Showing posts with label Progressive Rock. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Progressive Rock. Show all posts

11/22/2021

Prog Ensemble Oxygene8 Featuring Linda Cushma To Re-release Two Songs In Honor of Emmett Chapman

Oxygene8 will re-release two tracks from the 2003 album, POETICA, in honor of Emmett Chapman, inventor of the Chapman Stick. The tracks selected are ‘heavy on the rhythm section’ featuring Linda Cushma on Chapman Stick and Tim Alexander on drums. After hearing tracks from the POETICA album, Emmett had once mentioned that it was the way he intended the Chapman Stick to be played & heard. This is for you, Emmett.

“STAND” is a timely track and was the first song written and performed by O8 with the Chapman Stick. “FUNKERNICKEL” is a fun little track played live in the studio with co-writers of the album, Tim Alexander on drums, Frank D’Angelo on guitar and Linda Cushma on vocals & bass/Chapman Stick.  

STAND”: 

FUNKERNICKEL”: 


For more information:
INSTAGRAM: www.instagram.com/lindacushma
FACEBOOK Fan Page: www.facebook.com/LindaCushmaOxygene8-101821658005127

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

11/18/2021

YES Original Founding Guitarist Peter Banks Showcased in Two Separate Compilations – 'The Best of Empire' and 'The Best of Harmony in Diversity'. OUT NOW!

Two very different aspects to the career accomplishments of original YES guitarist Peter Banks are being celebrated in the release of two separate compilations. Peter Banks passed away in 2013 but his repertoire has been carefully curated so it can be appreciated for generations to come.

The Best of Empire

Peter Banks co-founded Empire with co-writer and lead vocalist, Sydney Foxx, and the band recorded three albums of material in the 1970s, however, it all remained unreleased until the 1990s.

This hard-to-find material was collected together into a 3 disc set, The Complete Recordings in 2017, and The Best of Empire draws on that material. These recordings showcase Peter in a rock band setting and include their best-known song, “Sky at Night”.

Empire was very much a collaborative band between Banks and Foxx and this compilation was overseen by Foxx who recalls, “Working with Peter was a wonderful experience. Although he was the 'leader of the band' and the 'producer', he allowed me total freedom to write the melodies and lyrics that I wanted to. We never had any disagreements about the music we worked on. We split everything 50/50 and got on with it. He was inspiring, fun, and always creative. Never running out of ideas! I enjoyed the long rehearsals getting everything perfect, and our many 'all night' mixing sessions in the studio. I am very grateful to have had the opportunity to work with him. And so proud of the work we did together.”

The Best of Empire is available on CD here: https://geni.us/BestEmpCD

Empire’s The Complete Recordings 3 CD set is still available here: https://geni.us/PBME1

Empire can be found on Apple Music (https://geni.us/EmpireA) and Spotify (https://geni.us/EmpireSP).

The Best of Harmony in Diversity

Peter Banks co-founded Harmony in Diversity in 2004 with the band also featuring Andrew Booker and Nick Cottam. The musical style of this trio significantly differed from Empire with a repertoire of improvised instrumentals.

The music of Harmony in Diversity was collected together into a 6 disc set, also called The Complete Recordings, so this compilation gives fans a selective taster.

Andrew Booker said, “This is a terrific selection of HiD pieces that pushed the needle uppermost on our 'ooooh, I really like that bit' detectors. It’s a surprisingly multi-directional mixture too, from bare-faced live improvisations, to the highly structured latter-day arrangements, with some oddball fun here and there, and Peter’s sublime and searing guitar coursing through the whole lot.”

Nick Cottam added, "It is great that the eclectic elements of HiD will now be available on a more easily digestible one CD format."

The Best of Harmony in Diversity is available on CD here: https://geni.us/BestHiDCD

Harmony in Diversity’s The Complete Recordings 6 CD set is still available here: https://geni.us/PBME4

All of the Harmony in Diversity albums are available alongside Peter’s solo albums on Apple Music (https://geni.us/PBapple) and Spotify (https://geni.us/PBspotify).

Press inquiries: Glass Onyon PR, Billy James, PH: 1-828-350-8158 (US), glassonyonpr@gmail.com

11/16/2021

Italian Bassist ALBERTO RIGONI Announces New Album “Songs for Souls” in Memory of His Father, Feat. Jordan Rudess, Mark Zonder & More!

Italian bass master and composer ALBERTO RIGONI (solo, BAD As, Natural Born Machine, Bassists Alliance Project, Vivaldi Metal Project etc.) has announced his new album, entitled “Songs for Souls”, in memory of his Father recently passed away. The album features Jordan Rudess and Mark Zonder + other musicians, to be announced.

Alberto stated: “Dear all, as you may have read I was going to give up with music but suddenly my father (Professor at the University of Padua and author of poems and tales) passed away 2 weeks ago... So I decided to make an album in his honor. It will be instrumental with some incredible special guests such as Jordan Rudess (Dream Theater), Mark Zonder (Fates Warning) and many others to be announced. So I set a pre-order/crowd funding at http://albertorigoni.bandcamp.com.

Release date is expected in early January. Thanks so much to who will support this album. Sincerely yours, Alberto”

More information TBA, stay tuned!

Born in 1981, Alberto Rigoni is an Italian bass player and composer, internationally known for his career as a solo artist and as a member of the metal band BAD As, The Italians, Natural Born Machines Lady & THE BASS,  co-producer of the Vivaldi Metal Project and member of progressive rock band TwinSpirits (no more active).

Between 2008 and 2020 Alberto has released worldwide 9 solo albums (Something Different, Rebirth, Three Wise Monkeys, Overloaded, BASSORAMA, Duality, EvoRevolution, Prog Injection, Odd Times), spanning from progressive rock metal to fusion. His albums also featured legendary musicians such as Kevin Moore (ex Dream Theater), Gavin Harrison (Porcupine Tree, King Crimson), Marco Minnemann (the Aristocrats), Göran Edman (ex Yngwie Malmsteen), Michael Manring and many others.

Alberto has been featured on the cover of magazines such as Bass Magazine (Japan), Bass Musician Magazine (USA), Bajos Y Bajistas (Spain), Basistas (Poland), TOP BASS (Poland). Moreover, in March 2015 the prestigious Bass Guitar Magazine (UK) released Alberto’s CD anthology called “Into THE BASS.”

Alberto has also recorded for several international artists such as Italian pop singer Alexia and he is also playing bass for Canadian rock singer and songwriter Kim Bingham (ex-Nelly Furtado) and The Italians, sharing stages with artists such as Alan Parson, Suzanne Vega, Jørn Lande, Paul Gilbert, Vinnie Moore and others.

In 2016 founded a new metal band called BADASS (now called BAD As) which released three albums (More Pain More Gain, Midnight Curse and Crucified Society.

On December 15th 2017, Rigoni together with bassist Jeff Hughell (Six Feet Under) released a new studio project called Bassists Alliance. The first album “Crush” featured top notch bassists such as Michael Manring, Adam Nitti, Steve di Giorgio, Colin Edwin, Mark Mitchell, Scott Reeder, Dmitry Lisenko, Brandino BassMaster, Ryan Martini, Leonid Maksimov, Tony Grey.

In 2019 founded a new AOR band called “Natural Born Machine” featuring famous Pink Cream 69 singer David Readman. Their debut album “Human” was released on February 19th 2021 by Pride and Joy Music.

