Former Genesis member Steve Hackett and Marcus Miller to play the Sage Gateshead

Steve Hackett & Nad Sylvan

The August lull in the touring schedule provides a brief opportunity to have a look a little further ahead to the autumn when it seems as if every musician on the planet wants comes to the region.

One such artist, former Genesis guitarist/composer Steve Hackett has a gig in sage Gateshead's big sage one on October 17.

Hackett comes to Tyneside with an anniversary to celebrate plus a new-ish album, Wolflight, and a huge career retrospective box-set just released.

Wolflight is the first studio album of new material since Beyond the Shrouded Horizon in 2011 and explorers past and contemporary cultures in a revolutionary journey around the globe. The record reached the top 40 album chart on release back in March.

Read More...

CURRENTLY AVAILABLE AT GONZO:

Spectral Mornings DVD - £5.99

THOM THE WORLD POET: The Daily Poem

Rob Ayling writes: 

"Thom the World poet is an old mate of mine from way back in my history. Even pre-dating Voiceprint, when I was running "Otter Songs" and Tom's poetry tapes and guest appearances with Daevid Allen, Gilli Smyth and Mother Gong are well known and highly regarded. It just felt right to include a daily poem from Thom on our Gonzo blog and when I approached him to do so, he replied with in seconds!!! Thom is a great talent and just wants to spread poetry, light and positive energy across the globe. If we at Gonzo can help him do that - why not? why not indeed!!" (The wondrous poetpic is by Jack McCabe, who I hope forgives me for scribbling all over it with Photoshop)

TRUTH,BEAUTY,FORM,CONTENT

Poet,singer-songwriter,actor,storyteller

Wisdom is trust in us.Each one-common but universal.

Art is life applied.Take Kaiki Azmi.His devotion to honest expression

finds him putting his body on each line in the Swadeshi movement("Telegana'),

praising the "Common Man"in "Makan","Bangla Desh"/

writing songs for Haqueeqat(1964)and that poem celebrating the moon landing-

'Pin Tasmi Pa(1970),and urging his daughter to "be her best"in "Aurat"

Those songs,films,stories and personal examples of applied life via art

endear Kaiki to his country.His famous quote-"I was born under a colonial India,

grew old in Independent India,and will die in a socialist India.

And these is not the dream of a madman.."

THE GONZO TRACK OF THE DAY: The Boomtown Rats - Like Clockwork

CURRENTLY AVAILABLE FROM GONZO

Live in Germany '78 DVD/CD - £14.99

YES AND TOTO'S REPLACEMENT PLAYERS HAD A NIGHT OF HITS AND MISSES AT VERIZON

Ain't that much different than the real thing, baby: Jon Davison is one of Yes' many replacement players. Melissa Hennings

Yes
With Toto
Verizon Theatre, Grand Prairie
Thursday, August 27, 2015

Holding a band together for decades at a time is a tough ask. Eventually attrition takes its toll, whether it's age, illness or the members simply growing sick of one another. Yes and Toto have managed to stick things out for five and four decades respectively, but it's meant bringing in an increasing number of replacement players. This year alone, both bands have suffered the death of a founding member.

Yet when the remnants of each came to Verizon Theatre on Thursday for a dual headlining show, their biggest challenge came from an uneven sound mix. Despite fine efforts by both bands, it was like half of the place's monstrous PA wasn't working. It was as if the show at Verizon had been mixed for the Granada Theater.

Toto started the night off a little after 7:30 and did an impressive set of their best-known tunes, hits that are rarely heard now and new songs. The band was formed by former studio musicians who could play any style, but they wanted to play rock music for the Top 40 charts. Despite many, many lineup changes over the years, they're currently touring with a number of their original members: guitarist Steve Lukather, bassist David Hungate and keyboardists David Paich and Steve Porcaro.

Joined by longtime vocalist Joseph Williams, new drummer Shannon Forrest, backing vocalists Mabvuto Carpenter and Jenny Douglas-Foote, and legendary percussionist Lenny Castro, they played like a full-on band instead of a collective of hired hands.

Read on...

