AYREON FEAT. ARJEN LUCASSEN, ANNEKE VAN GIERSBERGEN & THIJS VAN LEER

Recorded in concert at 013 Poppodium in Tilburg, The Netherlands, on Sunday September 15,  2019.

 

MEGAWAJOOKA

The Zappa tribute concert that Megawajooka did at Le Triton in Paris, France, earlier this year, is available for subscribers in the video archive of Le Triton. 

https://vod.letriton.com/content/megawajooka-joue-frank-zappa

PAULINE BUTCHER VISITED PRAGUE TO PROMOTE THE CZECH VERSION OF "FREAK OUT! MY LIFE WITH FRANK ZAPPA"

Invited by the Czech Frank Zappa Fan Club, Pauline Butcher visited Prague to present the Czech version of her "Freak Out! My Life With Frank Zappa" book.

-

-

Pauline, her husband Peter, and Bohous

JOE DENINZON & STRATOSPHEERIUS - IMPOSTOR !

• Joe Deninzon & Stratospheerius: Impostor !
      (2024, download, --, bandcamp)

The brand-new Stratospheerius album has been made available as a digital download / streaming album on Bandcamp, and also on CD (although I don't know if it's available in Europe without customs harassment).

Again, Stratospheerius succeeded in producing a fine prog rock album. The leading role is reserved for violinist Joe Deninzon, who's also part of Kansas nowadays, but there's some great guitar playing going on as well. And the band sounds tight. Really tight.

9 tracks. All original music, except for the (excellent version of) Adrian Belew / King Crimson's 'Frame By Frame'.

There's quite a number of guests featured on the album. It provides some beautiful, extra seasoning.

Rachel Flowers makes a guest appearance as well. Adding a beautiful flute solo to 'Storm Surge'.
Nice. Very Nice.

Check it out.

Recommended listening.

MANUEL HERMIA & CHRISTINE OTT - THE LOTUS PATH

• Manuel Hermia & Christine Ott: The Lotus Path
      (2024, cd, Belgium, igloo)

Manuel Hermia: tenor saxophone, bansuri, flute
Christine Ott: ondes martenot (sort of a Theremin but controlled by a keyboard)

Recorded live as part of Manuel Hermia's Carte Blanche at the Gaume Jazz festival in 2023, this duet with Christine Ott is essentially composed from musical material from the Rajazz.

Rajazz are a form of note organization and are represented as musical mandalas.

The concept of rajazz comes from a cross between tonal music and Indian modal music. The name is a contraction of raga and jazz: rajazz.
All the compositions on this album evoke in one way or another the idea of ​​transformation. As the Yi Jing (or Yi King, I Ching or "book of transformations") already professed almost 3000 years ago: the only thing that never changes is that everything changes all the time.
A reflection and pause on the very nature of change, both in our inner life and in our perception of the outside world, constitutes the common thread of the compositions presented here.

"The Lotus Path" is a stunning musical document that highlights the collaboration between Manuel Harmia and Christine Ott.
I love the sound of the ondes-Martenot. It adds a beautiful, mysterious layer to the mesmerizing melodies.

https://www.igloorecords.be/album/manuel-hermia-christine-ott-the-lotus-path/

WIGWAM

The Svart record label is re-releasing two Wigwam albums on colored vinyl:

Wigwam - Hard'N'Horny, LP (Transparent Magenta/White/Black Marble) - limited edition of 100 copies

Wigwam - Tombstone Valentine, LP (Turquoise/Pink Marble) - also limited to 100 copies

WIGWAM'S FIRST TWO ALBUMS REPRESSED

WIGWAM’s two first albums reissued on vinyl in February 2025 via Svart Records

Due to high demand, Svart Records will release represses of Wigwam's early works on vinyl once again. The Finnish legends in Wigwam are no strangers to fans of Progressive Rock around the world. Their debut album Hard N’ Horny from 1969 and the following Tombstone Valentine from 1970 are a couple of cornerstones among many in their impeccable discography. The previous Svart editions of these absolute classics by the pioneers of early progressive rock date back to 2019, so it was about time to bring back these must-haves to the market.

Hard N’ Horny started the legacy of Wigwam. Album’s A-side is jazzy, early prog-rock by the keyboardist Jukka Gustavson, with an exception on the first track written by the original bass player Mats Huldén. Lots of heavy organ, jazzy piano, and some vocal parts by Gustavson. The B-side is ‘60s psychedelia written by the British-born vocalist Jim Pembroke. It consists of songs about a man called Henry, together forming a mini Rock opera.

Wigwam's sophomore album Tombstone Valentine uniquely stands on its own as not only a precursor to what was still to come but also a spectacular album bubbling over with soul searching folk/psych/prog leanings. Kim Fowley, a producer from America, was so excited about Wigwam's debut album Hard N’ Horny, that he decided to come to Finland to produce their second album Tombstone Valentine. The album is not as experimental as their debut, but partly because of that it's also a more coherent and a better-balanced effort. The line-up had changed slightly, as this was Pekka Pohjola's debut with Wigwam. Guitarist Nikke Nikamo left the band during the recording of the album, so the guitar parts are delivered by Jukka Tolonen and Heikki Laurila, who never officially joined the band.

Hard N’ Horny and Tombstone Valentine are out on limited vinyl pressings on February 7th, 2025.

LUZIA VON WYL ENSEMBLE - THROWING COINS

• Luzia von Wyl Ensemble: Throwing Coins
      (2018, cd, switzerland, hatology)

Modern jazz in a contemporary classic package, with added world music flavours.

With a beautiful instrumentation: piano, flutes, clarinet, bass clarinet, bassoon, violin, violoncello, bass, marimba and drums.

I love it.

Here's a live performance of 'Antumbra' with special guest Faisal Al Saari on oud:

AYRON TO PERFORM IN TILBURG NL IN SEPTEMBER 2025

AYREON - 30TH ANNIVERSARY - AN AMAZING FLIGHT THROUGH TIME

Arjen Lucassen announces 5 shows at the 013 venue in Tilburg on 12, 13, and 14 September 2025

https://www.ayreon.com/live/

After five sold-out performances of Ayreon - 01011001 - Live Beneath the Waves at the 013 venue in The Netherlands in 2023, attended by 15,000 fans from 64 countries, and following four sold-out Ayreon - Electric Castle Live & Other Tales shows in 2019, as well as three sold-out Ayreon Universe shows in 2017, Ayreon is ready to add another exciting chapter to its live history. The new production, Ayreon - 30th Anniversary - An Amazing Flight Through Time, will mark 30 years since the release of the debut album, The Final Experiment, in 1995. This massive, state-of-the-art live production will take the audience on a journey through Arjen Lucassen's entire discography, featuring a massive, one-of-a-kind stage design, stunning visuals, spectacular special effects—and much more.

