Good friends are made and sometimes lost A fellowship can fall to dust But brothers, sisters found at last Guide me from a wilderness’
To celebrate the fifteenth anniversary of the original release of their sixth album The Underfall Yard, Big Big Train have today released a new ‘Winter Version’ of the song Brew & Burgh. Brew & Burgh was first released as part of the re-mixed and expanded re-issue of The Underfall Yard in spring 2021 and is regarded by the band as forming an important part of the definitive version of the album
“The Underfall Yard was a pivotal album for Big Big Train,” drummer Nick D’Virgilio comments. “It was our late, great friend David Longdon’s debut for the band and represented the start of an upwards curve, which apart from leading us to record a series of great albums, eventually resulted in us playing live from 2015 onwards.”
“Brew & Burgh has a universal message, but it’s also a very personal song and has become even more poignant following the loss of David in late 2021,” adds bassist Gregory Spawton. “As a band we’ve been through a lot over the last few years and we are very grateful that our audience has been there for us. In this season of goodwill we thought that releasing what we’ve called a ‘Winter Version’ of the song with a new arrangement would be a nice way to thank our fans for their steadfast support.”
“I love the original version of Brew & Burgh,” says lead vocalist Alberto Bravin. “We didn’t want to simply re-record the song but instead decided to re-arrange it to suit the winter season. Oskar Holldorff played a lovely piano part, Clare Lindley supplied some beautiful violin and Paul Mitchell, who toured with us in the autumn, makes his recording debut with us playing trumpet on this song.”
The original recording Brew & Burgh, featuring David Longdon, Gregory Spawton, Nick D’Virgilio, Rikard Sjöblom and former BBT band members Rachel Hall and Danny Manners, can be heard here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=WsS0Fpo4g9k
Big Big Train recently announced 7 shows to take place in April 2025 in North America. In addition to returning to the United States (following a successful short run of shows in March this year) where the tour will include shows in Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, New York State, Massachusetts and New Jersey, the band will also make its debut in Canada (with details expected to be announced shortly). The majority of these shows will take place following the band’s co-headlining appearance on board Cruise To The Edge. In addition, the band will play for the first time in Portugal at the beginning of May at the Gouveia Art Rock festival.
At these performances the seven piece band will be promoting their recent studio and live albums The Likes Of Us and A Flare On The Lens, which were released by InsideOut/Sony in March and September respectively this year to great critical acclaim. These are are likely to be band’s only appearances in 2025.
BIG BIG TRAIN – LIVE IN ‘25
THE LIKES OF US IN NORTH AMERICA TOUR
Wednesday 2nd April – Sweetwater, Fort Wayne, Indiana, USA Friday 4th– Wednesday 9th April – Cruise To The Edge Thursday 10th April – Des Plaines Theatre, Des Plaines, Illinois, USA Friday 11th April – The Token Lounge, Westland, Michigan, USA Sunday 13th April – Electric City, Buffalo, New York, USA Thursday 17th April – Regent Theatre, Arlington, Massachusetts, USA Friday 18th April – Rivoli Theater at The Williams Center, Rutherford, New Jersey, USA Saturday 19th April – Rivoli Theater at The Williams Center, Rutherford, New Jersey, USA *** Sunday 4th May – Gouveia Art Rock, Gouveia, Portugal
Tickets for all North America shows are on sale now.
Great news for those that may have missed out and need to pick up some last minute stocking stuffers we have extended our sale through the end of the year. Melodic Revolution Records has extended its Annual Holiday Sale throughouth the end of the year
Save Big
Enjoy discounts of up to 25% off on CDs, LPs, and DVDs.
For Our International Fans:
Our Annual Holiday Sale is packed with brand-new releases and all the timeless classics you love!
Order early to snag the perfect gift for yourself, loved ones, or friends. Enjoy sale prices on CDs, LPs, and DVDs, with something special for every music lover.
Alll orders includes a free digital copy of the same product as a high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more. Plus, you’ll receive one of our awesome FREE various artist digital albums and a random bonus gift (while supplies last).
