MASCOT LABEL GROUP ANNOUNCES MARCH 27 RELEASE DATE FOR DEBUT FROM FLYING COLORS
Quintet Features Mike Portnoy, Dave LaRue, Neal Morse, Casey McPherson and Steve Morse
New York --- Mascot Label Group has announced a March 27 release date for the debut from Flying Colors (available the day prior overseas) on their Music Theories Label. The formation of the ensemble began with a simple idea: virtuoso musicians and a pop singer joining together to make new-fashioned music the old fashioned way. Refreshing, classic, old and new, the recordings are saturated with the many styles, tones and hues of the players who in becoming a band have delivered a unique fusion of vintage craftsmanship and contemporary music. Flying Colors is Mike Portnoy (drums, vocals), Dave LaRue (bass), Neal Morse (keyboards, vocals), Casey McPherson (lead vocals), and Steve Morse (guitar). Portnoy shares, "This album has bits and pieces of what you'd expect from each of us. However, the sum of all its parts led to brand new, unchartered territory for all involved."
In 2008, executive producer Bill Evans brought the idea to the world renowned musicians and producer Peter Collins. Intrigued by the idea, and the prospect of working together, the four signed on to form a band and record a first album. Steve Morse and Dave LaRue have developed a magical music chemistry over the years, that began early in their careers as partners in Dixie Dregs. Morse subsequently became a member of Deep Purple in 1995, while LaRue’s ongoing musical adventures include Joe Satriani, John Petrucci, Jordan Rudess, Steve Vai, and the aforementioned Portnoy. Multi-instrumentalist, composer and singer Neal Morse is one of the leading figures in progressive rock, who's significant notoriety follows his co-founding of the seminal band, Spock’s Beard in 1995, recordings as a solo artist, and contributions to the super-group Transatlantic. Mike Portnoy is one of the most popular and respected drummers in both metal and rock, and an accomplished writer and producer. He is the recipient of numerous industry accolades, including 26 Modern Drummer awards, Revolver Magazine’s Golden God award for "Best Drummer" and Drum Magazine's "Drummer of the Year". He rose to prominence as the leader, drummer, producer, and co-writer for metal/prog juggernaut Dream Theater, before moving on in 2010. That same year, he worked on Avenged Sevenfold’s #1 album Nightmare and their subsequent tour. And, it was Portnoy who recommended Alpha Rev's emotive singer Casey McPherson as a contender to join Flying Colors.
McPherson, who's 2010 Hollywood/Disney album New Morning debuted in the Top-5 on two Billboard charts, enjoyed major success at radio with multiple hits. The track "New Morning” spent 17 weeks in the Top-10 on Triple A Radio, and enjoyed a run on Vh1’s Top-20 Countdown for months. Steve Morse offers, "Casey was a glorious find, because he could make anything sound fantastic, and is a multitalented like the others."
Flying Colors convened for just nine days in early 2011, and composed and recorded this album during a short and intense session. Dave LaRue recalls, "It was quite an experience - the band moved at a fast pace, ideas flying around the room at all times. Sections of tunes were arranged, then re-arranged, ideas were tried every which way until we made them work, or, in some cases, discarded them altogether. Just keeping track of everything was a challenge!" McPherson adds, "This record is filled with trial and triumph. Raw and delicate songs alike amidst the swirling and daring orchestration of Steve, Neal, Mike and Dave. It's been such an inspiring challenge melding folk, prog, pop, and metal all into one big recording."
Touring plans for Flying Colors will be announced in the coming months.
Not all Christmas albums are created equal, and when Neal Morse gets creative, you are guaranteed something unique.
"A Proggy Christmas" is only available to Inner Circle Member. Click here for more information on how to sign up.
Radiant Records now also has the ePub version of the "Testimony" book available for purchase.
This is the version that is used with Kindle, iBooks (on iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad) and other digital book readers.
Transatlantic
"More Never is Enough"
-Live in Manchester and Tilburg-
5 Discs in a beautiful Digi-Pak consisting of 3 Audio CDs and 2 Full Length DVDs.
The set includes a 3+ hour concert DVD from Tilburg (plus the "Return of the Giant Hogweed" encore), audio from the whole Manchester show and crazy STRANGER JAMS – (the section where Mike does all kinds of crazy stuff, like crowd surfing in Cologne, singing Smoke on the Water and more.)
Set to release on October 25th, 2011.
The Very Best from the Very Best of Prog!!!
And...
