Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Sad News, Bret Douglas of Cairo has lost his battle with cancer

Jeff Brockman called Yesterday with the sad news.
Brett Douglas Stranne, 52, a popular Marin musician lost his battle with pancreatic cancer, passing away on Thanksgiving Day. Stranne has worked as church music director at St. Francis Episcopal Church in Novato. Known in the rock music industry as Bret Douglas, he was lead vocalist in Cairo, a band that has released three progressive-rock albums. Married with two college-age children, he lived in Novato, CA. Direct donations may be made at the Circle Bank branch in Novato, visit the website at brettstranne.com to leave positive thoughts for Bret's family.

 


Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Kansas Christmas Song: "The Light"

Steve Walsh wrote a special Christmas tune to record with Kansas just after they released the "Somewhere To Elsewhere" album.
Add "The Light" to your Holiday Compilations this Year.

Kansas - "The Light" on iTunes


Kansas - "The Light" on Amazon






Monday, November 7, 2011

"Force Ten" Rush tribute by Chris Pennie, Dave Martone, Shane Gibson

"Force Ten"

Chris Pennie (Dillinger Escape Plan, Coheed and Cambria) - Drums
Juan Alderete (Mars Volta) - Bass
Shane Gibson (Korn) - Guitar
Dave Martone - Guiatr
Robert Berry - Lead Vocals & Keyboards


























From the Rush tribute: "New World Man"


Friday, November 4, 2011

GWAR Guitarist Cory Smoot Passes Away

Gwar guitarist Cory Smoot (aka Flattus Maximus) is dead. His band members found him deceased this morning as they prepared to cross the Canadian border.

We at Magna Carta had the pleasure to work with Cory when he did the recording with Kris Norris for the "Guitars That Ate My Brain" album, and the Kris Norris Projekt - "Icons Of Illusion"


 



According to a press release the band provided to the blog Metal Sucks, Gwar's frontman David "Oderus Urungus" Brockie wrote:
It is with a sense of profound loss and tragedy that the members of GWAR must announce the passing of their long time guitarist and beloved friend Cory Smoot,  also known to thousands of metal fans worldwide as Flattus Maximus.  Cory was found deceased this morning as the band prepared for a border crossing.  There is no word as to the cause of death and the members of GWAR are completely shocked and devastated that this has occurred.  At this point there is no word on arrangements and the disposition of the remainder of GWAR’s current North American tour, nor are there any details regarding long term plans.  At this point we are just dealing with the loss of our dear friend and brother, one of the most talented guitar players in metal today.  We ask that our fans and the media be respectful of our request for privacy for those that have suffered this terrible loss.  A full statement will be coming in the next day or so, in the meantime please give your thoughts and your prayers to Cory, his family, and all the people that love him.
-Dave Brockie-



I am very saddened by the passing our friend Cory Smoot AKA Flattus Maximus of GWAR. He was an awesome dude & a great guitar player, as well as a talented engineer & producer. I recorded guest vocals for a few projects at his studio (The Kris Norris Projekt, the Jasta solo record) & as a friend he refused to take my money in payment for the sessions. Last session just gave me some killer tracks of HIS solo work and asked me I I ever had time to lay down some vocals for him. I really regret now not having had the opportunity to record those sessions with him. He was always fun to tour with, hang with, and we will be deeply missed, especially in our hometown of Richmond, VA. It was an honor to work with such a kind human being. My most sincere condolences to his wife, family, and the rest of the GWAR family. Rest in peace brother, I'll catch you on the flip side.     

Randy Blythe (Lamb Of God).      

Thursday, November 3, 2011

Tales From Yesterday - a tribute to Yes




Tales From Yesterday on iTunes

Tales From Yesterday For more than 25 years, the music of Yes has been thrilling music lovers throughout the world. Not only did this band create exciting new albums of incredible songs, it virtually invented an entirely new style of music... orchestral, symphonic, sometimes folk-influenced rock with lyrical content and social conscience. The band, Yes, and its musicians (both current and former) are still creating music today and have spawned new generations of musicians who have waited for an opportunity to thank their musical "fathers" for the creative energy that Yes inspires.
Now, "Tales From Yesterday... A View From The South Side of The Sky" gives the world an opportunity to hear past and current members of Yes as well as their musical offspring (both figurative and literal) re-create Yes material from new perspectives and with wisdom that only the passing of time allows.

Cover Painting and Logo Design by Roger Dean

Who Are the Performers?

01) Roundabout
Performed By Robert Berry
Robert Berry Instrumentation and Vocals
Steve Howe Guitar Cadenza

02) Siberian Khatru
Performed By Stanley Snail
Nick D'Virgilio Hi vox, Drums
Mike Keneally Mid vox, Guitars
Kevin Gilbert Lo vox, Keyboards
Bryan Beller Bass

03) Mood For A Day
Performed By Steve Morse

04) Don't Kill The Whale
Performed By Magellan
Trent Gardner Vocals and Keyboards
Wayne Gardner Guitars and Bass

05) Turn Of The Century
Performed By Steve Howe and Annie Haslam
Annie Haslam All Vocals
Steve Howe Acoustic Guitar
David A Biglin Keyboards

06) Release, Release
Performed By Shadow Gallery
Mike Baker Vocals
Carl Cadden-James Bass
Brendt Allman Guitars
Gary Wehrkamp Guitars and Keyboards
Chris Ingles Keyboards
Kevin Soffera Drums

07) Wonderous Stories
Performed By World Trade
Billy Sherwood Bass, Guitar, Keyboards and Vocals
Jay Schellen Drums

08)South Side Of The Sky
Performed By Cairo
Mark Robertson Keyboards
Jeff Brockman Drums
Alec Fuhrman Guitars
Bret Douglas Lead Vocals
Rob Fordyce Bass

09) Soon
Performed And Arranged By Patrick Moraz

10) Changes
Performed By Enchant
Douglas Ott Guitar and Keys
Paul Craddick Drums and Keys
Ted Leonard Vocals
Ed Platt Bass

11) Astral Traveler
Performed By Peter Banks
Peter Banks Guitar
Robert Berry Instrumentation and Arrangement

12) The Clap
Performed By Steve Morse

13) Starship Trooper
Performed By Jeronimo Road
Adam Wakeman Keyboards
Fraser Thorneycroft-Smith Guitars
Tony Fernandez Drums
Phil Williams Bass
Damian Wilson Vocals  

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

Chris Pennie - YMCA OR TCBY

Chris Pennie from Coheed and Cambria / Dillinger Escape Plan sends us “YMCA Or TCBY”, a tune with an expansive, haunting intro devoid of drums. It raises the question: What would you do to enter effectively? Jump in with obligatory double bass drum? Chris shows admirable patience, waiting plenty of time before jumping to action. His bombastic, Bonham-ish phrasing is tightly in rein, jumping to the fore then gating down the next moment. Back to the repetitive keyboard pattern, then Chris is back on top of the beat with thrusting ride cymbal and well-positioned fills. Nasal keyboard patches zap across the synapses, punctuated by solo drum phrases.






From DRUM NATION Volume 3 on Magna Carta