"Greg Lake Live In Piacenza" Limited Box Set, CD & Vinyl Now Available!

Manticore Italy Records is proud to announce the release of “Greg Lake Live In Piacenza” Limited Box Set, CD & Vinyl! Recorded in sound-demonstration quality this is the documentary of Greg Lake's last tour, recorded on November 28, 2012 in a sold out Teatro Municipale in Piacenza. It was a very special, magical evening, as Greg remembered in his outstanding autobiography, Lucky Man. The audience was so warm and he gave such a passionate performance. The Mayor of Piacenza and all the municipality attended the concert and went on stage thanking Mr. Lake for opening the “Musiche Nuove in Piacenza” festival. The concert was a triumph and eventually on January 9, 2016 the trustees of Conservatorio Nicolini of Piacenza gave Greg Lake the first honorary degree ever given by a Conservatorio.

This is a wonderful record, bringing the “Songs Of A Lifetime” project to its highest point. Exclusively for this concert, Greg performed with 3 special guests: Le Orme's leader Aldo Tagliapietra, ex PFM and Acqua Fragile's great vocalist Bernardo Lanzetti and the young talented Annie Barbazza, making the Piacenza show even more special and rare. It was Greg's wish that a precious, audiophile limited edition would re-launch his Manticore Label.

One outstanding memory I have of performing Songs Of A Lifetime show in Europe was on 28 November 2012 in the small city of Piacenza in Italy. The concert took place at a wonderful theatre there, the Teatro Municipale, which looks rather like La Scala in Milan with beautiful gold balconies and crystal chandeliers. I love Piacenza, and the Conservatorio di MusicaGiuseppe Nicolini there awarded me an honorary degree in 2016 for the way that King Crimson and Emerson, Lake & Palmer helped to bring classical music into young people’s lives - what an honour.

The show at Teatro Municipale was recorded and I decided to release a special collector’s edition of it on vinyl. Somehow the event, the feeling of the music and the atmosphere all seem to be suited to being reproduced in this analogue way.

Max Marchini recorded and produced the concert in Piacenza and together with Max I decided to restore Manticore Records label for the production and distribution of high-quality vinyl recordings. - Greg Lake, from “Lucky Man - The Autobiography”


(photo by Franz Soprani)

“Greg Lake Live In Piacenza” is available as:
1) very limited double premium audiophile vinyl in 700 hand-numbered copies, gold hot foil lettering.
2) very limited CD in 1600 hand-numbered copies, gold hot foil lettering.
3) very limited Box Set in 500 hand-numbered copies, gold hot foil lettering containing: double vinyl in clear audiophile edition, CD in audiophile gold limited edition, 10 in-folio photographic prints, original concert poster and ticket, exclusive video DVD documentary of the concert, Greg Lake logo sticker.

Produced by Greg Lake and Max Marchini
Recorded by Alberto Callegari
Mixed and mastered at Elfo Recording Studios, Tavernago (PC)
Post Productions by Greg Lake and Annie Barbazza.

Tracklist:
01. 21st Century Schizoid Man
02. Lend Your Love To Me Tonight
03. From The Beginning
04. Heartbreak Hotel
05. Epitaph/In The Court Of The Crimson King
06. I Talk To The Wind
07. You’ve Got To Hide Your Love Away
08. Touch And Go
09. Trilogy/Still... You Turn Me On
10. I Believe In Father Christmas
11. Shakin’ All Over
12. C’est La Vie
13. People Get Ready
14. Lucky Man (featuring Annie Barbazza, Bernardo Lanzetti and Aldo Tagliapietra)
15. Karn Evil 9 (1st Impression, part II)

Visit Manticore Italy Records to purchase “Greg Lake Live In Piacenza”: www.manticorerecords.com

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

Classic 1983 Prog Album By The Gardening Club Reissued With Bonus Tracks!

Gonzo Multimedia has reissued the debut album by the Gardening Club! Originally released in 1983, this Prog influenced record was “the right album at the wrong time.” It has now been re-released with an additional five studio tracks complementing the albums original twelve tracks.

The CD package sports the original Gardening Club cover and includes a 24 page illustrated lyric booklet, created especially for this re-release by musician/artist, Martin Springett.

Says Martin, “I am thrilled that this music is finally seeing the light of day. I felt at the time that it was special, the perfect marriage of my art and music, influenced as I was by all the classic Prog music of my youth, and the wonderfully over the top and imaginative packaging. I have been in Canada for many years now, but as many listeners have told me, I have retained my 'English sound.'”

“The record sounds like the ‘70s; channels the aesthetic and narrative attributes of Middle Ages poetry and art; was released during the heyday of futurist pop, and is now being reimagined more than 30 years later.” - Jeff Low, Broken Pencil

“Now this is that classic prog rock sound that we all love so deeply and dearly...Just a gorgeous, inimitable, eternal album, that deserves to live forever.” - Julian Ryan, Discogs.com

Martin Springett was born in the U K but moved with his family to Canada in 1965. In 1969 in Vancouver he recorded an album of settings of Tolkien's poems from Lord Of The Rings and the Hobbit. Alas, Christopher Tolkien did not allow the record to be released. Martin played in bands and toured in Canada and the U S, but returned to England in 1971 to seek a record deal. He toured in Europe with a band called Gateway Driver, based in Hanover. Upon returning to Canada, a move to Toronto meant entering a new musical landscape and a Vancouver pal, Don Geppert, now a respected engineer in the Toronto music scene worked with Martin on an LP called The Gardening Club, which was released in 1983. Martin has continued to write create and record music in the intervening years, releasing six independent CD's.

