Mercury Studios Announces Details For New Concert Documentaries

Posted on March 22, 2023 by philspicks

Mercury Studios is scheduled to release the concert documentaries, A Night At The Family Dog, Go Ride The Music and West Pole this spring.

The documentaries are scheduled for release May 12 as a 2-DVD package, complete with new artwork and a bonus poster. The documentaries were originally produced and created by Ralph J. Gleason.

The concert set featured in A Night at the Family Dog was originally captured Feb. 4, 1970. It features performances from The Grateful Dead, Carlos Santana, and Jefferson Airplane. Go Ride The Music turns the focus to Jefferson Airplane and Quicksilver Messenger Service. Performances from David Crosby and Jerry Garcia are also featured as part of the documentary presentation.

Jefferson Airplane and The Grateful Dead are both featured again in the third documentary, West Pole. Also included in the presentation are Quicksilver Messenger Service and the Steve Miller Band.

The full track listing for the concerts featured in the forthcoming set is noted below:

A Night At The Family Dog/Go Ride The Music/West Pole Track listing:

A Night At The Family Dog
Incident At Neshabur – Santana
Soul Sacrifice – Santana
Hard To Handle – The Grateful Dead
China Cat Sunflower – The Grateful Dead
I Know You Rider – The Grateful Dead
The Ballad of You And Me And Pooneil – Jefferson Airplane
Eskimo Blue Day – Jefferson Airplane
A Super Jam – featuring Carlos Santana, Jerry Garcia, Jorma Kaukonen, Jack Casady, Paul Kantner and more!

Go Ride The Music
We Can Be Together – Jefferson Airplane
Volunteers – Jefferson Airplane
Mexico – Jefferson Airplane
Warm Red Wine – Quicksilver Messenger Service
Somebody’s Crying – Quicksilver Messenger Service
Subway – Quicksilver Messenger Service
Plastic Fantastic Lover – Jefferson Airplane
Somebody To Love – Jefferson Airplane
Mona – Quicksilver Messenger Service
Emergency – Jefferson Airplane
Wooden Ships – Jefferson Airplane

West Pole
Music – Ace Of Cups
Roll With It – Steve Miller Band
Greasy Heart – Jefferson Airplane
New Potato Caboose – The Grateful Dead
Dino’s Song – Quicksilver Messenger Service
Sittin’ In Circles – Steve Miller Band
Simplicity – Ace Of Cups
Freedom – Sons of Champlin
Gospel Song – Ace Of Cups

More information on this and other titles from Mercury Studios is available along with all of the company’s other news at:

Website: https://mercurystudios.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MercuryStudiosCo

Twitter: https://twitter.com/mercurystudios

To keep up with the latest news and reviews, go online to https://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” it. Fans can always keep up with the latest entertainment news and reviews in the Phil’s Picks blog at https://philspicks.wordpress.com.

Four Chord Music Festival Lineup Announced

Posted on March 22, 2023 by philspicks

Organizers of the Four Chord Music Festival have announced the lineup for this year’s edition of the annual event.

Yellowcard, The Gaslight Anthem, Alkaline Trio, and Taking Back Sunday are among the headliners for this year’s edition of the festival, which is scheduled to be held over the course of Aug. 12 and 13 at Wild Things Park in Pennsylvania. Also on the bill this year — the festival’s ninth year — are the likes of Face To Face, Magnolia Park, and Spaced.

Tickets and VIP passes for this year’s event are available here. Single-day passes are $94 white single-day VIP passes cost $196. Two-day general admission passes are $160 while two-day VIP passes are $290.

The festival’s full lineup is noted below:

Saturday, August 12

Yellowcard (performing Ocean Avenue)

Taking Back Sunday

Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness

Waterparks

The Maine

Magnolia Park

Origami Angel

MEST

Eternal Boy

Patent Pending

Keep Flying

Old Neon

and more to be announced!

