Dave Stewart Announces New Album For September Release

 

Dave Stewart — the Rock & Roll Hall of Famer, Songwriter Hall of Famer, Eurythmics co-founder, producer, and acclaimed songwriter — has announced a new album called The Way It Was Back Then. Written, performed, and produced entirely by Stewart, the 10-song collection arrives on Friday, September 18, via Bay Street Records as a limited, physical-only release on CD and vinyl, just days after his birthday. 

Pre-order The Way It Was Back Then

Recorded at Stardust in the Bahamas, The Way It Was Back Then was built around spontaneous, one-take performances. With no lyrics written down beforehand, Stewart sang, played guitar, and improvised melodies in real time — handling vocals, guitar, keyboard, and programming — while his longtime engineer and collaborator Jesse Samler played bass, drums, keyboard, and programming alongside him (Samler also handled the album's layout). The two of them then built out the rest of each song together and mixed the record themselves. The result is an intimate, unfiltered album about memory, survival, love, loss, loyalty, and betrayal — and the strange feeling of still being here after all of it.

Dave Stewart: "I wasn’t aware that I was making an album — in-between the various things happening in my life — some I instigated, and some just happenstance. I started to record myself singing songs at the same time as playing guitar. In almost every song, I didn’t write down any lyrics — I just sang the words at the same time as singing the melodies and playing the chords, kind of freeform. Luckily, my engineer and good pal Jesse can play the drums and bass real well, so it’s only the two of us playing everything! The whole album is very spontaneous in its lyrics and music. I have used this method on various solo albums, but usually that was with a programmer or a full band playing, but this time it was a lot more intimate.

"There is a lot of looking back, and I suppose everyone goes through this at different times in their life... especially at my age, but this is not looking back in a soft nostalgic way. These songs are about memory, survival, love, loss, damage, loyalty, betrayal, and the strange feeling of still being here after all of it. All of this spewed out, as I said, with no lyrics written down, straight off the top of my head in one take — so I’m not sure how I did it, and as usual, have to work out later what chords I was playing and learn the melodies that I sang at the time. On listening and reading the lyrics now, I realize there are songs about old friends, parents, heartbreak, the streets, courtrooms, and so many ghosts of people and places that never really left me.

"At the center of the album, I suppose there is a deep longing for connection, but there is also the truth that nothing ever works out the way it did back then, hence the title. The past can be beautiful, but it can also be dangerous. A name, a voice, a house, a photograph — any of it can open my heart and break it at the same time.

"Some of the songs are very personal and rooted in where I came from. For me, the feeling of this album is bittersweet, cinematic, and human. The Way It Was Back Then is not really about trying to go back...it’s about finally facing what was there."

The new album follows Dave Does Dylan, Stewart's 14-song homage to Bob Dylan, which arrived as a limited-edition, Record Store Day-exclusive vinyl release via Surfdog Records in 2025. Featuring just Stewart on vocals and guitar recorded in live, unedited takes, the album found him performing inspired renditions of Dylan songs he has adored since childhood — a project Dylan himself praised, calling Stewart “a dreamer and a fearless innovator, a visionary of high order.” Aired live via PBS and YouTube, Stewart honored Bob Dylan with an intimate stripped down performance of Dave Does Dylan. Watch season two of Dave Does Dylan Recorded Live at Analog below.

'Authentic' Woodstock Stage Panels On Display At Smithsonian

Following reports of proposed orders to place signs outside the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History warning visitors about allegedly "inaccurate" exhibits, Peace of Stage would like to offer Washington officials some good news: They can save taxpayers the cost of at least one sign. 

Authentic panels from the original 1969 Woodstock stage are currently displayed in the museum’s Entertainment Nation exhibition – and Peace of Stage can confirm they're the genuine articles.

"To whom it may concern in Washington: Our Woodstock panels are 100% authentic and historically accurate," says Steve Gold, co-founder of Peace of Stage and a 15-year-old attendee at the original festival. "No outside warning sign required. You’re welcome."

The panels were part of the actual stage on which Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, The Who, Santana, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, and other music legends performed before an estimated 500,000 people during the iconic music festival held from August 15 to 18, 1969, at Max Yasgur's Dairy Farm in Bethel, New York.

