Author Archives: glassonyonpr

2014/03/28

Manfred Mann’s Earth Band Vocal Legend Chris Thompson Releases Eagerly Awaited New CD ‘Toys & Dishes’ – March 17, 2014

By glassonyonpr

Chris Thompson Toys & Dishes

For Immediate Release

Manfred Mann’s Earth Band Vocal Legend Chris Thompson Releases Eagerly Awaited New CD ‘Toys & Dishes’ – March 17, 2014

London, UK – Esoteric Antenna is pleased to announce the release of the new album by CHRIS THOMPSON. Known for his work as the vocalist and guitarist on many hits with Manfred Mann’s Earth Band, including “Blinded By The Light”, “For You” and “The Mighty Quinn”, as well as featured on the classic Jeff Wayne concept album ‘War of the Worlds’, Chris is also a noted songwriter (penning among other songs the smash hit “You’re the Voice” for John Farnham). His new studio album, ‘Toys & Dishes’, is his first in over ten years and draws on all the musical elements that make Chris’s songs and voice so instantly recognizable.

Of his new album, Chris reflects; “I’m very proud of the result. The songs really mean a great deal to me, mostly inspired by my daily life, a couple of forays into the past and a story or two! Hopefully they’re accessible to both my very loyal fans and to everybody struggling to find time and money to do what they really want to with the people they love.”

‘Toys & Dishes’ is a must have for all fans of legendary Chris Thompson!

Chris Thompson ‘Toys & Dishes’ album preview video:

Track Listing

  1. Million Dollar Wonder Hit
  2. Millie Christine
  3. Eddie Wants to Rock
  4. Dark Side Interlude
  5. Dark Side
  6. Hey You!
  7. Dream Away Little Girl
  8. You’re the One I Love
  9. Sad Song Wishes (One Moment)
  10. Talk to Me
  11. We Run
  12. Woe is Me

To purchase Chris Thompson’s ‘Toys & Dishes’: http://www.cherryred.co.uk/shopexd.asp?id=4552

For further information please contact: esotericarts@btconnect.com

Chris Thompson official website: http://www.christhompson-central.com/

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

Leave a comment | posted in Chris Thompson, Press Release

2014/03/26

PledgeMusic and Cleopatra Records Join Forces to Re-issue Van Morrison’s The Complete 1967 Bang Sessions

By glassonyonpr

Van Morrison pledge banner

For Immediate Release

PledgeMusic and Cleopatra Records Join Forces to Re-issue Van Morrison’s The Complete 1967 Bang Sessions

The Double LP Limited Pressing in a Velvet Cover on Red Splatter Vinyl includes the colossal hit “Brown Eyed Girl”

PledgeMusic, the leading direct-to-fan company and Cleopatra Records, an independent L.A. based record label with an eclectic roster of artists, have announced a pre-order for the re-issue of the legendary album of Van Morrison, The Complete Bang Sessions. Cleopatra Records is pressing a strictly limited edition of 1,000 numbered copies of this 180 gram Red & Black Spatter vinyl in a luxurious black velvet gatefold cover, an exclusive for fans only available through PledgeMusic’s platform.

Look up the phrase “blue-eyed soul” in the dictionary and there you will find a picture of Van Morrison. But in 1967 Van Morrison was finished with the record industry, after disbanding Them and exiling himself away in Belfast. Producer Bert Berns managed to convince Van Morrison to return to the states and record for Bang. It was these early sessions which would mark the beginning of an incredibly successful career, beginning with the colossal hit “Brown Eyed Girl”. Every fan who pledges support will receive the highly collectible vinyl for The Complete Bang Sessions. Pledge at http://www.pledgemusic.com/projects/vanmorrison

Jayce Varden, President, North America at PledgeMusic, commented: “Van Morrison is one of the most talented artists of our time and PledgeMusic is thrilled to partner with Cleopatra Records to give his fans the rare chance to get their hands on this exclusive deluxe packaged item.”

Matt Green, Vice President of Acquisitions at Cleopatra Records added, “Cleopatra Records is proud to present Van Morrison’s smashing solo debut in a beautiful package & pressing, which a work of this caliber deserves.”

PledgeMusic is the world’s leading online, direct-to-fan music platform, offering artists a unique way to engage their fans in the music making experience whilst interacting with PledgeMusic’s global community of music fans. Since its inception in 2009, PledgeMusic has worked with artists and labels to deliver high impact campaigns that provide exclusive engagement, incentives and content for music fans as well as new commercial benefits and revenue streams for artists and music labels.

