WITHOUT KAYOS THERE CAN BE NO ORDER
ADAPTED FROM THE I-CHING
OUT OF KAYOS BRILLIANT DREAMS ARE BORN
WHAT THE PRESS HAS SAID ABOUT KAYOS' CLIENTS
JUMP TO:
Blackmore's Night | Deep Purple Whoosh! | Ella Fitzgerald: Just One Of Those Things | INXS Live Baby Live
Ricky Byrd Sobering Times |Ronnie Wood: Somebody Up There Likes Me
Blackmore’s Night press quotes:
“With a focus on medieval and Renaissance music, Blackmore’s Night puts a contemporary spin upon centuries old sound….With both artist and audience celebrating the idea of escape every night on stage...each Blackmore’s Night concert stands out as a one of a kind experience.”
-Forbes
“The album features an instrumental titled “Der letzte Musketier (The Last Musketeer)” where Blackmore plugs in and delivers some scintillating, bluesy, high-volume licks that harken back to his early days with Deep Purple.”
-Guitar Player / Guitar World
“Ritchie Blackmore and Candice Night share a timeless tapestry.”
-American Songwriter
“The duo’s new album Nature’s Light boasts a set of songs as precious as the title implies... Songs such as ‘Four Winds,’ ‘Once Upon December’ and ‘The Twisted Oak’ are both quaint and charming, all enhanced with a light lilt, a fanciful flourish and shared finesse.”
-American Songwriter
“Blackmore’s Night is more than just a band — it’s a love story.”
-Newsday
“Blackmore’s electric surgically slices through two instrumentals – the moody ‘Darker Shade of Black’ and breezy ‘Der Letzke Musketier’”
-Vintage Guitar
“For two sub-rosa decades, and on its new 11th effort, Nature’s Light, the duo--backed by a gallery of similarly retro-minded musicians--has been unearthing ancient European folk melodies, updating them with new acoustic instrumentation and arrangements.”
-Illinois Entertainer
“Candice Night's versatile, flowing, delivery and easy power match the music to a tee. Genre-wise, Blackmore's Night are hard to pin down, which perhaps perversely accounts for their success. There's nothing out there quite like it; easy-to-digest, quirky, almost baroque, with Prog Rock overtones and detailed arrangements.”
-The Alternate Root
“Night possesses a pretty, precise vocal that fits perfectly with this music of a vintage variety. On songs such as “Once Upon December,” “Four Winds” and “The Twisted Oak,” they hew to that dainty demeanor, sharing both its charm and finesse.”
-Goldmine
“Nature’s Light fully illuminates a sweet and serendipitous path forward.”
-Goldmine
"‘Nature's Light’ is needed now more than ever, at a time when people have been shuttered at home for far too long and, even before the pandemic, spent way too much time connected to devices rather than exploring the natural world.”
-Patch.com
“They are some of the best that the world music archive could ever offer.”
-Cryptic Rock
“Songs like “Feather In The Wind” and the first single, “Once Upon December” combine Candice’s beautiful and soothing voice with the unmistakable rhythms and phrasing of Mr. Blackmore. The instrumental “Darker Shade of Blacke” starts out with an organ that almost causes the listener to expect the late Jon Lord to be given back to us….”Four Winds,” dare I say, is almost a rock track done with renaissance instruments. It also contacts what might be one of Ritchie’s finest electric guitar solos in decades. This track could be the perfect bridge for Rainbow/Deep Purple fans to appreciate Blackmore’s Night.”
-Iron City Rocks
“Most of Nature’s Light is folk rock-ish, but there are tangents, including the bluesy “Der Letzte Musketier.” The album’s moody organ-based instrumental began to remind me of Procol Harum. When I looked at the CD’s booklet, I found the inspiration of that ‘60s classical rock band in the song’s title, “Darker Shade of Black.”
