Melodic Revolution Records Is thrilled to announce the brand-new Joe Deninzon & Stratospheerius official music video “Storm Surge” featuring the vocal talents of Michael Sadler (SAGA) along with performances by Fernando Perdomo (Solo, Dave Kerzner), Ruti Celli (Take 3), Yulia Ziskel (New York Philharmonic Orchestra), last but not least… multi-award-winning Rachel Flowers.
The video will premiere Friday, October2nd, 2020 on YouTube the video will also be debut on Vimeo and will be a featured video on Power of Prog. The Single will be exclusively available Friday, October2nd, 2020 on Bandcampand on Patreononly, following the worldwide digital distribution on October 23rd, 2020
….”as stated by Joe Deninzon” A little over a year ago, my son Max was playing a short piano piece by 19th-century composer Friedrich Burgmüller, called “The Storm.” The piece was stuck in my head because I would hear him practicing it every day. I started to imagine it as a rock power ballad and began to sketch out a slowed-down version with the basic chord changes and structure.
I was imagining a cello replacing the ostinato part played by the left hand on the piano, so I asked my friend Ruti Celli, who I met on Cruise to the Edge last year when we played with Dave Kerzner and In Continuum, to contribute her beautiful part.
Our drummer, Jason Gianni, had a sketch he never finished that he thought would be a perfect fit in the middle of the song. I layered a huge string orchestra on top of that section and recruited the great guitarist/producer Fernando Perdomo to lay down a soaring guitar solo.
Next, I was hearing a flute during the breakdown section that followed. We have never had a flute, or any woodwinds for that matter, on one of our recordings! I asked the genius multi-instrumentalist Rachel Flowers to play the flute and lay down a piano track for the song. Rachel has been blind since age 3 and plays piano, flute, bass, guitar, drums, stick, sings, and records and mixes her own albums! I’ve met and worked with a lot of gifted people in my career, but don’t think I have ever met a person with this level of talent! Check out the documentary about her, Hearing is Believing, on Amazon Prime.
Finally, I’ve been into the idea of using outside singers in Stratospheerius. Up until his time, I have always been the lead vocalist. The new album we are slowly putting together will feature many special guests. We’ve been longtime fans of the 80’s Canadian band SAGA best known for hits like “Wind Him Up” and “On The Loose.” When we played at the ProgStock Festival afterparty back in 2018, Saga’s lead singer Michael Sadlercaught our set after his performance at the festival, and was raving about the band! We were incredibly humbled to receive such words of encouragement from such an iconic artist.
We felt Michael’s voice would be perfect for this song! He ended up contributing a jaw-dropping vocal performance, enhancing the melody, and adding Queenesque harmonies. As a side note, he and his wife Gwen turned out to be some of the nicest and most gracious people I have ever worked with.
“Storm Surge” is about the anxiety we all feel in these uncertain times. With the global pandemic, the fight against racism and the continuing struggle for social justice, climate change, political upheaval, economic turmoil, and a future of uncertainty, there is a storm that’s raging inside of us right now.
Stratospheerius is: Joe Deninzon – lead vocals/electric violin Jason Gianni- drums Michelangelo Quirinale – guitar Paul Ranieri – bass
Special Performances on Storm Surge Video and Single Michael Sadler – Vocals Rachel Flowers – Keys and Flute Yulia Ziskel – Violin RutiCelli – Cello Fernando Perdomo – Guitar
Tracked by Rave Tesar (Renaissance) Mixed and mastered by Rich Mouser (Spocks Beard, Dream Theater)
YES has confirmed that they regretfully are cancelling a handful of shows and will not be performing on this year’s “Cruise to the Edge.” Band members Steve Howe and Alan White both commented:
Steve Howe:
“Although YES performs with the spirit that ‘the show must go on,’ we’ve reached the point where various factors require us to postpone our forthcoming U.S. dates and cancel our appearances on the 7th ‘Cruise To The Edge.’ We are full of regret, as we’ve been preparing for these shows with maximum excitement. Running a relatively large show aided by our 12-piece crew and full production requires insurance coverage, which is currently unavailable to us for a variety of reasons beyond our control. Mostly, we always hope to deliver a great show, creating a good experience for music fans and bringing joy to all. It’s become impossible to predict what will happen in the near future, but we look forward to seeing you all very soon.”
Alan White:
“Much to our disappointment but with an abundance of consideration and caution, YES has postponed its performances in the Southeast this spring and withdrawn from the shows on ‘Cruise to the Edge’ for reasons beyond our control. We will genuinely miss our fans/friends who have accompanied us for years on these fun excursions. Gigi [Alan’s wife] and I have very close personal friends and family members who booked to join us for this trip so we are all extremely disappointed. It is unfortunate timing for everyone. We sincerely hope that all involved will realize the last thing the band ever wants to do is to let down their audiences. We believe it is a prudent decision based on many variables and external factors.”
Information about obtaining refunds will follow in due course.
I am disappointed to announce that, on the advice of my medical team, I have to withdraw from Cruise to the Edge, and from the first leg of the Journey tour, March 15 – April 4.
I will soon be starting a new medical chemotherapy procedure, under which I will not be able to fly.
I am grateful to the promoters of the cruise. I wish them pleasant sailing and I know my friends on the cruise, both artists and fans, will have a ball on the ocean wave, I will be with you all in spirit.
My good friend Billy Sherwood will fill in for me within Asia, keeping my seat warm during the initial 12 Journey dates. While I am naturally disappointed to miss the beginning of what I know will be an historic ASIA tour, I am intending to return to the stage with Asia later in 2017, dates soon to be announced. I know this decision will be in the best interests of my health and our fans, in the long run.
John Wetton
Bournemouth
England
January 11th. 2017
Feb 7-11 Tampa, FL, Cruise to the Edge
Feb 12 Tampa, FL, The Orpheum
Feb 14 Houston,TX, The Scout bar
Feb 15 Dallas, TX, Gas Money
Feb 16 Kansas City, MO, The Riot Room
Feb 18 Chicago, IL, Reggies
Feb 19 Detroit, MI, The Token Lounge
Feb 21 Toronto, ON, Mod Club
Feb 22 Quebec, QC, Le Cercle
Feb 23 Montreal, QC, Le Tulipe
Feb 24 Buffalo, NY, Iron Works
Feb 26 New York, NY, The Marlin Room
Very excited to see all of the great feedback upon the announcement of my Shattered Fortress appearance at Prog Power 2017!
To answer a few questions I’ve been seeing:
• This is not “a new band or project”, it is “an EVENT” that will be making several select live appearances in select markets throughout 2017
• The lineup of musicians joining me for these shows will not be announced prior to our live debut at my 50th Birthday Concert on Cruise To The Edge…
I want that to remain a surprise until our unveiling
• The setlist at these shows will be comprised of the 12 Step Suite and (time permitting at certain shows) other Dream Theater songs that I’ve written the lyrics to
Keep in mind, I have no plans (or interest) in revisiting DT material in any of my other “real” bands…this is not an ongoing “project” or career move…this is merely a unique event that I am doing in select markets in 2017 to share with fans around the world…so catch it while you can!!
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