Kerry Livgren and Margot and the Nuclear So and So's

former Kansas guitarist (and the classic/progressive rock band founder?) Kerry Livgren sadly, suffered a stroke recently. Here's 1 story I saw on the ProgPowerUSA forum.

http://www.cjonline.com/news/local/2009-09-01/kerry_livgren_falls_ill

Kerry Livgren falls ill


By Mike Hall
Created September 1, 2009 at 4:24pm
Updated September 1, 2009 at 5:23pm



Kerry Livgren, most famous for his years with the rock band Kansas, is described as in "serious, but stable condition," following a stroke in the early hours of Tuesday.
Information available on the Internet indicate he is 59 years old.
His sister, Emalie Hunt, confirmed the news for The Topeka Capital-Journal on Tuesday afternoon.
She said Livgren is resting in a Topeka hospital and the family asks for prayers for him and that everyone respect the family's privacy.
A native Topekan, Livgren was a co-founder of the group Kansas in 1970. He played guitar and keyboard and was principal songwriter.
His hits included "Carry On Wayward Son" and "Dust in the Wind." An evangelical Christian, he began moving into Christian music even while still with Kansas. In 1983 he left the group to form a new band, AD. Between 1983 and 1986, the new band released two albums and toured extensively.
According to his Web site, in 1994 he moved from Atlanta back to Topeka where he created his production company Grandyzine and record company Numavox Records. He constructed a state-of-the-art recording and production facility in a restored barn on his farm southeast of Topeka.
Lately he has resumed work on what he calls the most ambitious work of his career, "Cantata: The Resurrection Lazarus." He has been working on it for 20 years. It will be an orchestral and vocal composition. It is based on the Biblical story from John, chapter 11.

quite sad and hope him a speedy recovery. Livgren, frankly, was a HUGE part of what made Kansas good. I never got to see him with Kansas (or solo) unforunately; but he's definitely a significant reason of my interest in the band's music. They were prog with him, simply put. After he left? they weren't prog or nearly as good.

Hopefully we'll read of his better health status in the near future.



Margot and the Nuclear So and So's who are currently working on their 3rd LP, yet untitled, but likely to drop within the next year, if not sooner, announced some of the members would be leaving soon. They have some gigs lined up soon, and they will I guess be the final concerts in their current incarnation/lineup.


here's the post on myspazz

This weekend's shows (last with the current band)
Sept 4th and 5th, Margot will play their last shows with the current lineup. It's hard to say if the members will play together again in the future, but if you want to see the good ole' fashion margot, you've got two days to do it. Indianapolis on the 4th, and Bloomington Indiana on the 5th.


It's been a very good run with the current roster, but after the 5th it's a different game.


We hope to see you there,
MArGoTTT.

I need to head over to the Paper Kittens Nightmare Message Board and see if there is any more info about this. What members? possibly why? replacements, etc.

As a fan, while I'm not happy to read about this, I'm not worried either, given how collaborative they are. We'll see if their music is impacted much, but it also may lead to other members doing some cool things that they haven't been able to while-with Margot.

Tonight: Taking Woodstock..and perhaps

Taking Woodstock





edit: I didn't see "Into Temptation," but likely will be seeing "I Love You Man" tomorrow evening on DVD.

here's my review of "Taking Woodstock"

I liked a lot of this. Overall, it gave me a pretty uplifting feeling afterwards. My criticism of it would be how much of it's focus was a character-study, which I applaud them to an extent. But the amount of hippie culture experiences ratio to the relationships, mainly Elliot with his parents, kind of made it's direction a bit less about how crazy and surreal an event Woodstock was. On the flipside, I really lilked Liev Schreiber and his relationship to Elliot. In fact, had they focused more on those 2, it might have made the character exploration more acceptable.

None-the-less, there was a lot to enjoy about this. The psychedelic trip Elliot does take in that couples van namely. Very trippy. Ang Lee did a good job taking the audience into the possible zoned-out journey of an Acid-trip.

The group of bordering nudist actors, especially early-on, added a good amount of comedic energy. And pretty much every scene they were in, was worth my attention (not that girls constantly exposing themselves in a hippie/expositionary way wouldn't warrant it anyway).

And credit goes to Demetri Martin, who at times didn't blow me away, but I think pulled off the lead role well enough where he didn't leave my mind long after walking out of the movie.

edit: from looking at his credits, he's been a writer on Conan O'Brien. And appeared in "Paper Heart" which I am blanking on when (maybe at the party she meets Michael Cera?) and "The Rocker" which also I can't recall his role.

One thing crossed my mind is, just imagining how many extras they had for this thing. The credits of course didn't list them, but to reproduce in-effect, the Woodstock Festival-size. Probably 1000's, if not 10's of thousands. I wonder if any of them watched this trying to spot themselves constantly. I probably would.

A few other things that come to mind to mention are, I wished they'd have referenced Monterrey Pop (since it was really the precursor in some ways to Woodstock. The people who put on Woodstock must have thought a lot about that festival when trying to set up what became Woodstock). Also the dialogue could have included a little more about the music itself, and the music industry even at-the-time, but overall, this was certainly enjoyable and hardly disappointing. One of the better movies of 2009 certainly.

80/100

trailer looks intriguing enough and enough names in the cast for me to have my hopes up. Hopefully a review will be posted post-viewing right here.



