Has there ever been more activity in the Boomer rock marketplace? I can’t remember such frenzy: nearly all the big beasts in the dadrock jungle are offering new product for the autumn sales season:
24 September
Joni Mitchell, Shine
1 October
Bob Dylan, Dylan 3CD
Mick Jagger, Very Best Of
Bruce Springsteen, Magic
22 October
Neil Young, Chrome Dreams 2
Van Morrison, Still On Top – The Greatest Hits 3CD
(All dates - UK release).
While all these outstanding artists are firm favourites in this grown-up parish, the two releases I’m savouring most are the discs by Jagger (an under-rated solo performer) and Mitchell (a welcome return by one of the giants of 20thC music).
Reviews of all these releases to follow – and your reviews are very welcome.
Gerry Smith
Friday 28 September 2007
Wednesday 19 September 2007
Springsteen exhibition and limited edition artwork
Thanks to Guy White at Birmingham’s innovative Snap Galleries:
“Next up at Snap: The Swamps of Jersey - Bruce Springsteen, Patti Smith and Southside Johnny - photographs by Frank Stefanko: our next exhibition starts Saturday 29th September - come and meet Frank Stefanko on the first day if you're around, and download the catalogue here:
http://homepage.mac.com/guywhite/FileSharing2.html
“Bruceville: seems like a bit of a Bruce-fest at the moment, but for a really nice Xmas gift idea, check out this exclusive limited edition "Bruceville" map of New Jersey by renowned New York based illustrator Aaron Meshon, available now for GBP 175.
http://homepage.mac.com/guywhite/FileSharing4.html
“Nebraska sessions by David Michael Kennedy: take a look at some exquisite limited edition platinum palladium prints from the 1982 Nebraska sessions by David Michael Kennedy, including the bleak yet beautiful cover shot.
http://homepage.mac.com/guywhite/FileSharing5.html
Snap Galleries Limited, Fort Dunlop, Fort Parkway, Birmingham B24 9FD
www.snapgalleries.com; email: info@snapgalleries.com
“Next up at Snap: The Swamps of Jersey - Bruce Springsteen, Patti Smith and Southside Johnny - photographs by Frank Stefanko: our next exhibition starts Saturday 29th September - come and meet Frank Stefanko on the first day if you're around, and download the catalogue here:
http://homepage.mac.com/guywhite/FileSharing2.html
“Bruceville: seems like a bit of a Bruce-fest at the moment, but for a really nice Xmas gift idea, check out this exclusive limited edition "Bruceville" map of New Jersey by renowned New York based illustrator Aaron Meshon, available now for GBP 175.
http://homepage.mac.com/guywhite/FileSharing4.html
“Nebraska sessions by David Michael Kennedy: take a look at some exquisite limited edition platinum palladium prints from the 1982 Nebraska sessions by David Michael Kennedy, including the bleak yet beautiful cover shot.
http://homepage.mac.com/guywhite/FileSharing5.html
Snap Galleries Limited, Fort Dunlop, Fort Parkway, Birmingham B24 9FD
www.snapgalleries.com; email: info@snapgalleries.com
Monday 17 September 2007
That Led Zeppelin reunion – encore
Thanks to Mike Ollier:
“RE: Zep ~ unfortunately I don't think it is all dad-rock... being a music lecturer in college I can tell you who the majority of the students like.
“I love it when the students accuse me of being an old fart, I always reply '‘Scuse me, which one of us is wearing The Doors/Led Zep/Deep Purple T-shirt)?’
“The most popular groups amongst 16 year olds are Led Zeppelin, Free, Queen, Gnu's n Roses, Leornard Skinner etc etc... it's depressing. Those that don't like the above like Death Metal and someone called Killswitch Engage and Trivium.”
“RE: Zep ~ unfortunately I don't think it is all dad-rock... being a music lecturer in college I can tell you who the majority of the students like.
“I love it when the students accuse me of being an old fart, I always reply '‘Scuse me, which one of us is wearing The Doors/Led Zep/Deep Purple T-shirt)?’
