America

America are back now with a new CD "Back Pages", released on July 26th 2011 that features the band paying homage to some of their favorite songwriters.

What is most interesting is the span of artists America has chosen to select for this project. Some are no brainers such as Bob Dylan, Buffalo Springfield, Simon and Garfunkel and the Beach Boys. Others are a bit of a surprise like Jimmy Webb and Mark Knopfler while newer artists, including Fountains of Wayne, New Radicals and Gin Blossoms show the band is paying attention to the musical world around them today.

The album has some amazing moments as America’s leaders, Gerry Becklly and Dewey Bunnell, place their own stamp on these classic tunes. The best of the bunch is the song “America” by Paul Simon. Gerry and Dewey capture the magic of this one and do the song justice. “Woodstock” is interesting as the band reinterprets the melody, mixing the original, the CSNY version and their own together to create new soundscapes.

For the most part, the formula works but it is not overwhelming by any means. It is a unique blend of songs that are usually not seen on tribute albums. Most of the tunes come off well there is only a few let downs.

America have released a nice, easy listening album. Becklly and Bunnell can lay down at night knowing they did well but most America fans would rather have a new album of tunes.

America is an American folk rock band, that originally included members Gerry Beckley, Dewey Bunnell, and Dan Peek (who sadly passed away on July 24, 2011). The three members were barely out of their teens when they became a musical sensation during 1972, scoring #1 hits and winning a Grammy for best new musical artist. Their recording success stretched throughout the 1970s; some of the band's best known songs are "A Horse with No Name", "The Last Unicorn", "Sister Golden Hair", "Ventura Highway", "Tin Man", "Daisy Jane", and "Lonely People".

http://www.venturahighway.com

Ben Craven

Ben Craven is a “cinematic progressive-rock singer-songwriter” from Brisbane, Australia.
August 12 2011 sees the official launch of a progressive rock collaboration between him and renowned artist Roger Dean.

His new album, entitled “Great & Terrible Potions” is a modern day progressive rock album that has been 5 years in the making, however enlisting the assistance of Roger Dean seemed a natural progression given the heavy influences of 70’s prog-rock bands within Craven’s music.

Immersed as a toddler in the era of big prog rock, Craven taught himself guitar and keyboards and joined a series of bands.
None of them made it and none of them remotely played the kind of music that had been burned into his mainframe as a kid.
Nonetheless, the songs he wrote accumulated steadily. In 2005, Craven dispensed entirely with the band approach and recorded his debut album, "Two False Idols" under the name of Tunisia.
The result was a work of incredible maturity, with influences ranging from Pink Floyd and Brian Wilson to the likes of Bernard Herrmann and John Barry.
As Craven worked the album it became painfully obvious that the music business was in the midst of  a sea change, and most of the old guard didn’t seem to realise they were the cause.
Very quickly he took an anti-DRM stance and released the live acoustic EP "Under Deconstruction" as a  free download from his homepage.
Craven has now stepped up a gear for his sophomore album, "Great & Terrible Potions2. Delivering on the cinematic promise of Two False Idols, Potions goes widescreen (literally) as Craven blurs the boundaries between conventional songs and orchestral soundtracks. Augmented by a stunning cover designed by legendary artist Roger Dean (Yes, Uriah Heep, Asia), Potions is dense, complicated and unashamedly pretentious – everything a good prog rock album should be!

Or, to put it another way, Craven sounds exactly like someone revelling in the creative freedom that can come only from not worrying about what others want, and delivering what he feels instead.
Or, to say it in his own words: "If Pink Floyd had recorded the soundtrack for Star Wars, it might sound something like my new album."

http://bencraven.com

High Voltage Festival 2011

Again they've recorded at High Voltage Festival in 2011.

Victoria Park, London, 24.07.2011
Tracklist: 01 On a Perfect Day / 02 The Doorway / 03 The Emperor's Clothes / 04 The Light /05 June

Victoria Park, London, 24.07.2011
Tracklist: 01 Distant Train / 02 Answer the Question / 03 Evergreen / 04 Deep in Borrowdale /05 Questioning Eyes / 06 Heroes Never Die

Victoria Park, London, 23.07.2011
Tracklist: 01 Nova Lepidoptera / 02 Poor Wages / 03 She Said / 04 Galadriel / 05 Ball and Chain / 06 Mockingbird / 07 Taking Some Time On / 08 Medicine Man / 09 Song for Dying / 10 The Poet / 11 After the Day / 12 Hymn

Victoria Park, London, 23.07.2011

Tracklist: 01 I'm Coming For You / 02 On My Knees / 03 Short Term Memory Love / 04 My Baby's Got A Gun / 05 All this Dancin' Around / 06 Drumsolo / 07 Drumsolo 2 / 08 First Taste / 09 Is it? / Outro

