Choice Classic Rock

Choice Classic Rock Blog

New Pretenders, Stones, Bon Jovi and More!

I have just added 18 newly released classic rock tracks into high rotation on the playlist – featuring songs from Pretenders, The Rolling Stones, Bon Jovi and more! Twelve of the songs are from the following newly released albums:

Pretenders - Hate For Sale
Pretenders – Hate For Sale

Pretenders – Hate For SaleChrissie Hynde reunites with the only other original member of the band – drummer Martin Chambers – on the Pretenders 11th studio album. It features a return to form of sorts, as the lead singer and band snarl through an album that’s a composite of punk, new wave and mainstream Eighties pop. Listen for the tracks Maybe Love Is In NYC and the title track Hate For Sale. Read the review here.

Kansas – The Absence of Presence … America’s most famous prog band returns with their first album since 2016’s The Prelude Implicit. If you love the violin in Kansas – you will love this album – as it features more violin solos than the band is usually known for. Listen for the song Never. Read the review here.

Paul Weller – On Sunset … It has been 43 years since The Jam‘s In The City heralded the beginning of Weller‘s career – that now spans 15 widely diverse solo albums. As usual, Weller bounces a little bit all over the musical spectrum – but the result is always honest, and in this case, definitely worth a listen. Listen for the tracks Village and On Sunset. Read the review here.

Sparks – A Steady Drip, Drip, DripSparks brothers duo, Ron and Russell Mael, return with their 24th album – continuing to push the musical spectrum, even after a 50 year career. Some call it quirky – but I like it! Tune in now to listen to the songs Self-Effacing and Left Out In the Cold. Read the review here.

The Explorers Club – The Explorers Club … Led by Jason Brewer, the band released two albums on July 10th – this self-titled release and an album of covers (see below). This collection of a dozen originals melds together the sounds of bands like The Beach Boys, The Turtles, Three Dog Night, and Sweet and delivers a flawlessly-crafted sound that sounds like early ‘70s AM radio. All of it is impeccably written, performed and produced. Listen for the tracks Somewhere Else and Ruby. Read the review here.

The Explorers Club – To Sing And Be Born Again … For more than a decade now, the band (led by Jason Brewer) have been bringing their brand of ear candy pop to listeners. On this album they pay homage to their sound by delivering an album of cover songs from the classic rock decades. Listen for the song I Wonder What She’s Doing Tonite (originally recorded by Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart). Read the review here.

Stewart Lindsey – Amitié … This is the second album from the band, which is comprised of Eurythmics veteran Dave Stewart and Thomas Lindsey. It is definitely not the Eurythmics (there are no synths to be found) – but the album is authentic and honest with great playing and singing. Listen for the track Hold On. Read the review here.

Ray Wylie Hubbard – Co-Starring … One of the first musical “Outlaws” and an icon in the roots world, this album finds the artist joined by an array of guest artists. Listen for the song Bad Trick, which features Ringo Starr, Don Was, Joe Walsh and Chris Robinson. Read the review here.

New Singles

The other 6 songs are all recently released singles:

The Rolling Stones – Criss Cross … this never-before released song is a single from the deluxe version of the band’s iconic 1973 album Goats Head Soup, which is scheduled for release September 4th, 2020.

Bon Jovi – American Reckoning … motivated by the situation in their home country, the band wrote and recorded this protest song – with all proceeds going to Bryan Stevenson‘s Equal Justice Initiative.

David Gilmour – Yes, I Have Ghosts … the Pink Floyd guitar player’s first new music in 5 years was originally recorded for an audiobook edition of Polly Samson’s (Gilmour‘s wife) A Theatre for Dreamers (2020) novel. It also features his daughter, Romany Gilmour, who provides backing vocals and a backing harp arrangement.

Jefferson Starship – It’s About Time … co-written by original member Grace Slick, this song is the first single from the band’s new album Mother Of the Sun, which is scheduled for release August 21st, 2020.

Deep Purple – Nothing At All … this is the third single from the band’s upcoming album Whoosh, which is scheduled for release August 7th, 2020.