Ayreon Mastermind Arjen Lucassen, alongside lead producer and keyboardist Joost van den Broek, has assembled a remarkable cast of many fan-favorite Ayreon vocalists and special guests, plus an outstanding group of instrumentalists to bring the music to life at the highest possible level. Lucassen himself will also perform on vocals.

Titled An Amazing Flight Through Time, the setlist will span Ayreon’s 30-year history, offering a wide range of songs, including some that have never been played live before, alongside fan favorites. Besides that, some songs of Arjen’s side projects will be performed as well. No effort will be spared in transforming the 013 venue into an immersive "Ayreon world," where fans will be transported to another dimension. This show is set to be the ultimate Ayreon celebration, paying tribute to Arjen's music in its most complete form.

While the two previous Ayreon live shows focused on performing full studio albums, this anniversary show will be the ultimate 'Best of Ayreon'. In 2019, Electric Castle Live & Other Tales was atmospheric and dynamic, while 2023’s 01011001 - Live Beneath the Waves brought a mysterious, industrial, and bombastic energy. The 30th-anniversary shows, however, will be an eclectic mix of everything that is Ayreon, creating the perfect event for Ayreonauts to unite and share their love of Arjen's music at the Ayreon party of the decade. Expect further details and surprises in the coming weeks!

FLAT EARTH SOCIETY - - - THE ONE TOUR 2024

The One Tour 2024

 
Flat Earth Society Orchestra
presents THE ONE and a selection from 25 years of music
October 18 > November 9

FES is touring Europe and North America with their new album
THE ONE, combined with a wide and wild selection of previous material from the FES planet, a musical universe without boundaries or idiomatic rules.

Always unpredictable and never disappointing,
the madhouse maximalist Flat Earth Society Orchestra celebrates its 25th anniversary with a jubilee tour in Portugal, Germany, USA and Canada!


The One Tour

• 18-10 Casa da Música, Porto (PT)
• 19-10 Multiphonics Festival, Comedia, Cologne (GER)
• 25-10 Angel City Jazz Festival, Los Angeles (USA)
• 26-10 San Jose Jazz, Breakroom, San Jose (USA)
• 27-10 California Jazz Conservatory, Berkeley (USA)
• 29-10 Earshot Jazz Festival, Town Hall, Seattle (USA)
• 01-11 Lincoln Theatre, Mount Vernon (USA)
• 02-11 PDX Jazz, Jack London Revue, Portland (USA)
• 03-11 Music On Main, The Roundhouse, Vancouver (CAN)
• 05-11 University of Toronto, Walter Hall, Toronto (CAN)
• 06-11 Ottawa Jazz Festival, NAC Fourth Stage, Ottawa (CAN)
• 07-11 Lincoln Center, New York (USA)
• 09-11 Jazz Meeting Wuppertal, Insel, Wuppertal (GER)

HILDEGARD LERNT FLIEGEN CONCERT DATES AND MORE

A message from Hildegard lernt Fliegen:

"HILDEGARD!"

Dear ones

She's on the road again – good old Hildegard! Before we set off on an anniversary tour in 2025, we're getting her out of the hangar for two crispy concerts.

• 10.10. Unterfahrt, München DE
• 11.10. Jazzclub, Bamberg DE

4 EXCLUSIVE EUROPEAN SHOWS WITH BASS LEGEND TIM LEFEBVRE

Together with my dear friend Kalle Kalima, we have composed a wonderful songbook. Under the title ‘Evolution’, we have been on the road with it for almost a year now. Our autumn tour starts in Paris on 12 October. The extraterrestrial Über-bassist Tim Lefebvre, who I'm particularly looking forward to, will be joining us.

• 12.10. Radio France, Paris F
• 20.11. Mühle Hunziken, Rubigen b. Bern CH
• 22.11. Nica, Hamburg DE
• 26.11. Bayerischer Hof, München DE

... AND BOOK YOURSELF A CONCERT ? !

Paris is too far away for you? Due to a communication error by my former agency, a concert on our tour was unfortunately cancelled at short notice. This means that we now have an offday on 21 November. So if you want to book this amazing band for a concert, this is your unique chance.

Please send your ideas directly by mail to info(at)andreasschaerer.ch I'm looking forward to hear from you !

NEUE DUO VIDEOS UND LIVE DATEN

We have a nice video recording of our duo. Recorded last May at the Jazz in E. Festival Eberswalde 

You prefer to listen to our duo live instead of from your laptop speakers. Very good idea:

• 17.10. Leise am Markt, Coburg DE 
• 18.10. Jazz am See, Feldafing DE 
• 19.10. Kloster, Dornach CH 
• 23.10. Stummste Reithalle, Neunkirchen DE 
• 24.10. Dekadenz, Brixen IT 
• 26.10 Landhaus Liebefeld, Bern CH

EVOLUTION INVITING JULES MARTINET

… and! This wonderful musician has been on my radar for a long time, and now we're on stage together for the first two concerts. Exciting: Evolution inviting le magnifique Jules Martinet:

• 15.10. Saison Dudelange, Dudelange LUX 
• 19.10 Kloster, Dornach CH

ATTENTION DEFICIT

I mentioned Attention Deficit a little while ago.
Instrumental prog rock / fusion  with Michael Manring on bass, Tim Alexander on drums, and Alex Skolnick on guitar.

In the meantime, I was able to find both of their albums on CD and I'm not disappointed.
Quite the contrary from disappointed.
These is great stuff !

• attention deficit: s/t
      (1998, cd, --, magna carta)

• attention deficit: the idiot king
      (2001, cd, --, magna carta)

Both albums are also available on Bandcamp.

-----------------------

ANOTHER FRANK ZAPPA RADIO SHOW ALBUM ANNOUNCED

Announced for November.

