Here at STOAKES MEDIA over the past few months, we have been looking at the state of the current situation with dismay. The feeling of helplessness has been overwhelming. What can we do to help and support the fight against COVID 19? And then it came to us! We’re going to record an album.
THE ISOLATION SESSIONS is an album of re imagined songs. A collection of DANNY’s favourite songs, all reworked and recorded in isolation. From heavy metal to country, rock and roll to folk this is a huge cross section of music delivered in an entirely different style.
Danny has called upon a few friends and as such, the album features the creme de la creme of the current rock scene.
Featuring collaborations with Romeo’s Daughter guitarist Craig Joiner, Voodoo Six axeman Matt Pearce and Tygers of Pan Tang drummer Craig Ellis. The album has been mastered by Benedict Harris Hayes, of Oceanica and Massive Dynamic, who also features on the opening track, Danny’s take on Pink Floyd’s ‘Wish You Were Here’.
Also featuring Kyle Lamley of THEIA, Hoss Thompson of Thirteen Stars, The Big Dirty Axeman, C. Diddy, Liberty Lies drummer Adam Stevens, Burnt Out Wreck’s Gary Moat, Ian Sanderson and Michael Armstrong.
Sicilian guitarist Antonello Giliberto and Tygers drummer Craig Ellis feature on ‘Diamonds and Rust’, a track which is a cross between the Joan Baez original and the Judas Priest acoustic version, which, funnily enough was the first Priest song Danny ever heard. Founding member of Judas Priest and KK’s Priest guitarist, KK Downing shared these thoughts about the album
“I would like to say congratulations and a big thank you to Danny Stoakes and all of the talented musicians for this collaboration. The Isolation Sessions is a collection of many well-known and loved songs that have been interpreted in a unique way during these past difficult months, and all in the name of a most worthy and appropriate charity, “The National Emergencies Trust Covid Appeal”, As I listen to the songs it is difficult to find favourites, but I admit I do warm to Diamonds and Rust – a song I have played with Priest so many times. I would strongly urge everyone to get on board and check out The Isolation Sessions, not only for its much needed cause, but for the undoubtable enjoyment you will have from listening to it. Again, much respect to all involved in this creation and my sincere thanks to you all for your support.” – K.K. Downing
Check out Diamonds and Rust below:
Danny comments, “I’d like to say a huge thankyou to all the artists who have got involved and got behind this project. They have all done this for nothing ensuring that 100% of the money goes to the charity. Covid 19 is still very much out there and I really hope that we are able to help and support those who most need it. Thank you again to you all.”
Danny has recently put a lyric video out of the song ‘Blodeuwedd the Owl’. The song features Romeo’s Daughter guitarist Craig Joiner who not only shares vocal duties with Danny, but also plays the mandolin and lead guitar on the track.
Watch the lyric video below:
THE ISOLATION SESSIONS TRACKLIST
Wish You Were Here – Danny Stoakes & Benedict Harris – Hayes
Blodeuwedd The Owl – Danny Stoakes & Craig Joiner
Unsafe building – Danny Stoakes & Kyle Lamley
Diamonds and Rust – Danny Stoakes, Antonello Giliberto & Craig Ellis
Gypsy – Danny Stoakes & Michael Armstrong
Learning to Wheels – Danny Stoakes & Ian Sanderson
Sweet Mary Ann – Danny Stoakes & Hoss Thompson
Whole Lotta Rosie – Danny Stoakes & Gary Moat
Wild Rover – Danny Stoakes & Matt Pearce
You Can’t Always Get What You Want – Danny Stoakes, C Diddy & Adam Stevens
Album Produced by Stoakes Media
Mixed by Danny Stoakes; Blodeuwedd The Owl Mixed by Craig Joiner
Audio Restoration and Mastering at Ethereal Tantrum Studios by Benedict Harris-Hayes
Donate and order The Isolation Sessions Here: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/theisolationsessions
or head over to the Progressive Gears Bandcamp: https://progressivegears.bandcamp.com/album/the-isolation-sessions
– NB. Bandcamp take a 10% distribution charge
THE STORY SO FAR….
The first single, back in May saw Danny and Burnt Out Wreck frontman Gary Moat take on Danny’s version of the AC/DC song ‘Whole Lotta Rosie. All the artists are doing this out of the goodness of their hearts, which ensures that 100% of the money raised goes to this worthy cause.
