RECORD REVIEW: Ace Frehley "Space Invader"

ACE FREHLEY

Space Invader

Entertainment One Music

  _____________________

Hey, smell that? That's the 
distinctive aroma of burning 

wig fibers and grease paint. 
Yep, must be the "Simmons 
brothers" fuming over being

spanked by their much-
maligned former bandmate.

_____________________

Simply put, Ace Frehley has created some of the greatest rock music ever. He's also produced some world-class crap over the years too. However, his latest collection, Space Invader, showcases some of his finest work to date.

Produced by Frehley, the former KISS guitarist's sixth solo record arrived in stores and online on August 19th via Entertainment One Music. More of a true solo effort than his previous releases, the Space Invader band is comprised merely of Frehley on vocals, guitars and bass and Matt Starr on drums — along with a smattering of keyboard, bass and backing vocal contributions.

ACE FREHLEY

With its blistering "I'm in Need of Love"-style solo, the title track makes for a hard-hitting opener — Ace is back, and he told you so, indeed!

"Gimme a Feelin'" and "I Wanna Hold You" both exemplify signature Frehley at the top of his game, while the riff-laden "Toys" hearkens back to his classic Alive! era. And "Immortal Pleasures" oozes a catchy "Dolls"-like cadence from his 1987 Frehley's Comet record.

"What Every Girl Wants" is Space Invader's crown jewel. This guitar-driven, cock rock treasure is without question one of Frehley's hookiest, no-holds-barred tracks in a very long time.

Co-written by Frehley and Chris Cassone, "Past the Milky Way" is another mighty highlight. Deeply personal lyrics accompany some of Frehley's all-time most blistering guitar work. At this point in the record, the "Simmons brothers" should be experiencing a bit of buyer's remorse regarding their current obedient sidemen.

Frehley's remake of Steve Miller's "The Joker" is simply superb and he succeeds in making the 1974 classic his very own. In short, it's so fresh and so fun, it could truly become a "New York Groove"-caliber hit.

Space Invader closes with "Starship" — the latest in Frehley's long line of epic instrumental compositions. Clocking in at just over seven minutes, this is his most unique and compelling opus since 1978's "Fractured Mirror." And yes, I have seen George Jetson!

ACE FREHLEY
(Melbourne, FL - 1993)

All four original KISS members now have weighed in and taken more than ample nasty shots at each other with their respective salacious tell-alls. But at the end of the day, everybody's just gotta shut up and let the music do the talking. The half-scab version of KISS has Monster — Ace Frehley has Space Invader. And although Gene and Paul won the recent Rock and Roll Hall of Fame battle, Ace clearly has won the street cred war — hands-down!

-Christopher Long
(August 2014)

• Get Space Invader NOW on Amazon
• AceFrehley.com 

The latest from author Christopher Long

- SHOUT IT OUT LOUD -

is available NOW on Amazon.

Also from Christopher Long...

Get it on Amazon.

Read More

CONCERT REVIEW: Rock 'N' Blues Fest - "A Tribute to Johnny Winter" / Melbourne, FL / 8.13.14 (Guest Post)

ROCK 'N' BLUES FEST

- A Tribute to Johnny Winter -

w/ Edgar Winter

Vanilla Fudge / Peter Rivera

Kim Simmonds

King Center / Melbourne, FL / 8.13.14  

 _____________________________



Michelle Wilson returns with 
another front row concert review. 
I really wish I had seen this one.

___________________________________

The recent passing of legendary guitar virtuoso, Johnny Winter, was a devastating loss to legions of musicians and fans throughout the world. With his unrivaled guitar skills and unique style, the Texas bluesman has left his indelible mark on the music industry. Before his untimely death, Winter was scheduled to headline the Rock ‘N’ Blues Fest along with the Edgar Winter Band, Vanilla Fudge, Peter Rivera formerly of Rare Earth and Kim Simmonds  of Savoy Brown. In homage to Winter, the tour transformed into a celebration of the icon’s musical legacy. Thanks to promoter, Brevard Music Group, the collective embarked upon Melbourne, Florida’s King Center for the Performing Arts for a night of lively, upbeat music, stellar acoustics and engaged fans.

