MuzikMan's Reviews And News: Guitarist

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11/06/2017

Paul Nelson, Grammy Winning Guitar Virtuoso & Johnny Winter Protege, On Tour In Support of Latest Album "Badass Generation"

Los Angeles - Grammy winning guitar legend & Johnny Winter protege Paul Nelson will be touring the US in support of his critically acclaimed latest album “Badass Generation.” For Paul Nelson, a new musical chapter beckons... Nelson was not only the hand picked guitarist to legendary rock/blues icon Johnny Winter but is recognized in his own right as one of today’s top guitarists. “Johnny definitely took me under his wing,” Nelson remembers his late friend and mentor. “The blues world does that. One musician hands you the torch, and then you try to run with it. Johnny took pride in turning me on to the likes of Robert Johnson, T-Bone Walker, Muddy Waters Delta, Texas and Chicago blues – all the music that he loved. I knew what he was doing for me, and I am really appreciative for that.”

Check out the Trailer for the band's new single “Down Home Boogie”:

Paul Nelson Live With Warren Haynes and The Gov't Mule Band and G-Love on “Good Mornin' Little School Girl”:

Paul Nelson Tour Dates 2017

EXCLUSIVE VIP PACKAGES

Meet & Greets and More!

Date	Venue	Location		Tickets
Nov 03	Chans	Woonsocket, RI		Tickets	RSVP
Nov 08	Country Store	Saint George, DE	VIP		RSVP
Nov 10	The Blue Note Grill	Durham, NC		Tickets	RSVP
Nov 11	Darwins	Sandy Springs, GA			RSVP
Nov 12	Capital Oyster Bar	Montgomery, AL			RSVP
Nov 16	Terra Fermata	Stuart, FL		Tickets	RSVP
Nov 17	Arts Garage	Delray Beach, FL	VIP	Tickets	RSVP
Nov 18	Porkie's Roadhouse	Punta Gorda, FL	VIP	Tickets	RSVP
Nov 19	LOU'S BLUES	Indialantic, FL			RSVP
Nov 22	The Green Parrot	Key West, FL			RSVP
Nov 23	The Green Parrot	Key West, FL			RSVP
Nov 24	South Street Naples	Naples, FL			RSVP
Nov 25	The Alley	Sanford, FL		Tickets	RSVP
Nov 26	Earl's Hideaway	Sebastian, FL			RSVP
Dec 02	Kettleworks	Columbia, PA			RSVP
Mar 12	Fairfield Theatre Company	Fairfield, CT		Tickets	RSVP

More dates to come!
Fri 01/26/18     Miffenburg PA - The Rusty Rail
Sat 01/27/18     Stanhope House, NJ - Stanhope House
Sun 03/25/18     Pomeroy IA - Byrons Bar
Sat 03/31/18     Springfield IL - The Third Base
Fri 04/06/18     Toronto Canada - Cadillac Lounge
Sat 04/07/18     Gravenhurst Ontario Canada - Peter's Playe
Fri 05/18/18     Fort Myers FL - The Barrel Room

Worldwide touring has always been a constant in his career. Nelson and his time with Winter was no different, performing and/or recording along side an array of today's top artists such as: Slash, Vince Gill, Joe Walsh, Eric Clapton, Warren Haynes, Derek Trucks, Sonny Landreth, Edgar Winter, Billy Gibbons, Leslie West, Susan Tedeshi, Joe Bonamassa, Dr. John, Dickey Betts, Rick Derringer, Brian Setzer, Larry Carlton, Robben Ford and countless others. Major appearances such as television performances on “Late Night with David Letterman” and “Jimmy Kimmel Live” soon followed. This finally led Nelson to perform on and produce “Step Back,” a posthumous, star- studded affair, - pairing him on recordings with Eric Clapton, Billy Gibbons, Joe Perry, Ben Harper and many others, earning both Nelson and Winter Grammy Awards for “Best Blues Album”. Nelson still feels the loss of his friend and mentor. But he also recognizes that new creative endeavors are ahead.

Nelson received a Grammy award for his work performing on and producing Winter's “Step Back” release on Megaforce/Sony winning “Best Blues Album of the Year” highlighting his already long list of Grammy Nominations. As well as the BMA “Blues Music Award” for “Best Blues/Rock Album” reaching #16 on the Billboard Top 200 and staying at #1 on the Billboard Blues Charts for weeks. He is also a recipient of the Blues Foundation's KBA “Keeping The Blues Alive Award”.

