Bob Dylan with John Mellencamp and Willie Nelson at First Energy Park in Lakewood, N.J. on Thurs. July 23 at 5:30 p.m. Tickets go on sale tomorrow at noon. $67.50.
John Legend at Madison Square Garden on Thurs. Aug. 13. Pre-sale tickets for American Express cardholders only on now thru next Thurs. May 7 at 5:00 p.m. General public tickets on sale next Fri. at 9:00 a.m.$46.00 – $90.50.
Aretha Franklin at Radio City Music Hall on Thurs. Sept. 18. Pre-sale tickets for American Express cardholders on now until 8:00 a.m. this morning. General public on sale this morning at 10:00 a.m.$54.50 – $94.50.
Green Day at Madison Square Garden on Mon. July 27. Ticket info to follow.
The Moody Blues at the Mohegan Sun on Sun. Aug. 16. Tickets on sale this Mon. May 4 at 10:00 a.m.$40.
Fleetwood Mac at the Mohegan Sun on Wed. June 17. Tickets on sale tomorrow morning at 10:00 a.m.$95 – $125. Also at Madison Square Garden on Tues. June 11. Pre-sale tickets on sale this morning from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. and the password is HEMSGFM. General public on sale this Mon. May 4 at 10:00 a.m.
The following shows will be at the PNC Bank Arts Center in Holmdel N.J. and go on sale tomorrow May 2 at 9:30 a.m. (Live Nation Events):
|
Artist |
Date |
Pre-Sale |
General Public On sale |
|
REO Speedwagon/Styx/.38 Special |
Wed. June 24 |
Citi card 4/29 |
$20.25, $49.25, $59.25, $75.25 |
|
Rascal Flatts/ Darius Rucker |
Thurs. June 25 |
Citi card 4/29 |
$31.25, $70 |
|
Kid Rock / Lynyrd Skynyrd |
Wed. July 8 |
Citi card 4/29 |
$26.25, $60.25, $80.25 |
|
Judas Priest/Whitesnake |
Sat. July 11 |
Citi card 4/29 |
$25.25, $50.25, $75.25, $125.25 |
|
Snoop Dogg/Slighty Stoopid |
Thur. Aug. 8 |
Citi card 4/29 |
$15.05, $31.15 |
|
Crosby, Stills & Nash |
Tues. Aug. 11 |
Artist VIP |
$20.25, $50.25, $74.25, $119 |
|
Beat Stock |
Sat. Aug. 15 |
No info |
No Info |
|
Creed (original members) |
Sun. Aug. 16 |
Citi card 5/5 |
May 9 |
|
Loggins & Messina/Poco |
Sat. Aug. 22 |
Citi card 4/29 |
$29.25, $34.25, $69.25 $89.25 |
The following shows will be at the Jones Beach in Wantagh NY and go on sale tomorrow May 2 at 9:00 a.m. (Live Nation Events): A limited number of “wristbands” will be handed out today starting at noon until 6:00 p.m. outside the Nikon Theater on Jones Beach.
|
Artist |
Date |
General Public On sale |
|
Judas Priest/Whitesnake |
Sun. July 12 |
$25, $50, $75, $125 |
|
“Rock the Bells”-Nas/Roots/Common |
Sun. July 19 |
$40.50, $70.50, $80.50, $130.50 |
|
Kid Rock /Lynyrd Skynyrd |
Sun. Aug. 2 |
$26, $60, $80, $160 |
|
Crosby, Stills & Nash |
Sat. Aug. 8 |
$26, $60.50, $80.50, $125 |
|
Creed (original members) |
Sat. Aug. 15 |
May 9 |
|
Beat Stock |
Sun. Aug. 16 |
$19, $26, $55, $79 |
|
Loggins & Messina/Poco |
Sun. Aug. 23 |
$20, $50, $75, $95 |
Handsome Furs at the Bowery Ballroom on Tues. July 7.Pre-sale tickets for American Express cardholders only until 11:00 a.m. this morning. General public tickets on sale today at noon.$15.
Janes Addiction at the Chevrolet Theater on Sun. June 14. Tickets on sale tomorrow morning at 10:00 a.m. (Live Nation Event).
Judas Priest at the Chevrolet Theater on Sun. July 5. Tickets on sale this morning at 10:00 a.m. (Live Nation Event).
Paul Potts at the Beacon Theater on Thurs. July 9. Tickets on sale this morning at 11:00 a.m. $63.50 – $75.
