Meet Gentle Giant (Derek Shulman & Gary Green)

Update on the Gentle Giant remastering of Octopus and Three Friends - EVENT

News from Derek:

Derek Shulman posted on his Facebook page: (14 Sept): For anyone interested in my/our old band GENTLE GIANT!!..I'll be at FYE (old Tower Records) in Philadelphia with ex band-member Gary Green October 1st at 2PM. The address is 100 Souh Broad Street. We'll be signing the digipack remasters of "Octopus" & "Three Friends"...and generally be causing havoc in the city of botherly love.

Please share this with friends, web sites, whatever you can think of, and tell them to send it forward. Think of it as a good deed for music fans all over.

Promotional flyer - Gentle Giant lives!

Additional events/interviews to be added soon!

Gentle Giant - Press Release 18 Sept 2011

Gentle Giant will be making a number of public media and marketing appearances that fans world-wide can tap into in support of new re-releases of the group's OCTOPUS and THREE FRIENDS (coming out on Gentle Giant's imprint Alucard through EMI on September 27).

Confirmed so far:

September 21: 12 noon EST: Gary Green and the band's catalog marketing gal Anne Leighton

online radio interview, INSIDE THE MUSIC with Nick Katona and John Orr Franklin at http://aiiradio.net

iPhone or other smart phone 3g plus or higher: http://mobile.livestream.com/aiiradionet

here is the show link https://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=193991367335625

(Join the radio chat board at http://chat.aiiradio.net/)

September 25: between 9 and 12 noon EST: Band member(s): TBA

WLVR-BETHLEHEM, PA's Ear Responsible Radio w/ John

http://www.wlvr.org and at 91.3 FM in the LeHigh Valley, PA

September 25: 4:07 EST: Band member:TBA

with Mark From Holland

104.5 Mhz (cable) and 107.4 FM in the Ijmond Region of N. Holland

http://www.markfromholland.com/

September 27: 9 PM EST: Derek, Malcolm

Yowie, on line video conference

http://www.Yowie.com

September 29: 1 PM EST: Derek

East Village Radio's "Beyond is Beyond" w/ Mike Newman

http://www.eastvillageradio.com/

October 1: 2 PM: Derek and Gary

FYE Music, 100 S. Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA

OCTOPUS and THREE FRIENDS are already listed as pre-sales on Amazon at

http://www.amazon.com/Octopus-Gentle-Giant/dp/B005G0YP3M/ref=sr_1_1?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1312829910&sr=1-1

http://www.amazon.com/Three-Friends-Gentle-Giant/dp/B005G0YP3C/ref=sr_1_1?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1312828329&sr=1-1

One of the most renowned bands that came out of the British Progressive Rock

Movement, Gentle Giant spent their decade together pushing musical boundaries

and continually taking chances. Their music, while rooted in rock, had overtones of classical European composition, American jazz, British soul, medieval and even blues. They seamlessly integrated these disparate styles into the melting pot that epitomized the essence that was Gentle Giant.

Ray, Derek, and Phil Shulman, Kerry Minnear, Gary Green, Malcolm Mortimer and John Weathers are all available for interviews in anticipation of these blockbuster re-releases.

Please stay tuned to this page for updates!

Variations - 9 Women of Power (Gilles Tran)

9 women of power, 9 seasons. Gilles Tran's website, http://Oyonale.com is dedicated to digital art, particularly art created with 3D rendering software, particularly POV-Ray, Cinema 4D, FinalRender and Poser. You will find also the Book of Beginnings (a series of hyperlinked ultra-short stories), some variations, a few fractals, many photos, a couple of image and text generators, dozens of free 3D models and many other things - including DAZ's Victoria 3 character. Images, animations and texts (i.e. the artwork on this site) are copyrighted in the traditional way: fair use is authorised. Music (CC3.0 Share-Alike) by the fantastic American Idol Season 6 Finalist Leslie Hunt (Your Hair is on Fire)

Moog and Theremin Artist Shueh-li Ong, Singapore Esplanade 7-10 June

Multi-instrumentalist/performer Shueh-li Ong talks to Ted Ollikkala about her upcoming shows at Flipside,  Singapore Esplanade.
Shueh-li Ong - Singapore's Very Own Diva of the Theremin
courtesy Shueh-li Ong

[Ted] Hi Shueh-li! You've got 8 performances set up (Flipside). All free, 30 minute shows with the Artsylum Quartet.

