Tesla - Mechanical Resonance (1986) [FLAC]

Mechanical Resonance is the debut album by the American rock band Tesla. It was released in 1986.

GENRE: HARD ROCK
Released December 8, 1986
Recorded 1986
Length 53:28
Label Geffen Records

Track listing

1. "EZ Come EZ Go" (Frank Hannon, Jeff Keith, Troy Luccketta, Tommy Skeoch, Brian Wheat) - 3:32
2. "Cumin' Atcha Live" (Hannon, Keith, Wheat) - 4:25
3. "Gettin' Better" (Hannon, Keith) - 3:20
4. "2 Late 4 Love" (Hannon, Keith, Luccketta, Skeoch, Wheat) - 3:50
5. "Rock Me to the Top" (Keith, Skeoch)- 3:38
6. "We're No Good Together" (Hannon, Keith, Luccketta) - 5:15
7. "Modern Day Cowboy" (Hannon, Keith, Skeoch)- 5:19
8. "Changes" (Hannon, Keith, Luccketta, Skeoch, Wheat)- 5:02
9. "Little Suzi" (Jim Diamond, Tony Hymas)- 4:55
10. "Love Me" (Hannon, Keith, Wheat)- 4:15
11. "Cover Queen" (Hannon, Keith)- 4:32
12. "Before My Eyes" (Hannon, Keith, Luccketta, Skeoch)- 5:25

* Jeff Keith: Lead Vocal
* Frank Hannon: Acoustic & Electric Guitars, Keyboards, Mandolin, Backing Vocals
* Tommy Skeoch: Acoustic & Electric Guitars, Backing Vocals
* Brian Wheat: Bass, Backing Vocals
* Troy Lucketta: Drums, Percussion


Song information

* "Cumin' Atcha Live" is generally the first song played at concerts by the band. It is featured in the video game Grand Theft Auto: Vice City.
* "Gettin' Better" was released as the second single from the album on February 10, 1987. The B-side was "Rock Me to the Top".
* "Little Suzi" is a cover of the Ph.D. song "Little Suzi's on the Up" and was the highest charting single from the album.

Review by Eduardo Rivadavia AllMusic Guide

Sacramento's oddly named Tesla (a moniker inspired by renegade inventor and pioneering electrical engineer Nikola Tesla) took the side door to '80s hard rock success, sneaking up on the charts and into the bedrooms of none-the-wiser glam metal consumers with their rock-solid debut, Mechanical Resonance -- itself titled after one of Nikola's better-known experiments, and a fascinating case study in musical compromise if ever there were one. Essentially, the album was partitioned into two quite different halves, with side one predominantly tailored to seduce the aforementioned music fans via radio-friendly templates and therefore packed with mostly throwaway, cliché-ridden arena anthems like "EZ Come, EZ Go," "Cumin' Atcha Live," and the gloriously dumb "Rock Me to the Top," boasting few surprises but plenty of testosterone. Yes, a few hints of Tesla's substantial songwriting intelligence can be glimpsed within the gritty strut of "Gettin' Better" and the bluesy balladry of "We're No Good Together," but most of the band's more mature and accomplished songs are saved for Mechanical Resonance's revelatory side two. Here, lead guitarist Frank Hannon really takes charge and establishes himself as the band's de facto difference maker, beginning with an epic of Led Zeppelin-like class and complexity in "Modern Day Cowboy," which was built upon a lopsided riff so irresistible that not even its finger-twisting complexity could keep it from becoming one of their most popular standards. This was followed by another pair of eventual fan favorites doubling as good examples of Tesla's creative range, since the wintry drama of the piano-laced "Changes" stood in stark contrast to the upbeat summer vibe of "Little Suzi." And finally, as though the aforementioned detours didn't proffer enough food for thought, Tesla even flirted with art rock on the odd rhythms and clever economy of "Cover Queen," before concluding with the desolate sobriety of closer "Before My Eyes." Given all these qualities and contrasts, it's no wonder that Mechanical Resonance stood out as one of the 1980s' most eclectic hard rock albums, and provided a formidable introduction to one of the era's most underrated American bands.

Tesla - Mechanical Resonance (1986) [FLAC]

Balance Of Power - Perfect Balance {Japan Edition w/Bonus Tracks}

2002 Progressive Metal, Melodic AWESOME!

RICK WAKEMAN - JOURNEY TO THE CENTRE OF THE EARTH [MFSL]

{24K Gold Ultradisc II/Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab Serial# UDCD 633}

Journey To The Centre Of The Earth is Rick Wakeman's second solo album, released in 1974. It is loosely based on Jules Verne's novel Journey to the Centre of the Earth. It was recorded live at the Royal Festival Hall in London, England on January 18, 1974. A big success, this album topped the charts of various countries and sold more than fourteen million copies.

It is said that Wakeman had to sell many of his belongings and mortgage his house to record it. He couldn't cut it in the studio because of the restricted budget. It was originally written to be longer, but certain parts had to be cut and overdubbed since the orchestra was expensive and Wakeman couldn't afford to re-record those parts. Therefore, certain lyric sections are out of order. After the recording, A&M UK did not wish to produce the album, so Wakeman convinced A&M USA to do it. This was the first A&M Quadraphonic (Surround Sound) album to use the CD-4 system.

This album is available in its original recording, a live DVD recording at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl in Melbourne, Australia in 1975, and a later orchestra-free/lyric free studio version is available on the 1994 "Greatest Hits" album.