His music has reached millions with appearances on Late Night with David Letterman and Jimmy Kimmel Live, and on award winning documentaries: “Down and Dirty” The Johnny Winter Story and “Sideman: Long Road to Glory” (feat: Bonnie Rait, Gregg Allman, Hubert Sumlin), as well as music written/performed and broadcast nationally on NBC and on multiple major album releases, books, instructional guitar columns, live Concert DVD's, and guest performances on countless recordings.

Staying at #1 on the “Hot New Releases” charts for months Nelson's latest project “Badass Generation" on Sony Records still maintains his unmistakable connection to the Blues, but it also finds the guitarist showing his many other musical dimentions fans have come expect considering him one of music's most respected and influential contemporary artists.

The formation of The Paul Nelson Band and new self-titled album marks the next step in that evolution. Nelson's latest project still maintains an unmistakable connection to the blues, but it also finds the guitarist showing his other musical dimensions, from hard-edged, uncompromising rock and blues to acoustic-driven singer-songwriter fare.

“The Paul Nelson Band rocks. Period. Nelson's sparkling electricity spills out of his guitar like Blues/Rock on Steroids. Singer Morten Fredheim is a find! Paul Rodgers ain't got nothin’ on this guy! Nelson is razor-sharp, crystal-clear and punctuates the proceedings with a kick and a grin. This band can’t help but be huge.” - Goldmine Magazine

On this album Nelson and his newly formed band skillfully incorporate an array of sounds and styles, with what Nelson's fans know to be his calling card: remarkable, world-class virtuosity on the guitar - what you might expect of someone who was also taught by six-string master Steve Vai. “This project has so much input from all of the different styles of music that have influenced me and my band, from blues to classic rock to jam band, pop rock and more. I wanted to play the guitar to serve the songs – and not the other way around. Everything I create has to fit in with the music,” says Nelson.

Track List:
1. Down Home Boogie
2. Keep It All Together
3. Goodbye Forever
4. Cold Hearted Mama
5. Please Come Home
6. Root Too All Evil
7. Swamp Thing
8. Come With Me
9. Out Of Time
10. Fooled By Love
11. Take It Back

Produced by: Paul Nelson
Engineered: Morten Fredhiem
Mixed, and Mastered by: Phil Magnotti
Recorded at: Chop Shop Studios
Photography by: Michael Wientrob
Art Direction and Design: Marion Amundsen
Special Guest Musicians: Danny Louis (Gov't Mule) on Hammond Organ (track 2) Frank “King Bee” Lattore on Harp (track 3 )

Approved Media Hi-Res Press Photos here:
www.paulnelsonguitar.com

Website: www.paulnelsonguitar.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/paulnelsonofficial/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/paulnelsonguit1

To purchase Paul Nelson's “Badass Generation”:
Buy the CD: https://www.amazon.com/Badass-Generation-Limited-Digipak-Nelson/dp/B017VORJFQ
Buy the digital version: https://www.amazon.com/Baddass-Generation-Paul-Nelson-Band/dp/B01BLWOJ98

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

Booking:
Bobbi Llewellyn, Highway Key Touring
www.highwaykey.com
www.facebook.com/hwykey
Tel: + 1 586 420 4728 USA
bobbillewellyn7@gmail.com

Paul Nelson, Grammy Winning Guitar Virtuoso & Johnny Winter Protege, On Tour In Support of Latest Album "Badass Generation"

EXCLUSIVE VIP PACKAGES

Meet & Greets and More!

Date	Venue	Location		Tickets
Nov 03	Chans	Woonsocket, RI		Tickets	RSVP
Nov 08	Country Store	Saint George, DE	VIP		RSVP
Nov 10	The Blue Note Grill	Durham, NC		Tickets	RSVP
Nov 11	Darwins	Sandy Springs, GA			RSVP
Nov 12	Capital Oyster Bar	Montgomery, AL			RSVP
Nov 16	Terra Fermata	Stuart, FL		Tickets	RSVP
Nov 17	Arts Garage	Delray Beach, FL	VIP	Tickets	RSVP
Nov 18	Porkie's Roadhouse	Punta Gorda, FL	VIP	Tickets	RSVP
Nov 19	LOU'S BLUES	Indialantic, FL			RSVP
Nov 22	The Green Parrot	Key West, FL			RSVP
Nov 23	The Green Parrot	Key West, FL			RSVP
Nov 24	South Street Naples	Naples, FL			RSVP
Nov 25	The Alley	Sanford, FL		Tickets	RSVP
Nov 26	Earl's Hideaway	Sebastian, FL			RSVP
Dec 02	Kettleworks	Columbia, PA			RSVP
Mar 12	Fairfield Theatre Company	Fairfield, CT		Tickets	RSVP

10/13/2017

Guitarist Mark Vickness To Release Debut Solo Album "Places" Inspired by Experiences Traveling America

Oakland, CA - After years as the driving instrumental force behind the guitar/vocal duo, Glass House, guitarist Mark Vickness releases his first solo CD inspired by experiences traveling throughout the US.