Frank Zappa - "Bobby Brown - Live 1988"

LP (black vinyl)

 

NEW RESIDENTS ALBUM "THE RESIDENTS ARE FACELESS"

 New album by The Residents: "The Residents Are Faceless".

Out on the Klanggalerie label.

We are happy to announce that The Residents' live album 'The Residents are faceless!' is out today! Recorded on their 2023 tour of Europe in Hamburg, Germany, this show was the last one to feature collaborator Nolan Cook on guitar. Songs performed were focused on the legendary Duck Stab album, with some band classics thrown in for good measure and some new songs. 

MORE SUN RA

Next to the pink transparent vinyl edition, "Pink Elephants On Parade" will be out on (standard black) vinyl and on CD.

WINGER FEAT. DWEEZIL ZAPPA

Winger's eponymous album, from 1988, featured Dweezil Zappa as a guest on 'Purple Haze' (J.Hendrix).

The album is getting a re-issue on green vinyl !

MF DOOM'S "MM.. FOOD" GETS A RE-ISSUE WITH DIFFERENT ARTWORK

• mf doom: mm.. food
      (2024, 2lp)

re-issue with different artwork, on orange vinyl.
Also re-issued on CD.

The track 'Beef Rap' sampled Frank Zappa's 'Would You Like A Snack?'

SUN RA UPCOMING RECORD STORE DAY / BLACK FRIDAY RELEASE

• sun ra: lights on a satellite - live at the left bank
      (2024, lp)

THE 180 Gs

A fine interview with David Minnick, the man behind the 180 Gs, producing a cappella versions if "Trout Mask Replica" and "The Commercial Album".

https://www.ondarock.it/interviews/davidminnick.htm

DON PRESTON'S EUROPEAN TOUR

We went to see Don Preston in concert about a week ago.
At De Bosuil in Weert, NL.
It was fantastic.

Here's a picture by Moa Boot.

Don played some of his original tunes next to pieces by other composers, not forgetting Frank Zappa, of course.

Contemporary stuff, jazz, blues, Zappa,... and some hilarious improv with his wife Tina.
The perfect mix. I loved it.

Don had brought 3 of his CD's to the merch table.
No new material, and just the CD's in a paper sleeve, but I thought it was a great way to get his music out to those who weren't familiar with it.
At 5 euro a piece, these were a bargain.
(a pity that my copy of "Io Landscapes" is giving a 'blank disc' error, but I assume it's the same version as the copy I have on the shelf somewhere.)

"Hear Me Out"

"Io Landscapes"

"Vile Foamy Ectoplasm"

I was told that Don played a longer set at some of his other concerts.
Probably due to the fact that he was sharing the bill with The Others Of Invention in Weert.
Those guys and girls also did a fine job.

HOPPY KAMIYAMA

I'm still looking for an affordable copy of Hoppy Kamiyama's "A Meaningful Meaningnessless" album. The only ones that I've been able to locate are from outside the EU which means that I can't order them without having to pay import taxes and additional customs handling costs. So stupid.

Anyway, I did come across "The Bubbleman 2", another (and even older) album by Hoppy Kamiyama.
It includes tracks entitled 'Day Of The Iron Sausage', 'Warts And All I', and 'Ein Monster In Die Musikhalle', all titles (or slightly adapted titles) of Frank Zappa bootleg albums.

This needs further investigation !!

THE ED PALERMO BIG BAND HALLOWEEN CONCERTS

A JULIE SLICK UPDATE

Last Thursday, Julie Slick sent the following message:
“In honor of Bandcamp Friday tomorrow, I'm offering this previously subscriber-only digital release as a physical CD to everyone! As usual, each one will be uniquely designed and numbered.”

Julie Slick started with the Paul Green School Of Rock and later joined Adrian Belew.
Since then, she teamed up with Marco Machera (as Echo Test), but she has released several solo albums as well.

https://julieslick.bandcamp.com/album/live-at-barrel-of-monks

DARKO THE SUPER & BLKrKRT - HOLD ME CLOSER TINY DARKO

• Darko The Super & BLKrKRT: Hold Me Closer Tiny Darko
      (2024, streaming / download, --, bandcamp)
      (2024, cd, USA, you don’t deserve this beautiful art)

For “Hold Me Closer Tiny Darko”, Darko The Super teamed up with BLKrKRT, who provided the beats.
Track 17, ‘What Happened To Peace? (Peace!)’ consists of Darko sending peace to about 50 people, including Frank Zappa.

…
Peace to Beck, Daniel Johnston, and Sparks
Peace to Frank Zappa and Outcast
Peace to Beastie Boys plus the Fight Club Soundtrack
Peace to Dean Friedman and 10cc
...

ANOUSHKA SHANKAR

It looks like I missed Anoushka Shankar's concert in Antwerp a couple of days ago.
I should keep better track of the concerts in the neighborhood.

Anoushka Shankar - Boat To Nowhere (Live on KEXP)

 

CROWD FUNDING CAMPAIGN TO GET Z3 TO ZAPPANALE

Georg Nilius started a crowd funding campaign to get Z3 to the next Zappanale.

https://www.gofundme.com/f/Zappanale2025-Z3

DARKO THE SUPER

Darko the Super & BLKrKRT - Put Some Light in the Void

 

EIDON'S TRIBUTE TO THIJS VAN LEER

Eidon  -  'Thijs'

 

BEAT LOVE ORACLE - RADICAL RISK

The download / streaming version of Beat Love Oracle's "Radical Risk" has just been released on Bandcamp.
The CD should follow soon.

A nice fusion between contemporary classical music and jazz.

FRED HÂNDL - HALCYON REVERIES

Fred Händl just released "Halcyon Reveries" on Bandcamp.
He released it on CD earlier this year. This is the digital download / streaming Bandcamp version.

No FZ compositions this time.
It's a compilation of original music from Fred's previous releases.

CHANAN HANSPAL DISCUSSES GREGGERY PECKARY

Chanan Hanspal adds : A short analysis of Zappa's masterpiece "The Adventures of Greggery Peccary" from the 1978 album "Studio Tan". In this video I look at some of the melodic and harmonic structures and illustrate references from other pieces of Zappa's music.