Released May, 1974
Recorded January 18, 1974, Royal Festival Hall, London
Genre Rock, Progressive rock
Length 40:07
Label A&M (USA)
Producer Rick Wakeman
Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab Release: 1995

Track Listing

1. The Journey/Recollection - 21:10

2. The Battle/The Forest - 18:57
______________________________________________

* Rick Wakeman - Synthesizers
* Gary Pickford-Hopkins, Ashley Holt - vocals
* David Hemmings - Narrations
* Mike Egan - Guitar
* Roger Newell - Bass
* Barney James - drums
* London Symphony Orchestra
* The English Chamber Choir
* David Measham - Conductor

Review by Mike DeGagne

Journey to the Centre of the Earth is one of progressive rock's crowning achievements. With the help of the London Symphony Orchestra and the English Chamber Choir, Rick Wakeman turns this classic Jules Verne tale into an exciting and suspenseful instrumental narrative. The story is told by David Hemmings in between the use of Wakeman's keyboards, especially the powerful Hammond organ and the innovative Moog synthesizer, and when coupled with the prestigious sound of the orchestra, creates the album's fairy tale-like climate. Recorded at London's Royal Festival Hall, the tale of a group of explorers who wander into the fantastic living world that exists in the Earth's core is told musically through Wakeman's synthesized theatrics and enriched by the haunting vocals of a chamber choir. Broken into four parts, the album's most riveting segment, entitled "The Battle," involves Wakeman's most furious synthesized attack, churning and swirling the keyboards into a mass instrumental hysteria. With both "The Journey" and "The Forest," it's the effective use of the strings and percussion section of the London Symphony Orchestra that causes the elements of fantasy and myth to emerge from the album's depths. The gorgeous voice of Ashley Holt is effectively prominent, and some interesting guitar work via Mike Egan arises occasionally but meritoriously amidst the keyboard fervor. The whole of Journey to the Centre of the Earth still stands as one of the most interesting conglomerations of orchestral and synthesized music, and it is truly one of Wakeman's most flamboyant projects.

Highway Chile - Storybook Heroes "Headbangers" & "The Fever" MP3 Sample

MIND ODYSSEY - KEEP IT ALL TURNING {Japan VICP-5354}

(Band Debut)
Next Album, Same Group with latest 2009 release "Time To Change It"

GENRE: Progressive Rock

Original Release 1993 Napalm Records
Metromania / Warner Chappell
This Release: 1994 Victor Entertainment Japan
Serial # VICP-5354 (OOP)

1. Possessed by You (04:06)
2. The Reaper (04:51)
3. Because of You (05:16)
4. Illusions (06:06)
5. Fire in the Sky (04:53)
6. Odyssey (06:16)
7. Keep It All Turning (03:47)
8. Open Fire (04:00)
9. Stranger in the City (05:56)
10. I've Opened My Eyes (05:43)

Band members

Mario le Mole - vocal, bass guitar
Rocco Stellmacher - guitar
Dan Unden - guitar
Volker Schultz - drums
_______________________________________________________________
Mind Odyssey is a German progressive metal band that formed in 1993, split in 1999 and re-formed in 2007.
History

1993-1999

Mind Odyssey was founded in 1993 by singer and bassist, Mario LeMole, guitarist Dan Uhden, guitarist Rocco Stellmacher and drummer Volker Schultz. The first album Keep it All Turning was released in late 1993. Shortly after the release both guitarists left the band and were replaced by Victor Smolski. The next Album Schizophenia was released in the Summer of 1995. In 1996 Mario LeMole decided to focus more on his singing and hierd bassist Jan Michael Keller and later keyboarder Andreas Dirksmeier. In late 1996 after playing various shows in Germany the band went on a Europe Tour as support band of Vicious Rumors. The next Album Nailed to the Shade was recorded in 1997 and released in 1998. The 4th album named Sings was recorded and released in 1999. Shortly after, guitarist Victor Smolski joined German Power Metal veterans Rage and the Band split.

Mind Odyssey - Keep It All Turning (1993) [FLAC] {Japan VICP-5354}

VA - Tributized A Tribute To Def Leppard (1990) [FLAC]

Tributized: Tribute to Def Leppard

Artist: Various Artists
Release Date: January 25, 2000
Total Time: 45:56
Type: Collection (various artists)
Genre: Rock

Review

Inconsistent though it is, Tributized: A Tribute to Def Leppard does get it right sometimes, with performances that aren't overly mannered yet exercise a sense of tasteful restraint that lets the material speak for itself (Crease's "Too Late for Love," the Eric Knight Band's "Foolin'"). Unfortunately, portions of the album do fall prey to those traps, as well as occasionally grafting a musical approach onto the material that feels forced and awkward. ~ Steve Huey, All Music Guide

Track Title Composers Performers Time

01 - Wraith - Let It Go (4:36)

02 - Crease - Too Late For Love (4:44)

03 - Hear Here - Rock Of Ages (3:54)

04 - Project X - Photograph (4:05)

05 - Eric Knight Band - Foolin' (4:54)

06 - Baby Jones - High N' Dry (2:51)

07 - Elephant Orange - Bringing On The Heartbreak (5:36)

08 - Drop - It Could Be You (2:33)

09 - Premonition - Wasted (3:43)

10 - Vent - Woman (4:40)

11 - Cleaner - Pour Some Sugar On Me (4:20)

PW: VA - Tributized A Tribute To Def Leppard (1990) [FLAC]

Lillian Axe - Fields Of Yesterday (1999) [FLAC]{Japan PCCY-01378}

Lillian Axe - Fields Of Yesterday(Japan Issue / Bonus Tracks)
More or less a compilation of rare, b-sides and demo song tracks with the same line-up as Pschoschitzophrenia and Poetic Justice. Recommended for Lillian Axe Fans and not a very good introduction for beginner.

