Category Archives: Press Release

Texas Bluesman REVEREND KM WILLIAMS Proves That He’s The Real Deal On A Brand New Album!

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For Immediate Release

Texas Bluesman REVEREND KM WILLIAMS Proves That He’s The Real Deal On A Brand New Album!

Los Angeles, CA – The Reverend KM Williams is a true blues genius and a fast rising star in old school Texas Boogie Blues, carrying on the traditions of the great Texas bluesmen such as Lightnin’ Hopkins and Blind Lemon Jefferson. Raised in Red River county of East TX, Williams played his very first guitar licks as a mere toddler sitting in the lap of the great Elmore James. From that auspicious beginning, Williams built his musical chops in church performances steeped in gospel and R&B. Though he plays several kinds of guitar, the most distinctive instrument in his arsenal is an electrified Diddley bow, a fretless one-string instrument that has its origins in African slaves who fashioned a string of bailing wire to a wood plank and a hallowed out gourd, which when played with a bottle produced the familiar sounds of a blues slide guitar. You can hear both the Diddley bow and Williams’s distinctive baritone voice on his newest album, The Real Deal Blues, set to be released on October 14 by Cleopatra Blues. Williams enthusiastically proclaims that this album is “a totally unique blues recording that is both very modern and retro at the same time. This is the most amazing CD I have ever done!”

Williams is also the subject of “The Real Deal Blues,” an extraordinary new short film. Shot by Jay Gillian in the Deep Ellum area of Dallas, a historic blues district where Blind Lemon himself used to busk, this documentary tells Williams’s story while simultaneously telling the story of Texas blues through narration as well as electrifying performances of Williams and his band members, including drummer Washboard Jackson and Blues Music Award-winning harmonicist Deacon Jeff Stone. True to the blues tradition, the stages are modest, sparse, with nary a dance choreographer, Marshal stack or pyrotechnic in sight, yet the performances are no less riveting. This is authentic blues music played with passion and purpose. As Williams himself puts it, “If you want to make money, you need to become a pop musician, not a blues musician. This music is about life and it’s about feeling and about expressing those feelings and having people digging what your doing.”

Watch the “The Real Deal Blues” documentary here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3culi8nU3ng
Or on YouTube, DailyMotion, Vimeo, and CleopatraRecords.com

Track List:
1. Baby, Please Come Home
2. The Runaway Blues
3. Ring In My Pocket
4. Highway 666
5. You Got Me Shakin’
6. Bad Boy Blues
7. Shoulda Left This Town Blues
8. Haunted House
9. On My Way To Muskogee
10. That’s Why My Baby’s Feelin’ Blue
11. The Witch Queen Of New Orleans
12. Working Man Blues
13. I Need A Woman To Cure My Blues
14. The Funeral Blues
BONUS TRACK
15. Bad Boy Blues (Acoustic Version)

Buy the CD: http://flyt.it/RevKMWilliamsCD
Buy the digital version: http://flyt.it/RevKMWilliamsDig

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


Supertramp Founding Member & King Crimson Songwriter Richard Palmer-James Releases Debut Solo Album “Takeaway” OUT NOW!

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For Immediate Release

Supertramp Founding Member & King Crimson Songwriter Richard Palmer-James Releases Debut Solo Album “Takeaway” OUT NOW!

London, UK – Supertramp founding member & King Crimson songwriter Richard Palmer-James has released his debut solo album “Takeaway”! An English songwriter & guitarist, Richard is best known for having written lyrics to several songs by the progressive rock group King Crimson in the early 1970s.

Says Richard, “Having spent the last few decades writing words for other people to sing, and thus being obliged to comply with the ambitions and sensibilities of others, I wanted to present a collection of songs that are uncompromisingly my own.

“I’ve been trying them out in club and pub appearances as a singer/songwriter, and they seem to work, but I’m very curious to see what sort of reaction this album production, which was realised with the indispensable help of a few talented colleagues from the Munich music scene, might elicit.

“The recordings differ stylistically from most of the stuff I worked on as a hired hand – probably because I enjoy playing acoustic instruments and writing pieces which involve storytelling.”

Richard Palmer-James got his start in the music business playing in various Bournemouth bands: The Corvettes, The Palmer-James Group (formed with Alec James), Tetrad, and Ginger Man, all of which also included John Wetton on bass and vocals. He was a founding member of Supertramp; he played guitar, sang vocals and wrote the lyrics for their self-titled debut album under the name Richard Palmer and co-wrote the lyrics of the song “Goldrush”, a song written during his days in the band and finally recorded on their 2002 album “Slow Motion”.

