Showing posts with label Rock Opera. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Rock Opera. Show all posts

Thursday, August 3, 2023

JJ Chardeau’s Rock Opera “Magical Music Man” Adds a Second Album with Ombres And Lumières Feat. Members of King Crimson, XTC, Spirit, Supertramp, ELO and Others - OUT NOW!

Featuring Dave Gregory (XTC), Pat Mastelotto (King Crimson), Danny Seraphine and Jason Scheff (Chicago), Mark Andes (Spirit), John McFee (Doobie Brothers), Jerry Goodman (Mahavishnu Orchestra), John Helliwell (Supertramp), John Jorgenson (The Hellecasters), Eric Troyer (Electric Light Orchestra), Jimmy Haun (Arc of Light)

Ombres & Lumières (Shadows & Lights) is the brand new album by Chardeau, a.k.a. The Magical Musical Man. The French artist and composer continues his dreamy and musical trip around the world, started with the previous In Terra Cognita ? in 2019.

This second part (out of 4 planned volumes) is dedicated to Western Europe in 14 tracks, mostly instrumental, served by around fifty musicians, vocalists and guests. The production of this new album lasted three years, in conditions somewhat disturbed by the Covid pandemic and its effects. But the result is miraculous.

Among the guests who have participated to Ombres & Lumières: Danny Seraphine and Jason Scheff (Chicago), Mark Andes (Spirit), John McFee (Doobie Brothers), Jerry Goodman (Mahavishnu Orchestra), John Helliwell (Supertramp), John Jorgenson (The Hellecasters), Eric Troyer (Electric Light Orchestra), Pat Mastelotto (King Crimson), Jimmy Haun (Arc of Life) and Dave Gregory (XTC).

JJ Chardeau said of the release: “With the help of my friends I’ve been able to continue my magical musical journey with this second album. The love for the 'In Terra Cognita?' album from fans has made it all worthwhile and I hope everyone will enjoy this new album!”

To purchase:
Amazon CD: https://geni.us/JJOandMcd
Apple Music: https://geni.us/JJam
Spotify: https://geni.us/JJsp
The album is also available from Cherry Red directly: https://www.cherryred.co.uk/artist/jj-chardeau/

Press inquiries: Glass Onyon PR, PH: 1-828-350-8158 (US), glassonyonpr@gmail.com

Monday, November 25, 2019

JJ Chardeau’s Rock Opera "Magical Music Man" Launched with Release on CD & Download of "In Terra Cognita?" - OUT Now!


Featuring Numerous Special Guests from Across the Rock World – Mark Andes (Canned Heat, Spirit), Jerry  Goodman (Mahavishnu Orchestra), Brian Auger (Led Zeppelin, Rolling Stones), Jason Scheff (Chicago), Alex Ligertwood (Santana), Martin Barre (Jethro Tull), Kenny Aronoff (John Mellencamp, John Fogerty), John Helliwell (Supertramp), Michael Sadler (Saga) and others!

French musician and composer, JJ Chardeau has launched his rock opera “Magical Music Man” on CD, Download and Streaming platforms with the album “In Terra Cognita?”

The album features special guests including Mark Andes (Canned Heat, Spirit), Jerry Goodman (Mahavishnu Orchestra), Brian Auger (Led Zeppelin, Rolling Stones), Jason Scheff (Chicago), Alex Ligertwood(Santana), Martin Barre (Jethro Tull), Kenny Aronoff (John Mellencamp, John Fogerty), John McFee (Doobie Brothers), Danny Seraphine (Chicago), John Helliwell (Supertramp), Michael Sadler (Saga), Chris Pinnick (Chicago) and Hank Linderman (America, Chicago).

The premise of the rock opera is: When his on board computer fails Magical Musical Man learns that he will crash on a planet reportedly inhabited by Degenerates, called Earth. In a panic he sees only one salvation: calling God the great alchemist-creator of the universe to his rescue. Thus appears God (portrayed by Jean-Claude Drouot) but He has no memory of the human kind. He only remembers a quarrel between the first couple of humans about an apple... So God agrees to accompany Magical Musical Man to Earth to find out what happened to human kind!

The 15 tracks of the album constitute a dreamy and musical trip around the world, made like a movie in space and time, a journey at the edge of earthly music and human societies.