Currently he is also collaborating with famous producer Hiro Furuya (Elton John, Eric Clapton, etc) and many others as session bassist.

His tenth album “For The Love of Bass” feat. all star bassists such as Nathan East, Lee Sklar, Michael Manring, Doug Wimbish and many others was released on April 2nd 2021 and it’s available worldwide.

To pre-order/fund Alberto Rigoni's “Songs for Souls”: http://albertorigoni.bandcamp.com

Two songs are streamable and downloadable now.

For more information:
http://www.albertorigoni.net
http://www.facebook.com/albertorigonimusic
http://albertorigoni.bandcamp.com
http://www.youtube.com/albertorigoni
http://www.twitter.com/albertorigoni
http://www.vivaldimetalproject.com
http://www.badas.rocks
http://www.theitaliansband.com
http://bassistsallianceproject.bandcamp.com

Press inquiries: Glass Onyon PR, Billy James, PH: 1-828-350-8158 (US), glassonyonpr@gmail.com

11/15/2021

MAGMA “BBC 1974 LONDON” 2 LP Red Vinyl Limited Edition Numbered Gatefold 180g Audiophile Now Available For Pre-Order!

Available November 26 For RSD BLACK FRIDAY

This high quality recording carried out on March 14th, 1974 in the London BBC studios, is here carefully remastered for a vinyl release. This double LP includes two Magmaian masterpieces in unique versions, performed by the group that was at the origin of their creation. If the completed versions played by the MAGMA of 75-76 are most familiar to us, those offered us here present a major interest on several levels: their structure first of all, which at that time was not yet finalized, and comprised sequences which were subsequently either re-arranged, thereafter in a different way, or deleted: THEUSZ HAMTAAHK whose pseudo-slowness of tempo is matched only by the contained violence that inhabits it, and KÖHNTARKÖSZ where the magic of the keyboards brings to this work an alternative just as bewitching as the one engendered at the Taverne de l'Olympia the following year, by the divine soaring of Didier LOCKWOOD’s violin.

Klaus BLASQUIZ
vocals, percussions

Claude OLMOS
guitar

Michel GRAILLIER
Fender piano, keyboards

Gérard BIKIALO
Fender piano

Jannick TOP
bass

Christian VANDER
drums, vocals

To pre-order: https://www.seventhrecords.com/en/magma-19/bbc-1974-london-2-lp-red-vinyl-1307.html

For more information:
Magma's official website: www.magmamusic.org
Seventh Records: www.seventhrecords.com

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

11/10/2021

King Crimson Print Collection by Tony Levin Available For Pre-Orders, Shipping Early 2022

Bass Legend and Photographer Tony Levin’s King Crimson Print Collection Available for Pre-Orders, Shipping Early 2022

• Eight stunning, limited-edition prints spanning Tony Levin’s work with King Crimson since the early 1980s
• Every print is signed, numbered, and certified by Intaglio Editions LLC
• Prints are made by contemporary photogravure printmaker, Jon Lybrook
• Available as individual prints or in a limited-edition, custom-crafted clamshell print collection box
• The first public orders are assigned print numbers 11-50 out of 500 prints total in each edition
Pre-orders are now being accepted at TonyLevinPrints.com

Tony Levin is not a bassist. He just happens to play the bass.” – Robert Fripp

Tony Levin (King Crimson, Peter Gabriel) has been photographing his touring experiences since the early 1980s. Tens of thousands of photos later, he’s compiled eight of his favorite photographic moments from forty years of touring with King Crimson. These prints include:

1. Adrian Belew, Backstage 1981
2. Bill Bruford, Bristol 1981
3. King Crimson, Faro, Portugal 1982
4. King Crimson, Royal Albert Hall 2019
5. King Crimson, Asbury Park 1982
6. On the Shinkansen 1981
7. Perkins Palace Marquee 1981
8. Robert Fripp, Krakow 2018

This collection is a must-have for any serious King Crimson collector and can be purchased as a set or individually. Tony’s photography offers a unique perspective from the stage that cannot be replicated.

All photos are hand-titled and signed by Tony Levin. They are a limited print run of 500 photogravure prints. The first public orders of the Special Edition Box are assigned print numbers 11-50.

Each print is handmade on a traditional intaglio press using materials that will last for generations. They are printed with low or acid-free ink on 22.25 x 15.5” Hahnemuhle Copperplate Brite White, 300 g/sm alpha cellulose paper with torn, deckled edges. These same ink and paper formulas used in Tony Levin’s print collection have been used by printmakers in Europe for hundreds of years.

Signed and stamped certificates of authenticity are issued with every print.

The traditional, fabric-lined, limited-edition, clamshell-style, 24” x 17” print collection box for Tony Levin’s King Crimson Print Collection is custom-crafted using archive-grade materials for storing and preserving prints cleanly and elegantly. Cotton gloves are included for clean handling of the prints.

Jon Lybrook is a true master. His prints exude an expertise, that only very few fine art printers in the world control on the same level.” - Professor Henrik Bøegh - Grafisk Eksperimentarium - Copenhagen, Denmark

Jon Lybrook is a Fine Art Printmaker based in Colorado. Jon has worked with photographers and artists for nearly two decades through his company, Intaglio Editions LLC (https://intaglioeditions.com/). He has studied the craft with traditional printmakers from around the world including Henrik Boegh, Dan Welden, Mark Lunning, Ron Pokrasso, David Hoptman, and has worked as both a printmaker and consultant.

Watch the Make Weird Music interview with Tony about his history with photography and art: 

To pre-order: https://TonyLevinPrints.com

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








Medivh reveals alternative rock single 'Rebirth'

 

Residing in between electronic music and alternative rock, Medivh’s music isn’t for the faint hearted. Receiving praise from the likes of Rock IT Italia, Firenze Urban Style Magazine and local radio stations in Italy, Medivh’s music is the perfect match for all those moments suspended between dream, reality, fear and excitement. Composed of brothers Emmanuele and Tommaso, the siblings write and produce their own music. The type of track that would sit perfectly on your playlist if you love Steven Wilson, Porcupine Tree, Mogwai, or Depeche Mode, the transcending sound of Medivh will leave you weak at the knees. 

Adding to the track’s inspiration, Medivh explain, “In a reality that always pushes you to the limit you have to be strong and rise again every day. Forgetting yesterday's fears and failures, to have courage and fully living the present. We met a girl recently and we listened to her story. A brief meeting, but we kept it in our mind. It's Marie Jane, a survivor. She’s fragile and strong at the same time: she’s very young but she already knows how tough life is. She’s been tempered by the storm and what she experienced has made her capable of rising from her own ashes. Every night she dies. Every day she is reborn to fight and feel alive”. Marie Jane is magnetic, a force of nature. She attracts you and you can't help but want to be like her. She feeds on energy, she creates and destroys. Marie Jane is a Goddess and we can only stand and stare while she passes through our lives.”

The genesis of the project dates back to summer 2020, and fast forward to now, the outfit have released an album and a single. Returning with ‘Rebirth’, the new track crafts electronica, rock and alternative pop melodies to convey its diverse soundscape. Weaving the brothers various musical influences and sound textures to create their innovative sound, the heartbeat and pulsating rhythms come from drummer Lorenzo.

11/02/2021

Clive Nolan & Oliver Wakeman’s “Dark Fables” To Be Released November 5, 2021

Clive Nolan & Oliver Wakeman’s “Dark Fables” will be released on November 5, 2021. This standalone release was originally the third CD from Clive Nolan and Oliver Wakeman’s “Tales By Gaslight” box set released earlier this year.

