Tuesday, 13 March 2012

WALLY: Montpelier


Wally is a British progressive rock band formed by singer song writer Roy Webber in Harrogate in the early seventies. The band was signed to Atlantic Records in 1974 after entering a contest organised by the music paper Melody Maker. Unfortunately the band did not win the competition but they did catch the eye of One of the judges at the competition, presenter of the Old Grey Whistle Test Bob Harris who oversaw their prize which was to record a session for his Radio 1 programme. Through Bob the band were signed to Atlantic Records and Bob subsequently produced the band’s debut self titled album alongside Rick Wakeman. The band also enjoyed a number of high profile concerts including an appearance at the 1974 Crystal Palace garden Party which was headlined by Rick Wakeman and after being managed briefly by the manager of Yes Brian Lane would support Yes also at a number of high profile concerts. A second album emerged in 1975 again produced by Bob Harris entitled Valley Gardens the band now joined by keyboardist Nick Glennie-Smith who would go onto a successful production and composing career after Wally split in the late seventies just before the band could record their third album Montpelier is the result of a reformation of the band and includes material that would possibly have featured on the bands third album in the seventies alongside new material. The band have performed annual concerts in their home town of Harrogate for the last three years but Montpelier is the first studio album since Valley gardens in 1975. The band does have a large cult following and this album will certainly be welcomed by that substantial following.


Tracks: 1. Sailor , 2. Sister Moon , 3. Thrill Is Gone , 4. Surfing , 5. In The Night , 6. Human , 7. She Said , 8. Giving.

JUDGE SMITH: In the news

One does try not to be churlish, and the person who did this interview was obviouly impressed by the new album, but - goodness me - there are some massive cock-ups in this generally positive review:

http://www.antimusic.com/news/12/March/08Singled_Out-_Judge_Smiths_Orfeas.shtml

The ever wonderful Lene Lovich, as Eurydice:

MATT ROWE REVIEWS THE NEW LIVE ALBUM BY JON ANDERSON AND RICK WAKEMAN


http://musictap.net/2012/03/01/review-the-living-tree-in-concert-part-one-anderson-wakeman/


Review: The Living Tree In Concert Part One – Anderson / Wakeman


Being on an extended YES immersion, it’s only natural that I’d want to hear more of them than what was released. A good place are the many solo works that came afterwards. Jon Anderson is pretty prolific a recording artist, whether that be studio or live. One of the more recent recordings from Jon Anderson and Rick Wakeman is The Living Tree In Concert with the teasing addition of Part One to the title indicating more to follow.

The Living Tree In Concert opens with a tame, truncated but heartfelt version of “And You And I” from Close To The Edge. Now, not everyone is forgiving of a seemingly different version of a classic that many have fallen in love with and jealously protect. And some would argue that this version of “And You And I” is not well presented. However, this is a live setting with no studio trickery applied (for the most part). And I would argue that Jon Anderson and Rick Wakeman, in their intimate 2-man show, without the full-bodied sound of other musicians to fill in the blanks, have done a fine job in presentation not only of that song but all of the tracks found here.

But more importantly, it’s how you come to the stage when listening to this particular live recording that features some well-known tunes as well as a selected collection of Anderson/Wakeman tunes. On the Living Tree In Concert, you are gifted with a unique experience with one of the more distinct voices of our time, and one of the most gifted keyboardists of Rock. Anderson/Wakeman revisits “And You And I” in a shortened but satisfying version of the song, “Long Distance Runaround”, an excellent (voice and all) version of “South Side Of The Sky”, and “Time And A Word” from YES. ”The Meeting” from the wonderful Anderson Bruford Wakeman Howe (1989) is also presented. The remaining tracks from the twelve found on the album are from the recent The Living Tree studio collaboration between Jon Anderson and Rick Wakeman.

What you may come away with is that these two legendary performers have aged well. One listen to the previously mentioned “South Side Of The Sky” will reveal that Anderson can still flex his voice in remarkable ways. Rick Wakeman’s skill is as immaculate and beautiful as ever, if not more so. The Living Tree In Concert is a wonderful visit with two great friends. I’m glad I took the time to sit with them.

