NAZARETH – ‘Live’ in the UK 2015 featuring new singer

“This guy could revitalize Nazareth” (Classic Rock)

NEW ALBUM – Rock ‘N’ Roll Telephone (Salvo)

“ Studded with highlights… the entire lineup performing at full velocity” (Ultimate Guitar.com)

**** (Metal Talk) **** 

January 2015 sees Nazareth once more going for the throat, returning  for their first UK tour since Dan McCafferty’s retirement from ‘live’ work with the band and featuring new singer, LINTON OSBOURNE, now standing proudly alongside Naz founder member PETE AGNEW (bass)  and longtime band members LEE AGNEW (drums) and guitarist JIMMY MURRISON.

In November, to promote the new album – described by Classic Rock as “Very much in the classic Nazareth tradition” - and following shows with the band in Canada, Switzerland, Austria, Romania and Russia, Linton and the band were well fired-up for a storming show at Metropolis Studios in London, in front of an audience of diehard fans for DVD release. Lintons impact was immediate:  

“This new singer. He's a bit good. Linton Osborne's his name. Not at all a Dan McCafferty clone. He has a tremendous range, and while he's more than capable of delivering that gruffness and growl which has been the band's trademark for so many years, there's so much more to the Scot's vocal prowess. This guy could revitalise Nazareth” (Malcolm Dome, Classic Rock).

Malcolm was quick to acknowledge guitarist Murrison’s 20 –year role in the band, too: “The man’s a prime talent in his own right…he shines throughout”. He wraps up his review with a clear message that Nazareth remain not only up to the challenge, but are still very much a formidable force – “ There are some breathtaking highlights. Best songs of the night are ‘Hearts Grown Cold’ (with Osbourne electrifying), ‘This Flight Tonight’ (with the whole band in peerless form), and the encore couplet of ‘Love Hurts’ and ‘Expect No Mercy’ – a tour de force”.

The man’s not wrong. Nazareth, ‘live’ – EXPECT NO MERCY!

Website

www.nazarethdirect.co.uk

JANUARY 2015

FRI. 23^RD: HULL, Fruitspace 62-63 Humber Street, Hull HU1 1TU 01482 221113 www.fruitspace.co.uk

SAT. 24^TH: SKEGNESS, Great British Rock & Blues Festival (Butlins) http://www.bigweekends.com/splash-pages/rock-blues-2015.aspx

SUN. 25^TH: CARDIFF, The Globe

THURS. 29^TH: SOUTHAMPTON, The Brook , 466 Portswood Road, Portswood, Southampton SO17 3SD. 023 8055 5366 www.the-brook.com

FRI. 30^TH: MANCHESTER, The Academy (within Manchester University Students Union building), Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PR. 0161 275 2930. £20

SAT.31^ST: WAKEFIELD, Warehouse 23, 23 Smyth Street, Wakefield, West Yorkshire WF1 1ED www.warehouse23.co.uk Ticket link - http://www.seetickets.com/event/nazareth/warehouse23/823997

FEBRUARY

SUN 1^ST: GLASGOW, The Ferry

GIANTS OF ROCK

FRI 6^TH – MON 9^TH FEBRUARY 2014: Butlins Resort, Minehead, SOMERSET

http://www.bigweekends.com/splash-pages/giants_of_rock_2015.aspx

I

We are delighted to present to you all once again GIANTS OF ROCK 2015. Following the outstanding response from both guests and artists alike, GIANTS OF ROCK now sits proudly alongside The Great British Folk, Great British Alternative and Great British Rock & Blues Festivals – part Butlins’ massively-successful and growing reputation for the very best music married to the perfect accommodation and dining package.

Featured over this fantastic weekend are the legendary BLACK STAR RIDERS, born out of the legend that was – and is, Thin Lizzy. FAMILY make an incredibly rare appearance, still featuring the truly unique voice of ROGER CHAPMAN. Just as rare – and as much anticipated – are performances from MANFRED MANN’S EARTHBAND and COLOSSEUM.

