Rush - Working Men

Working Men is the first "best of"live performance compilation from Rush made up of performances from the Rush In Rio,R30 and Snakes And Arrows Live DVD'S released over the last 6 years.

I have been lucky enough to see 2 of the 3 tours and own all 3 dvd's but for the casual fan this is a fantastic way to hear essentially a live best of cd.

The tracklisting is

Limelight(Off Snakes And Arrows)

The Spirit Of Radio(R30)

2112(Rush In Rio)

Freewill(Snakes And Arrows)

Dreamline(R30)

Far Cry(Snakes And Arrows)

Subdivisions(R30)

One Little Victory(Unreleased but off the R30 tour)

Closer To The Heart(Rush In Rio)

Tom Sawyer(Snakes And Arrows)

Working Man(R30)

YYZ(Rush In Rio)

The tracklisting is a great showcase of the last 35 years with Working Man coming off the debut cd in 1974 right up to their last superb cd of 2007 with the inclusion of Far Cry off Snakes And Arrows.

The cd is wonderfully performed with the only downer being the fade out between tracks.The only unreleased track is One Little Victory taken off the R30 tour and blowing away it's studio counterpart by including a geetar solo.I love hearing the Brazilian fans singing along to the 2 instrumentals on 2112 and YYZ.The band Geddy Lee(vox/bass),Alex Lifeson(geetar)and Neil Peart(drums)produce a musical kaleidoscope showing off their musical dexterity to its peak.

Love the cd artwork too incorporating all 3 dvd covers.Have a look to spot all the references.

Some would call it a cash in in fact rumours persist this is their last cd for Atlantic so it could be a contract closing cd.For me enjoy the music within and for the casual rock fan a perfect Christmas present.

Girlschool, The Damned, Motorhead – 02 Academy Leeds – 20th November 2009

I only managed to catch the end of the Girlschool set, but what I caught sounded and looked good, so hope to catch them again in the future.
Next up were The Damned, and what a surprise they were. I really enjoyed them, kicking off a lively set with Neat, Neat, Neat they had Leeds eating out of the palm of their collective hands straight away. Also in the set where New Rose, Eloise and Smash It Up. A great set and I think they won over a lot of new fans (including me) that night.
Motorhead are Motorhead, they do what it says on the tin Opening up with Iron Fist and thundering through a set that contained many a great song including Stay Clean, Rock Out, Metropolis, Over The Top, I Got Mine, a cover of Twisted Sisters’ Shoot ‘em Down, Another Perfect Day, In The Name Of Tragedy, Just ‘Cos You Got The Power, Going To Brazil, Killed By Death, Bomber, Whorehouse Blues, Ace Of Spades and Overkill. Very Loud.
What an institution they are.
NH

GMT – Tut ‘n’ Shive, Yeadon – 15th November 2009

This band just get better every time I see them. The Tut‘n’ Shive is a great little venue and GMT certainly had it rocking. The set was made up with songs from the two great GMT CDs Evil Twin and Bitter & Twisted and then some hits from the past – New Orlean’s, Mr. Crowley, Smoke on the Water and Fire.

The encores were concluded with Vincenzo, which is one of my favourites from Bitter & Twisted. All this for a fiver I was well impressed. If GMT play near you make the trip along to see them.

NH 10/10

Threshold Relentless Garage 8th November 2009

So only a week since my first visit to the Garage back for another go. Booked a ticket at 5.15 and walked into the venue at 7.20 to a crowd of 200 max. Four weeks ago it was the Progressive Nation tour,  this one was Essence Of Progression 2009 and for 3 bands only £12.

First up were Pythia from London. Led by Emily Alice on vox and 4 bearded guys in matching blue smocks they played Gothically tinged rock like a heavier version of Within Temptation. In support of their first cd Beneath The Veiled Embrace they played an energetic 30 minute set and went down very well.

Next up were Austrian progressive metal band Serenity. They played a 40 minute set and were excellent. A five piece band led by the very lively Georg Neuhaser on vox who looked overjoyed to be playing in London. Heavy, light,choruses and great playing. Check out Fallen Sanctuary their latest cd now.

