Christopher Cross "Doctor Faith" is now out in France and all over Europe (Edel Records), His first solo CD with new material since more than 12 years. So quite an event to listen to Christopher 13 new great songs (all songs written by Christopher Cross and Rob Meurer) feat. Michael McDonald, the late David Mann. A LP dedicated to the very talented Joni Mitchell.

On "Doctor Faith": some mid-tempos, a few ballads, an exquisite duet with Michael McDonald, a reminiscence of the band Chicago horn section ("Leave It To Me")... and a guitar-based album. Certainly, one of the masterpiece in Christopher's career. Being a very guitar based album "Doctor Faith" represents a departure for the artist, as although he has always written on guitar, his earlier albums were done more from a keyboard-based sound production. The lyrics reflect what's going on in the world, in the society, between the generations and in the common day-to-day life.

Take for example the uplifting, very forwardthinking opener, "Hey Kid" or the multi-layered song, "I'm Too Old For This", which is a critical observation of the American society. Another very impressive side of Cross' songwriting qualities is shown in the title track "Doctor Faith" where the superb Michael McDonald gives the patient of "Doctor Faith" a very plaintive voice.

We have had the chance to meet Christopher Cross in Paris, May 11 who has told us more about Doctor Faith , his inspiration and the different partnerships.

(Thanks to Linda,  Rob Meurer, Sandrine and Anja for the interview).

Part One

Part Two

Night Ranger's brand new album SOMEWHERE IN CALIFORNIA has just been confirmed for release on June 17 in Europe and June 21 in North America on Frontiers Records. The offering is the culmination of the band's work to date and celebrates the 30th anniversary of Night Ranger.

SOMEWHERE IN CALIFORNIA finds Night Ranger returning to their classic sound with updated production. Frontman/bassist Jack Blades commented, "Night Ranger is back with a vengeance! We are so proud of our new album…classic NR in every sense...can't wait to see all the fans on tour this summer. Rock n' roll!"

The first single, "Growin' Up In California," will soon impact at radio. Night Ranger will hit the road this summer on a massive tour in Europe and USA as special guests supporting Journey and Foreigner.

Journey is undoubtedly one of America’s most successful melodic rock bands, with record sales in excess of 75 million. And with the recent phenomenal success of "Don’t Stop Believin'" – now the most downloaded song of all time – they’ve been given an amazing new lease on life.  The band is now receiving more acclaim and exposure than at any time since their early eighties heyday, when they released the multi-million selling Escape and Frontiers albums. Here, for the first time ever, Journey's extensive history is explored in this definitive biography, charting the many highs and lows of one of America’s most beloved rock bands.

Featuring original interviews and a wealth of research, Don’t Stop Believin’: The Untold Story Of Journey follows the band's entire career. It’s a story filled not only with heartache, bitterness and behind-the-scenes squabbles, but also creativity, dedication, passion and drive. Fans both old and new will be fascinated by this previously untold story.

About the Author: Neil Daniels is a freelance writer and author. He has written extensively about music, cinema, books and graphic novels for several years. He is a contributor to several music websites and magazines, including Drowned In Sound, Big Cheese and Record Collector. His work as an author includes The Story Of Judas Priest: Defenders Of The Faith (also available from Omnibus Press) and Robert Plant: Led Zeppelin, Jimmy Page & The Solo Years.

Recorded at the Greek Theatre in Berkeley, California in 1982, this concert was the last date on the Doobie Brothers’ “Farewell Tour”. It was an emotional night and would be their last gig for 5 years. The band played a set containing all their best loved hits from across their career and were joined by founder member Tom Johnston for the last two tracks, with former members John Hartman (also from the original line-up), Tiran Porter and Michael Hossack coming on stage for the celebratory finale of “Listen To The Music”.

The band are in fantastic form and rise to the occasion magnificently, they can rarely have delivered a better performance throughout their distinguished career. An album called “Farewell Tour” was released by Warners in 1983 but this featured tracks recorded at several different concerts across the tour. This is the first time the audio of their actual final concert has been available. Four additional tracks from the concert have also been reinstated as bonus tracks.

This DVD is released by Eagle Rock.

Boris Plantier published a recent interview with Ned Doheny who just released his new album available at HVM Japan.

READ THE INTERVIEW HERE!

Geyster is the Parisian Gaël Benyamin (singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, producer) and Pernilla Grönlund (singer). They met in 1999 in Los Angeles. After a first album I LOVE 1984 released in 2004 featuring the hit single BYE BYE SUPERMAN, and 2 other albums EVERYTIME I SEE YOUR FACE (2007) and NO KIDDIN' (2009) released with Gaël Benyamin's own label SOMEKIND RECORDS, Geyster is back with a fourth studio album entitled RADIO GEYSTER 1977.

