December 25, 2016

George Michael - Patience (2004)

Georgios Kyriacos Panayiotou (25 June 1963 – 25 December 2016), known professionally as George Michael, was an English singer, songwriter, and record producer who rose to fame as a member (with Andrew Ridgeley) of the music duo Wham!. He was best known in the 1980s and 1990s with his style of post-disco dance-pop.

Patience is the fifth and final studio album by British singer-songwriter George Michael, released in 2004. The much delayed follow-up to Older, at the time of its release it was considered Michael's comeback album since it was his first album composed of original material since 1996, and his first for Sony Music Entertainment since 1990's Listen Without Prejudice Vol. 1.
Almost immediately after he became an international superstar with 1987's Faith, George Michael developed a complex that he was not taken seriously as an artist. He was right -- he wasn't being taken seriously, but at the height of their success, mainstream pop stars rarely are; it's only after they've been around for a while that critics and audiences alike appreciate the craft behind their best work. Elton John and Madonna both are pop icons who earned good reviews after they proved their lasting power, but Michael, for want of a better phrase, didn't have enough patience to wait to be regarded as an artist, not just a pop star. So, he followed Faith with 1990's Listen Without Prejudice, Vol. 1, whose very title was a plea to skeptics to shed their preconceived notions of him and hear the music anew. At the time, it seemed like this was temporary hiccup, a somber exorcism Michael needed to work through as an artist, but over the years, it's clear that this was the blueprint for his solo career. Not that there have been that many albums since then, of course. Michael took six years to deliver Older, a delay that was initially blamed on a vicious battle with his record company, Sony, but its own successor, Patience, didn't appear for another eight years, a time which not only had no spats with the label but also saw him re-signing to Sony.
Those long, long separations between albums suggest that Michael is a painstaking perfectionist in the studio, and Patience sure sounds like the work of a musician who spent every day of those eight years working on these 14 tracks (12 on the U.S. version; the anti-Bush and -Blair "Shoot the Dog" was excised for the American CD, presumably because it would be too controversial, but who knows why the reprise of "Patience" was cut).
While there are unifying lyrical and musical themes throughout the album, each track is its own entity, scrubbed, polished, and manicured without regard to how it fits alongside the next. There's an excessive attention to detail to each song, and that tunnel vision means each song runs about a minute or two longer than it should, which ultimately makes Patience seems twice as long as its actual running time. That's unfortunate because the core of the album is quite good: it's hard not to admire his studiocraft, there's a starkly confessional streak in his writing that's disarmingly direct, and, as an album, it balances the moody ballads and sleek neo-disco better than Older, feeling much brighter than that claustrophobic affair.
If there's a lack of incessantly catchy hooks or undeniable rhythms -- in other words, singles as indelible as those on Faith, or even Listen Without Prejudice -- that feels like a conscious decision by Michael, as if any concession to chart-bound pop would cheapen his music and diminish his chances of being taken seriously. They would have lightened the mood of the decidedly somber and portentous Patience, which is clearly not what Michael wants, since by stretching out each song and burying his hooks beneath the album's shiny surfaces and preponderance of mid-tempos, he's forcing listeners to work to understand his intentions. For some fans, it's worth the effort, particularly since it's his best album since Listen Without Prejudice (not saying much since it's only his second album of original material since then), but it's hard not to hear it and think that Michael's ultimate ambitions would be better served if he tightened up and lightened up just a little bit.
Patience spanned six singles. The first two, "Freeek!" and "Shoot the Dog", were already released in 2002 by Polydor, when the album was originally due. This was the final studio album Michael released during his lifetime.

Tracklist

1. "Patience"  (2:53)
     Written-By - Georgios Panayiotou (George Michael's real name) 
2. "Amazing"  (4:25)
     Written-By - Johnny Douglas, Panayiotou 
3. "John and Elvis Are Dead"  (4:23)
     Written-By - David Austin, Panayiotou 
4. "Cars and Trains"  (5:51)
     Written-By - Douglas, Panayiotou 
5. "Round Here"  (5:56)
     Written-By - Michael 
6. "Shoot the Dog"  (5:07)
     Written-By - Panayiotou , Philip Oakey, Ian Burden 
7. "My Mother Had a Brother" (6:17)
     Written-By - Panayiotou 
8. "Flawless (Go to the City)" (vs. The Ones) (6:51)
     Written-By - Panayiotou , Paul Alexander, Nashom Wooden, Gary Turnier, Eric Matthew, Olivier Stumm 
9. "American Angel"  (4:07)
     Written-By - Ruadhri Cushnan, Niall Flynn, James Jackman, Panayiotou 
10. "Precious Box"  (7:39)
     Written-By - Panayiotou 
11. "Please Send Me Someone (Anselmo's Song)"  (5:26)
     Written-By - Panayiotou
12. "Freeek! '04"  (4:28)
     Written-By - Cushnan, Flynn, Jackman, Michael 
13. "Through"  (5:22)
     Written-By - Panayiotou
14. "Patience (Reprise)" (1:30)
     Written-By - Panayiotou

Personnel
  • Eugene Adebari – photography
  • David Arnold – orchestration
  • David Austin – keyboards, programming
  • Joanna Bailey – direction
  • Michael Brown – guitar
  • Jo Bryant – background vocals
  • Joel Bryant – background vocals
  • Chris Cameron – piano
  • Tony Cousins – mastering
  • Tom Coyne – mastering
  • Ruadhri Cushnan – arranger, keyboards, producer, programming
  • Andy Davies – assistant engineer
  • James Dimmock – photography
  • Johnny Douglas – drum programming, keyboards, producer
  • Niall Flynn – arranger, audio engineer, engineer, producer
  • Dan Gautreau – Pro-Tools
  • Pete Gleadall – keyboards, programming
  • James Jackman – arranger, drum programming, keyboards, main personnel, photography, producer
  • Greg Jakobek – design
  • Abid Katib – photography
  • George Michael – arranger, audio production, bass, design, drum programming, guitar, keyboards, piano, primary artist, producer, lead vocals
  • Adam Noble – assistant engineer
  • Phil Palmer – guitar
  • Jack Panayiotou – photography
  • Graham Silbiger – bass guitar
  • Luke Smith – Wurlitzer, Wurlitzer piano
  • Ben Smithard – photography
  • Ellen Von Unwerth – photography
Notes
  • The US version features 12 tracks, removing "Shoot the Dog" and the reprise of "Patience".
  • An alternative version of "Please Send Me Someone", the B-side to "Flawless (Go to the City)", appears only on Japanese pressings of the album.
Released: 18 March 2004
Recorded: 2000–2004
Genre: Pop, dance, soul
Length:70:15 (UK)
            63:09 (US)

