Canadian singer/songwriter Neil Young has been rockin' in the free world since 1966. During his almost 50 year career Neil has crafted a broad body of work that has explored acoustic, country, electronic, grunge, rock and swing. Young's latest effort Storytone might be his most ambitious project to date. The CD which comes in standard, bonus and vinyl editions features ten compositions recorded live in the studio, some with a choir, others with either a 92-piece or a 60-piece orchestra. Three tunes on Storytone are big band style.
Lyrically many of the songs touch upon topics dear to Neil including cars, music and standing up for Mother Earth. With so many instruments the sound supporting Neil's singing is lavish ranging from full orchestration to starker moments where it is just Neil paired with a piano. The big band tracks give the album an element of rocking blues. Storytone is yet another novel direction for Neil who continues to be one of rock's most diverse artists.
Rated X is a new band that consists of an army of talent, comprised of vocalist Joe Lynn Turner (Rainbow, Deep Purple, Yngwie Malmsteen), guitarist Karl Cochran (Ace Frehley), fretless-bass monster Tony Franklin (The Firm, Blue Murder, Whitesnake) and iconic drummer Carmine Appice (Vanilla Fudge, Rod Stewart, Ozzy Osbourne, Blue Murder, King Kobra).
Rated X's self-titled debut echoes of the classic hard rock influences of its members with music for contemporary times. The opening song "Get Back My Crown" roars out of the speakers. It is a power packed tune that sets the tone for much of this potent 12-track CD, which also showcases a few ballads such as the memorable "You Are The Music" in a hard rock style. Rated X fronted by veteran players with good chemistry hits on all four cylinders.
The Essential Richie Kotzen - the title says it all. This 2 CD/1DVD is a career spanning set from an experienced guitarist, producer, singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. This 23-track CD runs the gamut from reflective to rocking all punctuated by soaring guitars. But wait, Richie is also a strong singer who brings many emotions and moods to his well crafted songs. Kotzen kicks ass on both acoustic and electric guitars thus the record is solid from start to finish.
The Essential Richie Kotzen disk one opens with two new tunes. "War Paint" blends the blues with a bombastic chorus. On "Walk With Me" a theremin is used to add expression to this anthem. "Go Faster" speeds along on Richie's agile axe work and "Omg (What's Your Name)" is seductive with bold guitars mingling with big bass lines. "Lie To Me" floats on luscious leads. "You Can't Save Me" is dark, daring filled with pain flowing into "Doing What the Devil Says" addressing the inner struggle to do what is right. The first CD closes with the slower but still riveting "Remember". The second disk showcases alternative versions of tried and true tunes such as "What Is", "High", "Special" and "Damaged".
Scheduled to be released in various formats December of 2014 is Like It Is: Yes at the Bristol Hippodrome. The live record features the current Yes lineup of singer Jon Davison, guitarist Steve Howe, keyboardist Geoff Downes, bassist Chris Squire and percussionist Alan White playing two of the band's most popular records The Yes Album and Going For the One in their entirety.
"These are two bodies of music that many of the most devout Yes fans wanted to hear in their entirety," Downes said in a press statement announcing the live effort. "I believe our performance at the Bristol Hippodrome was among the most compelling of the entire tour."
Yes is still a force to be reckoned with in the live setting. Like It Is: Yes at the Bristol Hippodrome captures the prog-rock veterans in fine form. The sound is well mix allowing each instrument to standout. Davison is expressive vocally and in the high ranges where he needs to be to present the classic catalogue to Yes' discerning fans. This album pays respect to the group's past and present form a matter that is still hotly debated in the Yes world showing how passionate people still are about this band.
Related Links: For more information on the new product releases mentioned here please visit the following links -- Neil Young | Rated X | Richie Kotzen.com | YES
