Vertical Alignment

Vertical Alignment progressive music, Eternal Purpose

Hear the fresh new sound of "Lost In Space" right here on the Vertical Alignment MySpace place. Four songs from the release are now available for listening!

Hear two songs from "The Trail of Tears Suite" here on MySpace. "A Different Hue" features the vocals of Mike Florio and "Last Goodbye" features dramatic narration by the late Ross Rorie.

*Brand New!* Vertical Alignment has released a new album! A lull in production of "The Trail of Tears Suite" has allowed this unique opportunity...

This primarily instrumental release celebrates the achievements of NASA and the great American space program. The triumphs and tragedies of the years in the cosmos have been etched on the consciousness of our nation... Tragedy stalked the program too. Apollo 1, Challenger, and Columbia were all lost. Several other astronauts also died in crashes of T-38 jets. One cannot put a value on such loss. It is incalculable. After the terrible destruction of Space Shuttle Columbia in this century, NASA paused and regrouped for two years before flying once again.

It was in that time that Peter J and NASA Shuttle Flight Controller Mike FitzPatrick worked on some songs for a NASA video about the Return To Flight program which was conceived in the wake of the Columbia tragedy. Much great music came forth but, sadly, the movie project was scrapped. Peter J has reassembled these songs with new arrangements. He has also written several new tunes, and, to complete the collection, Mike Florio has contributed a tune. Mike's song "The Viking Mission" has previously appeared on his "Production Music" collection. A highlight of the release is a new look at an old VA single, “Feel the Light,” which has been expanded into “Feel More Light.”

The final song is the title cut, "Lost In Space." This tune was penned especially for this collection and is the only one on it with lyrics. It features the excellent vocals of Mike FitzPatrick, thus reuniting the team that began this music years ago. The story in the song firmly links to the next VA release "The Trail of Tears Suite" and also the following "Joseph's Dream."

In knowledge of the truth that the heavens declare the Glory of God, one can see that glory again and again in the spectacular photos taken by scores of astronauts. Above all, it is that glory that Vertical Alignment wants to portray in this unique offering. With music that is sometimes introspective and sometimes in your face, enjoy with us that Glory of God.

“Lost In Space” is now available on ThunderSongs .

All photos for "Lost In Space" courtesy NASA.

Now available, the awaited novel by Peter J,
"Generations of the Eagle!"

Read the story behind "The Trail of Tears Suite," the coming 2 hour musical event by Vertical Alignment. In partnership with Lulu.com, ThunderSongs is able to bring you a deluxe first edition trade size paperback of this novel. we also have an inexpensive downloadable .pdf version of the book available. Read all the details at our *brand new* Lulu store .

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Vertical Alignment began at the turn of the 21st century as Pete and Terri Jorgensen and long time friend Monty Pierce began collaborating on increasingly lengthy and complex progressive rock tunes. The three would jam on new ideas in Pete’s Mt. Pleasant, SC studio and many of these became songs. The framework of four CD’s worth of music was developed in that time.

It was shortly thereafter that Pete discovered Bill Hammell's Internet C-Prog mailing list. A whole new world opened up to the band as Pete and Terri discovered progressive rock friends from around the globe. These new friendships became central to the development of the music of Vertical Alignment.

All this went to a new level when Pete and Terri joined CPR, a group of progressive rock musicians spawned from the C-Prog list. CPR then released an ambitious 2 CD set that featured a number of unknown C-Prog artists sharing space with greats such as Rick Wakeman, Kerry Livgren, and Neal Morse. Vertical Alignment released their first tune “Once In A Dream” on that compilation.

It was in the time of writing “Once In A Dream” that Pete Jorgensen met Jim Braunreuther. Jim is Creative Arts director for the entire Charleston County, SC school district. Pete and Jim found immediate common ground in their shared love of music. Jim, an accomplished writer, musician, and vocalist, offered to get involved. He sang lead vocals on OIAD.

The band then determined to move into completion of one of Pete’s concept CD ideas. The “Signposts” project was born. The release would feature mostly previously written tunes specially rearranged for 21st century neo-prog presentation. Three new songs were also written for the CD.

Vertical Alignment still had no drummer at this point. Pete had met a drummer named Mike Adams on Prog Positivity, another Internet discussion list. Pete and Mike became part of a unique three person Internet jam band known as Prog Positivity Jam Band One. They and one other musician produced a song, “Shiny Happy Proggers,” without ever meeting one another. All tracks were exchanged on CD in the mail and final assembly and mixing was done by Pete.

When Pete heard Mike’s great drumming and saw how easily they collaborated via the mail he asked him to play on some “Signposts” songs. Mike readily agreed and soon had so many done that Pete asked him to become the long distance official VA drummer with the band’s blessing. Mike agreed and so the final piece of the puzzle was in place.

Pete decided to augment the original band with contributions from his old CPR friends. The willingness with which so many became involved in “Signposts” is a testament to the camaraderie and loyalty that the group of musicians had developed. At the end of production no less that twenty two people had contributed to “Signposts.”

In a further exciting collaboration, Pete used the words of noted fantasy and historical fiction author Stephen Lawhead on one song in “Signposts.” Steve gave his hearty approval and endorsement of this tune, “Kingdom of Summer.”

Vertical Alignment is a band and recording project born in Mt. Pleasant, SC, nurtured on the Internet, and launched into cyber-space. With the completion of the physical “Signposts” CD, VA is also invading more traditional spaces. “Signposts” is enjoying both web and radio airplay on many stations. The album has also won numerous awards on the web and is becoming available in retail locations. The band now looks forward to their next two projects… the concept album entitled “The Trail of Tears Suite” will detail the story of the Cherokee Native Americans who were driven from their homes in the 1830’s to be relocated in Oklahoma. After that, “Joseph’s Dream” will be an ambitious 2 CD prog rock event with accompanying epic length fantasy / sci-fi novel by Pete Jorgensen.

"The Trail of Tears Suite" is now being produced at ThunderStudio. Peter J is in active collaboration with Mike Florio of New York in bringing this concept album to completion. Mike will take over as the new VA lead vocalist on this release. Look for it in late 2009.

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