Wednesday, 4 December 2013

Barbara Dickson & Rab Noakes to play Mareel in June

Tartan Clefs 2012.Pictures by Chris James 17/11/12.Barbara Dickson & Rab Noakes will play Mareel on Sunday 8 June, presented by Shetland Arts. Playing a wonderful blend of folk songs, classic pop influences and self written favourites, Barbara and Rab will recall their early years playing in Scottish folk clubs and concert halls.
Barbara and Rab have been friends since they were teenagers, singing and playing in venues around Scotland. As separate acts, they often found themselves performing alongside each other (and other musical luminaries), creating a lifetime bond. Subsequently, they have occasionally performed live together, sang on each other’s records, and remained friends for over 40 years. Both have established diverse solo careers, winning awards and praise for their work in many fields.
Shetland Arts’ Marketing Officer, Lisa Ward, said: “Rab’s continuing reputation as one of Scotland’s finest singer-songwriters and Barbara’s skills as an interpreter of new and traditional songs provide an enviable platform for this unique concert. We expect it will be very popular!”
CURRENTLY AVAILABLE FROM GONZO
Che Faro
DVD - £12.99

B4 74 - The Folkclub Tapes
2CD - £11.99

Nothings Gonna Change My World
CD - £9.99

Full Circle
CD - £9.99

Into The Light
DVD - £12.99

Time And Tide 
CD - £9.99

Tuesday, 3 December 2013

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, 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)

BUILT IN OUR BACK YARD NATION
with second hand tools and spare parts taken
from old and obsolete inventions that never found
either a market or a sponsor-like Tesla
how many inventors are creating a future
fleshing it out on the bones of cinema?
Dick Tracey's video watch a reality
Many apps make mind work!
Now you can ride and fly on a hoverbike
Making science fiction fact

Until the next artifact!

THE GONZO TRACK OF THE DAY: The New Riders of the Purple Sage - Glendale Train Dec 31, 1977



CURRENTLY AVAILABLE AT GONZO
The Lost Broadcasts
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, 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)

CAT (OTHER) WORLD
AUDITIONING FOR CAT PRIVILEGES
i fed her,cleaned her bowl,gave her affection
made sure she could be free to leave
watched her affinity for roof climbing heights
and felt her sharp cat claws
So long as she honors the freedom in me
i honor and respect the feral in her
She may be clipped,chipped and neutered
There is still that wild night mirror eyed look
that lets me know she is from another world
where cats rule,and only provisionally allow us
to serve them.All our lives

in a cat litter box..learning cat freedom..

THE GONZO TRACK OF THE DAY: Crystal Grenade - Nothing to do with me



CURRENTLY AVAILABLE FROM GONZO

Lo! And Behold
CD - £9.99

Ant-Bee review

http://www.rocking.gr/reviews/album/Ant-Bee_-_Electronic_Church_Muzik/3526/

Ant-Bee - Electronic Church Muzik

Ant-Bee

Electronic Church Muzik

Barking Moondog (2011)
Imagine a disk in which participating States epifanestata bands like Mothers Of Invention, Magic Band to Captain Beefheart, Alice Cooper (when he was still a band), Focus, Gong, Yes ... Well, now you can stop imagining because surely the result has nothing to do with what happens in the "Electronic Church Muzik". The Ant-Bee, aka Billy James, has long unsolicited take the project to gather some of his favorite musicians from the '60s and '70s, in order to revive and reactivate their music. In this, however, adds plenty of doses convictions of avant-garde route. You, then, are two covers on the "Living" from the first disk (or "the" if you prefer) Alice Cooper and "Don't You Ever Learn" the Todd Rudgren to be among the most robust configurations disc and significantly interesting in the way the soul and psychedelic elements respectively amplified after care they receive. Can the "Eye Of Agamoto" the participant Don Preston also function as a Mini reunion Mothers body and soul.Can Jan Akkerman in "Mannah" to impress the guitar virtues that earned him vast amounts of nature and like to do and Zoot Horn Rollo in "Mallard Flies Towards Heaven". 
But all belongs more in the Ant-Bee, who manages to tie all these elements into something that has its own identity. And it is none other than a space-electronic-psychedelic and sometimes oddly church (to justify the title album) music. This result was greatly assisted by craftsmen kind Daevid Allen and Gilli Smith.Where necessary, however, he takes the reins as the wonderful "Flutter-Bye, Butter-Flye", after also doing everything on the disk, from song to washboard and the loops until the mellotron. We end missing and other strange sounds of chickens, donkeys and ... the Groucho Marx! Overall, the sound escapes, of course, the mainstream and wants a degree of risk and ignorance search of adventure music to be appreciated. On the other hand, flows smoothly, is friendly enough for the listener (for data sets at least) and has moments that can be isolated from the whole. I would not say to listen anyway, but I'd certainly not ignore. 
CURRENTLY AVAILABLE FROM GONZO
Pure Electric Honey
SCD - £9.99

