Music Legends Jon Anderson and Jean-Luc Ponty Announce Formation of New Music Ensemble -
The Anderson Ponty Band!

Los Angeles, CA - Music legends Jon Anderson and Jean-Luc Ponty announce the formation of a new ensemble - The Anderson Ponty Band! YES's original singer/songwriter for 35 years, Jon Anderson has had a successful solo career, which includes working with such notable music artists as Vangelis, Kitaro, and Milton Nascimento. International jazz superstar Jean-Luc Ponty is a pioneer and undisputed master of violin in the arena of jazz and rock. He is widely regarded as an innovator who has applied his unique visionary spin that has expanded the vocabulary of modern music. Together these two music icons form a musical synergy that is unparalleled!

"A breakthrough feeling came as I sang with Jean-Luc's music, to be in a band again is very exciting on many levels, we will play and sing our way around the world and have fun, for music is pleasure, music is all that is, music is God" - Jon Anderson

The Anderson Ponty Band also includes Jamie Dunlap on guitars - well known as a film and television composer, most notably 'South Park'; Wally Minko on keyboards - virtuoso player and composer who has performed and recorded with many worldwide stars including Pink, Toni Braxton, Jean-Luc Ponty, Tom Jones and Barry Manilow; Baron Browne on bass who has played with Steve Smith, Billy Cobham and Jean-Luc Ponty; and Rayford Griffin on drums and percussion, who has played with Stanley Clarke Band, George Duke, Jean-Luc Ponty and Michael Jackson. The band will visit the music created by Jon Anderson and Jean-Luc Ponty over the years with new arrangements, virtuosic performances and new energy, while creating new compositions as well.

The Anderson Ponty Band have been writing and arranging old favorites during the past three months. They will be in residence for three weeks in September at Wheeler Opera House in Aspen, Colorado rehearsing, recording and playing a public performance on Saturday September 20th. An album will be finished in Los Angeles and is scheduled for release in early 2015. Also, a videography documenting the making of the album will be released as well as videos and performances. A world tour beginning in March 2015 is in the planning stages.

The Anderson Ponty Band announce the launch of a Kickstarter campaign today July 25th beginning at 2PM Eastern. The campaign will encourage fans and friends to become a stakeholder in the project. Numerous tiers of donations will be rewarded by album downloads, premium CD/DVD packages, VIP ticket access, merchandising, special one of a kind collectibles, special meet and greets with the band and much more.

Kickstarter campaign: http://bit.ly/apband2014

Anderson Ponty Band Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/andersonpontyband

Jon Anderson official website: www.jonanderson.com
Jean-Luc Ponty official website: www.ponty.com

 
Bombay Black's 6th Studio Album WALK OF SHAME available NOW.
 
Bassist Ty Sims said the release of this album was "All work, all drinking, all tongue in cheek and a lot of fun- oh- and GET OFF MY LAWN!!! - damn kids". 

 

But seriously, Sims and Lead vocalist Erik Johnson put a tremendous amount of work into the production of this album, and the result has been worth the effort. The sound is balls out across the board with strong harmonies and complex arrangements.  It also sees the addition of drummer Barry Whaley who brings his stellar chops to the musical stew which include the full metal onslaught of "Everything You Wanted", the party rock anthem "Sunshine", and the stripper pole funk of "Come Over Here". The latter has already been released as a preview track with overwhelmingly positive response and a record level of pre-sales.

WALK OF SHAME is - in short- Scandalous!

CD dropped on 7/19 and is available via the bands' webpage and on iTunes and Amazon Mp3. Tour dates are also posted on the bands' website at www.bombayblackmusic.com
 
ABOUT BOMBAY BLACK:

Since 2003, BOMBAY BLACK have kicked ass across the globe.  They have shared stages with artists such as L.A. Guns, Firehouse, Black Label Society, Vince Neil, the Bret Michaels Band, Black Stone Cherry, Winger, Korn, Warrant, and more.  The style is, as they often describe when asked what genre they belong in, "loud AND obnoxious".  Others describe them as a "Metallica having a good day" or a "snarky, sneering Def Leppard".

Bombay Black is: Erik Johnson (Lead Vocals, Guitar, Keys), Justin Velte (Lead Guitar, Vocals), Ty Sims (Bass, Vocals), and Barry Whaley (Drums, Vocals).

