Jethro Tull:The String Quartets Album Hits # 1

This week Ian Anderson reached the number one position again in the Billboard Classical Album charts with his new collaboration with the Carducci String Quartet, JETHRO TULL: THE STRING QUARTETS. Previously, his album DIVINITIES topped the Billboard Classical charts in 1995. In 1973 A Passion Play and, before that, 1972’s THICK AS A BRICK both hit number one in the Billboard Album charts. Those are number one hits every 22 years.

In addition to classical charts, JETHRO TULL: THE STRING QUARTETS debuted at #16 on the Independent charts, and #80 on Billboard’s album chart.

In the UK, JETHRO TULL: THE STRING QUARTETS entered at #2 on Classical, #56 on Album, and #6 for Independent.

THE STRING QUARTETS (track listing below) features 12 re-imagined Tull classics, allowing Tull fans and classical music connoisseurs to enjoy the band's vast catalog in a new way. 

SIMON KIRKE of BAD COMPANY Releases New Album, All Because of You, Out Now!

The End Records and BMG are pleased to release Simon Kirke’s studio album All Because Of You, out now (as of Febr 10) in North America. The full album premiered recently with Ultimate Classic Rock! Listen to the title track, below.

Simon Kirke recorded All Because Of You , his third solo album, with The Empty Pockets over the course of four studio sessions at Chicago, IL’s The Empty Pockets Studios. With Simon Kirke on lead vocals, drums, guitar, keyboards, and ukulele, his cohesion with The Empty Pockets (Josh Solomon, Erika Brett, Nate Bellon, Danny Rosenthal) would make you think they’ve been recording together for years.

Says Simon Kirke, “I finally got a chance to record some of my best songs with a superb band - The Empty Pockets. This CD has become one of the highlights of my career."

Fans of Bad Company will note that Track 3 on All Because Of You is a ukulele version of the 1975 Bad Company classic “Feel Like Making Love" (named the 78th Best Hard Rock Song Of All Time by VH1!). The album also features guitarist Warren Haynes (ex-Allman Brothers, Gov't Mule), who guest stars on Track 10, “Trouble Road.”

To accompany the release, Kirke is hitting the road with The Empty Pockets, March 15 - April 1. In addition, he performed recently with Bad Company show at the Vine Theater in Waterloo, NY. Tickets are on sale now, with more dates to be announced!

Simon Kirke All Because Of You U.S. Dates

03/15 - Kent Stage; Kent, OH
03/16 - Arcada Theatre; St. Charles, IL
03/19 - Shank Hall; Milwaukee, WI
03/30 - StageOne; Fairfield, CT
04/01 - Tupelo Music Hall; Londonderry, NH