Label - Sony Music Entertainment 

David Bowie - Blackstar (2016)

David Robert Jones (8 January 1947 – 10 January 2016), known professionally as David Bowie was an English singer, songwriter and actor. He was a figure in popular music for over five decades, regarded by critics and musicians as an innovator, particularly for his work in the 1970s. His career was marked by reinvention and visual presentation, his music and stagecraft significantly influencing popular music.

"Blackstar" is the twenty-fifth and final studio album by the English musician David Bowie, released worldwide through ISO, RCA, Columbia, and Sony on 8 January 2016, coinciding with Bowie's 69th birthday. It was largely recorded in secret at New York City's The Magic Shop with co-producer Tony Visconti and a group of local jazz musicians. Bowie died of liver cancer two days after its release; his illness had not been revealed to the public until then. Co-producer Visconti described the album as Bowie's intended swan song and a "parting gift" for his fans before his death.
Bowie recorded Blackstar while suffering from liver cancer; his illness was not made public until he died, two days after the album's release. Like Bowie's previous album The Next Day, recording took place in secret at the Magic Shop and Human Worldwide Studios in New York City. Bowie began writing and making demos for songs that appear on Blackstar as soon as sessions for The Next Day concluded. He recruited a local New York jazz combo led by Donny McCaslin as the backing band for the sessions.
Two songs that appear on Blackstar, "Sue (Or in a Season of Crime)" and "'Tis a Pity She Was a Whore", had been previously released, but were rerecorded for Blackstar, including new saxophone parts played on the latter song by McCaslin (replacing parts Bowie played on the original release). The title of the latter derives from the title 'Tis Pity She's a Whore, a play by John Ford, an English dramatist of the 17th century. McCaslin and the rest of the jazz group recorded their parts in the studio over a period of about one week a month from January to March 2015, and were reportedly unaware of Bowie's declining health - according to McCaslin, the band worked with Bowie "essentially from 11 to 4 every day", while bassist Tim Lefebvre stated that "it never looked to us like he was sick". The song "Lazarus" was included in Bowie's Off-Broadway musical of the same name.
The music on Blackstar has been characterised as incorporating art rock, jazz, and experimental rock, as well as elements from industrial rock, folk-pop and hip hop.According to producer Tony Visconti, they deliberately attempted "to avoid rock’n’roll" while making the album, and he and Bowie had been listening to rapper Kendrick Lamar's 2015 album To Pimp a Butterfly during the recording sessions and cited it as an influence. Electronic duo Boards of Canada and experimental hip-hop trio Death Grips have also been cited as influences. The saxophone was the first instrument Bowie learned, and he was an avid jazz listener in his youth.

Tracklist

1.  "Blackstar"  (9:57)
2.  "'Tis a Pity She Was a Whore"  (4:52)
3.  "Lazarus"  (6:22)
4.  "Sue (Or in a Season of Crime)"  (Bowie, Maria Schneider, Paul Bateman, Bob Bharma) (4:40)
5.  "Girl Loves Me"  (4:51)
6.  "Dollar Days"  (4:44)
7.  "I Can't Give Everything Away"  (5:47)

All tracks written by David Bowie, except where noted.

Personnel
Notes

Released: 8 January 2016 
Recorded: 2014–15 Studio The Magic Shop (New York City), Human Worldwide Studios (New York City)
Genre: Post-rock, Art rock, Experimental Rock
Length: 41:17 

Label - ISO Records

December 22, 2016

U2 - Live Under A Blood Red Sky (1983)

U2 are an Irish rock band from Dublin formed in 1976. The group consists of Bono (lead vocals and guitar), the Edge (guitar, keyboards, and backing vocals), Adam Clayton (bass guitar), and Larry Mullen Jr. (drums and percussion). Initially rooted in post-punk, U2's sound grew to incorporate influences from many genres of popular music, yet has maintained an anthemic sound. Their lyrics, often embellished with spiritual imagery, focus on personal themes and sociopolitical concerns.

Under a Blood Red Sky is a live album by Irish rock band U2, produced by Jimmy Iovine and released in 1983. Along with its companion concert film, U2 Live at Red Rocks: Under a Blood Red Sky, the release helped establish U2's reputation as a live band, making the band a popular live college rock act.
War turned U2 into arena rock stars, and the EP Under a Blood Red Sky captures the band on its supporting tour as the bandmembers adjusted to their larger audiences. Unsurprisingly for a band that always favored the grand statement, the group flourished in such a setting, as this mini-EP attests. Comprised of material recorded in America and Germany,
The album consists of live recordings from three shows on the band's War Tour, from Colorado and Boston in the US and from Germany. Album highlights include a fiery rendition of "Sunday Bloody Sunday" (famously introduced by Bono with the words, "this song is not a rebel song"), and a jaunty run-through of the B-side "Party Girl".
An accompanying concert video entitled U2 Live at Red Rocks: Under a Blood Red Sky was released the following year. Unlike the album, the film was recorded entirely at the dramatic outdoor Red Rocks Amphitheatre on 5 June 1983. The band's performance of "Sunday Bloody Sunday" from the film has been cited as one of Rolling Stone's "50 Moments that Changed the History of Rock and Roll."
Under a Blood Red Sky draws equally from the band's first three albums, and these live versions, while less textured, are considerably tougher than their studio counterparts and illustrate quite effectively why U2 were considered one of the best, most exhilarating live bands of the '80s.

