Unreleased 1981 Live Gem From Ritchie Blackmore’s Rainbow Will Finally See The Light Of Day!
Los Angeles, CA – The pot of gold just keeps getting bigger and bigger! Following the release last year of a deluxe box set containing 3 CDs of incredible live performances from 1979, Purple Pyramid Records is proud to announce another superb concert release by guitar god Ritchie Blackmore & Rainbow. Taking its name from the city and year in which it was recorded, Boston 1981 features crystal clear audio that captures the vibrant energy and emotion pouring through the band as they offer up scorching versions of “Man On The Silver Mountain,” “Long Live Rock N’ Roll” and even the epic “Smoke On The Water,” a nod to Blackmore’s tenure with another legendary band of a certain Purplish hue. Packaged in a mini-LP wallet for the CD and a gorgeous gatefold double LP set featuring a stitched-in 20-page booklet and 3 different colored vinyl options (red, blue, and green), this exciting release will be available everywhere starting May 13!
Track List:
1. Spotlight Kid
2. Love’s No Friend
3. I Surrender
4. Man On The Silver Mountain
5. Catch The Rainbow
6. Can’t Happen Here
7. Lost In Hollywood
8. Difficult To Cure
9. Long Live Rock N’ Roll
10. Smoke On The Water
The Official Keith Emerson Tribute Concert – Saturday, May 28
The Official Keith Emerson Tribute Concert will be held Saturday, May 28, at the El Rey Theatre in Los Angeles presented by Goldenvoice. It will be a retrospective of Keith’s entire career from the Nice, to ELP, to the Keith Emerson Band and Three Fates Project. Many of the artists who were close friends and have worked with Keith will be performing some of his most famous works.
It promises to be a great night of music and homage to one of the most influential musicians and composers of the twentieth century.
Featuring Performances by:
Eddie Jobson (U.K./ Roxy Music)
Jordan Rudess (Dream Theater)
Steve Porcaro (Toto)
Jeff “Skunk” Baxter (Steely Dan / Doobie Bros.)
Vinnie Colaiuta (Jeff Beck, Frank Zappa)
Cj Vanston (Spinal Tap)
Steve Lukather (Toto)
Brian Auger (Oblivion Express)
Rachel Flowers
Philippe Saisse (Al Dimeola)
Gregg Bissonette (Ringo Starr)
Keith Emerson Band
Marc Bonilla (Keith Emerson Band / Toy Matinee)
Troy Luccketta (Tesla, Three Fates Project)
Joe Travers (Zappa’s Universe)
Travis Davis (Keith Emerson Band)
Mick Mahan (Pat Benatar)
Mike Wallace (Boys Club / Dragonchoir)
Jonathan Sindelman (Alan White Band)
Maestro Terje Mikkelsen (Three Fates Project)
Rick Livingstone (The Best)
Kae Matsumoto (Kae M Black)
Ed Roth (Boys Club/CTA)
Hosted by “Uncle Joe” Benson – 100.3 The Sound Saturday, May 28, 2016 Doors 7pm / Show 8pm El Rey Theatre 5515 Wilshire Blvd. Los Angeles, CA
When Punk Meets Prog Metal – The Last Ditches Feat. The Heartbreakers Walter Lure & Black Sabbath/Rainbow’s Bobby Rondinelli
NYC – Could there be two more disparate musical genres than Punk and Prog Metal? And… Could those oil and water categories ever mix? The answer… The Last Ditches…A respected Prog Metal rhythm section meets ‘Real Deal’ CBGB/Max’s Kansas City guitars and singing.
The Last Ditches sprang into being thanks to the animal cunning and persistence of Funk Metal bassist extraordinaire and studio owner, Randy Pratt. See, Randy had a deep conviction that he, along with actual no-kidding punk legend, New York’s Heartbreakers’ Walter Lure, The Planets’ long time guitarist, Binky Philips, and another genuine music icon, Rainbow and Black Sabbath’s Master Prog Metal drummer, Bobby Rondinelli, would make an amazing sound together; a blending of two rock styles that usually want nothing to do with each other…It took over four years to prove his point, but, Randy was oh, so right.
For those who need a remedial, Walter Lure was “the other guitarist” in Johnny Thunders’ Heartbreakers, rightly considered one of the Top Five All Time Great Punk bands. While the toxically charismatic Johnny took up most of the spotlight, Walter’s guitar playing made up the bulk of the band’s incredible music, as did Walter’s songwriting. To wrap Walter’s justified legend up in one neat sentence… “Walter Lure also played un-credited guitar on four albums by The Ramones”.
