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Showing posts with label Geoff Downes. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Geoff Downes. Show all posts

Friday, June 3, 2011

YES: 'Fly From Here' Album Details Revealed

The most influential and ground-breaking progressive rock 'n' roll band in history, legendary rockers and Grammy Award winners YES, will release their first studio album in a decade, "Fly From Here", on July 1 in Europe and July 12 in North America through Frontiers Records. The group's long-awaited 20th studio LP is the follow up to 2001's "Magnification" and marks the band's reunion with producer Trevor Horn, who helmed YES' chart-topping 1983 album "90125" and also sang for YES on the "Drama" LP in 1980.

YES is Benoit David on vocals (his first studio recording with YES), Steve Howe on guitars/vocals, founder Chris Squire on bass/vocals, Geoff Downes on keyboards and Alan White on drums. Roger Dean, creator of a number of YES' most memorable album covers, also returns with his signature style for "Fly From Here".

"At last we have some shape and dynamics within these tracks that are truer to the
original idea of what a YES recording is about," proclaims Howe.

"The new album represents the best of YES from the '70s and the '80s with a current twist," Squire adds.

All of the songs on "Fly From Here" embody that classic and now iconic YES sound and style. The first single, "We Can Fly", (to be released digitally on June 13) is borne from a piece of music that was written prior to the "Fly" writing sessions — an idea that has now grown into an overture and five subsequent movements that feature the unparalleled musicianship and virtuoso talents that are synonymous with YES. From the first chord of "Fly From Here – Overture" to the last note of the album's closer "Into The Storm", there is no question that the unmistakable technical proficiency of YES carries on.

"It's awesome working with Trevor Horn again; he pays a lot of attention to detail. It was a great pleasure in the studio to play some incredible music with some great players," says White.

First formed in 1968, YES' remarkable career spans over 40 years and the band has time and again redefined the boundaries of rock music.

YES has sold nearly 50 million albums worldwide and continues to stretch the boundaries of progressive art-rock with their symphonic use of sound and innovative musical styles.

This summer, YES will return to the road to bring "Fly From Here" as well as some of their classic hits to their loyal following. European tour dates are scheduled for the fall.

"Fly From Here" track listing:

01. Fly From Here - Overture
02. Fly From Here - Pt. I - We Can Fly
03. Fly From Here - Pt. II - Sad Night At The Airfield
04. Fly From Here - Pt. III - Madman At The Screens
05. Fly From Here - Pt. IV - Bumpy Ride
06. Fly From Here - Pt. V - We Can Fly
07. The Man You Always Wanted Me To Be
08. Life On A Film Set
09. Hour Of Need
10. Solitaire
11. Into The Storm

"Fly From Here" will be released in four different configurations: CD, CD plus a bonus DVD including a documentary "Making of the Album" in digipak edition, a gatefold vinyl and a special box set limited edition including the CD, DVD, vinyl, t-shirt, poster, sticker and a lithograph of the cover art.

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

PROLIFIC BRITISH MUSICIAN JOHN WETTON TO RELEASE NEW SOLO ALBUM JULY 12TH VIA FRONTIERS RECORDS


PROLIFIC BRITISH MUSICIAN JOHN WETTON TO RELEASE
NEW SOLO ALBUM JULY 12TH VIA FRONTIERS RECORDS;
"RAISED IN CAPTIVITY" FEATURES GUEST SPOTS BY
IMPRESSIVE ARRAY OF MUSICAL PARTNERS

(New York, NY) - Frontiers Records is proud to announce the release of the sixth solo album by esteemed British singer/songwriter John Wetton; RAISED IN CAPTIVITY is due out on July 12th in North America. The album was recorded in Los Angeles during a brief break between touring commitments and is produced and mixed by multi-instrumentalist Billy Sherwood (Yes, World Trade, Yoso). The new offering finds Wetton teaming up with current and former musical partners, including some of the biggest names from the British music scene over the past four decades: Genesis' Steve Hackett, King Crimson's Robert Fripp, Deep Purple's Steve Morse and many more. Please click
here for RAISED IN CAPTIVITY cover art and here for a publicity image of John Wetton. Please see below for a full track listing and audio samples.

