Promised World by Joël Bolan review & mini bio by Ace MegaRex

I first got to know Joël Bolan through a buy on ebay funny enough at the time thou he was going under the name of Joel Ramone and had released a wonderful full orchestral version of Marc’ Bolan’s ‘Children of Rarn Suite’ including Marc’s original vocals from 1970.
This was an outstanding peace of work that I found that I often play over the years to come. I then started to look out for that name and later found Joël himself singing Marc Bolan’s classic ‘Left Hand Luke’ that same day while on myspace I came across a Joël Bolan http://www.myspace.com/bolanjoel and was surprised to find him to be the very same guy & we’ve been friends ever since.

Before I give the review of his new track ‘Promised World which is based on Marc Bolan and Joël’s late father Jean-Paul I am going to tell you a brief bio of Joël Bolan so you get to know him and understand the reason for this release and it’s lyrics.

Over the years many people thought Joël changed his name to Bolan due to the T.Rex link but the truth is, which is very interesting that Bolan is his family name and the Bolan’s came to France in 1700s and a distance relation around 1856 was called Marc Bolan. Strange to think many years later Joël would get to show a love for the rock star’s music with the same family members name maybe due to that family connection (*in name only).

Born in the 60s with a family background full of artistic affections with father and uncle and even his grandparents all musicians, Joël in his early years already started showing his abilities in painting, drawing and poetry.
It was not till he was 13 that he would buy his very first album ‘The Best of T.Rex’.
Hearing this had a massive effect on the rest of his life as music started to be and has been since his main interest in life.

Joël however was not content on just listening to T.Rex he wanted to learn to play their music. He brought his first acoustic guitar & soon learnt how to play all his favorites. Once he had done this he was still not content so started to compose his own.
Thing was in the 80s Joël was not happy with what sounds were going around so he started to study classic rock guitarists which was not only Marc Bolan but Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton and Jimmy Page and the more he studied the more the need to play electric grew within.

After a while much of his music included more electric sound but on the whole his main ballads stayed around the acoustic sound.
It was after the birth of his son Hendrik in 1992 that Joël’s love for music added another string to it’s bow when he started to study more on production, composition & arrangements by diving into the works of such greats as Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart - numerous classic compositions were the result of this.
Joël’s work “Wiener Quartett" received a mention at a composer-competition in Vienna. At this time he composed several classic compositions like for example “Mass for organ and soprano” He also composed classical music with elements of the rock music for film and theatres.
This was the build up to where I first came to know of Joël’s music with his 1996 orchestral demo of Marc Bolan’s rock opera ‘Children of Rarn Suite’.

We jump to 2007 where Joël Bolan started again to work more in the rock- and pop-music scene for the duet Fervencies, he composed and arranged all their songs. The music much like the Swedish pop of the 70s. This work with Fervencies didn't satisfy him. His ambition strove for more. And at least it was his son Hendrik, who brought him back to the rock-music. You can hear Hendrik on 'Promised World' as he plays the bass guitar as yet again the love for music runs in the Bolan family line.

In 2009-2010 Joël Bolan while talking to me on MSN talked of maybe leaving his French roots behind and singing more of his own songs in English. Over 2010 this became a passion to the state where he was re-recording his older songs into English form. Like many of his friends in UK I was lucky to hear this happen in the form of MP3 samples being sent to hear his growth, his change in direction.

Then new excitement came in conversation of a new song he was aiming to finish and release by 16th Sept 2010 simply called ‘Promised World’.
Right from the start Joël let his close friends follow this project as bit by bit we all heard this song in sample format (MP3) grow to it’s finished glory.
Even at the early stages we all knew this was something special. I could hear Joël’s voice change, grow as he had now been singing more English and getting a master and delivering that emotion within the lyrics.
In one part of the song he sings

‘a silver tear evoking memories
erroneous of many years
and really not to judge’

and his emotion in his vocals just gives you goosebumps.

