People are often trying to put together their idea of the best rock group ever, you know like the musical version of a sporting dream team. Well what about Jimi Hendrix and Brian Jones from The Rolling Stones then?

I think if you’re talking rock giants there can be no bigger collaboration than these two acts can there? I stumbled across this rare footage while surfing YouTube. It’s Jimi hanging out back stage with The Stones on his last birthday at Madison Square Gardens.

The music in the background is Jimi Hendrix, Brian Jones, Dave Mason and Mitch Mitchell recorded at the Olympic Studios in London on October 5th 1967, and the tune is called “My Little One”.

Watch Jimi Hendrix with the Rolling Stones video:

This footage and music gives me goose bumps. There is no rock bullshit here, just a few musicians hanging out. You know, no big deal. Jimi and The Stones partying and doing what they do.

Buy Music:

Jimi Hendrix on amazon.com

Jimi Hendrix on amazon.co.uk

Rocks Off – The Rolling Stones fan page, message board, Jimi Hendrix, more

Jimi Hendrix on Wikipedia

By: Dave Tommo

I think this is an appropriate song of the day:

Jimi Hendrix – The Star Spangled Banner

One of the most historic musical moments to accompany one of the most historic days in my lifetime.

Congratulations America; Barack Obama.

With the music compilation ‘Pachyderm…So LARGE…We Ran Out Of Room’, Pachyderm Recording Studio in Minnesota celebrates its first year under new ownership of Matthew M. Mueller of Madison WI who also owns The Cardinal Bar in Madison.

White Light Riot, Down Lo, Gypsy Foot, Kari Marie, The New Congress, Don Smithmier, Snake Beard Jackson, Shades a Gray, Alicia Wiley, Chris Koza, Meredith Fierke, Kenny Lucas and Ben all recorded their contribution to the ‘Pachyderm…So LARGE…We Ran Out Of Room’ CD at the world famous recording studio.

An experience only found in the big woods of Minnesota, Pachyderm Recording Studio is under new ownership. With an all star client list that includes the likes of Nirvana, LIVE, They Might be Giants, Brian Setzer, Indiginous, Soul Asylum and many others, entertainment entrepreneur Matthew Mueller has his sights set high.

“It is more than inspiring to think about the past and what this Rock and Roll Retreat has endured“. Mueller explains. “This is more than the realization of a teen age dream, it is the opportunity to carry forward a torch that has been long lit and has burned bright for the Minneapolis music scene”.

Matt Mueller purchased the property and studio in December of 2006 with the hopes of bringing a dormant legend back to life. Pachyderm Studios and all involved, including the return of Brent Sigmeth, have their sights set on greatness and bringing this hidden gem in Minnesota’ s music history back to it’s former glory.

Throughout the years Pachyderm and its scenic surroundings have withstood the test of hard rockin’ great adventures had by so many within our industry. Pachyderm Recording Studio is a residential recording studio located in rural Cannon Falls, Minnesota 35 miles southeast of the Twin Cities, is one of the most famous recording studios in Minnesota.

A secluded location on a 50 acre private park in old-growth woods with a trout stream, along with vintage recording equipment including Studer tape machines, tube microphones and a Neve 8068 console (the same board that was used in Jimi Hendrix’s Electric Lady Studio recorded AC/DC’s ‘Back In Black’, and the board John Lennon sat at the night he died.) have lured many well-known artists to the site.

The $3.5 million-dollar facility offers lodging in a palatial 6,000 square foot house that boasts an indoor pool and sauna. The house was designed by Herb Bloomberg, a top student of Frank Lloyd Wright and built in 1963 by a local malt magnate. Internationally renowned for the uniquely warm and full sonic characteristics of its performance rooms, the 2,500 square foot studio was designed by Bret Theney of Westlake Audio and built in 1988.