-Shepherd Express
“...Other outstanding tracks are “Nature’s Light,” with its regal-sounding chorus; “Going to the Faire,” which is very much a song for dancing; and the strong closer, “Second Element,” with its nice melody, fine guitar and multi-voice chorus...This release is strongly recommended.”
-Village Soup
“The fact that they’ve chosen Renaissance rock and challenged themselves to blend Fairport Convention with a Renaissance Faire imbues the album with a passion that likely wouldn’t be present if [Ritchie Blackmore or Candice Night] had stayed in their own respective “lanes”. And, in the end, that’s what makes Nature’s Light stand out...the pervasive mood throughout is a musical joy, a pure love of craft that is hard not to get caught up in.”
-Concert Hopper
“A 10-track musical bout of wondrous escapism”
-Exclusive Magazine
“Those wondering if there is any sonic bridge between the Renaissance era (1400-1600) and modern rock music need listen no further than Blackmore’s Night...the new 10-track LP fully immerses the listener in a sound that blends past and present music making with artful sublimity.”
-Rock N Roll Truth
“Buoyed by jaunty rhythms, stunning musicianship, and sonic clarity, “Nature’s Light” is lifted even further by Candice Night’s celestial vocals which carry each track to stellar heights...You can’t help feeling better after listening to the more Renaissance-tinged tracks on this CD. There’s just something that’s life-affirming about them.”
-RoughEdge
Deep Purple: Whoosh!
CD RELEASE AUGUST 7, 2020 (earMUSIC)
Whoosh! makes it three-for-three for the pairing of Deep Purple and producer Bob Ezrin, an album that at its numerous heights evokes the band’s most successful era of the early ’70s.
-Associated Press
Lyrically, several of the new songs address contemporary topics and, while penned by [Ian] Gillan prior to the onset of COVID-19, nevertheless manage to address today’s world.
-Forbes
Deep Purple didn't quite plan to put out a song including references to the end of humanity in the middle of a pandemic, but "Man Alive" -- premiering below from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame troupe's upcoming Whoosh! album -- certainly feels of its time, if a bit extreme.
-Billboard
Simply put, Whoosh! Maintains Deep Purple’s standards. Whoosh! Boasts vital, virtuosic, catchy, hardcore rock, without apology.
-Modern Drummer
Whoosh! Is musically superior to its immediate, Ezrin-produced predecessors, but it’s more, too: If it’s the last album Deep Purple release, it should be remembered as among their best.
-All Music
Deep Purple evokes best years on mighty Whoosh!
-Chicago Tribune
A fantastic album from front to back...Time hasn’t slowed Deep Purple down one bit. Until it does, we are fortunate enough to still have one of heavy music’s originators continuing to perform at an elite level.
-Blabbermouth
The legend continues, and not without breaking some of its own new ground to go with their classic sound. Deep Purple’s Whoosh is an album that promises to lyrically provoke even the dullest of minds about what is going on around us, with the music and vocals doing the business in every way.
-Bravewords
If you liked 2013’s Now What?! And 2017’s InFinite, chances are you will devour the sounds and the musings burbling to the surface all over Whoosh!, for it’s a work of a band feverishly creative into their official senior citizen years, and recorded with a certain poshness that is hard to describe, never particularly heavy but always sizzling and electric, rich of taste, regal and purple like heavy plush draper at an English castle.
-Goldmine
Whoosh! Is a timeless timepiece. It doesn’t carry the quantized perfection of 2020 music. The songs are as long as they need to be, and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame band gives in to what their late, great keyboardist Jon Lord called Deep Purple’s “musical restlessness.”
-Den of Geek
The first thing you’ll want to do after listening to Whoosh! Is hit play again. This is a wonderful album and one of the best of 2020.
-Patch.com
It’s been a Renaissance period for the band. Similar to the previous two albums, Now What?! And InFinite, the record digs deep into their pedigree of all-out rock riffs while also exploring deeper textures and themes. From anthems to spacey jams, Deep Purple does not shy away from new ideas.
