Unfortunately, that is way back in my ancestry, and I'm left with nothing but a liking for colorful clothing and music.

My family ancestry's kind of weird, anyways. My dad's side is one of these family trees that can be traced all over the place. And my mom's side can't really be traced further then her great-grandfather.

Whole bunch of Germans, Americans with German ancestry, and a few other countries in there, IIRC.

Anyways, on with my Gypsy theme for today. None of this is real Gypsy music, but all of them have Gypsies in the title, at least:

Gypsy - Fleetwood Mac

Stevie Nicks wrote this song about her best friend, Robin Anderson, who was dying of leukemia at the time. Classic, classic song.

Gypsy (Of A Strange and Distant Time) - Moody Blues

This song, on the other hand, was supposed to have been inspired by Doctor Who. Whatever it was inspired by, the Moody Blues have put out some amazing music, and this is one of their more memorable songs.

Unfortunately, these days, neither Mike Pinder not Ray Thomas is in the band, and something seems a bit missing to me without them.

Raggle Taggle Gypsies - Big Paddy

And this is a traditional folk song[1] sung by many people, which also goes by the titles of "The Gypsy Laddie", and "Black Jack Davy". As with a lot of folk songs, the details vary.

It's usually about a noble lady who leaves her husband for a gypsy. In some versions they get away, in others the gypsy band is hung.

Joni Minstrel does a great version of this song, too.

What do I care for my house and my land?
What care I for money-o?
What do I care for my only wedded lord?
I'm away with the raggle-taggle gypsies-o.

[1] Traditional as in "I have at least 4 copies[2] of this song being sung by different bands".

[2] Celtic Stone, Joni Minstrel, Finnegans Wake, and Shamus O'Blivion. Possibly more, given the way it changes names[3].

[3] And I have Heather Alexander singing a song called "The Black Jack's Lady" that's well, sort of a sequel, about how Black Jack Davy takes off afterwards, and the ladies pursuit of him. Very entertaining, and not on youtube, just the album "Life's Flame".

The Moody Blues have soul:

Discuss

I am curious and so I read these "best of" lists with skepticism and some distain.  The one below did not disappoint.  Too many recent covers to be called the "best."  If I am going to make a list of the "best" let the subjects stand the test of time.

I bought a book called "100 Best Album Covers" once, (see above) I still have it.  It is a great book with some selections I might agree with, but it omits some that I would have included.

Maybe you are like me with these "best of" lists, so check it out for yourself and see what's missing.

 http://www.comcast.net/music/greatestalbumcoversofalltime/slideshow/view/

Album covers I would have included in no particular order and by no means exclusively: 

1)  Moody Blues, In Search of the Lost Chord

2)  Pink Floyd, Ummagumma

3)  Neil Young, Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere

4)  Jimi Hendrix, Axis: Bold As Love

5)  Derek and the Dominoes, Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs 

6)  Led Zeppelin, Houses of the Holy

7)  Quicksilver Messenger Service, Happy Trails

8)  Alan Parson's Project, I, Robot

9)  The Beatles, Revolver

10) Bob Dylan, Highway 61 Revisited

11) John Hartford, Aero-Plane

12) Traffic, Shoot Out at the Fantasy Factory

13) The Doors, Strange Days

14) Jesse Winchester, Jesse Winchester

15) Steve Miller Band, Sailor

16) Iron Butterfly, Metamorphosis

17) Captain Beyond, Sufficiently Breathless

18 David Bowie, The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars

19) The Rolling Stones, Let it Bleed

20) Jefferson Starship, Dragonfly

.

I'm sure there are a jillion others out there, but the point is: a truly artful cover will compel a person to pick the album up and look at it whether you are familiar with the artist or not.  Most of these did that for me before I grew to love the contents.

I'd be curious to know what you think of this list, their list or make your own list and share it with me, just remember this...

most lists (including mine) suck.

peace.

P.S.  Wow, I woke up today and found out Akismet protected me from 19,999 spam comments!  Put that on a list somewhere...

El quinteto británico Moody Blues, formado en Brimingham en 1964, es un grupo de enorme éxito y actividad. Con su segundo álbum, 'Days of Future Passed' (1967), cambiaron los planteamientos musicales de la época.

Una de sus canciones mas recordadas corresponde a éste álbum, ‘Nights in White Satin’.Consiguió importantes puestos en las listas de éxitos y muy buenas críticas.

El grupo se componía de Justin Hayward (que había ocupado el sitio de Denny Laine), Graeme Edge, Ray Thomas, Mike Pinder y John Lodge.

