Legendary Space Rockers Hawkwind To Release First Studio Album In Five Years

Space Rock Legends Hawkwind’s first new studio album in five years is to be released on June 21st.

'Blood Of The Earth' is the band’s follow up to 2005’s 'Take Me To Your Leader' and will be released in three formats – standard single disc edition, double CD edition (featuring bonus live tracks) and a double vinyl edition.

Classic Rock Magazine also reports that the band will reissue their entire back catalog as limited edition colored vinyl. Each release will be limited to 1000 copies.

Here’s the tracklist:

1. Seahawks
2. Blood Of The Earth
3. Wraith
4. Green Machine
5. Inner Visions
6. Sweet Obsession
7. Comfey Chair
8. Prometheus
9. You’d Believe It
10. Sentinel
11. Starshine (bonus song)

You can hear sneak previews of two songs from the album, ‘Seahawks’ and ‘You’d Better Believe It,’ at this location.

Meanwhile here's a tasty track from the past with "Magnu" from 1975's 'Warrior On The Edge Of Time'.

Classic Rock Legends Wishbone Ash Release New Video

British classic rock legends Wishbone Ash, who are celebating their 40th anniversary this year, have released a video for their brand new single "Reason To Believe", which precedes the release of the single on May 17th.

The song is the first single released by the band in 20 years.

The single can be pre ordered at this location.

For more information on Wishbone Ash go to their official web site at http://wishboneash.com/

Personal Items Of Jimi Hendrix To Go On Exhibit At The Smithsonian

According to UPI, some of late rock icon Jimi Hendrix's personal items have been loaned by his sister to the Smithsonian's National Museum of the American Indian for an exhibit.

The museum said Janie Hendrix brought a colorful patchwork full-length leather coat, a leather necklace and a leather pouch to be shown in Up Where We Belong: Native Musicians in Popular Culture, which is to open July 1.

"These are among the very few of the rock legend's possessions sent home to his family from his apartment in New York after he died on Sept. 18, 1970. Though Hendrix's father asked that all of his son's belongings be sent home to Seattle, including 100 guitars, scant few arrived," the Smithsonian said in a news release Wednesday.

Jason Bonham Planning Led Zeppelin Story Tour

Rock Radio UK is reporting that drummer Jason Bonham, son of Led Zeppelin's John, is planning a multimedia extravaganza tour which will seek to tell the entire Zep story from beginning to end.

Plans are at an early stage for Jason Bonham's Led Zeppelin Experience, but it's thought he'll gather a group of musicians to recreate the band's sound while elaborate video presentations provide historical narrative to the iconic outfit's history.

His plans come just months after he realised a long-held ambition to perform the Moby Dick drum solo alongside his father, who died in 1980, using modern multimedia techniques.

And the move may clash with plans to release an album recorded with Glenn Hughes (Deep Purple, Black Sabbath), Joe Bonamassa and Derek Sherinian (Kiss, Alice Cooper, Dream Theater.)

LedZeppelinNews.com reports: "For Led Zeppelin fans, Bonham's sudden announcement marks a sharp turnaround, as the drummer's primary focus so far this year has been readying new music created with a supergroup that was to be called Black Country."

Producer Kevin Shirley, who recently completed work on the album, last week revealed that management arguments were a threat to the possibility of the album's release. It's already been heard by Iron Maiden's Steve Harris and Red Hot Chili Peppers' Chad Smith, both of whom are said to have been "blown away" by the experience. But now it's suggested that Bonham's plans could be part of the problem.

LedZeppelinNews continues: "Bonham was asked to rehearse with Led Zeppelin's surviving members in 2007 as the others were planning a reunion concert. This led, of course, to a single show as a tribute to the late Ahmet Ertegun.

"Following this were some expectations that a full-fledged tour would follow. Bonham even said recently that his mother warned him not to get his hopes up. She was right – Robert Plant eventually made known his intention not to revive Led Zeppelin again. By that time, Bonham had quit his touring gig with Foreigner and been replaced. Rehearsals with Page and Jones, and eventually singer Myles Kennedy, ended fruitlessly.

"Apparently, Bonham is seeing to it that his desire to bring Led Zeppelin's songs to a wide American audience in the concert setting will not to suffer the same fate."

Hughes recently confirmed a solo tour of the UK for September this year. It had been speculated that it might turn out to be a tour featuring the band formerly known as Black Country.

Unseen Beatles Photos Go On Display After Almost Five Decades

A collection of never-before-seen photos of the Beatles just before they made it big is to go on display - after languishing in an attic for almost 50 years.

The 37 shots of the Fab Four on a U.K. tour with Helen Shapiro in 1963 were unearthed by photographer/journalist Paul Berriff at his home in north England.

He took the pictures after the band gave him unlimited access on tour when he was a teenage snapper - just months before Beatlemania gripped the world, leading to a security clampdown and a new set of rules which limited the photographers who were allowed to work with the band.

Berriff had stored the negatives at his home, along with hundreds of other images of British musicians in the 1960s.

The Beatles photos, which chronicle the band members rehearsing onstage, smoking in their dressing room, and relaxing with drinks and snacks backstage, will go on display at London's Menier Gallery on Wednesday.

Berriff says, "I started to root around in my attic and I found this box of about 800 negs (negatives), and in it were shots of these old pop groups in '63. I was absolutely knocked out when I saw the quality and realized I should do something with them."

And Berriff has fond memories of the time he spent around the Fab Four - he even made friends with Paul McCartney.

He adds, "Paul got to know me quite well, and every time they came up to Yorkshire or Manchester they would say 'Hi Paul, how's things going?'"

To see the photos online go to this location.

Electric Bass Virtuoso Jeff Berlin Releases New Album

Jeff Berlin is a legend of the electric bass, considered by many to be the finest electric bass player in the world. A true master of the bass, Jeff Berlin has played with the likes of Bill Bruford, George Benson, Allan Holdsworth, and even toured with original members of Yes (Anderson, Wakeman, Bruford, Howe) on only three days' notice.

Much to the anticipation of his fans, Jeff is releasing a new jazz trio CD on his own MAJ Records label titled 'High Standards'. Along with Berlin on electric bass, the CD also features Woody Herman alumni Richard Drexler on piano and upright bass, and famed drummer Danny Gottlieb (best known for his work with Pat Metheny). "It is a standard jazz piano trio led by a former rock bass player playing jazz tunes, and soloing nothing like bass players usually solo," says Jeff. "Keith Jarrett is huge influence on me. I transcribed his solos and practiced them on bass. I wanted to try my hand at recording tunes that I have played for many years, which inspired me to record three guys in a room and let the session remain as they eventually turned out."

