MySpace Bulletin - slightly OT for each newsgroup
From: Wetton / Downes - iCon
Date: Jul 12, 2008 4:30 PM
Subject: Great News-- Album 3 coming! Dave K & Pete Riley join!
Body: Following the extraordinary success of the Reunion of the
Original Members of Asia and their acclaimed all-new album Phoenix,
songwriting duo John Wetton and Geoff Downes have announced they will
be recording the third Wetton-Downes’ iCon studio album in September
2008. The album will be released and supported with a tour in early
2009.
Fans and critics alike have clamored for more from Wetton and Downes,
whose songwriting formed much of the fabric of the successful Asia
reunion release Phoenix. Joining the duo are guitar virtuoso Dave
Kilminster, fresh from successful tours with Roger Waters and Keith
Emerson, and Cellist Hugh McDowell, whose unique sound helped frame
the first two iCon releases. Rounding out the band is Pete Riley,
considered one of the “best drummers in the world”, whose work with
Keith Emerson, Kilminster and extensive live and session work shows an
extraordinary breadth and depth of style.
John Wetton and Geoffrey Downes formed an extraordinary songwriting
partnership – their work has fuelled lists of legendary rock and roll
music since 1981. Fans have been delighted to see them tour with Carl
Palmer and Steve Howe in the Reunion of the Original Members of Asia.
The all-new album Phoenix was a special treat to fans, generating the
performance of fresh and memorable hits written by the duo.
While Asia is on hiatus (the band will be back in 2009 for more
dates), fans have demanded more from Wetton and Downes; the two enjoy
each other’s company and love writing together. They are happy to
oblige.
This album will see Wetton reunite with guitarist Dave Kilminster. The
two worked together in the John Wetton band during the nineties, as
well as in the short-lived, but highly distinguished band Qango.
Kilminster is a renowned guitarist whose own reputation as a singer
and songwriter has grown. He has performed with legends of rock such
as Wetton, Keith Emerson and Roger Waters. Kilminster has just
completed a 2 year stint on lead guitar and vocals with Waters’
celebrated global staging of Dark Side of the Moon, which played to
millions. That tour featured a highlighted appearance at the Giants'
Stadium Live Earth Show in 2007, viewed by almost 2 billion people
(approximately a third the world population) . Dave is much in demand
and his guitar work is simply stunning. Wetton and Kilminster are very
much looking forward to working together again.
Cellist Hugh McDowell once again joins the iCon family. He appeared on
both prior albums, although 2009 marks the first time he will tour
with the band. Well-known for having helped construct and develop the
unique sound of the ELO (Electric Light Orchestra), an ever-present in
that band's enormous and lengthy success, he also adds a special
flavour to iCon.
Wetton says, “Hugh McDowell is an integral part of iCon’s organic
personality. His presence in the music adds more than sonic
embellishment – it changes the essential fingerprint of the music.
”
Drummer Pete Riley has long been considered “one of the best drummers
in rock” by those legends of rock who have worked with him ... and
those who’ve simply watched him on stage. Riley is featured on
Kilminster’s solo album and has toured with Kilminster as part of the
Keith Emerson Band. He is well known throughout the world as an
extraordinary musician in live and session work. Riley's skills span
all types of music from rock to complex fusion and jazz.
Wetton and Downes are pleased to be able to respond to fan and
critical demand by returning to the studio to create this new album
and then to tour it with these outstanding players.
Contact:
Press and tour information:
Ellie Schwartz,
Eaton Marketing Group
347.678.
1760
ellies@
aol.com
Management Enquiries:
Martin Darvill
QEDG Management
qedg@
btinternet.com
Website information:
www. johnwetton. com
www. geoffdownes. com
www. myspace. com/wettondownesiCon
www. davekilminster. com
http://www. peteriley. net/