“Places” is a modern fingerstyle solo acoustic guitar CD featuring eight original compositions and an arrangement of the spiritual, “I Must Tell Jesus,” which Mark recorded in memoriam to the woman who raised him who died in 2015 at the age of 99.

Says Mark, “Although the music on this CD is inspired by places I have been, it's also about the personal journey of delving into modern fingerstyle guitar in writing and recording these pieces.”

Along the way, Mark enlisted the talents of his wife, Jennifer and his two children, Lucy and Will, to make this a family-inclusive project. Both Jennifer and Will contribute photos to the twelve page color booklet included with the CD. Lucy, who was recently named the Youth Poet Laureate of Oakland, offers one of her poems to accompany the arrangement of “I Must Tell Jesus.”

The places and experiences that inspired these pieces include Thousand Islands Lake in the High Sierra Mountains of California (A Thousand Islands) where Mark got engaged, the Wind River Range in Wyoming where Mark had many tranformative first experiences, Prince William Sound in Alaska, New York City and Hawaii where he had a magical ocean encounter with manta rays (Flight of the Rays).

“Mark Vickness dazzles on his 8 string guitar/bass.” - Tom Semioli, Minor 7th

Modern Fingerstyle Guitar is a genre that traces its roots back to a few early proponents, most notably Michael Hedges. The idea was to expand the musical vocabulary for the steel string acoustic guitar by employing percussive techniques, broader use of harmonics, unique tunings and better ways of amplifying the acoustic guitar to produce a richer, more layered, orchestral sound. That initial idea continues to motivate players to come up with new ways to push the envelope including the use of various effects and looping. Mark employs all of these techniques in these compositions.

Says Mark, “The only rules I set for this CD were that all the pieces be played on a steel string acoustic guitar and that I be able to perform them live as a soloist. I only broke the rules a few times. Because I come from a background as a composer, my focus was on the compositions themselves rather than on any particular fingerstyle technique.”

In addition to writing and performing these pieces on guitar, Mark reached back to his love of composing for string quartet for the coda of the “Wonder Lake Suite.” He also performs the tabla part on “Flight of the Rays.”

“Places” was recorded, engineered and mixed by Dan Feiszli at his studio in El Cerrito, CA and at Fantasy Studios in Berkeley, CA. The string quartet coda on Wonder Lake Suite was performed by two-time grammy award winning violinist/violist Mads Tolling and cellist Joseph Hebert. The CD was mastered by Reuben Cohen at Lurssen Mastering, Burbank, CA. The CD artwork was designed by Teo Mok.

Mark plays a Michael Greenfield G4 fan fret, a Greenfield baritone guitar, a Matt Mustapick custom designed eight string and an Ovation Celebrity Deluxe Double Neck acoustic guitar.

In addition to the video of “I Must Tell Jesus” (https://youtu.be/2N7BU1FVZG8), Mark will be recording several more solo guitar videos in the coming months as well as performing both as a solo guitarist and with Glass House. Glass House is currently in production for its next EP.

To purchase Mark Vickness's “Places”: https://store.cdbaby.com/cd/markvickness

For more information:
Website: markvickness.com
Facebook: facebook.com/mark.vickness

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

10/11/2017

Former Yes Guitarist Peter Banks Posthumously Rejoins Mabel Greer's Toyshop For The Last Song On New Album "The Secret"

Mabel Greer’s Toyshop: The Secret Is Out… A new song written to celebrate 50 years of Peter Banks and Chris Squire joining the group in 1967.

London- On a new Mabel Greer’s Toyshop album “The Secret” to be released by December 15, and for the first time in 50 years, Peter Banks and Clive Bayley are heard playing a guitar duo. Clive has written a new song around previously recorded guitar parts by Peter Banks. The song is included in the album as a tribute to Peter Banks and Chris Squire joining Mabel Greer in September 1967. “I did it because reading of Peter’s passing in 2013 was the catalyst for meeting Bob Hagger again and coming up with the crazy idea of re-forming Mabel Greer. The result is that we have produced two new albums since then, and released re-mastered BBC tapes from 1967 on the EP ‘Images’”, said Clive.

