Rick Wakeman & Gordon Giltrap “From Brush & Stone” Limited Edition 180GM Clear Vinyl Available For Pre-order

CLEAR VINYL Signed by both Rick Wakeman and Gordon Giltrap - Limited to 250 Copies

“From Brush & Stone” is a studio album by guitarist Gordon Giltrap and keyboardist Rick Wakeman. The album is the first opportunity to record together for Gordon Giltrap and Rick Wakeman. Both are longtime friends who have been on separate musical paths for forty years.

“Having known Gordon for more years than we both care to remember and having great admiration for both his musical and technical ability plus his unique style of composing, it was a no-brainer for us to produce this album together. Logically, I played exactly what I felt was needed on Gordon’s compositions and he played exactly what he felt was needed on mine - another no-brainer. It’s one of those albums where every time you listen to it you discover something new in the music. Each track evokes a different emotion for the listener which indeed it did for Gordon and myself when we recorded the tracks. An album I think we can be rightly proud of.” – Rick Wakeman

“In 1963 at age 15 I was forced to leave school by my well-meaning father, suggesting that I learn a trade thus abandoning any hope I had of going to art college. Since becoming a writer of tunes I think subconsciously I have been using music as my creative canvas. I have always found that paintings have been a great source of inspiration culminating in 1976 with the William Blake inspired Visionary album and then in 1981 with Peacock Party followed by the Pre-Raphaelite inspired Brotherhood Suite. When the opportunity came along to make an album with my old friend and towering keyboard genius Rick Wakeman I put forward my Brotherhood Suite as a concept and starting point. Rick responded very positively and came back with his idea of classical sculpture as an inspiration. This he did superbly. I was given the luxury of time to work on his compositions, about 6 months in fact, and I hope I did justice to his creations. It was and continues to be an honour to have worked with one of the great Godfathers of progressive rock.” - Gordon Giltrap

Tracklist:
Side One 1. The Savannah Bird 2. Caesar Augustus 3. The Kiss 4. Hermes
Side Two 1. The Thinker 2. David 3. The Discus Thrower 4. The Last of England Spring
Side Three 1. The Death of Chatterton 2. The Light of the World 3. World 4. By Angle Tarn 5. Maddie Goes West
Side Four (Previously Unreleased) 1. A Dublin Day 2. Down The River 3. Isabella's Wedding

Personnel:
Gordon Giltrap - guitars
Rick Wakeman - keyboards
Production
Produced by Erik Jordan, Gordon Giltrap and Rick Wakeman.
Guitar recording sessions engineered by Paul White at Malvern Studios.
Keyboard recording sessions engineered by Erik Jordan at Pavilion Studios.
Mixed by Erik Jordan at Jordan Audio Studios.
Artwork by Jan Leytham-Gain.
Additional photography by Lee Wilkinson.
Special thanks to Malcolm 'Mad Malc' Welch.

To pre-order:
https://www.rickwakemansmusicemporium.com/products/rick-wakeman-and-gordon-giltrap-from-brush-and-stone-vinyl

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

Soft Machine’s THEO TRAVIS “AELOUS” One Hour Duduk Meditation CD/Blu-ray Featuring Production and Soundscapes by Steven Wilson Available September 6th, 2024

• Theo Travis is widely known due to his work with his own bands and (among others) Soft Machine, Steven Wilson, Robert Fripp, Gong, Porcupine Tree and many more
• Theo’s previous releases of duduk music on YouTube have become something of a sensation. The piece “Ancient Soul, Modern Times” (which is included on the Blu-ray) has amassed over 1 million listens
• Steven Wilson is one of the world’s most sought-after producers, mix engineers and remixers of multi-channel Surround Sound and Dolby Atmos audio
• Both artists enjoy a significant fan-base

When Theo Travis began experimenting with long-form improvised instrumentals for duduk - a woodwind instrument from Armenia sometimes described as ‘the saddest sounding instrument in the world’ - he could hardly have imagined a world in which such a one-hour piece would clock up in excess of a million plays on YouTube. Yet that is precisely what happened, with the multi-functional music finding fans purely in its own terms as well as for an array of uses from meditation to yoga, to relaxation and more. Something about the sound, the performances, the context, found, built and maintained a much wider audience than most, far more mainstream music. All of this was achieved without hype, marketing or a dedicated record label supporting the release.

