‘Live At Us Festival’ Is Santana’s Third Solid Release So Far This Year

Courtesy: Shout! Factory/Shout! Studios/Icon Television Music, Inc./Sony Music

Carlos Santana has been in the headlines a lot this year.  He released a new EP in January.  That record ­– In Search of Mona Lisa — was followed up in June, with a new full-length album, Africa Speaks.  Early this month, even more music from Santana saw the light of day with a new archived concert from Shout! Factory, Icon Television Music, Inc. and Sony Music in the form of Live at Us Festival.  Originally recorded Sept. 4, 1982, the vintage recording was released on Blu-ray Sept. 6, almost 37 years to the day after the concert featured in the presentation.  The recording is another welcome presentation for fans of Carlos Santana in part because of its set list, which will be discussed shortly.  The recording’s editing adds to its interest and will be discussed a little later.  The bonus content featured with the recording rounds out its most important elements.  Each item noted here plays its own part in making the concert appealing for Santana fans and music fans alike.  All things considered, they make the recording in whole, one more of this year’s top new live Blu-rays and DVDs.

Carlos Santana’s latest live recording Live at Us Festival is an enjoyable new offering from one of the elder statesmen of the music industry that his fans and music fans alike will enjoy.  That is due in part to the set list featured in this vintage concert recording.  The show’s set list is made up of a total of 13 songs, two of which – ‘Gypsy Queen’ and ‘Marbles’ – are actually part of some two-song collections.  The songs in total show, even then, they wide range of Santana’s talents and his fellow musicians.  The whole thing opens with a performance of the group’s own work, ‘Searchin,’ which is then followed up by the first of the two-part pieces, ‘Black Magic Woman’/’Gypsy Queen.’  What is important to note here is that ‘Black Magic Woman’ was originally composed by peter Green and made famous by Fleetwood Mac.  Fleetwood Mac is a far cry, stylistically, from Santana.  Yet Santana and company made the song their own, and did so impressively at that.  The musicianship of the percussionists – Raul Rekow, Armando Peraza and Orestas Vilat – adds so much to the performance.  The control they have on their respective instruments is astonishing in the best way possible.  Much the same can be said of the trio’s performance during ‘Savor.’  The timbales, guiro and congas really serve as the backbone for the arrangement, which in this case is one of the group’s originals.  The keyboards, handled by Richard Baker, add even more enjoyment to the performance.  This is just one more way in which the set list shines.  Between the group’s own originals and its covers, the whole of the set list makes for a presentation that without any doubt, will keep audiences fully engaged and entertained.  The only down side to the whole thing is the fact that audiences don’t get the band’s whole set in this concert.  Also featured in the concert were performances of the songs ‘Primera Invasion,’ ‘Dealer/’Spanish Rose’ and ‘Soul Sacrifice.’  They were also omitted from the concert’s broadcast on AXS TV.  That aside, what is presented in terms of the set list and performance thereof is enjoyable in its own right.  To that end, it creates a solid foundation for the recording’s whole.

While the concert footage featured in the recording is a key piece of its whole, it is not the recording’s only important element.  The recording’s editing plays into its whole, too. In examining the editing, the most notable aspect thereof is the separation of the recording between its concert and interview segments.  Each performance segment is preceded by an interview segment with Santana that is clearly much more recent than the footage from the concert.  Those breaks from the concert not only serve to help the recording’s pacing, but also to make the overall presentation more personal for viewers.  That is thanks to Santana’s very real and frank commentaries.  Those commentaries tackle a variety of topics, such as his view about the roots of what so many people label as Latin music, “real guitarists vs. not-so-real guitarists,” and the purpose of music.  Those discussions in themselves are just as certain to keep viewers entertained and are just the tip of the proverbial iceberg.  The bonus extended interviews featured with the recording make for even more interest.

The extended discussions that are featured as bonus content show Santana’s lighter side as he talks about “real guitarists” playing from all throughout inside instead of just their fingers.  He also goes into more depth about his sound and that of his band not really being a signature sound.  That discussion is one of the most enlightening of the discussions.  He also goes into more depth as to his view of how “Latin” music has been mislabeled by the powers that be.  Between these discussions and more, the extended discussion cuts truly are bonuses that are just as worth taking in as the concert’s main footage.  When both elements are considered along with the recording’s editing, the whole of the recording becomes a presentation that Santana’s fans will appreciate just as much as music fans in general.

