Andrews Rock Blog

Am I the only one I know who is anxious to hear a finished and complete “Chinese Democracy”? Tell me I’m not. Because right now, amongst people I know, I’m the only one who seems remotely interested in hearing the fruits of Axl Rose’s 14 years of labour. Jeff and Carly always yawn when I bring up the album; it seems as though the long wait has made them, along with so many people, care less about this seemingly mythical album.

That being said, this week the F.B.I. were very interested in “Chinese Democracy” after 9 tracks rumoured to be part of the finished album made their way onto the internet via a blog site. Within hours, the fellow who posted the tunes on his site received a phone call from the G N R camp asking him to pull the songs. A few days later, the F.B.I. dropped by his work, and the next day visited the guy’s home to check out his computer. Clearly, this is some stellar publicity for an album that’s rumoured to be complete and awaiting it’s official release. 

While I haven’t heard these new leaked songs, I have heard 5 new Guns songs in various forms that are supposedly set for ”Chinese Democracy” should it ever be released. They’ve all sounded great to me, especially the tunes “Better” and “There Was A Time”. I tracked down a live and pro-shot version of “Better” on You Tube which I’m guessing Axl doesn’t have a problem with and thought you might want to take a listen and tell us what you think. I have to say, this live version is just “ok”. I prefer the leaked studio version I heard, but Axl definitely cuts loose towards the end and shows he’s still got the chops.

Take a list, have your say, and then use “GNRBETTER” as today’s bonus code. On that note, I’m off again for a road trip to Chicago. I’ll be back Monday. Have a good one!

For the first time in nearly 20 years, Motley Crue has an album out that people seem to be interested in. While I’ve only heard the first single and title track to “Saints of Los Angeles”, the buzz is that the album is the band’s best since 1989’s classic “Dr. Feelgood”. Or course, they didn’t have to try to hard. 1994’s self-titled album with singer John Corabi stiffed, as did their 1997 reunion album with Vince Neil, the aptly titled “Generation Swine”. And while I’ve read that 2000’s “New Tattoo” minus Tommy Lee isn’t bad, I never heard it, and I think most people missed it too.

One of the things I’m really enjoying about the Crue right now is that they are out there, selling the album to the masses. Appearing on Larry King Live last week, Mick, Tommy, Vince, and Nikki were funny, affable, and seemingly at ease with their position as an established band. It’s hard to believe that a decade ago these guys were literally at each others throats, as their biography “The Dirt” clearly demonstrates. It’s nice to see the guys getting along and it will be interesting to see how the new album does on the charts next week.

Check out the Crue only Larry King, and then use CRUE as today’s bonus code.

 Last night I was surfing around the old interweb when I made my way over to You Tube. I don’t know what drew me there, or why I felt inspired to check out the video that I did. But man, watching William Shatner perform Pulp’s “Common People” alongside Ben Folds and the great Joe Jackson makes for some great television. The video is a live clip from The Tonight Show from a few years ago. Shatner was performing in support of his album(!!!!) “Has Been”, which is legitimately better than it had any right to be. Blame or kudos go to producer Fold, who contributes some solid music and Shatner, who takes himself just seriously enough.

The highlight for me during the video is when Joe Jackson cracks up just a tiny bit after Shatner utters the classic line “everybody hates a tourist”. Check it out below, and then use SHATNER as today’s bonus code.

The last stop on my Los Angeles adventure last week took me to the top of the Capitol Records building. Located close to Hollywood and Vine, the building is a historical and musical landmark to be sure, and one which was pretty amazing to step inside. We walked through the studios where everyone from the Beach Boys to Frank Sinatra recorded, and stood on the rooftop of the famous building. For a music fan like myself, the Capitol Records experience was pretty cool, especially considering 3 of my favourites bands have been on the label - Pink Floyd, The Beatles, and the Beach Boys.

Speaking of which, today is Brian Wilson’s 66th birthday. As it happens, Brian is one of my musical heroes. I had a chance to interview him 4 years ago upon the release of his completed version of his legendary album “SMiLE” (if you don’t have it in your collection, I suggest you go out and grab it right now). For all of his issues and reputation, my experience talking to him was painless, entertaining, and informative. It was truly one of the greatest moments of my life.

Much like the Beatles, the music of the Beach Boys has become a real part of our culture, so much so that it’s easy to forget how influential the band is and was. And while the Fab Four had four musicians and producer George Martin carrying the load, the Beach Boys only had one genius in their midst - Brian Wilson. So happy birthday, Mr. Wilson!

To celebrate, use BRIANWILSON as today’s bonus code, and then throw on this classic Beach Boys performance.

One of the things I was looking forward to most when I visited Los Angeles last week was hitting Amoeba Music. I’ve heard so much about this legendary shop, but had yet to enter it’s hallowed halls on my previous trips to L.A.