This was my first time seeing Threshold. I heard about them about 7 years ago (although they have been together 20) when they released their Critical Mass cd but due to their very limited touring schedule not been able to see them. I have every cd and think they are the most underrated band in the UK. Some success with their last cd Dead Reckoning in 2007 but with Mac(vox) leaving what did the future hold? Now with Damian Wilson(original vocalist) back on vox and in support of their Paradox singles collection a European tour before their next cd.
They were brilliant. Simple as that. I had very high hopes but at one point in the set I remember thinking wow you're good. With a screen backdrop showing a selection of their career in order(and added to the show throughout) they hit the ground running.
The setlist was:
Consume to Live
Fighting For Breath
Stop Dead
Part Of The Chaos
Avalon
One Degree Down
Critical Mass parts 1-3
Smile At The Moon
Art Of Reason
Long Way Home
Pilot In The Sky Of Dreams
Slipstream
Encore of Mission Profile Paradox not played due to overrunning curfew.


The band played their hearts out to the 200 or so crowd - to them it could have been Wembley Stadium - in fact, for the second half of the show Damian Wilson seemed to spend more time in the crowd that on stage.

Everyone can play. With riffs like Metallica, great choruses, emotive guitar solos and some of the most amazing powerhouse drumming I have ever seen - guys take a bow. That's Karl Groom(lead geetar) Richard West(keys), Johanne James(drums), Steve Anderson(bass), Pete Morten(geetar) and, as I said earlier, Damian Wilson on vox. Truly brilliant.

But guys please - if you are to have 2 support acts get them to play shorter sets. We nearly got no encore and I love Paradox that you didn't play because of the 11pm curfew .Nit picking maybe but you go to see the main act!!
Roll on the next cd and lets hope for more UK dates.

ME 10/10

Chantel McGregor Band - The Barge, Brighouse - 14 November 2009

I’d heard a lot of good reports about Chantel McGregor so I nipped down the hill to catch the first half of her set at the Barge.

The set opened with Joe Bonamassa’a Bridge to Better Days, so I was hooked from the beginning. It also included classics from many others including Hendrix and Fleetwood Mac. Chantel is a very talented Singer/guitarist and her band are also highly accomplished.

If you want to know more, or see some clips visit www.chantelmcgregor.com. I hope to catch her again in the near future and this time have time to see the whole show.

NH

Slash - "Paradise City" with Cypress Hill and Fergie

uh oh - I kinda like this... am I in a minority?
NR

Chickenfoot - Deluxe Version

Yeah we know it's been out a while but we thought we'd wait for the deluxe version before reviewing it.  This version (the white one) comes with a DVD...but more of that later.   Chickenfoot is a supergroup in every sense : Red Hot Chili Pepper Chad Smith on drums, guitar virtuoso Joe Satriani, and the ex-Van Halen pairing of Michael Anthony on bass and Sammy Hagar on vocals. Our love of this band was well documented in our review of their only gig in the UK so far (click here ).  This album is going to be regarded as a bona fide classic in years to come..(it already is here in the Rockgig parish).. yeah there are a tiny number of cliches..and you can see the ballad coming from a mile away (but WHAT a ballad!!) but it's all forgiveable.. this album combines fantastic musicianship, classic rock and yet sounds totally relevant in the noughties. Like a good wine (or yours truly) it get's better with age... the more you listen to it, the more you spot. Satriani has at last found a vehicle to bring his unquestionable talent to an even bigger audience. We all know that he can play a guitar to within an inch of it's life, but who the hell would think that he would sit this comfortably in a band - it's simply perfect. The vast majority of the songs were written by Satriani and Hagar (who's voice is still as good as ever). Down the Drain was recorded in one take, from a jam session. When a band is THAT cohesive and on the beat, then they can't go wrong.  Standout tracks?  Well there are not any filler tracks if that's what you're thinking, nor Satriani experimental jams to pad out the album - each track is there on it's own merits. A collection of 12 (yes 12 - Bitten by the Wolf is on this version of the CD), hook laden rock songs that feature those Van Halen vocal harmonies that we missed when Sam and Mike left the band. These songs are also easily the best thing Hagar has written since Van Halen (and even when he was in it).  It's inevitable that the Van Halen comparison is going to crop up - if the VH and Chickenfoot were playing in the same town on the same night - I'd go see the 'Foot. One more thing, credit must be given to producer Andy Johns (Led Zeppelin, The Rolling Stones etc) who has given this album a really crystal clear production - the vocals are in your face, the drums snap, the guitar sounds perfect and the bass just booms.

