Justin Currie called me from his home in Scotland for an interview with Icon Fetch. He’s just released his second solo disc, The Great War, a return to the melodic pop he perfected with his band Del Amitri. For a review of his disc, click here. Among the many topics covered in our conversation, Currie confesses that he almost drowned during the shooting of the front cover photo, for which he is underwater, fully clothed I might add. He also talks about his biggest hit, “Roll to Me,” a top ten smash from his former band in 1995, and his upcoming solo tour that hits the States in June. He also weighs in on the current social networking craze, and on hearing his music over the speakers in K-Mart.
Bad Company – Hard Rock Live (CD review)
Bad Company – Hard Rock Live (Image Entertainment) – CD review
The inclusion of hits and fan favorites makes this the finest collection of Bad Company songs ever assembled
Name any band from the seventies that’s still around. You can take anyone you want — I’ll take Bad Company. The band’s resurgence over the last ten years or so is nothing short of amazing. At the heart of it all is vocalist Paul Rodgers, who exited the band in 1982. Although the group sauntered on and had hits, it wasn’t really Bad Company. When Rodgers finally returned some 16 years later, he picked up right where he left off.
Rodgers is frequently mentioned as one of the greatest rock vocalists of all time. Yet, what sets him apart from his peers is that, even at the age of 60, he’s lost none of the muscle and resonance that graced so many of the band’s hits. While there have been other live albums from Bad Company, there are several things that sets Bad Company – Hard Rock Live apart. For one, it marks the first time the remaining three members (Rodgers, guitarist Mick Ralphs and drummer Simon Kirke) have played together in several years. Bassist Boz Burrell died of a heart attack in 2006. More importantly, this is the finest collection of Bad Company songs ever assembled on one disc. The hits are here, like “Can’t Get Enough,” and “Bad Company,” but the addition of such fan favorites as “Gone Gone Gone,” and “Burnin’ Sky” make this a great overview of a band still in top form. The set includes a DVD of the entire performance as well. — Tony Peters
Justin Currie – The Great War (CD review)
Justin Currie – The Great War (Rykodisc) – CD review –
Perhaps it is time to give Justin Currie some credit. For almost 20 years, he fronted the Scottish band Del Amitri, guiding them through six albums filled with songs of failed relationships and unrealized dreams, wrapped in gleeful melodies that are as irresistible as the lyrics are bleak.
Therein lies Currie’s true talent; he makes the heartache sound so sweet. He took a sidestep for his first solo album; 2007’s What Is Love For was uncharacteristically maudlin, even by Currie’s standards. And, instead of the usual chiming melodies, most songs were filled with quiet, minor chords played on piano. Well, you might say Currie has let some of the sunshine back in for his new solo album, The Great War (Rykodisc). Sure, the lyrics are still barbed, with titles like “As Long As You Don’t Come Back,” and “Anywhere I’m Away From You.”
But, he’s once again surrounded these tales of misfortune with jangly hooks that promise to linger in your head. The first single, “A Man With Nothing To Do,” could easily fit right in next to Del Amitri’s best songs like “Roll to Me” or “Always the Last to Know.” And, that song contains one of Currie’s signature twists endings in that he’s “waiting to fall in love with you.” A must for fans of well-crafted pop songs. — Tony Peters
Ratt – Infestation (CD review)
Ratt – Infestation (Roadrunner) – CD review –
After sputtering for almost 20 years, Ratt finally has a CD they can be proud of.
It is dangerous territory trying to relive your past. Many bands attempt it, and most fall flat on their faces. Yet, with Infestation (Roadrunner), their first studio effort in 11 years, Ratt has set the “way back” machine to the mid 80’s and turned in their best effort in years.
Really, it’s simple: latter-day Ratt failed because they messed with their formula; whether trying to be bluesy or dancey, either way, it wasn’t what they did best. With Infestation, only their seventh overall, they concentrate on their strengths: crunching guitars, wailing twin leads (with the tasty addition of Quiet Riot axeman Carlos Cavazo), and catchy, melodic choruses, all traits of the band’s best work in the mid-80’s, way before flannel became the rage.
At least some of the credit must be given to producer Elvis Baskette, who resists the temptation to update the glam metal band’s sound. Instead, he captures a group that sounds downright re-energized. The album’s first single, “Best of Me,” is a pop-metal gem, complete with chiming chorus, sadly missing in rock for years. It’s as if the 20 years of hell the band went through actually benefited these guys. — Tony Peters
I Smell a RATT!
Just interviewed Bobby Blotzer, drummer for Ratt. He talks about recording their first album in 11 years, Infestation, and the making of the new video “Best of Me“. He also admits being against the addition of Quiet Riot guitarist Carlos Cavazo joining the band. In addition, Blotzer has just written a new book, “Tales of a Ratt – Things You Are Not Supposed to Know,” and he talks about putting that together.