New Joey Molland album

For Immediate Release

Badfinger Legend Joey Molland To Release Highly Anticipated New Solo Alum 'Return To Memphis'

London, UK – Best known for such hits as “Baby Blue”, “Day By Day” and “No Matter What”, Badfinger legend Joey Molland will be releasing his highly anticipated new solo album 'Return To Memphis' on December 2, 2013 on UK's Gonzo Multimedia! Joey's new CD comes hot on the heels of the major buzz surrounding the Badfinger track “Baby Blue” being played during the finale of A&E's hit TV series 'Breaking Bad'.

Says Joey, “I did the record in Memphis and so it's called 'Return To Memphis'. I started out loving Memphis music...Elvis and all that. A lot of great rockers came from there. So I opted to go down there and make a record and it was a great experience.”

Signed to the Beatles' Apple label in 1968 as The Iveys, the band quickly changed their name to Badfinger by 1969. The group would go on to score four consecutive worldwide hits from 1970 to 1972: “Come And Get It” (written and produced by Paul McCartney), “No Matter What”, “Day After Day” and “Baby Blue”. In 1971, a cover of the Badfinger song “Without You” by Harry Nilsson became a number on hit on the Billboard charts. Though the band suffered major tragedies throughout its career, surviving member Joey Molland has continued to keep the Badfinger flame alight through concerts and recordings over the past 30 years. And now he is back with a fantastic new album 'Return To Memphis', which was produced by Carl 'Blue' Wise and recorded at Willie Mitchell's Royal Studios in Memphis.

Says Joey, “I wrote all the songs myself and they're quite meaningful, I'd have to say, for me anyway... you know everybody gets what they get out of songs themselves. But I think the songs talk about things that are relevant and I look forward to people's reactions to it. The sound is very different...there's no real Badfinger power chords or anything like that. No real jamming guitars... I do play some slide on it. I had four girls come in to sing 'oohs' and 'aahs' and harmonies which was nice, and I played with a lot of three-piece rhythm section down in Memphis. So it's a really simple sounding record and I'm just hoping that people will like it.”

Originally from Liverpool, Joey now resides in the US, where he continues to perform with Joey Molland's Badfinger. Along with Joey on guitar and vocals, the current lineup features Mark Healey (bass/vocals), Steve Wozny (keyboards/vocals), Mike Ricciardi (drums). For updated tour information check Joey Moland's official facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/OriginalBadfinger


For more information: http://www.badfingersite.com/

Press inquiries: Glass Onyon PR, PH: 828-350-8158glassonyonpr@gmail.com
Joey Molland is available for interviews – contact Billy James at Glass Onyon PR

CURRENTLY AVAILABLE FROM GONZO
This Way Up
CD - £9.99

Return To Memphis
SCD - £9.99

Blodwyn Pig Review

BLODWYN PIG – Pigthology

Verdant 2004 / Gonzo 2013

BLODWYN PIG - Pigthology
BLODWYN PIG – Pigthology
Jazzy blues giants open up their treasure chest to trace an alternative path through their past.

To be a beloved band of non-conformist Mick Farren’s and have a song covered by traditionalist Joey Ramone is no mean feat. But then, this was not your regular progressive ensemble as guitarist Mick Abrahams left JETHRO TULL after “This Was” to find another way to the rock roots and tangle them in a different fashion. Such an agenda lies behind the demo of “See My Way” off the group’s second album, 1970′s “Getting To This,” the piece picked by Ramone and a breezy, harmonic, fairly exotic opener of “Pigthology” that collects a dozen of rarities, some from the studio, like a countrified instrumental “Sly Bones,” and some from the stage.

