Ian Anderson: Thick as a Brick 2

Posted on Mar 2, 2012

 

Ian Anderson’s ambitious follow-up to his seminal 1972 opus, Thick As A Brick has been released as a Special edition with CD, audio-visual DVD and 16-page booklet.  Dunfermline-born Anderson formed Jethro Tull in 1968. They went on to become one of the most successful and enduring acts in British rock history, with landmark albums such as Aqualung, Thick As A Brick and Too Old To Rock ‘n’ Roll, Too Young To Die. Jethro Tull have sold some 60 million albums worldwide and performed over 2,500 concerts in 40 countries. Thick as a Brick was one of their most successful albums and in Thick as a Brick 2, Anderson satisfies a demand from Tull fans for more of the same.

 

The DVD contains 5.1 surround mixes, 24-bit stereo mix, videos covering the making of the album, interviews with the musicians and a lyric reading where Ian Anderson reads the lyrics in various settings.
5.1 and stereo mixing by Steven Wilson.

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Tony Banks: Six – Pieces for Orchestra

Posted on Feb 27, 2012

Tony Banks, founder member of rock band Genesis, has already written a much admired orchestral work called Seven (8.557466), in which he was praised for his ‘genuine melodic gift’ (Gramophone). His new work consists of six evocative songs without words which may arouse in the listener ideas of seduction, journeys, heroes, quests, decisions and goals. Two of the pieces feature solo instruments alto saxophone on Siren and violin on Blade played here by elite soloists, which mesh into Banks’s orchestral tapestry with bewitching effect. The remaining pieces reveal his outstanding lyrical gifts and total command of musical narrative.

Tony Banks has a big following for his solo work outside the group. His classical compositions have been admired for their lyricism and melodic qualities, with some critics noting an affinity with the string works of Vaughan Williams.

Throughout 2009 Charlie Siem’s reputation as one of the brightest new classical artists grew with prestigious concerts in Paris, London, Oslo, Bergen and Basel. He has since enjoyed a very successful career, appearing with major orchestras and at festivals around the world. Martin Robertson began his solo career in 1986, and has since performed as a soloist with the Berlin, Los Angeles and London Philharmonic Orchestras, BBC Symphony Orchestra and the Ensemble Intercontemporain.

 

Todd Rundgren’s UK tour starts in Manchester on October 1st

Posted on Sep 29, 2011

Todd Rundgren, rock and roll icon,guitarist, interactive progenitor, singer-songwriter and record producer, plays the Manchester HMV Ritz on Saturday October 1st. The Manchester date is the first of several UK concerts billed as "An Evening With Todd Rundgren". the shows are described as "The greatest hits tour Todd fans have been waiting to see for years."

Tickets for the Manchester HMV Ritz concert on October 1st are available from the 24 hour ticket hotline: 08700 603 777, www.seetickets.com.Meanwhile, Rundgren’s three night residency at the London Jazz Cafe (October 3-5th) is completely sold out.

These are Rundgren’s first UK dates since 2010′s sold-out London Hammersmith Apollo concert where he performed his 1973 album A Wizard, A True Star.

Rundgren is widely regarded as the godfather of music and multimedia. Having founded and The Nazz,the quintessential `60′s power-pop psychedelic band, in 1969 he left them to pursue a solo career, recording his debut offering, the classic Runt. It was1972′s seminal Something/Anything, on which he played all the instruments, sang all the vocal parts, and acted as his own producer, that catapulted Todd into the superstar limelight.

Among Rundgren’s impressive 50+ production projects are albums by Patti Smith, Cheap Trick,Psychedelic Furs, XTC, Grand Funk Railroad, New York Dolls, Hall & Oates,and Meat Loaf’s multi-platinum debut Bat Out Of Hell.