Victoria Park, London, 23.07.2011
Tracklist: 01 Shoot the Wounded / 02 Butcher of the Whore / 03 Breaking the Lord / 04 Panzer Maniac / 05 Imperial Leather / 06 Bloodbath / 07 Hail the Warbeast / 08 Storm the Gates / 09 Stand up and be C***** / 10 Pox Mortis / 11 Stampede of Skeletons

Victoria Park, London, 23.07.2011
Tracklist: 01 Are you Ready? / 02 Waiting for an Alibi / 03 Jailbreak / 04 Don't Believe a Word / 05 Whiskey In The Jar / 06  Emerald / 07 Cowboy Song / 08 Boys Back In Town / 09 Rosalie / 10 Black Rose

Victoria Park, London, 23.07.2011

(no tracklist available currently)

Victoria Park, London, 24.07.2011
Tracklist: 01 Falling Down / 02 Young God / 03 Monster / 04 The Alien Messia/XXV pt I/XXV pt II medley / 05 XXV pt I (reprise) / 06 Arrive Alive

Albums available to purchase from the High Voltage Shop.

Anderson Bruford Wakeman Howe

One of the most welcomed re-releases in 2011, the 1989 s/t album by Anderson Bruford Wakeman Howe.

This re-mastered and Deluxe Edition of the debut album now includes a second disc of bonus material which includes rare mixes and single edits and more importantly three live tracks recorded on the British leg of the bands world tour.

Tracklisting:

CD 1:
    01 Themes
    02 Fist Of Fire
    03 Brother Of Mine
    04 Birthright
    05 The Meeting
    06 Quartet
    07 Teakbois
    08 Order Of The Universe
    09 Let's Pretend
   
CD 2:
    10 Rick Wakeman Intro's
    11 Brother Of Mine (Edit)
    12 Brother Of Mine (Radio Edit)
    13 Vultures In The City
    14 Order Of The Universe (Edit)
    15 Order Of The Universe (Long Edit)
    16 Quartet (Single Edit)
    17 Brother Of Mine (Live)
    18 And You And I (Live)
    19 Order Of The Universe (Live)

Anderson Bruford Wakeman Howe (sometimes referred to by the abbreviation ABWH) was a project of four progressive rock musicians, vocalist Jon Anderson, drummer Bill Bruford, keyboardist Rick Wakeman, and guitarist Steve Howe (together with Tony Levin on bass). They had played together in Yes in the early 1970s. With the exception of Anderson, the only remaining member of the lineup from that period, they had not been playing with Yes for many years.
Anderson Bruford Wakeman Howe released one self-titled studio album in 1989 and a live recording from their immediately subsequent concert tour (advertised as "An Evening with Yes Music") in 1993.
In the meantime, Arista Records had co-opted the material they had written for their second studio album for a 1991 "Union" album of ABWH and members of the more recent Yes lineup around Chris Squire, who owned the rights to the name "Yes".

Pink Floyd - Immersion Box Sets

Third release of the Pink Floyd's "Immersion Box Sets".

The Wall 

Immersion Editions present the complete artistic experience.  Lavishly packaged in a sturdy 29cm square box, the sets contain remastered, previously unreleased and audio-visual material, plus much additional content – reproduced memorabilia, brand new graphics, art prints, collectors’ items, lavish booklets and more.

Product description:

One of the most acclaimed concept albums of all time, The Wall from 1979 is renowned as Roger Waters’ Rock Opera dealing with abandonment and personal isolation. Adapted for cinema by Alan Parker featuring Bob Geldof in the lead role, and featuring the unique artwork of Gerald Scarfe the album also yielded the hit single Another Brick In The Wall Pt2. The Immersion version features

the classic Studio album digitally remastered and presented as a limited edition high quality boxset featuring rare and unreleased audio and video material, plus a new 44 oversized perfect-bound booklet, a book of original photographs, exclusive merchandise and facsimile collectables.

DISCS 1&2 – CDs 1&2

The Wall digitally remastered by James Guthrie, 2011

DISCS 3&4 - CDs 3&4

The Wall album demos (previously unreleased)

DISCS 5&6 - CDs 5&6

Is There Anybody Out There: The Wall Live (digitally remastered in 2011 by James Guthrie)

               

DISC 7 - DVD, AUDIO VISUAL

Another Brick In The Wall pt2 promotional video – restored in 2011

Behind The Wall documentary

Gerald Scarfe Interview

Short filmed extract of Earls Court concert featuring animation

44 page 27cm x 27cm booklet designed by Storm Thorgerson

Exclusive photo book

27cm x 27cm Exclusive Storm Thorgerson Art Print

5 x Collectors’ Cards featuring art and comments by Storm Thorgerson

Replica of The Wall Tour Ticket

Replica of The Wall Backstage Pass

Scarf

Prints/Cards of Mark Fisher’s stage drawings

3 x white marbles with design of bricks

9 x Coasters (unique to this box) featuring early Storm Thorgerson design sketches

4-8 page credits booklet

This title will be released on 28 February 2012 for a price of €127,06.

