From http://www.joebouchard.com : This is the strongest album yet, you won’t be disappointed! Coming soon on RockHeart Records dist. by Deko Entertainment. The first single will be the hard rockin’ MY WAY IS THE HIGHWAY that will be out on April 29, 2022.
Blue Coupe – (Joe & Albert Bouchard and Dennis Dunaway) have announced shows in July, including one at Toronto’s legendary El Mocambo July 21. Check out the band’s facebook page for announcements – https://www.facebook.com/blue.coupe.rocks
RUNAWAY is the first single from the new album, Right Or Wrong, and is accompanied by a lyric video that reflects the carefree, good time vibes of 1981, when Brian Howe’s stunning vocal was originally recorded.
RUNAWAY is a time capsule. A pure slice of joyous, melodic rock layered with luscious keyboards, driving guitars, a powerhouse rhythm and a barnstorming vocal from a young Brian Howe that showed he was destined for stardom.
After their debut single, Backs To The Grind was released on the legendary NEAT Records in 1980, White Spirit were hot property and their debut album was loved by critics and the public.
After line up changes, the new and improved White Spirit entered the studio to work on their second album, but the album was never fully completed, the band broke up and musicians went their separate ways. Singer, Brian Howe crossed the Atlantic and became frontman for Ted Nugent, before achieving mega platinum success as the replacement for Paul Rodgers in Bad Company.
So White Spirit were seemingly consigned to music history, with former members proceeding to forge impressive careers built on this promising foundation. Four decades on, the location of these 2nd album sessions remained a mystery.
The day following Brian Howe’s tragic death from a heart attack in May 2020, guitarist, Mick Tucker and keysman, Mal Pearson were on the phone reflecting on those heady White Spirit days. The missing tapes were once more discussed, but still neither had any idea where to find them.
Fate stepped in, and during a house move, Mal Pearson was looking through his furniture in storage when he found a dusty old bedside cabinet. Inside were four sets of tapes. One labelled Chiswick Studios – White Spirit. This was it. The one they’d all thought was lost forever.
The tape was handed over to Conquest Music boss and Tank guitarist, Cliff Evans who arranged for the delicate process of restoring the tapes to retrieve the old recordings. Successful as the process was, the sound quality of some elements of the tracks were just not good enough for today’s ears so Tucker & Pearson decided to replace all of the musical accompaniment with a stellar line up of players. Neil Murray (Whitesnake) and Russell Gilbrook (Uriah Heep) made up the rhythm section, with the guitars and keyboards replaced by Mick and Mal.
Pontus Norgren (Hammerfall) was chosen to mix the album in Sweden, and the result is an incredibly fresh body of work with power, finesse, great songs, and amazing vocals. Ten tracks with a nod to the past, but fresh and vibrant arrangements fit for 21st Century ears. One can only wonder what may have been if the album was released as originally planned in 1981.
So the wheel of fate that saw White Spirit disband 40 years ago, turned once more, unveiling the lost tapes that finally reveal the first album recorded by Brian Howe, sounding as fine as he ever did.
The album Right Or Wrong will be released in July 2022 on Conquest Music. Be prepared for some surprise guest stars and a body of work that, had it come out when it was originally written, could have placed White Spirit amongst the giants of melodic rock.
White Spirit are planning live shows, with Tucker & Pearson already writing the next album. We can be sure it won’t be another 40 years before that is released.
The first single, RUNAWAY features an exclusive radio edit, alongside the full, album version of RUNAWAY. Find RUNAWAY on digital services below.
John Sloman’s new album Two Rivers has recently been made available digitally, but CD copies are coming soon, John posted that the CD will be ready as of April 25. Amazon UK has it listed as available by May 6. Still hoping there’ll be a vinyl release some day!
I am posting Part 2 of my interview with John shortly – which will discuss his time in Lone Star and with Uriah Heep, and I should have a Part 3 soon after touching on his time with Gary Moore, Paul Young, his first solo album, and John reveals previous band offers & auditions.
John also has a book on the way [hope to see ordering info soon], and returns to live performances in June.
New Book “Inside No 3” A History on the Products and Memorabilia From Apple Records 1968-73 by Nigel Pearce Now Available for Pre-order
Love The Beatles, Love The Music, Love The Book!
Now available for pre-order, “Inside No 3” is a history of the products and memorabilia from Apple Records from it’s public opening on 28th August 1968 until 1973 when Badfinger issued the last ever all new Apple single – Apple 49, “The Apple of My Eye.”
