Longtime fan of Todd Rundgren Julie Dye attended his show in Cleveland on May 6th and presented Todd with a Braille version of his book “The Individualist” that Chelsea, her blind daughter, had made by hand.
As the first leg of the current White Album Tribute tour featuring Todd Rundgren, Micky Dolenz, Christopher Cross, Joey Molland and Jason Scheff was ending in Washington, DC on October 20th, Todd thought of presenting the book to the Library of Congress (specifically the National Library Service For The Blind And Disabled division).
A presentation at the Librarian of Congress Ceremonial Office was held the morning of October 21. Todd flew Julie and Chelsea to Washington to attend the DC concert and the ceremony the following morning.
The brief ceremony was held in the Librarian’s Ceremonial Office at the historic Thomas Jefferson Building of the Library Of Congress on Capitol Hill. The Library was represented by Karen Keninger, Director of the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled, Jason Yasner, Deputy Director of the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled, and Mark Sweeney, Principal Deputy Librarian Of Congress.
The second leg of the White Album Tribute tour resumes on November 30th in Pittsburgh.
Ahead of the release on 25th October, of the new solo album, All This Will Be Yours from Bruce Soord, the multi-instrumentalist, songwriter and frontman for The Pineapple Thief, Soord has revealed his video for the title track.
The new album, described by Soord as an observational record, it is inspired by the joy felt by the birth of his third child juxtaposed by the local deprivation in his hometown and with the release of the title track Soord explores these themes more “This song was literally inspired by walking with my new-born daughter in my hometown of Yeovil. I love my hometown, but it's got its fair share of problems. I was taken by the contrast of this smiling soul staring up from her pram, surrounded by lost souls. Drunks, addicts, the hopeless. Near me is a notorious drug den. No windows, no electricity, no running water. But nevertheless, it is a hive of activity. Lifeless addicts drifting in and out. So our only choice was 'to push past 158'. Myself, turning a blind eye. The community turning a blind eye. But don't get me wrong, I love my hometown. And the people in it. All this will be hers.”
Bruce continues “The video was created by George Laycock and produced by Blacktide Phonic/Visual, who I’ve worked with previously, was shot in London rather than Yeovil as a way of, hopefully, reflecting the universal themes of the song. Talking of the themes, they are not universally bleak. There is plenty to be worried about. But there really is plenty to be hopeful for as well”.
Tracklisting: 1. The Secrets I Know [02:24] 2. Our Gravest Threat Apart [04:14] 3. The Solitary Path Of A Convicted Man [03:44] 4. All This Will Be Yours [06:04] 5. Time Does Not Exist[03:33] 6. One Misstep [04:00] 7. You Hear The Voices[06:54] 8. Cut The Flowers[04:35] 9. One Day I Will Leave You [05:17]
All This Will Be Yours will be released on CD, LP, digitally and as a deluxe hardback book 3 disc edition featuring the album on CD, with an extra CD of acoustic re-workings and bonus studio tracks plus a DVD with All This Will Be Yours as a Hi-res 24/88 WAV stereo album, Hi res 24/88 WAV acoustic album and Hi res 24/88 WAV bonus studio tracks, all of which will also be available in 24/88 DTS 5.1 surround. PRE-ORDER AVAILABLE HERE https://brucesoord.lnk.to/AllThisWillBeYours
“He’s created something remarkable” - Classic Rock
“A journey that would please fans of Floyd and Steven Wilson” - Total Guitar
“Soord has genuinely created something truly outstanding” - Prog
“Deceptively simple, emotionally rich, this album shows Soord at the peak of his powers” - Echoes and Dust
Bruce Soord has confirmed he’ll be supporting his new album with live shows beginning early next year – look out for more dates to be announced soon:
Jan 25 – NL – De Cacaofabriek, Popzaal, Helmond Mar 20-21 – NL – Prognosis Festival – Eindhoven
THE PINEAPPLE THIEF will be playing their first ever North America tour in November and December 2019: Nov 19 - Atlanta, GA - Variety Playhouse Nov 20 - Charlotte, NC - Neighborhood Theatre Nov 21 - Baltimore, MD - Baltimore Soundstage Nov 22 - Philadelphia, PA - Union Transfer Nov 23 - New York City, NY - Sony Hall Nov 24 - Boston, MA - The Sinclair Nov 26 - Quebec City, Canada - Palais Montcalm Nov 27 - Montreal, Canada - Corona Theatre Nov 28 - Toronto, Canada - Mod Club Nov 29 - Cleveland, OH - Beachland Ballroom Nov 30 - Detroit, MI - The Crofoot Ballroom Dec 1 - Chicago, IL - Bottom Lounge Dec 3 - Guadalajara, Mexico - C3 Stage Dec 4 - Mexico City, Mexico - Lunario del Auditorio Nacional Dec 6 - Englewood, CO - Gothic Theatre Dec 8 - Phoenix, AZ - Crescent Ballroom Dec 9 - Los Angeles, CA - El Rey Theatre Dec 10 - San Francisco, CA - Slim's Dec 12 - Portland, OR - Hawthorne Theatre Dec 13 - Vancouver, BC, Canada - Rickshaw Theatre Dec 14 - Seattle, WA - Neumos
Bruce Soord online: Facebook, twitter & Instagram: @bsoord
Giving an official release to some wonderful historic concerts previously only available to a few people, keyboard legend Rick Wakeman is releasing Box Of Boots: Set of 10 Live CDs: Official Bootleg Series on December 2, 2019. This is a response to these concerts being heavily bootlegged throughout the years and continuing the trend of Frank Zappa, Bob Dylan, Neil Young, Pearl Jam... Rick has decided to make stand against the bootleggers and supply official bootlegs which have been cleaned up in the studio, packaged in a great way at a fraction of the price saving fans from buying them off the black market!
