New Age World Review: Monica Williams-Journey of Tears

Release Date: September 21, 2018

Label: Heart Dance Records

Website

Journey of Tears is a collection of original works by flutist/composer Monica Williams with guest artists on the album including fingerstyle guitarist Darin Mahoney, New Age flutist Sherry Finzer, and vocalist Alexa Nadramia.

There are 10 tracks to absorb on Journey of Tears. It reflects humanity, our daily struggles, our victories, our pleasure, and our pain. It is all about the growth one can experience through all the human emotions. This how Monica Williams relates to her listeners through her music. Hopefully, after we listen our realizations and experiences become clearer and more purposeful.

Monica’s love for the flute started while attending Eastman School of Music. The worldly colors and textures the instrument could produce with calming soundscapes were what attracted her. I was never a real big fan of the flute, sometimes in the context of rock music it sounded good but then I started hearing it in a different way. 

This type of world music is sprouting and growing via the new age genre and culture and it has opened many doors for me. To put it in an all-inclusive perspective, the way I usually do is to say it touches my mind, body, and spirit. This is the quintessential triangle of life. It is through recordings like Journey of Tears where I discover and rediscover new realities and levels of spiritualism.

Monica plays beautifully throughout all the tracks and it reaches an apex on the curtain closer “The Great Beyond.” It is gorgeous flute solo with the angelic voicings of Alexa Nadramia. The vocals add another element that is not found in the previous tracks and it is an amazing way to end the musical journey that this talented lady offers. The tracks run is over eight minutes, and every second of it is pure new age world music heaven. If this music does not give you a glimpse of a way to get closer to your higher power then I do not know what would.

Monica Williams is a multi-talented individual that has so much to offer in her music. She is also an accomplished teacher with 35 students currently. So not only is she sharing the sounds of various hybrid flutes, she is sharing her knowledge with others. That is the true meaning of passing the torch to the next generation of musicians.

Journey of Tears is an enormous success and although I am setting the bar high for folks that have not heard the album yet, I am certain that you will not be disappointed in any way. If you happen to enjoy earthy textured flute music, you will think your nirvana has finally arrived.

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck

September 14, 2018

Founder of:

MuzikMan Productions

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Tracks: 
01. Raining Tears
02. Conversations Within
03. New Horizons
04. Unconditional Love
05. On the Edge
06. Finding Peace
07. Constant Change
08. Wandering
09. Love From A Distance
10. The Great Beyond
 

Guitar Legend Peter Banks's Harmony In Diversity "The Complete Recordings" Now Available!

London - Peter Banks was one of the original members of YES and an accomplished guitarist, but sadly passed away in 2013. This set is being released in his memory, by his Estate, during the 5th anniversary of his passing and the 50th Anniversary of YES.

This is the FIRST EVER mainstream release of the “Harmony in Diversity” recordings.

The set features ALL the recordings of the band and has been overseen and mixed by Andrew Booker and Nick Cottam with the additional approval of Dave “Jick” Speight who appeared on the final disc of the set.

The set also features new artwork, an extensive booklet and the audio has received a 2018 remaster. The albums are also available in their original individual form digitally.

“It was tragic that few realised just what an incredible guitarist Peter was, his approach was off the wall yet so beautifully emotive. A truly expressive musician” - Nick Cottam

“It was surprisingly rewarding going back over old recordings and finding good things everywhere. It was pleasure to rediscover music I had long neglected and forgotten, and turn it into pieces that I now enjoy listening to again and again. I can still hear Peter cackling at his effects unit as yet again he turns single sustained guitar note into one of those old ambulance sirens. I can still see Nick jutting his head backwards and forwards as he cheerfully pounds out his bass riff over and over. Meanwhile, drowned out by the other two, I'm reaching for the volume control on my electronic kit, and realising it won't go any further. A lot of effort at the time, and a lot of effort recently too, but in the end, effort that was well worth it.” - Andrew Booker

Released on the 14th September 2018 via Cherry Red Records.

