1/20/2025

Americana-Fusion Ensemble JACK O’ THE CLOCK to Release New Album PORTRAITS on February 13, 2025!

“Jack O’ the Clock just seem to go from strength to strength, one of the most original and compelling groups I know playing some amazing compositions that seem to tread effortlessly between Van Dyke Parks and folk music from an as yet unidentified culture, while making all the things you’ve always thought of as difficult sound as effortless and natural as breathing.” - FRED FRITH

PORTRAITS is “accessible, smart music” (Pascal Bouquillard, Clair et Obscur) by Jack O’ The Clock, “perhaps the foremost modern dark Americana outfit” (Mike Borella, Avant Music News). It is a re-imagining of an album founding members Emily Packard and Damon Waitkus recorded back in the summer of 2003. The album features the original rhythm and violin tracks, bringing new lyrics, vocals, and an array of other overdubs by present band members Kate McLoughlin and Victor Reynolds.

PORTRAITS presents a collection of bite-sized, slice-of-life, mostly first-person portraits of individuals ranging from childhood to old age, bound up in the quietly desperate particulars of their lives. Each voice forges a unique alloy of characteristics, from resistance to resignation, earnestness to irony, but with a consistent undercurrent of humor.

Musically, you might think of these as front porch songs: hooky, energetic, sunny-side-up, reflective, fun, a little casual. Pure play and pleasure. It’s a side of Jack O’ the Clock that has always been present but has never been so concentrated in a single album, and because of the strange decade-spanning way this album came together, could never quite happen again.

“Fronted by the lithe, troubadour vocals of Damon Waitkus and accompanied by lush vocal harmonies, old-timey strings, fingerpicked guitar and shape shifting rhythms, Jack O’ The Clock weave folksy Americana with a fusion 70s rock vibe — think Crosby, Stills & Nash and Pearls Before Swine supported by Weather Report’s rhythm section. Through his balladesque lyrics, Waitkus inhabits a range of characters, exploring the inner monologues and waking dreams of resentful armed white men, dissociated self-impersonators and nocturnal bureaucrats.” -EMILY POTHAST, THE WIRE

“…Through 10 years of recordings, Jack O’ The Clock is now established as a category unto themselves. The music often takes the form of complex, contrapuntal pieces with beautiful interplay between the hammer dulcimer, bassoon, violin, and guitar. The intertwined themes build and meander…On top of this are Waitkus’s poignant vocals, adding to the melancholic atmosphere.

“Listening to Jack O’ The Clock invokes a twisted view of America post World War II – or perhaps projects that view to the rural blight of today. Lyrically, the group does not make a statement in particular. They offer no positions, polemics, nor solutions. Instead, their songs explore dark slices of life, unusual and disturbing happenings involving people both ordinary and strange” - MIKE BORELLA, AVANT MUSIC NEWS

PORTRAITS is available as a 24-bit digital download, limited-run signed CD-R, and streaming on all major platforms.

Jack O’ the Clock:
Damon Waitkus: vocals, guitars, hammer dulcimer, bass, flute, keyboards, etc.
Emily Packard: violin, viola
Kate McLoughlin: bassoon, vocals
Victor Reynolds: vocals, bass, guitars, keyboards, etc.

with:
Brad Mehlenbacher: drums
Roger Vaughan: bass

Portraits Tracklist:

1. Josephine’s Fresh Cuts
2. I’m OK, You’re a Shithead
3. No. 4 Mountain
4. Another Sunny Day/Star of Monster
5. Year of the Gypsy Moths
6. In the Gold Coin Saloon
7. My Life’s Not Wasted
8. Lazy Tom Bog
9. The Gardener
10. Nature Abhors a Vacuum
11. Puer 1
12. Twomile Island
13. Isolation Booth
14. Stone Cold Steve Cactus In Mojave
15. Windigo Knocking
16. It’s Hard To Find Booze On Sunday
17. Puer 2

To purchase: https://jackotheclock.bandcamp.com/album/portraits

For more information:
Website: https://jackotheclock.com/
Bandcamp: https://jackotheclock.bandcamp.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JackOTheClock/
Instagram: @jackotheclockmusic
Youtube: @jackotheclockmusic

Press inquiries: Glass Onyon PR, PH: 828-350-8158

1/19/2025

The Final On Vinyl Podcast: Merrell Fankhauser Interview - January 15, 2025

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I have been covering Merrell Fankhauser’s music since 1999, when I conducted a two-part internet (email) interview with him.

