Music News Net

YES ANNOUNCES “THE ROYAL AFFAIR TOUR”, LAUNCHES JUNE 12

Music News - The 2019 summer concert calendar has just been lit up with the announcement of YES‘ North American concert tour, “The Royal Affair Tour.” Headlined by prog rock pioneers and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductees YES, who triumphed last year with their acclaimed and hugely successful #YES50: Celebrating 50 Years of YES tour, this must-see best-of-British-rock show will also feature Asia with the return of founding member Steve Howe in a special performance, John Lodge of The Moody Blues, and Carl Palmer’s ELP Legacy with guest vocals by Arthur Brown. See trailer below-

 

Twin-Guitar Pioneers Wishbone Ash To Kick Off 2019 USA Spring Tour

Music News -Twin-Guitar Pioneers Wishbone Ash To Kick Off 2019 US Spring Tour beginning April 10, 2019!

To prep for Wishbone Ash's 50th anniversary, the band is celebrating its 49th year in characteristic fashion: with an extended tour. Dubbed XLIX (49 in Roman numerals), the tour began in October 2018 in the UK, followed by early-2019 dates in Europe and Japan. This spring, XLIX arrives on these shores.

Longtime fans and new converts alike will revel in the group’s signature twin-guitar mastery and powerhouse rhythm section as they present classics spanning their career.

The US leg of the XLIX Tour will revisit some of the band's favorite venues as well as new ones from the Eastern seaboard to the Rocky Mountains.

“We always look forward to meeting old friends and fans alike on our annual Midwest and East Coast tours,” says founding member Andy Powell. “American audiences are so supportive and enthusiastic!”

Formed in 1969 in London, England, Wishbone Ash is one of the most influential guitar bands in the history of rock. True road warriors, each year they log around 30,000 miles, roughly equivalent to circumnavigating the earth.

Mark Abrahams, the group's newest member, has been trading licks with Powell for two years. Right out of the gate, Abrahams earned rave reviews from critics and fans on both sides of the Atlantic. Longtime rhythm section Bob Skeat on bass and Joe Crabtree on drums continue to provide the solid groove that is their hallmark.

RENNAISANCE to Release Expanded & Remastered Versions "A Symphonic Journey" & 1970's Albums

Music News - Esoteric Recordings is pleased to announce the 3/29/19 release of a newly re-mastered and expanded slate of albums from British symphonic rock/prog rock legends, RENNAISANCE.  First up is a 3CD clamshell box edition of the classic album, “A Song for All Seasons”. Originally released in March 1978, the album featured the song “Northern Lights”, a Top Ten hit single in the UK and Europe, and was a successful hit album in the UK, USA and Canada. By the late 1970s the line-up of highly gifted vocalist Annie Haslam, Michael Dunford (acoustic and electric guitars), John Tout (keyboards, vocals), Jon Camp (bass, acoustic & electric guitars, vocals) and Terry Sullivan (drums, percussion) had recorded a series of acclaimed albums that fused classical music influences with progressive rock and had earned a loyal following in Europe and had enjoyed wider success in the United States and Japan.

Working with producer David Hentschel (who had also produced the albums “A Trick of the Tail” and “Wind and Wuthering” for Genesis), the material on “A Song for All Seasons” was some of the most carefully crafted work of the band's career. Flying in the face of the prevailing musical fashions of the time, “A Song for All Seasons” would be the band's most successful album in Europe and is one of their best-loved works.

This expanded edition has been newly re-mastered from the original master tapes and features 15 bonus tracks, including the previously unreleased promotional edit and a “Top of the Pops” recording of “Northern Lights”, along with a BBC Radio session from August 1978 and a further two CDs comprising the entire concert recorded at the Tower Theater in Philadelphia on 4th December 1978, appearing in full on CD for the first time, with an additional 55 minute's worth of unreleased tracks.

The release also features an illustrated booklet with a reproduction of the band's 1978 US tour programme and new essay. The set also includes a reproduction of the original album poster given away with the initial pressing of “A Song for All Seasons”.

