BMG Reissues John Lee Hooker's "The Best of Friends" - Available On Vinyl For The First Time Ever & Back In Print On CD

Features Collaborations with Esteemed Musicians Including Eric Clapton, Ry Cooder, Carlos Santana, Van Morrison, Bonnie Raitt and more…
 

(Los Angeles, CA) - July 11, 2024 - Originally released in 1998, The Best of Friends marks a significant milestone in the illustrious career of blues legend John Lee Hooker. This seminal album highlights Hooker's late-career collaborations with an array of esteemed musicians including Eric Clapton, Ry Cooder, Carlos Santana, Van Morrison, and Bonnie Raitt. Twenty-five years later, the album remains a vivid testament to Hooker's enduring vitality and the deep respect he commanded from the musical community. Now, for the first time, The Best of Friends is available on 2LP vinyl and reissued on CD tomorrow - July 12, 2024, providing both longtime fans and new listeners with an ideal entry point to explore Hooker's influential work from the 1980s and 1990s. The reissue includes an exclusive edition available through Vinyl Me Please, featuring a striking red and black marble vinyl limited to 750 units.  All formats include the Bonus Track “Up and Down” featuring Johnnie Johnson on piano.    

The Best of Friends not only celebrates the timelessness of Hooker's music but also his remarkable ability to bridge generations of blues enthusiasts. John Lee Hooker, known for his deep, resonant voice and hypnotic guitar riffs, carved a unique niche in the blues genre. Throughout his career, spanning over six decades, Hooker's influence extended beyond his solo works, earning him a revered place in music history. His collaborations on The Best of Friends encapsulate his extraordinary ability to connect with fellow musicians and audiences alike, solidifying his legacy as one of the greatest blues artists of all time.
 

JohnLeeHooker.com

The Best of Friends Tracklist:
1. Boogie Chillen – with Eric Clapton
2. This Is Hip – with Ry Cooder
3. The Healer – with Carlos Santana
4. I Cover the Waterfront – with Van Morrison & Booker T. Jones
5. Boom Boom – with Jimmie Vaughan
6. I’m in the Mood – with Bonnie Raitt
7. Burnin’ Hell – with Ben Harper & Charlie Musselwhite
8. Tupelo
9. Baby Lee – with Robert Cray
10. Dimples – with Los Lobos
11. Chill Out (Things Gonna Change) – with Carlos Santana
12. Big Legs, Tight Skirt – with Ry Cooder & Ike Turner
13. Don’t Look Back – with Van Morrison & Charles Brown
14. Up and Down – with Johnnie Johnson (Bonus Track)
 

The Devlins Return with New Album, "All The Days"

 

Photo Credit: Danny Clinch

One of Ireland’s Most Acclaimed Rock Bands Is Back, First Single Out Today

(Dublin, Ireland) - July 17, 2024 - Blue Élan Records is proud to announce the release of All The Days, the eagerly anticipated new album from The Devlins, marking the band’s first full-length project almost a decade after their critically acclaimed album, Waves. All The Days brings together the classic lineup of brothers Colin (vocals, guitar, piano) and Peter Devlin (bass), drummer Guy Rickarby and guitarist Mark Murphy, with producer Rob Kirwan (Hozier, PJ Harvey, Depeche Mode) at the helm.

The Devlins have captivated audiences worldwide with their cinematic hits and magnetic live performances since their debut. All The Days features 11 new tracks that showcase their intricate songwriting and solid rhythms, presenting a fresh sound for modern rock fans. The album’s lead single, the title track, released on July 17, sets the tone with its themes of resilience and navigating human connections.

 

 
“All The Days” is a powerful reintroduction to the band’s atmospheric sound and Colin Devlin’s nuanced tenor voice and perceptive storytelling. Colin reflects, "It’s an emotional and uplifting song that deals with time passing, with accepting and letting go. It deals with resilience and holding on to the magic and the light. And of course, there are conversations with angels and the big questions...It also has superb production by Rob Kirwan which hits me every time. It’s one of the strongest songs The Devlins have ever recorded and we hope that as many people as possible get to hear it.”

Peter Devlin describes the new album as having a “four guys in a room” approach, with “a very organic and real and live feel, which is missing in a lot of music now.” He emphasizes the importance of recording the album together as a band, highlighting the individual musical personalities and styles that each member brings to the project. "We recorded everything pretty much live in Camden Studios in Dublin with Rob engineering as well as producing. He also mixed the entire album so there’s a continuity there.”

