LINK: Merrell reviewed

http://progressive.homestead.com/60s70s2.html

Gonzo Multimedia Merrell Fankhauser : The Best Of -2cd- (US,1962-2011)****+**°

I always missed all the occasions of being able to check out better, all the Merrell Fankhauser reisues, although I know he made there a kind of legendary status in the psychedelic milieu, with his albums of Mu, or Faparadolky, or some of his solo albums with his exotic looks, as if he is abducted by alienating force taking him just a few beams out of the spectrum of earth and with his colourful Hawaii looks. I still remember those days when his albums were re-released, just like the Eben Abez releases, they only gave me the slight idea that they both must be the kind of outsider hippies before they even existed, and then remained one step away from them.

Now, this double CD is at least a very good opportunity to make up with the shortage of time to check him out better. This also must be a better starter, for it is a compilation taken from all of his works, a kind of best of from 1963-1978 on disc one, with 1978-2011 on disc two. What was already clear on Merell’s first band from a rockabilly time, Merrell and the Exiles, is that already this band had a sensitivity and feeling for a psychedelic pop sound, and there is already present that slightly exotic, happy touch from the beginning. And although Merrell only at the time of Mu (1972) moved to Hawaii, I feel that he was destined in every way to be associated with that area and its being.

Every band involved showed a good feeling for arrangements, and especially on the first CD (until 1978), an always present pop-psych sound, which in the beginning was influenced by the Ventures and had associations with a pre-surf sound, I rather would say that in general it has all the sunshines of the beach in them, under the form of a kind of smile in each song, something which makes even the lightest moments so attractive and pleasant to listen to. The songs are always clearly written, way up to the later dates, which I also think is very positive. And suddenly there is indeed that conspiracy idea of UFO’s intriguing him to the degree of insanity, the theme is taken as another light and humoristic factor, which in the hippie sense at a distance from real life to make it more pleasant, fits with Merrells personality and talent to entertain, very well.

On the second album, the later periods show similar visions and workouts, with here and there, a commercial try-out like reggae rhythm and a glamorous pop arrangement on some other track. With two songs about the need to do regular jobs for a living (a working blues song) or a few down-to-earth daily concerns fits his being less. But when the humour becomes dominating in a surreal way that’s where I recognise best Merrell from the start. One of the bonus songs starts with the theme of two vegetarians with a steak before them being puzzled about their positions in their morality, suddenly out of nowhere and within the same song the UFO witness is back and added to the story.

There’s a 12-page booklet included explaining the background stories of the bands, and about where the inspirations came from. I leave it up to you to get acquainted at the next occasion...

Intro : http://glassonyonpublicity.wordpress.com/...
Label info : http://www.gonzomultimedia.co.uk/...
Homepage : http://merrellfankhauser.com/ & http://www.myspace.com/mfankhauser#!
Fan page : http://www.frogseye.co.uk/calling/index.htm
Other review : http://www.mediamikes.com/...
Article : http://www.examiner.com/article/...

MICHAEL DES BARRES: At last - what we have all been waiting for

I enjoy writing the Gonzo Daily, and for the first time in many decades I am not only enthusiastic, but excited by rock music again. Back in the 1970s I first discovered drums, bass, lead guitar and a crashing 4/4 beat, and found that they provoked a visceral response unlike anything else that I had ever known. Over the years, whilst music was still important to me, I gradually stopped fetishising it which was probably a sign of me growing up and taking a place in the normal world. But in recent months I have found myself feeling about music differently. It is not quite like it was back in 1974, but it is damn close.

And so I find myself getting drawn into the crazy-passionate intrigues of the music business, and I remember why I got involved in the first place. And I find myself getting particularly excited about new, and forthcoming releases.

I received these in my email late last night. It seems appropriate that, in view of the essential Englishness of Michael's forthcoming album, and the cover, that we publish them on Jubilee day.

We finally have the preorder links for the special CD/DVD edition of 'Carnaby Street':

UNITED STATES
http://www.gonzomultimedia.com/product_details/15483/Michael_Des_Barres-Carnaby_Street.html

REST OF WORLD
http://www.gonzomultimedia.co.uk/product_details/15483/Michael_Des_Barres-Carnaby_Street.html

WAYHAY!!!

JUST IN CASE YOU WONDERED HOW THE CENTRE FOR FORTEAN ZOOLOGY ARE CELEBRATING THE JUBILEE...

Two links which may amuse you...