Release Date: February 1, 2012
Website

JUDGE SMITH - Tell me the old old story

ORFEAS, Part One

I've got a confession to make. I have vaguely heard of Chris Judge Smith over the years, but until this evening I hadn't ever got around to listening to him. And not for the first time in my life, I am cursing the unfortunate omission.

OK, what do you think when you hear that an ex-member of Van der Graaf Generator has made a mildly avant garde concept album based upon the classic story of Orpheus and Eurydice?

(EDITOR'S NOTE: Rock music is often a medium prone to hyperbole, and the word 'classic' is one of the most over used words in the genre. However, when one finds out that the earliest known appearance of the story is in the 6th Century BC, it makes claims that "Robbie Williams has made a 'Classic' album" seem pretty small beer, but I digress - I do that a lot, you'll find)

Still digressing, for those of you who are not familiar with the old old story about how Orpheus lost his wife and went into Hades to find her, you had better check it out
HERE)

You know it is going to be classy; you know it is going to be edufite; you know that it is going to be well crafted. But, bloody hell, you don't realise that it is going to be so much fun! Corinna, (my wife), Graham (my best mate) and Prudence (my rather silly bulldog/boxer bitch) sat down to listen to it this evening, and none of us got even slightly what we expected....

To be Continued...

Monday, 12 March 2012

PLEASE ALLOW ME TO INTRODUCE MYSELF

If you have been following the old Gonzo blog, ably edited by our friend Jon Kirkman, then you will probably be wondering who the hell I am, and what the blazes I am doing here.

Well, my name's Jon, and I am probably better known as "That fat weird bloke off the telly who believes in vampires". Well, as well as believing in vampires (which I do, by the way, but that is an entirely different story) I have been writing about music for even longer than I have been writing about things that go bump in the night. The only difference being that most of the time no-one much read what I had to say. Even less people bought my records (which is one of the reasons that I became a writer in the first place), but music never stopped being very important to me.

Yes, I admit it. I was one of those deluded souls who truly believed that sitting in muddy fields in the rain listening to a bunch of grown men making whooshing noises on synthesisers was somehow going to change the world! I'm still not sure that it won't.

About a quarter of a century ago when I was editing a small-press fanzine that no-one much read, I met a bloke called Rob Ayling. The main thing that we had in common was that we both took music far too seriously, but that was enough, and we soon became firm friends. He and I both had dreams; I was going to travel the earth in search of monsters, and he was going to start a record label for the delectation of those people who also take music far too seriously. Twenty-five years on, we have both realised our ambitions, and what other two disparate middle-aged men can claim that?

Now, twenty-five years on from our first meeting at a Daevid Allen concert in Exeter Arts Centre, we are collaborating again. Rob decided that although
I had never stopped taking music far too seriously, it was time that I started to write about it again. I won't ever argue with Rob - he is from Yorkshire, so I gathered a few like-minded folk around me, we girded our loins, and set to work.

So here we are, at the beginning of a brave new adventure. We are going to do our best to make this a daily thing, and we hope that you will join us. C'mon guys; it is time to see the world through the eyes of a bunch of middle-aged weirdos who still have a sneaking suspicion that music can change the world!

Wednesday, 7 March 2012

Dee Palmer Nuremburg Cantata Performed Live At Concert In March

Former jethro Tull keyboardist Dee Palmer sees her composition The Nuremberg Cantata performed live at a concert In Aid of the Bomber Command Memorial Fund and takes place at;
All Saints Church, The Drive, Hove BN3 3PB
Tickets are priced at £12.50/£10/£7.50 and are available from the Brighton Ticket Shop New Road Brigton or online here:
http://www.brightonticketshop.com/



The concert features the Manheim ensemble and soloists inluding DeePalmer. Dee will play piano on her composition of the Nuremberg Cantata as part of the orhestra. The evening also include a performance of the Warsaw Concerto and Dee will be the featured soloist on this piece

The Nuremberg Cantata, KM-C is a lyric cantata for soloists, chorus and chamber orchestra. Its subject is the ill-fated 1,000 bomber raid on Nuremberg during the night of 30th/ 31st March, 1944, when ninety six of our aircraft were brought down by enemy action, resulting in a huge loss of life. Commissioned by the Arundel Festival, the
Premiere, in August, 2010 was received with great acclaim.

