As previously announced, Stryper is releasing a new CD, called The Covering. This features covers from different rock and metal bands. Michael Sweet had been posting hints on his Twitter account during the recording process as to what songs they were covering. Stryper has now released some audio samples on their site.
After some doubts arose about the legitimacy of this release, I contacted Barry Goudreau about it, and he said he was aware of the release, but he had not spoken to anyone from that label, or had any knowledge of that the material consisted of. As the site claims it had "full involvement from Barry Goudreau" that means this is not legitimate and therefore people should not buy this.
I have added the link back to the site to allow readers to see the information. I do not recommend you buy this!
There's no getting away from the fact that the debut Boston album was one of the greatest, and of course most successful, recordings in the history of rock music. It was a record that changed the lives of the band members forever, rapidly elevating them from humble beginnings to headlining huge arenas worldwide. But good fortune soon turned to disappointment as the band slowly began to implode under the constant demand to keep the cogs of their hit making machine in motion.
By 1980 Boston was effectively put on ice by leader Tom Scholz, in an effort to resolve numerous business differences, leaving the rest of the group with time on their hands. Guitarist Barry Goudreau seized the moment and set about recording a solo album, enlisting the help of then unknown vocalist Fran Cosmo who, ironically, would later go on to replace front man Brad Delp in Boston.
Every inch as good as a fully-formed Boston album, the record is choc full of superbly constructed songs, great hooks, impressive production (from John Boylan, the producer of the debut Boston album) and Goudreau’s unmistakable, rich guitar tone. Look out too for further support from fellow Bostonians Sib Hashian and Brad Delp. A great lost classic for sure and one that sounds as impressive today as it did when first released.
24-bit remastering from original source tapes, 4,000 word essay about the making of the album and a new interview and full involvement from Barry Goudreau. Additional previously unseen photos and memorabilia spread out over a 12 page full colour booklet.
Stryper will be releasing a new album in Fall of 2010. The Covering, which will be released on Big 3 Records in the Fall. The release date has not been set, but according to Michael Sweet, they are aiming at a September release.
Based on Michael's Twitter feed, the album will feature covers such as:
Iron Maiden - "The Trooper" Judas Priest - "Breaking The Law" Scorpions - "Blackout" Ozzy Osbourne - "Over The Mountain" Sweet - "Set Me Free" Van Halen - "On Fire" Deep Purple - "Highway Star" Black Sabbath - "Heaven and Hell" UFO - "Lights Out" Kansas - "Carry On Wayward Son" KISS - "Shout It Out Loud" Led Zeppelin - "Immigrant Song"
Acoustic Rock Magazine's July 2010 issue presents a guide to the 25 greatest acoustic songs in hard rock, featuring the lightest tunes from the heaviest hitters. By Joe Bosso "More Than a Feeling" comes in at number two, just behind "Stairway to Heaven" at number one.
"Tom Scholz's soaring leads and crunchy, multi-tracked electric guitar rhythms have more than a little to do with "More Than a Feeling" becoming one of classic rock's most enduring anthems. But it is the song's lilting, arpeggiated acoustic intro that puts fans in the mood. Working as something of a one-man band in his basement, Scholz, one of music's first DIY dudes, played all the guitar parts on "Feeling".
A bit of trivia: Noting the similarities between "More Than a Feeling" and "Smells Like Teen Spirit", Kurt Cobain teased fans at Nirvana's 1992 Reading Festival performance with a few bars of the Boston classic."
Former BOSTON singer Fran Cosmo has released a demo from 1985 called Highway In Your Eyes. The song was recorded with Fran's Orion the Hunter bandmate Bruce Smith. If you enjoyed Orion the Hunter, I think you'll enjoy this track.
Can a human really sing that well?! Not since the late Brad Delp have I heard anyone consistently display that kind of technical vocal ability, and last night I think Siobhan surpassed it. Even the Darth Vader of talent competition, Simon Cowell, had to summon up a compliment or risk looking completely tone deaf.
But it's not just that she has amazing pitch, incredible range, effortless control, and a huge beautiful voice - although that would be enough - she really seems to live in the moment of the song, putting real heart into her performances. OK, so I'm prejudiced, but how could you not love this girl? I suddenly find myself telling people "I met Siobhan Magnus," and walking around with a phone hitting redial for two hours every Tuesday night.
Good luck, Siobhan, you deserve nothing but the best in this new future you've created for yourself.
If you were like me when you heard that ABBA was getting into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and wondered how they managed to get in but not BOSTON, well this would be a good time to make your voice heard.
