MuzikMan's Reviews And News

12/01/2018

Rock Review: Jason Becker-Triumphant Hearts

Release Date: December 7, 2018

Label: Music Theory Recordings

Jason Becker suffers from Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). A fatal condition with a life expectancy of maybe five years. He was diagnosed in 1989 at 19 years old. He is still cranking out music to this day!

He was and still is a six-string slinger with plenty of energy to create music, his personal testament to the power of music and positive thinking. He never stopped working. I think that is the reason he is still with us today, he never gave up and feels empowered to make music on a very high level regardless of physical limitations.

The man also has a great sense of humor, he released a documentary on his life in 2017 titled I’m Not Dead Yet. In the video I have provided, which runs over 9 minutes, gives a good overview of how people in the music business feel about Becker. Everyone is filled with respect and admiration for this man and for good reason. I actually interviewed Jason in 2001 in regards to the tribute album Warmth In The Wilderness II on Lion Records. At that time, I had asked what he would like to do next and he said “I haven't thought about it lately, but it would either be a symphony or funky and possibly devotional stuff. Whatever there would be lots of guitar on it.” So here we are in 2018 and we are on the heels of the new release Triumphant Hearts. It looks as though those thoughts and expectations have been realized with the new release. It is pretty cool that I go that far back with Jason and I had the opportunity to interview him.

So, guitar fans get ready for one amazing onslaught of guitar magic on Triumphant Hearts. The first song to be released from the album is the 9 minute and 5 second instrumental “Valley of Fire” (check out the video provided). The song features The Magnificent 13 – Steve Vai, Joe Bonamassa, Paul Gilbert, Neal Schon, Marty Friedman, Michael Lee Firkins, Mattias IA Eklundh, Greg Howe, Jeff Loomis, Richie Kotzen, Gus G, Steve Hunter, and Ben Woods. That is one phenomenal line up to put together on one track! It works very well for having that many guitar players contribute. Actually, I am surprised it did not go any longer than 9 minutes and 5 seconds and I am sure it could have with all that talent available.

There is a lot of orchestrations in the tracks which makes the listening experience rich and full. Jason composed all the music and he gets his work done by controlling a computer with his eyes. The technology that is available today is truly amazing and because of that we still have the opportunity to hear this amazing artist and his creations.

For all of the rockers out there, be patient when popping the CD in because the first track may give you the wrong idea of what you are about to hear. It is classical music but just wait, things really getting rolling after that. The mix of instrumentals, mainly guitar parts, and tracks with vocals, is just what the doctor ordered for my music tastes. There is a boatload of ear candy on the longer tracks like the aforementioned “Valley of Fire” and “River of Longing” and “Taking Me Back.” There actually is only one track under 4 minutes on the entire album, the curtain closer “You Do It,” which last 55 seconds.

If you are in the mood for some six-string fireworks and want to hear some of the best guitar players in the world on one release, then Triumphant Hearts is your one-way ticket to musical bliss. Hell, you may be so inspired after hearing this music that you will pick up your own guitar and start playing, and if you don’t have one, go out and buy one!

Jason Becker is an incredible human being with a very talented musical mind. Triumphant Hearts is an amazing event that every music fan needs to hear. The man and his music will make an impression on you one way or another, I can promise you that.

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck

November 30, 2018

Founder of:

New Age Music Reviews

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Review Provided By MuzikMan Reviews & News

Tracks:
01. Triumphant Heart (feat. Marty Friedman, Glauco Bertagnin, Hiyori Okuda)
02. Hold On To Love (feat. Codany Holiday) 07:27
03. Fantasy Weaver (feat. Jake Shimabukuro)
04. Once Upon A Melody
05. We Are One (feat. Steve Knight)
06. Magic Woman (feat. Uli Jon Roth & Chris Broderick)
07. Blowin' in the Wind
08. River of Longing (feat. Joe Satriani, Aleks Sever, Guthrie Govan, Steve Morse)
09. Valley of Fire (feat. Michael Lee Firkins, Steve Vai, Joe Bonamassa, Paul Gilbert, Neal Schon, Mattias IA Eklundh, Marty Friedman, Greg Howe, Jeff Loomis, Richie Kotzen, Gus G., Steve Hunter, Ben Woods)
10. River of Longing (feat. Trevor Rabin)
11. Taking Me Back
12. Tell Me No Lies
13. Hold On To Love (feat. Codany Holiday) [Chuck Zwicky Remix]
14. You Do It

Rock Review: Jason Becker-Triumphant Hearts

Release Date: December 7, 2018

Label: Music Theory Recordings

Website

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck

November 30, 2018

Founder of:

New Age Music Reviews

Rate The Tracks

Review Provided By MuzikMan Reviews & News

Definitive Editions of All Three Legendary "Phenomena" Rock Concept Albums - OUT NOW!

Featuring Glenn Hughes, Brian May, John Wetton, Mel Galley, Don Airey, Cozy Powell & Others!

