Artist profile: David Lanz
The newspaper The Bellington Herald has an interview with David Lanz in connection with his upcoming concert on 17 July in The Amadeus Project concert hall in Bellingham, Washington.
This is also the city where the popular pianist lives.
In the interview David is asked about how he works:
For me, laughing at one’s self and not taking things too seriously is really the best approach to life. Focus and dedication make for a serious musician, but laughter and light heartedness bring joy to life.
And about his upcoming recording:
I am planning on previewing music from my upcoming project at the July 17 concert, and have been keeping this recording under wraps, which means you will have come to the show to see what is next!
So this will indeed a concert not to miss if you are in the area.
Read the interview here.
Picture taken from DavidLanz.com
In the shadow of moonlight
Below is a picture of Maggie Reilly performing Mike Oldfield’s Moonlight Shadow on Norwegian TV2’s sing-along program Allsang paa grensen. It sounded almost as good as when it was the legendary second track on Oldfield’s Crisis (1983).
New Spirit: The Seventh Fire website
Peter Buffett has just re-launched his Spirit: The Seventh Fire website to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the production, which is a Native American-inspired theatrical show with live music, video and an all-Native American cast of performers.
The Seventh Fire tells the story of one man’s journey of reconnecting with his heritage.
After first being aired as a successful PBS Pledge Special, the show embarked on a nationwide tour in 1999. 10 years later, Peter is in talks to revive the production overseas in China. The new website features a background on the production, photos, video from the show, behind the scenes footage, and much more. Check it out here.
Be also sure to check out Peter Buffett’s Ning forum, where you can sample fresh tracks from the upcoming album and interact with other fans and even Peter Buffett himself. The next meeting with him will be Tuesday, August 4th at 8pm EST. Fans can log onto www.peterbuffett.com/ning to request an invitation to join the community in order to participate in the event and discover what Peter’s next big announcement will be.
By the way, selected songs from Spirit: The Seventh Fire have been among the most popular on New Age Stars radio for several months now.
Picture taken from spirit7thfire.com.
Sound Journey Concert with Terry & Soraya
When it comes to live inspirational new age music, Terry & Soraya are in my opinion the best in the business. On August 1st between 6.30pm – 8.30pm Terry Oldfield and his wife Soraya hold their Sound Journey Concert in Brisbane, Australia.
They give this inspiring description of the concert:
Sound Journeys are a relatively new concept in Australia. Throughout history the power of sound has been used to move people to states of inspiration, joy, meditation, wellness, grief, war and stillness. Music is ever present in every celebration from birth to death. Sound bypasses the intellectual mind and goes straight to the heart of the matter. It can release deeply held feelings, allowing a sense of inner freedom, and awaken joy. Healing Sound can take us directly into a state of being that nourishes body mind and spirit.
And more:
Bring your Yoga Mat and you can lie down or sit for this Sound Sensation. There will also be chair options. Followed by Tea.
If that is not the very essence of live new age music, I don’t know what is! It is a statement of Terry & Soraya’s mission; to create and commutate music for the heart & soul. Read about the upcoming concert here.
Below is a sample of Terry Oldfield’s powerful flute:
New Age Music at Cordoba Guitar Festival
At the Cordoba Guitar Festival 2009, Spain, everything has just one objective:
… to pay tribute to an instrument that has become a key piece in such different styles as flamenco, blues, rock or even new age music.
And more:
From 1 to 11 of July the guitars of Tomatito and Manolo Sanlúcar, and the voice of Enrique Morente and Miguel Poveda will be heard, along with the fusion of Ojos de Brujo and the dance of Lola Greco and Amador Rojas all sharing a bill with international stars such as John Fogerty, The Pretenders and Al Di Meola.
So all guitar lovers, Spain is the place to be this summer! Even for new age music 
Read more about the festival here.
Yanni stages masterful return
We have previously reported how Yanni’s recent concert in at Nationwide Arena, Columbus, was totally trashed by a reviewer, calling the show “a soup of overwrought sound washing over an increasingly stupefied audience”. But other reviewers have a quite different opinion about the show. Serene Dominic for the Arizona Republic writes:
It is my duty to inform you that having held no predetermined love for Yanni going into Sunday’s concert at Jobing.com Arena, this was a brilliantly staged, wonderfully played concert event, on par with something you’d see in Vegas by some other one-named artist.
She also notes an interesting truth:
But while we remember Michael Jackson and how his music has touched the world, let’s not forget that just behind Jackson’s The Making of Thriller, the biggest-selling music video of all time, there is Yanni Live at the Acropolis. Nine million units sold.
Read the rave review here. The ending about “old and new” Yanni is hysterical
New Live Album from Tangerine Dream
Tangerine Dream’s second release this year is a live recording of The London Eye Concert from London-Kentishtown on 1st November 2008.
Here is the presentation from the band’s homepage:
London’s and TD’s soundscapes are so unique like a score to a movie. The British influence in TD’s music within their 40 years’ development most people may have recognized. For those who couldn’t join the concert or like to relive it again: Here’s the full cut of their beat show at the Forum in Kentishtown (including a nice booklet). A kaleidoscope beginning with the new title Trauma (Autumn In Hiroshima) and ending with the breathtaking live interpretation of the TD classic Cloudburst Flight.
The album contains nearly 3 hours of music! TD’s already impressive live discography is getting better and better. Check out the track listing here.
Upcoming Andreas Vollenweider concerts
Andreas Vollenweider and The Deep Breath Orchestra is on tour in Europe with material from his new Air album. Next two stops is Murnau in Germany on June 28th and Gleisdorf in Austria on June 30th.
There are also plans for South Africa for August, though no concert dates are official yet. See information about the concerts here.
