Five Faceless Gems- By James Nuttall ©

1. Christine McVie: In the Meantime


The McVie's always were the modest two in Fleetwood Mac. At the height of their success, John McVie's dress sense was the only thing that made him stand out, wearing garish Hawaiian t-shirts for performances, preferring to stand at the back of the stage, quietly pumping his bass-lines out. And rather than worry about solo alums, he was content to record his bass parts early in the Mac's mixes so he could go sailing. 


Equally, Christine was never very comfortable in the limelight, preferring to be at the side of the stage behind her array of keyboards, letting 70's sex-goddess Stevie Nicks take the bulk of attention.  


McVie has released three solo albums in her career, the first in 1970 before she married John, simply entitled 'Christine Perfect.' The second came in a large break between Mac albums in 1984. It had two hit singles, and peaked at number 26 on the billboard chart.


McVie left Fleetwood Mac and returned to England in 1998. Until 2004, she had nothing to do with music at all. That year, however, she released a real masterpiece of easy-listening, 'In the Meantime'. She did little to promote the album, other than a limited number of UK and US interviews. Without one live performance it nestled comfortably at number 133 in the UK charts for a few weeks.  


It opens up with the exciting 'Friend', which finds McVie still in fine form, both as a piano player and singer. The song 'You Are', which was the instigator of the album being made, sounds as though it could have come from any Fleetwood Mac album.


She collaborated with her nephew, Dan Perfect, who gives us one of the albums best songs, Northern Star- perfect listening for a walk on a lazy summer afternoon. Another highlight is the funky 'Anything is Possbible', and the moody 'So Sincere', both of which give the album its attitude. 


Available to buy at: 
http://www.amazon.co.uk/In-The-Meantime-Christine-McVie/dp/B000CR89VI/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1331922820&sr=8-8

2. Jimmy Destri: Heart on a Wall


Today this album is more faceless than the invisible man... not that it was much different on release.


Jimmy Destri is known for being Blondie's original keyboard player, and composed many of their biggest hits, including 'Picture This', 'Maria' and 'Atomic'. 


Destri released 'Heart on a Wall' in 1981 at the height of Blondie's success. It peaked at number 201 on the US billboard charts, but despite featuring the other members of Blondie guesting on the album it did little anywhere else. 


The opening track, 'Bad Dreams', is the essence of Destri's writing style. It may not necessarily make sense all the way though, but certainly shows off Destri's skill as a writer and a singer. 


'In My Own Little World' is reminiscent of Destri's contribution 'Living in the Real World' on Blondie's 1980 LP 'Eat to the Beat', as is the album's highlight 'Numbers Don't Count (On Me).


As of yet, the album is still to be released on CD.


3. Espers: II


If you're looking for psychedelic-folk/drone music, look no further than Espers. Based in Philadelphia they have released four critically acclaimed studio albums, and have a large cult following. 

Their albums however see little promotion upon release. 'II' is their finest example of the members of the band working together to create a compelling piece of art that leaves spellbound. 


The highlight is arguably the albums opening track, 'Dead Queen'. Meg Baird is in fine voice as she serenades us with her harmonies with Helena Espvall. 


Available to buy at: 
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Espers-II/dp/B000FQITT8/ref=sr_1_4?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1331923358&sr=1-4




4. Kim Richey: Kim Richey 

Kim Richey's first album scraped it into the USA country albums back in 1995, and scored a moderately successful single with 'Just My Luck'. 


Although she was nominated for two Grammys for songwriting, she is a widely ignored talent. 


Her first album boasts her talent as a songwriter and a singer. Aside from the catchy and upbeat single, songs like 'Sweet Mysteries' and 'Those Words We Said' helps to make this album one of the best country albums of the 90's. When you think of how many women there are around now who take the stage with an acoustic guitar around them to sing country... surely some of them must have been influenced by Richey's talent. 


As Steve Horowitz of popmatters.com wrote: "Kim Richey would rule the charts in the land where Marshall Crenshaw was king, Aimee Mann queen, and The Beatles never put out another record after Revolver." True. 


Available to buy at:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Kim-Richey/dp/B000001ED5/ref=sr_1_7?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1331923996&sr=1-7


5. Suzi Quatro: Rock Hard 


Suzi Q has covered a smorgasbord of genres when it comes to making albums. Her first album was warmly received by the critics and sold very well worldwide despite her biggest single, Can the Can, being left off it apart from in Australia. 