“Dark Fables” contains over 30 minutes of music conceived for the abandoned “Frankenstein” album which would have joined the duo’s “Jabberwocky” and “Hound Of The Baskervilles” collaborations. As with the previous albums, “Dark Fables” features the duo’s virtuosic keyboard playing with sublime performances from Gordon Giltrap, Paul Manzi (The Sweet, Arena, Oliver Wakeman Band). Andy Sears (Twelfth Night), Karl Groom (Threshold), David Mark Pearce (Oliver Wakeman Band, Munroe's Thunder) and Charlotte Dickerson.

The set also includes unused pieces from their “The Hound Of The Baskervilles” album; “The Man Called Sherlock”, which was the original version of the “Overture”, and “221B”, inspired by Sherlock Holmes’ famous address in Baker Street. In addition, the release also features Rick Wakeman narrating the “Jabberwocky Poem” in full, a perfect way to round off the twists and turns of another Nolan/Wakeman project!

Clive Nolan (Pendragon, Arena) and Oliver Wakeman (YES, Strawbs) first combined their considerable keyboard and compositional talents to create the two aforementioned rock opera/concept albums in 1999 and 2002. Peter Pracownik was the creative behind the original “The Hound Of The Baskervilles” artwork 20 years ago and has employed his talents again for the sleeve of “Dark Fables”.

You can listen to the single release,Why Do You Hate Meon Olivers YouTube channel: 

Track Listing:

1 The Overture
2 I’d Give You Anything
3 The Mirror
4 Elizabeth
5 Why Do You Hate Me?
6 The Wedding Approaches
7 Time Passe
8 A Descent Into Madness
9 221B
10 The Man Called Sherlock
11 The Baker Street Irregulars
12 The Jabberwocky

To purchase: https://www.cherryred.co.uk/product/clive-nolan-oliver-wakeman-dark-fables/

For more information:
Twitter: @OliverWakeman
Website: www.oliverwakeman.co.uk
YouTube: Oliver's YouTube Channel
Facebook: Oliver on Facebook

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

11/01/2021

Prog Duo Mark Murdock and Dmitry M. Epstein Release New Concept Album “Oblivion Bound” Feat. Ron Howden of Nektar & Fernando Perdomo

Out on October 30th via Bandcamp, “Oblivion Bound”: the first full-length collaboration between Mark Murdock and Dmitry M. Epstein

The eve of Halloween 2021 sees the release of “Oblivion Bound”: a concept album, devised by Dmitry M. Epstein on Mark Murdock’s request, a record which tells a story of a rock star who dies and is given a second chance to live - provided he can change and get cleansed through his love, his only constant on this mortal coil - but what if he returns and no one remembers his name? It’s a story of Orpheus and Eurydice turned inside out and upside down, with a possible happy end – recounted over the background blending hard-rock vigor and prog sophistication and set to a string of highly memorable melodies.

The joint project of Japan-based American Murdock, famous for his part in Peter Banks’ Empire, and Canadian Epstein, a music journalist and a runner of the “Let It Rock” website (dmme.net), who followed the veteran’s career and reviewed albums he released with such ensembles as Cymbalic Encounters and Masheen Messiah, started in early 2021.

Perceived initially as a Murdock record, “The Game of the Name” – this is the opus’ original title – turned into a duo’s one once Mark asked Dmitry to come up with a concept which would run through all the songs they planned to write. The latter obliged, even though he had never penned a narrative-based lyrics, as opposed to image-driven words, and the former sketched out demos to be fleshed out by artists often present on his discs. Thus, The Id’s Tim Pepper became the voice of “Oblivion Bound” and NEKTAR’s Ron Howden shared drumming duties with Murdock, while Fernando Perdomo, his colleague in The New Empire, and his son Preston are but two of the guitarists featured on the album.

While the record was being prepared, Dmitry co-wrote two songs on Mark’s Atomic Rooster tribute, Nuclear Bird’s debut “Tyrannical Megalomaniac,” and Mark finished and has just released his new solo CD, “Visitors from Another Planet.”

Says Mark Murdock, “Based on the creative writing of Dmitry’s reviews, I felt he was the right person to approach about doing a concept project with. In this project the lyrics were written after the music, but perhaps as follow up we can reverse the process.”

Adds Dmitry M. Epstein, “It was a gripping experience directing Mark’s music as well as being directed by it. The result of our efforts is open to interpretation, but don’t hurry to jump to conclusions just because the end of this story might have to be written yet.”

Watch the “Oblivion Bound” Promotion Video: 

The album is available for streaming and download at: https://markmurdockanddmitrymepstein.bandcamp.com/
and will also soon be made available on all digital platforms.

Mark and Dmitry are available for interviews
Murdock: cymbalicencounters@gmail.com
Epstein: dmitry@epstein.to

The tracklist:
1. Coming To
2. Ain’t No Avalon
3. Echo of My Ego
4. A Way Out For the Weak
5. The Game of the Name
6. Voices in My Mind
7. Outside Whorl
8. Vanishing Point
9. Will You Take Me Back (to the Fold)?

All music composed by Mark Murdock,
except Song 9 which was composed by Preston Murdock
Lyrics by Dmitry M. Epstein

Mark Murdock - drums, percussion & keyboards
Ron Howden (Nektar) - drums on song 8
Tim Pepper (The Id) - vocals
Fernando Perdomo (The New Empire) - lead guitar on songs 1 & 2
Katsumi Yoneda (French TV) - guitar
Dave Juteau (The Dave Juteau Band) - guitar on song 8
Preston Murdock (Cymbalic Encounters) - guitar on song 9
Jeff Curry (Izmatik) - bass
Daniel Kubota (Cymbalic Encounters) - guitar on song 4

Produced, Mixed and Mastered by Mark Murdock
Recorded at Off-Shore Studios, Tokyo and U.K.
Artwork by TimPani Graphics
Copyright 2021

To purchase: https://markmurdockanddmitrymepstein.bandcamp.com/album/oblivion-bound

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

10/29/2021

Renaissance “Scheherazade & Other Stories” Re-Mastered 3 Disc Boxed Set Available November 26, 2021

• A NEWLY RE-MASTERED 3 DISC (2 CD / DVD) EXPANDED CLAMSHELL BOXED SET EDITION OF THIS CLASSIC RENAISSANCE ALBUM
• RE-MASTERED FROM THE ORIGINAL FIRST-GENERATION MASTER TAPES
• FEATURING 11 ADDITIONAL TRACKS INCLUDING A NEW 5.1 SURROUND SOUND UPMIX OF THE ALBUM, A CONCERT IN NOTTINGHAM FROM JANUARY 1976 & PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED STUDIO OUT-TAKES
• DVD ALSO INCLUDES A PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED LIVE PROMOTIONAL FILM FROM 1976

Esoteric Recordings is pleased to announce the release of a newly re-mastered and expanded 3 Disc clamshell box edition of the classic album, “Scheherazade & Other Stories” by Renaissance.

Recorded at Abbey Road studios in May 1975, the album is rightly regarded as one of the band’s finest works, featuring the epic “Song of Scheherazade” (which dominated the album’s second side on the original LP release) and other classic tracks “Trip to the Fair”, “Ocean Gypsy” and “The Vultures Fly High”. Upon its release the album reached the US Top 50 and was one of the best-selling Renaissance albums.

