Coming upon SiX By SiX’s second album Beyond Shadowland, one can feel the progressive power trio of Saga guitarist Ian Crichton, Saxon drummer Nigel Glockler, and bassist and vocalist Robert Berry of 3 (with Keith Emerson and Carl Palmer) and 3.2, wielding quite the healthy and heavy near dozen on their sophomore release. A powerful heavy tapping guitar effect gets us into the rough chunk of “Wren.” Featuring a melodic slower piano-led middle, a great singable chorus, and Crichton’s pull-offs and vibrato mastery this first tune is a great way to start. As with a good handful of what ..read more

John Kay, the voice behind “Born To Be Wild” and “Magic Carpet Ride,” returned to his roots in 2001 with an intense and organic folk and blues solo album called Heretics & Privateers. Kay’s down-to-earth approach on this album may come across as rather uncharacteristic of the man known for spearheading “heavy metal thunder” with his band Steppenwolf. But upon closer examination, Kay’s introspective lyrics and stark arrangements are tersely genuine and profound. After several playbacks, it’s not too much of a stretch to say that Kay, as a songwriter and social commentator, may well be in th ..read more

Report by Shawn Perry Photos by Joe Schaeffer Ocean cruises and music go together like pineapple and rum — often with the same results. There’s a charter framed around just about any musical genre you can think of — oldies, blues, country, prog, you name it. The folks behind On The Blues produce three: Monsters of Rock, Cruise to the Edge, and On The Blue, formerly known as the Moody Blues Cruise. So, as a lover of cruises, music, rum, and pineapple, I leapt at the opportunity to sail aboard On The Blue. As in years past, the On The Blue: New Horizons cruise for 2024, sailing out of Miami with ..read more

Over a half-century later, Deep Purple’s landmark Machine Head is still turning — ahem — heads. So, it only stands to reason, is this digital age of supersonic upgrades, that the British quintet’s pivotal sixth release would receive a renovation to celebrate its golden anniversary. Loaded up with remixes, remasters, unreleased live music, and a nifty booklet that tells the tale behind its origins, the Machine Head Super Deluxe Edition triple CD, LP and Blu-ray set for 2024 is a convivial, well-packaged tribute to one of rock’s most treasured collection of songs. We could rehash the history, t ..read more

Review by Jordan West The iconic Greek Theatre in Los Angeles opened their 2024 season with a bang, as the Atlanta- based rockers The Black Crowes came to town and gave their audience a classic taste of rock and roll, on a chilly night in Griffith Park. Presented and promoted by Nederlander Concerts, the classic venue was sold out, and the excitement was buzzing amongst the faithful fans, who have been “wanting and waiting” for the band to return to the LA area for the first time since 2021. After a rousing opening set from Billy Tibbals, who is signed to Crowes singer Chris Robinson’s Silver ..read more

With a legacy spanning over five decades, Blue Öyster Cult is a unique force in the hard rock firmament. Their 2024 studio release, Ghost Stories, proves this uniqueness, as much as in the songs we hear, as where they come from. Collected on this album are reimagined and newly completed tunes, all save one originally recorded between 1978 and 1983. George Geranios, the band’s original audio engineer, as well as an integral part of the band’s heyday, co-produced the original recordings with BÖC, on reel-to-reel analog tape. Modern technology applied all these years later, the songs were transfe ..read more

Released in 1976, Year Of The Cat is the album that put Al Stewart on the map, showcasing his lyrical prowess and musical finesse. The album encapsulates Stewart’s distinctive blend of folk-rock, progressive rock, and storytelling lyricism, drawing listeners into a world where history, romance, and introspection intertwine. At the heart of the album lies its title track, “Year of the Cat.” With its mesmerizing melody and evocative lyrics, the song transports listeners on a journey through the mystique of nighttime Saigon, where exoticism and intrigue converge. Stewart’s narrative shines as he ..read more

There’s no shortage of box set releases when it comes to Electric Light Orchestra, though Flashback, a four-disc set released in 2000, might be the best of the lot. Jeff Lynne, the visionary and guiding light behind ELO, was too busy producing records with the Beatles, Tom Petty and Roy Orbison, to give the others much attention. As the leader, principal singer, songwriter, guitarist and sole original member left, Flashback is Lynne’s own personal take on one of the 70s most classic, bigger-than-life bands. Flashback is seasoned with lots of different edits, mixes, alternates and unreleased ma ..read more

The story of drummer Jim Gordon has long been relegated to the back pages of rock and roll history — its arc buttered up with ambition and achievement, gradually shattered by an inner turmoil that lead to madness and murder. In Drums & Demons: The Tragic Journey of Jim Gordon, author Joel Selvin goes deeper into the drummer’s life, filling in any and all gaps in his colorful and extensive career and bitter end. In between sessions, Selvin steps inside Gordon’s psyche and speculates a maze filled with internal voices, mainly his mother’s, clouding out his thoughts and struggling with realit ..read more

Review & photos by Jordan West The Peppermint Club was the scene of a rare SOCAL show by Canadian singer and guitarist Colin James that showcased what an incredible talent he is. He and his backing band, guitarist Chris Caddell, bassist Kenny Neal Jr, and drummer Geoff Hicks, along with special guest, the incredible “Sugarmill Slim” on harmonica, treated us all to an evening that we won’t soon forget. Many of the patrons, long-time fans such as myself, were thrilled to see this band, incredibly popular north of the border, in such an intimate setting. Colin James has performed for years in ..read more