Camel News: Latimer health, new DVD, new album!

One of the most commented posts I've ever put up here had to do with the health of Camel guitarist/vocalist Andrew Latimer. It's thus that I feel very happy posting this bit of excerpts from the most recent Camel Productions eBeast newsletter:

Andrew's Health

This is officially the last time we will talk about Andrew's health. The bone marrow transplant has been a complete success, and I think the dark days are well and truly behind us. As I've said in past newsletters, he continues to have some challenges to face, but he is a strong-willed individual, and he will find way to overcome them. So, it's no longer about health problems. It's about the music...

The Opening Farewell

Andrew and Denis have now finished work on the DVD, and Denis has completed mixing the audio. Once all editing and mastering is complete, we'll send the masters off to the plant and it will be a matter of weeks before it's on sale in our shop.

Track listing:

Lady Fantasy
Lunar Sea
Unevensong
Another Night
Hymn to Her
Ice
Echoes
Spirit of the Water
Stationary Traveller
Slow yourself Down
Drafted
Mother Road
Rhayader
Rhayader goes to town
For Today

Time: 2 hrs 7 mins
Format: NTSC*
Region: 0 (no restrictions)
(*This format will play on all equipment enabled for NTSC)

It would be hard to believe this was from 2003 had we not been through such an intense passage of time since then. In my darkest hour, I had not wanted to even consider releasing it posthumously. And so, it is with tremendous pleasure, that I announce the pending release of this DVD.

In The Meantime...

In between work on the DVD, Andrew and Denis have been writing material for the next Camel album. It is still in an embryonic state, but the two seem to be expanding their musical relationship and lots of good sounds have been emitting from the studio of late. No definitive dates are going to be announced until a cohesive body of work has been created. However, I think it safe to say that a Camel album is in the future and I, for one, am just about breathless with anticipation.

Let the hype commence...

Since I wasn't around yesterday afternoon...

http://twitter.com/PTOfficial

Steven Wilson / Mikael Akerfeldt collaboration working album title is Storm Corrosion. Don't expect any metal on this one.

THE ENID: a letter from Robert John Godfrey

By now it’s pretty obvious that I’m a huge fan of The Enid.

Because of that, I am sharing this message that Robert John Godfrey sent out. If you’re a fan of the band, the best way you can support the group is to take his words to heart. The Enid are getting ready to do some very impressive things, and it’s up to the fan base to help them along their way.

Anyway, enough of me. Here’s his post:


“JOURNEY’S END PIRATED BOOTLEGS

Innersanctum have finally bootlegged Journey’s End. This is obviously very upsetting for the band but entirely predictable as Gerald Palmer makes his position evermore untenable.

This is clearly nothing more than a spiteful act of desperation in an attempt to bully and damage the band.

As we review the position, it is now clear that Gerald, in spite of his wealth, is losing both the moral and legal battle with The Enid.

In the last year he and Steve Kalidoski have by their own hands destroyed the reputation of the Innersanctum label and the wider name of Adasam, the company Gerald named after his two young sons.


WE ARE STRONGER

As time goes on The Enid grow ever stronger and more able to fight back whilst Palmer has revealed himself for all the world to see.

For the time being, my one time friend is in denial. However, it is now only a matter of time before he will have to face the inevitable and hopefully walk away with some semblance of dignity whilst he still can.


A NEW DEVELOPMENT

In a new development, the band have obtained conclusive evidence of fraud and false accounting involving Gerald Palmer that may go back many years and involve many other artists. Investigations are in hand.


OPTIMISTIC

Overall we are optimistic – Thanks largely to the efforts of our manager Ian Eardley, and a fresh band with its new Journey’s End lineup, we have more going for us than at any time in our long and bumpy ride. From our modest beginnings we have come full circle in our relationship with EMI, who played such an important role in the early years and who have been quite splendid in all of this.

What we now need to do is to try and persuade EMI to take on the distribution of Journey’s End for us as they originally agreed before Palmer managed to make them nervous; at which point they put everything on hold.

We are holding our own financially and are stronger than we were a year ago: nevertheless, things are still very difficult with large legal bills to pay.