Clive and Bob first met in 1966 - a time when the London underground music scene was an impressive force for future development of a different kind of rock music. Clive at sixteen years old, had already been playing music in a band since the age of 13, he was writing his own compositions and already had an idea of what kind of music he wanted to perform. Bob had previously been for an audition in the band ‘The Syn’. The bass player happened to be Chris Squire and the guitarist Peter Banks, it wasn’t long before they both joined Bob and Clive in Mabel Greer’s Toyshop and the seeds of ‘Yes’ were planted. In early 1968, Jon Anderson also joined the group, in June Bill Bruford replaced Bob and Tony Kaye joined on keyboards. But in August of that year Clive left the band and they changed name to ‘Yes’.

Fast forward to 2013, Clive met Bob again for the first time in 45 years! Both now in their sixties. The first thing Clive said to Bob was “let’s get into the studio, see if we still have the old magic”. The result became the album “New Way Of Life” featuring Billy Sherwood and Tony Kaye, released in 2015.

This new album of 9 songs “The Secret” with Max Hunt on keyboards and Hugo Barré on bass will be available on or before December 15, 2017 on CD and digital download at: https://mabelgreerstoyshop.bandcamp.com

A special thanks to Daniel Earnshaw of QEDG Management for providing the Peter Banks recordings.

Enquiries: Emily at: mabelgreerstoyshop@gmail.com
Mabel Greer’s Toyshop official website: www.mabelgreerstoyshop.com

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

Former Yes Guitarist Peter Banks Posthumously Rejoins Mabel Greer's Toyshop For The Last Song On New Album "The Secret"

Mabel Greer’s Toyshop: The Secret Is Out… A new song written to celebrate 50 years of Peter Banks and Chris Squire joining the group in 1967.

9/21/2017

Guitar Legend Steve Hunter To Release New Album "Before The Lights Go Out"

The Deacon Of Rock Bites Back!

“Before The Lights Go Out” is long time Alice Cooper/Lou Reed Guitarist Steve Hunter's latest solo album. The cover art and title make a statement about his failing eyesight, but don't make the mistake of thinking this is a quiet wave goodbye. As soon as you put on the first track, you will know that this is more like a Blues Rock Declaration of Independence! There are sexy grooves, luscious guitar tones and melodies galore.

As with all Hunter's releases, there is some diversity and sound imagery, not least of which is Tienes Mi Corazón where alongside his nylon string improvisation comes the sound of his own heart. And listen out for Joe Satriani adding his fire to the heat of “Mojo Man.”

Also joining Steve on a couple of tracks are two great Bass players: Erik Scott can be heard on “Mojo Man,” Erik is also an Alice Cooper alumni. On “Under The Bodhi Tree” is Andy Stoller. Steve and Andy toured together with Tracy Chapman during the “Telling Stories” album period, most recently Andy has been touring with Ann Wilson of Heart.

Says Steve, “This album was a real joy for me on many levels. A big part of the inspiration and motivation that kept me going; was from all the people out there who had faith in me and encouraged me through the entire process with their donations and comments. It was really a wonderful experience having you all be a part of it. It's my deepest hope and desire that you all enjoy the music on this album as much as I enjoyed making it. Thank you and God bless!”

Watch the album sampler video:

Steve Hunter is his own man; he has been around the block with a forty-five year career.

From his 1973 solos on Alice Cooper's “Billion Dollar Babies” album, his legendary acoustic work on Peter Gabriel's “Solsbury Hill,” his “Intro” to Lou Reed's “Sweet Jane” and his searing opening solos on Aerosmith's version of “Train Kept A Rolling” Most recently he can be heard on Alice Cooper's 2017 album “Paranormal” making this his ninth Cooper album appearance. The Deacon is not done yet but his life is evolving! He has challenges playing live now but his honed skill, tone, power and soul, is dished up on this hot plate of guitar driven instrumental tastiness.

Tracks:
1. On The Edge Of Uncertainty
2. Mojo Man
3. Summer's Eve
4. Cinderblock
5. Softtail Deuce
6. Tienes Mi Corazón (You Have My Heart)
7. Ice Storm
8. Under The Bodhi Tree
9. The Other Side Of The Coin
10. Happy Trails (vocal Karen Hunter)

Release date September 25, 2017

To pre-order Steve Hunter's “Before The Lights Go Out”: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/before-the-lights-go-out/id1283875407

For more information:
http://www.stevehunter.com/
https://www.facebook.com/steve.hunter.54

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

Guitar Legend Steve Hunter To Release New Album "Before The Lights Go Out"

The Deacon Of Rock Bites Back!

