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THEmusicINDEX

(November 2008)

MARTIN ORFORD The Old Road

Martin Orford is best-known as keyboard player and main songwriter with legendary progressive rock band IQ, although he's also contributed to albums by Jadis and John Wetton.

This solo album is effectively Martin's swansong as he is leaving the music industry at the end of 2008.

What a way to go! The album features an all-star line-up of John Wetton (Asia). Nick D'Virgillo and Dave Meros (Spock's Beard) and John Mitchell (It Bites/ Arena).

Hard to pick highlights as there are no filler songs on here but for Asia/John Wetton fans 'Take It To The Sun' will delight your ears. John Mitchell adds some tasty guitar solos on this one as well. Wetton also sings lead vocal on the album's heaviest song 'The Time And The Season' and if the lead guitars on here don't have you air guitaring you must be clinically dead.

The title track is the best song Kansas never recorded! From the keys/acoustic guitar intro through to the fiddle solos from respected folk musician Colm Murphy it reminds the listener of 70's Kansas in all their pomp and glory, plus add in some flute for a Tull feel - superb. Steve Thorne takes lead vocals on 'Out In The Darkness', which could easily have come off any of his very enjoyable solo albums. The reflective 'Endgame' finishes the album off nicely.  www.getreadytorock.com

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PANIC ROOM Visionary Position

Panic Room was formed following the break-up of UK rock group, Karnataka, and features four members of the original award winning line-up. The band's music ranges from intimate acoustic songs to full-on multi-layered symphonic progressive rock, while retaining a contemporary edge.

With the line-up the quality of the song writing and musicianship will be familiar to fans of the original Karnataka, but Panic Room also experiments with new directions to create an original multi-faceted sound.

Panic Room play the Limelight, Crewe on Thursday, December 4

It is a grower...and if you like any of the bands alluded to - even Fish - you should find something to enjoy here. 'Endgame (Speed of Life) is a 10 minute epic with Celtic overtones and in places the great Iona come to mind whilst 'I Wonder What's Keeping My True Love Tonight?' evokes latter-day Clannad and a play-out that could be mid-period Yes.

There's a couple of sweet ballads: the sublime 'Firefly', and 'Moon On The Water', whilst 'Reborn' has a more commercial approach.
The magnum opus has to be the 14 minute 'The Dreaming'. Typically atmospheric and dramatic, and no doubt a focal point for their stage show. It has a flavour of a Celtic lament evoking all those crossover prog bands you've ever liked - their Welsh compatriots Magenta (especially Magenta), Iona, Capercaillie. And, yes, Karnataka and The Reasoning. All wonderfully precise and well executed. www.getreadytorock.com

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Links to interviews

Since 2003, the classic rock website www.getreadytorock.com (GRTR!) has been promoting upcoming and unsigned acts as well as the more familiar mainstream artists.

This CD brings together 16 bands under the 'rising stars' banner, and the music styles range from pop rock, through indie, to melodic rock.

SPECIAL OFFER: Only £1.99  Just add to your order before checkout.

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MAGENTA Live At The Point 2007

The success of Revolutions in 2001 - a studio-only project conceived by keyboards/guitarist Rob Reed - led to public demand for live shows from which Magenta developed. In 2004, the band released their second album Seven and a double live set Another Time, Another Place.

The band picked up several progressive rock awards, and  2005 saw the release of the band's first live DVD and prize for Best Band at the Classic Rock Society end of year awards ceremony.

2008 has already seen the band pick up Best Band and best Female Singer at the Classic Rock Society awards, and  the new studio album Metamorphosis  was released in April.

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Forthcoming dates:

8th November 2008 The Peel, Kingston. Acoustic set as special guests of Pendragon

10th January 2008 Montgomery Hall, Wath. Special Performance of Metamorphosis, as special guests of Frost

FISH Return to Childhood

This double CD was recorded in Holland on the tour that celebrated the twentieth anniversary of the Marillion album Misplaced Childhood.

