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

Thursday, May 5, 2022

World-Renowned Musicians Release A Re-Imagining Of Peter Gabriel Hits With “Through The Wire”

Featuring Tony Levin, Jerry Marotta, Pat Mastelotto, Larry Fast, Pete Levin, David Sancious, Theo Travis, David Torn, Jakko Jakszyk and others!

A collective of over 140 acclaimed musicians across 5 continents, including bassist Tony Levin, have come together remotely to celebrate Peter Gabriel's musical legacy. Jeremy Nesse and Deane Arnold have been producing reimagined, new recordings of Gabriel’s songs.

In a project prompted in part by the remote spirit of the global pandemic, the musicians have managed to collaborate from as far away as New Zealand, Europe, and Asia.

Producer and Musician Jeremy Nesse explains, “This has been a true exercise in remote, DIY collaboration and a testament to the love that we all share for Peter Gabriel, both in his artistry and his humanity. This project would not have been possible had it not been for the pandemic, the generosity of the contributing artists, and my co-producer, Deane Arnold.”

The project, which has spanned almost 2 years, will include five songs per month via Bandcamp.com.  Volumes 1-3 are currently available for purchase. Volume 4 will be released on May 6th and there will be another 6 to 8 releases in 2022. A CD compilation of “Through The Wire” will be released late 2022.

The interpretations will span over 40 years of Gabriel’s career, and will include well-known songs as well as obscure and previously unfinished tracks.

Says Deane, “This project is about the community of contributing musicians. Each song includes a different lineup of people, many of whom have never met in person. Some of us already knew each other, but most are collaborating for the first time. Working together in a creative way is the best part of being human.”

The musicians who worked on the project include current and previous members of Gabriel’s band: Tony Levin, Jerry Marotta, Pat Mastelotto, Larry Fast, Angie Pollock, Pete Levin, David Sancious, David Torn, Paul Richards, Donna Lewis, Elliott Sharp, Tim Bowness, Peter Chilvers, Gail Ann Dorsey, Stephan Thelen, Julie Slick, Steve Ball, Jon Durant, Theo Travis, Jakko Jakszyk, Dewa Budjana, Sidney Jake and Patrick Grant.

Says Jeremy, “Peter Gabriel kindled our love for art-rock and world music. The commingling of differing cultures and international perspectives has been a driving force in our musical journey. With the advent of the pandemic, over 100 artists, who have a shared love of PG’s music, donated their time and talent to this magnificent experiment that would never have happened under normal circumstances.”

Says Deane, “We’ve approached some of the songs as relatively faithful tributes, while others have been more broadly reinterpreted. Certain songs should be respected for how they were born. Others have room for new perspectives. In all cases, the music has depth that can lead to unexpected results.”

The music is being mixed in Bearsville, New York by Robert Frazza of Ashokan Talent. Frazza has supported over 200 bands around the world, including Orleans, Todd Rundgren, and Peter Gabriel. He is frequently called upon to pull together international tours.

Volumes 1-3 are currently available for purchase. Volume 4 will be released on May 6th and there will be another 6 to 8 releases in 2022. The CD version of “Through The Wire” will be released late 2022

Jeremy Nesse is a NYC-based Bass & Chapman Stick instrumentalist who has contributed to projects spanning multiple genres including rock, progressive, reggae, electronic, dance-pop and hip-hop.  In 2020, he had contributed Chapman Stick, NS upright and keys to Pat and Deb Mastelotto’s ‘A Romantic's Guide To King Crimson’

Deane Arnold is a studio rat who has managed to mostly avoid live performances. In addition to Peter Gabriel's music, his influences range from Pete Seeger to King Crimson, and he is just as likely to find inspiration in avant-garde minimalism or progressive metal as in bubblegum pop. He is internationally known for his work as a pumpkin sculptor.

To purchase: https://jeremynesse.bandcamp.com/

Press materials are available here: https://tinyurl.com/yckv4js4

Interviews are available by contacting Jeremy Nesse at: throughthewireproject@gmail.com

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

Wednesday, May 4, 2022

Mike Tiano Salutes Influences in New Video for Song “Triad”

Also Video “About Creétisvan” & Articles on “Get Back” & “Close to the Edge”

Seattle, WA - Last year Mike Tiano released his debut album “Creétisvan” which included guest appearances from Billy Sherwood, Randy George, and David Sancious. It has been well-received by critics and consumers alike.

Mike has now released the first music video from that album. “Triad” is a whimsical visualization where the lyrical content describes his personal musical journey that led to the album’s creation. The video is unique in that Mike pays tribute to some of his major musical influences, from early on with the Beach Boys and the Four Seasons, to more impactful artists that include the Beatles, the Grateful Dead, Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin, Rush, and Yes. As Mike reveals, “It’s a fun and sometimes funny depiction of the song, with colorful graphics by Corina Bakke of Rokstar Studios. She successfully realized one idea which was to artistically depict some of my musical heroes, with me practically performing alongside artistic renderings of them.”

Mike has also released a short documentary “About Creétisvan from Mike Tiano” outlining his creative roots and calling out some of the folks who were key to the album’s creation. Mike acknowledges the talents of former Microsoft colleague and videographer Paul Racey for bringing this video to fruition. “Paul reviewed some footage I had previously filmed where I discussed the story behind the album, and by combining that with some key images he effectively created a concise but interesting and informational look at how the album came to be.”

In addition to his musical endeavors Mike continues to author high-visibility articles for Something Else! Reviews. He recently examined how Peter Jackson’s “Get Back” video achieved something miraculous for those who experienced the Beatles throughout the 1960s by restoring their ‘wonder’. In another piece Mike explored a major change that occurred for the title track of Yes’ masterwork “Close to the Edge” after its release fifty years ago, and includes quotes about that change from its participants.

Mike is available for podcasts and personal appearances; contact Mike directly at info@miketiano.com.

Videos:
“Triad”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=44L2BzC3sRc
“About Creétisvan”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yuOZBahabuU

Articles:
‘Get Back’: Rescuing the ‘Wonder’ of the Beatles: https://somethingelsereviews.com/2022/02/11/the-beatles-get-back-rescuing-wonder/
Yes’ ‘Close to the Edge’: The Coda Key Change: https://somethingelsereviews.com/2022/04/26/yes-close-to-the-edge-coda-key-change/

Here's some of what’s being said about Mike Tiano’s album “Creétisvan”:

Twelve well thought out tracks, revealing excellent playing, fine songcraft and Tiano’s wonderful melodies. All fans of sophisticated pop and progressive rock should not hesitate to give this a listen.” - Sea of Tranquility (Four Stars)

Mike Tiano’s project is adventurous, sonically rich and both enjoyable and refreshing.” – Lee Abrams

Many who miss classic rock, in general, will find much to enjoy here.” - Exclusive Magazine

The net result of Mike Tiano’s compositional genius makes Creétisvan one of the most curious musical adventures of 2021.” – Roots Music Report (Five Stars)

Creétisvan is a delightful listen from the always interesting singer/songwriter/guitarist Mike Tiano. Big thumbs up for this fine effort which merits repeated listens and represents an ambitious and impressive effort.” – Brian Gruber, Author, ‘Six Days at Ronnie Scott’s: Billy Cobham on Jazz Fusion and the Act of Creation’” (Five Stars)

It’s very beautiful.” – Jonathan Downes, Gonzo Multimedia

Complete reviews for those and more can be found at http://tinyurl.com/mot-reviews/

Press release for “Creétisvan” can found at https://glassonyonpr.com/2021/03/08/mike-tiano-tuneful-prog-album-creetisvan/

Order “Creétisvan” on CD (contains original artwork and lyrics/credit sheet):
Direct via PayPal (US Only): https://www.paypal.com/instantcommerce/checkout/8D6RLKB3X3KFG
Amazon:  https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08YS1HS4F?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_dp_RTHW1C31RH1MENJXMMGA
Bandcamp: http://miketiano.bandcamp.com

Stream “Creétisvan”:
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/album/cre%C3%A9tisvan/1569626955
Amazon Music: https://www.amazon.com/music/player/search/Mike+Tiano
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_kooUEa8dqUjjtDM-rp6hZeY0aXnqykWGc

About Mike Tiano: After living in L.A. for most of his life Mike moved to the Seattle area in the late 1980s. There Mike would join Microsoft where he remained for nearly twenty years in various roles, including primary Test Engineer for two brand-new features in Windows 95: the Taskbar and the Start Menu. In 1993 Mike became editor for the Yes fan journal Notes From the Edge, and after convincing Yes to launch their official site Mike created its original schema and became their Site Manager. Mike provided the liner notes for four of the Yes remasters from Rhino, and is currently a contributor to the online media journal Something Else! Reviews.

