The first member of PENDRAGON to embark on a proper solo career while retaining his constant presence in the British ensemble, Peter Gee albums, even as remarkable as 1997’s "A Vision Of Angels" was, are often not paid enough attention by progressive rock community because of their religious slant, and undeservedly ignored by adepts of Christian rock. Undeterred, the veteran continues to deliver consistently interesting music, and May 16th will see the release of his tenth full-length offering, a follow-up to “Pilgrim” from 2022, titled “The Girl In The Cornfield” and comprising a few pieces one would hardly expect from Peter.
It was way back in 2009, when STRAWBS were celebrating their four decades on the scene, that the veterans – Dave Cousins, Dave Lambert, Chas Cronk, Rod Coombes and Oliver Wakeman – graced the stage in a very special company. On a few songs done in an acoustic setting, they welcomed Sonja Kristina standing in for Sandy Denny and, on a few others, including “Heavy Disguise” which features John Ford, members of the Royal Artillery Orchestra, conducted by Nick Drake’s associate Robert Kirby. A smattering of the pieces the band performed with the CURVED AIR chanteuse have seen the light of day, yet a visual document of those dates never escaped archives, and this situation is to be remedied on June 9th, with the appearance of the “Magic From The Moon” Blu-ray.
With this year marking of the fiftieth anniversary of the mighty MOTÖRHEAD, one should expect something special – something other, that is, than regular reissues, however beautifully expanded those might be – so it’s going to be a real treat for Lemmy connoisseurs to see the release of the British ensemble’s earliest recordings. Considered a long-lost album that preceded their official self-titled 1977 debut for a full year, but in fact documenting the trio of Ian Kilmister, Eddie Clarke and Phil Taylor, what was taped in August 1976 at ELP’s Manticore Studio in Fulham contained most of the pieces which would end up on the “Motörhead” LP – in different versions, of course. And this is what will be made available on June 27th.
2025 shapes up to become a Janis Ian year. With the "Breaking Silence" documentary gathering accolades all around the world, one would expect the venerated singer-songwriter to deliver a fresh studio platter, yet while a follow-up to 2022’s “The Light At The End Of The Line” might indeed be in the pipeline, Janis’ fans must rejoice at the news of her archival performance getting prepared for release. Recorded in Germany for radio transmission, “From Me To You: Live In Bremen 2004” will reach Ian’s audience on May 30th.
With his poster-boy looks, pleasant voice, a knack for composing a memorable tune and an aptitude for an exquisite guitar passage, the only talent the late Robin George could do without was his uncanny ability to turn up in the right place at the wrong time. He became an integral member of THE BYRON BAND, writing and playing with David Byron before the singer went off the rails, and a potential Phil Lynott’s partner in the about-to-reform THIN LIZZY before the Irish legend passed away; he worked with MAGNUM and ASIA but didn’t become part of these bands; he recorded with Robert Plant and Glenn Hughes only to see their joint efforts shelved and get issued many years later. No less importantly, the British artist had a hit with “Heartline” back in 1985 yet failed to become a star when the single’s parent album "Dangerous Music" couldn’t be properly promoted due to the label going bankrupt. Still, the veteran found the strength to revitalize his career, both solo and as part, alongside Pete Way and Chris Slade, DAMAGE CONTROL. So there’s a lot of stories George used to tell – and did just that, when meeting up with this scribe for an interview in Wolverhampton, many years ago, as well when we worked on liner notes for a couple of releases – before he passed away in 2024, so a book on him seemed long-overdue. And now the tome’s been written and published.