Her second album, 'Quatro', was poorly received by the critics and didn't sell as well as the previous album. Although it topped Australia's charts for a full six weeks, the absence of her second number one single, 'Devil Gate Drive', on the album meant that it failed to chart in the UK altogether. It screamed 'rushed follow-up' to the success of the first. Littered with 1950's cover songs and self-penned slow-movers, 'Quatro' proved to be a commercial failure. 


In later years she would fuse country and techno together in the 1982 album 'Main Attraction', funk in 1975's 'Your Mamma Won't Like Me', and she even had a nod towards prog in 1976's 'Aggro-Phobia'.


In the late 70's both Quatro's image and music softened. The cover of the 1978 album 'If You Knew Suzi' signifies this change: gone with the leather jumpsuit and tough look, in with the soft long hair, corduroy trousers and black boots. 1979's 'Suzi... And Other Four Letter Words' took on the same style.


In 1980, however, Quatro released what most critics called her rockiest album up until the time. 'Rock Hard's' cover signifies this. It shows Suzi Q with her long, long hair, leather jumpsuit and tough-girl stare. This is complimented with her sporting her custom made BC Rich 'Bich' bass guitar. Robert Palmer would later credit Quatro with his decision to use these guitars in his award-winning music video of 'Addicted to Love'.


The album itself is a platter of hard-rock tracks, including a re-vamped cover of the Dave Clark Five's 'Glad All Over'. The Quatro/Tuckey songwriting team are on fine form, contributing five of the 11 tracks: the albums ballad, 'Lonely is the Hardest', the reggae-styled 'Woman Cry', and the guitar-driven 'Ego in the Night', 'State of Mind' and 'Lay Me Down'.


Her original hit songwriter, Mike Chapman, offers the two singles: the title track, which hit number 68 in the UK and number nine in Australia, where the album went platinum, and 'Lipstick'. 


A songwriting team of Brown and Straley composed the remaining three tracks.


This record was somewhat overshadowed in most countries by the 'Suzi Quatro Greatest Hits' album of the same year, which hit the number four spot in the UK. Until 2012, it was only available on CD on the German double-pack 'then and now', or with different album art. Now Cherry Red Records are finally releasing 'Rock Hard' in its own right, and for the first time ever with the original artwork. 


This album is a jewel in Quatro's crown as the queen of rock and roll, and many fans deem it to be her best work. 


Available to but at:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Rock-Hard-Suzi-Quatro/dp/B007FGQ06U/ref=sr_1_7?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1331916638&sr=1-7


By James Nuttall

"Singing is what I love best." Rise to Kim Richey- By James Nuttall

In the words of Steve Horowitz of popmatters.com: "Kim Richey would rule the charts in the land where Marshall Crenshaw was king, Aimee Mann queen, and The Beatles never put out another record after Revolver." One only has to put on her debut album, Kim Richey, to understand what he means.






Richey has been nominated for two Grammys for songwriting,  one of them being nominated for Song of the Year. She has has a hand in writing songs for the Dixie Chicks, Trisha Yearwood and Patty Loveless, and collaborated with Ryan Adams. Top this off with her music has also been played on Buffy the Vampire Slayer and appearing on the Angel soundtrack, Richey has developed quite a cult following.




Before her gig on 4th March, I spoke to her about her career, and future plans.


Have you enjoyed touring the UK this time around?


"Yeah, quite a bit. I do it quite often because I've been living in London for a while. I've been going back and forth between Nashville and London but then I decided to kinda be over here more; but I love it over here, I'm having a great time."


Out of all your albums does one stand out to you?


"Well, you know they're all different, that's what I like about them. The first one will always be a really great experience for me because I'd never been in the studio making a record before, and I got to work with Richard Bennet and he played a lot of guitar on my records. He was wonderful to work with and I had so much fun on that first record.


I really loved working with Bill Bottrell on the record called Rise."


What do you listen to when you're not on the road?


"You know, I don't listen to a lot of music. I listen to a lot of pod-casts, just trying to keep up with news, and I'm always working on songs.


I've just been over in Australia for about five weeks before I came here and I really loved some people that I heard over there playing at a festival. One guy was called Shane Nicholson, he just has a new record out and I love that, so I've been listening to that a lot, and he's married to Kasey Chambers and I really like what both of those guys are doing."


What has been the highlight of your career?