THE KEEF HARTLEY BAND - LIVE AT THE ESSENER POP AND BLUES FESTIVAL 1969 / 1970

• the keef hartley band: live at essener pop and blues festival 1969 / 1970
      (2024, 2cd, Germany, wdr / mig-music)

The Keef Hartley Band, with Keef Hartley on drums and Miller Anderson on guitar and vocals.
Recorded over 50 years ago, a couple of months after the band's appearance at Woodstock.

I received a digital copy earlier today, and I'm enjoying it at this very minute.

NEW ALBUM BY THE GATEKEEPERS

The new album by The Gatekeepers features The Residents, R.Stevie Moore, and Dave Newhouse as special guests (just to name a few).
Out on CD, LP and digital download.

 

THE HELL HOLE STORE - H.E. DOUBLE HOCKEY STICKS

The Hell Hole Store brings together Philadelphia-based MC’s and producers ialive and Darko The Super. 
They have just released "H.E. Double Hockey Sticks".

The first track on this 10-song album, ‘Intro’, kicks off with a sample of Ray Collins’ ‘Anything’, from The Mothers Of Invention’s “Cruising With Ruben & The Jets”.

UZ JZME DOMA - JESKYNE

In 2010, the Cuneiform Records label released Uz Jsme Doma's "Jeskyne" album on CD.
Earlier this week, the label made the release available on Bandcamp.

Uz Jsme Doma's music if often compared to The Mothers Of Invention.
In 2019, they did an album with children's songs.
And in 2022, the band recorded "Moravian Meeting" with Randy, the lead singer from The Residents.

PUNK KONG

Brussels-based ensemble Punk Kong has just released "Same But Different".
Check it out:

Edgy guitar, powerful drums and three hyper dynamic saxophones. A special instrumentation that creates a unique wall of sound with songs that blend free Jazz, Psychedelic Rock, African Blues and Improvised music into a remarkable amalgam!

MIKE KENEALLY'S 2012 ALBUM, "WING BEAT FANTASTIC", HAS BEEN MADE AVAILABLE ON BANDCAMP

A message from Mike Keneally's Bandcamp page:

Greetings,
Mike Keneally just released Wing Beat Fantastic - Songs Written by Mike Keneally & Andy Partridge, check it out here:

“For this month’s Bandcamp Friday we’re welcoming an old favorite to our steadily growing catalogue of music at Bandcamp. It’s 2012’s Wing Beat Fantastic - Songs by Mike Keneally and Andy Partridge, one of the most special collaborations I’ve ever been privileged to engage in.

Given the respect/regard/admiration I’ve had for Andy for decades now, it still feels like a dream that we were able to work together and bring these songs into existence. The album stands alone in my catalogue in a way, fully unlike anything else I’ve done.”

VARIOUS ARTISTS - ROCK - DIE CD - GROSSARTIGEN COVER-VERSIONENE ZUM BUCH, TEIL 3

• Various Artists: Rock - Die CD - großartige Cover-Versionen zum Buch, Teil 3
      (2016, book+cd, Germany, eclipe)

The “Grossartige Cover-Versionen Zum Buch, Teil 3” sampler got released as a supplement to the first edition of the eclipsed book, “Rock, Teil 3”. 

I've never seen the book, but I'm happy that I recently got hold of the CD.

The CD, packed in a cardboard cover, included Big Balls Of The Grand Wazoo’s version of ‘Willie The Pimp’.
Very nice.
And Frank Zappa’s “Hot Rats” album is featured on the album cover.

Here's a picture of the actual book :

NEW ALBUM BY ALAN JENKINS AND THE KETTERING VAMIRES

Alan Jenkins:

Here is my new (double) album.

"Painting the Horse's Nose in the Wrong Place" by Alan Jenkins and the Kettering Vampires. It has 28 new songs recorded between Summer 2023 and Summer 2024.

SKORDATURA, JOZEF DUMOULIN & MÂÄK

Skordatura teamed up with Jozef Dumoulin and with Mâäk to record "Beefkat".

On this new album ‘BEEFKAT’, Skordatura, Jozef Dumoulin and Mâäk find each other in a rough embrace of energy and raw expression, averse to compromise and with an unbridled passion that encompasses everything beautiful and ugly.

Amazing.

ZAPPA TRIBUTE AT REGGIE'S IN CHICAGO ON DECEMBER 14

Frank Zappa tribute band Gozortenplat, with special guest Ray White, will be performing the music of Frank Zappa at Reggies.

And they will be sharing the bill with Next Planet (feat. Scott Fischer of The Furious Bongos!

at Reggies,
2105 S State St, Chicago, IL

UZ JSME DOMA USA TOUR

UZ JSME DOMA USA TOUR

• October 1 - AS220 - 115 Empire St - Providence, RI
• October 2 - Bug Jar - 219 Monroe Ave - Rochester, NY
• October 3 - Beachland Tavern - 15711 Waterloo Rd - Cleveland, OH
• October 4 - Radio Radio - 1119 East Prospect Ave - Indianapolis, IN
• October 5 - Cole's - 2338 No. Milwaukee - Chicago, IL
• October 6 - Off Broadway - 3509 Lemp - St Louis, MO
• October 7 - Record Bar - 1520 Grand Boulevard - Kansas City, MO
• October 8 - Moe's Original BBQ & Bowl - 3295 South Broadway - Englewood, CO
• October 9 - DLC @ Quarters - 5 East 400 South - Salt Lake City, UT
• October 10 - Neurolux - 111 North 11th Street - Boise, ID
• October 11 - Substation - 645 NW 45th St - Seattle, WA
• October 12 - The Infinity Room - 210 Liberty St, SE, ste 150 - Salem OR
• October 13 - Mississippi Studios - 3939 No. Mississippi Ave - Portland, OR
• October 14 - Humbrews - 856 10th St - Arcata, CA
• October 16 - Starlet Room - 2708 'J' St - Sacramento, CA
• October 17 - Bottom Of The Hill - 1233 17th St - San Francisco, CA
• October 19 - The Lodge - 104 North Avenue 56 - Highland Park, CA
• October 21 - Club Congress - 311 East Congress - Tucson, TZ
• October 23 - The Lost Well - 2421 Webberville Rd - Austin, TX
• October 24 - 1810 Ojeman - 1810 Ojeman Rd - Houston, TX
• October 25 - Rubber Gloves - 411 East Sycamore - Denton, TX
• October 26 - Pocket Theatre - 170 Ravine St - Hot Springs, AR
• October 27 - Hi Tone - 282-284 North Cleveland St - Memphis, TN
• October 28 - 529 - 529 Flat Shoals Ave SE - Atlanta, GA
• October 29 - The Pilot Light - 106 East Jackson Ave - Knoxville, TN
• October 30 - Cat's Craddle - 300 East Main, ste A - Carrboro, NC
• October 31 - Ottobar - 2549 North Howard St - Baltimore, MD
• November 1 - Milkboy - 1100 Chestnut St - Philadelphia, PA
• November 2 - Zone One at Elsewhere - 599 Johnson Ave - Brooklyn, NY