Sunday, August 13

The Gaslight Anthem

The Interrupters

Alkaline Trio

Streetlight Manifesto

Face To Face

American Football

Dave Hause & the Mermaid

Punchline

Sincere Engineer

SPACED

Look Out Loretta

and more to be announced

Festival founder Rishi Bahl said in a prepared statement, the festival’s lineup was deliberately created.

“The lineup has been specially curated to try to attract the widest possible crowd within the punk rock genre, and I think it rocks,” Bahl said. “We also take pride in trying to make it as affordable as possible by controlling the fees, total cost, etc. We hope the scene will come together and spend the weekend of the year with us. DIY Til’ We Die.”

More information on this year’s Four Chord Music Festival is available along with all of the event’s latest news at:

Website: https://www.FourChordMusicFestival.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fourchordmusicfestival

Twitter: https://twitter.com/4chordmusicfest

To keep up with the latest entertainment news and reviews, go online to https://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” it. Fans can always keep up with the latest entertainment news and reviews in the Phil’s Picks blog at https://philspicks.wordpress.com.

Grave Digger Debuts New Single’s “Visualizer”

Posted on March 22, 2023 by philspicks

Veteran hard rock band Grave Digger premiered the visualizer for its latest single this week.

The band debuted the visualizer for its new single, ‘Symbol of Eternity‘ Wednesday. The single is the title track from the band’s most recent album, which was released in 2022. The visualizer is relatively simple. It is a promotional picture of the band and a smaller picture of the album’s cover art that is static as the song plays over the presentation.

The musical arrangement featured in the band’s latest single is everything audiences have come to expect from the group. The heaviness is there as is the depth in the sound and style. Listeners familiar with the band’s work (and those less familiar) can easily make comparisons to works from the likes of Judas Priest and even to Rainbow, to a slightly lesser degree.

The song’s lyrical theme is just as straight forward as its musical arrangement and visualizer. it is a song about Jesus’ crucifixion, the Holy Grail, and the location of the holy item.

In other news, Grave Digger has a series of tour dates scheduled next month across Latin America in support of its new album. The brief run is scheduled to launch April 19 in Bogota, Columbia and to run through April 30 in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

The tour’s schedule is noted below. Tickets are available here.

“Symbol Of Eternity” South America Tour ’23
19/04/23 · (CO) Bogota // Bogota Metal Fest
21/04/23 · (EC) Quito // The Metal Fest Ecuador
23/04/23 · (PE) Lima // C.C. Festiva
25/04/23 · (AR) Buenos Aires // Teatro Vorterix
27/04/23 · (BR) Curitiba // Tork n’ Roll
28/04/23 · (BR) Recife // Club International do Recife
30/04/23 · (BR) São Paulo // Summer Breeze Brasil

More information on Grave Digger’s new single, tour and album is available along with all of Grave Digger’s latest news at:

Website: http://www.grave-digger-clan/de

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/gravediggerofficial

Twitter: http://twitter.com/GRAVEDIGGERclan

To keep up with the latest entertainment reviews and news, go online to http://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” it. Fans can always keep up with the latest entertainment reviews and news in the Phil’s Picks blog at https://philspicks.wordpress.com.

Delain, Visions of Atlantis Partnering For Upcoming Tour

Posted on March 21, 2023 by philspicks

Symphonic metal acts Delain and Visions of Atlantis will join forces in September for a late summer tour.

The bands (and label mates at Napalm Records) are scheduled to launch a tour in support of their own respective new releases. Delain will headline the tour, which is in support of its brand new album, Dark Waters. The album was released Feb. 10 through Napalm Records.

Visions of Atlantis will serve as support on the tour. Their upcoming run with Delain is in support of its forthcoming live recording, Pirates over Wacken, which is scheduled for release March 31 through Napalm Records.

The bands’ tour is scheduled to kick off Sept. 9 at the annual Prog Power USA Festival in Atlanta, GA. It is set to run through Oct. 24 in Los Angeles, CA and also features scheduled stops along the way in cities Charlotte, NC; Salt Lake City, UT and Mesa, AZ.

The tour’s schedule is noted below. Tickets are available now here.

