“Citizen: In The Next Life” is Billy Sherwood’s second release in the Citizen series, which follows the concept that he started with the “Citizen” album released in November 2015. The songs describe the individual experiences in a journey through time and space of a character, “The Citizen” through his own eyes: from an appearance in the Berlin bunker as Adolf Hitler in the final days of WWII to the Impressionist painter Monet, then as Stephen Hawking exploring the depths of the mind and the universe, Wyatt Earp, the legendary sheriff of Tombstone, Christopher Columbus, Romeo Montecchi and Mata Hari, among other real and fictitious characters.
On first single "The Partisan" and other songs on the album, Sherwood says, "the song is about Adolf Hitler and follows his rise to power and eventual fall. "Sophia" is about the first ever A.I. to be formally recognized and declared a citizen of a nation, Saudi Arabia. The song explores the notion that perhaps this isn't such a great idea and "just because we can does not mean that we should". "Monet" finds the citizen as the famous impressionist painter and expresses the beauty within the paintings themselves, "painting for all our eyes". "We Shall Ride Again" has the citizen as the famous lawman Wyatt Earp as he takes care of business, along with his brothers Virgil, Morgan and comrade Doc Holiday. "By Design" is a song where the soul of the main character is Romeo, expressing his love for his Juliet. "Mata Hari" is about the infamous spy who used her seductive ways to get vital information to the governments she worked for. The double agent would eventually find herself in front of a firing squad after being found out.”
For the first album in the Citizen series, Billy amassed an impressive list of guests, including the last recorded performance of original YES bass player Chris Squire, this time he wanted and managed to work on the concept on his own. The result is another splendid ride in human history, with an exceptional storyteller like Billy who is bringing us on a fascinating musical ride through the centuries. The album also includes an impersonation of the character “The Citizen” as Chris Squire. "Amazing Grace" is a famous bass solo that Chris used to do on stage and so it seemed a fitting tribute to him.
"I'm looking forward to this record coming out and having people take these jumps through time. The citizen is your guide and there are many interesting places this lost soul appears. I think of it as a sort of movie for your ears. I recommend a good set of headphones and let the stories take you on a journey," continues Sherwood.
Billy Sherwood is a current member of YES, handpicked by original founding member Chris Squire, before his untimely death in June 2015, to fill in for him. Billy was also asked by legendary progressive icon John Wetton to replace him in ASIA. Billy started his career in the band Lodgic and then World Trade, with whom he released two albums. He joined YES for the first time as touring member on the “Talk” tour in 1994, before becoming a full time member from 1997 to 1999. He also recorded two albums with Chris Squire on the “Conspiracy” project and released six albums with CIRCA, the band he formed with another former YES member, Tony Kaye.
Tracklist:
1. The Partisan
2. Sophia
3. Monet
4. Skywriter
5. We Shall Ride Again
6. Via Hawking
7. By Design
8. Sailing The Seas
9. Mata Hari
10. Hold Quite
Line-up:
Billy Sherwood: Lead & Backing Vocals / Guitars / Drums
Progster Billy Sherwood has a decades long resume longer as a producer than a recording artist, but on this self-penned new concept album, he well and truly takes center stage.
As the current bass player in Yes (handpicked by original founding member Chris Squire before his untimely death), he is obviously operating in an environment favorable to experimentation and complex musicianship.
Not to mention calling up a long list of high profile friends such as Chris Squire (his final bass performance), Tony Kaye, Steve Hackett, Geoff Downes, Colin Moulding, Steve Morse, Jerry Goodman, Alan Parsons, Rick Wakeman, Patrick Moraz, Jon Davison, Jordan Rudess and John Wesley.
Despite all the guests, Billy is front and center for most of this album, taking over all instrumental duties several times. He also handles vocals on all but three tracks.
This is a very specific album. It has headline appeal to progressive/synth pop fans, but only byline appeal to others. The premise is just as complex as the music – the songs describe “the individual experiences through his own eyes: a conscript legionnaire in the Roman Army at the end of the Empire. A trench runner in WW1. A friend to Galileo, as he discovers the Earth is not flat. A distraught Wall Street man stepping out onto the ledge... a casualty of the great depression. Assistant to Charles Darwin as he discovers his Theory. A member of the tribe during the trail of tears. Reborn as Nostradamus... written in the Centuries.”
