Hello again - welcome to the latest RockIt Scientist newsletter.

Hope you have a great Easter break!

In this newsletter, you'll find details of live interviews held on The RockIt Scientist, the usual bits of news, (some of it FANTASTIC!), useless information, cd and dvd reviews, recommendations, the odd dirty/weak joke, info on CD stores, magazines, books, etc, etc.

If you'd like to contact Chris, Phil, Rafe or Dave, here are their email addresses:

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You can contact either James or Roy on (011)880 - 5510 or 0846410447.

NEWS

I was fortunate to attend the live Mel Botes concert held at the stunning Performer Theatre in Menlo Park, Pretoria, the following Sunday. For someone who hadn't played live in four months, he was fantastic! He's an excellent guitarist and his songwriting is superb. Although some members of his band hadn't played together before, they have the potential to be tighter than the butt of a new convict who's been in jail for less than two days.

OTHER NEWS

Remember Jerry Salas, El Chicano's vocalist and guitarist, who was featured on the RockIt Scientist just recently? I understand that he'll be receiving a Lifetime Achievement award from the LA Music Awards Ceremony on November 9th this year.

Well done, Jerry - a fantastic achievement and well deserved!

The Blues Room in Sandton on 01 April).

Lee is very passionate about Melodic Rock/AOR (Adult Orientated Rock, for the uninitiated) and he writes very well.

Colin Orr, founder of the early 70's Germany-based UK hard rock/prog rock outfit, Janus, who's highly collectible "Gravedigger" album is still being featured on The RockIt Scientist, has recently completed material for a new album, which he's called "The 'S' Album".

Albums reviewed:

Donald Fagan

Toto

Pat Travers

Southern Gypsey Queen

Jan Blohm

Tidal Waves

Jesse Jordan Band

Robin Trower

Ben Lee

Alison O'Donnell & Isabel Ni Chuireain

Santana

Tipton, Entwistle & Powell

Quidam

Chicago

UFO

Bondar & Wise

Jaco Pastorius Big Band

Donald Fagan - Morph The Cat (Reprise Records 9362-49975-2)

Toto - Falling In Between (Frontiers Records FR CD 273)

Having severed their long relationship with Sony Records, this is their first album for the independent Italian Frontiers label, and, dare it be said, undoubtedly one of their best efforts in years, since their brilliant "Hydra" album, back in 1979. Stunning musicianship has always been the hallmark of this band, collectively or individually, which is undoubtedly why the various Toto members have appeared on so many other people's albums. Featuring guests Ian "Flamingo" Anderson, Shenkar, Jason Scheff and James Pankow (from Chicago), Lenny Castro, Joseph Williams and Steve Porcaro, the album, whilst still retaining the classic Toto sound, veers more towards progressive rock, albeit in a heavier "Kingdom Of Desire"- type feel. A bit of a personal opinion here, but they are far better as a heavier band. They positively cook on this album!

If all goes well, the album will soon be released locally, which will make it much more accessible to those who thought that this great band's albums are generally only available on import.

Pat Travers - P.T. Power Trio 2 (Blues Bureau International BB 20522)

Canadian guitarist/vocalist Pat Travers is one of those musicians who just gets better and better with each album. The first P.T. Power trio album, released in 2003, featured Travers, together with drummer Aynsley Dunbar and bass player Gunter Nezhoda. A covers album, the band did great versions of well known tracks by Grand Funk Railroad, Cream, Stray Dog, Robin Trower, Mountain and others.

Southern Gypsey Queen - Sweet Voodoo (Wolmer Records F 1000504)

One of the many great South African bands who are distributed by Bowline Music. Recorded in 2004, this blues/rock quartet of Gareth Wilson (guitar & vocals), Paul Wilson (drums & vocals), Tammy Wilson (bass & vocals) and Thys Smit (guitar), are certainly one of the better blues rock outfits to come out of this neck of the woods. The tracks, which are self-penned by the band members, are strong and well written and have a distinct 70's boogie feel, with a touch of Southern rock. Think of Cry of Love meets Foghat meets AC/DC meets Skynyrd and you have a good idea of what the band sound like! Great stuff!

The band were featured on The RockIt Scientist recently and you can hear them again on the show shortly.

"Sweet Voodoo" is well recorded and produced (by Lanie van der Walt) and is available locally.