There's currently a petition set up by Boston fan Nick Blazanovic to have BOSTON inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. If you want to see Boston inducted, then take a moment and fill out the online petition. www.gopetition.com/online/34819/sign.html
Encourage your friends and family to sign the petition too -- every name counts!
Three years after Brad Delp, the lead singer of the band Boston, committed suicide, his former bandmate is suing the Boston Herald for libel.
In a lawsuit filed March 10 in Suffolk County Superior Court, guitarist Tom Scholz claims Herald reporters Gayle Fee and Laura Raposa defamed him by writing that Delp’s ex-wife, Micki, blamed Scholz for the singer’s death.
According to the suit, Fee and Raposa, who write the tabloid’s Inside Track column, attributed statements to Micki Delp that were "false and fabricated." Scholz is being represented by attorney Howard Cooper, who successfully sued the Herald for libel in 2005.
"We have filed this complaint in an effort to correct the very substantial defamation by the Boston Herald and its reporters of Tom Scholz at the time when his former Boston bandmate took his own life," Cooper told the Globe today. "It is unfortunate that some chose that tragic occasion to sensationalize a false story about Mr. Scholz."
Herald publisher Patrick Purcell did not return a phone call today, but Gwen Gage, the paper’s spokeswoman, did.
"We’re aware of the complaint and we will review it," she said. "Beyond that, we have no further comment." (Neither Fee nor Raposa responded to messages today, and Herald lawyer Elizabeth Ritvo did not return a phone call or e-mail.)
At issue are stories that appeared in the Herald in the days after Delp’s body was discovered in the bathroom of his home in Atkinson, N.H. On March 16, 2007, under the headline "Pal’s snub made Delp do it: Boston rocker’s ex-wife speaks," the Herald reported that Delp was "driven to despair" by Scholz and the band’s "ugly breakup," and attributed the comments to Micki Delp.
Scholz subsequently sued Micki Delp, and, under oath, she denied ever making the statements. (That case is still pending.)
The lawsuit against the Herald claims Fee and Raposa knew the statements were false, "but they nevertheless fit the defendants’ predetermined agenda to sensationalize a story about Mr. Delp’s suicide in an effort to sell newspapers and to portray Mr. Scholz as an insensitive, heartless, and oppressive person."
Scholz’s attorney is well-known to the Herald. Five years ago, Cooper won a $2 million judgment (which, plus interest, amounted to $3.4 million) against the tabloid after a jury determined the Herald libeled Superior Court Judge Ernest Murphy by portraying the jurist as lenient on crime and writing that unnamed sources overheard the judge saying of a 14-year-old rape victim, "Tell her to get over it."
Yes, you read the headline right, you can get the chance to own a piece of a Stryper song!
SongVest is currently hosting an auction between March 6 to 13, where the winner can get among other things, a percentage of royalties from the song Alive. There's currently two lots up for auction:
Lot #1: The Multi-Platinum Edition • 40% of Michael Sweet’s Writer’s Share of the song’s royalties • Private dinner for two with Michael • Michael's acoustic guitar used on EVERY Stryper and Michael Sweet recording since 1995 • Personalized, one-of-kind plaque with handwritten lyrics and signed CD • A life-time VIP Guest Pass for two
Lot #2: The Platinum Edition • 5% of Michael Sweet’s Writer’s Share of the song’s royalties • Album award signed by Michael • A one-time VIP Guest Pass for two
The auction ends at 3pm EST Saturday, March 13. If you're wondering if this is legit, Michael Sweet posted this on this official Twitter account.
March 09 marks three years since Boston member Brad Delp passed away.
Brad, who was the original vocalist of Boston, and involved with other bands such as RTZ and Beatlejuice, died March 09, 2007 in his Atkinson, NH home. It was revealed in the days after his death that Brad had taken his own life.
Brad's legacy of being such a generous and giving person has been carried on with the Brad Delp Foundation, a chartitable organization set up by his daughter Jenna.
Let's all take some time today to remember Brad and his golden voice. Take out your Boston albums (and RTZ, Delp and Goudreau, and anything else Brad worked on) and play them loud and proud.
There's no getting away from the fact that the debut Boston album was one of the greatest, and of course most successful, recordings in the history of rock music. It was a record that changed the lives of the band members forever, rapidly elevating them from humble beginnings to headlining huge arenas worldwide. But good fortune soon turned to disappointment as the band slowly began to implode under the constant demand to keep the cogs of their hit making machine in motion.
If you were like me when you heard that ABBA was getting into the Rock and Roll 
Yes, you read the headline right, you can get the chance to own a piece of a Stryper song!
March 09 marks three years since Boston member Brad Delp passed away.