LESLIE MANDOKI & MANDOKI SOULMATES RELEASE NEW PROGRESSIVE ROCK VISUAL ALBUM 'UTOPIA FOR REALISTS' EXCLUSIVE ZOOM TV INTERVIEW WITH RAY SHASHO

 

LESLIE MANDOKI

Singer, Drummer, Record Producer, 

and Founder 

of MANDOKI SOULMATES

UTOPIA FOR REALISTS:

 MANDOKI SOULMATES: 

NEW PROGRESSIVE ROCK 

VISUAL ALBUM

EXCLUSIVE LIVE ZOOM TV INTERVIEW

Running together through a tunnel to escape Communism for freedom tends to make for life-long bonds. For Leslie Mandoki and Gábor Csupo these bonds have now come to fruition in ways that are the things of dreams. This is the story of the new world-wide, multi-format release on the Sony Inside Out label of Mandoki Soulmates “Utopia for Realists,” in which Leslie Mandoki’s culturally relevant, socially aware prog-rock, flavored with the virtuosity of jazz-rock, is tightly integrated with visionary concepts from world-famous animator Gábor Csupo for Mandoki’s magnum opus “Hungarian Pictures,” inspired by the music of Béla Bartók.

 In 1975, three Hungarians—Mandoki and Csupo, along with Leslie’s musician friend László Bencker—ran through that tunnel to freedom and new lives. Gábor Csupo founded the animation studio Klasky Csupo in Hollywood, producing era-defining shows such as The Simpsons, Rugrats and Duckman. At the refugee camp, Leslie Mandoki had the audacity to tell the resettlement officer that he come to the West to play music with Ian Anderson of Jethro Tull and Al Di Meola, world-renown jazz-fusion guitarist. Stunningly, both Anderson and Di Meola became founding members 30 years ago of the Mandoki Soulmates band.

 With his Soulmates, including over the years many of the brightest lights of progressive rock and jazz, Mandoki has created a sophisticated and mature new music, combining the intellectual and artistic essence of British prog-rock with the virtuosic brilliance of the New York jazz-rock and fusion scene. Mandoki and Csupo have now collaborated to create the extraordinary new release “Utopia for Realists” based on the Mandoki Soulmates concert marking the 30th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall.

Csupo’s brilliant idea was to merge high-end animations based on Bartók’s favorite Hungarian paintings with film scenes ofthe Carpathian lowlands, where the composer was inspired by traditional folk songs. The result is a wonderful visual reflection of the joyful music being created on stage and in the studio. This new and unique “Visual Album” brings these Hungarian Soulmates together again to create a thrilling and joyful holistic experience for the eyes, ears, and soul.

PURCHASE

MANDOKI

SOULMATES

UTOPIA FOR REALISTS

New Progressive Rock

 Visual Album

Entitled "Utopia for Realists", the BluRay “Hungarian Pictures” presents a completely new audio-visual work. It fuses the concert film of our epic Prog Rock suite “Hungarian Pictures”, which we performed to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall, with top-class animated paintings and atmospherically condensed shots of the Hungarian landscapes merged with film scenes of the recording sessions in the studio.

The package is completed by an audiophile CD with the original studio recordings of the Prog Rock suite. Available as a Limited CD/Blu-ray Media book, Gatefold 2LP + CD + LP-booklet, Standard CD Jewel case & as Digital Album. On ‘Utopia For Realists: Hungarian Pictures’, Leslie Mandoki plays together with Ian Anderson (Jethro Tull), Jack Bruce (Cream), Nick van Eede (Cutting Crew), Chris Thompson (Manfred Mann’s Earth Band), Bobby Kimball (Toto), David Clayton-Thomas (Blood, Sweat and Tears), John Helliwell (Supertramp), Al di Meola, Mike Stern, Randy Brecker, Till Brönner, Bill Evans, Cory Henry, Richard Bona, Tony Carey (Ritchie Blackmores Rainbow), Jesse Siebenberg (Supertramp), Steve Bailey, and Julia Mandoki. Mandoki Soulmates staged a global live stream event earlier this year which has achieved over half a million plays on Youtube and over 700.000 on Germany's leading TV channel ARD since its release. Watch it in full here: https://youtu.be/gDDpdhuC4Rg 