Pink Floyd - Immersion Box Sets

Second release of the Pink Floyd's "Immersion Box Sets".

Wish You Were Here 

Immersion Editions present the complete artistic experience.  Lavishly packaged in a sturdy 29cm square box, the sets contain remastered, previously unreleased and audio-visual material, plus much additional content – reproduced memorabilia, brand new graphics, art prints, collectors’ items, lavish booklets and more.

Product description:

On its release in 1975 Wish You Were here topped the album charts in both the UK and the US. Reflecting the bands thoughts of the time on the music business, and exploring themes of absence, Wish You Were Here contains the classic cut Shine On You Crazy Diamond, a tribute to founder member Syd Barrett.

The Immersion version features the classic Studio album digitally remastered and presented as a limited edition high quality boxset featuring rare and unreleased audio and video material, plus a new 40 page oversized perfect-bound booklet, a book of original photographs edited by Jill Furmanovsky, exclusive merchandise and facsimile collectables.

DISC 1 - CD1:

Wish You Were Here digitally remastered by James Guthrie, 2011

DISC 2 - CD2:     

Shine On You Crazy Diamond (parts 1-6) live at Wembley November 1974 (2011 mix and previously unreleased)

Raving & Drooling live at Wembley November 1974

(2011 mix and previously unreleased)

You’ve Got To Be Crazy live at Wembley November 1974

(2011 mix and previously unreleased)

Wine Glasses from the unreleased ‘Household Objects’ project

Have A Cigar alternative version (previously unreleased)

Wish You Were Here featuring Stephane Grappelli

(previously unreleased)

DISC 3 - DVD1, ALL AUDIO:

-Wish You Were Here,  James Guthrie 2009 5.1 Surround Mix (previously unreleased) in standard resolution audio at 448 kbps

-Wish You Were Here,  James Guthrie 2009 5.1 Surround Mix (previously unreleased) in high resolution audio at 640 kbps

-Wish You Were Here, Original Mix (1975) LPCM stereo

-Wish You Were Here, Quad Mix (previously released only on vinyl LP/8 track tape) in standard resolution audio at 448 kbps

-Wish You Were Here, Quad Mix (previously released only on vinyl LP/8 track tape) in high resolution audio at 640 kbps

DISC 4 - DVD 2, AUDIO VISUAL:

-AUDIO VISUAL: Concert Screen Films:

                Shine On You Crazy Diamond Intro

                Shine On You Crazy Diamond

-AUDIO VISUAL: Welcome To The Machine animated clip

-AUDIO VISUAL: Storm Thorgerson short film

Concert Screen Films play in stereo and 5.1 Surround Sound

DISC 5 - BLURAY:

-AUDIO: Wish You Were Here, James Guthrie 2009 5.1 Surround Mix (previously unreleased) high res. audio at 96 kHz/24-bit

-AUDIO: Wish You Were Here, Original stereo mix (1975) mastered in high res. audio at 96 kHz/24-bit

- AUDIO VISUAL: Concert Screen films:

                Shine On You Crazy Diamond Intro

                Shine On You Crazy Diamond

-AUDIO VISUAL: Welcome To The Machine animated clip

- AUDIO VISUAL: Storm Thorgerson short film

40 page 27cm x 27cm booklet designed by Storm Thorgerson

Exclusive photo book edited by Jill Furmanovsky

27cm x 27cm Exclusive Storm Thorgerson Art Print

5 x Collectors’ Cards featuring art and comments by Storm Thorgerson

Replica of Wish You Were Here Tour Ticket

Replica of Wish You Were Here Backstage Pass

Scarf

3 x Clear marbles

9 x Coasters (unique to this box) featuring early Storm Thorgerson design sketches

12 page credits booklet

This title will be released on 8 November 2011 for a price of €127,06. 

Pink Floyd - Immersion Box Sets

First release of the Pink Floyd's "Immersion Box Sets".

The Dark Side Of The Moon

Immersion Editions present the complete artistic experience.  Lavishly packaged in a sturdy 29cm square box, the sets contain remastered, previously unreleased and audio-visual material, plus much additional content – reproduced memorabilia, brand new graphics, art prints, collectors’ items, lavish booklets and more.

