THE FUTURE FACTORY PRESENTS
ZEPPELIN UNLEDDED;
THE PAGE & PLANT YEARS
In the Zep days, the dynamic duo were influenced by Arabic and Indian music to the extent that Page frequently used unconventional guitar tunings in some of his songs. But in this album they have brought their Eastern influences to the forefront by incorporating an Egyptian orchestra. This works exceptionally well with several tracks, which they have taken to new heights and directions.While remaining grounded in their Blues roots, they also pay homage to their eastern influences by recording informal sessions with Egyptian musicians which adds a touch of simplicity and mysticism.
A long awaited reunion between Page and Plant occurred in 1994, with the realization of their shared interest in Egyptian / North African music culminating in the MTV "Unplugged" DVD and "No Quarter" album, released on 14th October 1994, acoustic music including North African musicians and instruments, and mandolins and a hurdy gurdy along with an orchestra of North African musicians they continued to do a tour.
A very rich musical experience,
more complex and varied than any one of Zeppelin’s glorious albums
-the infusion of Eastern rhythms and sounds into their old songs.
The Middle Eastern ensemble’s percussion section uses instruments you just
do not hear on rock ‘n’ roll albums: Oud, Ney, Bodhran, Bendir, Mandolin, Mizmar
FEATURING:
Jimmy Cupples
Vocals
James Ryan
Guitars
(Ross Wilson, Vanessa Amorosi, Men at Work, Russell Morris)
Kit Riley
Bass
(The Badloves, Ross Wilson)
Haydn Meggitt
Drums, Percussion
(Ross Wilson, Bachelor Girl, Kate Ceberano)
accompanied by
Middle Eastern Instrumentalist Trio "Alwan"
Feat: Matt Stonehouse, Phil Carroll Yuval Ashkar & String Quartet
SONGS FOR SUZANNE: THE MUSIC AND POETRY OF LEONARD COHEN
The fascinatingly enigmatic Leonard Cohen’s first clutch of classic albums saw him become one of the leading proponents of folk. Signed following a Newport Folk festival appearance, Cohen’s early albums were acclaimed by critics and ecstatically received by a community that within two years witnessed him provide a highlight performance at 1970’s Isle Of Wight festival, and receive outstanding covers of his songs by folk giants such as Judy Collins and Joan Baez.
This show will see dazzling renditions of songs from those early albums by country outlaw Henry Wagons, Melbourne icon Rebecca Barnard, the shape-shifting post-colonialist Delsinki, and the incredible talent Alma Zygier.
Songs for Suzanne will be a celebration of the beginnings of a distinguished career of a brilliant singer-songwriter. Alongside standards including “Bird On A Wire”, “So Long, Marianne”, “Avalanche”, “Hallelujah”, and “Famous Blue Raincoat”, will feature many songs never performed by the man himself on his Australian tours. Leonard Cohen’s initial success came as an author, with two novels and four collections of poetry preceding his debut album. Cohen’s own readings of some of these works, which saw him compared to James Joyce, will be incorporated into the show.
Cohen’s songs will be presented faithfully in the way they were originally recorded. Musical accompaniment for the singers will consist of mesmerising finger-plucked guitar strings provided by Ben Dix and Dan McKay, the haunting violin of Xani Kolac.
Audiences will be spellbound by classic Cohen favourites from his most notable albums such as Songs of Leonard Cohen, Songs from a Room, Songs of Love and Hate, and New Skin for the Old Ceremony. Known for his haunting acoustic melodies and deep, raw vocals, Cohen was a true folk singer and poet who adapted his songs and style as time went on, never losing sight of the current music trends and modifying his sound through the decades.
There will be one show only, so please do join us for this amazing journey through the music and poetry of Leonard Cohen.
FEATURING:
Henry Wagons
Rebecca Bernard
Delsinki
Alma Zygier
Xani Kolac
Jacinta Caruana
Stewart Taylor
Ben Dix
Dan McKay
PINK FLOYD’S EVOLUTION
-Continuing on from the spectacular concerts presented at The Melbourne Town Hall and Darling Harbour Theatre Sydney to celebrate the 50th anniversary of THE DARK SIDE OF THE MOON comes PINK FLOYD:EVOLUTION comprised of:
-ECHOES.. a 23-minute Pink Floyd aural extravaganza which recaptures, within a new musical framework, some of the old themes and melody lines from earlier albums. All of this plus a funky organ-bass-drums segment and a stunning Gilmour solo adds up to a fine extended electronic outing. Ambitious beyond anything Pink Floyd had attempted before, wild beyond anything they’d attempt after. Rolling Stone named it as the fifth-best song by Pink Floyd
-THE DARK SIDE OF THE MOON.. The Dark Side of the Moon is among the most critically acclaimed albums and often features in professional listings of the greatest of all time. A blockbuster release of the album era, it also propelled record sales throughout the music industry during the 1970s. The Dark Side of the Moon is certified 14 times platinum in the United Kingdom, and topped the US Billboard Top LPs & Tape chart, where it has charted for 981 weeks. The Dark Side of the Moon has sold over 45 million copies worldwide, making it the best-selling album of the 1970s and the fourth-best-selling album in history.
