Ted Nugent Called ‘An Old A–hole’ by Drive-By Truckers Guitarist (UCR)

Ted Nugent is a rock legend no matter which way you cut it, but that doesn’t necessarily mean he’s looked up to by the genre’s younger artists.
Take the Drive-By Truckers, for instance. Given the band’s southern rock roots (their 2001 double-album ‘Southern Rock Opera’ is about Lynyrd Skynyrd and frontman Patterson Hood’s father is Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section bassist David Hood), it might be easy to assume that the Truckers would sympathize with Nugent’s loudly expressed red-state views. But in a recent editorial written for Magnet, singer and guitarist Mike “Stroker Ace” Cooley used him as an example of the type of person nobody wants to be — specifically, an “old a–hole.”


Read More: Ted Nugent Called 'An Old A--hole' by Drive-By Truckers Guitarist | http://ultimateclassicrock.com/ted-nugent-called-an-old-a-hole-by-drive-by-truckers-guitarist/?trackback=tsmclip

On the turntable this Sunday...Hot Buttered Soul

Hot Buttered Soul is Isaac Hayes' second studio album. Released in 1969, it is recognized as a landmark in soul music.

The album almost never came to be. Hayes' solo debut, Presenting Isaac Hayes, had been a poor seller for Stax Records, and Hayes was about to return to his behind-the-scenes role as a producer and songwriter at the venerable soul label when it suddenly lost its complete back catalog after splitting with Atlantic Records in May 1968. Stax executive Al Bell decided to release a new, almost instant, back catalog of 27 albums and 30 singles at once, ordered all of Stax's artists to record new material, and encouraged some of Stax's prominent creative staff, including Hayes and Steve Cropper, to record solo albums.
Burned by the retail flop of Presenting Isaac Hayes, Hayes told Bell that he would not cut a follow-up unless he was granted complete creative control. Since Bell had encouraged Hayes to record Presenting... in the first place, he readily agreed.

Much of the final production was done as part of the package of products brought to Detroit by producer Don Davis to expedite the production process. The strings and horns were arranged by Detroit arranger, Johnny Allen. The producers were looking for a sweeping orchestral sound that would enhance the rock solid rhythm tracks. The project strings and horns were recorded at United Sound Studios by engineer Ed Wolfrum with vocals and final mix at Terra-Shirma by engineer Russ Terrana. The pre-delay reverberation technique, recorded in part by Terry Manning on the tracking session, had been used at Artie Fields productions in Detroit in late 1950s, and at Columbia Records; it was also used by Wolfrum and others for numerous productions and commercials previous and after the release of this project including the Marvin Gaye What's Going On project, with orchestration also recorded at United. Russ Terrana went on to the engineering staff of Motown Records and was responsible for the recording and mixing of many hits on that label.

The album begins with a cover of the Burt Bacharach and Hal David classic, "Walk On By". Second was "Hyperbolicsyllabicsesquedalymistic", an uptempo funk song with wah-wah guitar and rolling pianos. "One Woman", at just over five minutes the shortest track on the album, focuses on the pangs of infidelity. An extended reinterpretation of Jimmy Webb's country music composition "By the Time I Get to Phoenix" closes the album. After an eight-minute spoken introduction, the song slowly builds to a climax of horns, strings, organs and vocals. (On most commonly heard versions of this song, there is an edit before the lyric "when he reached the age of maturity.." during the spoken intro – early vinyl pressings of the album do not feature this edit, and reveal a brief section that includes a technical error, where the sustained organ note briefly drops out.)

George Porter Jr., Col. Bruce and Jeff Sipe Sit in with Widespread Panic (jambands.com)

Widespread Panic closed out their Panic en la Playa Tres event with a guest-heavy performance last Thursday evening. The group has hunkered down in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic for an epic four night stand and used the opportunity to both interact with fans and play around with their setlist a bit. (Wednesday’s show opened with “Heroes” as nod to the event’s theme night.) 

Read full article on jambands.com

Watch Billy Joel and Brian Johnson Sing ‘You Shook Me All Night Long’

When Billy Joel announced his monthly residency at Madison Square Garden last year, he promised unique and special setlists. But nobody could have predicted what happened at his show last night (March 21), when he invited Brian Johnson of AC/DC onstage to sing ‘You Shook Me All Night Long.’

