6/05/2019

It Was Fifty Years Ago Today - Tour 2019 - A Tribute To The Beatles White Album feat. Christopher Cross, Todd Rundgren, Micky Dolenz, Jason Scheff and Joey Molland!


In celebration of The Beatles 50th Anniversary of the White Album, Flower Power Concerts, Inc presents It Was Fifty Years Ago Today - Tour 2019 - A Tribute To The Beatles' White Album feat. Christopher Cross, Todd Rundgren, Micky Dolenz (The Monkees), Jason Scheff (Chicago) and Joey Molland (Badfinger)! Musical Director: Joey Curatolo (the musical director of RAIN: A Tribute to The Beatles).

Performing their greatest hits along with songs from The Beatles White Album!

Tour Dates:

Sept 21 - Atlantic City, NJ - Golden Nugget
Sept 28 - Akron, OH - Akron Civic Theatre
Sept 29 - Danville, KY - Norton Center
Oct 1 - St. Charles, IL - Arcadia Theater
Oct 2 - Milwaukee, WI - Pabst Theater
Oct 5 - Beverly, MA - Cabot Theater
Oct 6 - Concord, NH - Capitol Center For The Arts
Oct 7 - Orono, ME - Collins Center For The Arts
Oct 8 - Ridgefield, CT - Ridgefield Playhouse
Oct 10 - Staten Island, NY - St. George Theater
Oct 11 - Boston, MA - Berklee PAC
Oct 12 - Westbury, NY - Theatre @ Westbury
Oct 13 - Morristown, NJ - Mayo PAC
Oct 15 - Glenside, PA - Keswick Theatre
Oct 17 - Red Bank, NJ - Count Basie Theater
Oct 18 - New London, CT - Garde Arts Center
Oct 20 - Washington, DC - Warner Theatre
(Additional shows to be announced soon!)



Featuring!

Christopher Cross is an American singer-songwriter from San Antonio, Texas. Cross won five Grammy Awards for his eponymous debut album released in 1979. The singles  “Sailing” (1980), and “Arthur's Theme (Best That You Can Do)” (from the 1981 film Arthur) peaked at number one on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100. “Sailing” earned three Grammys in 1981, while “Arthur's Theme” won the Oscar for Best Original Song in 1981 (with co-composers Burt Bacharach, Carole Bayer Sager, and Peter Allen).

Todd Rundgren, born and raised in Philadelphia, began playing guitar as a teenager, going on to found and front Nazz, the quintessential 1960's psychedelic group. In 1969, he left the band to pursue a solo career, recording his debut offering, Runt. But it was 1972's seminal Something/Anything?, on which he played all the instruments, sang all the vocal parts, and acted as his own producer, that catapulted Todd into the superstar limelight, prompting the press to unanimously dub him “Rock's New Wunderkind.” It was followed by such landmark LPs as A Wizard, A True Star and The Hermit of Mink Hollow, as well as such hit singles as “I Saw The Light, “Hello It's Me,” “Can We Still Be Friends,” and “Bang The Drum.”

Micky Dolenz is an actor, singer, director, producer, writer, radio DJ, inventor, and all-around performer extraordinaire, and stands tall as a paragon of taste and accomplishment in the rough-and-tumble world of show business and entertainment. Micky is best known as a vocalist and drummer of the 1960s pop legends The Monkees. The Monkees not only achieved great success as a TV show, but also as viable recording artists; selling in excess of 65 million units, and achieving worldwide success. Their first four albums - The Monkees (1966); More of The Monkees (1967); Headquarters (1967); and Pisces, Aquarius, Capricorn, & Jones, Ltd. (1967) all reached the number-one position on the charts and launched three number-one singles: “Last Train to Clarksville,”  “I'm a Believer” (both with lead vocals by Micky), and “Daydream Believer.” The group's first five albums also went platinum.

Jason Scheff is the longtime tenor lead vocalist of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inducted supergroup Chicago. Scheff joined the group in 1985 replacing the iconic vocalist/bass player Peter Cetera going on to be one of the principal songwriters and main contributors throughout Chicago's career. Scheff's songwriting, vocals, and musicianship helped create the most successful recording era of Chicago, the 1980s and 1990s. Scheff is also the voice across 4 decades, 1980s, 1990s, 2000s, 2010s, performing all the classic Chicago hits in thousands of concerts, television appearances.

Joey Molland is an English composer and rock guitarist whose recording career spans five decades. He is best known as guitarist, singer and songwriter of classic rock legends Badfinger. Molland is the last surviving member from the band's classic line-up and is still playing concerts worldwide. He is currently recording a new solo album produced by Mark Hudson.

