The Fabulous Thunderbirds will be performing at the Rocky Mountain Music Festival, at the Denver Botanic Gardens near Chatfield, 8500 West Deer Creek Canyon Road, in Littleton, CO, on August 28. Admission to the Festival, is $48 at the gate for adults, $20 for youth between 12 and 17 years old, and free for children 11 and under. VIP tickets for adults are $58 and for youth--$26. The venue phone is 303-278-7799 and the website is therockymountainmusicfestival.com.
For over thirty years, The Fabulous Thunderbirds have been the quintessential American band. The group's distinctive and powerful sound, influenced by a diversity of musical styles, manifested itself into a unique musical hybrid via such barnburners as “Tuff Enuff” and “Wrap It Up.”
Founding member Kim Wilson spearheads the group as it evolves into its newest incarnation. “We started as a straight blues band.” vocalist and harmonica player Wilson says. “We now incorporate a mixture of a lot of different styles. We're an American music band and we're higher energy than ever before.” The Fabulous Thunderbirds features Jay Moeller on drums, Johnny Moeller and Mike Keller on guitar, and Randy Bermudes on bass.
Wilson’s musical talents have garnered him multiple Blues Awards and Grammy Nominations. The Blues Foundation 2008 blues Music Awards named Wilson "Instrumentalist - Harmonica" category. In 2006, he was named “Contemporary Blues Male Artist of the Year” in 2006, and “Lookin’ for Trouble!” was named Blues Song of the Year in 2004. Wilson has contributed to the work of many other great artists such as the legendary Muddy Waters (who called him his “son”), contemporary artist Bonnie Raitt, guitar legends Stevie Ray Vaughan and brother Jimmie Vaughan, and Martin Scorsese’s movie “The Blues." With his current movie project “Cadillac Records,” Wilson continues to focus on the music he loves.
With over 20 albums recorded and millions sold, Kim Wilson and The Fabulous Thunderbirds tour the world performing their own unique style of music. Ranging from pop anthems like “Powerful Stuff” which was featured in the Tom Cruise movie “Cocktail," to the low down blues of "Chicago," this brand of honest music brings fans back time and again.
Having shared the stage with The Rolling Stones, Joe Cocker, Carlos Santana and blues legends BB King and Buddy Guy and countless others, The Fabulous Thunderbirds continue to tour Europe and the North America, bringing more great music to their fans worldwide.
Little Steven will always rave about The Yardbirds, singing the group's praises from the rafters and to the world. Generally he plays the band in heavy rotation on his Sirius XM channel, Little Steven's Underground Garage. On Wednesday, September 7, he was declaring the band's place in music history when he emceed the Yardbirds at BB King Blues Club and Grill, in New York City. (In fact Steven's "rave up" of the band was caught on youtube.GUITAR WORLD editor Brad Tolinski was also in attendance at the show, and he immediately reviewed the show on his blog, stating, it was "one of the best gigs I've seen this year."Left to Right: Yardbirds singer: Andy Mitchell, bassist David Smale, guitarist Ben King, rhythm guitar Chris Dreja, Little Steven, and Yardbirds' drummer Jim McCarty--ALL YARDBIRDS NORTH AMERICAN DATESSept. 10: Parilla Center, Rockville, MDSept. 11: Rams Head, Annapolis, MDSept. 15: New Showroom, Hawaiian Brians, Honolulu, HISept. 16: Maui Arts and Cultural Center, Maui, HISept. 17: Horoka Peoples Theatre, Big Island, HISept. 21 Key Club, Hollywood, CASept. 22: Coachhouse, Santa Ana, CASept. 23: Canyon Club, Agoura Hills, CA Sept. 24: El Rey Theatre, Chico, CA
World-renowned virtuoso guitarist and multi- instrumentalist/composer Mike Keneally is set to launch his first West Coast full-band tour in years, bringing his remarkably inventive musical vision to nine cities in October in support of the Keneally Band's latest Exowax Recordings DVD/CD live release, bakin' @ the potato!
From Keneally’s well-documented recorded work as a guitarist/keyboardist/vocalist in Frank Zappa’s last touring band, to his recordings and performances with Robert Fripp, Dethklok, Wayne Kramer, Steve Vai, Screamin’ Jay Hawkins, Joe Satriani, Andy Partridge and many others, he’s earned a reputation as someone who brings an intense, original musical voice to any and all musical happenings. His extensive and wildly diverse original catalog of 20 albums (and counting) defies traditional classification, and concertgoers are regularly left awestruck by his band’s high-wire-act execution of the eclectic material. Time Out New York says "this band, with such a peculiar genius leading it, is a thing to savor."
In a unique twist, this tour’s Mike Keneally Band members also comprise the opening act, the band of Keneally’s longtime bassist Bryan Beller (Steve Vai, Dethklok), whose intricate jazz/rock compositions and tasteful playing earned his third and latest album Wednesday Night Live widespread acclaim (“Beller is part of a new elite in the world of jazz-rock fusion.” – Jeff Miers, The Buffalo News.) The Keneally/Beller Band West Coast 2011 Tour features Keneally, Beller, drummer Joe Travers (Zappa Plays Zappa), and guitarists Rick Musallam (Ben Taylor, Byrd York) and Griff Peters (Billie Myers, Anika Paris).
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Tour dates: October 12: Don Quixote's International Music Hall, Felton, CA October 13: Biscuits & Blues, San Francisco, CA October 14: Music Max, Palo Cedro (Redding), CA October 15: Humbrew's, Arcata, CA (Presented by the Arcata Eye, the weekly newspaper October 17: Mt. Tabor Theater, Portland, OR October 18: The Rendezvous, Seattle, WA October 21: Winstons, San Diego (Ocean Beach), CA October 22: The Baked Potato, Studio City, CA October 23: HOUSE CONCERT: Anaheim, CA
Jim McCarty, Jann Klose, and John Hawken will be performing two Ontario shows on October 4 and 5.
The first is at This Ain't Hollywood, 345 James St. North, in Hamilton, Ontario, at 9:30 PM on October 4 at 9 PM. Tickets are $15. For more information, please call 905-529-9500 and visit the website.
On October 5 at 8:30 PM, Jim, Jann, and John will perform at Hugh's Room, 2261 Dundas Street, W., in Toronto. Admission is $20 in advance and $22.50 at the door. (Students with proper school ID get in for $10.) Visit their website and their phone number is 416-531-6604.
The Yardbirds’ Jim McCarty's history is phenomenal, having been partially responsible for discovering Eric Clapton, Jimmy Page, Jeff Beck, and reuniting with Page in a 1980s group called Box of Frogs. He's been making music every decade, with emphasis on creation. He and the other original Yardbirds members have been inducted in to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Jim founded Renaissance with Yardbirds' mate, the late Keith Relf in the late 1960s. This band was a classical rock band that was fronted for the first album by Keith's sister Jane. After Jane left, Jim and Keith auditioned Annie Haslam, who fronted the line-up of Renaissance that became popular in the States.
Jim McCarty's current album SITTING ON THE TOP OF TIME features Toronto flautist Ron Korb, pianist Donald Quan, guitarist Ray Hickey and bassist George Koller. Much of it was recorded in Quan's studio, Q Music, “There seemed to be a good group of session players available, very much like in London in the ‘60s and thanks to Ron, I soon had a good team together: Ron, Donald, Ray, and George.”
Joining Jim’s band for this show is John Hawken. John was in Renaissance and Illusion with Jim (2001), and most recently in the Strawbs. He has also played with The Nashville Teens, Spooky Tooth, Vinegar Joe (with Robert Palmer), Third World War, and Renaissance Illusion.
Renaissance's Annie Haslam was one of the music business people who discovered Jann Klose, and collaborated with him and John Tout (from Annie's Renaissance lineup) in the fall of 2008. Jann then opened for Renaissance's 40th Anniversary comeback tour, Fall 2009. He has opened for the Strawbs a few times, and has shared the stage and/or opened for Pete Seeger, the late Les Paul, Rusted Root, Shawn Phillips, Marty Stuart, Roger McGuinn, Rosanne Cash, Marshall Crenshaw, Vonda Shepard, Elliott Murphy.
Genya Ravan, who recently featured Jann's "Waiting For the Wave" on her Sirius XM show "Goldie's Garage" on Little Steven's Underground Garage channel says, "Gee, if I had a label I would sign Jann immediately, this is a hit song. I am going to play it, even though its not garage, too damn beautiful to pass on." Jann music is on the GRAMMY-nominated album, HEALTHY FOOD FOR THOUGHT, his music's been featured on MTV's CRIBS and Paul Sorvino's movie, DEAD BROKE (Warner Bros.) His most recent recordings are REVERIE (2008) and SACRIFICE EP (2010). and he's releasing a new album in 2012.
Miss Amy's FITNESS ROCK & ROLL has been nominated for a GRAMMY® Award for the 54th Grammy Celebrations to broadcast on CBS-TV and the internet at grammy.com on February 12, 2012.Known as "The First Lady of Musical Fitness" by the National Children's Entertainment Guide, Miss Amy is THE Kids Rocker/Fitness Guru. This GRAMMY Nominated Featured Artist, Miss Amy also serves as an Official Advocate for the President's Challenge Program, and was PC All-American in September 2010, encouraging families to stay physically active through her warm engaging manner and positively enriching original music.Honored to have performed at The White House Egg Roll 2010, Miss Amy is a singer/songwriter, an accredited music educator and a fitness instructor. She earned her BBA in Strategic Management at University of North Texas and her Certificate of Gerontology at Rutgers University. Additionally Miss Amy has over 20 years of fitness instruction experience being accredited for Kids & Teen Fitness, Yoga I & II, Pilates, Tai-Chi, Strength Training, Primary Aerobics and Pre/Post Natal Fitness, and she is a certified Youth/Adolescent Fitness Trainer.As an Advocate for the President's Challenge Program (a program of the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports), Miss Amy encourages families to work toward earning the Presidential Active Lifestyle Award while inspiring and motivating young people to learn about their bodies and build healthy habits for life through her interactive Fitness Rock & Roll shows.In addition to Miss Amy's nomination for FITNESS ROCK & ROLL, she's contributed work to the Wildflower CD (2010) in support of Women in Art in Pennsylvania and recorded on the International Baby 101 (English/Japanese/Spanish) project which earned the NAPPA Gold Award in 2004 and the Creative Child Excellence Award of 2006. Her I Wanna Know How It Works! song was included in the award-winning, WXPN Kids Corner, 20th Anniversary Celebration CD and ranked #5 for the Kids Corner top 10 songs of 2009. She has been featured in several books most notably; Singing; A Practical Guide to Pursuing the Art (The Performing Arts) (2009) for young adults by Rebecca Friskin and Shake & Shout: 16 Noisy, Lively Story Programs ( 2008) for children by Rob Reid.An active member of the Philadelphia NARAS Chapter, Miss Amy also served on the NJ Partnership For Healthy Kids committee, and volunteers with Musicians On Call at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. FITNESS ROCK & ROLL is the third album Miss Amy is on that's been nominated for a GRAMMY. She appears also on HEALTHY FOOD FOR THOUGHT: GOOD ENOUGH TO EAT, as well as on another project this year, ALL ABOUT BULLIES... BIG AND SMALL.
Following the recent announcement of a 19-date tour to commemorate the 40th anniversary of 'Thick As A Brick,' on April 2nd (April 3rd in North America) Ian Anderson will release a sequel to the original album.In 1972, Ian Anderson wrote and recorded the Jethro Tull Progressive Rock classic album 'Thick As A Brick.' The lyrics were credited at the time to the fictitious child character, Gerald Bostock, whose parents supposedly lied about his age. The record instantly became a number one Billboard Chart album and enjoyed considerable success in many countries of the world.So, forty years on, what would Gerald Bostock - aged fifty in 2012 - be doing today? What might have befallen him? The anniversary “part two” album will examine the possible different paths that the precocious young schoolboy, Gerald Bostock, might have taken later in life through alter-ego characters with song-section identities illustrating the hugely varied potential twists and turns of fate and opportunity. Not just for Gerald but to echo how our own lives develop, change direction and ultimately conclude through chance encounters and interventions, however tiny and insignificant they might seem at the time.Ian Anderson says of the album, “As we baby-boomers look back on our own lives, we must often feel an occasional 'what-if' moment. Might we, like Gerald, have become instead preacher, soldier, down-and-out, shopkeeper or finance tycoon?” Adding, “And those of more tender years - the social media and internet generation - may choose to ponder well the myriad of chance possibilities ahead of them at every turn.....”To coincide with this groundbreaking release, for the first time since 1972, Anderson and fellow musicians John O'Hara (keyboards), David Goodier (bass), Florian Opahle (guitar) and Scott Hammond (drums) - as well as some guest performers - will take to the road to perform the album in its entirety and, it can now exclusively be revealed that, in addition, there will be a second part to the show where Anderson and the band will also perform the sequel.Thick As A Brick 2 ('TAAB2') tracklist [CD, digital]1. From A Pebble Thrown2. Pebbles Instrumental3. Might-have-beens4. Upper Sixth Loan Shark5. Banker Bets, Banker Wins6. Swing It Far7. Adrift And Dumfounded8. Old School Song9. Wootton Bassett Town10. Power And Spirit11. Give Till It Hurts12. Cosy Corner13. Shunt And Shuffle14. A Change Of Horses15. Confessional16. Kismet In Suburbia17. What-ifs, Maybes And Might-have-beens'Thick As A Brick 2' will be released as a standard jewel case CD and digital download, and in a Special Edition 2-disc package with DVD featuring 5.1 stereo mixes, 24-bit stereo mix, video of the making of the album, interviews with the musicians and Ian Anderson reading the lyrics in various locations. After 44 years of leading Tull to 54 countries worldwide and over 60 million albums sold, Ian Anderson celebrates a true progressive rock classic with old and new fans across the UK for a whole three weeks. Anderson is known as the flute and voice of the legendary Jethro Tull, formed in the North of England in 1968 from the amalgamation of blues-based John Evan Band and McGregor's Engine. Since their first performance at London's famous Marquee Club in 1968, the band has released 30 studio and live albums and earned a prominent place in rock history.
The Fabulous Thunderbirds' lead singer Kim Wilson has officially demanded that Rush Limbaugh cease and desist broadcast of any music written, recorded or published by Kim and his band in any context related to or concerning any radio or television broadcast of, by or about Rush Limbaugh. Kim Wilson's memo was issued on Tuesday, March 6 to Clear Channel Communications, Premiere Networks and Broadcasting and Rush Limbaugh directly.Over the years Rush has played the Thunderbirds' "Tuff Enuff" and other tunes which Kim has been aware of, "The Constitution gives us the right of free speech," but when Rush recently called a Georgetown University student Sandra Fluke a "slut," it was the straw that broke the camel's back. "I don't want people to think that I'm affiliated in any way, shape or form with him. The message he promotes is something I'm totally against.""I was mortified by his attack on this young woman. Why is he using my music? I've been very open about my politics, which includes equal rights for men and women."What kind of example is Rush setting for the youth of America? He's a proven drug addict and is now in his fourth marriage… both things his listeners rail against and yet these people still listen to him. Rush Limbaugh is a promoter of ignorance. He's a clown… all he does is stir up the rabble that exists in this country. I don't think he's an idiot--he makes 50 million dollars a year. The things he says are not only disrespectful, chauvenistic, and racist--it's about everything that--in my mind--is wrong."Kim also emphasizes that Rush offered factual misinformation when he called the young Sandra Fluke "a slut." "It wasn't funding as part of a health bill that she wanted, but for her own insurance--that's private industry.” And for Rush to hypothesize that we're paying for her to have sex is also wrong if there's a baby involved. Kim says, “It's both men and women that have sex when a baby is made."The multiple GRAMMY winner, who tours year 'round, leading the Fabulous Thunderbirds and the pure blues group Kim Wilson's Blues All-Stars, is releasing an album through Severn Records later this year. He has recently performed and recorded with Eric Clapton, Raphael Saadiq, Kid Rock, and Mark Knopfler. Kim says, "I don't want my music to support his message anymore. There is no amount of money this guy could pay me to be a part of his cruel rhetoric; I just don't want any part of it."
Ian Anderson has just announced a monster spring, summer and fall 2012 tour. Anderson will kick of his tour in the UK at the Perth Concert Halll. He will follow it up with another 19 more shows in the England, before heading to Stuttgart, Germany. Ian will perform shows several other shows in Germany as well. Additionally, Ian will play Zurich, Switzerland, Austria, Norway & Reykjavik, Iceland. Tull will then follow this up with shows in Israel before heading to the states.
Joe Deninzon & Stratospheerius' new album, THE NEXT WORLD is being released on May 24 through Steve Vai's Digital Nations and Joe's imprint D-Zone Entertainment. The band's acclaimed sound is a melodic mixture of progressive hard rock with jam band, funk, jazz, and Gypsy influences. The unique merging of these sounds can be heard on the album's fiery "Gods," the energetic power clash in "The Missing Link" and the glorious intro, "Release." The album's wide ranging instrumentals are the superfast "Road Rage" and the soulful "Ballad for Ding Bang," and the post-apocolyptic "Fleshbot." Joe & his band bend genres in the electronic/ska-inspired "Tech Support," the country rock ballad "Climbing," and the bluesy "The House Always Wins."THE NEXT WORLD is chockful of dynamic musicianship, and creative energies of bandmates--leader Joe Deninzon on electric violin and lead vocals, French guitarist Aurelien Budynek (Cindy Blackman, Vernon Reid), bassist Jamie Bishop (The Syn, Francis Dunnery), and drummer Lucianna Padmore (praised by Modern Drummer Magazine for her “Deep grooves and serious fusion chops."The album is dedicated to the memory of Bob Bowen, the bassist in both Stratospheerius and the Joe Deninzon Trio. Bob was killed in a bicycle accident in Manhattan in 2010. Bob's bass playing can be heard on "The House Always Wins." He was also a talented visual artist and drew the cover artwork for the album.Stratospheerius has played at colleges, festivals, and clubs throughout the US. The New York-based group has opened for Tim Reynolds, Mickey Hart, The Slip, Ekoostik Hookah, and John Scofield. The group was a winner in the John Lennon Songwriting Competition, won the Online People's Choice Awards in the Cornucopia Festival, and was named "Best Jam Band" in Musician's Atlas Independent Music Awards.Joe Deninzon is the music world's expert on alternative violin techniques and has been called the "Jimi Hendrix of the electric Violin." His song "Scarlett's Waltz" is in the soundtrack of the Will Ferrell-produced movie, VIRGINITY HIT. This year Mel Bay books published his "PLUGGING IN: A Guide To Gear and New Techniques for the 21st Century Violinist." A musician who transcends many genres, he has recorded and performed with a variety of artists including Bruce Springsteen, Sheryl Crow, Everclear, Ritchie Blackmore of Deep Purple, Smokey Robinson, Johnny Matthis, Les Paul, Phoebe Snow, Jane Monheit, and Robert Bonfiglio among others.Joe has appeared as a soloist with the New York City Ballet, has performed on MTV and at the Rock N Roll Hall of Fame, and has played for former President Clinton. His music has been featured on CMT, VH1, ABC, Comedy Central, the Travel Channel, History Channel, Food Network, and National Geographic. An active clinician, Joe has taught at Mark O'Connor's renowned String Camp and Mark Wood's Rock Orchestra Camp.
For over thirty years, The Fabulous Thunderbirds have been the quintessential American band. The group's distinctive and powerful sound, influenced by adiversity of musical styles, manifested itself into a unique musical hybrid via such barnburners as “Tuff Enuff” and “Wrap It Up.” Founding member Kim Wilson spearheads the group as it evolves into its newest incarnation. “We started as a straight blues band.” vocalist and harmonica player Wilson says. “We now incorporate a mixture of a lot of different styles. We're an American music band and we're higher energy than ever before.” The Fabulous Thunderbirds features Jay Moeller on drums, Johnny Moeller and Mike Keller on guitar, and Randy Bermudes on bass.Wilson’s musical talents have garnered him multiple Blues Awards and Grammy Nominations. The Blues Foundation 2008 blues Music Awards named Wilson "Instrumentalist - Harmonica" category. In 2006, he was named “Contemporary Blues Male Artist of the Year” in 2006, and “Lookin’ for Trouble!” was named Blues Song of the Year in 2004. Wilson has contributed to the work of many other great artists such as the legendary Muddy Waters (who called him his “son”), contemporary artist Bonnie Raitt, guitar legends Stevie Ray Vaughan and brother Jimmie Vaughan, and Martin Scorsese’s movie “The Blues." With his current movie project “Cadillac Records,” Wilson continues to focus on the music he loves.With over 20 albums recorded and millions sold, Kim Wilson and The Fabulous Thunderbirds tour the world performing their own unique style of music. Ranging from pop anthems like “Powerful Stuff” which was featured in the Tom Cruise movie “Cocktail," to the low down blues of "Chicago," this brand of honest music brings fans back time and again.Having shared the stage with The Rolling Stones, Joe Cocker, Carlos Santana and blues legends BB King and Buddy Guy and countless others, The Fabulous Thunderbirds continue to tour Europe and the North America, bringing more great music to their fans worldwide.The Fabulous Thunderbirds will be playing two shows at the Reserve Casino Hotel, 321 Gregory Street, in Central City, CO, on July 28 at 7 and 9 PM.The 9 PM show is sold out, but there are currently tickets available for the 7 PM show at $18. General Admission and $35.00 for V.I.P. Seating, plus service fees.The venue phone is 303-582-0800. | The web site is http://reservecasinohotel.com
Emily Hurd releases a full-length live studio album of original Christmas music on December 7th, 2012. The cost of the album is $10 and is available through the artist’s website and cdbaby.com.
Unlike other Christmas records, listeners can enjoy ANY GIVEN DAY beyond the holiday season. Emily Hurd’s sultry vocals deliver messages of spontaneous celebration, humble gifts, and fundamental good will on a backdrop of vintage soul arrangements. Hurd gives a voice to her desire for human empathy in songs like “Chain of Light” and “In The Spirit of Giving,” and she creates clever rhymes of winter love in “Cold Outside” and “Glögg.” This collection of music has a clear message: any common day is worth reveling in like Christmas.
Emily Hurd wrote the songs from ANY GIVEN DAY—her ninth studio album—in the month of October, 2012. The tunes were recorded live on the evening of November 13th, 2012 at Chicago’s Kingsize Sound Labs. The record was mixed and mastered in one afternoon, and sent to be manufactured the same day. This whirlwind process was captured on film by Chicago videographer Mark Helenowski. Emily will be releasing music videos to her fans throughout the month of December.
ANY GIVEN DAY was engineered and produced by Emily’s long-time producer, John Abbey. The album includes a line-up of well-established Chicago musicians: Gerald Dowd (Justin Roberts, Sons of The Never Wrong), Gregg Ostrom (Tom Comerford, Covered In Honey), and John Abbey (Robbie Fulks, Amy Speace).
