Gary Lucas and friends Feifei Yang and Jason Candler release “The Edge of Heaven Volume 2”

On Chinese New Year Feb. 7th 2026 (Year of the Fire Horse), Gary Lucas released “The Edge of Heaven Volume 2,” featuring Chinese vocalist and erhu virtuoso Feifei Yang and multi-instrumentalist Jason Candler, on over 140 digital formats, including Apple Music, Amazon Music, Spotify, and YouTube.

"Even if you are totally, thoroughly unfamiliar with the genre known as Mid-century Chinese Pop music, you may still find yourself hypnotically drawn into this record “The Edge of Heaven Volume 2,” the latest collection from guitarist Gary Lucas, singer and musician Feifei Yang, and multi-instrumentalist Jason Candler. This is music originally recorded in Shanghai during the 1930s and '40s by some of the great female singing stars of China—in particular (for this program) Bai Kwong, Chow Hsuan, and Yao Lee—not exactly household names even for western aficionados, but with an indescribable allure nearly a century(!) later that is impossible not to warm up to and feel comfortable with. Gary Lucas is an adventurous musical soul whose affection for this vintage arcania is second nature, and he succeeds in delivering the magic."
—Arthur Levy, rock writer and editor emeritus, music historian, album annotator, researcher, archivist, mensch

"The ever-prolific Gary Lucas has just released a new album. With this one he is revisiting the music of his earlier album “Edge of Heaven” where he takes a deep dive into 1930s – ‘40s Chinese pop from Shanghai. “Edge of Heaven Volume 2” features Gary's guitar accompanying singer Feifei Yang with Jason Candler on reeds and percussion. It took me a while to get into that first album, but once I’d listened to a few of the original songs and then went back to the album, it all made sense. There's a dreamy, otherworldly feel to the music, although that is probably a response based on hearing it with Western ears...or maybe not. Fascinating stuff, give it a go if you haven't already.”
—Steve Froy, The Captain Beefheart Radar Station

Amazon Music album link: music.amazon.in/albums/B0GMKXYWHG

“The Edge of Heaven Volume 2”is the follow-up to Gary's album, “The Edge of Heaven – Gary Lucas Plays Mid-Century Chinese Pop,” originally released on the French government-backed Label Bleu, which received stellar reviews internationally and rose to #1 on the World Music Charts.  MOJO called it “simply gorgeous…played by a guitarist who learned his chops in Kowloon's dive bars before unleashing his skills with Beefheart.”

Both albums are filled with Chinese pop songs known as “shidaiqu,” Mandarin for "popular songs of the era"—a fascinating amalgam of Eastern and Western musical influences.

Lush, romantic, hypnotic, and melodic, these songs were originally recorded in Pathe Studios in Shanghai in the 30's and 40's, a cosmopolitan free port at the time known as "the Paris of the East."

Gary, Feifei, and Jason focus on the music of several of the best-known female vocal stylists of the era—part of a group known as the “Seven Great Singing Stars of China”:  

*Bai Kwong:  sensual, husky-voiced singer known as the "Mae West of China." Covered are "Pretense," "Old Dreams," "If I'm Without You," and "Where is My Home."

*Chow Hsuan: known as the "Golden Voice of China": "Tell Me," "On Two Roads," "Mad World," "Tale of the Man-Jong Game," "New Pair of Flowers," "Seeing Older Brother Off," and "Spring in Zhong Mountain."

*Teresa Teng: 1970/1980s’ Tawainese superstar. "The Moon Represents My Heart" was one of her hits.

* “The Edge of Heaven Volume Two” includes an instrumental version of “Rose Rose, I Love You,” made famous by Yao Lee, who dubbed vocals for leading Chinese actresses in the movies from the 1940s on.    

The musicians in the orchestras assembled for these recordings included many European refugees fleeing the Nazis, Fascists, and Bolsheviks.

For more information on The Golden Age of Chinese Pop, visit The Story of Shidaiqu:  interaction.sixthtone.com/feature/2026/Shanghai-Sessions/

Gary Lucas has been called “One of the most original guitarists in America...a modern guitar miracle” by Rolling Stone magazine. He has released over 50 acclaimed albums in every conceivable genre, written hits for Jeff Buckley and Joan Osborne, toured in over 40 countries, and played and collaborated with luminaries like Lou Reed, Jeff Buckley, Captain Beefheart, Nick Cave, Chris Cornell, Bob Weir, Leonard Bernstein, et al. he has composed music for film and tv and also live scores accompanying films both silent and sound, he’s received several Lifetime Achievement Awards and Songwriting Awards in Italy for his work with Jeff Buckley, and performed before the General Assembly of the UN for Holocaust Remembrance Day.

