the action - Ulitmate Action

Along with the Who and the Small Faces, the Action or simply Action were one of the premier Mod bands of the 60's. Fronted by the soulful voice of Reg King, the band could take r n b covers to places other groups could only dream of. Sadly they never had any sizable hits even though they were produced by George Martin ( yeah that guy!!). Ultimate Action collects up those early single sides and places them in one neat packed.
Highlights ; Harlem Shuffle, In My Lonely Room, Come on Come with Me, the Place, Since I Lost My Baby.
Ult-Act-.rar

http://rapidshare.com/files/258981340/Ult-Act-.rar

54.40 - 54.40 (the Green Album)

B.C.'s 54.40's first major label release still holds up as a solid debut album. Favouring quality over quantity the 9 tracks showcase the band's strengths: tight simple arrangements, passionate vocals, rough and tumble guitars and a solid bottom end. The themes on the album (social/political activism, love, loss, separation and family) are still the themes singer/lyricist Neil Osbourne regularly deals with today. The group's follow up to the "Green Album" as it's known to by fans was tighter, clearer and more concise but all those elements are evident on this release.
Of course, it's the songs that matter and the Green album kicks off with one of 54.40 best known and best loved tunes: "Baby Ran". Full of loud guitars verging on feedback, a thundering bass line and crashing drums "Baby Ran" is the pure straight rock and roll. Neil Osbourne's laid back vocals remind me of how Ray Davis sang The Kinks classic "You Really Got Me". Not over the top, but restrained. When Neil screams out "My baby ran away" just before the guitar solo his voice is fullof despair and a hint of menace. Pure gold.
The other "big" track is 'I Go Blind".
Hootie and the Blowfish would make this a hit with a near note for note cover in the mid 90's but the original just has that little bit of edge to it. When Osbourne sings 'Hold me, hold me, 'cause I wanna get higher and higher, higher than" there's a bit of faer or wonder of something that the Blowfish just couldn't muster.

High points: I Go Blind, Baby Ran, Me Island, Take My Hand, Grace and Beauty
54-40.rar

http://rapidshare.com/files/258575174/54-40.rar

Cisco Ottawa Bluesfest -- LIVE -- Thursday, July 16, 2009

While LIVE's record sales may not be what it was during the Throwing Copper era they can still deliver a great crushing rock and roll show.
The band hit the stage in Ottawa at the Bluesfest looking like they had something to prove. This was no mere run through of their hits. Selling the Drama got the crowd moving and provide the first of many high points. I Alone and Dolphin's Cry turned into singalongs with singer Ed Kowalczyk directing the action.
The band was tight, loud and pushing the music forward creating an almost hypnotizing rhythm.
High points: I Alone, Lightning Crashes, Heaven, Lakini's Juice, Turn My Head.
Rating 3 1/2 out of 4 stars.

Cisco Bluesfest - The church Live in Ottawa Saturday, July 11, 2009

Caught the Church show in Ottawa on July 11th at the Bluesfest and wow what a show.
The band played a short but powerful set despite the on stage technical problems, (monitors cutting out, amps and cord problems) and the rain delays.... Something sure ticked Singer/bassist Steve Kilbey off. While he was all smiles and polite to the crowd he clearly was a having a tough time on stage. He joked that it had been 23 years since the church had played Ottawa. I for one hope they will be back very soon!!
The set highlighted the band's most recent release Untitled #23 with tracks such as Deadman's Hand, Pangaea, and Happenstance taking on a tougher, grittier feel than on the disc. (You do own it, don't you?, If not go and get it...NOW!!!!).
The sound out front was clear and full but could have been louder. Which is my biggest complaint concerning Bluesfest this year. I know noise bylaws are making it tough, but it is a rock show. Turn it up!!
For a band that's been around for 20 odd years, the church proved that they are a great, tight rock and roll band. If you get a chance, go see them live.
Rating 3 1/2 out of 4 stars.
What they played:
07/11/09 Ottawa, ON, Canada - Cisco Ottawa Bluesfest

Tantalized, Block, Day 5, North South East and West, Happenstance, Deadman's Hand, Pangaea, You Took, Operetta, Under the Milky Way, Reptile

Youngtown - Rock and Roll Museum - a Review

A little background info first.
Neil Young lived in Omemee during the 40's and early 50's. When his parents split up Neil went west with his mother and the rest of his family stayed in Omemee.
The Youngtown Rock and roll Museum celebrates Neil's life and work plus the great artists of the 50's 60's and 70's.
Is it worth the trip?
You better believe it is.
The museum is full of great pieces of memorabilia from the 50's through the 70's. So if you're not a Neil Young fan there is still plenty to see, hear and read.
Highlights include a marvelous Beatles display including John Lennon's hat that he wore in what would be the Beatles last photo shoot. See the Hey Jude album for a picture.
But there's more, lots more. Items from the Who, the Rolling Stones, the Guess Who. The list goes on and on.
So if you're off the beaten path and looking for somewhere to go, go to Omemee ( just outside of Peterbrough) and soak up some history.

Milltown Brothers - Slinky

A lost gem of Britpop. Before Oasis, Blur etc. these boys released this classic. According to MySpace the Milltown Brothers are still active. Enjoy.
Milltown_Brothers_-_Slinky.rar

http://rapidshare.com/files/250671960/Milltown_Brothers_-_Slinky.rar