Over the course of her career, Emily has shared the stage and/or opened for Irma Thomas, Bettye Lavette, and Roger McGuinn. Her music is featured on the popular CBS crime drama NCIS. She appears on the prestigious Old Town School of Folk Music "Songbook" collection (released by Bloodshot Records). She is a winner/finalist in the John Lennon Songwriting Contest, NPR's NewSong Contest, and The International Songwriting Competition. “Irreparably Yours” from Long Lost Ghosts was a Semi-Finalist in 2011’s Great Lakes Songwriting Contest. In 2013, Emily and her country band Stone Blind Valentine—will be releasing their first album, ‘Burn Like A Field,’ on Valentine’s Day. Emily has released 10 albums since 2005.
Touring across the heartland, the wild west, and east coast parts of America, Emily has been meeting new fans at every show she plays, from coffeehouses and schools, to TV and radio shows and festivals,including events that fans have organized, most notably an annual “Emilyfest” in rural North Carolina (the next one is scheduled for October 14, 2013).
Partnering with the largest non-profits in the world of epilepsy, Candlelight Concerts for Epilepsy Awareness is proud to announce the first nation-wide epilepsy awareness endeavor – 50 Concerts in 50 States. It’s a network of coordinated live events over one weekend in March 2013.Candlelight Concerts, along with Epilepsy Foundation, CURE: Citizens United for Research in Epilepsy, Team Epilepsy and Doose Syndrome Epilepsy Alliance, are standing united to raise epilepsy awareness on this single weekend in March.At each event, volunteers will be present to distribute information regarding epilepsy (a 16 page book prepared specifically for these events), provide access to services, answer questions and raise donations – all of which will go directly to the charity of the donor’s choice.Events will vary in size from intimate house concerts with 20-40 attendees to 18,000+ seat arena shows with nationally known touring artists. Artists from all genres – classic rock, folk, jazz, singer/songwriters, orchestras, electronic, comedians, plays and more. All with the same objective, to distribute information and raise epilepsy awareness. All genres, all volunteers involved with the singular purpose to change the way the world sees and understands epilepsy.This national network of events grows out of Candlelight Concerts for Epilepsy Awareness – a webcast house concert series based in Pennington NJ. Started and run by Eric Miller, whose wife Carolina, passed away in August 2011 at the age of 25 as a result of epilepsy. Since that time, Eric has worked tirelessly to raise epilepsy awareness in her honor and in honor of all those living with or lost to epilepsy. The series has featured such amazing artists as Corey Glover of Living Colour, Eric Bazilian, Chris Barron, The Young Dubliners, Dan Reed, Mary Fahl, and many others. This network of events takes that model and raises it to a national level on a single weekend.MORE STATES AND DATES WILL BE ADDED,Please visit www.CandlelightConcert.org/50.asp for updates.3/22/13 Hering Auditorium Fairbanks AK Beau Soleil3/22/13 Sundilla Auburn AL Caroline Herring3/23/13 Moonlight On The Mountain Birmingham AL Kelley McRae3/24/13 Powerhouse Grill Fayatteville AR Various3/23/13 Scottsdale Ctr Performing Arts Scottsdale AZ Jesse Cook3/23/13 Boulder Philharmonic Boulder CO Boulder Philharmonic3/22/13 Boulder Theatre Boulder CO Great Big Sea3/23/23 Boulder Theatre Boulder CO Great Big Sea3/23/13 Ridgefield Playhouse Ridgefield CT David Bromberg Quartet3/23/13 Vitoria Station Café Putnam CT Sam Miller Memorial3/24/13 Howard Theatre Washington DC Afro-Cuban All Stars3/22/13 Grand Opera House Wilmington DE Afro-Cuban All Stars3/22/13 World Café - The Queen Wilmington DE Sons of Cream3/22/13 Ruth Eckerd Hall Clearwater FL Supertramp's Roger Hodgson with Orchestra3/15/13 Stella Blue Maui HI Hapa3/16/13 Stella Blue Maui HI Hapa3/21/13 Woolys Des Moines IA Soul Asylum3/27/13 The Knitting Factory Boise ID Donavon Frankenreiter3/23/13 Egyptian Theatre Boise ID Anjelah Johnson3/27/13 Uncommon Ground Chicago IL Emily Hurd3/22/13 City Winery Chicago IL Catie Curtis & David Wilcox3/25/13 The Granada Lawrence KS Lindsey Stirling3/23/13 Valley Grace Pikeville KY Eternity Singers3/23/13 New Orleans Arena New Orleans LA Eric Clapton3/24/13 Knights of Columbus Whitman MA Various3/23/13 Baltimore Soundstage Baltimore MD Y&T3/24/13 The Fillmore Silver Spring MD Garbage3/22/13 Stone Mountain Arts Center Brownfield ME Shemekia Copeland3/23/13 Stone Mountain Arts Center Brownfield ME Paula Poundstone3/23/13 The Ark Ann Arbor MI Steel Wheels3/22/13 First Avenue Minneapolis MN G Love & Special Sauce3/26/13 Hopkins Center for The Arts Hopkins MN The Pines3/23/13 The Pageant St Louis MO Owl City3/21/13 Underground 119 Jackson MS Kelley McRae3/24/13 Dennison Theatre Missoula MT Brian Regan3/23/13 Justice Fellowship Raleigh NC Play - Dannee White3/23/13 Lincoln Theatre Raleigh NC Minus The Bear/Circa Survive3/23/13 Party & Event Center Saluda NC Sound Investment3/17/13 Colonial Theatre Keene NH Jerrod Niemann3/24/13 Algonquin Arts Manasquan NJ NYGASP3/24/13 The Stone Pony Asbury Park NJ Paint the Pony3/23/13 Papermill (childrens) Millburn NJ Chldrens Play3/23/13 Trinity UMC Ewing NJ Jeffrey Gaines, Jann Klose & Gary Hoey3/22/13 Shea Center / Willian Paterson University Wayne NJ David Bromberg Quartet3/24/13 Candlelight Concert Pennington NJ Gary Hoey3/22/13 KiMo Theatre Albuquerque NM Jesse Cook3/22/13 The Paramount Huntington NY They Might Be Giants3/22/13 Stage 48 New York NY Y&T3/22/13 Jazz at Lincoln Center - early and late show New York NY Madeleine Peyroux3/23/13 Jazz at Lincoln Center - early and late show New York NY Madeleine Peyroux3/24/13 Wheatfield Community Center Lake Towananda NY Zach Carr & Chris Glowacki3/22/13 Ohio University Memorial Auditorium Athens OH Colbie Caillat3/22/13 The Schuster Center Dayton OH Rita Coolidge with Dayton Philharmonic3/23/13 The Schuster Center Dayton OH Rita Coolidge with Dayton Philharmonic3/20/13 Chesapeake Enery Arena Oklahoma City OK Eric Clapton3/23/13 Freehold Center Bristow OK Emily Drennan3/23/13 St Claire Ashland OR Karen Drucker3/22/13 Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall Portland OR Brian Regan3/24/13 The Fuge Warminster PA Various3/22/13 The Ritz Lancaster PA Jeffrey Gaines3/24/13 Colonial Theater Phoenixville PA David Bromberg Quartet3/30/13 Carnegie Hall of Oakland Pittsburgh PA Grizzly Bear3/23/13 Electric Factory Philadelphia PA Garbage3/23/13 Keswick Theatre Glenside PA The Fab Faux3/23/13 Sellersville Theater Sellersville PA Rockapella3/24/13 Rock Junction West Greenwich RI Y&T3/22/13 The Vault Sioux Falls SD Soul Asylum3/22/13 Bridgestone Arena Nashville TN Eric Clapton4/3/13 Private House Concert - Kelly Crofoot Slaton TX Terri Hendrix3/20/13 St Marks Episcopal Houston TX Terri Hendrix3/17/13 Warehouse Live Houston TX Tegan & Sara3/24/13 The Depot Salt Lake City UT Donavon Frankenreiter3/24/13 Stone Room House Concert Falls Church VA Danny Schmidt3/22/13 The Lyric Blacksburg VA Loudon Wainwright III3/22/13 Ferguson Center for The Arts Newport News VA Big Bad Voodoo Daddy3/23/13 Chrysler Hall Norfolk VA Big Bad Voodoo Daddy3/26/13 Higher Ground Burlington VT Todd Snider4/2/13 Triple Door Seattle WA Chris Trapper3/23/13 Paramount Theatre Seattle WA Brian Regan3/21/13 Turner Hall Ballroom Milwaukee WI G Love & Special Sauce3/23/13 Purple Fiddle Thomas WV Sarah Lou Richards3/24/13 Purple Fiddle Thomas WV Sarah Lou Richards3/25/13 Jackson Hole Center for Arts Jackson Hole WY Donavon Frankenreiter
Blackmore's Night is releasing their brand new album, DANCER AND THE MOON, on June 11th in North America on Frontiers Records. Dancer and The Moon will be released in two editions–as a CD and a digipak deluxe edition with a bonus DVD that includes music videos of “Dancer And The Moon” and of “The Moon Is Shining (Somewhere Over The Sea),” plus an extensive interview with Ritchie Blackmore and Candice Night.Anticipated by the digital release of the first single “The Moon is Shining (Somewhere Over the Sea)” on May 6th, Dancer and The Moon is the band’s 8th original studio album, with each disc topping the European and American Billboard's New Age charts.Each album that Blackmore's Night has released has been awarded Best Vocal Album or Album of the year for their respective charts on NPR and college radio. Blackmore's Night performed on PBS, had specials on CNN and the History Channel. The group has songs on the soundtrack of Germany's THE MAGICAL STORY OF THE RINGS: DIE NIBELUNGER THE RING OF THE NIBELUNGS and the theme song "All For One" for Japan's popular TV show, THIRD WATCH. Their song "Olde Mill Inn" is featured in Jim Carrey's movie, YES MAN. So many honors, placements--the list goes on and on.Formed in 1997 by Candice Night and Ritchie Blackmore, the two began working together first in Ritchie’s previous group Rainbow, when Candice co-wrote a number of songs, most notably “Ariel” and “Black Masquerade” for Rainbow’s 1996 album, Stranger In Us All.The following year, the two formed Blackmore's Night, and after seven studio albums, two live DVD/CDs and one holiday release, the group's latest album, DANCER AND THE MOON follows the band's eclectic/jam/folk rock/new age/neo-Celtic/neo-Medieval/progressive rock/chamber pop/world beat styling. Take your pick from the songwriting team of Candice and Ritchie: the acoustic "Somewhere Over the Sea (The Moon Is Shining), the rocking track "The Moon Is Shining (Somewhere Over The Sea)," which you can dance to, along with the title track "Dancer and the Moon," the nature-inspired "The Last Leaf" and the Russian-influenced "Troika."Blackmore's Night own their versions of classic rock chestnuts: Randy Newman's "I Think It's Going to Rain Today," Uriah Heep's "Lady In Black,” and "The Temple of the King" that Ritchie and the late Ronnie James Dio collaborated on originally for their band Rainbow.DANCER AND THE MOON is made complete with its inspiring instrumentals, including the waltzy "Galliard" and the Deep Purple-esque "Carry On… Jon," that Ritchie wrote as a heartfelt tribute to his former band mate, the late Jon Lord.DANCER AND THE MOON is a distinctive album, that is both melodic, rhythmic, and full of classic influences led by the dynamic and signature alto vocals of Candice Night and the phenomenal fret work of Ritchie Blackmore.DANCER AND THE MOON continues to establish the band that has been growing its following steadily in the jam, pagan/wiccan scene, new age, folk and progressive worlds, as well as the classic rock community."So much has happened since our 2008 marriage (and the 2010's release of the duo's AUTUMN SKY album)," says Candice, as she and Ritchie have been musical and emotional partners since 1989. In 2010 daughter Autumn Esmeralda was born, and then in 2012, their son, Rory.Candice says, "We find that the DANCER AND THE MOON is visually and emotionally representative of how we feel about our music. We have always had a very strong pull to the mystery of the Moon. Her magic, her power, her legend... She affects us so deeply that we have named many CDs after her and she is almost always represented in our songs. The dancer gives herself completely, unabashedly and whole heartedly moved by the intensity of the music she feels within her soul."DANCER AND THE MOON songsI Think It's Going To Rain TodayTroikaThe Last LeafLady In BlackMinstrels In The HallThe Temple Of The KingDancer And The MoonGalliardThe AshgroveSomewhere Over The Sea (The Moon Is Shining)The Moon Is Shining (Somewhere Over The Sea)The Spinner's TaleCarry On... Jon
The Gipsy Kings will be kicking off their 25th Anniversary in support of the group's new album SAVOR FLAMENCO on Knitting Factory Records, with dates starting on the East Coast in January 2014. SAVOR FLAMENCO is the group's first new release in six years. The project marks The Gipsy Kings' 25th Anniversary of their first U.S. Release, GIPSY KINGS in 1987. It is also the first time in the group's storied career that the Kings have produced themselves and written all of their material. Please stay tuned to the band's web site www.gipsykings.com for more show dates.
Based on Camargue, the very famous land by the Mediterranean Sea, the Gipsy Kings are made up of two families--the Reyes family from Arles and the Baliardos from Montpellier. The musical adventure of these two families started in the 1960s when Jose Reyes was singing with Manitas de Plata (Ricardo Baliardo) performing all around the world in theaters including Carnegie Hall in New York City. There is music by Manitas de Plata y Jose Reyes on youtube. Their fans included Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dalí, Miles Davis and Charlie Chaplin.
When the duo parted ways, Jose Reyes became even more popular after starting his own band, Los Reyes. His sons backed him up. When the elder Reyes passed away in 1979, Nicolas and Andre began playing with the Baliardo brothers in Les Saintes Maries de la Mer during the The Gypsy's Pilgrimage. They traveled, busking nearby on the streets of Saint-Tropez, performing on beaches during the day and for celebrities such as Brigitte Bardot by night. "Los Reyes" means "The Kings," and the band changed their name to The Gipsy Kings.
The Gipsy Kings' musical style has been called "Rumba Flamenca" which allows The Gipsy Kings to combine traditional flamenco styles with Western Pop and Latin rhythms, Latin and Cuban styles, Arabic, reggae, jazz, and--of course--gypsy styles!
The band speaks French, and performs music in Spanish dialect of Gitane, the native Gipsy language, that is a mixture of Spanish, French, and Catalan. The root of the Gitane culture is in the southern part of Spain that includes Seville and Granada. One of the economically depressed areas of Europe, this region has given the world flamenco music, bullfighting and Moorish-influenced Architecture. The people in that area are known as "Gitanos," Spanish Romani people who fled Catalonia during the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939). (The term "gitano" comes from "Egiptano," a Spanish term for "Egyptian" as the English word "Gypsy" comes from "Egyptian.")
CONFIRMED GIPSY KINGS TOUR DATES JANUARY 2014
FRI 17 Atlantic City, NJ - Revel (Tickets on sale: Nov. 15 at 12 noon)
SAT 18 Mashantucket, CT - Foxwoods (Tickets on sale: Nov. 15, 10 am)
SUN 19 New Brunswick, NJ - State Theatre (Tickets on sale: Nov. 15 at 10 am)
MON 20 Alexandria, VA - Birchmere (Tickets on sale: Nov. 15 at 12 noon)
WED 22 Northampton, MA - Calvin Theater (Tickets on sale: Nov. 15 at 10 am)
THU 23 Lynn, MA - Lynn Auditorium (Tickets on sale: Nov. 14 at 10 am)
FRI 24 NYC - City Winery (Tickets on sale: Nov. 21 at 3 pm)
SAT 25 NYC - City Winery (Tickets on sale: Nov. 21 at 3 pm)
At the sixth time at bat, the Gipsy Kings have won the GRAMMY for Best World Music Album, SAVOR FLAMENCO at the 56th Annual GRAMMY Awards. This is the group's 6th Nomination, and a record for the most nominations for the World Music Grammy. According to PARADE magazine, this is also the 22nd time in GRAMMY history that there has been a tie for winning this coveted music industry award.
The Gipsy Kings' album, SAVOR FLAMENCO on Knitting Factory Records, is the group's first new release in six years. SAVOR FLAMENCO also marks The Gipsy Kings' 25th Anniversary of their first U.S. Release, GIPSY KINGS in 1987. It is also the first time that the Kings have produced themselves and written all of their material.
The Gipsy Kings just finished the first leg of their 25th Anniversary Tour on the east coast this past Saturday night, and were flying home when news of their win was broadcast on grammy.com.
Based in Camargue, the very famous land by the Mediterranean Sea, the Gipsy Kings are made up of two families--the Reyes family from Arles and the Baliardos from Montpellier. The musical adventure of these two families started in the 1960s when Jose Reyes was singing with Manitas de Plata (Ricardo Baliardo) performing all around the world in theaters including Carnegie Hall in New York City. There is music by Manitas de Plata y Jose Reyes on youtube. Their fans included Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dalí, Miles Davis and Charlie Chaplin.
When the duo parted ways, Jose Reyes became even more popular after starting his own band, Los Reyes. His sons backed him up. When the elder Reyes passed away in 1979, Nicolas and Andre began playing with the Baliardo brothers in Les Saintes Maries de la Mer during the The Gypsy's Pilgrimage. They traveled, busking nearby on the streets of Saint-Tropez, performing on beaches during the day and for celebrities such as Brigitte Bardot by night. "Los Reyes" means "The Kings," and the band changed their name to The Gipsy Kings.
The Gipsy Kings' musical style has been called "Rumba Flamenca" which allows The Gipsy Kings to combine traditional flamenco styles with Western Pop and Latin rhythms, Latin and Cuban styles, Arabic, reggae, jazz, and--of course--gypsy styles!
The band speaks French, and performs music in Spanish dialect of Gitane, the native Gipsy language, that is a mixture of Spanish, French, and Catalan. The root of the Gitane culture is in the southern part of Spain that includes Seville and Granada. One of the economically depressed areas of Europe, this region has given the world flamenco music, bullfighting and Moorish-influenced Architecture. The people in that area are known as "Gitanos," Spanish Romani people who fled Catalonia during the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939). (The term "gitano" comes from "Egiptano," a Spanish term for "Egyptian" as the English word "Gypsy" comes from "Egyptian.")
The Gipsy Kings have sold over 25 million albums worldwide.
The Gipsy Kings' first U.S. album, GIPSY KINGS was released in the United States in 1987, and charted for 40 weeks. This 25 year old album has been certified gold or platinum in at least 15 countries. The group is a multi-GRAMMY-nominated act.
The single from GIPSY KINGS was "Bamboleo," which was used in a Burger King commercial and recently covered on the TV show, GLEE.
The Gipsy Kings' "Hotel California" is in the movie, THE BIG LEBOWSKI and HBO series ENTOURAGE.
The 2010 film TOY STORY 3 featured a Gipsy Kings version of the movie's popular, Randy Newman-penned theme, "You've Got a Friend in Me." The band also performed the song on DANCING WITH THE STARS.
PBS filmed a documentary about The Gipsy Kings called TIERRA GITANA.
Stay tuned for an announcement of more US shows this April and September.
Legendary prog pioneer Ian Anderson will be releasing a new studio album Homo Erraticus on April 15 on his own Calliandra Records, distributed by Kscope. The album continues with the story of Anderson's favorite enfant terrible Gerald Bostock.Ian and his band (guitarst Florian Opahle, bassist David Goodier, keyboardist John O'Hara and drummer Scott Hammond, and singer Ryan O'Donnell) will be touring the United States this September through November.In 1972 Ian's band Jethro Tull released the iconic concept album Thick As A Brick, based on a poem by the then eight year old Gerald Bostock in 2012. As many fans wondered what might have befallen the character, Ian Anderson decided to explore the different paths Gerald's life might have taken in his 2012 album, Thick As A Brick 2.Following a forty year political career, Gerald Bostock reunited with Anderson taking the role of tour manager on a string of shows. ‘Homo Erraticus’ marks Gerald's return to songwriting, and is based on an unpublished manuscript by amateur historian Ernest T. Parritt (1865-1928).In Homo Erraticus, Parritt examines key events of British history with a string of prophecies stretching to the current day and the future. Visions of past lives caused by the delirium of malaria generate the characters through whose eyes the stories are told, including a nomadic Neolithic settler, an iron Age blacksmith, a Christian monk, a turnpike innkeeper and even Prince Albert.The album release will be followed by an extensive UK tour, where Homo Erraticus will be performed in its entirety followed by a selection of Tull classics updated with video and theatrics.Ian Anderson recently won The Prog God Award from Prog Magazine, celebrating the innovators of rock who have inspired generations and carved a way for others to be at their creative best. There is no one who has pushed the boundaries more than Ian Anderson, who to this day remains immersed in his love for the music.Fronting seminal Prog outfit Jethro Tull and performing simply under his own name, Ian Anderson has performed in more than 54 countries over 45 years; he is widely considered an icon of the genre and is recognized as the protagonist of the flute in rock music. With over 60 million albums sold in its career, Tull has been characterized by Anderson’s trademark acoustic textures created with ethnic flutes and whistles together with acoustic guitar and the mandolin family of instruments. In many recent shows, Anderson has played with orchestras, string quartets and featured soloists. His eclectic acoustic performances are also a hit with fans of the progressive genre.
