Paul McCartney at Citifield on Fri. & Sat. July 17 & 18. Pre-sale tickets for American Express cardholders (and also NY Mets full season ticketholders) on sale this morning at 10:00 a.m. until Sun. June 14 at 10:00 p.m. General public on sale Mon. June 15 at 10:00 a.m. For tickets go to orhttp://507tixx.com/index.html (718) 507-TIXX. $49.50, $59.50, $99.50, $125, $175 and $275.
Bruce Springsteen & The E-Street Band at Comcast Theater (formerly The Meadows) in Hartford CT on Wed. Aug. 19. Tickets on sale this morning at 9:00 a.m. (Live Nation Event).
Boz Scaggs and Michael McDonald at the Beacon Theater on Sat. Sept. 19. Tickets on sale this morning at 10:00 a.m. $59.50, $69.50, $99.50 & $149.50.
Black Crowes with Levon Helm and Truth & Salvage at Central Park summerstage on Wed. Sept. 2. Tickets on sale today at noon. $57.50. Black Crowes only also appearing at Capital Theater in Westbury on Fri. Sept. 4 and the Stone Pony Summer stage on Sat. Sept. 5 . Tickets on sale today at noon. (Live Nation Event).
Jet at the Gramercy Theater on Wed. July 8. Tickets on sale today at noon. $21 ($25 day of show). Their new album “Shaka Rock” will be released on Aug. 25.
J. Geils Band at The Borgota Event Center on Sat. July 11. Tickets on sale this morning at 10:00 a.m. (Live Nation Event).
Pet Shop Boys at the Hammerstein Ballroom on Tues. & Wed. Sept. 1 & 2. Tickets on sale this morning at 10:00 a.m. $55.50 and $87.50.
The Mighty Mighty Bosstones at The Stone Pony Summerstage on Sun. Aug. 16. Tickets on sale this morning at 10:00 a.m. $26 ($30 day of show).
Dragonforce at The New York Fillmore on Tues. Rocktober 6. Tickets on sale this morning at 10:00 a.m. $29.50 ($33 day of show).
Brian Setzer Orchestra Christmas Rocks Show at Hammerstein Ballroom on Mon. Nov. 30. Tickets on sale this morning at 10:00 a.m. $47.50, $67.50, $77.50, $97 and $123. (This should be an awesome show!!)
The Pretenders, Cat Power and Juliet & the Licks at Central Park Summerstage on Mon. Aug. 10. Tickets on sale tomorrow morning at 10:00 a.m. $49.50. Also appearing at Chevrolet Theater on Fri. Aug. 7. Tickets on sale this morning at 10:00 a.m. $38, $48.
Ian Anderson at the Chevrolet Theater in Wallingford CT on Sun. Rocktober 18. Tickets on sale this morning (Live Nation Event).
Kings of Leon at Mohegan Sun on Wed. 09/09/09.Tickets on sale tomorrow morning at 10:00 a.m. $45.
Ratt & Extreme at Nokia Theater on Tues. July 28, the Capital One Theater in Westbury NY on Thurs. July 30, and the Starland Ballroom in NJ on Thurs. Aug. 6. Tickets on sale today at noon. (Pre-sale for American Express cardholders for the Nokia show until noon today). Nokia Theater- $34; Capital One- $36.50 and Starland-$32.
Chickenfoot will be at the Beacon Theater on Mon. Aug. 17 and at Mohegan Sun on Thurs. Aug. 20. Beacon: Pre-sale tickets for American Express cardholders on now until 10:00 p.m. tonight. General public tickets on sale tomorrow morning at 11:00 a.m. $59.50, $69.50, $79.50 and $125. Mohegan: General public on sale tomorrow morning at 10:00 a.m. $35.
Phoenix with Passion Pit at Central Park Summerstage on Fri. Sept. 25. Tickets on sale today at noon. $32 ($37 day of show).
Counting Crowes with Michael Franti & Spearhead at Mohegan Sun on Sat. Aug. 29. Tickets on sale next Fri. June 19 at 10:00 a.m. $45 – $60. (Internet pre-sale begins Mon. June 15 at 10:00 a.m.)
Other items:
Thoughts and prayers go out to Slash on the passing of his mother, Ola Hudson, last Friday. Slash, (Saul Hudson) said that his mother was the sweetest, warmest, most loving human being he’s ever known.
Today is a bittersweet day for me. My oldest son is graduating from the eighth grade. On one hand I am so happy and proud of the young man that he is becoming, on the other hand I am sad that he is growing so fast. I can remember the day he came home from the hospital after he was born, I can remember his first day of school and now in a blink of an eye, he is now one of the teenagers that I use to see when we took him to school when he was in the first grade, thinking that day was so far away. Well folks, it’s now here and I know the tears will be flowing tonight at his graduation ceremony. So how does this relate to music you ask? Well this past Monday, his class has a special Mass, which was beautiful. (On a separate note, the school’s priest grew up in Brooklyn and went to New Utrecht High School and I was the only one in the audience who knew what he was talking about, I live in CT now). Towards the end of the mass, my son’s graduating class sang a song for the audience, as a gift to us. The song that was picked was “I Have a Dream” by ABBA. It was so beautifully sung that it took all my power not to have the tears start rolling down my face. I had heard the song before but after their performance this is now without a doubt my favorite all time ABBA song. (It was always “Waterloo” for me but now…). On Tuesday morning, I must have listened to this song for about 45 minutes straight, as the tears did stream down my face (no one was around). Look at some of the lyrics (as well as listen to this song).
“I have a dream, a fantasy… To help me through reality…And my destination makes it worth while…Pushing through the darkness still another mile…(chorus) I believe in angels…Something good in everything I see… I’ll cross the stream… I have a dream… I’ll cross the stream… I have a dream.”
Now when the chorus began, all of the class began singing behind the soloist (who was perfect by the way) in such delightful harmony, it was hard not to become teary eyed as you watch your own become young men and women. So needless to say- ABBA’s “I Have a Dream” is my favorite old school song of the week.
Rumor has it Cheap Trick will be performing “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” with a full orchestra for shows in Las Vegas at the Hilton Hotel, former home of Elvis and more recently Barry Manilow.
My other favorite old school song of the week is “Walk Away Renee” by the Left Banke. When is the last time you have heard this song? This song is so good. I love the flute solo and the vocals are great. It was released in 1966.
The Black Crowes are offering their fans a “buy one get one free” when they release their new album “Before the Frost” on Sept. 1 which was recorded at the recording studio of Levon Helm in front of an intimate audience. Anyone who buys the record will get a code for which they can download a second album for free- called “Until the Freeze.” I’m in.
Spin magazine is marking the 25th anniversary of Prince’s “Purple Rain” with a comprehensive history of the film and album. They also will offer a download of a tribute to the album where nine bands perform covers of the original songs. The album will be available the same day the magazine comes out on Tues. June 23rd. (although you’ll need to read the article to get a clue from the magazine on how to download it). Spin tried to reach out to Prince but to no avail.
Anvil, the Canadian heavy metal band that spent more than 30 years in near obscurity, that is until recently where a movie depicting their struggle has catapulted them to stardom. The documentary “Anvil: The Story of Anvil” is out now and should be near a theater near you, if not now then over the summer. Well anyway, they are now officially on a roll because AC/DC has named them their opening act for the July 28 show at Gillette Stadium and then again on July 31 at Giants Stadium. Congrats boys!!!
Album Review: “For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge” by Van Halen released on June 18, 1991.
Ok, by now you all know what a big fan I am of Van Halen, specifically the Diamond Dave era, which is now back. But don’t kid yourself into thinking that I did not like the Hagar years, oh contraire my friends- I am a huge fan of the Hagar years as well. [I know what you’re thinking- you can’t like both- well you’re wrong-I love(d) both]. The Red Rocker has always been a rock star that I aspired to be, (along with Lou Gramm and some others), I love his intensity, the voice and passion for what he does. So in honor of his new band’s debut album out this past Tuesday (Chickenfoot), I have decided to review his best work with Van Halen with the aforementioned album title. This was his third studio album with the boys from California. Now don’t get me wrong, I love “5150” as well as “OU812” but for me, this album kicks butt from start to finish.