HOW YOU CAN HELP
For those of you who have not already done so, please join The Enidi in its new form and buy the two new marvelous releases of In the Region of the Summer Stars and Aerie Faerie Nonsense in all their long lost glory.

Go to the links below and provide us with any useful information you think may helpful.

See you all, I hope, during the course of the coming months as we prepare to tour around the world.

The whole band sends their warmest regards.



Yours sincerely,

Robert John Godfrey”

http://www.theenid.co.uk/
http://www.theenid.co.uk/enidshop

Univers Zero News

from the band's mailing list:

Hello UZ-friends,

We have some very exciting news. Andy Kirk is back and Univers Zéro will be performing as a two-keyboards band from now on.

We are planning to start to record our new CD, Clivages, in May.

Several gigs are schedule for 2009 already

March 2009 Concert Dates (some to be confirmed, yet)
• Würzburg / Germany (CAFE CAIRO) March 17th
• Linz/ Austria (POSTHOF) March 19th
• Praha/ Czec Republic (PALAC AKROPOLIS) March 20 th Tickets:
http://web.ticketstream.cz/czts/presentation.event.jsp?event=30020
• Dresden/ Germany (JAZZWELTEN) March 21th
• Wroclaw/ Poland March 22, Gothic Hall - 1 Purkyniego Street in Wroclaw. (4th Energy and Sound festival, 21-25 March)

We are looking for dates in Germany, 15 or 16 and 23/24/25. Please if you have interest to book Univers Zero in Germany or in region nearby, contact us at
universzerocontact@yahoo.com

April 2009 Univers Zéro in Mexico
Mexico:
• Puebla Baroque Fringe Festival the 18 in Puebla (outdoors)
• Teatro de la Ciudad Mexico City the 19
• Ecatepec (festival) 24

June -
• Les Tritonales, Le Triton, les Lilas, France 12 and 13 June, 2009
www.letriton.com
11 bis, rue du Coq Français - 93260 LES LILAS (Métro Mairie des Lilas) tél : 01 49 72 83 13 - fax : 01 49 72 83 11 - email : contact@letriton.com

September
Univers Zéro will also be playing at RIO Festival 2009 September 20

more info here
http://www.rocktime.org/rio/

We are planning to play with Present at the end of the festival as a single band. We hope it works out!

Also:

An Italian booking agency has agreed to work for some dates around the in the beginning of the next year. If you are in Italy and want to have Univers Zero at your venue, please contact:

Syncretic Srl.
Viale dei Quattro Venti, 166 - 00152 Roma (Italia)
(Loredana Miarelli)
tél: 347/9018466
lorimia@hotmail.it

Our friend Jaak Geebelen shot some marvelous photos from our last concert in Nivelles. take a look at them in the link below. Some of them are widespread in our site as well.

http://jaak56.myphotoalbum.com/view_album.php?set_albumName=album180&page=1

More news soon!

Ayreon Update!

From his Myspace bulletin:

There's not been much news from us lately, but don't let that fool you. There has been a bustle of feverish activity going on behind the scenes here at the Electric Castle. With this update from ArjenLucassen.com we're excited to officially announce the details of Arjen's new project, Guilt Machine.

GUILT MACHINE
Arjen Lucassen: instruments, backing vocals
Jasper Steverlinck (Arid): vocals
Chris Maitland (ex Porcupine Tree): drums
Lori Linstruth (ex Stream of Passion): lead guitar

As Ayreon fans have come to expect from Arjen, the music of Guilt Machine ranges from dark and heavy to atmospheric and melancholic. But Guilt Machine introduces some new twists as well, particularly when it comes to the vocals. Rather than putting together an ensemble cast of vocalists from the prog, rock and metal scene, Arjen has enlisted the talents of a single alternative rock vocalist, Jasper Steverlinck.

How did Arjen get an alternative rock vocalist to switch genres and sing on a prog rock project? "In the beginning it was hard to convince Jasper to sing on this album, because he comes from a completely different musical background. He didn't even know what prog was, but we've made a believer out of him! What I admire about Jasper's voice, besides its beautiful clear timbre, is the emotion and credibility he puts into his performance and his enormous range. Because this project features just one singer I needed someone versatile enough to portray all of the different moods, and Jasper didn't disappoint. And he's a really nice and dedicated guy as well!"