Read More: Watch Billy Joel and Brian Johnson Sing ‘You Shook Me All Night Long’ | http://ultimateclassicrock.com/billy-joel-brian-johnson/?trackback=tsmclip

The Allman Brothers Band and MGMT to Offer Special Record Store Day Releases (jambands.com)

The Allman Brothers Band and MGMT have confirmed limited edition vinyl releases available for Record Store Day on April 19th.

The Allman Brothers Band will release a 12” double vinyl exclusive, Selections From: Play All Night: Live At The Beacon Theatre 1992. The vinyl will feature “Statesboro Blues,” “End of the Line” and “Whipping Post” from their new archival release Play All Night.

MGMT has two Record Store Day exclusives. Numbered, reissued versions of their albums Oracular Spectacular and Congratulations will be available on 12” vinyl.

Read full article at jambands.com

Kurt Cobain’s Death Still Ruled a Suicide After Seattle Police Investigate New Photos Read More: Kurt Cobain's Death Still Ruled a Suicide After Seattle Police Investigate New Photos (UCR)

After reviewing newly developed photos taken at the scene of Kurt Cobain‘s death on April 5, 1994, Seattle police have arrived at the same conclusion they reached nearly 20 years ago: the Nirvana frontman committed suicide.

Read More: Kurt Cobain's Death Still Ruled a Suicide After Seattle Police Investigate New Photos | http://ultimateclassicrock.com/kurt-cobain-death-new-photo/?trackback=tsmclip

Widespread Panic, John Fogerty, moe., Umphrey’s McGee, The Disco Biscuits Featuring Mickey Hart & Bill Kreutzmann, Edward Sharpe and More Confirmed for Gathering of the Vibes

Widespread Panic, John Fogerty, moe. and Umphrey’s McGee are among the acts slated to appear at the 2014 Gathering of the Vibes. The veteran summer music festival will return to Bridgeport, CT’s Seaside Park from July 31-August 3. In an unexpected turn of events, the Disco Biscuits will play a special set with Grateful Dead drummers Mickey Hart and Bill Kreutzmann.

Read more at jambands.com

On the turntable this Sunday...Farmhouse

Farmhouse is the eighth official studio album by the American rock band Phish. The tracks were recorded at The Barn, frontman Trey Anastasio's studio in Vermont. The album was released on May 16, 2000, by Elektra Records. Farmhouse was the last Phish studio album before their temporary split in October 2000 (the band subsequently returned in late 2002).

Songwriting for Farmhouse was a joint effort between Trey Anastasio and Phish lyricist Tom Marshall, with contributions from Tony Markellis, Russ Lawton and Scott Herman. All of the songs were already part of Phish's live concert song rotation before being recorded for the album, some dating back to 1997. Rolling Stone gave Farmhouse only 2.5 Stars, stating that on the album the band walks "a thin line between mellow and torpid" with songs that "are going to need a lot of live [concert] resuscitation".

"Heavy Things" became Phish's biggest single to date, and was a hit on Adult Top 40 radio and on the Radio & Records pop 100 chart. The song was performed for live broadcast during the overnight set of Phish's New Year's Eve 2000 show at Big Cypress (reportedly then the largest concert in the world) as part of ABC's coverage of New Year’s festivities around the globe.

The song "First Tube" was nominated for a Grammy for Best Rock Instrumental Performance.
Early incarnations of several tracks from the album can be heard on the 2000 release Trampled by Lambs and Pecked by the Dove, a collection of song sketches recorded by Anastasio and Marshall.
Farmhouse had the highest-ever first week sales for a Phish record.  The album was certified gold by RIAA on January 30, 2006.

In February 2009, the album was made available as a download in FLAC and MP3 formats at LivePhish.com.

Neil Young Talks Upcoming Projects (Ultimate Classic Rock)

Neil Young has devoted most of his recent public appearances to discussing the PonoMusic Player, but there’s also new music to talk about — and plenty of it.

First up is the album Young recorded at Jack White‘s Nashville studio, which he insists will be out “very soon.” Predicting a possible spring release for the LP, titled ‘A Letter Home,’ Billboard quotes Young as saying the covers set is “not ready for prime time yet” and adding, “It’s not really a release yet, but it’s a very unique record. It’s like a time capsule. It doesn’t sound like anything you’ve heard that was made recently. And some great songs, some beautiful music…They’re songs that I love, songs that changed my life, songs that made it so that I understood what someone else was saying to me, songs by greater writers.”