What was strange even thou I have followed other artists songs from early demo forms many times before this song I had heard grow so much in a short time it became to me like a masterpiece, a painting where the artist was adding many layers of colours before sitting back, putting the brush down and saying “my work is done”.
I now listen to the finished work and it’s various layers of guitars build and flow together like good friends.
His electric guitar work in some parts so reminded me of Gary Moore’s classic sound even thou Joël didn’t see this but I have to say what I hear.
The 30 piece orchestra was the last thing I heard added and to hear these strings sound as if they are crying it is so beautiful. I was blown away when again on MSN Joël explained how he composes his music such as this amazing string section. He said “I sit behind my desk in my study paper & pen in front of me and I work it out, hear it in my head and just write it down” It just staggered me to think he composes this way with no use of any instruments.
The lyrics are not meant to be funny, happy joyful as it is the sad story of not only missing his father Jean-Paul but the idol that got him to where he was Marc Bolan.
The opening lines go ‘ dusk of a night in September, the frozen womb of an obscurity, in your heart wounded by the cold’ this just takes me back to ’77 and hearing that news that morning on the radio and sort of gives me a shiver.
Also within you hear maybe a sound of hope with ‘the archangel summoned your soul, open the door of a universe’ all very heavy stuff with the added question ‘why are you gone so quickly?’

‘Promised World’ is a song by a singer/songwriter/composer but more important a fan and a son to two people that were very special in his life this song is very much personal to Joël Bolan.
Saying that thou when hearing it you can find some part of it feeling personal to you too.

Promised World
(Joel Bolan)

Dusk of a night in September
The frozen womb of an obscurity
In your heart wounded by the cold
Took you towards its darkness
The archangel summoned your soul
Open the door of a universe
Named by the mortals, paradise
Promised World, paradise
Losing on the earth
A silver tear evoking memories
Erroneous of many years
And really not to judge
Why are you gone so quickly?
Will I see you in a new day?
In a cloth of light dazzling the promised world
Singing the song
The song of life

Now on sale at http://www.joel-bolan.com/single/singlecd.html

STRANGE ORCHESTRA 'Triptych (A Crown of Untold Riches) - maxi single review

Now to me there is nothing strange about ‘Strange Orchestra’ a duo consisting of Marc Hartley (Delf) on lead vocals & Gordon Abbott on guitars.
I first came across these two around a year ago and noticed they fitted into the Marc Bolan circuit as well as strawberries goes with cream. Being two big Marc Bolan fans their love and respect for him shows in all their work.

Their live sets are very popular at the Bolan Bop’s including so far 2 year’s running at The Wigan Bop (*including June 2010) and 2009 a live set at a pre-bop night in London and in Feb 2010 they joined ‘All Schools Are Strange’ at a very successful Bolantine Bop.

Strange Orchestra play a acoustic based set covering the complete catalogue of Tyrannosaurus Rex which you can experience if not done so already at this years London Bop in Sept where they appear on the same bill with ‘The Peppermint Apes’ who’ll be performing a full electric T.Rex set.

I got so use to hearing from fans that “you close your eyes it is like hearing Marc Bolan” as Delf’s vocals are so like ‘the main man’s’ it is spooky.
This makes this maxi single even more special as they are all original songs by Strange Orchestra still sounding like Tyrannosaurus Rex just so warming to any Marc Bolan fan’s soul.

Now

April 2010 they released this maxi single which has three tracks on it ‘Angel Breath’ written and composed by Gordon, ‘Queen of Beads’ written and composed by Marc (Delf) and ‘Ostara’ a joint effort.
Before I get into the tracks themselves I must say the artwork / presentation of the package is really wonderful the outer sleeve in true style of Tyrannosaurus Rex it is as if I jumped back to the late 60s as the font work matches Marc Bolan’s original style for Tyrannosaurus Rex. When I opened the sleeve notes I found a collection of very charming small lyric sheets in a very tasteful design which really finishing the package off nicely.
It sort of says before you even play the CD that a lot of care, thought and love has gone into this collection of songs.

The CD itself all proceeds from it will be donated to The Marc Bolan memorial fund which is run by OMBFC.

