Paul Rodgers Releases 'The Royal Sessions 2014

PAUL RODGERS CELEBRATES THE SONGS AND MUSICIANS OF MEMPHIS
ON “THE ROYAL SESSIONS”

Bad Company’s Founding Singer, Songwriter And Multi-Instrumentalist Records Versions Of Classic Songs At Memphis’ Royal Studios With Original Session Musicians

 

Paul Rodgers, longtime singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist with Bad Company, has partnered with 429 Records and is gearing up for the release of “The Royal Sessions”—a lovingly crafted collection of classic R&B and soul songs re-imagined by the iconic rock singer recorded at Memphis’ Royal Studios, historic home of Willie Mitchell and Hi Records, with many of the musicians who played on the original tracks. Truly a lifetime in the making, Rodgers has come full circle with “The Royal Sessions” as he pays homage to the legendary hits he collected on 45s released on Stax/Volt, Goldwax and Hi Records—recordings by Otis Redding, Albert King and Ann Peebles which made such an indelible impression on the young Rodgers inspiring him to pursue a career as a singer. Produced by Perry Margouleff, “The Royal Sessions” is an extraordinary recording which captures the music in its pure form—live band and vocal takes as performed together at Royal Studios by Rodgers and an all-star roster of legendary musicians. The band is a dream lineup of those who played on the original hits dating back to the 60’s. The classic rhythm section includes Reverend Charles Hodges (Hammond B3), Michael Tolls (guitar), LeRoy Hodges Jr. (bass), “Hubby” Archie Turner (Wurlitzer), Steve Potts and James Robertson Sr. (drums), The Royal Horns and the Royal Singers. “The Royal Sessions” will be released on 429 Records in the U.S. (international release dates below). 

“The Royal Sessions” is a remarkable project that came together as Rodgers was working on a solo record and producer Margouleff had just discovered that Royal Studios was still up and running under the auspices of Willie “Pops” Mitchell’s son Lawrence “Boo” Mitchell. The opportunity to record in such a hallowed place with musicians he considered personal heroes was a dream come true. The Memphis players forged an immediate bond when presented with his formidable talent and sincere love of the songs. Deeply felt, powerfully sung and expertly played, it features a cross-section of material hand-picked by Rodgers, songs of great historical significance and personal meaning.

Says Rodgers: “I really felt I had to get deeper inside myself than I ever had in my life. The end result is that recording these songs left me recharged as a singer and also as a songwriter. My favorite part was the love we could feel in the room throughout all the sessions. We all spoke the same language.”

Says Margouleff: “I wanted to make the most of this incredible opportunity so I recorded Paul and the band live in the studio. We captured the pure energy of their performance. Recording in an all analogue format the sonic quality is unparalleled and the listener can experience the music on a deeper level.”

All of the proceeds from “The Royal Sessions” will be donated to local Memphis music education programs. Special showcase performances by Paul Rodgers with the musicians on “The Royal Sessions” will be announced.

“The Royal Sessions” track listing:

1) Thank You
2) Down Don’t Bother Me
3) I Can’t Stand The Rain
4) I’ve Been Loving You Too Long
5) That’s How Strong My Love Is
6) Walk On By
7) Any Old Way
8) It’s Growing
9) Born Under A Bad Sign
10) Dreams To Remember

“The Royal Sessions” will be released worldwide on the following dates:

Europe — January 27th
Canada — January 28th
Japan — January 29th
United States — February 4th
Australia — February 7th

Deluxe 2 Disc Edition comes with a 'Making Of ' DVD and Three 'Bonus' tracks

11) Shake

12) Walk In My Shadow

13) Wonderful World

 

Free Appreciation Society

Magazine Issue #131

September 2013

COMING SOON...

Just about ready to go to press is FAS issue #131. Another magazine crammed with good reading and this issue specifically features the new Jess Roden Anthology and a large article on multi-track tape. 

                       

The Jess Roden 6CD set has been a long time coming and not only do we have a full in-depth review of it but we also have an exclusive interview with Jess that covers his recording of 'I'm Ready' with Paul Kossoff. You won't find any reference to this anywhere else, not even in the sleeve notes of the retrospective!

The multi-track tape article covers the history of recording, both professional and 'home studio' along with a look at how the use of these tapes has changed over the past few years with the advent of the large boxed set featuring alternate and unissued versions of material previously left in the vaults. We also look at how some of the Led Zeppelin multi-tracks have slipped out into the public arena via bootlegs and also how the 5.1 surround sound remixes and 'Guitar Hero' game generation have allowed a huge wave of multi-track 'stems' to become available for mixing by the home studio enthusiast. We look at what's out there, what you need to play them and how to get started with 'free' on-line software! You don't need to be a pro to have fun with this stuff, all you need is a computer and a little bit of patience.