In this moving and tuneful work - which, in one “upbeat” section hints, wittily, at the popular music styles of the 1940’s - the fallen are represented by a solo tenor, and those left behind ie the mothers, wives and sweethearts, by a female chorus and alto soloist.

Each of the nine sections of the Cantata reflects a phase in the lives of the aircrews – from their exuberant, youthful outlook in the opening chorus to their sadly predictable end in the closing and harrowing “In Paradisum”. On a personal note, KM-C was the 44 Squadron call sign of one of the Lancaster bombers lost in the raid. The pilot was a relative of the composer.

The date of the concert, March 30th, 2012 coincides with and marks the 68th anniversary of the Nuremberg Raid.
Gonzo MD Rob Ayling and his son Hunter will be attending. Rob siad
"I am really looking forward to this concert and hearing Dee's new composition and of course it is raising money for a very good cause so I hope others will also buy tickets and support the cause"

Mimi Page Live Dates In March and April

Gonzo recording artist Mimi Page embarks on a series of live concerts in March and April in support of her recently released album. Breathe me In. Some of the dates find Mimi as the special guest of Jefferson Starship and also Choir of Young Believers. Elsewhere Mimi will be headlining her own show. More details below and also at Mimi's website here

http://www.mimipage.com/

Her album  Breathe Me In can be ordered directly here:

http://www.gonzomultimedia.co.uk/product_details/15424/Mimi_Page-Breathe_Me_In.html

MARCH
15 - Ridgefield, CT/ Ridgefield Playhouse (supporting JEFFERSON STARSHIP)
16 - New Hope, PA/ Havana
17 - New Hope, PA/ Havana (supporting JEFFERSON STARSHIP)
18 - Bearsville, NY/ Bearsville Thr.
19 - NY, NY/ Mercury Lounge (supporting CHOIR OF YOUNG BELIEVERS)
20 - Prov., RI/ The Met
21 - NY, NY/ Lucille's @ BB Kings Blues Club & Grill
22 - New Haven, CT
23 - Huntington, NY/ The Paramount (supporting JEFFERSON STARSHIP)
 
APRIL
13 - Indio, CA/ Coachella 
14 - Indio, CA/ Coachella 
15 - San Diego, CA/ House of Blues

Fish UK Tour in May Including Three Dates With Genn Hughes


Fish embark on a short UK tour in May. The tour starts on the 21st of May in Southampton and ends on the 27th of May in Glasgow. Three of the dates are double bill concerts with Glenn Hughes. The dates and relevant booking information are listed below.

Fish is also involved in a major back catalogue overhaul which will take place throughout this year. There will also be liove DVDs and CDs from the recent Fish Heads tours.

MAYLocationVenueInfo
Monday 21st
May
England England
Southampton
The Brook466 Portswood Road, Portswood, Southampton SO17 3SD
Box Office: +44 (23) 8055 5366. Hours 1pm - 7pm Mon - Sat
Tuesday 22nd
May
England England
Bath
Komedia22-23 Westgate St, Bath BA1 1EP
0845 293 8480
Tickets also from Seetickets
Wednesday 23rd
May
England England
Exeter
PhoenixBradninch Place, Gandy St, Exeter EX4 3LS
+44 (1392) 667080
Tickets also from Seetickets
Friday 25th
May
England England
London
O2 Shepherds Bush EmpireDouble bill with Glenn Hughes
Shepherds Bush Green, London W12 8TT
Enquiries: 0905 020 399 (25p per min)
Box Office: 0844 477 200
Doors 7pm. Tickets
Saturday 26th
May
England England
Manchester
Manchester AcademyDouble bill with Glenn Hughes
Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PQ
Box Office: 0844 478 0898
Doors 7pm. Tickets
Sunday 27th
May
Scotland Scotland
Glasgow
O2 ABCDouble bill with Glenn Hughes
330 Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow G2 3JB
Box Office: 08444 999 999
Doors 7pm. Tickets

Monday, 27 February 2012

New Releases In The Lost Broadcasts Series Available NOW!