Guitarist Mark Murphy adds, “The new album has a lot of space on it. There are no in-your-face guitar solos, it’s all about the driving rhythm section and letting the songs shine through. It’s raw. I think it’s the band's most honest album yet.”

The Devlins last toured in 2019 and at their sold-out show in Dublin, they hinted at new music on the horizon. However, it was the isolation of the COVID-19 pandemic that ultimately brought the four members together again to create All The Days. The album, a testament to the band's resilience and artistic evolution, is set to resonate deeply with both longtime fans and new listeners alike.

The Devlins, formed by brothers Colin and Peter Devlin, released their debut album Drift in 1993 to critical acclaim, earning a four-star review in Rolling Stone. The title track of their 1997 follow-up album, Waiting was used for the Six Feet Under soundtrack. Another hit, "World Outside," was featured in HBO’s The Sopranos and the 2004 drama Closer. The band's music has been a staple in film and tv throughout their career, including "Crossing The River" being part of the Batman Forever multi-platinum selling soundtrack. This widespread exposure has helped cement The Devlins' reputation for creating evocative and cinematic music.
 

The Devlins Website
Facebook
Instagram
Spotify

Soul Asylum Announces New Album, "Slowly But Shirley"

 

Soul Asylum Announces New Album
Slowly But Shirley Set For Release This Fall 2024



Debut Single "High Road" Out Today

Grammy award-winning and multi-platinum selling rock band Soul Asylum is set to release their highly anticipated 13th studio album, Slowly But Shirley, this fall, 2024. Known for their dynamic blend of punk energy and heartfelt melodies, Soul Asylum's new album promises to deliver a rich array of musical styles, from raucous rockers with guitar-fueled firepower to delicate heartfelt tunes. Collaborating once again with producer Steve Jordan (Rolling Stones, John Mayer, Robert Cray, Keith Richards), who worked on their 1990 album And the Horse They Rode In On, Soul Asylum recorded live at the Terrarium in Minneapolis, capturing an authentic and vibrant sound. The album's lead single, "High Road," is out today, offering fans a taste of the band's latest sonic evolution.

The album's title and cover pay homage to Shirley “Cha Cha” Muldowney, a pioneering drag racer who inspired Pirner during his youth. “When I was a kid, I loved drag racing,” he says. “And she was the first woman of drag race. It meant a lot to me that she was willing to stand up against all these men in racing. My manager called her up, and she gave us her blessing, which means a whole lot to me because she was a childhood hero.”

"High Road” exemplifies the band's talent for crafting infectious rock anthems. After years of perfecting the arrangement, Dave Pirner, who spent what felt like “forever” tinkering with the song and moving around different parts, describes it as a “Frankenstein kind of situation that hopefully finally makes sense.” Mission accomplished: It’s exactly the sort of gloriously ramshackle rocker that Soul Asylum does so well, complete with a melodic chorus hook.
 
Slowly But Shirley opens with the powerful track “The Only Thing I’m Missing,” showcasing the band's signature sound with a scorching guitar line and a buoyant tempo, setting the tone for the rest of the 11 tracks. The album features an eclectic mix of songs, including the psychedelic pop of “You Don’t Know Me,” the funky groove of “Tryin’ Man,” and the  grungy power pop of “Freeloader.” Renowned musician Ivan Neville (The Rolling Stones, Bonnie Raitt, Keith Richards), who has played on prior Soul Asylum albums and tours, once again adds his keyboard magic on several tracks, enhancing the album's depth and texture.
 
Frontman Dave Pirner reflects on the recording process, noting the influence of past experiences. “You come into the studio with everything you've learned from previous record-making experiences,” Pirner says. "That can't help but guide you and make it a better, more efficient process.”
 
Soul Asylum’s legacy spans over four decades, highlighted by their breakthrough album Grave Dancers Union, which went double platinum and featured the Grammy-winning hit "Runaway Train." Despite challenges and changes, the band has remained a vital force in the rock scene, continually evolving while staying true to their roots. Slowly But Shirley is a testament to their enduring spirit and creative prowess.
 

