UK Music Legends Strawbs 50th Anniversary 3 Days Celebration in Lakewood, NJ - April 26, 27 & 28

Featuring special guests Tony Visconti, Annie Haslam, Larry Fast and others! Weekend celebration of the first album release by seminal British band. 

In celebration of their 50th anniversary, UK music legends Strawbs, plus a host of guest performers, former Strawbs, and Strawbs-related artists, will be performing at the Strand Theater in Lakewood, NJ on  April 26-28, 2019!

Come join a weekend celebration of the first album release by seminal British band Strawbs!

Strawbs are Britain's most successful international progressive folk-rock band. They are mentioned in the same breath as progressive rock bands Yes, King Crimson and The Moody Blues. Strawbs have a devoted fan base that continues to grow on the strength of their incredible live performances together with their classic albums over the years including “Grave New World”, “Bursting at the Seams”, “Hero & Heroine” and “Ghosts.” The band has achieved sales of over three million albums, seven consecutive Strawbs albums have featured in the US Billboard Top 200 albums.

Many top musicians have featured in the Strawbs line up over the years, including Sonjia Kristina, Blue Weaver, Don Airey and as well as Rick Wakeman , both his classically trained sons Adam and Oliver have been featured, a certain compliment to the band's talent. After several years of touring in both acoustic and electric lineups, in 2017 Strawbs released “The Ferryman's Curse,” their first studio album of original material in eight years. The album returned to the album charts and garnered rave reviews worldwide!

The current Strawbs line-up comprises David Cousins, lead guitarist Dave Lambert, bass player Chas Cronk, and drummer Tony Fernandez, who recorded and toured together in the 1970s. They are joined by keyboard and guitar virtuoso Dave Bainbridge of Iona - a band who created a mystical blend of rock, folk, Celtic and ambient music - a perfect match for Strawbs.



ARTISTS:

STRAWBS (Present)

David Cousins (1968 - present)
Dave Lambert (1972 - present)
Chas Cronk (1973 - present)
Tony Fernandez (1978 - present)
Dave Bainbridge (2016 - present)

With
TERRA NOVA ORCHESTRA - 30 PIECE ORCHESTRA

STRAWBS (Past)

Blue Weaver (1971 - 1973) (subject to visas) – Amen Corner, Mott the Hoople, Bee Gees (Played on “Saturday Night Fever” and the 1970s hits)
John Ford (1969 – 1973) – Velvet Opera, Hudson Ford (Writer of Strawbs biggest single “Part of the Union”) 
John Hawken (1973 - 1976) – Nashville Teens, Renaissance, Illusion
Brian Willoughby (1978 - 2092) – Mary Hopkin, The Monks, Nanci Griffith

SPECIAL GUESTS

Tony Visconti – David Bowie, T Rex, Moody Blues, Gentle Giant, Angélique Kidjo
Annie Haslam – Renaissance
Larry Fast – Nektar, Synergy, Peter Gabriel
Eric Bazilian – The Hooters, Joan Osborne
Wesley Stace – John Wesley Harding, Cabinet of Wonders
Cathryn Craig – Bill Medley

HIGHLIGHTS

Tony Visconti – conducts Strawbs with the Terra Nova Orchestra for the first orchestral performance of “Oh How She Changed”, the band's first single, featuring a new Tony Visconti arrangement.   

David Cousins, Blue Weaver, John Ford will play the whole of Strawbs classic album “Grave New World” with Eric Bazilion and narrator Wesley Stace.

Annie Haslam – sings Sandy Denny's “Who Knows Where The Time Goes” with the Terra Nova Orchestra, featuring a brand new arrangement by Tony Visconti.

Eric Bazilion – sings “What If God Was One Of Us,” the hit he wrote and produced for Joan Osborne, with Strawbs and the Terra Nova Orchestra.

Sandy Denny and the Strawbs – the classic songs recreated by Annie Haslam and Acoustic Strawbs.