Jeff Berlin's resume reads like the who's who of the higher echelon of music artists. Jeff Berlin was even asked to join Van Halen, an invitation that he actually turned down. "Eddie Van Halen was a fan of the band that I played in with Bill Bruford," Berlin recalls. "We met and started to hang out and jam together. He was a sweet terrific guy. One day he saw me play a gig with my group and then asked me if I would like to join Van Halen. After this, we rehearsed at David Lee Roth's house a couple of times. Ultimately, I said no to his gracious offer because when you join a band, you join the entirety of it, the life philosophy of its members and also the habits that they may be involved with. I felt that, in terms of activities and attitudes, I didn't mesh with their vision of things. I didn't wish to be mercenary and just take the job for money because it wouldn’t be fair to the band members. So, I just said no to the offer."

Not only is Jeff Berlin a bass phenomenon in the jazz field, but rock players are constantly referring to him as one of their major influences. Jeff was voted Number 1 Jazz Bassist by the readers of Guitar Player Magazine. Carlos Santana called Jeff the "best bassist in the world", while Rush's Geddy Lee used the phrase "best bassist on the planet!" Members of Metallica call Jeff the number one bassist on Earth, and Slash considers him a "bass god". Actor/bass player Gary Sinise, of "Forrest Gump" and "CSI NY" fame called Jeff’s playing "unreal!" Even the late George Carlin was knocked out with Jeff's playing calling him a "great musician." Jeff is known as a major innovator through his incisive playing through recordings and performances for the last thirty years. The late legend of bass, Jaco Pastorius regarded Jeff as a better soloist than he was, and Miles Davis' bassist/producer Marcus Miller told people that he wanted to be the "Black Jeff Berlin".

Jeff has released six highly acclaimed solo records, Champion, Pump It!, Taking Notes, In Harmony's Way, Lumpy Jazz and Aneurythms. The Dean Guitar company builds a Jeff Berlin signature model electric bass, and Markbass amplifers built an amp that so impressed Jeff (who regularly turned down endorsement offers for years) that Jeff only plays through their amps in concert.

In support of his new CD release, Jeff will be touring with his band that has featured Danny Gottlieb, Othello Molineaux (the greatest steel drummer in the world), Randy Brecker and Richard Drexler. He also tours with BX3, a bass conglomeration that includes the great bass players Stuart Hamm and Billy Sheehan. "Because instrumental music isn't popular anymore, not like it used to be, the amount of people interested in hearing players play simply to enjoy the music is less than it was in the past," Jeff explains. "This is an era where you will never hear another Jimi Hendrix, because, in a great part, the music industry won't allow it. This contemporary music era is not interested in allowing a great player be hear or promoted. For this reason I jokingly refer about my shows that when I play, 'The Audience will always be on his foot!' and also regarding my CD, if Michael Jackson's CD's always went "Platinum", my CD will surely go "Spackle!"

For more info go to http://www.jeffberlinmusic.com/

Swedish Keyboard Legend Bo Hansson Passes Away Aged 67

Legendary Swedish organist and composer Bo Hansson has passed away at the age of 67. Hansson worked with Janne "Loffe" Karlsson in the duo Hansson & Karlsson in the late 1960s.

Hannson & Karlsson were signed by Polydor, playing progressive Hammond organ based music and releasing three albums between 1967 and 1969. They became immensely popular in their home country and Europe, and even reached the ear of Jimi Hendrix, who took time out from his tour to jam with the duo, along with George Clemons on drums and Georg Wadenius on guitar, at the Klub Filips in Stockholm in late 1967. Hendrix went on to record a Hansson song, "Tax Free". The music can be defined as instrumental jazz-rock and psychedelia and the band setting was limited to the drums and organ, without vocals.

Hansson is probably best known for his musical interpretation of Tolkien's "Lord of the Rings", entitled 'Music Inspired by Lord Of The Rings. Released on Charisma Records after gaining a cult following in Britain due to import copies filtering over from Sweden, the album was his biggest success, reaching the Top 20 on the UK Album Charts in 1972.

Due to his pioneering work with both Hansson & Karlsson and his solo excursions into space rock, in recent years Hannson received the status of a living legend in his native Sweden.

Joe Bonamassa & Blues Legend Bobby Parker Stealing Your Heart Away In Washington D.C.

This past Friday April 23, the audience at The Lisner Auditorium in Washington, D.C. were witness to a most blues -worthy treat.

During that night's show by hard rockin' blues guitarist Joe Bonamassa, he was joined by a very special guest - none other than blues guitar legend Bobby Parker.

Sitting in for three powerhouse songs, the crowd was wowed by " Bobby Parker Shuffle G', "Blues Deluxe/The Sky Is Crying" and "Steal Your Heart Away", the latter Joe recorded on his brand new album 'Black Rock'.

Parker wrote and originally recorded the song, which was released in 1961 on V -Tone Records, and was suggested to Bonamassa by none other than Led Zeppelin legend Robert Plant. Also recorded by The Moody Blues as their first single in 1964, the song was also one of the first songs Zeppelin played at their first ever rehearsal, almost being recorded for inclusion on the band's first album.

Here's some fan produced footage of "Steal Your Heart Away" :

Maryland Rockers Clutch To Release Double Live DVD In May

After a triumphant year spent riding the success of last year’s 'Strange Cousins From The West', Maryland rockers Clutch will release an ambitious DVD set called 'Live At 9:30' in mid May.

The 200 minute double disc concert film will be sold at a fan-friendly price of $19.98.

Disc one features a 90 minute full length concert filmed with seven hi-definition cameras last December at Washington DC’s legendary 9:30 Club. In addition to a career-spanning set of jams both new and old, the DVD includes a full version of the band’s 1995 self titled release in its entirety. An audio version of the full 19 song concert will be exclusively available through iTunes on May 11th. The DVD will be released May 11th in the U.S and May 14 in Europe.

