New music: The B-52s, 'The Soul of Midnight Special,' 'Linda & the Mockingbirds' documentary, Def Leppard live releases

Whether your musical tastes favor groundbreaking New Wave, classic '70s soul, British favorites Def Leppard or traditional Mexican music, there are outstanding new releases to discover. 

Artist: The B-52s

Title: Live At US Festival (Shout! Factory)

You might like if you enjoy: the B-52's, Devo, the US Festival

Tell me more: Thirty-eight years after the B-52s took the stage at the inaugural US Festival in September 1982, the group's fabled appearance – featuring the band's classic era lineup – is available to see via a terrific DVD. The groundbreaking forerunner to Coachella, the US Festival was a music, technology and culture event staged in Glen Helen Regional Park in the Southern California desert in 1982 and again in 1983. The B-52s' performance has long been considered one of the finest of the two-year event and its showcase on the Shout! Factory release delivers on that promise in spades. The B-52s are on fire throughout the performance, fueling a bona fide dance party with one surefire uptempo post-punk New Wave track after another. Led by singer Fred Schneider, singer-percussionist Cindy Wilson, singer-keyboardist Kate Pierson, guitar great Ricky Wilson (who passed away in 1985) and drummer Keith Strickland, the band is also joined by a two-man horn section (sax player Ralph Carney, trumpeter Dave Buck) to further power the dance-minded material in the performance.  The fast-moving set includes 13 classic originals including beloved favorites "Party Out Of Bounds," "Planet Claire," "Mesopotamia," "Private Idaho" and "Rock Lobster." There are also interview segments where Schneider, Cindy Wilson and Kate Pierson discuss the US Festival performance, Ricky Wilson's contributions, and their enduring career. Information: ShoutFactory.com.

Artist: Al Green, Sly & the Family Stone, Ray Charles, James Brown, many more

Title: The Soul of Midnight Special (TimeLife)

You might like if you enjoy: James Brown, Al Green, Sly & the Family Stone, Chuck Berry, the Staple Singers

Tell me more: Fans of '70s soul music will want to get the newly-released "The Soul of Midnight Special," featuring more than 70 live performances. The performances are offered up in chronological order, spanning from February 1973 to December 1976. Highlights on this collection – which includes more than 70 inspired live performances spanning five DVD discs – abound; the Spinners' "I'll Be Around," the O'Jays "Love Train," Ray Charles' "Georgia on My Mind," Gladys Knight and B.B. King collaborating on "The Thrill Is Gone," and Billy Preston's "Will It Go Round in Circles" are among the countless standouts on the early part of this collection. Bill Withers' "Ain't No Sunshine" and "Lean On Me," Al Green's "Let's Stay Together," the Staple Singers' "Let's Do It Again" and "Respect Yourself," James Brown's "Sex Machine," and Earth, Wind & Fire's "Devotion" shine on the latter part of the title. Among the hosts seen on the set are Lou Rawls, The Bee Gees, Paul Williams, Wilson Pickett, Wolfman Jack, Helen Reddy and Chuck Berry (who is also featured offering up a terrific version of "Johnny B. Goode"). The audio and visual quality of the discs is good and it's great to see so many legendary artists performing their greatest hits. Information: TimeLife.com.

Artist: Linda Ronstadt, Jackson Browne, traditional Mexican music

Title: Linda and the Mockingbirds (Shout! Studios / PCH Films)

You might like if you enjoy: Linda Ronstadt, Jackson Browne, Los Cenzontles

Tell me more: Since 1989, San Pablo, California-based Los Cenzontles Cultural Arts Academy has trained thousands of children in the art of traditional Mexican music and dance. Multi-Grammy Award winner Linda Ronstadt's long-time support of the group led to the production of a powerful new documentary ("Linda and the Mockingbirds") that chronicles the singer's 2019 journey to Mexico with a group of young students that was captured by award-winning director James Keach (who also directed Glen Campbell's "I'll Be Me" and the Linda Ronstadt documentary "The Sound of My Voice"). Los Cenzontles ("The Mockingbirds") was founded by Eugene Rodriguez – who along with singer-songwriter great Jackson Browne – also features prominently in the compelling documentary. But the true heart of the film is the road trip by Ronstadt, Browne and a large tour bus filled with young singers, dancers and instrumentalists who journey to the small town of Banámichi in the Mexican state of Sonora (where Ronstadt's grandfather grew up) to perform and meet with the folkloric dance troupe Grupo de Danza Xunutzi and stage a performance in the community. The documentary masterfully examines the important role of traditional Mexican music and dance for those who live on both sides of the border, as well as issues related to the hot topic of immigration and how that impacts families who are often divided by politics. "Linda and the Mockingbirds" was released digitally Oct. 20 via Shout! Studios. Information: ShoutFactory.com.