Ask any serious drummer playing arena-recording level drums and they will all not only know who Bobby Rondinelli is, chances are, they own some of his world famous instructional DVDs. World Famous is not glib here. Mr. Rondinelli travels the globe giving sold out drumming seminars in Tokyo, London, Scandinavia, Moscow… In addition to Bobby being a member of Ritchie Blackmore’s Rainbow for their albums “Difficult to Cure” (1981), “Straight Between the Eyes” (1982) and “Finyl Vinyl” (1986), Bobby recorded and toured with Black Sabbath on and for the “Cross Purposes” album and two albums and one DVD with Blue Oyster Cult, easily three of the all time most influential Metal bands. Mr. Rondinelli’s other recordings number in the literal hundreds.
Binky and Randy are decades-long veterans of the New York City Music Scene. Randy played with the likes of The Funky Knights and is currently the harpist in the reconstituted Cactus, yes, that Cactus, and the internationally acclaimed funk-metal band, The Lizards. Meanwhile, Binky, who, back in the day, shared NYC stages with The New York Dolls, KISS, The Ramones, Blondie, et al, has stuck to his Planets guns all this time while writing a weekly column for Huffington Post. Tommy Ramone even called Binky “a virtuoso”.
Every aspect of The Last Ditches’ music (Walter Lure came up with the name), are extraordinarily successful examples of kitsch painter, Bob Ross’s Happy Accident approach to art. All thirteen songs on “Spilt Milk” were learned on the spot in the studio and recorded the moment “the ducks lined up”. Adding to the immediacy of the basic tracks, in every case, all the many guitar overdubs were cut with nothing worked out in advance, ever. What Walter and Binky achieved was almost entirely by instinct, attitude, and a strong musical empathy. This is music for Guitar Freaks. Bobby and Randy laid down over-the-top granite-hard fist-tight foundations for Walter and Binky’s careening guitars and voices. The band’s dear pal, Paul Gifford, added gorgeous harmony vocals.
Eight of the thirteen songs recorded were written by Walter and Binky and Randy, expressly for the “Spilt Milk” album. The remaining five cuts are from untapped back catalog.
It is The Last Ditches’ great good fortune (and yours) that this project was headed up by the dazzling Master Engineer, JZ Barrell (who shares Producer credit with Binky) behind the recording console. The band’s magic might have been accidental, JZ’s was emphatically not. The truth is, everything took so damn long and at times seemed to be happening in a vacuum, that The Last Ditches themselves had no idea they had recorded such an utterly visceral and exciting rock and roll album until JZ finished it.
Okay, it’s time for you (and your neighbors) to enjoy this music.
Former Jethro Tull Keyboardist Dee Palmer’s “The Orchestral Sgt Pepper” and Other Titles Reissued
London, UK – Gonzo Multimedia has reissued Dee Palmer’s “The Orchestral Sgt Pepper”! From 1968 until 1980 she was arranger and, subsequently, keyboardist with the globally prestigious, seminal English rock group, Jethro Tull. On leaving the group she produced an acclaimed series of albums of symphonic versions of prog-rock music of the 70’s – Tull, Genesis, Pink Floyd, Yes, Queen etc. – performing them, live, in Europe and the Americas throughout the 90’s.
In June 1967 The Beatles released “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band”, their eighth studio album. The critic Kenneth Tynan described it as “a decisive moment in the history of Western civilization”. Richard Poirier wrote: “Listening to the Sgt. Pepper album one thinks not simply of the history of popular music but the history of this century.” Time magazine declared it “a historic departure in the progress of music – any music.” Newsweek’s Jack Kroll called it a “masterpiece”, comparing the lyrics with literary works by Edith Sitwell, Harold Pinter and T. S. Eliot, particularly “A Day in the Life”, which he compared to Eliot’s The Waste Land. The New York Times Book Review characterized it as a harbinger of a “golden Renaissance of Song” and the New Statesman ’s Wilfrid Mellers praised its elevation of pop music to the level of fine art.
In 1994, Dee Palmer orchestrated this classic album for EMI at the famous Abbey Road studios with the Royal Academy Of Music Symphony Orchestra, donating the lion’s share of the royalties for the benefit of impecunious music students at the Royal Academy, having once been one herself.
