Tuesday 30 June 2015

THE GONZO TRACK OF THE DAY: Manassas - Fallen Eagle - 10/7/1973 - Winterland (Official)



CURRENTLY AVAILABLE FROM GONZO
The Lost Broadcasts
DVD - £9.99

THE BYRDS: Rewinding the Charts: 50 Years Ago, The Byrds Flew to No. 1

BB20 CodaThe band topped the Hot 100, gave Bob Dylan his only leader and essentially launched the 'jingle-jangle' folk-rock sound.

When the Byrds released their debut single for Columbia Records, few could've guessed the scope of history that would follow. "Mr. Tambourine Man" entered the Billboard Hot 100 dated May 15, 1965 and rose to No. 1 on the June 26 list, just six weeks later. Not only did the band score a Hot 100 leader on its first try, but the song's writer, Bob Dylan, landed what stands as his sole No. 1 as a writer. (As an artist, he has risen to No. 2 peaks twice: with 1965's "Like a Rolling Stone" and 1966's "Rainy Day Women #12 & 35.")

Read on...

CURRENTLY AVAILABLE FROM GONZO
The Lost Broadcasts
DVD - £9.99

THOM THE WORLD POET: The Daily Poem


Rob Ayling writes: 

"Thom the World poet is an old mate of mine from way back in my history. Even pre-dating Voiceprint, when I was running "Otter Songs" and Tom's poetry tapes and guest appearances with Daevid Allen, Gilli Smyth and Mother Gong are well known and highly regarded. It just felt right to include a daily poem from Thom on our Gonzo blog and when I approached him to do so, he replied with in seconds!!! Thom is a great talent and just wants to spread poetry, light and positive energy across the globe. If we at Gonzo can help him do that - why not? why not indeed!!" (The wondrous poetpic is by Jack McCabe, who I hope forgives me for scribbling all over it with Photoshop)

WE CAME FROM STARS
and to dust we will return
Deficit budgeting?=Space flight programs!
Space-X marks the spot for the third time
Explosions spectacular (expensive fireworks)
Happily unpersoned as yet,rocketry industry
sends up inventory out of our atmosphere
It returns in showers of sparks and smoke
There go our Super Space Base hopes
International Space Station awaits food and drinks
Lost in Space?More than TV series..

Thank goodness it was unmanned.
0:15/0:15

503,798 Views
The unmanned ‪#‎SpaceX‬ rocket has exploded at start of a supply mission to the International Space Station: http://bbc.in/1JrEixQ

Karnataka: US Review


JUNE 22, 2015

Release Date: 30th March 2015
Label: Immrama Records

The new album from the band Karnataka, Secrets of Angels, has just landed on the review desk and is album No 5 from the band. The debut album wasKarnataka (1998), followed by The Storm (2000), thenDelicate Flame of Desire(2003) and finally, The Gathering Light (2010). Not the most prolific band, with 7 years between albums 3 and 4 and then a further 5 years between 4 and 5. One reason may be the ever changing personnel within the band. Ian Jones is the only original member of Karnataka from the mid 90’s, and while the same band members recorded Karnataka and The Storm, there was a change forDelicate Flame of Desire, with another female voice added (Anne-Marie Helder) as well as a female guest (Heather Findlay). The Gathering found only Ian still present, Lisa Fury as the vocalist, and new drummer, bass player and keyboard player. 

Secrets of Angels was made with Karnataka as a 5 piece group comprising, Ian Jones (bass keyboards and guitar), Hayley Griffiths (vocals), Enrico Pinna (guitars and vocals), Cagri Tozluoglu (keyboards) and Jimmy Palagrossi (drums). Enrico was also part of the band for the previous album. There is a few guest musicians involved as well. Troy Donockley adds Uilleann Pipes and low whistles, Seana Davey adds harp and Rachel van der Tang and Clive Howard from the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra add cello and viola respectively.

The album, Secrets of Angels, is an 8 track album with a running time just under an hour. The shortest track on offer is “Poison Ivy” with a playing time of 4:14 minutes and the longest track is the closing, title track “Secrets of Angels” with a running time of 20:00 minutes.


The opening track, “Road to Cairo” (5:27) races out of the speakers and grabs you firmly by both ears. With a violin introduction, the track then moves into a heavy riff which conjures up little aural glimpses of Kashmir from the Led Zeppelin album, Physical Graffiti. The vocals of Hayley tower over this eastern tinged stunner. What a superb opening track which certainly makes you start to savor what other gems this album has in store.

