Wednesday, November 14, 2012

BLACK SABBATH: Pioneers of Heavy Metal by Brian Aberback


Esteemed New Jersey Writer/Author BRIAN ABERBACK Pens New Educational Unauthorized Rockography, “BLACK SABBATH: Pioneers of Heavy Metal”


Esteemed New Jersey writer and author BRIAN ABERBACK has penned a new, educational Black Sabbath book, being released with Enslow Publishers, Inc. The book, titled Black Sabbath: Pioneers of Heavy Metal, is an unauthorized “rockography” that transforms the extensive knowledge about Black Sabbath that Aberback has amassed over the years to the page for future music enthusiasts and students alike to enjoy. 

Black Sabbath: Pioneers of Heavy Metal is the only Black Sabbath biography written for middle and high school students. Thoroughly researched, annotated and highly informative, this book is an appealing read for all ages and a great way for parents to introduce their kids to some of the music they love and grew up with. This book chronicles one of rock’s most legendary band’s careers from its formation to the present day and does a superb job of conveying the group’s ups and downs, not glossing over any details while staying age-appropriate. Black Sabbath: Pioneers of Heavy Metal is available in high-quality library bound hardcover as well as softcover editions and can be found wherever books are sold online.

Black Sabbath: Pioneers of Heavy Metal has already been added to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum Library and Archives and sits on the shelves of libraries throughout the United States to New Zealand, Singapore and the United States Army Base in Heidelberg, Germany.

Black Sabbath: Pioneers of Heavy Metal is part of The Rebels of Rock series from Enslow Publishing Inc. The Rebels of Rock books have a list price of $31.93 and a 25% discount price for Schools and Libraries of $23.95. Other books in The Rebels of Rock series include “rockographies” on Aerosmith, Def Leppard, The Clash, The Ramones, and The Rolling Stones.

BRIAN ABERBACK



BRIAN ABERBACK is a veteran music journalist specializing in hard rock and heavy metal.     Aberback’s encyclopedic knowledge of heavy metal and hard rock spans numerous genres. His interview list is a who’s who of heavy metal and hard rock legends, including Black Sabbath, Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Metallica, Anthrax, Megadeth, Slayer, Overkill, Testament and Mercyful Fate. His work has appeared in daily newspapers, weekly and monthly magazines, and on news and music websites. Many of his stories have been published in The Record, the largest daily newspaper in Northern New Jersey.

What sets Aberback apart, in addition to his strong writing style and dedication to his craft, has been his passion for giving heavy metal bands a shot at attracting new audiences through mainstream newspaper exposure. Over the years he’s introduced such bands as Nile, Cradle of Filth, Amorphis, Morbid Angel, Opeth, Arch Enemy, The Haunted and many, many more, through the pages of The Record and other publications, to music fans, and even metal fans, who likely would have never heard of these bands. Not often do you find daily newspaper writers publishing stories about the likes of D.R.I., Diamond Head, Everytime I Die, Iced Earth or The Gathering.

***An articulate and well-informed speaker with a vast knowledge of the history of rock-and-roll, musically and socially, with a specific emphasis on heavy metal and hard rock, BRIAN ABERBACK is available for book talks, panel discussions and as an expert commentator for television and radio programs.

Check out some great reviews on Black Sabbath: Pioneers of Heavy Metal:

“Refreshingly levelheaded and loaded with sourced quotes, it’s that rare middle-grade biography (or “rockography,” as the title page insists) that is able to trace a band’s history, revel in its rock awesomeness, and be blunt about such things as drug abuse, all the while keeping things at an age-appropriate keel.”
–Booklist

“Through this book, old and new fans alike learn about the band’s history and impact on the music industry.”
–Children's Literature

For more information on the book and the author Brian Aberback and to purchase Black Sabbath: Pioneers of Heavy Metal, visit www.brianaberback.com


Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Ceci Redmann Whitehurst, Neapolitan Blues


For those of you out there wondering who Ceci Redmann Whitehurst is, Ceci came forward and submitted her latest CD release for review on this blog. Ceci was also gracious enough to help me out and review some of the music I have promised to review. Ceci also submitted 2 music reviews that she wrote herself to post on this very blog. If there ever was a person that deserved a Thank You from me it has to be Ceci, so Thank You Ceci! 
Stay tuned for more great, insightful music reviews from Ceci and a review from me of Ceci's latest release "Neapolitan Blues".