Richard wrote lyrics for three of King Crimson’s albums: “Larks’ Tongues in Aspic”, “Starless and Bible Black”, and “Red”. He did not participate in any of King Crimson’s recordings, but worked with John Wetton and David Cross after Robert Fripp disbanded the group in 1974.

Richard has lived in Munich since the early 1970s. He worked in Munich on the composition and production of music for films and TV until his activities as a lyricist – for such diverse acts as King Crimson, La Bionda, Mireille Mathieu and Haddaway, among others – took priority, resulting in over 400 published titles. In the 90’s, however, he returned to playing guitar regularly, and with the help of the resonator guitar and mandolin began to rediscover in blues and folk music the sources of his
musical inspiration.

In 1978 Richard was visited by John Wetton and W.J. Hutcheson, who were his bandmates in Tetrad, and they recorded as “Jack-Knife” an album with the German drummer Curt Cress in 10 days called “I Wish You Would”. He also wrote the English lyrics for the Italo Disco inventors La Bionda.

In 1997 he released a CD with former bandmate John Wetton under the title “Monkey Business”, a compilation of unreleased material including some songs that were recorded for the first time in studio, like a King Crimson tune called “Doctor Diamond”. In 2015 “I Wish You Would” and “Monkey Business” were released together as a twofer and that continues to be available via this link: http://geni.us/OVtK2P

Today Richard makes his living mainly as a lyricist and performing on guitar live. In support of his new album, Richard Palmer-James will be playing showcase concerts in the UK and Germany.

To purchase Richard Palmer-James “Takeaway”:
Amazon CD: http://geni.us/ZR3zt3
iTunes: http://geni.us/w3t8

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


Swedish Prog Legends Kaipa DaCapo Feat. Guitar Icon Roine Stolt To Release First New Studio Album In 35 Years – “Dårskapens Monotoni”!

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For Immediate Release

Swedish Prog Legends Kaipa DaCapo Feat. Guitar Icon Roine Stolt To Release First New Studio Album In 35 Years – “Dårskapens Monotoni”!

Sweden – Prog dreams do come true! Legendary ’70s Swedish Prog ensemble Kaipa DaCapo featuring guitarist Roine Stolt will be releasing a new album “Dårskapens Monotoni” on October 10th on Foxtrot Records!

In the mid 70’s the band Kaipa was one of the main acts on the Swedish music scene, alongside groups like Kebnekaise, Samla Mammas Manna, Hoola Bandoola, Bo Hansson, Made in Sweden. Four young men devoted all their time to the band Kaipa, with regular touring and recordings between the years 1974-1978. Kaipa did many shows, over 100 each year and many live broadcasts on national radio and television. They recorded 3 albums for the DECCA label and were often compared to international contemporary giants of the genre, like Genesis, YES, Pink Floyd and Focus.

Three of the original members have now re-united and play the music from the most popular albums from their 1970’s catalogue, now together with two new younger members – trying to be faithful to the vibe and sound and 70’s style. Ingemar Bergman, Tomas Eriksson and Roine Stolt carry the torch forward from the 70’s – Roine, perhaps the most well know now within progressive circles – with recent success with his own bands “Transatlantic” & “The Flower Kings” – with almost one million albums sold. Lately also as a member of Steve Hackett’s touring band and most notably on a brand new successful collaboration with Jon Anderson of YES – “Invention of Knowledge” – released June this year to thunderous reviews. The duo are working on a follow up to that album – with possible live shows of Anderson & Stolt Orchestra in 2017.

June 2016 saw Kaipa DaCapo record brand new material for the first time in more than 35 years. This is the first full length album with new Kaipa DaCapo music from these gentlemen – recorded in a state of the art studio in a very organic and old fashion way – 5 guys playing the music together in a recording studio.

