Jack Bruce’s Final Recording
‘Keep Calm and Salute the Beatles,’ an all-star album featuring new, acoustic versions of the Beatles’ classic ballads, is released today (27, and tomorrow in North America) and contains what is said to be Jack Bruce’s final recording.
The album is being released by Cleopatra Records and features many classic rock and pop artists, such as Todd Rundgren, John Wetton of Asia, Howard Jones, Leo Sayer, Stephen Bishop, the late Andrew Gold and David Clayton-Thomas of Blood, Sweat & Tears. Yes producer Billy Sherwood oversaw the project, and has his own version of ‘Something’ on the album.
Bruce recorded his version of ‘Eleanor Rigby’ for the collection shortly before his death last October. Also featured are such stars as Ann Wilson of Heart, Judy Collins, Helen Reddy, Martha Davis from the Motels, Felix Cavaliere from the Rascals, Irish singer-songwriter Liz Madden and KC from KC & the Sunshine Band.
As previously reported, ‘Sunshine Of Your Love,’ a multi-artist tribute to the music and life of Jack Bruce, will take place on October 24 at London’s Roundhouse.
The full track listing for ‘Keep Calm and Salute the Beatles’ is as follows:
1. Ann Wilson – ‘Across the Universe’
2. John Wetton – ‘Penny Lane’
3. Jack Bruce – ‘Eleanor Rigby’
4. Liz Madden – ‘Blackbird’
5. Andrew Gold – ‘Norwegian Wood’
6. Todd Rundgren – ‘You’ve Got To Hide Your Love Away’
7. Helen Reddy – ‘All You Need Is Love’
8. Judy Collins – ‘I’ll Follow the Sun’
9. Howard Jones – ‘And I Love Her’
10. Felix Cavaliere – ‘Ticket To Ride’
11. KC of KC and the Sunshine Band – ‘Let It Be’
12. David Clayton-Thomas – ‘Yesterday’
13. Martha Davis – ‘Nowhere Man’
14. Stephen Bishop – ‘All I’ve Got to Do’
15. Billy Sherwood – ‘Something’
16. Leo Sayer – ‘Hey Jude’
UK English
Carlos Bill
May 1, 2015 at 3:25 pm
Hi. I’m Carlos Bill, 53, play the rock electric 4 string bass in a band in Rio, and have always appreciated Jack Bruce’s electrifying bass solos and semi-distorted tone, as well as John Wetton’s precise, full-bodied lines. And both sing very well. Man…I think Jack and John’s playing of these Beatles classic songs is really one more demonstration of their peak. Jack’s exciting and emotional bluesy bass and sad vocalizations win the game, but Wetton comes so close…but I regret for one thought: why don’t you great record producers…don’t make such a big effort, and try to release previously unseen Jack’s bass achievements? What? Well, so easy to trace: if “I was you”, I would try so hard to grab old yet in good shape tapes of West, Bruce & Laing’s performance at the Orpheum, 1972, which released Live’n’Kickin’ the vinyl record, where Jack played a stormy and rag-type of bass solo, with the peak of his power and inspiration in Powerhouse Sod, the spectacle of a bass explosion, so emotional…Politician…The Doctor…Play With Fire man, you get the power to go after such rare yet possibly (very possibly) viable material. Please do not think just of the commercial success, but of the organic manifestation of one human being playing his axe as if both were as one. Jack Bruce “was born with his bass”. Live’n’Kickin’ in dvd, video. 1972, I guess November set. Beyond this official release of Beatles songs, you go and…baaam! Release one more official treasure, Live’n’Kickin’, same title, perhaps the whole setlist, full concert tunes (in the vinyl there are only four, you see). You’ll watch Jack’s fingers running so fast and strong during that solo; you’ll see his chords and gestures, as well as Leslie West’s and Corky Laing’s drum solo in Play With Fire, a machine drums solo! Other: Mountain, Stormy Monday, Atlanta Pop Festival, 1970, Felix Pappalardi, bass, Lslie West, vocals & guitar, Corky Laing, drums, keyboards with Steve Knight. In video, too. Cheers for this tremendous, absolutely SPECTACULAR Beatles songs release made by famous artists. Jack and Wetton’s playing could never have been better. My friend Bruce Iglauer from Alligator Records knows my enthusiasm. But…but it IS for real, and so genuinely healthy and exciting for our spirit. Thanks! Possible to release?! Carlos Bill facebook.com/carlos.bill.3