CURRENTLY AVAILABLE FROM YES AT GONZO

Union (Standard DVD) DVD - £9.99

Union DVD - £12.99

Union (2CD) 2CD - £7.99

Rock Of The 70's DVD - £12.99

The Lost Broadcasts DVD - £7.99

Rock of the 70s DVD - £9.99

How Can Frank Zappa's Colorful Life Possibly Fit in a Documentary?

Before his death at age 52, Frank Zappa produced one of the most massive discographies in recorded music. The Mothers of Invention leader's music spanned rock & roll, doo-wop, jazz, classical and everything in between, usually accompanied with a lighthearted smirk, over the course of 100 albums released so far. No matter how well you know his music, though, you can't help but feel like you have a perspective somewhat AKIN to a flea's eye view of an elephant. The only thing more overwhelming than attempting to make sense of Zappa's life's work would be trying to summarize his life as a whole. Now there's a new documentary in the works that WILL attempt to do just that..




Read More...


CURRENTLY AVAILABLE AT GONZO:

Frank Zappa

Frank Zappa is considered to be one of the most influential rock musicians of the late twentieth century. Between the start of his career in the late fifties and his death in 1993 he recorded and rele..

Frank Zappa et al

On September 19, 1985, Frank Zappa testified before the United States Senate Commerce, Technology, and Transportation committee, attacking the Parents Music Resource Center or PMRC, a music organizati..

Fairport Convention and stars of folk in Ilfracombe

Folk legends Fairport ConventionWILL be in Ilfracombe this November.


Ilfracombe Folk, Roots &WORLD Music Festival, November 20-22.

















JOINwell known folk artist Barbara Dickson in Ilfracombe


Big name folk stars will be descending on North Devon this November for the first ever Ilfracombe Folk, Roots &WORLD Music Festival.


Read More...


CURRENTLY AVAILABLE AT GONZO:



Fairport Convention and Matthews Southern Comfort

DVD/CD - £9.99










Live In Maidstone 1970

CD - £7.99

Live At Maidstone Castle 1970 DVD - £9.99

THOM THE WORLD POET: The Daily Poem

Rob Ayling writes: 

"Thom the World poet is an old mate of mine from way back in my history. Even pre-dating Voiceprint, when I was running "Otter Songs" and Tom's poetry tapes and guest appearances with Daevid Allen, Gilli Smyth and Mother Gong are well known and highly regarded. It just felt right to include a daily poem from Thom on our Gonzo blog and when I approached him to do so, he replied with in seconds!!! Thom is a great talent and just wants to spread poetry, light and positive energy across the globe. If we at Gonzo can help him do that - why not? why not indeed!!" (The wondrous poetpic is by Jack McCabe, who I hope forgives me for scribbling all over it with Photoshop)

FLESH OF WORD &MIRACLES

Lake of Galilee/walk on waters

Word incarnate from infinite

Intuitive ,innate-a story shared

Spoken,only written when remembered

Biblos in Caves,packed in clay

Flesh with thorns and speared

Loss on a cross with three

Thousands copy .Spartacus.ISIS.

Headlines decapitated.Media wars.

Bow down when beliefs enter politics

Abort all certainties.All is permitted

Not all is forgotten/nor forgiven

Bless the Syrian /refugee/children

THE GONZO TRACK OF THE DAY: Taoist Hymn " Incense Hymn " 道教音樂 發爐讚

Being Sunday I always post sacred music. The name of the deity may change, or even the deity Him/Herself but the spirit remains the same.

Frank Zappa: Biography, Songs & Death

This lesson will cover the life, career, and legacy of Frank Zappa. We will consider his experimentalism, influences, and passion for fighting censorship.

Frank Zappa: Visionary Eccentric

Few rock musicians have challenged popular tastes and expanded the vocabulary of rock music more than Frank Zappa. Throughout his career Zappa composed virtuosic, deeply bizarre music that delighted his fans and confused most everyone else. The majority of Zappa's music was too long (and much too strange) for top 40 radio; nonetheless, he earned a reputation during his relatively short life as one of the most complex and iconoclastic rock musicians of the 20th century.