Feifei Yang is an internationally recognized Chinese string virtuoso, mezzo-soprano, and Voting Member of the Recording Academy (GRAMMY Awards). As a Global Music Award and Berlin Music Video Award winner, she has brought the erhu to major cultural stages. Featured by media outlets including CBS, NBC, and AFP, she is acclaimed for interpreting Chinese music with emotional depth, artistic refinement, and a distinctly modern voice.

Jason Candler is a multi-talented musician, producer, sound designer for films, and recording engineer who has played reed instruments, guitar and percussion with Gary Lucas in a variety of ensembles since the mid-‘90s, as well as working with the Hungry March Band and his own group Earth People.

Produced by Gary Lucas and Jason Candler
Recorded and mixed in NYC by Jason Candler
Cover design by Joe Dizney
Cover photo by Jesse Winter
Executive Producer: Bob Rubin

3XA video for "Old Dreams" 

 

Songs on “The Edge of Heaven Volume 2” and Their Songwriters

1. “Old Dreams”  Ho Shang and Usuay Shi Tsuen

2.  "If I’m Without You” Chang Hung and Lu Li

3. “New Pair of Flowers” Yan Hua

4. “The Mad World”  Li Qui Niu and Li Chun Ching

5. “On Two Roads” Yan Zhezi and Li Jongiua

6. “The Moon Represents My Heart"  Weng Ching-Shi and Sun Yi

7. “Spring in Zhong Mountain”  Fan Yanquiao and Li Jingjuan

8. “Pretense”  Ching Geng and Yay Yi Fong

9. “Rose Rose I Love You”  Chen Gexin and Wu Sun

10.“Seeing Older Brother Off” Wang Luobin

11.“Tell Me” Yan Zhexi

12. “Where is My Home” Chen Re Jing and Hsu Soo Ling

  

“The Edge of Heaven-Volume 2” webpage:  https://garylucas.com/www/edgetwo/edgetwo.shtml

"One Man's Meat" by Gary Lucas & David Johansen

 Gary Lucas co-wrote “One Man’s Meat” with David Johansen, who sang it for Gary’s Gods and Monsters’ 2006 release, “Coming Clean,” and it reappeared on 2022’s “The Essential Gods and Monsters.”   Rob Tannenbaum included the song in this past Saturday’s New York Times Playlist at https://bit.ly/41ECGhm

Rob cites David’s “Buddhist-adjacent philosophy through a series of riddles and paradoxes delivered at breakneck speed over Gary Lucas’s careening guitar.”  It's uptempo, frenetic, lucid song with a double entendre and waffles on the fine line of flow versus fear.    

March 1 Richard Skipper Celebrates “Rock Veterans of the NYC Club Scene!”

 with Rock Troubadour Elliott Murphy, Ernie Brooks, Kenny Margolis, Matthew Murphy

Elliott Murphy is celebrating his 75^th birthday live on stage at his annual birthday concert at Paris’ entertainment venue, New Morning.  As part of the celebration, he and some of his New York City bandmates—keyboardist/accordionist Kenny Margolis, bassist Ernie Brooks, and brother Matthew Murphy—will appear on Richard Skipper Celebrates on YouTube at https://youtube.com/live/4xGDbTvwnYI?feature=share on March 1, 2024 at 3:30 PM ET/9:30 PM France time/12:30 PM PT.  

Elliott Murphy

Five decades have passed since the release of Elliott’s first album Aquashow (Polydor 1973) widely considered a classic and rated 4½ stars on the prestigious All Music Guide.

Born on Long Island to a show business family (his father owned and produced the original Aquashow water spectacle on the site of the 1939 World’s Fair, Elliott began his music career with a troubadour like odyssey in Europe in 1971 including landing a bit part in Federico Fellini’s Roma. Returning to the US, he quickly secured a recording contract. Following the success of Aquashow came Lost Generation (RCA), Night Lights (RCA), Just a Story from America (Columbia), and Selling the Gold (WEA) featuring an outstanding duet, Everything I do (leads me back to you), with Bruce Springsteen. Bruce invites Elliott to perform with him while in Europe. Along with Billy Joel and Willie Nile, Bruce has appeared in the documentary, “The Second Act of Elliott Murphy” and in the movie, “Broken Poet,” along with his wife Patty Scialfa and actors Marisa Berenson, Michael O’Keefe, Françoise Viallon.    Elliott’s current releases Prodigal Son, Elliott Murphy is Alive!, Ricochet, and Wonder, were produced and mixed by his son Gaspard Murphy.

Elliott was awarded La Medaille de la Ville de Paris by the Mayor of Paris, a Chevalier des Arts et Lettres by the French Minister of Culture, and La Grande Bellezza lifetime achievement award in Zurich. Billy Joel inducted Elliott into the Long Island Music Hall of Fame and had him join him on stage at Madison Square Garden.

Elliott celebrates his birthday, performing annual concerts at Paris’ New Morning on March 15 and 16.

