2/21/08

Carl Palmer news


For further information
Contact:  Pilato Entertainment Marketing & Media LLC
(585)454-2756

For Immediate Release

Carl Palmer has successful heart operation procedure.

Carl Palmer, drummer extraordinaire and founding member of Emerson, Lake & Palmer; Asia and The Carl Palmer Band; has recently had a successful heart operation carried out at an undisclosed hospital. Palmer, 57, had an angioplasty procedure done which is designed to prevent further narrowing of an artery in his heart by insertion of a stent.

"I am happy to say the procedure was a complete success and I am already feeling better each day" says Palmer, who is resting before beginning the Asia 2008 World Tour, set to begin in March. "This was a precautionary measure done to ensure my safety. In my case, it was as a result of a hereditary factor, and the physicians involved wanted to make sure every precaution was taken. I am very grateful for their medical expertise and care.

With the procedure behind him, Palmer is cleared once again to resume his normal work schedule, which includes tours with both ASIA and his own group, The Carl Palmer Band. Aside from its World Tour launching next month, ASIA will be releasing Phoenix, its first new studio album with the original line-up since 1983.

NOTE:  The US shows are publicized by Bruce Pilato, at
brucetune@aol.com and office number is 585-454-2756.  The band’s web site is http://www.originalasia.com .
 
ASIA’s U.S. TOUR DATES

April 4      Wilkes Barre, PA    Kirby PAC
April 5      Uncasville, CT      Mohegan Sun Casino Wolf Den
April 7      Harrisburg, PA      Sunoco Performance Theater
April 8      Alexandria, VA      The Birchmere
April 10     Collingswood, NJ    Scottish Rite Auditorium
April 12     Westbury, NY             North Fork Theatre
April 13     Peekskill, NY           Paramount Center For The Arts
April 15     Verona, NY               Turning Stone Resort & Casino
April 16     Red Bank, NJ            Count Basie Theatre
April 17     Englewood, NJ           Bergen Performing Arts Center
April 19     Cleveland, OH           House of Blues
April 20     Chicago, IL            House of Blues
April 21     Indianapolis, IN      Music Mill
April 23     Milwaukee, WI           Pabst Theater
April 26     Marksville, LA          Paragon Casino
April 27     Dallas, TX              House of Blues
April 29     Espanola NM              Big Rock Casino
April 30     Phoenix, AZ               Celebrity Theatre
May 2      Agoura Hills, CA      Canyon Club
May 3      Las Vegas, NV          House of Blues
May 4      San Juan Capistrano,CA   The Coach House
May 5       San Francisco, CA    Grand Ballroom @ The Regency Center

http://www.carlpalmer.com

Jann Klose updates

I’m having a great time working with Jann Klose, whose new pop/singer-songwriter album, REVERIE and live shows have been receiving raves from regional and internet media, plus musicians, including Rusted Root’s Michael Glabicki. Jann’s opened a few dates for him this past winter, including one in Hamburg, NY.   The two hope to share more bills together this Spring.  

Jann co-produced REVERIE with Stewart Lerman (Dar Williams, Loudon Wainwright III, Richard X. Heyman, music from the movies, “The Aviator,” “The Life Aquatic”). The album was mastered by Dominick Maita (Fall Out Boy, Plain White T's, Bryan Ferry), and is a critical favorite of independent media outlets.

These reviews share a number of patterns that focus on REVERIE’s spirit and the choice of instruments and weave of musical forms. Syracuse NEW TIMES music editor Matt Mumau wrote, "the carefree, dreamy instrumentation of (Jann's band) bassist Chris Marolf, keyboardist Lars Potteiger, percussionist Patrick Camichael and violinist Leah Potteiger create an earthy, alive musical world." Connecticut’s FAIRFIELD WEEKLY recently wrote, “Klose has the emotions of a sensitive folkie but catapults them with a voice and tone that evoke a libido-driven soul singer.”

