Friday 30 March 2018

Gonzo Weekly #280

Gonzo Weekly #280
THE GIVE TREES A CHANCE ISSUE
 
In this environmentally aware issue meet the legendary Steve Andrews (aka The Bard of Ely) and talk environmental activism and the scandal of Sheffield Council's tree felling programme, Alan extols the virtues of Jonathan Wilson, John talks about David Sanborn and Yazz Ahmed, Doug writes about Neal Preston's new book, Jon raves about Jack White and muses on a book sort
of about Brian Jones.
 
#Hail Eris!
 
And there are radio shows from Strange Fruit, AND Mack Maloney, BUT Friday Night Progressive is on hiatus this week, there are columns from all sorts of folk including Neil Nixon, Kev Rowlands, C J Stone, and Mr Biffo AND the irrepressible Corinna, although Roy Weard is sady absent this week. There is also a collection of more news, reviews, views, interviews and southern dibblers who have stood around in twos (OK, nothing to do with small marsupials who have paired up under this weekend's blue moon, but I got carried away with things that rhymed with OOOOS) than you can shake a stick at. And the best part is IT's ABSOLUTELY FREE!!!
 
This issue features:
 
The White Stripes, Jack White, John Lennon, Yoko Ono, Ronnie Wood, Nightwish, Yes, Trevor Horn, Strange Fruit, Mack Maloney's Mystery Hour, Jerry Williams (Sven Erik Fernström), Kak Channthy, Fergus Gordon Anckorn, Lys Assia (Rosa Mina Schärer), Shawn Elliott, Nikolay Yankov Kaufman, Seo Min-woo, Robert "Kooster" McAllister, Tony Klinger, Billion Dollar Babies, Man, Delius, Vaughan Williams, Edward Elgar, Steve Andrews, Doug Harr, Neal Preston, Alan Dearling, Jonathan Wilson, John Brodie-Good, David Sanborn Group, Yazz Ahmed,  Alestorm, Ammunition, Amor, Ampline, Anvil, Obituary, Operation Mindcrime, Rhapsody of Fire, Sebastien, Mr Biffo, C J Stone, Hawkwind, Martin Springett, Jon Downes, The Wild Colonial Boy, Kim Kinrade, Brian Jones, Jimi Hendrix, David Bowie, Frank Zappa, Johnny Cash, The Cavern Club, Neil Nixon, Foghorn requiem.
 
And the last few issues are:
 
Issue 279 (Biffo)
Issue 278 (The Beatles)
Issue 277 (Auld Man's Baccie)
Issue 276 (Dukes of the Orient)
Issue 275 (Martin Gordon)
Issue 274 (Steve Took)
Issue 273 (Live Dead 69)
Issue 272 (George Butler)
Issue 271 (Mark E Smith)
Issue 270 (Eric Clapton)
Issue 269 (Narnia)
Issue 267-8 (Happy New Year)
Issue 265-6 (The Who)
Issue 264 (John McLaughlin)
Issue 263 (The magic Band)
Issue 262 (DikMik)
Issue 261 (Leonard Cohen)
Issue 260 (Amsterdam Squat Festie)
 
All issues from #70 can be downloaded at www.gonzoweekly.com if you prefer. If you have problems downloading, just email me and I will add you to the Gonzo Weekly dropbox. The first 69 issues are archived there as well. Information is power chaps, we have to share it!
 
You can download the magazine in pdf form HERE:
 

SPECIAL NOTICE: If you, too, want to unleash the power of your inner rock journalist, and want to join a rapidly growing band of likewise minded weirdos please email me at jon@eclipse.co.uk The more the merrier really.

PLAYLIST: SF 250 – 18 MARCH 2018


Strange Fruit is a unique two-hour radio show exploring the world of underground, strange and generally neglected music. All shows are themed and all shows set out to give the most hardened of sound-hounds some new delight to sample.

The show is also unique in providing homework for undergraduate students on North West Kent College’s Foundation Degree in Professional Writing (who dig up many of the odd facts featured in the links between tracks). Neil Nixon, the founder and presenter of the show has released a book about rare albums for Gonzo Multimedia.

The show is broadcast on Miskin Radio every Sunday from 10-00-midnight.

