XTC “Skylarking” CD/Blu-ray (2024 Dolby Atmos edition) & 200-gram LP (2016 Steven Wilson mix) Released on September 27, 2024

For many music fans, “Skylarking” is the classic XTC album, the one that is always most in demand.

CD/Blu-ray
• “Skylarking” is the second of XTC’s albums to be mixed in Dolby Atmos by Steven Wilson, following last year’s highly acclaimed mix for “The Big Express.”
• The album has been mixed for Dolby Atmos Immersive Audio from the original multi-track studio master tapes by Steven Wilson & is fully approved by XTC.
• CD: features the 2016 album mix & bonus album track mixes by Steven Wilson.
• Blu-ray: includes
Full album & additional tracks mixed in Dolby Atmos + instrumental versions
Full album in DTS-HD MA 5.1 Surround Sound (2016 mix)
Full album, additional tracks & instrumentals in 24/96 stereo (2016 mix).
Full album - original mix (corrected polarity edition) in 24/96 stereo.
• Presented in replica mini-vinyl style packaging with booklet including photos & album lyrics
• All 2024 & 2016 material mixed & produced by Steven Wilson.
• Original album Produced & engineered by Todd Rundgren

200-gram vinyl
• First time the 2016 Steven Wilson mix of Skylarking will be released on 200-gram vinyl
• Presented in a gatefold sleeve with lyrics appearing in the inner gatefold
• Cut by Jason Mitchell at Loud Mastering

XTC:
Andy Partridge
Colin Moulding
Dave Gregory
With: Prairie Prince: Drums

“Skylarking,” XTC’s most commercially successful album was, for many years, also its most mythical with tales of “lost” multi-track tapes (sadly true of other XTC albums but not this one), a song originally dropped from the album only to be replaced when it inadvertently became a hit single in the USA, a perfect match, on paper, between the ideal Britpop band a decade before the term was invented & an Anglophile super-producer that turned rather imperfect in personality terms but still resulted in a classic album.

Still, a masterpiece remains a masterpiece however traumatic its origins & this is one of those few albums that sounded great at the time & sounds just as great, if not better, now.

When Steven Wilson remixed the album in 2016 – for new stereo & 5.1 Surround Sound editions, the release was successful again with both original & a new generation of fans.

CD/Blu-ray
Offered the opportunity to expand upon his 2016 work, Steven has now remixed the album for Dolby Atmos.  This new edition features the complete album in Dolby Atmos, along with four additional tracks & instrumental versions in that format.

The Blu-ray also includes the 2016 mixes in DTS-HD MA 5.1 Surround, 24/96 Hi-Res Stereo plus instrumental versions – all mixed by Steven Wilson and also includes the original, Todd Rundgren produced, album mix in 24/96 Hi-Res stereo (corrected polarity edition). The 2016 stereo mixes appear on the accompanying CD.

200-gram vinyl
Frequently requested as a vinyl release in recent years & with the new CD/Blu-ray release this Autumn in Dolby Atmos (remixed again by Steven Wilson), the timing is ideal to make the 2016 mix available on 200-gram vinyl, the first of Steven’s XTC mixes to be issued on vinyl.

CD/Blu-ray:
1. Summer's Cauldron
2. Grass
3. The Meeting Place
4. That's Really Super, Supergirl
5. Ballet for a Rainy Day
6. 1000 Umbrellas
7. Season Cycle
8. Earn Enough for Us
9. Big Day
10. Another Satellite
11. Mermaid Smiled
12. The Man Who Sailed Around His Soul
13. Dear God
14. Dying
15. Sacrificial Bonfire

+ Additional Tracks
16. Extrovert
17. Let’s Make a Den
18. Little Lighthouse
19. The Troubles

To pre-order:
CD/Blu-ray - https://burningshed.com/store/ape/xtc_skylarking-dolby-atmos_cd_blu-ray

LP - https://burningshed.com/store/ape/xtc_skylarking-2016-steven-wilson-mix_vinyl

CD/Blu-ray & Vinyl bundle - https://burningshed.com/store/ape/xtc_skylarking_cd_blu-ray-vinyl-bundle

For photos, music, interview requests or further information please contact: info@panegyric.net

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

Rick Wakeman & Gordon Giltrap “From Brush & Stone” Limited Edition 180GM Clear Vinyl Available For Pre-order

CLEAR VINYL Signed by both Rick Wakeman and Gordon Giltrap - Limited to 250 Copies

“From Brush & Stone” is a studio album by guitarist Gordon Giltrap and keyboardist Rick Wakeman. The album is the first opportunity to record together for Gordon Giltrap and Rick Wakeman. Both are longtime friends who have been on separate musical paths for forty years.

