Apart from “Axis: Bold As Love” outtake “Mr Bad Luck” (a prototype Look Over Yonder), the dozen songs herein are studio recorded tracks laid down after 1968’s Electric Ladyland, but before Hendrix began work proper on “First Rays of the New Rising Sun.” Most feature the original Jimi Hendrix Experience, two have Billy Cox in place of Noel Redding on bass, one features Hendrix and other musicians.

This, though, is not some kind of great lost missing link album. Several of the tracks, like the cover of Cream’s “Sunshine of Your Love” and Elmore James’ “Bleeding Heart”, and a trio of rehashed Experience favourites, were done as studio warm-ups or rehearsals for forthcoming concerts. Even the conventional studio tracks mostly feel as cold and flat as rehearsals, rather than layered and nuanced in the manner of LP cuts. Additionally, the fact that these 12 tracks have a running time of an hour is a bad sign. That Hendrix was always best when he combined virtuosity with brevity is demonstrated by the flaccid eight-minute version herein of “Red House”, which can’t hold a candle to the taut, classic Are You Experienced original.

The core of the album is four tracks previously unreleased in any format. It’s an underwhelming quartet. “Lullaby for the Summer” starts out interesting courtesy of an exciting riff, but it soon disappointingly dawns that there are no vocals, while Hendrix’s solo is caterwauling. “Ships Passing Through the Night” is okay, but essentially just an identikit 12-bar blues with above-average guitar passages. The title-track is dreamlike and slick, but possessed of the type of rather aimless melody line that afflicted Hendrix’s work in later years. “Crying Blue Rain” is, unlike anything else here, poised and rich. However, it has no vocals, peters sloppily out and (like “Mr Bad Luck”) is rendered historically worthless by additional bass and drum recording done in 1987.

The fact that this climax comprises the closest thing to a substantial recording on the album is an indictment of a release that one suspects would not have made the stores had the Hendrix estate not wished to offer a bone to new label Sony following the end of their distribution deal with Universal.

Sample the tracks below:

Review by the BBC’s Sean Egan
BBC Online

The Citroën DS-3 is being promoted with the slogan “Anti Retro.” In keeping with this, footage is shown of Lennon criticizing people’s nostalgia for the 1960s and 70s. He says “Once a thing’s been done it’s been done. Looking backwards for inspiration, copying the past - how is that rock ’n’ roll? Do something of your own. Start something new. Live your life now. Know what I mean?”

The footage is from a June, 1968 interview for the BBC arts program ‘Release.’

What was Lennon really saying?

The footage is of course manipulated, with a fake voice over. For those who want to know what Lennon was really talking about before the footage was altered, I’ve tracked down the original, undoctored footage and put together a comparison video.

Although Lennon’s original words were far removed from the voice over on the Citroën commercial, it’s fair to say that the voice over does ring true as something Lennon might say. It’s a similar sentiment to these words from his 1980 interview with Playboy:

“If the Beatles or the Sixties had a message, it was to learn to swim. Period. And once you learn to swim, swim. The people who are hung up on the Beatles’ and the Sixties’ dream missed the whole point when the Beatles’ and the Sixties’ dream became the point. Carrying the Beatles’ or the Sixties’ dream around all your life is like carrying the Second World War and Glenn Miller around. That’s not to say you can’t enjoy Glenn Miller or the Beatles, but to live in that dream is the twilight zone. It’s not living now. It’s an illusion.”

Fans call for Citroën boycott

Some John Lennon fans are now calling for a boycott on Citroën cars and there is a war of words on Twitter between fans and John’s son Sean, who has defended Yoko’s decision to allow the footage to be used. He notes that the move was not about making money, but about helping to maintain Lennon’s public presence. Given the huge exposure The Beatles have received in the last year with the album remasters and the Rock Band game, I think that explanation is a little flimsy.

Whether Yoko’s motive was financial or to raise Lennon’s profile, I think this is all much ado about nothing. Sometimes fans can get a little precious about Lennon and to me the ad is fairly innocuous. That said, I wouldn’t advocate excessive or tacky use of his image of the kind the Elvis Estate can sometimes be guilty of.

Do you approve of the use of Lennon’s image for such overtly commercial purposes? Let us know. Please note, comments are moderated so there is a short delay before they appear.

