Prog Ensemble 41POINT9 is releasing their eagerly awaited new album“Mr. Astute Trousers” on October 19, 2018! Hammer meets anvil and the sparks fly. In the process, a sword is made stronger than it could have been before. The same thing happened back in 1995 when bassist/songwriter/producer Bob Madsen met guitarist/songwriter/singer Brian Cline in the North Bay Area of California. Brian and Bob began working together on a few tunes written by Bob and began a lifelong “bromance.” In Brian, Bob had found the perfect voice for his muse. The only problem was Brian’s insistence on editing Bob’s lyrics (a process referred to as “lyrical evisceration”). (Of course, the real problem is that almost without exception Bob has had to admit that Brian’s edits make the songs better.)
After nearly a decade of friendship the two decided to start a band together. That band is 41POINT9 and is known for being a prog rock band, but Bob and Brian would probably argue that point with you. “We don’t care about styles or subjects or how the song will be classified. We start out with an idea and let the idea dictate where the song will lead. We usually write the lyrics first and then add the music in order to further the concept of the song. As such, we are able to bring a diverse range of musical influences to bear, like a painter would with many pigments and brushes. We actually create the songs with little to no regard for how we would or even could perform them live.” Bob continues, “We might combine Stravinsky strings with funk bass and heavy metal guitars. Hip-hop or EDM production styles might meet new wave synths and storytelling lyrics that would be at home on a classic country album. We simply don’t care as long as the song is good.”
41POINT9 is known for being a prog rock band, but Bob and Brian would probably argue that point with you. “We don’t care about styles or subjects or how the song will be classified. We start out with an idea and let the idea dictate where the song will lead. We usually write the lyrics first and then add the music in order to further the concept of the song. As such, we are able to bring a diverse range of musical influences to bear, like a painter would with many pigments and brushes. We actually create the songs with little to no regard for how we would or even could perform them live.” Bob continues, “We might combine Stravinsky strings with funk bass and heavy metal guitars. Hip-hop or EDM production styles might meet new wave synths and storytelling lyrics that would be at home on a classic country album. We simply don’t care as long as the song is good.”
“Notice we didn’t mention Prog?” Brian adds, “We absolutely love progressive music; however, we don’t stop there. We are in the pursuit of the different. Shouldn’t progressive music progress? Why apply the same stylistic norms that have been used since the ’70s and still call it progressive? That’s not progressive – that’s stagnant.”
“Don’t get us wrong,” chimes in Bob, “we are writing songs with a very strong pop sensibility and we feel they are eminently listenable; we just don’t feel the pressure to stay in one genre or tonality. It just doesn’t matter as long as it serves the song.”
In support of the “Mr. Astute Trousers” album release, 41POINT9 is preparing to tour later in the year if all goes well. “The difficulty in touring is that we have been having a real problem finding a drummer for the band,” Bob concludes. “All of the ones we have auditioned have spontaneously combusted. I guess that’s what we get for using the same talent agency as Spinal Tap.”
For the past year Bob and Brian have been producing a series of high quality concept videos for songs on “Mr. Astute Trousers.” In their most recent video, 41POINT9 pays tribute to the honor and traditions of the Marine Corps and to the sacrifice embodied by all who serve. It is for this reason all proceeds from this video will be donated to The Semper Fi Fund, an A+ rated charity that provides immediate financial assistance and lifetime support to post 9/11 combat wounded, critically ill and catastrophically injured members of the U.S. Armed Forces and their families.
Here’s what some of our friends are saying about the album:
“What a great Progtastic album by 41POINT9. The compositions, playing and production by Bob and the boys is superb. Listen out for some familiar players on the excellent collection of tracks” – John Payne – Asia, Dukes of the Orient
“In my mind this is a band that melds two of my favorite things about music; Pop sensibility and progressive complexity. Delivered in droves by, not only the songwriting but by the vocals from Brian Cline (the original vocalist of Enchant) and the Bass playing of Bob Madsen (who has guested on numerous Enchant releases) Love it.!!!” – Ted Leonard – Spocks Beard, Enchant
“41POINT9 is great modern prog/metal/jazz/pick-your- drawer stuff, driven by Madsen’s elegant basslines and composition skill, and genre-busting guitars by Chad Quist. The record sounds fantastic, this is a great mix by Tom Size and Matt Wallace. From a bit Gothic to a bit Fusion to a lot of Metal and performed with skill and confidence, this is good stuff. I wish I’d played on it.” – Tony Carey – Rainbow, Planet P, Tony Carey Solo
Los Angeles, CA – Of the many gifts given to the world by the Detroit music scene, from the compositions of Duke Ellington to the raw punk power of The Stooges and current Hall Of Fame nominees The MC5, one of the most enduring has been the unforgettable voice of Mitch Ryder. Whether performing with or without his Detroit Wheels, Ryder has been one of the most dominant figures in the Motor City’s bountiful music scene for the last 4 decades, stuffing the world’s musical stockings with such sweet hits as “Devil With A Blue Dress On,” “Jenny (Take A Ride)” and lots more! This year he proudly presents a collection of brand new recordings to celebrate the spirit and soul of Christmas, called Christmas (Take A Ride), which finds the blue-eyed crooner offering fresh takes on holiday classics made famous by Elvis Presley, Stevie Wonder, and Bruce Springsteen along with seasonal favorites “Let It Snow,” “Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer” and more! Christmas (Take A Ride) will be available on both CD and digital starting October 26 via Goldenlane Records, a division of Cleopatra Records, Inc.
Also be sure to watch for a new album from Ryder featuring very special guest appearances by James Williamson (The Stooges), Sylvain Sylvain (NY Dolls), Walter Lure (Johnny Thunders & The Heartbreakers), Joe Louis Walker, Brian Auger and more!