“Having known Gordon for more years than we both care to remember and having great admiration for both his musical and technical ability plus his unique style of composing, it was a no-brainer for us to produce this album together. Logically, I played exactly what I felt was needed on Gordon’s compositions and he played exactly what he felt was needed on mine - another no-brainer. It’s one of those albums where every time you listen to it you discover something new in the music. Each track evokes a different emotion for the listener which indeed it did for Gordon and myself when we recorded the tracks. An album I think we can be rightly proud of.” – Rick Wakeman

“In 1963 at age 15 I was forced to leave school by my well-meaning father, suggesting that I learn a trade thus abandoning any hope I had of going to art college. Since becoming a writer of tunes I think subconsciously I have been using music as my creative canvas. I have always found that paintings have been a great source of inspiration culminating in 1976 with the William Blake inspired Visionary album and then in 1981 with Peacock Party followed by the Pre-Raphaelite inspired Brotherhood Suite. When the opportunity came along to make an album with my old friend and towering keyboard genius Rick Wakeman I put forward my Brotherhood Suite as a concept and starting point. Rick responded very positively and came back with his idea of classical sculpture as an inspiration. This he did superbly. I was given the luxury of time to work on his compositions, about 6 months in fact, and I hope I did justice to his creations. It was and continues to be an honour to have worked with one of the great Godfathers of progressive rock.” - Gordon Giltrap

Tracklist:
Side One 1. The Savannah Bird 2. Caesar Augustus 3. The Kiss 4. Hermes
Side Two 1. The Thinker 2. David 3. The Discus Thrower 4. The Last of England Spring
Side Three 1. The Death of Chatterton 2. The Light of the World 3. World 4. By Angle Tarn 5. Maddie Goes West
Side Four (Previously Unreleased) 1. A Dublin Day 2. Down The River 3. Isabella's Wedding

Personnel:
Gordon Giltrap - guitars
Rick Wakeman - keyboards
Production
Produced by Erik Jordan, Gordon Giltrap and Rick Wakeman.
Guitar recording sessions engineered by Paul White at Malvern Studios.
Keyboard recording sessions engineered by Erik Jordan at Pavilion Studios.
Mixed by Erik Jordan at Jordan Audio Studios.
Artwork by Jan Leytham-Gain.
Additional photography by Lee Wilkinson.
Special thanks to Malcolm 'Mad Malc' Welch.

To pre-order:
https://www.rickwakemansmusicemporium.com/products/rick-wakeman-and-gordon-giltrap-from-brush-and-stone-vinyl

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

Concert Review: Roger McGuinn In Concert At The Colonial Theater

            Roger McGuinn In Concert At The Colonial Theater

                          Pittsfield, MA - September 7, 2024

Last night at the Colonial Theater in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, the atmosphere was electric as a packed house prepared to immerse themselves in memories. Not just their memories but those of the music legend Roger McGuinn. The stage was set with a simple arrangement of guitars, a banjo, and a stool, creating an intimate setting for a night to remember with music and stories from an artist who has made music for over six decades.

 

When I arrived, a lady with CDs was at the merch table. It happened to be Camilla, Roger's wife, a long-time roadie, and collaborator. She was lovely and very knowledgeable about Roger's career and music. Every CD for sale was autographed, so I had to get one, and I always like to support an artist besides writing a review.

 

Roger's stage was set up with his guitars, banjo, and a stool, creating an intimate setting. He shared personal stories about his life and the influential people who shaped it, creating a patchwork quilt of musical history. This personal touch made the evening even more enjoyable, especially for those familiar with his music and career. 

