Starcastle signed to ProgRock Records
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Topic: Starcastle signed to ProgRock Records
Posted By: BigBoss
Subject: Starcastle signed to ProgRock Records
Date Posted: December 28 2006 at 12:51
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STARCASTLE IS SIGNED TO PROGROCK RECORDS AND RELEASES THE ALBUM “SONG OF TIMES” Rancho Santa Margarita CA, December 28th 2006 - Starcastle, the classic and highly respected American progressive rock band, will debut its first album of new material since 1978, Song of Times, on ProgRock Records. The band had this to say: “Starcastle is thrilled to join with Shawn Gordon and ProgRock Records in the release of our new work. We see this record as bridging our past and future, and are happy to be aligned with ProgRock, who represent so many fine and vital artists in this continually unfolding genre.” “Boy, what an honor and thrill it is to be able to put out this album. I loved these guys when they hit the scene, never in my life did I think I’d get to work with them, especially with such an amazing album, I know you’re going to love it.”, said Shawn Gordon, President of ProgRock Records. This new record features Starcastle’s trademark vocal harmonies, twin guitars, fluid and driving bass playing, and grand synthesizer lines. At the same time, the record has a more modern and rocking, less glossy feel than earlier Starcastle releases, more representative of their high energy live shows. The songs and arrangements are tight and melodic, and there’s even one (Babylon) that’s mostly in 4/4 time! Song of Times includes contributions from all the original members: Gary Strater (bass and vocals), Matt Stewart (guitars and vocals), Steve Tassler (drums, vocals and keyboards), Herb Schildt (keyboards), Steve Hagler (guitar and vocals), and Terry Luttrell (vocals, original REO vocalist)- alongside a number of new players and singers, including current Starcastle vocalist Al Lewis and guitarist Bruce Botts. The record was mastered by Emily Lazar (Bowie, Lou Reed, Moby, etc). The fantastic artwork by Ed Unitsky equals and surpasses the best of progressive rock artwork and packaging. Starcastle formed in the late 1960’s in Champaign Illinois. They released four records on CBS/Epic Records: Starcastle (1976), Fountains of Light (1976), Citadel (1977), and Real to Reel (1978). Together these records have sold more than a million copies. The middle two albums were produced by Queen/Cars/Darkness producer Roy Thomas Baker. The band toured extensively into the 80’s, appearing with such artists as Aerosmith, Foreigner, Jethro Tull, Roxy Music, Ted Nugent, Rush, The Guess Who, Gentle Giant, Kansas, ELO, J. Geils, Styx, Peter Frampton, Hot Tuna, Blue Oyster Cult, Santana, Boston, Todd Rundgren, and of all bands- Sha Na Na! Through a series of adventures and the passing in 2004 of bassist and driving light Gary Strater, this dedicated group of friends and associates have persevered to complete and release Song of Times, and are now looking forward to the new Starcastle’s headlining appearance April 27th 2007 at the Rites of Spring Festival in Phoenixville, PA. Song of Times is available for immediate order at http://www.progrockrecords.com/artists/view.php?id=70 and will ship in late-January and be available at your favorite brick and mortar retailer on March 13, 2007. Presales are discounted $2 on the ProgRock Records site until the album starts shipping. About ProgRock Records ProgRock Records was founded in 2002 and has rapidly grown into a recognized force in the music community, signing established artists and breaking new artists alike. ------------- Best Regards, Shawn Gordon President ProgRock Records www.progrockrecords.com www.mindawn.com |
Replies:
Posted By: cuncuna
Date Posted: December 28 2006 at 12:58
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Starcastle is a joke. Sorry, but they are. ------------- ĦBeware of the Bee! |
Posted By: BigBoss
Date Posted: December 28 2006 at 13:05
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I don't know why you would say that, but you should really hear the new album, it's excellent, and before you say they are a YES clone, their song writing was never anything like YES, but Gary's bass playing was obviously influenced by Squire and Terry sounded similar to Anderson. check out the audio samples on the site. ------------- Best Regards, Shawn Gordon President ProgRock Records www.progrockrecords.com www.mindawn.com |
Posted By: Easy Livin
Date Posted: December 28 2006 at 14:17
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So can we expect the prog band who made the fine "Fountains of light", or the band which made the shorter, anonymous and sadly uninspired songs of "Real to Reel"? Let's hope the record label name is a good indicator.
