Danny Bryant cancelled (for health reasons) and we were without artists for our 1st gig of 2024. "We" as in Transilvania Blues.
But the gods of Blues work in mysterious ways (aren't them all ;)
and we got our old friends Greg Copeland (USA) & Chris Wragg (UK) for their 2nd coming to Brasov for us. Also joinin' in are Lee Bradley (UK, bass) & Matt Talbot (drums, UK).
Greg & Chris put out a new fabulous Blues album, THE LAST SUNDOWN, truthful, deep, with themes of "Reflection, Freedom, Mortality, Loss and Hope". Their second, after Deep in the Blood (2019), which they played for us In Brasov at Rockstadt, May 14th 2022.
Here's the 1st single of the album, House Burned Down, which they'll play in about 25 hours from now...
...well, it's them... The Usual Suspects...Keef, the Coop, Iggy, a lot of septagenuarians, even octogenarians there...All the young Dudes ! even Metallica ! Keeping on rocking in (not so much) a Free World anymore, agree Neil-yo;)?
***also Neil Young (78!) put not one, not two but three albums out, Before and After, an album with Lofgren, Molina and Talbot (All Roads Lead Home) and a re-release of Chrome Dreams.
Metal album of the year (that's how Metal I can get;) : well, Hetfield is 60 now but the meaning of 72 is Eighteen-Forever !!!
(third album of the band, same Zeppelin, some Queen, still epigonic but better...their best yet) -well, these guys are so young (but old souls;) it doesn't even compute ;)
Pop:
Duran Duran -Dance Macabre (well, these guys are just in their sixties, so...), espc. for Supernature and Psycho Killer with a touch of Paint it Black...;)
Madness-Theatre of the Absurd Presents C'est la Vie
(1st album since 2016)
***
Guilty pleasure (and not only GP) album of the year:
Dolly Parton -Rockstar (Dolly is 78 !!!), now, that's a cover album if there ever was one ;)
Try the super extended version (30 songs!!!). So many great guests here. Top RnR royalty. Loved her duet with Rob Halford (Bygones)! Also World on Fire, great song. Magic Man, with Ann Wilson. Heart of Glass, with Debbie Harry. And that duet with Stevie Nicks, bad-ass witches, no Eastwick. "What has Rock and Roll ever Done for You". Indeed :D
Re-issue/Anniversary of the year:
Mike Oldfield -Tubular Bells -50th Anniversary Edition
& with that Mike announced his retirement too, at 70, last May 15....
Fargo season 5 -fx -amazingly how this can be so good...though there is on more episode, it will end on Jan. 16 2024 ! Funf**k*ng fantastik Finale ! See the Biskuik post here...
Fargo series have been my favorite year by year (season 1 back in 2014 wow, ten years now !!!, season 2 in 2015, and also I watched again season 2 & 3 during the pandemic on prime (where they ain't anymore). My favourite it's still season Two. Season 3 was on #7 in 2017, and season 4 on #1 in 2020. Season 5 is an absolute rewatchable jewel, with Jon Hamm's career's best as sheriff Roy, "he's Gary Cooper", a freaky Tiger-Juno Temple and a mesmerizing Sam Spruell as Ole Munch.
"When i was a child freedom was a potato" (Munch), that reminded me of The Tin Drum.
Succession (I saw it all this year) HBO max, greatness (see my thoughts here)
Justified: Primeval City -on A. Prime , a spin-off mostly but made me recoup the Justified series too.
Copenhagen Cowboy -miniseries, Netflix, I guess it wont be a series 2;) -NWR (see my thoughts here)
Barry -season 4 (final season) HBO Max -weirder than all before, but just to to put a coda on Bill Hader's odyssey. Barry was on my top 2022 too.
*****
also saw older fares, but great stuff !!!
LOUDERMILK -3 seasons (2017-2020), with a great Ron Livingston (thanx, Doc ;)
and
Documentary Now! (2015-2019, 4 seasons x 6 eps.), the spoof by Bill Hader, Seth Meyers & Fred Armisen, hilarious mockumentary stuff. Loved especially the takes on Robert Evans (Mr. Runner Up), Herzog/Kinski (Soldier of Illusion) , Nanuk the Esqimo (Kanuk), The Talking Heads (Final Transmission), The Eagles (the Blue Jean Commitee). I guess it was too smart and sophisticated but I had a blast !!! Highly recommended. You just got to know the originals...it helps ;)