Into Temptation

and depending on schedule, I may try and catch this new picture starring Stage and vocal starlet Kristin Chenowith (and Pushing Daisies of course).

she looks a bit different there. They should get *Within Temptation* to do the music, lol.

Television:
Warehouse 13=almost caught up.
Royal Pains= I need to watch the only the finale.
Being Human= the season finale either was last weekend, or is this coming weekend.

comments should follow, hopefully soon after. Last nigth was the Kevin Gilbert marathon, tonight's these movies, so Wednesday may be the best bet. Thursday I have my Fantasy Football draft. And Friday? I forget now, other than Monk and Psych of course.

KG, Orphaned Land, PT

The live Gruno "Guilty Pleasures" radio show last night, was a pleasure to finally get to hear the new Kevin Gilbert material.

I want it now, more than ever. Likely a few weeks from now, it'll finally be up for purchase on popplusone.com . Production-wise among other things, has me the most overjoyed to experience. And certainly, among the rest, "The Tired Old Man" remains my most cherished new track on them thus far. Such a stellar composition. I bet a lot of people will be talking about that one once they get to hear it.

Orphaned Land's long-awaited/anticipated and Steven Wilson-mixed record "The Neverending Way of ORwarriOR" has been pushed back again, until Christmas 2009/January 2010.

Surprised? no....put it out the best way possible. I want it asap, but I understand the delay. Perhaps getting to chat with them at ProgPowerUSA in a few weeks will add more to my feelings about it. Hearing some of it live too, etc.

http://www.orphaned-disciples.org/site/

Welcome to our new fan site!

I wish to thank Nathalie and Yannick for their efforts and endless love while resurrecting this site – toda achim sheli! I wanted to update you all that we are in the end of mixing process, soon we will do the mastering for the new album and then we will finally set with Century media an official release date for the album.

As you might understood from my video interview – the album will also be released on a very good looking limited edition that will include a dvd with film of how we made the new album, that is with interviews with us, Steven Wilson and more and of course we will get you in the studio to go through the experience with us. PRE-ORDERS WILL START SOON!

More updates and surprises soon as well, till then, turn on the light!

Kobi Farhi.

http://antonsaysdotcom.livejournal.com/7002.html

Latest updates from Orphaned Land:
According to interviews wih Kobi Farhi (http://www.orphaned-disciples.org/site/):
-> The album will contain around 15 songs (79 minutes).
-> The album's artwork won't contain any photoshopped images.
-> The album's artwork will contain customly designed calligraphy in Arabic AND Hebrew.
-> On ORwarriOR Kobi Farhi will sing in English, Hebrew and Arabic.
-> The album will be released with a DVD.
-> Release of the album will be delayed until Christmas 2009 - January 2010.
-> Kobi Farhi's book "A Tango Between God and Satan" is almost ready. He may finish it in 2009-2010 tours. The release date in not known.
-> ORwarriOR's final mixes are (almost) ready (by mid August).
-> Several songs from the new material were performed live at Brutal Assault festival (06/08/09, Czech Republic).
-> Besides "Sapari" (see below) some of ORwarriOR songs' titles might be "Baraka" and "From Broken Vessels".
-> The album will also include a "follow-up" to a track previously released on "El Nora Alila: Deluxe edition" (2006) "Disciples of the Sacred Oath" - "Disciples of the Sacred Oath II". Kobi Farhi mentioned that this song is his favorite song on ORwarriOR.
(Source: http://www.ultimatemetal.com/forum/o...l-assault.html)




and also invilving Steven Wilson, having heard a subpar leak of the new Porcupine Tree cd "The Incident" disc 1 thus far, I like some of the parts, and some of it I'm not so sure about..namely a large chunk of "Time Flies" in fact.

It requires a lot more time, but perhaps they have come to the point where they continue to include an EP's worth of really good stuff, and the rest?..not so much. Maybe it'll grow and maybe the cohesiveness of all 55minutes will help it out over time. But I'm not expecting it to a huge amount at this point.

Fates Warning and Insideout Music

article

I haven't had time to read the whole interview there with Ray Alder, but he says they signed with Insideout Europe and him and Jim Matheos are now working on a new studio album. Chances it'll drop sometime next year. My guess, Summer or Fall.

And contrary to what people say, unless I recall wrong, it doesn't rule out Mark Zonder as the drummer. Mark Zonder said he was done with TOURING with FW, but playing on studio albums, from memory, in 2005-ish he made a statement he still would be interested in working with the band.

And along those lines, the jeopardy Insideout Music was in, is maybe not what it was as Century Media basically bailed them out financially. Now the Transatlantic and Pain of Salvation albums and tours can happen.

I have more to add..mainly just a list of bands and their potential touring (Oceansize, PRR) and how this may help.

But as a fan of some of the bands on I/O and Fates Warning, this is quite pleasant to read about. Fates Warning, 1 of only a handful of bands who've never made a bad album.

Leak?

both of these may have leaked in one format or more this morning. However, not much evidence about whether they are worth going after right now. The Muse one especially, given the hordes of fakes that keep showing up.

They both drop in the next couple of weeks so leaks are expected any day/hour/minute really.

also Between the Buried and Me have posted a teaser/trailer/preview to their upcoming album "The Great Misdirect."

edit:


I'll be looking fwd to hearing a sample when I get hom tonight, along with some of the new Kevin Gilbert songs on Gruno's radio special at 9PM Central time.