For more information:
Flower Power Concerts, Inc.
853 Broadway - Suite 1120
New York, NY 10003
PH: 1-212-254-5500
flowerpowerconcerts.com

Press inquiries: Glass Onyon PR, PH: 1-828-350-8158, glassonyonpr@gmail.com

Todd Rundgren photo by Richard Kerris

6/03/2019

Instrumental Piano Review: Milana Zilnik- Notte

Release Date: June 1, 2019
Label: Independent

According to the discography on Milana Zilnik’s website, on June 1, 2019, she will release her 13th album titled Notte (which means night in Italian). That is a very impressive library of recorded works. And the fact that I am not familiar with her work gives me pause to wonder why! Well, I am here to help those of you who are in a similar point in time I am and to take some time to listen to this music.

The artist decided, with the encouragement of her husband, to challenge herself and record a minimalist album. She is accustomed to making more complicated and colorful music. Do not be discouraged by that statement as what Milana has to say on the 12 tracks encompassing this ambitious effort is quite a lot. Not mention not uttering one word.

Stepping away from your comfort zone is difficult. It can be in any situation like work, or something that triggers those good endorphins. Music, really good music, should put you in your comfort zone. And why wouldn’t anyone want to do that? We can thank the artist for putting her best foot, or should I say fingers, forward on Notte.

Notte takes the listener through 12 hours of specific times, feelings and atmospheres. Each track intends to deliver a lapse of time and music to relate to the time (8 pm to 7 am) and title. The desire to see this to its completion was a success in every way. 

The minimalist approach is nothing new to these ears, especially when it comes to piano music. I hear a lot of it and I must say that I always enjoy it to the fullest extent. If it reaches out and touches my soul in some way it was a success from where I sit. For me personally, this has been an incredibly busy and at times very stressful time in the daily work setting. Having music like Notte to listen to is a very therapeutic exercise for me. The focus one can put on just the piano and the sounds emanating from it, can ease the mind which in turn slows the heartbeat, which then equates to a placidness that cannot be found during the course of a day, at least not for me. I am sure there are many people out there experiencing the same things on a daily basis. So, it is what you would call a healthy escape valve that I have access to any time I want it.

Notte is the right time to heal and regenerate our blood cells, minds, and attitudes for the following day. With the help of one very talented, not to mention brave, musician named Milana Zilnik, you to can attain a different state of mind and fulfillment.

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck
June 3, 2019

Founder of:

Review Provided By New Age Music Reviews

Tracks:
01. 8PM: Shadows
02. 9PM: Sunset
03. 10PM: Twilight
04. 11PM: Calmness
05. 12AM: Midnight
06. 1AM: Longing
07. 2AM: Echoes
08. 3AM: Silence
09. 4AM: Dreams
10. 5AM: Quietude
11. 6AM: Reflections
12. 7AM: Dawn


LINKS:




 



6/02/2019

New Age Instrumental Review: Kathryn Kaye-Solace of Mountains and Clouds

Release Date: June 1, 2019
Label: Indie

Solace of Mountains and Clouds is the fifth release I am covering by the exquisite piano player Kathryn Kaye. It was like visiting an old friend when I gave this new recording my first listen. I received everything I have come to expect from an album created by this exceptional artist, top-notch musicianship, production, and sound.

If those three factors are in place consistently on your recordings there is a very good chance you will garner the praise you deserve and all the respect from your peers in the industry. You can tick off all the boxes in that category for Kathryn as well.

Solace of Mountains and Clouds is a direct reflection of the surroundings of the artist where she lives and creates all of her compositions. The inspiration of mother nature can be found in many different segments of the artistic communities. I must say after several years of listening to instrumental piano and new age music, that the images and music presented most definitely go hand in hand. The production elements are superb thanks to the Imaginary Road Studios and the fine stable of artists that contribute to this and many other recordings. The partnerships created are absolute bliss, with Kathryn’s recording being no exception.

A few of my favorites are “Slow Waltz at Summer's End” and “While The Mountain Sleeps.”  The track titles are as moving as the music. The images created by the titles and music are all at once prolific, calming, spiritual and rhythmic. There is an innate sense of musicality and tones emanating from those talented fingers that touch the ivory keys.

Solace of Mountains and Clouds is the soul of nature mirrored in the music and the colors, atmospheres, and vibrations of this wonderful music. It starts by touching all of your senses then it finds a way to your heart and soul. Any good instrumental music holds that magic but to do it so well and for so long is an incredible achievement and a gift to all that have the pleasure of hearing it.

