KC Editor

Geoff Downes, Yes / Asia / The Buggles

October 4, 2021 by KC Editor Leave a Comment

Geoff Downes not only co-founded a pioneering group in the late seventies, but he’s also a core member of two other iconic groups that continue to go strong. And that’s just the start. Geoff covers a lot of ground in this interview and we take the opportunity to delve into the latest album release from Yes.

Links to content mentioned during the show (links will open in new tab):

Downes Braide Association – latest album Halcyon Hymns

Geoff at the Sydney Opera House

Yes – The Quest

Rock Aid Armenia – Smoke on the Water (making-of documentary)

Trevor and Geoff performing live in 2004

Our interview with Geoff’s old band mate, Jan Pulsford

Asia – Go

Tag a keyboard player: Dave Sinclair (Caravan)

Desert Island Discs: In The Land of Grey and Pink – Caravan, ABBA Gold – ABBA, 4 – Foreigner, What’s Going On – Marvin Gaye, The White Album – The Beatles.

Don’t forget to click on any of the subscribe links to automatically have each episode download, or just click play on the player above to listen right here.

We’re always keen to hear from you: drop us a line via the website, Facebook, or Twitter.

If you’re a keyboard player, we also have a regular email newsletter with interesting news from the industry just for you.

To help us keep the podcast running like a fine oiled machine, we do have a Patreon account if you’d like to contribute the cost of a small cup of coffee a month.

Finally, check out our podcast guest playlist on Spotify to get a taste of each guest’s creations.

Tom Brislin, Kansas

September 6, 2021 by KC Editor Leave a Comment

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Tom Brislin plays keyboards for Kansas and has also toured with other icons such as Debbie Harry, Meatloaf and Yes. As you’ll hear, Tom has some great insights on his career to date that inspired us and will hopefully inspire you. We even have a fun chat about whether Meatloaf’s work could be described at ‘Pop Prog’. You’ve been warned!

Links to content mentioned during the show (links will open in new tab):

Mussorgski – Pictures at an Exhibition

Kenny Barron – Embraceable you

Tom with Spiraling

Tom with Glen Burtnik

Tom with Meatloaf

Tom with Yes

Tom with Renaissance

Tag a keyboard player: Kerry Minnear (Gentle Giant), Glasys.

Desert Island Discs: Purple Rain – Prince, Christmas Album – The Ventures, Business As Usual – Men At Work, Fragile – Yes, Magical Mystery Tour – The Beatles and any album from Emerson, Lake and Palmer.

Don’t forget to click on any of the subscribe links to automatically have each episode download, or just click play on the player above to listen right here.

We’re always keen to hear from you: drop us a line via the website, Facebook, or Twitter.

If you’re a keyboard player, we also have a regular email newsletter with interesting news from the industry just for you.

To help us keep the podcast running like a fine oiled machine, we do have a Patreon account if you’d like to contribute the cost of a small cup of coffee a month.

Finally, check out our podcast guest playlist on Spotify to get a taste of each guest’s creations.

Oliver Wakeman, Solo Artist / Nolan & Wakeman / Yes

August 8, 2021 by KC Editor Leave a Comment

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Oliver Wakeman has had a prolific career to date, with lots more on the horizon. Oliver talks his latest release with Clive Nolan, his musical upbringing and even a bit of tech and train-wreck.

Links to content mentioned during the show (links will open in new tab):

Oliver Wakeman and Rodney Matthews

Nolan and Wakeman – Why Do You Hate Me?

More details on the Tales by Gaslight box set

Our own interview with Clive Nolan

Oliver and Gordon Giltrap live

Oliver and Steve Howe – 3 Ages of Magick

Oliver with Yes

Rodney Matthews – Lord of the Rings cover

Yendor: The Journey of a Junior Adventurer

Tag a keyboard player: Jon Lord

Desert Island Discs: 2112 or Hemispheres – Rush, Who Do You Think We Are – Deep Purple, The Grand Illusion – Styx, Poe – Haunted, Eat Me in St Louis – It Bites. Honourable mention: Slam – Dan Reed Network.

Don’t forget to click on any of the subscribe links to automatically have each episode download, or just click play on the player above to listen right here.

We’re always keen to hear from you: drop us a line via the website, Facebook, or Twitter.

If you’re a keyboard player, we also have a regular email newsletter with interesting news from the industry just for you.

