Prog Rock & Classical Musicians Collaborate on New Joe Deninzon & Stratospheerius Single “Storm Surge”

 Saga’s Michael Sadler,

Fernando Perdomo, Rachel Flowers, Ruti Celli, and Yulia Ziskel

Joe Deninzon & Stratospheerius’ new music video, “Storm Surge” is out on YouTube. On October 28 the song will be on all streaming media and as a music video on YouTube. The song features a combination of musical guests from different generations of prog rock and classical music. Legendary Saga frontman Michael Sadler sings lead on the song which deals with the anxiety many people feel these days. Fernando Perdomo (Jacob Dylan & The Echo in the Canyon Band, The Dave Kerzner Band) plays acoustic and electric guitar. Multi-instrumentalist prodigy Rachel Flowers plays both piano and flute on the song. Classical players include cellist Ruti Celli and the New York Philharmonic’s Yulia Ziskel (also Joe’s wife).

All the guest musicians, plus Joe’s bandmates—guitarist Michelangelo Quirinale, bassist Paul Ranieri, and drummer Jason Gianni—play in the music video, which has a “pandemic”music video vibe. Joe organized and edited the production.

“Storm Surge” is a writing collaboration between Joe Deninzon, Jason Gianni, and Michael Sadler. Inspired by “The Storm,” a short piano piece by 19th century German composer Friederich Burgmüller, that Joe kept hearing his 10-year old song Max practicing, Joe sketched out a slowed down version of a rock power ballad, and played around with structure and chords. Joe continued to woodshed the arrangement, recording a string arrangement, and his drummer sharing part of a song he’d been working on. Michael and each of the instrumentalists elevated the song.

Joe’s always wanted to use outside singers in his music. He and his bandmates have been longtime fans of the 1980s Canadian band “Saga,” known for their hits “Wind Him Up” and “On The Loose.” When Joe played the Progstock afterparty in 2018, Michael loved their set, and has continued to rave about the band. “He ended up contributing a jaw-dropping vocal performance, enhancing the melody, and adding Queen-esque harmonies.”

Electric violinist/vocalist Joe has been called The Jimi Hendrix of the electric violin. Stratospheerius has showcased their “frenzied melange of progressive rock, jazz fusion and funkabilly” throughout the world. The New York-based group has opened for Martin Barre, Alex Skolnick, John 5 & The Creatures, Gary Hoey, Mike Stern, Tim Reynolds, Mickey Hart, and John Scofield, among many others. The group’s influences include Yes, Spock’s Beard, Muse, Frank Zappa, Mahavishnu Orchestra, and King Crimson. Stratospheerius was a winner of the John Lennon International Songwriting Competition the Musicians Atlas Independent Music Awards. They have been featured in Progression, Relix, Downbeat, and Jazziz, among other publications. Their last album on Melodic Revolution Records, Guilty of Innocence, has been widely acclaimed by critics and fans.  

Joe says that with all the problems the world is dealing with, “are creating a future of uncertainty. There’s a storm that’s raging inside of us right now.”

Watch the Storm Surge video 

Credits

Music and Lyrics by Friederich Burgmüller, Joe Deninzon, Michael Sadler, Jason Gianni

Engineered by Rave Tesar

Mixed and mastered by Rich Mouser

Produced by Joe Deninzon

Joe Deninzon-electric and acoustic violin, acoustic guitar, vocals

Michael Sadler-lead vocals

Jason Gianni-drums

Paul Ranieri-bass

Michelangelo Quirinale-guitars

Fernando Perdomo-guitars

Ruti Celli-cello

Yulia Ziskel-violin

Rachel Flowers-flute and piano

©2020 All Rights reserved.

Released by Melodic Revolution Records

 

lyrics

Storm Surge

By Joe Deninzon, Friederich Burgmüller, Michael Sadler, and Jason Gianni

 

Tangled emotions

waves pound the oceans

wild winds fill my slumber

darkness pulls me under

 

Caught in a storm surge

shackled and submerged 

restless dreams they haunt me

drowning in this mad sea

 

The storm raging inside me

I reach for you but I can’t breath

mouth wide open I can’t scream

my life flashing by me

 

The storm raging inside me

tidal waves that surround me

every night it’s the same dream

drowning in this mad sea 

 

C 2020 by Joe Deninzon (Fiddlefunk Music), Michael Sadler, Jason Gianni

  

 

"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.  

 

Guitar Legend Allan Holdsworth 12 CD Box Set Collection and Accompanying Double CD Collection

THE MAN WHO CHANGED GUITAR FOREVER Box Set
EIDOLON-a 2-CD Best Of To Be Released on Manifesto Records on April 7th.