Currently working on a variety of projects including Dee’s autobiography and a long awaited album of original songs, she has recently completed the choral arrangements of songs from three of her series of symphonic rock albums, with a future “Prog-Rock Prom” performance in mind.
For more information: http://missdeepalmer.com/
Other Dee Palmer titles to be reissued by Gonzo Multimedia:
Dee Palmer and The London Symphony Orchestra “Objects of Fantasy (The Music of Pink Floyd)” (release date May 25, 2016)
Personnel includes Steve Hackett, Mitch Dalton (guitar); Charlie Morgan (drums); Andy Pask (bass guitar); David Bristow, Dee Palmer (keyboards); Stan Saltzman (soprano saxophone); Phil Todd (tenor saxophone); Stephanie De Sykes, Clare Torry, Miriam Stockley, Tony Burrows, Carl Wayne, Ian Hunt (voice).
Dee Palmer and The London Symphony Orchestra “Passing Open Windows – A Symphonic Tribute to Queen”
Recorded in England on August 14-23, 1996. Personnel: Dee Palmer (conductor, keyboards); The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra; Neil Lancaster, Tim Whitnall, Carl Wayne, Mick Mullins (vocals); John Paricelli (guitar); Stan Sultzman (soprano saxophone); John Barclay (trumpet); Derek James (trombone); Dee Palmer, Andy Vinter (keyboards); Alan Walley, Tim Harries (bass); Matthew Rich (percussion)
Dee Palmer and The London Symphony Orchestra “Symphonic Music of Yes”
Personnel includes: Dee Palmer (conductor, arranger, synthesizer, piano, vocoder, Hammond organ); Jon Anderson, The London Community Gospel Choir (vocals); Steve Howe (guitar, background vocals, mandolin, dobro); Tim Harries (bass); Bill Bruford (drums); Gary Masters (programming); The London Philharmonic, The English Chamber Orchestra. Producers: Alan Parsons, Steve Howe, Dee Palmer.
Dee Palmer and The London Symphony Orchestra “We Know What We Like – The Music of Genesis”
Personnel includes: Dee Palmer, The London Philharmonic Orchestra; Steve Hackett (guitar); Ian Anderson (flute).
All four titles will also be released in a box set titled “A Vintage Case of Dee Palmer”.
Sonic Shapeshifter Janet Robbins Releases New Solo Piano Album “I Hear Crow”
In these nursery rhymes and fairy tales, you fly the cockeyed route of a silly tool! Crafty forager stealing seeds from my garden, you appear. You crack me up! The way you teeter and tot, pop!
Will you sing now too? I hear it’s often in your solitude your notes ring. Why, do you follow me? I’ve got no bread. And you make such noise that rattles my head!
But your magick is strong—your unexpected genius.
Amuse me! Bemuse me! For soon I shall attend the busyness of the world. I must, I must attend! But I hear Crow…
Asheville, NC – Weaving compositions of magic, mysticism and beauty on solo piano, Janet Robbins has released her sixth album “I Hear Crow”. Much like Debussy’s work over a century ago, “I Hear Crow” inhabits a twilight world of improvisation and composition. Described as “moody, laconic, enticing, sometimes baffling”, Janet’s music possesses a “dark beauty and symphonic grandeur.” Repeated listening rewards us with a trove of subtle jewels, like baubles left on a windowsill by a half-tamed crow. Whether in its solo piano pieces or those where piano mixes with ambient textures and orchestrations, there is great beauty to be found in the simplicity here.
“I Hear Crow” recalls the effortless ease of Harold Budd’s piano combined with Hector Zazou’s poignant textural arrangements, or some of Ryuichi Sakamoto’s more ambient piano-based explorations. Wisps of Keith Jarrett and Joni Mitchell add a note of nostalgia to the emotional mixture. With nomadic roots and a celestial longing, her compositions are as equally influenced by the experiences of ancient sacred sites in Turkey, England, and Egypt, as the mysterious Catskills of NY, ‘land of the sky’–Asheville NC, and majestic redwoods of Northern CA.