DELAIN w/ support from VISIONS OF ATLANTIS:
9/9 – Atlanta, GA @ PROG POWER USA
9/10 – Charlotte, NC @ The Underground
9/12 – Philadelphia, PA @ The Foundry
9/13 – New York, NY @ Gramercy Theater
9/14 – Worcester, MA @ Palladium (Upstairs)
9/15 – Montreal, QC @ Foufounes
9/16 – Toronto, ON @ Velvet Underground
9/18 – Chicago, IL @ Bottom Lounge
9/20 – Denver, CO @ Bluebird
9/21 – Salt Lake City, UT @ Metro
9/23 – Mesa, AZ @ Nile Theater
9/24 – Los Angeles, CA @ 1720

More information on Delain’s new album and live dates is available along with all of the band’s latest news at:

Website: https://delain.nl

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/delainmusic

More information on Visions of Atlantis’ new album and tour dates is available along with all of the band’s latest news at:

Website: https://www.visionsofatlantis.at

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/visionsofatlantisofficial

Sleeping With Sirens Announces New Live Dates

Posted on March 21, 2023 by philspicks

Sleeping With Sirens is scheduled to head out on the road this spring.

The band announced Tuesday, it is scheduled to launch the “Family Tree Tour” May 16 in Little Rock, AR. The tour, which is in support of the band’s lates album, Complete Collapse (2022), is scheduled to run through June 2 in Riverside, CA and also includes scheduled performances in cities, such as Columbus, OH; Charlotte, NC and Gran Junction, CO.

Tickets and VIP packages for the tour are available here. The tour’s schedule is noted below. Dayseeker and Mags will serve as support for the upcoming tour.

Family Tree Tour Dates

May 16 – Little Rock, AR @ The Hall*

May 17 – Mobile, AL @ Soul Kitchen Music Hall*

May 19 – Daytona Beach, FL @ Welcome to Rockville**

May 21 – Charlotte, NC @ Fillmore

May 22 – Silver Springs, MD @ Fillmore

May 23 – Reading, PA @ Reverb

May 25 – Nashville, TN @ Marathon Music Works

May 26 – Columbus, OH @ Sonic Temple**

May 27 – Ft. Wayne, IN @ Clyde

May 28 – Des Moines, IA @ Wooly’s

May 30 – Grand Junction, CO @ Mesa Theater

June 1 – Sacramento, CA @ Ace Of Spades

June 2 – Riverside, CA @ Riverside Municipal

* No Dayseeker

** Festival

Complete Collapse was released in 2022 through Sumerian Records. The album produced the singles, ‘CTL + ALT + DEL,’ ‘Be Happy,’ ‘Let You Down,’ ‘Crosses‘ and ‘Complete Collapse.’

More information on Sleeping With Sirens’ new tour is available at:

Website: https://sirensmusic.co

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sleepingwithsirens

Twitter: https://twitter.com/SWStheband

To keep up with the latest entertainment news and reviews, go online to https://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” It. Fans can always keep up with the latest entertainment news and reviews in the Phil’s Picks blog at https://philspicks.wordpress.com.

Nonpoint Joins “The Psychotherapy Sessions Tour”

Posted on March 21, 2023 by philspicks

Nonpoint has almost reached the end of its “Emerald Cities Tour” but while the yellow brick road is almost at its end, the band has announced a new live run for this summer.

The band announced Tuesday, it has joined “The Psychotherapy Sessions Tour.” Scheduled to launch July 20 in West Palm Beach, FL and to run through Aug. 26 in Englewood CO, the tour also features Mudvayne, Coal Chamber, Butcher Babies, and Gwar on its bill.

Tickets for the tour, which also features stops nationwide in cities, such as Charlotte, NC; Albuquerque, NM and Noblesville, IN, will go on sale at 10 a.m. local time Friday.

Elias Soriano, Nonpoint front man, said he and his band mates are excited about joining the tour.