PledgeMusic’s platform has generated chart topping albums worldwide. Successful campaigns have included Slash, The Libertines, Bring Me The Horizon, Ginger Wildheart, Ben Folds Five, Killing Joke, Emmy The Great and Rachel Yamagata amongst others. http://www.pledgemusic.com

http://bit.ly/PQkJpr

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

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

Leave a comment | posted in Press Release, Van Morrison

2014/03/24

UK Prog Legends Curved Air Featuring Sonja Kristina Release Eagerly Anticipated New CD ‘North Star’

By glassonyonpr

Curved Air North Star

For Immediate Release

UK Prog Legends Curved Air Featuring Sonja Kristina Release Eagerly Anticipated New CD ‘North Star’

“CURVED AIR, with a real band attitude and a zest for life; this is a band you want to see live for the sheer artistry of how to deliver the musical goods.”- Lee Dorian, Classic Rock

London, UK – Much to the anticipation of press and music fans worldwide, UK progressive rock legends Curved Air, featuring iconic vocalist Sonja Kristina, released a new CD ‘North Star’ via Cherry Red Records on March 17, 2014! ‘North Star’ is the band’s first album featuring new studio material since 1976! The full-length CD features a mixture of re-recordings, cover songs and seven new original compositions, all housed in a lavish digi-pack.

Says Sonja, “I am proud to release into the world Curved Air’s ‘North Star’. The North Star is the fixed point in the sky about which all the stars seen from the Northern Hemisphere rotate. A star linked to the celestial magnetic energies of the North Pole. Following its light, the lost, the wanderer, the explorer and the warrior have been guided throughout time. The North Star helps us know where we are and where we are going. Curved Air’s album ‘North Star’ is born of the musicianship and dedication of this brilliant incarnation of Curved Air – renowned for the audience’s rapturous response to their concerts. The North Star album material reflects on humanity, love, solutions , perspectives and staying human through changing times and revolutions, virtual lives and delicate attractions – love and shamanic sub atomic worlds.”

Curved Air, originally formed in 1969, is a groundbreaking progressive art-rock band renowned for their showmanship. Each member pushed the boundaries of possibilities for rock music performance. Vocalist Sonja Kristina won the hearts of a generation of music lovers and was voted top British Female Vocalist of the 1970’s whilst the three top twenty albums that this lineup released are regarded as classics.

Breaking through from the underground scene into top of the early ’70s album charts, Curved Air’s musicians hailed from mixed artistic backgrounds, including classic, folk and electronic sound. The resulting sound of the band is a mixture of progressive rock, folk rock and fusion with classical elements. Along with High Tide and East of Eden, Curved Air was one of the first rock bands after It’s a Beautiful Day and The United States of America to feature a violin. Considered (according to AllMusic) “one of the most dramatically accomplished of all the bands lumped into Britain’s late-’60s prog explosion, Curved Air released eight studio albums (the first three of which broke the UK Top 20) and had a hit single with ‘Back Street Luv’, which reached number 4 in the UK. Numerous band splits and reformations have occurred since then but the current line-up of Sonja Kristina, Florian Pilkington-Miksa, Chris Harris, Robert Norton and Paul Sax have been together since 2009”. With classic era guitarist Kirby Gregory rejoining the band in 2013.

Curved Air’s music was also described as “’Art Rock’, the quasi classical imprints of Terry Riley hooked onto beautiful and demonic violin combined with electronic adventurous synths and interwoven with brilliant guitar wizardry mesmerisingly embroidered by the subliminal and exotic presence of a unique girl lead singer Sonja Kristina”. Though progressive music pioneers they were hailed as Pop Stars when the sultry “Back Street Luv” was a Top 5 hit in 1971.

Sonja Kristina, who topped the British Music female vocalist polls throughout the ’70s was the first UK female lead singer fronting a Rock band. She has been the constant flame leading Curved Air through the decades. Today, vibrant and edgy as ever, Sonja, the original prog diva gives a charismatic and highly visual performance. Looking like a glamorous gipsy queen with her flowing red hair and dressed in sparkly black, that signature voice is still as smoky and seductive as ever as she spins around the stage around the excellent musicians who are Curved Air. Phil Oakey recently recalled, “When I formed The Human League it was because I was such a huge Sonja Kristina fan and I still am.”

“Sonja Kristina prowls the front of the stage… expertly playing off the energy of all the performers with her.” – Alex Lynham, PROG magazine

All of the players impress. Although only drummer Florian Pilkington-Miksa is from the original line-up, Sonja has found some stunning new instrumentalists who immerse the audience in a set of swirling, whirling solos that emphasize moods and nuances and floating waves of sound that act as a counterpoint to Sonja’s dramatic sense of theatricality. Much to the excitement of Curved Air fans, classic-era guitarist Kirby Gregory returns to the fold for ‘North Star’!

Says Sonja, “The performances were created and produced collaboratively by Curved Air with the expressive and intricate touch of the original drummer Florian Pilkington-Miksa, and the mighty eloquence of Kirby Gregory (the composer of ‘Purple Speed Queen’ and ‘UHF’), interwoven with the passionate melodic wizardry of violinist Paul Sax, and the atmospheric extemporization and groove of ambient sonic explorer Robert Norton on keyboards. Kirby returns to Curved Air after 35 years and has added his identity and creativity to the sound. His input and presence in the band feels so right to us all as we prepare to bring new Curved Air material to the world stage. Chris Harris on bass earths the music with drive and precision within the moods, motifs and fire of Curved Air – who are – as always – a dynamic creative collective of virtuoso performers.”

Curved Air is: Vocalist Sonja Kristina, Drummer Florian Pilkington Miksa, Guitarist Kirby Gregory, Violinist Paul Sax, Bass Chris Harris and Keyboard Player Robert Norton.

