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General => General Music Discussion => Topic started by: mikeyd23 on December 01, 2017, 11:04:43 AM
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We've been discussing this in the Alter Bridge thread, but with more details now coming out, I thought it deserved it's own thread.
Myles Kennedy's solo record, Year of the Tiger, has been scheduled to come out March 9, 2018.
Track list:
1 Year Of The Tiger
2 The Great Beyond
3 Blind Faith
4 Devil On The Wall
5 Ghost of Shangri La
6 Turning Stones
7 Haunted By Design
8 Mother
9 Nothing But A Name
10 Love Can Only Heal
11 Songbird
12 One Fine Day
Track list and release date source - https://shop.napalmrecords.com/myleskennedy (https://shop.napalmrecords.com/myleskennedy)
Myles also launched his own website - https://myleskennedy.com/ (https://myleskennedy.com/)
Tons of great stuff on there, in particular in the "About" section, Myles goes into additional detail about the record:
MYLES KENNEDY
YEAR OF THE TIGER
Myles Kennedy had finished his first solo album. Then he threw it away.
“I had been working on a record for about seven years,” says the singer/songwriter known worldwide as the voice of Alter Bridge and of Slash’s band, Myles Kennedy and the Conspirators. “It was actually finished two years ago, but when I listened to it with a fresh perspective, when all was said and done, I thought it wasn’t the right first step to take in this journey—its shelf life had expired.”
So he started over, and found himself “writing like a madman.” More than twenty songs spilled out in a short period of time, and as Kennedy listened to his work, he began to comprehend the direction in which the music was pulling him. “It became incredibly obvious what the source of inspiration needed to be lyrically,” he says. “I realized it was time to jump head-first into something I’ve been putting off for my whole life as a writer.”
What eventually emerged was Year of the Tiger, an album almost entirely focused on the loss of Kennedy’s father when the singer was just four years old. “My family was very involved in the Christian Science church,” he says. “So when he became ill, he chose not to seek medical attention, and passed away a few months later. By all accounts, my father was a good, honest man, but I still struggle with the choices he made which ultimately led to his death.
“This was something I had wanted to dive into throughout my career,” Kennedy continues. “It just took decades to muster up the courage. Beneath the surface, the wounds were pretty raw, but it just had to be done.”
Delving into this emotional territory required a musical approach far different from the hard rock that has defined Kennedy’s arena-filling career. The majority of the record was written on acoustic or resonator guitar and recorded directly to tape using a limited number of tracks. Kennedy himself plays banjo, lap steel, bass, and mandolin in addition to guitar on Year of the Tiger, joined by drummer Zia Uddin and Tim Tournier on bass, along with longtime Alter Bridge producer Michael “Elvis” Baskette.
“I’ve always wanted to make a record where I could have the opportunity to explore and document a different element of my musical DNA,” he says, citing his love for the blues, R&B, and acoustic based music and listing such influences as Mississippi John Hurt, Chris Whitley, K.D Lang, Nick Drake and the acoustic songs on Led Zeppelin 3 and 4. “I was trying to tap into something a little more subtle, as opposed to a big, bombastic, high gain sonic attack.”
With the production and arrangements, too, Kennedy began with what he didn’t want, which was anything that felt too processed and slick. “I wanted this recording to be about the vocal, so we kept the instruments arranged in a way so that my voice would be dominant in the mix,” he says. “The recordings I love aren’t perfect. Going straight to tape, going for the song and the performance, making sure that the lyric is honest and resonates with you—the way to capture that is not to suck the life out of it. They call it wabi-sabi in Japanese culture, the idea of embracing beauty in imperfection.”
Even as a singer, Kennedy—three-time winner of Loudwire’s Vocalist of the Year award—was determined to explore a new range and approach. “I was trying to keep things in a lower register,” he says, “not relying on the vocal histrionics that I fall back on in a rock context. On this sonic canvas, I didn’t want to distract the listener from the depth of the song, what was paramount was how the lyric was conveyed emotionally.”
The album found its initial direction from the title track, which was an idea from Kennedy’s first pass writing a solo album. “I remember stumbling onto the melody and title of the song years ago. It stuck with me but I couldn’t seem to complete the concept until it dawned on me that 1974 was the Year Of The Tiger according to the Chinese Zodiac.” he says. “Once I realized that was the same year we lost my father, I knew where I needed to take the record lyrically. The song is really the preface for the entire story from my mother’s perspective. It’s a battle cry of resolution, to persevere under the circumstances we were enduring after dad passed away.”
Kennedy pays tribute to his mother throughout the album. The song “Mother” tries to imagine her experience of the tragedy, fighting to keep things together for Kennedy and his brother. “Turning Stones” represents the singer “trying to get in my mom’s head throughout the difficult journey” while “Ghost of Shangri-La” opens with an image taken directly from his family’s lives in the aftermath of his father’s death.
“The song starts with the line ‘There are thieves outside of our window,’ which was inspired by something that happened to us,” Kennedy explains. “A few weeks after dad passed away, our house was broken into. Ultimately, it served as the catalyst for my mom to uproot us from Boston and move out west and start over again.”
“The Great Beyond” is perhaps the most ambitious song, the grandest in scope, on the album. “That one is probably the least congruent sonically, but it’s so epic in nature that it felt appropriate because of it’s subject matter,” he says. “It describes my father’s passing with surreal imagery from a lyrical standpoint. It was perhaps the most challenging lyric to write, and perform, but it is a very necessary part of the story.”
With Year of the Tiger, Myles Kennedy opens himself up in ways that would be painfully, shockingly personal and intimate for anyone, much less for a revered rock and roll frontman. “Songs like ‘Blind Faith’ or ‘Nothing But a Name’ are almost like open letters to my father, expressing an ache that’s never subsided,” he says. “This record is my attempt to convey things that I’ve needed to express for a long time. What I found hiding in the deep, dark corners of my psyche was difficult to face, but in the end, what came out of the creative process was very cathartic.”
He also has pre-orders up for merch like CD's, t-shirts, bundles, etc...
https://myleskennedy.com/collections/more (https://myleskennedy.com/collections/more)
He clearly looks like he has the intention of touring to support the record in some way. He has meet and greet and VIP passes up for order to support the project.
I'm very excited for this one, everything about it seems like exactly what I would want from Myles. Discuss!
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I, for one, am really excited for this. For those that have followed this guy in the last x amount of years, we been all wondering what he can do by himself as a solo entity.
The greatest takeaway from this is that he has expressed widely that this album will not have that big bombastic sound that his main bands with Alter Bridge and Slash bring which will be to his benefit for this album. If this album sounds better than The Last Hero, and The Year of the Tiger has Elvis as the producer as well, then AB may have to rethink how their next album will sound sonically.
From what I've read in the about page, the lyrical content that The Year of The Tiger may bring is pretty chilling.
I may get that shirt with the tiger on front and CD bundle. The design looks all right to me.
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From what I've read in the about page, the lyrical content that The Year of The Tiger may bring is pretty chilling.
It's the year of the tiger
It's the thrill of the fight
I'll show myself out.
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I, for one, am really excited for this. For those that have followed this guy in the last x amount of years, we been all wondering what he can do by himself as a solo entity.
The greatest takeaway from this is that he has expressed widely that this album will not have that big bombastic sound that his main bands with Alter Bridge and Slash bring which will be to his benefit for this album. If this album sounds better than The Last Hero, and The Year of the Tiger has Elvis as the producer as well, then AB may have to rethink how their next album will sound sonically.