London - Phenomena is a rock music concept conceived by record producer Tom Galley and brother, Whitesnake guitarist Mel Galley and directed by Wilfried Rimensberger. Contributors were leading rock musicians such as Brian May, John Wetton, Glenn Hughes, Don Airey, Mel Galley, Neil Murray and Cozy Powell amongst others.

Phenomena's production of rock songs based on a story line running through a whole album, attached to artworks and other multi-media aspects was credited for the “return of the concept album” in the 1980s. Phenomena released three albums in the 1980s and early 1990s, and had a number one hit single in South America with “Did It All For Love,” while the album charted across Europe, in Japan and Brazil.

The creator of Phenomena, Tom Galley, said of the re-releases: “I'm happy to see the release of these original recordings. And being in touch with the involved artists, I know they are looking forward to see this happening too. Together with previously never seen material the 3 albums are well presented.”

The promo video, produced by Wilfried Rimensberger, for the #1 hit single “Did It All For Love” is on YouTube:

PHENOMENA 1

“Phenomena” is an all-star million selling album from 1985, created by Tom Galley, and features:

Glenn Hughes
Cozy Powell
Mel Galley
Neil Murray
Don Airey
Ric Sanders
John Thomas
Ted McKenna

This DEFINITIVE EDITION has received a 2018 remaster and the booklet features new liner notes, including new comments from Tom Galley, who has provided the newly written track by track descriptions.

PHENOMENA 2

“Phenomena II – Dream Runner” is from 1987, created by Tom Galley, and features the HIT SINGLE “DID IT ALL FOR LOVE” which was a #1 across South America, along with artists:

John Wetton
Glenn Hughes
Mel Galley
Neil Murray
Ray Gillen
Max Bacon
Richard Bailey
Michael Sturgis
Scott Gorham
Toshihiro Niimi
John Thomas
Kyoji Yamamoto
Leif Johansen

The booklet features new liner notes, including new comments from Tom Galley, along with alternative artwork and rare pictures. Album Cover by Tim Davies (Tim Elcoch).

PHENOMENA 3

“Phenomena III – Innervision” from 1993 completes the all-star Phenomena trilogy, as created by Tom Galley, and features:

Brian May
Scott Gorham
Michael Sturgis
Keith Murrell
Leif Johansen

The booklet features new liner notes, including new comments from Tom Galley, who has supplied the originally intended front cover artwork, which appears for the FIRST TIME EVER!

To purchase:
Amazon CD: http://geni.us/Phenomena1
iTunes: http://geni.us/Phenomena1dig

Amazon CD: http://geni.us/Phenomena2
iTunes: http://geni.us/Phenomena2dig

Amazon CD: http://geni.us/Phenomena3
iTunes: http://geni.us/Phenomena3dig

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

Definitive Editions of All Three Legendary "Phenomena" Rock Concept Albums - OUT NOW!

Featuring Glenn Hughes, Brian May, John Wetton, Mel Galley, Don Airey, Cozy Powell & Others!

PHENOMENA 1

PHENOMENA 2

PHENOMENA 3

11/27/2018

King Crimson 2019 Tour - Celebrating 50 Years

As part of a series of events and releases for their 50th anniversary, King Crimson's 2019 tour will include special concerts across three continents, including both festivals and headline shows.

Since the band's return to live performance in 2014, with critically acclaimed sell-out shows all over the world including two defining shows at the Roman amphitheatre in Pompeii, previously home to Pink Floyd, the audience has been reinvented, as much as the band itself:

“In Pompeii, a large percentage of the audience was young couples; KC moved into the mainstream in Italy. I walked onstage knowing that this band's position in the world has changed level.” Robert Fripp

With its fiftieth anniversary, it seems that the wider world is finally ready to embrace King Crimson. A process that began with Kanye West's sampling of “21st Century Schizoid Man” for his 2010 hit “Power”, now sees their song “Starless” as the soundtrack to the opening scenes of Nicholas Cage's new 2018 film “Mandy”.

The band's packed three-hour shows regularly include material from twelve of their thirteen studio albums, including many of the songs from their seminal 1969 album “In The Court of the Crimson King”, described by Pete Townshend, as an “uncanny masterpiece”. The new 8-piece line-up plays many historic pieces which Crimson have never played live, as well as new arrangements of Crimson classics – “the music is new whenever it was written”. There are also new instrumentals and songs, as well as the compositions by the three drummers, Pat Mastelotto, Gavin Harrison and Jeremy Stacey, which are a regular highlight. A unique show, where eight of the best musicians in the world play music without distraction or adornment.

King Crimson will be playing three shows at the Albert Hall in London in June 2019!
18 June - http://axs.com/uk/events/365703/an-evening-with-king-crimson-tickets?skin=aegpresentsuk
19 June - http://axs.com/uk/events/365704/an-evening-with-king-crimson-tickets?skin=aegpresentsuk
20 June - http://axs.com/uk/events/365705/an-evening-with-king-crimson-tickets?skin=aegpresentsuk

“MELTDOWN” – A BluRay filmed at the band’s five sell-out shows in Mexico City in 2017, was released in October 2018.

