Best Music Related Books of 2021

These are my picks for Best Music Related Books of 2021...

1. Gina Schock, Made in Hollywood: All Access with the Go-Go’s (Black Dog & Leventhal/Hachette)

This was a banner year for activity in the world of the Go-Go's. 

First came the home video release of the excellent, critically-acclaimed documentary by Alison Ellwood. Then there was a 20th anniversary debut on LP for the studio album "God Bless the Go-Go's" and the musicians' long-overdue induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. 

"Made in Hollywood: All Access with the Go-Go’s" by drummer Gina Schock arrived this past October. Long known as the member who most often chronicled the band's activities throughout their hitmaking 1980s heyday, Schock had saved all sorts of memorabilia, ephemera, Polaroids and other photos that formed the basis of this great 223-page hardback coffee table book/memoir.

Rife with black and white and color photos of the band and various celebs they met, LP and single covers, tour schedules and posters and more, "Made in Hollywood" is written in a breezy, conversational style that can easily be read in a day. 

Bassist Kathy Valentine (who penned the equally fine biography "All I Ever Wanted" in 2020) did the book's forward, while guitarists Jane Wiedlin and Charlotte Caffey contributed full page recollections, alongside Eurythmics' Dave Stewart, Pee-Wee Herman (he was a big Go-Go's fan that introduced them onstage in L.A. during the '80s), Schock's friends and others. 

Despite being a fan since the start and having read the memoirs of Valentine and singer Belinda Carlisle, there were still some new things I discovered about Schock's Baltimore upbringing, her early music career before moving to Los Angeles and post-Go-Go's career in House of Schock. 

Highly recommended for diehard and casual Go-Go's fans alike.

2. Three Pianos, Andrew McMahon (Princeton Architectural Press)

The Orange County, Calif.-based singer/pianist for Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness does an adept job at his debut memoir.

It unflinchingly describes the musician's difficult upbringing, how three pianos he called "friends" helped him make sense of the world, navigating music success as a young man with Something Corporate (and later with Jack's Mannequin), undergoing a bone marrow transplant to beat cancer and finding happiness as a married man with a child. 

3. Always a Song: Singers, Songwriters, Sinners & Saints - My Story of the Folk Music Revival, Ellen Harper with Sam Barry (Chronicle Prism)

Long before she was known as "Ben Harper's mother," Ellen Harper was a major fixture in the Southern California folk music scene from helping run the Folk Music Center in Claremont that her parents started when she was young.

The instrument sales, repair and instruction shop served as a hangout for folk and blues musicians who would tour the area (Taj Mahal, Joan Baez, Pete Seeger, Jackson Browne) and often do acoustic sets at The Center (something current owner Ben continues to support today).

In "Always a Song," Ellen Harper - also a singer/songwriter/instructor - expertly provides context about what effect the civil rights movement and anti-war protests had on the folk music genre as a whole, especially during the Sixties. She tells interesting stories about the early careers of Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell and other musicians, reveals the struggles of raising mixed race children as a single mother in the '60s and '70s with nuance and grace, and later takes pride in her son Ben's 1990s success, their 2014 collaboration "Childhood Home" and finally culminating in realizing the dream of recording her own solo album, "Light Has a Life of its Own" in 2018. 

2021 Albums and Music DVD/Blu-ray Releases You Might Have Missed

With all of the music that I receive over the course of the year, it's impossible to get to everything around release date time. Below are some album and home video music titles worthy of your attention.  

Brian Setzer, Gotta Have the Rumble (Surfdog/Mascot Label Group)

Following the underrated Stray Cats reunion album "40" in 2019, Setzer put out the thoroughly enjoyable "Gotta Have the Rumble" - his first solo album in seven years. Wisely utilizing the deft production touch of Julian Raymond (Cheap Trick, Fastball), the veteran singer/guitarist had a hand in writing every song. All but one feature his trademark rockabilly and roots rock sound. Stray Cats bandmate Slim Jim Phantom co-wrote catchy opening tune "Checkered Flag," rife with smile-inducing race analogy lyrics like "can't be humble/gotta have the rumble" and "my baby's wrapped up in a checkered flag." 

"Wrong Side of the Tracks" possesses a sleek cinematic sweep, thanks to a subtle string arrangement, while "Drip Drop," with a lean rock 'n' roll vibe and female backing vocals, recalls the 1950s Sun Records era. A humorous "The Cat with 9 Wives" sports a memorable guitar solo, as does the breakneck pace of "Smash Up on Highway One." After releasing three albums with some variation of the title "Rockabilly Riot," Setzer finally set it to a song with cool call and response vocals. Finally, the closing bluegrass-tinged "Rockabilly Banjo" features mandolin and pedal steel work by two of Nashville's top session men (Bryan Sutton, Paul Franklin). Definitely recommended for enthusiasts of Setzer's Stray Cats, BSO and solo material. 

Little Steven and the Disciples of Soul, Soulfire Live! - Expanded Edition; Macca to Mecca! (Wicked Cool/UME)

Stevie Van Zandt had a busy fall promoting his memoir "Unrequited Infatuations." But at the start of the year, fans were treated to a double shot of fantastic live releases from his large rock and traditional soul band Little Steven and the Disciples of Soul documenting the 2017 world tour for studio album "Soulfire."  

With a running time of 4 1/2 hours and 61 songs (!), the 4CD "Soulfire Live! - Expanded Edition" approaches the length of 1970s gigs Van Zandt used to do as a member of Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band. The performances, from the Disciples' 2017 North American and European concerts, are nothing short of exhilarating. 

Among multiple highlights: a spirited, politically-tinged "Salvation" (off 1999's "Born Again Savage"), the reggae lilt of "I Am a Patriot" (which Jackson Browne recorded and performed in the Eighties), the spaghetti western vibe of “Standing in the Line of Fire” (Van Zandt wrote it for a 1984 Gary U.S. Bonds album), “I Don’t Want to Go Home” and "Love on the Wrong Side of Town" (penned for the first two Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes albums in the 1970s). The musicians tackle James Brown, Electric Flag, Etta James and Ramones numbers with zeal and you gotta love Stevie's informative introductions akin to his Underground Garage radio show on SiriusXM.

Bonus Disc 3 is a real hoot with a bunch of special covers and concert guests. All work surprisingly well with a horn section. Chief among them: Tom Petty's "Even the Losers," AC/DC's "You Shook Me All Night Long," John Lennon's "Working Class Hero," The Animals' "We Gotta Get Out of This Place," the Marvin Gaye-popularized "Can I Get a Witness" (with Richie Sambora), J.Geils Band's "Freeze Frame" (with Peter Wolf), "Tenth Avenue Freeze Out" and “I Don’t Want to Go Home” (with Springsteen). 

Disc 4 contains "Macca to Mecca" from when Van Zandt and the Disciples played a 2017 lunchtime gig at The Cavern Club in Liverpool, England. The entire lively 14-song Beatles and Beatles adjacent set is represented. An appearance at The Roundhouse in London saw Paul McCartney join them for "I Saw Her Standing There." 

