westcoastmusic

LAVA “Symphonic Journey” Live CD/DVD

In their 30. year as recording artists LAVA is celebrating the event with the double live album "Symphonic Journey". Special guests is The Norwegian Radio Orchestra (KORK). The title "Symphonic Journey" indicates that the album has an orchestral and symphonic twist to it. The album also comes with a bonus DVD which is a complete concert where LAVA performs at Oslo Jazz Festival at Rockefeller Music Hall in Oslo. On stage you will se the normal line up extended with trumpet player Marius Haltli.

On the CD LAVA featuring KORK performs a wide range of the band's hits in new versions. Tracks like "You", "Shine a Little Light", "Hard Times", "Journey" and "The Rhythm Of Love", sounds airy and grand. Synths and samples are replaced by live strings, brass and woodwinds, timpani, glockenspiel and harp. Song material is taken from all of the band's 7 studio albums.

30 YEAR ANNIVERSARY – After traveling and touring the world for 30 years, including the tours as a backing band and opening act for soul diva Randy Crawford, it was natural for us to celebrate our 30 years as a band releasing a live CD/DVD, says Rolf Graf, LAVA’s bassplayer.

Working as session- and touring musicians for other artist, LAVA is our playing ground where we can investigate our own ideas, says singer Egil Eldøen. The musicians have separately or together worked with other Norwegian pop profiles as a-ha, Secret Garden, Sissel Kyrkjebø among more.

Both the CD featuring The Norwegian Radio Orchestra, and the concert with only the band line up, is recorded at Rockefeller Music Hall in Oslo. The album is produced by Svein Dag Hauge and Rolf Graf. Orchestral producer is Halldor Krogh. The CD is recorded by NRK, and mixed by Hauge and Graf at Stua Studio (Hauges studio). The DVD is filmed by Medianor by Gunnar Hoaas, and is region free. This means you can watch it in all kinds of DVD-players all around the world. 

LAVA “Symphonic Journey” Live CD/DVD is available HERE!

 

A new Giant album for 2010!

Frontiers Records announces the return of Giant for the release of a brand new album in early 2010. Giant is a band formed by Pop and Rock scene, guitarist/vocalist Dann Huff and his drummer brother David, with experienced keyboards player Alan Pasqua and bass player Mike brignardello. They released 3 records uncluding their debut "Last of the runaways" considered like a classic, melodic hard rock album of all times. 

Soon after the release of "Time To Burn" (the second album), Alan Pasqua decided to quit the band and went back to session work and a solo carreer. The band toured Europe and US without him, and soon after disbanded. Dann Huff then became one of the most respected producers in Nashville, working in the Rock, Pop and Country Music with countless artists including Shania Twain, Megadeth, Faith Hill and several others. His brother David also started to become more and more involved in the production business and in 1999 met Frontiers Records's managers Serafino Perugino and Mario de Riso. The label proposed David to bring back the name and the music of such a great band. The "III" album was released in 2001 with major acclaim in the Classic and Melodic Hard Rock community. However Dann's busy schedule along with the other members' commitments, made the reunion impossible to carry on. 

Original members, David Huff and Mike Brignardello wanted to go back to Rock and started an endless research for the right musicians that could be part of a renewed Giant line-up. And in the end the choice fell on singer extraordinaire Terry Brock (Strangeways, Seventh Key) and on John Roth (Winger) on guitars. The band has completed the songwriting and according to David: "It feels good to be working on Giant again! In early April we had an incredible week with the new Giant line-up, we have some great new songs and we are working also on some ideas that have been taking dust on the shelf for years. Dann was part of our meeting and has co-written several songs which no doubt have his guitar flavors all over them. He was also very excited and he has agreed to appear in the album playing guitar on a song". 

It is now possible to hear a sample from the first single Promised Land, which will also be the title track of the forthcoming album, that will exclusively appear on the Rock the Bones vol. 7 sampler that will be on sale from November 7 at melodicrock.com

Read more at MelodicRock.com...

Christopher Cross in concert in Paris on december 3rd!

Christopher Cross is touring in Europe and has also been in the studio recording the new album, tentatively titled "Dr. Faith". Most of the tracks have been recorded, including amazing string parts which Chris Walden masterfully arranged. While Christopher is in Europe, Doug Rider will start mixing. This is the first album of all new Cross/Meurer material since "Walking in Avalon" was released in 1998. 

Don't miss Christopher Cross in concert at La Cigale (PARIS) on december 3rd. 

Get tickets at Fnac, Virgin and La Cigale.

 

 

"Neverland", second Los Angeles album.

Frontiers Records is pleased to announce the release of LOS ANGELES second album entitled Neverland on December 4 in Europe and January 12, 2010 in the USA. Los Angeles debut album revealed to the unsuspecting international Melodic Rock audience, the talents of the awesome Italian singer Michele Luppi. Los Angeles concept is to tribute the AOR greats that shaped Luppi's singing and songwriting abilities.

Contrary to the first record that relied heavily on external songwriters, this new album sees the songwriting collaboration between Luppi and Fabrizio Grossi blossomed in full, with more contributions from Eric Ragno (China Blue), Joey Sykes (Hugo), Roberto Priori and ex-Dokken axeman George Lynch (on "Nowhere to Run"). There is also a stunning new version of Richard Marx's "Nothing to Hide": another fitting tribute to one of AOR music giants and two songs offered (“Wait for You” and “Tonight Tonight”) by Tom and James Martin (Khymera, Sunstorm, House of Lords). 

Musicians include Tommy Denander, Joey Sykes, Roberto Priori on guitars, Eric Ragno on keyboards, Tony “AJ” Morra on drums and of course Fabrizio Grossi on bass. While Luppi's astounding vocals can be described as Mark Free meets Eric Martin, Los Angeles Neverland is a true AOR beauty which is truly a must-buy for all the Melodic Rock fans.

 

Jimmy Webb & The Webb Brothers "Cottonwood Farm"

Jimmy Webb is the only artist ever to receive Grammy awards for music, lyrics, and orchestration, including Song of The Year. He's been covered by Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra, Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, James Taylor, Kris Kristofferson, Waylon Jennings, Arlo Guthrie, Barbra Streisand, R.E.M., Linda Ronstadt, Dianna Ross and the Supremes, Art Garfunkel, Shawn Colvin, and Joe Cocker, and provided instant classics for Glen Campbell, Richard Harris and Donna Summe. He is a member of the National Academy of Popular Music Songwriters' Hall of Fame, the Nashville Songwriters' Hall of Fame, and, according to BMI, his 'By The Time I Get To Phoenix' has been the third most performed song in the last fifty years. Webb's 'Wichita Lineman' is considered one of the best singles of all time, repeatedly appearing on 'best of all time' lists; Blender magazine went so far as to deem it 'The Greatest Song Ever'. As a performer, he blends his swift, biting sense of humour with elegant renditions of his classic songs.

The Webb Brothers grew up immersed in music from an early age and were soon recording and performing together. They amassed a loyal cult following while releasing three records on Warner Brothers during the early 2000s. The critically acclaimed Maroon was, according to The Guardian, 2000’s best all around reviewed album in the U.K., making numerous top ten lists, including Melody Maker's top ten albums for that year. Magnet magazine recently called it one of the decade’s 'finest lost classics'. The brothers have been covered by The Magic Numbers, sampled by Doves.

'Cotton Wood Farm' is the first Jimmy Webb album in what seems like an age, and sees the man reaffirm his position as one of the true greats of contemporary music.


Thanks to Maxime Nordez at Iwelcom

 

Michael McDonald "This Christmas"

The new holiday album from Michael McDonald "This Christmas" is now available in stores! 

"This Christmas" includes holiday favorites such as "Have Yourself A merry Little Christmas" and "White Christmas", as well as a version of the Stevie Wonder Motown classic, "What Christmas Means to Me" and the Donny Hathaway song, "This Christmas". The album also includes a special duet on "I'll Be home for Christmas" with Michael's 17 year old daughter, Scarlett. 

Thanks to Maxime Nordez at Iwelcom

Kenny Edwards "Resurrection Road"

In 1965, Kenny Edwards was a co-founder of The Stone Poneys, along with Linda Ronstadt and Bobby Kimmel, and with them made several albums on Capitol Records, toured, and became well-known in the new American folk-rock movement of the 1960’s. Since then he has collaborated and played with the likes of Don Henley, Stevie Nicks, Warren Zevon, and even Ringo Starr. 