Since opening its doors in fall 1989, Pachyderm has become, outside of Prince’s Paisley Park Studio, the most storied recording venue in Minnesota. Dozens of notable albums have been crafted there, from nationally famous acts such as Superchunk and Kelly Willis to local heroes like Trip Shakespeare and the Honeydogs. The recording of Nirvana’s ‘In Utero’ – the band’s much anticipated follow-up to ‘Nevermind’ and Kurt Cobain’s final album – simply cemented the studio’s permanent place in pop-culture lore.

No one can honestly recall the first significant recording session to take place at Pachyderm. But it was either Soul Asylum’s ‘And the Horse They Rode in On’ or the Gear Daddies’ ‘Billy’s Live Bait’. Either way, it’s clear the studio was in demand the minute it opened its doors. In recent years, however, the number of semis loaded down with amps and guitars pulling into Pachyderm has diminished considerably. In fact, the last high-profile project to be recorded there was Mudvayne’s ‘The End of All Things to Come’, in the summer of 2002.

Like many recording studios, Pachyderm has struggled to book clients as the economics of the industry have soured. With CD sales plummeting, and the advent of technology that allows entire albums to be recorded and mixed in a bedroom or basement, few labels are willing to shell out big money to rent a recording studio for weeks at a time. The company’s fortunes had also dwindled owing to circumstances unique to Pachyderm, and Brent Sigmeth, Pachyderm’s beloved in-house engineer for a decade, walked away due to issues encountered by Pachyderm’s previous owner.

Watch Pachyderm Recording Studio video tour:

Old Growth Forest

The Pachyderm Preservation Project (ProjectPachyderm.org) is an undertaking of a collection of artists and community members to help Pachyderm Studio purchase 28 acres of land immediately adjacent to its current 6 acres. The land is currently up for sale with the intent of clearing it for residential building. Throughout the area are gorgeous waterfalls, woods, and and old growth. It is the desire of Pachyderm and the community that surrounds it to preserve the land and use it, in its natural beauty, as a unique sanctuary of healing, art and community in the Midwest.

For more information:

Conal Garrity – conal@pachydermstudio.com
Pachyderm Recording Studio
7840 Co 17 Blvd
Cannon Falls MN 55009-4048
507-263-5276 -v | 612-597-4759 -c | 507-263-2002 -f

Pachyderm video tour link

Pachyderm Recording Studio Official Website

With a special occasion like Jimi Hendrix’s birthday (27 November 1942), I thought it apropos to scroll through YouTube videos and look for something unique to post.

It’s not as easy finding ‘undiscovered’ videos as it used to be, though. Rare Jimi Hendrix footage that I’ve found in the past on YouTube has since been pulled thanks to Janie Hendrix/Experience Hendrix who handles his estate. But this post isn’t about my sour feelings toward that. It’s about Jimi.

So, I’m taking a chance with this one. Hopefully it will stay up long enough to share with anyone who comes across this entry, a little treasure for today.

This is going against tradition, by the way. This isn’t a ‘normal’ Jimi Hendrix song, it’s a mix. “The Wind Cries Mary Vs. Blackout” by Muse mixed by DJ JohnnyRed.

Now – some traditionalists or Hendrix freaks (like myself) might hate it. Since I am a BIG Muse fan, I thought it was worth the risk, so I watched the video and listened to the song with an open mind.

At first I wasn’t so sure about the mix. Jimi’s voice is a bit ‘off’ with the sound, but as the song progressed with him singing the lyrics to “The Wind Cries Mary” over the string arrangement of Muse’s “Blackout”, I could forgive the discrepancies. My emotions took over as I realized that I had never heard this before. Something ‘new’ from Jimi Hendrix, with a modern edge. Almost as if it was a recently released version of the song. Spooky, but in a good way. It’s touching – and is quite beautiful and sad. The video is well done, too.

Try to listen to the song as if you’ve never heard “The Wind Cries Mary” before. Like it’s an undiscovered Hendrix recording!