Moody Blues -  Nights in White Satin

Moody Blues -  Nights in White Satin

(1970, The Isle Of Wight)

The Moody Blues formed in Birmingham England in 1964 as a rhythm and blues band that developed into progressive rock. Among their innovations was a fusion with classical music, most notably in their legendary 1967 LP Days of Future Passed. From that album came hits like Nights In White Satin and Tuesday Afternoon.

The producer of that ground breaking LP was Hugh Mendl. Mendl has taken his Final Taxi at 88.

Besides music producer Mendl was responsible for signing several well know musical acts to recording label Decca Records where he also was a A&R man and moved into the manager's spot. His career for Decca was for over 40 years.

Born in London in 1919, Hugh Mendl was educated at Oxford and planned on working in the government. One night in 1939 his life changed after hearing a jazz band on a vinyl record. He made a decision that night to become part of the music recording industry.

Mendl's grandfather was the chairman of Decca Records and he was able to get his foot in the door at a low level job. He worked his way up the ladder to become a lobbyist for the label. He would travel to radio station and plug the new products.

After serving in the British military in World War II, Mendl returned to Decca and became a talent scout. During this time he discovered an artist named Lonnie Donegan. While in the studio Mendl convinced Donegan to have to play 'skiffle" music and to make a recording of Leadbelly's Rock Island Line. The song generated a new excitement in "skiffle" music and a new phase of rock and roll was born.

One band that was born from the skiffle music was a new band from Liverpool called The Beatles. Mendl was very interested in them and presented their music to Decca. The top brass, executive Dick Rowe, turned the Fab Four down. Mendl knew he was right about the band, especially when his rival, George Martin over at the EMI label, took them on. The rest is music history.

Decca started listen to Mendl knowing how much money they had lost by not having The Beatles on their label. He then heard the Rolling Stones at a live concert and knew they could become as big as The Beatles. He brought them to Decca but Dick Rowe took the credit for the find and the signing.

Mendl also discovered other rock acts like, David Bowie, Genesis, Caravan and John Mayall and the Bluesbreakers, a band that included Eric Clapton.

He started producing LPs for several jazz bands as well as Broadway musicals, including "Hello Dolly." His most successful will be the Days of Future Passed by the Moody Blues. Rock critics cite this as the first symphonic rock album and it remains one of the classic rock albums. If you pick up this record you can read Mendl own words on the liner notes:

"In Days of Future Passed, the Moody Blues have at last done what many others have dreamed of and talked about: they have extended the range of pop music, and found the point where it becomes one with the world of the classics."

In 1979, as manager of Decca Records, Mendl suffered a heart attack and retired from the industry to set up a small antiques shop.

I have had several friends who have stopped off at the little shop and talk to the nice old English gentleman who ran the store. They had no idea that this was a man who helped change the face of rock music.

Oh I dreamed last night I was hearing
Hearing your voice
And the things that you said well they left me
Left me no choice
And you told me we had the power
And you told me this was the hour
That you don’t know how
If I could show you now

Well I dreamed last night you were calling
Calling my name
You were locked inside of you secrets
Calling my name
And you told me lost was the key
And you told me how you long to be free
That you don’t know how
Oh let me show you now

Like a bird on a far distant mountain
Like a ship on an uncharted sea
You are lost in the arms that have found you
Don’t be afraid
Love’s plans are made
Oh don’t be afraid

If there’s a time
And a place to begin love
It must be now
Let it go
Set it free

Oh I dreamed last night I was hearing
Hearing your voice
Why did you say those things that have left me
Left me no choice
When you told me we had the power
Why did you tell me now was the hour
But you don’t know how
Oh let me show you now

Like a bird on a far distant mountain
Like a ship on an uncharted sea
You are lost in the arms that have found you
Oh don’t be afraid
Love’s plans are made
Don’t be afraid

If there’s a time
And a place to begin love
It must be now
Let it go
Set it free
Oh I dreamed last night I was hearing
Hearing your voice

]]> http://30daysout.wordpress.com/?p=775 Wed, 16 Jul 2008 10:00:36 +0000 30daysout http://30daysout.wordpress.com/?p=775

MP3: "Dark Star" (45 single) by the Grateful Dead

9. Their Satanic Majesties Request album by the Rolling Stones. Trying to keep up with the Beatles in 1967, the Stones put out their most ill-advised album ever. Thank god they followed it up a year later with the classic Beggars Banquet.

MP3: "In Another Land" by the Rolling Stones 

8.75 The Moody Blues had quite a bit of this nonsense during their career.  Timothy Leary's dead?  You bet.

MP3: "Legend Of A Mind" by the Moody Blues

8. Anything psychedelic recorded after 1973. Remember when Prince went psychedelic with "Raspberry Beret"?  Or Phish ... ugh.  The true awfulness of this selection is summed up in three words: Lenny.  Fucking.  Kravitz.

