Instrumental New Age/Piano Review: Lynn Trudeau-Fellowship of Solitude

Release Date: July 20, 2018

Label: Independent

Website

I I had the distinct pleasure of covering Lynn Trudeau’s Shifting Sands last year. Her piano playing is superb and I looked forward to hearing what else she could create on the next release.

Well, that time has arrived, the new recording is titled Fellowship of Solitude and it is due out July 20, 2018.

The title is the first thing that really grabs you, and that is a good thing before you settle in and listen to a new album. I can only speak for myself, but that is the best way to start in my estimation. The wheels inside your head are already turning.

My first thought was, where is there fellowship in solitude? After a few moments of thought, it came to me rather quickly…the fellowship you can experience is with yourself, nature or a higher power. All of these instances, to me, relate to a non-cluttered spiritual state that heals and refreshes. That is not a state that is easy for some folks to arrive at, including me. This is the kind of music that is a marvelous tool to reach a higher state of consciousness.

Music like what is offered on Fellowship of Solitude is always a welcome addition to my collection. Lynn Trudeau is a master of the ivory keys. She is one of the many I have encountered over the years. If you are not into listening to this kind of music I suggest you give it a try, particularly if you desire some time to wind down and find a new frame of reference, the music!  It does tend to put a different spin on life (no pun intended there).

If you are spiritual human being with the intention of finding a space in time that will recharge your spirit, relax or meditate, this is the kind of music that can be your partner in reaching your goal.

Lynn Trudeau serves as the unspoken guide or spiritual teacher if you will, on her latest offering Fellowship of Solitude. You will have to find exactly what the title of the recording means for you by taking a non-judgmental dive right into the music. Title of the recording means for you by taking a non-judgmental dive right into the music.

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck

July 3, 2018

 

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Tracks: 
01.  Fellowship of Solitude
02. Traces of Daylight
03. Land of Forgotten Dreams
04. Call of the Owyhees
05. Love Leaves a Memory
06. What Hides in the Dark
07. Afternoon Reflection
08. The Time Machine
09. Peace in the Midst
10. Left Behind
11. Life is in the Journey
12. Purple Fog

Concert Review: Roomful of Blues

Roomful of Blues Turns the Infinity Hall in Norfolk, Connecticut Into A Cathedral of Sound

June 30, 2018

https://www.roomful.com/

It was a hot summer night in Norfolk, CT on the last day of June but it was about to reach a boil at the Infinity Hall with the arrival of Roomful of Blues.

I knew of this band and the name certainly was familiar however I never took a deep dive into their music. Just knowing they had been around since 1977 and had a horn section told me something. Any blues band with a horn section can play quite a variety of blues and jazz. At least in my experience, it always turned out that way. You may think I was taking a chance of not being familiar with their music however with the knowledge I did have I went forward feeling this would be a stellar performance.

As it turned out, everything about the evening was great. The drive in on the back roads of New England is always such a pleasure. As I drove by all the houses and admired the old stone walls, I felt at home. And once we went into the Infinity Hall Bistro, I felt very welcomed. The service and folks working there are incredibly helpful and courteous. The menu at the Bistro is quite diverse as well.  This is what I call the ”complete” concert experience.

Prior to the show, I decided to get the T-Shirt commemorating their 50-year anniversary and a release from 2011 titled Hook Line & Sinker on the Alligator Records label. I was attracted to the cover art, which reminded me of the World War II Rosie the Riveter image. I am sure besides the artwork, it will be a terrific listen.

50 years is a mighty long time keep it together. There have been lineup changes over the years, which is expected for such a long stretch of time, however, their main groove and mojo is still intact and ready to roll while on tour.

What also impressed me is a staff member minds the swag booth for the band.  I was also informed that they have a green room for visiting artists. The room is totally furnished and they make sure nobody goes on the stage with an empty stomach. 

So, after being so impressed and quite comfortable I made my way upstairs to the concert hall. I call it “The Cathedral of Sound.” Sounds kind of catchy doesn’t it?

There was no opening act so I had nothing but a Roomful of Blues to enjoy. Little did I know that was in a literal sense.

This band is a well-oiled machine that presents a wide variety of blues and jazz within each number. I really appreciated the interludes of jamming in between vocals. The musicianship is outstanding and the combination of horns, standup bass, keyboards, percussion and amazing vocals make it all one remarkable show. You are going to hear flat out rockin’ blues peppered with jazz, some honkytonk piano tucked in between it all and more. Every member of the band gets their time in the spotlight on their stage. Everyone also got acknowledged separately and as a whole by the admiring audience.

