Firehouse Legend Bill Leverty Releases Classic Rock Covers CD ‘Drive’

Richmond, VA – Much to the excitement of hard rock fans around the globe, Firehouse legend Bill Leverty has released a fantastic new CD of classic rock covers – guaranteed to thrill even the hardest of rockers! Covers include songs from bands and artists such as Creedence Clearwater Revival, Little Feat, The Ohio Players, Three Dog Night, Eric Clapton, Edgar Winter, The Guess Who, Stevie Wonder, Steely Dan and Rare Earth.

 Says Bill, “These songs were all very personal. In choosing these songs to cover, each had to be a song that I loved before I started playing guitar, that I still love today, a song that hadn’t been covered to death in the genre, and a song that I thought I could put my own spin on, while still staying true to the original recordings. That narrowed it down to these ten songs.”

 Hailing from Richmond, VA, Bill Leverty and Firehouse first gained recognition in 1991 when they won the ‘Favorite Heavy Metal/Hard Rock New Artist’ from the American Music Awards. Signed to Epic Records, Firehouse would go on to release several hit songs throughout the ’90s such as “Don’t Treat Me Bad”, “Love Of A Lifetime”, “All She Wrote” and “Reach The Sky”, to name a few. The band sold over 2 million copies of their debut album ‘Firehouse’, and sold close to a million copies of their second album ‘Hold Your Fire’ in the US alone. For their 3rd release the band secured the production chores of famed producer Ron Nevison (Led Zeppelin, Ozzy Osbourne, Damn Yankees, UFO, etc). ‘Firehouse 3′ went on to be another big seller, especially in Asia. Their next release ‘Good Acoustics’, the first of several albums produced by Bill Leverty, won them a Gold record in several countries. Firehouse would go on to release 5 more well-received critically acclaimed albums as well as successful world tours throughout the 2000′s. The band to this day continues to tour playing their back catalog of hits to cheering fans everywhere and has sold over 6 million units worldwide!

 In the mid-2000′s Bill Leverty released several musically diverse solo albums ‘Wanderlust’ (2004), ‘Southern Exposure’ (2007) and ‘Deep South’ (2009). Which leads us to ‘Drive’, Bill’s new covers CD.

 Tracks include:

“Fortunate Son” – CCR

“Spanish Moon” – Little Feat

“Free Ride” – Edgar Winter

“One” – Three Dog Night

“I Shot The Sheriff” – Eric Clapton

“Fire” – The Ohio Players

“No Time” – The Guess Who

“Jesus Children Of America” – Stevie Wonder “Rikki Don’t Lose That Number” – Steely Dan “I Just Want To Celebrate” – Rare Earth

 In a recent interview with Jeb Wright of Classic Rock Revisited, Bill explains the exciting rock guitar sound he has created on the album’s recordings, “It all starts with my C.R. Alsip guitar. C.R. Alsip guitars are made right outside of Wichita, KS. Mine is a neck-through-body guitar. It’s hard rock maple with mahogany sides. This wood combination, along with some other very unique design elements, makes the guitar very solid and it has a very favorable tone. I used the bridge pickups, which are Billy Gibbon’s Pearly Gates pickups by Seymour Duncan, on this one. I plugged the guitar straight into my Splawn Quick Rod 100 for a stereo pair of rhythm tracks and into my Fractal Audio Axe FX II for another stereo pair.”

 In closing Bill has this to impart to his fans and listeners, “I really want to thank all the people who have supported my career and made it possible for me to be able to work full time in the music business for over 25 years. It’s been a great ride so far. I’m going to do everything in my power to keep this train rolling for another 50 years. Hope to see you down the road!!”