 

For those wondering what to expect, this performance is a unique blend of music (folk, rock, country, blues) and storytelling reminiscent of VH-1 storytellers and MTV Unplugged. It's an experience that will leave you captivated and wanting more.

 

Roger's music history is full and rich with anecdotes and a lifetime that extends to the present day. As someone who appreciates music and history, I found it fascinating. He would play excerpts of all the big hits, like "Mr. Tambourine Man," "Turn! Turn! Turn! (To Everything There Is A Season)," and "Mr. Spaceman."

 

What entertained me, and judging by the positive audience reactions, was the deep dive into the birth of songs, where and who they came from, and how they developed. Most are unaware of all the intimate details of a musical career unless there is a biography on the artist to consume.

 

He mentioned the Folk Den Project, a digital archive of folk music that he started in 1995 (he has been uploading one track a month since). This project is a testament to his dedication to preserving and sharing folk music, a literal goldmine including over 300 tracks.

 

Roger McGuinn is a musical treasure; you should experience his show.

 

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck

September 8, 2024

Soft Machine’s THEO TRAVIS “AELOUS” One Hour Duduk Meditation CD/Blu-ray Featuring Production and Soundscapes by Steven Wilson Available September 6th, 2024

• Theo Travis is widely known due to his work with his own bands and (among others) Soft Machine, Steven Wilson, Robert Fripp, Gong, Porcupine Tree and many more
• Theo’s previous releases of duduk music on YouTube have become something of a sensation. The piece “Ancient Soul, Modern Times” (which is included on the Blu-ray) has amassed over 1 million listens
• Steven Wilson is one of the world’s most sought-after producers, mix engineers and remixers of multi-channel Surround Sound and Dolby Atmos audio
• Both artists enjoy a significant fan-base

When Theo Travis began experimenting with long-form improvised instrumentals for duduk - a woodwind instrument from Armenia sometimes described as ‘the saddest sounding instrument in the world’ - he could hardly have imagined a world in which such a one-hour piece would clock up in excess of a million plays on YouTube. Yet that is precisely what happened, with the multi-functional music finding fans purely in its own terms as well as for an array of uses from meditation to yoga, to relaxation and more. Something about the sound, the performances, the context, found, built and maintained a much wider audience than most, far more mainstream music. All of this was achieved without hype, marketing or a dedicated record label supporting the release.

Extending the idea, earlier this year Theo worked with producer Steven Wilson, (who has previously mixed and mastered many of Theo’s solo recordings and in whose band Theo has played) to produce a new duduk improvisation in multi-channel audio as well as stereo, with soundscapes assembled by Steven Wilson from Theo’s alto flute playing. The result is a stunning and utterly unique piece of work which helps to define new possibilities for so-called “immersive audio”, without losing focus on the pure sound and inherent musicality of the duduk improvisations which have struck such a chord with a wide and growing audience online.

The new piece “Aeolus” (again, one hour long) appears in Dolby Atmos, DTS-HD MA 5.1 Surround Sound and 24/96 high resolution stereo on the Blu-ray and in standard 16/44 audio on the accompanying CD.

Watch the promotional trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z0ceR1EkiO4

TRACKLISTING:

CD:
Aeolus (60mins)

Blu-ray:
Aeolus (60 mins)
Dolby Atmos, DTS-HD MA Surround (5.1) & 24/96 LPCM stereo

Aeolus (4 min edit)
24/96 LPCM stereo.

Ancient Soul, Modern Times (60 mins)
24/96 LPCM stereo.

AEOLUS: Composed by Theo Travis and Steven Wilson
Theo Travis – Duduk and Alto flute
Steven Wilson – Production & Soundscapes

Ancient Soul, Modern Times: Composed by Theo Travis
Theo Travis – Duduk & Soundscapes

To pre-order: https://burningshed.com/theo-travis_aeolus_cd_blu-ray?filter_name=aeolus&filter_sub_category=true