“HERE WE GO AGAIN! Mudvayne was one of our first tours when we were just starting out so we have been friends for years,” Soriano said. “It’s going to be great to tour with our friends again. Not to mention the rest of the tour package. With this kind of lineup we expect the pits to be insane!”

Nonpoint’s “Emerald Cities Tour” is scheduled to wrap Sunday in San Antonio, TX. The remaining dates for that tour are noted below along with the dates for the upcoming “Psychotherapy Sessions Tour.”

2023 The Emerald Cities Tour Dates:

March 21st – Lawrence, KS @ Bottleneck

March 22nd – Tulsa, OK @ Vanguard

March 24th – Houston, TX @ Warehouse Live

March 25th – Dallas, TX @ Trees

March 26th – San Antonio, TX @ Rock Box

2023 The Psychotherapy Sessions Tour

July 20th – West Palm Beach, FL @ iTHINK Financial Amphitheatre

July 21st – Tampa, FL @ MIDFLORDIA Credit Union Amphitheater

July 23rd – Charlotte, NC @ PNC Music Pavilion

July 25th – Bristow, VA @ Jiffy Lube Live

July 26th – Scranton, PA @ The Pavilion at Montage Mountain

July 28th – Wantagh, NY @ Northwell Health at Jones Beach Theater

July 29th – Camden, NJ @ Freedom Mortgage Pavilion

July 30th – Mansfield, MA @ Xfinity Center

August 1st – Syracuse, NY @ St Joseph’s Health Amphitheater at Lakeview

August 2nd – Burgettstown, PA @ The Pavilion at Star Lake

August 4th – Cuyahoga Falls, OH @ Blossom Music Center

August 5th – Tinley Park, IL @ Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre

August 6th – Clarkston, MI @ Pine Knob Music Center

August 8th – Noblesville, IN @ Ruoff Music Center

August 9th – Peoria, IL @ Peoria Civic Center

August 12th – Dallas, TX @ Dos Equis Pavilion

August 13th – Houston, TX @ The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion

August 15th – Albuquerque, NM @ Isleta Amphitheater

August 16th – Phoenix, AZ @ Talking Stick Resort Amp

August 17th – Irvine, CA @ FivePoint Amphitheatre

August 19th – Concord, CA @ Concord Pavilion

August 20th – Reno, NV @ Grand Theater at The Grand Sierra Resort

August 22nd – Auburn, WA @ White River Amphitheatre

August 23rd – Ridgefield, WA @ RV Inn Style Resorts Amphitheatre

August 25th – Salt Lake City, UT @ USANA Amphitheatre

August 26th – Englewood, CO @ Fiddler’s Green Amphitheater

Nonpoint’s addition on “The Psychotherapy Sessions” and its headlining “Emerald Cities Tour” are just the latest news from the band. The group premiered its latest single, ‘Heartless‘ and the song’s companion lyric video in February.

More information on Nonpoint’s new tour dates is available along with all of the band’s latest news at:

Website: https://nonpoint.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nonpointofficial

Twitter: https://twitter.com/nonpoint

Another Day Dawns Debuts New Single, ‘Bitter,’ Companion Video; Announces New Live Dates

Posted on March 21, 2023 by philspicks

Another Day Dawns debuted its latest single this week, along with the song’s video.

The band premiered its new single, ‘Bitter‘ Tuesday, along with the song’s video. The single features a heavy, intense musical arrangement that boasts elements of Djent within its aggro-rock body. Throughout the course of the song’s three-minute-plus run time, the intensity in the energy and the stylistic approach makes it comparable to works from the likes of Periphery. The vocal delivery of front man Dakota Sean, which at times offer clean vocals and at others screams, add even more to that comparison.

According to Sean, the song’s lyrical theme addresses the matter of unresolved issues that we all have; that proverbial white elephant that people would rather not address with others.

“‘Bitter’ really goes to the root of uncomfortable situations with people in our lives that never get addressed, and there’s just this kinda ‘off’ feeling about them,” Sean said. “In this case, it’s a parental figure that left at a young age, which made me go through life in a bitter way. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve learned that separation really is the best defense in these scenarios. But unfortunately, that ‘what if’ will always be in the back of your mind.”