Larry Fast and David Cousins – Peter Gabriel's synthesizer master and the complete songwriter put a new edge on Strawbs lesser known material.



WHERE:

Strand Theater 
Center for the Arts
400 Clifton Avenue
Lakewood
New Jersey 08701
Phone: (732) 367-7789

Historic 1922 theater for the Jersey Shore.
60 minutes from Newark Airport
90 minutes from Manhattan

DATE AND TIME:

Friday - 26 April 2018
Performances 6pm - 10.30pm

Saturday - 27 April 2018
Performances 1pm - 10.30pm

Sunday - 28 April 2018
Brunch (VIP) 10am - 12 noon

TICKETS:

VIP $300 (sold out)
All performances plus Sunday brunch with artists

Weekend $200
All performances

For more information:
Strawbs official website: www.strawbsweb.co.uk/

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

Tony Palmer & Tangerine Dream "Live At Coventry Cathedral 1975" Deluxe Box Set Now Available For Pre-order

An exclusive box set of Tangerine Dream's “Live at Coventry Cathedral 1975” filmed and directed by Tony Palmer.

London - In December 1974 Tangerine Dream were invited to play in the grand setting of Rheims Cathedral, a move certainly seen at the time as groundbreaking. They were then invited to perform in the cathedrals of York, Liverpool and Coventry. The tour attracted unprecedented coverage in the media, especially at Coventry Cathedral, an iconic building rising like a phoenix on the ruins of the old cathedral bombed to bits by the Germans in 1940 (Tangerine Dream is, after all, a German band) as a celebration of peace and reconciliation, as well as a lasting showcase for great contemporary art.

The nave is dominated by a gigantic tapestry by Graham Sutherland, the main door dwarfed by a sculpture of St Michael & The Devil by Jacob Epstein, and the consecration in 1962 heard the first performance of Britten’s incomparable War Requiem. To their lasting credit, Tangerine Dream contributed to this celebration.

This DVD features the live recording soundtrack (unlike the previous issue), and also contains footage of Tangerine Dream from the legendary music programme, All You Need is Love. It will be welcomed by the massive Tangerine Dream fan base, and also seen for what it is – a meeting of cultures and for a brief moment in time, a time where the past met both the present and the future.

This deluxe box set brings together both the film DVD and memorabilia together for the first time, along with a signed and numbered certificate by Tony Palmer the Director.

To pre-order: https://burningshed.com/store/gonzo/tangerine-dream_live-at-coventry-cathedral-1975_boxset

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

Progressive Rock Review: Steve Hackett-At The Edge of Light

Steve Hackett Website: http://www.hackettsongs.com/
Release Date: January 25, 2019
Label: Inside Out/Sony

Steve Hackett just released At The Edge of Light on the Inside Out (Sony) label. I was sent the CD/DVD but decided to purchase the LP for additional listening pleasure. I am glad that I did. The album is a two-LP 180-Gram set with a CD included. This is something you get from most of the Inside Out vinyl so you get the best of both worlds and it's worth the price tag.

Hackett is a legendary figure in progressive rock and has a lot of music out there to dive into. With his Genesis days (while brilliant) long behind him, he is always moving forward and creating interesting music for longtime fans and new disciples to consume. I personally have not gone too far into his catalog, although I feel it is time for that to change.

I think Mr. Hackett is extremely underrated because his music has never been mainstream or commercial in any way. That is just fine with his audience in the prog sphere. 

At The Edge of Light is two platters, 3 sides of music, and the fourth side has the etching of the lighting on the cover with the man standing there looking at it with the inscription “Turn and Face Whatever You Fear Most.” Keep that in mind as you listen to the music and read the lyrics found on the inner sleeves of the album jacket (yes food for thought).

Side one opens in grand style with epic sweeping music and some fine vocals offered by Hackett. I have always looked at him as a guitar hero but the man is equally adept with the vox humana. This is a very eclectic group of songs ranging from prog rock, flat out rocking segments, blues, and world. It has it all and very well done I may add.

