03.18.05 (MusicPortal.com) To mark the 10th anniversary of his untimely death, Sony BMG Entertainment have announced a June 13th release date for "Big Guns - The Very Best Of Rory Gallagher" - a stunning new 24-track, 2-disc album from Ireland's most influential Blues/Rock guitarist, RORY GALLAGHER. Now, for the first time, the original multi-tracks of some of Gallagher's best known recordings have been remixed, digitally re-mastered and upgraded in 5.1 Surround Sound on CD/SACD. Following the release of the 2003's critically acclaimed acoustic album, "Wheels Within Wheels" (voted "Album Of The Year" in Guitar Magazine), this long overdue anthology, meticulously compiled by RORY GALLAGHER's brother and long-time manager Donal Gallagher, "Big Guns" represents the creme de la creme of the legendary guitarist's most significant recordings spanning an illustrious 28-year recording career. RORY GALLAGHER is an undisputed guitar legend to Blues enthusiasts around the globe. Not only will this anthology delight fans, it should also appeal to a broader audience through the timeless qualities of the music and the unique approach of this much-missed authentic guitar virtuoso. Gallagher's contribution to Rock music has had a significant impact on both musicians and music fans around the world, despite his untimely death on June 14th, 1995 at the age of 48 from complications following liver transplant surgery. The package includes a comprehensive booklet with sleeve notes penned by Times newspaper Rock correspondent David Sinclair, himself an avid RORY GALLAGHER admirer. A second set of essays is provided by Michael Molenda, Editor-In-Chief of Guitar Player magazine in the U.S. "Big Guns - The Very Best Of Rory Gallagher" features rare tracks from his formative years with his first band, TASTE. In the tradition of THE JIMI HENDRIX EXPERIENCE, CREAM, etc. -- their contemporaries at the time -- TASTE were not only a trio who played Blues/Rock, but they... [full story]
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03.08.05 (MusicPortal.com) On the heels of double-Grammy honors for their internationally acclaimed collaboration "There Will Be A Light," BEN HARPER and gospel legends THE BLIND BOYS OF ALABAMA will release a concert CD & DVD entitled "Ben Harper And The Blind Boys Of Alabama Live At The Apollo" on March 15th and 29th respectively. The performance of the entire album was shot before a sold-out crowd at Harlem's historic Apollo Theater, with the instrumental backing of Harper's band, THE INNOCENT CRIMINALS. From the opening acoustic guitar solo '11th Commandment' to the rousing extended finale of 'Satisfied Mind,' all the diverse strains of Country, Blues, and Southern R&B within Gospel music are heard in the performance of the album that Vibe magazine described as "music that will make you see the light," and that Filter praised as "the very essence of spirituality in song." Special DVD features include a photo slide show and two separate behind-the-scenes documentary pieces - one on the making of the original album, and a backstage peek at the October 12, 2004 taping of the Apollo show. Regarding BEN HARPER & THE BLIND BOYS OF ALABAMA's Grammy Awards triumph, Virgin Records Chairman and CEO Matt Serletic had this to say: "It was so appropriate that Ben and the Blind Boys won Grammys at this particular time. Their album represents an honoring and a renewal of musical foundations." BEN HARPER has sold over 7 million albums globally. Harper and THE BLIND BOYS OF ALABAMA won the 2004 Grammy for "Best Traditional Soul Gospel Album" for "There Will Be A Light," while BEN HARPER also won an individual Grammy in the "Best Pop Instrumental Performance" category for '11th Commandment.' Additionally, both artists were nominated in the "Best Gospel Performance category." All are first nominations and wins for BEN HARPER, while "There Will Be A Light" marks THE BLIND BOYS OF ALABAMA's fourth consecutive Grammy award in the "Best Traditional Soul Gospel Album" category.
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[Blues News: February 2005]
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