Legendary prog pioneer Ian Anderson has released a new studio album Homo Erraticus today, April 15 on Ian's own Calliandra Records, distributed by Kscope. The album continues with the story of Anderson's favorite enfant terrible Gerald Bostock.Ian and his band (guitarst Florian Opahle, bassist David Goodier, keyboardist John O'Hara and drummer Scott Hammond, and singer Ryan O'Donnell) will be touring the United States this September through November. In addition Warner is re-releasing A PASSION PLAY; stay tuned for a release date.In 1972 Ian's band Jethro Tull released the iconic concept album Thick As A Brick, based on a poem by the then eight year old Gerald Bostock in 2012. As many fans wondered what might have befallen the character, Ian Anderson decided to explore the different paths Gerald's life might have taken in his 2012 album, Thick As A Brick 2.Following a forty year political career, Gerald Bostock reunited with Anderson taking the role of tour manager on a string of shows. ‘Homo Erraticus’ marks Gerald's return to songwriting, and is based on an unpublished manuscript by amateur historian Ernest T. Parritt (1865-1928).In Homo Erraticus, Parritt examines key events of British history with a string of prophecies stretching to the current day and the future. Visions of past lives caused by the delirium of malaria generate the characters through whose eyes the stories are told, including a nomadic Neolithic settler, an iron Age blacksmith, a Christian monk, a turnpike innkeeper and even Prince Albert.The album release will be followed by an extensive UK tour, where Homo Erraticus will be performed in its entirety followed by a selection of Tull classics updated with video and theatrics.Ian Anderson recently won The Prog God Award from Prog Magazine, celebrating the innovators of rock who have inspired generations and carved a way for others to be at their creative best. There is no one who has pushed the boundaries more than Ian Anderson, who to this day remains immersed in his love for the music.Fronting seminal Prog outfit Jethro Tull and performing simply under his own name, Ian Anderson has performed in more than 54 countries over 45 years; he is widely considered an icon of the genre and is recognized as the protagonist of the flute in rock music. With over 60 million albums sold in its career, Tull has been characterized by Anderson’s trademark acoustic textures created with ethnic flutes and whistles together with acoustic guitar and the mandolin family of instruments. In many recent shows, Anderson has played with orchestras, string quartets and featured soloists. His eclectic acoustic performances are also a hit with fans of the progressive genre.CONFIRMED IAN ANDERSON TOUR DATES(please visit http://jethrotull.com/tour-dates/ for updates)9/12/14 Seattle WA McCaw Hall9/13/14 Goldendale WA Maryhill Winery Amphitheater9/15/14 Redding CA Cascade Theater9/17/14 Oakland CA Fox Theater 9/18/14 Costa Mesa CA Segerstrom Hall9/19/14 Las Vegas NV Pearl Concert Theater9/20/14 Mesa AZ Mesa Arts Center9/21/14 Albuquerque NMKiva Auditorium9/23/14 Dallas TX Margot and Bill Winspear Opera House9/24/14 Midland TX Wagner Noel PAC9/26/14 Austin TX Austin City Limits 9/28/14 Stafford TX Stafford PAC9/30/14 Atlanta GA Symphony Hall10/1/14 Nashville TN Ryman Auditorium10/3/14 Charlotte NC Blumenthal PAC10/4/14 Durham NC Durham PAC10/16/14 Naperville IL Pfeiffer Hall10/17/14 Springfield IL Sangamon Auditorium10/18/14 Milwaukee WI Pabst Theater 10/23/14 Elizabeth IN Horshoe Casino10/25/14 Greensburg PA The Palace Theatre 10/26/14 Bethlehem PA Sands Bethlehem Event Center10/28/14 Burlington VT Flynn Center10/29/14 Providence RI Providence PAC10/30/14 Ridgefield CT The Ridgefield Playhouse11/1/14 Lynn MA Lynn Auditorium 11/2/14 Albany NY Palace Theatre11/4/14 Buffalo NY Center For the Arts11/6/14 Washington DC Lincoln Theater11/7/14 Atlantic City NJ Caesars - Circus Maximus11/8/14 Huntington NY The Paramount 11/9/14 Red Bank NJ Count Basie Theater11/10/14 Montclair NJ Wellmont Theatre
Legendary rocker, Marshall Crenshaw, releases his new EP entitled Red Wine, as part of his limited edition subscription based EP series available only on 10” vinyl and digital download.In keeping with the previous EP releases, Red Wine consists entirely of newly recorded, never-before-released material, encompassing a new original Crenshaw composition, a classic cover tune, and a new reworking of a time-honored Crenshaw favorite. There is also an unlisted surprise “bonus” track.Crenshaw's fourth EP, Red Wine, features the great new title song on the A-side as well as a cover of James McMurty's "Right Here Now" and a re-make of his classic "Delilah" entitled "Hey Delilah" on the B-side. All three tracks were mastered for maximum sound fidelity by veteran engineer Greg Calbi, who is handling mastering duties on the entire EP series.“I’ve always put a great deal of care into the albums I’ve made,” Crenshaw says, “but as a listener, I’ve always been a singles guy and an individual-tracks guy. I’m looking forward to creating a steady output of music in small batches, rather than being stuck in a cave for months and stockpiling a whole bunch of music and dumping it out all at once. Now, when I finish something, I get to put it out, instead of having to wait until I’ve got 12 more.”Each EP is part of a new business model for Marshall – a subscription service, which the singer/guitarist/songwriter/producer recently launched via a successful Kickstarter funding campaign, that will provide fans with a steady stream of new Marshall Crenshaw music via a series of exclusive three-song 10-inch, 45-rpm vinyl EPs, six of which Crenshaw plans to release over a two-year period. In addition to the vinyl discs, subscribers will also receive a download card for high-quality digital versions of the EP tracks.Over the course of a career that’s spanned three decades, 13 albums and hundreds of songs, Marshall Crenshaw’s musical output has maintained a consistent fidelity to the qualities of melody, craftsmanship and passion, and his efforts have been rewarded with the devotion of a broad and remarkably loyal fan base.His debut album, Marshall Crenshaw, was acclaimed as a pop masterpiece upon its release in 1982 and established him as a first-rate songwriter, singer and guitarist. The record spawned the Top 40 single “Someday Someway,” which rockabilly singer Robert Gordon covered and scored a hit with a year earlier. Other Crenshaw classics include “(You’re My) Favorite Waste of Time,” “Whenever You’re On My Mind,” “There She Goes Again” and “Cynical Girl.” The great songs continued with the Life’s Too Short album on MCA (“Fantastic Planet of Love”), three albums for Razor & Tie and the 2009 release Jaggedland (“Someone Told Me,” “Passing Through,” “Never Coming Down”).Track listing for Red Wine:1: Red Wine2: Right Here Now3: Hey Delilah4: Going Going Gone
In 1972 Jethro Tull were riding high on the crest of a popularity wave, they sold out huge arenas on the back of their critically acclaimed fifth album Thick As A Brick. The question was: “How do you follow a concept album comprising a single 44-minute piece of music?” The answer was: “With a double album of separate songs of course.”
For the first time in their five year career, Tull went into the studio with an unchanged line-up. Founder member and undisputed leader Ian Anderson was still writing songs on flute, acoustic guitar and now saxophone, and he was again joined by guitarist Martin Barre, bassist Jeffrey Hammond-Hammond, drummer Barriemore Barlow and keyboard player John Evans. But which studio to use?
The first criterion was that it had to be abroad. The second criterion was that the studio of choice had to have a good reputation. The 18th century Château d'Hérouville near Paris had previously been used by Elton John to record Honky Château and by Pink Floyd for Obscured By Clouds. It contained living accommodation as well as studio facilities, and so seemed the ideal choice. What could possibly go wrong?
The choice was a disaster. First up, there were technical problems with the studio itself. Then there was the accommodation... the band all slept in a dormitory, it was very basic which might have been tolerable, had they been the sole occupants of the rooms. Unfortunately, they had unwelcome company, of a bed-bug variety. And then to make matters infinitely worse everybody got food poisoning from the in-house catering.
Unsurprisingly the band decided to go home and the decision was made to ditch the hour or so's worth of music recorded in France. They decided to start from scratch and write a whole new album, instead of trying to somehow regenerate everybody's interest and commitment to something that had already struggled.
And so to A PASSION PLAY, an album that evolved into a 45-minute piece of quasi-prog rock, with complex time-signatures, complex lyrics and, well, complex everything, really. With a mere nine days left in the studio before the next tour, the pressure was on to produce something quickly. The concept explored the notion that choices might still be faced in the afterlife. It recognizes that age-old conflict between good and bad, God and the Devil.
This beautifully packaged 2CD/2DVD case-bound book expanded edition of A PASSION PLAY includes the original album and earlier Château d'Hérouville Sessions both of which have been mixed to 5.1 surround sound and new stereo mixes by Steven Wilson.
A heavyweight 180-gram vinyl edition featuring the new stereo mix of the original album is also available.
JETHRO TULL A PASSION PLAY 2CD/2DVD TRACK LISTING
Disc One - A Passion Play (A new Steven Wilson stereo mix) 1. Lifebeats /Prelude 2. The Silver Cord 3. Re-Assuring Tune 4. Memory Bank 5. Best Friends 6. Critique Oblique 7. Forest Dance #1 8. The Story Of The Hare Who Lost His Spectacles 9. Forest Dance #2 10. The Foot Of Our Stairs (2 extra verses found on the end of the multi-track reel have been added back in) 11. Overseer Overture. 12. Flight From Lucifer 13. 10.08 to Paddington 14. Magus Perde 15. Epilogue
Disc Two - The Château d'Hérouville Sessions (A new Steven Wilson stereo mix) 1. The Big Top 2. Scenario 3. Audition 4. Skating Away 5. Sailor 6. No Rehearsal 7. Left Right 8. Solitaire 9. Critique Oblique (Part I) 10. Critique Oblique (Part II) 11. Animelee (1st Dance) [Instrumental] 12. Animelee (2nd Dance) [Instrumental] 13. Law Of The Bungle (Part I) 14. Tiger 15. Law Of The Bungle (Part II)
To coincide with Ian Anderson's BEST OF JETHRO TULL & HOMO ERRATICUS North American tour (commencing September 12th), Kscope is pleased to announce a new tour edition of Ian's acclaimed new studio album, HOMO ERRATICUS. This 2 disc (CD DVD) package features the exclusive videos to each album track, as seen at the shows, set to hi resolution 24 bit stereo audio. The DVD features a live performance of album favorite "Enter the Uninvited" and new interview footage with Ian discussing the live visuals.
"Rock Cellar" says HOMO ERRATICUS offer songs that "address those same modern realities that give rise to my impertinent Why?, and in an honest, thought-provoking, entertaining manner. Compared to whatever else is out there right now, that’s definitely an improvement." "The strongest Ian Anderson album ever," writes Music Street Journal. Rolling Stone online states, "Ian Anderson—unlike many, many, many of his contemporaries—hasn’t really shown the signs of aging that most of us have taken for granted in our ‘60s-era pop stars."
In 2012 Ian Anderson released THICK AS A BRICK-2, the follow-up to Jethro Tull's legendary concept album, THICK AS A BRICK. TAAB-2 was a critical and commercial success, charting around the world. In April 2014 he returned with the hit album HOMO ERRATICUS which--according to BILLBOARD MAGAZINE--entered the UK album charts at number 14.
The original THICK AS A BRICK album, released in 1972, was based around the poem of disgraced child prodigy Gerald Bostock. For HOMO ERRATICUS Anderson is reunited with Bostock, using lyrics written by Gerald based on an old historical manuscript. The manuscript examines key events from throughout British history before going on to offer a number of prophecies for the future. Ian says the album deals with migration as a theme.
Suitably dramatized and exaggerated by Bostock as metaphors for modern life, he presented Anderson with ideas for 14 songs, which have now been set to music. The result is HOMO ERRATICUS. The CD / DVD tour edition of the album will be released on Anderson's own Calliandra Records label in conjunction with Kscope on September 30th.
CD Tracklist
1 Doggerland
2 Heavy Metals
3 Enter The Uninvited
4 Puer Ferox Adventus
5 Meliora Sequamur
6 The Turnpike Inn
7 The Engineer
8 The Pax Britannica
9 Tripudium Ad Bellum
10 After These Wars
11 New Blood, Old Veins
12 In For A Pound
13 The Browning of the Green
14 Per Errationes Ad Astra
15 Cold Dead Reckoning
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Tour Dates 9/12/14 Seattle WA McCaw Hall 9/13/14 Goldendale WA Maryhill Winery Amphitheater 9/15/14 Redding CA Cascade Theater 9/17/14 Oakland CA Fox Theater 9/18/14 Costa Mesa CA Segerstrom Hall 9/19/14 Las Vegas NV Pearl Concert Theater 9/20/14 Mesa AZ Mesa Arts Center 9/21/14 Albuquerque NM Kiva Auditorium 9/23/14 Dallas TX Margot and Bill Winspear Opera House 9/24/14 Midland TX Wagner Noel PAC 9/26/14 Austin TX Austin City Limits 9/27/14 San Antonio TX Tobin PAC 9/28/14 Stafford TX Stafford PAC 9/30/14 Atlanta GA Symphony Hall 10/1/14 Nashville TN Ryman Auditorium 10/3/14 Charlotte NC Blumenthal PAC 10/4/14 Durham NC Durham PAC 10/5/14 Richmond VA The National Theater 10/16/14 Naperville IL Pfeiffer Hall 10/17/14 Springfield IL Sangamon Auditorium 10/18/14 Milwaukee WI Pabst Theater 10/19/14 Cedar Falls IA Gallagher Bluedorn PAC 10/21/14 Minneapolis MN State Theater 10/23/14 Elizabeth IN Horshoe Casino 10/24/14 Charleston WV Clay Center 10/25/14 Greensburg PA The Palace Theatre 10/26/14 Bethlehem PA Sands Bethlehem Event Center 10/28/14 Burlington VT Flynn Center 10/29/14 Providence RI Providence PAC 10/30/14 Ridgefield CT The Ridgefield Playhouse 11/1/14 Lynn MA Lynn Auditorium 11/2/14 Albany NY Palace Theatre 11/4/14 Buffalo NY Center For the Arts 11/6/14 Washington DC Lincoln Theater 11/7/14 Atlantic City NJ Caesars - Circus Maximus 11/8/14 Huntington NY The Paramount 11/9/14 Red Bank NJ Count Basie Theater 11/10/14 Montclair NJ Wellmont Theatre
Gentle Giant is delighted to present its first "official" live recording since 1976's “Playing the Fool Live."
Titled “Gentle Giant Live at the Bicentennial,” the recording was taken from a concert on the eve of the United States' 200th Birthday--July 3rd 1976 at the Calderone Theater, Hempstead, Long Island, which was broadcast on radio station, WLIR.
There are no overdubs or other enhancements on this truly live recording. It features Gentle Giant unedited, uninhibited and unrepentant.
The concert features the best-remembered music from past recordings as well as rare songs from the album “Interview” which the band was supporting at that time.
“Gentle Giant Live At The Bicentennial” 1976 is a 2-CD set release available everywhere from November 18th onwards on Alucard Music, distributed in North America by Caroline.
Enjoy Gentle Giant Live at the Bicentennial!
Track listing:
Disc 1:
1. Intro/Just The Same
2. Proclamation/Valedictory
3. On Reflection
4. Interview
5. The Runaway/Experience
6. So Sincere
Disc 2:
1. Excerpts from Octopus
2. Give it Back
3. Timing
4. Freehand
Ian Anderson celebrates the life and times of the English Agricultural inventor, Jethro Tull, with the announcement of a new series of concert tours beginning September 2015.
The shows tell the story of the original Jethro Tull's life, reimagined as if in the near future and illustrated with Anderson's best-known songs from the rock band Jethro Tull repertoire.
The performance is in a quasi-operatic structure with virtual guests on video and some additional newly-written songs to round off the elements of the story.
Heavy Horses, Farm On The Freeway, Songs From The Wood sit alongside Aqualung, Living In The Past, Wind-Up, A New Day Yesterday, The Witch's Promise, Locomotive Breath and other favourites – often with slightly re-written lyrics to better tell the tale.
Accompanied by David Goodier (bass), John O'Hara (keyboards), Florian Opahle (guitar), Scott Hammond (drums) and surprise virtual guests, Ian Anderson begins the touring schedule in the UK followed by Russian, European and South American dates before the end of the year.
DATES:
November 1: Chicago Theatre, Chicago, IL
November 3: Fox Theatre, Detroit, MI
November 5: CITI Performing Arts Center, Boston, MA
November 6: Kings Theatre, Brooklyn, NY
November 7: Academy of Music, Philadelphia, PA
November 8: Foxwoods Resort Casino, Mashantucket, CT
November 10: Capitol Theatre, Port Chester, NY
November 11: New Jersey Performing Arts Center, Newark, NJ
Please welcome the Kalamazoo-based band Fly Paper. The band's web site is www.flypaperrock.com.
The group will be making its New York City debut at the Rockwood Music Hall, Stage 1, 196 Allen Street, in New York City on May 12 at 7 PM. Please note this is a 21 and over venue. If you are in the City next week, come on by and we’ll connect. More dates below.
Fly Paper is a guitar-based, alt-rock and blues band. Leadsinger Micaela Kingslight is the daughter of famous guitar maker John Kingslight. Her singing voice is akin to Sade, Norah Jones, Fiona Apple but with a rocking conviction. Her guitar playing will end up to be a big deal, too.
At the top of the group’s website, flypaperrock.com, is a player that you can click to hear their recent EP and previous album. I can also send you a zip file of some of their songs.
With soulful vocals, a fusion of fierceness and elegance in its guitar sound, and a high energy rhythm section, Fly Paper continues to inspire crowds throughout the country with songs in the alternative blues-rock genre.
When she is not on the road, Micaela Kingslight teaches at Kalamazoo College, Crescendo Academy of Music, and the Kalamazoo Academy of Rock. Fans have heard Jimi Hendrix, David Gilmore, and Jimmy Page influences in her playing. Bassist Joe Chamberlin fills the space between with a style grounded in both modern and classic rock sensibilities. Sam Rice brings to the drums, the rock groove inspired by both the Smashing Pumpkins’ Jimmy Chamberlin and the flair of Buddy Rich, along with saxman/keyboardist Marty McLean.
The group’s current EP, 3X3 has a song, “Sing, Sing, Sing Along” that is its music video, directed by Michigan native Ben Woody. Ben is a friend and a multimedia graduate student who has been chronicling Fly Paper over the past few years (in addition to documenting a variety of athletic projects that can be seen at GoGriffs.com). The songs include “Sing, Sing, Sing,” “Bigger On The Inside,” and “Say What You Mean” and they tend to capture the band members’ awareness of life, in general, and they can often be found hiking, and Micaela practicing Yoga.
The group has been playing all over the United States with shows from the Florida Keys and Miami to Santa Monica, CA, and Sun Valley, Idaho, to Bremerton, WA. The group is a festival favorite, playing Wild Mountain Faire in Northern California, plus Deadwood Jam, as well as appearing at Michigan's Jamma Wamma Music and Arts Festival, Hoodlilldoo Music Festival, Southwestern Michigan Harvest Festival, and Big Rapid's Cranker's Fest.
Fly Paper have shared the stage with a diverse group of acts including Styx, Stray Cat Lee Rocker, Delhi to Dublin, Mystic Roots, Marcia Griffiths, Jann Klose, Roster McCabe, the4onthefloor, Joe Hertler and The Rainbow Seekers, Josh Davis (from NBCs the Voice) Funktion, and Jamie Lono.
Other music in the group’s history include the fan-funded CD, LIVE AT THE GLOBE THEATER and a DVD. The group’s debut album, FLY PAPER came out in 2011. In 2013 they released an album, DREAM.
In 2008, Micaela was awarded the Emerging Artist Grant from the Gilmore Foundation to record her first solo album STILL. She also won Indiegrrl International Songwriting Contest for her song "Aurora.”
TOUR DATES
May 8 LaSalle Kitchen and Tavern, South Bend
May 10 The Livery, Benton Harbor, MI
May 12 Rockwood Music Hall, New York, NY
May 16 Mojo’s, Jamestown, NY
May 22 The Workshop Brewing Company Traverse City, MI
May 23 Short's Brewing Company, Bellaire, MI
May 28 The Filling Station, Traverse City, MI
May 29, 30 Ore Dock Brewing Company, Marquette, MI
June 11 Rockford Brewing Company, Rockford, MI
June 19 The Deck, Muskegon, MI
June 20 Bell's Brewery, Kalamazoo, MI
June 25 Celadon Summer Concert Series, Grand Rapids, MI
August 06 The Mitten Bar, Ludington, MI
August 07 River's Edge Brewing Co., Milford Charter Township, MI
Hailed by critics as “The Jimi Hendrix of the Violin,” Joe Deninzon will be performing his seven-string electric violin concerto with the Muncie Symphony Orchestra on Saturday, September 19, at 4:00PM. This performance takes place in Sursa Hall on the campus of Ball State University. Sursa Hall is located at 1809 W. Riverside Ave., in Muncie, IN.
For ticket info, please call the Emens Box Office at 765-285-1539.
A 14-time BMI Jazz Composer’s grant recipient and winner of the John Lennon Songwriting contest, Joe is the lead singer and violinist for the progressive rock group Stratospheerius, which had its fifth album, THE NEXT WORLD released on Steve Vai’s Digital Nations. Joe is also a member of the Latin classical hip hop string quartet, Sweet Plantain. His work as a violinist and string arranger can be heard on over 100 CDs and jingles. Mr. Deninzon has worked with Sheryl Crow, Bruce Springsteen, Ritchie Blackmore of Deep Purple, Smokey Robinson, Aretha Franklin, and dozens of other projects.
As an educator, Joe has taught rock violin at Mark O’Connor’s String Camp and Mark Wood’s Rock Orchestra Camp. Mel Bay Publications released his book, PLUGGING IN on electric violin technique. Joe holds Bachelor’s degrees in Violin Performance and Jazz Violin from Indiana University and a Master’s in Jazz/Commercial violin from Manhattan School of Music.
“Dream Diary” was inspired, in part, by Joe’s roots in studying classical music and falling in love with ‘80s/’90s guitar virtuosos such as Steve Vai, Eddie Van Halen, Joe Satriani, Eric Johnson, and Extreme’s Nuno Bettencourt.
Stating his best ideas come to him when he dreams, Joe’s “Dream Diary” concerto offers surreal imagery and is “very dream-like.” In the concerto, Joe also uses rock guitar effects on his violin such as distortion, delay, whammies, wah-wah, and loops.
Appreciating his style and passion, MSO Artistic Director / conductor, Douglas Droste, approached Deninzon with an idea for a concerto for rock violin and orchestra. "I cannot wait to bring this concerto to Muncie, with the hopes that it will attract new audiences and give our long-time concertgoers a new twist on an old genre."
Also on the program are Leonard Bernstein’s “Candide Overture” and Tchaikovsky’s “Symphony No. 4.” As part of the 3:00PM pre-concert talk, Mr. Deninzon will share more about his work.
About Muncie Symphony Orchestra
Founded in 1948, the Muncie Symphony Orchestra seeks to provide its audience with rewarding musical experiences and to promote social exchange among attendees of the musical events. As an organization that celebrates the cultural vibrancy of East Central Indiana, the MSO uses music as a way to engage, educate, entertain and enrich through traditional classical and pops concerts, children’s concert, chamber events, and community engagement programs.
"Mightily impressive and hugely original… the cool end of Americana" - MAVERICK MAGAZINE, UK - Sunday, September 27 is one of the final shows of the A BOX OF EVERYTHING tour by The Slambovian Circus of Dreams (AKA The Grand Slambovians). In 2014 the New York band put together "the greatest Slambovian hits you've never heard" - the release, A BOX OF EVERYTHING, is just that. BOX is the first major label-distributed album in their decade long career (Sony/Red). The band is bringing their brand of rootsy psychedelica to Denver, in the final weeks of the tour before going into the studio for their next album.
Formed in Sleepy Hollow, New York, the Slambovians are pioneers of the Alt-Folk/Americana genre and paved the way for DIY before it was fashionable, turning down major label deals all along the way. The NY TIMES says of the Slambovians, "Their songs are imbued with mystical stirrings and idealism... they take the stage by storm!" Fiercely independent they present quirky Americana and Zen-like anthems, in a universe entirely of their own making. Likened to an array of artists including the Waterboys, Jethro Tull, The Decemberists, a quirkier Tom Petty with an exotic instrumental arsenal, the Slambovians’ "dusty Americana ballads" evoke Dylan, Cracker, and the Wallflowers.
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2015 - 8:00 PM
Daniels Hall
71 East Yale Avenue, in Denver.
$20 in advance / $22 door. $2 discount for members. 303-777-1003.
U.S.-based British singer-songwriter-guitarist Bobby Long begins the New Year with a new single from his critically-acclaimed album ODE TO THINKING and a series of newly-announced shows. "Ode to Thinking," the title track from the album, arrives at radio this week, accompanied by a creative lyric video for the song.
Long will launch the new single when he appears on WXPN Radio's first "Free At Noon" broadcast of 2016 live from Philadelphia this Friday, January 8, from 12Noon to 1:00PM eastern time. It can be streamed live at www.xpn.org
Recorded in Austin, TX, the ODE TO THINKING CD is a taut collection of 11 original songs, produced by veteran producer Mark Hallman at his Congress House Studios. It was funded by pledges from fans and music supporters via PledgeMusic and released in August by Compass Records.
