Deep Purple - Perfect Strangers Live DVD Review

Written by General Jabbo

While every band seems to reunite these days, the 1984 reunion of Deep Purple's famed Mk II lineup was a major event in the music world. Rock and roll still dominated the charts and, after 11 years apart, fans welcomed the "Smoke On The Water" lineup of the band with open arms. During their time apart, Deep Purple briefly continued on with David Coverdale and Glenn Hughes handling vocals, singer Ian Gillan had a solo career along with a stint in Black Sabbath and Ritchie Blackmore had great success with Rainbow. Still, Mk II's chemistry was undeniable and, after 11 years and some soul searching, the band managed to heal old wounds to release a new album and tour behind it.

The album, Perfect Strangers, was a blockbuster for the band, going platinum and spawning two legitimate Purple classics in "Perfect Strangers" and "Knocking At Your Back Door." Still, live concerts are where the band built its reputation and the Perfect Strangers tour was no exception. Sadly, very little footage of the band's reunion has ever been made available, until now. The tour began in Australia and the band had the cameras rolling, resulting in the DVD Deep Purple - Perfect Strangers Live.

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

New Model Army - Between Dog And Wolf CD Review

Written by General Jabbo

In the four years since their last album release, New Model Army went through a tumultuous period, having had their manager pass away, their studio burning down (with the rest of their gear being stolen, no less) and their bassist, Nelson, leaving the band. The group was, in many ways, forced to start over. New bassist, Ceri Monger, who at age 26 wasn't even born when the band first formed, has breathed new life into the group with his groove-oriented playing and the band decided to take a new approach musically as well. Drenched in lush keyboards and tribal drums, the band's latest album, Between Dog And Wolf, delivers on the promise of being very different from their previous releases.

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

James Booker - Classified: Remixed And Expanded CD Review

Written by General Jabbo

As New Orleans musicians go, James Booker would certainly be at or near the top. A contemporary of Dr. John, among others, the self-proclaimed "Bronze Liberace" played on albums by a diverse group of artists ranging from Ringo Starr to Fats Domino to Maria Muldaur. He also served as a mentor for a young Harry Connick Jr. Booker was not without his demons, however. Long-term struggles with drugs and alcohol indirectly contributed to his death from renal failure at age 43 and he struggled with mental illness as well. His music remains timeless though and Booker has amassed a growing legion of followers in recent years. His final album, Classified, has been remixed and expanded, offering a fascinating glimpse at this troubled genius' last sessions.

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

Bryan Ferry - Live in Lyon Deluxe Edition Blu-ray Review

Written by General Jabbo

As both a member of Roxy Music and as a solo artist, Bryan Ferry has carved out a four decade (and counting) musical career that blends elements of everything from the pre rock 'n roll era to blues to soul to rock and the avant-garde. With not only his original material, but also with well-chosen covers (ready mades as he calls them), he has managed to create a sound that is uniquely his. It's a testament to his talents that his covers often sound as if he had written them himself. While on tour in 2011 for his album, Olympia, Ferry and his crack band were filmed in Lyon, France. That show makes up the deluxe edition of the Blu-ray Bryan Ferry -- Live in Lyon.

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

Peter Gabriel - Live in Athens 1987 Blu-ray Review

Written by General Jabbo

In 1987, Peter Gabriel was at the height of his powers both artistically and commercially. His most recent studio album, So, had turned him into a mega star with its critically acclaimed songs and groundbreaking music videos. The last night of the tour, a 1987 stop in Athens, Greece, was filmed and released in edited form on VHS as POV. Fast forward 25 years to the present to find that So was yet another classic album to get the super deluxe treatment, this time including a DVD of the entire Athens show as a bonus. Now the entire show -- including the opening set from Youssou N'Dour -- is available on Blu-ray as Peter Gabriel -- Live in Athens 1987.

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

Elvis Presley – Elvis At Stax Deluxe Edition CD Review

Written by General Jabbo

The year 1973 was a good one for Elvis Presley. He was riding high from the success of the Aloha From Hawaii Via Satellite TV broadcast and live album; he had signed a new record deal with his label, RCA; and he was the beneficiary of a $5 million buyout of his back catalog from the label. While that buyout ultimately may have been a bad deal for Presley, at the time it gave him the financial freedom to live the way he was accustomed to. In addition, his manager, Colonel Tom Parker, had formed a new publishing company, which freed Presley to choose what he felt was stronger material to record. In short, life was good. This being the world of Elvis Presley, it wasn’t without its complications, however.

Presley’s relentless touring schedule had left him exhausted. He was separated from Priscilla during this time, and his daughter was scheduled to visit him that July. The problem was, RCA decided they needed new material from Presley during that time and he was forced to accommodate him. American Studios, where Presley had so much success with songs such as “Suspicious Minds” just a few years earlier, had closed down, but another hometown label, Stax, was thriving during this period. Presley knew of Stax and its success, and its proximity to Graceland couldn’t be beat, so he scheduled sessions for July and December of that year. A plethora of material was recorded — enough for nearly three complete albums — and RCA, as they were apt to do, spread the material out over multiple releases. Elvis At Stax, a new 3-CD collection of Stax masters and alternate takes, attempts to rectify this, putting all the masters and many notable outtakes in one place and offering a fresh look at these sessions.

Read the rest of the review at blogcritics.org by clicking here.

The Spy Who Came in from the Cold Criterion Collection Blu-ray Review

Written by General Jabbo

The 1960s Cold War era proved a fertile time for the spy movie genre. James Bond offered a glamorous, high-tech version of events, with exciting locales and beautiful women. The spy game is not always glamorous, however, and The Spy Who Came In From The Cold represents the seedy underbelly of this dangerous practice. Based on the John le Carré novel of the same name, Martin Ritt’s gritty movie adaptation is getting the Blu-ray treatment, courtesy of The Criterion Collection.

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