Van Morrison

 

Artist:  Van Morrison
Birth Name:  George Ivan Morrison
Born:  August 31, 1945.  Belfast, Northern Ireland.
Genre:  Rock, Folk, Folk Rock, Blues, Rhythm and Blues, Blue-Eyed Soul, Celtic, Rock 'N' Roll, Jazz, Country,  Country Rock, Soft Rock
Occupations:  Singer, Songwriter, Musician
Instruments:  Vocals, Guitar, Harmonica, Saxophones, Keyboards, Drums, Tambourine

Van Morrison is a Northern Irish Singer, Songwriter and Musician, well-known as the lead singer of the Northern Irish R&B Band Them, with the Garage Classic Track "Gloria" in the mid-1960s.  His Solo career began with the hit single "Brown Eyed Girl" in 1967.  He has many greatest albums such as:  Astral Weeks (1968), Moondance (1970), Tupelo Honey (1971), Saint Dominic's Preview (1972), Hard Nose The Highway (1973), Irish Heartbeat (1988), Avalon Sunset (1989), Enlightenment (1990), How Long Has This Been Going On (1996), Tell Me Something:  The Songs Of Mose Allison (1996), You Win Again (2000).  He sometimes collaborating with other artists, such as The Chieftains, Georgie Fame and many more.  He show the influence of Celtic Tradition, Jazz, Country, Folk, Blues and Blue-Eye Soul.  He has received considerable including Six Grammy Awards and being induced into both the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame and appearing on several "Greatest Artists" Lists.

Title:  Somebody Tried To Sell Me A Bridge (2026)

Genre:  Rock, Folk, Folk Rock, Blues, Rhythm and Blues, Blue-Eyed Soul, Celtic, Rock 'N' Roll, Jazz, Country,  Country Rock, Soft Rock

Label:  Orangefield Records

Rating:   *****

Format:  CD

Tracks:

 1.  Kidney Stew Blues (3:45)

 2.  King For A Day Blues (3:46)

 3.  Snatch It Back And Hold It (3:58)

 4.  Deep Blue Sea (feat. Elvin Bishop) (4:18)

 5.  Ain't That A Shame (3:27)

 6.  Madame Butterfly Blues (feat. Elvis Bishop) (5:46)

 7.  Can't Help Myself (feat. Taj Mahal) (3:42)

 8.  Betty And Dupree (4:59)

 9.  Delia's Gone (3:20)

10. On A Monday (3:21)

11. Monte Carlo Blues (2:54)

12. When It's Love Time (feat. Elvin Bishop) (2:58)

13. Loving Memonies (feat. Elvin Bishop) (4:31)

14. Play The Honky Tonks (feat. Elvin Bishop) (3:50)

15. (Go To The) High Place In Your Mind (feat. John Allair) (3:53)

16. Social Climbing Scene (3:43)

17. Somebody Tried To Sell Me A Bridge (4:01)

18. You're The One (4:25)

19. I'm Ready (feat. Buddy Guy) (3:29)

20. Rock Me Baby (feat. Buddy Guy) (5:32)

Personnel:

Van Morrison:  Vocals, Saxophone on Tracks:  1, 2, 14, 15, Harmonica on Tracks:  3, 4, 11, 19, Guitar on Tracks:  8, 13, 15 Acoustic Guitar on Track 16

Ben McAuley:  Tambourine on Track 18

David Hayes:  Bass

Anthony Paule: Guitars

John Allair:  Hammond Organ on Tracks:  1-6, 8, 10, 13, 16-20, Piano on Tracks:  7, 9, 12-15, 17, 18, Vocals on Track 15

Bobby Ruggiero:  Percussion on Tracks:  1, 3, 6-18, Drums on Track 2

Mitch Woods:  Piano on Tracks:  1-6, 8, 10, 11, 14, 19, 20

Larry Vann:  Drums on Tracks:  1, 3-18

Tom Hambirdge:  Drums on Tracks:  19, 20

Omega Rae Brooks:  Vocals on Tracks:  4, 6, 16-18

Crawford Bell:  Background Vocals on Tracks:  9, 11

Jolene O'Hara:  Background Vocals on Tracks:  1, 3, 9, 11, 13, 14

Daa Masters:  Background Vocals on Tracks:  1, 3

Larry Batiste:  Background Vocals on Tracks:  4-6, 13, 14, 16-18

Nona Brown:  Background Vocals on Tracks:  4-6, 13, 14, 16-18

Special Guests:

