Steve Morse To Release New Album

7/17/2010 - Ocala, Florida—Acclaimed guitarist/composer Steve Morse has teamed up with breakout singer/songwriter Sarah Spencer to release Angelfire, an album of haunting, harmony-laden acoustic songs.

Steve Morse is often described as a "musician’s musician," acclaimed amongst artists but eschewing the public limelight. The six-time Grammy nominee is renowned as much for his writing as his guitar playing, garnering such accolades from peers as being voted “Best Overall Guitarist” for five consecutive years (Guitar Player magazine). Morse adeptly fuses a wide range of musical styles, including jazz fusion, bluegrass, southern rock, baroque classical and metal. Whether playing with the Dixie Dregs, the Steve Morse Band, previously with Kansas or currently (going on 15 years) with Deep Purple, Steve continues to leave his mark as a distinctive songwriter and guitarist.

Sarah Spencer, 22, grew up in a musical family. She began piano lessons at age six, and was recording original material at ten. At 14, she was cast in a VH1 reality show (ultimately cancelled) that followed the lives of teenage prodigies. She wrote in the operatic pop genre, inspired by orchestral movie soundtracks. Spencer began working with established producers during her teens, recording live-orchestral songs with producers Paul Weston and Al Steele.

Sarah met Steve when she was 16, and they began collaborating on what was to become Angelfire. “When I first heard Sarah sing, I was amazed…I’d never heard a voice so pure,” says Morse. “My first thought was to write an album with her so I could hear and share it with other people.” Sarah responds, “Steve has been so generous throughout our collaboration. Everyone knows about his incredible talent, but only a lucky few know about his big heart. I feel so blessed to be able to work with this renaissance man!”

Their collaboration represents several firsts for them both. Even after 44 albums, Steve has never written a vocal album. Sarah is stepping out front as a performer and songwriter. And despite their cumulative experience spanning multiple genres of music, neither has written anything that sounds like Angelfire.

At first imagining Sarah McLachlan meets John McLaughlin, or the collaborative approach of Robert Plant and Allison Krauss, Angelfire soars beyond compare into the hearts of audiences eager for fresh, unique new music.

New York Orchestral Rock Band Edensong To Release New CD In August

13 July 2010 - Following their successful festival appearances at Progday (Chapel Hill, NC) and Three Rivers Progressive Rock Festival (Pittsburgh, PA) in 2009, Edensong returned to the studio in the fall with a new lineup. The result of their work is “Echoes of Edensong: From the Studio and Stage,” a full length, specially priced, part studio, part live album. The album, nearly an hour in duration, is comprised of brand new studio recordings, un-released live tracks from the band’s various festival performances (including a bonus track from Québec City’s Convention Terra Incognita), and a re-master, from mastering legend Bob Katz, of a song originally intended for inclusion on the band’s critically acclaimed 2008 debut “The Fruit Fallen,” but never officially released. The new album features two fantastical original paintings from New Jersey artist Alison Silva (www.alisonsilva.com), a perfect counterpart to the music of Edensong. The new album will be available on CD and as a digital download on August 10th from the band’s website (www.edensongtheband.com) and many other retailers, both in the US and internationally.

“Beneath the Tide,” the ten minute opening track of “Echoes of Edensong” is the album’s central composition and a retrospective look at the band’s deceptively long history. The song was originally written by Edensong singer/guitarist James Byron Schoen in 1997 with then band mates and fellow high school freshmen Anthony Waldman and Benjamin Wigler. The song was initially recorded in 1999 by the trio’s progressive metal band Echoes of Eden for their debut album of the same name. The band’s impromptu reunion onstage at 3RP in August 2009 and the subsequent integration of Waldman into Edensong as the band’s permanent drummer inspired Edensong to re-orchestrate, re-arrange and re-record this band and fan favorite. “No matter how many songs I write, I’m quite certain that I’ll always have a special fondness for ‘Beneath the Tide’,” says Schoen. “Years later, I’m still really proud of that one. I think we’ve ended every Edensong show we’ve ever played with it. It just has a great live energy. I’m thrilled that we finally have a recording, a mere ten years later, that does the song justice.”