Yup, I agree about looking forward to hearing Myles in a more, stripped back setting. I love AB dearly, and really liked the albums Myles has done with Slash, but I think a lot of folks are hoping this album provides a throw back to Mayfield Four-era vocals from Myles. After reading on his site a little more about the album, I'm thinking we might get that.
You also bring up a good point about Elvis. Based on what we know about the style and direction of the album, the instruments used, the fact that it was recorded to tape, the fact that they intentional went for a stripped back sound, and the fact that Myles didn't want a lot of layers - I'd say that this album is going to sound so different from TLH (as it should, really) that it might be hard to say one sounds better than the other. It sounds like two instances of striving for two different goals.
From what I've read in the about page, the lyrical content that The Year of The Tiger may bring is pretty chilling.
Yeah, I'm expecting some heavy, emotional stuff lyrically. It'll be interesting to see how he comes at it, since he was 4 when his father passed, I'm sure he doesn't remember everything completely.
I may get that shirt with the tiger on front and CD bundle. The design looks all right to me.
Yeah the bundles all look great, I too like the shirt with the tiger. I think I'll definitely order a CD signed by Myles if not some more stuff.
It's the year of the tiger
It's the thrill of the fight
I'll show myself out.
:lol
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Pre-ordered the shirt and CD! Im so excited for this!
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My anticipation of this is unbridled. I got into him with Slash, and though I strongly prefer his Slash material over AB - the AB seems so... one dimensional to me, I'm sorry to say - this is the Myles I love best. I don't care for the bombastic metal Myles. I like the epic Myles - Cry of Achilles (I say, to be fair), Starlight, Standing In The Sun, Not For Me - and I feel like this is going to be closer to that.
My heart breaks over the story - I can only imagine what it's like to carry that for 40 years - but I'm all in on this.
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^ Stads have you ever heard Myles' old band The Mayfield Four? Still definitely a rock group but leaning more towards the moodier, less metal stuff. I'm thinking this solo record will be more in that vein.
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As of now this is probably my most anticipated release of 2018. Myles is one of, if not my favorite, singer at the moment. I'm expecting this to be an automatic album of the year contender.
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I've heard OF them, I haven't heard any of the music. Is it available?
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I've heard OF them, I haven't heard any of the music. Is it available?
Physical CDs are probably hard to find. They released two albums as a band, both are on Spotify. I'm sure YouTube as well.
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As of now this is probably my most anticipated release of 2018. Myles is one of, if not my favorite, singer at the moment. I'm expecting this to be an automatic album of the year contender.
That's pretty much where I am on this, as well.
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As of now this is probably my most anticipated release of 2018. Myles is one of, if not my favorite, singer at the moment. I'm expecting this to be an automatic album of the year contender.
That's pretty much where I am on this, as well.
Agreed.
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Teaser video for the record -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dlLyYCuqMek (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dlLyYCuqMek)
The first single and video hits Friday!
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That was the ultimate tease. Can't wait till Friday though March 9th is going to be a long wait.
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That was the ultimate tease. Can't wait till Friday though March 9th is going to be a long wait.
Agreed, and I'm glad he's getting music out there soon with the single dropping this early. He has a lot of cool merch to pre-order on his site to support the project, and people are more inclined to pre-order stuff when they actually hear some music first.
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Holy crap; "teaser" isn't kidding. Man.
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Holy crap; "teaser" isn't kidding. Man.
Yeah, WTF was that?
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Holy crap; "teaser" isn't kidding. Man.
Yeah, WTF was that?
Umm.. a teaser...? :lol
A super teasy teaser!
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Year of the Tiger is officially on iTunes! I'm digging it!
https://itunes.apple.com/nz/album/year-of-the-tiger/1315586489
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Yea! The single is on Spotify as well.
I really like it, it's stripped back and simple. There's some nice banjo or something going on throughout, some slide stuff - pretty cool!
EDIT - YouTube video is up too -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f3L9_6aJi2Q (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f3L9_6aJi2Q)
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I like the Americana vibe.
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While he's a technically good singer, there's something about his voice that throws me off. Glad he's made a good career though.. :coolio
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Really like the song! Sounds like a great opener what I'm assuming is going to be a great album! Going to be a long wait to March.
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While he's a technically good singer, there's something about his voice that throws me off. Glad he's made a good career though.. :coolio
Too much awesomeness?
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BUMP
Video teaser of another track on the record (45 seconds of the song):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ErhutESVfCU
Really, really liking what I'm hearing, this should be a very cool record.
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Haunted By Design is out now on Spotify and probably other streaming outlets.
Sounds like a very eerie sounding song when it came to the lyrics. Of course, it's really good. It's sounds very southern rock to me and he did use a banjo as the rhythm part during the solo. It had a Big Wreck feel to it. I like it.
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Just downloaded it. Also just realized that this album and the new BTBAM will come out on the same day. :metal
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Really dig the new track. I can tell this album is going to be great. We're not even 3 week into January and I know 2018 is going to be a great year of music. Especially compared to last year.
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Haunted By Design is out now on Spotify and probably other streaming outlets.
Sounds like a very eerie sounding song when it came to the lyrics. Of course, it's really good. It's sounds very southern rock to me and he did use a banjo as the rhythm part during the solo. It had a Big Wreck feel to it. I like it.
Yeah I really like the track as well. Very Americana sounding.
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Well, another song is out. Devil on the Wall. Be forewarn though, after the 30 second mark, Myles has gone full country in this one. Don't worry, though, it's still loads better then the majority of the tripe that is country nowadays. Probably the most upbeat song he's been a part of since The Dissident song that he did with Slash and the Conspirators.
All I can say, whatever expectations and sound you may think Myles will go just because we've been waiting 9 years for him to release a standalone solo album. Don't expect that at all. Then again, it's the solo album. Myles can do whatever the heck he wants and go way left field than what he's done with AB and Slash and I think he's done that so far, but I think he still retain the care and quality of music that we love him for.
Those that might like the heavier side of him may not stomach a song like Devil on the Wall though.
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I'm a blues fan, and I'm really liking what he's doing. There's definitely some country inspiration in this piece, but it's the good elements of country. At least he didn't go Bro-Country.
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Just like every genre of music there is good and bad country. I loved the first two tracks but I'm not going to listen to anything else until the whole album is out.
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I'm a blues fan, and I'm really liking what he's doing. There's definitely some country inspiration in this piece, but it's the good elements of country. At least he didn't go Bro-Country.
My thoughts exactly, I liked it as well. This is what I wanted from him, something drastically different to show the other elements that have inspired him as a musician.
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Just like every genre of music there is good and bad country. I loved the first two tracks but I'm not going to listen to anything else until the whole album is out.
I actually LOVE what they call "outlaw country". I think Waylon Jennings is every bit as cool as James Hetfield. I don't know that I want that from Myles, but an introspective, singer-songwriter set would work just fine (FYI, I haven't listened to even one song yet. Buying the record sight unheard.)
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I can dig this. By coincidence, I've been getting into alt country like Chris Stapleton and Sturgill Simpson as of late. Not minding the country vibe at all.
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I can dig this. By coincidence, I've been getting into alt country like Chris Stapleton and Sturgill Simpson as of late. Not minding the country vibe at all.
Hell yes. Stapleton, Simpson, Jason Isbell, Turnpike Troubadours, and the like are all artists that I've really gotten into over the past couple years. Hearing Myles drift in that direction (while still not being nearly as country as any of those guys) is right up my alley.
I realized his Nashville show was on a Saturday, so I grabbed a ticket last night. Can't turn down a $20 to see someone as awesome as Myles, even if it is a long ass drive for me.