Watch Jimi Hendrix “The Wind Cries Mary” Vs. Muse “Blackout” video:

Jimi Hendrix Vs Muse video link

Dj JohnnyRed on Myspace

By: Jenny May – Band Weblogs

Strictly from an observers point of view, I must admit I am curious. It’s hard not to be from all of this excitement. To be able play a video game where up to four players can play instrument-based peripherals – guitar, bass, drums, and a microphone for the singer seems like fun. However, as a singer and musician, I would be interested to know if musicians really can have fun playing Rock Band without getting bored quickly. After all, what’s better than experiencing the real thing? Then again, after a few drinks…

Hats off to the developers, though. Rock Band does seem like it could be a great party game and it is quite the innovative idea.

I’ve been growing more fascinated with the use of music in video games. They’re a great platform for music and will continue to create more opportunities for bands and artists in the years to come.

Now that MTV is involved, it will be interesting to see where we go from here. Rock Band is opening up the playing field and breaking independent bands alongside major artists within the game. I think that’s a great idea and I’m all for it (even with the inclusion of some of the Harmonix staff who are in bands like Freezepop and Bang Camaro!).

The song list is impressive. Just looking through the set list, there are some standout tracks that would be fun to sing and play along to like “Ballroom Blitz”, “Creep”, “Dani California”, “Don’t Fear the Reaper”, “Foreplay/Longtime”, “Tom Sawyer” and a few others.

It was announced at one point that Steven Van Zandt, a.k.a. Little Steven (Bruce Springsteen And The E Street Band) was going to “head up the board as the chairman with a select group of celebrity musicians and industry experts to select songs.” I’m not sure who was responsible for the band Boston being included, but it’s funny to see, considering Rock Band was created by a Boston based company.

I can imagine there will be many people out there wondering why certain bands and artists aren’t included yet. Like, where’s Jimi Hendrix? I know that Experience Hendrix (Janie who handles his estate) can be strict with his music but if anything, this would be a great platform for his music. Better than having his image printed on golf balls, but I digress.

The song list is also lacking in female singers. Heart (“Barracuda” would be a rockin’ number to sing) and Pat Benatar would be fun additions, but maybe they’ll add more in time. Little Steven certainly has his hands full, and I’m sure will be getting requests for bands on a daily basis.

When or if I do end up playing Rock Band, I’ll be sure to include a full review of my experience with the game here on Band Weblogs.

Watch the Rock Band video demo review by IGN:

Rock Band Song List:
(In alphabetical order)

Are You Gonna Be My Girl – Jet
Ballroom Blitz – Sweet
Black Hole Sun – Soundgarden
Blitzkrieg Bop – Ramones
Celebrity Skin – Hole
Cherub Rock – Smashing Pumpkins
Creep – Radiohead
Dani California – Red Hot Chili Peppers
Dead on Arrival – Fall Out Boy
Detroit Rock City – Kiss
(Don’t Fear) The Reaper – Blue Oyster Cult
The Electric Version – The New Pornographers
Enter Sandman – Metallica
Epic – Faith No More
Flirtin’ with Disaster – Molly Hatchet
Foreplay/Long Time – Boston
Gimme Shelter – The Rolling Stones
Go with the Flow – Queens of the Stone Age
Green Grass and High Tides – The Outlaws
The Hand That Feeds – Nine Inch Nails
Here It Goes Again – OK Go
Highway Star – Deep Purple
I Think I’m Paranoid – Garbage
In Bloom – Nirvana
Learn to Fly – Foo Fighters
Main Offender – The Hives
Maps – Yeah Yeah Yeahs
Mississippi Queen – Mountain
Next to You – The Police
Orange Crush – R.E.M.
Paranoid – Black Sabbath
Reptilia – The Strokes
Run to the Hills – Iron Maiden
Sabotage – Beastie Boys
Say It Ain’t So – Weezer
Should I Stay or Should I Go – The Clash
Suffragette City – David Bowie
Tom Sawyer – Rush
Train Kept A-Rollin’ – Aerosmith
Vasoline – Stone Temple Pilots
Wanted Dead or Alive – Bon Jovi
Wave of Mutilation – Pixies
Welcome Home – Coheed and Cambria
When You Were Young – The Killers
Won’t Get Fooled Again – The Who

