NEWS / Los Angeles, Ca – Forty Below Records has announced a February 26 release date for the vinyl LP version of the latest album from legendary blues artist, John Mayall, Find a Way to Care, which follows its critically-acclaimed CD launch in September, 2015. John Mayall and his band have scheduled a series of U.S. tour dates starting in early March to help kick-off the LP’s debut.    
 
To watch the video trailer premiere of the making of the Find a Way to Care album, click here: http://youtu.be/E-jwpvB4OY0
 
Since its release on CD, the reviews of Find a Way to Care have been universally glowing: “Find a Way to Care represents another soulful mile marker on John Mayall’s incredible life journey into the blues” – Living Blues; “The Godfather of British Blues” has been experiencing a true artistic and career renaissance lately and the revival continues with the release of the brilliant new studio album, Find a Way to Care” – Relix Magazine; “A blues traditionalist at heart and a gambler by nature, Find a Way to Care proves that John Mayall still has a few musical tricks up his sleeve.” – Blues Music Magazine.
 
Produced by John Mayall (who also did the graphic design and artwork for the album) and Forty Below’s Eric Corne, Find a Way to Care was recorded at the House of Blues Studio in Encino, California. In addition to Mayall (vocals, piano, Hammond organ, Wurlitzer, clavinet, guitar and harmonica), featured on the sessions are Rocky Athas (lead and rhythm guitar), Greg Rzab (bass) and Jay Davenport (drums), who collectively are now into their seventh year as John’s band. The group is also augmented by a horn section on several tracks.

About the new album, Eric Corne says, “I really wanted to feature John's keyboard playing on this record. He’s truly one of the most lyrical, economical and underrated keyboardists around. We also wanted to change things up a bit after the success of A Special Life and the addition of a horn section on several tracks was a really fun way to do that. As good as the last album was, I think this one is even better.”
 
The even-dozen tracks on Find a Way to Care include a scintillating group of new songs and savvy covers of “Mother in Law Blues” (Don Robey),  “The River’s Invitation” (Percy Mayfield), “I Feel So Bad”(Lightnin’ Hopkins), “Long Distance Call” (Muddy Waters), “I Want All My Money Back” (Lee Baker) and Drifting Blues” (Charles Brown).
 
About his choice of cover songs on the new album, Mayall says, “Every time I make an album, I always feel I owe it to my fans to come up with fresh and varied interpretations of the blues. With this in mind, I chose an assemblage of songs that includes perhaps some slightly lesser-known bluesmen, and that all had either different beats or special instrumental treatments. I also found three songs that would be further enhanced by the addition of horns.”
Added to the mix are original songs that always feature Mayall’s take on the current human condition, as well as universal truths. “As always, I draw from my own experiences and thoughts about things in my life so that from album to album I create on ongoing musical diary of my life,” he explains. “The blues never lets me down!”

Find a Way to Care comes following an especially exciting year-long period of great music from Mayall that included the 2014 release of his first studio album in five years, A Special Life, and the April, 2015, release of John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers – Live in 1967 (Never Before Heard Live Performances). The live album was a critically-lauded archival recording of one of the best of his Bluesbreakers band lineups that featured Mayall, as well as Peter Green (lead guitar), John McVie (bass) and Mick Fleetwood (drums). It showcased a band that was together for only a scant three months, yet created a lasting legacy, made an immense impact on music and led to the formation of one of the most acclaimed groups of all-time when Green, McVie and Fleetwood left to form Fleetwood Mac.
 
For over 50 years, John Mayall has served as a pioneer of blues music, rightly earning him the title, “The Godfather of British Blues.” In 2013, John signed with producer Eric Corne’s label, Forty Below Records, and the three albums released since continue to raise Mayall’s recognition as a true pioneer and innovator in blues and roots music. He continues to perform extensively both in the USA and abroad, and has an ambitious touring schedule in place for the rest of the summer and fall that was booked by Monterey International Artists (www.montereyinternational.net).
 
 To arrange an interview with John Mayall, please contact Karin Johnson at (770) 804-9555 / karin@markpuccimedia.com.

For more information, visit www.johnmayall.com and www.fortybelowrecords.com

NEWS / Austin, TX – Acclaimed Austin-based guitarist Jeff Plankenhorn, who’s worked with a host of high-profile artists including Joe Ely, Ruthie Foster, Bobby Whitlock and Ray Wylie Hubbard, will step into the solo spotlight with his new CD, SoulSlide, due March 18 on Lounge Side Records. Jeff Plankenhorn will celebrate the new album with a series of special performances in and around the upcoming South by Southwest Music Festival set for March in Austin, including an official CD release party show on Saturday, March 19, at 9:00 PM to close out the Lounge Side Records showcase that he’ll also host throughout the day at the Strange Brew, Lounge Side (three-time award winner of the Austin Chronicle poll as best venue).
 