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I'm seeing him in LA at the Troubadour on a Sunday. It's like if AB is playing in a venue in LA or Anaheim, and I don't have any big life-changing plans (such as moving to another county the day after the concert), I'm going to see them at any price on any day no matter what.
The fact that this show is on a Sunday (I can always take Monday off, no problem, for rest. I saved some vacation hours just for these occasions) and the fact that the tickets were only $25 fees included. It's a must-go. I'll try to weather the LA afternoon traffic (probably take around 75 minutes from Anaheim to LA with decent traffic) for a show like this. I'll already missed AB last year due to moving. I'm not missing this show at all. Myles on an acoustic guitar for a full concert incorporating AB tracks, Mayfield Four, stuff he did with Slash, and his solo album (which I'm really digging the three songs so far) and a few covers of his choice. It's pure bliss.
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Sure, one more song is released a week before the album is out. Love Can Only Heal.
This was the only song that Myles decided to retain from his first unreleased solo album before he shelved the album altogether. This was a pretty powerful sounding track in how its structured and letting the song keep building itself up. The ending of it had that big ending vibe that AB can and have done.
Well, four songs is out before the album is out, and I like all four of them in its own unique way, so this should bode well for the rest of the album.
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I can dig this. By coincidence, I've been getting into alt country like Chris Stapleton and Sturgill Simpson as of late. Not minding the country vibe at all.
I say this positively, and with the knowledge that you're looking at just the tip of the iceberg, but if you're into Stapleton and Simpson, you have a nice little list of things to check out: The Allman Brothers. Waylon Jennings. Kris Kristofferson. Hank, Jr. Even Willie Nelson (though I know his voice is polarizing). I get it, Stapleton is talented, but I watch people falling all over him and I think "Fucking Gregg Allman wants his gig back". There is really nothing that new about the new wave, it's just in stark contrast to the bro-stuff that's out there.
I consider "CHris Stapleton" to be the "Lady Gaga" of country; yeah, talented, yeah, something to offer, but all been done before and just as good (The Allmans; Madonna).
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Myles did his first show of the solo tour last night. The set is a cool mix of solo stuff, AB, Slash, Mayfield Four, and covers.
Devil on the Wall (solo song)
Standing in the Sun (Slash song)
Before Tomorrow Comes (AB song)
All Ends Well (AB song)
Addicted to Pain (AB song)
Life Must Go On (AB song)
Rise Today (AB song)
Starlight (Slash song)
Open Your Eyes (AB song)
Traveling Riverside Blues (cover)
Year of the Tiger (solo song)
Eden (Mayfield Four song)
Levon (cover)
Haunted By Design (solo song)
Watch Over You (AB song)
Mars Hotel (Mayfield Four song)
Going to California (cover)
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I feel like it's a little odd that he didn't play more solo songs. Definitely a cool setlist though.
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I feel like it's a little odd that he didn't play more solo songs. Definitely a cool setlist though.
Yeah, I'm hoping he adds more solo songs in, technically the record doesn't come out till Friday, so maybe he'll add more songs from the record to the set after it's out.
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Man I would love to see this show.
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I feel like it's a little odd that he didn't play more solo songs. Definitely a cool setlist though.
Am I the only one that doesn't give a fuck? :rollin I'd go see him do a 2 hour set of Blink 182 songs!
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I will be happy regardless when I see him in May. However, I was really hoping for less AB, and more Mayfield Four and solo material. Fingers crossed that come May, we'll get just that. :)
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For some reason, I don't think that setlist is complete. I know the order is not right, since there was a video of him going from the Elton John cover of Levon to Open Your Eyes. Also, in all the few non-radio solo sets he's done, he always played Hallelujah, but it was not on setlist.fm. I wonder if he did play it?
Still, him playing Life Must go On, All Ends Well, the Mayfield Four songs, and Led Zeppelin's Going to California are great adds. Also, I think the reason why it is still AB-heavy and not too much solo stuff is because the Year of the Tiger album is not out yet, and that this was the first time he played a set in South Africa (with the exception of the Kings of Chaos appearances he did in 2013), and AB haven't played a show there yet. I mean if the set is still AB-heavy and not more solo songs by the time he plays in Europe and the states, then there may be a problem.
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^ Yeah it might be incomplete, I just pulled it from setlist.fm so I have no clue.
It is 17 songs though, so that might be everything.
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Man....Love Can Only Heal moved me to tears
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Man....Love Can Only Heal moved me to tears
Yeah, by far my favorite of the singles he has released. It's the type of song I pictured when I thought Myles Kennedy solo project.
It just builds and builds and builds - layer after layer and then he climaxes with a lap steel solo? Yes, absolutely. Love it.
For those who haven't heard it yet -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AUxZNFkmbOE
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Man....Love Can Only Heal moved me to tears
Yeah, by far my favorite of the singles he has released. It's the type of song I pictured when I thought Myles Kennedy solo project.
It just builds and builds and builds - layer after layer and then he climaxes with a lap steel solo? Yes, absolutely. Love it.
For those who haven't heard it yet -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AUxZNFkmbOE
Holding. Out. I've only heard Year of the Tiger a couple of times. Refused to listen until release day. Tomorrow I head over to Best Buy to get the exclusive version...and my wife has a bundle pre-ordered that hopefully will get here this weekend.
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:lol Sorry didn't mean to tempt you!
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:lol Sorry didn't mean to tempt you!
:lol
No worries at all. I'm good. Looking forward to tomorrow.
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I was fortunate enough to have a full listen of this record.
It.
Is.
AMAZING.
Seriously great variety and that Myles touch to everything. It's such a great album and I'm not even much into the whole Americana vibe.
Don't want to say much more than that, but I will say that "The Great Beyond" is stupid good. It might be the darkest song on the record - probably the heaviest too (no electric, don't worry) - and boy is it captivating.
Ugggh he's so talented!
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^ Sweet!
Listening the record now!
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I was fortunate enough to have a full listen of this record.
It.
Is.
AMAZING.
Seriously great variety and that Myles touch to everything. It's such a great album and I'm not even much into the whole Americana vibe.
Don't want to say much more than that, but I will say that "The Great Beyond" is stupid good. It might be the darkest song on the record - probably the heaviest too (no electric, don't worry) - and boy is it captivating.
Ugggh he's so talented!
Agreed on the Great Beyond. When it first started I was like What the Hell, but then that chorus hit and my mind exploded.
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Listened to the record once all the way through, really liking it a lot! Definitely will take some time to sink in, but overall I really like what Myles has accomplished here.
Overall thoughts -
- The singles will probably end up not being highlight songs for me.
- The Great Beyond has the most epic feel to it, very dark, and very good. That said, I'm glad Myles stayed away from doing the "epic" feeling song for the rest of the album.
- LOVE the acoustic guitar groove in Blind Faith.
- Mother is a standout lyrically for me, truly heartfelt stuff there.
- Nothing But A Name gave me chills, lyrically it was probably the most impactful song after only one listen through.
- One Fine Day is a great way to finish the record, once again, really love the lyrics and the acoustic guitar groove.
- Great instrumentation throughout the whole record. Very cool LZIII style layering of acoustic guitar, slide, lap steel, clean electric slide stuff, banjo, etc...
- Lyrically, my first impression is strong and that the subject matter pushed Myles to go a little outside his lyrical comfort zone.
Awesome first impression, looking forward to listening more and finding more detail and getting more familiar with the songs.
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Three hours and I shall be leaving to buy it!
Edit:
So the first couple of spins. Really enjoyed it. I knew what it was going in, so no surprise there. I think this was a real gutsy album to make for Myles. Not only does he get completely personal, but it is such a departure musically from what he is generally now known for. I like it. Love Can Only Heal and Blind Faith stood out to me immediately.