The album is OUT NOW and available via Cherry Red:
CD edition: https://geni.us/InTerraCognitaCD
iTunes: https://geni.us/InTerraCognitiTunes
Google Play: https://geni.us/InTerraCognitaGP
Spotify: https://geni.us/InTerraCognitaSpotify

Press inquiries: Glass Onyon PR, PH: 1-828-350-8158 (US), glassonyonpr@gmail.com

Saturday, November 11, 2017

EXCALIBUR IV - THE DARK AGE OF THE DRAGON The Rock Opera Album Feat. Members of Jethro Tull, Saga, Uriah Heep, Curved Air, Clannad, Supertramp and others! OUT NOW!


EXCALIBUR IV is the widely anticipated fourth NEW STUDIO ALBUM in the Celtic Rock Opera series, following on from the GOLD and PLATINUM selling original trilogy. EXCALIBUR IV was played live in its entirety to 12 ARENAS in Germany in December 2016 and will be touring again in 2018.

Released on Babaika Productions, via Cherry Red Records, the album features appearances by:
Alan Stivell
Michael Sadler (Saga)
Jesse Sibenberg & John Helliwell (Supertramp)
Martin Barre (Jethro Tull)
Moya Brennan (Clannad)
Roberto Tiranti (Labyrinth)
Bernie Shaw (Uriah Heep)
Siobham Owen
Sonja Kristina (Curved Air)
John Kelly (The Kelly Family)
Maite Itoiz (Elfhental)

Excalibur – the legendary rock opera is back!
After a thousand years of imprisonment, Merlin – the wizard – finally escapes from Morgana’s spell. Initially intrigued by the beauty of the new world that he returned to, he soon discovers the decay of knightly and sublime virtues, which once had been so bravely defended by King Arthur’s roundtable. An enraged Merlin casts his biggest spell over this world and brings the mighty dragon to life. A epic return of the legendary Celtic rock opera on to German stages, a new chapter in the saga around the sword Excalibur – this is “EXCALIBUR - The Dark Age Of The Dragon”.

A trailer for the album can be seen here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D4rRmUpT3xs

Track List:

1. THE WINGS OF THE DRAGON
2. ALONE
3. STONEHENGE
4. I’M NOT THE ONLY ONE
5. CALLING FOR YOU
6. DON’T BE AFRAID
7. SILVER MOON
8. DREAMERS
9. THE LAST LAMENT OF A FAIRY
10. THE NEW TIMES
11. FORGET YOUR SORROW
12. THE FIFTH SEASON
13. THE PASSION
14. I WILL BE FOR EVER
15. BEHIND THE MIST
16. YOU DON’T KNOW
17. YOU ARE THE SUNSHINE
18. THERE IS SOMEONE
19. DUN AENGUS II

To purchase EXCALIBUR IV:
Amazon CD: http://geni.us/Excal4
iTunes: http://geni.us/Excal4dig

For more information:
Official Excalibur Facebook page: https://en-gb.facebook.com/Excalibur.The.Celtic.Rock.Opera/ ;
Alan Simon's official website: http://www.alansimononline.com/eng.html ;
Excalibur is represented by Daniel Earnshaw of QEDG Management DANIEL@QEDG.CO.UK
Press inquiries: Glass Onyon PR, PH: 828-350-8158 (US), glassonyonpr@gmail.com

Photo by Christian Roch

Wednesday, June 21, 2017

Legendary Violinist Darryl Way To Release New Concept Album/Rock Opera Called "Underworld"


London - Much to the excitement of prog music fans worldwide, legendary Curved Air violinist Darryl Way is releasing a new Concept Album/Rock Opera called “Underworld” on June 21st. “Underworld” is released in 2 versions: “Underworld Rock Opera Complete” which is the whole show with dialogue and narration and “Underworld Rock Opera the Songs” which just contains the songs.