Extending the idea, earlier this year Theo worked with producer Steven Wilson, (who has previously mixed and mastered many of Theo’s solo recordings and in whose band Theo has played) to produce a new duduk improvisation in multi-channel audio as well as stereo, with soundscapes assembled by Steven Wilson from Theo’s alto flute playing. The result is a stunning and utterly unique piece of work which helps to define new possibilities for so-called “immersive audio”, without losing focus on the pure sound and inherent musicality of the duduk improvisations which have struck such a chord with a wide and growing audience online.

The new piece “Aeolus” (again, one hour long) appears in Dolby Atmos, DTS-HD MA 5.1 Surround Sound and 24/96 high resolution stereo on the Blu-ray and in standard 16/44 audio on the accompanying CD.

Watch the promotional trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z0ceR1EkiO4

TRACKLISTING:

CD:
Aeolus (60mins)

Blu-ray:
Aeolus (60 mins)
Dolby Atmos, DTS-HD MA Surround (5.1) & 24/96 LPCM stereo

Aeolus (4 min edit)
24/96 LPCM stereo.

Ancient Soul, Modern Times (60 mins)
24/96 LPCM stereo.

AEOLUS: Composed by Theo Travis and Steven Wilson
Theo Travis – Duduk and Alto flute
Steven Wilson – Production & Soundscapes

Ancient Soul, Modern Times: Composed by Theo Travis
Theo Travis – Duduk & Soundscapes

To pre-order: https://burningshed.com/theo-travis_aeolus_cd_blu-ray?filter_name=aeolus&filter_sub_category=true

For more information: https://www.theotravis.com/

For further information, please contact: info@panegyric.net

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

DELUXE HARDBACK BOOK EDITION OF PORCUPINE TREE'S ICONIC 2007 ALBUM FEAR OF A BLANK PLANET ANNOUNCED

SET FOR RELEASE ON 25th OCTOBER 2024 ON THE TRANSMISSION LABEL

PRE-ORDER THE NEW 2024 6-DISC EDITION OF PORCUPINE TREE’S FEAR OF A BLANK PLANET

London label Transmission have announced a new edition of Porcupine Tree’s Grammy-nominated 2007 album Fear Of A Blank Planet. With a 112-page hardback book, five CDs, and a Blu-ray disc, the new edition includes remasters of Fear Of A Blank Planet and the Nil Recurring mini album, approximately 55 minutes of previously unreleased demos, an early live performance of a still work-in-progress version of the album, as well as BBC and instore session recordings - the most complete collection of the album and related material to date.

The set consists of:

112-Page Hardback Book: The centrepiece of this collection is a 112-page book, with an in-depth examination of the process of creating the album by Stephen Humphries with interviews, alongside rare photographs from photographers Lasse Hoile & Carl Glover.

Disc 1 (CD): 2024 remaster of Fear Of A Blank Planet.

Disc 2 (CD): 2024 remaster of Nil Recurring EP.

Disc 3 (CD): Approx 55 minutes of previously unreleased demos by both band and Steven Wilson, offering a rare insight into the creative process for the album, including 2 tracks not recorded for the final album.

Disc 4 (CD): A live recording of a work-in-progress version of the album made at The Garage, Saarbrucken on 23rd September 2006, while the band were still refining and developing the material.  This has been mixed from the multitrack tapes for the first time for this edition.

Disc 5 (CD): A 5 track BBC radio session (Maida Vale Studios, 13th April 2007) plus an 8-song acoustic / unplugged in-store performance from Park Avenue, Orlando (4th October 2007).

Disc 6 (Blu-ray): Includes remastered stereo and 5.1 surround sound mixes of Fear Of A Blank Planet and Nil Recurring, as well as a new 2024 documentary - 'The Making of Fear Of A Blank Planet'. Also features 3 music videos, 3 songs performed live on film at The Palladium, Koln (4th December 2007) and 2 live visual films (‘Sleep Together’ and ‘Anesthetize’).