This expanded edition of “Scheherazade & Other Stories” has been newly re-mastered from the original first generation master tapes and also features a stunning 5.1 Surround Sound up-mix on a DVD (NTSC / Region Free) which also includes a high resolution stereo mix and a wonderful bonus feature of a previously unreleased 1976 live promotional film.  

The set also includes a bonus CD of a concert recorded in January 1976 in Nottingham, England and a previously unreleased bonus track. The release also features an illustrated booklet with a new essay featuring exclusive interviews.

Disc One: Scheherazade & Other Stories Remastered  
1. Trip To The Fair
2. The Vultures Fly High
3. Ocean Gypsy
4. Song Of Scheherazade
I. Fanfare
II. The Betrayal
III. The Sultan
IV. Love Theme
V. The Young Prince And Princess As Told By Scheherazade
VI. Festival Preparations
VII. Fugue For The Sultan
VIII. The Festival
IX. Finale
Bonus Track
5. Ocean Gypsy (Single Version)
(Previously Unreleased On Cd)

Disc Two: Live At Nottingham University January 1976
1. Can You Understand
2. Running Hard
3. Ocean Gypsy
4. Prologue
5. Song Of Scheherazade
I. Fanfare
II. The Betrayal
III. The Sultan
IV. Love Theme
V. The Young Prince And Princess As Told By Scheherazade
VI. Festival Preparations
VII. Fugue For The Sultan
VIII. The Festival
IX. Finale
6. Ashes Are Burning

Disc Three: Scheherazade & Other Stories
96 Khz / 24-Bit 5.1 Surround Sound Upmix & High Resolution Stereo Mix  
1. Trip To The Fair (5.1 Surround Upmix)
2. The Vultures Fly High (5.1 Surround Upmix)
3. Ocean Gypsy (5.1 Surround Upmix)
4. Song Of Scheherazade
I. Fanfare
II. The Betrayal
III. The Sultan
IV. Love Theme
V. The Young Prince And Princess As Told By Scheherazade
VI. Festival Preparations
VII. Fugue For The Sultan
VIII. The Festival
IX. Finale
Bonus Video Content Renaissance – Live 1976 Promotional Film (Previously Unreleased)
1. Ocean Gypsy (Live Promotional Film)
2. Prologue (Live Promotional Film)

To pre-order: https://www.cherryred.co.uk/product/renaissance-scheherazade-other-stories-remastered-expanded-3cd-box-set/

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

10/28/2021

King Crimson “Music Is Our Friend” Live 2CD Set Available For Pre-order

“Music is our Friend” – Named after the tour from which the performances were taken, “Music Is Our Friend” is an official bootleg featuring all of King Crimson’s final performance in North America in Washington, D.C. in September, 2021.

This 2CD set is completed with four pieces from the first concert of the tour’s second leg in Albany. Taken together, these tracks represent both a beginning and an end of a tour that took place despite almost insurmountable issues.

Originally scheduled for 2020, postponed for a full year because of the pandemic, the tour began July in Florida as the latest Covid wave hit and the band moved across the country in a tour bus bubble.

Following a two-week break due to scheduling conflicts, they returned to the road again, with the Zappa Band appearing nightly before Crimson.

Now facing gigs that had to be moved due to extreme weather, with one venue flooded a day before a concert, an open-air venue in New York transferred to the more familiar Beacon Theatre, and even a band member flown to hospital via helicopter, King Crimson faced a range of challenging conditions. Happily, the band member was fully recovered and no gigs were missed despite the array of setbacks and obstacles.

By the time King Crimson reached Washington, the band was in ferocious form with a powerful, energetic set with some arrangements reworked and differing from previous tours. Featuring a restored middle section of “Larks’ Tongues In Aspic Part One” that had not been played since 1973, substantial keyboard arrangements, Tony Levin on upright bass during “Neurotica” giving the piece an extra swing, there’s an emotional set-closer, Starless and an immensely powerful “21st Century Schizoid Man” as an encore.

King Crimson completed their tour in style and to much acclaim from fans and critics alike. As Robert Fripp notes in his diary entry included in the notes: “David (Singleton, KC manager/producer), pointed out that the very first piece KC played in the US, at Godard College, Montpelier, Vermont on October 29th. 1969, was the same piece as completed KC’s 52 years – 21CSM”.

In contrast to the Washington show, the four performances from the ‘Friends and Family’ concert in late August 2021 at The Egg in Albany, opening show of the second leg of the tour and the same venue where the current band played its first US gig in 2014, have a more intimate feel. As befits a small venue/invited audience, the sound and pacing provide an opportunity to hear a run of material not played in Washington due to time constraints.

Bringing the second disc with a poignant performance of “Islands” – perhaps the best recording of this song by this band, David Singleton, who also prepared all the audio for this release, thought it one of the best sets the band played on this or previous tours.

The release features photos from the concerts, sleeve notes by David Singleton and diary entries for the concert days from Robert Fripp in a 24-page accompanying booklet.

A completion is a new beginning – Robert Fripp, September, 2021

CD One
1. Introductory Soundscape
2. The Hell Hounds Of Krim
3. Larks’ Tongues In Aspic Part I
4. Pictures Of A City
5. The Court Of The Crimson King
6. Red
7. Tony Cadenza Deals It Slitheryacious-To-The-Max
8. Neurotica
9. One More Red Nightmare
10. Indiscipline

CD Two
1. Epitaph
2. Radical Action II
3. Level Five
4. Starless
5. 21st Century Schizoid Man
6. Tony Cadenza Serves It Piping Hot
7. Discipline
8. Larks’ Tongues In Aspic Part II
9. Islands

Release date November 19, 2021

Order from Inner Knot (USA): https://shop.schizoidshop.com/king-crimson---music-is-our-friend-live-in-washington-dc-and-albany-2021-cd-p1900.aspx

For more information: www.dgmlive.com
painting by Francesca Sundsten

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

10/26/2021

Prog Ensemble Anyone To Premier New Music Video “The Pale Blue Dot”

Avant Garde, very complex. I’ve never heard anybody else do that – play all those instruments on that level.” - Herbie Hancock

TogethermenT Records is proud to announce the world premiere of the first music video from the forthcoming album, “In Humanity” by the critically acclaimed band ANYONE. The music video is for the track “The Pale Blue Dot” and will premiere on October 26th on the YOUTUBE platform. The album is now available in download, streaming and CD on over 200 digital distributors including iTunes, Spotify and Amazon.

PREMIERE DATE: OCT 26, 2021
Watch the video: 

This new DOUBLE album marks a major shift towards a highly progressive direction with founder Riz Story performing all instrumentation in a rare display of virtuosity, as well as producing, mixing and mastering. Featuring a guest lead vocal appearance by YES vocalist (and former ANYONE member) Jon Davison on the song “Misanthropist.” BILLBOARD MAGAZINE said, “ANYONE has invented a new breed of rock, quite literally.”  

EXCLUSIVE ALBUM PREVIEW (https://www.anyoneden.net/exclusive-album-preview)

Avant Garde, very complex. I’ve never heard anybody else do that – play all those instruments on that level.” - Herbie Hancock

ANYONE was formed by Riz Story, along with Jon Davison (Yes) and Taylor Hawkins (Foo Fighters) in the early 90’s in Laguna Beach, California. Hawkins and Davison were replaced by the time the band signed with RoadRunner Records in 2000. Their self-titled debut album received much critical acclaim including a 5-star rating from Rolling Stone. In October of 2016 the single “Fly Away” was featured in Story’s debut feature film “” and became the most listened to rock song in America on digital formats, hitting #1 on the DRT National Airplay Rock Chart. The 2020 album release of “On the ending earth…” was met with widespread critical acclaim.  