Live at Us Festival is a positive new offering from Carlos Santana that music lovers across the board will appreciate.  It offers a set list that clearly puts on display the talents of Santana and his fellow musicians and the breadth of the band’s influences.  That in itself makes the concert well worth viewing.  The concert’s editing ensures even more, its appeal for viewers, as it is broken up into varying live and interview segments.  The bonus extended interview cuts that are featured with the recording put the final touch on the recording’s whole.  Each item discussed is important in its own way to the whole of the recording.  All things considered, they make Live at Us Festival one more welcome addition to the music libraries of Santana’s most devoted fans and of audiophiles in general.  More information on this and other titles from Shout! Factory is available online now at:

 

 

 

Website: http://www.shoutfactory.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/shoutfactoryofficial

Twitter: http://twitter.com/ShoutFactory

 

 

 

More information on Live at Us Festival is available online now along with all of Carlos Santana’s latest news at:

 

 

 

Website: http://www.santana.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/carlossantana

Twitter: http://twitter.com/SantanaCarlos

 

 

 

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Nooky Jones’ New EP Is A “Sweet Treat” For R&B Fans Of All Ages

Courtesy: Press Junkie PR

Nooky Jones released its new record this weekend.  The Minneapolis, MN-based sextet released its new EP Like Candy Friday.  The five-song record is aptly titled.  That is because R&B fans everywhere will agree it is “sweet.”  Yes, that awful pun was intended.  That is thanks to its musical arrangements, which couple old school r&b influences with its own modern touches for a whole that makes it no surprise that even National Public Radio has picked up on the 22-minute record.  The record’s lyrical content plays its own important part to the whole of the EP, too.  The two elements together make the EP a surprisingly enjoyable offering.  The EP’s title track is just one example of the power of that combination of elements.  It will be discussed shortly.  ‘After Two (ft. Cory Wong)’ is another example of how that crossing of elements makes this EP so enjoyable.  It will be addressed a little later.  The same can be said of ‘Pardon Me,’ which will also be discussed later.  When all three of these songs are considered along with the EP’s other two songs – ‘Gimme Some More’ and ‘Everything You Do’ – the whole of the EP proves itself a record that r&b fans of all ages will appreciate and that is one more of this year’s top new EPs.

Nooky Jones’ new EP Like Candy is a work that r&b fans of all ages will enjoy.  It is a record that is easily accessible for audiences and r&b radio programmers alike.  One of the record’s most notable entries that serves to support those statements is the EP’s title track.  The song’s piano-driven arrangement and the vocal delivery of front man Cameron Klinghorn lends itself to comparisons to works from the likes of D’Angelo, Maxwell and Robert Glasper.  Interestingly enough, the actual sound of Klinghorn’s vocals conjures thoughts of Marcy Playground front man John Wozniak.  Yes, it sounds like one heck of a combination, but it’s there.  Even with that in mind, the whole of the arrangement is a smooth jam that comes across like a modern take on Marvin Gaye’s timeless song ‘Let’s Get It On.’  That is meant in the absolute best way.

The song’s lyrical content adds just as much to the song’s presentation as does its musical arrangement.  Again, it plays its own part in the noted comparison to Marvin Gaye’s timeless groove.  That is proven as Klinghorn sings in the song’s lead verse, “Darlin’ I’m unwrapping you/And you know what’s on my mind/A soft, sweet, tasty treat/You’re my favorite kind/Got this cravin’/And your lips look devine/And we know what happens when the cookies and the cream combine.”  There is absolutely no doubt as to what he is saying here.  If this doesn’t serve as the soundtrack for a couple’s romantic evening, nothing does.  Klinghorn continues in the song’s second verse, “Can’t stop sampling you/And that flavor I adore/Call me Russel Stover/Till the/Night is over/I got everything that you’re hungering for/Oh, sugar, I keep coming back for more/Of your/Cocoa butter/With your/Chocolate covered/Silky caramel core…you could open up a candy store.”  Yet again, there’s no doubt what’s going on here.  This is about as pure as a r&b song can be and as entertaining.  If this doesn’t get a couple in the moon, nothing will.  That is especially when this content is considered alongside the song’s musical elements, which late in the song also include gentle, flowing strings to add to the song’s general effect.  Simply put, the song in whole is without doubt, a clear example of why Nooky Jones’ new EP could be the record that breaks this group into the mainstream.  It is just one of the EP’s most notable tracks, too.  ‘After Two (ft. Cory Wong)’ is another example of what makes this record one that every r&b fan will enjoy.

‘After Two (ft. Cory Wong)’ stands out in part because of its own musical arrangement.  This song’s funky, bass and keyboard-centered arrangement wastes no time conjuring thoughts of the one and only Stevie Wonder and of acts, such as Sly and the Family Stone and Tower of Power.  That’s just as much due to the arrangement’s horn lines as it is the composition’s keyboard, bass and percussion.  The whole of the noted elements makes this arrangement a funky work that won’t take long getting listeners on the dance floor.  The song’s arrangement is just one part of what makes it notable.  That part of the song works with the song’s lyrical content to make the presentation in whole even more engaging and entertaining for the group’s target audiences.