Ernie Brooks
Ernie’s played with the original Modern Lovers, Love of Life Orchestra, Necessaries, David Johansen, Jean-Francois Pausvros, Arthur Russell, Allen Ginsberg, Gary Lucas, Rhys Chatham, Glenn Branca, Jerry Harrison, Chris Spedding, and—of course—Elliott!  

Ernie’s work with Elliott ran from the mid-‘70s through this century with live shows and over a dozen records.   

Today Ernie plays with Tape Hiss, with collaborators Steve Shelley, Peter Zummo, David Nagler, Pete Galub and Mustafa Ahmed.

Coming soon is Ernie’s second solo album. A limited release of Arthur Russell’s “You Can Make Me Feel Bad” performed by Tape Hiss is available on Bandcamp.

Kenny Margolis
Kenny’s professional career began in 1976 with Exuma, a Bahamian artist. In 1979, he joined Mink DeVille for three albums, including the acclaimed Le Chat Bleu. They reunited in 2005 for the live DVD at Amsterdam’s Paradiso, Live In The Lowlands. Between 1996-2006, Kenny played with alternative rock band Cracker for 9 albums.   

Kenny’s toured and played on Elliott’s Rainy Season, Last Of The Rock Stars, Soul Surfing, Strings Of The Storm, Murphy Gets Muddy, Notes From The Underground, Coming Home Again, and Never Say Never, The Best of 1995-2005…And More.

He's worked with The Smithereens, Rogue’s March, the late great Shane MacGowan, The Silos, Del Lords, Little Bob, Marshall Crenshaw, and Richard Barone for the Harry Nilsson tribute album, “For The Love Of Harry.” Kenny composed music for James Gandolfini’s The Italian Movie and contributed to soundtracks, notably The Pope of Greenwich Village.  His bands include Lucky 7 and UpSouth Twisters.    

On March 15 The 26^th year of Joe Hurley’s Irish Rock Review at Bowery Electric.

March 16: Manhattan screening of the film Heaven Stood Still…The Incarnations of Willy DeVille.   

Matthew Murphy
Matthew started his music career as Elliott Murphy’s bassist for Aquashow. They opened for the New York Dolls, Kinks, Jefferson Starship, Aerosmith, Hot Tuna. His first tour managing gig was with brother Elliott! He’s continued to work with him, starting with helping create his first indie label Courtisane Records.

Matthew’s tour managed artists including Blondie, B-52s, Talking Heads, Eurythmics, Roger Waters, Luther Vandross, Bryan Ferry, Patti Smith, Kenny G, UB40, John Hiatt, Edie Brickell, Dave Stewart, and the Blue Man Group.

Since 2009, Matthew’s been making shows run smoothly for Steve Martin & Martin Short all over the world.    

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Sept. 11 NYC It's Gary Lucas' 40th Anniversary Celebration

 

On Saturday September 11th 2021, acclaimed guitarist, songwriter and composer GARY LUCAS celebrates
40 years of innovative music with an all-star show at NYC’s LE POISSON ROUGE.

Lucas will perform solo, in duo format, and with his longtime jazz-rock supergroup GODS AND MONSTERS, featuring Ernie Brooks (Modern Lovers) bass, Jerry Harrison (Talking Heads) keyboards, Billy Ficca (Television) drums, and Jason Candler (Hungry March Band) sax.

Special guests include Thurston Moore (Sonic Youth) guitar, and vocalists Richard Barone, Felice Rosser, and Emily Duff.

The show runs from 8pm to 10pm. 

Le Poisson Rouge is located at 158 Bleecker Street in Manhattan.

Tickets: https://bit.ly/3B70RWB

GARY LUCAS: has been called  “One of the 100 Greatest Living Guitarists” by Classic Rock Magazine. The New York Times writes:  “Gary Lucas plays guitar like Salvador Dali paints." The Grammy-nominated guitarist/songwriter/composer has released over 35 acclaimed albums as a leader in multiple genres including jazz, rock, avant-garde, world, classical, folk and electronica and played on countless others. He’s performed in 40-plus countries including China, Russia, India. Japan, Australia, Mexico, Brazil, Cuba, Israel, and all over Canada, the US, and Eastern and Western Europe. A partial list of artists he’s worked and collaborated with includes Jeff Buckley, Captain Beefheart, Future Sound of London, Nick Cave, Nona Hendryx, Chris Cornell, Patti Smith, Peter Hammill, Lou Reed, John Cale, Joan Osborrne, Los Van Van, and the Plastic People of the Universe. Mr. Lucas makes his home in NYC.  http://www.garylucas.com 

New Music Summer 2021

The Time We Share  Hank Wedel  midtempo, friendly song, male tenor It's great to see you, we thought you were dead, hook: It's all about the time we share, reconnecting, friends reunion.  http://hankwedel.bandcamp.com