Please Help DEAN MAGRAW!

bumped 8/31 1:20AM

This was the schedule and below, some comments. This event deserves more elaboration, certainly, but for now, this will have to do. Definitely one of the most memorable Concerts/Events of 2009.

Performance Schedule:
• 12:00-12:30 - Dakota Dave Hull
• 12:30-1:00 - Eastside
• 1:15-1:45 - Lehto and Wright
• 2:00-2:30 - Eric Hohn & Blair Krivanek
• 2:45-3:15 - Axis Mundi
• 3:30-4:00 - The Petersons
• 4:15-4:30 - Tim Sparks
• 4:30-4:45 - Elgin Foster
• 5:00-5:15 - Nirmala Rajesakar & Marcus Wise
• 5:15-5:30 - Marcus Wise & Mike Salovich
• 5:45-6:15 - Laura Mackenzie & Dáithí Sproule
• 6:30-7:00 - Marc Anderson, JT Bates & Jim Anton
• 7:15-7:45 - Café Accordion Orchestra, Diane Jarvi
• 8:00-8:30 - Greg Herriges Trio
• 8:45-9:15 - Prudence Johnson & Dan Chouinard
• 9:30-10:00 - Boiled In Lead

this was a phenomenal day of music. Oh man, for you folks out there who have never heard Dean or any of this large and eclectic assembly of talent that payed tribute to him today, you really are missing out.

This was in some ways, like a Nearfest for Dean. Or maybe better, similar to what is not happening sadly this year, but has many years in the past, "Nordic Roots Festival."

The only real issue that can be said was the fact each performer only was given 30 minutes, which for many of them, isn't even close to what they are given to perform normally.

But in the interest of the event and Dean, it didn't matter.

I don't have time to review every single performer, but I can say, there wasn't a boring or bad performance at all. Showing how eclectic an artist Dean is, this event went from genres such as Italian, to Jazz, to Folk, to Fusion, to Irish, to Twangy Blues. Maybe the guy who impressed me the most from the standpoint being unfamiliarity, was Eric Hohn. Not his entire set, but he played some electric bass, but on 2 or 3 songs he switched over to Acoustic guitar, and he had one of those silver pitch-shifters he wore on his finger, and he was creating this amazing twang-effect that just had my jaw dropping to the floor. It was like something I'd hear Jimmy Page do, or say Robert Johnson. I couldn't get enough of it. And certainly, it's something Dean has experimented with and would appreciate Eric's performance.

Nirmala who plays a Veena, Greg Herriges, Boiled In Lead, 8-Head (1 of Dean's bands, Anderson, Bates & Anton), Cafe Accordion Orchestra, and Eastside were among the others I thoroughly enjoyed.

Dean Magraw is a legend to many, and this event is only further proof of that. There's more benefit events coming up later this year, and I am gonna have to mark my calendar asap. Hopefully Dean will be attendance at them as he was not there today.



original 7/21/09 5:18AM
As a fan and friend of one of the most talented and like-able musicians and people, it really pains me to read about his current condition! I know he was battling cancer (since I've known him for nearly 10 years in fact), but the last I heard, he was doing much better.

If you are one of the folks around here in Minnesota or the area, it would be great to come out and attend this benefit show on August 30th in St.Paul.

And even if you're not, I would highly recommend his music, and to get to know what an immense talent Dean is.

deanmagraw.com
dean on myspace










Please join us in a benefit for Twin Cities' musician, Dean Magraw!

Dean is suffering from cancer-related issues and has had to cancel all of his performances for the foreseeable future. A benefit to raise money for his living expenses will be held on Sunday, August 30th, 2009 at Celtic Junction in St. Paul:

The Celtic Junction
836 Prior Avenue
St. Paul, MN 55104

Doors will open at 1:30 and music will start at 2:00 PM continuing throughout the day until 10:00 PM. Many of the Twin Cities' finest musicians will be present, including members of the Peterson family, Boiled in Lead, Lehto & Wright, Marcus Wise and more.

There is a suggested donation of $15 or whatever you can afford. Please, please forward this email onto anyone who might want to know of this event.

For more information, contact:

helpdeanmagraw@yahoo.com or

folkrock42@yahoo.com

Thanks, and we'll see you there!

me with Dean and Earl Root (RIP) in 2002.



I'll never forget that. Right after seeing Opeth at The Quest, I go to Pizza Luce in downtown Minneapolis and I run into of all people, Dean!

5min micro-blog to be modified

Imogen Heap's playing on David Letterman tonight. The evening after Mute Math. Credit Dave and his producers for getting good musical guests this week.

Pain of Salvation's new album: some news about I'll try and post later.

Dean Magraw benefit is on Sunday. More to tba about that as well.

The TV previews blog is coming along as well. It might be up this weekend..or some of it will.

An interview with Gavin Hayes I mean to post as well. Rather insightful and informative about his lyrics, specifically.

I just won a copy of Moving Violations on DVD. After 2 other failed attempts (3 actually). And I paid less than the others..haha! Classic, underated comedy from the 80's should be sweet to see again.

More to add soon, but I'm off to catch Sister-of-Sahara Becky out in Eagan.

