Mercury Studios To Re-Issue George Benson Montreux Jazz Festival Concert

Courtesy: Mercury Studios

Mercury Studios will re-issue jazz guitarist George Benson’s 1986 Montreux Jazz Festival performance this summer.

George Benson: Live at Montreux 1986 is scheduled for release July 14 on a DVD/2CD set, almost 37 years to the day since the performance took place. The company previously released the concert in 2005 on DVD when it was still known as Eagle Rock Entertainment, making the 2-CD presentation a new addition to this re-issue.

The 15-song set list captures performances by Benson representing much of his catalog up to that point. It includes performances of songs, such as ‘On Broadway,’ ‘Lady Love Me (One More Time), and ‘In Your Eyes.’

The recording’s track listing is noted below. The DVD tracklisting is the same as the 2 CDs

TRACK LISTING

CD1
1. Feel Like Making Love
2. Off Broadway
3. Weekend In L.A.
4. Lady Love Me (One More Time)
5. Love Ballad
6. Beyond The Sea
7. Affirmation
8. My Latin Brother

CD2
1. Love x Love
2. In Your Eyes
3. The Greatest Love Of All
4. 20/20
5. Never Give Up On A Good Thing
6. Turn Your Love Around
7. On Broadway

More information on the recording is available along with other titles from Mercury Studios at:

Website: https://mercurystudios.com

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/mercurystudios

To keep up with the latest news and reviews, go online to https://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.

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Motorhead Announces Details For New Live Recording

Motorhead fans will get another live recording from the band’s surviving members this year.

The band is scheduled to release Live at the Montreux Jazz Festival 2007 June 16 through BMG. Audiences can pre-order the recording now and check out the band’s performance of Thin Lizzy’s ‘Rosalie,’ which was part of the concert’s set list here.

The concert featured in the recording was captured July 7, 2007 during Motorhead’s “Kiss Of Death Tour.” It featured the lineup of its legendary front man/bassist Lemmy Kilmister, drummer Mikkey Dee, and guitarist Phil “Wizzo” Campbell.

The band’s 19-song set list includes not only its cover of Thin Lizzy’s ‘Rosalie,’ but also songs, such as ‘Ace of Spades,’ ‘Over The Top’ and ‘Stay Clean.’ The set list is noted below:

Tracklist :

1. Snaggletooth

2. Stay Clean

3. Be My Baby

4. Killers

5. Metropolis

6. Over The Top

7. One Night Stand

8. I Got Mine

9. In The Name Of Tragedy

10. Sword Of Glory

11. Rosalie

12. Sacrifice

13. Just ‘Cos You Got The Power

14. Going To Brazil

15. Killed By Death

16. Iron Fist

17. Whorehouse Blues

18. Ace Of Spades

19. Overkill

Live at the Montreux Jazz Festival 2007 will release on separate 2 LP and 2 CD platforms and digitally. Full details of the recording and its platforms is available here.

Live at the Montreux Jazz Festival 2007 is just the latest Motorhead recording released through BMG. The company most recently re-issued Motorhead’s 1982 album, Iron Fist in September 2022.

Silver Lining Music followed up its release with the re-issue of the band’s 2015 album Bad Magic (the band’s 23rd and final record) in February in the form of Bad Magic: Seriously Bad Magic.

Early this month, veteran power metal band Sabaton took on Motorhead’s classic song, ‘1916‘ with its own take of the tune. The song is included in Sabaton’s new EP, Stories from the Western Front.

More information on Live at the Montreux Jazz Festival 2007 is available along with all of the latest Motorhead news at:

Website: https://www.motorhead.com

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/myMotorhead

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.  

Mercury Studios’ Ella Fitzgerald Montreux Show Re-Issue IsThe First Of 2023’s Top New Live CDs

Courtesy: Mercury Studios

Ella Fitzgerald is one of the most important, iconic figures in the jazz community.  That goes without saying.  The Montreux Jazz Festival is one of the most iconic music festivals for the music community.  So when Fitzgerald made her debut performance at the festival in what would have been only its third year in existence in 1969, the coming together of the two sides made perfect sense.  It was one of so many concerts that would help the festival go on to become one of the world’s premiered music festivals, too.  More than 30 years after that performance, in 2005, Fitzgerald’s fans and jazz fans in general finally got to experience it for the first time in full through a DVD presentation of her concert.  Released through Mercury Studios (then Eagle Rock Entertainment), it marked the first time ever that the 66-minute concert had seen the light of day in a full, official release.  Now more than 15 years after its release, the iconic concert will get new life in a new re-issue on CD and vinyl Friday through Mercury Studios.  The primary highlight comes in the form of its liner notes.  They will be discussed shortly.  The set list featured in the recording is its own highlight and will be discussed a little later.  The concert’s production rounds out its most important elements and will also be examined later.  Each item noted is important in its own right to the whole of the recording.  All things considered they make Mercury Studios’ new forthcoming re-issue of Ella Fitzgerald: Live at Montreux 1969 one of this year’s top new live CDs.