The Lost Broadcasts are a series of DVDs featuring performances that have rarely been seen since the original transmission on German television, in some cases more than forty years ago. Some of the artists featured within the series are legendary and these “Lost” performances will be a fine addition to any music fans collection.


The material featured on this DVD is drawn from a session that took place in March 1972 and included the songs Memphis Tennessee, Let It Rock , In The Wee Wee Hours, Oh Carol, (which initially starts as Let It Rock but which breaks down before the band re start and Chuck leads them into the proper take of Oh Carol), School Days, C’est la Vie, Roll Over Beethoven and an extended interview. Incidentally for this session Chuck was backed by Liverpool band Rocking Horse who featured former member of the Merseybeats Billy Kinsley on bass alongside Jimmy Campbell on guitar, Dave Harrison drums and Michael Snow on piano.


The performances featured on this DVD are drawn from two sessions filmed just over a year apart. The first session from January 1970 saw John pioneering a line up without a drummer. The then current album was Turning Point and featured Jon Mark on guitar and John Almond on sax. Holding down the bottom end was bassist Steve Thompson who left shortly before this session was filmed and would eventually join Stone The Crows. The bassist featured here was Thompson’s short lived replacement Alex Dmochowski. Two tracks were performed live in the studio one of which would be familiar to those people owning the Turning Point album as I’m Gonna Fight For You JB featured on that live album. The second track is the extended workout of The Train.

The next session was filmed in February 1971 by which time John Mayall had formed another band, this time featuring American musicians including Don “Sugarcane” Harris, Paul Lagos, Larry Taylor and Harvey Mandel the latter two musicians had previously been with American blues band Canned Heat. The two tracks featured here My Pretty Girl and Deep Blue Sea would feature on the USA Union album which had been released in late 1970.

Night Featuring Chris Thompson Reissue Second Album Long Distance

Night, the band formed by former Manfred Mann's Earthband vocalist Chris Thompson at the end of the seventies, reissue their second album Long Distance through Gonzo on the 16th of April

Originally released in 1980 Long Distance is the second album from Night and this album features material mainly written or co written by front man Chris Thompson although there is a cover of the Todd Rundgren song You Cried Wolf. The line up had changed as well with the departure of both drummer Rick Morotta and keyboardist Nicky Hopkins.

Recorded in London at Battery Studio the album was produced by Tim Friese-Greene who also played on the album. This release is the first time this album has been made available as a single album previously it was part of a double set with the first album and it is the first time it has been released in the UK.
Chris Thompson recorded an exclusive interview where he talks about both Night albums. The interview can be found here:
http://www.gonzomultimedia.co.uk/gonzo_web_radio.html

Judge Smith Releases His Third Songstory Album: Orfeas

Judge Smith releases the album Orfeas through Gonzo on the 26th of March. It is the third "Songstory" release from the former Van Der Graaf Generator man following in the footsteps of Curly's Airships and The Climber

Judge's third Songstory is a retelling of the ancient myth of Orpheus, the magical musician who travels to the Land of the Dead in search of the lost Eurydice. Orfeas features John 'Fury' Ellis, David Jackson & Lene Lovich and the following cast of performers: Gigi Cavalli Cocchi, René van Commenée, Dorie Jackson, David Minnick, Ben Nation, Ricardo Odriozola, Marco Olivotto, 'Black Path', Bert Santilly, David Shaw-Parker & Judge Smith.

Orfeas is performed by seven separate ensembles, playing entirely different kinds of music, including Rock Band, String Sextet, Mediterranean Guitar, Classic Trance and Death Metal.

Judge Smith will be recrdinng an exclusive podcast to tie in with the release of the album

Wally: First Two Albums Reissued With Bonus Tracks In April

Wally reissue their first two albums in April through Gonzo. The first release will be the bands second album Valley Gardens on the 2nd of April. Valley Gardens was originally released in 1975 and features the extended song The Reason Why which took up one side of the album on its original release

Valley Gardens will be followed by the release of the bands self titled debut album on the 23rd of April. Originally released in 1974 the album receved strong critical support and the band supported Rick Wakeman at his Crystal Palace Garden Party Concert.