Melodic hardrock band (from the U.S.) LILLIAN AXE is back with its original members. Their debut work produced by Robin Crosby was highly acclaimed. This is their 5th album. Contains Original 12 tracks, Plus two Japanese-edition bonus tracks.

Album notes
Recorded between 1989 and 1992.
Released in 1999, the aptly named FIELDS OF YESTERDAY collects tracks by the hard rock veterans Lillian Axe which the band had initially recorded and shelved in the late-1980s and early-1990s.
Commercially marginal, but musically competent, Lillian Axe deserves a little credit for almost transcending their original '80s hair metal also-ran status and issuing discs through the '90s. The group had a couple of major-label releases and flashy videos that commanded little if any attention in the days of Warrant and Poison. Coming up as they had in the Southern and Midwestern bar circuit, the group was a pretty formidable live unit, but they never defined themselves enough to separate from the pack of hair farming, guitar spinning, leather pants wearing pack. Fields of Yesterday, although released in 1999, is really a collection of unreleased tracks recording during sessions for Lillian Axe's Love and War and Poetic Justice sessions between 1989 and 1992. There isn't a pronounced drop in quality between these cuts and those that made it on record originally, and songs like "The Last Time" and "Pulling the Rats Out" are as good as any the band recorded during this period. Guitarist Stevie Blaze is in fine form as his riffing and solo moments on tracks like "Deep Freeze" command attention with their sizzle and precision. While by no means groundbreaking, Fields of Yesterday is a solid release of rarities from a decent and slightly under-appreciated hard rock outfit. ~ Vincent Jeffries

Catalog/Serial # PCCY-01378
Release Date: 1999/06/02
Availability: Out of Print

TRACK LISTING

1. DEATH VALLEY DAZE 5:17
2. DO IT 4:18
3. TWILIGHT IN HELL 4:12
4. FOR CRYING OUT LOUD 4:01
5. THE LAST TIME 4:06
6. CALM BEFORE THE STORM 3:32
7. PULLING THE RATS OUT 4:22
8. WHEN IT RAINS 5:03
9. DADDY LONG LEGS 4:06
10. BLOOD ON THE MOON 3:52
11. KILL ME AGAIN 4:56
12. BECOME A MONSTER 5:12
13. THROW YOU AWAY (Japanese Bonus Track) 3:56
14. THIRST (Japanese Bonus Track) 5:34

Total: 1:03:26

Members

* STEVE BLAZE: Lead Guitar, Keyboards, and Backing Vocals
Steve uses Jackson, Charvel, and Parker Guitars. Mesa Boogie, Soledano Amps,
Morley wah-wah pedals and S.I.T. Strings.
* RON TAYLOR: Lead Vocals
* JON STER: Rhythm Guitar
* DARRIN DeLATTE: Bass Guitar
* CRAIG NUNENMACHER: Drums

__________________________________________________

PW: Lillian Axe - Fields Of Yesterday (1999) [FLAC]{Japan PCCY-01378}

Sweet - Level Headed (1978) [FLAC] {Repertoire German}

Dedicated to the "REAL" Queen of Rock...QS
Cause your so SWEET & "Level Headed" ;)

Click to enlarge!

PW= Sweet - Level Headed (1978) [FLAC] {Repertoire German Pressing}

Sweet - Level Headed
[w/Bonus Tracks]


Level Headed is a 1978 album by British rock band Sweet. The album features "Love is Like Oxygen", the band's last original single to hit the top 40 on both sides of the Atlantic, peaking at #8 in the United States and #9 in the UK Singles Chart. The single version of "Love is Like Oxygen" is substantially shorter than the full album version. A second single, "California Nights", was released from the album but only reached #78 in the UK and #76 in the US.

This was the last album to feature the "classic" Sweet line-up of Brian Connolly, Andy Scott, Mick Tucker and Steve Priest. Shortly after its release, Connolly left the band to embark on a solo career. The remaining trio continued as Sweet and delivered three more albums before breaking up in 1982.

Remaster Release 1991
Label: Repertoire Records (German)
Serial # REP 4234-WP
Total Length:

Originally Released January 1978
Recorded Kingsway Recorders, London, Château d'Hérouville, Hérouville, France
Genre Rock
Length 54:56
Label Polydor
Producer Sweet

TRACK LIST

1 Dream On 2:53
2 Love Is Like Oxygen 6:53
3 California Nights 3:45
4 Strong Love 3:28
5 Fountain 4:11
6 Anthem No. I (Lady of the Lake) 4:11
7 Silverbird 3:26
8 Lettres D'Amour 3:30
9 Anthem No. II 1:02
10 Air on "A" Tape Loop 5:59

Bonus Tracks

11 Love Is Like Oxygen (Single Version) 3:48
12 Cover Girl 3:34
13 California Nights (Single Version) 3:22
14 Show Me the Way 3:21


The Band

* Andy Scott – lead vocals on "Dream On" and "Fountain", guitar, synthesizer, background vocals
* Mick Tucker – drums, percussion, background vocals
* Steve Priest – lead vocals on "California Nights", bass, synthesizer voice, background vocals
* Brian Connolly – lead vocals on all other tracks, background vocals

ANGEL - ANGEL [S/T Debut] {Japan PSCW-1088_ARTWORK ONLY!}

As requested by Zanny Zandor....300 DPI (best I could find)
These Japan issues are very hard to find and very expensive, which makes it very very hard to open sealed copies. However, I do have everything but the OBI strip (Japan issue) included with this one. Know, that if I could, I would love to buy an open copy on eBay or somewhere(eBay search saves), but at this time, I am without. I opened up my only copy of "Helluva Band" and still regret it to this day.