Available at

www.insideoutshop.de/Artist/Mandoki_Soulmates/22514

and amazon.com

NEW SINGLE "THE TORCH"

For more information about 

MANDOKI SOULMATES VISIT

www.mandoki-soulmates.com

official website

www.utopiaforrealists.mandoki-soulmates.com

new album website

www.facebook.com/mandoki.soulmates

facebook

www.instagram.com/themandokisoulmates

instagram

LESLIE MANDOKI

Discography

Back to Myself (Jupiter, 1982)

Children of Hope (Gong, 1986)

Strangers in a Paradise (Titan, 1988)

Drums and Percussion (Selected Sound, 1991)

Out of Key...with the Time (Electrola, 1992)

People in Room No. 8 (PolyGram, 1997)

Soulmates (Paroli, 2002)

Soulmates Classic (Sony, 2003)

Legends of Rock (Paroli, 2005)

Aquarelle (NEO, 2009)

BudaBest (Sony, 2013)

 

MANDOKI SOULMATES

 DISCOGRAPHY

Soulmates Paroli Records -2002               

Soulmates Classic Red-Rock Music, Sony Music -2003            

Legends of Rock Sony Music, Paroli Records  -2004      

Aquarelle album Sony Music -2009         

BudaBest Sony Music -2013              

Living In The Gap + Hungarian Pictures         Red Rock Production -2019                  

Utopia For Realists (Hungarian Pictures) Inside Out Music -2021

 

LESLIE MANDOKI

APPEARS WEEK OF

JANUARY 7TH 2022

on INTERVIEWING THE LEGENDS

with RAY SHASHO

STREAMING at

THE CLASSIC ROCK MUSIC REPORTER

(classicrockmusicwriter.com)

Classic Rock Here And Now

Music Tried And True

Facebook LIVE

YouTube

RAY’S BEST-SELLING BOOK

ENTITLED

THE ROCK STAR CHRONICLES

SERIES ONE

CHRONICLES, TRUTHS, CONFESSIONS AND WISDOM FROM THE MUSIC LEGENDS THAT SET US FREE

BY RAY SHASHO

 …Order yours today on (Collector edition) Hardcover  or E-book  at bookbaby.com and amazon.com

Featuring over 45 intimate conversations with some of the greatest rock legends the world will ever know.

CHRIS SQUIRE... DR. JOHN... GREG LAKE... HENRY MCCULLOUGH... JACK BRUCE … JOE LALA…  JOHNNY WINTER... KEITH EMERSON... PAUL KANTNER...  RAY THOMAS... RONNIE MONTROSE... TONY JOE WHITE... DAVID CLAYTON-THOMAS… MIKE LOVE... TOMMY ROE... BARRY HAY... CHRIS THOMPSON... JESSE COLIN YOUNG... JOHN KAY... JULIAN LENNON... MARK LINDSAY... MICKY DOLENZ… PETER RIVERA ...TOMMY JAMES… TODD RUNDGREN... DAVE MASON... EDGAR WINTER... FRANK MARINO... GREGG ROLIE... IAN ANDERSON... JIM “DANDY” MANGRUM... JON ANDERSON... LOU GRAMM... MICK BOX... RANDY BACHMAN… ROBIN TROWER...  ROGER FISHER... STEVE HACKETT... ANNIE HASLAM… ‘MELANIE’ SAFKA... PETULA CLARK... SUZI QUATRO... COLIN BLUNSTONE… DAVE DAVIES... JIM McCARTY... PETE BEST

THE ROCK STAR CHRONICLES

BOOK TRAILER

 

