Fish Tours US For The First Time In 10 Years

Scottish singer/songwriter Fish, known for his work with Marillion, has just announced a string of U.S. dates in support of his new solo CD 13th Star. It is the artist’s first U.S. tour in 10 years.


13th Star is being deemed as his best solo work ever by the press.
“...a meditation on loss, the emotional resonance of songs such as ‘Arc Of The Curve' making this his strongest work since his late '80s Marillion swansong Clutching At Straws.”writes Paul Elliott in the April 2008 issue of Q magazine.

Fish came to public’s attention in the 80s as the lead singer of Marillion, recording four successful CDs with the band. In 1988, he left Marillion and began his solo career, which has resulted in nine studio albums and many other live recordings.

“Being 50 years old and being told your new album is the best you've ever made is tremendous. It destroys the philosophy that your best work as a rock musician has to be when you're 19 and naive," Fish recently told What’s On Southwest. "This is my 13th record and my 26th year in the business, and that's something a lot of other people can only fantasize about, so I know I am lucky.” Fish will be a guest on the Gagliarchives Radio program on May 31st.

The U.S. tour includes the following dates:

June 9 San Francisco The Fillmore
June 10 Los Angeles House of Blues
June 12 Boulder, CO Fox Theatre
June 14 Milwaukee, WI Shank Hall
June 15 Chicago, IL Park West
June 16 Cleveland, OH House of Blues
June 18 New York BB King’s Blues Club
June 20 Bethlehem, PA NEAR fest
June 21 Philadelphia, PA Fillmore at ToLA
June 22 Washington, DC 9:30 Club
June 24 New Haven, CT Toad’s Place
June 25 Boston, MA Paradise Rock Club
June 27 Quebec City Cabaret du Capitole
June 28 Montreal Le National
June 29 Toronto Mod Club Theatre

Rush Members Mourn Original Drummer

According to The Pulse of Radio, RUSH bassist/singer Geddy Lee and guitarist Alex Lifeson issued astatement over the weekend about the death of original drummer John Rutsey, who passed away last week in Toronto from diabetes at the age of 55. Lifeson and Lee wrote,

"Our memories of the early years of RUSH when John was in the band are very fond to us. Those years spent in our teens dreaming of one day doing what we continue to do decades later are special. Although our paths diverged many years ago, we smile today, thinking back on those exciting times and remembering John's wonderful sense of humor and impeccable timing. He will be deeply missed by all he touched."

Rutsey's family has requested that donations be made in Rutsey's memory to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, located in Ontario. Fans around the world have posted condolences online over Rutsey's death, with one writing, "Although you may not have known it, you were loved and respected by all RUSH fans." Rutsey and Lifeson formed RUSH in 1968, with Lee joining a short time later. Rutsey played on the band's self-titled 1974 debut album, but left the group due to health concerns. His replacement, Neil Peart, joined the group on its second effort, "Fly By Night".

Pure Reason Revolution To Release Live Album At Nearfest

It is with great excitement that Chad Hutchinson and Robert LaDuca have announced the upcoming release of Pure Reason Revolution, "Live at NEARfest 2007." The British upstart quartet took the NEARfest stage by storm with their unique combination of hard-driving riffs, Pink Floyd-esque soundscapes and fabulous vocal harmonies. Already known for their powerful live show, Pure Reason Revolution took it to yet another level with this energetic and raw performance. The band was in top form at NEARfest and is captured live for the first time on "Live at NEARfest 2007."

The album will be released on June 20, 2008, the first day of NEARfest X. Pure Reason Revolution's The Dark Third was also the #1 album in the top 100 of 2006.

Tracklisting:

1. Intro/In Aurélia

2. The Borgen's Vor

3. Deus Ex Machina

4. The Bright Ambassadors of Morning

5. Victorious Cupid

6. Voices in Winter

7. The Twyncyn/Trembling Willows

8. Golden Disco

9. Aeropause

10. Apprentice of the Universe

11. Nimos & Tambos

12. Arrival/The Intention Craft

Personnel:

Jon Courtney - Vocals, guitar, keyboards

Chloë Alper - Bass, vocals, keyboards

Jamie Willcox - Guitar, vocals, keyboards

Paul Glover - Drums

Mixed by Adam Whitaker

Recorded and Mastered by Brett Kull

Hadrien Feraud Injury Puts Tour Plans On Hold

Bass prodigy Hadrien Feraud, who's new solo album and recent stint with John McLaughlin has been the buzz in the fusion world, has broken a finger on his right hand and will not be able to perform for the beginning of the Fourth Dimension tour with John McLaughlin. Feraud is to be replaced by Dominique DiPiazza for the European tour. There are still hopes that he will be able to perform by the end of May.

