Reviews roundup – Lordi vs. Arkansas Dave vs. George St Clair vs. Mick Kolassa vs. Yuka & Chronoship

Great review for George St.Clair

The Rocker

Reviews roundup – Lordi vs. Arkansas Dave vs. George St Clair vs. Mick Kolassa vs. Yuka & Chronoship

81zataz9wcl-_sl1500_LORDI
Sexorcism
AFM

Yeah, that cover is just so wrong. On so many levels.

No I seem to be the only person who thought “Monstereophonic (Theaterror vs. Demonarchy)” was an improvement on the previous couple of albums especially when they went proper old school metal on the B-side (ask yer Dad). Well they obviously liked it as well as they’ve upped the quotient of metal on this one and delivered one of their heaviest albums to date. Maybe it took a while to get the upheavals of the last few years out of their system but this is definitely a return to form. A slightly different form, mind, but it is good.

They’ve still got some monster choruses (hah!) but the riffs are harder, heavier and faster, all of which powers the…

View original post 985 more words

Things Are Looking Up by The Walk-A-Bout

Great Review for The Walk-A-Bout’s new release “Things Are Looking Up”

Oasis Entertainment

Things Are Looking Up is the second album by an Aussie-American Acoustic Driven Quintet from Long Island, New York called The Walk-A-Bout to be released on June 15, 2018.  This great album has the sounds of Rock, Jazz with some great ballad thrown in as seen with such tracks as the title track Things Are Looking Up, That’s The Way It Goes, Consequences, Drifting Tide and more.  I was impressed with the vocals and instrumental back up as well as how it was written, performed and recorded.  This album will be available for purchase on their website http://www.walkaboutband.com,  Amazon, Itunes and will update you when more outlets are found.

thewalk-a-bout-thingsarelookingup-cover2018

View original post

US Review: EMILY JOHNSON “OPEN YOUR HEART”

Screen Shot 2018-05-16 at 3.47.02 PM

 

For more information about OPEN YOUR HEART or live EMILY JOHNSON performances please visit her website: www.emilyjohnsonofficial.com

 

To order OPEN YOUR HEART on Digital Platforms worldwide please visit:

http://radi.al/EmilyJohnsonOYH

 

To see the video for the title song “OPEN YOUR HEART” please visit:

https://youtu.be/MlNusiSr-dI

Australian-American New York Rock Band THE WALK-A-BOUT to Release Sophomore Album THINGS ARE LOOKING UP with Ridge Hill Records

888295764629_square

 

For Immediate Release – Long Island, New York – Aussie-American acoustically driven rock ‘n’ roll quintet THE WALK-A-BOUT hail from the artistic East End of Long Island, New York. THE WALK-A-BOUT are releasing their sophomore album THINGS ARE LOOKING UP, produced by Andrew Michael Bertrand and mastered by Roger Lian, in stores and online worldwide on June 15, 2018. A limited edition 180-Gram Red Splatter Vinyl will also be available with the official album release. The band’s carefully crafted songwriting has allowed THE WALK-A-BOUT to explore the outer reaches of the orchestral atmosphere, and this dynamic new collection explores that avenue with a welcome pop appeal while maintaining their depth and introspection.

The album’s featured single “That’s Just the Way It Goes” will be airing on radio stations with a music video for the song launched to hundreds of broadcast video channels. Members of THE WALK-A-BOUT have worked with the likes of Bill Ortiz (Santana), Vince Welnick (The Tubes, The Grateful Dead), renowned jazz saxophonist David Murray, Earl “Chinna” Smith (Bob Marley and The Wailers), and Grammy winning film composer Alex Wurman. With something in their catalogue for every mood, whether it is a smooth island vibe, a high-stepping funk feel, or straight hard-driving rock, their music is visceral, emotional, fun, and easy.

After self-realized string master Kevin Anderson had composed a growing catalog of guitar vignettes over several years, fate brought him together with Australian singer/songwriter, blues harpist, and didgeridoo player Darren “Sully” Sullivan. Sully was the perfect songwriting partner to translate Kevin’s vision into the lyrical domain, and they began working together in the fall of 2015. At that time, as part of a crew on a ship, Sully penned his lyrics for the material while sailing around the world. He applied his very special brand of wordsmithing, creating imagery for Kevin’s original titles that spanned a wide range of subjects from heartbreak, to soul-searching, adventure, to introspection, to even the simple concept of enjoying being alive, permeating each musical piece with a special energy.