Sonic Youth at United Palace Theater on Fri. July 3. Pre-sale tickets for American Express cardholders only this morning at 10:00 a.m. until 10:00 p.m. tonight. General public on sale tomorrow morning at 10:00 a.m. $38 – $45.
Other items:
Alice in Chains have completed their first album with new lead singer, William Duvall, and it should be released this September. Lead guitarist, Jerry Cantrell, calls it some of their best work ever.
Can you believe it’s been 20 years since the release of Lenny Kravitz’s debut album “Let Love Rule” and to celebrate Lenny has remixed the title track and is offering a free MP3 download from his website. The deluxe edition of the album will be available on Tues. May 19.
John Mayer is a huge fan of “30 Rock” and supposedly looking for a way to get on the show. That is my new favorite show.
Yusuf– the artist known as Cat Stevens- will release a new album next Tuesday and it’s called “Roadsinger.” The single “Thinking ‘Bout You” sounds like something he would have done back in the 1970’s.
My favorite song of the week is “ King of the Rodeo”- by the Bamboos featuring Megan Washington on vocals. This is a fantastic song, check it out. Also check out the video.
My favorite “new” song of the week is “Blame it on Me” by Chrisette Michele. All I can say is “wow” listen to her voice and you’ll be blown away just as I was.
My favorite “old” school song of the week is “In Memory of Elizabeth Reid” by the Allman Brothers. The song was written by Dickey Betts and features him and the legendary Duane Allman on lead guitar. If you have been to one of their shows you know that this song can go on for more than a half hour sometimes. The version from live at Fillmore East is impeccable-puts you in a trance.
Tim “The Ripper” Owens is putting out his first solo album –“Play My Game”- which will be released on May 19. If you don’t know the story, Mr. Owens, was in a tribute band for Judas Priest called “British Steel” and after Rob Halford left in 1991- The Ripper went from tribute band to the lead singer for Priest and is the inspiration behind the movie “Rock Star” starring Mark Walhberg. His new single “Starting Over” sounds real good. He has received a bunch of help from some notable rockers such as Bob and Bruce Kulick, Billy Sheenan, Vinny Apice, Dave Ellefson and Simon Wright. If you are a metal fan you’ll want to check it out.
Album Review: “The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars”- David Bowie released on June 6, 1972
This week’s I-POD shuffle landed on “Lady Stardust” by David Bowie from arguably his most popular album- “The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars.” His library is so extensive and it’s hard to pick his best work but in my opinion, this is his masterpiece. Believe me I know some of you are screaming for “Aladdin Sane” or “Hunky Dory” or another one of my favorites “The Man Who Sold the World.” These all are solid releases and you won’t go wrong with purchasing any of the aforementioned albums. (Again I do not want to limit it to these albums because the man has so much material it really is incredible). So as you can see I have had a heavy dose of Bowie this week. This man is one of the foundations of rock and roll, punk, alternative- whatever you want to call it- he has done it. So staggering is his influence on what we all listen to today that he could be the music version of the game “the six degrees of Kevin Bacon.” Pick one of your favorite band’s out there today and I bet if you look back on their history you will find David Bowie’s imprint somewhere. He’s done it all- even sung a duet with Mr. Bing Crosby back in Sept. 1977 (Crosby passed away the next month and never saw the televised event which debuted around Christmas time of 1977).