7. Blue Cheer was once cited by Rolling Stone as the world's loudest band.  Named for a type of LSD, this San Francisco group is most famous for their psychedelicized remake of Eddie Cochran's "Summertime Blues."  Heavy.

MP3: "Summertime Blues" by Blue Cheer

6.476.  Aguaturbia.  Check out this Chilean group's album cover featuring the freakiest looking naked hippie chick you've ever seen.  If that isn't enough to haunt your nightmares, listening to this masterpiece all the way through will do the trick.

MP3: "E.V.O.L." by Aguaturbia

6.  Mountain was a rock force in the late 1960s-early 1970s, powered by Leslie West on guitar and Felix Pappalardi on bass.  Pappalardi, producer of Cream, tried to mimic the success of that great power trio with only mixed success.  "Mississippi Queen" rocked FM radio but the majority of Mountain's output, especially live, more typically resembled this painful live cut.

MP3: "Dream Sequence: Guitar Solo/Roll Over Beethoven/Dreams of Milk and Honey" (live) by Mountain

Man, I have the munchies.  Rest up, and we'll see you in a couple days with Part 2.  Peace!

Toda la musica del proximo disco de IQ, cuyo titulo tentativo es Frequency, ha sido escrita y tendra una extension de poco menos de una hora. Algunos de los temas confirmados seran "Frequency", "Crashed and Burned", "Long One" y "Closer". El grupo se encuentra registrando partes de bajo y voz, y la mezcla se anuncia para septiembre, esperandose la edicion para fines de noviembre.

¿YES SIN JON ANDERSON?

Desde hace unos dias circulan varios rumores acerca del futuro de Yes. Al parecer Howe, Squire y White, junto a Oliver Wakeman, incorporarian a un nuevo vocalista -al parecer miembro de una banda tributo-que reemplace a Jon Anderson, quien no se encuentra en condiciones de realizar una gira con la banda. Quizas el grupo realice asi una breve gira hacia fin de año. Esto no se ha confirmado oficialmente, pero otras versiones, como la que indicaba que Anderson habia afirmado que no tocaria nunca mas con Yes, no harian mas que sugerir que algo de cierto habria en esta informacion.

MOODY BLUES

El sello Eagle Rock anuncio que lanzara el trabajo Live at the Isle of Wight 1970 el proximo 26 de agosto en formato CD. Se espera su edicion en DVD para 2009, con los siguientes temas:
1) Gypsy
2) Sunset
3) Tuesday Afternoon
4) Minstrel's Song
5) Never Comes The Day
6) Tortoise And The Hare
7) Question
8) Melancholy Man
9) Are You Sitting Comfortably
10) The Dream
11) Have You Heard
12) Nights In White Satin
13) Legend Of A Mind

14) Ride My See Saw

PROGRESS RECORDS

El sello sueco lanzo a fines de junio el estupendo trabajo debut del duo Unifaun. La intencion de este grupo es "crear las canciones que Genesis jamas hizo" lo cual se logra en forma sobresaliente en el trabajo del mismo nombre del grupo sueco. Aquellos que quieran oir como suena esta promisoria banda puede acceder a un tema completo en forma gratuita aqui.
Por otra parte Progress anuncio que en breve relanzara el disco de High Wheel Back from the Void y finalmente editara el demorado nuevo trabajo de Cross, The Thrill of Nothingness.

I am a gadget freak... I have realized it off late. As much as I try to convince myself otherwise . That being said, let me also re emphasize . If a brand comes out with a new product (say apple, and their iphone 3g fiasco, for the sake of example), I'm not interested, till I find a use for it. I do not swear by brands.

Well, nonetheless, I also have realized, that I am an audiophile. Good sound delights me in a way that snazzy interface would probably affect mac users. We all have our poison. If you are beginning to think this one's against apple here, lemme clear it out, no I am not in a position to crib against them. Not a single apple product till date. They just make a good example of "obsessed people", and crazy marketing.

Now, well, back to business....

So, I like good audio. I have lots of products from sony. (Naturally, you might say). O sony .. why must you do this to your users. The headphones are great. I'm loving it, even as I type out this post. But there's a string (or shall we call it the sony proprietary connector .... eyuuch ) attached to my phone. What a totally useless piece of engineering. I mean look at the number of exposed pins( and the size). Looks like a recipe for disaster, as compared to plain old USB B mini.