The song’s video is a familiar style presentation. It features the band performing its new single on a soundstage that is dressed to resemble a live setting. Various video effects and camera angles are used throughout the song to add to the impact of the video and song.

In other news, Another Day Dawns is scheduled to tour alongside Breaking Benjamin and Bush through most of April and May. The bands’ tour is scheduled to launch April 26 in North Myrtle Beach, SC and to run through May 23 in Knoxville, TN. The tour which will run primarily through the Midwest, also features scheduled stops in cities, such as Park City, KS; Milwaukee, WI and San Antonio, TX.

A short string of dates with Filter will follow from May 26 in Winchester, VA to June 3 in Jacksonville, NC. Following those dates, the band is also scheduled to take part in this year’s Louder Than Life Festival Sept. 23 in Louisville, KY.

All of the dates for Another Day Dawns’ upcoming tour are noted below:

ANOTHER DAY DAWNS ON TOUR:
WITH BREAKING BENJAMIN + BUSH:
4/26 — North Myrtle Beach, SC — House of Blues
5/2 — Charleston, WV — Coliseum & Conv Center
5/3 — Franklin, TN — FirstBank Amphitheater
5/5 — Huntsville, AL — Von Braun Center
5/6 — Biloxi, MS — MS Coast Coliseum
5/8 — San Antonio, TX — Boeing Center at Tech Port
5/10 — Park City, KS — Hartman Arena
5/11 — Camdenton, MO — Lake Ozarks Amphitheater
5/13 — Dubuque, IA — Five Flags Center
5/14 — Milwaukee, WI — Rave / Eagles Ballroom
5/16 — Grand Rapids, MI — Van Andel Arena
5/18 — Wilkes-Barre, PA — Mohegan Sun Arena
5/20 — Lexington, KY — Lex Center – Rupp Arena
5/21 — Pikeville, KY — Appalachian Center Arena
5/23 — Knoxville, TN — UT Thompson-Boling

WITH FILTER:
5/26 — Winchester, VA — Blue Fox Billiards
5/27 — Syracuse, NY — Kegs Canalside
6/1 — Leesburg, VA — TallyHo Theater
6/3 — Jacksonville, NC — Hooligans

FESTIVAL:
9/23 — Louisville, KY — Louder Than Life

The debut of Another Day Dawns’ new single and video, and the band’s upcoming live dates are just the latest news from the up-and-coming hard rock band. The band signed a record deal with Century Media Records in June 2022. The signing puts the band alongside the likes of Gemini Syndrome, At The Gates, and Dark Tranquility on the label’s roster.

Another Day Dawns is working on its debut record for Century Media Records. The band most recently released its single, ‘Look At You‘ in August 2021. The song was at the time, the band’s first new music since the release of its single, ‘Never Okay.’ The song was featured on the band’s then latest record, its EP, Stranger. The EP also produced the singles, ‘Forget Me Not,’ ‘Beautiful Suicide,’ and ‘Taste of Heaven.’

More information on the Another Day Dawns’ new single and video is available along with all of the band’s latest news at:

Website: http://anotherdaydawns.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/AnotherDayDawns

Twitter: http://twitter.com/an0therdaydawns

Anvil Announces New Live Dates

Posted on March 21, 2023 by philspicks

Anvil announced a new tour schedule this week in support of its latest album.

The band’s new tour, in support of its latest album — 2022’s Impact Is Imminent — is scheduled to launch March 31 in Providence, RI and to run through May 13 in Grand Rapids, MI. The tour also features performances in cities nationwide, such as Madison, WI; Austin, TX and Wilmington, NC.

The tour’s schedule is noted below.