It is no secret that Danny is a huge AC/DC fan, he has all their albums, all their films and it was on a particularly long drive home from a gig a few years ago, listening to AC/DC Live at Riverplate, that he had this idea. ‘What would AC/DC sound like if Oasis covered them?’ And the idea for this arrangement was born. Add the incredible vocal talents of BURNT OUT WRECK frontman GARY MOAT and we were cooking with gas.
Danny explains ‘During the early stages of lockdown, I very quickly decided that we had to do something to help. I had the idea of recording some songs and asking a few people to play and sing on them. I knew I wanted to include ‘Rosie’ and Gary thankfully loved the idea. Burnt Out Wreck are a fantastic band and I’ve been a huge fan since they started back in 2016. After seeing him do a version of Highway to Hell I just knew I had to do this song and get him to sing it with me’
After ‘Whole Lotta Rosie’ was released, it received some absolutely amazing press coverage. Being played and shared worldwide; from Canada, Mexico, the Czech Republic and of course here in the UK too. We were absolutely amazed at the response. We had to follow it up with something special. And boy is this special.
Second single, ‘Gypsy’ sees Danny collaborating with singer/songwriter Michael Armstrong who penned the track after a real-life encounter outside of the Houses of Parliament a few years ago.
Danny was listening to Michael’s latest album, #LookingForTheWorld and instantly fell in love with the track, citing it as ‘album highlight’ in his review of the album last year. Michael Armstrong is an incredible musician and has worked alongside some of the biggest names in the business including Sir Paul McCartney, Sir Cliff Richard, Mark Knopfler, Hank Marvin and Elliot Randall.
Michael Armstrong comments; “Whenever anyone covers my songs I feel extremely flattered and honoured, so when Danny asked if he could record his own version of my song ‘Gypsy’ I felt just that. When I then learned that he was putting an album together of similar covers and that it was all being done for the National Emergencies Trust Covid Appeal I was even more delighted, and when he asked if I would perform on it too, I jumped at the chance. Danny’s version has a slightly different rhythmic feel and tempo to my original so when I added a piano part and then sang it, I had to try and fit in with that, which with a song you’ve known since birth isn’t an easy thing to do! Once I was reasonably happy with what I’d put down it all got sent back to Danny, who then mixed my parts together with his and the result is what you hear now. I think he’s done a fine job!”
Danny adds; “I am simply overjoyed to have Michael Armstrong involved in The Isolation Sessions. I was initially a little nervous sending him my version of the song, because as Michael says, it is a little different rhythmically and a little slower than the original too. But thankfully he liked it and agreed to get involved.”
The world is in a state of emergency right now. The outbreak of Covid-19 is affecting people from across the globe. The Government is doing everything it can to alleviate some of this pressure. However, at times like this, it’s the strength and desire to help from the public that can make the most difference.
THE NATIONAL EMERGENCIES TRUST will work collaboratively with a wide range of organisations to ensure the maximum amount of money is raised and distributed securely, effectively, and fairly to those organisations and local charities who can do the most to help those in need.
Danny comments, “What the National Emergencies Trust is doing is great as it is sharing the money out between lots of different charities and this in turn will help the most amount of people get through this horrendous time.”
The support we have received so far has been absolutely staggering with this single being played on rock and metal media outlets worldwide. From Mexico, Canada, to the Czech Republic to right here in the UK, we cant thank you enough for all your support and lets all raise some money for this great cause.
PRESS/INTERVIEWS
Our first interview after we released the first single was with the lovely guys over at Rock Today. Craig was so enthusiastic and absolutely loved the track!
Following our interview with Rock Today, we then chatted to the guys over at The Median Man
Danny had a great chat with Gary Alikivi after the album was released. They discussed the album, the songs and the fantastic support the album has received
RADIO INTERVIEWS
Danny and Michael Armstrong had a chat with BBC Radio Essex’s Tony Fisher after the release of the second single, ‘Gypsy’.
Danny chats to K107 FM’s Graeme Logan following the release of the second single ‘Gypsy’
Benedict Harris – Hayes who mastered the album chats to Peter Lewis at NCCR