So, I used to think, sony must've got it wrong, you know back in the ol' days, of lesser standards, and days of experimentation. Look at the picture now. There have been more and enough people who crib about the same problem. Connectors of Sony Walkman phones go bust (aren't they bound to). My second set of headphones are giving problems, and never have the plain ol' 3.5 mm stereo connectors suggested anything to those lines. Not even the usb mini ones. Some of the design should be based on experiences, you know, they aren't kidding when they say that time is the best teacher. The standards are based on the usability, and not due to a desire to capture the market. So who seems goofy now ? Go take a look at the newer lines of Sony phones. They have only one probable line of reasoning ... backward compatibility (yeah, with crap).

Sony, when, most of the products are talking nicely of convergence, and well they also put their dollars where there mouth is. Yea I'm talking of memory cards. Nokia, motorola , and a lot of cameras, couple of other gadgets use a SD card. Seems good. Why must Sony products use a MS pro ... I have a PSP, plays well with my other sony stuff, but very recently I bought a Nokia product(I am not a brand driven person) . Quite naturally, it won't be allowed to exist in my Sony device ecosystem. So then, I have slowly come to a realization ... Sony is not as sweet as it once seemed. Well, if only they could give me a reasoning for:

Well, so all of you people, snared in Sony world, I urge you to reconsider your next Sony purchase?Is it worth it.Audio stuff from Sony is good, no doubt, but clearly, the company has decided that it does not intend to play around nicely to others, which I feel is a very bad policy, in today's market.

So, what are the alternatives for common sony products, like walkman phones , PSP, and PS3, good headphones?Baah... must go out  and buy a new memory stick.

Mel Galley, former guitarist of Whitesnake has lost his battle with cancer.

The Telegraph reports: Friends in the music business have paid tribute to the rock star, who succumbed to cancer of the oesophagus a month before he was scheduled to go on the road again with a new band. He had announced in February that he was suffering from the disease and was given just weeks to live. His positive attitude to his illness enabled him to spend his final months saying goodbye to his many friends. He died at his home in Heath Hayes, Staffordshire, where he had been nursed by his wife Annette. Galley joined Whitesnake in 1982 after a shake-up of the group by original founder David Coverdale. They enjoyed a top 10 hit with the album Saints An' Sinners, which inlcluded the single "Here I Go Again." The band headlined the Monsters of Rock festival at Castle Donnington in 1983. Earlier this year, the musician, originally from Cannock in the West Midlands, said: "It happens, but I've had a fantastic life. I have been very lucky. I have seen some great bands, and played with many great musicians. I am thankful that I can say a proper goodbye to all the friends I have made, who are now rallying round me." In March, Chris Evans, the Radio Two disc-jockey, was one of those at the 60th birthday of the musician, who made his name with Whitesnake, Trapeze and Finders Keepers. Mr Evans said: "He was a fine man, never knowingly besmirched by anyone. "Not a bad bone in his body, and annoyingly good at tennis. We've lost a good one there." Galley said a final farewell to his Trapeze co-star Glenn Hughes, who used to play with Deep Purple, a week ago. Mr Hughes said: "He was my oldest, closest friend, bandmate and brother." Moody Blues star Justin Hayward, with whom Mel played in The Blue Jays, said: "Mel's quiet, laconic humour and infectious smile brought real warmth into my life. "His contribution as a musician and friend was immeasurable. "Our times together are magical memories for me. "Some people possess the quality of true timelessness, and Mel is one of the few who the years never seemed to change." Bass player John Lodge, also of the Moody Blues and Blue Jays, said: "From our first recording sessions together, his enthusiasm and his passion shone through, and it was a true pleasure to be part of his life. "His songwriting and his melodious rock guitar playing will be his legacy. Mel, your music lives on." The musician's manager Tony Perry said: "Mel was a superb musician and a true friend. "It has been a great pleasure and a wonderful experience to have been involved in his career for so many years. "His outlook on life and his courage will remain with me forever. I will miss him greatly." Tony's daughter, TV star Suzi Perry, said: "Mel was the kind of person that you just wanted to be around – warm, generous, and very talented. "He owned a wonderful sense of humour, and time spent with him was always fun. "As a child growing up, he was my rock star hero, and as an adult he was the perfect and coolest godfather. "Mel was very easy to love, and that's why he will be missed by everyone who came into his life."

Thanks to Craig over at Number1Albums for the info.

I got to ride my bicycle from around AT & T Park in San Francisco out to Sausalito on Friday. I haven't rode in about a month and it was great. I was climbing the hill at The Presidio when Moody Blue's "Tuesday Afternoon" came on my iPod. The lyrics go something like this:
Tuesday afternoon,
I'm just beginning to see, now I'm on my way
It doesn't matter to me, chasing the clouds away.