"You can question the museum, question the historians, and even question whether 500,000 people should have shared that few porta-potties," adds Gold. "You can question whether anyone took the brown acid or if the New York State Thruway was really closed. But you cannot question the wood. It was there. It survived three days of rain, mud and raw rock ’n’ roll – it's already passed a much tougher test than a government audit."

Peace of Stage suggests that if officials insist on placing a sign outside the museum anyway, they should use the following historically accurate language:

WARNING: The exhibits inside may cause visitors to learn something, think independently and draw their own conclusions. No political fact-check is necessary for the Woodstock panels. They are 100% real and entirely immune to modern political spin.

To celebrate the fact that some things in history are still undeniably real, Peace of Stage has introduced an "Anniversary Truth Sale." Its handcrafted Peace Pendant – containing an authenticated piece of the original Woodstock stage – is currently reduced from $99 down to $69.

"Unlike a lot of official promises, this discount is actually real," Gold says. "Best of all, it comes with a Certificate of Authenticity and zero alternative history."

To view the exhibit: Visit the Entertainment Nation exhibition at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History in Washington, D.C.

To own a piece of the stage, visit Peace of Stage Collectibles.

Yes Orchestral Album 'Magnification' To Be Issued On Half-Speed Remaster Vinyl, Cassette

Mercury Studios commemorates the 25th anniversary of legendary progressive rock band Yes’s 2001 album Magnification with a dynamic half-speed remaster, available September 18. Combining the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame band’s signature progressive rock sound with sweeping symphonic arrangements, Magnification will be released on vinyl for the first time as a double LP set, alongside a limited-edition 500-unit cassette release available in the U.S. and U.K.

Originally released in September 2001, Magnification is Yes’s 19th studio album and the first recorded as a four-piece, featuring the classic core lineup of Jon Anderson (lead vocals, MIDI guitar), Chris Squire (bass, backing vocals, lead vocals on “Can You Imagine”), Steve Howe (acoustic, electric & pedal steel guitars, backing vocals), and Alan White (drums, piano, backing vocals). There was no dedicated keyboard player on the sessions, and perhaps the harmonic freedom this provided inspired an adventurous musicality that harkened back to the band’s early days.

Pre-order Magnification

Compositions such as “Dreamtime” and “In the Presence Of” feature extended instrumental sections, while songs including “Can You Imagine” and “Time Is Time” reflect Yes’s post-1980s pop sensibility. Seamlessly woven throughout the album are ambitious orchestral arrangements performed by the San Diego Symphony Orchestra under the direction of three-time Emmy Award-winning film composer Larry Groupé. Magnification marked only the second time Yes had recorded with a full orchestra, following 1970’s Time and a Word. The band supported the album with its acclaimed Yessymphonic Tour, where songs including “Magnification,” “Don’t Go,” and “In the Presence Of” were brought to life with a full orchestra onstage.

Magnification also represents a pivotal chapter in the band’s history. Keyboardist Igor Khoroshev had departed the previous year, Rick Wakeman would return to the band in 2002, and Magnification ultimately became founding member Jon Anderson’s final studio album with Yes.

This anniversary edition of Magnification was cut to lacquer at half-speed and pressed on two 180-gram LPs to deliver a highly detailed playback. The intensive half-speed remastering process brings forth high frequencies, expands dynamic range, and improves stereo imaging and detail. The Magnification album art was a departure for Yes as they opted to work with Bob Cesca instead of longtime creative collaborator Roger Dean. The remaster’s double gatefold package features a newly designed LP-exclusive cover by Bob Cesca and new art based on his original 2001 packaging illustrations.

BEAT (Adrian Belew, Tony Levin, Steve Vai, Terry Bozzio) Announce U.S. Fall Tour

 

King Crimson members Adrian Belew and Tony Levin, with guitarist Steve Vai and newly recruited drummer Terry Bozzio are taking the next chapter of BEAT on a U.S. Fall tour comprising 40 shows.