Alone Too Long  John Hall   midtempo rock with moody electric guitar, Ed Sheeran-like, “Don't stay alone too long. you might start to like it,” mentions NETFLIX, It's about coming out of isolation. friends reuniting, 

Stronger Than I Know  Teresa James   Demi Lovato Sia Bonnie Tyler pop/country-Americana, sticking to it through hard time and mentally abusive situations. Stronger than I know, stand up and fight. Make these wrongs right  http://soundcloud.com/karen-besbeck/stronger-than-i-know

One Man’s Meat  Gary Lucas & David Johansen  uptempo fierce & frenetic rock David Johansen vocals Gary Lucas guitar, wild horns.  Hamlet, the Garden of Eden, Neighborhood bully. "fish meat"  

Cognitive Dissonance Joe Deninzon, Randy McStine & Stratospheerius  male tenor vocals hard rock electric-violin & guitars People believing lies religion politics fear friendships being lost due to religious differences, hatred is taught.

I Know You’re Real  Gunhill Road   Version 1:   spoken word voice like Alex Trebeck,  Walt Whitman-esque lyrics: beams of light, be kind, respects animals without mentioning the word "animals."  treasure. “thou shalt not kill”  

Meth and the Single Girl/Angry Lady  Bronx Buffalo hip-hop, methamphetamine, meth, angry lady, drunken sailor sea shanty melody, traditional. antidrug, selfcare, friends, dumb,  Nicki Minaj-esque,  JustSayNo, darkside mindful “gimme a kiss, mwah” http://soundcloud.com/leightonmedia/meth-the-single-girl

My Name Is Africa Roeshdien Jaz  rapper with piano and soulful female singer in background, haunted by the treatment of white society to the native blacks of South Africa.  

   

Fall Songs from Soul Moves Music

Meet Josh Lewis, who fronts Anita Squeeze. They've got great hard rock sound with influences of the Black Crowes and Rolling Stones.  Josh's yearning tenor reminds me of Axl Rose.  I heard ZZ Top-style guitars on his song THROW ME A LINE.  It's about the loss of a father, and how his "ocean of tears lead me to dry land... Throw me a line." 



Phoebe Legere is touring, writing songs, and teaching children at her Foundation for New American Art. Earlier this year her children's chorus performed songs created in New York City's Lower East Side from the days that Native Americans ruled Manhattan till now, with a rewrite of a Ramones' hit!
This versatile songwriter's LOCAL WINE has delicious double-entendres like “wrap myself around you like a grapevine,” This is the New York version of the song.  We'd love to personalize it for you.

Rebecca and "Kathy Mattea" rhyme!

 Rebecca Loebe loved her debut on Mountain Stage, Charleston, WV.  In addition to Rebecca, featured performers were Shawn Colvin, Lucy Kaplansky, Bruce Robison & Kelly Willis, and Kacy & Clayton.  This broadcast was hosted by Kathy Mattea.

Rebecca's comforting song, GHOSTS has a great lyric, "Give up the ghosts, at least the ones you love the most--they'll never hold you as close." Her friends and mine, Darin and Denby at Blue Corn Music are administering the songs on her latest album, also called GHOSTS! 832-649-7147, denby@bluecornmusic.com, daria@bluecornmusic.com   



Dean Friedman and John Batdorf perform at the legendary MY FATHER'S PLACE on Oct. 5.  He is the "special guest" for the Steven Page Trio on select dates in Florida, Georgia, Maryland, Washington DC, Pennsylvania, Ohio, New York, New Jersey.  Steven was in Barenaked Ladies, who covered Dean's "McDonald's Girl," a teen idol song from the point of view of a 15-year old baseball player to an "angel in polyester" working at McDonalds. The song was also used in a McDonalds' commercial.   

One of my instrumentalists, Joe Olnick has a new fusion album, IGUANA is available for syncs.  "Don's Theme" features his electric guitar in a thoughtful vibe similar to Pink Floyd, Alex Skolnick, Kyuss.


Listen to Rob Bonfiglio's WARM LOVING CHRISTMAS.  He's one of Brian Wilson and Carnie Wilson’s long time musical partners.  Wilson Phillips also recorded this song with all the imagery of mistletoe and writing our names in the snow!  


We just got word that my partner Karen Besbeck has a song, HIGH LOVE will be in Netflix's "Sweet Magnolias" in 2020!  Yay!  It's like Kelly Clarkson updating Dottie West's "Country Sunshine."

BEHIND THE CURTAIN by Joe Deninzon & Stratospheerius is knocking it out of the ballpark.  It's an aggressive rock song about deception OR transparency and lack of.  Uses “Wizard of Oz” keywords, especially “Pay No Attention to the Man Behind the Curtain.” Joe and his band Jason Gianni-drums (The Ultimate Queen Celebration, Trans-Siberian Orchestra, Rock of Ages, Neil Morse Band), Michaelangelo Quirinale-guitar (Thrilldriver), and Paul Ranieri-bass (Mark Wood, Circuline, Rock This Town) have been streamed 3 million plus times on social media.