If you need the actual FLAC EAC files, I have those as well (complete eac log included ;) )

Lillian Axe - Psychoschizophrenia (1993) [FLAC] {ARTWORK ONLY}

NO PASSWORD...Open in winrar! Artwork for "Lillian Axe - Psychoschizophrenia"

DOKKEN (Japan ARTWORK Scans, 600 DPI x 4 CD's)
No PW ;)

Guadi {Artwork}

PW: La Sagrada Familia

W.A.S.P. - NEON GOD PART 1 - THE RISE "ARTWORK"

600 DPI Scans

PW: Artwork

Angel Scans

Angel - White Hot Scans

PW: Artwork

Sparks - Indiscreet (1975) [FLAC] {Japan UICY-94100}

SPARKS - INDISCREET

[Cardboard Sleeve] [SHM-CD] [Limited Release]
Mini LP Replica (Just Released)
Catalog No.: UICY-94100
Label/Distributor: Universal Music
Format: CD
Number of discs (or other units): 1
Release Date: 2009/6/10
Originally Released 1975
Recorded 1975
Genre Rock
Length 43:06
Label Island Records

1. "Hospitality On Parade" – 4:00
2. "Happy Hunting Ground" – 3:44
3. "Without Using Hands" – 3:20
4. "Get In The Swing" – 4:08
5. "Under The Table With Her" – 2:20
6. "How Are You Getting Home?" – 2:57
7. "Pineapple" (Russell Mael) – 2:45
8. "Tits" – 4:57
9. "It Ain't 1918" – 2:08
10. "The Lady Is Lingering" – 3:40
11. "In The Future" – 2:12
12. "Looks, Looks, Looks" – 2:35
13. "Miss The Start, Miss The End" – 2:46
14. "Profile" – 3:30
15. "The Wedding Of Jacqueline Kennedy to Russell Mael" (Russell Mael) – 1:36
16. "Looks, Looks, Looks (live)" – 4:02

Personnel

* Russell Mael – vocals
* Ron Mael – keyboards
* Ian Hampton – bass
* Trevor White – guitar
* Norman "Dinky" Diamond – drums

with

* Mike Piggot – fiddle on "It Ain't 1918"
* Tony Visconti – orchestral arrangements

Sparks is an American rock and pop music band formed in Los Angeles in 1970 by brothers Ron (keyboards) and Russell Mael (vocals), initially under the name Halfnelson. Best known for their quirky approach to song writing, Sparks' music is often accompanied by cutting and acerbic lyrics, and an idiosyncratic stage presence, typified in the contrast between Russell's wide-eyed hyperactive frontman antics and Ron's sedentary scowling.

The band's long career has seen them successfully adopt many different musical genres; including glam pop, power pop, electronic dance music, mainstream pop and most recently chamber pop. And they have enjoyed a cult following since their first releases. Sparks have been highly influential on the development of popular music, in particular on the late 1970s scene, when in collaboration with Giorgio Moroder (and Telex subsequently), they reinvented themselves as an electronic pop duo, and abandoned the traditional rock band line up. In contrast to the esteem in which they are held by such peers as Depeche Mode, New Order, Morrissey, Mark Burgess of the Chameleons UK and They Might Be Giants, who all cite Sparks as a major influence, their almost constantly changing styles and visual presentations have sometimes seen them dismissed as a novelty act.

The 2002 release of Lil' Beethoven, their self-described "genre-defying opus", as well as the more recent albums Hello Young Lovers (2006, their 20th studio album) and Exotic Creatures Of The Deep (2008) have brought Sparks renewed critical and commercial success, and seen them continue to "steer clear of pop conventions."

AllMusic Review: by Alex Henderson

In the '70s and '80s, Sparks' American fans couldn't understand why the Mael Brothers weren't as big in the United States as they were in England. "Why don't more of our fellow Americans realize just how great these guys are?" was the question that Sparks addicts in the U.S. often found themselves asking. Whatever the reason, British audiences really connected with Sparks' goofy, insanely clever lyrics -- and the fact that Russell Mael sings like he could be an eccentric upper-class Englishman (although he was born and raised in Los Angeles) probably didn't hurt. Indiscreet, which was the Mael Brothers' third album for Island and their fifth album overall, is state-of-the-art Sparks. The power pop melodies are consistently infectious, and the lyrics are as humorous as one expects Sparks lyrics to be -- nutty gems like "Pineapple," "Happy Hunting Ground," "Tits," and "Get in the Swing" will easily appeal to those who like to think of Russell and Ron Mael as the pop/rock equivalent of Monty Python's Flying Circus. Like other Sparks releases of the '70s, Indiscreet did much better in England than it did on the North American side of the Atlantic. In the U.S., this 1975 LP appealed to a small but enthusiastic cult following -- in Great Britain, Indiscreet was a big seller and appealed to a much larger and broader audience. Over the years, Sparks has experimented with everything from hard rock to Euro-disco. But power pop is the primary focus of Indiscreet, which went down in history as one of the band's best '70s albums.