Both reissues have been overseen by founder member Roy Webber and also feature bonus tracks from Roy's own archive in the case of the self titled album the bonus tracks are Right By Me and Yes I Would plus a live version of Your Own Way

The bonus tracks for Valley Gardens are Green Room Smiles and a live version of Nez Perce

Both albums were originally produced by Bob Harris of The Old grey Whistle test fame and Rick Wakeman served as Executive Producer on the self titled debut album.

This is the first time these two albums have been relased on CD in the UK and as such will be welcomed by the loyal Wally fan base

Friday, 24 February 2012

Robert Calvert's First Book of Poetry Re Published

Robert Calvert enjoyed massive commercial success in his lifetime as a member of Hawkwind and also enjoyed a successful solo musical career. He was also an accomplished writer and poet publishing a number of well respected books.

As part of their move into publishing books Gonzo Publishing is proud to re publish Robert Calvert's first commercially available book of prose and poetry Centigrade 232.

Centigrade 232 was originally published in 1977 whilst Bob was a member of Hawkwind and original copies of the book now exchange hands for high prices on the collectors market.
Gonzo Publishing have now re published the book  in softback and the book is now available to order directly from the Gonzo website and also other online outlets such as Amazon

Monday, 13 February 2012

Mimi Page Breathe Me In Album Trailer


Mimi Page releases her album Breathe me In shortly through Gonzo Multimedia. The album contains the track Black Valentine  which can be seen on video here for all you romantics at heart

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8r1rCsmMtRM&feature=related

The album Breathe Me In will be released to Europe shortly through Gonzo Multimedia in the meantime you can watch a trailer for the album here.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oUbFsY8lSUs&feature=player_embedded#%21

The album has already been well received in America in terms of sales and reviews. Mimi has also played selcted solo dates notably as a guest of Jefferson Starship and Breathe Me In is going to be one of the major releases for Gonzo this spring.
You can find out more about Mimi by going to her website here

http://www.mimipage.com/

Rick Wakeman Live Album: In The Nick Of Time

Rick Wakeman releases his latest album an archive live album entitled "In The Nick Of Time" on the 19th of March.

The album was recorded in 2003 during an extensive British tour with the New English Rock Ensemble. The album is a siongle disc and contains 7 tracks including: Catherine Parr/Beware Your Enemies, No Earthly Connection,White Rock and Wurm which as many will know is a track originally found on The Yes Album as part of Starship Trooper.

In The Nick Of Time has long been anticipated by the large and dedicated Rick Wakeman fan base and the tour from which the album was sourced was one of Rick's most extensive and successful tours to date.

Wednesday, 8 February 2012

Jeff Green Live At Progmneister Festival In June

Gonzo Recording artist Jeff Green has been added to the bill of the Progmeister Festival 2012.
The Festival takes place on Saturday June 9th at The Studio Tower Street, Hartlepool, Cleveland TS24 7HQ
More details about the festival can be found here http://www.progmeister.com/
Tickets can be bought here http://www.nettickets.net/

Jeff will be appearing alongside The Tangent and Tony Patterson frontman of Genesis tribute band ReGenesis

Jeff is currently working on the follow up to his debut album Jessica which was released in 2011. The album is called Elder Creek and is expected sometime in the summer of 2012. Jeff will be previewing material from the new album alongside material from Jessica

Jeff's album Jessica can be purchased directly from Gonzo here:
http://www.gonzomultimedia.co.uk/artists/Jeff%20Green

Monday, 6 February 2012

Michael Des Barres In Discussion With Gonzo About New Album and Archive Projects

Michael Des Barres recently played a special showcase for Gonzo MD Rob Ayling in front of  a specially invited audience at Little Feat's rehearsal facillity in North Hoillywood.
Michael performed new songs which will fore the basis of a new studio album which will be released later in 2012.
Michael is pictured above front centre with Gonzo MD Rob Ayling front left

Rob Ayling was also discussing with Michael the possibility of other archive projects with Michael which are also looking to see the light of day later in 2012 and into 2013

Michael first came to prominence in the seventies as frontman of British band Silverhead where he recorded two albums for Purple records. Following that Michael formed Detective  with former Yes keyboardist Tony Kaye and recorded two albums for led Zeppelin's Swansong label with the first album being produced by Andy Johns and James Robinson with James Robinson being a pseudonym for Jimmy page.