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After one listen, I really liked the album. Will definitely be listening more over the weekend. I do hope that when I see him in May, there's more solo material than there is in that setlist earlier in the thread.
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My first listen was also very positive, though I wasn't able to pay complete attention to it since I was working. Can't wait to give it a proper listen.
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Yeah, first listen is catching my attention pretty well. So far I really like it.
The Great Beyond :metal
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Wow; this is really clicking. I know it's early, but this is the album to beat for "Album of the Year" for me so far.
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TOUR SPOILERS BELOW
Looks like Myles is incorporating more Mayfield Four tunes. Mars Hotel and Don't Walk Away have entered the set. :metal :metal :metal :metal :metal :metal
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Yeah I saw a video of Don’t Walk Away and it’s beautiful, I love that song.
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Oh yes, this album is hitting all the right spots for me. I love blues and bluegrass. Heck, I even appreciate certain types of country. He really shows his versatility, and the array of different instruments in his songwriting help make this album stellar. I haven't stop listening to this, and every day since I received the album, I've had a different song stuck in my head. Yesterday was Songbird. Today is Turning Stones. Great driving music too.
I'm with Stadler. Easily album of the year for me, and it's going to be hard for anything to beat it. Even the upcoming Tremonti record.
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I haven't been able to stop listening to this record. I'll listen to other music, but wanting to go back.
My top songs are
Love Can Only Heal
Mother
Ghost of Shangri La
One Fine Day
Turning Stones
Haunted By Design
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It's still up there. Really has legs.
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Yeah it's holding up really well for me as well. Love Can Only Heal and Nothing But a Name have literally wrecked me multiple times :lol
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For those in Europe that cares, Myles has announced a second round of solo shows in Europe. 10 of those will be with a full backing band while the others will be by himself. I wonder whose in the backing band. With the group of rhythm guys he's played with, whether it is from AB, Slash's backing band, or the guys that did bass and drums for Year of the Tiger, the answer may not be as clear and obvious. Anywho, here are the dates below.
(https://scontent-lht6-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/31252883_1832130816838328_1329114802689146880_n.jpg?_nc_cat=0&oh=595226b0a6963d03867861c66b82ee92&oe=5B589117)
Also, less than two weeks from the Troubadour show in LA! I can't wait!!! The setlists look pretty good. Sure, some are AB heavy, but he's brought some songs that AB either rarely or never have played like Life Must Go On, All Ends Well, Losing Patience, You Will be Remembered, etc. and from the clips I've seen, they sounded good and had good crowd response. He may have went a bit and overdone it by incorporating Cry of Achilles of all songs from his catalog to do, but it still sounded great acoustically. He also brought an acoustic cover of The Trooper.
I'm still hoping for more different songs from Year of the Tiger. 5 is ok, and it includes Love can Only Heal, but I want to see more like Mother, Songbird, Ghost of Shangri La, etc. and more songs from Mayfield Four, and more obscurer AB songs and more covers I didn't expect him to do. Man, blessed this guy, Myles Kennedy. The possibilities are endless and he can pull them all off with an acoustic guitar.
I'M PUMPED!!!!
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Great to see more tour dates, especially with a full band. So he hasn't announced who the band is then?
I'd guess Tim on bass and Z on drums, just like the record.
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Got to see the show over the weekend. What a blast. The venue was not announced as a sell out, but it was pretty damn close. Myles...man, there's a reason this guy is my favorite singer these days. What an incredible voice and humbleness about the guy.
The setlist on setlist.fm is predictably wrong. But not by much. Here was what he played (SPOILERS BELOW):
Devil on the Wall
Standing in the Sun (Slash feat. Myles Kennedy & The Conspirators cover)
Before Tomorrow Comes (Alter Bridge song)
Mars Hotel (The Mayfield Four cover)
Addicted to Pain (Alter Bridge song)
Starlight (Slash cover)
Haunted by Design
Levon (Elton John cover)
Blind Faith
Songbird
Love Will Only Heal
The Trooper (Iron Maiden cover)
All Ends Well (Alter Bridge song)
Traveling Riverside Blues (Robert Johnson cover)
World on Fire (Slash feat. Myles Kennedy & The Conspirators cover)
Watch Over You (Alter Bridge song)
Year of the Tiger
Encore:
Hallelujah (Leonard Cohen cover)
Rise Today (Alter Bridge song)
>>>>The order of that isn't right, but those were the songs he played. It clocked it at almost a full two hours. Here are some selected songs from the show (Mars Hotel, All Ends Well, The Trooper, Love Can Only Heal, and Hallelujah):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SP6E30jbtx0&list=PLJI-MjWF9aD8IWEKoxzfuKamoAlPpZxI1
It was a great night, and man, what a voice. Check out the 4:18 mark of Love Can Only Heal. Myles ended up giving my daughter a pick, and Tim, his tech and guitarist (he comes on twice to play), gave her a setlist. The funny thing was, the setlist was completely wrong, as Myles types one out, but then just plays what he's feeling and what the audience wants to hear. So each show is apparently pretty varied. It was such a great time, and nice to have my whole family together for something like this.
The songs from Year of the Tiger really have nice energy live, and man, Love Can Only Heal...that song is the real deal. I'm a big fan of The Mayfield Four album called Second Skin, and was really happy Myles did "Mars Hotel." He had been doing three Mayfield songs from that record at shows, but we only got one this time. (He was playing Mars Hotel, Eden, and White Flag at certain shows) One he hadn't played on tour was a personal favorite from that Second Skin record, "Summergirl." I asked him to play it, and he tinkered with the idea for a second or two, and then said, "well, this isn't Summergirl, but it's melancholy just like it," and proceeded to play Love Can Only Heal. It wasn't on the setlist for the show that my daughter got, so I was thrilled he did it, as like many, it is my favorite tune from his solo album. And if you watch the video, you'll see it worked out just fine. (Just incredible.)
The opening band, Thomas Wynn and the Believers, was great. It was just the two singers of the band (Thomas and his sister Olivia), with Thomas also playing the guitar. They were outstanding. Great voices, Olivia in particular. If you like a little southern flavor in your rock, check them out.
Anyway, such a great performance and concert, and I was so happy we could make it. If you can make one of these, I really encourage you to go.
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^ Awesome review man! Sounds like a great show, and it's awesome that he's literally feeling out the room and changing the set list accordingly, that's really cool.
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Fucking "Hallelujah"? Might as well play Stairway to Heaven and Smoke On The Water while you're at it. :)
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^ Awesome review man! Sounds like a great show, and it's awesome that he's literally feeling out the room and changing the set list accordingly, that's really cool.
Thanks, yeah, it was pretty cool. He even remarked "you guys want to hear all the hits, give me something different!" And that's when some of the deeper stuff started being asked for.
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Fucking "Hallelujah"? Might as well play Stairway to Heaven and Smoke On The Water while you're at it. :)
Haha, do yourself a favor and search "Myles Kennedy Hallelujah" on YouTube. If you've never heard his rendition of that song before, you're in for a treat. It's fantastic.
Thanks, yeah, it was pretty cool. He even remarked "you guys want to hear all the hits, give me something different!" And that's when some of the deeper stuff started being asked for.
That's seriously awesome, sounds like a great show.
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I saw him in the show in LA and I had a tremendous time. I won't bore you guys with the details (I'll probably leave a lengthy post in the AB Nation forums if you want to read everything about my exhausting journey), but it was a fantastic show and I was about in the 5th row of people in the front. To see that guy really close was an amazing experience.