To Purchase on Amazon: http://geni.us/PBME4
To Purchase on iTunes: http://geni.us/PeterBanksiTunes

For more information: https://www.cherryred.co.uk/product/peter-bankss-harmony-in-diversity-the-complete-recordings/

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

Guitar Legend Peter Banks's Harmony In Diversity "The Complete Recordings" Now Available!

London - Peter Banks was one of the original members of YES and an accomplished guitarist, but sadly passed away in 2013. This set is being released in his memory, by his Estate, during the 5th anniversary of his passing and the 50th Anniversary of YES.

This is the FIRST EVER mainstream release of the “Harmony in Diversity” recordings.

The set features ALL the recordings of the band and has been overseen and mixed by Andrew Booker and Nick Cottam with the additional approval of Dave “Jick” Speight who appeared on the final disc of the set.

The set also features new artwork, an extensive booklet and the audio has received a 2018 remaster. The albums are also available in their original individual form digitally.

“It was tragic that few realised just what an incredible guitarist Peter was, his approach was off the wall yet so beautifully emotive. A truly expressive musician” - Nick Cottam

“It was surprisingly rewarding going back over old recordings and finding good things everywhere. It was pleasure to rediscover music I had long neglected and forgotten, and turn it into pieces that I now enjoy listening to again and again. I can still hear Peter cackling at his effects unit as yet again he turns single sustained guitar note into one of those old ambulance sirens. I can still see Nick jutting his head backwards and forwards as he cheerfully pounds out his bass riff over and over. Meanwhile, drowned out by the other two, I'm reaching for the volume control on my electronic kit, and realising it won't go any further. A lot of effort at the time, and a lot of effort recently too, but in the end, effort that was well worth it.” - Andrew Booker

Released on the 14th September 2018 via Cherry Red Records.

To Purchase on Amazon: http://geni.us/PBME4
To Purchase on iTunes: http://geni.us/PeterBanksiTunes

For more information: https://www.cherryred.co.uk/product/peter-bankss-harmony-in-diversity-the-complete-recordings/

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

Contemporary Instrumental Review: Holland Phillips - Leaning Toward Home

Release Date: September 21, 2018

Label: Ageless Records

Website

My experience with the music of Holland Phillips is Circles of 8 and then I went on another journey with Under a Second Moon. Now another year has already passed and Leaning Toward Home will be arriving within a matter of days.

I get off easy calling Holland’s music contemporary instrumental. It is hard to define so that is the best tag to put on it. It is a fusion of sounds. You can call it whatever you want but I do highly recommend giving it all a good listen.

All the music was composed and performed by Holland. The man is a magician on the keyboards and he generates enough instrumentation to sound like an entire band on this recording.

I like being challenged with music, in a sense that it makes me think, it allows me my own space inside my head and in my soul. That is the complete circle for this listener. It takes a special kind of music to allow that to happen. Holland could not have said it better when he referred to this production as magic. To me, that is the beauty and perfection of music, more importantly, instrumental music that has the ability to sweep you away to an altered consciousness, a better state of mind, body, and spirit.

The title track said it all for me. It has that magical and mystical atmosphere that takes you right in and hangs on until the track fades away. There are so many sounds, consistencies, and bright colors to be discovered on “Leaning Toward Home.”  In fact, the entire recording offers so much diversity in sound that each track brings another feeling and atmosphere to light, it is like watching an ever-changing colorful lava lamp except this is translated to sounds, vibrations, something that is more meaningful and spiritual.

I think what Holland Phillips wants more than anything is for you, the listener, to discover the magic that he did in the music. Your realizations that are found inside the music can be joyous, revealing and mind-expanding. It is what you make it, the choice is yours.

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck

September 11, 2018

Founder of:

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Tracks:
01. Prelude to a Dance
02. Before the Epilogue
03. Roadside Brew
04. Time Travels
05. A Sip of Potion
06. Moving Forward
07. Leaning Toward Home
08. Full Circle
09. Surprising Turns
10. Along the Way
11. Bedtime Stories
 

Day of the Dreamer Tour - Music Legends Renaissance Featuring Annie Haslam in Support of Their New DVD Release to Play Select US Dates Fall 2018!