Mercury Studios’ forthcoming re-issue of Ella Fitzgerald: Live at Montreux 1969 is a presentation that Fitzgerald fans and jazz aficionados in general will find fully engaging and entertaining in its latest presentation on CD and vinyl.  Its appeal comes in part through its liner notes.  The liner notes, penned by writer Peter Gamble, fill a page and a half inside the booklet that accompanies the recording in its CD pressings.  Originally penned by Gamble in 2004 – meaning it is likely these liner notes were included in the concert’s 2005 DVD release. Anyone who has that release is welcome to inform this critic further on this matter – the notes point out that Fitzgerald performed at Montreux at least half a dozen times over her career and that when she made her debut at the festival in 1969, she was already a household name   in her own right around the world.  This is important to note because it really further serves to show why the pairing of Fitzgerald and the festival was a common sense move. This especially as Gamble points out early in the liner notes that in their fancy, so many jazz festivals needed big names for success because jazz was considered to have a “minority appeal” as a genre.  In other words, jazz was not the most popular music at the time.  There is no racial connotation here.

Understanding jazz festivals’ need for big names in order to be successful, audiences are immediately led at this point to wonder why it took three years for Montreux’s organizers to get Fitzgerald on board, considering her already established global notoriety.  That discussion in itself further shows the importance of the recording’s liner notes.

Gamble further points out in his notes, the set list that Fitzgerald performed at her debut Montreux performance was composed of songs taken from her then latest compilation record, Sunshine of Your Love, which included a take of the Cream classic by the same name.  He points out in the notes, the record’s overall presentation surprised many of her established audiences, and not necessarily in a good way.  That is because it mixed so much pop influence with her more well-known jazz leanings.  It took her in a decidedly new direction.  Gamble notes that Fitzgerald and her fellow musicians taking the majority of the record for the set list also surprised audiences at the festival because those audiences also were expecting the jazz standards she had made so popular early in her career.  This builds even more on the discussion on her performance and why organizers had waited as long as they had to bring her on board.  Perhaps had they brought her on earlier, those standards would have been more prominent, but that is now a story for another time.  Either way, it further shows the importance of the record’s liner notes.

Noting the set list featured here, it clearly was controversial at the time.  Looking at the set list in the bigger picture of the presentation here, the set list is important because it is the full set list featured in the concert’s 2005 DVD presentation.  What’s more it is the same concert presented in the same order as that in the 2005 DVD release.  In other words, regardless of whether audiences already own that DVD presentation, they are getting the same set list in both platform’s presentation.  That means having the full historical/musical document even in this case.  Knowing that there are concerts out there whose track listings do in fact vary from one source to another, it makes this aspect of the recording all the more important.

Keeping in mind the importance of the set list featured here and the liner notes that accompany the recording, audiences clearly have plenty to appreciate from this record.  They are just part of what makes the record as engaging and entertaining as it is.  The production puts the finishing touch to the presentation.  The balance of Fitzgerald’s vocals and the performance of her accompanying musicians is expert.  That is especially as the collective makes its way through ‘Sunshine of Your Love.’  Fitzgerald almost sounds like Janis Joplin with her gritty vocal delivery here.  That delivery cuts through so clearly even as her fellow performers get increasingly energetic through the song.  No one performer overpowers the others at any point here.  On the exact opposite end, the production shines through just as much in the more subtle song, ‘A Place For Lovers.’  The subtle swing in the song is captured just as well both from Fitzgerald and pianist Tommy Flanagan.  The airy-ness of the venue brings out the richness of Fitzgerald’s performance here, too, again, thanks to the production.  Her vocals (and her companions’ performances) ring through the venue so clearly, virtually encompassing listeners in the concert as they close their eyes and take in the concert.  On yet another note, the group’s performance of ‘Well Alright Okay You Win’ further shows the impact of the concert’s positive production, really capturing the swing from the collective.  The way in which drummer Ed Thigpen’s snare drum cuts through as it keeps the beat and the power in Fitzgerald’s delivery comes through so clearly.  Flanagan’s performance on the piano gets just as much attention, again, thanks to the production.  The balance of each part continues to show the role that the production plays in this recording and is just one more example of its importance.  When the positive impact of the production is considered alongside the positives of the set list and the liner notes, the whole here becomes an early contender for a spot among this year’s top new live CDs.