I heard all three songs from the Second Skin album (Mars Hotel, Eden, White Flag) and they were fantastic. One person also wanted Summergirl, and Myles stated "One day, one day." and then the person stated "You said that 10 years ago," and Myles responded, "Yeah, well. 10 years ago, I said I wanted to do a solo album and here we are."
He did a Zeppelin cover which was "Going to California" on a resonator guitar and was doing some cool things with the resonator on his lap before the song began.
I do agree, if this guy is somewhere within driving distance near you, I do suggest you go to his solo shows. At the very least, keep a lookout on solo dates. Those tickets will be sold fast upon first day of sale (either the fans nab them, or the resellers gets their grubby greedy hands on them). Those venues are not hard to sell out though around 500 or so people. I mean AB and Slash played venues like The Wiltern and Hollywood Palladium that fills around 1,500-2,500 people here in the LA area, so I think getting 500 people to see Myles as a solo act should be easy enough to do. The Troubadour was deemed sold out and it did look like there around 500 people packed.
Anywho, I think that was it. I think that was the best concert I have ever to, and I don't think any concert I go to in the future will be this enjoyable as seeing Myles at the Troubadour, last night.
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^ That's great! I'm glad you had a good experience, I know you are a BIG Myles fan.
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I saw him in the show in LA and I had a tremendous time. I won't bore you guys with the details (I'll probably leave a lengthy post in the AB Nation forums if you want to read everything about my exhausting journey), but it was a fantastic show and I was about in the 5th row of people in the front. To see that guy really close was an amazing experience.
I heard all three songs from the Second Skin album (Mars Hotel, Eden, White Flag) and they were fantastic. One person also wanted Summergirl, and Myles stated "One day, one day." and then the person stated "You said that 10 years ago," and Myles responded, "Yeah, well. 10 years ago, I said I wanted to do a solo album and here we are."
He did a Zeppelin cover which was "Going to California" on a resonator guitar and was doing some cool things with the resonator on his lap before the song began.
I do agree, if this guy is somewhere within driving distance near you, I do suggest you go to his solo shows. At the very least, keep a lookout on solo dates. Those tickets will be sold fast upon first day of sale (either the fans nab them, or the resellers gets their grubby greedy hands on them). Those venues are not hard to sell out though around 500 or so people. I mean AB and Slash played venues like The Wiltern and Hollywood Palladium that fills around 1,500-2,500 people here in the LA area, so I think getting 500 people to see Myles as a solo act should be easy enough to do. The Troubadour was deemed sold out and it did look like there around 500 people packed.
Anywho, I think that was it. I think that was the best concert I have ever to, and I don't think any concert I go to in the future will be this enjoyable as seeing Myles at the Troubadour, last night.
Great post. Cool. Glad you got to hear all the M4 stuff he was doing. I'm a huge fan as well. It was such a great show. I really hope he gets another opportunity to do this again. He mentioned at our show how much he liked doing it, but I got the vibe he knows his schedule is packed moving forward, so he knows it may be a while before he can go out again like this.
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I saw him in Nashville this weekend. Sold out show (venue claims a 600-person capacity). He was simply outstanding, and he was both charming and hilarious while interacting with the crowd.
Early in the set, there was a bee buzzing around near his head, and he mentioned that he's very afraid of bees, and that there's a video floating around the internet of him freaking out over one on stage. So he was trying to avoid this one, and also making fun of himself, until he finally realized it was just a fly. Shortly thereafter it started buzzing around his head again in the middle of a song, and he couldn't hold it together, he just started laughing and had to pause for a moment and collect himself. It was great. :lol
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Just heard this album tonight. Good stuff, a few standout tracks for sure which is great on the first listen. What a voice!
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Just heard this album tonight. Good stuff, a few standout tracks for sure which is great on the first listen. What a voice!
Glad you enjoyed it so much on your first listen! It's still in constant rotation for me. Love this album
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Amazing cover. Pretty safe to say that Myles is my favorite vocalist at the moment. Too bad none of his solo shows are anywhere close to me.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uhH7BOBcI3g
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Just heard this album tonight. Good stuff, a few standout tracks for sure which is great on the first listen. What a voice!
Glad you enjoyed it so much on your first listen! It's still in constant rotation for me. Love this album
Yeah, it was really nice. Turning Stones and One Fine Day were my favorites, so I think I'll give it a few more plays, it's a 'maybe' purchase for me after one spin.
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Kattoelox,
Search out Mayfield Four: Second Skin. Myles' band before Alter Bridge.
It is really hard to affordably find on CD (I was lucky to nab a copy at 20 bucks about five years ago, but now it is much higher), as they are out of print. But grab it digitally or listen on spotify. Tracks to focus on: Mars Hotel, White Flag, Summergirl, Sick and Wrong, Eden.
You're welcome. :tup
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Kattoelox,
Search out Mayfield Four: Second Skin. Myles' band before Alter Bridge.
It is really hard to affordably find on CD (I was lucky to nab a copy at 20 bucks about five years ago, but now it is much higher), as they are out of print. But grab it digitally or listen on spotify. Tracks to focus on: Mars Hotel, White Flag, Summergirl, Sick and Wrong, Eden.
You're welcome. :tup
Thank you - making a note of it now :biggrin:
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Kattoelox,
Search out Mayfield Four: Second Skin. Myles' band before Alter Bridge.
It is really hard to affordably find on CD (I was lucky to nab a copy at 20 bucks about five years ago, but now it is much higher), as they are out of print. But grab it digitally or listen on spotify. Tracks to focus on: Mars Hotel, White Flag, Summergirl, Sick and Wrong, Eden.
You're welcome. :tup
Thank you - making a note of it now :biggrin:
I try not to steer you wrong! :)
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Yeah those two Mayfield Four records were fantastic. While I love everything he’s done with Alter Bridge....his vocals with the instruments stripped down is where he truly shines.
I also recommend Don’t Walk Away, 12/31, and Forfeit from their first album, Fallout
EDIT: They also do a Marvin Gaye cover of Inner City Blues that is quite wonderful
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Yeah those two Mayfield Four records were fantastic. While I love everything he’s done with Alter Bridge....his vocals with the instruments stripped down is where he truly shines.
I also recommend Don’t Walk Away, 12/31, and Forfeit from their first album, Fallout
EDIT: They also do a Marvin Gaye cover of Inner City Blues that is quite wonderful
This. So much this. When it comes to the Mayfield Four, definitely start with the second record (Second Skin). The songwriting is a little better and the production quality is much better than the first record. That said, on Fallout (their first record) Accelerando is 100% correct - Don't Walk Away, 12/31 and Forfeit are amazing songs. I'd throw in Big Verb and Overflow as well. I'm not afraid to admit that I've balled my eyes out to several songs on that record. It brought me through several very tough years in my life.
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Mini Doc on the making of Year of the Tiger -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ZHxTQ6GjJY
Really worth the watch, there's a part about half way through about a guitar, Myles' dad and a cool connection that got me straight up misty eyed.
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Anyone going to the show tonight, Highline Ballroom?
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Mini Doc on the making of Year of the Tiger -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ZHxTQ6GjJY
Really worth the watch, there's a part about half way through about a guitar, Myles' dad and a cool connection that got me straight up misty eyed.
This is great! I had no idea Zia played drums for this record until I watched this. I loved his drumming on the Mayfield Four albums, and his work on Myles's solo album is also top notch. I also had no idea Elvis Baskette was the engineer for Second Skin.
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This is great! I had no idea Zia played drums for this record until I watched this. I loved his drumming on the Mayfield Four albums, and his work on Myles's solo album is also top notch. I also had no idea Elvis Baskette was the engineer for Second Skin.
