4/12/2018

Lunden Reign To Release Limited Edition 12-inch Vinyl of Second Album "Confessions"


The incredible follow-up to acclaimed debut album “American Stranger”!

Los Angeles – On the heels of their critically acclaimed debut album, Lunden Reign is releasing their second album “Confessions” on limited edition 12-inch vinyl! The record is complete with 10 power house songs that focus on political emotions and empowerment as well as some fantastic love songs that will make the hairs stand on your neck. Nikki Lunden's vocals have really come into their own realm as distinctive and unmistakable as well as the sound of Lunden Reign itself. Laura Espinoza-Lunden's songwriting continues to blow everyone away with every line and riff and with the help of their producer “The Wizard” Luis Maldonado, these songs have grown far beyond the band's dreams. Lunden Reign can't wait to share them with you!

Says Nikki, “We've really put more of our personal lives into this album unlike our first record which was more of a story we were telling about a protagonist named Mary. 'Confessions' (album) really hits on our views of whats going on politically in the world with 'Stardust Daze' and 'Fate of The World'. We dig into our disillusions and complexities of love and relationships and internal battles we are challenged with. It all translates. I think every song on this new record is relatable to what the world is feeling and to people out there who have jousted with love and the things it can make us do and feel. It offers relief in a way - at least for me. Saying it all out loud. We can purge our emotions and get fired up at the same time with this collection of songs.”

“The artwork is stunning on Confessions and the record inside is a rock album that balances beauty and power from one of Los Angeles' finest independent bands.” - Warren Kurtz, Goldmine Magazine

Although the final album is none less than incredible, the recording did not come without it's challenges. Says Nikki, “For me this was a particularly challenging recording process. Right about the time we were ready to cut vocals for 5 of the first 6 songs I fell ill with a horrible cold that just kept getting worse. I lost my voice for almost 2 months and had to go mute as a process of healing. Probably the scariest thing I've ever endured physically. Once I was over the illness, I began taking lessons from a fantastic vocal coach to get my voice back into shape. There was a lot of apple cider vinegar involved as well as some challenging exercises but I got through it. Laura was so supportive through the whole thing, it was scary for all of us for a minute there. Obviously it's all good now! We had some really great collaborating on this album! That was really exciting for me because with our first record I was still very new to the project and finding my place in it. By the time we started working on 'Confessions' I really felt as if the music was my own now, that I'm part of it completely. I was still getting to know Laura and Luis's writing before. I was much more involved in the writing process on this one, I'm most proudest of 'Stardust Daze' - I think that was our best collaboration, I hold that one really close to my heart because of that. 'Dead Man Walking' came out like a lightning bolt after something I experienced outside of school in Hollywood. I walked into our writing session that night and just handed it to Laura and Luis. We worked on the music for maybe 10 minutes and that was that. I love it when it happens like that. So spontaneous and raw.”

“What these songs all have in common is an ear for melody, and a sense of care and craft in constructing this record. You can hear how important these words and these songs are to the band” -  Chris C. - Editor in Chief, Bloody Good Music

Lunden Reign is composed of two core members: Nikki Lunden (Lead Vocals/Guitar/Composer) and Laura Espinoza-Lunden (Guitar/Composer). Lunden Reign's music is described as 'Big Beat Alternative Rock' or 'Modern Classic Rock'. Some say it's the signature album for “ROCK's REBIRTH”. The band's debut concept album “American Stranger” was released on Cleopatra Records March 17, 2015 and began receiving world-wide critical acclaim almost immediately. The 10 original songs are scored with layers of haunting melodies, uplifting guitar riffs blended with a sharp edge and a massive beat. Laura Espinoza-Lunden's innovative synth guitar riffs along with Nikki Lunden's voice have been at the foreground for the two front women to define the Lunden Reign sound, enhanced by long time producer & co-writer Luis Maldonado (Train, Lisa Marie Presley).

Their first album “AMERICAN STRANGER” received critical acclaim and made multiple music magazine’s “TOP 10-BEST OF” Lists for 2015. You can hear songs and watch their videos at LundenReign.com.