Los Angeles, CA-based Manifesto Records will release a new, complete 12-CD box set by guitar innovator, jazz, and progressive rock legend Allan Holdsworth titled The Man Who Changed Guitar Forever, along with a 2-CD updated and expanded “best of” collection selected by the artist, titled Eidolon. Manifesto Records referenced the box set’s seemingly portentous title from the cover story title featuring Holdsworth in Guitar Player magazine’s April 2008 edition. Given his humble nature, Holdsworth is a bit embarrassed by the title and finds the notion that he changed “guitar forever,” somewhat overblown—more befitting of names like Orville Gibson, Leo Fender, or Ned Steinberger.
Holdsworth, born in Bradford England in 1946, embarked on a solo career as composer and bandleader exclusively in 1979. Holdsworth’s career as producer, bandleader, and lead composer is documented in this box set, and with the artist’s 28-track selection of favorites in Eidolon. Both packages include extensive liner notes, and an updated 2016 interview with Holdsworth discussing each release, his history, and approach to the instrument.
From 1982 through 2003, Holdsworth recorded a dozen albums that have been lovingly put together for The Man Who Changed Guitar Forever collection. Featured on the box set are eleven remastered studio albums, starting with the 1982 studio release, Allan Holdsworth, I.O.U., and the archival 2003 live release, Then!, recorded live in Tokyo in 1990. All feature additional bonus tracks added for special editions or the original Japan releases, along with the original artwork and studio credits. Also included are the Grammy-nominated Road Games, (1983), Metal Fatigue (1985), Sand (1987), Secrets (1989), Wardenclyffe Tower (1992), Hard Hat Area (1993), None Too Soon (1996), The Sixteen Men of Tain (2000), and Flat Tire: Music for a Non-Existent Movie (2001).
Holdsworth has been recognized by many of the world’s most accomplished and unique rock and jazz guitar virtuosos. Luminaries including Eddie Van Halen, Carlos Santana, Frank Zappa, Pat Metheny, John McLaughlin, Joe Satriani, Tom Morello universally expressed reverence and astonishment at Holdsworth’s pioneering approach to his playing and vast vocabulary of “uncommon” chord voicings.
He further expanded the guitar’s orchestral potential with a range of electronic effects, then moved on to become one of the early innovators of guitar-based synthesizer controllers. In the nearly five decades Holdsworth has been touring, collaborating, and recording, he has created an immense sonic and musical legacy.
In the ‘70s he played with legendary Miles Davis drummer, Tony Williams and Cream bassist Jack Bruce as the band Lifetime, and toured with Soft Machine. He worked with former Yes and King Crimson drummer, Bill Bruford’s first solo project, Feels Good To Me, and subsequent recordings with Jean-Luc Ponty, and Gong. Bruford suggested Allan for the progressive-rock “supergroup,” U.K., which, along with Bruford, also featured John Wetton and Eddie Jobson. Both The Man Who Changed Guitar Forever and Eidolon will become precious to those who love the world’s great guitarists. Fans of deeply unique, sonically rich and pristine recordings of great musicians taking their music to the next level and beyond, will also be in awe of these collections.


#####
www.Manifesto.com | facebook.com/allanholdsworthmusic


Amazon Preorder Links: The Man Who Changed Guitar Forever
https://www.amazon.com/Man-Who-Changed-Guitar-Forever/dp/B01N5P4DLD/ref=pd_bxgy_15_2?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=114FQBNT8G0S6NJR2KE9
Eidolon
https://www.amazon.com/Eidolon-Allan-Holdsworth/dp/B01MZ9MJN8/ref=pd_bxgy_15_img_2?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B01MZ9MJN8&pd_rd_r=WRMTGKTVCWHHRABY2813&pd_rd_w=XGPWl&pd_rd_wg=pntBS&psc=1&refRID=WRMTGKTVCWHHRABY2813

Introducing: King Llama, Progressive Rock/Fusion Trio with New Album, RETURN TO OX on July 15

Los Angeles-based progressive rock/fusion trio King Llama is releasing its new album, RETURN TO OX on July 15 on the TTrain Music label. RETURN TO OX is a journey of instrumental compositions with stunningly-weaved elements of rock, jazz, funk, fusion, and hip-hop. With melodic sensibilities and ear-catching chops, favorite compositions include the precisely spry “Sensei,” the explosive bass-driven “Cap’n Mustard Hair,” the rebellious and emotive changes in “Smoking in Ergenzingen” and the introspective jazz journey “Blobo.”

RETURN TO OX is the combination of three instruments—bass, drums, guitars. King Llama’s music commands attention with its melodies, rhythms, and a big fat sound of gritty distorted bass tones mixed with classic wah wah guitar leads. There are complicated drum fills, odd meter and poly-rhythmic beats, coupled with dynamic changes of differing moods and styles. The overall sound is highly stimulating to the progressive and open-minded listener.

King Llama’s members—guitarist Ryan Tanner Bailey, drummer Luis Briones, and bass/baritone guitarist Nico Staub—are all fairly young; their influences come from a range of prog/fusion/eclectic stylings from the history of adventurous music. King Llama’s vibe, being quite original itself, seems to bring out moments reminiscent of King Crimson, Phish, Yes, and Rush.

Ryan, Luis and Nico are all originally self taught, and then they all had extensive training (both privately, and at professional institutions), most recently at Musician's Institute in Los Angeles, and in Nico's case, CAEMSA in Buenos Aires.

