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THE GOLDEN SUN (2012)
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From our June, 2011 Recording Sessions at The POWER STATION...a new version of an old favorite of ours. Featuring our newest member Stephanie Krowka on Lead Vocal.
melodic hard rock classic rock mainstream original rock political rock arena rock the road less traveled songs with a message avalanche hard rock band michael foster will there be tomorrow
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HARD ROCK BAND THAT BLENDS HEAVY BRITISH AND SOUTHERN ROCK styleS. TOUR DATES INCLUDE GIGS WITH AC/DC, DERRINGER, PAT TRAVERS BAND...AND WERE CONSIDERED AS
AVALANCHE is defined by Webster's as: "an unstoppable natural force"...and this all-original rock band certainly seems to fit that definition...overcoming the odds to produce some of the very best original hard rock anywhere! With an unorthodox strategy for success in 1978 (which included 18 months of intense rehearsals, their own record label, $75,000.00 worth of state-of-the-art stage gear, and a record on over a dozen New England radio stations for three months...all before ever playing a live gig) AVALANCHE's debut show was attended by over 3500 people..and the band was immediately playing to sold-out shows and standing room only crowds wherever they appeared. Within a month after their first gig, AVALANCHE was headlining in large club venues, and shortly after that, the band was opening tour dates and sharing concert stages on AC/DC's "Highway To Hell" tour, as well as with DERRINGER, and THE PAT TRAVERS BAND. They were also considered as a tour opener for TOTO's First U.S. Tour. A tight and well rehearsed rock-n-roll machine...this band did whatever was necessary to bring studio-quality hard rock to the live-concert stage...and they did it without the support of a major record label. Now recording again, with all the surviving members of the original lineup...here is the first new AVALANCHE music in over twenty years...as well as some of their old music too, (most of the recordings have never been available before). AVALANCHE continues to defy the odds with their staying power and persistence...and by remaining "unstoppable"...they are here NOW....for you to sample and enjoy! Click here for official Avalanche band website GOLDEN SUN RECORDS
Song Info
Genre
Rock • Rock General
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Peak #1
Peak in subgenre #1
Author
Music and Lyrics by: Michael Foster
Rights
CRYSTAL MAGIC MUSIC PUBLISHING.. 1979, 2005, 2011.
Uploaded
August 25, 2011
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MP3
MP3 12.7 MB • 320 kbps • 5:32
Story behind the song
THE GOLDEN SUN (2012) Music and Lyrics: Michael Foster Copyright by: CRYSTAL MAGIC MUSIC PUBLISHING (ASCAP) 1979, 2005, 2011. THE GOLDEN SUN (2012) Concept by: David Pendragon Produced by: David Pendragon Music Arranged by: Michael Foster Executive Producer: Michael Foster Engineered by: Brian Sargent Recorded June 20,21,22, 2011 at THE POWER STATION N.E. @ SONALYSTS, Waterford, Conn. Mixed at THE POWER STATION N.E. and at ABERRANT SOUND STUDIO, Boston, Mass. by: David Pendragon, Brian Sargent, and Michael Foster. Mark Easton: Acoustic and Electric Guitars (Pan Right), Harmony Vocals. Barry Easton: Drums Michael Corsini: Bass Stephanie Krowka: Lead Vocal Michael Foster: Acoustic and Electric Guitars (Pan Left), Unison Lead Vocal and Harmony Vocal, Guitar Solo. This song is a remake and a brand new arrangement of an AVALANCHE track originally written by me in 1972, and recorded by the band in 1979. It has always been one of my favorite songs, but over the past few years...we believe that the lyrical relevance of the song and its message has come full circle. During the process of filming our soon-to-be released HD Documentary DVD "THE ROAD LESS TRAVELED"...we found ourselves sitting in the golden woods of The Natchaug Forest in Eastern Conn. one sunny autumn afternoon, playing an impromptu and spontaneous acoustic version of this song. It was the first time we had ever sung the song with harmonies throughout all the vocals, and as we viewed the footage, we all realized that we had stumbled on to something very special. David Pendragon and I believe the song has the potential to reach huge numbers of people...especially as the 2012 phenomenon approaches...and people will be forced to choose how they will respond to a world in upheaval...especially since all indicators are that we are witnessing and experiencing powerful forces that are already in play...and implies that something HUGE is ALREADY afoot on a planetary scale as 2012 approaches. The real challenge was to take a song that was nearly 14 minutes long (in its original form), and rearrange it in order to make it viable for airplay. David gave me a target time of roughly 5:00 for the entire song...and although I had my doubts that I would be able to re-arrange the song to that length and still include all the lyrics, I agreed to try. As the re-arranging progressed at my home in Conn...we were not only able to meet the time requirement...but we actually found a spot for me to sneak in a short guitar solo, too. Although the song follows the original arrangement very closely, there are a few changes that have actually improved the dynamics on the song...and the addition of Stephanie