Wall to wall classics are certain from the one and only SLADE  and fellow Midlands heroes MAGNUM will once again prove to one and all why they are contenders for the title of ‘Hardest-Working Band’ in the UK. Dutch prog pioneers FOCUS are guaranteed to delight, fronted as ever by Thys Van Leer and THE ENID are another intriguing must-see. Ratcheting up the energy levels will be the national treasure that is EDDIE & THE HOT RODS.

THE QUIREBOYS always bring their own party and the former Mott The Hoople and Bad Company guitarist brings his MICK RALPHS BAND along with their own special celebration of some great music, too. Following her stunning performance at Giants last year, DEBORAH BONHAM will no doubt deliver the rare talent and quality that a Sold Out audience saw from her performance as Special Guest for Paul Rodgers at The Royal Albert Hall at the end of 2014.

With a very fine lineage reaching back through so many of Rock’s legendary bands, most notably Whitesnake, BERNIE MARSDEN is sure to be dipping into his own songbook from back then, alongside songs from his classy new album. THE YARDBIRDS have one of the finest catalogues in popular music and still feature the writer of several of them – Jim McCarty. 

This year’s Giants of Rock line-up is completed by ex- Argent guitarist JOHN VERITY, who has quietly established reputation for very classy blues-rock, whilst another exciting prospect features DEL BROMHAM of Stray and his JOHNNY WINTER EXPERIENCE, with a tip of his own hat to the late, lamented US guitarist.

This really is an event truly for all fans of great music!

PRICES START FROM ONLY £115 PP for 3 nights (Silver accommodation)

THE GREAT BRITISH ROCK & BLUES FESTIVAL

FRI 23^RD – MON 26TH January, 2015: Butlins Resort, Skegness

Year after year, The Great British Rock & Blues Festival delivers.

Mixing legendary names with proven crowd pleasers and the occasional wild card, this year at Butlins resort Skegness is no exception.

The last 12 months has seen MARTIN BARRE quietly establish his band as the true guardians of JETHRO TULL’s legacy, throwing regular, fresh and exciting spins on the legendary catalogue that he recorded with that band - along with a few surprises from his personal menu. CARAVAN are revitalised in recent years, highlighting their own magnificent catalogue, alongside a new album that is much them now – as they were, then. Guaranteed to have you smiling from ear to ear.

NAZARETH return with their new singer after the retirement from touring of Dan McCafferty and with a stonking new album in their back pocket, plus classic after classic in their arsenal. Expect No Mercy from one of the worlds best-loved British classic rock bands. A sure-fire room filler.

It could be argued that BAND OF FRIENDS have nothing left to prove with their celebration of Rory Gallagher’s’ legend – but still they do, over and over again. Clearly, they have a ball – and make sure everyone else does too – going for the throat from the off. The ‘powerhouse trio’ that the tag was coined for.

SLIM CHANCE: “reformed and unrepentant”, they say. Celebrating the fine and much –loved songs they created with the late, great Ronnie Lane, the band have gradually found a parallel path that has allowed them to create new music too, but most definitely in the true spirit of ol’ Ronnie. They drew a unique and memorable ‘roadie hands-aloft’ routine from the crew on the balcony at Skegness last time they visited Butlins… ‘How Come’? ‘Ooh La La’…

ROBBIE MCINTOSH has played with some of the greatest names in rock, including The Pretenders and Paul McCartney. No slouch in the guitar department for sure, his current album has also seen him gaining a formidable reputation for his own material.

From the USA, SKINNY MOLLY have consistently proved on their visits to the festival that Southern Rock is in very safe hands - and, what to expect from New York’s LEZ ZEPPELIN? We are promised the evidence of how they have gained worldwide critical acclaim for the “musicianship, passion and gender-bending audacity” they bring to the music of the mighty Zep. The bands tour guests, SCREAMIN EAGLES look to capitalise on their much talked –about set at Giants of Rock last year and FEDERAL CHARM are another much-anticipated prospect this year in Skegness. Look out for Michigan’s GIRLS WITH GUITARS, too.

On the Blues stage, THE BLUES BAND return to the festival, sure to never disappoint the faithful and given such a stellar composition of individual talents in the line up, they are sure to continue to reliably deliver the very best of British Blues for a very long time to come. BABAJAK have gained a huge following for their unique live performances and are sure to be much talked about for months . 

