When you’re looking for a great guitar solo, you need a great guitarist to play it. Thats what William Shatner thought as he was playing through the early material he has already gathered for his upcoming Metal album, and that’s exactly what he did.
Shatner was listening back to “The Grim Reaper,” a new song that he cowrote with guitarist Marcus Nand, and while he was personally happy with the performance, he also sent their demo to the Rainbow/Deep Purple legend to ask what he thought, and what he might do different.
Ritchie got back to him directly. ““The guitar solo on what you sent is very good. I don’t feel I can add anything to change or improve it.”
So Nand, already widely regarded as one of the best, if under-rated, guitarists on the current scene, known for his refined, tasteful playing style, takes one more giant step towards immortality. Ritchie, after all, is renowned for his refusal to accept second best… if he says something’s good, you’d better believe it’s good.
And Nand is good, his eclectic upbringing formulating a style that spans the flamenco traditions of Spain, the soulful depths of blues, and the raw power of rock. This unique blend has garnered him significant recognition, notably through his work with long-time David Bowiesideman Mike Garson; the metal band Freak Of Nature, featuring Mike Tramp; and the world music-infused rock ensemble Ziroq, alongside another Bowie veteran, bassist Carmine Rojas.
Blackmore, who has previously collaborated on two William Shatner albums, the Blues and Christmas albums, also expressed his gratitude for being considered for this new project and conveyed his encouragement.
And so work continues apace on this most eagerly-awaited of albums, but if you can’t wait to hear just how good a guitarist Nand is, catch his debut solo album The Traveler, released in 2024 by Cleopatra Records. Garson, Tramp and Rojas all appear on the album, alongside Billy Idol collaborator Steve Stevens.
Joe Lynn Turner needs no introduction. Long before he launched his solo career in 1985, his years fronting Ritchie Blackmore’s Rainbow (Difficult To Cure, Straight Between The Eyes, Bent Out of Shape) established him among the most dynamic vocalists on the metal scene, an accolade that was only amplified by stints with Deep Purple (Slaves and Masters) and Yngwie Malmsteen (Odyssey).
Clearly, Turner knows a great guitarist when he hears one, and Marcus Nand is no exception. Born in Spain and a student of flamenco guitar along with blues and rock, Nand has incorporated his diverse influences on such projects as the Los Angeles-based metal band Freak Of Nature, which featured White Lion singer Mike Tramp, and the world music-influenced rock band Ziroq with famed David Bowie bassist Carmine Rojas!
His first solo album, 2024’s The Traveler, was described by Forgotten-Scroll.net as “a PERFECT album” for anyone enjoying “sweet, harmonious, exceptional rock music.” Foo Fighters keyboardist Rami Jaffee raves, “Marcus knows how to write a song that feels truly rock and at the same time, truly worldly”; Alice In Chains’ Mike Inez continues, “He is a great example of a dedicated musician carrying the torch of his genre well into the future.”
And still “Ride Captain Ride,” the mighty fruit of this devastating partnership, leads both players into a whole new arena. According to the late songwriter Mike Pinera, the song was written “in about 15 minutes [and] we cut it right that day.” It lifted his band Blues Image to international fame and, with close to 25 million Spotify plays to its credit, it remains one of the greatest rock standards of all time.
And one of the greatest Yacht Rock classics as well, which is what makes Turner and Nand’s treatment of the song so fascinating, as it preludes one of Cleopatra Records’ most highly-anticipated albums of the year, Yacht Metal – Yacht Rock Goes Heavier & Louder.
Nand has always loved the number. “I’ve been a big fan of Joe Lynn Turner for years, so getting the chance to play on this track was a real thrill. It was also a lot of fun to revisit ‘Ride Captain Ride’ – such a classic! I wanted to stay true to the spirit of the original while giving it a heavier edge without losing what made it special in the first place.”
Turner continues, “It was 1970 and ‘Ride Captain Ride’ was the big song…it went to #4 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart but was forever engraved in our lives. I played it in my cover band a thousand times.
“It was a real joy to do a new version for Cleopatra…a fun tune with a positive message…hope you enjoy it as much as I still do!”
Because, if you do, you’re going to love Yacht Metal, too. Featuring contributions from Thor, Vinnie Moore, BulletBoys, Cherie Currie, Uriah Heep veteran Mick Box, Megadeth’s Chris Poland, Ross The Boss, Britt Lightning and another Rainbow alumnus Graham Bonnet, Yacht Metal is guaranteed to uproot everything you have ever thought you knew about both the genre and the songs that sail on it. A line-up that also includes “Takin’ It To The Streets,” “Just The Two Of Us” and “You Can Do Magic.”
Well, Turner and Nand have already done some magic here, but just to whet the appetite further, here’s Mike Pinera again, speaking about the super-weird coincidence that has also established ”Ride Captain Ride” in the annals of rock’s most Fortean favorites.
He wrote the song on a Model 73 Rhodes piano, and the song’s opening rhyme riffed on that number… “73 men sailed out from the San Francisco Bay….”
“Now, here is the weird thing that happened. It got released, it was in the Top Ten, #1 in a lot of regional markets, and my manager gets a call from the Pentagon, wanting to know how I, as the writer of those words, knew about the secret spy ship USS Pueblo? My manager goes ‘what are you talking about? I don’t think Mike knows anything about that stuff. Ask him about the latest Gibson guitar and he’ll know, but he doesn’t know anything about secret spy ships.’ Which I didn’t.