#5 – Bobby Blotzer of Ratt – Infestation
Hard rockers Ratt have just released “Infestation,” their first new CD in 11 years. The band, whose hits include “Round and Round,” “Lay it Down,” “You’re in Love,” and “Way Cool Jr,” recently put the original lineup back together and have hit the road. With singer Stephen Pearcy back in the fold after a hiatus, the band sounds re-energized and the new CD is proof. Infestation is full of crunching guitars and memorable hooks straight out of 1984. Icon Fetch talks with drummer and founding member Bobby Blotzer about the reunion, new album, and his new book, “Tales of a RATT: Things You Shouldn’t Know.”
Just interviewed Elvin Bishop
Elvin’s a pretty unassuming guy. But, get him talking about his 1959 Gibson ES-345, the one he calls “Red Dog,” and he’ll perk right up. We talked about his new CD, and how he picked some of the cover tunes.
He also filled us in on the annual “Blues Cruise” which he is a part of (along with Irma Thomas, Johnny AND Edgar Winter, and Los Lobos) in October. I also had him give us a list of 3 essential blues albums to cut your teeth on. His interview will air Tuesday, May 11th at 9pm EDT and be available for streaming anytime after that.
How Many More?
May 4, 2010 marks the 40th anniversary of the tragedy at Kent State. No song better captured what the country was feeling at the time than “Ohio” by Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young. The song itself still stands as one of the greatest examples of the immediacy of music.
As the story goes, it was David Crosby who saw the article on the event in Life Magazine and challenged buddy Neil Young to write something. Within twenty minutes he had finished the song. The band convened that night and recorded the entire thing, guitars, drums, bass, vocals, harmonies–all live, in just a couple of takes.
As they were mixing the song, they realized they needed a b-side and chose to record another new composition, this one by Stephen Stills, called “Find the Cost of Freedom.” The band sat in a tight circle and sang the song, with only Stills on guitar. The tape was played back and they sang it again, adding harmonies. In a span of about six hours, history had been made.
Both tracks were airmailed to New York and within days the record was out on the radio, pointing fingers and naming names. Many AM stations refused to play the track, because of it’s criticism of the Nixon administration. However, the burgeoning underground FM format embraced the song.
As a side note, the group already had a song racing up the charts at the time, “Teach Your Children,’ written by Graham Nash. By releasing “Ohio,” it basically killed the momentum of the other song. At one point in July 1970, both songs were in the top 20. Despite it’s limited airplay, “Ohio” still peaked at #14. It stands as the greatest achievement of C,S,N & Y.
#4 – Solomon Burke – Nothing’s Impossible & Robert Rodriguez – Fab Four FAQ 2.0
He is the King of Rock and Soul, Mr. Solomon Burke, and he’s just released his latest CD, “Nothing’s Impossible.” We’ll talk to Solomon about recording the new record with legendary producer Willie Mitchell, who weeks after wrapping up the sessions, passed away of heart failure. Mitchell was responsible for most of Al Green’s big hits and lends that same style to Burke’s disc.
Solomon had a great string of R&B hits in the mid-60’s, but is probably best known for “Everybody Needs Somebody to Love,” a song covered by the Rolling Stones and featured prominently in the Blues Brothers movie. Burke’s other film credits include working alongside Dennis Quaid in “The Big Easy.” He won a Grammy in 2002 for his album “Don’t Give Up On Me.” Click below for the Solomon Burke interview. {mp3}show4solomonburke{/mp3} {enclose show4solomonburke.mp3}
For more information on Solomon Burke, visit his official site (www.thekingsolomonburke.com)
Also on the show is Robert Rodriguez, author of “Fab Four FAQ 2.0“. He talks to Icon Fetch about his new Beatles book, covering the solo years 1970-1980. Robert’s interview is at the end of our show with Solomon Burke. Click below for the Robert Rodriguez Beatles interview.
Robert’s official site is: www.fabfourfaq2.com
Not Just Another Beatles Book
Recently, I talked with Robert Rodriguez, author of a new book called “Fab Four FAQ 2.0” (Backbeat Books). This is actually a sequel of sorts. Rodriguez co-authored the first book (or “1.0” if you will) back in 2007. That book concentrated on the history of the Beatles while they were together. “2.0” picks up with the breakup of the Fab Four and the subsequent solo releases from 1970 until 1980 when John Lennon was shot.
Just about every possible angle has been covered here: from reviews of all the solo Beatles albums, to which movies they were in, who played on which LP, and even the notorious spats between them over the years.
One of the tasty elements of the book is all the memorabilia that’s pictured, most of which come from the author’s own personal collection.
The book weighs in at some 450 pages. But, if that isn’t enough to satisfy your solo Fab cravings, you can go to Rodriguez’s own website, to view unused chapters.