Share the joy—give the gift of music!
For Our International Fans:
We know that shipping costs can feel like a barrier for those outside the U.S.—we hear you and truly sympathize. Unfortunately, shipping rates are set by postal and delivery services, not by us.
BUT THERE’S GREAT NEWS!
The key to reducing costs is simple: order more than one item!
Don’t miss out—stock up on your favorites and save!
Start shopping now and enjoy the holiday season with music that makes spirits bright.
Important Update: Due to the ongoing mail strike in Canada, we are temporarily unable to ship orders to Canadian addresses. However, you can still place your order now to lock in your savings, and we will ship your items as soon as the strike is resolved. Thank you for your understanding and patience!
Renowned illustrator, composer, and musician Martin Springett (The Gardening Club) is proud to unveil Bright Weaving, his first solo album in nearly a decade. Best known for his creative fusion of art and music, Springett’s return to solo recording promises a deeply personal and innovative collection of tracks showcasing his signature style.
Fans can anticipate a blend of intricate compositions and storytelling that have become hallmarks of Springett’s work. This release marks a significant milestone in a career that has continually pushed the boundaries of artistic expression.
Track-list First Light / The Gardens Of Al Rassan 01:08 Elvira 04:33 Ragosa 02:05 Tudesca 02:25 Fezana 02:01 Dianora 05:28 Painted Feet On Ochre Sand 05:06 Fionavar Suite Part 1 / The Crossing 10:22 The Wild Hunt 01:18 Midsummer Night (Kevin’s Song) 03:46 Jennifer 02:53 Fionavar Suite Part 2 / The Return 02:56 Ysabel / Awakenings 06:03 Arbonne 01:17 Under Heaven 06:28 Children Of Earth And Sky 03:15 ‘Shirin’s Dance 03:46 River Of Stars 04:53 Shan’s Theme 02:00 The Last Light Of The Sun 04:50
The album is now available for preorder on Bandcamp with a street date in mid to late January.
with Friends—his band Stratospheerius, Randy McStine, The Tea Club, and Dave Bainbridge—Dec. 15 online and in person from Rutherford, NJ
Kansas violinist Joe Deninzon & his band Stratospheerius celebrate the release of their new album, “Impostor!” & Joe’s 50th Birthday!
With very special guests:
The Tea Club (featuring Kansas bassist Dan McGowan)
Dave Bainbridge (The Strawbs, Lifesigns)
Randy McStine (Porcupine Tree, Steven Wilson)
The ProgStock-sponsored celebration and event takes place on Sunday, December 15th, at 6:30 PM, at the Black Box Theater at the Williams Center, 15 Sylvan Street, in Rutherford, NJ 07070.
For more information, please call 973-886-6077.
This very special concert-celebration will be streamed worldwide on StageIt at 6:30 PM ET /3:30 PM PT /and Monday morning at 12:30 AM Amsterdam time as its happening on Sunday December 15th. StageIt tickets are available for $10 at ProgStock Festival is on StageItIn-person tickets range from $32.08-$47.56 (service fees included in these prices) and are available at progstock.simpletix.com The Facebook event page: https://www.facebook.com/share/1NC5Cb4wvh
Joe Deninzon & Stratospheerius
Stratospheerius is Joe Deninzon (Electric violin/lead vocal), Jason Gianni (drums/background vocals), Michelangelo Quirinale (guitar/background vocals), Bill Hubuaer (keys/background vocals), Dan Asher (bass). The group’s new album, “Impostor!” (on Trey Gunn’s 7d Media) is on over 100 radio stations across world, with more plays than ever on streaming media, acclaim, and still growing.
Thankful for this 50th birthday celebration, Joe is looking forward to connecting with fans and friends on December 15. He says, “With my crazy Kansas touring schedule, my band Stratospheerius only gets to do a handful of shows during the year. I’m psyched to celebrate my birthday and the release of our new album at the Williams Center alongside some of my favorite artists on the planet! The audience is in for a treat!”