To help us keep the podcast running like a fine oiled machine, we do have a Patreon account if you’d like to contribute the cost of a small cup of coffee a month.

Finally, check out our podcast guest playlist on Spotify to get a taste of each guest’s creations.

How long does it take to set up a Gibraltar keyboard stand?

July 5, 2021 by KC Editor Leave a Comment

Over at the musicplayer.com forums there’s been a discussion around the Gibraltar keyboard stand offerings. Thanks to forumite Tim having a relaxing day, he’s kindly created a video to show the set up time for a Gibraltar stand.

So it seems that once you’ve spent time setting up the memory locks when you first get the components, means setup is only 3-4 minutes and damn that thing looks solid!

Jarre’s Oxygene: Performed Live

July 5, 2021 by KC Editor Leave a Comment

If you’re aged 50 or over and have a love of synths / synthesis, then you’ll understand how Oxygene is a seminal moment in the history of electronic music. It transformed my life when I first heard it, as it has many other people.

That said, I must have been living under a rock when Jarre re-recorded Oxygene live in 2006 to coincide with the album’s 30th anniversary of its release in December 1976. I was totally unaware of this until today, and just watched the whole shebang today.

If like me you haven’t seen this, it’s more than worth a watch to see the level of complexity involved in faithfully recreating the whole album using the original synthesisers. For the past 40 years I’d assumed the iconic lead part in Oxygene Part 2 was a pre-programmed sequence – how wrong I was.

Enjoy:

Josh Weinstein, Solo Artist

July 4, 2021 by KC Editor Leave a Comment

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Josh Weinstein is a composer, arranger and keyboard player and teacher of music history. We talk everything from US East Coast vs West Coast gigging differences, why you don’t hear Billy Joel on the radio on the West Coast, music history and even a bit of gear!

Links to content mentioned during the show (links will open in new tab):

Josh’s Love and Alcohol album

RAM ON: 50th Anniversary Tribute

Some Bjork moments

For the bonus content on Josh’s role in a Pink Floyd tribute act, go to our Patreon page

Tag a keyboard player: Benmont Tench, Steve Nieve, Steve Nathan

Desert Island Discs: 5 albums that Josh hasn’t heard yet.

Don’t forget to click on any of the subscribe links to automatically have each episode download, or just click play on the player above to listen right here.

We’re always keen to hear from you: drop us a line via the website, Facebook, or Twitter.

If you’re a keyboard player, we also have a regular email newsletter with interesting news from the industry just for you.

To help us keep the podcast running like a fine oiled machine, we do have a Patreon account if you’d like to contribute the cost of a small cup of coffee a month.

Finally, check out our podcast guest playlist on Spotify to get a taste of each guest’s creations.

Michael Whalen, Future Shock / Film and TV Composer

June 21, 2021 by KC Editor Leave a Comment

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In one of the wider ranging conversations we’ve ever had, we speak with Emmy-winning and Grammy-nominated keyboardist and composer Michael Whalen. As you’ll hear, that is only two strings to his bow and Michael has some fascinating insights into the music industry and making a living from music in the digital age.

Links to content mentioned during the show (links will open in new tab):

Deep Work by Cal Newport

Michael’s Future Shock project

Michael J Fox in a 1987 Pepsi Commercial

Duran Duran – All She Wants Is (from the Big Thing album)

Herb Pilhofer

Frank Zappa and his Synclavier

Good Morning America Theme

Arif Mardin

Myndstream records

Gustavo Santaolalla

Rick Wakeman’s Twitter Account

Rick Wakeman’s RRHOF acceptance speech

Chuck Brown and the Soul Searchers

Grace Jones – Slave to the Rhythm

Not discussed (yet) but well worth the read: Michael writes on digital rights and tracking your income

Tag a keyboard player: Tom Brislin

Desert Island Discs: Greatest Hits Vol. 1 – Earth, Wind and Fire, Works Vol. 1 – Emerson, Lake and Palmer, Duke – Genesis, Silk Degrees – Boz Scaggs, Toto IV – Toto.

Don’t forget to click on any of the subscribe links to automatically have each episode download, or just click play on the player above to listen right here.

We’re always keen to hear from you: drop us a line via the website, Facebook, or Twitter.

If you’re a keyboard player, we also have a regular email newsletter with interesting news from the industry just for you.

To help us keep the podcast running like a fine oiled machine, we do have a Patreon account if you’d like to contribute the cost of a small cup of coffee a month.