Produced by Jeff Plankenhorn, Ross Hogarth (Keb' Mo', Ziggy Marley) and Miles Zuniga (Fastball), the even-dozen tracks on SoulSlide include a number of Plankenhorn originals, plus a kickin’ cover of Sam and Dave’s “You Got Me Hummin’ and a never-released Willis Alan Ramsay cut, “Mockingbird Blues.” Additional tunes on the new album were co-written with Grammy-winner Gary Nicholson (“Lose My Mind”), Bret Dennan (“Vagabond Moonlight”) and Zuniga (“Vagabond Moonlight,” “Dirty Floor” and “Born To Win”).
 
Throughout SoulSlide, Plankenhorn plays a blend of blues, soul and rock on a stand-up lap steel guitar dubbed “The Plank” (which also happens to be Jeff’s nickname), which he designed and is in the process of beginning mass production. To view and hear his guitar in action, go to www.empyrealinstruments.com.
“My dream was to mix Sacred Steel influences like the Campbell Brothers and Robert Randolph with the Dobro stylings of Jerry Douglas and Uncle Josh Graves,” says Plankenhorn about his unique sound. “Plus, I’ve been a singer first all my life and wrote the majority of the tunes on the new CD.” 
Special guests on SoulSlide include Grammy nominee and Blues Music Award-winning singer Ruthie Foster, who duets with Jeff on a song titled “Like Flowers,” a Rolling Stones-style track Jeff co-wrote in the vein of “Tumbling Dice,” based on a quote from author Charles Bukowski. Foster also sings backup on the song, “Dirty Floor.” Original Texas soul man Malford Milligan (Storyville) and Jeff sing a duet on the Sam and Dave classic, “You Got Me Hummin’.” Milligan and Plankenhorn have been playing regularly and writing together since Jeff played all of the late Stephen Bruton’s guitar parts on the tribute album, An Evening with the Songs of Stephen Bruton. Milligan also sings backup on “Lose My Mind.”
 
Jeff’s band consists of the former rhythm section of late Texas guitar legend Stephen Bruton's old trio: Brannen Temple on drums and Yoggie on bass; plus young guitar/keyboard player Dave Scher. They fill Austin’s Saxon Pub every month or so on Fridays and Saturdays.
 
Other guest players on SoulSlide include Rami Jaffe (The Wallflowers, Foo Fighters) - Hammond organ, mellotron; Peter Adams - Wurlitzer, clavichord, Hammond organ; Miles Zuniga – electric/acoustic guitar, piano, electric bass, background vocals; Tim Pierce – electric/acoustic guitar; and the remaining members of The Resentments: Scrappy Jud Newcomb – electric/acoustic 12-string guitar, background vocals; Bruce Hughes - electric bass, background vocals; and John Chipman – drums. 
 
Since emerging as the go-to-guitarist for both recordings and live touring by a host of Texas music stars, Jeff Plankenhorn has won accolades from both players and the media alike.
 
“What a great piece of work - congratulations! The songs are kick-ass, the recordings are in your face, and the production is immaculate! There is a soulfulness in each song that stirs a flame from the embers of love reclaimed. The stories are universal and in tune. The guitar riffs are wicked but true. This recording is relevant to the times and will be on people's playlists for a long time.” – Joe Ely, upon hearing SoulSlide

“...with a voice like a bearded angel and some of the best guitar playing in the Western Hemisphere, he performs songs of depth and weight that belies his age.” - Jon Dee Graham, Texas songwriting legend?
“‘Plank’ is simply one of the best players in a city full of them. ‘Plank’ – if I go first, will you play at my funeral?” – Jody Denberg, Austin radio legend & current on-air talent at KUTX-FM 
 