"I've met a lot of people that I never thought I would have met. I've traveled a lot. I never would have been able to travel as much as I have and seen as many things without being in music. I got to meet Dolly Parton, she's fantastic, and all kinds of people like that. But I think the thing I love the best about it is just to be able to do it for as long as I have; and also to make music with other people, and to sing and play with other people, and with a whole band around you it's pretty amazing. "


Is there anyone you've particularly enjoyed working with?


"I wrote for the Dixie Chicks, but it was before Natalie Maines joined them, so they weren't the gazillion-selling Dixie Chicks, they were the two sisters and another girl who's not there anymore. They used to sing old country and western songs, so it's kind of a different band. I loved singing with Ryan Adams on Heartbreaker. That was a great thing. And I did a little tour with him so we got to sat up a writers-type show, so I got to sit up and sing with him all night on those tours."


Who influenced you to pick up the guitar?


"Well, my mom bought me a guitar for Christmas, and I'm not sure why! But it was a really cheap, bad guitar and she probably got it at a drug store. I remember it had an old, plastic, zippy case. But when I was about 12 we went to a guitar store and it was a Valentines Day present, and I got a hollow-body electric, it was really great.


I mostly started playing guitar so I could have something to sing with, because singing is what I love best "


So how do you write a song now?


"I'll play with music a little bit and then that will inspire me and an idea comes from that. Recently in Australia I wrote with this girl who is just a lyricist. She had a verse and chorus idea she said "We need music." I was just like "Where do you start?" I couldn't figure it out because the word go into the music for me. We figured it out in the end, but it was a different way to work."


So on the road or in the studio?


They're different. The studio's great because you just kind of hide out in it, and it turns into your whole world. You're in their with friends and you're making music, and just trying all these really great creative things. The studio's like a bubble. If you're a escapist in any way, shape or form the studio's a great place for you to be because you're not taking phone calls, you're keeping up with stuff because you're in the studio! You'll stay in there for hours on end and you can just get lost in it, which I love.


With performing live... when it really goes and there's this connection going back and forth between you and the audience, that's a really amazing, immediate kind of high jolt. They're different things and I really love both of them"


What are your plans when you finish the UK tour?


"I have about five weeks of touring in the States, so I'll be over there doing shows straight from here. I'll stay here and do some writing for a couple of weeks, and I'm going to go to Copenhagen and do some writing over there. I have a friend who I write with, who has a record out now that's doing really well out there, we're going to do some more work.


Then I'll go home to Nashville and I think I'll probably set up house over there in the Spring. I gave up my apartment in London this summer because I had the chance to stay in Stockholm. I've just been homeless touring, which maybe sounds more fun than it is! When you're not touring and you've got to stay with friends, or at your family's house... it's not very relaxing. And you can't keep track of your stuff! I don't know where most of my stuff is."

Richey sounds yet to fully settle into the British culture. The night before the interview she wrote on Facebook: "‎Wife swap starts in 30 seconds according to the guys out in the hall. I think it's a TV show. I hope it's a TV show."

"That was a noisy hotel I was in last night! I didn't go to bed until about two, and they were still at it all over the place."

If you could pick anyone to work with, who would it be?

"God, that's a good question. I'd love to sing with David Hidalgo. I love his voice. I'd love to make a record with Bill Bottrell again. 


I love singing with people. In a perfect world for me I wouldn't be the lead singer, ever. I love singing harmonies with people." 

Somehow we venture off topic towards the end and discuss her out-of-date Wikipedia page. "Wikipedia's just crap! I can't even go on my page, it makes me so mad when I look at it. It's just wrong! Don't even get me going on Wikipedia. 


Commenting on plans for a new album, Richey said: "We haven't started anything yet, but I think July we're starting. We were going to record in December, then we were going to record in May and I just said that I couldn't even think about doing it until I get settled. 

I've got a lot of songs. I always keep writing, right up until the end. I've got a lot of old songs that maybe other people recorded and I never did, or songs that were maybe more country than the records, so didn't make it on that I really like." 




Kim Richey's music can be purchased at: 
http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Dpopular&field-keywords=kim+richey&x=22&y=23 


Follow Kim at: 
http://www.kimrichey.com/ 
http://www.facebook.com/kimricheymusic
https://twitter.com/#!/kimrichey 


By James Nuttall

The Ultimate Ex-Files. 35 Years On... by James Nuttall

Today marks the 35th anniversary of the release of one of the greatest albums in the history of rock. 