Track List:
1. What Christmas Means To Me
2. Blue Christmas
3. Santa Claus Is Coming To Town
4. Someday At Christmas
5. Jingle Bell Rock
6. Santa Claus
7. Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer
8. Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)
9. Sleigh Ride
10. Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer
11. Let It Snow
12. Put A Little Love In Your Heart
Arena are set to release their first ever single ‘Poisoned (single version)’. The track has been one of the most popular songs from their latest and ninth album, ‘Double Vision’, and was a poignant and much commented on a moment from their last UK and European tour. The single version is a reworked version of the album track and the band have recorded they’re first ever video to accompany the song, which will be released on October 26th, 2018.
The song was written for loved ones and close friends lost to illness and Arena are asking everyone to join the band in commemorating anyone lost to them who represented an important part of their lives.
Fans can join in with the #arenapoisoned campaign by posting a picture and the name of someone important in their life who has passed on, on social media, with the hashtag #arenapoisoned and encourage others to do the same. The band’s plan is to collate the photographs and create a montage of the pictures in a forthcoming vinyl version of Double Vision – something special for posterity.
The Single was released on 26th October. The single is be available from iTunes, Amazon Music amongst others.
Songs about spiritual epiphanies, longing, friendship, and loss
Much to the excitement of Prog fans worldwide, keyboardist Tim Morse will be releasing his 3rd album “Tim Morse III” featuring songs about spiritual epiphanies, longing, friendship, and loss. The original idea for Tim’s third album was that it would be a completely solo project where he would play all the instruments and sing all the vocals. However, even at the demo stage he missed the input of others and decided to bring in some of his favorite musicians for cameo appearances (mostly drummers and guitarists).
Says Tim, “I’m not really a multi-instrumentalist – I’m a pianist and guitarist. By extension, I play other keyboards, bass and a little bit of percussion. Anyone can play drums as good as I can! You can hear me play everything on one song ‘The Marquis’ and I play most of the instruments on ‘My Ally’ and ‘Talisman’ as well.
“It was very important to me to get to the ’emotional core’ of the songs on this recording and so I looked for ways to eliminate some of the fiddlings about – don’t get me wrong, this is still a progressive rock album – but I wanted to make sure the message was clear. My work with The Mangoes and the music of some of my favorite recording artists like Field Music and Kevin Gilbert influenced this approach. Also, I knew from the start that there would be a vinyl release and so that was an exciting aspect of the project. It’s been a dream of mine since I was thirteen to release a vinyl album of my original music and it’s finally coming true! I’m very proud of the songwriting on ‘III,’ I definitely feel that it features some of my best work.”
When the writing was finished Tim decided that it was essential to record on as much vintage gear as possible – Hammond organ, Fender Rhodes electric piano, Mini-Moog, and Mellotron samples. He spent a day at the Oakland Vintage Synthesizer Museum tracking songs with all kinds of analog synthesizer goodness (including the mighty Moog Taurus Bass pedals).
Says Tim, “On this recording, I wanted to find the right balance between structure and improvisation. Of course, all of my solos were improvised (most of them are first takes done on the original demos), but even parts that might seem structured were done one pass on the fly. I believe that adds a vital feel to the music. I also kept a lot of scratch tracks where some precision may be sacrificed because the feel of the music was right.”
Most of the recording was done in Tim’s home studio (and others contributed parts from their project studios). However, he did track drums at Andrew Glasmacher’s Studio 12 West in Utah over a few days. Also, all of the lead vocals were recorded at Paradise Studios with Craig Long. Craig is a mini-local legend in northern California, having worked with multi-platinum acts like Cake, Tesla, Bobby Brown, Tony, Toni, Tone! and many others. Tim wanted his expertise for the vocal sessions and Craig also made important contributions to the mix and did the final mastering of “Tim Morse III.”
Watch the video for “The Mary Celeste”:
Tim Morse began his instrument instruction at a young age and started composing immediately upon picking up the guitar. He later moved onto the piano and studied as a music composition major, writing extended pieces such as a string quartet and two piano sonatas. During this time Tim performed with various rock and fusion bands and played on many recording sessions. Tim’s first album of original music was entitled “Transformation” and was released in 2005. The album was well received by the Progressive Rock community and recognized as an original voice, in the tradition of Yes and Genesis, yet recorded and performed with a modern edge.
His second album “Faithscience” was released in 2012 and musically it picked up where “Transformation” left off, continuing to explore the best of Progressive Rock. In addition to this release, Tim became a member of the Jerry Jennings band and formed The Mangoes with Bret Bingham. The Mangoes released their debut album in 2014 and it was embraced for its pop sensibility and quirky humor.
Tim Morse is also a published author and his book “Yesstories” has sold over 20,000 copies worldwide. His book “Classic Rock Stories” was published by the St. Martin’s Press and was featured on the Howard Stern show. He has also written for music magazines over the years including Mix, Guitar World, Keyboard, and Bass Player.
“Tim Morse III” will be released on CD and digital download on October 22, 2018, by Cymbalick Music. There will be a limited edition vinyl LP release of the album in January 2019. Plans for live performances in support of the new album release are in the works.
In closing, Tim has this message for listeners: “I’m always grateful when anyone takes the time to listen to my music, whether they loved it or were critical of it. In this modern age of endless distractions, it is a lovely thing when someone will truly listen to music.”
To purchase:
“Tim Morse III” will be available on CDBaby, iTunes, Amazon, etc.
*Anyone ordering CDs or LPs on timmorse.com will get a free promotional bonus disc with cover songs, demos, alternate tracks, etc.
https://store.cdbaby.com/Artist/TimMorse
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