Joan Jett – Jeepster … this song is an advance single from the album Angelheaded Hipster, which features various artists paying tribute to the music of Marc Bolan and T-Rex. The album is scheduled for release September 4th, 2020.

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Stream is (Sorta) Back Up

The Choice Classic Rock stream is (sorta) back up. The streaming server has been updated – but unfortunately, the server address has changed. So I will have to notify all the Radio directories on the internet to change the streaming address – which will probably take several days to accomplish.

In the meantime – the stream is back up and live at www.choiceclassicrock.com

My sincere apologies for the inconvenience this has caused all my faithful listeners!

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New Dion, Dylan, Young & More!

I have just added 14 newly released classic rock tracks into high rotation on the playlist featuring songs from icons like Dion, Bob Dylan and Neil Young. Nine of the songs are from the following newly released albums:

Dion - Blues With Friends
Dion – Blues With Friends

Dion – Blues With Friends … Ably assisted by the likes of Van Morrison, John Hammond, Billy Gibbons, Jeff Beck, Bruce Springsteen, Joe Bonamassa, Paul Simon, Samantha Fish and Brian Setzer – the 81 year old rock/pop/blues legend has delivered a sizzling album of blues. Highly recommended! Listen for the tracks Blues Comin’ On, Hymn To Him, What If I Told You and Song For Sam Cooke (Here In America). Read the review here.

Bob Dylan – Rough And Rowdy Ways … With his 39th album – the first one of all new original material since 2012 – Dylan takes us on a trip with “references and direct lines to 20th century cultural touchstones – from political and geographical talking points to life-long influences and his musical peers that helped shape the rock ‘n’ roll landscape in the ’60s.” Listen for the song Goodbye Jimmy Reed. Read the review here.

Neil Young – Homegrown … This album sat in the artist’s archives – unreleased – since 1975. It is the “unheard bridge” between two acoustic-based albums, the 1972 classic Harvest and 1978’s Comes a Time, but because of the personal nature of the songs – and the heartache he was going through at the time – he chose not to release it until now. It was worth the wait! Listen for the tracks Vacancy and White Line. Read the review here.

Champlin Williams Friestedt – CWF 2 … This band consists of former Chicago singer Bill Champlin, former Toto singer Joseph Williams, and Swedish guitarist/producer Peter Friestedt. They recorded their first album in 2015, an EP in 2018 – but this new album has delivered the AOR goods with a very Chicago/Toto sound. Listen for the songs Runaway Dancer and Love In the World. Read the review here.

New Singles

The other 5 songs are all recently released singles:

Kansas – Jets Overhead … this is the third single from the band’s upcoming album The Absence Of Presense, which is scheduled for release July 17th, 2020.

Elvis Costello – No Flag … this song is a return to the artist’s punk/new wave roots and finds him expressing “the communal disgust so many of his listeners feel about their government, be it the United States or the United Kingdom.” A keeper …

The Allman Betts Band – Magnolia Road … this track is the first single from the bands second album Bless Your Heart, which is due for release on August 28th, 2020.

Bragg & Hemsworth – Tall Stories On Short Street and New World (Has Begun) … Tim Bragg and Ross Hemsworth are two talented musicians who have teamed up to produce these excellent songs. Both tracks are from their upcoming album Tall Stories On Short Street – which is due for release on July 31st, 2020. Click here to read more about this project.

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New (Sorta) Styx

It’s kind of a Styx reunion for these social distancing times – as one current and one former member have released some new music – separately of course!

I have just added 9 newly released classic rock tracks into high rotation on the playlist. Four of the songs are from the following newly released albums:

Dennis DeYoung - 26 East: Volume 1
Dennis DeYoung – 26 East: Volume 1

Dennis DeYoung – 26 East: Volume 1 … The former Styx keyboardist/vocalist has released a new album that sounds very Styx-like. He sat down and wrote enough songs for two albums (hence the Volume 1 in the record title) – so we can look forward to a Volume 2 sometime! Listen for the tracks With All Due Respect and A Kingdom Ablaze. Read the review here.

