Simon Barrett

It has been another stellar week in US politics as the 2016 election looms on the horizon. Hils and Bernie trading barbs. Trumpzilla has been somewhat quiet for a few days, but I doubt that will last long. Both party's are now talking 'Contested Convention'. Abroad we have the 'Panama Papers' that are rocking the world and Belgium that seems to have made itself the new mecca for terrorism. Odd really, I always enjoed spending time in Belgium. Great food, great booze, and 'interesting' women.

Pete Liebengood has just published a great novel Accidental Droning. What could be better sex, drugs, politics and drones? He even thows in a dead body in an ice chest! This book is a wild ride from start to finish. I will be sitting down with Pete to discuss the book, and probably other topics. I am sure that an author this good has much to say on life, the universe and everything.

It sure has been a busy week for Trump. In one sentance he managed to reaise the ire of both the pro choice and pro life camps.Even by Trumps standards this was a new pinicle in diplomacy. Other foot in mouth moments included Nukes for Japan and South Korea, and his campaign manager getting arrested. Polls show Trump 10 points behind Cruz in tuesdays primarary. That 1237 delegate goal may not be as simple to reach as he once thought.

We must be the laughing stock of the civilized world. Having traded barbs about candidates 'winky' size, our fine would be presidents are in a slanging match about which has the better looking wife. How this helps the ecconomy, secures the border, or gets Washington to function again is not clear.

Lots to talk about this week. The Trumpification of the GOP is clearly making people very nervous. Does this signal a new direction and new definition of what the party stands for? What might happen in Cleveland if it turns into a brokered convention? Obama has done his job and nominated a new Supreme Court judge, will the senate do their job and approve him?

Genre Peak is Martin Birke (songwriter, electronic-percussionist,vocalist and co-producer) with variety of collaborations from players and singers from all over the world. The new album “Your Sleekest Engine” features collaborations with Steve Jansen (Japan/David Sylvian), Jon Hassell (Brian Eno/Peter Gabriel), Richard Barbieri (Japan/Porcupine Tree), Matt Malley (Counting Crows) with vocals by Martin, Lesley Braden (Fast Arrow) and Charlie Woodward (Falco/Strinx) Manal Deeb (Palestinian artist) additional bass tracks from the late great Mick Karn (Japan/Dalis Car/David Torn). Co-produced by Christopher Scott Cooper and Martin Birke for In Code Music (Publishing). The album will be released on Gonzo Multimedia UK on March 4, 2016.

Much to the excitement of music aficionados worldwide, Melodic Prog trio The Raptor Trail will be releasing their highly anticipated sophomore album “New World” on March 11. 2016. This second release finds the band stretching its wings a bit, with particular attention to vocal harmonies and acoustic based themes. That is not to say there is nothing Prog and heavier on this record as the tracks “Going To Dublin” and “Wheel” will attest. But it's more of an intricate Rock 'n' Roll album, almost galactic sounding, with a ominous cynicism and grim world view. Clocking in at just under 78 minutes it is really like a double album.  

Best known for his virtuosic guitar instrumental albums, Tampa guitarist Todd Grubbs will be releasing for the first time a predominantly “vocal” album titled “As The Worm Turns”. Not to fear, you still hear Todd shred on guitar throughout the album, but this time around the tracks are more “song” oriented.   Says Todd, “I have been writing and working on these songs for the last couple of years. I have 2 vocal albums with the band 3 Green Windows but I wanted to do a true solo album with a bunch of different singers. I have really enjoyed creating all of my instrumental CDs but I kinda feel like I have made my statement in that genre, my new goal is to equal my instrumental output with vocal projects.”

Not even Mom and big brother could help Jeb. Trump mixes it up the the Pope, The GOP continue to grumble about replacing Scalia. Kasich and Carson refuse to quit. Cruz and Rubio get down and dirty.