Tracklist

1. "Gloria"  (4:32)
     Red Rocks Amphitheatre on 5 June 1983 
2. "11 O'Clock Tick Tock"  (4:34)
     Boston, Massachusetts on 6 May 1983 
3. "I Will Follow"  (3:36)
     Sankt Goarshausen, Germany on 20 August 1983 
4. "Party Girl"  (2:52)
     Red Rocks Amphitheatre on 5 June 1983 
5. "Sunday Bloody Sunday"  (4:55)
     Sankt Goarshausen, Germany on 20 August 1983 
6. "The Electric Co."  (5:18)
     Sankt Goarshausen, Germany on 20 August 1983 
7. "New Year's Day"  (4:29)
     Sankt Goarshausen, Germany on 20 August 1983 
8. "40"  (3:36)
     Sankt Goarshausen, Germany on 20 August 1983 

All tracks written by U2, with lyrics by Bono.

Personnel
Notes

Released: 7 November 1983 
Recorded: 6 May 1983 – 20 August 1983 
Studio: Effanel Music Mobile
Genre: Rock, post-punk 
Length: 35:29 

Label - Island Records

December 17, 2016

Meat Loaf And Bonnie Tyler - Heaven & Hell (1989)

Heaven & Hell is a compilation album by American singer Meat Loaf and Welsh singer Bonnie Tyler. It was released in 1989 by Telstar Records.

The majority of songs included on Heaven & Hell were written by Jim Steinman, who wrote some of Meat Loaf and Tyler's biggest hits. Meat Loaf's tracks come from Bat Out of Hell (1977), Dead Ringer (1981) and Midnight at the Lost and Found (1983). Tyler's tracks come from Faster Than the Speed of Night (1983) and Secret Dreams and Forbidden Fire (1986).
A collection of tunes written (mostly) by Jim Steinman performed alternately by Meat Loaf and Bonnie Tyler.
This sampler is one of those album´s that seemed like a good idea at the time . Tyler had scored her big hits by that time, and Meat Loaf hadn't quite lit up the boards with Bat out of Hell II in the year this was issued. Steinman is the thread that holds this set together, full of bombast, excess, and rock & roll theater. Tyler's "It's a Heartache" is not here, but "Total Eclipse of the Heart," "Holdin' out for a Hero," "Faster Than the Speed of Night," "If You Were a Woman and I Was a Man," and "Straight for the Heart," as well as a hit cover of John Fogerty's "Have You Ever Seen the Rain." Meat Loaf's "Bat out Of Hell," "Two out of Three Ain't Bad," "You Took the Words Right out of My Mouth," "Heaven Can Wait," and "Dead Ringer for Love," "If You Really Want To" and "Read 'Em & Weep." The strange uniformity of the production and dated '80s drum and bass sounds, huge choruses, as well as Steinman's trademark Liberace-cum-Jerry Lee Lewis piano arrangements drench everything here.
There is great gauche charm in this kind of Phil Spector-ish excess, and to give Steinman his full due, his songs, as gaudy and wordy as they are, are still brilliantly composed -- and in Meat Loaf's case at least, wonderfully sung as well.

Original album (Standard edition)

1.  Meat Loaf - Bat Out Of Hell  (4:43)
2.  Bonnie Tyler - Faster Than The Speed Of Night  (4:40)
3.  Meat Loaf - You Took The Words Right Out Of My Mouth  (3:04)
4.  Bonnie Tyler - Have You Ever Seen The Rain? (4:55)
     Written-By – John Fogerty 
5.  Meat Loaf - Read 'Em And Weep  3:44
6.  Bonnie Tyler - Total Eclipse Of The Heart  (4:30)
7.  Meat Loaf - Two Out Of Three Ain't Bad  (4:45)
8.  Bonnie Tyler - Holding Out For A Hero (4:23)
     Written-By – Dean Pitchford 
9.  Meat Loaf - Dead Ringer For Love  (4:21)
10.  Bonnie Tyler - If You Were A Woman (And I Was A Man) (3:57)
       Written-By – Desmond Child 
11.  Meat Loaf - If You Really Want To (3:38)
       Written-By – George Meyer, Ted Neeley 
12.  Bonnie Tyler - Straight From The Heart (3:40)
       Written-By – Bryan Adams, Eric Kagna 
13.  Bonnie Tyler - Loving You's A Dirty Job But Somebody's Gotta Do It  (5:47)
14.  Meat Loaf - Heaven Can Wait  (4:38)

all songs written by Jim Steinman except were noted.

Notes
Released: 1989
Recorded: 1971-1986
Genre: Pop, Rock
Length: 61:42

Label - Telstar Records

Futureshock - Phantom Theory (2003)

Bosh! Blasting out of Birmingham with a laptop load of sound system rockers come Futureshock.

Long admired by DJs for their ability to produce tracks that fit any type of gap in a mix set, Futureshock finally released a full-length in 2003 on Junior Boy's Own. Although a few of their methods lean uncomfortably close to Underworld (their labelmates on the respected JBO label), the duo of Phil Dockerty and Alex Tepper illustrate their reputation as handy producers to stock in a crate with a set of 12 able productions, each in a different bag. "Another Hit" is a great example of the high-stepping British house track, "Late at Night" an excellent twist on the typically detached, debauched electroclash production, and "Kato's Revenge" a solid mid-tempo breaks track. The duo even jump on the post-club auto atmospherics of Dirty Vegas with "On My Mind" and dip into minimal techno for "Sparc" (and, yes, that's just the first half of Phantom Theory). Setting to one side their schizophrenic production personality, Futureshock don't create any tracks here great enough to rank with the best in any style, but their commitment to everyman dance music is hard to argue with.
However, Phantom Theory isblightedby a dodgy mid section."Satellite" is worth skipping only to avoid the extremely suspicious lyrics; "My body's a container holding water, 99% and not a quarter, you understand I take my bearing from the sun plus, point me in direction like a compass".Yeahhh... rrright. "Pride's Paranoia" is another slightly retro soundingdawdle which doesn't really do much and the attempt at diversity pales in comparison to the first half of the record.
That said, closing with the awesome, stomping, bleeping "Frequency" the Futureshock boys redeem themselves of their crimes against songwriting and celebrate a fine close to asolid debut. Well worth buying for the first half alone.