ROCK 'N' BLUES FEST - Melbourne, FL  (8.13.14)

Kicking it all off at precisely 8pm was legendary Welsh blues guitarist and founding member of Savoy Brown, Kim Simmonds. Touted as one of the leading innovators of late 1960s British blues and influenced by the likes of John Lee Hooker and John Mayall, Savoy Brown’s early sound was steeped in Chicago blues. Simmonds 20-minute set offered up some cuts from his latest record, “Goin’ to the Delta,” including the title cut and “Nuthin’ Like the Blues” as well as “Poor Girl” from “Looking In, ” during which Simmonds showcased a masterful harmonica solo. Backed by Edgar Winter’s brilliant band members including guitarist Doug Rappoport, bassist Koko Powell and drummer Jason Carpenter, the combination of Simmonds’ high energy, incredible guitar skills and outstanding vocals set the tone for the remainder of the dynamic show.

KIM SIMMONDS

Next up was Peter Rivera, and the drummer / lead vocalist and founding member of Rare Earth never played or sounded better. Also supported by Winter’s band but with Carpenter moving over to the Hammond B3, Rivera and company delivered rousing renditions of Rare Earth classics including “Hey Big Brother,” “(I Know) I’m Losing You,” “Get Ready” and “I Just Want to Celebrate,” all of which were written and performed by others but covered by Rare Earth. Rappoport and Powell provided additional beautiful backing harmonies. It was a thrill to watch Rivera behind the kit as he impressed the audience with his masterful skills during the 25-minute set.

PETER RIVERA

VINCE MARTELL AND CARMINE APPICE

Boasting three of its original four members and taking the stage just shy of 9pm, Vanilla Fudge members included singer / keyboardist Mark Stein, guitarist Vince Martell and quintessential drummer Carmine Appice, as well as Powell on bass. Known for their reinterpreted, psychedelic covers, the seasoned players delighted the crowd with such memorable hits as “You Keep Me Hangin’ On,” “Shotgun” and “People Get Ready,” which they dedicated to Johnny Winter. Stein’s vocal range is still incredible and Martell is a joy to watch as he plays guitar, but it’s Appice who steals the show.  Unquestionably one of the most transcendent drummers ever, I was enthralled by Appice’s tremendous talent, especially from my front row vantage point. 

CARMINE APPICE

EDGAR WINTER

EDGAR WINTER (8.13.14)

As renowned as his brother Johnny, Edgar Winter has a stellar musical history of his own, fusing a jazz, blues and rock flavor that boasts more than 20 records. Following a brief intermission, Winter and his band graced the stage and opened with Chuck Berry’s “Johnny B. Goode,” a clear reference to his late brother, and then followed it up with the John D. Loudermilk-penned “Tobacco Road,” which Edgar dedicated to Johnny. The multi-talented instrumentalist, who played saxophone, keyboard and timbales throughout, delivered such renowned hits as "Frankenstein," Dan Hartman’s"Free Ride" and Bob Dylan’s “Highway 61,” during which Simmonds came on stage and played killer slide. Wrapping up the event, Edgar was joined by everyone for a snappy version of the Jagger / Richards staple, “Jumpin’ Jack Flash,” to end the epic evening. Admittedly, I was a bit perplexed by the song and artist choice, as I would have expected the show to close with a Johnny Winter song. Having said that, however, it still was quite an enjoyable experience peppered with guitar and drum solos, and one that undoubtedly would have done Johnny proud.