Side two starts off with “Underground Railroad.” Hackett’s tribute the trials and tribulations of slaves. It starts off bluesy then leads into a spiritual/gospel type sound and feeling then transforms into an all-out rocker. The changing tides of the music in a sense must have fit the all-encompassing emotions a slave had reaching freedom at last through those dangerous passages. “Shadow and Flame,” is one of the more colorful tracks with world music infused into rock featuring the Duduk, which creates a drone, and the very recognizable Sitar. 

Side three opens with “Hungry Years.” The track features some great harmonies and catchy runs that sound radio ready, however, that leads to some strong stinging leads from Hackett and some sturdy bass lines to keep that train rolling down the line. After all of that, it fades out then you move on to the next two tracks, which are significant instrumentals musically and thematically.

“Descent” has the resounding and rhythmic beats of marching soldiers off to war or making the “Descent” into that literal hell. Then all of that driving force folds into the “Conflict,” which is earmarked with a whirling dervish of sounds and more masterful lead guitar by the maestro Hackett. Then the fitting curtain closer “Peace,” after the “Conflict.”

So, you see there is a definite theme here that Hackett is presenting. I think what he is saying through music and words is what we are seeing worldwide. The wars, confusion, and atrocities of man that continue to this day are thought of while reading the lyrics and listening to the music push those words to the forefront of your mind. And perhaps for those tortured souls among us, who are raging their own wars with internal emotions that nobody knows but them. 

But yet we all stand At The Edge of Light, a few steps away from that dark chasm that surrounds us. The true nature of man is at the center of the light and that thought gives us all hope as we listen to the musical prophets of the world. Steve Hackett has created a beautiful album that is diverse musically and lyrically. I do not think fans could have hoped for a better album. This work speaks highly of a man with superlative talents and a message to deliver.

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck-Prog Rock Music Talk
February 3, 2019

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Tracks:
 
Side 1:
1. Fallen Walls and Pedestals
2. Beasts In Our Time
3. Under The Eye of the Sun

Side 2:
4. Underground Railroad
5. These Golden Wings
6. Shadow and Flame

Side 3:
7. Hungry Years
8. Descent
9. Conflict
10. Peace

Side 4 :
Etching - “Turn and Face Whatever You Fear Most"  
 

Avant-Garde Prog Ensemble HOIA Feat. Indian Guitar Virtuoso Prateek Rajagopal To Release Debut Album "Scavenger"

Featuring Colin Edwin of “Porcupine Tree”!

Experimental beyond expectations, HOIA is an infusion of musical interests by Prateek Rajagopal. Popularly known for being a virtuoso guitarist, budding film composer and writer/producer for death metal legions  “GUTSLIT” & Indian/Amercian prog metal supergroup  “The Minerva Conduct,” his interest in genres and art forms beyond metal gave rise to HOIA, inspired by Avant-garde, progressive rock, experimental and industrial music.

After releasing two EPs with HOIA, Prateek is all set to release his debut album titled “Scavenger.” The record has a more sophisticated songwriting approach compared to his previous releases, albeit still very 'prog,' and also features Prateek as a vocalist for the first time. The instruments used on the album are unlike his other projects, using samples of rotating fans and vehicle sounds, analog synthesizers and digital manipulation along with organic instruments like guitars (acoustic, electric), piano and strings.

Says Prateek, “The album deals with human-sentimentality concepts like nostalgia, demise, anxiety and the need to 'scavenge' to survive, bubbled in fictitious concepts as individual stories. It isn't a concept album, but there's a loose relation across the individual stories.”



Although he is the primary songwriter, Prateek approached Colin Edwin of "Porcupine Tree" & Wojtek Deregowski (a reputed session musician from Poland) to perform bass and drums respectively.