Into the eigties  and Micheal formed Chequered past with former Sex Pistol Steve Jones and former Blondie rhythm section Clem Burke and Nigel Harrsion(Nigel had also been a member of Silverhead)
In the eighties Michael also replaced Robert Palmer in the Power Station performing at the legendary Live Aid concert in Philadelphia.

As a songwriter Michael also scored a massive success when he co wrote the song Obsession with Holly Knight which was a huge hit on both sides of the Atlantic for Animotion

Michael Des Barres is also an accomplished actor starting his career in the film To Sir With Love alongside Sidney Poitier and Lulu. he subsequently appeared in Television in the dramas McGyver and Miami Vice(With The Power Station),music however is Michael's first love and the new album is big priority for Michael this year along with the other archive projects currently under discussion with Gonzo.

Watch this space for more details

Wednesday, 1 February 2012

Please Help In Appeal That Will Benefit Tibetans In Exile

Gonzo Multimedia are heartily behind an appeal which could benefit 56,000 Tibetan’s living in exile.
We need just x40 hard drives. Can you help by providing one?That old spare hard drive, abandoned in the corner of your desk space would give several thousand Tibetans, lay and monastic, direct access to their heritage and in doing so would enable us to fulfil H.H. Dalai Lama’s request for his people.

In the 1980′s, at the urgent request of H.H. the Dalai Lama the Meridian Trust began to film many of the old teachers who escaped from Tibet before they passed away. This original filming initiative came to be known as the L
ama Project; a total of 600 hours of unique footage was recorded.

To learn more about the Project go to: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MciTeg3r548
and
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=xcNtoNeR228

Meridian Trust has digitized and encoded these 600 hours of unique Buddhist teachings so that they fit onto a
120GB (or larger) portable hard drive. In March this year around 40 representatives from the major monasteries of India and Nepal are meeting at Sarnath University, India, making this the ideal opportunity to give each monastery a copy of the Lama Project on hard drive.


 
You can help by:

While the Tibetans have had so much of their culture and traditions destroyed, the culmination of the Lama Project directly gives back something of what has been lost. We are sincerely grateful for any contributions you feel you can make towards helping us achieve our goal.

Anyone giving to this URGENT appeal before the end of February 2012 will receive a FREE CD of ‘Songs for Tibet’.
View the map of the network of Monasteries: http://www.tibetanknowledge.org/provisional/map.html

Monasteries that will benefit:Ulan Bator: Gandan Monastery Library, Mongolian National LibraryLadakh: Lama Yuru MonasteryHimachal Pradesh: Drolma Ling Nunnery, Library of Tibetan Works and Archives, Menri Bon Monastic Centre, Thupten Dorjidak Institute, Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts, Tibetan Medical InstituteDehra Dun: Bon Zamongyal Yungdrung Ling Monastery, Drikung Kagyu Institute, Mindroling Monastery, Ngor Monastery, Sakya College, Sakya MonasteryKathmandu: Shechen Monastery, Thukche Choling Nunnery, Trangu Tashi Choling Monastery, Triten Norbutse Bonpo Education CentreSikkim: Dodrup Chen Monastery, Rumtek College, Sikkim Institute of TibetologyArunachal Pradesh: Gyuto Monastic UniversityVaranasi: Central Institute for Higher Tibetan Studies, CIHTS Medical Institute, Thrangu Vajra Vidhya InstituteOrissa: Dechen Choephel Ling MonasteryNorth Kanara: Drepung Gomang Monastic University, Drepung Loseling Monastic University, Ganden Shartse Monastic University, Ganden Jangtse Monastic University, Jangchub Choling NunneryMysore:. Dekey Larsoe Computer Input Centre, Dzongkar Chode College, Gyumey Monastic University, Ngagyur Nyingma Monastery, Rabling Computer Input Centre, Sera Jey Monastic University, Sera Mey Monastic University


THANK YOU for any help you can offer!

