Something For Everyone's Taste

With politics front and center in the news, I have had little time to focus on much else on my blog. Today I am taking a break to offer some quick mentions of new music from artists that you may have never heard of or have forgotten.

There is something here for EVERYONE and a couple that I mention over a year old but at the end of the day, hours worth of great listening. I am keeping my comments and reviews brief and concise on this blog so that you can just surf to the sites and listen to the sound clips. ENJOY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

BLUE DEW The Long Journey Home

First up is a very interesting offering by a Dutch artist, BLUE DEW. This is a cross between Celtic music and American bluegrass. Their CD, The Long Journey Home was released last year and their single is a very pretty piece of work entitled Kilkelly. Good musicianship, nicely produced but a bit raw in places. In any event this is nice relaxing music and puts you in a mellow mood. If you like the Celtic genre, this is something that you will want to check out.

http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=81686395

http://www.bluedew.nl

BLACKMORE'S NIGHT Secret Voyage

It doesn't get much better than this. One of the best rock guitarists in the world, Ritchie Blackmore teaming up with the very talented Candace Night. I believe this is their 6th or 7th CD together and each one just gets better. The single on this one is Locked Within The Crystal Ball and it is reminiscent of a cross between Stevie Nicks and Lunatica. If you have not heard Lunatica, do a google search and enjoy the music.

Renaissance instruments blended with electric and acoustic guitars provides layers of melodic traditional European music blended with a contemporary sound. The vocals are stunning and the musicianship is outstanding. The production and the mixing are flawless. Be sure to visit the site and watch the video teaser of Locked Within The Crystal Ball. WOW!

My favorites are Rainbow Eyes, Sister Gypsy and Far Far Away. Go to the link below and look for the link to "videos" to hear some great samples of the music. There are about 10 videos, well produced and they give you a good cross section of the music.

http://www.blackmoresnight.com

HAREM SCAREM Hope

HAREM SCAREM Raw and Rare

This is Harem Scarem's last studio album and CD release of new material. With guitarist Pete Lesperance off doing his own thing with Fair Ground, the band is going in separate musical directions. This is not your 80's Harem Scarem and I am sorry to say that HOPE, although it is good, is not as strong as last year's Human Nature. The songs do not immediately hit you as instant hits; they take some listening. I am hoping that they will grow on me over time. That seems to be the process of the older Harem Scarem CD's. Best cuts are Hope and the acoustic version of Higher!

Unexpectedly, they also released a new DVD....RAW AND RARE! One word...WOW! Newer songs are represented on this concert footage like Human Nature and Caught Up In Your World and classics like Paint Thins and Dagger are there as well. Overall nice production quality AND as a bonus....a full hour of a concert recorded in 1994 including classics like Mandy, Honesty and Empty Promises. This is a 'must have' for Scarem fans or anyone who likes solid melodic rock with a contemporary feel.

http://www.haremscarem.net

AL STEWART Sparks Of Ancient Light

A master of historical rock and a one of a kind artist, Al Stewart will be releasing his newest CD on September 13th. You might remember a little musical gem from the 70's called Year of the Cat? Over the years, Al has bounced between different labels and has had a potpourri of releases; some good, some mediocre. I know nothing about this one but here is what it will look like.

http://www.alstewart.com

HONEYMOON SUITE Clifton Hill

Honeymoon Suite has never been an artist that I would go out of the way to listen to, much less purchase on CD. I have found their material to be boring and lackluster. Not this time!!!!!! Clifton Park is a refreshing surprise with some solid songs and great melodic rock. My favorites include: The House, Sunday Morning, She Ain't Alright and Tired of Waitin' On You! Solid production, memorable hooks and nice musicianship. This one is worth a listen,

http://honeymoonsuite.com

7TH HEAVEN U.S.A - U.K.

I don't know a lot about this band but I do know that it is really good. Great songs with memorable hooks, not too heavy but not too much like pop. Order it online to get 18 songs for only $10. That is a great deal anywhere and anytime.

http://www.7thheavenband.com/

WHITESNAKE X Good To Be Bad

I remember my first listen to Whitesnake vocalist David Coverdale. Ian Gillian had left Deep Purple and the young Coverdale became the front man with Glenn Hughes backing him and playing bass. My college roommate absolutely hated Coverdale and made it clear that Deep Purple was done and Coverdale would never be a great vocalist. I have to admit, I had my doubts about Coverdale myself,,,,,,,

A few years later, Coverdale released the first Whitesnake album and the rest is history. Whitesnake X picks up right where they left off and they sound as if the magic never stopped. This new release is packed with solid melodic rock and I like each and every song (except the ballad). My favorite song is When The Wind Blows followed by Lay Down Your Love.....nice and a must for anyone who ever liked Whitesnake.

http://www.whitesnake.com

NEWMAN Decade

It is doubtful that anyone has heard of British rock artist Steve Newman. Newman is an excellent songwriter who has released five great CD's. This recording represents 17 of his best songs plus 17 unreleased tracks in different stages of production that did not make the final cut on his CD's. Noticeably missing is We Pray, a track that my kids like a lot and one that I put on in the car and we sing along to. Of course they like the chorus the best and one of the verses really makes them laugh but just to bridge the generation gap, if even for a moment is enjoyable. Give Newman a listen and you will become a fan.

http://www.newmansound.com

Well, that is it for this post. There are several musical genres represented here and a lot of great music. Have an open mind and give them a listen.....until next time..........................................................