Mario Parga: return of the magician



News:
19-01-2008:
A New year update from Mario:


H
i Everyone,

I've been a little quiet over Christmas & the New Year as we've been busy with our new baby daughter, Skye Lee Parga (born 21st December 2007). Please read my latest blog entry at the main website for more on this subject!

Although it's a little late, I'd like to wish you all a Happy New Year, and hope that 2008 brings good fortune and happiness to you

2008 will be a busy year for me as I plan on recording and releasing several projects, all of which will be announced on the News & Events page at the main website.

To start off the New Year, the old Gallery at the main website has been replaced with a brand new one: the new Galleries contain numerous photographs of me over the years plus many photos from my personal albums. There's also a 'Travel & Places' gallery; whilst I'm not really a photography enthusiast, a couple of years ago I bought a digital camera and have just started to document events and travel, recording memories to look back on. At the moment, there are only photos of the UK and USA in the gallery, but other countries will follow soon. At this moment, there are 128 photos in the Galleries, more will be added over time and the gallery link opposite will be updated to reflect this. View the new Galleries.

Thanks for all your support in 2007, and I look forward to sharing more of my music with you in 2008 :-)

Very best wishes,

Mario


23-12-2007:
Congratulations are in order for Mario Parga, I leave Mario to explain:

Dear All,

I sincerely wish you a Happy Christmas & New Year, and I would like to say Thank You for your continued support here on MySpace. A lot has happened this year, and even more is in store for 2008.

I would like to proudly announce to my friends here on MySpace that my baby daughter, Skye Lee Parga was born two days ago on the 21st of December in Oxfordshire, England. She weighed 6lbs and 6ozs and is in great health. My Sweetheart, Shawna, is ok and doing great too; both my girls are now back at home and doing just fine :-) (Some pics of Skye will be available soon in my gallery on the main website).

Once again, thank you so much for your support,

Very best wishes for the holidays




15-12-2007:
More high praise for Marios's latest release in this review from alloutguitar.com

Mario has kept a low profile for far too long: he needs - and deserves - to be up there in the highest pantheons of virtuoso guitarists. As a stylist Mario is a player who can appeal to fans of many different guitar styles and should not be pigeonholed as just a neo classical artist. This should be considered an essential purchase!



13-11-2007:
Master flawless sweep arpeggios! Mario Parga at MidnightCafe Studios playing his popular piece 'Solo in D'.

Full tablature of this solo transcribed by Mario is available at the shop

Solo in D


12-11-2007:
Entranced is now available from guitar9

11-11-2007:
A new subdomain has opened tonight within Mario’s main website called The Making of Entranced. The subdomain features several pages of Entranced related items, videos, isolated audio files, artwork/photos, interviews, reviews, stories & explanations of the meaning of the songs, album facts and everything else Entranced!

Entranced is now available from iTunes and Napster in every country. CDBaby in the USA now stock both the CD and download version of Entranced. Disk Heaven in Japan stock the CD in their three major retail stores in Tokyo, Osaka and Nagoya. As well as regular copies of Entranced Disk Heaven also has a limited supply of autographed copies.

04-10-2007:
Wow some cool video from Mario Parga playing the opening arpeggio sequence to 'Entranced' (Entranced, 2007)(studio outake). You can subscribe to Marios video output on YouTube: http://youtube.com/user/MarioPargaGuitar

Mario Parga 'Entranced' Solo


28-09-2007:
Some cool news, exclusive to Truth in Shredding live from Mario Parga:

1. Disk Heaven in Japan now stocks Entranced in it’s three major retail stores in Tokyo, Osaka and Nagoya. They have regular copies of the album plus special signed copies (with Signature Guitar Picks) available for Japanese fans.

2. Even cooler news: Mario Parga has collaborated with old friend/bandmate and Black Sabbath vocalist Tony Martin who has provided vocals for a vocal version of ‘Spirit of Night (featuring Tony Martin)’. This special version of the popular track from Entranced will be released as a CD and Download single (date to be announced) and available from numerous online retailers including the MidnightCafe Merchandise store. Mario said recently of Tony:
“He never ceases to amaze me. His voice on ‘Spirit of Night’ is stunningly beautiful and haunting. I’m looking forward to the release date and to hear feedback from the many people who’ve taken this song to heart.’