BOOK REVIEW

-By Literary Titan (5) STARS

The Rock Star Chronicles, by Ray Shasho, is a splendid book written by a music enthusiast who has poured their heart and soul into it. It’s a story of a boy who loved rock music, and his obsessive passion of it earned himself the name Rock Raymond. He went to school but instead was schooled in all matters of music while his peers were buried chin-deep in coursework. He then became a radio DJ and has now compiled a book on all interviews he held with Rock gods who raided the airwaves back in the 70s and 80s. It’s a compilation of interviews with outstanding vocalists, legendary guitarists and crazy drummers in the rock music scene. Each interview gives a reader an in-depth view into their personal lives and the philosophies that guide their lives which all serve to humanize these great icons. For readers who are old enough to call themselves baby boomers this book will bring old memories back to life. Millennials, on the other hand, may think of this book as a literal work of the Carpool Karaoke show. 

The Rock Star Chronicles is a book I didn’t know I was waiting for. To come across a book that will talk me into trying something new. One brave enough to incite me to venture into new frontiers. This book made me a believer- I am now a bona fide Rock and Roll music fan. 

Ray Shasho masterfully gets the interviewees talking. He smartly coaxes answers from them with crafty questions designed to get a story rolling out of them. The artists talk about diverse issues ranging from music, politics, and their social engagements. Having been on the music seen all his life, Ray Shasho knows the buttons to press, how to get them comfortable about talking about their lives. 

The book’s cover is befitting of its subject matter with the leather look offering a royal background to the golden letter print. It speaks to how high a level rock music holds in the pecking order- arguably, modern music as we know it has originated from blues and rock music.  The second noteworthy thing is the use of high-definition pictures to reference the musician being interviewed in every sub-chapter. This ensures that the book is for both original rock and roll lovers and aspiring new ones. Together is makes for a refreshing and consistently enjoyable read.

I recommend this book to rock music enthusiasts, aspiring musicians wondering what it takes and all readers curious to learn new things by going back in time.

https://literarytitan.com/2020/05/03/literary-titan-book-awards-may-2020/   Gold Award Winner

MORE BOOKS BY RAY SHASHO

CHRIS HILLMAN RELEASES NEW MEMOIR: 'TIME BETWEEN' MY LIFE AS A BYRD, BURRITO BROTHER, AND BEYOND: EXCLUSIVE ZOOM TV INTERVIEW WITH RAY SHASHO

 

 CHRIS HILLMAN

COUNTRY ROCK PIONEER

MEMBER OF

 THE BYRDS...

THE FLYING BURRITO BROTHERS...

 MANASSAS...SOUTHER-HILLMAN-FURY BAND...

McGUINN, CLARK & HILLMAN and

 THE DESERT ROSE BAND

New best-selling memoir

TIME BETWEEN

EXCLUSIVE ZOOM TV INTERVIEW

Chris Hillman’s autobiography, Time Between: My Life as a Byrd, Burrito Brother, and Beyond, was one of the most celebrated music memoirs of the past year. Publisher BMG Books will soon release it in a much-anticipated paperback version with a brand-new cover, while Penguin Random House will simultaneously release an audio version featuring newly recorded excerpts of 20 songs that have been part of the artist’s musical legacy over the years.

THE BYRDS

Hillman is a three-time ACM award-winner and inductee into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame as a founding member of The Byrds. As a co-founder of The Byrds and the Flying Burrito Brothers, Chris Hillman is arguably the primary architect of what’s come to be known as country rock. He went on to record and perform in various configurations, including as a member of Stephen Stills’ Manassas and as a co-founder of the Souther-Hillman-Furay Band. In the 1980s he formed the Desert Rose Band, scoring eight Top 10 Billboard country hits. He’s released a number of solo efforts, including 2017’s highly acclaimed Bidin’ My Time — the final album produced by the late Tom Petty. 

MANASSAS

In Time Between, Hillman shares his quintessentially Southern Californian experience, from an idyllic, rural 1950s childhood to achieving worldwide fame with hits such as “Mr. Tambourine Man,” “Turn! Turn! Turn!” and “Eight Miles High.” While the book features behind-the-scenes insights on his time in the Byrds, his productive but sometimes complicated relationship with Gram Parsons, his role in launching the careers of Buffalo Springfield and Emmylou Harris, and the ups and downs of life in various bands, music is only part of Hillman’s story.

