2007 News

20th September

Following Karnatakas cancellation of the agreed show on the 13th October (which Oliver and Paul were due to support as an acoustic duo), the Oliver Wakeman Band are taking over the headline spot for this concert.

Please see the concert page for details on how to obtain tickets for this show.

9th September

New website goes live!

8th September

Oliver has nearly completed the writing for the new album which is to be titled 'Culteral Vandals'. There is one more arrangement to finish and then the band will have to start learning all the new songs.

There is no scheduled release date or record company as yet but we'll keep you informed about this exciting new album!

7th September

Oliver Wakeman Band to record live DVD in Poland!

Agnieszka Kulpiˆíska - Metal Mind Productions Press Release:

'Caamora' will perform 'She' project on 31st October 2007 at the Wyspianski Theatre, Katowice, Poland. The musical version of 'She' is based on the classic novel of the same name by Victorian adventure writer H. Rider Haggard. This represents the culmination of the last two years' work of Caamora, and will feature a host of musicians as well as eye catching visuals and dramatic stage show. Clive Nolan: "We still don't know exactly how this show will turn out; there are many ideas on the table and things are developing all the time. Whatever happens, it's going to be a terrific event!"

Spearheaded by Clive Nolan and Agnieszka Swita, this epic production will also feature guest vocalists 'Alan Reed' (Pallas/Neo), 'Christina Booth' (Magenta), 'Karl Groom' (Threshold), 'John Jowitt' (IQ, Neo), 'Hugh McDowell' (ELO), orchestra and choir, forming an ambitious two hour musical journey. It's going to be a magical night surely not to be missed by all rock fans.

"She" album will be recorded in the summer of 2007, with a partly staged performance to be filmed in Wyspianski Theatre for DVD on 31st October 2007. The album and DVD box set for release on 21st January 2008. But, as regards this special night at the Theatre, this is not all....

Caamora will be supported by two fantastic bands - 'Pallas' and 'The Oliver Wakeman Band' in the following line-up: Oliver Wakeman (keyboards, piano), Paul Manzi (vocals), David Mark Pearce (guitar), Paul Brown (bass), Dave Wagstaffe (drums)! Oliver is a son of Rick Wakeman (Yes), one of the best keyboard players in the history of progressive rock. The music of the band is an extraordinary mixture of styles, incorporating influences from progressive and symphonic rock. Oliver Wakeman already has a cult status in the progressive rock community. He was acclaimed both as a solo artist and as part of various musical projects by fans and by critics.

Pallas - the pioneers of neo-progressive rock. The group released 6 studio albums so far, the latest one, "The Dreams Of Man", considered to be their best effort. On this record the band extended its line-up by two new members: Paul Anderson, a very talented violinist who enriches the band's sound with an element of traditional Scottish music, and Pandy Arthur, a classical vocalist.

The official premiere of the prog-rock opera "She" is an event on a world-wide scale and it is only at Wyspiaˆíski Theater that one will be given a chance to bear witness to the splendor of this incredible show. Stunning stage setting, impressive visuals and, of course, breath-taking music will all make for an unforgettable 5 hour show! It's going to be a real treat for fans of progressive rock!

31.10.07 - Teatr im. Wyspiaˆískiego, Katowice, Poland

Agnieszka Kulpiˆíska

Metal Mind Productions - Promo Dept.
e-mail:agnieszka.kulpinska@metalmind.com.pl
www.metalmind.com.pl
www.myspace.com/metalmindproductions

6th September

The band recently performed at the Fordham Festival and there are some photographs of the show available to view from http://www.p7photography.co.uk/41.html

The guys had a great time and are hopefully appearing again next year!

5th September

Press release from F2 music regarding the Prog Aid single which Oliver was involved with

Sincere apologies for the silence since we all came together for the recording of the ProgAID single 'All Around The World' in early 2005. Rest assured that we have been doing everything in our power to push the single as much as possible since it's release.

The end result of all of our efforts is that we are able to donate GBP 7,138.77, the entire profits of the single. A little short of our GBP 10,000 goal, but enough to make a difference which was always our aim.

Having spoken to a number of charities over the last 12 months, the one that we have chosen is 'Save The Children' in the UK. They have assured us that the money will be used to help children in Indonesia, many of whom were effected by the tsunami in December 2004. They also ensure that the money they take from the donation for their 'running costs' are amongst the lowest of all charities.

May I take this opportunity to again thank you all for your help and assistance in this project, and I hope that you are all happy with the donation that we have been able to make, and the Charity that has been chosen.

Best regards

David Robinson
F2 Music Ltd, Festival House, 2 Goldfinch Close, Loughborough, Leicestershire, LE11 3HG, UK
http://www.f2music.co.uk
http://www.progrock.co.uk

24th June

Oliver appeared on Paul Bakers radio show this afternoon for a live on air interview.

The interview covered a range of subjects and 3 tracks were played from the new Mother's Ruin EP, If You're Leaving, Busy Going Nowhere and Mother's Ruin.