General on-sale is set for this Friday, August 7 at 10AM local time. Tickets and VIP experiences will be available at the BEAT Tour page. Artist pre-sale goes live on Tuesday, August 4 at 12:00 PM Eastern time with the password BEATTOUR. Fans can access the ticketing page and simply enter the code at checkout. All pre-sales will end at 10AM local time Thursday, August 6. 

Belew shares: "For those of you who’ve seen BEAT live, it’s important to note we’ll be adding some material from ‘90s Crim to our U.S. tour. Along with the addition of superman drummer Terry Bozzio, we feel this will result in a new experience for our audience.  We’re very excited to play for you again.  Don’t miss it!"

The global audience has celebrated the existence of BEAT, responding to the music, chemistry, spirit and respect this collective of esteemed musicians has brought to one of the most remarkable catalogs in progressive rock. BEAT continues to evolve whole remaining true to the music and the spirit that inspired it.

Even as Terry Bozzio enters the fold behind the kit, Danny Carey remains an important part of the BEAT family. At it is, his Tool commitments prevent him from being available for this upcoming run in the Fall. 

"Terry is one of the truly legendary drummers of our time, whose remarkable career and unique musical voice make him the perfect artist to join us for this tour," Vai says. "He brings his own extraordinary artistry to BEAT, and that's something worth celebrating." 

Belew adds: "Our deepest appreciation goes to our brother Danny Carey — a true BEAT-Poet. His extraordinary musicianship, generosity, humor, and explosive creativity helped establish BEAT as something far beyond a tribute. He helped create its identity. While Tool commitments keep him from joining us this fall, he remains an essential part of our family."

When the ensemble’s existence was first made public on April 2, 2024, the vision was simply to present a creative reinterpretation of the three iconic 80s King Crimson albums - Discipline, Beat, and Three Of A Perfect Pair. 

Just over 40 appearances were announced across the U.S., triggering a majority of those planned appearances reaching sold-out status in days. Additional performances were added, creating an inaugural run which staged 65 concerts across the U.S. Appearances in Mexico, South America and Tokyo’s legendary Budokan followed, most recently staging an extensive run of the U.K. and Europe performing in 31 cities this year.

The itinerary kicks off on October 9 at the Quarry Amphitheater in Santa Cruz, CA, with a final appearance planned in at Riverside, CA’s Municipal Auditorium on December 3.  

"The 1981 through 1984 King Crimson created a music all its own," Belew recalls. "Timeless. Beautiful. Complex. Fierce. For the fans who lived through it then, and the ones who never got to witness it, our aim is to bring it to life again. A monumental task but we're going for it!  There are not enough exclamation points to express my excitement!"

For Steve Vai, who wasn't part of King Crimson, it's altogether a different experience and perspective. "Being a part of this ensemble is an extraordinary privilege and opportunity to perform some of the most beloved, timeless, and monumental music of the 80s (and beyond) with truly inspired musicians. This music resonates deeply with me. Father Robert Fripp is one of our historical geniuses. His highly specific and exceptionally brilliant guitar technique is studied and revered. His contribution to the quality of my musical life, and so many others is supreme."

Levin throws in his two cents: "Revisiting some of my favorite music is a treat in itself. It’s also great that we’re not just playing a few shows, we’re hitting it hard. So, Road Dogs are coming to your area soon."

Bozzio has the last word. "All of these guys are my friends and excellent musicians who l’ve played with before! When l was asked to join this tour, l was honored and very grateful to do it!"

For tickets, including info about VIP packages featuring exclusive BEAT merchandise, meet & greets with the band, plus access to an on-stage VIP viewing area, as well as premium reserved seats, visit the BEAT Tour page. 

The Beatles' 'Rubber Soul' Special Edition Announced

 

UMG and Apple Corps Ltd. have announced the forthcoming release of an expanded Special Edition of The Beatles’ landmark 1965 album Rubber Soul. Newly mixed by producer Giles Martin and engineer Sam Okell, the collection presents the album in stunning new stereo and Dolby Atmos mixes, alongside the original mono mix, the original Capitol U.S. Album version, and expanded with previously unreleased session recordings and home demos, and the contemporary double A-side single, “Day Tripper” / “We Can Work It Out.” The new editions will be released on October 2nd via Apple Corps Ltd./Capitol/UMe. Have a listen to “Michelle (Take 1)” below. 