Yup, that's how the connection with AB started, he met Myles as the engineer of Second Skin.
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No one is going to see him in NY tonight?
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No one is going to see him in NY tonight?
If you've got some flight miles, I'd be happy to join you :biggrin:
My bro saw him in Atlanta last week and brought me a sweet shirt and autographed mini-poster :metal
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No one is going to see him in NY tonight?
Unfortunately he's not coming anywhere near Pittsburgh :'(
I'd go in a heartbeat if I were you though, the chance to get to see Myles like this, in this type of setting - pretty cool.
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I’m here. Place is badass. Al Pitrelli is playing guitar for the girl opening up. She’s butchering me and bobby McGee right now (she’s great but she’s doing the Janis version which I hate).
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I’m here. Place is badass. Al Pitrelli is playing guitar for the girl opening up. She’s butchering me and bobby McGee right now (she’s great but she’s doing the Janis version which I hate).
How was Myles? I'd love to hear your thoughts Stads.
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Sorry; late night. I drove back from NYC last night and decided to sleep in this morning.
I've already talked about Chloe Lowery. Charming woman, good singer; opted to scream a little too much (high registers were a little shrill) but she was good. I just wish she didn't introduce Me And Bobby McGee as a "Janis" song. GRRRRRR.
Myles. First, the place was neat; seats surround the floor area, and there is a balcony at the back and to one side of the stage (Selena was up there for most of the show, with local legend Jimmy Webb). I was right in the center, about 10 rows back. I had to move because two douchebags were talking about god fucking knows what through the entire show. Idiots. He came out about 8:30 and played straight through until about 10:30. I thought the setlist was good; from other shows there weren't any surprises in song choice, but certainly seeing "Going To California" or "The Trooper" on setlist.fm doesn't prepare you for what you get. "Going..." was so good, and perfectly captured the hypnotic side of the song. The songs he played from "Year..." were AWE. SOME. "Turning Stones" and "Haunted By Design" are my two favorite songs off the album. The Alter Bridge songs.... Aahhh. I've been sort of getting into AB a little bit lately, and when they're good, they're very good, but they just sound so SAMEY to me, compared with Slash et al. And honestly, the several AB songs he played did nothing to change that. Acoustically, they still are somewhat... same-y when compared to what he did on his solo record and the covers he picked. I won't spoil it but cute little story about him and Selena being in South Africa and finding a scorpion, and a little musical accompaniment to bookend "Turning Stones".
I think, though, that it's rare to see someone that capable, that talented in a setting like that, and for that alone it was an amazing experience. Two stories to highlight that idea: during Staring At The Sun, he was singing, the crowd was excited (it was the second song) and he just sang a line and then said "HANDS!" and immediately 700 people had their hands in the air. He was in total command at that point. Later, during Starlight, he sang it beautifully, and for the chorus, he kind of kept to the lower register, and I was all "okay, it's mellow, it's acoustic, don't need bombast, and plus he's got 2, 3 more hours, right?" Then for the last two repeats of the chorus he aired out that voice and it gave me chills. It really did. Just him, a guitar, and his music and it was so powerful.
(SIDEBAR ONE: NY blows; I had two Tito's and soda, splash of ginger ale, in a rocks glass (so not a double) and... $36 bucks. GTFO.)
(SIDEBAR TWO: I fell for the oldest scam in the book, and honestly, it's bothered me a little and I won't lie, threatened to sour the experience a little. So, shows over at 10:30. I go pee (because I didn't have time to before the show started). I went and bought a shirt (I rarely do, but $25 for a hoodie with "MYLES KENNEDY YEAR OF THE TIGER", not bad). I watched Jimmy Webb act like a rock star. Finally I went outside and lo and behold, there's Myles' van, and the road manager and two roadies were loading up the truck. I watched a little, helped a little, talked to the road manager a bit. One guy with kids asked and the RM said "He's meeting with friends; he'll be out when he's out, but it's early so don't hold your breath." Then Webb comes out and walks down the block the other way, and what was about 25 people dwindled down to about 4 or 5 people, TOPS. Then this other guy - also a roadie (who had been packing the truck) all of a sudden comes up to three of us, waiting by the truck and starts in on "Myles this" and "Myles that" and "what did you think of the setlist" and "what do you think about him touring with a band (he's going to Europe with the YOTT band this summer)" blah blah blah, and I notice he's looking at the road manager. I figured "that's his boss and he's bullshitting so..." Then in mid sentence, he looks over at the road manager, who nods, he looks back at us and says "night guys!" jumps in the van with the other two and took off. About 30 second later, this other guy - who had been out with us and had a poster with him - comes strolling by and says "you missed him. While you guys were being distracted by the roadie, he snuck out the side door, and literally just walked down the side walk with his wife. I caught him on the corner." I felt really stupid. I've calmed down a little and now I realize that it's not just about him. He's with his wife, he can't really just hang out on sidewalks in NYC all night. But still; there were 4 of us; it didn't need to be handled like moving the President through London.)
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Dude, I'm super jelly :tup
For 15 years, I've known in my heart of hearts that Myles is a GOD amongst mortals in musical talent. For someone that appears to be rather intelligent, it's nice to see that you've still got room to learn :biggrin:.
Regarding your idea that it's rare to see that talent in that type of setting, and also your second side bar... I saw Reign of Kindo in a small club a few years ago here in Jax, I counted 44 people, and at the end the singer says, "We're gonna be hanging around after the show if anyone wants to hang out." Maybe 10 people stuck around, a few girls chatting up the drummer who they obviously had a crush on, and my bro and me talking with the lead guitarist, singer, and keyboard player. Eventually the guitarist says, "So what's going on tonight guys?" I replied, "It's Tuesday night in Jacksonville, not a whole lot..."
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Awesome write up Stads, thanks for that. Sounds like a killer show!
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I gave this album a spin. Well, first off, I'm not a big fan of Alter Bridge (I wouldn't be able to name any of the musicians except Myles), I only know Blackbird (the album) and I basically only like the title track (I really love that track). I tried to listen to the whole album, and my attention kept slipping away, to be honest.
Well, this album is very different. I didn't pay a lot of attention during the listening, but I must say, The Great Beyond and Love Can Only Heal stood out big time, and there were some other great tunes too. I'm going to spin this one a few times again.
I would say, if I learned this guy is touring my city in a few months, I would've bought the tickets right now.
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I gave this album a spin. Well, first off, I'm not a big fan of Alter Bridge (I wouldn't be able to name any of the musicians except Myles), I only know Blackbird (the album) and I basically only like the title track (I really love that track). I tried to listen to the whole album, and my attention kept slipping away, to be honest.
Well, this album is very different. I didn't pay a lot of attention during the listening, but I must say, The Great Beyond and Love Can Only Heal stood out big time, and there were some other great tunes too. I'm going to spin this one a few times again.
I would say, if I learned this guy is touring my city in a few months, I would've bought the tickets right now.
Do so; if you're expecting a big Alter Bridge arena show, you will be sadly mistaken; it's very much in keeping with the personal nature of the solo record.
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I gave this album a spin. Well, first off, I'm not a big fan of Alter Bridge (I wouldn't be able to name any of the musicians except Myles), I only know Blackbird (the album) and I basically only like the title track (I really love that track). I tried to listen to the whole album, and my attention kept slipping away, to be honest.
Well, this album is very different. I didn't pay a lot of attention during the listening, but I must say, The Great Beyond and Love Can Only Heal stood out big time, and there were some other great tunes too. I'm going to spin this one a few times again.