FM – Synchronized … This is the 12th album from the UK institution that has been together for 36 years, and the band sounds as good as ever. Listen for the songs Superstar and Broken. Read the review here.

New Singles

The other 5 songs are all recently released singles:

Neil Finn (with Stevie Nicks and Christine McVie) – Find Your Way Back Home … the three members of Fleetwood Mac got together to record this charity single – with all proceeds going to the Finn’s home country charity – Auckland City Mission (New Zealand).

Eric Clapton & B.B. King – Rollin’ And Tumblin’ … this song is a bonus track from the expanded re-release of the duo’s 2000 release – Ridin’ With The King, which is due for release on June 26th, 2020.

Yusef – Where Do The Childen Play … the man formerly known as Cat Stevens is celebrating the 50th anniversary of his breakthrough album Tea For the Tillerman – by recording a re-imagined version of the album – with the original producer Paul Samwell-Smith onboard to assist. Listen to this track for a preview of what’s to come when the album is released on September 18th, 2020.

Tommy Shaw – Going To California … the Styx guitarist/singer/songwriter could not sit still during this pandemic social distancing – so he recorded this version of the Led Zeppelin classic.

Alison Solo – Chiron … this is another song from the Canadian multi-instrumentalist singer-songwriter. It can be found on her latest album, Plutonian, which is only available digitally right now. Click here to hear more.

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Pandemic Schmandemic

Classic rock artists are starting to write and record new songs that address this once-in-a-lifetime situation the world finds itself in. Choice Classic Rock is adding them all into high rotation on our playlist. A new Rolling Stones track was added into rotation a while ago, and now joining it are these four songs that are all intended to help us get through the social isolation we are all experiencing in “these strangest of times”. The following tracks say “don’t give up”, “we got this” and “we’ll get through this Pandemic Schmandemic if we all work together!”:

Don't Give Up
Alice Cooper – Don’t Give Up

Alice Cooper – Don’t Give Up … Alice addresses us directly with spoken words and a killer track in this new release. Don’t give up – we are all in this together … all 7 billion of us.

Queen & Adam Lambert – You Are The Champions … the iconic group and their sometimes singer join together for a reworking of one of the band’s most classic songs – and give it a slightly different title.

Pat Benatar & Neil Giraldo – Together … A song that lets us know that we are truly in this “together”.

The Scorpions – Sign Of Hope … A song that looks to the future and says “keep your chin up”.

The other five songs added into high rotation are all singles from upcoming albums by classic rock artists. Listen for:

Deep Purple – Man Alive … This is the 2nd single released from the band’s upcoming album Whoosh – which is scheduled for release on June 12th, 2020.

Dion – Big Bam Boom … This is the first single from the Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Famer’s upcoming new album which is called Blues With Friends. The album features guest appearances by Bruce Springsteen, Jeff Beck and on this track he is assisted by Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top. It is scheduled to be released on June 5th, 2020.

Jackson Browne – Downhill From Everywhere … This latest track from the singer-songwriter dropped on Earth Day, and will be included in his next album – which is scheduled for release in October of 2020.

Kansas – Memories Down the Line … This is the second song released from the band’s next album – The Absence of Presence – which is scheduled for release to the public on June 26th, 2020.

Bob Dylan – False Prophet … This is the third song released from the iconic singer-songwriter’s next album – Rough and Rowdy Ways – which is due for release on June 19th, 2020.

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New Stones (and some other stuff too)

I have just added 10 new tracks of classic rock into high rotation in the playlist (including The Rolling Stones recently released brand new song). Three of the songs are from the following newly-released classic rock album:

Soul Asylum – Hurry Up and WaitDave Pirner is the only original member of the band left – but this is a nice album “full of harmonious vocals and life-experience, easy-going sing-song melodies and interesting varied styles.” And there’s nothing wrong with that! Listen for the tracks Got It Pretty Good, Social Butterfly and If I Told You. Read the review here.

New Singles

The other 7 songs are all recently released singles:

The Rolling Stones - Living In A Ghost Town
The Rolling Stones – Living In A Ghost Town

The Rolling Stones – Living In A Ghost Town … According to Mick Jagger this song was written last year but was adjusted to reflect life during the coronavirus pandemic. The song has gone to number 1 on iTunes in over 20 countries already. Click here to watch the video.

