PeacockSunrise Records is thrilled to announce Sun King Rising’s second album, Signs & Wonders is to be released on October 1, 2022, the album will be available on all popular formats: CD, Vinyl, Digital, and Streaming.
Sun King Rising is the professional moniker of singer/songwriter/piano player John Blangero who hails from Port Isabel, Texas.
He calls his music “the new wave of southern rock and soul music.”
PeacockSunrise Records is the Americana/Rock label spinoff of Nick Katona’s successful Progressive Rock label, Melodic Revolution. Like Sun King Rising’s highly acclaimed debut album, Delta Tales, Pittsburgh’s Ace Acker served as producer.
Save for Queen’s Brian May, Blangero is perhaps incomparable in all the world. Like May—Queen’s guitarist—Blangero is not only a brilliant, entirely original musical artist but also a world-renowned scientist (May is an astrophysicist) specializing in genetics research.
Blangero’s music draws from his own southern family roots, the literary genius of William Faulkner, the bluesy compositional brilliance of George Gershwin, the blue-eyed soul of Elton John, and the funky rhythms and horns of the 60s-70s Muscle Shoals. Soaring electric guitars add spice to this gumbo. It is a unique fusion of innate design with heartfelt musical expression— “the Genetics of Soul.”
“With this album, Sun King Rising has made a quantum leap,” says Katona. “Musically and lyrically, Signs & Wonders rocks hard while engaging the imagination. It is thematically coherent, complex, and sophisticated.”
Blangero attributes this to the vastly improved circumstances under which Acker was able to produce it. “We started recording the first album in January 2020. Two months later, the COVID-19 pandemic locked the whole world down,” he says.
Coping with resulting restrictions on travel and meetings forced Blangero and Acker to complete the production remotely, with thirty-two different players and singers recording in multiple studios across the country. Says Blangero, “It was a logistical challenge, to say the least.”
With Signs & Wonders, the production team had no such hurdles. Recording again at Pittsburgh’s Maplewood Studio with engineer David Granati at the helm, Acker put together a full 5-piece band, a horn section, and a background chorus with the city’s most acclaimed talents. “Most of the cuts on the album we recorded live at Maplewood, with the same band,” Acker explained, “resulting in a far more consistent sound. The logistics were a breeze.”
Signs & Wonder is a collection of Blangero’s southern noir stories set to music, with a cast of colorful characters, intrigue, tales of sin and redemption, murder without justice, and love without limits. Had William Faulkner and Tennessee Williams been lyricists, they might have written deeply nuanced musical stories like Sun King Risings.
The album’s first single, “No. 6 Magnolia Avenue,” is classic 60s/70s horn band pop in the vein of Chicago, Spiral Staircase, and Blood,
Concurrent with the single’s release, PeacockSunrise will debut its cinematic music video directed by Dante Ludovici, the man behind the cameras for the official “Free Will in China Blue” video from the first album.
Steve Bonino returns with his third album Pandora and the first new Steve Bonino Project releases in three years. This is not a follow-up to the highly acclaimed album Stargazer 2, in fact, Stargazer 3 is still in the works at this very moment.
The new Album “Pandora” is a concept album, the creation of this album was inspired by Nick Katona, Owner of Melodic Revolution Records says, Steve Bonino.
The opening track Eva Prima Pandora was released as a single for the Troubleshooting Pandora’s Box series on January 14th, 2022 which was inspired by the mythology of a painting by Jean Cousin dated 1550.
The author creates a curious symbiosis between a painting with a mythological theme and a painting with a religious theme. The work is identified by a poster that relates the mythological character of Pandora, the first woman and the origin of the evils of the human race according to Greek mythology, with the biblical Eve, also a participant in the fall of the human race into sin.
In the painting are the symbols of the skull, alluding to the death related to the protagonist, the serpent entangled in the left arm, which recalls the biblical story of the serpent’s deception of Eve in Paradise, the branch of the apple tree reminiscent of the forbidden fruit and the jug that points to Pandora’s box from which the evils of humanity emerged.