Disc Two is the 110 minute feature film Fortune Tellers Make A Killing Nowadays, which takes a behind the scenes look at Clutch’s 2009 tour and explores rare band interviews as well as vintage, unreleased footage documenting much of Clutch’s history from 1991 to the present. Both discs were directed and produced by Agent Ogden, who first worked with the band on 2007’s Full Fathom Five: Video Field Recordings.

Steve Lukather, Roger Glover, Jon Lord, Steve Morse, Ian Paice, Don Airey And Others Contribute To Charity Album

Stay Tuned” is the title of Austrian drummer Bernhard Welz’ first solo album. It features a slew of prominent guest musicians, including Roger Glover, Steve Morse, Don Airey, Ian Paice of Deep Purple (live drum solo 2002), Neil Murray, (Whitesnake, Black Sabbath, Michael Schenker Group) Steve Lukather (Toto), Mike Stern, Mark King, Pete York (Eric Clapton), Guy Pratt (Pink Floyd) and many more.

Jon Lord will feature on a limited edition of 1.000 copies, that include a bonus live recording of the Deep Purple classic“Child In Time” with Jon Lord, Steve Lee (vocals, Gotthard) and Bernhard Welz on drums. This was recorded with the Nota Bene Symphony Orchestra in Zürich, Switzerland January 2009.

The studio tracks were recorded between April 2009 and March 2010. Most of the international guests recorded their parts at home, but not all, explains Bernhard Welz.

"I worked in the studio with Steve Lukather, Mike Stern, Ernesto Ghezzi, Kaitner Z Doka, and most of the local artists.

There was one funny incident. When I recorded with Steve Lukather in Frankfurt, I had come straight from a show in Stuttgart. We talked about travelling and then he asked me “Did you do it in A440″. I said “No A81″ I meant the motorway I’d used to get there. He meant tuning the guitar in 440 Hz! He looked at me like I was a ghost, then he said: “Ah, Nevermind, I play everything.”

Sales of the album supports the Children Cancer Trust, and the release date is May 20.

To preorder and hear soundclips go to this location.

Trouble In Black Country : Is New Supergroup Featuring Bonamassa, Hughes, Bonham & Sherinian Doomed To Go Down Like A Lead Balloon?

As previously reported, the album from the highly anticipated "Supergroup"- consisting of guitarist Joe Bonamassa, Glenn Hughes (Deep Purple, Black Sabbath, Trapeze), drummer Jason Bonham (Led Zeppelin, UFO, Foreigner) and keyboardist Derek Sherinian (Dream Theater, Alice Cooper, KISS) - is done and in the can in anticipation of a September 2010 release.

Now comes word directly from the album's producer, Kevin Shirley that the project may have imploded before even the album's release, due to that oh too familiar of the seven deadly sins -greed. Apparently on the part of some of the musicians' management teams.

Writing on his Facebook site, Shirley says :

"Black Country looks to have imploded, with a completed album in the can! We set out as friends and lovers of music, to make something special. Then the managers got involved... and kept changing their wants, ultimately demanding EVERYTHING! I can't absolve all the musicians - but one I can completely absolve, is the one who actually has a career and has just been voted Best Guitarist in the World (Joe Bonamassa) - who was 100% open ALL the way. And he doesn't ride on anyone's coattails... see below. Maybe they'll come to their senses.... I'm not holding my breath".

Shirley then later went on to amend his statement, by adding :

"OK - I have been urged to amend this - like everything on the Internet, things get twisted! I believe there is a salvage operation to rescue survivors from the downed BC plane. I have just had a big conversation with Glenn (Hughes), who is mortified about the situation, as he has really put his heart and soul into it. I love Glenn. Here's the salvage plan ... See Moreguys - everyone is equal. It's that easy. Cut out the cancer that is anyone greedy, and this thing will rock. Morality rules..... managers try to. I am mad too!!!"

So there you have it folks. Possibly yet another great collaboration between talented musicians which may never see the light of day, due to some putting commerce completely over art. It's a cancer which has been a scourge of the industry for years. One which has led to the bland, soulless offerings foisted upon the public which fill the airwaves and charts of today. There's an old saying which goes, "Greedy, Greedy makes a hungry dog". From the sounds of things, there will be some hungry pooches very soon. Unfortunately it may be the fans who suffer when these sort of squabbles get in the way.

That being said, we here at Nightwatcher's House Of Rock wish all involved the very best of success, and hope that any strife can be worked out.

The Black Crowes To Release New Album, Go On Indefinite Hiatus

Planet Rock is reporting The Black Crowes are to release a brand new acoustic album this summer, hit the road for North American dates and then take a �lengthy� hiatus.

The new album, Croweology, is released in the US on August 3, and will be followed by a long North American tour entitled Say Goodnight To The Bad Guys, which will conclude at the band�s annual multi-date stand at the Fillmore in San Francisco.

The album features 20 of the band'�s best loved songs rearranged and rerecorded acoustically. The double album is by way of a thank you to their fans after 20 years of support since the classic Shake Your Money Maker LP.

Chris Robinson had this to say, "With a smile so wide you can count my teeth and with a heart so full of love that it is spilling over the rim, I offer a humble and simple thank you. Thank you for your time, your imaginations, your heartaches and joy. Thank you for 20 years of cosmic rock n roll. 20 years of keeping it weird. 20 years of chasing horizons and before the band that dares dream out loud puts it down for a while, we are proud to give you our Croweology. This year the music is only for you as we celebrate what has been, what is now and whatever will be".

Rich Robinson said, "At this milestone in our career, I feel very fortunate that I have had the opportunity to spend my life making music. It's been 20 years since we started out on this journey. I would like to extend my deep gratitude to all of our fans who have been there with us along the way. We would not have gotten here without your support. Every night I stand on the stage I feel great pride and respect for what we share with our fans. After this tour we are going to take some much needed time to spend with our families. But for now, we are very much looking forward to a great year of touring. I look forward to seeing all your familiar faces again on the road. See you soon."

The tour will see the band play three hour sets, with half acoustic and half electric.