13 bonus tracks by established bands and independent artists that can be unlocked as you play the game:

Song List:

29 Fingers – The Konks
Blood Doll – Anarchy Club
Brainpower – Freezepop
Can’t Let Go – Death of the Cool
Day Late, Dollar Short – The Acro-Brats
I Get By – Honest Bob and the Factory-to-Dealer Incentives
I’m So Sick – Flyleaf
Nightmare – Crooked X
Outside – Tribe
Pleasure (Pleasure) – Bang Camaro
Seven – Vagiant
Time We Had – The Mother Hips
Timmy and the Lords of the Underworld – Timmy and the Lords of the Underworld

Downloadable song packs will also be available.

Rock Band is currently available for Microsoft’s Xbox 360 and Sony’s PlayStation 3 consoles. PS2 in December 2007.

Rock Band on amazon.com

Rock Band IGN video review link

For more information, go to:

Rock Band Official Website

By: Jenny May – Band Weblogs

One of the best things about discovering bands and listening to new music online is when you can turn what initially begins as a virtual experience into a live music experience. The first time that I heard Souljacker was on their Myspace page after I was tipped off by a friend to check them out. I really liked their sound and had to wait about three weeks to see them play live at the Temple Bar in Oxford, England – and last Saturday the wait was finally over.

The Temple Bar has been around for quite a few years now, and in the “old days” was a place where a lot of musicians would gather and hang out. Over the years, there hasn’t been much going on there and I never really heard anyone talking about the Temple Bar – good or bad.

Things are different now. New owner Barry has opened the doors to musicians and has set up an open mic night on Wednesdays and live music on Saturday nights. There’s a great atmosphere, the bar staff are friendly and you can’t beat Barry’s enthusiasm toward live music and helping bands and musicians hone their craft, while entertaining the punters.

It was good to see the room begin to fill up as Souljacker started their set. They play guitar rock – originals that sound like old classics (“Jimmy Drank My Tea”), along with classic covers by bands like Free, Motorhead and Jimi Hendrix Experience. They even played a funky cover of “Ghostbusters”, which caught me by surprise. The crowd loved it.

Souljacker played two sets – and for each set, the crowd was engrossed. The band is full of confidence which, considering how young they are, is refreshing to see. Singer/guitarist Patrick Burley (and his soulful vocals) is entertaining and interacts with the crowd like an old pro. Same goes for guitarist Hamish Denny. The guitar solos are stand-out and drummer Josh Catling is incredible. As a unit they’re tight and sound like they’ve been playing for years.

I think that it’s easy to forget that while the area (Oxford) tends to be over-saturated with indie bands, that there are other styles out there. Saturday night proved to me that the public is hungry for something else.

If steered in the right direction, Souljacker could reach many more people who have missed hearing new rock bands on the scene. They are definitely a band to watch out for, and if they’re playing in a town near you, I highly recommend going to check them out.

Souljacker Band Members:

Patrick Burley – Guitar/Vocals
Hamish Denny – Guitar
Rowan Mayo – Bass
Josh Catling – Drums
Robbie Moore – Keyboards

For more information and live show dates go to:

Souljacker on Myspace

Photo Credit: Dave Tommo

By: Jenny May – Band Weblogs

Tinariwen has been a band that I’ve had my eye on since I saw them on the cover of a magazine a couple months ago. Their look alone intrigued me enough to look forward to finding them on the internet as soon as I got home.