Product description:

Originally released in 1973, The Dark Side of The Moon became Pink Floyd’s first number 1 album in the US, remaining on the chart for 741 weeks between 1973 and 1988. One of the best-selling and most critically acclaimed albums of all time The Dark Side of The Moon also introduced The iconic album cover artwork by Hipgnosis featuring  a prism representing the band’s stage lighting, the record’s lyrics, and the request for a ‘simple and bold’ design. The Immersion version features the classic Studio album digitally remastered and presented as a limited edition high quality boxset featuring 6 discs of rare and unreleased audio and video material, plus a new 40 page oversized perfect-bound booklet, a book of original photographs edited by Jill Furmanovsky, exclusive merchandise and facsimile collectables.

DISC 1 – CD 1:

The Dark Side Of The Moon digitally remastered by James Guthrie 2011

DISC 2 – CD 2:

The Dark Side Of The Moon performed live at Wembley in 1974 (2011 Mix and previously unreleased)

DISC 3 – DVD 1, ALL AUDIO:

- The Dark Side Of The Moon, James Guthrie 2003 5.1 Surround Mix (previously released only on SACD) in standard resolution audio at 448 kbps

- The Dark Side Of The Moon, James Guthrie 2003 5.1 Surround Mix (previously released only on SACD) in high resolution audio at 640 kbps

- The Dark Side Of The Moon, LPCM Stereo mix (as disc 1)

- The Dark Side Of The Moon, Alan Parsons Quad Mix (previously released only on vinyl LP/8 track tape in 1973) in standard resolution audio at 448 kbps

- The Dark Side Of The Moon, Alan Parsons Quad Mix (previously released only on vinyl LP/8 track tape in 1973) in high resolution audio at 640 kbps

DISC 4 - DVD 2, ALL AUDIO VISUAL:         

-Live In Brighton 1972:

Careful With That Axe, Eugene

(previously unreleased on DVD)

Set The Controls For The Heart Of The Sun

(previously unreleased on DVD)

-The Dark Side Of The Moon, 2003 documentary (25 min EPK)

-Concert Screen Films (60 min total):

                British Tour 1974

                French Tour 1974

                North American Tour 1975

Screen films play in stereo and 5.1 Surround Sound        

               

DISC 5 – BLURAY, AUDIO+AUDIO VISUAL            

-AUDIO: The Dark Side Of The Moon, James Guthrie 2003 5.1 Surround Mix

(previously released only on SACD) in high resolution audio at 96 kHz/24-bit

-AUDIO: The Dark Side Of The Moon, Original stereo mix (1973) mastered in high resolution audio at 96 kHz/24-bit

-AUDIO VISUAL: Live In Brighton 1972:

Careful With That Axe, Eugene

(previously unreleased on DVD/BluRay)

Set The Controls For The Heart Of The Sun

(previously unreleased on DVD/BluRay)

-AUDIO VISUAL: The Dark Side Of The Moon, 2003 documentary (EPK)

-AUDIO VISUAL: Concert Screen Films (5.1 Surround Mix):

                British Tour 1974

                French Tour 1974

                North American Tour 1975          

-AUDIO VISUAL: Concert Screen Films (High Res. Stereo Mix):

                British Tour 1974

                French Tour 1974

                North American Tour 1975          

DISC 6  - CD3:

-The Dark Side Of The Moon 1972 Early Album Mix engineered by Alan Parsons (previously unreleased)

- The Hard Way (from ‘Household Objects’ project)

- Us And Them, Richard Wright Demo (previously unreleased)

- The Travel Sequence, live from Brighton June 1972

(previously unreleased)

- The Mortality Sequence, live from Brighton June 1972 (previously unreleased)

- Any Colour You Like, live from Brighton June 1972

(previously unreleased)

- The Travel Sequence, studio recording 1972

(previously unreleased)

- Money, Roger Waters’ demo (previously unreleased)

40 page 27cm x 27cm booklet designed by Storm Thorgerson

Exclusive photo book edited by Jill Furmanovsky

27cm x 27cm Exclusive Storm Thorgerson Art Print

5 x Collectors’ Cards featuring art and comments by Storm Thorgerson

Replica of The Dark Side Of The Moon Tour Ticket

Replica of The Dark Side Of The Moon Backstage Pass

Scarf

3 x Black marbles

9 x Coasters (unique to this box) featuring early Storm Thorgerson design sketches

12 page credits booklet

To be released on 23 September 2011 for a price of €99,99.

Well, is it all worth for? I'd say, if you're a fan yes!

I'm pretty sure I'll order my copy together with some other goodies to round it up.

Dark Side Of The Moon T-shirt

Dark Side Of The Moon wine (Cabernet Sauvignon 2006)

Dark Side Of The Moon coffe cup