RAISED IN CAPTIVITY celebrates yet another milestone in an extraordinary life, a stunning collection of songs reinforcing a career of over 40 years during which John Wetton has created a legacy as one of the greatest singers, musicians and songwriters ever. Respected worldwide by fans and musical peers alike, Wetton's career included a significant period of time in the early eighties when he was the biggest selling singer in the world. Once again characterized by the emotional impact of the material, a necessary component in all Wetton's creativity, RAISED IN CAPTIVITY continues an unrivalled career which has brought inspiration to millions worldwide.

Of the new album and choice of producer, Wetton commented, "The decision to record in Los Angeles with Billy Sherwood was entirely mine. I wanted the chaotic urban inspiration, edge and energy to juxtapose the natural beauty that California provides. I also knew that Billy Sherwood would provide the musical and technical ability to record quickly, with ultra high energy and superb production quality." The material was written in a variety of ways, such as "Goodbye Elsinore" was written on the Denmark-Sweden sea ferry en route to a Vilde Frang concert and "The Devil and the Opera House" is co-written with King Crimson collaborator Richard Palmer-James. The album's finale is "Mighty Rivers", featuring the enigmatic Dutch soprano Anneke Van Giersbergen and the Seattle Symphony Orchestra.

John Wetton has been a member of several prominent British bands. After two albums with Family he joined King Crimson from 1972 to 1974, before working with Roxy Music and Uriah Heep. In 1977, with former Crimson band mate and drummer Bill Bruford, he co-founded U.K., which also featured guitarist Allan Holdsworth and keyboardist/violinist Eddie Jobson. After U.K.'s demise, Wetton turned his attentions to a solo career.

In 1982, Wetton became part of the supergroup Asia, together with Steve Howe, Carl Palmer and Geoff Downes. This "fab four" of progressive pop would rule radio and record sales, with their debut album becoming the biggest selling album of the year and yielding the worldwide hit "Heat of the Moment." Wetton remained prolific with more solo studio albums and several collaborative efforts over the years. In 2002 at a John Wetton fan convention held in Allentown, PA, he started working with Geoff Downes again. This collaboration ultimately resulted in a series of iCon studio and live albums and in the highly-anticipated reunion of Asia's original lineup, bringing about two successful new studio albums: PHOENIX in 2008 and OMEGA in 2010.

John Wetton RAISED IN CAPTIVITY track listing:

1. Lost For Words (featuring Steve Morse)
2. Raised In Captivity (featuring Robert Fripp)
3. Goodbye Elsinore (featuring Steve Hackett)
4. The Last Night Of My Life (featuring Alex Machacek)
5. We Stay Together (bonus track)
6. The Human Condition (featuring Tony Kaye)
7. Steffi's Ring (featuring Geoff Downes)
8. The Devil And The Opera House (featuring Eddie Jobson)
9. New Star Rising (featuring Mick Box)
10. Don't Misunderstand Me (featuring Tony Kaye)11. Mighty Rivers (featuring Anneke Van Giersbergen)

Saturday, May 7, 2011

Geoff Downes To Join With Yes

Further to earlier news regarding the upcoming Yes album “Fly From Here”, which is due for release in July, it now seems that Geoff Downes has rejoined the band to play keyboards, as reported by Heavy Rock Playlist:Quintessential prog-rockers Yes have announced that they have reunited with legendary producer Trevor Horn for their highly anticipated new album, “Fly From Here”. The album marks the band’s first studio album in ten years. The album originated from a conversation between Horn and Yes bassist Chris Squire, who re-discovered the song ‘Fly From Here’ and realized that it had never been recorded in a studio. “Chris and I were talking one evening about the song ‘Fly From Here’ that we never recorded,” explains Horn. “I said I was prepared to spend two weeks with Yes recording that song. When I arrived in America to record it, I was taken prisoner by the band and only allowed my freedom again in return for producing the whole album. It was an offer I couldn’t refuse!” “Fly From Here” retains Yes’ signature brand of mysticism and large-scale compositions. The record contains plenty of the complex arrangements, beautiful harmonies, and heavy riffs the band is known for. “The new album represents the best of Yes from the ’70s and the ’80s with a current twist,” said Squire. Keyboardist Geoff Downes, who originally joined the band for 1980's “Drama,”, has also re-joined the band for the new album. Yes now consists of guitarist Steve Howe, bassist Chris Squire, drummer Alan White, keyboardist Downes, and lead singer Benoit David.