To order Curved Air’s ‘North Star’:
http://www.cherryred.co.uk/shopexd.asp?id=4549
https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/north-star/id843620008

To purchase Curved Air’s “Stay Human” single:
https://itunes.apple.com/ph/album/stay-human-single/id815160384

http://www.curvedair.com
http://www.facebook.com/curvedair
http://www.reverbnation.com/curvedair
http://www.cherryred.co.uk/shopexd.asp?id=3894

Curved Air is managed by QEDG Management info@qedg.co.uk

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

Leave a comment | posted in Curved Air, Press Release

2014/03/20

French Prog Legends Clearlight To Release Highly Anticipated New CD ‘The Impressionist Symphony’ Featuring Members of GONG, The Muffins, Spirits Burning and Others!

By glassonyonpr

Clearlight Impressionist Symphony cover

For Immediate Release

French Prog Legends Clearlight To Release Highly Anticipated New CD ‘The Impressionist Symphony’ Featuring Members of GONG, The Muffins, Spirits Burning and Others!

Featuring guest appearances by Steve Hillage, Tim Blake, Didier Malherbe, Paul Sears, Don Falcone, Linda Cushma, Craig Fry, Remy Tran, Chris Kovax and Vincent Thomas-Penny

Paris, France – Much to the excitement of progressive rock fans worldwide, legendary French prog ensemble Clearlight featuring Cyrille ‘Clearlight’ Verdeaux will be releasing their first new album in decades on March 24, 2014!

‘The Impressionist Symphony’ focuses on the artistic style of impressionism, painting and music as well with a Ravel, Satie and Debussy influence merged with Cyrille’s progressive music experience and linked with the French impressionist school of painting. Featuring guest appearances by Steve Hillage (GONG), Tim Blake (GONG), Didier Malherbe (GONG), Paul Sears (The Muffins), Don Falcone (Spirits Burning), Linda Cushma (Oxygene8), Chris Kovax (Psyquest) and others, Clearlight’s ‘The Impressionist Symphony’ is clearly one of the most anticipated new releases of 2014!

Cyrille explains, “In 2004, I was giving a solo piano concert at the French Embassy of Brasilia for the June 21st music festival. After the concert, the ambassador came to me and told me I had an ‘impressionist style’. His remark gave me the idea to compose a specific Music aimed at the glory of all the impressionists, audio as well as visual.

In 2011, Don Falcone in California made contact with me on Facebook to record some tracks for a Spirits Burning project. So we scheduled an appointment to see what could be done together. First, I recorded keyboard tracks for his project, what became Spirits Burning & Clearlight ‘Healthy Music In Large Doses’. When I found out that Don’s equipment and technique of collecting tracks from Musicians living all around the World was exactly what was needed to complete my impressionist project, I proposed for him to become a partner in this impressionist saga. He agreed, and began to gather tracks from all of my friends that accepted to play on it, some in England, some in France, others in the U.S. When all of the tracks on his computer’s folder were ready, I took a plane to mix it at Don’s home studio (CA).

My first album released in 1974, ‘Clearlight Symphony’, was recorded with the participation of GONG’s Didier Malherbe, Steve Hillage, and Tim Blake. So, for the 40th anniversary, I again asked the trio to participate in this new symphonic impressionist rock project. And they did it! Great friends! I completed the musical crew with Paul Sears (cult drummer of the progressive band The Muffins), Linda Cushma, Chris Kovax, Craig Fry (a very good classical violinist), Vincent Thomas-Penny (another guitarist), and synthesizer player Remy Tran, who helped me record most of the Degas De La Marine piece last summer in his home studio in France.”

“All of which brings us to today: ‘The Impressionist Symphony’ is now a reality, and it is ready for you to experience.” – Rob Ayling

“When I began to dive deeper into new music, one of my first and longest-lasting discoveries was Cyrille, and the ‘Clearlight Symphony’ album on Virgin Records. It’s been an honor and pleasure to celebrate the spirit of that release, and help shape the sound of Clearlight Impressionist Symphony. My efforts for the new symphony began as gatekeeper of sound, morphed into what Cyrille called the project’s ‘godfather’, and culminated in the role of producer. It’s been a fun story, and now it’s ready for each and every listener.” – Don Falcone, Clearlight ‘The Impressionist Symphony’ producer, and captain of Spirits Burning

Clearlight is a French progressive rock band from the 1970s, although their best known work was produced in England, and released by a major British record company, Virgin Records. While progressive rock is an overall genre for Cyrille, much of his work explores various other styles, including classical, psychedelic, symphonic rock, space rock, jazz fusion, and new age music.

Both ‘Clearlight Symphony’ and ‘Clearlight Visions’ made the list of all time best 100 progressive rock albums, according to the Billboard guide for progressive music.

“Been a Clearlight fan since the Virgin days. Having worked with Cyrille onstage at the Progday festival 10 years ago, I jumped at the chance to participate in the Clearlight ‘The Impressionist Symphony’ project when he asked me. It is an honor to be included in the dream team that Cyrille selected for this special recording.” – Paul Sears (The Muffins)

The special package includes a 12-page color booklet that captures Cyrille’s vision, as well as pictures from the sessions that produced these works. ‘Impressionist Symphony’ continues Cyrille’s return to the world of progressive music and now continues through this release and others on Gonzo Multimedia.