Artist: Def Leppard

Titles: "Hysteria At The O2" and "Hits Vegas, Live At Planet Hollywood" (Eagle Rock Entertainment)

You might like if you enjoy: Def Leppard, Queen

Tell me more: Earlier this year Rock and Roll Hall of Fame rock quintet Def Leppard released the outstanding multi-format release "London To Vegas," available as a deluxe 2Blu-ray+4CD, 2DVD+4CD and via digital formats. Now Eagle Rock Entertainment has just released standalone audio versions of "Hysteria At The O2" and "Hits Vegas, Live At Planet Hollywood" as limited edition 2CDs releases. "Hysteria At The O2," finds Def Leppard celebrating their 1987 album Hysteria with a concert set revisiting that multi-platinum album from start to finish before a hometown crowd in London in December 2018. To be sure this is an important outing for the group, and the members of Def Leppard (singer Joe Elliott, guitarists Phil Collen and Vivian Campbell, bassist Rick "Sav" Savage and drummer Rick Allen) offer up powerful arena rock-ready takes of classics including "Love Bites," "Pour Some Sugar On Me," "Animal," "Gods of War" and the rest of "Hysteria" before delving into other moments in their history for choice cuts including the set-ending "Let's Get Rocked," "Rock of Ages" and "Photograph."  

The second performance "Hits Vegas" — filmed at Zappos Theater in Planet Hollywood a few months after the band's induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2019 — features a far-flung set offering some choice deep cuts from the band. The hard-rocking "Die Hard The Hunter," harmonies-drenched "Too Late for Love," ambitious "Billy's Got a Gun" (bolstered by the tandem lead guitar work of Collen and Campbell) and "Paper Sun" as well as the acoustic-styled "Let Me Be The One" and "We Belong" are delivered with power and perfection. The hits are here as well, including terrific runs through "Foolin'," "Bringin' On The Heartbreak," "Rocket," "Action" and "Armageddon It." Looking ahead hardcore fans should note that the "Hits Vegas" title will be released as a limited edition transparent blue vinyl LP on Dec. 11, 2020. Information: defleppard.com and eagle-rock.com.

Robert Kinsler

Must-have releases deliver

New releases featuring The Waterboys, Chris Bell, Jan & Dean, Madonna and Al Green make for a wide range of outstanding new titles to add to your music collection.

Artist: The Waterboys
Title: Out Of All This Blue (The End Records)
You might like if you enjoy: The Waterboys, World Party
Tell me more: The Waterboys are back with another batch of wonderful and stirring songs courtesy of Out Of All This Blue, an ambitious 23-track double album sure to excite fans of the Scottish troupe. The opening track "Do We Choose Who We Love" is a breezy and upbeat track, aimed squarely at the mystery of love. Elsewhere, singer-songwriter Mike Scott explores other areas of his musical personality with the Americana heartland-flavored "Santa Fe," jubilant R&B dance gem "If The Answer is Yeah" and folk song "Girl in the Window Chair." One of this writer's favorite songs on the album is "Love Walks In," a heartfelt love song enhanced by a chorus of backing vocalists, and the sweeping use of symphonic flourishes and a hypnotic drum beat. Scott has explained that "Out Of All This Blue" is two-thirds focused on love and romance, while his literate and colorful stories (notably "Connemara Fox" with its intoxicating mix of rock, folk and hip-hop) occupy the other third. All of it makes for a great listen and interesting sonic journey. A deluxe three-disc edition of the album is also available and includes an additional 11 tracks. Information: MikeScottWaterboys.com.