The lyric video for the new single "Ode to Thinking" is a collaboration between Long and his good friend New York-based British photographer Jamie Strachan (http://jstrachan.tumblr.com/), whose stark, sometimes disturbing black and white images of everyday life are the perfect complement to Long's plaintive lyrics. Strachan's images also grace the cover of ODE TO THINKING. The two friends mined Strachan's portfolio for images to create the lyric video, which was painstakingly edited by Nashville-based video director Casey McBride. The result is a visual feast that conveys the elements of despair and hopelessness found in the song's lyrics, of which Long says: "This song was written out of a sense of frustration about how simple things actually can be. It's more socially conscious than other songs I've written, but its sad irony is that I'm merely commentating from an ivory tower without offering any real solutions."
The vinyl version of the album called simply ODE, which debuted in November as a RSD First selection for Black Friday Record Store Day, will become available everywhere on March 4. ODE comprises six tracks from the ODE TO THINKING CD plus three never-before-available songs.
Long, who emerged from London's burgeoning folk music renaissance, relocated to New York in 2009, cultivating a loyal fan base for his evocative lyrics set to affecting melodies. In addition to ODE TO THINKING, his catalogue includes two well received albums, A WINTER TALE (2011) and WISHBONE (2013), as well as a five-song EP called THE BACKING SINGER (2011) and a volume of poetry, LOSING MY BROTHERHOOD (2012). He is working on a sequel to be published this year.
Long toured the U.S., Europe and the UK for three months in support of ODE TO THINKING and will hit the road again in 2016. Confirmed dates are as follows:
Upcoming Tour Dates:
January 9-Mercury Lounge, New York City
January 14-World Café Live, Philadelphia
January 24-Club Passim, Boston
February 17-Folk Alliance Conference showcase, Kansas City
Martin Barre is returning to North America to perform more shows this April. Look for concerts in New Jersey, Maryland, New York, Connecticut, Illinois, Pennsylvania, and Massachusetts. More dates this fall in September and October. Some of them are confirmed below.
For the past five years Martin has toured the world with his own band to play the "classic" music from the Jethro Tull catalogue, and also many new tracks written by Martin from his albums AWAY WITH WORDS and ORDER OF PLAY, plus his latest album, BACK TO STEEL. BACK TO STEEL will be released in North America later this year on 71st Street Music.
For 43 years Martin Barre was the renowned guitarist of Jethro Tull, and his role in the band cannot be overestimated. Bruce Eder wrote on allmusic.com, “His playing has provided much of the energy that allows the band to soar on record and in concert.”
His unique sound and style contributed enormously to their success, which includes several chart topping albums, eleven gold and five platinum albums, a Grammy Award for CREST OF A KNAVE in 1988, and album sales exceeding 60 million units. Tull continues to be played worldwide, representing an important part of classic rock history.
Martin’s band features lead singer/guitarist Dan Crisp, drummer George Lindsay, bass player Alan Thomson. All members are committed to giving the Tull fans and a broader audience the chance to hear tracks not performed for many years with a few surprises along the way, as well as classic covers of a variety of folks, this past fall were songs by Porcupine Tree and Warren Haynes.
Blogcritics’ Jon Sobel caught the Martin Barre Band vibe in the intimate Rockwood Music Hall, and called them a “‘bar band’ in the best possible sense: The musicians were approachable and communicative, and looked and sounded like they were having a blast. Other moments felt like a badass progressive rock concert.“
Emily Clark of Plymouth, MA’s Wicked Local was stunned by Martin’s presence, “He can do all intricate fingering, lace melody on top of melody and play lightning fast. But what he does that sets him apart is his on-the-spot arrangement of songs, his crafting of melodies that are truly beautiful and not just a case of show-off athletics and his understanding of when to shut up and when to roar…His love affair is with this song, not himself.”
Martin Barre-Confirmed North American Tour Dates:
April 10 B.B. King Blues Club, New York NY
April 11 Ram's Head, Annapolis, MD
April 12 Tim McLoones Supper Club, Asbury Park, NJ
April 21 Infinity Hall, Hartford CT
April 22 Mexicali Live, Teaneck NJ
April 23 Ardmore Music Hall, Ardmore PA
April 26 Martyrs Live, Chicago
April 28 Daryl's House Club, Pawling NY
April 29 Hanover Theatre, Worcester MA
April 30 Blue Ocean Music Hall, Salisbury MA
September 7 Parker Press Park, Woodbridge NJ
September 8 Natick Center For The Arts, Natick MA
September 9 Narrows Center for the Arts, Fall River MA
September 10 & 11 Tupelo Music Hall, Londonderry NH
September 13 & 14 Lovin Cup Bistro & Brews, Rochester NY
September 15 Sportsmens Tavern, Buffalo NY
September 16 The Dock, Ithaca NY
September 28 & 29 Freshwater Gallery, Boyne City, Michigan
September 30 Reggies Night Club, Chicago IL
October 1 The Warehouse, Carmel IN
October 2 & 3 Natalie's Coal Fired Pizza, Worthington OH
Ian Anderson is presenting JETHRO TULL this October on the West Coast in Las Vegas, San Diego, Riverside, Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, Modesto, Folsom, San Jose, Portland, Spokane, and Seattle.
Here’s more information on the west coast tour JETHRO TULL Written and Performed by Ian Anderson.
Ian celebrates the life and times of English agriculturalist Jethro Tull with a narrative set in the near future. The show presents some of the best known songs from the repertoire of the band Jethro Tull.
In JETHRO TULL, Ian touches on topical issues including including climate change, intensive food production and population growth. New material specially written for this show includes "Prosperous Pasture," "Fruits Of Frankenfield,” "And The World Feeds Me," "Stick, Twist, Bust," and "The Turnstile Gate."
JETHRO TULL features amongst many Tull favorites "Heavy Horses," "Farm On The Freeway," "Songs From The Wood," "Aqualung," "Living In The Past," "Wind-Up," "The Witch's Promise" and "Locomotive Breath” including STAND UP’s "A New Day Yesterday.” Some songs will have slightly re-written lyrics to better tell the tale.
The show has already played in the UK, Italy, Spain, Russia, Brazil, Argentina and the US to widely encouraging reviews. Chicago Concert Reviews’ Andy Argyrakis notes the two distinctive “but satisfying ways” to view JETHRO TULL, accept it at its highly conceptual face value, as a multi-media biography of the real Jethro Tull, a British agriculturist and inventor, but uploaded into a new context of contemporary issues such as global warming, food production and population growth” and to “simply enjoy it as a characteristically exceptional Tull concert” with “some choice rarities and lesser-known material -- as well as some solid new songs.”
Ian is accompanied by David Goodier (bass), John O'Hara (keyboards), Florian Opahle (guitar), Scott Hammond (drums) and surprise virtual guests on screen including Ryan O’Donnell who shared the stage with Ian in recent tours for HOMO ERRATICUS and THICK AS A BRICK and Icelandic singer/violinist/actress Unnur Birna Björnsdóttir who appears on screen throughout the show.
Look out for tour dates and much more information at www.jethrotull.com.
TOUR DATES
October 14: The Smith Center, Las Vegas, NV
October 15: Pantages Theatre, Los Angeles, CA
October 17: Balboa Theatre, San Diego, CA
October 18: Fox Performing Arts Center, Riverside, CA
October 19: Arlington Theatre, Santa Barbara, CA
October 21: Gallo Center for the Arts, Modesto, CA
October 22: City National Civic, San Jose, CA
October 24: The Harris Center-Folsom Lake College, Folsom, CA
October 25: Wells Fargo Center for the Arts, Santa Rosa, CA
October 27: Keller Auditorium, Portland, OR
October 28: Moore Theatre, Seattle, WA
October 29: Northern Quest Resort & Casino, Airway Heights, WA
Ian Anderson is returning to the United States this May and June to present concerts in the Mountain States, Texas, and Oklahoma. Most of the shows will be JETHRO TULL by Ian Anderson; these multi-media concerts will be in Albuquerque, El Paso, Sugar Land (Houston), Austin, and Durant, OK. Tickets for Albuquerque, El Paso, Austin and Durant go on sale Friday, February 3. Sugar Land tickets go on sale Friday, February 24.
There will be a special concert of JETHRO TULL by Ian Anderson with the Colorado Symphony at Red Rocks Amphitheater, in Morrison, Colorado, on May 26. Tickets for this concert also go on sale Friday, February 3.
In addition to the tour there will be a new album from Anderson and England’s The Carducci String Quartet. Jethro Tull - The String Quartets will be available in the USA on March 24, 2017 via The End Records/BMG. The album is now available for pre-order on Pledge Music at http://www.pledgemusic.com/projects/jethro-tull-string-quartets.
Here’s more information on JETHRO TULL by Ian Anderson.
The concerts feature a solid collection of the best-known Tull repertoire from 1968 to date. Fans will recognize the key songs from various albums - songs which put Jethro Tull and Ian Anderson on the map in the late ‘60s and early ‘70s - with most of them accompanied by big screen HD video elements to enhance the concert experience. Favorites include: “Dharma For One” in 1968, “Bourée,” “Nothing Is Easy,” “A New Day Yesterday,” “Living In The Past,” “Aqualung,” “Locomotive Breath,” “My God,” “Aqualung” and on through to “Thick As A Brick” and material from the albums of the next three decades. A couple of recent works round out the concert selection which may vary a little from night to night.
In 2017, JETHRO TULL by Ian Anderson will play in Australia and New Zealand during April with further tours and concerts throughout Europe, USA and South America later in the year.
Ian is accompanied by Tull members David Goodier (bass), John O'Hara (keyboards), Florian Opahle (guitar), Scott Hammond (drums).
Los Angeles, CA-based Manifesto Records will release a new, complete 12-CD box set by guitar innovator, jazz, and progressive rock legend Allan Holdsworth titled The Man Who Changed Guitar Forever, along with a 2-CD updated and expanded “best of” collection selected by the artist, titled Eidolon.
Manifesto Records referenced the box set’s seemingly portentous title from the cover story title featuring Holdsworth in Guitar Player magazine’s April 2008 edition. Given his humble nature, Holdsworth is a bit embarrassed by the title and finds the notion that he changed “guitar forever,” somewhat overblown—more befitting of names like Orville Gibson, Leo Fender, or Ned Steinberger.
Holdsworth, born in Bradford England in 1946, embarked on a solo career as composer and bandleader exclusively in 1979. Holdsworth’s career as producer, bandleader, and lead composer is documented in this box set, and with the artist’s 28-track selection of favorites in Eidolon. Both packages include extensive liner notes, and an updated 2016 interview with Holdsworth discussing each release, his history, and approach to the instrument.
From 1982 through 2003, Holdsworth recorded a dozen albums that have been lovingly put together for The Man Who Changed Guitar Forever collection. Featured on the box set are eleven remastered studio albums, starting with the 1982 studio release, Allan Holdsworth, I.O.U., and the archival 2003 live release, Then!, recorded live in Tokyo in 1990. All feature additional bonus tracks added for special editions or the original Japan releases, along with the original artwork and studio credits. Also included are the Grammy-nominated Road Games, (1983), Metal Fatigue (1985), Sand (1987), Secrets (1989), Wardenclyffe Tower (1992), Hard Hat Area (1993), None Too Soon (1996), The Sixteen Men of Tain (2000), and Flat Tire: Music for a Non-Existent Movie (2001).
Holdsworth has been recognized by many of the world’s most accomplished and unique rock and jazz guitar virtuosos. Luminaries including Eddie Van Halen, Carlos Santana, Frank Zappa, Pat Metheny, John McLaughlin, Joe Satriani, Tom Morello universally expressed reverence and astonishment at Holdsworth’s pioneering approach to his playing and vast vocabulary of “uncommon” chord voicings.
He further expanded the guitar’s orchestral potential with a range of electronic effects, then moved on to become one of the early innovators of guitar-based synthesizer controllers. In the nearly five decades Holdsworth has been touring, collaborating, and recording, he has created an immense sonic and musical legacy.
In the ‘70s he played with legendary Miles Davis drummer, Tony Williams and Cream bassist Jack Bruce as the band Lifetime, and toured with Soft Machine. He worked with former Yes and King Crimson drummer, Bill Bruford’s first solo project, Feels Good To Me, and subsequent recordings with Jean-Luc Ponty, and Gong. Bruford suggested Allan for the progressive-rock “supergroup,” U.K., which, along with Bruford, also featured John Wetton and Eddie Jobson.
Both The Man Who Changed Guitar Forever and Eidolon will become precious to those who love the world’s great guitarists. Fans of deeply unique, sonically rich and pristine recordings of great musicians taking their music to the next level and beyond, will also be in awe of these collections.
Ian Anderson, John O’Hara, and the Carducci Quartet are set to release “Jethro Tull - The String Quartets,” a collection of 12 re-imagined Tull classics, allowing Tull fans and classical music connoisseurs to enjoy the band’s vast catalog in a new way.
"Aquafugue (Aqualung)" for example, starts with the recognizable six note theme before continuing to follow the rules of a fugue. A subject, counter subject, and an accompanying counterpoint all alternate between the tonic and dominant keys. "Loco (Locomotive Breath)" begins with a cello cadenza inspired by the writing of J.S. Bach, an influential composer in Jethro Tull history. Other Tull favorites round out the track listing, such as "Farm, the Fourway (Farm on the Freeway),” which starts with a violin cadenza drawn from the recognizable harmonic progression of the song, and "In the Past (Living in the Past)," which opens with the famous 5/4 time riff that helped make the song successful.
Says Anderson: “There were some songs rather special to me which featured the string quartet such as ‘A Christmas Song,’ ‘Reasons For Waiting’ and ‘Wond'ring Aloud.’ These were my first experiences of working with a quartet. John [O'Hara, keyboardist for Ian] came up with a few suggestions of his own which presented challenges. All had an intimacy and presence which I looked forward to recapturing...."
O'Hara “felt a responsibility to delve deeper and offer a new imagining of each piece. An orchestrator’s job is to arrange and compose a new version of an existing work. However, I also felt a responsibility to the Jethro Tull listeners who cherish this material and may not welcome a radical rendition of a beloved song. My ambition was to create a thought-provoking album that remains true to Ian's compositions.”
With the release of Heart of Love, Phoebe Legere’s 17th collection of original songs, Legere continues to build on her legendary reputation as an American songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, storyteller and singer.
The great Studs Terkel at NPR called Phoebe Legere “an American original” whose “beautiful voice will take your breath away.” -NPR.
Phoebe Legere, from an Acadian/Cajun and Native American family, has been playing Americana with La Famille Legere Band since she was five years old. Her cousin Ray Legere, a blue-grass/acoustic legend joins her on this album.
Legere’s HEART of LOVE album is a paean to the outlaw ecstasy of life on the road. Legere writes songs that are folk-country tall tales. Legere twists grief into humor and counters existential angst with a whoop of joy. Her French-English “Cajun Moon” begins with Legere singing a chanson about a woman in a hurricane; then she suddenly changes the channel to spin a yarn about riding an alligator while making love and drinking bourbon out of a to-go cup!
Legere’s Native American heritage is the basis for much of her flashing nature imagery: In “Blue Canoe Blues” we hear her singing in Abenaki, the language of her ancestors. “OK Cupid” is a song about computer dating with a surprising twist.
Legere, both philosopher and a poet, writes songs that are multivalent Rubik’s cubes of wit, emotion, and wry social commentary. The author of 4 Epic poems, Legere deals with family, romance, disillusion, birth, homecoming and death. On “Wrong Honky Tonk” Legere plays masterful honky tonk piano throughout, and wields her accordion like a spiritual sword.
Legere’s down to earth Lightening Hopkins-influenced blues guitar playing can be heard on the album. She has surrounded herself with some of the best musicians in the business including Dave Malakowski (Savoy Brown Blues Band), Eric McDonald (Mandolin), Ray Legere (violin) Paul Smitty Smith (Lap Steel Guitar) and Dae Bennett (background vocals.)
Legere’s voice goes easily from a “soprano of winsome sweetness” to a “low down blues growl.”
Legere has performed thousands of shows, from Country Fairs to NPR, from Folk Festivals to the Pow Wow circuit, from Songwriter Circles to a CBS Sunday Morning feature when she won First Runner-Up in “America’s Hottest Accordionist Contest” in Branson, Missouri.
She has licensed her songs to HBO, Canal PLUS in France, Island Pictures and RAI UNO. She has been covered by the BBC and CBC in Canada. She’s played with Joni Mitchell, Billy Joel, John Hartford, Steve Martin, David Bowie and the Boston Symphony.
The Washington Post raved: “Her voice ranges from a dark and earthy alto to a gorgeous dazzling high soprano… she combines intelligent lyrics and folk, country, and Cajun into a tasty roots-alternative stew.”
The New York Times compared her to “Edith Piaf and Jerry Lee Lewis…Her voice is an ex-traordinary palette of tonal color and meticulous phrasing…”
Where Magazine called Phoebe Legere: “A genius who has it all; brains, beauty and a giving heart.”
“Loco (Locomotive Breath),” from the new 'JETHRO TULL- STRING QUARTETS’ album by Ian Anderson and the Carducci String Quartet, is premiering at billboard.com. “Loco” is a string quartet arrangement of “Locomotive Breath” Jethro Tull’s 1978 hit off the group’s album, BURSTING OUT. Read Billboard's new interview with Ian, conducted by renown music journalist Gary Graff.
The STRING QUARTETS’ version is an instrumental features violin, viola, cello and bass, and Ian Anderson on flute. It was arranged by Ian’s keyboardist John O’Hara, whose mission was to “delve deeper and offer a new imagining of each piece. An orchestrator’s job is to arrange and compose a new version of an existing work.” O’Hara also felt “a responsibility to the Jethro Tull listeners who cherish this material and may not welcome a radical rendition of a beloved song.”
Formed in 1968, Jethro Tull has released 30 studio and live albums, selling more than 60 million copies worldwide. With nearly 50 years’ history, the band has performed more than 3,000 concerts in 40 countries, playing 100+ concerts each year. Now, Ian Anderson, John O’Hara, and the Carducci Quartet are set to release Jethro Tull - The String Quartets, a collection of 12 re-imagined Tull classics, allowing Tull fans and classical music connoisseurs to enjoy the band’s vast catalog in a new way.
About The Carducci Quartet:
Winners of international competitions, including the Concert Artists Guild International Competition 2007 and Finland’s Kuhmo International Chamber Music Competition, this Anglo-Irish quartet has appeared at prestigious venues across the globe including the Wigmore Hall, London; National Concert Hall, Dublin; Tivoli Concert Hall, Copenhagen; Carnegie Hall, New York and Library of Congress and John F Kennedy Center, Washington DC. Festival appearances include Cheltenham Music Festival, Festival Messiaen au pays Meije, West Cork Chamber Music festival, Kuhmo Festival and the Wratislavia Cantans Festival in Poland. The Carducci Quartet are highly celebrated for their interpretation of contemporary repertoire, and are regularly invited to perform new works.
The album will be available in the U.S. on March 24, 2017 via The End Records/BMG. CLICK HERE to reserve your physical copy today!
01. In the Past (Living In The Past)
02. Sossity Waiting (Sossity: You’re a Woman / Reasons For Waiting)
03. Bungle (Bungle In The Jungle)
04. We Used to Bach (We Used to Know / Bach Prelude C Major)
05. Farm, the Fourway (Farm On The Freeway)
06. Songs and Horses (Songs From The Wood / Heavy Horses) **
07. Only the Giving (Wond’ring Aloud)
08. Loco (Locomotive Breath)
09. Pass the Bottle (A Christmas Song) **
10. Velvet Gold (Velvet Green)
11. Ring Out These Bells (Ring Out, Solstice Bells) **
Now in stores and all online digital sites is THE STRING QUARTETS, the new album by Jethro Tull’s Ian Anderson and The Carducci String Quartet. THE STRING QUARTETS features the classic songs of Jethro Tull, arranged and orchestrated by Ian’s keyboardist John O’Hara. Ian plays flute on most of the tracks and even sings a few lines here and there to provide his trademark sounds in the context of classical music traditions. “Locomotive Breath,” “Living In The Past,” and “Aqualung,” are amongst the songs revised with new arrangements and titles— “Loco,” “In The Past,” and “Aquafugue.” (Full track listing appears below.)
"The album finds its most authentic voice the further it gets away from the original songs" writes Russ Coffey of UK’s ARTS DESK.
John O’Hara delved deeper and offered new imagining of each classic. “An orchestrator’s job is to arrange and compose a new version of an existing work.” O’Hara also felt “a responsibility to the Jethro Tull listeners who cherish this material and may not welcome a radical rendition of a beloved song.”
THE STRING QUARTETS was recorded in the crypt of Worcester Cathedral, UK and in St Kenelm’s Church, Sapperton, Gloucestershire, UK.
The Carducci String Quartet is highly celebrated for its interpretation of contemporary repertoire, and are regularly invited to perform new works. The group has won international competitions, including the Concert Artists Guild International Competition 2007 and Finland’s Kuhmo International Chamber Music Competition. This Anglo-Irish quartet has appeared at prestigious venues across the globe including the Wigmore Hall, London; National Concert Hall, Dublin; Tivoli Concert Hall, Copenhagen; Carnegie Hall, New York and Library of Congress and John F Kennedy Center, Washington DC. Festival appearances include Cheltenham Music Festival, Festival Messiaen au pays Meije, West Cork Chamber Music festival, Kuhmo Festival and the Wratislavia Cantans Festival in Poland. Their website is www.carducciquartet.com.
The album is available in the U.S. via The End Records/BMG.
02. Sossity Waiting (Sossity: You’re a Woman / Reasons For Waiting)
03. Bungle (Bungle In The Jungle)
04. We Used to Bach (We Used to Know / Bach Prelude C Major)
05. Farm, the Fourway (Farm On The Freeway)
06. Songs and Horses (Songs From The Wood / Heavy Horses) **
07. Only the Giving (Wond’ring Aloud)
08. Loco (Locomotive Breath)
09. Pass the Bottle (A Christmas Song) **
10. Velvet Gold (Velvet Green)
11. Ring Out These Bells (Ring Out, Solstice Bells) **
12. Aquafugue (Aqualung)
After the album’s release, Ian Anderson will return to the United States this May, June, August, and November to present multi-media JETHRO TULL by Ian Anderson concerts in the Mountain States, Texas, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, the Midwest, Florida. He will be accompanied by Tull members David Goodier (bass), John O'Hara (keyboards), and by Florian Opahle (guitar), and Scott Hammond (drums). Please see below for concert dates and ticket links. More shows to be announced.
JETHRO TULL by Ian Anderson - U.S. Tour
5/23: Red Butte Garden, Salt Lake City, UT
05/26: Red Rocks Amphitheater; Morrison, CO (with the Colorado Symphony)
This week Ian Anderson reached the number one position again in the Billboard Classical Album charts with his new collaboration with the Carducci String Quartet, JETHRO TULL: THE STRING QUARTETS. Previously, his album DIVINITIES topped the Billboard Classical charts in 1995. In 1973 A Passion Play and, before that, 1972’s THICK AS A BRICK both hit number one in the Billboard Album charts. Those are number one hits every 22 years.