This is not just the “blues” people, this is progressive blues and all the trimmings. This amazing band proved that fact all night long. Seeing a band play live and stretch out and flex their musical muscles is the best way to know who they really are. I found out who Roomful of Blues is, one serious group of musicians that are full of the soul of the blues, the tastefulness of jazz and the oomph to rock. That is one deadly combination.

Catch them live as soon as you can! If you are looking to visit a quaint New England town and enjoy a great meal and an evening of fantastic entertainment, stop by the Infinity Hall in Norfolk CT and catch a show.

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck

July 2, 2018

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Set List:

01. Introduction

02. It All Went Down The Drain

03. Alright, Okay, You Win

04. I Would Be a Sinner

05. I'd Rather Be Blind, Crippled and Crazy

06. Easy Baby

07. Boogie Woogie Country Girl

08. Two For The Price Of Ten

09. Too Much Boogie

10. Your Love Was Never There

11. Baby I'm Gone

12. Just Keep On Rockin'

13. My Baby Quit Me

14. Showcase

15. Body and Fender Man

Encore:

   16. New Orleans

   17. One More Mile 
 

G'ole! FIFA's Official Film of the 1982 World Cup Feat. Music by Rick Wakeman to be Released on CD/DVD & Limited Edition Boxed Set

London - Now available for pre-order, G'ole! FIFA's official film of the 1982 World Cup featuring music by Rick Wakeman on CD/DVD & Limited Edition Boxed Set (which includes the unreleased bonus soundtrack CD Hero). This is the next in the highly successful deluxe edition series of Rick Waleman's classic albums.

Says Rick, “Another soundtrack album and not bad as soundtrack albums go. It's a shame DVD wasn't about at the time as it would have made a nice sporting DVD release.”

Narrated by Sean Connery, with music by Rick Wakeman, G'ole! captures the highly charged atmosphere of those few weeks in Spain, when the World's top 24 teams gathered to do battle.

It features…Italy winning despite half their squad being suspended for match fixing. Germany and Austria fixing their result to eliminate Algeria. A Kuwaiti Sheik invading the pitch and successfully getting a goal over turned. The Germany v France Semi Final which featured the worst foul in World Cup history, when Germany’s goalie Schumacher broke Patrick Battison's jaw. Schumacher then helped Germany beat France in the first ever penalty shoot out. 17 year old Maradona's arrival on the international scene – then getting sent off for kicking a Brazilian in the nuts. Northern Ireland beating hosts Spain (that goal from Trainspotting). And England getting knocked out despite not losing a game. It was an amazing tournament.

Not only that, we get to see New Zealand's players getting a half time bollocking and topless girls on the beaches. This is FIFA after all.

Age 23 Sean Connery played for Bonnyrig Rose FC. Sir Matt Busby was impressed by his fellow Scot, offering him a £25-a-week contract at Old Trafford. “I really wanted to accept because I loved football,” recalled Connery. “But I realised that a top-class footballer could be over the hill by the age of 30, and I was already 23. I decided to become an actor and it turned out to be one of my more intelligent moves.”

“G'ole! finds Wakeman experimenting again with the staccato rhythms and percussion of "White Rock," and overlaying this with the broad synth strokes that he developed on 'Rhapsodies.” - All Music Guide

To pre-order G'ole! CD/DVD & Boxed Set:  https://www.pledgemusic.com/projects/rick-wakeman-gole ;

Rick Wakeman's official website: http://www.rwcc.com
Rick Wakeman's new YouTube channel: https://rick-wakeman.lnk.to/youtube
To subscribe to Rick Wakeman's new YouTube channel: https://rick-wakeman.lnk.to/subscribe

Gonzo Multimedia: http://www.gonzomultimedia.co.uk/

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

G'ole! FIFA's Official Film of the 1982 World Cup Feat. Music by Rick Wakeman to be Released on CD/DVD & Limited Edition Boxed Set

London - Now available for pre-order, G'ole! FIFA's official film of the 1982 World Cup featuring music by Rick Wakeman on CD/DVD & Limited Edition Boxed Set (which includes the unreleased bonus soundtrack CD Hero). This is the next in the highly successful deluxe edition series of Rick Waleman's classic albums.