Elvin Bishop:  Guitar on Tracks:  4, 5, 12-14, 18

Taj Mahal:  Harmonica on Tracks:  7-10, Vocals on Tracks:  7, 8, 10, Banjo on Track 10

Buddy Guy:  Guitar, Vocals on Tracks:  19, 20

Somebody Tried To Sell Me A Bridge is the 48th studio album by Van Morrison, released on January 23, 2026 by Orangefield Records, featuring Special Guests:  Elvin Bishop, Taj Mahal, Buddy Guy.  The album reached No. 1 on UK Jazz & Blues Albums Chart.

Asia

 

Artist:   Asia
Origin:  England
Genre:  Progressive Rock, Art Rock, Hard Rock

Original line-up:

John Wetton:  Lead Vocals, Bass, Guitar
Steve Howe:  Guitar, Mandolin, Backing Vocals
Geoff Downes:  Keyboards, Keytar, Backing Vocals
Carl Palmer:  Drums, Percussion

Asia are a British Progressive Rock Supergroup, formed in 1981 by John Wetton (Bass Ex King Crimson, Family, Roxy Music, Uriah Heep, UK, Wishbone Ash), Steve Howe (Guitar Ex Yes), Geoff Downes (Keyboards Ex The Buggles, Yes), and Carl Palmer (Drums Ex Emerson, Lake & Palmer, The Crazy World of Arthur Brown, and Atomic Rooster).  Their debut album Asia in 1982 reaching No. 1 in several countries.  Asia ranks as on of the most popular Progressive Rock Bands in history.

Title:  Live In England (Deluxe Edition) (2026)

Genre:  Progressive Rock, Art Rock, Hard Rock

Label:  Frontiers Records

Rating:   *****

Format:  CD + DVD

Tracks:

 Disc 1:  CD

 1. Heart Of The Moment (4:31)

 2.  Only Time Will Tell (5:07)

 3.  Soles Survivor (5:46)

 4.  One Step Closer (4:23)

 5.  Time Again (5:08)

 6.  Wildest Dreams (5:17)

 7.  Without You (5:30)

 8.  Cutting It Fine (6:19)

 9.  Here Comes Te Feeling (5:56)

Bonus Tracks:

10. Ride Easy (4:47)

11. Video Killed The Radio Star (3:38)

12. The Heat Goes On (5:05)

Disc 2:  DVD

 1. Heart Of The Moment (4:31)

 2.  Only Time Will Tell (5:07)

 3.  Soles Survivor (5:46)

 4.  One Step Closer (4:23)

 5.  Time Again (5:08)

 6.  Wildest Dreams (5:17)

 7.  Without You (5:30)

 8.  Cutting It Fine (6:19)

 9.  Here Comes Te Feeling (5:56)

Bonus Tracks:

10. Ride Easy (4:47)

11. Video Killed The Radio Star (3:38)

12. The Heat Goes On (5:05)

Special Features - Interviews With Geoff Downes, Virgil Donati, John Mitchell, Harry Whitley

Roger Dean tell about The Asia Logo & Design

Format:  LP

Tracks:

LP 1:

Side A:

1. Heart Of The Moment (4:31)

 2.  Only Time Will Tell (5:07)

 3.  Soles Survivor (5:46)

Side B:

 1.  One Step Closer (4:23)

 2.  Time Again (5:08)

 3.  Wildest Dreams (5:17)

LP 2:

Side C:

 1.  Without You (5:30)

 2.  Cutting It Fine (6:19)

 3.  Here Comes Te Feeling (5:56)

Side D:

 1.  Ride Easy (4:47)

 2.  Video Killed The Radio Star (3:38)

 3.  The Heat Goes On (5:05)

Personnel:

