PR blurb:
24th April 2018: From Wishbone Ash to John Lennons iconic Imagine Album to the creation of a brand new musical genre, Rolling Stones Top 20 Guitarist, Ted Turner, and his wife and musical partner, Majella, launch their first artistic collaboration, the Better Together album, prompting their international fan base to welcome their creation as the birth of a new musical genre: New Age Soul.
Released via Cherry Red, this playbook of 12 original songs is inspired by their thirteen-year journey as first friends, then lovers, and, more recently, husband and wife collaborators, Better Together is a hauntingly lyrical, soul-touching testament to their journey from getting to know one another to discovering their true selves through music, which, they say, has been the glue that brought and has held them together throughout.
A promo video for the title track can be seen here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k5Wuse-HexM
Explains Majella, Each song is a celebration of our unique chemistry, our spiritual beliefs, our love for humanity and for nature, and most of all our life calling together. From the eponymous first song, Better Together, which describes our first encounter, when we both instinctively felt a synchronicity about our meeting to Karmony, which was inspired by the legacy of John Lennon who was living his life purpose when, through imagining and promoting collective consciousness, directly changed the world, to my personal favourite, If You Believe, which is about being authentic and walking your talk, every song on the album is to acknowledge and remind people of the unquestionable truth of who we are, why we are here, and that there is something bigger than all of us.
Adds Turner, After extensive touring, I left Wishbone in 1974 to pursue a personal pilgrimage. Whilst traveling, I was drawn to the comprehensive works of Buckminster Fuller, becoming involved in the World Man Band (alongside Michael Mitchell) – an initiative designed to raise global consciousness through rock music. My journey since then has taught me that we are not separate; everything has a relationship. We are nature. Systems only exist through collaboration, otherwise there is no life. The power that we have is to love and be kind to one another, to nature, to our animal friends, and to the planet. Success for all is not complicated when were serving everyone. My union with Majella began as a friendship which, some ten years later, developed into a marriage. Although aware of each others drive for creating music, neither of us could have imagined the synergy to be found through collaboration. To understand what is core to our music, look no further than the track If You Believe – we live, and we learn, through love. Our music comes from the heart and the depths of our soul. For us, Better Together is not just a beautiful testament to our love; its a reminder that the heart connection is where we overcome our greatest obstacles, and live the fullest expression of who we really are.
Ted Turner and Majella are acutely aware that the planet is hurting and, together, are using their musical platform to raise awareness of this crisis, and, as vegans, to support a world based on compassion instead of cruelty.
To experience Ted Turner and Majellas music or for more information please visit www.tedturnerandmajella.com
moseleymoles says
As this is blurb rather than a review Colin I feel empowered to say that all this looks like some brilliant mash-up between Private Eye’s Celeb (particularly Gary’s wife), Legz Akimbo and Spinal Tap. I particularly like the photos on their website of them looking through trees (those crazy vegans), Majella (top top name) praying while looking at some new agey cards scattered on the floor, and the two holding feathers (no birds were plucked in the making of this photoshoot). From her history I also like:
During this time, Majella wrote, directed and performed in a series of popular and original musical plays, which explored the gritty reality of the community in which she lived.
I think it’s the phrase ‘wrote, directed and performed’ that’s key here.
I like to think that Ted saw her raw potential in one of these popular and original musical plays on a wet Wednesday night at Scunthorpe Civic. Hopefully their work can lead to a better planet for us all.
Keef says
Why is this tripe deemed worthy of a plug on this site?
Unless it really is an elaborate pisstake the point of which I am sadly missing?
Colin H says
I’m just the messenger! It’s not a review – I’ve simply posted the PR blurb that arrived in my email account because Ted was a member of an early 70s classic rock act liked by several on the AW and has kept a very low profile since. I’ve simply given people a heads up to something he’s doing now (having presumably thought about it for the past 40-odd years). It may be a load of old codswallop – I haven’t had time to explore the links. And may not bother given the negative vibes!
Hopefully Bargepole will do one of his reviews on it – and then we can get REALLY angry…
Bargepole says
Ha 😉 I got this press release too, but decided to let it go past outside the off stump, as it were !
The unboxing video over on your thread for the 30 cd box is far more enjoyable I suspect.
Colin H says
The unboxing video is like the Two Ronnies’ old buffers in a pub – without the humour.
Moose the Mooche says
The planet is hurting…? Oy vey…
Moose the Mooche says
The planet is hurting. The sky is crying. The earth is broken. Bela Lugosi is dead.
Martin Hairnet says
The pound is sinking. The peso’s falling. He’s got David Davis eyes.
dai says
Blimey. That press release is just wonderfully bad.
Colin H says
There’s a 15 CD UK Subs box set I’ve just heard about – but I fear posting the details now!
Martin Hairnet says
Bold claims about higher states of being, but insufficient self-awareness to reject a press release so inflated with hubris, I’m surprised it didn’t burst on a saguaro.
Perhaps none of this would matter if there was great music on offer. I checked out the website and listened to a few music samples. Sounds like 80s MOR, with some very woolly words indeed.
I am a cynical bastard. I do admire people who see the positive in things and who are pro-active and go for it, even if I struggle to follow that path myself. I am happy that these folks appear so completely in love. But sometimes there’s a fine line between unstinting positivity and arrogance. The press release reads as if centuries of art has never addressed the issues at hand. Sorry to say, but the whole concept comes across like a Poundland Two Virgins.*
New Mexico has been awash with ‘new age soul’ for decades. I recommend the work of Georg Deuter if anyone is interested.