DISC ONE:
“A SONG FOR ALL SEASONS”
RE-MASTERED
1. OPENING OUT
2. DAY OF THE DREAMER
3. CLOSER THAN YESTERDAY
4. KINDNESS (AT THE END)
5. BACK HOME ONCE AGAIN
6. SHE IS LOVE
7. NORTHERN LIGHTS
8. A SONG FOR ALL SEASONS BONUS TRACKS
9. NORTHERN LIGHTS PROMOTIONAL SINGLE EDIT (PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED ON CD)
10.DAY OF THE DREAMER – BBC SESSION – 19TH AUGUST 1978
11.MIDAS MAN – BBC SESSION – 19TH AUGUST 1978
12.THE VULTURES FLY HIGH – BBC SESSION – 19TH AUGUST 1978
13.NORTHERN LIGHTS – “TOP OF THE POPS” VERSION (PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED)

DISC TWO:
LIVE AT THE TOWER THEATER, PHILADELPHIA – 4th DECEMBER 1978
1. CAN YOU UNDERSTAND (LIVE 1978)
2. CARPET OF THE SUN (LIVE 1978)
3. THINGS I DON’T UNDERSTAND (LIVE 1978)
4. OPENING OUT (LIVE 1978) (PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED)
5. DAY OF THE DREAMER (LIVE 1978)
6. MIDAS MAN (LIVE 1978) – LIVE AT THE TOWER THEATER, PHILADELPHIA – 4th DECEMBER 1978

DISC THREE:
1. NORTHERN LIGHTS (LIVE 1978)
2. A SONG FOR ALL SEASONS (LIVE 1978) (PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED)
3. TOUCHING ONCE IS SO HARD TO KEEP (LIVE 1978) (PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED)
4. ASHES ARE BURNING (LIVE 1978) (PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED)

Also coming is a newly re-mastered and expanded edition of the classic 1973 album by Renaissance, “Ashes Are Burning”. Formed in 1969 by former Yardbirds members Jim McCarty and Keith Relf, by the 1971 Renaissance had undergone a series of line-up changes and had evolved into a completely different band from the one that had recorded the albums “Renaissance” and “Illusion”. By June 1972 Renaissance had signed to EMI’s Sovereign label and had settled into a line-up featuring the highly gifted vocalist Annie Haslam, John Tout (keyboards, vocals), Jon Camp (bass, vocals), Terry Sullivan (drums, percussion) and Rob Hendry (guitar, mandolin, vocals) who recorded the album “Prologue”, featuring material written by Michael Dunford (a member of the group who had decided to eschew performing with the band to concentrate on song writing) and lyricist Betty Thatcher.

By April 1973 Rob Hendry had departed the band and Michael Dunford rejoined on acoustic guitar in a guest capacity to record the album that would break Renaissance to a wider audience, (particularly in the USA), “Ashes Are Burning”. Featuring such classic material as “Can You Understand”, “Carpet Of The Sun”, “At The Harbour” and the epic title track (featuring Andy Powell of Wishbone Ash on electric guitar). Released in October 1973, “Ashes Are Burning” would establish Renaissance as one of the finest symphonic progressive rock acts.

This Esoteric Recordings edition has been re-mastered from the original Sovereign Records master tapes and adds a previously unreleased thirty minute live performance for BBC Radio One's In Concert programme in 1974 (recently discovered in the archives).

The booklet features a new essay and exclusive interviews with Annie Haslam and Terry Sullivan and fully restores the original album artwork.

The Tubes To Perform Iconic “The Completion Backward Principle” In Its Entirety On Current Tour

Music News-  The Tubes, the San Francisco band which pioneered theatrics in rock ‘n’ roll long before MTV and music video made it fashionable, will embark on a national USA tour in which, for the first time, they will perform their hit 1981 album, The Completion Backward Principle – their first for Capitol Records, produced by Grammy-winner David Foster – in its entirety.

 

Led by lead singer Fee Waybill – known for an array of characters which include iconic, glam-rocking, stacked-heel vocalist Quay Lewd and punk parody Johnny Bugger – The Tubes’ current line-up also includes original members; drummer Prairie Prince, guitarist Roger Steen and bassist Rick Anderson along with longtime keyboardist David Medd.

 

The tour includes dates in Los Angeles, Dallas, Detroit, Denver and Las Vegas. The full itinerary is below.

 

Waybill says the choice to perform The Completion Backward Principle in its entirety is the first time they’ve ever done something like this. The album’s theme is a take-off on a spoken-word vinyl record touting a 1950’s motivational sales technique. The group discovered it in a San Francisco record bin. The band has even broken out those gray business suits featured in the 1981 video for good measure.

 

“ The Completion Backward Principle album was a spoof of corporate rock,” insists Fee. The sales technique was that ‘imagination creates reality,’ which it turns out, was a metaphor for someone like me, who grew up singing Beatles songs around the house dying to be in a band.”