Kaipa is:
INGEMAR BERGMAN: Drums, Percussion
TOMAS ERIKSSON: Rickenbacker & Fender Bass
ROINE STOLT: Guitars,Vocal, Moogbass
MICHAEL STOLT: Lead Vocal, Guitars, Keyboards
MAX LORENTZ: Hammond Organ,Mellotron, Moog, Keyboards,Vocals

With Guests:
MERIT HEMMINGSSON: Vocal (4)
LUDDE LORENTZ: Saxophones (6)
PETER LINDBERG: Steelguitar (3,7)

Tracks
1. Dårskapens Monotoni 10:30
2. När Jag Var En Pojk 10:40
3. Vi Lever Här 6:20
4. Det Tysta Guldet 10:20
5. Spår Av Vår Tid 5:40
6. Tonerna 17:20
7. Monoliten 5:45

Produced & Mixed By Roine Stolt
Fenix Recordings, Varnhem, Sweden
Engineer: Lasse Hallbäck
Album artwork: Rick Jacobi

Watch the album preview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ol5fkJscDXk

To purchase Kaipa DaCapo’s “Dårskapens Monotoni”: http://www.flowerkings.se/

For more information:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/kaipadacapo
http://www.reverbnation.com/kaipadacapo
Twitter: https://twitter.com/kaipadacapo

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

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NYC Prog Ensemble IZZ To Release New Album “Ampersand, Volume 2”

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For Immediate Release

NYC Prog Ensemble IZZ To Release New Album “Ampersand, Volume 2”

IZZ set to release their new album, “Ampersand, Volume 2”, on October 11th, 2016. Comprised of 12 brand new studio tracks, “Ampersand, Volume 2” contains songs that highlight the band’s passion for songwriting, melody and diversity of styles and sounds.

From the band:

Sometimes music is just music. Songwriters and artists create works about which they are passionate. Sometimes these works fall into a certain category; sometimes they don’t.

Ampersand, Volume 2 is a brand new IZZ album. These are songs that reflect our passion for songwriting and our exploration of music created at once from both the heart and the head.

Ampersand, Volume 2 is the perfect vehicle for these songs because, until now, they have been orphans. Just as the tracks on the first volume of Ampersand did not find a home on any previous IZZ album, these songs have been biding their time, waiting for their moment. Now they have it.

We hope you enjoy listening to these songs as much as we enjoyed crafting, arranging and recording them. While these songs may not fit into a specific category, we trust that you will agree that they fit into the category known as IZZ.

“Ampersand, Volume 2” will be available for download on iTunes, Amazon.com and all other digital download retailers on October 11th. Physical copies of the “Ampersand, Volume 2” CD, (including a limited amount of autographed copies of the CD) will be available starting the week of October 24th in North America directly from the IZZ website: http://www.izzmusic.com. For international purchase of the CD, please visit http://www.izzmusic.com for a listing of international vendors.

“Ampersand, Volume 2” Track Listing:

1. Penelope
2. Fine
3. Burn (If You Let It)
4. Take Me by the Hand
5. The Telephone
6. Forever
7. Hail Double Knob, Children of Mars
8. Again and Again
9. 84th and Amsterdam
10. Ascension in Time
11. Spellbound in the Vortex
12. Ready to Go

Watch the lyric video for “Fine”: https://youtu.be/OwZdfzRh8_4

http://www.izzmusic.com
http://www.facebook.com/izzmusic
twitter: @izzmusic
Email: info@doonerecords.com

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


Symphonic Rock Icons Renaissance To Tour The US Fall 2016

For Immediate Release

Symphonic Rock Icons Renaissance To Tour The US Fall 2016

Also making a long awaited return to the Midwest!

Renaissance Band Photos

Photo: Brian Tirpak

Symphonic rock icons Renaissance featuring legendary singer Annie Haslam will be performing in the US in support of their latest DVD release “Live at The Union Chapel”! Filmed at The Union Chapel in London UK on April 16, 2015 by Paul Green Productions, with lighting by Russell ‘Tigger’ Matthews, the DVD features Renaissance performing such favorite classics as “Carpet of the Sun”, “Ocean Gypsy”, “Mother Russia”, “Ashes are Burning” and newer pieces “Symphony of Light” and “Grandine il Vento” to an ecstatic audience! Also included are informative band interviews. The DVD is NTSC all-region, with LPCM stereo and Dolby Digital surround audio tracks.

Watch the trailer: https://youtu.be/0xVnuRTzN60

Renaissance Fall 2016 US Tour Dates:

Nov 03 Infinity Music Hall – Hartford, CT Tickets
Nov 04 Tupelo Music Hall – Londonderry, NH Tickets
Nov 09 Musikfest at ArtsQuest – Bethlehem, PA Tickets
Nov 10 Tralf Music Hall – Buffalo, NY Tickets
Nov 11 The Kent Stage – Kent, OH Tickets
Nov 12 Arcada Theatre – Saint Charles, IL Tickets
Nov 13 Wilson Theater at Vogel Hall – Milwaukee, WI Tickets

Renaissance is a band with a rich history unique unto themselves as progressive rock pioneers who rose from the ashes of the seminal UK rock band, The Yardbirds. Acclaimed for their unique blending of progressive rock with classical and symphonic influences, the band’s career has spanned forty plus years spearheaded by the 5 octave voice of Annie Haslam and the masterful songwriting skills of Michael Dunford. They are widely considered to be the band that most successfully and routinely utilized the sound of a full orchestra in their recordings.