 

British progressive metal heroes THRESHOLD reveale further info on their upcoming new album For The Journey. The successor for their 2012 output March Of Progress was produced by Karl Groom and THRESHOLD keyboardist Richard West at Thin Ice Studios in England and mastered by Mika Jussila at Finnvox in Finland and will be released on September 19, 2014 via Nuclear Blast.

You can already pre-order the album right HERE!

Commented Richard West: “For The Journey is one of our strongest albums and one of the most enjoyable to make. I've probably heard it a thousand times during the recording process, but now that's it's over I still can't stop listening to it!“

The tracklist:

1 Watchtower on the Moon
2 Unforgiven
3 The Box
4 Turned to Dust
5 Lost in your Memory
6 Autumn Red
7 The Mystery Show
8 Siren Sky

Bonus tracks:

9 I Wish I Could - digipak, vinyl and download versions
10 Lost in your Memory (Acoustic Version) - vinyl and download versions

Check out the cover artwork, created by Polish artist Leszek Bujnowski, who THRESHOLD found on the internet.

“He's designed some beautiful pieces and we thought this was a perfect THRESHOLD cover,” stated West. 

 

Los Angeles, CA.  The rock band, MR BIG, announced today that its drummer, Pat Torpey, has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease and unfortunately will be unable to perform all of his normal drumming duties on the band’s upcoming World Tour in support of the band’s new album, …The Stories We Could Tell.

 

“ I’ve been dealing with Parkinson’s symptoms for the past couple of years and only recently received a confirmed diagnosis as symptoms worsened.  I intend to fight the disease with same intensity and tenacity that I drum and live my life by and will continue recording and performing, as always, to the best of my ability. “, said Torpey.

 

MR BIG intends to announce a drummer in the near future whom will handle most of MR BIG’s drumming duties on the Fall 2014 tour and expects Torpey to jump on the drums on suitable live songs as well as participating in the groups acoustic set.

 

The following three new Rock Candy titles are all available now from www.rockcandyrecords.com for a discounted price including postage to anywhere in the world for the next two weeks ending on 3^rd August.
 
 
WHITE LION 'FIGHT TO SURVIVE' CANDY242
 
THE STORY OF White Lion is a fascinating tale of triumph over adversity. Sure, you might apply that characterisation to the story of  legions of rock bands, but the birth of their debut album was a roller coaster ride of emotional highs and extreme lows, played out with a backdrop of uncertainty always in ominous view. That they eventually triumphed with this album and also the platinum selling success of future releases on Atlantic Records only goes to show that talent will eventually win the day.
Formed in New York by Danish born singer Mike Tramp and talented guitarist Vito Brata, the band made waves on the local club scene, attracting local management who had connections to German producer Peter Hauke who offered to record the band at his studio in Frankfurt. With an album in the can the band were quickly signed to a sizeable deal with Elektra Records who subsequently and inexplicably decided to drop the band at the eleventh hour. Fortunately JVC in Japan licensed the album and set in motion a series of events that led to them signing with Atlantic Records.
'Fight To Survive' was eventually issued in the US on an independent label and provoked huge accolades amongst the rock cognoscenti who quite rightly hailed tracks such as 'Broken Heart', 'Cherokee' and the title track as stunning hard rock nuggets showcasing one of the most accomplished bands of the era.

Special Deluxe Collector's Edition, fully remastered sound shaped from 24 BIT digital technology, 12 page full colour booklet, 3,000 word essay, new interview with Mike Tramp, enhanced artwork and rare photos.

TRACK LISTING: 1. BROKEN HEART 2. CHEROKEE 3. FIGHT TO SURVIVE 4. WHERE DO WE RUN 5. IN THE CITY 6. ALL THE FALLEN MEN 7. ALL BURN IN HELL 8. KID OF 1000 FACES 9. EL SALVADOR 10. THE ROAD TO VALHALLA
 

 

 

KIX MIDNITE DYNAMITE CANDY243
 
THERE IS A breed of bands who like to keep it simple: four-to-the-floor guitar driven hard rock with uncomplicated riffs and hooks that sound as though they were born fully formed. In this respect, it's fair to say that the Maryland based five piece Kix are close to the top of the heap when it comes to instantly catchy songs. Garnish that with a healthy coating of Cheap Trick inspired pop and you've got a marriage made in heaven.
Signed to industry giant Atlantic Records, 'Midnite Dynamite' was the bands third album and the one expected to establish Kix as a force to be reckoned with. Produced by man of the moment Beau Hill (Ratt, Warrant), the album finally brought all the right ingredients to the forefront, boasting memorable songs and lively rocking of the finest order. Add to this a comprehensive selection of grade A co-writers, including contributions from Bob Halligan Jr. (Judas Priest, Kiss), Kip Winger, and John Palumbo (Crack The Sky) and you've got a record that delivers as much as it promises.
Check out the raunch and roll of 'Red Hot (Blue Black)', 'Bang Bang (Balls Of Fire)', 'Scarlet Fever' and the title track, for nicely polished examples of  no nonsense party rock blessed with a cool delivery that sets fire to the notion that you can't have your cake and eat it.
 

Special Deluxe Collector's Edition, fully remastered sound shaped from 24 BIT digital technology, 12 page full colour booklet, 3,000 word essay, new band interview, enhanced artwork and rare photos.

TRACK LISTING: 1. MIDNITE DYNAMITE 2. RED HOT (BLACK & BLUE) 3. BANG BANG (BALLS OF FIRE) 4. LAYIN' RUBBER 5. WALKIN' AWAY 6. SCARLET FEVER 7. CRY BABY 8. COLD SHOWER 9. LIE LIKE A RUG 10. SEX
 

KIX 'BLOW YOUR FUSE' CANDY244
 
BY THE TIME Kix had recorded this, their fourth album, all eyes in the hard rock biospace were upon them as a band expected to rise up from the ranks to achieve success and exert influence. Certainly their record label Atlantic Records believed in the band enough to steer them towards not one, but three top notch producers; that's Tom Werman (Motley Cure, Cheap Trick, Ted Nugent) together with the dynamic duo of Duane Barron and John Purdell (Ozzy Osbourne, Dream Theater).
Recorded in Los Angeles and issued in August 1988, the record was immediately heralded as the best Kix album so far, with critics pointing out the quality of songs and a refinement of their trademark rough and tumble sound. In addition they had made a significant change in their back office by enlisting new management who also handled the affairs of Twisted Sister and Zebra, both signed to Atlantic Records.
Strangely, the record was slow to react commercially, dragging its feet until the label were persuaded to issue the Bob Halligan Jnr.  co-write 'Don't Close Your Eyes' as a single to radio. This enduring power ballad became an instant smash, rising to #8 on the Billboard singles chart and paving the way for over a million sales of the album, whilst drawing attention to notable album tracks such as 'Red Light, Green Light', 'Get It While It's Hot' and 'She Dropped Me The Bomb'.

Special Deluxe Collector's Edition, fully remastered sound shaped from 24 BIT digital technology, 16 page full colour booklet, 3,000 word essay, new band interview, enhanced artwork and rare photos.

 

 

 

 

COMING NEXT MONTH – AVAILABLE 28TH AUGUST

  

 

From: http://themusic.com.au/news/all/2014/07/23/albert-productions-marks-50-y...

 

After half a century in the business, it’s little surprise that renowned Australian record label Albert Productions knows how to appropriately celebrate a milestone, with the company announcing in association with Sony Music Australia today the August release of a 102-track compilation/retrospective, Good Times: Celebrating 50 Years Of Albert Productions.

 

Set to hit stores on Friday, August 15, Good Times will feature two unreleased tracks – one each from Rose Tattoo and The Easybeats – and canvasses the preceding five decades that led Alberts to its current position as one of the country’s most recognisable and respected labels.

 

The Easybeats’ contribution is especially enticing, featuring a particularly youthful Stevie Wright’s vocal confirmation of it being only the second time they’d attempted to lay it down, and serves as an icing-like complement to the release’s base cake of hand-picked studio and live recordings.

 

Naturally, the Good Times journey starts at the beginning of the Albert journey, with Billy Thorpe And The Aztecs’ 1964 release Mashed Potato, and ends with the label’s poignant most recent release Walking In The Rain, a Flash And The Pan cover courtesy of the late Doc Neeson of The Angels.