New BE-BOP DELUXE SUNBURST FINISH Documentary Features Bill Nelson and Producer John Leckie

Music News- Esoteric Recordings has recently released a new re-mastered four disc deluxe expanded boxed set limited edition (comprising 3 CDs and a DVD) of SUNBURST FINISH, the legendary 1976 album by BE-BOP DELUXE.  Founding band member, guitarist and songwriter Bill Nelson and legendary producer John Leckie, who co-produced the album with Bill, are featured in the new documentary about the SUNBURST FINISH sessions.  Filmed in York, England at Bill’s residence, the documentary was researched & directed by Matt Bristow. Filmed & Edited by Mark J. Freeman (markjfreeman.co.uk) for Cherry Red Records.

Recorded in the Autumn of 1975 at Abbey Road studios (with some sessions also taking place at AIR studios in London), SUNBURST FINISH was the third album by Be-Bop Deluxe and the first to feature the line-up of BILL NELSON (vocals, guitars, keyboards), CHARLIE TUMAHAI (bass, vocals), ANDY CLARK (keyboards) and SIMON FOX (drums). It was also the first BE-BOP DELUXE album to be co-produced by BILL NELSON and JOHN LECKIE.  An album of immense musical inventiveness and creativity, SUNBURST FINISH was one of the finest albums of its era, a perfect cohesion of ten classic songs written by BILL NELSON (featuring his highly imaginative guitar playing) and a stylized and striking artwork package.  Featuring such classic material as “Heavenly Homes”, “Crying to the Sky”, “Sleep that Burns”, “Life in the Air Age”, “Crystal Gazing” and “Blazing Apostles”, the album also spawned the hit single “Ships in the Night” and launched BE-BOP DELUXE as one of the major breakthrough acts of 1976. 

This expanded reissue has been newly re-mastered from the original master tapes and features an additional 39 bonus tracks drawn from a stunning new 5.1 surround sound & stereo mixes from the original multi-track tapes by award winning engineer Stephen W. Tayler, previously unreleased out-takes from the album sessions, a BBC Radio “In Concert” performance from January 1976, a rare John Peel Show session from February 1976 (unavailable on CD for over twenty years), along with an unissued and previously unreleased 1976 Harvest Records promotional video for “Ships in the Night” and a session for BBC TV's “Old Grey Whistle Test” show from January 1976.

DarWin Releases Debut Concept Album “Origin Of Species” Internationally Featuring Drum Legend Simon Phillips

Music News - Welcome to the near-future: the world of DarWin. An intricate musical fantasy concept that launched in November 2018 in the UK only with the ambitious single release of “Escape The Maze,” followed by the full length album “Origin Of Species.”

The album is now available internationally on all major digital distribution platforms, with an epic cinematic video of “Escape the Maze” available on YouTube, Facebook and iTunes. More DarWin videos can be found on YouTube and Facebook.

Who is DarWin?:  An Introduction to the “Escape the Maze” video saga. View the Escape the Maze video, below-

UK Music Legends Strawbs Back in the USA for 50th Anniversary, and 3 Day Celebration in Lakewood, NJ - April 26, 27 & 28 and Tour

Music News- As part of their to the USA this Spring in celebration of their 50th anniversary, UK music legends Strawbs, and a host of guest performers, former Strawbs, and Strawbs-related artists, will be performing at the Strand Theater in Lakewood, NJ on  April 26-28, 2019!  Come join a weekend celebration of the first album release by seminal British band Strawbs! 

Strawbs are Britain's most successful international progressive folk-rock band. They are mentioned in the same breath as progressive rock bands Yes, King Crimson and The Moody Blues.  Strawbs have a devoted fan base that continues to grow on the strength of their incredible live performances together with their classic albums over the years including “Grave New World”, “Bursting at the Seams”, “Hero & Heroine” and “Ghosts.” The band has achieved sales of over three million albums, seven consecutive Strawbs albums have featured in the US Billboard Top 200 albums.

Many top musicians have featured in the Strawbs line up over the years, including Sonjia Kristina, Blue Weaver, Don Airey and as well as Rick Wakeman , both his classically trained sons Adam and Oliver have been featured, a certain compliment to the band's talent. After several years of touring in both acoustic and electric lineups, in 2017 Strawbs released “The Ferryman's Curse,” their first studio album of original material in eight years. The album returned to the album charts and garnered rave reviews worldwide!

The current Strawbs line-up comprises David Cousins, lead guitarist Dave Lambert, bass player Chas Cronk, and drummer Tony Fernandez, who recorded and toured together in the 1970s. They are joined by keyboard and guitar virtuoso Dave Bainbridge of Iona - a band who created a mystical blend of rock, folk, Celtic and ambient music - a perfect match for Strawbs.


