I have loaded 16 recently released classic rock songs into high rotation on the station’s playlist – featuring songs from Cheap Trick, Fleetwood Mac, Cactus and more! Eleven of the songs are from the following newly released albums:
Cheap Trick – In Another World … You may not be able to teach an old dog new tricks, but when the band sounds as good as this – who cares! Rick Neilsen, Robin Zander and the boys have turned out a first rate piece of power pop – that never strays much from the patented Cheap Trick sound. But why would they, when it sound this great. I fully recommend you listen to, and acquire, this record. It will be worth it! Listen for the tracks The Summer Looks Good On You, Gimme Some Truth (a John Lennon cover), Light Up The Fire and Quit Waking Me Up. Read the review here.
Fleetwood Mac – Fleetwood Mac Live (Deluxe Edition) … This deluxe version of the Live album originally released in 1980, contains a third CD of new live material from that era, recorded in different arenas (or stadiums) from around the globe. Listen for live renditions of The Green Manalishi (With The Two-Pronged Crown) – which was originally recorded and released by a different incarnation of the band – and the Stevie Nicks classic Sisters Of the Moon. Read the review here.
Cactus – Tightrope … This band originally hails from 1969 when former Vanilla Fudge members bassist Tim Bogert and drummer Carmine Appice brought in blues guitarist Jim McCarty from Mitch Ryder’s Detroit Wheels and The Buddy Miles Express, and singer Rusty Day from The Amboy Dukes. The band released three hard rock albums from that era – went on to different projects – but re-formed in 2006. This latest project is a slice of pure rock and roll – with great playing, and a guest appearance by original guitar player Jim McCarty. Listen for the songs All Shook Up, Papa Was A Rolling Stone and the title track Tightrope. Turn it loud! Read the review here.
Badfinger – No Matter What: Revisiting The Hits … Sadly, there’s only one member of the iconic quartet left, that being Joey Molland who joined the group shortly after the band made a name change from The Iveys to Badfinger. He was there when the band was taken under the tutelage of The Beatles, signed to Apple Records and given their first hit, Come and Get It, courtesy of the pen of Paul McCartney. On this project, he has joined together with an impressive roster of guests (including Rick Springfield, Rick Wakeman (of Yes), Matthew Sweet and Todd Rundgren) to revisit the great songs recorded by the original band. Listen for the track No Matter What (which features Mark Stein of Vanilla Fudge). Read the review here.
Neil Young – Young Shakespeare … This album was recorded live at the Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford, Connecticut on January 26th, 1971 and is another flawless release which sees Neil Young digging through his live recordings and releasing albums of interest. This recording captures the artist doing solo acoustic versions of some of his (at the time) most well known of songs. Of note, is that when this was recorded in 1971, half of the songs he performed hadn’t even been released – yet the audience is totally captivated throughout the performance. Listen for the song Don’t Let It Bring You Down. Read the review here.
New Singles
The other 5 songs added to high rotation are all recently released singles:
Crosby Stills Nash & Young – Ivory Tower … this unreleased song from the band is taken the upcoming release of their box set for the album Deja Vu – which was originally released in 1970. The 4 CD/vinyl record box set – said to contain hours of rare and unreleased studio recordings – is due for release on May 14th, 2021.
Van Morrison – Only A Song … this single is taken from the Belfast Cowboy’s upcoming album Latest Record Project: Volume 1 – which is due for release on May 7th, 2021.
Billy Gibbons – West Coast Junkie … this song is a single from the ZZ Top guitarist’s upcoming album – Hardware – which is set to be released on June 4th, 2021.
Dennis DeYoung – Isle Of Misanthrope … the ex-Styx keyboard player and vocalist’s latest single is taken from his upcoming album – 26 East, Vol. 2 – which is due for release on June 11th, 2021. He says this will be his final record.
Mammoth WvH – Think It Over … This song is taken from the upcoming debut release from Eddie Van Halen‘s son – Wolfgang. The album – Mammoth WVH – is set to be released on June 11th, 2021.
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