Quo’s 33rd studio album ‘Backbone’ is now released through earMUSIC / Edel in a variety of formats. The LP is the band’s 33rd 33rpm!
Some doubters said ‘Backbone’ was a record that could not be made, but the 2019 line-up of Status Quo has been through a lot, they have chalked up 130 shows as a unit and travelled tens of thousands of miles. This is a group of musicians that is strong, that back each other up and are tighter than ever. ‘Backbone’ features of a trio songs drawn from the classic partnership of Rossi / Young as well as contributions from all of the rest of the band.
The eleven track album was recorded at Francis’ studio in the late months of 2018 and into this year. The sessions were initially just to keep the juices flowing, improvise and have fun. As the hours rolled on, songs stacked up, everyone began to believe that something special was happening. And so it proved. Even from within the group, there had been some resistance to creating a new record.
As Francis says, “This new material had to be seriously good. Quo have achieved so much and meant so much to too many people for the quality to slip now. Also, let’s face it, things have changed and we’re an easier target than ever.
Our thoughts are with Ric’s family, loved ones, friends and bandmates. This weekend has been absolutely devastating for the rock community with the loss of Eddie Money and now we unfortunately have to also grieve the loss of another of the 1980’s most pioneering artists. Rest In Peace Ric Ocasek, both myself and Tony like so many others spent literally hundreds of hours listening to The Cars incredible body of work. It didn’t take much to get caught up in a infectious hook from classics the likes of Just What I Needed, Drive, Magic, Moving In Stereo or Hello Again. Ric blended synths, new wave and in your face guitar riffs flawlessly and in the four decades since The Cars’ initial rise have continued to transcend generations.
Originally released August 9th, his tour is about to begin and therefore we are posting this information now. Some may know this artist better as Alejandro Aranda from American Idol.
Following an impressive debut at Lollapalooza this weekend which also included an Official Lollapalooza Aftershow headline performance at Chicago’s famed Park West, Scarypoolparty has released “Cholo Love” (DOWNLOAD/STREAM HERE) today along with a live performance within his official video for same (WATCH). Co-writtenby Alejandro Aranda and TJ Routon and produced by Scarypoolparty X Sawyr, the song, beautiful and melodic in nature, is in direct contrast to the video which carries a dark and mysterious vibe while showcasing his undeniable piano prowess.
Up next for Scarypoolparty will be performances at Life Is Beautiful and Austin City Limits festivals followed by his full-band US headline tour which kicks off October 10th in Berkeley, CA. All dates are below and tickets are on-sale nowHERE.
Additionally, tickets for Scarypoolparty’s first-ever London show set for December 10, 2019 at Hoxton Square Bar & Kitchen sold out immediately during the presale earlier this week. Due to popular demand, a second show was added for December 9, 2019 and has also sold out..
At the age of 21, Rick Astley emerged from the shadows of the Stock, Aitken and Waterman production house to become one of the biggest stars on the planet. His era-defining classic ‘Never Gonna Give You Up’ topped charts the world over and catapulted him on a journey that would encompass 8 consecutive UK Top 10 hits and 40 million sales. And after stepping aside to focus on his family, he shot back to #1 almost 30 years later with his hit Platinum-selling album ‘50’.
Now Rick celebrates his extraordinary story with the release of the new career-spanning compilation ‘The Best of Me’. It charts that initial run of hits (‘Whenever You Need Somebody’, ‘Together Forever’and many more) alongside recent fan favourites such as ‘Keep Singing’, ‘Angels On My Side’ and ‘Beautiful Life’. It also digs into some deep cuts too, such as ‘Lights Out’ from 2010.
The set is bookended with a step into the past and an eye to the future. Having written and produced the song as well as playing all of the instruments himself, opening track and lead single ‘Every One of Us’ is a brand new song that shows that the power of Rick Astley 2.0 is undiminished. And it closes with a new ‘Pianoforte’ take on ‘Never Gonna Give You Up’. Dropping the peppy ‘80s beats for an intimate piano arrangement captures it in a new light, its inner heartbreak becoming all the more apparent.
“It’s been an amazing experience to rework ‘Never Gonna Give You Up’,” says Rick. “That song is part of my DNA and it means a lot to me. I hope people like what I’ve done with it as much as I do. And ‘Every One of Us’ is about the fire in all of us. We all have something to give, even if it doesn’t always feel like we do. I’m so lucky to feel that fire every time I’m on stage, and that helps me feel it in my everyday life too.”
Continuing that spirit of reinvention, Rick independently recorded a set of ‘Reimagined’ interpretations of his songs, old and new, for the second disc of ‘The Best of Me’. While Rick’s musical style has evolved over the years, the ‘Reimagined’ recordings show that quality songwriting has always been an essential hallmark of his work.
‘The Best of Me’ is now available to pre-order here. The album will be released as a 2CD digipak; deluxe casebound 2CD; 2LP coloured vinyl, and via streaming services. Amazon UK will stock a limited signed quantity of the 2CD digipak while limited signed editions of the special formats plus a cassette and a highly limited quantity of signed test pressings will be available exclusively from Rick Astley’s official store.
The album is to be released October 25th, 2019.
Earlier this year, Rick completed a gargantuan 38-date stadium tour as special guest to Take That, during which he played to over 500,000 people. He also recently played the Isle of Wight Festival, Pub in the Park and Chris Evans’ Carfest. Having sold over 100,000 tickets to his UK headline shows since releasing ‘50’, Rick Astley’s forthcoming tour dates includes gigs in Australia and Japan as well as his first ever show in New Zealand. Please see http://www.rickastley.co.uk/ for a list of dates and ticket information.
The passing of Eddie Money hits the world hard. So many amazing songs, so many memories!
One memory in particular….Jere and myself had the pleasure of doing some promotion for Eddie and his band in 2007 for the Wanna Go Back album release. Needless to say we were so pumped to hear new material, though covers, from Eddie. A little conversation with his band & management and we were given the material before public release. At the time Jere and I were doing reviews, going to concerts, writing articles and sharing stories of artists we enjoyed. So to be in close contact with Eddie’s team was just such a boost for us personally. Again.. this is an artist that we had really enjoyed for a long time. Years before, an odd connection would occur that would set up my course with meeting Eddie Money. Without to many details… I’d like to keep some of this private.. but in the summer of ’99 after the death of a family member who wanted to see Eddie’s show… I was able to attend it.. without even knowing I was going there specifically. And yet a few years after that, meeting Eddie one on one after a show and being able to discuss music and snag an autograph. Honestly that’s the extreme short version of the entire story.
Fast Forward to 2019…Eddie announced a new studio album which just set me off into orbit.. I was so excited. Similar feelings occurred just months before when former lead singer of Journey, Steve Perry announced and then released his new album Traces. Now lets be real here… new music.. 2019??? From a classic rock Icon?? I don’t care who you are, if you are into any form of 70’s/80’s rock, you would have to be pumped about this news!
The lead single Brand New Day which was also the album title came out with a bang! What an amazing song and video. It was so great to hear Eddie’s voice and see him doing well. Of course little did anyone know he was going through a massive battle against time in Stage 4 Cancer. The album would not be released, in fact all sound clips other than the single were removed from his website and iTunes. Preorders were cancelled by suppliers/retail outlets. No additional information about the album has been given at this point.
Eddie had a “minor” heart procedure, followed by an illness. On Sept 13, 2019 Eddie passed away leaving a legacy of wonderful music, amazing memories, family and friends.
Thanks for all the memories.. most of which I can’t even put down on this website.. this one truly hurts. Rest In Peace Eddie!