Frank Zappa, 1977











Early Life and Career

Frank Zappa was born in Baltimore, Maryland in 1940. Zappa's family moved around a good dealduring his childhood, eventually settling in Southern California. Doo-wop, a mainly vocal form of pop music that emphasized muti-part vocal harmonies set to a simple melody, was prevalent in Southern California during the 1950s. This fairly simple form of music would be a major influence on Zappa, one that would stay with him for the rest of his life.

Read More...

CURRENTLY AVAILABLE AT GONZO:

Frank Zappa

Frank Zappa is considered to be one of the most influential rock musicians of the late twentieth century. Between the start of his career in the late fifties and his death in 1993 he recorded and rele..

Read More

---

Frank Zappa et al

On September 19, 1985, Frank Zappa testified before the United States Senate Commerce, Technology, and Transportation committee, attacking the Parents Music Resource Center or PMRC, a music organizati.

Listen: YES' Geoff Downes Chats with Donna Donna

By Donna Donna

I had a chance to speak with Yes keyboardist Jeff Downes last week about tonight's show at Barclays Center, the death of Yes bassist and co-founder Chris Squire and more. Listen to my interview with Geoff below, and see how the band saluted Squire in concert over the weekend HERE

http://www.wbab.com/weblogs/donna-donna/2015/aug/11/listen-yes-geoff-downes-chats-donna-donna/#sthash.iylFKmrB.dpuf

CURRENTLY AVAILABLE FROM YES AT GONZO

Union (Standard DVD) DVD - £9.99

Union DVD - £12.99

Union (2CD) 2CD - £7.99

Rock Of The 70's DVD - £12.99

The Lost Broadcasts DVD - £7.99

Rock of the 70s DVD - £9.99

GONZO WEEKLY #145

COMING TOMORROW

THOM THE WORLD POET: The Daily Poem

Rob Ayling writes: 

"Thom the World poet is an old mate of mine from way back in my history. Even pre-dating Voiceprint, when I was running "Otter Songs" and Tom's poetry tapes and guest appearances with Daevid Allen, Gilli Smyth and Mother Gong are well known and highly regarded. It just felt right to include a daily poem from Thom on our Gonzo blog and when I approached him to do so, he replied with in seconds!!! Thom is a great talent and just wants to spread poetry, light and positive energy across the globe. If we at Gonzo can help him do that - why not? why not indeed!!" (The wondrous poetpic is by Jack McCabe, who I hope forgives me for scribbling all over it with Photoshop)

AND IF,RUDYARD KIPLING

IF YOU INVITE LIGHTNING IN

Do not expect not to be illumined

If you invite a storm,

do not expect not to be wet

If you invite human beings

Well..you know..mess

If you opt for silicon chips

Export your jobs overseas

If you wish organic

Remember,death is organic ,too

And if you invite me in

I will invite you,too!

THE GONZO TRACK OF THE DAY: Inner City Unit - The Bones of Elvis

CURRENTLY AVAILABLE FROM GONZO

The President's Tapes CD - £9.99

New Anatomy CD - £9.99

The Maximum Effect CD - £9.99

Celestial Fire tour and Sally Minnear tour for Dave Bainbridge

THE MULTI-instrumentalist with Iona, Dave Bainbridge, has announced he will be playing three UK concerts with some of the musicians who played on his solo 'Celestial Fire' album. Details are: 30th September, The Robin, Bilston; 1st October, Fibbers, York; and 2nd October, Summers End Festival, The Drill Hall, Chepstow.

Read more...

CURRENTLY AVAILABLE AT GONZO:

The Veil Of Gossamer  CD - £7.99

Yes rocks on after Chris Squire’s death

Geoff Downes has played keyboards in three successful groups, one of which is British rock legends Yes, performing at The Rose Music Center in Huber Heights on Friday.

Downes first hit the charts in 1979 with The Buggles’ international hit single “Video Killed the Radio Star.” After his first brief stint with Yes in 1980, the keyboardist formed the supergroup Asia with Yes guitarist Steve Howe, King Crimson bassist John Wetton and Emerson, Lake & Palmer drummer Carl Palmer. Downes rejoined Yes in 2011.

Despite his lengthy resume, during a recent telephone call Downes was focused on Yes. The band is currently touring in the wake of founding member Chris Squire’s death in late June. Here are excerpts from that conversation.