The song’s lyrical content is notable because it is just fun material that encourages dancing happily just as much as the song’s musical arrangement.  This is proven as Klinghorn sings in the song’s lead verse, “Candle’s burning low/Is it really after 1 (not yet)/My glass ain’t empty, though/So I don’t have to run, baby/Maxwell on the stereo/And the record’s almost done/And all my people know/the night’s just begun (we’re just getting started/Someone caught my by surprise/And she got that look in her eyes/Hey baby/See you watching me/And maybe/You like what you see/Hey lady/Make your move this way/So crazy/What I’m ‘bout to say.”  He continues in the song’s second verse, “Body’s movin’ slow/Temptaion fills the air, yes it does/I said we’re wraped up in the floor/I wanna feel you everywhere (all over your body, baby)/Girl, you caught me by surprise and you got that look right in your eyes.”  Once again, there is no doubt as to the song’s message in this case.  This is one of those straight-up ‘Come hither, let’s get dancing and get busy’ songs that works just as well in the club as in the bedroom.  That is even more evident when this content is coupled with the song’s light, funky musical arrangement.  All things considered, they show just as much why this song is as notable as Like Candy’s title track.  It is not the last of the EP’s most notable tracks.  The more reserved break-up song (yes, the group even features a break-up song in this record, too) ‘Pardon Me’ is notable in its own right, too.

The musical arrangement at the center of ‘Pardon Me’ does a good job of illustrating the emotions of someone who has been played by another one time too many.  This one presents a more modern r&b vibe, again akin to works from D’Angelo, Maxwell and other similar acts, with its subtle horn lines, keyboards and drums.  It is just one part of what makes the song stand out.  The noted lyrical content plays into this just as much as the engaging musical arrangement.

Klinghorn sings in the song’s lead verse, “I can see you wear that smile…try to pretend/That you would never make me feel like this again/Now it’s on my mind/That you lied/The first and second time/When you told me not to worry about your friend/Had me thinking/Everything would be okay/And believing every word I heard you say/Now I know/When you said/You love sleeping in my bed/You were getting what you want another way/I’m not here for you/I ran out of sympathy/The moment you ran out on me/I’m not here for you/Excuse me miss/Pardon me/You don’t get my loyalty.”  He continues in the song’s second verse, “Hold up/Back up/What the hell/You lying for/Telling me/You don’t see it anymore/Why don’t you call up your number one/So you can him that we’re we’re done/Say what’s up for me.”  Klinghorn’s subject makes no bones about his feelings over the situation of this broken relationship.  This is a song, with these lyrics and content, to which many listeners will relate with such straight-forward lyrics.  The reserved nature of the arrangement will help the noted listeners connect with the song just as much as the song’s lyrics.  Both elements together make this song a song that is just as radio ready as the other songs noted here and the EP’s other two songs.  All things considered, the EP in whole proves to be a solid new offering from Nooky Jones and a work that could – with the right support – be the record that breaks the group into the r&b mainstream.

Nooky Jones’ new EP Like Candy is a sweet musical treat for r&b fans of all ages.  That is thanks to its musical and lyrical content.  That is explained through analysis of three of the EP’s songs here.  The combination of the modern and old school r&b and funk musical elements and the equally accessible lyrical content exhibited in each of the three songs discussed here – and the EP’s other two songs not directly discussed – go a long way toward making the EP appealing for the noted audiences.  All things considered, they make the EP a “sweet” new offering for r&b audiences of all ages.  More information on Like Candy is available online along with all of the group’s latest news at:

 

 

 

Website: http://nookyjones.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/nookyjones

Twitter: http://twitter.com/nookyjones

 

 

 

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The Wizards of Winter’s New LP Is An Enjoyable Musical Gift For Classic Rock, Holiday Lovers Alike

Courtesy: Adrenaline PR

The countdown to Christmas is officially on, and in anticipation of its return, The Wizards of Winter has released its new holiday-themed album The Christmas Dream.  Released Friday through BMI, the 10-song, 44-minute record is a gift in itself for fans of the band and those whole enjoy the holiday season.  That is due in part to the record’s musical arrangements, which will be discussed shortly.  It is also thanks to the album’s lyrical content, which will be addressed a little later.  The album’s sequencing puts the finishing touch to its presentation and will also be discussed later.  Each item does its own part to make the album an enjoyable addition to any holiday lover’s music library.  All things considered, they make the album a work that audiences will enjoy every Christmas season.

The Christmas Dream is a positive new offering from The Wizards of Winter, and a presentation that will appeal to fans of WOW just as much as lovers of the holiday season and its musical offerings.  That is proven in part through the album’s musical arrangements.  The arrangements are in part, familiar compositions to which the band’s longtime fans have come to expect from the group.  Along with featuring its own familiar sound, the album also features more comparisons to works from fellow holiday band Trans-Siberian Orchestra.  That should come as no surprise, either, considering that some of the band’s members are also directly associated with TSO.  One could even argue that there is even a hint of a Mannheim Steamroller influence incorporated into the album’s arrangements, with its keyboard and flute lines.  The album’s lead single ‘Handel’s Torch’ combines the noted influences through its heavy guitar riffs and the use of the flute.  ‘The Four Kings’ is a direct link back to TSO’s works with its bluesy arrangement that almost exactly mirrors the arrangement in that band’s song, ‘The Three Kings (What Really Happened.’  Lyrically, the two songs are a little different, but stylistically, there is a quite close similarity in the two arrangements.  The arrangement at the heart of the album’s title track, which comes late in the album’s run, is another example of the influences from the aforementioned holiday bands.  Again that is due to the combination of the guitars and more traditional musical elements.  What’s more, the song’s title may be ‘Christmas Dream,’ but it actually presents a full-on rock take on the beloved song ‘All Of My Favorite Things.’  That is crossed with the group’s take on the equally beloved song ‘Carol of the Bells,’ with the end result being one of the album’s strongest compositions.  It is just one of the album’s most notable compositions, too.  The old school power metal approach of ‘Polar Eve,’ the orchestral vibe of ‘The Happy Song’ and ‘Secrets of the Snow Globe’ offer their own notoriety, too.  Between those arrangements, the others noted here and the rest of the album’s arrangements, the whole of the album proves to be a presentation that is well worth the listen if only for its musical elements.  It musical elements are not its only notable elements, of course.  Its lyrical content is just as notable as its musical elements.

