Thursday, July 31, 2014

DaDa with Dick Wagner on Decibel Geek Podcast

Since the passing of Dick Wagner I like to bring this
wonderful interview by Decibel Geek with Dick Wagner
on the making of DaDa one of my favorite Alice Cooper dark albums.
Alice was always quoted by saying this was his lost weekend period
and recalls nothing of this recording. Wagner finally gives some very insightful
stories on the creation of DaDa as he goes track by track.







Wednesday, July 30, 2014

RIP DICK WAGNER

Longtime Alice Cooper songwriter and guitarist Dick Wagner
leaves us...Rest in Peace



More info at Alice Cooper site below including some videos


Rest in peace and let perpetual light shine upon him


Tuesday, July 29, 2014

2014, june, Classic Rock, Reissue, The Last Temptation CD

June 2014

Classic Rock
Reissue section

The Last Temptation

CR gave this reissue an "Above Average" rating
which I do agree being "above average" but I would give it a hirer rating.
This is another release that went under the radar and over the head of 
the general public.
The Last Temptation is a great concept album with clever lyrics.
I think Alice Cooper fans appreciate the cleverness and musicianship
of this album. Plus excellent 3 part comic book series that will be
reissued as well this Fall.



Pg 99, Reissue


Sunday, July 27, 2014

1978, Carole Bayer Sager - ...Too, vinyl, "Shadows" by Sager, Roberts, Cooper

1978, "...Too" vinyl

Carole Bayer Sager

"Shadows"
written by Carol Bayer Sager, Bruce Roberts, Alice Cooper


Carole Bayer Sager album "...Too" from 1978 is around the same time Alice was working on his "From The Inside" album. The song "Shadow" is written by Carole Bayer Sager, Bruce Roberts, and Alice Cooper.


"...wonder why I'm scared of shadows
they don't bite and they don't hurt
they start out small then suddenly
I notice they're bigger than me..."

Background vocals by Alice and Bruce Roberts although I can't pick out Alice's vocals in the background. This song is like a lullaby with Bruce Roberts on paino. If there is a demo of this with Alice's vocals I would love to hear it. As for Carole Bayer Sager singing I guess it's an acquired taste. The album itself isn't that great either. I mean I like mellow music but this just doesn't do it for me.
Some other guest on this album are Melissa Manchester, Mike McDonald, Steve Lukather.
Bruce Roberts also wrote two other tracks w/ C.B. Sager as you know Roberts also co-wrote "Millie And Billie" on Alice's "From The Inside" album.

"Shadows" on youtube at


I found this vinyl in a used bin


Carole Bayer Sager "...Too"

Cover


Back Cover



"Shadows" lyrics from vinyl sleeve



Side One


Friday, July 25, 2014

1998, Ant-Bee, Lunar Muzik, with Bruce, Buxton, Dunaway, Smith

1998, 
"Lunar Muzik"

by Ant-Bee
(with Michael Bruce, Glen Buxton, Dennis Dunaway, Neal Smith)

Ant-Bee http://www.ant-bee.com/

Reissue of "Lunar Muzik" CD by Gonzo Multimedia UK on June 9, 2014
http://www.gonzomultimedia.co.uk/product_details/15684

1998 is the first time the original four members Michael Bruce, Neal Smith, Dennis Dunaway and Glen Buxton of the Alice Cooper regrouped.  Ant-Bee is musician Billy James who also co-wrote a number of musicians biographies such as Michael Bruce's "No More Mr. Nice Guy." Billy James has worked with musicians from late 60's to early 70's with members from Alice Cooper, Zappa's Mothers of Invention, Soft Machine, Hawkwind and Gong.


"Tears That Fall Unto The Sky" features Michael Bruce on guitar that sounds like an early Who song. 
"By-And-By I Touch The Sky" is broken down in 4 sections. The third part "The Platinum God Excerpts" are Neal Smith's never released song from his solo album "The Platinum God". Which is now released on Neal Smith's label in 1999. "The Platinum God Excerpts" includes all four members of The Alice Cooper Group. It's a sort of Avant-Garde or Prog Rock piece. 
It's hard to tell where it starts and ends unless you get Neal's release of "The Platinum God" you 
can get an idea.


As for "Return Of The Titanic Overture" written by Billy James and music by Michael Bruce. This is a tribute to Alice Cooper Group's first album "Pretties For You" which had the instrumental track "Titanic Overture." Supposedly this song has 13 hidden clues which I have never completed. This also includes all four members of the Alice Cooper Group.
This whole album is pretty strange but it's interesting sounds. Some songs sound like Mothers Of Invention and does have that late 60's early 70's sounds. Other tracks I find interesting is "Child Of The Moon" which is a rare b-side from 1969 by The Rolling Stones written by Jagger and Richards. I also like "Love Is Only Sleeping" written by Mike Nesmith which was a hit by The Monkees.




Cover







Last paragraph of the above panel notes the artwork was taken from two paintings by Syd Barrett


Back Cover


CD


Behind CD Holder


Back Jewel Case


Paul McCartney in studio with Alice Cooper, Johnny Depp and Joe Perry of Aerosmith

from

Sir Paul McCartney has hit the studio with Alice Cooper, Johnny Depp and Aerosmith star Joe Perry to work on a top secret new project.
The Beatles star recently headed to the US to restart his postponed tour after a bout of ill health which landed him in hospital in Japan. It has now emerged McCartney has been taking part in secret studio sessions with a trio of famous stars inbetween his tour dates. Perry says the group recorded together but has refused to give any more detail about the top secret project.