The concert tracks are a special attraction here, showing the collective’s wide stylistic span in their initial flight, from the airy “The Change Song” which was laid down at “The Marquee” in 1969, at the time of PIG’s debut, “Ahead Rings Out,” to the sophisticated, scat-embroidered jazz of “Cosmogrification” from 1973 when PIG briefly reunited. It’s there that the full blast is exerted by the pairing of Abrahams’ bluesy axe with Jack Lancaster‘s blaring sax, although, as “Same Old Story” or “Baby Girl” – recorded for John Peel and never released on LP – show, playing for a small audience couldn’t limit the band’s effusive boogie sway, as roaring as the “Stormy Monday” closing salvo. Yet to see the quartet confined to a single genre would be a mistake, as the slow dance of Lancaster’s violin around the leader’s acoustic slide guitar and smooth croon in “Dear Jill” takes the drift into the fusion future, as does “Monkinit” with Jack on piano and Monk quotes are underscored by a sensual rhythm courtesy of bassist Andy Pyle and drummer Ron Berg. Sadly, their magic was short-lived.

A vital addition to a collector’s trove all these years later (although it lacks “Hound Dog” listed on the cover), “Pigthology” forms a vigorous album on its own, a reminder of the times when tradition was breeding non-conformism and pigs could fly to the endless possibilities.

****2/3

CURRENTLY AVAILABLE FROM GONZO
Lies
CD - £9.99

Pigthology
CD - £9.99

Sky Architect review

http://jonb52.wordpress.com/album-reviews/sky-architect-a-billion-years-of-solitude/

Sky Architect – A Billion Years of Solitude

Hailing from Rotterdam, Sky Architect have been together since 2008 and have released two albums prior to A Billion Years of Solitude. Largely unknown outside of the Netherlands, that could all be about to change with this latest offering, released on 4 November.

The bands’ biography states that for this album they were inspired by, and wanted to evoke the feel of, sci-fi movies from the 50s and 60s. They have certainly done that with the opening track The Curious One, after about three minutes there is a synth motif that threatens to evolve into the theme from the original Star Trek. Athough all of the songs have a space or sci-fi subject matter this is not a concept album any more than Hawkwind’s In Search of Space or Doremi Fasol Latido were.

As inspiration, Sky Architect cite the likes of modern day neo prog bands such as The Flower Kings and Opeth and classic era bands like Pink Floyd, Genesis and King Crimson. Listening to the album, however, it becomes apparent that one influence stands out above the others and that is King Crimson, particularly around the period that produced such classics as Starless and Bible Black and Red. The doom laden riffs over staccato rhythms are there in abundance and at times guitarist Tom Luchies harmoniously fluid runs or hard edged, jarring solos are pure Fripp! Even the vocals occasionally sound almost Wettonian. That said the music can suddenly shoot of at a tangent with a keyboard solo reminiscent of Rick Wakeman in Yes, a brief episode of jazz fusion or a portion of heavy metal riffing!

The lyrics, as you would expect given the subject matter, are not exactly deep and meaningful, but neither are they cringeworthy, as some dealing with this subject matter can be. Apart, that is, from one line on Traveller’s Last Candle, a glaring double negative; “later there won’t be nothing left for me”, we will forgive them that, however, and put it down to not writing in their native language. It is not all sci-fi and fantasy, however, as there is a degree of environmental comment in Wormholes (The Inevitable Collapse of the Large Hadron Collider) which deals with …well the title pretty much speaks for itself really!

The aforementioned The Curious One kicks the album off in epic style, at a little over 18 minutes. After a dramatic opening, not dissimilar to that of Todd Rundgren’s Utopia it tends to fall a bit flat with some early Pink Floyd type spacey noodling. This is followed by the first couple of verses and chorus sung with acoustic backing, it doesn’t really get going until after the six minute mark when it really comes to life with one of those Crimsonesque heavy staccato rhythms. From this point in the song is excellent, going through a number of time and tempo changes – frequently returning to the chorus which sounds vastly improved and infinitely more dynamic given the full band treatment.

