Members Of DEEP PURPLE, OPETH, DREAM THEATER, SYMPHONY X Featured On NEKTAR Covers CD A Spoonful Of Time
November 1, 2012, 12 years ago
Progressive rock fans worldwide are buzzing with excitement about the forthcoming release of a new covers CD by music legends NEKTAR called A Spoonful Of Time, featuring an all-star guest line-up. On November 27th Cleopatra Records will be celebrating the band's 43rd Anniversary by releasing the first ever covers album by the iconic UK ensemble, joined by an incredible gathering of musical heroes including members of YES, KING CRIMSON, DEEP PURPLE, SYMPHONY X, OPETH, MARILLION, ASIA, THE MOODY BLUES, DREAM THEATER, TANGERINE DREAM, MAHAVISHNU ORCHESTRA, HAWKWIND, THE ZOMBIES, TOTO and CREAM.
Says founding Nektar member Roye Albrighton: “The idea originated from Cleopatra themselves...they thought it might be a good idea to do an album of classic songs with a multitude of different players but under the Nektar banner. Klaus, Ron and myself were to be the staple musicians taking part and the files would be given out to various musicians to do their parts. I was asked to do most of the vocals except for the one track which was (“Africa”) and quite a few guitars too. Ron did a lot of the drums and Klaus was prominent on several of the tracks on Hammond and mellotron.”
A Spoonful Of Time tracklisting:
'Sirius' featuring Michael Pinnella (Symphony X)
'Spirit Of The Radio' featuring Mark Kelly (Marillion)
'Fly Like An Eagle' featuring Geoff Downes (Asia / Yes), Joel Vandroogenbroeck (Brainticket)
'Wish You Were Here' featuring Edgar Froese (Tangerine Dream)
'For The Love Of Money' featuring Ian Paice (Deep Purple), Nik Turner (Hawkwind)
'Can't Find My Way Home' featuring Steve Howe (Yes), Derek Sherinian (Dream Theater, Black Country Communion), Mel Collins (King Crimson)
'2000 Light Years From Home' featuring Simon House (Hawkwind)
'Riders On The Storm' featuring Billy Sheehan (Mr. Big), Rod Argent (The Zombies, Argent)
'Blinded By The Light' featuring Joakim Svalberg (Opeth), Ginger Baker (Cream)
'Out Of The Blue' featuring Simon House (Hawkwind)
'Old Man' featuring David Cross (King Crimson)
'Dream Weaver' featuring Jerry Goodman (Mahavishnu Orchestra)
'I'm Not In Love' featuring Rick Wakeman (Yes)
'Africa' featuring Bobby Kimball (Toto), Patrick Moraz (The Moody Blues)
Nektar's A Spoonful Of Time was produced by the band and mixed by prog icon Billy Sherwood, who also played bass on some of the tracks.
Says Billy, “I really enjoyed working with Nektar on their new record, it was an honor playing bass on the entire project too!! Roye is very creative and inspiring to be around, Ron and Klaus are great to work with too... I felt like it was working with friends, making music, as it should be. I look forward to playing some gigs with them in the future.”
Roye adds, “The songs featured on the album were chosen by Cleopatra, of which a few of them I quite like. It was good working with Billy, on this covers album and our new studio album Time Machine, and like me, he wants the absolute best for the music.”
Now with the release of A Spoonful Of Time, Nektar is back with a psychedelic head trip through classic rock radio with artful twists on classics by THE DOORS, PINK FLOYD, ROLLING STONES, BLIND FAITH, STEVE MILLER, 10cc and others!
As far as future plans for Nektar: "To make more music, and to experiment more in different ways,” says Albrighton. Nektar will be a part of the Cruise to the Edge crusie in March with the Yes, Tangerine Dream, Saga, Steve Hackett, Carl Palmer Band, UK and others. In closing Roye has this to impart to the band's long-standing fans, “A huge thanks to all those fans who have stuck by the band through thick and thin over the years... We are only doing it for you.”
For more information visit Nektar's official website at Nektarsmusic.com.