For Guilt Machine Arjen also chose to record with a different drummer, Chris Maitland (ex Porcupine Tree). "Chris was the ideal choice this time, having both the power for the heavy sections and the subtle touch needed in the more atmospheric parts."

Rather than the explicit storyline you would expect in an Ayreon release, the songs of Guilt Machine revolve around a central theme. Instead of looking outward into a world of fantasy or science fiction, the songs look inward, exploring the destructive psychology of guilt, regret and the darkest form of secret -- the secrets we hide from ourselves. "At first I asked my partner and personal manager Lori to quickly write scratch lyrics for one of the songs so I could record some guide vocals. I was so impressed by what she produced that I asked her to write the lyrics for all the songs. I was unable myself to create the type of darkly enigmatic, open-ended lyrics I wanted for these songs, my specialty being sci-fi lyrics about sinister aliens ;-) She definitely gave the songs an extra dimension with her lyrics, exorcising the demons we both had faced in the past few years. It's also no secret that I've always been a big fan of her melodic guitar style, so she also plays all the guitar solos on this album."

Despite these differences, Guilt Machine still has much in common with Ayreon. The songs are mainly long, "epic" tracks that feature dynamic contrasts between softer, dreamy sections and powerful, heavy passages. There are intricate harmonies, complex rhythms, soaring melodies, and an eclectic selection of instruments -- all what you'd expect from an Ayreon release.

"In my view this is my best side project so far. It comes completely from the heart, for it was written and recorded during a new inspiring phase in my life after my heavy depression. This being an entirely new project there were no expectations whatsoever, which enabled me to just let my inspiration guide me without any (outside) pressure."

Stay tuned in the coming weeks for music previews and other updates about Guilt Machine!

Caravan: The Future?

This from the official Caravan news site...not a promising post, sadly:

I can confirm that Jan Schelhaas has moved to Scotland and now lives outside Perth. While this makes collaboration between Pye (Hastings) and Jan a tantalising prospect, it dampens the possibilities of Caravan regrouping, as the costs of meeting up to rehearse and tour are more or less prohibitive.

Pye also feels that a guitarist would be essential, and finding the right person would take a huge commitment of time and energy. Doug (Boyle) regretfully does not wish to play live (although he and Pye are on good terms, having met in London fairly recently). Added to that is the on going question about Richard's (Coughlin) ability to be able to cope with a series of dates.

The best prospect at present therefore is to look forward to releases by individual band members. Jan's very good album is out and Pye is beginning to reflect on who he would like to support him on his solo album, which he is working on. He is keen to involve members of the band...

Alan Reed (Pallas) update

Just in this morning via the official Pallas mailing list:

"Dear all,

Just back from Munich where - in a bid to alleviate the boredom while I wait for the latest work in progress from Aberdeen's 'Tuesday Night Music Club" - I've just spent a couple of days singing on yet another album.

This time I added my throaty warble to a number of songs on the forthcoming album by Parzifal's Eye. It's the solo project of RPWL bass-player Chris Postl, and apart from myself (and Chris, obviously) there are contributions from various members of the Alan Parsons Project and a guitarist whose name I can't pronounce, but who is frankly astounding. I can also absolutely, positively, and emphatically confirm that the album is a Nolan and Jowitt free zone!!! (and there aren't many of those :-) I think JJ offered to play some cowbell, but he's been turned down).

More details (and possibly some photos) on the Pallas blog page soon.

Alan"

Jimmy Carl Black (Mothers of Invention) news

From Eugene Chadbourne's home page, http://www.eugenechadbourne.com/:

"There is no easy way to put this, my best friend and longtime partner Jimmy Carl Black is dying of cancer. He had a tumor removed from one of his lungs after we got back from our tour of Japan. That turned out to be the final Jack and Jim Tour.

Cancer was found in his lungs, then it was detected in both kidneys and brain. He has retired completely from the music business and is staying at home with his wife Moni. One can lend support to his medical bills and general quality of life in this situation by visiting THE JIMMY CARL BLACK GIFT SHOP at www.cafepress.com/jimmycarlblack.