Neal Morse
Testimony 2
-Live in Los Angeles-
Fresh from Neal Morse's recent T2 World Tour, comes this amazing 5 disc Digi-Pak consisting of 3 Audio CDs and 2 Full Length DVDs with over 3 hours of mind blowing music and a whopping 4 hours of concert footage and extras!
Guaranteed to excite and satisfy the Prog fan for years to come.
This is the closest you can get to being on the tour without actually being there! Contains professionally shot footage of the historic reunion of Neal Morse and Spock's Beard, Live from the High Voltage Festival in London and a 90 minute behind the scenes tour documentary!
COMING SOON!!!
Transatlantic Live in Manchester and Tilburg.
5 disc set consisting of 3 Audio CDs and 2 Full Length DVDs.
The set includes a 3+ hour concert DVD from Tilburg (plus the "Return of the Giant Hogweed" encore), audio from the whole Manchester show and crazy STRANGER JAMS - the section where Mike would do all kinds of nutty stuff. See Mike crowd surfing in Cologne! See Mike sing Smoke on the Water.
ALSO COMING SOON!!!
Fresh from Neal Morse's recent T2 World Tour, comes this amazing package consisting of 3 Audio CDs and
2 Full Length DVDs with over 3 hours of mind blowing music and a whopping 4 hours of concert footage and extras!
Guaranteed to excite and satisfy the prog fan this Christmas and for years to come.
This is the closest you can get to being on the tour without actually being there! Contains professionally shot
footage of the historic reunion of Neal Morse and Spock's Beard, Live from the High Voltage Festival in London
and a 90 minute behind the scenes tour documentary!
Radiant Records Website:
Check out our new site at www.radiantrecords.com for great offers, lots of new items plus super sales and bundle deals. Take a look and let us know what you think...
Neal's amazing biography, Testimony, is now available in digital. The formats are compatible with all modern reader and listening devices (e.g. Kindle, iPad, iPhone, Android).
The AudioBook is over six hours, and read by Neal, himself.
Neal Morse is ready to launch his new album and his book!
Now taking pre-orders for Testimony 2 and the Testimony Book.
We are ready to start taking pre-orders for the new Neal Morse prog concept album, Testimony 2! (release date is May 23)
Special Offer! Pre-order the Special Edition and receive a free MP3 download of Disc 1 on May 5th!
(THE LINK AND PASSWORD FOR THE DOWNLOAD WILL COME WITH YOUR ONLINE RECEIPT, IT WILL BE ACTIVATED MAY 5TH – You can hear the album before the concerts that start May 19th!)
There are two versions of the album, a regular 2 CD version and a Special Edition 3 Disc box set that includes an extraordinary DVD titled "The Making of Testimony Two". This is really a good one.
Neal's Book! - It's finally done! Also, being released at the same time is Neal's new book titled "Testimony - The inspirational and spiritual journey of a prog rock musician."
Here's a bit about the book:
From the obscurity of dozens of California bar bands and nightclubs to the heights of some of the most prestigious concert venues worldwide, Neal Morse recounts the events that led him though the maze of musical, personal and spiritual experiences that shaped his life. Starting from his first musical endeavors as a child, Neal bears his soul as he recalls the pitfalls, heartaches and temptations along his journey.
This hard-hitting, inspirational exposé takes the reader from Neal's club days to the formation of Spock's Beard and from the rigors of musical and personal burnout to the wondrous joy of spiritual fulfillment and purpose.
The book spans approximately 230 pages in paperback form, and includes photos from all stages of Neal's life.
Special Offer! Pre-order the Testimony 2 Special Edition Box Set and the Book together for one low price. Neal will sign the first 200 books and Special Editions pre-ordered whether ordered separately or bundled together.
Here's a bit about the CD and DVD:
Neal Morse - Testimony 2
In 2003, Neal Morse released his Testimony album. It was an artistic triumph that was and is still considered one of his best to date. With the sequel, Testimony 2, Neal goes even deeper into unchartered musical and lyrical territory. Incorporating the legendary drummer Mike Portnoy and the excellent bassist, Randy George, this breathtaking album is a prog epic with depth that will dazzle and melodies that reach into the soul.
Disc 1 - Testimony 2, the main disc tells us the poignant story of Neal's life from the beginning of Spock's Beard through when his leaving the band in 2002. The brilliant conceptual piece consists of 13 songs in three sections each over twenty minutes long.
Total time: 78:52
Disc 2 consists of 3 great tracks. Two shorter songs and one 26:00 minute prog epic, "Seeds of Gold" which features a guitar solo by famed guitarist, Steve Morse.