[SL:] This trip came about through an invite from the Esplanade. They are flying me over and making sure I am happy! The last time I was in here in 2008, I brought over an American team. My aim with Xenovibes is intercultural exchange. The show we did, “Xing Paths- Return to Singapore” at the Arts House in 2008 was my undertaking to raise money for the BT Budding Artist Fund.

This time around, the Esplanade has approached me to work with local artists for the outreach portion of the Arts Festival/Esplanade presents. I decided to put a different kind of exchange into action this time - that of working with an orchestral ensemble in order to continue raising awareness of different forms of musical expression. I discovered 'Artsylum', an excellent string quartet who are no stranger to the venue, and the people at the Esplanade hooked us up.

WHICH CD/ALBUMS WILL YOU BE PROMOTING? WILL THEY BE AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE BY THE PUBLIC AT THE ESPLANADE SHOWS?

[SL:] This trip is an extension of my wanting to reach out in a more personal way; in ‘acoustic’ setups such as the shows I am doing at the Esplanade.

This performance style allows me to get close to the audience and exercise skills from my musical toolkit. One such ‘tool’ is arranging for orchestral instruments.

At "Theremin-ising", songs from my 3 CDs "Shueh-li’s Xenovibes", "Music From Another Land" and ""Xing Paths" have been specially arranged for Artsylum and me to play.

To fulfill the 'outreach portion' of the show, I’ve also selected some popular tunes that put the mighty theremin(!) in a more familiar context. What you will hear is the theremin in 'effected mode' (through LogicPro/Mainstage) and also in its ‘natural’ state. For those of you who may not know what a theremin is, let me say that the theremin is one of the oldest electronic instruments, and the only one known that you play without touching. I am also an internationally endorsed moog artist.

At the Esplanade Flipside performances, besides the theremin, I will also be demonstrating what is called 'virtuosic synthesizer' work. My 3 CDs will be on sale, yes, and I will sign any CDs purchased, for people willing to post our photo on Facebook!

I will have 'meet & greet' sessions after each show at 7:45pm and 8:45pm over the four nights, so please come and chat with me!

ARE THERE PROGRESSIVE ROCK INFLUENCES IN YOUR MUSIC?

[SL:] Oh yes, it's in all aspects of my work, as well as many other musical styles.

For example, there are progressive rock ('prog') influences in my instrumentation as well as in my programmed 'sounds'. My sonic arsenal is not the ordinary 'run-of-the-mill' repertoire as you might think.

Additionally, when I write, whether it be vocals or instrumental, my songs usually follow a journey or storyline (maybe even an 'epic one') rather than just a standard pop song format.

Finally, I have always promoted the more virtuosic performance, even when recording in the studio. I favour clever melodies (a musician friend once described my synthesizer work as 'exotic and sexy!'), harmony, texture, tempo change and of course fresh ideas.

My material requires the listener to peel away the layers like that of an onion, to reveal the intricacies involved in the composition/sound design/performance/production. My method is that I write and produce simultaneously.

WHO ARE YOUR ROCK INFLUENCES?

[SL:] I would have to say Keith Emerson and Kate Bush. Kate Bush was probably the biggest influence, in terms of a female role model who had everything going for her. She was a songwriter, producer, a great singer, dancer and she was very progressive during her time. She had folk elements in her pop music much like what I like to do.

Keith Emerson - he really rocks his keys! Sure, in the sense that Keith is a true rock and roller; he also pushes the boundaries, is a great showman and has great chops. Of course, other keyboard players were a great influence on me as well as the music from many groups. We try to be progressive with the music that we do and I really appreciate their efforts which make this genre such an exciting field to be a part of.

WHAT IS YOUR CURRENT PROJECT IN THE USA?

[SL:] I went to the U.S.A. on a special visa awarded to "Artists of Extraordinary Ability" in 2005 – with the specific purpose of creating new music, working on shows and touring.

My current project is a solo CD combining new and different elements to breathe fresh vision into my work. I am taking a major leap of faith onto new ground for a future tour emphasising this new performance style of being up close and personal with me. I am very thrilled about this! This new solo CD will put my friends and fans in the picture (more about this in my tweets and news posts at www.shuehli.com).

