>> On Demand
Interview Downloads
The big, regular season programming show
was planned a few months in advance. It was a big undertaking and the
first of its kind at the college. The plan
was to have a live show at the College as part of the new Gagliarchives
Concert Series. It was very special. Radio Massacre International was to
perform live. It was a
magical night that reinforced the strength and power of the �live�
show. RMI was incredible and hypnotic. Their set was almost 2 hours and
the limited audience loved every minute of it. We had the band in the
studio for an interview as well. They played shows in Philadelphia, on
Star's End, and in Baltimore with rave reviews. Violinist Cyndee Lee Rule
of Scattered Planets joined them as well. Radio Massacre International did
not have a drum kit for this show, but it was still just as great as
anything I have ever heard from them. I have invited them again to
play down the road which they happily obliged. Carol Rogalski, Jack and
Ryan Webster, and Brett Holcomb along with the A/V department at BCC were
a big help as well. All of our staff were a big help that ultimately
pulled off the show that was easier than expected. PART
1 & PART 3 ARE LARGE FILES. Track
1 and 3 exceed 30 minutes a piece.
This was a fantastic show. You can visit Radio Massacre International's website by clicking here.
- Radio Massacre International Part 1
- Radio Massacre International Part 2
- Radio Massacre International Part 3
To kick off the month of September, we
featured an interview with drummer/singer/composer Simon Collins. The
apple doesn't fall far from the tree. Simon was a buzz in the prog rock
world in 2007 with his rendition of his father's band recording of the
1981 Genesis Abacab song Keep It Dark. This was a colorful interview where
we spot lit his budding solo career and his deep respect for the music of
Genesis and of course, his father, Phil Collins. Simon
was born on
September 14, 1976 in Hammersmith, London and currently resides in
Vancouver, Canada. Simon has inherited his father's ability as a
performer, composer and musician on drums, piano and vocals. Since the age
of fourteen he has been composing and producing his own material on the
path of his own solo career. In 2000 Simon relocated from his home in
Vancouver, Canada to Germany where his debut album "All of Who You
Are" released on WEA Records immediately entered the German charts.
His recent album Time For Truth was also a big buzz globally as well. We
discussed his upcoming recording which is leaning a bit towards the more
quote en quote 'experimental progressive' which will feature some
surprises including one Genesis band mate Steve Hackett. All in all, Simon
was an absolute pleasure to have on the show and was very real and down to
earth. I enjoyed his admiration for his father, his awareness of the environment,
his love of music, and his deep respect for Genesis. His sound makes the
21st century exciting for fans of the future sound of progressive rock.
This was a personal favorite of the year. You can visit Simon Collins current page by clicking here.
Old friend to the program Trey
Gunn chatted with us recently to talk about his new collaborative
project with Joe Mendelson (Rise Robots Rise) called Quodia.
The new CD/DVD titled The Arrow is
haunting piece of genius. When we featured it, our audience was mesmerized
by its fluidity. Quodia is a performing
group that uses multi-media tools to tell stories. Established by Trey
and Joe in 2003, Quodia tours throughout the world combining the mediums
of music, film, sound design, literature and theater into a comprehensive
and immersive performance experience. Trey explains and compares how the
global audience reacts to the performances and the contrasts culturally as
well. As the bio explains: Their approach
to storytelling is mythological and archetypical driven by high tech
tools: laptops, keyboard, electronic percussion, the Warr guitar, video
projectors and a massive screen.
This was an exciting interview with Trey sharing what he's doing currently as well. We admire Trey and he truly has been one of our favorite guests over the years. His passion and dedication to his craft is unstoppable and shows in his work. Find out more about Quodia by clicking here.
I have to give a special thanks to Lori Hehr, and Trey Gunn
You can also visit Trey's website by clicking here.