Along with Laura and Nikki Lunden, Lunden Reign features longest standing musician in the band, bassist Matt Denis. He joined with us in late 2013, just in time to record on the final song for “American Stranger” - “Love In Free Fall”. The new album features both Matt Lucich and Noel “Fredo” Jasso on drums. The band has brought Morgan Young back to the kit for their live shows. Morgan played drums on “American Stranger” and Laura and Nikki are thrilled to have him back on stage with them. Lunden Reign's newest addition, Julian Tomarin has been playing guitar with the band for nearly 2 years. Although not considered “band members”, Laura and Nikki would like to give credit to their producer Luis Maldonado and sound engineer Devin Hoffman for their instrumental contributions to the new record. These two guys worked tirelessly to make this album what it is, whether it was adding synths, more guitars, keys, arrangements, whatever the song called for.

Laura and Nikki are focusing on writing and recording more songs with a focus on TV and film. They are planning to do their next video fairly soon! “Stardust Daze” is in pre-production with Jonathan Lawrence, director of “Love In Free Fall” and “Red Wagon”. The band would like to see that come out by early summer.

In closing Nikki has this to impart, “Never. Give. Up. There are so many things happening in the world that need change and there are some young people out there right now who are acting as Warriors for their generation. Don’t stop. We’re behind you. Know you always have the power to  change things - and that goes for everybody. Every day in my life I have a choice to make things better for myself or do nothing - just keeping pushing forward.”

To purchase Lunden Reign's “Confessions” 12-inch vinyl: https://lundenreign.com/store

More Information/Social Sites About Lunden Reign:
http://lundenreign.com
twitter.com/LundenReign
youtube.com/LundenReign
facebook.com/LundenReign
instagram.com/lundenReign

Contact:
Laura Espinoza- Legends International Agency, LLC Beverly Hills 310-746-9106
LegendsKennelly@gmail.com

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

4/11/2018

Canadian Hard Rockers Thunderbird To Release Third Album Feat. Members of Bachman Turner and Lee Aaron


“An enticing and ear-bending form of new classic rock is most definitely what Thunderbird have delivered...” - Martin Popoff

Canadian hard rockers Thunderbird are releasing their anticipated self-titled third album on Delinquent Records on April 25, 2018! “Thunderbird” was recorded in Vancouver BC, produced by Marc LaFrance and Kelly Stodola and mixed by famed engineer Mike Fraser.

Says lead singer & producer Marc LaFrance, “The album is like a collection of short stories. I am singing the songs as different characters, or telling their tales. A gallery of rogues from the dark side!”

Musically, the songs are inspired by classic hard rock. Heavy guitars, blistering solos, driving rhythms.

The songs were written during 2016, after the band finished their last album “Heavyweight”. Recording began for a third album late 2016 at Vancouver's Armoury Studios with famed engineer Mike Fraser (AC/DC, Aerosmith, Van Halen). Sessions continued through the first half of 2017 at several Vancouver studios with other veteran engineers including Ken Burke, Kris Siegers and Mick Dalla-Vee. The finished album was mixed by Mike Fraser at The Armoury and mastered by Adam Ayan (Def Leppard, Foo Fighters, Queen) at Gateway Mastering.

The band's former guitarist Rod 'Doc' Coogan was unable to take part this time due to other commitments, and rising young talent Brice Tabish joins Thunderbird on guitar. Rod still makes a welcome appearance with the guitar solo on opening track “Liar (Fool's Gold)”. Guest musicians on the new album include jazz pianist Chris Gestrin, and a string section on closing track “Vampire” arranged and conducted by film composer Peter Allen.

Thunderbird features:
Marc LaFrance (Vocals/Producer)
Very experienced, well-known and highly regarded in the music industry, Marc is not only a singer but also a drummer, songwriter and producer. He records and tours internationally with Randy Bachman and Bachman Turner as well as his own band Cease & Desist. He has contributed to over 100 albums, and countless sessions on recordings by Motley Crue, David Lee Roth, Bon Jovi, The Cult, Loverboy, Glass Tiger, Alice Cooper, Blue Murder, Scorpions, Cher and many others.