Sparks - Propaganda (1974) [FLAC] {Japan UICY-94099}

Sparks - Propaganda

Japan Issue UICY-94099 (Just released)
Mini LP Replica SHM-CD (3 Bonus Tracks)

Propaganda is the fourth album by Sparks. The title track is a short a cappella song with multiple overdubs from Russell Mael.

GENRE: Rock

Original Release Date: 1974
Number of Discs: 1
Format: Extra tracks, Import
Genre Rock
Length 43:06
Label Island Records
21st Century Edition track listing

1. "Propaganda" - 0:23
2. "At Home, At Work, At Play" - 3:06
3. "Reinforcements" (Ron and Russell Mael) - 3:55
4. "B.C." - 2:13
5. "Thanks But No Thanks" (Ron and Russell Mael) - 4:14
6. "Don't Leave Me Alone with Her" - 3:02
7. "Never Turn Your Back on Mother Earth" - 2:28
8. "Something for the Girl with Everything" - 2:17
9. "Achoo" - 3:34
10. "Who Don't Like Kids" - 3:37
11. "Bon Voyage" (Ron and Russell Mael) - 2:54
12. "Alabamy Right" - 2:11
13. "Marry Me" - 2:54
14. "Interview" - 7:16

Personnel

* Ron Mael - keyboards
* Russell Mael - vocals
* Trevor White - guitar
* Ian Hampton - bass
* Norman "Dinky" Diamond - drums
* Adrian Fisher - guitar

* Produced by Muff Winwood

All Music Review by Dave Connolly

What better way to promote Sparks' spinning blender of demented pop than Propaganda? The band's fourth album (and second with producer Muff Winwood) is chock-full of great ideas, including the overseas hits "Something for the Girl With Everything" and "Never Turn Your Back on Mother Earth." With Russell Mael delivering the lyrics in his rapid-fire falsetto, the lyric sheet is a necessary compass, as the clever wordplay is a key to discovering what these pranksters are up to. Ron Mael's skewed take on relationships ("At Home, at Work, at Play," "Don't Leave Me Alone With Her") are nearly upstaged by the hyperactive arrangements, but when the words and the music click, it's pure magic. In fact, "Bon Voyage" might be the most sublime song they've ever written, teetering between genuine pathos for and lampooning of the plight of those left behind by Noah and his ark. Other highlights include "Achoo" (about, you guessed it, catching a cold) and "Who Don't Like Kids," in which Mael uncorks the opening lines "You got a cigar, here's a couple more/Because the offspring are springing through swinging doors" in a few seconds. The torrential outpouring of words and ideas, underscored by guitars and keyboards with oft-shifting rhythms, either repels or attracts listeners. Though the similarities to Queen are sometimes striking, they eschew that band's seriousness and epic guitar work, favoring hit-or-miss observations that suggest a cross between 10cc and the power pop of the late '70s. Propaganda remains one of Sparks' brightest achievements, brimming with a loopy charm that continued to captivate the open-minded English listeners, if not their close-minded countrymen in the U.S. [Note that European CD reissues in the late '90s include non-album B-sides from the record's two U.K. singles as bonus tracks: "Alabamy Right" and "Marry Me."

ANOTHER SPARKS MASTERPIECE!, October 23, 2004
By Madeline Bocaro "Madeline X"

This album instilled in me the burning desire to drop leaflets from helicopters declaring Sparks the greatest band in the world!! Having no access to a helicopter at the age of fourteen, word traveled slowly but surely, by various subversive missives.

Despite the Maels' intentions to take a completely new direction, ignoring the successful formula of Kimono My House, it segued right into Propaganda. Sparks' third and fourth albums (both on Island Records) complemented each other like a pair of bookends. Britain's `Holy Trinity' Melody Maker, Sounds and NME raved! They gave Ron and Russell tremendous coverage, featuring lengthy interviews in which they mostly discussed their favourite topic...food!

In 1974, recorded immediately after the smashing British reception of Kimono My House, Propaganda retained the same producer, Muff Winwood (brother of Traffic's Steve Winwood). The album was made in the anglo-maniac Maels' new home, England with Sparks' live touring unit; bassist Ian Hampton (replacing Martin Gordon from the Kimono sessions) and guitarist Trevor White - both former Jook members, (the late) Adrian Fisher also on guitar and drummer, Dinky Diamond.

The album cover of Propaganda launched a succession of hilarious cover shots, presenting the frail Mael brothers in extraordinary predicaments, usually helplessly victimized in some way. Here they are on the south coast of England - abducted, bound and gagged at the back of a speeding boat, and on the back cover, held hostage at a petrol station in the rear of a car. Their captors (Ian, Dinky and Trevor) are fiendishly deciding their fate. The inner sleeve finds the brothers breaking their ties and attempting to telephone for help.

Russell shines on the a'capella title track, with his voice overdubbed 30 times! The rest of the songs are sung in various narratives; the voices of animals left behind on Noah's ark ("Bon Voyage"), a kid who likes taking candy from strangers (potential abductors) but can't understand why he shouldn't ("Thanks But No Thanks"), a girlfriend being bribed by abundant eccentric gifts to keep her from divulging incriminating information ("Something For The Girl With Everything"), a cowardly army recruit ("Reinforcements") and many more. This was some of the most multifaceted pop music ever recorded. It was almost operatic with its amazing range and orchestrations, sudden tempo changes and strange storylines - and it rocked! Gilbert & Sullivan would have either been proud or envious!