“This music is artistic and genuine; it is such an honor for me to be a part of this eloquent work and look forward to the possibility of one day sharing the stage with these stunning musicians.” – Linda Cushma, Oxygene8

“I bought my first Clearlight Symphony album from a used record store in 1979. I knew nothing about it, and bought it for the cover art. When I got it home and played it, I thought: ‘I have found my music’. I dreamed then that I would one day have the privilege of playing with Cyrille Verdeaux, Steve Hillage, and Didier Malherbe. My musical career has gone in a number of directions over the years, but that dream faded, and eventually evaporated altogether. I didn’t even play the violin for ten years. But the forgotten dream found me when Don Falcone asked me if I wanted to play on a new Clearlight album with Cyrille, Steve and Didier. I didn’t take much time to think before answering yes. Violin tracks were recorded at Don’s house, with Don engineering and Cyrille guiding, consulting and editing. In the end the Clearlight ‘Impressionist Symphony’ has emerged as a beautiful amalgamation of Cyrille’s compositions and the instrumental wizardry of an extraordinary and disparate group of musicians. I am grateful to Don and Cyrille for offering me membership in an extended family I have admired for over three decades, and to which it is an honor to belong.” – Craig Fry, Violin

Clearlight promotional video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vla5lngkmmQ

To purchase Clearlight’s ‘The Impressionist’s Symphony’: http://www.gonzomultimedia.co.uk/product_details/15659/Clearlight-Impressionist_Symphony.html

For more information: http://www.clearlight888music.com
https://www.facebook.com/groups/169411359751/?fref=ts

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

Leave a comment | posted in Clearlight, Press Release

2014/03/17

Classic Rock Legends Wishbone Ash Tour North America Spring 2014 In Support of New CD Release – Blue Horizon

By glassonyonpr

Wishbone Ash 2014 photo

For Immediate Release

Classic Rock Legends Wishbone Ash Tour North America Spring 2014 In Support of New CD Release – Blue Horizon

Tour includes South and Western regions for the first time in years!

New London, CT – Wishbone Ash, one of the most influential guitar bands in the history of rock, returns to North America this Spring with brand new tunes from their upcoming release, Blue Horizon.

The group returns to these shores following last year’s annual tour through the the East, Midwest, Northwest and Western Canada, where they delighted fans with high-energy performances featuring a vast catalog spanning 45 continuous years of music-making.

The 2014 Spring tour has been nicknamed “The Blue Horizon Tour” to coincide with the March US release of Blue Horizon and celebrate the return of the band to areas not visited in many years.

“I thought, why not ring the bell to see if our fans in the South and Southwest would come out and join the party,” says bandleader and founding member Andy Powell.

The first leg of the tour begins April 15 in Florida and winds south and west before heading northward through the Pacific West Coast and Canada.

“We hope our long-lost fans will come check out what we’ve been doing, which has been continuously touring, recording and rehearsing,” said Powell. “The band has a fire in its belly, and we want to share that.”

Formed in 1969, Wishbone Ash has to its credit 24 original studio recordings, 10 live albums and four live DVDs along with a DVD rockumentary (“This is Wishbone Ash”). The band is led by founding member Andy Powell on guitar and vocals, trading licks with Finland’s guitar wizard Muddy Manninen. Bassist Bob Skeat, a 17-year veteran of the band and in-demand studio musician, sets the pace with Joe Crabtree, one of the best of Britain’s new breed of drummers whose performance credits include Pendragon and David Cross of King Crimson.

“The band basically lives together year-round, so we have a very strong level of communication that translates in our performances and recordings,” says Powell.

Wishbone Ash’s new album, Blue Horizon (Solid Rockhouse Records), includes guest artist Pat McManus playing fiddle on two tracks. Fans will recall McManus made an appearance on 2011’s Elegant Stealth and also co-wrote one of the songs, “Can’t Go It Alone,” with Andy Powell. Blue Horizon features two songs written by Aynsley Powell (Powell’s son) and one by former Wishbone Ash guitarist Roger Filgate.

Elegant Stealth (ZYX Records) was enthusiastically received by fans and critics alike. Classic Rock Revisited’s Jeb Wright called it “One of the best albums in Wishbone Ash’s career.”

“This band is like a fine wine that just keeps getting better with age and this is one of their strongest studio releases in years,” said Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck of MuzikReviews.com.

“The songs are catchy, very technical, but there is a soul in what Wishbone Ash is doing!” said Mark Kadzielawa of 69 Faces of Rock.

Lynyrd Skynyrd cites Wishbone Ash as a primary influence on their style along with Thin Lizzy, Iron Maiden and, more recently, heavyweights like Opeth and some of the guitar-based Indie/Alternative bands. All have been transformed by the original, legendary twin-guitar approach of Wishbone Ash. There is no other rock band on the planet that has done more with the twin guitar concept than The Ash.

Longtime fans and new converts will find that Wishbone Ash offers an undeniable concert experience.