Other bands/artists to look out for through Bowline Music are:

Jan Blohm - Melkstraat Confessions (Wildebeest Records F 1000485)

Jacques Cronje and Martin "Ghita" Horne (who also plays guitar & bass), are on drums, Ettienne Moolman is on bass and Adam Tas is on acoustic guitar.

Given more exposure, musicians such as Jan Blohm have the potential to go far, and not only in South Africa.

Tidal Waves - Muzik An De Method (Wolmer Records F 1000679)

"Boogie Zakes" will no doubt one day be acclaimed as one of the country's better songwriters and guitarists. You just gotta check this guy out!

Jesse Jordan Band - Inconsistant Behaviour (Bowline Music R 2000452)

Another 2004 release, and a class album from beginning to end. Jesse Jordan is a great vocalist who would quite easily fit into any of the better melodic rock bands you can name, from anywhere in the world. (If comparison's have to be made, think of The Riverdogs' Rob Lamothe). Jordan also plays a lovely acoustic guitar and he's well supported by Alex Power (bass,vocals & keyboards) and Hein Schultz (electric guitar & vocals), with guests Rikus Nieuwenhuis and Johnny Pereira (drums) and Greg Smith (percussion and harp), with Ashton on piano on a few tracks.

This is a very pleasant album of varying styles, from melodic hard rock to acoustic/country rock and it should appeal to most tastes. Ashton's piano work on a number of the tracks will definitely remind you of the better days of Renaissance and Illusion. For the rockers, the riff on "Satellite" will keep you playing air guitar for weeks, as will the one on "Twisted Youth"!

(The Jesse Jordan Band are playing at Vacca Matta, Edward Street in Bellville, in April)

More Bowline Music album reviews in future newsletters.

Many thanks to Annalise De Meillon-Muller for introducing me to some more of the fantastic talent we have here in South Africa.

All the above South African artist albums, and many more, are available locally, as well as online, via:

Bowline Music

Chempet

7442

(021)550-9700

Robin Trower - Living Out Of Time Live (Ruff Records RUF 1111)

You know him well (well, you should!). He's been around since the sixties, firstly as a member of The Paramounts, then Procol Harum, then Jade, and, more popularly, as a solo guitarist, and one with few equals, at that! Hendrix comparisons aside, Robin Trower is unquestionably one of the best guitarists of all time.

This is essentially the live release of the studio album of the same name he released a few years ago, although the album does contain Trower classics such as "Too Rolling Stoned","Bridge Of Sighs" and ''Day Of The Eagle".

Ben Lee - Awake Is The New Sleep (NewWest Records SLCD 096)

Distributed by Sheer Sound, one of the country's most dynamic and successful independent record companies. The album by Australian Ben Lee, who won an Australian Grammy (ARIA) Award for "best single", was released a few months amid much excitement. The single, "Catch My Disease", which appears on the album, spent 49 weeks at number 1 on Australia's indie charts, and it also received 4 ARIA awards.

Ben Lee is hot news at the moment, being Australia's number 1 indie artist, and he's destined to become the massive breakout independent artist of 2006. Best described as very pleasant and accessible acoustic/folky/melodic rock, the album features Lee on vocals, guitar, bass & percussion, together with Lara Meyerratken on keyboards, vocals, drums percussion and "enough atmosphere to start a planet", McGowan Southworth on guitar, vocals, keyboards & percussion, Brad Wood, Jason Schwartzman and Eric Gardner on drums, Rob Hann on bass and Chick Wolverton on percussion.

Alison O'Donnell & Isabel Ni Chuireain - Mise Agus Ise (Osmosys OSMO CD 033)

For the unitiated, Alison O'Donnell was one of the lovely ladies and voices with Irish Folf/Rock outfit Mellow Candle in the early 70's. Their "Swaddling Songs" album, released on Deram Records, is one of the rarest lps of the seventies and is worth big money!

Since then, she moved to South Africa where she featured with Flibbertigibbet and Ellamental. She was also involved in session work and alternative cabaret. She then moved to Belgium and featured with Eishtlinn. Now back in Dublin, she recorded this new album with songwriter/keyboard & accordion player/guitarist, Isabel Ni Chuireain (who featured with bands such as Major to Minor and Celtic Fusion). The album, which means "Myself and Herself" in Gaelic, also features Alison's ex-husband and fellow Mellow Candle member, Dave Williams (on guitar, fiddle & mandolin. He lives in Cape Town), as well as ex-Mellow Candle bass player, Frank Boylan. Other featured musicians are Brian Fleming on percussion, Martin Crossin on whistles and pipes, Jimmy Faulkner on guitars, Al Cowan and Dave McCune on drums, Andy Laking on acoustic bass, Denise Boyle on fiddle, Philip Masure and Sean Whelan on acoustic guitars.

