Michael Nesmith: Live in Ferndale, Michigan 4/8/13 - Concert Review

Written by General Jabbo

For years, Michael Nesmith famously avoided the concert stage, both as a solo artist and as a member of the Monkees. His last Monkees shows had been the European leg of the 1997 tour for Justus, while his last solo tour came in 1992. Fans clamoring for a live appearance by “The Wool Hat,” had learned to temper their expectations.

Then, in late 2012, Nesmith decided to hit the concert trail again, beginning with some solo shows in England and later reuniting with the surviving Monkees (Davy Jones died last February) for a reunion tour. The shows with the Monkees were Nesmith’s first in America since 1969. While he was possibly sensing his own mortality in light of Jones’ passing, Nesmith has stated he missed playing live — which brings us to 2013.

Nesmith is in the midst of a 17-city U.S. tour, which made its way to Ferndale, MI, just outside of Detroit on April 8, 2013. Backed by an ace band, which includes Boh Cooper on keyboards, Nesmith alums Paul Leim on drums and Joe Chemay on bass and Chris Scruggs (grandson of Earl) on pedal steel and lead guitar, Nesmith played songs covering all aspects of his solo career up until 2006’s Rays.

Photo by Kim Connell

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The Blue Planet: Seas Of Life - Blu-ray Review

Written by General Jabbo

In 2001, the BBC took on the daunting task of doing a comprehensive documentary on one of the least-explored regions of the Earth — its oceans. Narrated by David Attenborough and five years in the making, the documentary, known as The Blue Planet, covered each aspect of the world’s oceans in a series of eight 50-minute episodes. The show was an astounding success, capturing images of seldom (and sometimes never) seen sea life in its natural habitat. Its breathtaking images did not go unnoticed, as The Blue Planet won an Emmy Award for Best Cinematography — Non-Fiction. Likewise, George Fenton’s dramatic score won the Emmy in that category. The series is nothing short of a triumph for nature photography, with fans long clamoring for a Blu-ray release. Their wish was finally granted with the release of The Blue Planet: Seas Of Life.

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Thom Chacon - CD Review

Written by General Jabbo

On Thom Chacon's self-titled new CD, he delivers a gritty dose of Americana that betrays his age. Channeling his inner Bruce Springsteen and Bob Dylan, Chacon sounds as if he's lived every one of these tales himself. Chacon even plays with Dylan's rhythm section, Tony Garnier and George Receli on the disc, which was cut live in an all-analog setting, which suits these songs well.

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Justin Hayward - Spirits Of The Western Sky CD Review

Written by General Jabbo

Throughout his four-decade-plus career, both as a singer/guitarist in The Moody Blues and as a solo artist, Justin Hayward has not only had commercial success with songs such as "Nights In Wight Satin" and "Your Wildest Dreams," but has also been at the forefront of the psychedelic and progressive rock movements. In addition, the Moody Blues pushed the envelope in terms of mixing classical and pop music on albums such as Days Of Future Passed. On Spirits Of The Western Sky, his first solo record since 1996's The View From The Hill, Hayward mixes his strong pop sensibilities with dreamy guitar parts, tender ballads and, on three tracks, takes a step into the world of country music.

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Glenn Hughes - Live In Wolverhampton CD Review

Written by General Jabbo

Glenn Hughes' career has seen many highs and lows, both on and off the stage. From his promising beginnings in Trapeze to a choice spot in Deep Purple to over a decade of substance abuse followed by more than two decades (and counting) of sobriety, he has seen and done it all, both musically and otherwise. After more than 40 years, Hughes is showing no signs of slowing down. In recent years, he has released three critically acclaimed albums with Black Country Communion, as well as his own strong solo albums. While on tour in 2009 for his album, First Nuclear Underground Kitchen, Hughes recorded a two-night stand in his hometown of Bilston, Wolverhampton, the results of which are captured on Glenn Hughes — Live In Wolverhampton.

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Deep Purple - Live In Paris 1975 CD Review

Written by General Jabbo

April 17, 1975. Not only was this stop in Paris, France, the end of the Stormbringer tour for Deep Purple, unbeknownst to the fans in attendance, it would be the end of an era. Guitarist Ritchie Blackmore had expanded the sessions for what was originally to be a solo single into a new album and band, Rainbow, but that hadn't been announced to the public at large yet. In their eyes, it was business as usual as Purple took the stage. The band's management knew otherwise and preserved recordings of these last gigs and now, thanks to Eagle Rock, Deep Purple — Live in Paris 1975, has been rereleased in remastered form.

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Patti Smith - Live At Montreux 2005 Blu-ray Review

Written by General Jabbo

For nearly 40 years (albeit with a self-imposed hiatus for much of the 1980s), Patti Smith has mixed her unique blend of poetry, punk, folk and rock and roll, creating something interesting and powerful. She started strongly with Horses, her legendary 1975 debut, and has continued to push musical boundaries ever since. In 2005 while on tour for her album, Trampin’, Smith and her band, which includes original members Lenny Kaye and Jay Dee Daugherty, along with Television’s Tom Verlaine in a guest spot, were invited to play the famed Montreux Jazz Festival. The concert was filmed and is now available on Blu-ray as Patti Smith – Live at Montreux 2005.

Read the rest of the review at www.blindedbysound.com by clicking here.