Author Archives: glassonyonpr

Captain Beefheart ‘Harpo’s Detroit Dec. 11, 1980’ Rare Concert Recording To Be Released

Beefheart ticket. jpg

For Immediate Release

Captain Beefheart ‘Harpo’s Detroit Dec. 11, 1980’ Rare Concert Recording To Be Released

London, UK – Much to the excitement of Captain Beefheart fans worldwide, on April 28th Gonzo Multimedia will be releasing on CD a rare live recording of the Captain in concert at Harpo’s in Detroit, Michigan on Dec. 11, 1980! Don Van Vliet (born Don Glen Vliet; January 15, 1941 – December 17, 2010) was an American musician, singer-songwriter, artist and poet known by the stage name Captain Beefheart. His musical work was conducted with a rotating ensemble of musicians called the Magic Band (1965–1982), with whom he recorded 13 studio albums. Noted for his powerful singing voice with its wide range, Van Vliet also played the harmonica, saxophone and numerous other wind instruments. His music blended rock, blues and psychedelia with avant-garde and contemporary experimental composition. Beefheart was also known for exercising an almost dictatorial control over his supporting musicians, and for often constructing myths about his life.

During his teen years in Lancaster, California, Van Vliet developed an eclectic musical taste and formed friendship with Frank Zappa, with whom he sporadically collaborated. He began performing with his Captain Beefheart persona in 1964 and joined the original Magic Band line-up, initiated by Alexis Snouffer, in 1965. The group drew attention with their cover of Bo Diddley’s “Diddy Wah Diddy”, which became a regional hit. It was followed by their acclaimed debut album ‘Safe As Milk’, released in 1967 on Buddah Records. After being dropped by two consecutive record labels, they signed to Zappa’s Straight Records. As producer, Zappa granted Beefheart unrestrained artistic freedom in making 1969’s ‘Trout Mask Replica’, which ranked 58th in Rolling Stone magazine’s 2003 list of the 500 greatest albums of all time. In 1974, frustrated by lack of commercial success, he released two albums of more conventional rock music that were critically panned; this move, combined with not having been paid for a European tour, and years of enduring Beefheart’s strict discipline, led the entire band to quit. Beefheart eventually formed a new Magic Band with a group of younger musicians and regained contemporary approval through three final albums: ‘Shiny Beast (Bat Chain Puller)’ (1978), ‘Doc At The Radar Station’ (1980) and ‘Ice Cream For Crow’ (1982).

Van Vliet has been described as “…one of modern music’s true innovators” with “…a singular body of work virtually unrivaled in its daring and fluid creativity.” Although he achieved little commercial or mainstream critical success, he sustained a cult following as a ‘highly significant’ and ‘incalculable’ influence on an array of New Wave, punk, post-punk, experimental and alternative rock musicians. Known for his enigmatic personality and relationship with the public, Van Vliet made few public appearances after his retirement from music (and from his Beefheart persona) in 1982. He pursued a career in art, an interest that originated in his childhood talent for sculpture, and a venture that proved to be his most financially secure. His expressionist paintings and drawings command high prices, and have been exhibited in art galleries and museums across the world. Van Vliet died in 2010, having suffered from multiple sclerosis for many years.

This extraordinary new CD catches the Captain at his best; live on stage in 1980 during the tour for ‘Doc At The Radar Station’.

Track Listing:
1) Nowadays A Woman’s Gotta Hit A Man
2) Abba Zabba
3) Hot Head
4) Ashtray Heart
5) Dirty Blue Gene
6) Best Batch Yet
7) Safe As Milk
8) Doctor Dark
9) A Carrot Is As Close As A Rabbit Gets To A Diamond
10) One Red Rose That I Mean
11) Bat Chain Puller
12) My Human Gets Me Blues
13) Sugar And Spikes
14) Sheriff Of Hong Kong
15) The Dust Blows Forward, The Dust Blows Back-Kandy Korn
16) Suction Prints
17) Big Eyed Beans From Venus

To be released April 28, 2014

To purchase Captain Beefheart ‘Harpo’s Detroit Dec. 11. 1980’ CD:
http://www.gonzomultimedia.co.uk/product_details/15668/Captain_Beefheart-Harpo’s_Detroit_Dec_11th_1980.html

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


Sade’s ‘Stronger Than Pride’ To Be Released On Limited Edition 180g Vinyl LP

SADE Stronger Than Cover

For Immediate Release

Sade’s ‘Stronger Than Pride’ To Be Released On Limited Edition 180g Vinyl LP

“A sublime, enduring classic…Sade’s timeless masterpiece.”

