| Strictly Acoustic
Surf's up this Saturday at Leonesse Cellars in Temecula's Wine Country when the Duo-Tones perform surf guitar music straight from the '60s. Paul Johnson was 15 when he cut his first record, "Mr. Moto," with the Belairs in 1961, and Gil Orr has played with the Chantays since the mid '60s. Their number one hit, "Pipeline," is still popular at surf music concerts. The two have formed a partnership in the Duo-Tones and perform the music they love. Their sound, like that of most original surf guitar, is unique in that there's no amps, no drums and no bass. It's strictly pure acoustic guitar which fits right in with the 100-person venue at Leonesse Cellars. Johnson has been playing rock instrumental music for more than 40 years. He started with the Belairs in 1961 and continued playing with some of surf music's biggest names, including the Galaxies.
'Hillbilly rock stars' party in Tampa
The band launched into a full-throttle version of "Rock and Roll," the propulsive second track on Led Zeppelin's untitled fourth album. The instantly recognizable guitar riff echoed across Raymond James Stadium in Tampa and the crowd of about 45,000 erupted in approval with decibel-defying screams. However, it wasn't Robert Plant singing the sex-crazed lyrics and offering the overheated panting in between verses - like he did in front of a record-setting Tampa Stadium crowd in 1973. No, it was good ol' girl Gretchen Wilson singing "I don't know what I've been told / But big-legged woman ain't got no soul" to the delight of thousands last Saturday. Before channeling Plant, Wilson offered an equally faithful and effective cover of Heart's roaring, classic rock staple "Barracuda." Wilson ended her set with an amps-turned-to-11 run through of her trailer girl anthem "Redneck Woman," which in terms of sound and style, owed more to the Heart and Zeppelin covers than anything recorded by Loretta Lynn or Patsy Cline.
Frampton, Pops hit right notes at Riverbend
At one point during his Riverbend concert with the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra Saturday night, Peter Frampton played conductor. No, not leading the orchestra, but the audience, waving his arms conducting a sing-a-long of his classic "Baby I Love Your Way." It was a Frampton love fest as the '70s guitar hero teamed up with the Pops to open the orchestra's 22nd season at its summer venue. It made for a thrilling evening with audience and performers alike mindful that risk-taking was in the air. It was the first time the Cincinnati Pops had played with such an edgy blues-rock guitarist and the first time Frampton's songs - many from his monster 1976 album "Frampton Comes Alive" - had received an orchestral treatment. They were arranged by Steven Reineke, who conducted Saturday. "Playing in your hometown is one thing," said Frampton, who lives in Indian Hill.
New Black Label Society Album Details
NEW YORK (RoadRunner Records) - New endorsement deals, scoring for ESPN, and an up-coming headlining tour prepare Zakk for world domination! Legendary Grammy winning guitarist Zakk Wylde and his band Black Label Society (BLS) are preparing to release their new studio album Shot To Hell on September 12th. Produced by Zakk and executive produced by Michael Beinhorn (Soundgarden, Red Hot Chili Peppers) this latest offering is his 8th album since becoming Ozzy Osbourne's lead guitarist and co-songwriter 20 years ago. Shot to Hell is the first BLS release for Roadrunner and follows the band's success of selling nearly 2 million albums in the U.S. to date. Currently headlining the second stage at Ozzfest, BLS will announce a US headlining tour shortly. The buzz is already starting to build dramatically as the September 12th release date approaches.
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