NEW SUN RA ALBUM SOLD OUT SHORTLY AFTER ANNOUNCEMENT

The brand-new Sun Ra album, "Kingdom Of Discipline" was made available on CD and on LP last week.
75 copies each, like Sun Ra used to do when he was cutting his own albums on the Saturn label.

No real surprise, but both the LP and the CD sold out in a couple of days.
Even before I caught up in my e-mails.

https://sunramusic.bandcamp.com/album/kingdom-of-discipline

The album will be made available on digital music platforms, but I also assume that we'll get a more 'general' LP and/or CD release later on as well.

NEW MUSIC BY ARTHUR BARROW

Arthur Barrow has made a new piece available on Bandcamp.
'A Lovely Time'.

Check it out:

FIDO PLAYS ZAPPA

The latest news is that one of the venues is thinking about canceling the show because of poor ticket sales.
So don't hesitate !
Here's the latest message from Fido :

Dear FiDO supporter

We're happy to hit the road again with Robert Martin (US, ex-Zappa singer, keyboarder and saxomophonist) very soon!

Tickets are still available for all dates, so get yours now and see you at the show.

Best regards
Les Fideaux

https://www.fidoplayszappa.com/tickets/

• 10.10.24 DE-Dortmund – Piano
• 11.10.24 DE-Rüsselsheim – Das Rind
• 12.10.24 DE-Stuttgart – Bürgerhaus Botnang
• 13.10.24 DE-Obertraubling – Eventhall Airport
• 14.10.24 DE- Berlin - Maschinenhaus
• 15.10.24 DE- Bremen – Meisenfrei
• 16.10.24 DE- Lübeck - Rider’s Cafe
• 17.10.24 DE- Bonn – Harmonie
• 18.10.24 DE-Würzburg - Immerhin
• 19.10.24 DE-Burgkirchen – Bürgerzentrum

KING GIZZARD & THE LIZARD WIZARD - CHUNKY SHRAPNEL

• King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard: Chunky Shrapnel
      (2020, cd, --, flightless / ato / heavenly)
      (2020, 2lp, --, flightless)
      (2020, download / streaming, --, --)

After having released 3 live albums in January 2020, King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard continued releasing the "Chunky Shrapnel" concert compilation movie in April of the same year.

The music from the movie was released on CD, 2 LP and through digital music platforms.
As far as I know, the movie itself has only run in the theaters. It hasn't been made available on DVD or blu-ray (yet).

Here's the trailer for the movie:

The album on Bandcamp:

PIERRE VERVLOESEM - CUE MUSIC FOR UNSOLICITED MOVIE

• pierre vervloesem: cue music for unsolicited movie
      (2024, download / streaming, --, bandcamp)

A new album by Pierre Vervloesem always is a bit of an adventure. You don't know what to expect, although the album title sometimes gives a clue.

"Cue Music For Unsolicited Movie" confirms this premise.

14 pieces.
Most probably composed and performed on a sequencer.
Beautiful.
The music evokes different images and places.
As such, it will project a movie in one's mind.
Unsolicited, but with full approval

Recommended listening !

OCTOBER REVOLUTION IN JAZZ 60th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION

One week from today!
October 1 - 5, 2024

October Revolution in Jazz 60th Anniversary Celebration
Celebrating the life and legacy of visionary musician-composer, artist, and educator Bill Dixon (1925–2010).

A night of rare jazz-continuum film and recordings, conversation with music luminaries, and music performance spanning generations of improvisers.

At 2220 Arts + Archives in Los Angeles
2220 Beverly Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90057

It will feature Stanley J. Zappa !!

Please check out october-revolution.org for details!!

DOC HELLER - DIL HICKS SUITE

 The one and only Doc Heller (also known as Darko The Super) opened his 2015 "Dil Hicks Suite" album with a piece entitled 'Bouti Sheikin’ (Still The Greatest)' in which he mixed a bunch of samples and pieces from various tracks from Frank Zappa's "Sheik Yerbouti".

'Oceans' is a loop of 'Black Napkins' samples !!
'Peanut Butter Galaxy Automobile' samples 'Dog Breath, In The Year Of The Plague'
'Dumb' toys around with 'Zomby Woof'
and 'An Imaginary Place' samples 'Flower Punk'.

Doc Heller sure knows his classics.

Yep, I like this sort of thing.

Download-only release.

I heard 'What Ever Happened To All The Fun In The World', 'City Of Tiny Lites', 'Flakes', 'Dancin’ Fool' & 'Jewish Princess' in the first track.
Did I miss anything?

TRANCE PLANTATIONS

Falk Schrauwen and Nathan Daems are Trance Plantations.

Nathan Dames is part of Black Flower and of Echoes Of Zoo.
Two bands that I hold in high regard.

For their first album, Falk and Nathan worked together with Danalogue and Betamax (both from The Comet Is Coming).

"Behind Your Face" is Trance Plantation's second album.

 

JUMBLE HOLE CLOUGH

"Cardigan Road" by Jumble Hole Clough

 

GOWY - L'APOCALIMSSS (WDYWA)

Here's 'L'Apocalimsss', from GOWY's "Rebirth".

 the album:

THE ALLMAN BROTHERS - BROTHERS OF THE ROAD

• the allman brothers band: brothers of the road
      (1981, lp, USA, arista)

Maintaining the momentum with "Brothers Of The Road", the Allman Brothers' 10th album.
Gregg Allman / Dickey Betts.