Tour dates and more information can be found at http://www.wishboneash.com

To download electronic press kit: http://www.wishboneash.com/epk
Like the band on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/wishbone.ash.official

Wishbone Ash Publicity and Marketing: Kate Goldsmith – kate_goldsmith@wishboneash.com

Wishbone Ash Worldwide Publicity: Glass Onyon PR – PH: +1 828-350-8158 ,glassonyonpr@gmail.com

North American Booking: Steve Ozark, Ozark Talent (785)760-3143, OzarkTalent@gmail.com

Leave a comment | posted in Press Release, Wishbone Ash

2014/03/16

Aspen Times Interview with Jon Anderson

By glassonyonpr

JON ANDERSON photo by Deborah Anderson.EDIT_

Jon Anderson still telling, writing his wondrous stories

Michael McLaughlin
The Aspen Times
March 14, 2014

It would be easy to understand if Jon Anderson decided he’s written enough music in his life, but that isn’t going to happen anytime soon.

The former frontman for the progressive rock band Yes is back in Aspen tonight for his third solo show since 2011 at the Wheeler Opera House. Good luck trying to guess what the prolific songwriter with the alto-tenor voice will perform, as his catalog of recordings is immense — 20 albums recorded as the lead singer of Yes, 14 solo albums and dozens of collaborations with other musicians and bands.

“The songs I play live are the ones I want to,” Anderson said. “I know people enjoy hearing them, so we have a lot of fun.”

Now 69, Anderson isn’t resting on his laurels. He’s feeling good health-wise and is busier than ever writing music. Thanks to the Internet, Anderson is working with musicians from all over the world. Just this past week, he received new music from friends in Poland, Italy and New York.

There’s no talk of retiring but only of what’s up next musically. The Internet has opened another gate for Anderson to access musicians who normally would take weeks, if not months, to hook up with.

For the rest of the interview, please visit the Aspen Times website!

Leave a comment | posted in Interview, Jon Anderson

2014/03/14

Goldmine Review of Getting the Holy Ghost Across by Bill Nelson

By glassonyonpr

Bill Nelson Getting the Holy Ghost Across

Bill Nelson – not Be Bop, but still Deluxe

March 12, 2014 | Dave Thompson

Be Bop Deluxe were an interesting band. Regardless of whether or not you actually liked them (and a lot of people didn’t, which is why they remained a defiantly second division act in terms of rock history), they never failed to fascinate; and, in so doing, erected an aura around themselves that defied you to ever reject them out of hand.

They certainly traced a fascinating musical trajectory, from the studied-chic glam of their debut Axe Victim, to the icicle new wave of their farewell Drastic Plastic, Be Bop essentially delineated the course that British rock’s most potent obsessions would trace through the decade, and did so with just enough of a head start that only David Bowie could really claim to have topped them as an influence.

“Ships In The Night,” their sole major hit single, remains a pristine moment of pomp amid the drudgery of 1976, and Modern Music, their best-selling album (#12, fact fans) prefigured punk with a potency that only Zig’s Low could otherwise reach for. And that came out a few months later.

As Brian Eno probably didn’t really say about the Velvet Underground, but that hasn’t stopped people repeating it, not many people listened to Be Bop Deluxe. But everyone who did formed a synthipop band – and, in so doing, translated the angular cool of their role model into something that even your gran could tap toes to.

They split in 1978, which was both the right time and the wrong. Right, because it meant frontman Bill Nelson could move on to something else, something more in tune with the demands of the time… Red Noise. And wrong, because Be Bop surely had more to offer, if only because their albums-so-far had skirted across so many crucial issues that who knows what they might have posited next?

For the rest of the review, please visit the Goldmine website!

Leave a comment | posted in Bill Nelson, Review

2014/03/12

RoSfest 2014 Lineup To Feature Prog Legends Caravan, Beardfish, Collage, Sound Of Contact, Clepsydra and Others – May 2-4, 2014

By glassonyonpr

RoSfest Poster

For Immediate Release

RoSfest 2014 Lineup To Feature Prog Legends Caravan, Beardfish, Collage, Sound Of Contact, Clepsydra and Others – May 2-4, 2014

Featuring Caravan, Beardfish, Clepsydra, Elephants of Scotland, Sound of Contact, Thank You Scientist, Fright Pig, Red Sand, Subsignal and Collage!

Gettysburg, PA – The most anticipated music festival of 2014, the legendary RoSfest, will take place this year May 2-4, 2014, and will feature progressive rock icons Caravan, Beardfish, Collage, Clepsydra, Sound Of Contact and others! The Rites of Spring Festival, or RoSfest as it’s commonly called, is an annual progressive rock festival held every spring in Gettysburg, PA. RoSfest is in its 11th year, and are thrilled to be presenting UK prog icons Caravan, who has not performed in the US in many years, along with 9 other amazing bands this year. RoSfest has always been at the forefront of bringing new and upcoming progressive rock bands to an American audience, while also bringing in bands that were at their peak during the heyday of prog rock in the 70’s. This year’s lineup features 10 bands over three days, with Friday night’s show featuring Clepsydra (Switzerland) and Caravan (UK). Saturday’s show features Elephants of Scotland (US), Sound of Contact (UK), Thank You Scientist (US), and Beardfish (Sweden). Sunday’s lineup features Fright Pig (US), Red Sand (Canada), Subsignal (Germany), and Collage (Poland). All three days feature a strong lineup with a mix of different sounds and styles within progressive rock.

