Tuesday, July 3, 2018

Cairo - "Cairo"


...


Cairo recorded 3 albums for Magna Carta ("Cairo", "Conflict and Dreams", "Time Of Legends"), as well as tracks for tributes to Pink Floyd ("The Moon Revisted"); Yes ("Tales From Yesterday"); and Genesis ("Supper's Ready").  Cairo band members helped out on • Jeff Brockman performs on "Freewill" on Rush tribute "Working Man" with Gregoor van der Loo & Marcel Coenen (Lemur Voice), Trent Gardner (Magellan), Carl Cadden-James (Shadow Gallery) • Mark Robertson performs Liszt's "Sonnetto 104 Del Petrarca" on "Steinway To Heaven" • Mark Robertson performs Hammond C-3 Organ on "The Sheriff" on the tribute to ELP "Encores, Leginds & Paradox" with Trent Gardner, Mike Portnoy (Dream Theater), Peter Banks (Yes), John Wetton (King Crimson, Asia), Wayne Gardner • Bret Douglas performs lead vocals on "Impact 1: Fate Speaks" on Explorers Club "Age Of Impact" alongside Trent Gardner, Fred Clarke, John Petrucci & Derek Sherinian (Dream Theater), James Murphy (Testament), Matt Guillory (Dali's Dilemma)



"The five-man Cairo were formed in the San Francisco Bay area in the early 1990s. This double album, a two-for-one re-release, consists of their eponymous debut album from 1994, coupled with its follow up, "Conflict and Dreams", from 1998. Cairo's music mixes a neo-prog approach and an AOR sensibility, along with Keith Emerson organ sounds and Yes-like vocal harmonies. They are like Asia or Kansas but a bit heavier on the prog element, especially the keyboards.

Cairo's debut album, after a short instrumental, kicks off with the AOR prog of Season Of The Heart. It is a fairly straightforward anthem with a stadium rock chorus, but it does mark out Cairo's musical identity. It is full of Mark Robertson's neo-prog synths and Hammond organ, balanced with Alec Fuhrman's guitars and fronted by Bret Douglas' strong and controlled tenor lead vocals."

- Martin Burns
DPRP
https://www.facebook.com/dprp.net/



More Cairo
Cairo on Magna Carta


"Cairo: Double Feature"
A specially priced Limited Edition 2 CD set of the first 2 albums by progressive rock band Cairo. "Cairo" and "Conflict and Dreams"
Available on Amazon


#progressiverock #progressivemetal #KeithEmerson #MarkRobertson #JeffBrockman #AlecFuhrman #BretDouglas #YESofficial #Asia #originalAsia #KansasBand #RushBand #PinkFloyd #ELP #EmersonLakePalmer #SanFrancisco #HammondOrgan #neoprog #MagnaCartaRecords #dprpnet

Wednesday, June 27, 2018

Points North NORTHWEST SUMMER RUN


... Check for Calendar Updates

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We're busy working on a new record, but we are still playing select shows in 2018...

NORTHWEST SUMMER RUN





Anchored by the return of the amazing Guitars Under the Stars festival in Lebanon, Oregon, we're excited for this run of summer dates - starting with two performances at the festival, and ending with a long-overdue return to Vinnie's in Concord, where it "all began".

Here's all the details:

July 26 & 29, 2018
Guitars Under the Stars
Cheadle Lake Park
37919 Wierich Drive
Lebanon Oregon 97355

This will be our third time at Guitars Under the Stars.  The lineup is amazing as ever - and this time we get to perform twice.

First, on Thursday July 26, we'll be headlining the opening night of the festival, performing as "Fred Barchetta" - playing an extended set of Rush songs, with the wonderful Kristina Borja on vocals.

And then on Sunday July 29, we'll be direct support for 80s pop legends Quarterflash, performing our original material.

In between are so many of our favorites & friends, including Gary Hoey, Ty Curtis, RDG, Larry Mitchell, Ed to Shred, Symbolic, Ben Woods, and more.

For all the details and tickets, including weekend passes, camping, VIP, and special event options, check out guitarsunderthestars.net!

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July 31, 2018
Billy Blues
7115 NE Hazel Dell Ave
Vancouver, Washington
8 PM

We're honored to headline an amazing lineup that includes two of our Oregon favorites -  Earth to Ashes, and Ed to Shred.  This show is free; for venue details check out billybluesbarandgrill.com.


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August 2, 2018
The Jam
915 H St
Arcata, California 95521
9 PM

It'll be our second time at The Jam and we're thrilled they're having us back.  Great sound, great audiences, in beautiful Arcata on the Northern Coast of California.  $8, tickets at the door.  Check out their Facebook page for venue details.