Also included are reviews of the Michael Gately (w/ Paul Kossoff) CD release, the Tynemouth FREE convention featuring Andy Fraser and a look at a new book on Budgie (always one of my favourite bands).

44 pages all in full colour -  Don't miss it. 

FREE CONVENTION

PARK HOTEL, TYNEMOUTH

AUGUST 2, 2013

The Andy Fraser Band

& Freeway

for £15 !!

Its a BARGAIN !!

ANDY FRASER BAND

UK TOUR DATES 2013

Andy Johns 

January 1, 1952 – April 7, 2013

“For a four-piece, hell, for a three-piece with some guy standing up singing

 they made a BIG old sound.”      Andy Johns talking to me about Free in 1998 

It is with immense sadness I find myself writing to cover the death of Andy Johns who passed away on Sunday, April 7. He was 61. Andy had been admitted to hospital some days previously and his health had been an issue for some time. He was working right up until his death. No cause was immediately available, although Johns had apparently been hospitalised for liver problems.

Without Andy Johns the musical soundtrack to my life would have sounded so very different and his engineering and production graces many of my favourite records. Andy Johns truly ROCKED my world. He undoubtedly rocked your world too. Obviously for anyone who loves Free Andy Johns should be held in high esteem. It was his talent for getting fantastic sounds down onto tape that make records like ‘Highway’ sound so incredible even now some 40+ years down the road. Just take ‘The Stealer’ with its wonderful tones and warm vibes. The guitar sound alone is sensational and its all very well Kossoff getting the amp to perform but someone had to catch that perfectly on tape. It was in that context that Andy Johns should be remembered as one of the great studio technicians of our time.

I was very pleased to speak to Andy in 1998 when I was doing interviews for ‘Heavy Load – The Free Story’ and being as he worked with the band right through their career (‘Fire And Water’ and ‘Free At Last’ are the only albums without him included in some context) his insight was immensely valuable.  Andy Johns started his career at Olympic Studios and he had only been working at Morgan Studios briefly when Free came through the door in October 1968. He was only six months older than Andy Fraser and yet he’d found himself pretty much ‘in charge’ of the studio when the owner decided to go and live in Canada! When asked about the sessions for ‘Tons Of Sobs’ he said; “Morgan was a good little studio and Free made a very tight sound. That’s why they were fun to record, because it was easy to do.”

At the time Chris Blackwell had negotiated a deal at Morgan Studios that give him so many hours recording every month. This means that Andy Johns is securely wrapped up with the history of the Island Records label, and he worked with many of the bands as they were put through their paces at Morgan. He was the resident engineer and his name is on many of those important 1968 - 1970 Island Records releases. Chris Blackwell eventually invested in his own studios at Basing Street and Andy Johns became freelance, working with anyone who was anyone. Even then he was one of Chris Blackwell’s ‘go to’ guys.  After ‘Fire And Water’ Johns was brought back to work with Free on ‘Highway’ and when Blackwell thought the band were struggling to complete the ‘Heartbreaker’ record Andy Johns was again called to give the album a final mix.

Its not just Free though is it. Andy Johns worked on albums by Jimi Hendrix (Tape Op on ‘Axis Bold As Love’), Led Zeppelin, The Rolling Stones, Queen, Humble Pie, Joni Mitchell, Eric Clapton, Jethro Tull, Blodwyn Pig, West, Bruce & Laing, Hughes/Thrall, Spooky Tooth, Blind Faith, Van Halen, Television, Steve Miller Band, Joe Satriani, Chickenfoot, the list just goes on and on - and lets not forget Mott The Hoople! If you love your Rock music from the late 60s to the present you certainly have something with the Andy Johns name on the cover. I’ve seen it mentioned elsewhere that albums on which Andy Johns worked have reportedly sold more than 160 million copies. Now THAT is a serious contribution to our recorded musical history.

If I had ever wanted someone to work on an album for me Andy Johns would have been top of the list. He was funny, friendly, self-effacing and knew exactly how to record music. He was the real deal. God bless you Andy. You were taken from us far too soon.

--------------------

Speaking to John Bundrick today he recalled “When Andy came in to mix ‘Heartbreaker’ he wouldn’t let us into the control room. He was in there with a bottle of Southern Comfort standing on the chairs and having a ball and it was LOUD man, I mean it was really pumping in there. He’d occasionally let us in to hear something and turn it down a bit but when he was working it was full on. He made it sound enormous. He was a talented guy.”

From Andy Fraser to me via email today.