Artist: Chris Bell
Title: I Am The Cosmos (Omnivore Recordings)
You might like if you enjoy: Big Star, Alex Chilton, the Replacements
Tell me more: When Chris Bell died after crashing his car into a light pole in December 1978, it not only ended the life of the gifted co-founder of Big Star but appeared to leave a world with little solo music from the acclaimed 27-year-old artist. However, an eagerly-awaited posthumous release titled I Am Cosmos arrived in 1992 and was reissued in 2009 providing fans of the Memphis musician a wealth of new music from Bell. Fast forward to 2017, and Omnivore Recordings has provided 10 more lost songs Bell recorded in his post-Big Star years to an essential and expanded two-disc version of I Am The Cosmos. The album crackles with power and inventive musicianship. "You And Your Sister" is a beautiful baroque pop ballad. "I Got Kinda Lost" is a tuneful garage rocker. Bell's potent vocals and his strong guitar work impress across the many tracks, and there is simply something new to discover and love every time the album is played. "There Was A Light," "Better Save Yourself" and the previously-unreleased acoustic mix of the title track are among the other terrific songs. Information: OmnivoreRecordings.com.

Artist: Jan & Dean
Title: Filet Of Soul Redux: The Rejected Master Recordings (Omnivore Recordings)
You might like if you enjoy: Jan & Dean, the Beach Boys
Tell me more: One can only imagine the expressions on the faces of record label executives when Jan Berry and Dean Torrence handed their record label their newly-completed album Filet of Soul in the mid-1960s. Sure there were cool songs – including a lovely take on the Everly Brothers' "Cathy's Clown" and a horn section-adorned take on the Beatles' "Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown)" – but the heavy mix of cutting-edge comedy including sound effects and banter between Jan & Dean and guests with the live performances was ahead of its time (not by much; the Monkees' TV series utilized a similar frantic wit to much success). The remastered and complete Filet Of Soul Redux: The Rejected Master Recordings is not only a time capsule of the inventive period where anything seemed possible, but a celebration of the strong talents of Jan & Dean. Sadly, Jan Berry was involved in a serious car accident on April 12, 1966, and faced many years of difficult rehabilitation before he could sing again (he passed away Dec. 19, 2004). Information: OmnivoreRecordings.com.

Artist: Madonna
Title: Madonna: Rebel Heart Tour (Eagle Vision)
You might like if you enjoy: Madonna, Lady Gaga
Tell me more: While a number of other popular entertainers have been influenced by Madonna – notably Britney Spears and Lady Gaga – Madonna is reportedly still the world's biggest-selling female artist of all time and continues to fill major venues across the globe with her blend of pop, rock and dance music. The newly released Madonna: Rebel Heart Tour fully captures the Queen of Pop's most recent worldwide tour. Directed by Danny Tull and Nathan Rissman, the new concert film features Madonna performing a mix of classic cuts (the audience goes crazy singing along during "Like A Virgin"; "Dress You Up" is another highlight) and new songs  ("Living For Love," "Holy Water," "Body Shop") via elaborate performances featuring intricate choreography and large projection screens with content enhancing the songs' themes. She also pulls out a ukulele to perform intimate takes on "True Blue" and "La Vie En Rose," the latter delivered in French. "Rebel Heart Tour" is available in several formats including as a digital download, on DVD and Blu-ray with bonus content and an audio CD featuring highlights from the tour. Information: eagle-rock.com.

Artist: Al Green
Title: Gospel According to Al Green (MVD Visual)
You might like if you enjoy: Al Green, soul and gospel music
Tell me more: Robert Mugge's 1984 documentary Gospel According to Al Green is a fascinating look at Al Green in the aftermath of the soul singer becoming a minister and walking away from his successful secular music career to focus on his faith and gospel music. Though performances captured in church- and studio settings, as well as revealing interviews, the enigmatic Green emerges as a complex and inspired personality who can't easily be understood apart from his music. The performances here are gripping, and Green's amazing voice and charisma really shine through on this important reissue, available for the first time on Blu-ray. There are also a wealth of bonus features including an interview with Mugge about the genesis and production of the film. Information: MVDvisual.com.

Robert Kinsler

'Gospel According to Al Green' coming to Blu-ray, DVD in July

I couldn't be more excited to see this forthcoming release. I saw Al Green headline at Doheny Blues Festival a decade ago and his performance was riveting!

Gospel According To Al Green

coming to Blu-ray, DVD, and digital formats on July 7th

"A unique and fascinating glimpse into the life and memory of one of soul music's 

most perplexing figures. Quite shocking in its intimacy. Essential viewing."
- New Musical Express (UK)

"One of the most powerful 'live' performances ever captured on film. It's frightening. Electrifying."
- Toronto Star

"You'll probably never hear a more powerful vocal spectacle; it's James Brown times ten. 

