Review of Paul McCartney's "Home Tonight" and "In A Hurry"

Watch Music Worth Buying co-host TJR's review of Sir Paul McCartney's forthcoming "Black Friday" vinyl single featuring the new tracks "Home Tonight" and "In A Hurry." 

The songs will be released together as a double A-side 7" picture disc single for Record Store Day's Black Friday (coming Nov. 29, 2019).

For more information, visit RecordStoreDay.com, and be sure to watch TJR's in-depth analysis of the two new McCartney tracks:


https://youtu.be/Oro6fkI6p9k

Jeff Lynne's ELO, Dhani Harrison deliver a night of top-tier songcraft in Anaheim

Jeff Lynne's ELO
With: Dhani Harrison
Where: Honda Center in Anaheim, CA
When: Thursday, June 20, 2019
Next: Jeff Lynne's ELO is scheduled to perform in Sacramento on June 22
Information: https://jefflynneselo.com/events/


Review by Robert Kinsler

Jeff Lynne's ELO posing in front of a packed Honda Center in
Anaheim, CA on June 20. Photo: Courtesy of the artist

Although I never caught the Electric Light Orchestra during the rock troupe's initial 14-year run in the 1970s and '80s, I've been making up for lost time since catching Jeff Lynne's ELO at the Hollywood Bowl in September 2016. I subsequently was thrilled when the group played at the Forum in Los Angeles County in August 2018; I was mesmerized a third time throughout their concert at the Honda Center in Anaheim on Thursday night (June 20, 2019).

The show at Honda Center was the opening date of Lynne's 20-date North America Summer Tour with the current jaunt also offering the chance to catch emerging solo artist Dhani Harrison – the son of the late George Harrison – on a major concert stage. Dhani Harrison's appearance provided this writer with a chance to hear live versions of material off his excellent full-length solo debut In///Parallel (released by BMG in October 2017).

A capacity crowd filled the home of the Anaheim Ducks to take in the special concert and I can certainly guarantee no one left disappointed. Performing a perfect set complete with a couple of welcome surprises, Lynne and his amazing 12-member ensemble delivered a flawless night of luxurious songcraft. The fast-paced 95-minute headlining set from Lynne's ELO offered up faithful takes on all the hits (spanning from 1972's "10538 Overture" to his 2015 comeback single "When I Was A Boy and everything in between).

Opening with a swirling cover of the classic ELO cut "Standin' in the Rain," the hits would keep coming and coming and coming. An infectious "Evil Woman" and even more dazzling "All Over the World" followed. Throughout the concert, a wall of rear projection screens and brilliant lighting effects enhanced the experience.

Lynne impressed with his signature vocals to be sure; but his artful guitar playing was displayed via melodic lead solos on "Showdown," "Mr. Blue Sky" and throughout an extended take on Chuck Berry's classic "Roll Over Beethoven" that closed out the night.

Among the moments that brought chills to this writer was a version of the Traveling Wilburys' "Handle With Care" where Dhani Harrison joined the group to sing his late father's section of the classic single, the disco-flavored pop sheen of "Last Train to London" and "Xanadu," and an acoustic flavored "Wild West Hero" complete with an acapella vocals section.

Jeff Lynne's ELO performing "Mr. Blue Sky" at Honda Center.

Melodic rockers such as "Don't Bring Me Down" and "Turn To Stone" continued to build up the night's momentum, before the sweeping symphonic masterwork of "Mr. Blue Sky" closed out the regular set with a high mark.  

The power of Lynne's songs, his still poignant lead vocals and sharp guitar work only begin to tell the tale when it comes to the bona fide power of Thursday's show. Musical director Mike Stevens (who assists with guitar and vocals), lead guitarist Milton McDonald, bassist Lee Pomeroy, dummer Donavan Hepburn, piano player Marcus Byrne, keyboardists Jo Webb and Steve Turner, backing vocalist-guitarist Iain Hornal, backing and lead vocalist Melanie Lewis McDonald, violinist Jessie Murphy, and cello players Amy Langley and Jess Cox complete this extraordinary touring group. If they are coming to your town, get there.

Dhani Harrison's set was the perfect way to open the magical night. Backed by a terrific four-member band, Harrison opened with a probing "Never Know," a song that recalls the experimental neo-classical touch of Dead Can Dance. The hypnotic and intoxicating quality of that song would be the perfect segue into other cuts offered up over 40 minutes. 

Other highlights included the ambitious "Summertime Police" and electronica-styled "All About Waiting," the latter song's journey ranging from a symphonic bit opening to dynamic musicianship and a colorful baroque keyboard solo.


