Deluxe Edition CD's a-ha - Rhino

a-ha - Two releases.........These will be shipped in June.
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For those lucky bastards that have the cash, these are well worth picking up. For those who are unfamiliar with Rhino, they are a specialty record label and they only release the best. Everything from Rhino is of the highest quality, and can be considered a rare collectible treasure. As part of a-ha's 25th anniversary Rhino is releasing an exclusive double-disc editions of HUNTING HIGH AND LOW and SCOUNDREL DAYS, featuring the original recordings expanded with unreleased and rare demos, alternate mixes and live recordings. These limited Deluxe Editions are exclusive to Rhino.com and won't be available in stores. The link is below...
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http://www.rhino.com/article/ha-take-3?eml=rn/052310/ahabanner

U2 - Magnificent

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.....I gotta be honest, I'm not crazy about the new album, but this song is absolutely astounding. It definitely reminds me of why I originally went crazy over this band in the first place. Magnificent has that old school feel, a back to basic approach. I love the guitar work by the Edge, and the video ain't half bad. Here's hoping Bono Vox recovers soon, I know there's alot of fans out there that were looking forward to the second leg of the North American tour. Get well soon Bono...

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Another Black Season

.......This is a new band, or should I say artist. The New Wave in its many forms changed our landscape during the 80's and this was definitely a change for the better. The punk explosion of the mid 70's helped usher in this decade innovation. But the 1980's was much more than just a decade of cool music, it was also a state of mind, a time when artists questioned the establishment, and broke from the norms to create some of the most amazing music ever. To write from a point of view that these were the Good Ol' Days would be to suggest that all the great bands and artists are gone, and the creative spirit, and sense of rebellion that drove them in the first place has disappeared... this is not the case.
.....Although we now live in an age of Boy Bands and Bubble Gum Pop, were the airwaves, and the record stores are polluted with corporate shit ( I hope that didn't sound too cynical ) it's important to point out that there are still artist out there making great music. Although eradicated from the mainstream in the late 80's, along with most of the independent record labels, they still exists. Real bands making real music, I suppose they always have existed, it's just alot harder to find.

.....This artist's name is Robert Michaels, and he's based out of California, this exceptional work is released under the moniker of Another Black Season. Drawing his influence from a number of bands such as U2, Depeche Mode and The Verve, he's creating some absolutely incredible work, a unique sound that's definitely worth checking out.

....This guy really is unbelievable, not only writes his own music, but also plays all the instruments, and does the vocals; and if that ain't enough he's also the sound engineer..

Check out the myspace page.

http://www.myspace.com/anotherblackseason

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Below: "Tonight's The Best Thing", from the Eden's Gift album by Another Black Season on iTunes now.

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Check out all of Another Black Season's music on iTunes and Youtube.

Depeche Mode

...This band along with Duran Duran and U2, more than any other is what most people associate with the new music explosion during the 1980's (at least the commercial side of it), and why not. They were popular, sold a shit load of albums, the chicks loved em, and the music wasn't half bad. I'll write a few words about them because sooner or later I have to. You can't really write about the New Wave movement without paying homige to this band. They were extremely good, and made positive contribution to the genre, a major factor in the explosive upheaval the occurred during this era. I'm not sure it's nessissary to write a whole lot about Depeche Mode because their history is well documented, there's a Gazillion web sites devoted to them already, most of which are alot better than mine, but here goes.
....They are from Essex England and are of course one of THE quintessential New Wave / Electronica bands. At one point during the 80's they were actualy classified as Industrial, but that term has long since been confiscated by other bands far different in sound and style than Depeche Mode, and I'm not even gonna start down that frickin road. Suffice to say that they are likely the most popular band of their type in all history, selling over 100 million albums and scoring #1 single in the UK, Europe as well as North America.
...The group's original line-up consisted of Dave Gahan (lead vocals), Martin Gore (keyboards, guitar, vocals, chief songwriter after 1981), Andrew Fletcher (keyboards) and Vince Clarke (keyboards, chief songwriter 1980–81). Vince Clarke left the band after the release of their 1981 debut album, Speak & Spell, and was replaced by Alan Wilder (keyboards, drums) with Gore taking over songwriting. The band made their recording debut in 1980 on the Some Bizzare Album with the song "Photographic", which was later re-recorded for their debut album Speak & Spell which was released under the Mute Records label in 1981. Also in 1981 just prior to the release of there debut album the band scored their first top ten single, "Just Can't Get Enough", the song remains popular to this day, and just about any bar that hosts an eighties night will play this catchy little tune regularly.