Geoff Downes:  Keyboards, Backing Vocals

Harry Whitley:  Lead Vocals, Bass

John Mitchell:  Guitar Backing Vocals

Virgil Donati:  Drums

Live In England is a live album by Asia, released on March 13, 2026 by Frontiers Records, recorded live at Trading Boundaries in Sussex, in April 2025, featuring Geoff Downes (Keyboards,  Ex The Buggles, Trapeze, White, New Dance Orchestra, Icon, Yes, DBA), John Mitchell (Guitar Ex Arena, It Bites, Frost, Kino, Lonely Robot, A, The Urbane), Harry Whitley (Lead Vocals, Bass), and Virgil Donati (Drums Ex Planet X, Ring Of Fire, CAB, The State, Allan Holdsworth, Southern Sons, Taste, Soul SirkUS, U.K., Seven The Hardway).

Mountain

 

Artist:  Mountain 

Origin:  Long Island, New York, USA
Genre:  Hard Rock, Blues Rock, Heavy Metal

Original line-up:

Leslie West:  Guitar, Vocals
Felix Pappalardi:  Bass, Vocals
Steve Knight:  Keyboards
N.D. Smart:  Drums

Classic line-up:

Leslie West:  Guitar, Vocals

Felix Pappalardi:  Bass, Vocals

Steve Knight:  Keyboards
Corky Laing:  Drums, Percussion

Mountain is an American Hard Rock Band from Long Island, New York, formed in 1969 by the producer of Cream, Felix Pappalardi (Bass,Vocals), Leslie West (Guitar, Vocals Ex The Vagrants), Steve Knight (Keyboards) and N.D. Smart (Drums).  Their best known songs:  "Mississippi Queen", "Them For An Imaginary Western", "For Yasgur's Farm".  Mountain is one of many bands to be commonly credited as having influenced the development of Heavy Metal Music.

Title:  Don't Look Around - The Recordings 1969-1974 (2026)

Genre:  Hard Rock, Blues Rock, Heavy Metal

Label:  Esoteric Recordings

Rating:   *****

Format:  CD

Tracks:

Disc 1:  

Artist:  Leslie West 

Title:  Mountain (1969)

Genre:  Hard Rock, Blues Rock, Heavy Metal

Label:  Windfall

Rating:   *****

Tracks:

 1.  Blood Of The Sun (2:35)

 2.  Long Red (3:14)

 3.  Better Watch Out (2:47)

 4.  Blind Man (3:50)

 5.  Baby, I'm Down (3:58)

 6.  Dreams Of Milk And Honey (3:22)

 7.  Storyteller Man (3:04)

 8.  This Wheel's On Fire (3:18)

 9.  Look To The Wind (2:43)

10. Southbound Train (2:57)

11. Because You Are My Friend (3:10)

Personnel:

Leslie West:  Guitars, Vocals

Felix Pappalardi:  Bass, Keyboards

N.D. Smart:  Drums

Mountain is the debut studio album by Leslie West, released on July 1969 by Windfall.

Disc 2:

Artist:  Mountain

Title:  Live At Woodstock Music & Arts Fair 1969 (1972)

Genre:  Hard Rock, Blues Rock, Heavy Metal

Label:  Windfall Records

Rating:   *****

Tracks:

 1.  Blood Of The Sun (3:00)

 2.  Stormy Monday (7:18)

 3.  Theme For An Imaginary Western (5:45)

 4.  Long Red  (5:13)

 5.  Who Am I But You And The Sun (For Yasgur's Farm) (3:47)

 6.  Beside Th Sea (3:32)

 7.  Waiting To Take You Away (4:50)

 8.  Dreams Of Milk And Honey (16:11)

 9.  Sounthbound Train (6:16)

Personnel:

Leslie West:  Guitar, Vocals

Felix Pappalardi:  Bass, Vocals

Steve Knight:  Keyboards
Corky Laing:  Drums, Percussion

 

Live At Woodstock Music & Arts Fair 1969 is a live album by Mountain, released on April 24, 1972 by Windfall.