A musical tribute
Some patriotic ants

I don't usually cross post CFZ stuff to the Gonzo Daily, but I spent hours doing that video.

AUBURN: An open letter to Liz Lenten (and a challenge to the rest of you)

As regular readers of my inky fingered scribblings will attest, every sunday I send out the blog notifications to various forums (yes, I know they should be fora, but no-one knows what I mean when I say that), Facebook groups and mailing lists in rhyme.

Yesterday's notifications included the immortal couplets:

And last (but not least) I must mention,
a strange review of Auburn's Liz Lenten,
with some notes from me, saying I've read better,
cos on the whole he doesn't get her:
http://gonzo-multimedia.blogspot.com/2012/06/auburn-liz-just-is.html

Much to my surprise and gratification I then received an email from the lovely Ms Lenten including the following lines:

Thanks, as always, for your kind words,
You make those ‘knockers’ sound absurd,
And so I send you hugs and kisses,
….I hope that don’t upset your missus!! :)

So, there is only one thing that I can do:

Dear Liz, thank you for your kind lines,
(my wife, by the way, didn't mind)
but she and I both wonder why,
you are the only one with a verse reply

'Cos looking round the Gonzo stable,
there are artists here who are more than able
of emailing me some lines of text
I wonder who will send rhymes next....

GALAHAD: Empires never last

I will be the first to admit it. I left the music business years ago. Since I stopped touring in 1996 I haven't really been involved in music, and for the last seven years I have lived a mildly hermetic existence in a tiny North Devon village, from whence I occasionally emerge with the worst possible grace. So I have been out of the loop for a long time, and only got involved again when my dear friend Rob Ayling persuaded me that what the world really needed was this Gonzo Daily online magazine.

A lot of stuff had therefore passed me by. One of these things was Galahad. Bloody hell they are good, and I am massively enjoying discovering their witty, intelligent and literate back catalogue. Check this out for example:



Check out their artist page at Gonzo...

JOHN COOPER CLARKE ON BBCi PLAYER

Totally off topic, but - hey - it's a Bank Holiday weekend, and we can cut ourselves a little slack occasionally. My friend and colleague Richard Freeman just sent this over, It is a BBC documentary on John Cooper Clarke, which he highly recommends:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b01jcdbc/Evidently..._John_Cooper_Clarke/

RICK WAKEMAN: King Arthur live (1975)

I remember back in 1976 when I was at boarding school, one of the boys in the senior dormitory (which is where I spent two and a half unhappy terms until I was expelled) had actually seen this gig. His parents were something at the BBC, and took him to London especially. I have always felt envious of him.

For ages there has been a terrible version of this video circulating the internet. Now, I have found this, and it is so good that I thought that I was duty bound to post it. Does the rest of the concert still exist? I would love to see it...



Check out Rick's artist page at Gonzo.

WALLY: Vintage video of them on the James Whale show..

Obscure bits of Wally video keep on turning up all over the place. Check this out...


What a band! I really cannot make up my mind whether I prefer the original albums, or the new one. You decide. Check out the Gronzo Artist Page for Wally

LINK: Rick Wakeman review

http://www.muzikreviews.com/reviews.php?ID=2181

Genre: Progressive Rock Label: Gonzo Multimedia Visit Web Site Tracks 1. Catherine Parr/Beware Your Enemies 2. Out There 3. No Earthly Connection 4. Dance Of A Thousand Lights 5. The Cathedral In The Sky 6. White Rock 7. Wurm Rick Wakeman - The New English Rock Ensemble In The Nick Of Time-Live In 2003 For the first time In The Nick Of Time-Live In 2003 is now available on CD. Rick Wakeman and The New English Rock Ensemble recorded the album in the U.K on the Out There tour in 2003. The band featured Ashley Holt (vocals), Tony Fernandez (drums), Ant Glynne (guitar) and Lee Pomeroy (bass). Rick Wakeman remains one of the most recognized and admired keyboard players in the world. I can count on one hand who I think are the best and this gent is right at the top with greats like Jordan Rudess. Of course he made his mark long before people like Rudess so that needs to be taken into consideration. He goes back a long way. For over 40 years now he has been entertaining audiences with his tremendous talent and humorous storytelling. If you ever get a chance to pick up one of his solo gigs on DVD make a point to do so. You will discover a Wakeman you never knew before. This archived recording is exceptional. While I appreciated Ashley Holt’s most appropriate vocals for the music it is the keyboard sprints throughout this live performance that captivated me. There is something about Rick’s playing that separates him from everyone else. There are many reasons for that however there are two things that really make his music shine, his natural talent and who he is as a person. All of that comes flowing through the music like an erupting volcano and it is captured quite well on this CD. The curtain raises and sets the stage for the entire performance with ”Catherine Parr / Beware Your Enemies.” It is a superb opening montage. “The Cathedral In The Sky” conjures images of space travel and beyond and brings the title Out There into proper perspective. Wakeman’s music is very visual so words are never a necessity to paint the picture he desires. Some of the guitar playing I could really appreciate as well. Ant Glynne is not a recognizable name but trust me he is more than adequate and surely Wakeman knows who has what it takes to play his music. “White Rock” and “Wurm,” which serves as the grand finale, put the bass and the guitar in the spotlight quite nicely so you can really appreciate more than just the spectacular keys from Mr. Wakeman. I am sure many folks have been waiting for this recording to surface for some time now. Gonzo Multimedia from the UK always does a nice job representing artists and puts out some quality packages. Is this a must have for prog heads, Yes and Wakeman fans? I would answer that with a resounding thumbs up. Key Tracks: Wurm, The Cathedral In The Sky, Catherine Parr / Beware Your Enemies Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck-Founder MuzikReviews.com June 2, 2012 ©MuzikReviews.com For Questions Or Comments About This Review Send An Email Toinfo@muzikreviews.com