Since early Christian art was developed, the Greek myth was related to the biblical account of Genesis as both women, Eva and Pandora, symbols of curiosity and responsibility in the fall of the human being.
Pandora Tracklisting 1. Eva Prima Pandora 04:48 2. The Three Fates 03:44 3. Where Did Evil Come From 04:32 4. My Name Is Pandora (featuring Shimmer Johnson) 03:30 5. The Pipes Of Pan 02:43 6. To Pandora 04:38 7. Origin Story 04:02 8. Do You Believe 03:43 9. Mythos 01:53 10. Lucky Day 02:55 11. Of Gods And Men 03:10
Steve Bonino: Vocals, Guitars, Bass, Keyboards, and Drum Programming Shimmer Johnson: Vocals (Track 4) Erik Johnson: Guitar (Track 8) C.C. White (East/West Voices of Soul) Femail Vocals (Tracks 1, 3, 7, 8, & 11)
Released June 17, 2022, via Melodic Revolution Records
All orders of the new album “Shiny Side Up” featuring eleven brilliantly crafted new instrumental tracks by Gayle Ellett & The Electromags are available for a special low price during the pre-sale, as a bonus, all CD pre-orders come with a special gift and a digital sampler download card of various artist.
Gayle Ellett & The Electromags is an exciting new 3-piece rock band. featuring Gayle Ellett (Electric & Acoustic Guitars, Hammond B-3 Organ, Rhodes Electric Piano) Craig Kahn (Drums & Percussion), and Mark Cook (Bass), Gayle Ellett & The Electromags is Instrumental hard-rocking guitar music with a 1970’s vibe.
Shiny Side Up Tracklist
1. No Deposit, No Return 06:15 2. Highway 27 04:14 3. The Old Canyon Road 05:26 4. Southern Slide 04:48 5. Hardtailed Knucklehead 05:45 6. Donuts & Fishtails 05:18 7. Beyond The Milky Way 01:22 8. Brass Saddles & Steel Trees 02:36 9. Three Way Switch 05:31 10. Crash Bar 05:26 11. Trail Dust 05:10
All music was composed and produced by Gayle Ellett Album art by Matt Mahurin Recorded in Topanga, California, and Arlington, Texas
In order to maintain a more lively and dynamic sound, no compression was used in the mixing of this album.
The artwork on the album is by the award-winning artist Matt Mahurin, who has created numerous album covers for groups like Peter Gabriel, U2, Metallica, R.E.M., Tom Waits, Muse, T-Bone Burnett, Soundgarden, Motley Crew, Def Leppard, Scorpions, Joe Satriani, Cher, and many others. And he has also illustrated the cover of TIME Magazine more than 40 times.
East Coast DJ Tom Gagliardi had this to say about the album, “Gayle Ellett & The Electromags have embarked on an eleven-track instrumental journey of old school atmospheres that include a truly analog sound so good….you can smell the ozone charge from those beloved tube amplifiers.”
Band Bio:
Gayle Ellett (Guitar & Keyboards), Gayle has been playing guitar for more than 45 years, he started playing back in 1973. He is a multi-instrumentalist who has performed on over 120 albums, scored music for numerous feature films and 60 different TV series worldwide, and currently plays in 9 bands. One of these bands is Djam Karet, a Progressive Rock group formed in the 1980s that has released 20 albums so far. When he’s not busy recording in the studio, he can often be found wandering the mountain trails near his home in Topanga, California. www.GayleEllett.com
Craig Kahn (Drums), Besides playing in The Electromags, Craig is recording drums for the next Kelp Dwellers album, a Surf band he is in with Gayle Ellett and their friend Todd Montgomery (Fernwood). Craig is also involved with a band consisting mostly of pediatric cardiology doctors from around the world, the BBSC, who donate all proceeds from album sales to pediatric health care. Craig spends his free time running in the mountains surrounding his home in Topanga, California.
Mark Cook (Bass), Mark is a multi-instrumentalist based in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. He has recorded and performed with the progressive rock bands Herd of Instinct and Spoke of Shadows, the psychedelic crew Liquid Sound Company, and the art-pop/downtempo unit Nocturne Blue. When not chained to the recording console, Mark spends time wrangling his dogs.