Rob Becker (Bass)
Award-winning bassist Rob Becker has been an active part of the Vancouver music scene for decades and maintains a busy schedule of touring and session work. He has recorded and performed with many artists including Colin James, Patricia Conroy, Barney Bentall, Jim Byrnes, Ridley Bent and Lee Aaron to name a few. He can be seen performing regularly in the US and Europe and has recently been on stages in Scotland, England and Australia. His extensive background in playing live and in the studio, combined with formal musical training, makes Rob musically versatile.

Kelly Stodola (Drums/Producer)
Kelly is immersed in session work and live performance in many diverse styles and has been heard across North America on alternative college radio and mainstream hard rock stations as well as country television. Credits include Lauren Starchuk, Version 3, The Blue Voodoo, Featherz Edge, The Steve Sainas Band and Magnus Rising. He continues to keep a busy schedule on the Vancouver music scene and looks forward to many more years of making music.

Brice Tabish (Guitars)
Brice Tabish may be only in his mid-twenties, but knows more about classic hard rock and metal than people who were there at the time! He is a real student of the genre and lives and breathes it. Already a seasoned player on the Canadian scene, Brice tours with 'metal queen' Lee Aaron and has recorded with the likes of Andrew Oldham (Rolling Stones). He performs live regularly in the Vancouver area with Las Divas and the John Pippus Band.


Tracks
1.  Liar (Fool's Gold)
2.  Little Jenny
3.  Star
4.  Rain
5.  Into the Sun
6.  Painted Lady
7.  Revolution
8.  Man of Clay
9.  I'm with You
10. On the Brink
11. King Rat
12. Vampire

The songs and lyrics will be available after release on the band's YouTube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCaNOMFBYJuT5gAqSdmKOOyw/playlists?sort=dd&shelf_id=0&view=1

Here's what the press have already said about Thunderbird:

“Aggressive energy and raw edge...Hard rocking and based on some smoking riffing” - Music Street Journal (USA)

“Hard rock veterans, Thunderbird are keeping the genre alive and well, and are doing so with original, hand-crafted material.” - The Ark of Music (USA)

“Hit all the right buttons” - Hallowed (Sweden)

“Thunderbird electrifies...Hits hard...There's no lack of breakneck drumming, smashing cymbals, or face melting solos...The band shows versatility on every track, while always remaining true to their clear brand of sound.” - Indie Band Guru (USA)

“Buckle your seat belt...A refreshing sound that harkens back to the glory days of hard rock music...helping to keep the torch burning for fans that still crave that classic rock sound that will never die.” - Metal Nexus (USA)

“In-your-face attitude...Hard rocking riffs abound...Back-to-the-roots shot of adrenaline fueled heavy rock to leave you wanting more. We can't wait to see what Thunderbird do next.” - Rock Hard (UK)

“Thunderbird know how to rock and they do it with style.” - Middle Tennessee Music (USA)

“Blasting through your speakers with riffage of AC/DC-level intensity...The guitar is chunky and virtuosic, the drums thunderous with machine-gun-like fills.” - Coyote Music (USA)

In closing the band has this to say to their fans worldwide, “Keep on Rockin'!”

To purchase Thunderbird's new CD: https://www.amazon.com/Thunderbird-Explicit/dp/B07BNCNQKW

For more information: http://facebook.com/thunderbirdtheband

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

4/10/2018

UK's Debut Album To Be Released On Limited Edition 180 Gram Vinyl


Exclusively To Record Store Day Participating Retailers

Los Angeles - Celebrating the 40th anniversary of UK's critically acclaimed self-titled debut record released on Polydor in 1978, Eddie Jobson is making this seminal album available on vinyl for the first time since its original release. It will be released on April 21st, and available exclusively to Record Store Day participating retailers worldwide. The record is pressed on 180 gram vinyl, and includes an 8 page full color booklet designed exclusively for this release. The album is remastered from the original tapes located at Abbey Road Studios in London, which is the same master that was used in the now out of print “Ultimate Collector's Edition” box set that compiled all the works of UK's 3 albums, along with rarities, live material and 5.1 versions across 18 discs.