TRACK LISTING
1. Elations   
2. The Disappearing Everything   
3. Apocalypse   
4. The Pale Blue Dot
5. Emergence   
6. Don’t Swallow Tomorrow   
7. Whole World’s on Fire   
8. Transfiguration   
9. On the ending earth...   
10. Misanthropist   
11. The Madness  
12. In Humanity  
13. Curtain Call

To pre-order: https://music.apple.com/us/album/in-humanity/1580430780?uo=4

For more information:
www.anyoneden.net
www.facebook.com/ANYONEDEN/

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

10/25/2021

Legendary Kansas Violinist and Vocalist Robby Steinhardt's Solo Album 'Not in Kansas Anymore' To Be Released October 25, 2021

The Prog Opera Event of the Year

Robby Steinhardt and Solar Studios announce Robby's first and only solo recording, Not in Kansas Anymore. Release date: October 25th 2021.

You know him as the legendary violinist, vocalist and frontman for the band KANSAS, recording 9 albums which reached gold, platinum and double platinum status, and is now making another mark on the world with his first and only solo album.

The new album, Not in Kansas Anymore is a powerful, well thought-out offering of Prog Rock magic. Timely songs with incredible arrangements and virtuoso performances. Robby’s vocals and signature electric violin come through on this continuous work labeled a “Prog Opera”.

In his only interview for the project, he spoke with Bill Shafer of PBS. Steinhardt was asked what the meaning behind the title Not in Kansas Anymore was. Steinhardt responded, “It’s no slight against the band, no never! My time with Kansas defined a big part of my life, of which I am very proud of. Ever since The Wizard of OZ, those words have become an American axiom for moving forward, you can never go back etc.” Robby laughed, “I guess it has a special meaning when it is fixed to me.”

The album, produced by Michael Thomas Franklin, is his latest production since the highly acclaimed Jon Anderson 1000 Hands Chapter One. Franklin used a similar approach using a large cast of renown musicians to lend their talents. Ian Anderson of Jethro Tull, Steve Morse of Deep Purple/Dixie Dregs, Billy Cobham of Mahavishnu Orchestra, Bobby Kimball of Toto, Chuck Leavell of The Rolling Stones, Liberty Devitto (Drummer on Billy Joel’s hits), Jim Gentry, Pat Travers, Billy Ashbaugh (Moody Blues/Pat Benatar), Lisa Fischer (longtime vocalist for The Rolling Stones), 1000 Hands members Michael Franklin, Tommy Calton, Tim Franklin, Jocelyn Hsu, Rayford Griffin and Benoit Lajeunesse and many others including Orchestra and Choir.

The songs provide powerful lyrics, hard to forget choruses, combined with crafty playing. All this combined with Franklin’s lavish and complicated arrangements makes listening to Not in Kansas Anymore a wonderful hour well spent. The stunning album artwork created by Tom Lupo of Magnificent Pictures and subliminal song quotes from the Wizard of OZ, are another added feature to this complex Prog Opera. Currently four videos are in the works.

Steinhardt was in a reborn state of mind in the months prior to finishing the record. He and wife Cindy were looking forward to a new chapter in their lives. He had started rehearsals and was preparing to hit the road in August when he became ill in May. Robby’s musical vision, voice and violin lives on with his first and only solo album, Not in Kansas Anymore! Release was delayed due to Steinhardt’s passing July 17, 2021.

Not in Kansas Anymore, Digital Download, CD and preorder LP with free Digital Download can be found at: www.robbysteinhardtofficial.com or www.solarmusic.com

Promo video: 

Robby was a big fan of local vinyl vendors. Here is where you will be able can to find LPs and CDs locally www.solarmusic.com/distribution

Bill Shafer Growing Bolder at PBS
Growing Bolder episode featuring Robby in 2018 before he started the project can be found here: https://growingbolder.com/stories/robby-steinhardts-unlikely-incredible-journey/

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

10/21/2021

Alan Simon’s 'Excalibur V – Move, Cry, Act, Clash!' To Be Released November 5, 2021

Featuring:

John Wetton (Asia / King Crimson)
Steve Hackett (Genesis)
John Helliwell, Jesse Siebenberg (Supertramp)
Bernie Shaw (Uriah Heep)
Martin Barre (Jethro Tull)
Jeremy Spencer (Fleetwood Mac)
Michael Sadler (Saga)
Roberto Tiranti (Labyrinth)
Jerry Goodman (Mahavishnu Orchestra)
Shira Golan & Miriam Toukan (The Peace Tent Project)

Move, Cry, Act, Clash! is the fifth part of French musician and producer Alan Simon’s legendary Celtic rock opera series Excalibur.

Featuring Alan Simon, John Wetton, Steve Hackett, Bernie Shaw, Jerry Goodman, Martin Barre, Jeremy Spencer, Michael Sadler, Roberto Tiranti, John Helliwell, Jesse Siebenberg, Shira Golan and Miriam Toukan.

Move, Cry, Act, Clash! concludes its 12 tracks with “The Vision” featuring the legendary John Wetton (King Crimson/Asia) in a beautiful tribute to the friendship and respect between these two musical giants.

Alan Simon is a Breton songwriter and director. Author of modern operas, his works are performed in various national theaters (Russia, Germany, France ...). More than 300,000 spectators came to applaud Excalibur or Tristan & Yseult. Alan has obtained several gold and platinum records and his creations have received several awards. In the USA, Alan won the Grammy for best producer in 2008 and for best song, “Circle of Life,” performed by Jon Anderson of Yes. His album Big Bang (2018) is the soundtrack of the City of Space in Toulouse (an educational park about the conquest of space). After the film O Gengis in 2005 (with Omar Sharif and Jean Reno), he has just finished Monsieur Constant, his second film for the cinema, which is in production during 2021. Today Alan wants to go on tour around the world with his extraordinary musical round table where many legends of folk and rock meet.

“‘Excalibur’ brought me a lot of happiness because by creating this musical round table, I had the great chance to collaborate with incredible rock and folk legends, pillars of mythical groups: Yes, Supertramp, Fleetwood Mac, King Crimson, The Moody Blues, Alan Parson, Asia, Barclay James Harvest, Genesis, Fairport Convention, Runrig, Jethro Tull, Saga, Uriah Heep... Since its creation 20 years ago ‘Excalibur’ has represented 5 studio and 3 live albums including 120 original tracks. Offering a new album is not trivial. You have to give everything. So I made this opus V by investing myself 100% with an ‘old-fashioned’ production. No home studio but the joy of living in a large studio (Drums code studios in Italy) with great soloists and a fantastic symphony. Then I contacted magical interpreters that I like. What a joy to hear the guitars of the legendary pillars of Genesis and Jethro Tull: Steve Hackett and Martin Barre or the voices of Supertramp from Saga and Uriah Heep: Jesse Siebenberg, Michael Sadler and Bernie Shaw without forgetting this incredible talented singer Roberto Tiranti. We spent 6 months in a mixing studio with an average of 100 tracks per title. I hope that this more rock album than the previous ones will sign a real return on stage of this universal legend, ‘ever green’ say the English. Thank you to all those who supported ‘Excalibur.’ After 300 000 spectators in 4 tours, I hope that this musical round table finally finds its audience under the aegis of sharing. These 12 new songs underline the urgency to get moving for our planet. More than ever our destiny is in our hands. And everything is good to take. The concept of Excalibur and its musical knights must contribute to this new start. Artists can (and must) get involved more than ever.” - Alan Simon