Also available separately is the standalone "Macca to Mecca" CD+DVD with a behind-the-scenes Cavern Club featurette, rehearsal and more.  

Oasis, Knebworth 1996 (Big Brother/Sony Music)

One of the biggest English rock acts of the 1990s performed at the country's biggest concert of the decade. The engrossing documentary Knebworth 1996, directed by Jake Scott (a Grammy nominee for R.E.M. and George Michael videos), details the mammoth events held over two nights at Knebworth Park in Hertfordshire before 250,000 people. It had a short theatrical run starting in September and broke records for a documentary across the U.K.

Fans who attended a quarter century ago describe what they went through to wait in line or dial on the phone to get tickets (2.5 million applied for tickets; about 2 percent of the population) through interviews and recreations. There is archival concert and backstage footage from the shows, interviews with singer/guitarist/songwriter Noel Gallagher, guitarist Paul "Bonehead" Arthurs and briefly, singer Liam Gallagher, plus concert organizers. 

I interviewed Noel Gallagher the year before these gigs and saw them play several times in Southern California before the '09 split. So, I was very interested in the backstory of these events that had taken on mythical proportions in Oasis lore over the intervening decades. I was not disappointed. Adding to the gigs' excitement was the appearance of Stone Roses guitarist John Squire, who had been rumored to turn up on Night 1 but actually guested on Night 2 during epic transcendent versions of "Champagne Supernova" and The Beatles' "I Am the Walrus" (supplemented by a horn section that also played on "Round Are Way").  

The DVD/Blu-ray includes the doc and both full concerts with a satisfying setlist taken from the first three albums and some B-side singles. Audio was mixed in Dolby 5.1 surround sound. A 2CD+DVD edition in a mini hardback book has credits and artsy photos by Jill Furmanovsky.

A must for any Oasis fan.

The Jenny Thing, American Canyon

One of my favorite indie releases of 2021 was "American Canyon," the scintillating fourth studio effort by The Jenny Thing. 

The Berkeley, California alt-rock band formed in 1991 and once appeared on "Star Search," a long-running precursor to "American Idol" and similar talent competitions. Playing major clubs throughout California, the quartet shared stages with Juliana Hatfield, Gin Blossoms and The Untouchables before calling it quits soon after 1999's "Nowhere Near You."

The Jenny Thing reformed around 2016 and slowly began recording new material again until they had enough for a full-length album. What results is a transfixing sound that often nods to '80s synth-pop, '90s Britpop and modern alternative bands like The Killers. 

A slowly unfurling "Waiting for the Knife" runs 6 1/2 minutes thanks to dreamy, Cure-styled touchtones. The danceable, infectious "Paper Angel" sports a lush synth undertow. The insistent "More All the Time" spotlights Matt Easton's breathy vocals and the title track is like a cross between Nine Inch Nails and Japan. But the catchiest tune here is the upbeat, poppy "Lightfield," where chiming guitar and swirling synth envelop Easton's emotive vocals. 

To purchase "American Canyon": 

https://thejennything.bandcamp.com/releases

Best Music Box Sets and Expanded Reissues of 2021

If you received any gift cards for Christmas or a December birthday and are looking for something music-related to spend them on, the following ideas are highly recommended. 

The Rolling Stones, Tattoo You (Polydor/Interscope/UME)

The lowdown: Although it primarily featured unfinished tracks worked up during studio sessions for “Goat’s Head Soup,” “Black and Blue,” “Some Girls” and “Emotional Rescue,” the 18^th American studio album by the legendary rock band is still among their best. Mick Jagger added lyrics and new vocals and the end result gelled together well as this excellent new 40^th anniversary edition with newly-remastered sound attests.

Not only did the original release win a Grammy for Best Album Package, it topped the U.S. album chart, went quadruple platinum here and spawned three top 20 singles at pop radio: “Start Me Up,” “Waiting on a Friend” and “Hang Fire,” plus a top 10 rock radio charter in “Little T&A.”

What’s inside: The super deluxe heavyweight 180-gram vinyl box set comes in a red lift off box with a cool lenticular cover that switches between the centered cover image and the one of a “tattooed” Keith Richards from the back original album cover. A 2LP gatefold includes the original album and nine “Lost & Found Rarities.” A 3LP “Still Life: Wembley Stadium 1982” (with new cover art) includes the top 30 hit cover of The Miracles’ “Going to a Go Go” and the band’s rousing takes on other hits by The Temptations, Eddie Cochran the Big Bopper.

A 124-page red hardback book is chock full of rare images from the “Tattoo You” tour as well as photos of handwritten lyrics and studio session sheets. There are four interesting chapters: The Unorthodox Making of a Rolling Stones Classic, A Classic Stones Cover with a Modern Twist with photographer Hubert Kretzschmar, Solving the Mystery of Tattoo You with co-producer Chris Kimsey and The Stones on the Road. 

Billy Joel, The Vinyl Collection, Vol.1 (Columbia/Legacy Recordings)

The lowdown: This fine box set combines the New York singer/pianist’s initial half dozen 1970s solo albums and his first official live album “Songs from the Attic” (which this writer bought on LP upon release in 1981 on the strength of the Ronnie Spector-inspired radio hit “Say Goodbye to Hollywood”). Each of the studio albums, with the exception of debut “Cold Spring Harbor,” went platinum or beyond. Together they spawned the top 40 pop chart hits “Piano Man,” “The Entertainer,” “Just the Way You Are,” “Movin’ Out,” “Only the Good Die Young,” “She’s Always a Woman,” “My Life” “Big Shot” and “Honesty.” And although not an official chart hit, “She’s Got a Way” from “Cold Spring Harbor,” became a fan favorite and early concert staple.

What’s inside: All the albums were sourced from the original album tapes, mastered by Ted Jensen at Sterling Sound and come housed in a traditional slide out box. The real treat is an exclusive pressing of “Live at The Great American Music Hall - 1975,” a previously unreleased concert recording available for the first time in this box set as a double 12" vinyl album. The live LP includes “New York State of Mind,” ‘The Ballad of Billy the Kid,” “The Entertainer” and snippets of Joe Cocker, Elton John and Leon Russell songs. “Music Hall” is exclusive to the box set. An accompanying 12x12 booklet has archival photos, an essay by veteran Rolling Stone scribe/author Anthony DeCurtis, Joel's personal recollections on his songs and albums, lyrics, his appreciation for longtime crew members, plus tributes from Garth Brooks, Paul McCartney, Tony Bennett, Sting, Roger Daltrey, Steven Tyler, P!nk, Don Henley and John Mayer.

U2, Achtung Baby (Island/Interscope/Ume)

The lowdown: The experimentalism that inhabited 1984’s “The Unforgettable Fire” was taken to amazing extremes when the Irish rock band re-teamed with producers Brian Eno, Daniel Lanois and Steve Lillywhite in Berlin and Dublin for seventh studio album “Achtung Baby.”