For more information: https://www.theotravis.com/

For further information, please contact: info@panegyric.net

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

DELUXE HARDBACK BOOK EDITION OF PORCUPINE TREE'S ICONIC 2007 ALBUM FEAR OF A BLANK PLANET ANNOUNCED

SET FOR RELEASE ON 25th OCTOBER 2024 ON THE TRANSMISSION LABEL

PRE-ORDER THE NEW 2024 6-DISC EDITION OF PORCUPINE TREE’S FEAR OF A BLANK PLANET

London label Transmission have announced a new edition of Porcupine Tree’s Grammy-nominated 2007 album Fear Of A Blank Planet. With a 112-page hardback book, five CDs, and a Blu-ray disc, the new edition includes remasters of Fear Of A Blank Planet and the Nil Recurring mini album, approximately 55 minutes of previously unreleased demos, an early live performance of a still work-in-progress version of the album, as well as BBC and instore session recordings - the most complete collection of the album and related material to date.

The set consists of:

112-Page Hardback Book: The centrepiece of this collection is a 112-page book, with an in-depth examination of the process of creating the album by Stephen Humphries with interviews, alongside rare photographs from photographers Lasse Hoile & Carl Glover.

Disc 1 (CD): 2024 remaster of Fear Of A Blank Planet.

Disc 2 (CD): 2024 remaster of Nil Recurring EP.

Disc 3 (CD): Approx 55 minutes of previously unreleased demos by both band and Steven Wilson, offering a rare insight into the creative process for the album, including 2 tracks not recorded for the final album.

Disc 4 (CD): A live recording of a work-in-progress version of the album made at The Garage, Saarbrucken on 23rd September 2006, while the band were still refining and developing the material.  This has been mixed from the multitrack tapes for the first time for this edition.

Disc 5 (CD): A 5 track BBC radio session (Maida Vale Studios, 13th April 2007) plus an 8-song acoustic / unplugged in-store performance from Park Avenue, Orlando (4th October 2007).

Disc 6 (Blu-ray): Includes remastered stereo and 5.1 surround sound mixes of Fear Of A Blank Planet and Nil Recurring, as well as a new 2024 documentary - 'The Making of Fear Of A Blank Planet'. Also features 3 music videos, 3 songs performed live on film at The Palladium, Koln (4th December 2007) and 2 live visual films (‘Sleep Together’ and ‘Anesthetize’).

WATCH THE TRAILER FOR FEAR OF A BLANK PLANET 2024

"An aggressively modern merger of Rush’s arena art rock, U.K. prog classicism —especially Pink Floyd and King Crimson — and the post-grunge vengeance of Tool" - Rolling Stone

Originally released in 2007, Fear Of A Blank Planet is Porcupine Tree's ninth studio album and both band and fans alike consider it to be a high point in their catalogue. Their biggest selling album at the time, it was the band’s first album to break into the Billboard Top 100 in the USA as well as charting significantly across Europe, earning them a Grammy nomination in the process. The album includes guest appearances from Robert Fripp (King Crimson) & Rush guitarist Alex Lifeson and featured in Rolling Stone Magazine’s Greatest Prog Albums Of All Time as well as being named Classic Rock’s Album of the Year in 2007.

A concept album inspired by the Bret Easton Ellis novel Lunar Park, Fear Of A Blank Planet’s lyrics address how the adolescent protagonist battles his terminal boredom and attention-deficit disorders with a regimen of prescription drugs, TV, computer gaming, mindless violence, empty sex, and self-harm.

Photo by Carl Glover

Following the release of Fear Of A Blank Planet in 2007, Porcupine Tree solidified their reputation as one of the rock’s most celebrated bands with their 2009 release The Incident garnering critical acclaim and earning the band another Grammy nomination. After a significant hiatus while members moved on to other projects, 2022’s highly anticipated return with Closure/Continuation demonstrated the band's unwavering commitment to pushing the boundaries of their sound.