 Check out the recent interview Bill did with Guitar World magazine:

http://www.guitarworld.com/drive-firehouse-guitarist-bill-leverty-discusses-new-album-classic-cover-songs

 To Purchase Bill Leverty’s ‘Drive’ dowload: http://www.amazon.com/Drive/dp/B00BFXLDYS/ref=sr_1_1?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1363630842&sr=1-1&keywords=Bill+Leverty%2C+Drive

 iTunes: http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/drive/id602634728

 To Purchase Bill Leverty’s ‘Drive’ CD: http://www.leverty.com/vip/store-01.php

username: deep

password: south

 Bill Leverty has his own Apps and they are FREE! Check them out:

iPhone: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/levertymusic/id590939838?mt=8

Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.app_levertymusic.layout&feature=search_result#?t=W251bGwsMSwyLDEsImNvbS5hcHBfbGV2ZXJ0eW11c2ljLmxheW91dCJd

 For more information: http://www.leverty.com/

 Press inquiries:

Glass Onyon PR, PH: 828-350-8158

Legendary Singer/Songwriter Greg Lake Releases Highly Anticipated ‘Songs Of A Lifetime’ Live CD

London, UK – Hot on the heels of a successful solo tour of the US, UK and sold out tour of Italy, legendary singer/songwriter Greg Lake has released a new live CD ‘Songs Of A Lifetime’ on Esoteric Antenna / Manticore Records on February 25, 2013. Capturing all the excitement of Greg Lake live in concert, ‘Songs Of A Lifetime’ documents Greg’s musical history, from his beginnings with King Crimson to super-stardom with ELP to his illustrious solo career, through stories and songs. Performing all his most popular songs including “21st Century Schizoid Man”, “From The Beginning”, “Still….You Turn Me On”, “Lend Your Love To Me Tonight”, “C’est la Vie” and “Karn Evil 9″, as well as homages to Elvis Presley and The Beatles and Curtis Mayfield, ‘Songs Of A Lifetime’ is a must have for Greg Lake fans and music fans everywhere!

Hailed as an “artistic triumph” and “the experience of a lifetime”, ‘Songs Of A Lifetime’ gives new insight into Greg Lake and his influences, while showcasing in concert the influence his writing and voice have had not only for rock and roll, but contemporary music of all types.

As a founding member of King Crimson and Emerson, Lake & Palmer, Greg Lake has been a major force in music for over 40 years. In 2012 he embarked on a successful solo tour to perform ‘Songs Of A Lifetime’, a unique concert experience that was conceived whilst Greg was writing his autobiography. Greg explains, “From time to time during the writing of my autobiography, these songs would crop up that were in some way crucial or extremely important in the development of my career. These were not always songs that I had written myself, but sometimes songs that had been written and performed by other artists as well. I realized that what they actually represented was the journey that I had shared together with the audience over all these years. Behind these songs there were often stories to be told and it occurred to me that the same must be true for the audience as well. It was then that I thought of the idea of doing a series of very small intimate concerts where I could perform these songs and exchange stories with the audience, in a way reliving the time when the music we shared together really became part of our identity and in a way became the backdrop to our lives, a sort of tapestry I suppose.”

Greg Lake has long been considered a legendary voice and musical powerhouse whose impact changed the landscape of rock and roll. Many simply refer to him as “The Voice”. Visionary and creative, ‘Songs Of A Lifetime’ provides an evocative, emotional ride into the life and music of one of the world’s most popular songwriters in a unique format which relies on audience involvement as well as the artistry of the performer. Says Greg, “This is not one of those boring shows sitting on a stool strumming folk songs, I purposely set out to make this show dynamic and entertaining with lots of drama and pathos, even some humour at times as well. Everyone feels part of the performance because we all bonded by the shared memories of our musical journeys together.” The recordings on the ‘Songs Of A Lifetime’ CD were taken from a selection of shows performed on the 2012 tour.

The CD release coincides with the upcoming release of Greg Lake’s autobiography, ‘Lucky Man’, and was inspired by it, but the two are not the same. The autobiography is NOT an audio recording of the show, but a narrative of Lake’s experiences from childhood to the present, including never before revealed details, funny and poignant moments, and colourful facts of his amazing career as one of the world’s leading and influential musicians, songwriters, vocalists and poets. The autobiography will be released both as an audio book read by the author and the complete print edition is anticipated at the end of the year. In support of the release plans for tours in Japan, Europe, South America, USA and Canada are currently in the works and will be announced shortly.