In addition to classical charts, JETHRO TULL: THE STRING QUARTETS debuted at #16 on the Independent charts, and #80 on Billboard’s album chart.
In the UK, JETHRO TULL: THE STRING QUARTETS entered at #2 on Classical, #56 on Album, and #6 for Independent.
THE STRING QUARTETS (track listing below) features 12 re-imagined Tull classics, allowing Tull fans and classical music connoisseurs to enjoy the band's vast catalog in a new way.
Blogcritics calls the album, “an excellent example of what can be done when a fresh, and in this case collective, creative spirit gets ahold of timelessly great material." - Blogcritics
Rebeat Magazine writes, ”Classical music fans will appreciate this album for its ability to demonstrate the versatility and respectability of Anderson’s compositions outside of the rock world. Hardcore Tull fans will also enjoy the album as it celebrates the interesting blend of styles and eras that made Jethro Tull such an interesting band."
Formed in 1968, Jethro Tull has released 30 studio and live albums, selling more than 60 million copies worldwide. With nearly 50 years' history, the band has performed more than 3,000 concerts in 40 countries, playing 100+ concerts each year.
Ian Anderson will return to the United States this May, June, August, and November to present multi-media JETHRO TULL, and will be accompanied by Tull members David Goodier (bass), John O'Hara (keyboards), Florian Opahle (guitar), and Scott Hammond (drums).
JETHRO TULL: THE STRING QUARTETS is available in the U.S. via The End Records/BMG.
Track listing
01. In the Past (Living In The Past)
02. Sossity Waiting (Sossity: You’re a Woman / Reasons For Waiting)
03. Bungle (Bungle In The Jungle)
04. We Used to Bach (We Used to Know / Bach Prelude C Major)
05. Farm, the Fourway (Farm On The Freeway)
06. Songs and Horses (Songs From The Wood / Heavy Horses) **
07. Only the Giving (Wond’ring Aloud)
08. Loco (Locomotive Breath)
09. Pass the Bottle (A Christmas Song) **
10. Velvet Gold (Velvet Green)
11. Ring Out These Bells (Ring Out, Solstice Bells) **
The concert will feature a solid collection of the best-known Tull repertoire from 1968 to date. Fans will recognize the key songs from various albums - songs which put Jethro Tull and Ian Anderson on the map in the late ‘60s and early ‘70s - with most of them accompanied by big screen HD video elements to enhance the concert experience. Favorites include: “Dharma For One” in 1968, “Bourée,” “Nothing Is Easy,” “A New Day Yesterday,” “Living In The Past,” “Aqualung,” “Locomotive Breath,” “My God,” “Aqualung” and on through to “Thick As A Brick” and material from the albums of the next three decades. A couple of recent works round out the concert selection which may vary a little from night to night.
Ian is accompanied by Tull members David Goodier (bass), John O'Hara (keyboards), Florian Opahle (guitar), Scott Hammond (drums).
In 2017, JETHRO TULL by Ian Anderson played Australia and New Zealand during April with further tours and concerts throughout Europe, USA and South America to come later in the year.
Now in stores and all online digital sites is THE STRING QUARTETS, the new album by Jethro Tull’s Ian Anderson and The Carducci String Quartet. THE STRING QUARTETS features the classic songs of Jethro Tull, arranged and orchestrated by Ian’s keyboardist John O’Hara. Ian plays flute on most of the tracks and even sings a few lines here and there to provide his trademark sounds in the context of classical music traditions.“ "The album finds its most authentic voice the further it gets away from the original songs" writes Russ Coffey of UK’s Arts Desk. The album is available in the U.S. via The End Records/BMG.
Los Angeles based Rock Fusion trio, King Llama, is hitting some big stages this year with their album, RETURN TO OX. Happening right now is a South American tour. Look out as King Llama performs at a few notable festivals, including 2 days at Summer Camp Festival in Chillicothe IL this Memorial Day weekend, and Progtoberfest in Chicago on Saturday 10/21.
As the band is now touring in Argentina and Chile, they will also be recording a new live music video in the historical studio "Zanezi" in Mendoza. Look out for these releases this summer!
RETURN TO OX - recorded and produced with Dave Schiffman at East West Studios in Los Angeles - is available in all mediums including a double LP (vinyl), and can easily be found through the band's website: kingllama.com.
Canada’s profilprog.com says it best: “The album is a great success. Each title is deploying a multiplicity of environments covering a broad stylistic spectrum (from jazz to metal) and offers many variations of dynamic, alternating saturation and its clear epileptic breaks, harmonic progressions in black textures and air.“
Relix Magazine hits home with this: "King Llama draw from an impressive range of musical styles to forge their own brand of acid-jazz and prog-rock.”
King Llama has certainly forged their own style of fusion, and each show they perform more than demonstrates their ability to surprise the ear with fresh and clever approaches towards composition.
KING LLAMA on the Road:
May 4 Willys Bar, Chacras, Mendoza, Argentina
May 5 Al Toque, San Martin, Mendoza, Argentina
May 6 Sala Hugo del Carril, San Luis, Argentina
May 7 N8 Studio, Mendoza, Argentina
May 11 Maal Wines, Lujan de Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina
May 12 Centro Cultural Rojas Magallanes, Santiago, Chile
May 13 Alfonsi, San Felipe, Chile
May 14 Bar 1, Santiago, Chile
May 18 Estudio Locatel, Zona Norte, Buenos Aires
May 19 Centro Cultural Leon Leon, Buenos Aires
May 20 Detroit, Morón, Buenos Aires
May 21 Quetzal, Buenos Aires, Argentina
May 25 Summer Camp Festival, Chillicothe, IL (Campfire Stage pre-party)
May 26 SummerCamp Festival, Chillicothe, IL
July 8 Casa, Costa Mesa, CA
September 16 Casa, Costa Mesa, CA
October 20 Sonic Voyage Fest, Wisconsin w/ Aisles, Joe Deninzon & Stratospheerius
Stratospheerius will release their fifth CD “Guilty of Innocence” through Melodic Revolution Records early Fall 2017. The new 10-track album will be available worldwide in both Physical and Digital formats. “Guilty of Innocence” features special appearances by Alex Skolnick (Testament), Rave Tesar (Renaissance) and Randy McStine (The Fringe).
“Guilty of Innocence” highlights include a reimagined cover of Muse’s “Hysteria,” a 12-minute prog epic titled “Soul Food” which features many of the guests mentioned above, plus “Dream Diary Cadenza,” a solo electric violin extravaganza lifted from Joe’s electric violin concerto.
The band is led by founding member, electric violinist & vocalist Joe Deninzon. Joe has been called the “Jimi Hendrix of the electric violin.”
GUILTY OF INNOCENCE features members: French guitarist Aurelien Budynek (Cindy Blackman, Vernon Reid), bassist Jamie Bishop (The Syn, Francis Dunnery), and drummer Lucianna Padmore, praised by Modern Drummer Magazine for her “Deep grooves and serious fusion chops.”
Statement from Joe Deninzon
We are honored to be part of Melodic Revolution Records, and feel it will be a strong partnership. We would love to expand our audience worldwide, especially in the prog community. We love Nick's commitment to and enthusiasm about the artists on his label.”
Three Piece Suite is a specially curated selection of songs and compositions from Gentle Giant’s first three albums (Giant, Acquiring the Taste, Three Friends) presented in both 5.1 surround sound and stereo. There are nine tracks from the albums, plus a pre-debut song, remixed by Steven Wilson. The choices were determined by the limited availability of multi-track master tapes from the era. Only a few songs from each album are known to exist as multi-tracks, with the rest presumably lost.
Gentle Giant’s Three Piece Suite includes the songs “Giant,” “Nothing At All,” and “Why Not” from the first album Giant. “Pantagruel’s Nativity,” “The House, The Street, The Room” from the second album Acquiring The Taste. “Schooldays,” “Peel the Paint,” “Mr. Class And Quality,” and “Three Friends” from the album Three Friends completes the list of the original recorded material.
The band and Steven Wilson are including a previously commercially unreleased song “Freedom’s Child” taken from the first recording sessions with legendary producer Tony Visconti.
The liner notes by Interviewer Anil Prasad include reflections from Gentle Giant’s members about the writing and recording sessions.
Steven Wilson and Tony Visconti share their incredible observations about the early days of this unique collection of timeless music from one of progressive rock’s most influential bands.
Tony Visconti recounts:
“I was a very optimistic young man in 1970…I thought music like theirs would save the world from mediocrity. I couldn’t wait to sink my teeth in it. I championed their cause by becoming sympathetic to the point where I temporarily joined the band for both albums. I modified their arrangements and pulled off some stunning audio effects that gave their sound more depth and immediacy. The band knew I was on their side. I remember there being a great feeling of camaraderie during the sessions.”
Steven Wilson explains:
“To create the new mixes, I used Logic as the software and Universal Audio plug-ins, which provide emulations of classic analog outboard effects, channel strips and old mixing desks…I used these tools to clean things up and bring out some more clarity, detail and definition in some of the instrumental interplay. There was never a question of trying to outdo the original mixes, but offer different perspectives on them.”
Tony Visconti continues:
“In our own way, we’ve touched the ears, minds and hearts of thousands of true believers.”
The band members, collectively, feel there are still good reasons its fans continue to enjoy Gentle Giant’s music and why it continues to be discovered by new generations.
For fans of Gentle Giant Three Piece Suite is a must have. For fans of great musicianship and progressive rock this is an incredible insight into the earliest days of this legendary band.
Joe Deninzon writes about the songs on his new album, GUILTY OF INNOCENCE (Melodic Revolution Records).
Many of these songs are snapshots of my personal life; others address topical themes. I write in the abstract and try to strike balance where you know what the lyrics are referring to, but there is plenty of room for personal interpretation.
Behind the Curtain - Our society relishes watching people go down in flames. It traces back to public executions. In our psychology lies a deep, dark fascination with observing the demise of someone else, as long as it's not us. We love to chastise someone while we ourselves often lead a double life, hiding all kinds of skeletons in our closets while pretending we are faultless. One verse says: “Wear the mask so righteous, quick to judge the careless, those who fear the monster, living in glass houses.” There is also a line about the trappings of celebrity: “Everybody knows your name...you feel so alone.”
Take Your Medicine - Inspired by an incident years ago where my family didn't get our damage deposit back after renting a condo, and were accused of a bunch of damage we didn't make. We called a lawyer and resolved the issue, but turned my anger and frustration into a song. The beauty of rock n roll is that you can take one of life’s little injustices, write a song, and blow it out of proportion into an apocalyptic battle between good and evil.
Guilty of Innocence - In 2012, I served on jury duty for a rape trial. It was a gut-wrenching experience. The prosecution presented a weak case and the accused was found not guilty. A bunch of us believed he was guilty, but couldn’t convince anyone else on the jury. Definitely an intense and emotional experience for everyone involved. Most people try to avoid jury duty. For me, it was fascinating to observe how the system works, plus I got a good song out of it. This song drew its inspiration from late ’70s punk and early ’80s new wave. I wanted to draw from The Ramones, Joe Jackson, Elvis Costello, and The Police, while still keeping it under the umbrella of the Stratospheerius sound.
Face - A snapshot of a bad moment in an otherwise good relationship...or an ongoing dysfunctional relationship... or an example of miscommunication and differences in outlook in any relationship. A slow, brooding riff that keeps haunting the listener and grows to heights of angst!
Hysteria - We choose our covers very carefully. I have been a huge fan of the band Muse for many years and this song really spoke to me. We would perform it on our live shows over the past few years, and I felt it suited us and fit in next to our originals. I wanted to record a version similar to the original, but the band refused, saying why re-create something that was so perfect to begin with? They forced me to re-imagine the song entirely. Thank you, guys! This is one of my favorite tracks on the album and the first official single. I was having a very good day vocally and channeled my inner Matt Bellamy, hitting the “E”s! Rocking the Viper through a whammy pedal and an Earthquake Arpenoid in the solo. This recording also features the vocal contributions of soprano Melanie Mitrano. We wanted a really over-the-top, operatic Queen-esque vibe in the intro, since Muse was also influenced by Queen, as were we, this song is a tip of the hat to both bands. We pulled out all the stops!
Affluenza - This is the first song penned entirely by our drummer, Lucianna Padmore, who grew up in the Bronx. The lyrics talk about income inequality and could be about anyone stuck in an ivory tower, unaware of how their decisions affect the lives of common people who are struggling. A certain recently elected orange guy with a weird haircut comes to mind. Our music is not blatantly political, but allusions are made, and we have to write what we are passionate about. It’s hard to stay neutral. Lucy’s roots are in jazz, funk, and R&B, and her performance on the drums and congas really brings the funk on this track! Also features the funky clavinet stylings of Rave Tesar from Renaissance. For the violin solo, I play through a bass synth wah. I am a stomp box addict and am always searching for new sounds. One never knows what will work on an electric fiddle, sometimes an effect meant for bass can sound killing!
Parallel Reality - In 2014, I was on a month-long tour of Europe. Halfway through the tour, I had a restless night where I couldn't sleep. I kept thinking about my family and was homesick. Finally, at around 4 A.M, I gave up trying to sleep and decided to write some music. I had a "visitation." This song just poured out of me in a flash! I pictured my morning walks to school with my son and the conversations we would have. Musically, I wanted the song to feel restless, as life on the road is, as I was feeling at the moment I wrote it. Hence, the constant changing time signatures and feels.
Game of Chicken - Probably the most political song on the album. The "game of chicken" has its origins in a game in which two drivers drive towards each other on a collision course: one must swerve, or both may die in the crash, but if one driver swerves and the other does not, the one who swerved will be called a "chicken", or a coward. I thought about how dysfunctional our government is, how we continue to kick the can down the road for future generations to clean up our mess, how we scream over each other in our online media echo chambers and refuse to listen to differing opinions. Our planet is on the verge of destruction and we are too busy trying to destroy each other instead of coming together to try to solve our problems. Basically, the premise of the song is that we are all speeding towards the edge of a giant cliff screaming at each other and that we are all fucked. Have a nice day!
Dream Diary Cadenza - In all the albums Stratospheerius has put out, I have never recorded a ripping solo violin piece in the spirit of Van Halen’s “Eruption." In 2015, I had the opportunity to write and perform a concerto for Electric 7-String violin and orchestra. The piece was titled "Dream Diary," and was based on the cycles of sleep: Falling and Flying (sensation of periodic flight when first falling asleep). Delta Waves (shape of waves on heart monitor when first entering deep sleep). Rapid Eye Movement (first dreams occur) Waking Dream (the climax of your dreams, the most vivid and intense moments, interrupted by fits of wakefulness). The "Cadenza" is a breakdown section in the 3rd movement where the electric violin plays solo and the orchestra stops. I hope to record this concerto and release it in the coming years, but I thought it would be cool to include this excerpt on this album, since it works as a stand-alone piece of music. Every sound you hear was created by the Mark Wood “Viper” 7-string electric violin.
Soul Food - While on tour in Sweden a few years ago with my string quartet, “Sweet Plantain” (who plays on this track), we found ourselves in a small town in the north called Östersund. The concert was over. It was freezing outside, we were hungry and the town looked like they had rolled up their sidewalks and there was nowhere to go. All of a sudden, someone at the hotel told us about a place down the street called the “Jazzkoket" (Jazz Kitchen). They said to bring our instruments. Sure enough, in the middle of nowhere, we happened upon an incredible farm-to-table restaurant owned by a Norwegian woman who befriended us.
The music that night was phenomenal and some of the best musicians I have ever heard who happened to be local to that area and were jamming there. Needless to say, we stayed at the Jazz Kitchen all night, had a feast and jammed with the localm usicians. The next day was free so we came back to the Jazz Kitchen, hung out there all day, and they fed us breakfast, lunch, and dinner free of charge! To show our gratitude, we gave a free concert that night to the locals.
When writing this song, I thought about all the people I have played for in different bands have travelled with who expressed their gratitude and generosity. In remote places like Alaska, where we ate fresh haddock and home-cooked moose meat that people had caught in their backyard, or the Navajo deserts in the Southwest, or remote parts of Northern Sweden. Östersund became a symbol for me of that mysterious building in the middle of nowhere where a warm fire, a jam session and a good meal awaits you. When you travel outside of the big cities like NY or LA where people are oversaturated with good entertainment and can get a bit jaded sometimes, and you travel to remote places where people show you their heart and remind you why you became a musician.
Recording of this track was made possible by a generous grant from the Robert and Qin Ryan foundation through the Mark Wood Rock Orchestra Camp, where I have the honor to teach every year.
I have always wanted to write a 12-minute prog epic. I went into the studio and went crazy! It's basically 12-min song about feeding the band!
Grand Funk Railroad will be headlining the 2018 Flower Power Cruise, which visits Fort Lauderdale, Aruba, Curacao, Saint Maartens, Puerto Rico.
The SOLD-OUT Cruise runs from February 24-March 3, and Grand Funk joins February 28-March 1.
The line up on the cruise, also, includes Canned Heat, The Family Stone, Iron Butterfly, the Cowsills, Peter Noone, the Hollies, Peter Asher, Felix Cavaliere’s Rascals, the Guess Who, the Grass Roots, the Association, the Buckinghams, Mickey Dolenz (Monkees), Mark Lindsay.
Formed in 1969, Grand Funk was born out of the ashes of Terry Knight & The Pack, another band from Flint, Michigan. Currently the group includes original founding members Don Brewer (vocals and drums, writer and singer of the hit, "We're An American Band") and bassist Mel Schacher. Joining Don and Mel are true "ALL-STARS"-- Max Carl (38 Special, Jack Mack and the Heart Attack, Max Carl and Big Dance), lead guitarist Bruce Kulick (12 years with KISS and credits with Michael Bolton, Meatloaf and Billy Squier), and keyboardist Tim Cashion (Bob Seger and Robert Palmer).
Together, Brewer and Schacher have created a dynamic and multi-talented five-piece band that will not only carry on the tradition of Grand Funk hits, but also has the potential to create a new chapter in the legacy of Grand Funk Railroad. With Grand Funk reforming in 2000, this new chapter in the band's biography is being written daily. Both seasoned Grand Funk lovers and contemporary rock fans--discovering the group for the first time on CDs and VH-1-- will be able to see and hear firsthand that Grand Funk Railroad's train is back on track.
“We're Comin' To Your Town, We'll Help You Party It Down, WE'RE AN AMERICAN BAND!!!"
Ian Anderson’s 50 Years of Jethro Tull continues in 2019 with tours confirmed in the United States and Europe. Concerts in the States in March, July, and September with confirmed concerts on both coasts in New Jersey, New York, Maryland, New England, and California.
It was on the 2nd of February 1968 at the world-famous Marquee Club in Wardour Street that Jethro Tull first performed under that name. The group would go on to become one of the most successful and enduring bands of their era, selling over 60 million albums worldwide and entering the cultural collective consciousness along the way, playing their first concerts in North America in November and December 1969!
Founder, frontman and flautist, Ian Anderson is rightly credited with introducing the flute to rock as a front line instrument, not to mention the codpiece!
Jethro Tull are one of the biggest selling Progressive Rock artists of all time, and the group’s immense and diverse catalogue of work encompasses folk, blues, classical and heavy rock stylings. The anniversary concerts will feature a broad mix of material, some of it focussing on the earlier formative period through to the “heavy hitters” of the Tull catalogue from the albums: This Was, Stand Up, Benefit, Aqualung, Thick As A Brick, Too Old To Rock And Roll: Too Young To Die, Songs From The Wood, Heavy Horses, Crest Of A Knave and even a touch of TAAB2 from 2012.
Anderson says, “We continue to present the 50th Anniversary concerts in many countries and regions not visited in 2018, and also many Tull repertoire shows in Europe. There will be, of course, my usual charitable cathedral and church concerts in December. In the USA - many would argue - 2019 is really the 50th Anniversary for US fans since we first visited in early 1969.”
Ian Anderson is accompanied by Tull band musicians David Goodier (bass), John O'Hara (keyboards), Florian Opahle (guitar), Scott Hammond (drums) and surprise virtual guests
In addition to the tour, look for “the excellent special edition of the Steven Wilson remix and remastered STORMWATCH, now celebrating the 40th Anniversary (with extra material from the sessions and some live concerts).” The official Tull 50th Anniversary book should be released in the first few months of 2019 - watch www.JethroTull.com for more news.
About Jethro Tull
Jethro Tull have released 30 studio and live albums, selling more than 60 million copies worldwide. During their 50-year history, the band has performed over 3,000 concerts in more than 50 countries, playing 100+ concerts each year.
Ian Anderson’s 50 Years of Jethro Tull North American Tour Dates 2019
Local North American 2019 concerts will be announced Monday, December 10, 2018 at 10 AM ET and go on sale Friday, December 14, 2018 at 10 AM Local time. To purchase tickets, please visit www.jethrotull.com.
Tour Dates:
March 9: Ocean Resort Casino - Ovation Hall, Atlantic City, NJ
March 11: The Theater at MGM National Harbor, Oxon Hill, MD
March 12: Mayo Performing Arts Center, Morristown, NJ
July 5: Fantasy Springs Resort Casino, Indio, CA
July 6: Five Point Amphitheatre, Irvine, CA
July 7: San Diego Civic Theatre, San Diego, CA
July 9 – Saratoga, CA – The Mountain Winery* (public on sale April 8, 2019)
Musician/humanitarian Sharon Katz (originally from Port Elizabeth, South Africa) and singer/teacher, Nonhlanhla Wanda (from Durban,South Africa) celebrate 25 years of worldwide touring and musical collaboration. Some of the celebration includes duo shows in South Africa with performances in Johannesburg, Durban and Cape Town in early 2019. Later on the two have performances and workshops in the United States, Cuba, and more border concerts with children from San Diego and Tijuana in Mexico.
The South African tour revisits cities that Sharon, Nonhlanhla, & the Peace Train visited just over 25 years ago, Dec. 1993, in South Africa. Sharon remembers that as a bonding time with everyone living together on the Peace Train, “as an experiment that for the first time in our history we could live and travel together as a multiracial group across the country. Nonhlanha and I, from opposite sides of the race divide, were able to achieve that as musicians and activists. We had 100 singers and a 12-piece band plus crew and parents as chaperones, a TV crew and invited Ladysmith Black Mambazo to join us.”
The international performers recorded their current album SIDE-BY-SIDE with producer Malcolm Nhleko of Maltre Studios. The Afro-Jazz-Contemporary fusion album features all original compositions by Nonhlanhla and Sharon and showcases their distinctive voices and gorgeous harmonies complemented by the instrumental virtuosity of Sharon on guitar; Qhubekani Mthethwa on bass; Charles Boykie Mnomiya on drums; and Sanele Phakathi on piano and synthesizer.
Sharon and Nonhlanhla are also the subjects of the multiple-award winning film, “When Voices Meet.” It documents the role of The Peace Train in creating South Africa’s first, 500-voice multiracial youth choir in KwaZulu-Natal in 1993; its groundbreaking concert tour across the country in support of the first democratic elections; The Peace Train’s first tour of America after President Mandela was elected; and the long-term impact of the project as told by the participants 20 years later. The film, which premiered at the Durban International Film Festival, has won awards at over 30 film festivals around the world and been broadcast in over 50 countries. John Kani and Abigail Kubeka are also featured in the film.