21-09-2007:
Mario Parga's haunting ballad 'Hourglass' from the Jason Becker Tribute Album 'Warmth in the Wilderness II' (2002) has been remastered at MidnightCafe Studios and is now available as a single download from the MidnightCafe Store! The track only costs 79p (approx $1.58) and is in high quality 320 kbps MP3 format - buy it from: http://store.marioparga.com!

Don't forget that for a limited time only, Mario's brand new and long awaited album 'Entranced' is available to listen to: http://www.myspace.com/marioparga!! To buy the album on CD (only £9.99! - approx $19.99!- price includes worldwide delivery!) or High Quality Download (320 kbps MP3) (only £7.49! - approx $14.99!), please visit the Online Store at: http://store.marioparga.com

19-09-2007:
The entire 'Entranced' Album Preview on MySpace Page: http://www.myspace.com/marioparga Now you can hear Mario Parga's new album Entranced in it's entirety by using the Last FM audio player here on MySpace page! Don't forget that the album is available on CD for only £8.99! (approx $17.99!) or High Quality Download for only £6.49! (approx $12.99!) from our Online Store!

29-07-2007:
A news update from Mario Parga, who has just been in America. A very busy time ahead as Mario plans to record an electric guitar track with Carlos Creator and this will be available as a single MP3 in his online store. Carlos Creator was over at the MidnightCafe studio and shot some great acoustic video was shot...look out for this and other clips soon.

Mario is also in the writing phase for an EP called Somewhere at the Midnight Café. It will consist of five tracks: 1. Welcome (to the Midnight Café), 2. Blue Cocktail, 3. Twilight Rose, 4. Electric Lounge, 5. Goodnight. Track 4, ‘Electric Lounge’ will feature guest solos from a couple of other guitarists.

He is still planning on recording 9 Solos for Electric Guitar, the solos represent the techniques behind the concept of the ‘Valse Diabolique’. Then on to an all-acoustic CD called Distant Dreams which is in the planning phase for possible recording sometime during the fall. Finally, a plan to re-record ‘Hourglass’, probably in late August. It will be more ‘epic’ than the original recorded for Warmth in the Wilderness II and will contain more strings and a choir.


27-04-2007:
Mario Parga has confirmed his playing times fro the London Guitar Show as 11:45am - 12pm and 1:45pm - 2pm.

15-04-2007:
Just to confirm that after the long wait, "Entranced" was finally released on 14-04-2007 by MidnightCafe Music! All the pre-orders will be the first to receive their signed copies of the CD and a special limited edition bonus pack. Mario would like to thank you for all your patience and support and is looking forward to hearing your feedback on the album....Good news for my brothers...belated Christmas presents ;o) ...

14-04-2007:
The Mario's web site store is open for business with some sound samples from the CD. Also featured on http://www.myspace.com/marioparga

13-04-2007:
So close you can almost taste it...I bring you the cover from Mario's upcoming Entranced CD...



04-04-2007:
Mario Parga will be playing at the London Guitar Show on Saturday the 28th of April. Mario will be with the boys from the on line shred magazine AllOutGuitar.com. Mario will be playing live at 12:45 pm - 1pm, and 3:45pm - 4pm. Mario will be playing a guitar solo, followed by one of the Entranced tracks....YouTube fans take note...

Also Mario has confirmed that Entranced is on schedule for the release date of 14/4/2007. The pre-order-ers will be the first to get their copies and additional limited edition discs.

19-03-2007:
Mario Parga has now buy the tab for his "Solo in D". Mario's notes that this is one of his most popular and loved melodies, featuring alternate picking, sweeping arpeggios and a beautiful melody. This tab has been transcribed by Mario himself.

10-03-2007:
Nearing the release date...looking for something new...something to spice up your mobile phone? Look no further...buy your ringtones from Mario...and annoy everyone at work.

10-02-2007:
Mario Parga is currently looking to provide some new services:
1. Mario Parga Guitar Masterclasses

2. MidnightCafe Music is now accepting material from other artists:

3. Mario will be appearing at the London Guitar Show this April and will play a live guitar solo. As soon as the details are finalised they'll be published here!