Too neat and too well-behaved for some, it's still a very enjoyable album.

Here's how the band looks back on this album:
https://ultimateclassicrock.com/allman-brothers-band-brothers-of-the-road/

DAVID CROSS BAND NORTH AMERICAN TOUR 2024

DAVID CROSS PLAYS KING CRIMSON

North American Tour 2024

DAVID CROSS - electric violin
JOHN MITCHELL - guitar, lead and back vocals
SHEILA MALONEY - keyboards, back vocals
MICK PAUL - bass guitar, lead and back vocals
JACK SUMERFIELD - drums

• September 27 - Asheville, NC (The Grey Eagle)
  with Gong as the opening band / cancelled due to the hurricane Helene
  
  
• September 28 - Louisville, KY (The Hill House, private event)
• September 29 - Nashville, TN (The Vinyl Lounge)
• October 02 - Grand Rapids, MI (The Pyramide Scheme)
• October 04 - Minneapolis, MN (Granada Theater)
• October 06 - Chicago, IL (Reggies)
• October 08 - Milwaukee, WI (Shank Hall)
• October 10 - Indianapolis, IN (Irving Theater)
• October 11 - Cleveland, OH (Treelawn Social Club)
• October 12 - Cincinnati, OH (The Ludlow Garage)
• October 13 - Detroit, MI (The Token Lounge)
• October 15 - Elkton, MD (Elkton Music Hall)
• October 16 - Hamden, CT (Space Ballroom)
• October 17 - Sellersville, PA (Sellersville Theater)
• October 18 - Rutherford, NJ (ProgStock Festival @ Williams Center)
• October 20 - Pawling, NY (Daryl's House)
• October 23 - Syracuse, NY (Middle Ages Brewery)
• October 24 - Northampton, MA (The Iron Horse)
• October 26 - Quebec City, QC (Palais Montcalm)
• October 27 - Montreal, QC (Club Soda )
• October 29 - Ottawa, ON (Rainbow)
• October 30 - Toronto, ON (TD Hall)
• November 01 - Hudson Falls, NY (The Strand Theatre)
• November 03 - Lowell, MA (Taffeta Music Hall)

THE ALLMAN BROTHERS BAND - REACH FOR THE SKY

• the allman brothers band: reach for the sky
      (1980, lp, usa, arista)

Kicking off the day with "Reach For The Sky", an Allman Brothers album from a bit over 40 years ago.

Featuring the famous Greg Allman (keyboards, lead vocals) / Dickey Betts (lead guitar, lead vocals) combination.

The album is out on CD, but I'm more than happy with the digital vinyl rip that's residing on my external hard drive.

A NEW PIECE BY EIDON

 

ANOTHER RECENT POST BY DWEEZIL ZAPPA

Dweezil Zappa plays the FZ Les Paul

 

THREE NEW 'OFFICIAL BOOTLEGS' BY STICK MEN

Stick Men

• Tony Levin: Chapman Stick, Voice
• Markus Reuter: Touch Guitars® AU8, Live Looping
• Pat Mastelotto: Drums, Loops, Sample

20180326 Colos​-​Saal, Aschaffenburg, Germany (Audience Recording)

20161014 Alte Schmelze, Wiesbaden, Germany (Board Mix)

20230305 The Parish, Austin, TX (Audience Recording)

RECENT POSTS BY DWEEZIL ZAPPA

Dweezil plays 'Eruption'

Phil X joins Dweezil Zappa for an unrehearsed impromptu version of Apostrophe (') live at the Orpheum, August 3, 2024.

Dweezil Zappa: My craziest guitar solo moment ever

200 Motels Rehearsal

DWEEZIL ZAPPA SIGNATURE GUITAR

Previously shared by Shabat Guitars, now also by Dweezil.
It's fun to watch.

MAGMA - STUDIO ZÜND

• Magma: Studio Zünd
      (2008, 12cd box set, France, seventh records / le chant du monde)

This beautiful box was on my want-list for quite some time. I was pretty happy when I finally got hold of it a couple of months ago.

10 albums. 12 CDs.
Presenting the band's first 9 studio albums, plus two CD's with previously unreleased music.

An unlikely amount of excellent music.

THE GONG TOUR DATES

The GONG tour dates

• September 24 - Allentown, PA (Chappel at Muhlenberg College)
• September 25 - Charlottesville, VA (The Southern Music Hall)
• September 26 - Raleigh, NC (King's Raleigh)
• September 27 - Asheville, NC (The Grey Eagle)
• September 28 - Franklin, TN (Mockingbird Theater)
• September 30 - Grand Rapids, MI (The Pyramide Scheme)
• October 01 - Chicago, IL( Reggie's)
• October 02 - Milwaukee, WI (Shank Hall)
• October 03 - Detroit, MI (Token Lounge)
• October 04 - Cincinnati, OH (Ludlow Garage)
• October 05 - Indianapolis, IN (Irving Theater)
• October 06 - Cleveland, OH (Beachland Ballroom)
• October 09 - Rochester, NY (75 Stutson Street Auditorium)
• October 10 - Homer, NY (Homer Arts Center)
• October 13 - Lowell, MA (Taffeta Music Hall)
• October 14 - Hamden, CT (Space Ballroom)
• October 15 - Northampton, MA (The Iron Horse)
• October 17 - Hudson Falls, NY (The Strand Theater)
• October 18 - Woodstock, NY (Colony)
• October 19 - Baltimore, MD (Orion Studio)
• October 20 - Rutherford, NJ (Progstock @ Williams Center)

GONG UPDATE

GONG the legendary psychedelic space rock collective kicks off their North American Tour 2024 in Allentown, tomorrow evening, Tuesday September 24, at Egner Chapel on the campus of Muhlenberg University.

GONG with special guest TIM MOTZER
Tickets: www.gongband.com/shows/chapel-at-muhlenberg-college/

The ever metamorphosing entity that is GONG launches, as ever, into unknown – and unknowing – territory with a new album and tour, destined to be talked about, discussed, and argued over, up and down the land. From its beginnings in a French commune in 1967, through the Virgin Records years, mismanagement, court cases, break-ups and rejoinings, deaths and rebirths – there has always been a continuous thread of beautiful, dangerous and extraordinary music.
The current holders of the flame have come together over the last seven years; sinuous bass player Dave Sturt joined just as the album 2032 was shown to the world; Ian ‘Eastwinds’ East was the next to blow in through the portal; Fabio Golfetti brought his guitars from Brazil (after working with Daevid for many years); Kavus Torabi appeared to Daevid in a vision; Cheb Nettles just sort of turned up. GONG’s musically diverse world includes shades of psychedelia, space rock, jazz, avant-garde, krautrock and surreal soundscapes.