Tuesday, afternoon,
I'm just beginning to see, now I'm on my way.
It doesn't matter to me, chasing the clouds away.
Something, calls to me,
The trees are drawing me near, I've got to find out why?
Those gentle voices I hear, explain it all with a sigh.

It was funny because I have always used faster music, i.e. punk or metal, to get me motivated. I was listening to the intro on that sound and just felt a burst of energy as I started my climb. It was an interesting experiment. I usually turn around after crossing the Golden Gate Bridge. I wanted to climb up to Marin Headlands, but the wind was too strong so I decided to head out to Sausalito. I cheated and took the ferry back to San Francisco once I got there. It was fun to get back on a boat and I have a feeling that I may be seeing a lot of water in the coming months.

The music that came up on shuffle as I was crossing the bay was pretty funny. It went something like this:

Switchfoot "Home," Siouxsie and the Banshees "Christine," Prince "Do Me, Baby," Toni Basil "Mickey," and Jeff Buckley "Grace."

I went out with my friend, Darcy, to go check out an exhibit in Oakland yesterday. I had an experience in tolerance yesterday that I will not soon forget.

I was at the bus stop looking at a map for directions. A man made a comment not to crowd him. I simply explained that I was trying to look at the map and would be out of his space in a second. I understand what it feels like when someone is crouching in on your space. He started to hurl some insults my way and I simply ignored him. As I was walking away, he made another comment and I turned around. It was immediately then that I saw what others have seen in me before - anger. I proceeded to walk over and ask him why. Why did he feel it was necessary to insult me. Why he felt that he needed to take all his frustrations of the world out on me. I explained to him that I understood what he was feeling and that I was not to one to blame. We then exchanged a dollar for a hug. He apologized and we both went about our ways.

I have debated about whether I wanted to write what I am about to right here since I began typing that last paragraph. The heart of the issue in speaking with that man was about race. You see, he was black; I am mostly Mexican passing as a white. Bottom line: he saw me as whitey.

I have listened to all struggles when it comes to racial issues, as well as social issues. I also no first had what it is like to struggle to get by. I know what it is like to be turned down for a job. The color of my skin does not predispose me to a better life. Do I sometimes have a "leg up" on other races because the color of my skin? Sure, but that doesn't mean that I don't understand what it is like for someone to be hassled by the police or being turned down for a job. I listened to friends tell me about these issues on almost a daily basis. To say I turn a blind eye to others' struggles because of the color of my skin is foolish.

I heard someone say a few days ago that we are one race - the human race. I realize that I may never see that perfect world in my lifetime. I have seen tremendous strides towards equalities and pray that we as a society open our eyes a little more to the atrocities that occur in this world on a daily basis. Little Mr. and Mrs. Suburban Dwellers can focus on themselves for all I care. I know that there are people in this world who actually give a damn about their fellow human beings. We are on the cusp of exercising knowledge of not only one's self, but others as well. I sure hope we don't blow it.

There are distant voices calling me,

there is a heart I yearn to have

beating in unison with my own...

up close, in sync... beautiful harmony.

So I will travel to the Great White North...

we will wine and dine 

cram as much living as we can

into the next few days.

There are always the archives...

even I check them out once in a while

just to see where I was

and if I still am.

You'll be fine... trust me.

peace.

So last night, when I got back from Alpha, I purged my iRiver and added a few Gb of stuff that I'd not played in a while: Alan Parsons solo, Robert Fripp, Daryl Hall, PFM, Gentle Giant, Banco del Mutuo Soccorso and many more.

Therefore, this morning was a lot better - I came into work having played all of Alan Parsons' A Valid Path.  I used to play it a lot when it first came out but, in recent years, I tended to bypass his post-Project albums and play either Tales of Mystery and Imagination or Turn of a Friendly Card.  It's quite a departure for Parsons - more in the electronic/trance style, but there's obvious Parsons traits in there.  "You Can Run" could easily have fit on The Time Machine (minus its electronic treatment) and the new versions of two APP classics ("Mammagamma" and a hybrid of "A Dream Within a Dream"/"The Raven") are pretty listenable but not preferable to the originals.  What surprised me initially about the album was Alan's first ever lead vocal - he acquits himself well.  Not the best of singers, but I've heard far worse.

All three of the music groups I'm about to post, I've listened to so many times that a good deal of their music is probably engraved somewhere on my brain:

School - Supertramp

First off, let's go back to Supertramp. I love Supertramp, as you may have gathered. And this song goes along the theme of songs about being good, and obeying authority figures that I was talking about not that long ago...

"They tell you not to hang around
And learn what life's about
And grow up just like them,
Won't let you work it out
And you're full of doubt..."