The lyrical content featured in this record is notable because while it does take listeners on a new ride through some old holiday songs, there are also some more original works featured in the record.  Among the more familiar holiday tunes featured in the record are the aforementioned ‘My Favorite Things’ and also ‘Jingle Bells,’ Handel’s ‘Messiah’ and ‘The First Noel.’  Those songs are given a new life in each of their presentations through the already discussed arrangements that form the album’s foundation.  The noted familiar song choices are complimented by more original works, such as ‘The Secrets of the Snowglobe,’ ‘In Plain Sight’ and the stirring, emotional finale that is ‘A Toast To Time (Farewell).’  The combination of the traditional holiday songs and the band’s original works – and their original new arrangements – strengthen the album even more, and shows that much more, why The Christmas Dream is its own dream come true for fans of WOW and lovers of the holiday season in general.  They are just a pair of the album’s most notable elements.  Keeping in mind the importance of that whole, the album’s sequencing is just as important to examine as its overall content.

The Christmas Dream’s sequencing is important to note because of its impact on the album’s general effect.  As already noted, this record features a mix of original content and new takes on a handful of traditional holiday songs.  The record never sticks too long to one or the other.  It opens with one of the band’s original works before changing things up both stylistically and in general with ‘Handel’s Torch.’  The song’s arrangement takes the power rock sound featured in the album’s opener and steps it up slightly while also presenting the band’s own fresh take on Handel’s ‘Messiah’ and at least one other traditional holiday song.  ‘Gonna Snow’ keeps the album’s energy stable with another 80s hair metal style arrangement that also gives a new take on ‘Jingle Bells’ while giving listeners something new at the same time.  Again, here listeners get that mixing of old and new, this time in one, keeping the album engaging and entertaining.  ‘The Polar Eve’ is slightly slower than the album’s first three works, but is still heavy in its own right while also giving listeners something original from the band once more.  ‘Midnight Noel’ is another example of the band taking a traditional holiday tune and giving it a new life (though there is the very close similarity to works from TSO) here.  The variances in styles and old and new holiday songs continue from this point, and still manage to keep listeners engaged and entertained right to the album’s finale without fail.  By the record’s end, listeners are left fulfilled and agreeing that this album is its own special musical gift from The Wizards of Winter to listeners everywhere.

The Wizards of Winter’s new album The Christmas Dream is a positive new album from the classic rock collective, which is made up of members of Blue Oyster Cult, Trans-Siberian Orchestra and Ted Nugent’s backing band.  It is a piece that gives audiences another welcome option away from all of the standard holiday musical fare that hits stores every year.  That is due in part to its arrangements, which bring together the influences of the members’ own bands.  The varied musical choices in general, which are new takes on traditional holiday tunes and new original works, add even more interest to the album’s presentation.  The album’s sequencing puts the finishing touch to the album’s whole.  Each item is important in its own right to the whole of its presentation.  All things considered, they make the album in whole, its own enjoyable gift for the band’s fans and lovers of the holiday season alike.  The band will launch a tour in support of the record in November.  Its schedule is noted below.

THE WIZARDS OF WINTER 2019 Holiday Tour Dates:

11/13 – Key West, FL @ Key West Theatre

11/14 – Melbourne, FL @ Melbourne Auditorium

11/15 – Clearwater, FL @ Ruth Eckerd Hall

11/16 – Stuart, FL @ Lyric Theater

11/21 – Pueblo, CO @ Pueblo Memorial Hall

11/22 – Alto, NM @ Spencer Theatre

11/23 – Gilbert, AZ @ Higley PAC

11/24 – Wickenburg, AZ @ Del E. Webb PAC

11/29 – Patchogue, NY @ Patchogue Theatre

11/30 – Asbury Park, NJ @ Paramount Theatre

12/1 – Englewood, NJ @ Bergen PAC

12/5 – Angola, IN @ T. Furth PAC

12/6 – Pontiac, MI @ Flagstar Strand Theatre

12/7 – Johnson Creek, WI @ Gobbler Theatre

12/8 – St. Charles, IL @ Arcada Theatre

12/12 – Wisconsin Rapids, WI @ Wisconsin Rapids PAC

12/13 – Harris, MI @ Island Resort Casino

12/14 – Harris, MI @ Island Resort Casino

12/15 – Wabash, IN @ Honeywell Theatre

12/17 – Canton, OH @ Canton Palace

12/19 – Derry, NH @ Tupelo Music Hall

12/20 – Jim Thorpe, PA @ Penns Peak

12/21 – Roanoke Rapids, NC @ Roanoke Rapids Theatre

+More dates TBA!

