My Gal Is Red Hot - Your Gal Ain’t Doodly-Squat

Well, I got a gal, six feet four - Sleeps in the kitchen with her feet out the door, but [Read more]

Dr. Huxtable was only an intern when he introduced Steely Dan

Dr. Huxtable was only an intern when he introduced

Steely Dan as “a group of musicians who have

gone to college, studied music, turned on

…and then came through with a hit record.”

Reelin’ In The Years (1973)

It doesn’t get much better than this.  Check out Jeff “Skunk” Baxter and Denny Dias at about 2:25.  Are they letting a smile slip out because they know “this is good, this is really good for a TV performance”? Actually, they’re thinking “you’re never gonna believe this but, one of us going to become a computer programmer and the other is going become a national spokesman for “Americans for Missile Defense.”

Gerry Rafferty Is Alive And Well - After Six Months Of Rumors About His Disappearance

However, the song “Baker Street” was found beaten to death by FM Radio in 1978 and then again by Classic Rock Radio in the 90’s and beyond. Truly, a great song the first five thousand times you hear it - not to mention the impact it’s had on saxophone sales over the years. With no disrespect to Gerry or anyone involved with the tune …it seems Baker Street signaled the end of an era.  It was a constant reminder that the art of “free form” radio was becoming a science.

In the late sixties and early seventies you could turn on your FM Rock Radio Station and (most of the time) be pleasantly surprised by what you’d hear… and rarely hear the same song more than once on the same day.  By the late seventies on most FM Rockers you could now pretty much bank on hearing Baker Street, Freebird or Stairway To Heaven …right after Dust In The Wind …within an hour or two from the time you tuned in.   (Still can?  In 2009?)  OK, we’re exaggerating a bit here but, it’s one of those tunes that - even if you haven’t heard it for twenty years, it still seems like that sax solo was just on the radio five minutes ago. Or was that Quarterflash?  

Actually, Harden My Heart seemed to rival Baker Street on the very same stations in the early eighties for “most played tune with a sax solo”.  Another great record but, it seemed to be always on - everywhere - especially on the stations that weren’t “supposed” to play the same songs over - and over.  

So what’s up with Gerry these days?  Contrary to the many rumors that have been circulating about his disappearance - including a possible kidnapping - it turns out he’s alive, well … and writing music in Tuscany.  You can READ ALL ABOUT IT HERE.  Naturally, at ClassicRockForever, we have this warped vision of search parties combing the Tuscan countryside - each armed with an Alto Sax and belting out the opening notes of Baker Street.  ”Gerry?  Can you hear us?  Gerrrrrrry?.”  If for some reason the melody escapes you, listen to the links below to have it embedded in your brain for another ten years.   

Note:  Check out the Foo Fighters’ Baker Street cover — one of our favorites.

UPDATED:  Don’t know how forgot this one but, we did:  Al Stewart’s Year Of The Cat (!). Maybe it didn’t get as much airplay in the later years? Lots of solo action in this one including, of course, a Sax solo performed by Alan Parsons - who also produced the record.  Thanks to G-Man for reminding me.

ABC Confirms: No Life On Mars

The TV crime drama that transported a cop back to 1973 is coming to an end …and it’s actually going to have an ending. Looks like the network is going to do the right thing and wrap up all of the loose ends for the fans. ABC will air final episodes to complete the story arc. READ ALL ABOUT IT HERE.

Jeff Beck, Asia & Paul Rodgers Performances Make It To Blu-Ray

(Kayos) On March 31, Eagle Rock Entertainment will release classic concerts by all three acts in the stunning Blu-Ray format. Each priced at $24.98 [pre-book order date March 11], fans will be treated to amazing performances by these artists, with beautifully upgraded hi-def visuals and audio.

Celebrating their 25th Anniversary, all-star conglomerate Asia hit the road in 2006, re-uniting for the first time in over 20 years. Going worldwide with their tour in 2007, they played a very special set in Japan. Fantasia: Live In Tokyo (originally released on standard DVD in October 2007) is 18 tracks of celebration for a long and illustrious career. An interview with the entire band is also featured as a bonus.

Arguably one of the greatest Rock vocalists of all time, Paul Rodgers enjoyed success fronting Free, Bad Company, and currently Queen. In 2005, he joined Queen on their first full tour without Freddie Mercury, and has been fronting the band ever since. Having an impressive catalogue of material in his back pocket, he toured in the autumn of 2006. Live is Glasgow, originally released on standard DVD in May 2007, is a jam-backed array of Rodger’s classic hits. Bonus features include an interview with Rodgers and his band, an interview with the fans, and a performance by Rodger’s son, Steven, who was a supporting act on the tour.

Performing This Week…Live At Ronnie Scott’s is a visual complement to the recently released CD of the same name (released by Eagle Rock on November 25). This first ever Beck-approved Blu-Ray (also being released in standard format) is a compilation of performances from several stints at London’s famed Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club in 2007. Imogen Heap, Joss Stone, and Beck’s former Yardbird’s bandmate, Eric Clapton, all make special appearances. Bonus features include interviews with Beck and his band members, as well as an exclusive 7-track rockabilly set with the Big Town Playboys not featured on the standard DVD.

Eagle Rock Entertainment develops, acquires and produces music programming for a wide range of notable and high profile artists, which the company distributes on a worldwide basis. Eagle Rock Entertainment, Eagle Vision and Eagle Eye Media are wholly owned divisions of Eagle Rock Group, LTD.

Track listing:

Asia:

1.) Time Again

2.) Wildest Dreams

3.) One Step Closer

4.) Roundabout

5.) Without You

6.) Cutting It Fine

7.) Intersection Blues (Steve Howe solo)

8.) Fanfare For The Common Man

9.) The Smile Has Left Your Eyes

10.) Don’t Cry

11.) In The Court Of The Crimson King

12.) Here Comes The Feeling

13.) Video Killed The Radio Star

14.) The Heat Goes On / Drum Solo

15.) Only Time Will Tell

16.) Sole Survivor

17.) Ride Easy

18.) Heat Of The Moment

Paul Rodgers:

1.) I’ll Be Creepin’

2.) The Stealer

3.) Ride On A Pony

4.) Radioactive

5.) Be My Friend

6.) Warboys (A Prayer For Peace)

7.) Feel Like Makin’ Love

8.) Bad Company

9.) I Just Want To See You Smile

10.) Louisiana Blues

11.) Fire And Water

12.) Wishing Well

13.) All Right Now

14.) I’m A Mover

15.) The Hunter

16.) Can’t Get Enough

17.) Seagull

Jeff Beck:

1.) Beck’s Bolero

2.) Eternity’s Breath

3.) Stratus

4.) Cause We’ve Ended As Lovers

5.) Behind The Veil

6.) You Never Know

7.) Nadia

8.) Blast From The East

9.) Led Boots

10.) Angel (Footsteps)

11.) People Get Ready – with Joss Stone

12.) Scatterbrain

13.) Goodbye Pork Pie Hat / Brush With The Blues

14.) Space Boogie

15.) Blanket – with Imogen Heap

16.) Big Block

17.) A Day In The Life

18.) Little Brown Bird – with Eric Clapton

19.) You Need Love – with Eric Clapton

20.) Rollin’ And Tumblin’ – with Imogen Heap

21.) Where Were You

Bonus Tracks:

1.) Race With The Devil

2.) Crazy Legs

3.) Train Kept A Rollin’

4.) My Baby Left Me

5.) Matchbox

6.) Baby Blue

7.) Honky Tonk / Beck Interview on Rockabilly set

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