The book features engrossing vivid pages highlighting many products and artifacts that have not been seen for over 50 years, many never seen at all.
You will see photographs of artists, bands, records, memos, and other documents that illustrate the goings on of a truly great record company, that encompassed many ideals and plans but sadly fell to the one thing that was needed overall, and that was the split of the fab four. What was undertaken here was revolutionary in concept, fantastic, in thought, and pure gold in products.
This project will interface in social media, podcasts, youtube and other mediums to bring to you all that you require from INSIDENO3.COM
Artists specials will include everyone who recorded for Apple such as Mary Hopkin, Badfinger, Splinter, James Taylor, Hot Chocolate, Trash, Radna Krsna Temple – London, Modern Jazz Quartet, Ronnie Spector, Chris Hodge, Lon and Derek Van Eaton, and a host of others, including Bob Dylan and Eric Clapton who’s output here in many cases has somehow in times seem to have been forgotten. This will include artists who demoed and recorded at Apple under various Apple projects. All will be revealed in good time, so it will be worth your wait and devotion! You won’t be disappointed at all. You will see photographs of articles and memorabilia that has not been generally seen for around 50 years, and that will be a huge eye opener for everyone. This will include memos, letters, press releases and other important social history artefacts as well.
The Book will come in the following formats all extolling the intimate beauty of the content:
1). The special collectors edition will be limited to only 100 units, worldwide and this is a hardback book that will be signed and numbered with repro memorabilia placed inside it.
2). A4 hardback book, signed limited to 500 units.
3). A4 hardback book, unnumbered.
4). A4 softback book, unlimited.
In whatever edition you purchase you will have a beautifully photographed and set book detailing some of the many Apple items used by The Beatles for marketing at No 3 Savile Row. You will see and feel many items that have either been forgotten or possibly have never been seen by fans before. It will adorn anyone’s Beatles collection and be a joy to own.
This will in time expand to interviews written and recorded and news items and special programmes on facts, links and parts of the lives of the fab four. It should prove to be a very interesting time indeed and we will ensure that “A Splendid Time Is Guaranteed By All”.
The Prism—Live Video Premiere 9 PM ET on YouTube, on April 8
On Friday April 8, at 9 pm ET /6 pm PT/ 3 am Saturday morning (the 9th) in Amsterdam, Joe Deninzon & Stratospheerius’ “The Prism” will be live on all streaming media, including YouTube at www.youtube.com/watch?v=YjjjYY0HQTg. Joe will be on hand, answering fan questions and reading everyone’s comments in chat.
The new single and video, “THE PRISM” was recorded live during Joe Deninzon & Stratospheerius’ performance at Progstock Festival, October 13, 2019 at Union County Performing Arts Center. Rahway, NJ.
“’The Prism’ is about an evil, corrupt politician,” Joe says. “I wrote this in 2007, and it still applies to whomever you believe it applies to. Lots of choices.”
“The Prism” originally appears on Stratospheerius’ 2012 album, ”The Next World.” “The Prism” will be on Stratospheerius’ upcoming CD/Blu Ray, “Behind the Curtain: Live at Progstock” due out late summer, 2022 on Melodic Revolution Records.
Joe Deninzon & Stratospheerius are confirmed to perform at Sonic Voyage Fest on April 29th at Olive’s in Nyack NY with Brooklyn Raga Massive and an Electric Violin Summit with One More Once (fronted by violinist John Dinklage) on May12th at the Shrine in Harlem, and Maine’s Ganja Grail in Starks, ME this fall.
Outside of Stratospheerius, Joe will be performing in two events at RoSFest April 15-17—a full solo show for the RoSFest’s “Minstrel in the Garden” outside of the Sarasota Opera House, and later that evening joining Dave Kerzner’s All-Star Progressive Rock-band on the main stage with Billy Sherwood (Yes), Fernando Perdomo (Jacob Dylan), Nick D’Virgilio (Genesis, Big Big Train, Spock’s Beard), and Durga McBroom (Pink Floyd). Joe reconnects with Dave, May 2-7 for Cruise to the Edge. On May 26, he’s at Madison Square Garden, playing in The Who’s chamber orchestra again!