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck
June 2, 2019
 
Founder of:

Review Provided By New Age Music Reviews

Tracks:
01. Luna's Dream 3:57
02. For Love of Earth and Sky 5:12
03. We'll Be Home Tomorrow 4:13
04. Slow Waltz at Summer's End 4:24
05. Solace of Mountains and Clouds 6:06
06. Mountains Touching Sky 4:10
07. Finally Spring 5:16
08. Warm Sun, Gentle Rain 4:00
09. While the Mountain Sleeps 4:27
10. Stories Told by Trees 4:55


6/01/2019

Instrumental Acoustic Review: Raphael Groten-Star Lullaby

Release Date: June 1, 2019
Label: Indie

I first heard an album from Raphael Groten in 2015 covering Journey Home. So now with 4 years between albums, we have a double-disc set to make up for the lost time. The new release is titled Star Lullaby. 29 tracks comprise his latest recording. 

Star Lullaby on disc 1 is all original solo guitar music produced at Imaginary Road Studios with Will Ackerman and Tom Eaton. Disc 2 includes the same songs but with featured musicians Michael Manring, Eugene Friesen, Ron Korb, Charlie Bisharat, Jeff Haynes, Noah Wilding, and Will Ackerman.  This will provide each individual listener the opportunity to hear all tracks as they were meant to be heard with the guitar and then another opportunity to hear it all with instruments added. You will have the chance to compare and contrast each song, but most of all come to appreciate what a true artisan Raphael is with his six-string.

The picking and plucking of the acoustic guitar can create many soundscapes, textures, colors, and images. This is where the artist succeeds in seemingly effortless fashion. Certainly, it sounds very smooth as he transitions from one song to the next but surely this is not an easy thing to accomplish. Making your guitar the only instrument, then filling in all the spaces with the right tones and rhythms, must be a task. And then thinking of adding many other instruments and where to put them properly in a composition is another challenge. What you never have is a window into the process and obstacles one can run into on such an ambitious undertaking. That must have been more of a challenge from a production point than cutting the first disc with just guitar.

On the second disc, Raphael was very smart and made sure his guitar remained the main instrument. This does not take away from the added instrumentation. The artist commented: To be clear, the tracklist is the same for both discs, except Disc 2 which has a 15th track: “Star Lullaby” (vocals). (Which by the way, is very good).

Truly, my inspiration for the double CD came early on in production. As I began to overdub the featured musicians (which was thrilling!), I realized that while I expanded the sound for my fans, I also wanted to maintain their capacity to be able to listen to just the solo guitar

 I think that puts it all into proper perspective for the artist and for the listeners.

With that said, I found the additional instruments a benefit to the tracks, particularly with Michael Manring's distinctive bass style and tone.  The natural partnership of bass and six-string guitars are very evident when listening to these tracks. I also think because the guitar is acoustic, it allows the other instruments to shine and accompany Raphael in the most complimentary way possible. The beauty and simplicity of the first disc are very enjoyable and will be appreciated by guitar fans and those of easy listening or relaxation music. The same applies to the second disc but what you get is more layers of sound without any compromise from any one instrument, it all blends together beautifully.

There is just so much to enjoy on Star Lullaby that it would seem unfair to site any one track as a standout because they all are, it’s as simple as that. This is quite a treat for the ears and senses and the contrasts and variety are superb.


Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck
June 1, 2019

Founder of:

Review Provided By New Age Music Reviews

Tracks:

Disc 1: Solo Guitar
 
1.  dawn
2.  waking
3.  mindfulness
4.  guidance
5.  levity
6.  star lullaby
7.  gratitude
8.  meditation
9.  compassion
10. opening
11. fledgling
12. eclipse
13. trust
14. prayer


Disc 2: Featured Musicians
 
1.  dawn
2.  waking
3.  mindfulness
4.  guidance
5.  levity
6.  star lullaby
7.  gratitude
8.  meditation
9.  compassion
10. opening
11. fledgling
12. eclipse
13. trust
14. prayer
15. star lullaby (vocals)


 

5/30/2019

King Crimson's 2019 Tour Box 2CD Now Available For Pre-order


Available as a pre-order now, the 2019 tour box will be available for general purchase at the end of June, as well as all of the 50 King Crimson live shows this year. The popular 2CD set covers all era of King Crimson with extracts from rehearsals, new live recordings, elements from studio recordings, full tracks, alternate takes & finished recordings from 1969-2018, many of which make their first appearance on CD.