Including a Special Date With The Renaissance Chamber Orchestra

Music legends Renaissance featuring Annie Haslam will be back in the US Northeast playing select dates in November 2018. Based on the great success in 2017 with the addition of a “10-piece Chamber Orchestra” on four of their shows, the band has been invited to once again bring this special line up to the Scottish Rite Auditorium, Collingswood, NJ. November 17th. 2018 marks the 49th year since the band's formation and its tenth consecutive year of touring since their reactivation in 2009.

Renaissance leader and vocalist, Annie Haslam remarks, “The band keeps getting stronger and stronger and the addition of the chamber orchestra has been the most exciting development for the band in years. This addition of 'live' orchestral musicians adds an incredible dynamic to our big numbers like 'Mother Russia,' 'Carpet Of The Sun' and 'Song For All Seasons,' Day of the Dreamer, all of which included an orchestra on the original recordings.”

Ms Haslam will be joined on stage by long time musical director and associate; Rave Tesar on piano, along with Geoffrey Langley on keyboards, Mark Lambert on guitars, Frank Pagano on drums and percussion, and Leo Traversa on bass.


photo by Esa Ahola

Tour dates:
NOV 8 THU - THE KENT STAGE - KENT, OH
NOV 9 FRI - THE TRALF - BUFFALO, NY
NOV 11 SUN - YMCA BOULTON CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS - BAY SHORE, NY
NOV 15 THU - BALTIMORE SOUNDSTAGE - BALTIMORE, MD
NOV 16 FRI - NEWTON THEATRE - NEWTON, NJ
NOV 17 SAT - SCOTTISH RITE AUDITORIUM - COLLINGSWOOD, NJ (With The Renaissance Chamber Orchestra)
NOV 18 SUN - TARRYTOWN MUSIC HALL - TARRYTOWN, NY

Renaissance is a band with a rich history unique unto themselves as progressive rock pioneers who rose from the ashes of the seminal UK rock band, The Yardbirds. Acclaimed for their unique blending of progressive rock with classical and symphonic influences, the band's career has spanned forty plus years spearheaded by the 5 octave voice of Annie Haslam and the masterful songwriting skills of Michael Dunford. They are widely considered to be the band that most successfully and routinely utilized the sound of a full orchestra in their recordings.

The band has toured throughout the world and has performed at Carnegie Hall with the New York Philharmonic Orchestra and additionally at the Royal Albert Hall with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and Royal Chorale Society. Renaissance had a top ten hit in the UK with their song Northern Lights that still demands airplay to this day.

On September 14th Renaissance will be releasing their new DVD entitled 'A Symphonic Journey'. The DVD was filmed in October of 2017 and included for the first time the addition of The Renaissance Chamber Orchestra, a hand-picked group of 10 musicians, including strings, woodwind, brass and percussion. This is their third DVD release preceded by the 2015 'Live at the Union Chapel, London, England' and the 'Turn of the Cards/ Scheherazade and Other Stories' 2011 release 'Live' at the Keswick Theatre, Glenside, PA. For this new DVD the band once again returned to the Keswick Theatre, this time employing the use of track and boom mounted cameras to create more up close and personal shots of the band and orchestra. The concert also featured large screen projections of original paintings by Annie Haslam, with corresponding titles to each song performed throughout the concert.

The DVD/2CD set will be available from Amazon USA, Europe, and Japan. Also, 'Annie Haslam' signed copies will be available through the band's website: www.renaissancetouring.com

Click on the links below to watch samples from the new DVD:
Carpet of the Sun w/Renaissance Chamber Orchestra - https://www.facebook.com/pg/RenaissanceTouring/videos/?ref=page_internal
Song for All Seasons w/Renaissance Chamber Orchestra - https://www.facebook.com/RenaissanceTouring/videos/1835487619824141/

You can learn more about the band by visiting:
www.renaissancetouring.com
facebook.com/renaissancetouring
www.anniehaslam.com
facebook.com/anniehaslamart

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