AlphaJorge Release First Full Length Album

Brazilian band AlphaJorge have just released their first full-length album, Storm Ahead, on November 16th.

The band started in 2015 with its main goal being not to have a comfort zone. This can be seen not only in the band’s songwriting, but, especially in their live shows.

AlphaJorge is Arthur Rodrigues (guitar/vocals/keyboards), Nick Medeiros (guitar/backing vocals), Thiago Darós (bass/backing vocals) and Diego Rapoport (drums/backing vocals). 

After releasing their first EP, Island House (2017), the band rapidly gained some traction in the local rock scene, playing some of the most important stages in the region. In 2018 One More Day was released as a single, as part of a compilation showcasing some of the local scene’s most prominent bands.

Storm Ahead showcases the band leaving their past blues rock influences aside and embracing progressive rock at last, along with more complex and detailed songwriting.

When playing live, these challenging compositions are enhanced with extended and lively improvisation segments that travel through many different genres, from reggae to blues, from EDM to heavy metal. This, along with everchanging setlists, brings every single AlphaJorge concert a nice dose of unpredictability, making each and every show an unique experience.

Listen to the full album here

Follow AlphaJorge on:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AlphaJorge/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alphajorgee/

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3efSKrie6NOPpZb8zYCDnK

(Band picture by Lais Welter)

New Moonshot Compilation to Be Released 17th January 2020 Through Plane Groovy Records.

Curated by Tim Bowness, Worlds Of Yesterday is Moonshot‘s first official compilation since Shot Hits in 1979.

From the Crimson-esque grandeur of The Sweetest Bitter Pill to the straightforward beauty of Before That Before, via the warped creativity of Lost In The Ghost Light and the engaging Pop of Stupid Things That Mean The World, WOY contains the band’s strongest work from 1971-1992.

Though Moonshot may not have reached the commercial and creative peaks of celebrated Progressive peers such as Genesis, Pink Floyd, Yes and King Crimson, they were arguably one of the best of the chasing pack and fully deserve to be named alongside the likes of Gentle Giant, Camel, Greenslade, The Yorkshire Parkin Experiment, BJH, Gryphon, PFM, Prawn, Ange and others.Worlds Of Yesterday is a fine testament to a fine band.

The album is available from Plane Groovy Records and includes the bands’ hit singles Before That Before and Stupid Things That Mean The World.

My 2017 release Lost In The Ghost Light was a homage to the classic Rock album era. The album revolved around my interpretation of the contemporary musings of Moonshot leader Jeff Harrison, though the events in the songs took place between 1967 and 2017. During this period, Rock music had gone from a revolutionary force that defined the zeitgeist to the exact opposite (a safe and nostalgic reminder of a better time). Jeff’s career was of interest to me because he came from my home town and was born on the same date as me in exactly the same place (Victoria Park Maternity Home in Warrington as I’m sure you’re eager to know). It was 16 years earlier, but how could I not be curious?“, says Tim Bowness.

In the 1970s and 1980s, there were no local musicians of note from the area, so (in both a good and a bad way) Jeff became something of a home town legend regularly played by DJs such as The Longford Lover.” Tim carries on to say.

“On a personal level, I was interested in how Jeff and Moonshot had been passionately principled for its first 10 years, but seemed a little exhausted and compromised from that point on. Where did the inspiration / drive go? How was all relevance and credibility lost? Why did Jeff make the career choices he did?”

The Moonshot album will be available via Burning Shed and will come with a free download of the album plus extra tracks.  Details of the extras will be confirmed closer to the release date, pre-order at the link below.

https://burningshed.com/moonshot_worlds-of-yesterday_vinyl?filter_name=Moonshot&filter_sub_category=true

Here is the title track from the album:

Moonshot are

John Comish – keyboards

James Cooper – drums and percussion

Darren Dean – guitars

David K. Jones – bass guitar, bass pedals, 12 string guitar and backing vocals

John Wilkinson – vocals

with

Sian Doyle, Janet McKinney and Selina Wexler – vocals and Colin McKay – additional programming.

SONS OF APOLLO RETURN WITH NEW ALBUM MMXX 17TH JANUARY

SONS OF APOLLO – former Dream Theater members Mike Portnoy and Derek Sherinian, Ron “Bumblefoot” Thal (ex-Guns N’ Roses), Billy Sheehan (The Winery Dogs, Mr. Big, David Lee Roth) and Jeff Scott Soto (ex-Journey, ex-Yngwie Malmsteen’s Rising Force)–are ready to ring in the new decade with a sonic boom with their second studio album, appropriately titled, ‘MMXX’ (pronounced: 20/20).

Produced by The Del Fuvio Brothers (Portnoy and Sherinian), ‘MMXX will be released on the 17th January 2020 via InsideOutMusic/Sony as a standard CD package, Limited Edition 2 CD package (which includes instrumental mixes and a cappella excerpts), 2 LP + CD package, and on all digital formats. Pre-orders for all formats will be available starting November 15th, which will include an instant download of the album’s first single, ‘Goodbye Divinity,’ on iTunes and Amazon.

A teaser trailer was released on Inside Out’s official YouTube page here


“Stylistically, we have followed the same path as the debut,” outlines drummer Mike Portnoy. “But we feel that it has come out stronger, simply because we know one another better. ‘PSYCHOTIC SYMPHONY’ was the first time the five of us had worked together, so there was bound to be an air of experimentation happening. Now, we can draw on having the experience not only of recording that album, but also of touring together a lot. And now there is clearly a lot more obvious chemistry going on.”

“We did 83 shows on the last tour,” adds keyboardist Derek Sherinian. “And it was so worthwhile, because we came out of it with a stronger bond, and that is certainly reflected in what we wrote.”

The writing process began at the start of the year, as Portnoy, Sherinian and guitarist Ron ‘Bumblefoot’ Thal got together. “The three of us were at my home studio in Pennsylvania,” explains Portnoy. “And it took about three weeks to get all the music written. That was a very smooth process. The last time, it certainly must have felt a little weird for Bumblefoot to be writing with Derek and me, because we were strangers to him. Now, we know one another better and that helped things push along.”

“Because we all have our home studios, it meant everyone could record there as and when they had opportunity,” continues Sherinian. “We all had the luxury of being able to take our time to get all the parts done, which was a huge help in the way the album’s come out. I suppose in all, it took about eight months to record everything.”

The lyrics were written by Soto, who also came up with the melody lines with input from Sherinian. “While Jeff was left to come up with the words on his own, as the melody lines are part of the music, it made sense for me to be involved with that part,” says the keyboard player.

There are eight tracks on ‘MMXX’, with variations in length totalling 60 minutes. “The final song is ‘New World Today, which is 16 minutes long,” says Portnoy. “This one has elements similar to ‘Opus Maximus’ and ‘Labyrinth’ on the previous album. It has some insane, brilliant instrumental moments, which I am sure the fans will love.”

“We wanted to do something epic here, as we did with ‘Opus Maximus’ last time around,” adds Sherinian. “You have to remember that Mike and I come from Dream Theater, where we never bothered about how long a song was. So, for us doing a 16 minute track is not a problem.”

Here’s the track listing for MMXX:
1. Goodbye Divinity (7:16)

2. Wither To Black (4:48)

3. Asphyxiation (5:09)

4. Desolate July (6:11)

5. King Of Delusion (8:49)

6. Fall To Ascend (5:07)

7. Resurrection Day (5:51)

8. New World Today (16:38)


The album title was inspired by a simple chronological fact. “This will be released in mid-January 2020,” says Portnoy. “That means it will be one of the first releases in what is a new decade. So I came up with the idea of calling it ‘2020,” except having it written in the Latin form of ‘MMXX’.”

And the album’s artwork has been created by Thomas Ewerhard (who was responsible for the cover design of ‘PSYCHOTIC SYMPHONY’), which inevitably reflects the title.

As Portnoy explains, “For the first record, we had a mythological feel. This time around though, there’s a much more futuristic style to what we’ve got. It has a very 21st century appeal. And the band crest is more polished, cleaned up and a lot more modern than last time, when it had an old fashioned look.”

“Each member of this band has their own signature sound on their instrument,” adds Sherinian. “And when you put all of this together what you get is a wonderful five-headed beast. It makes this a sonically special band, which is definitely what comes across on ‘MMXX’. You can hear odd time signatures and amazingly crazy performances here. Overall, we’ve been satisfyingly more adventurous this time than we were before, and I know people are sure to love what we’ve done.”

In touring news, the band’s headlining ‘MMXX World Tour’ will launch January 24th in Pomona, CA, USA and will take them around the world throughout the new year. They have also just announced European tour dates for March 2020, and you can find those below:
Europe 2020
Mon 2nd March Drammen, Norway Union Scene

Tue 3rd March Gothenburg, Sweden Traedgarn

Thu 5th March Kyiv, Ukraine N.A.U Theatre

Sat 7th March Moscow, Russia RED

Sun 9th March St Petersburg, Russia Aurora

Tue 10th March Pratteln, Switzerland Z7

Wed 11th March Milan, Italy Live Club

Fri 13th March Bilbao, Spain Santana 27

Sat 14th March Barcelona, Spain Razzmatazz 2

Sun 15th March Madrid, Spain La Riviera

Thu 19th March London, U.K. Islington Assembly Hall

Fri 20th March Eindhoven, Netherlands Prognosis Festival

Sun 22nd March Show Brno, Czech Republic Sono

Tue 24th March Kosice, Slovakia Colosseum

Wed 25th March Budapest, Hungary Barba Negra

The Pretty Things Announce ‘The Final Bow’ deluxe boxset (Featuring David Gilmour & Van Morrison)

The Pretty Things – Credit Judy Totton

British music icons The Pretty Things will release ‘The Final Bow’ via Madfish on 1st November. Celebrating 55 years of the greatest band most people have never heard of, The Final Bow captures The Pretty Things at their riotous, unique & mercurial best.  Recorded across 3 sets of classic tracks featuring special guest appearances from good friends David Gilmour and Van Morrison at Indigo at the 02 in December 2018. The Final Bow will be released as a beautiful and carefully curated deluxe edition and as a 2xLP soundtrack set as well.

Featuring 2 concert film DVDs and 2 live recording CDs, the deluxe edition will also feature a special 10″ of Phil May and Dick Taylor’s track selections and a 52-page hardback book packed with live photography by acclaimed photographer Judy Totton, ‘The Gospel according to Mark St. John’ extensive sleeve notes and Phil & Dick’s individual sleeve notes telling their story as a ground-breaking, ballsy and ambitious band. As Rock and Roll’s greatest nearly men.

Invaluable to the development of British music, The Pretty Things have been a critical success and a huge influence on artists as diverse as David BowieAerosmithThe RamonesBob DylanThe Sex PistolsThe White StripesKasabian, The Lightning Seeds and countless more. A who’s who of music icons site The Pretty Things and their outrageous behaviour, incandescent stage performances and astonishing catalogue of remarkable, ground-breaking recordings as fundamental in the creation of their own work.

Still creating significant music today and with a rich catalogue including top-level albums such as The Pretty Things, S.F. Sorrow & Parachute, they remain a hugely significant artistic and creative force. They are a band to revere with no other first-wave artist but The Rolling Stones outselling their frontline recordings today and probably no artist at all out-performing them live.

This electric performance features all of the youthful and incendiary vigour from their 60s beginnings, showing off a technical prowess by performing tracks from their full range of styles: first wave R’n’B, psychedelic rock, and the blues. Led by founding vocalist and guitarist Phil May & Dick Taylor, the band was driven by their current line-up consisting Frank HollandJack Greenwood & George Woosey and featured returns from original recording band members Skip AllenWally Waller & John Povey. The evening was transformed from unmissable to sensational with the guest performances of Pink Floyd guitarist David Gilmour on classics including “Cries from the Midnight Circus” & “L.S.D.“, and legendary vocalist Van Morrison on blues classic “Baby, Please Don’t Go” & soul standard “You Can’t Judge a Book by its Cover“.

The Final Bow is a startling and essential snapshot of a band who, for over 55 years, have never stopped pushing, growing and honing their craft – a record 5 decades in the making.

Phil May: – The Pretty Things: “After 55 years, saying goodbye to The Pretty Things electric band was a seismic, emotional blow and a genuine life loss, for all the band and our manager.  But, to be forced into it on health grounds, when the band was riding high, creating great new music and touring so successfully, throughout the world, made matters worse. But, life’s a bitch and then you die…

That said, this box set and what it represents, as a lasting tribute to the band I love, the life we have lived, and the way we have lived it, in music and performance, is unparalleled. I know I’m lucky, I, and the band, made it through a 2-hour 45-minute performance, in the best form we could have hoped for and we all feel that we created a performance, worthy of “The Pretty Things” at their best. That we captured it on film and on record, that we had our great, old friends, David Gilmour and Van Morrison alongside us and creating the moment and that, most of all, the o2 was sold out with our friends, old and new, young and old, and the people that we have done it for and who made it possible for us, was the icing on the cake.

This is a great representation of a great night, a wonderful gig, a heart-breaking moment and – a life in rock and roll. We love it, I hope you do, too..”

‘The Final Bow’ can be pre-ordered from Madfish now with the first 500 orders of the deluxe edition receiving a signed Insert by Phil May & Dick Taylor.

AFENGINN – Scandinavia’s leading neo-folk, post-classical voice to release new album

Afenginn, which means “intoxication and strength” in old norse, is Danish composer and musician, Kim Rafael Nyberg, one of the leading neo-folk, post-classical voices in Scandinavia. Having toured all over Europe, Australia and the US and performed at numerous festivals, concert halls and venues, Nyberg’s deeply ambitious, orchestrated compositions are based on his seemingly mercurial creative impulses with a strong DIY underpinning, with each of his previous bodies of work being a clear departure from the last. Obvious comparisons would be Hauschka, Goldmund, Jonny Greenwood and Dustin O’Halloran.

On his new album ‘Klingra’, released 11th October via , Nyberg has crafted a gentle yet fervent post-classical exploration into the temperament of intertwined cycles. Both the music and poetry (in Faroese) are composed by using interlocked cyclical patterns. Like the gears in a clock, the parallel themes intersect at points, creating contracted dissonance or lifting consonance. The overarching experience is deeply contemplative and melancholic, with a light of emancipation always just ahead.

With a sound palette of two pianos, a string quartet (The Danish String Quartet), pedal steel guitar, synth bass and two drummers supporting the haunting vocals of Ólavur Jákupsson (Yann Tiersen), Klingra’s eight tracks flow one into the other, rippling with layers of ostinatos of unequal lengths, leading to a feeling of constantly being driven forward on an obscured path. The listener can be excited by both the mathematical design of the music as well as the raw emotional expression.

Afenginn has picked up numerous accolades back home in his native Denmark including ‘Composer of the Year’ (2014, 2016), ‘Album of the Year’ (2005, 2010, 2016) and ‘Best Live Act’ (2016) at the Danish Music Awards.

Kim Nyberg

“Klingra (circle in Faroese) is one of my more delicate and introspective pieces that leans one degree further into the neo-classical realm. I’ve been working with the theme of circles/cycles to inspire both the way the music is composed and the story within the poetry”, says Nyberg

There’s a norse melancholy and cheerful madness that runs deep through the heart of ‘Klingra’, no more evident than on the opening three compositions. The rhythmic and melodic finesse of ‘Skjálvtin’ (The Impact), makes way for a deeply emotive ‘Litirnir’ (The Colours), before ‘Himnakroppanir’ (Celestial Bodies), is the crest on a wave that’s been building over the last two pieces, as it surges with urgent interlocking patterns, as the tension gradually builds.

Common in Nyberg’s work is the use of minimalistic patterning (akin to the techniques of Philip Glass and Arvo Pärt), which fluctuate between creating a tidal propulsion and a sense of austere fragility. This is consistently contrasted against epic post-rock swells that are both sensual and disbanding.

Available on CD, vinyl and digital formats, the vinyl edition has been utilized as a compositional tool. Two different introductions are pressed into parallel grooves on the record, offering the listener two alternate listening experiences depending on where the needle begins on the circle. The B side ends with a closed loop that musically brings one back to the start of the album.

Track listing:

1.      ‘Skjálvtin’ (The Impact)

2.      ‘Litirnir’ (The Colours)

3.      ‘Himnakropparnir’ (Celestial Bodies)

4.      ‘Ivin T’ (The Doubt)

5.      ‘Vitin’ (The Lighthouse)

6.      ‘Skapanin’ (The Creation)

7.      ‘Tøkkin’ (The Thanking)

8.      ‘Eftirskjálvtin’ (The Aftershock)

https://en-gb.facebook.com/afenginn

EXPLORING BIRDSONG sign to Long Branch Records

New single ‘The River’ released 2nd October

Band’s debut EP expected in Autumn

Rarely are new groups as exciting, talented or unique as EXPLORING BIRDSONG, the piano-led guitarless trio from Liverpool who have announced their signing to German independent label Long Branch Records.

Having recently graduated from Liverpool’s Institute of Performing Arts, the young group have already caught the eyes Prog Magazine, Kerrang! Magazine, Kerrang! Radio and Classic Rock Magazine as well as achieved two Progressive Music Awards nominations in 2019. Having only released two singles at this point, EXPLORING BIRDSONG have been hand-picked to support Sleep Token, toured with proggers Godsticks, caught the attention of Florence and the Machine, and performed at HRH Prog. Unplaceable for the most part, the band bring to mind elements of Steven WilsonKate Bush, RushSleep Token, and Agent Fresco.

The young trio are comprised of drummer Matt Harrison, bassist and keyboardist Jonny Knight (capable of playing both instruments simultaneously), and topped by keyboardist and vocalist Lynsey Ward‘s stunning, otherworldly vocals. 

“We are so excited to be signing with Long Branch Records. We’re extremely proud to be working with a label that is home to some of our favourite bands, and feel our music couldn’t be in better hands.” says Exploring Birdsong drummer Matt Harrison.

Long Branch Records label manager Manuel Schönfeld adds: “Exploring Birdsong are undoubtedly one of the most interesting new bands in the British progressive music scene. We’re super excited about the signing and are looking forward to a successful partnership.” 

Exploring Birdsong’s new single “The River” will be released on October 2nd, 2019 followed by their debut EP release in Autumn 2019.

Watch the band live:

03.10. UK, London – Underworld /w Sleep Token (sold out)
04.10. UK, Manchester – Manchester Academy 3 /w Sleep Token (sold out)

Franck Carducci Band Reveal Artwork and Release Date For ‘The Answer’

The Franck Carducci Band ave announced that their upcoming album “The Answer” will be released on November 28 2019 (for ThanksGiving) on Vinyl & CD
It features some very special guests including Derek Sherinian (Alice Cooper, Dream-Theater, Billy Idol, Black Country Communion, …), Jimmy Pallagrosi(Zio, Karnataka, …) and Fabrice Dutour (Backroads, Dyslesia)

The mixing was done by Christian Morfin and Franck Carducci, and the mastering is now in progress at RealWorld Studios (England)

The artwork (see cover above) was designed by Élisa Mottet, based on a photograph by Émilie Trontin featuring model Charlotte Giraud-Grosso.

Tracklist:

SIDE A:
1. (Love is) The Answer     08:02
2. Slave to Rock ‘n’ Roll     05:42
3. Superstar                        12:30

SIDE B:
4. The After Effect            10:03
5. The Game of Life          04:33
6. Asylum                          11:08

The CD version will have 4 bonus tracks (2 songs + 2 radio cuts)

John Lodge of The Moody Blues, releases B Yond – The Very Best Of on 27th September through BMG Records.

John Lodge, bass guitarist, vocalist, and songwriter for the iconic Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame 2018 inductees, The Moody Blues releases B Yond – The Very Best Of on 27th September through BMG Records.  The album will be available initially as a CD or Digital Audio. A double vinyl gatefold (180g) will be released in November.

You can pre-order the album here:  https://johnlodge.tmstor.es/ 

B Yond features 3 new recordings, 2 new remixes, and other tracks chosen by John as he revisits the very best of his career with the Moody Blues together with his solo work.
For this album Lodge went back into the studio to totally recreate Street Café(Evening) Time to Get Away and Legend of a Mind, with the wonderful musicians of the 10,000 Light Years Band.  The tracks were co-produced by John and Alan Hewitt, and features John on his original Fender Precision Bass which he recorded all of the classic Moody Blues songs on.  He is joined by Hewitt on keyboards, Duffy King on guitars, Billy Ashbaugh on drums and Jason Charboneau on Cello.

The result is a fresh modern feel whilst still retaining the original magic of these songs. Legend of a Mind was particularly important for John to include on this album as it is his tribute to his friend Ray Thomas. The original 24 track recordings of ‘Say You Love Me’ and ‘Summer Breeze, Summer Song’, were also remixed and remastered to create a 2019 feel to these songs that were so much part of John’s first solo ventures.

Lodge states: “With this album I want to share with you my ‘deep cuts’ – songs that I’ve wanted to revisit, and songs which have become an important part of my life. It is this which has taken meback into the studio, to share with you my music and record again with my Fender Precision Bass.I hope you too can join me on this journey… B Yond” 

Full Tracklisting for B Yond – The Very Best Of:
1.  I’m Just A Singer (In A Rock And Roll Band) (Live) 2.  Summer Breeze, Summer Song (2019 Remix) 3.  In My Mind 4.  Street Café (2019) 5.  (Evening) Time To Get Away (2019)6.  Saved By The Music (Live) 7.  Legend Of A Mind (2019) 8.  Say You Love Me (2019 Remix) 9.  Get Me Out Of Here 10. Gemini Dream (Live) 11. Isn’t Life Strange (Live) 12. Ride My See-Saw (Live)

John Wetton Boxset and Book Announced

John Wetton

The John Wetton Estate proudly announces work has commenced on a solo career box set featuring expanded editions of his iconic albums and a lavish hardback book. 12th June 2019 would have been John’s 70th birthday. 

Since John Wetton’s passing in January 2017, his family, friends and management have been working on finding a fitting tribute to such a remarkable man and iconic artist.  The result of this labour of love is a box set entitled “An Extraordinary Life”, dedicatedentirely to John’s solo career.  The project has the full support of John’s wife, Lisa, and his son, Dylan, who are wholly involved with compiling the contents.    

The set will include definitive, remastered editions of each of his six solo albums, with bonus tracks and artwork selected by John towards the end of his lifetime, and in some cases expanded to two discs:

  1. Caught in the Crossfire
  2. Battle Lines
  3. Arkangel
  4. Sinister
  5. Rock of Faith
  6. Raised in Captivity

   An Extraordinary Life will also feature a lavish hardback “coffee table” book written by one of John’s friends, the journalist Nick Shilton.  Nick has interviewed dozens of John’s collaborators, peers and associates, both in and out of the music business, as well as friends from his childhood and through all eras of his career, collecting a multitude of exclusive, poignant and wonderful stories along the way.

This box set – a “must have” for every John Wetton fan – will also feature high resolution video tributes as well as unique bonus material.  The Official John Wetton website will launch a dedicated webpage entitled “An Extraordinary Life” which will become an ever-evolving digital gathering place for the inner circle of John’s fans.  

An Extraordinary Life will be completed during 2019 and initially be exclusively available via Burning Shed ahead of a wider scale retail release. The Burning shed store is now at https://burningshed.com/store/john-wetton

Coinciding with John’s 70th birthday today, Asia begins a 28 date USA tour as special guests of Yes on their Royal Affair Tour, which will premiere tonight in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.  Carl Palmer’s ELP Legacy and John Lodge from the Moody Blues will also be on the bill.  Asia’s new line-up comprises Carl Palmer, Geoff Downes Billy Sherwood, Ron “Bumblefoot” Thal and a special guest appearance by Steve Howe.  John Wetton’s great friend Roger Dean will have an exhibition at each show, including iconic Asia artwork.