Disc 3:  

Artist:  Mountain

Title:  Climbing! (1970)

Genre:  Hard Rock, Blues Rock, Heavy Metal

Label:  Windfall

Rating:   *****

Tracks:

 1.  Mississippi Queen (2:31)

 2.  Theme For An Imaginary Western (5:06)

 3.  Never In My Life (3:51)

 4.  Silver Paper (3:19)

 5.  For Yasgur's Farm (3:23)

 6.  To My Friend (3:36)

 7.  The Laird (4:39)

 8.  Sittin' On A Rainbow (2:23)

 9.  Boys In The Band (3:33)

Bonus Tracks:

10. For Yasgur's Farm (Live) (4:21)

11. Stormy Monday (Live) (19:26)

Personnel:

Leslie West:  Guitar, Vocals

Felix Pappalardi:  Bass on All Tracks, except 6, 7, Piano on Tracks:  1, 2, 9, Rhythm Guitar on Track 7, Vocals

Steve Knight:  Organ on Tracks:  2-5, Mellotron on Tracks:  2, 9, Handbells on Track  4
Corky Laing:  Drums on All Tracks, except 6, 7, Percussion on Tracks:  7, 9

Climbing! is the debut studio album by Mountain, released on March 7, 1970 by Windfall.

Disc 4:

Artist:  Mountain

Title:  Nantucket Sleighride (1971)

Genre:  Hard Rock, Blues Rock, Heavy Metal

Label:  Windfall

Rating:   *****

Tracks:

 1.  Don't Look Around (3:42)

 2.  Taunta (Sammy's Tune) (1:00)

 3.  Nantucket Sleighride (To Owen Coffin) (5:49)

 4.  You Can't Get Away (3:23)

 5.  Tired Angels (In J.M.H) (4:39)

 6.  The Animal Trainer And The Toad (3:24)

 7.  My Lady (4:31)

 8.  Travellin' In The Dark (To E.M.P.) (4:21)

 9.  The Great Trai Robbery (5:43)

Bonus Track:

10. Travellin' In The Dark (To E.M.P.) (Live) (5:10)

Personnel:

Leslie West:  Guitar, Vocals

Felix Pappalardi:  Bass, Vocals

Steve Knight:  Keyboards
Corky Laing:  Drums, Percussion

Nantucket Sleighride is the second studio album by Mountain, released on January 1971 by Windfall.

Disc 5:

Artist:  Mountain

Title:  Flowers Of Evil (1971)

Genre:  Hard Rock, Blues Rock, Heavy Metal

Label:  Windfall

Rating:   *****

Tracks:

 1.  Flowers Of Evil (4:53)

 2.  King's Chorale (1:04)

 3.  One Last Cold Kiss (3:45)

 4.  Crossroader (4:47)

 5.  Pride And Passion (7:05)

 6.  Dream Sequence (Medley) (24:27)

      -Guitar Solo 

      -Roll Over Beethoven

      -Dreams Of Milk And Honey

      -Variations

      -Swan Theme

 7.  Mississippi Queen (3:53)

Bonus Tracks:

 8.  Crossroader (Live) (6:49)

 9.  Nantucket Sleighride (To Owen Coffin) (Live)(16:53)

Personnel:

Leslie West:  Guitar, Vocals

Felix Pappalardi:  Bass, Vocals

Steve Knight:  Keyboards
Corky Laing:  Drums, Percussion

Flowers Of Evil is the third studio album by Mountain, released on November 1971 by Windfall.

Disc 6.

Artist:  Mountain

Title:  Twin Peaks (1974)

Genre:  Hard Rock, Blues Rock, Heavy Metal

Label:  Windfall

Rating:   *****

Tracks:

 1.  Never In My Life (4:16)

 2.  Theme For An Imaginery Western (5:01)

 3.  Blood Of The Sun (3:04)

 4. Guitar Solo (5:41)

 5.  Nantucket Sleighride (31:49)

 6.  Crossroader (5:56)

 7.  Mississippi Queen (4:17)

 8.  Silver Paper (6:15)

 9.  Roll Over Beethoven (2:24)

Personnel:

Leslie West:  Guitar, Vocals

Felix Pappalardi:  Bass, Vocals

Bob Mann:  Guitar, Keyboards
Allan Schwartzberg:  Drums

Twin Peaks is the third live album by Mountain, released on February 1974 by Windfall.