“In a world full of guitarists, I am lucky enough to somehow work with a steady flow of really interesting and unique players, so I am very happy to be involved with Prateek Rajagopal's new HOIA album, a solid collection of inspiring tracks across an ever-evolving deep sonic landscape. Lots of unexpected elements which fuse together really well, with a some great twists for the adventurous listener, top stuff.” - Colin Edwin

“Even though I know all the tunes from the new HOIA album really well, I like to come back and listen to them again. It’s just a very good music in which you may always find something new that surprises and catches your attention. Fresh sounds, a lot of space and emotions at the same time. I’m really happy that I could contribute to the music by recording drum parts. Prateek gave me a lot of freedom in expressing my own style of playing so I improvised much hoping to give the music even more feelings and interesting ideas.” - Wojtek Deregowski 

HOIA's “Scavenger” has been in the works for over 2 years and clocks in at 33 minutes. The track-list is as follows:

1. Write Across
2. Escape Orb
3. Electric Wizard
4. Part II
5. Scavenger

“An all-out prog fest, going from intricate chilling melodies to odd-time riffs and shattering drum-work.'' - Rolling Stone (India) 

In support of the release Prateek has plans to tour and the members are also willing to perform, but his multiple commitments in Mumbai and other projects are holding it back. A music/visualization video (by illustrator/director Aniruddh “Thebigfatminimalist” Mehta) for “Write Across,” a drum play-through of “Electric Wizard,” and an album stream video are all ready.

In closing Prateek has this to say, “The album deals with simple human emotions. However, writing them as stories felt natural and subtle, and thinking about characters/plots made the process very enjoyable. I hope that people understand the metaphors and Easter eggs too, since everyone goes through similar human emotions. So if people relate with the stories, they might feel better and less lonely, and in turn feel hopeful about life and this world.”

Release Date – April 19, 2019 

Listen to the first single "Electric Wizard" here:
Bandcamp - https://hoiatv.bandcamp.com/album/scavenger
Youtube -

Pre-order links :
India - https://www.instamojo.com/hoiatv/
International - https://hoiatv.bandcamp.com/album/scavenger

For more information:
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/hoiatv/
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/hoiatv/
Bandcamp - https://hoiatv.bandcamp.com/
YouTube - https://bit.ly/2SJVq9b

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

Prog Ensemble Shumaun To Release Anticipated Second Album "One Day Closer to Yesterday" - February 22, 2019

If you like Rush–Porcupine Tree-Dream Theater, Shumaun is a must for you!

Prog ensemble Shumaun will be releasing their highly anticipated sophomore album “One Day Closer to Yesterday” on February 22, 2019. The new release has an underlying concept of love gone wrong. The album begins with two souls in a state of preexistence bonded by love, and continues after they are both assigned bodies on Earth. All attempts at a blissful reunion are complicated, as only one of them can recall their state together prior to birth… and yet their connection is undeniable. “One Day Closer to Yesterday” touches on the many real struggles, conflicts, and experiences that romantic relationships might go through... the good, bad, spiritual, and terrestrial.

The Shumaun sound is shaped by the soaring vocals and lead guitar work of Farhad Hossain, the pounding melodic bass lines of Jose Mora, the subtle guitar nuances of Tyler Kim, and the technical and groove-oriented drumming of Tanvir Tomal.

Says vocalist/guitarist Farhad Hossain, “Stylistically, this album is a bit more raw and heavier than our last one. Guitar wise, there are surprisingly a lot of riffs throughout the album. I use the term 'surprisingly' because I never really considered myself to be a riff writer, but somehow that's the natural direction that this album took a turn to. Much of the lyrics were comprised from improved vocal sessions that were further refined in order to capture something real and unfiltered. Many of the vocal melodies were spontaneous. I incorporated more vocal harmonies and vocal textures this time around as well. Tanvir Tomal is playing his heart out on this one. Some of the drum rhythms are simplistic in approach and yet somehow technical in nature. As always, Jose Mora's bass playing is tasteful, melodic, and technical all at once, And of course, you can hear Tyler Kim's guitar textures throughout the album.”