Says George Roldan, founder of RoSfest, “It’s really an honor to be featuring a classic band like Caravan at RoSfest. They are so well known in the genre, and they have been very instrumental in developing the Canterbury sound that has become familiar to prog fans. We really are thrilled to host Caravan’s first show on American soil in years. Our Sunday night headliner, Collage, is one of the most famous bands in Polish progressive rock, and indeed Polish music in general. They’ve just reunited, and this will be their biggest show in years, so we are honored that they agreed to perform at RoSfest for this special occasion. In addition to the classic bands, we also continue to bring in new rising stars of progressive rock, such as Sound of Contact, which is a project from Simon Collins, Phil Collins’ son, and they bring a refreshing modern sound to the genre. This whole lineup is incredible, and we’re looking forward to bringing all of these wonderful bands to the stage!”

With a history going back to 1968, Caravan is one of a dwindling amount of bands around that merits a description as living legends. They were one of the two principal bands in the Canterbury Scene, a movement that saw bands blending elements from progressive rock and fusion with whimsical lyrics, quirky instrumental movements and a distinct English sound – but often without any major superficial likeness shared between the bands subscribed to this style. Caravan peaked commercially early on, with 1971’s ‘In the Land of Grey and Pink’ their best-selling album. Their early 70’s albums in general are all considered classics today, and while they never made much of an impact in the UK or US in these early days their stature have continued to grow following the resurgence of interest in progressive rock. Following spells of inactivity in the 1980’s and 90’s Caravan have been a mostly going concern since 1995, albeit with a number of line-up alterations along the way. The current incarnation of the band dates back to 2010 and consists of Pye Hastings, Geoffrey Richardson, Jan Schelhaas, Jim Leverton and Mark Walker. Twelve years have gone by since Caravan had their last triumphant return to the US at Nearfest.
Caravan official website: http://www.caravan-info.co.uk/
Caravan Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OfficialCaravan

While Beardfish is still regarded by many as a fairly new band on the scene they have actually been around for more than a decade already, with seven full length albums to their name. Initially renowned for their fairly eclectic take on retro-progressive rock they have developed towards a harder edged variety of that sound in later years, firmly documented on their 2012 album ‘The Void’. An album they finished promoting in October 2013.
Official website – http://www.beardfishband.com
facebook – https://www.facebook.com/beardfish

Says George Roldan, “As many will see from the bands we have signed for 2014, RoSfest is in development. There’s a steadily increasing number of fine new bands that comes forth that we feel deserve the chance to play at a festival such as ours. Some established with a small following already, others are fresh entities just starting out. We feel we have an obligation to the best of those new artists to make them somewhat better known, especially when conditions for recording artists in general and new artists in particular are as challenging as they are. All of them represent the finest quality in music of course, we do owe our audience a high quality festival after all. They are just not that well known yet. We do take care to sign better known bands too. Newly reunited Clepsydra and Collage for instance, Beardfish as one of the top names among the new generation of progressive rock bands, and in Caravan we managed to sign one of the few remaining giants from the golden age. But all in all RoSfest 2014 has a somewhat higher percentage of lesser known bands than before. We hope our audience understand and support this slight alteration in approach.”

Multinational band Sound of Contact is a new player on the scene, so to speak, but with a potential that secured them a contract with prestigious label InsideOut for their first release. The instigator of this band is one Simon Collins. As a solo artist he has released three full length albums over the past decade, establishing his credentials firmly prior to venturing out into band and progressive rock circles. A vital part of his music resume and presumably more important for him than many others. Simon Collins is a vocalist and drummer both, just like his father Phil was. And Phil Collins is a musician that easily merits a description as famous. With an already established career, Simon has seen to it that he isn’t merely regarded as the son of his father when now following in his footsteps. The reception given to Sound of Contact’s debut album ‘Dimensionaut’ in 2013 emphasize that clearly, with a steadily growing number of glowing reviews following in it’s wake. Sound of Contact live, for live purposes consisting of Simon Collins (vocals, drums), Bill Jenkins (keyboards, vocals), Matt Dorsey (bass, vocals), Randy McStine (guitars) and Ronen Gordon (drums).
Website: http://www.soundofcontact.com/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/soundofcontact
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/soundofcontact

RoSfest once again will be held at the Majestic Theater in Gettysburg. Eighty years ago, the doors of the Majestic Theater opened for the first time, welcoming audiences to the largest vaudeville and silent movie theater in south-central Pennsylvania. Built by Henry Scharf as an annex to the historic Gettysburg Hotel, the theater seated 1,200 patrons and proudly served as the cultural crossroads of commerce, college, and community.
MAJESTIC THEATER
25 Carlisle Street
Gettysburg, PA 17325
Majestic Theater website – http://www.gettysburgmajestic.org/ and click BUY TICKET Tab and scroll down to the show to purchase tickets.

