This double-disc reissue documents one of the more curious careers in country music. Both 1978's White Mansions and 1980's The Legend of Jesse James are Southern song cycles that were conceived by Britain's Paul Kennerley, then an unknown songwriter who somehow recruited a high-profile cast for each. A Civil War saga from the Southern perspective, White Mansions suffers from caricature and cliché but benefits from signature contributions by Waylon Jennings, Jessi Colter, and Eric Clapton. Jesse James has more focus and narrative momentum, with Levon Helm, Johnny Cash, and Emmylou Harris in lead roles. Though the albums are more noteworthy for artistic ambition than memorable material, Kennerley subsequently became a successful Nashville songwriter.
On this unusual project, vibraphonist Stefon Harris performs three excerpts apiece from Duke Ellington's "New Orleans Suite" and his lesser-known "The Gardner Meditations" plus two pieces from the Duke's "The Queen's Suite." The sensitive "Single Petal of a Rose" is the best known of these selections. Rather than use a big band, Harris is joined by viola, cello, flute, clarinet, trombonist Steve Turre (who is wonderful on "Portrait of Wellman Braud"), and a piano-bass-drums rhythm section. The arrangements are colorful and inventive, with Harris (who doubles on marimba) usually being heard as the lead voice. African Tarantella serves as further proof that Duke Ellington's music, in addition to being enormous in quantity, can be interpreted in an infinite number of colorful ways.
As we all know, Iron Maiden is one of the essential names in Heavy Metal. As usual in our successful collection The Many Faces, we submerge ourselves to explore the lesser known works of the band. You will be able to enjoy the work of bassist Steve Harris as producer of the band Slammer. You’ll also hear Stratus, drummer’s Clive Burr band after leaving Maiden. Also included are the big hits of the first two albums of the band (their favorites for many fans) with the voice of Paul Di’Anno, the original singer. All these rarities and more, complete this important album not only for Iron Maiden fans, but also for all hard-rock music lovers. With extensive liner notes, remastered sound and beautiful cover art, The Many Faces Of Iron Maiden is an album to collect…and remember that this won’t be available on streaming platforms.
2020 release by band British Lion led by Iron Maiden bassist Steve Harris. The album was recorded, engineered and mixed at Barnyard Studios by Tony Newton and produced by Harris. 'The Burning' is a follow-up to British Lion's 2012's eponymous debut album, Steve's first ever musical venture outside of Iron Maiden which was pronounced both 'brilliant' and 'a big hearted ferocious triumph' by the music press.
The second of three straight iconic Iron Maiden albums, Piece of Mind marks the debut of what many regard as the definitive Maiden lineup, with the arrival of new drummer Nicko McBrain. McBrain's ability to duplicate the complex patterns of the guitar and bass riffs gives the band a seamless ensemble unity. Even Steve Harris, whose busy basslines were never exactly groove-oriented, has never felt more integrated into the overall sound. Perhaps part of that feeling comes from the less frantic pace; the average tempo has slowed somewhat from the preceding album, and the hold-over punk influences still present there have been completely eradicated. Instead, we get a few moodier, heavier pieces (especially "Revelations") that make the album darker-sounding overall.