About Jeff Plankenhorn
A quick listen to the albums released by Jeff Plankenhorn will give you an idea of the extremely varied styles the man Emily Robison of The Dixie Chicks calls a “chameleon” of performing. A deeper listen will uncover the overwhelmingly deep love all types of music Jeff has incorporated in his own unique style. Plankenhorn, or “Plank” as he is known, has found a way to blend the soulful vocals of the church, Motown, and funk singers that dominated his speakers as a youth with the bluegrass he studied while living in Nashville and the lyrically driven feel of the songwriters he has performed with since moving to Austin into an intoxicating sound that spans them all.
Like many other artists, Jeff found his voice in the church choir of his boyhood home in Ohio, “It was my first sense of belonging, community, and a feeling of doing good for others when we sang,” he recalls. Given a guitar from his older brother (an accomplished musician in his own right), Plank immediately found his calling as a musician, and began a lifetime calling of mastering the stringed instruments that spoke to him. His high school days, full of recording and performing, led him to the University of Michigan where he quickly became a mainstay in the Ann Arbor music scene. Following college, Jeff headed to Nashville to continue his education, “studying” under the likes of Uncle Josh Graves, Gene Wooten, and Jerry Douglas. Never satisfied with the status quo, Jeff was intrigued by the suggestion of songwriting legend Ray Wylie Hubbard of coming to Austin, Texas. Upon arriving in the Lone Star State, Plankenhorn’s Swiss army knife abilities immediately created a high demand for his talents, and he began adding to a resume that includes appearances on records by such luminaries as Joe Ely, Ray Wylie, Slaid Cleaves, Eliza Gilkyson, Jimmy Lafave and many more.
All of these experiences have led to Jeff’s currently tireless schedule of playing shows that include, song driven folk solo appearances, slide guitar heavy rock ‘n’ roll/soul shows with his own band, as well as the many standing dates with the collaborative Austin bands, The Apostles of Manchaca, The Purgatory Players, and the Resentments. 2016 will have Jeff amping up his national touring schedule with band shows, solo gigs and festival appearances, all while maintaining his presence in the Austin scene. The year promises to let the rest of the country in on what so many other musicians and the entire Austin music community have been enjoying for years now.
Additional upcoming Jeff Plankenhorn performances:
 
Wednesday, March 16: Jeff Plankenhorn with special guests - Austin Guitar Special @ Threadgill's World Headquarters – 5:00 PM - FREE SHOW - ALL AGES WELCOME
 
Friday, March 18: Heart Strings & Highways South of South X Showcase – Strange Brew, Lounge Side – Jeff will MC part of the event & do a solo set - http://www.southofsouthx.com/
 
Jeff’s regular residencies:
Sunday, March 13: Purgatory Players Gospel Brunch (with Jon Dee Graham, Scrappy Judd Newcomb & Seela) – 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
 
Sunday, March 13: The Resentments @ the Saxon Pub – 7:30 – 10:00 PM
 
Tuesday, March 15: The Apostles of Manchaca (with Malford Milligan) - 8:00-9:30 PM
 
For more information, visit www. http://jeffplankenhorn.net/

OBITUARY NEWS / Paul Kantner, gitarist en medeoprichter van de muziekgroep Jefferson Airplane, bekend voor zijn psychedelische rock uit San Francisco in de jaren 1960, is donderdag overleden. De man werd 74 jaar.

Kantner stierf aan de gevolgen van een hartaanval. De laatste jaren had hij een zwakke gezondheid.

De groep speelde onder meer op het legendarische Woodstock festival in 1969.

Bekende nummers van Jefferson Airplane zijn "Somebody to Love" en "White Rabbit" (Bron: De Morgen)

​NEWS / Los Angeles, CA - Peter Murphy is one of the most revered and recognizable figures in the dark side of art rock, having fronted the legendary gothic post-punk quartet Bauhaus in the late ‘70s and early ‘80s before pursuing a distinctive and creatively rich solo career starting in 1986. His success as a solo artist, amazingly enough, nearly eclipsed his previous stint with singles such as “Indigo Eyes” and the massive smash hit “Cuts You Up” elevating Murphy to center stage before a larger audience than he could have ever imagined possible. And it was indeed on the stage where Murphy truly shined, investing every phrase and note of his vast repertoire with unparalleled passion and poise. At the turn of the century, Murphy would take a moment to reflect on his solo career, releasing a greatest hits compilation called Wild Birds and embarking on an extensive world tour where he brought many of those highlights to life on stage. 

Now a superb double album capturing a single, majestic and magical evening on that tour - one April 4, 2000 at the House Of Blues in Los Angeles - will be made available for the first time on both CD and vinyl this February 12 courtesy of Cleopatra Records. Wild Birds Live Tour features incredible and haunting live versions of “Cuts You Up,” “Indigo Eyes,” “A Strange Kind Of Love,” “Marlene Dietrich's Favourite Poem” and many more! The 2CD set comes in a super deluxe mini LP-style gatefold digipak while the double vinyl package comes in both white and black vinyl.

