Peter Green, Buddy Guy, Ian Rankin in latest edition of The Blues Magazine


Peter Green’s Fleetwood Mac take pride of place on the cover of The Blues Magazine issue number 10, on sale today. View an interactive preview here.

The latest instalment of Classic Rock‘s bi-monthly sister title looks at the development of Green’s ambition to create the “ultimate British blues album,” using unseen pictures and new interviews.

Elsewhere, Buddy Guy discusses why his latest record Rhythm & Blues is part of a promise he made to Muddy Waters; crime author Ian Rankin talks about his involvement with Rory Gallagher-fuelled project Kickback City; Ian Anderson tells of his pre-Jethro Tull career as a blues guitarist and Simon McBride reflects on his rising-star status.

There’s also interviews with The Cadillac Three, Wille And The Bandits, Chantel McGregor, Guy Davis, Craig Hughes, Don Cavalli, Terry Lee Hale, Brothers Groove, Left Lane Cruiser, Sunday Wilde, Moriarty, The 45s, Greg Coulson, Alex McKown and others.

Your 15-track CD No Trash. No Dogs. Just The Best Of 2013 includes music from JJ Grey & Mofro, Jo Harman, Walter Trout, King King, Rosco Levee And The Southern Slide, The Hoax, Mike Zito, Joe Bonamassa and Beth Hart, The Temperance Movement, The Graveltones and more.

Plus there’s a round-up of the best blues Christmas presents and the latest edition of Charles Shaar Murray’s Cuttin’ Heads column.

The Blues Magazine Issue 10 is on sale in shops and via MyFavouriteMagazines.co.uk.

source: classicrockmagazine.com

Black Sabbath celebrate ‘shock year’ at Classic Rock Awards


Black Sabbath won three awards at last night’s Classic Rock Roll Of Honour, sponsored by Orange Amplification in association with Currencies.co.uk.

They took home Album Of The Year for comeback title 13, Event Of The Year for reaching number one after 43 years, and the previously announced Living Legends award. Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi and Geezer Butler were present at London’s Roundhouse venue to celebrate what the frontman called a “shock year.”

The gala event, presented to an invited audience by prog musician Fish, also celebrated the work of Led Zeppelin, John Mayall, Wilko Johnson, Zakk Wylde and others.

Osbourne said: “I never thought I’d be standing here, what, 45 years later? It’s an incredible event for us all. We’re still in shock. It’s been an incredible year, after I spent all those earlier ones trying to kill myself.”

Bandmate Iommi, who’s continued to tour with the band despite receiving cancer treatment, said: “Thanks for everything – it’s great to see all these old and new faces.”

Classic Rock Awards as it happened

Jimmy Page accepted the FIlm Of The Year award for Led Zeppelin concert movie Celebration Day, saying: “It was a great concert and we got the energy into the video – well, the DVD… and the Blu-ray. I’m here on behalf of the band and I thank you on their behalf.”

Page returned to the stage to present Wilko Johnson with the Inspiration award. The former Dr Feelgood guitarist, who’s suffering from terminal cancer, laughed: “They told me I had ten months to live and ten months have gone by. How long can this go on? We don’t know. But it’s particularly gratifying to receive this recognition of my efforts.”

John Mayall was given the Classic Album gong for 1966 release Blues Breakers With Eric Clapton, recalling: “We had a lot of fun with it – we just did what we did on stage and had no designs other than making an honest album. The label never did understand how it sold so well.”

Other awards went to Fleetwood Mac, the Rolling Stones, Rory Gallagher, Mott The Hoople, and rising stars The Temperance Movement and The Virginmarys.

