DAYS BETWEEN STATIONS

Days Between Stations is the creative partnership between guitarist Sepand Samzadeh and keyboardist Oscar Fuentes. The duo came together in Los Angeles in November 2003, and named the band after the 1985 novel by Steve Erickson. The band’s sound – Samzadeh calls it “art-rock,” Fuentes labels it “post-prog” – reflects their varied influences, as well as a shared disregard for stylistic boundaries... more

BILLY SHERWOOD

We are much honored this month to have Billy Sherwood (CIRCA:, former YES) as our interview guest. He just released his new CD titled "At The Speed Of Life". Currently, beside his solo projects he is one of the members of the band CIRCA:, formed by ex-YES members Tony Kaye and Alan White, along with Jimmy Haun. They released their first solo album in 2007, followed in 2008 by a live DVD. They are currently in the studio working on their second solo CD...more

Kate BUSH / Never For Ever

1980‘s “Never For Ever” is Kate’s 3rd album. The album was co-produced by Jon Kelly & Kate herself. One of the most interesting things about this album is that it is the first record by a British female artist to top the UK album charts. (Wikipedia). Kate’s progressive approach to music reaches its peak with Never For Ever. She tastefully blends different genres including folk, oriental, rock, classical and jazz. Unlike her first two albums which she wrote on piano, this one was written on synths... more

HOT BUTTERED RUM / LIVE IN THE NORTHEAST

Hot Buttered Rum is a progressive bluegrass band formed by 5 talented musicians: Bryan Horne (double bass, vocals); Nat Keefe (guitar, vocals); Zachary Matthews (mandolin, fiddle and vocals); Aaron Redner (fiddle, mandolin, vocals) and Erik Yates (banjo, flute, accordion, resonator guitar, clarinet, saxophone & vocals). The band members came together in Northern California where they started to play. Live In The Northeast is the band’s fourth album. Their previous album Well-Oiled Machine has the name of Mike Marshall as the producer. The band recently came back from Hawaii, where they played 8 shows in 10 days.

Live In The Northeast is the band’s new release that came out a few months ago. They hand picked each song on the album from various shows in the northeast from their Fall 2006 tour. The song selection reflects the band’s wide range of musical interests including rock, jazz, classical music, folk, reggae, latin, and traditional bluegrass. This fusion of genres gives the band their own unique sound especially when they start jamming. There is a smooth, but sometimes a sudden transition between genres. This is a CD full of surprises. The album opens up with a traditional bluegrass song “Busted in Utah”. The second one, “Limbo in Lovelock” is a nice folk song. The real treat comes with “Desert Rat” when the band unveils their psychedelic side. The fiddle and the flute are, well, let’s put it this way: delicious!

“Return Someday” is yet another surprise with its reggae rhythm but folksy vocal lines, but it takes a jazzy u-turn when each instrument takes their solo parts. There are 2 cover songs on the CD: Grateful Dead’s “Cumberland Blues” and Leo Sayer’s “You Make Me Feel Like Dancing”. They show with these two that a bluegrass band can actually rock.

“Spider” and “Honey Be” are more in the jazz arena, while “Queen Elisabeth” is a blues tune and lastly “Metrosexual” has tropical aromas mixed with latin rhythms, and its lyrics will surely put a smile on your face. The sound quality of the CD is pretty good; you don’t really feel like you are actually listening to a live album. Because the band is very tight, and apparently loves jamming. I personally like to hear live performances from jam bands because this is when their true talents show, as well as the true spirit of a jam band. If you are the same way, Hot Buttered Rum is not going to disappoint you.

Visit their website at: www.hotbutteredrum.net

HANDE BURDG