RETURN TO OX has a very live feel to it, as the band prides itself on its stage performance, and wanted to capture that on tape. "

Produced by King Llama and GRAMMY-winning producer/engineer Dave Schiffman (Mars Volta, System of a Down, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, nine inch nails…), the album showcases both musicianship and true ensemble spirit. It’s a fun listen for progressive rock and fusion fans.

Left to Right: Luis, Ryan and Nico

www.KingLlama.com
www.instagram.com/kingllamamusic
twitter.com/KingllamaMusic
www.facebook.com/KingllamaMusic

Strawbs - Hero and Heroine Tour 2016

www.strawbsweb.co.uk

Strawbs: frontman/guitarist David Cousins, guitarist/singer Dave Lambert, bassist Chas Cronk, drummer Tony Fernandez AND new member—keyboardist Dave Bainbridge.

Downloadable Flyer for Strawbs tour dates May 2016

In June 2015, ROLLING STONE named the Strawbs’ HERO AND HEROINE one of the 50 Greatest Prog albums of all time. Insightful writer Ryan Reed noted HERO AND HEROINE, as the bands “heaviest, most symphonic album,” and cited leader Dave Cousins’ “ambitious prose” as some of the album’s power.

Inspired by this new intention, ROSFest invited the Strawbs to headline its Festival on Friday, May 6 (the fest runs May 6-8), and the band’s booked a tour around it. North America has an amazing relationship with Strawbs, as the group has sold more records in the USA and Canada than anywhere. In the USA the band had seven consecutive albums in the Billboard Top 200.

Dave Cousins, founder member, has been described by All Music Guide as: “the most talented Dylan influenced songwriter to come out of England.” He recently released his long awaited, and critically acclaimed, autobiography Exorcising Ghosts: Strawbs and Other Lives. It was listed by ALLMUSICGUIDE writer Richie Unterberger in his “Top 10 of 2014 rock books.”

Strawbs are often mentioned in the same breath as progressive rock bands like Yes, King Crimson, and The Moody Blues. It is well-documented that Rick Wakeman left Strawbs for Yes. Rick was followed by Blue Weaver - who left Strawbs to join the Bee Gees, John Hawken – from the original Renaissance, Don Airey - now with Deep Purple, Adam Wakeman, and Oliver Wakeman, who, like his father, left Strawbs to join Yes!

Strawbs emerged out of the British Folk Movement of the mid-1960s, starting life as the Strawberry Hill Boys playing bluegrass. They moved into the mainstream in 1967 by making the first Strawbs album, All Our Own Work, with Sandy Denny, a full year before she recorded her first album with Fairport Convention. The album attracted the attention of A&M Records in Hollywood who signed Strawbs as the first British band on the label.

Strawbs albums Hero & Heroine, Bursting At The Seams, Ghosts, and Grave New World define the music. The current Strawbs line-up comprises Dave Cousins, lead guitarist Dave Lambert, bass player Chas Cronk, and drummer Tony Fernandez, who has been in the Strawbs for the last 10 years and was first in the band in the 1970s (and Rick Wakeman’s drummer for 35 years). They are joined by keyboard virtuoso Dave Bainbridge of Iona, a band whose mystical blend of rock, folk, Celtic and ambient music has endeared them to audiences across Europe and North America for the last 25 years.

STRAWBS 2016 U.S TOUR DATES

May 5 Towne Crier, Beacon NY
May 6 ROSfest, Gettysburg PA
May 7 Sellersville Theater, Sellersville PA (afternoon and evening shows)
May 10 BB King’s, New York City, NY
May 11 Strand Centre for Arts, Lakewood NJ
May 12 Mohegan Sun/Wolf Den, Uncasville CT
May 13 YMCA Boulton Centre, Bay Shore NY
May 14 St Ann’s Hall, Wilmington DE
May 15 Ukranian Cultural Center, Whippany NJ
May 17 Rams Head, Annapolis MD
May18 AMP by Strathmore, N. Bethesda MD
May 20 Arcade Theater, St Charles IL
May 22 Turner Hall, Milwaukee MN
May 24 Music Box Supper Club, Cleveland OH
May 25 Lovin Cup, Rochester NY
May 26 Iron Horse Music Hall, Northampton MA

Strawbs shows receive rave reviews:

“Like a Ray Davies steeped in Arthurian folklore and rustic reverie, David Cousins’ visionary talents are to the fore conjuring up a mythical canvas of Albion awakening.” —Uncut – September 2008

“Tell me what you see in me revealed it to be a virtual blueprint for the harmonies and arrangements of the entire Styx catalogue. Oh how she changed, similarly, sounded like a vocal model for latter day bands like Fleet Foxes.” —Schenectady Times Union – September 2010

“The songwriting was phenomenal, and the way the trio embellished sublime melodies with supreme harmonies and incredible instrumentation made their performance unforgettable. In fact, I repeatedly thought “music just isn’t this good anymore”.” — Philadelphia Examiner – September 2011

“Dave Cousins shows himself as a brilliant and original songwriter….”—Classic Rock – September 2012

“From beginning to end, this veteran group put to shame bands a third their age with the majesty of their arrangements, the craftsmanship of their tunes and lyrics, which remain as socially relevant as they were decades ago. The band’s vocal harmonies at this stage of their career are tighter and soar higher than anything Crosby, Stills and Nash ever did.” — New York Music Daily – September 2012