Who is Gayle Ellett & The Electromags?
Ellett, says “I formed this group because of my great love for guitars and the joy I get from playing guitar. I wanted to focus on the style that was popular back in my teenage years: the 1970s. I wanted to spend more time writing melodies and stretching out as a player, pushing myself to improve as a composer and producer, trying my hardest to capture the best tones possible. And luckily, I’m working with Craig Kahn and Mark Cook, who are a great fit for this group. They are super talented, highly motivated, and really easy to work with. Craig is a really talented and aggressive drummer, and Mark is an amazingly creative bass player. Making this album with them has been really fun!”
Located high in the mountains of Topanga, California, this new group is focused on creating instrumental hard- rocking guitar music with a 1970’s vibe. Utilizing a collection of 10 electric guitars and 5 vintage tube amps, their music has a traditional yet modern sound. Except for the occasional wah-wah or phaser, no guitar pedals were used in the creation of this music. Just great guitars plugged straight into classic tube amps … and turned up unbearably loud!
“My #1 goal was to make an album that featured me wailing lots of guitar solos and playing memorable melodies,” adds Ellett. “My other goal was to write really interesting and enjoyable music, surrounding those solos with lots of cool and evolving changes.” He goes on to explain “I’m not trying to re-create the sounds of the ’70s, but I am very inspired by the music of that era. , I started playing electric guitar back in 1973, and albums like Jeff Beck’s Blow By Blow and other Classic Rock records have greatly shaped my tastes in music. That’s why I play in phrases, it’s an older style that was popular back then. I’ve never written Rock songs before, and I’ve never made a ‘Gayle Plays Guitar Solos’ album, so all of this is new to me. And so far, I am really happy with the results!”
The band gets its name from the electromagnetic pickups that are present on all electric guitars. These electromags capture the guitar’s sound and transmit it down a wire to the amplifier. Unique to electric guitars, they are not found on other instruments.
The album’s title “Shiny Side Up” is from the common saying among motorcyclists “Keep the shiny side up!” which means “Have fun riding and don’t crash!”
Master musician Mike Keneally (who has toured the world with Frank Zappa, Steve Vai, Joe Satriani) said of this music “Once again, what a journey! Gorgeous playing and it takes me to places I didn’t expect at the top of the song – appreciate your willingness to wantonly change tempo as you see fit super fun! Yeah, Gayle!”
Currently, the band is finishing up a 5-song digital EP (due to be released next year). And they are also busy recording music for a 2nd full-length album, tentatively titled “Friends”, which will feature many guest musicians from around the world.
Melodic Revolution Records recording artist singer-songwriter Andy John Bradford to release his upcoming album The Visit on PeacockSunrise Records in late 2022, the latest single The Gold Watch will be released in mid-May via all digital services and retailers, more news coming soon.
Bio
Andy John Bradford is an award-winning singer/songwriter and an actor from the North East in England. Born in 1964 in Middlesbrough, as it turns out on the very same street as the legendary Chris Rea his family moved around a lot around the country as his father was a captain in the Church Army. His father left the Church Army and they moved to Nottingham when his dad trained to become a teacher whilst at the same time working as a milkman in order to keep a roof over his families head. After qualifying as a teacher the family once again moved, this time to the West Yorkshire town of Bradford. At this point, it was 1972 and was to be the home where the family finally settled and Andy grew up. It was Bradford where his appreciation for music came about also. His father was a big music fan, though more on the classical side and jazz it was the start of the 70s and a new style of music was about to fill Andy’s ears. Glam Rock was born and he found Rock music.