When Fleetwood Mac released Rumours in 1977, they could hardly imagine the phenomenon it would become.  

The Mac has had 18 different members in it's time. By 1977, its 10th year as a group, it had already featured 12 members. 

In 1975 guitarist Lindsey Buckingham and his singer/songwriter girlfriend, Stevie Nicks, were added to the line up that included drummer Mick Fleetwood, bass player John McVie and his then wife, keyboard player Christine. 

Their first album, Fleetwood Mac hit the number one spot on the Billboard charts, and scored three hit singles, including Nicks' now signature song, Rhiannon.

By the time they got into recording the album Rumours in Sausilito the band's personal lives collectively broke down under the glare of the press.  Stevie dumped Lindsey; Christine began an affair with the bands lighting director and divorced John; Mick's wife left him after affairs on both sides, including a brief affair with Stevie in between her relationship with Don Henley of The Eagles.

Sprinkle this situation heavily with cocaine and it made for one long year of intense recording. Producer Richard Dashut recalled the recording of Rumours as "...lengthy moments of boredom, punctuated with moments of sheer terror." 

However, at the same time their personal lives hit rock bottom, their songwriting abilities peaked. Nick's composition Dreams, which was her way of exiting her relationship with Buckingham, became the bands only number one single in America. 

Buckingham, on the other hand, left the relationship with the bittersweet Go Your Own Way, which has recently become a favourite with Guitar Heroes everywhere.

Christine's Don't Stop was her way of parting on good terms with John. In 1992 it would be used by Bill Clinton for his inauguration, and be the instigator of the first performance by lineup in 10 years, although the world would have to wait another five years to see an official reunion. 

Another single composed by McVie, You Make Loving Fun, was her opportunity to tell her lighting director that he did just that. 

Top this off with Nicks' cocaine fueled Gold Dust Woman; Buckinghams' foot-stomping Second Hand News, contrasted with his melodic Never Going Back Again; John McVie's killer bass solo on the anthem The Chain and McVie's piano ballad Songbird, you have an album that would stay at the top of the charts for eight months in the US, and sell 200,000 copies a day. It also went to number one in the UK, Australia, Germany, Canada, Netherlands, South Africa and New Zeland. 

Today, Rumours has sold 27,008,000 worldwide, been certified 19x platinum in the US and 11x platinum in the UK. 

Despite Christine McVie leaving in 1997, the Mac is still going. The latest reunion was in 2009 for a greatest hits world tour, and there is talk for another reunion next year... assuming they're still on speaking terms...

Sister's Act by James Nuttall ©

The Pleasure Seekers sign their first record deal

When asked who the first woman of rock was most people will reply with Janis Joplin. Few will realize that long before Piece of My Heart hit the airwaves, there was a band of sisters on the road playing rock and roll to every venue in the US they could find.

In 1964, teenage sisters Patti and Suzi Quatro formed The Pleasure Seekers with their friends Diane Baker, Nan and her sister Mary Lou Ball. Within a year they had recorded a single, What a Way to Die, and toured all over the United States. Patti and Suzi's big sister, Arlene, was later conscripted into the group with her husband managing them. The Pleasure Seekers  shared the bill the likes of Bob Seger, MC5, Iggy Pop, Grand Funk Railroad, Pink Floyd and Chuck Berry, and played songs from groups like The Four Tops, Elvis Presley and the early Rolling Stones.

Patti and Nancy visit Suzi in England in 1971

However, by 1968 the music scene had given way to thumping guitar licks and psychedelic rock. After a poorly received gig at a big festival, the Pleasure Seekers decided it was time for a change in musical direction. 

In 1969, after a few line-up changes, Pleasure Seekers became Cradle: a heavy, jamming rock band. Youngest Quatro sister, Nancy, was brought in to sing for the band. This band was again well received on the new music scene. The long solos and meaningful compositions went down a storm with their intoxicated, tie dye t-shirt audience. 

Now the Quatro sisters are receiving the much-deserved respect from their native Detroit they have been waiting for. On 27 April they will be inducted into Detroit's version of the Grammys at the Filmore Theater. 

Additionally to this, Suzi will be inducted for her solo work.  The sisters will also be performing three songs, and Suzi will   perform songs from her solo career. 

Nancy, Suzi and Patti, who I interviewed a few months back, have given me the exclusive interview below about the reunion. 