....To date the band has release twelve studio albums the most recent being Sounds of the Universe released in 2009. They continues to tour, and their loyal fans provde ample support, in fact just last summer they played to a sold out crowd at the Molson Amphetheater in Toronto. I had to miss that show but I'm sure they'll be back, something tells me this bands gonna stick around awhile longer. Depeche Mode is proof there's still a demand for real musicians, that write real music, and who actually really sing during their live concerts. Something we don't see a whole lot of today.

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Depeche Mode are...

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David Gahan

Martin Gore

Andrew Fletcher

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Former members

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Vince Clarke

Alan Wilder

Ronnie James Dio

....I was saddened to hear we've just lost a friend , Ronnie James Dio passed away yesterday morning, he was only 67 years old. You don't need to be a Metal fan to appreciate him, or his contribution to rock'n'roll. He will be missed by friends, family and music fans everywhere. Dio became well known as the lead singer who replaced Ozzy Osbourne in Black Sabbath back in 1979. As their new lead man they went on to make two of the bands most successful albums of all time "Heaven and Hell" and "Mob Rules", he also fronted other groups like Elf, Rainbow and his own successful solo career.
....Dio announced last fall he was suffering from stomach cancer. According to his web site he was being treated at a Houston hospital. It was always hopeful he'd make a full recovery. I had the privilege of seeing him twice in concert, he was a wonderful talent and an incredible performer.

...Today my heart is broken, Ronnie passed away at 7:45am 16th May. Many, many friends and family were able to say their private good-byes before he peacefully passed away. Ronnie knew how much he was loved by all. We so appreciate the love and support that you have all given us. Please give us a few days of privacy to deal with this terrible loss. Please know he loved you all and his music will live on forever.

- Wendy Dio

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The link to his official web site is below, and if you get a chance stop by facebook and post a comment of condolence, I know his family will appreciate it...

http://www.ronniejamesdio.com/

Ball of Confusion - Love and Rockets

From the Ashes of Bauhaus came Love and Rockets and this is their first release under this new moniker. This is the 12 inch single version of "Ball of Confusion", released in 1985 under the Beggar Banquet record label. Much like my other EP's from the time, I wore out my original years ago and I acquired this copy just recently. Wikipedia refers to it a minor hit...perhaps as a bean counter from a pure sales perspective one might agree. For those who were paying attention to the music scene at the time and remember it's popularity, they couldn't be further from the truth. This quickly became a classic cover, and I don't know a single 80's music collector that doesn't have it, or doesn't want it. A hard edged punk/goth combination with regards to style, they turned this Motown tune into a phenomenally popular track, heard in ever new wave cave, and underground club, the world over. I absolutley love this tune, as far as cover songs go, this is one of the best ever done.

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Ball Of Confusion (12' Remix)
Beggars Banquet / Virtigo
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This Side......Ball Of Confusion (The Extended U.K. Vesion) Remixed
That Side.....Ball Of Confusion (The U.S. Remixed Version)
Both Side mixed by N.Whitfield / B. Strong
Produced by John A River & Love and Rockets