Tracks:
1. What Do They Hear
2. The Nest
3. Theater of the Music Box
4. Odin’s Prayers
5. One For Sorrow Two For Joy
6. I Hear Crow
7. Confusing The Moon
8. Like Charlie Chaplin Walks
9. Somber Jacket Pie
10. The Factory Below
11. Daybreak
12. Change
13. Through Your Eyes
14. As Black Is The Color Of Night
15. As Messenger
16. Bird Clan
Here’s what’s been said about Janet Robbin’s critically acclaimed 2011 release “Song of the Gypsy Tree”:
“Janet Robbins new CD ‘Song of the Gypsy Tree’ is a fresh interpretation of musical art. Her lyrics are profound, her voice is pure, and the music is deep and emotional…” – Steve DellaVecchia, Producer/Composer
“The sense of being carried along on an unfolding trip into beguiling soundscapes of a highly personal nature is constant; beautiful at times, deeply introspective at others, then full of shadow, then vivid hues and warmth.” – Morpheus Music Reviews
“ ‘Song of the Gypsy Tree’ is a truly unique and amazing experience! I don’t recall ever hearing such a well-crafted blend of lyric, melody, voice and sonic imagination…What a beautiful, enchanting and musical album, filled with pleasant surprise after surprise.” – Chuck Wild, Producer
Born into a musical family in Nashville, TN, at five Janet began playing/studying classical piano. After years of writing and performing, she eventually made her way to Los Angeles, playing in bands before finding her compositional voice through the creation of atmospheric soundscapes, incorporating her vocal and instrumental talents as well as the diverse cultural influences she has absorbed from her world travels.
And now in 2016, Janet Robbins new album promises to take the listener on a spiritual musical journey through vast aural landscapes. Janet explains. “Sonically I still draw from a source of tone and musicality, that seems to reside in both middle earth and deep space. There is a stillness and intimacy in this music but the quality of journey still exists there.”
In closing Janet has this to impart, “I think we have the gift of almost unlimited creation and a responsibility for what/the world we create. So cook a great meal and share it with friends! Sing a little tune to someone on the street, turn a moment into a radical departure from social dictates, use your voice and break the numbing acquiescence of a collective sleep. Love life and share love.”
Janet Robbins is like a musical spirit guide – follow her and she will lead you on an enriching and captivating journey!
Italian Prog Ensemble Armonite Releases Debut Album “The Sun is New Each Day”
London, UK – Italian prog ensemble Armonite, featuring composer Paolo Fosso and violinist Jacopo Bigi, has released their highly anticipated debut album “The Sun is New Each Day”! Produced by the first producer of Muse, Paul Reeve, and mastered by Geoff Pesche at the prestigious Abbey Road Studios in London, “The Sun is New Each Day” is an exciting mix of electric violin, keyboards, bass, and drums, including amazing participation by Porcupine Tree’s bassist, Colin Edwin and Dutch drummer Jasper Barendregt.
“Working with a team like this is fantastic,” says Fosso, composer of the album, “Everyone’s unique skills and talents added something special to the album and the final result is powerful. Life and people offer a boundless supply of inspiration. Channeling concepts without the support of lyrics might be hard, but it’s also very universal. These songs break down the language barriers becoming visceral and direct. We tried to give the album one sonority, but also characterize each track with a different setting.
“For example, in the song ‘Suitcase war’ you’ll see a rejection of how our life has changed after becoming workaholics. Whereas ‘Insert Coin’, featuring 8-bit sounds by Swedish demoscener Anders ‘Goto80’ Carlsson, is a tribute to 80’s and 90’s arcade coin-ops.”
Each track captures the various passions found in the band. “Satellites” is a reflection on space exploration and technology, “ ‘G’ as in Gears” features Samuel Gomper’s famous speech, “What does the Working Man Want?” and “Die Grauen Herren” recalls the Men in Grey from Michael Ende’s novel, “Momo.”
“The Sun is New Each Day” is a whirlwind of sounds, themes and emotions. “Connect Four”, a track composed by Bigi, finds its sound in a protest against gambling addictions. While the track “Sandstorm” is a look at the living energy that can be found in Marrakech.
“We hope the album connects you to the world around you,” says Fosso, “Tracks like ‘Le temps qui fait ta rose’ from ‘The Little Prince’ by Antoine de Saint-Exupery suggest ‘It’s the time you spent on your rose that makes your rose so important.’ Yet, the track ‘Slippery Slope’ explores that unclear side of the human soul.”