Watch the Lyric video for first single off new album called “Go”:

Shumaun initially started as a solo project by Farhad Hossain. After recording a few demos, he decided to recruit a few friends to help build the project into a full-fledged collaborative band. The band released their self-titled debut album on Nov 13, 2015 to rave reviews, and supported it with several shows. Both Mark Zonder (Fates Warning) and Travis Orbin (Darkest Hour) played drums on the first record. Shumaun made it on many lists for best records of 2015 such as Decibel Geek, ProgMetal Zone, Metal Asylum, Rockway.Gr, Progressive Music Planet and The Deli DC Magazine.



Shumaun 
Farhad Hossain: Vocals, Guitars, Keyboards
Jose Mora: Bass
Tyler Kim: Guitars
Tanvir Tomal: Drums

Track listing: 
Sensus Divinitatis
The Writing’s on the Wall
Fear Is
Nafsi Ammara
City of Gold
Central Station
Prove Yourself
Go
Remember Me and I Will Remember You
One Day Closer to Yesterday

Mixing: Brett Caldas-Lima at Tower Studio (Pain of Salvation, Cynic)

Here's what the press has said about Shumaun:

PROGRESSIVE MUSIC PLANET REVIEW
“Great vocals, well-written songs, and solid musicianship are the hallmarks for the debut self-titled release by Shumaun. It's a very enjoyable album for anyone who likes to sing along with their music. With Shumaun, the songs come first. And that makes for a very enjoyable experience.” 

BACKGROUND MAGAZINE REVIEW
“Shumaun have recorded a perfect debut album that might appeal to a large audience. The music is impressive and pretty close to brilliant.”

METAL ASYLUM REVIEW
“Every part of the journey brings unexpected twists and fresh rewards, blending multi-cultural rhythms and sounds for one of the best rock/metal/prog songs of 2015.” 

THE GRIM TOWER REVIEW
“It's rock music with a lot of replay value, and some strong messages at heart. Shumaun is REAL music with REAL effort and REAL values put behind it. There's a definite positivity here, and it comes off as a rather heartfelt and passionate moment that I'm thankful to have been able to recommend your way.”

DECIBEL GEEK REVIEW
“AWESOME! OK, this band is AWESOME and have produced probably my favourite album of the year. A new band in age, this is a set of serious musos, with chops that your local butcher would envy. If you like the axis of Rush–Genesis-King Crimson, Shumaun is a must for you.”

METAL AT THE GATES REVIEW 
Bringing something fresh and invigorating to the world with their debut self-titled album, Shumaun paints a beautiful soundscape with progressive, rock, pop and touches of delectable South Asian flair. The writing ranges from outright gorgeous with ear-catching progressive rock grooves to straight forward pop-influenced rock.”

In closing Farhad has this to impart, “The message we want to convey through our music is that no matter how different we might view one another; our similarities far exceed those differences. We have the potential of exuding a profound love for one another, as we are all united in more ways than we might think.”

Shumaun is currently playing gigs in the Washington DC area to promote the new record and will start planning an east coast tour of the US in the late Spring of 2019.

Release Date: February 22, 2019

To purchase: www.shumaun.com/store

Website: www.shumaun.com
Store: www.shumaun.com/store
Facebook: www.facebook.com/shumaun
Youtube: www.youtube.com/shumaun

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

Classic Rock Icons Humble Pie's Long Lost Vintage Album "Joint Effort" Finally Sees The Light Of Day!

Los Angeles, CA - In 1974, one of the biggest and best blues rock bands of all-time, the great Humble Pie, began recording an album at their own home-built studio called Clear Sounds. The result was a raw and fiery collection of originals and covers that was promptly and unceremoniously shelved by the band’s label, never to see the light of day…that is, until now! Joint Effort, a title given to the project early on that reflected the collaboration between Humble Pie founders Steve Marriott and Greg Ridley, is a reunion album of sorts in that Marriott had recently walked out of the group. But a near miss at taking Mick Taylor’s spot in The Rolling Stones plus renewed interest in the band Stateside coaxed Marriott back into the Pie alongside guitarist Dave Clempson and drummer Jerry Shirley.