The Fall

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...The Fall are an English post-punk group, formed in Greater Manchester in January 1977. The group has existed in some form ever since their creation, but has the probably had more member changes than any other band in history with only vocalist Mark E Smith remaining the constant. The original lineup featured Smith on guitar, Martin Bramah on vocals, Una Baines on drums, and Tony Friel on bass guitar, but Smith and Bramah soon switched roles, and Baines switched to keyboards, new drummer Karl Burnes was brought in to replace Baines.
''' The group first recorded for independent label Step Forward Records in 1978 releasing an EP Bingo Master Break Out in August and their first single "It's The New Thing" in November of the same year. Their first album Live at the Witch Trials was recorded in one day and released in March of 1979. It was followed by the single "Rowche Rumble", and their second album Dragnet in November. After a final EP for Step Forward Records, Fiery Jack, released in January 1980 the band signed to new a new record label Rough Trade. The first single under this new label was "How I Wrote Electric Man" and was followed by their third studio album Grotesque (After The Gramme) and a live album Totale's Turn, and the EP Slates, all in the same year of 1980.
... The group's output has been unbelievable over the years, as of April 2010 they have released 28 studio albums, and more than triple that in live albums and other releases. In January 2005, The Fall were the subject of a BBC TV documentary, The Fall: The Wonderful and Frightening World of Mark E Smith. They've never achieved widespread public success beyond a handful of minor hit singles in the late 1980s, but have maintained a strong cult following over the years. Through their history they have recorded under the following record labels, Step Forward, Rough Trade, Beggars Banquet, Situation Two, Narnack, Phonogram, Fontana and Matador. I normally include a list of band members at the bottom of each blog but in this case, it would be a long arduous task, taking more time than I care to spend, suffice to say this band is a revolving door, built around perennial lead man Mark E Smith.

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The video below is more recent, recorded in 2006. Halarious, Robert Plant followed by The Fall.

What a contrast, they don't quite fit together, and they certainly should'nt follow one-another.

Tattoo Rock Parlour - April 30, 2010 - Spoons

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...The first concert of the summer , and what better way to start off the season than with the Spoons live at the Tattoo. They played their 30th Anniversary party to sold out crowd, in what is sure to be one of the best shows of the summer. Every time I see this band they get better and better, and the shows get busier and busier. Arrived an hour before the doors opened last Friday and there was a hundred people in line, perhaps I should be concerned, I'd be extremly pissed if I showed for a gig one night and couldn't get in... It's certainly clear that their popularity is once again growing, and we're gonna have to share... Ahh Well, I guess that's a good thing.

...The show included a few surprises that many were'nt expecting, David Marsden, the driving force behind CFNY during the 80's was on hand to introduce the band. Marsden was one of the most influential figures in the Canadian Music Industry during the 80's, giving many Canadian bands and international alternative bands Major Canadian radio exposure. Also on hand was legendary producer John Punter, who not only worked with the Spoons but also Roxy Music, Nazareth, John Cougar, Japan, Bryan Ferry, Procol Harum and Sara Craig to name just a few.
...Along with the Spoons regular line up which includes Gordon Deppe, Sandy Horne, Steve Kendry and Steve Sweeny, Rob Preuss also returned to the keyboards for the first time in almost 25 years. Rob was the Spoons keyboardist during their heyday era of 81 to 85, he did a fantastic job playing the final set of the night as well as the encor. It's obvious he'd been practicing because it was an absolutley perfect set. He pulled it off without a hitch, much to the thrill of the crowd, most of whom were not expecting this surprise. Well done Rob, Way-da-Go!!! ...What a fantastic night.

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The Set List for the show was as follows...

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Trade Winds

Arias & Synphonies

Smiling In Winter

Romantic Traffic

Rodeo

Bending

2000 Years

New Song #1 - The Epic

New Song #2 - The Pop Song

My Favorite Page

Stop

The Rythem

Quiet World

Old Emotions

No Elections

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Encore

Tell No Lies

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...To view my entire albums simply click on the link below, still workin out a few minor problem with my new camera, but the pics didn't turn out bad.

Spoons at the Tattoo 2010

For more pics and video clips of the show, check out the Spoons official web site below...

http://www.thespoons.ca/index2.shtml