Listening to their music for the first time, I remember thinking that this is a band that is perfect for outdoor music festivals. After reading about them, I learned that they were in fact “noticed by the western world” because of their performance at a music festival. The festival was the Festival in the Desert (Festival au Desert) held in Tin-Essako, Mali, a remote region of the Sahara Desert in 2001.

Since then they’ve continued to play festivals around the world with many more scheduled for 2007, including their recent appearance at the Glastonbury Music Festival which I was fortunate to have watched. I also caught their performance last month on Later with Jools Holland, as I pointed at the TV yelling to Dave, “There’s that band I was talking about!” Santana has played with them and they’ll be supporting the Rolling Stones on August 18th 2007 at Slane Castle in Dublin, Ireland.

As I naively romanticize of the Sahara, camels and Tinariwen, the actual reality is that before their music was introduced to the west, members of Tinariwen were soldier-musicians in Libya, living a difficult life, dreaming of the modern world and the freedom that comes along with it. They come from the Sahara desert and although they struggled, they are proud of their identity. Their ancient and contemporary cultures of the nomad and Touareg people are very important to them.

The lyrics in Tinariwen’s songs are French and Tamashek and their sound is guitar based with elements of rock, American blues and the traditional African sounds of the Niger bend.

There is a lot to learn about this band and their music.

Watch Tinariwen Aman Iman: Water is Life documentary video:

Tinariwen 2007 music festivals and tour dates:

*Dates could be added or changed! Go to Tinariwen’s Official Website for the latest tour dates and information.

June 25 2007 Exeter Festival Exeter
June 29 2007 Festival Mediterraneo Loule
June 30 2007 Open Air Festival St. Gallen
July 1 2007 Furia Festival Cergy Pontoise
July 2 2007 Festival Les Nuits de Gignac Gignac
July 4 2007 Festival Les Hauts de Garonne Bassens
July 5 2007 Africa Festival Lisbon
July 6 2007 Evora Festival Evora
July 7 2007 Festival Mar de Musica Cartagena
July 9 2007 Piazza Della Republica Monfalcone
July 10 2007 Villa Arconati Milan
July 11 2007 Fiera Cagliari
July 13 2007 Latitude Festival Southwold
July 14 2007 Nuke Festival St Polten
July 15 2007 Teatro Greco (w/ Robert Plant) Taormina, Sicily
July 16 2007 Festival Sotto Le Stelle Ferrara
July 17 2007 Villa Ada Rome
July 19 2007 Italia Wave Festival Firenze
July 22 2007 Lovebox Festival London
July 23 2007 Festival de Radio France Montpellier
July 24 2007 Festival de Radio France Montpellier
July 25 2007 Festival de Radio France Montpellier
July 26 2007 Festival de Neoule Neoule
July 28 2007 Paleo Festival Nyon
July 29 2007 WOMAD Festival Charlton Park
August 1 2007 Pilldamms Park Malmo
August 2 2007 Savoy Theatre Helsinki
August 3 2007 Berns Stockholm
August 4 2007 Urkult Festival Urkult
August 5 2007 Tragarn Gothenburg
August 7 2007 Voxhall Arhus
August 8 2007 Oya Festival Oslo
August 9 2007 Sziget Festival Budapest
August 10 2007 Festival Les Nuits Secretes Aulnoyes-Aymeries
August 11 2007 Le Festival Du Bout Du Monde Crozon
August 14 2007 Festival Musique De La Rue Luxey
August 18 2007 Slane Castle (supporting Rolling Stones) Dublin
October 12 2007 Shibuya AX Tokyo
December 7 2007 L’Olympia Paris
December 9 2007 The Olympia Dublin
December 12 2007 Shepherd’s Bush Empire London
December 13 2007 Rohstofflager Zurich
December 14 2007 Kesselhaus Berlin
December 15 2007 Gloria Cologne
December 16 2007 WUK Vienna

More information: Official Tinariwen Website
Tinariwen on Myspace

By: Jenny May – Band Weblogs

What I really liked about the interview was the question answer format. Fans from around Europe had sent in questions to Mick Jagger that were primarily focused on past shows and the Rolling Stones upcoming 2007 European “A Bigger Bang” tour. There was also talk about their headlining slot at the Isle of Wight Festival this June. Their appearance there will be the first UK festival for the Stones since 1976 at Knebworth in Hertfordshire, England.