Camarillo, CA – Music aficionados worldwide are buzzing with excitement over the release of Sade’s ‘Stronger Than Pride’ on limited edition 180g vinyl on Marshall Blonstein’s Audio Fidelity. In 1988, three years after leaving their fans begging for more, Sade released their third studio album, ‘Stronger Than Pride’, one of their best works ever. An international hit that lit-up the Pop, Jazz and R & B charts.

The platinum selling album includes sensual Brazilian bossa nova inspired acoustic material as well as three Billboard charted singles – the #1 smash “Paradise,” “Nothing Can Come Between Us” and “Turn My Back On You.”

On ‘Stronger Than Pride’, probably Sade’s most stripped down and sparse album, the band creates the perfect groove for romance and fulfills the promise of their stunning debut by continuing a sense of sophistication and understated elegance, two hallmarks of the Sade sound. Sade’s singing is exquisite.

‘Stronger than Pride’ exudes a greater confidence than the first two records, the talented band no longer has anything to prove. Stuart Matthewman on guitar and sax, Paul Spencer Denman on bass and Andrew Hale on keyboards are strong musicians/composers with distinctive character, the perfect vehicle for Sade’s mature, lush vocal lead.

Sade offers cool composure… a unique sound that infuses Soul, Pop, Contemporary Jazz and a little Middle-Eastern flavor. It’s impossible to separate the allure of this sultry music from the persona of the woman singing it, for Sade truly is a femme fatale of mythic dimension.

“…brilliant, exceptional, amazing and original – a warm and blissful pop-flavored modern jazz treasure.”

Tracks
Love Is Stronger Than Pride
Paradise
Nothing Can Come Between Us
Haunt Me
Turn My Back on You
Keep Looking
Clean Heart
Give It Up
I Never Thought I’d See the Day
Siempre Hay Esperanza

Mastered by Kevin Gray at Cohearent Audio

For more information: http://www.audiofidelity.net/content/sade-sronger-pride

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


Metal Warriors THOR Return To Hollywood For An Exclusive Show, Celebrate The Deluxe Re-Issue Of ONLY THE STRONG!

onlythestrong_front-cover med res

For Immediate Release

Metal Warriors THOR Return To Hollywood For An Exclusive Show,
Celebrate The Deluxe Re-Issue Of ONLY THE STRONG!

Los Angeles, CA – Muscle-bound superheroes THOR are set to fly to heavy metal’s very own Valhalla, Hollywood CA, on Saturday, May 24th, for an explosive performance at the Loaded club on Hollywood Blvd. This Vancouver outfit originated in the early ‘70s with body building champion and former Mr. USA Jon Mikl Thor, and quickly gained a devout following thanks in part to the band’s elaborate and supremely entertaining live shows, which frequently featured Jon performing not just outstanding anthems of metal but also astounding feats of strength – bending steel bars with his teeth and exploding water bottles with his lungs!Jon would go on to appear on the Merv Griffin Show in 1976, which led to a licensing deal with RCA and the release of THOR’s debut album Keep The Dogs Away the following year.

But it wasn’t until the group’s 1985 album, Only The Strong, that Jon Mikl & Co. really began to flex their muscles. Recorded in the UK, the album produced two British chart-topping classics, “Let The Blood Run Red” and “Thunder On The Tundra,” and earned the band a truly international following. Now, on the eve of the 30th anniversary of its release, Deadline Music will offer a special deluxe CD/DVD edition of this metal masterpiece! Billed as the COMPLETE THOR experience, this set includes the entire Only The Strong album along with several rare and unreleased bonus tracks PLUS an incredible 60 minute concert DVD capturing the band in live performances during their early ‘80s heyday, performing stunts and ripping through their best songs – all packaged in a gorgeous 8 panel digipak with a full color 16-page booklet!