Very best wishes,

Dolma Beresford
Director

Monday, 30 January 2012

Kate Westbrook Art Exhibtion!

Kate Westbrook steps away from music briefly in order to oversee an exhibtion of here work at The BrownstonGallery in Devon for a month. The exhibition consists of Kate's paintings in oils and other works on paper. The work shown here is entitled The Long Shed In Spring 2011and it is a pastel work on paper. Full details of the Exhibtion can be found by checkin g out the links below or by checking with the gallery.
Alternatively you can check out Kate's work at the online Gallery here
http://www.westbrookjazz.co.uk/gallery/
from
Saturday 4th February to Saturday 3rd March 2012
at
The Brownston Gallery 36 Church Street, Modbury, Ivybridge, Devon PL21 0QR
01548 831 338

http://www.thebrownstongallery.co.uk/gallery/

Atkins May Unplugged Version Of The Shallowing Available To View Now!

Atkins May have have filmed an "Unplugged" version of The Shallowing and the video is now available  to view on Youtube Here: http://youtu.be/cDgHHkUcJfc
The Track is an "Unplugged" version of The Shallowing which is a featured track on the duo's album The Serpents Kiss which was released in November 2011. The duo are currently in negotiations with promoters to play selected Festivals during the summer

You can purchase the Atkins May album The Serpents Kiss directly from Gonzo here:
http://www.gonzomultimedia.co.uk/artists/6768/Atkins/May

Thursday, 26 January 2012

Electronica-Trance Band GENRE PEAK releases new album ʻREDUXʼ


.

Genre Peak is the music and collaborations of electronic percussionist,composer and producer Martin Birke. Birke is well known for scoring original music for The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre, recording and touring internationally with Sandbox Trio, Casualty Park, Genre Peak and most recently with Percy Howard(Meridiem,Bill Laswell) in the duo Hardboiled Wonderland. Genre Peak has released 2 full-length albums Ends of the Earth and Preternatural

 
The new Genre Peak album Redux is released by Gonzo Multimedia International on March 12th and features the best songs from both previous albums and includes 2 new songs featuring the vocals of Percy Howard, the trackʻWords Surround Usʼ also feature violins by Benito Cortez and ʻBlue Filter (PH mix)ʼsets a melancholic tone with complex percussion and dark synths and the vocal pairing of Percy Howard & Tara C. Taylor.

Martin Birke's dark and complex writing style with Christopher Scott Cooper's production makes for a modern and distinct listening experience not be missed.

For videos,news and downloads
go to the official Genre Peak website ,Soundcloud and Facebook: pages



http://www.facebook.com/pages/Genre-Peak/201477959917772

Tony Palmer: Born Under A Bad Sign Republished By Gonzo

Tony Palmer's first book Born Under A Bad Sign is being republished in January by Gonzo Multimedia.
The book, which was Palmers first book originally published in 1970 contains a forward written by John Lennon and is illustrated by Ralph Steadman. This latest edition is the first time the book has been widely available since it was originally published in 1970 and as such copies of the original book are now extremely rare and change hands for large sums on the collectors market.

Born Under A Bad Sign is the second book by Tony Palmer to be re published in 2012 alongside The Trials Of Oz.
Both books can be purchased directly from the Gonzo website

Thursday, 12 January 2012

Late 2011 Recap and Into 2012!