Here�s the dates:

THE BLACK CROWES tour dates (* = Electric shows ONLY):
Aug-13 Milwaukee, WI - Riverside Theatre
Aug-14 * Walker, MN - Northern Lights Casino
Aug-15 * Apple Valley, MN - Zoo Amphitheatre
Aug-17 * Des Moines, IA - Simon Estes Amphitheatre
Aug-18 * Kansas City, MO - Harrah's Kansas City
Aug-20 Detroit, MI - The Fillmore @ The State Theatre
Aug-21 Chicago, IL - Chicago Theatre
Aug-22 Columbus, OH - Promowest Pavilion
Aug-24 * Cleveland, OH - House of Blues
Aug-25 Indianapolis, IN - The Murat Theatre
Aug-27 St. Louis, MO - The Pageant
Aug-28 * Council Bluffs, IA - Stir Cove
Aug-29 Denver, CO - Fillmore Auditorium
Aug-31 * Salt Lake City, UT - The Depot
Sep-07 * Salina, KS - The Stiefel Theatre
Sep-08 * Tulsa, OK - Cain's Ballroom
Sep-10 Charleston, SC - Family Circle Magazine Stadium
Sep-12 Nashville, TN - Ryman Auditorium
Sep-17 Raleigh, NC - Raleigh Boutique Amphitheatre
Sep-18 Charlotte, NC - Uptown Amphitheatre @ The Music Factory
Sep-19 Asheville, NC - Thomas Wolfe Auditorium
Sep-21 Jacksonville, FL - The Florida Theatre
Sep-24 Houston, TX - Verizon Wireless Theatre
Sep-26 * Dallas, TX - House of Blues
Oct-01 * Biloxi, MS - Beau Rivage Casino
Oct-02 Fayetteville, AR - Arkansas Music Pavilion
Oct-15 Albany, NY - The Palace
Oct-16 * Salamanca, NY - Seneca Allegany Casino
Oct-17 * Red Bank, NJ - Count Basie Theatre
Oct-19 Burlington, VT - Higher Ground
Oct-20 Burlington, VT - Higher Ground
Oct-22 Boston, MA - House of Blues
Oct-23 Boston, MA - House of Blues
Oct-24 * Hampton Beach, NH - Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom
Oct-26 Waterbury, CT - Palace Theatre
Oct-27 Toronto, ON - Massey Hall
Oct-29 Philadelphia, PA - Tower Theatre
Oct-30 * Atlantic City, NJ - Music Box @ Borgata Resort
Oct-31 New York, NY - Nokia Theatre Times Square
Nov-02 New York, NY - Nokia Theatre Times Square
Nov-04 New York, NY - Nokia Theatre Times Square
Nov-05 New York, NY - Nokia Theatre Times Square
Nov-06 New York, NY - Nokia Theatre Times Square
Nov-10 * Baltimore, MD - Ram's Head
Nov-12 Pittsburgh, PA - North Shore Entertainment Complex
Nov-13 Washington, DC - 9:30 Club
Nov-14 Washington, DC - 9:30 Club
Nov-16 Richmond, VA - The National
Nov-17 Norfolk, VA - The Norva
Nov-19 Atlanta, GA - The Tabernacle
Nov-20 Atlanta, GA - The Tabernacle
Dec-03 Portland, OR - Arlene Schnitzer Concert Auditorium
Dec-04 * Eugene, OR - McDonald Theatre
Dec-05 * Seattle, WA - Showbox SODO
Dec-07 Santa Barbara, CA - The Arlington Theatre
Dec-10 * Las Vegas, NV - The Joint
Dec-11 Los Angeles, CA - Hollywood Palladium
Dec-12 San Francisco, CA - The Fillmore
Dec-14 San Francisco, CA - The Fillmore
Dec-15 San Francisco, CA - The Fillmore
Dec-17 San Francisco, CA - The Fillmore
Dec-18 San Francisco, CA - The Fillmore
Dec-19 San Francisco, CA - The Fillmore

Live Jeff Beck Performance At Grammy ® Museum To Cause Emotion And Commotion Online

In celebration of the release of his new album, Emotion & Commotion, British guitar legend Jeff Beck will be performing live from the GRAMMY® Museum in Los Angeles, CA on Thursday, April 22 at 7:30pm PST.

The event will be webcast live at KLOS.com and the radio broadcast of the event will air on KLOS FM at 10 PM PST.

A direct link to webcast page on KLOS:

http://955klos.com/Article.asp?id=1775808

John Lennon's 40 Year Old Acid Stash Found

Rock Radio UK is reporting that builders working at a house once owned by John Lennon believe they've dug up the stash of LSD he buried in the grounds in 1967.

It's said the Beatles icon decided to stop taking drugs just before the band headed to India to explore transcendental meditation, and buried a leather bag full of LSD in glass bottles at Kenwood House in Weymouth, England.

When he returned he'd changed his mind – but was never able to find where he'd buried the bag.

Now the Sun reports that builders have dug it up while working in the Kenwood House grounds. The bag contains a number of broken bottles and just one which has remained intact.

But its cork has cracked, meaning there's almost no chance of identifying what was once inside.

Blues Guitar Legend Bobby Parker Announces First Round Of U.S. Festival Tour Dates

Blues guitar legend Bobby Parker - whose seminal late 50's -early 60's singles "Watch Your Step", "Blues Get Off My Shoulder" and "Steal Your Heart Away" have influenced rock royalty ranging from The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Eric Clapton, Deep Purple, Carlos Santana, The Allman Brothers, Fleetwood Mac's Peter Green, Prince and Robin Trower - has announced the first round of U.S. tour dates.

Best-known for his 1961 song, "Watch Your Step", a single for the V-Tone Records label that became a hit on British and U.S. R&B charts, Parker has a pedigree few have matched throughout the entire history of blues and rock the past half century.

From recording and touring as lead guitarist with the late Bo Diddley; also being part of the bands of Chuck Berry, Little Richard and Fats Domino in the 1950's,to his highly influential solo sides, his brilliance as a performer and songwriter inspired none other than John Lennon to exclaim, "The best stuff I ever heard is by a bloke called Bobby Parker.”

In fact it was Lennon who lifted the "Watch Your Step" riff, using it as the inspiration for The Beatles classics "I Feel Fine" and "Day Tripper". Later on Jimmy Page would take the same riff wholesale for the basis of "Moby Dick", whilst Deep Purple featured it in "Rat Bat Blue" on their 1972 album 'Who Do We Think We Are'. Robert Plant has cited 1958's "Blues Get Off My Shoulder" as being the impetus for him becoming a singer. Guitar superstar Santana has said of Parker, "He's one of the few remaining guitarists on this planet who can pierce your heart and soothe your soul. He inspired me to play guitar." Blues rock guitar titan Joe Bonamassa recorded a cover of "Steal Your Heart Away", taking it to both the UK and U.S. Top 40 as part of his just released 'Black Rock' album.