Jon Mikl Thor enthuses, “I am ready to take the THOR visual and sound experience to the entertainment capital of the world! What better place to launch the Only The Strong CD/DVD deluxe edition! As the Superhero Thundergod of Rock N’ Roll, I promise a night of startling metal and entertainment for all!”

For venue information, visit: http://www.LoadedHollywood.com
LOADED Hollywood
6377 Hollywood Blvd
Hollywood, CA 90028

To pre-order the CD or vinyl on Amazon: http://georiot.co/lzs

To pre-order the digital album on iTunes: http://georiot.co/38MC

For the latest information on Thor, visit: http://www.thorcentral.com/

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

CLEOPATRA RECORDS, Inc.
11041 Santa Monica Blvd #703
Los Angeles CA 90025
http://www.CleopatraRecords.com


Guitar Virtuoso Marcelo Paganini Releases Video In Support Of Critically Acclaimed New Album ‘2012 Space Traffic Jam’

Marcelo Paganini Band

For Immediate Release

Guitar Virtuoso Marcelo Paganini Releases Video In Support Of Critically Acclaimed New Album ‘2012 Space Traffic Jam’

Paris, France – Marcelo Paganini, now a proud endorser of Dean Markley Strings, Intex Cables and Godin Guitars, is releasing today the video of the song “B4Ever Now” from his critically acclaimed album ‘2012 Space Traffic Jam’ released on the 25th of January 2014. Recorded at Eastcote Studios in London with Marcelo Paganini on vocals, guitars and keys, Eumir Deodato on keyboards, Marc Madoré on bass, and Gary Husband on drums.

Watch the video here: http://youtu.be/PUSja0HUp-4

Along with Guitar Club Magazine in Italy, Marcelo was recently featured in Guitar Player magazine (US), where editor Micheal Molenda says, “Paganini certainly appears to move through his music career as one of the enchanted. For his debut CD, 2012 Space Traffic Jam – which pretty much came out of nowhere – he managed to bring heavy hitters Gary Husband (John Mc Laughlin, Allan Holdsworth, Robin Trower), Eumir Deodato, Tony Kaye (Yes) and Billy Sherwood (Yes, Circa) into the studio to perform on ten of his prog-rock compositions.”

The album ‘2012 Space Traffic Jam’, which was released on January 25, 2014 was written in the stars, and had to happen, no matter how impossible it seemed to be. To make the impossible possible is Marcelo Paganini’s full time job. He was called a crazy man, a fool, a dreamer… but the album now is a reality. Recorded Fall 2012 and Winter 2013 at Phil Bagenal’s Eastcote Studios in London by George Murphy, this is a big international production most indie labels only dream about. Your band is just as good as your drummer: Gary Husband plays drums on the entire album. Eumir Deodato plays keys on three songs. Marc Madore plays bass on nine songs. And two ex-YES members (now in CIRCA:) Tony Kaye and Billy Sherwood play on the song “Somewhere Somehow”.

Along with substantial airplay, the new album has been receiving rave reviews worldwide:

“South American composer, producer, film maker, singer, poet, writer, journalist and actor, Marcelo Paganini has one hell of a CV…” – Classic Rock Presents Prog Magazine (UK)

“ ‘2012 Space Traffic Jam’ is an album,at least surreal. It is a complex and almost indescriptible cacophonic and schizofrenic mix of jazz, fusion, prog rock and metal.” – Via Nocturna (Portugal)

“Possibly the somewhat oblique overall effect is simply due to the slightly oblique personality of the band leader. Crucial to the overall impression are also the virtuoso propelling drumming of Husband and boisterous guitar solos of Paganini…highly recommended” – Siggy Zielinski – Babyblaue-Seiten (Germany)

“Marcelo Paganni is on par with any rock guitarist on the planet… ‘2012 Space Traffic Jam’ is that unique release that sounds like a classic from thirty years ago but can still easily pass for a fresh release today. This is the new sound for prog rock enthusiasts!” – Brent Black, Critical Jazz (US)

“A feast for lovers of progressive ambient rock.” – Patrick Van de Wiele, Keys and chords (Belgium)