In the early years Renaissance toured Europe extensively. It wasn’t long before influential progressive rock stations in the US, such as WNEW (NYC), WMMR (Philadelphia) and WHFS (Washington) were turning on America to Renaissance. Before too long the band started thrilling concertgoers on the world’s most distinguished stages, from Carnegie Hall in NYC with the New York Philharmonic Orchestra, to the Royal Albert Hall in London with The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and Royal Chorale Society. In 1978 they had a top ten hit in the UK with ‘Northern Lights’, which has become a classic radio favorite, still demanding regular airplay to this day.

The band eventually disbanded in the late 1980’s at which time Annie Haslam launched a solo career. In celebration of the 40th anniversary of the original founding of Renaissance, Michael and Annie in 2009 decided to form a new touring band. More recently they have toured the UK, Belgium, Holland, Israel, Portugal, North America, Canada, Japan and South Korea and produced their first album in 13 years entitled “Symphony of Light”. The album is a testament to the unforgettable melodies that Michael Dunford infused into his work, Michael died prematurely in 2012.

Renaissance toured Europe in April 2015, the first in over 35 years! The tour was very successful and the fans loved every minute! They returned to England in April 2016 for another successful tour of concert halls and opera houses.

The current personnel of Renaissance include: Annie Haslam lead vocals, Rave Tesar keyboards, Tom Brislin keyboards, Mark Lambert acoustic guitars, Leo Traversa bass guitar, and Frank Pagano drums.

Watch the recent Renaissance/Annie Haslam music video for Cry to the World (with Ian Anderson on flute!): https://youtu.be/finJd6nNo84

To purchase the Renaissance “Live at The Union Chapel” DVD go to: http://renaissancetouring.com/store;
The DVD is also being sold through Amazon. Signed copies by Annie Haslam are also available through the Renaissance online store.
The Audio version of Renaissance “Live at The Union Chapel” is available at the Renaissance online store, Spotify, iTunes, Apple Music, Google Play, Amazon, Radio Deezer, Tidal, YouTube Music, Microsoft Groove, and MediaNet

For more information:
http://www.renaissancetouring.com
facebook.com/renaissancetouring
http://www.anniehaslam.com
facebook.com/anniehaslamart

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

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Legendary Songwriter Hugh Prestwood To Release First Full Album “I Used To Be The Real Me”

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For Immediate Release

Legendary Songwriter Hugh Prestwood To Release First Full Album “I Used To Be The Real Me”

The hit songwriter is releasing “I Used To Be The Real Me”, featuring Judy Collins

Los Angeles – It may seem Hugh Prestwood is just introducing his name to the world; after all, “I Used To Be The Real Me” is essentially the first album he’s widely distributed, set to be released November 18 on Wildflower Records/Cleopatra Records. But fans of country, folk and bluegrass music are all very familiar with his work – he’s penned numerous number ones and other hits in his thirty-plus years as an Emmy Award-winning, Hall of Fame songwriter.

Discovered in 1978 by Judy Collins, the ethereal folk singer provided Prestwood with first hit when she recorded “Hard Times for Lovers.” It makes sense that she also had a hand in this stage of his career, releasing his new album on her Wildflower Records. She also joined him on two tracks, “Untie These Lines” and “Charlie.”

“I received Hugh’s CD, listened to it and practically fell over,” Collins said. “It blew me away. All of Hugh’s songs are unusual and tinged with magic, and it was a pleasure singing them with my old friend.”

In the three decades since first working with Collins, Prestwood has become a well-respected and sought-after songwriter, penning Grammy-nominated number ones for Randy Travis with “Hard Rock Bottom Of Your Heart” Crystal Gayle’s “The Sound Of Your Goodbye” and Shenandoah’s “Ghost In This House,” among many other hits. But “I Used To Bee The Real Me” is Prestwood singing his own songs, his own way.