Read More: Neil Young Talks Upcoming Projects | http://ultimateclassicrock.com/neil-young-upcoming-projects/?trackback=tsmclip

R.E.M. To Release MTV Unplugged Performances For Record Store Day

Recently disbanded R.E.M. will participate in this year’s Record Store Day on April 19 as the Athens rockers will release two MTV Unplugged performances for the first time.

Please follow the link to read full article on jambands.com

Jimi Hendrix Stamp Issued (Ultimate Classic Rock)

The U.S. Postal Service is paying tribute to one of rock and roll’s most legendary figures with the latest in the line of the ‘Forever’ stamps. For a mere 49 cents, you can paste Jimi Hendrix on your next piece of mail.

Read More: Jimi Hendrix Stamp Issued | http://ultimateclassicrock.com/jimi-hendrix-stamp/?trackback=tsmclip

‘Mediocre’ Kiss Trade Barbs with ‘Ugly Little Troll’ Rock Critic (UCR)

It has long been suspected that one of the main forces that had kept Kiss out of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame for years was critic Dave Marsh, who sits on the Hall of Fame’s committee. On the eve of their induction, Marsh outlined the reasons for his objection to the band, which resulted in Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley firing back with a few jabs of their own.

Read More: ‘Mediocre’ Kiss Trade Barbs with ‘Ugly Little Troll’ Rock Critic | http://ultimateclassicrock.com/kiss-dave-marsh-feud/?trackback=tsmclip

Real Estate; Tweedy, Jerry and a New Altas (jambands.com)

Don’t expect extended 25-minute jams from New Jersey’s Real Estate, but to be sure: the experimentation and psychedelic nature of your favorite jam bands are the same fuel that keeps band leaders Martin Courtney, Matt Mondanile and self-professed Deadhead Alex Bleeker going. Real Estate’s 2009, self-titled debut placed them firmly in the bounds of ‘lo-fi psychedelic’ pop, if such a genre ever existed, with mellow guitar leads and meandering melodies encased in a home-recorded haze. But for album number three, Atlas, to be released March 4, the band camped out in Wilco’s Chicago studio to create a crisp, cleaned-up version of their easy-going guitar pop – and it’s their best work to date.  

Read full article on jambands.com

Led Zeppelin Announce Box Set Editions of First Three Albums (UCR)

After teasing us this morning with the cover art, Led Zeppelin have announced the complete details of the remastered and expanded versions of their first three albums.

Each album will be released in a variety of formats — including “Super Deluxe” boxed editions — on June 3. In the future, Led Zeppelin’s other six albums will get similar treatment in chronological order.

Read More: Led Zeppelin Announce Box Set Editions of First Three Albums | http://ultimateclassicrock.com/led-zeppelin-box-sets/?trending&trackback=tsmclip

On the turntable this Sunday...Frontiers

Frontiers is the eighth studio album (and ninth overall) by the American Rock band Journey, released in February 1983 on the Columbia Records label.

The album reached No. 2 on the Billboard 200 chart and would garner four top 40 singles: "After the Fall" (No. 23), "Send Her My Love" (No. 23), "Faithfully" (No. 12), and "Separate Ways (Worlds Apart)" (No. 8), and a rock radio hit in "Chain Reaction". The album would later achieve the RIAA certification of six times platinum.

Frontiers was the band's highest-charting album in the United Kingdom, reaching No. 6 on the UK Albums Chart in 1983.

Brandon Boyd Talks Sons of the Sea, Incubus and Phish (Relix)

For the past two decades Brandon Boyd has made a name for himself as frontman for stoner-friendly alternative rock powerhouse Incubus. The singer has also proven himself a bit of a Renaissance man, with three books, numerous art shows and a solo record under his belt. Boyd’s latest project, Sons of the Sea, finds him teaming up with producer Brendan O’Brien to create an album that is markedly different from the material that he’s become known for. At its core, the duo’s self-titled debut album is a pop record, albeit one that is more grounded in musicality than the stuff that currently populates the airwaves. 

Please follow the link to read the full interview at Relix.

Watch a Clip from the Jimi Hendrix Biopic ‘All Is by My Side’ (UCR)

It still does not seem to have a U.S. release date, but the Jimi Hendrix biopic ‘All Is by My Side‘ is scheduled to arrive in U.K. theaters later this summer — and you can get an advance look at a scene from the movie at Ultimate Classic Rock.