I would say, if I learned this guy is touring my city in a few months, I would've bought the tickets right now.
Do so; if you're expecting a big Alter Bridge arena show, you will be sadly mistaken; it's very much in keeping with the personal nature of the solo record.
I would, except I don't think Alter Bridge or Myles ever came to where I live. :) But hey, that's fine.
The album is actually very good, I was spinning it again today. Beautiful piece of work, and it feels very personal too, as you said. Probably going to stay in my rotation for a while.
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The album is actually very good, I was spinning it again today. Beautiful piece of work, and it feels very personal too, as you said. Probably going to stay in my rotation for a while.
Glad you are liking it, it's definitely a super personal record for Myles. If you haven't dug into the meaning and story behind the album, I'd encourage you to do so. It'll grow your appreciation I think, it did for me.
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This is to Evermind: I don't know that I would go see Alter Bridge; I have a number of their records - two live, two studio - and while Myles is a beast, and Mark is a good - not great - guitar player, it just seems same-y to me. A lot of the songs have that sort of "growling" chug on the E string (think Bumblefoot's riff on... either Coming Home or Signs of the Time, I forget which, which should tell you all you need to know right there) that's not my go-to. But his work with Slash and solo is out of this world (and according to the roadie that dusted me, he and Slash WILL be doing another record in the fall).
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This is to Evermind: I don't know that I would go see Alter Bridge; I have a number of their records - two live, two studio - and while Myles is a beast, and Mark is a good - not great - guitar player, it just seems same-y to me. A lot of the songs have that sort of "growling" chug on the E string (think Bumblefoot's riff on... either Coming Home or Signs of the Time, I forget which, which should tell you all you need to know right there) that's not my go-to. But his work with Slash and solo is out of this world (and according to the roadie that dusted me, he and Slash WILL be doing another record in the fall).
AB needs a different producer. They have used the same one for the last 3-4 records I believe.
I think Myles confirmed that the record is done or that he already recorded vocals for it.
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This is to Evermind: I don't know that I would go see Alter Bridge; I have a number of their records - two live, two studio - and while Myles is a beast, and Mark is a good - not great - guitar player, it just seems same-y to me. A lot of the songs have that sort of "growling" chug on the E string (think Bumblefoot's riff on... either Coming Home or Signs of the Time, I forget which, which should tell you all you need to know right there) that's not my go-to. But his work with Slash and solo is out of this world (and according to the roadie that dusted me, he and Slash WILL be doing another record in the fall).
AB needs a different producer. They have used the same one for the last 3-4 records I believe.
I think Myles confirmed that the record is done or that he already recorded vocals for it.
Yes, AB should certainly use a different producer, that would be great. And yes, Slash will have a new solo record out this year. Myles has already recorded some of, if not all, his vocals for it.
Oh and Stads - I've seen AB a bunch of times, they put on an amazing show, you'd really enjoy it.
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Bumping to announce that he's doing one more US leg of solo shows in November and December. I would suggest that if you are a fan of his and you are within 5 hours of driving time, I would suggest going to these shows. I've seen AB and I've seen Myles with Slash and honestly, seeing Myles solo was the best show I have ever been to. I was standing in the 5th row of GA when I saw his solo show in LA and I paid $25 for that ticket comparing that to seeing Slash (for about $70.00) and AB (actually it was $26.00) in the nosebleeds. It's well worth seeing it. Here's the poster of dates below.
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Dm0m1MUUcAEGyz2.jpg)
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Want to reinforce that. I saw him at the Highland Ballroom in NYC and it ruled. Hartford is 20 minutes, so there is no excuse.
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Closest show is like 10 hours away.
I hate living here.
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He's playing 20 minutes from on the one night I can't go! Looks like I'll be making a trip to KC.
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That Warrendale, PA show is like 15 minutes from my house! No brainer, I'll be there for sure! :metal
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Like everyone else recently, he's skipping Minneapolis. Milwaukee and Council Bluffs are both too far for me to go just for one show. Oh well... Hopefully I'll catch him solo sometime in the future.
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BUMP.
Went to the Myles solo show in Warrendale (right outside Pittsburgh) last night. Awesome show.
Good mix of his solo record, AB, Mayfield, and covers. Really enjoyable performances, the band sounded great and Myles was fantastic. Small venue, probably a couple hundred people there but the crowd was good and into it. It was also Myles' birthday so the crew brought out a cake and the crowd sang to him, pretty fun.
Such a great experience to see Myles in such a small, chill setting.
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Band? Not him and a guitar (and his roadie on about three songs)? Hmm. I had to bail on the Hartford show last minute, and while I'm a huge Myles fan, that he wasn't solo acoustic makes me feel less bad about not going.
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Band? Not him and a guitar (and his roadie on about three songs)? Hmm. I had to bail on the Hartford show last minute, and while I'm a huge Myles fan, that he wasn't solo acoustic makes me feel less bad about not going.
Yeah this run of the tour is Myles Kennedy and Company. The majority of the set was Myles on guitar and vocals, with a drummer (the drummer from the Mayfield Four) and a bass player. Myles did several songs acoustic by himself during the set as well. It was a good mixture of the trio playing and Myles playing solo. The majority of the time Myles was playing electric not acoustic. Still a pretty chill vibe, nothing too crazy.
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I contemplated flying up to Seattle for this with the fam, but its too close to Christmas. We had a blast in San Francisco on the first leg of the tour. Myles spotted my daughter a few times and motioned to his tech/other guitar player to give her a pick and setlist. She was thrilled beyond words and I framed those up and hung them on her wall. She (like my wife and I) love us some Myles. I'll never forget him hearing me ask for Summergirl, and you could tell that while he could do it, it just wasn't something he felt comfortable doing. The dude is so emotional. Its really refreshing.
Can't wait for the next AB record. As a fam, we're probably going to do a couple of shows.
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I contemplated flying up to Seattle for this with the fam, but its too close to Christmas. We had a blast in San Francisco on the first leg of the tour. Myles spotted my daughter a few times and motioned to his tech/other guitar player to give her a pick and setlist. She was thrilled beyond words and I framed those up and hung them on her wall. She (like my wife and I) love us some Myles. I'll never forget him hearing me ask for Summergirl, and you could tell that while he could do it, it just wasn't something he felt comfortable doing. The dude is so emotional. Its really refreshing.
There was a woman in a wheelchair right up front at the show last night and Myles went out of his way to rip his setlist off the ground after the show and hand it to her. When he handed it to her, he looked like he was just overflowing with gratitude to her for hanging out right up front and rocking out all night in her chair. So cool.
My buddy that I took to the show commented on the way home how impressed he was with Myles as a person. This is a dude that plays huge arena shows in the UK with AB, and plays huge shows all over the world with Slash - and yet in front of a couple hundred people in a small club outside of Pittsburgh, he gave it 110%, enjoyed every minute of it, and stayed out on the stage for several minutes after the show to shake a ton of hands and thank people for coming. Super humble, grounded dude. Love that guy.
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Love hearing that. Yeah, completely agree.
There is a sincerity from Myles that just is not present in a lot of other musicians. He truly appears to be quite grounded and thankful for the success he has had, after the way things went with Mayfield Four. Really nice to see in an era of really fake people who feign giving a shit.
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Look I'm a huge fan of Myles, talked about that a lot here, and at the last Slash show he made sure a little kid (7? 8?) wearing a cool Slash-like hat got a pick and a drumstick... during that same show, I was second row and I waved and said "Thank you for the show!" and he pointed at me and said "No, thank you for coming out to see it!". But I also was standing outside the Highline Ballroom after the solo gig in NY, and he had his roadies run interference - like, blatantly - so he could avoid the four or five of us standing there. I felt really sour about that for a couple days after, and while I understand it conceptually, it's only fair to point out that he's human as well.