FROM STRAIGHT TO BIZARRE DVD

Some weeks ago we looked at this DVD, which is on topic not only because it contains lots of Captain Beefheart stuff (and we have a Captain Beefheart DVD forthcoming as part of the 'Lost Broadcasts' series), but beause we also have a Zappa DVD in the same series, and because Billy James, who is featured massively throughout is also our very own Ant-Bee mainman...

http://ripplemusic.blogspot.com/2012/05/frank-zappa-from-straight-to-bizarre.html


"Just what the world needs: Another record company." No, this is not the motto of Ripple Music, but the slogan that Frank Zappa used in 1968 to launch his record company Bizarre Records. Distributed through Warner Bros. because of a deal with Frank Sinatra's label Reprise, Bizarre and it's counterpart label Straight released some of the weirdest shit you've ever heard - Uncle Meat, Trout Mask Replica and Pretties For You are the three best known releases but there was a lotta other crazy stuff that's really hard to find.

If you like those records then you'll enjoy this DVD. If you don't, it will bore you to tears. It's about 2 hours long and pretty scholarly. Not surprising since it's narrated by and features interviews with British music journalists. American author/musician Billy James is also featured and has some interesting insights. He's worked on books with members of both Alice Cooper and Captain Beefheart. Although the commentary can be a bit dry at times, what makes it interesting is the first hand accounts from the artists themselves. I'm always interested in hearing Neal Smith and Dennis Dunaway talk about their time with the original Alice Cooper group. They both talk about how thrilled they were to get accepted into Zappa's orbit and confirm that due to a misunderstanding they went to Frank's house to audition for him at 9 o'clock in the morning, not 9 at night. They're also honest in their appraisal that they were unhappy with the way their debut album turned out but admire it's uniqueness.

The same goes for John "Dumbo" French and Bill "Zoot Horn Rollo" Harkleroad of Captain Beefheart's Magic Band. Their work on Trout Mask Replica remains truly one of a kind. Like it or not, there's no other album like it and it never would have happened if Zappa didn't give Beefheart complete creative freedom. They also confirm the legends surrounding it - most of it was done in a single 6 hour session; Beefheart insisted on putting cardboard over the cymbals, etc. Zappa even bailed them out of jail when the hungry musicians got busted for stealing food from a grocery store. Those guys were pretty freaky looking back then, it's no surprise they got caught.

Jeff Simmons was signed to Zappa's label when he was a member of the band Easy Chair but they broke up before recording anything. Simmons wound up doing the soundtrack to a biker movie called Naked Angels and eventually put out the solo album Lucille Has Messed My Mind Up. These are some of the most obscure albums on the label but the two songs were later recorded by Zappa. "Wonderful Wino" turned up on 1976's Zoot Allures and "Lucille…" closed the first chapter of 1979's Joe's Garage trilogy.

Then there's the notorious Permanent Damage album by the G.T.O.'s. This might be even more difficult to listen to than Trout Mask Replica. The vocalists were all well known Hollywood groupies at the time that Zappa encouraged to write about their activities. Pamela Des Barres is the best known member but the other ladies were all linked to heavyweight musicians and actors. The years have not been kind to this record. Not even guest spots from Jeff Beck, Rod Stewart, Lowell George and assorted Mothers can make their out of tune wailing something you want to hear more than once or twice. The dialogue in between songs is still pretty funny.

