Rising Force
VI
May 2, 1994
It's been a while since the last issue. I have good news, and bad news.
The good news is I've been promoted to Senior Software Engineer. The bad
news is that I will have even less time to edit the digest (I'm also
working on my Master's degree). I've beeen traveling a lot on business,
which means I can't always get to my mail, and even when I do, the back
issues are archived back home (which I see a couple days a month!). I also
hardly read the newsgroups anymore. So I am asking for your assistance in
running the digest. Perhaps someone can create an ftp site for archives?
Or at least be a contact for back issues? Also, can anyone volunteer to be
the newsgroup champion (reply to questions which we've answered here,
advertise the digest, and forward to me any interesting posts for inclusion
here). I would be grateful.
I did my best to get this issue out before the students broke for the summer.
If you will lose you account, if you get a chance, please let me know, and don't
forget to resubscribe when you come next fall.
--Yngwie concert----
April 6th Yngwie played at San Jose, where we had a Rising Force
mini-summit. There were 4 of us who came out (Tina couldn't make it, but
her husband did). Here are some random notes on the show - stuff that
hasn't been mentioned in previous reviwiews:
Mike Vescera - had a nosering, and goatee. His voice was really good - I
felt a good fit for Yngwie. He played the 2 repetitive chords in "Black
Star" on keys. Bass - A short young guy Yngwie described as "compact".
Drum - Had an entertaining solo. Keys - Mats was described as "reliable"
by Yngwie. Yngwie - a little chubby - wore spandex, though. He
definitely prefers the right side of the stage. He talked a lot to the
audience - something new for him. He sang backup, and some Jimmy Hendrix
covers. He is definitely in love - he let his wife Amberdawn write
lyrics one of the songs on teh album, wears an "Amber" charm, introduced
her to the crowd, saying she is very beautiful, and he is a lucky man.
(I only saw her body and hair, her face was obscured by Yngwie, though
Maria said she was a knockout.) The encore included "Stone Cold Crazy".
My favorite part was during his delay solo - some of it can be heard at
the end of "Eclipse". He uses a delay effect to achieve
self-accomaniment, i.e., he is
harmonizing with what he played in the past - brilliant!
--Yngwie: The Seventh Sign----
From: Richard [email protected]>
I agree totally on the new Yngwie album. It was released on
March 18th in Holland. It sounds a bit like "Marching Out" but I think
the "Pyramid of Cheops" track is way heavier and reminiscent of
"Trilogy". I really don't like the track Amberdawn wrote the lyrics for.
They are way too sugarsweet for my taste and, besides, the vocal melodies
are half ripped from a classical piece called "Air". I also agree on the
instrumentals being not particularly impressive. I usually like his
instrumentals most, but not in this case. They are too meagre. "The
Seventh Sign" and "Pyramid of Cheops" true corkers though! Brilliant. The
singer is OK too, only he seems to have some sort of accent. He
pronounces the "i" in "price" too much like the personal pronoun "I". He's not a native English/American person, is he?
[I'd guess he is. -Ig]
--Yngwie olds----
From: Wessel [email protected]>
When I was in Paris last year I visited Virgin Megastore. There I saw
a Japanese Yngwie bootleg (?) CD. On this CD there were about 12
songs written by famous classical componists, like Bach, Beethoven
and Paganini. I was very tempted to buy this CD but didn't because it
was very expensive. Does anyone know about this CD? Is it worth the
price ($30)? Where can I buy it?
[I'd say yes! Anyone else ever see this? Any our French subscribers in
the Paris area? -Ig]
From: Nigel [email protected]>
I just read the latest excellent Rising Force newsletter. Keep up the
good work. I was hoping you would have posted more than one review of the
new Yngwie album, but maybe that is all you have received so far.
[I post everything I get (unless it is something HUGE!) -Ig]
Anyway, I just wanted to explain the little bit in the newsletter about
Yngwie not liking doughnuts. It's quite a funny little story actually.
This reference came from the Pantera home video 'Cowboys From Hell'.
It is only about half an hour long and contains some video's, live
action, and some backstage 'home movie' type stuff of the band on tour.
There is one moment when they are walking around in a hotel lobby with
their little home video camera, and who is standing there with a couple
of babes? Yngwie! I almost fell out of my chair!
He immediately scowls at the camera (probably slightly drunk!), and yells
at them to get it out of his face. Then the guy who is holding the camera
hands him a bag and asks him if he wants a doughnut. (Yngwie is quite
chubby these days!). He yells back that he doesn't want no f*ckin
doughnuts and gets into an elevator with the girls while still mumbling
at the Pantera guys. The camera pans to the amused hotel security guard
and they give the doughnuts to him. The final shot is the back of
Yngwie's tour bus where Pantera scratched into the bumper, 'Go home
Wingnut you poser fag!'
From the net: [email protected]>
I'm just curious, if anyone lives in north Miami and knows Yngwie
Malmsteen lives or know him. I heared some comments, and I would like to
know more about stuff if his. If you know it, please e-mail me or post
with this message. Key: Drives Ferrari 308GTB(Black)or Ferrari
Mondial(Red), has huge house with big pool, tenis court...
I might give a award with more detailed info. Its depends on the value of
news, and my budget.
--Dream Theater----
From: Richard [email protected]>
I am not exactly sure whether this is neoclassical but their guitarist
John Petrucci is quite a bit like any modern guitar hero (and an
exceptionally good one at that) so here...