19-01-2007
Marios store is up and running: http://store.marioparga.com/

14-01-2007:
OK, Midnight Cafe music is now online http://music.marioparga.com/. Along with Entranced which is set for final release on Saturday 14th April 2007, there are plans for an EP "Somewhere at the MidnightCafe". Mario hope this to be available during late Summer on both CD and download formats.

Track listing is:
1. Welcome (to the Midnight Cafe...)
2. Blue Cocktail
3. Electric Lounge
4. Twilight Rose
5. Goodnight...
The CD should appeal to fans of 'Midnight Cafe' (The Magician 1991) and the Home page's 'Spirit of Night fade solo (Chill-Out Version)'.

Also plans are in place for "9 Solos for Electric Guitar" like 'Solo in D', and were written by Mario Parga in 2000 and were the basis on which he wrote 'Valse Diabolique'. These solos will be available early Summer for download only and exclusively through this site's online store.

11-01-2007:
Head line news: Mario Parga has now confirmed the release date of Entranced as
14-04-2007. However, the album will now be released on Mario's newly formed record label called 'MidnightCafe Music' instead of LNR. This was by agreement with LNR, Mario has amicably split from LNR label.

Mario also plans to post new sound clips from Entranced, an online store and new web site for the record label. We wish Mario well with his new venture.

More news when I hear it!

07-01-2007:
A happy new year, in deed. It looks like we got there! Mario Parga has added a new track to his website, it's called 'Ritual'. The release celebrates the forthcoming release of "Entranced". As soon as I have the release date I will let you know immediately. Mario will be publishing the realease date shortly, in the meantime don't forget to check his web site for video and mp3. Best wishes to Mario for getting through 2006 and looking forward to 2007!

09-11-2006:
A big apology from Mario Parga and it looks like the CD is on the way again...

Thank you all again for your continued support and great patience, I genuinely appreciate it and plan to get a lot more music out to you over the following year! ;-)


"Entranced is now finally ready for release and will be available shortly. Both the main website and Liquid Note Records’ site will publish updates and release dates."


"I’ve been in the U.S. for a while, but now I’m back here things will start to move quickly and I’ll shortly add more videos and other stuff to the main site."


For more check out Mario's blog: http://blog.marioparga.com/


02-06-2006:
More Woe from Mario Parga. Having closed his myspace website due to too much unsolicited friend requests he now has problem with the relases of Entranced. The reason reasons beyond Mario Parga's or Liquid Note Records’ control. I'll let you know when the problem is resolved.

01-05-2006:
Mario Parga will be at the London Guitar Show, Wembley on Saturday the 6th May. He's not signed to play but will be hanging out with the guys from AllOutGuitar.Com on stand 268 should anyone wish to chat with Mario or talk about guitars, licks, etc.

27-04-2006:
Mario Parga has confirmed that Entranced is now finished!!! Liquid Note Records website will be posting the release date in due course.

TA II - Sadly, due to increasingly busy schedules, Milan Polak and Mario Parga were unable to contribute a track to The Alchemists II. This is due to a lack of time and resources from both players.

Unforunately Mario has had to down his forum following a series of spam attacks

27-03-2006
Mario has posted a new sound clip called 'Solo in D' in the 'Miscellaneous' gallery in the Audio/Visual subdomain. It can be heard here: http://audio-visual.marioparga.com/productssimple0.html
NB this track does not appear on the upcoming album!

18-03-2006:
Mario has uploaded two great videos. The first is an acoustic vamp and the second is an acoustic version of "Spirit of Night": http://audio-visual.marioparga.com/about.html


02-02-2006:
Latest news
Entranced - will be released in April! Mario wishes sincere thanks and apologies to all those who've waited patiently.

The Alchemists II - MP2's track for The Alchemists II has been given the title 'Alter Ego'.

Check out the new Video Vault: Following a recent expedition into his attic, Mario has discovered some old VHS video's containing footage of him playing guitars.

Mario is still looking for a Keyboard Player.

24-12-2005:
A new look and feel for Marios' web site!

For thos e who liked the old one:


04-12-2005:
Marios home page features an audio clip to an excerpt from 'Mirage' from his new CD. See also
http://www.myspace.com/marioparga

02-12-2005:
Liquid Note Recording artist Mario Parga is looking for a keyboard player to augment Mario his band, Paul Stanney, bass and Kev Taylor, drums.