The Washington D.C. based Parker, who is currently in the process of recording the long awaited successor to 1995's 'Shine Me Up', most recently was featured on the 2006 DVD 'Carlos Santana Presents : Blues At Montreux 2004' alongside Santana, Buddy Guy and Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown.

Bobby Parker Festival Tour Dates :


* Blues By The Sea Blues Festival
Charleston South Carolina
Saturday, May 8 at 7:00pm

* Chesapeake Bay Blues Festival
Sandy Point State Park, Annapolis, Maryland
Sunday, May 23 at 7:00pm

* The Soul Congressional Blues Festival
Washington DC
Wednesday, May 26 at 7:00pm

* The Chicago Blues Festival
Grant Park
Saturday, June 12 at 7:00pm

For more info and more dates go to Bobby Parker's Official Facebook fan page at this location.

It Don't Come Easy : Ringo Starr Rejects Vatican Apology

Ringo Starr has rejected forgiveness from Catholic Church officials who once called him a Satanist.

Pope Benedict XVI sanctioned an article in the Vatican's L'Osservatore Romano newspaper earlier this week, in which the Beatles were praised for their "beautiful" music and were absolved for their rock star decadence and experiments with drugs.

The front-page editorial also addressed John Lennon's controversial comments about the Beatles being "bigger than Jesus" at the height of their success.

The newspaper's editors wrote, "The Beatles said they were bigger than Jesus and put out mysterious messages, that were possibly even Satanic...(but) what would pop music be like without the Beatles?"

But Starr is far from impressed with the paper's unwanted forgiveness - the drummer says, "Didn't the Vatican say we were Satanic or possibly Satanic? And they've still forgiven us? I think the Vatican, they've got more to talk about than the Beatles."

Glenn Hughes To Undertake UK Tour In September

Former Deep Purple Frontman Glenn Hughes has announced a full UK Tour this September.

The former Deep Purple bassist has revealed that he is to play eight dates across the UK.

The shows are likely to precede the new album from Hughes�' new supergroup with Joe Bonamassa, Jason Bonham and Derek Sherinian.


Tour Dates
September 2010

23rd Academy - Manchester
24th Picturedrome - Holmfirth
25th O2 ABC - Glasgow
27th The Sage - Gateshead
28th Robin 2 - Bilston
29th Rescue Rooms - Nottingham

October 2010
1st Princess Pavilion - Falmouth
2nd Phoenix � Exeter


For more info go to http://www.glennhughes.com

Blackmore's Night In Studio, New Album Forthcoming

On the eve of guitar legend Ritchie Blackmore's 65th birthday tomorrow, April 14th, comes news that according to their official website, Blackmore’s Night are “diligently working in the studio and going into final mix stage on the new CD”. No word on the release date yet.

In other news, Realms of Fantasy Magazine has published an interview with Ritchie and his better half, Candice:

WL: Is there any question that you’ve always wished someone would ask you in an interview, but no one ever has? If so, what would be the answer?

RB: Why do I not have a lower back tattoo. The answer is that it is called a tramp stamp, not that I have anything against tramps. We are all tramps at heart.

To read the rest of the interview go to this location.

Classic Badlands Albums Featuring Jake E. Lee To See Reissue April 27th

On April 27, Rock Candy Records will reissue hard rock band Badland's long out of print first two albums, 1989's self-titled release and 1991's Voodoo Highway. Both albums will be available for purchase at the label's website.

Featuring super-guitarist Jake E. Lee, fresh from a massively successful tenure with Ozzy Osbourne, together with hugely talented vocalist Ray Gillen, Badlands are a prime example of a group that seemingly had it all in the palm of their hand yet somehow yet managed to spectacularly underachieve. The band's drummer Eric Singer went on to play with rock legends KISS, and currently appears in the band with the cat makeup.

The Badlands debut album had seduced fans and critics alike with confident earthy blues rock performed with a sway and swagger that suggested it was just a matter of time before the band would achieve international fame and fortune. Crammed to the brim with solid yet melodic hard rock, the follow-up material is faithful to the band's original concept and co-opts the best of the early seventies, lacing it with the sound of futuristic blues.

Jack Bruce : Cream Will Never Reform Again

Planet Rock is reporting Cream bassist Jack Bruce has revealed that his former band will never reform again.

Speaking to the BBC about his autobiography, Composing Himself (released in February), Bruce revealed that he nearly reunited with Ginger Baker and Eric Clapton in 2007 but the reunion never materialized and it will now never happen.

"There�s a new story now � Cream is over," he said.

Bruce did reveal that he was currently working on a new project that did threaten to eclipse everything he�s done before.

"I'm doing something very exciting � so much so I can't even talk about it," he added. "It's the most exciting project I've ever been involved in."

Jeff Beck Insures Fingers For £7 Million After Slicing Off Fingertip In Kitchen Mishap

Jeff Beck is said to have insured his fingers and thumbs for £7 million after slicing off one of his digits chopping carrots.

The guitar legend, 65, was thought to be making a stew at his Wadhurst home when the accident happened.

Surgeons managed to sew the tip of his left index finger back on but the mishap meant he struggled to finish new album Emotion and Commotion – which is released on Monday (April 12th).

Since the accident the legendary guitarist has insured each of his digits for £700,000.

A source close to the former Yardbirds star said: “Jeff was making a stew when he cut his finger clean off.

“Thankfully surgeons were able to patch it up. But now he's taking no chances and has upped his insurance to $1million per finger.”

Debut Album From Hughes, Bonamassa, Bonham, Sherinian Supergroup Finished

On a posting on über producer Kevin "Caveman" Shirley's (Led Zeppelin, Joe Bonamassa, Iron Maiden) Facebook fan page, it was announced that the debut album by the new band formerly-known-as-Black Country - featuring legendary vocalist Glenn Hughes (Deep Purple, Black Sabbath, Trapeze), hard rockin' blues guitarist Joe Bonamassa, drummer Jason Bonham (Led Zeppelin, UFO, Foreigner) and keyboardist Derek Sherinian (Dream Theater, Alice Cooper, KISS) is finished.