Of course there were Yes similarities by the way, in the lyrics too, but that was a positive!
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Posted By: johnobvious
Date Posted: December 28 2006 at 14:36
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Shawn, good luck with the record. And don't mind Cuncuna. He's the local hard-ass around here.
------------- Biggles was in rehab last Saturday |
Posted By: johnobvious
Date Posted: December 28 2006 at 16:36
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Just heard Babylon on Delicious Agony. Not bad at all. And Yes did not spring right to mind.
------------- Biggles was in rehab last Saturday |
Posted By: Masque
Date Posted: December 28 2006 at 21:18
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Posted By: BigBoss
Date Posted: December 29 2006 at 00:18
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This album does the best job of capturing their live energy, everyone that I previewed it for that liked the band felt it was their best material. We distributed it to internet radio stations today (as you found out at DA) so you should be able to hear full tracks around, we have it all at www.progrock.com where you can request any track. This album was a hard time coming with Gary passing away just near the completion, he was really the driving force and everyone else was pretty busy, but they wanted to honor his memory and finish it and do it right, so it took a while and the results are definitely worth it. The album may not be your kind of music, but I think most people will like it. Thanks for the kudos as well :) ------------- Best Regards, Shawn Gordon President ProgRock Records www.progrockrecords.com www.mindawn.com |
Posted By: Atkingani
Date Posted: December 29 2006 at 00:38
Any effort directed to the advance and improvement of our beloved genre shall be commemorated. And for the case of Starcastle the celebration must be even greater since it is a sign that prog-rock and prog-music have proved their endurance and are here to stay forever! 
------------- Guigo ~~~~~~ |
Posted By: Masque
Date Posted: December 30 2006 at 22:41
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I took it upon myself to listen to each of these 30 second samples from the new Starcastle CD and all I can say is its big on melody has some awesome keyboards and the drums sound great ! also terry Terry Luttrell is sounding even more like Jon Anderson than even Jon Anderson sounds these days if that makes any sense !
I want this new Starcastle CD I want it now ! .. check out the samples see what you think  >>> http://www.progrockrecords.com/shop/view.php?id=117 - http://www.progrockrecords.com/shop/view.php?id=117 ------------- |
Posted By: Dick Heath
Date Posted: December 31 2006 at 10:49
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I've plenty of time for Starcastle. Sure as close as you could have got to Yes (at their peak), without being Yes. But they came along as the light relief when Yes were wading through the turgid oceans of topographic excess.
------------- The best eclectic music on the Web,8-11pm BST/GMT THURS. CLICK ON: http://www.lborosu.org.uk/media/lcr/live.php - http://www.lborosu.org.uk/media/lcr/live.php Host by PA's Dick Heath. |
Posted By: BigBoss
Date Posted: December 31 2006 at 10:52
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Actually, it is now available on the digital download service Mindawn, so you can preview entire tracks or buy the downloadable album right now, we've already sold a good number of copies there. http://www.mindawn.com/albums/2388 Keep in mind that Al Lewis is singing lead on all tracks but "All For The Thunder", track 8, that one has Terry. ------------- Best Regards, Shawn Gordon President ProgRock Records www.progrockrecords.com www.mindawn.com |
Posted By: micky
Date Posted: December 31 2006 at 10:59
wow... the king of hahahhaah's fails to see the joke.  Not exactly original in the original incarnation... but far from a joke my good man. ------------- The Pedro and Micky Experience - When one no longer requires psychotropics to trip |
cuncuna wrote:Posted By: micky
Date Posted: December 31 2006 at 11:01
I'll check those samples out... I happen to have liked the first 3 albums. I did love Gary's bass playing. ------------- The Pedro and Micky Experience - When one no longer requires psychotropics to trip |
Posted By: Masque
Date Posted: December 31 2006 at 23:00
I went to Mindawn and I downloaded the full CD ! for $6.99 So far my thoughts are it is a good prog CD and even has some great moments but I don`t think Starcastle are going to win any new fans with this release but it is sure to please some old fans.  ------------- |