Ian Hill

As a solo artist, Ian Gillan had his share of fine moments in the studio, but it was on-stage where he was at his best – a fact underscored by Live at the Budokan. First released as a two-LP set in 1982 and reissued on a single CD in the early '90s, Budokan boasts strong extended versions of Purple classics like "Smoke on the Water," "Woman from Tokyo," and the moody ballad "Child in Time," as well as some songs he'd recorded for his solo projects, including "Clear Air Turbulence," "Money Lender," and "Over the Hill." The CD's liner notes are atrocious (no personnel are listed), but the performances themselves – though not in a class with Purple's Made in Japan – are generally impressive. If you acquire only one of Gillan's post-Purple recordings, this would be the best choice.

Tome 1: Sahara
Quatre cents ans après notre époque, une nouvelle ère commence.
Sahara, jeune apprentie médecin de la Cité, n’aurait jamais cru douter un jour de son peuple. Mais au cours d’une sortie risquée à la Surface lors de laquelle elle sauve Zach, un chasseur du clan ennemi, celui-ci lui fait des révélations et son monde bascule. …

Password Readers is a collection of original and classic fictional titles that have been adapted to fit the needs of English language learners. The series provides a functional and accessible didactic apparatus which facilitates learner autonomy.

Crawling Up A Hill is a fascinating document of a genre that, though relatively short-lived, would have a seismic influence on the subsequent development of rock music.

Forty-some years into his life as a verified metal god, it probably seemed like as good a time as any for Rob Halford to make a Christmas album. As the singer for Judas Priest, Halford's distinctive and versatile voice screamed, growled and wheezed through some of the most recognizable hard rock anthems of all time. Instantly recognizable, Halford's singing came to embody all the danger, rebellion, and hedonism that heavy metal itself strived for. There's an hefty dose of self-awareness and irony in Celestial, a collection of metalized Christmas carols and traditional holiday tunes, and a few Halford originals in the holiday vein. The raging and sinister "Donner and Blitzen" is one such original, and its over-the-top production, heavy-handed delivery, and retro riffing come dangerously close to parody.

Ian Noe’s highly anticipated full-length debut album, Between The Country, will be released May 31 on Thirty Tigers. Recorded at Nashville’s RCA Studio A with Grammy Award-winning producer Dave Cobb, Between The Country includes 10 new songs written solely by Noe. In addition to Noe (acoustic guitar, electric guitar, vocals) and Cobb (acoustic guitar, electric guitar), the album also features Adam Gardner (bass, organ piano), Chris Powell (drums, percussion) and Savannah Conley (backup vocals).

One of the most important voices in British folk music Shirley Collins returns with Archangel Hill, her third album for Domino. Due for release on May 26th, it showcases another peerless collection of songs chosen by Collins, some from traditional sources but others from favourite writers of hers.

It is more or less axiomatic now that anything Graham Johnson turns his hand to will be perfectly realised, and here it proves once again to be the case. That he is accompanying eight of the finest voices in the young and middle generations of British singers can only have helped. Hyperion supplies full texts and a recorded sound of complete fidelity. These are, moreover, well filled discs. It is plain that nothing short of a strong recommendation will do.