Some Guy's Classic Rock & Roll Music Guide: 6/1/20

10cc/Godley & Creme Legend Kevin Godley to Release Very First Solo Album MUSCLE MEMORY December 17, 2020

In July 2017 Kevin Godley - formerly of 10cc and Godley & Creme - posted an invitation on the site PledgeMusic: “Write and record with me.”

PledgeMusic was a platform for musicians to connect directly with fans who could pay for music in advance to support the creation of albums. Kevin's project took the potential of this remote, socially distanced collaboration further.

He explained: “Recently something happened that eclipsed any songwriting techniques I'd learned in 10cc or Godley & Creme. Out of the blue, I was sent 2 recorded instrumental tracks with requests to write melodies and lyrics and turn them into songs. Both tracks came from people I'd never met and still haven't. Experiencing this kind of remote collaboration and its results has been transformative for me, as I believe I've recorded 2 of my best ever songs and MUSCLE MEMORY, as I'm calling the album, will be about opening this collaborative door a lot wider.”

Kevin received 286 instrumentals, choosing to conceal the names of submitters so as not to focus on high profile artists. Of these 11 were chosen for the final tracklisting. The instrumentals vary wildly, from jarring electronic beats to Gotye's dreamlike balladic contribution, “Song of Hate.”

In May 2019, before any money pledged had arrived to support the album, PledgeMusic declared bankruptcy. With the lists of pledgers gone and the project stalled, The state51 Conspiracy contacted Kevin and funded the project so that those who had paid would still be able to listen to the record they were helping to make.

The album marks Kevin's first time fronting a project. His lyricism is cutting, political and provides a mood similar to film dialogue over classic pop lyricism. Gun control, societal unrest, racism and questions regarding political correctness make for some of the most striking lyrical content likely heard on an alternative pop record. This is a dark record from someone not known for dark themes.

Kevin's career features numerous exceptional albums and sees him as one of the most important pioneers of the pop music video. MUSCLE MEMORY is a fitting addition to this body of work, offering a provoking, daring new insight into Godley's creative practice. Tracks from the album will be released in order every two weeks until the album's release on the 17th of December 2020.

Album tracklisting / release timeline:
1) Expecting a Message: 16/07/2020
2) The Ghosts of the Living: 30/07/2020
3) Hit the Street: 13/08/2020
4) The Bang Bang Theory: 27/08/2020
5) 5 Minutes Alone: 10/09/2020
6) Cut to the Cat: 24/09/2020
7) One Day: 08/10/2020
8) All Bones are White: 22/10/2020
9) Periscope: 5/11/2020
10) Song of Hate: 19/11/2020
11) Bulletholes in the Sky: 03/12/2020
12) Muscle Memory - CD, Vinyl and Digital: 17/12/2020

Kevin Godley social media:
Official website: http://www.kevin-godley.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/BvcGX_ZgN22/
Twitter: @kevingodley9

Subscribe to Kevin Godley's mailing list:
https://kevingodley.greedbag.com/subscribe/

Music Legend David Essex Releases New CD “Unplayed Hits”

Legendary singer, songwriter, and actor David Essex is releasing a new album of songs rarely played live or played on the radio titled “Unplayed Hits.” The album is available exclusively from his web shop. There are 100 signed copies available as well.

Since the 1970s, David Essex has attained 19 Top 40 singles in the UK (including two number ones) and 16 Top 40 albums. Internationally, Essex had the most success with his 1973 single “Rock On.” It sold over one million copies, and was awarded a gold disc by the R.I.A.A. in March 1974. It was nominated for a Grammy and reached No. 1 in Cashbox and No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100. He has also had an extensive career as an actor.

Essex's pop idol looks gave him a strong female fan base and his British tours created scenes of hysteria reminiscent of Beatlemania. According to The Guinness Book of British Hit Singles, he was voted the number one British male vocalist in 1974, and was a teen idol for more than a decade.

“As the 2020 tour had to be postponed till September 2021, I have put together a new CD in the meantime, 'Unplayed Hits' featuring songs rarely played live or played on the radio. Also, there is a brand new web shop that I hope you like, where you can download or buy the CD plus many other things.” - David Essex

“Unplayed Hits” - Tracklist:

Let It Flow
Time Is Catching Up
Walk Of Life
Carrying The Water Home
Cool Out Tonight
Alice Stay Young & Free
You Crazy Fool
Coming Home
Heart Turns To Stone
What Did I Do
Forever And A Day
Oh Suburbia
Africa You Shine
Fallen Angels Riding
Never Meant To Hurt You
She's Emotional
A Shoulder To Cry On
Stage Struck