Says Darryl, “Having touched on Greek mythology in my last album, 'Myths, Legends and Tales' I became fascinated with the idea of writing a major work based on one of these myths. Originally I was going to set Shelley's epic poem 'Prometheus Unbound' to music, but on further investigation it became clear that it was a little too 'epic' and too big a mouthful to bite off. Then the thought struck me of updating or re-imagining the myth of Orpheus and Eurydice and setting it in a period and environment that I was totally familiar with - the world of rock music and the 1970s. However, I felt a little uncomfortable with the idea of writing a musical, but then it occurred to me that it could be a rock opera, because it is 'song and drama' as opposed to 'song and dance' and with the addition of a narrator, it could be both a concept album as well as a theatrical production. So in my Underworld, Orpheus is now a rock megastar and Persephone, the queen of the underworld, a nightclub owner and drug dealer. The Asp that Eurydice falls victim to on her wedding day, is replaced by an equally fatal drug addiction. Glibly it could be described as a tale of 'Sex Drugs and Rock and Roll', but in essence it is a dark and powerful tale of 'Love, Betrayal and Revenge'. Underworld starts off gently with songs of love and longing but as the plot develops, the music darkens as we descend further and further into the murky realms, of the 'Underworld'.”
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Originally formed in 1969, Curved Air was a groundbreaking progressive art-rock band renowned for their showmanship. Darryl Way was noted for his flamboyant virtuoso exploration of the electric violin. He wrote the music for the Top 10 hit (reached #4) “Back Street Luv” and was a major contributor to the 3 albums that made the Top 20. With Curved Air he toured extensively, performing in practically every major city in both America and Europe. Before becoming headliners themselves, Curved Air toured with Black Sabbath in the UK  and in the USA they toured with Deep Purple, Jethro Tull and Emerson, Lake & Palmer. They also appeared on the same bill as The Doors, Steppenwolf, B.B. King, Johnny Winter and Dr. John.

After Curved Air Darryl went on to release several critically acclaimed solo albums in both 'rock' and 'classical' genres. Among these, was his 'Concerto For Electric Violin', which was premiered on the South Bank Show with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and himself as soloist. He also performed  this concerto live on German television with the Bravarian Radio Symphony Orchestra and in England with the Northern Sinfonia. Darryl's collaborations include working with Sir Tim Rice, Sting and Gary Brooker (Procol Harum). In classical genres he has orchestrated Stewart Copeland's ballet “King Lear” for the San Francisco Ballet, and Stewart's opera “The Holy Blood and Crescent Moon”, premiered by the Cleveland Opera in the US. In 1996, Darryl's own opera “The Master and Margarita” was premiered at The Place Theatre in London. Alongside these projects, Darryl has also worked as a film and television composer.

As a violinist, Darryl has lead the London-based Electric Symphony Orchestra for concerts at the Royal Festival Hall, and lead and recorded with The Elektra Ensemble, performing classical and contemporary music. As a session musician, he has recorded with Jethro Tull, Sky and Marrianne Faithful. He has also played with the National Philharmonic Orchestra on film scores such as “Die Hard”, “Licensed To Kill” and “Baron Munchausen”. Recent work includes being musical director for the soprano Emma Shapplin, for a series of televised UNHCR concerts at the Parthenon in Athens.  Recent compositions include a Symphonic Choral work entitled “Siren's Rock”, premiered at the Plymouth Guildhall with the South West Sinfonietta, Opera South West, Naomi Harvey (WNO) soprano and Stephen Crook, tenor. During his illustrious career, Darryl Way has created and been a major part of over 20 commercially released albums. His most recent releases “Ultra Violins,” “Children of the Cosmos” and “Myths, Legends and Tales” have all garnered rave reviews worldwide! And now, he will be releasing his highly anticipated new album “Underworld”!

Featuring:

Singers
Orpheo: Graham Foote
Dice: Sarah Vaughan
Vincent: Bryan Walters
George: James Goodman
Cassie: Nicola Avino
Thia: Rachel de Cock
“Wanna feel alive again”: Cassie McIvor
Solo soprano in end music: Naomi Harvey
Backing vocals: Juliet Hopkins and Richard Mead

Dialogue
Narrator: Rob Wheeler
Vincent: John Guilor
George: John Guilor

Musicians
Violin and keyboards: Darryl Way
Guitars: Richard Mead
Drums: Pete Skinner

Produced by: Darryl Way

To check out the whole rock opera, complete with dialogue and narration, go to: https://geo.itunes.apple.com/us/album/underworld-rock-opera-complete/id1232440489?mt=1&app=itunes
To check out the songs only, go to: https://geo.itunes.apple.com/us/album/underworld-rock-opera-the-songs/id1236224422?mt=1&app=itunes

Both albums also available on Amazon:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Underworld-Rock-Opera-Complete-Explicit/dp/B0713XBWPJ
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Underworld-Rock-Opera-Darryl-Way/dp/B071VNZ39V

For more information: http://www.darrylway.com/ ;

Press inquiries: Glass Onyon PR, PH: 828-350-8158 (USA), glassonyonpr@gmail.com