Be Bop Deluxe - Axe Victim CD

Axe Victim CD music Captain Beyond is a one-of-a-kind progressive album with rock, heavy metal, and jazz influences with a "space rock" lyrical bend. Formed by former members of Deep Purple (Rod Evans, vocals), Iron Butterfly (Rhino, lead guitar, and Lee Dorman, bass), and Johnny Winter (Bobby Caldwell, drums) Captain Beyond is an album that flows from riff to riff, drumbeat to drumbeat, often with various time signatures within the same song. Taking a tip from the Moody Blues, songs flow directly into each other without benefit of any lag time between selections. Taken as a whole, the album is kind of a rush, as quick, riff-laden guitar lines predominate for a few songs before slowing down temporarily into a lull until the next takeoff. Lyrically, the album differentiates itself by exploring themes of the outer world and meanings of existence, often with references to the moon, sea, sun, and so on. Listeners may get the feeling of taking a journey to space in a rocket ship headed for destination unknown. Musically, the album is superior in all aspects. Rod Evans has a strong rock voice, Rhino plays an enormous amount of hook-laden guitar lines, and Lee Dorman plays complex basslines (for example, at the end of "As the Moon Speaks-Return") that lead to typically rhythmic, nimble Bobby Caldwell drumming. The tightness between musicians is enormous, never lets up for long, and leaves the listener feeling like the ride should continue for the indefinite future. ~ Michael Ofjord Digitally remastered by Steven Fallone, Polygram Studios. Recorded at Sunset Sound Recorders, Hollywood, California. Personnel: Bobby Caldwell (vocals, piano, keyboards, vibraphone, drums, percussion, bells, background vocals); Lee Dorman (vocals, piano, keyboards, bass guitar, background vocals); Rod Evans (vocals, background vocals); Larry "Rhino" Rheinhart (guitar, acoustic guitar, slide guitar); Reese Wynans (piano, electric piano); Paul Hornsby (organ); Martin Rodriguez (drums, background vocals); Guille Garcia (congas, percussion). Audio Mixer: Johnny Sandlin. Recording information: Sunset Sound Recorders, Hollywood, CA. Illustrator: Joe Garnett. Photographer: Gene Brownell. Unknown Contributor Roles: Mike "Clay" Stone ; John Stronach; Kalifornia Kurt Kinzel; Ovie Sparks. Arranger: Captain Beyond. Captain Beyond: Rod Evans (vocals); Rhino (acoustic guitar, guitar, slide guitar); Lee Dorman (bass, background vocals, piano); Bobby Caldwell (drums, percussion, background vocals, piano, vibraphone, bells).

Axe Victim album for sale All tracks have been digitally remastered from the original master tapes. Captain Beyond's second album must have confused the diehards. Where their self-titled debut had upheld the basic progressive heavy rock blueprint of lengthy instrumental explorations, constant tempo changes, and opaque, yet cinematic lyrics, Sufficiently Breathless downplays them for a subtler, song-oriented production. The predominant mood is snappy and businesslike; no track runs over five and a half minutes. This newfound conciseness certainly benefited such heavy-rocking efforts as "Distant Sun," even as the band stuck to their diverse guns on the moody, acoustic title track and the sleek Latin funk rock of "Bright Blue Eyes" and "Everything's a Circle." The results were intelligent and self-assured, yet the band's never-ending bad luck again intervened when vocalist Rod Evans quit in late 1973, leaving the album adrift. The band would proffer a markedly different style on their return four years later, but anyone dismissing progressive heavy rock as an oxymoron should definitely check out this album first. ~ Ralph Heibutzki Digitally remastered by Fred Meyer (Polygram Studios). Recorded at Capricorn Studios, Macon, Georgia & The Record Plant, Sausalito, California. Originally released as Capricorn (115). Engineers: Mike Stone, John Stronach, Dave Sparks. Personnel: Lee Dorman (vocals, keyboards); Rod Evans (vocals); Larry "Rhino" Rheinhart (guitar, acoustic guitar, slide guitar); Reese Wynans (electric guitar, piano, electric piano, keyboards); Paul Hornsby (organ, keyboards); Marty Rodriguez (drums, background vocals); Martin Rodriguez (drums); Guille Garcia (congas, timbales, percussion). Audio Mixer: Captain Beyond. Recording information: Capricorn Studios, Macon, GA (1973); The Record Plant, Sausalito, CA (1973). Illustrators: Joe Petagno; Carl Ramsey. Photographer: Bob Jenkins. Unknown Contributor Role: Paul Hornsby. Arranger: Captain Beyond. Captain Beyond: Rod Evans (vocals); Rhino (acoustic, electric & slide guitars); Reese Wynans (acoustic & electric pianos); Lee Dorman (bass); Marty Rodriguez (drums, background vocals); Guille Garcia (congas, timabales, percussion). Additional personnel: Paul Hornsby (organ).

