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

Lorain’s Jaclyn Bradley shares new single, “Hometown” at Rockin’ on the River

Jaclyn Bradley performed her newest song, “Hometown” at Rockin’ On the River in Lorain, Friday, August 30.

“Hometown,” penned by Bradley and co-writer Derek Connell, is about returning to Lorain after several years away. Bradley sang the song to thousands at Black River Landing over the weekend, opening for headliner Vegas McGraw.

Accompanied by Dougie Manross on guitar, Bradley introduced the song, stating “I am a proud Lorain girl and it’s an honor for us to share this song with you tonight. It’s for

anyone who has ever left home and found everything they were searching for back where they started.” Both Bradley and Manross teach voice and guitar at Rock Town Music Academy in downtown Lorain. Bradley shared a heartfelt rendition of the song as many members of the audience sang along.

“The crowd went wild” stated Miriam Lugo Kunda via Facebook.

The music video for “Hometown,” which appears exclusively on Jaclyn’s Facebook page, features many local Lorain businesses, personalities and landmarks, has reached nearly 90 thousand views within the first week of its release and has received an abundance of positive feedback:

Chere Mason Cook stated via Facebook, “With all the negative people always talk, THIS video brings a lot of pride for our great city and its people.”

Ann Duchess shared, “I have tears. Lorain is not my hometown but I worked there long enough to keep it in my heart.”

Rachel Cruz commented, “ I moved away from Ohio when I was 19 and moved back when I was 32 and this hit home to me.”

Jaclyn Bradley, along with Mike Neff, will open for Deana Carter, singer of the hit country ballad “Strawberry Wine,” on Nov 16th at The Lorain Palace Theater. Bradley plans to share “Hometown” and its b-side “Burn for You” at the concert. Both songs were released in July and available on music streaming platforms such as iTunes, YouTube Music, and Spotify.

“I am happy people are connecting to their roots through this song,” says Bradley, “Music is so powerful. It is a privilege to make music that has the potential of making a positive impact."

Abigail Rose Clark “Just a Story From America”

Midwest Rocker’s Cover of Elliott Murphy's Song Speaks for Our Time 

 

Murphyland Records’ new release of Abigail Rose Clark’s exciting version of “Just A Story from America” (the title track off the Elliott Murphy 1977 album of the same name which featured Phil Collins on drums) on all known streaming platforms (Spotify, Deezer, Apple Music etc.). The release is part of celebrations of Elliott’s 74th birthday (March 16).

 

Abigail Rose Clark is the talented daughter of Dane Clark, the longtime
drummer of John Mellencamp. Dane produced “Just A Story From America”
and played drums. Check out his amazing drum fill at the end of the track.
Elliott was completely blown away when he first heard Abigail’s version of JASFA he was thrilled with the new life she imbued in his nearly 50-year-old classic song.
 

Hopefully this marks the beginning of a strong collaboration between a great
new artist and a classic songwriter... 

 

Listen to Abigail Rose Clark's version of “Just a Story From America” on YouTube at: www.youtube.com/watch?v=i13eeD8gV-E

Apple: https://music.apple.com/us/album/just-a-story-from-america-single/1673307196

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/2bYAAlSgs5N6pWCnyCui3H?si=r2GpaUh0QJeLPEOrxMKYUw

Instagram.com/abigailrosemusic 

 

Kathy Zimmer’s “Extremist” on All Streaming Video

 Kathy Zimmer’s song and music video “Extremist” is out on all streaming media including on

 The digital link for “Extremist” streaming on platforms like Amazon, Apple, Spotify is https://bit.ly/3VBPCi3.

Bandcamp fans can listen and download “Extremist” at kathyzimmer.bandcamp.com/track/extremist.

The song, which declares, "You make me happy AND depressed," is about the love and hate in relationships. "I was looking for a simple way to bring different visual extremes together in one video," says Kathy, "and we opted for the day-night quick edits that you see. Kind of a stark difference to go from bright daylight right into moonlight, and back again. It may even be a little disorienting, which is exactly right! The video was filmed on my rooftop on the lower east side of Manhattan."