“Working with Judy on this record is closing a very big circle,” Prestwood said. “I Used To Be The Real Me is my songs recorded from my demos, whittled down from 30 songs I had in my catalog. I’m so pleased to share it.”

Conway Twitty, Don Williams, Jimmy Buffett, James Taylor, Alison Krauss and Union Station and Jerry Douglas have all recorded Prestwood’s songs, among many, many more. He even received an Emmy for Trisha Yearwood’s “The Song Remembers When.” With that many hits and a long history of working with some of music’s greatest names, it’s hard to believe “I Used To Be The Real Me” is Prestwood’s first full, widely-distributed album of his own work – of his voice singing his songs for a change. The album is a masterwork in lyricism, with Prestwood’s familiar take on life and love as they change through the years.

Although Prestwood is releasing “I Used To Be The Real Me”, he’s nowhere near done with songwriting. Prestwood continues to teach songwriting workshops for the Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI) in various locations throughout the country, and is constantly working on his next song.

Buy the CD: http://flyt.it/HughPrestwood
Buy the digital version: http://flyt.it/HughPrestwoodDig

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

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Former Frontman & Founder of Hostages Ray Vaughn to Release New Full-Length Solo Album Wounded Bird

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For Immediate Release

Former Frontman & Founder of Hostages Ray Vaughn to Release New Full-Length Solo Album
Wounded Bird

San Francisco – The newest album from San Francisco-based rocker Ray Vaughn may be called Wounded Bird, but he’s really more like a phoenix rising from the ashes of a forgotten San Francisco music scene. Wounded Bird picks up where his last solo album left off, and now Ray Vaughn’s songs have grown from the more stripped down singer/songwriter arrangements of Way Down Low to full-band productions. Ray’s new album will be released worldwide both physically and digitally on November 4, 2016, through his own independent record label, Rayoso Music.

Ray Vaughn founded the punk/art rock band Hostages in 1979, and later the avant-garde Die Bossa Nova in 1984, leaving his mark on the then-thriving SF music scene, until disappearing from the public eye in 1992. Now over 20 years later, Ray has returned as someone tempered by time and experience–with many new stories to tell. He has found a niche for his music on both college and community radio, and in press and media outlets in the USA and across Europe.

Ray Vaughn’s presence has never gone unnoticed. Before founding Hostages, he spent six years in England–first in London and later in Birmingham–soaking up the in-your-face punk rock ethos of the late 1970s, until his ultimate return to his native San Francisco. In the early ‘80s, BAM Magazine described Ray’s lead vocals while performing with Hostages as “powerful and crisp,” adding that “he sang with deliberate emphasis on the lyrics, which were decidedly political… moving onstage much like a Jellyfish with rhythmic jerks and a smooth underlying sexuality in his vocal tones and in his eyes.”

Ray Vaughn marked his return to music in 2013 with his first full length solo album Way Down Low, teaming up with Grammy Award-winning producer Michael Rosen (Tesla/Rancid/Papa Roach), former Hostages member Ed Rawlings, drummer Michael Urbano (Smash Mouth, Third Eye Blind, John Hiatt, Cracker, Paul Westerberg and Sheryl Crow), ex-Die Bossa Nova bassist Stephen Winkle, and keyboardist Phil Bennett (The Starship) on Hammond B3.

A personal exploration of a life hard-lived, Ray’s debut solo album Way Down Low brings forth echoes of his punk rock past while looking forward to the world he’s yet to encounter. A review of the album on Critical Jazz reported, “if that singer / songwriter vibe is what you dig, Ray Vaughn is easily the best kept secret in music today” and a review by AJ Garcia on Shakefire noted that “the album just reads like a well thought out book of shorts from someone who’s not only lived, but understood their plight every step of the way”.

Now, just three years later, Ray is back to his old prolific tricks with the release of his second full-length solo album, Wounded Bird. Both producer Michael Rosen and Ed Rawlings returned to the project, and new additions include James DePrato (Chuck Prophet) on electric, slide and acoustic guitars, baritone guitar, dobro and mandolin, Kevin T White (Chuck Prophet) on bass, and Prairie Prince (The Tubes, Todd Rundgren) on drums. A response to and extension of Way Down Low, Ray Vaughn’s new album Wounded Bird features eight powerful tracks that leave the audience in a cathartic and contemplative state—wondering, “where has he been for all these years?”

Wounded Bird releases worldwide on November 4, 2016. Ray will be traveling in the UK in late September and early October 2016, before returning to perform a few shows with his band in and around the Bay Area before the end of the year, while gearing up for larger scale touring in 2017 and beyond.