Buy the CD: http://flyt.it/PeterMurphyCD
Buy the vinyl: http://flyt.it/PeterMurphyLP
Download on iTunes: http://flyt.it/PeterMurphyDig

CLEOPATRA RECORDS, Inc.
11041 Santa Monica Blvd #703
Los Angeles CA 90025
www.CleopatraRecords.com

NEWS / De legendarische Britse gitarist Eric Clapton is door een Franse rechtbank veroordeeld tot de betaling van een som van 15.000 euro aan de familie van schilder Emile Frandsen, wiens schilderij prijkt op de hoes van het album "Layla" uit 1970.
De familie van de Franse schilder van Deense oorsprong beschuldigt Clapton ervan dat hij het schilderij gebruikt heeft bij het uitbrengen van een collectors box in 2011. De box kwam er naar aanleiding van het veertigjarige bestaan van de plaat met Derek and the Dominos. 
Op de box prijkt, zoals op de originele plaat, het schilderij "La jeune fille au bouquet" (jonge vrouw met boeket nvdr.) Echter: op de verzamelbox is het kunstwerk ook te zien in drie dimensies. Bovendien zaten binnenin ook een sticker met het schilderij en een reproductie in karton. De familie van de in 1969 overleden schilder oordeelde dat dit een brug te ver was en klaagde Clapton aan omdat hij het schilderij "gedenatureerd" of misvormd had. De Franse rechter ging daar in mee. 
Clapton kreeg het schilderij in 1970 van de zoon van de schilder, die Derek and the Dominos onderdak had gegeven in Valbonne. Ze gebruikten het enkele maanden later voor de release van het bewuste album. (Bron: Belga)

Eerste single, “Hey, No Pressure” nu beschikbaar
KLIK HIER OM TE LUISTEREN!


Ray schrijft postkaart naar fans met preview van het album.

NEWS / Grammy Award winnaar Ray LaMontagne brengt op 4 maart zijn zesde studio album Ouroboros uit.  Ouroboros werd geproducet door Ray and Jim James of My Morning Jacket en bevat de single “Hey, No Pressure”. De single ging in première op NPR’s All Songs Considered waar ze het nummer een “inspired new song” noemden, het album als “incredible” omschreven en opmerkten dat Ray “has continued to push himself in different directions.”
Eerder stuurde Ray al een postkaart naar een kleine groep fans met een preview van het album:

---

Ladies and Gentleman, 
I would like to extend to you this humble invitation: to be among a select few of my listening audience to hear a passage from my latest composition titled ‘Ouroboros’.
‘Ouroboros’ is an album musically unlike any I have recorded previously.  It did not make itself known to me in sections, sessions, or moments carved out of the clutter of every day life.  It presented itself as the simple question: 
“Will you follow me?” 
 Of course I couldn’t say no. I had to follow. What else could I do?  
I had nothing with which to record the journey that was taken. The album is merely an attempt to recreate, from memory, the landscapes, the colors, the sights and sounds that were experienced. I only thank God for the vividness of those experiences, and for the ease of their recollection. 
I realize that in my invitation for you to listen, I am in fact asking something of you as well; for listening is not a purely passive act. Listening takes effort. To listen is to participate. 
There can be no conversation without one who is first willing to listen. 
And so I both invite you to, and ask if you might, sit, quiet your surroundings, quiet your mind, and listen as I present to you the question that was first presented to me:
Will you follow me? 
Yrs,
Ray LaMontagne 


Ray LaMontagne has released 5 studio albums (Trouble, Till The Sun Turns Black, Gossip in the Grain, God Willin’ & the Creek Don’t Rise and Supernova) and sold out numerous tours across the US.  Ray’s 2010 album God Willin’ & the Creek Don’t Rise won the Grammy for Best Folk Album and was nominated in the coveted Song of The Year category for “Beg Steal or Borrow”.  Ray’s last single, “Supernova” off the album of the same name became one of Ray’s fastest growing singles at AAA radio, with the song rocketing into the top 5 within two weeks of impact. 
 
For more information please visit:

Website: www.raylamontagne.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/raylamontagne
Twitter: www.twitter.com/RayLaMontagne
VEVO: www.vevo.com/artist/ray-lamontagne
iTunes - http://smarturl.it/HNPi
Apple Music - http://smarturl.it/HNPam
Spotify - http://smarturl.it/HNP
Deezer - http://www.deezer.com/album/12216974
Amazon Music - http://smarturl.it/HNPaz
Google Play - http://smarturl.it/HNPgp

NEWS / Coming off of a huge 2015, with an even bigger start to 2016, all girl Phoenix Rock quartet DOLL SKIN has quickly become an up and coming band that is hard to take your eyes off of. With highlights including performing on SHIPROCKED CRUISE with Five Finger Death Punch, Halestorm, Seether, Hellyeah, and more, an appearance at 2016 Winter NAMM including massive signings with Lita Ford and Megadeth’s David Ellefson (and a well-received performance at the annual Indie Schecter Guitars Party), and a string of West Coast dates supporing metal supergroup Metal Allegiance, culminating in a performance at The legendary Whisky a Go-Go as part of the Lemmy Kilmister memorial.