I am here to tell you that Jimmy Carl is one of the greatest guys I have ever known. I will never forget my wonderful times with him. Being able to play guitar on top of his backbeat and teach him the things I have learned about self-publishing have to be among the highlights of my career."

The Enid news...

A bit of bubbling activity at The Lodge with the Enid finally...a year after releasing a few rehearsal clips on their website, Robert John Godfrey has issued forth a few more tantalising tidbits of info for the long patient faithful Enidi...

Read it all HERE.

Some highlights (any time you see "I" below, please remember this is Robert John Godfrey speaking, not yr. obd't blogger):

I have added a great rehearsal recording of "Dark Hydraulic" featuring Jason Ducker on Guitar and Dave Story on Drums. Not perfect but exciting I hope...

It looks like the new band will start touring in earnest from Feb 2009. However there are going to be quite a few low profile warm gigs before then. I am rather rusty and the younger band members need to get used to the way we do things...

A little bit about the new Album (Far Out - Working Title):

The following topics form the underling dynamic of The Enid's long awaited and still incomplete album - but I have now crossed the Rubicon with this task and I can be certain it will be finished, God willing.

The music itself paints a hopeful vision of a post-apocalyptic future. In fact this is the most optimistic music I have ever composed.

Yet it is also a warning - a picture of what the future can be but only if we are prepared to make the sacrifices now in order to have it. It could also be prediction of what we will never amount to - A Bridge Too Far.

Blog News Update

Hello all.

A few days ago, I mentioned the '10 Questions With...' project getting off the ground. In fact, it started earlier today with our interview with Dave Kerman. I mentioned in that post a few days ago that there were several other people I was awaiting word from, and at this point, I'd like to tease a little more with some additional players who will be sitting down with me in a virtual, cyber-interview kind of way:

Brett Kull (echolyn, Grey Eye Glances)
Greg Jones (Pinnacle drummer)
Simon Gannett (Mirthrandir keyboardist)
Mark and Henry Ptak (Advent keyboardists)

As always, there'll be more to come, so watch this space. Remember we have an RSS feed (link at the very bottom of this page), so if you use a feed reader, you should be able to get notification of new posts as they go up.

Thanks for your continued reading.

Yes tour canceled

NEW YORK, NY, JUNE 4, 2008 -– Legendary rock band Yes announced today that the group will unfortunately be canceling their 2008 40th Anniversary Tour. The 26-city tour was scheduled to kick off in Quebec next month and run through the summer.

Said Jon Anderson, “In the wake of my recent respiratory attack, doctors have advised me to spend the coming months resting and recovering. Unfortunately, this means I won't be able to tour with Yes this summer as originally planned. I'd like everyone know how deeply disappointed I am by this turn of events. I was looking forward to celebrating our music with the amazing family of Yes fans once again; but as we all know, health must come before anything else. Wishing you all the very best...”

Said Chris Squire, “We were all looking forward to performing for our fans after a prolonged leave of absence from touring. I am especially regretful of the fact that I know many of our fans and friends have probably laid out non-refundable airfares and hotels, etc. in order to enjoy the Yes shows this summer. Please join me in wishing Jon a speedy return to health, which at this point in time is our main concern.”

Yes frontman and founding member Jon Anderson was admitted to the hospital last month after suffering a severe asthma attack. He has now been diagnosed with acute respiratory failure and was told by doctors this weekend that he needs to rest and not work for a period of at least six months or suffer further health complications. Upon receiving this news the band has determined that their tour plans need to be put on hold.

Ticket refunds will be available at the point of purchase.

Sleepytime Gorilla Museum updates (incl. tour dates)

New Shows / Weddings / Documentaries

New shows! Are they not grand?! We promise to play each of these shows with great fervor. In fact, with increasingly greater fervor, until we combust. On stage! (all shows, with the exception of Vancouver, will feature the talented Mr. Jason Webley for your listening and dancing pleasure)

We then will be attending the wedding of our famous illuminator, Mr. Allen Wilner! Sorry ladies!

And then, for the ladder half of July, the Sleepytime Gorilla Museum will be filming a short, documentary feature: The Last Human Being.

And don't worry, rest of America. We are coming your way in the fall. Promise you.