THE WALK-A-BOUT lineup moved closer to completion with a chance introduction to career drummer/producer Drew Bertrand in December 2015. Drew quickly acknowledged the unique nature of Kevin and Sully’s writing and began sculpting arrangements and cadence for every song, carefully recognizing the distinct identity of each piece. As the material coalesced, Drew called on his music business partner Michael Perrotta, multi-instrumentalist and co-owner of Ridge Hill Sound Studios, to come join the sessions and help craft arrangements. He was able to shape the harmonic relationships within each piece in a way that few musicians have such command of doing.

This proved to be the catalyzing factor that led to THE WALK-A-BOUT’s self-titled debut LP, which was recorded and launched independently on April 29th, 2017 on CD, Vinyl, and Digital formats. Recorded at Ridge Hill Sound Studios, the album boasts a multi-faceted exploration of moods, from the hard driving exclamation of the first single “Traveler,” to the introspective depth of “Look at the Moon,” to the funk energy of “Shakin’ It Up,” and beyond. The final track on the record, “Fortune Favors the Brave,” describes the overall message in all its epic grandeur. On August 24th, 2017, THE WALK-A-BOUT released a limited edition 12″ 45RPM single and B-side including the tracks “Drifting Tide” and “Oasis” called The Walk-A-Bout II, also recorded and mixed at Ridge Hill Sound Studios.

Following these first releases, local radio stations had very positive reactions, and it was apparent at any performances that people loved the band’s sound. After a benefit performance for one of the listener-sponsored stations that was airing their music, THE WALK-A-BOUT had yet another chance meeting with Dave Christian, a longtime musician friend of Drew’s. Dave quickly fell in love with their sound; he expressed interest in working together, and without question he was invited to play on the second release. The subsequent sessions proved that Dave’s influence on the sound was exactly what The Walk-A-Bout was looking for. His vocal and electric guitar contributions were ingredients that rounded out the sound on all the material the band had been recording and performing live. Fan reaction to Dave’s contribution has proven to increase the audience-band relationship during any performance to date.

THINGS ARE LOOKING UP is the second album from THE WALK-A-BOUT and will release in stores and online June 15, 2018. The album was primarily conceived in the studio during pre-production, with the songs on the record representing the momentum that the band was feeling during the time. The essence of urgency within the album was derived from the creative process in the studio and the perspective of lead singer Sully, who was back home in Australia at the time penning the lyrics. As the material was developed and tracked, Dave Christian, working with producer Drew Bertrand, offered his contributions to the recordings. This unique way of developing the record is reflected in the undeniable energy of the release.

THE WALK-A-BOUT will tour to support the album along the East and West Coasts throughout 2018, as well as Australia in February 2019.

 

 

For more information including tour dates or booking inquiries please visit:

www.walkaboutband.com

 

To Pre-Order THINGS ARE LOOKING UP on digital services please visit:

http://smarturl.it/TheWalk-a-Bout

 

To Pre-Order THINGS ARE LOOKING UP on Bandcamp please visit:

https://walkabout.bandcamp.com/

 

For Press and Interview inquiries please contact Billy James of Glass Onyon PR:

(828) 350-8158 or glassonyonpr@gmail.com

 

For Digital Marketing please contact Jerome Forney of Independent Distribution Collective:

jerome@independentdistro.com

 

Walkabout Cropped_Logo

 

 

Canada Review: EMILY JOHNSON “OPEN YOUR HEART”

Screen Shot 2018-05-16 at 3.39.14 PM

Screen Shot 2018-05-16 at 3.40.23 PM.jpg

 

For more information about OPEN YOUR HEART or live EMILY JOHNSON performances please visit her website: www.emilyjohnsonofficial.com

 

To order OPEN YOUR HEART on Digital Platforms worldwide please visit:

http://radi.al/EmilyJohnsonOYH

 

To see the video for the title song “OPEN YOUR HEART” please visit:

https://youtu.be/MlNusiSr-dI

Big Blend Radio Interview Podcast – EMILY JOHNSON “OPEN YOUR HEART”

Screen Shot 2018-05-16 at 3.28.08 PM

 

c466c-zz2bemily2bjohnson2bopen2byour2bheart

 

Listen to the Big Blend Radio conversation with singer-songwriter Emily Johnson “The Lady of Heart” who discusses her debut EP ‘Open Your Heart’, along with her music career and life in Europe.

 

 

Emily Johnson is a Bulgarian-born Nigerian singer, songwriter, and composer. Having performed around the world for many years, she has released OPEN YOUR HEART, her debut EP, with the help of Tarpan Records in the United States. This EP was produced by Narada Michael Walden and features 4 original songs.

 

For more information about OPEN YOUR HEART or live EMILY JOHNSON performances please visit her website: www.emilyjohnsonofficial.com

 

To order OPEN YOUR HEART on Digital Platforms worldwide please visit:

http://radi.al/EmilyJohnsonOYH

 

To see the video for the title song “OPEN YOUR HEART” please visit:

https://youtu.be/MlNusiSr-dI

 

 

 

I-Octane Trods on a Memorable “Love & Life” Journey, “Weh Di Fire Gone” Official Video Premiere!