Tracklist

1. Statikman  (5:54)
    Written-By – Phil Dockerty / Alex Tepper 
2. Another Hit  (4:47)
    Written-By – Phil Dockerty / Alex Tepper 
3. Late At Night  (4:42)
    Written-By – Phil Dockerty / Alex Tepper 
4. Kato's Revenge  (4:32)
    Written-By – Phil Dockerty / Alex Tepper 
5. On My Mind (5:43)
     Vocals [Featuring] – Ben Onono
     Written-By – Onono, Da Silva 
6. Sparc  (4:20)
    Written-By – Phil Dockerty / Alex Tepper 
7. Satellite (4:01)
    Vocals [Featuring] – Gilly G.
     Phil Dockerty  
8. Fifty One  (3:13)
    Written-By – Phil Dockerty / Alex Tepper
9. Pride's Paranoia  (4:10)
    Written-By – Phil Dockerty / Alex Tepper
10. Wide Open  (4:33)
      Written-By – Phil Dockerty / Alex Tepper
11. Birdcage (5:11)
      Written-By – Phil Dockerty  
12. Frequency  (5:02)
     Written-By – Phil Dockerty / Alex Tepper

Credits
Notes

Release Date: May 20, 2003 
Duration: 56:06 
Genre: Electronic
Styles: House, Progressive House, Club/Dance, Techno

Label - Parlophone Records

December 16, 2016

Soundtrack - Sons Of Anarchy: Songs Of Anarchy Vol.3 (2013)

Sons of Anarchy is an American crime drama television series created by Kurt Sutter. It follows the lives of a close-knit outlaw motorcycle club operating in Charming, a fictional town in California's Central Valley.
The show stars Charlie Hunnam as Jackson "Jax" Teller, initially the vice president of the club, who begins questioning the club and himself. Brotherhood, loyalty and redemption are constant themes.
Sons of Anarchy: Songs of Anarchy Vol. 3 is a soundtrack album featuring music from the FX television program Sons of Anarchy, and is a follow-up to the 2012 release Sons of Anarchy: Songs of Anarchy Vol. 2 and several earlier EPs from the popular show.
Songs of Anarchy Volume 3 kicks off with Chris Goss & the Forest Rangers blues-folk take on "Sitting on Top of the World," which was hand-picked by series creator Kurt Sutter. Other stand-out recordings include Leonard Cohen s gritty "Come Healing," Noah Gunderson and the Forest Rangers "As Tears Go By," and singer songwriter Joshua James' heartfelt "Crash This Train." Golden Globe® Award winning actress/singer Katey Sagal is featured on the beautiful cover of "For A Dancer" as well as "Everyday People," which music composer Bob Thiele remarks was the most challenging song to record in the course of working on the show.
The Forest Rangers serve as the Sons Of Anarchy house band, which includes the show's music composer Bob Thiele, Greg Leisz (guitar/banjo), John Philip Shenale (keyboards), Lyle Workman (guitar), Dave Way (recording Engineer and Sergeant at Arms), Davey Faragher (bass), Brian Macleod (drums) and Velvet Revolver guitarist Dave Kushner.

Tracklist

1.  Chris Goss & The Forest Rangers - Sitting On Top Of The World  (3:28)  
2.  Jennifer O'Connor & The Forest Rangers - Running Blues  (2:45)
3.  Leonard Cohen - Come Healing  (2:52)
4.  Billy Valentine & The Forest Rangers - (Sittin' On) The Dock Of The Bay  (3:21)  
5.  Franky Perez & The Forest Rangers - Love Is My Religion  (3:15)
6.  Noah Gundersen & The Forest Rangers - As Tears Go By  (3:50)
7.  Battleme & The Forest Rangers - I See Through You (Free Your Mind)  (3:23)  
8.  Noah Gundersen & The Forest Rangers - Day Is Gone  (4:24)  
9.  The Forest Rangers feat. Audra Mae, Billy Valentine, Katey Sagal, Curtis Stigers & Franky Perez - Everyday People  (5:29)  
10.  Katey Sagal & The Forest Rangers - For A Dancer  (4:40)  
11.  The Forest Rangers feat. Franky Perez - Slip Kid  (3:50)  
12.  Maggie Siff & The Forest Rangers - Lullaby For A Soldier (Arms Of The Angels)  (3:07)  
13.  Joshua James - Crash This Train  (4:00)

Credits
Soundtrack Album Producers: Kurt Sutter and Bob Thiele Jr.

Notes
Released: December 3, 2013
Genre: Rock
Length: 48:25

Label - Columbia Records

December 15, 2016

Robert Plant - Sixty Six To Timbuktu (2003)

Robert Anthony Plant, CBE (born 20 August 1948) is an English musician, singer, and songwriter best known as the lead singer and lyricist of the rock band Led Zeppelin. A powerful and wide vocal range (particularly evident in his high-pitched vocals) has given him a successful solo career spanning over 30 years. Plant is regarded as one of the greatest singers in the history of rock and roll.

Sixty Six to Timbuktu is a greatest hits album and a history of the career of Robert Plant, from 1966 to a recording done at the Festival in the Desert in Mali. The album was released in 2003 and contains songs from Plant's eight solo albums up to the time of its release on its first disc, and rarities on its second disc.
Some of his well known songs were omitted from this release, such as "In the Mood", "Rockin' at Midnight", "Burning Down One Side", "Other Arms", and "Hurting Kind (I've Got My Eyes on You)".
You'd Better Run on disc two was recorded in 1966 when Plant was a singer with a band called Listen. Our Song was done as a solo artist one year later in 1967 and it was an English version of an Italian song called La Musica è Finita. The next two songs, both demos and covers including William Roberts' Hey Joe, and Stephen Stills' For What It's Worth, were done by a group named Band of Joy and features Robert Plant and John Bonham. Philadelphia Baby and Road to the Sun feature Phil Collins on drums. The Cure's Porl Thompson played guitar on three songs on this album, Dirt in a Hole, Darkness, Darkness and Tim Buckley's Song to the Siren. And as for the song Win My Train Fare Home, Thompson contributed to the writing of that song but did not play on the live version. Jimmy Page also played on four songs, Tall Cool One, The Honeydrippers' Sea of love, Heaven Knows and Rainer Ptacek's Rude World. Also featured on that album, a song with Afro Celt Sound System, Life Begin Again. And finally, the song Operator was recorded with Alexis Korner on guitar and backing vocals,
Robert Plant on vocals and harmonica and Steve Miller on piano in 1968 and is also available on an album called "A New Generation of Blues".