On the picture you see The Deep Breath Orchestra’s rehearsals for the first concert, at the Casino Theater in Zug, Switzerland. Artists are Daniel Kueffer, Stefanie Peter and of course the one and only Andreas Vollenweider (photo by Beat Allgaier)
The Air album was, as far as I can see, released in Germany, Austria and Switzerland in February and United Kingdom in May. There are as of now no news about the US release.
More tour updates from J. M. Jarre
The new blog on J. M. Jarre’s homepage gives a good insight in his current concert tour. Now you can read updates from the concert in Zurich.
Kitaro Love & Peace Tour 2009 in Japan
The pre-sale of tickets to Kitaro’s Love & Peace Planet Music Tour 2009 in Japan is now underway. Below are the tour dates and locations. Click the picture to get tickets (Japanese only).
New Marshall Styler album out now
The new album from Marshall Styler, entitle Seven Falls, is now in stores. It is also, by the way, his seventh album. About the new album Styler says:
I was looking forward to taking a break, but all of a sudden I heard these melodies in my head, and I’m not one to question it. I played them on the little piano, in the house, and then moved into the studio with a few songs to develop. This album took a little over two years, and as you’ll see in the liner notes, it’s dedicated to all the fantastic mothers in my life.
Styler had just released A Face in the Clouds in 2007 when this urge to create new music came over him . Styler is perhaps best-known for his Red River Trilogy of albums inspired by places around Texas. About Seven Falls Styler says:
Listening to it now, It sounds like a culmination of what I’ve been striving for in my music – for the listener to feel what I felt writing it, and for the music not to overwhelm the emotion. Based on what I hear from my listeners, that emotional element runs quietly and deeply throughout my music.
A live piano performance by Styler is set for June 20th @ 7 pm, on the patio overlooking scenic Lake Travis at The Crossings resort and spa in Austin, TX. So if you are in the area, this event is not to miss!
The album has a wonderful cover:
Sample the album here.
We will soon post a review of the new album, and selected songs from it are playing on New Age Stars.
Behind the scenes with JM Jarre
Jean Michel Jarre is currently blogging from his In Doors-tour. On his page you get exclusive behind the scenes from the tour.
Also check out the video below from his recent concert in Malmo, Sweden, where you can see how the concert unfolds, from beginning to end.
Celebration of Tubular Bells’ re-release
On June 6th Mercury Records is holding a special event to celebrate the re-release of Mike Oldfield’s Tubular Bells. The event will take place at the British Music Experience, O2, in London. According to a press release, The Hand Bell Ringers of Great Britain, Europe’s largest Hand Bell and Chime Orchestra, will descend on the British Music Experience for this completely one off event. In addition to playing extracts from Tubular Bells, they will also play selections from their own repertoire and be running workshops so audience can learn about this instrument. Legendary ambient artist The Orb will also participat and perform a unique Orbular Bells DJ set!
Here is a description of the show:
This will be an afternoon of bell ringing, interactive workshops, visuals, and ambient music – as eclectic as Tubular Bells itself and an amazing experience for all the family! The BELL IS BACK afternoon is included in the price of admission to The British Music Experience – the world’s first fully interactive music visitor experience. Kids go free! Anyone entering between 2pm and 6pm can bring their adult ticket to the box office to claim their free child’s ticket.
Read all about it here
One thing is certain though; this event will create a lot of sound. Both the bells and a high number of ears will start ringing…
Upcoming Jim Brickman Concerts
Jim Brickman will perform in Greenville, SC, at Peace Center For Performing Arts tomorrow, 05/14/09, at 7:30 p.m. On 05/15 he will do two concerts at the Newberry Opera House, Newberry, SC, at 3 and 8 p.m.
Here you can see Jim Brickman’s tour plans – and you can get tickets. But if you cannot make it to any of the concerts, you can still check out the video on the page and see Brickman’s incredible piano performance.
Singers bring something new to Yanni’s music
On pittsburghlive.com is a presentation of Yanni’s upcoming concert in Pittsburgh, PA, on May 12th. There is a also small interview with the artist.
You can get tickets here.
Review of recent Yanni concert
Boston.com has a review of Yanni’s concert on Agganis Arena last Sunday. It is not entirely positive, but still the reviewer, Marc Hirsh, gives this conclusion:
At the heart of it all was Yanni, smiling broadly amid the pan-global pop music he created in the hopes of making everyone happy.
Read the review here.
Tangerine Dream Live in Berlin and Paris
Tangerine Dream is perhaps the best live band in our genre. They have given many incredible concerts, and quite a few of them have been recorded and released as albums. My favorite live Tangerine Dream album is Logos, Live At the Dominion , but Encore is also great.
But the show is not over! Tangerine Dream will perform live in Berlin on 30th August and in Paris on Saturday 12th September 2009. There will also be a show in Northeim 29th August.
You can order concert tickets for the Paris show here (scroll down to find the show). This is indeed something for all TD fans to look forward to!
Special offer from Yanni
Yanni’s US Tour is well under way. Now, for a limited time only, you can buy two tickets for the price of one!
To see the cities that are currently participating in this promotional offer, go here.
If you want to read a review of the show, you’ll find that on the blog Shake That Salt. It is very positive indeed.
Visit New Age Music World
- New Music – Family Values by Craig Karolus
- Marc Enfroy – Dreams of the Forest
- Cinematic Piano Music by Marc Enfroy
- Sounds from the Circle – New for 2012
- What is New Age Music ?
- Mysterium Tremendum by Mickey Hart Band
- Gandalf & Steve Hackett Live Album – Gallery of Dreams
- Gandalf & Steve Hackett – Live Concert
- Mickey Hart Band – Concert Tour 2012
- Yanni Concert Review – Live at El Morro