The production was helmed by cinematographer Alex Levin, who has worked with major brands including Nike, Conde Nast, RedBull, NatGeo. He says, “I believe a good story deserves to be told no matter the scale.”Kai and Victoria Vallas-Cullen edited “Extremist.”

Kathy’s an indie-pop-singer-songwriter for fans of artists like Kacey Musgraves, Phoebe Bridgers, Weyes Blood, Maggie Rogers…. A resident of New York City, Kathy Zimmer is a native of rural Nebraska. Her original love of acoustic guitars and tight vocal harmonies was the product of being raised in a large musical family. In school, Zimmer studied classical music, her education culminating in a master's degree from the Cleveland Institute of Music.

Rock n’ Reel Magazine has declared Kathy as the “latter day Joan Baez.” The Roots Music Report proclaims, “At various turns enchanting, haunting and soothing—and at times a bit of all of these—Ms. Zimmer’s sophisticated song crafting never fails to charm.” 

EXTREMIST

Everybody needs a little balance
A kiss from heaven, kick from hell
A proper love and a shadowy dalliance
A swimming pool, and a deep dark well

All things in moderation
Sweet and sour, this and that
A little virtue, salacious temptation
A puffed-up ego and a trip and fall flat

But you make me happy and depressed
You are nothing in the middle
My own personal extremist

One moment, I’m on top of the world
Tightrope walking, I can see for miles and miles
Next minute, cut me down to size
A wrecking ball
You capsize me

Night is dark and day is light
Don’t know to expect love or a fight
I open up to snap back shut
I can’t figure out, what do you want? 

C 2022/2023 by Kathy Zimmer, BMI, Zimmer, Katherine Louise, All Rights Reserved 

*www.kathyzimmermusic.com*  ~cosmopolitan folk in your ears~

Elliott Murphy New Album: “Wonder” Autumn 2022

“Wonder” - the newest album by internationally acclaimed American rock singer-songwriter (and long-time Paris resident) Elliott Murphy – is available now on all streaming platforms (Spotify, Deezer etc.) as well as a limited edition of CDs. “Wonder” marks Elliott’s first studio album of all new original songs since “Prodigal Son” (2017) and contains a truly inspired collection of 12 musically eclectic songs accompanied by that endangered breed of stylish lyrics (urban, poetic, personal, literary …) that have been associated with Murphy’s work for nearly 50 years.

“Wonder” was primarily written during the forced period of introspection brought on by the COVID confinement. It was produced by Elliott’s son Gaspard Murphy (a successful producer in the French music world in his own right) in Paris at Question de Son and Murmure Studios. The album features Elliott’s long time guitar virtuoso musical partner Olivier Durand as well as Australian Melissa Cox (violin) and Alan Fatras (drums) along with an impressive list of guest musicians and singers.

Elliott, himself, takes stock of where “Wonder” fits into his nearly half century career: “If my early albums can be described as expressions of youthful energy, hope and dreams, I would have to say that as I enter this later chapter of my career, as evidenced in the songs on ‘Wonder,’ my words now tend to incorporate buried memories that rise to the surface of my consciousness like once sunken ships, crewed by musical references that even surprise me: Little Richard, Robert Johnson, Tina Turner – even the iconic American TV talk show host Johnny Carson. All these ghosts (and more) make appearances on ‘Wonder’ as well as assorted pop cultural references that baffle me such as ‘My Own Private Idaho,’ which, of course, was a B52s’ hit in the 1980s. But since a troubadour’s job is to spread the news, you can even hear a mention of Better Call Saul a favorite TV series of mine. Musically, you might say that these days my inspiration is all over the map; although I’m still faithful to those folk-rock sounds and chord progressions which shaped me at the time of my first album ‘Aquashow’ (1973). I also think there’s an undeniable bit of French chanson and even Steely Dan type jazz-rock on ‘Wonder.’ Rhythmically, I decided early on that I wanted a strong percussion element and thus you’ll hear congas, maracas and a host of other percussion instruments grounding the songs and giving cool flight to the lyrics. And with all the Motown I listen to, it’s not surprising that ‘Something Consequential’ might recall an almost Marvin Gaye-like romanticism of which he was truly the master and I am, at best, his earnest student.”

