Andy Mitchell – Albums which influenced me – part 1

Whilst we are on the subject of Rush, I thought I’d compile a chronological list of seminal albmus which shaped my musical direction

Jimi Hendrix – Smash Hits

The Police – Regatta De Blanc

Rush – Moving Pictures

I clearly remember the day I was given a cassette copy of Moving Pictures, but with the “Exit Stage Left” versions of Tom Sawyer and Red Barchetta. I was awe-struck and confused. I thought they were an English 4 piece band with a keyboard player and a female lead vocalist. I also thought it wss cool that they had some concert recordings on their album. Needless to say I got used to those versions over the studio versions, and still prefer them to this day, with Alex Lifeson’s thick throaty Gibson Howard Roberts Fusion tone They and had such an air of profound mystery about them… they evoked such an other-worldly experience when I listened to them.

Gibson Howard Roberts Fusion

I quickly discovered the preceeding albums, and used to marvel at the contrasting styles of the early albums vs the newer ones. My favourites are still Moving Pictures, Permanent Waves and Hemispheres. I didn’t know who I wanted to be: Alex Lifeson, Geddy Lee, or Neil Peart? Impossible choice

The Yardbirds are playing 2 shows this month:

Saturday June 4th – Devizes Festival, Devizes Corn Exchange, UK
Saturday June 11th – Sevenoaks, Stag Theatre, UK

andymitchellmusic.com – the official website of rock musician Andy Mitchell

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More Rush info

Further to my post yesterday, I thought I would re-post a link to Richard Chycki’s blog about  Caravan and BU2B. Some great info here about Alex Lifeson’s amps

http://ww2.richardchycki.com/archives/85

There’s also a couple of great threads at gearslutz.com, where Richard goes into some details about Snakes and Arrows and the new tracks:

http://www.gearslutz.com/board/so-much-gear-so-little-time/455283-new-rush-album-june-2010-a.html

 

 

Also (re Snakes and Arrows) check out this great article from EQ Mag:

http://www.cygnus-x1.net/links/rush/making-of-snakes-and-arrows.php

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andymitchellmusic.com – the official website of rock musician Andy Mitchell

Rush at the O2 arena 25th May 2011

Great blog review here! http://www.theartsdesk.com/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=3771:rush-o2-arena&Itemid=27

It was fantastic to see the guys play the entire Moving Pictures album – the album which seriously kick started my rock career (thanks to my friend Bobby, who couldn’t make the gig – damn)

The sound was awful, but the show was great. Alex’s white Gibson 355 was the winner here. A “kinda” recreation of  his Permanent Waves era axe, I wish he had used it for all the songs. IMHO THAT is the Rush signature guitar sound. Raw, thick and incisive.

Mind you… The tobacco burst Les Paul  he used for 2112 (one of his many) had that raw “all the world’s a stage” les Paul

Marshall stack  tone very reminiscent  of the great Jimmy Page.

There’s a great Alex Lifeson interview at the gibson website in case you missed it.

…and New(ish) song BU2B is such a great tune… A proper Rush classic – really looking forward to the new album, with Nick Raskulinecz Richard Chycki (Foo Fighters etc) at the helm – They really managed to capture Rush’s sonic power on this tune. What a shame Allaire Studios is gone. Neil Peart’s The drum sounds are phenomenal, and  have never heard him groove like this.

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andymitchellmusic.com – the official website of rock musician Andy Mitchell

Andy Mitchell music news

Been enjoying the stash of Phil X videos on the frettedamericana channel.

He is an absolute monster  player – fire/taste/tone – and a funny guy too!

No wonder Bon Jovi hired him for the current tour.

http://www.youtube.com/user/frettedamericana#p/u/4/SbXonJD85zM

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GIGS

Saturday 25th June First headline acoustic show with my band, featuring songs from my forthcoming album “Rooms”

Friday 22nd July  – Regal Room at The Distillers Hammersmith – stripped-down and delicate acoustic set with Ben King from The Yardbirds on guitar. this is a fantastic intimate venue with a great sound

Tuesday 23rd August – The Bedford Balham – Acoustic set with my band – The Bedford is widely considered as the place to go and see top quality acoustic music in London. Come down and celebrate the release of my album.