Tim Hockenberry is a versatile multi-instrumentalist singer and songwriter whose voice is reminiscent of Ray Charles, Joe Cocker, and Tom Waits. He is releasing Tim Hockenberry, his self-titled debut album of all original music, worldwide on March 4th, 2016. He is also a gifted interpreter of well-known cover songs, and you only need to hear a few bars of Hockenberry singing I Left My Heart In San Francisco to understand that this is an artist who has a refreshingly authentic approach to great songs. Tim gained international fame when he performed and made it to the semi-finals (last singer standing) on America’s Got Talent in 2012, where he was a favorite of judge Howard Stern. Stern declared Tim’s semi-final performance of John Lennon’s Imagine, with Tim on the piano accompanied by a cellist, “the most moving we’ve had from a singer in a long time.” The sparse arrangement won Stern over, who gave him a standing ovation and said the singer deserves “a place in the finals.” Sharon Osbourne described his perf

There is lots to talk about this week, Scalia's death will do little to break the Washington log jam. The GOP are already saying they will block whoever Obama nominates. But can they tie it up for 11 months? Probably, the face of the Supreme Court could be seriously changed with a dem appointment. Think Roe v Wade! Last nights GOP debate on CBS was a corker. The protagonists were so busy shouting at each other there was barely time to fire shots at Clinton and Sanders. I didn't see any winners, it was more a question of who lost least!

It has been a busy week in the fight to win a 4 year stay in the worlds most exclusive hotel (The Whitehouse). Iowa was fun, Hils and Bern in essentialy a tie, Cruz beating Trump, and Marco rising. Last nights GOP debate was fun to watch. The govs taking turns to beat up on Marco, Ttrump getting a free pass and the Cruzinator being accused of drity tricks. Ben missing his que to enter the stage just about summed up what many people feel about him, too demur to play with this bunch of hooligans.  

Its all Trump. If he is in the room he takes the qxygen out! If he is missing, he does the same thing! Did Trump win by being a no show at the debate?

progressive rock trio SkyTalk has released their highly anticipated debut EP “Days in the Sun”! SkyTalk is a 3 piece collaborative effort formed in January 2015 by twin brothers Jordan and Talor Steinberg and Dan “Ello” Costello. Costello was introduced to the twins by a mutual friend while all three were attending Purchase College. They bonded instantly on a similar taste in music, particularly 70's progressive rock bands like Yes and Rush. Shortly after meeting, the three met up again to jam and quickly found that they had an undeniable musical chemistry, as well as similar inner philosophies on life and music. Eager to form a band, the three began writing original music together and were surprised at the effortlessness of the process, writing five songs in a matter of two months that would later become their “Days in the Sun” EP.   Blending their love of progressive music as well as soul and funk influences, SkyTalk polished their newfound sound and recorded the EP in the following months. With a lyrical

For nearly four decades, Ron Anderson has been the vocal guru for many of music’s most successful performers. Collectively, his students have sold more than half a billion albums. I will be sitting down with Ron to talk about the art and science of voice coaching. What is it? How can it help a performer? I know little about the subject and am looking forward to finding out more about subject.  

There is no shortage of stories this week. Trump gets Palins endorsement, but who cares (other than SNL)? Hostages out of Iran. Iowa caususes a week away, boom or bust? Are the GOP trying to scuttle Trump and Cruz? The stock market, china and oil are they the only cause of this weeks dramatic sell off?

Jamie Glaser is one busy guitarist. You never know what to expect from him next. Most recently he has been on tour with Jon Anderson and Jean Luc Ponty. He has also released a book about a less well known aspect of his life. Hear The Silence chonicles his long strugle with Bi-Polar disorder and makes for a facinating peek inside a world that few people understand. The tour also has a CD assoviated with it, and I will playing a couple of tracks from Better Late Than Never

A roundup of news and politics. There are no shortage of stories this week. Cruz and Trump have a debate. Who were those other guys on the stage? The old men of the republican establishment must be having kittens! Neither Cruz nor Trump encapsulate the values that the grey men hold dear. Yes it is still early days, but the establishment candidates are quite frankly sucking.

Guns, guns and more guns. What is the sensible path to take.

A look at all that is bad in newsts to talk and politics. 2015 has been a cracking year for news and politics. Lots to talk about.