Krowka to the band as a full-time member has brought a new element of a beautiful female voice singing my original lead vocal part (which really hasn't changed at all) except for the parts where Stephanie and I sing in unison, and of course, the new added vocal harmonies which we had stumbled on in the woods that sunny day. In the end, the song comes in at 5:25 in length...not bad at all, after cutting away over eight minutes of content from the extended original recording. I'd like to thank David Pendragon for handling the Producer's job so well....he allowed us to be ouselves, but still brought something very special to the song...and it was his very strong belief that the song could be shortened, updated, and improved, that is largely why this new version of this song is now available to be heard. David has extraordinary talents as a producer and also as a recording engineer, and hopefully, that will be something that is evident when folks listen to the finished recording. It was also great for us to not have to concern ourselves with mic selections, turning the recorders on and off, or wasting time listening back to every take to determine if what we had just played was a "keeper." With David and Brian sitting behind the control room gl
Lyrics
THE GOLDEN SUN Written by: Michael Foster Music and Lyrics: July 1972 A few years ago...a dream appeared before my eyes. From out of California...a Golden Sun was on the rise. Brothers and sisters all rose together... hand in hand. Spreading truth and understanding all across this troubled land. And every day that passed, it seemed the dream grew ever stronger... Until it seemed to me, it really couldn' t take much longer... Before the new day would finally dawn...and rise above... Built not on hate and lies...but instead on truth and love. But lately I don't know..'cause things just seem to move too fast... As if the way the world will be has already been cast... And the Family of Man seems to be troubled and in doubt... As if caught in some quicksand...and unable to get out. And I wonder if it's not too late...for men to come together... And put an end to hate and war...and live in peace forever. Little children fight, it's said...to solve disputes...my friend... Don't you think it's time that Man has reached his Childhood's End? Vocal Bridge Open your eyes, open your ears, open your mind, forget all your fears (Repeat two additional times) We are tomorrow...hate is the past... If we all spread love now...then "The Golden Sun" will last. Copyright 1979, 2005, 2011, by Crystal Magic Music (ASCAP)
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Anthony Kollar
Aug 18, 2013
Great sounds!
Night Hawk NZ
Oct 13, 2012
Love it as always...
Michael Bennett
Jan 14, 2012
Great song from the opening bars to the outre!
Roger John
Oct 31, 2011
Excellent. Simply so excellent.
The SolitaireOne
Oct 30, 2011
I like this one. Excellent sound!!!
Steve Gilmore and In No Sense
Sep 20, 2011
All been said. Cream of the crop.
jcmosquito
Sep 11, 2011
Having a song fixed in your brain since the '70s and then giving the production of it away after 30+ years to someone else is perhaps the hardest single act a songwriter can ever allow. Apparently, your trust in David's abilities proved to be correct. I'm sure I'll have more to say - for now - I'm just gonna sit back and enjoy an old song made new again. Stephanie - can I just say simply that THIS is where you were meant to be. Finally, Mike - it comes full circle in some ways - I hope it works out for you - you deserve it. Skeeter/Jeff/North of the Border
Paul Mcilwaine
Sep 05, 2011
I heard about this song from Andreas - He wasn't wrong this is a fantastic song, production well done to all involved I just adore the vocals and harmonies and the guitar of course.
DEADWATER MONK
Sep 05, 2011
Top notch all the way! Brilliant tune!!!!
Frankfurt Dialog Company
Sep 05, 2011
This is sooooooooooooooo incredibly good, Mike. I can´t believe what I hear. Is that Stephanie? Incredible. I love it! The long acoustic intro... the band coming in, WOW, the harmonies. This is the best thing I heard for a long time here. Powerful, emotional, rocking, touching. There´s all a song possibly can achieve. One of those rare beauties! I´d love to give it a lot more than only *****. Congrats and many thanks for sharing this magnificent piece of music! Your friend Andreas
Nigel Potter
Aug 15, 2011
Well yes,you knew I would be by to listen to the 2011 version of The Golden Sun didn't you :) Well.................................. That acoustic version lulls one. When the band kicks in,it's a divine moment. The introduction of a new singer is always such a tense situation,and well,for my pennies she shines. It's not the beast it was,but there again IMHO it doesn't NEED to be,that's been done and stands for all time. This version is all about now. Bringing that feeling forward without the excesses that I so loved from that era. "Open your ears" came across loud and clear for me :) Having recently done an album myself of songs resurrected from 1979,I think "We" the survivors all deserve a song like this. They do so much more than remind,they transport with such warmth and love to the best and the worst of it all. We survived Mike,maybe not as good as new,but all things considered,we survived it all :) My apologies for being unable to do the vid... I was stone