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THE YARDBIRDS

Cancelled – The Yardbirds Zep Fest in Washington DC on Memorial weekend

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Andy Mitchell forthcoming gigs

Andy Mitchell – FORTHCOMING GIGS

Saturday 25th June First headline acoustic show with my band, featuring songs from my forthcoming album “Rooms”

Friday 22nd July  – Regal Room at The Distillers Hammersmith – stripped-down and delicate acoustic set with Ben King from The Yardbirds on guitar. this is a fantastic intimate venue with a great sound

Tuesday 23rd August – The Bedford Balham – Acoustic set with my band – The Bedford is widely considered as the place to go and see top quality acoustic music in London. Come down and celebrate the release of my album.

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THE YARDBIRDS

ZepFest Cancelled

2 gigs in June:

June 4th – Devizes Festival, Devizes Corn Exchange, UK

June 11th – Sevenoaks, Stag Theatre, UK

http://theyardbirds.com/tour.html

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Dave Smale – The Yardbirds bass player has a progressive rock band called The Spinlords – got to see them in Croydon last week. Great musicianship and performances all round!

Please sign up to the mailing list to receive news about upcoming gigs and the album release.

(facebook friends can go here to link up – the link will open a new window).

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the official website of Andy Mitchell andymitchellmusic.com

facebook fans – click “like” and join the mailing list

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Robert Johnson – digging back to the roots

Robert Johnson - 1 of only 2 photos in existence

On Sunday, fans worldwide will celebrate the centenary of Johnson’s birth… Nice precursor to ZepFest on Memorial Weekend. It is  a given that without Johnson, there would be no Zep.

I just read a great article in The Guardian about the closest living link to the great Robert Johnson. David “Honeyboy” Edwards is still out there playing the  Blues

The Yardbirds headline Zep Fest in Washington DC on Memorial weekend

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GIGS

Saturday 25th June First headline acoustic show with my band, featuring songs from my forthcoming album “Rooms”

Friday 22nd July  – Regal Room at The Distillers Hammersmith – stripped-down and delicate acoustic set with Ben King from The Yardbirds on guitar. this is a fantastic intimate venue with a great sound

Tuesday 23rd August – The Bedford Balham – Acoustic set with my band – The Bedford is widely considered as the place to go and see top quality acoustic music in London. Come down and celebrate the release of my album.

Please sign up to the mailing list to receive news about upcoming gigs and the album release.

(facebook friends can go here to link up – the link will open a new window).

andymitchellmusic.com
facebook fans – click “like” and join the mailing list

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Andy Mitchell forthcoming gigs confirmed

Hello all…

Please sign up to the mailing list to receive news about upcoming gigs and the album release.

(facebook friends can go here to link up – the link will open a new window).

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Good start to the week: Great first rehearsal – just me and the drummer going through the arrangements. Moving up a gear next week with bass player joining us.

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GIGS

Saturday 25th June First headline acoustic show with my band, featuring songs from my forthcoming album “Rooms”

Friday 22nd July  – Regal Room at The Distillers Hammersmith – stripped-down and delicate acoustic set with Ben King from The Yardbirds on guitar. this is a fantastic intimate venue with a great sound. Please come and pack it out!

Tuesday 23rd August – The Bedford Balham – Acoustic set with my band – The Bedford is widely considered as the place to go and see top quality acoustic music in London. Come down and celebrate the release of my album.

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Here’s some proto-punk for you from the Yardbirds final sessions “Cumular Limits” featuring Jimmy Page (it is long out of print I believe)

apparently the  CD goes for $50-$100 used!

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THE YARDBIRDS

The Yardbirds headline Zep Fest in Washington DC on Memorial weekend 27th to 29th May 2011

andymitchellmusic.com
facebook fans – click “like” and join the mailing list

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