Disc one
  1. "Tie Dye on the Highway" (Chris Blackwell, Robert Plant) – 5:09
  2. "Upside Down" (David Barratt, Phil Johnstone) – 4:10
  3. "Promised Land" (Phil Johnstone, Robert Plant) – 4:59
  4. "Tall Cool One" (Phil Johnstone, Robert Plant) – 4:37
  5. "Dirt in a Hole" (Justin Adams, John Baggot, Clive Dreamer, Charlie Jones, Robert Plant, Porl Thompson) – 4:44
  6. "Calling to You" (Chris Blackwell, Robert Plant) – 5:49
  7. "29 Palms" (Blackwell, Doug Boyle, Phil Johnstone, Charlie Jones, Robert Plant) – 4:51
  8. "If I Were a Carpenter"  (Tim Hardin) – 3:47
  9. "Sea of Love" (Phillip Baptiste, George Khoury) – 3:04
  10. "Darkness, Darkness" (Jesse Colin Young) – 5:03
  11. "Big Log"  (Robbie Blunt, Robert Plant, Jezz Woodroffe) – 5:03
  12. "Ship of Fools" (Phil Johnstone, Robert Plant) – 4:58
  13. "I Believe" (Phil Johnstone, Robert Plant) – 4:54
  14. "Little by Little" (Robert Plant, Jezz Woodroffe) – 4:41
  15. "Heaven Knows" (David Barratt, Phil Johnstone) – 4:04
  16. "Song to the Siren" (Larry Beckett, Tim Buckley) – 4:06
Disc two
  1. "You'd Better Run" (Eddie Brigati, Felix Cavaliere) – 2:29
  2. "Our Song" (Umberto Bindi, Franco Califano, Nisa, Anthony Ralph Clarke) – 2:31
  3. "Hey Joe (Demo Version)" (William Roberts) – 4:58
  4. "For What It's Worth (Demo Version)" (Stephen Stills) – 3:30
  5. "Operator" (Alexis Korner, Steve Miller, Robert Plant) – 4:36
  6. "Road to the Sun" (Barriemore Barlow, Robbie Blunt, Phil Collins, Paul Martinez, Robert Plant, Jezz Woodroffe) – 5:35
  7. "Philadelphia Baby" (Charlie Rich) – 2:13
  8. "Red For Danger" (Robin George) – 3:38
  9. "Let's Have a Party" (Jessie Mae Robinson) – 3:40
  10. "Hey Jayne" (Charlie Jones, Robert Plant) – 5:23
  11. "Louie, Louie" (Richard Berry) – 2:52
  12. "Naked if I Want To" (Jerry Miller) – 0:46
  13. "21 Years" (Robert Plant, Rainer Ptacek) – 3:30
  14. "If It's Really Got to Be This Way" (Arthur Alexander, Donnie Fritts, Gary Nicholson) – 3:59
  15. "Rude World" (Rainer Ptacek) – 3:45
  16. "Little Hands" (Skip Spence) – 4:19
  17. "Life Begin Again" (Simon Emmerson, Iarla Ó Lionáird, Mass, James McNally, Martin Russell) – 6:19
  18. "Let the Boogie Woogie Roll" (Ahmet Ertegün, Jerry Wexler) – 2:36
  19. "Win My Train Fare Home (Live)" (Justin Adams, John Baggot, Clive Deamer, Charlie Jones, Robert Plant, Porl Thompson) – 6:15
Companies, etc.
Credits
  • Compiled ByRobert Plant
  • Producer - Gary Nicholson, Nugetre, Tim Palmer, Martin Russell, Jon Tiven, Simon Emmerson, Danny Kessler, Benji Lefevre, Sally Tiven, The Pat Moran Quartet, Roger Bolton, Phil Andrews, Charlie Jones, Phil Brown, Donnie Fritts, Robin George, The Fabulous Brill Brothers, Chris Hughes, Phil Johnstone, Laurie Latham, Robert Plant, Alexis Korner 
Notes

Released: 4 November 2003 
Recorded: 1966-2003 
Genre: Rock, Blues 
Style: Rock & Roll, Classic Rock, Pop Rock, Louisiana Blues 
Length: 146:53 

Label - Atlantic (US/Canada)/ Mercury Records 

December 14, 2016

Neil Young - Dreamin Man Live ´92 (2009)

Neil Percival Young, OC OM (born November 12, 1945), is a Canadian singer-songwriter, musician, producer, director and screenwriter.

Dreamin' Man Live '92 is a live album by Neil Young, released on December 8, 2009.
Unlike previous entries in Neil Young's Archives series, "Dreamin' Man Live '92" does not capture a specific gig. Instead, it's a compilation of highlights from the tour he took prior to recording Harvest Moon, as he aired the album's ten songs alone with his guitar (or on one occasion each, his piano and banjo).
Although every one of the album's cuts is here, this isn't a strict re-creation of the album, since the songs are sequenced in non-LP order, but that's a minor detail: for most intents and purposes, this is an alternate version of Neil's well-loved but not epochal return to country-rock. Some of the songs do gain a degree of poignancy in this bare-bones setting, which doesn't make them better, just different, and certainly worth hearing for those fans dedicated enough to care. And while this is better than, say, Unplugged -- that was pretty good, this is very good -- these performances are at their core sturdy and appealing, the kind that fans will love but never speak of breathlessly. Then again, it's pretty hard to be breathless about music that sways as gently as this.

