Showing posts with label Darryl Way. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Darryl Way. Show all posts

Wednesday, August 2, 2023

Legendary Violinist Darryl Way Releases Physical Copies of the Album 'The Rock Artist’s Progress' Alongside The Novel of the Same Name!

Features guest vocals from Steve Hogarth of Marillion!

Legendary Curved Air violinist Darryl Way has launched a physical version of The Rock Artist’s Progress album, which was only previously available via digital download.

The music for the album was inspired by the novel of the same name, written by music journalist Charles Shorwell, which charts the brief yet eventful music career of the band Magenta Aura (Daniel Luckham, Brian Ester, Martin Sudley, Steve Matlake). Magenta Aura were a little-known cult psychedelic rock band who came to prominence in 1968 as part of the underground counterculture “Summer of Love” London scene. Although they were alleged to have recorded a debut album it was never released and  little or no trace of the band could ever be found. Shorwell’s book tells the story of the band’s success and then downfall at the hands of an unforgiving music business.

Violinist and composer Darryl Way was so inspired by the book, much of which resonated with his own experiences in music, that he decided to write and record the album which Magenta Aura should have made. Whilst the story which inspired the album began more than 50 years ago, Way’s music has its feet firmly planted in the here and now and in-cludes a guest vocal from Steve Hogarth (Marillion).

Now, for the first time, the book and album are available to purchase together.

photo by Guy Harrop

The Rock Artist’s Progress by Darryl Way/Magenta Aura is released on Spirit of Unicorn Music, via Cherry Red Records and can be purchased via Cherry Red Records: https://www.cherryred.co.uk/product/magenta-aura-the-rock-artists-progress-cd/

The Rock Artist’s Progress novel by Charles Shorwell can be purchased, along with the CD at Burning Shed:
https://burningshed.com/magenta-aura_the-rock-artists-progress_book-cd-bundle

TRACK LISTING
1. Life
2. Guiding Star
3. Chaconne
4. Back On The Road
5. Morpheus
6. Traveller
7. Time Machine
8. Here We Go
9. Chelsea Girl
10. Mods and Rockers

For more information, contact: Sarah Ewing or Steve Cadman, TASK Agency Ltd, for Spirit of Unicorn Music
sarah@taskagency.co.uk  07947 400 510
steve@taskagency.co.uk. 07521 272 397

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

Friday, October 7, 2022

Legendary Violinist Darryl Way's Unique Concept Album & Novel “The Rock Artist's Progress” Out Now!

Features guest vocal performance from Steve Hogarth of Marillion!

“The Rock Artist's Progress” is a unique concept and project created by legendary violinist Darryl Way that consists of an album and novel that are intrinsically linked together and sold as a bundle. The novel will also include musical illustrations created by Darryl, that can be clicked on and listened to, whilst reading. Both album and novel are now available on Spirit of Unicorn Music, Cherry Red Records, iTunes and Amazon. The enhanced audio will also be available on Kindle.

The novel, written by Charles Shorwell, is set against the backdrop of the musical revolution that started with the Beatles and begins in 1968, a year after ‘The Summer of Love’ and follows the story of Daniel Luckham, a young classical pianist studying at the Royal College of Music. Seduced by the rock music scene and vibrant counter culture in London at that time, he contrives to leave college and pursue a career in ‘Rock’. But some bad decisions lead him down a dark and dangerous alley, populated by drug dealers, unscrupulous managers and femme fatales. On his journey to fulfil his dreams, Daniel finds his integrity challenged, and the innocence of youth cruelly stripped away.

The connection between the album and novel, unfortunately has to remain a secret, as to divulge that information would give away a key plot line in the novel. All that can be said is that the album represents a body of work recorded in the late 60s. Created by Darryl Way, the album features a guest vocal performance from Steve Hogarth of Marillion, on the track “Morpheus”.

Watch the promotional video: https://youtu.be/U1VAx4Sbixk

A playful and intimate account of one young man's experiences of London's vibrant music scene, in the late 60s”.

To enhance your listening and reading enjoyment, we highly recommend that you purchase both So, here are the links to the Album and Novel and just to let you know, the enhanced version for Kindle, will be available soon.