Other artists that released albums through Bizarre and Straight were comedians Lenny Bruce and Lord Buckley. Zappa's manager Herb Cohen brought folk artists like Tim Buckley that are covered briefly. The Zappa family trust are very unwilling to work with outsiders so most of Zappa's own releases are not dealt with in detail. Too bad since Uncle Meat, Weasels Ripped My Flesh and Burnt Weeny Sandwich contain some of his greatest work. I'd love to hear stories about how he wrote the music and worked with the incredible Mothers of the late 60's. The label eventually ceased due to legal trouble with Herb Cohen and the amount of work that's required of dealing with running a record company but the Bizarre songs remain insane.


--Woody

Buy here: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/dvd-frank-zappa-from-straight-to-bizarre/23171108?ean=823564527291&itm=1&usri=823564527291

INTRODUCING HALEY

As you know, we are all big fans of Wally here at Gonzo Daily, but we have only just discovered this young lady. She is the daughter of Nick Glennie-Smith from the band, and she is really rather good. Bob harris thinks so too...

LINK: Very interesting Rick Wakeman interview

Mark caught up with keyboard legend Rick Wakeman, just as the news was breaking that the Crystal Palace Garden Party had been cancelled due to a rotting stage. Check out our front page for the news item on this...

MARK: Hi Rick. You were due to headline at the Crystal Palace Garden Party on June 23rd. News has just come through that it has now been cancelled due to the Health And Safety reasons.

RICK: We were told the stage was rotting but apparently it is in a much worse state than we were told. I'm still going ahead with the show in Norwich at the Open though the day before on the 22nd June.

Read on...

...and check out Rick's artist page at Gonzo for a long list of goodies wot are available.

MARTIN STEPHENSON AND HELEN McCOOKERYBOOK: I am totally confused

Yesterday I heard some extraordinary music. I was sitting in my study with those jolly nice people from Haunted Skies, working on volume six of their massively Quixotic encyclopaedia of British UFOs.

Partly because I always listen to music while I do anything, and partly because this intriguing little album had arrived in the post about a week ago, and I have just not had the time to listen to it, I put it on.

I had no idea what to expect. Was it going to be indie, folk, reggae, experimental sounds featuring a Bolivian nose flute?

It wasn't any of those, but the honest truth is that I am not sure that I know what it was. From the opening bars of the opening instrumental which sounds like The Shadows playing with the On-U soundsystem, (but then it doesn't sound like either of them) you are swept into a peculiar and intimate little world which makes perfect sense, but is completely impossible to describe.

Martin Stephenson sounds much the same as he usually does, and Helen? One moment she sounds like Julie Andrews, another like an English analogue of her out of Tarnation (Paula Frazer). In fact, although musically Tarnation is miles away from this quintessentially English record, it is bizarrely, the only analogue I can begin to provide. Both sets of musicians open a door to their own little world that sounds like nothing else in the omniverse. Both have roots in country music, with a heavy smattering of late 1950s stylisations, chunks of folk music, and slices of timeless pop.

It is relatively early on a sunday morning, so my critical faculties are not at their best yet. But one thing I can and do promise. You have not heard the last of this duo on these pages...

AUBURN: Liz just is

It is interesting how Liz Lenten's voice polarises people. I think that it is an extraordinary voice, which - when married to her unique songwriting skills - makes Auburn one of my favourite bands of the year. I have no shame, and shall be continuing to promote her music unmercifully until I get shut down. But this review that I received yesterday is rather interesting. The guy who did it is obviously massively impressed, but because he cannot neatly categorise what it is that Liz does (which, to me at least, is one of the great things about the band) he does a bit of nit picking.

What he describes as 'quirky', is just what makes Liz a unique performer. What he doesn't seem to understand is that this 'quirkiness' can not be switched on and off, or toned down, as if it was adding seasoning to a salad. It is just there. It just is, in the same way as Liz just is.

But I thought that, as an intellectual exercise, I would post it anyway.

http://www.thejitty.com/articles/auburnindiansummer

Auburn - Indian Summer

Posted by Hunter on Wed, 30 May 2012.

