of Americana that you are likely to hear this year!

Buddy and Jim - 'I Want To Do Everything For You


Graham Parker and the Rumour New Album and Tour

In four days time Graham Parker and the Rumour will launch out on their first tour together for 31 years! They do so in support of a brand new album - 'Three Chords Good'. Check out the tour dates at the website.


Long Emotional Ride - Graham Parker and the Rumour

Bruce Springsteen - Wrecking Ball Tour - Denver 19th November 2012



The E Street Shuffle
Bishop Danced
Human Touch
Savin' Up
Working on the Highway
Shackled and Drawn
Waitin' on a Sunny Day
Raise Your Hand
Lonesome Day
Badlands
Land of Hope and Dreams
ACROSS THE BORDERLINE
Born to Run
Bobby Jean
Dancing in the Dark
Santa Claus Is Coming to Town
Tenth-Avenue Freeze Out

Sunday 18 November 2012

Bruce Springsteen - Wrecking Ball Tour - Kansas City 17th November 2012




When links for video footage become available I'll add them.


'My Beautiful Reward' got it's premiere on this tour and was played for the first time since 2005 and for the first time at a Bruce and E Street Band event.


 Setlist:
Kansas City
Prove It All Night
Candy's Room
She's the One
Hungry Heart
We Take Care of Our Own
Wrecking Ball
Death to My Hometown
My City of Ruins
The E Street Shuffle
Fire
Incident on 57th Street
Because the Night
Cover Me
Downbound Train
I'm on Fire
Shackled and Drawn
Waitin' on a Sunny Day
Raise Your Hand
The Rising
Badlands
Land of Hope and Dreams
Light of Day
* * *
My Beautiful Reward
Born to Run/Dancing in the Dark
Santa Claus is Comin' to Town
Tenth Avenue Freeze-out 


FULL SHOW AUDIO

Friday 16 November 2012

Bruce Springsteen - Wrecking Ball Tour - Omaha 15th November 2012


Set list:
1. REASON TO BELIEVE (tour premiere, played like it was on the Magic tour)
2. Johnny 99
3. Atlantic City
4. Hungry Heart
5. We Take Care of Our Own
6. Wrecking Ball
7. Death to My Hometown
8. My City of Ruins
9. Does This Bus Stop at 82nd Street?
10. Sherry Darlin' (sign request)
11. Lost In The Flood (sign request)
12. STATE TROOPER (Incomplete) (tour premiere)
13. Trapped
14. Open All Night (Sessions style)
15. Shackled and Drawn
16. Waitin' On a Sunny Day
17. Raise Your Hand
18. HIGHWAY PATROLMAN (tour premiere)
19. Backstreets
20. Badlands
21. Land of Hope and Dreams
22. Thunder Road
23. Born to Run
24. Dancin' in the Dark
25. SANTA CLAUS IS COMIN' TO TOWN (tour premiere)
26. Tenth Avenue Freeze-out


Thursday 15 November 2012

What If Born to Run never existed?


So I'm sitting here reading Clinton Heylin's book 'E Street Shuffle: The Glory Days of Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band', and have reached the point about the recording and eventual release of 'Born to Run' only to discover that originally "Springsteen was seriously planning to leave off 'Born to Run'. Thankfully, wiser counsel prevailed." (p111)

The track list that Springsteen wanted to go with was this:


Side One
5. Night

Side Two

I don't know about you but it's hard to imagine if this album would have been as successful had 'Born to Run' not been included! Also, and Heylin doesn't mention this, I wonder what the album title would have been?

It also throws up the question whether Bruce would ever actually know the kind of success he enjoys today had he left the track off of the album.

Don't you just love 'What If's'?

Tuesday 13 November 2012

Bruce Springsteen - Wrecking Ball Tour - St Paul, Minn 12th November 2012


01. I'm A Rocker
02. Hungry Heart (Crowd Surf)
03. No Surrender
04. Night
05. Loose Ends
06. Something In The Night
08. We Take Care Of Our Own
09. Wrecking Ball
10. Death to My Hometown
11. My City of Ruins
12. The E Street Shuffle
13. Pay Me My Money Down
15. Youngstown
16. Murder Incorporated
17. She's The One
18. Shackled And Drawn
20. The Rising
21. Badlands
22. Land of Hope and Dreams
23. Jungleland
24. Born to Run
25. Dancing in the Dark
26. Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out
27. American Land    

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