The Beale Street Music Festival was launched on Beale in 1977 and moved to Tom Lee Park in 1990. It forms part of the Memphis in May International Festival, which also includes the World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest, the Sunset Symphony and an international cultural exchange program. This year’s event looks like it will be a blast, with a great mix of talent, old and new. The eclectic nature of the Festival is summed up by the fact that Colbie Caillat is set to follow Jerry Lee Lewis on stage on the Saturday night.

Click here to purchase Beale Street Music Festival tickets

Roger Daltrey opened the show with an hour-long set, including classic hits from The Who catalogue, as well as solo material. He performed the following 11 songs:

I Can See For Miles The Real Me Days of Light Freedom Ride Gimme a Stone Who Are You Behind Blue Eyes I’m A Man My Generation Blues Young Man Blues Baba O’Riley.

Daltrey is varying his set slightly on this tour. The show in Nashville on March 1 did not feature “Who Are You,” “I’m a Man,” or “My Generation Blues.”

“Squeezebox” and “Ring of Fire” were Nashville tracks not featured in Tulsa.

There have been suggestions recently that Daltrey’s voice is failing, based on his performance at the Super Bowl. The evidence from this tour indicates that these critics may have spoken too soon. Sarah Hart reviewed the Tulsa show for TulsaWorld.com and said of Daltrey:

“It was a treat to see Daltrey, and he sounded much better than I’d expected. I wasn’t alone. The Super Bowl show was sub-par. I heard one fan say, “I was kinda worried after the Super Bowl, but he’s been practicing or something, because that was great!”

Her comments echo those of Scott Mervis who reviewed the opening show of the tour in Pittsburgh for the Pittsburgh Post Gazette:

“Rumors of Mr. Daltrey’s vocal demise, based on the Super Bowl halftime, were greatly exaggerated. On the first night of the new tour with his solo band, The Who singer sounded 20 years younger than he did in Miami.”

Roger Daltrey opens for Clapton for five more gigs in the States (New Orleans, Raleigh, Atlanta and Orlando), before returning to London to rehearse for The Who’s performance of Quadrophenia in aid on Teenage Cancer Trust on March 30th at the Royal Albert Hall.

Clapton in fine form

Eric Clapton rocked through a 15-song set, featuring songs from Derek & The Dominos, Cream, and his solo catalogue. His full set was:

• Going Down Slow
• Key To The Highway
• Tell The Truth
• Old Love
• I Shot The Sheriff
• Driftin’ Blues
• Nobody Knows You When You’re Down And Out
• Running On Faith
• Layla
• I’ve Got A Rock N Roll Heart
• Badge
• Little Queen Of Spades
• Before You Accuse Me
• Wonderful Tonight
• Cocaine
• Crossroads.

Sarah Hart said of Clapton’s performance:

“Clapton filled me with awe. I watched his fingers caress and pluck those strings, and the ease with which they glided. He puts on no airs. He wore his trademark glasses, an untucked black shirt, dark slouchy jeans and what appeared to be white-bottomed Top Siders.”

Here’s a taste of what the crowd witnessed at the BOK Center.

Eric Clapton - Layla

Eric Clapton - Crossroads

Click here for Eric Clapton/Roger Daltrey ticket information.

The auction features original 45s, movie posters, rare photographs, handwritten lyric sheets, signed memorabilia, and jewellery and clothing worn by some of the greats of popular music, including Elvis Presley, Michael Jackson, The Beatles, Bob Dylan, James Brown and many more.

Here’s some of the most interesting items on offer.

Elvis Presley - red suede jacket

This jacket was purchased at the famous Lansky Brothers store in Memphis. There are numerous candid photos of him wearing it, and it was also worn for official RCA publicity shots. Elvis is seen wearing it on the covers of the single releases Playing for Keeps/Too Much, Jailhouse Rock/Treat Me Nice and I Got Stung/One Night.

The jacket comes with a letter of provenance from hairdresser Homer Gilleland.