Mute Math - Armistice (2009)

bumped 8/27 6:58PM

they are appearing on David Letterman tonight, Thursday, August 27th.

comments: I like a lot of it. "Goodbye" is clearly my favorite track. Extremely catchy and energetic. The VIP version of the title track is superior to the album version sadly. The funk works much better, higher in the mix and arrangement.

more tba soon...


original 8/5/09 1:12PM


Sucker finally leaked. 13 days before the drop date on August 18th.

With Stomacher being available for $3 (even though it wasn't even worth that at this point), the leak list shrunk just a bit this week. Perhaps Imogen Heap and As Tall As Lions will also happen this week as well.

Impressions, etc yadayadayadayada should be added in the next day or 2 if I remember to.

Water & Bodies + 3

Water & Bodies whose debut EP was released back in May have mentioned looking to release their debut full-length soon. And by meaning soon, I got the sense from some people on the boards, and now their blog (Beau their drummer mainly) that it could happen rather soon. They have a lot of songs; many of which I guess if they end up on that debut album, will not include any of the songs on the EP perhaps. But here's the important bit from that blog the other day:

3. We’ve been writing like crazy in all our spare time and things are sounding fab! We have a big surprise to tell you all about, but we might just drop it on you when it finished! hint hint. All I can say is September will be a busy month, busy in a good way ;)

so, something's cooking; and it'll likely be announced next month. Perhaps it'll be the EP as a vinyl sales, or a bigger tour, but the way that reads, it more likely will be

a) details on the debut album, and even perhaps it being released in September or by the end of the year.

b) if not it being released in 2009, details on it, and WHEN, like early in 2010.

If that were possible..within the last week news about them, Transatlantic today, and Kevin Gilbert's 2 cds. Potentially, THAT DEPTH for the year just got hiked up a bit, close to where I thought it might be early in the year.

However, it won't mean all that much if these albums aren't amazing..heck, even just 1 of the 3(4) are. No gurantees, but it's interesting how within a short period of time, once I start to question things a bit, stuff starts to excite me again. The fact is, with really only 2 1/2 months left, the anticipated and known work to come out, will happen rather fast. But that goes back to my point about procrastinating artists. Maybe there's something about releasing an album in the fall like movies? It's not for Grammy's, but maybe for Holiday gifts or something. I wonder if more artists just considered that habit of trying to get an album out by the end of the year, and instead think of it more like in Quarters. How about try and get it out by May, or July.

Deadlines suck, I know, but it just seems like many of them CRAM shit in at the last minute every fucking year now. Or they push it back until "early [insert next year]" which then ends up more like Spring or Summer. And before you know it, it's been a year since the original target date. There is such a thing as TAKING TOO LONG and getting COMPLACENT. OVERTHINKING, OVER-DOING. Sure, it helps to be a perfectionist, but how many times have some of the original versions of songs end up being better than what ends up on the record? A lot more often than I'd imagine.

3 they just announced today "Revisions Volume 1: Anyone Human" will be released on October 27th. Couple of points to be made right off the bat.

http://blogs.myspace.com/officialbandthree

New "3" record: "Revisions" to be released on October 27th / upcoming "3" related performances
Hey Everybody,

We've been hard at work making music ever since we got home from our last tour and now we finally have the word on when our next record is coming out. On OCTOBER 27th "Revisions" will be released to the world!

A word on "Revisions"

"3" has always been a band apart. We've never been afraid to follow the artistic impulse, whether it has lead us to genre bending progressive experimentation, or, as in the case of "Revisions," drawn us into a world defined more by melody and lyric than by instrumental prowess. It goes without saying that our goal has always been to create a symbiosis between these qualities, but on this record we find the poles have shifted in favor of the singer-songwriter element of what we do. This collection taps the rich history of "3" by reexamining some of the earlier songs that made us who we are today. Some of them are known from early live bootlegs, others existed only on cassette and were transferred to the internet by dedicated fans who some how dug them up(possibly out of my garage). In any event, these are songs that we felt deserved a second chance, a "revision," if you will. Our passion for music is truly the common thread that binds our diverse body of work.

Upcoming "3" related performances...

Friday, August 28th, 9pm / Joey Eppard - Gartdrumm & JB Tenney
Live @ Keegan Ales - St James Street, Kingston, NY - - no cover

Saturday, August 29th, 10pm / Joey Eppard solo acoustic! (w/Special guests)
Dave's Coffee House
Partition Street, Saugerties, NY
Joey Eppard solo acoustic!

Saturday, September 5th, 10:15pm / Joey Eppard solo acoustic!
Live @ Sober in the Sun - Coffee House Stage
Treasure Valley Boyscout Camp in Rutland / Oakham, MA

Saturday, September 19th / Joey Eppard solo acoustic!
Live @ Alchemy, Woodstock, NY

a) this is an album of OLD/EARLY songs never recorded or re-arranged. It's not NEW music they've written. And it'll probably end up sounding more in the vein of some of the stuff on "Paint By Number" just guessing. Maybe more heavy on the funk stylings, which might be good, but may not be as catchy or like their last 3 albums which I and many fans enjoy most.

b) they have another album, of all-new music, that'll be released on RoadRunner Records. The idea was this year sometime. Given that posting, I'm kind of skeptical. This again goes back to time-left-in-the-year/season.

c) I'm hoping this will be good, but even if it's not that great, my thoughts about their new songs writings (Joey Eppard) on the RR debut, will be an easy thing to fall back on.