ProgStock is happening in Rahway, NJ on Columbus Weekend, along with Jane Getter, Robert Berry, Nektar, Rachel Flowers, and Saga.  Saga's leadsinger Michael Sadler was blown away by electric violinist Joe Deninzon at late night showcase at ProgStock last year. said, "I never heard someone approach the instrument that way. Reinventing the way you look at the violin. It’s taking a traditional instrument, and doing your way."

Joe Deninzon and I co-wrote "The Greatest Lives" about what Muhammad Ali would want us to know.  It's going to be on an album by South Africa's Thembeka Mnguni.  Look for a US release on sports radio Jan. 17, 2020.  Thembeka is a superheroine version of Etta James and Cissy Houston combined.  




FAIR WEATHER by Gary Lucas & Jann Klose is a fingerpicking guitar blueser about dealing with psychopathic "friends." Gary has a number of film score performances including “Dracula Vs. Frankenstein” at the Chutzpah! Festival, in Vancouver on Oct. 30  and the 1931 Spanish-language “Dracula” in Mexico on Nov. 2 and 3.  More dates at GaryLucas.com. Jann's vocals was described recently by No Depression as a "Folk version of Sam Cooke!" He opens for the Yardbirds on October 10 in Rockville, MD, has a song in the upcoming movie, MARRIED YOUNG, and sings Gandhi's words in the soundtrack of ONE LITTLE FINGER. Email me for ONE LITTLE FINGER. Visit http://www.theyardbirds.com/tour.html.



NEVER TAKE LOVE FOR GRANTED by the warm folk singer Dan Berggren is one of my favorite Christmas songs with the hook, “You’ll never take love for granted if you always give love in return.”  

Soul Moves Music Holiday Songs

Very active summer with new jamband fusion music coming in from Joe Olnick, a TBA film placement with my music director Roberta Piket.  Phoebe Legere playing the Congres Mondial Acadien, in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia's Coal Fuel Festival.  She is finishing a collaboration with one of Canada's greatest poets. Gary Lucas performs at Vancouver's Chutzpah Cultural Film Festival this October. The Movie, “One Little Finger” premieres at the Laemmle Monica Film Center on August 16, at 7 PM. The event starts at 5:30 PM with a Red Carpet Opening. 

We have more holiday music, including some Dean Friedman songs for Rosh Hashanah and Hanukah... or is it Chanukah? 

IT'S CHRISTMAS TIME by Jon Mullane: the joys of Christmas, and getting ready for it.  Sounds like Maroon 5. Tempo exactly like BandAid’s “Do They Know It’s Christmastime…”

REINER THE RHINESTONE REINDEER Phoebe Legere  

LGBTQ-friendly about a well-dressed reindeer that lit up the sky with all his bling! bling! bling!

AULD LANG SYNE Tony Moore  Reflective and gentle tenor, singing about the Old and New Years. 

WHY CAN’T EVERYDAY BE LIKE CHRISTMAS (punk metal rock) Tang   Metal Punk, Fast drums, crunch guitar, female vocals

SOME SAY CHANUKAH Dean Friedman: Live Recording, a singalong with kids, that includes laughter Ha-Ha-Ha-Hanukah AND singing comments on how “Cha-NU-Kah” could be pronounced!  They sing about other seasonal customs in this fun song. 

WARM, LOVIN’ CHRISTMASTIME Rob Bonfiglio  Bouncy Brian Wilson-y, from one of Brian AND Carnie Wilson’s long time musical partners.  In fact, Carnie and Rob have recorded this, and so have Wilson Phillips! Imagery of mistletoe and writing our names in the snow!

If you are looking for jamband /fusion substitutes like the Dixie Dregs, Medeski Martin & Wood, and Mastersounds, ask me for a Joe Olnick zipfile.

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The Slambovian Circus of Dreams Tour the UK July

Please share downloadable flyer of the Slambovians UK Tour-July 4-15

New York City based band The Slambovian Circus of Dreams are touring the UK in the first 2 weeks of July 2019.

Starting off as the almost heavy metal Ancestors in the '90s the band have taken all that is good in folk, country and americana with a twist of Pink Floyd flavouring. 

The Slambovians have melded their own unique sound that is at once familiar yet almost impossible to pigeon hole. The Slambovian Circus of Dreams have such an eclectic live stage presence that once seen, always hooked. Rubbing regular shoulders with some of the icons of American music the band have got some serious endorsees. 