Liz Lenten - Vocals
Max Gilkes - Guitars
Jevon Beaumont - Bass
Willy Molleson and Wan Hewitt - Percussion
Eliza Carthy - Violin
Rob Lewis - Cello

So, "Auburn" first formed in the summer of 1997 according tohttp://www.auburn.org.uk/biography.html, or 1999 according to their main site, and features the love them or hate them vocals of Liz Lenten (not Lis Lenton, or Liz Lentern or even Eliza Lantern as some people have written. It's not hard to check the album inlay really is it). When not busy being a vocal coach or managing Eliza Carthy, Liz writes her own music, some of which is destined for "Auburn", some of which will patiently await it's turn for publishing. Liz's vocals will be the deciding factor for many listeners as to whether or not Auburn's second album will make it into their cherished CD collection, or whether it'll be discarded into the "also rans". I can only describe the sound of her vocals as Macy Gray meets Romily Alice (Japanese Voyeurs, who sadly split in March 2012), all wrapped up in a bit of folk. The hard part there is that I loved Romily Alice's vocals, but hated Macy Grays.

Hippy whimsy, blind optimism, call it what you will, but throughout "Indian Summer" there's a positive uplifting message. Opening track, "Shame on You" has a slightly funk feel to it, with Liz's "on the edge" vocals blending in with an almost quirky Alanis Morissette feel to it. Second track, "Strong" is probably one of the better platforms for Liz's "girlish" sound, which makes far more sense in this musical environment, although the lyrics (and this holds true for most of the album) are a little clichéd, perhaps overused. Title track, "Indian Summer" has a very ethereal dreamy feel to it, but personally I found it a little too ponderous, and I was grateful when fourth track "Free Spirit" started. Again, it's the vocals that'll make the song for you, or break it, and with Free Spirit there are times when it's frailties don't sit comfortably with the backing vocals and strings.

Interestingly, "Day Dreamin" has something of a reggae feeling to it which came as something of a surprise, but certainly wouldn't be amiss on a hot summers day cooling down by a river. On a personal level, by far the best song where Liz's vocals make absolute sense is the sixth track, "Stop The Clock", and it's here that the quirkiness is perhaps toned down a little, but retain the breathy qualities that make it so unique. Country blues style track "Too Far Home" left me a little cold as it just didn't quite hit the mark.

The weakest track (and thus an unwise choice for a finale) is the Dub Mix of "Day Dreamin", which seems to be like the sort of song that would play in the background of an "Indie / Alternative" clothes shop with nobody really paying attention to it whilst browsing shelves of "things". This is a shame becauseAuburnhave some truly unique qualities. There's some great musicianship from the band, some lovely little riffs here and there, and some daring experimentation. As a result, it's not going to ever be in the "mainstream", getting Radio 1 airplay, but for those wanting something entirely different, for those who appreciate the very alternative vocal stylings, "Indian Summer" may well be worth a listen.

https://www.facebook.com/AuburnIndainSummer (Yes that typo is the correct address!).

MIMI PAGE: We have been eagerly awaiting this for ages...

Bassnectar + Mimi Page - Butterfly [LIVE & BEHIND-THE-SCENES @ L.I.B. 2012]

DAN WOODING AT THE 2Is

Dan Wooding is (as any fule kno) the author of the massively smashing Rick Wakeman biography that we published the other month. He is also a very nice man, and a joy to work with, which is a jolly good thing as we are presently working on another book by him. It is the story of veteran British rock and roller Terry Dene, who was touted as the 'British Elvis' but never quite got there.

I don't know whether it is because of Terry Dene, or whether he just wanted to pay homage to an under celebrated generation of British rockers (who are usually consigned to the NFA file of history) but Dan recently visited the site of the 2Is Coffee Bar - the venue which was for that lost generation of British rockers, what The Cavern, in Matthew St, Liverpool, was to The Beatles and their pals a few years later.

Cop a load of this:

BAD NEWS FOR WAKEMAN FANS

Prog-Rock Garden Party Scrapped Over Broken Stage

A festival which was to feature performances by prog-rock icons Rick Wakeman and Hawkwind has been scrapped due to health and safety concerns.

The Crystal Palace Garden Party was scheduled to take place in London on 23 June (12), but organisers have pulled the plug because they haven't got enough time to repair an unsafe stage at the venue.

A statement reads: "There was some obvious weather wear to the stage and the temporary boards that were put down some time ago... However, on closer examination it seemed there might be a more serious problem.

"A surveyor was called and rotten joists checked. It was discovered the dilapidation was much worse than was at first thought. It couldn't be guaranteed to be fixed in the time available, so it was felt the safest thing to do all round was to cancel the event and hopefully try again next year."