In Glorious Times,

The Museum

7 / 3 / 08 - Neumos, Seattle, WA
7 / 4 / 08 - The Plaza, Vancouver BC
7 / 5 / 08 - Dantes, Portland OR
7 / 9 / 08 - The Troubador, Los Angeles, CA
7 / 10 / 08 - Great American Music Hall, San Francisco, CA

Änglagård news

Never thought I'd get to use that as a subject line...heh:

Änglagård are discussing the possibilities of re releasing the old albums and Jonas, Anna and Johan have started to meet up once a week to play around with some new material. I have heard a quick ricochet and it sounds really promising. Who knows what the future brings…

Source: Mattias Olsson's website, http://www.roth-handle.nu/
(Mattias is the drummer for Änglagård)

New Laser's Edge signing

Ken Golden, Director of Operations for The Laser's Edge, announces the addition of Dutch Progressive Rock band Kingfisher Sky to the label.

Laser's Edge Records will release the band's debut Hallway of Dreams throughout North America on March 25, 2008.

“As a fan of Within Temptation, I've been following the activities of former members," says Golden. “When I discovered Ivar DeGraaf had created a new project I was anxious to hear it. When I heard Kingfisher Sky's unique and innovative sound, I was anxious to sign them!"

Drummer Ivar DeGraaf formed Kingfisher Sky after leaving Within Temptation. With diverse influences such as Clannad, Tori Amos, Kate Bush, Peter Gabriel and Porcupine Tree, the writing resulted in a style that isn't easy to categorize. In one moment the music is dreamy and atmospheric, then heavy and brutal the next.

Featuring classically trained vocalist Judith Rijnveld, the band also includes ex-Orphanage bassist Eric Hoogenboorn, guitarists Daan Janzine and Edo van Der Kolk and keyboardist George Van Offen.

(Thanks to reader Mark C. for bringing this to my attention.)

Magma announces new pianist

Le nouveau pianiste de Magma s'appelle Bruno RUDER, on peut en savoir un peu plus sur lui en faisant quelques rapides recherches sur le ouèbe, notamment ici:

http://vlequang.free.fr/musiciens/br.html

Translation (rough) for our non-Francophone readers:

Magma's new pianist is Bruno Ruder. You can find out a little more about him by doing a quick search on the web, in particular here:

http://vlequang.free.fr/musiciens/br.html

Opeth, Pain of Salvation headline Symforce II

It is with great pleasure that we can announce that none other than OPETH will headline the second edition of Symforce. With a ninth studio album in the pipeline our Swedish friends are playing a one-off at Symforce II and they'll deliver their full show ! With a ninth studio album under their belt for sure this will a memorable concert!

Second band in the main hall will be none other than PAIN of SALVATION. Known the world over for their diversity and quality PoS is also playing a one-off at Symforce II and they will also play their entire show.

Opening in the main hall will be a six piece from Tilburg called TEXTURES. These young guys will release their third studio offering in March/April. Known for their technical metal approach the band has promissed us to play a special progressive set exclusively for Symforce II.

Due to the length of the Opeth and Pain of Salvation shows there will only be three bands in the main hall!

Main attraction in the small venue will be Dutch classic proggers ALQUIN. The band has been around since 1971 and are one of Mikael Akerfeldt's all-time favourite bands. The last time the band played at the 013 they sold out the small venue. In 2008 the band will also record a brand new album, songs from which will most certainly be played during Symforce II.

These are the first four bands for you. Six more acts will be added as time evolves and we'll be informing you as soon as we can.

Tickets go on sale this coming Saturday 23rd February priced 47,50 euros.

May the Symforce be with you!

more info at www.013web.nl

Magma news: 3 members out

I am trying to register at the band forum to pull the exact information, but according to info circulating, Himiko Paganotti, Antione Paganotti and Emmanuel Borghi have all left Magma.

What this means for future scheduled shows, the release of Emehnteht-Re, and so on, I do not know. Word was that the new album was nearly complete...hopefully these departures will not result in the work being scrapped.

Again, I do not have the specific announcement in front of me, and my French is almost less than non-existent, and the forum admins are taking their own sweet time in processing my request, so...more as I have it.

