Prog Rock Wednesdays (Page 8 of 24)

Mostly Autumn    "Tonight"    Zaterdag, Netherlands, 2012

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fRq3UT3MmY4

With the departure of lead vocalist Heather Findlay in 2010, backing vocalist Olivia Sparnenn stepped into the lead role. As this piece shows, Olivia's vocal ability is first-rate, and she later married lead guitarist Bryan Josh in 2013. I'd like to hear Sparnenn attempt Pink Floyd's "Great Gig in the Sky". There's not many that can pull it off, but she'd have a bonafide crack at it IMHO. These guys bring an element of "gentle power" to the Prog Rock genre, and it's easy to see why they're still going strong since starting in 1995.

Yes    "South Side of the Sky"    Los Angeles, 2004

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fr91HqG0UOw

Here's another clip from the "Yes Acoustic" DVD, a short concert that was televised to a number of theatre audiences across the US in 2004. They've done some large-than-life versions of this piece (and others) in various concerts, and it's always interesting to see how a lot of this material works in a more organic format. Pianist Rick Wakeman demonstrates his amazing touch as the main feature of this song ... hope y'all enjoy it.

YES! I love this one, with fine work all around by the boys - with some especially fine work from the rhythm section!

I agree that the band seems to be having great fun with this tune, as it gives every member of the band their chance to shine as is evidenced by the smiles, and - again - that fine ensemble and solo work.

Thanks for adding the protrait(s) of Master Tull and the seed drill, TF, though I did have to take a second look at that finger on his right hand.

Excellent choice, my friend, and thoroughly enjoyable!

Bill

Liquid Tension Experiment    "Biaxident"    California, 2008

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v3XCcSHwjns

Every so often, a "dream team" group of musicians will combine their talents for a project like this, and produce compositions which are decidedly different than other works they've been involved with. Featured in LTE's concert are 4 of the very best at their respective instruments:

Guitar  -  John Petrucci (Dream Theatre, Explorers Club, G3, Nightmare Cinema, etc.)
Drums  -  Mike Portnoy (Dream Theatre, Transatlantic, Neal Morse Band, OSI, Twisted Sister, etc.)
Bass  -  Tony Levin (King Crimson, Peter Gabriel, Stick Men, Upper Extremities, Alice Cooper, etc.)
Keys  -  Jordan Rudess (Dream Theatre, Dixie Dregs, David Bowie, Jupiter, Neal Morse, etc.)

The individual skill of each guy is incredible; and the whole is even greater than the sum of the parts. Enjoy!

Mostly Autumn    "Wild Eyed Skies"   

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4lRsZRfEEOw

Here's a beautiful track from Mostly Autumn's two-disc CD "The Ghost Moon Orchestra" (2012). The original album track had Troy Donockley playing the opening on the Uilleann Pipes, but in his absence guitarist Bryan Josh does an abbreviated bit on guitar, with some cool effects on his Strat. Josh's style reminds me a lot of David Gilmour. Vocalists Olivia Sparnenn and Anne-Marie Helder really shine. I'm not sure where this tour footage was shot.

A few observations:

1. As a drummer, I agree, those are some horrendous time sigs, TF! Doubt very seriously that I could have followed the songs.

2. Watching Ian play (which I have not done often enough, I admit), I am stupefied at the speed at which his chording fingers fly!

3. That is water he's drinking out of that bottle, isn't it? I always thought of Tull as a band with its head in the right place, but back in those days, who knew who did what?

Beautiful tune. Loved it and thanks!

Bill

Robert Reed    "Sanctuary - Part I"    2014, Home Studio, Unknown Location

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e8wWGAy5W4c

Here's an interesting rendition of a piece by Mike Oldfield (of "Tubular Bells" fame) by the multi-talented Robert Reed. This is taking the idea of looping to a whole new level, as he layers not only sound, but video of himself eventually comprising a 9-piece band. Aside of that engaging curiosity, it's a really decent piece of music as well. "Sanctuary" is his tribute to Oldfield, and he recorded and filmed this at his home studio. Hope y'all enjoy it.

Steven Wilson    "The Watchmaker"    Neu Isenberg, Germany, 2013

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Hp6lYx4Fvw

Here's another selection from Wilson's 2013 DVD, filmed in Germany. I find much of it reminiscent of the 1970 Genesis album "Trespass". It has a loose spontaneity about it, coupled with a very tight performance ... an elusive balance. The fictitious story behind the song is about a meticulous watchmaker, who eventually murders his wife. The song goes from an airy beauty at the start, into some very dark sonic arrangement at the end. Edgar Allen Poe would love this! The music conveys the mood of the story better than any words could.

Pierce Brosnan plays a sadistic killer nick-named "The Watchmaker" in last year's film "Survivor", and this song fits his character with horrific accuracy:

Gentle Giant    "On Reflection"    London, 1978

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

Haven't had any GG in the mix for a while, so here's another bit of an oddity from their album "Free Hand". These guys are all mutli-talented and extremely competent with the various instruments they play. They were certainly pushing the creative envelope in the 70's, even for a Prog band. The album cover featured a cameo appearance by "Thing" from the Addam's Family ... or at least it looks a lot like he / she / it.

Genesis (Steve Hackett)    "Firth of Fifth"    London, 2013

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ye88TsHrH

This one's from the 1973 album "Selling England by the Pound". The end features an extended guitar solo by Hackett, where he again demonstrates the unique features of his Fernandes guitar's sustainer system. He really makes it sing ... enjoy!

Yes    "Starship Trooper"    Amsterdam, 2003

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y3AQXtqY0Es

From their third studio album (The Yes Album), this 1971 record was the debut appearance of guitarist Steve Howe with the group. Steve brought a level of ability that really launched Yes into the success they became, which was further augmented when keyboardist Rick Wakeman joined them following year. It's too bad drummer Bill Bruford left in 1972, as it's generally agreed that he was a greater talent than his replacement Alan White.

This version of the song is performed over 30 years since it's release, and shows its enduring quality as evidenced by the audience's response. The original album cover itself has two oddities, with (1) being the mannequin head stuck in at the last moment for no known reason, and (2) keyboardist Tony Kaye with his foot in a cast, which apparently the result of a car accident.