MARCUS MALONE promises classy blues-rock from a formidable frontman who really knows how to entertain, as reception to his steaming set to a capacity crowd at Colne proved earlier this year. At the forefront of exciting new British Blues is LAWRENCE JONES, one of the hardest-working bands around - who seems to be playing ‘live’, somewhere on this planet, all the time! Now that’s what we call doing his ‘apprenticeship’!

KYLA BROX has quietly gained a formidable reputation for her special brand of jazz-infused Blues that conjures up both the grit of Janis Joplin and the smoky sweetness of Billie Holliday. SAM 

KELLYS STATION HOUSE is another guaranteed crowd pleaser, along with CARVIN JONES. Always guaranteed to deliver is CONNIE LUSH, arguably Liverpool’s finest export alongside the Fab Four. With a cheeky smile that lights up the room, Connie and her band are without doubt a Class Act.

Afternoon highlights come with the superb musicianship of The Blues Bands’ DAVE KELLY, along with the fascinating prospect of PETE BROWN & PHIL RYAN ; the former, co-writer of so many CREAM classics with the late, great JACK BRUCE and the latter,  mainstay of Welsh legends, MAN.

So, along with the ‘INTRODUCING… and BLUES MATTERS! Stages, we think we got something for all again this year.

From £89 pp. 3 nights accommodation at a seaside location… hot showers & comfy beds

FOR MORE INFORMATION AND DETAILS OF HOW TO BOOK, GO TO: 

http://www.bigweekends.com/splash-pages/rock-blues-2015.aspx

Pre-YES band Mabel Greer's Toyshop Release New Album Featuring Tony Kaye Produced By Billy Sherwood ‏:
"New Way Of Life" Released 9th March

The psychedelic progressive rock group Mabel Greer’s Toyshop, which sprouted the first shoots of YES, have reunited and announced a new album entitled New Way Of Life, which will be released on 9^th March through RSK Entertainment. The opening track Electric Funeral premieres on YouTube today.

New Way Of Life is about authenticity without compromise - a unique and very special album. At once distinctly different from all twenty-one YES studio albums, it still has unmistakeable early Mabel Greer’s Toyshop (MGT) vibes from the time Chris Squire, Peter Banks, Tony Kaye and Jon Anderson were in the band. The album demonstrates the evolution of the group from when it was formed in the sixties to how life experiences have since shaped the music. “We hope that YES followers everywhere enjoy this offering. It’s a piece of history brought to life by the technology of today. The album includes new versions of old classics like Beyond & Before, and a whole lot of new music too," says singer, guitarist and songwriter Clive Bayley.

The 11-track album has been co-produced by YES producer and former member Billy Sherwood who also plays keyboards alongside Tony Kaye and bass alongside Hugo Barré, and combines Bayley’s soulful vocals and wailing guitar solos with Tony Kaye’s distinctive keyboards, and underpinned by Robert Hagger’s drums.

On New Way Of Life, Mabel Greer’s Toyshop deliver a vibrant, energised and occasionally otherworldly sound; with an eclectic mix of old and new music, the album doesn’t disappoint on originality. It was recorded after the two founding members Clive Bayley and Robert Hagger met up again last August after a gap of 45 years! Other members of MGT went on to establish long and successful careers in the music business with YES and other bands, while Clive and Bob ventured into the world of business. “It really was a miracle that we came together and produced this album”, says Hagger. “It started out as fun when I met Clive again and he suggested a trip to the recording studio. The outcome was that we re-discovered the old magic - it was a big buzz working together again, and we have to thank Alex Keren and Hugo Barré for their help in making this project happen.”

Billy Sherwood adds: “On hearing that Mabel Greer’s Toyshop wanted to get back together after so long, I was sceptical about how it would all sound - to my surprise it was actually very cool. Not only will this new album appeal to the die-hard YES fans, but also to a whole new breed of followers. It’s such an exciting project to be involved in”.

New versions of Beyond & Before and Sweetness, from the very first YES album in 1969, are included on New Way Of Life - the former co-written by Clive Bayley and Chris Squire and the latter by Bayley, Squire and Jon Anderson. Other new versions of classic songs on the album co-written by Bayley and Squire are: Jeanetta, Get Yourself Together, Images of You & Me and Electric Funeral. The other tracks are all new compositions written primarily by Bayley.

