South Of Eden Tackles VH Classic

Courtesy: TAG Publicity

South of Eden has taken on a classic Van Halen song for its latest single.

The band debuted its take of Van Halen’s ‘Drop Dead Legs‘ Wednesday. The original song is featured in Van Halen’s album, 1984, which was released in 1984. South of Eden’s take on the classic song stays very close to its source material right down to front man Ehab Omran’s vocal delivery.

Omran’s vocals are a near mirror image of those of David Lee Roth throughout the song. Even the choruses and sound from the instrumentation (courtesy of the expert production) makes the song sound so much like Van Halen’s original song. Drummer Tom McCullough even deserves his own applause as his drum setup in the video is clearly meant to mirror that of Alex Van Halen.

Omran talked about the band covering the song in a prepared statement.

“‘Drop Dead Legs’ is one of many VH songs where the riff, lyrics, and groove come together to form a sound signature to those 4 dudes jamming in a room,” he said. “Although we have played ‘Unchained’, ‘Running With the Devil’, ‘Beautiful Girls’ and more of their other tunes live, ‘Drop Dead Legs’ felt like the best choice to encapsulate everything we love about Van Halen! RIP to a legend”

South of Eden’s cover of ‘Drop Dead Legs’ is not available digitally. It is just the latest cover from the band. The group debuted its take of Audioslave’s ‘Show Me How To Live‘ in 2020.

More information on South of Eden’s new cover and its EP, The Talk, is available along with all of the band’s latest news at:

Website: http://southofedenband.com

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

Twitter: http://twitter.com/southofedenband

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

Annihilator Offers Audiences Another Preview Of Its New Album

Courtesy: earMUSIC

Annihilator debuted the latest single from its new album this week.

The band premiered the video for its new single Friday. The song, a cover of Van Halen’s ‘Romeo Delight,’ is the second from the band’s forthcoming album, Metal II, which is scheduled for release Feb. 18. Annihilator debuted the lyric video for the album’s lead single, ‘Downright Dominate’ Nov. 12.

Front man Jeff Waters talked about taking on the Van Halen classic in a prepared statement.

“There was something about Women And Children First,” muses Annihilator’s, said Waters.  “It was massively brutal attitude meeting aggression — meets a DLR-fronted party. You have to remember when this came out. ‘Romeo Delight’ is the most ‘heavy’ song from VH, in my (and Kerry King’s!) opinion.”

“His [Eddie Van Halen’s] playing, writing, performance, and smile were second to none EVER,” added Waters. “He was a superb writer, lead guitar innovator, genius rhythm player, and was able to build a gear empire. He took chances. Did his own thing. It worked. Millions and more will mourn him, as long as the future world likes music. But we also will be celebrating forever, as musicians will continue to hand down the ‘EVH-Influenced-Musical-Genes’ to future generations!”

Annihilator’s take of ‘Romeo Delight’ stays largely true to its source material, backing up Waters’ statement. From the guitars to Waters’ own vocal delivery sound and style (which sounds a lot like that of David Lee Roth), to Fabio Alessandrini’s performance on drums and the very sound there, the song echoes Van Halen’s original quite well. Even bassist Rich Gray’s work on bass is so similar in sound and style to that of Michael Anthony. All of this is a tribute to those responsible for the song’s production. It makes the song sound so much like the original in its general approach.

Annihilator’s video for ‘Romeo Delight’ is a unique presentation. The use of the aged paper with the sepia tone look alongside the black and white cityscapes and their associated visuals makes for its own interesting work.

In other news, Annihilator announced in the noted press release, it is planning to re-issue many of its existing albums through earMUSIC. Exact release dates and which albums will re-issue are under consideration. Annihilator released its latest album, Ballistic,Sadistic. in 2020.

More information on Annihilator’s new album is available along with all of the band’s latest news at:

Website: https://www.annihilatormetal.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/annihilatorband

Twitter: https://twitter.com/annihilatorband

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

Joe Satriani Reveals New LP’s Release Date, Specs

Courtesy: Sony Music/Legacy Recordings

Joe Satriani released the details on his new album this week.

Shapeshifting is scheduled for release April 10 through Sony Music/Legacy recordings.  Satriani debuted the album’s lead single ‘Nineteen Eighty‘ Thursday.  According to multiple media outlets, the song is a tribute to fellow guitar legend Eddie Van Halen.