Barclay James Harvest, The Strawbs and Curved Air were also on the the bill for the event.
http://www.contactmusic.com/news/prog-rock-garden-party-scrapped-over-broken-stage_1336128

LINK: Great Galahad Review

http://www.seaoftranquility.org/reviews.php?op=showcontent&id=12817


It is a real skill for a band to be able to continually evolve, while still retaining a recognisable signature sound that keeps fans coming back for more - accepting, and being enthused that their favourite band will never be exactly the same from album to album. This is a skill that not only do Galahad have in their armoury, it is something they've mastered and thrive because of. The band's last album, 2007's Empires Never Last was a perfect example, with the winding storytelling style for which Galahad have always been known, being beefed up by a harsher, heavier attack that added a forceful, threatening bite to the more intricate style of previous albums. Battle Scars, the first of two new offerings we can expect from Galahad this year (Beyond The Realms Of Euphoria is slated for release towards the end of 2012) follows along similar lines, while, as expected, expanding the range of colours from which Galahad have to choose.

The five years between Empires and Battle Scars haven't all been plain sailing for Galahad, with the sad death of Neil Pepper coming at the end of the bassist's battle with cancer. Fittingly, not only does Pepper's bass playing feature throughout Battle Scars, but his fantastic songwriting is one of the key cogs that makes for Galahad's strongest album to date and the best CD I've plopped in the player so far this year.

Sliding into view via a beautifully arranged classical/medieval/keyboard introduction, the album's title track is classic Galahad. Brooding, hook laden, threatening, playful and downright catchy, "Battle Scars" sums up exactly what makes this such a captivating album - the ability to wrap intricate, expansive music round punchy, unforgettable choruses. Singer Stuart Nicholson, immediately draws you in with a whispered beginning, before the keys weave their way towards a bristling riff that smacks you between the eyes, before the insistent chorus chant of the two words that make up the song and album title, transfix you, making you repeat the refrain over and over for weeks to come. Eerie, aggressive and memorable, it is a mighty introduction to the album. "Reach For The Sun" continues the vibe with expansive keyboards and towering drums, alongside staccato riffs and vocals, highlighting the stunning sound the album possesses, courtesy of the band, along with Threshold mainman Karl Groom. Cleverly "Singularity" calms what has been a frenetic, aggressive beginning to the album, with a Jarre like keyboard wash and an intentionally narrow sounding stab of guitars, bursting into full bloom as the song progresses. Already, by this stage it is obvious that, as ever, Galahad intend to challenge the listener to keep up, promising glorious rewards for those willing to invest their time in getting to know the music and involving, uncompromising lyrics. In fact the whole album feels thematically linked, both musically and conceptually, with a deep dark despair, being contradicted with an inner strength that always offers up glimpses of light through the, at times, weighty themes.

A spiralling keyboard and busy drum beat offers up an almost dance-like feel to "Bitter And Twisted", although Nicholson's meandering vocals and the wonderful combination of Roy Keyworth's intricate guitar playing and Dean Baker's layers of keyboards actually makes this the song most reminiscent of Empires Never Last. Before the dense riff and layered vocals of "Suspended Animation" brings to mind latter day Rush. Pepper's bass comes right to the fore during this song, throbbing with intent alongside the ever busy drumming from Spencer Luckman. Another catchy chorus comes wrapped in a thoughtful challenging lyric, with "Beyond The Barbed Wire" conjuring up images of prison camps, oppression and closed confused minds, although again the excellent fret work rivals the amazingly varied vocals for supremacy. The album proper closes out with the contradiction of styles that is "Seize The Day", building like an atmospheric track from the catalogue of Fish, before an amazingly bright, yet deeply melancholic keyboard melody is coupled with a huge chorus and bouncing beat to make what in truth is prog-dance. As someone with no affiliation to the latter of those genres, take it from me that the results are nothing short of wonderfully and surprisingly uplifting! In a just world, this song would be not only a prog anthem, but a mainstream hit.

As if those phenomenal seven tracks aren't enough, a fantastic, updated and extended version of the title track to the 1995 Galahad album Sleepers is added to Battle Scars as a bonus. As one of the most interesting songs from the band's catalogue, there was always a risk that revisiting such a strong song would prove unwise. Instead it again highlights just how stunning this disc sounds, with the expansive, explosive production, mixing and mastering making a great song even better.

Put simply Battle Scars is a triumph. Bring on Beyond The Realms Of Euphoria!