Greg Lake ‘Songs Of A Lifetime’ CD can be purchased at http://www.cherryred.co.uk/shopexd.asp?id=3999

Check out the following montage of the show:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QcxESo-TcBI&feature=youtu.be

For more information: www.greglake.com

Press inquiries: Glass Onyon PR, PH: 828-350-8158, glassonyonpr@gmail.com Greg Lake interview requests contact Billy James at Glass Onyon PR

Drummer Mark Murdock Releases New Prog CD

For Immediate Release

Drummer Mark Murdock Releases New Prog CD ‘Cymbalic  Encounters’ Featuring Brand X’s John Goodsall, Percy Jones, Kenwood Dennard And Other Guest Artists David Sancious and Spock’s Beard’s Ryo Okumotu

Tokyo, Japan – Prog fans worldwide are buzzing with excitement over the new CD release by drummer/songwriter/producer Mark Murdock titled ‘Cymbalic Encounters’. Says Mark, “The concept of ‘Cymbalic Encounters’ represents the ‘Encountering of Symbolic Musicians’ as my greatest success in music has been keeping company with great musicians.”

“Mark Murdock’s ‘Cymbalic Encounters’ fulfills a longtime elusive goal. I tried to feature more the inherent UK prog (progressive rock) element of the fusion band, Brand X – with little success. Mr. Murdock seems to have achieved this combination with remarkable ease.” – John Goodsall

The cymbal in ‘Cymbalic’ symbolizes meeting up with another drummer. “When I was 15, I broke my snare drum head and went into a music store in Phoenix, my hometown, where I was approached by this hippie looking guy with a Liverpool accent, who inquired into the local music scene and identified himself as a drum roadie for a touring band from England and invited me to that evening’s concert to meet the drummer and band he was working for. He presented me with backstage passes and tickets.” There Mark was introduced to the drummer of the band, a guy named Phil Collins with the band Genesis. “To make a long story short, Phil was keen on American drummers and so we engaged in drummers’ talk. I instantly loved Phil’s drumming. I met him on every tour that Genesis made to the states and eventually made it over to the UK, just in time to hear Brand X in rehearsal at Islands Studios in Hammersmith, London, where I was introduced to the other members. They were preparing to record their first record. But I thought they were just jamming, so I used to jump on a percussion rig there and jam along. Not realizing what I was jamming to was the material for ‘Unorthodox Behaviour’. I also went to their very first gigs at the London School Of Economics and The Marquee Club via Phil. He also used to allow me into Trident Recording Studios where Genesis was recording ‘A Trick Of The Tail’. There might have been a hidden motive to this as I was sometimes recruited as the unpaid official Brand X ‘Fish And Chips boy’ and babysitter for Phil. But in return I used to listen to his personal tapes of the ‘Lamb’ tours and play his red upright piano with a green painting on the purple walls. It was really an ugly site!” laughs Mark. “At any rate, it made a great musical impression on my life – not the interior design, but the music, the creative element, the energy.”

“Rated as ’8′ out of the ‘Best 10 CDs in 2012′! Mark Murdock – ‘Cymbalic Encounters’: Murdock surrounds himself with a group of outstanding players, delivering one of the best solo albums by a drummer that I have heard in a LONG time. Includes the smooth bass sounds of Percy Jones…the always in the right groove playing of John Goodsall – ‘THE CLOSEST THING’ to a new Brand X album that you’ll come close to, with a twist.” – Gary Brown, American Corespondent for Classic Rock Radio Dot EU

Mark Murdock started playing drums at a young age in Phoenix, Arizona. He played in a local jazz-rock band ‘Seacloud’ gaining local recognition and featured on Phoenix radio KDKB sponsored album. Mark’s British connections eventually led him to Peter Banks, original guitarist with YES, who he teamed up with in Peter Banks EMPIRE in Los Angeles where he showcased in Empire and recorded a demo which later was released on CD as ‘Empire Mark III’ on One Way Records. Mark was also mentioned in the Peter Banks biography (co-written by Billy James) ‘Beyond And Before’.