Track Listing:

1 Move, Cry, Act, Clash
2 The Prisoner
3 The Last Bird
4 Messaline
5 I Said Shout
6 Heaven
7 The Lady of the Lake
8 When Your Feelings Grow
9 Wake Up (Before the Last War)
10 Hey
11 A Brand New Day
12 The Vision

To pre-order: https://www.cherryred.co.uk/product/alan-simon-excalibur-v-move-cry-act-clash/

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

10/20/2021

Robert Fripp’s “Music For Quiet Moments” Series 8CD Box Set Now Available For Pre-order

Packaged in a beautiful rigid slipcase with 58-page perfect bound book with 8 soundscape CDs

Robert Fripp's popular “Music For Quiet Moments” series, which originally premiered on streaming services, is now available in an 8CD box set

In May 2020 with much of the world in lockdown and reeling from the consequences of the Covid-19 pandemic, Robert Fripp began uploading the first of 52 individual soundscapes on his YouTube channel, streaming platforms, and DGMLive.

Entitled “Music For Quiet Moments” and appearing once a week, these pieces created a space for reflection, offering a means of pausing from the day-to-day concerns and to provide a point of calm and perhaps, a sense of hope, in such troubled times.

By way of introduction, Fripp defined what he meant by the term, quiet moment:  “Quiet moments are when we put time aside to be quiet. Sometimes quiet moments find us. Quiet may be experienced with sound, and also through sound; in a place we hold to be sacred, or maybe on a crowded subway train hurtling towards Piccadilly or Times Square. Quiet Moments of my musical life, expressed in Soundscapes, are deeply personal; yet utterly impersonal: they address the concerns we share within our common humanity.”

Each of the 52 pieces was drawn from Soundscapes’ performances from 2004 to 2009 and venues/shows as varied as those for G3 (Satriani, Vai, Fripp), to Churchscapes (as the name suggests, concerts in churches), opening act for Porcupine Tree and even appearances at ‘The Big Chill’ festival.

These pieces are contemplative for the most part and range from a few minutes in length to a performance of “Elegy” in Nashville that lasts over 44 minutes. Each week this music became a gentle word-of-mouth success, as listeners eagerly awaited and discussed the weekly selections, with many encountering Soundscapes for the first time, marking their first contact with Fripp’s music as a result of the series.

While the series was not instigated with the idea of it being anything other than a weekly sequence of digital audio releases, when assembled and played back at a point when the series approached its end and all of the material had been selected, it became apparent that the series worked well as a single, distinct, body of work.

Now presented as an 8-CD set, in precisely the same running order as originally released, four sets of 2 discs each in miniature gatefold sleeves, with a booklet containing the artwork for each piece, housed in an outer rigid case, the set is released on November 19th, 2021.

Robert Fripp has been one of the most innovative and inventive British guitarists for over half a century.

Beyond his trail-blazing work with King Crimson, his collaborations with Brian Eno, David Bowie, Daryl Hall, Peter Gabriel, Blondie, and Talking Heads to name but a few have resonated with audiences around the world. In the 1990s his 1970s Frippertronics system gave way to Soundscapes and with it a new generation of performers such as Future Sound Of London, The Grid and many others were not only citing Fripp as an influence but eagerly having him appear on their records.

Some musicians inhabit genres, very few invent them, whether intentionally or arbitrarily credited with such. Fewer still continue to evolve, push forward, challenging both themselves and their audience.

DISC ONE

1 - Pastorale (Mendoza 3 Jun 2007)
2 - GentleScape (Barcelona 24 Jul 2009)
3 - Time Stands Still (Pershore 2 Jun 2006)
4 - Requiem (Norwich 6 Jun 2006)
5 - Time Promenade (Date and Venue Unknown)
6 - Seascape (Lichtenvoorde 13 Jun 2004

DISC TWO

7 - At The End Of Time (Broad Chalke 14 Jan 2006)
8 - Evensong (Sutton 3 Jun 2006)
9 - Promenade (Newlyn 3 Dec 2005)
10 - Pastorale (Boston 6 Nov 2007)
11 - Skyscape (Chicago 12 Oct 2005)
12 - Seascape (Chicago 12 Oct 2005)
13 - Horizon (Carrboro 21 Feb 2006)
14 - Time Procession (Carrboro 21 Feb 2006)

DISC THREE

15 - Affirmation (Atlanta 25 Feb 2006)
16 - Aspiration (Atlanta 25 Feb 2006)
17 - Elegy (Rome 20 Jun 2006)
18 - End Of Time (Barcelona 25 Jul 2009)
19 - Evensong (Barcelona 29 Jul 2009)
20 - Pastorale (Madison 10 Nov 2007)
21 - Paradise Regained (Oslo 20 Jun 2004)

DISC FOUR

22 - Elegy Pt1 (Rome 20 Jun 2006)
23 - Elegy Pt2 (Rome 20 Jun 2006)
24 - Elegy Pt3 (Rome 20 Jun 2006)
25 - Paradise Regained (Gothenburg 15 Jun 2004)
26 - Evensong (Haapsalu 24 Aug 2006)
27 - Pastorale (Mendoza 2 Jun 2007)
28 - Time Stands Still (Udine 24 Jun 2006)
29 - A Full Heart (Paris 13 Oct 2009)

DISC FIVE

30 - Strong Quiet I (Brussels 14 Oct 2009)
31 - Strong Quiet II (Brussels 14 Oct 2009)
32 - A Move Inside I (Asheville 28 Feb 2006)
33 - A Move Inside II (Asheville 28 Feb 2006)
34 - A Move Inside III (Asheville 28 Feb 2006)
35 - Drifting Gently (Chattanooga 27 Feb 2006)
36 - Drifting Firmly (Chattanooga 27 Feb 2006)

DISC SIX

37 - Time (Amsterdam 12 Oct 2009)
38 - Elegy Pt I (Hannover 15 Oct 2009)
39 - Elegy Pt II (Hannover 15 Oct 2009)
40 - Doubt (Greenville 23 Feb 2006)
41 - Consolation (Milan 29 Jun 2006)
42 - Glisten (La Spezia 28 Jun 2006)
43 - Reflection (La Spezia 28 Jun 2006)
44 - Shimmer (La Spezia 28 Jun 2006)

DISC SEVEN

45 - Elegy (Paris 22 Sep 2015)

DISC EIGHT

46 - Elegy (Nashville 1 Mar 2006)
47 - Evocation (Nashville 1 Mar 2006)
48 - A Point In Time (Rome 21 Jun 2007)
49 - Time Calls (Charlotte 22 Feb 2006)
50 - Time Present (Buenos Aires 9 Jun 2007)
51 - Opening (Nashville 17 Apr 2004)
52 - Time And Time Again (Mendoza 2 Jun 2007)

Release date November 19, 2021

Order from Inner Knot (USA): https://shop.schizoidshop.com/robert-fripp---music-for-quiet-moments-8-cd-set-p1901.aspx

For more information: www.dgmlive.com

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

10/14/2021

Join Keyboard Legend Rick Wakeman’s Caped Crusader Collector Club!

Members will receive rare memorabilia and unreleased music!