On to the tracks and the CD starts off with the wonderful number entitled ‘Angel Breath’
I loved playing this on my big sound system as for a duo this is bigger than you could imagine.
The sound is amazing with much added percussion all performed by Strange Orchestra with backing vocals reminding me more of Steve Peregrin Took’s Tyrannosaurus Rex years. The lyrics are touching on the mythical feel ‘ageless like earth the innocence of birth’ you listen and much like Marc Bolan’s classic’s you start to imagine/wonder who is this Angel? Is she someone we know and love, someone we loved and sadly lost or someone much older than earth from somewhere higher? ‘The world doesn’t cry and love will not die, the smell of perfume fills the room with her Angel’s Breath’
What with Delf’s vocals as ever so close to Marc Bolan’s not simply impersonating but singing with all the emotions Marc often did this track is truly a wonderful moving peace

After hearing that breath taking track and no it is not meant as a pun as it truly is the second track ‘Queen of Beads’ has that melody you feel you want to clap along to.
I could even say this could easy be a sing-a-long as the chorus ‘O my little lady, my velvet laden baby’ really pulls you to join in. So I can imagine this performed live getting everyone involved as a feel good crowd pleaser.
Saying that this has a romantic feel to the lyrics ‘you are my Queen of Beads and everything that this boy needs, and with a simple touch, you light my life so much’ to some may say almost touching on raunchy but hey! that just might be my imagination. (he grins). Vocal wise Delf’s voice sounds between late Tyrannosaurus Rex and latter T.Rex but this is not a bad thing as it helps with that amazing catchy beat this number has and if I had to find one fault in the CD it is this is too short as just feel it has more to give.

Well sadly the CD ends too soon and I find myself listening to ‘Ostara’ a more simpler music arrangement than the other tracks with lyrics that would make Mr. Bolan proud.
Lines like ‘as the moths deftly knit their fluffy silken gowns’. The song is basically about the coming of a new day as winter is passing but written in pure poetry. This track has everything that is good about Strange Orchestra in one song and makes you want to shout “we want more”.

Gordon & Delf put a lot of hard work into everything they do and I look forward to hearing more from this amazing duo.



*Note
The EP TRIPTYCH (A Crown of Untold Riches) is available for £4 inc postage in UK and £4.50 inc postage for overseas.
Order via email gjta1977@yahoo.co.uk you can write to Gordon at this address for any extra info plus a PayPal account in linked to this e-mail address.
This EP will only be available till 16th Sept so snap it up now if you have not done so already.

Strange Orchestra can be found on Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/pages/STRANGE-ORCHESTRA/155697408047?ref=ts

Phoenix Williams ‘Wait & See…’ Review

When I first came to myspace.com over 2 years ago one of the first ever artists I added was Phoenix Williams. Since then I have loved her music and supported her ever since.
Among others on the music site her music stood out as something special to me.

‘Wait & See…’ a 10 track album written and composed by Phoenix and originally a demo album was released 2008 and has been busy steadily selling ever since. I personally feel it has lasted so well cause Phoenix made the album very personal with the lyrics within her compositions. In her own words she says “they are reflections of who I am”

SO

You may ask why leave it till now to review it?
Well it is coming close to the time when you just won’t be able to buy it anymore.
So before the chance has past I wanted to review it for those who may still not of snapped up this fantastic album.
Available as downloads or CD format from Deuce Promotions it is an album where every single track is amazing.
In today’s music market it is very difficult to pick up an album and honestly say hand on heart that you love every track. It is not just me as my friends heard this also while visiting, went home ordered it and they play it regularly after over year still loving it’s sound. Not many albums you can say that about either.

The tracks –

The album kicks off with ‘On My Stereo’ which is ideal track to start off with. Fast paced beat, great effects of a slight distortion deliberate on vocals that all sounds wonderful on sound system and subtle acoustic guitar. The lyrics features the line ‘there’s a song on the radio has a sweet melody you can hum’ but is basically about music and sex as who hasn’t done so or wanted to with their partner to the perfect song setting the mood?
What is cool about this I have heard also this stripped down to basic acoustic version too and it still sounds just as amazing as full band album version.

The second track ‘Get To Me’ features some wonderful electric guitar work by Phoenix and is a song about relationships or more the confidence of starting one. Being shy myself I understood this track about seeing someone across the room having that feeling inside but building up the courage to go over and saying how you feel.

‘Feel For You’ the music/beat so amazing it really rocks. I went to visit my friend who also has album & heard it on surround sound LOUD and WOW! Another song about relationships or as Phoenix puts it “playing cat and mouse” this is one track I noticed on Whotune.com staying most of 2010 in their Top 50 and deservingly so too.