And just how did Mark bring Percy Jones and David Sancious together on the bonus track (song 14) “Waters From Marsh Harbour”?

Mark explains, “In terms of Percy, I have been in touch with him probably the longest out of anyone from Brand X. I moved to New York from Phoenix, only to find that Percy had moved there, as well.  So, I just happened to have had the opportunity to write and record three tracks with David Sancious, who I met in Phoenix before moving east. David was touring with Jack Bruce (Cream) and Billy Cobham was their drummer, who had broken his TAMA Octobans stand. The owner of the club called me, knowing I was the only guy in Arizona who possessed one, so I hooked Billy up with my stand and got free tickets and a chance to hang with the band. I played David my recent recording that I had made with keyboardist Allan Zavod (Jean-Luc Ponty, Zappa). I assume David liked what he heard…he suggested that if I was ever on the east coast to look him up, which is exactly what I did shortly afterwards. I spent a few days at David’s house writing a three song demo which we later recorded. David’s playing is so profound! I quickly invited Percy to record bass on our tracks at Unique Studios in NYC. Brand X was actually scheduled for a 2012 tour with David Sancious, but it fell through. As a result I decided to add the track to ‘Cymbalic Encounters’ to show that they in fact joined forces below. Percy has supported me on numerous projects including ‘Eyes Down’ with songwriting, recording and playing live gigs. The ‘Eyes Down’ CD features guest appearances by violinist Shankar (Peter Gabriel, Frank Zappa, Shakti) percussionist Mino Cinelu (Miles Davis, Weather Report) and drummer/vocalist Tony ‘Thunder’ Smith (John Mclaughlin, Lou Reed) Percy is a ‘one of a kind’ bassist. He never plays inside the music, but plays outside just enough to keep within musical constraints in a mysterious way. I have always admired his musical sense.”

“I met up with John Goodsall after not seeing him since the early Brand X days in London, in 1997 in Tokyo, where I currently reside. John is amazing in the way he understands Percy’s playing and visa versus. But more than that, John’s chording, melodies and leads are like no other in my book!!! What he contributed to the tracks was so magical! I was also a big fan of Atomic Rooster which was his previous band before Brand X.”

Former Brand X/Pat Martino drummer Kenwood Dennard who played in Phil Collins absence of Brand X, due to Genesis commitments, also plays electronic drums on the track ‘Unauthorized Recording’. Says Mark, “I had this grand idea of inviting some of the previous Brand X members on board; Robin Lumley and Mike Clark, who had agreed but were swept away with overloaded projects. I later realized I actually had a track of Kenwood playing my old electronic kit at a Tokyo gig that we played together from some years back. I was able to re-trigger the drum sounds and use them on the track. It may be the first time those guys have been on record together since the Brand X ‘Livestock’ album!”

“Murdock’s ‘Cymbalic Encounter’ is a must hear CD!! Accompanied with Percy Jones, and John Goodsall they made one of the best prog – funk – jazz fusion – adult pop recordings that I heard in ages. Highly recommended!” – Gary Brown – American Corespondent for Classic Rock Radio Dot EU

Under the microscope, there are eight instrumental tracks and six vocal tracks that Mark is featured on vocals. Instrumental tracks like “Goodsall Funk Railroad/Ballad Of Percy Jones” which gets its name from Grand Funk Railroad and the kid’s animation ‘Thomas’ is very reminiscent of early Brand X with its tight funk groove and soulful guitar melodies. The track “Cymbalic Encounters” has a mellow atmosphere with John Goodsall’s signature sound. Vocal songs like ‘Artificial Society’ which has a pop element of catchy hooks to it, which Mark lyrically describes living in Japan – from a foreigner’s view point. “The Manufacturers” is a song about China’s manufacturing machine. Mark sings “We are the manufacturers – for better or for worse.” Also featured is Spock’s Beard keyboardist, Ryo Okumoto, who is no stranger to prog audiences worldwide. Ryo plays some mean MOOG synth on the track “Kaiten Zushi.” And guest guitarist, Joe Berger who offers some bluesy/soulful lead guitar on several or more tracks and also mixed and mastered the CD at BEAM AUDIO, NYC. A few of Mark’s long time friends, Dave Juteau and Ken Hall helped cover a needed few spots, which Mark is pleased with their contribution.