Haley Nedderman from Poughkeepsie's Marist College paper, THE CIRCLE raved quite a bit about Jann for his "great stage presence...powerful, sensual, soulful vocals..." and that "his lyrics paint vivid, romantic imagery and evoke a dreamy, somewhat melancholy feeling in the listener, while awakening an unknown part of the soul at the same time."  ACED MAGAZINE's John Casquarelli echoed her reflection, "REVERIE is a musical masterpiece with an ensemble of easy-listening sounds that invites the listener to explore their own imagination.”  Sally A. Schwartz of DABELLY compared the album’s song, “Question of the Heart” to Ritchie Blackmore’s ballads with its “spell-binding hint in its melody….. If you like a smooth and a softer feel for a romantic evening, I highly suggest REVERIE…. It will give you that intimate feeling as if Klose were performing just for you.”

Buffalo Night Life's Ross Catalino cited Jann for "wrapping his luminous lyrics around a wealth of alluring arrangements and a montage of melodies. From the opening track ‘Beautiful Dream’ to the final cut acutely titled ‘The Beginning’ Klose takes you on his whirlwind adventure." BLOGCRITICS Jon Sobel wrote, “Jann Klose makes complex but accessible chamber pop with intelligent lyrics and contagious rhythms…..Overall, a sweet salve for troubled times.”

Other recent quotes can be found at http://www.jannklose.com/press.html.

These are upcoming shows—a lot more dates will be confirmed soon.
 
March 8     IBS Conference at Hotel Pennsylvania    New York, NY
Jann will be speaking on the Musicians Panel from 5:15 to 6:15 PM. There will be a meet-and-greet afterward. http://www.ibsradio.org IBS - college radio, TV, webcasting, podcasting, streaming, and high school radio
March 20   Thataway Cafe                 Greenwich, CT
March 28   Rockwood Music Hall          New York, NY
April 11     Tin Angel                    Philadelphia, PA
April 12   Wanda Fischer’s Hudson River Sampler, WAMC radio-Albany, NY  
April 15   Carol’s Silver Dollar      Jamestown, NY (with Stratospheerius)
April 16     Winchester                    Cleveland (with Stratospheerius)
April 17    Therese’s Greatnites      Youngstown, OH  (with Stratospheerius)
April 19      Village Idiot                Maumee, OH
(w/Stratospheerius)    
April 20    VENUE: TBA                    Ypsilanti, MI
April 27    Metropolitan Room         New York, NY
May 14         Emack & Bolios                 Roslindale, MA
June 28      Central Park                New York, NY
          
http://www.jannklose.com

Cevin Soling

Cevin’s band The Love Kills Theory is playing at New York City’s Fat Baby on February 28.

He has a new book in his RUMPLEVILLE CHRONICLES: Series of
Fairly Twisted Fairy Tales called THE BOMB THAT FOLLOWED ME HOME.  “We’ve all heard of stray cats following kids home or a lost puppy yelping by a kitchen door for
food, but did you know that even a wayward little bomb needs some love and attention too?”

THE RUMPLEVILLE CHRONICLES IS NOT A CHILDRENS BOOK SERIES even though it has colorful illustrations by Steve Kille!!!!! The book review publication, FOREWORD’s Todd Mercer wrote, “These quick bursts of cracked brilliance, these splintered bedtime stories for grown folks, have the power to make readers laugh, and then think· Then scoff at the futility of thinking…..  The Rumpleville Chronicles are sardonically elegant stuff. You can’t read just one.”
 
Cevin’s finishing up a documentary, THE WAR ON KIDS about how public education is leaving children behind.  It will be on the film festival circuit this year.  Then he starts work on editing JIM FRUM: HE WILL COME, which is the story of his adventures as a cargo cult Messiah to the people of the island of Tanna.

