Prog Rock Wednesdays (Page 19 of 24)

Not really sure about this one, my friend. I only know Marillion through  "Kayleigh" which was the hit I heard for the first time in Germany and which I liked very much. Reading from the comments below the tune on YT, they were compared by one person to Pink Floyd and Genesis which I don't really agree with, but..........I think what would help is for me to expose myself......... (no, not that kind! ) to more music from this group, so I can at least critique them intelligently.

For now, I like the lyrics and the drama I hear and see from the lead singer, and they're musically tight - I just can't say I like them, TF. For me, even though I can't explain it, a lot of things have to come together and here they just don't.

Sorry. I know these comments are a bit convoluted, but it's the best I can do .

Your Friend

Bill     

Mystery    "A Song for You"    Zoetermeer, Netherlands, 2016

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y9vbM1HCGnc

Haling from Quebec, Canada, it's immediately obvious that singer Jean Pageau sounds a lot like Dennis DeYoung (vocalist for "Styx" in the 70's). Originally formed in 1986, the band has gone through a number personnel changes (as bands usually do over time) and the current line up was a feature act at the Prog Dreams Festival in 2016. From 2000 - 2008, Benoit David was their lead singer, until leaving to replace Jon Anderson with Yes. Another tragedy struck the band in 2007, when bassist Patrick Bourque took his own life. But they've soldiered on, and are still making and performing great music.

This track is from their concert DVD "Second Home" ... enjoy!

This is a great group and as usual with a lot of groups some of their instruments are interesting. The drummer was great. Good singing and a lot of fun to watch.     

Peter Gabriel    "The Tower That Ate People"    Rotterdam, 2004

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S1isuj6X9Pc

Gabriel's "Still Growing Up" DVD was released in 2005, with intimate musings and interviews plus concert footage from his tour the year before. He has become an icon in modern music, with a career now spanning 50 years. Having always had a penchant for the unusual, he continues to this day writing lyrics which employ a hybrid reality - fantasy soundscape, with heavy use of metaphor throughout. What's remarkable is that he still has almost 100% of the vocal range he had as a young man, and is a consummate showman in the way he presents himself and his work.

David Gilmour    "In Any Tongue"    Pompeii, 2016

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EIJh4yhXXWc

The historic amphitheatre at Pompeii has been a recurring fixture in Pink Floyd's work, since they first filmed performances there in Adrian Maden's 1972 documentary. The old world acoustics of the stone amphitheatre design are still considered a marvel of design, and lend a "big-ness" to sound unlike any other venue. Flash forward 45 years, and Sir David returns with older Floyd classics and some solo material. At 70 years old when this was filmed, his closing guitar solo is as moving as anything he's ever done, and the addition of singer Bryan Chambers is a solid choice. This song was written by his wife Polly Sampson, and is from his 2015 album "Rattle That Lock" ... here he explains the lyrics:

"It's about the futility ... of people who are sitting here in the UK or the States flying drones over other parts of the world," he said. "They're sitting in the comfort of a little control room, playing with a joystick and then going home and having a curry. I can't imagine what goes through their minds when they get home, whether they're convinced of the correctness of what they're doing or whether they have some regrets.," Gilmour added. "They're brilliant words by Polly. The pain, the sorrow, the regrets are everywhere for everyone on every side of this multi-sided coin."

I hope you enjoy this beautiful and extremely moving piece of music.

Pendragon    "The Shadow"    Katowicz, Poland,  2008

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ruW6DpktLdM

A little softer touch from Nick Barrett & Co., from their 1996 2-disk album "The Masquerade Overture". With a career now spanning 40 years and over 30 albums, Pendragon have endured an immense series of personal hardships.This song was written by Barrett about his own inner struggles, trying to keep a band going through difficult times, and being haunted by doubts. One line goes:

"There's a man who's followed me, just about all of my life,
Being to you what I couldn't be, I call him my insecurity."

Barrett later reflected on these lyrics: "I very clearly remember writing this, and there was slightly strange atmosphere in the studio that day. Little did I know how prophetic those lyrics would become." The next five years saw one heartache after another, but they came out of it and have been going strong since 2005. Nick and keyboardist Clive Nolan have been steadfast friends since grade school, they each credit the other for being the needed support through the many changes and trials of their career.

Karnataka    "Your World"    Bury, England, 2012

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UcgtJpks_e4

Karnataka's "New Light" DVD was released in 2012, filmed while performing at The Met in Bury, England. Housed in the historic Derby Hall (built in the 1840's) it has become a busy venue for concerts and live theatre.  The band features Italian guitarist Enrico Pinno, who has been involved in many projects over his career. The addition of vocalist Hayley Griffiths in 2011, after her successes as a vocalist and Celtic dancer with "Riverdance" and Michael Flatley's "Feet of Flames". She added a welcome stage presence to the group, but both she and Pinno left the group in 2017, leaving founder / bassist Ian Jones with the task of rebuilding again. Seems like a common theme for a lot of groups.

King Crimson    "Indiscipline"    Mexico City, 2017

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IpZxwe4SXY8

Here's a reworking of an older KC classic from their 1981 album "Discipline", which was their 8th studio album. It was also their first album after a 7 year recess, which saw only founding members Robert Fripp (guitars) and Bill Bruford (drums) returning. New vocalist/guitarist Adrian Belew and bassist Tony Levin were now on board for the 80's, and they brought a "new age" flavor to the music. This song has some of that creative caustic chaotic cacophony of that time. In this clip, I don't think I've ever seen three drummers have so much fun, as (L>R) Pat Mastelotto, Jeremy Stacey, and Gavin Harrison are doing here. Lots of glances and grins being exchanged! And the intense yet vague lyrics could mean almost anything to anyone, as the conversations at SongMeanings.com indicate. Enjoy!

https://songmeanings.com/songs/view/118565/

I think my addled brain just stumbled upon a (for me) profound thought: These lyrics are a prime example why - for some people - music is necessary in creating such a work.

By themselves the words are just so much confusing (IMO) drivel. aren't they*? Even in the comment section, one person has decided the lyrics are about porn. Me, I don't interpret it that way and, as of this writing, haven't really decided what they "mean". But then, I'm just a lowly drummer - one third of a rhythm section - and I don't dwell on such things.

To borrow (and destroy) from Omar Khayyám's Rubaiyat "The sometimes misfiring brain synapses, and having synapsed moves on."

In other words, with KC - for me it's always been about the music.

Bill

*rhetorical

Bill ... glad you enjoyed it. Apparently, the song is about a piece of abstract art that the wife of former member Adrian Belew brought. He tried to understand / appreciate it, but somehow it never quite got there. That said, the song could apply to just about anything that barely eludes the senses.

Peatle ... that's so cool that you "know a guy who knows a guy" in connection with Robert Fripp. I've often thought he must do Tax Returns when he's not playing guitar, as he certainly projects that well-ordered, austere persona. Turns out he's just like that according to your friend, which isn't terribly surprising.

This is an interesting group of talented people. Certainly worth the listen.   Thank you TF.