Friday, 30 October 2015
Review: Barbara Dickson at St Mary’s Church Nantwich
Famous for her lead roles in West End musicals, unforgettable hit singles and as an actress, Dickson took to the stage with her pianist accompanying her, opening the set with the ever popular ‘Another Suitcase in Another Hall’, much to the crowd’s delight.
Her performance lasted about an hour, with some insight into her life as she stopped between songs to tell the story of the next track.
CURRENTLY AVAILABLE AT GONZO:
 | More Brecht Than Broadway 4CD Boxset - £49.99 |
 | Morning Comes Quickly CD - £7.99 |
 | Answer Me CD - £7.99 |
 | Winter CD - £9.99 |
 | Che Faro DVD - £10.99 |
 | B4 74 - The Folkclub Tapes 2CD - £10.99 |
 | Full Circle CD - £9.99 |
 | Into The Light DVD - £10.99 |
 | Time And Tide CD - £9.99 |
THOM THE WORLD POET: The Daily Poem
Rob Ayling writes: 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?"
EMOTIONAL OVERCOATS
"IN AN AGE OF SUDDEN STORMS"-
when we are building stick figure
fleets
launching them like paper lanterns under a
moon night sky
Wise to eat future fish that is not
Fukushima
Avoid the hot dogs,sausages and
salmonella
Stay away from the bacon and caged egg
chickens
Stay as FREE RANGE as vegetarians might
wonder
what food has to do with future(we eat too
much/we waste too much
We have a DIET problem,a WEIGHT problem-in a
starving civilian free fire zone
Fossickers in rubbish dumps in Manila have
no vocabulary of vampires
It is psychic soup/indigestible guilt and
greed that makes mutants and monsters,Doctor Frankenstein!
Projectors of an unsettled psyche parade in
Death masks to assuage ancestors
Horror movies and worse Reality TV shows
dull and deaden our aliveness
we WAKE THE DEAD on many levels.Words
enchant,declaim,denounce,aspire to and evoke
either that fragile paper boat Japanese
lanterns @Hiroshima and Nagasaki
or some Robert Frost realisms,which say we
will probably stumble
when it calls for holding Heavens in our
burning paper hands..
Thursday, 29 October 2015
Project Object carries Frank Zappa’s legacy to River Street Jazz Cafe with alumni Ike Willis and Denny Walley
More than 20 years after his death, Frank Zappa’s music, ironically, is reaching a much wider audience than it had during the three decades he toured. While most of his new fans can credit the Internet as the basis for discovering music that flew under the radar of the mainstream for decades, many of Zappa’s former musicians are thankful the music was discovered, and those fans are embracing the opportunity to see his musical partners carry on his legacy.
One outfit who has been using Zappa alumni since the mid ’90s is the insatiable Project/Object, which will finally make its return to the River Street Jazz Café in Plains on Oct. 23. Throughout the last 20 years, Project/Object has played with Zappa legends like Don Preston, Napoleon Murphy Brock and Ray White.
One of the heavyweights on this current tour, guitarist Denny Walley, was just a teenager when he met Zappa in 1957. From the start, Walley and Zappa shared a common respect and admiration of the blues and doo wop, two elements that defined most of Zappa’s career. Forming a bond with Zappa before he put out records and being looked at as one of Zappa’s go-to guys for many lineups, Walley is cautious when a Zappa band asks him to play with them, unless it’s Project/Object.
“One thing about expectations: if you have them, you’re bound to be disappointed,” he said. “Anyone wanting to play the music, I champion them … the short answer is, I’ll go out and jam with some bands, but I won’t go out for an extended tour with a group, unless it’s with someone like Project/Object who always has alumni and real quality players.”
Another Zappa heavyweight on tour – who has consistently toured with Project/Object – is the legendary baritone vocalist/guitarist Ike Willis, a fixture of Zappa’s bands from 1978 to 1988. Willis and Walley had a unique connection before Willis was formally a member of Zappa’s band. He saw what Walley is capable of, and is enthusiastic about the current tour.
“Denny will surprise you,” Willis said. “You’ve got to remember: Denny and Frank grew up together. He knew Frank since he was a teenager, and he knows a lot more material than people give him credit for. The thing about Project/Object is, we play every genre of Frank’s music; we don’t leave too much out. Sometimes it depends on the other personnel – who we have on keys, drums, bass, etc. As long as we have a strong keyboard player and a strong drummer, we could pretty much hit anything out of the park. With Denny, it gives us a little more versatility as well, vocally, but it gives us another guitar player who could throw stuff in as well. It’s also his attitude, sense of humor, and approach to the music that I love too. Denny kind of took me under his wing before I even got hired by Frank. He’s my adopted big brother; he took me under his wing when I was 20 years old.”