ANVIL’s 2023 U.S. tour dates with MIDNITE HELLION:

Mar. 31 – Providence, RI @ Alchemy
Apr. 01 – Cambridge, MA @ Middle East Upstairs
Apr. 02 – Portland, ME @ Geno’s Rock Club
Apr. 04 – Hamden, CT @ Space Ballroom
Apr. 05 – Sellersville, PA @ Sellersville Theater
Apr. 06 – Albany, NY @ Empire Live
Apr. 07 – Garwood, NJ @ Crossroads
Apr. 08 – Brooklyn, NY @ Saint Vitus Bar
Apr. 13 – Baltimore, MD @ Ottobar
Apr. 14 – Richmond, VA @ Richmond Music Hall
Apr. 15 – Wilmington, NC @ Reggie’s 42nd St. Tavern
Apr. 16 – West Columbia, SC @ New Brookland Tavern
Apr. 20 – Jacksonville, FL @ Jack Rabbits
Apr. 21 – West Palm Beach, FL @ Respectable Street
Apr. 22 – Orlando, FL @ The Conduit
Apr. 23 – Gainesville, FL @ Loosey’s
Apr. 27 – Houston, TX @ Secret Group
Apr. 28 – Dallas, TX @ Club Dada
Apr. 29 – Austin, TX @ Come and Take It Live
May 04 – Tulsa, OK @ The Vanguard
May 05 – Wichita, KS @ Barleycorn’s
May 06 – Des Moines, IA @ Lefty’s Live Music
May 07 – Madison, WI @ Crucible
May 11 – St. Louis, MO @ Red Flag
May 12 – Cincinnati, OH @ Legends Bar & Venue
May 13 – Grand Rapids, MI @ Pyramid Scheme

More information on Anvil’s new tour schedule and album is available along with all of the band’s latest news at:

Website: https://my.tbaytel.net/tgallo/anvil

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/anvilmetal

Twitter: https://twitter.com/AnvilMetal666

Isaiah J. Thompson’s New Live LP Is Everything A Live CD Recording Should Be

Posted on March 18, 2023 by philspicks

This past Friday, jazz pianist Isaiah J. Thompson released his brand new live recording, The Power of the Spirit through Blue Engine Records. His second live recording behind The Isaiah J. Thompson Trio Live From Exuberance (2018), it is also easily the new number one new live CD released so far in this still very young year. That is due in no small part to its featured liner notes, which set the stage for the songs that make up the concert’s body. Those songs and the performances of said works collectively play their own important part in the bigger picture of the recording. They will be discussed a little later. The recording’s production rounds out its most important elements and will also be examined later. Each item noted here is important in its own way to the whole of the recording. All things considered they make The Power of the Spirit the top new live CD recording so far this year.

The Power of the Spirit, the new album from jazz pianist Isaiah J. Thompson, is the top new live CD recording released so far this year. The concert recording, which was captured during three separate performances in 2020, ’21, and ’22 – Jan. 13, 2020; Sept. 2-3, 2021 and April 4, 2022 – at the Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Dizzy Club, is everything that audiences should hope for from a live CD, beginning with and not limited to its liner notes. The liner notes provided with this recording provide brief but concise backgrounds on each of the featured songs, all of which apparently are new, original compositions crafted by Thompson. The stories that Thompson provides on the songs are so engaging and entertaining in their own right. Case in point is the story presented on the late entry, ‘Thank You Betsy.’ According to Thompson, Betsy is not a person, but a car. He writes of this song, it “serves as a thank you to my mother’s black Volvo, which she had named Betsy. Betsy got me to school, music lessons, friends’ houses, rehearsals, and everything else you could imagine. That car was such a major part of my childhood and I am forever grateful.” Now understanding his love for the car, it deepens the impact of the arrangement because of the relaxed, bluesy nature of the composition. From the beginning to the end of the five-and-a-half-minute opus, Thompson leads the way on the piano, opening it with a sound and style very much in the vein of famed composer Vince Guaraldi. Yes, that Vince Guaraldi. The performance so easily conjures thoughts of the songs that Guaraldi composed for the beloved Peanuts movies and TV specials. One would just think that considering all the happy memories Thompson shares about “Betsy,” the song would perhaps have more energy, but at no point in its run does that happen. That is not necessarily a bad thing, just a surprise is all. The slow, relaxed vibe is perhaps that fond remembrance, just in a simpler mood and mindset. Such a deeper thought patter and understanding makes this song so engaging and entertaining.

