Amid the ever-growing tide of Deep Purple box sets (this was at least their eighth in nine years), Listen Learn Read On stands alone, not only as the ultimate round-up of the band's greatest moments, but also as the answer to more collectors' dreams than most collectors were even aware they'd had. You want Deep Purple's long-legendary, but forever unavailable BBC sessions? They're here. You want the killer live encores that other albums omitted? They're here. You want a solid introduction to the band members' pre-Purple passages? They're here. And, of course, you want the hits. So they're here as well…
A six-song EP released while fans waited (and waited) for the Gigolo Aunts to follow up Flippin' Out, Learn to Play Guitar features some of the band's finest work. The unforgettable lead track, "Kinda Girl," is guitar-driven power-pop at its best, featuring clever lyrics and infectious hooks, while "Wishing You the Worst" is a resentful and melancholy ballad reminiscent of Grand Prix-era Teenage Fanclub.
Los Angeles jazz, rock and blues jams are frequently heavily infused with latin percussion; Carlos Santana, Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton and Alvin Lee guitar licks; George Duke, Willie Dixon, Berry Oakley and James Johnson bass runs; and horns. Oh yes, the horns. Although they rarely take the lead, they act as point and counter-point. Quick blasts of power followed by torrents of blues guitar licks. When the music slows an Angeleno mestizo Eagles sound a mixture of country, blues, folk and rock - predominates. And, of course, all of it is layered in an often hypnotic blues, country or latin-tinged rhythm punctuated by lead and background vocals. That summarizes The Delgado Brothers and the contents of their September 2009 release, Learn to Fly.
Big Stir Records is proud to announce the release date for an all-new album from British rock legend GRAHAM PARKER. LAST CHANCE TO LEARN THE TWIST, credited to GRAHAM PARKER & THE GOLDTOPS and produced by Parker and Tuck Nelson, sees worldwide release on CD and all streaming services on September 8, with a limited-edition LP run on clear green vinyl to follow in October. The album, up for pre-order and pre-save now (orcd.co/grahamparker-lctltt), includes both of the pre-release singles that've brought Parker back to the worldwide airwaves throughout the summer, and will be supported by a full band tour of the UK this fall.