Classic Rock Roll Of Honour 2013

Best New Band, sponsored by Kraken: The Temperance Movement
Reissue Of The Year, sponsored by Alchemy: Fleetwood Mac, Rumours 35th Anniversary Edition
Film Of The Year: Led Zeppelin, Celebration Day
Album Of The Year, sponsored by Live Nation: Black Sabbath, 13
Band Of The Year, sponsored by Investec: The Rolling Stones
Breakthrough, sponsored by Fuji: The Virginmarys
Spirit Of Prog, sponsored by USM/UMC: Alex Lifeson of Rush
Event Of The Year, sponsored by Roadrunner Records: Black Sabbath hits No1 after 43 years
Innovator, sponsored by Rocksmith: Wilko Johnson
Musicians’ Union Maestro: James Dean Bradfield, Manic Street Preachers
Classic Album, sponsored by Eagle Rock: Blues Breakers With Eric Clapton by John Mayall
Showman, sponsored by Butlins: The Darkness
Outstanding Contribution, sponsored by Monitor Audio: Mott The Hoople
Metal Guru, sponsored by Mascot Label Group: Zakk Wylde
VIP, sponsored by Currencies.co.uk: Shep Gordon
Tommy Vance Inspiration, sponsored by Spinefarm Records: Rory Gallagher
Living Legends, sponsored by Orange Amplification: Black Sabbath

source: classicrockmagazine.com

US carrier leads Typhoon relief effort


A US aircraft carrier has sent mercy flights into the typhoon-smashed Philippines, transporting urgently needed aid for survivors still begging for help in wreckage strewn with bodies a week after the disaster.

The USS George Washington is flying missions to towns worst-hit by Super Typhoon Haiyan as well as 'remote areas that we could not access earlier', Philippine Air Force spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Miguel Okol said on Friday.

Thousands are feared to have died in the storm, and the lives of many others were hanging by the thinnest of threads, even as the relief operations moved up a gear.

In Tacloban city's only functioning hospital - without a roof, power or water - a woman frantically pumped air into the lungs of her husband, lying critically ill a day after his leg was amputated.

Valentina Gamba, the head of nursing at the hospital, said they had tried to discharge patients they could not feed.

'But they still stayed for shelter ... because they cannot go home,' Gamba said.

Several kilometres away at the city's airport, hundreds of famished and homeless survivors hoping to escape devastated Leyte island looked on as American soldiers unloaded aid from aircraft on to trucks.

Emergency supplies have been excruciatingly slow to get through to increasingly desperate survivors, with United Nations humanitarian chief Valerie Amos admitting that the delivery of relief goods had not been quick enough.

On Friday, the Philippines government disputed the UN's take on the extent of the death toll. The world body says 4460 have been confirmed dead, but the Philippines' National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council insisted the number remained at 2360.

The USS George Washington Strike Group - with 5000 sailors on the huge carrier alone, and seven other ships - arrived on Thursday with badly needed equipment, manpower and expertise, giving some hope that the delivery of aid would speed up.

'I heard there are now American planes,' 28-year-old Merly Araneta said.

'I will try to make it to the airport. But I have only eaten twice in five days and drank rainwater collected in a plastic cup. I am so tired.'

Tacloban mayor Alfred Romualdez said helicopters were 'delivering support and relief goods to different communities'.

Ships and planes from Asia-Pacific nations and Europe are converging on the Philippines, bearing food, water, medical supplies, tents and other essentials.

British Prime Minister David Cameron dispatched the biggest vessel in Britain's fleet, a helicopter carrier, while heavy transport planes carrying equipment such as forklift trucks have already arrived.

China has upped its aid contribution after its initial offer $US100,000 ($A107,532) was widely criticised, and its state media increased the pressure on Beijing on Friday, urging it to join other countries in deploying warships.

At Tacloban airport, US aircraft were coming in two at a time. American servicemen were driving trucks loaded with aid and appeared to be acting quasi-independently, with a large part of the airfield to themselves.

Romualdez said he was 'very grateful' for all the help. But on the city's streets, the sense of want is gnawing for a population in dire need of the basics of life.

In a heavily damaged school that had been turned into a makeshift shelter for around 1000 people, Alita Nabelga, 81, said water was starting to get through, but that there was no food or medicine.

'It is so hard for us here. There is nothing to eat. There is water that is rationed. But it would be better if there was food,' she said.

'Where are the Americans? Are they bringing us rice?' she added.

A US embassy official told AFP the carrier's strike group was getting supplies on to the ground.

'We're setting up a significant presence, but it is still under the direction of the Philippines,' he said.

Aid agencies welcomed the USS George Washington's arrival.