On another note, the background that Thompson provides about ‘For Phineas’ is just as interesting as that provided regarding ‘Thank You Betsy.’ He writes here, “‘For Phineas’ is an ode to one of my biggest inspirations, the great Phineas Newborn Jr. I dedicate this song to him but it also serves as an acknowledgement of the importance of the church in jazz and in all Black music.” Thompson also points this out in the recording itself, as audiences will hear when they take in the concert. In researching Newborn, he was a famed jazz pianist in his own right, so the bass solo that opens the song is more a tribute to the likes of Charles Mingus while the controlled chaos that is the soul-infused main body of the song really shows that influence of the church on jazz. It really is interesting to sit back and listen to how the blend of bop and free jazz here works so surprisingly well with the sounds of black churches for its whole. Again, this is another prime example of the importance of any instrumental act including background on its songs in its albums. Having the understanding that yes, the intent here was to show the influence of African-American church sounds and styles on not only jazz but African-American music in whole, it makes for that much more appreciation of this song. In turn, it ensures listeners’ engagement just as much.

As one more example of the importance of the recording’s liner notes, the background that Thompson provides regarding an even earlier entry, ‘The Soul Messenger,’ explains the song is a tribute to those people “who are always where we need them-when we need them-even when unsought.” He adds, “Soul Messengers are people who have touched your heart, whether they’re a teacher, a security guard, a parent, a deacon, a mentor, or even a friend.” We all have those few people in our lives who just seem to be there even when we are not looking for them. They are those true caring, loving individuals that we all need and appreciate so much. Knowing this information helps to understand the mood set through the composition. The flowing performance from Julian Lee that pairs with Thompson’s performance on the piano really helps to exemplify the moods that are sometimes chaotic against the more relaxed, controlled mindsets that we can get thanks to those so-called soul messengers. Once again here is an example of the importance of the liner notes included in any instrumental recording. Those liner notes generate a deeper impact for listeners, and in turn a deeper appreciation for said recording in whole. When the impact of this song’s background and those of the others examined here are considered along with the rest of the songs’ backgrounds, the whole creates such a positive overall general effect in itself. The result therein is a solid starting point for the recording.

Building on that strong foundation formed by the liner notes are the songs themselves and the performances thereof. The songs that make up the concert’s body are apparently wholly new works from Thompson and his fellow musicians. Looking through Thompson’s discography – which is listed on his official website, https://isaiahjthompson.com, none of the songs featured in this concert are featured on any of the records that he has recorded either as a band leader or member. This is important to note because it means that audiences will not have to hunt down the originals and do any extra comparison. That applies regardless of listeners’ familiarity with Thompson and his body of work, which is certain to appeal to audiences even more. Add in the fact that Thompson’s solo works are extremely limited to say the least – he has released one other live recording already noted, a covers collection, and one album of original content, while also taking part in recordings from the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, Willie Jones III and a movie soundtrack – and that appeal increases even more.

The performances exhibited by Thompson and his fellow musicians of the songs featured here build on that appeal because of the obvious heart put into each work. From the controlled moments throughout to the more energetic moments and even those that are somewhat in between, each musician’s performance in each song brings its own depth to the whole. The talents that are put on display in each song are so wonderful to take in from one to the next. Keeping all of this in mind, the songs featured here and the performances thereof do so much in their own right to make this concert recording even more engaging and entertaining.

Rounding out the most important of the recording’s items is the production that went into the presentation. As noted, the performances put on by Thompson and his fellow musicians are engaging and entertaining in their own right. Thanks to those who were responsible for bringing everything together, the result is an expert sound balance from one song to the next. This is important in that it is a live recording. So much attention had to be paid not only to the balance between the performers’ work, but also their work in regards to the venue. Thankfully the utmost attention was paid to all of this, and as a result the sound is fully immersive throughout the concert. Audiences will feel like they are right there, taking in the concert along with everyone else in attendance. When this aspect is taken into consideration along with the songs, their performances, and the background provided in the liner notes, the whole makes this recording overall a wonderfully enjoyable live offering from Thompson and easily the best new live CD so far this year, regardless of genre.