Soul Asylum (L to R): Dave Pirner, Ryan Smith, Jeremy Tappero, Michael Bland  (photo credit – Darin Kamnetz)

Soul Asylum’s early indie success led to the band entering the major-label mainstream with 1988's Hang Time, and its 1990 follow-up And the Horse They Rode In On, before achieving a platinum-level commercial breakthrough with 1992's Grave Dancers Union (certified 3x platinum), and 1995's Let Your Dim Light Shine. Grave Dancers Union featured the international hits "Runaway Train," which won a 1994 Grammy as Best Rock Song, and "Black Gold," while Let Your Dim Light Shine (platinum) spawned the hit "Misery." After 1998's Candy from a Stranger, Soul Asylum returned to action in 2006 with The Silver Lining, Delayed Reaction six years later, and most recently with 2016’s Change of Fortune. In April 2020 they released a new studio album, Hurry Up and Wait, and enjoyed fan and critical acclaim worldwide landing the band their highest Billboard Chart position since 1995's Platinum-selling Let Your Dim Light Shine. That same year, Pirner also published the acclaimed Loud Fast Words, a book of his lyrics accompanied by commentary and essays about each Soul Asylum album and song.
 

Slowly But Shirley Track Listing:
1. The Only Thing I'm Missing
2. High Road
3. You Don't Know Me
4. Freeloader
5. Tryin' Man
6. Freak Accident
7. If You Want It Back
8. Waiting on the Lord
9. Trial By Fire
10.  Makin' Plans
11.  Sucker Maker
12.  High & Dry
 
Soul Asylum On Tour:
7/12/24 - Calgary, AB - Calgary Stampede 
7/14/24 - Baldwin, MI – Cannabash 2024 
7/20/24 - St. Paul Park, MN - Minnesota Yacht Club Festival
7/26/24 - Columbus, OH - Ohio State Fair *
7/27/24 - La Porte, IN ­-  La Porte Lake Fest
 
8/19/24 - Phoenix, AZ – Arizona Financial Theatre +
8/21/24 – San Antonio, TX – Paper Tiger
8/22/24 - The Woodlands, TX – Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion +
8/23/24 - Dallas, TX – Dos Equis Pavilion +
8/24/24 - Rogers, AR – Arkansas Music Pavilion +
8/26/24 – Oxford, MS – The Lyric Oxford
8/27/24 - Pelham, AL – Oak Mountain Amphitheatre +
8/28/24 - Tampa, FL – MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre +
8/30/24 - Jacksonville, FL – Daily’s Place +
8/31/24 - Alpharetta, GA – Ameris Bank Amphitheatre +
9/1/24 - Raleigh, NC – Red Hat Amphitheatre +
9/3/24 – Asheville, NC – The Orange Peel
9/4/24 - Bristow, VA – Jiffy Lube Live +
9/5/24 - Mansfield, MA -  Xfinity Center +
9/6/24 - Holmdel, NJ – PNC Bank Arts Center +
9/8/24 - Toronto, ON – Budweiser Stage +
9/10/24 - Cuyahoga Falls, OH – Blossom Music Center +
9/11/24 - Chicago, IL – Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island +
9/13/24 - Marion, IL – MTN Dew Park +
9/14/24 - Milwaukee, WI – American Family Insurance Amphitheater +
9/15/24 - Noblesville, IN – Ruoff Music Center +
9/21/24 - Louisville, KY - Bourbon & Beyond
9/30/24 - Boulder, CO - Boulder Theater ^
10/1/24 - Salt Lake City, UT - The Grand at The Complex  ^
10/3/24 - Spokane, WA - Spokane Live ^
10/5/24 - Vancouver, BC - Vogue Theatre ^ 
10/6/24 - Seattle, WA - Neptune Theatre ^ 
10/8/24 - Portland, OR - Revolution Hall ^ 
10/10/24 - San Francisco, CA - Regency Ballroom ^
10/11/24 - Los Angeles, CA - Regent Theatre ^
10/12/24 - San Diego, CA - House of Blues ^
10/13/24 - Tucson, AZ - Rialto Theatre ^
10/15/24 - El Paso, TX - Lowbrow Palace ^
10/16/24 - Odessa, TX - Ector Theatre ^
10/17/24 - Austin, TX - Mohawk ^
10/18/24 - Oklahoma, OK - Tower Theatre ^
10/20/24 - Kansas City, MO - The Truman ^
10/21/24 - St. Louis, MO - Delmar Hall ^
10/22/24 - Columbus, OH - The Athenaeum Theatre ^
10/24/24 - Pittsburgh, PA - Mr. Smith’s ^
10/25/24 - Homer, NY - Homer Center for the Arts ^ 
10/26/24 - New Haven, CT - District Music Hall ^
10/28/24 - Philadelphia, PA - Union Transfer ^
10/29/24 - New York, NY - Webster Hall ^ 
10/31/24 - Portland, ME - State Theatre ^
11/1/24 - Rutland, VT - Paramount Theatre ^
11/2/24 - Montreal, QC - Beanfield Theatre 
11/4/24 - Ottawa, ON - Bronson Centre  
 
