Friday, 22 December 2017

FAIRPORT CONVENTION NEWS


British folk legends Fairport Convention are live at Lincoiln Drill Hall next month as part of their Wintour 2018. The band was credited with creating British folk-rock music with their iconic album Liege and Lief, which BBC Radio 2 listeners voted the most influential folk album of all time. They have also ...

CURRENTLY AVAILABLE FROM GONZO

THE GONZO CHRISTMAS TRACK OF THE DAY: I Believe In Father Christmas - single by Greg Lake

Thursday, 21 December 2017

THE GONZO CHRISTMAS TRACK OF THE DAY: The Beatles - Christmas Time Is Here Again (Complete Version)

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?

TACTILE TREE
SO WE GATHER
as we have always gathered
in circles and in spirals
round fire and by candles
deep in the dark night
of the shortest day and the longest night
we become spark and Light.Moon power by night.
We listen to each other and ourselves.Solstice
simply means we go inner as well as out
We look into each other and ourselves
We use poem,prayer,chant,ritual,anthem
to incant a way through this time passage
so we may greet each other in a new way
much like the old way.Only we have transformed
and will never be the same again

Until we meet again.

Original Alice Cooper Group Guitarist/Songwriter Michael Bruce “No More Mr. Nice Guy” Biography Limited Edition Box Set


For Immediate Release

Original Alice Cooper Group Guitarist/Songwriter Michael Bruce “No More Mr. Nice Guy” Biography Limited Edition Box Set 

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” in a Limited Edition Box Set! The Box set contains a signed certificate, book, 1996 interview CD, and reproduction of Alice Cooper group memorabilia. Limited to 250 Units, and signed by Michael Bruce.

Written by Alice Cooper group guitarist, keyboard player and main songwriter, “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!




The “No More Mr. Nice Guy” book is also available separately!

FRANK ZAPPA NEWS


In 1973 an amazing thing happened. For those lucky enough to be in the know and in the area, Los Angeles was privy to a legendary series of performances by the enigmatic Frank Zappa at the renowned Roxy Theatre. Spanning two nights and four sets, the residency is labelled as an iconic moment in ...


As we approach Christmas, we're once again seeing plenty of commercials for electric shavers. This is a good time to remember the time when Frank Zappa produced a spec piece for “Remington Electric Razor Machines.” Zappa was living in New York at the time and got a request from one of the ...

Now, Frauenhofer has assembled an all-star lineup of his band to celebrate the enduring genius of the late, great American composer Frank Zappa. “Censored by ZFT: A Tribute to Frank Zappa” - its title a nod to Zappa progeny Dweezil's legal struggles with the Zappa Fily Trust overseen by his ...

Given that Frank Zappa was known for his jazz-rock fusion, was that a major departure from what you had been performing? Throughout my life I've done a lot of different kinds of shows, from doing standard musical theater to rock/metal to country, etc. I've been able to pull from experiences throughout ...

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..

Wednesday, 20 December 2017

FOR THOSE OF YOU INTERESTED IN MY DAY JOB: On The Track (of Unknown Animals) Ep. 86 (Australian "humanoid", yeti, lamb leg, US jaguar, etc)



Here we have the fifth episode of the relaunched webTV show by the Centre for Fortean Zoology, written and presented by Jon Downes and Charlotte Phillipson, their families and other animals.
This episode contains: • The CFZ as Dr Who • The Arizona Jaguar • Why the yeti mystery is still unsolved • Loren Coleman interview • Seasonal herbalism • A macabre Cornish mystery • Lars Thomas converts Corinna's kitchen into a laboratory • An Australian amphibious "humanoid" • Evelyn gives her verdict • Watcher of the skies • Long tailed tits • New and rediscovered: New snailfish • New and rediscovered: Three new geckos • New and rediscovered: New antpitta • New and rediscovered: Russian mystery animal • New and rediscovered: New wrasse • New and rediscovered: New characin • Fair use • Coming next month • The Patreon campaign • The team says goodbye until next month You can support us, and help us make this show ever more bigger and better at our Patreon page: https://www.patreon.com/CFZ

CAPTAIN BEEFHEART IN THE NEWS


Renowned American artist Don Van Vliet was 69-years-old when he passed away from complications of multiple sclerosis on this date in 2010. The enigmatic musician better known as Captain Beefheart was a true one-of-a-kind artistic mind whose groundbreaking output cultivated a devoted following.

There's nothing safe about the debut album of Captain Beefheart and his Magic Band. Fifty years after it's release, it still sounds just as sour as it ever did. While not as whacked as the surrealistic masterpiece,Trout Mask Replica, Safe As Milk is not only one of Don Van Vliet's (aka Captain Beefheart), ...
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..

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?


