Music Set

It's now over thirty years since Saxon launched themselves on the heavy metal scene, although they'd already been around for a few years under the name Son Of A Bitch.  Despite their vintage, they were adopted wholesale by the burgeoning New Wave of British Heavy Metal scene, having some incredible success in the very early eighties with hit albums like Wheels Of Steel and Strong Arm Of The Law and hit singles such as "And The Bands Played On".  They rushed out a series of albums including the legendary live release The Eagle Has Landed, but it all went sour on their home turf, when they broadened their sound in attempt to crack America, and things rapidly went downhill after 1983's Power & The Glory release.

They tried an increasingly commercial approach which hit a nadir with their cover of the Christopher Cross tune "Ride Like The Wind", and a series off lineup changes ended up with two versions of Saxon doing the rounds before the version led by vocalist Peter "Biff" Byford won the legal battle.  However, they always maintained a strong presence in the metal heartland of Germany, and remained beloved by many for inspiring the writers of "This Is Spinal Tap".  Christopher Guest and Harry Shearer have confirmed that Saxon was a major inspiration for the 1984 mockumentary and they copied  many of Saxon's mannerisms on stage.

» Read the full Music Review: Saxon - Into The Labyrinth article…

Prior to the coming of the Spanish in the 16th century, Peru was home to the sophisticated civilization of the Inca empire. Although the Inca had managed to subjugate their various neighbours and raise exquisite cities, they quickly fell to the Spaniards due to gunpowder, disease, and deceit. Once the conquistadors had sated their lust for gold, it was time to start settling the territory, and since they had pretty much exterminated the local crop of potential slaves they had to rely on importing Africans like everyone else.
» Read the full Music Review: Novalima - Coba Coba article…

When the house lights go down to start Ludacris’ Theater of the Mind, an ensemble cast takes to the stage and delivers a performance that is mostly comedic, sometimes sharp, sometimes funky, and often very entertaining. Unfortunately, Luda’s sixth studio album lacks a certain punch and finds the artist often forcing himself into sharp corners that don’t quite fit.

At his best, Ludacris is a great rapper for creating sweltering club bangers focused around clipped beats and his Southern drawl.

» Read the full Music Review: Ludacris - Theater of the Mind article…

In 2002, Michelle Williams decided to make her own spotlight by going solo from Destiny's Child with her first album, Heart To Yours. She got some success from it with one of the album cuts, "Heard A Word." After that song was released, her presence on her own seemed to diminish in the media.

» Read the full Music Review: Michelle Williams - Unexpected article…

It's that time of year when we take stock in the year past and look forward to what's ahead. For those of us who love music, it can also mean grading the releases of the past 366 days and deciding for ourselves what's the best. Blogcritics' music editors are no exception to that rule, and what follows is our own little guide to the best of the year past. Connie Phillips, Music Editor This has been a different sort of year for me musically.
» Read the full BC Music Editors Pick the Best Albums of 2008 article…

William Balfour, Jennifer Hudson’s estranged brother-in-law, was indicted on three counts of murder on Tuesday, CNN reported.

Earlier this month, Balfour was denied bail after being charged with the murders (and one count of home invasion) of the Oscar winner’s brother, Jason Hudson; mother, Darnell Donerson; and nephew, Julian King, in October. No new charges were brought up on Tuesday, but a grand jury must indict the defendant before the case can go to trial, a Cook County state’s attorney’s office spokesperson explained to The Associated Press.

» Read the full William Balfour Indicted By Grand Jury For Hudson Family Murders article…

Loretta Lynn is one of the few female veteran artists still performing on the circuit. She has announced dates for her shows almost throughout the entire year. The tour gets on the road with a performance in Hilton Head Island, SC on the 16th of January. After that she is going to visit a couple of cities for concerts nearly every month up to November.

Loretta is quite the country icon, and was top of the charts in the �60s and �70s, before she took a hiatus to take care of her ailing husband.

» Read the full Loretta Lynn 2009 Tour Announced article…

As a follow-up to the CD Edition of my favorite 2008 reissues, here are my Vinyl LP choices: 

1. The Kinks - Muswell Hillbillies
Limited Edition, 180 Gram Vinyl.

Ray Davies is certainly not like everybody else here, nor is he a dedicated follower of fashion: “I’m a 20th Century Man but I don’t want to be here,” he angrily seethes.

» Read the full Best Album Reissues of 2008 (Vinyl Version) article…

Celebrities had children on the brain in 2008. Baby bumps were everywhere, and Hollywood is starting to resemble a playpen.

There were plenty of stars who didn’t shock us too much when we found out they were in the family way. Christina Aguilera and hubby Jordan Bratman had baby Max. Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony had twins they named after the kids on “Dragon Tales.” Gwen Stefani and Gavin Rossdale welcomed Zuma Nesta Rock.

» Read the full Ashlee Simpson, Pete Wentz, Clay Aiken, Jamie Lynn Spears And Other Surprising New Parents of 2008 article…

Season four of “The Hills” came to an end Monday night, and at finale party in New York, the cast wasn’t sure if they’d be back for more drama. They didn’t even seem to know there would be a fifth season until Lauren Conrad blurted out at the end of the “After Show”: “But, there are more episodes. ‘The Hills’ is not done!”

“If there is one, [I’ll be there]. MTV still hasn’t confirmed,” Stephanie Pratt told MTV News on the red carpet, adding that she would love to date more if the show returns.

» Read the full ‘The Hills’ Season Five: Who Will Be Back In Lauren’s World When The Show Continues? article…