What does Mark have as a follow-up to this CD? “I am currently working on a follow-up CD with some of the tracks that didn’t make this CD, also batch of new songs featuring Percy and John with hopefully some new featured artists – kind of like Ringo’s All Stars Band,” laughs Mark. “Plus, I plan to release a few other side projects in 2013 as well.”

In closing Mark has this to impart to his listeners, “Percy and John really dedicated their talented writing skills and playing to support this CD. I feel honored to have them as the ‘Featured Guests’ on ‘Cymbalic Encounters’.”

To purchase Mark Murdock’s ‘Cymbalic Encounters’: http://www.cdbaby.com/markmurdock2
Digital downloads also available from iTunes and Amazon

For information on purchasing physical CD orders:
www.cymbalicencounters.com
email: cymbalicencounters@yahoo.com
Japan (only) distributor: Disk Union – http://diskunion.net

Press inquiries: Glass Onyon PR, PH: 828-350-8158, glassonyonpr@gmail.com

UK Rock Legends SWEET Revisit Hit Album ‘Desolation Boulevard’ With New Live CD

London, UK – Hot on the heels of their recent critically acclaimed album release ‘New York Connection’, UK rock legends SWEET have released a new live CD only available by digital download. Performing the band’s most famous and influential album from 1974 ‘Desolation Boulevard’ live, SWEET’s ‘Desolation Boulevard Revisited’ recaptures the album in concert with all of the raw energy that can only come from a live performance. Originally titled ‘Sweet Fanny Adams’ in the UK, the 1974 US release of the album, re-titled ‘Desolation Boulevard’, was a turning point for the band featuring, for the first time, more of a hard rock sound. The album yielded classic hits such as ‘Ballroom Blitz’, ‘Fox On The Run’ and ‘The Six Teens’, catapulting the band to international stardom!

Says original member Andy Scott, “SWEET’s ‘Desolation Boulevard’ album was groundbreaking back in 1974 and proved to be a major influence on soon to be famous rock bands such as Kiss, Motley Crue, Def Leppard and many more. The album was a tightly produced collection of Power Pop Heavy Rock Radio Friendly tunes that still sound great today. This was the album that accelerated SWEET into a Major Headlining Touring Band in the ’70s, a testament of anyone who saw the band ‘live’. Several of the songs from the album have been covered by other artists which pays true homage to a great band. Now in 2013 we have ‘Desolation Boulevard Revisited’. A ‘live’ album release, almost 40 years on from the original but sounding as fresh as the day the songs were conceived. This is a ‘must’ for SWEET fans everywhere!”

“Without The Sweet there would not have been a Kiss”
GENE SIMMONS

“Mötley Crüe wanted to be The Sweet”
NIKKI SIXX

“The Sweet are the band that I wish I had been in”
JOE ELLIOTT, DEF LEPPARD

With worldwide album sales of more than 55 million copies, SWEET have notched 34 Number One smashes across the globe as part of a run of timeless hits that includes ‘Blockbuster!’, ‘Hell Raiser’, ‘The Ballroom Blitz’, ‘The Six Teens’, ‘Action’, ‘Fox On The Run’ and ‘Love Is Like Oxygen’. Seen on Top Of The Pops on what felt like a weekly basis throughout the 1970s, their über-harmonious, multi-tracked guitar work and layered production was to provide inspiration to other acts such as Queen, the Electric Light Orchestra and, in later decades, Def Leppard, Mötley Crüe and The Darkness.