SF 250 – 18 MARCH 2018

Mercury Rev:  Moving on
The Cambodian Space Project:  Demon Lover
Porcupine Tree:  I Drive the Hearse
Mercury Rev:  Holes
Alison O’Donnell:  Memorial
Jimi Hendrix & Love:  Jam
Robin Trower:  Try Love
Yasmin Hamdan:  La Chey
The Unthanks:  What can a Song do to You?
Mercury Rev:  The Happy End
Mercury Rev:  Goddess on a Hiway
Voice of the Seven Woods:  If Luck Could Kill
Ride:  Home is a Feeling
Anupama:  Yeh Raat
Ken Nordine:  Spectrum
These New Puritans:  We Want War
The Boo Radleys:  Upon 9th and Fairchild
Elara:  Harmonia
Miranda Sex Garden:  Sweet Honey Sucking Bees
Mercury Rev:  The Funny Bird
Mercury Rev:  Pick up if You’re There
The Beatles:  Goodnight


THOM THE WORLD POET: The Daily Poem

Rob Ayling, yer Gonzo Grande Fromage, 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 Thom'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 within 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?

EVERY BORROWED MOMENT IS UNIQUE
It is also golden ,and shining,with promise and portent
To be allowed in to the secret of today
To open the envelope of possibilities
Ones that could not have been explored until now
and may not last until tomorrow.Which means
we need to see today as precious.Some will leave today,
and not return.Some will delay today,sleep through it
in hospitals or hospice.To be given this bag of seconds
These ticking minutes.These astonishing moments.
It means more than the way you choose to see today

It is the way you choose -to BE today

THE GONZO TRACK OF THE DAY: Bob Calvert - The Right Stuff



CURRENTLY AVAILABLE FROM GONZO
At The Queen Elizabeth Hall 1986
CD - £7.99

Centigrade 232
Book - £9.99

Hype
Book - £9.99

Blueprints From the Cellar / At The Queen Elizabeth Hall
DCD - £7.99

Rick Wakeman talks bad behaviour in rock at the Classic Rock Awards - Daily Mail



CURRENTLY AVAILABLE FROM GONZO


Richard Christopher 'Rick' Wakeman (born 18 May 1949) is an English keyboard player and songwriter best known for being the former keyboardist in the progressive rock band Yes. He is also known for hi..


Starmus is a festival of music and astronomy on the beautiful island of Tenerife. It is the brain child of Garik Israelian (the astrophysicist who led the team which found the first observational..


On this extraordinary album, legendary keyboard player teams up with an Italian singer named Mario Fasciano. Stavros Moschopoulos  writes: 'Recorded on the Isle of Man, the CD contains 8 new..


With special guests  Various artists including: Ian Paice, Rick Parfitt, Steve Hackett, Andy Fairweather Low, John Entwistle etc..


Richard Christopher 'Rick' Wakeman (born 18 May 1949) is an English keyboard player and songwriter best known for being the former keyboardist in the progressive rock band Yes. He is also known f..


Musician, producer and former Yes member Billy Sherwood has put together what he’s dubbed “the biggest super group of progressive rock players ever assembled,” to form ..


26 tracks in all, of which 10 are previously unreleased (these including an epic version of Matthew the Man - live in Tokyo 2001 and Beijing - widescreen remix from Iona, and other unreleased tra..

Tramshed's Interzone - Dave Brock from Hawkwind



CURRENTLY AVAILABLE FROM GONZO
Space Ritual Live - Special Edition
2DVD/2CD - £29.99

Space Ritual Live 
2CD1DVD - £19.99

COMING THIS WEEKEND


Thursday 29 March 2018

THE GONZO TRACK OF THE DAY: Van der Graaf Generator - A Plague of Lighthouse Keepers - Live 1972 (Remastered)



CURRENTLY AVAILABLE FROM GONZO
Live at the Paradiso Apr 2007
CD - £10.99

THOM THE WORLD POET: The Daily Poem

Rob Ayling, yer Gonzo Grande Fromage, 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 Thom'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 within 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?

MY METAPHOR FOR LIFE
I THINK OF CHICAGO AIRPORT
All different flight patterns
but all of them must land
Every body on a different level
We all come from different places
We all come through a birth canal
We all end up as ash and bone
Chicago Airport is a Behometh
that checks our excess luggage
Gives us wings to fly on-

to our next life.

Captain Beefheart Full Documentary



CURRENTLY AVAILABLE FROM GONZO



Don Van Vliet (born Don Glen Vliet; January 15, 1941 – December 17, 2010) was an American musician, singer-songwriter, artist and poet known by the stage name Captain Beefheart. His musical work..


