music

Must Own Albums: Spirit of the 60s

/ James Fenney

the-Doors-album-coverThe Doors – The Doors

The Doors debut album features very little overdubs; it is essentially a snapshot of one of their famously wild live performances at the Whisky a Go Go. Featuring some of their biggest hits including ‘Light My Fire’, ‘Break On Through (To The Other Side)’ and ‘The End’, this album introduced the world to Jim Morrison’s dark poetic lyrics and wild personality. The world hasn’t seen anything quite like it before or since.

CheapthrillsBig Brother and the Holding Company – Cheap Thrills

Quick to capitalise on the success of their performance at Monterey Pop Festival, the band released their debut and Cheap Thrills shortly after. It would be the band’s last album with the incredible Janis Joplin as their lead singer. It spawned two of her biggest hits, ‘Piece of My Heart’ and ‘Ball and Chain’, and kickstarted her hugely influential, but sadly short-lived solo career.

surrealistic pillowJefferson Airplane – Surrealistic Pillow

One of the greatest albums of the “Summer of Love” and the first to include Grace Slick as front woman. Spawning the massive singles ‘White Rabbit’ and ‘Somebody to Love’ it propelled them to become international stars. Glace Slick became one of the pioneering women in rock music and inspired such people as Stevie Nicks, Patti Smith and Florence Welch.

disraeli gearsCream – Disraeli Gears

Considered one of the first and most successful supergroups of all time. Disraeli Gears saw them depart from the blues sound of their debut and venture into more psychedelic territory, such as on ‘Strange Brew’, ‘Tales of Brave Ulysses’ and the band’s signature song ‘Sunshine of Your Love’.  Although they were only together for a couple of years, they influenced a host of important bands including Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath and Deep Purple.

 

MTV brings back Unplugged

/ James Fenney

kurt cobain

MTV bosses have decided to bring back some much needed music to their channel. It has been announced that they will be reviving their Unplugged series, the most successful show in the channel’s history. Further details have yet to be announced about what artists are due to perform. Unplugged gained notoriety after producing some of the most captivating live performances of the 90s, and in some cases of all time, from such artists as Nirvana, Eric Clapton, Pearl Jam, REM and Alice In Chains.

Prince passes away

/ James Fenney

prince

As if we haven’t lost enough wonderful people already this year, musical icon, innovator and visionary Prince has sadly died aged 57. The cause of his death has not yet been released but he was rushed to hospital last week for severe, flu-like symptoms. Prince had an unparalleled career that influenced countless people and spanned nearly 40 studio albums. His eclectic and eccentric catalogue included such massive hits as ‘When Doves Cry’, ‘Little Red Corvette’, ‘1999’, ‘Kiss’, ‘The Most Beautiful Girl in the World’ and his signature song ‘Purple Rain’. A mysterious and secretive figure he was one of the most imaginative creative forces in music combining rock, soul, funk, R&B and electronica. He had an incredible vocal range, was a peerless multi-instrumentalist and was among the best guitarists ever to walk the Earth. He has left a remarkable legacy and will be sorely missed.

Live Review: The Lumineers, Albert Hall Manchester, 19th April 2016

/ James Fenney

L1

With Mumford & Sons going electric, The Lumineers have wasted no time in snatching up the folk rock crown. With their latest album Cleopatra topping the charts on both sides of the Atlantic the band are sitting pretty atop their new and duly deserved throne. They have come a long way since their massive hit ‘Ho Hey’ and their rapid rise shows no sign of slowing. But topping the charts is one thing, taking that album out on the road is another. I caught them at Manchester’s Albert Hall to experience the rustic warmth of their inviting Americana first-hand. Continue reading →

Spotlight!: Lánre

/ James Fenney

Lanre

“We’re all broken so that light can come in”. That attention grabbing line from ‘Human’ sums up the underlying message behind Lánre’s music. She is an artist that preaches strength of spirit and the importance of staying true to yourself. Born in Stoke-On-Trent and raised in Nigeria, she has fused together a range of styles. Well versed in soul and folk, and mixing in the storytelling and vibrancy of her Yoruba heritage, she has created a multifaceted marvel that is deeply dramatic and full of life. Like a hymn for humanity that anyone and everyone can connect with. ‘Fire’ adds some striking hints of violin alongside more traditional instruments and the delightfully tranquil ‘My Soul’ shows off Lánre’s soothing vocals. She is a unique artist and her incredible style and individuality really shines through in her music.

Lánre’s ‘Human’ EP is out April 29th and is the perfect spring soundtrack.

 

Axl Rose to front AC/DC

/ James Fenney

ACDC-GNR

Following the news that AC/DC have had to postpone their ‘Rock or Bust’ world tour as Brian Johnson was at risk of complete hearing loss, the band have decided to continue with a guest vocalist. The band have issued a statement confirming rumours that they will be joined by Axl Rose, who will perform the postponed tour dates before returning to Guns N’ Roses. Many fans have been sceptical as to whether the pairing would work, but with Angus Young joining Guns N’ Roses at Coachella for a brilliant performance of ‘Whole Lotta Rosie’ I think they have laid many fears to rest.

The best festival since Woodstock?

/ James Fenney

goldenvoice

Goldenvoice, the company behind Coachella festival, have revealed plans to hold another festival on the same site on October 7-9th. Although talks are still in progress, the festival is planning to host The Rolling Stones and Bob Dylan on the first night, Paul McCartney and Neil Young the second night, and The Who and Roger Waters to bring the weekend to a close. The headliners are going to be paid $7 million each for their sets. Plans are still being finalised with an official announcement expected within a few weeks. Needless to say it will be a once in a lifetime experience.

Led Zeppelin sued over Stairway To Heaven

/ James Fenney

stairway to heaven

Back making headlines the claim that Led Zeppelin’s magnum opus ‘Stairway To Heaven’ was stolen from the track ‘Taurus’ by Spirit, has been taken to court. A trial is scheduled for 10th May for supposed copyright infringement. The whole debacle is an absolute farce; the family of the deceased Spirit guitarist Randy California have decided to sue over 40 years since the song’s release, despite the fact that Randy himself never sought legal action. The two songs have nothing in common besides a very basic chord progression at the very beginning, something that occurs in innumerable songs. Any court with any sense should realise that the claim is a load of rubbish.