Jeff Lynne's ELO: Setlist at Honda Center on June 20, 2019
Standin' in the Rain
Evil Woman
All Over the World
Showdown
Do Ya (The Move cover)
When I Was a Boy
Livin' Thing
Handle With Care (Traveling Wilburys cover featuring Dhani Harrison)
Rockaria
Last Train to London
Xanadu
10538 Overture
Shine a Little Love
Wild West Hero
Sweet Talkin' Woman
Telephone Line
Don't Bring Me Down
Turn to Stone
Mr. Blue Sky
Encore
Roll Over Beethoven (Chuck Berry cover)

Dhani Harrison added to Jeff Lynne's ELO 2019 Summer Tour

Last time I saw Jeff Lynne's ELO, Dawes was the strong opener (read my review of that August 2018 concert event here). Now Lynne has slated another interesting musical choice to open...

DHANI HARRISON ADDED TO JEFF LYNNE'S ELO 2019 SUMMER TOUR

THE MULTI-INSTRUMENTALIST SINGER  

SONGWRITER WILL OPEN ON ALL DATES

TICKETS AVAILABLE NOW AT WWW.LIVENATION.COM

Dhani Harrison will be joining lifelong friend Jeff Lynne for a 20-date North American arena tour this summer as the special guest of Jeff Lynne's ELO. Following the release of his critically acclaimed debut solo album, In//Parallel, Harrison most recently scored HBO's four-part documentary series "The Case Against Adnan Syed," which premiered March 10, alongside Paul Hicks.

Harrison's association with Lynne is well documented, with the pair co-producing the posthumous Grammy-Award Winning George Harrison album Brainwashed, but this will be the first time the pair has toured together.

The trek, produced by Live Nation, will kick off June 20 in Anaheim, CA and travel across North America to cities like Vancouver, Nashville, Atlanta, Washington DC, Toronto, Philadelphia, Newark, Detroit and Chicago before concluding in Pittsburgh, PA on August 1. Tickets and full details are available now at www.livenation.com.

JEFF LYNNE'S ELO 2019 TOUR DATES:

Thu 6/20 - Anaheim, CA - Honda Center  

Sat 6/22 - Sacramento, CA - Golden 1 Center  

Mon 6/24 - San Jose, CA - SAP Center  

 Wed 6/26 - Vancouver, BC - Rogers Arena  

Fri 6/28 - Tacoma, WA- Tacoma Dome  

Sat 6/29 - Portland, OR - Moda Center  

Wed 7/3 - Nashville, TN - Bridgestone Arena

Fri 7/5 - Atlanta, GA - State Farm Arena

Sun 7/7 - Tampa, FL - Amalie Arena

Tue 7/9 - Sunrise, FL - BB&T Center  

Thu 7/11 - Washington, D.C. - Capitol One Arena

Sat 7/13 - Philadelphia, PA - Wells Fargo Center  

Tue 7/16 - Newark, NJ - Prudential Center

Thu 7/18 - Toronto, ON - Scotiabank Arena

Sat 7/20 - Detroit, MI - Little Caesars Arena  

Tue 7/23 - Grand Rapids MI - Van Andel Arena

Thu 7/25 - St. Paul, MN - Xcel Energy Arena  

Sat 7/27 - Chicago, IL - United Center

Tue 7/30 - Columbus, OH - Nationwide Arena 

Thu 8/1 - Pittsburgh, PA - PPG Paints Arena

http://www.dhaniharrison.com

Listen Here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ErksHchVlUc

Live Nation Media Contact:    

Emily Bender

EmilyBender@livenation.com

About Live Nation Entertainment

Live Nation Entertainment (NYSE: LYV) is the world's leading live entertainment company comprised of global market leaders: Ticketmaster, Live Nation Concerts, and Live Nation Media & Sponsorship. For additional information, visit www.livenationentertainment.com.

Jeff Lynne's ELO and Dawes thrill at The Forum

Jeff Lynne's ELO takes a well deserved selfie with the capacity
crowd at The Forum on Saturday, Aug. 4, 2018.

Jeff Lynne enjoying showtime at The Forum. Photo: Rich Fury/Forum Photos

Really. What's not to love about a bill that features Jeff Lynne's ELO knocking it out of the park with nearly two hours of symphonic-adorned hits that feature undeniable choruses, dazzling arrangements and melodic hooks galore. 

Add to that night show opener Dawes, one of the greatest proponents of Laurel Canyon folk rock since the emergence of the Eagles and Neil Young. So it went at The Forum in Inglewood, CA on Saturday night (Aug. 4, 2018), with the stars perfectly aligned for the capacity crowd on hand for the wonderful proceedings.