2015 saw the Worldwide release of Doll Skin’s debut EP In Your Face, through Ellefson’s own label EMP LABEL GROUP, distributed via Megaforce Records, (also known as the launching pad for legendary big 4 thrash bands Metallica and Anthrax and many more) and Cargo Records in Europe, and set Doll Skin on a trajectory straight to the ranks of the Hard Rock elite.

Since its release, the band has garnered massive worldwide press and airplay, including 2 months of repeat spins on Rodney on the Roq on the World Famous KROQ, grabbing rotation and winning cage matches all over the US, topping playlists in Japan, and finding a home on playlists across Europe. The band is set to hit the road again, with supporting dates for Punk legends The Dead Kennedys, Hellyeah, and an appearance at SXSW, in the midst of their first headlining radio tour.

The debut video “Family of Strangers” has already reached over 40,000 views via Vevo and Youtube, and the band just released the lyric video for their recently released second single “Wring Me Out”, unleashed earlier this month.

Doll Skin is endorsed by: Schecter Guitars, Blackstar Amps, KORG, Lag Guitars, Pearl Drums, ISP Technologies, Hartke, ProMark, Daddario, Samson, Sonall, and Sinister Guitar Picks.

Tour dates:

2/19 - Colorado Springs, CO. @ The Blacksheep w/ HELLYEAH
2/21 - Scottsdale, AZ. @ Live Wire w/ HELLYEAH
3/10 - Phoenix, AZ. @ Nile Theater w/ Dead Kennedys
3/11 - Tucson, AZ. @ Rialto Theater w/ Dead Kennedys
3/12 - Albuquerque, NM. @ The Co-Op
3/14-21 - Austin, TX. @ SXSW
3/23 - Oklahoma City, OK. @ Thunder Alley
3/26 - Sioux Falls, SD @ Brennan Rock and Roll Academy
3/29 - Dubuque, IA @ The Venue w/ Green Death
3/30 - Madison, WI @ The Red Zone
3/31 - Mankato, MN @ The Whats Up Bar
4/01 - Joliet, IL. @ The Tree
4/02 - Des Moines, IA @ Wooly's w/ Green Death

www.facebook.com/dollskinband
www.dollskinband.com

NEWS / Symphonic rock icons Renaissance featuring legendary singer Annie Haslam will be performing in the US & UK in support of their new DVD release “Live at The Union Chapel”! Filmed at The Union Chapel in London UK on April 16, 2015 by Paul Green Productions, with lighting by Russell 'Tigger' Matthews, the DVD features Renaissance performing such favorite classics as “Carpet of the Sun”, “Ocean Gypsy”, “Mother Russia”, “Ashes are Burning” and newer pieces “Symphony of Light” and “Grandine il Vento” to an ecstatic audience! The DVD is NTSC all-region, with LPCM stereo and Dolby Digital surround audio tracks. A Blu-Ray version is planned in 2016.

Watch the trailer: https://youtu.be/0xVnuRTzN60

Renaissance Winter 2016 US & UK Tour Dates:

USA
Feb 12 - The Birchmere - Alexandria, VA - tickets
Feb 13 - Keswick Theatre - Glenside, PA - tickets
Feb 19 - The Newton Theatre -  Newton, NJ - tickets
Feb 26 -  Renaissance on the Moody Blues Cruise    Miami, FL - tickets

UK - (dates April 17 through 26 with Curved Air)
April 14 - Trading Boundaries - Fletching
April 15 - Trading Boundaries - Fletching
April 17 - Opera House - Buxton
April 18 - The Stables - Milton Keynes
April 19 - Robin 2 - Wolverhampton
April 20 - Academy - Newcastle
April 21 - ABC - Glasgow
April 24 - Academy - Bournemouth
April 26 - Shepherds Bush Empire – London

Renaissance is a band with a rich history unique unto themselves as progressive rock pioneers who rose from the ashes of the seminal UK rock band, The Yardbirds. Acclaimed for their unique blending of progressive rock with classical and symphonic influences, the band's career has spanned forty plus years spearheaded by the 5 octave voice of Annie Haslam and the masterful songwriting skills of Michael Dunford. They are widely considered to be the band that most successfully and routinely utilized the sound of a full orchestra in their recordings.

In the early years Renaissance toured Europe extensively. It wasn't long before influential progressive rock stations in the US, such as WNEW (NYC), WMMR (Philadelphia) and WHFS (Washington) were turning on America to Renaissance. Before too long the band started thrilling concertgoers on the world's most distinguished stages, from Carnegie Hall in NYC with the New York Philharmonic Orchestra, to the Royal Albert Hall in London with The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and Royal Chorale Society. In 1978 they had a top ten hit in the UK with 'Northern Lights', which has become a classic radio favorite, still demanding regular airplay to this day.