Mercury Studios’ new, forthcoming CD and vinyl presentation of Ella Fitzgerald: Live at Montreux 1969 is not its first release, but it is one of the first great live CD recordings planned for release this year.  Its appeal comes in part through its featured liner notes.  Whether the liner notes featured here are also included in the concert’s 2005 DVD release is something those with the DVD will know.  Either way, they present an interesting background on the concert that is certain to generate plenty of discussion.  The set list featured in the recording is just as important here as the recording’s liner notes.  That is because it is the exact same set list in the exact same order as that featured in the recording’s 2005 DVD presentation.  It means audiences get the exact same concert here as that featured in the noted DVD presentation.  No one is being left out, in other words.  The record’s production rounds out its most important elements.  That is because it makes audiences feel like they are right there in the venue, taking in the concert, what with the expert balance in the sound quality.  Each item examined here is important in its own way to the whole of this presentation.  All things considered they make Mercury Studios’ new re-issue of Ella Fitzgerald: Live at Montreux 1969 the first of this year’s great new live CDs.

Ella Fitzgerald: Live at Montreux 1969 is scheduled for release Friday through Mercury Studios.  More information on this and other titles from Mercury Studios is available at:

Website: https://mercurystudios.com

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/mercurystudios

To keep up with the latest entertainment news and reviews, go online to https://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.

Eagle Rock Entertainment Announces Release Date, Specs For John Lee Hooker Concerts Set

Courtesy: Eagle Rock Entertainment/Montreux Sounds

Eagle Rock Entertainment will take audiences back to the famed Montreux Jazz Festival again next month.

The company is scheduled to release John Lee Hooker Live at Montreux 1983 & 1990 on Nov. 6.  The presentation will release on separate 2LP, digital video & digital audio platforms.  The 1983 set features fan favorites, such as ‘Boogie Chillen,’ ‘Boom Boom,’ and ‘Worried Life Blues’ while his 1990 show featured ‘I’m In The Mood,’ ‘Baby Lee’ and ‘The Healer’ as well as another rendition of ‘Boom Boom’ and ‘Boogie Chillen.’

On a side note, Eagle Rock Entertainment’s recent live recording from The Rolling Stones, Steel Wheels Live also featured Hooker performing ‘Boogie Chillen’ alongside Mick Jagger and company.  The recording is available now.

Hooker was joined by the Coast to Coast Band for each of the featured performances.  The 1983 show saw the group’s performance of ‘Boogie Chillen’ expand to a 13-person jam session that featured performances from famed blues figures, such as guitarist Luther Allison and harmonica great Sugar Blue.

The track listing for the recording is noted below.  Pre-orders are open now.  A trailer for the recording is streaming here.

LIVE AT MONTREUX 1983 – LP 1
SIDE ONE
1. It Serves Me Right To Suffer
2. I Didn’t Know
3. Hi-Heel Sneakers
4. If You Take Care Of Me, I’ll Take Care Of You
5. Boom Boom

SIDE TWO
1. Worried Life Blues
2. I’m Jealous
3. Crawlin’ King Snake
4. Boogie Chillen

LIVE AT MONTREUX 1990 – LP 2
SIDE THREE
1. John Lee Hooker Introduction
2. Mabel
3. I’m In The Mood
4. Crawlin’ King Snake
5. Baby Lee

SIDE FOUR
1. It Serves Me Right To Suffer
2. Boom Boom
3. The Healer
4. Boogie Chillen’

More information on John Lee Hooker Live at Montreux 1983 & 1990 is available along with all of the latest John Lee Hooker news at:

 

Website: http://www.johnleehooker.com

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

Twitter: http://twitter.com/johnleehooker

 

More information on this and other titles from Eagle Rock Entertainment is available at:

 

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

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

Twitter: http://twitter.com/EagleRockNews

 

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.

Montreux Jazz Festival “54th Summer Of Music” Launches Online Friday

Courtesy: Eagle Rock Entertainment

The annual Montreux Jazz Festival is going on despite the COVID-19 pandemic.