Axe Victim buy CD music Considered by many to be Be-Bop Deluxe's finest album, SUNBURST FINISH (1976) finds the British art-rock band filling out its sound with the addition of keyboardist Andrew Clark. While Clark brings new sonic textures to the table, the focus of the ensemble's music remains, as always, on frontman/songwriter Bill Nelson and his amazingly adept guitar playing. "Ships in the Night," which recalls a slightly more accessible version of contemporaneous Brian Eno, proved to be the closest the group would come to a hit, while "Blazing Apostles" finds Nelson settling into guitar-hero mode with his deft metallic riffing. SUNBURST FINISH is also a fitting description of the bright sheen that producer John Leckie (XTC, Simple Minds) adds to these songs, giving the disc a bolder aesthetic than the band's previous outings. Along with MODERN MUSIC, which was released later the same year, this album marks the peak of Be-Bop Deluxe's relatively brief recorded legacy. Includes three bonus tracks. Additional Tracks Be Bop Deluxe: Bill Nelson (vocals, guitar, harmonica, tubular bells, percussion); Andrew Clark (keyboards); Charlie Tumahai (bass guitar, percussion, background vocals); Simon Fox (drums, percussion).

Axe Victim songs 1976's MODERN MUSIC was Be Bop Deluxe's fourth album, and--in many ways--the band's most refined and sophisticated. The compositional ambition and stylistic flourishes of glam rock still played heavily into the band's sound, recalling David Bowie and early Roxy Music. But guitarist/singer/songwriter/frontman Bill Nelson's ability to balance multi-part songs and complex arrangements with pop hooks is realized to excellent effect here. "Kiss of Light," for example, though dominated by a shape-shifting sensibility and Nelson's soaring, multi-tracked electrics, comes back again and again to its memorable, repeating chorus. Nelson also has a penchant for dramatic, fantasy-tinged ballads ("The Bird Charmers Destiny," for example, contains lyrics about crystal balls, gypsies and white swans), and unabashed, pop-inflected rock "Bring Back the Spark." Be Bop Deluxe's hodge-podge aesthetic (MODERN MUSIC contains traces of everything from heavy metal to jazz to soft rock to R&B), the strength of musicianship, the artful balance of Nelson's arrangements, and the high flown ambition of it all impresses, making this a high point in the band's discography. This overlooked gem is a must for fans of the glam and progressive rock of the era. Additional Tracks Recording information: EMI Abbey Road Studios, London, England (06/1976-07/1976). Be Bop Deluxe: Charlie Tumahai (vocals, bass guitar, percussion); Bill Nelson, Simon Fox, Andrew Clark . Personnel: Bill Nelson (vocals, guitar, percussion); Andrew Clark (keyboards, percussion); Simon Fox (drums, percussion).

Axe Victim album for sale Following a long American tour, the band decided to record some of their UK concerts so took a Recording studio on the road and ended up with the live album "Live! In The Air Age". The album was originally released on double white vinyl, with one record being the LP and the other a 12” EP. The album includes a number of concert highlights such as the sarcastic Fair Exchange, the leisurely Adventures in a Yorkshire Landscape, and the monolithic instrumental version of "Shine", which was originally a much shorter and far less monolithic B-side. Recorded in 1977, LIVE! IN THE AIR AGE draws most of its set list from the previous year's SUNBURST FINISH. It's clear that Be-Bop Deluxe is invigorated by the concert setting, charging through vibrant renditions of its songs and providing far more instrumental muscle and improvisation than on the studio versions. While the British prog-rock band offers up an energetic version of its single "Ships in the Night," it truly shines when allowing frontman/guitarist Bill Nelson and keyboardist Andrew Clark to stretch out, most notably on the chiming "Life in the Air Age" and the soaring "Blazing Apostles." One of those rare live albums that stands on its own merits, LIVE! IN THE AIR AGE is the sound of an inventive ensemble in top form. Be Bop Deluxe: Bill Nelson (vocals, electric guitar); Andrew Clark (vocals, keyboards); Charlie Tumahai (vocals, bass guitar, percussion); Simon Fox (drums).

Axe Victim CD music The original version of Futurama was a little weak on songwriting content, though long on virtuoso music passages. This expanded reissue is a partial improvement, though not because it addresses those problems; rather, it's just got more of something different, in this case the more commercial (and quite beautiful) single version of "Between the Worlds," plus a scintillating live version of "Maid in Heaven," and the achingly lyrical "Speed of the Wind" -- the latter shows off the more reflective side of this band and progressive rock in general, of a piece with King Crimson's "Book of Saturday," and emphasizing their gentler approach to singing and playing. The sound throughout is excellent, and the annotation is reasonably thorough as well. ~ Bruce Eder Import pressing of 1975 album from British rock group featuring Bill Nelson. Recording information: 1977. Be Bop Deluxe: Charlie Tumahai (bass guitar); Bill Nelson, Simon Fox. Personnel: Bill Nelson (vocals, guitar, keyboards, percussion); Charlie Tumahai (vocals, percussion); Simon Fox (drums, percussion).