Tracklist

1. "Dreamin' Man" – 5:03  (Portland OR 1/24/1992)
2. "Such a Woman" – 4:59  (Detroit 5/20/1992)
3. "One of These Days" – 4:59  (Los Angeles 9/21/1992)
4. "Harvest Moon" – 5:26  (Los Angeles 9/21/1992)
5. "You And Me" – 4:01  (Los Angeles 9/21/1992)
6. "From Hank to Hendrix" – 4:47  (Los Angeles 9/22/1992)
7. "Unknown Legend" - 5:31  (Los Angeles 9/22/1992)
8. "Old King" – 3:10   (Los Angeles 9/22/1992)
9.  "Natural Beauty" – 11:26  (Chicago 11/19/1992)
10. "War of Man" – 6:27  (Minneapolis 11/22/1992)

All songs written by Neil Young.

Performers

Neil Young – vocals, guitar, harmonica, piano, banjo
Producer - Neil Young & John Hanlon

Notes

Released: December 8, 2009
Recorded: 1992
Genre: Folk rock
Length: 55:48

Label - Reprise Records

December 12, 2016

Guns N' Roses - Live Era '87–'93 (1999)

Guns N' Roses is an American hard rock band from Los Angeles formed in 1985. Their classic lineup, as signed to Geffen Records in 1986, consisted of vocalist Axl Rose, lead guitarist Slash, rhythm guitarist Izzy Stradlin, bassist Duff McKagan, and drummer Steven Adler.

Live Era '87–'93 is a double live album by the American hard rock band Guns N' Roses. It was released on November 23, 1999. The record was the first official Guns N' Roses release since "The Spaghetti Incident?" released on the same day in 1993. Former guitarist Slash notes that the album is "not pretty and there are a lot of mistakes, but this is Guns N' Roses, not the fucking Mahavishnu Orchestra. It's as honest as it gets."
The dates and locations of the tracks are not revealed in the liner notes, and are only referred to simply as being "Recorded across the universe between 1987 and 1993". However, the majority of the tracks on the two CDs are believed to be sourced from the extensive Use Your Illusion Tour of 1991-1993.
Axl Rose is alleged to have communicated with former Guns N' Roses members Slash and Duff McKagan, through intermediaries only, in selecting the track list. In an interview Slash stated that "the live album was one of the easiest projects we all worked on. I didn't actually see Axl, but we communicated via the powers that be."
Two former members who play on the majority of the tracks, Matt Sorum and Gilby Clarke, are not credited as band members in the liner notes, but as "additional musicians", while original drummer Steven Adler, who plays on only three tracks on the album, and Izzy Stradlin, who plays on only six songs, are credited as "main band members."
Two popular live songs, "Live and Let Die" and "Civil War", which were both played heavily during the Use Your Illusion Tour, are omitted from this release, while songs that were played to a much lesser extent on the tour ("Pretty Tied Up" and "Move to the City") are included.
The Japanese and vinyl versions of the album contain a rare performance of "Coma", Guns N' Roses' longest song to date.
The song "Knockin' on Heaven's Door" was performed and recorded at the Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert and was previously released on the "Knockin' on Heaven's Door" single.
"Estranged," "Don't Cry," "November Rain," "Pretty Tied Up,", "You Could Be Mine" and "Move To The City" were previously released on the band's Use Your Illusion I and Use Your Illusion II videos. The live audio from "Yesterdays" was included as a B-side on that song's CD single.
The original pressing of this album contained a manufacturing flaw. At the 6:13 mark of "Paradise City" on Disc two the song skips to a part more near the end of the performance and repeats several times before finally correcting itself and finishing normal.

Disc one
1. "Nightrain" (from Appetite for Destruction, 1987) - 5:18
       Written-By - Rose/Stradlin'/Slash/McKagan 
       Las Vegas, USA; January 25, 1992
2. "Mr. Brownstone" (from Appetite for Destruction, 1987) - 5:42
       Written-By - Stradlin'/Slash 
       London, UK; August 31, 1991
3. "It's So Easy" (from Appetite for Destruction, 1987) - 3:28
       Written-By - McKagan, West Arkeen 
       Paris, France; June 6, 1992 
4. "Welcome to the Jungle" (from Appetite for Destruction, 1987) - 5:09
       Written-By - Rose/Slash 
       Buenos Aires, Argentina, 1993 
5. "Dust N' Bones" (from Use Your Illusion I, 1991) - 5:05
       Written-By - Stradlin'/McKagan/Slash 
       New York City, USA; May 16, 1991 
6. "My Michelle" (from Appetite for Destruction, 1987) - 3:53
       Written-By - Rose/Stradlin' 
       London, UK; August 31, 1991
7. "You're Crazy" (from Appetite for Destruction, 1987) - 4:45
       Written-By - Rose/Stradlin'/Slash 
       Tokyo, Japan; December 10, 1988 
8. "Used To Love Her" (from G N' R Lies, 1988) - 4:17
       Written-By - Stradlin' 
       Tokyo, Japan; December 10, 1988 
9. "Patience" (from G N' R Lies, 1988) - 6:42
       Written-By - Stradlin' 
       Mexico City, Mexico; April 24, 1993
10. "It's Alright" (Black Sabbath cover) - 3:07
       Written-By - Bill Ward 
       Houston, USA; September 4, 1992
11. "November Rain" (from Use Your Illusion I, 1991) - 12:29
       Written-By - Rose 
       Tokyo, Japan; February 22, 1992 