In 2018 The Peace Train initiated a multi-national project called “Transcending Barriers” which is designed to foster peaceful relationships between the countries of Mexico, Cuba, South Africa and the USA. In June 2019, Katz will perform with 2,000 children in Tijuana Mexico, and in November she will present a full production featuring Cuban, South African, American and Mexican children at the 33rd International Choir Festival in Santiago de Cuba.
The duo contributes proceeds from their concerts and CD sales toward social development projects in South Africa, including supporting a children’s home, bursaries for orphans, after-school cultural programmes, and therapeutic music projects across the country. Sharon Katz will also join Mlungisi Gegana in concerts to benefit the Mlungisi Academy in Queenstown.
In addition to their own CDs, the group was recorded on the Carnival! album with Sting, Tina Turner, Elton John and Madonna. They have also recorded with Dolly Rathebe and Abigail Kubeka and featured Ladysmith Black Mambazo on The Peace Train’s original tour.
2019 PERFORMANCES IN SOUTH AFRICA BY SHARON KATZ & THE PEACE TRAIN
9 February Sophiatown TheMix Johannesburg
Sophiatown Heritage Centre, 73 Toby St, Sophiatown, Johannesburg, 2092, South Africa
Celebrating Abigail Kubeka's 80th birthday concert with full band featuring Abigail Kubeka & Friends
16 Feb Moyo Restaurant at uShaka Marina, Durban
Sharon Katz & Nonhlanhla Wanda with full band
22 Feb Cafe Roux, Noordhoek, Cape Town Duo with Nonhlanhla Wanda
Chapmans Peak Dr, Noordhoek, Cape Town, 7979, South Africa
24 Feb Alma Café, Cape Town - Duo with Nonhlanhla Wanda
Alma Cafe, 35 Freda Ave, Gauteng, Randfontein, 1760, South Africa
1 March Queenstown Hotel, Queenstown
Concert with Mlungisi Gegana Quartet
Benefit for Mlungisi Music Academy
2 March East London: The Square Africa Boxing Lounge
12 Station Street
East London, Eastern Cape 5200
27 April 2019 Oakland, CA: Park Day School
360 42nd St
Oakland, CA 94609
7:00 pm: Concert, Film screening
27 April San Francisco, The Brandeis School
55 Brotherhood Way
San Francisco, CA 94132
3:00 pm: Concert, Film screening
18 May 2019 Philadelphia, PA First Unitarian Universalist Church of Philadelphia
2125 Chestnut Street
Philadelphia, PA
8:00 pm: South Africa’s 25 Anniversary of Freedom Concert & Celebration
19 May Philadelphia, PA James A. Michener Art Museum
138 S. Pine Street
Doylestown, PA 18901
1:00 pm: Unplugged
9 June Palenke Stadium, Tijuana, Mexico
Performance with Promotora De Las Bellas Artes
1:00 pm: Performance with children’s choir
28 June Old Songs Folk Festival, Altamonte, NY
Altamont Fair
Altamont, NY
11:00 am: Performance
14 September Grayhaven Winery, South African Wine, Food, & Music Festival
Grayhaven Winery
4675 East Grey Fox Circle
Gum Springs, VA
12:00 Noon: Performance
1 November: Santiago de Cuba, 33rd International Festival of Choirs
The American Band, Grand Funk Railroad is headlining Time-Life’s ’70s Rock & Romance Cruise this March 25 and 26. The Cruise takes Rock & Romance to new heights when it sails through the Caribbean aboard the luxurious Celebrity Infinity. Other Superstars on the Cruise include Foreigner, WAR, Orleans, Leo Sayer, Gino Vanelli, and bands Queen Nation, Exile, Firefall, Little River Band and former members of ELO. Hosting this amazing lineup of talent is Peter Asher plus radio hosts Delilah and Joe Johnson and more.
“The amount of star power we have is overwhelming,” says Alan Rubens, executive producer of the ’70s Rock & Romance Cruise. “It reflects our dedication to creating the ultimate nostalgic experience for everyone who fell in love to - and with - the music of that era. It’s a truly special cruise with a close-knit community of fans.”
Grand Funk Railroad formed in Flint Michigan in 1969. 2019 marks the groups 50th Anniversary and the band is celebrating with a 50 YEARS OF FUNK TOUR! The current lineup features original founding members Don Brewer (vocals and drums, writer and singer of the hit, "We're An American Band") and bassist Mel Schacher. Joining Don and Mel are true "ALL-STARS"-- Max Carl (38 Special, Jack Mack and the Heart Attack, Max Carl and Big Dance), lead guitarist Bruce Kulick (12 years with KISS and credits with Michael Bolton, Meatloaf and Billy Squier), and keyboardist Tim Cashion (Bob Seger and Robert Palmer).
Together, Brewer and Schacher have created a dynamic and multi-talented five piece band that not only carries on the tradition of Grand Funk hits, but also creates a new chapter in the legacy of Grand Funk Railroad. This new chapter in the band's biography is being written daily. Both seasoned Grand Funk lovers and contemporary rock fans--discovering the group for the first time will see and hear firsthand that Grand Funk Railroad is roaring down the tracks.
“We're Comin' To Your Town, We'll Help You Party It Down, WE'RE AN AMERICAN BAND!!!
Jethro Tull released Stormwatch in September 1979, completing a folk-rock trilogy the band started with Songs from the Wood in 1977 and continued the following year with Heavy Horses. Certified gold in the U.S., Stormwatch was also the final album to feature the classic late-1970s Jethro Tull lineup, which included Ian Anderson, Martin Barre, John Glascock, John Evan, David (now Dee) Palmer and Barriemore Barlow.
To celebrate the album’s upcoming anniversary, Rhino will release STORMWATCH: 40th ANNIVERSARY FORCE 10 EDITION. This new 4CD/2DVD set will be available on October 11.
Highlights include:
- Original album and associated recordings newly remixed by Steven Wilson
- Full concert from the Netherlands recorded in March 1980
- Original album and 13 associated recordings mixed to 5.1 DTS and AC3 Dolby Digital
- Flat transfer of the original 1979 mix at 96/24 LPCM stereo
- 15 associated recordings mixed to 96/24 LPCM stereo and five original mixes at 96/24 LPCM stereo
- Presented in a case-bound DVD book filled with an extensive history of the album, track-by-track annotations by Anderson and Palmer, rare photographs and more
The recording sessions for Stormwatch stretched from August 1978 to July 1979 as the album’s ecological and maritime themes slowly came into focus on songs like “North Sea Oil” and “Flying Dutchman.” The band recorded several tracks that were left off the album because they didn’t fit the theme. Many of those can be found on the second disc of this set, including “Man Of God,” “Crossword,” “Kelpie” and “The Lyricon Blues.” In addition to those outtakes, the disc also features early versions of the album tracks “Dark Ages” and “Dun Ringill.”
STORMWATCH: 40th ANNIVERSARY FORCE 10 EDITION also includes a previously unreleased recording of Jethro Tull’s concert at Congreßgebouw in the Netherlands on March 16, 1980. The career-spanning performance mixed new Stormwatch tracks (“Something’s On The Move,” “Home” and “Elegy”) with older hits, like “Locomotive Breath,” “Aqualung,” “Thick As A Brick” and “Minstrel In The Gallery.”
STORMWATCH: 40th ANNIVERSARY FORCE 10 EDITION concludes with two audio-only DVDs that feature various mixes of the original album along with the associated recordings featured in this set.
Stormwatch marked the end of an era for Jethro Tull. Due to his deteriorating health, bassist John Glascock missed most of the sessions for the album and only appears on three of its songs (“Flying Dutchman,” “Orion” and “Elegy.”) Tragically, Glascock died shortly after the album was released. The lineup changed even more following the tour to promote the album as Barlow, Evan and Palmer left the group.
Ian Anderson and his longtime friend/collaborator Leslie Mandoki have recorded the song “We Say Thank You,” as a dedication to everyone on the frontline, from the doctors to grocery store workers, in the unbelievable Coronavirus battle. The hashtag to use is “#WeSayThankYou”
Written by the Hungarian-born/German producer/songwriter/bandleader of Soulmates (which has featured Ian through the years), “#WeSayThankYou” was written in the context of Leslie’s own isolation in Germany, where his doctor wife, Eva, is a first contact physician.
Using social distancing as the foundation for their collaboration, Leslie emailed tracks to England for Ian to sing and play flute on between April 7 and 8. Hear the song https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l0Y6XFZw7Hk.
Ian and Leslie have worked together for over 20 years on various collaborations with his jazz-rock band Soulmates featuring the good and great of classic rock and jazz. Artists in Soulmates (through the years) have included— David Clayton-Thomas, Bobby Kimball, Tony Carey, Jack Bruce, Chaka Khan, Chris Thompson, Steve Lukather, Eric Burdon, Nik Kershaw, Greg Lake, Al di Meola, Randy and Michael Brecker, , Bill Evans, Mike Stern , Paul Carrack, Peter Frampton, and Jon Lord.
Mandoki’s Soulmates toured North America in 2018.
In addition to the brave, hardworking front-line medics and care workers the lyrics reference the police, grocery clerks, supermarket workers too. Ian adds the dark reference to the speculators making a killing from the current crisis. Ian says, “They know who they are.”
“To all, we say, thank you,” Says Ian Anderson and Leslie Mandoki
Joe Deninzon & Stratospheerius’ is celebrating the release of its new single, FRAME BY FRAME on all digital media and stores.
FRAME BY FRAME is a cover of the King Crimson song from their 1981 album, “Discipline.” Joe Deninzon & Stratospheerius’ version is available for the fans on all digital music platforms—stores and streaming media through Melodic Revolution Records.
Joe says, the song always spoke to him with its simple lyrics and dramatic theme. Co-written by Robert Fripp, Bill Bruford, Tony Levin, and Adrian Belew, whose voice, Joe says, “is right in my range and we’ve been playing this live a lot. I also thought I’d inject it with a lot of staccato violins to give it more of an edge and put my own spin on it.”
The recording is produced by Joe Deninzon, engineered by Renaissance’s Rave Tesar, mixed and mastered by Rich Mouser (Spock's Beard, Sons of Appollo, Flying Colors, Neal Morse Band, Pattern Seeking Animals, Trans Atlantic). It features background vocals by Val Vigoda (star of Off Broadway’s Ernest Shackleton Loves Me), and features Joe and his bandmates: bassist Paul Ranieri, drummer Jason Gianni, and guitarist Michelangelo Quirinale.
Joe Deninzon has been called “The Jimi Hendrix of the violin,” the group have showcased their “frenzied mélange of progressive rock, jazz fusion and funkabilly” throughout the world. Their latest album, GUILTY OF INNOCENCE hit number 4 on the Relix/Jamband radio charts, 72 on the European Indy charts. Fresh off the main stage at ProgStock, Joe Deninzon & Stratospheerius is a favorite of music festivals and colleges. Their music has received over 3 million streams online, and the band’s opened for John5, Gary Hoey, Martin Barre, The Levin Brothers (Tony and Pete), Tim Reynolds, Mickey Hart, and John Scofield… Stratospheerius was a winner of the John Lennon International Songwriting Competition, and was named “Best Jam Band” in the Musician’s Atlas Independent Music Awards.
Dudeski/Chip Baker Films is proud to announce the official release of their latest project "Rolling Stone Life and Death of Brian Jones," a Danny Garcia film.
"Rolling Stone Life and Death of Brian Jones" is the first documentary about Brian Jones, the founder and original leader of The Rolling Stones.
"Beautifully put together and engrossing from start to end".
Irvine Welsh - Author of "Trainspotting"
The film is being released on DVD by MVD Entertainment Group and will be available thru the following streaming services:
Amazon Prime & Digital
FandangoNOW
Films Media Group
Google Play
Night Flight
Overdrive
Xbox
Vimeo
Cable vod/ppv:
iNDemand
Dish
Sling
#2
Here's the link to order "Rolling Stone Life and Death of Brian Jones" DVD package with extras including a film poster, 57 minutes of deleted scenes, exclusive behind the scenes bonus footage, a Scott Jones extra featurette and the films official theatrical trailer.
Also available is the Original Motion Picture Soundtrack Album, a limited edition pressing of 1000 coppies on red vinyl featuring 13 all original songs, 6 of which are exclusive to the film:
"Rolling Stone Life and Death of Brian Jones" is the 5th acclaimed music documentary for Spanish filmmaker Danny Garcia. His other releases include "The Rise and Fall of The Clash"; "Looking for Johnny", about New York Dolls guitarist Johnny Thunders; "Sad Vacation", a film chronicling the final months in New York City of the Sex Pistols bassist Sid Vicious & his girlfriend Nancy Spungen and Danny's most recent release "Stiv: No Compromise, No Regrets" about Stiv Bators, legendary frontman of the iconic Ohio band the Dead Boys and The Lords of the New Church.
"Rolling Stone Life and Death of Brian Jones" adds to the list of respected music documentaries Danny Garcia has produced and directed.
South African musician and music therapist, Sharon Katz, has been working with the Mexican nonprofit Promotora de las Bellas Artes since 2018 when she spearheaded "The Peace Train Transcending Barriers Tour", crossing the USA Mexican border with American and South African musicians, youth and families to join with Mexican children and families for an astounding parade and unity concert.
Last year in 2019 she joined the organization as special guest artist for a gigantic concert with 1,500 children from Promotora's school choirs, in Tijuana's largest stadium and in November the 30 voice children's choir, Cantores de Tijuana, traveled with Sharon Katz & The Peace Train to perform in Cuba at the 33rd International Festival of Choirs. Sharon Katz, who founded The Peace Train Project in 1992 in her home country, South Africa, has been working in Tijuana for the past 5 months, collaborating with the President and Founder of Promotra de las Bellas Artes, Alida Guajardo de Cervantes, and the musical director, Cuban musician, Daria Abreu-Feraud. Sharon Katz & Alida Guajardo are currently in conversation with the Mexican Embassy in South Africa and the South African Consulate in Los Angeles, about upcoming cultural exchange programs.
Please join them on Faccebook Live for this exciting virtual concert showcasing the children's talents, on June 26th at 9pm Eastern Standard Time (6pm Pacific Time) https://www.facebook.com/sharon.katz.2000
On Wednesday, August 26th, WBAI Radio 99.5FM NYC (wbai.org) will broadcast a day devoted to the history of the Women’s Suffrage Movement featuring contemporary feminist icons. The cast will re-enact highlights from 100 years of the campaign for equality.
Transdisciplinary artist and renowned feminist Phoebe Legere will play the part of Chairwoman at the historic first women’s rights convention: the Seneca Falls Convention of 1848.
Legere will also present a stunning rendition of several 100-year-old Suffrage songs including “GLORY.”
Legere’s interpretation on piano, guitar and accordion, and vocals is a formidable anthem for our time. Legere’s powerhouse interpretation of “GLORY” celebrates the past achievements of women fighting for the freedom to vote, while heralding the need to continue the battle for true equality.
ABOUT “GLORY”
This song, with words by L. May Wheeler sung to the music of “John Brown,” was first performed by Susan B. Anthony and a chorus of women on July 4, 1876 at the Women’s Centennial Celebration of American Independence held at the First Unitarian Church in Philadelphia.
After singing the song, Anthony read the Women’s Declaration of Rights to a cheering crowd.
“Our hearts have felt the glory of the coming of the time,
When Law and Love shall make our land sublime,
When every mountain hill and rock with freedom’s light will shine,
And truth goes marching on.”
Legere says, “The use of ‘John Brown’ as the melody of this song amplifies the strong ties between the Abolitionist Movement and Women’s Suffrage.”
The WBAI program will be broadcast on August 26th, Wednesday, from 11 am – 5 pm EST on Fran Luck’s “The Joy of Resistance, Multicultural Feminist Radio”, 99.5 FM and streaming live at wbai.org.The show will be presented again on August 27th at 7 pm by the Theater for the New City. Watch at Theaterforthenewcity.net.
Phoebe Legere is a pioneer female composer and multi-instrumentalist and a well-known activist and community leader championing women’s causes.
Her work as a playwright has chronicled many women’s issues. In her musical, “Hello, Mrs. President,” Legere’s book presented the first woman of color to become president of the United States. Legere’s play, starring Laverne Baker debuted at Theater for The New City in 1992 and 2004 playing to sold out crowds.
Phoebe Legere’s “Speed Queen,” presented at Dixon Place in 2018 was based on the Life of Joe Carstairs, the World Champion Speedboat Racer and lesbian action hero.
As a visual artist Legere has created cutting-edge paintings and installations celebrating the beauty and fecundity of the female body. Legere’s art transgresses normative sexuality and gender identity.
Legere launched Foundation for New American Art, a 501 (c) 3 nonprofit dedicated to bringing arts education programs to underserved children in low-income communities.
Phoebe will make a download of her “GLORY” available at no charge to those who visit her website. Please visit www.phoebelegere.com
Sharon Katz’s “We Can Be The Change” is out, and reaching fans, inspiring them to be the change. “We Can Be The Change” is world music and encompasses work with border themes both in her native Africa and in North and Central America.
Produced by Malcolm Nhleko (sound engineer for Ladysmith Black Mambazo), “We Can Be the Change” is available on all streaming and downloading platforms. https://ditto.fm/we-can-be-the-change
Sharon says that “’world music’ for us has always been about reflecting, understanding, and stretching the boundaries of the melodies of life,” and she’s found the connections of all the people she’s been visiting and collaborating with the past 3 years, “the rhythms and voices from Cuba, South Africa, Mexico and USA that swirl, meet, are influenced, and change from the musical encounters on this album, so do our human relationships. We can be - and must be - change agents.”
A highlight of the album is there are two versions of “We Can Be The Change”—one of Sharon with her musical partners in South Africa and another with musicians from Tijuana Mexico, San Diego, and Cuba. Sharon wrote the original track for The Peace Train’s 2016 tour, “Putting the United Back in the USA.” Her vision has always been to communicate “to the younger generation that we absolutely must commit ourselves to social justice. If we do not believe that things can change and act with conviction and commitment, then nothing will ever change.”
For the first time in Sharon's recording career, there are a number of Latin collaborations, all with traditional partying energy—“Santiago,” “Africa Y Cuba,” and “Vamos En El Tren De LaPaz” recorded in Cuba, “The Time Is Right Today,” a song she wrote in 1992 on behalf of Nelson Mandela’s Post Apartheid Vision. "This recording is symbolic of the work I am honored to do in Latin America, bringing communities together in a spirit of respect, peace, and shared humanity. We’re so grateful to José Aquiles Virelles Rodriguez; and all the fabulous Cuban musicians he brought together for these sessions. It is a story of musical worlds uniting to express our collective African experience.”
She recorded “Hamba Kahle Go Well Mandela” in South Africa, and added trumpet player Frank E. González in Cuba, 2019. The song was written when Nelson Mandela passed in 2013 “’He taught us well,’ so now it’s up to us to bring justice to the world.”
Songs she recorded solely in South Africa were “Rocking Chair,” “Bayajabula” about reality and optimism, and “Warm Heart,” which was written in 1993 “as we struggled to end Apartheid and heal our country. Now when those in power have caused so much damage in the world, it can be difficult to maintain hope, but we must persevere and continue to “let the warm heart sing.” Bandmate Wendy Quick and Sharon wrote “Rocking Chair” about building a school in the rural area of KwaNgcolosi, outside of Durban, South Africa.
The South African and Grammy-nominated World Music Performer made history with co-founder/bandmate Nonhlanhla Wanda as Sharon Katz & the Peace Train in 1992 when they formed South Africa’s first, 500-voice multiracial choir. They organized a courageous tour on board a train –The Peace Train – to promote a peaceful transition to democracy. When CNN filmed Sharon jumping out of a helicopter with her guitar to teach rural people about the voting process through song, Sharon Katz & The Peace Train were propelled into an international career that has spanned four continents and coast-to-coast US appearances. They have performed at venues all over the world.
ProgStock Festival, the American Northeast’s Only International Progressive Rock Festival, is proud to bring you the ProgStock Presents Virtual Series.
The pandemic has closed music venues and brought in-person live music performances to a screeching halt. Accordingly, we have had to cancel ProgStock 2020. We don’t know how long we will have to wait before it will be truly safe to stage a festival, but we will be back! Meanwhile, we will be bringing music right to you with some great shows from artists performing live in their homes or home studios. The series is being presented every Saturday night, 5PM – 10PM US Eastern and started on August 1, 2020.
The individual performances on StageIt are separate shows. Audience members will purchase a ticket to each performance individually, not the whole night as a block. Some shows will be 45 minutes and others will be 90 (or longer), so we may have as few as three shows or as many as six each night, with some nights starting at 4PM US Eastern to accommodate artists streaming from Europe.
Shows in September and October feature Dave Bainbridge (Iona, Strawbs, Lifesigns, Celestial Fire), Frogbelly and Symphony, Dark Beauty, Joe Deninzon and Stratospheerius, Manticore (an ELP tribute), Tribe of Names (formerly Valdez), Aaron Clift of The Aaron Clift Experiment, Discipline and Friends, District 97, Pinnacle, OVRFWRD, Marco Machera (Echotest), Galactic Cowboy Orchestra, Katie Pachnos, Alan Hewitt and One Nation, and more!
On October 10th and 11th, 2020, ProgStock is taking its Virtual Series to the next level by bringing you Virtual ProgStock 2020. ProgStock, the American Northeast’s only international progressive rock festival, will come to you virtually with full-production, full-band performances streamed live from the Hamilton Stage Theatre of the Union County Performing Arts Center in Rahway, New Jersey on October 10th, and from the Temple Stage at Tellus360 in Lancaster, Pennsylvania on October 11th and will feature Total Mass Retain – A Yes Tribute, Solar Federation – A Rush Tribute, Mile Marker Zero, Cell15, Gnarbot, and Crack the Sky!
StageIt is all about experiencing music in the moment, duplicating the live music experience as closely as possible. You have to be there to see it, just like you would in a venue, so shows are only available on their site during the performance window.
When concert promoter Danny Zelisko says, “I’ve got some stories to tell,” he isn’t kidding. In his remarkable new book, ALL EXCE$$ Occupation: Concert Promoter, takes you both backstage and on stage with music’s top stars, recounting his incredible five-decade career in which he has produced over 10,000 concert events throughout the country.
“I say that the book took me four years to write, but it’s really 60 years in the making,” Zelisko says. “Since all this stuff actually happened, the story wrote itself. I just had to be there to decipher it, which was the hard part!”
Along with his vivid, insightful and highly entertaining recollections, Zelisko shares an eye-popping array of never-before-seen photos from his personal archives that might have readers thinking he’s a rock ‘n’ roll Zelig: There’s stories and shots of him with Alice Cooper, Willie Nelson, Roger Waters, Aerosmith, the Grateful Dead, members of Led Zeppelin and The Doors, Herbie Hancock, Jeff Beck, Barbra Streisand, Kris Kristofferson, Chuck Berry, Jon Bon Jovi, Tony Bennett, Muddy Waters, Genesis, Tina Turner, Billy Idol, Bruce Springsteen, U2, Billy Joel, Bob Seger, The Monkees, James Brown, John Prine – as they say, the list goes on and on.