The album kicks off with the electrifying “Poundcake.” How cool is the battery operated drill that starts off the song? I remember them performing this on the MTV awards way back when. (When the show was watchable). The heavy riffs and the pounding drums get me so psyched but its Sammy’s vocals that I always try to emulate. This album came out during the first year of my marriage and you can ask my wife- the walls would shake when I put this song on. I would be downstairs (every man’s get away, huh?) with the stereo blasting at the highest decibel level allowed as I strutted around the room-singing, air-guitaring and air-drumming my way into a puddle of sweat as I performed a one man band show for no one to see. The energy kicks into a higher gear as “Judgement Day” just flat out rocks your socks off. How friggin’ heavy is this song? It sounds like Eddie has a machine gun or something with the way he makes that sound. The driving drum beats from Alex blend in superbly with his brother’s guitar work. And of course, the driving bass guitar from the now departed Michael Anthony (who is back with Sammy in Chickenfoot). Basically at this point I am in a mash pit as I continually run in circles, jump around the room like a lunatic as my shirt is now saturated. This is rock and roll at its best. Catching my breath, the groove slows down with the funky “Spanked.” Now this song is about things that I don’t talk about on this page, as I try to keep it where any family member can read this, so as usual this is on the music-aka-guitars, drums etc. Even though this is a slow song, Alex’s work on the skins is top notch as well as the deep bass parts from Mr. Anthony. Follow along with Alex on the drums and you’ll feel like you are on a ride, a ride that you don’t want to end. It’s just like when you’re at a football game and you focus on one guy who may be running with the special teams or rushing the quarterback. Same here with Alex and again most people wouldn’t look to this song as a drum song but listen carefully. “Runaround” gets you back out of your seat and imagining yourself at an outdoor stadium performing for thousands of fans as the beat to this song has to get right into your blood stream to get the juices flowing. I use to run in circles so much that I would get dizzy and fall to couch but then start all over again, doing the “scissor” move with my legs trying to imitate Eddie on guitar. Isn’t he the best to try and imitate because his solos knock you right out!! “She owns it!!” Sammy exclaims as the song jams on right into the psychedelic “Pleasure Dome.” Admittedly, this is the one song that took a while to grow on me but the more I listened, the more I came around and now it’s one of my favorites. Alex is lights out on this track, so you kids out there who want to become a drummer- listen to him on this song and you’ll immediately run out to buy a drum set or go for lessons. “Lost, Lost..in my own pleasure dome..” This is hard rock at its best. Everything meshes- the guitars, drums and of course Sammy’s vocals- so well that if one looked up the words “hard rock song”- this song would have to be right there (obviously along with a whole bunch of others but you get my drift, right?).
Side two starts off with the scorching “In ‘N Out” which has an infectious groove that keeps your interest for the full six minutes. Sammy and Eddie do the old Dave/Eddie who imitated the original Plant/Page thing where the guitar will sing a verse then the singer will sing a verse and then they both do the chorus together. Then its on to my favorite track on the album- “Man on a Mission.” I love the way it starts off with Eddie and Michael jamming together and then Alex turns it into apure “funk-a-fied” jam when he comes in with the drums. The driving head banging beats is reminiscent of the AC/DC fans getting whiplash as the neck snaps back in forth in unison with the pounding beats from Alex. As they approach the bridge before the guitar solo it gets that much better and then BAM!!!-Eddie’s guitar solo sizzles across your headphones as you prepare to scream as high as you can to match Sammy’s intensity. Track # 3 on side two- “The Dream Is Over” is the dark horse on the album and could be the best song on the album. This is Eddie’s song as one can not stray away from his guitar work; he pulls you back in every time you wander off to listen to Sammy, Alex and/or Michael parts. The man is a genius on guitar and this song has to be included in the list of best songs he’s ever done with the guitar. “Right Now” is the most popular song from this album and how cool is the video? Lots of piano and keyboards but again the vulcanizing guitar is right there every step of the way. This track has many “stops & starts” and is one of their most diverse songs ever recorded. This song was everywhere during 1991 and 1992 including Pepsi commercials- yeah I know but can you say? Once Zep did the Cadillac thing-nothing surprises me anymore. “316” is an acoustic guitar ballad named after the birth date of Eddie and Valerie’s son-Wolfgang-who is now the bass guitarist. Eddie could also take it down very nicely (Dave Grohl must have paid attention to this fact) and the result is nice. “Top of the World” is a pop song-plain and simple in the vain of “Jump”- as a matter of fact they actually recorded this song for “1984” with Diamond Dave but it did not make the cut. In many of their shows, they would play this song after playing “Jump” and on their “Best of Both Worlds” compilation these two songs are right next to each other. This went on to be one of their better known songs, personally not one of my all time favorites but still very good.