Martin and his band mates, Norm Macpherson, producer and guitarist, and James Macpherson, drums and synths, recently completed a new Gardening Club album called The Riddle. Martin is now putting the finishing touches to the art that will accompany this record.

To purchase The Gardening Club: http://www.gonzomultimedia.co.uk/artists/7049/Martin%20Springett

For more information: http://gardeningclubmusicandart.ca/

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

Classic 1983 Prog Album By The Gardening Club Reissued With Bonus Tracks!

Gonzo Multimedia has reissued the debut album by the Gardening Club! Originally released in 1983, this Prog influenced record was “the right album at the wrong time.” It has now been re-released with an additional five studio tracks complementing the albums original twelve tracks.

The CD package sports the original Gardening Club cover and includes a 24 page illustrated lyric booklet, created especially for this re-release by musician/artist, Martin Springett.

Says Martin, “I am thrilled that this music is finally seeing the light of day. I felt at the time that it was special, the perfect marriage of my art and music, influenced as I was by all the classic Prog music of my youth, and the wonderfully over the top and imaginative packaging. I have been in Canada for many years now, but as many listeners have told me, I have retained my 'English sound.'”

“The record sounds like the ‘70s; channels the aesthetic and narrative attributes of Middle Ages poetry and art; was released during the heyday of futurist pop, and is now being reimagined more than 30 years later.” - Jeff Low, Broken Pencil

“Now this is that classic prog rock sound that we all love so deeply and dearly...Just a gorgeous, inimitable, eternal album, that deserves to live forever.” - Julian Ryan, Discogs.com

Martin Springett was born in the U K but moved with his family to Canada in 1965. In 1969 in Vancouver he recorded an album of settings of Tolkien's poems from Lord Of The Rings and the Hobbit. Alas, Christopher Tolkien did not allow the record to be released. Martin played in bands and toured in Canada and the U S, but returned to England in 1971 to seek a record deal. He toured in Europe with a band called Gateway Driver, based in Hanover. Upon returning to Canada, a move to Toronto meant entering a new musical landscape and a Vancouver pal, Don Geppert, now a respected engineer in the Toronto music scene worked with Martin on an LP called The Gardening Club, which was released in 1983. Martin has continued to write create and record music in the intervening years, releasing six independent CD's.

Martin and his band mates, Norm Macpherson, producer and guitarist, and James Macpherson, drums and synths, recently completed a new Gardening Club album called The Riddle. Martin is now putting the finishing touches to the art that will accompany this record.

To purchase The Gardening Club: http://www.gonzomultimedia.co.uk/artists/7049/Martin%20Springett

For more information: http://gardeningclubmusicandart.ca/

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

Holiday-Folk Review: Blackmore's Night-Winter Carols

Release Date: October 6, 2017

Label: Minstrel Hall Music

Website

Blackmore’s Night is ready to usher in the Holiday season with their latest release Winter Carols. They do it all like nobody else and that one factor makes it more intriguing. The perspective listener has an opportunity to enjoy some seasonal music in an entirely different way.

This band has had me mesmerized since day one. Richie Blackmore’s incredible guitar and his wife Candace Night who sings like an angel every step of the way, it just sweeps me away. Her voice is so warm and positive you cannot resist smiling and tapping your feet to all their music.

For me it takes awhile to get into the spirit of the Holidays every year because of the overuse of commercialism pushing over eating and over spending. I can forget about all that and focus on the music and those I love. I get there with a little help from these wonderful musicians delivering their very special music into my home. I have a lot of different emotions this time of year for many different reasons. Music helps me to smile inside and heal any hurt I may be feeling while thinking about those I have lost over the years.

This two CD set is a great way to kick off the Holiday’s and it did just that for me. Blackmore’s Night has a special blend of rock, folk and Celtic that takes the nod from some ancient tunes.  What is the best part of that? It is putting their own flavor and spin on the tracks and taking you on quite a musical journey to enjoy. They create a lot of their own music however they have reworked some from songs that were written centuries ago as well.

If all this great music was not enough, Candace sings “Christmas Eve” in German, and perfectly I might add. This is a band of musical perfectionist that know how to get it done in one take. If you listen to tracks from “Live from Minstrel Hall” you hardly can tell the difference between the polished studio work and live recordings. Of course, the live music allows for some interesting improvisation on more than one occasion. I have had the pleasure of seeing them live and it is truly an incredible experience.

Blackmore is a real craftsman and a master of the six-string. His acoustic playing is perfected and beautiful. Every once in a while, he cuts loose on the electric guitar reminding everyone that he can still rock if he chooses to. I always have enjoyed this music and prior to this band Deep Purple and Rainbow, in fact I still enjoy it all. 