A fan brought up the fact that the last time The Rolling Stones played on the Isle of Wight was at the Ryde Pavillion in 1964. Mick talked about why the Stones didn’t play the original Isle of Wight Festival dates with artists like Jimi Hendrix and The Who.

It was interesting that Mick Jagger would bring up a certain British female singer not once, not twice but three times during the interview. Who could that be you might wonder? Amy Winehouse. When asked by the host of the interview if there is anyone that he is particularly looking forward to seeing at the Isle of Wight Festival, Mick mentioned Snow Patrol, Amy Winehouse, Muse, Paolo Nutini (who they’ve played shows with) and Fratellis. I’d be pretty happy actually, to be mentioned by Mick Jagger. He also mentioned her name again as an artist he would want to see at the Isle of Wight festival and when asked what songs he’s downloading at the moment, he answered Bloque (sp?), City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, Larry Williams and once again, Amy Winehouse. What’s up with that?!

Other projects for Mick Jagger include movie productions and an upcoming Martin Scorsese concert film in the works. He’ll also be writing songs while on holiday with family in the Caribbean. Now that sounds like fun. I’ve never written songs in the Caribbean and the time that I was in Jamaica I was too busy looking around to even think about focusing on anything else. But then, I suppose he’s been going there for awhile now and is used to it.

So if you are able to make it to one of The Rolling Stones “A Bigger Bang” shows I would be interested to hear how it goes. I’ve never been fortunate enough to see them play live.

Following are the A Bigger Bang 2007 European tour dates:

*Dates could change! Go to The Rolling Stones Official Website for the latest tour dates and information.

June

Tue 06/05/07 Werchter, Belgium Werchter Park
Fri 06/08/07 Nijmegen, Netherlands Goffert Park
Sun 06/10/07 Isle Of Wight, England Isle Of Wight Festival
Wed 06/13/07 Frankfurt, Germany Commerzbank
Sat 06/16/07 Paris, France Stade de France
Mon 06/18/07 Lyon, France Stade Gerland
Thu 06/21/07 Barcelona, Spain Olympic Stadium
Sat 06/23/07 San Sebastian, Spain Estadio de Anoeta
Mon 06/25/07 Lisbon, Portugal Alvalade Stadium
Thu 06/28/07 Madrid, Spain Estadio Vicente Calderon
Sat 06/30/07 Almeria, Spain Estadio Santo Domingo

July

Fri 07/06/07 Rome, Italy Olimpico Stadium
Mon 07/09/07 Budva, Montenegro Jaze Beach
Sat 07/14/07 Belgrade, Serbia Hippodrome
Tue 07/17/07 Bucharest, Romania National Lia Manoliu
Fri 07/20/07 Budapest, Hungary Puskas Ferenc Stadium
Sun 07/22/07 Brno, Czech Republic Outdoor Exhibition Centre
Wed 07/25/07 Kiev, Russia Olympic Stadium
Sat 07/28/07 Saint Petersburg, Russia Palace Square

August

Wed 08/01/07 Helsinki, Finland Olympic Stadium
Fri 08/03/07 Goteborg, Sweden Ullevi Stadium
Sun 08/05/07 Copenhagen, Denmark Parken Stadium
Wed 08/08/07 Oslo, Norway Vallehovin Stadium
Mon 08/13/07 Dusseldorf, Germany LTU Arena
Wed 08/15/07 Hamburg, Germany AOL Arena
Sat 08/18/07 Meath, Ireland Slane Castle
Tue 08/21/07 London, UK O2 Arena

For the latest news, tickets & tour information and more, go to The Rolling Stones Official Website.