Vic Stevens is a drummer that has been a
part of our program for many years. Be it
in Gongzilla, Bon Lozaga, the powerful McGill/Manring/Stevens or his numerous
sessions and outstanding solo work, Vic is one of the best. His new album 
titled
If People Could Talk is a must get for
2007. This new disc takes the listener on a journey throughout different
levels of his artistic palette. Tracks like Circle
and Kaos show the different sides of
not only his compositional prowess, but his ability to touch you
emotionally with the subtleties. This was Vic's first trip to our studios
and it was great set. We touched
on his past teachers, Kenwood Dennard, Frankie Malabe, Roberta Petacia,
Joe Morello, Barry Altschul, Peter Erskine and Lenny White. We also discussed
recent work on the live and recording circuit with people like Pat
Martino, Dave Fiuczynski, Allan Holdsworth, Andreas Oberg, Scott McGill,
David Torn, Alex Domschot, Gongzilla, bass greats Marc Johnson, Percy
Jones, Michael Manring, Dave Carpenter, pianists Otmaro Ruiz, Marian
Petrescu, Jordan Rudess, Jim Ridl, Tamir Hendelman, Kuno Schmid, Nat
Adderley Jr., percussion legends Louie Balzo, Jos� Madera, singers Maria
Muldur, David Clayton Thomas, Helen Reddy, Bobby Rydel, Miles Jaye, Tony
Desare, Bobbi Eakes, and Grammy award winning producers Neil Kernon (Hall
& Oats, Yes, Brand X) and Joe Donofrio (Pat Martino).Vic
also talked about his Giant
Steps Recording studio returning back home to New Jersey after
spending some time in Colorado with his operation. It was a great time for
a great album. You can visit Vic's website at http://www.vicstevens.com
where you can pick up the new disc as well.
I have to give a special thanks to Ken Golden, and Vic Stevens
You can visit Vic's website by clicking here.
Patrick Moraz, keyboardist/composer
extraordinaire stopped down to visit us in our studios on a warm spring
night. He brought along a ton of surprises and rarities as we also
featured his recently remastered and reissued discs of his extensive
catalog. We touched on his time with Refugee, Mainhorse, Yes, his
work with Bill Bruford, and his great solo memories. Rob and Voiceprint
records said this: Swiss born
Patrick Moraz is probably best known in rock music circles as the man who
played with two of the world�s biggest rock bands. Firstly with Yes
recording the album Relayer and touring extensively with the band between
1974 and 1976. Following this stint with Yes Patrick would go on to join
another legendary band the Moody Blues. Patrick stayed with the band
between the years 1978 and 1991 touring the world extensively and
contributing to a number of successful albums. Patrick
has also been a member of the progressive rock band Mainhorse forming the
band with bassist Jean Ristori in 1969 and releasing one self titled album
in 1970. Following that his next port of call would be Refugee where he
joined forces with two former members of the Nice. This band also released
one critically acclaimed self titled album before Patrick left to join
Yes.Patrick�s career however
would it seem be pre ordained. As a child Patrick would have been
considered a musical prodigy and whilst he became adept at a number of
instruments it was the piano where Patrick excelled to the extent that he
was named �Best Young Soloist� at the prestigious Zurich Jazz festival
in 1961. Similar awards came Patrick�s way in 1963 and 1965 which led
him to performing with some of the great jazz artists of the time
including the legendary John Coltrane at various European jazz festivals.
By the time of the release Patrick�s
debut solo album in early 1976 Patrick was firmly installed as the
keyboard player in Yes. Following the release of Relayer all the members
of Yes embarked on solo projects thus ensuring that The Story Of I
received maximum coverage in the music press. Following
the release of this album Patrick returned to touring duties with Yes
before leaving during the sessions for the follow up album to Relayer.
Patrick then released his second solo album
in 1977(Out In The Sun) before joining with the Moody Blues a partnership
that lasted until 1991. During this time and beyond Patrick has recorded
and released a number of solo and collaborative albums including works
with another former member of Yes drummer Bill Bruford. In late 2005
Patrick signed a new distribution deal with Voiceprint which will oversee
the release of his entire back catalogue of solo albums and also include
albums from Mainhorse and Refugee.
I have to give a special thanks to Mack Maloney (i owe you 2 cheesesteaks now) Carol Rogalski, Phyllis Weitzel, and of course a long time favorite guest, Patrick Moraz.
You can visit Patrick Moraz's website by clicking here.
(You can also read this from our top 10 of 2006 review at ghostland.com by clicking here.)