Inspired by late Eighties funk, hip-hop, industrial and the burgeoning dance-inspired Madchester music scene then making waves in Britain, the group crafted a landmark album that snagged two Grammy Awards and become its second biggest seller to date. “Achtung” spawned four top 40 pop singles (and five top 10s at alternative radio): “The Fly,” “One,” “Mysterious Ways,” “Even Better Than the Real Thing” and “Who’s Gonna Ride Your Wild Horses.”

What’s inside: In celebration of the 30^th anniversary, standard black vinyl and deluxe color LPs (2018 Remaster) have been released. A 50-track digital box set includes the Uber Remixes, Unter Remixes and B-Sides – remember this was a period when acts would routinely offer several CD singles of the same song with different bonus cuts. More than 20 of the 50 had never been available digitally before.

Ever since “The Joshua Tree,” U2 became known for putting out B-sides that often rivalled what appeared on the official albums. The B-sides for “Achtung” continued that tradition. If digital is your preferred medium, I would suggest getting the digital box set just to have U2’s cover of The Rolling Stones’ “Paint it Black,” Velvet Underground’s “Satellite of Love” and CCR’s “Fortunate Son” as well as “Lady with the Spinning Head,” “Salome,” “Where Did it All Go Wrong” and “Down All the Days.”

Pretenders, Pretenders and Pretenders II (Rhino/Warner Music)

The lowdown: A classic debut album, “Pretenders” announced the unique talents of singer/songwriter/guitarist Chrissie Hynde to the world in 1980 like a rocking clarion call. Alongside Martin Chambers (drums), James Honeyman-Scott (guitar) and Pete Farndon (bass), Hynde and the band attracted immediate attention with the raucous, attitude-laden “Precious,” “Tattoed Love Boys” and “The Wait,” plus melodic, more sensitive songs like a cover of The Kinks’ “Stop Your Sobbing,” “Kid” and “Private Life.” International hit single “Brass in Pocket” and racing closer “Mystery Achievement” were equally enthralling. The album went platinum in America.

A year and a half later, the follow up “Pretenders II” arrived. The final batch of songs by the original lineup was highlighted by album rock radio hits “Message of Love” and “The Adultress,” not to mention “I Go to Sleep” (another Ray Davies cover) and fan fave “Talk of the Town.”

What’s inside: Curated by Hynde, both albums are presented as 12x12 3CD deluxe sets, with high-quality soft cover books of new liner notes by journalist Will Hodgkinson and rare photos. The CDs are embedded in slide out cardboard sleeves. Remastered by original producer Chris Thomas, there are demos, rarities, BBC Sessions, live 1980 concert recordings from the Paradise Theater in Boston (“Pretenders”) and Central Park in New York City (“Pretenders II”) and a 1981 one from the Santa Monica Civic in L.A. (“Pretenders II”). Both albums are available on limited edition red and white vinyl respectively and special, numbered print based on the "Brass In Pocket" single cover limited to 500 copies worldwide, exclusively available at Rhino.com. Among the “Pretenders” B-sides standouts are the riveting “Cuban Slide” and the fiery guitar maelstrom of “Porcelain.” Much of the bonus material is previously unreleased or making its debut on CD.

George Harrison, All Things Must Pass (Capitol/UME)

The lowdown: During his time in The Beatles, Harrison would be lucky to get one or two songs on the bands’ albums. When it came time to record and co-produce “All Things Must Pass” with famed Wall of Sound producer Phil Spector, the singer/guitarist had a stockpile of strong songs dating back to 1966. A few “Pass” tracks were even worked on during the “Let it Be” sessions.

Harrison was joined in the studio by an all-star assemblage of drummers including Ringo Starr, Ginger Baker (Cream) and Alan White (Yes), bassist Klaus Voormann, keyboardists Billy Preston, Gary Wright and Gary Brooker (Procol Harum), guitarists Eric Clapton, Peter Frampton and Dave Mason, saxophonist Bobby Keys (Rolling Stones), plus rhythm guitars and percussion by Badfinger, among others.

The first-ever triple studio album released, the critically-acclaimed “All Things Must Pass” topped the Billboard 200 chart upon release in November 1970, eventually was certified six times platinum in America and became his most successful release to date. It spawned the platinum, No. 1 pop chart, double-sided single “My Sweet Lord/Isn’t it a Pity” and top 10 “What is Life,” plus album rock radio staple “If Not for You.”

What’s inside: To commemorate the 50th anniversary, “All Things Must Pass” was remixed from the original tapes and sounds crisper than ever. Dhani Harrison executive produced the music and oversaw the package design and creative direction, while his mother Olivia Harrison curated the booklet. Grammy-winning engineer Paul Hicks (The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, John Lennon) did an exemplary remix and production in Dolby Atmos and Stereo.

The Super Deluxe Edition is a lift off box set presented on 8LP (180g) or 5CD + 1 Blu-ray audio disc, with 47 (42 previously unreleased) demos and outtakes. Each CD comes in a different sleeve color and garden gnome image.

The Blu-ray has the main album in high-res stereo, 5.1 surround sound and Dolby Atmos mixes. The vibrant 60-page scrapbook curated by Olivia Harrison contains rare imagery, memorabilia from the era, handwritten lyrics, diary entries, studio notes, tape box images, a comprehensive track-by-track and more. A replica of the original album poster folds out.

Additionally, there are digital configurations, a 5LP or 3CD Deluxe Edition that pairs the main album with the sessions outtakes and jams. The main album is available as 2CD, 3LP or limited edition 3LP color vinyl.

Pink Floyd, A Momentary Lapse of Reason (Parlophone/Sony Music)

The lowdown: The first Pink Floyd album not to feature Roger Waters found David Gilmour taking the reigns as fellow founding members Richard Wright and Nick Mason made nominal contributions on keyboards, backing vocalist and drums. Notable session musicians included bassist Tony Levin (King Crimson), drummers Jim Keltner (John Lennon) and Carmine Appice (Vanilla Fudge) and synth player Patrick Leonard. 

"A Momentary Lapse of Reason" was the English rock group's most successful release in America (now certified 4x platinum) since 1979's "The Wall." Three singles were all big hits at AOR radio: "Learning to Fly/Terminal Frost" and "On the Turning Away" (both No. 1), "One Slip" (No. 5). A true sonic wonder, Pink Floyd's trademark soundscapes and audio verite are intact. Standouts include the singles, an ominous "Dogs of War" with a wailing sax solo and the searing guitar solo on closer "Sorrow."  

Back in 2019, ‘The Later Years’ project gave Gilmour and original producer Bob Ezrin an opportunity to return to some of Wright's original keyboard takes and re-record new drum tracks with Mason in order to restore a better creative balance on the album between the three Pink Floyd members.

What's inside: The 35th anniversary lift off box edition features the album remixed and updated from the original 1987 master tapes on vinyl, CD, DVD, Blu-ray and digitally with stereo and 5.1 mixes. Longtime fans will welcome the inclusion of artwork stickers and the booklet of rare photos and lyrics.

For the first time, the album is presented in 360 Reality Audio, a new immersive music experience that closely mimics the omni-directional soundscape of live musical performance for the listener using Sony’s object-based 360 Spatial Sound technologies. "A Momentary Lapse of Reason" was released in Dolby Audio and UHD in addition to 360 Reality Audio. 