“Spellbinding guitar interplay, with countless alternative tunings to create the drone effect so evident in The Strawbs’ music, was the hallmark of an evening which provided far more than a dose of nostalgia. Whether you lean towards the folk or the prog it matters little . . . plugged in or not, the Strawbs are the juiciest, tastiest fruit you’re ever likely to hear.” — Swindon Echo – October 2014

####

Billy Sherwood's New Single "Just Galileo and Me" Features XTC's Colin Moulding

Billy Sherwood Available for Interviews in Advance of Album Release of CITIZEN due November 6

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE—October 13

Frontiers Music Srl has released the single, “Just Galileo And Me” from Billy Sherwood's upcoming concept album, CITIZEN: and it can be heard on youtube at youtu.be/9Rp-Gblyzpw. The song features XTC’s Colin Moulding on lead vocals. 

"Just Galileo And Me" is about Galileo’s friend and confidante trying to convince the scientist to keep his theory that “the earth is not flat,” which is also the song’s hook, to himself for fear he’ll be labeled a heretic. The friend does acknowledge the scientist’s conviction, and the lyrics show how he knew that “eventually they would see.”

CITIZEN will be in stores and online November 6th.  Billy Sherwood created this concept album based on a lost soul that is reincarnated into various periods of history. Each song places the Citizen into a unique set of circumstances where decisions are made that have serious personal and global consequences. 

Fans can pre-order the album on Amazon at radi.al/BillySherwoodAmazon and on iTunes: http://radi.al/BillySherwoodiTunes radi.al/BillySherwoodiTunes . All digital pre-orders include instant downloads of "No Man's Land" and "Just Galileo And Me."

 Billy Sherwood was recently handpicked by Chris Squire to fill in for him on bass and vocals in Yes, before he left for cancer treatment and ultimately, his untimely death. Billy started his career in the band Lodgic and then as a member of World Trade, who have two critically-acclaimed albums. He has produced and engineered for many artists including John Wetton, Motorhead, Queensryche, Paul Rodgers, and Yes. He joined Yes first as touring member on the “Talk” tour in 1994, and was a full time member from 1997 to 1999. He recorded two albums with Chris Squire as the “Conspiracy” project and released six albums with Circa, the band he formed with Tony Kaye.  

CITIZEN is Billy’s eighth album of new material, though he sees this as a group effort, "While I've created a lot of this record myself I couldn't have done it without the amazing talents brought to bear by all the great artists who participated. So I feel it's much more of a collective effort than a solo album. It's my desire to take this production onto the stage and some of these amazing artists can help bring this concept to life.”

#### 

Listen to "Just Galileo And Me" at youtu.be/9Rp-Gblyzpw

Amazon pre-order link: radi.al/BillySherwoodAmazon
iTunes pre-order link: radi.al/BillySherwoodiTunes
CITIZEN EPK: youtu.be/0t2xBIRHW7I
BillySherwoodHQ.com
Facebook.com/BillySherwoodMusic
   

Martin Barre To Tour America-The South and East Coast-Nov. 15-Dec. 20

Jethro Tull Guitarist’s music also has touch of blues; he’s doing tour press

Martin Barre will be headlining his first solo tour of the States, starting this November as he is playing CRUISE TO THE EDGE November 15-19 with Yes, Marillion, Spock’s Beard, Enchant and rising prog guitarist Randy McStine. (In 2004, Martin co-billed in the United States with Willie Porter, whom he met when Porter opened for Jethro Tull in 2003.)

After Cruise to the Edge, Martin starts his solo date in Del Ray, Florida at the Arts Center on November 21, which is almost sold out. The tour moves up the east coast through Fayette, Alabama, Tupelo, MS; Jackson, MS, Shreveport, LA; Atlanta, GA; Asheville, NC; Vienna, VA; Rocky Mount, VA; Sellersville,PA; Binghamton, PA, Cleveland, OH; Rochester, NY; New York City, and other TBA shows. For the past four years Martin has toured the world with his own band to play the "classic" music from the Jethro Tull catalogue, but also many new tracks written by Martin including his new album, BACK TO STEEL, (plus his two recent solo albums MARTIN BARRE and AWAY WITH WORDS).

For 43 years Martin Barre was the renowned guitarist of Jethro Tull, and his role in the band cannot be overestimated. Bruce Eder wrote on allmusic.com, “His playing has provided much of the energy that allows the band to soar on record and in concert.”

His unique sound and style contributed enormously to their success, which includes several chart topping albums, eleven gold and five platinum albums, a Grammy Award for CREST OF A KNAVE in 1988, and album sales exceeding 60 million units. Tull continues to be played worldwide, representing an important part of classic rock history.


Martin’s guitar playing has earned him respect and recognition; he’s been voted among the best ever in the USA and in the UK for his playing on “Aqualung.” Beyond numerous Jethro Tull albums, Martin has plied those award-winning chops with many other distinguished artists, including Paul McCartney, Phil Collins, Gary Moore, Joe Bonamassa and Chris Thompson. He has shared a stage with such legends as Jimi Hendrix, Fleetwood Mac, Pink Floyd and Led Zeppelin.