The Power of the Spirit, the new live recording from jazz pianist Isaiah J. Thompson, is a surprisingly engaging and entertaining addition to this year’s field of new live CDs. Its appeal comes in large part through the information on the songs provided through the recording’s liner notes. The background will allow audiences such a deep appreciation for each song because of the information provided. The songs themselves are apparently new, original works from Thompson, which means this recording could serve as a great introduction for listeners who may be less familiar with his work than others. The performances of said songs make for their own enjoyment because of the obvious heart that each musician put into the songs. That enjoyment can be heard and felt among listeners, and in turn, results in even more engagement and entertainment. The production that went into the recording balances the audio among the performers and their work against the confines of the venue. The result of that attention to detail creates a fully immersive listening experience for everyone, and in turn that much of a positive general effect. Each item noted here is important in its own way to the whole of the recording. All things considered they make The Power of the Spirit the best new live CD overall so far this year.

The Power of the Spirit is available now through Blue Engine Records. More information on the recording is available along with all of Isaiah J. Thompson’s latest news at:

Website: https://isaiahjthompson.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IsaiahJThompsonMusic

To keep up with the latest entertainment reviews and news, go online to https://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” it. Fans can always keep up with the latest entertainment reviews and news in the Phil’s Picks blog at https://philspicks.wordpress.com.

Fire Follows Debuts New Single, ‘Finally Home’

Posted on March 17, 2023 by philspicks

Independent hard rock band Fire Follows debuted its latest single Friday.

The band kicked off the weekend with the premiere of its new single, ‘Finally Home.’ The single’s premiere follows that of the band’s then latest single, ‘Say Words‘ and its companion lyric video in January.

The musical arrangement featured in the band’s now latest single is a stark contrast to that of its predecessor (and even its predecessors, ‘Shedding The Skin‘ and ‘The Puppeteer’). That is because instead of being the heavy, aggressive works that those songs are, this song is the polar opposite. It is more of a gentle, flowing ballad type composition. The sense of peace that it projects works directly with the song’s lyrical theme, which the band addressed in a prepared statement.

“‘Finally Home’ centers around an origin story through spiritual awakening,” the statement reads in part. “The listener is sure to see the lyrics come to life in their mind as (band founder) Chris (Watt) outlines the process of living life in quasi-isolation and the revelations that ensue from pursuing higher and ultimate truth.”

In other news, Fire Follows is serving as support for Smile Empty Soul’s current headlining tour. The band is sharing time with Tantric as support for the tour, which is scheduled to make its next stop tonight in Biloxi, MS. The tour is currently scheduled to run through April 2 in Austin, TX.

The tour’s schedule is noted below:

TOUR DATES: FIRE FOLLOWS, SMILE EMPTY SOUL, TANTRIC

3/17 Biloxi MS, The Cannery, w/Tantric, Lines of Loyalty

3/18 Fruitland Park FL, Throwdown at the campground

3/19 Atlanta GA, Terminal West, w/tantric

3/21 Tampa FL, Brass Mug, w/Tantric

3/22 Fort Myers FL, Buddha Live, w/Tantric

3/23 Pompano Beach FL, Pipers Pub, w/Tantric

3/24 Fernadina Beach FL, Sadlers Ranch, w/Tantric

3/26 Pensacola FL, The Handlebar

3/28 Memphis TN, Lafayette’s

3/30 Fort Worth TX, Tulip’s

3/31 Houston TX, Scout Bar

4/1 Corpus Christi TX, House of Rock

4/2 Austin TX, Come and Take it Live

More information on Fire Follows’ new single and live dates is available along with all of the band’s latest news at:

Website: https://firefollows.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/firefollowsmusic

Twitter: https://twitter.com/fire_follows

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