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August 3, 2018
The Dip
1730 California St
Redding, CA
8 PM

Redding's newest music venue is The Dip, which is reinvigorating and energizing the Redding music scene.  We'll be playing a full headline set.  For tickets and all show/venue details visit thedipredding.com.


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August 4, 2018
Vinnie's
2045 Mount Diablo Street
Concord, California
8 PM

Where it all began.  As we were first starting out, the first venue we really started to build an audience was in Concord, at Vinnie's.   From packed houses to bar fights, we cut our teeth there and started to figure out that this crazy instrumental trio thing might actually work.

And we're headlining a bill with two of our favorite acts too - Phantom Power, with the incredible Josh Zee and Johnnie Axtell on guitar, and Arkaen, featuring Joey Nunes (Full on Flyhead).

For all details and advance tickets visit the event Facebook Page.


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August 11, 2018
Sweetwater Music Hall
2045 Mount Diablo Street
Concord, California
8 PM

RUSH VS. YES

The return of progressive rock extravaganza Rush vs. Yes!  We'll be performing as Fred Barchetta, playing a full set of Rush material with Kristina Borja on vocals, and once again teaming up with Yes tribute band Shine Delirious for an unforgettable evening.

For all venue details and show tickets visit sweetwatermusichall.com.



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Points North

“Points North” is the self-titled, second album by this primarily instrumental rock band. Spearheaded by guitarist Eric Barnett (a finalist in Guitar Player magazine's Guitar Superstar competition), bassist Uriah Duffy (Whitesnake) and drummer Kevin Aiello, Points North stands on the shoulders of iconic artists Rush, Cream, The Police and Dixie Dregs - but expands upon these influences and clearly cuts its own artistic path.


Points North
                             
Listen to Points North "Points North" on Magna Carta

Points North at Bandcamp in FLAC, WAV, high resolution audio files

Listen Spotify: "Points North" on Spotify

Wednesday, June 20, 2018

Magellan - "Impending Ascension"


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Release Date: November 1, 1994


"Magellan - Their Best Album

Back when I first "re-discovered" progressive rock back in the mid 90's Magellan was one of the first of the modern era bands that I explored. At the time I thought they were incredible. Over the years I have had more mixed reactions to some of the band's latter albums, but this one still remains one of my favorites. Magellan is pretty typical of the progressive rock label Magna Carta's stable of bands in the 90's. Mixing 70's style progressive rock with bombastic modern metal, the band (mainly brothers Trent and Wayne Gardner) whip up a fine album of great music and lyrics. There are three really great tracks on the disc, and they all top the 10 minute mark. The opener "Estadium Nacional", the 2nd track "Waterfront Weirdoes" and track number 6 "Storms And Mutiny" which tells the story of the band's namesake, the explorer Magellan."

- Steven Sly, Amazon Customer Review

**



Available as part of A specially priced 2 CD set of the first 2 albums by progressive rock band Magellan. "Hour Of Restoration" and "Impending Ascension"

"Magellan Double Feature" at Amazon


Also available from Magna Carta Records

Magellan on Magna Carta


#Magellan #MagnaCarta #ProgressiveRock #ProgressiveMetal
#Yes #Genesis #JethroTull #KingCrimson #UK #PinkFloyd #Rush #KansasBand #YesBand

Wednesday, June 6, 2018

Shadow Gallery - "Shadow Gallery"


Shadow Gallery
"Shadow Gallery"
Released November 30, 1991


"I will name some highlights of the album,like the great symphonic and melodic piece "the dance of fools", "darktown" with very cool flutes on it, the melodic heavy metal and the fast double-bass work of "questions at hand, and the 17 minutes track of symphonic and melodic music and very nice vocals of "the queen of the city of ice", a very well composed album.

All of them reminds me so much of prog rock bands like GENESIS, JETHRO TULL, RUSH, KANSAS and even some ELP; with time their prog rock influenced metal would be slowly polishing into a more melodic and sophisticated metal, and yes progressive metal sound."
- P.H.P. ProgArchives.com



Available as part of Shadow Gallery: "Double Feature", a specially priced Limited Edition 2 CD set of the first 2 albums by progressive rock band Shadow Gallery; "Shadow Gallery" and "Carved In Stone"