OK back to the album- “Five Years” starts off this concept album that depicts a man from Mars who has come to save the earth with a message of peace and love. This beautiful song begins with the piano & drums at the forefront, a slow melancholy beat that creeps up and surrounds you and before long you become completely engulfed by the passion. The chorus is perfect if one is at a pub with a bunch of people, swinging your arm back and forth with the beer mug gripped tightly in your hand as everyone sings “We’ve Got Five Years, stuck on my eyes, five years, what a surprise…” The second track- “Soul Love” is an “R&B” groovy-like mix that includes a saxophone that adds the flavor to this perfect “hot bowl of soup” on a cold day. If you listen closely I think “AOL” stole some of their web site sounds from this song. (the sound before the voice says “You’ve Got Mail”). The arrangement to this song is so spectacular; it can’t be put into words. Don’t you just love the part where Bowie says “Inspirations Have I none-just to touch the flaming dove, All I have is my love of love-and love is not loving?” “Moonage Daydream” is one of my favorites on this album. It rocks hard at points and then softens up with that classic acoustic sound along with the piano that Bowie perfected. The best part of the song comes about two minutes into the jam where the piano, saxophone and I believe the harpsichord all play in unison. When the string arrangements kick in it makes the song that much better and this was handled by the legendary Mick Ronson- who was not only a fantastic guitar player but a top notch keyboardist as well. I believe “Starman” is my favorite track on the album, it’s a tough decision but I’ll stick with it. I’m telling you right now put on the best pair of headphones you can find, (“Bose”, whatever you have), make sure they are secure on your ears before you start the song. Are you ready? Press play and listen to this exquisite song, total excellence, isn’t it? Let the bass guitar (Trevor Bolder) take you away and then the ultimate sing along chorus “There’s a starman waiting in the sky, he’d like to come meet us, but he thinks he’d blow our minds, There’s a starman waiting in the sky, he’s told us not to blow it, cause he knows it’s all worthwhile.. He told me: Let the children lose it, let the children use it, let all the children boogie.” There’s no way in the world that anyone can dislike this song, it’s not allowed. “It Ain’t Easy” reminds me of something the Beatles would do and Mr. Bowie (real name is David Robert Jones) actually sounds like John on this song. Again the arrangement of the song is so good and then it rolls into the aforementioned “Lady Stardust.” This has an Elton John feel to it as the piano is prominent throughout and it has the Elton flair-dramatic vocals with the grandiose background. Queen definitely had to listen to this song before they started to record their library because this is right up their alley. Phenomenal song, period end of story!!
“Star” picks it up as the rocking begins again as Mick Woodsmaney will get you out of your seat with his upbeat drumming and Mick’s guitar work is flawless. Before you know it, the song is over and you have to listen to it again. “Hang on to Yourself” is such a fun song that keeps the jamming full speed ahead. You can use this song for your next Spin or boot camp class. The bass work shines bright and Mick’s guitar solo is really good. I think Lenny Kravitz must have been listening to this as he was growing up because it has a similar sound to his “California.” And then of course next is the incomparable “Ziggy Stardust.” I don’t care how many times you have heard this song, you can not deny its place in music history (like “Tommy” from the Who). “Ziggy played Guitar, jamming good with Weird and Gilly, and the Spiders from Mars, He played it left hand.” Ok so you know this song is about Jimi Hendrix-contrary to the denials by Bowie himself. You know there has been a point in your life where you have unexpectedly just started to sing “So where were the spiders while the fly…” Right now at this point you are overcome with the greatness to this album but wait.. here it is” “Suffragette City.” Can it get any better? I clearly remember being a young lad when my uncle Gary introduced me to this song and I immediately loved it ever since. You sensed my hesitation up top on my favorite song on the album because I knew what was waiting for me.. Suffragette City is so good that it even is on “Rock Band.” (Funny thing is now my kids like the song because of “Rock Band” but as long as they like it). This tune grabs you by the waist, gets you up out of your seat and sends impulses throughout your body to move. And you know that you have just said “hey man” or “hit me” in your lifetime, don’t even try to tell me you haven’t. I know that I have “air-pianoed” the ending of the song and who can forget about “wham bam thank you ma’am?” The last song on this historic masterpiece is “Rock and Roll Suicide.” Now on this tune, I’m reminded of Bob Dylan as Bowie sounds eerily similar to the harmonica man as the acoustic guitar strums along as he slowly builds to a passionate plea as he exclaims “Oh no love you’re not alone.” This would be a perfect song to suggest to those acoustic performers at your local pub (you know what I’m talking about-instead of yelling “Free Bird” yell this song). Listen to his fervor, can it get any better- I think not!! “You’re too old to lose it, too old to chose it and the clocks waits so patiently on your song..” This is pure perfection folks.
The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars was, is and shall remain one of the greatest statements made in music history. I beg the older generation to never let this die, play it around your kids, play it around your grandkids- do whatever it takes to embed this into the next generation and future generations to come, after all it is a story about a “Martian” right? And Martians will forever remain with us, whether here on earth or looking down on us. If you are reading this and you have not heard of this album please do yourself a favor- run, don’t walk, to your nearest source of obtaining music and get it. If you don’t like it, I’ll refund your money.
“And 5, now this is most important, Rat…comes down to making out… whenever possible.. put on side 1 of Led Zeppelin IV”
Side 1 of “The B-52’s” by The B-52’s which was released on July 6, 1979.