An album conceived just like a radio show recorded in Los Angeles in 1977, with a DJ (DOCTOR JAM) and featuring jingles, a news report, and of course a collection of songs deeply influenced by the 1970's sound. Just like the album FULL MOON by NIGHTSHIFT (also produced by Gaël Benyamin), RADIO GEYSTER 1977 is a tribute to WESTCOAST music from the 70's. A mixture of pop-rock, jazz, funk & soul music genres combined with strong melodies, rich vocal harmonies, dominated by the Fender Rhodes electric piano, and wrapped up in an ultra-clean top-notch production signed by Gaël Benyamin.

Well, 'nuff saif, tune to RADIO GEYSTER 103.9FM THE WESTCOAST RADIO and meet you under the hot Californian sun...

Geyster "Radio Geyster 1977" (Somekind Records) will be released on May 17th 2011 (CD & Download). The CD will be available for purchase on somekindrecords, www.amazon.fr & on cdbaby.com

For Westcoast Music / AOR fans, Kiki Ebsen is one of artist who counts. You can remember her album "Red" (back in the nineties) which features "My Desire". Since when, Kiki has released several albums including a great albums of covers released last year "Cool Songs - Volume 1" (with covers of songs from Carole King, David Gates, Joni Mitchell...) and her forthcoming new studio album "The Beauty Inside" with the late great Kenny Edwards as a contributor.

Kiki Ebsen is in Christopher Cross backing backing band since more than 15 years (on keys, piano and backing vocals). We have had the chance to meet her last week with Paris the same day we had an interview with Christopher Cross... So here is Kiki Ebsen interview to discover more about her career, inspiration and new projects. Enjoy!

Kiki Ebsen albums available at CDBaby : "Love & Loud" (2000) and "Kiki" (2005).

Interview with Kiki Ebsen - Part One

Interview with Kiki Ebsen - Part Two

(Many thanks to Kiki Ebsen) - interview videshot in Paris (May 11, 2011)

Recorded between 2007-2009, Bride Of The Noisemakers is Bruce Hornsby's masterpiece from the road. Regarded as one of the most dynamic live performers in rock, Bruce makes even the most intricate compositions sound effortless. "Bride Of The Noisemakers" is a massive 25-track collection, specially priced for the fans and includes songs from Bruce's critically-acclaimed catalog.

Montgomery, AL is 280 miles from Nashville, TN. But in the early 1960's, that wasn't too far for the AM radio waves of the Grand Ole Opry, where in the back seat of a 1958 Chevy, a young Tommy Shaw lost - and found - himself in every note, and where the seeds of a life in music were planted. Though Shaw went on to become one of the brightest stars in rock `n roll as the singer and guitarist of Styx, his early love of roots music always burned bright. The sense of direction instilled in him at that early age has led him on a remarkable path of musical discovery and storytelling, and ultimately, has led him home, to The Great Divide

In Your Dreams is Nicks' first CD of new material since the release of her Grammy nominated Trouble in Shangri-La ten years ago. In Your Dreams was written and recorded at Nicks' Los Angeles home and is co-produced by Dave Stewart and Glen Ballard. Nicks and Stewart co-wrote seven of the album's thirteen songs.

"I had written a song in Brisbane, Australia when I was on tour with Fleetwood Mac in 2009 called 'Moonlight - A Vampire's Dream' which was inspired by the New Moon film. When I finished writing that song, which came together really quickly, I knew the time was right to start recording. We had a core group of five people who were at the heart of the creation of In Your Dreams. Dave and myself, my longtime friend and musical director, Waddy Wachtel, and my girls, Sharon Celani and Lori Nicks. It was a perfect blend,"" commented Nicks.

"This was one of the most extraordinary experiences I've had making a record. It is the first album that I have had this kind of collaboration since the making of Rumours. Dave created a situation where I could be totally creative and focused on writing songs and making music. I cannot remember ever having this much fun making a record. Writing the songs and recording them in my home studio was the key element in how this music turned out. It made the whole process seem very similar to how we used to work back in the day," she concluded.

The first single is "Secret Love" written by Nicks. "It was 1976 and Fleetwood Mac was opening for Peter Frampton at the time. It was written about a forbidden relationship - not Peter and I," laughed Nicks. "I always knew that one day I was going to record the song." Nicks is currently gearing up to join forces with fellow rocker Rod Stewart for the 16 city Heart & Soul Tour, one of the most anticipated music events of the year.