CURRENTLY AVAILABLE AT GONZO:
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..
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..
THOM THE WORLD POET: The Daily Poem
Rob Ayling writes: 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!!"
URBS ROMANTICA
THE CITY IS HISTORY
7 layers of Troy,Seven Hills of
Rome
The Glory That Was Greece,Lost
Londinium
Washington's Crime rate,Chicago
Fires,
Austin's traffic/Festivals,Houston's
mosquitoes
Still clumps and convoys,seeking
Paradise
Yellow Brick Road or How Green Was My
Valley?
Urbs vs Rural.Young leave 4 Bright
Lights,Big City
Where everyone is anonymous,but you can be
somebody
Every day-antsnest,beaver dam,high
rise,crime rate
Harder they come,softer they fall.One and
all..
Animals Singer Eric Burdon to Launch Series of Late-Fall Tour Dates Next Month
Founding Animals frontman Eric Burdon is heading out on the road in the coming weeks with his latest incarnation of the group. The late-fall tour will visit a variety of venues across the U.S., kicking off on November 7 in Maricopa, Arizona, and running through a December 11 show in Pala, California.
The trek also includes a sold-out show at the City Winery in Chicago, as well as a stop in Las Vegas.
CURRENTLY AVAILABLE AT GONZO:
 | The Lost Broadcasts DVD - £7.99 |
 | The Animals And Beyond DVD - £7.99 |
 | Beat Beat Beat - Eric Burdon DVD - £4.99 |
GUITARIST STEVE HACKETT OPEN TO GENESIS REUNION
GUITARIST Steve Hackett has revealed he is open to playing with prog rock legends Genesis again if the band ever reforms.
There has been mounting speculation the 70s rockers could play together again.
The 65-year-old Hackett was part of the legendary line-up alongside Phil Collins and Peter Gabriel.
His guitar parts are fundamental to Genesis’ influential albums like Nursery Cryme and the Lamb Lies Down on Broadway.
Hackett will headline the Music Hall tonight to recreate those halcyon Genesis years and also perform solo material.
And he admits to a yearning for Genesis, who met up briefly for a 2014 documentary, to take to the stage together again.
He said: “I would be open for a Genesis reunion.
“The fact that I honour the Genesis material and carry the candle for the band shows I would say yes to playing together again.
“However you have to remember there has been an awfully long time waiting for that.
“I was part of that golden period of Genesis when Peter Gabriel was involved and I am still drawn to that music.
“A lot of people who went on to become leaders in their field were involved in those early efforts.
“Genesis were different from most progressive bands as we were not driven by technique.
“It was a bit ramshackle at times and we deliberately allowed it to breathe.”
CURRENTLY AVAILABLE AT GONZO:
 | Spectral Mornings DVD - £5.99 |
YES: Meet the 2016 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame nominees
Get ready to rock!
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 2016 nominees were announced Thursday, and it's a mixed bag of newcomers and return contenders.
Janet Jackson, Cheap Trick, The Cars and Los Lobos are among the artists making their nominee debuts. Nine Inch Nails, N.W.A., Chic and The Smiths, meanwhile, were all in the running last year and nominated again.
Inductees will be determined by more than 800 artists, historians and music industry execs. Artists are eligible for consideration 25 years after releasing their first single or album.
The inductees will be announced in December, and an induction ceremony will be held in Manhattan in April.
Here, the 2016 contenders:
CURRENTLY AVAILABLE AT GONZO:
 | Union (Standard DVD) DVD - £7.99 |
 | Union DVD - £10.99 |
 | Union (2CD) 2CD - £7.99 |
 | Rock Of The 70's DVD - £10.99 |
 | The Lost Broadcasts DVD - £7.99 |
| Rock of the 70s DVD - £7.99 |
Wednesday, 28 October 2015
"We Did It, Mom": Frank Zappa’s Roxy The Movie Premieres in LA
Grauman’s Egyptian Theater in Hollywood hosted the world premiere of the late Frank Zappa’s Roxy The Movie last week. The concert film, over 40 years in the making, presented Zappa’s now legendary run of 1973 shows at the Roxy that resulted in his stellar Roxy and Elsewhere album.The film’s existence is somewhat of an improbable triumph; suffering at the time of its making insurmountable technical difficulties, with the raw footage stored away in Zappa’s vault until its resurrection this year.