Leading the dozen members of his troupe through a catalog as strong as any band this side of the Beatles or Rolling Stones, Lynne didn't say much during the concert. But he was armed with enough sonic firepower to let the music do most of the talking this night. There were 19 glorious tracks performed at The Forum, each essential and benefiting from the stellar group of top-tier players and singers gathered on stage. 

Ask a dozen fans and each may well have a different favorite. For me, hearing Lynne and company shimmer their way through the ethereal "All Over the World," "Handle With Care" (a hit for Lynne's other band, Traveling Wilburys), the dance-minded "Shine a Little Love" or soar during the regular set-ending "Mr. Blue Sky" was truly emotional. Being a huge fan of Lynne's 2015 Alone in the Universe, it was wonderful to hear one of that LP's greatest tracks featured this night. The introspective "When I Was a Boy" served as the perfect intro to the buoyant "Livin' Thing." 

Lynne, seemingly ageless at 70, sounded terrific and offered up some great guitar work as well throughout the set. Indeed, he unleashed fretwork aplenty during the encore, when the band delivered an inspired take on Chuck Berry's "Roll Over Beethoven." But truly, equal credit for the expansive and immersive sound heard on Saturday extended to his seven core band mates, three string players and two backup singers who collectively brought all the classics and new material to life.

Dawes performing at The Forum on Aug. 4, 2018.

Dawes is one of this writer's favorite 21st century-spawned outfits. With roots in some of the best strains of Southern California's explosive 1970s scene and a creative knack in tune with modern day heroes such as Radiohead, the Los Angeles-based band really was able to jump start the night.

Led by singer-songwriter-guitarist Taylor Goldsmith, the band performed a potent eight-song set celebrating the band's 2018 album Passwords, as well as high marks from early gems.

I count the band's poignant original "Time Spent in Los Angeles" as one of my favorites, and it sounded great this night with stellar guitar work and Goldsmith's affecting vocals carrying the day.

Other highlights included the new cuts "Feed the Fire" (with its jazzy touches and a guitar duel between Goldsmith and Trevor Menear) and the explosive Neil Young-styled rocker "Living in the Future." 

Dawes closed with "All Your Favorite Bands," a joyful celebration of the deep connection that audiences have with their favorite artists. Count Dawes as one of mine.


Robert Kinsler


Jeff Lynne's ELO setlist on Saturday, August 4, 2018

Standin' in the Rain / Evil Woman / All Over the World / Showdown / Do Ya (a Move cover) / When I Was a Boy / Livin' Thing / Handle With Care (Traveling Wilburys cover) / Rockaria! / Can't Get It Out of My Head / 10538 Overture / Shine a Little Love / Wild West Hero / Sweet Talkin' Woman / Telephone Line / Don't Bring Me Down / Turn to Stone / Mr. Blue Sky
Encore
Roll Over Beethoven (Chuck Berry cover)

Dawes set to return with new album 'Passwords' on June 22, 2018

Media release....


DAWES RETURN WITH NEW ALBUM PASSWORDS, OUT JUNE 22^nd 

FIRST SINGLE, “LIVING IN THE FUTURE” TO DEBUT ON MAY 10^TH, WATCH PASSWORDS ALBUM TRAILER HERE

TOUR WITH JEFF LYNNE’S ELO & NEW FESTIVAL DATES CONFIRMED

"Taylor Goldsmith, Dawes' songwriter and singer, deploys vocabulary with precision..." -The New York Times "Is Dawes America's greatest rock and roll band… at least in the under-40 division? There's a case to be made for it..." -Billboard