One of his older documentaries, A HOLE IN THE HEAD is now available for mail order as a DVD via Cevin at http://www.holeintheheadmovie.com.  This film, which was created in 1998 and available through the Discovery Channel, is about “trepanation: the process of boring a hole in the skull to improve one’s mental health.”  A HOLE IN THE HEAD won the Best Documentary Award at both the Atlantic City Film Festival and the Brooklyn International Film Festival.  The DVD is $14.95 plus s&h.  
 
A HOLE IN THE HEAD will also be a featured screening in the New Filmmakers Festival’s NIGHT OF FANTASY & HORROR, at the Anthology Archive, 32 Second Ave., New York City, on April 30, at 6 PM. Part of the description of this evening’s presentation includes an opportunity to “Volunteer for our live demonstration.”  Admission for the night is $5.
The phone number is 212-505-5181, and the web site is http://www.newfilmmakers.com.
 
http://www.thelovekillstheory.com
http://www.cevinsoling.com

Stratospheerius & Joe Deninzon

Joe has been experiencing both healthy and unhealthy adventures recently. Carol, at the Jamestown club, Carol’s Silver Dollar, named a drink after his band. “The Stratos Shot” combines Vodka (preferably Russian in honor of Joe’s place of birth), Purple Pucker and 7-Up.
 
On a healthier note, Joe ran his first race, the Half Shell Raw Bar Key West Annual Half Marathon in Florida, this past January 27, and finished in 2 hours and 13 seconds, which was in the top half of the pack (330th out of 800 runners).
Though he’s run for years, this is the first year he trained seriously, running five or six miles every other day, and increasing his mileage to between nine and 12 miles the last two weeks. Joe says, “This was my first half marathon but definitely not my last.”
 
Joe’s getting into the lecture circuit, giving talks and demonstrations on electronic effects that musicians can use in performance and songwriting.
   
And finally, he’s on tour in China right now as “the valet” for his wife Yulia Ziskel, who is in the New York City Philharmonic.  He’s sampling the culture and meeting with industry execs in Hong Kong.  When he returns to the States, Joe’s got shows:

FEBRUARY 27         FAT BABY, NEW YORK, NY
APRIL 2             TBA, BOSTON, MA
APRIL 15         CAROL’S SILVER DOLLARS, JAMESTOWN, NY  (W/JANN KLOSE)
APRIL 16             WINCHESTER, CLEVELAND, OH
(W/JANN)
APRIL 17         THERESE’S GREATNITES, YOUNGSTOWN, OH
(W/JANN)
APRIL 18             BELLS BREWERY, KALAMAZOO, MI
APRIL 19          VILLAGE IDIOT, MAUMEE, OH
(W/JANN)
APRIL 27            CLUB MIDWAY, NEW YORK, NY
MAY 2               RAY KELLYS, BRIDGEPORT, CT
JUNE 21, 22      FREEDOM FEST, MAINE
OCT. 3, 4        HARVEST FEST, MAINE
 
http://www.stratospheerius.com
http://www.myspace.com/stratospheerius

Dave Cousins first U.S. tour!

DAVE COUSINS of STRAWBS is calling his first ever U.S. solo tour, STORIES AND SONGS because he is a storyteller. He is supporting two albums.  SECRET PATHS is due in March, and features Melvin Duffy, who played steel guitar with Robbie Williams, Joe Cocker and Zucchero.  His other recent release is THE BOY IN THE SAILOR SUIT, his second solo album in his nearly 40 years of recording.  BOY IN THE SAILOR SUIT features the talents of the professionals who make up the impressive Blue Angel Orchestra. The infectious enthusiasm of this grouping shines through, giving the album very much a band feel, which is astonishing given how little they have so far played together.

Dave is making this tour a very intimate showcase, singing and playing his acoustic guitar. His friend Ian Cutler, who plays violin on THE BOY IN THE SAILOR SUIT, will be supporting Dave in concert. Ian portrayed the young fiddle player in the horror cult film THE WICKER MAN.