In addition, Zelisko chronicles his lifelong love of sports, his passion for collecting memorabilia and autographs, as well as some of the incredible friendships he formed while in his pre-teens with giants such as Chicago Cubs shortstop/first baseman Ernie Banks and Chicago Bears stars Brian Piccolo and Gale Sayers (the bond between the latter two was the basis of the beloved film Brian’s Song). Of Sayers, who recently passed away, Zelisko says, “Gale knew how close Brian Piccolo and I were, and was a great comfort to me and my dad at Pic’s wake. I won’t ever forget his kindness.”
Zelisko also talks about his first impressions and situations that followed with concert business legends Bill Graham and Shep Gordon, who went on to be his close friends and mentors throughout his career.
What message does Zelisko hope readers will take away from the book? “Anything and everything is possible,” he says. “I want to inspire people – whatever they want to do, they can do it. You see a picture of me with Robert Plant or Muhammad Ali, and you might think, how did this guy get there? That’s the story I tell. And it can happen to you, too. You just have to believe in yourself and never quit.”
How does a starry-eyed Midwestern kid go on to become one of the biggest concert promoters in history? Zelisko details his rise from scrappy beginnings to overseeing iconic stadium shows. “A lot of people have no idea what a concert promoter actually does, so that’s something else I hope people take away from the book,” he says. “There’s the great times – hanging out with the stars, the fun, the partying – but there’s awful times, too. And there’s the work. My team and I are responsible for every aspect of putting on a show. Without the great people who have supported these promotions, day in and out, I could never have done it. They are the stars behind the scenes”
At its heart, ALL EXCE$$ Occupation: Concert Promoter is a tale of friendships. Zelisko’s longtime pal and baseball legend Kirk Gibson wrote the book’s Foreword in which he describes the author as “the straw that stirs the drink.” “I’m very fortunate to have made such incredible friends,” Zelisko says. “I think a big reason for that is because I’m always very honest with the people I deal with. I can admire them and worship what they do, but I deal with them straight and tell them the truth. I think that’s how you last in the business, and it’s how you maintain relationships.”
ALL EXCE$$ Occupation: Concert Promoter is available at dzplive.com, you can also get it from Kindle, Amazon and Amazon Print on Demand Danny Zelisko's ALL EXCE$$ is available all over the world. All shipping included. Additionally, a limited number of first-edition signed copies are available to benefit NIVA’s Save Our Stages (to support music industry employees affected by COVID-19).
Here’s what the stars have to say about the book!
Roger Waters
I approve of your book. I particularly like the photo of you with the big box of cash after the Pseudo Floyd gig. Though the touching bit is the ’72 Chicago gig, Pat Leonard stuff. Nice!
Joe Bonamassa
Never a dull night hanging out with my friend Danny Zelisko and hearing classic music stories of the bands I grew up with. Looking forward to reading his book.
Rob Halford
From Chuck Berry to Barbara Streisand to Whitney Houston as well as Judas Priest – Danny has worked with them all, And along the way witnessed huge moments not just in music but also our country’s history and culture. This book is one hell of a ride from a guy who’s had one hell of a life. With many moments to make, no doubt!”
Garland Jeffreys
Just got my copy and it's filled with hilarious hijinks and behind the scenes tales that only a brilliant promoter and story teller like Danny could tell. Sample chapters include "Sam Kinison Guilty as Charged: I was a bad influence on THIS guy?" "Working with Pink Floyd - I Know Which One's Pink" "When a Deal is not a Deal - Lessons in Being Fair." Danny is one of the people who really knows how to make the music business fun and his love for artists has always made me love him in return. Get your copy now!
David Ellefson
So proud of my dear friend and legendary Arizona concert promoter Danny Zelisko as he releases his memoir "All Excess". Danny has promoted most every Megadeth show in the area since the "Peace Sells..." tour in 1987. Order a copy now and savor some killer stories of the concert business harkening back to when the independents ruled the roost. I'm proud to be a part of his story.
Bill Siddons
When I saw $40 I thought “Is he nuts.” Then the book showed yesterday and we saw the scope, the magnitude, the accessories (I love the bookmark) I realized ‘it’s all worth it." Elayne saw it and said “I want to use those ideas for my book!” Well done Danny!
Larry LeBlanc, Celebrity Access
Zelisko’s most recent project is the 4-year birthing of his 364-page book, “ALL EXCE$$ — Occupation: Concert Promoter,” maybe the best single book ever written about America’s concert business; it’s a damn fun first read, and a fascinating second read.
David LaDuke is dedicating his cover of B.B. King's song "Bad Luck" to the late great guitarist, himself. B.B. King passed away on May 14, 2015, from Alzheimer's disease and other health issues.
Though David's guitar style is more chord-oriented, and B.B.'s was more single-note and deliberate, he was always a fan. "I've been to tons of his concerts and am heavily influenced by the blues."
B.B. King released "Bad Luck" in 1956, and it hit number 3 on the charts. The song is credited as a co-write with Joe Josea, who was also responsible for discovering Johnny "Guitar Watson. Aleksandar Filimonovic portrays Josea in the Netflix film "Dolemite Is My Name."
David continues to share songs from his archives. The music video for his "Psychedelic Sandwich" will be live on Bongo Boy T.V.'s Season 10-Episode 5 edition (May 4, 2021 premiere), which broadcasts on 72-plus T.V. channels and music video shows. Stay tuned to the channel at https://vimeo.com/channels/bongoboytv.
“Contemporary Fusion Reviews” writer Dick Metcalf favored "Psychedelic Sandwich" as his favorite song on Bongo Boy's 63rd FYC album. "Exactly the kinda' tune I would be rockin' to as I put my moto-cycle boots on in the morning back in the day!" The song, co-written with Talas' Phil Naro, was cited in “The Ark of Music” for its "intense, retro-psych sound and absolutely killer guitar solo."
Mr. LaDuke is preparing to release a new album, Put Up Your Dukes, later this fall which will feature both "Bad Luck" and "Psychedelic Sandwich. The album will include some new tunes, unreleased tracks, and demos.
David LaDuke has been playing roots/metal/rock n' roll since 1973. He and his group Sinbad have released several LPs, EPs, and CDs. His album SINBAD was on the California-based indie label Azra International (Overkill, Liege Lord, Intruder, Jag Panzer).
His solo releases include Have Rock Will Travel, Ball Bustin’ Guitar Rock! (plus two live EPs), Absolutely Raw (Nothing more. Nothing less.), Absolute Rock (In the buff.) including the CDs: Rock Hard Rocker and Rock with Balls.
His unique blend of 1970s' guitar rock, with an Elvis Presley-influenced grove helped David gain an excellent reputation throughout underground in the mid-‘80s/early ‘90s in Hard Rock and Metal Magazines, Fanzines and underground Radio shows worldwide.
By the end of the '80s, Sinbad Productions was born. After leaving the stage in 1991 to raise his son, David continued to record, release CDs and EPs. He also published “BallBuster Magazine,” which was available in stores and bookshops worldwide, until 2000. He has since supported the International rock scene—partly through his well-regarded website, BallbusterMusic.com and social media page, https://www.facebook.com/BallBusterMusic
Sunset Blvd. Records is proud to release The Wild, Exciting Sounds of Marshall Crenshaw: Live In The 20th and 21st Century, a two-disc live retrospective of the acclaimed songwriter/performer’s work from the early 1980s to date. The album is due out August 27, 2021.
Whether you’ve been a Crenshaw fan for 40 years or know little beyond “Someday, Someway,” this 2 CD set is a revelation. Disc one, recorded in 1982 and 1983, is filled with performances from radio shows in New York, Boston and New Jersey, and focuses largely on songs from his self-titled debut album and the follow-up, Field Day.
“It was such a cool band, with Chris Donato, me and Robert, and our brother John hitting the orchestra bells and the tambourine and whatever else he had up there; it sounds like kids having fun.”
Disc two, which Marshall curated himself, is a sampler of his work from the last 25 years, featuring live versions of songs that appeared on many different albums and EPs. On six tracks Marshall Crenshaw is ably backed by The Bottle Rockets, featuring the off-the-chain guitar stylings of John Horton, and Brian Hennemen (and M.C. himself).
The package comes complete with detailed liner notes, written by Marshall, and many never- before-seen photos from over the years and decades.
Track Listing
1. Monday Morning Rock
2. Try
3. Brand New Lover
4. There She Goes
5. Something’s Gonna Happen
6. Here I Am
7. Whenever You’re On My Mind
8. Mary Anne
9. A Big Hunk O’Love
10. Rockin’ Around in NYC
11. I’ll Do Anything
12. Our Town
13. Cynical Girl
14. Got A Lot O’ Livin’ To Do
15. Someday, Someway
16. What Time Is It?
17. Passing Through
18. Something’s Gonna Happen
19. Walkin’ Around
20. Kit Kat Clock
21. Live And Learn
22. What Do You Dream Of?
23. I Don’t See You Laughing Now
24. Calling Out For Love (At Crying Time)
25. Television Light
26. Valerie
On September 17, Sunset Blvd. Records is releasing the live recordings of Texas song stylist Mance Lipscomb. Called “Navasota,” Mance was born just outside there on April 9, 1895. He played blues classics throughout his life, and was the first signing, in June 1960 by the Legendary Roots music label, Arhoolie Records. This was also the first recorded music from Mance, who was celebrating his 65th year.
Mance Lipscomb represented one of the last remnants of the 19th century songster tradition, which predated the development of the blues. Though songsters might incorporate blues into their repertoires, as did Lipscomb, they performed a wide variety of material in diverse styles, much of it common to both black and white traditions in the South, including ballads, rags, dance pieces (breakdowns, waltzes, one and two steps, slow drags, reels, ballin’ the jack, the buzzard lope, hop scop, buck and wing, heel and toe polka), and popular, sacred, and secular songs.
Mance Lipscomb himself insisted that he was a songster, not a guitarist or “blues singer,” since he played “all kinds of music.” His eclectic repertoire has been reported to have contained 350 pieces spanning two centuries.
This album represents 3 previously unreleased performances from 1963, ’64 and ’72.
Albuu notes by Bill Wahl for Sunset Blvd, noted that Mance’s performances included “finger-picked guitar technique provided vivid and irresistible accompaniment for his supremely atmospheric vocals” of repertoire than encompassed Tin Pan Alley ditties….., along with slide-soaked gospel pieces, reels, breakdowns, patriotic themes—each and every one rendered in his own inimitable style” which was rooted in blues.
$1.00 From Each Album Sold Will Be Donated To Knowledge-First.org, Houston, Texas
Disc 1 1972 Harvard University
Texas Blues
Alabama Jubilee
See See Rider
Baby Please Don’t Go
I Ain’t Got Nobody
Done Had My Fun
Rock Me Baby
Keep On Trucking
Key To The Highway
Shine On Harvest Moon
All Night Long
True Religion
When The Saints Go Marching In
Disc 2 Texas ’63/’64
Rock Me Mama
So Different Blues
Shorty George Cut Down
Long Way From Tipperary
Trouble In Mind
Night Time Is The Right Time
Mama Don’t Allow
Careless Love
When Death Comes Creepin’ In Your Door (Run Sinner Run)
Orleans is releasing their first and only Christmas album. Subconsciously, the group—which is about to celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2022—must have been working on the holiday collection for decades.
Orleans co-founder Lance Hoppen says, "The material comes from various sources, most written internally and some by friends from other bands. Some had previously recorded lives elsewhere and were remastered, others had previous starts but underwent major revisions and upgrades. Some were cut from scratch in isolation. Some are purely secular, while others center around the Christmas story.”
John and Johanna Hall co-wrote the title track, “New Star Shining” which the band recorded in 1994 for a “Woodstock Holidays” CD released only in Japan. The group’s only Christmas song until now, it was also cut as a duet by Ricky Skaggs and James Taylor. This version features shared lead vocals by John, Larry Hoppen, Lance and Bob Leinbach. The acclaimed songwriting duo also co-wrote “Snowed In With You,” “I Wish I Could’ve Been There” with Tad Richards, and "Quiet Place" with Jonell Mosser. “I Wish” features Little Feat’s Bill Payne on piano and multi-instrumentalist John Jorgenson (the Desert Rose Band and The Hellecasters) playing mandolin. "Snowed In" shines with Dan Dugmore's pedal steel and Andrea Zonn's fiddle.
Two more historical recordings came from the Hoppen family. Lance found his late brother Larry’s version of “Winter Wonderland” on YouTube, which was recorded for a 2010 Rock Xmas Foundation charity. Larry, Lance, brother Lane and sister Lynda sang the introduction of the traditional song “Mary Had a Baby” around 1985 at a Hoppen Family holiday gathering; Lance found the tape, a snippet of which was digitized and included. The band then recreated the entire four-part harmony arrangement during the pandemic.
Fly Amero contributed three songs: "Jinglin' In New England" was written with his wife Donna. Other Fly songs include “Ballad of the Christmas Day Cowboy” (a collaboration with platinum country writer Robert Ellis Orrall) and “I Wish I Could Fly”, written with Allen Estes, featuring Beaver Brown Band’s keyboardist, Steve Burke.
Other songs include “Mary’s Christmas,” originally recorded by The Little River Band, and “I’m Coming Home for Christmas” originally recorded by Ambrosia's Joe Puerta. “The Sound of Christmas” came from Orleans alumnus Chip Martin, who’s written for Billy Paul and Randy Meisner.
Orleans’ “New Star Shining” will be on all digital platforms and available in music stores and holiday catalogs.
The band went from club and college shows in the Northeast to worldwide acclaim with their top ten singles "Still the One," Dance With Me," and "Love Takes Time.” Orleans has produced a body of work spanning 16 albums and several DVDs. The band’s music is still streamed millions of times a week and featured in TV, movie and commercial productions.
Band members on Album:
John Hall: Guitars & Vocals
Lance Hoppen: Bass & Vocals
Fly Amero: Guitars & Vocals
Lane Hoppen: Keyboards & Vocals
Brady Spencer: Drums & Vocals
Historical contributions from former members Bob Leinbach, Larry Hoppen, Chip Martin.
Songs:
1. New Star Shining (written by John & Johanna Hall)
2. Quiet Place (John Hall, Jonell Mosser, Johanna Hall)
3. Jinglin’ in New England (Fly Amero, Donna Amero)
4. Mary’s Christmas (Roger Helton, Tony Elenburg, John Swaim)
5. I Wish I Could’ve Been There (John Hall, Johanna Hall, Tad Richards)
6. The Sound of Christmas (Daniel “Chip” Martin, John Cirillo)
7. Mary Had a Baby (Traditional)
8. Snowed in With You (John & Johanna Hall)
9. I’m Comin’ Home for Christmas (Bill Pfotdresher)
10. I Wish I Could Fly (Fly Amero & Allen Estes)
11. Winter Wonderland (Felix Bernard, Richard Bernard Smith)
12. Ballad of the Christmas Day Cowboy (Fly Amero & Robert Ellis Orrall)
Joe Deninzon & Stratospheerius are releasing a live single “Game of Chicken” on Melodic Revolution Records on December 3. Recorded live at Prog Stock 2019, the song and music video is a taste of the group upcoming live CD/DVD to be released first half of 2022.
“Game of Chicken” originally appeared on the band’s most recent studio album, Guilty of Innocence. The "game of chicken" is a “Rebel Without A Cause”-styled competition in which two drivers drive towards each other on a collision course: one must swerve, or both may die in the crash, but if one driver swerves and the other does not, the one who swerved will be called a "chicken," or a coward.
Joe says the song is about our collision course with one another as time is running out. “Our planet is on the verge of destruction and we are too busy trying to destroy each other instead of coming together to try to solve our problems.”
ProgStock is an annual progressive rock festival that takes place in Rahway, NJ. Joe’s played it in 2018, 2019, 2021, and on their special Internet broadcasts in 2020.
Led by electric violinist/vocalist Joe Deninzon, who has been called “The Jimi Hendrix of the violin,” Stratospheerius’ members are: Joe Deninzon-electric violin/vocals (Bruce Springsteen, Renaissance, The Who, 50Cent, Trans-Siberian Orchestra), Jason Gianni-drums (The Ultimate Queen Celebration, Trans-Siberian Orchestra, Rock of Ages, Neil Morse Band), Michaelangelo Quirinale-guitar (Thrilldriver), and Paul Ranieri-bass (Mark Wood, Circuline, Riot Act). The band have showcased their “frenzied mélange of progressive rock, jazz fusion and funkabilly” throughout the world.
Their latest single is called “Cognitive Dissonance,” and recent album, GUILTY OF INNOCENCE hit number 4 on the Relix/Jamband radio charts, 72 on the European Indy charts. Their music has received over 3 million plays online, and the band’s opened for John5, Martin Barre, The Levin Brothers (Tony and Pete), Gary Hoey, Tim Reynolds, Mickey Hart, and John Scofield… Their live performances are filled with rip-roaring guitar/violin jams, and hooks that mix progressive rock with elements of jazz fusion, classical music, and Middle Eastern influences. Stratospheerius was a winner of the John Lennon International Songwriting Competition, and the Musician’s Atlas Independent Music Awards.
JANN KLOSE is releasing a new music video, “Never Fall” as a tribute to the legacy of the late Archbishop Desmond Tutu and the TutuDesk Campaign. Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/1V5Key8wcVo
For immediate release: The music video’s documentary feel covers Jann’s multiple visits to Mpumalanga Province near Johannesburg, South Africa during the making of his recent solo album, “In Tandem.” Thousands of TutuDesks were handed out to students in need. Footage shows performances of the kids dancing, singing and playing and Jann singing and performing for them in return. Says Jann: “Never Fall imagines a world of connection, sharing and support. The kids sang along with me at the end of the song and performed for us in return. All captured here in this short music video.”
While Jann never met the Archbishop, he “felt his reverberations while working with his daughter Thandeka Tutu-Gxashe and her team.”
Globally recognized, and in partnership with the United Nations Special Envoy for Education, the Tutudesk provides the answer to the classroom desk shortage crisis experienced in schools in developing countries.
"I was a barefoot township urchin. I went to school where there were no desks. We sat on benches and when the teacher asked us to write, we knelt down on the floor and used the benches we had been sitting on as desks… I wish Tutudesks had been available in my day!” — Archbishop, Desmond Tutu
“Never Fall” is the fourth single release off Jann Klose’s IN TANDEM album, released by legendary Gallo Record Company. Previous singles, “Pour the Champagne” featuring Karen Zoid have enjoyed continuous airplay in Southern Africa, reaching some 26 million listeners and charting in the Top 20 on Jacaranda FM.
Jann’s latest singles “Love You the Most” and “Pilot Light” from his upcoming 7th studio album “Surrender” (due later this year) have placed on Top 40 radio in the United States and garnered millions of views on YouTube.
Acclaimed singer-songwriter, environmental activist and former U.S. Congressman John Hall announced today the release of a new video for his song “Save the Monarch,” which features renowned folk music artist Dar Williams. The four-and-a half minute long video is available on Hall’s website and YouTube.
“Save the Monarch” appears on Hall’s latest album, Reclaiming My Time, which was released in May 2021. Hall’s sixth solo record, in addition to the 18 albums he released with the pop-rock band Orleans, Reclaiming My Time broke the Top 20 on the Americana Country Charts and was widely praised upon release. (The album’s title is a phrase used on the floor of Congress when a member wants to resume speaking after an interruption.)
“When I wrote ‘Save the Monarch’ I envisioned it as a hymn for endangered species, a sincere prayer that we answer the call to be good stewards of the earth,” said Hall. “The urgency of needing to protect life on our planet has been an enduring theme in my work, and I was absolutely thrilled when Dar (Williams), a neighbor of mine when I lived in New York’s Hudson Valley, agreed to sing the song with me. Dar is such an extraordinary artist and writer, as well as an engaged environmentalist. She certainly helps lift the song and gives it greater resonance.”
Hall and Williams swapping vocals on “Save the Monarch” is certainly apt, as they served for several years together on the board of directors of the Hudson River Sloop Clearwater, an environmental and education nonprofit co-founded in 1969 by folk music icon and activist Pete Seeger.
The video for “Save the Monarch” was directed, filmed and edited by Rob Arthur, who has directed videos for the Doobie Brothers, Dave Mason and Peter Frampton. A veteran keyboardist, Arthur has spent the past two decades serving as the bandleader for Peter Frampton.
Hall plays all of the instruments on “Save the Monarch” except for drums, which are handled by Peter O’Brien, Hall’s former bandmate in Orleans. Reclaiming My Time is notable for the many musical artists who joined Hall in the studio, including John Cowan (New Grass Revival, Doobie Brothers), Andrea Zonn (James Taylor, Vince Gill), Jay Collins (Dukes of September, Allmans), Sean Paddock (Kenny Chesney) and pedal steel guitar player Dan Dugmore. Steve Wariner co-wrote and sang a duet with Hall on “Another Sunset.”
Hall is known mostly for his work with Orleans; the band’s hits “Still the One” and “Dance with Me,” which he co-wrote with former wife Johanna Hall, continue to be streamed over 100,000 times apiece daily. Last year, Orleans released a Christmas album called New Star Shining, and in 2022 the band will be celebrating its 50th anniversary.
In 1979, Hall launched Musicians United for Safe Energy (MUSE) with Bonnie Raitt, Jackson Browne and Graham Nash, which culminated in the famed “No Nukes” concerts, which featured the above-mentioned musical artists, as well as Bruce Springsteen, James Taylor, the Doobie Brothers and Carly Simon.
Hall was elected in 2006 and 2008 to serve in the U.S. House of Representatives, where he fought for environmental issues and veterans’ disability rights. In 2016, his memoir Still the One: A Rock’n’Roll Journey to Congress and Back was published.
Music fans looking for a non-traditional way to celebrate Easter weekend and the beginning of Passover (April 15-17) this year need look no further than the Sarasota Opera House. But it won't be hearing voluptuous voices singing Madama Butterfly. After a two-year disruption in live music, the annual Rites of Spring Festival (RoSFest), now at its 17th edition, returns to Sarasota with an exciting line-up of acts from past and present to satisfy every taste.
The 3-day festival has been entertaining audiences with international line-ups since 2004, but almost permanently shut down when Covid-19 restrictions ground live music to a halt. Original founder and promoter, George Roldan, cited increasing production costs, tighter visa restrictions, and financial losses due to the pandemic as reasons for no longer being able to continue staging the event. Luckily, with the support of a large fanbase, musician and RoSFest patron, John Blangero, stepped in to revive the festival, putting together a new 6-member Board of Directors to steer the non-profit organization into the future. "People were heartbroken at the thought of RoSFest's demise," states Blangero, now President of the Board." As a lover of the festival, I saw that the community was in need and stepped up."