7/14/2017

The Romantics Guitarist/Vocalist/Songwriter Michael Skill To Release New Solo Single "67 Riot"

New song evokes time when Detroit burned during “Summer of Love”

Detroit - From the man who crafted such hit singles as “What I Like About You,” “Talking in Your Sleep,” and “One In A Million,” comes a new gritty blues-rock single about the riots that forever changed his hometown of Detroit in 1967. Michael Skill, who has played both bass and guitar for the power-pop rock 'n' roll band The Romantics, was a budding teenager in 1967 when five days of racially charged riots tore apart Detroit in July. When it was over, 43 people lay dead, 1,189 had been injured, more than 7,200 had been arrested and more than 2,000 buildings had been destroyed.

Skill lived on Detroit's East Side and says that although the violence took place several miles from his home, he nonetheless saw its effects up close. “I remember the National Guard right down the street from my house,” he says. “People watching the riots on TV were afraid that rioters would come into our neighborhood. People were freaked out.” The riots changed his beloved Motor City forever. “A lot of my friends' families took off for the suburbs after that,” he says, noting his family chose to stay in the city.

The riot's effects – and the fact that many of the issues they raised, from police brutality to economic decay – stayed with Skill, culminating in his desire to write “67 Riot.” Loud, powerful and evocative of tough tunes by such rockers as Link Wray, Jimi Hendrix and Skill's fellow Detroit rockers, The MC 5, “67 Riot” is both a haunting look at the past as well as a timely allusion to the present, in a world where racial and social tension still threaten to rend our nation in two.

“I wrote the song from a sense of frustration that people never came together after the riots to really address what happened, to look each other in the eye and say, 'How can we repair this? How can we move forward?'” The song's lyrics are written from this point of view. “4 AM/Down the street/Cops roll in/With all the heat/Blind pig roaring/Kickin' their heels/Soldiers home/Just gettin' real,” the song opens. “Rooftop sniper/Set the sight/Burning cocktails/Flash in flight/Broken city/Broken dreams/Things aren't always what they seem/67 Riot!”

Recorded in Skill's own studio, the song features him on guitar, bass and vocals, and also features drummer Russell Ayers, who engineered the tune. The co-producers sought to create an aural equivalent of what it was like to live through this violent time, Skill says, but he adds that he wanted the song to end on a note of hope because Detroit has rebounded in recent years.

“Try to warm your heart/Dream your dreams/Break the chain/Let's start clean,” he adds in his song, noting it’s time to break the chain of racism that has shackled generations before, during and after “67 Riot.”

Watch the “'67 Riot” video:

“'67 Riot” first single solo release from upcoming Debut LP.

The Romantics are still touring, still recording and currently feature 3 original band members on the front line up, Rich Cole, Wally Palmar and co-founder Michael Skill. Drummer Brad Elvis joined The Romantics in 2004 and has been the longest seated drummer with the band. Rich Cole rejoined the band in 2010, reviving the band's 3-part harmony allowing The Romantics to perform songs from their first two albums live for the first time since his departure.

To purchase Michael Skill's “'67 Riot” single:
https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/67-riot-single/id1253879847
https://play.google.com/store/music/album/Michael_Skill_67_Riot?id=B3a7rg4gdourwt5xm2kvt26twte&hl=en
http://cdbaby.com/cd/michaelskill

Social Media:
https://www.facebook.com/mike.skill
https://twitter.com/MikeSkill2 @mikeskill2
https://www.instagram.com/mjskill/ @mjskill
https://www.facebook.com/67Riots/
https://www.facebook.com/romanticsdetroit/

Interviews:
http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/7597106/the-weeknd-secrets-the-romantics-mike-skill-talking-in-your-sleep
https://musicfrenzyradionetwork.podbean.com/e/classics-in-30-the-romantics/#.WQkLeV6m0oE.facebook
https://www.mixcloud.com/gilmartindeirdre/mike-skill-of-the-romantics-interview-on-the-independent-stage-01142016/

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

The Romantics Guitarist/Vocalist/Songwriter Michael Skill To Release New Solo Single "67 Riot"

New song evokes time when Detroit burned during “Summer of Love”

3/24/2017

The Doors Guitar Legend Robby Krieger To Play Select US Dates

The Doors guitar legend Robby Krieger will be playing select US dates beginning in April! A Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee (with The Doors), Krieger wrote or co-wrote many of the Doors' songs, including the hits “Light My Fire”, “Love Me Two Times”, “Touch Me”, and “Love Her Madly”. After the Doors disbanded, Krieger continued his performing and recording career with other musicians including former Doors band mates John Densmore and Ray Manzarek. Robby is listed by Rolling Stone as one of the greatest guitarists of all time!