For more information:
Official site: http://miketiano.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/miketianomusic/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/musictiano
Mike Tiano’s Writing Portfolio: http://miketiano.com/portfolio

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

Monday, May 2, 2022

Tangerine Dream’s “La Divina Commedia” (AKA The Dante Trilogy) Deluxe 6 Disc Hardback Book On May 27, 2022 on Kscope

Tangerine Dream has been a fundamental influence on electronic music since Edgar Froese founded the band in West Berlin in 1967. Providing the groundwork for multiple electronic music genres including ambient and electronica, inspiring musicians and other art forms, with seven Grammy nominations to their credit. In recent years their music has featured in the popular TV shows such as “Stranger Things” and video games including “Grand Theft Auto V.”

Edgar Froese was an artist with a truly clear vision. His life and work were characterized by holding on to the belief in the evolution of music as an art form. That became a predominantly principle within Tangerine Dream: the group he founded in 1967, following his encounter with painter and sculptor Salvador Dali.

Tangerine Dream went fully independent in 1996, launching their own TDI label and company and at the start of the new millennium, Froese met painter and artist Bianca Froese-Acquaye which subsequently led to the first part of “The Dante Trilogy,” “Inferno,” being recorded. This followed with seven live performances, partly with an orchestra, across Europe.

“La Divina Commedia” aka “The Dante Trilogy” was to be Tangerine Dream’s most ambitious and elaborate project to date, Edgar Froese's life work.

Now, the entire trilogy (“Inferno,” “Purgatorio,” “Paradiso”) is presented in a deluxe 60-page hardback book set via Kscope. All albums have been remastered by close collaborator Harald Pairits with the 2002 live concert DVD filmed at Castle Nideggen, Cologne featured as a bonus disc. The hardback book features extensive liner notes by noted author Wouter Bessels, an essay by Edgar’s close collaborator and wife Bianca Froese-Acquaye and previously unseen photographs from Edgar’s private archive.

Pre-orders available now: https://TangerineDreamKscope.lnk.to/LDC

WATCH THE TRAILER FOR “LA DIVINA COMMEDIA” HERE (https://youtu.be/S5p4aZzqT8g)

DISC 1 - INFERNO
1. Before The Closing Of The Day [04:51]
2. The Spirit Of Virgil [02:39]
3. Minotaurae Hunt At Dawn [03:24]
4. Those Ones Broke The First Word [03:38]
5. Dante In Despair [03:25]
6. Io Non Mori [05:49]
7. Vidi Tre Facce [04:41]
8. At The Deepest Point In Space [02:38]
9. L`omperador Del Doloroso Regno [04:45]
10. Voices In A Starless Night [04:14]
11. Fear And Longing [03:06]
12. Fallen For Death [04:39]
13. Where All Light Went Silent [03:39]
14. Charon, Il Barchere [03:59]
15. La Grey De Los Almas Perdidas [07:28]
16. Justice Of The Karma Law [03:02]
17. As The Sun Moves Towards Heaven [07:57]
18. Beatrice, L`ame Infinie [05:11]

DISC 2 - PURGETORIO
1. Above The Great Dry Land [06:19]
2. Chasing The Bad Seed [08:48]
3. Slave To The Gods [06:31]
4. Hope And Glory [06:44]
5. Sun Son`s Seal (Part One) [08:21]
6. Beyond All Suns [06:34]
7. Sisiphus [04:37]
8. All The Steps To Heaven [13:12]
9. Mountain Of Destiny [10:52]

DISC 3 - PURGETORIO
1. The Glowing Zodiac Wheel [06:09]
2. Modern Cave Men [05:02]
3. Death Of Medusa [07:23]
4. Blinded By The World`s Desire [06:22]
5. Sun Son`s Seal (Part Two) [08:27]
6. Soulgate [07:59]
7. Till The End Of Silence [05:17]
8. Prison And Paradise [05:39]
9. Spirit Spiral [07:34]

DISC 4 - PARADISO
1. La Grande Spirale [10:09]
2. Beyond Sodom And Gomorrah [10:14]
3. La Ley De La Montana [07:38]
4. A Cielo Della Luna [12:50]
5. Mercury Sphere [06:15]
6. L`Era Della Venere [11:51]
7. Invisible Sun [09:26]

DISC 5 - PARADISO
1. Jupiter Lightning [08:13]
2. La Forza Del Saturno [18:18]
3. Star In Distance Glow [07:43]
4. No More Birth, No More Death [08:37]
5. Transformazione [10:46]
6. Truth Beyond Thoughts [06:08]
7. L`ultima Tromba d`Oro [08:20]
8. Leaving [07:02]

DISC 6 - DVD
1. Before The Closing Of The Day [04:34]
2. The Spirit Of Virgil [02:38]
3. Minotaurae Hunt At Dawn [03:23]
4. Those Once Broke The First Word [03:36]
5. Dante In Despair [03:28]
6. lo Non Mori [05:49]
7. Vidi Tre Facce [04:42]
8. At The Deepest Point In Space [02:37]
9. L`Omperador Del Doloroso Regno [04:47]
10. Voices In A Starless Night [04:12]
11. Fear And Longing [03:09]
12. Fallen For Death [04:38]
13. Where All The Light Went Silent [03:39]
14. Charon, Il Barchere [04:01]
15. La Grey De Los Almas Perdidas [07:29]
16. Justice Of The Karma Law [03:02]
17. As The Sun Moves Towards Heaven [07:58]
18. Beatrice, L`Ame Infinie [04:40]
19. Rehearsal [09:09]
20. Dressing Room [03:32]
21. Waldtanz [03:39]
22. Interviews [17:51]

The band’s current line up (Thorsten Quaeschning, Hoshiko Yamane and Paul Frick) have released their new studio album “Raum,” which sees the band develop the concept of its precursor EP (“Probe 6—8”) further. Composed and produced with full access to Edgar Froese’s Cubase arrangements (and Otari Tape Archive with recordings from 1977-2013), to deliver late-night real time compositions combined with classic studio productions, sequencer driven haunting soundscapes alternate with anthemic warm synthesizers.

Follow Tangerine Dream:
https://www.facebook.com/TANGERINEDREAM.OFFICIAL/
https://www.instagram.com/TangerineDreamQ/
https://www.youtube.com/c/TangerineDreamMusic
https://twitter.com/qtangerinedream
https://www.tangerinedreammusic.com/
https://linktr.ee/TangerineDream

For more hi-res images please see: https://kscopemusic.com/media/tangerinedream/

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

Friday, April 29, 2022

Renowned Artist Graham Dean “Strange Beauty” Deluxe Edition Box Set With Book & DVD Featuring Unreleased Soundtrack By Peter Gabriel

Peter Gabriel’s Soundtrack From 1981 “Undercurrents” Available For The First Time!

Graham Dean “Strange Beauty” Box Set limited to 50 copies including Book, DVD, Cassette of Peter Gabriel’s “Undercurrents”, Art and Reproduction Memorabilia plus Signed Numbered Certificate and Two Pieces of Original Graham Dean Artwork!

Also available:
Signed Hardbound Book and DVD
Softbound Book and DVD

Renowned British artist Graham Dean’s new book “Strange Beauty,” featuring many of his celebrated works along with unreleased paintings, is being released as a Deluxe Edition Box Set with Book & DVD that includes an unreleased soundtrack by music legend Peter Gabriel.

Graham Dean transmits an essential part of the emotions and psychological states of his characters whether they be beautiful models, athletes, crazy bondage enthusiasts, identical twins, people with skin imperfections, – all using their bodies as vehicles of expression.

He is essentially a painter of identity. But more than the identity of the body, it is the identity of the soul as evoked by these sumptuous watercolours. Like Egon Schiele who was researching in mental hospitals to study his subjects, Graham Dean loves these oddball characters who voluntarily use their bodies often in extreme situations. His images are recomposed in a creative alchemy, mixing people, body parts and time itself. Although the works are representational, they escape the illustrational to reach a universal form from something deeply personal. He has also used buildings, mysterious ships, confessionals in churches, forests, trains, to enhance these atmospheric moods.