Minimum Bid: $10,000
Estimate: $20,000-30,000

Click here to view the lot

Elvis Presley - black leather boots from “Loving You”

These boots were worn by Elvis in his second film “Loving You”, which was made by Paramount Pictures in 1957.The boots were worn throughout the movie and Elvis’ name is stamped in them, as well as the Paramount men’s wardrobe department stamp.Minimum Bid: $5,000.00 Estimate: $6,000-8,000

Click here to view the lot

Michael Jackson - stage worn shirt and pants

This light blue beaded shirt and white pants with rhinestones were worn by Michael Jackson on stage during the 1984 “Victory Tour,” which was the largest and final North American concert tour ever performed by The Jacksons.

The outfit was worn on opening night of the Dodger Stadium performances in Los Angeles, California on November 30, 1984.

This is just one of many Michael Jackson lots in the rock ‘n’ roll auction.

Click here to view the lot

Minimum Bid: $30,000
Estimate: $35,000-40,000

Michael Jackson - “Billie Jean” handwritten lyrics

“Billie Jean” is one of the greatest songs of the 1980s and certainly one of Michael Jackson’s finest performances. Here we have six pages of handwritten lyrics by Michael Jackson.

Minimum Bid: $30,000
Estimate: $35,000-40,000

Click here to view the lot

The Beatles - “Hard Days Night” signed album

“Hard Days Night” album covers signed by all four Beatles are hard to come by. This one is in good condition. The price does strike me as a little extreme though.

Minimum Bid: $30,000
Estimate: $40,000-50,000

Click here to view the lot

Bob Dylan - “My Back Page” handwritten lyrics

These are Bob Dylan’s handwritten working lyrics to “My Back Page” and “Ballad in Plain D.” Both songs appeared on Dylan’s 1964 album “Another Side of Bob Dylan.” The first three verses of “Ballad in Plain D” appear on the reverse of the sheet.

Minimum Bid: $50,000
Estimate: $50,000-75,000

Click here to view the lot

Guitar greats signed guitar

This is one of the coolest items in the auction, if not the most valuable. Ten guitar greats have signed this Epiphone guitar, including Chuck Berry, Jeff Beck, B.B. King, Buddy Guy, Bo Diddley, Les Paul, Otis Rush and Steve Winwood.

Minimum Bid: $2,000
Estimate: $2,100-2,300

Click here to view the lot

The online auction runs until Wednesday March 10, 9pm EST.

Click here to view the complete catalogue

Liverpool’s International Beatle Week is in its 27th year and has become the biggest event of its kind, attracting fans from all over the world.

Highlights of this year’s International Beatle Week include:

• Billy J Kramer playing his first UK concert in seven years
• Denny Laine performing Wings and Moody Blues classics
• Nube 9 from Argentina and Apple Jam from the US
• Pepperland and Merseybeat legends The Searchers
• Mark McGann revisting his award-winning role for “John Lennon: In My Life” at the Philharmonic Hall on August 29.
• A garden party at the legendary Casbah Club to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Pete Best joining The Beatles.

The Internation Beatle Week will take place from 25 to 31 August 2010.

For information and ticket details, go to www.whatsonwhen.com

You can view pictures and videos of last year’s International Beatle Week at:
http://www.magicalbeatletours.com/liv09_index.htm

Tri-C President Jerry Sue Thornton, a Rock Hall trustee, told Cleveland.com:

“It’s extremely important to have the Rock Hall’s library and archives in Cleveland. In addition to providing unique educational opportunities for students at Tri-C and other colleges and universities, the library and archives will be a big draw for music scholars.”

The archives will hold personal papers, business documents, photographs, song manuscripts, posters and other items from leading figures in rock music. Visitors will be able to view material in a special reading room, under supervision, although in the case of very rare or valuable items, they might have to settle for digital scans.

The Rock Hall has increased its efforts to obtain important rock memorabilia in recent months. Andy Leach, director of the library and archives, wants the facility to be “the world’s preeminent research center for rock ‘n’ roll.” He believes that such materials are better placed here than at the Smithsonian Institute or another museum, because rock ‘n’ roll is the main focus at the facility. Lenny Kaye of the Patti Smith Group and member of the Rock Hall’s nominating committee echoed this point:

“When I go to various libraries looking for rock-oriented material, it’s very haphazard. At most institutions, rock is regarded as some kind of a backwater. My hope is these archives will be a place where the music’s legacy is safely preserved.”

