Fleetwood Mac- Then Play On reissue/remaster review

 

Fleetwood Mac

Then Play On

1969

Rating: ****

Bonus tracks: ****

Some might find it hard to believe that before their success with albums such as Rumours and Tusk, Fleetwood Mac was actually a blues rock band then they were formed by guitarist Peter Green in 1967. Fleetwood Mac’s third album, Then Play On, is often considered by many to be their best effort when Green was in the band. The album is also the last the band would make with Green, as he left the band a year after the album’s release in 1970. Now in 2013, the album has been reissued and remastered with the original UK tracking list and segues.

Fleetwood Mac was formed in 1967 by guitarist Peter Green. With Green was guitarist Jeremy Spencer, bassist John McVie and drummer Mick Fleetwood. Green named the band using the surnames of the band’s rhythm section of McVie and Fleetwood. By 1969, the band had released two studio albums- a self-titled debut and Mr. Wonderful. Both efforts were simple blues rock albums and good enough for the band to make a name for themselves. IT was also around this time the band added a third guitarist, Danny Kirwin. The band soon achieved success with a hit single in the UK, the instrumental “Albatross”.

An album like Then Play On was a huge step for the band. Green decided that while sticking to their blues roots, why not dabble in progressive rock? “Coming Your Way” is a great intro and fits with the album cover painted by Maxwell Armfield. Green, Spencer and Kirwin all get to shine on this track. Blues comes in the form of the instrumental “Fighting for Madge”, Kirwin’s 12-bar “One Sunny Day”, the boogie riddled “Rattlesnake Shake”, and the sorrowful “Like Crying”. Songs such as “Closing My Eyes”, “Without You” and “When You Say” are beautiful ballads while “Underway” and “Searching for Madge” create this a sort of psychedelic atmosphere.

As for the sound, it’s fantastic. Then Play On is an album that has been retooled and messed with by the record labels for years. As mentioned before, this reissue is a remaster of the UK version. The US version was released twice in 1969. Both versions omitted songs from the UK version and rearranged segues. For example, the giggle at the start of “Like Crying” is moved to the end of “Searching for Madge”. When first released on CD in 1990, the album was changed up again. While mostly following the US versions, the segues were put in different places and once again, omitted several songs.

One major criticism of the 1990 issue that had fans complaining was the sound quality of the digital transfer, citing that there was too much hiss and distortion. I’ve done several sound comparisons of the 1990 issue and the new remaster. The 1990 version sounds much louder but very hissy and perhaps a little too much reverb. The new remaster does not sound distorted nor does it sound hissy. In fact, it sounds perfect. I’ve never heard the original vinyl but I can believe this is what people heard back in 1969. There’s no need to worry about any massive clipping either.

There are a few bonuses with this reissue. Insightful liner notes are written by Rolling Stone senior editor David Fricke and there are a few bonus tracks. First, there’s the band’s hit single “Oh Well”. Unlike the 1990 issue in which the track as one nine minute track, the song is split into its original two parts like the original 45 single. Also on is another single, “The Green Manalishi (With the Two Prong Crown)” and its B-side “World in Harmony”. The former may sound familiar as it was covered by Judas Priest in 1979 while the latter is seeing its debut appearance on CD.

If you were disappointed by the 1990 issue of Then Play On, this is a no brainer: get this remaster immediately. If you are a stranger to Fleetwood Mac’s bluesy beginnings, Then Play On is a pretty good place to start. 

Riot to release new studio album in 2014

Hard rockers Riot have announced today via Facebook that they will have a new studio album out in 2014. The album will be released on SPV/Steamhammer in the US and Europe and on Avalon/Marquee in Asia. No other information has been given on the album except that an extensive press release will be coming soon, along with samples of the new release. This will be Riot's first studio album without guitarist and founding member Mark Reale, who died back in January 2012 after his lifelong battle with Crohn's Disease.

I'm very happy to hear that Riot will have a new album out. I don't totally understand the album title but I'm sure we'll find out in the near future. Although I'm happy to hear this, I can't help but think if it's okay for their to be a Riot album without Mark Reale on it. Perhaps they could release the album under another name?

Since the Facebook post did say a press release will follow, I will post more on this upcoming album when the time comes.

Update: I have a few things wrong here. Donnie Van Stavern, bassist of Riot, commented on my story on Facebook telling me the album does not have a title yet (although I did put one there, Chapter 5- Back For the Attack- that was the name of the press release). Recording for the album will start in December. Stavern also said that the band name might change.

Black Sabbath come to Philly

Black Sabbath

Live in Philadelphia

Wells Fargo Center

August 10, 2013

It might be hard to believe but after years and years of waiting, Black Sabbath are finally back on tour. The reunited original line up (sans drummer Bill Ward) are touring in support of their latest studio album 13. As you can imagine, the place was packed with Sabbath fans waiting for an evening of great music.