Thursday, July 24, 2014

2014, Dynamite Comic releases

Dynamite Comic releases a new Alice Cooper comic series 
and 20th Anniversary Special Edition "The Last Temptation" in Hardcover.

More info at


Sept 2014 the release of new comic series "Alice Cooper
Alice's first ongoing comic series.




Oct 2014,  
20th Anniversary Special Edition "The Last Temptation"
Hardcover, 150+ pages.
$40 or $75 includes limited edition signed by Neil Gaiman, Michael Zulli, and Alice Cooper.

Monday, July 14, 2014

Saturday, July 12, 2014

What If Converse...

Black Sabbath teamed up with Converse for their third sneaker collection
and I was just thinking What If... Alice Cooper put out some sneakers...











Friday, July 11, 2014

1978, If I Weren't So Romantic, I'd Shoot You - Derringer, vinyl and 2004 CD

1978, vinyl

If I Weren't So Romantic, I'd Shoot You 

Derringer

Back in 1971 during the Killer album Rick Derringer played on "Under My Wheels" and "Yeah, Yeah, Yeah".
In 1978 Alice Cooper and Bernie Taupin wrote the lyrics of "If I Weren't So Romantic, I'd Shoot You" while Rick Derringer wrote the music. This could of came from the brain tank of "From The Inside" album since Taupin and Alice co-wrote that whole album. "If I Weren't So Romantic, I'd Shoot You" is not only the third track it's also the title of the album as well. This is one of my favorite Alice material written for another artist. It comes across as a ballad sort of "How You Gonna See Me Now" on "From The Inside" lp.

This album itself is very good. Unfortunately Alice doesn't make an appearance other than writing the song. This album also has a song "Sleepless" written by Patti Smith. "Power Of Love" written by Dan Hartman and Warren Zevon's "Lawyers Guns And Money". Derringer's band consist of Kenny Aaronson (who played with just about everyone) and drummer Myron Grombacher (pre Pat Benetar). Rick Derringer also has a song he wrote titled "EZ Action" I thought funny since Alice's second album was titled "Easy Action". 



Cover LP


Back Cover


One Side of Pull Out Sheet


Other Side of Pull Out Sheet


Side One


Side Two





2004, CD
2 LPs on 1 CD

Rick Derringer

If I Weren't So Romantic, I'd Shoot You/Face To Face



Cover


Back Cover


Inside Pg 1


Inside Pg 2


Back of Jewel case


CD
(2 LPs on 1 CD)





1978, The Best of Rock Scene AD
I posted this AD back on November 14, 2012












Wednesday, July 9, 2014

1975, Vibraciones magazine from Spain

1975 November
Vol. 2 No. 14

Vibraciones

I found this issue on line



Vibraciones was a publication from Spain. It was released from October 1974 to March 1982, 90 issues in total.


Centaurus On The Rock
By Kim, pp 52-53




Inspired by the cover of Roger Daltrey’s 1975 solo album Ride a Rock Horse, Kim presented his funny drawings of some artists and rockers as centaurs: Roger Daltrey, Dana Gillespie, Frank Zappa, Ike & Tina Turner, Gualberto, Alice Cooper, Lou Reed, Rolling Stones.

Roger Daltrey - Ride A Rock Horse, 1975 LP




Saturday, July 5, 2014

1973, april, Words & Music

This is the last from my publications.
I do have Alice Cooper Limited Edition from Classic Rock
but I'm not posting that since you can still find it and mostly
everyone has a copy.


Thanks to all the members and those who posted along with people who took 
time viewing this blog. I hope you enjoyed it and found some interesting items.


I may post other Alice related stuff it just won't be daily...we shall see



April 1973


Words & Music


Cover


Pg 18 - 23







Alice doing his Jim Morrison pose

Friday, July 4, 2014

1980, Alice Cooper Tour Book, Flush The Fashion, Special Forces

I never got a chance to see Alice perform during this time. 
I remember he was going to play an outdoor summer concert in New Hampshire
w/ a bunch of other New Wave bands. I do remember Garland Jeffreys
being one of the bands.
Then later I heard either the whole concert or Alice cancelled. I forget what 
it was but I recently found this tour book on eBay and the price was right 
so I took the opportunity to purchase it.
It is a bit worn w/ some scratches and minor tears and fold but
for it's age it's not a bad find.


All photos by Exley


This tour book was printed for Flush The Fashion Tour 1980
and Special Forces Tour 1981 - 82.
The only change was the credit page.


This one is from Flush The Fashion Tour 1980

some images bleed into the next page


Cover - 11x14 inches


Inside Cover











The only photo I recognize above on the wall over Alice's shoulder is 
Mackenzie Phillips of TV series One Day At A Time 
one of the biggest junkies of the eighties.

2 pg spread








Above pics is a pretty scary looking Alice. 
Looks like a character from Designing Women tv show.





Inside Back Cover



Back Cover