Here’s what the press have said about Armonite’s “The Sun Is New Each Day”:
“The release is a collection of artistic violin rock, prog metal and progressive music, all instrumental, which has a strong impact on the listener. Truly something unique, Armonite is compelling, captivating, and worth exploring. Their music gives way to an emotional and dramatic excitement.” – The Huffington Post
“This is a spectacular album performed by spectacular musicians.” – ProgPizza
“Armonite are an infectious prog rock masterpiece in the form of a band. Their new album, ‘The Sun Is New Each Day’ is a journey through the minds of brilliant musicians in the truest sense of the word.” – Jammerzine
“Entertaining, colorful, varied, enthralling instrumental music played at an impressive level.” – Babyblauen Seiten
“The Sun is New each Day is a brilliant and bold album. Paolo Fosso and Jacopo Bigi along with their mates are talented musicians and without question have mastered their respective instruments.” – The Even Ground
“Minute after minute, you realize each track is a gem of sound which goes through different ideas, from jazz to electronics, some classical music, rock fusion, and above all progressive.” – Mundo Rock & Heavy Webzine
“For any rock music fan that is looking for a diversion from the usual, this album will not disappoint.” – Daily Vault
“Every progressive rock fan should take a listen to “The Sun is New each Day”, as they will certainly find something interesting.” – Altprogcore
In conclusion, Armonite’s hopes and goals go well beyond the release of their album. Says Bigi, “What we really want to do is bring these tracks live. In order to do this, we need to show how great our fan base is. So follow us on Twitter and YouTube, ‘like’ us on Facebook. The more people that get involved with us, the sooner we can go on tour and share our music live!”
The band will be going to tour with “The Soundtrack is New each Day” show, one soundtrack cover in violin rock after each original song from our album. Then they’ll get back to writing for a new album. Stay tuned…!
TRACKLIST
1) Suitcase war
2) Connect Four
3) ‘G’ as in Gears
4) Sandstorm
5) Slippery Slope
6) Satellites
7) Die Grauen Herren
8) Le temps qui fait ta rose
9) Insert Coin
Celebrate The Debut Album Of Metal Giant THOR With A Special 3 Disc Reissue Plus & A Spectacular NY Concert Event!
Los Angeles, CA – Get ready for one of the biggest metal reissues of the YEAR – a super deluxe edition of the legendary, underground classic, the 1977 debut album Keep The Dogs Away from metal icon THOR! This landmark release has become revered among music aficionados of every generation as one of the most explosive debut albums of any era with such ultra catchy rock anthems as “Keep The Dogs Away,” “Sleeping Giant,” “Thunder” and more. The CD version comes in a deluxe 6-panel digipak CD with alternate cover art, liner notes from longtime fan Brian Kehew (co-author of Recording The Beatles), 22 rare and unreleased bonus cuts on a separate disc PLUS a vintage 1980 concert DVD. The vinyl version meticulously recreates the original pressing with a foldout poster and printed inner sleeve. Both formats will officially hit the streets on May 13, courtesy of Deadline Music.
To celebrate this landmark reissue, THOR, in association with famed radio personality and metalhead Eddie Trunk and Fabio Productions, has put together a spectacular 4-hour multi-media event at the Highline Ballroom in New York City on May 14th. The event includes a first time EVER full concert performance of the entire KTDA album, plus a theatrical screening of the I Am Thor documentary, a special THOR Museum display, as well as another concert performance of THOR’s most popular songs with tons of special guests! This is the ULTIMATE THOR experience – a metal extravaganza unlike any BETHOR! https://www.facebook.com/THOR-A-Rock-Odyssey-Live-in-New-York-1016591135046207/
Track List:
1. Keep The Dogs Away
2. Sleeping Giant
3. Catch A Tiger
4. I’m So Proud
5. Tell Me Lies
6. Military Matters
7. Superhero
8. Wasted
9. Rosie
10. Thunder
BONUS TRACKS (CD ONLY)
1. Asgardia
2. All Nite
3. Atomic Vibrations
4. Do The Muscle (1975 Version)
5. Away From You
6. Touch Me
7. You Tried My World (No Time)
8. Do The Musicle
9. We Got The Power (Brian Kehew Mix)
10. Hey Tonight (Brian Kehew Mix)
11. Everybody Needs A Hero
12. We Are Body Rock / Start The Show
13. You Have Too Much
14. Just For You
15. Give Me The Green Light
16. She Sings The Body Rocker
17. Tears In My Soup
18. Who’s Better? (You Haven’t Got A Chance)
19. Best Built Man Alive (Live)
20. Land Lover
21. Open Sky
22. Keep The Dogs Away (Demo)
YES Legends Billy Sherwood and Tony Kaye’s “Live In Japan” 2CD/1DVD
OUT NOW!