In the age of dwindling record sales, walking into Amoeba Music really is amazing - a huge two floors, the top of which was devoted to new and used DVD’s. But the first floor…man, for a music collecting geek who’s trying to cut back, it was like being tempted by the snake in the garden. But with my wife in tow, on my first, oh-so-brief half-hour visit I managed to keep myself in check. Of course, I went back the night before flying home and spent a solid two hours combing the racks (total money spent: $130 - that’s restraint, where I come from). I think Amoeba might now be one of my favourite record shops, alongside Soundscape and Vortex here in T.O. Do you have any favourites?

While I did find some choice goodies on my visits to Amoeba Music, on my wish list was one particular thing - the 3 disc box set devoted to the 20th anniversary of “The Joshua Tree”. I only saw this set once when it was released here in Toronto last fall, and I didn’t grab it when I should have. It’s now out of print in Canada and can only be purchased from the good ole’ U.S.A. So that was my mission. Lucky for me, Amoeba had the goods, and at fairly reasonable price for a new copy. Upon our arrival home, the first thing I did was crack open the box and put on the DVD, which contains a 1987 concert from Paris. It was amazing watching U2 live before they started incorporating video screens and lights - this was just 4 guys, riding the wave of their most succesful album ever. Also included on the disc was a previously unreleased video for “Red Hill Mining Town”. While the video isn’t particularly great, I have to admit I felt incredibly moved watching Bono sing the song. Perhaps it’s because it’s never made the set list for any of the 9 U2 shows I’ve seen in nearly 20 years; maybe it’s because “Red Hill…” hasn’t been played to death on radio or tv over the years; or maybe just because it’s simply a brilliant song on a brilliant album; whatever the reason, the video got to me.

Maybe it will get to you to. Check it out below, and then use “REDHILL” as today’s bonus code.   

Ok, I don’t think it’s pimping out my brother-in-law if he’s actually an amazing musical talent. Which he is. And I’m not just saying it because we’re going to eventually be related when he marries my wonderful sister-in-law. My future bro to be, Mr. Rob Giles, is 100% musically brilliant. He’s played Willie Nelson’s beat-up Spanish guitar, jammed with Warren Haynes from the Allman Brothers, to drop a few names. By day he’s a songwriter and producer (and an exceptionally good one at that) in Los Angeles. By night he’s onstage rockin’ his own shows. My wife and I stayed with the happy couple in L.A. last week and had a chance to go see Rob play with a band for the first time (a band made up of players currently working with Moby and Our Lady Peace, it should be noted).

 I’ve seen friends play over the years and struggled to find words of encouragement when they’ve been awful. One band in particular I saw 6 or 8 years ago and it was like needles in my already sensitive ears. Just horrible. But I had no problems watching Rob Giles, who’s completely captivating on stage, switching between guitar and piano, playing his own material along with a choice cover (a mash-up of Ratt’s ”Round and Round” and “Panama”).  

Would I bring this up and write about Rob Giles if he wasn’t a solid talent? No way. The great thing is, he IS a solid talent, with impeccable taste and an actual gift at creating tunes that stick in your head. Like the video that I’ve posted below for “Boom Bang”, a song that’s bridge gives me chills each and every time I hear it. It’s perfect. Check it out, check out Rob’s myspace page for more music here, and then use ROBGILES as today’s bonus code. And if you’ve got some music you think is super good and want people to hear, send me some links. If I dig it, I’ll write about it. And if not, well, I won’t. 

Is there any other band more ingrained in our collective conciousnesses than the Beatles? It’s no piece of hyperbole when I say that they changed everything when they began making music. Even if they’re not your favourite band (they’re not mine) it’s hard to not to love them. In fact, if you meet someone who says they don’t like the Beatles I’d run away really quickly. There’s something not quite right about them

So with the music of the Fab Four so familiar, is it possible to ever listen to them in a different way? You wouldn’t think so, but with the release of the “Love” soundtrack last year I found a brand new freshness to the Beatles. If you’re unfamiliar with “Love”, it’s a Cirque Du Soleil show in Las Vegas that combines remastered and mashed up Beatles music with the acrobatics and performance of a Cirque show. On it’s own, the Grammy-winning soundtrack (compiled by Sir George Martin and his son Giles) is an entertaining way of listening to songs you’ve heard a thousand times in a brand new way. But combined with the visuals of Cirque Du Soleil, which my wife, mother, and I experienced in Las Vegas, the ”Love” soundtrack is astounding.

It helps that theatre at the Mirage hotel in Vegas was designed specifically for the show itself. You sit in the round, giving you unlimited sight-lines so you can experience all of the acrobatics, with surround sound engulfing you. You hear every nuance of the music, and can’t help but be reminded of just how good the Beatles still are. There may be artists that I listen to more, but I think it’s fair to say there’s never been a better band.