Disc two
1. "Out ta Get Me" (from Appetite for Destruction, 1987) - 4:33
       Written-By - Stradlin'/Rose/Slash 
       London, UK; June 28, 1987 
2. "Pretty Tied Up" (from Use Your Illusion II, 1991) - 5:25
       Written-By - Stradlin' 
       Tokyo, Japan; February 22, 1992 
3. "Yesterdays" (from Use Your Illusion II, 1991) - 3:52
      Written-By - Rose/Arkeen/James/McCloud 
       Las Vegas, USA; January 25, 1992 
4. "Move to the City" (from Live ?!*@ Like a Suicide, 1986) - 8:00
       Written-By - Stradlin'/James/Chris Weber 
      Tokyo, Japan; February 22, 1992 
5. "You Could Be Mine" (from Use Your Illusion II, 1991) - 6:02
       Written-By - Stradlin'/Rose Tokyo, 
       Japan; February 22, 1992 
6. "Rocket Queen" (from Appetite for Destruction, 1987) - 8:27
       Written-By - Rose/Slash/McKagan 
       Las Vegas, USA; January 25, 1992 8:27 
7. "Sweet Child o' Mine" (from Appetite for Destruction, 1987) - 7:25
       Written-By - Rose/Stradlin'/Slash 
       Paris, France; June 6, 1992 
8. "Knockin' on Heaven's Door" (Bob Dylan cover from Use Your Illusion II, 1991) - 7:27
       Written-By - Dylan 
       London, UK; April 20, 1992 
9. "Don't Cry" (from Use Your Illusion I, 1991) - 4:44
       Written-By - Stradlin'/Rose 
       Tokyo, Japan; February 22, 1992 
10. "Estranged" (from Use Your Illusion II, 1991) - 9:52
       Written-By - Rose 
       Tokyo, Japan; February 22, 1992 
11. "Paradise City" (from Appetite for Destruction, 1987) - 7:21
       Written-By - Rose/McKagan/Slash/Stradlin' 
       Las Vegas, USA; January 25, 1992 

Bonus Track

This track was released as the twelfth track on the first CD of the Japanese edition, and as the eighth side on the four LP vinyl editions.

12. "Coma" (from Use Your Illusion I, 1991)
       Written-By - Slash/Rose 
       Omaha, USA; April 10, 1993 10:48 

Band members
Additional musicians
  • Matt Sorum – drums, backing vocals (1991-1993)
  • Gilby Clarke – rhythm guitar, co-lead guitar on "Nightrain", acoustic guitar on "Patience", backing vocals (1992-1993)
Backing musicians
  • Teddy Andreadis – backing vocals, harmonica, percussion, keyboards (1991–1993)
  • Roberta Freeman – backing vocals (1991–1993)
  • Tracey Amos – backing vocals (1991–1993)
  • Diane Jones - (1991-1993)
  • Cece Worrall – horns (1991–1993)
  • Anne King – horns (1991–1993)
  • Lisa Maxwell – horns (1991–1993)
Notes

Released: November 23, 1999 
Recorded: June 28, 1987 and December 10, 1988 (1991–1993) 
Genre: Hard rock, heavy metal 
Length: 133:02 

Label - Geffen Records 

December 10, 2016

Hamilton Bohannon - Alive (1981)

Hamilton Frederick Bohannon (born March 7, 1942), often credited and known professionally simply as Bohannon, is an American percussionist, band leader, songwriter and record producer, who was one of the leading figures in 1970s disco music.

Drummer Hamilton Bohannon (born March 7, 1942) was among the top bandleaders, percussionists, and producers in '70s disco/dance music. Bohannon grew up in Newnan, GA, and was drumming in a high school band while an elementary school student. After earning a music degree from Atlanta's Clark College, he was hired as a drummer by Stevie Wonder and moved to Detroit, where he was a bandleader and arranger for Motown tours until he joined Dakar/Brunswick in 1972. Bohannon perfected his formula of heavy, thudding bass accents and aggressive rhythms while recording for Dakar.
He had several songs that were successful club records, but only mild R&B hits, among them "South African Man," "Foot Stompin' Music," "Disco Stomp," and "Bohannon's Beat." He moved to Mercury in the late '70s and scored a major hit with "Let's Start the Dance" in 1978, Bohannon's only Top Ten R&B release. The song featured vocalist Carolyn Crawford.
He subsequently produced Crawford's solo release, "Coming on Strong," that same year and continued working with her into the '80s. Bohannon kept recording for Mercury, though barely getting light chart action in 1979 and 1980. He started Phase II Records in 1980 and recorded there until 1984.
The songwriting is sketchier than ever: three more remakes of "Start The Dance," and two each of "A Happy Song For You" and the familiar funk jam "Take The Country To New York City" ( featuring Maceo Brown and Fred Wesley regurgitating horn charts originally written for P-Funk). So you'll almost literally not hear anything you haven't heard before, but on those terms it's fairly decent: "Let's Start II Dance Again" is livened up with frantic rhythm guitar, female vocals, and a rap from Dr. Perri Johnson. The instrumental version of the pleasantly dippy "A Happy Song For You" spotlights an endless trumpet solo, and the ballad "You're The One" features unpredictable vocalizing from Lands.

Tracklist

1. Let's Start The Dance Part II  (6:40)
2. Take The Country To New York City (5:49)
      Arranged By [Horns] - Fred Wesley , Maceo Parker
      Mixed By - Joe Neil
3. Let's Start II Dance Again (7:34)
     Engineer, Remix - Tom Race
     Rap, Written-By - Perri Johnson
     Remix - Jonathan Fearing
     Remix, Edited By - Hamilton Bohannon 
4. A Happy Song For You Part I (4:52)
    Mixed By - Joe Neil
5. You're The One (5:51)
6. Take The Country To New York City (Instrumental) (4:31)
     Arranged By [Horns] - Fred Wesley , Maceo Parker
     Mixed By - Joe Neil
7. A Happy Song For You Part II (4:46)
    Mixed By - Joe Neil
8. Start The Dance (Inserts) (2:15)

Credits
Notes

Released:1981
Genre: Funk / Soul
Style: Funk, Disco
Length: 42:03

This album was recorded at Axis and Cheshire Recording Studios, Atlanta, Georgia
"I dedicate this album to two of my brothers, Clarence and Bobby Bohannon"
Track 2 contains the often heard vocal sample "New York Is Red Hot" 

Label: Phase II Records Ltd.

December 08, 2016

Angerfist - Raise And Revolt (2015)

Danny Masseling (born 20 June 1981), better known by his stage name Angerfist, is a Dutch hardcore producer and DJ. Aside from his main alias, he also produces for other genres and subgenres under various aliases and is part of the following groups: The Supreme Team (with Outblast, Tha Playah & Evil Activities), Masters Elite (with Catscan and Outblast) and Roland & Sherman (with Outblast).
During live acts, he is accompanied by MC Prozac (Minne Roos).