News link here: http://forum.aceboard.net/24700-2449-13688-1-Changement-personnel.htm

TOOL to begin work on new album?

Article from BLABBERMOUTH.COM:

TOOL frontman Maynard James Keenan has told MTV.com that the band will soon be reconvening to start kicking around song ideas for the group's fifth studio album.

"We're going to start writing the new TOOL record right away," he said.

Keenan didn't say when he expected the band to start tracking the effort, when it might be ready for release or what it might sound like. But with TOOL's touring schedule wide open for the foreseeable future, he said it's time for the band to buckle down. He also elaborated on TOOL's creative process.

"The music always comes first," Keenan said. "We all get in a room, shut out all the extra noises from the other people and what goes on outside the room and just focus on the four of us, where we are that day. And then we just start making sounds."

TOOL has been nominated for several Grammy Awards over the years, and they've even won three: "Best Metal Performance" in 1997 and 2001; and "Best Recording Package" in 2006 for their most recent LP, "10,000 Days". This year, TOOL was up for "Best Hard Rock Performance" again, for the "10,000 Days" track "The Pot", but they lost the award to the FOO FIGHTERS.

Read more at MTV.com.

PALLAS LIVE DVD ANNOUNCED

From Melodicrock.com:

Metal Mind Productions proudly presents a brand new DVD release of the legendary Pallas - Moment To Moment. The Scottish neo prog outfit is one of the very first bands of the neo progressive movement of the early eighties. It's an energetic and magnificent band somewhat reminiscent of IQ/Marillion but with more edge. Their music is based on melodic hooks, loud sound and great voice. Moment To Moment DVD offers a real treat for the fans of sublime soundscapes: beautiful and dynamic songs, fluctuating between dreamy melancholy, monumental sadness, and bursting energy. It features a great spectacle, beautifully adorned with wonderful lighting and intriguing visuals, filmed at the atmospheric venue of Wyspiañski Theater in Katowice, Poland in late October 2007. DVD is enhanced with an interview with Alan Reed and Graeme Murray, 2 other video extras ("Tales from the Tourbus" and "The Rehearsal Tapes"), photo gallery, Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound, and other bonuses.

Moment To Moment DVD is also available in a special DVD+CD limited swing case edition with a CD with audio material recorded at the show! It's a must have for fans of good quality progressive rock music!

Both versions of the DVD will be out on 10th March 2008 in Europe and on 15th April 2008 USA (via MVD).

Tracklist - DVD: 1. Warriors, 2. Hide and Seek, 3. Ghostdancers, 4. Cut + Run, 5. Heart Attack, 6. Queen of the Deep, 7. Northern Star, 8. The Last Angel, 9. Invincible, 10. Midas Touch, 11. Fragments of the Sun / Outro, 12. Arrive Alive, Bonus video: 13. Tales From the Tourbus, 14. The Rehearsal Tapes.

CD (swing case edition only): 1. Warriors, 2. Hide and Seek, 3. Ghostdancers, 4. Cut + Run, 5. Heart Attack, 6. Queen of the Deep, 7. Northern Star, 8. The Last Angel, 9. Invincible, 10. Midas Touch, 11. Fragments of the Sun / Outro.

FIMAV 2008 Festival Lineup

A few artists of interest to progressive music fans, either tangentially or directly:

Here are the FIMAV's 2008 edition's 11 great concerts, The complete programming will be announced on April 8.

Thursday, May 15
Jean Derome et les Dangereux Zhoms + 7
John Zorn The Dreamers (Cyro Baptista, Joey Baron, Trevor Dunn, Marc Ribot, Jamie Saft, Kenny Wollesen and John Zorn)

Friday, May 16
Fred Frith Cosa Brava
John Zorn Moonchild

Saturday, May 17
Spunk
KTL
OM

Sunday, May 18
Joe McPhee / Raymond Boni / Daunik Lazro / Claude Tchamitchian
Roscoe Mitchell & The Note Factory

Monday, May 19
René Lussier / Martin Tétreault / Otomo Yoshihide
Art Bears Songbook (Chris Cutler, Jewlia Eisenberg, Carla Kihlstedt, Zeena Parkins, Kristin Slipp and Fred Frith)