In conjunction with their participation at the prestigious Porretta Prog Legacy festival, AMS Records proudly announces the release of “Mere, on stage!,” a captivating live album by the acclaimed Progressive Rock band Ellesmere, led by Roberto Vitelli. This edition boasts exceptional guest appearances from renowned artists including John Wilkinson (vocals), David Jackson (saxophone, Van Der Graaf Generator), and Maurizio Guarini (keyboards, Goblin). As a special bonus, the album also features a rare studio cover of Procol Harum’s classic Broken Barricades—the first-ever cover released by Ellesmere.
“Mere, on stage!” is a valuable testament to the vitality of the Italian Progressive scene and one of its most dynamic bands. This is not Ellesmere’s first live album: following the release of “Wyrd” (2019), the band delivered the expansive double live album Livesmere in 2022. Now, coinciding with their performance at the Porretta Prog Legacy alongside fellow AMS Records artists Alphataurus, Ellesmere presents a powerful live recording from the 2024 edition of the esteemed Prog & Frogs festival.
The album captures Ellesmere at full force, with Roberto Vitelli at the helm, supported by an impressive lineup: John Wilkinson on vocals, David Jackson on saxophone, Maurizio Guarini on keyboards, Giacomo Anselmi on guitar, Fabio Bonuglia on keyboards, and Diego Bertocci on drums.
Stylistically, Ellesmere evolved significantly after their debut album “Les Châteaux de la Loire,” which had a Folk and Acoustic focus. Starting from their sophomore release “From Sea and Beyond,” the project embraced a more Symphonic and modern Progressive Rock sound, often bordering on Hard Rock—a transformation facilitated by the involvement of numerous internationally acclaimed guests handpicked by Vitelli. The live renditions here resonate with even greater intensity, especially during the second half of the concert where longer, more intricate compositions unfold with captivating energy and engagement.
To complete this release, Vitelli includes a studio bonus track: a compelling reinterpretation of Procol Harum’s “Broken Barricades,” marking a significant milestone as Ellesmere’s first-ever cover.
Pre-Order the album here:
AMS Records: https://ams-music.it/wp/ellesmere-mere-on-stageellesmere-mere-on-stage/
BTF: https://btf.it/prodotto/ellesmere-mere-on-stage-live/
Ellesmere: https://www.ellesmere-project.com
Tracklist:
01. Ridge Fanfare 4:45
02. Northwards 5:12
03. Tundra 7:21
04. Runaway 6:02
05. Crystallized 13:18
06. Ajar 9:12
07. Another World 9:28
08. Time, Life Again 12:02
09. Broken Barricades 4:27 (Studio Bonus Track)