iCon Zero is a revised presentation of the Wetton/Downes album and is a precursor to their iCon series of albums. It is essentially a collection of tracks mostly recorded in the late 1980s through the time of their brief reformation in 1990.

The original version of the album was released in 2002 and in retrospect seemed like an iCon album from a previous era, so both John and Geoff readily agreed to it being brought into the iCon family. John came up with the name Zero, and both John and Geoff approved the new front cover artwork.

The album has received a 2017 remaster and includes two previously unreleased bonus tracks.

Geoff Downes reminisced about this time period in their joint career with these comments: Icon Zero brings back many fond memories of working with John back in the early-mid 80s. "Despite being the principal writers for Asia, we both felt there was at least one other string to our bow. This manifested itself in later years as the Icon project, and this album is an insight into the inner workings of our early relationship, not just as members of Asia, but also as songwriters. These recordings were made largely at weekends when we rented demo studios to try out our 'other' ideas and simply - have some fun time away from the pressures of the music business. Most of these songs were put together in a few hours, and written on the fly. Then, they were recorded straight down that same day. One great aspect of this was, we always seemed came up with something new, and as the inspiration flowed it was captured there and then even in its embryonic form." 

Sadly John Wetton passed away in January 2017, but this release was already on the cards, with his Estate and Geoff Downes approving it going ahead as originally planned.

Geoff Downes had these further comments about his late bandmate: "John was a genius in every sense of the word, and I am most privileged to have been a big part of his career. The Icon project in itself stands alone as a complete cycle of our work together, and this album (Icon Zero) displays an important part of that development. The great John Wetton's unique presence can be felt on every note and lyric of these songs. Please enjoy."

iCon Zero will be followed by definitive edition re-releases of the subsequent three iCon albums, with bonus tracks, during 2018 with Geoff Downes' personal approval.

To purchase John Wetton & Geoff Downes iCon Zero:

Amazon CD: http://geni.us/icon0

iTunes: http://geni.us/icon0dig

Garth Brooks, Vince Gill and Amy Grant, Zac Brown Band, the late Donna Summer and Eagles are among the artists contributing to A Tribute to Dan Fogelberg, a long-gestating encomium to the singer-songwriter.

Fogelberg’s widow, Jean, produced the album, along with producer Norbert Putnam, Irving Azoff and Chuck Morris, all of whom played seminal roles in Fogelberg’s career. Fogelberg died 10 years ago from prostate cancer. 

Among the highlights are Brooks’ muscular, robust version of “Phoenix” and Summer’s gorgeous version of “Netherlands,” which features her singing over the original lush orchestrations. Train and Michael McDonald reinvent “Same Old Lang Syne” and “Better Change,” respectively, while Zac Brown Band turns in an emotionally charged live take on “Leader of the Band” and Gill and Grant reimagine “Longer” as a sweet duet. 

The album comes during a resurgence in Fogelberg and his music. In September, Part of the Plan, a musical based on Fogelberg’s songs, opened at the Tennessee Performing Arts Center to strong reviews.

A Tribute to Dan Fogelberg track listing: 1. Phoenix performed by Garth Brooks
 2. Nether Lands performed by Donna Summer
 3. Better Change performed by Michael McDonald
 4. Longer performed by Amy Grant/Vince Gill
 5. Same Old Lang Syne performed by Train
 6. Don’t Lose Heart performed by Dobie Gray 
7. Old Tennessee performed by Fool’s Gold/Denny Henson and Tom Kelly
 8. As the Raven Flies performed by Casey James
 9. Sutters Mill performed by Randy Owen 
10. Run for the Roses performed by The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band with Richie Furay
 11. Hard to Say performed by Boz Scaggs 
12. Part of the Plan performed by Eagles 
13. There’s a Place in the World for a Gambler performed by Jimmy Buffett
 14. Leader of the Band performed by Zac Brown Band

Steve Walsh ­released his new solo album 'Black Butterfly' November 10 via Escape Music.

As the former lead vocalist and keyboards player for the American Classic and Progressive rock band Kansas, Steve Walsh is the voice behind the hits 'Carry on my Wayward Son', 'Point of Know Return', 'Dust in the Wind' and 'All I Wanted'. As a songwriter Steve is well known for penning a classic tune and his wide range of musical influences can be heard on his previous solo releases as well as the melodic rock band 'Streets'. He has also contributed his vocal talents to more than a dozen projects by other artists covering a variety of musical genres.  

Steve is well known for his dynamic live performances, passionate vocals and multi instrumental talents on stage. In addition to keyboards Steve has played Congas, Harmonica, Glockenspiel, in short, an all-round great musician.

Butterfly is everything you would expect it to be from someone like Steve Walsh, the man is a legend and this album oozes quality from start to finish. This is the album everyone is talking about, and its finally here...  

Musicians: Steve Walsh: Lead and backing vocals, piano Tommy Denander:  All guitars and keyboards Jerome Mazza:  Lead vocals on tracks 5,7 and 11 Steve Overland:  Backing vocals Brian Anthony:  Bass and string arrangements Peter Yttergren:  Drums and percussion

Boulevard is a Canadian band that got their start in Germany with the release of their first single “Rainy Day in London” in 1984 which went to #45 on the Billboard charts in Europe.

Members are: David Forbes (vocals), Mark Holden (saxophone), Andrew Johns (keyboards, vocals), Dave Corman (Guitar, vocals) Randall Stoll (drums), Cory Curtis (bass). Known for their solid rhythms, layered melodies and vocal textures the band enjoyed success overseas prior to landing back in Canada.

In 1987 the band signed a deal with MCA/Universal, which would see their first internationally released album BLVD producing the hit singles ”Never Give Up” and “Far From Over” establishing them as a fixture of the Canadian Music scene in the 80’s. Their self-titled debut album was recorded at Ocean Sound and Little Mountain Sound in Vancouver by producer Pierre 'Baz' Bazinet and was mixed by notable rock producers Bob Rock and Mike Fraser and Umberto Gatica.

Following two very successful tours with Glass Tiger and Boston, in 1988 Boulevard were awarded the coveted Peoples Choice Award by Music Express Magazine as “Best New Group”. Following the success of their first Album the band released Into The Street – in 1990, Produced by John Punter which produced the singles “Crazy Life” and “Lead Me On”.

In 2014 the band were invited to perform at Firefest in Nottingham England in front of many diehard fans. Many consider this to be one of the best shows ever at Firefest.

2015 the band released “Boulevard - Live from Gastown” a DVD which features all five of the bands Canadian top 40 singles, as well as some classic tracks from the bands repertoire. The DVD was filmed live on February 27th 2015 at Vancouver’s legendary Warehouse studio.   Boulevard is back, bigger and better than ever with a brand new album titled ‘Boulevard IV’.

The band stays true to their passion charged rhythms, textured melodic landscapes, and powerful lyrics in this this beautifully crafted body of work that will take the listener down the Boulevard of what is possible.

Melodicrock.com