For Music Samples, or to pre-order Wounded Bird or order Way Down Low, please visit: https://rayvaughn.bandcamp.com/

For more information and touring schedule please visit Ray Vaughn’s website: http://rayosomusic.com/

For Media Interview requests please contact Billy James at Glass Onyon PR:
Email: glassonyonpr@gmail.com Phone: 828-350-8158

For Live Performance Bookings and Management please contact Rayoso Music: rayvaughn2011@gmail.com


Jazz Guitar Icon Larry Coryell To Release New Studio Album “Barefoot Man: Sanpaku”

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For Immediate Release

Jazz Guitar Icon Larry Coryell To Release New Studio Album “Barefoot Man: Sanpaku”

Los Angeles – Much to the excitement of music aficionados worldwide, Jazz guitar icon Larry Coryell, one of the most respected and celebrated guitarists of his generation, offers a brand new album of seven original compositions titled “Barefoot Man: Sanpaku”!

Says Larry, “I was inspired by John Lappen’s suggestion that I do a recording similar to one that I did in the 70’s that had a lot of energy. Using that as a template I carved out several compositions that I felt would be appropriate. The result was better than I expected; I had a great rhythm section in John Lee and Lee Pierson, and the soloists from Florida, Lynne Arriale and Dan Jordan, played on a world class level. Michael Franklin’s production was hands off except for a few relevant suggestions that really helped round out the project.”

In addition to Coryell’s signature guitar playing, this album features the talents of award-winning pianist Lynne Arriale, longtime Coryell collaborator John Lee on bass, Dan Jordan on saxophone and flute, and drummer Lee Pierson!

Track List:
1. Sanpaku
2. Back To Russia
3. If Miles Were Here
4. Improv On 97
5. Penultimate
6. Manteca
7. Blue Your Mind

Release date October 14, 2016 – Purple Pyramid Records

Buy the CD: http://flyt.it/LarryCoryellBarefootManCD
Buy the digital version: http://flyt.it/LarryCoryellBarefootManDig

Catch Larry Coryell LIVE
Delray Beach, FL – Oct 14
Middletown, NY – Oct 22
Birdland Jazz Club (Germany) – Oct 28
Cork Jazz Festival (Ireland) – Oct 30
Deidesheim (Germany) – Oct 31
Ra Ra Room (London) – Nov 1
JJ Smyth’s (Ireland) – Nov 3
Jazz Showcase (Chicago) – Nov 17-20
The Birdcage (Australia) – Dec 13

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


The Livesays feat. Clarence Clemons Guitarist/Singer Billy Livesay To Release New Album “Hold On… Life Is Calling”

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For Immediate Release

The Livesays feat. Clarence Clemons Guitarist/Singer Billy Livesay To Release New Album
“Hold On… Life Is Calling”

Miami, FL – Singer/songwriter/guitarist Billy Livesay and his band The Livesays will be releasing their new album “Hold On… Life Is Calling” on October 3, 2016! Memorable pop-rock tunes, soulful vocals, wailing slide guitar and riveting live performances are The Livesays signature. Best known for his work with Bruce Springsteen sax legend Clarence Clemons, Billy Livesay’s new album is an exciting collection of Neo-Classic Rock gems born, raised and developed in the heat of south Florida.

Says Billy, “I had no preconceived idea for this new album. These things usually take on a life of their own. I accumulate some songs and decide it’s time for the band to do another disc. Over time, as I accumulated the songs, I realized there was a certain vibe it was taking on. Why, who knows? This CD is all about the trials of growing up and becoming responsible. The adventures we face and how we deal with different opinions and the adversity we face in our lives. So I guess it is sort of a concept CD.”

Born in Washington DC, Billy Livesay was raised in south Florida and graduated from Hialeah High School. After seeing “The Beatles” and “The Rolling Stones”, Billy knew exactly what he wanted to do. After high school at the age of 17 he cut his guitar and singing chops by first touring the country with a soul band and then various rock bands. In the spring of 1998, Billy Livesay, got the news that E-streeter Clarence Clemons was looking for a band. Billy got the job playing lead guitar and sharing the lead vocal duties for the next 12 yrs. “The Big Man” Clarence Clemons and his band called “The Temple Of Soul” earned a reputation for their ardent live performances and their special guests, including E-Streeter and HBO Sopranos star Little Steven and “The Boss” himself. The group released “Live In ASBURY PARK” featuring Billy’s song “Under The Heat Of A Full Moon”, on Nov. 5, 2002 on the Valley Entertainment label. Then in January 2004 “Live In ASBURY PARK Volume 2” was released, featuring Bruce Springsteen singing lead vocal on a cut called “Raise Your Hands”.