“We did it, Mom!” shouted Zappa’s son Ahmet in an emotional introduction prior to the screening; the Roxy project being one that he worked on closely with his mother, Gail, who passed away on October 7, leaving the evening both somber and celebratory.
CURRENTLY AVAILABLE AT GONZO:
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..
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..
Legendary bands Toto and Yes perform at the Greek Theatre in LA
Singer Joseph William's voice sounded amazing as he soared through each and every note with ease, giving the fans just what they wanted to hear on their favorite Toto songs. Meanwhile, guitarist Steve Lukather played an emotionally charged guitar solo of Jimi Hendrix's "Little Wing", which also brought the house down. David Paich and Steve Porcaro as always, added their legendary touches to the keyboards and synthesizers, which have made Toto one of the most successful bands in the world. Let's not forget the awesome sounds of David Hungate on bass and Shannon Forrest on drums.
The performances from both bands was nothing short of spectacular especially for those who had never seen a Toto or Yes concert before, including myself. It was truly an honor to catch this incredible show and see first hand, how amazing their music sounded live. It is easy to see how Toto, who formed in Van Nuys CA, 1977 have sold over 40 million records worldwide throughout their hugely successful career, according towikipedia.
CURRENTLY AVAILABLE 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: 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!!"
STEALING STOLEN
NOTHING NEW UNDER THE SUN?
Every word world has different permutations
and combinations
Some hold a resonance of previous
generations
As Yeats stole rhythms from Gaelic
authors/Irish Bards
As pop stars rip riffs for rap tapping
rhythms
As even Beatles got sued for borrowed
melodies
Plagiarism continues.(i stole that idea from
Channel 4 news)
Like Republican/Tory "War and
Austerity"recycled policies
Like "Tax and Spend"pseudo
alternatives
Like predictable political party platform
speeches
The poetry of your life bears no
replication
Each heartbeat unique.But that has all been
said before
and will be said again once
more!
40 years solo for guitarist Steve
To celebrate the 40th anniversary of his career as a solo artist, legendary guitarist Steve Hackett is touring the UK again – with a stop at Ipswich’s Regent Theatre on October 27.
The former Genesis guitarist’s Acolyte to Wolflight with Genesis Revisited tour comes on the back of his most recent chart album, the ethereal Wolflight.
The set list covers a large part of Steve’s huge discography, including early solo hits from Voyage of the Acolyte and Spectral Mornings up his most recent releases. Audiences will also enjoy some Genesis classics, many of which Steve will be playing for the first time in years.
The show is sure to satisfy both old and new fans, retracing the ground-breaking steps which led to Wolflight.
CURRENTLY AVAILABLE AT GONZO:
| Spectral Mornings DVD - £5.99 |
Tuesday, 27 October 2015
RICK WAKEMAN: Walsall school pupils' rap wins road safety song contest
Delves Infant School struck a chord with ex-Yes musician Rick Wakeman when pupils triumphed in the inaugural finals of the DriveSafe & StaySafe Road Safety Song Contest.
The children's rap song It's All About Road Safety, which included the lyrics 'Because you know I'm all about the stop, bout the stop, look, listen', impressed the former Yes keyboardist.
The school beat off competition from fellow finalists Banners Gate Primary School in Sutton Coldfield, Burnwood Primary School in Stoke-on-Trent, Deykin School in Witton and Trinity Church of England School in Wolverhampton.
Read More...
CURRENTLY AVAILABLE AT GONZO:
 | Gole/Almost Live in Europe 2CD - £9.99 |
 | Fields of Green/Always With You 2CD - £9.99 |
 | 1984/Out There 2CD - £9.99 |
 | Live At The Empire Pool - King Arthur On Ice DVD/CD - £9.99 |
 | 1984 - Live At The Hammersmith Odeon 1981 DVD/CD - £9.99 |
 | Live in Lincoln Cathedral 2CD - £7.99 |
 | Live At The Maltings 1976 DVD/CD - £9.99 |
 | Caped Crusader- Rick Wakeman in the 1970s Book - £14.99 |
 | Video Vaults 6DVD box - £85.00 |
 | Cirque Surreal CD - £7.99 |
 | Gole CD - £9.99 |
 | Cost Of Living CD - £9.99 |
 | The Mixture CD - £7.99 |
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)