Don Van Vliet (born Don Glen Vliet; January 15, 1941 – December 17, 2010) was an American musician, singer-songwriter, artist and poet known by the stage name Captain Beefheart. His musical work..

ZAPPA FAMILY NEWS


The renowned guitarist honors his father by touring the world and performing his music in an all new show filled with some of Frank Zappa's boldest compositions! with blistering instrumentals spanning as many decades as time signatures, you don't want to miss Dweezil Zappa live on Saturday, April ...

CURRENTLY AVAILABLE FROM 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..

IS IT OVERKILL TO USE MY WONDROUS STORIES JOKE AGAIN?

XX

The current Yes lineup consists of longtime guitarist Steve Howe and drummer Alan White, along with keyboardist Geoff Downes, bassist Billy Sherwood, and vocalist Jon Davidson. They're not to be confused with the other live incarnation of Yes featuring Jon Anderson, Trevor Rabin, Rick Wakeman, ...
Today's Yes – Howe, drummer Alan White, keyboardist Geoff Downes, vocalist Jon Davison and bassist Billy Sherwood – will embark on a 30-plus date adventure dubbed “#YES50: Celebrating 50 Years of Yes.” “Much has changed since I joined Yes in 1970, but the core elements of the band have ...
The one coming to Clearwater is officially dubbed Yes, plain and simple, and features longtime guitarist Steve Howe and drummer Alan White; off-and-on keyboardist Geoff Downes and bassist Billy Sherwood; and vocalist Jon Davison, who's been with the group since 2012. The other version goes by ...

They're not to be confused with the other live incarnation of Yes featuring Jon Anderson, Trevor Rabin, Rick Wakeman, who are currently performing together under the banner Yes featuring ARW. Yes 2018 Tour Dates: 06/05 – St. Charles, IL @ Arcada Theatre 06/06 – St. Charles, IL @ Arcada Theatr

The other version goes by Yes featuring Jon Anderson, Trevor Rabin and Rick Wakeman (or sometimes ARW for short), and features the group's longtime former singer, guitarist and keyboardist, respectively. Anderson is the only remaining original 1968 member of Yes who still tours regularly, so if ...


So it was a surprise introduction by original drummer Bill Bruford that got tonight's demonstration of elite class musicianship underway, with a brain melting Yours Is No Disgrace from 1971's Yes Album. With guitarist Steve Howe in spritely fine form stretching his magical fingers up and down the fretboard ...


Formed in 1968 and known for its expansive songs, esoteric lyrics, elaborate album art and live stage sets, Yes' current line-up consists of singer Jon Davison, guitarist Steve Howe, drummer Alan White, keyboardist Geoff Downes and bassist Billy Sherwood. Over a 20-year recording career, Shepherd ...

CURRENTLY AVAILABLE FROM GONZO
Union
DVD - £10.99

Union (2CD)
2CD - £7.99

Tuesday 27 March 2018

Steve Ignorant - Interview



CURRENTLY AVAILABLE FROM GONZO
The Feeding of the 5000
2CD1DVD - £10.99

The Last Supper, Shepherds Bush Empire 2011
2CD1DVD - £10.99

YES IN THE NEWS


The concerts will feature the current Yes lineup — guitarist Steve Howe, drummer Alan White, keyboardist Geoff Downes, singer Jon Davison and bassist Billy Sherwood — playing a set that includes many of the band's most popular songs. “Much has changed since I joined Yes in 1970, but the core ...

Today's Yes – Howe, drummer Alan White, keyboardist Geoff Downes, vocalist Jon Davison and bassist Billy Sherwood – will embark on a 30-plus date adventure dubbed “#YES50: Celebrating 50 Years of Yes.” “Much has changed since I joined Yes in 1970, but the core elements of the band have ...

“I have been blessed to be a member of this amazing band's rhythm section for the past 46 years, mostly in the company of my great friend Chris Squire, and latterly alongside Chris' chosen successor, Billy Sherwood, who is receiving recognition for stepping into Chris' pre-eminent bass and vocals,” ...

The current Yes lineup consists of longtime guitarist Steve Howe and drummer Alan White, along with keyboardist Geoff Downes, bassist Billy Sherwood, and vocalist Jon Davidson. They're not to be confused with the other live incarnation of Yes featuring Jon Anderson, Trevor Rabin, Rick Wakeman, ...