New Way Of Life will be available on CD and digital download from 9^th March 2015.

The opening track, Electric Funeral, is available on YouTube Here:http://youtu.be/yaAp93sJSFA

Official Website

www.MabelGreersToyshop.com

           

Kenny Wayne Shepherds Returns To The UK For Five Dates In April Including London Shepherds Bush Empire

Special Guest Ben Poole

Hot on the heels of rave reviews from his recent October 2014 UK tour dates, five-time Grammy-nominated and multi-platinum-selling blues/rock guitarist Kenny Wayne Shepherd returns to the UK for a follow-up tour in April 2015, including a major headline concert at the London Shepherd’s Bush Empire on Wednesday 15th April.

Special guest is Ben Poole, who’s "Live at the Albert Hall" album went to No.4 in the official Amazon UK blues chart. Poole has been described as Britain’s brightest blues-rock guitar talent.
Dates and Booking Details Below

KENNY WAYNE SHEPHERD BAND
APRIL 2015 UK TOUR

PLUS SPECIAL GUEST
BEN POOLE

BOOK ONLINE: www.thegigcartel.com
24 HR BOX OFFICE: 0844 478 0898

SALISBURY CITY HALL
FRIDAY 10th APRIL 2015
Tickets: £25.00 / Box Office: 01722 434 434
Book Online: www.thegigcartel.com
Salisbury City Hall, Malthouse Lane, Salisbury, SP2 7TU
www.cityhallsalisbury.co.uk

HOLMFIRTH PICTUREDROME
SATURDAY 11th APRIL 2015
Tickets: £25.00 / Box Office: 0844 478 0898
Book Online: www.thegigcartel.com
Market Walk, Holmfirth. HD9 7DA
www.picturedrome.net

GLASGOW O2 ABC
SUNDAY 12th APRIL 2015
Tickets: £23.00 / Box Office: 0844 477 2000, 0844 478 0898
www.ticketweb.co.uk, www.thegigcartel.com
300 Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow, G2 3JA
www.o2abc.co.uk

ABERDEEN LEMON TREE
MONDAY 13th APRIL 2015
Tickets: £23.00 / Box Office: 01224 337 688
Book Online: www.thegigcartel.com
Aberdeen The Lemon Tree, 5 West North Street, Aberdeen, AB24 5AT
www.aberdeenperformingarts.com

LONDON O2 SHEPHERD’S BUSH EMPIRE
WEDNESDAY 15th APRIL 2015
Tickets: £25.00
Box Office: 0844 477 2000, 0844 478 0898
Book Online: www.thegigcartel.com
London Shepherds Bush Empire, Shepherds Bush Green, London, W12 8TT
www.o2shepherdsbushempire.co.uk

Photo Credit: © Adam Kennedy

KING KING

FEBRUARY/MARCH 2015 UK TOUR
PLUS SPECIAL GUEST: LAURENCE JONES

24 HOUR BOX OFFICE – 0844 478 0898
BOOK ONLINE – www.thegigcartel.com

The UK tour follows last year’s release of King King’s critically acclaimed second studio album, "Standing in the Shadows".

Catch this tour and witness one of the great new blues bands heading to the top. Tour Dates and Booking Details Below:

LINCOLN DRILL HALL
Friday 20th February 2015
Tickets: £15.00 / Box Office: 01522 873894
Book Online: www.thegigcartel.com
Free School Lane, Lincoln, LN2 1EY
www.lincolndrillhall.com

CHESTER LIVE ROOMS
Saturday 21st February 2015
Tickets: £15.00 / Box Office: 01244 317171
Book Online: www.thegigcartel.com
112-114 Magdalen Street, Norwich, NR3 1JD
www.theliverooms.com

LEAMINGTON SPA ASSEMBLY
Thursday 26th February 2015
Tickets: £15 / Box Office:  0844 854 1358
Book Online: www.thegigcartel.com
Spencer St, Leamington Spa, Warwickshire, CV31 3NF
www.leamingtonassembly.com

NEWBURY ARLINGTON ARTS
Friday 27th February 2015
Tickets: £15 / Box Office: 01635 244246
Book Online: www.thegigcartel.com
Mary Hare School, Newbury, West Berkshire RG14 3BQ
www.arlingtonarts.co.uk

