Following the success of ‘Pyromania’, ‘Hysteria’ and ‘Adrenalize’ 2CD deluxe editions, Def Leppard are giving ‘Slang’ similar treatment in February 2014.
Moving away from the band’s signature sound, ‘Slang’ is a “Marmite” album for fans (ie: they either love it or hate it), but despite the mixed response, it still scored the Leps three hit singles in the title track, ‘Promises’ and ‘Work It Out’.
On March 24th 2014, Universal Music will release a deluxe two-disc edition of Status Quo’s 1972 album ‘Piledriver’. Boasting the hit single ‘Paper Plane’, the album cemented Quo’s fascination with the three-chord boogie and became a long-standing fan favourite.
The deluxe edition adds a bonus disc featuring 15 BBC live recordings; seven from two different John Peel sessions between 1972-73, plus an eight song recording for ‘BBC In Concert’ from 1973.
After demo sessions in 1979 turned sour, long-serving vocalist Jon Anderson departed from Yes after a decade of performing as both frontman and songwriter. Keyboard player Rick Wakeman departed at the same time, thus leaving the band without two of their key members. They filled the void with vocalist producer Trevor Horn and keyboard player Geoff Downes who, at that time, were both members of pop duo Buggles. The new Yes line up of Horn (vocals), Downes (keys), Steve Howe (guitar), Chris Squire (bass) and Alan White (drums) clicked, but the resulting album – ‘Drama’ (released in August 1980) – is a release which polarises fans.
With the seventies drawing to a close and with three successful albums released under the Rainbow moniker, the ever-restless Ritchie Blackmore looked to make changes. In a quest to push Rainbow towards a more commercial and radio-friendly direction a big shake up occurred, resulting in the departure of three of the band’s five members. While Cozy Powell retained his position on drums, a quest for a new bassist saw the appointment of Blackmore’s old Deep Purple mate Roger Glover, while the role of keyboard player was filled by future Ten/Deep Purple member Don Airey. Certainly the most devastating loss was that of Ronnie James Dio, who supposedly had no interest in Blackmore’s new vision for the band. Since a talent like Dio’s comes along once in a lifetime, perhaps other musicians would have fought to reach a compromise; but in any band featuring Ritchie Blackmore, Blackmore’s decision is final.
In February 2011, approximately twenty one years after its original release, The Quireboys’ much-loved debut album ‘A Bit of What You Fancy’ was given an expanded reissue, adding a selection of unheard demo recordings. While the release of these demos was most welcome – and indeed, the competitively priced reissue should have warranted a purchase for most curious listeners – at Real Gone, we feel this was an opportunity wasted.