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Topic ClosedFusion Orchestra 2 formed by original F.O. member

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FireAxe View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Topic: Fusion Orchestra 2 formed by original F.O. member
    Posted: June 18 2008 at 10:18
Colin Dawson, founder member and original guitarist with 1970s prog band Fusion Orchestra, has formed Fusion Orchestra 2 to play music from the band's original album Skeleton in Armour live, plus new material in the Fusion Orchestra style.

The band is currently rehearsing and writing but expects to be playing gigs later in the year. In addition to Colin Dawson on guitars, the line-up comprises Ben Bell on keyboards, Nick Daniels on bass, Dan (Captain Beardy) Shooter on drums and percussion, plus the very talented Amy Green on vocals.

Finding a female singer who could do justice to the amazing vocal talent of the band's original singer Jill Saward was a difficult task, but Dawson says that US-born Amy is more than up to the job with a fantastic vocal range and awesome phrasing.

The original Fusion Orchestra – the first band to use the name, which had been stolen by others since – can be heard at www.myspace.com/fusionorchestra73

So don't be confused by 'imitators'! Meanwhile, watch this space for further news.
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: June 19 2008 at 09:55
Indo-Jazz%20Fusions%201%20&%202
 
Quote: "The original Fusion Orchestra – the first band to use the name, which had been stolen by others since". Debatable as the 1966 and 1967recordings now on a two for one CD above  testify.  So I presume you mean in the band's name?
 
However, most curious to hear the band's music old and new.


Edited by Dick Heath - June 19 2008 at 09:56
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: June 19 2008 at 10:48
Hi Dick.
Absolutely the NAME Fusion Orchestra -- the band is by no means laying claim to the use of the word fusion. By the way, I also have that Joe Harriott/John Meyer Double Quintet recording! (They weren't called Fusion Orchestra!)

It's just that at least two other bands have used or are using the name Fusion Orchestra, whereas the original Fusion Orchestra was founded in 1969. It confuses things somewhat for people seeking out the original band -- or even Fusion Orchestra 2.
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: July 01 2008 at 13:00
Interesting, I'm curious to listen to your new music, as I like Skeleton In Armour
I suggested your inclusion in the archives to the Heavy prog team and I'm glad to see you here; I'm sure David (Atavachron) will be interested in this as well.
 
 


Edited by avestin - July 01 2008 at 13:01
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: August 21 2008 at 20:09
 ^ indeed!  ..completely missed this thread but great to see a possible SiA remake (or reissue?) on the way, great band











Edited by Atavachron - August 21 2008 at 20:13
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: August 26 2008 at 10:40
Hi Atavachron.

Thanks from the band for your kind words – they are much appreciated.

The latest news from Fusion Orchestra 2 is that Jo Hollands has replaced Amy Green on vocals. Amy has decided to concentrate on her solo career under the name The Amy Green Project.

New singer Jo Hollands is a young and incredibly talented female vocalist whose treatment of the Skeleton In Armour material is uncannily close to the awesome vocal work of Fusion Orchestra's original singer Jill Saward.

"We're incredibly excited to have Jo in the band," says guitarist Colin Dawson. "She has an amazing voice and more than does justice to the demanding vocal standards set by Jill Saward. Jo clearly has more of her own talent to offer, as well. She also plays guitar and is a composer. We are looking forward to writing new Fusion Orchestra 2 material with her."

The band is currently working on new numbers to add to the classic tracks Sonata in Z, Have I Left The Gas On, Talk To The Man In The Sky and the original album title track, Skeleton In Armour.

Fusion Orchestra's website is under construction and will go live simultaneously with a Fusion Orchestra 2 website.
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: October 15 2008 at 08:48
Any idea when the new website(s) will appear?
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: October 20 2008 at 12:41
They should be live by the end of November. There is much info to collate for the Fusion Orchestra website, including the band's history. We also aim to carry the entire gig list, roadies page, cuttings, reviews and other press, as well as galleries and more.