Currently a respected member of the music community, Billy devotes his time singing and playing guitar with founding member of Savoy Brown and Foghat bassist Tony Stevens, as well as his own band The Livesays. Billy has forged a national career which includes: the licensing of 21 songs to an MTV series, and publishing deals with Kid Gloves Music, Transition Music and Crucial Music. Billy has placed songs in motion pictures, NBC movies of the week and dozens of weekly television shows. Credits include placement of songs on television shows such as: “Saving Grace”, “Witch Blade” “Robin’s Hoods”, “Doogie Howser”, “King Of The Hill”, “The Matthew Sheppard Story”, “Samantha Who”, “My Name Is Earl”, “One Tree Hill”, Spelling NBC movies of the week, the showtime movie “Back To Even”, HBO’s “Weeds” and the major motion pictures “Straw Dogs” and “Promised Land”.

The Livesays

Billy Livesay – guitar/vocals
Jorge Laplume – bass/vocals
Eddie Zyne – drums
Victor “Cuqui” Berrios – hammond organ/vocals

From pounding raw energy to tasteful finesse, Eddie Zyne’s drumming skills have taken him on tours with Hall and Oates, Todd Rundgren, Desmond Child and Rouge, The Monkees, Rick Derringer, Foghat, and now The Livesays. Eddie’s talents have led him to endorsements for Sabian Cymbals and Pearl Drums. When asked about his influences, he doesn’t hesitate to say “Ringo and the Beatles.”

Victor “Cuqui” Berrios grew up in New York City. His love of music began in the 60’s as he listened to everything from Do-Wop and Motown to the sounds of the British invasion. The first instrument Cuqui learned to play was the saxophone at the tender age of eleven. In his teens, he picked up the guitar and began to play the piano after moving to south Florida where he attended Hialeah High School and first met Billy Livesay. Cuqui brings a touch of the city to The Livesays with his Hammond B3 and soulful vocal sound.

Jorge Laplume was born in Havana, Cuba and raised in south Florida. From the early age of 9 Jorge immersed himself in American top 40 and then by age 12 and learning to play the guitar he was totally hypnotized by the sounds of the British invasion. With his Latin upbringing and a steady diet of the rock groups The Who and Free, Jorge, brings to The Livesays a bass sound that is fresh and thunderous.

The combination of the versatility of backgrounds and personalities of these veteran players is what makes their sound so unique. What The Livesays have created is an album that is both memorable and moving with stories ranging from adolescence to adulthood that will touch each listener’s heart.

Tim Murphy played piano and sang background vocals for The Livesays CD’s “Rose Colored Glasses” and “Faith, Hope and Love. After leaving the group in May of 2015, Billy recruited guest piano players for some of the recordings of “Hold On…Life Is Calling”. Luke Sipka, from the EDM group Bells & Robes and former Clarence Clemons member John Quinn.

Origins

Drummer Eddie Zyne joined Billy Livesay and fellow south Floridian Jorge Laplume after a tour with Rick Derringer and a reunion Monkees tour. With the addition of Victor “Cuqui” Berrios on organ/vocals, The Livesays quickly became respected members of the south Florida music community forging a national career.

The Livesays have an active presence on the web and have opened shows for The Little River Band, Fire Fall, The Jefferson Airplane, Ambrosia, Kansas, Joan Jett, Wynona Judd, Michael Bolton, Edwin McCain, Cheap Trick, The Romantics, Foreigner, Bo Diddley, The Vanilla Fudge, Pat Travers, Rick Derringer, The Smithereens, Todd Rundgren, Edgar Winter, as well as Al Green and Paula Cole, in the acoustic/unplugged format to favorable reviews.

Billy and Eddie are also the guitarist/lead singer and drummer for Tony Stevens Slow Ride Original FOGHAT. Billy has 5 originals songs on their 2007 release “Join Together” on Renaissance Records. Billy has also played along side of musicians: Brian Howe, Carmine Appice, Kansas, Mickey Thomas, America, Mike Reno, Jimi Jamison, Davey Jones, Gregg Rolie and Bruce Springsteen.