On October 14th sign up to the Caped Crusader Collector Club and receive a membership pack containing an individually numbered membership card, a signed (by Rick) welcome letter, an exclusive year book full of rare photos, articles and memorabilia from Rick's personal archive, a sticker and four 8x10 photos. You will also receive the first exclusive CCCC CD release, which is the previously unreleased Wakeman soundtrack from the feature film, “She.” The following three releases for the year will feature rare and live music from the Wakeman vaults. Further, there will be three exclusive CD releases issued within the year, which members will receive automatically through the post periodically. Please note, these releases will not be released to the general public, either online or at any other retailer.

Additionally, as a CCCC member you will receive a 10% discount off all purchases (including box sets) at the Wakeman Music Emporium (on-line only), invites to special events, early notifications of the releases and a totally exclusive merchandising range, along with some other goodies.   

If you join in October, you will automatically receive 15 months membership for the price of 12!

I am really excited about the Caped Crusader Collector Club (CCCC) as something very different. As a musician. I think it is important that serious fans get to hear music that would otherwise be left in drawers and on shelves and in some cases, discarded.

With the formation of the CCCC, I feel that this is an innovative way for core fans to get to hear music which I have discovered in various of my archives. Much of which was found when packing ready to move house

I had completely forgotten about some of this material and it has really surprised me what was found. All part of my musical journey over almost 5 decades. I truly believe for real collectors these exclusive CD's will be received in the same way that The Treasure Chest was some years ago.

I hope everyone has as much enjoyment hearing these recordings as I had after discovering them.” – Rick Wakeman

To become a member: https://www.rickwakemansmusicemporium.com/products/caped-crusader-collector-club

Rick Wakeman's official website: http://www.rwcc.com/
Rick Wakeman’s Emporium: www.rickwakemansmusicemporium.com

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

10/12/2021

Fresh Off US Tour with Jon Anderson of Yes, The Paul Green Rock Academy is Expanding and Holding Auditions for New Students

We are looking for ambitious, curious, and hard-working young musicians!

Have you ever dreamed of performing live on stage with a famous musician? The Paul Green Rock Academy (PGRA) makes that dream come true!

The Paul Green Rock Academy (PGRA) is the latest company from Master Teacher, Paul Green, and is the only rock school dedicated to serious musicians. Having just completed an incredibly successful tour with Rock & Roll Hall of Fame artist, Jon Anderson of Yes, the school is accepting new students and opening new locations to provide more opportunities to more young musicians.

The program at PGRA offers an immersive music education for students between the ages of 12 and 18 who are selected by audition for their musical prowess, showmanship, dedication, ambition, and ability to share the stage with professional musicians as they tour the world.

Paul Green has been teaching music to students of all ages for over 30 years. He is the original founder of School of Rock, but PGRA is his dream school, as he teaches only students determined to learn. At PGRA, all the teaching is done by Paul, and the students have incredible opportunities to tour, play with amazing guest artists, and to get a proper and focused music education designed to prepare them to become professional musicians.

Jon Anderson with the PGRA - photo by John Barry

In the summer of 2019, their students opened for Yes legend Jon Anderson’s “1000 Hands” show, leading Jon to want to restart the tradition of playing shows with PGRA students and eventually to the summer tour they just completed (which was rescheduled from 2020 due to the Covid virus).

Jon enjoyed this summer tour so much that he wants to tour with PGRA again in 2022. The plan is to do 30-40 shows with Jon in 2022, all over the US but also internationally (Europe) if Covid restrictions allow.

Boy oh boy what a special treat it was for us all...27 teens on the first leg, then 25 on the second...they were all magnificent and a joy to be around...

Paul Green, bless him, is a master of getting things done...the teens were shy, yet wild and crazy beautiful...but Paul made sure the shows worked...like the perfect storm...they all played their hearts out and put on a very wonderful show every time...

We gotta do it again...be well...be safe...

love and 'light'...” - Jon Anderson

Watch Jon Anderson with the Paul Green Rock Academy - HEART OF THE SUNRISE new promo video:

Currently with locations in Philadelphia PA and Wilton CT, Paul Green Rock Academy plans to open four additional locations in Brooklyn, Fairfield CT, Wexford PA (suburban Pittsburgh), and Lancaster PA. Plans for the 2022 tour, along with some interest from some other legendary artists, including a very big name in the punk rock world, has both necessitated and provided the opportunity for expansion. The student limit is determined by the number of students per instrument and the number good shows that the school can supply for the students.

Students who join PGRA’s program can expect to play up to 40 shows per year with the school, including a tour in the summer.

PGRA is currently looking for ambitious, curious, and hard-working young musicians! Audition now and let the Paul Green Rock Academy make your rock dreams come true!

For more information:
Paul Green Rock Academy www.PaulGreenRock.com
Paul Green (musician) – Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Green

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

10/11/2021

Leslie Hunt, Lead-Singer With Prog Ensemble District 97 & American Idol Finalist, To Release “Descend” EP October 22, 2021

Contrary to the title, District 97 lead-singer and ex-American Idol finalist, Leslie Hunt continues her upward trajectory with “Descend”, her brand new solo seven-track EP.

“Descend” marks Part Two of a 2-EP set, and is the follow-up to “Ascend”, which was released in June.

Featuring another set of seven adeptly crafted songs, each one a testament to Leslie Hunt’s progressively assured songwriting ability.

Where the seven tracks on “Ascend” dealt with matters relating to the heart and soul, the songs on “Descend” deal predominantly with freedom of the individual and their attempt to find a place within an increasingly complex and sometimes harsh society.

Leslie Hunt’s eclectic range of influences move naturally among the seven songs on “Descend” traversing an array of genres.

Track Listing:
DON’T MAKE ME COME BACK THERE
AGAIN + AGAIN
QUIET MIND
BIG WHITE FLAG
THESE DAYS
SO MANY TIMES
COMPLEX HEART

To purchase: https://www.cherryred.co.uk/product/leslie-hunt-descend-cd-ep/

For more information:
www.lesliehuntmusic.com
www.facebook.com/lesliehuntlive
www.twitter.com/lesliehunt
www.instagram.com/lesliehunt

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

10/07/2021

An All-Star Gathering Of Rock Legends Including GRAHAM BONNET, ARTHUR BROWN, VINNIE MOORE, DAVID J, JAMES LABRIE, and others Perform PINK FLOYD’s 1977 Epic ANIMALS In Its Entirety!

Album features performances by Al Di Meola, Albert Lee, Rick Wakeman, Martin Barre, Carmine Appice, Jordan Rudess, Billy Cobham, Jan Akkerman, and more!

Los Angeles, CA - Following the wildly successful Still Wish You Were Here project released earlier this year, another gathering of classic, prog and art rock superstars have come together to recreate and reimagine Pink Floyd's ambitious 1977 concept album, Animals! Fusing the white-hot guitar work of Floyd guitarist David Gilmour with the stone-cold cynicism of Roger Water’s lyrics, Animals is widely hailed by die-hard Floyd fans as one of the group’s most highly conceptual and uncompromising albums of their career, and certainly set the template for the commercial breakthrough that would come two years later with 1979’s The Wall.