Winter Carols is not only a worldwide tribute to Christmas it is a portrait of musical history intermingled with modern technologies. It is everything that I could have asked for to persuade me into the joy and love of the upcoming Holidays. I have a lot to be grateful for and that includes amazing music from one of the best bands in the world.

5/5 Stars

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck

December 6, 2017

Founder of:

MuzikMan Productions

MuzikMan Reviews

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Prog Rock Music Talk

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Tracks:
CD 1:
01. Deck the Halls
02. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
03. Oh Christmas Tree
04. Hark the Herald Angels Sing / O Come All Ye Faithful
05. I Saw Three Ships
06. Winter (Basse Dance)
07. Ding Dong Merrily on High
08. Ma-o-Tzur
09. Good King Wenceslas
10. Lord of the Dance / Simple Gifts
11. We Three Kings
12. Wish You Were Here
13. Emmanuel
14. Christmas Eve
15. We Wish You a Merry Christmas

CD2:
16. Hark the Herald Angels Sing / O Come All Ye Faithful (Live from Minstrel Hall)
17. Emmanuel (Live from Minstrel Hall)
18. We Three Kings (Live from Minstrel Hall)
19. Ma-o-Tzur (Live from Minstrel Hall)
20. Good King Wenceslas (Live from Minstrel Hall)
21. Christmas Eve (2013 Version)
22. Christmas Eve (German Radio Edit)
23. Christmas Eve (English & German Radio Edit)
24. Christmas Eve (English Radio Edit)

Holiday-Folk Review: Blackmore's Night-Winter Carols

Release Date: October 6, 2017

Label: Minstrel Hall Music

Website

Blackmore’s Night is ready to usher in the Holiday season with their latest release Winter Carols. They do it all like nobody else and that one factor makes it more intriguing. The perspective listener has an opportunity to enjoy some seasonal music in an entirely different way.

This band has had me mesmerized since day one. Richie Blackmore’s incredible guitar and his wife Candace Night who sings like an angel every step of the way, it just sweeps me away. Her voice is so warm and positive you cannot resist smiling and tapping your feet to all their music.

For me it takes awhile to get into the spirit of the Holidays every year because of the overuse of commercialism pushing over eating and over spending. I can forget about all that and focus on the music and those I love. I get there with a little help from these wonderful musicians delivering their very special music into my home. I have a lot of different emotions this time of year for many different reasons. Music helps me to smile inside and heal any hurt I may be feeling while thinking about those I have lost over the years.

This two CD set is a great way to kick off the Holiday’s and it did just that for me. Blackmore’s Night has a special blend of rock, folk and Celtic that takes the nod from some ancient tunes.  What is the best part of that? It is putting their own flavor and spin on the tracks and taking you on quite a musical journey to enjoy. They create a lot of their own music however they have reworked some from songs that were written centuries ago as well.

If all this great music was not enough, Candace sings “Christmas Eve” in German, and perfectly I might add. This is a band of musical perfectionist that know how to get it done in one take. If you listen to tracks from “Live from Minstrel Hall” you hardly can tell the difference between the polished studio work and live recordings. Of course, the live music allows for some interesting improvisation on more than one occasion. I have had the pleasure of seeing them live and it is truly an incredible experience.

Blackmore is a real craftsman and a master of the six-string. His acoustic playing is perfected and beautiful. Every once in a while, he cuts loose on the electric guitar reminding everyone that he can still rock if he chooses to. I always have enjoyed this music and prior to this band Deep Purple and Rainbow, in fact I still enjoy it all. 

Winter Carols is not only a worldwide tribute to Christmas it is a portrait of musical history intermingled with modern technologies. It is everything that I could have asked for to persuade me into the joy and love of the upcoming Holidays. I have a lot to be grateful for and that includes amazing music from one of the best bands in the world.

5/5 Stars

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck

December 6, 2017

Founder of:

MuzikMan Productions

MuzikMan Reviews

Write A Music Review

Prog Rock Music Talk

New Age Music Reviews

Rate The Tracks

Review Provided By Write A Music Review

Tracks:
CD 1:
01. Deck the Halls
02. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
03. Oh Christmas Tree
04. Hark the Herald Angels Sing / O Come All Ye Faithful
05. I Saw Three Ships
06. Winter (Basse Dance)
07. Ding Dong Merrily on High
08. Ma-o-Tzur
09. Good King Wenceslas
10. Lord of the Dance / Simple Gifts
11. We Three Kings
12. Wish You Were Here
13. Emmanuel
14. Christmas Eve
15. We Wish You a Merry Christmas

CD2:
16. Hark the Herald Angels Sing / O Come All Ye Faithful (Live from Minstrel Hall)
17. Emmanuel (Live from Minstrel Hall)
18. We Three Kings (Live from Minstrel Hall)
19. Ma-o-Tzur (Live from Minstrel Hall)
20. Good King Wenceslas (Live from Minstrel Hall)
21. Christmas Eve (2013 Version)
22. Christmas Eve (German Radio Edit)
23. Christmas Eve (English & German Radio Edit)
24. Christmas Eve (English Radio Edit)