Dear Diary - Moody Blues

My mom is a big Moody Blues fan. I must have listened to every album that exists multiple times. And most of it is stored somewhere indelibly in my memory.

Not that I'm objecting; I like the Moody Blues. I've just listened to them enough times that I barely ever listen to them any more.

We May Never Pass This Way Again - Seals & Crofts

I'm not sure why I like Seals & Crofts so much, but I do. The shame, really, is that half their music never made it from record to cd. This song is just one of many classic songs they have done...

A guest on the Alpha course I'm helping out on recommended Watershed by Opeth - stating it's like Dream Theater with the occasional death growl.  I'd already heard some of their music as I'd known of their association with Porcupine Tree's Steven Wilson and because my wife's cousin is a fan.  I had already acquired a pre-release sampler containing 3 tracks and 2 edits - playing them on the "radio" in GTA: San Andreas (beats the standard hip-hop soundtrack).  It's not bad - the songwriting is really good at times, as is the performance, but the death growls are a little off-putting.  Michael Akerfeldt is a good enough singer in his natural voice without barking down the microphone - it makes it somewhat superfluous and unnecessary.  Besides... it's not very good for the throat.

You ever get the reaction when someone innocuously says something and your brain equates it to something completely out it in left field? Someone said "once upon a time" to me today, and all of a sudden I'm singing The Moody Blues. I probably haven't heard that song since I was 12 years old.

On my walk this afternoon, I felt like playing Days of Future Passed - it's the one that got me onto the Moodies in the first place, but like all the Moodie's albums, there's something about it that sounds a bit too kitsch. There a moments on DoFP that sound as if it's performed by an orchestra more suited to light entertainment TV - particularly on "Another Morning" and the bit directly preceding "Peak Hour". Apart from that, I can't really fault the Moodies' contributions. There's nothing I can say about "Nights in White Satin" that hasn't been said before, but if you've only ever heard it in its 4min single version, you're missing out. Worth noting is that "Twilight Time" is somewhat rocky for a Thomas-penned track who, at the time, tended to write softer material that was suitable for playing on the flute.

The Moodies' music is well suited to the MoFI treatment - plenty of dynamics, sweet highs, resonant lows and a vocal presence that puts you in the same room as whoever's singing.

On the Threshold of a Dream, their third album with the classic lineup (and fourth overall), holds up well too - although "Send Me No Wine" doesn't add any additional merit to John Lodge's portfolio, and Ray Thomas' "Lazy Day" is a little too chirpy on an album that's very serious and contemplative.

Brantford's answer to the Sex Pistols, Sloan, the Beatles, The Moody Blues, Weezer and Bob Dylan will be playing in June 15th at the Ford Plant (60 Colborne St) with the bicycles at 9pm. Cover is $5.

Featuring Alex Iarocci on vocals & guitars), Myles Pye on vocals & guitars and Andrew Casarsa smacking the drums, the Torcus will warp your fragile little mind.

The Getaway Team in Staines

The Getaway Team, The Hobgblin, Staines May 29 2008

The Getaway Team from Guildford are here to write music and have the time of their lives!

They started writing together in mid 2006, and found a knack of producing some catchy pop songs, with some pop-punk and indie thrown in!

In the past few months they have started playing those songs in what has become an exciting, adrenaline-fueled live show. The band have recently finished recording a debut mini album titled 'Haven't You Heard', out June 2nd.

The Debut single 'Lost All Hope' will hit shops on May 5th, available for download and on limited Green vinyl, with a postcard and stickers inside; so make sure you hook yourselves up!

See them live in Staines on the 29th at The Hob or on:

Jul 24 2008 8:00P The Boileroom, Guildford w/ Cut The Blue Wire

http://www.myspace.com/thegetawayteam

2.

Go see the Cadillac Kings at Jagz, Ascot

Cadillac Kings - May 31 2008 8:00P Jagz Club, Ascot Berks

Featuring six of the UK's top blues & roots musicians, The Cadillac Kings play music inspired by the sounds & styles of the 40s & 50s. A mix of mostly original songs with a few well-chosen covers from the likes of T-Bone Walker, Roy Brown & Champion Jack Dupree have made the band firm favourites on both the blues & jump-jive scenes. With their stunning musicianship & exciting stage act, this is a band that knows how to entertain audiences across the board, from arts centres to dance-halls, from intimate clubs to major festivals.