The remixed and updated "A Momentary Lapse of Reason" has a new album cover using an alternative beds photo by Robert Dowling from the original album cover shoot directed by the late Storm Thorgerson. Echoing the iconic original sleeve, the 2021 album artwork is designed and art directed by Aubrey Powell/Hipgnosis and Peter Curzon/StormStudios.

Among the bonus material on the DVD: music videos, album cover photo shoot, concert screen films, documentary on the cover shoot, three audio only tracks - all of the above in stereo PCM 48/16 - and surround sound audio. The 2x 180gm LP set was cut at half-speed at 45rpm for enhanced sound quality. 

Olivia Newton-John, Physical (Primary Wave)

The lowdown: With the success of the "Xanadu" film soundtrack, which spawned three top 20 pop singles in the title track, "Suddenly" duet with Cliff Richard and chart topper "Magic" in 1980, Olivia Newton-John continued on an upward trajectory for 11th studio album "Physical." The singer tried some new vocal and sonic ideas, leaning heavily on a synthesizer-fueled dance-pop and Adult Contemporary sound. The double platinum album reached the top 10. The song “Physical” spent 10 weeks atop Billboard's Hot 100 and became the biggest hit of the 1980s. "Make a Move on Me" was also a top 5 charter. 

What's inside: This 40th anniversary deluxe edition is a real treasure trove for fans. The 2CD+DVD edition has 31-tracks: the original album remastered, plus radio edits, remixes, extended and alternate versions, duets with Barry Gibb ("Face to Face") and John Travolta ("Take a Chance"), the hit "Twist of Fate" from her "Two of a Kind" reunion film with Travolta, a live cover of Dolly Parton's "Jolene" and more. The DVD comprises the Grammy-winning "video album" of clips from every "Physical" song and an engaging Olivia: Live in Concert from 1982 in Ogden, Utah - presented in full instead of the edited network TV special. A limited-edition vinyl release of the original album is set for Spring 2022.

Also noteworthy are the following deluxe anniversary box sets typically featuring remastered sound, a slew or rarities, booklet and more.

The Beatles, Let it Be (Apple/Capitol/UME) - If you enjoyed the recent three-part "Making Of" documentary by Peter Jackson on Disney+ or are simply a major fan, this box set with new mixes in Stereo, 5.1 Surround, and Dolby Atmos, alternate takes, studio jams and chatter, a book (in the super deluxe edition) and more will be right up your alley. The real find is the previously unreleased 1969 "Get Back LP Mix" by producer Glyn Johns, who oversaw the initial sessions at Twickenham before Phil Spector entered the picture. 

R.E.M., New Adventures in Hi-Fi (Craft Recordings) - The Athens, Georgia rock band's 1996 album topped the Billboard 200 chart and went platinum. Two songs were top 10 hits at alt-rock radio: the dark "E-Bow the Letter," with backing vocals by Patti Smith, and "Bittersweet Me." The poignant "Electrolite" became a concert favorite. The band's cover of Glen Campbell is included.

Travis, The Invisible Band (Craft Recordings) - Although the Glasgow pop/rock band had a large cult following in America during the late 1990s/early 2000s (enough to sell out the Universal Amphitheatre in L.A.), it was massive in the U.K. and Europe. Their third album in 2001 included the top 20 U.K. hits "Sing," "Side" and "Flowers in the Window." This collection has live tracks, BBC sessions and covers by Queen, Mott the Hoople and The Beatles.

Trash Can Sinatras, I've Seen Everything (Last Night From Glasgow) - Another "under-the-radar" alt-pop band from Scotland, these lads' second album had top 20 airplay on modern rock stations in Americas for "Hayfever."

Best Albums of 2021

The artists who comprise my top 10 albums of the year include rock and bluegrass veterans (a couple making long-awaited returns), Americana darlings, alt-rock mainstays, twentysomething British singer/guitarists and an Irish frontman following in his rock superstar father's footsteps.  

1. Robert Plant & Alison Krauss, "Raise the Roof" 

2. My Morning Jacket, "My Morning Jacket" 

3. Willie Nile, "The Day the Earth Stood Still"

4. Jake Bugg, "Saturday Night Sunday Morning" 

5. The Vaccines, "Back to Love City"

6. Sam Fender, "17 Going Under"

7. Inhaler, "It Won't Always Be Like This"

8. Lindsey Buckingham, "Lindsey Buckingham"

9. Wilderado, "Wilderado"

10. Del Amitri, "Fatal Mistakes"

Honorable Mention:

11. Brandi Carlile, "In These Silent Days"

12. Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real, "A Few Stars Apart"

13. Lord Huron, "Long Lost"

14. Steve Earle & the Dukes, "J.T."

15. Jackson Browne, "Downhill from Everywhere" 

Pink Floyd news

Sony Music announced that Pink Floyd’s ‘P.U.L.S.E. Restored & Re-Edited’, will be released for the first time on Blu-ray on February 18.

The P.U.L.S.E. concert film (helmed by esteemed director David Mallet) will be available as 2x Blu-ray and 2x DVD deluxe box sets, with the video footage having been expertly re-edited by Aubrey Powell/Hipgnosis from the original tape masters especially for The Later Years release in 2019. The cover design, originally created by Storm Thorgerson and Peter Curzon for the 2006 DVD release, has also been updated with photography by Aubrey Powell/Hipgnosis and Rupert Truman/StormStudios. The packaging artwork is designed by Peter Curzon from StormStudios, under the direction of Aubrey Powell/Hignosis.

This release also sees the reintroduction of the iconic pulsating light as per the original 1995 CD release, this time operated by 2 replaceable AA batteries. The deluxe packages include music videos, concert screen films, documentaries, Pulse Tour rehearsal footage & more, alongside a 60-page booklet.

P.U.L.S.E., originally released as an album in 1995, was recorded on the European leg of the Division Bell tour and the DVD and Blu-Ray packages include the whole live performance of ‘The Dark Side Of The Moon’ - the only full live filmed recording of this seminal album. The concert, filmed on October 20, 1994 at Earls Court in London, saw Pink Floyd play some of their classic tracks as well as highlights from the recently released album ‘The Division Bell’. Standout tracks include ‘High Hopes’, ‘Keep Talking’, ‘Sorrow’, ‘Wish You Were Here’, ‘Comfortably Numb’ and ‘The Great Gig In The Sky’.

Nick Mason reflects on the original CD release and the pulsing LED light: “Essentially, it's a device which we thought was entertaining. It's an idea of Storm Thorgerson’s which related to The Dark Side Of The Moon and the pulse, and it's a live album so the box is "alive". After that, in terms of seriously deep meanings, one might be struggling a bit.”