“Because of You” (4:43) has a gentle piano intro into more of the heaviness, with riffs and orchestral thundering. Crystal clear vocals by Hayley soar with seemingly no effort and carry the track onwards. There is more emotional depth to this track than the previous one, and again a piece of music that hits the “sweet spot” in your mind.

“Poison Ivy” (4:14) fires up with more or the thunderous orchestral sweeps and maintains its pace throughout its 4+ minutes. Track No 4, “Forbidden Dreams” (5:48) is a more laid back entity, at least for Karnataka, and is memorable for that alone. A dip into the heavier, more powerful style of band statement takes the track onwards and embeds the melody deep within your mind. 

“Borderline” (6:19) has a hugely atmospheric start, all dark and ominous, before Hayley’s voice demands attention, all the while backed by almost malevolent strings. The powerhouse of the band, the drums and bass are very obvious on this track. This is another stunningly memorable addition to the album.

“Fairytale Lies” (4:58) is a real change into the land of the ballad, with piano and strings. Hayley’s voice is so clear and powerful, and although the intensity of the track builds rises and falls, the lasting impression is of the gentler side of the band.

The penultimate track, “Feels Like Home” (7:06) has a theme plucked on the harp and when the voice kicks in, you relax into familiar Karnataka territory, although in this track the dark, ominous and malevolent soundscapes are omitted. Replacing these facets is an almost uplifting style of music, but I must admit that these last 2 tracks have not had the same impact that the previous tracks have had.

The finale to the album is the epic length title track, “Secrets of Angels” (20:00). Celtic sounds abound at the start of the track, courtesy of one, Troy Donockley from Nightwish, and an amazing aural soundscape is produced. The voice, when it appears, fits the storytelling scenario like a glove. Tension builds, heralded by the entry of some percussion, and you await the change happening, but you are kept waiting until about the 4 minute mark, when the full symphonic rock of Karnataka is unleashed. The track pulsates this way and that as it passes through each of its’ seven phases, allowing the band members to showcase their skills. A big plus point with “Secrets of Angels” is that the music flows seamlessly through all of its phases whether a full band workout or gentle Celtic areas, and there is always the little theme from the intro putting in an appearance in different ways. This is a true tour-de-force that ends the album on a majestic note.

This album, Secrets of Angels is a superb release and shows that Karnataka have undergone a slow evolution to get to this point. With so many personnel changes this achievement has certainly had obstacles to overcome, but I think that it is safe to say, that the band of Hayley, Ian, Enrico, Cagri and Jimmy, have finally “nailed it.”

My advice is very simple, and that is to listen to the epic final track, “Secrets of Angels” and you will soon be on your way to purchase the album. This is one of the best albums that I have heard so far this year, and I have heard a lot of albums this year.

5/5 Stars

Key Tracks: Road To Cairo, Borderline, Secrets of Angels

Tracks: 
Road To Cairo
Because of You
Poison Ivy
Forbidden Dreams
Borderline
Fairytale Lies
Feels Like Home
Secrets of Angels

Jim “The Ancient One” Lawson-Sr. Reviewer Prog Rock Music Talk
June 22, 2015
Review Provided By Prog Rock Music Talk

CURRENTLY AVAILABLE AT GONZO:

New Light
2CD - £11.99

New Light
Blu-Ray - £14.99

New Light
DVD - £12.99

Secrets of Angels
CD - £9.99

The Gathering Light
CD - £9.99

Storm 
CD - £9.99

Delicate Flame Of Desire
CD - £9.99

Chris Squire RIP Yes Bassist Dead (1948-2015)

Monday 29 June 2015

THOM THE WORLD POET: The Daily Poem


Rob Ayling writes: 

"Thom the World poet is an old mate of mine from way back in my history. Even pre-dating Voiceprint, when I was running "Otter Songs" and Tom's poetry tapes and guest appearances with Daevid Allen, Gilli Smyth and Mother Gong are well known and highly regarded. It just felt right to include a daily poem from Thom on our Gonzo blog and when I approached him to do so, he replied with in seconds!!! Thom is a great talent and just wants to spread poetry, light and positive energy across the globe. If we at Gonzo can help him do that - why not? why not indeed!!" (The wondrous poetpic is by Jack McCabe, who I hope forgives me for scribbling all over it with Photoshop)

TALIBAN DESTROYING BUDDHA SCULPTURES IN CLIFF FACES
ISIS pulling off images of past civilizations,and destroying history
More sinister than the selling of plundered oil is their marketing of antiquities
Our civilization comes from this Middle east-writing from Sumeria,art from everywhere
Iraq/Syria hold our history as a heritage of many influences.To destroy via drones,bombings,militarization
is as reprehensible as simply selling off the past to those who plunder for profit.This is religion-Mammon over Mecca!
Little Lebanon has cracked down on the marketing  and selling of stolen art and artifacts.But failed States cannot enforce such laws..
So these daily skirmishes become RESOURCE WARS-instead of wars for oil ,water or power

"he who owns the past ,owns the future".Ask your arms dealers.Then ask your Art Dealers..