Redoubtable drummer George Lindsay, alongside super songwriter and bass player Alan Thomson form the core of Martin’s accomplished band, with vocals performed by the talented and distinctive Dan Crisp. All members are committed to giving the Tull fans and a broader audience the chance to hear tracks not performed for many years with a few surprises along the way.

www.martinbarre.com
twitter.com/tullguitarist
www.facebook.com/officialmartinbarre

VIDEO “Song For Jeffrey”

MARTIN BARRE’S CONFIRMED TOUR DATES

November 15-19: Cruise to the Edge
w/ Yes, Marillion, Randy McStine, Enchant, Neal Morse, Mike Portnoy, Spock’s Beard…
November 21, 2015 Arts Garage in Delray Beach
November 24 Fayette Civic Centre Alabama
w/ opener Chris Simmons
November 25: Tupelo, MS, The Blue Canoe
November 26 and 27: off
November 28 Bears on Fairfield, Shreveport, LA
November 29 Duling Hall, Jackson, MS
December 2, Smith’s Olde Bar, Atlanta, GA
December 3: Asheville, The Grey Eagle
w/ opener: The Get Right Band
December 4:  Harvester Performance Center, Rocky Mount, VA
December 6, 7:30 pm: Jammin’ Java, Vienna, VA
w/ opener: The Get Right Band
December 10 Sellersville Theater, Sellersville, PA
w/ opener: Joe Deninzon & Randy McStine
December 11, Dublin Double Celtic Pub, Endicott, NY
w/ opener: Joe Deninzon & Randy McStine
December 13 Beachland Ballroom and Tavern, Cleveland, OH
opener: Cuda Krishna & Cuda
December 15 The Lovin’ Cup (Presented by the Bop Shop)
December 18: The Spire Center for The Performing Arts, Plymouth, MA
December 19: Rockwood Music Hall, New York, NY
w/ opener: Black Cat Groove
December 20: The Ballroom at Outer Space, Hamden, CT
w/ opener: Phoebe Legere

Click the Downloadable Poster of Martin Barre To Enjoy It Fully

Billy Sherwood's New Music Video "No Man's Land" on October 6

Singer/songwriter/bassist/multi-instrumentalist releasing music video exactly one month in advance of upcoming album, CITIZEN

Billy Sherwood has unveiled the first single and music video, “No Man’s Land,” from his album, CITIZEN via Frontiers Music Srl's Facebook page as well as his own. It can be viewed at this link: www.youtube.com/watch?v=bp4hLAonqUo . The video and the song, which features Deep Purple/Dixie Dregs/Kansas guitarist Steve Morse, are about a World War I runner, someone who runs from trench to trench where his fellow soldiers are fighting, to pass messages from their leaders—the generals who are giving orders from behind friendly lines.

In “No Man’s Land,” the Runner sees his buddies die, and, as the video progresses, seems to be walking more and more in a daze. Billy says, “You get the idea that he’s the only guy who walked away from the battle.”

Billy used three distinct sources for footage in “No Man’s Land”: 1) archival footage from World War I, 2) a cameraman taping him up-close and facing front in a brightly-lit room, 3) modern day footage of a tall and powerful looking young man being the runner. “That is David Hussey,” explains Billy. “He’s in the prog band XNA which I produced/recorded. We shot the footage in the desert behind my house.”

The video is directed by Devin DeHaven, and it reflects on war—the losses, pain, and darkness.

“No Man’s Land” appears on Billy’s upcoming album, CITIZEN, which is being released on November 6, 2015 by Frontiers Music Srl. All digital pre-orders of CITIZEN include an instant download of “No Man’s Land." Here are the pre-order links.:

Amazon:radi.al/BillySherwoodAmazon
iTunes:radi.al/BillySherwoodiTunes

Billy Sherwood created CITIZEN, a concept album based on a lost soul that is reincarnated into various periods of history. "I was inspired by the notion that General Patton believed he was reincarnated on various battlefields through time; I wanted to take that concept even further." As the songwriter/producer, Billy placed the citizen character into significant moments of history. 

A who’s who of the prog world appears on the album:

* Guitarists Steve Morse and Genesis’ Steve Hackett contribute some amazing fret work.

* Both Alan Parsons and XTC’s Colin Moulding sing on the CITIZEN album.

* Keyboardist Jordan Rudess (Dream Theater) and violinist Jerry Goodman (the Flock, Dixie Dregs, Mahavishnu Orchestra) are also on the album.

* Billy’s Yes friends: all these keyboardists: Tony Kaye, Geoff Downes, Rick Wakeman and Patrick Moraz, plus current singer Jon Davison, and Billy’s mentor the late Chris Squire.

Chris Squire handpicked Billy to fill in for him on bass and vocals in Yes, before he left for cancer treatment and ultimately, his recent passing. Billy started his career in the band Lodgic and then as a member of World Trade, who have two critically-acclaimed albums. He has produced and engineered for many artists including John Wetton, Motorhead, Queensryche, Paul Rodgers, and Yes. He joined Yes first as touring member on the “Talk” tour in 1994, and was a full time member from 1997 to 1999. He recorded two albums with Chris Squire as the “Conspiracy” project and released six albums with Circa, the band he formed with Tony Kaye.  