Using a technique he calls “reverse archaeology,” Graham Dean re-invents the traditional uses of watercolour resulting in a unique technique. Contrasting layers of paint are applied separately on thick, handmade paper from Southern India. Each sheet has undergone a process of tearing and overlapping to create a final composition, this corresponds to the multiple layers of the epidermis which protects the human body. The process is organic and cyclical, the paintings appear fragmented and destroyed using sections (front and back) that lead to a renaissance in the form of a new composition. Adapted from an article by Galerie Maubert, Paris. September 2011

“Undercurrents” is a 14 minutes instrumental piece that was written and recorded by Peter Gabriel in 1981, originally as the ambient soundtrack for a short film made for an exhibition by artist Graham Dean. Peter allegedly recorded the music in one day. This is his first soundtrack, ahead of “Birdy,” “The Last Temptation of Christ” and “Long Walk Home.” Peter supplied the music, in return for an original painting by Graham. This was Graham’s second film funded by the Arts Council. Dean, a pioneer in early video technology, shot “Undercurrents” on 16mm film featuring a series of images and live action footage and then manipulated. The film was shown on “Riverside” a BBC arts TV show.

Graham said about the recording of the soundtrack, “We were supposed to go into the studio for the afternoon for a few hours, but we ended up leaving at 6.00 am the following morning.”

When the people at Real World were looking for the master tape for “Undercurrents” they actually found the multi-tracks after 40 years! The music was re-mixed at the end of last year in the main studio at Real World and the remix version sounds AMAZING! The music has been described as dark and atmospheric, even ‘Birdy’-like at times.”

In regards to his new book Graham explains, “I have been painting and exhibiting since 1973 so naturally I had a large body of works to choose from when making a selection for this book. I was keen to include some of which have never been published before alongside the latest paintings, several fresh out of the studio. All the paintings are watercolour or watercolour with a few added elements like dye or stained glass paint though I’m now reluctant to use anything else but watercolour. The papers are either Arches or an Indian rag paper from Southern India. The rags which make up the Indian papers when pulped are recycled garments -mostly western t-shirts I’ve been told.”

Photo by Andy Hollingworth

In addition to “Undercurrents,” there are other films on the “Strange Beauty” DVD with David Rhodes (PG’s longtime guitarist and Random Hold guitarist) providing the soundtracks. Graham also worked on the official promo videos for Peter Gabriel of “Solsbury Hill” and “In Your Eyes” which are included on the DVD.

DVD Features:
“Waterproof” 2014
“Painting Music” 2011
“Solsbury Hill” 1993
“In Your Eyes” 1993
Paintings 1987-1990
Interview
“Undercurrents” 1981

WATERPROOF 2014
Waterproof was made with the intention of providing a background to how I work or at least to put into context. In the studio I usually have several paintings all in different stages of completion and as is often the case of them having a life of their own due to the amount of water I use. I’ve tried to get this across in the film, these ideas of controlled chance, experimentation in terms of colour and form. Nothing is too straightforward and I avoid the narrative as much as I can. The original soundtrack is by my long term collaborator David Rhodes and the camerawork, another collaboration is by Joe Murray.

PAINTING MUSIC 2011
In 1n 1984 I asked David Rhodes to produce a soundtrack to a film idea I had been playing around with. I had already used Random Hold on my very first film ‘Copy’ in 1979, then Peter with ‘Undercurrents’ in 1980. But this time I wanted to merge the music and the images so they became equally dependent on each other, to create an interesting hybrid. Also to get really close to the paint, to the mark making, as if the camera was my eye seeing what I was seeing as I made a painting. It was going to be visceral, sensual, full of colour and hopefully exciting. I think we succeeded and I’m surprised that it still stands up to this day.

SOLSBURY HILL 1993
Peter rang me up very late one evening in London to see if I would be willing to co-direct with Peter and co-ordinated by Gerry Chater, an excellent video editor, a new video for ‘Solsbury Hill’, which was to be re-released. We didn’t have much time and we were booked into studios in London in that fallow period between Christmas and New Year. It was thinking up ideas on the spot time. I wish we had more time, it was fun to work on but it was re-edited with new material a few years later, this is the second edit.

IN YOUR EYES 1993
I have mixed feelings about this one as it could have been much more than it was. The record was in the American charts but there questions about its chart placing from the record company who thought it may go down and were reluctant to pay for a video I had a small modest crew of the three of us booked and ready to go when Peter rang up the night before to say that the single had gone down in the charts so the record company pulled the plug. I managed to persuade Peter to go ahead with an experimental day of filming just to see what we could come up with –I’d already done a lot of research and had a storyboard of ideas. Peter had only just bought the Real World site in Box – it was basically a warehouse and outbuildings by the railway track. It even had an entrance barrier with a hut which we had to navigate. This was also my first introduction to the first of Real World’s employees – Mike Large and Dave Taraskevics, I took to them immediately and this was my first indication that Peter had a great antennae to get the right people around him. Only a quarter of the video was made that day which is a shame as there were some good ideas which could have been realised. Many years later it re-emerged with new footage but including my original material – again I had nothing to do with the final edit.

UNDERCURRENTS 1980
This was only the second film I ever made. It was to accompany a large touring show of my work based around the themes of water and skin. I managed to persuade Peter Gabriel, probably after a few glasses of a fine wine and the promise of a painting, to compose a soundtrack to it. This I think was to be his very first film soundtrack albeit on a modest scale and only 15 minutes long and we had a rough cut of the film to work to. Peter booked us into Crescent studios in Bath for what we thought was going to be a late afternoon to evening but we eventually emerged at dawn the following day. It was finished for the exhibition tour but also I was pleased that a then arts programme on BBC 2 called ‘Riverside’ showed a clip and did an interview with me, all live. I even think they included a massive painting from the show in the studio.

“Undercurrents”
(Peter Gabriel) (13:38)
Recording date: 1981
Recording location: Crescent Studios/Bath
Performed by: Peter Gabriel
First official release: 27th June 1981 - Graham Dean Exhibition at South Hill Park Bracknell

To pre-order:
Deluxe Edition: https://www.gonzomultimedia.co.uk/products/graham-dean-strange-beauty-deluxe-edition-box-set-feat-unreleased-soundtrack-by-peter-gabriel

Hardback Edition: https://www.gonzomultimedia.co.uk/products/graham-dean-strange-beauty-hardbacked-signed-edition

Softback Edition: https://www.gonzomultimedia.co.uk/products/graham-dean-strange-beauty-softback-edition

For more information:
https://grahamdean.com/about/
https://grahamdean.com/about/chronology/

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

Wednesday, April 27, 2022

Keyboard Legend Keith Emerson’s Life and Legacy Illustrated and Celebrated in New Book Now Available For Pre-order!

The legendary keyboard giant remembered; stories, tributes, rare and unseen photographs

Now available for pre-order, a lavish, fully illustrated book in which family, friends, colleagues, and fans talk to author Chris Welch about the life, work, and legacy of Keith Emerson from before The Nice and ELP through 3 to The Keith Emerson Band. Illustrated throughout with previously unseen photos from family, friends, and professional photographers, this official celebration tells the remarkable tale of Keith’s musical evolution, his personal relationships, and the creation of his astounding musical legacy. Includes new interviews with Keith’s children, ex-wife, close personal friends, Mari Kawaguchi, Carl Palmer, Rick Wakeman, Lee Jackson, Jeff ‘Skunk’ Baxter, Alan White, Dave Kilminster, Marc Bonilla, Rachel Flowers, Darius Brubeck, Geoff Downes and others.

The book draws on the private Emerson family archives for photographs of Keith at home, at work and play. Close family and friends share memories and stories from throughout his life, revealing the true man, while fellow musicians from the worlds of prog, rock and classical attest to Keith’s talent and dedication, while others who worked with him tell of his spirit, generosity and sense of humor.

Keith Emerson celebrates the life and legacy of the man who first played the Hammond organ like a lead guitarist, introduced the European classical music tradition to rock fans with The Nice and helped create the template for prog rock with the very first Moog synthesizers with ELP. He also wrote movie soundtracks, performed with world-renowned jazz musicians and toured the world as a solo artist. All of that and more is explored in this deluxe book.