Garth Hudson of The Band is a committed Slambovian disciple and fan describing frontman Joziah Longo as “An awesome songwriter”. Writers have quoted lyrical similarities to both Bob Dylan and John Prine. A close listen to their many albums and well attended live shows would bear out that comparison.

Well known as a touring band throughout the North Eastern States, the popularity of The Slambovian Circus of Dreams have earned them a virtual residency at many of the larger folk festivals. 

Gary Lucas, outstanding guitarist with Jeff Buckley and early member of Captain Beefheart’s Magic Band is quoted saying "It was an honor and a privilege to play with the great psychedelic band The Slambovian Circus of Dreams". Had the stars aligned, Gary Lucas would have toured with the band given half a chance. Maybe next tour?

Dave Pegg, renowned bassist and long time member of Fairport Convention, co-curator of Cropredy Festival met up with Slambovian UK management, Jonti Willis recently and said we could quote him widely, “Love the band and the music (of The Slambovian Circus of Dreams)” – Dave Pegg Fairport Convention. He’s also going to endorse a recommendation for a Cropredy Festival 2020 appearance too.

The New York Times says…. “They Take The Stage By Storm” And so they do!

UK Shows

Thursday, July 4th Black Dyke Mills Heritage Venue  Bradford 

Friday, July 5th, The Greystones  Sheffield 

Saturday, July 6th    Linton Music Festival Ross-on-Wye 

Sunday, July 7th The Eyes Have It Festival  Duffield  

Tuesday, July 9th   The Platform   Morecambe

Thursday, July 11th  The Stables  Milton Keynes 

Friday, July 12th  The Fox and Firkin   Lewisham 

Saturday, July 13th  Platform Festival   Pocklington 

Sunday, July 14th  Blue Funk Rhythm & Blues Club  Poynton

Monday, July 15th   Cubley Hall   Penistone  

Great Outdoors-Inspired Songs

CLIMB THE HIGHEST MOUNTAIN by Gary Lucas (co-writer of Jeff Buckley’s hits MOJO PIN and GRACE, and Joan Osborne’s Grammy-nominated song SPIDER WEB). Gary’s soaring and motivational rock song with horns and a wailing chorus, “Climb the highest mountain so you can stand tall!” 

Gary and his rock band, Gods and Monsters, will perform at the Iridium, NYC, on May 31. He’ll include some of his classic Chinese pop with long-time collaborator singer Feifei Yang. Classic folks from the NYC rock and punk scene (bassist Ernie Brooks (Modern Lovers, Elliott Murphy, David Johansen), and drummer Billy Ficca (Television, Waitresses, Washington Squares), and saxophonist/analog studio owner Jason Candler) are in Gary’s band. Ernie, Billy and Jason do sessions. 

Then look for a full show of Chinese Pop from Gary and Feifei, on July 25, at  The Loft at City Winery NYC

8pm.  That show will feature dreamy ’30s Shanghai Pop, 

and new Mandarin versions of songs by Bob Dylan and other great artists. 

  (more info on Gary's Chinese pop: http://garylucas.com/www/edgelive/edgelive.shtml) 

More Tourdates at http://www.garylucas.com/tour.shtml 

TWINKLE LITTLE STAR by Miss Amy is one of the most pure-in-heart versions of the classic lullaby that you're ever going to hear!

TCHATCHAKES LATKES by Rachael Sage

 a perfect song for the news this Hanukah (Dec. 12-20). She sings the ingredients in this festive ditty which sounds good late night/early morning.

FROM EVERY MOUNTAINSIDE by Dan Berggren is for the Fourth of July, and is the same melody of "My Country 'Tis of Thee." Dan's version is about fighting for the environment and liberty to keep us strong.   

http://anneleighton.com/soul-moves-music/

From Every Mountainside

My country, ‘tis for thee

I’ll fight for liberty

To keep us strong.

When power is shared by you, 

Not just a chosen few.

We know what we must do 

To right the wrongs.

Don’t take for granted 

Seeds that were planted 

Centuries ago.

Seeds of democracy, 

Nurtured with honesty, 

Become our liberty 

When we share the load.

My country, I love thee.

Long may thy flag fly free;

for you I stand.

But I don’t appreciate

The way some do generate

A national pride that’s based on hate 

Of another land.

This world may never be 

Completely trouble-free,

And yet we cling.

Let us who share this place 

Do so with strength and grace. 

We are one human race

Of thee I sing.

traditional tune, words ©2004 Dan Berggren 

Listen to Our Spotify Playlist

October: Songs of Kindness for Soul Moves Music

We need a little kindness, and music brings it.



ENDOMORPH (Dedicated to My Parents) Allan Holdsworth 
Vocals by Craig Copeland 

Free flowing, jazz-influenced, slow.  Allan's synthaxe and a celestial tenor play slow and enchanting:  "there was a time."  

The lyrics are about unfinished business—words never said to a love.

