Wishbone Ash

Mon
28
Aug

SNAKECHARMER - Second Skin (Review)

information persons: 
content: 
80%
Produced By: 
Snakecharmer
Release Date: 
2017
Released: 
Worldwide
Musical Style: 
Classic Rock
Label: 
Frontiers
Artist: 
Score: 
80
Friday, May 12, 2017
Categories: 
Reviews
 
Well it’s a lot better than the one-paced and rather bland debut, that’s for certain. Tighter production, clearer mix and much better songs. And the band has moved away from the Whitesnake heritage, swinging into a more straight up classic rock vibe. Maybe because Neil Murray is the only snake left after Mickey Moody departed.
 
Chris Ousey as usual sings his heart out, belting out his best on tunes such as the rocking opening Sounds Like A Plan and the sweeter feel good That Kind Of Love and the fast moving Follow Me Under, which continues a more varied tempo than the debut.
 
The blues kick in with some hard edged riffing on Hell Of A Way To Live, continuing into the slow burning ballad Fade Away.
The acoustic driven pop/rock ballad Punching Above My Weight is a tail end highlight amongst a few songs that don’t carry their weight.
 
I’d still much prefer Chris Ousey fronting The Distance, or teaming again with Mike Slamer like he did for his debut solo album. Still, it’s always good to hear his voice.
 
Snakecharmer have lost a little of their ‘snake’ and gained a little more ‘charm’, but they are still a ways off a classic album. More work on hooks and choruses next time – everything else seems to be in place.

 

 
Thu
09
Mar

SNAKECHARMER Deliver 'Second Skin' May 12

Artist: 
Friday, May 12, 2017
Categories: 
News Feed
 
Frontiers Music Srl is pleased to announce the release of Snakecharmer’s sophomore album, “Second Skin” on May 12.
 
The British hard rock supergroup Snakecharmer was originally founded in 2011 by former Whitesnake/David Coverdale members Micky Moody and Neil Murray along with the perfect mix of high calibre musicians including Laurie Wisefield (Wishbone Ash), Harry James (Thunder, Magnum), Adam Wakeman (Ozzy Osbourne), and Chris Ousey (Heartland).
 
The band’s debut self-titled album was released in 2013 and musically the record showed a finely crafted hard rock style mixed with blues and melodic overtones, akin to Micky and Neil's former band and Bad Company, with hints of early Foreigner as well.
 
Snakecharmer played live shows regularly in support of the album’s release and built a solid fanbase in the UK and Europe. In 2016, Moody left the band and was replaced by the Irish-born Simon McBride on lead guitar. Simon was hailed “among the best blues-rock players anywhere in the world” by Guitarist Magazine and has built up an impressive resume playing with outstanding rock, soul, and blues artists.
 
“Second Skin” is the hotly anticipated second effort from Snakecharmer and brings the listener straight back to the good old days of real rock n' roll played with heart and soul. Slightly harder edged compared to the debut, but with roots still firmly planted in the classic hard rock vibe with a hint of late '70s AOR, this new record sounds fresh and crisp.
 
Bassist Neil Murray says “It’s been a rather long journey, but finally I’m very pleased to announce that Snakecharmer are soon to release our new album, Second Skin. The band has now found its own unique musical identity and in particular Laurie Wisefield and Chris Ousey have contributed some very powerful and melodic songs, which still have the Snakecharmer blues-rock distinctive trademarks. The band works in a very democratic and collaborative way, which means that sometimes there is a lot of discussion before decisions are finally made, and it was great to have a more objective viewpoint from producer Gary Stevenson, who also fired the band up with his ideas, enthusiasm and sonic skills. We can’t wait to get out on tour and play some of the new songs, together with the best of our established classics, both Snakecharmer and Whitesnake, and showcase our new virtuoso guitarist, the brilliant Simon McBride.”
 
Strong, passionate, rocking, and blues-laden, “Second Skin” is quality British hard rock at its very best!
 
Tracklisting:
1. Sounds Like A Plan
2. That Kind Of Love
3. Are You Ready To Fly
4. Follow Me Under
5. I'll Take You As You Are
6. Hell Of A Way To Live
7. Fade Away
8. Dress It Up
9. Punching Above My Weight
10. Forgive & Forget
11. Where Do We Go From Here
 
SNAKECHARMER:
Chris Ousey - vocals
Laurie Wisefield - guitar
Simon McBride - guitar
Adam Wakeman - keyboards
Neil Murray - bass
Harry James - drums
 
UK TOUR DATES:
May 05 Cardiff, The Globe
May 07 Bingley, Bingley Arts Centre
May 10 Hull, Fruit
May 12 Sheffield, The Plug
May 13 Tavistock, The Wharf
May 14 London, O2 Academy Islington
May 18 Glasgow, 02 ABC2
May 19 Newcastle upon Tyne, 02 Academy
May 20 Alva, Scotland
May 24 Preston, Guildhall
May 25 Milton Keynes, The Stables
May 26 Frome, Cheese And Grain
May 27 Holmfirth, Picturedrome

 

 
Thu
12
Nov

One On One With Mitch Lafon - STEVE VAI

Artist: 
Release Year: 
2015
Categories: 
Podcasts & Radio
 
STEVE VAI and MARTIN TURNER (former Wishbone Ash) guest on episode 167 of One On One With Mitch Lafon.
 