“An unstoppable and technical prog that highlights individual talents serving structurally solid compositions, where some craziness can happen once in a while.” – François Becquart, Musique in Belgium (Belgium)

“I live in a world where I’m not unfamiliar with oddities, but here comes a CD of French / Brazilian prog rock with fusion vibes. Read that sentence and weep.” – Stuart Hamilton, The Rocker (UK)

“The really striking feature in MARCELO PAGANINI sound in the interplay with the melancholy. ‘2012 Space Traffic Jam’ course , however, is exactly what you would expect – with spiritual jazz fusion – attitude – interesting…The best of this sound will still be enjoying live – my word on it!” – Andreas Kummer, Medicine-Mag (German)

For more information: http://www.marcelopaganini.zimbalam.com/?lang=en

To purchase Marcelo Paganini’s ‘2012 Space Traffic Jam’ on Amazon:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00HJIRB6C/ref=dm_ws_sp_ps_dp

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


MoonJune To Release New Studio Album By Indonesian Guitar Master TOHPATI Featuring JIMMY HASLIP and CHAD WACKERMAN

TOHPATI cover

For Immediate Release

MoonJune To Release New Studio Album By Indonesian Guitar Master TOHPATI Featuring JIMMY HASLIP and CHAD WACKERMAN

Tribal Dance’ is the 11th album of Indonesian artists on MJR, and the 6th featuring Tohpati

NYC – With Tohpati’s 3rd release (2nd as a trio) on MoonJune, recorded in Los Angeles in September 2013, we see the Beckian progressive metal riffing of 2012’s Tohpati Bertiga ‘Riot’ supplanted by a pairing of compositional dexterity along with the unique guitar voice that is the essence of Tohpati, one of Indonesia’s most famous guitar players. Though there is no shortage of acrobatic axe-wielding on ‘Tribal Dance’, Tohpati’s democratic interplay with the formidable world class rhythm section of Jimmy Haslip and Chad Wackerman is the real star here – creating a powerful synergy that gives voice to the whole of the music over its parts and delivering a richly rewarding listening experience. Power chords, distorted spare note leads, chugging rhythmic grooves and nuanced jazz phrasings are all summoned up by Tohpati, as he locks in with Haslip’s dubmaster basslines and the rubber-limbed kitwork of Wackerman, creating tracks of infectious syncopation and of sufficient complexity to warrant a player recount. Aside from a few ambient vocal samples, ‘Tribal Dance’ is an instrumental album, though many of Tohpati’s melodic guitar lead lines feel “sung” in both song context and in the expressive way in which they are played. This diversity of guitar voicings and textures, along with the enthusiasm and chemistry between the players, will keep this disc in heavy rotation. Fans of Jeff Beck, Wayne Krantz, Allan Holdsworth, Scott Henderson, Oz Noy, and, of course, the Indonesian guitar icon Dewa Budjana, will surely want to pick this up.

“Tohpati’s playing is extraordinarily fluent, effortlessly expressive and multi-textured.” – London Jazz News (UK)

“Indonesian guitarist Tohpati Bertiga spews lightning strikes across the studio, enamored by his slick-picking breakouts and shrewd use of space. He’s a seasoned vet, noted by his prominent session duties and affiliation with the ultra-progressive jazz-rock band simakDialog, and his own Tohpati Bertiga power trio and Tohpati Ethnomission.” – All About Jazz

“One of the world’s greatest and most versatile guitarists of the XXI Century.” – Leonardo Pavkovic, MoonJune

“Tohpati appears as a fantastically skilled guitarist here, displaying a wide range of techniques and styles, embracing Prog-Metal, Hard Rock, Space Fusion, blues, jazz and psychedelic, often delivered in a ‘guitar hero’ manner.” – Progressor (Russia/Uzbekistan)

“Tohpati has matured into a singular voice on his instrument as well as a composer of uncommon breadth and skill.” – Grande Rock (Greece)

“Tohpati plays a mean lead guitar, lightning fast but still with great feel and drama.” – Prog Planet (Denmark)

“Tohpati is at the forefront of modern magicians of electric guitar.” – WIld Thing Magazine (Greece)