Check out the “Love” soundtrack version of Strawberry Fields Forever and then use LOVE as your bonus code for today.

After a 10 day excursion to Las Vegas and then Los Angeles, I am back in the saddle here at Jack. It’s great to be home, but I have to say this trip may have been the best I’ve ever gone on.

My mother was with us in Vegas, and I’ve never seen her have such a good time anywhere (apart from my wedding, I suppose, and I’m not sure which she enjoyed more ). We had an excellent time at our hotel “Paris”, walking the Strip, and catching some very cool shows - magician Nathan Burton, Cirque Du Soleil’s Love - the Beatles Experience, and Elton John’s The Red Piano.

This was my first time seeing Elton, and it was a great show (apart from the some of the David LaChappelle videos, which I didn’t love). I thought the show would be a quick 90-minutes but Elton played for close to 2 hours, and performed hit after hit after hit, with absolutely nothing from “The Lion King” soundtrack to bring the show down. Among the highlights was a fantastic version of “Someone Saved My Life Tonight” and two of his 80’s hits, “I Guess That’s Why They Call It The Blues” and “I’m Still Standing”.  Because he’s such a celebrity, it’s easy for us to forget just how talented the man born Reginald Dwight is, but having watched him live in concert I was reminded of what an incredible songwriter Reg is (with the brilliant lyrics of Bernie Taupin, of course). When every single song in a two hour set is a classic, you know you’re in the presence of greatness.

I’ll post some more musical thoughts on my trip this week. In the meantime, your bonus code for today is “REG”.  Take a look at Elton in concert below and then use your bonus code for some points.

This week Journey releases their new album “Revelation” exclusively through Wal-Mart. The album is a 3-disc affair: 1 disc of new material, 1 DVD of a live show, and then a another cd of rerecorded classics featuring new singer and Steve Perry soundalike Arnel Pineda. Now a few months ago I was pretty critical of the band for doing the rerecording (to which many of you slammed me hard, thank you very much). But doing some reading about the new album, I came across a few reviews that suggested the band was rerecording their classics so that they can license their songs without jumping through legal hoops regarding rights and ownership.

This is apparently becoming popular practice with many rock bands. The current incarnation of Kiss (Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley, Eric Singer, and Tommy Thayer) recently went into the studio and rerecorded a whole bunch of classic Kiss songs that will be distributed for free with British newspaper The Mail On Sunday later this month as a greatest hits cd.

According to drummer Eric Singer, “You know that many bands re-record songs so as to have the control over the copyrights. For example, if someone asks for a KISS tune, the band doesn’t have to get into a bureaucracy with the record label. It is very convenient.”

I’m surprised that I think this isn’t a half-bad idea. Many bands from the 70’s had some pretty crappy record deals, and while I’m no expert on the legalities of the biz, I’m guessing that when an artists songs are used in various mediums, they’re not always getting the biggest piece of the pie. With these new rerecordings, the guys who created the tunes will be able to get their just deserts. That being said, can a new version of “Deuce” or “Don’t Stop Believing” be as good as the original, no matter how faithfully it’s recreated? I don’t think so. What do you think? Let me know your thoughts, check out some recent versions of Kiss and Journey, and then use the word rerecord as your bonus code.

On that note, I am off for the next week so the Rock Blog is taking a break. As Glass Tiger would say, don’t forget me when I’m gone. The blog returns June 16th. 

Tonight, Tom Petty will be at Air Canada Centre with the Heartbreakers. Which is pretty cool all on its own. But add in Steve Winwood as opening act and cool turns to essential. I’ve seen many shows over the years, and I’ve seen many artists multiple times (this will be my second TP gig), so when I get a chance to see a musician I admire for the first time, there’s always that added bit of excitement. Put Winwood in that category.

Like many people of my generation, the Steve Winwood I was first familiar with was the one that had a string of hits in the late 80’s and early 90’s - “Valerie”, “Back In The High Life Again”, and “Roll With It”. Little did I know that Winwood had been a child musical prodigy as lead singer for the Spencer Davis Group, or that he formed the first rock supergroup Blind Faith with Eric Clapton. Of course, you can’t forget his amazing years with Traffic, a band that I didn’t discover until just a few years ago.

Not only does Steve Winwood posses one of rock’s greatest voices, he also happens to be a master musician, able to hold his own with Clapton on guitar one moment and then play a mean Hammond B3 the next. It’s easy for rock fans to dismiss Winwood because of his top 40 leanings nearly 20 years ago, but one listen to his new album “Nine Lives” and you’ll quickly see that this time around Winwood isn’t into having hits, he’s into jamming. I’m hoping to hear some of that tonight when he takes the ACC stage at 7:30.

Check out the video to Steve Winwood’s latest single “Dirty City” below, and then use Steve as today’s bonus code.