Tour dates:

April 7, 2017 - Pasadena, CA - The Rose
April 8, 2017 - Ojai, CA - Ojai Libbey Bowl
April 16, 2017 - New York, NY - City Winery New York
April 19, 2017 - Shirley, MA - Bull Run
April 21, 2017 - Greensburg, PA - Palace Theatre
April 22, 2017 - Newton, NJ - Newton Theatre
April 23, 2017 - Ardmore, PA - Ardmore Music Hall
May 5, 2017 - Grand Rapids, MI - 20 Monroe Live
May 6, 2017 - Detroit, MI - The Filmore Detroit
May 7, 2017 - Indianapolis, IN - Egyptian Room at Old National Centre
May 27, 2017 - Simi Valley, CA - Rancho Santa Susana Community

Robert Alan Krieger, born January 8, 1946, in Los Angeles, is a musical performer and The Doors guitarist. He attended UCLA. “The first music I heard that I liked was Peter and the Wolf. I accidentally sat and broke the record (I was about seven). Then I listened to rock ‘n’ roll – I listened to the radio a lot – Fats Domino, Elvis, The Platters.

“There was lots of classical music in my house. My father liked march music. There was a piano at home. I studied trumpet at ten, but nothing came of it. Then I started playing blues on the piano? no lessons though. When I was fifteen, I started playing guitar. I used my friend’s guitar. I didn’t get my own until I was sixteen. It was a Mexican flamenco guitar. I took flamenco lessons for a few months. I switched around from folk to flamenco to blues to rock ‘n’ roll.

“Records got me into the blues. Some of the newer rock ‘n’ roll, such as the Paul Butterfield Blues Band. If it hadn’t been for Butterfield going electric, I probably wouldn’t have gone rock ‘n’ roll.

I didn’t plan on rock ‘n’ roll. I wanted to learn jazz; I got to know some people doing rock ‘n’ roll with jazz, and I thought I could make money playing music. In rock ‘n’ roll you can realize anything that you can in jazz or anything. There’s no limitation other than the beat. You have more freedom than you do in anything except jazz.

“In The Doors we have both musicians and poets, and both know of each other’s art, so we can effect a synthesis. In the case of Tim Buckley or Dylan you have one man’s ideas. Most groups today aren’t groups. In a true group all the members create the arrangements among themselves.”

For more info: http://robbykrieger.com/

Robby Krieger - In Session:
Buy the CD here:
https://cleorecs.com/store/shop/robby-krieger-in-sessions-cd/
Buy the digital version here:
https://geo.itunes.apple.com/us/album/in-session/id1194804130?app=itunes&at=1000lt9k

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

(photo by Jill Jarrett)

3/14/2017

Experimental Guitarist Rex Shepherd Releases Three Albums Digitally!

Described as Robin Trower meets Miles Davis!

Guitarist Rex Shepherd has released three albums digitally: “Ohio”, “Sonority” and “Duets”. Combining elements of jazz improvisation and harmony with an approach to guitar playing heavily influenced by diverse players such as Jim Hall, Robin Trower, Fred Frith, and sitar virtuoso Ravi Shankar, Rex Shepherd has forged a niche for himself with original music that typically lies somewhere just outside the usual genre labels but is still music that is approachable.

Says Rex, “This new music was recorded in my personal studio, much of it with other musicians in duets, and at various times throughout the last few years. The past several years have delivered to me a greater understanding of the fleeting nature of this lifetime, so I decided to release much of what I had accumulated, in part to satisfy my own need to communicate musically with the world outside of my little sphere of existence, but also I wanted to honor the musicians who played this music with me. It is these musical and personal relationships that are at the heart of creating music, whether composed or improvised, and for the people who listen to it I hope it also creates a connection between us. Much peace and music to all people, everywhere.”

Having been described as “Robin Trower meets Miles Davis”, Shepherd's music spans from full on instrumental jazz rock tunes to traditional jazz compositions with a good dose of free improvisation and sound experimentation using “prepared” and effected guitar sounds and instruments such as the “oceanharp” and the Theremin.

Shepherd's band, sometimes going under the name No End of Now, employs a revolving cast of the most creative players he can find who are willing to take part in a project that is often arranged while playing and with no limitations on the players' expression of the music. The compositions are also a blend of influences, from Wayne Shorter to John Cage, and most often are directly inspired by people, literature and other art forms, and experiences that hold significant meaning in Shepherd's life.