The 4th track ‘Permanently In My Heart’ is closer to the sound many know Phoenix for live in concert with her acoustic performances. This is a slower tempo then the rest of the album so far and such a truly beautiful love ballad. A song with Phoenix vocals sounding so beautiful and enchanting with topic that effects everyone’s heart as in relationships sometimes you just got to put it on the line.

‘Times Up’ is another relationship based track as the title states your times up I’ve had enough. In life we all hang on sometimes till we just can’t take anymore and feel we got to move on. Well this track goes through all those emotions the music goes so well as it helps the expressions being sung and almost plays a character as guitars scream in almost an angry tone.

Now gone halfway through album track 6 ‘Welcome to Run’ is another wonderful number with music blending of acoustic guitar, piano & bongos and Phoenix vocals as always sounding so amazing. The backing vocals are so haunting added with piano & bongos they almost make the track sound Gaelic. A song is reaching a topic so many of us feel these days sadly where we get to that point in a relationship where we go “hell I rather go it alone then put up with this”.

‘Everyone’s been hear before’ is the opening line to the next track ‘Lover Let Go’ and once you start listening you have to agree. Another beautiful acoustic based track with added violin which appears to melt together.
All of Phoenix tracks on this album ‘Wait & See…’ are based around relationships and life and like this track you really take note of the story told and relate to much within the songs.

Have you ever said that classic line ‘you don’t know what you had till it’s gone’. I bet you have I know I have well ‘The Moment I Let You Go’ is basically about this topic. Hurting so much I rather erase the memories a very powerful emotion to sing about.
I find this song very strong and raw due to the subject matter and feeling Phoenix gives delivering them making it sound all too real.

‘Back To Mine’ another amazing acoustic number where Phoenix sounds so comfortable as her amazing vocals tell her story of wanting to take someone home and do things like tomorrow never comes. What is strange the lyrics are touching on real raunchy, sexy but to this acoustic melody you almost miss how hot the lyrics are. Thing is my friend said “the title was big enough clue for me” I had to laugh.

How sad it is that we come too soon to the very last song of this classic album. An album that is a full on ride through all life, relationships, emotions and mind games.
‘Everything Good’ has to be the cream of the album such a masterpiece of everything that is right in a song. Phoenix voice is as perfect as it ever could be with her emotions coming so clear within her singing. The musical arrangement takes your breath away and it rounds the album off to the ultimate climax.

Phoenix Williams singer and songwriter please if not done so check this album out while you still can you will not be disappointed


Phoenix Williams and ‘Wait & See…’ at http://www.myspace.com/phoenixwilliams

Check out Phoenix Williams on her official site which includes new merchandise
http://www.phoenixwilliams.co.uk/


Cover photography by Ben Hawley
Recorded & engineered by Robert White at The Milkhouse
Mixed by Robert White & Phoenix Williams

Phoenix Williams
Vocals, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, piano, tambourine & shakers.

GOT IT COVERED 'DeafboyOne FREE ALBUM download

Here as promised is album three first compiled in 2009
'Got It Covered' includeds just a small section of the massive range of covers DeafboyOne has released.
Ranging from Chuck Berry to sex Pistols it really covers a massive range of music styles.

Full track list
01. Roll Over Beethoven
02. Anarchy In The UK
03. Pinball Wizard
04. Get It On
05. The Jean Genie
06. Blitzkreig Bop
07. Hot Love
08. My Way
09. Never Tear Us Apart
10. Space Oddity
11. Mystic Lady
12. Horse With No Name
13. Children Of The Revolution
14. Rebel Rebel
15. Spaceball Richochet
16. Sympathy For The Devil
17. Holiday In The Sun
18. Silver Machine
19. Pissed Again (Let's Twist Again)

LINK TO FREE DOWNLOAD

http://rapidshare.com/files/408174044/Got_It_Covered_ALBUM.zip

Here is 'Space Oddity' from the album



Message from Pete Waller
If you enjoyed just some of DeafboyOne's covers then help us 'Break The Sound Barrier' by donating large or small to :-
c/o Tony Heyes Music Co-Ordinator, Educational Day Services, RNID (Royal National Institute for the Deaf), Poolemead, Watery Lane, BATH BANES BA2 1RN ENGLAND - Thankyou