The DVD that comes with the Deluxe Version features every track on the album, being performed live, in the studio or at rehersal. It's clear from this just how well these guys get along. From the sepia toned "12 days of chickenfoot" introductions to each track to the numerous clips of them on and off stage, rehersing and recording one thing is always present - someone is always laughing or has a beaming smile on their face - these guys are having fun. No corporate bullshit, no Bon-Jovi style employee system, just some mates having a laugh and making a bloody great album.

(ps: if anyone from Kiss is reading this (evening Mr Stanley) the 'Foot have a logo'd up Smart Car .. you might want to add that to your merchandise list)

NR

Y&T Oxford Academy 3rd November 2009

Support came from Ron Keel. I saw him and his band 23 years ago supporting Dio, in fact this was his first visit since. Played solo acoustically in an autobiographical order. Starting with Steeler(Serenade) Keel(Tears Of Fire) and an Iron Horse song. He also played a song from the forthcoming cd Streets Of Rock n'roll (due on Frontiers in January 2010) called Does Anyone Believe? Plus his cover of Shooting Star from Bad Company (which was his first ever song he played live) and Because The Night off the first Keel cd. He was excellent. Friendly and warm between songs could play with a great voice a great warm up. And Shaz got his only plectrum too.

My love for Y&T is well documented on these pages so I will just list the songs played. No real surprises thrown in just a few welcome returns.

Open Fire

Don't Wanna Lose

Hang em High

Don't Be Afraid Of The Dark

Meanstreak

Dirty Girl

Barroom Boogie

Hurricane

I Beleive In You

Eyes Of A Stranger

Midnight In Tokyo

A choice of Lipstick n'Leather or Contagious....L n'L won the vote

Summertime Girls

I'll Cry

Black Tiger

Squeeze

Hell Or High Water

Forever

Encores of Knock You Out

Rescue Me.

2 hours and 10 mins of stunning music. Dave Meniketti(vox/geetar) is just awesome as always. John Nymann gives great support on geetar and backing vox and Mike Vanderhul kicks some serious ass on drums. The only down on the nite was Phil Kennemore's vocal on Squeeze. Terrible and then he ranted on about some old lady who won't let them turn it up cos if they do they might kicked off. He then went out for a fag as Vanderhul did a drum solo and then more ranting. In that time they could have played Contagious.

They will be back next year supporting a new cd lets hope more than the approx 250 who turned up tonite show up, they deserve it. This is the 4th year on the trot they have come over and they don't do bad shows. Go see.

9/10 with Phil losing the mark for his rant.
ME

Saxon & Anvil – Leeds O2 Academy - 10th November 2009

Somehow Anvil passed me by in the 80s, now with their recent fame via the Silver Screen they find themselves supporting the mighty Saxon. I rapidly downloaded a few tracks (how modern I hear you say) and had a listen. To be honest I still wasn’t over impressed and I wasn’t either by two tracks in to their set. Now I’m not sure what happen on the 3rd song but suddenly I found myself enjoying it and it just got better and better, by the time the cardboard Anvil was lowered from the ceiling (I kid you not) during Metal on Metal I, and most of the crowd were totally hooked. A great fun set. This is what Rock n Roll should be about. Lips was outside signing everything and anything after the show. Top marks to him and the rest of the band.

No need for a hasty download of Saxon songs for me, I’ve grown up with this band It’s just short of 29 years since Biff first told me to "Fill My Head With Heavy Metal Thunder". Tonight though we had the small matter of passing the Battalions of Steel before we hit the Heavy Metal Thunder. The classics just kept on coming, Dallas 1PM, Strong Arm of the Law, Bands Played On, 747, Crusader, Backs to the Wall, Power and the Glory, Back on the Streets, Wheels of Steel. Newer but equally good songs included Dogs of War, Travelers in Time, Solid Ball of Rock, Live to Rock. For encores we had Denim and Leather, which featured Lips from Anvil and barnstorming version of Princess of the Night.

I’ve been lucky enough to see Saxon four times in just over 12 months and they’ve always delivered the goods. It was great to see a big crowd in Leeds, hopefully the band have really turned a corner and will be playing to crowds more fitting of their true status when they play the UK in future years. I was glad to see that Biff was wearing his poppy. Well done that man.