Ceci In Action...
Check out Ceci's latest release "Neapolitan Blues" on cdbaby...www.cdbaby.com/cd/ceciredmannwhitehurst3



Sunday, November 11, 2012

McGee Art Gallery


McGee Art Gallery


McGee Art Gallery's Holiday Small works exhibition will be having its opening reception
Saturday, November 17 from 6pm-10pm at 10931 Main st. Clarence, NY 14031. (716)481-8737
This show runs through January 6,2013.
Featuring artwork by: Barb Ernst, Betsy Marie, Scott Herman, Enid Edelman, Ruth Mohn, Faranack Benz Nader, Alyssa Brothman, Bill Huggins, Sakura Paterniti, Joe Agen, Paul Hirshfield, Chris McGee, Sibel McGee
A Mega variety of styles and mediums-great for gifts! Paintings, drawings, prints, photography, pottery, sculpture, jewelry and more! Traditional, Modern, Post-Modern and beyond!



Thank You Chris McGee!

Wednesday, November 7, 2012

Heavy Mellow, Horizons CD review by Ceci Redmann Whitehurst


Review of “Horizons” CD by “Heavy Mellow” by Ceci Redmann Whitehurst

I recently bought two Heavy Mellow CDs and am seriously enjoying listening to them!
“Who the hell is Heavy Mellow?” you might ask.


Well, “ Heavy Mellow is Barry Sulkin and Paul Hadley Davis. Sulkin plays finger-style guitars - six and twelve-string steel, classical, and dobro - in a variety of tunings, along with mandolin and harmonica. Davis plays lead guitar, mandolin, bass, and keys. … they started Heavy Mellow as a side project to pursue original instrumental music and fill requests for live performances in smaller settings. They continue to play and record, working out of Nashville and western North Carolina.” www.magnatune.com

“Acoustic based Heavy Mellow is a relaxing blend of folk, jazz, grass and classical. Combining finger-style, rhythm and lead, this instrumental string music creates a sound that the name implies, not fitting neatly into any one genre.” www.magnatune.com

I couldn’t agree more, and yet I am going to try to fit them not-so-neatly into several categories.

Listening to the more recent CD, “Horizons”(2007), I did some free-association and jotted down what went through my mind, including the following descriptors: lilting, relaxing, peppy, rhythmic, melancholic, bittersweet, pensive, fun, lovely, instrumental - Nitty Gritty Dirt Band meets Segovia meets Donovan meets George Harrison meets George Winston meets the Romero Brothers meets the Doobie Brothers-type genre.

If you close your eyes while listening to one of the songs, “Sangria”, you’ll envision John Singer Sargent’s “El Jaleo” painting. If you aren’t familiar with it, here it is.



The two guitarists complement each other and blend playfully, creatively, wonderfully--

“…just simple lines intertwining, you know, very much like … influenced by Mozart and Bach, and it's sort of in between those, really. It's like a Mach piece, really.” (ok, that’s from Spinal Tap)

KNOWING I could not adequately critique this music in my own words, I decided that the best thing would be to try to describe the “essence” of “Heavy Mellow”, like a gifted sommelier might do with a special wine. So, I found a suitable article about wine, and replaced the word “wine” with “Heavy Mellow”. The result is an eerily perceptive and accurate description of Heavy Mellow’s delightful, unique, and complicated musical stylings. Read on...