In 1974 Andy started at Daisy Hill Middle School and it was here where he found an interest in Guitar, thanks to his main mentor at this point Mr. Mac. A teacher at the school and a folk singer when he wasn’t at school. He taught Andy and his best friend who funny enough was also called Andy how to play the guitar. Andy took to this instrument quite well, enough for his mum to take the plunge and buy a more expensive guitar. The year was 1976 and the guitar was a Jumbo EKO Ranger steel-string folk guitar. It had a beautiful tone and Andy started to experiment with it and come up with his own tunes with it. It was here where he started to write his own music and his first song which turned out to be terrible was born. Called “Where is she”, it soon made the order of the scrap heap. However that same year after a boatload of dross, a real song came out of it named “Sitting Ducks” This was actually quite good and was put forward to the Schools songwriting competition where it won Andy a Songwriting merit award. Andy continued to write right through school and after leaving school sadly put the guitar down for a while as real life stepped in. However, the writing bug remained but it wasn’t until the late 80s that it started to take over again. By 1996, Andy had written quite a few and with help from his new songwriting partner Martin Dawson, they managed to record an album. The Album named “The Sentinel” was a take on the ever-changing landscape of the Yorkshire they had both grown up in and managed to get them a Folk Award for Best Local Album. That same year they appeared at the Whitby Folk Festival and the song Hero, which was written a year before won Andy Best Folk Song. As a duo, the pair also got the award for the best liver-stage act under the name of “Highway” 4 years on the trot on the Northern Club Circuit… Each time they won they won a carriage clock and each clock had their name stamped on brass on the back of the clock and each clock had the name of the pair spelled wrong in 4 different ways!!!
2001 After moving again, this time to Northern Ireland, Andy continued to write and perform as a solo artist around the Northern Irish Circuit and in this time he wrote the award-winning song “Northern Rose” Dedicated to his new bride Donna, and the song “When Hearts are Broken” and the heartbreaking song “Daddy’s Girl” dedicated to his daughter to his first marriage who now is very much once again a big part of his life. In 2011 Andy started talking with other musicians around the world and got together an array of really fine talent including the late Colin Tench (In Sweden), Marco Chiapini in Italy, Stef Flaming (In Belgium), Victor Tassone (In New York) and Andres Guitzalli (In Argentina) Together they formed the international collaboration, Andy John Bradford’s Oceans 5. They started to write and produce a new album where different styles attempted to blend, Andy being a folk musician and Colin being a Prog musician the rest having their own very unique styles but all working very well to produce an album which grew into “The Return To Mingulay” giving the band a good following around the world and world critical acclaim, placing the album amongst some as one of the most important albums ever written. An achievement that did not make any of the big egos in the band gets even more big-headed at all.
Sadly after the passing of Colin Tench, the rest of the band lost a bit of the heart and nothing else was written, however, they are all still talking together and new members are reputed to have been brought in to make a new supergroup. All that can be said at this point is “Watch this space” As a solo artist, Andy is still writing and his new single “The Gold Watch” A view once again on the changing view of the landscape through another person’s eyes, this time through the eyes of a road sweep. This is one of the songs that are going onto the new album “The Visit” set for release at the end of the year. It’s an album taking another look at old songs that Andy has written over the years, including some of those ones that never even got heard. He’ll be putting new life back into them and will also be revisiting an old Christmas song which will have a new feel to it and an addition of a choir. Bother Single and future releases are set to be released on Peacock Sunrise Records. Watch
PeacockSunrise Records is pleased to announce the signing of an exciting new 3-piece rock band, Gayle Ellett & The Electromags. Featuring Gayle Ellett (Electric & Acoustic Guitars, Hammond B-3 Organ, Rhodes Electric Piano) Craig Kahn (Drums & Percussion), and Mark Cook (Bass), Gayle Ellett & The Electromags is Instrumental hard-rocking guitar music with a 1970’s vibe.
When describing the band, Ellett, says “I formed this group because of my great love for guitars and the joy I get from playing guitar. I wanted to focus on the style that was popular back in my teenage years: the 1970s. I wanted to spend more time writing melodies and stretching out as a player, pushing myself to improve as a composer and producer, trying my hardest to capture the best tones possible. And luckily, I’m working with Craig Kahn and Mark Cook, who are a great fit for this group. They are super talented, highly motivated, and really easy to work with. Craig is a really talented and aggressive drummer, and Mark is an amazingly creative bass player. Making this album with them has been really fun!”