The term “musical legend” is applied far too liberally these days, and those who are truly deserving of such accolades tend to be the least comfortable with embracing them. Kenny Edwards truly is a musical legend. One of the main characters in the American folk-rock movement of the late-sixties and early seventies, audiences soon realize how very familiar they are with the sound of Edwards' voice and his wonderful musicianship.

After the Stone Poneys, Kenny lived and worked right in the heart of LA's "Troubadour days”. During this time he teamed up with Karla Bonoff, Wendy Waldman, and Andrew Gold to form the legendary band Bryndle, ultimately signed to A&M. Kenny and Andrew went on to become the backbone of Linda Ronstadt's band, and were central to the Ronstadt sound during her hit years in the ‘70s. In Kenny's case, he also supplied Ronstadt with material - he introduced her to the music of Karla Bonoff, and he co-wrote with Linda himself on occasion. During this time Kenny also produced Karla Bonoff's debut album and two more for CBS.

"Resurrection Road" his second solo album is now available at Amazon.com.

Discover the music of Some Like It Odd...

The best surprise among end of 2008's releases" (Muziq Magazine)

Some Like It Odd is the meeting of talented and generous musicians whose pleasure is immediately felt in the music. Influenced by Earth Wind & Fire and Wayne Shorter as well Sting and Ravel... the band, led by Matthieu Dersy and Lady Gatica, offers an odd-meters jazz&pop music. 

"Pop Jazz conveys instant emotion while mixing several influences such as pure jazz, Soul and pop music. Lady Gatica's voice is strong and powerful with sensuality to it she is often compared to Sade" /"Just obvious elegance... 

Some Like It Odd is there to prove that a music exists that is Jazz, simple and efficient, without making up any complicated concept" ("Sun Ship") / "A brilliant instrumental quality that reveals beautiful compositions" (R.E.C.) / "Although Pop Jazz is Some Like It Odd's first album, the result is fully mature and impressive, these open minded talented artists are embodying the creative bridge between pop and jazz" (CanadaCDReview)

I recommand to see them in concert, you won't regret it.

They will play on november 7, 2009 at Baiser Salé (Paris) and november 12, 2009 at L’Entrepôt (Paris)

Kansas conquer Billboard charts with new dvd "There's know place like home"

KANSAS delivers unforgettable live performances! Evidenced nowhere better than on their current DVD release, ‘There’s Know Place Like Home’ debuts at #5 on the Billboard DVD top sales chart. Featuring guest appearances by former members Kerry Livgren and Steve Morse, spectacular lighting, and songs previously not recorded with a symphony, this unique concert has been captured in High Definition video and Surround Sound audio. Released October 13th, TKPLH has already become the highest-charting Kansas DVD of all-time and the #1 selling DVD for RED distribution this week.

The immediate success of ‘There’s Know Place Like Home,’ should come as no surprise, as uniting Kansas with the orchestra is a natural and richly fulfilling experience. The result is a must-own DVD of a performance filmed/recorded earlier this year at the Washburn University's White Concert Hall in their original hometown of Topeka, KS and released on co-producers Jeff Glixman and Jim Gentile’s StarCity label. Says Glixman: “I have seen many, many KANSAS shows and this one was right at the very top. The DVD contains arguably the definitive versions of ‘Icarus II’, ‘Hold On’, ‘Nobody’s Home’ and more, as well as Kerry Livgren and Steve Morse appearing together for the first time”.

Add to the mix simply magnificent renditions of such Kansas classics as “Carry on Wayward Son” and “Dust in the Wind,” and you have a can’t-miss recipe that has resulted in what is unquestionably one of the finest in-concert rock DVD’s of 2009.

starcityrecording.com

 

Mark T. Williams's new lionel's Dad album "You Got That Movie"

Mark T Williams just released a new album under Lionel's Dad titled "You Got That Movie".14 songs  including new and old material including "I've Made Lovin' You A Habit" (best known as a demo by his brother Joseph Williams) and 2 cover songs, "Forget me not" (originally performed by Pratrice Rushen) and Elton John's "Blue eyes".

"I've Made Lovin' You A Habit" is available at CD BABY.