In Time Between, he also reveals the details of his personal life with candor and vulnerability, speaking honestly about the shocking tragedy that struck his family when he was a teenager, his subsequent struggles with anger, and how his spiritual journey led him to a place of deep faith that allowed him to extend forgiveness and experience wholeness. As Time Between shows, Chris Hillman is much more than a rock star. He is a man who has faced down the challenges of life to discover what really matters.

Purchase

TIME 

BETWEEN

My Life as a Byrd,

 Burrito Brother, 

and

 Beyond

By CHRIS HILLMAN

Paperback and Audio 

on sale October 19, 2021

Chris was a true innovator — the man who invented country rock. Every time the Eagles board their private jet Chris at least paid for the fuel.” —Tom Petty

“Hillman is a bona fide pioneering godfather to generations of musical souls who sought inspiration at that divine crossroads where rock & roll, country, bluegrass, folk, honky tonk, and gospel music intersect and harmonize. He’s a national treasure.” —Marty Stuart

“This book brought back a lot of great memories: the humorous origins of The Byrds and subsequent adventures.”—Roger McGuinn

“Chris Hillman [is] the unvarnished gem of every band he has inhabited. It’s time to applaud his legacy.” —Bernie Taupin

As a cofounder of The Byrds and The Flying Burrito Brothers, Chris Hillman is arguably the primary architect of what’s come to be known as country rock. He went on to record and perform in various configurations, including as a member of Stephen Stills’ Manassas and as a cofounder of The Souther-Hillman-Furay Band. In the 1980s he formed The Desert Rose Band, scoring eight Top 10 Billboard country hits. He’s released a number of solo efforts, including 2017’s highly acclaimed Bidin’ My Time - the final album produced by the late Tom Petty. 

In Time Between, Hillman shares his quintessentially Southern Californian experience, from an idyllic, rural 1950s childhood; to achieving worldwide fame thanks to hits such as “Mr. Tambourine Man”, “Turn! Turn! Turn!”, and “Eight Miles High”; to becoming the first musician to move to Laurel Canyon.

Featuring behind-the-scenes insights on his time in The Byrds, his productive but sometimes complicated relationship with Gram Parsons, his role in launching the careers of Buffalo Springfield and Emmylou Harris, and the ups and downs of life in various bands, music is only part of his story. Within Time Between, Hillman reveals the details of his personal life with candor and vulnerability, speaking honestly about the shocking tragedy that struck his family when he was a teenager, his subsequent struggles with anger, and how his spiritual journey led him to a place of deep faith that allowed him to extend forgiveness and experience wholeness.

As Time Between shows, Chris Hillman is much more than a rock star. He is truly a founding father of American music and a man who has faced down the challenges of life to discover what really matters.

Available at Amazon.com

For more information

 about

CHRIS

 HILLMAN

Visit

www.chrishillman.com

official website

www.facebook.com/ChrisHillmanMusic

facebook

www.instagram.com/chrishillmantimebetween

Instagram

CHRIS HILLMAN DISCOGRAPHY

As a member of the Byrds

1964: Pre-Flyte Sessions (Together) first released in 1969

1965: Mr. Tambourine Man (Columbia)

1965: Turn! Turn! Turn! (Columbia)

1966: Fifth Dimension (Columbia)

1967: Younger Than Yesterday (Columbia)

1967: The Byrds' Greatest Hits (Columbia) - US: Platinum[7]

1968: The Notorious Byrd Brothers (Columbia)

1968: Sweetheart of the Rodeo (Columbia)

1973: Byrds (Asylum)

 

As a member of the Flying Burrito Brothers

1969: The Gilded Palace of Sin (A&M)

1970: Burrito Deluxe (A&M)

1971: The Flying Burrito Brothers (A&M)

1972: Last of the Red Hot Burritos (A&M)