Chickenfoot new album release

Posted on Sep 7, 2011

Chickenfoot, featuring guitar hero Joe Satriani, frontman Sammy Hagar, former Van Halen bassist Michael Anthony and world renowned drummer Chad Smith, have confirmed multiple UK release dates and formats for their highly anticipated second album Chickenfoot III, the follow-up to 2009′s award-winning eponymous debut album.

The album will initially be released in the UK as an exclusive Limited Edition Fan Pack, and will coincide with the international album release date of Tuesday September 27th. Produced by Mike Fraser (AC/DC, Metallica), the album will come in specially designed 3D packaging.

The Fan Pack includes two exclusive bonus tracks - Down The Drain (Live in Phoenix) and Oh Yeah! (Live in Phoenix) – and a 132-page magazine dedicated to the band. 100% Chickenfoot-approved, the fan pack magazine contains exclusive interviews with Sammy Hagar, Joe Satriani, Michael Anthony and Chad Smith, talking about the new album and their respective careers.

The Fan Pack details the making of the band’s new video, how they created the 3D album cover, an overview of their solo careers and the story behind each song on the new album. The magazine is also packed with rare photos of the band, an exclusive muso section, a Guitar Pick Pack, 3D glasses, and a 3D CD digital book pack with postcards.

On Monday October 24^th, Chickenfoot III will be released in the UK on CD, Deluxe Edition CD & DVD, and 12″ vinyl. The Deluxe Edition CD & DVD will include a Chickenfoot III EPK, Big Foot promotional video, Turning Left (live in Phoenix) and the Sexy Little Thing promotional video.

Today, Chickenfoot posted the official promotional video for the Big Foot single on YouTube. Details of the band’s September 27^th worldwide web simulcast concert, will be announced shortly.

40th anniversary release of Tull’s Aqualung to be released

Posted on Aug 19, 2011

One of the greatest prog rock albums of all time: Jethro Tull’s classic 1971 album Aqualung, is being re-released in a commemorative Special Edition featuring new stereo mixes by Steven Wilson. The 40th Anniversary of Jethro Tull ‘s classic Aqualung is marked by two special editions (both mixed by Steven Wilson). The Collector’s Edition contains 2 cds, a 180g audiophile LP in replica gatefold sleeve, plus dvd and blu-ray discs containing SW’s 5.1 mix of the album and four bonus tracks.

The superb package comes with a 48 page hardback book featuring detailed liner notes, a new Ian Anderson interview, Q&A’s with engineer John Burns, notes from Steven Wilson, lyrics, rare photos, and reflections from Jeffrey Hammond-Hammond, Martin Barre, Clive Bunker, Barrie Barlow and Glenn Cornick.

The Special Edition is a digi-pack release containing 2 cds and a 36 page booklet. The second disc contains additional 1970/1971 recordings.

White Willow – new album and video

Posted on Aug 15, 2011

White Willow, one of Norway’s most successful Progressive Rock bands of recent times, return after a five year absence with Terminal Twilight.

Creating a distinctively mysterious Scandinavian sound that encompasses mellotron-drenched retro prog, gothic folk, art pop and post-rock, the band’s ambitious compositions combine sophisticated structures and harmonies with powerful playing and uncluttered production.

Main songwriter Jacob Holm-Lupo is joined by fellow band members, Sylvia Skjellestad, Mattias Olsson (Anglagard), Lars Fredrik Froislie (Wobbler’s vintage synth maestro), Ketil Einarsen (Jaga Jazzist) and Ellen Andrea Wang. No-Man’s Tim Bowness guests on the poignant Kansas Regrets.

Soaring Hackett-esque solos collide with demented Crimson-influenced riffs counterbalanced by compelling and ethereal song sections.

The Burning Shed page for this album features a nine minute promo video.

1. Floor 67 (9.34)
2. Kansas Regrets (4.39)
3. Mountain (7.10)
4. Natasha (6.30)
5. Red Leaves 8.41)
6. Rumour Of Twilight (2.35)
7. Searise (13.14)
8. Snowswept (4.13)