Dave Bainbridge
Dave Bainbridge is musician, composer, artist, and producer who co-formed the Celtic Prog Band Iona, who were popular from 1989 through 2015. He joined the Strawbs and Lifesigns. He and Sally Minnear (daughter of Gentle Giant keyboardist Kerry Minnear) released a recent collaboration, “Live in the Studio.” Dave has been in the Top 4 of Prog Magazine’s Top Ten Guitarist in their annual readers poll every year since 2021.Dave sat in with Stratospheerius in Baltimore; and we hear that he’ll play guitar on one of the band’s classic songs in Rutherford!
Randy McStine
Most known as a great collaborator, including as a member of Porcupine Tree, McStine and Minnemann, and Dave Kerzner’s prog/symphonic group In Continuum, the multi-instrumentalist Randy is also working solo artist. Currently on tour, opening for the Pineapple Thief, his three solo albums have featured special guests including Nick D’Virgilio (notably of Spock’s Bear), Kings’ X’s Doug Pinnick, and Porcupine Tree’s Gavin Harrison and Colin Edwin.
Randy’s played every notable rock instrument (guitar, bass, drums) as a substitute in Stratospheerius through the years. Quips Joe, “If he learns violin, he’ll fill in for me!”
The Tea Club
The Tea Club is fronted by the songwriting team of brothers Patrick and Dan McGowan whose unorthodox guitar playing and fervent singing form the core of the group’s unique art-rock, folk, electronica, and romanticism style. Bassist Jamie Wolff and drummer Dan Monda draw upon their shared love of dynamics and melody to create a raucously sophisticated rhythm section. Joe Dorsey helms the keyboards and brings boundless energy, virtuosity, and a forward-thinking approach to the compositions.
Their latest record If / When is daringly personal, exploring themes of death, failure, new life, and hope. Dan McGowan and Joe share the stage most every weekend in Kansas, but it was originally at ProgStock Festivals that Joe and Dan, and the rest of their bands fell in love with each other’s music!
InsideOutMusic recently signing of Italian instrumental, prog-metal fusionists Asymmetric Universe to a new worldwide deal. The band, formed by brothers Federico Vese & Nicolò Vese, played some select live shows this past Summer, including a rapturously received set at Arctangent Festival in the UK. Today the band are pleased to launch a brand new track titled ‘Opaco’, Italian for ‘opaque’, and you can watch the video (directed by Edoardo Giuliani) now here:
The band comment: “Opaco is the most technically challenging song we have ever composed. It’s inspired by the modern guitar style of bands like Animals As Leaders, Polyphia but with a genre-bending jazz sections inspired by Pat Metheny, Victor Wooten, Jacob Collier. We wanted to set aside the heavy arrangement of the previous song in order to sound like a jazz/metal quartet.”
The band have been receiving attention aplenty, with Total Guitar Magazine picking them out at Arctangent Festival as “this year’s guitar standout”, while Guitar World called their previous single “wonderfully ludicrous in its extremism” and “a jazz-fusion thrill ride like no other.”
Formed in 2018, with the goal of pushing the limit of modern prog and fusing disparate genres, they combine metal with jazz & ambient music, alongside chamber orchestration. In 2023, the band released their second EP ‘The Sun Would Disappear As I Imagined All The Stars’, which was mixed by Forrester Savell and mastered by Ermin Hamidovic. They also embarked on their first European tour as support to Australian progressive metallers Ne Obliviscaris, as well as opening for Caligula’s Horse in Italy.
Both brothers are mostly self-taught musicians, who have been heavily involved in composition and orchestration, as well as music production.
Federico has composed music for as wide ranging places as Radio Montecarlo (one of the biggest Italian radio stations), as well as one of the largest Italian amusement park Mirabilandia. He is a metal/rock producer and this background influences his work as a composer in the video game industry. He is also a professional music and guitar teacher with online students from different parts of the world.