(https://i.imgur.com/4IDdUTu.jpg)
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Always trust Stads will be there to rain on your parade.
:rollin
Seriously though, everyone has a day. No one is ON, 24x7. I'm just saying he seems genuine. And if I remember that story right, wasn't his wife there, and it was obvious he had someplace to be or something? I could be way off, but I could swear you said that.
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Can you fault a guy for wanting to avoid talking to Stads though? :laugh:
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Always trust Stads will be there to rain on your parade.
:rollin
Seriously though, everyone has a day. No one is ON, 24x7. I'm just saying he seems genuine. And if I remember that story right, wasn't his wife there, and it was obvious he had someplace to be or something? I could be way off, but I could swear you said that.
His wife was there, but as to whether he had somewhere to go, I can't speak to that. All I know is the roadie came over to talk to me and two people next to me like we were long lost buddies, while looking over his shoulder, and in mid-sentence - i.e., when Myles was clear - said "well, ok, bye!" hopped in the van and sped off. Hey don't mean to rain, I really don't, and I'm over it, and consider him one of the best. Just want/need the full story out there.
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Can you fault a guy for wanting to avoid talking to Stads though? :laugh:
I had my talking points in bullet form on paper; I would have been brief!
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Always trust Stads will be there to rain on your parade.
:rollin
Seriously though, everyone has a day. No one is ON, 24x7. I'm just saying he seems genuine. And if I remember that story right, wasn't his wife there, and it was obvious he had someplace to be or something? I could be way off, but I could swear you said that.
His wife was there, but as to whether he had somewhere to go, I can't speak to that. All I know is the roadie came over to talk to me and two people next to me like we were long lost buddies, while looking over his shoulder, and in mid-sentence - i.e., when Myles was clear - said "well, ok, bye!" hopped in the van and sped off. Hey don't mean to rain, I really don't, and I'm over it, and consider him one of the best. Just want/need the full story out there.
I'm just giving you shit. I get it man. :lol
Can you fault a guy for wanting to avoid talking to Stads though? :laugh:
:rollin :rollin :rollin
Poor Stads. Myles sees him comin', dude fucking dives for the open door.
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Can you fault a guy for wanting to avoid talking to Stads though? :laugh:
I had my talking points in bullet form on paper; I would have been brief!
I'm almost exactly on the same page with you, and I don't necessarily disagree with you, but you're wrong. I would never tell you what to think, but you should know that you're wrong.
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Poor Stads. Myles sees him comin', dude fucking dives for the open door.
:lol Seems about right.
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I'll have you know, neither guy called security. At least not immediately (though I think Gary Barden was trying to lift my wallet).
(https://i.imgur.com/1fFV2jo.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/TFUtK39.jpg)
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New song for a new solo album. The album called Ides of March. This song is called In Stride and it's released now. Preorders are up on sale on his website. He's gone upbeat Southern Rock in this one, but I don't think this song is going to define the album, but it's probably going to be part of him wanting to continue exploring different styles that he couldn't do with AB or with Slash in big lengths. I read somewhere, maybe from an interview, that he has a Motown-vibe song in this one. I'm hoping he has another great acoustic centerpiece along the veins of Love Can Only Heal. If he has that for this album, it's going to be a big plus for the album to me. Anywho, here's the new song in the link below.
In Stride (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YPYaReHbNfU)
(https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/2433/6875/products/LP-CoronaDarkGreenWhite_large.png)
https://myleskennedy.com/collections/build-the-mk-solo-record
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Very excited for this!
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Another song out!!!! The title track. The Ides of March. Released almost to the actual day of The Ides of March. It's a lengthy one. I don't know how he still does it, man. Relish this man's talent.
The Ides of March (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hAD_82BD7k4)
But I also was standing outside the Highline Ballroom after the solo gig in NY, and he had his roadies run interference - like, blatantly - so he could avoid the four or five of us standing there. I felt really sour about that for a couple days after, and while I understand it conceptually, it's only fair to point out that he's human as well.
Looking back at these posts. Wow, Stadler. I ran into the guy in 2019 and all I had to do was be in the same airport going on the same airplane as him from Orlando to Raleigh. I talk to him for a brief moment. Told him what a swell guy he and everyone else in Alter Bridge is and told him I hope that it's not long before he does another round of solo shows (where he mentioned he wants to do another solo album so that he can do these shows. This was pre-pandemic of course.). Was a pretty chill guy. He also took time to talk to a few fans from Australia that was also going to see AB in Raleigh. They took this picture for me. Greatest moment of my life.
(https://i.imgur.com/9fXqQiM.png)
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I'm happy for you! That must have been quite the moment for you!
(And my experience shouldn't influence yours in any way; there are 15 or more reasons why things went the way they did, and only a small number are a measure of him or his character. I'm still a fan, and I'll be at any solo shows he does in support of this record, god willing. Who knows; maybe I'll meet him and tell him my story! :) )
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Excited for the new Myles record. I liked his first solo album, and I think "Love Can Only Heal" is one of the best songs I've heard in many years. But to be honest, I didn't like the mostly acoustic direction (the tour was great though).
The first two songs he's put out from Ides of March, In Stride, and the title track, are really good. Different enough from AB, a little bit of Mayfield Four (which is inevitable, considering he's recording with the same drummer), but it's his own sound and vibe for sure. Can't wait to get it.
I've only listened to both those songs once or twice (In Stride twice, the title track once). I rather put on the album when it gets here. Fingers-crossed he finds time to tour it.
Regarding Myles, I have only met him at Meet & Greets. I've done three of them. Fortress tour, The Last Hero, and Walk the Sky. And while Myles himself has been the same guy all three times - great sense of humor if you come at him with a little something - the meet and greets have been getting more sterile. The first one was the longest and best, IMO.
We probably won't do it again (the M&Gs) because we go as a family and it gets expensive. We've met them multiple times and got stuff signed and personalized (from home, unlike now, where they don't really allow it), along with pictured. But the M&Gs for AB have certainly got more...corporate. Well organized, a credit to the people who run them, but not enough time with the band.
Anyway, I digress. Bring on the new Myles album.
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Shocked at how this thread hasn't been posted in since my last post in March 2021.
I thought The Ides of March was a great album. It had a blend of styles on it and really went a couple different directions that Myles likely would never fully explore in Alter Bridge. The title track is a great journey, something I could see AB doing (and they did with The Fable of the Silent Son this year on Pawns & Kings), but it has this great...not sure how to describe it...earthy, organic feel to the tune I don't think AB, as a band, would have done.
It's funny, when the record first dropped, I listened to it, then put it away, and it was my daughter and wife, both of whom fell in love with it, that inspired me to revisit it. And then I couldn't stop playing it for a month or two. I really like how Myles has brought on Zia Uddin for drums from his Mayfield Four days. Zia has such a great and different feel from Scott Phillips, and it really brings Myles' solo stuff to life.
Anyway, unfortunately, Myles never played remotely anywhere close to me on the Ides of March solo trek he did, which is a shame. He played by us on the Year of the Tiger tour, which was an amazing experience in this tiny club, all acoustic. It was an incredible night. Maybe once AB is off the road (assuming AB will tour through Q1 of 2024), he'll bring his solo live tour back to places he didn't play.
Edited to add: I really, really love Myles guitar solos throughout The Ides of March. You really get a sense of how talented he is. He's not a shredder at all, but his solos are so moving, and really fit the songs.