More information on that tour is available online now along with all of the band’s latest news and more at:

 

 

 

Website: http://www.thewizardsofwinter.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/TheWizardsofWinter

Twitter: http://twitter.com/wizardsofwinter

 

 

 

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PBS Distribution Adding More ‘Ready Jet Go!’ Episodes To Its PBS Kids Prime Video Channel

Courtesy: PBS Distribution/PBS Kids/PBS

More episodes of PBS Kids’ hit series Ready Jet Go! are coming to the PBS Kids Prime Video Channel.

Ready Jet Go! Volume 10 will start streaming the six-episode collection Oct. 11.  The latest volume features episodes, such as “My Three Suns/Magnet PI,” “Moon Face/Lone Star 2,” and “Water, Water Everywhere/Commander Cressida Story Contest.”

“Moon Face” finds Jet and his young friends exploring what makes it look like the moon has a face while “Lone Star 2” building their own rocket while Sydney explains how Lone Star created the first rockets.

“My Three Suns” features a lesson about the planet Proxima B, which has three suns after clouds keep jet and his friends from playing a game of Shadow Tag.  Meanwhile Face 9000 tries its hand at comedy.  The short’s companion, “Magnet PI” finds Sean trying his hand at magic as “The Great Seanzo.”

“Water, Water Everywhere” features a story that follows Jet and company around the Earth, discovering all the ways and places where and how water is found.  the kids help Sydney write a Commander Cressida story in it’s companion episode, “Commander Cressida Story Contest.”

The other episodes featured in this volume are “Freebird”/”Sean’s Robotic Arm,” “Ain’t No Mars Mountain High Enough/”Treasure Hunt” and “Earth, Wind And Flyer”/”Mini-Golf.”

Ready Jet Go! news, games, activities and printables are available online now at:

 

Website: http://psbkids.org/readyjetgo

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/OfficialReadyJetGo

 

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PBS Distribution To Release New ‘Splash And Bubbles’ Movie On DVD

Courtesy: PBS/PBS Kids/PBS Distribution

PBS Distribution will release the Splash and Bubbles movie Pole To Pole on DVD Tuesday.

The movie follows Splash and his friends as they travel from the Antarctic to the Arctic, learning about the different ways in which life thrives below the waves.  The group learns about topics, such as migratory patterns, food chains within given habitats and the various types of life that make up each food chain through its global journey.

Splash and Bubbles: Pole To Pole will retail for MSRP of $6.99. More information on the DVD is available online now along with lots of games, activities, printables and more at:

 

Website: http://pbskids.org/splashandbubbles

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/SplashAndBubbles

 

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Amon Amarth Debuts ‘Shield Wall’ Video; Launches North American Tour

Courtesy: Metal Blade Records

Amon Amarth debuted the video for its latest single this week.

The band debuted the video for its new single ‘Shield Wall‘ Thursday.  The song is taken from the band’s new album Beserker.  The video, directed by Phil Wallis and produced by Alexander Milas/Twin V. Ltd., features a historically accurate depiction of viking battlefield tactics as a group of vikings works to hold off a horde of invaders against the song’s musical backdrop.  The video was shot on-site in Wolind, Poland, site of the famed Festival of Slavs and Vikings.

‘Shield Wall’ is the fourth single and video to come from Berserker.  The band released a video trilogy featuring videos for the songs ‘Crack The Sky,’ ‘Raven’s Flight‘ and ‘Mjolner, Hammer of Thor‘ ahead of and after the album’s release.

 

Courtesy: Metal Blade Records

The same day the band debuted its new video, it also launched the new North American leg of its tour in support of Berserker.  The tour is scheduled to run through Oct. 26 in Los Angeles, CA and to feature performances in cities, such as Charlotte, NC; Denver, CO and Phoenix, AZ.

The tour’s schedule is noted below.  Arch Enemy, Grand Magus and At The Gates will join Amon Amarth for the tour as special guests.  Tickets are available here.

Berserker World Tour – Raid Of North America tour dates
w/ Amon Amarth, Arch Enemy, At The Gates, Grand Magus
September 30 – Edmonton, AB – Edmonton Convention Centre
October 1 – Calgary, AB – Grey Eagle
October 3 – Salt Lake City, UT – The Complex
October 4 – Denver, CO – Fillmore Auditorium
October 6 – Minneapolis, MN – Skyway Theater
October 7 – Chicago, IL – The Riviera Theater
October 9 – Toronto, ON – Rebel
October 10 – Montreal, QC – M Telus
October 11 – Montreal, QC – M Telus
October 12 – New York, NY – Hammerstein Ballroom
October 13 – Silver Spring, MD – The Fillmore
October 15 – Charlotte, NC – The Fillmore
October 16 – Atlanta, GA – Tabernacle
October 18 – New Orleans, LA – The Fillmore
October 19 – Houston, TX – House Of Blues
October 20 – San Antonio, TX – The Aztec Theatre
October 22 – Phoenix, AZ – The Van Buren
October 23 – Las Vegas, NV – House Of Blues
October 25 – San Francisco, CA – The Warfield
October 26 – Los Angeles, CA – The Palladium

More information on Amon Amarth’s tour, video and more is available online now at:

 

Website: http://www.amonamarth.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/AmonAmarth

Twitter: http://twitter.com/amonamarthband

 

To keep up with the latest sports and entertainment news and reviews, go online to http://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” it.  Fans can always keep up with the latest sports and entertainment news and reviews in the Phil’s Picks blog at https://philspicks.wordpress.com.