Dawes / Photo Credit: Magdalena Wosinska On June 22nd, Dawes will release Passwords, the group’s sixth studio album, and fourth on their own HUB Records. Passwords is an album for and about the modern age: the relationships that fill it, the politics that divide it, and the small victories and big losses that give it shape. "We're living in such a unique moment in history,” says lead singer and songwriter Taylor Goldsmith, “Many of these songs are an attempt to come to terms with the modern world, while always trying to consider both sides of the story." Dawes will debut the album’s first single, “Living In the Future,” on May 10th and you can watch the album trailer for Passwords here. Pre-order the album on all formats here and directly from the band here. In the decade since Dawes emerged from Southern California, the band, consisting of guitarist/singer Taylor Goldsmith, drummer Griffin Goldsmith, bassist Wylie Gelber, and keyboardist Lee Pardini, has evolved and electrified and grown into a forward-thinking band for the 21st century. The result is Passwords, a warm, lived-in album that spotlights Dawes’s strength as a live act while also staying rooted in studio craft and consideration. The album bounces between the familiar territory of guitar-driven indie rock (the anthemic, atmospheric "Living In The Future"); SoCal soul ("My Greatest Invention"); and modern folk ("I Can't Love," "Stay Down"), but also embraces a spacier, experimental approach thanks to the band's newest member, keyboardist Lee Pardini. For Passwords, Dawes was reunited with Jonathan Wilson, who produced the band's first two albums. "Part of the DNA of Dawes was shaped by Jonathan," Goldsmith says. "Those first two Dawes records have a certain essence to them. We were figuring out who we were. When it came time to produce our sixth album, why not go back to the guy who started it all with us?" Wilson adds: “I wanted to record them live and capture that magic that you can only get recording a real fucking band, that lives together and breathes together as a unit. There aren’t too many of those left, but I think we captured it.” Ultimately, Passwords is a clever and clear-eyed defense of empathy in the face of apathy (on songs like "Living In The Future") and a timely call for patience and understanding in an age of political partisanship (on "Crack the Case"). “Songs can be passwords,” Goldsmith says, “because they're a means of giving access to someone else's perspective, thereby elaborating your own.” In this way, Passwords uses its words wisely, unfolding with well-reasoned articulation and pointed punch, while never compromising the band’s innate musicality and song-writing prowess. Rarely has a band created such an appropriate soundtrack for the modern age, and with Passwords, Dawes does just that. In August, Dawes will join Jeff Lynne’s Electric Light Orchestra on their first North American tour in over 30 years, and open for the band in cities including Oakland, Denver, Dallas, as well as two shows at NYC’s Madison Square Garden and two shows at LA’s The Forum. The band will also perform a date in Vienna, VA with Shovels and Rope and festival dates including Pilgrimage Music Festival. Full dates below. Tickets for these dates are available now and can be purchased here. Dawes will announce a full North American headlining tour soon. Dawes- Passwords Tracklisting 1. Living in the Future 2. Stay Down 3. Crack the Case 4. Feed the Fire 5. My Greatest Invention 6. Telescope 7. I Can't Love 8. Mistakes We Should Have Made 9. Never Gonna Say Goodbye 10. Time Flies Either Way Dawes Tour Dates– Tickets at http://dawestheband.com/events May 20 /// Houston, TX /// The Great Texas BBQ Festival^ August 2 /// Oakland, CA /// Oracle Arena* August 4 /// Los Angeles, CA /// The Forum* August 5 /// Los Angeles, CA /// The Forum* August 8 /// Denver, CO /// Pepsi Center* August 10 /// Houston, TX /// Toyota Center* August 13 /// Dallas, TX /// American Airlines Center* August 15 /// Chicago, IL /// Allstate Arena* August 16 /// Detroit, MI /// Little Caesars Arena* August 17 /// Wellston, MI /// Hoxeyville Music Festival^ August 18 /// Toronto, ON /// Air Canada Centre* August 21 /// New York, NY /// Madison Square Garden* August 22 /// New York, NY /// Madison Square Garden* August 23 /// Vienna, VA /// Wolf Trap& August 24 /// Philadelphia, PA /// Wells Fargo Center* September 15 /// Fredericton, NB, Canada /// Harvest Jazz And Blues Festival^ September 16 /// Canton, MA /// Festival At The Farm^ September 22 /// Franklin, TN /// Pilgrimage Music Festival^ * w/ Jeff Lynne’s Electric Light Orchestra ^ Festival Date & w/ Shovels & Rope http://dawestheband.com/ Facebook Twitter Instagram Youtube

Irish and English heroes shine on essential new releases

When it comes to new music, the end of 2017 is delivering some of the year's best and most noteworthy titles. In particular, a handful of artists from Ireland and the U.K have returned with albums that are required listening. 

Artist: Pugwash
Title: Silverlake (Lojinx)
You might like if you enjoy: ELO, XTC, The Beatles
Tell me more: I have heard hundreds of new studio albums this year and I can't think of any that are better than the brilliant Silverlake from Pugwash. A dozen marvelous originals fill this disc, all written by Dublin-based singer-guitarist Thomas Walsh. But the equally-winning part of the formula is the crucial work of Jason Falkner (a former member of Jellyfish and the Grays, and long-time lead guitarist of Beck's touring band), who produced, mixed and played a slew of instruments including guitars, bass, drums and keyboards on the tracks. To be sure the intoxicating "The Perfect Summer," "What Are You Like," "Without You" and other songs here will leave listeners with a delightfully-incurable case of earworm. Those looking for honest, melodic and inventive songwriting that is delivered with the artfulness of enduring classics from ELO, XTC, Crowded House and the Beatles should dispose of the weary adage "They don't make music like that anymore" and discover the magic of Pugwash. And the fact that the album was recorded in a mere 22 days makes this masterwork all the more remarkable. Information: lojinx.com.

