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NEW ROCK RELEASES
GREETINGS,FELLOW ROCKER!
On this page, we take a look at new releases in the rock realm. From Pop to Hard Rock and Heavy Metal,,even Alternative Rock.
If it fits the rock mold,then it's rock and roll,plain and sinple. But, what is it that defines music as 'rock'? Well, that's simple. A 4/4 beat,a killer riff,and a raging bass line. Yet,according to Brian May,guitarist for Queen and Certified Scientist,the most inportant instrument in rock music is,indeed, the voice. The vocal,in rock music, IS the most important instrument in rock. Rock songs are written to be performed to a live audience...that is the main purpose behind rock music: to sonically express oneself with written lyrics backed by a rocking band.So,keep scrolling down and check out who has new music coming!
Dolly Parton is ready to ROCK YOU!With her upcoming album"Rockstar",where she takes on classic and electric hard rock. This is an album that big time Dolly fans either dread or can't wait for....it depends on who you ask. Yet, this is an album that I believe most hard rock fans can appreciate,especially with the roster of rock legends accompaning Parton ,helping her get her rock and roll wings.
From Hearts Ann Wilson,REO Speedwagon's Kevin Cronin,Ringo Starr,Paul McCartmey,and Stevie Nicks. That's just to name a few.(Don't want to ruin too many surprises...)After rejecting the 1st nomination into the Rock and Roll Hall and Fame,saying she was ,indeed, flattered, but that,by technicality,her music is not rock and roll. It was only when they nominated her a second time that she accepted, basically on the proviso that she make a rock album herself...and that is becoming a true reality.A 2 cd or 4 lp vinyl set,the album has a release date of November 17,( by the time we go to press, this may be after the fact. While I have only heard one track, Parton's version of Queen's "We Are The Champions",with outstanding results. If the rest of the set is of this sound and qualiy,then I have no doubt that Miss Parton will pull this album off with great aplumb,with many a hit being featured here,dueted and backed by some of the biggest rock stars ever.I mean, who hasn't dreamed of a Stevie Nicks/Dolly Parton duet?I know I have!
Yet,this is not her first visit to the popular rock scene, having crossover hits like "9 To 5" from the movie of the same name that Parton herself,starred in to great success.She won 2 Grammy's for the song,and was nominated for an Oscar for Best Original Song.Deep in philanthropy,Parton gives millions away to charities and causes.For examply,as successful as Dollywood is, she receives not one red cent from the profits of the park.Instead, she humbly donates the profits to many different causes.Having been married to the same man,Carl Thomas Dean,who she met when she was only 18, fell in love, and have been with him ever since.She doesn't use her legal surname in her professional life,and her husband prefers to avoid the limelight all together.
This album is sure to blow minds.With the list of contributors from the rock scene a mile long, some of the best talent together together on one album has, to my knowledge,has never been done before.A tribute album dedicated to rock and roll by a country artist.A marriage made in heaven, if you ask me.
Look for the release of "Rockstar" by Dolly Parton in November, 2023. Watch for a tour to come with the release of ROCKSTAR.
***** ( 5 out of 5 )
COMPLETE BOX SET WITH RARITIES LP/CD
Released in July on Rhino Records is the most comprensive set of Nicks' music ever released. On 16 clear vinyl records,this set includes a copy of every album Nicks has ever released.This set also contains a 'Rareties', which contains songs that can only be found on soundtracks and such. Like "Sleeping Angel" from "Fast Times At Ridgemont Times" and "Blue Lamp" from the soundtrack to the film "Heavy Metal".Also included on the 16 lp/10 cd set is Nicks' latest single, a remake of "For What It's Worth,originally written by Stephen Stills.
This set, while a bit pricey, is worth every penny. It also contains 3 of Nicks' album that were never released on vinyl, namely "Street Angel","Trouble In Shangri-La", and "In Your Dreams',making their vinyl debut.Each album comes in a double gate fold cover, lyric sheet,and is pressed on clear vinyl.There is no denying the talent this 75 year old rock icon possesses.Still active and still touring, she has never sounded better. Out of five stars, we give this release 10+ stars.This is the box set Nicks fans have been waiting for. Available in two formats: 10 cd's and the 16 vinyl set.The vinyl set was limited to 3000 pressings. From "Outside The Rain" to her latest single, every note is magic,and the singer is a sonic magician,capable of a power most of us wish we possessed.This legendary singer/songwriter's work will go down in infamy,Legends never die. Long live the Goddess of Rock.
Marc Farr
FLEETWOOD MAC - RUMOURS - LIVE
2023 - R H I N O R E C O R D S
New from Rhino Records,is a live album from one of the most iconic tours in rock history. This is the Rumours Tour from the once highest selling lp in history,by the biggest band of the era, Fleetwood Mac.With the classic 'Rumours' line up of Mick Fleetwood,John McVie,Christine McVie,and the new kids,Lindsay Buckingham and Stevie Nicks.who would soon become rock and roll's favourite sorceress.. This double gate fold, two record set contains the set list from that highly attended tour. A combination of songs from the 'White Album',"Rumours',and a soupcon of old FM blues,like "Old Well",written by Peter Green,Mac's original guitar god.and vocalist.
Hard core fans will have probably already heard some of these tracks,but never have they been packaged in such a format,2 lp's with double gate fold cover.This show shines,with performances unparalled at that point of their careers.This was a two year + long journey,then came the 2 year + tour for "Tusk".Here we have the band early in that 4 years,and they sound like they are really enjoying themselves up on that stage.Giving out songs like "Monday Morning","Blue Letter","The Chain"with it's haunting harmonies,and "Dreams" the biggest song ever released by the band.Fans will love the set list,and the LP comes on clear vinyl.( It's a pattern,it seems, that every vinyl released in the past 5 years that is 'Rumours" related is on clear vinyl format.No question about it, this recording captures the true, mystical essence that Fleetwood Mac was at that juncture.They WERE the top.The barre had been raised quite high with the release of 'Rumours",and most bands just didn't have what it took to be in that number one position.Hard work, it was.Constant, non-stop work, it was. Yet, i t was every musicians dream come true on a rather high scale.The band did release "Fleetwood Mac- Live" after the "Tusk" tour,but this release is very different,in t he fact that, at that at this juncture, The Mac were still a band,and not Buckingham's play toy,as was "Tusk".
I highly recommend this album for the hard core FM/ Stevie Nicks collector.It's worth every penny!
Note: If bought through Wal-Mart,you can get the clear vinyl version.
***** out of 5 stars.
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