Yes bass guitarist Chris Squire dies aged 67

Picture from press release on Yesworld.com, the Yes official website
The band announced the news on their website alongside this image of Chris Squire

Chris Squire, the bass guitarist and co-founder of 1970s British progressive rock band Yes, has died at the age of 67, his bandmates have said.

Current Yes keyboardist Geoffrey Downes tweeted: "Utterly devastated beyond words to have to report the sad news of the passing of my dear friend, bandmate and inspiration Chris Squire."

Squire revealed in May he was suffering from a rare form of leukaemia.

The band said he died "peacefully" in Phoenix, Arizona, on Saturday night.

"It's with the heaviest of hearts and unbearable sadness that we must inform you of the passing of our dear friend and Yes co-founder, Chris Squire," said a statement on the band's official website.

MARK RAINES REMEMBERS CHRIS SQUIRE

THE GONZO TRACK OF THE DAY: BPL12: Chris Squire "Hold Out Your Hand"

Mick Abrahams - German Review (translated)


Mick Abrahams / Revived!

Showtimes: 64:29 CD, DVD 36:30 
Medium: CD / DVD 
Label: Gonzo Multimedia 2015 
Style: Blues
Review from 21.06.2015 Holger Ott


A group of seasoned rock musicians meet privately as a high school reunion, jamming while around a bit and come out a CD with beautiful classics. Initiator of this meeting is Mick Abrahams . His name will not be familiar to everyone, but if you to Jethro Tull mentioned, it could ring when so many a. Exactly, Mr. Abrahams was a founding member of the band and has been immortalized on the first LP. Shortly thereafter, he left Tull and was Martin Barre replaced. So it's natural that Barre is also invited to the meeting. Next to him, there are still other sizes a, like Bill Wyman , Bernie Marsden and Paul Jones. This illustrious company has now under the leadership of Abraham on the CD "Revived!"immortalized. In seventeen songs they querbeet plays by their day and takes this to memories like "Poison Ivy," "Red River Rock" or "On The Road Again". As the musicians change the songs and original compositions by Abraham complement, the listener can pursue long over an hour.

As a little 'extra' is accompanied by a DVD. On it is a speech of Abraham seen and images that have been recorded in the rehearsal room during rehearsals. This thirty-minute session is particularly worth seeing, as the musicians feel completely undisturbed and sometimes may be 'human'.

The music on the CD is as might be expected, very blue heavy and also very easy to knit. One might almost think that musicians have remained at their former level and have not evolved. So sound tracks like "Summer Day", "What About Us" and "I'm A Hog For You" in typical 60s sound. For nostalgics an absolute feast for the ears, a bit strange for lovers of more modern sounds.

"Dragonfly" and "North By Northwest" are entirely dominated by the main protagonists. Both pieces are without vocals and performs just with acoustic guitar. It might seem a bit boring, if you compare these two with the rapid Chuck Berry -Klassiker "Nadine", were it not for these grandiose guitar passages. Small excursions in the Country area, see also take such approaches to be printed full skirt, as the title "Summer Day", strengthened to wind down with a Hammond, is repeated.

On the whole, has Mick Abrahams delivered with his friends a beautiful piece of music. "Revived!" is managed from start to finish. Of course, the fun factor is our top priority and here come true wisdom that the 'old' still best can. Too bad that all the participating musicians have reached an age at which one might suspect that a continuation is questionable, let alone that they will go on tour with it, but you should never say never.