CITIZEN is Billy’s eighth album of new material, though he sees this as a group effort, "While I've created a lot of this record myself I couldn't have done it without the amazing talents brought to bear by all the great artists who participated. So I feel it's much more of a collective effort than a solo album. It's my desire to take this production onto the stage and some of these amazing artists can help bring this concept to life.”

Amazon pre-order link:radi.al/BillySherwoodAmazon
iTunes pre-order link: radi.al/BillySherwoodiTunes
CITIZEN EPK youtu.be/0t2xBIRHW7I
BillySherwoodHQ.com
Facebook.com/BillySherwoodMusic

#### 

Billy Sherwood's CITIZEN Due November 6

Billy Sherwood

On November 6, 2015, Frontiers Music Srl will release Billy Sherwood's latest, a concept album called CITIZEN.

The album can be pre-ordered at Amazon: http://radi.al/BillySherwoodAmazon and iTunes: http://radi.al/BillySherwoodiTunes.

Billy Sherwood created this concept album based on a lost soul that is reincarnated into various periods of history. "I was inspired by the notion that General Patton believed he was reincarnated on various battlefields through time; I wanted to take that concept even further." As the songwriter/producer, Billy placed the citizen character into significant moments of history.

The lead off track is called “The Citizen" which sets the stage for what's to come on the recording. “The Citizen” features Billy's longtime friends and members of the legendary Progressive Rock band Yes: bassist Chris Squire and former Yes keyboardist Tony Kaye.

Each song places the Citizen into a unique set of circumstances where decisions are made that have serious personal and global consequences. In the song “No Man's Land" (featuring Deep Purple/Dixie Dregs/Kansas guitarist Steve Morse) the Citizen appears as a World War I trench runner who passes the message along to the troops that it's time to attack; the Citizen remains behind and is, ultimately, the only survivor. “Empire" (with lead vocals by Alan Parsons & violin from Jerry Goodman of the Flock, Dixie Dregs, Mahavishnu Orchestra) finds the Citizen as a conscript legionnaire in the final days of the Roman Empire. “Just Galileo and Me" (sung by Colin Moulding singer/bassist of XTC) shows the Citizen as a protective friend to Galileo, trying to tell the astronomer that he should not tell people that the earth is not flat or he will be labeled as a heretic.

Known as a multi-instrumentalist, Billy performs drums, bass, guitar, keys and sings several of the songs, including “A Theory of its Own” in which the Citizen appears as companion to Charles Darwin on the evolutionist’s maiden voyage. He sings of Native Americans affected by the Indian Removal Act of 1830 in the song, “Trail of Tears,” which features Patrick Moraz on keyboards. Former Genesis guitar player Steve Hackett adds his chops to “Man And The Machine,” which is about an assembly line worker and activist in the late 1890s. "Age Of The Atom” is about the creation of the Atomic Bomb and the questions of morality as a result of it; this features Geoff Downes on keyboards. Dream Theater keyboardist Jordan Rudess appears on “Escape Velocity,” a song that speaks to the political implications of the space race in the 1960s.

In “The Great Depression,” Billy's songwriter’s pen draws pain from the heart of a distraught Wall Street investor, who has lost everything in the stock market, and steps out to make a final step off the ledge. Rick Wakeman plays grand piano and other keyboards on this one. Finally, in CITIZEN’s 11th song, “Written In The Centuries,” performed by current Yes singer Jon Davison, Nostradamus is the Citizen busily composing his many predictions.

Billy Sherwood was recently handpicked by Chris Squire to fill in for him on bass and vocals in Yes, before he left for cancer treatment and ultimately, his untimely death. Billy started his career in the band Lodgic and then as a member of World Trade, who have two critically-acclaimed albums. He has produced and engineered for many artists including John Wetton, Motorhead, Queensryche, Paul Rodgers, and Yes. He joined Yes first as touring member on the “Talk” tour in 1994, and was a full time member from 1997 to 1999. He recorded two albums with Chris Squire as the “Conspiracy” project and released six albums with Circa, the band he formed with Tony Kaye.

CITIZEN is Billy’s eighth album of new material, though he sees this as a group effort, "While I've created a lot of this record myself I couldn't have done it without the amazing talents brought to bear by all the great artists who participated. So I feel it's much more of a collective effort than a solo album. It's my desire to take this production onto the stage and some of these amazing artists can help bring this concept to life.”

####

Enjoy a CITIZEN EPK following this link: youtu.be/0t2xBIRHW7I
Billy online: www.facebook.com/pages/Billy-Sherwood/137916570076?fref=ts
twitter.com/billysherwood

Downloadable JPG of The Album Cover of CITIZEN

Introducing: Shadow To Shadow: Dean Madonia's Frankenstein: Alive In Concert

New Rock Opera/Concept Album and Concert to debut this Halloween 

Dean Madonia designed and painted the album cover
for Shadow To Shadow.