Guitarist Trevor White told Goldmine in July, 1995, "'Achoo' ended with this really great characteristic long solo... (from Adrian) and they wiped it off and put on all those horrid multi-tracked sneezes. They figured everyone had heard a guitar solo, but they hadn't heard us all sneezing." Yes, guitar solos are a dime a dozen, but sneezing on a Sparks record was groundbreaking! Unfortunately, it never did catch on.

1974 brought Sparks four hits in the UK Top Twenty within nine months. The album charted instantly, and "Something For The Girl With Everything" / "Marry Me" reached #17. All of the UK singles from Propaganda contained non-LP B-sides.

In October of 1974, "Never Turn Your Back On Mother Earth" /"Alabamy Right" reached #13. It was the nearest thing to a ballad that Sparks had ever done, featuring beautiful mellotron and synth strings.

Sparks were uncomfortably wedged somewhere between Glam and Rock although they were neither one entirely. As refreshing as their music was to some, it was equally annoying to others - a high standard which Sparks maintain to this day!

The Propaganda album elaborately set the stage for Sparks' next excursion...the inimitable Indiscreet, Coming up next!

Schenker Barden Acoustic Project - Gipsy Lady (2009) [FLAC] {Japan GNCP-1028}

SCHENKER BARDEN ACOUSTIC PROJECT
GIPSY LADY
Released 2009
(In-akustik Records/GmbH)

Track Listing
01. Lost
02. Dance Lady Gipsy
03. All Of My Life
04. Fight For Freedom
05. El Grande
06. Starting Over
07. Can'T Live On Love Alone
08. Another Melody
09. Travelled So Far
10. Hungry
11. Night Of The Stare
12. The Journey

Band Members
Gary Barden - vocals
Michael Schenker - guitar
Michael Voss - guitar, bass, keyboards and background vocals
Kai Luennemann - percussion

Production
Produced by Michael Voss.

Review
After last year's In The Midst Of Beauty, the Michael Schenker/Gary Barden pairing proved that the magic was still there.

So what does one do to follow up the solid release? Well, you do something completely the different.
Gipsy Lady is a completely acoustic album that is all original material, unlike the album that MSG issued during the

Robin McAuley era which consisted of mostly classic stuff from UFO and MSG. Don't mistake this album with the acoustic

instrumental Thank You series that Schenker launched in the early 90's, although Gipsy Lady does feature two solid

instrumentals in "El Grande" and "The Journey".
Gipsy Lady will take a number of spins to sink in, but once it does watch out, you'll be in trace. Gipsy Lady showcases

a different side of both Michael Schenker and Gary Barden who kick out some brilliant acoustic jams. Barden delivers a

loose, smooth performance throughout the CD and Schenker once proves again that despite some set backs he's back in tip

top form.
Some of the standouts on Gipsy Lady are the opening track "Lost" (this song sets up the album brilliantly), "Fight For

Freedom" which has an audacious folk chorus that will have you tapping and singing along from the first listen. "Can't

Live On Love Alone" and "Hungry" feature some fantastic hooks and they both could be hit singles even in today's fickle

music business. And by far the biggest surprise is "Night Of The Stare", which is a hard rock's take on the tango.
If you're looking to expand your musical pallet then look no further than Gipsy Lady. This album will even have appeal

outside of the rock realm as it covers various cultural subgenres.

Full artwork minus the Jap Info Sheet saved to 400dpi png's is included
pass:Schenker Barden Acoustic Project - Gipsy Lady (2009) [FLAC] {Japan GNCP-1028}
Password Fixed!

Johannes Moessinger - The New Jersey Session (2008) [FLAC] {In + Out CD77096-2}

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Johannes Mössinger - The New Jersey Session
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Artist...............: Johannes Mössinger
Album................: The New Jersey Session
Genre................: Jazz
Source...............: CD
Year.................: 2008
Ripper...............: EAC 099pb5 (Secure mode, test & copy) & Plextor Premium2
Codec................: Free Lossless Audio Codec (FLAC)
Version..............: reference libFLAC 1.2.1 20070917
Quality..............: Lossless, (avg. compression: 142 %)
Channels.............: Stereo / 44100 HZ / 16 Bit
Tags.................: VorbisComment
Information..........:

Ripped by............: on 18.06.2009
Posted by............: on 18.06.2009
News Server..........:
News Group(s)........:

Included.............: NFO, LOG, CUE
Covers...............: Front Back CD

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Tracklisting
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1. (00:05:19) Splanshy Squeeze
2. (00:04:42) Newton
3. (00:05:35) Pictures Of Love
4. (00:06:35) It's Time To Be A Greenhorn
5. (00:06:40) Nocturne
6. (00:05:39) Walking Out
7. (00:04:12) Follow Her Trail
8. (00:07:41) The Eyes Of The Bear
9. (00:08:10) Serenade For Neptun
10. (00:03:36) Memories

Playing Time.........: 02:20:10
Total Size...........: 279,00 MB

NFO generated on.....: 18.06.2009 19:40:43


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Johannes Mössinger
The New Jersey Session

Johannes Mössinger (piano)
Seamus Blake (saxophone)
Boris Kozlov (double bass)
Karl Latham (drums)

recorded April 30 to May 2, 2008
released 2008

In + Out Records
IOR CD 77096-2
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PW: jmtnjs

I have to admit, I never heard about this guy, before I attended a duo concert with him and saxophone player Don Braden some days ago. Made and impression, and I had to purchuse this cd. Mössinger seems to be classically trained. He sure knows his Chopin, but also his Bud Powell and more recent pianists. This cd is a mixture of solo, trio and quartet tracks, and the solo pieces came about because he simply liked the sound of the piano in the studio. Not a sensational recording, but at least a rather new face for me, and I am always eager to explore. Overall, pretty straight-ahead stuff, with some great piano playing. Haven't found any reviews for this one yet. Maybe he is just to obscure?