Here’s what the press have raved about The Livesays:

“Bruce Springsteen and Southside Johnny are both easy reference points as the band whip up a blues-groove, rock ‘n’ soul vibe that’s topped by Livesay’s sandpaper croon.” – Leicester Bangs, UK

“Not only do you get some eloquent melodies on this disc, but you also get some thought-provoking material that will no doubt make an impact on you as a listener.” – Chuck Dauphin, Music News Nashville

“Classic-rock sensibility that draws on radio-ready hooks, well-brewed arrangements, and songs that quickly sink into the consciousness even on first hearing. What’s more, the band’s remake of the Byrds’ ‘My Back Pages’ is a close contender for what may well be the best cover of this classic ever recorded.” – Lee Zimmerman, New Times Magazine

To purchase The Livesays “Hold On… Life Is Calling”:
itunes.com/thelivesays
cdbaby.com/thelivesays
facebook.com/thelivesays

For more information:
http://www.billylivesay.com
http://www.thelivesaysmusic.com

Videos:
https://youtu.be/SIgHFXiYOvw “An Angel”
https://youtu.be/6xiJ48soMyo “You Don’t Know Me”
https://youtu.be/HDE7yLZM5ik “ Raise Our Voices Up”
https://youtu.be/6UcCAKjVpOM “ Magic Hat”
https://youtu.be/DeYnjsqyGYQ “I Couldn’T Be”

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

The Livesays  Photos by Donna Paul (C)


The King Of The Honking Sax BIG JAY MCNEELY Returns With A Brand New Set Of Recordings!

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For Immediate Release

The King Of The Honking Sax BIG JAY MCNEELY Returns With A Brand New Set Of Recordings!

Los Angeles, CA – Before Jimi Hendrix, before Elvis Presley, there was Big Jay McNeely honking and squealing on his saxophone, wowing audiences with a stellar, energetic live show that often found him writhing around on his back or jumping into the middle of his enthusiastic audience, all while never missing a single beat! McNeely is truly the last of a generation of blues/R&B musicians who inspired the early rock pioneers, and are still around to remind us where popular music came from. Now, McNeely has teamed with Cleopatra Records to present this special album of 5 brand new recordings plus a handful of classics from the ‘50s & ‘60s called Blowin’ Down The House – Big Jay’s Greatest & Latest. This collection will be released on the Cleopatra Blues imprint September 30 on both CD and vinyl!

Big Jay McNeely’s incredible career began in the ‘40s and saw him play with several major R&B and blues legends of the late ‘40s and early ‘50s such as Little Richard, B.B. King, Etta James and Jr. Wells. He scored his first major hit with the 1949 smash hit instrumental “Deacon’s Hop” and scored again with a R&B vocal ballad “There’s Something On Your Mind” featuring Little Sonny Warner. He pioneered the flamboyant playing style called “honking” and is widely acknowledged as one of the first musical entertainers to make showmanship an important element of the live concert experience. His music continues to be an important signifier for that early era, earning McNeely gigs at major festivals both here and abroad as well as having his music featured in the 2013 Sean Penn film Gangster Squad starring and last year’s biopic Trumbo starring Bryan Cranston. This year, Big Jay partnered with producer Jürgen Engler for a set of new recordings in his classic style such as the Motown-esque “Love Will Never Fail” and the bluesy “I’ve Been Mistreated.” These songs demonstrate that even at 89 years of age, Big Jay McNeely can still blow them all away!

Those in need of a refresher about Big Jay’s history can watch this short promotional documentary film: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=whAxAIR2MD4

Catch Big Jay performing live at the Record Parlour on September 24!

Track List:
1. Love Will Never Fail
2. Love Is Stronger Than Hurt
3. My Love Never Ended
4. I’ve Been Mistreated
5. You Don’t Have To Go Home
6. Party
7. Big Jay’s Hop
8. Blow Blow Blow
9. Willie The Cool Cat
10. Rock Candy
11. Nervous Man Nervous
12. Get On Up & Let’s Boogie

Buy the CD: http://flyt.it/BigJayMcNeelyCD
Buy the Vinyl: http://flyt.it/BigJayMcNeelyLP
Buy the digital version: http://flyt.it/BigJayMcNeelyDig

Facebook: Cleopatra Blues https://www.facebook.com/Cleopatra-Blues-584680441701352/?fref=ts

Youtube: Cleopatra Blues

Twitter: Cleopatra Blues
https://twitter.com/cleopatrablues ;

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