Dean Madonia's new album, Shadow To Shadow: Dean Madonia's Frankenstein will be performed live this year.  Stay tuned for announcements including names of musicians involved.

Dean Madonia's Frankenstein follows the tradition of most progressive bands including Genesis, King Crimson, Yes, Kansas, Kevin Gilbert, Jethro Tull/Ian Anderson, Styx, UK, Dio, Emerson Lake and Palmer, Pink Floyd who have created life-changing concept albums (i.e: The Who's Tommy, Pink Floyd's The Wall, Kevin Gilbert's The Shaming Of the True).

•CD Baby Founder Derek Sivers praises, "great songs that range from the outrageous to sublime... by an accomplished songwriter/performer/producer at the top of his game."  

•La Caja De Pandora states, "progressive rock of the highest quality… a musician and a group at it's peak of inspiration."  

•Arlequins says that Dean Madonia has "succeeded quite effectively to make functional music history."  

Dean Madonia's  Frankenstein is a rock opera and tells the story of "The Monster" from the perspective of Dean and his band.  Based on Mary Shelley's famous novel, Frankenstein: Or The Modern Prometheus, Dean has straightened out the story, chronologically.  Dean Madonia's Frankenstein shows that "The Monster" is still alive after over 200 years, and telling his cautionary tale to a genetic researcher about to make the first human clone.

Copies of the album are available for downloads or as CDs.  Accredited journalists should contact publicist Anne Leighton at 718-881-8183 or via Anne@AnneLeighton.com.

In 2012 Tim Dugger recorded Dean's song (I Called Her) Tennessee (Curb Records) which reached #40 on the Music Row chart.  He's had film placements: Honor Is Ours in the 2013 Threshold Entertainment film Footlight!. His song, Just Like Love from his band Pretty Little Horses, was in the movie, The Stream. Dean has seven albums, including 1995's Third Wish CD distributed by Bon Lozaga's LoLo Records.  

In addition to teaching workshops in songwriting, Dean also presents lectures on horror in music. 

www.deanmadonia.com

####

Druckfarben's SECOND SOUND Called "Best Album of the Year"

Druckfarben photo by Julia Li

(and wins other high praise from critics and industry)

A who's who of the international prog rock community has been responding to Druckfarben’s sophomore album, Second Sound, with acclaim and accolades. A&R man Michael Caplan (who discovered Echolyn, Matisyahu, Los Lonely Boys and Keb’ Mo’) says it’s "the best album of the year so far!"

Prog Rock journal Expose's editor Peter Thelen writes "The entire band is a pretty impressive unit... This will definite be of interest to all fans of classic prog, and particularly bands like Gentle Giant, Kansas, vintage Saga and CTTE (Close To the Edge) era Yes." 

Pop Culture Classic's Paul Freeman calls Second Sound an "impressive album." Powerline writes that Druckfarben is "truly a band to watch." Michelle Wilson of Ink19 says “If you're a prog rock fan, this one is not to be missed.” The Phantom Tollbooth compares Druckfarben to "Yes, Rush, Gentle Giant and Kansas, all mixed together with some Celtic and residual metal flavors on top." Bass Musician Magazine states, “Though the modern Prog band is usually a by-musicians-for-musicians band, Druckfarben is a fantastic exception to this rule and is not only listenable, but also enjoyable to just about anyone.”

Mark Lettieri, guitarist for 2014 Grammy award-winners Snarky Puppy, says: "Druckfarben is a ridiculously intense progstravaganza of a rock band. It's like Yes meets Zappa meets Canadian poutine!"

Tyrone Buccione of T-Mak World writes: “What a great album! I give this bad boy 5/5 stars for just being a bold and powerful progressive rock album with track crossfading and killer tones and another 5/5 for having such amazing written parts and melodies. That’s right, 10/5 stars! I thought Druckfarben’s Second Sound really captured the true essence of rock and roll, and I know it will be well received in the rock community.”

Druckfarben is led by guitarist Ed Bernard and includes bassist Peter Murray (Surrender Dorothy, Ron Sexsmith), keyboardist William Hare (Crystal Shawanda, Abraham's Children), drummer Troy Feener (Full Nine, Tom Cochrane) and vocalist Phil Naro (Talas, Peter Criss, DDrive).

In German, the word Druckfarben means "coloured printing ink." As teenagers growing up in suburban Ontario, Ed and Troy stumbled upon those letters stenciled on mysterious black barrels in their rehearsal space. Although at the time they had no idea what "Druckfarben" meant, they decided it would make a great band name. Many years later, as their dream progressive rock band came together, they knew what to call it.

All five members grew up with a shared love of classic progressive rock. They played their first show in 2008, released their self-titled debut in 2011, and put out a live DVD (Artifact) in 2013. Fans include Kim Mitchell, Nick D’Virgilio (Spock’s Beard), and Maurizio Guarini of Italy's Goblin, plus producers Terry Brown (Rush) and David Bendeth (Bruce Hornsby, Paramore).