Disc 7:

Artist:  Mountain

Title:  Avalanche (1974)

Genre:  Hard Rock, Blues Rock, Heavy Metal

Label:  Windfall

Rating:   *****

Tracks:

 1.  Whole Lotta Shakin' Going On (5:05)

 2.  Sister Justice (3:58)

 3.  Alisan (4:41)

 4.  Swamp Boy (2:54)

 5.  (I Can't Get No) (Satisfaction (5:14)

 6.  Thumbsucker (3:20)

 7.  You Better Believe It (5:47)

 8. I Love To See You Fly (3:46)

 9.  Back Where I Belong (2:56)

10. Last Of The Sunshine Days (3:47)

Personnel:

Leslie West:  Guitar, Vocals

Felix Pappalardi:  Bass, Vocals, Keyboards

David Perry:  Rhythm Guitar
Corky Laing:  Drums, Percussion

Avalanche is the fourth studio album by Mountain, released on July 1974 by Windfall.

Don't Look Around - The Recordings 1969-1974 is the collection Box Set by Mountain, released on February 27, 2026 by Esogteric Recordings.  For Fans of Leslie West and Mountain, For Music Collectors.

Blur

 

Artist:  Blur
Origin:  London, England
Genre:  Alternative Rock, Britpop, Indie Rock, Contemporary Pop

Original line-up:
  
Damon Albarn:   Vocals, Keyboards
Graham Coxon:  Guitar, Vocals
Alex James:  Bass
Dave Rowntree:   Drums

Blur are an English Alternative Rock Band from London, formed in 1988, consists of Damon Albarn (Vocals, Keyboards), Graham Coxon (Guitar), Alex James (Bass) and Dave Rowntree (Drums).  The band influenced by English Guitar Pop Group such as The Beatles, The Kinks, The Small Faces, The Who, The Jam, The Smith and XTC.  The band helped to popularise the Britpop Genre and achieved mass popularity in the UK, aided by a chart battle with Oasis in 1995.  In 2012 the group received a Brit Award for Outstanding Contribution to Music.

Title:  Leisure (Limited Edition) (2026) 

Genre:  Alternative Rock, Britpop, Indie Rock, Contemporary Pop

Label:  Parlophone

Rating:   *****

Format:  LP

Tracks:

Side One:

 1.  She' So High (4:45)

 2.  Bang (3:36)

 3.  Slow Down (3:11)

 4.  Repetition (5:25)

 5.  Bad Day (4:23)

 6.  Sing (6:00)

Side Two:

 1.  There's No Other Way (3:23)

 2.  Fool (3:15)

 3.  Come Together (3:51)

 4.  High Cool (3:37)

 5.  Birthday (3:50)

 6.  Wear Me Down (4:49)

Personnel:

Damon Albarn:   Lead Vocals, Keyboards
Graham Coxon:  Guitar, Backing Vocals
Alex James:  Bass
Dave Rowntree:   Drums, Percussion

Leisure is the debut studio album by Blur, originally released on August 26, 1991 by Fool Records, remastered and reissued on February 6, 2026 by Parlophone.

The Wailers

Artist:  The Wailers

Origin:  Tacoma, Washington, USA

Genre:  Rock, Rock & Roll, Proto-Punk, Frat Rock, Garage Rock, Instrumental Rock, Psychedelic Rock

Original line-up:

John Greek:  Rhythm Guitar, Trumpet

Richard Dangel:  Lead Guitar

Kent Morrill:  Keyboards,Vocals

Mark Marush:  Tenor Saxophone

Mike Burk:  Drums

The Wailers were an American Rock Band from Tacoma, Washington, formed in 1958 by five high school friends originally as The Nitecaps by John Greek (Rhythm Guitar), Richard Dangel (Lead Guitar), Kent Morrill (Keyboards, Vocals), Mark Marush (Tenor Saxophne), and Mike Burk (Drums).  The Wailers, often known as The Fabulous Wailers. Their biggest hit was "Tall Cool One", first released in 1959, and they have been credited as being "One of The Very First", of the American Garage Bands.