To celebrate John’s birthday, and as a teaser to the box set, we release a never before heard fly-on-the-wall of an early Asia rehearsal, recorded exactly 38 years ago today on June 12, 1981.  Ricky Nelson has lovingly nurtured this Holy Grail recording, and has created a collage slide-show of rare photos through the decades to remind you of John’s genius.  The question arises – what song did this morph into?

Further, Ricky has curated a special video recording of John’s last ever tour singing Asia songs, with the Rock Meets Classic arena tour in March 2015, where John delivers a supreme performance, one of his finest ever versions of “The Smile Has Left Your Eyes”.  This will be a special release today at 12noon UK time from John’s twitter page [see below].

Dylan Wetton says: “This is helping me come to terms with the loss of my Dad, and is opening my eyes to his genius.  It is truly a labour of love”.

Lisa Wetton says: “When you open your box set for the first time, you will know that every person involved with its creation was touched deeply by John Wetton. You will be playing the music that revealed his personal life story, and you will be perpetuating a legacy that was meant to be a shining light for everyone. The physical light may have flickered out on January 31, 2017, but there is an extra radiant star aglow in the firmament today. It is my hope that when you listen, you will still feel the warmth from that light, and hear the Lion roar for generations to come”.

Official Website: www.johnwetton.co.uk

Remembering John Wetton Twitter: https://twitter.com/officialjwetton Remembering John Wetton Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/1377795682293955/

KING CRIMSON CELEBRATE 50TH ANNIVERSARY with 3 UK SHOWS at the ROYAL ALBERT HALL 18TH, 19TH & 20TH JUNE

King Crimson celebrate their 50th Anniversary this year. As part of these celebrations they will perform a trio of shows at the Royal Albert Hall on 18th, 19th and 20th June and special concerts across three continents, including both festivals and headline shows.

Tickets are available here: https://www.dgmlive.com/tours?liveshow=on
Often acclaimed as one of the best live bands in the world, King Crimson has constantly re-invented itself throughout its 50-year existence. Having reformed in 2014 the current seven-piece line-up features Robert Fripp (guitar), Mel Collins (saxophones & flute), Tony Levin (bass, stick and backing vocals), Jakko Jakszyk (guitar & vocals) and drummers Gavin Harrison, Pat Mastelotto and Jeremy Stacey – who doubles on keyboards.

This very special group of musicians has allowed the band, for the very first time, to access material from throughout King Crimson’s long history. In fact, since 2014, they have played a large number of historic pieces which have never previously been performed live, as well as old favourites, and their own newly written material.

The shows are regularly around three hours long, with a setlist newly written each day by Robert Fripp.
Founding member Robert Fripp who has been a constant throughout the band’s history recently observed the Anniversary with an exclusive one-day event in London which was attended by worldwide media. The event included a presentation by film director, Toby Amies who is currently editing his forthcoming King Crimson documentary Cosmic F*kc which will be released later this year.

The latest in KC’s acclaimed boxed set series: Heaven and Earth – 18CDs, 2DVD-a, 4Blu-Ray – covering King Crimson 1997 – 2008 and including much unreleased audio/video/Hi-res stereo & 5.1 surround audio in the band’s most comprehensive boxed set release to date.

Also released on the same day, drawn from the boxed set:
The ReconstruKction of Light – CD/DVD-a set featuring the 1997 album in original stereo/radically remixed/part rerecorded new stereo & 5.1 Surround sound plus bonus material – all in hi-res audio on the dvd-a
The Power to Believe – CD/DVD-a set featuring the 1003 album in original stereo/expanded mix/& 5.1 Surround sound plus bonus material – all in hi-res audio on the dvd-a.

Completing the availability of all of King Crimson’s studio albums from 1969 – 2003 in hi-res stereo & 5.1 surround sound.
More releases follow later in the year.