Tag: Kansas

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Artists Worth Checking Out Get it or Forget it Reviews Women in Entertainment

Get it or forget it – Tommy Emmanuel and David Grisman, Robert Francis, Kansas, Leslie Clio, King Park

And the quest to complete 2017 review requests continues with another five for you today, including the spectacular live release by the one and only Kansas.  I know we normally don’t review major label acts, but who could pass up the opportunity to review one of the greatest bands ever?  We think you’ll understand when you check it out.  Here we go.

Artist Name:  Tommy Emmanuel and David Grisman

Album Name:  Pickin’

Label:  Acoustic Disc Records

Genre:  Bluegrass

Track Listing:  1.  Zorro’s Last Ride; 2.  Cinderella’s Fella; 3.  CGP & Dawg; 4.  Farm & Fun Time; 5.  Newly Wedding; 6.  Sweet Georgia Brown; 7.  Standing Rock; 8.  Dawg’s Waltz; 9.  Tipsy Gypsy; 10.  Tracy’s Tune; 11.  Port Townsend Blues; 12.  Waltzing Matilda

Publicist:  MSO PR

Review:  Two of the world’s premier musicians, guitarist Tommy Emmanuel aka CGP and mandolinist David Grisman aka Dawg have combined their talents on this amazing album of acoustic and bluegrass originals and covers.  This is the album for true music lovers, especially those who love the sound of guitar picking and mandolin.  This album is a total treat from start to finish.  We especially love the covers of “Sweet Georgia Brown” and “Waltzing Matilda,” and their original “Tipsy Gypsy,” but you can’t go wrong with any song on this album.

Recommendation:  If you truly love the art of making music, then this album is a must-have.  Get it now!

Artist Name:  Robert Francis

Album Name:  Indian Summer

Label:  Aeronaut Records

Genre:  Indie Rock

Track Listing:  1.  The Brand; 2.  Burn Out; 3.  Goldwing; 4.  Unspoken Rule; 5.  This Old House; 6.  Forgiveness is a Destination; 7.  The Magic; 8.  Modoc County; 9.  Joseph Campau; 10.  Dark Windows; 11.  Shots Ring Out; 12.  Indian Summer; 13.  Flatlining

Publicist:  Perpetual Media Relations

Review:  One of the things that makes this album from Robert Francis stand out is that he played every instrument on the album, and also produced it along with Marc Gabor.  This is a rare trait in musicians.  There are a lot of multi-instrumentalists out there, but few who can write, sing and play all the necessary instruments.  The music has a 60’s vibe with strong influence from Jim Morrison and The Doors, making these extremely well written songs all the more worthy of industry attention.  These songs go well as a musical backdrop for a weekend party, especially for us baby boomers.    Best tracks include “Burn Out,” “Goldwing,” “Unspoken Rule,” “This Old House,” “The Magic,” “Modoc County,” “Joseph Campau,” “Dark Windows,” and “Indian Summer.”

Recommendation:  An amazing effort from an amazing musician – definitely Get this one.

Artist Name:  Kansas

Album Name:  Leftoverture Live & Beyond

Label:  Inside Out Music

Genre:  Classic Rock/Prog Rock

Track Listing:  1.  Icarus II; 2.  Icarus; 3.  Point of Know Return; 4.  Paradox; 5.  Journey from Mariabronn; 6.  Lamplight Symphony; 7.  Dust in the Wind; 8.  Rhythm in the Spirit; 9.  The Voyage of Eight Eighteen; 10.  Section 60; 11.  Carry on Wayward Son; 12.  The Wall; 13.  What’s on my Mind; 14.  Miracles out of Nowhere; 15.  Opus Insert; 16.  Questions of my Childhood; 17.  Cheyenne Anthem; 18.  Magnum Opus; 19.  Portrait (He Knew)

Publicist:  Big Picture Media

Review:  Kansas has been a mainstay in rock music for almost a half-century, and was one of the pioneers of prog rock.  It is only fitting that they recorded their concert tour to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the release of their seminal and best selling album, Leftoverture.  Producer Jeff Glixman, who also produced the original album, pulled these 19 songs from 12 different shows that were recorded during the tour.  The songs include some of the band’s greatest hits, deep cuts not previously played live, tunes from their last studio album The Prelude Implicit, as well as the entirety of Leftoverture.  The result is a little slice of audio heaven that is sure to bring back memories for those of us who have been around to see this band develop into one of the greatest bands ever.  Steve Walsh and Kerry Livgren, the band’s principle songwriters, have given so much to rock and roll and music in general, and this live album proves that Kansas is still as great today as they were when they formed back in 1973.

Recommendation:  Don’t even think about it – you simply must Get your copy today!