Now, some of the most veteran players and singers on the planet including jazz-rock guitar legend Al Di Meola, psych-rock godfather Arthur Brown, drum master Billy Cobham, UFO's Vinnie Moore, Bauhaus's David J, Dream Theater's James LaBrie, and so many more come to give their unique spins to this magnum opus. Each track of this groundbreaking work has been completely reimagined with modern production flourishes and tasteful musical additions while staying true to the original album's heady and subtly complex compositions. Just listen to the new version of “Dogs,” a superb 17-minute suite sung by Rainbow's Graham Bonnet with Vinnie Moore on guitar, Utopia's Kasim Sulton on bass, Dream Theater's Jordan Rudess on keyboards, and King Crimson drummer Pat Mastelotto.

Stream “Dogs”: https://orcd.co/graham_bonnet_vinnie_moore_dogs

Animals Reimagined - A Tribute To Pink Floyd is set for release on November 19 on both CD and digital with a vinyl version coming in 2022. The CD version comes in a deluxe 6-panel digipak with artwork created by the most successful digital artist working today, Mike “Beeple” Winkelmann, with cover art designed by James McCarthy. Look for the NFT charity auction of the front cover image later this year!

Pre-order the CD: https://cleorecs.com/store/shop/animals-reimagined-a-tribute-to-pink-floyd-cd/
Pre-order/pre-save the digital: https://orcd.co/animals_reimagined

Track List:
1. Pigs On A Wing 1 - Nick van Eede (Cutting Crew) & Martin Barre (Jethro Tull)
2. Dogs - Graham Bonnet (Rainbow), Vinnie Moore (UFO), Kasim Sulton (Utopia), Jordan Rudess (Dream Theater) & Pat Mastelotto (King Crimson)
3. Pigs (Three Different Ones) - James LaBrie (Dream Theater), Al Di Meola, Joe Bouchard (Blue Öyster Cult), Patrick Moraz (The Moody Blues) & Billy Cobham (Mahavishnu Orchestra)
4. Sheep - Arthur Brown, Rick Wakeman (Yes), Jan Akkerman (Focus), David J. (Bauhaus) & Carmine Appice (Cactus/Vanilla Fudge)
5. Pigs On A Wing 2 - Jon Davison (lead vocalist for Yes), Albert Lee & Billy Sherwood (Yes)

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


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10/04/2021

Italian Prog Ensemble Ambigram To Release Eponymous Debut Album Inspired By Greg Lake on October 22, 2021

Featuring A Track Co-produced by ELP Legend Greg Lake

“Ambigram” an English term coined in 1986 by Douglas Hofstadter: “Calligraphic design that has two or more clear and distinct interpretations. The two readings are usually generated through the change of point of view that can be obtained through rotations and symmetries or other expedients.” (Wikipedia)

Never was a more appropriate definition to introduce to the world the release of their eponymous debut album. Ambigram, is a new super - band composed by Italian leading musicians who have very deep roots in progressive and underground music. Among them also appears, in the production phase, the giant of prog Greg Lake (Wherever he is now, for the help given in developing this project over the years). Embedded in the meaning of the name itself, Ambigram is also a record that lends itself to be read and enjoyed with different narratives and fruition levels; it is a complex but enjoyable album that is a pleasure to listen to and, above all, decidedly engaging at each subsequent listening ....

The definition, which lead vocalist Francesco Rapaccioli most loves to use to describe their music, is ‘pro aggressive’ rock ... do not be fooled by the pun: The basis on which their sound is nourished is a solid rock with haunting melodies inspired by the classic British school, with classy arrangements. Francesco’s lead vocals are supported by the “rhythm machine”, expertly conducted by Gigi Cavalli Cocchi (drums) who marks the times with power and elegance; Beppe Lombardo’s guitars, accompanied by Max Marchini’s bass, have the ability to make each piece unique. Throughout the work we perceive a very accurate research and study of detail, thank also to the precious cameos of brilliant guests who collaborated on the project: Area’s legendary guitarist Paolo Tofani (guitar solos on track 6-7), the super vocalist Paola Folli (vocals on track 4), Camillo Mozzoni, La Scala Orchestra’s former 1st Oboe (oboe on tracks 2,7), keyboard’s wizard Max Repetti and, last but not least, Marco Rancati and Avant/Prog rising Star Annie Barbazza on background vocals.

The voice of Francesco Rapaccioli brings the emotional side to a new level where lyrics span from suburban crimes to mythological journeys with a deep bound to the Sea exploring its haunting meanings from Odysseus lost in the Aegean Isles to Argonauts search symbolism.

Beware you don’t get lost at sea, too.
We are really cracked on Ambigram...

CREDITS

1. A Mediterranean Tale
2. Cerberus Reise
3. Pig Tree
4. Sailing Home
5. Imaginary Daughter
6. L’Absinthe
7. Patchwork
8. Pearls Before Swine
9. Cerberus Reise (Radio Edit)

Produced By Ambigram except “A Mediterranean Tale” co-produced by Greg Lake.

Personnel:
Francesco Rapaccioli - lead and background vocals
Beppe Lombardo - guitars
Gigi Cavalli Cocchi - drums and percussion
Max Marchini - bass guitar
with
Annie Barbazza (vocals); Max Repetti (piano, keyboards), Marco Rancati (bkg. vocals)
special guests:
Paola Folli (vocals on 4)
Camillo Mozzoni (oboe on 2,7)
Paolo Tofani (guitar solo in 6,7)

Recorded by Alberto Callegari @ Elfo Studios
Mixed by Alberto Callegari and Francesco Rapaccioli @ Elfo Studios
Mastered by Tommy Bianchi @ White Sound Mastering
All songs by Barbazza/Cavalli Cocchi/Lombardo/Marchini
published by Poggeidon Edizioni Musicali
photography: Franz Soprani

Special thanks to Greg Lake, wherever he is now, for the support and help in developing this project over the years. We deeply feel to dedicate this music to his memory.

Also Thanks to Bunker 54 Recording Studio and Max Cavalli Cocchi

Ambigram’s Historical Facts

The band was born early this millenium, when Beppe Lombardo got back from Finland to his hometown of Piacenza where he teamed up again with old mate Max Marchini. The two spent many sofa evenings sharing guitars and getting the basis to this project. Then the band underwent many changes of personnel trying to accomplish and perform what is now Ambigram. Deeply convinced that Progressive is more an attitude to the music than a genre, many friends joined and left: too bluesy, too jazzy, too rock, too pop… They don’t want to be nostalgic although 60s and 70s music is alive and well in their hearts. They needed a dramatic improvement from their collaborators in both musical skill and creative imagery.

Then famous drummer Gigi Cavalli Cocchi said yes to Max after inviting him and the band immediately changed. Old school days mate Francesco Rapaccioli, 360° musician, producer and talented vocalist, then turned professional, also accepted (after former vocalist Marco Rancati quit): the right recipe was eventually found and, as Greg Lake pointed, the good fairy appeared.

All the songs were re-arranged and produced as a collective effort with Greg Lake in person helping on the first track. The 4 Ambigram opened the door to some friends whose collaboration spiced the menu bringing it on an even higher level: from the impressive vocal talent of Paola Folli to Greg Lake’s discovered singer Annie Barbazza, who also took part in compositions. From the cubist visionary guitar solos of Area’s Paolo Tofani to keyboard wizard Max Repetti and La Scala Orchestra former 1st oboe Camillo Mozzoni.

This is Ambigram and you’ll hear about them pretty soon and loud.

To purchase:
http://store.maracash.com/product_info.php?products_id=594&osCsid=em0l6p8h3tjfb6ntnoco304aqp
https://maracashrecords.bandcamp.com/album/ambigram

For more information: https://www.facebook.com/ambigramband

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