As most of these songs were born during the dark opening days of the COVID pandemic when confinement became an enforced reality we had never before experienced, loneliness naturally is a pervasive sub-theme of “Wonder,” reflected in various manifestations not only in the titles of songs such as “Lonely” and “The Lonely King.” Elliott uses “Loneliness as a kind of existential meteorologic metaphor in “Raindrops” and “Hailstones,” referencing when the Corona virus seemed as unstoppable as a hurricane.

Despite the life challenges, Elliott’s approach to writing is still optimistic, “But inevitably there is hope to be found in our fragile yet resilient human condition not only in ‘Hope (In Your Eyes)’ but also in the afore-mentioned ‘Something Consequential’ where romance springs eternal. ‘Sunlight Keeps Falling’ may be the only fully pre pandemic song on the album as it was written as the theme song for an as-yet unmade film about a beautiful girl who jumps from the Eiffel Tower right into the arms of a guitar maker.

“So, as I sing in “A Lack of Perspective” (perhaps my own favorite off “Wonder”), I’m going back in time to find what I’m looking for… Thanks so much for accompanying me on this musical journey!”

 

ELLIOTT MURPHY - WONDER

(MURPHYLAND ML0011CD)

1. Hope (In Your Eyes) (Murphy)

2. Sunlight Keeps Falling On Me (Murphy / Durand)

3. Bystanders (Murphy / Durand)

4. That's The Scene (Murphy)

5. Children of Children (Murphy)

6. Raindrops (Murphy / Murphy)

7. Something Consequential (Murphy / Durand)

8. Lack of Perspective (Murphy)

9. Lonely (Murphy / Durand)

10. Hailstones (Murphy)

11. Lonely King (Murphy)

12. I Know There's A Place (Murphy)

 

RAMPD Announces Official Launch with a LIVE Virtual Event at 5pm EST on January 21, 2022

Join the Fun as RAMPD [Recording Artists and Music Professionals with Disabilities] Meets the Public Live from the Grammy Museum!

 

The public is invited to a virtual launch event for the new coalition RAMPD [Recording Artists and Music Professionals with Disabilities] on Friday, January 21, 2022 at 5:00 pm Eastern Time (2pm Pacific / 4pm Central / 10pm GMT / 8am Saturday AEST).  This webcast will be hosted in partnership with GRAMMY Museum and will consist of virtual performances, celebrity cameos, live giveaways, and informative testimonials. The RAMPD Launch will highlight the lofty accomplishments RAMPD achieved pre-launch, and celebrate the amazing talent of RAMPD’s current professional membership roster.

TUNE IN ON YOUTUBE ON FRIDAY, JANUARY 21, 2022 AT 5:00 PM EST:

https://youtu.be/PRb9ArYcBMI

 

Opening and closing remarks for the RAMPD Launch Event will be given from GRAMMY Museum by RAMPD's President and Founder Lachi (award-winning EDM artist, producer, and director). The event will be hosted live by RAMPD Vice President Gaelynn Lea (songwriter, violinist, and winner of NPR Music's Tiny Desk Contest) and RAMPD Founding Member Question (rising hip-hop star and disability advocate from Atlanta).

 

This ceremony will include captioning and self-description to promote the beauty of disability-inclusive content.  The virtual event will include performances by several RAMPD Professional Members, celebrity messages of support, trivia questions and giveaways in the live chat, and testimonials about the importance of Disability Culture. Performers include Eliza Hull, Adrian Anatawan, Molly Joyce, and many more professional disabled musicians.