Artist Name:  Leslie Clio

Album Name:  Purple Unplugged

Label:  Embassy of Music

Genre:  Soul/Pop

Track Listing:  1.  Survivor; 2.  Game Changer; 3.  Lies are Gold; 4.  Why Cry; 5.  Riot

Publicist:  Guerilla Music Promotion

Review:  Tackling a cover by Destiny Child is a daunting task for the most seasoned vocalist, yet Leslie Clio pulls it off without a hitch.  We like her laid-back approach to “Survivor” and lyrical updates and think this is just the icing on the cake that is the potential for Clio.  Her keys and vocal arrangement of “Game Changer” is just that, and barely prepares you for the amazing conclusion of the track.  “Lies of Gold” is a haunting R&B masterpiece that would be perfect for placement in television or film.  “Why Cry” and “Riot” are both deserving of radio airplay now, and are reminiscent of Kelly Clarkson.  This is an artist to keep an eye on, because she has the chops to soon stand shoulder to shoulder with Beyoncé and Clarkson.

Recommendation:  Definitely Get this one.

Artist Name:  King Park

Album Name:  The Light I Can’t See

Label:  Self-released

Genre:  Alternative Rock

Track Listing:  1.  Stay; 2.  Grey; 3.  Words; 4.  Him

Publicist:  Auteur Research

Review:  With a rousing rock sound like Linkin Park meets Soundgarten and Blue October. King Park is a band that possesses strong writing skills, raw and emotional vocals, and a message that will resound and resonate long after the song has ended.  All four songs are memorable, and even music lovers who don’t necessarily dig alternative rock should find something they like in their sound.  The lyrics are so well crafted and delivered that they could stand alone as poetry, and the rocking accompaniment implants the words in your brain, creating an earwig that won’t die.  In our humble opinion, these guys are Grammy bound, and should soon dominate the alternative rock community.

Recommendation:  We highly recommend that you get up and Get this one!

 

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Artists Worth Checking Out Interviews Women in Entertainment

Kaylee Keller wants to help her community with the release of her Christmas song

When we last visited with Kansas-born Kaylee Keller, she had just won the LA Music Critic Award for best lyric video for her collaboration with the Vinyljackers of her hit “Diamond.”

More recently, Keller released a duet with country singer Rusty Rierson of the Alabama classic hit, “Christmas in Your Arms.”  Check out the stream below.

Today we’re sitting down with Keller for another interview on what’s new in her career.  Grab a cup of coffee and learn new things about this amazing indie artist who, surprisingly, just turned 19 years old.

IVB:  What have you been doing since we last talked after your win for LA Music Critic best lyric video?

KK:  First, after I won, I was waiting to receive my Grammy.  But seriously, I have been in Nashville for the past three months working on my new EP.  I worked with some of the best songwriters in Nashville who have helped me craft my new six song EP, which I plan to release as a group of singles throughout 2017, and then release the collection near the end of 2017.  I loved working with my producer Nathan Meckel.  I’ve been thinking of calling the EP Ruby, as a spin-off to my first EP Diamond, so then you could look me up as the Gem Collection.  We want to test the waters with each single so that they will stay fresh.  I like to be a trendsetter and do my own thing as an independent artist.

IVB:  Tell us about your latest project “Christmas in your Arms.”

KK:  This one was a fun project.  Garden City, Kansas is my hometown and they approached me to see if I wanted to be part of their annual holiday compilation album, called Kozy Kansas Christmas.  It’s their fourth year of doing this CD and I was honored that they wanted me to do a song for the album.

The proceeds from the sale of the album go to fund local charities in Garden City.  They only print a limited amount of CDs, which makes them more valuable.

I’ve known Rusty Rierson for about three years after we met at a Joe Diffie concert.  I was doing the National Anthem, and Rusty was the opening act.  After I was approached by Garden City, I asked Rusty what song we should do.  He suggested that we do an Alabama song called “Christmas in Your Arms.”  My mom suggested we make it a duet.  Both of them proved to be great suggestions.  We had a blast turning the song into a duet.

The album is available on Garden City’s Facebook page and can be purchased there.  My single on the album is also available on iTunes.

The project is getting a lot of media attention, including The Ellen Show, as they begin planning for next year’s double CD.

IVB:  What’s next for Kaylee Keller?

KK:  I wanted my current EP, Diamond, to be country, but it turned out to be more of a pop project.  I’m using my new Christmas single to introduce me to the country pop community.  I’ve been called a mixture of Colbie Caillat meets country pop by local media.  The new project is much more country based albeit country pop, which is where my heart truly lies.  We are looking forward to bringing this side of me to my fans and to hopefully find new ones in the country pop genre.