“I'm pleased to recognize the 40th Anniversary of this seminal album with this carefully remastered vinyl release. This is now a legacy recording, made even more significant with the recent passing of both Wetton and Holdsworth, that I hope will represent a benchmark for future musicians.” - Eddie Jobson

The Music
In October 1977 the new supergroup featuring Eddie Jobson, Bill Bruford, John Wetton and Allan Holdsworth entered the rehearsal room, each armed with a panoply of musical ideas. Each song, theme, part or riff was logged in, like a jigsaw piece, and so the organizing and arranging of the individual pieces began. External expectations were high, not just for what these four individual innovators might create together, but because Trident Studios in Soho was already booked to record the results of their highly anticipated collaboration.

The music of UK would be developed over several weeks. Wetton would reintroduce “Thirty Years,” a song first tried out with the Wakeman trio; Bruford brought in some harmonic, but mostly rhythmic ideas. Holdsworth's contributions revolved around his distinctive chord voicings, forming the foundation of such tracks as “Nevermore” and “Mental Medication.” Meanwhile, Jobson - the more formal composer of the group - brought in pages of musical notation that included the entire “In The Dead of Night” suite, minus vocal melody lines, but including “By The Light of Day” and the Zappa-influenced “Presto Vivace,” along with a complete version of “Alaska,” the verse of “Time To Kill” and half of “Nevermore.” The myriad musical ideas were painstakingly stitched together, mainly by Bruford and Jobson, but it would be Wetton's melodic and lyrical sense that would ultimately glue the disparate stylings into something resembling cohesive songs. Notwithstanding the considerable stylistic contributions of Holdsworth and Bruford, with a full sixty percent of the new album material emanating from Jobson's compositions, and with the addition of Wetton's vocal melodies and lyrics, the first UK album truly marked an auspicious beginning to the highly symbiotic Jobson-Wetton writing partnership.

Trident Studios, December 1977
The “U.K.” album was recorded over a six-week period. Holdsworth's classic guitar solo on “In The Dead of Night” was created on the fly. Wetton's dense harmonies were carefully overdubbed over the course of many hours. Jobson created the entire electronic section of “Nevermore” on the studio's massive ARP 2500 modular synthesizer. An amalgam of classical, jazz, rock and electronic, the first UK album was considered truly groundbreaking; Rolling Stone magazine called it “The great white hope of progressive music.”

In 2016 Rolling Stone selected the “U.K.” album as one of the Top 30 “best progressive-rock albums of all time.” Though, in a burst of collaborative brilliance, this towering lineup recorded only one album together, the pioneering musicians known as UK have still carved their place in rock history as one of the greatest progressive-rock bands of all time, and have left this classic recording as an exemplary standard for future musicians.

For more information
www.recordstoreday.com
#RSD18
@recordstoreday Twitter
@recordstoreday Facebook
@recordstoredayus Instagram

Eddie Jobson
http://www.zealotslounge.com ;
https://www.facebook.com/EJ.UK.fanpage/


The album is available exclusively from Amped Distribution/Alliance Entertainment. For more information contact alex@ampeddistribution.com and phone 954 255 4505.

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

UK's Debut Album To Be Released On Limited Edition 180 Gram Vinyl


Exclusively To Record Store Day Participating Retailers

Los Angeles - Celebrating the 40th anniversary of UK's critically acclaimed self-titled debut record released on Polydor in 1978, Eddie Jobson is making this seminal album available on vinyl for the first time since its original release. It will be released on April 21st, and available exclusively to Record Store Day participating retailers worldwide. The record is pressed on 180 gram vinyl, and includes an 8 page full color booklet designed exclusively for this release. The album is remastered from the original tapes located at Abbey Road Studios in London, which is the same master that was used in the now out of print “Ultimate Collector's Edition” box set that compiled all the works of UK's 3 albums, along with rarities, live material and 5.1 versions across 18 discs.

“I'm pleased to recognize the 40th Anniversary of this seminal album with this carefully remastered vinyl release. This is now a legacy recording, made even more significant with the recent passing of both Wetton and Holdsworth, that I hope will represent a benchmark for future musicians.” - Eddie Jobson

The Music
In October 1977 the new supergroup featuring Eddie Jobson, Bill Bruford, John Wetton and Allan Holdsworth entered the rehearsal room, each armed with a panoply of musical ideas. Each song, theme, part or riff was logged in, like a jigsaw piece, and so the organizing and arranging of the individual pieces began. External expectations were high, not just for what these four individual innovators might create together, but because Trident Studios in Soho was already booked to record the results of their highly anticipated collaboration.