“Andy Johns was one of my favourite people. Only a year older than me, we worked in the studio on a lot of FREE recordings both as teenagers. I loved his energy, always up, keen, ready to go, full of enthusiasm. He was the engineer the night we wrote, recorded and mixed ‘The Stealer’ in one session. Then ran up to the top floor where Chris Blackwell of Island Records had an apartment, woke him up, and said ‘you gotta get down and hear this’, which he did, and proclaimed it the next single.” 

“AJ called me only a few weeks ago, and now he's gone. Life is so fragile. Heartbreaking. He will be missed. Not sure if he ever learnt to drive. He would either take a cab, or I would drop him off at his place in St. Johns Wood, London after a session. Known a few like that. Frankie Miller, Robert Palmer - it's like “Me drive? with my habits - I don't think so.”

 http://bit.ly/145kwUQ 

Richard Digby Smith - April 19, via email

"When you worked with Andy on a record, you were made aware how “cool” the gig of being engineer/producer could be. The way he drove the desk, so stylishly attaching a cigarette to one of the small insert switches of the Helios desk. His gentle, humorous and altogether pleasant nature on session, never ruffled, always enthusiastic, was an inspiration to me.

 

Most importantly, the sound on tape. With Led Zep and earlier with Free, the benchmark was set. I don’t think it’s been bettered since".

 

Free Appreciation Society

Magazine Issue #130

March 2013

Another year upon us and here is the first FAS issue of 2013. 
A diverse little content list in this magazine with a short article on the current run of large deluxe (and not so deluxe) boxed sets while we wait for our turn and the proposed 'Free - The Complete Recorded Works' mega box. There's a rather 'uncomfortable' interview with Andy Fraser as he wades into both Paul Rodgers and Simon Kirke regards the abandoned re-formation of FREE for the Olympics among other things. Details of the FREE set played by Stone Axe at a couple of recent festivals, and an interview with Tony Reed about the project and his love of all things FREE. Finally the main feature is 30 pages of in-depth analysis of the 'Heartbreaker' sessions running through all the recording that makes up the album and the events surrounding it, including the departure of Andy Fraser in 1972 and the arrival of Wendell Richardson for the US Tour in 1973. Every 'Heartbreaker' tape is covered, reel by reel. Fascinating stuff.

44 pages all in full colour and with pictures of the tape boxes from the 'Heartbreaker' reels. A real history lesson. Don't miss it. 

The price of an individual magazine including postage in the UK is £4.30. 
Please enquire for overseas prices and subscriptions. fasarticle@aol.com

BAD COMPANY 2013 HEADLINE DATES

New dates have been added to the Bad Company US Tour and this time the band 

headline their own shows. 

The co-headline dates are scheduled June 20-23, July 11-14 and July 17-27. 

The new gigs include the first and last stops on the tour as well as a handful

of gigs in between.

Here is the routing for Bad Company’s new headline gigs:

June 15 – Rancho Mirage, Calif., The Show At Agua Caliente Casino Resort Spa
June 25 – Del Mar, Calif., Del Mar Fairgrounds (“San Diego County Fair”)
June 28 – Hammond, Ind., The Venue at Horseshoe Casino
June 29 – New Lenox, Ill., Community Center
July 5 – Hinckley, Minn., Grand Casino Hinckley Amphitheater
July 7 – Airway Heights, Wash., Northern Quest Casino
July 16 – Lewiston, N.Y., Artpark Amphitheatre
Aug. 2 – Solomons, Md., PNC Waterside Pavilion
Aug. 3 – Rama, Ontario, Casino Rama Entertainment Centre

Bad Company & Lynyrd Skynyrd 2013 Tour Dates

 

 

 

 

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                        

March 4, 2013

 

BAD COMPANY AND LYNYRD SKYNYRD

ANNOUNCE 40TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION

SUMMER CO-HEADLINE TOUR OF 12 DATES

Both Bands Will Supplement This Joint Excursion With Individual Headline Dates

New York --- Bad Company and Lynyrd Skynyrd have announced a co-headline tour that takes the bands coast-to-coast for 12 dates.  Both bands celebrate significant 40th anniversaries in 2013, with Lynyrd Skynyrd having released their debut album on August 13, 1973 and Bad Company being formed that same year.  While the pair have shared the stage and Paul Rodgers has toured with Lynyrd Skynyrd, Bad Company and Skynyrd have never toured as co-headliners together.

 

Bad Company were dubbed a super-group upon the  band's formation due to the union of Free's Paul Rodgers (Vocals / Multi-Instrumentalist) with Mott The Hoople's Mick Ralphs (Guitar) plus King Crimson's Boz Burrell (Bass) and Free's Simon Kirke (Drums).  Over the next nine years, the band released a string of six albums, yielding international hits "Can't Get Enough," "Bad Company," "Feel Like Makin' Love," and many others penned by the main songwriters Paul Rodgers and Mick Ralphs. Original members Rodgers, Ralphs, and Kirke will be joined by guitarist Howard Leese and bassist Todd Ronning (from Paul Rodgers solo band).  Original bassist Boz Burrell passed away in 2006. 