RAMPD has already been in partnerships with Folk Alliance, NIVA, Women In Music, and The WAVY Awards by Blonde Records. The GRAMMY Museum launch is not the first partnership with the Recording Academy, as RAMPD has also collaborated in dialogue, workshops and influenced the Academy’s Inclusivity platform. The group was organized after Lachi facilitated a public online conversation with leaders of the Recording Academy in April 2021.

 

RAMPD is a fast-growing coalition of established recording artists and music professionals with disabilities whose mission is to amplify disability culture, promote inclusion, and advocate for accessibility in the music industry.  RAMPD’s organizational model includes a fiscal sponsorship with the non-profit organization, Accessible Festivals, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to making music and recreation accessible to all abilities.

RAMPD Spotify Playlist open.spotify.com/playlist/55Yv7oTMxoMxD1xaPfyQAM?si=b1bff58ec80e4a83&nd=1

 If you're interested in syncs or covers by any of the RAMPD musicians, it'd be a pleasure to connect you with them.  Reach out to Contact@RAMPD.org

Holiday Songs

GLORY TO THE NEWBORN KING   Erin Hannon   “Hark The Herald” classical with a full lyric soprano that rolls her rrrrs.  "Sleep In Heavenly Peace.” The brains behind this master is Stephen Melillo, the music director of the award-winning movie, "One Little Finger" w/ Siedah Garrett, and the longline "Ability in Disability."  

NEVER TAKE LOVE FOR GRANTED Dan Berggren  Shopping in the malls for Christmas. “You’ll never take love for granted if you always give love in return.”  Male bass/baritone and acoustic guitar.  Folk styled.  

GOT MY EYE ON YOU, SANTA  Jody Quine & the Big Mr. C.  Female vocals.  Christmas bells.  Flirting with Santa!  Like Katrina and the Waves meets the Shirelles. 

 

CHRISTMAS IS COMING Leo Schaff   Beach Boys meets Shins. Male vocals. His true love ran around the world, and said she’d make it home for the holidays.  A year has gone by, and he’s singing, “Christmas is coming, New Years is coming,” sand “Will you make it home for the holidays?” 

leightonmedia · Christmas Is Coming  by Leo Schaff

WHY CAN’T EVERYDAY BE LIKE CHRISTMAS  (ballad) Tang a gentle, lush song with stand out chimes, bells, violin, and viola, angels, stars shining, and bells ringing.  Denny Colt sings in a sweet, girl-next door voice and range similar to Cassadee Pope’s or Emma Roberts. 

BadPacRecords · Why Can't Everyday Be Like Christmas_ballad

O' HOLY NIGHT Christmas Passion, Jann Klose: classical instrumental with soaring tenor vocals. voice like Ray LaMontagne and a bold Stevie Winwood or Paul McCartney. 

HANUKKAH IN THE VILLAGE Rachael Sage   mellow piano, singer-songwriter.  Rachael’s observations on the eve of Hanukkah in New York City.




HAPPY DECEMBER Jaclyn Bradley Palmer   Affectionate singalong  that mentions every big holiday: Christmas, Kwanzaa, Hanukkah, New Year’s into one song! 

More Songs Here: 

leightonmedia · Seasonal--Christmas-Hannakah-December thru January holidays

"The Greatest Lives" Live On Digital Media

New Song Inspired by Muhammad Ali about Leadership and Respect)

In support of Black History Month (February 2020), D-Zone Entertainment is proudly releasing the single, “The Greatest Lives” in digital stores and streaming sites on Friday, January 31.

The song will be on “The Greatest Lives Songwriter’s EP,” due out March 21. It is sung by Thembeka Mnguni, finalist for South Africa’s The Voice in 2016. Her name is pronounced “Them-bek-kah  Mmn-Gu-Nee.” From Durban, SA, she is signed to Universal Records. Her greatest cause is as a spokesperson for Autism. She is also a brand ambassador for MUD Designer Makeup SA and for Body Confidence International. In South Africa, Universal is releasing a new song “Stimel” from her upcoming album, which will also include “The Greatest Lives” as a bonus track.  Visit her on social media at instagram.com/thembeka_thediva.