APRIL 25, 26 & 27 - NDR BIGBAND MEETS ENSEMBLE MODERN FESTIVAL IN HAMBURG, GERMANY

NDR Bigband meets Ensemble Modern Festival

The 3-day festival will kick off with an evening that will include music by Frank Zappa, Iannis Xenakis, Anton Webert, Edgard Varèse, and Karlheinz Stockhausen.

https://www.ndr.de/orchester_chor/bigband/NDR-Bigband-meets-Ensemble-Modern-Festival,ensemblemodernfestival100.html

BABE RUTH - BOB HARRIS SESSION (2nd JAN 1973)

• Babe Ruth: Bob Harris Session (2nd Jan 1973)
      (2010, download, --, --)

Babe Ruth released their version of FZ’s ‘King Kong’ on their “First Base” album.

They performed & recorded the piece again for their January 2, 1973 BBC Radio session with Bob Harris.
The recording was made available for digital download through several digital music platforms in 2010.

• King Kong Part 1
• King Kong Part 2

Another nice find...

 

FIDO PLAYS ZAPPA UPDATE

Dear FiDO supporter

As we get ready for the upcoming tour in October, we have just launched our new merch and have put some earlier, sold out music on Bandcamp.

So if you want to support us and have our cute little FiDO dog on you, get your shirt or hoodie in the new shop. Or head over to Bandcamp and download some music.

https://www.merch.me/shop/fidoplayszappa

https://fidoplayszappa.bandcamp.com/

We appreciate your continued support and hope to see you live in October!

There’s still tickets available for all shows...

Best regards
Pascal & The FiDOs

FiDOplaysZAPPA with Robert Martin 2024

• Do 10.10. Dortmund – Piano
• Fr 11.10. Rüsselsheim – Das Rind
• Sa 12.10. Stuttgart – Bürgerhaus Botnang
• So 13.10. Obertraubling – Eventhall Airport
• Mo 14.10. Berlin - Maschinenhaus
• Di 15.10. Bremen – Meisenfrei
• Mi 16.10. Lübeck - Rider’s Cafe
• Do 17.10. Bonn – Harmonie
• Fr 18.10. Würzburg - Immerhin
• Sa 19.10. Burgkirchen – Bürgerzentrum

https://www.fidoplayszappa.com/tickets/

CHATO SEGERER - LAWINEEE!!!

Chato Segerer just dropped a track from his upcoming jazz album.
A work in progress, but he's got me hooked.

 

WEED DEMON - WILLIE THE PIMP

• Weed Demon: Willie The Pimp
      (2024, download / streaming, --, bandcamp)

Columbus, Ohio-based stoner / metal band Weed Demon released their version of ‘Willie The Pimp’ through several digital music platforms earlier this year.

It sounds great !!

-- info: Hans-Peter Schmidt

RICK BEATO TALKS TO DWEEZIL ZAPPA

"What Dweezil Zappa Learned From Eddie Van Halen"

 

GOV'T MULE NEW YEARS RUN 2024

https://mule.net/govt-mule-new-years-run-announcement/

BO VAN DE GRAAF - PACKAGE DEAL

• bo van de graaf: package deal
      (2002, cd, the netherlands, bv haast)

Released on the Dutch BV Haast record label in 2002, "Package Deal" sampled Bo van de Graaf's musical output.

Saxophonist, improvisor and composer Bo van de Graaf's musical variety is impressive, to say the least: improvised music (influenced by ICP), multimedia projects, sideman in different jazz projects, composer for Kladderadatch, but also founder of I Compani (arranging the music of Nina Rota), and of The Big Swifty (a band that also performed the music of Frank Zappa !).

As a nice bonus, the first track on "Package Deal" presents a fine guitar solo by Corrie van Binsbergen.

Here's Bo van de Graaf's I Compani performing FZ's 'King Kong', earlier this year.

THE SUN RA ARKESTRA IS COMING BACK TO EUROPE

The Sun Ra Arkestra is coming back to Europe.
In Belgium, they will share the bill with Moor Mother !

• Sat Oct 26th. Warsaw, Poland Jazz Jamboree
• Sun Oct 27th. Amsterdam, The Netherlands Bimhuis
• Tue Oct 29th. Gent, Belgium Club Wintercircus
• Thu Oct 31st. Istambul, Turkey Babylon
• Sat Nov 2nd. Berlin, Germany Jazzfest Berlin
• Mon Nov 4th. Stockholm, Sweden Fasching
• Wed Nov 6th. Oslo, Norway Munch
• Fri Nov 8th. Goettingen, Germany Goettinger Jazz Festival
• Sat Nov 9th. Barcelona, Spain Paral-lel62
• Sun Nov 10th. Madrid, Spain Teatro Pavon

https://www.sunraarkestra.com/1-main.html

-- info: Philippe Lamoot

VIVIENNE AERTS - TYPUHTHÂNG

• vivienne aerts: typuhthâng
      (2023, booklet + cd, --, private release)

Vocalist and composer Vivienne Aerts released "Typhthâng" a bit over a year ago.
The album highlights, showcases and focusses on female musicians.

I wanted to check out "Typuhthâng" because both Corrie van Binsbergen and Hermine Deurloo participated.
I had hoped that Corrie would have added a typical guitar solo somewhere, but that turned out to be more electronic sound effects.
Hermine Deurloo's harmonica solo in 'You're My Morning' gave me goosebumps.  

"Typuhthâng" is ethereal and fairy-like. It floats between jazz and folk.
It's a beautiful tribute to the women in music.

IBRAHIM MALOUF FEAT. TROMBONE SHORTY

ACID MOTHERS REYNOLS - VOL.3

• Acid Mothers Reynols: Vol. 3
      (2024, lp, USA, vhf records)

The Acid Mothers Reynols project is a collaboration between Japanese psychedelic band Acid Mothers Temple and Argentine experimental ensemble Reynols.
They recently released their third album, aptly entitled "Vol. 3".