THE BOY IN THE SAILOR SUIT features ten brand new Cousins' songs. Guitarist Miller Anderson guests on the album, as he did on Dave's 1972 album, TWO WEEKS LAST SUMMER, which continues to sell well to this day. The rhythm section comprises Chas Cronk of Strawbs on bass, with drummer Chris Hunt who played for many years with Lonnie Donegan.

Dave Cousins has been the leader and main songwriter of Strawbs from the release of the band's first album (STRAWBS) in 1968 on A&M, to the present day. In the 1970s the band was at its peak with major chart albums GRAVE NEW WORLD and BURSTING AT THE SEAMS in the UK, followed by huge success in the USA and Canada with HERO AND HEROINE and GHOSTS.  Strawbs sold over 3 million albums in that period and spent 55 weeks on the Billboard charts with seven successive albums in the period 1972-1977.

THE BOY IN THE SAILOR SUIT is produced by Chris Tsangarides whose studio is littered with gold discs for albums by Yngwie Malmsteen, Judas Priest, Thin Lizzy and many more.

DAVE COUSINS' "STORIES AND SONGS" SOLO TOUR, MARCH 2008

March        5              Strand Theatre    Lakewood NJ
March        6             Cutting Room    New York NY
March        7              Tin Angel    Philadelphia PA
March        8                 Towne Crier    Pawling NY
March        9               NJ Prog House    Metuchen NJ
March        10               Kroghs    Sparta NJ
March        11                Turning Point    Piermont NY
March        12               German House    Rochester NY
March        13              Hugh’s Room    Toronto ON
March        14                 Winchester    Cleveland OH
March        15                 Kent Stage    Kent OH
March        16               Abbey    Chicago IL
March        18                 Shank Hall    Milwaukee WI
March        21                Mersey House    Liverpool NS
March        22               Fire Hall    Mount Uniack NS

Fans can download Dave’s albums, BOY IN THE SAILOR SUIT and SECRET PATHS, and Strawbs catalog at
http://www.pinnacle-digital.co.uk/witchwood/
http://www.strawbsweb.co.uk

Jay And The Americans

JAY AND THE AMERICANS is a joy to work with.  I’m getting quite an education on rock and roll history, plus smart wisdom about people (and animal relations) from the guys in the group. The Americans: Howie Kane, Marty Sanders and Sandy Deanne started the group in the early 1960s, and earned back ownership of the name, “Jay and the Americans” after their second lead singer David Blatt sold it to them.

The new Jay is really named Jay, “Jay Reincke,” and he’s a Chicago guy.  On stage he’ll remind you of that nice high school guy who sang lead in choir and was kind enough to carry your books home while helping you practice your Spanish homework.  (At one time, Jay was a Spanish teacher!)

As for the animals, when he’s not singing or writing songs with folks like Joan Jett, Marty Sanders is often called to rescue snakes on construction sites.  Recently he appeared on Duncan Strauss’ well-planned, crafted and performed radio show, TALKING ANIMALS on WMNF-Tampa.  Listen to the show at http://www.talkinganimals.net/archives_synopses_08.html#020608 .

Here are the upcoming tour dates:

March 28             Newberry, SC           Newberry Opera House
April 19             Staten Island, NY    Monseinger Farrel H.S
May 14             Rochester, NY        The Lilac Festival
May 23             Colorado Springs, CO       Silver Moon    
May 24             North Las Vegas, NV   Cannery Casino Hotel     
June 25             Woodhaven, NY           Forest Park     
June 27             Bay Shore, NY           Boulton Center     
June 28             Annapolis, MD           Rams Head On Stage     
August 14         Massillon, OH           Summer Concert Series

http://www.jayandtheamericans.net

Jethro Tull's 40th Anniversary!

Niki Chopra Richardson, the event planner for Jethro Tull’s Thousand Oaks, CA show at the Alliance for the Arts, worked to have Ian autograph a flute that would be auctioned off for the venue’s charity.