Kaye himself has made an important contribution to the archives, passing on a collection of live cassettes recorded in the ’70s and ’80s at CBGB, the landmark Manhattan club where the likes of Smith, the Dead Boys and Talking Heads used to play.

Buddy Holly’s high school diploma is in the Rock Hall’s archives

Among the rarities already in the Rock Hall archives are:

• Buddy Holly’s diploma from Lubbock Senior High School in Lubbock, Texas.
• Jimi Hendrix’s handwritten lyrics to “Purple Haze”
• Documentation from Alan Freed’s 1959 payola trial
• Jim Morrison’s death certificate, which lists the cause of death as “Unknown, pending Doctor’s statement”
• The passport of Joseph Vernon Turner, aka Big Joe Turner, the blues singer whose hits included “Shake, Rattle and Roll.”

Jimi Hendrix’s handwritten lyrics to “Purple Haze”

The facility is due to open in November or December 2010.

The 2010 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction Ceremony will take place on March 15 at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel, New York City. This year’s inductees include ABBA, Genesis, Jimmy Cliff, The Hollies and The Stooges.

The new “Exile on Main Street” release will include 10 unreleased tracks recorded during the “Exile” era, including “Plundered My Soul,” “Dancing in the Light,” “Following the River” and “Pass The Wine”, as well as alternate versions of “Soul Survivor” and “Loving Cup.”

“Exile on Main Street” was originally released as a double LP in 1972 and comprised material recorded between 1968 and 1972. It was The Rolling Stones’ tenth studio album and hit number one on the album charts in both the US and UK.Despite receiving mixed reviews early on, the album’s reputation has definitely grown and it is now regarded as one of the best in the band’s catalogue.

In 2003, Rolling Stone magazine placed it at number seven in its list of 500 best albums of all time.

Mick Jagger was hinting as far back as 2003 that a new version of the album might occur:

“Exile is not one of my favourite albums, although I think the record does have a particular feeling. I’m not too sure how great the songs are, but put together it’s a nice piece. However, when I listen to Exile it has some of the worst mixes I’ve ever heard. I’d love to remix the record, not just because of the vocals, but because generally I think it sounds lousy.”

The official announcement says nothing about whether the songs will receive a remix, but Jagger’s views on the existing mix suggest this is likely.

The “Exile on Main Street” release will be available as a deluxe edition, comprising the original 18-track album and 10 additional tracks, or a super deluxe release which also includes a copy on vinyl, a documentary DVD, and a 50-page collectors book.

“Stones in Exile” documentary

“Fans of The Rolling Stones will also soon be enjoying a documentary, “Stones in Exile,” which will feature never-before-seen archival footage and interviews from the early 1970s. The film was produced by Oscar-winning filmmaker John Battsek and directed by Stephen Kijak.”Stones in Exile” will appear on US Network television and on BBC Worldwide later this year.

In May, 1972, The Rolling Stones held rehearsals at the Rialto Theater in Montreux, Switzerland for their upcoming US tour. Forty-five songs were rehearsed, including tracks from “Exile on Main Street.” Here’s “Loving Cup.”

The second track on “Exile” was “Rip this Joint.” Here’s a rocking live version from 1972.

The 2009 Rolling Stones remasters

“Exile on Main Street” is the latest in a series of remastered Rolling Stones’ classic albums that have been released. Last year saw the release of 13 albums:

• Sticky Fingers
• Goats Head Soup
• It’s Only Rock ”N’ Roll
• Black and Blue
• Some Girls
• Emotional Rescue
• Tattoo You
• Undercover
• Dirty Work
• Steel Wheels
• Voodoo Lounge
• Bridges to Babylon
• A Bigger Bang

Hard Rock Calling Festival

Hard Rock Calling (formerly Hyde Park Calling) is an annual music festival held in Hyde Park, London. It is in its fifth year and there is a fantastic line up of artists over the three days (Fri 25th June to Sun 27th June), including:

• Friday 25th June - Pearl Jam, Ben Harper, Wolfmother and The Gaslight Anthem
• Saturday 26th June - Aerosmith, Stereophonics, Skunk Anansie and Keane
• Sunday 27th June - The Darkness, Paul McCartney and Simon and Garfunkel.

