westcoastmusic

Robbin Thompson "A Real Fine Day"

Robbin Thompson was the lead singer in the Bruce Springsteen band Steel Mill. He has won the American Song Festival twice, and has recorded more than a dozen albums. Thompson, along with friend Steve Bassett, authored the song "Sweet Virginia Breeze," which is considered by many to be the unofficial state song of Virginia. He has also written and recorded songs with Eagles bassist Timothy B. Schmit (who also sings harmonies on many of Robbin's recordings).

Thompson has shared the stage with many recording artists, including Bob Dylan, Bonnie Raitt, Crosby, Stills, & Nash, Bruce Springsteen, and Bruce Hornsby, to name just a few.

His brand new record called "A Real Fine Day" is now available!

Thompson says: "My music has a taste of The Eagles, Poco And Bruce Springsteen because I've played with and written tunes with them. I'm an acoustic guitar player/singer-songwriter that also plays several Asian instruments. This CD includes a song i performed with a Thai instrument called the Phin. I recorded a couple of classics from the past to honor writers that have influenced me over the years giving them my own spin. You probably won't recognize them until the lyrics come in. I hope you enjoy this CD as much as I enjoyed recording it."

Bill Champlin, Joseph Williams & Peter Friestedt "Live in Concert"

The new cd/dvd live "Bill Champlin/Joseph Williams/Peter Friestedt All Star Band" is now available! Don't miss it!

 

Bluey "Leap Of Faith"

Beloved by his legions of fans, Bluey Maunick is famous as the creator and leader of Incognito, the groundbreaking funk/jazz UK supergroup. Bluey is also famous for his collaborations with and productions of such greats as Chaka Khan, Stevie Wonder, Maxi Priest, George Benson and many more.

Finally, after selling millions of albums in his brilliant career, Bluey has produced his very first solo album, Leap of Faith - a true labor of love and his finest work to date. Bluey and Incognito kick off a US tour on March 29th. A single to Smooth Jazz radio and a video will also be released in support of this album.

State Cows "The Second One"

State Cows returns with "The Second One". Like their previous cd, the band led by Stephan Olofsson & Daniel Andersson, offer 10 news songs well written and played in an 80's flavored "westcoast" sound.

If you liked the first record, you will love this one remembering bands such as Steely Dan, Pages, Nielson Pierson with the incredible participation of guests Bill Champlin, Peter Friestedt, Jay Graydon, Lars-Erik Dahle and many more.

"The Second One" will be released on 24th of May.

MARAGOLD...a band that started as an idea and grew into a long awaited reality.

Renowned guitarist Greg Howe, widely known for his rock / fusion instrumental recordings, had been considering doing an album featuring vocal-driven songs for quite a while. Long time friend, bassist Kevin Vecchione, had played on Greg's "Five" album, as well as having toured with Greg previously.Through the years, over the course of their enduring friendship, Greg and Kevin had been discussing and mulling over the idea of being in a band together... They finally decided to stop talking and start acting, and the seeds of the band "Maragold" were sown. Drummer Gianluca Palmieri, who had also toured with Greg, and played on his recent album "Sound Proof", was recruited to complete their dynamic rhythm section.



All they needed was "the voice"... 



Originally, the band started working with a male singer, but due to other musical endeavors, he was unable to continue with the project. In the meantime, Kevin had discovered an amazing vocal talent while performing in the Tri-State area club circuit, and suggested the female singer as a replacement. Greg was initially hesitant, as the songs they had lined up were centered around a male vocalist.

However... 
Kevin had Greg listen to some demos he had done with the new singer, Meghan Krauss. Greg enthusiastically agreed that she had "the voice", but Meghan's presence, personality, image, and especially her ability to inject herself into a song, truly made her the "total package" that they wanted in a vocalist. Meghan agreed to take on the duties as lead singer; Greg and Kevin immediately went to work writing songs befitting her vocal style. 



The results are the ten amazing songs on the debut self-titled album, "MARAGOLD". Combining exemplary musicianship and powerhouse vocals with provocative songwriting, the album represents a daring new direction for Greg Howe, which is sure to be an exciting experience for his fans, old and new.

Bill Champlin, Joseph Williams & Peter Friestedt "Live in Concert"

TOTO singer Joseph Williams and Bill Champlin formerly of the band Chicago joins forces with renowned guitarist and songwriter Peter Friestedt. Together they did a European Tour in 2012 with an all star band featuring Bill’s wife Tamara Champlin and Herman Matthews – known for his work with Tower Of Power and Kenny Loggins. The tour was a huge success with sold out venues and great reviews.