This is an amazing movie, packed with astonishing music. 

It's also a riveting exploration of the psychology of pop ambition."
- Los Angeles Herald Examiner

After filmmaker Robert Mugge produced BLACK WAX with Gil Scott-Heron for Britain's new Channel 4 Television in 1982, he and Channel 4's Commissioning Editor for Music Andy Park wanted to collaborate again. Park suggested Mugge create a portrait of African American gospel star Andraé Crouch. But Mugge, a longtime fan of soul and pop singer Al Green, countered that Green's rejection of soul music to become a Memphis-based preacher and gospel singer perhaps made him a richer potential subject.

Park agreed, though Mugge then needed thirteen months to secure Green's approval, getting his okay only days before the planned Seventh Anniversary Celebration of Green's Full Gospel Tabernacle. The Sunday afternoon church service would feature not only Green's usual church choir and musicians, but also a second choir from Ellington, South Carolina and most of Green's touring musicians and backup singers. Mugge arranged to document that December 18, 1983 service with three 16mm cameras and a 24-track audio recording truck, making it the first (and reportedly still the only) Al Green church service to be committed to film.

While in Memphis, Mugge and his crew went on to film an interview with legendary Hi Records producer Willie Mitchell who had produced and co-written Green's commercial hits of the 1970s, a studio rehearsal featuring Green and his musicians, and finally a long interview with Green himself. In Green's interview, he explored his early days in the music business, his creation of such popular hits as "Tired of Being Alone" and "I Can't Get Next to You," the traumatic events that led to his abandoning of his successful soul and pop career, the purchase of the Memphis church building which he transformed into a church of his own, and the ways in which his soul and gospel backgrounds had each informed the other.

Perhaps the most emotional part of Green's interview was his discussion of the so-called "hot grits incident," wherein a spurned girlfriend assaulted him in the shower with a pot of boiling hot grits, then ran to another room of his house where she shot and killed herself. This interview, conducted two days after his church service, was the first occasion on which he discussed this experience publicly, and he included facts that even his own band members had never heard.

In February of 1984, Mugge also filmed Green and his band in concert at the Non-commissioned Officers Club of Bolling Air Force Base in Washington, D.C., this time utilizing four 16mm cameras and the same Nashville-based 24-track recording truck he had hired to record the Memphis church service. It should be noted that, at that point in Rev. Green's career, he had embraced the Southern fundamentalist notion that blues, rhythm 'n' blues, and rock 'n' roll were "music of the Devil," and that, therefore, he should now perform only gospel music. However, among the numbers Green performed at the D.C. concert was Curtis Mayfield's "People Get Ready," which exists somewhere between soul and gospel. In addition, during the staged rehearsal in Memphis, Green agreed to perform "Let's Stay Together," which had been one of his biggest commercial successes and now represented a recurring theme in the film.

Along with fragments of a few more hits he performed during his interview, these songs helped to depict "Al Green the pop star" who had preceded "Al Green the pastor." While editing the film back in Philadelphia, Mugge also decided to interview writer Ken Tucker who was then chief music critic for the Philadelphia Inquirer. Tucker skillfully summarized Green's place in the evolution of American soul music and outlined the ongoing conflict between the secular and spiritual sides of pop music, both of which provided welcome context for Green's unique spiritual journey.

Among the top Memphis musicians who appear in this film are, number one, Lawrence H. "Larry" Lee, Jr., who was best known for touring with Green and for performing at Woodstock and elsewhere with Jimi Hendrix's Gypsy Sun and Rainbows; and number two, Mabon Lewis "Teenie" Hodges, who co-wrote Green's hits "Take Me to the River" and "Love and Happiness" and toured and recorded widely as a guitarist with the Hi Records Rhythm Section. Lee can be seen performing in the church service and rehearsal sequences of the film, and Hodges can be heard, and briefly seen, playing incidental guitar behind Green during much of his interview. Sadly, both men are now deceased.

The resulting 96-minute film, GOSPEL ACCORDING TO AL GREEN, had its world premiere presentation in the summer of 1984 at Filmfest Munchen (a film festival in Munich, Germany), its television premiere over Britain's Channel 4 later that fall, and its U.S. theatrical premiere at Justin Freed's Coolidge Corner Moviehouse in Brookline, Massachusetts a year later. After each of the two opening night screenings on October 25, 1985, Green sat on the Coolidge Corner stage and, accompanying himself on acoustic guitar, freely offered the commercial hits that he had mostly refused to perform during the making of Mugge's film, thereby demonstrating his storied unpredictability. Naturally, audience members at both shows were enchanted by his presentation, and since these and other premiere screenings, the film has been in constant release around the world. As to Rev. Green - now Bishop Green - this past December, he and his congregation celebrated the fortieth anniversary of his Full Gospel Tabernacle church.