Wormholes is an interesting one, dramatic start giving way to pretty standard prog fodder until a very funky burst and – hang on, is that the Clangers I hear towards the end? Well they did say they wanted to evoke a sci fi feel!

Sky Architect excel more on the longer songs where they can stretch out musically, but Jim’s Ride To Hell which at 2.25 is the shortest track on the album and completely instrumental, stands out for cramming so much into it’s short existance. A rollercoaster ride of searing guitar, crunching bass and thundering drums, tempered with whimsical Zappaesque keyboard passages it is prog metal a la Dream Theater.

Revolutions and Traveller’s Last Candle round things off brilliantly with plenty of variation, all of the above in spades and even a lengthy jazzy part in Revolutions, culminating with a dramatic ending to TLC, disjointed riff, screaming guitar, swooping synths and enough bleeps and bubbles to keep the pickiest Hawkwind fan happy well into the next millenium!

Overall Sky Architect have achieved exactly what they set out to and have come up with an album that is varied and interesting, excellently played and with a well thought out balance between long musical workouts and shorter snappy, instantly memorable tunes and riffs. This is made all the more praiseworthy by the fact that they chose to go it alone for this release. Production and mixing was by guitarist Wabe Wieringa, mastering by drummer Christiaan Bruin and the cover art by keyboard player Rik van Honk. Talk about keeping it ‘in-house’! For a DIY job you really can’t fault it.

Finally, just in case you want any more recommendation, The Tangent’s Andy Tillison can be seen wearing a Sky Architect tshirt on the inside cover of his latest album Le Sacre Du Travail! Say no more!

A Billion Years of Solitude can be purchased by clicking here

For more info http://www.skyarchitect.com/
CURRENTLY AVAILABLE FROM GONZO
A Billion Years of Solitude
CD - £9.99
A Dying Man's Hymn
CD - £7.99

Monday, 2 December 2013

Jefferson Airplane Documentary

http://thebestmusicyouhaveneverheard.com/2013/11/26/monday-matinee-19-jefferson-airplane-documentary/



I have a special treat for you today. A great documentary about, Jefferson Airplane, the best of the San Francisco bands from the 1960s. This is true rock history, some amazing rock music, and a chance to observe the beautiful and talented Grace Slick in her prime. Enjoy……



CURRENTLY AVAILABLE AT GONZO
Berkeley in the Sixties
DVD - £9.99

Corky Laing And The Perfect Child - Playing God - 2013

Legendary Mountain drummer Corky Laing teams up with two internationally acclaimed philosophers (Prof. Matti Häyry and Dr. Tuija Takala) in this joint effort that brings together '70s style music and contemporary moral problems of gene technology. 'Playing God' is a concept album. 'Playing God' is a musical metaphor for today's attempt to attain perfection. Musically the album covers many feels and approaches from soft ballads to riff-driven guitar rock, from meditative instrumentals to operatic melody lines.

At its core, the guitar-bass-drums combo is complemented with powerful singing. While Corky Laing, the drummer, is known - and his forceful, innovative and mesmerizing drumming features heavily on the album - 'Playing God' also introduces Corky Laing, the singer. There is such strength and depth to his voice that one can only wonder why the world has not, prior to this, known him as the lead singer he is. The main female leads are sang by Maya Paakkari (an entrancing raspy voice from Finland), Bonnie Parker (a wide-ranging singer from the band Tang), and Denny Colt (another voice of power and attitude from Tang). The album also features Eric Schenkman (from Spin Doctors) on guitar. 'Playing God' was recorded and produced in Finland and further benefits from the local talent of Finnish musicians, singers, and sound engineers. While 'Playing God' is a rock album, it is also a soundtrack to a rock opera. It takes the listener to tomorrow's world by introducing the small town of Happyville, where the people have enjoyed the benefits of genetic engineering for years without any thought. There's a man who sells science and parents seeking to perfect their children, there are difficult choices and the need to find someone to blame when things don't go to plan. The choices these people are making are not new, it is just that the tools available are more sophisticated.

'Playing God' is a study of the human condition. The themes of the rock opera are based on theoretical research, but the practical questions it poses are relevant to us all. 'Playing God' is something new. It represents a crossover between academic research and rock. The ethical and philosophical questions raised by modern biotechnologies are made accessible by using rock music as a medium. On the surface, the storylines are easy to follow, but they also lend themselves to deep philosophical questions about the future of humanity. Just enjoy the music - or allow yourself to be taken on a journey into your own moral convictions. In both cases, you will find something new amidst the familiar.