One of the concerts was filmed and recorded, and here we have the magic captured on stage.

Bill Champlin is a two time Grammy award winning Artist that is well known for his 28 years with the group Chicago. Bill has appeared on countless of records and is also a founding member of the group Sons Of Champlin. Bill has sung on many major hit songs such as the #1 Billboard song “Look Away”

Joseph Williams is the lead singer of Toto. He is featured on the hit albums "Fahrenheit" (1986) and "The Seventh One" (1988). He has also written extensively for films and been A session singer. He can also be heard on the blockbuster soundtrack to Disney's "The Lion King" where he is the singing voice of the adult Simba with songs like "Hakuna Matata" and "Can You Feel The Love Tonight".

Guitarist, composer, producer and major-label artist Peter Friestedt has released two own acclaimed albums "LA Project" (2002) and "LA Project II"(2008). The album received top reviews and was called 'best Westcoast records in years. "Peter has recently toured with Chicago singer Bill Champlin, Joseph Williams and Artist Michael Ruff. In 2011 Peter and Joseph Williams released the Top charting and criticly acclaimed album Williams/Friestedt

Setlist of the cd/dvd: Goin Home, Take It Uptown
, Hard Habit To Break
, Where To Touch You
, When You Look In My Eyes, After The Love Is Gone, Turn Your Love Around
, Look Away, This Fall
, Satisfaction
.

State Cows "The Second One"

State Cows returns with "The Second One". Like their previous cd, the band led by Stephan Olofsson & Daniel Andersson, offer 10 news songs well written and played in an 80's flavored "westcoast" sound.

If you liked the first record, you will love this one remembering bands such as Steely Dan, Pages, Nielson Pierson with the incredible participation of guests Bill Champlin, Peter Friestedt, Jay Graydon, Lars-Erik Dahle and many more.

"The Second One" will be released on 24th of May.

Geyster "Down On Broadway"

Gaël Benyamin is Geyster's songwriter, producer and lead singer, and he's back with twelve timeless new songs. Strongly influenced by Steely Dan and Paul McCartney, Gaël has recorded the album he had always wanted to buy…

With a subte & sensual mixture of British pop and a sweet Californian vibe truthful to the Geyster sound, "Down On Broadway" offers its own blend of many different 70's Rock flavors mixed into a powerful modern sound and a unique style. After being a "frenchtouch" icon in the years 2000, today Geyster has become a traditional pop-rock songwriter, and he will soon be on stage to play his new songs.

John Elefante "On My Way To The Sun"

Singer/songwriter and producer extraordinaire John Elefante begin his musical career in 1981. After lead singer Steve Walsh left the rock group Kansas, Elefante auditioned for the spot and was chosen. In addition to landing the job, he saw all four of his demo tape songs make the band's next album. During his four years with the group, Elefante recorded two albums, Vinyl Confessions and Drastic Measures, and spent three years touring.

In his years since Kansas, Elefante and his brother, Dino, have produced numerous albums. Their production credits include artists such as Petra, Greg Long, and Scott Fairclough. Along with wearing the hat of producer, John Elefante has written numerous songs and recorded three solo albums: Windows of Heaven, Corridors, and Defying Gravity and three albums under the name "Mastodon".

His long awaited new cd will be released tomorow and listening to the samples on Itune, let me say it's an awesome cd from one of the best singer of the Christian Rock scene!

 

Amy Grant "How Mercy Looks From Here"

As a teenager nearly 30 years ago, Amy Grant began embracing fans with a heartfelt singer-songwriter style mixing elements of pop, folk and country. As Contemporary Christian music's first major crossover success, she has earned three multiplatinum albums, six other platinum albums and four more gold albums. She's scored 10 Top 40 pop singles and 17 Top 40 Adult Contemporary tracks as well as a string of Contemporary Christian chart-toppers while winning six Grammy Awards and numerous Dove Awards.

With fans clamoring for new music, Amy worked closely with highly acclaimed producer, Marshall Altman (Brooke Frasier, Natasha Beddingfield, Matt Nathanson) and is set to release her first studio album in over 10 years featuring guests Vince Gill, James Taylor, Sheryl Crow, Eric Paislay, Will Hoge and Carole King.