AKITA VS ALEXA
I ask my Alexa questions
Many of which poetically/philosophically
she has no answer for.I ask her"who programs you?"
The answer is AMAZON and A.I and my responses
are always to ask her further questions to test her abilities.
Apparently,she listens to EVERYthing.
Apparently,she can tap into my digital information
Passwords,files,bank accounts-all accessible
But what she does not yet know is this-

I HAVE AKITA!

LEONARD COHEN IN THE NEWS


Legendary Canadian singer-songwriter/poet Leonard Cohen passed away in November 2016 and, two months later, Brooklyn's Music Hall of Williamsburg hosted an all-star tribute to the musician, bringing together an eclectic group of artists to deliver their own renditions of some of Cohen's classic ...

Presented as two experiences influenced by Leonard Cohen that are complementary to the Leonard Cohen: A Crack in Everything exhibition, The Gaze Listens (December 15, 2017, to March 25, 2018) consists of a sensory reflexion on rhythm, listening and sound, while That's how the light gets in ...

CURRENTLY AVAILABLE FROM GONZO
Bird on a Wire (Special Edition)
DVD - £9.99

THE GONZO TRACK OF THE DAY: John Lennon - Happy Xmas (War Is Over)



CURRENTLY AVAILABLE FROM GONZO
In Pursuit of Happiness
DVD - £10.99

Monday, 18 December 2017

ERIC BURDON NEWS


Rock and Roll Hall of Fame member Eric Burdon and his wife, Marianna, of Ojai were among the people who fled the smoke Tuesday. Last week, Burdon wrote on Facebook about having to flee and returning temporarily to find their home still standing with ashes all around. “A week like this gives you ...

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?

LISTENING TO OUMUAMUA
CARL SAGAN SENT RECORDS INTO SPACE
Seeking to contact any alien race.We are among so many
It makes sense to sing to them.But they don't use radio.
And LPs (even if golden)have no needle in space
So instead of seeking to speak to alien consciousness
why not listen?

Shrink
An artist's impression of 'Oumuamua.   (European Southern Observatory, via University of Hawaii)
(Newser) – It's unlikely that the first object found to have visited our solar system from interstellar space is carrying a message from aliens, but scientists will listen for one anyway. Beginning Wednesday, the Green Bank telescope in West Virginia will observe the mysterious cigar-shaped 'Oumuamua across four radio transmission bands, from 1 to 12 GHz, as part of the Breakthrough Listen project searching for evidence of alien life, reports the Guardian. 'Oumuamua—Hawaiian for "a messenger from afar arriving first," per NASA—was first spotted by scientists in Hawaii in October as it sped past Earth at an astronomical stone's throw, per a release. It's now twice as far from Earth as the sun and scheduled to pass through Jupiter's orbit in May 2018, but close enough that the Green Bank telescope can detect even the faintest radio transmissions.
'Oumuamua is estimated to be up to 10 times as long as it is wide, and the press release notes that researchers have theorized that an interstellar spacecraft would be of similar shape, so as to reduce friction and damage from space debris. While project adviser Avi Loeb of Harvard acknowledges "most likely it is of natural origin"—it's widely believed to be an asteroid—he says that because of its curious shape, "we would like to check if it has any sign of artificial origin, such as radio emissions." Even if the Green Bank telescope fails to pick up any signal or other suggestion of "extraterrestrial technology," all will not be for naught: The Breakthrough Listen project's work may reveal more about 'Oumuamua's chemistry, including whether it   

http://www.spiritthom.com

THE GONZO TRACK OF THE DAY: Leonard Cohen - Famous Blue Raincoat



CURRENTLY AVAILABLE FROM GONZO
Bird on a Wire (Special Edition)
DVD - £9.99

CHRIS SQUIRE AND ALAN WHITE


Holidays Are a Time to “Run With the Fox,” Chris Squire & Alan White
Chris Squire and Alan White's "Run With The Fox" was a happy message that Yes was not gone, after the all too soon dissolution of the Drama lineup. Fortunately, this once rare track continues to play on, thanks to subsequent releases like Chris Squire's Swiss Choir (reportedly featuring a new choir) ...

CURRENTLY AVAILABLE FROM GONZO
Union
DVD - £10.99

Union (2CD)
2CD - £7.99

FRANK ZAPPA NEWS


In December 1973, Frank Zappa & the Mothers performed five concerts across three nights at the Roxy Theatre on the Sunset Strip in Hollywood. Though portions of the recordings taken from these performances have been released in a couple of forms over the years—primarily in 1974's Roxy and ...

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..


In 1965, Ray Collins asked Zappa to take over as guitarist in local R&B band the Soul Giants, following a fight between Collins and the group's original guitarist. Zappa accepted, and soon assumed..


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..