Other notable songs include the ballad “Lorelai,” recorded to benefit the Haitian relief effort in the wake of the recent devastating earthquake; the re-mastered “To See But Not Believe,” a popular Edensong track never officially released; and a selection of epic live performances, including songs from “The Fruit Fallen” and the fateful Echoes of Eden reunion. The band plans to follow up the August release with a handful of shows throughout the east coast of the US, an immediate return to the studio to finish writing and begin recording for the band’s next full length studio album and various other top secret projects.
Visit the Edensong band site at www.edensongtheband.com for the latest news, media and links to all things Edensong.

Pink Floyd's Gilmour To Join Waters On Lone 'Wall' Date

After having performed together last weekend for just the second time since a bitter split in the early 1980s, Pink Floyd principals Roger Waters and David Gilmour are planning to collaborate again on stage at least once more.

The recent reunion and the upcoming appearance stem from the 2009 edition of the Hoping Foundation Benefit, which raises funds for young Palestinian refugees. According to a post on Waters' Facebook page, Gilmour was at last year's event only "as a supporter" but "was moved to perform an impromptu rendition" of George Gershwin's "Summertime."

Afterward, Waters says Gilmour emailed him with a tongue-in-cheek offer for them to collaborate at the 2010 benefit on the Teddy Bears' "To Know Him Is To Love Him," in a nod to the pair's famously rough-and-tumble relationship. Waters says he "loved" the idea, and the duo agreed to also round out their set with the Pink Floyd classics "Wish You Were Here" and "Comfortably Numb."

The only trouble: Gilmour began sending Waters "a number of very musical and eloquent demos of how we could do the song in two-part harmony." Waters then got cold feet and told Gilmour performing the song in that fashion was "way outside my vocal comfort zone," to his "eternal shame."

According to Waters, Gilmour then made him a better offer. If Waters would agree to perform "To Know Him Is To Love Him" at the Hoping Foundation Benefit, Gilmour would guest on "Comfortably Numb" at a to-be-determined show on Waters' upcoming tour featuring Pink Floyd's "The Wall" being performed in its entirety.

"You could have knocked me down with a feather," Waters says. "How f*cking cool! I was blown away. How could I refuse such an offer. I couldn't, there was no way. Generosity trumped fear. And so explaining that I would probably be sh*te, but if he didn't mind I didn't, I agreed and the rest is history. We did it, and it was f*cking great. End of story. Or possibly beginning."

The plan is for Gilmour's appearance to be a surprise, adds Waters, whose The Wall tour begins Sept. 15 in Toronto and has been one of the top sellers in a disastrous summer for the U.S. concert business.

Waters and Gilmour, along with original Pink Floyd colleagues Nick Mason and Rick Wright, first reunited for the first time in more than 24 years at the Live 8 concert in London on July 2, 2005.

HAWKWIND Announce UK Tour; Band To Appear At Hawkfest 2010 In August

Legendary space rockers HAWKWIND will embark on a major UK tour in December 2010, in support of their new studio album, Blood Of The Earth.

The nationwide tour consists of 13 dates. Tickets are priced at £20, are available from the National Credit Card Hotline 0871 2301101 or can be ordered from SeeTickets.com. The tour kicks off at the Holmfirth Picturedome on Friday, Decemeber 3rd. Support for all dates comes from UK rockers THE JOKERS.

For a full list of dates, head to this location.

In addition to the UK tour, Hawkwind will appear at Hawkfest 2010 next month, which returns to Afton Farm on the Isle Of White. Curated by the members of Hawkwind, Hawkfest takes place between August 27th and 29th. Hawkfest originally came about after the breakdown of the free festival movement in the mid to late 1980's. The band felt that major festivals had lost what made them great. Gone was the intimate, carnival atmosphere and the colourful characters, only to be replaced with huge-scale commercialism.

Wanting to get back to the roots of what made festivals so enjoyable, Hawkwind constructed a family friendly event where children could play and explore, whilst parents watched great music, safe in the knowledge that the kids would be safe.

Tickets are priced at £70, for further info visit Hawkfest.com.

Plastic Head North America has confirmed August 10th as the North American release date for Blood Of The Earth, the new studio album from Hawkwind. The album contains eleven songs and features special appearances from violinist Jon Sevink (THE LEVELLERS), BBC personality Matthew Wright, and a posthumous performance from the band's late keyboardist Jason Stuart. It is the band's first new album in five years.