WATCH THE TRAILER FOR FEAR OF A BLANK PLANET 2024

"An aggressively modern merger of Rush’s arena art rock, U.K. prog classicism —especially Pink Floyd and King Crimson — and the post-grunge vengeance of Tool" - Rolling Stone

Originally released in 2007, Fear Of A Blank Planet is Porcupine Tree's ninth studio album and both band and fans alike consider it to be a high point in their catalogue. Their biggest selling album at the time, it was the band’s first album to break into the Billboard Top 100 in the USA as well as charting significantly across Europe, earning them a Grammy nomination in the process. The album includes guest appearances from Robert Fripp (King Crimson) & Rush guitarist Alex Lifeson and featured in Rolling Stone Magazine’s Greatest Prog Albums Of All Time as well as being named Classic Rock’s Album of the Year in 2007.

A concept album inspired by the Bret Easton Ellis novel Lunar Park, Fear Of A Blank Planet’s lyrics address how the adolescent protagonist battles his terminal boredom and attention-deficit disorders with a regimen of prescription drugs, TV, computer gaming, mindless violence, empty sex, and self-harm.

Photo by Carl Glover

Following the release of Fear Of A Blank Planet in 2007, Porcupine Tree solidified their reputation as one of the rock’s most celebrated bands with their 2009 release The Incident garnering critical acclaim and earning the band another Grammy nomination. After a significant hiatus while members moved on to other projects, 2022’s highly anticipated return with Closure/Continuation demonstrated the band's unwavering commitment to pushing the boundaries of their sound.

FEAR OF A BLANK PLANET DELUXE TRACKLISTING

DISC 1
1. Fear Of A Blank Planet (2024 Remaster) [07:28]
2. My Ashes (2024 Remaster) [05:09]
3. Anesthetize (2024 Remaster) [17:52]
4. Sentimental (2024 Remaster) [05:26]
5. Way Out Of Here (2024 Remaster) [07:37]
6. Sleep Together (2024 Remaster) [07:28]

DISC 2
1. Nil Recurring (2024 Remaster) [06:15]
2. Normal (2024 Remaster) [07:08]
3. Cheating The Polygraph (2024 Remaster) [07:10]
4. What Happens Now? (2024 Remaster) [08:24]
5. Fear Of A Blank Planet (Tour Live intro) [02:02]

DISC 3
1. Fear Of A Blank Planet (Demo) [07:01]
2. My Ashes (Demo) [05:09]
3. Anesthetize (Demo) [16:49]
4. Sentimental (Demo) [05:03]
5. Cheating The Polygraph (Demo) [07:07]
6. Sleep Together (Demo) [07:26]
7. Always Recurring (Demo) [03:49]
8. Hey Sleeper (Demo) [03:36]

DISC 4
1. Fear Of A Blank Planet (Live at Garage, Saarbrucken, 23 September 2006) [09:05]
2. My Ashes (Live at Garage, Saarbrucken, 23 September 2006) [05:44]
3. Anesthetize (Live at Garage, Saarbrucken, 23 September 2006) [17:12]
4. Sentimental (Live at Garage, Saarbrucken, 23 September 2006) [05:07]
5. Cheating The Polygraph (Live at Garage, Saarbrucken, 23 September 2006) [06:58]
6. Sleep Together (Live at Garage, Saarbrucken, 23 September 2006) [08:11]

DISC 5
1. Blackest Eyes (BBC Session, Maida Vale, 13 April 2007) [04:27]
2. Fear Of A Blank Planet (BBC Session, Maida Vale, 13 April 2007) [07:29]
3. Sleep Together (BBC Session, Maida Vale, 13 April 2007) [07:20]
4. The Pills I'm Taking (BBC Session, Maida Vale, 13 April 2007) [05:58]
5. Halo (BBC Session, Maida Vale, 13 April 2007) [05:42]
6. The Sky Moves Sideways (Live in-store performance, Park Avenue, Orlando, 4 October 2007) [04:02]
7. Even Less (Live in-store performance, Park Avenue, Orlando, 4 October 2007) [03:27]
8. Stars Die (Live in-store performance, Park Avenue, Orlando, 4 October 2007) [04:34]
9. Waiting (Live in-store performance, Park Avenue, Orlando, 4 October 2007) [03:52]
10. Normal (Live in-store performance, Park Avenue, Orlando, 4 October 2007) [04:52]
11. Drown With Me (Live in-store performance, Park Avenue, Orlando, 4 October 2007) [04:09]
12. Lazarus (Live in-store performance, Park Avenue, Orlando, 4 October 2007) [04:06]
13. Trains (Live in-store performance, Park Avenue, Orlando, 4 October 2007) [04:28]

