Redbeard’s Blog
,

Styx- Paradise Theatre- Tommy Shaw, James Young

If I told you that in 1981  one of America's top music acts released a concept album that  identified growing cracks in the foundation of our society and presciently predicted practically everything we find today, who would you guess it was? Bob Dylan? Neil Young? Crosby Stills and Nash? I doubt that Styx would come to mind to many, but that is precisely what "Paradise Theater"  was, part lament, part warning. Current members Tommy Shaw, James Young, & Lawrence Gowan all weigh in as does ex-member Dennis DeYoung on "Paradise Theater" 's forty-fifth anniversary.

Grateful Dead’s Bob Weir Passed at 78

The Grateful Dead's "other one", Bob Weir, has died from cancer at 78.

Mark Knopfler- Solo Best pt 1

"Dire Straits' success came with a lot of baggage...I think a sense of humor is critical to doing this," reveals guitarist/singer/songwriter Mark Knopfler in part one of his solo best of, including "Sailing to Philadelphia" (2000), "The Ragpicker's Dream" (2002), and 2004's " Shangri La". Mark Knopfler is my thoughtful guest here In the Studio for part one of his post-Dire Straits 21st century output.

Styx- Blue Collar Man- 2120 Michigan Ave, Chicago- 2005

Styx here live in blues legend Willie Dixon's Chicago recording studio at 2120 Michigan Avenue, the site of the original Chess Records, back in 2005 laying down a soul-infused reading of Tommy Shaw's working class musical manifesto "Blue Collar Man".

Alex Lifeson- Victor 30th Anniversary

The January 1996 solo project release "Victor"  by Rush guitarist Alex Lifeson was a highly personal rock Rorschach test for the gestalt guitarist, primal scream therapy with a beat. Alex Lifeson lies down on the couch here In the Studio on the album's thirtieth anniversary.. 
,

Peter Frampton- Comes Alive 50th Anniversary

Peter Frampton interview In the Studio for "Frampton Comes Alive" 50th anniversary.

Peter Frampton- Nowhere’s Too Far for My Baby- Montreal 2011

Here's Peter Frampton on 2011's  triumphant Frampton Comes Alive 35   tour with  a terrific song called "Nowhere's Too Far for My Baby" which was dropped for vinyl time restrictions from the original Frampton Comes Alive   album. This tight performance is  from the Montreal  show in 2011.
,

Steve Winwood- Arc of a Diver 45th Anniversary

When I sat down In the Studio in Autumn 1990 with Steve Winwood to talk about his then new release "Refugees of the Heart" , he had already established himself with the breakthrough album  "Arc of a Dive"r  ten years prior, then midway in between released "Back in the High Life", one of the biggest albums commercially as well as critically, and "Roll With It",  in the Eighties.

Steve Earle- Days Aren’t Long Enough

"Days Aren't Long Enough" by Steve Earle is the 21st century replacement for "Auld Lang Syne", performed live In the Studio in Dallas in 2007 by the former Guitar Town resident  and his ex-wife, Allison Moorer.
,

Van Morrison- His Band & Street Choir

With Belfast-born Van Morrison's the mainstream rock audience November 1970's "His Band and Street Choir" finally caught up to the quality jazzy, folksy rhythm'n'blues Morrison had been belting out consistently since critics began lauding his debut,"Astral Weeks". This rare 21st century classic rock interview was conducted in Belfast by the BBC's intrepid John Bennett.