Says Rex, “I feel really lucky to get to play with some great musicians and always look forward to meeting new people to create sounds with...it's amazing how the same music can sound so different with the personalities of other players in any given moment. Playing with a group is a very fluid thing when everyone is listening, then responding...it becomes intuitive and ethereal, the closest thing to telecommunication I've ever experienced. When I play solo it’s similar in a way, in that I am responding to inner voices and emotional impulses in a meditative sort of way. I'm not a technical player, I rarely practice technique unless I discover a particular thing I want to use to express my ideas. With whatever technique I have, I hope that I can bring out the best of my musical ideas. One of my main influences, Jim Hall, is a master lyricist and I could only hope for a fraction of the melody under that guy's fingers. I play what I want to play and I don’t want to copy anyone, but I do a pretty good impression of myself most of the time.”

The releases:

Ohio
With the exception of “Desire”, a ballad Rex wrote several years ago, the music on this recording is all improvised. The songs consist of duet recordings captured in his studio after he had returned home to Ohio for a short time. “The musicians joining me on this recording are not only thoughtful and skillful players but are also beautiful people, and I am grateful to them for their music and their friendship during my stay on the 'North Coast'”.
https://rexshepherd.bandcamp.com/album/ohio

Sonority
This recent recording features a set of improvised tunes that were arrived at after John and Rex conducted their usual pre-roll discussions about the state of current affairs in the U.S. “Being fortunate enough to have two voices with which to speak out against what I see as injustice, inequality, and hatred, I felt that releasing this music, even if not listened to by many, would at least add to the spirit and energy of the peaceful movement for change taking place currently.”
https://rexshepherd.bandcamp.com/album/sonority

Duets
Except for the improvisations “Etude #2” and “April 9th”, this release features compositions by Rex that have existed anywhere from 15 years, in the case of “In the Shade”, to just two days before being recorded like “Happy Little Trees”. “The takes are imperfect. The music is presented here with minimal changes in the mixes so that it will accurately depict our journey feeling our way through it. I preferred to keep the imperfections so that these takes more closely resemble the music that one might hear if John and I were playing the tunes live, where boundaries are pushed and the music flows moment by moment. When challenged with making music I am buoyed by a quote from my musical hero, the great Jim Hall, 'The instrument keeps me humble. Sometimes I pick it up and it seems to say: No, you can't play today. I keep at it anyway, though.' Much peace and music to all people, everywhere.”
https://rexshepherd.bandcamp.com/album/duets

For more information:
Website: https://rexshep.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/musicpagerexshepherd/

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

Experimental Guitarist Rex Shepherd Releases Three Albums Digitally!

Described as Robin Trower meets Miles Davis!

2/04/2017

Rare Studio Sessions From Legendary DOORS Guitarist ROBBY KRIEGER Featured On A Superb New Collection!

Los Angeles, CA - He is undoubtedly one of the boldest rock guitarists of all-time, a pioneering songwriter who fused classic blues with California psychedelia to create some of rock music’s greatest songs including “Love Me Two Times,” “Touch Me,” “Love Her Madly” and more. And, of course, he was a founding member of one of the most critically and commercially adored bands in history, The Doors. But in the time since his tenure with that iconic outfit, Robby Krieger has not simply rested on his laurels. Instead, he has gone on to release a series of solo albums that found Krieger and his trademark Gibson SG adventuring into the outer reaches of space rock, jazz, classical music and more! Krieger has also collaborated on several studio recordings that reinterpreted classic songs by The Beatles, Pink Floyd, Supertramp and others. Now, a new collection of these studio sessions, including two exclusive, never-before-released mixes and a bonus live recording available on CD for the first time. In Session features an incredible roster of guest appearances including Jackson Browne, Hawkwind’s Nik Turner, Asia’s John Wetton, Styx’s Tommy Shaw, and even the Star Trek captain himself, William Shatner! Don’t miss this incredible collection available everywhere February 17 from Purple Pyramid Records.

Track List:
1. Across The Universe feat. Jackson Browne
2. Hypernova feat. Nik Turner (Inner Space Mix)
3. Empty Spaces feat. Billy Sherwood
4. Where We Belong (Prism Mix) feat. Tony Kaye
5. Don’t Leave Me Now feat. Tommy Shaw
6. Brain Damage feat. Geoff Downes
7. School feat. Rod Argent
8. Deep Down feat. William Shatner
9. Little Drummer Boy
10. All You Need Is Love feat. John Wetton
BONUS TRACK
11. Back Door Man (Live)

Buy the CD here:
https://cleorecs.com/store/shop/robby-krieger-in-sessions-cd/
Buy the digital version here:
https://geo.itunes.apple.com/us/album/in-session/id1194804130?app=itunes&at=1000lt9k

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

CLEOPATRA RECORDS, Inc.
11041 Santa Monica Blvd #703
Los Angeles CA 90025
www.CleopatraRecords.com

Rare Studio Sessions From Legendary DOORS Guitarist ROBBY KRIEGER Featured On A Superb New Collection!