Here are digital links as of Friday morning, January 31, 2020

Amazon:  https://amzn.to/2U7f5DI

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/6mTQ9HzW8iesGTEjtkkXsA

Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/na/album/the-greatest-lives-single/1495292266

GooglePlay:   http://bit.ly/2u41eDm

 YouTube: https://youtu.be/pl4T0t-NwtM

The idea for the song came to Anne in 1984 when Muhammad Ali was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease. She wrote on a newspaper article, “What would he want us to know?” and filed it in her box of song ideas. “It would have been a totally different song if I wrote it then, because I was more sentimental.” Instead she worked on the song as her first assignment for when she was offered a songwriting deal. South Africa’s Sheer Publishing handle one of Anne’s favorite songs, “The Lion Sleeps Tonight.”   

She started watching South African news, and discovered many women expressing hope for a kinder world. Many went through bullying and abusive situations, and the females were open enough to talk about their experiences. The lyrics for “The Greatest Lives” came from Muhammad Ali’s quotes and philosophies. They became a message about leadership and treating people right.

Joe Deninzon, who grew up in Cleveland, OH, went to college in Bloomington, Indiana, and played throughout the Midwest, knew Muhammad Ali’s hometown of Louisville. He understood the Midwestern sound that Anne was looking for, made a demo, and then the two began to put musicians to work. Using John Mellencamp's "Ain't Even Done with the Night" as a role model, they asked Cactus and Vanilla Fudge's Carmine Appice, who also played with Rod Stewart.  

Thembeka loved THE GREATEST LIVES’ message about having strong character. Joe and Anne chose her because they thought she was one of the greatest singers they ever heard. Thembeka showed she was (as the song says) a master by being the runner up on “the Voice South Africa.” She liked the recording enough to also want to include it on her upcoming album.

After they heard Thembeka’s performance, they found inspiration from keyboards on albums from the late Oliver Mtukudzi. Joe knew the perfect keyboardist, Jeremy Beck, who used both acoustic piano and Hammond B3. Hence, the hashtag #BeckDeninzonAppice. 

“Joy and optimism in this song, I think, come from its mission and inspiration. Muhammad Ali dealt with obstacles with optimism and a wink and smile,” Joe says. Joe and Anne, and their musicians, know “The Greatest Lives” will make a difference, and are proud to—as their lyric says--take a “Never say die” attitude in promoting it!

"Iguana," the new album by Joe Olnick

cc

Avant fusionist available for all media
Joe Olnick’s new avant-fusion album, IGUANA is out, and available on every major streaming/download platform online in the world: Spotify, Apple Music, iTunes, Tidal, Deezer, Amazon, Google, CD Baby. Look for the album on Bandcamp, plus CDs through CDBaby. Here's the SmartUrl: http://smarturl.it/4a8362   
The media is giving a thumbs up to IGUANA, which is Joe’s 7^th album.  

Jeff Collins, host of Hard Rock Hell’s radio show, The Rock Jukebox” calls IGUANA “one of the best of the year!  a magnificent album!” KOCF Eugene, Oregon’s Andy Goldfinger says Joe’s album has “that feel of cool. It crosses the boundaries of genre and lets the listener just feel the music." Vents Magazine’s Steve Kinrade offers an eclectic comparison in his review of the album, mentioning its range from musical styles from Yes, Ian Dury, James Brown to an obscure British singer-songwriter named Peter Greenwood. He writes that the album is “worth a thorough investigation.”

Olnick, and bandmates—bassist Jamie Aston and drummer Stew Bradley are performing live, "Our live shows have become a really cool multimedia experience, with custom videos being projected during most of the show. And our concerts have always expanded on themes from the recordings, using exciting improvisational techniques that come from playing for many years. Every concert is unique, and a lot of fun.”   