INK Debuts ‘IT Is The End’ Video; Launches North American Tour

Courtesy: Fearless Records

Ice Nine Kills debuted the video for its latest single this week.

The band debuted the video for its new single ‘IT Is The End‘ Tuesday.  The video, directed by Daniel Hourihan, is the finale in a series of videos and singles, all of which have come from the band’s 2018 album The Silver Scream and features appearances from members of Fenix TX and Less Than Jake.

The band’s video series from  The Silver Scream also features videos for the songs ‘Thank God It’s Friday,’ ‘Stabbing in the Dark,’ ‘A Grave Mistake‘ and ‘The American Nightmare.’

Most recently, the band debuted the video for the song ‘Savages,’ also taken from The Silver Scream, as well as ‘Enjoy Your Slay‘ and ‘Merry Axe-mas.’

The band is scheduled to re-issue The Silver Scream Oct. 25 in an expanded package that features a new cover song, four acoustic takes of songs from the album and a new song that pays tribute to director Wes Craven’s hit slasher flick Scream.

 

Courtesy: Fearless Records/SRO

INK opens its new North American tour run tonight in Cleveland, OH.  The tour, which also will feature performances from Fit For A King, Light The Torch, Make Them Suffer, and Awake At Last, is scheduled to run through Dec. 1 in New York, NY.  The tour’s schedule is noted below

ICE NINE KILLS upcoming tour dates are as follows:

DATE		CITY	VENUE
Tue	10/29	Cleveland, OH	House of Blues *
Sat	11/2	Milwaukee, WI	The Rave Club *
Sun	11/3	Minneapolis, MN	Varsity Theater *
Mon	11/4	Estes Park, CO	The Stanley Hotel
Tue	11/5	Denver, CO	Summit Music Hall *
Wed	11/6	Salt Lake City, UT	The Depot *
Fri	11/8	Las Vegas, NV	Brooklyn Bowl *
Sat	11/9	Los Angeles, CA	Belasco Theater *
Sun	11/10	Phoenix, AZ	The Van Buren *
Tue	11/12	Dallas, TX	House of Blues *
Wed	11/13	Houston, TX	House of Blues *
Thu	11/14	San Antonio, TX	Aztec Theater *
Sat	11/16	Pensacola, FL	Vinyl Music Hall *
Sun	11/17	Tampa, FL	Ritz Ybor *
Mon	11/18	Ft. Lauderdale, FL	Revolution Live *
Wed	11/20	Atlanta, GA	Buckhead Theater *
Thu	11/21	Charlotte, NC	The Underground – Fillmore *
Fri	11/22	Baltimore, MD	Baltimore Soundstage *
Sat	11/23	Pittsburgh, PA	Roxian Theater *
Mon	11/25	Philadelphia, PA	Theater of Living Arts *
Tue	11/26	Detroit, MI	St. Andrews Hall *
Wed	11/27	Chicago, IL	House of Blues *
Sat	11/30	Worcester, MA	The Palladium *
Sun	12/1	New York, NY	Webster Hall *

* = SiriusXM Octane Presents “Octane Accelerator Tour” with Fit For a King, Light The Torch, Make Them Suffer & Awake At Last

More information on the band’s upcoming North American tour, its new singles and videos and all of its latest news is available online now at:

 

Website: http://www.iceninekills.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/IceNineKills

Twitter: http://twitter.com/iceninekills

 

To keep up with the latest sports and entertainment news and reviews, go online to http://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” it.  Fans can always keep up with the latest sports and entertainment news and reviews in the Phil’s Picks blog at https://philspicks.wordpress.com.

Clutch Announces Dates For Annual Holiday Run

Courtesy: New Ocean Media

Clutch announced this week, the dates for its annual Holiday Run.

The band made the announcement Thursday.  The tour is scheduled to launch Dec. 27 in Cincinnati, OH and to run through Dec. 31 in Philadelphia, PA.

The Steel Woods will serve as support for each show while Damon Johson (Brother Cane, Thin Lizzy, Alice Cooper) will open each show except Clutch’s Asheville, NC date.  Tyler Bryant and The Shakedown will open that concert.

The tour’s schedule is noted below.  Tickets are available now at the band’s official website.