By: Jenny May

Buy Rolling Stones music and more on eBay!

The summit of the advances with the instrument and James’ superior creative talents reach its fruition on the new recording Green. He demonstrates a unique application of the electric violin/viola and Marshall JCM2000 Amplifier in his studio work and electrifying live performances.

Sudakow sites particular influences that pushed him in the direction he arrived at musically and surprisingly enough his heroes are not whom you would expect. Guitar players such as Hendrix and Vernon Reid take credit for the path he decided to travel years ago.

Troy Paul, President of The Frequency summed up the talent that Sudakow brings to the stage and in the studio by saying-”James is one of the most creative and talented musicians in Los Angeles. It’s like watching Jimi Hendrix on violin.”

Green is conceptual in that it offers many different shades and moods of the Sudakow musical palette for the listener to discover and embrace while each individual composition has a title taken from the basic colors. Think of a classical violinist that decided to swallow some peyote buttons on a vision quest, and only then can you imagine the musical journeys you are about to embark upon after giving Green a few spins. The electric violin takes a radical departure from the norm when it is in the hands of this consummate technician and musician.

Visit the James Sudakow website for sound samples, performance dates, pictures, and more then enjoy The Electric Violin Experience like you never have before.

Contact: James Sudakow
Company: The Electric Violin Experience
Address: Long Beach, CA. 90815
Tel: 714-356-6535
Email
Website
CD Baby Link

PR Created and Distributed By MuzikReviews.com

Green is the title of Sudakow’s six-track CD. This instrumental assault of the senses focuses on six basic colors, all of course different in every way. The cover of the CD is very expressive with all the colors as well. Some folks may think right away because of the tie die image on the cover that this is something relating to jamband music, which would be way off base. Think of Jean-Luc Ponty on mescaline or David Ragsdale on speed, Sudakow is very different, in a good way.

“Black” is the opening track and it begins with some powerful and prolific drums that really get your blood pumping through your arteries, then Sudakow kicks it into high gear with some crazy violin playing, think of guitar shredding but with a violin. It is not that hard to imagine because after you listen a few times it starts sounding like a guitar. Then as you get towards the end of the recording and “Blue” starts, the violin sounds more synthesized, like keyboards. This is one example of the radical changes he takes the violin through from one composition to the next.

After taking all of it in you start to realize the concept behind this entire project-it is to show you the listener, all the different colors that the violin is capable of creating within the musical spectrum. It does not hurt that Sudakow has two band mates that know their chops; it fleshes out his overall sound nicely. David Gaziel (drums) and Matt Bissonette (bass) make for an outstanding rhythm section. Once I stopped for a moment to reflect upon it all after intently listening for the second time I realized that the three instruments combining their strengths started sounding more like an army of musicians.

This music requires several listens before you really understand what Sudakow is accomplishing through his music. I will be the first to admit that after hearing this the first time I was not too sure, but that just means I needed to listen again to get an entirely different outlook on another day. Without fail, this works for me, especially when a CD has merits like Green.

Artist: James Sudakow
Title: Green
Genre: Progressive Rock
Label: Independent
Website
CD Baby Link

1. Black (8:21)
2. Purple (5:47)
3. Orange (9:43)
4. Green (6:26)
5. Red (10:14)
6. Blue (5:08)

Credits:

James Sudakow: electric violins
David Gaziel: drums
Matt Bissonette: bass

© Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck

The first video features clips of famous musicians performing and singing in sync with the music like Frank Zappa, Billie Holiday, Simon and Garfunkel, Roy Orbison, Ella Fitzgerald, Bob Marley, The Clash, Jimi Hendrix, modern day musicians and many more. I could see Bono in “the crowd” a couple of times during the video and then finally saw The Edge toward the end.