OK I remember when my uncle Gary first introduced me to this band (along with the Talking Heads) I was so struck by their “weirdness” that I never thought I would like anything that they would record just based on the way they looked on the album cover. But as the old saying goes- “never judge a book by its cover”- and I was wrong, with my apologies to the band. Side 1 of their debut album is one of the finest recordings in modern history. I absolutely love the beginning of “Planet Claire” (as well as the whole song) because it really was something that I had never heard before (at the “old” age of 14) and I do admit that it did take me a few “turns” to finally recognize the uniqueness and the simple greatness to it. For the first two and a half minutes, the instrumental music reminds me of walking into a fun house or some weird science fair. Or maybe a “futuristic” version of what the theme song for “The Munsters” would have been in 1979. And when Fred Schneider burst in with his “monotone” vocal style, I was just blown away. Again very simple but so addicting and I love it when he screams “Well She Isn’t??!!” The unusual guitar sounds were generated by the late Ricky Wilson (passed away in 1985 at the young age of 35) and his younger sister, Cindy, shared the vocals with Fred and Kate Pierson, who also played organ. The drumming was handled by Keith Strickland who later on pulled a Dave Grohl (or should I say Grohl pulled a Strickland) and came out from behind the skins to play guitar for the band. “Planet Claire” is one of the most original songs I have ever heard and I can easily listen to this over and over. “52 Girls” is a rocking upbeat song driven by the jamming beats of the drums and the strumming of the guitar. “These are the girls of the USA.. the principal girls of the USA….” This song is phenomenal- “new wave” head banging at its best. C’mon admit it- you know you like this- even with all the bizarre noises.
“Dance This Mess Around” has always been one of the “cult” B-52 songs that its fans can not get enough. If you ask most fans what is the best song on this album- a majority of them will point to this song. It still sounds as fresh as when it was released in 1979 and if listen to the whole arrangement you’ll discover that the atypical notes from the guitar really does work. I freely admit that Kate Pierson’s screeching vocals could get on your nerves but it doesn’t last for the whole song and I actually like when she screams “Why don’t you dance with me.. I’m not no limburger.” Ok the lyrics are kind of silly but this tune is also addicting and my recommendation for your next long car ride is to put this song in your rotation at some point and I guarantee the whole family will love the part where they all sing “Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.” (Wasn’t there a “Flinstones” episode where Fred sang like this?) And then of course side 1 ends with the infamous “Rock Lobster.” Now I know this song polarizes people- you either love it or you hate it- there really is no in-between, right? Of course you know what my vote is-call it silly, call it dumb, call it annoying but you know what- it is one of the best arranged songs ever put together. How can you not like the girls background vocals going “Ooh Waa, Ooh Waa?” Or the part where it’s going “down, down” and one really gets the feeling that you are spinning in a circle-like getting flushed down a toilet. How many twists and turns are in this tune? I love all the sounds the girls make while Fred describes each kind of fish. Or how about the “high pitch” shadow vocals that end the song? Doesn’t get any better. Listen to the detail in this song, every part is specifically plotted and planned with the end result being one of the most recognized songs in the history of music. (That’s right I said it). Buyer beware: the version of this song on their greatest hits-“Time Capsule” is a well shortened version from the debut album- listen to the original only. We used this song many times for boot camp class at MBIA, though I think it works better for Spin.
The B-52’s debut album actually ranks #152 out of 500 from a 2003 Rolling Stone issue that listed the greatest albums of all time, so for all you “non-believers” out there, you have to give credit where credit is due. In addition, this album made the number nine entry out of the top ten for the best alternative albums ever made by Alan Cross. This band is still going strong and last year’s release of “Funplex” had some solid tunes including “Hot Corner” and some others. If you are looking to have some fun at your next party then side 1 is a perfect album side, period end of story.
Trivia Questions
Some folks have suggested that I put in some trivia questions (where I will provide the answers the following week), and since it’s been an “everything Bowie” week I might as well continue with questions related to him:
1. What band and what song paid homage to the lyrics “Mickey Mouse has grown up a cow..” from David Bowie’s “Life on Mars?”
2. What band covered Bowie’s “The Man Who Sold The World” where people mistakenly think their version is better than David’s?
3. Who co-wrote “Fame” with David Bowie?
Back on this day in 1967, Elvis Presley married Priscilla Beaulieu.
Back on this day in 1970, Diana Ross announced her decision to pursue a solo career, ending her association with the Supremes.
Back on this day in 1979, Elton John became the first “pop” star to perform in Israel.
If it is your birthday today, you share the same birth date with the late Kate Smith, Jerry Weiss (Blood, Sweat & Tears), Rita Coolidge, Ray Parker Jr., and Judy Collins.
Errols Weekly Music Update. 