-NoTreble.com
Definitely an album which proves how Progressive Deep Purple can be, Whoosh! is certainly one of the more diverse sounding Deep Purple collections. At the core, Whoosh! is very eclectic in the way it combines the right balance between a classic heavy Rock sound and Progressive Rock. As a stand out, Gillan’s voice is very distinctive and Whoosh! will strike a chord with fans of Deep Purple’s more recent works. Needless to say, Deep Purple are here to stay and Whoosh! is the next chapter for these pioneers of Rock music.
-Cryptic Rock
After over 50 years, Deep Purple's love of playing together shines through on Whoosh! With tight playing and excellent vocals, not to mention endless grooves, the band remains as strong as ever. If this proves to be their farewell release, Deep Purple is going out on a high note.
-Blinded By Sound
Whoosh! Is a collection that embodies creative and artistic freedom, and its lyrics are a reflection of the sentiments of the trying time in the world.
-Digital Journal
One of the few remaining bands from the fusion days of 69-79, the current shade of Deep Purple is still able to create heat and sparks.
-Jazz Weekly
Deep Purple still Going Strong…With 50+ years making kick ass music and basically founding Heavy Metal in the 5 piece format it’s a pleasure to see that Deep Purple are still making music to please themselves, which means that we as fans are treated to more great music from our heroes.
-Metal Express Radio
If this is any indication of their ‘glory years,’ then everyone should watch the fuck out. Grumpy old men? Hardly, they’re having so much fun playing together, you can hear it via the sound waves that are blasting your eardrums. On ‘Whoosh!’ Deep Purple proves that aches, pains, wear and tear and aging can’t stop you from delivering a marvelous record.
-Metal Titans
The slinky groove that kicks off "Throw My Bones," the opening track on Whoosh!, sets the vibe, and it's a classic one.
-No Echo
All in all, Whoosh! Is an outstanding new effort from one of the rock music’s premier bands. Deep Purple still has a lot to say and is just as viable as it was during its original period. Put this one on and let it blast.
-Rock and Blues Muse
Ella Fitzgerald: Just One Of Those Things
June 2020 Virtual Cinema Release (Eagle Rock Entertainment)
"Just One of Those Things" is a comprehensive look at Fitzgerald's life and career”
-USA Today
“A jazz movie whose dominant mode — amid valiant efforts to mine some personal sorrow — is actual musical joy? We’ll take it.”
-Variety
“Gathering new interviews and a fine selection of archival material, British documentarian Leslie Woodhead tells Fitzgerald's story with a sure feel for the joyous swing and sultry depths of that voice, and a sensitive eye on the complexities of life as a self-made Black woman in 20th century America.”
-Hollywood Reporter
“The First Lady Of Jazz is immortalized on film in the documentary Ella Fitzgerald: Just One Of Those Things”
-CNN
“Completely absorbing...the live clips truly delight. From a charmingly endearing performance of ‘A-Tisket, A Tasket” -- where you’ll be hard pressed not to fall immediately in love with her--to an absolutely jaw-dropping version of ‘Crazy Rhythm,” there’s little doubt why she came to be known as the ‘First Lady Of Song.’ “
-Blackbook
“It abounds with wall-to-wall performances of her music…[Her] inventiveness and virtuosity will dazzle you, but the depth and eloquence of her rendition of “Summertime” will stir your soul.”
-Boston Globe
“A beautiful piece of archival work with a wealth of silky, black-and-white film and still photography, a knowing look at an artist facing racism in her own country and abroad and a virtual resurrection of a legendary American musical genius.”
-Boston Herald
“Through interviews with friends and colleagues, the film showcases how Fitzgerald’s sheer talent, resilience, and hard work helped her overcome personal tragedy, loneliness, racism, and gender-based bias to become one of the most notable figures of the 20th century. Just like her music, Fitzgerald’s story is timeless, and this film’s arrival just as the Black Lives Matter movement has grown momentum as a global phenomenon underlines that even more.