*Majella and Ted’s Bogus Adventure
Colin H says
Sounds like the album’s Ted In The Water…
attackdog says
‘S’not fair. Life is not fair.
Having read that press release I realise I have wasted my life.
Bastards.
Neil Jung says
After 44 years, this is what he’s come up with? Makes me feel I didn’t waste my life in IT after all.
Chrisf says
Hasn’t he been busy running CNN and being married to Jane Fonda ? Doing all those workouts must keep one fairly occupied.
SteveT says
With a blurb like that doubt they will sell any albums.
What a pile of shite.
Moose the Mooche says
The key word in it is either “spiritual” or “glue”.
GCU Grey Area says
Ted and Majella. Dick (Strawbridge) and Angel Adoree springs to mind.
Martin Hairnet says
Very keenly observed GCU, although I don’t think the vegan diet would go down too well at the chateau.
Martin Hairnet says
The video for the new single is worth a watch. It’s John and Yoko all over again (but without the hits), selling their ‘unique chemistry.’ I must say though, Ted is looking good on his vegan diet.
Sniffity says
Looks like it was shot in one afternoon out on some country road just off the main highway. Nothing wrong with that, I suppose, but I have to ask: what is it with creative types and the desert? There seems to be no shortage of your would-be (as well as genuine) artistes who have an affinity for desert environments.
They are hot, dry, dusty, with a zillion flies and whatever else crawling about…and wait till I describe the deserts! But seriously, folks, what’s the appeal?
(Nice car they’re driving, though)
attackdog says
I blame U2. Joshua Tree.
Moose the Mooche says
I blame Sonny Rollins. Way Out West.
attackdog says
No Moose, That will not do.
Sonny is just stood there scratching his arse.
Whereas Ted and his tart are seen together in an embrace which transcends comment, is ethereal, is, err, trans dentally
attackdog says
Fuck it. Edith, really. I give up,
Moose the Mooche says
Also, on closer inspection, Sonny isn’t in the desert – he’s on the beach at Mablethorpe. (Heavily vandalised concrete toilet block just off-camera)
attackdog says
What has Edith done? I was cut off half wa
Martin Hairnet says
I guess deserts are a bit like the seashore, the visible horizon, the view into the infinite distance, the symbolism.
In the US, I think deserts are places where many folks seek to establish alternative lifestyles because of the abundant solar energy. The earthship communities of Arizona and New Mexico are fascinating places.
Moose the Mooche says
They are also where you go to take drugs… and bury people.
Mike_H says
Not necessarily in that order.
Twang says
I gave it a listen on Spotify and I can report it’s pretty bland fare, much as I love TT with the Ash. **Hums “The king will come”**
Vulpes Vulpes says
Bless. It’s a hard life spreading all that bliss and lovey dovey new agey whimsy shit. Even from the harsh and unforgiving environment of the west coast of AmeriKKKa. Turn that crystal over, light another joss stick, peel another prawn, er, sorry, avocado, and pour another glass of ice cold soy milk frappacino, FFS. Throw the yarrow stalks again. Quickly! There might be an omen imminent. Open your third eye and adopt the lotus position. Align those chakras!
Is it possible to get any blander? FFS. Where is robc? He would know for sure if this reaches maximum organoblandivity, or if there is the possibility of a smidgen more to be achieved on the anodyne innocuousity scale.
*vomits*
Moose the Mooche says
I suspect this would go the way of the tardigrade.
Mike_H says
You mean a high-pressure hose and a stiff broom will get them off “the path”?
Moose the Mooche says
Keep Karm’ and Hari Om.
Twang says
I assume you mean _/\_ ?
Moose the Mooche says
A footnote: I’m listening to Wishbone Ash for the first time in my life. I inherited a sleeveless, STF copy of the first album a couple of years ago and have finally dared to put it on.
Apart from the sound of the deep-fat fryer, I’m finding Ted and the boys rather agreeable.
Colin H says
That’s the spirit. Here’s Ted and the boys with a first-album track on OGWT…
Moose the Mooche says
Ooh heck. Better heard than seen…
PS. Why were TV floor managers so keen on putting the drummer at the front during this period? Drummers are normally at the back for a reason…
Mike_H says
I recall Nicko McBrain of ver Maiden griping about a gig they performed quite a long while back which was being filmed for video release.
After the gig was over, the rest of the band and some of the crew disappeared to an after-party somewhere to eat, drink and do what rock stars do at after-parties.
Nicko, a couple of sound guys, a few roadies and some of the film crew remained to re-shoot him playing along to various bits of various numbers from the set. Because, with him playing at the back all night, they were unable to get enough good footage of him at the time without disrupting the gig and their management didn’t want the expense of paying for the crew and venue for a second session.
By the time he got to the party, the rider was all gone and it was winding down. Not a happy Nicko.
Of course now they’d use remote cameras on booms etc. to shoot as the gig was played. No such technology back then.
Martin Hairnet says
All this Ted Turner talk sent me to the official Wishbone Ash website, where I discovered that you know who played guitar on Lennon’s ‘Crippled Inside’.
Simultaneously, I was listening to a live version of Blowin’ Free from ’73.
Good work @Colin-h
Beezer says
Can I say I preferred Laurie Wisefield?
Yes. I can.