To add to this, not involving the band themself or their label, but with mp.com. Why do I post shit there and expect people to remember/find it when more news comes in about it? Seriously, it's turning into a PREDICTABLE waste of long-term rarely-if-ever-bumped topics INSTEAD OF THEM BEING SEARCHED FOR.

While I may have looked foolish in the TA announcement by seeing "coming in October" and what i thought were missing release dates from another site, I would think the attention-seeking users (whores) who continue to create new topics that fail to find or even SEARCH for an older topic should feel just as foolish. But do they?..I have no idea. But it's not just me, and certainly I've been guilty of it in the past..and guilty with the release-dates-in-the-topic-title-that-ultimately-change-but-the-topic-title-is-never-since-the-forum-software-won't-allow-nonmoderators-to-do-so.

But what ends up happening is all my effort (and ego-stroking, I won't deny) for announcing a new release in a brand new topic ends up being a 1-day or 5-hour thing, and these people don't consider the user who started the 1st thread on said album (or just the band in general) never feel learn. I don't keep track of if some users continue to do so. But I think it's an attention thing, and a NEW-TOPIC thing. A freshly posted new topic looks better.

For some reason though, mp.com is maybe the only board I'm on that continues to have this problem. Pretty much every other board, save for progressiveears which really is pretty fucked up without more than 1-month of history anyway, if a new topic is made, a suave happens and new topic gets locked. Most the users do use the search function better and more regularly. It's really not that hard. But the mp.com people often don't care or think about it.

I dunno, my new year's resolution may be modified but become more of a reality next year. No new topics about albums, and NO REPLIES. Frankly, pretty much lurk-mode on the busy boards. But I need more discipline to do that of course. {Perhaps just try and finish out this year and decade I suppose. But I would think those who really care or notice will stumble their way over here. And certainly, what this blog could be is just commenting and fwd-ing shit I see on the forums.

I've thought of just making 1 topic over on progressiveears "mnprogger's music news" but now thinking about that, it's rather silly because ultimately it'll look much like the modern indie thread anyway, and most people barely can keep up with it. I doubt it'd fly, but I think there is something to be said about 1 topic being focused on JUST MY BACKGROUND. Too many times those threads end up having shit posted in them I don't care about, and hurt the thread's intention. With a narcissistic, self-indulgent thread, it would be like passing along shit in this blog mostly anyway, but those people don't come here as far as I know. It would force my shit to be there.

but I still say they have got to get a real fucking message board with history that goes back years. Marillion.com forum is like that, but much worse. Short-term forums suck. Topics should be searched for and bumped. I don't see why it's not looked at as, as necessary as it should be.

Transatlantic - The Whirlwind (2009)

original mp.com stickie



For Immediate Release
August 26th 2009


TRANSATLANTIC'S THE WHIRLWIND

Coming in October!!


TRANSATLANTIC - the Progressive Rock Supergroup featuring DREAM THEATER's Mike Portnoy, MARILLION's Pete Trewavas, THE FLOWER KINGS' Roine Stolt and Neal Morse (Ex-SPOCK'S BEARD) - will release their long-awaited third album in October 2009.


THE WHIRLWIND is a 77-minute piece of music that is sure to satisfy the band's legions of fans that have patiently waited almost the entire decade for the reunion of these 4 musicians.


THE WHIRLWIND will be available in two formats:

A Regular Edition Single CD of the entire 77 minute Epic as well as a 2-CD Special Edition containing a Bonus Disc with 8 newly recorded Studio Tracks.

(4 new Transatlantic compositions and 4 Cover Songs)



The Track Listing for the Special Edition is:



Disc One:

THE WHIRLWIND



Disc Two:

1. SPINNING

2. LENNY JOHNSON

3. FOR SUCH A TIME

4. LENDING A HAND

5. THE RETURN OF THE GIANT HOGWEED (Genesis)

6. A SALTY DOG (Procol Harum)

7. I NEED YOU (America / The Beatles)

8. SOUL SACRIFICE (Santana)



TRANSATLANTIC'S THE WHIRLWIND is currently scheduled for the following release dates:


October 23rd 2009: Germany, Austria, Switzerland

October 26th 2009: Europe

October 27th 2009: North America




This is what is going through my brain about this right now.

1) I failed to notice all the details there, and shot-myself-in-the-foot with a posting a bit ago on mp.com. Fine. But it's shit like that as to why I have no business continuing POSTING..specifically REPLIES on most forums. Passing news along is great, and pointing out observations, while can be worth doing, it seems far too many cases, I've thought I noticed something (or knew something, even offered a less than definitve fact about something..a band or something else), and I look totally foolish. D-I-S-C-P-L-I-N-E. I suck at it, I know.

2) There is not info there about an actual RECORD LABEL RELEASING it yet. It's great all the details and everything have come out, and a release date announcements; but I would think the most important thing in order to make this thing a reality would be HOW it will be released. I.e. via what label or means of distribution. Now the info posted on progressiveears.com says it was from Radiant Records, Spock's Beard's label, which is a tiny, self-run label still. And the fact it was sent via a *newsletter* doesn't necessarily mean anything as for how or who will be involved in this record's actual release. Insideout Music is as far as we know, still "insolvent" i.e. bankrupt from the last reports. Perhaps they've recovered enough of late, and will be giving the public (internet) word about their getting out of the red, and now able to move forward as a small independent record label specializing in progressive rock. But that hasn't happened.

