New Music: Neil Young + Promise Of The Real, Lotus, Ken Sharp

Neil Young + Promise Of The Real, Lotus and Ken Sharp are back with new must-hear releases.

Artist: Neil Young + Promise Of The Real

Title: Noise & Flowers (Reprise)

You might like if you enjoy: Lukas Nelson, Promise Of The Real, Neil Young & Crazy Horse

Tell me more: Few rock artists are as prolific, gifted and eclectic as Neil Young. Listening to his recent release Noise & Flowers available on audio CD (the edition reviewed in this column) and via a deluxe edition that includes an LP, audio CD and Blu-ray featuring a concert film, it is amazing how the Rock and Roll Hall of Famer can sing the most intimate of quiet acoustic songs and then suddenly launch into thunderous rockers. The tracks on Noise & Flowers were captured on Neil Young + Promise Of The Real's 2019 European nine-date tour that began just two weeks after Young's lifetime friend and manager Elliot Roberts passed away. “Playing in his memory [made it] one of the most special tours ever,” Young says in the album’s liner notes. “We hit the road and took his great spirit with us into every song. This music belongs to no one. It’s in the air. Every note was played for music’s great friend, Elliot.” This collection offers raw and decidedly emotional takes on a far-flung range of Young gems. The classic "Mr. Soul" and "Alabama," explosive rocker "Throw Your Hatred Down," timely "Rockin' in the Free World," enduring "Helpless," rarely-heard '70s cut "Field of Opportunity," and gentle "From Hank to Hendrix" are among the songs that shine on the title. Information: NeilYoungArchives.com. 

Artist: Lotus

Title: Bloom and Recede (Frontiers Music Srl)

You might like if you enjoy: Moby, Tycho

Tell me more: The best electronica artists stretch their work beyond robotic beats and paint-by-numbers synth sounds to infuse their original music with emotion and experimental-focused creativity. Such is the case with Denver-spawned Lotus' new full-length album Bloom and Recede (out on Aug. 26, 2022). The nine tracks — crafted by talented brothers Luke and Jesse Miller — are enticing while challenging and rewarding the listener. The hypnotic opener "Desert Blooms" Latin-tinged celebration "Pluck," lush "Pacific Glow" (watch the official video for "Pacific Glow" HERE), immersive "Time Dilates" and cinematic "Desert Recedes." The diverse field of instrumentals also benefit from some stellar guitar work that pumps up the electronic-anchored soundscape. Lotus will be appearing at a number of upcoming festivals, including the Summerdance festival over Labor Day Weekend in Nelson Ledges Quarry Park in Garrettsville, OH. Information: LotusVibes.com. 

Artist: Ken Sharp

Title: I'll Remember The Laughter (AFM Records)

You might like if you enjoy: Fountains of Wayne, Rick Springfield, The Zombies' "Odyssey and Oracle" 

Tell me more: Singer-songwriter/multi-instrumentalist Ken Sharp's marathon-length 7th album I'll Remember the Laughter features 50 songs; even better not a moment on the album is wasted. "Like most people, the pandemic turned my world upside down, but in that isolation, I was deeply inspired and found solace in creativity, writing/recording my music, and this robust productivity spurred the creation of some of my best music," Sharp noted of the new project. Indeed, the range of material extends from the tuneful opener "Maybe Next Summer" (Sharp is featured on lead and background vocals, piano, organ, Moog, tremelo guitar, mellotron vibes, sleigh bells, percussion on the track!) and Baroque pop swirl “Say Goodbye To One Of The Good Ones” to the driving indie rocker "There Goes My Sanity," the power pop sortie "Lady Godiva," tuneful garage rocker "It Pays To Be A Rock & Roll Star" and Philadelphia soul-steeped "Philly Get Back." Adding to the magic are the contributions of Rick Springfield, who adds vocal firepower on "Comic Book Heroes" and "I'm Your Superman." Other interesting tracks on I'll Remember the Laughter include Sharp's original psychedelic-flavored “I Am You, You Are Me,” a shimmering take on The Who's "The Kids Are Alright," Beatlesque version of Gene Simmons' "Mr. Make Believe" and lovely reading of Davy Jones' "Girl" — the latter featuring Roger Manning of Jellyfish fame on piano. Information: ken-sharp.com. 

Robert Kinsler

Netflix acquires new Daryl Hannah-directed feature starring Neil Young + Promise of the Real

I am really looking forward to catching this film on Netflix...

NETFLIX ACQUIRES 'PARADOX,' DIRECTED BY DARYL HANNAH

FEATURING NEIL YOUNG + PROMISE OF THE REAL

This whimsical tale also features new music and performances

Paradox will debut at the 2018 SXSW Film Festival and Launch Globally on March 23

Netflix announced today (March 7, 2018) that it has acquired worldwide rights to Paradox, directed by Daryl Hannah, featuring Neil Young + Promise of the Real. The whimsical tale also features new music and performances. The film will world premiere at next week’s SXSW Film Festival on March 15, and will launch globally on Netflix on March 23 and in limited theatrical release.

A fantasy, a loud poem and a free-spirited tale of music and love, Paradox is a one-of-a-kind personal expression. Sometime in the future—or is it the past?—a band of outlaws hide high up in the Mountains. The "Man in the Black Hat" (Neil Young), the "Particle Kid" (Micah Nelson) and "Jail Time" (Lukas Nelson) pass the hours searching for treasure while they wait for the full moon to lend its magic, bring the music and make the spirits fly. Vibrating with original music by Young + Promise of the Real, Paradox furthers the legacy of an iconic performer who has always broken the rules.

Paradox is written and directed by Daryl Hannah, making her feature-length debut behind the camera. Hannah’s "The Last Supper," a 1993 short which she wrote, directed and produced, won a Jury Prize at the Berlin Film Festival. 

"PARADOX sprung up spontaneously and unexpectedly, like a peculiar dandelion, popping up between the cracks in the pavement. We were fortunate to find this brief window of opportunity to share the love for the natural world, each other and for the precious seeds of creativity and life. We are all thrilled the film will premiere at SXSW and that NETFLIX will be sharing it with the world," said Hannah.

Paradox features new music from Neil Young + Promise of the Real. The cast includes Young, Lukas Nelson, Micah Nelson, Willie Nelson, Corey McCormick, Anthony LoGerfo, Tato Melgar, Charris Ford and Dulcie Clarkson Ford. The film is produced by Bernard Shakey and Elliott Rabinowitz, edited by Paul Snyder and photographed by Adam CK Vollick.

On March 23 on digital and vinyl, Reprise/Warner Bros. Records releases PARADOX (Original Music from the Film), including studio and live performances by Neil Young + Promise of the Real, classic covers and music composed exclusively for the film.

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