Deep Purple - Live In Denmark '72 (2002) [FLAC] (Japan VICP-64310-11)

Original Release Year: 2002
This release: 23 July 2008
Label: Victor Entertainment (JVC) Japan
Cat.-No.: VICP-64310-11

limited LP style paper sleeve edition
K2HD mastering (2-cd Gatefold)


Tracklisting
(Disc 1)
1 Highway Star
2 Strange Kind Of Woman
3 Child In Time
4 The Mule

(Disc 2)
1 Lazy
2 Space Truckin
3 Fireball
4 Lucille
5 Black Night

What a great Live album
Yes 'Made in Japan' is great but in my opinion this is Better!!! Gillan's Voice is better for a start. Lord and Blackmore are as usual incredable with Paice beating the hell out of his drum kit. I also think that Roger Glover's bass sound on this is better as well. The set list is very similar to 'Made in Japan'.
Although I am comparing this to 'Made in Japan' as the bench mark it should really be the other way round.
I own both and in comparison to 'Black night in Denmark 72' I found 'Made in Japan' slightly dissapointing.
So to round off if in doubt buy this you won't be dissapointed.


The best of the best lineup of the best heavy rock band ever
The early 1970s have taken on legendary status for one of the original pioneers of heavy rock. Many people will point you in the Direction of Made in Japan, one of the greatest selling live albums of all time. This, on the other hand, was recently discovered deep within the archives, and has been remastered from the original tapes to give what can only be described as a 5 star performance.
With a setlist almost identical to that of Made in Japan, you could be sceptical about the amount of new content. However, I cannot believe how fresh it sounds in comparison. Gillan is on top form, especially in a brilliant "Lucille" for the encore. Blackmore is as destructive as usual, you can imagine the fretboard being wrecked with some ferocity! This is Deep Purple Mk II at their very very best. Unfortunately it will probably only get aired by people wanting to add to their already vast collection, which is a shame! Spread the word people!

[amazon reviewers]

Full artwork minus the Jap Info Sheet saved to 400 dpi png's is included!

Pass: Deep Purple - Live In Denmark '72 (2002) [FLAC] (Japan VICP-64310-11)

Rush - St. Louis '80 - Remaster Edition (1980) - [FLAC] {CDR - Bootleg}

Rush

St. Louis '80 - Remaster Edition

Release: February 14, 1980
Location: Kiel Auditorium, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
Media: 1 CDR
Length: 73:09
Catalog: GKP: GKP 2001-2
Source: Pre-broadcast LP

Tracklist:
1. 2112: I - Overture (4:37)
2. 2112: II - The Temples Of Syrinx (2:17)
3. 2112: III - Discovery (0:30)
4. 2112: IV - Presentation (2:35)
5. 2112: VI - Soliloquy (2:26)
6. 2112: VII - Grand Finale (2:29)
7. By-Tor And The Snow Dog (5:15)
8. Xanadu (12:18)
9. The Spirit Of Radio (5:19)
10. Natural Science (8:24)
11. Beneath, Between, Behind (2:29)
12. Working Man (3:31)
13. Finding My Way Intro (0:24)
14. Anthem (1:41)
15. Bastille Day (1:29)
16. In The Mood (2:39)
17. Drum Solo (5:12)
18. La Villa Strangiato (9:52)

More Info: Digital Rush Experience

Well, my personal review couldn't be different from those on the info page above... this is possibly one of the best Rush bootleg's ever recorded. It sounds so great that I think it might be better than "Exit... Stage Left" or "A Show of Hands"!!! :P

The setlist is just perfect gold, you can't complain with the (almost) complete 2112 suite, Xanadu, Spirit of Radio, Beneath, Between and Behind, La Villa Strangiatto and other classics like that.

Actually if I went to a Rush show and they played just those 5 songs I'd still be happy! :lol:

I downloaded this one a long time ago from dimeadozen and burned it to a CDR... it's now dead on dime so it's kinda "rare" on the net. ;)

This includes 300 dpi artwork (both .jpg files and .pdf), .cue and .log files and .m3u playlist file.

Enjoy!!

Package name: R-STL-80.rar
Password: Rush - St. Louis '80 - Remaster Edition (1980) - [FLAC] {CDR - Bootleg}

Art Blakey & James Moody - New Sounds (1947-48) [FLAC] (Blue Note, Ron McMaster, 1991)

This historically significant CD collects together two sessions led by tenor saxophonist James Moody in 1948 (when he was a member of Dizzy Gillespie's big band) along with drummer Art Blakey's first recording date as a leader. Moody's music features boppish arrangements by Gil Fuller and solos by trumpeter Dave Burns, altoist Ernie Henry and baritonist Cecil Payne while the Blakey set (originally released under the title of Art Blakey's Messengers) features an octet that includes trumpeter Kenny Dorham, altoist Sahib Shihab and pianist Walter Bishop. Classic and formerly rare music.- Scott Yanow

Art Blakey & James Moody - New Sounds
(Blue Note/Capitol-EMI CDP 7 84436 2, issued 1991)

1. Fuller Bop Man (alt. take) - prev. unissued
2. Fuller Bop Man
3. Work Shop
4. Oh Henry
5. Moodamorphosis
6. Mood's All Frantic
7. Tropicana
8. Cu-ba
9. Tin Tin Deo
10. Thin Man
11. Bop Alley
12. Bop Alley (alt.)
13. Groove Street
14. Musa's Vision