Total Time: 36:51
This album marks the audio reunion of Spock's Beard as it contains a "tribute" to Spock's where Neal and the guys sing an elaborate vocal section that is reminiscent of the early days of the band.
Guests Include: Nick D'Virgilio
Alan Morse
Dave Meros
Steve Morse
Paul Bielatowicz
Matthew Ward
Eric Brenton
Members of the Nashville Symphony
The Making of Testimony 2 DVD - An in depth look behind the scenes at the entire process of creating this amazing album. Edited by Chad Hoerner. This one really shines! From the beginning of the writing process on the beaches of California, to the tracking sessions in Nashville Tennessee, this documentary will take you on the journey along with Neal, Mike Portnoy and Randy George as they create this epic. Not to be missed!
Total running time: 64:28 NTSC Region Free
Here's the track listing for the CDs:
Disc One
Part Six: 22:50
Mercy Street
Overture No. 4
Time Changer (with Spock's Beard)
Jayda
Part Seven: 22:54
Nighttime Collectors
Time has come Today
Jesus' Blood
The Truth Will Set You Free
Part Eight: 32:36
Chance of a Lifetime
Jesus Bring Me Home
Road Dog Blues
It's For You
Crossing Over
Mercy Street Revisited
Total Time: 78:22
Disc Two
Absolute Beginner 4:39
Supernatural 6:11
Seeds of Gold 25:59
After having had such a fun experience the first time around in 2003, Mike Portnoy, Paul Gilbert and Neal Morse are reuniting once again to pay tribute to their greatest influence of all: The Beatles!
Due to a scheduling conflict (and further fueling the "Paul is dead" rumours), original YMC bassist Matt Bissonette is unable to join the band this time, but we are pleased to announce the addition of Utopia legend Kasim Sulton who will surely be an amazing addition to the lineup!
The setlist for these shows will be ALL NEW without any repeats from the 2003 shows...
YELLOW MATTER CUSTARD
A Tribute To The Beatles
Mike Portnoy, Paul Gilbert, Neal Morse & Kasim Sulton
Three Nights Across America - 2011
The new Transatlantic extravaganza, Transatlantic - Whirld Tour 2010, captures one of the world’s greatest current prog bands at the height of their glory. The 2 DVD set features 6 camera shoot of the full 3 hour concert performance at London's famed Shepherd’s Bush Empire as well as a two hour "behind the scenes" documentary that is among the best quality material the world of prog has seen or is likely to see in the near future. The performances by Mike Portnoy (Dream Theater, Avenged Sevenfold), Neal Morse (ex Spock's Beard), Pete Trewavas (Marillion) and Roine Stolt (The Flower Kings) and Daniel Gildenlow (Pain of Salvation) are among the finest ever and the material includes the entire 79 minute masterpiece "The Whirlwind" album as well as all of the best music Transatlantic has ever recorded.
Also, included is a 22 minute intimate interview with the guys backstage at the London “High Voltage” Festival as well as a 5 camera shoot of their encore from “High Voltage”, the Genesis classic “Return of the Giant Hogweed” with Mr. Steve Hackett!
Mixed in stereo and 5.1 sound by Roine Stolt. DVDs are 334: 28 in length. NTSC Region free.
Available in 3 formats:
2 DVD version
3 CD version
2 DVD and 3 CD LIMITED EDITION deluxe box set! A Massive Package with Extra Artwork!
OVER 8 HOURS OF PURE MAGIC!
Track List:
CD 1
The Whirlwind - 79:52
CD 2
All Of The Above - 30:19
We All Need Some Light - 8:40
Duel With The Devil - 28:31
CD 3
Bridge Across Forever - 6:03
Stranger In Your Soul - 30:00
Here's a bit about the book:
The new Transatlantic extravaganza, Transatlantic - Whirld Tour 2010, captures one of the world’s greatest current prog bands at the height of their glory. The 2 DVD set features 6 camera shoot of the full 3 hour concert performance at London's famed Shepherd’s Bush Empire as well as a two hour "behind the scenes" documentary that is among the best quality material the world of prog has seen or is likely to see in the near future. The performances by Mike Portnoy (Dream Theater, Avenged Sevenfold), Neal Morse (ex Spock's Beard), Pete Trewavas (Marillion) and Roine Stolt (The Flower Kings) and Daniel Gildenlow (Pain of Salvation) are among the finest ever and the material includes the entire 79 minute masterpiece "The Whirlwind" album as well as all of the best music Transatlantic has ever recorded.