Track Listing
01. Battle Scars
02. Reach For The Sun
03. Singularity
04. Bitter And Twisted
05. Suspended Animation
06. Beyond The Barbed Wire
07. Seize The Day
08. Sleepers 2012 (CD Version Bonus)

Check out the Galahad artist page here at Gonzo Multimedia
http://www.gonzomultimedia.co.uk/site.php?s=2&action=list_table&t=products&filter_id=152&dbf_search_for=Galahad+%28artist%29&image.x=17&image.y=13

REVIEW: Leonard Cohen book

Leonard Cohen: The Music & the Mystique
by Maurice Ratcliff
Paperback: 160 pages
Publisher: Omnibus Press (30 April 2012)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1780383029
ISBN-13: 978-1780383026

My first thoughts on receiving this song-by-song guide the records of Leonard Cohen was that it was surprisingly short. Was that really all that laughing Len had produced?

It seemed highly dubious that an artist of his calibre could be dismissed in just 96 Crown Quarto pages, but when you look inside Maurice Ratcliffe has done exactly what it says on the tin.

The studio albums, the live albums, the compilation albums, and various odds and sods are all detailed meticulously with as much minutiae described as anyone could really expect from such a private man.

If I was to make ay criticism at all, it would have been nice to have had a few pages about his books, but the volume is strap-lined A Complete Guide To His Music, and Cohen’s written output has nowhere as near as much relatiion to his music as one might imagine. And when on occasion, he has taken parts of one of his poems and incorporated it into a song (such as he did with ‘Suzanne’ which is based on an earlier poem, ‘Suzanne Takes you Down’, from a book called Parasites of Heaven) Ratcliffe has explained how and when.

Sadly, there are a few omissions. Whereas the two bonus tracks on the 2007 re-issue of Songs of Leonard Cohen are mentioned, for example, they are not analysed. This doesn’t matter in most circumstances, because the vast majority of the nons tracks are early versions, or different versions, of previously released songs. However the omissions of the one or two which aren't is an oversight.

I have always mildly liked Leonard Cohen. During my student days his 1975 Greatest Hits set was always on my car stereo (where it alternated with David Bowie’s Station to Station) and I have come back to him reasonably regularly ever since. Earlier this year I played his latest album to death on Spotify, and am impressed that at such an advanced age he still has the stamina and compositional capability of a much younger man. This is a very useful addition to the library of anybody who has more than a passing interest in the life and works of one of the more consistently productive, and undeniably literate, songwriters in the past half century.

And yes, there is a Leonard Cohen DVD on Gonzo:
http://www.gonzomultimedia.co.uk/product_details/14453/Leonard_Cohen-Bird_On_A_Wire.html

ERIK NORLANDER WRITES...

As threatened, I have released the second video from my forthcoming Live in Gettysburg DVD. It's the song "Neurosaur" that opens the show:

Neurosaur

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r78YC973cgs

This song originally appeared on my debut solo album, Threshold, in 1997. I released two other live versions in 2003 and 2004 from Germany and Russia, respectively. Then we did a re-record of the song for the Asia Featuring John Payne EP, Military Man, released in 2009 by Voiceprint / Gonzo. I play this song with AFJP as part of my solo set at all shows, and it's likely my best-known piece. Oh ... and here's an odd factoid: The song appeared in a P. Diddy MTV show called "If I Were King" in 2008 where P. Diddy / Sean Combs documented his mens fashion line. Yes, really! It was the soundtrack used for the models walking the runway under huge gothic chandeliers in this castle-like setting.

Also, one should not forget that Erik has already released one video fropm the forthcoming package:

LINK: Rick Wakeman review

http://www.grande-rock.com/reviews/rick_wakeman_english_rock_ensemble_-_nick_time_-_live_2003

Rick Wakeman & The English Rock Ensemble - In the Nick of Time - Live 2003

Wed, 05/30/2012 - 02:38 | thanos

Rick Wakeman

In the Nick of Time - Live 2003

Gonzo Multimedia

2012

http://www.rwcc.com

8/10

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Rick Wakeman (ex-Yes) releases his latest work, which is a live album that was recorded in 2003 during the tour to promote the back then current studio album “Out There”. The album is entitled “In the Nick of Time” because just a few hours before the first concert the vocalist decided to step down and the first show turned into an instrumental concert! Luckily, his old time buddies from the New English Rock Ensemble band (Ashley Holt on vocals, Ant Glynne on guitars, Lee Pomeroy on bass & Tony Fernandez on drums)… stepped in at the last minute and the tour was saved.