The band eventually disbanded in the late 1980's at which time Annie Haslam launched a solo career. In celebration of the 40th anniversary of the original founding of Renaissance, Michael and Annie in 2009 decided to form a new touring band. More recently they have toured the UK, Belgium, Holland, Israel, Portugal, North America, Canada, Japan and South Korea and produced their first album in 13 years entitled “Symphony of Light”. The album is a testament to the unforgettable melodies that Michael Dunford infused into his work, Michael died prematurely in 2012.

Renaissance toured Europe in April 2015, the first in over 35 years! The tour was very successful and the fans loved every minute!

The current personnel of Renaissance include: Annie Haslam lead vocals, Rave Tesar keyboards, Tom Brislin keyboards, Mark Lambert acoustic guitars, Leo Traversa bass guitar, and Frank Pagano drums.

Watch Renaissance's new video for Cry to the World: https://youtu.be/finJd6nNo84

To purchase Renaissance “Live at The Union Chapel” DVD: http://renaissancetouring.com/store ;
The DVD will also be sold through Amazon. A signed copy by Annie Haslam will be available through Renaissance online store. 
The Audio version of Renaissance “Live at The Union Chapel” will be available at Renaissance online store, Spotify, iTunes, Apple Music, Google Play, Amazon, Rdio, Deezer, Tidal, YouTube Music, Microsoft Groove, and MediaNet.

For more information:
www.renaissancetouring.com
facebook.com/renaissancetouring
www.anniehaslam.com
facebook.com/anniehaslamart

OBITUARY NEWS / De Britse zanger Colin Vearncombe, beter bekend als 'Black', is na een auto-ongeluk in Ierland op 53-jarige leeftijd overleden. De singer-songwriter uit Liverpool had in 1987 een wereldhit met het nummer 'Wonderful Life'.

De zanger verkeerde na het ongeluk op 12 januari in kritieke toestand door een ernstig hoofdletsel. Nadat hij twee weken in coma had gelegen in een ziekenhuis in Ierland, is hij dinsdag overleden. (Bron: HLN)

​NEWS / London, UK - For the first time ever, legendary underground classic “An Evening With Wild Man Fischer” produced by Frank Zappa will be released on CD by Gonzo Multimedia! The album has been out of print for decades and original vinyl copies are highly sought after!

Born Larry Wayne Fischer in Los Angeles, California, Wild Man Fischer was institutionalized at age 16, and later diagnosed with two mental disorders, severe paranoid schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Following his escape from the hospital (he said no one ever bothered to take him back there), Fischer wandered Los Angeles singing his songs a capella for 10 cents each to passers-by. Discovered on the street by Frank Zappa, with whom he recorded his first album in 1968, Fischer became an underground concert favorite. Zappa was responsible for Fischer's initial foray into the business of recorded music, an album called “An Evening with Wild Man Fischer”, which contained 36 tracks, some of which contained musical accompaniment by Zappa and some of the Mothers of Invention members, and others featured Wildman Fischer solo.

The CD will be released on January 29, 2016

For more information:
http://www.gonzomultimedia.co.uk/product_details/15895

NEWS / Los Angeles, CA - Known worldwide as one of the most important figures in Cajun music, a renowned multi-instrumentalist, master of the fiddle and accordion, distinctive vocalist, and a highly prolific songwriter, Doug Kershaw has spent most of his career mining the rich musical traditions of his home state of Louisiana, from zydeco to Creole-influence country and folk. Now he looks back on his own illustrious career, all the way back to his days performing as a duo with his brother Rusty in the 1950s, though the early years of his budding solo career, and digs up a stunning collection of more than 50 vintage studio recordings and demos. These never-before-released gems will be available to music fans worldwide on February 5 as Anthology - Rare Masters 1958-1969, a superb 2CD set courtesy of Goldenlane Records.
This treasure trove of an album is split between full band demos (comprising Disc 1) and guitar demos (comprising Disc 2), both showcasing not only an amazing vocal and musical dexterity but also a stunning, frequently moving songwriting talent. Often built around a clever, affecting turn of phrase (see “Shake Hands & Come Out Crying,” “I Wish I Had Died As A Baby,” or “It Takes All Day To Get Over Night”), Kershaw’s music may have roots in a specific region but his lyrics speak to the most universal themes of love, family, and good ol’ fashioned human misery. Kershaw’s own enthusiasm for the songs contained herein has not been diminished at all by the passing years. “I am so proud of this compilation,” Kershaw declares, “It’s like exposing my life to the world. I am who I am because you the people allowed me to be!” With an endorsement like that, no self-respecting Kershaw fan will be able to pass this one up.