3 Day Celebration ARTISTS: 

STRAWBS (Present) 

David Cousins (1968 - present)
Dave Lambert (1972 - present)
Chas Cronk (1973 - present)
Tony Fernandez (1978 - present)
Dave Bainbridge (2016 - present)

With
TERRA NOVA ORCHESTRA - 30 PIECE ORCHESTRA

STRAWBS (Past) 

Blue Weaver (1971 - 1973) (subject to visas) – Amen Corner, Mott the Hoople, Bee Gees (Played on “Saturday Night Fever” and the 1970s hits)
John Ford (1969 – 1973) – Velvet Opera, Hudson Ford (Writer of Strawbs biggest single “Part of the Union”)  
John Hawken (1973 - 1976) – Nashville Teens, Renaissance, Illusion
Brian Willoughby (1978 - 2092) – Mary Hopkin, The Monks, Nanci Griffith

SPECIAL GUESTS-

Tony Visconti – David Bowie, T Rex, Moody Blues, Gentle Giant, Angélique Kidjo
Annie Haslam – Renaissance
Larry Fast – Nektar, Synergy, Peter Gabriel
Eric Bazilian – The Hooters, Joan Osborne
Wesley Stace – John Wesley Harding, Cabinet of Wonders
Cathryn Craig – Bill Medley

HIGHLIGHTS-

Tony Visconti – conducts Strawbs with the Terra Nova Orchestra for the first orchestral performance of “Oh How She Changed”, the band's first single, featuring a new Tony Visconti arrangement.     

David Cousins, Blue Weaver, John Ford will play the whole of Strawbs classic album “Grave New World” with Eric Bazilion and narrator Wesley Stace.

Annie Haslam – sings Sandy Denny's “Who Knows Where The Time Goes” with the Terra Nova Orchestra, featuring a brand new arrangement by Tony Visconti.

Eric Bazilion – sings “What If God Was One Of Us,” the hit he wrote and produced for Joan Osborne, with Strawbs and the Terra Nova Orchestra.

Sandy Denny and the Strawbs – the classic songs recreated by Annie Haslam and Acoustic Strawbs.

Larry Fast and David Cousins – Peter Gabriel's synthesizer master and the complete songwriter put a new edge on Strawbs lesser known material. 

Strawbs 2019 USA 50th Anniv Tour Full Itinerary-

Friday 12 April - YMCA Boulton Center, Bay Shore NY
Saturday 13 April - Outpost in the Burbs, Montclair NJ

Sunday 14 April - TBA

Monday 15 April - TBA
Tuesday 16 April - TBA
Wednesday 17 April - Lovin Cup, Rochester NY
Thursday 18 April - TBA
Friday 19 April - Towne Crier, Beacon NY
Saturday 20 April - Sellersville Theater, Sellersville PA 

Friday 26 April - 50th Anniversary weekend , Lakewood NJ
Saturday 27 April - 50th Anniversary weekend, Lakewood NJ
Sunday 28 April - 50th Anniversary Weekend - Sunday Brunch, Lakewood NJ (VIP tickets only)

Dutch Music Legends Focus Unveil Release of New Studio Album “Focus 11” - OUT NOW!

Music News-  Focus; Founding member Thijs van Leer, Pierre van der Linden, Menno Gootjes and Udo Pannekeet are pleased to announce the worldwide release of the band's new studio album, “Focus 11.” 

This is the band's first new studio album in just over 6 years and forms part of the build up to the band's forthcoming 50th Anniversary. The band is also just starting a world tour, in support of the album, which will be launched on Cruise to the Edge 2019.

The 11 track album has been released as a CD, gatefold colored LP and Download on the band's own In And Out of Focus Records, via Cherry Red. The album features artwork by Roger Dean.

When asked about the album, Thijs van Leer responded with this poem:

Wow, my joy could not increase 
To see this new release 
It has Mazzel, Palindrome and Heaven 
Plus a title track called Eleven 
Both angelic and a beast 
It's Focus, to say the least! 

King Crimson Announces 2019 Tour Dates In Celebration of 50 Years

Music News- In celebration of their 50 years, King Crimson announces 50 Concerts for 2019. The current eight member line-up will perform 50 concerts across three continents as part of their 2019 Celebration tour.