Saxon on Tuesday, Bernie Tomré (GMT) on Sunday this is one hell of a week for me.

NH

Muse – Sheffield Arena -Wednesday 4th November 2009

Muse. Anyone who’s anyone will know this name. And anyone with a good taste in music will have at least one of their albums and if they’re really lucky; will have seen them live. Lucky for me this was my 4th time of seeing them but it seemed like the 1st.
From what I’ve heard/researched the support act was a band called ‘The Big Pink’. I don’t know for sure as i was unfortunate enough to miss them due to really bad parking at the arena. Be warned, if you plan on going to the arena them plan ahead parking is really bad... ask anyone who went to the gig and they’ll agree with me.
Still, we didn’t miss Muse. Once the lights dimmed all we could see on stage was three huge blocks covered with cloth that had projections on and music in the background. After 3 or so minutes of this the cloths fell to reveal three podiums upon which were the three members of Muse who began the show with Uprising. These podiums as well as holding the band, were covered in screens which allowed us to see the band close up or watch weird projections. After a few songs in, the podiums began to lower so that front man Mathew and bassist Chris could belt out another song while using the space of the stage; leaving drummer Dom up on the huge box.
As expected, the light show was basically amazing: Lights, lasers and screens flashing all over the shop. They were almost as important as the band themselves. As well as playing practically all of their new album, The Resistance, they played a lot of old favourites for their long term fans and even Chris and Dom played a few special instrumentals; whilst both on a spinning podium. During Plug In Baby they released their signature balloon balls into the crowd who thoroughly enjoyed them. Those Muse guys never cease to amaze me.
Be sure to check out youtube videos of the gig; it’s not quite the same as being there, but it’s still great entertainment.
Set List
• Time Is Running Out
• Stockholm Syndrome
• Interlude/Hysteria
• Starlight
• Supermassive Black Hole
• Map of the Problematique
• Soldier’s Poem?
• Hoodoo/City of Delusions?
• Knights of Cydonia
• Plug In Baby
• Newborn
• Uprising
• Resistance
• Undisclosed Desires
• United States of Eurasia
• Guiding Light
• Unnatural Selection
• Exogenesis Symphony part 1 : Overture
• I Belong to You
• MK Ultra
EA

Bloc Party – Bristol O2 Academy - Tuesday 20th October 2009

The latest tour from indie pioneering band Bloc Party is the aptly named “Bloctober” tour. A treat for all Bloc Party fans and even those just coming along for a ride. The Support act was indie band Grammatics, and interesting little band that seemed pretty nervous in front of the crowd; that was at maximum capacity. They seemed to gain a few extra fans though, including myself.
Opening song that the Party came on to was ‘Halo’; a great song to get the crowd going even if they didn’t know the song. Personally i think ‘Like Eating Glass’ should have been the opening song as it’s a great opener on the ‘Silent Alarm’ album, but they played it second instead. The set seemed to be going really well and the crowd thrilled at the four men pouring their hearts into their music; but then front man Kele Okereke decided to pour than his heart into the music. As i watched him belt out some riffs and sing, the scratchplate on his guitar seemed to go from white to red. Once the song was over he announced that the strings had managed to make him bleed, something that had never happened before. After he told the crowd to take pictures of it, a roadie ran onstage and put a plaster on Kele’s finger while he stood grinning at the situation. The set then went ahead and by the end of the next song the guitar was bloodied up again. This didn’t faze Kele though and he trooped on through the set till the end for us all: a true front man. As well as this, we saw a lot of dancing from Kele and drummer Matt Tong who were trying to get the crowd dancing with them throughout the gig.
The stage/set design was mainly a load of big lights set up, like the Olympia gig back in April this year, but just scaled down for the intimate Bristol venue. There was a lot of strobe lighting from them; and this combined with the dancing made it seem more like a rave. Well, who can complain about a rave and a gig mixed together?
The closing song from the Party was, of course, Helicopter which had the crowd going wild. Once the band had left and the crowd were reluctantly being usher outside we found that it was pouring with rain; but not even that could damped the spirits after the intimate and very entertaining show from The Pioneers.
Set List
• Halo
• Like Eating Glass
• Song For Clay (Disappear Here)
• Hunting For Witches
• Waiting for The 7.18
• The Prayer
• Flux
• The Once and Future King
• Ares
• Mercury
• Trojan Horse
• One Month Off
• Better Than Heaven
• Helicopter
• Banquet
• This Modern Love
• Two More Years
• One More Chance
EA

Europe Relentless Garage London 1st November 2009

New venue for me up on Highbury Corner and greeted by a long queue for the sold out show. Last nite was the first night of Europe's "Last Look At Eden" world tour and they wanted to start by playing their smallest ever UK show and also kicked off the Classic Rock Magazine's week of gigs to compliment the Classic Rock Awards.