The album contains 7 songs taken from Rick’s several solo works… except for the last one “Wurm”, which is originally found on “The Yes” album as part of “Starship Trooper” track. The other 6 songs are: “Catherine Parr/Beware Your Enemies” from the album “The Six Wives of Henry VIII” in 1973, which is one of Rick’s best albums of all time and essential for lovers of prog/art rock 70s music… “Out There” from the homonymous album in 2003, “No Earthly Connection” (actually the tracks “The Spaceman” & “The Realisation”) from the self-titled album in 1976, “Dance Of A Thousand Lights” from “Return to the Centre of the Earth” in 2009, “The Cathedral In The Sky” from “Out There” in 2003 & “White Rock” from the homonymous album in 1977.

You will hear some truly great performances here by all the musicians… moreover, the sound of the album is clear & alive thing making you part of the concert. The album was engineered and mixed by Erik Jordan at Nursery Road Studios in Huntingdon. This is one of those live releases… that will force you to say… “I wish I had been there”… Undoubtedly, “In the Nick of Time - Live 2003” is a wonderful live album…

JEFFERSON STARSHIP: Live last week

Check out their Gonzo artist page

AUBURN: Stop the Clock (Video)

I know I am supposed to be detached and ever-so-slightly cynical like all good rock journalists, but its impossible. Bloody hell, this girl is talented...

LINK: Rick Wakeman - Soaring in the 70's!Caped Crusader -- Book Review

http://www.soundpress.net/files-feature-articles/fa-2012-05-25-rick-wakeman.php
Rick Wakeman - Soaring in the 70's!Caped Crusader -- Book Review

A SoundPress.net Feature Article by Rich and Laura Lynch

Did you know that Rick Wakeman - the "caped crusader" - played the Mellotron on David Bowie's "Space Oddity" and piano for Cat Stevens on "Morning Has Broken"? During the late 60's and early 70's Rick was an in-demand session musician. Wakeman recorded with a wide range of artists including Elton John, Ozzy Osbourne and T. Rex.

The recently re-released biography Rick Wakeman - Caped Crusader is filled with fun facts about the talented keyboardist as he emerged as one of the most important musical icons in the world in the 1970's. It is the story of a young man immersed in music as he charted his course as his chart-topping career unfolded. The book is an entertaining and informative read. Fans of Rick's early work should enjoy the details about his days in The Strawbs, Yes and his solo projects.

After The Strawbs, Rick soared to new heights with Yes but the sky was the limit with a number of successful themed solo albums including The Six Wives of Henry VIII (1973), Journey to the Centre of the Earth (1974) and The Myths and Legends of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table (1975).

The 1970's was a prolific period for Rick Wakeman and this decade and his childhood is chronicled in Rick Wakeman - Caped Crusader. We learn of his love of sports and the conflict it caused with his other passion - the piano. The book follows Rick to the Royal College of Music, his tenure with The Strawbs and then into Yes. Wakeman was a man who liked his pint but was passionate and precise in regards to his art.

Rick Wakeman - Caped Crusader is filled with amusing antidotes, insights into his musical muse, numerous photos and countless quotes. We also learned that Wakeman was a hard worker. Wooding goes into the finer points regarding the creative process for his concerts and the above mentioned epic albums.

Dan Wooding author of Rick Wakeman - Caped Crusader is also the founder of ASSIST and the ASSIST News Service (http://www.assistnews.net/) and has penned 45 books. In 1968, Wooding was a reporter for a local newspaper in West London where he met Wakeman. Dan was the first person to interview Rick and he was thrilled with the publicity at that time. The two have remained friends ever since.

In the 1970's Rick was a flamboyant personality and player and the capes personified these traits. He enjoyed much success with Yes and with his own lavish productions consistently charting. Wakeman was a prankster yet considered by many to be a pioneer for instrumental concept albums. Rick also embarked on a number of business ventures including a company that created cases for transporting music gear.

The book concludes with Rick's views on family, friends, life as a musician and religion. The decade was a creative period for Wakeman as documented in Rick Wakeman - Caped Crusader. Rick did not rest on his laurels and since the 70's Wakeman has produced over 100 albums and is known for his work on the BBC comedy series "Old Men". Rick Wakeman may no longer wear capes but he continues to fly to new heights in his art!

Related Links: For more information on RICK WAKEMAN and the other organizations mentioned please visit the following links - Rick Wakeman Website