TOO GONE, TOO YOUNG by Hank Wedel

Hank wrote "Listen" for Christy Moore, and lives in County Cork. TOO GONE, TOO YOUNG is about a late, great friend who “always had the best boots, he really knew his leather.”  hook: “Living in the land of love.” Tempo will remind you of John Stewart’s “GOLD.” 

PARALLEL REALITY  Joe Deninzon & Stratospheerius About parenting, and missing his son while he's on the road. Like a faster and heavier “High Fly” (John Miles hit). Bad ass drums. It's about how tour life is a fantasy world; a parallel existence that is fleeting. Hence the line "a fleeting kiss is all this is."   (P.S. Yes, that is Joe's son Max Deninzon that did the art work for the album!)

BEHIND THE CURTAIN  Joe Deninzon Stratospheerius

Joe is asking for an honest world, and not getting answers from public figures, corporations, politicians!  Electric violin-fueled progressive hard rock! A song that talks about the masks we all wear in public. Conspiracies! The song uses lots of “Wizard Oz” keywords: “Pay No Attention to the Man Behind The Curtain.” “Click your heels 3 times.” Similar tempo to Black Sabbath’s PARANOID.

SISTERSONG by Rachael Sage 

Imagine if all the women agreed to dialogue with one another as opposed to about one another. Keyword: "I will stay with you... I will keep you company... that's what sisters do."  A fan posts, "I used to think Ani DiFranco or Tori Amos wrote this song..."

NOBODY'S TALKING Gary Lucas & Jann Klose

Both Gary and Jann sing on this acoustic “zombies on cell-phones that short-circuit meaningful dialogue” song. Saxophone included. “J-sweet” is a technical term related to hacking using Java. P.S. How many years have we been asking our friends in the same room to talk to us, not their cellphones? 

TOUCH OF KINDNESS Elliott Murphy

Rebuilding self-esteem through kindness.  jangly guitar.  TOUCH OF KINDNESS was number one in Belgium!

Hear our expanding Holiday reel at: https://soundcloud.com/leightonmedia/sets/seasonal-christmas-hannakah 

http://anneleighton.com/soul-moves-music/

Anne & Her Artists Remember Chuck Berry

  When you lose someone you love, you tend to compare notes with friends.  Four of my artists and I have things to say about Chuck Berry’s impact on our works.

“I thought he was just great.”
-Allan Holdsworth 

“I saw Chuck Berry open for Frank Zappa, Oct. 8th, 1971 at the New Haven Arena with Syracuse legends Bobby Comstock and the Counts backing him up (and they were damn good too, no ‘sloppy back-up band” from my hometown)… and I recall thinking, “This is the greatest rock’n’roll show I have ever witnessed.”
-Gary Lucas  

“Chuck Berry was the TRUE king of Rock’n’Roll! A revolutionary performer with a dynamic stage presence. He created the duckwalk, revolutionized slide guitar and rock guitar soloing. He created the blueprint that we follow to this day. Long live the king!”
-Joe Deninzon    

“Chuck Berry: Took the classic slide guitar double stop and simplified it to its orgiastic essence.
Chuck Berry shaped the vocabulary of rock n roll with a wizard smile and the flesh of a single finger.
Chuck served it up smoking hot, real and golden brown to a mass audience of sex-crazed pubescent malcontents,
Chuck exposed the dark and grinning demonic scatalogical backside of the American Dream,
He transformed Ida Red to Maybelline in a brilliant stroke of Commercial Pop Art savvy.
He made us shiver with joy at the sound of of his libidinous luminosity.
Chuck also tortured 3 generations of mercenary pick-up bands who shit in their pants just trying, in vain, to please him.”
-Phoebe Legere

“I’ve stolen so much from him.I loved that he created the phrase ‘motorvating over the hill.’ I stole that for a Motivational article I posted; Wayne Kramer wrote me a note, and gave me thumbs up. I’ve stolen from Wayne, too!  Hail hail rock and roll!”
—Anne Leighton

DeAngela Napier: Visual Storyteller Profiled in PSYCHOLOGY TODAY Online

Artist Explains How she Uses Photos and Moving Pictures in Creating Music Videos for Gary Lucas & Jann Klose, plus other Artists, Entrepreneurs, and—of course—Organizations!

Dr. Mike Friedman’s BRICK BY BRICK July 19th column in PSYCHOLOGY TODAY features a look at the creator of Gary Lucas & Jann Klose’s latest music video, NOBODY’S TALKING from their album STEREOPTICON.

Dr. Friedman says, ”I think DeAngela Napier’s approach to visual storytelling gives us a window into how we can develop open-minded approach to our lives."