I got the "Images and Words - Live in Tokyo" video the other day and it
is really brilliant. The live production of the songs is a bit less than
those on the live "Marquee" CD but especially "Ytsejam" is magnificent.
You also get three video clips which are sortof OK but expendable. The
home video footage in between is kept to a minimum. I suspect the
occurrence of the words "f*" and "f*ing" (each about five times in the
total of 90minutes) warrant the English labelling it proper only to be
sold to people that are 15 years of age or more. Really stupid. I would
really have no problem showing it to a ten year old with good musical
taste.
[Personally, it really annoys me when musicians curse for no reason at
all. But that's just me. -Ig]
--Jason Becker----
From: Eddie [email protected]>
For those of you who haven't heard Jason's solo CD "Perpetual Burn",
go out and get it! It's very hard to find these days, and it's a real
piece of gem. Much better than his Cacophony material because it's an
all instrumental CD and he had total artistic freedom without
compromises. Can't wait to hear Jason's orchestrated music...
--Flight of the Bumblebee/Jennifer Batten----
From: Janell [email protected]>
I didn't know about the Jennifer Batten or Manowar versions of Flight of
the Bumblebee (I found Manowar, but could someone send me details on the
Batten album?). Of course, there are other metal versions like a speed
metal version by Great Kat. I also think Europe and Extreme have done it
in concert. I ran across references to some others, but haven't actually
heard them. Is anyone familiar with Granfalloon's "Plight of the
Bumblebee" or Anvil's "Flight of the Bumble Beast" (any album
information?)?
From: Neil [email protected]>
I noticed someone mentioned Jennifer Batten in the last issue. She
isn't neo-classical, but she's still a great guitarist. I caught her at a
clinic at the end of last year - and she's cut her hair! She opened up
with "Flight..." which had everyone wide-eyed in amazement. She played a
few other tracks off her album and demonstrated loads of tapping
techniques plus harmonics, slapping and plucking.
Suprise, suprise, she plays Ibanez guitars and although she does a
lot of tapping, her guitar idol is Jeff Beck. She also said she had a lot
of respect for ex-GIT buddy, Paul Gilbert.
I actually found "Above..." too much of a guitarist's album for my
liking - and I _do_ play! It contains lots of gymnastics but not much
feel. Stuff like "Headbanger's Hairspray" and "You ain't nothin' like a
Fast Car" are metal cliches and not much more than a good excuse for a
workout - perhaps she should have just recorded the solos! There a couple
of really good tracks on it though. Numbers like "Tar-zan's Day Off" or
"Crusin' the Nile" sound like they'd have a bit more time and thought put
into them. It's certainly not a _BAD_ album (sic), I just find it a bit
over-technical at times.
Apparently she's working on a new album at the moment, somewhat
more open and mellower than "Above..". She's working together with the
guest vocalist who appeared on that one track on "Above..." (but I've
forgotten her name and the particular track in question!). So hopefuly
there should be some new Batten material out soon.
--Vandenberg----
From: [email protected]>
In the last issue, a Vandenberg reunion band was mentioned. I'm
not so sure if this is possible because I read in recent issue of Metal
Edge that Adrian Vandenberg, Rudy Sarzo, and Tommy Aldridge (all formerly
of Whitesnake and varios other bands before that, including Ozzy
Osbourne, Quiet Riot, and ofcourse, Vandenberg) are putting together a
new band. A band name was mentioned and I think quite possibly a singer
was also mentioned, but both have slipped my mind at the moment.
--Impelliterri----
From the net: [email protected]>
I believe Chris has a total of 4 releases. In addition to the original EP and
"SIL", there are two Japanese releases, one of which featuring Rob Rock on
vocals and titled "Victim of the System", and the other featuring Jeff Scott
Soto on vocals but whose title escapes me. Also, it is possible that one of
these is an EP. I'm sure, however, that at least one of them is full length.
--Musicians' Messages----
From: Josh [email protected]>
I've received the issues and I think they're grrreat. I was kind
of thinking that it would be useful to add an extra section for musicians
who are in to this kind of music to leave messages (like guitarist from
such an such an area looking to form band. blah blah blah...). If you
think this is a decent idea, please write back, because I myself would
like to utilize this service if offered.
I was kind of hoping you could help me out. I currently attend
the University of Miami. I live, when not attending school, in the Bowie,
Maryland area. My keyboard player (email [email protected], he
attends the University of Maryland, College Park) and I are both fairly
well trained musicians, myself having taken lessons since I was nine and
currently majoring in Music Engineering, my principal instrument being
classical guitar (although deep down, I just want to rock), and my
keyboard player having played his instrument since a like age and having
been enrolled in and graduated from the music magnet program based out of
Suitland High. We would like to put together a band, which would
admittingly be slightly mainstream (maybe a few covers from Whitesnake or
Badlands) and would only play live during the summer and other breaks (as
we attend classes during the fall and spring), with other musicians near
the area. Some originals are already written. We already have minimal
recognition as shredders in the area from a previous band. We are in need
of a vocalist, perferably with a dirty voice, a bassist and a drummer.
Longish hair is a must. Any help you could give me in locating future
bandmates is deeply appreciated.
[Sure, here's your section. I'll include it as long as there are
submissions! -Ig]
--Misc----
From: Kalle [email protected]>
You should write an article to *.metal.* and advertise this group
there (e.g. subject "Neoclassical/Malmsteen mailing list", the word
Malmsteen should be there, because many fans don't know the word
neoclassical (I guess)).
[Can you please do it? I also ask of all of you to actively promote the
list on the Internet. -Ig]