“COSMIKC F*KC” – an in-depth documentary of King Crimson will appear in 2019.

“Jimi Hendrix saw them at the Marquee in 1969 and declared them to be the best band in the world. In many ways, almost half a century later, they still are.” - ERIC THIESSEN, All About Jazz.

“Fripp and his band offered an impeccable performance in two stages. No melodies, no flapping, only musicians at the top of their art.” - IAN BUSSIÈRES La Presse, Quebec

“The band finally reaps all that it has sown in its many transformations...the king is not dead, far from it, and they still rejoice.” - REJEAN BEAUCAGE, Voir.ca

“Crimson has never sounded more complete, or more joyous, on stage than it does now.” - JORDAN ZIVITZ, Montreal Gazette

“The uniqueness of seeing each of these seasoned musicians working is near indescribable and has to be experienced live to fully embrace their vision - think of eight master painters working in their own style, but on a common canvas, and you begin to get the idea of things.” - WE HEART MUSIC, Minneapolis

“On our final evening at the festival, we were witness to the concert that inevitably proved to be its highlight...The blend of mood, melody, ambiance and atmosphere dazzled the audience, which responded with frequent standing ovations.” - LEE ZIMMERMAN, Goldmine Magazine

For more information: www.dgmlive.com
paintings by Francesca Sundsten
photographs by Dean Stocking and David Singleton

ROBERT FRIPP, though best known for his work in King Crimson, has contributed to numerous albums by players as diverse as Brian Eno, David Bowie, Peter Gabriel, Blondie, Talking Heads, Daryl Hall, The Roches, Peter Hammill, Keith Tippett, David Sylvian, The Orb, and The Grid. His 1979 solo album, “Exposure” was described as “the Sergeant Pepper of avant punk.” He has appeared twice in Rolling Stone magazine's 100 Greatest Guitarist Of All Time poll, although Fripp claims these are likely to have been mistakes by the typesetter.

TONY LEVIN has been a member of King Crimson since 1981. Internationally renowned and constantly in-demand for his distinctive bass work, he also tours with Peter Gabriel with whom he has worked since 1977. He has appeared on albums by Paul Simon, John Lennon, David Bowie and countless others and recently formed his own band, Stick Men alongside Crimson drummer, Pat Mastelotto.

JAKKO JAKSZYK was a member of Level 42, before working with Mel Collins as part of ex-KC alumni group, 21st Century Schizoid Band between 2002 - 2004. His solo album, “The Bruised Romantic Glee Club” (2006) was his first recorded collaboration with Fripp, followed by “A Scarcity of Miracles” in 2011. An acclaimed producer in his own right, Jakszyk has recently mixed Jethro Tull's Ian Anderson's UK Top 20 album, “Homo Erraticus.”
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MEL COLLINS was previously a member of King Crimson 1970 - 1972 appearing on “In The Wake Of Poseidon” (1970), “Lizard” (1970), “Islands” (1971), “Earthbound” (1972) as well as a guest appearance on “Red” (1974), the final King Crimson album of the 1970s. He subsequently worked with The Rolling Stones, Pink Floyd's Roger Waters, Dire Straits, Eric Clapton and many others, before returning to King Crimson in 2014.

GAVIN HARRISON joined King Crimson in 2007, playing a series of dates in the USA the following year. A respected author and tutor, he has also recorded three albums with The Pineapple Thief, though Harrison is probably best-known for his work with Porcupine Tree. Modern Drummer magazine placed him in their Top 50 Drummers Of All Time.

PAT MASTELOTTO joined King Crimson in 1994 after working with Robert Fripp and David Sylvian. A member of the hugely successful American 1980s group and MTV favourites, Mr. Mister, he is at home in both experimental music working with KTU as well as pop and rock appearing on albums by The Rembrandts, Hall And Oates and XTC.

JEREMY STACEY is a British drummer. His early work included the 1990s band, The Lemon Trees (with twin brother Paul Stacey on guitars, Guy Chambers and others) and Denzil. He has also played with Sheryl Crow, the Finn Brothers, Nick Harper, Noel Gallagher, and many more. On March 7, 2016, it was announced that he would be taking the place of Bill Rieflin as the centre drummer on the 2016 King Crimson European tour, a position he retained even after Rieflin's return to the band.

BILL RIEFLIN is a multi-instrumentalist but is primarily known for his drumming with Ministry and industrial rock outfit KMFDM. From 2003 until their dissolution in 2011 he played drums with REM. He recorded with Robert Fripp on “Birth Of A Giant” and “The Repercussions Of Angelic Behaviour” (both 1999) and most recently in the ambient super-group, Slow Music in 2006 and 2014.

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

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12/01/2018

Rock Review: Jason Becker-Triumphant Hearts

Rock Review: Jason Becker-Triumphant Hearts

Definitive Editions of All Three Legendary "Phenomena" Rock Concept Albums - OUT NOW!

Definitive Editions of All Three Legendary "Phenomena" Rock Concept Albums - OUT NOW!

11/27/2018

King Crimson 2019 Tour - Celebrating 50 Years