Dates confirmed so far, are as follows:

King Crimson 2019 Tour Itinerary- 
JUN 10, 2019 - HAUS AUENSEE, Leipzig
JUN 12, 2019 - JAHRHUNDERTHALLE, Frankfurt
JUN 13, 2019 - JAHRHUNDERTHALLE, Frankfurt
JUN 15, 2019 - LIEDERHALLE, Stuttgart
JUN 16, 2019 - LIEDERHALLE, Stuttgart
JUN 18, 2019 - ROYAL ALBERT HALL, London
JUN 19, 2019 - ROYAL ALBERT HALL, London
JUN 20, 2019 - ROYAL ALBERT HALL, London
JUN 22, 2019 - DE VEREENIGING, Nijmegen
JUN 23, 2019 - DE VEREENIGING, Nijmegen
JUN 26, 2019 - TEATR ROMA, Warsaw
JUN 27, 2019 - TEATR ROMA, Warsaw
JUN 29, 2019 - ZITADELLE, Berlin
JUL 04, 2019 - ROMISCHES THEATER AUGUSTA RAURICA, Basel
JUL 08, 2019 - ARENA DI VERONA, Verona
JUL 10, 2019 - STUPINIGI SONIC PARK, Torino
JUL 12, 2019 - DOCTOR MUSIC FESTIVAL, Escalarre
JUL 13, 2019 - DOCTOR MUSIC FESTIVAL, Escalarre
JUL 14, 2019 - DOCTOR MUSIC FESTIVAL, Escalarre
JUL 18, 2019 - ARENA SANTA GIULIANA, Perugia
AUG 23, 2019 - TEATRO METROPOLITAN, Mexico City
AUG 24, 2019 - TEATRO METROPOLITAN, Mexico City
AUG 27, 2019 - TEATRO DIANA, Guadalajara
AUG 29, 2019 - TEATRO METROPOLITAN, Mexico City

SEP 03, 2019 - GREEK THEATRE, Los Angeles
SEP 05, 2019 - FOX THEATER, Oakland
SEP 06, 2019 - FOX THEATER, Oakland
SEP 08, 2019 - PARAMOUNT THEATER, Denver
SEP 10, 2019 - AUDITORIUM THEATRE OF ROOSEVELT UNIVERSITY, Chicago
SEP 12, 2019 - WARNER THEATRE, Washington D.C.
SEP 14, 2019 - BUDWEISER STAGE, Toronto
SEP 17, 2019 - ST DENIS THEATRE, Montreal
SEP 19, 2019 - BOCH CENTER WANG THEATER, Boston
SEP 21, 2019 - RADIO CITY MUSIC HALL, New York City
SEP 23, 2019 - THE MET, Philidelphia
SEP 25, 2019 - HARD ROCK ROCKSINO, Cleveland
SEP 27, 2019 - THE RYMAN AUDITORIUM, Nashville
SEP 29, 2019 - THE COBB CENTER, Atlanta

OCT 06, 2019 - SUNSET STAGE ROCK IN RIO - Rio de Janeiro

Since the band's return to live performance in 2014, with critically acclaimed sell-out shows all over the world including two defining shows at the Roman amphitheatre in Pompeii, the audience has been reinvented, as much as the band itself:

“In Pompeii, a large percentage of the audience was young couples; KC moved into the mainstream in Italy. I walked onstage knowing that this band's position in the world has changed level.” Robert Fripp

Steve Hackett Release "Beasts in our Time" Video - WATCH

Music News- Rock guitarist (Genesis) Steve Hackett has released a video for his new single Beasts In Our Time.

You can view it below as well as hear the tune on his upcoming studio album At The Edge Of Light, which releases next Friday (January 25) on CD, 2LP/CD, on digital platforms, as well as on Mediabook CD/DVD, which will contain 5.1 surround sound mix and a behind-the-scenes documentary.

Hackett said recently: “Beasts In Our Time is the main thrust of this album, exposing fear, greed and intolerance. The eagle in the video symbolizes the hatred and violence which nationalism breeds… and the clown, deceptive, destructive forces which masquerade as fun and innocuous."  “We live in dangerous times where we stand on the edge of an abyss, but there is still the hope that the light of compassion can still win through.”

Keyboard Veteran Andrew Colyer To Tour With 3.2 featuring Robert Berry!

Music News- Keyboard veteran Andrew Colyer has secured possibly one of the most difficult gigs today – covering keyboard parts made legendary by Keith Emerson, Rick Wakeman, Jordan Rudess and Tony Banks! Andrew will be performing with 3.2 featuring Robert Berry this coming spring! If anyone is qualified for the position, it's Andrew who has performed and collaborated with the likes of Tony Levin (Peter Gabriel, King Crimson), Jon Anderson (YES), The Tubes, Sound of Contact featuring Simon Collins, Ryche Chlanda (Fireballet, Renaissance), Max Flyer (CBS Records), Clark Terry, Louis Bellson among others....not to mention his own band, Prog-award-nominated Circuline!