NOTE
Rapidshare has been playing up on downloads so if your unlucky let us know & we will make sure you still get your copy by adding new link. - Ace & Emi

DeafboyOne 'Swim With Dolphins' FREE album download

As promised here is the second album of Pete Waller AKA DeafboyOne

'Swim With Dolphins' (2009)

More of a mix than his debut album this 17 track album contains a few cover versions too.
The out standing tracks written/composed by DB1 are 'Reset The World', Time Is Running Out', Lying To God and a favourite by many 'Skeltal Family' but the title track 'Swim With Dolphins' is totally amazing.
His covers of 'My Way' and 'Silver Machine' are top class and Pete adds a touch of DB1 to the finished sound.

The album features two bonus tracks one being a well received demo 'Tribal Matrix' and the other a really old folk song handed down from generation to generation and still very much loved 'Were Off In A Motor Car'

This time round the album is compiled by myself Ace MegaRex for AMP.


Tracks include -

01. Children Of The Revolution
02. Colours
03. Drink A Toast
04. Horse With No Name
05. Looking Back At Me Again
06. Lying To God
07. My Way
08. Pinball Wizard
09. Reset The World
10. Silver Machine
11. Skeltal Family
12. Space Oddity
13. Spaceball Richochet
14. Swim With Dolphins
15. Time Is Running Out

BONUS TRACKS
Tribal Matrix (demo)
Were Off In A Motor Car

To download FREE grab the full package with artwork here -
http://rapidshare.com/files/406579653/Swim_With_Dolphins_ALBUM.rar

If you enjoyed just some of DeafboyOne Music then help us "Break the Sound Barrier" any donation large or small to:- c/o Tony Heyes Music Co-Ordinator, Educational Day Services, RNID (Royal National Institute for the Deaf), Poolemead, Watery Lane, Twerton BATH BANES BA2 1RN ENGLAND

REVIEW – Baby Scream ‘Identity Theft’

Here I am again reviewing Juan Pablo Mazzola AKA Baby Scream
This time a 7 track EP entitled ‘Identity Theft’ which is a very TODAY name I feel as identity theft becomes a daily topic and something we all have to be aware of in our daily life’s.
This is very apt title especially when the opening line in the first track ‘Be’ says “be yourself and no one else” running at only 00:01:12 this opening track maybe short but gives the message across that the world is yours so be yourself and no one else and if we think about it at times we all do often try to be like someone else and hide the real person within.The track is a lovely acoustic with Juan’s voice sounding on top form soft and full of emotion.
The second track ‘Dead Woman Walking’ is more up tempo and again has a strong message on life. How many of us are just walking around each day running on empty with our life’s rushing by? One day it dawns on you that most your life has flown by.
As you grow older friends get lost along the way all very thought provoking lyrics.

This EP is more acoustic based than ‘Ups and Downs’ but the track ‘Memories’ has this lovely US style almost country slide guitar with the acoustic that makes this one of my favorites. Juan sings of memories based around his backyard and hey! As kids don’t we all have those type of memories too? When life was much more simple and less stressful and everything you needed was in that backyard.

Now the track ‘Nicole’ got my attention mainly cause not long before I first heard this I met up with my dear friend Nicole from Switzerland who while talking music stated that there had never been a song with her name in that she could recall.
When I later played her this there was a big smile. The music arrangement has a mix of electric, strings & bongos and compared to Juan’s other EP ‘Ups and Downs’ his voice is more Juan not so much Lennon style appearing which in a way is a good thing as even thou I love that Lennon feel I also love to hear an artist be themselves which this EP really shows more of.
Till that is you get to another real short track at 00.01.22 in length but Juan’s vocals in ‘Underground Blues’ reminds me of Lennon’s ‘Rock’n’roll’ album with that real rough raw sound. If anything I feel this track could have been longer as it has so much more to offer.

Now a few of my friends all seem to love this track ‘Ojos Orientales’ it sort of stands out alone as a wonderful song. As in the title it has that slight Oriental sound and feel to the song. The guitar work plays a character for sure in this track as it really helps to take you where Juan wants you to be. The vocals and backing are outstanding and if I had to only pick one song to highly recommend it would be this one.