Q: I know Chris was already sick and wasn’t going to do this tour, but how did his death change things for this summer?

A: “We were obviously all very shocked and saddened when we heard the news about Chris. The treatments didn’t work for his very aggressive form of leukemia. It’s a bittersweet thing to be going on the road. We’re obviously going to miss Chris enormously, but I think his wish would be for Yes music to continue, and we’re going to try and do as best we can.”

Q: Did his sudden passing change the upcoming show?

A: “It’s very important we pay a lot of respect to Chris’ legacy, and that’s one of the key aspects to this tour. Chris was the driving force of Yes since the beginning, and the music affected a lot of people and influenced a lot of musicians. We’ll do our best to show Yes music is still viable. We’re still up and running, and we still enjoy doing it. The key thing is you have to enjoy the music you make.”

Read on...

CURRENTLY AVAILABLE FROM YES AT GONZO

Union (Standard DVD) DVD - £9.99

Union DVD - £12.99

Union (2CD) 2CD - £7.99

Rock Of The 70's DVD - £12.99

The Lost Broadcasts DVD - £7.99

Rock of the 70s DVD - £9.99

THOM THE WORLD POET: The Daily Poem

Rob Ayling writes: 

"Thom the World poet is an old mate of mine from way back in my history. Even pre-dating Voiceprint, when I was running "Otter Songs" and Tom's poetry tapes and guest appearances with Daevid Allen, Gilli Smyth and Mother Gong are well known and highly regarded. It just felt right to include a daily poem from Thom on our Gonzo blog and when I approached him to do so, he replied with in seconds!!! Thom is a great talent and just wants to spread poetry, light and positive energy across the globe. If we at Gonzo can help him do that - why not? why not indeed!!" (The wondrous poetpic is by Jack McCabe, who I hope forgives me for scribbling all over it with Photoshop)

THE PROBLEM WITH THE PRESIDENCY

It focuses upon personality

So the louder you speak

The more people you greet

Flim-flam.Press Corpse.Messed Media!

RUNNING TO BE THE LITTLE BIG MAN

when the world is in trouble and turmoil again

solution /not war!-peace and prosperity for sure

so you can for whom i will be voting!

AGEISM&SEXISM ARE STILL ALIVE

so if you are a women or elder/to survive

You need to link to your base of support

and trust that your opposition will not vote..

THE GONZO TRACK OF THE DAY: BILLY COBHAM STRATUS

CURRENTLY AVAILABLE FROM GONZO

Live Electric Ballroom In Dallas Texas 1975 DCD - £11.99

Glass Menagerie CD/DVD - £9.99

PREVIEW: Barbara Dickson set for Floral Pavilion return

MULTI-MILLION selling singer Barbara Dickson returns to Wirral for a special concert nextmonth.

The musician, actress and radio presenter will be joined by Nick Holland in a folk duet at the Floral Pavilion in New Brighton on Saturday, September 12.

Keyboard Nick joined Barbara's touring band in the mid-2000s. He also sang on her Full Circlealbum, the first to feature the style of music she now performs.

In 2009, Barbara was offered a festival where a 'duo' line-up seemed more effective than the big band and asked Nick to join her.

Since then, they have played together in cathedrals and abbeys, folk festivals and theatres and developed an intimate rapport with each other and the audience.

Barbara said: “It’s a different experience to working with the bigger band, but just as enjoyable and gives the music ‘breathing space’”.

Born in Dunfermline the former civil servant signed her first recording contract in 1968.

In 1974 Barbara's life as a 'travelling folk musician' was thrust in an unexpected direction when Willy Russell offered her a role in his Beatles’ musical John, Paul, George, Ringo… and Bert at Liverpool’s Everyman Theatre.

Read More...

CURRENTLY AVAILABLE AT GONZO:

Morning Comes Quickly CD - £7.99

Answer Me CD - £7.99

Winter CD - £9.99

Che Faro DVD - £12.99

B4 74 - The Folkclub Tapes 2CD - £11.99

Full Circle CD - £9.99

Into The Light DVD - £12.99

Time And Tide  CD - £9.99