-Chicago Reader
“A suitably affectionate documentary portrait that walks us through her life and career.”
-Washington Post
“British director Leslie Woodhead’s powerful, often poignant documentary Ella Fitzgerald: Just One of Those Things provides a comprehensive portrait that doesn’t shortchange its audience in any department...Ella Fitzgerald: Just One of Those Things goes deeper than just spotlighting her artistry — it reveals the toll it took, while cementing the fact that the journey was still well worth it.”
-Nashville Scene
“In one seemingly simple sentence, musician Laura Mvula concisely sums up the everlasting appeal of Ella Fitzgerald: ‘She made it seem like anything is possible.’...Leslie Woodhead’s Ella Fitzgerald: Just One of Those Things serves as a fine introductory course on all things Ella.”
-San Diego Reader
“Leslie Woodhead’s documentary ‘Ella Fitzgerald: Just One of Those Things’ has got plenty of swing and a whole lot more. It’s a 90-minute jam session...there’s wall-to-wall music, with take-fives to hear from celeb admirers...The best thing about ‘Ella Fitzgerald: Just One of Those Things,’ other than the music, is the way it evokes an era and reminds us that its subject was one of the great voices of the 20th century.”
-San Francisco Chronicle
“Both Fitzgerald fans and those for whom she’s a mere name from the past will be impressed.”
-San Francisco Examiner
“Elegantly composed from interviews, archival footage and still photographs, Ella tells the gratifying story of the homeless 16-year old in a dirty dress who became one of the world’s most recognized names in jazz...The narrative in words and pictures manages to encompass a wide stretch of African American history as well as the musical and personal trajectory of its subject...And this may surprise many viewers: footage of Fitzgerald getting funky, soaring above the syncopation in a live rendition of “Fly Me to the Moon” that reached the satellite years ahead of Apollo 11.”
-Shepherd Express
INXS LIVE BABY LIVE
Theatrical Release December 2019, DVD / Blu-ray Release June 2020
Free of the trappings that denote most large concerts today, Live Baby Live puts the focus squarely on singer Michael Hutchence and the music of INXS.
-Forbes
It is widely considered one of Hutchence’s finest performances, of which [Giles] Martin said: “This new mix of ‘Live Baby Live’ captures one of the biggest global sensations at the height of their powers. INXS are one of the greatest bands to have graced the Wembley Stadium stage. The sheer scale of seeing an audience moving as one to the music is mesmerizing.’ ”
-Variety
As beats reverberate across London’s old Wembley Stadium, the Australian rock band’s appeal leaps to life: funky guitar rhythms, saxophones, tight trousers and the soulful flow of the singer Michael Hutchence’s voice.
-New York Times
...This is a rare moment of visibility for a band that achieved global superstardom but has been notably absent in the digital age.
-New York Times
“Live Baby Live” captures INXS at its peak.
-New York Times
Their exuberance and love for playing together clearly shows.
-Grammy.com
If 1987’s Kick was the album that finally allowed the group to open the doors to success, Live Baby Live showcased the power of INXS as a live unit...The confidence onstage at Wembley is impossible to miss.
-Ultimate Classic Rock
From London Grammar’s cover of “Devil Inside” to everyone with a record deal putting their own spin on “Never Tear Us Apart,” INXS’ influence on pop culture has only grown since the passing of Michael Hutchence.
-Idolator
Beyond the Chart-toppers and singles, INXS prove they are a complete band. There's absolutely no filler throughout the show, a testament to the group’s songwriting prowess.
-Patch.com
Live Baby Live is a reminder from the pre-cell phone era of the potential for a hot band to connect with a stadium-sized crowd using minimal frills. The band is abetted by the essentials of meticulous sound and a stellar light show, vividly captured here. INXS leads a wild party, and makes it look effortless....Live Baby Live: Wembley Stadium is an enduring gift from the band to its fans, and among the finest rock films ever recorded.
