While detailing each of the 19 track’s power-packed cameos would be difficult to do with brevity, there are a few clear stand-outs. The aforementioned Wylde guests on two cuts: “Major Tom”, alongside The Strokes’ Nick Valensi and Mike Inez from Alice In Chains, and on “Iron Man”. The rest of the album continues to read like a who’s who, including contributions from Brad Paisley (Steve Miller’s “Space Cowboy”), Bootsy Collins (Thomas Dolby’s “She Blinded Me With Science”), The Kink’s Dave Davies (The Byrds’ “Mr. Spaceman”), Peter Frampton (Norman Greenbaum’s “Spirit In The Sky”), plus members of Yes, Deep Purple, and much, much more. Check out the entire tracklist and corresponding guests below.

Searching For Major Tom is scheduled to hit stores sometime in 2011 via Cleopatra Records.  As always, stay tuned for more info on the release as it’s announced.

Searching For Major Tom Tracklist:
01. Space Trucking (Deep Purple) – Deep Purple drummer Ian Paice and Johnny Winter on guitar
02. She Blinded Me With Science (Thomas Dolby) – Bootsy Collins on bass and Patrick Moraz (ex-Yes and Moody Blues) on keyboards/synth
03. In a Little While (U2) – Manuel Gottsching from Ash Ra Tempel on guitar
04. Empty Glass (The Tea Party) – Michael Schenker (UFO/Scorpions) on guitar
05. Lost in the Stars (Frank Sinatra version) – Ernie Watts on saxophone
06. Twilight Zone (Golden Earring) – Warren Haynes (Gov’t Mule/Allman Brothers) on guitar
07. Space Cowboy (Steve Miller) – Brad Paisley on guitar and vocals
08. Rocket Man (Elton John) – Steve Hillage (ex-Gong member) on guitar
09. Space Oddity (David Bowie) – Ritchie Blackmore (ex-Deep Purple) on guitar and Alan Parsons on keyboards
10. Spirit in the Sky (Norman Greenbaum) – Peter Frampton on guitar
11. Bohemian Rhapsody (Queen) – John Wetton (Asia) on bass and vocals
12. Silver Machine originally (Hawkwind) – Wayne Kramer (MC5) on guitar and Carmine Appice (Vanilla Fudge/Rod Stewart) on drums
13. Major Tom (Peter Shilling) – The Strokes’ Nick Valensi and Zakk Wylde on guitar and and Mike Inez (Alice In Chains) on bass
14. Learning to Fly (Pink Floyd) – Edgar Froese (Tangerine Dream) on guitar and keyboards
15. Mr. Spaceman (The Byrds) – Dave Davies (The Kinks) on guitar
16. Iron Man (Black Sabbath) – Zakk Wylde on guitar and vocals
17. Planet Earth (Duran Duran) – Steve Howe (Yes) on guitar
18. Walking on the Moon (The Police) – Toots (Toots & the Maytals) on vocals
19. Mrs. Major Tom (female guest vocals TBA)

Twenty-one years ago, Tony Iommi and Ian Gillan, of Black Sabbath and Deep Purple fame respectively, worked with some of rock’s major players on the Rock Aid Armenia project to re-record the iconic track ”Smoke On the Water” in an effort to help the victims of the Leninakan earthquake of 1988 that left Armenia in shambles. Now in 2010, the two legends are coming together to record a brand-new track, “Out Of My Mind”, and give back once again.

According to antiMUSIC, Iommi and Gillan had already begun working in the studio with Iron Maiden drummer Nicko McBrain and Deep Purple keyboardist Jon Lord. In a statement released on Iommi’s official site, the recording of “Out Of My Mind” is officially complete, with the help of a few additional players in the rock/metal scene: ex-Metallica bassist Jason Newsted and H.I.M. axeman Mikko Lindstrom. “Next stop is getting the track mixed!”

The Armenian people have also not forgotten the efforts associated with the original Rock Aid benefit, as Iommi and Gillan were awarded the Orders of Honor by the Prime Minister of Armenia in October 2009 in appreciation. As a fan, it’s a real treat to see some of the biggest names in the game do some good by helping their fellow man and keeping rock music alive and well.

All proceeds from the upcoming single will go toward rebuilding a music school in Armenia that had been affected by the original disaster. No official release date has been set, but stay tuned for more details.

Point is, the ol’ band might get back together again… and for real. Don’t let those Ticketmaster sales fool you, the band hasn’t been vintage since 1993, when Richie Blackmore was still behind the guitar. Despite the four studio albums since, the band has seen a hodgepodge of line up changes. So, news of an actual reunion is a pretty big deal. Per Blabbermouth:

In separate interviews for February edition of Classic Rock magazine (issue No.128), David Coverdale (vocals), Glenn Hughes (bass, vocals) and Jon Lord (keyboards) have all intimated they would be up for playing together again, and all parties have recently been in contact with Ritchie Blackmore (guitar).

Now don’t get all riled up and dust off that Machine Head album just yet. There might be a hitch. Seems that original and current drummer Ian Paice might be a lil’ weary on the whole party, as he’d have to part ways with the current line up. However, fans shouldn’t be too preoccupied with the drama as fellow longtime fan and metal head Lars Ulrich has offered to step in: “I know there’s talk about the fact that if they got Coverdale, Hughes, Lord and Blackmore together, they would have four members who aren’t in the current DEEP PURPLE – then they just need a drummer. I’ll volunteer myself for that,” Lars laughed. “If they need a drummer, David Coverdale has my number.”

Whether or not this happens, we’ll have to wait and see. But already it leaves a stale, bitter taste in my mouth, similar to the Led Zeppelin reunion drama over the past year.

In the end, wouldn’t you rather just listen to the vinyls?

Check Out: