by Nick | Nov 8, 2018 | New Releases, News
Los Angeles, CA – The unsung heroes of UK psychedelic rock, Man, have been quietly evolving over the course of their incredible 4+ decade career, transforming from the 5-piece upstart outfit who released their debut album in 1969 to a massively celebrated musical institution they’ve become in their home country and around the world. The key to that success, and their survival as a musical unit, has been the group’s unflagging efforts to push musical boundaries further as they explore creative mutations to become ever more adaptable to the current climate. For proof, just check out the latest collection from the band, Evolution, a spectacular 6CD box set featuring 4 superb studio albums in their entirety from Man’s turn-of-the-century period (1992-2006) PLUS a thrilling double concert album recorded in Berkeley CA 1976 with Quicksilver Messenger Service guitarist John Cipollina!
Each CD is packaged in its own jacket, recreating the artwork from the original release, along with liner notes by music historian Dave Thompson. The CD box will be available starting November 2 from Purple Pyramid Records, a division of Cleopatra Records, Inc.
Track List:
DISC 1: ENDANGERED SPECIES (2000)
1. Conflict Of Interest
2. Stuck Behind The Popemobile
3. Saints & Sinners
4. Face To Face
5. Hangin’ On
6. Tie Up The Wind
7. Victim Of Love
8. Love Isn’t Love
DISC 2: THE TWANG DYNASTY (1992)
1. A Feather On The Scales Of Justice
2. Mad On Her
3. Jumpin’ Like A Kangaroo
4. The Chimes At Midnight
5. The Price
6. Circumstances
7. Women
8. The Chinese Cut
9. Out Of The Darkness
10. Fast And Dangerous
11. The Wings Of Mercury
DISC 3: UNDRUGGED (2002)
1. Scotch Corner
2. Babe, I’m Gonna Leave You
3. I Always Thought The Walrus Was Protected
4. Dream Away
5. Manillo
6. Asylum
7. Trying To Get To You
8. Listen To Me, Sister
9. Georgia On My Mind
10. Sail On Sailor
11. Day And Night
DISC 4: DIAMONDS AND COAL (2006)
1. Diamonds And Coal
2. All Alone
3. Freedom Fries
4. Twistin’ The Knife
5. Man Of Misery
6. Welsh Girl
7. Thank God It’s Not Miss Cathy
8. Teddy Boys Picnic
9. When You’ve Got Someone To Hold
DISC 5: LIVE AT THE KEYSTONE
1. Let The Good Time Roll
2. 7171 551
3. Hard Way To Die
4. The Welsh Connection
5. Something Is Happening
6. The Ride And The View
7. Out Of Your Head
8. Born With A Future
DISC 6: LIVE AT THE KEYSTONE
1. C’mon
2. Many Are Called, But Few Get Up
3. Babe, I’m Gonna Leave You
4. A Hard Way To Live
5. Romain
6. Bananas
Buy the CD: https://cleorecs.com/store/shop/man-evolution-6-cd/
by Nick | Nov 8, 2018 | Festivals, News
Abel Ganz return with annual ‘Prog Before Christmas’ event in 2018!
Last year’s event raised the fantastic sum of almost £2500 on behalf of cancer support charity https://www.maggiescentres.org/
This year – things are being run just a little differently. A five-band bill with two bands in the afternoon, then a break, then three bands in the evening. Our line up looks like this:
Afternoon
Glen Brielle – Hugh Carter’s solo project.
Joined by several close friends in a full band line up, Hugh will debut selections from forthcoming solo release ‘Still’ – a very personal album including epic track The Journey: a musical record of the voyage of discovery that Hugh and his wife Maria set off on after his diagnosis.
Halo Tora – Recently featured in Prog magazine this young and vital band from Glasgow are rightly drawing a great deal of attention. With a fresh and exciting sound, they really do have the the potential to go very far and we are, frankly, fortunate to have them join the bill while it’s still possible to see them up close and personal! The band has just released new album‘Man of Stone: First Chapter’.
Break
Evening
Grand Tour – Hew Montgomery solo project.
Joined by Joe Cairney from Comedy of Errors on lead vocals, and with full band line up, we are absolutely thrilled that this year’s event will feature the first live performances of Hew’s solo material. Playing selections from debut album ‘On the Beach’, and tracks from new, forthcoming album ‘Clocks that tick – but never talk’ this is sure to be a highlight of this year’s event.