I was rather curious when I first heard about the project, but I have to see that the result surpasses all of my expectations.
Adding the percussive, polyrhythmic structures of Reynols to the freakiness of AMT results in an extraordinary adventure.
Beautiful layers of sounds, going in all directions. Wow.

Available on vinyl and as a digital download.

Astonishing.

Check it out !

THE RETURN OF BARFKO-SWILL

Vintage Barfko-Swill goods have been unearthed and made available by the ZFT.

https://store.zappa.com/pages/barfko-swill

KING GIZZARD & THE LIZARD WIZARD

• King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard: Live In Brussels ‘19
      (2020, 2cd, --, --) – 2020-01-15
      (2020, 3lp, --, --)
      (2020, download / streaming, --, --)

Live at Ancienne Belgique, Brussels, Belgium, October 8th and 9th 2019

Tracks 1-9 recorded on October 8th
Tracks 10-17 recorded on October 9th

100% OF PROCEEDS GO TO WIRES WILDLIFE RESCUE

"Live In Brussels '19" was the third King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard album that got released in one month time. January 2020.
All three of these albums supported a good cause.
All three of these albums were made available as digital downloads for fans and record companies to produced their own cassette, LP or CD versions.
As a result, numerous box sets, 2 LP, 3 LP and 2 CD sets got released all over the world.

Personally, but I might be biased, 'Brussels '19' is the best of the series.

1972 IN JAZZ & PROG ROCK ROCK

With Tim Bowness and Steven Wilson.

 

PETER EÖTVÖS - KOSMOS

• peter eötvös: kosmos
      (2014, cd, Germany, wergo)

Peter Eötvös' "Kosmos" album included 'Psalm 151', in memoriam Frank Zappa.
A beautiful 19-minute percussion piece.

Here's a rendition by Yuyoung Yin.

VARIOUS ARTISTS - ASPECTS OF JAZZ FROM THE NETHERLANDS VOL.12

• various artists: aspects of jazz from the netherlands vol.12
      (1988, cd, the netherlands, bfo a-12)

Although it isn't mentioned as such, "Aspects Of Jazz From The Netherlands Vol. 12" probably was some sort of promotional release.
Even more confusing is the fact that the album cover mentions "Studies In Jazz 1" as the title.
Anyway, Volume 12 in a series, but I'm only familiar with this one.
The reason is simple: the first track on the CD is 'Bin's Lick" by Corrie van Binsbergen's band at the time: Corrie en de Brokken.

'Bin's Lick' sounds great (and it cannot be found on any other of Corrie's albums).
The rest of the album sounds fine as well.
From 1988 !

Here's Corrie van Binsbergen performing 'Zoot Suit' (a Frank Zappa tribute)
From 2022 !

DON PRESTON EMARKS ON FIRST EUROPEAN SOLO TOUR

From GlassOnyon PR

Mothers of Invention Keyboard & Synthesizer Legend Don Preston Embarks on First European Solo Tour September 2024
Pianist & Synthesizer legend Don Preston will be touring Europe starting in September (tour dates below). Don Preston leads a life filled with music, innovation, and experimentation in acoustic and electronic music. “Groundbreaking” is a phrase that is clearly overused. With Don it rings true. One of the first performers to drag a pile of oscillators and filters onstage, he brought his classical training to the Avant Garde. In the early 60s Frank Zappa would come to see Don’s “electronic music with films of bacterial life” shows in Los Angeles. Don was soon in Zappa’s radical new group The Mothers Of Invention, touring and playing on classics like “We're Only In It For The Money” and “Roxy & Elsewhere” from 1966 to 1973.

Don has played with everyone from Elvin Jones, Gil Evans, and Nat King Cole to The Residents, Jack Bruce and Robbie Krieger. His keyboard solos on Zappa albums, as well as countless soundtracks like Coppola’s “Apocalypse Now,” are considered ground-breaking moments in synthesizer music history.
Still very active in his 90’s, Don was there for the dawn of electronic musical performance, and today grafts new technologies into his experimental palette with software synths & iPhone apps, blending jazz, rock, comedy, magic and ambient synths into a captivating performance.

DON PRESTON SOLO EUROPEAN TOUR

9/24 Porgy & Bess Vienna
9/25 Prague Czech
9/26 Prague Czech
9/27 Broumod Under
9/29 NordHausen, Germany
9/30 Bb (Jazz Club) Berlin, Germany
10/2 Weert, Netherland
10/3 Russelsheim, Germany
10/5 Brussels, Belgium
10/6 Stuttgart, Germany


“The guy that really impressed me was Don Preston, I didn’t know what that stuff was when I heard it on Frank Zappa's records. I said, ‘Man!’” - GEORGE DUKE

“Preston not only brought his skewed piano sensibility into the creative jazz context, he lugged along a little of his zany synthesizer as well…touching on all these associations (Carla and Paul Bley, John Carter, Zappa and Cole Porter), showing what he can do twisting a standard around and delving a bit into his own compositional bag as well. Preston resides on the edge of tonality, toying with it.” – DOWNBEAT

“Revisiting choice moments of weirdness and glory, as well as dig into original works and unlikely standards, is not to be missed. The range of program is somewhat camouflaged by the seamless interplay of Preston and cohorts. They possess a cohesion born of fluidity that is reminiscent of Paul Bley’s 60’s trios, but they have their own crisp edge. It is a high common denominator for such a diverse program.” – JAZZTIMES

“Best known as the first synth wielding Mother of Invention - Frank Zappa’s keyboardist aide de camp, to others he is an avowed New Music experimentalist, whose work in theatre, and with assorted sonic daredevils is the stuff of underground acclaim.......in the jazz orbit Preston’s credits have included Gil Evans, Carla Bley, Buell Niedlinger, Michael Mantler, John Carter, and Bobby Bradford” – DOWNBEAT

“Preston demonstrated anew that he is one of the most consistently exciting keyboardists anywhere, he plays with an intensity and a rhythmic vitality that approached the demonic, at climactic moments smashing the keys with a forearm and elbow, as if the piano were just not instrument enough for him.” - LA JAZZ SCENE