2/01/2017

Female Guitar Shredder Tara Lynch To Release New Single “Trustless” Feat. Members of Dream Theater, Yngwie Malmsteen, Whitesnake and Alice Cooper!

Los Angeles - Tara Lynch is an American guitarist, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist. Tara will be releasing her new single “Trustless” from her forthcoming debut album “Evil Enough” on Friday, February 10, 2017. “Evil Enough” is a melodic metal album full of rich guitar dominant tracks, all written by Tara Lynch. Along with Tara on all lead/rhythm guitars, this album features an all-star lineup of high-profile guest musicians including Tony MacAlpine and Derek Sherinian (Dream Theater, KISS, Alice Cooper, Yngwie Malmsteen, Billy Idol) on keyboards, Björn Englen (Yngwie Malmsteen, Tony MacAlpine, Quiet Riot, Soul Sign, Dio Disciples) and Phil Soussan (Ozzy Osbourne, Billy Idol, Last In Line) on bass, Brian Tichy (Whitesnake, Billy Idol, Foreigner, Ozzy Osbourne) and Glen Sobel (Alice Cooper) on drums and the virtuoso vocals of Mark Boals (Yngwie Malmsteen, Uli Jon Roth, Dokken, Dio Disciples, Raiding the Rock Vault).

Says Tara, “Both the concept and meaning behind 'Trustless' are autobiographical. I've been through life's toughest moments and have come out on the other side much stronger for it. I've decided to tell my story both for therapeutic reasons and also in hopes that it can relate to and offer support to others in the same situation.

“The entire 'Evil Enough' album is a musical autobiography. Very often, the term 'blood, sweat and tears' is used as a metaphor to describe the work one puts in to something that they are 110% invested in. This would be an accurate metaphor where I am concerned. It has been a tremendously emotional journey into my own soul in order to both write the lyrics that explain my experiences, as well as write the melodies to convey the feelings involved within each experience.”

“Tara Lynch has a beautiful natural vibrato that I have only heard in the very top guitar players” - Derek Sherinian

Primarily self-taught, Tara played both electric and acoustic guitar and wrote songs in her childhood, picking up the bass guitar, drums and piano along the way. Very serious about her musicianship and the unending desire to improve, Tara has personally studied guitar with Steve Vai (Frank Zappa, David Lee Roth, Whitesnake, Alcatrazz), drums with Chad Smith (Red Hot Chili Peppers), bass with Björn Englen (Yngwie Malmsteen, Tony MacAlpine, Quiet Riot, Soul Sign, Dio Disciples) and piano with Derek Sherinian (Dream Theater, KISS, Alice Cooper, Yngwie Malmsteen, Billy Idol).

In 2015, Tara accepted the invitation from Geert Fiew (founder of Belgian band Beyond the Labyrinth) to write and perform guitar solos on Beyond the Labyrinth's upcoming fourth album, “The Art of Resilience”, to be released in early 2017. At the same time, Tara began writing for her own upcoming debut album, “Evil Enough”.

“Tara is just a pure pleasure and honor to work with. She knows what she wants but yet so humble and grateful. And what a talent! And did I mention sweetheart?” – Björn Englen

Featured performers on Tara Lynch’s “EVIL ENOUGH”:
Mark Boals (vocals)
Björn Englen (bass)
Tony MacAlpine (keyboards)
Derek Sherinian (keyboards)
Glen Sobel (drums)
Phil Soussan (bass)
Brian Tichy (drums)

On “Evil Enough”, all songs are written by Tara Lynch, who performs all lead and rhythm guitars, and on some tracks, bass guitar.

“After knowing her as a friend for many years, I knew it would be fun, but working with Tara is like holding a Tiger by the tail, she is so full of talent and energy, knows exactly what she wants and is not afraid to go for it! It was a really great experience!” - Mark Boals

In closing Tara has this to impart, “This album has been a labor of love and an important part of both my personal and musical growth process. At the end of the day, it's an album that I am extremely proud of and I really hope it touches people out there in the world who can relate to it and that it can help them know they're not alone.”

Along with the release of “Evil Enough” in 2017, Tara Lynch plans to tour. “Let's rock!” - Tara Lynch

To purchase Tara Lynch's “Trustless” single:
iTunes: http://itunes.apple.com/album/id1171251707?ls=1&app=itunes

Tara Lynch's official website: http://www.taralynch.com/

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

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