London, UK – BILLY SHERWOOD is the current bass player in the band YES and will be touring with the band throughout 2016. TONY KAYE was an original founder member of YES and re-joined the band for the hugely successful 90125 era, which produced the hit OWNER OF A LONELY HEART. “Live in Japan” sees the duo performing songs from their careers including a generous number of YES hits!
The album is OUT NOW worldwide through all good retailers, including Amazon and iTunes, however for anyone purchasing directly from Cherry Red EACH ORDER COMES WITH A LIMITED EDITION HAND-SIGNED POSTCARD! http://shop.cherryred.co.uk/shopexd.asp?id=5339
“Really looking forward to the release of our CD/DVD! It was very special for us to go to Japan and play these songs. We’re both very excited to now be able to share the experience with everyone!” – Billy Sherwood
Billy Sherwood and Tony Kaye’s “Live In Japan” 2CD / 1DVD release will be eagerly greeted by YES fans especially in light on Sherwood’s recent return to the band in mid-2015!
DISC ONE
1. CONFESS
2. TOGETHER WE ARE
3. CUT THE TIES
4. TIME AND A WORD
5. I COULD
6. RED LIGHT AHEAD
7. FIREWORKS
8. YOUR MOVE
9. OWNER OF A LONELY HEART
DISC TWO
1. I AM WAITING
2. TONY KAYE SOLO
3. THE OTHER SIDE
4. WONDROUS STORIES
5. MAN OVER BORED
6. THE MORE WE LIVE
7. NO WAY WE CAN LOSE
8. SAY GOODBYE
9. ROUNDABOUT
The DVD is NTSC Region 0 – Playable Worldwide and has the same track list as the CDs, plus behind the scenes tour clips.
NYC Prog Trio SkyTalk Release New Video “Hearing The Silence”
“If this impressive debut can introduce them to the same audience that has embraced The Dirty Loops with such enthusiasm, ‘Days in the Sun’ might launch SkyTalk to great heights.” – PROG Magazine
NYC – In support of their latest critically acclaimed EP “Days in the Sun” NYC prog trio SkyTalk has released a new video titled “Hearing The Silence”!
SkyTalk is a 3 piece collaborative effort formed in January 2015 by twin brothers Jordan and Talor Steinberg and Dan “Ello” Costello. Costello was introduced to the twins by a mutual friend while all three were attending Purchase College. They bonded instantly on a similar taste in music, particularly 70’s progressive rock bands like Yes and Rush. Shortly after meeting, the three met up again to jam and quickly found that they had an undeniable musical chemistry, as well as similar inner philosophies on life and music. Eager to form a band, the three began writing original music together and were surprised at the effortlessness of the process, writing five songs in a matter of two months that would later become their “Days in the Sun” EP.
Blending their love of progressive music as well as soul and funk influences, SkyTalk polished their newfound sound and recorded the EP in the following months. With a lyrical emphasis on spiritual concepts, and the shared belief that music is a necessary and powerful force of healing and expression in the world, SkyTalk has released their first EP and is currently working on a new full length record which even further emphasizes these principles.
Here’s what the press have raved about SkyTalk:
“Hearing the Silence is an incredible piece of music. It combines King’s X sounds with fusion and more of a soulful rock element. The instrumental section is pretty crazed. I love the funky bass.” – Music Street Journal
“With licks and riffs boiling hot, ‘Hearing The Silence’ turns out quite dry, its powerful chorus an exemption and its solo section the best showcase of the group’s dexterity.” – dmme.net
“Hearing the Silence features nimble interplay in the rhythm section, with the slap-bass driven groove punctuated by brisk syncopated breaks.” – PROG Magazine
SkyTalk is currently booking shows in New York and in the East Coast, as well as beginning to record a full length album. They are also working on another music video.