            There was an opening act in the form of Andrew W.K. While his name might sound new, Andrew W.K. is a metal singer turned TV personality. Instead of having his own band and performing his songs, W.K. did something unusual: he stood on top of platform, playing hard rock and heavy metal classics, and at times shooting Sabbath t-shirts into the crowd. It was strange but ironically enough, W.K. did play some Dio and Deep Purple (the irony being that Dio and Ian Gillan have both sung for Sabbath at one point in time). W.K. even played Sabbath’s “Who Are You”, a deep cut from Sabbath Bloody Sabbath.

            Sabbath hit the stage at around 8:45 pm. The crowd went wild as sirens wailed and the black curtain went up. “How ya doin’?!” singer Ozzy Osbourne yelled as the band went into “War Pigs”. Osbourne let the crowd sing a line or two in the song to the point where he was gleefully conducting the audiences in vocalizing the song.

            Next came fan favorites such as “Into the Void” and “Snowblind”. The band even dug deep in their catalogue with “Under the Sun” and even the instrumental “Rat Salad” which led into a drum solo from drummer Tommy Clufetos. Even though Ward isn’t with the band anymore, Clufetos is a great drummer. The speed and energy Clufetos has is remarkable.

            With this tour being in promotion for their latest studio album, the band did play three songs from 13: “Age of Reason”, “End of the Beginning”, and “God Is Dead?” I find it funny that with a band like Black Sabbath, people are begging for a new studio album. When it comes time for a band to play those new songs, people walk out. Fortunately, this isn’t the case with Sabbath: barely anybody in the audience walked out during a new song. It goes to show that people actually like the new album.

            Sabbath also played their classics, all of which had fans singing along and clapping their hands to. During “Black Sabbath”, Osbourne commanded that the crowd turn on their cell phones and light up their cigarette lighters. Looking all around the place, it was a sea of flames. It was amazing. Bassist Geezer Butler had his chance to shine during “Behind the Wall of Sleep” playing his bass solo “Bassically” which, of course, went into the Sabbath classic “N.I.B.”.

            If one member of the band had to be awarded with MVP, guitarist Tony Iommi deserves it. As many know, Iommi is the only member of Sabbath that has been in every line-up change in the band’s history. In early 2012, Iommi was diagnosed with early stages of lymphoma. During the recording of the latest album, Iommi went through chemotherapy. During the concert, it was obvious that lymphoma is no match for the mighty riff master. He nailed every solo in each song, including classic such as “Iron Man”, “Dirty Women”, “Fairies Wear Boots”, and “Children of the Grave”.

            Osbourne was in great shape. It’s no secret that Osbourne has done almost every drug out there for years and years. Despite what most people say, Osbourne’s vocals sounded just fine. His onstage shtick as not changed with his cries of “Let me see ya hands!”, “We love you”, and “How the f*ck are ya?” Overall, Osbourne still has it. 

            “Children of the Grave” was supposed to be the last song played but Osbourne told the crowd if they made enough noise, they’d play one more song. As you can imagine, they did with playing the opening to “Sabbath Bloody Sabbath” which went right into “Paranoid”.

“God bless you, Philly! We love you all!” Osbourne yelled.

            Black Sabbath were, in a word, amazing. That’s saying a lot considering these guys are in their mid-60’s. The question is if they’ll ever go back on tour sometime after this current one ends. Judging by the band smiling every so often during the show, it looks like they’re really enjoying this. If Black Sabbath come to a town near you, do yourself a favor and see them.

Setlist

1.      War Pigs

2.      Into the Void

3.      Under the Sun

4.      Snowblind

5.      Age of Reason

6.      Black Sabbath

7.      Behind the Wall of Sleep/NIB

8.      End of the Beginning

9.      Fairies Wear Boots

10.  Rat Salad (with Tommy Clufetos drum solo)

11.  Iron Man

12.  God Is Dead?

13.  Dirty Women

14.  Children of the Grave

Encore

15.  Paranoid (with Sabbath Bloody Sabbath intro)

George Duke dead at 67

George Duke

January 12, 1946-August 5, 2013

Jazz artist and keyboardist George Duke died yesterday. He was 67. The cause of death has yet to be announced. Duke was known for his work in jazz music, starting his career by playing with violinist Jean-Luc Ponty. Over the four decades of his career, Duke has collaborated with dozens of artist including Miles Davis and Michael Jackson. 

In the rock world, Duke is best known for being the keyboardist for Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention. Duke joined Zappa in 1970, first appearing on Chunga's Revenge. Duke appears on several of Zappa's most celebrated works including Over-Nite Sensation, One Size Fits All, and Apostrophe just to name a few. 

As a Zappa fan, it is sad to hear of George's passing. My thoughts go out to his family and friends.