It's an album of varying styles, from traditional Celtic folk to Reggae, from soft rock to jazz, but it's her fantastic voice that make this a very interesting and enjoyable recording. She was a great with Mellow Candle - she's "matured" into an excellent singer and songwriter today.

Santana - Santana 3 (Columbia /Legacy 82796902702)

Originally released in 1971, this is the 35th Anniversary Deluxe 2 CD Edition of one of the band's best albums. It contains 9 previously unreleased live and studio recordings, as well as the final concert at the legendary Fillmore West, which was recorded on July 4th, 1971.

Santana at this stage featured Carlos Santana and Neil Schon (guitar - Schon would later leave to form Journey, with Greg Rolie), Coke Escovedo, Jose "Chepito"Areas and Michael Carabello (percussion), Greg Rolie (keyboards & vocals), Mike Shrieve (drums) and David Brown (bass). Oddly enough, the three previously unreleased tracks that appear on CD 1, are actually damned good, and it's strange that they've remained unreleased for so long. "Gumbo", in particular, is prime Santana at their best.

(Glenn) Tipton,(John) Entwistle & (Cozy)Powell - Edge Of The World (Rhino Records 8122 73352 2)

Originally recorded in 1996, this album, which is now Judas Priest's Glenn Tipton's second solo release, was initially rejected by Atlantic Records. The guitarist had recorded the tracks with The Who's bass player John Entwistle and Rainbow/ Black Sabbath drummer Cozy Powell, (both of whom have since passed away), but the songs were rejected by the company because they felt that the musicians were a bit too "old school".

He changed the musicians and his debut album, "Baptizm Of Fire", was released, but the songs on what was to become "Edge Of The World", performed by these legendary musicians, remained unheard. Rhino/Warner Records then heard the tracks and agreed that they needed to be heard, and the album has now been released.

In all fairness, it has to be said that whilst Tipton is a very good guitarist and he writes great songs, his vocals are a tad on the weak side. Nonetheless, it's a good hard rock album that will appeal to most metalheads and rockers alike. Besides, having two legends like Entwistle and Powell playing together on one album is reason enough to get this Rhino Records release!

Quidam - surREvival (Rock-Serwis RSCD 063)

The other members are Zbyszek Florek on keyboards, Maciek Meller on guitars, Marlusz Ziolkowski on bass and Maciek Wroblewski on drums (YOU try and read those names out on air!).

It's a stunning effort from the band, but Emila Derkowska just gave them that slight edge that set them apart from so many other prog outfits. The Polish lyrics gave the band a very authentic and original feel. The fact that she's a bit of a hottie has nothing to do with it - promise!

Many thanks to John Rogan for supplying a copy of the album.

Chicago - XXX (Rhino Records 8122 73362 2)

Say what you like, Chicago's horn section was, and still is, one of the finest in the business.

UFO - Showtime (Steamhammer Records SPV 99562 2CD)

UFO are another band who've been around for one or two years (since the late 60's, in fact!). They've gone through numerous changes over the years and have experienced periods of inactivity, with the likes of the ever moody but brilliant Michael Schenker moving in and out of the band.

Original members Phil Mogg (vocals) and Pete Way (bass) have reformed the band on a few occasions, with the most recent line-up featuring longtime member Paul Raymond (ex-Chicken Shack/Savoy Brown/MSG and others) on keyboards, rhythm guitar & vocals, Vinnie Moore (ex-Vicious Rumours and also a renowed solo guitarist), together with Jason Bonham on drums. All the classics such as "Let It Roll", "Rock Bottom" and "Doctor Doctor" are there, as is a whole bunch of new material from the band's more recent album, "You Are Here". UFO's first live album, "Strangers In The Night", is considered by many to be one of the best live rock albums ever recorded. Whilst the double "Showtime" album, which was recorded in Wilhelmshaven, Germany, on May 13th 2005, is not quite in that league, it's nonetheless a fantastic effort from one of the UK's most important bands.