Pre-order now at www.keithemersonbook.com and choose to have a name printed in the book and be a part of this unique project.

Watch the video of Keith Emerson’s grandson Ethan playing “Quatermass Boogie Woogie” written by Keith when he was 12 years old! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5SDgZgItMXU

Keith Emerson official website: www.keithemersonbook.com

For further information:
Tel. 020 7017 0890 Facebook facebook.com/rocket88books
Email info@rocket88books.com Twitter @rocket88books
BOOKS WITH
EXTRA THRUST.
rocket88books.com

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

Tuesday, April 26, 2022

Guitar Legend Adrian Belew In Conjunction With US Summer Tour Releases His First Solo Digital Album “Elevator” With Bliss Entertainment / Ingrooves Music Group

Legendary Guitarist With Frank Zappa, David Bowie, King Crimson, Talking Heads

First Singlea13Now Available!

Adrian Belew is a legendary guitarist well-known for his diverse travels around the musical map. He is a multi-instrumentalist whose solo records are critically acclaimed. His moving singing voice and prolific songwriting has endeared a loyal fan base of music lovers. His music is being discovered everyday by more and more listeners thirsty for great music with a creative standard not often pushed by the commercial music industry.

Adrian has signed with Bliss Entertainment, distributed exclusively by Ingrooves Music Group. “Elevator” will be the first Adrian Belew solo recording released through streaming. Adrian and management chose the Ingrooves Music Group channel based on the Ingrooves technology and the Universal global distribution channel. As with all artists, the optimization  of music sales revenue is key to picking their distribution and marketing partners. The first single  “a13” is now available!

To purchase Adrian Belew’s new single “a13”: https://ingrv.es/a13-y4a-5

“Elevator” is Adrian’s 25th solo record and as with most of his solo releases, he writes the songs, produces the record, and plays and sings everything. “Elevator” includes 38 of Adrian’s recent digital paintings as well as the lyrics to his songs. There are 12 new songs, ranging from delicate ballads to raging art rock as well as Adrian’s unique brand of avant-pop music.

To promote his new solo album and digital distribution deal, Adrian will be touring the US and Canada this summer starting July 13th in St. Paul, MN. Adrian’s touring trio will include bassist Julie Slick and drummer Johnnie Luca. Adrian describes the “Elevator” show as “part ‘classic’ power trio, new power trio songs never performed before, and a short solo acoustic performance of favorites and new songs from ‘Elevator.’” Adrian will be performing fan favorites spanning his whole career!

Tickets are available Friday April 29th at 10 AM EST - for more information: https://adrianbelew.net/tour/

Adrian also continues to perform with the Remain In Light tour featuring Adrian and Jerry Harrison, and will finish out the year touring the states as guest artist alongside Todd Rundgren for the “Celebrating David Bowie” show.

Adrian Belew first appeared on the guitar-world radar when he toured with Frank Zappa in 1977 who later said, “Adrian reinvented electric guitar”. Adrian’s signature tones, unique use of effects and whammy bar remains completely different, and his techniques continue to be a huge influence on today’s guitarists. He was guitarist, songwriter and frontman Progressive Rock Powerhouse King Crimson for over 30 years. “Discipline”, Adrian’s first record with King Crimson, is listed among the most important rock records ever made.

Adrian has had a career that commands both awe and respect from fellow musicians and loyal fans, from his first solo record “The Lone Rhino” to the Atlantic Records hit album “Mr. Music Head” or any of his other solo records (25 total) that push sonic boundaries while maintaining artistic integrity. Adrian shreds on guitar but also writes beautiful songs that will make you cry. Yes, Adrian has taken his fans on a wild ride through countless world tours and albums with David Bowie, Talking Heads, Laurie Anderson, and Paul Simon. He truly is the Twang Bar King!

Tour Dates:

7/13/22 - Turf Club, St. Paul, MN
7/14/22 - Shank Hall, Milwaukee, WI
7/15/22 - Arcada Theatre, St. Charles, IL
7/16/22 - Hi-Fi Annex, Indianapolis, IN
7/18/22 - City Winery, Chicago, IL
7/19/22 - City Winery, Chicago, IL
7/21/22 - The Ludlow Garage, Cincinnati, OH
7/22/22 - Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, Cleveland, OH
7/23/22 - Magic Bag, Ferndale, MI
7/24/22 - The Oaks Theater, Oakmont, PA
7/26/22 - City Winery, Nashville, TN
7/27/22 - City Winery, Atlanta, GA
7/29/22 - The Grey Eagle, Asheville, NC
7/30/22 - City Winery, Washington, DC
7/31/22 - Rams Head, Annapolis, MD
8/1/22 - Ashland Theatre, Ashland, VA
8/3/22 - Higher Ground, South Burlington, VT
8/4/22 - The Flying Monkey, Plymouth, NH
8/5/22 - City Winery, Boston, MA
8/6/22 - The Newton Theatre, Newton, NJ
8/14/22 - Center for the Arts of Homer, Homer, NY
8/16/22 - City Winery, Philadelphia, PA
8/18/22 - City Winery, New York, NY
8/19/22 - The Egg, Albany, NY
8/20/22 - Ridgefield Playhouse, Ridgefield, CT

For more information:
http://www.adrianbelew.net/
http://adrianbelew.net/shop
http://adrianbelew.net/shop/cds/fluxvol1/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AdrianBelew/

Bliss Entertainment information:
Vicky Marianio - 518 331 9098
Kevin Benson - 310 717 8602
http://bliss-entertainment.agency/


Ingrooves Music Group information:
Steve Weatherby
SVP, Label and Artist Partnerships
T: 213-275-3016
15821 Ventura Blvd  Suite 420 | Encino, CA | 91436
https://www.ingrooves.com/

Booking information:
ARRIVAL ARTISTS, AGENCY ASSOCIATE
(o) +1.312.380.2271 x115 // (c) +1.203.415.0203
www.arrivalartists.com

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

Monday, April 18, 2022

The Security Project Plays The Timeless Music of Peter Gabriel Re-Envisioned On “Expect The Unexpected” Tour 2022

Featuring members of Peter Gabriel, King Crimson and Shriekback!

Security Project featuring Jerry Marotta, the drummer from Gabriel’s classic line-up (1977-1986), plus Trey Gunn from King Crimson, on touch guitar. Rounding out the band from Shriekback and Sky Cries Mary is Michael Cozzi on guitar and co-founder of Gig Performer David Jameson on keyboards and Eigenharp. The addition of Happy Rhodes, with her 4-octave vocal range, fulfills the band’s promise of re-envisioning the music of Peter Gabriel.

Leave your expectations at the door and be prepared to hear Peter Gabriel’s genre-less music like you’ve never heard it performed live before.

Expect the Unexpected Tour 2022

5/5 - Daryl’s House Club - Pawling, NY
5/6 - Sellersville Theater - Sellersville, PA
5/7 - Park City Music Hall - Bridgeport, CT
5/9 - Higher Ground - S. Burlington, VT
5/10 - Nova Arts - Keene, NH
5/12 - Putnam Place - Saratoga Springs, NY
5/13 - Colonial Theatre - Pittsfield, MA
5/14 - Rochester Opera House - Rochester, NH
5/15 - Bayside Bowl - Portland, ME
5/18 - The Iridium - New York, NY
5/19 - Mauch Chunk Opera House - Jim Thorpe, PA
5/20 - Ram’s Head on Stage - Annapolis, MD

Tickets available at: https://securityprojectband.com/shows/

The Security Project:
Jerry Marotta – Drums, Vocals
Trey Gunn – Touch Guitar, Vocals
David Jameson – Keyboards, Eigenharp
Michael Cozzi – Guitar, Vocals
Happy Rhodes – Vocals

Watch the new video for “Slowburn”: https://youtu.be/PJZEDC4c1Dw

I was instantly brought back to the feel & the groove of those wonderful pre “So” tours. The man himself could not do better!” - Tom Lord-Alge, Grammy Award Winning Engineer & Mixer

The Security Project live is a beautifully reverential and creative reinterpretation of these Peter Gabriel classics!” - Kevin Killen, engineer of Gabriel’s “So” record

Jerry Marotta: Drummer, multi-instrumentalist, and producer Jerry Marotta has recorded and toured with Peter Gabriel, The Indigo Girls, Hall & Oates, Tears For Fears, Elvis Costello, Paul McCartney, Robert Fripp, Robbie Robertson, Sarah McLachlan, Todd Rundgren, and that just scratches the surface. Jerry is also a managing partner at the famed Dreamland Recording Studios.