“The most popular groups amongst 16 year olds are Led Zeppelin, Free, Queen, Gnu's n Roses, Leornard Skinner etc etc... it's depressing. Those that don't like the above like Death Metal and someone called Killswitch Engage and Trivium.”
Friday 14 September 2007
That Led Zeppelin reunion
Announcement of the Led Zeppelin reunion gig in London provoked a mixed reaction in these parts.
Yes, they were a seminal band, quintessential musicians for grown-ups, with a back catalogue which stands up as absolutely key rock. And if their dadrock fanbase wants a Heritage Rock Nostalgiafest, good luck to them. Ditto some other recent dadrock reunions, notably by The Police.
But I wouldn’t go to either gig, even if sent free tickets. Unlike some other oldies who are still touring – notably Dylan, Neil Young, Van the Man, and even the Stones - Zep and the Police chose long ago to quit as vital creative artists.
There’s far too much original music for grown-ups around to spend time on artistically irrelevant reunions.
Gerry Smith
Yes, they were a seminal band, quintessential musicians for grown-ups, with a back catalogue which stands up as absolutely key rock. And if their dadrock fanbase wants a Heritage Rock Nostalgiafest, good luck to them. Ditto some other recent dadrock reunions, notably by The Police.
But I wouldn’t go to either gig, even if sent free tickets. Unlike some other oldies who are still touring – notably Dylan, Neil Young, Van the Man, and even the Stones - Zep and the Police chose long ago to quit as vital creative artists.
There’s far too much original music for grown-ups around to spend time on artistically irrelevant reunions.
Gerry Smith
Thursday 13 September 2007
Video promoting new Dylan album
Dylan, the 3CD compilation album due on 1 October, is set to be the autumn’s biggest rockpop launch.
The mid-‘60s Dylan song Most Likely Go Your Way And I'll Go Mine has been remixed for release as a single. The video of the single is to be aired on Channel 4 TV on Sunday night (officially, Monday 17 September 12:05am - 12:10am). Finger on the VHS button… .
If you can’t wait, it’s on YouTube, now:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oCeKkJlMJDQ
Record label Sony have tried to generate a controversy… should record producer Ronson have been allowed to mess with Dylan’s sacred catalogue, blah, blah. Yawn, yawn.
Regardless of the merits of the recording, the TV clip underlines what we already knew – pop video might be a powerful promo tool, but it’s a vacuous creative medium. To watch pop vids you need to be very hard up for something to do.
Gerry Smith
The mid-‘60s Dylan song Most Likely Go Your Way And I'll Go Mine has been remixed for release as a single. The video of the single is to be aired on Channel 4 TV on Sunday night (officially, Monday 17 September 12:05am - 12:10am). Finger on the VHS button… .
If you can’t wait, it’s on YouTube, now:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oCeKkJlMJDQ
Record label Sony have tried to generate a controversy… should record producer Ronson have been allowed to mess with Dylan’s sacred catalogue, blah, blah. Yawn, yawn.
Regardless of the merits of the recording, the TV clip underlines what we already knew – pop video might be a powerful promo tool, but it’s a vacuous creative medium. To watch pop vids you need to be very hard up for something to do.
Gerry Smith
Tuesday 11 September 2007
PJ Harvey and Brett Anderson spearhead Royal Festival Hall’s return as top venue
After several years’ closure for substantial rebuilding work, London’s Royal Festival Hall, which used to be Rockpop for Grown-Ups’ favourite English venue, reopened this summer and is quickly re-establishing itself with a typically intelligent, challenging autumn programme.
In addition to a high quality classical roster, rockpop highlights include:
* PJ Harvey, acoustic, on Sat 29 September
* Brett Anderson, former Suede frontman, on Sat 20 October
Very, very promising…
http://www.southbankcentre.co.uk
Gerry Smith
In addition to a high quality classical roster, rockpop highlights include:
* PJ Harvey, acoustic, on Sat 29 September
* Brett Anderson, former Suede frontman, on Sat 20 October
Very, very promising…
http://www.southbankcentre.co.uk
Gerry Smith
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