-Michelle Wilson

(August 2014)

www.BrevardMusicGroup.com

_______________________________________________________________________

 BE MY "GUEST"

Do you have something to say, something to get off your chest or an amazing story to share? From pop culture views and reviews to political commentary to messages of faith, my blog is a great platform for writers to showcase their work. There are very limited criteria for submitting a post. Your views don't even have to be in line with mine — just create and contribute a compelling, well-written story. Interested? Send me and email.

-Chris

AuthorChristopherLong@yahoo.com

_______________________________________________________________________

Read More

THE TOP 13 GREATEST RECORDS OF THE 2000s

THE TOP 13 GREATEST

RECORDS OF THE 2000s

I've written extensively

this year — looking back

and revisiting events,

movies and music of

the '60s, '70s, '80s and

'90s. But today, it's all

about the iGeneration.

_____________________________

I recall having a conversation with a particular famous rock star while driving up the Florida coast several years ago. As we headed to our favorite beachside Mexican restaurant, we discussed the various changes taking place in the music business in those days. At one point, he commented that in the not too distant future, we'd no longer be buying music in any hardcopy format — that we'd all soon be carrying our entire music libraries with us everywhere — inside of tiny pocket-sized digital devices. I thought he was nuts.

Years later, the rock star has been proven right. In 2014, we consume music in an entirely different manner than we did even just ten years ago. In fact, I recently handed a CD to a teenage girl at church — to which she replied, "What am I supposed to do with this?" Out of the mouths of babes. But be sure, whether you're downloading from iTunes, shuffling old school CDs, or spinning archaic LPs, the term "record" merely implies a collection of recorded songs — regardless of the format. Hence, this list reflects some the best new millennium "record" releases. You may notice that my personal taste leans toward crunchy pop / rock, created by humans who sing (with their own voices). And they play authentic instruments, and write songs that hook ya from the first chorus.

13.

HOLLY STARR

Focus

(2012)

In my original review shortly after 
its release, I referred to this one as

"the perfect pop record." And I still 
stand behind that assessment.

12.

ROONEY

Rooney

(2003)

From the opening notes of "Blueside," 
this So-Cal combo immediately 
harnessed the stylistic songwriting 
genius of Brian Wilson and fully

captured the pure magic of the
The Beach Boys — at a time
when I'd all but given up on pop
music. Other highlights include 
"Stay Away" and "I'm Shakin'."

11.

GOOD CHARLOTTE

The Young and

the Hopeless

(2002)

At first, I was nearly duped
by Good Charlotte's tattoos,

piercings, guy liner and snarly

attitude. But be sure, this ain't

no punk record. In fact, with

hooks large enough to reel

in Buicks, this record is as

poppy and appealing as any

Cheap Trick classic.

10.

THE CLICK FIVE

Greetings from 

Imrie House

(2005)

Not since The Knack hit in 1979
had I crunched on such a tasty treat. 
Featuring the hooky hits "Just the 
Girl" and "Catch Your Wave," this
treasure landed in the Top 20.
Co-written by KISS frontman,
Paul Stanley, "Angel to You
(Devil to Me)" is another of
the record's many highlights.

  9.
NEW YORK DOLLS

One Day It Will Please Us 
to Remember Even This

(2006)

When a band has been around for
so long, and has ingested so much
that its members have died, it gets
a pass for not having its original
line-up intact. Co-founders David
 Johansen and Sylvain Sylvain
returned after a 30-year hiatus and
delivered a record that's closer 
stylistically to Appetite for Destruction
than to the Dolls' previous efforts.

8.

BUTCH WALKER

Sycamore Meadows

(2008)

With his fourth solo effort, singer / 
songwriter / producer Butch Walker 
recreated the modern day equivalent
of Born to Run. It's the crowning 
jewel of his impressive career-
spanning catalog.

7.

TAKING BACK SUNDAY

Where You Want to Be

(2004)

A crazy girl turned me on to this
one in '08. Check it out for yourself. 
If "Set Phasers to the Sun" and 
"New American Classic" can't 
convince you that it's one of the
greatest rock records ever, you
may wanna check your pulse.