Satriani talked about his respect for EVH in a recent interview.

“I’ve always been a huge fan of Eddie Van Halen,” he said.  “In my mind, he just crystallized that era.  the late 70s and early 80s, he kind of saved rock guitar.  So that’s what I would have been doing.”

Pre-orders for the 13-song record are open now.  Kenny Aronoff, who filled in for Chad Smith on Chickenfoot’s most recent tour, joins Satriani on this record as one of a handful of special guest musicians.  Also featured on Shapeshifting are the likes of bassist Chris Chaney (Jane’s Addiction), Lisa Coleman (The Revolution) and Christopher Guest.

The album was co-produced by Satriani and Jim Scott (Foo Fighters, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers). John Cuniberti mastered the album.  the album’s track listing is noted below.

 

JOE SATRIANI – “SHAPESHIFTING”

1. Shapeshifting
2. Big Distortion
3. All For Love
4. Ali Farka, Dick Dale, an Alien and Me
5. Teardrops
6. Perfect Dust
7. Nineteen Eighty
8. All My Friends Are Here
9. Spirits, Ghosts and Outlaws
10. Falling Stars
11. Waiting
12. Here The Blue River
13. Yesterday’s Yesterday

 

Satriani will hit the road in support of Shapeshifting beginning April 15 in Mainz, Germany.  The 42-date European tour is scheduled to run through June 11 in Barcelona, Spain.  It will feature performances in cities, such as Paris, France; Vienna, Austria and Glasgow, UK.

The tour’s schedule is noted below.

 

JOE SATRIANI – “THE SHAPESHIFTING TOUR 2020”

DATE                                       CITY, COUNTRY                                  VENUE
4/15/20                       Mainz, Germany                     Halle 45
4/16/20                       Zurich, Switzerland                 Volkshaus Zurich
4/18/20                       Karlsruhe, Germany                Tollhaus
4/19/20                       Berlin, Germany                      Huxleys
4/20/20                       Oberhausen, Germany           Turbinenhalle
4/21/20                       Amsterdam, Netherlands        Melkweg the Max
4/23/20                       Borgerhout, Antwerp               De Roma
4/24/20                       Enschede, Netherlands          Muziekcentrum Enschede
4/25/20                       Winterbach, Germany            Salierhalle
4/27/20                       Aarhus, Denmark                    Train
4/28/20                       Odense, Denmark                   Posten
4/29/20                       Copenhagen, Denmark           Amager Bio
4/30/20                       Stockholm, Sweden                Fryshuset Arenan
5/2/20                         Oslo, Norway                          Rockefeller Music Hall
5/5/20                         Warsaw, Poland                      Stodola Club
5/6/20                         Prague, Czech                         Prague Congress Centre
5/7/20                         Vienna, Austria                       Vienner Stadthalle F
5/8/20                         Budapest, Hungary                 Barba Negra Track
5/10/20                       Bologna, Italy                          Teatro Europauditorium
5/12/20                       Firenze, Italy                           Teatro Verdi
5/14/20                       Napoli, Italy                             Teatro Augusteo
5/15/20                       Lecce, Italy                              Teatro Politeama Greco
5/16/20                       Roma, Italy                              Auditorium Conciliazione
5/18/20                       Milano, Italy                            Teatro Dal Verme
5/19/20                       Nurnberg, Germany                Löwensaal
5/20/20                       Heerlen, Netherlands              RABOzaal Heerlen
5/22/20                       Bexhill, UK                               Bexhill De La Warr
5/23/20                       Glasgow, UK                           O2 Academy Glasgow
5/24/20                       Gateshead, UK                       Gateshead Sage 1
5/25/20                       Manchester, UK                      Bridgewater Hall
5/26/20                       London, UK                             Palladium
5/28/20                       Birmingham, UK                     Birmingham Symphony Hall
5/30/20                       Gerardmer, France                 Gerardmer Motordays Festival
5/31/20                       Strasbourg, France                 La Laiterie
6/2/20                         Paris, France                           L’Olympia
6/4/20                         Nantes, France                        Cite des Congres
6/5/20                         Saint-Malo, France                  La Nouvelle Vague
6/6/20                         Clermont-Ferrand, France       La Cooperative de Mai
6/7/20                         Lyon, France                            Le Transbordeur
6/9/20                         Valencia, Spain                        Auditorio Casa de Cultura Burjassot
6/10/20                       Madrid, Spain                          Sala La Riviera
6/11/20                       Barcelona, Spain                     Sala Barts

More dates TBA shortly…

 

In other news, Joe Satriani’s landmark album Surfing With The Alien recently received the reissue treatment.  The reissue was part of Record Store Day in November, and featured a second disc that itself featured the iconic album without any of its guitar solos (I.E. edited takes of each song).