MILTON KEYNES STABLES
Saturday 28th February 2015
Tickets: £15 / Box Office: 01908 280800
Book Online: www.thegigcartel.com
Stockwell Lane, Wavendon, Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, MK17 8LU
www.stables.org

READING THE BOWERY DISTRICT
Sunday 1st March 2015
Tickets: £15 / Box Office: 01189 595 395
Book Online: www.thegigcartel.com
110-117 Friar Street, Reading, West Berkshire, RG1 1EP
www.thebowerydistrict.co.uk

LONDON BORDERLINE
Thursday 5th March 2015
Tickets: £15 / Box Office: 020 7734 5547
Book Online: www.thegigcartel.com
Orange Yard, Manette St, London, W1D 4JB
http://mamacolive.com/theborderline

EXETER PHOENIX
Friday 6th March 2015
Tickets: £15 / Box Office: 01392 667080
Book Online: www.thegigcartel.com
Exeter Phoenix, Bradninch Place, Gandy Street, Exeter, EX4 3LS
www.exeterphoenix.org.uk

BILSTON ROBIN
Saturday 7th March 2015
Tickets £15 / Box Office: 01902 401211
Book Online: www.thegigcartel.com
20-28 Mt Pleasant, Bilston, West Midlands, WV14 7LJ
www.therobin.co.uk

CARDIFF THE GLOBE
Sunday 8th March 2015
Tickets £15 / Box Office: 08444 780 898
Book Online: www.thegigcartel.com
125 Albany Road, Cardiff, Wales, CF24 3NS
www.globecardiffmusic.com

NORWICH EPIC
Thursday 12th March 2015
Tickets: £15 / Box Office: 01603 727 727
Book Online: www.thegigcartel.com
112-114 Magdalen Street, Norwich, NR3 1JD
www.epicstudiosnorwich.com

SHEFFIELD CITY HALL BALLROOM
Friday 13th March 2015
Tickets: £15 / Box Office: 01442 789 789
Book Online: www.thegigcartel.com
Sheffield City Hall, Barkers Pool, Sheffield, S1 2JA
www.sheffieldcityhall.co.uk

MANCHESTER BAND ON THE WALL
Saturday 14th March 2015
Tickets: £15 / Box Office: 0845 2 500 500
Book Online: www.thegigcartel.com
25 Swan St, The Northern Quarter, Manchester, M4 5JZ
www.bandonthewall.org

LEEDS WARDROBE
Wednesday 18th March 2015
Tickets: £15 / Box Office: 01133 838 800
Book Online: www.thegigcartel.com
Leeds Wardrobe, St Peter's Square, Leeds, LS9 8AH
www.thewardrobe.co.uk

GATESHEAD SAGE
Thursday 19th March 2015
Tickets: £15 / Box Office: 0191 443 4661
Book Online: www.thegigcartel.com
St Mary's Square, Gateshead Quays, Gateshead, NE8 2JR
www.sagegateshead.com

STOCKTON ARC
Friday 20th March 2015
Tickets: £15 / Box Office: 01642 525 199
Book Online: www.thegigcartel.com
Stockton Arc, Dovecot Street, Stockton-on-Tees, TS18 1LL
www.arconline.co.uk

GLASGOW O2 ABC
Saturday 21st March 2015
Tickets: £17.50 / Box Office: 0141 332 2232
Book Online: www.thegigcartel.com
1 Station Road, Chester, Cheshire, CH1 3DR
www.o2abcglasgow.co.uk

ABERDEEN THE LEMON TREE
Sunday 22nd March 2015
Tickets: £15 / Box Office: 01224 337 688
Book Online: www.thegigcartel.com
5 West North Street, Aberdeen, AB24 5AT
www.aberdeenperformingarts.com

King King Website

http://www.kingkingblues.com/Home.html

King King Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/kingkingalannimmo

Legendary Blues Guitarist Harvey “The Snake” Mandel Releases Early Solo Albums In 6CD Box Set!