The festival is scheduled to start Friday and to run through July 18.  Since the festival will not take place in person this year, it has been moved online and will feature classic performances from famed artists, such as Nina Simone, Deep Purple, and Etta James.  Additionally, it will feature the premieres of performances from performers and bands, such as John Lee Hooker, Tom Misch, and Kenny Wayne Shepherd.  One performance will stream daily over the course of that 16-day span.

The “festival’s” schedule is noted below.

 

“Summer Of Music” Line Up

John Lee Hooker (1983) — world premiere — Friday July 3
Charles Bradley (2016) — world premiere — Saturday July 4
Dimeh, Slimka, Makala et Varnish la Piscine (2016) — Sunday July 5
Suzanne Vega (2004) — Monday July 6
Rory Gallagher (1979) — Tuesday July 7
Charles Mingus (1975) — Wednesday July 8
Carlos Santana Plays the Blues (2004) — Thursday July 9
Bang Bang Romeo (2019) — world premiere — Friday July 10
Angelique Kidjo and Friends (2016) — world premiere— Saturday July 11
Nina Simone (1976) — Sunday July 12
Deep Purple Live with Orchestra (2011) — Monday July 13
Etta James (1993) — Tuesday July 14
BB King (1993) — Wednesday July 15
Kenny Wayne Shepherd (2019) — world premiere — Thursday July 16
Tom Misch (2019) — world premiere — Friday July 17
Marvin Gaye (1980) — Saturday July 18

 

Dubbed the “54th Summer of Music,” this year’s retrospective showcase will stream through the festival’s official YouTube channel.  It was made possible through a partnership between Eagle Rock Entertainment and Montreux Media Ventures.

Montreux Festival CEO Mathieu Jaton talked about the upcoming festival streams in a recent interview.

“Since its beginnings in 1967, the Montreux Jazz Festival has been immensely fortunate to have built up, thanks to the visionary spirit of Claude Nobs, a rich and unique audiovisual archive,” he said.  “This heritage has made the Festival famous and continues to make it shine through initiatives such as the 54th Summer of Music, made possible through our collaboration with the Claude Nobs Foundation, Eagle Rock and the NMAAM. This summer, this heritage is more essential than ever.”

Geoff Kempin added his own thoughts about the online festival.

“Marvin Gaye’s 1980 performance marked the inaugural collaboration between Montreux and Eagle Rock Entertainment, it paved the way for not only an exciting stable of ongoing releases, but also a fantastic line-up of artists at this summer’s Virtual Montreux Festival,” said Kemin. “We are delighted to be partnering with the Montreux Jazz Festival and YouTube in this summer Festival celebrating the diversity of artists that have performed at Montreux.”

Throughout the course of the “54th Summer of Music,” audiences will be able to donate to the National Museum of African-American Music, which is scheduled to open this fall in Nashville, TN.  All advertising revenues raised through the two-week-plus online-only festival will also go to benefit the museum.

Tuwisha Rogers-Simpson talked about the fundraising efforts with her own comments.

“NMAAM is thrilled to partner with Montreux Jazz Festival for this year’s ‘Summer of Music’ virtual event,” said Rogers-Simpson.  “In these uncertain times, music has been a beacon of light in a world of darkness, so we are excited that music lovers from across the globe will be able to share in this experience. Since the early 1600s, the influence of Black music and Black artists has spanned the globe, crossing race, age and even geography. We believe NMAAM to be a global destination where we unite people under a shared banner of music. Montreux is a titan in the popularization of Black music, not just in jazz but across genres, showcasing the wide-ranging impact of Black music and Black sounds. We look forward to what the ‘Summer of Music’ event brings to fans and we hope for a continued friendship and partnership”

More information on the “54th Summer of Music” is available along with all of the latest Montreux Jazz Festival news at:

 

Website: http://www.montreuxjazzfestival.com/en/

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

Twitter: http://twitter.com/MontreuxJazz

 

More information on the festival is available along with all of the latest Eagle Rock Entertainment news at:

 

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

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

Twitter: http://twitter.com/EagleRockNews

 

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.

Eagle Rock Entertainment Announces Home Release Date, Specs For New Miles Davis Doc

Courtesy: Eagle Rock Entertainment

Eagle Rock Entertainment will bring the new Miles Davis documentary Birth of the Cool home next month.

The documentary, which originally premiered at the 2019 Sundance Film Festival, grossed more than $1 million during its recent theatrical run.  It is scheduled for home release April 10, and will be available as a BD/DVD combo pack and 2DVD with bonus Montreux concert footage and 16-page hardcover book and all digital platforms.  The Montreux footage was culled from Davis’ performances at the festival in 1973, 1984 and 1985.

