Free Download Friday #129: Black Country Communion

It is a bit of a shame that the new release from Black Country Communion has been somewhat overshadowed by the spat between Bonamassa and Hughes because it is jolly good!

Check out this YouTube clip:

Then download Confessor for free and tell me what you think. Me, I think it is outstanding!

Free Download Friday #109: Black Country Communion Live

Another freebie from Black Country Communion (see previous posts) - this time from their forthcoming concert DVD (and album?): Live Over Europe.

To whet your appetite, here's a trailer:

According the the bumph on the pre-order page, the double DVD comes with a free download of a live track. Thankfully though, you don't have to wait for the DVD release because they are giving the track away on their website just now. Give them an email address, and they'll give you the link to download a live version of Song Of Yesterday.

And it is a belter of a track. From the opening solo by, through the outstanding solo about halfway through, to the ending that romps and then ends on a more gentle reprise, it would seem that Mr Bonamassa is on fine form and thoroughly enjoying himself.

Joe Bonamassa also takes the bulk of the vocal duties which is more than fine by me!

I can't remember why I couldn't see this band when they played Glasgow at the end of July but hearing this live track makes me absolutely determined not to miss them the next time they tour. (In fact, I've not managed to see Joe Bonamassa in concert either. Something else I really need to put right!)

So what do you think? Is Song Of Yesterday your cup of tea? And would you consider getting the DVD when it becomes available?

Free Music Friday #99: Black Country Communion

Black Country Communion (featuring my favourite contemporary Blues guitarist - Joe Bonamassa) have a new album that is due out soon. To get you in the mood, the are currently giving away a free download of The Outsider.

PB300032 a photo by Joanie-21 on Flickr.

Mr Bonamassa does not disappoint with riff that hooks you in at the start and a great guitar solo that kicks in around the two minute mark. In fact, there is some nice interplay between Joe and the keyboard player, Derek Sherinian. It reminds me a bit of the duelling that used to take place between Jon Lord and Richie Blackmore in Deep Purple. It works well in this recording and I suspect they will have a lot of fun with it when playing live.

And talking of playing live, Planet Rock VIP Club has a link to a free download of two live tracks: Black Country and One Last Soul. (Two songs but packaged as a single mp3.) Those nice people at Blabbermouth alerted me to this freebie and give a good explanation of how you go about acquiring the tracks. The drumming here seems passionate and it sounds like Jason is enjoying himself.

Black Country Communion are coming to Glasgow on the 29th of July (along with the Michael Schenker Group). Very tempted to see if I can rustle up a fellow Bonamassa fan or two (or BCC fan, or MSG fan for that matter) and attend this gig.

Free Download Friday #66: Back after a long holiday...

It's been a long time since Free Download Friday #65 so I'll through in a few from Classic Rock Tracks of the Day that I didn't pick up because I was on holiday, and then one from Planet Rock... just because I like it! So without further ado:

Seraphina from GUN. I've featured GUN before (Free Download... er... Tuesday?) when they were showcasing their new singer, Toby Jepson. Well they have another new singer (to lose one singer is unfortunate but to lose two...) and another free download to let people hear what he's like. I would say that the new vocalist, Dante Gizzi (previously the bass player - so is that promotion?), acquits himself admirably. The track is let down a bit by poor lyrics, especially the oft repeated chorus, but otherwise it sounds great and rewards repeated listens.

Portrait Of Red by The Virginmarys. This caught my eye initially because I saw the name and got confused. I thought it was Electric Mary, a band that I had heard a bit and liked. However, I discovered I liked this track from The Virginmarys and I will need to see what else I can find by them. (Note to self: are their other bands with "Mary" in there name that are worth checking out? See Paint it Black for similar phenomenon with "Black".) The band are a relatively new three-piece and all three of them seem to be going flat out. The is a snarl in the vocals and power and energy in the music. Well worth checking out if you like your rock raw and raucous! Final note: in a bizarre bit of synchronicity, the track offered for download is produced by Toby Jepson!

One Last Soul by Black Country Communion. If you've not been paying attention to the recent rash of supergroups, the name Black Country Communion might not mean much to you, but if I say Glenn Hughes, Jason Bonham, Derek Sherinian, and Joe Bonamassa, maybe I can change your "Who?" to a "Whoo!". I've been wanting to here this group since I heard Joe Bonamassa was involved. As I've mentioned before (see other Joe Bonamassa posts) I am a huge fan of Mr Bonamassa, so I was pleased to see some output from this group available as a free download. On first listen, I was disappointed that Joe's guitar didn't feature more strongly, however, on reflection, that's probably right for a group setting - it's not a solo project. And as a group project, it works. Perhaps the keyboards could feature more strongly but otherwise, everyone gets a chance to show what they can do (including a great solo, or two, from Joe). On the strength of this track, I'd say we have a group worthy of the adjective "super".

Cheat The Gallows by Bigelf. Bigelf have featured here before (Free Download Friday #49: Metal!). I was so impressed with the few bits of Bigelf I'd hear, so I got their album (Cheat The Gallows is available on eMusic). I detect hints of Pink Floyd in this track but heavier and meatier than Floyd.

Last but by no means least, Planet Rock featured The Union (see Free Download Friday #54: Two old hands). Planet Rock were offering a chance to win a concert in your living room from The Union (which you are probably too late to enter) and a free download of Watch The River Flow (which is hopefully still available).

{Sorry. first Friday after the holidays, and I'm a day late. I'd say I'd do better in future but past experience suggests that Free Download Saturdays will still feature on a semi-regular basis!}