Abel Ganz – Organizers / hosts will showcase new material from forthcoming album ‘The Life of The Honey Bee – and other moments of clarity’ as well as some favourites from back catalogue.
Galahad – Headline act.
With a long and illustrious history, Galahad have in recent years released one great album after another! Their 2018 release ‘Seas Of Change’, the follow up to the 2017 ‘Quiet Storms’ album consists of just one massive, hugely ambitious ‘Magnum Opus’ track exceeding 42- minutes of imaginative and dramatic modern Progressive Rock. Nominated for the 2018 UK PROG awards in the ‘UK Band/Artist of the year’ category, Galahad have, astonishingly, never before played in Scotland!
We are so very pleased to welcome all our guest to The Prog Before Xmas 2018 and we hope you will agree that this is sure to be another night to remember! Please also remember– as ever, the aim is to raise as much money for the Maggie’s charity as we possibly can.
Abel Ganz
by Nick | Nov 7, 2018 | New Releases, News
Manticore Records is proud to announce the new album by Alternative music legend John Greaves, now a Manticore Records Artist
British bass guitarist and composer John Greaves, best known as a member of Henry Cow and his collaborative albums with Peter Blegvad is releasing a new album titled “Life Size” on Manticore Records on November 30, 2018. John was also a member of National Health and Soft Heap, and has recorded several solo albums, including “Accident” (1982), “Parrot Fashions” (1984), “The Caretaker” (2001) and “Greaves Verlaine” (2008).
Says Manticore Records president Max Marchini, “When Greg Lake wanted me to be the artistic director of the renaissance of Manticore he was very precise: ‘I don’t want Manticore to be nostalgic but respectful and helpful of any great talent, old or new. We don’t want to be a progressive only label but open to any kind of music for progressive it is not a genre but an intention’.
“It’s a great honor to be able to continue his quality control and tradition of perfectionism and creativity. And I am lucky enough to have trusting friends who help me and to share with projects: Regina Lake, Alberto Callegari at the amazing Elfo Recording Studios and Manticore artist Annie Barbazza. Our aim is to live up to Greg Lake’s vision and production skills with new albums that can match his demanding standards.
“I have been lucky enough to work with one of the most respected and talented British composers, Welsh-born John Greaves who is a true living legend in alternative music.”
John Greaves led the European avant-garde as a founder member of Henry Cow with Fred Frith and Lindsay Cooper, then his bass was the driving force in bands like National Health and Love Of Life Orchestra. He played with Brian Eno, Robert Wyatt, Mike Oldfield, Michael Nyman, Penguin Café Orchestra, Carla Bley and Michael Mantler just to mention a few.
In recent years he has produced albums for the French classical label Harmonia Mundi for Radio France of composition upon words of Paul Verlaine and for Dark Companion a precious critically acclaimed live album called “Piacenza”. He appears on the new Sony relate of Gabrie Fauré songs “Ici-bas”. His songwriting partnership with Slapp Happy’s Peter Blegvad gave birth to gems like “Bad Alchemy”, “How Beautiful You Are “ and “The Song”.
On his new album “Life Size”he shares the vocals with a remarkable cast. Three fabulous, uniquely different female voices: Valérie Gabail, Annie Barbazza, Himiko Paganotti and Greaves himself sing a collection of songs in French, English and Italian, moving from pure pop thru Debussy-esque Apollinaire to sensual spoken-word; there’s even a song by Robert Wyatt, an old friend from way back when. The line-up of musicians is equally stellar: Olivier Mellano and Jakko Jakksyk (from King Crimson) on guitars, Vincent Courtois on cello, Zeena Parkins on harp, Matthieu Rabaté on drums.
“Life Size” features new compositions and the revisiting of old ones into a new, breathtaking contemporary and classical style, featuring some of the most acclaimed international musicians. Treat yourself to a very special musical journey.
Says Max, “’Life Size’ is an album of stunning beauty and inner grace and sure will be a classic for the future, and intended to be the logical sequel to the critically acclaimed ‘Songs’, which, by the way, has been remastered at our Elfo Studios to state of the art sound quality and re-issued by Dark Companion Records.”
‘Life Size” was recorded and mastered to exemplary sound standards in audiophile premium colored vinyl and golden high-end CDs. This first pressing will be of 1,000 CD and 500 vinyl only.