The performance listing for the Montruex shows is noted below.

 

BONUS DVD – ALL LIVE FROM MONTREUX Tracklisting
1.) Ife (1973)
2.) Star People (1984 Afternoon)
3.) It Gets Better (1984 Afternoon)
4.) Hopscotch; Star On Cicely (1984 Afternoon)
5.) Lake Geneva (1984 Afternoon)
6.) Star People (1985 Evening)
7.) Hopscotch (1985 Evening)

 

The documentary, which also recently aired nationwide on PBS as part of the network’s beloved American Masters series, was directed by three-time Emmy award winner Stanley Nelson. It profiles the life and career of the late great trumpeter Miles Davis.  The profile features never-before-seen live performances and outtakes from Davis’ studio sessions.  It also features interviews with people who knew Davis both professionally and personally, such as Quincy Jones, Carlos Santana, Clive Davis, Wayne Shorter and Ron Carter.

The documentary was nominated for a Grammy at the 62nd annual Grammy Awards and for a NAACP Image Award in the category of “Outstanding Documentary (Film).”

More information on this and other titles from Eagle Rock Entertainment is available online at:

 

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

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

Twitter: http://twitter.com/EagleRockNews

 

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.

 

Eagle Rock’s New Mingus Montreux 1975 2CD Set Is A Solid Audio Companion To Concert’s ’04 DVD Release

Courtesy: Eagle Rock Entertainment

Jazz great Charles Mingus is considered by most critics and aficionados alike to be one of the most important names within the jazz world. From Mingus Ah Um to Cumbia & Jazz Fusion to The Black Saint and the Sinner Lady and beyond, the impact and importance of Mingus’ works both as a composer and band leader have been felt throughout the ages. Sadly, the world lost the greatness that was Charles Mingus what seemed too early in 1979 as a result of Lou Gehrig’s disease, otherwise known as ALS. Luckily, his legacy has since lived on through a variety of re-issues and archived live recordings through various labels. This Friday, Feb. 2, Eagle Rock Entertainment will release the latest of those archived concert recordings when it releases Live at Montreux 1975 on a new 2CD set. The companion piece to the concert’s previously released DVD presentation –released via Eagle Rock Entertainment in 2004 — this recording is such a critical piece of Mingus’ history because it would be one of his final live performances before being diagnosed with the disease, playing one of its most pivotal roles. The concert’s set list is just as important to the recording’s presentation as its back story. Last but most definitely not least of note to examine here is the band’s performance throughout the concert. It will be discussed later. Each element noted here is important in its own right. All things considered, Live at Montreux 1975 proves to be a recording that belongs in the home library of Mingus’ fans and jazz aficionados alike.

Eagle Rock Entertainment’s mew 2CD presentation of Charles Mingus Live at Montreux 1975 is a critical piece of Mingus’ history. Even having been previously released on DVD in 2004, it doesn’t lose that importance. As a matter of fact, the very fact that 13 years have passed since that initial release renews that importance. It proves to be such an important recording in no small part because it would be one of his last live performances before ALS would eventually take away his ability to perform or even record. The 85-minute concert presents Mingus and his band mates (at the time) at the top of their game, often times seemingly untamed and at others so smooth yet throughout. This will be discussed later. What’s more, it presents the band performing two of Mingus’ critical albums in whole along with a pair of equally important covers. This will be discussed shortly. All things considered here, the concert itself proves to be a concert that presents Mingus and company at the top of their collective games. With any luck, it will eventually be complimented with a new Blu-ray re-issue that makes up for the concert’s previous DVD re-issue.

The new 2CD presentation of Charles Mingus Live at Montreux 1975 is an important piece of Mingus’ history in part because of its very background, which has been pointed out. That back story is only one element that makes it such an important recording. Its set list is important in its own way. The concert’s set list is its own important part of its presentation. Audiences will note that the 5-song, 85-minute performance lifts from two of Mingus’ most talked about albums — Changes One and Changes Two, both of which were recorded together in 1974 for Atlantic Records — while also adding in a take on Duke Ellington’s hit song ‘Take The A Train’ and Mingus’ own 1959 classic ‘Goodbye Pork Pie Hat.’ Given, it doesn’t encompass the whole of those two albums, but it does present at least three of the albums’ best works. Even more interesting is that while ‘Take The A Train’ is not included on either record, there is a cover of Ellington’s ‘Sound of Love’ included in Changes Two. That cover is replaced here with ‘Take The A Train.’ The inclusion of the Ellington cover — both on and off record — is important to note because during his life and career, Mingus was called the heir apparent to Ellington. Getting back on track, the songs pulled from Changes One and Changes Two get quite the extended takes — takes that are certain to keep listeners’ attention. That is thanks to the group’s performances, the last of the recording’s most important elements.