Buy the box set: http://flyt.it/DougKershawCD
Download on iTunes: http://flyt.it/DougKershawDig

CLEOPATRA RECORDS, Inc.
11041 Santa Monica Blvd #703
Los Angeles CA 90025
www.CleopatraRecords.com

NEWS / Featuring Alice Cooper Group Rock Memorabilia, Drums, Guillotine, Clothing, Gold Album And Much Much, More!

Neal’s 18 Piece Mirrored Premier Drum Kit from The Alice Cooper Group Record Setting 1973 Billion Dollar Babies Tour

The Alice Cooper Group “Original” Guillotine Billion Dollar Babies Tour – 1973 Built By “The Amazing Randy”

Neal Smith Collection Heritage Auction

For More Information go to news, then auction at www.nealsmithrocks.com

NEWS / Northern Irish rock musician and guitarist ERIC BELL, best known as a founding member and the original guitarist of the rock group Thin Lizzy to release his new studio album "Exile" on February 26, 2016 via On The Edge/Cargo Records. UK tour in Feb/March and The Eric Bell Trio just confirmed to play June 11 at Sweden Rock Festival 2016.

1. Deep In Your Heart
2. Don't Love Me No More
3. Gotta Say Bye Bye
4. Vote For Me
5. Exile
6. Little Boy Running
7. Rip It Up
8. Concrete Jungle
9. Thank God
10. Song For Gary

The Vagabond Out of Exile – The Return of Eric Bell

​When you’ve co-founded one of the most successful bands in Irish history, written one of the best-loved guitar riffs of all time and had the British Prime Minister claim he listens to your songs when he “needs a lift” (which, let’s face it, must be quite often), it would be easy to put your feet up, sit back and bask in the glory of a successful career in music.

Or you could just keep on working like legendary blues guitarist and Thin Lizzy founder member, Eric Bell, who has just finished recording his first studio album in more than six years.

Exile, the first collection of new material since 2009’s Lonely Nights in London, was recorded at Edge Recording Studios, a converted barn in Cheshire. Basic, homely and unpretentious, what the studio lacks in corporate frills, it more than makes up for in pedigree. Owned by renowned sound engineer John Delf, who works with some of the globe’s biggest bands, including Five Seconds of Summer, Plan B and The Script, and run by Mark Winterburn, one of the UK’s top studio engineers, it offered the back-to-basics, artist-led approach that Eric needed to tempt him back into the studio.

Lyrically, the new album covers a lot of ground; some songs reflect the difficult times in Eric’s life, others explore universal themes of love, fatherhood and loss. Some were penned many years ago, lying dormant as if waiting to be brought to life, some were written very recently. There’s even a cover of a rock ‘n’ roll standard.

Although Eric didn’t start out as a songwriter, working alongside Phil Lynott in Thin Lizzy, Van Morrison in Them and Dave Clark in the Noel Redding Band allowed him to see the songwriting process up close and gave him the confidence to find his own writing style.

“This album reflects the music I like to play and listen to, so that’s what I’d say, “I’m trying to cover the whole spectrum of music.”

Eric Bell Band - UK Tour 2016

Feb 26 - Borderline, London
Feb 27 - District Club, Pontypridd
Feb 28 - Fiddlers, Bristol
Feb 29 - The Haven Club, Oxford
Mar 01 - The Iron Road, Evesham
Mar 03 - The Snooty Fox, Wakefield
Mar 04 - The Forum, Darlington
Mar 05 - The Dreadnought Rock, Bathgate

The Eric Bell Trio just confirmed to play June 11 at Sweden Rock Festival 2016.

www.facebook.com/Eric-Bell-58141731146
www.eric-bell.com

NEWS / SOTO, featuring vocalist Jeff Scott Soto, has completed their 2nd studio album, ‘DIVAK’, to be released on April 1st 2016.

‘DIVAK’ (pronounced dee-vock) comes shortly after the debut release ‘Inside The Vertigo’, a mere 15 months partly due to Jeff Scott Soto’s insistence on continuing to create and build a true brand for his new venture. Once again the album is produced by Jeff Scott Soto and drummer, Edu Cominato, mixed by long time JSS engineer/associate, John Ellis.

The band features Soto on vocals, Cominato on drums, lead guitarist Jorge Salan, bassist David Z and keyboardist/guitarist BJ. The guys are heavily featured on ‘DIVAK’ with their writing contributions together.
 
The 1st single “FreakShow” was co-produced/written by Tony Dickinson, who also co-wrote “The Fall”, (the 1st single released from ‘Inside The Vertigo’), the track is an extension of the SOTO sound created especially for this new band.
 