For MVD Visual's new worldwide Blu-ray and DVD releases, director Mugge has overseen 4K remastering of the film and created a new 17-minute video titled SOUL AND SPIRIT: Robert Mugge on the Making of GOSPEL ACCORDING TO AL GREEN. Other bonus features include audio of Green's entire 1983 interview, audio of the climactic final hour of Green's seventh anniversary church service, an extended film version of a key song from the church service, and the personal telephone answering machine message Green recorded for Mugge in the mid 1980s.

Order online at the MVD Shop or on Amazon

'Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Live - Volume 1' coming to vinyl on April 29

April tends to be a pretty big month in the world of music. You not only have live events such as Coachella and Stagecoach, but you have the induction of new artists into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. In fact, Cheap Trick, Deep Purple and Steve Miller are among the greats being honored on Friday, April 8, 2016, at the 31st Annual Rock Hall Induction Ceremony. So the media release below ties right in with all the excitement...

Celebrate Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

live performances in one very special, limited-edition vinyl album from Time Life

 

ROCK & ROLL HALL OF FAME LIVE - VOLUME 1

 

All-Star, Jam-Filled Performances by Bruce Springsteen, Cream, 

Tom Petty, Chuck Berry, Jimmy Page, Prince, Metallica and James Taylor Make This a Singular Collectible, Available 

Wherever Vinyl is Sold for $24.98srp

 

AVAILABLE ON APRIL 29, 2016

For more than a quarter century, rock and roll's biggest stars have gathered on one special evening for an exclusive party: The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremonies.  Honoring music's most influential figures with the most prestigious of awards, it's also an evening where both artists and fans celebrate rock and roll with once-in-a-lifetime performances.  For the first time on vinyl, Time Life has pressed a selection of the most memorable moments in the history of the induction ceremony, previously only available in digital and physical formats.  On April 29, the day prior to HBO's broadcast of the 2016 induction ceremony, Time Life will debut ROCK & ROLL HALL OF FAME LIVE - VOLUME 1, a unique, collectible album featuring an unforgettable "set list" including the biggest names in rock 'n' roll.  Volumes 2 and 3 will roll out though 2016, allowing fans to collect even more of these beloved performances on vinyl.  Additionally, the net proceeds go to The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Foundation, which  supports the exhibits and educational programs of The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum.

 

This release includes performances from legendary talents like Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band, Cream, Jeff Lynne, Steve Winwood, Metallica, Jeff Beck, Jimmy Page, Ron Wood, Joe Perry, Tom Petty, James Taylor, Al Green, Chuck Berry and more.  Unforgettable collaborations occur on this volume, such as Tom Petty paired with Prince, and Mick Jagger paired with Bruce Springsteen.  Jam-filled performances of chart-busters like "Johnny Be Goode," "Tenth Avenue Freeze Out," "A Change is Gonna Come," "Train Kept a Rollin,'" "Ironman," "Woodstock," "Blitzkrieg Bop," "Can't Get No Satisfaction," and a show-stopping performance of "While My Guitar Gently Weeps," make this volume a must-have for any LP library. 

 

The biggest names in rock, performing in intimate settings and jamming in combinations not seen anywhere else, ROCK & ROLL HALL OF FAME LIVE - VOLUME 1 is a 180 gram black vinyl "ticket" to the very best the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremonies have to offer.

 

ROCK & ROLL HALL OF FAME LIVE - VOLUME 1

 

Format: Vinyl LP

Run time: 42:22

Genre:  Rock

Track Listing:

 

Side One 

• Johnny B. Goode" - Chuck Berry with Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band (1995)
• "Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out" -- Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band (1999)
• "A Change is Gonna Come" - Al Green (1995)
• "The Train Kept A-Rollin'" - Jeff Beck, Jimmy Page, Ron Wood, Joe Perry, Flea and Metallica (2009)
• "Iron Man" - Metallica (2006) 