*********
from Examiner.comCanadian powerhouse drummer Corky Laing is essentially associated with rock and roll folklore and as one of the elite drummers in the world. Laing is a longtime member for hard rock/heavy metal giant’s Mountain and the blues-rock power trio of West, Bruce & Laing. But Laing’s musical collaborations are seemingly endless. A list that includes alliances with John Lennon, Jack Bruce, Meat Loaf, Noel Redding, Mahogany Rush, Ten Years After, Ian Hunter, Mick Ronson, Bo Diddley and Gov’t Mule …to name a few. Laing is also a producer and composer.

Corky Laing has recently added a brand new chapter to his illustrious musical career. Laing’s most recent project is a fascinating collaboration with two internationally acclaimed professors (Prof. Matti Häyry and Dr. Tuija Takala) intermingling the decree of genetic engineering with a rock opera music scheme. The concept album entitled … Playing God is performed by the Perfect Child, an incredible ensemble of musicians and singers. At the core of the rock opera is Corky Laing who astounds instrumentally, lyrically and vocally. The album concept is brilliant and the music is colossal. It’s an awe-inspiring rock musical production and a cross between … Welcome to my Nightmare, The Wall and The Rocky Horror Picture Show.

Corky Laing - Drums, Vocals, Percussion, Guitar
Special Guest: Eric Schenkman - Guitar
Bonnie Parker - Bass, Vocals
Tuija Takala, Denny Colt - Guitar, Vocals
Lasse Väyrynen - Guitar, Guitalele, Bass, Keyboards, Backing Vocals
Matti Häyry - Guitar, Guitalele, Keyboards, Vocals
Harri Väyrynen - Guitar, Bass, Vocals
Mikaela Mansikkala, Maya Paakkari, Hanna Paatero - Backing Vocals

01. God's March
02. Luke's Blues
03. Terrace of the Gods
04. Perfect Boy
05. Tony's return
06. College Girls
07. Silent Dream
08. My Brother's Gonna Die
09. Open Up Your Imagination
10. Here is Our Blood
11. Jupiter
12. Tim's Requiem
13. Not Good Enough
14. Father's Lament
15. Crying Shame
16. Journey
17. Sisterhood
18. Vital Stream
19. Revelations I
20. Meltdown
21. Revelations II
22. Eyes in the Mirror
23. Revelations III
24. Mr C's Demise
25. In This World

CURRENTLY AVAILABLE FROM GONZO
Playing God
CD - £9.99

Byrds frontman Roger McGuinn coming to Academy of Fine Arts

Roger McGuinnRoger McGuinn vividly remembers the days when his Los Angeles-based quintet the Byrds were enjoying a burst of creativity high atop the psychedelic folk/rock scene in the mid-1960s — a time that often involved dashing past mobs of howling admirers chasing after them as they rushed out of concert halls to the refuge of an awaiting car.
He likens that frenzied era to the first worldwide rush of Beatlemania depicted in the 1964 film "A Hard Day's Night," an exhilarating study of 36 hours in the lives of the Fab Four.

"There were times when I got tackled running from the venue to the limousine," says McGuinn, who'll be in town for a solo performance at the Academy of Fine Arts this Friday.

CURRENTLY AVAILABLE FROM GONZO
Live At The Basement 
DVD - £12.99
The Lost Broadcasts
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, 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)

DARKNESS IN LIGHT
TIBETAN FUNERAL
Look Crow/vulture/hawk!Peck bones=your job!(i know!
You go away when i clap my hands/stomp my feet
Yet you return.I burn-ash/bone.Return again-see!
Flesh feet hands eyes ears/hear/feel/see-learn again
in skin/responding.You flap black wings/singe my flesh to red
as if i were your bush fire b b q.I do not want to know you!
Flap Away Death!Even the sky is only yours(temporarily..

UNDER MOTHER MANGO TREE
her casual bruised flesh fruit easily /jewelry on green grass
Yellow/sticky smell/stains on hands when held/you are
already broken/beaten/soft/blackened/where she fell

Delicious!Feasting selectively.Taste is Every Thing!