DISC 1 THE CONCERT FILM
BLU-RAY: STEREO PCM 48/24, 5.1 dts MASTER AUDIO 96/24
DVD: Stereo PCM 48/16, 5.1 dts MASTER AUDIO 48/16

David Gilmour Guitars, Vocals
Nick Mason Drums
Richard Wright Keyboards, Vocals

Sam Brown Backing Vocals
Jon Carin Keyboards, Vocals
Claudia Fontaine Backing Vocals
Durga McBroom Backing Vocals
Dick Parry Saxophones
Guy Pratt Bass Guitars, Vocals
Tim Renwick Guitars, Vocals
Gary Wallis Percussion

Track listing:

1. SHINE ON YOU CRAZY DIAMOND, PARTS 1-5,7
2. LEARNING TO FLY
3. HIGH HOPES
4. TAKE IT BACK
5. COMING BACK TO LIFE
6. SORROW
7. KEEP TALKING
8. ANOTHER BRICK IN THE WALL, PART 2
9. ONE OF THESE DAYS
THE DARK SIDE OF THE MOON
10. SPEAK TO ME
11. BREATHE (IN THE AIR)
12. ON THE RUN
13. TIME
14. THE GREAT GIG IN THE SKY
15. MONEY
16. US AND THEM
17. ANY COLOUR YOU LIKE
18. BRAIN DAMAGE
19. ECLIPSE

ENCORES

20. WISH YOU WERE HERE
21. COMFORTABLY NUMB
22. RUN LIKE HELL

DISC 2 MUSIC VIDEOS, TOUR SCREEN FILMS, DOCUMENTARIES & ADDITIONAL MATERIAL

all in STEREO ONLY

MUSIC VIDEOS (BD 48/24, DVD 48/16)

TAKE IT BACK 1994
HIGH HOPES 1994
MAROONED 2014'

PULSE TOUR REHEARSAL 1994 (BD 96/24, DVD 48/16)

4. A GREAT DAY FOR FREEDOM VERSION 1
5. A GREAT DAY FOR FREEDOM VERSION 2
6. LOST FOR WORDS

CONCERT SCREEN FILMS 1994 (BD 96/24, DVD 48/16)

7. SHINE ON YOU CRAZY DIAMOND PARTS 1-4,7

8. SPEAK TO ME

9. TIME

10. THE GREAT GIG IN THE SKY

11. MONEY

12.US AND THEM (BLACK & WHITE)
13.US AND THEM (COLOUR)

14. BRAIN DAMAGE + ECLIPSE North American Dates

15. BRAIN DAMAGE + ECLIPSE European Dates

16. BRAIN DAMAGE Earls Court, London Dates

DOCUMENTARIES & ADDITIONAL MATERIAL (BD 48/24, DVD 48/16)

17. THE DIVISION BELL ALBUM COVER PHOTOGRAPHY (Ely, Cambridgeshire, UK) 1994
18. PULSE TV AD 1995
19. THE DIVISION BELL AIRSHIPS 1994
20. BEHIND THE SCENES Interviews with the Lead Technicians for the Division Bell Tour

ROCK & ROLL HALL OF FAME INDUCTION 1996 (BD 48/24, DVD 48/16)

21. WISH YOU WERE HERE with BILLY CORGAN

AUDIO-ONLY LIVE RECORDINGS (BD&DVD 96/24)

22. ONE OF THESE DAYS LIVE IN HANOVER 1994

23. ASTRONOMY DOMINE LIVE IN MIAMI

Official Website: https://www.pinkfloyd.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/pinkfloyd
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pinkfloyd/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pinkfloyd/

Second annual 'A Bowie Celebration' set for January 8 on would have been David Bowie’s 75th birthday

I wrote about last year's event, which featured the debut of Duran Duran's music video cover of Bowie's "Five Years" (see elsewhere on this blog).

Details on the 2022 edition are below... 

Noel Gallagher has been added to the line-up of the second annual A Bowie Celebration, set for January 8 on what would have been David Bowie’s 75th birthday. They join Def Leppard and lead singer Joe Elliott, Duran Duran’s Simon Le Bon and John Taylor, Living Colour, Rob Thomas, Gary Oldman, Walk the Moon and Jake Wesley Rogers, along with a special appearance by Ricky Gervais. The event will be available on RollingLiveStudios.com to view for 24 hours.

This year’s A Bowie Celebration will also honor the 35th anniversary of Labyrinth, the classic fantasy film and Jim Henson/David Bowie collaboration, with a special performance from actress Evan Rachel Wood, and an appearance by Brian Henson. The show will be dedicated to recently deceased/frequent Bowie photographer Mick Rock and include never-before-seen interview footage.

The band will be comprised of former Bowie alumni band members from throughout his legendary career, led by Mike Garson, who was the rock icon’s longest running and most frequently used band member. Others include David Sanborn, Earl Slick, Charlie Sexton, Alan Childs, Steve Elson, Mark Guiliana, Omar Hakim, Stan Harrison, Tim Lefebvre, Gerry Leonard and Carmine Rojas.

$2 per ticket purchase will be donated to the Save the Children organization, a charity important to Bowie and the beneficiary of funds raised from his 50th Birthday Concert held in 1997.

Additional guests set to perform Bowie favorites include Gail Ann Dorsey, Bernard Fowler, Judith Hill, Gaby Moreno, Gretchen Parlato, Joe Sumner, The Section Quartet, plus Kitten Kuroi, Maiya Sykes, and Jules Galli who are also singing with the band with more to be announced. Line-up subject to change.

Tickets are on sale now at http://RollingLiveStudios.com/Bowie. The livestream, beginning at 6PM PST, will be available for 24 hours after the event. VIP ticket bundles include various exclusive merchandise and opportunities, including access to a virtual Q&A with members of the band and even a custom piano track from Garson himself.

Garson played on dozens of Bowie albums and performed in more concerts with Bowie than any other band member, including both Bowie’s first and final performances in the United States.

Mike Garson says, “It’s an honor to be able to continue to share David Bowie’s music with the world. I’m excited for everyone to be able to experience this very special show we’ve got in store in celebration of what would have been David’s 75th birthday with the bandmates he recorded and performed with, plus a great group of guest artists who he was such an influence to.”

To learn more about A Bowie Celebration, visit Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

About Mike Garson

Universally respected for his impressive skills as a pianist, Mike Garson is a respected composer, performer and educator, as well. He is perhaps best known for his relationship with David Bowie which began in 1972 for Bowie’s first performances in the United States. Garson made his mark on dozens of Bowie albums and travelled thousands of miles with him on his world tours. In 2006, Mike accompanied Bowie for his final public American performance. In more recent years, Garson has headlined his critically acclaimed concert production “A Bowie Celebration” touring the world with fellow alumni band members of Bowie’s bands along with world-class vocalists. He is also the subject of the international bestselling biography of his life, “Bowie’s Piano Man – The Life of Mike Garson” by Clifford Slapper. Garson is as comfortable in jazz, classical, pop and the rock arena and is considered one of the world’s best improvisers who has also composed thousands of pieces in every imaginable style. He continues to be called into duty as the secret weapon behind billboard-topping, Grammy lauded albums, tours and longstanding artist success.

