music

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.

TV Talent: Time to call it a day?

/ James Fenney

x factor

The latest series of The Voice has come to a close, Britain’s Got Talent has invaded our screens once again and we are still constantly bombarded with constant updates on the X Factor despite it’s ever dwindling viewing figures. TV Talent shows have become a big part of popular culture, for better or for worse. However all of these shows have been struggling the past few years to gather public interest and have been trying anything they can to keep the spirit alive. Is it too little too late to try and save them and should we try and hasten their end instead? Continue reading →

Spotlight!: Isaac Gracie

/ James Fenney

isaac gracie

From the moment that his song ‘Last Words’ appeared on SoundCloud, this young singer-songwriter had the music world begging for more. His music lives in a world of contradictions. His voice is both light and uplifting, and gruff and gritty, like an angel that’s halfway through a bottle of whisky. His music simply screams textbook nineties, from the obvious comparisons with Jeff Buckley to the fact that the artwork for his EP looks suspiciously like Daydream Nation… and yet, Isaac’s music feels new and inviting; a much needed pause for contemplation in today’s hectic world. Enthralling tracks such as ‘Terrified’ and ‘We’re So Very Lost’, with their simple arrangements and even simpler production, make you fall in love with them almost instinctively. He makes you sit up and pay attention as though the fragile moment will otherwise simply disappear. This is something special.

Isaac’s debut EP Songs From My Bedroom is out now and is a must for fans of Jeff Buckley, Keaton Henson and Ryan Adams.

Must Own Albums: Americana

/ James Fenney

Cosmos_factoryCreedence Clearwater Revival – Cosmo’s Factory

With a string of hits under their belt, and a high profile set at the legendary Woodstock Festival, CCR were one of the biggest bands around. This double album would be their commercial peak just before the band rapidly spiralled towards a tempestuous breakup. It’s also their most diverse album featuring the rock’n’roll of ‘Travellin’ Band’, the psychedelic ‘Ramble Tamble’ and a cover of Marvin Gaye’s ‘I Heard it Through The Grapevine’.

harvest neil youngNeil Young – Harvest

As much as he tried to avoid it, fame and success followed Neil Young around, whether with Buffalo Springfield, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young or with his solo work. All other success though paled in comparison with that of Harvest, an acoustic album featuring the hits ‘Heart Of Gold’ and ‘The Needle and the Damage Done’. Following this Young tried to escape his acoustic troubadour image and went on to make heavier albums that helped found alternative rock and grunge.

american beautyGrateful Dead – American Beauty

The biggest cult band in the world. Although they were one of the most popular bands in America at the time they didn’t receive much commercial success until they swapped out their psychedelic acid test jams for the acoustic style of American Beauty. It featured some of their most famous and familiar songs including ‘Truckin’, ‘Sugar Magnolia’ and ‘Friend of the Devil’, ‘Ripple’ and ‘Box of Rain’.

the-last-waltzThe Band – The Last Waltz

Starting out as a backing band for Ronnie Hawkins and Bob Dylan, The Band went their own way and became known as one of the most loved and talented bands of the time. By the late 70s however pressure was starting to build and they decided to call it quits with one massive farewell concert. Though it featured such incredible guest stars as Joni Mitchell, Muddy Waters, Van Morrison and Eric Clapton, The Band pulled off one final swan song and upstaged them all.

Merle Haggard passes away

/ James Fenney

merle haggard

Country legend Merle Haggard has passed away on his 79th birthday due to complications of pneumonia. After a misspent youth landed him in prison, one of Johnny Cash’s famous sets for inmates inspired him to take up country music and turn his life around. His troubled past became an inspiration for his music and his image and he went on to pioneer the “Bakersfield Sound” whose rough around the edges approach was a big contrast to most country music at the time. His big hits such as ‘Okie from Muskogee’ and ‘The Fightin’ Side of Me’ contrasted the popular anti-Vietnam sentiments of the time and made him a household name. He had a massive impact on Country music and the whole genre is reeling from his sad loss.