 Innovative blues guitarist Harvey Mandel, has had the kind of career that musicians dream about. Most known for his pivotal work with blues rock institution Canned Heat in 1969 & 70 including their legendary performance at Woodstock, Mandel has over the course of his 6 decade career collaborated with music luminaries such as John Mayall, The Rolling Stones, Love, The Ventures and many more! But Mandel’s genius playing truly shines on his solo efforts, which he began releasing in 1968, and continues to release to this day. Now, some of these early solo albums are being made available in a deluxe 6CD box set from Purple Pyramid Records on January 20. The limited edition Snake Box includes 5 classic solo albums each packaged in its own sleeve with original artwork plus a bonus 1968 concert recording and a full-color booklet with in-depth liner notes! Taking its title from Mandel’s nickname “The Snake” given to him by Canned Heat’s keyboardist for his cracked leather jacket and his snake-like guitar licks, this box set is an essential piece for fans of this lethally talented musician.

Harvey Mandel began his career as the original guitarist for Chicago blues legend Charlie Musselwhite, appearing on his 1966 debut album Stand Back!. He then relocated to the Bay Area, performing often at a club called The Matrix, where local favorites like Jerry Garcia and Elvin Bishop would sit in and jam (a recording of which makes up the bonus disc of Snake Box). He then met up with renowned producer Abe “Voco”' Kesh, releasing his first solo album titled, Cristo Redentor in 1968, which included his extra-terrestrial version of “Wade in the Water,” still a classic to this day. Then the news arrived that Harvey Mandel had replaced Henry Vestine as lead guitarist of Canned Heat, and it was clear that his talents had been noticed by more than just a few musicians. After several tours and 3 albums with the Heat, he was recruited by British blues man John Mayall to be a member of the Bluesbreakers. In 1971 Mandel resumed his solo career, releasing several more albums including Baby Batter & The Snake.

One of Mandel’s most significant session credits was his participation on The Rolling Stones’ 1976 LP Black and Blue. His unique style is evident on the song “Hot Stuff.” When Mick Taylor left the Stones at the end of 1974, Jagger & Co. auditioned various guitarists, among them Mandel and the man who eventually got the job, Ronnie Wood. Following his success with the Stones, he became a busy session player with groups such as Love and The Ventures, and opened for Jeff Beck on his Canadian tour as part of a power trio with Jimmy Haslip, of the Yellowjackets. He relocated to Chicago in the late ‘70s and continued to tour extensively as well as supporting groups such as Roxy Music. Throughout the next 3 decades, Mandel has earned copious praises for both his solo work and his collaborative efforts becoming one of the most influential and best known guitar players of his era. Now’s your chance to own a box set featuring the albums that started it all!

To order the box set: http://geni.us/1e5K

To download on iTunes: http://geni.us/ScV

DISC 1: Cristo Redentor (1968)

1. Cristo Redentor • 2. Before Six • 3. The Lark • 4. Snake • 5. Long Wait • 6. Wade In The Water • 7. Lights Out • 8. Bradley’s Barn • 9. You Can’t Tell Me • 10. Nashville 1 A.M.

DISC 2: Righteous (1969)

1. Righteous • 2. Jive Samba • 3. Love Of Life • 4. Poontang • 5. Just A Hair More • 6. Summer Sequence • 7. Short’s Stuff • 8. Boo-Bee-Doo • 9. Campus Blues

DISC 3: Games Guitars Play (1970)

1. Leavin’ Trunk • 2. Honky Tonk • 3. I Don’t Need No Doctor • 4. Dry Your Eyes • 5. Ridin’ High • 6. Capurange • 7. Señor Blues • 8. Games People Play

DISC 4: Baby Batter (1971)

1. Baby Batter • 2. Midnight Sun • 3. One Way Street • 4. Morton Grove Mama • 5. Freedom Ball • 6. El Stinger • 7. Hank The Ripper

DISC 5: The Snake (1972)

1. The Divining Rod • 2. Pegasus • 3. Lynda Love • 4. Peruvian Flake • 5. The Snake • 6. Uno Ino • 7. Ode To The Owl • 8. Levitation • 9. Bite The Electric Eel

DISC 6: Live At The Matrix 1968

1. Jam • 2. You’ve Got To Feel It • 3. 3 O’Clock In The Morning • 4. She’s A Mojo Worker