"Hawkwind are the greatest counter-culture band of all time," says Mojo Magazine editor Phil Alexander. "In a career that has spanned 41 years, they have survived psychedelia, prog, punk, post-punk, metal, rave, having an impact on music in all these phases while remaining a law unto themselves." During a June 10 ceremony in London, Alexander presented Hawkwind with 2010's Maverick Award (previous winners include Manic Street Preachers, Echo & the Bunnymen, The Jesus & Mary Chain). During the presentation he noted, "Hawkwind are mavericks in every sense of the term, with the ability to shatter genres and think differently."

Among Blood of the Earth's new selections, the album includes re-recordings of songs 'You'd Better Believe It' (originally appearing on 1974's Hall Of The Mountain Grill), and 'Sweet Obsession' (originally released on Dave Brock's 1984 solo album Earthed To The Ground). Guitarist Niall Hone recalls, "the creative process behind this album was an explosive concoction of technology and sheer human endeavor resonating in the mould of space rock legend." Bassist Mr. Dibs notes, "working on this album has been great fun and a massive learning curve for me in terms of technology. Keyboarding Tim Blake adds, "Hawkwind albums tell tales of places, time and people, and each one has its particular imprint. It's the same with Blood of the Earth."

Formed by Dave Brock in 1969, Hawkwind's legacy spans both decades and genres. Psychedelic '60's and hard rock '70's, the band's line-up has over time included Nick Turner, Robert Calvert, Simon House, Ginger Baker, Lemmy Kilmister, and Alan Davey. The English band has influenced decades of highly respected musicians and enjoyed years of international chart success. Hawkwind's unforgettable live performance has been seen at venues and festivals around the globe. Throughout their career, the band has supported numerous charities, participating in events from Greenpeace, Free Tibet, and Sea Shepard Conservation Society. The band's current line up features vocalist/guitarist/keyboardist Dave Brock, drummer Richard Chadwick, with guitarist Hone, bassist Dibs and keyboardist Blake.

Confirmed track listing for Blood Of The Earth is:

'Seahawks'
'Blood Of The Earth'
'Wraith'
'Green Machine'
'Inner Visions'
'Sweet Obsession'
'Comfey Chair'
'Prometheus'
'You'd Better Believe It'
'Sentine'
'Starshine'

Blood of the Earth will be available for North American fans on compact disc and limited-edition 180-gram, clear, double vinyl that includes a vinyl-only bonus track. Hawkwind are planning to tour later this year in support of Blood of the Earth.

Plastic Head North America is distributed in the United States via EMI Label Services/Caroline Distribution and in Canada via EMI Music Canada.

Lifelong Rush Fan Sues Over Canceled Chicago Show

The rock band Rush was supposed to be living on a lighted Chicago stage on Wednesday. But when the concert at Northerly Island was canceled, a fan stepped into the limelight with a lawsuit.

Christopher Langone, 42, a one-time Chicagoan who flew in from Upstate New York to attend the concert, filed a breach of contract lawsuit on Friday, saying the show was shut down because of the rain despite a ticket stub and other promotional materials saying calling it a “rain or shine” event.

“I traveled here to Chicago to see the show with old friends,” Langone told the Sun-Times. “I’ve been a lifelong fan of Rush and we were very disappointed they canceled the show...especially when [the rain] stopped.”

He’s filed a class action suit, not only seeking reimbursement for the ticket but also his airfare and other travel expenses.

Langone says he purchased six tickets — at a cost of $80 apiece — $250 airfare, and a round of beers he bought at Charter One Pavilion before the concert was called off.

He’s perused the online fan forums and says he believes others are in the same boat.

While a new concert date hasn’t been announced, Langone says a rumored reschedule date of September would be out of the question. He’s a Ph.D student at Cornell University and will be back in class.

Asked about suing a band he has long enjoyed, Langone acknowledged: “It feels a little strange.”