First released on December 3rd, 1965, Rubber Soul marked a pivotal moment in The Beatles' evolution. Arriving at the end of a remarkable year that saw John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr reach artistic and commercial heights, the album revealed a band pushing beyond the conventions of pop music and embracing a more adventurous approach to songwriting and recording.

Recorded over four weeks during October and November 1965, following the band's record-breaking concert to more than 55,000 fans at Shea Stadium in New York, Rubber Soul captured The Beatles at a creative crossroads. Featuring classics including “Drive My Car,” “Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown),” “Nowhere Man,” “Michelle,” “Girl” and “In My Life,” the album saw The Beatles experiment with new instruments, sounds and recording techniques, and is widely regarded as having pioneered the long-form pop album as an art form.

Widely heralded as one of the greatest albums of all time and a milestone in the evolution of the pop album, Rubber Soul reflects the start of a period when, unburdened by concert, radio or film commitments, The Beatles’ music, ideas and unbridled creative ambitions began to truly flourish.

All of the new Rubber Soul formats feature the album's new stereo mix, sourced directly from the original four-track master tapes. The audio is brought to the fore in stunning clarity with the help of cutting-edge de-mixing technology developed by the award-winning sound team led by Emile de la Rey at Peter Jackson's WingNut Films Productions Ltd., while remaining faithful to the spirit of the original recordings.

Pre-order Rubber Soul

The forthcoming reissue brings together all 14 new stereo mixes for the first time, while the expanded editions open the studio doors on the making of Rubber Soul. Across the Super Deluxe collections, fans can explore 24 early session recordings, including 20 previously unreleased takes and three previously unreleased home demos - among them early versions of “Day Tripper” and “We Can Work It Out,” plus “Little Girl,” a previously unheard John Lennon song outline never before released or even rumored. The collections also include the original mono album, the original Capitol U.S. album version and the 1965 double A-side single, while the double CD and double LP Special Editions feature a curated selection of session highlights, demos and the single.

The four-CD and five-LP Super Deluxe editions are accompanied by an 88-page hardbound book featuring a brand new written introduction by Paul McCartney, and a foreword compiled from John Lennon’s own words, bringing together reflections on Rubber Soul from across his life, including the years following The Beatles’ break-up. The two pieces offer a unique perspective on the making and enduring impact of the album, alongside rare photographs, in-depth album background and track notes.

Rubber Soul will be available in standard single CD and LP editions, double CD and LP Special Editions, and four-CD and five-LP Super Deluxe editions. The collection will also be available on Blu-ray, featuring the new Dolby Atmos mix, high-resolution stereo audio and promotional films for “Day Tripper” and “We Can Work It Out,” alongside limited-edition orange vinyl and D2C exclusive Zoetrope vinyl editions.

More than six decades after its original release, Rubber Soul remains a defining moment in The Beatles' story as an album that bridged the craze of Beatlemania and the experimentation that would follow on Revolver, Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band and beyond.

America's Gerry Beckley Releases ‘Norwegian Wood’ Featuring Graham Nash

Gerry Beckley, co-founder of America, has released his interpretation of the Beatles' classic "Norwegian Wood," featuring a special guest appearance by longtime friend and musical hero Graham Nash. The track is the latest preview of Beckley's forthcoming solo album, Merciful, arriving August 28 via Blue Élan Records. Have a listen below.

Rather than reinvent the song, Beckley lets it breathe. Built around his DADGAD-tuned acoustic guitar, the arrangement strips the Lennon-McCartney classic back to its emotional core before Nash's unmistakable harmony slips effortlessly into the mix.

"I've always loved the song," says Beckley. "Playing it in DADGAD gave it a different character, and when I was listening back, it just seemed custom-made for Graham's voice."

The collaboration grew out of a chance reunion after one of Nash's performances at the Sydney Opera House. The two had remained friends over the years, and Nash casually offered to lend his voice to a future project.

"Graham's one of my true heroes going back to his days with the Hollies," Beckley says. "When this recording came together, I knew he would bring something special to it."