Trey Gunn: A native Texan, Trey Gunn is known for playing the unusual Warr 10-string touch guitar. Gunn is associated with a constant stream of cutting edge, experimental projects including King Crimson, Vernon Reid, Maynard J. Keenan's Puscifer, and Steven Wilson. He currently runs his own record label (7d Media) as well as coaching musicians.

Happy Rhodes: Happy Rhodes is an American singer, songwriter, instrumentalist and electronic musician with a four-octave vocal range. Rhodes cites Wendy Carlos, Kate Bush, Queen, Yes, David Bowie, Bach and Peter Gabriel as primary influences. Happy began her recording career in 1986 producing 11 albums of electric and highly original material.

Michael Cozzi: Originally from Wales, Michael Cozzi got his start in the mid 80's as the guitarist for the group Shriekback. In the early 90's, Cozzi joined Sky Cries Mary with whom he co-wrote 5 albums and toured extensively. During this time Cozzi opened up his recording studio Moscozzi Studio in Seattle. He has written and produced music for films, commercials, and video games.

David Jameson: When Dr. David Jameson is not playing with Security Project you can find him Reelin’ in the Years with Jerry, Joey Eppard and Jesse Gress or feeling pink with Beyond the Wall. Dr. Jameson is also the co-founder of Gig Performer, the acclaimed plugin host for live performing musicians.

For more information: http://securityprojectband.com

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

Thursday, April 14, 2022

Symphonic Rock Ensemble Winter in Eden Announce the Release of Their Fourth Studio Album Social Fake – OUT NOW!

Northern Symphonic Rock ensemble, Winter in Eden, has released its new studio album Social Fake to an immense reception from fans and critics alike.  The band crafted the album over a long period, including during lockdown, but the end result takes their music to a new level.

Containing all new material which builds and further refines the unique style that is Winter in Eden, from delightful symphonic instrumentals to crunching aggressive rock.  With compelling vocals, muscular riffs, memorable hooks, and swirling keyboards coupled with pounding bass and thunderous drums; the result is powerful, modern and perfectly balanced.

Social Fake is the band’s fourth album and features a line-up of Vicky Johnson, Steve Johnson, Steve Hauxwell, Benji Lynch and Ian Heddle.  Its release coincides with the launch of the band’s new webstore with Townsend Music: https://townsendmusic.store/products/artist/Winter+In+Eden

Lead singer Vicky Johnson said of the release: “'Social Fake' is a very special album for us. We poured our blood, sweat and tears into this project and the results make me feel incredibly proud. I love every single song on this album.  The sound has evolved but it is still Winter In Eden at its best.  We can't wait for everyone to hear it.”

A video for the title track can be seen here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1zTkYwnyZnY

The album is available on CD and on Digital Platforms here:
Amazon CD: https://geni.us/SocialFake
Apple Music: https://geni.us/SocialFakeAM
Spotify: https://geni.us/SocialFakeS

Check out the band on Facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/winterinedenband

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

Wednesday, April 13, 2022

Vanderwolf Releases New Single With Contributions from Robert Wyatt, Daevid Allen & Terry Edwards

Vanderwolf has released his new single, leading with the A side “When The Fire Grows Cold”, a piano-led cinematic nightmare-lullaby co-sung by the legendary musician-activist, Robert Wyatt. The B side is “Extinction!”, a 7-minute Balkan-brass psychedelic fantasy featuring the late, great Daevid Allen’s glissando guitar solo and the wonderful Terry Edwards (PJ Harvey, Lydia Lunch, Tindersticks) on saxophone. These two epic tracks capture the polarities of Vanderwolf’s vision: one song precise and quietly disturbing and one sprawling and transcendent.

As well as being a musician with a long and storied history (most notably as vocalist with semi-legendary London band Last Man Standing, whose sole album in 2007 received plaudits from Mojo and Uncut), Max Vanderwolf has a hugely successful career as a music programmer and concert producer, working for some of the worlds’ most celebrated clubs and concert venues. These include New York’s legendary Knitting Factory and London’s internationally-renowned Royal Festival Hall, where for 9 years he produced the Meltdown Festival working closely with David Bowie, Patti Smith, Jarvis Cocker, Massive Attack and Ornette Coleman. It was while working on Meltdown that Vanderwolf forged his friendship with Robert Wyatt.

Explains Vanderwolf: “I had produced a tribute to Wyatt in NYC many years ago. Fred Frith, Peter Blegvad, Hugh Hopper and many others appeared. Robert gave it his official nod of support. When I moved to London to produce my first Meltdown Festival, Robert seemed the obvious choice to curate it, and from that, a lovely friendship evolved. Of course it was daunting asking him to sing something I’d written. I know he gets a lot of proposals of which he turns down nearly all. But happily, he said yes. He said he thought he could sing this set of lyrics— and commented about the possibility of singing about his father. It was a huge relief to me.”

“When The Fire Grows Cold”, which features co-producer Sam Sallon on piano, is lifted by what Wyatt referred to as a “peasant-chorus”. Award-winning video director Alden Volney also depicted the “peasant chorus” in the accompanying video for the song.

Watch the video for “When the Fire Grows Cold” featuring Robert Wyatt: https://youtu.be/d6PCQlhZdTA

Alden Volney is a French Video Maker, Director, Animator and Composer from Normandy. He has directed many music videos - both animated & live-action for artists such as Nicolas Godin, Villagers, Bobby Womack, Lisa Hannigan, Temples, Iggy Pop, Jamie XX to cite a few. In 2017 The Cubitt art gallery in London hosted his first video installation, “Broadcaste” funded by Fluxus. He’s currently making the jump to storytelling, working on a feature length animated film.

The single’s B-side “Extinction!” is a dark ritualistic journey drawing on Balkan brass, African drumming, electronic analogue Trance elements, crunching metallic guitars and with guest appearances from the late legendary guitarist Daevid Allen of Soft Machine and Gong and saxophonist Terry Edwards (Tindersticks, PJ Harvey, Lydia Lunch).

The idea of these tracks being paired is partially due to the thematic link of the lyrics: the folly of human progress that has brought us to the very brink of our own mass extinction. But it is also a linkage between Wyatt and Allen who met as kids in Canterbury England when Daevid Allen became a border in the Wyatt household at the age of 16. He had been shipped off by his family to England because he was too effeminate and too artistically-inclined for the rugged testosterone-driven culture of Australia in the early 1960s. “Allen showed up with Charlie Parker albums under his arm and from their mutual love of bebop a creative partnership was formed. We tried to reflect that love for jazz in the album artwork and the music itself.”

Together those two kids would, along with Kevin Ayers and Mike Ratledge, form the Soft Machine who became the soundtrack for the swinging psychedelic 60s. Regulars at the UFO club and the Roundhouse playing on bills with their contemporaries, Jimi Hendrix and Pink Floyd.

A new album from Vanderwolf will be released this summer.

Tracklist:
A: When The Fire Grows Cold Feat. Robert Wyatt
B: Extinction!

Vanderwolf - Biography
Max Vanderwolf has recorded more than 11 albums under his own name and as part of various bands. Many more went unreleased. Some evanesced from the catalogues of fledgling independent labels. Under his name, or various pseudonyms, he has also appeared on festival bills performing with various other musicians’ projects, his own bands and small orchestras.

While this isn’t unusual for a busy musician, what is unique is that concurrent to this activity, Vanderwolf lived under an assumed name, spending most of his daytime hours working as ‘Glenn Max’ as a music programmer and concert producer, including overseeing London’s legendary Royal Festival Hall. There, for 9 years he produced the Meltdown Festival working closely with David Bowie, Patti Smith, Jarvis Cocker, Massive Attack and Ornette Coleman.

Vanderwolf then shifted over to East London’s underground music scene finding a home at the notorious Village Underground where he established a stronghold for his unique curatorial visions while producing concerts in Brooklyn, Rome and Paris for such notable artists as John Cale, Sparks and the Residents.