Line-up:
Mick Abrahams (vocals) 
Beverley Skeete (vocals) 
Don Andrews (vocals) 
Patrick Walshe (vocals) 
Peter Aldridge (vocals) 
Martin Barre (guitar) 
Bernie Marsden (guitar) 
Elliott Randall (guitar) 
Geoff Whitehorn (guitar) 
Emily Gardner (guitar) 
Terry Taylor (guitar) 
, Bill Wyman (bass) 
John Gordon (bass) 
Jim Rodford (bass) 
George Murayni (keyboards) 
Josh Phillips (Hammond organ) 
Mark Feltham (harmonica, vocals) 
Paul Jones (harmonica, vocals) 
Frank Mead (saxophone, squeezebox) 
Nick Payne (saxophone) 
Graham Walker (drums)



Tracklist
01: Summer Day 
02: What About Us 
03: Elz. & Abys Jam 
04: On The Road Again 
05: Nadine 
06: Remember 
07: I Can Tell 
08: I'm A Hog For You 
09: Bright Lights, Big City 
10: Dragonfly 
11: Boney Maroney 
12: Goodnight Irene 
13: Poison Ivy 
14: Red River Rock 
15: North By Northwest 
16: Hungry For Love 
17: Summer Day With Hammond


External Links:


CURRENTLY AVAILABLE AT GONZO:

One
CD - £9.99

See My Way
CD - £9.99

The Best of ABY Vol 2
CD - £9.99

Leaving Home Blues/This Is!
3CD - £9.99

Live in Forli
CD - £9.99

All Said and Done
CD - £9.99

Mick's Back/Novox
2CD - £9.99

Mick's Back
CD - £9.99

Novox
CD - £9.99

Leaving Home Blues
2CD - £11.99

Sunday 28 June 2015

Yes Release Video From Upcoming Live Release

Yes are sharing video of "South Side Of The Sky" as a preview to the forthcoming live package, "Like It Is - Yes At The Mesa Arts Center." Due July 3 in Europe and July 10 in North America, the set presents material from the band's August 12, 2014 show at the Ikeda Theater in Mesa, AZ.

The lineup of Chris Squire, Steve Howe, Alan White, Geoff Downes and Jon Davison were on the road at the time playing dates in support of their 21st album, "Heaven & Earth."
Yes have previously previewed a performance of "Heart Of The Sunrise" from the package, which will be available in 2CD/DVD, Blu-ray and Digital formats - with vinyl to follow at a later date.

Squire is currently undergoing treatment after being diagnosed with Acute Erythroid Leukemia (AEL), an uncommon form of Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML).


CURRENTLOY AVAILABLE FROM GONZO
Union (Standard DVD)
DVD - £9.99

Union
DVD - £12.99

Union (2CD)
2CD - £7.99

Rock Of The 70's
DVD - £12.99

The Lost Broadcasts
DVD - £7.99

Rock of the 70s
DVD - £9.99

Atkins May Project: Anthology - Classic Rock Revisted Review

RATINGS: A = must own B = buy it C= average D = yawn F = puke
Atkins May Project – Anthology   
Gonzo Multimedia
http://www.gonzomultimedia.co.uk/product_details/15812
Rating: B
Al Atkins has made a career of being the founding member and original vocalist for British Metal icons Judas Priest.  Al did more than warm up the spot for Rob Halford, though, as he helped write some classic early Priest including "Never Satisfied" and "Victim of Changes."  While he is no Metal God, Atkins is still into the music wholeheartedly, as he has proved over the past few years with his band the Atkins May Project.  The band has released three albums on Gonzo Multimedia and now, for the first time, the best of all of them are found on one collection, titled Anthology
Al snarls it out with the best of them while his counterpoint, Christian guitar player Paul May, if truth be told, steals the show.  May is a talented player, and it is with his six-stringed instrument that he adds the layers of light and darkness onto the music.  In the world today, guitar godz are a dime-a-dozen, but when they add the impact of feeling into their music, and not just wank around displaying their technical prowess, that’s what takes it to another level.  May takes it to another level. 
The best of the bunch are the songs "Serpents Kiss," " Valley of Shadows" and the powerful "Empire of Destruction."  The bonus track at the end of the album is pretty cool, though.  Atkins and May twist the Phil Collins classic "In the Air Tonight" and make it an ethereal Metal eerie mess.  Phil outdoes Al in the vocal department (sorry Al) but May, once again, adds the flair to the tune making it work, just get to the end of this song and you'll see what I mean!  It's not heavy and in your face, rather it is dark, foreboding and tricky.  Pretty cool stuff, Paul!  Al's got a good thing in Mr. May!
This is not a band that is necessarily doing anything original, yet, as this compilation proves, their efforts are based in honestly and come across genuine... which in this day and age is rare! 
Paul May sums up Anthology by stating, “It was quite a task to choose which songs would make it onto this compilation as there's such a diversity in the styles of tracks, but I hope this reflects the wider view of the rock and metal we love doing.” 
Atkins chimes in, “The reviews from the first three albums were great and said it all, so it was difficult to select the songs for the album, but I think you'll agree that we made the right choices, and Anthology, for me, ticks all the right boxes!”