In addition to the entire Misplaced Childhood album Fish and the band perform other live favourites including both solo material such as Credo, Raingods Dancing Big Wedge and Moving Targets and Marillion material including Market Square Heroes, Incommunicado and Fugazi.

www.themusicindex.com/commerce/pages/html/fish10.htm

ALSO AVAILABLE: Return To Childhood DVD, 13th Star, Bouillabaisse (Featured Album: May/June 2008)

We all know Fish as a performer, song writer, and rocker. A large part of this album is all about the first two, to an extra degree, and because of that it rocks. Quite melancholic and emotional... With 'Return To Childhood' out of the system this is Fish, the past now passed. It's good, it's personal, it's thoroughly enjoyable. ****½ Joe Geesin, www.getreadytorock.com

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ANTHONY PHILLIPS Wise After The Event

Anthony’s second solo album was released in May 1978 housed in a striking sleeve designed by Peter Cross and produced by Rupert Hine.

This reissue has been re mastered and contains a second disc of rarities and outtakes recorded before and during the sessions for the album. Amongst the tracks are various pre release mixes of tracks alongside demos of a number of the tracks including tracks that never made the finished line up. 2008 will see the fortieth anniversary of Genesis and the thirtieth anniversary of the original release of Wise After The Event and as such there will be a heightened interest in the massive Genesis fan base and associated Anthony Phillips fan base.

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ALSO AVAILABLE: The Geese And The Ghost (expanded), Wildlife, 1984

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Catalogue: www.themusicindex.com/commerce/pages/html/voiceprint.htm

LINDISFARNE Happy Daze (MSMCD148)

Featured Album: September 2008

The second release by the Mk II line up of Lindisfarne, 'Happy Daze' - which comes with 7 previously unreleased bonus tracks by Hull recorded prior to the band's formation - features him, Ray Jackson and newcomers bass player Tommy Duffy (ex- Bell & Arc and Gary Wright's Wonderwheel), guitarist Charlie Harcourt (ex-Cat Mother and Jackson Heights), keyboard player Kenny Craddock (formerly with Ginger Baker's Airforce) and drummer Paul Nichols. Complementing this line-up are horn players Buddy Beadle and Steve Gregory.

Production duties were handled by Eddie Offord, best known for his work with Emerson, Lake & Palmer and Yes, and the sound he achieved is full and rounded, complementing perfectly the more commercial, mid-Atlantic direction the band had aimed for.

Market Square's reissue benefits from the label's customary focus on ‘telling the story' and includes extensive notes by band expert Jim Henderson, track by track analysis by Tommy Duffy, archive images, and lyrics making for this comprehensive overview possible of a fine yet neglected album.

And then there's the bonus tracks: seven solo demos by Alan Hull, recorded in the late 1960's prior to the band's existence, serve to remind why this perennially popular band came to be one of the most seminal in the history of folk rock.

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ELEANOR McEVOY Love Must Be Tough (MOSCD404)

Available as a standard CD or Limited Special Edition (digi-pak) includes two bonus tracks and features superior 5.1 surround sound in SA-CD format (Bonus tracks: Whistle For The Choir, Please Heart, You're Killing Me)

Love Must Be Tough has all the hallmarks we've come to expect from Eleanor McEvoy - great songs, fantastic production and, of course, Eleanor's wonderful vocals.

But her seventh album takes an entirely new twist - in a direction first hinted at on Early Hours. With a supporting cast of Ireland's finest musicians in the form of the South King Street Band, Eleanor takes a retro ride back to the late Fifties/early Sixties birth of rock and roll replete with ragtime jazz trumpets, trombones and saxes.

Love Must be Tough is a bold break with the 'Me, Myself and I' (self played and self penned) approach of Out There, but while exploring old ground with a fresh slant it nevertheless remains an album that has all the hallmarks we've come to expect from Ms McEvoy - great songs, fantastic production and, of course, Eleanor's wonderful vocals. www.getreadytorock.com

Eleanor McEvoy achieved star status in Ireland in 1992 when her own song "Only A Woman's Heart" inspired the title for, and appeared on, the "A Woman's Heart" anthology album. It has since gone on to become the best selling album in Irish history. "A Woman's Heart" stayed in the Top 10 for over a year and still remains in the Irish charts to this day.

Eleanor was awarded the Irish Recorded Music Association Award for Best New Artist in 1992 and the Irish National Entertainment Award for Best New Artist in 1993.

Hot Press, Irelands premier music magazine, named her Best Solo Performer in 1992 and Best Songwriter in 1993.

A year later saw the worldwide release of her self-titled debut on Geffen Records, 'Eleanor McEvoy' followed by 'What's Following Me?' in 1996 and 'Snapshots' in 1999.

The reissued self-titled album with bonus tracks is available via Market Square Records at a bargain price, together with her acclaimed albums 'Yola' and 'Early Hours'.

Eleanor McEvoy is on tour in the UK in November:

 
7 November, Hebden Bridge Trades Club, Hebden, West Yorkshire
9 November, The New Roscoe, Bristol Street, Sheepscar, Leeds
14 November, The Acorn Theatre, Queens Street, Worksop, North Nottinghamshire

Feature and link to interview
 

Catalogue: www.themusicindex.com/commerce/pages/html/msm_catalogue.htm

CHARLIE LOUVIN Less And Less & I Don't Love You Anymore / Lonesome Is Me [Release date: 26th January 2009] HUX099 2 for 1

From the mid 1950s until the early 1960s, the Louvin Brothers, comprising Charlie and his brother Ira, became one of the most prestigious and influential bluegrass acts of all time. They developed a sound that was to later influence and inspire many others including (especially) the Everly Brothers and such seminal country rock performers as the Byrds and Gram Parsons. The duo separated in 1963, and both went on to pursue solo careers.

In 1964, Charlie Louvin released his first solo album. As was the fashion of the day the album was named after two chart successes, 'Less And Less' & 'I Don't Love You Anymore'. Charlie's second album, 'Lonesome Is Me', followed in 1966.

Louvin's music had now become smoother and more 'mainstream Nashville' than his erstwhile raw mountainy style, although a plaintive bluegrass undertone is never too far from the surface in his vocal delivery.

Both albums have now been digitally re-mastered and are released here on CD for the first time. The accompanying 12 page booklet includes extensive liner notes, photographs and full lyrics to all of the featured tracks.

Today, Louvin continues to be involved in recording projects, often in esteemed company which has included George Jones, Tanya Tucker, Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings and Charlie Daniels. 2007 saw the release of his latest new album, which reprised his classic material and was recorded with rock and country stars such as Tom T Hall, Elvis Costello, Marty Stuart as well as members from alt-country ensembles such as Wilco and Lambchop.
 

INCREDIBLE STRING BAND Tricks Of The Senses Rare And Unreleased Recordings 1966-1972 [Release date: 26 January 2009] HUX100 Double CD

One of the most engaging groups to emerge from the esoteric 1960s was the Incredible String Band. Basically the duo of Mike Heron and Robin Williamson, its sound was comprised of haunting Celtic folk melodies augmented by a variety of Middle Eastern and Asian instruments.

Tricks Of The Senses is a double CD compilation of unreleased or rare Incredible String Band material from the Witchseason and Island Records archives, and represents a fascinating alternative history of the band. ISB's Robin Williamson and Mike Heron were fully involved in this project from the start, and were both impressed by the quality of the material that was unearthed.

The opening track here, Leadbelly's 'Relax Your Mind', is taken from the band's own 1966 rehearsal tape, and is the source of the earliest surviving two-man ISB material.

'Lover Man' (with Danny Thompson on string bass) is an unreleased song from the band's second album, 5,000 Spirits. 'All Too Much For Me' & 'The Iron Stone' are outtakes from the band's Wee Tam LP. The remainder of disc 1 features previously unreleased recordings from a 1968 US radio session.

The second CD starts with 'Penwern', an instrumental which was not used for the 1969 Be Glad film soundtrack for which it was originally recorded. 'El Ratto' & 'Long Long Road' are both previously unreleased recordings from the ISB's 1970 song & dance extravaganza, U, which was performed at London's Roundhouse Theatre.

'All Writ Down' is an alternative stereo version, featuring an additional verse. 'Queen Juanita' is a previously unreleased outtake from the band's I Looked Up album. 'Poetry Play # 1' is a previously unreleased 1971 recording. The final two tracks are outtakes from the Earthspan sessions, recorded in 1972.

The accompanying 28 page booklet features exhaustive liner notes, including a detailed story about the background to this project. Also featured are several rare photographs and full lyrics to many of the songs.

Also available: ACROSS THE AIRWAVES (BBC Radio Recordings 1969-1974)

GENE WATSON Reflections / Should I Come Home [Release date: 26th January 2009] HUX101 2 for 1

Gene Watson was once cited by George Jones - almost certainly the greatest country artist that the world has known - as his favourite country ballad singer. Whilst Grand Old Opry veteran and country superstar, the late Porter Wagoner, once described Watson as "a singer's singer".

Watson is certainly a singer in country music's grand tradition and has the skill to give powerful vocal performances and draw all the emotion from his selected material effortlessly. Though he can sing honky-tonk, he has built a reputation for soulful ballads in the classic country tradition.

Gene Watson's 'Reflections' album, from 1978 and 'Should I Come Home', from 1979, both included several country chart hits, including 'One Sided Conversation', 'Farewell Party', 'Pick The Wildwood Flower', 'Nothing Sure Looked Good On You' and 'Should I Come Home (Or Should I Go Crazy)'.

These two albums maintain the superlative standard set by Gene's earlier LPs, arguably even surpassing them in terms of material and performances.

Both albums have now been digitally re-mastered and are released here on CD for the first time. The accompanying 12 page booklet includes extensive liner notes, photographs and full lyrics to all of the featured tracks.

It is hard to think of too many major country artists that have been as consistently good while still maintaining their country roots as Gene Watson. He has been singing professionally since the late 1950s and making superb country records for nearly forty years.

Gene Watson is still active today and his current touring schedule is as heavy as it has always been. These two albums together provide a historic snapshot of some of the greatest country music ever committed to disc.

Also available: LOVE IN THE HOT AFTERNOON/PAPER ROSIE, BEAUTIFUL COUNTRY/BECAUSE YOU BELIEVED IN ME

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NEIL ARDLEY's NEW JAZZ ORCHESTRA Camden 70 (DUSKCD105)

Featured Album: July/August 2008

Between the NJO's first album, Western Reunion (Decca, 1965) and second, Le Déjeuner sur l'Herbe (Verve, 1968), Neil Ardley's writing had matured to a point where it was showing serious signs of outgrowing even the highly flexible instrument that the orchestra had become. Under his guidance, the band was now also playing new music by a whole crop of young composers - Mike Taylor, Michael Garrick, Howard Riley and Michael Gibbs among them.

The line-up on this session was substantially the one that had recorded Déjeuner, although there were a few significant absentees including Ian Carr, who was by now touring the world with his pioneering jazz-rock band, Nucleus.

The programme that night was essentially the orchestra's current concert set and drew heavily on Le Déjeuner sur l‘Herbe, which was still current and selling well. Of the eight numbers on the album, seven are included here (tracks 5 to 11).

Camden '70 measures the extraordinary capabilities of a talent pool the like of which was not to be seen again in a jazz orchestra. This release marks the recording's debut and, together with notes from Dave Gelly and sound engineer Martin Mitchell (on the master tapes restoration) and period images, makes for a truly exciting addition to the jazz and jazz rock aficionado's collection.

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OLD WINE NEW SKINS (DUSKCD104)

A diverse roster of recording artists - spanning half a century between the oldest and youngest - have contributed contemporary interpretations of traditional English songs to a new album released as a companion piece to The Folk Handbook: Working With Songs From The English Tradition, published in the UK and US this summer by Backbeat Books.

"Old Wine/New Skins", released via Proper Music Distribution this October 2007 on Market Square Records' Dusk Fire imprint, compiles 17 songs from the book in performances all but one of which have been recorded in recent years; many have been recorded specially for this album and thus are unavailable elsewhere.

Contributors, including English, Scots, Americans and other nationalities, count Lisa Knapp, Tom Paxton, James Yorkston, Robin & Bina Williamson and The Devil's Interval amongst others - renowned or about to be.

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Catalogue: www.themusicindex.com/commerce/pages/html/dusk_fire.htm

WISHBONE ASH Argus Then Again Live (TECD133)

This is the first new studio album from the band for over two years. It follows on the great WISHBONE ASH tradition of twin-guitar based Rock for which they are universally famous.

Fronted by the original member Andy Powell this album will be a must-buy for all Wishbone Ash fans, plus all fans of great guitar-based Rock. The classic sound of Wishbone Ash.

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Also available: THE POWER OF ETERNITY

Catalogue: www.themusicindex.com/commerce/pages/html/telephant.htm

ROXY MUSIC Live In America

A live Roxy Music album: another work-in progress from the band who helped define the rock record as an alternative to the process of repetition, restatement and reconciliation which the music industry had traditionally encouraged.

Just as it is now seems inconceivable that British rock existed in the 70’s before Roxy Music exploded into public view in 1972, it seems impossible to confront the 80s with out a major release from the group whose influence and charisma continue to permeate the music scene.

Recorded in Denver and mixed in Nashville, ‘Live In America’ is further testimony to Roxy’s ability to outdistance and rise above its imitators and recent New Wave rivals.

At once sophisticated and evocatively simplistic, tuneful and jarringly experimental, lyrical and dramatic, the new album is fascinating and utterly contemporary document of the bands continuing development.

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ALSO AVAILABLE: PAT BENATAR, HAIR METAL

Catalogue: www.themusicindex.com/commerce/pages/html/store_for_music.htm

FAMILY Old Songs New Songs (MYSCD191)

Another limited run of this definitive box set will shortly be available. Would make a great gift!

FAMILY were and still are one of the most revered bands to come out of the late Sixties early Seventies. Fronted by the manic but prolific vocalist ROGER CHAPMAN, Family were one of the most popular bands on the UK and European gig and festival circuit where their particular brand of “progressive art rock”, backed by Chapman’s on stage antics and a brilliant band excited audiences everywhere.

The band became a brilliant vehicle for the song writing partnership of Roger Chapman and CHARLIE WHITNEY who were joined along the way by a number of top musicians including JOHN WETTON and later TONY ASHTON.

The popularity of Family was reflected by top thirty singles including a number 4 with “In My Own Time” and 7 top thirty albums, with “A Song For Me” reaching number 4, “Entertainment” number 6 and “Anyway” number 7.

This four CD box set features the following:

1. 49 tracks including 14 previously unreleased performances
2. The first release on CD of the album “Old Songs New Songs”.
3. Booklet written by Pete Feenstra on the history of Family, featuring quotes from band members and previously unseen photo’s.
4. A reproduction of the 1970 Isle Of Wight Festival programme

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Catalogue: www.themusicindex.com/commerce/pages/html/mystic.htm

ALSO AVAILABLE:

FAMILY Old Songs New Songs

FAMILY were and still are one of the most revered bands to come out of the late Sixties early Seventies. Fronted by the manic but prolific vocalist ROGER CHAPMAN, Family were one of the most popular bands on the UK and European gig and festival circuit where their particular brand of “progressive art rock”, backed by Chapman’s on stage antics and a brilliant band excited audiences everywhere.