Artist: U2
Title: Songs of Experience (Interscope)
You might like if you enjoy: U2, Coldplay
Tell me more: One of rock's greatest and most successful bands of all time, U2 has returned with the sequel to the quartet's 2014 album Songs of Innocence with the newly-released Songs of Experience. The lyrics touch on everything from enduring love and mortality to Syrian refugees and an examination of the "American Soul," but U2's success has always been about whether or not the band's songs have connected with their global audience. The good news here is that overall the material on "Songs of Experience" is stronger as a complete body of work than the track listing on their previous LP. Chief among this writer's favorites is the introspective "The Little Things That Give You Away" complete with The Edge's shimmering guitar textures, the anthemic "Love Is Bigger Than Anything In Its Way" with Bono's soaring voice and the stirring "13 (There Is A Light)." U2 fuses its trademark sound with blues, gospel and soul on the determined "Lights on Home; "Red Flag Day" recalls the foursome's approach back in their early days with The Edge's rapid-fire guitar, Adam Clayton's thundering bass and Larry Mullen Jr.'s forceful drumming. A wonderful return. Information: U2.com.

Artist: The Corrs
Title: Jupiter Calling (East West Records)
You might like if you enjoy: The Corrs, Dido, the Cranberries
Tell me more: The Corrs bridge the worlds of traditional Celtic folk, '70s folk rock and contemporary rock with affecting songcraft, stellar vocals and an Irish warmth that fully comes across on the siblings' latest album Jupiter Calling. Singer Andrea Corr's lead vocals continue to be a wonder; she delivers performances free of the bombast that has sadly become a jarring mark of so many modern-day female vocalists while her talented sisters Sharon (violin, backing vocals) and Caroline (drums, percussion, piano, bodhrán, vocals) and brother Jim (guitar, keyboards, vocals) create an expansive and nuanced blend of old and new. For those who like catchy pop songs, the rousing "SOS" and infectious "Hit My Ground Running" most recall the quartet's early hits ("Breathless," "Radio"). Elsewhere on the 13-track LP  the Corrs explore the quiet with strength and purpose; the lovely "Son Of Solomon," "Road To Eden" and "Live Before I Die" inhabit that corner of the group's sound with nuanced fire. Information: TheCorrsWebsite.com.

Artist: Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds
Title: Who Built The Moon? (Caroline International)
You might like if you enjoy: Radiohead, Doves, Blur's "The Magic Whip"
Tell me more: Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds have returned with another outstanding album. Who Built The Moon? is an almost-radical departure from the British troupe's excellent 2015 "Chasing Yesterday." There are electronica and art rock flourishes aplenty, including the propulsive "Fort Knox," explosive dance-worthy "Holy Mountain" and reminiscent rocker "She Taught Me How To Fly." The atmospheric "It's a Beautiful World" equals the majesty of masterworks from Doves, Blur and Radiohead, and the shimmering alt rocker "Black & White Sunshine" rivals the straight-up classics he recorded with Oasis. "Who Built The Moon?" is a fantastic album. Information: NoelGallagher.com.

Artist: Downes Braide Association
Title: Skyscraper Souls (X2X Records / Cherry Red)
You might like if you enjoy: ASIA, Peter Gabriel, Geoff Downes
Tell me more: The third collaboration from London-based duo Downes Braide Association (keyboardist-composer Geoffrey Downes and singer-keyboardist Christopher Braide) is a progressive album sure to please fans of Downes' work with ASIA, the Buggles and Yes. The material on Skyscraper Souls is expansive, ranging from the ASIA-flavored "Skyscraper Souls" (featuring Kate Pierson of B-52s fame on backing vocals and Dave Colquhoun's wonderful lead guitar throughout) and lush "Glacier Girl" (with guest Andy Partridge of XTC) to the uplifting pop anthem "Angel On Your Shoulder" and British folk ode "Tomorrow" (a lovely duet between Braide and David Longdon) this is an album whose detailed lyrics and themes will provide discerning music aficionados an endless number of layers to discover with each listen. This is a project whose creative scope extends beyond the music, with noted artist Roger Dean having created a painting for the cover art and the logo, while lyrics add depth to the experience. Information: www.downesbraide.com/.



Robert Kinsler

Jeff Lynne's ELO announces 2018 U.S. Tour

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