Tracks: 
Here Comes The Rain
Bitter Waters
A World At War
Dream Maker
Whisper To The Wind
Harder They Fall
The Shallowing
Enslaved To Love
Theatre Of Fools
Valley Of Shadows
In the Air Tonight (unreleased bonus track)
By Jeb Wright
CURRENTLY AVAILABLE AT GONZO:
Anthology
CD - £9.99

Empire of Destruction
CD/DVD - £9.99

Valley of Shadows/The Serpents Kiss
2CD - £9.99

Valley of Shadows
CD - £9.99

The Serpents Kiss
CD - £9.99

THE GONZO TRACK OF THE DAY: Sacred earth - Jai ma

Being Sunday I always post sacred music. The name of the deity may change, or even the deity Him/Herself but the spirit remains the same.

THOM THE WORLD POET: The Daily Poem


Rob Ayling writes: 

"Thom the World poet is an old mate of mine from way back in my history. Even pre-dating Voiceprint, when I was running "Otter Songs" and Tom's poetry tapes and guest appearances with Daevid Allen, Gilli Smyth and Mother Gong are well known and highly regarded. It just felt right to include a daily poem from Thom on our Gonzo blog and when I approached him to do so, he replied with in seconds!!! Thom is a great talent and just wants to spread poetry, light and positive energy across the globe. If we at Gonzo can help him do that - why not? why not indeed!!" (The wondrous poetpic is by Jack McCabe, who I hope forgives me for scribbling all over it with Photoshop)

GREETING THE RISE OF LIGHT
Although we know it is cyclic
We have no power over change
Each day will see a morning
until the last movie frame
Time may not seem sequential
unless and until it ends
this is how we deal with powers
that which we cannot change..
When Light leaves(at night
we enter into dream
(unless caffeine -deferred
seek a new word.."Siesta "post"Fiesta"
Label is never contents
We will never be content
unless Light stays/we remain
silent,welcoming Light.We stay.

We call that "day"..until ."night"

Friday 26 June 2015

COMING TOMORROW


THOM THE WORLD POET: The Daily Poem


Rob Ayling writes: 

"Thom the World poet is an old mate of mine from way back in my history. Even pre-dating Voiceprint, when I was running "Otter Songs" and Tom's poetry tapes and guest appearances with Daevid Allen, Gilli Smyth and Mother Gong are well known and highly regarded. It just felt right to include a daily poem from Thom on our Gonzo blog and when I approached him to do so, he replied with in seconds!!! Thom is a great talent and just wants to spread poetry, light and positive energy across the globe. If we at Gonzo can help him do that - why not? why not indeed!!" (The wondrous poetpic is by Jack McCabe, who I hope forgives me for scribbling all over it with Photoshop)

THEN AFTER THE NOT SO GREAT WAR
Art became surreal enough to show distortion as an art form
Art grew mustaches and painted cisterns.Art bent Light in photographs
and made movies.Art turned comics into graphic novels.Then artists became celebrities
Not modern media made Moguls-more eccentrics famous for their creative capacities
Art was accepted into more than guarded Galleries.Artists on quiz shows
Kerouac on TV.Soon the artist became FAMOUS more than his/her art.
Andy Warhol.Jackson Pollack.Now we have Damien Hirst .Banksy.
Paths of glories start long before where we begin
Art on cave walls becomes graffiti then tagging
Art of parties becomes circle,then fire dance
Now rave,and Festival.Art LIVES!
It just needs somewhere to MEETUP tonight!
 
This ten minute clip is drawn from the famous 1950s game show, and it's quite surreal. I don't use the word surreal loosely: the special guest is Salvador Dali.
youtube.com
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THE GONZO TRACK OF THE DAY: No Matter What with Joey Molland of Badfinger



CURRENTLY AVAILABLE FROM GONZO
After The Pearl
CD - £9.99

The Pilgrim
CD - £9.99

Demos Old And New
CD - £9.99

Return To Memphis
SCD - £9.99

This Way Up
CD - £9.99
...BECAUSE SOME OF US THINK THAT THIS STUFF IS IMPORTANT
What happens when you mix what is - arguably - the world's most interesting record company, with an anarchist manic-depressive rock music historian polymath, and a method of dissemination which means that a daily rock-music magazine can be almost instantaneous?

Most of this blog is related in some way to the music, books and films produced by Gonzo Multimedia, but the editor has a grasshopper mind and so also writes about all sorts of cultural issues which interest him, and which he hopes will interest you as well.