The box set is a limited edition of 1,000 units. Each contains a signed and numbered certificate.
The box set contains:
Boston USA 1974 Live At Boston Music Hall, Boston, MA October 5th 1974
Osaka Japan 1975 Journey To The Centre Of The Earth Koseinekin Hall, Osaka Japan, 21st January 1975
Vienna, Austria 1976 Vienna Ensemble 1976 Live In Vienna Kurhalle, Oberlaa
Preston UK 1981 Live at Guildhall Preston, November 16th 1981
Sheffield UK 1981 Live at the City Hall Sheffield, UK November 21st 1981
Daphne Du Maurier Festival UK 2001 17th January 2001
Tokyo Japan 2008 Solo Performance in Tokyo 2008
Rick Wakeman and the English Rock Ensemble Cropredy, UK 2010 Live at Cropredy Festival, Oxfordshire, UK, 2010
Tokyo Japan 2014 International Forum Hall, Tokyo 1st July 2014
Osaka Japan 2014 Sankei Hall 30th June 2014
Release date 2nd December 2019
Keyboardist, songwriter, producer, television and radio presenter, and author, Rick Wakeman is best known for his work with progressive rock band YES, which spans across five tenures between 1971 and 2004 and for his solo albums released in the 1970s. Wakeman's discography includes over 90 solo albums that range from several musical styles. He has made many television and radio appearances; in recent years he became known for his contributions to the BBC comedy series “Grumpy Old Men,” “Watchdog” and his radio show on Planet Rock that aired from 2005 to 2010. Wakeman has written three books; an autobiography and two memoirs. In 2017, Wakeman was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of YES.
Gonzo Multimedia is releasing the highly anticipated debut studio album from Rodney Matthews and Jeff Scheetz with Oliver Wakeman titled “Trinity” and is now available for pre-order.
World renowned British fantasy artist and drummer Rodney Matthews and American rock guitarist and Director of Education at TrueFire Jeff Scheetz, along with British award-winning composer and former Yes keyboardist Oliver Wakeman are to release a prog rock album inspired by Matthews’ fantastical images.
Having illustrated over 140 rock album covers Matthews knew who to call upon to play across the ten eclectic tracks composed and arranged by himself, Scheetz, Wakeman and TV/film composer and multi-instrumentalist Pete Coleman. The stellar line-up also includes none other than legendary Yes keyboardist Rick Wakeman on the title track, three bass players – Asia FJP’s John Payne, Magnum’s Tony Clarkin and in-demand jazz/blues/rock session player Steve Amadeo – and world class saxophonist Charles McNeal, plus vocals by Sarah Prothero and narration by Mark A. Williams.
The distinctive styles and diversity of contributions from these musicians lends perfectly to the largely instrumental album, encapsulating in music, images both familiar and new, from the thunderous ‘Heavy Metal Hero’ and dramatic ‘Night on the Bare Mountain’ to the majestic ‘Mirador’ and ethereal ‘Trinity’ (and everything in-between).
The album will be available on CD and double Vinyl with bonus tracks. Also, for collectors, both will be included in a lavish limited-edition boxed set, accompanied by Matthews’ illustrated guide to the artwork, two giclée prints and a set of eleven postcards.