6.

FOUNTAINS OF WAYNE

Welcome Interstate

Managers

(2003)

The songs — crisp, clever and
catchy. The band — razor-sharp.
The Beatles-meets-The Monkees.

A record that's packed with such
 amazing hooks, "Stacey's Mom"
 isn't even the best of the batch!

5.

EAST COAST

CHRISTIAN LIVE

This Is Love

(2012)

A well-crafted, heartfelt and life-
changing collection created by a gifted 
group of singers, musicians and

songwriters. The cure for whatever ails 
ya! Read my complete review HERE.

4.

SHE & HIM

Volume 3

(2013)

Zooey Deschanel and M. Ward 
are angels sent from God.

Read my official review HERE.

3.

BLUE OCTOBER

Foiled

(2006)

Simply put, Justin Furstenfeld

is a total genius. These songs

are so unique — so brilliantly
beautiful that it still hurts my
soul to listen to the record —
nearly a decade following its
release. The perfect testament
to the power of music. Bravo!

 2.

HOOBASTANK

Fornever

(2009)

These lil' stankers first hooked me with 
"The Reason" back in 2004. Then, 
this record hit in 2009. To this day, I 
still wet myself every time I hear it.
 "I Don't Think I Love You," "So Close, 
So Far," "All About You," "The 
Letter," "Tears of Yesterday," 
"You're the One" — Fornever sure 
makes me happy not to be dead.

 1.

TAL & ACACIA

Wake Me

(2010)

Snappy and happy. Catchy and crunchy.
THE greatest record EVER!

(That is all.)

I hope that you've had fun with this feature. I sure had fun putting it together. I also hope that you may have discovered some great new music.

-Christopher Long
(August 2014)

The latest from author Christopher Long

- SHOUT IT OUT LOUD -

is available NOW on Amazon.

Also from Christopher Long...

Get it on Amazon.

Read More

DVD REVIEW: MUSCLE SHOALS (Guest Post)

MUSCLE SHOALS

Magnolia Pictures

(2013) 

   ____________________________________

Michelle Wilson returns with
an insightful screen review.
THIS one, I gotta see!
____________________________________

Muscle Shoals, Alabama likely would have been the last place in the world for the birth of not one, but two iconic recording studios. This sleepy little area on the shores of the Tennessee River encompasses a “magic” all its own, and “it’s like the songs come out of the mud,” as U2 frontman Bono suggests in this 111-minute documentary that chronicles the formation of Rick Hall’s FAME Studios and The Muscle Shoals Rhythm Sections’ (dubbed The Swampers) Muscle Shoals Sound Studio. The collaboration between black singers and white session players was virtually unheard of, but as Hall points out, “we were color blind” in the studio. Clarence Carter also reinforces this notion: “Music played a big part in changing people’s thoughts about race, especially in the South. Each time a person went to Muscle Shoals, they came out with a hit record. You had to know there was something magic in Muscle Shoals.” Carter goes further by explaining that there was no use of “Mr.” in the studio when addressing the white session players: “You just worked together. You never thought about who was white or who was black. You thought about the common thing and it was the music.”

Rick Hall with Clarence Carter at FAME
Recording Studios, Muscle Shoals, Alabama.

Chock full of interviews, commentary, photos and footage from various renowned recording sessions, the film offers a glimpse into how it all came to fruition. Additional insights are added by Jerry Wexler of Atlantic Records, Gregg Allman, and Jaimoe. The production is peppered with fascinating background stories and anecdotes too numerous to mention but definitely not to be missed. From Duane Allman’s slide guitar epiphany, to Aretha Franklin’s tension-filled sessions, to Etta James’ temper, to cutting tracks with the Rolling Stones and even to the rise of Lynyrd Skynyrd, there is so much packed into this movie that it warrants multiple viewings.



The Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section, or The Swampers,
Muscle Shoals Sound Studio, Sheffield, Alabama.

Directed by Greg “Freddy” Camalier with interviews conducted by Stephen Badger, the film delves extensively into the tragic early life of Rick Hall, who was raised in extreme poverty almost solely by his father. A horrific accident led to the death of Hall’s young brother, and his mother left the family for a life steeped in prostitution. Hall vowed to rise above his situation and to make something of himself, and after a series of downfalls and further heartbreaks including the loss of his first wife in a car accident, Hall returned to Muscle Shoals and opened FAME.  With the words of his father always ringing in his ears, Hall didn’t just want to be good at something; he wanted to be the best. Infamous for a perfectionist work ethic and a quick temper, Hall could be “a joy and pain to work with,” as soul singer Candi Staton mentions. Hall’s first group of session players was so exceptional that they went on tour opening for The Beatles, and not long after Hall had to replace all of them as they graduated to bigger endeavors. It was his next group of session players, nicknamed The Swampers by Leon Russell producer Denny Cordell, who would help solidify Hall’s place in music history.

Aretha Franklin with The Swampers, FAME Recording Studios,
Muscle Shoals, Alabama.

The film chronicles the partnership and eventual falling out between Hall and Wexler, which led to Hall signing a new contract with Capitol Records. No sooner had he closed the deal when his session players unilaterally decided to follow Wexler across town and open their own studio, Muscle Shoals Sound Studio. Comprised of bassist David Hood, guitarist Jimmy Johnson, drummer Roger Hawkinsand late keyboardist Barry Beckett, The Swampers proceeded to perform on endless hit records for major acts. Johnson even received engineering credit on The Rolling Stones’ blues-based gem, Sticky Fingers, and is a major figure in this narrative with invaluable remarks throughout. Both recording studios found great success after parting ways, as Hall hired his third group of session players and even received the prodigious Producer of the Year award in 1971.

Wilson Pickett and Duane Allman, Atlantic Studios, New York City.
(Photo: Stephen Paley)

The one component that this in-depth feature may have lacked was a more thorough examination of Duane Allman. For as groundbreaking as his slide guitar work was as a session player and with the Allman Brothers Band, the coverage of him seemed a bit light. His innovative guitar style literally helped launch an entire music genre, not because playing slide was new, but because seemingly no one in a contemporary band had incorporated it into the music until Allman’s arrival. Due to his conservative nature, Hall was unaccustomed to Allman’s lifestyle and voiced his concerns about working with him to Phil Walden, co-founder of Capricorn Records who eventually would buy Allman’s contract from Hall and transform the Allman Brothers Band into a huge success. Walden advised Hall to stick it out and that Allman would make him millions, but as Hall admits, “I missed the boat on that one.” This was even after the famous Wilson Pickett session that, at Allman’s suggestion, spawned the remake of The Beatles’ “Hey Jude,” and as Swamper guitarist Jimmy Johnson states, “all of a sudden there was Southern rock.”

Bono succinctly sums up the essence of Muscle Shoals and its impact on not only the music industry, but also on the world: “If you look at the recording studios, they were humble shells. But what they contained was an empire that crossed race and creed, ethnicity. It was revolutionary.”

-Michelle Wilson
(August 2014)

• http://www.magpictures.com/muscleshoals/
• http://www.amazon.com/Muscle-Shoals-Rick-Hall/dp/B00H3JHH6Q/ref=cm_cr_pr_pb_t

_______________________________________________________________________

BE MY "GUEST"

Do you have something to say, something to get off your chest or an amazing story to share? From pop culture views and reviews to political commentary to messages of faith, my blog is a great platform for writers to showcase their work. There are very limited criteria for submitting a post. Your views don't even have to be in line with mine — just create and contribute a compelling, well-written story. Interested? Send me and email.

-Chris

AuthorChristopherLong@yahoo.com

_______________________________________________________________________

Read More