DISC 6
1. Fear Of A Blank Planet (5.1) [07:28]
2. My Ashes (5.1) [05:09]
3. Anesthetize (5.1) [17:52]
4. Sentimental (5.1) [05:26]
5. Way Out Of Here (5.1) [07:37]
6. Sleep Together (5.1) [07:28]
7. Nil Recurring (5.1) [06:15]
8. Normal (5.1) [07:08]
9. Cheating The Polygraph (5.1) [07:10]
10. What Happens Now? (5.1) [08:24]
11. Fear Of A Blank Planet (Video) [04:19]
12. Way Out Of Here (Video) [04:17]
13. Normal (Video) [03:52]
14. Sleep Together (Live Visual Film) [07:32]
15. Anesthetize (Live Visual Film) [17:14]
16. Fear Of A Blank Planet (Video - Live at Palladium, Koln, 4 December 2007) [08:37]
17. Anesthetize (Video - Live at Palladium, Koln, 4 December 2007) [17:14]
18. Sleep Together (Video - Live at Palladium, Koln, 4 December 2007) [08:03]
19. The Making Of Fear Of A Blank Planet (Documentary Film) [48:23]

The new edition of Fear Of A Blank Planet will be released on Transmission on 25th October 2024. Pre-order here: https://porcupinetree.lnk.to/FOABP_DeluxeFA

Porcupine Tree / Facebook / Instagram / X / Spotify / Apple Music / Youtube

Transmission / Website / Instagram / X

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

King Crimson “Sheltering Skies (Live in Fréjus, August 27th 1982)” First Release on Vinyl & Standalone CD of the Complete Concert Available September 6, 2024

• First release on vinyl of a 1980s King Crimson concert
• First standalone CD release of the complete concert
• The complete concert from Fréjus, France taken from the original multi-track tapes by Robert Fripp & Brad Davis.
• Additional performance of ‘The Sheltering Sky’ at Cap d’Agde also included
• Vinyl cut by Jason Mitchell at Loud Mastering
• Pressed on 200-gram vinyl & presented in a gatefold sleeve.
• CD mastered by Alex R. Mundy at DGM

Featuring:
Robert Fripp: Guitar
Adrian Belew: Guitar, Lead Vocal
Tony Levin: Stick, Bass Guitar and Support Vocal
Bill Bruford: Drums and Percussion

There’s a palpable sense of energy and enthusiasm from the audience captured on the tapes at this concert as King Crimson (sharing a European tour with then label band mates Roxy Music) take to the stage in Fréjus, France, in late Summer, 1982. With two albums’ worth of material to draw upon (Discipline, Oct 1981 & Beat, June 1982) & extensive touring that had already seen the band play concerts in the UK, Europe, USA & Japan, the live shows - as often with King Crimson – had a dynamism & punch that simply couldn’t be replicated in a recording studio. Add a pair of classic KC instrumentals, (Red & Larks’ Tongues in Aspic Part Two), to that mix & all the ingredients were there for a very special performance.

Recorded initially for a video release, the audio from the concert has, inexplicably, never been issued as a standalone release. Nor has a live album from the 1980s line-up previously appeared on vinyl. “Sheltering Skies” presents the complete King Crimson performance across 2LPs pressed on 200-gram vinyl or a single CD, both completed with the addition of the recording of ‘The Sheltering Sky’ from the previous night’s concert at Cap d’Agde. The 1980s King Crimson was, in terms of concert performances/album releases, still less than a year old when this album was recorded. The collective decades of experience of the individual musicians is funneled through the enthusiasm & freshness of the line-up & the newness of the material to produce a special concert recording.

