ROCKING ARTIST
Even now, in computer era, albums cover art is unparalleled when it comes to Storm Thorgerson and Roger Dean. One of the greatest designers of all time, Roger cares about the PC freaks, still, and has come up with an array of amazing high-quality desktop images rendered from his most famous works. They’re split in two series of ten,available in a variety of screen sizes (1024×768, 1600×1200, 1680×1050 and 1920×1200) and cost only $16.95.
Series 1 consists of: Arches Mist, Arches Morning, Dragon’s Garden, Drama, Green Towers, Relayer, Sea Of Light, Tales From Topographic Oceans, Tsunami and YesSongs Pathways.
Series 2 contains: Asia Aria Bridges, Asia Dragon, Badger, Blue Dessert, Centre Of The Earth, Floating Jungle, Nightwing, Red Earth, Remedy andShadowland.
Much more exciting is the news of Dean’s breathtaking books “Views”, first published in 1975, and its successor “Magnetic Storm” being reissued this autumn in their original 12″ x 12″ format which allows to enjoy the art in original LP size, and there will be a wholly new book out together with them, called “Dragons Garden”, featuring previously unpublished paintings and drawings. There should be 1,000 signed limited edition boxed sets of all three titles with a signed 32-page book of black and white prints, some handmade.
Great deal, sure. So be sure to be at www.rogerdean.com.
A HONK FOR PLONK
An impish look in his eyes, a soft go at bass guitar that brought him the nickname Plonk, Ronnie Lane was the rock community darling. His friends tried hard to support him, and 1985’s ARMS concert became a major even, but in 1997 Multiple Sclerosis took its toll – and for almost seven years Ronnie’s been jamming in heaven with his fellow Majic Mijit Steve Marriott. Yet, good boy, is he remembered and loved still! On April 8th, there’ll be the Ronnie Lane Memorial at London’s Royal Albert Hall, a charity event to help Lane’s family in the UK who recently lost their home in a fire.
A list of guests is still growing, but among those confirmed are: Ronnie’s own band SLIM CHANCE, Pete Townshend who recorded an album with Lane, Plonk’s SMALL FACES and THE FACES colleagues, Ian McLagan Kenney Jones and Ronnie Wood, fellow Immediate artists Chris Farlowe and PP Arnold, later-day Mods Paul Weller and OCEAN COLOUR SCENE and punks heroes Glen Matlock and Mick Jones. Not a show to miss.
CLIMB UP TO VOODOO
Taking several projects in his stride, Dario Mollo took time after the second THE CAGE album to record a follow-up to 2000’s "Voodoo Hill". Called “Wild Seed Of Mother Earth”, the second VOODOO HILL entry features not only the same guitarist – Dario himself – but the same singer, a golden-voiced Glenn Hughes, with Fulvio Gaslini on bass, Dario Patti on keyboards and Roberto Gualdi on drums. The songs of these concept cycle are:
| 1. Make Believe 2. Dying To Live 3. Still Evergreen 4. My Eyes Don t See It 5. Wild Seed Of Mother Earth 6. Nothing Stays The Same 7. Can t Stop Falling 8. Soul Protector 9. Atmosphere 10. She Cast No Shadows 11. 16 Guns |
PIRANHA TALISMAN?
Supergroups thrive these days – or it seems so, because intents are ripe yet harvesting may come hard. Another formidable gathering bears no name as of now, but the line-up looks interesting: Former TALISMAN and Malmsteen singer Jeff Scott Solo united forces with ex-Santana and JOURNEY guitar-slinger Neal Schon who roped in his heavy friends Marco Mendoza on bass and Deen Castronovo on drums. The work is on, so take your breath – like does Soto, who’s getting ready to rip the joint at the Queen Fan Club Convention once again.
NOT FIRTH OF FIFTH BUT BANKS OF “SEVEN”
GENESIS’ keyboard player Tony Banks has a classical album in his system for a long while but other commitments prevented him from going orchestral. With the band in limbo for several years, though, he had enought time to fulfil his dream which resulted in “Seven: A Suite for Orchestra”, recorded with the London Philharmonic. Five pieces on the album were written specifically for the project. Fans should investigate before investing…
| 1. Spring Tide 2. Black Down 3. The Gateway 4. The Ram 5. Earthlight 6. Neap Tide 7. The Spirit Of Gravity |
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