Danny Masseling started making music at the age of 16. Beginning with 4-beat programmed loops and breakbeats etc, his interest in producing music started to grow. It almost became an The year is 1997. Danny Masseling is at the age of 16, and his first experience with music production has entered his system. Danny worked on his beats day and night.
And how cliché it might sound, this actually became a way of life. After sending a demo out to BZRK Records, Mark Vos (aka Buzz Fuzz, owner of this notorious record label) contacted him to do some serious buzzinezz. After a while of mastering and editing, BZRK033 was born. Under the alias Menace II Society, the Son Of A Bitch EP entered the market. Almost at the same time, the first Angerfist EP was released on Overload Records. However the track Chronic Disorder, made Menace II Society a well known name, Angerfist would grow out to be one of the biggest names in the scene. Traxx as Criminally Insane and Fuck Off were immediately recognized as relatively big hits. Danny had set foot in the scene. After releasing an EP under the third alias Kid Morbid, he chose Angerfist to be his main project.
Let us turn up the volume! Raise & Revolt!
The album consists of 2 CD’s.
The first CD contains 15 new tracks by Angerfist, singles, but also collaborations and features.
CD 2 is a mixed CD, containing 39 tracks. Many of these tracks already released on other albums or as solo tracks. So you won’t hear any new tracks during this mix. But the quality of the sound design of this tracks is improved very well. Tracks like; Take U Back (Original mix), Bad Attitude, Knock Knock, Riotstarter, Radical (Dominator Anthem), Wake Up Fucked Up, Yes (Drokz Remix), Inframan and Messing with the wrong man will make your eardrums vibrate.
It is a nice mix CD to play while you are driving, make your homework, chill with friends, but it’s not that special. Some tracks are only played for 1 minute, others 3:30, it is a fast ride through Angerfists history.

Disc 1
1.  Angerfist - The Game  (3:32)  
2.  Angerfist - Conspiracy (Thorax Remix) (4:29)  
3.  Angerfist Ft. MC Nolz - Raise & Revolt  (5:07)  
4.  Angerfist & Dyprax - Afraid Of Me  (4:32)  
5.  Angerfist - Circus Circus  (4:21)  
6.  Angerfist & Radical Redemption - Repercussion   (4:22)  
7.  Angerfist & Neophyte Ft. MC Alee & Diesel - Fight With Anger  (5:30)  
8.  Angerfist & Radical Redemption - Masters Of The Great Conspiracy  (4:08)  
9.  Angerfist - Perfect Fury (The Outside Agency Remix) (5:07)  
10.  Angerfist & Negative - A Hurricane For My Brain  (3:55)  
11.  Angerfist & N-Vitral - The Envy  (4:24)  
12.  Angerfist & MC Tha - Watcher Leatherface  (4:17)  
13.  Angerfist & Crossfiyah - Blast At You  (3:37)  
14.  Angerfist - Lose Yo Calm  (4:05)  
15.  Angerfist & Dr. Peacock - Caveman  (5:57)  

Disc 2 (DJ Mix – Angerfist 1:15:37)  
1.  Menace II Society - Chronic Disorder  (5:13)  
2.  Angerfist - Criminally Insane  (4:45)  
3.  Angerfist - From The Blackness  (5:08)  
4.  Angerfist - Take U Back  (6:05)  
5.  Angerfist - Maniac Killa  (6:35)  
6.  Angerfist - Bonified Alkoholik Muzik Making Muthafucka  (4:39)  
7.  Angerfist - Raise Your Fist  (7:22)  
8.  Angerfist - Cannibal  (4:49)  
9.  Angerfist & Crucifier - Broken Chain  (5:24)  
10.  Angerfist - Bad Attitude  (4:57)  
11.  Angerfist - Knock Knock  (4:03)  
12.  Angerfist & MC Nolz - The Deadfaced Dimension  (5:13)  
13.  Angerfist - Riotstarter  (5:11)  
14.  Angerfist - Dortmund '05  (6:26)  
15.  Angerfist - Strange Man In Mask  (4:59)  
16.  Angerfist - In A Million Years  (4:45)  
17.  Angerfist - Bite Yo Style (Dyprax Remix) (5:10)  
18.  Angerfist & Predator - Legend  (5:01)  
19.  Angerfist - Radical  (5:36)  
20.  Angerfist - No Fucking Soul  (5:29)  
21.  Angerfist - Dance With The Wolves  (5:11)  
22.  Angerfist - Burn This MF Down  (5:02)  
23.  Angerfist & Outblast Feat. MC Tha Watcher - Cast Of Catastrophe (Official Dominator Anthem)  (4:37) 24.  Angerfist - Street Fighter  (4:12)  
25.  Angerfist & Outblast Feat. MC Tha Watcher - The Voice Of Mayhem (15 Years Masters Of Hardcore Anthem)  (6:09)  
26.  Angerfist & Miss K8 - Santiago  (4:36)  
27.  Angerfist & Negative - A Wake Up Fucked Up  (4:53)  
28.  Angerfist & Predator - The Switch  (4:41)  
29.  Angerfist - Right Through Your Head  (4:45)  
30.  Angerfist - Incoming  (5:32)  
31.  Denekamps Gespuis - Gas Met Die Zooi (Tha Playah Remix) (5:14)  
32.  Angerfist - And Jesus Wept  (4:40)  
33.  Angerfist - Retaliate  (4:40)  
34.  Roland & Sherman - Somewhere Down The Lane  (4:17)  
35.  Angerfist & Dr. Peacock - Inframan  (6:25)  
36.  Angerfist & Dr. Peacock - Inframan  (6:25)  
37.  Angerfist - Messing With The Wrong Man  (5:24)  
38.  Angerfist - Fuck The Promqueen (Remastered 2011 Edit)  (3:34)  
39.  Angerfist - Loser  (1:50)  

    Companies, etc.
Credits
Notes

Released: 28 November 2015  
Genre: Electronic 
Style: Hardcore, Gabber 
Length: disc 1 1:07:28 / disc 2 1:15:37

Label - Cloud 9 Dance