The performances put on by Mingus and company throughout the course of the concert definitely stand out, as was noted earlier. At times, the performances feel wild and untamed such as in ‘Cell Block F, ‘Tis Nazi U.S.A.,’ and ‘Sue’s Changes.’ At other times, such as in ‘Goodbye Pork Pie Hat’ and ‘Devil’s Blues,’ is so much calmer. Mingus’ calm, cool work on the bass on ‘Goodbye Pork Pie Hat’ couples expertly with drummer Dannie Richmond and pianist Don Pullen in this song to give it such an enjoyable, relaxed vibe. Saxophonist and trumpeter George Adams and Jack Walrath add their own touch to the song, making it even more smooth. Pullen’s wildly outrageous work on ‘Cell Block F, ‘Tis Nazi U.S.A.’ illustrates quite well the events of the Attica riots. The easygoing vibe of ‘Take The A Train’ from the group in whole stands out just as much. From the playful improved piano line to the time keeping to Mingus’ own work on the bass, listeners can close their eyes and so vividly see passengers getting on and off the train thanks to the group’s work here. It is just one more way in which the group’s performance proves its importance to the concert. Every one of the songs featured in this performance could just as easily. That being the case, it becomes obvious in listening through each performance, why taking in the musicians’ talents, why their performances are so important to this presentation. When they are joined with the recording’s set list and its back story, the end result is a recording that will appeal to jazz fans in general just as much as it will to Mingus’ most devout fans.

Eagle Rock Entertainment’s new Charles Mingus Montreux ’75 2CD set is a presentation that is certain to appeal to any of the famed jazz bassist’s fans and to jazz aficionados in general. The companion piece to Eagle Rock’s 2004 release of the concert recording on DVD, it offers plenty for audiences to appreciate. That is especially considering it is the first time that the recording has been released on CD. The back story behind this concert, and Mingus’ eventual health decline not too long after, adds plenty of interest to the concert. The set list, while not wholly representative of Changes One and Changes Two, presents a rich picture of the albums. The group’s performance over the course of the show’s nearly 90-minute run puts the finishing touch to the recording. Each element, as has been made clear in the discussions here, is important in its own right to the recording’s whole. All things considered, Eagle Rock Entertainment’s new 2CD presentation of Charles Mingus Live at Montreux 1975 proves to be a great companion piece to the concert’s previously released DVD and another piece that Mingus’ fans will appreciate just as much as jazz fans in general. It will be available in stores and online Feb. 2. More information on this and other titles from Eagle Rock Entertainment is available online now at:

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

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

Twitter: http://twitter.com/EagleRockNews

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

Toto Releasing New Live Concert Recording

Courtesy: Eagle Rock Entertainment

Eagle Rock Entertainment and Montreux Sounds have partnered to release another classic concert from the legendary music festival’s archives.

Toto: Live at Montreux 1991 will be released in stores and online on Friday, September 16^th.  It will be released on separate DVD/CD combo pack, Blu-ray + CD combo pack, and digital video.  The concert is a very special recording for fans to have in their home music libraries.  That is because it is one of the performances from what would be the band’s final tour with Jeff and Mike Porcaro alongside original members Steve Lukather and David Paich.  Jeff Porcaro sadly passed away only a year later.  The tour that included this performance was in support of its then new album Kingdom of Desire.  As an additional bonus for fans, the recording presented here was personally mixed by Steve Lukather alongside legendary engineer Niko Bolas (Boz Scaggs, Los Lobos, Johnny Cash, etc.)  The full track listing for Toto: Live at Montreux 1991 is noted below.

 

Track Listing:

1.)  On The Run

2.)  Kingdom of Desire

3.)  I’ll Be Over You

4.)  Africa

5.)  Jake To The Bone

6.)  Red House

7.)  Rosanna

8 )   I Want To Take You Higher

 

More information on Toto: Live at Montreux 1991 is available online now along with the band’s latest news at:

 

 

 

Website: http://totoofficial.com

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

Twitter: http://twitter.com/toto99.com

 

 

 

More information on this and other titles from Eagle Rock Entertainment is available online now at:

 

 

 

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

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

Twitter: http://twitter.com/EagleRockNews

 

 

 

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.