RoSfest Schedule:

Friday May 2nd
Clepsydra – 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm
Caravan – 9:00 pm to 11:00 pm

Saturday May 3rd
Elephants of Scotland – 11:00 am to 12:30 pm
Sound of Contact – 2:00 pm to 3:30 pm
Thank you Scientist – 5:00 pm to 6:30 pm
Beardfish – 8:30 pm to 10:30 pm

Sunday May 4th
Fright Pig – 11:00 am to 12:30 pm
Red Sand – 2:00 pm to 3:30 pm
Subsignal – 5:00 pm to 6:30 pm
Collage – 8:30 pm to 10:30 pm

Also, doors will be opened at 5:00 pm on Friday, 10:00 am Saturday-Sunday; doors will be closed every night at 11:30 pm.

Gold Tickets for RoSfest 2014 are on sale. The order link can be found on the RoSfest homepage Direct link: http://rosfest.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=79&Itemid=120
Regular seat tickets may only be purchased on the Majestic Theater website or through the box office by calling (717) 337-8200, or in person at 25 Carlisle Street during box office hours (Sunday: 3-7:30 pm, Monday-Saturday: 12 noon-7:30 pm).
Single day passes go on sale Friday March 14th at the Majestic Theater box office for all three days and online.

For more information: http://www.rosfest.com
Face book https://www.facebook.com/RoSfest?ref=hl
Face book group page https://www.facebook.com/groups/rosfest/

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

Leave a comment | posted in Clepsydra, Press Release, RoSFest 2014, Sound of Contact

2014/03/10

New CD Release By Indonesian Guitar Virtuoso DEWA BUDJANA featuring JIMMY JOHNSON & VINNIE COLAIUTA ‘Surya Namaskar’ Now Available On MoonJune Records

By glassonyonpr

budjana-suryua-promo-pix med

For Immediate Release

New CD Release By Indonesian Guitar Virtuoso DEWA BUDJANA featuring JIMMY JOHNSON & VINNIE COLAIUTA ‘Surya Namaskar’ Now Available On MoonJune Records

New York, NY – Dewa Budjana, Indonesian iconic guitar legend of Balinese ethnic heritage, is releasing his 3rd album (his 7th solo effort on his parallel jazz-fusion career) on MoonJune Records; the New York City independent label of progressive music that explores boundaries of jazz, rock, avant-garde, ethno & the unknown, run by its cosmopolitan honcho and executive producer Leonardo Pavkovic.

Recorded in Los Angeles by the world renowned engineer Robert Feist (who recorded Stevie Nicks, Anita Baker, and 8 albums of Allan Holdsworth, among many others) during two sessions in January and October of 2013, Surya Namaskar (Salute to the Sun, in Budjana‘s native Balinese language) represents a significant change from Dewa Budjana‘s last album, Joged Kahyangan. While bassist Jimmy Johnson (Allan Holdsworth, James Taylor, Flim & the BB’s) is back from that session, this time the drummer is the much in-demand powerhouse Vinnie Colaiuta (Frank Zappa, Herbie Hancock, Jeff Beck, Sting), with ubiquitous guitar session ace Michael Landau (James Taylor, Renegade Creation, Joni Mitchell) and drummer turned keyboardist Gary Husband (John McLaughlin, Allan Holdsworth, Jack Bruce) making valuable guest appearances on one track each.

Full of twists and turns you could never see coming, Surya Namaskar provides ample evidence that the Balinese guitarist is just as much at home in moments of pure spontaneity, ripping over a killer groove, as he is in denser, more orchestrated settings. Exploring previously-unrevealed facets of his artistic mystique, this album highlights a more instinctive, uninhibited approach to both his guitar playing and music making. Served up just-out-of-the-oven fresh and delivered with conviction and urgency, each song is its own unique, engulfing cosmic voyage.

The sum total of Surya Namaskar is most definitely greater than its individual – monstrously talented – parts. Together with his two previous MoonJune recordings – Dawai in Paradise (January, 2013) and Joged Kahyangan (October, 2013) – Surya Namaskar paints the ongoing portrait of a guitarist who may be a superstar in the Indonesian pop-rock world as a founding member of the multi-million selling Gigi (one of the most prolific bands in Indonesian history, with 24 releases to their name, celebrating this year their 20th anniversary with their 25th album Live at Abbey Road, in which Budjana is the main composer and author of many hits), but whose lesser-known credibility and, more importantly, visibility as a jazz and fusion guitarist is slowly on the ascendance, as more and more international progressive music fans discover the depth, the heart, and the profound spirituality of Dewa Budjana, at fifty a new guitar hero of strength, creativity and significance.

In January 2014, Dewa Budjana has recorded in New York City material for another studio album to be released by MoonJune, in October 2014, featuring Antonio Sanchez on drums, Ben Williams on upright bass (both recording and touring with Pat Metheny) and Joe Locke on vibraphone.