Now as I mentioned, I like all of the “Van-Hagar” albums but this one is a cut above the rest. It may have something to do with the fact that Eddie brought back Ted Templeman to produce it, (Templeman produced most of the Diamond Dave era, if not all). Maybe it had something to do with the break in-between “OU812”and this album, which was three years. Whatever the reason, this is the pinnacle of the Hagar-led years by far. Personally I believe this was Eddie’s best work since “Fair Warning,” -he is flat out electrifying throughout the entire album. Good luck to Sammy and Michael as they set out with their new adventure with “Chickenfoot” but it’s always good to reminisce with some good old “Van Hagar.” They did put out some good music in their heyday, there’s no denying that fact!!
Going in a different direction this week and will veer away the Beatles solo hits as I had Bad Company in heavy rotation this week. In my opinion, this band does not get the respect that it deserves. [Oh by the way, I’m just focusing on the original band –Paul Rodgers (vocals), Mick Ralphs (guitar), Boz Burell (Bass-who sadly passed away in 2006) and Simon Kirke (drums)]. Here are my top 10 Bad Company songs:
10. Good Loving Gone Bad– This song rocks!! Love the groove and the vibe. “Cause I’m a Man.. I Got My Pride.” Nice guitar solo as well. Play it LOUD!!!
9. Ready for Love– This song brings me back to the days of when classic rock stations like WPLJ in New York ruled the airwaves. This might have been the “poster boy” song, it was played all the time.
8. Honey Child-Another rocking grooving song that has to get you out of your seat. These boys know how to rock and roll with their signature “bluesy” twist. I love it.
7. Rock and Roll Fantasy– How great is this song? Talk about a song that was always played on classic rock radio? This was a staple in 1979 and lasted for the first few years in the 1980’s. This is the song that every “make-believe” rocker (myself included) wish that they could sing up on stage.
6. Rock Steady– Love the guitar work on this track and Paul’s vocals are top notch. I remember putting this song on a Spin CD for the class at MBIA and when it came on, I felt like the wicked witch from the Wizard of Oz as she peddled her bike in the air as Dorothy screeches from her swirling house. This song has a way of lifting you off the ground. The drum work is phenomenal.
5. Shooting Star– Every time I hear this song I feel like I know “Johnny”, don’t you? I feel like I have watched him grow up, become that star and sadly pass on. I always listen intently to the verse “Johnny died one night, died in his bed.” Still gets me after all these years. Great tune!!
4. Can’t Get Enough– I think if you look up the words “rock and roll” you might just find this song listed as its definition. I don’t care how many times you have heard it, you know you love it. This is another song that has to be played LOUD!!!
3. Movin’ On– I think this is the most listened song by Bad Company for me, even though it has landed in the number three hole. This is rock and roll at its best
2. Silver Blue & Gold– “In the beginning I believed every word you said..” I can’t get enough of this song, its pure magnificence.
1. Do Right By Your Woman-. This song puts me in a trance and the words are perfect. Most people associate Paul with rocking songs but listen to his nice work on the vocals in this classic beauty. And right now for me personally, I’m in the “doghouse” so these words are so right on.
Trivia Questions
Answers from last week:
1. “Black Coffee in Bed” at 6:12 and Paul Young and Elvis Costello sang background vocals.
2. “Cool for Cats”.
3. “I Won’t Back Down.” His buddy Ringo appeared in the video-but did not play on the song.
4. Paul McCartney
This week’s trivia (Sammy Hagar)
1. What was Sammy’s first band that had major success?
2. Who replaced Sammy as lead singer when he left Van Halen?
3. What guitar virtuoso does Sammy now play with in Chickenfoot?
4. What song did Sammy write but was made famous by Rick Springfield?
Back on this day in 1965, Sonny & Cher made their first TV appearance on American Bandstand.
Back on this day in 1966, Dave Clark 5 broke a record by appearing on the Ed Sullivan show for the 12th time.
Back on this day in 2007, Canada issued new postage stamps honoring Anne Murray, Gordon Lightfoot, Joni Mitchell and Paul Anka.
Errols Weekly Music Update. 