Of the album, many years in the making, Matthews says: “I’ve waited all my life to record an album, to do so with this group of high calibre musicians was beyond my wildest dreams - and trust me, being a fantasy artist, I can dream pretty wild!”
Signed Postcards Available With This Release While Stocks Last!
A Gorgeous 2CD/1DVD Set of Anthony Phillips' Brand New Album!
Featuring an NTSC / Region Free DVD of a New 5.1 Surround Sound Mix by Anthony Phillips & James Collins
Esoteric Antenna is pleased to announce the release of “Strings Of Light”, the beautiful new album by GENESIS founding member ANTHONY PHILLIPS.
For his first new album in seven years Anthony has composed and recorded the twenty-four pieces of music on this album, which span two CDs, utilizing the many beautiful and rare guitars in his collection, all of which have made “Strings Of Light” one of the finest instrumental guitar albums of Anthony’s long and acclaimed career as a musician and composer.
This set is made even more special by the inclusion of a 5.1 Surround Sound mix of album on a DVD (NTSC / Region Free). After a seven year absence of new recorded work, “Strings Of Light” is a welcome return and a fine album by a legendary musician.
TRACK LISTING
DISC ONE: CD
1. JOUR DE FÊTE 2. DIAMOND MEADOWS 3. CAPRICE IN THREE 4. CASTLE RUINS 5. MERMAIDS AND WINE MAIDENS 6. WINTER LIGHTS 7. SONG FOR ANDY 8. PILGRIMAGE OF GRACE 9. SKIES CRYING 10. MOUSE TRIP 11. RESTLESS HEART 12. STILL RAIN
DISC TWO CD
1. INTO THE VOID 2. ANDEAN EXPLORER 3. MYSTERY TALE 4. SUNSET RIVERBANK 5. TALE ENDER 6. SHORELINE 7. DAYS GONE BY 8. CRYSTALLINE 9. FLEUR-DE-LYS 10. GRAND TOUR 11. HOME ROAD 12. LIFE STORY
DISC THREE: DVD
1. JOUR DE FÊTE (5.1 SURROUND MIX) 2. DIAMOND MEADOWS (5.1 SURROUND MIX) 3. CAPRICE IN THREE (5.1 SURROUND MIX) 4. CASTLE RUINS (5.1 SURROUND MIX) 5. MERMAIDS AND WINE MAIDENS (5.1 SURROUND MIX) 6. WINTER LIGHTS (5.1 SURROUND MIX) 7. SONG FOR ANDY (5.1 SURROUND MIX) 8. PILGRIMAGE OF GRACE (5.1 SURROUND MIX) 9. SKIES CRYING (5.1 SURROUND MIX) 10. MOUSE TRIP (5.1 SURROUND MIX) 11. RESTLESS HEART (5.1 SURROUND MIX) 12. STILL RAIN (5.1 SURROUND MIX) 13. INTO THE VOID (5.1 SURROUND MIX)) 14. ANDEAN EXPLORER (5.1 SURROUND MIX) 15. MYSTERY TALE (5.1 SURROUND MIX) 16. SUNSET RIVERBANK (5.1 SURROUND MIX) 17. TALE ENDER (5.1 SURROUND MIX) 18. SHORELINE (5.1 SURROUND MIX) 19. DAYS GONE BY (5.1 SURROUND MIX) 20. CRYSTALLINE (5.1 SURROUND MIX) 21. FLEUR-DE-LYS (5.1 SURROUND MIX) 22. GRAND TOUR (5.1 SURROUND MIX) 23. HOME ROAD (5.1 SURROUND MIX) 24. LIFE STORY (5.1 SURROUND MIX)
The Inner Road is the creation of Steve Gresswell and Phil Braithwaite, two former members of the band Coalition who joined forces to fulfill their own musical needs. On March 1, 2019, they released their fourth album The Majestic Garden. The album, along with other works of theirs, falls into the genre of progressive rock: originally a movement in the ’70's to bring new elements of sophistication to rock music. The genre gains inspiration from psychedelic music from the ’60s, often containing uncommon song structures, interludes, and heightened dynamics. The Majestic Garden is a wonderful example of prog that portrays its unique characteristics while also contributing to the genre with the addition of a fantastical layer to their music.