While King Crimson material from this period is always in demand, with the forthcoming US tour by Beat (King Crimson’s Adrian Belew & Tony Levin, joined by guitarist Steve Vai & Tool drummer Danny Carey), performing the material from that period, there is increased interest in hearing this material as it was originally performed.

For more information: www.dgmlive.com

TRACKLISTING:

Sheltering Skies (Live in Fréjus, August 27th, 1982)

Side A:
1 Thela Hun Ginjeet
2 Matte Kudasai
3 Indiscipline

Side B:
1 Red
2 Heartbeat
3 The Sheltering Sky

Side C:
1 Elephant Talk
2 Neal and Jack and Me
3 Waiting Man

Side D:
1 Larks’ Tongues In Aspic: Part II
2 The Sheltering Sky (Cap d’Agde)

1CD - Running order as above

To pre-order:
2LP: https://burningshed.com/kingcrimson/king-crimson_sheltering-skies_double-vinyl

CD: https://burningshed.com/kingcrimson/king-crimson_sheltering-skies_cd

2LP & CD Bundle" https://burningshed.com/kingcrimson/king-crimson_sheltering-skies_cd-vinyl-bundle

For further information, please contact: info@panegyric.net

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

PROG ARTIST TIM BOWNESS’ NEW SINGLE ‘LOST/NOT LOST’ OUT TODAY

photo by Leon Barker

TAKEN FROM THE HIGHLY ANTICIPATED NEW ALBUM POWDER DRY (13th September)

“his voice is a tender marvel…a career peak” - 8/10 – CLASSIC ROCK

“a raw-edged revelation, a declaration of new and neoteric directions. Dynamite” - 4.5/5 – PROG MAGAZINE

“an exceptionally unified and hugely accessible body of work…a new beginning for the talented multi-instrumentalist.” - RECORD COLLECTOR

The new single from British singer, songwriter, producer and prog pioneer Tim Bowness is out today. The track, titled ‘Lost/Not Lost’, is one of the standout tracks from Tim’s new album Powder Dry, set for release on 13th September on Kscope. Speaking about the single, he said “Both musically and lyrically, Lost / Not Lost is the most direct song on Powder Dry. It’s a straight-ahead Electro-Pop piece with an optimistic lyric embracing escape and a spirit of abandon. It provides a sharp contrast to some of the bleak sentiments and troubled tales found elsewhere on the album. Like the rest of the music, it came together in a very natural and instinctive way. Clearly, I was in a rare good mood that day!”

Mixed by Bowness’s partner in no-man, Steven Wilson, the new single is accompanied by a pulsating and vivid new video produced by Blacktide Productions.

WATCH THE NEW VIDEO FOR LOST/NOT LOST BY BLACKTIDE PRODUCTIONS: https://youtu.be/m9WiOQi00mk

STREAM/DOWNLOAD ‘LOST/NOT LOST’: https://orcd.co/lost_not_lost_listen

Featuring 16 pieces over its restless 40-minute duration, Tim Bowness’s eighth studio album Powder Dry represents a new beginning on a new label.

A collection of acute contrasts, the album is a vibrantly accessible and wildly experimental genre-blurring assault, embracing Industrial Rock, Electro Pop, singer-songwriter directness, haunted carnival soundscapes and more.

Entirely produced, performed and written by Bowness (a first), Powder Dry was mixed (in stereo and Surround Sound) by Bowness’s partner in no-man (and The Album Years podcast), Steven Wilson, who also acted as Bowness’s sounding board during the mixing process.

“This is the best and most creative of all of Tim's albums.” - Steven Wilson

Powder Dry tracklist:
Rock Hudson
Lost / Not Lost
When Summer Comes
Idiots At Large
A Stand-Up For The Dying
Old Crawler
Heartbreak Notes
Ghost Of A Kiss
Summer Turned
You Can Always Disappear
Powder Dry
Films Of Our Youth
This Way Now
I Was There
The Film Of Your Youth
Built To Last