Nancy and Suzi at soundcheck

What was the highlight for you, either during the Pleasure Seekers or Cradle? A specific gig/song?


Nancy: A big highlight for me in Cradle was when Mountain recognized that we were talented musicians, not talented for girls......just talented. It was very hard to get respect as females in a male world and they were a huge band at the time so in a sense, I finally felt validated by our peers. 

How does it feel to be getting such a prestigious award nearly 50 years after you girls began the Pleasure Seekers?


Patti: It feels amazing and heart warming. When you pioneer for women being able to rock their music in a world that put up every roadblock, it is great to see things changing in that regard and know that we inspired young women. And having this award in Detroit Rock City.....doesn't get much higher in music than that kick ass music Mecca.....we are thrilled!!! 

Patti Quatro: lead guitar

Nancy: It feels incredible and it is such an hounor. I'm especially glad that they are honouring Suzi as she is such a success story out of Detroit.

This is the first time you will be performing together in public in over 20 years. How does that feel?


Patti: Actually the sisters have gotten together for special projects, but yes, first time for the bands. It's going to be one hell of a party night on stage and after too. We all get along brilliantly, and can't wait to hit the stage.
Nancy: (It's) Amazing to be performing again. There is a sister bond that is there no matter what and it's like going back to our roots and a time when life was much simpler. 

What material can we expect to hear you play? Have you decided which songs yet?


Patti: Patience!!!!! We are not revealing that till the night of.

Cradle's New Year Eve gig CD from 1970

Nancy: We have decided on the song selection. Suzi will perform 3 and PS/Cradle will also do 3. 

Will there be a lot of rehearsing before hand?


Patti: Everyone will learn their parts from the CD's, a no brainer. Everyone still plays, so it should go smoothly and we will rehearse as a band in Detroit couple days before.  

Nancy: We will not have a lot of rehearsal time........gulp but I'm sure it's like riding a bike. You don't forget. 

In 2014 it will be 50 years since you started your first band. Can we expect to see another reunion, or maybe even a tour to celebrate this?


Patti: We've had numerous offers for gigs from Europe, to Russia to Far East and Oz. People would love to see it happen.....never say never!!!!  
Nancy: One never knows if there will be another reunion. No plans as of yet but, never say never. 
You spoke of special guest performers for the reunion... can you disclose who they are?
Patti:  In a word.....no.....lol....many are being considered. 

Is there any chance at all of a new Cradle/PS album in the future?

Nancy: Probably not much chance of another Cradle/PS album in the future.
Patti: We'll see. I'll be looking at all other taped material I have in archives.

Live 1979

In 1971 bass player Suzi was signed to a record deal with RAK by legendary producer Mickie Most. She moved to England and after two years of waiting for success, her second single, Can the Can, went to number one in the UK, Australia, Japan and all over mainland Europe. To date it has sold 2.5 million copies. Her biggest hit in her native US was the 1978 duet, Stumblin' In, with Chris Norman, the lead singer from Smokie. Suzi's entire recording career has scored 16 hit singles and she has sold over 50 million records worldwide. She was a direct influence on Chrissie Hynde of The Pretenders, Joan Jett, Pat Benatar and Melissa Etheridge, among others.  And if that doesn't make her cool enough, in 1974 she turned down an invitation to Graceland to meet Elvis, her hero, when he commented that her cover of All Shook Up was the best since his own. That's not to mention that she also famously broke Alice Coopers nose. (Albeit accidentally!)


As well as her recurring role in Happy Days, Quatro has also had parts in Minder, Absolutely Fabulous, Midsomer Murders, starred on the West-End stage and even had her own chat show. 

Last year saw her release her thirteenth studio album, In the Spotlight, which was largely positively received. 

I got also got the chance to ask Suzi her thoughts on how it felt to be inducted as a solo performer. 


How does it feel to be recognized in your homeland for your solo work as well as your earlier bands?
GREAT... ALWAYS GOOD TO HONOR YOUR ROOTS.. DETROIT IS A HARD ACT MUSIC WISE TO FOLLOW...WONDERFUL TO NOD TO THE PAST AND TO THE PRESENT... COULDN'T BE HAPPIER.

The last time you toured the US was in 1981. Do you think that this will be the instigator to get you back playing in America? 