-Illinois Entertainer
The film stands as a tribute to the late Michael Hutchence and his charismatic stage presence, and it features a truly outstanding show by a great live band at the height of their powers.
-Goldmine
This is a high energy performance, with some really appealing vocals from Michael Hutchence and good, propulsive playing from the band.
-Blu-ray.com
If you need to remember how good INXS was, then this is a great place to start. They may be only second to Queen in demanding that size of an audience at the world-famous Wembley Stadium, and this new video release proves it.
-JP's Music Blog
RICKY BYRD SOBERING TIMES
CD RELEASE SEPTEMBER 25, 2020
“Veteran rocker Ricky Byrd’s latest album showcases the guitar skills and musicianship that landed him a spot in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame...The album also showcases Byrd’s commitment to using his music to support those affected by addiction.”
-Forbes
“Former Joan Jett and the Blackhearts’ guitarist Ricky Byrd has created a career statement with his new CD Sobering Times. The album encompasses The Faces and Rolling Stones with a dash of Otis. It rocks like a bitch.”
-Goldmine
“Ricky Byrd’s Sobering Times is an emotional rock-and-roll triumph. The singer-guitarist’s new album chronicling addiction and recovery brings joy and tears”
-Patch.com
“You can, and should, pre-order...Great stuff-- and a hell of a supporting cast with musicians who have worked with Paul McCartney, Billy Joel, and Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes.”
-Newsweek
"While Sobering Times' song titles and lyrics brook no argument, the music is an open invitation to submit to the addictive power of rock 'n' roll as laid down by the Stones and the Faces."
-Classic Rock Magazine
“The Sobering Times tracklist itself lays out a narrative with titles like, the opener; ‘Quittin Time (Again)’ to the mid-point, punk rock anthem ‘Recovery Me’, featuring Willie Niles to ‘Life is Good’ and ‘Just Like You’ that close the album and conclude Byrd’s story on a hopeful note.”
-American Songwriter
"[Sobering Times] is exactly what you’d expect from someone who’s played guitar on some of the cornerstones of modern American rock music... it’s solid rock music free of any pre-fixes and suffixes, just t-shirt and jeans music."
-Glide Magazine
“While some might assume Byrd’s music might have softened because of age and sobriety, think again! Being sober has not watered down Mr. Byrd’s ability to kick ass! This guy still rocks with the best of them. While Byrd has left a lot of great music in his wake, his more recent solo albums feature some of his best work ever.”
-NPR The Lakeshore 89.1 “Midwest Beat”
“Triumphantly celebrating his recovery with the world at large via a slew of stellar rock originals marked by his straightforward confessional lyrics and infectious rock song craft...Sobering Times is a wide-ranging release that not only celebrates Byrd’s stellar guitar talents and songwriting, but his expressive baritone vocals and ability to mine new pay dirt in the classic sounds of ‘70s and ‘80s rock”
-Desert Star Weekly
“He expresses the roller coaster of emotions and every day trials of recovery, from hitting rock bottom, to the gratitude of surviving and thriving in a sober life.”
-Digital Journal
"Sobering Times, is a blistering set of bloozy rock that’s reminiscent of early-‘70s era Stones, dirty hooks and freight-train melodies that swagger and stomp through 12 tracks that demonstrate Byrd, who recently turned 64, has lost none of his chops and in fact sounds better than ever."
-Cornerstone of Recovery "The Ties That Bind Us" Blog
“There are songs that are straight-up rockers, traditional sounding blues rockers, and some that just plain boogie and will keep your foot tapping till’ your ankle is sore...Does this album rock? Yes! Is it well recorded? Yes! Is it one that I would listen to time and again? Yes! But more importantly, if just one person who needs to hear the music and the message of hope this album conveys, and they are encouraged by it to take the hard step to make that change, then I think all that Ricky has been through that brought him to this point where he could write these songs will have been worth it.