1974: Close Up the Honky Tonks (A&M)

1974: Honky Tonk Heaven (Ariola)

1976: Sleepless Nights (A&M)

1988: Farther Along (A&M)

1987: Dim Lights, Thick Smoke, and Loud, Loud Music (Edsel)

1996: Out of the Blue (A&M)

As a member of Manassas

1972: Manassas (Atlantic) - US:Gold

1973: Down the Road (Atlantic)

Compilations

2009: Pieces (Rhino) alternate takes and outtakes

 

As a member of the Souther–Hillman–Furay Band

1974: The Souther Hillman Furay Band (Asylum) - US: Gold

1975: Trouble in Paradise (Asylum)

 

As a member of McGuinn, Clark & Hillman

Albums

1979: McGuinn, Clark & Hillman (Capitol)

1980: City (Capitol)

1977: Three Byrds Land in London (Windsong / Strange Fruit) BBC live recordings

Compilations

1992: Return Flight I (Edsel)

1993: Return Flight II (Edsel)

2007; The Capitol Collection (Capitol)

With Roger McGuinn

1980: McGuinn / Hillman (Capitol)

With Down Home Praise

1983: Down Home Praise (Maranatha! Music)

With Ever Call Ready

1985: Ever Call Ready (Maranatha!) with Al Perkins, Bernie Leadon, David Mansfield, and Jerry Scheff

As a member of the Desert Rose Band

Albums

1987: The Desert Rose Band (Curb / MCA)

1988: Running (Curb / MCA)

1990: Pages of Life (Curb / MCA)

1991: True Love (Curb / MCA)

1993: Life Goes On (Curb)

Compilations

1991: A Dozen Roses – Greatest Hits (MCA)

1992: Traditional (Curb/MCA)[citation needed]

With Herb Pedersen

1996: Bakersfield Bound (Sugar Hill)

2003: Way Out West (Back Porch)

2010: At Edwards Barn (Rounder)

With Larry Rice, Tony Rice, and Herb Pedersen

1997: Out of the Woodwork (Rounder)

1999: Rice, Rice, Hillman & Pedersen (Rounder)

2001: Running Wild (Rounder) 

CHRIS HILLMAN SOLO

Slippin' Away  

Release date: 1976

Clear Sailin'     

Release date: 1977

Morning Sky         

Release date: 1982

Desert Rose     

Release date: 1984

Like a Hurricane      

Release date: 1998

The Other Side

Release date: June 21, 2005

Bidin’ My Time        

Release date: September 22, 2017

 

CHRIS HILLMAN

CONCERT DATES

Tue, NOV 2

Manship Theatre

Baton Rouge, LA

Fri, NOV 5

Texan Theater | Greenville

Greenville, TX

Sat, NOV 6

Cultural Activities Center

Temple, TX

Thu, MAR 10, 2022

Ponte Vedra Concert Hall

Ponte Vedra, FL

Sat, MAR 12, 2022

Opening Nights at Florida State University

Tallahassee, FL

Fri, MAR 18, 2022

Lyric Theatre

Stuart, FL

Tue, APR 5, 2022

Birchmere

Alexandria, VA

Fri, APR 8, 2022

City Winery-NYC

New York City, NY

Sun, APR 10, 2022

Monmouth University

West Long Branch, NJ

Wed, APR 13, 2022

The Egg

Albany, NY

Fri, APR 15, 2022

City Winery Philadelphia

Philadelphia, PA

Thu, MAY 19, 2022

Stoughton Opera House

Stoughton, WI

Sat, MAY 21, 2022

Woodstock Opera House

Woodstock, IL

Mon, MAY 23, 2022

City Winery

Chicago, IL

Thu, MAY 26, 2022

Memorial Hall OTR

 

 

CHRIS HILLMAN

APPEARS WEEK OF

NOVEMBER 16TH 2021

on INTERVIEWING THE LEGENDS

with RAY SHASHO

STREAMING at

THE CLASSIC ROCK MUSIC REPORTER

(classicrockmusicwriter.com)

Classic Rock Here And Now

Music Tried And True

Facebook LIVE

YouTube

RAY’S BEST-SELLING BOOK

THE ROCK STAR CHRONICLES

CHRONICLES, TRUTHS, CONFESSIONS AND WISDOM FROM THE MUSIC LEGENDS THAT SET US FREE

SERIES ONE 

BY RAY SHASHO

…Order yours today on (Collector edition) Hardcover or E-book at bookbaby.com and amazon.com

Featuring over 45 intimate conversations with some of

the greatest rock legends the world will ever know.