As reported by Ain’t It Cool News, this first look clip, which we’ve embedded above, finds Hendrix (as played by Andre Benjamin, a.k.a. Andre 3000 of OutKast) chatting up Keith Richards‘ ex-girlfriend, Linda Keith (Imogen Poots).


Read More: Watch a Clip from the Jimi Hendrix Biopic 'All Is by My Side' | http://ultimateclassicrock.com/jimi-hendrix-movie-clip/?trackback=tsmclip

Allman Brothers Open Beacon Theatre Run (jambands.com)

The Allman Brothers band kicked off what will likely be their final residency at New York City’s famed Beacon Theatre last weekend. Guitarists Warren Haynes and Derek Trucks opened the show with “Old Friend,” a song that hadn’t been played since the 2012 Beacon run. In a nod to the two guitarists forthcoming departure from the the band, the rest of ABB then made their way out to the stage for “No One To Run With.” 

Please follow the link to read full article on jambands.com

Rush to Issue Deluxe Vinyl Edition of Their 1974 Debut (UCR)

Hard to believe, but 2014 marks the 40th anniversary of the self-titled debut album from Rush. To celebrate this milestone, ‘Rush’ is being re-issued on April 15 in a special vinyl deluxe edition box.

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Widespread Panic Debut Beatles Cover on Second Night of Wood Tour (jambands.com)

Widespread Panic debuted a cover of The Beatles’ Help! classic “You’ve Got To Hide Your Love Away” during the second night of their acoustic Wood Tour at The National in Richmond, VA yesterday. The tune appeared during the first part of the second set and segued into “Little Lilly.” See full setlist and read more here.

U2: No Album or Tour in 2014 (Ultimate Classic Rock)

Despite teasing their fans for several months, including a high-profile song that premiered during the Super Bowl, U2 will not release a new album or tour in 2014.

Read More: U2: No Album or Tour in 2014 | http://ultimateclassicrock.com/u2-no-new-album/?trackback=tsmclip

On the turntable this Sunday...Morning Phase

Morning Phase is the twelfth studio album by American musician Beck. The album was released in February 2014 through his new label, Capitol Records. According to a press release, Morning Phase is a "companion piece" to his 2002 album Sea Change, and "harkens back to the stunning harmonies, song craft and staggering emotional impact of that record, while surging forward with infectious optimism." Several of the musicians who recorded parts for Sea Change returned to record for Morning Phase.

Beck's previous album, Modern Guilt, was released in 2008, and was the final album released under his Interscope Records contract. In the interim between album releases, Beck worked on a wide variety of projects, including new studio material, most of which went unreleased for several years. In October 2012, bassist and frequent collaborator Justin Meldal-Johnsen commented: "I would estimate that there are currently about three or four albums’ worth of material floating around," and Beck himself said that "I wasn't sure if I was going to put out a record – or if I should put out a record. It felt like I was standing still, while everything else was in such flux."

In 2012 and 2013, Beck began to perform live with more regularity than in the years immediately following the Modern Guilt tour. This period also saw new original material. The "I Just Started Hating Some People Today/Blue Randy" single was released in 2012, and he self-released the "Defriended," "I Won't Be Long," and "Gimme" singles in 2013. All three of these songs were standalone releases as 12-inch singles on his own FONOGRAF label. "I Won't Be Long" and "Gimme" were allegedly from an unfinished project from 2009, described as being similar to Odelay. According to Beck, the remaining songs from this project may see a similar release method.
In June 2013, Beck announced the expected release of two new albums for 2014, with one of the two being an "acoustic" album. The press release for the "acoustic" album (along with the news of his contract with Capitol Records) arrived in October 2013, announcing the title as Morning Phase and giving a February, 2014 release window. The other still-unfinished album would be planned for a later release. In comparing the production of Morning Phase with his previous album, Beck stated that prior to recording Modern Guilt in 2008, he had suffered a serious spinal injury, and that the recording process for Modern Guilt was like "doing it with both hands tied behind your back. It hurt to sing. I'm whispering through half of those vocals." On the other hand, Beck said that Morning Phase was a much more satisfying experience: "Some of the songs on the new record – I get to shout and yell. I'm like, 'Thank you!' I had a lot of ideas and things I'd been wanting to do. This last year and a half, I feel like I can really do them."

Widespread Panic Confirm Summer Tour Dates (jambands.com)

Widespread Panic will hit the road this summer beginning June 7 in Chattanooga, TN at the Riverbend Festival. The month long jaunt includes three night runs at the famed Red Rocks Amphitheater as well as the Hard Rock Hotel in Las Vegas, NV. 