To purchase: https://linktr.ee/therockartistsprogress

Also available on Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/gb/en/ebook/the-rock-artist-s-progress

For more information:
https://www.darrylway.com/
https://www.charlesshorwell.co.uk

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

Thursday, August 25, 2022

Legendary Violinist Darryl Way Releases New Single "Morpheus" Feat. Steve Hogarth of Marillion From the Forthcoming Album “The Rock Artist's Progress”

30 years on, old mates Steve Hogarth and Darryl Way, have collaborated on the single “Morpheus”, to be released on August 25th. The track is taken from Darryl’s forthcoming album “The Rock Artist’s Progress”; a unique concept and project created by legendary violinist Darryl Way that consists of an album and novel that are intrinsically linked together and sold as a bundle. The novel will also include musical illustrations created by Darryl, that can be clicked on and listened to, whilst reading. Both album and novel are due for release on September 23rd, on Spirit of Unicorn Music, Cherry Red Records, iTunes and Amazon.

Steve Hogarth & Darryl Way - November 1992

Watch the promotional video for “Morpheus”: https://youtu.be/T9rDJ2YDgAs

The novel, written by Charles Shorwell, is set against the backdrop of the musical revolution that started with the Beatles and begins in 1968, a year after ‘The Summer of Love’ and follows the story of Daniel Luckham, a young classical pianist studying at the Royal College of Music. Seduced by the rock music scene and vibrant counter culture in London at that time, he contrives to leave college and pursue a career in ‘Rock’. But some bad decisions lead him down a dark and dangerous alley, populated by drug dealers, unscrupulous managers and femme fatales. On his journey to fulfil his dreams, Daniel finds his integrity challenged, and the innocence of youth cruelly stripped away.

The connection between the album and novel, unfortunately has to remain a secret, as to divulge that information would give away a key plot line in the novel. All that can be said is that the album represents a body of work recorded in the late 60s. Created by Darryl Way, the album features a guest vocal performance from Steve Hogarth of Marillion, on the track “Morpheus”.

Watch the promotional video: https://youtu.be/U1VAx4Sbixk

A playful and intimate account of one young man's experiences of London's vibrant music scene, in the late 60s”.

The Rock Artist’s Progress” is available for preorder at www.cherryred.co.uk from 5th August

For more information:
https://www.darrylway.com/
https://www.charlesshorwell.co.uk

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

Thursday, July 28, 2022

Legendary Violinist Darryl Way To Release Unique Concept Album & Novel “The Rock Artist's Progress” on Sept. 23, 2022

Features guest vocal performance from Steve Hogarth of Marillion!

“The Rock Artist's Progress” is a unique concept and project created by legendary violinist Darryl Way that consists of an album and novel that are intrinsically linked together and sold as a bundle. The novel will also include musical illustrations created by Darryl, that can be clicked on and listened to, whilst reading. Both album and novel are due for release on September 23rd, on Spirit of Unicorn Music, Cherry Red Records, iTunes and Amazon.

The novel, written by Charles Shorwell, is set against the backdrop of the musical revolution that started with the Beatles and begins in 1968, a year after ‘The Summer of Love’ and follows the story of Daniel Luckham, a young classical pianist studying at the Royal College of Music. Seduced by the rock music scene and vibrant counter culture in London at that time, he contrives to leave college and pursue a career in ‘Rock’. But some bad decisions lead him down a dark and dangerous alley, populated by drug dealers, unscrupulous managers and femme fatales. On his journey to fulfil his dreams, Daniel finds his integrity challenged, and the innocence of youth cruelly stripped away.

The connection between the album and novel, unfortunately has to remain a secret, as to divulge that information would give away a key plot line in the novel. All that can be said is that the album represents a body of work recorded in the late 60s. Created by Darryl Way, the album features a guest vocal performance from Steve Hogarth of Marillion, on the track “Morpheus”.

Watch the promotional video: https://youtu.be/U1VAx4Sbixk

A playful and intimate account of one young man's experiences of London's vibrant music scene, in the late 60s”.