 

Bad Company has inspired many of today's musicians.  Most notably, Metal band Five Finger Death Punch who scored a #1 Active Rock hit with a cover of the song "Bad Company". Since 2001, the band has only played 11 isolated performances, and has not staged a tour of The United States until now.  In front of the run, Rodgers shares, "When Mick and I formed the band in the 70's we were amazed at the instant success.  It didn't hurt to have Led Zeppelin behind us, and we wrote some decent songs that still resonate.  This one is for fans."

 

Led by core members Gary Rossington (guitar), Johnny Van Zant (vocals) and Rickey Medlocke (guitar), along with longtime drummer Michael Cartellone, Lynyrd Skynyrd has maintained a tremendous legacy that began over 40 years ago in Jacksonville, Florida, and continues with the recently released Last Of A Dying Breed (Roadrunner).  The band's career was halted for a decade after the 1977 plane crash that killed three band members, including Ronnie Van Zant and Steve Gaines, and then subsequently faced adversity through the losses of Billy Powell, Ean Evans, Allen Collins, Leon Wilkeson and Huey Thomasson, yet they rock on.  With a catalog of over 60 albums, sales beyond 30 million worldwide and their beloved classic American rock anthem “Sweet Home Alabama” having over two million downloaded ringtones, Rock & Roll Hall of Famers Lynyrd Skynyrd remains a cultural icon that appeals to all generations.  The current line-up features Gary Rossington (Guitar), Johnny Van Zant (Vocals), Rickey Medlocke (Guitar), Mark "Sparky" atejka (Guitar), Michael Cartellone (Drums), Johnny Colt (Bass), Peter Keys (Keyboards), Dale Krantz Rossington- Honkettes (Backing Vocals) and Carol Chase-Honkettes (Backing Vocals).

 

Paul Rodgers reveals, "The Skynyrds and I go back to the 70's and the days and nights at the Hyatt House on Sunset in LA aka the Riot House.  In the 90's the band introduced me to my wife Cynthia, and that's why I am so damned happy and healthy these years."  Lynyrd Skynyrd's Johnny Van Zant offers, "Every member of Skynyrd has been fans of Bad Company from the get go.  Personally, Paul is one of my favorite rock singers.  We have a deep appreciation for Bad Company’s music and look forward to being on the road with them and sharing the stage.” 

 

Special guests and Kentucky-bred hard rockers, Black Stone Cherry, will be kicking things off on The 40 Tour.  Their music has been described as Southern-fried hard rock about everything from being proud of where you come from and true to who you are.

 

The co-headline tour will stage performances at the following venues:

 

Thu Jun 20      Auburn, WA               White River Amphitheater

Fri Jun 21        Ridgefield, WA           Sleep Country Amphitheater

Sun Jun 23      Mountain View, CA   Shoreline Amphitheater

Thu Jul 11       Houston, TX              Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion

Sat Jul 13        Charlotte, NC             Verizon Wireless Amphitheater

Sun Jul 14       Bristow, VA               Jiffy Lube Live

Wed Jul 17      Camden, NJ                Susquehanna Bank Center

Fri Jul 19         Burgettstown, PA       First Niagara Pavilion

Sat Jul 20        Noblesville, IN            Kilpsch Music Center

Tue Jul 23       Clarkston, MI             DTE Energy Music Theater

Wed Jul 24      Cincinnati, OH            Riverbend Music Center

Fri Jul 26         Gilford, NH                Meadowbrook (Not a Live Nation date)

Sat Jul 27        *Bethel, NY                Bethel Woods Center for the Arts

 

*Black Stone Cherry not appearing on this date

 

For more information contact:

Steve Karas

SKH Music

skaras@skhmusic.com

 

http://www.badcompany.com/

http://www.lynyrdskynyrd.com/

http://www.facebook.com/LynyrdSkynyrd?ref=ts

https://twitter.com/#!/Skynyrd

Mr. Big
Andy Fraser, Joe Bonamassa & The Pettybreakers.
Red Cross Relief For Hurricane ("Super Storm") Sandy Benefit 
January 6, 2013, Belly Up Tavern, Solana Beach, California.

Originally posted on YouTube by RockOnRocket (Thanks Mr Rocket!)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PJCe0AhHdnA

There are more videos on Youtube including 'All Right Now' 

Another nice version of 'Mr Big' with Andy playing bass.

This time he teams up with Joe Bonamassa and its all for a good cause.