Heavy Mellow” and partying go hand in hand. A dinner party that does not have “Heavy Mellow” seems to be incomplete. “Heavy Mellow” lightens your head and enlivens your mood, without any great risks of your getting drunk. So popular is “Heavy Mellow” amongst people that many of the great personalities; like Benjamin Franklin and William Shakespeare, have written or said great quotes about it. These quotes, when shared while (listening to) “Heavy Mellow”, add to the whole experience. Keeping this in mind, we have provided some very funny and witty quotations about “Heavy Mellow”, in the lines below.

Heavy Mellow” is constant proof that God loves us and loves to see us happy. - Benjamin Franklin 

Heavy Mellow” is bottled poetry. - Robert Louis Stevenson
 
Heavy Mellow” gives a man nothing... it only puts in motion what had been locked up in frost. - Samuel Johnson 

Heavy Mellow” gives courage and makes men more apt for passion. - Ovid

 “Heavy Mellow” is a good familiar creature if it be well used. - William Shakespeare

Heavy Mellow” makes every meal an occasion, every table more elegant, every day more civilized. - Andre Simon

What is better than to sit at the end of the day and (listen to) “Heavy Mellow” with friends, or substitutes for friends! - James Joyce

If God forbade “Heavy Mellow”, would He have made “Heavy Mellow”, so good! - Cardinal Richelieu

Where there is plenty of “Heavy Mellow”, sorrow and worry take wing. - Anonymous

Well, that’s my review!!! I really am enjoying the music immensely. I think you will too!
See for yourself.  “Heavy Mellow” is available at www.magnatune.com/artists/heavy_mellow  
 and www.itunes.apple.com/us/album/horizons/id257933022 and who knows where else.
 Just surf the web!

Once again, Thank You Ceci! Stay Tuned for more Great CD reviews by Ceci in the near future..

Tuesday, November 6, 2012

Big Wreck Albatross CD review

Update 11/08: here's the link for the review that is specified in the comment below this piece. This review goes alot more in depth into the songs and I enjoyed reading it. Thanks for the comment BUK!



BIG WRECK "Albatross" CD review. 
I usually write about bands that I must initially educate myself on, usually by listening to their music for the first time and looking them up online.
I must say I've known about Big Wreck since the 90's and I really enjoy their music so I really wanted to expose them to the Rest of the World because their enjoyable, guitar driven music has been filling my head lately.
Here's the link to the review, Click, Read and Enjoy!
http://voices.yahoo.com/big-wreck-albatross-cd-review-11837194.html?cat=33

Thank You goes out to the Professor.

Sunday, November 4, 2012

Neapolitan Blues, Ceci Redmann Whitehurst


Ceci's new CD can be purchased on: https://sites.google.com/site/ceciredmannwhitehurst/


Ceci's art, like the piece seen here entitled "Elvis" can be viewed and purchased on: http://www.etsy.com/shop/ceciredhurst?ref=search_shop_redirect

Thank You Ceci!

Thursday, November 1, 2012

Nathaniel Smith, Arrhythmia



This review is for Nathaniel Smith's Arrhythmia CD, written by Ceci Redmann Whitehurst.
Ceci's Rating for Arrhythmia: 5 out of 5 stars

Amazing Talent -
I have been listening to this CD in my car for days. I don't want to listen to anything else. It makes my drive to work and anywhere else so enjoyable and relaxing. I'm amazed at the talent of this young composer.
His songs are beautiful and hypnotizing --not like space music can do to me, but by transporting me to a higher more heavenly state. I keep thinking I know which song is my favorite, then another one starts, and I think "No, THAT'S my favorite", then another song comes on...
The songs are truly original and contemporary, but with the artistic genius of the great classical composers. So, even though you may not know me from Eve, trust me..YOU NEED THIS CD. In the liner notes Nathaniel thanks "everyone for listening". But he deserves the thanks for sharing his incredible talent. I can't wait to see what else he gives us.