Keith Emerson left a legacy of music. From his beginnings with The Nice in the 1960's, to worldwide fame with Emerson Lake & Palmer in the 1970's, to his reinvention in the 1980's with the #9 Billboard hit “Talkin' Bout” in the band “3” with Robert Berry and Carl Palmer, Emerson's name is one almost everyone has heard of.

In 2015, Emerson reunited with Berry, to resume work on the second “3” album, titled “3.2”, to be released on the Frontiers label. In 2016, Emerson tragically took his own life, leaving behind a half-finished record, Robert Berry with the loss of his long-time personal and musical friend, an unfulfilled contract, and a world grieving.

By the spring of 2018, Berry had worked out the details with the Emerson estate and Frontiers to complete and release the record. The first single, “Somebody's Watching” (released May 22nd), sent the album debut to #3 on the Amazon hard rock charts, and generated 7,000 YouTube views in the first 36 hours, and over 12,000 views in the first week. A musical phoenix had indeed risen.

The album, “3.2 - The Rules Have Changed”, was released on August 10th, 2018, and hit #1 on Amazon, selling out on the first day, and placed on two Billboard charts. The two YouTube videos from the album currently have over 64,000 cumulative views. The new album has met with unanimous positive international acclaim from over 100 magazine articles, blog and website reviews, and FM and internet radio stations.

Now it's time for a tour. The band - “3.2 featuring Robert Berry” will not only cover Berry's work with Keith Emerson, but also Berry's years on the Magna Carta label, producing tribute albums to ELP, YES, Genesis, Jethro Tull, Pink Floyd, and Rush. Who will Robert Berry get to cover not only Keith Emerson, but also all the keyboard players from these legendary bands? The world is watching and wondering. Keyboardist/vocalist Andrew Colyer (Circuline, Cell15, Awaken, Prog Rock Orchestra) got the call.

Berry tells the story of how Colyer got the gig: “When I met Andrew in December 2011, he was trying to reignite a career in music, after being out of the game for over 20 years. After one of our December People 'Classic Rock Christmas Party' shows, I introduced him to Dave Medd, and that's how he got the job as the backup for The Tubes in 2012. By 2013 he was playing ELP's “Tarkus” in progressive rock tribute band Downing Grey. In 2014 he performed on the Moody Blues cruise and the YES Cruise to the Edge with the Prog Rock Orchestra. He also formed his own band, Circuline, which has released two studio albums, a live CD/DVD/Blu-ray, and has toured and performed at international festivals. Plus he's my wife's brother's best friend!”

Berry says, ”All family joking aside, Andrew is a great player and the right guy for the job. He's a super nice guy, a hard worker, and with his immersion in the music business for these past 7 years, he's also been a big help in the business and marketing department.”

Guitar Legend Adrian Belew Back on Tour With With A New Quartet!

Music News - Adrian Belew is a legendary guitarist who's well-known for his diverse travels around the musical map.  He is a multi-instrumentalist whose solo records are critically acclaimed.  His moving singing voice and prolific songwriting has endeared a loyal fan base of music lovers.  His music is being discovered everyday by more and more listeners thirsty for great music with a creative standard not often pushed by the commercial music industry.

For more than a decade the Adrian Belew Power Trio stunned audiences around the world. Now Adrian is re-inventing his live show with a new quartet which includes Jordan Perlson on drums, Saul Zonana on keyboards, guitar, and vocals, and bassist extraordinaire Julie Slick.  The tour dates will be in support of Adrian's newest release “POP-SIDED”, releasing in March 2019. Don't miss this opportunity to enjoy master musicians playing great songs and having a ball!

Adrian describes the show as, “a more complete picture of most things I've done. More songs, new songs from the award-winning FLUX app, King Crimson material I haven't played for years, and a dose of classic Power Trio. It's my intention to make this the best Adrian Belew show ever!”

Adrian first appeared on the guitar-world radar when he toured with Frank Zappa who later said, “Adrian reinvented electric guitar”. Adrian's signature tones, unique use of effects and whammy bar remains completely different, and his techniques continue to be a huge influence on today's guitarists. He was guitarist, songwriter and frontman Progressive Rock Powerhouse King Crimson for over 30 years. “Discipline”, Adrian's first record with King Crimson, is listed among the most important rock records ever made.