*with Stone Temple Pilots
+with STP and Live
^with The Juliana Hatfield Three

X's FINAL ALBUM - Smoke & Fiction - Set for Release on August 2, 2024

 

X's FINAL ALBUM - Smoke & Fiction

Set for Release on August 2, 2024 via Fat Possum Records

First Single, “Big Black X” Out Today


Watch  | Listen

 

Photo Credit: Gilbert Trejo

Featuring the Original Line-Up of Exene Cervenka, John Doe, Billy Zoom and
DJ Bonebrake

Summer Tour Set, Including Several Hometown Stops ~ Proclamation from the City Of West Hollywood was Presented at the Sold-Out Troubadour Stop Last Night

 

LOS ANGELES, CA ~ (June 25, 2024)   Being great is one thing, but staying great for nearly half a century is another proposition entirely. For forty-seven years, X has epitomized greatness, carving out a legendary status as one of America’s most original and complex punk bands. From their groundbreaking debut in 1980 to their last, Alphabetland, in 2020, X has been a force to be reckoned with. But now, the final chapter is upon us. Get ready to witness the culmination of an extraordinary journey as X unveils their ninth and ultimately, their final studio album, Smoke & Fiction, produced by Rob Schnapf (Beck, Foo Fighters,) set to be released August 2, 2024 on Fat Possum Records, coinciding with their farewell tour. Yes, you read that right—it's their last hurrah. If you've never experienced the raw energy and passion of an X performance, now's your chance to witness history in the making. Don't miss out on this final opportunity to say thank you to the greatest rock band Los Angeles has ever produced.

Released today, the poignant first single “Big Black X” reflects on the early history of X, their life in Hollywood, and the events unfolding in the world during those formative years. As Exene reflects on the band's unique choice of their moniker, “X is a great band name; also a bad idea sometimes when it gets lost in print or on the marquee. Gotta have a sense of humor. We all did in the early days. Los Angeles was a carnival of weirdness back then, with left over traces of silent movie stars, long haired hippies, bikers, and brand new self-defined punks doing anything we wanted. When we started touring the country we found like-minded people everywhere, and somehow they all found us. Even if the X was lost on the old marquee.”
 
A video for “Big Black X” was also released today. Directed by Gilbert Trejo and Shane McKenzie the duo described it as, “Inspired by 80s video art and the great punk documentaries of the time / shot on VHS, edited tape to tape, using Polaroids + 35mm photos, smashed together with analog video mixers and CRT televisions / it’s a tornado of the past and present - Ed Colver’s photos were a blast to video mix and they are the glue holding it all together.”
 
Drawing from the ferocity and fun of their acclaimed 2020 album, Alphabetland, Smoke & Fiction promises to deliver everything we've come to love and expect from X. But it's more than just another punk record—it's a poignant reflection on the band's journey, a valedictory lap that celebrates the people and experiences that shaped their remarkable career.
 
From the blistering title track grappling with the chaotic state of the world to the nostalgic ode of "Big Black X," reminiscing on punk's golden era, each song on Smoke & Fiction is a testament to X's enduring legacy. With haunting melodies, pounding rhythms, and the unmistakable vocal interplay of John and Exene, this album is a fitting finale to a storied career.
 
Driven by the unmatched chemistry of its members, X's music transcends genres, drawing from jazz, folk, country, and rockabilly to create something truly timeless. And as they bid farewell, X reminds us that true greatness lies not only in individual talent but in the unwavering bond of a band united by a shared love for their craft.
 
As Exene once said, "I want to create something that’s such a perfect expression of what I felt that whoever comes across it will feel the same emotion, get it completely, and say 'yeah, me too.'" With Smoke & Fiction, X achieves just that—delivering a final masterpiece that encapsulates the essence of their four-decade-long journey.
 