To purchase: https://www.musicglue.com/david-essex/shop/categories/all/page/1

For more information: www.davidessex.com

Cleopatra Records Unveils the Official Soundtrack to the Long-Awaited LYNYRD SKYNYRD Biopic, STREET SURVIVORS: The True Story of the Lynyrd Skynyrd Plane Crash

After a long legal battle that made national headlines, STREET SURVIVORS: The True Story of the Lynyrd Skynyrd Plane Crash, the full-length film that re-tells the story of the infamous 1977 plane crash that killed several members of Southern Rock icons Lynyrd Skynyrd, will finally see the light of day as it is released to video-on-demand services. In conjunction with the film’s release, the official soundtrack will be hitting digital music platforms as well as retail stores on June 26th. Comprised of both selections of the film’s orchestral score as well as original music inspired by the band, the Street Survivors soundtrack offers a powerful testament to the enduring legacy of Lynyrd Skynyrd and the historic significance of the events depicted in the film. Highlights include a superb rendition by blues rock legend Pat Travers of the classic J.J. Cale song “Call Me The Breeze,” which Skynyrd covered on their sophomore effort Second Helping (1974), as well as music performed by the sons of Skynyrd drummer, and survivor of the 1977 crash, Artimus Pyle. The soundtrack will be available on both CD and limited-edition vinyl in your choice of either blue or white!

Track List:
1. Southern Feeling (Last Day) - Marshall Pyle
2. Wish - Lorenzo Green
3. Black Creek - PyleTribe
4. Curse - PyleTribe
5. Rattlesanke - PyleTribe
6. In Memory Of - Bryan Mabry & Chris Leuzinger
7. Street Survivor - Scott Raines
8. 6 Souls (Score)
9. Call Me The Breeze - Pat Travers
10. Last Flight (Score) [CD ONLY]
11. A Remembrance (Score) [CD ONLY]
12. Rescue (Score) [CD ONLY]

Pre-order the album: Street Survivors

Genesis Guitar Legend Anthony Phillips THE LIVING ROOM CONCERT Remastered & Expanded Digipak Edition to Be Released July 24, 2020

Esoteric Recordings are pleased to announce the release of a new re-mastered and expanded edition of THE LIVING ROOM CONCERT by original Genesis guitarist and celebrated solo artist and composer ANTHONY PHILLIPS.

Originally released in May 1995, the album featured highlights of a live solo performance by Anthony which was recorded on March 21st 1993 as part of the Living Room Concert Series for the US Radio program Echoes, a daily program of contemporary instrumental music. The show was broadcast on 120 public radio stations in America on 25th June 1993.

For the performance Anthony selected a number of acoustic guitar and piano pieces for the performance, drawing mainly on tracks originally released on the albums The Geese and The Ghost, Private Parts and Pieces and A Catch at The Tables, along with two pieces from New England, the eighth volume in the Private Parts & Pieces series and a solo 12-string version of the first movement of a Guitar Quintet that he had composed in 1976, which had subsequently been scored with parts for strings and wind instruments; “Conversation Piece.”

Unavailable on CD for many years, THE LIVING ROOM CONCERT has been remastered and expanded to include three previously unreleased tracks recorded for the original broadcast, “Jaunty Roads,” “Let Us Now Make Love” and “Lucy: An Illusion.”

This Esoteric Recordings edition restores the original artwork and includes new liner notes by Anthony Phillips archivist Jon Dann.

Living Room Concert: Expanded & Remastered Edition

TRACK LISTING

1. REAPER
2. WHICH WAY THE WIND BLOWS
3. HENRY: PORTRAITS FROM TUDOR TIMES
4. CONVERSATION PIECE
5. FLAMINGO
6. FIELD OF ETERNITY
7. SISTINE
8. LIGHTS ON THE HILL
9. LAST GOODBYES
10. COLLECTIONS

11. SLEEPFALL

BONUS TRACKS
12. JAUNTY ROADS
13. LET US NOW MAKE LOVE

14. LUCY: AN ILLUSION

Legendary Alice Cooper Group Drummer Neal Smith Releases New Album of Retro Pop Songs “POP 85/95”

Legendary Alice Cooper Group drummer Neal Smith recently released a new album titled “POP 85/95” signifying the music style and time period in which Neal wrote these songs between 1985 and 1995.The songs and album concept are totally sexy and politically incorrect. Neal's “POP 85/95” songs represent all aspects of relationships, falling in and out of love in a simpler bygone era before Coronavirus, politically correctness and the new world disorder.