I am currently looking to collaborate with other artists either in a songwriting situation and/or as producer. Having staged various shows in Singapore with Electric Muse (www.electricmuse.com/) and my company in the U.S., one of my dreams is to someday stage a 'Tristram Cary and Robert Moog' tribute show, featuring artists who have used the creations of these inventors and compatriots from both sides of the Atlantic.

I was a student of Cary and as you know, and a Moog endorsed artist, so I would like to get the 'family' together for a tribute – taking the music to the people and paying homage to these wonderful gentlemen.

WHAT PROJECTS ARE YOU WORKING ON IN SINGAPORE?

[SL:] Besides returning to Singapore now for "Theremin-ising", I am open for invitations to write, produce, and stage in the near future. Contact me on my website, or follow me via Twitter feed or Facebook.

There are a multitude of things I do. I am a producer (Electric Muse USA is an ASCAP publisher). I’ve worked with theatrical companies and would like to do more. I am always willing to deliver masterclasses and I am open to artists who would like to collaborate or have me play on their album.

Hope to meet all my fans at the Singapore Esplanade! Cheers, Shueh-li

Theremin-ising
by Shueh-Li Ong & Artsylum Quartet (USA/Singapore)
7 – 10 Jun 2010, Mon – Thu
7.15 – 7.45pm
8.15 – 8.45pm
The Concourse

Ted Ollikkala
Singapore
3 June 2010

Awesome Unitopia video (Inside the Power) from THE GARDEN

Australian prog band UNITOPIA is ascending with a vengeance

With artwork from renowned surrealist Ed Unitsky and groundbreaking musical styles (can't pigeonhole these guys) from Sean Timms and Mark Trueack - this band is a feast for the ears. Not withstanding, the eyes have it too - as evidenced in this incredible animation sequence to the Unitopia song 'Inside the Power'.

The 7:38 video full length music video kicks off with a roar at 0:43

I spoke with lead vocalist Mark Trueak (Truey) in November 2009 as they were recording the latest album 'Artificial'. He told me they were experimenting with new sounds and ready to break out on their own - with ambitious projects involving several top international musicians, and a world tour. Artificial is just the start... There's more for UNITOPIA fans, much more!

P.S. - in case you don't know, this band is VERY environmentally friendly

Ted Ollikkala
Singapore

Renaissance Fanfare on Ning

Ladies and Gentlemen, a warm welcome please for Renaissance 2010!

Photos by Esa Ahola. Taken at The Rites of Spring Festival / Rosfest in Gettysburg, PA on May 1 2010 Posted with permission.

Longtime fans of the 1970s symphonic progressive rock group Renaissance are thrilled to have original members Annie Haslam and Michael Dunford together for 'Summer concert dates with Procol Harum and Steve Hackett, stretching across the north east of America up through Canada'.

These exciting photos were captured at George Roldan's annual Rosfest & Rites of Spring event held in Gettysburg, PA at the Majestic Theater. They come to us through the ambitious efforts of a longtime and very dedicated fan, Esa - a concert photographer from Atlanta. The new site (on Ning) is jam-packed with Renaissance goodies, from rare promotional material and vintage videos to up-to-the-minute photos such as the recent 'Meet and Greet' session shown here.

If you can't get enough of Annie & company (the new band includes Annie Haslam, Michael Dunford, Rave Tesar, David J. Keyes, Tom Brislin, and Frank Pagano) then get yourself over to Renaissance Fanfare (FANFARE is a great name: a short ceremonial tune or flourish played on brass instruments, typically to introduce something or someone important , LOL)... - thanks Esa!

Ted Ollikkala
Singapore

Orianthi and band in Australia (May 2010)

Tour Dates

Interactive Whalom Park Map with 50+ videos

108 years of fun ended in '2000... But will always be remembered!

Puppeteer Paul L'Ecuyer from Drawbridge Puppet Theater has put together a fantastic tribute to old Whalom Park in Lunenburg, Massachusetts. The park operated from 1893 - 2000 and has thousands of loyal fans and former employees (I am one of them!) spanning several generations.

"This is an interactive map depicting the park as it existed prior to it's closing in '2000. Clicking on each button will bring back all the memories you have for this lost treasure in north central Massachusetts. We invite you to enjoy Whalom Park as many of us did - through photos, sound and video clips."

The physical park is gone forever, but you can relive your memory of Whalom Park by visiting over 50 videos and photos of every attraction. Mr. Paul has lovingly and painstakingly put together a true 'virtual' recreation of Whalom Park (including a ride on the Flyer Comet).

Visit Mr. Paul's Interactive Whalom Multimedia Map 'for a Whale of a Time'!

Ted Ollikkala
Singapore

Related posts:

A Sentimental Journey for Whalom Park Puppeteer Paul L’Ecuyer

Where are they now… Paul L’Ecuyer – Master Puppeteer

Shoot High Aim Low by Yes

The song, according to Jon Anderson's announcements on many shows of the tour, is about war; specifically, a future in which mankind will live beyond war. In most of these announcements, Anderson explains that the "blue fields" mentioned in the first line are in Nicaragua. At the time the album was being worked on, a legal battle between the U.S. and Nicaragua had occurred over U.S. aid to anti-government guerrillas.

Stairway to Heaven on American Idol - Mary J. Blige

OMG, they did it LIVE!

Another version

according to you - Orianthi (Extended) Version

This puts a WHOLE NEW FACE on the hit single by Orianthi - warm and fuzzy Pullip Dollies. With lyrics

Dollys:
Taeyang: Max (Fullcustom by Miema), Edward (Timulus)

Pullip: Papin

Orianthi - Stairway to Heaven (Mary J Blige)

Multi-talented Aussie guitarist extraordinaire Orianthi Panagaris (According to You, Michael Jackson 'This Is It') has recorded in a superstar supergroup consisting of Steve Vai on guitars (Frank Zappa), Randy Jackson on bass (American Idol judge), and Travis Barkin on drums (Blink-182) for a track on 'Stronger with Each Tear' by Mary J. Blige. Blige's vocals are perfect for the song as is the headrush of instrumental guitar work.

Mary J. Blige Covers Led Zeppelin's "Stairway To Heaven" - Watch more Music Videos at Vodpod.

LA Times Entertainment

Visit Orianthi.com

Ten Baby Steps to Creativity (video)

Video created to accompany How to Be a Creative Thinker and Problem Solver

Emerson Lake & Palmer - A Time and a Place (official bootleg)

Emerson Lake & Palmer – A Time And A Place Featuring 4 Discs with Never Before Released Live Tracks! Newly Remastered! Experience ELP live through the decades with this 4-CD box set. A Time And A Place features high-quality soundboard recordings on the first three discs and audience recordings on the fourth. This set brings together a select body of performances by Emerson Lake & Palmer captured before worldwide audiences during the band’s career and tenure at the sharp end of the Progressive rock genre. From the group’s raw and unrestrained sound of the early 70’s, their rearrangements of compositions by internationally renowned composers, to their timeless conceptual pieces such as “Tarkus”, “Karn Evil 9” and “Pirates”, “ The Endless Enigma”, ELP have always been a band to push hard against musical boundaries. With cover artwork designed by illustrator William Stout, internationally renowned as one of the first rock “n” roll bootleg cover artists. Includes Collectible Poster! Pre-Order this set today Plus special ELP packages at www.ShoutFactory.com/ELP Coming soon Newly Remastered Full Length Concerts! Track Information:

• Disc One: The Early 70's
  • 01 The Barbarian [Isle of Wight Festival, Isle Of Wight, UK on August 29, 1970]
  • 02 Take A Pebble [Beat Club, Bremen, Germany on November 26, 1970]
  • 03 Ballad Of Blue [Lyceum Ballroom, London, UK on December 9, 1970]
  • 04 High Level Fugue [Lyceum Ballroom, London, UK on December 9, 1970]
  • 05 Hoedown [Mar Y Sol Festival, Veja Baja, San Juan, Puerto Rico on April 2, 1972]
  • 06 Still… You Turn Me On [The Civic Center, Tulsa, OK on March 7, 1974]
  • 07 Lucky Man [The Civic Center, Tulsa, OK on March 7, 1974]
  • 08 Karn Evil 9 (1st, 2nd & 3rd Impressions) [Anaheim Convention Center, Anaheim, CA on Feb. 2, 1974]
• Disc Two: The Late 70's
  • 01 Peter Gunn Theme [The Coliseum, Wheeling, WV on November 18, 1977]
  • 02 Pictures At An Exhibition [The Mid-South Coliseum, Memphis, TN on November 20, 1977]
  • 03 Tiger In A Spotlight [The Coliseum, Wheeling, WV on November 18, 1977]
  • 04 Maple Leaf Rag [The Coliseum, Wheeling, WV on November 18, 1977]
  • 05 Tank [The Nassau Coliseum, Uniondale, NY on February 9, 1978]
  • 06 Drum Solo [The Nassau Coliseum, Uniondale, NY on February 9, 1978]
  • 07 The Enemy God Dances With The Black Spirits [The Nassau Coliseum, Uniondale, NY on 1978]
  • 08 Watching Over You [The Coliseum, Wheeling, WV on November 18, 1977]
  • 09 Pirates [The New Haven Civic Center, New Haven, CT on November 30, 1977]
  • 10 Tarkus [The Nassau Coliseum, Uniondale, NY on February 9, 1978]
  • 11 Show Me The Way To Go Home [The Mid-South Coliseum, Memphis, TN on November 20, 1977]
• Disc Three: The 90's
  • 01 Knife Edge [Wiltern Theater, Los Angeles, CA on March 17, 1993]
  • 02 Paper Blood [Obras Stadium, Buenos Aires, Argentina on April 5, 1993]
  • 03 Black Moon [Waterloo Village Concert Field, Stanhope, NJ on July 31, 1992]
  • 04 Creole Dance [The Estadio, Santiago, Chile on April 1, 1993]
  • 05 From The Beginning [The Spodek, Katowice, Poland on June 22, 1997]
  • 06 Honky Tonk Train Blues [Universal Amphitheater, Los Angeles, CA on Sept. 25, 1997]
  • 07 Affairs Of The Heart [Waterloo Village Concert Field, Stanhope, NJ on July 31, 1992]
  • 08 Touch And Go [Wiltern Theater, Los Angeles, CA on March 17, 1993]
  • 09 A Time And A Place [Casino Ballroom, Hampton Beach, VA on August 1, 1998]
  • 10 Bitches Crystal [Universal Amphitheater, Los Angeles, CA on September 25, 1997]
  • 11 Instrumental Jam [Obras Stadium, Buenos Aires, Argentina on April 5, 1993]
  • 12 Fanfare For The Common Man – America - Rondo [Obras Stadium, Buenos Aires, Argentina on Apr 5, 1993]
• Disc Four: This Boot’s For You – A Fan’s View
  • 01 Introduction [Hollywood Bowl, Los Angeles, CA on July 19, 1971]
  • 02 The Endless Enigma [Long Beach Arena, Long Beach, CA on July 28, 1972]
  • 03 Abaddon’s Bolero [The Town Hall, Louisville, KY on April 21, 1972]
  • 04 Jeremy Bender – The Sheriff [The Olympiahalle, Munich, Germany on April 24, 1973]
  • 05 Toccata (includes Drum Solo) [Friedrich-Ebert-Halle, Ludwingshaven, Germany on April 10, 1973]
  • 06 Jerusalem [Henry Lewit Arena, Wichita, KS on March 26, 1974]
  • 07 Nutrocker [Boston Gardens, Boston, MA on July 12, 1977]
  • 08 C’est La Vie [Boston Gardens, Boston, MA on July 12, 1977]
  • 09 Piano Concerto #1 3rd Movement [Veteran’s Memorial Auditorium, Des Moines, IA on June 12, 1977]
  • 10 Closer To Believing [Veteran’s Memorial Auditorium, Des Moines, IA on June 12, 1977]
  • 11 Close To Home [Warfield Theater, San Francisco, CA on March 14, 1993]
  • 12 I Believe In Father Christmas [Beacon Theater, New York, NY on November 17, 1993]

BTW, Emerson Lake & Palmer have a new web site coming

Confidence & Self-Esteem (for Women)

Here it is! The preview for my new eBook, Order from Lulu.com or Amazon.com

Ted Ollikkala
Singapore