I-Octane Trod’s on his “Love & Life” Journey !

Released on March 30th, 2018, International recording artist I-Octane third full length album “Love & Life” has given the crooner validation for his hard work not only from successful album sales, but rather for the feedback of love and support from fans, music lovers and the entertainment industry.

Debuting at #3 on the Reggae Billboard Chart, and presently still topping the top 10 chart, “Love & Life” album has offered breakthrough tracks of all genres. “Reggae pop is underrated in the industry. Those mellow drums and accompanying vibes beg for replay value, which is exactly what you get from Love and Life by I-Octane. Love and Life‘s many motions in one” – IndieBandGuru

Gearing up for a West Coast tour alongside twice GRAMMY nominated J-Boog, I-Octane has returned back home to Jamaica after successful Florida and New York Meet & Greets, paired with album released parties doubled as birthday celebration for the international billboard star. “The Love from fans is all I need for validation. EVERYONE CAN RELATE TO LOVE AND LIFE JOURNEY, that’s real. And for all the fans I have met on the way that say they relate to at least one song. Then I did my job!” – I-Octane
It wasn’t just the omnipresent Caribbean diaspora that clamored for the recording artist, but new market and new fans were introduced to his music and have taken heed to his charismatic personality, superb showmanship, catchy lyrics with hauntin melodies.

After “Love & Life” delivered the romantic “Let Me Love You” video and the conscious “One Chance” feat Ginjah, fans have eagerly awaited for more visuals off the hit filled album. Premiering at at SingersRoom.com on May 16th, 2018, I-Octane “Weh Di Fire Gone” was filmed on location in Kingston, Jamaica directed by Bling Blang Work.

Produced under his own production company Conquer The Globe Productions, and distributed by California based IDC, “Love & Life” album features 17 tracks with the addition of 2 bonus tracks, and is now available worldwide at smarturl.it/I-OctaneLoveandLife

 

Order Digital copies now at:

https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/love-life/1355196143

or

http://smarturl.it/I-OctaneLoveandLife

 

Order Physical CDs now at:

https://www.amazon.com/Love-Life-I-Octane/dp/B07B62TYYV/ref=sr_1_1_twi_aud_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1522349615&sr=8-1&keywords=i-octane+love+%26+life

 

 

 

Belgium Review: KARNEY “NO MERCY”

888915552377

 

https://rootstime.be/CD%20REVIEUW/2018/APR1/CD81.html

The bay of San Francisco, California is the daily habitat of the American singer and songwriter Anna Karney who has been recording records for 20 years and is performing under the name ‘Karney’. Four full-CDs and two EP’s later we arrive at another new release in the form of the twelve-track album “No Mercy”.

This album produced by Anna Karney herself is actually a collection of new songs and re-recorded versions of previously released songs. That choice came mainly because those older songs through the years through live performances had a completely different structure and dynamics that they wanted to incorporate in these new refreshed versions.

‘Karney’ is rocking like an early teen punk on the album title track and opening track “No Mercy”, just like the second song “Wild Green”. The contrast between the heavy guitar rock of some tracks like “I Got Mine”, “Speed Of A Bullet” or “I Got The Light” and the much quieter rock ballads like “Restless Wind”, “Not Lost”, “Beautiful Day” ( see video) and “Nine Lines (In The 21st Century)” is striking, but makes listening to this album very pleasant and varying.

Anna Karney herself has been influenced for her musical work by artists such as Chrissie Hynde, Sheryl Crow and Joni Mitchell and male fellow singer-songwriters such as John Lennon, Bob Dylan and Neil Young. In the studio recording of this album, Anna Karney could count on the instrumental support of some of the great names in the San Francisco music scene, such as guitarists Michael Doyle and James DePrato, bassists Kimon Manolius and Kevin White, drummer Jeff Herrera, trumpet player Bill Ortiz and saxophonist Paul Hanson.