It is possible that not all information will be included from the outset. There will be a link to the Fusion Orchestra 2 website, which will go live at the same time. Watch for more information on this website!
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: October 20 2008 at 14:33
outsatnding!


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Direct Link To This Post Posted: January 01 2009 at 20:52
This all sounds great news and I'll look forward to seeing the websites and the new band perform. I was fortunate to see the original FO play several times in the second half of their existence. The later line up, after Colin departed, was good, but during Colin's era they could be staggering. Due to a combination of fantastic songs, brilliant musicians, Jill's stage presence and effective lighting, etc, they created a unique, theatrical atmosphere that I'll never forget. Another of their attributes was their ability to fuse rock, jazz and progressive elements with a degree of raw power that very rarely applies to such bands.
Much as I'd love to hear songs from 'Skeleton' plus new material, I must beg Colin to consider also playing some of the songs added to the set  after the album was released, Songs such as 'Sister Reeno', 'To A Child' and the awe-inspiring 'Beginning End' must be amongst the finest rock songs to never be released. These are songs so good that I can remember, them despite not having heard them for over 30 years! If you like 'Skeleton', you would love these songs because, in my opinion, they are even better! 
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: January 01 2009 at 22:45
This is great news, missed the thread the first couple times around...love the original album. Can't wait!
Beauty will save the world.
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: February 02 2009 at 13:16
Sorry for the delay in replying to all those who have posted lately. Thanks for your all kind words.

First, a special apology to Atavachron: work is still under way on the Fusion Orchestra (and also FO2) website. The band was together from 1969 until 1975 – just unravelling the history is taking longer than expected. It will be forthcoming soon – so please bear with us.

Also thanks to Adrian. Your memory is remarkable. Original guitarist Colin Dawson remembers the titles Beginning End and Sister Reno but as far as we know, no recording exists of these numbers, and Colin has little recollection of them. As for To A Child – he had adapted the chords of this song for a new Fusion Orchestra 2 number (Rapunzel), which the  band hopes you will enjoy as much or more!


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Direct Link To This Post Posted: February 08 2009 at 11:37

Fireaxe - thanks for the response. My memory isn't generally that great, so my memories regarding FO are a reflection of the extraordinary impact they made at the time. Wasn't just me though - FO became one of the most popular bands amongst my schoolfriends, regularly enticing several of us to the Marquee, which was a lot more exciting than doing homework!

Delighted to hear that a new song is based on 'To A Child'. If it has actually improved on the original, it will be phenomenal! Although I've never heard evidence of a studio recording of 'Sister Reno', I think Colin might have a live recording, as I'm pretty sure that the song was played the night at the Marquee that was probably his last appeareance; a gig that also featured a guest appearance by Stan Land. I spoke to Colin subsequently and this gig was definitely recorded, although only for his/band consumption. Hopefully this recording still survives, but as a last resort I could offer a copy of a copy of a very poor cassette recording made by someone at a gig featuring the last line-up (which always played the song). Unfortunately Colin's Marquee recording won't feature 'Beginning End', which was not played that night, probably to make way for one or two older classics like 'Man In the Sky'. I only have hazy memories of 'Beginning End' - which was one of the band's longest songs - but it was a monumental achievement. It opened the set at nearly all the gigs I saw featuring Colin. It was very quiet and atmospheric during Jill's first lines, went through a few stages and ended with some power chords that created an amazing sense of drama. It would be a great shame if such a classic song was lost forever.
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: April 07 2009 at 06:44
FUSION ORCHESTRA's website is now live at www.fusionorchestra.com.

It features the band history, line-ups, the entire gig list from 1969 to 1975, a gallery, cuttings, 
roadies page, and more.

There is also a link to Fusion Orchestra 2 -- formed by original guitarist and founder-member Colin Dawson (www.fusionorchestra2.com).
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: April 07 2009 at 10:46
Congratulations to all involved - very impressive site, especially considering that the last gig was in 1975 and it must have taken a lot of work to track down all the information!
 
Must see if I can find any old photos, etc...
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: April 08 2009 at 05:41
Great site... well done! Can't wait to see F02 Live
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