The music of UK would be developed over several weeks. Wetton would reintroduce “Thirty Years,” a song first tried out with the Wakeman trio; Bruford brought in some harmonic, but mostly rhythmic ideas. Holdsworth's contributions revolved around his distinctive chord voicings, forming the foundation of such tracks as “Nevermore” and “Mental Medication.” Meanwhile, Jobson - the more formal composer of the group - brought in pages of musical notation that included the entire “In The Dead of Night” suite, minus vocal melody lines, but including “By The Light of Day” and the Zappa-influenced “Presto Vivace,” along with a complete version of “Alaska,” the verse of “Time To Kill” and half of “Nevermore.” The myriad musical ideas were painstakingly stitched together, mainly by Bruford and Jobson, but it would be Wetton's melodic and lyrical sense that would ultimately glue the disparate stylings into something resembling cohesive songs. Notwithstanding the considerable stylistic contributions of Holdsworth and Bruford, with a full sixty percent of the new album material emanating from Jobson's compositions, and with the addition of Wetton's vocal melodies and lyrics, the first UK album truly marked an auspicious beginning to the highly symbiotic Jobson-Wetton writing partnership.

Trident Studios, December 1977
The “U.K.” album was recorded over a six-week period. Holdsworth's classic guitar solo on “In The Dead of Night” was created on the fly. Wetton's dense harmonies were carefully overdubbed over the course of many hours. Jobson created the entire electronic section of “Nevermore” on the studio's massive ARP 2500 modular synthesizer. An amalgam of classical, jazz, rock and electronic, the first UK album was considered truly groundbreaking; Rolling Stone magazine called it “The great white hope of progressive music.”

In 2016 Rolling Stone selected the “U.K.” album as one of the Top 30 “best progressive-rock albums of all time.” Though, in a burst of collaborative brilliance, this towering lineup recorded only one album together, the pioneering musicians known as UK have still carved their place in rock history as one of the greatest progressive-rock bands of all time, and have left this classic recording as an exemplary standard for future musicians.

For more information
www.recordstoreday.com
#RSD18
@recordstoreday Twitter
@recordstoreday Facebook
@recordstoredayus Instagram

Eddie Jobson
http://www.zealotslounge.com ;
https://www.facebook.com/EJ.UK.fanpage/


The album is available exclusively from Amped Distribution/Alliance Entertainment. For more information contact alex@ampeddistribution.com and phone 954 255 4505.

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

4/09/2018

Rock-Pop-Blues-Gospel-Country-R&B Review:Elvis Presley-The Searcher - The Original Soundtrack (Deluxe 3 CD Set)

Release Date: April 4, 2018
Label: Sony Legacy/RCA

As time passes and I learn more about Elvis Presley, the more I appreciate his legacy. Through several of the deluxe sets, I have gained a good education and heard some amazing music.

Elvis Presley: The Searcher The Original Soundtrack is a 3CD deluxe box set that features 37 additional Elvis cuts plus a special disc featuring selections from Mike McCready's (Pearl Jam) original score for Elvis Presley: The Searcher; Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers performing "Wooden Heart," and the music that inspired Elvis that includes R&B and country classics and "Home Sweet Home" sung by his mother, Gladys Presley. The set also includes a 40-page book featuring rare photographs, liner notes by Warren Zanes, and a director's note by Thom Zimny. Those are some of the highlights of this comprehensive set.

The Searcher - The Original Soundtrack is more of a deeper look into the persona of the legendary performer we knew as The King. Not only are there three CDs with this set, an informative booklet is included and a soon to follow two-part HBO special that kicks off on April 14th. So, all of us Elvis fans get the full multimedia treatment this time around.

I think when you strip away the Elvis we knew on stage you find a very dedicated, serious and committed performer. And I think, more importantly, he is a man that never forget from whence he came. He was legendary for his generosity, and perhaps because he was brought up in poverty, he sincerely appreciated his stardom and all the things he could enjoy because of it.

