For his fourth album on Melodic Revolution Records (MRR) Darrel Treece-Birch has recorded a new collection of music filled with gratitude, reflection, wonder and most notable peace for this holiday season. The First Step…Is To Take One is being released in Digital Format only and is available through the Melodic Revolution Records Bandcamp store as well as other digital retail outlets.
This album picks up where his 2017 release Healing Touch left off. Included in the new album is the 2018 Holiday song For Giving, from MRR’s charity release – The Sled; a simple message which is quite profound that in giving we receive so much more, and to forgive others and oneself is another ‘step’ in our journey to begin again. Darrel’s sweeping tapestries of the sound mix with the yule fires of the heart creating a beautiful and contemplative album that he hopes will inspire you to step into the unknown; to find the passion within that propels each of us to take a step along the path we call life.
As with the previous holiday, song releases Darrel has created a video inspired by the music of For Giving; enveloping us in the spirit of generosity and gratitude; the essence of giving.
The album includes three previously released holiday tunes and six brand new instrumentals from the keyboard maestro himself. Nine songs suffused of contemplation, nine tracks that continue to stir the soul and awaken the dreamer, nine tracks of peace, serenity, and hope magnified by this very special season.
Track Listing 1. This Crushed Diamond Shroud 2. My Soul Sings 3. To Follow A Star 4. His Gentle Voice 5. For Giving 6. Jesus Wept 7. Meditate 8. Why 9. Savasana
Here I am writing about a compilation album which you cannot buy, but is easy to obtain. Perhaps I had better let Nick Katona explain: “Each Year we host a holiday release to showcase many bands and artists that you may not be aware of; but should be. The album will feature many styles of holiday music and original music; all of which will touch your heart and soul. May it inspire you for in giving, we receive so much more. To receive your copy as a gift from MRR and with the kind permission of all of our contributing artists we ask you to commit a great act of kindness. Send us proof of you donating to your local charity of choice, it can be your time, or tangible goods such as blankets, food or clothing. Think outside of the box, donate your time at the local food bank, soup kitchen or shelter. Certainly, the hospitals would be grateful for volunteers or donate blood today and save a life. We would like to promote the good deeds of great citizens and with your permission, we will share your photos on our page set up this holiday season to spread the good news.”
15 songs, nearly 80 minutes in length: one thing I really enjoyed about this album is the sheer variety, and it has allowed me to come across bands I have not heard of before. ‘The Sled’ starts with two of these, Jennifer Cutting’s Ocean Orchestra and Jack Potter. “Fall Leaves, Fall” is stunning in its arrangement, and I felt that I was listening to a reborn version of Renaissance, with beautiful orchestration, great woodwind, stunning rock guitar, and a singer who reminded me of Annie Haslam. A short piece of detective work later and I discovered that it was indeed Annie and that this song came out a few years ago. This is one of the delights of this album, as it truly is meant to be broad and wide-reaching, so while it does include songs from MRR artists, of course, it isn’t restricted to just that. Jack Potter’s “Snow Globe” is delicate, starting with just piano and again wonderful vocals, this time care of Salley Elsey. Taken from the ‘Pride Before The Fall’ album which was released earlier this year, I was reading more about it when I started filling up and had to compose myself for a minute. The reason is that one of the guitarists is none other than Colin Tench, and I don’t think any of us who knew him will ever really get over his loss last Christmas, so to find him on a Christmas album for 2018 feels both poignant and fitting. I know he would have a laugh about it.
I have always been a fan of Don Schiff, so it is great to see him here, while one of MRR’s newest signings, DC Snakebuster shows that rough and raw blues, with some great harmonica, also has a place at Christmas. Federico Fantacone provides some gorgeous piano, while Darrel Treece-Birch treats us to a song from his new album, ‘The first step..is to take one’ with the glorious “For Giving” which contains not only the sweeping keyboards we have come to expect but also some glorious guitar. Andy John Bradford is in fine form with “Raise A Glass For Christmas”, and overall the whole album is a delight.
So, what are you waiting for? This album is streaming until the end of January, but you can get your own copy now just by doing something for others at Christmas. Surely that is what the season should be about, instead of the commercial brashness it has become? Think outside the box, make a difference. Many already do so without any thought of reward, and for those who do, then here is a gift from some wonderful musicians just to say thanks.
Darrel Treece-Birch has recorded a new collection of music filled with gratitude, reflection, hope, wonder and most notably peace for this holiday season. The First Step…Is To Take One will be released in Digital Format only on December 14, 2018. The painting used for the album artwork was provided by Darrel’s son Luke Treece-Birch; a moment in time captured in acrylics of their home.
In the past few years, Darrel has been a contributor to Melodic Revolution Records (MRR) holiday albums with his 2015 odyssey of nature This Crushed Diamond Shroud and in 2017 the untold story of the wise men who chose To Follow A Star. For 2018 Darrel has written a new piece; For Giving, a simple message which is quite profound that in giving we receive so much more, and to forgive others and oneself is another ‘step’ continuing the message from the 2017 release ‘Healing Touch’. As with the previous holiday song releases Darrel has created a video inspired by the music of For Giving; enveloping us in the spirit of generosity and gratitude; the essence of giving.
These 3 tracks will appear on this new album with an additional six brand new instrumentals from the keyboard maestro himself. Nine songs suffused of contemplation, nine tracks that continue to stir the soul and awaken the dreamer, nine tracks of peace, serenity, and hope magnified by this very special season.
