CONCERT REVIEW: Yes – Live at College Street Music Hall


 

One down and one to go, another town and one more show. If you are a child of the seventies you probably remember Yes from the album Fragile (Atlantic Records). If you are a child of the eighties you probably remember them from their hit record 90125 (Atco Records). Released in 1983 it contained the classics ‘Leave It’, ‘Owner Of A Lonely Heart’, ‘Changes’ and ‘It Can Happen’. It stands as a testament to the band’s prolific catalogue that they didn’t feel a need to include any of these in their set at College Street Music Hall in New Haven, CT when the Classic Tales Of Yes tour came to town.

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ALBUM REVIEW: Yes – Mirror To The Sky


 

Mirror To The Sky (Inside Out Music) is Yes’ 23rd album and sees them in somewhat of a productive patch, coming just two years after the previous offering The Quest. Steve Howe is on production duties and is the only surviving member from the band’s heyday after the sad passing of longtime drummer Alan White last year. Despite this Mirror… is undeniably Yes, from the punchy bass lines, fantastical lyrics, and soaring vocals to the dramatic orchestration, long Prog Rock epics, and the obligatory Roger Dean artwork.

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ALBUM REVIEW: REZN – Solace


Though hailing from Chicago, Illinois, the doom metal of Rezn displays a touch of East-Asian mysticism about it, on Solace – the band’s self-released fourth full-length. Slow-to-mid-paced, hypnotic riffing goes from nimble and floating to heavy and crushing (and back again) all fluidly and with an altogether gorgeous production that makes this metal album akin to some exotic sweet that still delivers satisfying, crushing heaviness.

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The Art of Roger Dean and Freyja Dean Art Exhibition Opens at Haight Street Art Center


The Haight Street Art Center has debuted The Secret Path: The Art of Roger and Freyja Dean, an exhibition of original art works by famed UK artists Roger Dean (Yes) and his daughter Freyja Dean. The Secret Path artworks place visitors in an extraordinary world where life and landscape invoke the splendors of nature through the visionary imagination of the Deans. The exhibition opens August 25 and will close October 30, 2022, before touring to other venues. Continue reading


Members of YES Pay Tribute to Alan White, Band Dedicates “Close to The Edge 50” Tour to Their Late Drummer


With the passing last week of legendary Progressive Rock Drummer Alan White of YES, his bandmates have offered loving tributes to him, and an update to fans. Both Steve Howe and Geofgf Downes have paid tribute to White, and vow to dedicate the upcoming 50th Anniversary Celebration tour, kicking off in a few weeks for their iconic Close To The Edge album to him. Close To The Edge was also White’s first album with the band as well and he was their longest serving drummer. Alan’s good friend, drummer Jay Schellen, will join Yes for the forthcoming tour, alongside Steve Howe (guitars), Geoff Downes (keyboards), Jon Davison (vocals) and Billy Sherwood (bass guitar and backing vocals).

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ALBUM REVIEW: Persefone – metanoia


Persefone’s metanoia (Napalm Records) opens and it feels as if I’m watching an Andrew Lloyd Weber Broadway musical. Metanoia is atmospheric and grandiose; one would expect nothing less from Persefone. ‘Katabasis’ explodes onto the listener with a bombastic array of seventies progressive rock and psychedelia feel. Marc Martins Pia has shades of Yaz and Freddy Mercury on the opening track juxtaposed with the guttural vocalizations of death metal. The guitar work of Carlos Lozano Quintanilla and Filipe Baldaia are a wild mixture of mathematical genius, LSD, and a plethora of thirty-second note runs. ‘Katabasis’ can be an intense listen.

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Trip The Witch (STP) Shares New Single – Saturn We Miss You” ft. Jon Anderson of Yes


Dean Deleo of Stone Temple Pilots has teamed with renowned Nashville session player, Tom Bukovac for a new band, Trip The Witch! Their new self-titled debut album released on September 10th, 2021 and the album is mostly instrumental rock jams, different from the work fans might be accustomed to hearing from their respective projects. The first single “Saturn We Miss You” features Jon Anderson of Yes on vocals. Hear the track now and stream the entire albumContinue reading


ALBUM REVIEW: Hail Spirit Noir – Eden in Reverse


When Greek innovators Hail Spirit Noir spewed forth in recorded anger eight years ago it was with tones of the Aegean gracing a strange brew of Blackened Prog Metal. Fourth long-player Eden in Reverse (Agonia Records) sees the completion of a gradual metamorphosis into total Prog, with the absorption of the band’s live musicians transforming the unit into a sextet.Continue reading


Dumb and Dumbest Episode #382: The Crowdfunding Gold Rush


With the pandemic hampering the entire global music industry, bands are trying to think outside of the box. Crowdfunding can either be great or a poison pill depending on how you use it. Dumb and Dumbest Episode #382 is streaming now and it’s all about The Crowdfunding Gold Rush! Dumb and Dumbest is hosted by Matt Bacon (Dropout Media, Ripple Music, Prophecy Productions), Publicist Curtis Dewar (Dewar PR), and Keith Chachkes (Ghost Cult/BDWE Media). In addition to the podcast, Matt, Curtis, and Keith all host The Music Marketing Challenges: low-cost, super high-value private training to bands and artists. And we just launched a Get hands-on practical experience to market your band like a pro today! DM Matt or Curtis at the links below for details

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Dumb and Dumbest Episode #381: Jon Freeman of Freeman Promotions!


Jon Freeman is a music publicist who has been in the game for over eleven years, ten-plus with his company Freeman Promotions. Matt, Curtis & Keefy interview Jon about his career, hilarious stories about his clients such as GWAR, and more. Dumb and Dumbest Episode #381 is streaming now and it’s an interview with Jon Freeman of Freeman Promotions! Dumb and Dumbest is hosted by Matt Bacon (Dropout Media, Ripple Music, Prophecy Productions), Publicist Curtis Dewar (Dewar PR), and Keith Chachkes (Ghost Cult/BDWE Media). In addition to the podcast, Matt, Curtis, and Keith all host The Music Marketing Challenges: low-cost, super high-value private training to bands and artists. And we just launched a Get hands-on practical experience to market your band like a pro today! DM Matt or Curtis at the links below for details

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