Rick Wakeman’s Campaign To Create “Live Portraits” Seeks Backers via PledgeMusic

https://indiepulsemusic.com/2017/12/11/rick-wakeman/





Keyboard legend Rick Wakeman will be recording a live version of his critically acclaimed album “Piano Portraits” at the Lincoln Cathedral in London on March 7th, 2018. “Live Portraits” be released on CD/DVD later this year. A new PledgeMusic campaign has been started to help fund the recording & filming of the event!

Rate this:

 
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New PledgeMusic Campaign To Support the Recording & Filming of Rick Wakeman’s “Live Portraits”

Pre-order experiences, albums, merchandise and much more!
RW Piano Portraits
Keyboard legend Rick Wakeman will be recording a live version of his critically acclaimed album “Piano Portraits” at the Lincoln Cathedral in London on March 7th, 2018. “Live Portraits” be released on CD/DVD later this year. A new PledgeMusic campaign has been started to help fund the recording & filming of the event!

We have a special message from Rick Wakeman about this project:
Hello everyone.
Last year I released the studio album Piano Portraits which was really well received and went Top 10 in the UK for several weeks. . Over the past year I have been touring “Live Portraits” to sell out audiences, so as a lasting record I have decided to film and record a very special performance of “Live Portraits” at Lincoln Cathedral on 7th March 2018.
After the success of the “The Myth & Legends of King Arthur” campaign in 2016 here on PledgeMusic I have decided to again work directly with you the fans on bringing this one off concert and recording to life.
By working this way I can offer so much more in the way of experiences, signed memorabilia and different formats, and create exactly what I would like everybody to see and hear.
The concert will be based on many of the tracks from the Piano Portraits album plus many additional pieces, all embellished as can only be achieved in a staged live setting,.
Thank you in advance for supporting the campaign and I hope you enjoy what we create together.
-Rick
The Lincoln Cathedral in Lincoln, England is the seat of the Anglican bishop. Building commenced in 1088 and continued in several phases throughout the medieval period. It was the tallest building in the world for 238 years (1311–1549), and the first building to hold that title after the Great Pyramid of Giza. The cathedral is the third largest in Britain (in floor area) and is highly regarded by architectural scholars. Part of the blockbuster film “The Davinci Code” was filmed there.
Upcoming Performances:
YESfeaturingARW

Sunday, June 17, 2018    Stone Free Festival YES featuring Anderson Rabin Wakeman

Buy Tickets Here

Listen to Rick Wakeman on Spotify


For more information and special packages being offered visit
Also Visit Rick Wakeman’s official website: http://www.rwcc.com

Sunday, 17 December 2017

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?

CHOICE & CHANGE
MY PREFERABLE FANTASY IS FREE WILL
My choice is to embrace it in every momrnt
But moments change(and i change
So no line of any poem will ever be finished
("I reserve the right to contradict myself"(Walt Whitman)
"I contain multitudes".If ,in one moment,i embrace joy
In the next embrace the processing of grief and shadows
There is no contradiction-just progression
And no linear emotional graph can explicate
the variant and vagrant ways to define this Living Paradise.
"This is the best of all possible worlds"(Voltaire/Candide)
And even if it is not,i choose to act as if it is/
"And that made all the difference"(Robert Frost)


PLAYLIST: 237 – 3 Dec 2017 – Into the Abyss

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.
  
237 – 3 Dec 2017 – Into the Abyss

Fairholt:  The Dark Side of the Sun
Barnes and Barnes:  Party in my Pants
Yasmin Hamdan:  Balad
The Jesus Abyss:  The Empty Glass
The Jesus Abyss:  Hetero-Hypnosis
Nick Heyward:  Who
Principal Edwards Magic Theatre:  Lament for the Earth
Northern Picture Library:  Last September Farewell
The Durutti Column:  Spanish Lament
The Jesus Abyss:  Jesus got the Funk
James Brown:  Night Train/Closing
Motorhead:  Orgasmatron
Shocking Blue:  Gonna Sing me a Song
M.A. Numminen:  The General From
The All Seeing i:  Sweet Music
Monk Parker:  Crown of Sparrows
Sirom:   Boats Biding Beware
Pen Rorn:  Loeung Rom 2 Neak
The Jesus Abyss:  The Swallowing Dream
Pink FlOyd:  Die you Crazy Bitch
Little Marcy:  When you Pray


Friday, 15 December 2017

Gonzo Weekly #265/6

Gonzo Weekly #265/6
THE CHRISTMAS DOUBLE ISSUE
 
As we approach Christmas, we present a special double issue in which we talk to Tony Klinger about his work with The Who, on ‘The Kids are Alright’ and print an exclusive excerpt from his book, Alan gets all Christmassy with Charlie Manson, and the legendary Jim Dickinson, John has a Martian Christmas with Paul Kantner and looks back over the 60th anniversary celebrations of the Summer of Love, Jon waxes lyrical about The OA, Timothy Leary and Stranger Things, Richard writes about Steve Kimock, and Amy explains Yuletide plants.
 