The band's current line-up consists of singer Jon Davison, guitarist Steve Howe, drummer Alan White, keyboardist Geoff Downes and bassist Billy Sherwood. YES alumni are Jon Anderson, Chris Squire, Rick Wakeman, Bill Bruford, Trevor Horn, Trevor Rabin, Tony Kaye, Peter Banks, Patrick Moraz, ...

Prog rock vets Yes are celebrating their 50th anniversary this year, and the current lineup of the group — Steve Howe, Alan White, Geoff Downes, Jon Davison, and Billy Sherwood — (none of whom are actually founding members) will embark on a tour to commemorate. North American tour dates ..

Drummer Alan White adds: “I have been blessed to be a member of this amazing band's rhythm section for the past 46 years – mostly in the company of my great friend Chris Squire, and latterly alongside Chris' chosen successor, Billy Sherwood, who is receiving recognition for stepping into Chris' ...


The lineup will include Steve Howe (guitarist since '70), Alan White (drums since '72), Geoff Downes (keyboards, joined in '80), and will be led by Billy Sherwood who joined in the '90s and took over bass and vocals after frontman Chris Squire's death in 2015. "Each night we are pausing to reflect on ...

CURRENTLY available from gonzo
Union
DVD - £10.99

Union (2CD)
2CD - £7.99

THE GONZO TRACK OF THE DAY: Percy Jones - Bass Exploration



CURRENTLY AVAILABLE FROM GONZO
emixed, featur..


Percy Jones (born December th, 1947 near Llandrindod Wells, Wales) is a Welsh bass guitarist, and was a member of jazz fusion band Brand X from 1974 to 1980, as well as a reformed version that lasted ..


Percy Jones (born 3 December 1947 near Llandrindod Wells, Wales) is a Welsh bass guitarist, and was a member of jazz fusion band Brand X, from 1974 to 1980, and..

Alice Cooper Group Guitarist/Songwriter Michael Bruce's “No More Mr. Nice Guy” Biography Revised!

 
For Immediate Release

Alice Cooper Group Guitarist/Songwriter Michael Bruce's “No More Mr. Nice Guy” Biography Revised! 

Limited edition signed by Michael Bruce available!

London - Much to the excitement of Alice Cooper group fans worldwide, Gonzo Multimedia will be releasing Michael Bruce's critically acclaimed biography “No More Mr. Nice Guy” revised! Also available is a limited edition signed by Michael Bruce.



Written by Alice Cooper group guitarist, keyboard player and main songwriter Michael Bruce, “No More Mr. Nice Guy” is an anthology of the band that encapsulated the decadent spirit of the 1970s. Following the group on their journey from Arizona garage band to eventual rise to stardom, it reveals the truth behind the drinking and the rock 'n' roll. This “true life” story includes the hangings, the executions, the ghoulish makeup, the egos and of course, the rock 'n' roll. Revised and updated it includes previously unseen photographs and memorabilia.

“Its not often we get a chance to redo, remake or in this case re-release a book.....my book. It is with much thought, great enjoyment,  many thanks and heartfelt appreciation for family,  friends and fans that I present the re-release of 'No More Mr Nice Guy.' A compilation of hilarious rock 'n' roll stories and life events that made me the man I am today.” - Michael Bruce

This release comes on the heels of the recent highly publicized Alice Cooper group reunion concerts in the UK!


Michael Bruce FB Page:

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

THOM THE WORLD POET: The Daily Poem

Rob Ayling, yer Gonzo Grande Fromage, 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 Thom'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 within 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?

SO HE SHOWED ME HOW MUCH HE EARNED ON UBER
SUBTRACTED THE GAS.ADDED ON THE TIPS
Felt content with his Smartphone apps .
But London and New York taxi drivers are not so happy.
Disruptive industries destroy traditional income streams
"Independent Contractors"absorb the costs  of health care
have no holidays nor Union support,and are subject
to the whims of corporate management.Some adapt and are enriched-
others compete and are bulldozed out by economies of scale.
Not every industry is bettered by Smartphone apps.
Private prisons and Charter schools take your tax dollars
but do not offer accountability.We are being displaced..
Captain Ludd saw that advancing technology would
disrupt traditional industries.Compound that a thousand fold
One small step from app to Matrix.Just ask China's /"Social Credit"?

newyorker.com
America’s self-reliance obsession makes it more acceptable to applaud…
...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.