“Tohpati’s guitar is breathtaking … from fluid Jazz passages to experimental sections and mystic moments … just brilliant.” – ProgArchives (USA)

“Tohpati certainly knows his chops, but his playing shows a depth of feeling as well as heaps of technical ability.” – Astounded By Sound (USA)

“Tohpati is an outstanding guitarist and it’s refreshing to hear a guitarist with his own voice – while he’s often playing lines that are technically difficult, they never sound much like what we normally hear from a hot guitarist.” – Exposé Magazine (USA)

“Tohpati can be as fluid as Holdsworth when he wishes, playing with the mastery the progressive fusion in it’s truest sense.” – Jazz Music Archive (USA)

Direct link: bit.ly/TOHPATI
BandCamp link: moonjunerecords.bandcamp.com

Video clip of the opening track ‘Rahwana’: youtu.be/gKNCEQCp8EE

For more information: http://moonjune.com/mjr_web_2013/catalog_mjr/064_TOHPATI_Tribal-Dance_MJR064/

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


Former Alice Cooper / Flo & Eddie Bassist Erik Scott To Release Second World Music Album ‘And The Earth Bleeds’

Erik Scott Earth cover front

For Immediate Release

Former Alice Cooper / Flo & Eddie Bassist Erik Scott To Release Second World Music Album ‘And The Earth Bleeds’

“A rocking bassist takes trips down unconventional musical roads, with apparently no rules or signposts. Medieval gypsy violin, Celtic melodies, steel guitars….. surprises.”

San Francisco, CA – Much to the excitement of music aficionados worldwide, bassist/composer Erik Scott will be releasing his sophomore CD ‘And The Earth Bleeds’ on May 8, 2014. Best known for his work with Alice Cooper, Sonia Dada, and Flo & Eddie, Erik’s newest release takes the listener on an aural voyage through ethereal and otherworldly musical landscapes. ‘And The Earth Bleeds’ adds some vocals, gypsy violins, Celtic melodies, a dash of steel guitar, a wisp of French horns and other surprises to the soulful and mystic brew of his first ‘solo’ album, ‘Other Planets’. And Erik continues to stretch convention with his melodic playing and bass-generated SFX.

Says Erik, “There are people who carefully plan out the direction of their music…smart. Then there’s me. I pretty much have no idea at the start. I get in the music room and start messing around on something; bass guitar, chord changes on the keyboard, or a beat on the beat programmer. If I like something, it just starts to build. The lyrics on the five songs with lyrics on this CD…well, they happened later, when it seemed that the music alone wasn’t saying all that I wanted.”

Among the eclectic mix, there is a definite Scottish influence in the music – especially on the tracks “Free”, “The Battle For Neverland” and “Run”. Erik explains, “I went to the Scottish Highlands and Edinburgh last August 2013. I had completely written and recorded ‘Free’ as an instrumental, when I was reminded of the price some people have paid for their freedom, in this case William Wallace of Scotland. It seemed that I needed to say a few words…not a lot…just a few. After returning from the Highlands, I found the trip had helped me complete the Scottish inspired pieces. The melody, originally played on bass, took on such a haunting beauty when played on the veille (medieval violin) by Shira Kammen, that I decided it was the music to which I should write the lyrics that became ‘Free’.”

“Free” is inspired by, and dedicated to William Wallace. “The Battle For Neverland” is inspired by J.M. Barrie, the Scottish creater of ‘Peter Pan’, and “Run” is decidedly influenced by traditional Celtic melodies. Also the bridge to “Battle” is inspired by a traditional Scottish melody “The Haughs of Cromdale”.