This year's edition of RoSFest will feature 9 bands representing a wide array of progressive and art rock music. The festival is set to kick off on Friday, April 15 at 8:30 pm, with Talking Heads guitarist Jerry Harrison, and former King Crimson guitarist/vocalist Adrian Belew, performing songs off the iconic Talking Heads album, Remain In Light, accompanied on stage by ex-members of super funk group, Turkuaz. April 16--Saturday's headlining act, progressive rock legend, Jon Anderson, together with students from the Paul Green Rock Academy, will delight concertgoers with classic songs by the band Yes along with a few other surprises. Sunday, April 17, will close out the festival with a rock extravaganza from Miami resident, Dave Kerzner’s All-Stars of Progressive Rock. Six support bands: Robert Berry's 3.2, Pattern Seeking Animals, Ten Jinn, The Tea Club, Lobate Scarp, and Head With Wings complete the bill.
To see the full schedule and read about the bands please visit www.rosfest.org
In addition to promoting innovative live music by providing lesser-known acts the opportunity to perform to a large audience alongside established artists, RoSFest's mission is to foster a community spirit by encouraging local business and school participation. "Our focus in the next few years will be to host an art competition in chosen Sarasota schools to design future RoSFest artwork," says Blangero. "We want people to return to RoSFest to see major musical artists in an intimate, high-quality setting with a warm and welcoming atmosphere and establish a connection with Sarasota and all it has to offer."
Single-day and weekend tickets for RoSFest available at:
Witness the healing powers of Music and Friendship as Holocaust survivors share their stories with songwriters on 450 PBS Stations. The hour-long documentary will broadcast between April 26-May 24, and then in the fall.
WE REMEMBER: SONGS OF SURVIVORS will premiere the week of Yom HaShoah, Holocaust Remembrance Day, on Tuesday, April 26, at 8:00 p.m. ET on PBS, PBS.org and the PBS Video app.
WE REMEMBER: SONGS OF SURVIVORS follows four working singer-songwriters (Michael Veitch, Elizabeth Clark, Kelleigh McKenzie, Jude Roberts) hired by the community arts organization SageArts in New York’s Hudson Valley. Through a program offered by Jewish Family Service of Orange County, they visit local Holocaust survivors to create original songs based on their conversations. The film documents the relationships that develop and the songwriting process over many months, culminating in an emotional live concert where the survivors and songwriters are celebrated by friends, family and the community.
“At a time when the world is faced with the horrors of war and hatred, we wanted to tell this hopeful story of perseverance and love,” said Ilene Cutler, co-producer of WE REMEMBER: SONGS OF SURVIVORS.
In-depth interviews with the survivors — Rita, Tibor, Tommy and Freide — and access to rare personal archives lead to revealing stories, many of which have been deeply buried in their memories for decades. At the same time, the songwriters — Michael, Jude, Kelleigh and Elizabeth — create video diaries to document their own thoughts and feelings about the experience of telling a Holocaust survivor’s story through song. Michael reflects, "Working with Rita was a life changing experience for me and I know every artist in this project received a similar gift songwriting with their Holocaust survivor."
“Many documentaries exist about the Holocaust. However, few have taken such a unique approach to telling these horrific stories. We wanted to shed light on the devastating experiences of Holocaust survivors while celebrating the possibilities of healing through the power of music,” said Tim Miller, co-producer of WE REMEMBER: SONGS OF SURVIVORS. “Little did we know this film, with its powerful message, would change the lives of both the survivors and songwriters.”
“PBS is honored to shed light on this moving and powerful project, which illuminates the ways in which music can uniquely memorialize these stories of resiliency,” said Zara Frankel, Director of Programming and Development at PBS.
Produced by Tim Miller and Ilene Cutler, WE REMEMBER: SONGS OF SURVIVORS was written and edited by Timothy Guetterman.
WE REMEMBER: SONGS OF SURVIVORS will be available for streaming concurrent with broadcast on all station-branded PBS platforms, including PBS.org and the PBS Video App, available on iOS, Android, Roku, Apple TV, Android TV, Amazon Fire TV, Samsung Smart TV, Chromecast and VIZIO. PBS station members can view many series, documentaries and specials via PBS Passport.
Dark Horse Flyer is the band that wrote and performed “Soldier’s Song,” the third track on a project called Troubleshooting Pandora’s Box; the song is its first charity track. “Soldier’s Song” is being released to raise money for World Central Kitchen, who are getting food to the people of Ukraine.
Troubleshooting Pandora’s Box is a musical project masterminded by Nick Katona, who also runs Melodic Revolution Records, the label releasing the song.
Nick Katona says, “The idea for this project came about 20 + years ago, not long after the dawn of the internet age. I wanted to use this project to address the many issues that have come to light.”
“Soldier’s Song” is an exploration into what lies behind beauty, sometimes it is evil and corrupt. These concepts will provide a lush platform for rich storytelling lending insight to our modern age with a focus on how to make our lives and world better. This is not a project by a regular assembled band, but from a collaboration of artists, whose styles, backgrounds, and interpretation through their cultural lens provide a beautiful tapestry of melodies and hooks with lyrics that—Nick believes--resonates with everyone.
All profits raised by the sales are to be donated to World Central Kitchen. “Soldier’s Song” was written by Don Mularz and Richard Taylor and performed by Dark Horse Flyer.
Don Mularz says the song is “inspired by the bravery of our fathers and uncles who went in harm’s way for the love of family and country, much like every man or woman that leaves a loved one behind to fight for their country. They hope they will come home and that special someone will still be waiting for them.” Adds Nick, “Just like the brave men and women in Ukraine are doing.”
“Soldier's Song” was recorded live at the band’s Florida rehearsal studio, the Hanger, with one mic and one take. The song was originally released as a music video and posted on social media ever.
About World Central Kitchen
World Central Kitchen is a not-for-profit non-governmental organization devoted to providing meals in the wake of natural disasters. Founded in 2010 by celebrity chef José Andrés, the organization prepared food in Haiti following its devastating earthquake.
On Thursday September 22nd at 7pm EST the songwriters behind the music of "We Remember: Songs of Survivors" will be streaming live from the historic venue Caffe Lena in Saratoga Springs, NY! Caffe Lena broadcasts with three dynamic HD cameras and studio quality live audio mixed by 7-time GRAMMY winner Joel Moss. Tickets are available for $10 on their new live stream platform CaffeLena.tv and include archive access for one week after broadcast. 100% of all live stream ticket sales directly support the We Remembers!
“We Remember: Songs of Survivors,” is a PBS Documentary that shares the stories of Holocaust survivors through songs written in collaboration with singer-songwriters. These songs, filled with joy and healing, celebrate the extraordinary lives of this resilient generation. Now it’s a concert with stories, songs, and video. From Sept. 22 at 7 PM till Sept. 29, the concert will be available to view.
About The We Remembers:
Composer, harpist/pianist, vocalist, and performance artist Elizabeth Clark’s major works include her interdisciplinary project "Seeds Under Nuclear Winter: An Earth Opera" which premiered in 2021, and the 2015 live-recorded album “Live at the Old Dutch Church.” She has performed with her world music ensemble 'Mamalama' at retreat centers and sanctuaries including the Omega Institute, Kripalu, and Chapel of Sacred Mirrors.
Jude Roberts has combined contemporary music with roots of English, Irish and Appalachian folk music and touches of baroque and Romantic-era classical pieces and European folk/pop. He’s performed at Falcon Ridge Folk Festival, and has toured throughout Europe.
Kelleigh McKenzie is a winner of NPR’s Mountain Stage NewSong Contest, her song "Gin" won the Independent Music Award for Best Americana Song in 2009 and was featured on her critically acclaimed album "Chances."
Michael Veitch’s song “Veteran’s Day” has been covered by Judy Collins. His latest album, “Wachtraum” (“wake dream” in German) broke the top 20 on the Folk Radio Charts with “Valentine’s Day” hitting number one. Previously his song, “Pledging Allegiance” reached #10 on the 2017 Folk/Americana charts. He’s played the Newport Folk Music Festival and Kerrville.
A live version of Chick Corea’s “Spain” featuring Joe Deninzon, Rachel Flowers, and Testament’s Alex Skolnick will be on all streaming media on October 7. “Spain” is one of 16 live songs that will be on the upcoming Joe Deninzon & Stratospheerius “Behind the Curtain: Live at ProgStock” box set out November 18. (There will be a streaming digital release of just the live music on October 28.)
The performances on the live release took place in 2019 and 2021. “Spain” was taken from the ’21 performance. Joe says it was a spontaneous decision to play “Spain” with his friends, “One of the perks of being a jazz musician is that you can walk into a room anywhere in the world, jump on stage with people you’ve never met who may or may not speak your language, and weave together a spontaneous concert based on a shared musical language.”
On October 2nd, 2021, when the late great John Goodsall from Brand X fell ill, Stratospheerius was asked last minute to headline ProgStock, the biggest prog rock festival in the Northeastern U.S. Preceding Stratospheerius’ set was the amazing multi-instrumentalist Rachel Flowers, who recently contributed her talents to the band’s single, “Storm Surge.” Later that night bassist Percy Jones had a set, which included guitarist Alex Skolnick, a former member of Stratospheerius. Joe says, “We decided to play Chick Corea’s ‘Spain,’ a song we all knew well.” Without any rehearsal, and Alex and Rachel meeting each other for the first time on stage, they created magic.
Led by electric violinist/vocalist Joe Deninzon, who has been called “The Jimi Hendrix of the electric violin,”Stratospheerius have showcased their “frenzied mélange of progressive rock, jazz fusion and funkabilly” throughout the world. Band members are: Joe Deninzon-electric violin/vocals (Bruce Springsteen, Renaissance, The Who, Ritchie Blackmore, Trans-Siberian Orchestra), Jason Gianni-drums (The Ultimate Queen Celebration, Trans-Siberian Orchestra, Rock of Ages, Neal Morse Band), Michaelangelo Quirinale-guitar (Thrilldriver), and Paul Ranieri-bass (Mark Wood, Circuline, Rock This Town).
Their last album, Guilty of Innocence hit number 4 on the Relix/Jamband radio charts, 72 on the European Indy charts. Their music has received over 3 million plays online, and the band has opened for John5, Martin Barre, Gary Hoey, The Levin Brothers (Tony and Pete), Tim Reynolds, Mickey Hart, Mark Wood, and John Scofield. Stratospheerius was a winner of the John Lennon International Songwriting Competition, and the Musician’s Atlas Independent Music Awards.
Award-winning musician and songwriter, Jann Klose is releasing the single “Surrender” on February 10. The album Surrender will be available on digital, CD, and vinyl on March 3.
Jann delves into the inspiration and theme of the single, “’Surrender’ isn’t meant to be understood in the traditional sense, it doesn’t refer to ‘losing’ per se. Quite the opposite, it’s actually about winning! Winning, because there is enough strength inside to arrive at a point of true peace. A ‘letting go’ of baggage and a new, different approach to love, connection and self-awareness that wasn’t present before.”
Jann’s forthcoming studio album “Surrender” is due for release March 3. He was blown away by some of the incredible people involved with the album, “‘Surrender’ was created under the most unusual of circumstances. We were dealing with a global pandemic and a complete shutdown of music venues and recording studios. My co-writer for more than half the album, Alex Forbes and I got together bi-weekly at her apartment in Manhattan and poured our souls into the songs during the strangest of times. Producer Marcus Dembinski and I worked in person at our home studios in Manhattan and Queens, then started adding live instruments at Studio G Brooklyn with engineer Cyril Putzer when it became possible. A lot of recording was done remotely. Max Sternlicht, who played all the great bass lines you hear on most of the record, and I — as of this writing — still haven’t met! Dimitris Menexopoulos recorded his Cretan Lyra in Greece, and Ben Kesler mastered ‘Surrender’ in St. Louis, MO
Joe Deninzon & Stratospheerius are releasing their new live box set, “Behind the Curtain (Live at ProgStock)” on May 19 on Melodic Revolution Records. The collection on two CDs and DVD/Blu-rays show this treasured electric violinist/singer-songwriter’s history of favorites in the past decade and a half in the rock scene.
“Game of Chicken” is a race to self-destruction. The country-inspired “Climbing,” and Joe’s co-write with Alex Skolnick “Heavy Shtettle,” are just part of Stratospheerius’ sound. There are topical songs for speaking up against corrupt and hypocritical leaders, “Behind The Curtain,” “The Prism,” and “Take Your Medicine.”
“One Foot in the Next World,” which is also topical, is the new music video; watch it on YouTube, tonight May 12, at 7 PM ET/4 PM PT/May 13 at 1 AM in the Netherlands. https://youtu.be/riBWgHo3MgE
“(Live at ProgStock)” features eclectic covers. King Crimson’s “Frame by Frame” a Queen-esque approach to muse’s “Hysteria,” and an unrehearsed cover of Chick Corea’s “Spain” with blind piano and flute virtuoso Rachel Flowers and Alex Skolnick.
“Behind the Curtain (Live at ProgStock)” is three years in the making; the collection is made up of his 2019 and 2021 live performances at the ultimate Northeast progressive rock festival, ProgStock. Writes festival attendee John Giordano in the new issue of UK’s “The Progressive Aspect, “The performance is so alive, I can almost feel the discomfort of the old theatre seat on my bum. Wow!”
Part of the “(Live at ProgStock)” celebration includes the only USA show for the group this spring and summer at the Iridium, NYC, May 31. Special guests for this performance and party are Randy McStine (Porcupine Tree), and Bill Hubauer (Neal Morse). Randy and Bill and Joe have shared bills and recording projects through the years.
Joe Deninzon & Stratospheerius’ previous studio album, “Guilty of Innocence” reached #4 on the Jamband/Relix charts in North America, and broke the European Top 200 Indy releases at 72. The group, which has 5 albums out, is signed to Melodic Revolution Records.
\Joe (who plays in orchestras for the Who, Bruce Springsteen, 50Cent, and as the concertmaster for Renaissance) and his bandmembers: (Jason Gianni-drums (The Ultimate Queen Celebration, Trans-Siberian Orchestra, Rock of Ages, Neal Morse Band), Michelangelo Quirinale-guitar (Thrilldriver), and Paul Ranieri-bass (Mark Wood, Riot Act), have streamed over 3 million times on Spotify, YouTube, and other digital services.
Musicians love working with The String Revolution, and this includes Grammy-nominated guitarist Tommy Emmanuel. The three guitarists-- Janet Robin, Markus Illko and Rober Luis – have gotten together to arrange another iconic song. This time it's “Folsom Prison Blues.” They tapped Grammy® winning producer (and Johnny Cash’s son), John Carter Cash to produce the song John heard the demo and was excited to be part of a project that reimagined his Dad’s song into a guitar instrumental. The band teamed up with a special guest-- Grammy® nominated guitarist, Tommy Emmanuel. Mixing was again done by Grammy® winner Matthew Hyde and mastering was by Grammy® winner Emerson Mancini in Los Angeles, CA.
Composed of three virtuoso guitarists, the String Revolution are renowned for their electrifying performances, blending different genres and styles to create a unique and captivating sound.
The band includes former Randy Rhoads student Janet Robin (“Top 50 Acoustic Guitarist bonus list” by Guitar Player Magazine, 2017, Precious Metal, Lindsey Buckingham, Meredith Brooks, Air Supply….), award-winning Austrian nylon-string guitarist Markus Illko (composer: ORF-Austria TV, Price Waterhouse Coopers, Tyler Perry’s “A Madea Christmas” and “Single Moms Club”) and Cuban multi-credited guitarist Rober Luis (Daymé Arocena, Colin Hay, Jackson Browne.)
They released their first EP “Stringborn” in 2016 to rave reviews and jam-packed shows, and their 2019 CD, “Red Drops,” The String Revolution’s cover version of “Billie Jean” reached the Top 10 Spotify LA Instrumental Charts and their songs on Spotify have reached over 4 million plays. They have been selling out several Los Angeles notable clubs such as Hotel Cafe, Boulevard Music, The Mint, and many music festivals as they continue to tour nationally and soon, internationally. In 2019, the band was invited to perform at The Grammy Museum in The Clive Davis Theater for their prestigious American Express sponsored concert series.
In 2022, they teamed up with longtime Billy Idol guitarist Steve Stevens to record a unique acoustic version of the Ozzy Osbourne & Randy Rhoads classic, “Crazy Train.,” including a special animated video. The result garnered complimentary press and more excitement over the band, which lead to music industry icon, Miles Copeland and his biz partner John Bevilacqua became their managers. That led to a signing with Jerry Ross’s Harmony Agency and the band has risen to touring to perform in PACs and state fairs.
With memorable songs, unique arrangements, and exceptional musicianship, The String Revolution is no doubt a new force in the world of music and guitar performance.
The String Revolution and Tommy Emmanuel’s fans are cheering them on, because their instrumental arrangement of Johnny Cash’s “Folsom Prison Blues” is nominated for a Grammy Award for best arrangement (instrumental or acapella).
The Australian-born superstar guitarist posted on his social media this past Friday, “So honored to get a Grammy® nomination with The String Revolution!!”
The String Revolution’s Janet Robin, Markus Illko, and Rober Luis are thrilled as well. Janet says, “the true reward lies in the opportunity to share music with all of you. Music has the power to heal, inspire, and bring us together…. Thank you to fellow Grammy® members for supporting our band The String Revolution, and for being a part of this incredible adventure.”
Grammy® winning producer (and Johnny Cash’s son) John Carter Cash heard The String Revolution’s demo and loved it. He helped the band work on the arrangement with special guest-- Grammy® nominated guitarist, Tommy Emmanuel. Then he produced it at Cash Cabin, in Hendersonville, TN, which was captured on video. Mixing was done by Grammy® winner Matthew Hyde and mastering by Grammy® winner Emerson Mancini in Los Angeles, CA.
Composed of three virtuoso guitarists, the Grammy® nominated band is renowned for electrifying performances, blending different genres and styles to create a unique and captivating sound.
The band includes former Randy Rhoads student Janet Robin (“Top 50 Acoustic Guitarist bonus list” by Guitar Player Magazine, 2017, Precious Metal, Lindsey Buckingham, Meredith Brooks, Air Supply….), award-winning Austrian nylon-string guitarist Markus Illko (composer: ORF-Austria TV, Price Waterhouse Coopers, Tyler Perry’s “A Madea Christmas” and “Single Moms Club”) and Cuban multi-credited guitarist Rober Luis (Daymé Arocena, Colin Hay, Jackson Browne.)
The group is managed by music industry icon Miles Copeland and his biz partner John Bevilacqua. The String Revolution is signed with Jerry Ross’s Harmony Agency and plays PACs and state fairs.
With memorable songs, unique arrangements, and exceptional musicianship, the Grammy® nominated band, The String Revolution is no doubt a new force in the world of music and guitar performance.
Lifting up our veterans through music is something that Brian Tarquin & his Heavy Friends will do until there are no more wars. Brian’s friends include superhero musicians that love working with him on a number of albums he’s released from hard rock to jazz over the past (20) years). “‘'Beyond The Warrior’s Eyes' (out January 19, on Downtown Music/Dashgo Distribution) honors military soldiers who defend our freedoms. I wanted a true star-studded musician tribute of soaring instrumental songs. So, I was very fortune to get such iconic players as Jean Luc Ponty, Eric Johnson, Robben Ford and Steve Morse to help me express our gratitude.”
A heavy and glorious fusion-prog collection, “Beyond The Warrior’s Eyes” is Brian and his friends (Jean Luc Ponty, Eric Johnson, Robben Ford (Miles Davis), Steve Morse (Deep Purple), Dean Brown (David Sanborn), Hal Lindes (Dire Straits), Chris Poland (Megadeth), John Tropea (Billy Cobham), Steve Kindler (Jeff Beck), Carl Verheyen (Supertramp) & Larry McCray (John Mayall), the late Phil Naro, and the Budapest Symphony Orchestra) latest collaborative album. “Beyond The Warrior’s Eyes”' mission is to support the charity, Hope For The Warriors, who provide medical care, mental health counseling, professional training and education, physical conditioning and transition services for wounded, ill, and injured Marines and Navy members. https://www.hopeforthewarriors.org/
“Beyond The Warrior’s Eyes” Special Donation Page:
The album “Beyond The Warrior’s Eyes” was produced, engineered and composed entirely by Brian Tarquin. Well-connected with star musicians, he is a one-man army playing all instruments except drums where studio drummer Reggie Pryor lends his services. The album was recorded in Tarquin’s Jungle Room Studios on 2” analog tape through a vintage Trident London 24 console and a host of analog outboard gear. Brian transferred the recording to either Pro Tools or Logic, finishing the recording digitally. He lastly recorded all final mixes down to an Ampex 440C ¼” 2 track analog tape. Tape Op Interview on process: https://tapeop.com/interviews/158/brian-tarquin/
Brian Tarquin has won 3 Emmy's for “Outstanding Achievement in Music Direction and Composition for a Drama Series” and has been nominated for an Emmy 6 times. In 2022 & 2023 the Josie Music Awards nominated Tarquin for "Musician of the Year (Guitar)" and "Music Producer of the Year." Additionally, in 2023 the Josie Music Awards nominated Brian Tarquin & Heavy Friends: Brothers In Arms for "Instrumental Album of the Year" and "Music Video of the Year" for “Speed of Sound” featuring Joe Satriani. Resulting in Satriani and Tarquin winning Best Video award in 2023. In 2019 Tarquin received a Global Music Gold Award for his release "Orlando In Heaven" for “Best Album.” In 2023 the Hollywood Independent Music Awards nominated his company BHP Music-Guitar Trax Records for "Independent Record Label of the Year."
Track Listing
01 “Behind the Iron Curtain” w/ Chris Poland
02 “Beyond the Warrior’s Eyes” w/ Jean Luc Ponty
03 “Common Valor” w/ Larry McCray
04 “Faith & Hope” w/ Steve Morse & John Tropea
05 “The Gates of Valhalla” w/ Eric Johnson & Dean Brown
06 “La Sierre Del Norte” w/ Carl Verheyen
07 “Quiet Desperation” w/ Robben Ford
08 “A Soldier’s Journey” w/ Steve Kindler & Budapest Symphony Orchestra
09 “These Colors Don’t Run” w/ Steve Morse & Phil Naro
Quotes from Artists on “Beyond The Warrior’s Eyes”
“Beyond The Warrior’s Eyes” is the song that inspired me the most to play on when Brian asked me to collaborate on his album, and I am very happy to be part of this project to help U.S. Veterans get what they need.
-Jean Luc Ponty
Brian Tarquin’s superb latest offering is brimming with fresh, funky, killer grooves and majestic soaring guitar melodies featuring French virtuoso violinist Jean Luc Ponty, shredding it up on “Beyond The Warrior Eyes.”
-Hal Lindes (Dire Straits)
It's always my pleasure to play on anything Brian brings my way, but this particular project I felt was a bit more important. Here we honor our veterans for their courage and sacrifice
-Chris Poland (Megadeth)
Brian is a great guy to work with and is very versatile at all parts of this music business. Kudos to Phil Naro, coming up with another great vocal part for “These Colors Don't Run”! -Steve Morse (Deep Purple)
Collaborating on “La Sierra del Norte” with Brian was a joy. The challenge was to play as melodic as possible in 6/8 time with a completely different tone than the melody.
-Carl Verheyen (Supertramp)
Brian has put together a stellar group of guitarists and provided wonderful vehicles for creative improvisation. I'm thrilled to be a part of the project and this worthy cause. --Dean Brown (David Sanborn)
Joe