Side Two 

• "Woodstock" - James Taylor (1997)
• "Sunshine of Your Love" - Cream (1993)
• "Blitzkrieg Bop" - Green Day
• "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction" - Mick Jagger, Bruce Springsteen and the Rock Hall Jam Band (1988)
• "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" - Tom Petty, Jeff Lynne, Steve Winwood, Dhani Harrison and Prince (2004) 

Watch "Tenth Avenue Freeze Out" LIVE from 1999 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction below:

Paul Stanley brings Soul Station to the Coach House

KISS singer Paul Stanley brought his new group Soul Station
to the Coach House in San Juan Capistrano on Feb. 26, 2016.
Photo: Bob Steshetz

REVIEW: KISS singer Paul Stanley proves he has plenty of soul in Orange County debut of his new ensemble

It's no surprise there were plenty of KISS fans on hand at the Coach House on Friday night (Feb. 26, 2016) to catch the local debut of singer-guitarist Paul Stanley's new group dubbed Soul Station. But what may have been a bit surprising to some unschooled members of the capacity crowd was not only the complete lack of any KISS classics in the set list, but the fact that "the Starchild" performed sans makeup and never even touched a guitar during the 90-minute performance.

Paul Stanley at the Coach House.
Photo: Bob Steshetz

The good news is the 64-year-old hard rocking icon's performance was not only very good and made for a fun-filled night of music courtesy of his outstanding backing 12-member ensemble Soul Station. Stanley and company crackled life into more than a dozen soul and Motown classics in versions that featured arrangements mostly faithful to the studio versions while gaining an additional edge afforded by the concert setting. 

Opening with a rousing version of the Temptations' "Get Ready," this was a performance where every song covered was a bona fide classic. As Stanley noted after the opener: "Tonight's about a lot of the music I grew up loving."

Stanley used his falsetto as the instrument of choice throughout most of the night, generally able to hit all the high notes associated with iconic ballads (the Delfonics' "La-La Means I Love You," an especially impressive take on the Miracles' "Ooo Baby Baby") and uptempo soul standards (Al Green's "Let's Stay Together" with Stanley showing off some dance moves; Stevie Wonder's "Signed, Sealed, Delivered I'm Yours"). Stanley not only hit those lofty notes, but delivered the songs with authentic emotion that gave the overall performance an artistic sense of purpose more than justifying future outings from Soul Station.

From left, Nelson Beato, Crystal Starr, Paul
Stanley and Ayana Layli. Photo: Bob Steshetz

The three terrific backing singers (all of whom were featured singing lead vocals from time to time) were the obvious ingredient in replicating the vocal sound of the soul era; a top-tier trio of horn players, ace rhythm section (including long-time KISS drummer Eric Singer), several keyboardists and stellar guitarist Rafael "Hoffa" Moreira (the latter who drew several cheers throughout the night for his flashy fret work, notably during an extended cover of the Isley Brothers' "Who's That Lady") all helped make this a night to celebrate a sound that got many on their feet and dancing in a venue where such displays are rare.

Tom Griesgraber playing Chapman
Stick at the Coach House.
Photo: Bob Steshetz

Opening the night was Tom Griesgraber, an Encinitas-based composer who performed an instrumental set of original works on a Chapman Stick, a unique instrument that is able to fuse sounds from the guitar, bass guitar and even keyboards. 

His virtuoso talents on the Stick were highlighted on the beautiful Americana-styled "Rebecca" and dazzling rhythm-defying "War Dance."

For more information on Tom Griesgraber, visit his official Web site at www.thossounds.com.

Review by Robert Kinsler

All photos courtesy of Bob Steshetz

Sights & Sounds: Vonda Shepard launches Kickstarter campaign to fund new album; Richie Sambora & Orianthi coming to TV

Happy Friday everybody. Here are the latest news items of note to land in my inbox! Fans of talented singer-songwriter-keyboardist Vonda Shepard will want to participate in her forthcoming Kickstarter effort. And there is also news about a special television special featuring a performance on "Happy Xmas/War is Over" on the anniversary of John Lennon's tragic murder on Dec. 8, 1980...