Vintage Rick Wakeman on BBC iPlayer

File:Rickwakemanmoog.jpghttp://www.bbc.co.uk/i/b03jpvz1/

CURRENTLY AVAILABLE FROM GONZO
Live At The Maltings
DVD/CD - £9.99

Caped Crusader- Rick Wakeman in the 1970's
Book - £14.99

Video Vaults
6DVD box - £85.00

The Burning 
CD - £9.99

Cirque Surreal 
CD - £7.99

Gole 
CD - £9.99

1984
CD - £9.99

Cost Of Living 
CD - £9.99

Sunday, 1 December 2013

Rick Wakeman to attend award ceremony in Chelmsford

Rick Wakeman to attend award ceremony in ChelmsfordLEGENDARY musician and Yes star Rick Wakeman will be amongst the star guests at next week’s Pride of Essex awards.
Sam Callaghan, who was recently voted off the X Factor, will also be making an appearance.
The ceremony on December 3 at Anglia Ruskin University, Chelmsford, will recognise people from across the county for achievements in their communities including adults and children who have overcome adversities achievements for fundraising.

ERIC BURDON: Paris, Olympia 2013

File:Eric Burdon at the 2008 Daffodil Festival.jpg
The 26th of November Eric Burdon gave a perfect show at the Olympia. Relatively short (less than 1h30) but intense. In a good shape, with an incredibly good voice, he was at home on stage. This night Eric’s musicians seemed to enjoy, they were fine, especially Eric McFadden but all others where good. When Eric arrived on stage, the psychedelic mood of “When I Was Young” was already played for a while. He looked as a tiny old man, as an intellectual just coming out of a library… But this old man was Eric Burdon… “The rooms were so much colder then…”. The voice was young, the same voice of the angry young man Eric was in the sixties, and the song more meaningful than ever.

Old Animal’s classics were mixed with “Spill the wine” (terrific), “Black Dog” (especially impressive), and 4 songs from his latest cd (“Water”, “Wait”, “River is Rising” and “Bo Diddley Special”, all very good). He also sang “I Believe To my Soul” with this introduction: “I sing the truth. Ray Charles is the truth!”. The classics where “When I Was Young”, “Inside Looking Out”, “Don’t Let Me Be


CURRENTLY AVAILABLE FROM GONZO

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, 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)

WITH REGARD TO
any use of techniques other than plain statement?
any overt utilization of image,symbol,metaphor
alliteration,assonance or wordplay?
wit?humor?wisdom?NOT A CHANCE!
First Thought/Best Thought!
and then those Beats edited their works!
Time is a person of diminished stature
Bob Dylan is being sued in France
George Bush could be prosecuted as a war criminal
Obama's real name is Barry.This is irony
I apologize for excessive use of literary devices
Now -settle back and wonder about the relationships
between art and life,and why young text but do not speak
IM but lack time for epic wordworks
when the next war is being planned

and why words alone /are not enough..

THE GONZO TRACK OF THE DAY: Melting Euphoria - Venusian Skyline



CURRENTLY AVAILABLE FROM GONZO
From The Madness We Began
CD - £9.99

Far more than a comedian's vanity project

File:Adrian Edmondson.jpgTROY DONOCKLEY, Ade Edmondson and Andy Dinan, collectively known as The Bad Shepherds, combine punk and folk to create a 'glorious racket'.

It was Edmondson's ale-informed decision to purchase a mandolin, paired with his love for punk, which initially galvanised the Shepherds into a musical force.

The trio have recently returned from an Australian tour of their third album, Mud, Blood & Beer, only to grace the bright lights of Falmouth with their own blend of punk-folk. From behind a bottle of Cornish ale, a tongue-in-cheek Edmondson reminded his crowd of their religious obligations the following Sunday morning, before thrashing out Anarchy In The UK on his mandolin. Other renditions of punk classics included The Stranglers' 1977 hit No More Heroes and, from the same year, The Clash's White Riot.


Read on...

TROY DONOCKLEY AT GONZO
Messages
CD - £9.99

The Madness of Crowds
CD - £9.99

Unseen Stream 
CD - £9.99

Pursuit of Illusion
CD - £9.99
...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.