melodic rock
My Inspirations – David Coverdale
Yes, it’s the king of hair rock, David Coverdale’s turn in the spotlight of my inspirations this week.
I literally cannot tell you how many times I span my vinyl ‘Come An’ Get It‘ album; signing along with passion and heart yet coupled with pangs of awkward guilt at the content, but loving the absurd cheek of it all the same.
David Coverdale as frontman for Whitesnake was/is unashamedly sexual in his image and lyrics. Ordinarily that would put me off; that’s the main reason I find AC/DC so objectionable (there are other reasons too!), but in the case of Coverdale / Whitesnake, I just couldn’t write it off; I loved that voice, the blues-influences riffs and melodies, Bernie Marsden’s singing guitars – it all had me well and truly hooked.
Oh man did I ever face ridicule for it from my feminist friends; the assumption being that any intelligent woman couldn’t possibly take Whitesnake seriously. The thing is I don’t think Coverdale himself ever totally took Whitesnake seriously. He’s quote as saying ‘a lot of my songs are firmly tongue in cheek.’ Thinking about it, that comment could be tongue in cheek in itself!
I preferred his edgier early stuff, and so my enthusiasm started fade when they moved into the fluffy poodle-haired synth-soft-rock stage in the mid/late 80s with songs like ‘Is this love’ and the remix of ‘Here I go again’.
Probably my all-time favourite song – one that couldn’t in any way be seen as being sexual/sexist – is Child Of Babylon. In my opinion it still stands its ground as an epic classic rock song, brilliantly arranged and performed, and I would love to cover this one day, either live or on a record, and put all those hours of bedroom singing practise to the test.
My inspirations – Ronnie James Dio
The Urban Dictionary defines a ‘legend’ as “someone or something whose coolness extends beyond all space and time.” That, my friends, totally sums up Ronnie James Dio.
According to the BBC’s review of ‘Mightier Than The Sword‘ Ronnie James Dio was “a genius, a gentleman and perhaps [rock and metal’s] greatest voice.”
Sadly, I never met they guy to know whether or not he was a gentleman, all I know was that growing up I was simply awestruck by the quality and power of his voice.
I first discovered Dio in the Holy Diver era. At that time Rainbow was headed up by Joe Lynn Turner and I didn’t learn until much later that Dio had previously fronted Ritchie Blackmore’s Rainbow as well as Black Sabbath. So my formative memories of Dio were from songs like this:
And of course wishing I could sing like him!
I’ve had the great pleasure of seeing him live twice and it was probably the closest I’ve ever got to hero worship! He was (and still is) one of my most loved and enduring inspirations, not just because of his voice, but also because he simply kept on and on writing and performing really great songs; powerful, passionate melodic and thoughtful. That’s where his main inspiration lies for me; the consistent quality of his output. He was unquestionably someone who discovered their God-given gift and lived it to the max.
A few years back I gigged at the Cheese and Grain in Frome with my old band. It was a great venue, one of the few times we had a decent sound guy; this enormous but mellow dreadlocked American guy with a southern Californian drawl. We sound-checked with Holy Diver and I’ll never forget his reaction “WOOOAH Holy Diver, I was NOT expected that. That was totally aaaawesome”. Yup, you got that right.
New directions and new songs
Lately I’ve been working on lots of new songs, and a recent change in my circumstances has meant if all goes to plan, I should be able to get into the studio by the end of the year to record and release a new EP. I’m very excited and happy about that at long last!
And I’m loving the new material! I have to warn you tho, my lovely people, that it is a bit of departure from the ‘straight’ rock you might all be expecting from me. It still shows my passion and heart, but its a little more pensive, thought provoking and got a definite ‘alt’ edge to it. Hopefully you will like it too.
‘Live’-wise, the ultimate aim is still to get a band line up established, but so far my efforts in that department haven’t proved fruitful. It’s frustrating at times, but I have too much of a drive and passion to just sit and wait around for other people! So meantime, I’ve decided to strip things back for a while and put together an acoustic set!
Could be interesting – it’s already having a positive impact and and opening up potential avenues for performances in places I wouldn’t be able to get into with a band – including the local prison!
All the while, it’s awesome and humbling to still have new people discovering the music, and I’m really looking forward to seeing how the new stuff shapes up – both live and in the studio.
Much love x
It’s Christmas!
Well, it’s hard to believe that this time last year I was sending my Christmas message to you from hospital! It was truly heart-warming to have so many encouraging and supporting messages rolling in.