Some names that crossed my mind

a) Racket Records, Marillion's label. Frankly, it's a better label than Radiant, and could probably reach more people.

b) Metal Blade. I don't love them, but if I recall, at least 1 of the editions of the 1st Transatlantic cds "SMPT:e" came out on this. Given they want to put it out, it's a bigger distributor than Radiant; and with the previous relationship, on the surface it would be as good as anything else that comes to mind. Spock's Beard was (or may still be) partially involved with them still.

c) self-release. The easiest digitally, but the hardest for hardcopies I imagine, and distribution. Perhaps a digital in October and hardcopies on another label in 2010?

d) RoadRunner..this would be biggest benefit on many levels. And they did just sign 3. Along with Dream Theater's success, I would think it would be a possibility. But given how late in the game they are, I'm not sure how feasible it'd be, nor if the suits over there have enough confidence in it.

more to add obviously, but with this in the 2009 calendar's index mix for new music; and Kevin Gilbert as well. 2009 is starting to comeback a bit. Way more to say about that, as it's been on my mind ..the whole bands-announcing-and-releasing their procrastinated timeframes for new albums in the late Summer/Fall, instead of earlier in the year process. It's a broken record, and expected. But with that, the lack of certain new albums to drop in 2009, while still not huge, is starting to look a little better. Quality/Classic potential?..that's a whole nother story.

Also to comment on the length. 1 song, 77mins. I'm not gonna judge it in any way, as similar to what I've posted about the upcoming 55minute Porcupine Tree song, a single song that long, while it sounds like it could be way too extended for no good reason, it has worked many times in music:

-Green Carnation's "Light of Day, Day of Darkness" 1 hour, 1 track. It never feels long to me. Its a quick 1-hour album listening experience to be honest.
-Fates Warning's "A Pleasant Shade of Gray" sure, it's 45minutes separated into 12 tracks, but it really is 1 song, that is never better heard unless it's from beginning to end.
-Dream Theater's "Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence" much like APSOG. They're *movements* NOT SONGS. 42minutes or whatever, and it hardly feels lengthly; more like a 45minute album that's a suite.
-Jethro Tull's "Thick as a Brick" even though it's separated into 2 parts, it's really 1 song, that is best heard all-at-once. Sure, the band played the main theme many times live separately, but the 40 some odd minutes hardly feel that long.

Granted, 45 or 40 minutes =/= 77 minutes. Nor does 60minutes = 77minutes. But if you play their epics back to back, there's isn't any filler to me really, so if it's 1 song, so be it. I mean certainly if you listen to a 77 minute track, and have to pause it in the middle or your power goes out and you have to restart, that would suck. So it would probably still be best for them to have movements and separate them into tracks. But I get how they are making it 1 77 minute song. If it's to work well, then I'll want to play the whole fucking thing everytime, all at once. How many epic, concept albums that clock-in near that amount, can the same thing be said about? Set Sail the Prairie, Act II (The Dear Hunter)..heck, even Tales From Topographic Oceans. I don't see how this will be any different.

Also, some other big stuff popped-up today, so I got a few more notes coming shortly...

Mew and Immi on the shelf today

2 of the highly anticipated cds are released today in Mew's "No More Stories" and Imogen Heap's "Ellipse."

Andre Matos new album also is released this week, except I suspect will not be stocked at any store I shop at considering his last cd never was either. Possibly something to look for at ProgPowerUSA in a few weeks.

Although last week was kind of big too in Mute Math, Ramona Falls and As Tall as Lions

BLK JKS debut lp "After Robots" requires more time, and I won't deny, I'm fishing for something new, different, and with good songwriting. This could be 1. I was impressed by it anyway, yesterday and the brief amount of time today I replayed it.

Thrice new album kind of underwhelmed me. I'm not sure if they are a band I'll ever get that into.

And Of Montreal I may say the same about having revisited one of their older albums today. They have their moments, but for one thing, they are a lot more like The Apples in Stereo than Apes and Androids. Way more power-pop, and more analog-sounding. I can't get the ELO/Jeff Lynne influence out of my head. But I'm really not sure if they even compare favorably to The Apples, let alone Call Florence Pow or A&A's.

Speaking of CFP, I'm continually amazed the talent Brian Jacobs and David Tobias have for songwriting. Even though we have yet to hear a ton of it from them, every song they've done, I appreciate the thought that was put into it. I started a new list on rateyourmusic called "A-List Modern Songwriters" (and mean to create 1 or 2 others, involving A-lists involving Actors/Directors and Live Acts) and it hasn't been published yet, but beyond 2 obvious names, I'd put the tandem of Jacobs and Tobias right behind them in the best songwriters working today (or in the last couple of decades). Which is why I sincerely hope they give us as much new music as they can over the next 5-10 years at least. The idea of prog + Electronica being a new genre like prog + alternative rock was in the 00's could quite possibly happen. And these guys I might trace as the forefathers of it (with Matt Mahaffey being the grandfather).

I really can't get enough of their stuff, in that i probably have a number of more entries to focus just on them. If not sooner, certainly when any news comes out about the next Apes and Androids, a whole backstory analysis/review should happen again, as I think they're the most fascinating musicians I've enountered in many years.

In Plain Sight: I finally caught the season finale. No, Mary's not dead. But it was a different way to end the season, with a cliffhanger of sorts. The girl she was protecting; something was messed up about her judgement. She either should have come across as more careless, looked-that-way, or perhaps there's more to her character than we know yet. Because by wanting to hang with those thugs across the street, even the way she treated that government rep, and his whole approach to throwing Mary into the job with her. I dunno, it didn't seem very accurate of all the characters, the writing. She would have been more concerned for Mary and how hostile those thugs seemed. The drug traffic too. Which of course raised the idea of them doing a crossover with Breaking Bad, given where both shows are set. The network conflicts I suppose hurts that, but in a better world, that would happen. Maybe one of Walt's family members ends up a witness, or Mary deals with Walt's brother-in-law who works for the DEA. A story could happen really easily.

But given it began in April, it was a good, long season. I'd have gone for a Winter comeback again, but maybe once Monk is gone, that'll happen.

Warehouse 13 and Royal Pains I'm playing catchup on now. Hopefully before the TV Previews, those will be all done, since it will be a potentially busy non-network fall with Psych and Monk along with another new USA show White Collar airing. Plus Caprica and however long Warehouse 13 goes on skeefee.

I'm headed to see local Cabaret duo The Bewitched this evening at Bryant Lake Bowl. My 3rd show seeing them since January? Maybe a belly/cabaret dancer will be there too. And it's an early show thankfully at 7:30, given it's a weeknight.

Update

Progressive Nation a fun time. I think it's more of a social thing than anything else. All the promotion I did was worth doing, even without Pain of Salvation. I particularly enjoyed Zappa Plays Zappa, frankly, for 1 hour, it was a perfect length (compared to the 2 1/2 hour show that I caught a few years ago).

Ramona Falls IS COMING!..playing the crappy 7th Street Entry on September 9th, same day those Beatles remasters are released. 2 days before ProgPowerUSA, 2 days after Minnesota Metal Fest which by the way, includes Atheist and November's Doom whose vocalist also is the singer in a band/project I'm really into in progressive folk-y death rock band Subterranean Masquerade. Now I desire to go. I ran into Nathan aka "The Sword Lord" this afternoon at Renaissance Festival.

Which likely will be my 1 and only trip out there this season, save for timing and my friend receiving more complementary tickets. I purchased a bunch of cool things, which may or may not find worthwhile in the long run.

-a Flask with a clip. Likely more portably than the mugs out there. As long as it doesn't leak.
-a small purple bottle of what seems like hard-to-remove glitter/fairy dust. The girl was cute selling it though. I caved.
-a small reddish/pink bottle of "Renaissance Passion" scented liquid. Some kind of aphrodisiac? no idea, but it does smell good. Ideally, to be enjoyed with (on) a female, but for now, all it'll be is some kind of little perfume bottle. It did include a naked (female) angel trinket at least dangling on the string.

Muse may have finally leaked.

edit: negative. These clowns who put up these fake leaks are really a waste of bandwidth. Haha, you're hilarious. And for that matter, the people who keep passing them along. I suppose from experience to CHECK STUFF 1ST before being sure. But how long has this garbage been going on? like 10 bloody fucking days already. Ya'll are pathetic and need to stop. Will it? I doubt it, but it's only for bands as big as Muse I suppose. It's really getting old, really fast. You can go back to living in your parents basements already, okay?

Midlake it appears will be releasing "The Courage of Others" their 3rd album now likely in February 2010.

article

When can we expect the new album to be released?

Unfortunately with release schedules and such, it's looking like February 2010. If I'm not mistaken, (if we are indeed an anticipated album for next year) this will be the third year in a row that we're one of the most anticipated albums for Under the Radar. Shall we celebrate with a cover?!

I like how they jokingly mention 3-years-in-a-row lol.


TV reviewed some of the upcoming fall schedule tonight. Good enough prep for my upcoming previews I think. What I can say is much is gone, some potentially good new shows, namely V and Eastwick which sadly, aren't original story ideas. But the Monday clusterfuck is gone, Tuesdays has almost nothing, Wednesday and Thursday look lite, and Friday is much busier. The cable shows factor and schedule not entirely known save for Monk which in it's final season, will air through the Fall.

But the previews, hopefully will be up by Mid September if not sooner, especially given the Summer season now winding down. Royal Pains I think is the only show that's on from earlier in the Summer, and it's season finale is this coming Thursday. Being Human on BBC America I need to revisit having only caught the pilot episode which was ok.


I never caught Shrink nor The Time Traveler's Wife. In due time. Still looking forward to Where the Wild Things Are of course, but additionally, Extract the new Mike Judge picture with Jason Bateman and Mila Kunis, and Couples Retreat. And most recently added the Taking Woodstock among a few others. The Terry Gilliam picture with Heath Ledger and movies from Gilmore Girls stars Lauren Graham and Alexis Bledel.

Then again, I've been meaning to try and rent the following:
-Galaxy Quest
-Logan's Run
-Dogma

among some others.

well, more to be added to..hopefully my albums list will have new discs from Muse, Thrice, and BLK JKS on it within a few days. Leaks, Release Dates, and announcements of records that won't be out until 2010 are coming-in like they need to, slowly but surely.

also next weekend is the Dean Magraw benefit concert which begins I guess at 1:30PM next Sunday, September 30th. A long marathon of a show, but frankly, Dean is MORE THAN WORTH IT.