Eagle Rock Entertainment To Release Jarreau’s ’93 Montreux Performance Next Month

Courtesy: Eagle Rock Entertainment/Montreux Sounds

Eagle Rock Entertainment and Montreux Sounds have teamed up to release yet another classic performance from its rich history.

Eagle Rock Entertainment and Montreux Sounds will release Al Jarreau: Live at Montreux 1993 next month.  The concert, originally recorded July 6^th, 1993, will be available in stores and online on Friday, April 15^th.  It will be available exclusively on CD.  The concert was the fifth of his now eleven performances at the famed music festival.  The performance was part of Jarreau’s efforts to promote his then upcoming album Tenderness, which would be released nearly a year and a half later on December 6^th, 1994. The concert’s complete set list is noted below.

 

Track Listing

• We’re In This Love Together

• Try A Little Tenderness

• Summertime

• We Got By

• Mas Que Nada

• She’s Leaving Home

• You Don’t See Me

• Save Your Love For Me

• Your Song

• Alonzo

• Puddit (Put It Where You Want It)

 

Al Jarreau: Live at Montreux 1993 will be available in stores and online Friday, April 15^th.  It will be exclusively on CD for MSRP of $13.98.  More information on this and other titles from Eagle Rock Entertainment is available online now at:

 

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

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

Twitter: http://twitter.com/EagleRockNews

 

More information on this and other recordings from Al Jarreau is available online along with all of the Grammy Award®–winning artist’s news at:

 

Website: http://www.aljarreau.com

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

Twitter: http://twitter.com/ALJarreau

 

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.

ELP Double Disc CD Set Is A Solid Final Entry For Band’s ’97 Montreux Show

Courtesy: Eagle Rock Entertainment/Montreux Sounds

Nearly nine years ago, Eagle Rock Entertainment struck a deal with Montreux Sounds that since that time has led to the release of innumerable concerts from the famed festival’s decades-long history.  That number includes performances from acts across the musical spectrum and years.  One of the earliest of those releases came on November 16th, 2004 in the form of Emerson, Lake & Palmers (ELP as the band is also known) performance at the 1997 Montreux Jazz Festival.  It was released on DVD.  Six years after its release, the concert was re-issued on Blu-ray by Eagle Rock Entertainment.  Now almost eleven years after the release of that first DVD, Eagle Rock Entertainment has finally finished it off with the release of the concert in question on a double-disc CD set.  The very fact that the concert has finally been released in an audio-only presentation is the central reason that it proves to be one that any ELP fan will appreciate.  That will be discussed at more length shortly.  The show’s set list is another reason that ELP fans everywhere will appreciate this new release/re-issue.  It features some of the band’s biggest hits to date over the course of thirteen tracks and roughly hour and a half run time.  Last but hardly least of note to this recording’s positives is its liner notes.  The recording’s liner notes were penned by the members of the band themselves versus by an outsider.  This adds a certain extra enjoyment to the recording as it gives the band members’ own thoughts as opposed to personal thoughts and suppositions from any outside sources.  That final element set against the show’s set list (and the band’s performance by connection), and the recording’s platform makes it one welcome piece for any ELP fan’s collection regardless of whether or not he or she already owns the performance in either of its previous releases.  All three elements together also show once again why Eagle Rock Entertainment remains today the leading name in live recordings.

Earlier this month, Eagle Rock Entertainment released ELP’s classic 1997 performance at the famed Montreux Jazz Festival.  The performance, released on a double-disc CD platform, marks the third time that performance has seen the light of day.  It was originally released on DVD almost eleven years ago by Eagle Rock Entertainment.  Its second release, roughly five years ago, was on Blu-ray also via Eagle Rock Entertainment.  Now, with its release earlier this month on 2 CD set Eagle Rock Entertainment it would seem that Eagle Rock has finally completed releasing the concert on each of its platforms.  To the untrained eye (and ear) this is not very significant.  However the reality is far different.  Ever since Eagle Rock and Montreux Sounds first partnered to release the innumerable performances from the famed festival Eagle Rock has gone on to make a habit of releasing each recording on its multiple formats at once instead of making audiences wait.  That is a big change in comparison to the company’s earliest recordings, this recording included.  While it likely is not the last of the companies’ earlier recordings that have needed to be finished off, it is nice to know that both companies have strived to keep from making audiences wait since then.  It’s just one way in which this new release/re-issue shows itself to be such a welcome recording for ELP’s fans and one more example of why Eagle Rock Entertainment remains today the leading name in live recordings.  The show’s set list and the band’s performance of said set list is just as important to its overall enjoyment and success as its audio-only presentation.