CHRIS SQUIRE... DR. JOHN... GREG LAKE... HENRY MCCULLOUGH... JACK BRUCE … JOE LALA…  JOHNNY WINTER... KEITH EMERSON... PAUL KANTNER...  RAY THOMAS... RONNIE MONTROSE... TONY JOE WHITE... DAVID CLAYTON-THOMAS… MIKE LOVE... TOMMY ROE... BARRY HAY... CHRIS THOMPSON... JESSE COLIN YOUNG... JOHN KAY... JULIAN LENNON... MARK LINDSAY... MICKY DOLENZ… PETER RIVERA ...TOMMY JAMES… TODD RUNDGREN... DAVE MASON... EDGAR WINTER... FRANK MARINO... GREGG ROLIE... IAN ANDERSON... JIM “DANDY” MANGRUM... JON ANDERSON... LOU GRAMM... MICK BOX... RANDY BACHMAN… ROBIN TROWER...  ROGER FISHER... STEVE HACKETT... ANNIE HASLAM… ‘MELANIE’ SAFKA... PETULA CLARK... SUZI QUATRO... COLIN BLUNSTONE… DAVE DAVIES... JIM McCARTY... PETE BEST

 

THE ROCK STAR CHRONICLES

BOOK TRAILER

BOOK REVIEW

-By Literary Titan (5) STARS

 

The Rock Star Chronicles, by Ray Shasho, is a splendid book written by a music enthusiast who has poured their heart and soul into it. It’s a story of a boy who loved rock music, and his obsessive passion of it earned himself the name Rock Raymond. He went to school but instead was schooled in all matters of music while his peers were buried chin-deep in coursework. He then became a radio DJ and has now compiled a book on all interviews he held with Rock gods who raided the airwaves back in the 70s and 80s. It’s a compilation of interviews with outstanding vocalists, legendary guitarists and crazy drummers in the rock music scene. Each interview gives a reader an in-depth view into their personal lives and the philosophies that guide their lives which all serve to humanize these great icons. For readers who are old enough to call themselves baby boomers this book will bring old memories back to life. Millennials, on the other hand, may think of this book as a literal work of the Carpool Karaoke show.

 The Rock Star Chronicles is a book I didn’t know I was waiting for. To come across a book that will talk me into trying something new. One brave enough to incite me to venture into new frontiers. This book made me a believer- I am now a bona fide Rock and Roll music fan. 

Ray Shasho masterfully gets the interviewees talking. He smartly coaxes answers from them with crafty questions designed to get a story rolling out of them. The artists talk about diverse issues ranging from music, politics, and their social engagements. Having been on the music seen all his life, Ray Shasho knows the buttons to press, how to get them comfortable about talking about their lives. 

The book’s cover is befitting of its subject matter with the leather look offering a royal background to the golden letter print. It speaks to how high a level rock music holds in the pecking order- arguably, modern music as we know it has originated from blues and rock music.  The second noteworthy thing is the use of high-definition pictures to reference the musician being interviewed in every sub-chapter. This ensures that the book is for both original rock and roll lovers and aspiring new ones. Together is makes for a refreshing and consistently enjoyable read.

I recommend this book to rock music enthusiasts, aspiring musicians wondering what it takes and all readers curious to learn new things by going back in time.

https://literarytitan.com/2020/05/03/literary-titan-book-awards-may-2020/   Gold Award Winner

MORE BOOKS BY RAY SHASHO