(valsam)

 

For more information please visit Karney’s website at www.karney.org

 

To order “NO MERCY” on iTunes and Other Digital Retailers please visit:

http://smarturl.it/KarneyNoMercy

 

To order “NO MERCY” from Bandcamp please visit:

https://karney.bandcamp.com/album/no-mercy

 

Karney-No-Mercy-Facebook-BannerFIN

US Review: EMILY JOHNSON “OPEN YOUR HEART”

http://michaelsmusiclog.blogspot.com/2018/04/emily-johnson-open-your-heart-2018-cd.html

SATURDAY, APRIL 28, 2018

Emily Johnson: “Open Your Heart” (2018) CD Review

Emily Johnson is a singer and songwriter with a strong voice full of passion. On her debut EP, Open Your Heart, she delivers songs that feel like they’re about the healing and rejuvenating power of music and love, and these songs – particularly the first two tracks – are especially effective in these days of division and strife and troubles. On this EP she gives us positive, uplifting, empowering, and encouraging music, all tracks written by Emily Johnson and Narada Michael Walden. Narada Michael Walden, who has produced music for Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles, George Michael and Stevie Wonder (among others), produced and arranged these tracks, and played most of the instruments.

The EP opens with “The Light,” a pop love song with some gorgeous gospel sounds, especially in the backing vocals. They have that kind of passion, you know? Cornell “CC” Carter and DeeDee Simon provide the backing vocals on this track. There is joy and love in Emily Johnson’s delivery. “The light shines above me when I’m with you/The light in you gives me everything I need/When you hold me close and tell me that you love me/The light in you gives me everything I need.” I hope everyone can experience that kind of feeling, because it’s the very thing that keeps me going in these dark days of the Trump regime.
That’s followed by the EP’s title track, “Open Your Heart,” which has a steady beat, marching us toward a positive future. At least, that’s how it feels, and we all need this now. “Please stop denying yourself/Please stop blaming everybody else/You know we can make it better/We all can get it together.” The song acknowledges that hatred abounds these days, but offers hope and a reminder that there is a way out, a way above, that it’s all about heart. “Open your heart/Let it go, let it go/Open your mind/And change the world, change the world/Start to believe and you will see/As long as you love, you will be free.” Her delivery is heartfelt, and so her words carry weight, and we believe her. There is an optimism here that I want to latch onto. Chris Heist Walden plays keys on this track, and Jim Reitzel is on guitar. The backing vocals are again done by Cornell “CC” Carter and DeeDee Simon.
“I’m Blessed” is more of a dance song, with an electronic beat. I’m not as into it as I am the first two tracks, but it still has a positive vibe. This one was written by Narada Michael Walden, Gary Williams and Emily Johnson. G Dub provides some vocals. The EP then concludes with “Baby Forever” an innocent pop love song, with a happy sound. “Be my baby/Come on, hold me tight/Be my baby/Love me tonight, love me tonight.”
CD Track List
  1. The Light
  2. Open Your Heart
  3. I’m Blessed
  4. Baby Forever
Open Your Heart is scheduled to be released on May 11, 2018 on Tarpan Records.

Belgium Review: GEORGE ST. CLAIR “BALLADS OF CAPTIVITY AND FREEDOM”

Screen Shot 2018-04-25 at 3.19.48 PM

George St. Clair is an American folk singer and songwriter from Austin, Texas who has been living in the United Kingdom for several years to practice his daily profession of archaeologist and anthropologist. In his songs, the life of the past and of today is sung in simple and understandable terms.
The scene in which all these stories take place can be effortlessly devised by the listener himself, whether it is somewhere in the high mountains of West Texas or in the soothing surroundings of the vast meadow landscapes or the dry desert areas of his homeland. On his latest album “Ballads Of Captivity And Freedom” he brings twelve folk and country songs in which his new world in London seems to be covered in a few songs.
Opening song “Tularosa” (see acoustic live version on the video) sets the tone for what we are all offered afterwards on this great CD. George St.Clair has received instrumental assistance from album producer and bassist Ben Bernstein, keyboardist Kirby Hammel, guitarist and pedal steel player Dan Lebowitz and drummer Mike Stevens, while backing vocals were provided by Maya Abramson and Mark Estall. Together they created a broad orchestrated record that sounds very smoothly.
Other songs on “Ballads Of Captivity And Freedom” that have charmed us are “The Places Where They Prayed”, “Autumn 1889”, the cheerful up-tempo and “handclapsed” “Corridors” and country rock tune “Lie To Them”. Furthermore, it is also enjoying the songs “Cimarrones”, “New Mexico”, “Pedro Paramo” and album-closing “Talkin Mesquite”, inspired by the native country of his mother Mexico.
His Texan musical examples Townes Van Zandt and Guy Clark certainly have their influences in the music of this troubadour George St.Clair and that will remain very nice references until further notice. Whether he will be able to follow in the footsteps of these legendary artists with this record, the future should prove.
For more information or to order BALLADS OF CAPTIVITY AND FREEDOM please visit www.georgestclairmusic.com or http://smarturl.it/GeorgeStClairBCF

 

To order BALLADS OF CAPTIVITY AND FREEDOM from Bandcamp please visit georgestclair.bandcamp.com

 

 

GSC-Facebook3