Who Knew Charlie Shoe?

Damian Wilson is one of the greatest vocalists in metal - dating back to his work with Threshold and now with Headspace.  Somewhere in the middle he made some great music with Rick Wakeman.  His collaboration with Adam Wakeman began with Headspace (who are about to release their second album).Weir Keeper's Tale is an acoustic based album that features the two musicians in sparse arrangements.  Acoustic guitar and piano are the backdrop for Wilson's voice which is startling in its clarity.  Adam sings as well and he's fine vocalist that complements and harmonizes with Wilson as well.No technicality here - just pure melody and emotion.  Highly recommended.

Devin Townsend brings to you the Devolution Series: a grouping of oddities and interesting material that he would like people to hear, but that aren’t necessarily a ‘major release’. The series will include all the quarantine songs and concerts, as well as various live shows from the past few years. The first release, “Devolution Series #1 - Acoustically Inclined, Live in Leeds”, is a remixed and remastered version of the ‘Live in Leeds’ show that was originally included on the Empath Ultimate Edition as video asset. A cool acoustic show that deserves to be heard, now availble as audio version.

"Iconic guitarist Steve Hackett will release his new acoustic album, "Under A Mediterranean Sky", on January 22, 2021 as a limited CD digipak, gatefold 2LP + CD + LP-booklet and digital album via InsideOut Music. "Under A Mediterranean Sky" is Hackett's first acoustic solo album since "Tribute" in 2008 and takes inspiration from Steve's extensive travels around the Mediterranean with his wife Jo.Working closely with long-time musical partner Roger King, Hackett has used his time during 2020's lockdown to take us on an extraordinary musical journey around the Mediterranean, painting vivid images of stunning landscapes and celebrating the diverse cultures of the region. Famed for his rock roots with GENESIS, and through his extensive solo catalogue, Hackettdemonstrates the exquisite beauty of the nylon guitar at times venturing into the exotic ethnic and often supported by dazzling orchestral arrangements."A lot of acoustic ideas had been forming over the years, and it felt like the perfect time to create this album," notes Hackett, "a time to contemplate the places we've visited around the Mediterranean with the kind of music which evolved from the world of imagination."Because we can't really travel substantially at the moment, I hope that the album will take people on that journey. Whether you sit down and listen to it or drift off to it with a glass of wine…"Our journey around the Med begins on the island of Malta, in "Mdina - The Walled City". Its imposing strength is portrayed by Roger King's dramatic orchestration while Hackett's guitar weaves through the atmospheric streets describing the creativity, love and strength that held Malta together between all the waves of conflict.With Hackett's delicate guitar work, "Adriatic Blue" paints an enchanting view of stunning scenery as tall cliffs of forested mountains plunge into the deep blue sea along the Croatian coastline. "Sirocco" is altogether more atmospheric, inspired by the winds playing through the imposing structures of Egypt.The lively "Joie De Vivre" expresses the unique sense of joy the French have through their wine, food and folk music, with paintings reflecting family gatherings, spectacular vistas and the vibrant colours of their cities. The art of dreaming is embodied in their sensual love of life."At first hand, I've marveled at the mystical whirling Dervishes," says Hackett. Along with otherworldly beings such as the Djin (Genie) they sprang from Persia's dreaming past. "The Dervish And The Djin" captures the extraordinary atmosphere of this most exotic of civilizations with the help of Hackett's touring band regular — Rob Townsend's soprano sax, the tar of Malik Mansurov (from Azerbaijan) and Armenian Arsen Petrosyan's duduk. "Of course, those countries are virtually at war with each other," Hackett adds, "and there has been something like a thousand casualties (at the time of writing) on both sides. Again, it's a case of music being able to do things that politicians fail to do — something constructive.""The Memory Of Myth" embodies the deep and rich history of Greece and features the violin of Christine Townsend (no relation) while "Lorato" — "love" in the language of the African Tswana tribe — is a pretty folk tune. Love is the force that heals and links all disparate peoples of the Mediterranean.Hackett and his wife Jo were enchanted by the little Faun statue in the House of the Faun, Pompeii. "The villas there seemed to come back to life as we walked through those wonderful atriums and gardens," inspiring "Casa Del Fauno" and featuring the light and airy flute of Hackett's brother John and Rob Townsend on flute.The only non-original piece is Domenico Scarlatti's "Sonata". This embodies the Baroque music of Italy, a sensitive interpretation embellished with cross-string trills, a technique introduced to Hackett by the fine classical guitarist, the late Theo Cheng.Hackett also expresses his admiration for the flamenco guitarists of Andalucía who are celebrated on Andalusian Heart. "One of the flamenco guitarists was showing me the extraordinary things they are able to do,” Hackett explains. "Seeing the gypsies playing and dancing in caves there, you get the feeling that these people are dancing for their lives."Our journey comes to an end with "The Call Of The Sea", a gentle and peaceful reflection of the vast body of water that unites the many civilisations both ancient and modern."Under A Mediterranean Sky" features Steve Hackett playing nylon, steel string and twelve-string guitars, charango and Iraqi oud. Keyboards, programming and orchestral arrangements are by Roger King. Featured musicians are John Hackett and Rob Townsend, flute ("Casa Del Fauno"); Malik Mansurov, tar and Arsen Petrosyan, duduk and Rob Townsend, Sax("The Dervish And The Djin"); Christine Townsend, violin ("The Memory of Myth" and "The Call Of The Sea"). All tracks were produced by Steve Hackett and Roger King with all tracks recorded and mixed by Roger King at Siren."I had a great time doing this album, seeing it take shape, and I'm very pleased with the outcome. I'm very proud of it," says Hackett. "The nylon guitar has a very individual sound but, within the compass of what the nylon-strung guitar can do, there are a lot of different tones. You can do the full-on attack, the kind of salvo that you expect from the flamenco players but, at the same time, it can also be very gentle, gentle as a harp. It's shades of black and white. It's also exciting to play alongside instruments from around the world, as well as a wide range of orchestral sounds.""