SOTO will debut live during Feb 2016 with a string of East Coast US dates leading into the annual Monsters Of Rock Cruise (East) alongside Steve Vai, Extreme, Queensryche and countless headliners. In April, the band makes its European debut with a short run through selected cities and countries. The month of May sees SOTO touring Latin America, which includes dates in Brazil supporting The Winery Dogs.
 
SOTO, formed in 2014, is the dream band created when Jeff Scott Soto realized how much he missed the ‘heavier side’ of his career after fronting artists Yngwie Malmsteen, Talisman, Journey and even his own solo albums. The band hope to continue its construction as a driving force in today’s Hard Rock & Metal scene.

‘DIVAK’ will be available on April 1st 2016 as CD Digi and Download.
 
Tracklist
1. DIVAK (Intro) // 2. Weight Of The World // 3. FreakShow // 4. Paranoia // 5. Unblame //
6. Cyber Masquerade // 7. In My Darkest Hour // 8. Forgotten // 9. SuckerPunch // 10. Time //
11. Misfired // 12. The Fall From Grace // 13. Awakened
 
Bonus Tracks (all digital retailers)
14. Final Say (live)
15. The Fall  (live)
16. Break  (live)
17. When I'm Older (live)
18. Stand Up (live)
Additional Bonus Tracks itunes/apple music
19. My Life
20. Cracking The Stone

SOTO
EUROPEAN TOUR DATES
 
April 1st, Barcelona, Razzmatazz 3 (ES)
April 2nd, Madrid, Catz (ES)
April 3rd, Lisbon, RCA Club (PRT)
April 5th, Zaragoza, Sala Lopez (ES)
April 7th, Wetzikon, Hall of Fame (CH)
April 8th, Munich, Garage Deluxe (D)
April 10th, Ludwigsburg, Rockfabrik (D)
April 11th, Prague, Nova Chmelnice (CZ)
April 12th, Nuremberg, Der Cult (D)
April 14th, Siegburg, Kubana Club (D)
April 15th, Weert, De Bosuil (NL)
April 17th, Rotterdam, Baroeg (NL)
April 19th, Verviers, Spirit Of 66 (BE)
April 21st, Trieste, Rock Out (IT)
April 22nd, Bresso, Blue Rose Saloon (IT)
 
www.sototheband.com
www.facebook.com/SOTOofficial | www.twitter.com/SOTOtheBand
www.facebook.com/JeffScottSoto | https://twitter.com/jeffscottsoto

CONTEMPORARY NEWS / Het concert dat Bruce Springsteen gisteren zou geven in de Madison Square Garden in New York is afgelast vanwege de sneeuwstorm die momenteel door de Verenigde Staten raast. Om dat goed te maken is de show die Sprinsteen samen met The E Street Band op 19 januari in Chicago gaf gratis te downloaden op zijn site. Iedereen kan het concert downloaden, maar de download is wel nog maar twee dagen beschikbaar.

Het concert telt maar liefst 33 nummers en bestaat voor een groot deel uit een integrale uitvoering van The River. De tour waarbij dit concert hoort staat in het teken van de uitgebreide reissue van dat album die dit jaar verscheen. Ook covert Bruce Take It Easy van The Eagles, ter ere van de pas overleden zanger Glenn Frey.

De The River tour loopt nog tot eind maart door Noord-Amerika. Deze week staat nog een concert in de Madison Square Garden gepland. Dit concert gaat naar alle waarschijnlijkheid wel door. Of de The River tour ook naar Europa komt is nog niet bekend. (Bron : OOR)

DOCUMENTARY NEWS / 'Eat That Question -- Frank Zappa In His Own Words' zooms in on the iconoclastic composer-musician.

Sony Pictures Classics has nabbed the new documentary on Frank Zappa.

Eat That Question -- Frank Zappa In His Own Words, directed by Thorsten Schutte, zooms in on the iconoclastic composer-musician entirely through rare archival footage from his three-decade career. With clips of rare TV interviews and international performances, the film by the German director explores Zappa's unconventional and irreverent handling of the media, his irrepressible quest for enlightenment and his witty self-dramatization.

Sony Pictures Classics made the acquisition announcement of the doc's worldwide rights (excluding France and Germany) ahead of its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival on Jan. 25 in the Documentary Premieres section.

"I'm delighted and I'm thrilled that Sony Pictures Classics believes in the film and I feel we're in very good hands," said Schutte. "The news of the acquisition is really the cherry on the cake of our world premiere at Sundance."

The deal from NYC-based sales company Submarine was negotiated by Sony Pictures Classics with Josh Braun, Dan Braun and David Koh of Submarine on behalf of the filmmakers,

Eat That Question is produced by Estelle Fialon of Les Films du Poisson (France) and Jochen Laube of UFA Films (Germany), and co-produced by ARTE France and SWR.