Guitar Virtuoso Marcelo Paganini To Release Digitally “First time in Rio – Marcelo Paganini Band Live”
Paris – French-Brazilian guitar virtuoso Marcelo Paganini has been away from his native Brazil for more than 11 years when he booked a last minute tour in December 2014 to release there his critically acclaimed prog rock jazz fusion album “2012 Space Traffic Jam”. Three gigs in his home town Belo Horizonte, including the private party for Marcelo’s 50th anniversary, and three gigs in Rio de Janeiro where he has never played before with his band. Being also a film maker, doing what he calls “No BS films” (means “no budget/no script films”) since 2003, Paganini decided to make a rockumentary about the tour: “First time in Rio” (“Primeira vez no Rio”) 34 minutes 57 seconds, color, France, that was concluded in March 2016. There is also one extended version planned, around one hour long, with more live songs. The rock doc will be screened at Portobello Film Festival in London next September. The live soundtrack of the film is being released in April the 14th 2016 on CD Baby “First time in Rio – Marcelo Paganini Band Live”. 49 minutes of music in 6 tracks. 5 from the “2012 Space Traffic Jam” album: “Sphinxes of Babel”, “Crying With a Smile”, “Somewhere Somehow”, “B4ever Now”, “Somewhere Somehow” encore and the instrumental bonus track “Trindade” used in the end credits of the film. All songs and lyrics by Marcelo Paganini.
As a film maker Marcelo Paganini participated in festivals in several countries (Brazil, Netherlands, Iceland, France, UK) and made, among others: “Interactivity”, an experimental film in 35 mm in 2003; signed a distribution deal in Hollywood with Big Films Short/Tigris Films in 2007 for his short “The 8th Bullet”; was selected at Short Film Corner, Cannes Film Festival in 2008 with “The 8th Bullet Samba”; got short listed on “Best Musical Film” at Portobello Film festival in 2011 with “2010 Os Mutantes – Back to Paris” and won the “69 Hours Film Challenge” during the same Festival.
Several top Brazilian musicians participated in the documentary “First time in Rio”: the founders (with Milton Nascimento) of the world famous mouvement “Clube da Esquina” (Corner’s Club) Marcio and Lo Borges, Claudio Venturini from 14 Bis band, Marcio Buzelin from Jota Quest band, one of the most popular rock bands in Brazil, among others. Also interviewed for the film were two out of three original members of Marcelo Paganini’s band in 1983, when he played his first theater show at ICBEU in Belo Horizonte and performed “Sphinxes of Babel” live for the first time, song that opens his “2012 Space Traffic Jam” album released in 2014.
On this tour Marcelo Paganini had a great band in Belo Horizonte with Leo Javali on bass, Walner Lucas on keys and Christian Weber on drums. They played to a full house at Gilboa, the crowd sang along, danced and went wild. There are many videos on-line. They also played the birthday party and the last gig in town at Livraria Status, an open air show which was almost canceled because of the rain. People came anyway with umbrellas and at the end the sun showed up as well.
In Rio, Marcelo Paganini also got some of the best musicians in town, therefore in the country: Milton Nascimento’s keyboard player Kiko Continentino, with whom he had a jazz duo back in 1987. Almost 30 years later, they connected together again like no time had passed, and shared adventurous and burning hot improvisations. Kiko Continentino is one of the most exciting keyboard players in prog rock today and joined one year ago legendary Brazilian jazz band Azymuth. Sergio Brandao, the first call Brazilian bass player in New York City, and Paganini’s friend for over 25 years also joined his band for the Rio leg of the tour. Cassia Eller’s (one of the top Brazilian rock singers who died in 2001) drummer Elcio Cafaro was thrilled to accept the invitation for the shows. Elcio was on the cover of Modern Drummer Magazine Brazil last January. With only two half rehearsals the band fusioned around the complex compositions playing with fire and passion like if they have always played together. The first show was at Audio Rebel on December the 22nd. The 23rd it was at Godofredo Rio and the final gig of the tour was at Vizta on the 27th. The CDs sold out during the tour but are still available on line. Marcelo Paganini came back to France without knowing if or when he will come back to Brazil.