-SHINE ON YOU CRAZY DIAMOND…The song was conceived and written as a tribute and remembrance to Pink Floyd founding member Syd Barrett. "Shine on You Crazy Diamond" was first performed on Pink Floyd's 1974 French tour and was recorded for their 1975 concept album Wish You Were Here. The track was originally intended to be a side-long composition, like "Atom Heart Mother" and "Echoes"
This FULL LENGTH version will be re-created for the EVOLUTION tour
FEATURING:
Roger Mason
Electronics
(Models, Icehouse, Gary Numan, Wall of Voodoo and an extensive career in film & television composition)
James Ryan
Guitars
(Ross Wilson, Vanessa Amorosi, Men at Work, Russell Morris)
Kit Riley
Bass
(The Badloves, Ross Wilson)
Haydn Meggitt
Drums, Percussion
(Ross Wilson, Bachelor Girl, Kate Ceberano)
Pete Mitchell
Sax/ Guitar
(Melbourne Ska Orchestra, John Butler)
Olivia Nathan
(Vanessa Amorosi, Katie Cole, Tommy Rando)
Susie Goble
(Miley Cyrus, U2, Icehouse)
TUBULAR BELLS IN CONCERT
THE 5OTH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS
CONTINUE DOWNUNDER
Mike Oldfield's "Tubular Bells," released in 1973, is a musical masterpiece that transcends genre and time. Composed and performed almost entirely by Oldfield when he was just 20 years old, the album marked a significant turning point in the history of progressive and instrumental music.
The album is structured into two parts, each a continuous suite of music that showcases Oldfield's virtuosity on various instruments, including guitars, keyboards, and percussion. "Part One" opens with the iconic "tubular bells" introduction and seamlessly weaves together diverse musical styles, from folk and rock to classical and avant-garde. Oldfield's use of multi-layering, where he recorded and overdubbed various instruments, created a rich and immersive sonic landscape. The mood shifts from serene to intense, showcasing Oldfield's compositional skill and emotional depth.
"Part Two" builds on the established themes and introduces new variations, leading to an epic and emotionally charged conclusion. It features a powerful reprise of the "tubular bells" theme, offering a sense of narrative and closure.
"Tubular Bells" was both a critical and commercial success, spending over a year on the UK album charts. It was also instrumental in the success of Virgin Records, serving as the label's debut release. Beyond its musical achievements, the album's pioneering use of multi-track recording influenced countless artists and producers, shaping the future of music production.
The album's impact extends to popular culture, as it has been featured in numerous movies and TV series. Its timeless and genre-defying nature makes it a popular choice for soundtracks and themes.
In conclusion, "Tubular Bells" is a musical masterpiece that defies categorization and continues to inspire listeners more than four decades after its release. Its intricate compositions, innovative recording techniques, and emotional depth make it a landmark album in the history of music. Whether you're a fan of progressive rock, instrumental music, or simply appreciate musical excellence, "Tubular Bells" is an album that demands exploration. It's a timeless musical odyssey that leaves listeners with a sense of wonder and appreciation for the boundless possibilities of music.
FEATURING:
Robin Smith & Musical Ensemble
PINK FLOYD: 50th ANNIVERSARY OF WISH YOU WERE HERE
Wish You Were Here has been frequently regarded as one of the greatest albums of all time, and is generally ranked as one of the greatest progressive rock albums. In 1998, Q readers voted Wish You Were Here the 34th-greatest album of all time. In 2000, the same magazine placed it at number 43 in its list of the 100 Greatest British Albums Ever. In 2014, British rock magazine Louder ranked it as the seventh-greatest progressive rock album of all time. In 2015, it was chosen as the fourth-greatest progressive rock album by Rolling Stone In 2020, it was ranked at number 264 on Rolling Stone's list of the 500 greatest albums of all time.
The group found it difficult at first to devise any new material, especially as the success of The Dark Side of the Moon had left all four physically and emotionally drained. Keyboardist Richard Wright later described these sessions as “falling within a difficult period”, and Waters recalled them as “torturous”.
“It was a very difficult period I have to say. All your childhood dreams had been sort of realised and we had the biggest selling records in the world and all the things you got into it for. The girls and the money and the fame and all that stuff it was all ... everything had sort of come our way and you had to reassess what you were in it for thereafter, and it was a pretty confusing and sort of empty time for a while.” —David Gilmour
Wish You Were Here became an instant commercial success, topping the charts on both sides of the Atlantic, with EMI reportedly unable to print enough copies to satisfy initial demand. Both Gilmour and Wright have cited this album as their favourite by the band and, while it had initially received lukewarm critical reviews, the album has grown to near universal acclaim over the past five decades. Wright and David Gilmour have each cited Wish You Were Here as their favourite Pink Floyd album.
The 50 th anniversary celebration will continue the Evolution concept of previous concerts and will be comprised of
-WISH YOU WERE HERE
-THE DARK SIDE OF THE MOON
-With excerpts from ANIMALS & THE WALL
FEATURING:
Roger Mason
Electronics
(Models, Icehouse, Gary Numan, Wall of Voodoo and an extensive career in film & television composition.
James Ryan
Guitars
(Ross Wilson, Vanessa Amorosi, Men at Work, Russell Morris)
Kit Riley
Bass
(The Badloves, Ross Wilson)
Haydn Meggitt
Drums, Percussion
(Ross Wilson, Bachelor Girl, Kate Ceberano)
Pete Mitchell
Sax/ Guitar
(Melbourne Ska Orchestra, John Butler)
Olivia Nathan
(Vanessa Amorosi, Katie Cole, Tommy Rando)
Susie Goble
(Miley Cyrus, U2, Icehouse)