Tacks 1-5:
James Moody's Modernists:
James Moody (tenor saxophone), Ernie Henry (alto saxophone), Cecil Payne (baritone saxophone), Dave Burns (trumpet), Elmon Wright (trumpet), James "Hen Gates" Forman (piano), Nelson Boyd (bass), Teddy Stewart (drums).
Apex Studios, New York City, October 19, 1948

Tracks 6-10:
Art Blakey replaces Teddy Stewart on drums, Chano Pozo (bongos, vocals) is added.
Apex Studios, New York City, October 25, 1948

Tracks 10-14:
Art Blakey's Messengers:
Art Blakey (drums), Sahib Shihab (alto saxophone), Musa Kaleem (tenor saxophone), Ernie Thompson (baritone saxophone), Kenny Dorham (trumpet), Howard Bowe (trombone), Walter Bishop (piano), Laverne Baker (bass).
WOR Studios, New York City, December 27, 1947


I hope I did everything OK. I don't have much experience with blogs...

tolis

Uriah Heep - Abominog (1982) [FLAC] (Japan BVCM-37740)

Original Release Year: 1982
This Release: 2007/08/22
Catalog No.: BVCM-37740
Label: BMG Japan


Cardboard sleeve reissue from Uriah Heap featuring JVCK2 24-bit remastering and deluxe cardboard sleeve package design. Part of a twenty-album Uriah Heap cardboard sleeve reissue series featuring the albums "Live in Europe 1979," "Live In Moscow," "Raging Silence," "Different World," "Very 'Eavy Very 'Umble," "Salisbury," "Looka At Yourself," "Demons And Wizards," "Magician's Birthday," "Uriah Heep Live," "Sweet Freedom," "Wonderwood," "Return To Fantasy," "High and Mighty," "Firefly," "Inncocent Victim," "Fallen Angel," "Concquest," "Abominog," and "Head First."


Tracklist
1. TOO SCARED TO RUN
2. CHASING SHADOWS
3. ON THE REBOUND
4. HOT NIGHT IN A COLD TOWN
5. RUNNING ALL NIGHT(WITH THE LION)
6. THAT'S THE WAY THAT IT IS
7. PRISONER
8. HOT PERSUASION
9. SELL YOUR SOUL
10. THINK IT OVER
11. SON OF A BITCH(FROM ABOMINOG JUNIOR EP) ...... bonus track
12. TIN SOLDIER(FROM ABOMINOG JUNIOR EP) ...... bonus track
13. THINK IT OVER(VIDEO SOUNDTRACK) ...... bonus track
14. TOO SCARED TO RUN(LIVE) ...... bonus track
15. SELL YOUR SOUL(LIVE) ...... bonus track
16. THAT'S THE WAY THAT IT IS(LIVE) ...... bonus track


Line-Up
Vocals: Pete Goalby
Guitars: Mick Box
Bass: Bob Daisley
Drums: Lee Kerslake
Keyboards: Trevor Sinclair


kickedintheface.com

First Van Halen 'OU812' and now Uriah Heep 'Abominog'?' asks some cretin anticipating an Amon Amarth review. No one's too good for Uriah Heep. Not a single bloody one of you. Uriah Heep are one of the true pioneers of heavy metal, but because their singer wasn't Ozzy Osbourne nobody remembers them, even though their original vocalist, the late David Byron, was clearly a better all round frontman than the over saturated fat fart that is Ozzy. It is true by 1982 Heep were down and out, their early to mid 70's success a distant memory, 1972's 'Demons And Wizards' their supposed essential album, although I'll take the John Lawton fronted 1978 'Fallen Angel' any day. After disbanding following 1980's 'Conquest', Mick Box pulled himself together, reforming the band with a new lineup, minus keyboardist Ken Hensley, the former leader, who went and added his talents to Blackfoot. Kerslake returned from the 70's glory days (replaced originally by Chris Slade in 1979), while Daisley signed up fresh from a stint with Ozzy. With an excellent new singer in Goalby, Heep recorded one of their best albums to that point, a perfect blend of AOR and metal/hard rock.

I first heard this album nearly a decade ago, and it's still a consistently thrilling listen all these years later. The addition of PULSATING synths added a new dimension from Hensley's former dated Hammond organ stunts, as witnessed by the brazen AOR of 'Chasing Shadows', 'Hot Night In A Cold Town' and 'Hot Persuasion'. Box turns in his most well rounded performance, veering from straight metal riffing to melodic riffing and soloing in the blink of an eye. Like many others, Heep also found room for a Russ Ballard cover, a sweat inducing version of 'On The Rebound'. Proving they could still play heavy, 'Too Scared To Run', 'Running All Night (With The Lion)', 'Sell Your Soul' and 'Think It Over', convinced the harshest critics they were far from done. Heep followed this up with two more classics, 1983's 'Head First' and 1985's 'Equator', sadly to a dwindling audience as their record companies failed to promote them adequately. Heep are still going, with the same lineup since 1987 amazingly, with Box and Kerslake surviving from the 1983-85 era, although it would be amiss to not mention Trevor Boulder, who replaced Daisley in 1983 and remains today also. Forget your In Flames for a minute and buy this instead. You'll be a new man, born again, ready for the real thing.

Full artwork minus the Jap booklet is included saved to 400 dpi png's!
Uriah Heep - Abominog (1982) [FLAC] (Japan BVCM-37740)