DeAngela Napier is the digital strategist and visual storyteller who is responsible for STEREOPTICON’s music videos (“Secret Wings” and “Fair Weather”). She explores how carefully selected imagery conveys a powerful message above and beyond music videos. Gary Lucas and Jann Klose’s first two videos offer an insider’s view of New York City while NOBODY’S TALKING’s visuals are comprised of stock footage, selected and edited by DeAngela to convey the tongue-in-cheek lyrical message about everybody talking on their cellphones while they’re surrounded by real people in the real world.

“My work consist of producing content and collaborating with organizations and entrepreneurs on marketing and media strategies. These strategies often include visual storytelling to convey meaning that resonate longer with the listener/viewer.” Her collaborations include producing projects, creating imagery with photography/video and editing digital assets for multi-media projects. In NOBODY’S TALKING, she combines her personal love of music and background in production to craft an entertaining peak at mobile obsession in 2016. View NOBODY’S TALKING at www.youtube.com/watch?v=mr9TDnt65Ag.

Her visuals are worth a million words! For more information on her company’s services visit www.thenapiernetwork.com.   

www.psychologytoday.com/blog/brick-brick/201607/thinking-visually-deangela-napier

Dr. Michael Friedman, Ph.D. is a clinical psychologist who has been studying how psychological processes impact us as individuals and as a society for over 20 years. In addition to co-authoring a number of academic papers, he’s shared insight on CNN, NPR, Fox News, Wall Street Journal Radio, and in his Psychology Today column, BRICK BY BRICK… Currently he’s working with Vegan Publishers on a book about vegan musicians.  

Sloth from BEACHSLOTH writes of “Nobody’s Talking,” “Without talking, without communication, life could become so boring, unaware of all the potential people a person could meet on any given day…Tasteful and elegant to its very core, Gary Lucas & Jann Klose create a timeless piece of chamber pop”   

PREMIER GUITAR is currently streaming STEREOPTICON, coinciding with an intensive article by Ted Drozdowski: Gary Lucas: Sincerely Strange.  Read this study of Gary Lucas’ guitar history including how working on Captain Beefheart’s song “Flavor Bud Living” stretched the limits of Gary’s fingerpicking technique, which he uses so deftly on STEREOPTICON. www.premierguitar.com/articles/24209-gary-lucas-sincerely-strange.  

Both Gary & Jann’s talents are noted in the 4 star review in MOJO, “Klose has a fabulous wide-ranging voice with an individual style, while Lucas’s luminous chord work and mesmeric fingerpicking is a joy throughout.”

Friends in Long Island should be aware of an upcoming TV appearance from Gary & Jann on WLNY’s LIVE IT UP w/ Donna Drake.  

Gary received a Grammy nomination for co-writing “Spider Web” with Joan Osborne from her triple platinum album, RELISH. He co-wrote Jeff Buckley’s signature songs “Grace” and “Mojo Pin” from the singer’s double platinum album, GRACE. ROLLING STONE says Gary is “One of the best and most original guitarists in America…a modern guitar miracle.” Some of his collaborations with Jeff are now on Showtime’s ROADIES by Cameron Crowe, and their song “Grace” recently on YOU AND I, which charted on BILLBOARD at 57. Current releases: FLEISCHEREI: MUSIC FROM MAX FLEISCHER CARTOONS and PEARLY CLOUDS. Gary & Nona Hendryx will release THE WORLD OF CAPTAIN BEEFHEART, whom Gary worked with very closely.  

Born in Germany and raised in Kenya, South Africa and the United States, Jann Klose is writing with Ann Hampton Callaway, Renaissance’s Annie Haslam, and The Yardbirds’ Jim McCarty. He appears in the award-winning Australian feature documentary A VENUE FOR THE END OF THE WORLD (BrinkVision, USA). Most recently Jann scored the music for the award-winning short film THE BEAUTY OF DISASTER. His most recent album, MOSAIC won three 2014 Independent Music Awards and charted for several months on the AMA and Roots Rock charts. Jann will tour Germany, South Africa, and North America this year.

Gary and Jann both worked on the movie GREETINGS FROM TIM BUCKLEY (Tribeca Film/Focus/Universal). Jann is the singing voice of Tim Buckley, while Gary consulted and played guitar. Tony Award winner Frank Wood plays Gary in the film.

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 Read Dr. Michael Friedman’s interview with DeAngela Napier at www.psychologytoday.com/blog/brick-brick/201607/thinking-visually-deangela-napier

www.LucasKlose.com
www.GaryLucas.com
www.JannKlose.com
 

Watch NOBODY’S TALKING at: www.youtube.com/watch?v=mr9TDnt65Ag
 Stream STEREOPTICON at www.premierguitar.com/articles/24209-gary-lucas-sincerely-strange.

DeAngela Napier websites: www.thenapiernetwork.com
Professional Photography:  www.deangelanapier.com
Street Photography Blog:www.urbanblink.com
Music Blog: www.goodmusicperiod.com