When she showed up at soundcheck for Ian’s autograph, he asked to meet her.  They spoke about her life growing up in India, a country Ian truly enjoys.  He asked her questions about Mikhail Gorbachev, another person who had appeared at the venue (Ian is very interested in Russian politics).
 
Then Niki asked if he could announce on stage that the flute was up for bids. Ian said, "Let's dramatize the flute to the audience, why don't you come on stage at a certain point, and I'll play it for everyone.  Then you'll bring it off stage, because I don't have a holder for it."

Ian increased both the charitable and entertainment value of an auctionable item by making the flute a piece of the show, encouraging the audience to get involved with the venue’s charity.  

Jethro Tull will be touring all over the world for its 40th Anniversary this year.  The group will be in the States with mainly east and west coast dates this August.  Please check for updates at http://www.jethrotull.com for shows.

The two new members of Tull are bassist David Goodier and keyboardist/accordionist John O’Hara, who were interviewed for Psychobabble TV by Mike Preston.  I placed that interview on my site, http://www.youtube.com/anneleighton, because David and John offer strong insight on career survival as musicians.  There’s a wonderful quote in the interview from David about the importance of making music as opposed to being a pop star.
 
David sent me a gorgeous album that he plays on called MY CRESCENT CITY by Carmina. Its vibe borrows from traditional folk, chamber music and Fairport Convention. Hot Press wrote that the group’s lead singer Pippa Marland has a “real autumn leaf of a voice—parched and papery, but with a gorgeously rich depth of colour.” If you’re interested in the CD, please contact Pippa at bookings@carmina.co.uk.
   
Here are her web sites:  http://www.myspace.com/carminamusic
http://www.carmina.co.uk

Tower of Power news

Tower of Power is also celebrating its 40th anniversary this year.  The group has a new guitarist named Mark Harper, and in the midst of European dates.

Here are scheduled shows in the States through summer.

MARCH 29, 30     MOHEGAN SUN WOLF DEN       UNCASSVILLE, CT
MARCH 31         THE BIRCHMERE              ALEXANDRIA, VA
APRIL 1          FERGUSON CENTER               NEWPORT NEWS, VA
APRIL 3            HOUSE OF BLUES              CLEVELAND, OH
APRIL 4            TURNING STONE              VERONA, NY
APRIL 5           HOLIDAY INN, RIVERVIEW     ELMIRA, NY
APRIL 6            HAMPTON BEACH CASINO         HAMPTON BEACH, NH
APRIL 8            WHITAKER CENTER            HARRISBURG, PA
APRIL 10            BB KINGS                    NEW YORK, NY
APRIL 11, 12        KESWICK THEATRE            GLENSIDE, PA
        (w/AVERAGE WHITE BAND)
MAY 1        NEW ORLEANS JAZZ & HERITAGE FESTIVAL
                                        NEW ORLEANS, LA        
MAY 3            HOUSE OF BLUES            DALLAS, TX
MAY 4            ONE WORLD THEATRE            AUSTIN, TX  
MAY 9, 10, 11    SUNCOAST HOTEL            LAS VEGAS, NV
MAY 12            CASINO ARIZONA            SCOTTSDALE, AZ
JUNE 14            PLAYBOY JAZZ FESTIVAL        HOLLYWOOD, CA
JULY 31            MONTEITH RIVERPARK        ALBANY, OR
AUGUST 2            NORTHERN QUEST CASINO        SPOKANE, WA
AUGUST 7            NAPA VALLEY COUNTY FAIR    NAPA, CA
AUGUST 8            VENTURA COUNTY FAIR        VENTURA, CA  
AUGUST 9            TBA                        RENO, NV
AUGUST 12, 13    SAN MATEO FAIR            SAN MATEO, CA
AUGUST 14        MONTEREY FAIR            MONTEREY, CA
AUGUST 15        HUMPHREY’S BY THE BAY        SAN DIEGO, CA
AUGUST 16        NOKIA THEATER            LOS ANGELES, CA
 
Emilio Castillo recently produced, played sax, and sang on a CD called LOOKIN’ AT TOMORROW, for Mark Dolin, a multi-instrumentalist from the Phoenix area.  Also on the disc are members of the TOP team: David Garibaldi on drums, road manager Raymond McKinley on bass, and Mike Bogart on trumpet and trombone. The horns were superbly arranged by T.O.P. horn arranger Dave Eskridge, and all the guitar parts were played by Bill Moio.