Says Rick, “Another soundtrack album and not bad as soundtrack albums go. It's a shame DVD wasn't about at the time as it would have made a nice sporting DVD release.”

Narrated by Sean Connery, with music by Rick Wakeman, G'ole! captures the highly charged atmosphere of those few weeks in Spain, when the World's top 24 teams gathered to do battle.

It features…Italy winning despite half their squad being suspended for match fixing. Germany and Austria fixing their result to eliminate Algeria. A Kuwaiti Sheik invading the pitch and successfully getting a goal over turned. The Germany v France Semi Final which featured the worst foul in World Cup history, when Germany’s goalie Schumacher broke Patrick Battison's jaw. Schumacher then helped Germany beat France in the first ever penalty shoot out. 17 year old Maradona's arrival on the international scene – then getting sent off for kicking a Brazilian in the nuts. Northern Ireland beating hosts Spain (that goal from Trainspotting). And England getting knocked out despite not losing a game. It was an amazing tournament.

Not only that, we get to see New Zealand's players getting a half time bollocking and topless girls on the beaches. This is FIFA after all.

Age 23 Sean Connery played for Bonnyrig Rose FC. Sir Matt Busby was impressed by his fellow Scot, offering him a £25-a-week contract at Old Trafford. “I really wanted to accept because I loved football,” recalled Connery. “But I realised that a top-class footballer could be over the hill by the age of 30, and I was already 23. I decided to become an actor and it turned out to be one of my more intelligent moves.”

“G'ole! finds Wakeman experimenting again with the staccato rhythms and percussion of "White Rock," and overlaying this with the broad synth strokes that he developed on 'Rhapsodies.” - All Music Guide

To pre-order G'ole! CD/DVD & Boxed Set:  https://www.pledgemusic.com/projects/rick-wakeman-gole ;

Rick Wakeman's official website: http://www.rwcc.com
Rick Wakeman's new YouTube channel: https://rick-wakeman.lnk.to/youtube
To subscribe to Rick Wakeman's new YouTube channel: https://rick-wakeman.lnk.to/subscribe

Gonzo Multimedia: http://www.gonzomultimedia.co.uk/

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

Metal/Hard Rock LP Review: Mount Atlas-Self-Titled (Ltd. Edition Red Vinyl-50 Copies)

Release Date: June 27, 2018

Label: H42 Records

Website

Mount Atlas hails from Germany which is the home of their label H42 Records. This is their debut and is it ever a good one!

I was fortunate to receive 1 of 50 copies of this self-titled red vinyl. This is some bone-crunching hard rock, metal, stoner rock that will get the blood pumping. Check out the colorful artwork on the cover, very cool. That element gives the package an artistic flair that some releases just don’t have. I really appreciate it.

Right from the start of side A, this band comes at you loud and proud with the petal to the metal on “Titan.” This curtain opener sets the tone of what you are in store for until the record stops spinning.

The cool thing about the H42 Records label is that they offer several different configurations of the release and an opportunity to pre-order product (which has come and gone). All kinds of colors are offered up which includes the following:

Red Vinyl Edition (lim. 50 copies)

White Vinyl Edition (lim. 50 copies)

Green Vinyl Edition (lim. 100 copies)

Black Vinyl Edition

Die Hard White Cover Art Edition with white label vinyl + CD (lim. 20 copies)

This is what you can expect on regular basis with releases so each unit is an instant collector’s item.  All of this is just the icing on the cake for a solid debut album. Mount Atlas can rock and their lead singer Hendrik Kurre has the right vocal style to complete their sound. His hard-edged pipes have a timbre that suits each track just fine. These are skilled musicians with really good chops that will continue to develop with the passing of time, I have no doubt.

Also included is a live bonus track titled “Burn, Witches!” This is a nice addition to get a glimpse of what the band can sound like in a live setting.

There are a few instances where they bring out a softer side showing how they can switch it up when they choose. I expect great things in the future from Mount Atlas and once you hear this killer debut I am sure you will agree.

I look forward to a great partnership with the label and to bring you all more of these musical treats.

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck

June 27, 2018

Founder of:

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Tracks:
 
Side A:
Titan
Go For A Ride
Down
Atlas
Through The Fire

Side B:
The Hunter
Loss
Bonus Track:
Burn, Witches!-Live In Rottenburg