Vonda Shepard Launches Kickstarter Campaign to Fund New Album

Award-winning singer, songwriter and musician turns to fans to raise funds to produce new record

LOS ANGELES, CALIF. (December 5, 2014) – Kicking off on December 8, singer/songwriter Vonda Shepard, turns to fans and followers to help raise the funds to record her fourteenth album through Kickstarter. Most people know Shepard as the musical voice and bar singer in every episode of Ally McBeal as well as the behind the scenes producer for artists such as Gladys Knight, Sting, Barry Manilow, Al Green, Chubby Checker and Jon Bon Jovi. Recently Shepard performed in the revival of Randy Newman’s “Faust: The Concert,” starring Randy Newman, and garnered rave reviews from top critics. “Ms. Shepard’s soulful singing brought out the yearning quality in Mr. Newman’s own,” said Charles Isherwood of the New York Times. David Gordon from Theater Mania stated, “And in one of the year’s great stage moments to date, Newman and multi-Emmy and Grammy winner Shepard brought down the house in the second act with the gorgeous duet, ‘Feels Like Home.’”

From private house concerts to signed platinum records, Shepard has created rewards for those who support, including nostalgic memorabilia and once in a lifetime experiences. This holiday season, Shepard is setting out to raise $35,000 to cover the costs of production. If the campaign exceeds that goal, the funds will go towards adding real strings, horns and other production to the recordings as well as marketing and promotion efforts for the album once released. The campaign kicks off December 8 and will last a month, ending on January 5.

“I have been writing songs for this album for several years now, and I am really excited to share these with my friends and fans,” said Shepard. “The material for the album is comprised of two very diverse styles with half of the songs having a strong emphasis on upbeat, funky dance tunes and the other half focusing on my classic singer/songwriter, heart-wrenching style that I have been known for in the past. I feel that these songs are going to be really gratifying to play live.”

Throughout the Kickstarter campaign, Shepard has set milestone markers to create incentives and perks for her loyal supporters. When she hits specific fundraising goals, Shepard will post behind the scenes video previews of the new record to give followers a taste of what is to be expected. All donors and supporters who give $20 or more to the campaign will also receive a copy of the final album once it is completed and for a $25 donation Shepard will send a signed album. Near the middle of the campaign, Shepard has a scheduled performance at the WitZend in Venice Calif. on December 20 to keep the energy rolling throughout the Kickstarter.

Shepard had her first hit in 1987 with “Can’t We Try,” and followed it up with “Don't Cry Ilene” from her first album on Reprise records. Still, she was a relative unknown when she was picked up in 1997 for “Ally McBeal,” where her popularity skyrocketed. While on “Ally McBeal”, Shepard recorded four albums for Sony 550. Since then, Shepard has released four more albums of original material, two live albums, a live DVD and toured extensively, further solidifying her fan base with her electrifying shows. In addition, she opened for Sugarland’s summer 2010 and 2011 tours and has been performing at her own international and domestic concerts, plus numerous private and fundraising events.

                                                                                                                                                                                     

Following the Kickstarter campaign, Shepard has scheduled shows at Feinstein’s in San Francisco on January 16 & 17. She also has a planned concert at the Belly Up in San Diego with date to follow.

To support and follow the progress of Shepard’s Kickstarter campaign, or to learn more about her upcoming performances please visit www.vondashepard.com.

About Vonda Shepard:

Vonda Shepard is a singer/songwriter and musician, best known for being former musical director of Ally McBeal and recently acting and singing on stage in the New York revival of Randy Newman’s “Faust: The Concert” starring Randy Newman. Shepard is currently writing her fourteenth album with plans for a summer 2015 release. To fund the album, Shepard created a crowdfunding Kickstarter campaign that will run from December 8 to January 5. For more information on Shepard and her music visit www.VondaShepard.com. Become a fan at Facebook.com/VondaShepard or follow on Twitter @VondaShepard.

Rockers coming to Hallmark Channel on December 8, 2014 to celebrate message of peace during holidays

Guitarist Richie Sambora

Richie Sambora, Orianthi and a children’s choir from the School of Rock LA will take the Home & Family stage on Monday, December 8, 2014 for a moving performance of the classic song “Happy Xmas/War Is Over.” Tune into the Hallmark Channel at 10 a.m. ET/PT. After choosing this song to perform at The 83^rd Annual Hollywood Christmas Parade, Richie had the children over to his home to rehearse and spoke to them about the peaceful message of the song. He was taken aback by how beautiful they sounded – the children singing the John Lennon lyrics pays ultimate tribute to the spirit in which the Beatle wrote the song. A torrential rain storm prevented the Parade performance from happening, and now they finally have the opportunity to perform the song together for the first time on Home & Family. Be sure to tune in to catch this special moment!