Songs from Second Sound cited by the media include "Dandelion," "In Disbelief," and the 19-minute epic title track that closes the album. 

www.druckfarben.ca

Twitter @druckfarben

facebook.com/druckfarben

Canadian Prog Rockers Druckfarben to release Second Sound CD

Left to Right: Phil Naro, Peter Murray, Ed Bernard,
Troy Feener and William Hare

Canadian progressive rock band Druckfarben will release their sophomore album, Second Sound, worldwide on March 22. The record will be available in CD form from their website (druckfarben.ca) and CD Baby, and digitally from iTunes and Bandcamp.

Second Sound features bold new colours in such songs as “An Answer Dreaming”, “In Disbelief” and “Liberated Dream”, and concludes with the 19-minute “Second Sound” suite. “This is a natural progression from our first album,” says guitarist Ed Bernard, “but also introduces musical elements that might be surprising to those who know our music so far.”

Bernard leads the group, which was formed in 2008 along with bassist Peter Murray (Surrender Dorothy, Ron Sexsmith), keyboardist William Hare (Crystal Shawanda, Angelica DiCastro, Abraham's Children), drummer Troy Feener (Full Nine, Tom Cochrane) and singer Phil Naro (Talas, Peter Criss, DDrive). In German, Druckfarben means “coloured ink used for printing on textiles or other media.” In the mid-80s, teenaged Ed and Troy had no idea what the word meant when they discovered it stencilled on mysterious black barrels in their rehearsal studio. But many years later it resurfaced as the name of Canada’s great new prog export.

All five members of Druckfarben grew up with a shared love of classic progressive rock music, such as Yes, Genesis, Gentle Giant, Rush, King Crimson and Kansas. They played their first show on March 1, 2008 in Port Credit, Ontario. Their self-titled debut was released in October 2011, followed by a live DVD (Artifact) in 2013. They quickly built up an international following, including supporters such as Kim Mitchell, Nick D’Virgilio (Spock’s Beard), and Maurizio Guarini of Italy's Goblin, as well as producers Terry Brown (Rush) and David Bendeth (Bruce Hornsby, Paramore).

The band is eager to perform the exciting new material from Second Sound live throughout 2014 and beyond. 

For news and updates, follow:

Official site: www.druckfarben.ca

Facebook: www.facebook.com/druckfarben

Twitter: www.twitter.com/druckfarben 

YOSO--For Classic Rock Fans!

I’m starting work with YOSO, a band signed to a new management company, 2 PLUS MUSIC & ENTERTAINMENT led by Leonardo Pavkovic and Derek Shulman.

The group features singer Bobby Kimball (ex TOTO vocalist), keyboardist Tony Kaye (Yes), and former Yes member/producer/bassist Billy Sherwood, and guitarist Jimmy Haun. Drummer is Jody Cortez.

The group has recorded its debut, YOSO CD. To hear live music, please visit http://www.youtube.com/yosohq.



2 PLUS MUSIC & ENTERTAINMENT FACEBOOK PAGE
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=116296188396521

YOSO
http://www.facebook.com/pages/YOSO/241734054172?ref=ts

http://www.yosohq.com

YOSO, New Classic Rock Super-Group to Play the Frankfurt Musikmesse Festival: March 24th to 27th

Billy Sherwood {Bass,Vocals}
Bobby Kimball {Vocals}
Jody Cortez {Drums}
Jimmy Haun {Guitar,Vocals}
Tony Kaye (Organ,Keyboards}

photographer: Michi Sherwood

Management: Derek Shulman
Leonardo Pavkovic

http://www.myspace.com/yosohq
http://www.youtube.com/user/YosoHQ


YOSO, New Classic Rock Super-Group to Play the Frankfurt Musikmesse Festival: March 24th to 27th
(Creative Force of YOSO features former YES and TOTO members)

On March 24-27, YOSO will premiere in Europe at the "Frankfurt
Musikmesse" Festival in Frankfurt, Germany 24th March, as well as
another to-be-announced venue in Frankfurt on March 26th.

Close to 700,000 people attend Musikmesse every year to play the latest gear, and see very well known bands, as well as selected new acts. YOSO lead singer Bobby Kimball says, "We couldn't have gotten luckier, than to play
Musikmesse, because the crowd ranges from promoters, equipment company
endorsement people, and musicians of all levels."

YOSO was formed in late 2009 by Kimball (TOTO’s lead vocalist) and
YES keyboardist and founding member Tony Kaye. Former YES member/producer
Billy Sherwood plays bass and vocals, and Jimmy Haun of CIRCA handles all guitars.
Drummer Jody Cortez, who has toured with Boz Scaggs and Crosby, Stills and Nash, rounds out the group.

The group made its premiere appearance in Mexico in November 2009.
YOSO will be releasing its debut CD "YOSO" via the group's
on line web-store, coming soon to http://www.yosohq.com."
The CD will then be made available to all worldwide retail and digital
outlets via major distribution in the late Spring/Early summer of 2010.
YOSO will be filming several live concerts and producing a YOSO LIVE
DVD in the Spring of 2010.

In the works are tours in Europe, South America, NORTH AMERICA,
SOUTH-EAST Asia, and include dates further dates Mexico in mid April.

To hear YOSO live, (music & videos), please visit:
http://www.youtube.com/yosohq or http://www.myspace.com/yosohq