If all the shows are this good they are in for a treat.

First up were a new London band called New Device.I had only seen the name recently and have found out that they have a cd out on Powerage Records called "Takin' Over". Head over to www.myspace.com/newdevice for an introduction to a fine new band. Playing a 30 minute set relying on tracks from their new cd they came out of the traps and won over the audience very quickly. Great riffs and choruses all played with attitude sums them up and songs included On Fire and Pedal To The Metal with a rip roarin Takin' Over finishing off a fine introduction to a band we shall hear a lot more from.

At 9.10 the lights went down, the intro tape started and we were off on a 90 minute journey through some of the finest rock music on this planet.

Seeing a band like this in a venue so small was just stunning. The sound was huge but so clear and straight away you knew this was going to be special.

First track up and title of the new cd "Last Look At Eden" with it's great stuttering riff. The crowd knew all the words and before we knew it into track 2 "Get Ready" also off the new cd. Again, greeted like it had been in the set for years. Joey Tempest was playing the show like a stadium and his voice was superb. The rhythm team of John Leven(bass), Mic Michaeli(keys) and Ian Haugland(drums) laid down a solid groove giving John Norum(geetar) the opportunity to riff and solo to his heart's content. All his solos add to the songs and are not just a pointless shred -  the man can make a statement every time.

Read the rest of the setlist and see what delights we had :

• Superstitious
• Love Is Not The Enemy
• Sign Of The Times
• Always The Pretender
• No Stone Unturned
• New Love In Town
• Scream Of Anger
• Optimist (John Norum Instrumental Interlude)
• Seventh Sign
• Let The Good Times Rock
• Start From The Dark
• Rock The Night

Encores of

• Only You Can Rock Me(UFO cover)
• The Final Countdown.

Highlights?  All of it!

Special mention goes to the other 2 new songs played in the middle of the set. "No Stone Unturned" was played for the first time ever and "New Love In Town" was again greeted like a returning son. After that song Joey said they wanted to slow it down some more but instead went the opposite end of the spectrum with a blindingly heavy "Scream Of Anger". That's what so many people don't get with Europe.They think "...Countdown" and ballads there is so much more to them. The riffs to "Start From The Dark" and "Love Is Not The Enemy" are so heavy and that's why at a total metal festival like Bloodstock in August they went down so well. Great to see a surprise in the set too with "Seventh Sign" off "Prisoners In Paradise".

 

At the start of the encores Joey said they wanted to do a song to give something back to the country that gave then so much inspiration.With that with white flying V in hand John belts out the riff to UFO's "Only You Can Rock Me. Superb.. then the unmistakable sound of the keyboard riff we all know and the place goes nuts. A stunning end to a night to remember.

So on the same nite as Bon Jovi sink to new lows by appearing on the X Factor,  the band that should be playing a residency at the 02 play the gig of their lives in a small sweaty club and showing the world that they are one of the finest melodic rock acts on the planet.

Make a date and go and see them when they return to the UK in February.

ME 10/10

(all images in this review © Christie Goodwin)

See Europe on tour in the UK during February 2010.  Very special guest is Diamond Head.  Leeds 02 Academy (Feb 18), Birmingham O2 Academy (Feb 19), 02 London Shepherd’s Bush Empire (Feb 20), Oxford O2 Academy (Feb 22), Bournemouth O2 Academy (Feb 23), Bristol O2 Academy (Feb 24), Manchester Academy 2 (Feb 26), Newcastle O2 Academy (Feb 27) and Glasgow O2 ABC (Feb 28).  Ticket Hotline: Ticket Hotline: 0844 477 2000, http://www.ticketweb.co.uk/.  The album ‘Last Look At Eden’ is out now.  More info: http://www.europetheband.com/