Contact Mark Dolin at Mark_dolin@hotmail.com
His web sites are http://www.markdolinmusic.com
and http://www.myspace.com/markdolinmusic
 
http://www.towerofpower.com

Grand Funk Railroad dates

 
Summer will be pretty active for “The American Band,” especially around the fourth of July.  Grand Funk Railroad is: drummer Don Brewer, bassist Mel Schacher, singer Max Carl, guitarist Bruce Kulick and keyboardist Tim Cashion. Here are upcoming Grand Funk Railroad dates, with more to added.

February 23       Billy Bob's Texas          Ft. Worth, TX
February 28       Chumash Casino              Santa Ynez, CA
March 8           Soaring Eagle Casino        Mt. Pleasant, MI
April 5              Westworld                   Scottsdale, AZ
May 15            San Bernardino Co. Fair     Victorville, CA                      
June 7            Chingawassa Days Festival    Marion, KS
June 14            Green Valley Ranch Showroom  Henderson,NV
July 3            Red Rhythm & Boom Celebration    Mason, OH
July 4            Texas Motorplex            Ennis, TX
July 19            Heritage Park            Muskegon, MI  
July 26, 27        Busch Gardens            Williamsburg, VA
August 23        E. State Blvd.            Ft. Wayne, IN
September 6        Weatherby Field            Ft. Benning,GA

http://www.grandfunkrailroad.com

News from friends

 

Dan Berggren  (http://www.berggrenfolk.com) writes that he is on a documentary about a late, beloved Vermont folk singer named Margaret MacArthur.  It’s called MARGARET’S WALTZ and won the Best Documentary from the Northeast Regional Alliance For Community Media.
For more information, please visit the site of the filmmaker, folk musician Rebecca Padula:
http://www.rebeccapadula.com/video.asp

**
A couple of multi-talented journalists have interesting stories.  Don Wilcock was given the Blues Foundation’s Keeping The Blues Alive in Print Journalism Award in Memphis on his 64th birthday, February 2, 2008. Don was the President of The Northeast Blues Society. He’s also a contributing editor to Blues Revue and BluesWax, writes for THE RECORD, a daily paper in Troy, NY, and many other publications. Don is the author of Buddy Guy’s authorized biography, DAMN RIGHT I’VE GOT THE BLUES.
**
Musician/writer Johnny Blair  (http://www.johnnyjblair.com) is writing 12 at 50: MUSICAL REVELATIONS AT AGE 50.  These are profiles on his favorite artists and albums.  He’s written about David Bowie’s SPACE ODDITY and Johnny Cash’s THE BALLAD OF IRA HAYES.  Here’s the full listing, which he started sharing this past August.  If you’d like to start receiving his commentaries (and career updates), please drop him a note at jjb@johnnyjblair.com .  

1) August: Johnny Cash The Ballad of Ira Hayes (1964)
2) September: The Beach Boys The Trader (1973)
3) October: George Gershwin Allegro from Concerto in F (1925)
4) November: The Supremes I Hear a Symphony  (1965)
5) December: David Bowie Space Oddity (1969)
6) January: Yardbirds Over Under Sideways Down (1966)
7) February: Miles Davis What I Say (1970)
8) March: Roxy Music Out of the Blue (1974)
9) April: Astor Piazzolla Libertango (1974)
10) May: Erik Satie Gnosseinnes #1 (1890)
11) June: U2 I Will Follow (1980)
12) July: Sister Rosetta Tharpe Amazing Grace (1953)