We are pleased to report that Chicago-based Singer/Songwriter/Guitarist and a Touring Veteran Kurt Michaels will release his upcoming album Stones From The Garden through Melodic Revolution Records.
In a statement from Kurt Michaels
“Stones From The Garden” will be my fifth CD release and I’m very happy to be onboard the Melodic Revolution Records team with Nick Katona and all the fabulous artists on his label! No man is an island, and partnering with MRR will surely help this music find a wider audience. I look forward to continuing this journey with Nick and his crew!”
Stones From The Garden is long awaited follow up to Soaring Back To Earth….a harder hitting collection of newly penned originals with 8-tracks clocking in at just under an hour. The new album is tentative scheduled for release on July 7, 2023
The writing began on a trip to Tucson on February of 2016. The initial recording work began on August of 2018 at BobDog Studios in Oak Park IL and moved to Kingsize Sound Labs in Chicago. Mastering at Kingsize began in 2021 and was completed in February 2023. The engineer was Mike Hagler. The logistics of our creative process (including the impact of Covid) slowed things down, but the results should speak for themselves. Stylistically, it’s quite diverse and features a lot of dynamic shifts throughout!
Guest appearances include
Billy Sherwood (Yes)
Michael Sherwood (Sammy Davis Jr, Toto and The Monkees)
Amanda Lehmann (Steve Hackett)
John Abbey (John Cale)
Dennis Johnson (Survivor, Dennis DeYoung & Chase)
Track-list
1 Trouble (5:27)
2 Why Must Life Be Such A Fight (6:34)
3 I’m In Love With That Dream (7:30)
4 Relax… Nothing’s Under Control! (5:20)
5 Forever (So Completely) (4:23)
6 Happiness (4:50)
7 Will I Ever Pass This Way Again? (5:41)
8 The Road Beyond (17:00)
Stones From The Garden Recording Sessions
Kurt Michaels – guitar and vocals
Len Szymanski – drums (1 thru 6)
Scott Williams – bass (1, 2, 3 & 6)
Dennis Johnson – bass (4)
John Abbey – bass (5)
Billy Sherwood – bass (7), drums (7) & vocals (4&5)
Jim Gully – keyboards (2, 3, 5 & 8)
Chris Ussery, Jeff Abbott – keyboards (4)
Michael Sherwood – keyboards ( 1, 6 & 7)
Cory Hance – vocals (3 & 7)
Annie Carlson – vocals (3 & 4)
Amanda Lehmann – vocals (4 & 5)
Kathie Mills – vocals (1, 2, 6 & 7)
Production Notes:
All songs written and produced by Kurt Michaels Queyamsi Publishing 2023
Engineered by Mike Hagler @ Kingsize Soundlabs
CD artwork and layout Krista Wallhagen
Cover photograph: Kelly Foster
Inner Sleeve and back cover photographs: Linda Van Brakel
Additional layout work by Steven Hashimoto
Special nods to Bill Kavanagh and Ken Rupp for getting things started and to Len Szymanski for help with arrangements.
And finally, rest in peace Michael Sherwood….we loved having you on our team!
About Kurt Michaels
Kurt has played with or shared a stage and/or contracted musicians for legendary rock icons, including Spencer Davis, Joey Molland (Badfinger), Denny Laine (Moody Blues & Paul McCartney/Wings), Ike Willis (Frank Zappa), The Babys, Carl Palmer (Emerson Lake & Palmer), Carl Verheyen (Supertramp), Tom Brislin (Kansas), Chris Squire & Alan White (Yes), Wolfman Jack, Otis Day, The Drifters, Coasters & Platters, Fabian, Temptations, Bobby Vinton and others….
Discography
Kurt Michaels – Stones From The Garden (2023) Melodic Revolution Records
Action Moves People (2013) Self-Released
Soaring Back To Earth (2011)Self-Released
Outer Worlds (2007) Umbrello Records
Inner Worlds Part One (2003)Eitux Records
What a few folks had to say about Kurt Michaels music:
“Kurt is a class act…and like a friendly port in the storm, he is always a welcome sight to behold. His innovative creations speak for themselves”
Denny Laine (Moody Blues and Paul McCartney & Wings)
“For those of you who like old school massive rock production Brit style”
Jack Douglas (Producer John Lennon, Patti Smith, and Aerosmith)
“I’ve worked with Kurt in the past and quickly discovered that he is a true artist. Caring for music and composition the way it should be….he has a great sound I’d recommend to any music lover.”
Billy Sherwood (Yes & Asia)
“This is truly a strong “progressive” piece of music, with a really good memorable melody and captivating words. Easy to follow, nice feel to it, and wonderful “musical” vocals…highly recommended by me!
Annie Haslam (Renaissance) about “I’m In Love With That Dream”
“Listening to your music I feel like I am back in London England on Oxford Street at AIR studios with Sir George Martin. Very Nice music!”
Ralphe Armstrong (Mahavishnu Orchestra & Aretha Franklin)
“Prog love! Cool concepts, lots of textures, and some nice chordal twists and turns.”
CJ Vanston (film composer Spinal Tap, songwriter & producer: Toto, Spinal Tap, Joe Cocker &Def Leppard)
Kurt Michaels Online
Website: https://kurtmichaels.net
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kurtmichaelscontinuum
Bandcamp: https://kurtmichaels.bandcamp.com/
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/
Melodic Revolution Records Online
Website: https://mrrmusic.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MelodicRevolutionRecords/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/MelodicRevolutionRecordsMusic
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melodicrevolutionrecords/
Bandcamp: https://myrevolution.bandcamp.com/