We at Gonzo hope everyone had a great Holiday Season and have got the new year off to a fantastic start.
Just a quick recap of some of the great albums we released in the run up to the Christmas period.
There were a couple of great releases from Galileo records in the run up to Christmas that will appeal to lovers of Progressive Rock and Progressive Metal

My Name Is Janet released their concept album Red Room Blue and have been reciving positive reaction from fans and critics alike. For more details check out the album here:
http://www.gonzomultimedia.co.uk/product_details/15404/My_Name_is_Janet-Red_Room_Blue.html

Another fantastic release from Galileo is the new album from Soul Secret entitled Closer To Daylight. Soul Secret are an Italian Progressive metal band and Closer To Daylight is the bands second album. One of the highlights of the album is “Aftermath”, a 16+ minutes trip between heaviness, melody and pure progressive elements. You can find more details here:
http://www.gonzomultimedia.co.uk/product_details/15403/Soul_Secret-Closer_to_Daylight.html

One of the highlights of 2011 was the release of the Live Jon Anderson and Rick Wakeman album The Living Tree Live Part One. The album was released as the due embarked on a hugely successful series of dates in North America and Canada and the album which was recorded on the duo's Uk tour in 2010 includes live readings of tracks from the studio album The Living Tree and also radical re workings of Yes classics including And You And I and South Side Of The Sky.You can find out more about the album and purchase it here:
http://www.gonzomultimedia.co.uk/product_details/15405/Anderson_-_Wakeman-Live.html

Elsewhere Former Manfred Mann's Earthband vocalist Chris Thompson had a good year and at the end of 2011 released two albums one archive album and a new live album
The archive album was the debut album from Night which also featured performances from Stevie Lange and the legendary keyboardist Nicky Hopkins. The album was originally released in 1979 and produced by Richard Perry and contains the hit singles Hot Summer Nights and If You Remember Me. More details Here:
http://www.gonzomultimedia.co.uk/product_details/15387/Chris_Thompson-Night.html

Chris also released a new live CD/DVD package Live In Berlin which is a double Live CD recording of a concert broadcasts for German radio. Also included is a bonus DVD containing a number of live songs and interview from a concert in Ashaffenburg at the start of 2011. You can view the details or order the CD/DVD here
 http://www.gonzomultimedia.co.uk/product_details/15409

Just a quick reminder that we are now just down to a handful of the limited Deluxe Edition of the Anderson Bruford Wakeman Howe album so if you really want one of these beautifully packaged two disc sets you need to get a move on now or be disappointed.
http://www.gonzomultimedia.co.uk/product_details/15258/Anderson_Bruford_Wakeman_Howe-Anderson,_Bruford,_Wakeman_&_Howe.html

Look out for more details coming your way soon about a great new Live Anderson Bruford Wakeman Howe album recorded during the bands UK tour in Autumn 1989.

We will also be releasing More DVDs in the "Lost Broadcasts"  series and artists and contents of the DVDs will be announced shortly

Gonzo is also moving into publishing as well in 2012 and the first book we are publishing is a fascinating book covering the now infamous "Oz obscenity trial" at the start of the seventies. Written by renowned film director and author Tony Palmer the book covers the background and the day to day account of the trial and subsequent verdict and appeal.

Finally keep checking out the Gonzoblog and the main Gonzo website for news updates and special offers and at the main Gonzo website you will also find exclusive interviews and podcasts with many of the Gonzo artists

Former Iron Butterfly Guitarist Larry "Rhino" Renhardt Passes Away

Gonzo was saddened to hear of the death of Larry"Rhino" Reinhardt at the start of the year.Former Member of Iron Butterfly Larry"Rhino" Reinhardt passed away shortly after the holiday season on January the 2nd. Larry, who made his Iron Butterfly debut on the album Metamorphosis also formed Captain Beyond with former Deep purple vocalist Rod Evans in 1972 following his departure from Iron Butterfly.

You can see Larry performing with Iron Butterfly on the recently released Lost Brodcasts DVD  featuring Iron Butterfly's performance for German television in 1971.

UK and Europe

http://www.gonzomultimedia.co.uk/product_details/15280

North America

http://www.gonzomultimedia.com/product_details/15280
...BECAUSE SOME OF US THINK THAT THIS STUFF IS IMPORTANT
What happens when you mix what is - arguably - the world's most interesting record company, with an anarchist manic-depressive rock music historian polymath, and a method of dissemination which means that a daily rock-music magazine can be almost instantaneous?

Most of this blog is related in some way to the music, books and films produced by Gonzo Multimedia, but the editor has a grasshopper mind and so also writes about all sorts of cultural issues which interest him, and which he hopes will interest you as well.