Along with the album release, the group's second track is “Don’s Theme,” an introspective instrumental based on the Iguana (from the album cover) walking into the room in a slow and thoughtful way.  

Designed by artist Ron Good (of the horror series, God-Awful Comics), the album art tells the story of a misunderstood iguana named Don, who struggles to find his own hot rock to rest on. Joe says there are parallels of the animal’s life and his career, as it’s a struggle to find support for creating original, instrumental music!     

Joe calls his music “avant-jam” and fusion like Medeski, Martin & Wood and New Mastersounds. In addition to guitar, Joe plays sax and bass, plus works as a recording engineer. In 2012, he released his first CD, and continued self-producing with albums from ambient to jazz/rock genres.  

 

Robby Takac is "DYIN' TONIGHT" for JOHNNY GRUESOME

CONTACT: Red Hill Movies, redhillmovie1@gmail.com

Buffalo, New York - "Dyin' Tonight," an original song performed by Robby Takac of Goo Goo Dolls fame for the upcoming horror film Johnny Gruesome, has been released by Funhouse Productions and is available for purchase on major music platforms ahead of the film's October 16th VOD release. Takac co-wrote the song with Armand John Petri and Joe Rozler, and recorded it at his GCR Studios in Buffalo, New York. 

The film Johnny Gruesome was written and directed by Gregory Lamberson (Slime City, Killer Rack) and stars Anthony De La Torre (Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales, Lords of Chaos), Michael DeLorenzo (New York Undercover, Head of the Class) and singer-songwriter Aprilann ("Crown and the Girl"). The film tells the story of a murdered heavy metal rebel who returns from the grave for vengeance. Red Hill Movies, Deinstitutionalized, and JFR Productions co-produced, with Uncork'd Entertainment distributing.

Petri and Rozler also composed the score, and additional songs used in the film were created by Dean Italiano, Giasone Italiano, and Aprilann. The Italianos' contributions were created for a rock CD, "Gruesome," to promote the novel on which the film is based; that CD is available separately.

Trailer for Johnny Gruesome:

"Dyin' Tonight" by Armand John Petrie, Joe Rozler, Robby Takac:

Apple Music- 

http://itunes.apple.com/album/id/1438650043

Spotify-

https://open.spotify.com/album/0dUMp9U47090zvDEZBE7N0?si=pc8jbG76Qyq0qrLz-Wk27Q

Google Play- 

https://play.google.com/store/music/album/Robby_Takac_Dyin_Tonight_From_Johnny_Gruesome?id=Bioxwwt3hawa3sdukfahkou2dgm&hl=en

YouTube- 

Robby Takac sings Johnny Gruesome 

Sports Music by Joe Deninzon & Stratospheerius

Hysteria The hit by (UK rockers) muse, reimagined. Wagnerian rock with shades of Queen. Hard and faster, Passionate vocals. The electric violin gives the recording electric heavy metal power. “I want it now.” 


Road Rage Aggressive, electric violin driven songs with the power and energy similar to Slamming metal, pace like Flight of the Bumblebee.  

The Greatest Lives Joe wrote the music, tweaked lyrics, produced, and arranged this song about "The Greatest"--Muhammad Ali.  Sung by Thembeka Mnguni for Universal South Africa, this version song recalls Midwest rock and soul.  Vocals will remind you, probably, of Etta James, Mavis Staples, Cissy Houston.  

” 

Game of Chicken Violin-driven rock, similar to Survivor, but with electric violin. Chasing to fight reckless causes. We are all speeding towards the edge of a giant cliff screaming at each other as a way to try to solve our problems. The one who swerves will be called a "chicken,” or a coward.   



Climbing Vocals kindred to Jack Bruce, electric violin-driven. Song is inspired by music of Marshall Tucker/Pearl Jam. CLIMBING is about never giving up! 



Listen to Joe Deninzon & Stratospheerius' new album, GUILTY OF INNOCENCE, now on over 100 stations in North America:

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 

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