Also, the podcasting hopefully is 1-more step closer to happening as I bought, but have not installed ProTools and a new external soundcard. The price? I hope was worth it. A new Terabyte HD also is nice to finally have, and saving at least $70 on it too.

100% PURE DREEEEEEM THEETER

Tonight is my 12th DT concert (11th in MN), since my 1st, 12 years ago @ First Crapenue.

New Album = Best of Times and Count of Tuscany are the highlights. They won't play Best of Times of course. It's a tad lower from a ratings standpoint, but that is mainly due to how predictable it is overall. low 60's, or 3-stars. Their concerts tho, have gotten better, so at least part of their work isn't in decline/stagnation to me. Looking forward to the video display tonight.

Zappa..who knows how much I'll be into it. Bigelf and Scale the Summit, from the studio work are very *meh*, but maybe I'll be surprised. I should make a realistic list of other bands who could have replaced Pain of Salvation and Beardfish later.

Imogen Heap - Ellipse (2009)

Bumped 8/20/09 1:02PM

the hell with these webrips, a VBR finally leaked. I already pre-ordered it
on her website's store link

that version includes the bonus all-instrumental version too.

imogenheap.com

go here
For those who just can't wait it out - we're streaming Imogen's new album Ellipse
here.

Kevin Gilbert....Kevin Gilbert...Kevin MOTHER-FUCKING Gilbert

from LAST PLANE OUT Kevin Gilbert Yahoo Group/Email List



SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT TO ALL KEVIN GILBERT FANS! COMING THIS SEPTEMBER!

The Estate of Kevin Gilbert is excited to announce the long-awaited release of Kevin's singer/songwriter CD's: (1) Nuts (2) Bolts and the concert DVD/CD combo: (3)Welcome to Joytown – Thud: Live at the Troubadour.

Each CD (Nuts and Bolts ) contains 11 unreleased tracks and are in book-matching digipaks designed by Hugh Brown with liner notes by Cintra Wilson. Each CD is $15.

The live concert DVD/CD package, Welcome to Joytown –Thud: Live at The Troubadour, features a three-camera shoot of the show with freshly mastered sound. The newly re-mastered CD has two unreleased songs from the show. The cost of this package is $30

ADDED BONUS: The first 1000 copies of Welcome to Joytown – Thud: Live at the Troubadour contain a chance to win one of ten, incredibly rare, autographed copies of The Power of Suggestion. There will be a mail-in, custom-printed, entry form in each of the first 1000 packages. The Estate will hold a drawing to select ten winners in April, 2010. Entries postmarked later than March 31, 2010 will not be accepted.

Note: Autographed copies of The Power of Suggestion have been selling for around $300.

Celebrating the releases, Hugh Brown has designed a new Kevin Gilbert T-Shirt. It is available for $20.

All items will be available at http://www.popplusone.com in September, 2009 – just in time for your Christmas shopping. Credit cards, personal checks, and Pay Pal are accepted.

For more information, please visit Kevin's newly redesigned website at http://www.kevingilbert.com

If you have any questions, please drop me a line at suitfugue@yahoo.com.

Enjoy! Believe me, you'll agree it was definitely worth the wait!

Debbie Miller
Webmaster kevingilbert.com

ummm..I just about died.

Soundscape's Grave New World now officially has a BIG challenger to try and hold off. Mannn..I officially need to start a bloody COUNTDOWN to hear these.

FINAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHLEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

DETAILS:

http://popplusone.com/kgnuts.html



# The World Just Gets Smaller
# While Heroes Cry
# Until I Get Her Back
# When Strangers Part
# Finally Over You
# Circling Winds
# Shannon Elizabeth
# A Tired Old Man
# Childhood's End
# Joy Town (Acoustic Version)
# Kashmir (Studio Version)

http://popplusone.com/kgbolts.html




# Waking The Sun
# Jenny Ledge (Acoustic Version)
# Something Nice For My Dog
# Souvenir
# God's Been Tapping My Phone
# Goodness Gracious (Acoustic)
# The Best Of Everything
# Blank Page
# Taxi Ride
# Lonely Road
# Finale

http://popplusone.com/kgjoytown.html?popplusone_KMG06_http://www.popplusone.com/kgjoytown.html




* Waking The Sun
* Joy Town
* Goodness Gracious
* Shrug (Because Of You)
* Waiting
* Tea For One
* Miss Broadway
* The Tears Of Audrey
* When You Give Your Love To Me
* The Ballad Of Jenny Ledge
* Kashmir
* Smash
* Song For A Dead Friend (CD only)

Bonus Video Material

* Song For A Dead Friend - Kevin Solo - Live at Club Largo 1994
* This Warm Night Giraffe, Rare Footage
* Because Of You Giraffe, Rare Footage
* 1995 Interview with Kevin at Lawnmower and Garden Supply Studio - 32 minutes


$30 + shipping Buy Now!
A limited, numbered edition DVD/CD combo with cover designed by Grammy winner Hugh Brown. The DVD contains a 3 camera video of the entire live performance, freshly mastered sound, and over 30 minutes of extras including an extensive interview of Kevin and rare live footage. The re-mastered CD includes previously unreleased versions of "Tears of Audrey" and "Smash."