Adrian has had a career that commands both awe and respect from fellow musicians and loyal fans, from his first solo record “The Lone Rhino” to the Atlantic Records hit album “Mr. Music Head” or any of his other 20 plus solo records that push sonic boundaries while maintaining artistic integrity. Adrian shreds on guitar but also writes  beautiful songs that will make you cry. Yes, Adrian has taken his fans on a wild ride through countless world tours and albums with David Bowie, Talking Heads, Laurie, Anderson, and Paul Simon. He truly is the Twang Bar King!

THE MOODY BLUES’ JOHN LODGE: 10,000 LIGHT YEARS TOUR ADDS ADD'L DATES, in UK

Music News- John Lodge, legendary bass player, songwriter & vocalist of The Moody Blues and recent inductee into the Rock &Roll Hall of Fame, adds UK dates to his 2019 “The Moody Blues’ John Lodge:  The 10,000 Light Years Tour” -  so far the additional shows are in Milton Keynes, London & Birmingham, more to follow.

The tour will support Lodge’s Live from Birmingham album which was released in October 2017 and  features his classic Moody Blues hits, together with a selection of solo work from the 2015 studio album 10,000 Light Years Ago.

John says“‘Music is my life and I can’t wait to get on the road with my 10,000 Light Years Band… the venues are smaller and more intimate, but I love live concerts “have bass will travel” that’s the gypsy in me.  I’ll always be a ‘Moody Blue’, but I love getting the chance to perform songs that I have never performed before, and of course classic Moody Blue songs.  The fans and I have travelled this road a long time and I also hope new fans will discover and explore along with us’. 

John will appear with his ’10,000 Light Years Band’, and together they capture the heart of classic Moody Blues songs he has penned and recorded including Isn’t Life Strange, I’m Just a Singer (in a Rock and Roll Band), Ride My Seesaw,  Gemini Dream, Steppin’ in a Slide Zone, as well as Peak Hour, & Evening Time both from Days of Future Passed and the never before played live, Candle of Life.  

John will also perform songs from his solo album 10,000 Light Years Ago. This album received critical acclaim, and his song, In My Mind,was nominated for “Anthem of the Year”in Prog Mag. There will also be featured special treats such as Saved by the Music from the Blue Jays album, and Legend of a Mind dedicated to Ray Thomas.  This is a not-to-be-missed show full of beautifully crafted songs, great energy and sound, and a fantastic atmosphere that will ‘bring the audience to their feet’.

Jon Anderson Releases "Love is Everything" from His Long Awaited 1000 Hands Album

Music News- With the Holiday season in full swing founding member of Yes, singer/musician Jon Anderson debuted a new holiday song called “Love Is Everything.” Words and Melody By Jon Anderson, Music by Michael Franklin and Tommy Calton,  Orchestrated and Produced by Michael Franklin

Said Jon recently; “[T]he tapes got put in my garage, and I forgot about them, ’cause I was on tour with Yes and recording other albums, and things like that,”. “So Michael (Franklin), bless him, we got together in California, where I live, and he said, ‘Why don’t you come over to Orlando and do some work on the tapes and make the music happen.'”

According to Jon’s rep, 1000 Hands will feature contributions from musicians including late Yes bassist Chris Squire; the band’s longtime guitarist and drummer, Steve Howe and Alan White; Jethro Tull‘s Ian Anderson; and jazz greats Billy Cobham, Jean Luc Ponty and Chick Corea.To support 1000 Hands, Jon will be touring in 2091, itinerary below-

Anderson has released more than a dozen solo albums since his first amazing effort, Olias of Sunhillow, out via Atlantic in 1976. 1000 Hands will be his first since 2011’s Survival & Other Stories.  And Since 2016, he’s been part of a trio of Yes alums, with Rick Wakeman and guitarist Trevor Rabin.  In 2018, they were  billed as Yes Featuring Anderson Rabin Wakeman and ran a 100-date world tour to celebrate the progressive rock band’s 50th anniversary.  A Yes boxed set was planned for August 2018 but it never came to be, instead, we had to make do with a Eagle Rock-issued live ARW release. To suport the release of 1000 Hands, Jon will embark on a 2019 solo tour. Full itinerary below-

Jon Anderson 2019 1000 Hands Solo Tour (Tickets for many of the dates are on Ticketmaster). 

