Richard Shickel

Franz Joseph Haydn is an artist so great that somebody stole his brain. Literally. Shortly after his death his grave was robbed by phrenologists, who studied Haydn’s skull and found that “the bump of music” on his skull was “fully developed”, clearly proving that Haydn was destined for genius from birth.

In Spring 2015 the Academy of Ancient Music – described as “the finest period-instrument orchestra in the world” by Classic FM – releases a significant new recording of JS Bach St Matthew Passion BWV244, directed from the harpsichord by Richard Egarr.
Performed in the original 1727 version, and with a superlative roster of soloists, this recording is striking in its immediacy, clarity and directness, with numerous insightful and compelling details lost in subsequent versions.

This two-for-one pairing of two albums reminds listeners that Cliff Richard could still kick out the jams even into his forties (imagine, a rocker turning 40 – how revolutionary that seemed at the time!). Rock 'n' Roll Silver and The Rock Connection were originally recorded and released during 1983-1984, but never made so much sense as when they were paired together here. Rock 'n' Roll Silver was initially issued as part of the larger Silver project, marking Richard's 25th year in rock & roll. Working with a stripped-down band, the set caught Richard returning to his roots to fire out impassioned versions of the songs that moved him when he first cut "Move It" – things like "Lucille," "Tutti Frutti," "Be-Bop-A-Lula," and "Teddy Bear." There were also surprisingly strong revivals of past Richard hits "It'll Be Me" and "Move It" itself, and the result was one of Richard's most enjoyable albums ever.

This album brings together orchestral music by two English composers who are also good friends – and both born in East Anglia: Nicholas Barton in Norfolk in 1950 and Christopher Wright in Suffolk in 1954. Moreover, they share a similar musical language: largely tonal, if loosely so, rhythmically alert, transparently but dramatically scored and with a natural feeling for symphonic argument and growth, and a powerful sense of scale.

Smooth Jazz Icon Richard Elliot has performed and recorded with jazz and R&B superstars Rod Stewart, Smokey Robinson, The Yellow Jackets, Tower Of Power,and Bonnie Raitt, just to name a few. With more than 20 top ten smooth jazz singles and number 1 contemporary jazz albums, he has delighted his dedicated fan base worldwide. 'Straight Up Down', produced by Richard and his long-time collaborator Paul Brown, overflows with Richard's ebullient spirit. Highlights include a deeply moving remake of the S.O.S Band classic "Tell Me (If You Still Care About Me)," Richard's tasty collaboration with Paul Brown, "High Tide," the joyous "Very Delicious," and much more!

Richard Wayne Penniman, known by his stage name Little Richard, is an American recording artist, songwriter and musician. He has been an influential figure in popular music and culture for more than six decades. Little Richard's most celebrated work dates from the mid-1950s, when his dynamic music and charismatic showmanship laid the foundation for rock and roll. His music also had a pivotal impact on the formation of other popular music genres, including soul and funk. Little Richard influenced numerous singers and musicians across musical genres from rock to hip-hop; his music impacted the rhythm and blues era for future generations to come, and his performances and headline-making thrust his career right into the mix of American popular music.

Richard Wayne Penniman, known by his stage name Little Richard, is an American recording artist, songwriter and musician. He has been an influential figure in popular music and culture for more than six decades. Little Richard's most celebrated work dates from the mid-1950s, when his dynamic music and charismatic showmanship laid the foundation for rock and roll. His music also had a pivotal impact on the formation of other popular music genres, including soul and funk. Little Richard influenced numerous singers and musicians across musical genres from rock to hip-hop; his music impacted the rhythm and blues era for future generations to come, and his performances and headline-making thrust his career right into the mix of American popular music.

They could make it a lot easier for themselves, especially at their age and with their reputation. Play something so that people identify with them: easy-listening, swinging mainstream, or flowing music in the sound of musette. However, whoever knows the two partners in crime know only too well that they have searched for risks during their lives like adrenaline junkies, never approached the adventure of music from the safe side, but instead always wanted to go beyond their own horizon. Like two intrepid mountaineers, they balance over a yawning abyss, perform daring maneuvers and clear the way for each other time and again.

Richard S. Sinclair is an English progressive rock bassist, guitarist, and vocalist who has been a member of several bands of the Canterbury scene (Caravan, Hatfield and the North, The Wilde Flowers). R.S.V.P. was released in June, 1994 and with the exception of Andy Ward and Jimmy Hastings, all the participants were new: Didier Malherbe, the sax player from Gong, Kit Watkins, the fabulous keyboard player from Happy The Man and later Camel (where he met Andy Ward), Tony Coe (famous jazz clarinet player, from Canterbury, whose father used to play music with Sinclair's), drummer Dave Cohen, a friend from the States who had played with the band on their late 1993 European tour, not forgetting older friends, Pip Pyle (who contributed lyrics to the opening song, the great "What's Rattlin'?") and Hugh Hopper (who played bass on a beautiful improvised piece with Tony Coe on clarinet)…