A studio playback, attended by Hughes and Red Hot Chili Pepper/Chickenfoot drummer Chad Smith ensued earlier this evening :

"The Debut Album of the Band Formerly Known as "Black Country" is finished!!! Glenn Hughes and Chad Smith from the Chili Peppers came to the studio to hear a playback this evening.

They were blown away - Chad even said he was "jealous" of Jason's playing, which is monumental!. It's thrilling! ROCK! Hughes is killing it, Bonamassa solos off the charts, Sherinian "honor the virtuosity!" Can you even wait 'til September?"

To keep up to date on the project one can join Shirley's Facebook fan page at this location.

Blues Guitar Legend Johnny Winter To See Vintage Unreleased Fillmore East Show Released April 20

On April 20, Blues guitar legend Johnny Winter will see a previously unreleased vintage live recording unearthed from the vaults by Collector's Choice Live and set loose into stores via 'Johnny Winter And -Live at the Fillmore East 10/3/70'.

To commemorate the release of his Johnny Winter And album, Texas blues guitarist/singer Johnny Winter played some shows at New York City’s Fillmore East, some of which were compiled on 1971’s live 'Johnny Winter And', a classic live album of the era to which this release makes a nice bookend.

He had just formed a new band consisting of former member of the McCoys (“Hang on Sloopy”) including Rick Derringer on guitar, bassist Randy Jo Hobbs, and drummer Randy Zehringer. Although the McCoys were none too familiar with Winter’s work, they picked up the tunes quickly and entered the studio to make the album Johnny Winter And within only three weeks.

The New York Times reviewed the Fillmore show, citing “a considerable improvement over Winter’s previous band. Winter and [Derringer] played solos back at each other, simultaneously and in alternation.” The live album contains the Winter hit “Rock and Roll Hoochie Coo” and his take on Bob Dylan’s “Highway 61” alongside blues classics “Rollin’ and Tumblin’,” “It’s My Own Fault” and “Good Morning Little Schoolgirl.”

The complete track listing is as follows :

1. Guess I'll Go Away
2. Good Morning Little School Girl
3. Rock And Roll Hoochie Koo
4. It's My Own Fault
5. Highway 61 Revisited
6. Mean Town Blues
7. Rollin' And Tumblin'

To preorder the album go to this location.

Crosby Stills & Nash, The Black Crowes, Robert Cray Among Those Set To Appear At 13th Annual Doheny Blues Festival

Crosby Stills & Nash, The Black Crowes, Robert Cray, Taj Mahal, The Fabulous Thunderbirds and Bettye Lavette are confirmed as to be appearing at the 13th Annual Doheny Blues Festival.

Others confirmed at the two day festival include Booker T. Jones, Jackie Greene, Black Joe Lewis and the Honeybears and many others still to be anounced.

Held this year May 22-23, The Doheny Blues Festival is held at the waterfront Doheny State Beach, in Dana Point, CA (South Orange County). Featuring 26 acts on 3 stages - Blues, Rock & Soul music, more information and ticket purchasing can be accessed at this location.

Slash Doesn't Consider Himself A Guitar Legend

Slash doesn't consider himself a guitar legend.

The former Guns N' Roses and Velvet Revolver guitarist, whose first solo album 'Slash' came out April 6th, modestly doesn't think he is one of the greatest guitarists of all time, despite widely being regarded so by his peers and regularly topping guitar player magazine polls.

He said: "All of the guys who I consider guitar legends are people who are pioneers of electric guitar and rock 'n' roll in particular, and blues guitar as well and I'm struggling to keep up. It's a work in progress, so I definitely don't put myself in the 'legend' category."

Instead of getting more practice on his instrument, however, Slash admitted he instead became addicted to playing computer game Guitar Hero II - in which the player gets a plastic guitar and emulates playing a track by pressing buttons and strumming along.

Slash was then honored by being featured in the game's sequel, Guitar Hero III, as a playable character.

He explained: "I got addicted to Guitar Hero II. I spent hours in front of the TV. Then I got a call asking if I'd like to be in Guitar Hero III and it turned out really cool."

Crucify The Dead from 'Slash' with Ozzy Osbourne on vocals :

Original Alice Cooper Band To Reunite for Signing at Chiller Theatre

The Worley Gig is reporting that the four surviving members of one of the most influential and legendary American bands of the Seventies, Alice Cooper will reunite for three days at the upcoming Chiller Theatre convention taking place at the Hilton in Parsippany, New Jersey from April 16th to 18th, 2010.

Please note that Alice Cooper, Michael Bruce, Dennis Dunaway and Neal Smith will appear for signing sessions and photos only and will not be performing. So if you’re heading to Chiller be sure to bring along your vinyl copies of School’s Out, Killer, Love It To Death, Billion Dollar Babies and Muscle of Love and get them signed by the band!

Signing hours are as follows:
Friday – 6 PM – 11 PM
Saturday – 11 AM – 7 PM
Sunday – 11 AM – 5 PM

The Hilton Parsippany is located at One Hilton Court, Parsippany, New Jersey 07054. While the hotel is likely sold out for rooms that weekend, you can call 973-267-7373 for more information on the hotel’s location and visit this link for more information on the convention.

Joe Bonamassa Voted "Best Overall Guitarist", "Best Blues Guitarist" In Guitar Player Magazine 's 2010 Reader's Choice Awards

Congratulations are in order to hard rockin' blues guitarist Joe Bonamassa for being voted "Best Overall Guitarist" and "Best Blues Guitarist" in the 2010 Guitar Player Magazine Reader's Choice Awards Poll.

It's been a heady couple of weeks for the Los Angeles based guitarist as his just released album 'Black Rock', out March 23 via J&R Adventures world -wide, cracked the U.S. Top 40 Album Charts, debuting at # 38 on the Billboard Album Charts on its first week of issue, #1 on Billboard's Blues Album Charts, #3 on the Independent Chart and #7 on the Rock Album Charts.

In the UK, the album debuted at # 14 on the Official Album Charts, and #1 on the Indie Charts.

Download a New Frank Zappa Track, “Jelly Roll Gum Drop”

The Zappa Family Trust are releasing a new archival Frank Zappa work on May 1st, titled Greasy Love Songs, which is an expanded edition of the Cruising with Ruben and the Jets album from 1968.

It’s to be a parody and tribute to the doo-wop music Zappa grew up on, and the album is being described as “a collision of high and low art, with Stravinky-style chord changes and unusual tempos applied to purposely trite and banal teenage pop love songs.”