Album art by Matt Mahurin
Shiny Side Up Tracklist
1. No Deposit, No Return 06:15 2. Highway 27 04:14 3. The Old Canyon Road 05:26 4. Southern Slide 04:48 5. Hardtailed Knucklehead 05:45 6. Donuts & Fishtails 05:18 7. Beyond The Milky Way 01:22 8. Brass Saddles & Steel Trees 02:36 9. Three Way Switch 05:31 10. Crash Bar 05:26 11. Trail Dust 05:10
All music was composed and produced by Gayle Ellett Recorded in Topanga, California, and Arlington, Texas
The artwork on the album is by the award-winning artist Matt Mahurin, who has created numerous album covers for groups like Peter Gabriel, U2, Metallica, R.E.M., Tom Waits, Muse, T-Bone Burnett, Soundgarden, Motley Crew, Def Leppard, Scorpions, Joe Satriani, Cher, and many others. And he has also illustrated the cover of TIME Magazine more than 40 times.
East Coast DJ Tom Gagliardi had this to say about the album, “Gayle Ellett & The Electromags have embarked on an eleven-track instrumental journey of old school atmospheres that include a truly analog sound so good….you can smell the ozone charge from those beloved tube amplifiers.”
Sun King Rising‘s debut album, Delta Tales was released worldwide a year ago in multiple formates; CD, digital, and vinyl which has been delayed due to the pandemic, but is still on track for release.
AboutSun King Rising?
Sun King Rising is the professional moniker of singer/songwriter/piano player John Blangerowho hails from Port Isabel, Texas. Blangero is steeped in the traditions of southern rock and country soul. His music, arrangements, and vocal stylings have a strong ’70s vibe reminiscent of Leon Russell and Joe Cocker, while also sounding fresh and new. Blangero’s songs are filled with memorable hooks, rocking piano, driving rhythms, a powerful horn section, and soulful female background singers a la’ Ray Charles’ Raelettes.
“I’ve been wanting to do a solo Americana/southern soul/classic rock type of album for many years,” Blangero said. “I wanted to capture some of that classic rock and soul vibe in my own songs. So, I started writing and recording solo demos of songs like Let There Be Light, Down the Delta Road, Drive Me to Nashville, In A State of Grace, and Love Turns Grey
The recording of Delta Tales was a fascinating task, spanning four months, from January 2020 to mid-May. The Coronavirus shutdown in April forced Blangero and Acker to complete the production remotely with players and singers dubbing their parts over the basic tracks in several different studios across the country.
Said Blangero, “It was a logistical challenge, but Ace did a great job organizing the players and the sessions. I am proud of this record. We captured the magic that I’ve always heard in my head with great background singers, classic horn parts, tight rhythm sections, killer guitar, funky keys, and my own acoustic piano parts. It sounds like it could have been recorded in the early 70s, which is the vibe I was going for.”
In closing, Blangero said, “I tried to capture my southern soul on this album. I hope that the overall message it conveys is one of positivity, especially in these dark times. I think we have put together strong songs that will make people tap their feet and sing along, too! For me, the song is everything.”
Produced by Steven “Ace” Acker, formerly of notable 1970s MCA recording artists. LAW, the album is a collection of nine original songs and a 1969 R&B gem titled, “The Snake.” It was a complex production involving multiple studios and numerous top players and singers scattered throughout the country. While not a concept album, per se, “Delta Tales” is thematically coherent. It is about the southern experience. Its songs are vignettes of love found, love lost, family, faith, historical burden, betrayal, sin, and redemption set in a southern cultural landscape. Yet, they are also universal themes.
CD TrackListing
The Snake Milkweed And Thistle Down The Delta Road In A State Of Grace Take It Down Beneath The Southern Sun Evangeline In The Morning Love Turns Grey Drive Me To Nashville Let There Be Light
Sun King Rising scores in a big way with this album and admirers of Delta Tales will look forward to a future burning with promise…. – Melody Maker
“This is a stomper and a raver that’s sure to take you back even if you weren’t there in the first place. Hot stuff…” – Midwest Record Entertainment
Delta Tales…brings such all-encompassing passion and musical vision to bear on the album’s ten cuts that it is a complete listening experience. There are no holes in this release. – NeuFutur Magazine
Soaring progressive-rock grandeur meets deeply soulful Southern rock at the crossroads of Delta Tales. – Elmore Magazine
It is rare indeed to be captivated by just the first few bars of a record, but I was immediately intrigued to discover something earthy and full of heart and soul…. – House of Prog
Delta Tales is full of dramatic close-ups, panoramic sweep, heart-stopping highs, and melodies unfolding as natural as breathing… – Hollywood Digest
You are loved just for being here on this planet, but especially in this space that I share with you. Thank you for being right here and reading this today.