He is looking for :
"The kind of player we require will add depth and ambience to the band's sound, we're not looking for a player in the typical guitar instrumental genre to provide keyboard solos, etc. Auditions and rehearsals will be in the Oxfordshire, UK area. Live dates and a new album will follow during 2006."
'Please submit via email your biog, two recent photos and two MP3 files to: keyboards@themidnightcafe.com

'All applicants will be considered fairly regardless of sex, colour, ethnicity, etc.'

04-11-2005:
Mario has a band, Paul Stanney - bass guitar and Kev Taylor, drums. Mario continues to provide the keyboards but may get a keyboard player in the line up.

28-10-2005:
Mario's web site makes it's first birthday. He would like to thnak the thousand visitors per month by running a competition in collaboration with Liquid Note Records, where the winner will get a two hour guitar lesson with Mario via webcam.

(NB winner needs a webcam, DSL internet connection and SightSpeed software).

The winner needs to answer the question: 'Which key is 'Valse Diabolique' written in?' email your answer to competition@marioparga.com by Friday 25th November 2005.

Mario has also added a web page on http://www.myspace.com/marioparga

19-10-2005:
From Mario:
"Entranced is currently in its final stages of production at my studio. I'm fine tuning the odd part here and there, then I'll be mixing and mastering within the next couple of weeks.

When it's actually released is down to Liquid Note Records, they'll publish the dates on their site. It's been a while in the making I know, but it's now near to completion and I hope you'll think it was worth the wait when you hear it Smile

One of the reasons it took me a little longer than anticipated was the upgrading of my studio. I've spent thousands of pounds on new studio equipment, from mastering monitors to new sequencers, synths, etc. The stuff I had before was a little unreliable and outdated. I wanted Entranced to sound as best as I could possibly get it to, no expense spared. And as I was playing all the instruments and doing all the engineering, I needed the studio to be set up properly and to learn all the new software and programmes so that I could operate it with ease. It took a while but now I've mastered it!

The other thing that slowed the recording a little was the fact that the each piece of music contains multiple instrument parts, from guitars to huge keyboard sound walls. Entranced sounds very different to anything I've ever done before, as you'll soon hear

All my future music will be produced fairly quickly, I've already got a couple of things in the pipeline, and there's also the MP2 album and the MP2 track for The Alchemists II.

I appreciate everyone's patience! "
13-10-2005:
The Alchemists II: Liquid Note Records will be releasing a second 'Alchemists' compilation album early next year. This time, instead of featuring individual guitarists, each track will feature two 'Alchemists' playing together!

MP2 (Mario Parga & Milan Polak) will be providing an electric guitar track for the album

15-09-2005:
Mario has announced that the "Entranced" CD is in it's final stages of production at MidnightCafe Studios. For all pre-orders, please contact Liquid Note Records.

29-08-2005:
Getting close to release date for Mario's CD. In the meantime you can check out some new "big hair" pictures or the maestro, with guests Cozy Powell, Neil Murray and Tony Martin in the band Hammer, here: http://galleries.marioparga.com/

06-08-2005:
Mario has a new web site and is now providing a number of studio services for hire at his MidnightCafe Studios. He can also provide a professional service for the following:

Music Services
  • Original soundtrack creation from single instruments to full orchestral
  • Mixing & mastering service for audio files (wav, mp3, etc.) with full digital effects suite including optional surround sound
  • Audio file format conversion
  • CD/DVD compilation
  • DVD audio
Video Services
  • Video editing (digital & analogue)
  • Digital remastering with full digital effects suite including optional surround sound
  • DVD authoring
  • Original soundtrack creation from single instruments to full orchestral
  • Analogue to digital conversion
  • Video file format conversion (eg. avi to mpeg, conversion to flash for web streaming, etc.)
  • Video burned onto archive quality DVD, CD, VCD or S-VHS
  • Video repair (colour correction, filtration, noise removal, EQ, etc.)
for more details contact Mario.

29-07-2005:
Mario has a new interview by www.shredaholic.com. Check it out.

13-07-2005:
Marios working overtime on musical production quality for "Entranced" album so look out for an early September release. I'll keep you posted.