Interesting.
When the opening track is an orchestrated 6 minute mostly instrumental number, you know immediately what kind of record is happening here.
There are some almost AOR moments such as the catchy Man & The Machine; the Colin Moulding sung Just Galileo And Me; A Theory All Its Own has a certain Neal Schon solo guitar feel to it and Yes’ Jon Davison sings the faster moving closing track Written In The Centuries. In around those tracks it’s pretty slow going and definitely not for anyone with ADD. 70 minutes of mostly slow moving, long panoramic songs in the vein of Peter Gabriel and Marillion, with hints of Yes and Alan Parsons Project.
I’m convinced the album has been remixed before getting pressed, as my original promo audio was a sonic mess. I’m pleased to say this sounds a lot better and while it is still somewhat treble-heavy, it suits the ambience of the material.
Not a record for the majority I would think, but for the prog fans out there (of which there are many), this album certainly is creative and intelligent enough to warrant thorough investigation.
London, UK - Prog icon BILLY SHERWOOD, best known for his work with YES and CIRCA:, has now released his studio album DIVIDED BY ONE and a compilation called COLLECTION both OUT NOW!
These two CDs are available through all mainstream retailers and digital platforms (Amazon and iTunes etc) or alternatively there is a special offer including a signed postcard ONLY available directly from www.billysherwoodcollection.com
Says Billy, “I'm very excited to finally have 'Divided By One', my 7th solo release come out on CD. I'm proud of the record and look forward to getting it out there, I had many requests to release it on CD as it was only for download till now.”
BILLY SHERWOOD is the current bass player in the band YES is touring with the band throughout 2015. Billy Sherwood was a key part of the line-ups which created the YES albums OPEN YOUR EYES and THE LADDER. He recently mixed the band's HEAVEN AND EARTH album and 2 subsequent DVDs.
DIVIDED BY ONE is Sherwood's seventh solo album and this edition through Cherry Red is its first release on CD. This CD release will be eagerly greeted by YES fans especially in light on Sherwood's recent return to the band in mid-2015.
Tracks include:
1. On Impact
2. The Scene Comes Alive
3. No Stone Unturned
4. Between Us
5. Divided By One
6. Sequence Of Events
7. Sphere Of Influence
8. Here For You
9. Constellation Codex
10. End Of An Era
COLLECTION is the ideal introduction to Billy Sherwood's solo career and includes TWO EXCLUSIVE TRACKS. This edition through Cherry Red is its first release on CD.
Says Billy, “I'm happy to announce the release of 'Collection', it's made up of tracks from each of my previous solo records. In addition to that there are 2 bonus tracks, one is a new yet unreleased solo track and the other is a cover I did of Sting's song 'I Hung My Head'”
Tracks include:
1. Drone Decipher
2. Seeing Through The Walls
3. Call
4. On Impact
5. Dying Breed
6. The Recurring Dream
7. What Was The Question?
8. I Hung My Head*
9. Dark To Light*
(* Previously unreleased)
BILLY SHERWOOD'S NEW SINGLE, 'JUST GALILEO AND ME' FEATURES XTC's COLIN MOULDING
Frontiers Music Srl has released the single, 'Just Galileo And Me' from Billy Sherwood's upcoming concept album, CITIZEN. Release date of the album is November 6th. The song features XTC's Colin Moulding on lead vocals.
"Just Galileo And Me" is about Galileo's friend and confidante trying to convince the scientist to keep his theory that 'the earth is not flat', which is also the song's hook, to himself for fear he'll be labeled a heretic.The friend does acknowledge the scientist's conviction, and the lyrics show how he knew that 'eventually they would see.'
CITIZEN will be in stores and online November 6th. Billy Sherwood created this concept album based on a lost soul that is reincarnated into various periods of history. Each song places the Citizen into a unique set of circumstances where decisions are made that have serious personal and global consequences.
