Thursday, May 30, 2013

Dio - Finding The Sacred Heart: Live in Philly 1986 CD Review

Written by General Jabbo

When the late Ronnie James Dio was on tour for his Sacred Heart album, he had a show on the second leg of the tour filmed for VHS release. The concert was significant as it was the first tour with new guitarist, Craig Goldy, who replaced original Dio guitarist, Vivian Campbell, after the first leg was completed. The original concert was incomplete, however. Now the full show is available for the first time, digitally remastered, as Dio - Finding The Sacred Heart: Live in Philly 1986.

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

Dio - Finding The Sacred Heart: Live in Philly 1986 Blu-ray Review

Written by General Jabbo

The late Ronnie James Dio took his love for the mystical to a new level in 1986. While on tour for his then current album, Sacred Heart, he and his crack band played on a stage that resembled a giant castle, complete with an animatronic dragon. It was the perfect backdrop for Dio's powerful music. Fortunately for fans, a show in Philadelphia was filmed and released, first as a VHS and later as a DVD. Unfortunately, however, the show was edited in those releases. For the Blu-ray release, entitled Dio - Finding The Sacred Heart: Live in Philly 1986, the concert has been fully restored and is complete for the first time ever. The results show Dio in his mid-80s arena rock prime.

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

The Moody Blues - Live At The Isle Of Wight Festival 1970 DVD/CD Review

Written by General Jabbo

By 1970, the Moody Blues were arguably at the peak of their commercial and creative powers. Their newest album, and third in two years, A Question of Balance, hit number 1 on the UK charts and their previous two hit 1 and 2 respectively. Perhaps most telling is their position in the lineup at the legendary Isle of Wight Festival. In 1969, the band played on the opening day while in 1970, they were one of the headliners. That 1970 performance was filmed and makes up part of the DVD/CD set, The Moody Blues - Live At The Isle Of Wight Festival 1970.

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

The Rolling Stones - Crossfire Hurricane Blu-ray Review

Written by General Jabbo

Few performers have had the longevity of The Rolling Stones. In 50 years, they've gone from being the dangerous, anti-Beatles to being the elder statesmen of rock. In the band's own words, they went from being the group everyone hated to being the group everyone loves. In honor of their 50th anniversary, director Brett Morgen sat down with the individual members of the band, past and present, to hear them tell their remarkable story. That story is preserved on the new Blu-ray, The Rolling Stones -- Crossfire Hurricane.

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

Styx - The Grand Illusion/Pieces Of Eight Live CD Review

Written by General Jabbo

On November 9, 2010, Styx followed the lead of many notable classic rockers, including Aerosmith, Peter Gabriel and Cheap Trick, by bringing not one (unlike those artists), but two of their biggest albums to the stage in their entirety during the same show. The albums in question were 1977's The Grand Illusion and 1978's Pieces Of Eight. The show, entitled Styx -- The Grand Illusion/Pieces Of Eight Live, was recorded and previously released in a number of formats, including DVD/CD, but this release marks its first appearance as a standalone two-CD set.

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

Paul McCartney And Wings - Wings Over America CD/DVD Review

Written by General Jabbo

By the time 1976 rolled around, Paul McCartney and Wings were at the height of their popularity, having amassed numerous hits and successful tours abroad. There was one thing left to do however, something McCartney had not done since 1966 while still a member of The Beatles -- tour America. After a tour of Europe and Australia, Wings traveled to North America for their first (and only) tour of the continent.

The tour was a major success, with many cities hosting multiple sold-out nights. The live document of the tour, Wings Over America, also did well, reaching number one in the U.S. The album has recently been remastered as part of the Paul McCartney Archive Collection. This review focuses on the 2-CD Standard Edition as well as the DVD that is included with the Deluxe Edition.

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

Rainbow - Live In Munich 1977 DVD Review

Written by General Jabbo

In 1977, Rainbow was on tour in Vienna, Austria, when trouble struck. Guitarist Ritchie Blackmore didn't take too kindly to a bouncer getting physical with fans and expressed his displeasure by drenching him in beer. Blackmore's actions got him a night in jail, which posed a problem as the band was set to be filmed the following night in Munich. Luckily for fans, the next night was available and the band was filmed as scheduled for the German TV show Rockpalast. That show makes up the DVD, Rainbow -- Live in Munich 1977, and is the only complete concert on film from the Blackmore, Ronnie James Dio and Cozy Powell lineup of the band.

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

Rainbow - Live In Munich 1977 CD Review

Written by General Jabbo

In 1977, Rainbow was filmed live in Munich, Germany, for an appearance on the Rockpalast television show. The show, recorded not long before Ronnie James Dio's final album with the band, Long Live Rock 'N' Roll, was released was, by many accounts, a stunning performance. The audio of this show has been newly remastered for the CD, Rainbow -- Live In Munich 1977.

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

Deep Purple - NOW What?! CD Review

Written by General Jabbo

For NOW What?!, their first studio album since 2005, the legendary Deep Purple decided to enlist the services of an equally legendary producer. Bob Ezrin, who helmed classic albums by groups such as Kiss, Pink Floyd and Alice Cooper, is working with Deep Purple for the first time. The results are a strong album that mixes familiar Purple elements with modern production touches.

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

Neil Cowley Trio - Live At Montreux 2012 CD Review

Written by General Jabbo

Neil Cowley has made quite a name for himself, both through his own music as well as his session work. The 2013 UK Jazz Artist Of The Year gained experience playing with the likes of Brand New Heavies and Zero 7 and, more recently, he played piano on both of Adele's smash albums, 19 and 21, exposing his playing to a wide audience, even if they didn't realize it was him. In 2012 while on tour for The Face Of Mount Molehill, Cowley and his crack band made their debut appearance at the famed Montreux Jazz Festival. The show was recorded and makes up the CD, Neil Cowley Trio -- Live At Montreux 2012.

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

Alanis Morissette - Live At Montreux 2012 CD Review

Written by General Jabbo

Alanis Morissette was once considered the Canadian Debbie Gibson. She released two dance pop albums in her native Canada before undergoing a radical career makeover. 1995's Jagged Little Pill was the result of those efforts and it struck an emotional chord, especially with female listeners, selling over 30 million albums worldwide and making Morissette a bona fide superstar. A four-time guest of the Montreux Jazz Festival, her 2012 appearance in support of Havoc And Bright Lights was recorded and makes up the new live album, Alanis Morissette - Live At Montreux 2012.

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