Carl Palmer’s ELP Legacy continues tour in tribute of Emerson Lake & Palmer's 50th Anniversary

After his Fall 2021 Tour, prog rock drummer/musician Carl Palmer will return this January to the US with his second round of live shows since 2019. These shows, which will feature only Palmer and his band continue the musician’s return to live performances since the onset of the pandemic.

The tour will kick off on January 27 in Jacksonville, FL, with three previously postponed dates appearing with The Alan Parson Live Project in Florida. Those appearances will be followed with a dozen additional shows featuring an evening with Carl Palmer’s ELP Legacy.

“Our Fall 2021 tour was first time since the pandemic hit that we were able to be together and perform,” said Palmer. “The response was remarkable and proved to us that live music was in great demand once again. The band and myself cannot wait to get out there once again for the Winter tour."

The multi-media show consists of ELP’s best loved material performed to original artistic film clips and archival footage spanning ELP’s career. In addition to Palmer, the band features Paul Bielatowicz on guitar and vocals; and Simon Fitzpatrick on bass and Chapman stick. Carl will even take the microphone to sing “Benny The Bouncer.”

Carl Palmer, who was voted by ROLLING STONE as one of the 10 Greatest Drummers of All Time, is a founding member of both EMERSON LAKE & PALMER and ASIA. Since he began in the business in the 1960s Carl Palmer's music has sold over 50 million records. In 2011 he began working with a three-piece power trio; guitar, bass and drums. In 2019, the group added vocals from guitarist Bielatowicz and Palmer.

“These dates are part of a three-year drive to promote ELP’s 50th Anniversary and beyond,” says Palmer, its sole surviving member. The celebration period also includes the recent release of a limited edition expansive biography of the band; a new Palmer art collection based on the five main ELP studio albums; a documentary; KARN EVIL 9, a major Hollywood film (now in development with Radar Pictures) and a special tour announcement that will reunite Palmer in performance with the late Emerson & Lake through modern technology. Explains Palmer: "There are many special celebrations of ELP that we will explain in detail in the near future. Welcome Back My Friends To The Show That Never Ends.”

Carl Palmer's ELP Legacy – WINTER 2022 US TOUR

Thu. 01-27-22 Florida Theatre Jacksonville FL BUY TICKETS
Appearing with ALAN PARSONS LIVE PROJECT

Sat. 01-29-22. Ruth Eckerd Hall Clearwater FL. BUY TICKETS
Appearing with ALAN PARSONS LIVE PROJECT

Sun. 01-30-22 Broward Center Performing Arts Ft.Lauderdale, FL BUY TICKETS
Appearing with ALAN PARSONS LIVE PROJECT
Mon. 01-31-22 Key West Theater Key West, FL. BUY TICKETS
Wed 2-01-22 Casselberry’s Patio & Lounge Casselberry FL. BUY TICKETS
Sun. 02-06-22 Cat's Cradle Carrboro, NC. BUY TICKETS
Tue. 02-08-22 Sellersville Theater 1894 Sellersville, PA BUY TICKETS
Wed. 02-09-22 Ridgefield Playhouse Ridgefield, CT. BUY TICKETS
Thu. 02-10-22 Bull Run Shirley, MA BUY TICKETS
Fri. 02-11-22 Patchogue Theatre Patchogue NY. BUY TICKETS
Sat 02-12-22 Iridium Club New York NY BUY TICKETS
Sun 02-13- 22 Iridium Club New York NY BUY TICKETS

MORE TOUR DATES TO BE ANNOUNCED….
FOR ALL INFO ON CARL PALMER: www.carlpalmer.com
SEE CARL PALMER ART at: www.carlpalmerart.com

Brothers Osborne to release deluxe edition of 'Skeletons' next month

Brothers Osborne announce the deluxe edition of their GRAMMY-nominated album Skeletons, releasing January 21. Scoring a nod for Best Country Album at the upcoming 64th GRAMMY Awards, the critically acclaimed project includes the new tracks “Headstone,” “Midnight Rider’s Prayer,” and “Younger Me.” Pre-order Brothers Osborne’s Skeletons Deluxe HERE.

“Headstone” is produced by Jay Joyce while “Midnight Rider’s Prayer” was recorded at John Osborne’s home studio and co-produced by the duo and, with Willie Nelson’s personal blessing, uses elements of “On the Road Again.” “Younger Me,” also currently GRAMMY-nominated for Best Country Duo/Group Performance, rounds out the Skeletons Deluxe track list.

The reigning CMA Vocal Duo of the Year performed “Younger Me” at this year’s CMA Awards and TJ prefaced the performance by sharing, "for many years I would watch this show, year after year, and I always thought how incredible it’d be and I’d dream of being here on this stage, and there were so many things that were so many hurdles for me. And I always truthfully felt like it would never be possible because of my sexuality to be here." Watch their performance of “Younger Me” here.

Skeletons Deluxe Track List:

1. Lighten Up (John Osborne, TJ Osborne, Daniel Tashian and Ian Fitchuk)

2. All Night (John Osborne, TJ Osborne and Andrew DeRoberts)
3. All the Good Ones Are (TJ Osborne, Lee Miller and Craig Wiseman)
4. I'm Not for Everyone (John Osborne, TJ Osborne, Luke Dick and Natalie Hemby)
5. Skeletons (John Osborne, TJ Osborne and Andrew DeRoberts)
6. Back On The Bottle (John Osborne, TJ Osborne and Hayes Carll)
7. High Note (John Osborne, TJ Osborne, Casey Beathard and Dustin Christensen)
8. Muskrat Greene (John Osborne)
9. Dead Man's Curve (John Osborne, TJ Osborne and Lee Miller)
10. Make It a Good One (John Osborne, TJ Osborne and Stephen Wilson Jr.)
11. Hatin' Somebody (John Osborne, TJ Osborne and Casey Beathard)
12. Old Man's Boots (John Osborne)
13. Younger Me (John Osborne, TJ Osborne, Kendell Marvel)
14. Headstone (John Osborne, TJ Osborne, Kendell Marvel)
15. Midnight Rider’s Prayer (John Osborne, TJ Osborne, Paul Moak, Willie Nelson)

More AXS-TV music news: Live from the Artist's Den

AXS-TV is partnering with Artists Den to showcase select episodes of the performance series Live From The Artists Den—making its network premiere on Wednesday, January 12 at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT. The series joins AXS TV’s popular story-centered Wednesday night music lineup, which also includes a slate of acclaimed music documentaries airing each week at 9 p.m. ET.

Live From The Artists Den captures an eclectic blend of entertainers from across the music spectrum, as they take the stage in a meaningful venue that has made an impact on their lives and careers. From hometown haunts to picturesque mountain landscapes, the series grants a unique glimpse inside each venue and presents candid artist reflections interspersed throughout the set.

The season showcase kicks off on January 12 with Imagine Dragons, who perform at the historic Wilshire Ebell Theatre in Los Angeles for an event featuring singles such as “Demons,” “It’s Time,” and “Radioactive.” Then, on January 19, Robert Plant plays Nashville’s War Memorial Auditorium with his Band Of Joy for a career-spanning set including Led Zeppelin classics and solo hits such as “Gallows Pole,” “Ramble On,” and “House Of Cards,” joined by Buddy Miller and Patty Griffin.