Tracklist
01. Air de la Lune
02. The Same Thing
03. In Te
04. God Song
05. Kew Rhône is Real
06. Earthly Powers
07. Still Life
08. La Lune Blanche
09. Sweetheart Goodbye
10. Hôtels
11. How Beautiful You Are
12. Lie Still, Sleep Becalmed
Personnel:
John Greaves: voice, bass guitar piano, sequences, string arrangements
Annie Barbazza: voice (3,6,7,11) piano (11), acoustic guitar (3)
Valérie Gabail: voice (1, 10)
Himiko Paganotti: voice (8)
Vincent Courtois: cello
Matthieu Rabaté: drums
Olivier Mellano: guitar (1,2,6,8)
Sophia Domancich: treated piano (8)
Zeena Parkins: harp (10)
Jakko Jakszyk: electric guitar (4)
Lino Capra Vaccina: piano, gongs, vibes, cymbals, percussion (12)
Camillo Mozzoni: oboe
Max Marchini: sub aquatic electric guitar (3)
Jordi Tagliaferri: vibes (2,10), congas (7)
Irene Barbieri: violins (1,7)
Diego Romani: violas (1,7)
The Warm Morning Brothers: bkg. vocals (3)
To purchase:
Golden Papersleeve CD: http://store.maracash.com/product_info.php?products_id=476&osCsid=ov26hva7m913qd4ouabprj8vl6
Gatefold Purple Coloured LP: http://store.maracash.com/product_info.php?products_id=477&osCsid=ov26hva7m913qd4ouabprj8vl6
Links:
www.johngreaves.co.uk
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Greaves_(musician)
https://youtu.be/5TuPm6fHFdA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W51RE62ew04
by Nick | Nov 2, 2018 | News, Tour
(Above: A fun moment on stage with Jon Poole during the Lifesigns appearance at Resonate Festival, London, 8th September 2018)
Hi, Thanks to everyone who came out to see us on the various gigs over the past couple of months. So many great highlights, including my first tour of Canada with Strawbs (great to meet a number of Iona fans at those gigs! Iona played in Canada several times). I’m just about to start another month of touring in the UK with Lifesigns and Strawbs, so I do hope some of you can make it along – we’re getting to a few places we’ve not been to for a while, including the North East and Scotland, which I’m looking forward to.
Also just confirmed, a very special Dave & Sally gig in The Wirral on 8th December. My good friend and Iona co-founder David Fitzgerald will be joining us on flutes/saxes/whistles, which I’m thrilled about.
Lots more exciting stuff coming up over the next 6 months, including the Strawbs 50th Anniversary weekend in New Jersey in April, with some amazing special guests, including Tony Visconti, Larry Fast, John Ford, Blue Weaver, Annie Haslam, a 30 piece orchestra (recruited from the finest orchestral players in New York, New Jersey and Philadelphia), and a certain caped crusader….I’m currently working on a few of the orchestral arrangements for this, so it’s all go at the moment.
GIG GUIDE
Gigs below are in chronological order.
LIFESIGNS
7th November, O’Riley’s, Hull, UK
8th, Queen Vic, South Shields, UK
9th, Backstage at the Green, The Green Hotel, 2 The Muirs, KY13 8AS, Kinross, Scotland
10th, Drygate, 85 Drygate Street, G4 0UT, Glasgow, Scotland
11th, Bannermans, Edinburgh, Scotland
STRAWBS UK TOUR
14th November, Huntingdon Hall, Worcester
15th, The Robin, Bilston
17th, HRH Prog Festival, Pwllheli, Wales
18th, Corn Exchange, Hertford
19th, Public Halls, Harpenden
21st, The Pier, Worthing
22nd, The Brook, Southampton
23rd, The Astor Theatre, Deal
24th, Waterside Arts Centre, Sale
25th, Cheese & Grain, Frome
26th, Under the Bridge, Chelsea Football Ground, London
More Info
http://www.strawbsweb.co.uk/
www.facebook.com/groups/strawbs/
LIFESIGNS
28th, November, Bullingdon, Oxford
29th, Wharf, Tavistock,
30th, Electric Theatre, Guildford
1st December, Level III, Swindon
DAVE BAINBRIDGE & SALLY MINNEAR
(with special guest David Fitzgerald)
8th December, 8pm, The Lantern, St Lukes Church, Breck Rd,
Wallasey, CH44 3BB
Tickets from
www.eventbrite.co.uk
FERNANDO PERDOMO BAND
4th-9th February 2019, Cruise to the Edge, Caribbean
STRAWBS
10th-15th February, On The Blue cruise, Caribbean
LIFESIGNS
March European Tour, (further dates still to be added)
7th March, Das Rind, Offenbach, Germany
8th, Bluesgarage, Isernhagen, Germany
9th, De Boerderij, Zoetermeer, Netherlands
10th, Yard Club, Cologne, Germany
17th, The Musician, Leicester, UK
24th, The Half Moon, Putney, London, UK
STRAWBS
12th April, YMCA, Boulton Center, Bay Shore, NY, USA
13th, Outpost in the Burbs, Montclair, NJ, USA
14th-16th, USA dates TBC
17th, Lovin’ Cup, Rochester, NY, USA
18th, USA date TBC
19th, Towne Crier, Beacon, NJ, USA
20th, Sellersville Theater, Sellersville, PA, USA
26th-27th, Strawbs 50th Anniversary weekend, Lakewood, NJ, USA
(with very special guests and symphony orchestra)
www.facebook.com/groups/strawbs/
Above: photos from the Strawbs Canadian Tour.