Mar 11 – Orlando, FL – Disney Epcot
Mar 12 – Orlando, FL – Disney Epcot
Mar 29 – Lynn, MA – Lynn
Mar 31 – Northfield, OH – Hard Rock Rocksino
Apr 01 – Annapolis, MD – Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts
Apr 03 – Ridgefield, CT – Ridgefield Playhouse
Apr 04 – Englewood, NJ – Bergen PAC
Apr 06 – Collingswood, NJ – Scottish Rite Auditorium
Apr 07 – Derry, NH – Tupelo Hall
Apr 11 – St. Charles, IL – Arcada Theatre
Apr 12 – Waukegan, IL – Genesee Theatre
Apr 14 – Milwaukee, WI – TBD
Apr 19 – City TBD, OK – TBD
Apr 20 – New Orleans, LA – TBD
Apr 24 – Phoenix, AZ – The Orpheum
Apr 26 – Los Angeles, CA – Saban Theater
Apr 27 – Las Vegas, NV – Cannery Hotel and Casino
May 01 – Austin, TX – TBD
May 03 – TBD
May 04 – TBD
May 06 – Nashville, TN – Ryman Auditorium
May 08 – Clearwater, FL – Capitol Theate
May 11 – Biloxi, MS – Beau Rivage Theatre
May 12 – Arlington, TX – Kaaboo Texas at AT&T Stadium

Ian Anderson Continues 50 YEARS OF JETHRO TULL into its 51st Year, Sets 2019 North American Shows

Music News- Ian Anderson’s 50 Years of Jethro Tull continues in 2019 with tours confirmed in the USA and Europe. Concerts in the States in March, July, and September with confirmed concerts on both coasts in New Jersey, New York, Maryland, New England, and California.

It was on the 2nd of February 1968 at the world-famous Marquee Club in Wardour Street that Jethro Tull first performed under that name.  The group would go on to become one of the most successful and enduring bands of their era, selling over 60 million albums worldwide and entering the cultural collective consciousness along the way, playing their first concerts in North America in November and December 1969!

Founder, frontman and flautist, Ian Anderson is rightly credited with introducing the flute to rock as a front line instrument, not to mention the codpiece!

Jethro Tull are one of the biggest selling Progressive Rock artists of all time, and the group’s immense and diverse catalog of work encompasses folk, blues, classical and heavy rock stylings. The anniversary concerts will feature a broad mix of material, some of it focusing on the earlier formative period through to the “heavy hitters” of the Tull catalog from the albums: This Was, Stand Up, Benefit, Aqualung, Thick As A Brick, Too Old To Rock And Roll: Too Young To Die, Songs From The Wood, Heavy Horses, Crest Of A Knave and even a touch of TAAB2 from 2012. Watch classic 1973 MSG performance of Thick As a Brick below.

Anderson says, “We continue to present the 50th Anniversary concerts in many countries and regions not visited in 2018, and also many Tull repertoire shows in Europe. There will be, of course, my usual charitable cathedral and church concerts in December. In the USA - many would argue - 2019 is really the 50th Anniversary for US fans since we first visited in early 1969.”

Ian Anderson is accompanied by Tull band musicians David Goodier (bass), John O'Hara (keyboards), Florian Opahle (guitar), Scott Hammond (drums) and surprise virtual guests

In addition to the tour, look for “the excellent special edition of the Steven Wilson remix and remastered STORMWATCH, now celebrating the 40th Anniversary (with extra material from the sessions and some live concerts).” The official Tull 50th Anniversary book should be released in the first few months of 2019 - watch www.JethroTull.com for more news.

Jethro Tull have released 30 studio and live albums, selling more than 60 million copies worldwide. During their 50-year history, the band has performed over 3,000 concerts in more than 50 countries, playing 100+ concerts each year.

 

Ian Anderson’s 50 Years of Jethro Tull North American 2019 Tour Itinerary-

Local North American 2019 concerts will be announced Monday, December 10, 2018 at 10 AM ET and go on sale Friday, December 14, 2018 at 10 AM Local time. To purchase tickets, please visit www.jethrotull.com.

March 9: Ocean Resort Casino - Ovation Hall, Atlantic City, NJ
March 11: The Theater at MGM National Harbor, Oxon Hill, MD
March 12: Mayo Performing Arts Center, Morristown, NJ
July 5: Fantasy Springs Resort Casino, Indio, CA
July 6: Five Point Amphitheatre, Irvine, CA
July 7: San Diego Civic Theatre, San Diego, CA
July 9 – Saratoga, CA – The Mountain Winery* (public on sale April 8, 2019)
September 11: Chevalier Theatre, Medford, MA
September 14 – Queen, NY – Forest Hills Stadium
September 15: Mohegan Sun Arena, Uncasville, CT