PRE-ORDER POWDER DRY LP/CD: https://TimBownessKscope.lnk.to/Powder_Dry

- Limited edition pink vinyl LP – exclusively available on the official Tim Bowness/Kscope store
- Limited edition yellow vinyl LP – available through indie retailers (w/ signed art print available from Rough Trade UK ONLY)
- Limited edition – 2-disc CD & DVD - includes DVD with 24-bit 48khz PCM stereo and 5.1 Dolby Digital mixes by Steven Wilson
- CD / LP / Digital
- Exclusive signed postcard included in all pre-orders from the Tim Bowness & Kscope store

TIM BOWNESS UPCOMING SHOWS:

SEP 13, 2024
Powder Dry release show
To celebrate the release of his new album Powder Dry, Tim Bowness will be performing at The Camden Club in London on 13th September with his band Butterfly Mind.

DEC 1, 2024
The Fiddler's Elbow, Camden, London NW5 3HS
Prog The Forest. Tim Bowness and Butterfly Mind will headline this year's Prog The Forest.

TICKETS ON SALE HERE https://burningshed.com/tim-bowness_the-camden-club_e-ticket

DOWNLOAD ALL IMAGES: https://kscopemusic.com/media/tim-bowness/

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
WEBSITE - https://timbowness.co.uk/
FACEBOOK - https://www.facebook.com/timbowness/
INSTAGRAM - https://www.instagram.com/timbownessmusic/
X - https://twitter.com/TimBowness
SPOTIFY - https://open.spotify.com/artist/1NuU5hoKx7uwK0FvOlDMMp
APPLE MUSIC - https://music.apple.com/us/artist/tim-bowness/15231295
YOUTUBE - https://www.youtube.com/@timbowness

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

Jon Anderson and The Band Geeks “TRUE” Released Today

“Counties and Countries” Video Premieres

After months of anticipation, the debut album from Jon Anderson and The Band Geeks, “TRUE”, is released today.  The nine-song album, produced by Jon and Richie Castellano, is the album YES fans worldwide have been waiting for since Jon’s departure from the band in 2008.  The album’s centerpieces are two epic tracks, the 16 and a half minute “Once Upon a Dream” and the nearly 10 minute “Counties and Countries”.  To celebrate today’s release, a video for “Counties and Countries” premieres today. See it here Jon Anderson & The Band Geeks “Counties and Countries” - Official Music https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-yNutgZWo5g

The video was created by Jon's co-producer and Band Geek member Richie Castellano and Jon’s long-time videographer Michael Byrne.

Jon and The Band Geeks commence leg 3 of their summer tour September 11 in Beverly, Mass.  All remaining dates are below:
9/11/2024 - Beverly MA- Cabot Theatre
9/13/2024 - Glenside PA- Keswick Theatre
9/15/2024 - Glenside PA- Keswick Theatre
9/19/2024 - Port Chester NY- Capitol Theatre *
9/21/2024 - Montclair NJ- Wellmont Theatre *
9/25/2024 - New London CT- Garde Arts Center
9/27/2024 - Staten Island NY- St George Theatre *
*w/Special Guests The Return of Emerson, Lake & Palmer

For more information:
Jon Anderson’s official website: www.JonAnderson.com
Band Geek official website: https://richiecastellano.com/bandgeek/
Jon Anderson YES Epics and Classics:
Website - http://jonandersonyesepicsandclassics.com/
Facebook - Jon Anderson YES Epics & Classics - https://www.facebook.com/jonandersonyesepicsandclassics/
Twitter - @JonYesEpic
Instagram - @jonandersonyesepicsandclassics
TikTok - @JonAndersonYESEpic
YouTube - Jon Anderson YES Epics & Classics - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIvSkw_3SAs1Yy2Ro68GzLw
Linkfire: https://ffm.to/jonandersontrue

Management:
Larry Mazer
Entertainment Services Unlimited
One Echelon Plaza, 227 Laurel Road, Suite 106
Voorhees, NJ 08043
P - 856.751.2223
C- 856-816-2820

Agent:
Steve Schenck | TKO
141 Halstead Avenue | 4th Fl.  Mamaroneck, NY  10543
PH: 914-346-8938
email: steveschenck@tkoco.com

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

Prog Rock Review: The Moody Blues’ John Lodge-Days of Future Past-My Sojourn

Release Date: ‎ April 12, 2024

Label: Deko Entertaiment https://www.dekoentertainment.com/

Website:  https://www.johnlodge.com/

What more can be said about the iconic figure, John Lodge? As a bass player, songwriter, and vocalist, he was a pivotal member of the progressive rock pioneers, The Moody Blues. This is the version of a story that began in the ’60s of an ordinary man and continues to this day with the release of the silver 180-gram vinyl edition of Days of Future Past-My Sojourn. 