Influences: T-Bone Walker, Louis Jordan, Slim Harpo, Champion Jack Dupree, James Harman, Elmore James, Billy the Kid Emerson, William Clarke, Ray Charles, The Coasters, Professor Longhair, Boozoo Chavis, Jimmy Reed, Clifton Chenier, George Smith

Also catch them at:

Sep 20 2008 8:00P Blues at the Fort Festival Fort Purbrook, Hants

CLICK HERE for the acclaimed Cadillac Kings Allbum- Highway 17

http://www.myspace.com/thecadillackings

3.

Go rock with Netherworld, Staines

Netherworls May 30 2008 8:00P Staines Riverside Club Staines

Fronted by Jason Stretch on vocals and guitar, backed by the brilliant bass and vocals of Paul Smith and dynamic drumming of Ian Roberts- this rockin' band will rock your (nether)world. Covering the best of classic rock songs, this three-piece bring their wealth of professional talent together for this new project.

Previous gigging and recording credits include ; Bad II The Bone, British Lion, Steve Harris (Iron Maiden), Reload, The Dhogie Band and Phil Mogg (UFO).

You will not fail to be impressed by the superbly tight musicianship of these three heavyweight players ...

Also catch them at:

Jun 14 2008 8:00P The Camphill Club Surrey

Jun 15 2008 8:00P The Six Bells Brentford

Jun 20 2008 8:00P The Shire Horse Hounslow

Jul 11 2008 8:00P The Running Horse Bracknell

Jul 26 2008 8:00P The Cardinal Wolsey

Aug 1 2008 8:00P The Red Lion Twickenham

http://www.myspace.com/netherworldrock

4.

Go experience Kakuzi at Staines

Kakuzi- The Hobgblin, Staines May 29 2008

Kakuzi (formally known as DARK-FiRE) formed with the current line up in September 2006, jamming out just a few of songs to enter their first gig as a band in the Mole Valley Battle of the Bands. Since then the band has been through a short phase of high energy raw punky rock music, to exploring new dimensions and styles of music. They have really honed in their live set, gigging regularly at the Grey Horse, Kingston and other venues around Guildford and Surrey. Their first E.P, "Senses" can be bought off them at any of their gigs for £5 each.

Currently the band are back in the studio recording a variety of tracks for an E.P. titled "Corridors".

The Band:

Lucas (Luc) O'Neill, Isamu (Sam) Yoneda, Alastair (Ali) Lawrenson, Alexander-James (AJ) Fritsch, David (Dave) Medlicott

Influences:

Audioslave The Cardigans The Clash The Doors Faithless Foo Fighters Hendrix Incubus Kasabian Leftfield Led Zeppelin The Mars Volta Muse Nirvana Pendulum Pink Floyd Radiohead Red Hot Chilli Peppers R.E.M. Stone Roses

Also catch the band at:

Jun 18 2008 8:00P Grey Horse - Kingston, Battle of the Bands

http://www.myspace.com/kakuzi
5.

Wonder at Prog-Rock Legends 'Haze' at Kingston

Haze -May 31 2008 8:00P The Peel (30th anniversary show) Kingston

Formed in 1978 by Chris and Paul McMahon, Haze were one of the founders of the neo-progressive revival of the early 1980s. The band went through a number of line-up changes until drummer Paul Chisnell joined in 1983, completing the classic line-up which was to remain unaltered until the band's demise in 1988. On 31st May 1998 Haze reunited for a 20th anniversary concert in Sheffield and now you can be part of the history-of-haze by seeing them on their 30th anniversary reunion.

Although part of the 1980s "progressive" revival, Haze were always much more than just another Yes/Genesis clone, moving with ease across the spectrum from rock to funk, pop to progressive in their own distinctive style. World Turtle have continued in this tradition, bringing modern sounds and influences, as well as powerful, intelligent lyrics to the brothers' undoubted musical and songwriting skills.

On 31st May 1998 Haze reunited for a 20th anniversary concert in Sheffield. The show was a great success and was recorded for a limited edition double live CD on Cyclops Records. Since then the band have headlined a number of shows in Sheffield, supported IQ and John Wetton at the Whitchurch Music Festival and toured Italy, Belgium & Switzerland twice.

The band are now planning a European tour, a new live CD, and the re-issue of their "Stoat & Bottle" album.

Paul Chisnell - percussion, vocals
Paul McMahon - guitars & vocals
Chris McMahon - keybords, bass & vocals

Influences Van Der Graaf Generator, King Crimson, Yes, Genesis, Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, Rory Gallagher, Steve Hillage, Mahavishnu Orchestra, Moody Blues, Rush.

http://www.myspace.com/hazeuk

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Keep Visiting www.AdPontes-Staines.com for news, views, reviews, articles and what's on in Staines

Brantford's answer to the Sex Pistols, the Beatles, The Moody Blues , Weezer , Sloan and Bob Dylan will be playing with Rockenspiel and the Magic on June 6th at the Trepid House (130 King St N, Waterloo). Featuring Alex Iarocci on vocals & guitars), Myles Pye on vocals & guitars and Andrew Casarsa smacking the drums, the Torcus will warp your fragile little mind.