Hail Eris!
 
And there are radio shows from Mack Maloney AND Strange Fruit, AND Friday Night Progressive. We also have columns from all sorts of folk including Neil Nixon, Roy Weard, C J Stone, Mr Biffo and the irrepressible Corinna. There is also a collection of more news, reviews, views, interviews and southern dibblers who have blown a fuse (OK, nothing to do with small marsupials who are not good at household electrics, 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 OA, Stranger Things, The Beatles, John Lennon, Trevor Horn, Jools Holland, Eric Clapton, Lili Fini Zanuck, Cecil Williamson, Patti Smith, John Prine, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Bon Jovi, Jimi Hendrix, Paul McCartney, Status Quo, Francis Rossi, REM, The Cure, Strange Fruit, Friday Night Progressive, Mack Maloney's Mystery Hour, Keith Chegwin, Maxwell Frank Clifford, James Marcellus Arthur "Sunny" Murray, Sir Christus (Jukka Kristian Mikkonen) Magnus Bergdahl, Leon Rhodes, Patrick Michael DiNizio, Willie Pickens, Warrel Dane, Barbara Dickson, Jessica Lee Morgan, Rick Wakeman, Billion Dollar Babies, Tangerine Dream, Tony Klinger, The Who, Alan Dearling, Phil Bayliss,  James Luther Dickinson, John Brodie-Good, Country Joe McDonald, Hot Tuna, Paul Kantner, Jefferson Starship, Richard Foreman, Steve Kimock, Charles Manson, Dennis Wilson, Phil Kaufman, Terry Melcher, Bobby Beausoleil, Catherine Gillies,  Charlene Cafritz, Marilyn Manson, Brian Jonestown Massacre, Cabaret Voltaire, Nick Redfern, Defending the Realm: MI5 and The Shayler Affair, Mark Hollingsworth, Nick Fielding, Sex Pistols, David Shayler, The Clash, UB40, Kev Rowland, Silhouette, Tankard, Threat Signal, Antisect, Trojan Horse, Uncle Acid and the Deadbeats, 36 Crazyfists, The Walking Dead, Whitewater, With the Dead, Wobbler, Zud, Aosoth, Atoll, b.o.s.c.h., Bigfoot, Blaze of Perdition, Charcoal Tongue, Curse the Fall, Hawkwind, Xtul, Martin Springett, Amy Phillipson, John Higgs, Timothy Leary, Kylie Minogue
 
And the last few issues are:
 
Issue 264 (John McLaughlin)
Issue 263 (The magic Band)
Issue 262 (DikMik)
Issue 261 (Leonard Cohen)
Issue 260 (Amsterdam Squat Festie)
Issue 259 (Out come thee Freaks)
Issue 258 (The Devil's Jukebox)
Issue 257 (Judge Smith)
Issue 255/6 (John Lennon)
Issue 254 (Mr Biffo)
Issue 253 (Dana Gillespie)
Issue 252 (Cropredy)
Issue 251 (Scott Walker)
Issue 250 (Jamms)
Issue 249 (Bill Bruford)
Issue 248 (The Selecter)
Issue 247 (Don Airey)
Issue 246 (Steve Hackett)
Issue 244-5 (Summer Special)
 
 
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.
 
* The Gonzo Daily is a two way process. If you have any news or want to write for us, please contact me at jon@eclipse.co.uk. If you are an artist and want to showcase your work, or even just say hello please write to me at gonzo@cfz.org.uk. Please copy, paste and spread the word about this magazine as widely as possible. We need people to read us in order to grow, and as soon as it is viable we shall be invading more traditional magaziney areas. Join in the fun, spread the word, and maybe if we all chant loud enough we CAN stop it raining. See you tomorrow...
 
* The Gonzo Daily is - as the name implies - a daily online magazine (mostly) about artists connected to the Gonzo Multimedia group of companies. But it also has other stuff as and when the editor feels like it. The same team also do a weekly newsletter called - imaginatively - The Gonzo Weekly. Find out about it at this link: www.gonzo-multimedia.blogspot.co.uk
 
* We should probably mention here, that some of our posts are links to things we have found on the internet that we think are of interest. We are not responsible for spelling or factual errors in other people's websites. Honest guv!
 

* Jon Downes, the Editor of all these ventures (and several others) is an old hippy of 58 who - together with a Jack Russell called Archie, an infantile orange cat named after a song by Frank Zappa, and two half grown kittens, one totally coincidentally named after one of the Manson Family, purely because she squeaks, puts it all together from a converted potato shed in a tumbledown cottage deep in rural Devon which he shares with various fish. He is ably assisted by his lovely wife Corinna, his bulldog/boxer Prudence, his elderly mother-in-law, and a motley collection of social malcontents. Plus.. did we mention Archie and the Cats?
...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.