Clutch Annual Holiday Tour Dates:

Fri/Dec-27 Cincinnati, OH @ Bogarts

Sat/Dec-28 Asheville, NC @ Orange Peel (support from Tyler Bryant and the Shakedown)

Sun/Dec-29 Washington, DC @ 9:30 Club

Mon/Dec-30 Sayreville, NJ @ Starland Ballroom

Tue/Dec-31 Philadelphia, PA @ Union Transfer (New Years Eve Show)

Clutch is touring alongside Dropkick Murphys and Hatebreed.  The tour is scheduled to make its way to Chicago, IL Monday night before winding its way through the Midwest throughout the rest of the week.  Tickets for the tour are available here.  The tour’s schedule is noted below.

(headline** and festival* dates) = no Dropkick Murphys.

Clutch headline ** show support below.

 Sun/Sep-29 Detroit, MI @ Masonic Temple Theatre

 Mon/Sep-30 Chicago, IL @ Aragon

 Tue/Oct-01 Minneapolis, MN @ The Myth

 Thu/Oct-03 Moorhead, MN @ Bluestem Center For The Arts

 Fri/Oct-04 Council Bluffs, IA @ Westfair Amphitheatre

 Sat/Oct-05 Broomfield, CO @ FirstBank Center

 Sun/Oct-06 Salt Lake City, UT @ The Union

 Tue/Oct-08 Los Angeles, CA @ The Palladium

 Wed/Oct-09 San Diego, CA @ Park at the Park

 *Fri/Oct-11 Sacramento, CA @ Aftershock Festival

 **Sat/Oct-12 Bend, OR @ Midtown Theater (support: Red Fang, Mos Generator)

 **Sun/Oct-13 Eugene, OR @ McDonald Theater (support: Red Fang, Mos Generator)

 Mon/Oct-14 Boise, ID @ Outlaw Field at Idaho Botanic Gardens

 Tue/Oct-15 Seattle, WA @ WAMU Theatre

** = HEADLINE SHOW

* = FESTIVAL

Clutch’s tour is in support of its most recent album Book of Bad Decisions (2018).  More information on each item is available online now along with all of the band’s latest news at:

 

Website: http://www.pro-rock.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/clutchband

Twitter: http://twitter.com/clutchofficial

 

To keep up with the latest sports and entertainment news and reviews, go online to http://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” it.  Fans can always keep up with the latest sports and entertainment news and reviews in the Phil’s Picks blog at https://philspicks.wordpress.com.

Another Lost Year Debuts ‘H.O.M.E.’ Video

Courtesy: O’Donnell Media Group

Another Lost Year debuted the video for its latest single this week.

The band debuted the video for its song ‘H.O.M.E.‘ The video crosses footage of the band performing its song against an evening backdrop with footage of the band members enjoying time with family and friends.

The song’s musical arrangement is a melodic hard composition that will appeal to a wide range of listeners.  The band’s front man Clinton Cunanan talked about the song’s lyrical content in a recent interview, noting it is a love letter to the band’s home state.

“I feel where I came from is the reason I work nonstop,” he said.  “I wanted to write a song to pay tribute to that, a Friday night anthem for anyone, anywhere.  North Carolina has had some amazing talent come out of it.  I hope to have one day left my mark for where I call HOME.”

‘H.O.M.E.’ is available now through Spotify, iTunes and Apple Music.  The band is scheduled to join Dark Station in November.  Dates for that tour will be announced soon.

More information on the upcoming tour is available online along with all of the band’s news at:

 

Website: http://www.whoisALY.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/AnotherLostYear

Twitter: http://twitter.com/Official_ALY

 

To keep up with the latest sports and entertainment news and reviews, go online to http://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” it.  Fans can always keep up with the latest sports and entertainment news and reviews in the Phil’s Picks blog at https://philspicks.wordpress.com.

‘Living The Dream Tour’ Is A “Dream” Come True For All Rock Fans

Courtesy: Eagle Rock Entertainment

Slash and his fellow musicians Myles Kennedy and The Conspirators made quite the impact on the music community last year when they released their latest album Living The Dream.  The tour in support of the album – Slash’s third solo record with Myles Kennedy and The Conspirators and his fourth overall solo record – proved just as successful selling out venue after venue.  That tour proved so successful, that the group partnered with Eagle Rock Entertainment to release one performance from that hit tour last week in the form of Living The Dream Tour.  Originally recorded Feb. 20, 2019 at the Hammersmith Apollo Theatre in London, the 22-song, two-and-a-half-hour set is a performance that the group’s longtime fans will enjoy just as much as its newer audiences.  That is due in part to the noted expansive set list, which will be discussed shortly.  The band’s performance of said set plays into the recording’s performance just as much as its actual set.  It will be addressed a little later.  The bonus content featured with the recording rounds out the recording’s most notable elements.  It will also be addressed later.  When it is considered along with the recording’s set list and the band’s performance thereof, the whole of the elements makes Living The Dream Tour a dream come true for all rock fans.