With never before heard original compositions plus blazing covers of James Brown (“Think”), The Beatles (“Rain”) and soul icon Betty Wright (“Let Me Be Your Lovemaker”), Joint Effort is a must own for any self-respecting Humble Pie fan. The album comes packaged with full liner notes and rare photos on both CD as well as vinyl in your choice of purple or white! Available everywhere February 8.

Track List:
1. Think
2. This Ol' World
3. Midnight Of My Life
4. Let Me Be Your Lovemaker
5. Rain
6. Snakes & Ladders
7. Good Thing
8. A Minute Of Your Time
9. Charlene
10. Think 2

Buy the CD: https://cleorecs.com/store/shop/humble-pie-joint-effort-cd/
Buy the vinyl: https://cleorecs.com/store/shop/humble-pie-joint-effort-limited-edition-colored-lp/
Buy the digital: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/joint-effort/1449779979

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


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Richard Wright & Dave Harris – Zee "Identity" Deluxe Box Set Now Available For Pre-order

Zee feat. Pink Floyd's Rick Wright & Fashion's Dave Harris “Identity” Deluxe Box Set Includes Signed Remastered CDs & Posters

London - One of the most intriguing pop music partnerships of the eighties makes it's return – RICK WRIGHT, one of the founder members of PINK FLOYD and who played keyboards on their multi-million selling albums joined forces with DAVE (formerly DEE) HARRIS, best known to music fans as the former singer and guitarist with electro-funk band Fashion. The two, collectively known as ZEE's version of their album, IDENTITY is to be released this year. The album which was recorded at Wright's home studio and Utopia Studios in North London in 82 / 83, utilizes the Fairlight Computer, which has the ability to recreate the sound of any musical instrument.

The new partnership was born out of a Greek holiday that Rick Wright had in 1981. It was there that he met Raf Ravenscroft the well-known saxophonist session musician whose playing graced Gerry Rafferty’s huge hit “Baker Street.”

“Raf was interested in forming a band, and we got talking in the way musicians do,” Rick said. “When we got back to England we met again, along with several other musicians, including Dave Harris. We had some rehearsal time at a studio in Battersea but we weren't getting anywhere, mainly because no one had any material.”

At that time Dave Harris has just left Fashion – “I supposed you could put it down to the usual 'musical differences' – and was looking for fresh ideas. My decision to leave Fashion was good for both the band and myself, but I really needed to work with someone so that we could bounce ideas of each other,” Dave says. “It became more and more obvious that Rick and I would work well together, and eventually that is what happened. The other guys who had been initially involved understood that too, and in the end it was Rick and myself writing together.”

Rick and Dave started working on the “Identity” album as far back as September 1982, initially at Rick's small studio in the country, before moving on to Utopia six months later to do the overdubs. Unfortunately certain legal problems had to be ironed out first – and then there was also the question of mastering the Fairlight: “We spent hours and hours just experimenting with it at first,” Rick recalled. “The great thing about the Fairlight is that every time you go back to it you learn something else. We had to get control over it though because it would have been very easy just to have ended up making funny noises. We spent several weeks sequencing and scripting everything but it was all worth it in the end.”

He added “For me it is exciting working with Dave because there were things that he was doing that I had not done before and vice versa. I think that Zee has given us musical opportunities that quite frankly neither of us were able to explore in our previous groups.”

Dave Harris says, “When we started recording it, we didn't have any pre-conceived ideas of how it should be done, and we certainly didn't try to create a sound. The whole thing just evolved quite naturally. There will probably be a lot of Pink Floyd fans interested in what Rick had been doing, and equally I'm sure that a lot of Fashion's followers will want to know what I've been up to.”

Finally Zee is getting the deluxe treatment so many other seminal back catalogue releases have had done.

To pre-order: https://burningshed.com/zee_identity_boxset?filter_name=zee&filter_sub_category=true

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