It has taken a long time for me to recover, but am I nearly back to 100%, thank God. As well my health crisis, this last year has been one of massive change for me – saying goodbye to relationships that it was time to move on from, and moving to pastures new. Lots of healing, but also lots of green shoots J
So, it has been a bit quiet on the music front since I released my EP last December. I’m sorry to those that have been eagerly waiting on new things; they are coming along, I promise! I feel confident that 2013 will see things rev up again with my new band, The Avowed.
Thank you all for your support over the last year, for your kindness, your emails, your comments, and the fun and laughs you’ve shared.
I hope that you and your loved ones have a truly blessed and wonderful Christmas – wherever you are, and whomever you’re with.
Peace, love and light to you
Janey x
Peach of a review from Ravenheart Music!
The latest review from Ravenheart Music is now up on their site – in keeping with tradition, Dave Smith has come up with an oh-so-quteable phrase, saying that the b-track ‘On My Own Again’ is a hard rocker’s wet dream.
Here’s the full review:
“JANEY SUMMER..’TIME WILL TELL’ (2 track single)
(Self Release) Reviewed 14th January 2012
I can say quite simply that Janey Summer has an awesome voice and deserves big things. This lass from the SW of England sure does rock. I reviewed an album of hers back in Sept 2008 – ‘Along The Way’ scored a cool 9/10, and I quoted in that review that Janey “has a voice to die for”. ‘Time Will Tell’ is a two track single that also features the track ‘On My Own Again’ and this girl seems to have moved forward leaps and bounds. It is of no surprise to also learn that this single is picking up internet radio airplay, because quite simply, the track (as is ‘On My Own Again’) is totally awesome. ‘Time Will Tell’ features a cool instrumental intro, before Janey’s totally mind blowing vocals carries the number into total dreamland. ‘On My Own Again’ harks back to the 70’s and is a Hard Rocker’s wet dream! It is difficult to score what is just a two track cd, but this is good, very good!! Effectively, this is powerful melodic hard from Janey (and her band!), so check her out here.”
Why, thank you Dave!
Visit http://www.ravenheartmusic.com/ for more info about them all at Raven Towers…..
Janey xx
Amazing Rock Radio Airplay
Great news!
DJ extraordinaire, Aaron Phillips, has chosen my new single ‘Time Will Tell’ to be included in this week’s Amazing Rock Show! http://amazingradio.co.uk/?show=rockshow
The show broadcasts Saturday (14/01/12) at 6pm GMT and is then repeated the following Tuesday (17/01/12) at 10pm
You can listen live via DAB Digital radio; about six clicks left Of Radio 1. You can also stream live via http://www.amazingradio.co.uk
If you miss the show you can listen again via our Rewind service from Tuesday from http://www.amazingtunes.com/users/amazingrewind
Hope you can check in – and please spread the word!
Thank you all!
Janey x
Actually Good News At Christmas!
Well it’s that awesome time of year again, and what a year it has been for me! Definitely NOT one I’d like to repeat; lots of illness, heartache and pain, but I’m so thankful to God that now Christmas is upon us I’m finally coming out the other side of it all. So I’m looking forward to some good times with my family and friends before a fresh (and healthier) start to 2012!
Meantime there’s some fantastic news for you to finish off the year…. My new single has now been released! Wahoo!
‘Time Will Tell’ is now available for download from my online store at http://janeysummer.bandcamp.com/ as well as all major download sites – take your pick, my friends; all the links can be found on my music page at www.janeysummer.com/music.html
As well as the new single for download, there is a bonus track, ‘On My Own Again’.
And I’ve pressed these two tracks onto some limited edition CDs available for just £2.50 plus p&p. – also available from http://janeysummer.bandcamp.com/
Thank you all for all your kind support especially over the last few weeks; it has been amazingly inspiring to receive so many good wishes; I’m feeling the love….
I hope you like the new songs; make sure you let me know what you think, and please spread the word!
Wishing you Peace and Love this Christmas,
Janey x
A Happy Birthday Freebie
It’s my birthday this week so I’ve set up a special offer on downloads till the end of the month to celebrate!
You can now download my album for just £4 – yep, that’s 50p per track – and when you do, I’ll send you a limited edition copy of the album on CD totally FREE!
This is an exclusive offer only for fans who download my album from BandCamp – you won’t be able to get the same deal from Amazon, i-Tunes, HMV or any of the other outlets. No siree!
So, what are you waiting for?! Follow this link to go direct to the BandCamp download page, and get your hands on this ace deal now! http://janeysummer.bandcamp.com/album/along-the-way
Just sharing the lurve :o)
Janey x
Janey Summer 