One week during the summer a package
comes in an envelope. Not a jewel case, but an envelope. On the package
and letter, my staffer writes, you will love this. Uh, ok. Who are they?
As I sat and listened the first thought that came to mind was �large�.
This band is going to blow minds. This CD will have the same im
pact
Frances The Mute from The Mars Volta had when it was released. Everyone
jumped on the wagon after that, and the rest is history. Hailing from
England, and dealing with line up changes over the years, Pure Reason
Revolution made proggers cheer in 2006 with a new sound. Great guitar
work, lyrics reminiscent of another great British early space rock band
(hint, hint) and music that is sturdy and professional enough to garner
them an invite to the upcoming North East Art Rock Festival. Even with the
pseudo Pink Floyd references, it wasn�t the first thing I got off this
disc. What raised eyebrows with me was the clear fact they were picked up
by Sony in England. Huh? Faintly prog stuff on a major label? That still
happens? At any rate, The Dark Third
is a concept album about the conscious life we live, interwoven with our
colorful dream world. Critics have called them �New Prog�, �Astral
Folk�, �the new Beach Boys� (?). I just call them a really good
modern space rock band that is on the fringes of accessible without
compromising what their obvious roots are. Chloe Alper completes the
package with great vocals and hypnotizing beauty. The
Dark Third deserved to be number one in 2006, clearly. It was
the favorite of so many trying so hard to find something different. I can
only hope the album that follows will be as memorable as this.
Guitarist/vocalist Jon Courtney joined us to talk about the band, their
upcoming NEARFest performance, and what's on tap for the project. You can visit
Pure Reason Revolution's website by clicking here.
Steve Hackett
joined us to discuss his latest offering titled Wild
Orchids. This was our review from the top 100 of 2006: Back in
1999, it seemed as if Steve Hackett
had gone through a metamorphosis. Darktown in
1999 showed that Steve could not only rebound with a progressive rock
album in a modern flair, but have it be quality both compositionally and
sonically. Granted, his post releases of studio outings such as To Watch
The Storms in 2003 and Metamorpheus in 2005
were wonderful, but he returned in 2006 with a punch and even a nod to his
previous days. Steve is joined by keyboardist and old friend Nick Magnus,
who is superb on this, along with Steve�s brother John, and another
appearance from the Underworld Orchestra featured on Metamorpheus.
Steve is also joined by current band mates Roger King on keys, programming
& rhythm guitar, Rob Townsend on sax, flute, tin whistle & bass
clarinet, and Gary O�Toole on drums & vocal harmonies. With tracks
like �To A Close� and �She Moves In Memories�, Steve yet again
shows his captivating way of being moving in subtle ways, while �Ego And
ID�, a personal favorite, shows just how dark he can be. Steve also does
a great Bob Dylan cover in �Man In The Long Black Coat�. Wild
Orchids raised eyebrows in 2006 with our listeners, our weekly top
20, and ultimately, the voters of the top 100 poll of 2006. Thank god he
doesn�t take a decade between releases!! You can visit Steve Hackett's website by clicking
here.
Guitar legend
John McLaughlin joined us for a 2 part radio special to discuss his
excellent
new album titled Industrial Zen. The new disc
features musicians such as Gary Husband (Drums and keyboards); Vinnie
Colaiuta (Drums); Dennis Chambers (Drums); Mark Mondesir (Drums); Hadrian
Feraud (Bass); Matthew Garrison(Bass); Tony Grey (Bass); Zakir Hussain (Tablas);
Shankar Mahadevan (vocals); Ada Rovatti (Soprano and Tenor Sax); Marcus
Wippersberg (Drum Programming); Otmaro Ruiz (Synthesizer); Bill Evans
(Soprano Sax); and Eric Johnson (Guitar). John discusses his time in the
Mahavishnu Orchestra, the recent tributes to him and the Mahavishnu
Orchestra, in both audio and literature, and his recent recordings
including future plans. Industrial Zen is clearly the finest release of
the year. His disc is available at Abstract Logix, and you can visit John
McLaughlin's website by clicking here.
| Other Items of Note |
|
|