The thing I always find so striking about Elvis was his ability to cover every genre with equal energy and class. There has been and never will be another more eclectic performer than Elvis. Being multi-dimensional was his calling, and did he ever fill those shoes with excellence. Having top-notch musicians to back him never hurt either. Like a quarterback with great receivers, he covered every nuance in each genre including Country, Blues, Pops, Gospel, R&B, and Rock. At times there were tracks that took a little of each influence to create a song, only Elvis could deliver.

Some of the tracks like “Blue Moon” showed how Elvis could get his voice to hit the higher register. The track will send a chill up your spine in a heartbeat. Its simplicity and atmosphere are exceptional and a complete step away from the previous track. That is one example of the many facets of Elvis. His emotion and soul were weaved into everything he sang. There are some tracks like “Blue Moon” that really make you realize what a powerful presence he had and unique delivery that made each song come alive.

I have been looking forward to this set for a long time and the HBO special as well. I think my education of Elvis; his music and life will be a continuing process for many of us. And I am loving every minute of it. I know without any doubt that everyone that came after him is indebted for his influence, and one that he is still having on anyone recording music.


5/5 Stars
Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck
April 9, 2018

Founder of:

Review Provided By MuzikMan Reviews and News


Elvis Presley: The Searcher (The Original Soundtrack) [Deluxe] – 3CD Deluxe Box Set

Disc 1
1. Trouble / Guitar Man
2. My Baby Left Me
3. Baby, What You Want Me To Do
4. Old Shep
5. That's When Your Heartaches Begin
6. That's All Right
7. Blue Moon Of Kentucky
8. Fool, Fool, Fool
9. Tweedlee Dee
10. Baby Let's Play House
11. Good Rockin' Tonight
12. Trying To Get To You
13. Blue Moon
14. When It Rains It Pours
15. Blue Christmas
16. Heartbreak Hotel
17. Lawdy, Miss Clawdy
18. Money Honey
19. Hound Dog
20. (There'll Be) Peace In The Valley (For Me)
21. Crawfish
22. Trouble
23. Farther Along
24. Mona Lisa
25. Hide Thou Me
26. Loving You (end title take 16)
27. Lonely Man (solo version)
28. Power Of My Love


Disc 2
1. Milky White Way
2. A Mess Of Blues
3. Fame And Fortune
4. Love Me Tender / Witchcraft (duet with Frank Sinatra)
5. Like A Baby
6. Are You Lonesome Tonight?
7. It's Now Or Never
8. Wooden Heart
9. Swing Down Sweet Chariot
10. Reconsider Baby
11. Bossa Nova Baby
12. C'mon Everybody
13. Tomorrow Is A Long Time
14. Take My Hand, Precious Lord
15. Run On
16. Baby What You Want Me To Do
17. Suspicious Minds (take 6)
18. Baby Let's Play House (rehearsal)
19. Words (rehearsal)
20. That's All Right
21. Never Been To Spain
22. An American Trilogy
23. You Gave Me A Mountain
24. Burning Love (rehearsal version)
25. Separate Ways (rehearsal version)
26. Hurt (take 5)
27. If I Can Dream


Disc 3
1. Dissolution 2 - Mike McCready
2. Satisfied - The Blackwood Brothers
3. That's All Right - Arthur "Big Boy" Crudup
4. She May Be Yours But She Comes To See Me Sometimes - Joe Hill Louis
5. Mystery Train - Little Junior's Blue Flames
6. Smokestack Lightning - Howlin' Wolf
7. Rock-A-My Soul - The Blackwood Brothers
8. Just Walkin' In The Rain - The Prisonaires
9. Rocket 88 - Jackie Brenston and his Delta Cats
10. Write Me A Letter - The Ravens
11. Blue Moon Of Kentucky - Bill Monroe
12. Ain't That Right - Eddie Snow
13. Just Walkin' In The Rain - Johnnie Ray
14. Lawdy Miss Clawdy – Lloyd Price
15. Home Sweet Home - Gladys Presley
16. Blowin' In The Wind - Odetta
17. Tomorrow Is A Long Time - Odetta
18. The Weight - The Staple Singers
19. Heartbreak Hotel - The Orlons
20. Wooden Heart - Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
21. Rebound - Mike McCready