Feraud's bass style has been compared to the late great Jaco Pastorius. His recent self titled solo album is stunning in its diversity from beginning to end. Fusion lovers began their new affair with Hadrien in 2006 when he was featured on John Mclaughlin's Industrial Zen. McLaughlin spoke with Tom Gagliardi in November of 2006 and said "You have to hear this cat...he's amazing, he's a kid. So Talented.." Hadrien has recently recorded for an upcoming album with guitarist Bireli Lagrene. The album is due out in October, and features Hadrien's band Ruemers.

He will also be joining the Gagliarchives radio program to talk about his upcoming work as well.

We hope for a speedy recovery for Hadrien. He is the next one.

Forgas Band Phenomena Featured On Daily Motion

A band that has been a big favorite in recent years to the fusion community and the Gagliarchives, has been the Forgas Band Phenomena. This is rare concert footgage performed at the Forterre Festival on 5/17/08 in Courson Les Carrieres, in Bourgogne, France. The recent album Soleil 12 was released on Cuneiform Records. Special thanks to Steve Feigenbaum.

Forgas Band Phenomena - "Extra-Lucide"
Uploaded by forgasbp

and this...

Forgas Band Phenomena "Soleil 12"
Uploaded by forgasbp

Spock's Beard To Release Live DVD & CD

The long-awaited Spock's Beard live DVD and 2 CD set are set be released. They are to be released in Germany, Austria & Switzerland on 6/13/08, the remainder of Europe on 6/16/08 and North America on 6/24/08.
Recorded live in Holland in 2007, it Includes: On A Perfect Day, Mouth of Madness, Crack the Big Sky, The Slow Crash Landing Man, Return to Whatever, Surfing Down the Avalanche, Thoughts (Part 2), Drum solo, Skeletons At The Feast, Walking On The Wind, Hereafter (Ryo solo), As Far As The Mind Can See (Dreaming In The Age Of Answers, Here's A Man,They Know We Know, Stream Of Unconsciousness) Rearranged and The Water / Go The Way You Go medley. Fans will be excited to see that the DVD and CD set contain the same songs.
To see a video trailer of the DVD, go to YouTube



Spock's Beard 2008 Live
June 26 (Thu)
Ulm, Germany - Ulmer Zelt

June 27 (Fri)
Netzschkau bei Reichenbach/Vogtland,Germany III. Art-Rock-Festival
www.bergkeller-reichenbach.de

June 28 (Sat)
Bochum, Germany - Zeche Open Air

June 29 (Sun)
Zoetermeer, Netherlands - De Boerderij

June 30 (Mon)
Pratteln, Switzerland - Z7

July 2 (Wed)
Cardiff, UK - PointBox Office: 029 2046 0873 or www.thepointcardiffbay.com

July 3 (Thu)
London, UK - Islington AcademyBox office: 0844 477 2000 or www.islington-academy.co.uk

July 4 (Fri)
Manchester, UK - AcademyBox Office: 0161 832 1111 or www.manchesteracademy.net

July 5 (Sat)
Leeds, UK - RiosBox Office: 0844 414 2182 or www.rios-leeds.com

July 6 (Sun)
Glasgow, UK - ArchesBox Office: 0141 565 1000 or www.thearches.co.uk

July 7 (Mon)
Wolverhampton, UK - The Robin 2Box Office: 01902 401211 or www.therobin.co.uk

August 23 (Sat)
Pittsburgh, PA at The Three Rivers Prog Festival. More info here: 3progfest.com

Visit Spock's Beard website at http://spocksbeard.com

Excellent New Internet Radio Station Unfurled

Radio DJ Luis Jimenez has created an excellent new internet radio station featuring fusion and progressive rock. The station goes by the name Fusion 101 on Live365.com. The DJ is looking for help, suggestions, and music recommendations for his station. Jimenez is also planning on doing a progressive rock radio show as well.
The website can be heard at Live365 or http://fusion101radio.com
The station plans on featuring the best hand-picked songs from worldwide fusion and prog rock artists like: Al Di Meola, Passport, U.K., Gong, The Soft Machine, Tommy Bolin, Bill Bruford, Larry Coryell, Steve Khan, King Crimson, John McLaughlin, Allan Holdsworth, Chick Corea, Area, Gentle Giant, George Duke, Jan Hammer, Jeff Beck, Brand X, Etna, Herbie Hancock, Joe Zawinul, Stanley Clarke, Alphonso Johnson, Jaco Pastorius, Can, Miroslav Vitous, Billy Cobham, Steve Gadd, Narada Michael Walden, Lenny White, Tony Williams, and many more.