Billy Sherwood was recently handpicked by Chris Squire to fill in for him on bass and vocals in Yes, before he left for cancer treatment and ultimately, his untimely death. Billy started his career in the band Lodgic and then as a member of World Trade, who have two critically-acclaimed albums. He has produced and engineered for many artists including John Wetton, Motorhead, Queensryche, Paul Rodgers, and Yes. He joined Yes first as touring member on the 'Talk' tour in 1994, and was a full time member from 1997 to 1999. He recorded two albums with Chris Squire as the 'Conspiracy' project and released six albums with Circa, the band he formed with Tony Kaye.
CITIZEN is Billy's eighth album of new material, though he sees this as a group effort, "While I've created a lot of this record myself I couldn't have done it without the amazing talents brought to bear by all the great artists who participated. So I feel it's much more of a collective effort than a solo album. It's my desire to take this production onto the stage and some of these amazing artists can help bring this concept to life.'
Singer/songwriter/bassist/multi-instrumentalist releasing music video exactly one month in advance of upcoming album, CITIZEN
Billy Sherwood has unveiled the first single and music video, 'No Man's Land,' from his album, CITIZEN via Frontiers Music Srl's Facebook page as well as his own. It can be viewed at this link: https://youtu.be/bp4hLAonqUo. The video and the song, which features Deep Purple/Dixie Dregs/Kansas guitarist Steve Morse are about a World War I runner, someone who runs from trench to trench where his fellow soldiers are fighting, to pass messages from their leaders'the generals who are giving orders from behind friendly lines.
In 'No Man's Land,' the Runner sees his buddies die, and, as the video progresses, seems to be walking more and more in a daze. Billy says, 'You get the idea that he's the only guy who walked away from the battle.'
Billy used three distinct sources for footage in 'No Man's Land': 1) archival footage from World War I, 2) a cameraman taping him up-close and facing front in a brightly-lit room, 3) modern day footage of a tall and powerful looking young man being the runner. 'That is David Hussey,' explains Billy. 'He's in the prog band XNA which I produced/recorded. We shot the footage in the desert behind my house.'
The video is directed by Devin DeHaven, and it reflects on war'the losses, pain, and darkness.
'No Man's Land' appears on Billy's upcoming album, CITIZEN, which is being released on November 6, 2015 by Frontiers Music Srl. All digital pre-orders of CITIZEN include an instant download of 'No Man's Land." Here are the pre-order links.:
Amazon: http://radi.al/BillySherwoodAmazon
iTunes: http://radi.al/BillySherwoodiTunes
Billy Sherwood created CITIZEN, a concept album based on a lost soul that is reincarnated into various periods of history. "I was inspired by the notion that General Patton believed he was reincarnated on various battlefields through time; I wanted to take that concept even further." As the songwriter/producer, Billy placed the citizen character into significant moments of history.
A who's who of the prog world appears on the album:
* Guitarists Steve Morse and Genesis' Steve Hackett contribute some amazing fret work.
* Both Alan Parsons and XTC's Colin Moulding sing on the CITIZEN album.
* Keyboardist Jordan Rudess (Dream Theater) and violinist Jerry Goodman (the Flock, Dixie Dregs, Mahavishnu Orchestra) are also on the album.
* Billy's Yes friends: all these keyboardists: Tony Kaye, Geoff Downes, Rick Wakeman and Patrick Moraz, plus current singer Jon Davison, and Billy's mentor the late Chris Squire.
Chris Squire handpicked Billy to fill in for him on bass and vocals in Yes, before he left for cancer treatment and ultimately, his recent passing. Billy started his career in the band Lodgic and then as a member of World Trade, who have two critically-acclaimed albums. He has produced and engineered for many artists including John Wetton, Motorhead, Queensryche, Paul Rodgers, and Yes. He joined Yes first as touring member on the 'Talk' tour in 1994, and was a full time member from 1997 to 1999. He recorded two albums with Chris Squire as the 'Conspiracy' project and released six albums with Circa, the band he formed with Tony Kaye.
CITIZEN is Billy's eighth album of new material, though he sees this as a group effort, "While I've created a lot of this record myself I couldn't have done it without the amazing talents brought to bear by all the great artists who participated. So I feel it's much more of a collective effort than a solo album. It's my desire to take this production onto the stage and some of these amazing artists can help bring this concept to life.'