The new CD, due out May 1 on Zappa Records is to feature the original vinyl mix, previously unreleased on CD, plus bonus material.

You can download a new Zappa track for free from the album, "Jelly Roll Gum Drop" via Crawdaddy Magazine at this location.

For more info go to this location : http://www.zappa.com/whatsnew/index.html

Stream Jeff Beck's 'Emotion & Commotion' In Its Entirety

British guitar legend Jeff Beck is releasing his first studio album in seven years, 'Emotion & Commotion' world -wide April 13th. In advance of release though, for a limited time, through the date of release one can stream the entire album, exclusively courtesy of NPR at this location.

April 13th’s Emotion boasts both originals and covers, including renditions of Jeff Buckley’s “Corpus Christi Carol,” The Wizard of Oz’s “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” and Screamin’ Jay Hawkins’ “I Put a Spell On You,” featuring Joss Stone on vocals.

Emotion also finds Beck teaming with a 64-piece orchestra for a handful of tracks, like Gustav Mahler’s “Symphony No. 5,” the Atonement score’s “Elegy for Dunkirk” and Puccini’s “Nessun Dorma.” “It turned out amazingly well, but I didn’t want to commit to an entire album of classical music,” Beck said. “What appealed to me instead was the idea of bringing together these seemingly contradictory sounds on different kinds of nonclassical music.”

Joss Stone also appears on the track “There’s No Other Me.” The original rock compositions on Emotion & Commotion include the wah wah pedal-heavy opener “Hammerhead” and the airy “Never Alone.” Frequent collaborators drummer Vinnie Colaiuta, bassist Tal Wilkenfield and keyboardist Jason Rebello join Beck on the disc, which was produced by Steve Lipson and Trevor Horn.

Carlos Santana To Cover Cream, Deep Purple, Van Halen, Rolling Stones On Upcoming Covers Album

As previously reported by Billboard.com, legendary guitarist Carlos Santana will be covering Deep Purple's 'Smoke On The Water', Cream's 'Sunshine Of Your Love' with Rob Thomas, Jimi Hendrix's 'Little Wing' with Joe Cocker, The Rolling Stones'' 'Can't You Hear Me Knocking' with Stone Temple Pilots' Scott Weiland, the Beatles' "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" with India. Are and Yo-Yo Ma and Creedence Clearwater Revival's 'Fortunate Son' on his still untitled new album due out this summer.

According to the Van Halen News Desk, Santana and Train’s Pat Manahan will also cover Van Halen’s 'Dance The Night Away'.

"We're not comparing or competing with those artists -- we're complementing them," Santana says. "But when you hear this, you're gonna do 'Damn!' because it sounds so powerful, with vitality and vibrancy. Like Wayne Shorter says, it's completely new, totally familiar."

Gary Hoey To Tour With Jeff Beck

Axe-slinger Gary Hoey is embarking on an exclusive run of tour dates with Jeff Beck and will perform acoustically an array of favorites. These shows come in the middle of Hoey’s spring run of national guitar clinics running up and down the East Coast. These clinics start April 6th in Allentown, PA and continue 'til the end of May.

Hoey has been busy on many projects and 2010 is no different. He is currently wrapping up his latest album Utopia, which will see release on his own label Wazoo Music. Hoey also recently participated in Rock n’ Roll Fantasy camp where he joined an amazing line-up of rockstars such as Michael Anthony (ex-Van Halen, Chickenfoot), Ace Frehley (ex-KISS), Mark Farner and more. This year’s camp was filmed for a new Vh1 Classic reality show shot by reality show master Mark Burnett.

Hoey also recorded Jeff Beck’s El Becko and is on the upcoming release of the Les Paul Dedication – Guitar Masters Volume 3, due this summer. In late June, he will appear in Bangkok, Malaysia and Tokyo and of course the year will wrap up with Hoey’s Annual Ho Ho Hoey Rockin’ Holiday Tour beginning in mid-November, stopping in approximately 20 US cities. It's Hoeys continual hard work and drive for his fans that make him one of the most sought after guitar gurus in the business.

With a collection of 16 albums and five top 20 Billboard hits, it’s clear to see why Gary Hoey is listed in the top 100 greatest guitar players of all time. Whether Hoey plays rock, blues, surf or Christmas, Hoey’s command of each style makes his live show one of the most exciting on the circuit today.

Gary Hoey Tour Itinerary - Spring 2010:

April
6 - Allentown, PA - Dave Phillips Music & Sound
7 - Wheaton, MD - Washington Music
8 - Catonsville, MD - Bill’s Music
9 - Virginia Beach, VA - Alpha Music
12 - Boston, MA - Daddy’s of Boston
13 - Portsmouth, NH - Daddy’s of Portsmouth
14 - Concord, NH - Strings & Things
16 - San Francisco, CA - Nob Hill Masonic Center (w/ Jeff Beck)
19 - San Diego, CA - 4th & B (w/ Jeff Beck)
20 - Exeter, CA - Orange Blossom Junction
23 - Houston, TX - Fuller’s Guitar
24 - Houston, TX - Verizon Wireless Theatre (w/ Jeff Beck)
25 - Grand Prairie, TX - Nokia Live (w/ Jeff Beck)
27 - Tulsa, OK - Brady Theatre (w/ Jeff Beck)
28 - Kansas City, MO - Starlight Theatre (w/ Jeff Beck)
29 - St. Louis, MO - Fabulous Fox Theatre (w/ Jeff Beck)

May
6 - Weymouth, MA - South Shore Music
7 - Hamburg, NY - Music Exchange
8 - Rochester, NY - House of Guitars
11 - Gaffney, SC - Hames Music
12 - Marietta, GA - Ken Stanton Music
13 - Augusta, GA - Portman’s Music
14 - Daytona Beach, FL - Total Entertainment
17 - Manchester, NH - Daddy’s Junky Music
18 - Peabody, MA - Daddy’s Junky Music
19 - Augusta, ME - Musician’s Choice
20 - Brewer, ME - Mark’s Music
30 - Syracuse, NY - NY State Fair Grounds

July
9 - Salisbury, MA - Tupelo (Salisbury) Music Hall
10 - Londonderry, NH - Tupelo (Londonderry) Music Hall
22 - New York City, NY - BB King’s

August
13 - Costa Mesa, CA - OC Fairgrounds
14 - Redondo Beach, CA - Brixton South Bay

For more information go to GaryHoey.com or MySpace.com/GaryHoey.