Track Listing
1. This Crushed Diamond Shroud
2. My Soul Sings
3. To Follow A Star
4. His Gentle Voice
5. For Giving
6. Jesus Wept
7. Meditate
8. Why
9. Savasana
The Sled is Melodic Revolution Records10th-holiday album for charity.
The Sled is a unique charity release, you cannot purchase this album with Dollars, Pounds Yen or Euros; something this valuable requires a giving heart. To receive your copy as a gift from Melodic Revolution Records (MRR) and with the kind permission of all of our contributing artists we ask you to commit a great act of kindness.
Send us proof of you donating to your local charity of choice, it can be your time, or tangible goods such as blankets, food or clothing. Think outside of the box, donate your time at the local food bank, soup kitchen or shelter. Certainly, your local hospital would be grateful for volunteers or donate blood today and save a life.
We would like to promote the good deeds of great citizens and with your permission, we will share your photos on our page set up this holiday season to spread the good news.
The Sled will be released digitally on Monday, December 3, 2018, and we will stream it free through the end of January 2019.
Each year we host a holiday release to showcase many bands and artists that you may not be aware of, but we feel you should be. The album will feature many styles of holiday music and original music; all of which will touch your heart and soul. May it inspire you – for in giving, we receive so much more.
Let me introduce you to the contributing artists:
Jennifer Cutting’s Ocean Orchestra
The OCEAN Orchestra brings you soaring vocals and fiery bagpipe and fiddle tunes in their own American take on Celtic folk-rock. Fairport Convention’s Simon Nicol says they “get right inside the spirit of the folk music of the British Isles,” and Steeleye Span’s Maddy Prior calls their songwriting “stunning.” https://oceanorchestra.com/home
Federico Fantacone Orchestre Celesti
OC is the creative moniker of composer and keyboardist Federico Fantacone. The project was born in 2006 blending Italian prog, English 70’s variety, and contemporary influences. federicofantacone.wixsite.com/orchestrecelesti
Andrew Colyer
Andrew is an Award-winning Composer in the Pop and Rock and Progressive rock field, he has performed and collaborated with Tony Levin, Jon Anderson, The Tubes, Sound of Contact and, Ryche Chlanda, Circuline, Cell15 among others. http://colyermusic.com
Electric Mud Electric Mud – progressive rock music without the genre’s usual display of virtuosity with endless solos, but straight minimalist guitar riffs on a groovy bass foundation with expressive machine drums. https://www.facebook.com/LiquidSkyNet/
Babal
BABAL reveal a dystopian, sideways view of life; their psych/art-rock approach calling up comparisons with Talking Heads and Patti Smith. The band have gathered great responses around the UK and Europe and have also played live soundtracks for Alternative Cinema presentations. http://babal.rocks
Bill Rhodes
Dr. Bill Rhodes is a musician, composer, producer, author, engineer, and he has been a product specialist for various keyboard companies since the early 1970s. Over the past 35 years, Dr. Bill Rhodes has released over 30 albums on 3 different labels. http://symphonicpiano.com
Don Schiff
Don is a Pop, Prog, and Rock bass guitarist who also writes music for TV, and film. He is one of the earliest Stick, NS/Stick, and bowed guitar players. http://www.facebook.com/donschiffmusic/
Andy John Bradford
Andy is a Progressive Folk Singer-Songwriter residing in Northern Ireland who has collaborated with numerous musicians over the years including MRR’s Colin Tench. http://mrrmusic.com/andy-john-bradford/
Pinnacle
Originally a Power Trio that sounded like so much more, as of 2010, the band is a quartet… but still with the same melodic and symphonic tendencies in the best of Progressive Rock traditions. http://pinnacleband.com
Darrel Treece-Birch
Darrel is a Rock, Pop, Prog, Multi-Instrumentalist, Pianist, Keyboardist & Composer from the UK, Currently a member of TEN (UK Melodic Rockers), writing, recording and performing with Nth Ascension (UK Prog-Rockers) and his own solo works. http://darreltreece-birch.com
For full details to these artists, please follow their links.
The British Melodic Hard Rock band TEN unveiled today the new music video from their brand new (14th) studio album entitled “Illuminati”, which was released on the 9th of November, 2018 via Frontiers Records.
Line-Up:
Gary Hughes (Vocals)
Dann Rosingana (Lead Guitars)
Steve Grocott (Lead Guitars)
John Halliwell (Rhythm Guitars)
Darrel Treece-Birch (Keyboards)
Steve McKenna (Bass)
Max Yates (Drums)
Hot on the heels of last year’s “Gothica”, UK hard rock stalwarts TEN/Gary Hughes are returning with a new album, “Illuminati”! The album promises to be one of the hallmarks of their 22+ years career, where fans will easily spot all the trademark textures and flavors they have come to expect from TEN, with a consistent and solid spark of creativity throughout. “Illuminati” continues to build upon the rich legacy that the great British rockers have established in their 20+ year career.
“Illuminatii” was produced by Gary Hughes and mixed and mastered by Dennis Ward. TEN’s longstanding professional association with Dennis has been ongoing since he mixed their 2011 album, “Stormwarning” and has always guaranteed albums with stunning sound and production.
Tracklisting:
1. Be As You Are Forever
2. Shield Wall
3. The Esoteric Ocean
4. Jericho
5. Rosetta Stone
6. Illuminati
7. Heaven And The Holier-Than-Thou
8. Exile
9. Mephistopheles
10. Of Battles Lost And Won
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