Paul McCartney briefly appeared at last year’s Hard Rock Calling Festival when he joined headliner Neil Young on stage during his cover of The Beatles’ “Day in the Life.”

Hard Rock Calling 2009 - Neil Young & Paul McCartney: “A Day in the Life”

Isle of Wight Festival

The Isle of Wight Festival was originally held from 1968 to 1970, but was revived in 2002 and has become a highlight of the festival season. The most legendary event was in 1970 when over 600,000 people witnessed a line up including Jimi Hendrix; The Who; The Doors; Miles Davis; Ten Years After; Emerson, Lake & Palmer; Joni Mitchell; The Moody Blues; Donovan; Free; Chicago; Leonard Cohen and Jethro Tull.

Other artists confirmed for the 2010 Isle of Wight Festival include Jay-Z, Florence and the Machine, The Strokes, Blondie, Crowded House, Pink, Spandau Ballet and Suzanne Vega.

Paul McCartney ticket information

The Isle of Wight and Hard Rock Calling Festival appearances will form part of Paul McCartney’s ‘Up and Coming’ tour, which kicks off this month in the US.

‘Up and Coming’ tour - US leg

• Sunday 28th March, 2010 - Jobing.com Arena, Phoenix, Arizona.. Tickets available now - www.ticketmaster.com
• Tuesday 30th March, 2010 - Hollywood Bowl, LA, California. Tickets available now - www.ticketmaster.com
• Wednesday 31st March, 2010 - Hollywood Bowl, LA, California. Tickets available now - www.ticketmaster.com
• Saturday 3rd April, 2010 - Sun Life Stadium, Miami. Tickets available from Tuesday 2 March at 10am - www.ticketmaster.com
• Monday 5th April, 2010 - Coliseo De Puerto Rico, Puerto Rico - ticket info not yet available.

‘Up and Coming’ tour - UK/Ireland leg

• Saturday 12th June – RDS, Dublin. Tickets go on sale Monday 8th March at 9am - www.ticketmaster.ie
• Sunday 13th June – Isle Of Wight Festival. Tickets on sale now -
  www.ticketmaster.co.uk
• Sunday 20th June – Hampden Park, Glasgow. Tickets go on sale Monday 8th March at 9am - www.ticketmaster.co.uk
• Saturday 26th June – Millennium Stadium, Cardiff. Tickets go on sale Monday 8th March at 9am - www.ticketmaster.co.uk
• Sunday 27th June – Hyde Park Calling, London. Tickets go on sale at 9am 5 March - www.ticketmaster.co.uk

And for those wondering what to expect from a Paul McCartney show in 2010, here’s Paul performing “I’m Down” last year at New York’s Citi Field.

Danny Anderson, director of Zisys Events, which is organising the golden anniversary day, told the Evening Times:

“Elvis is one of the most influential musicians to have lived. Prestwick Airport played a small yet significant part in his life. I felt it appropriate that Ayrshire formally celebrates this anniversary.”

The 16-hour celebration will kick off on Wednesday morning with ‘Elvis’ landing at the airport in full military uniform. There will be a number of performers paying tribute to Elvis throughout the day, including local Ayr boys, the MacDonald Brothers, students from Strathclyde University, and one of the UK’s top ‘young’ Elvis impersonators, Lee Jackson.

Elvis signing autographs for fans during his Prestwick Airport stopover

Prestwick Airport Managing Director, Iain Cochrane, said:

“It’s now or never! You’d have to have a wooden heart not to be hugely proud that Prestwick Airport is the only place in Britain where he ever set foot. Fifty years ago he flew in for an hour and this Wednesday we’re delighted to revive our links with the rock and roll legend.

“This is an excellent opportunity to mark a unique milestone as well as helping to promote Ayrshire and bring together the travelling public, local people and fan clubs worldwide. We certainly are all shook up!”

I’m sure the event is intended to be fun. Let’s hope it doesn’t unintentionally turn into an unflattering mockery of the man.

Parking will cost £1 on the day and all profits will go to the children’s charity Clic Sergent.

Elvis was returning to US soil feeling some trepidation after being in the army for two years. He needn’t have worried. Within a month, he had recorded the hit album “Elvis is Back” and the worldwide number one singles “It’s Now or Never” and “Are You Lonesome Tonight?”