"Shadow Gallery is a progressive rock band that stresses songwriting, production and performance in their music. "Carved in Stone", released in 1995, is longer and much more mature than the debut CD. It features stunning production, far exceeding that of "Shadow Gallery", and improves on the previously high-quality songwriting. The group's third album, "Tyranny" followed in 1998.
 This is a concept album about a defense worker who becomes disenchanted with his job and searches for other meanings in his life. The music is very reminiscent of "Carved in Stone", although somewhat lighter. "Legacy" appeared in spring 2001."
-iHeartRadio

https://www.iheart.com/artist/shadow-gallery-64754/

Shadow Gallery on Magna Carta:
http://www.magnacarta.net/shadowgallery/


Shadow Gallery "Double Feature" on Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/Shadow-Gallery-Feature-SHADOW-GALLERY/dp/B00YDJGIYQ/


Shadow Gallery on iTunes:

"Carved in Stone"
https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/carved-in-stone/id268027631

"Shadow Gallery"
https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/shadow-gallery/id167366646



#progressiverock #progressivemetal #Queen #Queensryche #YESofficial #Asia #originalAsia #KansasBand #Tyranny #ShadowGallery #CarvedInStone #Legacy #MikeBaker #CarlCaddenJames #BrendtAllman #ChrisIngles #GaryWehrkamp  #RushBand #PinkFloyd #Genesis #neoprog #VforVendetta #MagnaCartaRecords #iHeartRadio #FatesWarning #progarchives

Wednesday, May 30, 2018

Magellan "Hour Of Restoration"

..Released December 1, 1991





Progressive rock sound from an American band
Magellan was/is a truly unique progressive rock band. 
Their use of lyrics typically emphasized historical events 
especially on this album. Probably the seminal song that 
Magellan will be remembered for is found on this album - 
Magna Carta. The historic feel of the band singing about 
Magellan circumnavigating the globe makes this very 
unique.
It was Ferdinand Magellan's spirit of adventure and 
willingness to take risks that caused bandleader Trent 
Gardner to name his band Magellan. Trent wrote and sang 
all the songs as well as played keyboards. His brother, 
Wayne (RIP Feb. 10, 2014) played lead guitar. The band was 
rounded out by Hal Stringfellow on bass.
As expected from a so-called progressive group, there are 
several lengthy songs with several shorter ones mixed in. 
The songs are based around strong melodies with abrupt 
timing changes.There are also frequent changes from soft 
rock to hard rock and vice-versa. All in all, it creates a 
very interesting listening experience.
Certainly worth a listen!
- Tobias Funke, Amazon Review


**
Available as part of A specially priced 2 CD set of the 
first 2 albums by progressive rock band Magellan. "Hour Of 
Restoration" and "Impending Ascension"


Also available from Magna Carta Records
Magellan on Magna Carta: 

#Magellan #MagnaCarta #ProgressiveRock #ProgressiveMetal
#Yes #Genesis #JethroTull #KingCrimson #UK #PinkFloyd 
#RushBand

Wednesday, March 28, 2018


Progressive Metal Hour Seven: Covered Again

Magna Carta artists cover songs by Genesis, Yes, Pink Floyd, Robin Trower, Emerson Lake & Palmer, Jethro Tull, Rush, John Luc Ponty.

Featuring Jordan Rudess (Dream Theater, Liquid Tension Experiment), Rod Morgenstein (Dixie Dregs), Neal Morse (Spock's Beard), Marco Sfogli (James LaBrie); Steve Howe (Yes) & Annie Haslam (Renaissance); Robert Berry (3), Simon Phillips (Toto), Glenn Hughes (Deep Purple), Marc Bonilla (Keith Emerson Band), Erik Norlander (Rocket Scientists, Asia); Glen Drover (Megadeth), Jeff Loomis (Nevermore, Arch Enemy), Jim Gilmour (Saga); Vinnie Moore (UFO), Kelly Keeling (Baton Rouge, MSG), Scot Coogan (Lita Ford, Ace Frehley);dUg Pinnick (King's X), Eric Gales (Eric Gales Band, Lauryn Hill), Thomas Pridgen (Mars Volta, Suicidal Tendencies); Dave Martone, Chris Pennie (Dillinger Escape Plan Coheed and Cambria), Juan Alderete (Mars Volta), Shane Gibson (Korn); Charlie Musselwhite, Derek Trucks (Allman Brothers Band), Mick Abrahams & Clive Bunker (Jethro Tull); Alex Skolnick (Testament), Nathan Peck & Matt Zebroski (Alex Skolnick trio).




#ProgressiveMetal #ProgressiveRock #SteveHowe #GlenDrover #VinnieMoore #JimGilmour #Saga #DixieDregs #JordanRudess #RodMorgenstein #AlexSkolnick