Quatro headlining the 'girls night out' at the Isle of Wight Festival in 2010

I GODDAMN HOPE SO.. BEEN AWAY FAR TOO LONG.. NOT BY ANY GRAND PLAN.. JUST HAPPENED..U.S.A. RECORD BROKE UP.. THEN STARTED HAVING KIDS AND DOING T.V. ACTING AND THEATER.....BY THE TIME I WAS TOURING AGAIN I WAS GOING EVERYWHERE BUT AMERICA.. BUT, DO WANT TO COME BACK BIG TIME... I MISS MY HOME COUNTRY.

Friend Debbie Harry of Blondie and protege Joan Jett stop by at Suzi Quatro's recording session 

You've released a new CD, In the Spotlight, which has been well received by the critics. Will you be doing any other events to promote this in the States while you're there?
I AM PUTTING FEELERS OUT.. I AM THERE BEFORE THE CEREMONY DOING SOME DOCUMENTARIES FOR MY BBC RADIO 2 WORK, 16 YEARS NOW.. HOPEFULLY THE RECORD COMPANY WILL ARRANGE SOME PROMOTION.. RE CRITICS.. NEVER HAD SUCH WONDERFUL REVIEWS.. NOT GOOD BUT RAVES.. HOW NICE IS THAT !!!


Do you plan to take your family in England with you?
I DON'T KNOW YET.. TRYING TO PLAN IT NOW.. CERTAINLY SOME KEY PEOPLE WILL BE THERE.

Quatro, 1978

Quatro in 1975, on tour with Alice Cooper

Playing the iconic Leather Tuscadero in Happy Days

Will you be giving the Detroit audience anything out of the ordinary for your solo performance?

 I WILL BE DOING ONE OF MY NUMBER ONE'S, OF COURSE STUMBLIN IN, WOULD GET LYNCHED IF I DIDNT AND A SONG FROM MY LAST STUDIO ALBUM... SHOULD SATISFY EVERYONE.

Will you be using your British band?

NO, I AM GOING TO USE GOOD OLD HOME BOYS FROM DETROIT.


For many years you have said that you longed to play the States again, Detroit in particular, how does it feel now that you are?
I CAN'T WAIT, REALLY HAPPY.. I AM A DETROIT GIRL THROUGH AND THROUGH.

Suzi's latest album, In the Spotlight

Have you any solo/Pleasure Seekers/Cradle material you'd particularly like to perform?
LOTS OF SOLO STUFF.. I USUALLY DO A TWO HOUR SHOW WHEN I AM ON MY OWN.. COVERING MY ENTIRE LIVE AND RECORDING SOLO CAREER FROM 1973 UP TO THE PRESENT DAY... A WIDE CATALOGUE TO CHOOSE FROM... RE PLEASURE SEEKERS.. THAT IS A TRIP DOWN MEMORY LANE.. WILL BE LOTS OF FUN.

Suzi and I in 2011

My thanks to Suzi, Nancy and Patti for answering these questions, and the very best of luck to them for the reunion.

Suzi's new album, In the Spotlight,  can be purchased at: 

http://www.cherryred.co.uk/shopexd.asp?id=3062

http://www.amazon.com/Spotlight-Suzi-Quatro/dp/B0057OORC6/ref=sr_1_16?ie=UTF8&qid=1327445251&sr=8-16

The Pleasure Seekers and Cradle albums can be purchased at:

 http://www.cdbaby.com/Artist/Cradle1/from/viglink

Follow Quatro sisters at: 

http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/pleasureseekers

http://quatrorock.com/quatrorock/

http://www.facebook.com/pages/CRADLE/298374699180?sk=info

http://www.myspace.com/quatrorock

http://www.reverbnation.com/QuatroRock

http://www.myspace.com/pattiquatroericson

http://twitter.com/#!/QuatroRock

Suzi can be followed at: 

http://suziquatro.com/

http://www.facebook.com/pages/SUZI-QUATRO-OFFICIAL-FAN-CLUB/106218856068295

http://twitter.com/#!/Suzi_Quatro

2011: As told by an observer. By James Nuttall

Flicking back through the pages of 2011’s NME issues, you’d swear that boy bands were going to reclaim music. This aside, its apparent that women have given the guys a run for their money in music this year, and as ever the oldies are still occupying the front covers.

The Vaccines, or as they are better known “the band of 2011”, failed to take off with the momentum many critics prophesised. Opening for the Arctic Monkeys managed to impress NME but did little for others. In fact as the year draws to a close Howler, the Vaccines opening act, appears to be getting more attention with their upcoming debut.