Top: Strawbs rocking the Club Soda in Montreal, 11th October 2018
Bottom: First concert on the tour, playing to a packed house at Maison de la Musique, Quebec City, 10th October 2018. Photos by Sharon Rudolph.
Dave Bainbridge & Sally Minnear – Live in the Studio DVD
Released in 2018
A beautifully filmed and recorded document of the duo’s live set, honed over numerous concerts throughout the past 4 years. The main programme features around 85 minutes of material and demonstrates the range and diversity of music that Dave & Sally perform at their always well received concerts. Featuring the duo’s arrangements of music from Dave’s previous band Iona, his solo albums and several traditional Irish folk pieces, filmed, recorded and mixed at Dave’s Open Sky Studio. DVD Extras include Dave & Sally ‘In Conversation’, plus some live footage from their concert at The Lantern Theatre, Sheffield in March 2018.
‘Wonderful’ -Tom Newman (producer Mike Oldfield’s Tubular Bells etc)
“Dave Bainbridge, Thank YOU! ..it was a stupendous evening. Absolutely brilliant and beautiful performance. Sally’s singing is incredible, we loved every minute! Everybody go and see this duo, they are something very special indeed, we can’t wait to have them back.” -Debs Earl (promoter – www.folkinthebarn.co.uk )
“Great show last night with Dave Bainbridge and Sally Minnear.” -Simon Nicol (Fairport Convention)
“I’m not sure I have the words to say how much I enjoyed every moment from 3pm to pack down – Sally (what a voice!) and Dave were a joy to work with and absolutely fantastic throughout. As for the gig one word – Brilliant!!!!!!!!!!” -Steve (promoter)
“Great Dave Bainbridge and Sally Minnear gig last night in Farncombe performing a mix of Iona, Dave solo and some traditional arrangements. Two amazingly talented musicians! I can’t think of too many musicians who are both virtuoso guitarists and pianists but Dave excels on each and not forgetting his pretty mean bouzouki playing! I’m sure Dave could turn his hand to stand up comedy too – some very funny introductions last night! Beautiful vocals too from Sally. If you get the chance to catch them live then grab it. ))” -Ian Jones (Karnataka)
PERSONNEL:
Dave Bainbridge – Electric & Acoustic Guitars, Bouzouki, Keyboard
Sally Minnear – Vocals, Acoustic Guitar, Percussion, Tenor Recorder, Tin Whistle, Keyboard
PRODUCED BY: Dave Bainbridge
LABEL: Open Sky Records
TRACK LISTING:
1 Kells Theme
2 Treasure
3 Vox loops/Heavenfield/Jigs
4 My Lagan Love
5 Piano Impro/Machrie Moor
6 The Humours of Ballyloughlan
7 Caoineadh Cu Chulainn
8 Today
9 Songs of Ascent Pt 2
10 The Storm
11 Shuil a Ruin
12 Innocence Found
13 Revelation
14 Heaven’s Bright Sun
15 Beyond These Shores
16 Castlerigg/Reels
1 Chi-Rho
2 Veil of Gossamer
3 Irish Day
4 Luke – The Calf
Buy Album DVD: £16.00
http://www.iona.uk.com/albums/detail/id/36/live-in-the-studio