Elsewhere, Lady A perform “Need You Now,” “American Honey” and more at the United Palace Theatre in Manhattan; as well as The Killers doing hits such as “Mr. Brightside,” “All These Things That I’ve Done,” and “Human” at NYC’s Capitale venue; and Sheryl Crow's 10-song set features “All I Wanna Do,” “Steve McQueen,” “If It Makes You Happy,” and “Every Day Is A Winding Road” from New York City’s Grand Ballroom of the Plaza.

The season continues with OneRepublic at Utah’s Park City Live; Tim McGraw’ at The Corinthian in downtown Houston; Ringo Starr joining Ben Harper and Joan Osborne for a blended set that includes “I Wanna Be Your Man,” “Photograph,” and “With A Little Help From My Friends” from the Egyptian wing in New York’s Metropolitan Museum Of Art; The Wallflowers return to Bay Area staple Bimbo’s 365 Club, featuring “One Headlight,” “6th Avenue Heartache,” and “Closer To You”; and Alabama Shakes at Nashville’s Loveless Barn.

Live From The Artists Den Programming Lineup:

Jan. 12—Imagine Dragons
Jan. 19—Robert Plant And The Band Of Joy
Jan. 26—Lady A
Feb. 2—The Killers
Feb. 9—Alabama Shakes
Feb. 16—OneRepublic
Feb. 23—Tim McGraw
Mar. 2—Ringo Starr With Ben Harper
Mar. 9—Sheryl Crow
Mar. 16—The Wallflowers

AXS TV's New Year’s Weekend slate has network premieres of Kiss, Def Leppard, Stevie Nicks

On New Year’s Weekend, AXS has several cool concerts lined up.

The New Year’s Eve party kicks off on December 31 with a pair of AXS TV network premieres - KISS Rocks Vegas at 8 p.m. ET— during their residency at The Joint in the Hard Rock Hotel, where they perform “Rock And Roll All Nite,” “Psycho Circus,” “Black Diamond,” “Love Gun,” “Detroit Rock City” and more.

Then there's Def Leppard's Vegas concert with two stages, video walls and rare cuts such as “Too Late For Love,” “Billy’s Got A Gun,” and “Slang,” and acoustic renditions of “Two Steps Behind,” “Let Me Be The One,” and “We Belong” during Def Leppard: Hits Vegas. Kid Rock closes out the night.

New Year's Day's classic concerts, starts at 10 a.m. ET as Fleetwood Mac reunite for a set fueled by favorites such as “Rhiannon,” “Don’t Stop,” and “Dreams” in Fleetwood Mac – The Dance. 

Other highlights include performances from Chicago, Cyndi Lauper, Heart, Peter Frampton and Tom Petty. The block is headlined by the AXS TV network premiere of Stevie Nicks – 24 Karat Gold at 8 p.m. ET. Filmed over two nights, it finds the acclaimed songstress sharing intimate stories and performing an array of rarities and hits including “Gold And Braid,” “Gypsy,” “Belle Fleur,” “Landslide,” and more.

The weekend wraps up on Sunday, January 2 with performances by Stevie Nicks and Bad Company, as well as The Who performing in The Who: TOMMY – Live At The Royal Albert Hall; and Van Morrison. 

A pair of The Top Ten Revealed episodes spotlight “80s Ladies” and "Debut Albums Of 1981,” followed by an all-new episode breaking down the essential “Debut Albums Of 1982” at 8 p.m. ET. The block concludes at 8:30 p.m. ET with the premiere of Rock Legends: Post-Punk, an in-depth examination of the late-‘70s avant-garde wave that put standouts like Talking Heads, Joy Division, and The Cure on the modern music map.

AXS TV’s New Year’s Lineup is as follows (all times Eastern):

Fri., December 31

8pE & 1aE—AXS TV NETWORK PREMIERE—KISS Rocks Vegas
9:30pE—AXS TV NETWORK PREMIERE—Def Leppard: Hits Vegas
2:30aE—Kid Rock

Sat., January 1

10aE—Fleetwood Mac – The Dance
12:30pE—Def Leppard: Hits Vegas
4pE—Chicago
5pE—Cyndi Lauper
6pE—Heart: Part One
7pE—Heart: Part Two
8pE—AXS TV NETWORK PREMIERE—Stevie Nicks – 24 Karat Gold
11:15pE—Tom Petty
2aE—Peter Frampton

Sun., January 2

10:30aE—Stevie Nicks – 24 Karat Gold
2pE—Bad Company
3:30pE—The Who: Tommy – Live At The Royal Albert Hall
5pE—Van Morrison – Live At The San Francisco Jazz Center
7pE—The Top Ten Revealed: 80s Ladies
7:30pE—The Top Ten Revealed: Debut Albums Of 1981
8pE—PREMIERE—The Top Ten Revealed: Debut Albums Of 1982
8:30pE—PREMIERE—Rock Legends: Post-Punk

David Bowie's 'Hunky Dory' to be issued as limited edition 50th anniversary picture disc

Today marks the 50th anniversary of David Bowie’s classic fourth studio album, Hunky Dory. To celebrate, Parlophone Records announces details for two very special releases to mark the album’s Golden Jubilee.

A streaming single “Changes (2021 Alternative Mix)” is available now and has been mixed from the original multi tracks by Hunky Dory producer Ken Scott. Of this new mix, Scott says, "The new version of ‘Changes’ is a fresh look at Bowie’s classic. When listening to the original multi-track I discovered a few things that I had eliminated from the original mix and also a completely different sax solo at the end. It was those things that led me to try a new mix, trying for a slightly harder, more contemporary edge to it.”

On January 7th, 2022, one day before Bowie’s 75th birthday and 50 years to the day since the U.K. release of “Changes” as a single, Hunky Dory will be issued as a limited edition 50th anniversary picture disc, featuring the 2015 vinyl remaster and a poster featuring the annotated back cover image of the album. The picture disc is available now for pre-order at Rhino.com.

Although now widely acknowledged as one of the best albums of all time, Hunky Dory didn’t make a dent on the U.K. album charts upon its 1971 release. It wasn't until August 1973 that it finally peaked in the U.K. top 5 in the wake of a reissue of “Life on Mars?” following the 1972 release of Bowie’s breakthrough album The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and The Spiders from Mars.

Despite being one of Bowie’s most recognizable songs, “Changes” was never a top 40 hit in the U.K., although it did peak at 41 in the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 in 1975. It has long since stood alongside “Life on Mars?” as one of the several beloved Bowie classics featured on Hunky Dory, which also include “Kooks,” “Queen Bitch,” Oh! You Pretty Things,” “Quicksand,” and “The Bewlay Brothers.”