This is one of those moments to not miss. Join us as we celebrate the legacy of X and bid farewell to an era. Smoke & Fiction is coming—prepare to be amazed, one last time.
 

Smoke & Fiction Track Listing:

1. Ruby Church
2. Sweet Til The Bitter End
3. The Way It Is
4. Flipside
5. Big Black X
6. Smoke & Fiction
7. Struggle
8. Winding Up the Time
9. Face in the Moon
10. Baby & All

 
X ~ The End is Near ~ Smoke & Fiction Tour:
6/24 - Los Angeles, CA - The Troubadour - SOLD OUT
7/6 - Kansas City, MO - The Uptown
7/7 - Omaha, NE - The Waiting Room
7/9 - St. Louis, MO - Del Mar Hall
7/10 - Milwaukee, WI - Turner Hall
7/12 - Minneapolis, MN - The Varsity
7/13 - Chicago, IL - Square Roots Festival
7/14 - Chicago, IL - Fitzgerald’s - SOLD OUT
7/16 - Detroit, MI - The Masonic
7/17 - Kent, OH - The Kent Stage
7/19 - Indianapolis, IN - The Vogue
7/25 - Los Angeles, CA - The Regent
7/26 - Los Angeles, CA - The Regent
7/28 - Costa Mesa, CA - Pacific Amphitheatre
7/30 - Solana Beach, CA - Belly Up

8/19 - Menlo Park, CA - The Guild Theatre
8/20 - Menlo Park, CA - The Guild Theatre
8/22 - Boise, ID - Knitting Factory
8/23 - Spokane, WA - Knitting Factory
8/25 - Portland, OR - The Aladdin
8/28 - Salt Lake City, UT - The Depot
8/30 - Denver, CO - The Summit
9/01 - Albuquerque, NM - The El Rey
9/22 - Derry, NH - Tupelo Music Hall
9/23 - Boston, MA - The Wilbur
9/25 - Albany, NY - Empire Live
9/26 - Rochester, NY - Water Street Music Hall
9/28 - Falls Church, CA - The State Theatre
10/1 - Patchogue, NY - Patchogue, Theatre
10/2 - Philadelphia, PA - Keswick Theater
10/3 - New York, NY - Town Hall
10/5 - Middletown, CT - Harbor Park
10/18 - Austin, TX - The Paramount
10/19 - San Antonio, TX - Empire Live
10/21 - Houston, TX - White Oak Music Hall
10/22 - Dallas, TX - Granada Theater
10/24 - Memphis, TN - Minglewood Hall
10/25 - Nashville, TN - Brooklyn Bowl
10/26 - Birmingham, AL - Iron City
10/27 - Atlanta, GA - Variety Playhouse
10/29 - Charlotte, NC - The Neighborhood Theatre
10/30 - Columbia, SC - The Senate
 
More dates TBA
 

 
Photo credit: Michael Hyatt

X in 60 Seconds
 

 
About X:
Formed in 1977, X quickly established themselves as one of the best bands in the first wave of LA's flourishing punk scene; becoming legendary leaders of a punk generation. Featuring vocalist Exene Cervenka, vocalist/bassist John Doe, guitarist Billy Zoom, and drummer DJ Bonebrake, their debut 45 was released on the seminal Dangerhouse label in 1978, followed by seven studio albums released from 1980-1993. Over the years, the band has released several critically acclaimed albums, topped the musical charts with regularity and performed their iconic hits on top television shows such as Letterman and American Bandstand. X’s first two studio albums, Los Angeles and Wild Gift are ranked by Rolling Stone among the top 500 greatest albums of all time.  The band continues to tour with the original line-up fully intact. In 2017, the band celebrated their 40^th year anniversary in music with a Grammy Museum exhibit opening, a Proclamation from the City of Los Angeles and being honored at a Los Angeles Dodgers game where Exene threw out the first pitch and John Doe sang the National Anthem. In 2019 X reissued and remastered their first four classic albums via their collaboration with Fat Possum Records; Los Angeles (1980), Wild Gift (1981), Under The Big Black Sun (1982) and More Fun In The New World (1983). In 2020, X celebrated the 40^th Anniversary of Los Angeles and celebrated with a surprise release of Alphabetland, their first new studio album, featuring the original line-up, in 35 years. In August of 2024 X will release their ninth and final album, Smoke & Fiction

Buzzcocks Are Coming to The Magic Bag - Sept. 17, 2024