The Famous Charisma Label

NEWS
[Mad Hatter]

CAS 1004 DISCOVERED!!
One of the empty spaces in the CAS series discography has now been filled!

Read all about it here: CAS 1004 Discovered

NEW SHELAGH McDONALD WEBSITE
Shelagh McDonald has returned to live performance. McDonald, who made two brilliant LPs for B&C in 1971 only to disappear completely the following year, turned up again a few years ago. She has now returned to live performance and plans to make new recordings. Here is her new website:

http://shelaghmcdonald.wordpress.com/

There is also a Facebook group for those interested in Shelagh's music. If you're on Facebook, just search on her name and you'll find it. The article about Shelagh's return from oblivion which originally appeared in the Scottish Daily Mail in November 2005 is no longer online, but I will repost it at some point.

GARY SHEARSTON (1939-2013)
Australian musician Gary Shearston passed away at the age of 74 on July 1, 2013 after suffering a stroke at his home in New South Wales. Gary had a long and fruitful musical career spanning 50 years, including two LPs for Charisma, and he scored a major UK hit in 1974 with his charming version of the Cole Porter classic I Get A Kick Out of You.

http://www.garyshearston.com/

Check out the official Gary Shearston website for more information.

STRING DRIVEN THING NEWS
In 2012, String Driven Thing released an archival live recording of a performance from their 1972 UK tour with Genesis, released to coincide with the 40th anniversary of their signing to Charisma. The concert was recorded at Manchester's Free Trade Hall and comes with a ten page fold out booklet with biographical information.

http://www.stringdriventhing.com/string-driven-thing-live-on-the-foxtrot-tour.html

Check out the band's official website:
www.stringdriventhing.co.uk

Classic String Driven Thing albums are available on CD in very nicely produced editions, many with bonus tracks, and can be ordered here:
http://www.stringdriventhing.com/discography

AUDIENCE NEWS
Some sad news to report from classic Charisma band Audience. In late 2008, John Fisher, the drummer who joined original members Howard Werth, Trevor Williams and Keith Gemmell upon their reformation in 2004, passed away at the age of 48 following a struggle with pancreatic cancer. Click here to read the band's announcement.

Audience website:
http://www.audienceareback.com

Also, see the Artists section for a brief history of Audience.
http://www.charismalabel.com/Artists/audience.htm

CHRIS ADAMS REMEMBERS STRAT
Chris Adams from String Driven Thing has written a frank and entertaining reminscence on Tony Stratton Smith and Charisma and the "good old days."

Chris Adams remembers Strat

PHIL COLLINS RECALLS THE CHARLIE DRAKE SINGLE
Comedian Charlie Drake, who passed away in December 2006, released the single You'll Never Know on Charisma in 1975. Co-written by Peter Gabriel, the recording has long been rumored to feature well-known musicians. In a post at his official website, Phil Collins remembers this unusual session:

http://www.charismalabel.com/Artists/drake.htm

CHRIS LEWIS ON THE FALL OF HYPERION
In a frank and entertaining reminiscence written exclusively for this website, singer and lyricist CHRIS LEWIS recalls his experiences working with Robert John Godfrey:

http://www.charismalabel.com/chrislewis.htm