TRACK LISTING:

Side One

Changes – 3:37
Oh! You Pretty Things – 3:12
Eight Line Poem – 2:55
Life on Mars? – 3:43
Kooks – 2:53
Quicksand – 5:08

Side Two

Fill Your Heart – 3:07
Andy Warhol – 3:56
Song for Bob Dylan – 4:12
Queen Bitch – 3:18
The Bewlay Brothers – 5:22

The Masked Singer' winner Jewel releases EP of her songs from the series

Grammy-nominated artist singer Jewel, the winning contestant on season 6 of the hit singing competition series “The Masked Singer” has released a covers EP of material performed on the show, titled ‘QUEEN OF HEARTS.’

Disguised as the Queen of Hearts, Jewel did performances of “La Vie En Rose” by Édith Piaf, Lady Gaga’s “Born This Way,” Sia's "Bird Set Free" and “River” by Bishop Briggs.

Her Queen of Hearts costume was a subtle nod to her name with its jewel-shape, while other clues touched on moments spanning her entire life. She mentioned growing up in a house that lacked warmth, a nod to her early upbringing at a cabin in Alaska. Then in a clues video, a reference to the tin man from “The Wizard of Oz” relates to Jewel’s memorable portrayal of Dorothy as part of 1995’s “The Wizard of Oz in Concert: Dreams Come True.” Another reference to childhood storybooks included imagery of an “Alice in Wonderland” tea party; Jewel’s sixth studio album from 2006 was titled ‘Goodbye Alice in Wonderland.’

Jewel said, “Performing on the Masked Singer was fun for me because it allowed me to pay homage to songs that inspired me to be a songwriter and a singer, like ‘La Vie En Rose’ and ‘She’s Got You.’ Those have long been favorites, and being able to pour myself into these heroic songs to challenge myself vocally was really wonderful. It was also fun because I was able to pull from all genres and all eras, which a person rarely gets to do. That is why I was inspired to release all the songs I chose; I had so much fun interpreting these songs that I wanted to share them!”

The EP follows the 25th anniversary reissue of her multi-platinum debut ‘Pieces of You,’ released in 2020. Jewel is also set to release her first new studio album in seven years in early 2022. More details on the new album will be shared soon.

‘QUEEN OF HEARTS’ Track Listing:

1) Born this Way - Originally performed by Lady Gaga
2) La Vie En Rose - Originally performed by Édith Piaf
3) River - Originally performed by Bishop Briggs
4) She’s Got You - Originally performed by Patsy Cline
5) Bird Set Free - Originally performed by SIA
6) What’s going on - Originally performed by Marvin Gaye
7) Firework - Originally performed by Katy Perry

More about Jewel:

Jewel went from a girl who grew up with no running water on an Alaskan homestead, to a homeless teenager in San Diego, to an award winning, multi-platinum recording artist who released one of the best-selling debuts of all time. Through her career Jewel has sold over 30 million albums worldwide and has earned 26 nominations for such awards as the GRAMMYs, American Music Awards, MTV Awards, VH1 Awards, Billboard Music Awards, and Country Music Awards, winning eight times. Jewel has been featured on the cover of TIME Magazine, Rolling Stone, has performed on Saturday Night Live, at the Super Bowl and the NBA Finals, for the Pope and the President of the United States. She is one of the few singer songwriters to top the chart in every genre she wrote for - Folk, Pop, Club, Country, Standards, Children's and Holiday music.

Today, Jewel continues to be a leader in the conversation around mental health, helping people tackle the silent symptoms of COVID-19—anxiety, depression, and isolation—to build community and connection for those who need it most. For more than 18 years, Jewel’s non-profit, the Inspiring Children Foundation has helped at-risk youth cope with the same silent symptoms we are now seeing throughout the pandemic. Growing up in Alaska where she was indoors for eight months out of the year, she knows about isolation. After moving out at 15 due to an abusive household and suffering from debilitating panic attacks, Jewel became homeless by the age of 18 and developed agoraphobia, the fear of leaving one’s home, a condition that experts worry some people will develop in the post-COVID-19 era.

Mental health has been a significant passion of hers since being a homeless teenager with little access to resources. During that time, she began to develop a set of tools to rewire her brain and create new emotional patterns that were later validated by neuroscientist and associate professor in psychiatry at Brown University, Dr. Judson Brewer. After learning meditation and discovering and innovating her own mindfulness practices, Jewel was able to heal symptoms of her depression and go from surviving to thriving. These are the same tools she uses to help at-risk youth through her charity and the same tools she is offering online for free. For more information, please visit www.InspiringChildren.org. To access Jewel’s free online tools, please visit www.JewelNeverBroken.com.

The band Asia has a new concert box set out now

Since I interviewed founding ASIA member Geoff Downes earlier this year (find it elsewhere on this blog), I'm really looking forward to hearing this...

Multi-platinum selling English rock supergroup ASIA has released a 10-CD boxset, The Official Live Bootlegs Volume 1 via BMG Records. The set chronicles five complete performances of the original line-up captured between 1982 and 2010. There is also a digital album (also called The Official Live Bootlegs Volume 1) featuring a selection of 24 tracks taken from the full boxset.

Issued just prior to the band’s 40th Anniversary in 2022, the The Official Live Bootlegs Volume 1 box set is helping to kick off a period of celebration for ASIA fans worldwide.

“ASIA has always been a powerful live entity, and these recordings prove that,” says founding member and drummer Carl Palmer. “Rather than hear these shows with inferior pirate recordings, now the fans can enjoy them with good quality audio. It represents the full spectrum of our live history as a band.”

Order it here:

ASIA THE OFFICIAL LIVE BOOTLEGS VOL 1

ASIA: Geoff Downes (The Buggles, YES, keyboards), Steve Howe (YES, guitars), Carl Palmer (Emerson, Lake & Palmer, drums) and John Wetton (King Crimson, UK, bass/vocals), put out their eponymous debut album in 1982 and it was globally the biggest-selling album of the year, plus the hit single Heat of the Moment.

The Official Live Bootlegs Volume 1 celebrates the concert tours that followed ASIA’s first two albums in 1982 and 1983. The success continued following ASIA’s 25th anniversary reunion in 2006 and three more acclaimed albums. The slipcase boxset features 5 x 2CD concerts from 1982 (Buffalo, NY, USA), 1983 (Worcester, MA, USA), 2007 (São Paulo, Brazil), 2008 (Tokyo, Japan) and 2010 (London, UK).

“This historical collection represents some of our finest and most defining live moments,” says Geoff Downes, “from the very first ASIA tour in 1982 and the Alpha tour the following year through three of our many ‘Reunion’ shows. It was such a privilege to take ASIA’s music to these different continents and feel the warmth and support from fans all over the world. We hope this brings back great memories and inspires others to appreciate the music of ASIA”.
The sets for ASIA’s original 1980s tours featured only the band’s new music. For the ‘Reunion’ years tours, ASIA included heritage tracks from each of the band member’s pre-ASIA groups. The 2007 and 2008 concerts also feature the Wetton/Howe composition Ride Easy, a song omitted from the debut album that was issued as the B-side of Heat of the Moment and included in their later live repertoire as a thank you to their fans for their support over a quarter of a century.

This the first time these recordings have been made officially available by ASIA and they are presented together in a superb collector’s edition boxset with original artwork by Roger Dean, who created all of ASIA’s album artwork.