LATEST STUDIO WORK: YAK - 'THE JOURNEY OF THE YAK'
The latest offering from keyboardist Martin Morgan's Essex-based prog outfit YAK, is now complete and currently being mastered at Tower Hill Stables. Titled: 'JOURNEY OF THE YAK' it features Gary Bennett (above left) on bass and Dave on drums. All songs are written, produced and all keyboards played by Martin (above centre) The CD (a collection of powerful melodic prog epics, recorded over the past year at Tower Hill) will be available on line soon. All proceeds from sales will go to supporting the Tower Hill Animal Sanctuary, run by Fiona Oakes (please visit www.towerhillstables.com)
CURRENT LIVE WORK:
Standing in for Steve Hughes, David teamed up with NICK MAY'S WHIMWISE following their 2007 Glastonbury appearance, to take on drum duties for their remaining European shows. Touring began in late 2007 at the SUMMERS END FESTIVAL, (filmed by CO3TV), alongside the likes of Touchstone, Solstice, Christina Booth, Threshold and IT BITES.) a brief tour of Germany followed then on to Switzerlands' PROGSOL FESTIVAL. The shows continued back in the UK throughout November and on into 2008 with 8 shows supporting Dutch legends FOCUS, (Filmed again by CO3TV). June saw Whimwise appearing with NICK TURNER'S SPACE RITUAL, CURVED AIR and The GLASTONBURY Festival. More recently they revisited Germany for some dates culminating at The Eich Kult Festival. More UK dates are imminent, including a support slot with STACKRIDGE and a Christmas appearance to be announced soon. Work has already begun on securing more Eastern European dates early next year. Check out the Whimwise Myspace site for more details and to order the CD.
The line up includes:
NICK MAY (Guitarist composer, formerly of THE ENID)
ALQUIMIA ( voice, ethnic percussion and keyboards - previous work has been with film composer Michael Nyman and Clusters Roedelius ("the godfather of ambient music in Austria", and she has performed with Jah Wobble (P.I.L) Neil Ardley and members of Circulus)
MARK POWELL ( keyboards - has worked as musician and producer with Fairport Convention, The Albion Band, Blowzabella and Dave Pegg)
KAREN JONES (Clarinet, Flute and saxophone)
WILL HUGHES (Double Bass)
JACKI WINDMILL (Percussion)
KOZMA-KIS EMESE (MESI) (Flute)
FULOP TIMEA (TIMI) (Keyboards)
SALLY MOTELY (Violin - London Breakbeat Orchestra)
'DOC' Saxophone and Wind Cotroller
OTHER STUDIO WORK:
THE REGA PROJECT: A Hi end analogue project of 'specially arranged' covers to be released later this year. Chief arranger / musician is GARY BENNETT (guitars / bass / keyboards / mandolin etc. The tracks feature quality guest musicians, amongst others: the versatile Hungarian vocalist JANOSI KINGA, UK singer / songwriter REG MEUROSS, EVE ROBERTSON and JANET KANABAHITA all adding their individual interpretations to these unique, sometimes "challenging" arrangements. Currently being mixed and due for release in the summer. Work has begun on the next offering; an album of Gary's originals featuring JANOSI KINGA
HARMONY IN DIVERSITY: An improvisational trio featuring guitarist PETE BANKS who, having founded YES in the late 60's, went on to join Blodwyn Pig before forming Flash and eventually releasing several solo albums with guests including Phil Collins, Jan Ackkerman, John Wetton and Steve Hackett. He is also joined by PULSE ENGINE bassist NICK COTTAM. The latest HiD live album is currently being mixed and will feature live recordings captured in the UK and Eastern Europe in 2006/2007.
THE SPAGHETTI EPIC III' (Suite Pauline) is a 20 minute track, based around the famous spaghetti-western 'TheGreat Silence' and uses authentic 70's prog sounds / arrangements.
'INFERNO' is Yesterdays' contribution to a concept album (3 CDs, 34 bands, 34 songs) based on the first cantica of the Italian Epic Poem "The Divine Comedy". Yesterdays were joined by Flowerkings bassist Jonas Reingold see: www.colossus.fi for details
DAVID'S BIOGRAPHY
After being inducted into music studying piano for 7 years, and graduating to the bassoon for a further 2 years, David was drawn towards the drum kit. Something clicked, and has stuck for three decades.
His early involvement in drumming saw him draw on many influences, but mainly the more 'inspired' drummers of the time, such as Carl Palmer, Simon Phillips, Neil Peart, Andy Ward, Bill Bruford, to name a few. This was reflected in his early work with progressive musicians, producing recordings often of epic length! Realising the need to be adaptable in style and outlook, Dave sought the guidance of LES BINKS (Eric Burdon, Roger Glover, Judas Priest) and placed himself at the disposal of various London bands in the late 70's / early 80's with forays into commercial pop / rock which turned up gigs at Ronnie Scotts in London and Various gigs / deps around the country.
In the late 80's he teamed up with keyboardist / songwriter PHIL QUY (currently running Masterworx Studios in Essex) and after a number of gigs began a stint co-running a small label aimed at the then current dance-floor market. This led him to recording with various artists, including TRACEY YOUNG (Style Council, Paul Weller / The Jam) and NICKY BRIGHTMAN (sister of Sarah) Eventually, not entirely love-struck with the business side of the industry, Dave returned to playing live and spent a while with Pagan rockers, THE RUNESTERS with bassist TRACEY LAMB (Girlschool / Rock Goddess)
In the mid 90's, and in need of a break, David absconded to University to pursue further learning and self development. Content (or so he thought) with this change in direction, a phone call from long time friend and bass player NICK COTTAM (Pulse Engine) changed all that, and Dave stepped in to the drum seat once again, this time for improvisational threesome, HARMONY IN DIVERSITY, with former Yes guitarist PETE BANKS. So began the (short) journey back into the world of recording, performing and teaching........... How does he view his progress over the last three decades, when he looks back?
In his own words: "I'll tell you when I have stopped looking fowards!"
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