Finally, check out our podcast guest playlist on Spotify to get a taste of each guest’s creations.

Veronica Lewis, Solo Artist

June 7, 2021 by KC Editor Leave a Comment

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Veronica Lewis is a great player in the early years of what looks like will be an amazing career. Veronica tells the story of her discovery of the blues and boogie woogie, her work to date and her thoughts on her future.

Links to content mentioned during the show (links will open in new tab):

Katie Webster

Veronica plays live (2019)

History of Beale St

Barbara Blue at Silky O’Sullivan’s (on Beale St)

Tag a keyboard player: Katie Webster, Otis Spann, Ray Charles, Jerry Lee Lewis

Desert Island Discs: no discs, but a great discussion on playlists (Boogie woogie piano, rockabilly, classic country, Americana)

Don’t forget to click on any of the subscribe links to automatically have each episode download, or just click play on the player above to listen right here.

We’re always keen to hear from you: drop us a line via the website, Facebook, or Twitter.

If you’re a keyboard player, we also have a regular email newsletter with interesting news from the industry just for you.

To help us keep the podcast running like a fine oiled machine, we do have a Patreon account if you’d like to contribute the cost of a small cup of coffee a month.

Finally, check out our podcast guest playlist on Spotify to get a taste of each guest’s creations.

Alan Hewitt, Moody Blues / Alan Hewitt & One Nation

May 21, 2021 by KC Editor Leave a Comment

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Alan Hewitt has had a mammoth career in film, TV and live performance. As the current keyboard player for The Moody Blues as well as leading his own band, Alan has a huge ongoing career to reflect on.

Links to content mentioned during the show (links will open in new tab):

Alan Hewitt & One Nation – We’re One Nation

Duffy King

Billy Ashbaugh

Alan performing with The Moody Blues

Patrick Moraz

Morton Downey Jr Show

Swimming Upstream movie (which obviously does not involve Dawn Fraser)

Tom Holland’s Twisted Tales

LA Rockestra – Symphony of Rock

Alan performing at the haunted Ryman auditorium

Tag a keyboard player: Rick Wakeman, Brian Auger, Tony Banks, Jordan Rudess

Desert Island Discs: Heavy Weather – Weather Report, Romantic Warrior – Chick Corea, Close to the Edge – Yes, Brain Salad Surgery – Emerson, Lake and Palmer.

Don’t forget to click on any of the subscribe links to automatically have each episode download, or just click play on the player above to listen right here.

We’re always keen to hear from you: drop us a line via the website, Facebook, or Twitter.

If you’re a keyboard player, we also have a regular email newsletter with interesting news from the industry just for you.

To help us keep the podcast running like a fine oiled machine, we do have a Patreon account if you’d like to contribute the cost of a small cup of coffee a month.

Finally, check out our podcast guest playlist on Spotify to get a taste of each guest’s creations.

Alan Clark, Dire Straits / Eric Clapton / Tina Turner

March 27, 2021 by KC Editor Leave a Comment

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Alan Clark was a pivotal member of Dire Straits throughout the majority of that band’s career. As you’ll hear, it was just one of many interesting experiences for a keyboard player with a storied, ongoing career.

Links to content mentioned during the show (links will open in new tab):

Trevor Horn

Alan’s Blog

History of working men’s clubs

Splinter – Streets at Night

Gregg Allman and Cher

Gallagher and Lyle Live – 1976

Dire Straits at Live Aid

Alan and Dire Straits Live

Alan with Eric Clapton

Alan and Tina Turner

Alan and Trevor Horn Reimagine the 80s

Mysterious Universe podcast

Tag a keyboard player: Keith Jarrett

Desert Island Discs: Innervisions – Stevie Wonder, Songs in the Key of Life – Stevie Wonder, Abbey Road – The Beatles, 8:30 – Weather Report, The Melody at Night, With You – Keith Jarrett.

Don’t forget to click on any of the subscribe links to automatically have each episode download, or just click play on the player above to listen right here.

We’re always keen to hear from you: drop us a line via the website, Facebook, or Twitter.

If you’re a keyboard player, we also have a regular email newsletter with interesting news from the industry just for you.

To help us keep the podcast running like a fine oiled machine, we do have a Patreon account if you’d like to contribute the cost of a small cup of coffee a month.

Finally, check out our podcast guest playlist on Spotify to get a taste of each guest’s creations.

KC Editor

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