The Pretenders – You Can’t Hurt A Fool … this song is the 2nd single from the band’s new album, Hate For Sale – which is due for release May 1st, 2020.

Kansas – Throwing Mountains … this song is the 1st single from the band’s upcoming album, The Absence of Presence – which is scheduled for release on June 26th, 2020.

Whitesnake – Always The Same … this track is an unreleased gem that will be featured on their next release – The Rock Album – which will feature revisited, remixed and remastered versions of the group’s best rock songs. It is scheduled for release on June 19th, 2020.

Bob Dylan – I Contain Multitudes … this is the second song of new material that the folk/rock icon has released in this past month – his first new material since 2012’s album Tempest. The title of the song is taken from the poem Song of Myself by Walt Whitman.

The Dead Daisies – Unspoken … this rock juggernaut, newly fronted by rock vocalist Glenn Hughes, has dropped the first single from their next album – Holy Ground. No release date has been scheduled yet.

Alison Solo – Last One Standing … this is a new song from a Canadian multi-instrumentalist singer-songwriter. It can be found on her latest album, Plutonian, which is only available digitally right now. Click here to hear more.

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New Pearl Jam, Satriani and More!

I have just loaded 15 new tracks of (virus free!) classic rock into high rotation in the playlist. Eleven of the songs are from the following newly-released classic rock albums:

Pearl Jam - Gigaton
Pearl Jam – Gigaton

Pearl Jam – GigatonEddie Vedder and the band return with their first studio album since 2013 sounding engaged and excited, giving us one of their strongest efforts in quite some time. Let’s hope we get to see their postponed tour when things return to normal. Listen for the tracks Superblood Wolfmoon and Never Destination. Read the review here.

Joe Satriani – Shapeshifting … The guitar virtuoso’s 18th studio album features 13 tracks that cover a wide musical spectrum. Aided by co-producer Jim Scott, bassist Chris Chaney, keyboardist Eric Caudieux, and drummer Kenny Aronoff he delivers a very special instrumental record. Listen for the tracks Shapeshifting and Nineteen Eighty. Read the review here.

David Clayton-Thomas – Say Somethin’ … The iconic Canadian vocalist – who fronted Blood, Sweat & Tears – returns with a topical album of songs about climate change, immigration, politics, the justice system, and gun control – delivered as only he can. Listen for the songs The System, Never Again and Player. Read the review here.

Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real – Naked GardenWillie Nelson‘s son and his band return with the companion to their 2019 album Turn Off The News (Build A Garden). This natural-sounding collection of 15 songs is wonderfully relaxed, and yet maintains a progressive heart and soul. Listen for the songs Entirely Different Stars and Civilized Hell (Alternate Version). Read the review here.

The Strokes – The New Abnormal … The band returns with their first studio album since 2013, and I must admit it recaptures some of the sound of the 80’s – but with an attitude that only the band can deliver. Well worth a hearing! Listen for the track The Adults Are Talking. Read the review here.

The Monkees – The Mike & Micky Show … Are The Monkees without two of their members really The Monkees? The two surviving members of the band – Micky Dolenz and Mike Nesmith – take the stage on this live album for renditions of 25 pop classics and little known gems from their distant history. A trip down memory lane. Listen for the song (I’m Not Your) Steppin’ Stone. Read the review here.

New Singles

The other 4 songs are all recently released singles:

Jackson Browne – A Little Too Soon To Say … this song is from the singer-songwriters next album (still untitled), due for release next fall.

FM – Synchronized … this is the first single, and title track, from the UK band’s next album – which is due for release on April 10, 2020.

Lynyrd Skynyrd – Last Of the Street Survivors … this track, released in early April, is the first new song from the band in nearly eight years. Let’s hope there’s an album to come! Read an article about the song here.

Bob Dylan – Murder Most Foul … the 78 year old rock icon achieved his very first #1 solo single on the Billboard chart with this almost 17 minute song about the assassination of U.S. President John F. Kennedy. Read an article about the song here.

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