There was an overwhelming response on the Internet when the video of “Somewhere Somehow” on Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/13255032254/videos/10153135644402255/ More than a thousand video views in a single day! As Marcelo Paganini puts it: “There are two versions of the song on the live album, completely different from each other, always fresh approach, instant group composition. The encore was melting the walls. Gary Hobish from A. Hammer Mastering in San Francisco did an awesome job, this was one of the best shows in my life and I am glad to share it with the world. Once you walk in the right direction the whole Universe conspires to help you. Sounds like ready-made wisdom, but it turns out to be true. If you try to please everybody you will fail and go crazy. ‘My music will please somebody else, at least I now it pleases itself'(from “Somewhere Somehow”). Sometimes when you don’t know what are you doing means you also don’t know it can’t be done. It is all about letting interesting accidents happen. The music industry is obsessed with audio quality, and rightly so. Me too. But in 2016 people are listening to music on their phones, on ear buds and on computer speakers. Some people, me for example, prefer to hear an spectacular performance with less than ideal sound quality, rather than a lifeless musical noise perfectly recorded. Robert Johnson rules. Same thing applies to my film. It is no budget, not Hollywood, capisco? Do it yourself Mode: ON. If you put ten or more people in there with lights, wires and stuff, nothing spontaneous can happen, or rarely happens. It is completely artificial. Everybody else goes around trying to make ‘good’ films, but we all know most films are ‘bad’. I only go around to make ‘bad’ films. Since I can’t do anything right, even starve as a musician/film maker after all these years, maybe at the end my films will be ‘good’. At least to the right audience. You can not be everything to everybody. The trouble is not being pretentious, the trouble is being up to the pretension. I went there for one month alone with just one old camera, one suitcase, one guitar, one effects rack, one old laptop computer. I made two bands, rehearsed a little bit, played 6 shows made a film, and a live recording out of it. I edited and posted on line several videos. I also composed a couple of songs and did some recordings. How many people can do that? I mean, most people go to Brazil for a month and do nothing but stay in the beach until they turn red shrimp. And my mom asking when I am going to have a real job… The content is the most important thing, even with rough edges. I make stuff happen in front of my lonely camera, I direct the REALITY. I found my public at Portobello Film Festival, we feel the same way. ”
After being added by organizers Rael and JoJo Razor at the last minute to play with the After Hours Electric Prog Jam on the Cruise to the Edge 2015, Marcelo Paganini stunned the audience at the pre-sail party at Magic City Casino in Miami with a very emotional (it was the following day of the Paris Attacks) and breath taking interpretation, even after breaking the D string of his guitar in the middle of a very demanding King Crimson song and keep playing to the end. The performance was shot with 5 cameras and will be available on-line soon. One camera video is already on-line. There was no rehearsals, no scores, no sound check, some musicians met on stage for the first time. They are all passengers of the cruise who organizes themselves over the Internet to play the most demanding prog rock songs without rehearsing. Famous musicians from YES and other bands joined the jam during the late hours.
Cruising from Miami to the Bahamas and back, Marcelo Paganini rocked the ship. Check out the pictures and videos already on-line. Paganini also re-connected with YES bass player Billy Sherwood who agreed to record one song with original YES keyboard player Tony Kaye on the follow up to his album “2012 Space Traffic Jam”. The live band in France has Marcelo Paganini on guitar, Marc Madore on bass and Christophe Bras on drums, they have been together for many years. They will start recording Marcelo Paganini’s new studio album later this year, for a release in early 2017. Eumir Deodato will also contribute. The album is still in the early stages, Paganini composed a couple of very promising tracks that gave him the confidence to push the project forward. The idea is to record later this year and release it in 2017.
There will be another Cruise to the Edge in February 2017 and Marcelo Paganini is hoping, like all the other prog acts not already in the bill, to be invited with his band by Larry Morand. “Cruise to the Edge was one of the best experiences in my life. It was very touching to see several people asking for my band on the cruise’s group, it went straight to my heart. Guitar Player Magazine showed interest in sharing my memories, pictures and videos from CTTE 2015 in a blog that will be on-line soon. They already published an article on my live album,” smiles Paganini. http://www.guitarplayer.com/artists/1013/gp-now-hear-this-alumni-marcelo-paganini-releases-live-in-brazil-film–cd/57587
Marcelo Paganini is currently looking for a singer to record with him, “someone ideally living in France or Europe who loves prog rock jazz fusion, digs my music and has no trouble with odd time signatures and strange melodies and harmonies. I wish Glenn Hughes would be interested, even if he lives in LA. ” Paganini is also looking for a keyboard player to do a couple of gigs in France later in 2016 or early in 2017, “someone glad to learn the parts on the album and who can improvise wildly. The ideal person would also sing to keep the band a quartet and may record on the next album too. If you are interested send me a message on Facebook with some video links”. Paganini recorded most of the keyboards himself on his last album, and wish he had Shiva-like extra arms to play guitar and keys at once.