The final track comes round way too soon ‘Mucho Mungo’ has that wonderful bongo sound that almost takes you to some tropical island before Juan has even sang a word.
The guitar work is very Argentinean/ Spanish in style which is so beautiful

…‘Identity Theft’ shows growth in the past few years, shows there is a lot more to come from Baby Scream.

Check out or buy the EP here -

http://www.tradebit.com/filedetail.php/95490541-baby-scream

Baby Scream Ups and Downs EP Review

 

Juan Pablo Mazzolla AKA Baby Scream and the review of ‘Ups and Downs’.
Now this is an EP but with 12 tracks it can easy be called an album for sure with plenty of real strong tracks that stand out on there own.

It kicks off with an unusual acoustic that seems odd to start an EP off with ‘Away’.
What I mean by odd is I just felt it is strange that a slow ballad starts off the EP but hey! That maybe the old DJ in me coming out that always starts the show with something more up beat so really not saying this is a bad thing it just threw me.

The track has a slight 70s feel in music style at the start (backing effects) till you have gone halfway in where it goes up a few notches to this sound that reminds me of a cross between George Harrison & Jeff Lynne.
Now I don’t like comparing to other artists with vocals or sound but that is best way for those who have not heard track to know what it sounds like to me.
Vocals on this track I can’t compare with anyone which is good as Juan’s voice is clear, smooth with great pitch and he sort of let’s you slip into this safe feeling that this is his voice (always) till later in the album you hear more stronger depths of raw energy.

Now an artist I work with compared Juan’s voice to John Lennon & even Juan admits he is aware these tones come out every now and again within tracks. Now over the years
I have spoken to many artists and I remember a few saying that they truly believe the one artist that has given you the strongest influence in life often appears within your performance often not noticed by the artist.

‘Suddenly’ this is a very NOW sound and it is one of the tracks that stands out and I love the electric guitar work in this track. I just get into this and another fantastic track follows ‘Mars’. Being an old sci-fi fan I love the story behind the song and you could easy add the name Major Tom and this could slip in with such classics from Bowie.
As for ‘Everyday (I Die A Little bit)’ this is where you hear not only the whole EP crank up some with a real powerful music arrangement but you hear the strength I talked about earlier in Juan’s vocals it really rocks.
The track ‘One More Chance’ is the first time I hear that Lennon feel and quality in Juan’s vocals all in a good way. The guitar work is amazing in this love the solo mid way really makes this track a much played one for me.
The next track ‘The Riots’ was the first self composed track I ever heard of Juan and it has a touch of Marc Bolan in the theme (Cosmic Dancer) as it touches on reincarnation.
I feel everyone has to listen to this & listen to the words and what is spooky the backing vocals by Juan is so Lennon more than before so it almost gives you an illusion of a duet.
Funny thing about ‘Ups and Downs’ the title track is it returns to the first track where you hear classic Juan acoustic sound & that clear pure vocals you cannot compare to others.
‘Morning Light’ has an almost 80s Rolling Stones in sound.
What I like about the EP is these sudden changes in sound as it shows you Baby Scream is not just about acoustic guitars. Again this features some wonderful electric guitar work.
The next track ‘Walls Crumbling Down’ goes up beat again with yet again another NOW sound it rocks, has power & vocals has that raw, rough edge.
‘Unwelcomed’ again has that touch of raw energy in Juan’s vocals & the beat varies from slow tempo to fast upbeat which works really well.
When you get to next track you just can’t believe the EP has flown by so fast ‘World from Outside’ to me has that Beatles sound which I really love and again a track you really got to follow the lyrics to enjoy it fully.
Then you get to ‘Skyway’ and cannot believe you’re at the end of the EP and it ends as it started with Juan being Juan with acoustic sound and that pure clear voice.
‘Ups and Downs’ is like a journey as you play from start to end going through many styles and if the songs were colours this EP would surely be a rainbow.

Ups and Downs – a pure delight

Buy the EP / check out the tracks at http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/babyscream

Check out more Baby Scream with ‘Identity Theft’