Bondar & Wise - A Live Legacy (Dharma Records - no number)

Keyboard player Al Bondar and drummer Bob Wise met in the early 70's and decided to form a band. Bondar was an unbelievably good Hammond C3 player whose style was a bit reminiscent of Lee Michaels or Keith Emerson. Much like present day Hammond players such as Barbara Dennerlein, he played bass pedals with a toe/heel technique. Bob Wise was a powerhouse of a drummer - he needed to be, to keep up with Bondar!

They recorded the tracks for this album during the second of three concerts they held in Michigan in the US during the early 70's. Unfortunately they weren't able to secure a record deal and the album remained unreleased until Dharma Records recently released the material (Bondar is a co-owner of the record company).

If keyboard dominated (remember, no guitar or vocals!) progressive rock is your bag, you need to get hold of this album. The playing is flawless and the recording is pretty good, seeing that it was recorded nearly 35 years ago! They certainly don't make keyboard players like this anymore.

Jaco Pastorius Big Band - The Word Is Out (Heads Up Records HUCD 3110)

Pastorius, who was tragically killed in a brawl outside a club in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on 12 September 1987, was highly regarded by fans as well as by his peers. He featured on Weather Report's "Black Market" album and on Pat Metheny's "Bright Size Life" and these recordings are regarded as major landmarks in his fabled career.

This album follows his award winning and critically acclaimed 1976 recording "Word Of Mouth Revisited" by the Jaco Pastorius Big Band, and it would be appreciated by anyone into big band jazz, swing and blues.

DVDs reviewed:

Iron Maiden

Chicken Shack

Nightwish

Joe Bonamassa

Iron Maiden - Death On The Road (Sanctuary 07464 51506 9)

If there was ever a DVD set that was jam packed with great music and tons of special features, this is it!

Chicken Shack - I'd Rather Go Live (Angel Air NJPDVD 620)

Stan Webb is undoubtedly one of the best, yet most underrated vocalists/guitarists, to come out of the UK. He formed Chicken Shack in the 60's and he's kept the band going in various forms since then. This is the first (known) official concert footage of Stan The Man and his band, who are now Mick Jones drums on, Gary Davies on lead/rhythm guitar and Jim Rudge on bass.

The DVD was recorded in Lyme Regis, Southern England, during 2004, and the very appreciative crowd were treated to classics such as "The Thrill Is Gone", ''You Are The Sweetest Little Thing", and, of course, "I'd Rather Go Blind". The years have been very good to Stan - he can still hit those notes!

Nightwish - Highest Hopes (The Best of Nightwish) (Spinefarm Records 60249874071)

This is a CD/DVD (2 CDS, 1 DVD)combo of material from one of the hottest progressive metal bands around today. Formed in Finland in the mid to late 90's, they've taken the metal world by storm. The band is comprised of Emppu Vuorinen on guitars, Jukka Nevalainen on drums, Tuomas Holopainen on keyboards, Marco Hietala on bass and vocals and the stunning Tarja Turunen on vocals (who is sadly no longer with the band).

CD 1 is made up of studio tracks taken from the band's six studio albums, CD 2 is made up of live material. The live DVD footage is from concerts held in Germany and Finland between 2000 and 2003. They do a fantastic version of Gary Moore/Phil Lynott's "Over The Hills And Far Away".

Joe Bonamassa - Live at Rockpalast (Provogue PRDVD 7184-7)

There are just two words that describe this young US guitarist/vocalist: Unbelievably Good! He's given the blues/rock scene a serious kick up the butt since he exploded on the scene around six years ago, and he's developed into an amazingly talented and respected musician. His band of Eric Czar on bass and Kenny Kramme are just as good and they gel into this fantastically tight unit that compliment Bonamassa's playing in every way.

Recorded at the Burg Satzvey in Mechernich, Germany on 28 June 2005, the DVD features a fair amount of self-penned material, as well as his great versions of Jethro Tull's "A New Day Yesterday", Rod Stewart's "Blues Deluxe", Blind Faith's "Had To Cry Today" and Yes's "Heart Of The Sunrise'' .

Thanks to Gerard Ziegler for getting me a copy of this great DVD!

Tel: 0207 317 2600

(Note: the store opens at 9.30am and closes at around 4.00pm, Mondays thru Fridays. Saturdays until around 1.30pm).

7 singles, that have never been released on CD. They stock all types of music and have a great selection of South African stuff.

(CD's/LP's/DVD's/Videos also urgently needed!)

If you'd like to hear music from bands/artist that generally don't get airplay on other stations, why don't you email the various stations and ask them to consider playing music you'd like to hear?

Here are some contact emails:

Cheers.

Leon