Pre-order link 
Inner Knot (US) https://shop.schizoidshop.com/king-crimson---the-elements-tour-box-2019-p1800.aspx

The Elements tour box was originally devised specifically as a one-off edition for the 2014 King Crimson tour but has since become an in-demand series with subsequent editions in 2015, 16 & 17 becoming firm sellers. The accompanying booklet features sleeve-notes by co-compiler Sid Smith, photos of memorabilia, full info about the current tour & a number of band & individual photos of the current King Crimson line-up.

Full track listing 

Disc 1

1 Wind [extract] 1969, Wessex Studios, London. In The Court Of The Crimson King recording sessions.
2 21st Century Schizoid Man [Instrumental] From In The Court Of The Crimson King recording sessions.
3 Cadence and Cascade [Four vocalists] (Fripp, Sinfield) Original recording 1970 Wessex
Studios, London with vocal by Gordon Haskell (1970), Greg Lake, (1970), Adrian Belew (1991) Jakko Jakszyk,
(2017) From KC50 download series www.dgmlive.com
4 Catfood [Keith Tippett, Piano] 1970 Wessex Studios, London. In The Wake Of Poseidon recording sessions.
From www.dgmlive.com Stormy Monday Selection.
5 Pictures Of A City [Robert Fripp, guitars] In The Wake Of Poseidon recording sessions. From www.dgmlive.com
6 Lizard Suite Live at Centre Videotron, Quebec City, July 7, 2017. From Lizard Blu-ray disc, Sailors’ Tales boxed set.
7 The Letters Live at State Theatre, Minneapolis, June 26, 2017. Previously released on 2017 Royal Package CD set.
8 The Talking Drum Live at the Orpheum Theatre, Los Angeles, October 1, 2014. Previously released on 2017 Royal Package CD set.
9 Fracture [mostly drums mix] January 1974 AIR Studios, London. From Starless And Bible Black recording sessions. From www.dgmlive.com Stormy Monday Selection.
10 Starless [Mellotron extract] Red recording sessions. From www.dgmlive.com Stormy Monday Selection.
11 Red Live at Falkoner, Copenhagen, September 23, 2016. Previously released on 2017 Royal Package CD set.
12 Indiscipline Live at Teatro Metropolitan, Mexico City, July, 2017. From Meltdown: Live in Mexico.
13 Neurotica Live at Chicago Theater, Chicago, June 28, 2017. From Live in Chicago.
14 Three Of A Perfect Pair Live at Nokia Theater, New York, August 2008. Taken from Heaven & Earth boxed set.

Tracks 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, 10 previously unreleased on CD

Disc 2

1 Inner Garden [complete] 1994, Real World, Bath. THRAK recording sessions. Taken from the JurassiKc THRAK CD in the THRAK boxed set.
ProjeKcts Suite:

2 4 ii 1[ProjeKct One] Live at the Jazz Cafe, London, December 4, 1997. Taken from Heaven & Earth boxed set.
3 VROOOM [ProjeKct Two] Live at Pearl Street, Northampton, July 1, 1998. From the Heaven & Earth boxed set ProjeKcts Vol.2 Blu-ray disc.
4 Seizure [ProjeKct Three] Live at Antone's, Austin, March 25, 1999. From the Heaven & Earth boxed set ProjeKcts Vol.1 Blu-ray disc.
5 ProjeKction [ProjeKct Four] Live at the Crystal Ballroom, Portland, October 30, 1998. From the Heaven & Earth boxed set ProjeKcts Vol.1 Blu-ray disc.

6 The ConstruKction Of Light Live at the Vogue Theatre, Vancouver, November 26, 2015. Previously released on 2017 Royal Package CD set.

Sus-Tayn-Z Suite:

7 Sus-Tayn-Z I
8 Sus-Tayn-Z II
9 Sus-Tayn-Z III
August 2002, The Tracking Room, Nashville. The Power To Believe recording sessions.
Taken from The Power To Believe Tour Box (2003).

10 The Light of Day (Jakszyk, Fripp, Collins) November 25, 2009 DGM Soundworld, Silesia
Sound. A Scarcity of Miracles recording sessions. From www.dgmlive.com Stormy Monday Selection.
Radical Action Suite:

11 Radical Action I (Fripp) Live at Auditorium Cavea, Rome, July 22, 2018. From the forthcoming
Live in Rome album.
12 Radical Action III (Fripp) Live at Auditorium Cavea, Rome, July 22, 2018. From the forthcoming
Live in Rome album.
13 Level 5 (Belew, Fripp, Gunn, Mastelotto) Live at Auditorium Cavea, Rome, July 22, 2018.
From the forthcoming Live in Rome album.

Tracks 1, 3, 4, 5, 10, 11, 12, 13 previously unreleased on CD

For more information: www.dgmlive.com

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