Please follow the link to read more...

Steely Dan Sued By Original Singer David Palmer Over Royalties (UCR)

David Palmer, who sang lead for Steely Dan in the early days, is suing his old band. In a suit filed in Los Angeles on Friday (Feb. 28), Palmer claims that he is owed money as a result of royalties earned via satellite and streaming services.

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Drive-By Truckers Add Tour Dates, Will Play Conan (jambands.com)

In the midst of what is already gearing up to be a very busy year, Drive-By Truckers have announced the addition of ten new dates – including stops at Bonnaroo and the Toronto Urban Roots Festival – to their multinational spring/summer tour.

Please follow the link to read more....

Mike Gordon Kicks Off Solo Tour, Will Appear on CBS This Morning (jambands.com)

Mike Gordon took the stage at The Westcott Theatre in Syracuse, NY for the first full show of his solo tour. The Phish bassist was joined by his songwriting partner Scott Murawski and the rest of his touring band, Craig Myers, Tom Cleary and Todd Isler, for the show, which opened with the live debut of the Overstep track “Face.”

Please follow the link to read full article on jambands.com

44 Years Ago: Led Zeppelin Become 'The Nobs' for a Night (UCR)

When is Led Zeppelin not Led Zeppelin? When a descendant of the inventor whose aircraft gave the band its name threatens to file a lawsuit if they play in her home country.

Read More: 44 Years Ago: Led Zeppelin Become 'The Nobs' for a Night | http://ultimateclassicrock.com/led-zeppelin-the-nobs/?trackback=tsmclip

Bruce Springsteen Performs The Bee Gees' 'Stayin' Alive' In Australia (UCR)

Bruce Springsteen closed out the Australian segment of his ‘High Hopes’ tour in Brisbane last Wednesday (Feb. 26) with a show that confounded even the most devoted of his setlist followers. Springsteen revisited his past in unprecedented fashion and shocked everyone with a cover of the Bee Gees‘ ‘Stayin’ Alive.’

Read More: Bruce Springsteen Performs The Bee Gees' 'Stayin' Alive' in Australia | http://ultimateclassicrock.com/bruce-springsteen-bee-gees-stayin-alive/?trackback=tsmclip

On the turntable this Sunday...Overstep

Overstep is Phish bassist Mike Gordon’s fourth solo studio album, following Moss, The Green Sparrow, and Inside In.  It will be released February 25, 2014 on Megaplum/ATO Records.
Gordon and Scott Murawski penned the songs for Overstep during a series of writing retreats in New England. He turned over the producing reins to Paul Q. Kolderie (Radiohead, Uncle Tupelo, Pixies) and invited a few new players into the studio, including legendary drummer Matt Chamberlain (Jon Brion, Fiona Apple). Distant industrial noise gradually gives way to lush guitars and welcoming vocal harmonies in “Ether,” the album opener (listen to the track here), while “Jumping” is a rhythmic puzzle box, detailing a series of thoughts that take place in a fleeting 1.5 seconds. "Yarmouth Road", the infectious, reggae-inspired number is already familiar to Phish fans after its debut (along with “Say Something”) on the band’s Summer 2013 tour.

Many of these songs promise huge payoffs in a live environment, most notably two plunging grooves that seem capable of bringing a house down. “Tiny Little World” opens with a polite reverie about a fetching woman in a coffee shop, but morphs quickly into pulsing boogie as the narrator is carried away by desire and bravado. Debauched exhortations to dance surface again in “Face,” which chugs along atop Chamberlain’s simple but undeniable pocket.

The songs on Overstep also speak to Gordon’s evolving ability to develop three- dimensional characters, and to speak more directly to the truth of their condition. He hasn't lost his appetite for metaphor, and he still leaves plenty of room for interpretation, but listeners may find themselves recognizing the human portraits in songs like “Say Something” and “Paint” in a way they haven’t in Gordon’s previous albums. Still, happily, Gordon embraces absurdity as he always has – conceptually, lyrically, and musically.

Meet the OTHER Three Members of ZZ Top (UCR)

For the last 45 years, ZZ Top has been the most dependable bands in rock and roll, sticking with the same three-man lineup while groups like the Rolling Stones, Black Sabbath and even AC/DC underwent a series of personnel changes. But did you know that in the brief time before the Little Ol’ Band from Texas settled on their current configuration, no less than three other people were in the group? Here are their stories.

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