The Arctics themselves have entered into a ‘win some, lose some’ with their fans. The new album, Suck it and See, certainly took on a different flavour to their previous releases, and the title suggests that Turner and his pals are testing the water with a more mature sound. Despite the overflow of positive reviews some fans are less than thrilled with this compared to their previous work, whilst others have just started to turn on to the Arctics thanks to their different sound.

To talk about 2011 even generally, it would be ludicrous to not mention Adele. An album that hits the number one spot in 25 different countries, that isn’t hip-hop, shows that there is hope for music today. It’s also great to see another Brit in the big leagues who is there solely by being able to write and sing. Wearing long black dresses, Adele shows her audience nothing more than pure talent as weaves the story of how she set fire to the rain.

Florence and the Machine have delivered another critically acclaimed epic. Hitting number one in seven countries Ceremonials has set Florence Welch to be the arena filler in 2012.

Another breakthrough for womankind was Beyonce being the first ever female to headline Glastonbury. Since there’s no festival next year, we can only hope that another woman will hold one of the top spots in 2013… who else is taking bets on Adele or Florence?

Thankfully, it has been a year primarily ruled by the British music scene. Unsurprisingly, Rihanna has released more of the same: another album of droning pop and collaborating with Calvin Harris on a decidedly average single. The only thing she’s done in 2011 worth mentioning was to be told to “cover up” by an Irish farmer when she was filming another soft-porn music video in his field.

It’s also seen a lot of the classic rockers making a return to the radio.

Stevie Nicks released her first solo album in 10 years, In Your Dreams, and also played her third UK show in 30 years as a solo performer, supporting Rod Stewart at Hard Rock Calling. Actually coming over the water made the album peak at number 14 in the UK charts. A big step forward considering 2001’s Trouble in Shangri-La stalled at number 43. It’s a nod back to her two nights at Wembley in 1989, which helped propel The Other Side of the Mirror to number three.

Her ex-boyfriend and Fleetwood Mac sparring partner, Lindsey Buckingham’s Seeds we Sow may not have hit the top 20, but has received positive critical reviews. His musical creativity and unflappable guitar parts made many critics bow to his skill. It’s also pushed back a Mac reunion for another year. This was another landmark as Buckingham was booked to do his first ever UK solo tour. However, the articles calling him youthful and energetic were soon writing retractions when this tour was cancelled due to a band member throwing their back out.

This suggests it’s time we started getting more excited about the up-comers again, rather than waiting for the dinosaurs of rock to deliver time after time. That’s said without even mentioning Metallica’s disastrous collaboration with Lou Reed.

The biggest news on the British music scene this year is arguably the Stone Roses reunion. Many sceptics are already trashing it as the Roses just trying to make some cash and foreseeing a disappointment. Others are on the edge of their seats for the return of the revolutionary Manchester band. Time will tell.

                                                        

If the Stone Roses aren’t your thing, you can absorb the storm another Mancunian has been making this year. Noel Gallaghers Flying Birds album has convinced pretty much everyone that here is a bona fide solo performer. More so than Beady Eyes debut, which the critics seem to have turned on since Liam’s big brother stepped in; I can’t see them having Christmas dinner together this year.  

Of course, one cannot forget to mention the musical talents that passed this year. Gerry Rafferty, the composer of smash-hit Baker Street, finally lost his battle with alcoholism in January. A bad year for bassists as the Shadows lost Jet Harris and former Weezer bass player Mickey Welsh died from a suspected overdose.

The most publicised and surprising, yet tragically expected death was of course Amy Winehouse. Within hours the jokes were being sent via text to everyone: most of them pulling puns about her hit Rehab. Three days after a guest appearance at a show in Camden, she was found dead in her home. Winehouse is another great to join the 27

club, along with the likes of Joplin, Hendrix and Morrison.

 She went out with a bang at least. December saw her album Loneliness: Hidden Treasures entering the British charts at number one. That’s a not-back to her predecessor, Janis Joplin. Her album Pearl went to number one stateside after her death in 1970.

All in all 2011 has been a rollercoaster of a year for music. Deaths, reunions and breakthrough solo albums from the greats have made it one interesting ride. Somewhere on the space-time continuum we will surely encounter another year of turbulent relationships and exciting releases from other artists. Hopefully it will be in the not too distant future.