Watch the promotional video for “Free”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1mjAUnayIb8

Erik Scott’s first real break in the music business came in mid 1974 when he was hired to play bass for former Turtles/Frank Zappa’s Mothers members Flo & Eddie (Mark Volman and Howard Kaylan). Erik recalls, “We toured and recorded constantly for about three years, making the ‘Illegal, Immoral and Fattening’ and ‘Moving Targets’ records. Flo and Eddie shows were known for alot of great hit songs from their career as ‘The Turtles’, cool stuff from the Flo & Eddie albums, some stuff from the Zappa years, and their usually profane and hysterical tirades about the excesses of pop stars and the music business in general. That’s how I first met Alice, onstage with Keith Moon at the Troubadour in LA singing ‘Happy Together’ (Turtles Hit) and ‘Wooly Bully’. We went out in ’75 with Jefferson Starship, whose ‘Red Octopus’ album went to #1 five different times, and in ’76 we were out with the Doobie Brothers, whose ‘Takin’ It to The Streets’ was also #1. In between we did a tour with Steven Stills, and gigs with Fleetwood Mac, among others. These tours, and the albums with Flo & Eddie, still stick in my memory.”

In 1980, Erik began working with the legendary Alice Cooper after a short stint with drummer Carl Palmer of Emerson, Lake & Palmer. Erik Scott, first hired as bass player on the ‘Flush The Fashion’ tour, later became a co-writer on ‘Special Forces’ and co-producer as well on ‘Zipper Catches Skin’, touring extensively behind the ‘Special Forces’ album.

After Alice, Erik spent some years as a session player in LA, with artists as diverse as Kim Carnes, Peter McIan, Franne Golde, Tonio K, and others. He also found time to co-write and play on the title song from Pops Staples’ ‘Father Father’ album, which won the Grammy as Best Contemporary Blues album in 1994. He also played on the title song from Mavis Staples’ album ‘Have A Little Faith”, which was recognized by the WC Foundation in the Gospel-Blues category for the year 2004.

In 1989, Erik formed the rock band Signal and released the album ‘Loud and Clear’ on EMI Records. The album was largely lost in a regime change at EMI USA, but gathered acclaim as an AOR melodic rock hit internationally…a bit of a classic actually. Three commemorative packages were released overseas: Japan, France (Axe-Killer Records), and South Korea. ‘Loud and Clear’ made many 1989 year end Top Ten and Top Twenty charts for AOR and melodic rock.

In the early 90’s Scott became an original member of the band Sonia Dada. The group featured eight members: three African-American soul singers and five European-American players with backgrounds ranging from rock, folk, jam, psychedelic, jazz and R&B, all of which brewed up quite a genre-busting stew. Erik spent 15 years, and recorded 6 albums with the ensemble, “where a diversity and collision of styles awakened all kinds of possibilities in me, probably helping to inspire the unconventionality of my solo work”.

Although Erik is originally known for his work in the rock field, he has recently pursued a path in ‘world’ music. In 2009, he released the critically acclaimed solo album ‘Other Planets’. John Diliberto, producer/host of the radio show ‘Echoes’, is quoted: “To say that his solo debut ‘Other Planets’ is a bass guitar album is to miss what a powerful, cinematic release he’s created. It’s an album that is more Pink Floyd than Jaco Pastorius.”

And now, Erik has taken his enchanting and mystical music a step further with the release of ‘And The Earth Bleeds’. He explains, “Again, no plan… I premeditated nothing. The melodic nature of it, any chilled out nature of much of it, came mostly from the fact that the music was birthed in my studio with just me. Rock music generally happens when you have more than one person…a gang…a rock gang. These solo projects come more from a melodic and chilled-out rhythmic place, and a desire to experiment with the potential of the electric bass as a major melodic voice, in combination with violin, steel guitar, and other less-expected partners.”

In closing Erik has this to impart to his fans and listeners, “I guess I hope that listeners appreciate the soulfulness, nuanced performances, and spacey honesty that probably leaks all over the stuff.”

For more information: http://erikscottbass.com/

To purchase Erik Scott’s ‘And The World Bleeds’ CD: http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/erikscott3

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


UT San Diego Interview with Chris Powell of Wishbone Ash

UTI1770296_r620x349

Wishbone Ash burns (and rocks) on

Veteran English band, now in its 45th year, plays Saturday in Ramona, where it will perform new songs and all of its 1972 album, ‘Argus.’

By George Varga 5:05 P.M. APRIL 30, 2014

How big was Wishbone Ash during its commercial heyday in the 1970s, when this English band’s soaring dual guitar lines and crisp precision greatly influenced such admirers as Thin Lizzy, Lynyrd Skynyrd and Judas Priest?