The demands of his work-life were not without their rewards, but they came as a detriment to his life as a musician and bandleader. He had to turn down offers of tours, and support slots due to his heavy work-schedule. Entire finished albums would get regularly shelved or went unmixed and unreleased. Bands would disintegrate after periods of inactivity.

Amongst his bands, Last Man Standing made the biggest impact. Emerging from the infamous Soho drinking den, The Colony Room and fueled by alcohol, the YBA movement and the notorious Lost Vagueness parties in south London, the band were soon playing the full array of UK festivals with their incendiary live show. Their sole album, “False Starts and Broken Promises”, earned 4 and 5-star reviews from Mojo, Uncut and others with favorable comparisons to Bowie, Alex Harvey, Tom Waits, Steely Dan and Lou Reed.

Despite encouragement from friends and fellow musicians, Vanderwolf always shrugged off releasing a follow-up album. Yet he continued to record. So what changed?

“It’s been full-on…I’ve been writing and recording steadily but releasing music hasn't been a priority. My work was full-on and I’d not been able to achieve the things I did if I went on tour to promote an album. But with the global pandemic, I had all this space and a burst in productivity. And I also felt a bit retrospective so now it’s time for this music to show itself to the world.”

A new period of studio activity, writing, recordings and remixing tracks was overseen by Sam Sallon and David Watson and produced a wealth of new tracks all of which will be seeing the light of day in Vanderwolf’s new album, due this summer.

Vanderwolf & the Last Man Standing Ensemble:
Max Vanderwolf - Vocals
Sam Sallon - Keyboards
Chris Wyles  - Drums
Chris Cordoba - Guitar
Will Muldrew - Bass
with
Daevid Allan - Glissando Guitar
Terry Edwards - Sax
Ed Rieband - Trombone
Nick Etwell - Trumpet
Afla Sackey - Percussion
Spoken vocals - Pablo Farba & a Serbian Uber Driver

To purchase “Extinction” - 2 song single: https://lnk.to/Extinction

For more information:
Official website: www.vanderwolfmusic.com
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5VCMMZZYJ0QKriJy07ZJCg
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vanderwolfmusic
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vanderwolfmusic/
Promotional materials: https://www.vanderwolfpromo.com/
Soundcloud link to album, “12 Little Killers”:
https://soundcloud.com/last-man-standing-london/sets/12-little-killers?utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing

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

Tuesday, April 12, 2022

Canadian Instrumental Prog-Fusion Ensemble Art Griffin’s Sound Chaser To Release Second Album “The Seven Ages of Starlight”

Featuring Steve Negus (ex SAGA) and guest artists Jamie Glaser (Jean-Luc Ponty Band), Todd Sucherman (Styx), Michael Sadler (SAGA), Frank Wyatt (Happy The Man)

Art Griffin’s Sound Chaser was assembled piece by piece over the course of several years to record the music of Art Griffin. First with guitarist Kelly Kereliuk, then with drummer Steve Negus (best known for his work with Canadian rock legends SAGA) and finally with the addition of electric violinist Victoria Yeh.

Work began on what was to be the first album in 2012. Gradually as the musicians rounded out the lineup, the first album, “Visions From The Present” was completed. Released in 2016, the album comes adorned with a stunning Roger Dean cover. Roger also designed the AGSC logo.

Now, with the help of some special guest artists, Jamie Glaser (Jean-Luc Ponty Band), Todd Sucherman (Styx), Michael Sadler (SAGA), Frank Wyatt (Happy The Man) and keyboardist Sarah Westbrook, along with the core four AGSC members, the second album “The Seven Ages of Starlight” is now available!

The new album was written by Art from 2015 to 2017. Recorded primarily at his Artsounds Studio with the exception of the drums. Steve recorded his drums at his Blue Room Studio and when Todd Sucherman came on board to record two tracks, they were recorded at his studio in Texas. Most of the guitar and violin solos were recorded at Artsounds but after the Covid outbreak were recorded at the players residences and takes/retakes were done online. The album was mixed by Art Griffin with additional mixing done with Adam Fair at his Villa Sound Studio. The album was mastered by Phil Demetro at Lacquer Channel , Toronto Canada.

Says Art, “AGSC III is already written and recording is underway. We are essentially a Recording Act but the possibility for a gig or two and the recording/filming of the same could potentially come to fruition. Video footage is always being posted on our FB page.”

Definitely an album to be celebrated. Brilliant songs and amazing instrumentation.” - Stan Hillborn, Host of “Adventures In Plasticland”, 98.5 CKWR


ART GRIFFIN’S SOUND CHASER:

ART GRIFFIN
Songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, Art started on guitar at age 10. Adding bass (his principal instrument) and keyboards through his teens, he hit the road for two decades. Now with a studio in his home, Art writes and records music at some point every day.

KELLY KERELIUK
Kelly has been playing guitar for 35 years. His knowledge of varying styles and techniques is impressive and is brought to the fore within the eclectic range of Sound Chaser. Kelly is also heavily involved with guitar instruction and session work. Other projects include Prismind, Lost Symphony and Negus. Kelly has also done a series of guitar clinics for Canadian music store giants Long & McQuade.

STEVE NEGUS
Steve needs no introduction in the world of drums and percussion. A veteran of the music industry, Steve is known as the ‘human metronome’ and was a member of Canadian progressive rock legends SAGA for 26 years. Apart from his AGSC duties Steve is busy in his studio writing and recording his second solo album under the ‘Negus’ banner.

VICTORIA YEH
Dynamic and progressive defines Victoria’s style. Classically trained, Yeh combines the purity of her musical heritage with the edginess of prog fusion. Yeh performs constantly and is also a devoted educator, teaching Classical and Improv violin internationally as a faculty member for Christian Howes’ Creative Strings Workshop.

“The Seven Ages of Starlight” is available in a gorgeous 6 panel digipak CD. Both signed with postcards and stickers and available unopened.

To purchase CDs and Merch:  
Facebook Page Art Griffin’s Sound Chaser - Click on Shop
Shopify site: sound-chaser-merch.myshopify.com
Downloads: artgriffinssoundchaser.bandcamp.com

For more information:
www.facebook.com/ArtGriffinSoundChaser

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

Friday, April 8, 2022

Prog Legends Gentle Giant’s Final Album “Civilian” Remastered CD & LP Available For Pre-order!

Includes rare previously-unissued track “Heroes No More”

Much to the excitement of Gentle Giant fans worldwide, the band’s final album “Civilian” remastered CD will be released on May 20, 2022! The vinyl LP release of the album will follow later in the year. Gentle Giant’s “Civilian”, was originally released in the spring of 1980, a little over a decade after the bands’ formation. The album was to be the band’s swan song after ten studio albums and one double live album in the ten years of their existence.

Gentle Giant by then had built up a formidable back catalogue of highly inventive and distinctive music and amassed an ardent live fanbase in North America and Europe. The band’s music continually defied categorization. True, there had been a steady shift toward a more accessible style, especially after the release of “Interview” in 1976, but the diverse influences which had been so adroitly combined on their earlier recordings had continued to set their music apart throughout their career.

“Civilian” was the final stage in Giant’s move toward a more concise and direct approach while still maintaining its musical integrity. It was unique among their albums in that the material was written and recorded in North America. With a view to achieving a more streamlined feel while retaining the musical virtuosity, Gentle Giant moved temporarily to Los Angeles, where the material for “Civilian” took shape over a five-month period stretching into early 1980.

The band recruited Beatles engineer Geoff Emerick to man the console at Sound City and Bijou Studios in Hollywood to record “Civilian”. What emerged from these sessions was a comparatively straightforward high-energy rock album, with hook laden songs and clever choruses. Undoubtedly a musical vindication of Giant’s decision to move further towards the ‘progressive rock mainstream’, and the logical conclusion of the work begun on 1976’s “Interview”. Despite having paired down earlier characteristic elements, Gentle Giant retained their quintessential brilliant musicianship moving forward into the new decade.

Starting with “Convenience (Clean and Easy)”, a blistering opener which focuses on the American way of life, “Civilian” once again shows Giant’s ability to write and play in a number of styles. Although the medieval influence had lessened, the brooding magnificence of “Inside Out” and the delicate keyboard work on “Shadows on the Street”, the latter reminiscent of mid-Seventies pieces such as “Freehand” and “No God’s a Man”, maintain the Gentle Giant tradition. Elsewhere, upbeat rock numbers are littered with the prominent motifs and complex instrumental interplay which had always characterized the band's output.