In the episode's first interview guitarist Steve Vai discusses the upcoming Tony MacAlpine benefit show, his time with David Lee Roth & Whitesnake, the upcoming 30th anniversary of the Eat 'Em And Smile album, bee keeping, working with Ozzy Osbourne, his guilty pleasure desire to join the Alice Cooper band and much more. Our second interview is with former Wishbone Ash member, Martin Turner, who talks about his new album Written In The Stars, classic Wishbone Ash albums, twin guitars and much more.

Quotes from the Steve Vai interview:

"I started getting full of myself and to David Coverdale's credit he tolerated it all."

On almost joining Ozzy Osbourne's band: "I love Ozzy, but can you picture me touring with him? I can't see myself playing Paranoid every night."

"When it came to the Ozzy thing, saying that it would be step backwards is too strong, but I'd done it. I'd been with the big rock stars doing that kind of thing. My instincts said, 'no no no'."

On wanting to play with Alice Cooper: "I would have to say yeah... I could do this for a while (like a tour). How cool would that be?"

To help benefit Tony MacAlpine visit: http://www.gofundme.com/benefitfortony

For more about about STEVE VAI visit:
Online: http://www.vai.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/stevevai
Twitter: @stevevai

Quotes from the Martin Turner interview:

"I'm still very much a studio man and always have been... Very very into recording and the process of recording."

For more about Martin Turner visit:
Online: http://www.martinturnermusic.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/MartinTurneroriginalmemberofWishboneAsh
Twitter: @MartTurnerMusic

Follow Mitch Lafon on Twitter: @mitchlafon
One on One With Mitch Lafon's Official Twitter is: @1On1WithMitch
And Official Facebook page is: http://www.facebook.com/OneOnOneMitchLafon
 
Tue
22
Sep

MARTIN TURNER Releases Long Awaited Studio Album 'Written in the Stars'

Artist: 
Release Year: 
2015
Categories: 
News Feed
 
Following a busy period of touring the classic works of Wishbone Ash, founding original member Martin Turner releases “Written in the Stars” an album of new material written and recorded with his touring musicians and other collaborators.

As lead vocalist, bassist and songwriter on classic album releases such as “Argus”, “Pilgrimage”, “Wishbone Four”, “There’s the Rub” and “New England”, Martin Turner was key to Wishbone Ash’s international success as one of rock music’s most loved touring and recording bands.

“Written in the Stars” remains true to the Wishbone Ash blueprint and can be considered an extension of the creativity that because the soundtrack to many people’s lives. The songs contain the band’s renowned melodic qualities, resplendent with trademark twin-lead guitars and vocal harmonies aplenty. The key creative force of Wishbone Ash’s best loved works delivers a high quality set of original material that sits comfortably amongst the best of the band’s classic catalogue.

“Working with my band on a creative level has been a very rewarding experience” says Martin Turner. “Everyone contributed well, stimulating and inspiring each other and we’re all very pleased with the level of creativity and the end result.”

“Written in the Stars” is available from 4th 
September 2015 via Cherry Red and will be supported with worldwide touring. Martin Turner’s current touring band features Danny Willson and Misha Nikolic (guitars) and Tim Brown (drums).

Tracks:
1.       THE BIG BANG (OVERTURE)
2.       THE BEAUTY OF CHAOS
3.       WRITTEN IN THE STARS
4.       LOVERS
5.       VAPOUR TRAIL
6.       THE LONELY STAR
7.       FOR MY LADY
8.       PRETTY LITTLE GIRLS
9.       FALLING SANDS
10.   MYSTIFY ME
11.   INTERSTELLAR ROCKSTAR

Promotional video: 
Part 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=3&v=w5HF5pTqO9c
Part 2 : https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=2&v=XOAvXZsR00M

Amazon CD: http://geni.us/1mP0
Amazon Digital: http://geni.us/xMX
iTunes: http://geni.us/2qsc
Official website:  www.martinturnermusic.com

 

  
 
Wed
05
Nov

MARTIN TURNER & FRIENDS Release The Garden Party 2CD Live

Artist: 
Wednesday, November 5, 2014
Categories: 
News Feed
Martin Turner and Friends, featuring Ted Turner and Laurie Wisefield, release
The Garden Party 2 CD - OUT NOW!
 
MARTIN TURNER co-founded WISHBONE ASH in 1969 and continues to play the heyday recordings to this day, with his own band.

This is a PRIVATE RECORDING of a set which includes rare tracks and classic performances to an invited audience of the core fan base with a truly special finale.  This is the first release of this recording.

THE GARDEN PARTY was a unique one-off concert from 2012 with classic era members TED TURNER and LAURIE WISEFIELD coming on stage to play.

Martin Turner said “There was a truly wonderful atmosphere on and off the stage that evening.  It was as if it had been written in the stars and, of course, it was a blue moon that night as well!  The Garden Party certainly reminded the four of us that we do have a very special rapport both as musicians and as people - something thatt our audience clearly picked up on that evening.”

Ted Turner commented “This was a very special day, filled with affection, friendship and love.” and Laurie Wisefield added “It’s great the music is living on, and that there are people who still want to hear it.  I think, above all, there was a lot of integrity in our music and that comes through.


Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Garden-Party-Celebration-Wishbone/dp/B00MW67L0M/

Amazon US: http://www.amazon.com/The-Garden-Party-Celebration-Wishbone/dp/B00MW67L0M/

Cherry Red: http://www.cherryred.co.uk/shopexd.asp?id=4844

iTunes UK: https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/the-garden-party/id921614278

iTunes US: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/the-garden-party/id921614278

Official website: www.martinturnermusic.com

 

 
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