A key characteristic of The Majestic Garden that sets it apart from other prog music is the usage of musical elements to suggest a fantastical setting in each song. While other prog bands like Pink Floyd and Genesis sway their audience with compelling melodies and lyrics, The Inner Road sways theirs with the atmosphere they create. The Majestic Garden transports you to a magical forest populated with giants, trolls, and faeries, you’ll feel like you’re in the middle of a high fantasy story. This is likely due to the repetition of minor scales ascending to the fifth interval and then descending, mostly seen during “Call of the Spirit” and “Water Well.” Minor scales are infamous for providing a spooky and ominous atmosphere. When they’re used as the melody of multiple songs, it causes the album to feel nothing short of supernatural. The repetition of the scale going up and down also generates a mood of suspense; the listeners hear this melody and expect it to change like usual, but it remains constant for a long portion of the song. The anticipation of a melody change sparks suspense into their listeners, a characteristic also extremely prominent in high fantasy.
To add, a large contributing factor to the atmosphere of this album is the irregular rhythm in each song. For example, the rhythm section of the title track “The Majestic Garden” begins by playing four monotonous quarter notes, assisting in the creation of an upbeat melody and an inspirational ambiance. However, in the second track “Call of the Spirit,” the melody is much darker and ominous. This is reinforced by the rhythm section, whose dynamics are heightened at the beginning of the song when they play two strong quarter notes at the end of each measure. The rhythm of each song differs, either becoming more complex like in “Lost Land” or becoming more simplistic such as in “Mother Earth.” The continuous transformation from the rhythm section assists in the feeling of multiple events with different levels of significance occurring one after the other as if the album were telling a story.
If you want to be immersed in a world similar to that of Lord of the Rings or Dungeons and Dragons, The Majestic Garden by The Inner Road is the album for you. With the assistance of musical elements such as the use of minor scales and the irregularity of the rhythm in each song, The Majestic Garden contributes to prog by adding a layer of fantasy that had been rarely seen before in the genre.
Key tracks Include: "Call of The Spirit" "The Majestic Garden" "Mother Earth" “Fire of Life”
Ana McLaughlin-Contributor
October 3, 2019 Tracks: 1. The Majestic Garden 2. Call of the Spirit 3. Wind from the Reeds 4. Fire of Life 5. Lost Land 6. Changing Sea 7. Water Well 8. Mother Earth 9. Circle of Shadows
Available on 12-inch vinyl, CD single and digitally!
Prog legends Nektar have released their first single “SkyWriter” B/W “Devil's Door” in October from their eagerly anticipated forthcoming new album “The Other Side”! This is the first new studio album by Nektar made in the United States since 1977!
The original members of Nektar; Derek “Mo” Moore, Ron Howden, and Mick Brockett are back. They've added Ryche Chlanda from Fireballet and the 78' band, Randy Dembo from the 2005 band, and newcomer and world-class keyboard player, Kendall Scott.
The music for Nektar's new album “The Other Side” comes from the 1978 era when they were writing in Mo's basement in Chatham, New Jersey. This music was put on pause for the last 40 YEARS and it's now time to release it with new input and fresh ideas. The music is growing exponentially as Nektar continue rehearsing and writing and letting it take the band to new heights.
Of the new single, Mo explains, “'Sky Pilot' I wrote in 1978 but did not like it so much, it was OK but not finished. Ryche switched it around and wrote the music for the verse and it became 'SkyWriter' which I love. Words are by Ryche, Mick and myself. It's a story of a guy whose significant other...wife, girlfriend, mother, dies and he is up in the sky writing letters which he hopes she will see. All part of “The Other Side” concept. By the way it does not say he was flying IN anything, I will leave that to your imagination.”
The b-side of the single “'Devils Door' was an old 1974 song we played in a couple of concerts back in the day but we never finished it, I think the chorus was a little too high and we had never taken it into the studio to finish it. Ryche, Mick and I wrote lyrics for it and got it ready to record. While we were getting ready I realized that Roye Albrighton's introduction guitar sounded great, I suggested starting off the song with it which was enthusiastically received by all. It became a great piece of music and the beginning vocal even sounds like Roye. The story is of flying near the and flying away from the Devils Door which is beyond the Other Side...”
The 12-inch Vinyl and CD single will first be available at ProgStock, which the band will be performing - October 11th – 13th. Nektar's new album will be released on Esoteric Records in the UK in January 2020.
The Vinyl will include: “SkyWriter” in its longer form 7:53 (A-side) “Devils Door” 8:09 (B-side)
CD digipack will include: “SkyWriter” in its longer form 7:53 “Devils Door” 8:09 “SkyWriter” Radio Edit 5:20
Opening guitar on “Devils Door” is by Roye Albrighton cover art is by Helmut Wenske
Thank you from all of us at Nektar..... Derek, Ron, Mick, Ryche, Randy, and Kendall
To purchase Nektar's new single “SkyWriter” B/W “Devil's Door”:www.nektarsmusic.com