The set list featured in this presentation of ELP’s ’97 Montreux show and the band’s performance thereof are just as important to the presentation’s enjoyment and success as its presentation.  The central reason for this is that the set list is the same as in the concert’s previous pair of releases going all the way back to its original DVD release in 2004.  This is so important because despite what some might believe there are some companies out there that will and do present the same concert with set lists that vary from one platform to the other.  It’s sad but true.  The variances commonly appear in the set lists’ orders.  In other cases, songs have in fact been known to be deleted depending on the platform and recording.  Luckily that hasn’t happened here nor has the set list’s order been altered.  The band’s performance of the show’s songs is just as important as the set list itself.  From beginning to end of the show’s roughly ninety-minute run time the band gives its all, keeping listeners engaged and entertained.  This is the case even in the show’s longer pieces, one of which runs just short of the twenty-minute mark.  The band keeps listeners so entertained that they will not even realize that so much time has passed by the show’s end.  It is yet another reason that this latest release of ELP’s classic Montreux show proves to be as enjoyable as the concert’s previous releases.  In simpler terms, it proves even more through its set list and the band’s performance of said set list to be one more welcome piece for any ELP fan.

ELP’s newly re-issued ’97 Montreux show proves through its very presentation on double-disc DC set to be a welcome addition to any ELP fan’s personal collection.  This is regardless of whether or not fans already own the concert in its previous DVD and Blu-ray presentations.  The fact that the set list from the concert’s original presentation has been held in tact here makes it all the more impressive.  The band’s performance of said songs adds a whole extra level of enjoyment to this recording for ELP’s fans.  While all of the recording’s noted elements do plenty to make it enjoyable for ELP fans of all ages, they are not the only factors that make it such a worthwhile addition to any ELP fan’s collection.  The liner notes included in the recording’s companion booklet add even more reason for the band’s fans.  That is because all three of the band’s members share their own thoughts on the group’s performance at the festival as well as on its founder Claud Nobs and the town of Montreux.  The trio’s sentiments in regards to Nobs are deeply moving in their respect for him.  All three men also paint a picture of the town of Montreux as something right out of a classical work of art.  All of the descriptions are of a town that during most of the year is a sleepy little hollow that is a dream come true for anyone wanting an escape from the hustle and bustle of city life.  But during the annual festival time things really ramp up.  It’s such an interesting juxtaposition to see in one’s own mind.  On a separate but related note, writer Michael Heatley notes ahead of the band members’ own thoughts a brief but concise history of the band’s rise to fame and eventual inclusion at the Montreux Festival.  Audiences that might not be so familiar with the band’s history will be interested to learn that ELP actually got its start at the 1970 Isle of Wight Festival.  Ironically enough, Eagle Rock Entertainment just recently released what would be the last major concert by Rory Gallagher and his band mates in Taste at that same festival on Blu-ray and DVD.  Even more interesting is that where ELP got its start would be the last major mark for one Jimi Hendrix before his untimely death only weeks later.  It’s an interesting six degrees of separation to consider that makes this addition to the recording’s liner notes that much more important to the whole of its presentation.  One can’t help but stop in considering this to think for a moment:  the very festival and year where ELP got its start (according to Heatley) is the same festival that essentially was the last blast for two other acts’ careers.  Together with the concert’s presentation here in a double-disc CD platform and the show’s set alongside the band’s performance of said set, the whole of these elements completes the recording and shows once and for all why any ELP fan will want to have this potentially final installment from the band’s ’97 Montreux show in his or her own home music library.

ELP’s newly released double-disc CD presentation of its performance at the 1997 Montreux Jazz Festival is more than likely the final installment of said performance from the legendary progressive rock band.  That is because the concert has already been released both on DVD and Blu-ray previously in separate years.  That being the case, the CD set’s release this summer in itself is reason enough for the band’s fans to add it to their own home music libraries.  This applies both to those with the concert’s previous releases and those without.  The fact that the set list was kept intact in its presentation makes the recording even more enjoyable. Add in an equally solid performance from the band from start to finish and some rather insightful liner notes in the recording’s companion booklet and ELP fans get one more presentation of its 1997 Montreux show that each will agree is a completely welcome addition to their own personal music library. Fans will be happy to know considering all of this that Emerson, Lake & Palmer: Live at Montreux 1997 is available no in stores and online in its new double-disc CD presentation. More information on this and other titles from Eagle Rock Entertainment is available online now at:

 

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

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

Twitter: http://twitter.com/EagleRockNews

 

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