Paul has invited Oliver and Paul on the show to record a live session soon. More details when we have them!

If you missed the show - don't worry, the show is repeated on Wednesday evening between 7-10pm. See the previous news item for details of the radio stations website.

24th June

Oliver is due to appear on Paul Bakers radio show this afternoon at 4pm.

The radio station details are as follows:-

Station: Rock247Online
www.rock247online.co.uk (Click on listen live)

23rd June

Well the show for the Classic Rock Society was really well received. Nice to see so many new faces as well!

The evening was topped off by the release of a new Mother's Ruin EP which features Paul Manzi singing on three tracks from the Mother's Ruin album and a new song 'Busy going Nowhere' which Oliver and Paul have performed at their duo shows. The original album is still available through Prog Rock records and this EP is intended as a chance for people to hear Paul singing some of the songs.

This EP is a strictly limited edition and will be available to buy from this website really soon!

The concert itself went really well and very quickly! The guys all did themselves proud and hearing 'Wall of Water' performed as the last song of the evening was something to have seen! The encore 'Walk Away' was even more fun than usual and included Oliver, Paul and Dave Pearce all passing their microphones to the audience for the sing-along section!

The setlist was as follows:

Don't Come Running
At Home in the Mire
The Agent
In the Movies
Dangerous World
The Enchanter
Picture of a Lady
The Forgotten King
Busy Going No-where
Burgundy Rose
Mother's Ruin
Enlightenment
If you're Leaving
I Don't Believe Angels
Wall of Water
Encore
Walk Away

Don't forget, the band can be seen at the uncoming Fordham Festival on the 11th June!

21st June

Oliver is still writing up some details about the Starcastle show but we thought it was about time some links to reviews and photos were available from the website so here goes!

Photos
Michael's Starcastle Photos

Comments/Reviews
Seaoftranquility.org
progressiveears.com
Musicstreetjournal.com

Video footage
YouTube.com

24th May

The Oliver Wakeman band will be performing for the Classic Rock Society on the 9th June at the Herringthorpe in Rotherham.

For more details visit the concerts page.

30th March

The Classic Rock Society have put together an advert currently being used on RotherFM in Rotherham. The voice over is supplied by Rick wakeman and the advert features music by Oliver!

If you would like to hear the advert please click here to download the mp3 file. (about 1Mb)

20th March

Oliver and Paul will be performing a short half hour set in support of the Karnatika concert for the CRS this Saturday. Also supporting is Clive Nolan and his new project!

Tickets available from the CRS ticket office on 01709 702575 or from the Classic Rock Society website.

12th February

We are extremely proud to announce that Oliver has been selected as the keyboard player for 70's classic rock band 'Star Castle' for their upcoming headline appearance at the RosFest (Rites of Spring) festival in the United States on April 27th. This will be Oliver's first live appearance in the US.

Here is some information about Starcastle:

"Starcastle, one of the most respected American progressive rock bands, formed in the late 1960's in Champaign Illinois.

Starcastle released four records on CBS/Epic Records: Starcastle (1976), Fountains of Light (1976), Citadel (1977), and Real to Reel (1978). Together these records have sold more than a million copies. The middle two albums were produced by Queen/Cars/Darkness producer Roy Thomas Baker."

Starcastle toured extensively into the 80's, appearing with such artists as Aerosmith, Foreigner, Jethro Tull, Roxy Music, Ted Nugent, Rush, The Guess Who, Gentle Giant, Kansas, ELO, J. Geils, Styx, Peter Frampton, Hot Tuna, Blue Oyster Cult, Santana, Boston, Todd Rundgren.

The line up for the show is as follows:-

Drums: Steve Tassler
Guitar: Matt Stewart
Guitar: Steve Hagler
Guitar: Bruce Botts
Bass: Woody Lingle
Bass: John Jowitt
Keyboards: Oliver Wakeman
Lead Vocals: Al Lewis
Guest Vocalist: Annie Haslam

Present in spirit: Gary Strater

Mark Rubel (producer/bassist) will be a utility third bassman, I think one song will have all 3 guys playing bass.

Quote form Shaun Gordon from ProgRock records "This is going to be one heck of a show."

Oliver is extremely excited about playing with the band and is currently working hard learning the music. The new album 'Song of Times' is due out in March and sounds great!

Hope to see some of the US fans at the show!

8th February

The Oliver Wakeman band have two shows confirmed so far, the 9th June at the Herringthorpe in Rotherham. the band will also be appearing at the The Fordham Music Festival on Saturday 11th August.

For more details visit the concerts page.

7th February

'Enlightenment and Inspiration' the album Oliver wrote as part of a 3 CD box set a few years ago was deleted last year.

However the album is now being re-released by Blue Dot Music as a download album from iTunes on March 12th

We will have a direct link to iTunes from this site closer to the time, however in the meantime click here to have a look at the record companies website.