24 August 2021: Circuline; Oliver Wakeman & Steve Howe

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The first half of tonight's show will feature the New York progressive group, Circuline, and their 2016 release, Counterpoint.

Nominated for PROG magazine's Limelight award for best new band, cinematic New York-based prog rockers Circuline have managed to gather an impressive all-star line-up of SEVEN guest guitarists on their latest release "Counterpoint", including members of Enchant, Happy the Man, Renaissance, and Sound of Contact. Circuline performed at the 13th International Rites of Spring festival (RoSfest), Philadelphia's Liberty Music Fest, Chicago's Progtoberfest, New Jersey's ProgStock, and has toured England opening for IO Earth.  Find them on Facebook.

credits

released May 5, 2016

Circuline is:
Andrew Colyer - keyboards, sound design, vocals
Darin Brannon - drums, percussion, keyboards
Natalie Brown - lead vocals
William "Billy" Spillane - lead vocals, rhythm guitars
Paul Ranieri - basses
Beledo - guitars

Vocal lyrics and melodies by Randy Mcstine.
Vocal harmony arrangements by Natalie Brown, Andrew Colyer, and William Spillane.

Guest Guitarists:
Ryche Chlanda (Fireballet, Renaissance, Flying Dreams)
Alek Darson (Fright Pig, Samurai of Prog)
Matt Dorsey (Sound of Contact, Dave Kerzner Band)
Randy McStine (The Fringe, Lo-Fi Resistance)
Doug Ott (Enchant)
Alan Shikoh (Glass Hammer)
Stanley Whitaker (Happy the Man, Oblivion Sun)

Recorded at:
The Cave, Red Hook, NY; engineered by Andrew Colyer and Darin Brannon

Mixed by: Alek Darson (alekdarson.com)

Mastered at: Sun Room Audio, Cornwall, NY; engineered by Dan Coutant (www.srmastering.com)

Photography by Rob Shannon Fotopic Photography, Catskill, NY (fotopic.com)

Art illustration/graphics/cd design by Darin Brannon of DB Media Productions

Legal management: Ronald Bienstock

Band Housing courtesy of Sally and John Bowkett

 all rights reserved

 circuline rock cinematic rock crossover prog progressive rock New York

 

For the second half of tonight's show, we will feature The 3 Ages of Magick, the 2001 release from Oliver Wakeman and Steve Howe.

From reviewer SouthSideoftheSky on Prog Archives:

As a complete Steve Howe fanatic, I had to check this album out. Steve plays on several tracks - both acoustic and electric guitars. I was surprised about how good this album is, and not just because Steve plays on it.

Oliver has picked up more than a few tricks from his father. Their playing styles are indeed very similar. Rick has taught both his sons very well. But I would not say that Oliver doesn't bring anything new. I don't think that this album just as well could have been a Rick Wakeman album - Oliver has developed his own style. What impressed me the most was not the playing but Oliver's ability to write music. This is very good instrumental material. The album is varied yet consistent and does not get boring half way through as so many instrumental albums do.

The music is something of a crossover between Rick Wakeman and Mike Oldfield. The Celtic influences and instruments stand out in particular. But this is hardly New Age music even if some tracks have that feeling. This music has much more punch than New Age music. Some tracks really rock! In their own kind of way.

For fans of Rick and Steve, give Oliver a chance. 

Studio Album, released in 2001

Songs / Tracks Listing

1. Ages Of Magick (5:48)
2. Mind Over Matter (4:02)
3. The Forgotten King (3:02)
4. The Storyteller (3:42)
5. The Whales Last Dance (4:30)
6. Time Between Times (5:03)
7. Flight Of The Condor (4:48)
8. Lurey And The Mermaid (3:02)
9. Standing Stones (4:31)
10. The Enchanter (6:04)
11. The Healer (4:18)
12. Through The Eyes Of A Child (2:13)
13. Hy Breasail (8:38)

Total Time: 59:41

Bonus Tracks on 2013 reissue:
14. Hit 'N Myth (Previously Unreleased) (5:14)
15. The Faerie Ring (Previously Unreleased) (5:36)
16. Dream Weaver (The Storyteller Demo) (3:33)

Line-up / Musicians

- Oliver Wakeman / piano, keyboards, Hammond, composer, producer
AND
- Steve Howe / electric, acoustic & steel guitars

With:
- Tony Dixon / Uilleann pipes, whistle, flute
- Jo Greenland / violin
- Tim Buchanan / fretted & fretless basses
- Dave Wagstaffe / drums, percussion

Releases information

Artwork: Anne Sudworth

CD Resurgence ‎- RES144CD (2001, UK)
CD Esoteric Recordings ‎- ECLEC 2415 (2013, UK) Remastered with 3 bonus tracks