“But it turned out that I had written a song that coincided with an incident that had not yet happened; it took place after the song was released; and here’s what made it so freaky. There were seventy-three men on board who sailed out from the San Francisco Bay on this secret spy mission that nobody was supposed to know about, and they got in trouble out there on the ocean, they were captured and taken prisoner. Seventy-three men sailed off into history. As far as I was concerned, those lyrics were free form flow of consciousness stuff, but then you get to the third verse…
“At one of my concerts years later, I met the radio guy from the USS Pueblo who told me something I didn’t know about that third verse, that while they were actually being captured, it was during a massive storm and they couldn’t get the word out that they needed help because the bad weather was blocking the radio transmission.”
But no one heard them callin’, no one came at all ‘Cause they were too busy watchin’ those old raindrops fall As THE storm was blowin’ out on the peaceful sea Seventy-three men sailed off to history
Guitar virtuoso Marcus Nand, best known for his collaborations with White Lion’s frontman Mike Tramp, marks the August 2 release of his much-anticipated solo album The Traveler by joining Tramp for a full US tour.
Marcus Nand’s musical odyssey is deeply rooted in his eclectic upbringing, spanning the flamenco traditions of Spain, the soulful depths of blues, and the raw power of rock. This unique blend has garnered him significant recognition, notably through his work with the metal band Freak Of Nature, featuring Mike Tramp, and the world music-infused rock ensemble Ziroq, alongside legendary David Bowie bassist Carmine Rojas.
Nand reflects on the creation of the album, stating, “The Traveler is definitely a very musical guitar album – but not as you’d expect. There are lots of textures and depth to the guitars and I was careful in making sure they created an atmosphere and supported the vocals. A lot of care went into the writing, production, and the vocals because I wanted every element to be strong and sound like a great ‘band’ – which I think it does!”
Now fans can look forward to experiencing Nand’s electrifying live performances as he hits the road with Mike Tramp. The upcoming tour promises to be a spectacular showcase of their combined talents.
“I’m super excited about the tour,” says Nand. “We have some great surprises in the set and I’m thrilled to have my album The Traveler available at the merch stand. Looking forward to seeing everyone on the road!”
Tour Dates: 8.23 – Backstage Bar – Las Vegas, NV 8.24 – Club 44 – Glendale, AZ 8.29 – Arcada Theatre – St. Charles, IL 8.30 – Epic Event Center- Green Bay, WI 9.1 – Winchester – Lakewood, OH 9.2 – Los Gallos – Boardman, OH 9.4 – Rustbelt – East Moline, IL 9.6 – Rocktember Fest – Hinckley, MN 9.7 – Pierre’s Entertainment Center – Ft. Wayne, IN 9.8 – Diesel Lounge – Chesterfield, MI 9.11 – Venue Event Center – Cadillac, MI 9.12 – Warner Vineyards – Paw Paw, MI 9.13 – Art theatre – Hobart, IN 9.14 – Danenberger Vineyards – New Berlin, IL 9.15 – Hot Spot – High Ridge, MO 9.19 – Madlife Studios- Woodstock, GA 9.21 – CJ’s – St. Petersburg, FL 9.22 – Wynfield’s – Satellite Beach, FL 9.26 – Landis Theater – Vineland, NJ 9.27 – Debonair Music Hall – Teaneck, NJ 9.29 – Four Seasons By The Lake – Stafford Springs, CT 9.30 – Sellersville Theater – Sellersville, PA 10.1 – Jergel’s – Warrendale, PA 10.2 – Mickey’s Black Box – Lititz, PA 10.4 – Backseat Event Center – Winchester, VA 10.5 – Uncle Jessie’s – Raleigh, NC 10.10 – Bourbon Theater – Lincoln, NE 10.11 – Lefty’s – Des Moines, IA 10-13- Fat Jacks- Texarkana, Arkansas 10.17 – Fitzgerald Bar – San Antonio, TX 10.19 – Fat Daddy’s – Mansfield, TX 10.20 – Warehouse Live – Houston, TX 10.25 – The Whisky A Go Go – Hollywood, CA
The Traveler will be available on CD, vinyl, and digital formats starting August 2. Don’t miss the chance to embark on this sonic journey with Marcus Nand.
Internationally renowned guitar player Marcus Nand is thrilled to announce the release of his brand new single “Make A Little Time,” the latest offering from his forthcoming solo album, The Traveler. Born in the UK and raised in Spain, Marcus Nand’s musical journey has been deeply influenced by his diverse background in flamenco guitar, blues, and rock. His unique blend of styles has earned him acclaim in projects such as the metal band Freak Of Nature, featuring White Lion singer Mike Tramp, and the world music-influenced rock band Ziroq, alongside famed David Bowie bassist Carmine Rojas.
Released on the heels of the album’s first single, the propulsive rocker “Long Way Down,” “Make A Little Time” slows things down for a mid-tempo track that gives Nand plenty of space to showcase his tasteful guitar playing. It also highlights Nand’s powerful, soulful vocals, which demonstrate the incredible amount of passion and love Nand pours into his music.
Speaking about the album as a whole, Nand says, “The Traveler is definitely a very musical guitar album – but not as you’d expect. There are lots of textures and depth to the guitars and I was careful in making sure they created an atmosphere and supported the vocals. A lot of care went into the writing, production and the vocals because I wanted every element to be strong and sound like a great ‘band’ – which I think it does!”
The Traveler is a testament to Nand’s exceptional talent and dedication, with each track composed or co-written by Nand himself. The album features guest appearances by Nand’s former bandmates Tramp and Rojas as well as Billy Idol guitarist Steve Stevens and others, who add a rich layer of collaboration to the project. Marcus Nand’s The Traveler is more than just an album; it is a musical odyssey that invites listeners to embark on a journey through Nand’s diverse influences and experiences. Look for it on CD, vinyl and digital starting August 2!
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