Gov't Mule, Derek Trucks, Alison Krauss Among Those Appearing At Mountain Jam 2010

Warren Haynes (Gov't Mule, The Allman Brothers Band, The Dead) has announced that the Mountain Jam Music Festival, will return to Hunter, NY for a sixth year, from Friday, June 4 - Sunday, June 6, 2010. Mountain Jam was recently named by Rolling Stone as one of the Top 8 Music Festivals in the country, on a list that includes Coachella and Bonnaroo.

Gov't Mule will once again headline the festival on Friday and Saturday night. On Sunday, Warren will be a part of the Levon Helm & Friends' 70th Birthday Celebration, which will also include performers Ray Lamontagne, Steve Earle, Patterson & David Hood, Jackie Greene and Allison Moorer, with more top names expected to added.

50 acts will perform on four stages throughout the weekend, including Alison Krauss & Union Station featuring Jerry Douglas, Michael Franti & Spearhead, Derek Trucks & Susan Tedeschi Band, The Avett Brothers, Les Claypool, Yonder Mountain String Band, Drive-By Truckers, Matisyahu, Toots and the Maytals, as well as Grace Potter and the Nocturnals, Dr. Dog, One eskimO, Jay Farrar (of Son Volt), The Duke & The King, and many others.

Jeff Beck : "I've Never Made A Good Record"

Rock Radio UK is reporting that Jeff Beck insists he's never made a good record – and says he tries to avoid listening to new music in case a talented guitarist knocks him off his feet

His new album, Emotion and Commotion, is released on April 12, featuring orchestration, collaborations with Joss Stone and reworking of some classic tracks.

But despite already generating five-star reviews, Beck says the recording process does nothing but irritate him.

He tells the Telegraph: "I've not come close to making a great record yet. But records are a nuisance – because they're a lie. The live thing is still the king.

"It's the experience of people responding. You need one good amp and a player, and that's it. Then you're closer to revealing what you're trying to say.

"And the computer is like a Zimmer frame. You play one note and you can make a whole album out of it. It's convenient but it's not real – where's the music?"

Beck's "one good amp and a player" attitude is the main reason he admits he doesn't listen to much rock or metal – but there's another reason: he's afraid of being too impressed by someone else's guitar work.

He explains: "I'm a bit timid on the listening front. I don't like over-the-top heavy metal. There's too many amps and too much volume. It's just flat-out ear assault. Speedy guitars leave me physically upset – you think of all the subtleties that were built into the guitar and amps, and discover they completely cover the whole lot with a rack of effects. The guitar doesn't need that.

"And I don't want to be pole-axed by any great new players. Jack White shook me – the White Stripes in full flood was like Led Zeppelin."

The experience leads him to recall the first time a player from outside his comfort zone knocked him for six: Jimi Hendrix's appearance on the scene.

Beck says: "The thing I noticed when I saw him was not only his amazing blues, but his physical assault on the guitar. His actions were all of one accord – an explosive package.

"Me, Eric Clapton and Jimmy Page were all cursed because we were from Surrey. We all looked like we'd walked out of a Burtons shop window. But there was Jimi with his military jacket, his hair about 14 feet in the air, playing with his teeth. We'd have loved to have done that.

"He hit me like an earthquake. I had to think long and hard about what I did next. The wounds were quite deep, actually – I was constantly looking for other things to do on the guitar, new places to take it."

Meanwhile, Paul McCartney shared a Hendrix anecdote with his audience at the Hollywood Bowl on Tuesday night. The Beatles star recalled: "We released Sgt Pepper on a Friday – and by Sunday Jimi had learned it and was opening with it."

Tony Iommi & Ian Gillan To Work Together Again

BraveWords.com is reporting legendary guitarist Tony Iommi (Black Sabbath, Heaven & Hell) has confirmed that he will once again work with former Black Sabbath bandmate, singer Ian Gillan (Deep Purple).

Speaking exclusively to Britain's Metal Hammer, Iommi says: “Ian was at mine a few weeks back, and we put a couple of tracks down, just to try and raise some money for Armenia. We raised some money 20 years ago and we wanted to do it again, to be able to buy stuff. We went over a few months ago because they gave us an Order Of Honour from the President and so Ian and I went over and Pat Cash came. They showed us what the money had bought. They showed us this old music school, it was freezing and the kids had no instruments so we bought them some new instruments – drums and guitars – and we want to build a new school for the kids."

Read the full report at this location.

Eddie Van Halen Too Slow For Sammy Hagar

Sammy Hagar would only consider a return to Van Halen if band leader Eddie Van Halen agreed to work faster.

The singer is disappointed the reformed Van Halen haven't returned to the studio with original frontman David Lee Roth - and he claims any new material will be a long time coming if his experiences with guitarist Van Halen are anything to go by.

The current Chickenfoot vocalist tells the San Gabriel Valley Tribune newspaper he's amazed the band hasn't released a new studio album in 12 years and recalls his last studio experience with the group was not fun.

Hagar reveals that he recorded new songs with Van Halen for the band's "Best of Both Worlds" compilation - slowly.

He explains, "We tried to make a record, but, y'know, it just was taking so long we only got three songs done, and not 'cause of me, I'll tell ya straight up. If anyone ever says anything like that I was the problem on that record, they're crazy. I had my stuff totally together.

"I went in, I knocked my stuff out, and then Eddie would take months to do a guitar solo or something. It was just way too drawn out. I can't work like that."

U.S. Chart Positions For Joe Bonamassa's 'Black Rock' Revealed

Hot on the heels of the news of his placings in the UK Album Charts (#14 in the Official Album Chart, #1 Indie Album Charts) comes news of the U.S. debut positions for the just released album by Joe Bonamassa 'Black Rock', out March 23 via J&R Adventures.

First week sales show the guitarist cracking the Billboard Album Charts Top 40 for the first time in his career, coming in at #38 on the Album Charts, #1 on Billboard's Blues Albums Charts, #3 on the Independent Chart, #4 on the Internet Chart, and #7 on the Rock Album Chart .

The top placing in Billboard's Blues Album Charts represents Bonamassa's sixth chart topping effort in that category in the past eight years.