To hear “Nat the Cat”: www.cdbaby.com/cd/nathanielsmithjazz2
POSSIBLY my favorite song on the album is “Let’s (Waltz)”



Arrow Haze, Music Factory


Arrow Haze "Music Factory"



Belgium-based rock band, Arrow Haze, showcase their hard-hitting, classic-rock inspired sound on their debut album “Music Factory” due out on November 23rd, 2012.
The first single, “Casino,” starts with a rolling pound of the drum, building up to the excruciatingly precise electric guitar solo reminiscent of Metallica’s “One,” immediately beginning the album with an injection of furious bursts of thrash and power. Full of self-determination and unrestrained attitude, it’s a radio-ready first single that will reach fans of many different genres as Theo’s vocal daggers explode for a perfectly balance, full-throttled sound.

www.arrowhaze.com


Arrow Haze to release guitar-driven debut album “Music Factory” on November 23rd, 2012

Comprised of Theo Green (Vocals/Drums), Karoly Alapi (Guitar), MattRach (Guitar) and Stef Exelmans (Bass), they’ve been consistently inspired by bands like The Doors, Deep Purple and Pink Floyd, but their mainstream sound on “Music Factory” leaves them in a space between genres. Founder Theo Green says, “I wanted to start a band that will reflect the sound and energy of the old hard rock bands and combine it with modern sounds,” which is exactly what they’ve achieved on their debut.  “Music Factory” is an album with surprises around every corner, including an appearance by keyboardist Derek Sherinian (Dream Theater), infused with their signature melodic hardcore edge that is driven by an innovative guitar heavy sound full of dexterity and lacking restraint.  Full of stand-out tracks that rock fans will be drawn to, it is a well-crafted album that defines their musical direction and solidifies them as one of rock’s newest bands to watch.

The first single, “Casino,” starts with a rolling pound of the drum, building up to the excruciatingly precise electric guitar solo reminiscent of Metallica’s “One,” immediately beginning the album with an injection of furious bursts of thrash and power. Full of self-determination and unrestrained attitude, it’s a radio-ready first single that will reach fans of many different genres as Theo’s vocal daggers explode for a perfectly balance, full-throttled sound.
“Dreams” is another slow building track, with a sprawling and immersive atmospheric feeling, mixed with a bittersweet harmony infused melody that proves the bands talents lie in more than their instrumentation. Its fragile undercurrent is tense with emotion, culminating in a beautiful finish that leaves you wanting to press repeat.
Rock steady track, “Along The Way” is rife with tenderness, an resounding chord progression that feels both melancholy and oddly hopeful, it perfectly fits Theo’s haunting vocals by allowing him to stretch his dynamic limits. Even with their signature guitar breakdown that infuses psychedelic tones, which serves as the hardest point in the track, it never strays from the stoic emotion.
From the start “Elly Kedwards” is full of grinding intensity, lurching with a calamity of sound all the way to the finish, ripe with gritty guitar riffs that push the song to chaotic heights. With understated vocals, steamrolling drums and guitars mingle together, allowing the members to showcase their talents with each soaring guitar solo.
The titled track, “Music Factory” is a cacophony of sound, guitar layered on top of guitar, and drums that are pounding and propulsive but with purpose. It shocks the listener in to attention, building and falling from the epic intensity until it shifts to a suddenly subdued vocal focus, allowing the band to really show-off what they’re capable of. “Music Factory” is a stellar debut, allowing the listener to give themselves over to waves of volume and incident.

Arrow Haze debut album “Music Factory” is out on November 23rd, 2012.

www.arrowhaze.com


Saturday, October 20, 2012

Cats Like Us - Tonawanda NY







www.catslikeus.com

Tony Iommi, Iron Man


Tony Iommi, "Iron Man" My Journey Through Heaven & Hell with Black Sabbath



A photo of Black Sabbath in Buffalo NY from '81.


back cover.