The band became a brilliant vehicle for the song writing partnership of Roger Chapman and CHARLIE WHITNEY who were joined along the way by a number of top musicians including JOHN WETTON and later TONY ASHTON.

The popularity of Family was reflected by top thirty singles including a number 4 with “In My Own Time” and 7 top thirty albums, with “A Song For Me” reaching number 4, “Entertainment” number 6 and “Anyway” number 7.

www.themusicindex.com/commerce/pages/html/family7.htm

This compilation was originally issued in 1971, during a break in the band's activities, and is here on CD for the first time.

The original album remixed earlier material and spawned a hit single too. Mixing late sixties rock and pop with touches of psyche, folk and a prog nod, the Roger Chapman led combo were popular at the time, and this is a good intro to the band at the time, with informative sleevenotes too, from GRTR's Pete Feenstra.

Chapman's a good singer and it shows here, and the rockier material shows some good guitar and bass work. Well worth investigating.

Review by Joe Geesin, www.getreadytorock.com

Imagine the progressive hard rock stylings of Rush mixed with the sensitivities of modern-day Marillion. You're getting close to 25 Yard Screamer.

Three lads from South Wales are set to widen a growing audience with the release of their third album, Cassandra.

They've been playing music together since 2002 and their latest album shows progress in leaps and bounds.

Guitarist Nick James says that the lead track on the album expands the myth of Cassandra who in Greek mythology was given the gift of prophecy but not of being believed. How could we apply that to the modern world, if at all?

The album can be enjoyed on different levels, but listeners will be drawn to the quality of the musicianship, the stirring choruses, and the fact that the band have fashioned something provocative and different.

Power and passion, Cassandra has it all - some absolutely wonderful playing from the band - Matt Clarke (bass), Nick James (guitar and vocals) and Donal Owen (drums). It's a remarkably confident and mature work, maybe highly Marillion influenced in places, but it's as good as anything the post Fish line up of that band have released. And believe it or not this was recorded and produced at home.

Classic rock of epic proportions. It would be a crying shame if this didn't reach a wider audience. ****½ www.getreadytorock.com

There is plenty of healthy imagination gone into this debut album...the band has no fear of getting in some complex melodies and some heavier ones too among the gentler and emotional moments...a certain one to watch'
Classic Rock Society (May/June 2007)

Blacklight, the epic 20-minute opening track, is full of chunky, chiming Alex Lifeson guitar and high-falutin' Neil Peart-style lyrics...Yet it's on the title tune where this Carmarthen combo really show their metal...It's a powerful, complex piece of work that's right up with the best of Brave-era Marillion. 7/10

Geoff Barton, Classic Rock magazine (September 2007)

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A deluxe box-set comprising five full-length themed CDs, over 85 Tracks. with previously-unreleased rarities and new recordings from Steve Tilston, his friends and musical collaborators - plus: a 100-page full-colour book with detailed discography, image archive, and career overview.

The set has been compiled with unprecedented access to Steve's own archives and with tracks contributed by Steve's many fellow musicians and admirers from around the world that appear on the special CD5.

It features all the classic Steve Tilston songs, as well as new recordings from Steve's admirers, and the set includes many previously-unreleased or new versions of his superb songs.

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Also available: RICHARD THOMPSON, FAIRPORT CONVENTION, DAVE SWARBRICK

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For many, 'Moonchild' is the band's magnum opus and they will welcome the new version which has been scrubbed off, resequenced, and with two bonus tracks added. With new artwork, too, this is essentially a fresh-looking and fresh-sounding release. The Celtic infusion lends a timeless quality to the tracks, with the standout title track, 'The Pilgrim', 'We Two Are One' and the superb 'Strange Day In the Country.  www.getreadytorock.com

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Groups and Sessions 1962-1978

Definitive career overview of ace session guitarist who has performed with Ian Gillan Band, Spencer Davis Group amongst others.

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DATABASE

Our 38,000+ review database is based on reviews appearing in 'Q' magazine from 1986-2006.


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