RIP George. 

Rolling Stones' 2013 performance at Hyde Park is now on iTunes

The Rolling Stones have been on their 50 Years and Counting tour for a while now. With the expensive ticket prices, some people might have not been able to go see them. Well, here's your chance to own a recording from the tour. iTunes is offering the band's performance at Hyde Park on July 6 of this year. This concert is historic as it marks the first time the band has performed there since 1969, which back then was just two days after the death of Brian Jones. The live album will be on iTunes until August 19 and can be downloaded for $9.99.

Fleetwood Mac's Then Play On to be reissued on August 20, along with vinyl box set

Fans of the Peter Green led Fleetwood Mac are in for a treat: according to various reports, the band's third album Then Play On will be reissued with a brand new remaster on August 20 on Reprise Records. This "expanded edition" of the 1969 album will go by the UK tracking list, along with the original segues. The current issue of the album on CD from 1990 goes by a different tracking order with the segues all rearranged. Along with the original version of the album will be four bonus tracks: "Oh Well Parts 1 and 2", "The Green Manalishi" and "World in Harmony". The liner notes will be written by Rolling Stone senior editor David Fricke.

Along with this, Reprise is also giving fans a vinyl box set Fleetwood Mac: 1969-1972. This box set will come with four albums (Then Play On, Kiln House, Future Games, and Bare Trees), all of which will be in their original packaging.

This is great news. I own the 1990 CD version of Then Play On and from what I've read in Amazon review sections, this album is in much need of a reissue. It's a shame that the original version of the album hasn't been on CD before. Several reviews have complained about the sound being terrible and botched compared to the original vinyl. On iTunes, I've managed to put together the closest thing to the original UK album via the 1990 CD and MP3 downloads of the missing songs that were on the UK version.

This album, along with the earlier Fleetwood Mac albums, are very important releases. Before Fleetwood Mac became immensely popular in the mid-1970's with Rumours, they were a blues rock band. I'm not saying that I dislike the popular version of the band at all. The Peter Green led Mac were the band that influenced bands like Aerosmith and Judas Priest.

I will definitely be getting this reissue!

Black Sabbath- 13 album review

 

Black Sabbath

13

Rating: ****

Since its announcement in 2011, the Black Sabbath reunion has been plagued with bad luck. From Tony Iommi’s cancer diagnosis to Bill Ward’s departure, it seemed as if things couldn’t get any worse. Luckily, the same cannot be said for Sabbath’s new album: it’s very good. 13 is the first Black Sabbath studio album since 1995’s Forbidden. While Ward isn’t on this album, 13 is still Sabbath’s first album with Ozzy Osbourne since 1978’s Never Say Die. With Rick Rubin producing, 13 is a natural sounding Black Sabbath album.

            Sabbath waste no time and open the album with “End of the Beginning”, a very doom riddled track with Tony Iommi and Geezer Butler playing away. Drumming for the album is Rage Against the Machine drummer Brad Wilk, who does a very good job throughout the album. The song almost follows the same structure as the self-titled track off of Sabbath’s self-titled debut album, with it being heavy and then getting softer when Osbourne starts to sing. Things get more exciting when the song picks up speed, in which Iommi pulls of yet another amazing guitar solo.

            The lead single, “God Is Dead?”, has the potential to be a future Sabbath classic. The bass work from Butler is superb and the song is well written. The lyrics, partially based off German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche, are just excellent: “The blood runs free/the rain turns red” sings Osbourne. “Give me the wine/you keep the bread”. It’s also the longest song off the album, clocking in at nearly nine minutes. So this give the band time to jump into a jazz/swing part of the song, which is reminiscent of “Electric Funeral” and “Hole in the Sky”.

            “Loner” is a very interesting track: it sounds like two Sabbaths at once. The heavy riff coming from Iommi sounds like something he would’ve written in the Ronnie James Dio era. When Osbourne starts to sing, it starts to sound like an Osbourne solo track. Still, “Loner” is a great song: the lyrics are fairly simple and the aforementioned Iommi riff makes this a highlight. “Zeitgeist” could quite possibly be the offspring of “Planet Caravan” while “Age of Reason” sounds like something off of Sabotage, given the choir in the background.

            “Damaged Soul” could quite possibly be the bluesiest song that Sabbath have ever done. Sure, most of their debut album was filled with jazz and blues influenced but to hear them go back to this is something. Hell, even Osbourne plays the harmonica on this one. The album chugs out with the heavy “Dear Father”. The band even pays homage to the debut album by closing the track with the ringing bells that began the debut album.     

            13 is an impressive album. It’s just great to hear Black Sabbath again with an album that fits perfectly with the other eighteen Sabbath studio albums. Fans who hold the eight Osbourne-era albums close to heart now have a long-awaited ninth entry that they can always come to again and again