Recently Joe composed a 5-minute “Klezmer-y” encore piece for classical violinist Rachel Barton Pine and her 9 year old daughter Sylvia’s recent tour of Israel. The work is called “Livroach el Ha’or” which means “Escape to the Light.” He duetted with Emmanuel Bishop for National Down Syndrome Society Gala; Emmanuel is hardly letting his disability stop him; he’s accomplished in music, sports, and languages. Joe took part in an Electric String Summit and the American String Teachers National Conference Panel on electronic effects for strings with some of today’s great string players including Martha Mooke (from David Bowie’s band), Matt Bell Andy Reiner, Robb Janof, and Tracy Silverman
The Band Joe Deninzon-lead vocals/electric violin Michelangelo Quirinale-guitar Paul Ranieri-bass Jason Gianni-drums
Music and lyrics by Joe Deninzon “filmed by Matt Urba,” Backdrop footage by David P. Levin Recorded at Progstock Festival Photo by Brian Tirpak Single Art layout by Nick Katona, Zene Háza, Florida
The legendary keyboard giant remembered; stories, tributes, rare and unseen photographs
A lavish, fully illustrated book in which family, friends, colleagues, and fans talk to author Chris Welch about the life, work, and legacy of Keith Emerson from before The Nice and ELP through 3 to The Keith Emerson Band. Illustrated throughout with previously unseen photos from family, friends, and professional photographers, this official celebration will tell the remarkable tale of Keith’s musical evolution, his personal relationships, and the creation of his astounding musical legacy. Includes new interviews with Keith’s children, ex-wife, close personal friends, Mari Kawaguchi, Carl Palmer, Rick Wakeman, Lee Jackson, Jeff ‘Skunk’ Baxter, Alan White, Dave Kilminster, Marc Bonilla, Rachel Flowers, Darius Brubeck, Geoff Downes, and others.
The book draws on the private Emerson family archives for photographs of Keith at home, at work and play. Close family and friends share memories and stories from throughout his life, revealing the true man, while fellow musicians from the worlds of prog, rock and classical attest to Keith’s talent and dedication, while others who worked with him tell of his spirit, generosity and sense of humor.
Keith Emerson celebrates the life and legacy of the man who first played the Hammond organ like a lead guitarist, introduced the European classical music tradition to rock fans with The Nice and helped create the template for prog rock with the very first Moog synthesizers with ELP. He also wrote movie soundtracks, performed with world-renowned jazz musicians, and toured the world as a solo artist. All of that and more is explored in this deluxe book.
*Registering at http://www.keithemersonbook.com will ensure a special discount when pre-order begins, allow people to have a name printed in the book and be a part of this unique project.
Golden Earring’s last performance ever held at Rotterdam Ahoy on 16th November 2019 called ‘You Know We Love You! – Live Ahoy 2019’ as a double CD/DVD. It includes the full show and some extra’s like a replica of the original concert poster and a collage of photos that fans of Golden Earring submitted during the past year. This album will give Golden Earring and its fans a dignified goodbye so well deserved.
A big thanks to Bert Dijkstra/ Shop Around for the magnificent artwork design.
By accident, visual director Marcel de Vré (who had captured the Golden Earring Five Zero Show at the Amsterdam Ziggodome in 2015) recorded that final performance. He was hired to take care of the video content and live camera shots that would be projected on a big video screen hanging on the back of the stage. Without the band being aware, De Vré recorded the show and archived the complete footage.
Luckily, excellent audio and video was available of a tremendous concert, that sadly turned out to be Golden Earring’s final performance – with this historical release as a result.
When in February 2021 co-founder George Kooymans had to announce his having to leave the band with immediate effect, due to health issues. Golden Earring decided to break up. With the sad knowledge that the Rotterdam show had been the final performance of Golden Earring, the audio and visual files were unshelved in close cooperation with the band, Marcel de Vré and John Sonneveld – the band’s long time technical assistance and producer.
CD 1
Don’t Stop The Show I Do Rock ‘n’ Roll Another 45 Miles Long Blond Animal 5 When The Lady Smiles Liquid Soul Twilight Zone Going To the Run
CD 2
Vanilla Queen Hold Me Now Say When The Devil Made Me Do It Johnny Make Believe Rinus On Bass Radar Love part 1 Cesar On Drums Radar Love part 2 She Flies On Strange Wings Legalize Telepathy
DVD
Don’t Stop The Show I Do Rock ‘N Roll Another 45 Miles Long Blond Animal When The Lady Smiles Liquid Soul Twilight Zone Going To The Run Vanilla Queen Hold Me Now Say When The Devil Made Me Do It Johnny Make Believe Rinus On Bass Radar Love part 1 Cesar On Drums Radar Love part 2 She Flies On Strange Wings Legalize Telepathy
*a vinyl LP release is reported for later in the year.
New York rockers turn tragedy into triumph; after the passing of legendary lead vocalist Phil Naro, band releases brilliant debut album and adds new singer/ musician, Iggy Marino.