With the onslaught of glam hair bands and heavily homogenized rock of the 1980's, Neal Smith, Hall of Fame Drummer and founding member of the original Alice Cooper Group, was looking for a new direction for his songwriting. Inspired by another drummer, songwriter, singer Phil Collins, Neal turned from writing hard rock to a slicker, more pop rock songwriting style. In the late 1980's he took four of his new songs into the studio and recorded them. One of the songs “Secret Eyes” helped land a recording deal with newly formed record company called Grudge Records. Along with Dennis Dunaway (Alice Cooper fame), Joe Bouchard (Blue Oyster Cult fame), Charlie Hune (Ted Nugent fame) and lead guitarist Jay Jesse Johnson (also known as “Triple J”), a new band called “Deadringer” was formed and signed by Grudge Records. Deadringer recorded an album in 1989 called “Electrocution Of The Heart” featuring the single “Secret Eyes.” The album and Deadringer were all short lived after Grudge Records quick demise. After Deadringer and well into the 1990's, Neal continued writing songs with Jay Jesse Johnson (“Triple J”) in this pop rock style.

Decades later, well into the New Millennium, Neal was searching through his archives of music and found those songs that he composed and recorded with 'Triple J” between the years of 1985 and 1995. Inspired by “Triple J's” amazing lead guitar work, Neal polished the songs and brought them back to life with the help of two of his best friends, Peter Catucci (bass guitar of Killsmith) and Rick Tedesco (guitarist/engineer). Now, much to the excitement of his fans worldwide, Neal Smith's “POP 85/95” is available digitally and on CD!

Hall of Fame Drummer/songwriter/singer Neal Smith on “POP 85/95” CD:

(founding member of the Alice Cooper Group)

In the 80’s and 90’s Rap, Hip Hop, Pop and even Rock music was being recorded with synthesized programmed drums. I understood that this was a new wave of recording percussion. But what I did not like was many of the synthesized drum tracks were being programmed by engineers and musicians who were not even drummers. Disappointed and inspired by that fact, I began a new phase of songwriting by programming synthesized drums on my recordings. The last eight songs on my new CD “POP 85/95” is a collection of songs I wrote from that era featuring synth drums I programmed myself.

To purchase:
http://nealsmithrocks.com/store
https://nealsmithpop8595.hearnow.com

For more information:
www.nealsmithrocks.com
http://nealsmithrocks.com/store
https://www.facebook.com/NealsmithRocks

Todd Rundgren to Launch Live Virtual Television Series “The Todd's Honest Truth”

Todd Rundgren, dubbed “Rock's Renaissance Man” in 1972 by Rolling Stone, will be premiering his bi-weekly live interactive virtual television series “The Todd's Honest Truth” on his 72nd birthday, June 22, 2020 at 6pm PDT/9PM EDT. A new episode will then go live every other Friday beginning July 3 in the same time slot.

Famously outspoken and opinionated (he was among one of Bill Maher's most frequent guests on the original “Politically Incorrect”), Rundgren will host the show live from his Kauai property, interlaced with his throwing to pre-recorded packages shot in front of a green screen to provide mood-appropriate settings (a recurring segment dubbed “The Word of Todd”, in which he will be waxing eloquent on any number of topics). He will also be answering audience questions in real time, there will be a live chat window open for viewers to interact, and Todd will encourage audience members to submit content which he will curate in between shows and select standouts for inclusion on upcoming episodes.

“Forty years ago I reserved a transponder on a satellite, hoping to broadcast to homes across the world. Apparently, that satellite got lost or blew up or something so a dream was put on hold… until now! And I don't even have to leave my house!!!”, Rundgren explained.

The virtual box office to purchase tickets for “The Todd's Honest Truth” episodes is open as of today: https://onlocationlive.com/category/honesttruth .

The series is being produced in partnership with Future Beat, the leading company producing VIP package experiences for concert tours — futurebeat.com. Todd's longtime manager, Panacea Entertainment chairman Eric Gardner, is executive producing. In addition to an unlimited number of “general admission” tickets priced at $15 per episode (which includes access via VOD for anyone who missed a live stream), forty virtual one-on-one meet & greet packages will be available for $95 per episode, which will include shipping of an item of exclusive series-related merchandise.

In other news, Todd Rundgren and some well known guest artists are re-recording his 1973 anthem “Just One Victory” and giving it away for free to the Democratic National Committee for use by candidates throughout the US running for public office this fall. Participants include Joe Walsh and Paul Shaffer, along with Don Was, who is co-producing with Todd.

Born and raised in Philadelphia, Rundgren began playing guitar as a teenager, going on to found and front Nazz, the quintessential '60s psychedelic group. In 1969, he left the band to pursue a solo career, recording his debut offering, Runt. But it was 1972's seminal Something/Anything?, on which he played all the instruments, sang all the vocal parts, and acted as his own producer, that catapulted Todd into the superstar limelight, prompting the press to unanimously dub him “Rock's New Wunderkind.” It was followed by such landmark LPs as The Hermit of Mink Hollow and A Wizard, A True Star; evergreen hit singles include “I Saw The Light,” “Hello It's Me,” “Can We Still Be Friends,” and “Bang The Drum.”