-Critical Blast
“Byrd’s lyrics are absolutely authentic and believable, having walked this road himself long ago, and his delivery is pure NYC rock and roll...Ricky Byrd is a genuine rock and roll survivor who wants other people to survive, too. His heart couldn’t be any more in the right place and his joy to be alive and making great music is obvious. The record is true soul work and everyone who made it through their own crazy years needs to hear it.”
-Rock and Blues Muse
“Byrd does not shy away from his past. In fact, he uses it as daily inspiration to helps others.”
-NJArts.com
“With Sobering Times, Byrd has constructed a strong set of tunes that sound as if they could have come from rock's glory days. With strong playing and singing, well-crafted songs and a strong message for those in need, Sobering Times is a winner.”
-Blinded By Sound
“Byrd’s singing voice, with ease, could fit into seemingly countless groups such as The Rolling Stones, The Byrds, Gary Clark Jr.’s band, Ian Hunter and, when they are at their most melodic, Guns ‘N Roses...Sobering Times gleefully steps into rock, pop, blues, and country-tinged territory, serving up a well-rounded piece of art that is both entertaining and inspirational.”
-Real Rock News
Ronnie Wood: Somebody Up There Likes Me
VIRTUAL CINEMA SEPTEMBER 2020, DVD & BLU-RAY RELEASED OCTOBER 2020
“An intimate and nuanced portrait of a rock and roll renaissance man.”
-Forbes
“Through the years with Ronnie Wood, a Rolling Stone who never stopped being lovable, even in excess.”
-Variety
“[Ronnie’s] a wonderful storyteller...we get an intimate picture of him because he bares his soul with both straightforward honesty and a sparking, sometimes self-deprecating sense of humor.”
-Gannett News Service
“Remarkably revealing...while fans of Wood’s various musical endeavors have much to enjoy via the archival clips, it’s the lessons drawn from Wood’s personal perspective that are ultimately most illuminating.”
-American Songwriter
“Wood emerges as a surprisingly down to earth guy who exudes both warmth and perhaps more than a hint of world weariness...Somebody Up There Likes Me offers a wonderful portrait of a celebrated artist.”
-Blu-ray.com
"A kaleidoscopic portrait of the guitarist as a fully-formed artist."
-Culture Sonar
“It’s the way that Figgis illuminates the telling of his story that keeps you glued to the screen…It’s all engaging all because Woody is who he has always been: himself.”
-Glide Magazine
“We’ve wanted a documentary like Somebody Up There Likes Me for a very long time. This film is of a road-worn Ronnie. An introspective Ronnie. A transparent Ronnie. A content Ronnie. Yes, even a healed Ronnie...As the big rock and roll machine called The Rolling Stones keeps its musical blitzkrieg crushing forward, the bad boys of rock and roll are mellowing. They’re showing love, concern, and a sense of their own mortality. No one demonstrates this more than Ronnie.”
-Boomerocity
“Somebody Up There Likes Me gives us enough information to keep the viewer engaged, and withholds enough to keep the viewer interested in searching for more.”
-Cinema Sentries
“...Intimate and candid”
-Village Soup
“Veteran British filmmaker Mike Figgis presents Wood in all his working-class glory, the kind of guy you’d want to hang out with at the pub into the wee hours.”
-Cinema365
“One of the most engaging, and revealing [documentaries] I have had the pleasure to watch in the past decade...Ronnie Wood is a genuine, 24-carat rock star guitarist. He has paid his dues, played hard, lived fast (in every sense) and somehow survived to tell this tale.”
-Exclusive Magazine
“There are too many musical moments to mention without taking all day to laud the footage that Figgis has assembled. It is mesmerizing...It is the rare documentary that can be revisited or watched again.”
-The Movie Mensch
“The pacing of the film is wonderful, with segments of quiet beauty where Wood is immersed in creating art in his studio intermixed with historic and recent performance footage along with a wealth of revealing interviews touching on his hardships.”
-Rock N Roll Truth