Produced by Beckley and longtime collaborator Jeff Larson, Merciful finds the singer reflecting on memory, time, and the passing of years through 13 deeply personal songs. Recorded primarily in Beckley's home studios in Sydney, Australia and Venice, California, the album blends newly written material with rediscovered songs from his archives, all delivered with the melodic craftsmanship that has defined his songwriting for more than five decades.

Pre-order Merciful

Best known as the voice behind America classics including "Sister Golden Hair," "I Need You," and "Daisy Jane," Beckley continues to push forward creatively. While earlier singles "When The Wells Run Dry" and "Get It Right" showcased the album's balance of reflection and optimism, "Norwegian Wood" pays tribute to one of the songs that helped shape him as a young musician attending high school in London during the height of the British Invasion.

Recorded largely by Beckley himself, Merciful also features contributions from Jason Scheff, Nate Strasser, Matt Combs, Steve Fekete, Nick Lane, James Valentine, Ryland Steen, Luke Davison, and Brian Young.

With Merciful, Beckley continues to prove that thoughtful songwriting only deepens with time. His version of "Norwegian Wood" is less a cover than a conversation—between old friends, lifelong influences, and an artist still finding new meaning in timeless songs.

For more info, visit gerrybeckley.com.

Rick Wakeman Makes 'Return To The Red Planet'

 

Following his acclaimed 2020 album The Red Planet, Rick Wakeman makes a triumphant and inevitable return to Mars with Return To The Red Planet, a sweeping new progressive work that fuses science, imagination and musical virtuosity into one of the most ambitious recordings of his career. Return To The Red Planet will be released on the Madfish label on October 16. Check out the trailer for the album below.

“Once I started looking at the new data and photographs, I realized there was an entirely new album waiting to be written," Wakeman said in a statement. "There was simply too much more to say about Mars - musically and spiritually - not to return.” 

At a time when space exploration has moved back to the forefront of human endeavor - with missions to the Moon, Mars and beyond once again capturing the world’s imagination - Return To The Red Planet feels both timely and visionary, rekindling the cosmic spirit that helped define progressive rock’s golden age.

Where its predecessor opened the story, this album explores the planet’s ancient lakes, vast canyon systems, shifting dust storms and geological epochs, drawing directly on the remarkable images and research that have transformed our understanding of Mars in recent years, Wakeman immersing himself in planetary research, data, and mission reports before a single note was written.

Return To The Red Planet will be available in the following configurations: 

- Crystal Clear Gatefold Vinyl LP

- Classic Black Gatefold Vinyl LP

- Digipack CD With 20-page booklet

- CD/Blu-ray edition - includes CD of the studio album + Blu-ray disc featuring Dolby Atmos, 5.1 Surround Sound & Hi-Res Stereo Mixes and The Making Of The Return To The Red Planet Documentary + 20-page printed booklet

- Digital

Pre-order Return To The Red Planet

Recorded between August 2025 and January 2026, the project also marks a welcome return to full band recording, with all musicians working together at Decoy Studios - a creative approach Wakeman considers essential to capturing the spontaneity and energy of progressive rock at its best.

The album is performed by Wakeman’s English Rock Ensemble, featuring bassist Lee Pomeroy, guitarist Dave Colquhoun, drummer Adam Falkner and vocalist Mollie Marriott, daughter of legendary Steve Marriott. The album was mastered by renowned engineer Simon Heyworth.

Among the album’s centerpieces is Bowie’s Vision, a deeply personal homage to Wakeman’s friend David Bowie, whose fascination with Mars helped shape popular culture’s image of the planet. The connection is more than thematic: Wakeman performed the iconic piano on Bowie’s Life on Mars?, making this tribute both musical and autobiographical - a reflection on a shared history, a lasting friendship and one of rock’s most celebrated recordings.

The music was initially composed as keyboard “templates” at Nursery Studios, before being expanded collaboratively by the band at Decoy Studios and engineered by Toby Wood. Final overdubs and mixing with producer/engineer Erik Jordan bring the vision into sharp focus - from sweeping symphonic passages to intricate rhythmic sequences and haunting choral textures.

For more information. visit rickwakemansmusicemporium.com.