This current audio interview was long overdue and was my absolute pleasure. Merrell was one of my primary inspirations when I started reviewing music.

His longevity in the business speaks volumes. He started in the ’60s and is still going strong at 81!

In this interview, he discusses how his music has reached fans over the years and his relationship with keyboard player Nicky Hopkins (Rolling Stones, etc.)

Please sit back and listen to a music legend about how he has stayed fit and successful, and take some time to stream some of the best of his catalog via Spotify.

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck-Surf Music and Art Founder

January 19, 2025





1/17/2025

Manfred Mann’s Earth Band Vocal Legend Chris Thompson To Release Last Ever Live Album “The Final Round”

“The Final Round”, the last ever live album by legendary Manfred Mann’s Earth Band vocalist Chris Thompson, was recorded in Germany during The Final Round Tour 2022. It was recorded with Chris’s band of 21 years featuring Mads Eriksen, Frank Hovland, Gunnar Bjelland and Zsolt Meszaros, with special guest Marc Rohles.

It is a 2-hour long CD set featuring all the hits of course. Delving back into the early Manfred Mann’s Earth Band classics like “Messin” and “Buddha”, plus some new originals from Chris and of course “You’re The Voice”. It is a great representation of the songs Chris has been playing over the years with the band, producing some great live versions. Anybody who has been a fan of Chris over the last years will not be disappointed with the quality of these CDs or the track listing.

Chris says, “It has been a great pleasure for me to play with these guys over the last 21 years. The best band in the land, enjoy! I shall miss it!”

Track list:

WAITER THERE’S A YAWN IN MY EAR
DEMOLITION MAN
YOU ANGEL YOU
ANGELS AT MY GATE
MESSIN’
FOR YOU
FATHER OF DAY
MARTHA’S MADMAN
WOE IS ME
CHICAGO INSTITUTE
WHOLE LOT TO GIVE
BUDDHA
DON’T KILL IT CAROL
BLINDED BY THE LIGHT
(DRUM SOLO INTO) FOR YOU REPRISE
THE MIGHTY QUINN

Encores

YOU’RE THE VOICE
DAVY’S ON THE ROAD AGAIN

To purchase: https://cherryred.co/TheFinalRound

“The Final Round” is available digitally through Cherry Red Digital, but Chris has some physical copies of the CD, which he is giving away, all signed, for free, or with a donation to a Kids Cancer Station in Karlsruhe which he is supporting. He has already raised over 5000 Euros. All the details of how to get a free copy of the CD, and / or donate are on Chris’s Web Site. You can also see details of the charity Chris is raising money for. christhompson-central.com

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

1/16/2025

Held By Trees To Release Second Album “Hinterland” Featuring Talk Talk/Hollis veterans Robbie McIntosh, Laurence Pendrous, Andy Panayi With Simone Marie Butler (Primal Scream, Jesus & Mary Chain), Matt Simms (Wire), Jen Macro (My Bloody Valentine) and Others!

“Hinterland” is the second LP by Held By Trees, taking in elements of jazz, post-rock, and ambient music and will be released on CD/Vinyl (and digital download only on Bandcamp) on Friday 4th April, 2025 on Tweed Jacket Music Ltd and Lasgo Records Distribution. The follow-up to 2022’s critically acclaimed debut, ‘Solace’, this new eight-piece album is a sonic journey through ambiguous spaces, within and without.