 

This album is Lodge’s homage to the classic prog Moody Blues album Days of Future Past, a significant milestone in music history and a crucial part of prog rock's roots. With its unique sound quality and nostalgic appeal, the vinyl edition adds a new dimension to the listening experience, making it a must-have for any music enthusiast.

 

Listening to the original album, initially released in 1967 (remastered in 2017), it's astounding how it retains its relevance and influence even today. It set a timeless foundation for prog rock. While comparisons to the original are inevitable, my focus is on the enduring masterpiece that Mr. Lodge has created, a testament to the original's timeless influence. 

 

Performed in eight magnificent parts, Lodge plays his bass and sings like it was all those decades ago with a commitment, respect, and deep love for what he and his mates created. This will be a must-have record for all prog-rock enthusiasts and Moody fans. Hearing it on vinyl was appropriate but a privilege I am grateful for, allowing me to experience it the same way it was initially heard.

 

The orchestral intro, a nod to the original album's overture, starts the proceedings, and a flute comes in, shaping into beautiful classical music as it turns into Moody’s song instrumentally. So, you have the words going through your mind. 

 

God rest his soul. Graeme Edge provides two spoken-word parts for this album. We are fortunate that it was recorded for this project.

 

John’s voice resonates with unparalleled excellence on this recording, and his bass playing is, as expected, superb. The personal significance of this recording to John Lodge is unfathomable, and it's this deep personal connection that not only elevates the album to a new level of musical precision and performance but also brings a profound emotional depth to the music. From the first note to the last, this album strongly impacts the listener, a testament to its influence and deep personal connection.

 

“The Afternoon” and “Nights in White Satin” Are genuinely spine-tingling. Jon Davison (Yes vocalist) provided both vocals for the classic tracks, and we all know how Justin Hayward sang the originals prolifically. Davison's voice has an entirely different tone, of course, and he does a great job, especially in choruses where his full range can be heard. The excellence of everyone’s performance, including the indelible stamp left by The Moody Blues, is a testament to the high quality of this music.

 

Sometimes, the keyboards on this album can be haunting. Side B begins with “Afternoon.” The music is phenomenal as things move on from part to part of each segment. The rhythm sections are spot-on throughout each track, which may not be news to longtime fans, as Lodge was and still is one of the greatest bass players in rock. 

 

Days of Future Past-My Sojourn is an updated version of the original enhanced and magnified with technologies that did not exist in 1967. It is breathtaking music and orchestration that any music fan can appreciate. It is a prog rock classic that has been renewed and appreciated by this fan, and I believe it will be by many more. It is accessible, not too complex or going into extended bombastic jams for which the genre is known. 

 

This is a loving memory of a legendary recording revisited by one of the experts who was there when the original recording started to take shape. Don’t miss this vinyl version.

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck-TFOV Reviews Founder

August 21, 2024

Tracks:

Side A:

The Day Begins:   

The Day Begins    

Morning Glory (Featuring Graeme Edge)

Dawn Is A Feeling:            

Dawn (Prelude)    

Dawn Is A Feeling    

The Morning: Another Morning:   

The Morning (Prelude) 2. Another Morning        

Lunch Break: Peak Hour            

Lunch Break (Prelude)    

Peak Hour            

The Afternoon:           

Tuesday Afternoon (Forever Afternoon) (Featuring Jon Davison)The Night (Finale)

Side B:

The Afternoon:    

Evening (Time to Get Away)            

Evening :               

The Sun Set (Prelude)    

The Sun Set            

Twilight (Prelude)        

Twilight Time            

The Night:   

Nights In White Satin (Featuring Jon Davison)

Late Lament (Featuring Graeme Edge)            

The Night (Finale)