SWEET are a National Treasure, British at the core and a rock music phenomena that has taken every continent by storm for more than four decades. The golden thread that links the past through to the present and into the future is Andy Scott. His determination to maintain high standards with the band’s musical legacy and touring is legendary. The band today has an illustrious pedigree recreating “live” the high energy and soaring vocals associated with the SWEET sound that is the band’s trademark. SWEET are Andy Scott – guitar and vocals, Pete Lincoln – lead vocals and bass, Bruce Bisland – drums and vocals, Tony O’Hora – guitar, keyboards and vocals. 2013 sees SWEET commencing their ‘NYC World Tour’ in support of their latest smash studio album ‘New York Connection’. The tour kicks off in Europe in March 2013, with more dates in other territories to be announced soon.

To purchase SWEET – ‘Desolation Boulevard Revisited’ (digital download only):
https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/desolation-boulevard-revisited/id582459152
http://www.amazon.com/Desolation-Boulevard-Revisited-Live/dp/B00AFITEWC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1357380547&sr=8-1&keywords=desolation+boulevard+revisited

For more information: http://www.thesweet.com

Press inquires: Glass Onyon PR, Billy James, PH: 828-350-8158, glassonyonpr@gmail.com

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Website: www.glassonyonpublicity.wordpress.com

David Kilminster Releases Debut Solo CD ‘Scarlet – The Director’s Cut’

London, UK – Guitar virtuoso David Kilminster, best known for his work with Roger Waters and Keith Emerson, has released his debut solo CD titled ‘Scarlet – The Director’s Cut’. David’s radical techniques and mesmerizing sounds have captivated fans and fellow musicians alike worldwide. Named “Guitarist of the Year” by Guitar Magazine in 1991, the recognition propelled him on a super-charged career as a multifaceted guitarist, vocalist, writer, engineer, and producer. Credited by keyboard legend Keith Emerson for inspiring him to go on the road again, David is a familiar figure worldwide to fans of progressive rock. And now, much to the elation of his fans, David is releasing an innovative new CD that will amaze all who listen!!

Says David about his new CD, “I guess the album ‘Scarlet – The Director’s Cut’ is just a reflection of all the wonderful music that I grew up listening to on the radio, along with some deeply personal lyrics. It also represents the first time that I’ve ever been let loose in a studio, so I was definitely like a kid in a candy store!!! Hence trying a whole bunch of things I’ve never done before…like singing lead vocals, playing piano and even scoring for a string quartet!”

Fans and critics agree that David Kilminster is one of the most extraordinary talents to emerge from the UK. He is a sought after collaborator, band member and solo performer. After touring for a number of years with such luminaries as John Wetton, Geoff Downes, Carl Palmer, and ELP keyboard Keith Emerson, in 2006 David went on the road with Pink Floyd’s Roger Waters as lead guitarist and vocalist in the extraordinary global staging of ‘The Dark Side of the Moon’. More recently David was seen atop a thirty foot wall playing guitar on Roger Waters ‘The Wall – Live’ tour, which became the highest grossing tour of the year, playing to over 3 million people worldwide!!

David’s work is in a class by itself, encompassing technical mastery and enormous power. His vast musical influences are strongly felt on his new album. Says David, “I have a very eclectic list of influences. Musically, it’s anywhere from Debussy to Bjork, Chet Baker to Led Zeppelin, Bob Marley to Queen…it’s all in there, mixed up in my own unique way…” As far as the title goes, David explains, “I really love the provocative images that the word ‘Scarlet’ conjures up in my head… it’s a very passionate color, and brings to mind characters such as ‘Scarlet O’Hara’ in ‘Gone With The Wind’, ‘The Scarlet Woman’ (the goddess from the mystical system of Thelema), Scarlet Johansson (very cute!!)… and also the Sir Conan Doyle book ‘A Study In Scarlet’, which I believe is where Sherlock Holmes was first introduced. In a way the last reference seems particularly apt, as I feel like this album is my first real introduction into the world of music…”

In closing David has this to impart to his fans and listeners, “There’s so much of my heart, soul, passion and energy in this recording… you can almost see my DNA in the grooves of the CD!!! So I really hope you enjoy the listening experience…”

To purchase David Kilminster ‘Scarlet – The Director’s Cut’: http://www.cherryred.co.uk/shopexd.asp?id=3897

Also available on iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/scarlet-the-directors-cut/id578776042

For more information: http://davidkilminster.com/