Once again, Held By Trees – helmed by composer/producer David Joseph - brings together living DNA from its chief influence, the latter work of Mark Hollis with Talk Talk, and as a solo artist. This includes this time his son Charlie Hollis who plays piano on four of the tracks. Returning Talk Talk/Hollis veterans are Robbie McIntosh on guitar, Laurence Pendrous on piano, Andy Panayi on flute, clarinet and saxophone (who are each member of the live HBT band), plus Martin Ditcham on drums/percussion and Simon Edwards on double bass.

Other notable contributors to the album include: Rob Coombes (Supergrass) on Hammond Organ, Stephen Gilchrist (Stephen Evens, Graham Coxon) on drums, Simone Marie Butler (Primal Scream, Jesus & Mary Chain) on synths and sound effects, Matt Simms (Wire, It Hugs Back) on guitar, Norman Westberg (Swans) on guitar, Robert Poss (Band of Susans, Phil Niblock) on guitar, Simon Scott (Slowdive) with field recordings, Mark Simnett (Bark Psychosis) on drums and percussion, Jen Macro (My Bloody Valentine, Hurtling, Graham Coxon) on guitar, Chris Pedley (The Baker Brothers) on bass.

David Joseph said, “‘Hinterland’ is a meandering celebration of the vague, the between places, the forgotten, nameless margins – not just in the landscape around us physically, but also internally – somewhere in the middle of faith and doubt, joy and melancholy, departure and arrival.”

“The thrill of Held By Trees is bringing such a variety of musicians together and sculpting something surprising and unique from the ideas they submit. This album is an odyssey of guitar, with some of the most innovative guitarists of the last 50 years of alternative, left-field music taking part. ‘Hinterland’ is full of soundscapes using guitars like paintbrushes, painting a variety of rich, delicate, floating and abrasive textures that evoke the liminal spaces around us and within us.”

In a departure from previous releases, the artwork this time is supplied by Brighton-based abstract mixed-media artist, Gareth Hayward. David said, “Gareth’s artwork is the perfect visual pairing for the music. It asks us what we see within it, without dictating what or where it is. There is plenty of intentional ambiguity, which is central to the album’s musical theme. I adore Gareth’s use of negative-space and his visceral approach to capturing landscapes full of mood and mystery.”


David Joseph

For more information: www.heldbytrees.co.uk

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

1/13/2025

The Moody Blues’ John Lodge USA Feb and March 2025 Tour – New Dates Added!

Performs Days of Future Passed Tour” - Playing the iconic album in its entirely, plus a selection of CLASSIC HITS

John Lodge, legendary bass player, songwriter and vocalist of The Moody Blues, and Rock and Roll Hall of Famer, will be back on the road in February and March with his electrifying ‘Performs Days of Future’ show, featuring a first set of Moody Blues classic hits, and a second set of this iconic album, performed in its entirety.

The tour kicks off on February 19th at the Capitol Theatre in Port Chester, NY, and includes 12 dates in the NE, Midwest and Florida, plus his appearance on the ‘Rock and Romance Cruise’, sailing out of Fort Lauderdale on March 15. Then John will be taking his show to the UK for the very first time - ‘Bringing it Home’!

All dates are now on sale, with limited VIP packages available, go to: https://www.johnlodge.com/tour.

This is a unique opportunity to hear fan favorites such as ‘Isn’t Life Strange’, ‘Legend of a Mind’, ‘I’m Just a Singer (in a Rock and Roll Band)’ and ‘Ride my See-Saw’, plus this groundbreaking album. John and his band lovingly recreate these classic songs, in full symphonic glory, and together with his tributes to his bandmates, and the mesmerizing video of Graeme Edge reciting his poetry, the audience is truly transported back to Moody Blues concerts of the past.


photo by Dana Grubb

Following a stroke at the end of 2023, John has gone from strength to strength, driven by his love for this music, and his deeply held desire to continue to share it with the fans. The critically acclaimed shows in July and November 2024 are testament to his passion and commitment, and as John says, his hope is that people leave with a little bit of joy, and certainly the audience can be seen leaving with Moodies magic around them.