Also recently released to streaming is the collection Additional Creations and Bonus Tracks.  The 16-song compilation features alternate takes of four songs from his album Engines of Creation as well as 12 other rarities.

More information on Joe Satriani’s forthcoming album and tour is available online at:

 

Website: http://www.satriani.com

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

Twitter: http://twitter.com/chickenfootjoe

 

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

Roy Orbison To Receive New Award

Photo from “The Last Concert” Credit: Janet Macoska

Legendary musician Roy Orbison is gone but definitely not forgotten.  The legendary musician will posthumously receive an award from the Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum.  Orbison will be awarded the Iconic Riff Award.  The award, which is being awarded for the first time, is being awarded to Orbison for his hit 1964 song, ‘Oh, Pretty Woman.’  The song would go on to become a number one single after its original release.

Heads of the Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum said the reason that Orbison was chosen as the first recipient of the award because of the riff that opens ‘Oh, Pretty Woman.’  The song itself has been covered by countless artists. It rose to its biggest fame thanks to rock band Van Halen’s cover of the song.  It was also the inspiration for the hit 1990 rom-com, Pretty Woman, starring Richard Gere and Julia Roberts.  The song itself can even be heard in the movie’s soundtrack.

Along with its numerous covers and use in movies, ‘Oh, Pretty Woman’ the song is also included a new live concert recording from Legacy Recordings titled Black & White Night.  The DVD recording was released this week.  It was recorded in September of 1987 and includes the likes of: Bruce Springsteen, Elvis Costello, Jackson Brown, JD Souther, and Tom Waits joining the star for his hit song.

Roy Orbison is one of the music industry’s most well-known and respected names.  He started his career in 1956.  He was signed to the famed Sun Records at the time.  The label also boasted the likes of Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Johnny Cash on its roster.  It wouldn’t be until he signed a deal and recorded for Monument Records in the early to mid-1960s that his career truly took off.  The release of ‘Oh, Pretty Woman’ marked the peak of his career at the time.  The song, which Orbison co-wrote with Bill Dees, would go on to sell seven million copies and spend three weeks at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 Chart.  It also peaked at number one on the British charts for three weeks.  This was an unprecedented feat for any American recording artist at the time.  That is because The Beatles were dominating both countries’ charts at the time.

A new collection of Orbison’s hits titled The Monument Boxset will be released November 26^th.  The collection is a vinyl only package that includes three of the most well-known and beloved albums that Orbison recorded during his time with Monument Records.  Those records are: Lonely and Blue, Crying, and In Dreams, which was also just recently re-issued on CD.  The new box set also includes a fourth album that had not existed until now.  The album will be centered on ‘Oh, Pretty Woman’ and will be comprised of five tracks.  The album’s songs were chosen by Orbison’s own sons, Alex, Roy Kelton, and Wesley Orbison.  Orbison’s suns have maintained their father’s legacy, running Roy’s Boys LLC, which is responsible for managing their father’s likeness, image, and musical releases.

Roy’s Boys LLC and Legacy Recordings are set to release one more live Roy Orbison concert before the year ends.  The Last Concert – 25^th Anniversary Edition chronicles what would be Orbison’s final concert before his death in 1988.  The concert was recorded on December 4^th, 1988.  That was only two days before he would suffer a fatal heart attack.  The fact that he would pass away only two days later is only part of what makes the upcoming concert so important.  Orbison commonly closed his shows with a performance of ‘Running Scared.’  But recording engineers ran out of tape that night before Orbison performed the song.  The result of that shortage is that ‘Oh, Pretty Woman’ would end up being the final number from his final ever concert.  More information on all upcoming Roy Orbison releases is available online at http://www.royorbison.com and http://www.facebook.com/royorbison.  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.