As a bonus on this, the newly mastered reissue of “Civilian”, and therefore its first official outing on CD, a rare previously-unissued track is included. “Heroes No More’ was recorded during the “Civilian” sessions but failed to appear only because of the need to keep running times down on the old vinyl format. Remastered, it is a fantastic addition to the album.

Despite the obvious strength and immediacy of “Civilian”, opinions differed widely at the time of the original release in February 1980. At the time “Civilian” was unable to satisfy the die-hard fans craving the arcane thrills of Gentle Giant’s ambitious earlier LPs, but it is nonetheless a consistent and compelling rock record of the highest musical order. Sadly “Civilian” was to be Gentle Giant’s final album. After a short break, the band met in New York for some promotional work prior to their scheduled Spring tour of the States. It was there that the decision was made that the group would fulfill their live obligations in the knowledge that it would be their last.

“Civilian” was the last in a line of strikingly original albums, each with its own character, but each recorded with the same care and attention to detail. Gentle Giant were a unique proposition, five talented musicians with the ability to blend widely differing musical traditions into a coherent whole.

Decades after the initial release of “Civilian” fans of the band old and new have come to realize what an incredibly strong and superbly written and produced album it really was. It is with this knowledge that we are proud to announce the re-release of the final album of a truly innovative and original band.

Remastered by Pete Reynolds

To pre-order: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09X1W8BVQ

Civilian” will be available on streaming channels as well as the first time available digitally in North America.

For more information: https://linktr.ee/gentlegiantband

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

Thursday, April 7, 2022

Oliver Wakeman Releases “Collaborations” Teaser Video For His New 3CD Box Set

3CD Box Set including re-issues of “The 3 Ages of Magick” with Steve Howe & “Ravens & Lullabies” with Gordon Giltrap

Oliver Wakeman has the honour of being one of the few musicians to have performed and recorded with some of Prog Rock’s most respected guitarists.

A new teaser video featuring music from all three albums featuring performances from Steve Howe, Gordon Giltrap and Paul Manzi is now available to view on Oliver’s YouTube channel.

Oliver says, “Having a teaser video available really allows the listener to get a feel for the differing styles between the three albums and how, surprisingly, they complement each other. Putting this video together reminded me just how pleased I was with these albums. Hopefully this gives the music a chance to reach a new audience as well appealing to those who might already have the originals but are interested in the other projects and the bonus material contained in the Box Set.”   

Watch the video here: https://youtu.be/1GvGJiCbgL8

Back in 2001, many years before he became a member of YES, Oliver and guitarist Steve Howe worked together on the “The 3 Ages of Magick” album. Supplemented by an array of talented musicians, this album became a hidden gem in the YES family tree of recordings.

Following his tenure in the keyboard seat for YES in from 2008 to 2011, Oliver teamed up with another British guitar legend, Gordon Giltrap, to record their award winning “Ravens & Lullabies” album, a collection of rock and acoustic tracks featuring the singers Paul Manzi (SWEET) and Benoit David (YES).

20 years following its original release, “The 3 Ages of Magick” is teamed with the album “Ravens & Lullabies” in the new “Collaborations” 3CD Box Set. Including remastered versions of both albums along with the previously unreleased acoustic live album, “From a Stage” features music from Wakeman & Giltrap’s many years of performing together across the UK.

The “Collaborations” box set, comprising 3CDs each with a 16-page booklet and individual art prints of the sleeves, will be released by Burning Shed on 11th April.

“The 3 Ages of Magick”, released in 2001, is an instrumental album based in the style of the great 70’s prog solo records. Featuring Steve Howe across 11 of its 13 tracks, the album is both gentle and outlandish in equal measure. The album, based on stories from British folklore, utilises traditional instruments to help tell each story. This remastered version also includes 3 bonus tracks not available on the original release.

10 years later, Oliver and another legendary guitarist, Gordon Giltrap, joined forces after meeting at one of his father’s (Rick Wakeman) Christmas concerts in which they both performed.

“Ravens & Lullabies” allowed Oliver and Gordon to intertwine their acoustic musical abilities in the Lullabies section of the record. The Ravens aspect of the album allowed Gordon to be re-introduced to the Prog community in which he had been a leading figure during his heyday when releasing albums such as “Fear Of The Dark” and “Perilous Journey” (which contained his hit song “Heartsong”). This remastered version also features the bonus studio tracks, “The Forgotten King”, “Bach’s Praeludium” and a new version of Gordon’s classic “Roots” which were only included on the limited-edition double disc release of the original. Also included is a new recording, a piano and classical guitar version of Oliver’s track “The Wedding Approaches”.

This box set package also includes a third disc, “From a Stage”. During the lockdown, Oliver was approached by the sound engineer from one of the Giltrap/Wakeman concerts to say he had found a multitrack recording from a Christmas concert Oliver and Gordon had performed at along with special guest Paul Manzi (SWEET). This allowed a great opportunity to put together the live album “From a Stage” featuring Oliver and Gordon’s interpretations of songs from their collective 20+ years of back catalogues. Including the warmth and musical interplay that became a trademark for their often sold out shows, the recording features songs such as “Heartsong”, “Glimmer of Light” & “Roots”.

The “Collaborations” box set contains 3 CDs each with 16-page booklets including lyrics, previously unseen artwork and many stories behind the creativity of Wakeman and Giltrap. The first 250 box sets will also include the 4th art print of the box set cover numbered and signed by Oliver Wakeman.

Collaborations” will be released by Burning Shed on 11th April. You can pre-order the set here: https://burningshed.com/store/oliverwakeman

About Oliver Wakeman
Eldest son of prog legend Rick, Wakeman filled the keyboard role, once held by his father, with YES from 2008 to 2011. His work with YES includes the triple live album in “In The Present – Live From Lyon,” “Fly From Here” and the “From A Page” box set featuring recordings from his time in the band released in 2019. During his tenure with YES, Wakeman also toured and recorded as a member of The Strawbs. Wakeman’s debut album (1997) “Heaven’s Isle” was inspired by the island of Lundy, and he has since released a number of solo and Oliver Wakeman Band albums.  He has also released several collaborations with renowned musicians, including Clive Nolan, Steve Howe, bandmate to both Oliver and his father in YES, as well as writing and recording with guitar legend Gordon Giltrap. Oliver is currently working on his latest album “Anam Cara” due for release in late 2022.

For more information:
Website: www.oliverwakeman.co.uk
Facebook: www.facebook.com/OliverWakeman/
Twitter: @OliverWakeman
Instagram: www.instagram.com/oliverwakemanmusic/

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

Tuesday, April 5, 2022

Experimental Musician Billy Yfantis Releases “The Nebula Voyager” Album Exploring Sounds From The Outer Space!

An album of 19 Spaced-Out compositions inspired by Astronomy and artists such as Tangerine Dream, Hans Zimmer, Steve Hillage and John Carpenter

Athens, Greece - Experimental musician and author, Billy Yfantis, releases his 5th album entitled “The Nebula Voyager.” A nebula is a gathering of interstellar clouds that forms a unique body (which can consist of cosmic dust, hydrogen, helium, molecular clouds; possibly as ionized gases). The great majority of Nebulas are hundreds of light-years in diameter. Billy Yfantis explores musically the “Nebula” concept by composing music inspired from the formation of existing nebulas as they are described in official astronomical catalogues.

The new album features 19 instrumental tracks including “City Lights” which was performed at the online edition of the Mrož festival 2020 and a 2021 remix of the previously released track “The Mysterious Trip.” The dreamy atmosphere of the album was created by using the Sound Design recording technique through the use of both hardware and software synthesizers. If you are familiar with cinematic soundtracks and music styles such as Avant-Garde, Krautrock, Experimental and Ambient, then you are definitely in the spirit of this release!

Billy Yfantis commented on the release: “The main scope of the album was to explore Astronomy beyond the popular science fiction concept. The 16 tracks of the album (except remixes and the festival performance) refer to real Nebulas that have been recorded in official astronomical catalogues by famous scientists. If you look for information about these Nebulas while listening to the album, then your listening experience will be an augmented one.” Billy Yfantis plans to experiment with new instruments and technologies for the recording of his 6th full album, with a release schedule in late 2022. Stay tuned for more information!