Title:  Tall, Cool, Scotch On The Rocks (2026)

Genre:  Rock, Rock & Roll, Proto-Punk, Frat Rock, Garage Rock, Instrumental Rock, Psychedelic Rock

Label:  Jasmine Records

Rating:   *****

Format:  CD

Tracks:

 1.  Tall Cool One

 2.  Road Runner

 3.  Mau-Mau

 4.  Dirty Robber (Single Version)

 5.  Wailin'

 6.  Shanghied

 7.  Driftwood

 8.  Gunnin' For Peter

 9.  Long Gone

10. Beat Guitar

11. Dirty Robber (LP Version)

12. High Wall

13. Tough Bounce

14. Swing Shift

15. Lucille

16. Scratchin'

17. Louie Louie (Vocals Rockin' Robin Roberts)

18. Mary Ann (Vocals Rockin' Robin Roberts)

19. Mashi

20. Velva

21. Be My Baby (Vocals Gail Harris)

22. Stompin Willie

23. Doin' The Seaside

24. Wailers House Party (Live)

25. San-Ho-Zay (Live)

26. Rosalie (Vocals Rockin' Robin Roberts) (Live)

27. Shivers (Live)

28. Sack Of Woe (Live)

29. Tall Cool One (Live)

30. Limbo Twist (Live)

31. I Idolize You (Vocals Gail Harris) (Live)

32. Zig Zag (Live)

33. Soul-Long (Live)

Tall, Cool, Scotch On The Rocks is the compilation album by The Wailers, released on February 12, 2026 by Jasmine Records.  For Music Lovers and Music Collectors.

 

Helloween

 

Artist:  Helloween

Origin:  Hamburg, Germany

Genre:  Heavy Metal, Power Metal, Speed Metal, Progressive Metal, Thrash Metal

Original line-up:

Kai Hansen:  Lead & Rhythm Guitar, Lead Vocals

Michael Weikath:  Lead & Rhythm Guitar, Backing Vocals

Markus Grosskopf:  Bass, Backing Vocals

Ingo Schwichtenberg:  Drums

Helloween is a German Power Metal Band from Hamburg, Northern Germany, formed in 1984 by Kai Hansen (Guitar, Vocals), Michael Weikath (Guitar, Backing Vocals), Markus Grosskopf (Bass), and Ingo Schwichtenberg (Drums).  The band has released four successful studio albums:  Keeper Of The Seven Keys:  The Legacy (2005), Gambling With The Devil (2007), 7 Sinners (2010), and Straight Out Of Hell (2013).

Title:  Better Than Raw (2026)

Genre:  Heavy Metal, Power Metal, Speed Metal, Progressive Metal, Thrash Metal

Label:  BMG

Rating:   *****

Format:  LP

Tracks:

LP 1:

Side One:

 1.  Deliberately Limit3ed Preliimiary Prelde Period In Z (1:45)

 2.  Push (4:45)

 3.  Falling Higher (4:45)

Side Two:

 1.  Hey Lord (4:07)

 2.  Don't Spit On My Mind (4:24)

 3. Revelation (8:21)

LP 2:

Side Three:

 1.  Time (5:43)

 2.  I Can (4:36)

 3.  A Handful Of Pain (4:49)

Side Four:

 1.  Lavdate Dominvm (5:10)

 2.  Back On The Ground (4:40)

 3.  Midnight Sun (6:19)

Personnel:

Andi Deris:  Lead & Backing Vocals

Michael Weikath:  Lead & Rhythm Guitar, Backing Vocals

Markus Grosskopf:  Bass, Backing Vocals

Roland Grapow:  Guitar, Backing Vocals

Uli Kusch:  Drums

Additional Musicians:

Jorn Ellerbrock:  Keyboards

Tommy Hansen:  Keyboards

Jutta Wwinhold, Ralf Maurer, Christina Hahne:  Backing Vocals

Better Than Raw is the eighth studio album by Helloween, originally released on March 4, 1998, remastered and reissued on March 6, 2026 by BMG.  Expanded Edition in 2 LP Turquoise Colored Vinyl.