Living The Dream Tour, the latest live recording from Slash ft. Myles Kennedy & The Conspirators, is another positive new live offering from the rock collective that rock aficionados everywhere will enjoy.  That is due in part to the recording’s expansive set list.  The 22-song, two-and-a-half-hour set pulls tracks from all four of Slash’s solo albums.  It should be noted in advance that while some of the songs featured in this recording are also featured in the band’s 2015 live recording – also from Eagle Rock Entertainment – Live At The Roxy 9.25.14, (seven songs to be exact), that leaves exactly 15 songs not featured in said recording.  The band’s 2018 album Living The Dream appropriately makes up the majority of this recording’s set list, with seven total nods.  Slash’s 2010 self-titled solo debut is represented with six songs while Apocalyptic Love and World on Fire each receive four nods.  In other words, the group reaches liberally into its overall catalog to give listeners a wide range of material.  This is important to note because as most people know, there are acts that might tour in support of one album, but their set lists are more focused on anything but.  It has and does happen to this day.  To that end, this set list proves to be entertaining for all of the band’s fans.

The set list stands out not just because of the fact that it reaches into all of the group’s albums, but also because of its sequencing.  The set list opens with one of the seven noted songs from Living The Dream, but wastes no time switching things up, with the next two songs coming from the group’s 2012 album Apocalyptic Love.  The group reaches even farther back from there, with the next two songs taking listeners back to Slash’s 2010 self-titled debut album.  The band turns the attention back to Living The Dream again briefly from here before going back to 2014’s World on Fire.  The variations continue from there to the show’s end, with an homage to Guns N’ Roses in the band’s performance of ‘Nighttrain.’  That song is the only GNR song featured in this set list, whereas the band’s aforementioned 2015 recording featured two GNR songs.  Simply put, the band keeps things original from start to end for listeners in this set list, ensuring audiences’ engagement and entertainment.  That is helped even more through the energy in the set’s sequencing.  The only time in which the set slows down at all comes late in the concert’s run.  The “slower” songs that are featured at other points in the set are still heavy in their own right.  Keeping that in mind, the sequencing of the set proves that much more important to the whole of this recording.  It is just one part of what makes the recording stand out.  The band’s performance of the set list adds its own value to the recording.

The band’s performance of the concert’s set list is important to discuss because it plays into the concert’s noted overall energy.  As noted, the set’s sequencing ensures that the show’s energy remains high from beginning to end.  The “slower” songs are slow, but are still heavy blues-based compositions that will keep audiences entertained and engaged.  Only one in the show do things really pull back all the way around.  The band helps maintain the energy by wasting little to no time doing any audience interaction at any point.  That is not to say that the group doesn’t interact with the audience.  It is to say that the interactions are rare.  The band, instead, uses the most of the concert to give audiences as much music and entertainment as possible.  Even the standard band introductions are reserved for a point closer to the show’s end, and are brief at best.  As each song ends, the down time between each song’s performance is minimal at best.  That ensures even more, audiences’ engagement and entertainment.  The energy that each of the band’s members puts into his respective performance adds even more to that general effect.  All things considered, the band’s performance adds to much to the recording that coupled with the set list itself, the two together make for more than enough for audiences to enjoy.

The set list featured in Living The Dream Tour and the band’s performance thereof are both key to the recording’s whole presentation.  They are not, however, its only key elements.  The brief bonus behind-the-scenes featurette that comes with the recording adds its own slight touch to the recording’s presentation.  Audience get to hear from Slash and from Myles Kennedy in the roughly 10 minute featurette as they sit back stage pre-concert.  The performers talk, in separate interviews, about topics, such as the band members’ connection as a unit, the band’s routine and also making music in general.  Kennedy talks frankly about how the group’s pre- and post-concert routines might be surprising, noting that the band doesn’t party and do all the things one might think a band does.  That in itself is a surprise.  He and Slash echo one another’s statements about the friendships between the band members and how that helps make the performances so fun.  They even discuss performing at the Hammersmith, noting their love for the venue.  Again, the overall presentation here is brief, but even with that brevity, the discussions are still in-depth in their own right, offering audiences that much more entertainment and engagement.  When this is considered along with the concert’s set list and the band’s performance thereof, all three elements make the recording’s overall presentation one that rock fans across the board will enjoy and a welcome new live offering from Slash ft. Myles Kennedy and The Conspirators.

Slash ft. Myles Kennedy and The Conspirators’ new live recording Living The Dream Tour is only the second live recording that the rock collective has released since the group released its first studio recording roughly seven years ago.  Considering it is only the group’s second live recording, it is an impressive new offering that serves to show the group’s strength.  The recording offers audiences plenty to appreciate, beginning with its expansive set list.  The set list pulls from each of the group’s studio recordings and Slash’s self-titled 2010 album.  The band’s performance of the show’s set list adds even more for audiences to enjoy.  The bonus behind-the-scenes featurette is brief, but still offers its own share of entertainment and engagement.  Each item is important in its own right to the whole of Living The Dream Tour’s whole in its own way.  All things considered, they make the recording a “dream” come true for every rock fan.  More information on the recording is available online now along with all of the group’s latest news at:

 

 

 

Website: http://www.slashonline.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/Slash

Twitter: http://twitter.com/Slash

 

 

 

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