Once upon a time, radio was the great communicator.  Radio was totally of the moment - in the late 1950s through the earthshaking times between 1967 and 1970 - and it conveyed an immediacy, an urgency, that seismic changes were taking place in the culture.  Television, on the other hand, was more uptight and conservative and born to follow.  Today, radio's preeminence has been eclipsed by the internet.

Some radio programmers were not content to merely play the latest hits.  They wanted their music live, so they went to the source and plugged right in.  The British Broadcasting Corp. (BBC) in the 1960s pioneered this practice, inviting top-of-the-pops groups like the Beatles, the Kinks and the Moody Blues to perform in their studios with little or no overdubbing.  The live-to-tape shows were then broadcast as a package later.

Today, some brave radio stations are still following that practice, but they are few and far between.  The great KGSR in Austin, KEXP in Seattle, KCBO in Boulder, Colo., KCRW in Los Angeles and WXPN in Philly all regularly feature live performances.  They're not the only ones, by any means, but they are all available on the web.  Seek them out and support them.

Let's flip through a few of our favorite live performances on the radio.  Some notes: Jimi Hendrix, the Moody Blues, the Kinks and the Byrds were BBC favorites and made numerous appearances.  So were Led Zeppelin, who performed Sleepy John Estes' "The Girl I Love She Got Long Black Wavy Hair" in 1969, the only time they ever did this song live.

Bruce Springsteen had a legendary in-studio show on Houston's KLOL in 1974, but later that year he did another great show, on WBCN in Boston.  The Stooges in 2007 and Vampire Weekend in 2008 performed from the South by Southwest festival in Austin for KEXP.  And David Gilmour and Carbon/Silicon come to us from the always incredible "World Café" show on WXPN.  Enjoy!

MP3: Lovely To See You by the Moody Blues (BBC) 

MP3: Days by the Kinks (BBC)

MP3: Hey Joe by Jimi Hendrix Experience (BBC)

MP3: The Girl I Love Has Long Black Wavy Hair by Led Zeppelin (BBC)

MP3: So You Want To Be A Rock and Roll Star by the Byrds (BBC)

MP3: Rosalita by Bruce Springsteen (WBCN)

MP3: Comfortably Numb by David Gilmour (WXPN's "World Cafe")

MP3: Me and Bobby McGee by Kris Kristofferson (KGSR)

MP3: Jimmy Reed Highway by Omar "Kent" Dykes & Jimmie Vaughan (KGSR)

MP3: Trollin' by the Stooges (KEXP)

MP3: A-Punk by Vampire Weekend (KEXP)

MP3: I Loved You by Carbon/Silicon (WXPN's "World Café")

Billboard.com reports:

Hugh Mendl, the influential British producer and A&R man who signed the likes of Genesis and David Bowie to Decca Records, passed away on July 7 at the age of 88. Born in London on Aug. 6, 1919, Mendl was educated at University College, Oxford, and had readied himself for a career in the diplomatic service. However, the call of music proved too much. Like many top music executives, Mendl worked his way from the ground up, starting from the post room of Decca Records, where his grandfather was chairman. Mendl was called up for duty during the Second World War, but still managed to find a purpose for his love and knowledge of music, presenting a jazz show on Palestine Radio and reading the news for British Mediterranean broadcasting on British Armed Forces Radio. After the war, Mendl returned to Decca, where he was instrumental in signing Bowie, Genesis and John Mayall and the Bluesbreakers, and gave a break to Tommy Steele and Lonnie Donegan, among others. He also executive produced the Moody Blues' second official album, "Days of Future Passed," from 1967. "Hugh was one of the great A&R men of his era, capable of spotting and encouraging unique and unusual talent," recalls Max Hole, Universal Music Group International executive VP and Asia-Pacific region president. "He got me started in this business when I was managing and producing bands, by offering me and my business partner a three-year deal with Decca," notes Hole. "We used to look forward to our fortnightly meetings with him, which were like a seminar in the music business coupled with a good gossip." Mendl remained with Decca until 1979 when he suffered a heart attack. He retired the following year, and moved to Devon, south west England, where he opened an antique store. Hole describes the late executive as "a real gentleman, kind and intelligent, with a wicked sense of humor. Countless artists owe their start in the music business to him." Mendl is survived by his wife, Beverley, and four children. - Lars Brandle