Mandoki Soulmates announce a limited deluxe edition of the album A Memory Of Our Future on white vinyl, again in analog. it will also be available on ¼ studio master tape for the ultimate analog audiophile experience. They also announce music video for The Wanderer.
Limited Edition Album & Music Video Announcement
MANDOKI SOULMATES announce new limited edition LP A Memory Of Our Future on deluxe audiophile white vinyl; new cinematic music video for The Wanderer coming 13th November
1st November 2024; On 29th November, a limited deluxe edition of the album A Memory Of Our Future will be released on white vinyl, available to pre-order from 1st November. Again this album will be produced completely in the analog domain, and audiophiles have lauded the production quality. The album will also be available on ¼ studio master tape for the ultimate analog audiophile experience. Pre-order here: https://mandokisoulmates.lnk.to/MOOFVinyl
Mandoki Soulmates, who include amongst them, UK artists Ian Anderson, Nick van Eade and John Helliwell, will also launch a cinematic video for their new single The Wanderer on 13th November. This will be followed later on by additional music videos and a full concert video recorded live during the summer tour with 16 cameras and high-end audio.
Mandoki Soulmates’ album A Memory Of Our Future: Heres what the media say:
Fireworks (UK) An exemplary exercise in how to bring together the very best within the Progressive world and product a cohesive album that sits very comfortably with some of the very best collective projects out there.
Now Spinning Magazine (UK) Musically, A Memory of Our Future is a diverse and immersive experience. The album defies easy categorization, blending elements of 70s soul, progressive rock, jazz fusion, and more. From the soulful grooves reminiscent of the Average White Band to the lightning-fast guitar lines of Al Di Meola, I found the album an absolute joy to listen to.
The Prog Report (UK) Featuring a whos who of prog, jazz and rock luminaries, the new record doesnt just bridge stylistic boundaries it blows them up entirely.
Goldmine Magazine (USA) A modern-day Jazz Fusion/Progressive Rock masterpiece;
Forever Music (USA) it could be the album of the year.
For bandleader Leslie Mandoki, this album is not just a collection of songs, but a musical manifesto for today’s world. Every song has a special genesis, he says, because it’s not we composers and lyricists who write the songs, it’s life! Some songs on A Memory Of Our Future clearly have autobiographical echoes. For example, The Wanderer reflects Leslie Mandoki’s own story and struggles in his youth, his dangerous and adventurous escape as a young musician from the oppression and censorship of Soviet communist dictatorship in Hungary through the Karawanken tunnel (past guards with orders to shoot), to freedom and artistic self-realisation. The message is universal across all generations and speaks to everyone who is searching for their path in our crisis-ridden world.
Like many other artists – from REM and David Bowie to Beyoncé and Taylor Swift – Leslie Mandoki felt inspired to extend the expression of his creative impulses to the visual realm by taking a leading role in the conceptualisation and creative direction of the music video. As a child I wanted to be a painter, later a poet. Today I still paint designs for our album artwork and write the lyrics for all our songs. But his father, a musician himself, recognised Leslie’s potential and steered him towards studying music, not least because his father thought music offered better career opportunities at the time. His final advice to his son was: Don’t dream your life, live your dream! With the expansion of his creative expression through the music video for The Wanderer, Leslie feels he is following his father’s advice in a special way, because this is exactly the message the song and the video convey to the young protagonist and the younger generation. In this respect, he is coming full circle with The Wanderer, both artistically and biographically.
Through the end of 2024, Mandoki Soulmates will be releasing more videos for songs from their current album, A Memory Of Our Future. Regular postings on the bands YouTube channel will include the video for the song I Am Because You Are, as well as new concert videos.
Leslie Mandoki states, The wonderful thing about A Memory Of Our Future and this way of making music is that we can overcome the melancholy of current issues together. Music also opens our eyes to the future, encourages positive thinking and optimism. That gives us strength and drives us forward.
Music has always been humanity’s greatest unifier, and now more than ever we need it to unite us Together, across generationsfor a common future in a better world.
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