 

In-between, you’ll find cuts from a slew of acclaimed Australian acts, including the iconic AC/DC as well as The Angels, Alex Hood, The Imagination, Dallas Crane, Knievel, Seabellies, Flash And The Pan, The Missing Links, Ted Mulry, Bobby & Laurie, Choirboys and John Paul Young, who comes to the table with the instantly recognisable Love Is In The Air.

 

Complementing the deluxe set’s physical release will be a 48-page booklet stuffed with rare pics and a historical retrospective of the label and its catalogue that gives a comprehensive insight into the legendary label’s rise to power from its humble family origins in 1964 under the guidance of Ted Albert, then-MD of parent company J. Albert & Son.

 

The ensuing 50 years have seen Albert Productions become an indelible part of the national music scene, with its artists having ascended to the heights of ARIA Award victories, ARIA Hall Of Fame recognition and beyond.

Good Times: Celebrating 50 Years Of Albert Productions will be available for pre-orders from July 25.

 

 

Full track list:

 

First time released digitally *

First time released CD #

Never been released ^

 

DISC 1 – Shakin’ All Over

DISC 2  - (Let There Be Rock)

DISC 3 – Ain’t it Nice

DISC 4 - Open That Door

 

DISC 5 - BONUS DISC: My Kind of Music

Paul Gilbert's new record 'Stone Pushing Uphill Man' is a guitar-oriented instrumental record on which Paul covers some of his favorite songs, using his guitar like a voice to convey a wide range of emotions, while retaining his signature cutting-edge solo work. Following Paul Gilbert's last highly successful CD, 'Vibrato' is the next important chapter in this amazing guitarist's career. Regarded internationally as one of the greatest players in the industry, Gilbert once again proves why he is the guitarist's guitarist.

Starting his recording career with Shrapnel Records as a teenager in the late 80's, Paul Gilbert has remained one of the most active guitarists from the original shred guitar scene, stemming from his multi-faceted talent and long-range career. With Platinum success, including a number one song with Mister Big, and cult status as founding member of the legendary and highly successful underground progressive metal band Racer X, Gilbert's sales draw from more than 20 albums and more than 20 years as a recording artist and touring musician. Paul has toured on the legendary G3 tour in support of Joe Satriani and once again confirmed to a younger audience what Gilbert fans have known for over 20 years: that Paul Gilbert is simply one of the greatest guitar players on the planet today.

When excitedly discussing his newest record, Paul said: 'For my new 'Stone Pushing Uphill Man' album, I decided to bring my guitar to the forefront and let it sing. To do this, I used the inspiration of my favorite singers. Paul McCartney, Steven Tyler, Elton John, James Brown, Sting, k.d. lang, and more. These voices are always in my head. With my guitar I could finally reach their high notes. The challenge was to match their emotion and expression. This was my goal as a guitarist. 'Stone Pushing Uphill Man,' is the first big step to truly find my voice on the guitar. I wanted the inspiration of my favorite singers for such a big challenge, so I chose a lot of cover songs. I think listeners will be surprised at what I've been able to do with the guitar'.

Paul Gilbert "Stone Pushing Uphill Man" available August 5th at finer record stores, Amazon.com, iTunes and Shrapnel Records Inc.

TRACK LISTING

1. WORKING FOR THE WEEKEND
2. BACK IN THE SADDLE
3. I GOT THE FEELIN'
4. GOODBYE YELLOW BRICK ROAD
5. WHY CAN'T WE DO IT IN THE ROAD
6. SHOCK ABSORBER
7. PURPLE WITHOUT ALL THE RED
8. MURDER BY NUMBERS
9. MY GIRL
10. WASH ME CLEAN
11. STONE PUSHING UPHILL MAN

Points of Interest

' Gilbert's profile as a music educator, instructional video performer and international guitar clinician, and guitar designer continue to keep his visibility high.
' Response from Gilbert's fans was overwhelming for his last record, 'Vibrato', and they are about to get served up an even more impressive guitar smorgasbord, beyond their wildest hopes.
' Racer X remains one of Shrapnel's best-selling catalog items, fueled by guitar fans that want to hear Gilbert at his shredding best. 'Stone Pushing Uphill Man' contains some of Gilbert's best playing to date.

http://shrapnelrecords.com