FEAR OF A BLANK PLANET DELUXE TRACKLISTING

DISC 1
1. Fear Of A Blank Planet (2024 Remaster) [07:28]
2. My Ashes (2024 Remaster) [05:09]
3. Anesthetize (2024 Remaster) [17:52]
4. Sentimental (2024 Remaster) [05:26]
5. Way Out Of Here (2024 Remaster) [07:37]
6. Sleep Together (2024 Remaster) [07:28]

DISC 2
1. Nil Recurring (2024 Remaster) [06:15]
2. Normal (2024 Remaster) [07:08]
3. Cheating The Polygraph (2024 Remaster) [07:10]
4. What Happens Now? (2024 Remaster) [08:24]
5. Fear Of A Blank Planet (Tour Live intro) [02:02]

DISC 3
1. Fear Of A Blank Planet (Demo) [07:01]
2. My Ashes (Demo) [05:09]
3. Anesthetize (Demo) [16:49]
4. Sentimental (Demo) [05:03]
5. Cheating The Polygraph (Demo) [07:07]
6. Sleep Together (Demo) [07:26]
7. Always Recurring (Demo) [03:49]
8. Hey Sleeper (Demo) [03:36]

DISC 4
1. Fear Of A Blank Planet (Live at Garage, Saarbrucken, 23 September 2006) [09:05]
2. My Ashes (Live at Garage, Saarbrucken, 23 September 2006) [05:44]
3. Anesthetize (Live at Garage, Saarbrucken, 23 September 2006) [17:12]
4. Sentimental (Live at Garage, Saarbrucken, 23 September 2006) [05:07]
5. Cheating The Polygraph (Live at Garage, Saarbrucken, 23 September 2006) [06:58]
6. Sleep Together (Live at Garage, Saarbrucken, 23 September 2006) [08:11]

DISC 5
1. Blackest Eyes (BBC Session, Maida Vale, 13 April 2007) [04:27]
2. Fear Of A Blank Planet (BBC Session, Maida Vale, 13 April 2007) [07:29]
3. Sleep Together (BBC Session, Maida Vale, 13 April 2007) [07:20]
4. The Pills I'm Taking (BBC Session, Maida Vale, 13 April 2007) [05:58]
5. Halo (BBC Session, Maida Vale, 13 April 2007) [05:42]
6. The Sky Moves Sideways (Live in-store performance, Park Avenue, Orlando, 4 October 2007) [04:02]
7. Even Less (Live in-store performance, Park Avenue, Orlando, 4 October 2007) [03:27]
8. Stars Die (Live in-store performance, Park Avenue, Orlando, 4 October 2007) [04:34]
9. Waiting (Live in-store performance, Park Avenue, Orlando, 4 October 2007) [03:52]
10. Normal (Live in-store performance, Park Avenue, Orlando, 4 October 2007) [04:52]
11. Drown With Me (Live in-store performance, Park Avenue, Orlando, 4 October 2007) [04:09]
12. Lazarus (Live in-store performance, Park Avenue, Orlando, 4 October 2007) [04:06]
13. Trains (Live in-store performance, Park Avenue, Orlando, 4 October 2007) [04:28]

DISC 6
1. Fear Of A Blank Planet (5.1) [07:28]
2. My Ashes (5.1) [05:09]
3. Anesthetize (5.1) [17:52]
4. Sentimental (5.1) [05:26]
5. Way Out Of Here (5.1) [07:37]
6. Sleep Together (5.1) [07:28]
7. Nil Recurring (5.1) [06:15]
8. Normal (5.1) [07:08]
9. Cheating The Polygraph (5.1) [07:10]
10. What Happens Now? (5.1) [08:24]
11. Fear Of A Blank Planet (Video) [04:19]
12. Way Out Of Here (Video) [04:17]
13. Normal (Video) [03:52]
14. Sleep Together (Live Visual Film) [07:32]
15. Anesthetize (Live Visual Film) [17:14]
16. Fear Of A Blank Planet (Video - Live at Palladium, Koln, 4 December 2007) [08:37]
17. Anesthetize (Video - Live at Palladium, Koln, 4 December 2007) [17:14]
18. Sleep Together (Video - Live at Palladium, Koln, 4 December 2007) [08:03]
19. The Making Of Fear Of A Blank Planet (Documentary Film) [48:23]

The new edition of Fear Of A Blank Planet will be released on Transmission on 25th October 2024. Pre-order here: https://porcupinetree.lnk.to/FOABP_DeluxeFA

Porcupine Tree / Facebook / Instagram / X / Spotify / Apple Music / Youtube

Transmission / Website / Instagram / X

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