LIPS TURN BLUE, formerly known in the Upstate New York region as the popular club act, DDRIVE, has regrouped and returned with a new name, a brilliant debut album, a world-wide record contract, and a new member in singer/musician Iggy Marino. The band (nicknamed LTB) which also includes guitarist Don Mancuso, keyboardist Eric Bieber, bassist Mike Mullane, and drummer Roy Stein are currently preparing for the release of its new album and some select concert dates.
Pre-orders / pre saves available here: https://lipsturnblue.lnk.to/justpushThe group’s first single, “Just Push” will be released March 23rd. That will be followed by other singles: “Pray For Tomorrow,” an ode to the turbulent times much of the world is experiencing; “Blood Moon,” and “Crazy In Love.” The debut album, LIPS TURN BLUE will have its worldwide release this coming May 4th., to coincide with the one year anniversary of the week he passed away.
When the band’s lead vocalist and co-songwriter Phil Naro sadly passed away after a valiant battle against cancer the group’s future was in doubt. Naro and the other band members had just secured a worldwide record deal with the European-based label, MIG RECORDS, and had put the finishing touches on the album when his illness returned, and tragedy struck.
As his illness progressed the band members assured Naro the record would be released, and they would continue to pursue his artistic vision for the material he felt was his best work as a songwriter and vocalist. Now, with the record deal signed, a release date set and a dynamic new vocalist in place, their promise to their fallen musical comrade can finally be fulfilled.
Iggy Marino came to the band after an extensive search for a new vocalist. He is a recent Nazareth College graduate whose instructors at the school included LTB drummer Roy Stein and its manager, Bruce Pilato, who both teach music-industry courses there.
“We feel we have a great singer and fellow musician in place that the music touches and motivates,” says Don Mancuso. “We want to get this amazing music out there. It needs to be played to as many music fans as possible. After our period of mourning Phil’s loss, we now have the drive and experience to take this music on the road and finish our next album, which is already well in the works.”
Adds Eric Bieber, who, in addition to his skill has a classically trained keyboardist and longtime professional performing musician, recently retired as a physician and hospital executive administrator. “Phil was passionate in his desire to have this music heard and performed. We are honored to be able to carry on his legacy by doing just that. Iggy Marino is a remarkable young musician who will take the band in yet another direction with some of the new material. He is also a fan of the existing album and will be faithful to Phil’s vision.”
Lou Gramm, founding member and former lead vocalist of FOREIGNER, appears on the album’s final track, “A Little Outside.”
“We believe this is one of the strongest debut albums we have heard in many years,” says Bernd Ramien, A&R & Director of Catalog Marketing for MIG (Made-In Germany-Music GmbH), which signed the band soon after only hearing a few tracks from the debut album. “We had thought and hoped Phil would overcome his illness, but when he sadly left us, we were determined to make sure this album and band could carry on.”
At the moment, MIG has plans to release three singles by the time the full album is available this coming April. The group is currently booking tour dates to coincide with the album’s release. Based in Hannover, Germany but distributed worldwide, MIG Music has released albums by an extraordinary roster of acts that includes: Joe Jackson, Sheila E, Jack Bruce of Cream, Roger McGuinn, Ron Wood, Muddy Waters, Pee Wee Ellis, Maceo Parker, Weather Report, Nash Albert, Pat Travers Band, Vanilla Fudge, Richard Thompson, George Thorogood, Public Image Ltd, and many others. For All Things LIPS TURN BLUE, please visit:
Jethro Tull are excited to announce the launch of jethrotullart.com Working exclusively in collaboration with London’s Flood Gallery, Jethro Tull are for the first time offering iconic studio album cover art in two fine art print formats to be released individually over the next 24 months.
First to be released is the ground-breaking and iconic Aqualung album cover from 1971. Printed in two large format sizes, 24” square (signed edition of 350 @ £120) and 28” square (signed edition of 150 @ £175). The prints are gallery quality giclées printed on 100% cotton rag archival paper stock and will all come numbered and signed by Ian Anderson and embossed with a Jethro Tull stamp.
The first 14 studio album cover art prints can also be purchased together in a Super Deluxe custom-made box with 2 bonus prints. All prints in the deluxe set are number-matched, signed by Ian Anderson and each print is embossed with a unique ‘Collectors Edition’ JT stamp. The Deluxe Boxes are handmade and only 75 of these amazing box sets are being made available to purchase worldwide (£1,800).