Guitarist Andy Powell, Wishbone Ash’s sole remaining original member, is happy to count some of the ways.

First, there was the band’s third release, 1972’s “Argus.” It beat out classics by the Rolling Stones, David Bowie, Curtis Mayfield and Neil Young to be voted Album of the Year by the readers of Melody Maker, the United Kingdom’s then-leading music weekly.

Second, the dazzling array of budding legends who performed as the opening act on various American concert tours by Wishbone Ash (whose road crew at one point included future Police drummer Stewart Copeland).

“We had incredible people open for us, from Aerosmith to ZZ Top, even Bruce Springsteen — and these amazing blues artists, like Buddy Guy and B.B. King,” Powell said with a chuckle. “And here we were, this young, upstart English band, headlining!

“I have a poster at home, from a festival in Europe, where we headlined over Bob Marley, Stephen Stills and The Kinks. It’s quite amazing how fortunes can change over the years.”

For the rest of the interview, please visit the UT San Diego website!


Legendary Vocalist For The Specials, Neville Staple, Premieres Gritty New Video From His Forthcoming New Album!

1753-Ska Crazy med res

For Immediate Release

Legendary Vocalist For The Specials, Neville Staple,
Premieres Gritty New Video From His Forthcoming New Album!

Los Angeles, CA – The Original Rude Boy returns! Neville Staple, charismatic vocalist/toaster for one of the most celebrated 2 Tone ska bands ever, The Specials, reclaims his place in the spotlight with a triumphant new album to be released on Cleopatra Records on May 13. Entitled Ska Crazy!, the album features phenomenal cover versions of ska/reggae classics by Prince Buster (“Time Longer Than Rope”), The Slickers (“Johnny Too Bad”), and Max Romeo (“Wet Dream”) plus brand new compositions including “Rude Boy Returns,” “Girl,” and the gritty single “Roadblock,” which will make its worldwide debut in a professionally shot music video that premieres on the syndicated music/pop culture webzine Something Else! this coming Monday, April 28.

From the cinematic opening scenes of urban decay filmed in Neville’s hometown Coventry, England, the video bristles with tension as the song’s melodic hook, a killer horn-guitar combo riff, pulsates over shots of graffiti walls and CCTV cameras, like the title sequence to a lost season of The Wire. The dramatic plot of the video, a drug deal that erupts in violence, unfolds as Neville and fellow toaster Daddy Woody act as a Greek chorus warning against youthful hubris. Director Joseph Wallace comments, “I wanted to film a video that approached the subject of street crime seriously, yet still very much retaining the relaxed mood and chilled tone of the music. I wanted Neville walking through Coventry’s cold, empty streets at night singing to the camera as though almost preaching his message; weaving in and out of the narrative itself and blurring the line between performance and social issues.” The video was produced by Rawline Entertainment.

Catch the video premiere here: http://somethingelsereviews.com/2014/04/29/exclusive-video-premiere-neville-staple-roadblock-from-ska-crazy-2014

Staple enthuses about the album, “I am so pleased and proud to have put this album together as it includes some old time classic favourites, which I grew up with and which I have added some ‘original rudeboy’ flavour to. My current band are brilliant and they put a lot of time into creating that authentic Jamaican sound with me, that you will hear in the tracks, as well as helping me with the creation of brand new material. You will also hear a lot of vocals from my wife Christine and my good friend and Jamaican DJ artist, Daddy Woody. I hope you all love it as much as I do and I’m dedicating the album to Jerry Dammers and my cousin Alvin who helped me on the way to a career in music.”

To pre-order the CD or vinyl on Amazon: http://georiot.co/3u10

To pre-order the digital album on iTunes: http://georiot.co/21ea

For the latest information on Staple, visit: https://www.facebook.com/NevilleStapleBand

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

CLEOPATRA RECORDS, Inc.
11041 Santa Monica Blvd #703
Los Angeles CA 90025
http://www.CleopatraRecords.com


Styx ‘Paradise Theater’ Album To Be Released On Limited Numbered Hybrid SACD!

Styx Paradise Theater Mockup

For Immediate Release

Styx ‘Paradise Theater’ Album To Be Released On Limited Numbered Hybrid SACD!