'It will probably stabilise the situation for people in remote communities who remain isolated,' Red Cross spokesman Patrick Fuller said.

'What is critical is that we humanitarian organisations have good co-operation with the military. It's crucial that good civil-military operations work effectively. We have experience in places like Haiti where there was some communication gap.'

AFP journalists saw dead bodies still lying by the side of the road on Friday, and the smell of rotten flesh still hung in the air, despite many corpses being put in bags ready for mass burial.

While the retrieval of the dead continues, there are growing fears for the health of those who survived.

The World Health Organisation says there are significant injuries that need to be dealt with - open wounds that can easily become infected in the sweltering tropical heat.

Experts warn that a reliable supply of clean drinking water is vital if survivors are to avoid diarrhoea, which can lead to dehydration and death, especially in small children.

source: skynews.com.au

Buy a London record shop on eBay


The owner of a landmark London record shop has put it up for sale via eBay at a Buy It Now price of £300,000 – but he’s warned those interested not to expect a financial return.

Tim Derbyshire opened On The Beat Records in 1979, but says the collectable-vinyl business will close if no new owner is found.

In the auction listing he explains: “If you’re at the stage in your life where you don’t have to worry about making money, but can live a bohemian life, meet interesting people every day and the occasional rock star, here’s your chance to take over the oldest record shop in Swinging London.

“I’ve given it my heart and soul for all these years but it’s time for me to step down and let another passionate music lover take over. You can make history.


“If you’re mad about music, love vinyl and want to keep the dream alive, here’s your chance to take on an Aladdin’s cave of musical gems. The Beat must go on – keep my dream alive!”

Four offers have so far been made for On The Beat Records, which is on sale as a going concern with all stock. The auction closes on November 25.

source: classicrockmagazine.com

Blues rock pioneer Bobby Parker dies at 76


Blues rock guitarist Bobby Parker, best known for his 1961 track Watch Your Step and credited as “the only musician the Beatles admitted to stealing from” has died at the age of 76, it’s been reported.

Bassist Anthony B Rucker, who often collaborated often with the pioneering artist, confirmed the news, saying: “It is with a heavy heart I thank you, Bobby, for all that you have done for me. I’m so glad I had one last chance to play with you a couple of weeks ago. See ya on the other side.”

Born in Louisiana and raised in Los Angeles, Robert Lee Parker’s first professional gig was with Otis Williams and the Charms in the 1950s, followed by stints with Bo Diddley, Sam Cooke, Chuck Berry and Little Richard.

Watch Your Step inspired the Beatles’ song I Feel Fine, with John Lennon once saying they’d used the riff “in various forms” throughout their career. Led Zeppelin made use of it in Moby Dick. The track was also covered by the Spencer Davis Group, Dr Feelgood and Carlos Santana, who once said: “Bobby inspired me to play guitar – he’s one of the few remaining guitarists who can pierce your heart and soothe your soul.”

In 2008 Parker reflected: “Watch Your Step was a culmination of blues rock guitar that nobody else had ever thought of. Mine was First. The United States was engulfed by Motown, but the whole world knew when I recorded Watch Your Step that I broke the brick wall of the sameness of Motown.

“I sent music in another direction worldwide, especially for guitarists like Jimmy Page, Santana, Eric Clapton and millions of others. Everybody who was anybody knew Bobby Parker alone penned the lick that created what’s known as the British revolution.

“I heard 600 or more blatant copycat recordings – everybody was playing my lick and trying to claim it, the Beatles included. Even now I hear copycat riffs in TV commercials.” He laughed: “I wish they’d come up with a different riff and leave mine alone…”

The track’s success led to international touring and an offer of a record deal from Jimmy Page, which didn’t work out. Parker spent the 1970s and 1980s based in Washington DC and out of international acclaim, but returned to the spotlight with his first solo album Bent Out Of Shape in 1993, followed by Shine Me Up in 1995. He remained active until his death, having played a series of blues festivals during the summer. Recently he said: “I keep doing it for the music and the people – I love the people.”

Parker has songwriting credits for a total of 55 tracks including his two other singles, Blues Get Off My Shoulder from 1958 and It’s Hard To be Fair from 1968.

source: classicrockmagazine.com