The Aqualung print and the Super Deluxe box set will be available for pre-order from 4pm on Friday 25th March and will be shipping from June, visit the site jethrotullart.com for details and updates.
This will be followed in the Autumn by another 4 releases – ‘Thick as a Brick’ which this year is celebrating the 50th anniversary of its UK release and also the first three albums, ‘This Was’ ‘Stand Up’ and ‘Benefit’. All are released as signed limited edition art prints.
The Jethro Tull album artwork came about in many ways. The first 4 album covers were commissioned and paid for by Chrysalis Records (now Warner Music Group) with subsequent cover concepts from Ian Anderson being commissioned from various artists, photographers, and designers.
All copyrights for these prints are owned by Warner Music Group.
Contact details for further information about the prints and promotion: info@thefloodgallery.com
Progressive pioneers YES have announced a change to their forthcoming The Album Series Tour 2022 as they will celebrate the 50th anniversary of their iconic album Close to the Edge. This tour, twice rescheduled due to the Covid pandemic was intended to showcase YES’s 1974 classic Relayer album but will now feature Close to the Edge, performed in full, along with other classic tracks from YES’s extensive catalogue. An announcement regarding the European dates will be made shortly. The tour line-up features Steve Howe (guitars), Alan White (drums), Geoff Downes (keyboards), Jon Davison (vocals), Billy Sherwood (bass guitar and backing vocals) with additional drums and percussion by Jay Schellen. All tour dates are as previously announced and all tickets remain valid. A full performance of the Relayer album will now be featured in a future tour in The Album Series.The show will comprise full production and a high-definition video wall directed by Roger Dean who will also be joining the tour with an exhibition of YES related art. Following the release of The Yes Album and Fragile, in 1971, YES released what is widely considered one of the most defining albums, not only for YES but for the whole progressive movement. Close to the Edge became an inspiration for their contemporaries and for successive generations of musicians. “We reached a real high, doing ‘Close to the Edge’,” said Steve Howe. “We valued the musicianship, the artistic ideas and the vocalising that people bring and that’s why we’re still doing it, because it’s exciting to do! ‘Close to the Edge’ was voted the most-proggy album possibly ever made. It was very experimental. We had already done 10-minute epics but with ‘Close to the Edge’ we just took it a stage further and I’m very pleased we were brave enough to do that.”
YES 2022 UK Tour Dates Are: June 2022 15th June Wednesday Glasgow Royal Concert Hall17th June Friday Manchester Bridgewater Hall18th June Saturday Nottingham Royal Concert Hall20th June Monday Liverpool Philharmonic Hall21st June Tuesday London Royal Albert Hall22nd June Thursday York Barbican 24th June Friday Birmingham Symphony Hall 26th June Sunday Newcastle O2 City Hall 28th June Tuesday Dublin Eire Vicar Street 29th June Wednesday Cork Eire Opera House Tickets remain valid for the rescheduled shows. For full details and to book tickets for all shows go to venue website or http://yesworld.com/live where you can also book Meet and Greets with the band.
About YES Steve Howe: guitars, backing vocals (1970 –1981, 1990–1992, 1995–present) Alan White: drums, percussion (1972 – present) Geoff Downes: keyboards (1980–1981, 2011–present) Jon Davison: lead vocals, acoustic guitar (2012–present) Billy Sherwood: guitar, backing vocals ((1994, 1997–2000), bass guitar, backing vocals (2015–present)
Formed in 1968 by Jon Anderson and the late, and much-missed, Chris Squire, YES have been one of the most innovative, influential and best-loved bands in rock music history. Their 1970s albums The Yes Album, Fragile, Close to the Edge, Yessongs (a triple live album set), Tales From Topographic Oceans,Relayer and Going For The One were ground-breaking in musical style and content. Their music also became synonymous with artist Roger Dean whose distinctive YES logo design and artwork adorned the lavish gatefold presentation sleeves of many YES albums.With sales of over 50 million records, the Grammy-award winning YES were inducted into The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame in 2017 where they performed Roundabout from the album Fragile and the FM radio-friendly Owner Of A Lonely Heart from the 1985 album 90125. In 2021 YES released their 22nd Studio album, The Quest, produced by Steve Howe, which went to No.1 in the UK rock chart and entered the Official UK Album Chart at No.20. http://www.yesworld.comhttp://www.facebook.com/yesthebandhttp://www.twitter.com/yesofficialhttp://www.youtube.com/user/yesofficialhttp://www.instagram.com/yesofficial soundcloud.com/yesofficial
Outsider Rock 