“Styx’s high-water mark…one of the greatest albums in rock history.”

Camarillo, CA – Styx fans rejoice with the release of the band’s critically acclaimed album ‘Paradise Theater’ on limited numbered Hybrid SACD by Marshall Blonstein’s Audio Fidelity. Styx’s 10th album, the 1981 release, ‘Paradise Theater’ was the band’s fourth consecutive triple-platinum album. A resounding success, ‘Paradise Theater’ was their greatest commercial triumph and their only #1 album. It remains one of the best examples of the convergence between progressive rock and AOR which typified the arena rock sound of the top groups of the late-seventies and early-eighties such as Journey, REO Speedwagon, Cheap Trick and Kansas.

Styx was a great group of talented musicians – Dennis DeYoung, Tommy Shaw, James Young, Chuck Panozzo and John Panozzo. The album included three Billboard Hot 100 hits, “The Best of Times,” “Nothing Ever Goes As Planned” and “Too Much Time on My Hands” considered among Tommy Shaw’s finest singles ever. Another track, “Rockin’ The Paradise” reached #8 on the Top Rock Track Chart.

The concept album is a fictional account of Chicago’s Paradise Theatre from its opening to closing, used as a metaphor for America’s changing times from the late 1970s into the 1980s.

“…some of the best songs Styx would ever write!”

TRACKS:
A.D. 1928
Rockin’ the Paradise
Too Much Time on My Hands
Nothing Ever Goes As Planned
The Best of Times
Lonely People
She Cares
Snowblind
Half-Penny, Two-Penny
A.D. 1958
State Street Sadie

Produced by Styx

Mastered by Kevin Gray
at Cohearent Audio

For more information: http://www.audiofidelity.net/content/styx-paradise-theater

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


Cleopatra Makes 2014 The Year Of Amon Düül II!

1804 AMONDUULIRIUM med res

For Immediate Release

Cleopatra Makes 2014 The Year Of Amon Düül II!

Deluxe Vinyl Versions Of 5 Classic Amon Düül II Titles And The Long Awaited Release of Their First Album In 20 Years Will Leave You Simply Düülirious!

Los Angeles, CA – On April 29, Cleopatra Records will roll out a series of limited edition deluxe vinyl re-issues of 5 landmark albums by one of the most influential experimental rock bands of all time, iconic German underground music legends Amon Düül II! Each album has been meticulously put together with digitally remastered audio made specifically for these re-issues, 180 gram colored vinyl packaged in glue-on heavyweight chip board jackets, and sequentially numbered. The first 2 re-issues to appear will be the spectacular 1969 debut album Phallus Dei and the hugely influential 1972 classic Wolf City. The following month will see the release of the 1971 double LP Dance Of The Lemmings, followed in June by 2 more – 1973’s Vive La Trance and an extra special lenticular jacket printing of the group’s masterpiece, 1970’s double LP Yeti, which will be limited to just 500 copies.

As thrilling as these extraordinary releases are, what’s more exciting is the long awaited return of this iconic German outfit after a nearly 20-year absence from the music world with a new album, Düülirium! This stunning new album features 3 of the group’s founding members – guitarist John Weinzierl, guitarist/violinist Chris Karrer, and vocalist Renate Knaup – and will be simultaneously released on both CD and vinyl June 10.

“Amon Duul never used to present the same style on their albums,” explains guitarist John Weinzierl. “We like to develop our music into all kinds of directions and sometimes we don’t even know where it’s gonna lead us. We don’t follow a pattern only because it is successful. Since 2000 we’ve used lots of elements of world music, we had eastern influences, ethnological sounds, and of course we never forgot ‘sound painting’.” When asked if there was a concept behind this new album, Weinzierl expounded, “Avoiding industry music, heading for new frontiers.”

Düülirium will be available at all fine music stores, including iTunes, starting June 10.

To purchase the vinyl re-issues: http://cleorecs.com/

Amon Düül II website: http://www.amonduul.de/

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

CLEOPATRA RECORDS, Inc.
11041 Santa Monica Blvd #703
Los Angeles CA 90025
http://www.CleopatraRecords.com