The launch of my live album went spectacularly well, with all the clear lathe-cut vinyls selling out in the first hour and then the black vinyls. By the end of the first day, there were only 12 CD’s left. If you haven’t bagged your copy, you might still be lucky if you click HERE.
I told you this year was going to be a busy one… and it is!
Today, I am very excited to share with you a very special space I have been crafting on Patreon. It’s the new frontier of crowdfunding, the future of sustainable creativity and a way to give back to regular fans in a most meaningful way.
As a reward for just visiting my site, to see how it works and what is on offer, I have shared a link over there to a never-yet-seen-or-heard new song and video. Well, you might have heard me play it live a couple of times, but this is an amazing collaboration and one of my first forays in making a music video. Watch it here
This launch marks the beginning of a new chapter in my career. And I invite you to be a part of it.
The song is the first single from Sun King Rising’s debut album, “Delta Tales.” Written John Blangero (aka Sun King Rising), as a bonus track, it quickly became a fan favorite around the world. While CD buyers will receive an HQ download of the song, it will appear on the vinyl version, now in production.
The video was produced and directed by Hilton Head, SC filmmakers, Cyndee Kaule and Eddie Anthony, the video is an artful, allegorical depiction of the song’s story.
“We tried to capture the emotional essence of this heartfelt song,” said Kaule.
Kaule brought Anthony a well-established director to create and collaborate on the project. The result is a sexy fable and a visual feast. “Not only does Eddie direct,” Kaule explained, “he also plays the singer/composer in the film.”Anthony said, “To play an incredible artist like John Blangero is an honor and privilege.” The shoot became a family affair, with Kaule playing “China Blue,” and Anthony’s daughter, Hadley Galaviz, serving as cinematographer.
Click on image to watch
FREE WILL IN CHINA BLUE (Digital Only Bonus Track) (John Blangero/Reborn Pelican Songs/BMI)
John Blangero—Lead vocal/Piano/Organ George Perilli—Drums Joe Macre—Bass Willie Ross and Ace Acker—Guitars Stephanie Wellons & Joy Brown—Background vocals Terminus Horns: Horn Section
Bonus track from the exciting new PeacockSunrise Records release, Delta Tales by Sun King Rising Release Date: 10.2.20 Format: LP, CD, and high-quality digital formats
To bring a little sparkle to the dark nights of January, and to help me to start fundraising for my next studio album, I will be reading fairytales, folk tales, and legends every night for 31 Days.
‘Jackanory’ is the cockney rhyming slang for ‘story’ and of course the name of the much-loved BBC children’s TV series – a staple of my early childhood.
From my homely story-corner, these tales will help us to acknowledge the dark side of life, whilst receiving the wisdom, magic, and sense of adventure passed on for generations by those who have walked this path before.
And you can get involved!!! Here’s how…
1. Suggest your favorite tales you would like me to tell… 2. Donate by ‘buying me a coffee’ at https://www.buymeacoffee.com/elfinbow 3. Commission your own bespoke illustration of any tale for just £100! Send me a PM or email [email protected] – you never know, we might even get to make another book!
Like my 31 Days of Drawing project, I am expecting this to be a profound adventure that we can embark on together. This is just the first of many fundraising efforts this year to create my next album, which I want to be my very best work. All proceeds from buy me a coffee and commissions, will go towards the creative community that will be involved in making my album happen, including musicians, engineers, mixing, mastering, art, and design and manufacture.
We’ve done it twice before, and we will do it again! Thank you for being such an important part of my creative life and I look forward to connecting with you this month. Love and respect always, Elfin xx
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