Devin Townsend brings to you the Devolution Series: a grouping of oddities and interesting material that he would like people to hear, but that aren’t necessarily a ‘major release’. The series will include all the quarantine songs and concerts, as well as various live shows from the past few years. The first release, “Devolution Series #1 - Acoustically Inclined, Live in Leeds”, is a remixed and remastered version of the ‘Live in Leeds’ show that was originally included on the Empath Ultimate Edition as video asset. A cool acoustic show that deserves to be heard, now availble as audio version.

"Think of Dorian Sorriaux and one instantly brings to mind the quiet, studious guitar player on stage with his band Blues Pills. He’s lost in the music as he delivers some of the most emotive playing ever from someone so young. A mass of curls, Gibson Les Paul strapped over his shoulder, a hint of Paul Kossoff. Watching him play, and listening to him talk, you knew that there was more to him than the stylish blues rock of Blues Pills. His admiration of singer songwriters like Neil Young, John Martyn, and Tim Buckley is well documented, so a solo acoustic EP doesn’t come as too much of a surprise, but the quality of his vocals certainly do.‘Hungry Ghost’ is four tracks long. A gentle, pleasant four tracks. The aura of Neil Young looms large, with Dorian Sorriaux sounding, uncannily in places, like the Canadian legend. Young has a distinctive, honest, and world weary voice, and Sorriaux shows some of the same qualities.Beginning with some gentle acoustic picking on ‘Huitoto’, Sorriaux transports the listener to a blissful place. With the vocal and guitar parts recorded live, it’s very relaxed. A refreshing lack of pretence (a rare quality in singer-songwriters these days) means that as the personal narrative unfolds, it remains pure. The majority of singer-songwriters today leave me cold, and the charts are full of dullards with acoustic guitars. On the atmospheric ‘Hungry Ghost’, and the uplifting ‘Need To Love’, Dorian Sorriaux manages to purvey more emotion than a stadium full of Ed Sheerans. Then there is the haunting closing track, ‘Hello My Friend’. Not ideal for a long drive as it will totally chill you out, but perfect late night listening.  Sorriaux’s voice is a revelation. It’s like that moment when the quiet kid at the back of the class suddenly speaks, and the entire class stop and turn." - Devils Gate Media

"1st Time Ever available!Oregon, formed in 1970, comprised Ralph Towner (classical and 12-string guitars), Paul McCandless (oboe and English horn), Glen Moore (double bass) and Collin Walcott (sitar and tabla). The band's music has always been almost totally acoustic. ''Acoustic instruments sound more expressive to me,'' Towner explained to Jazzwise magazine (UK) in September 1997. He further explained his guitar style: ''With classical guitar [you're] using all the fingers of your right hand to pluck which means you can be sounding anything from two to five notes in exact unison, rather than a strum.'' As well as their core instruments, Towner has played trumpet, synths and piano with the band, McCandless bass clarinet and flute, Moore flute and violin and Walcott clarinet and dulcimer. To name but some. "At one time we were carrying eighty instruments on the road!" McCandless has said. The combining of instruments from disparate musical traditions and the musicians' range of influences meant that 'jazz' was always an inadequate label for the band. ''Live In Bremen 1974'' documents Oregon at their mesmerizing best. The interplay between the four players is stunning and on each piece mood and texture are ever-changing, yet always following an aesthetic logic that seems irrefutable. ''Live In Bremen 1974'', however, is a reminder of a band that made music that had never been heard before, that had never been imagined before. One track is titled ''Brujo'', Spanish for ''sorcerer.'' Truly, Towner, McCandless, Moore and Walcott were musical sorcerers whose playing retains its power to enchant not only the band's original fans but even, surely, anyone lucky enough to be hearing the band for the very first time."