I couldn’t help but think how good a drinking game this video could make. Figuring out who’s who, where the band members are in the crowd etc. The rules could be whoever is last in calling out the names of each musician as they appear has to drink. That would be a pretty quick moving game, though. Maybe with shots?

Anyway, I bet there will be a few angry musicians out there wondering why they weren’t included!

The second video for “Window In The Skies” features old footage of U2 including family photos and album sleeves.

Of course besides the videos there’s also the song to address. U2 has definitely discovered the recipe for creating great pop songs and “Window In The Skies” is up there with one of their best. Very melodic throughout and well written, to no surprise.

U2’s Official Website

By: Jenny May

According to The Red Dragonhood Website, producer Dave Chapman is the one who discovered the recording as he was going through tapes at his Crouch Hill Studios in London. When he was finally able to play the old tapes to hear what was on them, he stumbled upon what could be Jimi Hendrix sitting in with a band called the New Flames playing the Welsh national anthem. Viv Williams was in the band and it’s thought that he and Hendrix were friends.

If this is Jimi Hendrix on the recording then it would be one of his last recordings before his death on September 18, 1970.

The current owner of the recording is Martin Davies and he could have a possible battle on his hands if it does turn out to be Jimi Hendrix. I’ve written before about the court proceedings that have been happening regarding Hendrix and his music and how strict the Hendrix Estate can be, so I’m sure Janie Hendrix and her Experience Hendrix will be watching very closely to see how this all unfolds. Most likely they’ll want to hear from Viv Williams as well as Martin Davies. If this does turn out to be Jimi Hendrix, then rights over the recording could get nasty. Of course, this all depends on whether or not it’s even proven to be Hendrix.

I’ve listened to the recording that’s on The Red Dragonhood website. If that is the possible Hendrix track, then I’m not sure if it’s him or not…it doesn’t really sound like the recordings by Jimi that I’m familiar with.  The guitar vibrato is almost too wavy – the sound is cleaner and more shrill than what I would have expected. I would be interested to hear what other people think.

To listen to the recording and to read more about the story of “The Lost Hendrix National Anthem”, go to The Red Dragonhood website. The recording begins as you log on to the web page, so make sure your speakers are turned up!

By: Jenny May

On a lighter note, to celebrate Jimi Hendrix and his music, two videos: a very rare video of a press conference filmed in Harlem on September 3, 1969 two weeks after Woodstock and a video of “Villanova Junction Blues” courtesy of YouTube and two very cool Hendrix fans.

We can’t get enough of YouTube, and I am thankful for the fact that there are so many free videos available at our finger tips. There have been times when Dave and I will sit in front of the computer with a good bottle of red wine, taking turns introducing new bands and videos from each of our own countries, taking pride in our tastes in music. Maybe we’ll do that tonight, but while all of you in the States are sitting around watching the Macy’s Parade, eating turkey and then enjoying the the Broncos vs. the Chiefs game without me, I’ll be here in Oxford thinking about all of you and probably listening to some good music.

Jimi Hendrix is always a good cure for feeling down, so maybe the video of Jimi playing “Hear My Train a Comin’” will do the trick.

By: Jenny May

Since The Strokes are a fairly new band I was a bit surprised when I had first heard that Albert Hammond Jr. was going solo. The more I thought about it though, the more it felt like a good move on his part – especially after hearing the tracks made available on his myspace page. If anything, because the tracks are so good, this just seems to add another dimension to The Strokes’ music.

The album was produced by Greg Lattimer (Thin Lizard Dawn) and recorded at the Electric Ladyland Studios in New York City.

Pretty cool that he decided to record at Jimi Hendrix’s old studio. I wonder if Albert realizes that the release date of ‘101′ also coincides with Jimi Hendrix’s birthday.

Albert Hammond Jr. will be on tour in Europe until the end of the year and will be supporting Incubus on tour in 2007.

For the latest tour dates and information go to Albert Hammond Jr’s Myspace Page

By: Jenny May