Joining John on stage are his 10,000 Light Years Band featuring Alan Hewitt and Billy Ashbaugh (from the Moody Blues touring band), Duffy King and Jason Charboneau, plus Jon Davison of YES will again be joining John on stage to provide his soaring vocals on ‘Nights in White Satin’ and ‘Tuesday Afternoon’.

A lot of these places we used to go to as the Moody Blues, and I just want to give the fans a sense of that time again. It may not be a Moody Blues show, but Alan, Billy, Duffy, Jason and, of course Jon, create an incredible energy on stage, and such beautiful music. Then when Graeme appears on screen, and I turn to hear his beautiful words, it all makes me feel part of something very special, and I can feel I share it with the audience. Being on stage with them all, I think we all smile together, all of us on stage, and all of those in the audience. It’s a little moment away from the challenges of life.”

Check out the tour video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QqUEvAo97Hk

“Days of Future Passed” was released 58 years ago, and was arguably the start of progressive rock. John has surrounded himself with a band who put simply, love performing together, and who appreciate and respect the legacy of the music. The Moodies may not perform any more, and the loss of Graeme, Ray and Mike is felt deeply, but this show honours John’s friends and the music.

The electrifying show will also be in support of John’s new EP “Love Conquers All” out on Feb 14th, and available now for pre-order on Amazon and other online stores. Signed copies are also available including limited edition vinyl. The first single ‘Love Will Conquer All’ is available now on all streaming services and hit the No. 1 spot over New Year on the Fab Chart.

For USA (including the limited edition 180g violet vinyl, hand signed by John): https://shop.johnlodge.com

For the UK (including the limited edition 180g blue vinyl with a special hand signed insert): https://burningshed.com/store/john-lodge_store

Check out the first single ‘Love Will Conquer All’ here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TYzdgyvXiQM

If you love The Moody Blues music, then you really need to check out John live.  He and the band put on a great show!’

John Lodge is bass guitarist, vocalist, and songwriter for the iconic Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame 2018 inductees, The Moody Blues. Songwriter of such mega Moody Blues hits from ‘Ride My See-Saw’, to ‘I’m Just A Singer (In A Rock and Roll Band)’, ‘Isn’t Life Strange’ and many more. Lodge has been performing and recording with The Moody Blues for more than five decades, selling in excess of 70 million albums, as well as releasing his three solo albums “Natural Avenue”, “10,000 Light Years Ago and B Yond”. Lodge has been voted one of the “10 most influential bass players on the planet,” and has been the recipient of many awards, including ASCAP (American Society of Composers and Publishers), an Ivor Novello Award, a Lifetime Achievement Award from Prog Magazine, to name just a few.

USA Dates
Feb 19 Capitol Theatre Port Chester, NY
Feb 20 Cary Hall, Lexington, MA
Feb 22 Shubert Theater, New Haven, CT
Feb 23 The Vogel, Red Bank, NJ
Feb 25 Keswick Theatre, Glenside, PA
Feb 26 Westbury Music Fair, Westbury, NY
Feb 28 Brown County Music Center, Nashville, IL
Mar 1 Genesee Theater, Waukegan, IL
Mar 3 Orpheum Theatre, Sioux City, IA
Mar 5 Pabst Theatre, Milwaukee, WI
March 15 - 22 Rock and Romance Cruise
March 23 The Villages, FL
March 24 The Center of Anna Maria Island, FL

UK Dates
April 6 Birmingham Town Hall
April 8 Royal Northern College of Music, Manchester
April 9 Pavilion Theatre, Glasgow
April 11 Union Chapel, London
April 14 St George’s, Bristol
April 15 G Live, Guildford

All dates at www.johnlodge.com/tour

For further information:
https://www.johnlodge.com/
https://www.facebook.com/johnlodgemusic/
https://twitter.com/johnlodgemusic
https://www.instagram.com/johnlodgemusic/
https://www.youtube.com/c/johnlodgemusic

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