NEW YES BASS PLAYER BILLY SHERWOOD TO RELEASE A CONCEPT ALBUM “CITIZEN”
FEATURING THE CREAM OF THE PROG ROCK SCENE
OUT ON FRONTIERS IN NOVEMBER
On November 6, 2015, Frontiers Music Srl will release Billy Sherwood's latest, a concept album called CITIZEN.
Billy Sherwood created this concept album based on a lost soul that is reincarnated into various periods of history. "I was inspired by the notion that General Patton believed he was reincarnated on various battlefields through time; I wanted to take that concept even further." As the songwriter/producer, Billy placed the citizen character into significant moments of history.
The lead off track is called “The Citizen" which sets the stage for what's to come on the recording. “The Citizen” features Billy's longtime friends and members of the legendary Progressive Rock band Yes: bassist Chris Squire and former Yes keyboardist Tony Kaye.
Each song places the Citizen into a unique set of circumstances where decisions are made that have serious personal and global consequences. In the song “No Man's Land" (featuring Deep Purple/Dixie Dregs/Kansas guitarist Steve Morse) the Citizen appears as a World War I trench runner who passes the message along to the troops that it's time to attack; the Citizen remains behind and is, ultimately, the only survivor. “Empire" (with lead vocals by Alan Parsons & violin from Jerry Goodman of the Flock, Dixie Dregs, Mahavishnu Orchestra) finds the Citizen as a conscript legionnaire in the final days of the Roman Empire. “Just Galileo and Me" (sung by Colin Moulding singer/bassist of XTC) shows the Citizen as a protective friend to Galileo, trying to tell the astronomer that he should not tell people that the earth is not flat or he will be labeled as a heretic.
Known as a multi-instrumentalist, Billy performs drums, bass, guitar, keys and sings several of the songs, including “A Theory of its Own” in which the Citizen appears as companion to Charles Darwin on the evolutionist’s maiden voyage. He sings of Native Americans affected by the Indian Removal Act of 1830 in the song, “Trail of Tears,” which features Patrick Moraz on keyboards. Former Genesis guitar player Steve Hackett adds his chops to “Man And The Machine,” which is about an assembly line worker and activist in the late 1890s. "Age Of The Atom” is about the creation of the Atomic Bomb and the questions of morality as a result of it; this features Geoff Downes on keyboards. Dream Theater keyboardist Jordan Rudess appears on “Escape Velocity,” a song that speaks to the political implications of the space race in the 1960s.
In “The Great Depression,” Billy's songwriter’s pen draws pain from the heart of a distraught Wall Street investor, who has lost everything in the stock market, and steps out to make a final step off the ledge. Rick Wakeman plays grand piano and other keyboards on this one. Finally, in CITIZEN’s 11th song, “Written In The Centuries,” performed by current Yes singer Jon Davison, Nostradamus is the Citizen busily composing his many predictions.
Billy Sherwood was recently handpicked by Chris Squire to fill in for him on bass and vocals in Yes, before he left for cancer treatment and ultimately, his untimely death. Billy started his career in the band Lodgic and then as a member of World Trade, who have two critically-acclaimed albums. He has produced and engineered for many artists including John Wetton, Motorhead, Queensryche, Paul Rodgers, and Yes.
He joined Yes first as touring member on the “Talk” tour in 1994, and was a full time member from 1997 to 1999. He recorded two albums with Chris Squire as the “Conspiracy” project and released six albums with Circa, the band he formed with Tony Kaye.
CITIZEN is Billy’s eighth album of new material, though he sees this as a group effort, "While I've created a lot of this record myself I couldn't have done it without the amazing talents brought to bear by all the great artists who participated. So I feel it's much more of a collective effort than a solo album. It's my desire to take this production onto the stage and some of these amazing artists can help bring this concept to life.”
CITIZEN tracklisting: The Citizen; Man And The Machine; Just Galileo And Me; No Man’s Land; The Great Depression; Empire; Age Of The Atom; Trail Of Tears; Escape Velocity; A Theory All It's Own; Written In The Centuries