“Thank you Dewa for inviting us along for your TRIP, your music is from Jupiter, truly unusual!” – Jimmy Johnson

“Dewa Budjana’s music infuses jazz fusion with renewed vigor, and his wonderfully imaginative and melodic guitar playing pays homage to past masters, while simultaneously providing fresh perspectives.” – Barry Cleveland, Guitar Player

“A monstrously heavy record! Dewa Budjana, at fifty, is a new guitar hero of strength, creativity, and significance.” – John Kelman, All About Jazz contributor

“East meets West and ignites the sky! Dewa Budjana’s latest, a collaboration with jazz giants Jimmy Johnson and Vinnie Colaiuta, elevates guitar-based jazz-fusion with a Balinese flare to new plateaus of nirvana… Mahavishnu, move over: there’s a new master on the block!” – Raymond Benson, music journalist and author of ‘The Black Stiletto’ and six James Bond novels

“Surya Namaskar, the latest sonic blast from Indonesian guitar master Dewa Budjana, is global in its scope, universal in its appeal … Bolstered by some of the greatest musicians on the planet, Surya Namaskar is one for the record books, – a jazz-rock masterpiece of planetary proportions.” – Will Romano, music journalist and author of ‘Mountains Come Out Of The Sky’ and ‘Big Boss Man: The Life and Music of Bluesman Jimmy Reed’

“Hauntingly beautiful and intense, I was moved. No progressive fusion release got me on its first listen since Pat Metheny Group’s 2005 ‘The Way Up’. Destined to be my 2014 favorite album.” – Tom Gagliardi, Gagliarchives Radio

Available from March 10, 2014 on http://www.moonjune.com (CD)
Direct label’s link: http://goo.gl/DMNj0J
and http://www.moonjunerecords.bandcamp.com (FLAC/ALAC/MP3)
Direct BandCamp link: http://goo.gl/NVW7s9
Available on iTunes on March 25, 2014.
Available in stores, Amazon and other outlets on April 18, 2014.

Dewa Budjana is available for interviews via e-mail and occasionally via Skype.
Physical and digital promos available upon requests.

MUSEUM GITARKU (Guitar Museum, Ubud, Bali, Indonesia)
Conceived by Dewa Budjana.
Located in the idyllic village of Payogan in Ubud, Bali, the original intent behind Museum Gitarku (Guitar Museum) was to store his beloved guitars (a collection of more than 130 guitars). However, in the development of the museum, designed by acclaimed Balinese architect Popo Danes as part of the 100-room 5 star Pakayon Hotel & Resort, Budjana felt that not only could it serve as a testament to his lifelong passion for the instrument, but also as his contribution for the people of Bali and Indonesia that would enable future generations to learn more about the musicians whose playing has graced the guitar over the years. The museum will feature instruments donated by an ever-expanding list of Indonesian and international musicians alike, from local guitar heroes of a country of 250+ million people, such as Chrisye, Rhoma Irama and Eross Candra, to world-renowned virtuosos and guitar legends including Allan Holdsworth, Robbie Krieger, Steve Vai, Michael Angelo Batio. Grand opening is planned for January 2015 with a special appearance by one of the world’s best known guitar icons.
For more info: http://www.museumgitarku.com

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

Leave a comment | posted in Dewa Budjana, Press Release

2014/03/08

Heart’s Legendary Second Album ‘Magazine’ Gets Reissued On Hybrid SACD

By glassonyonpr

Heart Magazine SACD Mockup

For Immediate Release

Heart’s Legendary Second Album ‘Magazine’ Gets Reissued On Hybrid SACD

“A rare gem…Evocative and controversial”

Camarillo, CA – Heart fans are ecstatic with the release of the band’s evocative and controversial second album ‘Magazine’ on Hybrid SACD by Marshall Blonstein’s Audio Fidelity! ‘Magazine’ shows Heart while they were still an idealistically young band, before they became such a worldwide phenomenon. Their second album shows the same impassioned songs that marked the band’s debut, ‘Dreamboat Annie’. They were really hard rockers back then. Ann and Nancy Wilson wove a tapestry of gypsy meets modern woman, and it is highly involved in the early songwriting. The album features a mix of ballads and straight out rock-blues-metal at its purest.

‘Magazine’ was recorded in 1978 and was a victim of legal hassles with the label that delayed its release, yet the album boasts a mix of light and heavy tracks that are pure Heart. There’s the rockin’ “Devil Delight” and the bluesy-rock stomp of “Heartless” – one of their best songs ever! There’s the beautiful, sweet acoustic moment of “Here Song” and the smooth “Just The Wine” and the Badfinger cover “Without You” – Ann’s vocals are incredible; she has the chops to belt out like Janis Joplin! There’s the pure, slow and chugging blues of “Mother Earth Blues” and the stomping live recording, “I’ve Got The Music In Me.”

Heart’s ‘Magazine’ eventually went platinum and peaked at #17 on the album charts, and the album’s only single “Heartless” landed in the Top 40.

Tracks include:
Heartless
Devil Delight
Just The Wine
Without You
Magazine
Here Song
Mother Earth Blues (live)
I’ve Got The Music In Me (live)

Mastered by Steve Hoffman at Stephen Marsh Mastering

For more information: http://www.audiofidelity.net/content/heart-magazine

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

Leave a comment | posted in Heart, Press Release, SACD