03-07-2005:
Mario has added a new item: 'Miscellaneous' in his http://audio-visual.marioparga.com/. It features an amazingly cool "chilled-out" version of 'Spirit of Night' (fade solo). A lot more stuff will be added to the over the next few days. It can't be too long before the long awaited release of the Entranced CD. Check it out now.

28-05-2005:
Mario has set up a new sub domain to allow you check out transcripts / music tab. It already includes extracts from "Valse Diabolique" and "The Magician" as well as arpeggios and other licks: http://transcripts.marioparga.com/

You can also feedback to Mario: transcripts@marioparga.com.

19-05-2005:
Mario is adding a ‘Transcripts/Tablature’ page to his site in a couple of weeks. He's doing this to cover the "genuinely surprising" amount of requests he's had for tracks like ‘Valse Diabolique’ and his cool arpeggios. I'll let you know as soon as It's done. Remember you can also preorder the Entranced cd from Liquid Note Records.

05-05-2005:
Mario has added more mp3 clips from The Magician. It includes unreleased demo ‘Farenheit Avenue’. Check them out here:http://audio-visual.marioparga.com/

Mario will also be adding more audio and video soon, including clips from ‘Heatwave’ (the original demo version – miles better than the one on The Magician!), ‘Concrete Jungle’, ‘Miles Away’, ‘Night Groove’... This is what you have been waiting for!

01-05-2005:
Great news, Mario has set up a new sub domain to allow you to see and hear latest videos and mp3 it is called http://audio-visual.marioparga.com/

27-04-2005:
Sooner than expected, Mario has added More guitar videos, including some clips of arpeggio exercises and alternate picking videos. Check them out!

25-04-2005:
Mario has added some sparkling guitar videos, including some clips from his forthcoming CD and Valse Diabolique video. More clips are due soon. Remember you can also preorder the Entranced cd from Liquid Note Records. I'll keep you informed as soon as I know more.

23-03-2005:
Mario has added audio from the new Entranced CD to his website and he'll be adding more, including videos, over the coming weeks.

18-03-2005:
Mario has set up a new forum for people to discuss guitar music. Join now

14-02-2005:
Mario will release a making of 'performance' DVD of the new "Entranced" CD. This will be a DVD of Mario playing 'live' the main melodies and solos plus Valse Diabolique and Hourglass. Mario would be happy to recieve comments about what you would like to see on the DVD you can email Mario: mail@marioparga.com with your views/suggestions.

09-01-2005:
Mario Parga Entranced CD described as "A voyage into a dream-like world of rich, vast soundscapes where Parga's sweeping arpeggios, rapid picking and haunting melodies transport the listener to a far away place" is now available for pre order from Liquid Note Records with an expected release date April/May 2005.

The track listing:

  1. Legend
  2. Entranced
  3. The Journey
  4. Haunted
  5. Mirage
  6. Storm Warning
  7. Spirit of Night
  8. Ritual
  9. Farewell


Background:
I first heard Mario Parga some twenty years previous, from an underground demo tape. Mario was very exciting player.

In 1991 he released an astonishing picking fiesta of scintillating solos on his first all instrumental exposition "The Magician". Featuring a vast array of extended sweep picking passages, sultry vibrato and cleanness of playing that reminds me of a "souped up" Vinnie Moore.

Mario has also played with major artists like Graham Bonnet (formerly of Alcatrazz - featuring Yngwie Malmsteen) and Forcefield featuring the likes of Cozy Powell, Ray Fenwick and Don Airey

Mario also features on an MVP style release that captures the spirit of a group of young players who were playing and the Vienna music Institute in the early 90's. The Cosmic Monstrositors features cool legato smooth solos over simple refreshing melodies. With Todd Duane, Lale Larson of barking mad thrash fusioners "Electrocution 250" plus Phi Yaan Zek and Milan Polak.

Having faded into the background, Mario released a long awaited track on the critically acclaimed "The Alchemists". Now Mario is set to "pop out of the hat" with a second full solo outing with an upcoming release on Liquid Note Records called 'Entranced
For the latest news including details about his upcoming release and super group MPII with Milan Polak a super acoustic shreddathon. For more check out Marios recently revamped web site.

Comments

Post a Comment

Thanks for your feedback