Source: Robert of RNR

SBB To Record New Album

SBB, a legend of Polish music scene, is working on a new studio album with the working title “Blue Trans”. The band, comprised of the phenomenal composer Józef Skrzek, the excellent guitarist Apostolis Anthimos, and the flawless drummer Gabor Nemeth, plans to release the new material in Autumn 2010 via Metal Mind Productions.

They are currently working in ResRublica Studios in Lubrza, again with Sebastian Witkowski, who produced their previous album “Iron Curtain”. The album, released in January 2007, was highly acclaimed by both fans and music media. The trio offered a perfect blend of the sincerity of blues and the freedom of jazz. The music was mature and rich in emotions. It featured sophisticated ballads, perfect guitar solos, oriental and highland sounds, Moogs and Hammonds.

SBB is no doubt a legend of Polish music scene. The band was formed in 1971 as Silesian Blues Band. Then, the musicians played for 2 years with Czesław Niemen in his group Niemen, to finally return as SBB in 1974. By 1980, Józef Skrzek, Apostolis Anthimos and Jerzy Piotrowski had recorded dozens of albums in Poland and abroad, they played hundreds of concerts all around Europe, sharing stages with Bob Marley (Roskilde Festival '78), Soft Machine, Mahavishnu Orchestra, Charles Mingus Dynasty, Jack Bruce Group, Thin Lizzy, Canned Heat, Omega and Klaus Szultze. In the early 90's they returned in an extended line-up after an almost 10-year break to play a series of concerts in USA. SBB started as a blues band but, fascinated with Mahavishnu Orchestra, soon began to search for new means of expression. Gradually, their music became more and more lyrical and the band started to combine wild, Hendrix-like energy with peaceful, gentle, calm moments. The band soon came up with their own idea of prog-rock, skillfully mixing elements of classical music and jazz-rock instrumental frenzy. The albums that followed showed the band's great evolution, featuring grand and marvelous music. "SBB - Anthology 1974-2004" box and "Lost Tapes, Vol. 1", "Lost Tapes, Vol.2" constituted a certain summary of their career up to that point. The 2004 releases, especially the anthology, were received with real enthusiasm. It was the final "pro" for recording a new album "New Century" and for organizing a worldwide tour. In March 2006, SBB headlined Baja Prog Festival, one of the most important progressive festivals in the world. In late August 2007, Metal Mind Productions released a 20-CD box with Skrzek's complete solo discography. The anthology includes electro-rock songs, film music etc. The year 2007 saw the release of SBB's new album "The Rock". Soon after that, SBB released “Four Decades” DVD. In January 2009, the band returned with a new fantastic album “Iron Curtain”. The band promoted the release on several gigs in Poland. The highlight of the tour took place at Wyspianski Theatre in Katowice, where SBB recorded the show for the “Behind The Iron Curtain” DVD (may 2009).

The Muffins To Peform At Progday 2010

Progday 2010 has announced that the band The Muffins will be peforming at this year's event. THE MUFFINS is one of those amazing bands that you used to hear about from the 1970s...after it had disbanded. Formed in 1973, the band released its first official album, "Manna/Mirage, " in 1978. This would later be hailed as one of the best all-time American prog releases from the 70s and an essential release for any progressive music collection. But while the band developed a cult following on the US east coast, notoriety on a larger scale was elusive. Despite continuing to create excellent music and working with artists like Fred Frith (the band backed Frith on his 1980 album "Gravity"), THE MUFFINS played it's last show of the period in 1981 and broke up soon afterwards.
However, the legend of THE MUFFINS continued to grow long after its demise and in 1998 the progressive music scene was given a reprieve when the original members decided that they still had something to say and reformed. Unlike many other "reunions," THE MUFFINS really DID still have something to say and the band started writing and playing music again like they had never taken a 17 year vacation. This culminated in the release of a new critically acclaimed studio album, "Bandwidth," in 2001. Since then the band has continued to record and perform, appearing at ProgDay in 2001 and 2002, and at NEARfest in 2005. We are very happy to host the return of THE MUFFINS to the Storybook Farm stage.
THE MUFFINS is joined by Half Past Four and Mahogany Frog at ProgDay 2010. ProgDay is the longest running progressive rock festival in the world. The 16th edition will take place on Saturday, September 4, and Sunday, September 5, at Storybook Farm in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.

For more information on Progday, visit their site at www.progday.net