Available for preorders at www.cherryred.co.uk from 5th August

For more information:
https://www.darrylway.com/
https://www.charlesshorwell.co.uk

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

Wednesday, April 28, 2021

Legendary Violinist Darryl Way to Release “Destinations 2” on Spirit of Unicorn Music, May 28th 2021

“Destinations 2” is a follow up to his critically acclaimed album “Destinations”, which was voted number 3 in Goldmine Magazine’s top 100 albums of 2020. Prog Rock said of this album: “This is ‘Guitar Hero’ as arch-melody maker, putting his chops in service of each song’s mood. This is an artist searching for and finding a fresh way to express his unquestionable talent.”

Talking about his new album Darryl says:

Like ‘Destinations’, ‘Destinations 2’ sets out to take the listener on a journey to far off and exotic locations, something that in reality is very difficult for us to do at the moment. These tracks are journeys of the mind and are my interpretation of the atmosphere's and music of each different location, from Sun Baked Mexico to Bohemian Budapest.  

Set mostly in a ‘Rock’ format, the tracks are tempered by my new found love of playing the Guitar and my continuing love for playing the Violin. So the pieces themselves lean towards genres where the Guitar and Violin are features of that particular style. However, when the music needs to be more expansive, I have not been able to resist orchestrating it for full orchestra, giving the piece more cinematic depth.

As this music is essentially ‘Program Music’, I've also included in the sleeve notes of this album my descriptions of the pieces. As with works like Vivaldi’s ‘Four Seasons’ and Berlioz’s ‘Symphonie Fantastique’, it's sometimes helpful for the listener to know what the composer’s original intentions were.

Having said that, I’m just as happy for the listener to make up their own stories for the music.

Finally, I hope you enjoy this album as much as I did creating it.”

Darryl Way. 2021

To pre-order Darryl WaysDestinations 2”: https://geni.us/DWdestination2

Watch excerpts from Darryl Way's “Destinations 2”: 

Darryl Way’s official website: www.darrylway.com

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

Friday, February 14, 2020

Curved Air Original Founding Member Darryl Way Announces the Release of His New Solo Album "Destinations" - Out Now !


Darryl Way is the co-founder of CURVED AIR, a trailblazing rock violinist and composer.

“Destinations” is the new studio album by Darryl Way and features ten new rock instrumentals, with a variety of influences and sound effects enriching the style and delivery of the pieces.

Darryl Way said of the new instrumental album “'Destinations' a collection of 10 pieces that set out to conjure up images of far off and exotic locations like Antigua, or imagined settings like Metropolis or Mystic Mountains. Like my previous album 'Vivaldi's Four Seasons in Rock', 'Destinations' could be described as programme music, music that evokes atmospheres and impressions.”

Mostly set in the 'Rock' genre, Darryl introduces himself as a guitarist on this album, as well as performing in his more familiar role as a violinist

The album is available to order here: Amazon CD: https://geni.us/Destinations

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

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

Thursday, May 3, 2018

Curved Air Founding Member & Legendary Violinist Darryl Way to Release First Ever Rock Version of Vivaldi's Four Seasons - Out Now!


Almost 50 years after the creation of his classic rock anthem Vivaldi, Curved Air's trail blazing violinist Darryl Way, has arranged and recorded the whole of Vivaldi's masterpiece The Four Seasons and given it the same 'rock' treatment.

Way said of the project: “You cannot improve upon perfection, which the Four Seasons undoubtedly is, but I felt that the Four Seasons, a piece that has been a seminal influence in my life, would be fertile ground for a reinterpretation. Having said that, I have not changed any of the notes, except in some of the slow movements, where it is generally accepted that the written notes can be embellished. I have just added to the mix, rock instrumentation and rhythms, synth textures and in the slow movements, some chill out beats.”

The album is entitled Vivaldi's Four Seasons in Rock and is released on the 4th of May 2018 via Cherry Red Records.

“I already had a good idea that a rock arrangement could work with Vivaldi's music, from my work on the Curved Air track 'Vivaldi'. The challenge was, to maintain Vivaldi's original concept of the piece and tell the same story. Whether I have risen to that challenge is not for me to say, but if you were a fan of my Curved Air track 'Vivaldi', there's a good chance you're going to like this as well.”  

To purchase Darryl Way's Vivaldi's Four Seasons in Rock:
Amazon CD: http://geni.us/Vivaldi
iTunes: http://geni.us/VivaldiDig

Official website: www.darrylway.com

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

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