Promotional video (Cat’s Eye Nebula): https://youtu.be/xOC-jIWg0sE
Promotional video (Pelican Nebula): https://youtu.be/CKy5s7t9SjQ

The Nebula Voyager Tracklist

1. Crab Nebula
2. Cat’s Eye Nebula
3. Orion Nebula
4. Lagoon Nebula
5. Pelican Nebula
6. Red Square Nebula
7. Boomerang Nebula
8. Rosette Nebula
9. Ring Nebula
10. Tarantula Nebula
11. Eagle Nebula
12. Eskimo Nebula
13. Horsehead Nebula
14. Ant Nebula
15. Carina Nebula
16. Helix Nebula
17. Into the unknown (Cinematic Remix)
18. City Lights (Live at Mrož festival 2020)
19. The Mysterious Trip (2021 Remix)

Listen to the new album here:  
Napster: https://ar.napster.com/artist/billy-yfantis/album/the-nebula-voyager
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/7vZUFLlym9Kiags4eIHB2n?si=GSwL2WxhQBaUOXcOWYjdcQ
YouTube Music: https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_kqqNpsYAH4lKa5MtQKhO75ATgbDfNtNq4
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/album/the-nebula-voyager/1611721948
Tidal: https://store.tidal.com/gr/album/218156464
Bandcamp: https://billyyfantis.bandcamp.com/album/the-nebula-voyager

About Billy Yfantis
Vasileios (Billy) Yfantis holds 2 Master Degrees in Information Technology and is a Ph.D. candidate in the University of West Attica by conducting research on e-government. Billy has been working on music since the late 1990s by experimenting with tape mixing and sound design. Billy is playing digital keyboards, but prefers to express his artistic dream through the electronic sounds that come from unusual machines. He has experimented with the recording of vacuum cleaners, electric blenders and other strange sounds that have resulted in musical releases. Moreover, Billy has authored books on music, business and science while from times to times he speaks about the electronic governance at scientific conferences all over Europe.

Famous Quotes (What Others Have Said)
Krautrock legend Harald Grosskopf (Ash Ra Tempel, Klaus Schulze, Cosmic Jokers): “I always like electronic music made by younger musicians who consequently follow their personal instinct, rather than trying to copy what’s already been made in the past, in the spirit of: Whenever you meet Buddha kill him. Keep on tracking Billy!”

Tom McLoughlin (Director of the movie “Friday the 13th Part VI: Jason Lives”): “I really dug his music!! VERY cool stuff!!”

Phil Lanzon (Uriah Heep): “I like the track 'Waiting for the battle.' Great riff. I can see this as soundtracks to Psycho - punk movies and the like.”

Bobby Borg, (Music Business Author, Consultant, Professor): "This is fkn bad ass music that everyone needs to hear… imagine the coolest meditation music out there and the coolest sci-fi movie soundtrack rolled into one! Stream it and trip out today."

Steve Whitfield (Producer and engineer of The Cure, The Mission UK): “This music is crying out to be used in films but at the same time it's great to just sit back listen and immerse yourself in them without any moving images and let your imagination run wild!”

Snowy Shaw (ex-King Diamond, Therion, Mercyful Fate): "I didn't know what to expect when I had this album sent to me by the composer Billy Yfantis. To be perfectly honest, 9 times out of 10 when people send me their new album it makes me feel a bit uneasy and awkward. Firstly because I don't listen an awful lot to contemporary music and secondly, even less to other metal & hard rock artists due to lack of interest and I don't wanna hurt their feelings. I don't mean that in any rude, disrespectful or arrogant way, but I'm into creating my own music, not so much into consuming music of my peers. However, this was something entirely different. I'm not even sure it's considered music, but it's the kind of atmospheric and meditative type of sounds that I've been listening a helluva lot over the past few years to try relax and cope with my stressful, turbulent life, constantly on the verge of being burnt out. That being said, I liked it and it made me calm, mindful and sleepy. Presumably the worst kind of reaction my metalhead peers would wanna hear about their new album but in this case it's probably the best sort of compliment one could get."

Discography
1. The Nebula Voyager (Full Album, 2022)
2. Cinematic Works, Vol. I (Full album, 2021)
3. Noises from the Outer Space (Full album, 2021)
4. Entering the Solar System (Full album, 2020)
5. The Noisy Whispers Compilation (Full album, 2019)
6. The Mysterious Trip (Digital single, 2018)
7. Dust Not Found (Digital single 2017)
8. Crossing The Line (Digital single 2016)
9. The Electric Blender Session (Digital single, 2016)
10. The Missing Link (Digital single, 2015)

Check out music by Billy Yfantis here:
https://billyyfantis.bandcamp.com

Bibliography
1. Power Ballads And The Stories Behind (2021)
2. Is Prog Rock Really Progressive? (2020)
3. Hip Hop Goes Science: Volume I – Extended Version (2020)
4. Hip Hop Goes Science: Volume I (2019)
5. Metal Goes Science: The Academic Metal Bibliography (2017)
6. Disadvantaged Populations And Technology In Music (2017)
7. City Streets Of Europe (2017)
8. Punk Goes Science: The Academic Bibliography Of Punk (2015)
9. The Lost Lyrics (2013)
10. The Commercial Exploitation Of Color As A Consumer Stimulus (2013)

Find Books by Billy Yfantis here:
https://www.amazon.com/Vasileios-Yfantis/e/B00JNNL306/

Contact details:
E-mail:  Byfantis@yahoo.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/billy.yfantis
Twitter: https://twitter.com/billyyfantis
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/billyyfantis

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

Wednesday, March 30, 2022

Robert Fripp “Exposures” 32-Disc Box Set To Be Released May 27, 2022

25 CDs, 3 DVDs (audio only), 4 Blu-Ray discs (audio only) Packaged in a 12” boxed set with 48-page booklet including extensive notes by Sid Smith and Al Okada plus press releases, photos and memorabilia.

The long-awaited 32-disc boxed set of Robert Fripp in the studio and in concert 1977 - 1983 will be released on 27th May 2022. The set will feature many previously unreleased tracks, outtakes and rarities as well as numbers tracks becoming on CD for the first time.

The largest in the series, “Exposures” is the ninth boxset release collecting King Crimson / Robert Fripp material from 1969 to 2008.

Featuring 32 discs (25xCD/4xDVD audio/4xBlu-Ray audio) presented in a 12” box with a 48-page booklet containing extensive notes by Sid Smith and Al Okada plus memorabilia such as tickets, posters, press releases, and more.

One of the most comprehensive boxed sets devoted to a single period of an artist’s career, “Exposures” features the complete collection of Robert Fripp’s studio and live solo material from 1977-1983, covering the period from the first “Exposure” sessions to the end of The League of Gentlemen and final Frippertronics concerts.

Steven Wilson mixes of “Exposure” in (in two versions), “Under Heavy Manners,” The League of Gentlemen studio recordings and numerous unreleased tracks from the albums’ sessions appear in Dolby Atmos, DTS-HD 5.1 Surround and 24/96 hi-res stereo audio on Blu-Ray discs 1 and 4.

David Singleton mixes of “God Save the Queen,” “Let the Power Fall” and the “Washington Square Church” Frippertronics album appear in DTS-HD Surround (Quad/4.1) and in hi- res stereo ranging from 24/48 (WSC), 24/96 GSTQ) to 24/192 (LTPF) on Blu-Ray discs 1 and 4.

In addition, all editions and versions of “Exposure” (including previously unreleased), original masters of all of the albums from the period and a wealth of additional material, much of it previously unreleased appear on Blu-Ray in hi-res stereo audio on those discs.

Two further Blu-Ray discs present the complete DGM archive of Frippertronics loops, masters and concert performances - over 68 hours of music in 24/48 hi-res stereo.

Three DVDs feature the main albums in 5.1, quad and hi-res stereo. Twenty-five CDs present material including the earliest existing master loops, all of the albums in new Steven Wilson and David Singleton mixes, plus original mixes newly mastered and a number of studio and live discs featuring previously unreleased and/or music new to disc.

You can pre-order “Exposures” boxed set via Inner Knot (US): https://shop.schizoidshop.com/robert-fripp---exposures-boxed-set-p1917.aspx

For more information: https://dgmlive.com

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