Prog Rock Wednesdays (Page 11 of 24)

Steven Wilson    "Index"    Mexico City, 2012

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6PuSd1liCuE

Here's another clip from Wilson's "Get All You Deserve" DVD. He'll sometimes start a concert by stating that "... we play pretty miserable music ...", as many of his themes contain an Edgar Allen Poe / Alfred Hitchcock style of morbidity. This is typical of that, and the use of music to convey emotions - of all sorts - is again brought to the fore; and Marco Minnemann's drumming is extraordinary in this.

Whatever one may think of these themes, it is observed that Wilson can express them in ways few others have been successful with. The song reminds me of one of those creepy doll collections, where you stare at them, and one seems to move now and then.

Gentle Giant    "Funny Ways"    Brussels, 1974

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

Here's more from these exceptionally talented, multi-instrumentalists. Keyboardist Kerry Minnear also shows us his chops on cello and vibraphone (freaks out on it towards the end), and bassist Ray Shulman also shows his stuff on violin and trumpet. Ray describes a bit of his upbringing in an interview:

"We grew up in a house full of musicians and instruments... I started learning trumpet when I was five just because it was there and then took up violin when I was seven. We were made to practice for an hour a day at least, when we really wanted to go out and play. I suppose it was a good thing we were really, and eventually I wanted to do it anyway... I wasn't formally taught at all."

Their self-titled first album (1970) really jumped out at you from the record store shelf, and this cartoon-style giant became their trademark for the rest of their career, ending in 1980.

Unitopia    "Inside the Power"    Netherlands, 2014

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jdC-2zRrxOI

A song about the experience of surfing in Australia, which apparently rivals / exceeds the conditions in Hawaii. I guess it's quite common for playful dolphins to join humans in surfing the big waves, which would have to be an amazing thing. Good music from these guys, and I hope they keep at it.

King Crimson    "Starless & Bible Black"    Takamatzu, Japan, 2015

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FhKJgqxNDD8

These guys have never been boxed into following the rules, so why not have three drummers / percussionists? Robert Fripp's creative guitar playing & use of effects (a.k.a. "Fripper-tronics") is just the beginning of the boundary-breaking style KC has been about since forming back in the late-60's. This clip is from a 3-DVD boxed set which was just released in September 2016, curiously titled "Radical Action (To Unseat the Hold of Monkey Mind)".

Some will conclude that a person has to be under the influence of something to enjoy this, but I completely disagree. I haven't touched drugs or alcohol for almost 40 years, and love getting absorbed into the unusual detail of music like this. This footage was done while KC was on tour in Japan in 2015, and it's awesome that they're still making music together after almost 50 years.

As you may have guessed, my friend, I'm not much of a fan of Prog Rock. I used to buy Rick Wakeman's "concept albums" but really never found anything to make me relate to them: "The Six Wives Of Henry The Eighth", "Journey To The Center Of The Earth", "Lord Of The Rings"and was there one called "Arthur"? I don't remember, but I bought those albums for their titles and (I thought) the music. But I digress....

There are just a few songs I like by YES, ("Logical Song" is one: "One, Two, Three, FIVE") but I can count them on the fingers of one hand. The hits, certainly (I was a dj then and much younger), but after that, sorry, not much excited me about them.

Would you consider "Klaatu", prog rock, TF?

I am sorry, my friend: I did try to reach out to "Prog", but the closest I ever got was (I believe) the group "Hawkwind".

Thank you as always for keeping us educated! I love what you do for us and will ALWAYS give a listen!

Your Friend

Bill

The Australian Pink Floyd    "The Great Gig in the Sky"    2011 (featuring Ola Bienskowska & Amy Smith)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sxo0OJkbaMY

Pink Floyd    "The Great Gig in the Sky"    1987  (featuring Clare Torry)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jL5SEBdG5RQ

A bit of an experiment this week. Lots of ladies have tried to sing this signature piece, and they're all compared to Clare Torry's original rendition from PF's "Dark Side of the Moon" album. Other notable renditions are by Samantha Brown & Durga McBroom ("Pulse" tour) and Bianca Antoinette. Many will say, "She was great, but she's no Clare Torry." I was unable to find any live footage of Ms. Torry performing it, except for this one recording of a live performance in 1987. She was a guest with Roger Waters, because of course PF and he had parted ways by then.

First off, it must be said that Clare Torry doesn't sound like Clare Torry. There's always the challenge for any performer to recreate their own high standards, and she clearly missed her own mark. But more importantly, I personally feel that Ms. Ola Bienskowska's version is at least as good as the original studio version ... if not better. Incredible!

David Gilmour    "Murder"    (where? when?)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lboYTLHkX5M

A very emotional piece from David's 3rd solo album (About Face, 1984). He articulates how affecting a local murder has been on his own soul, and his desire to not have feelings of rage & revenge take hold of him. The ending guitar solo easily rivals his best work from Pink Floyd.

I hear ya, TIG ...

Most prog isn't social get-together music, and a lot of the themes can be macabre, morbid, even miserable. Others are about JRR Tolkien types of themes, or are just dark and moody commentary on various social issues. The songs are typically longer than the usual 2-4 minutes tune might be, and require everyone listening to hush up so the details can be taken in. No wonder it's never been "top o' the pops" so to speak, and it never will be.

But for personal listening, cranked up loud on a quality sound system ... it's an alcohol-free / drug-free escape like no other.

I left them a short note on their uplink but just to give you the Readers' Digest version:

1. Style: An interlacing of of various instruments to produce a sound which is so unique it makes one think of a "tone poem" and...

2. Tone Poem: It took me away to a quiet Autumn Sunday evening just before sunset, walking on a path through a park with my wife and enjoying the multi-colored leaves.

I am of course taking a little "license" using the term "tone poem" since it is  (according to Wiki) : "A piece of orchestral music, typically in one movement, on a descriptive or rhapsodic theme...." and belongs in the Romantic period.

Still, that is what it invoked in my addled old brain and I'll be checking out more of their work.

Thanks, my friend!

Bill

Jethro Tull    "Dark Ages"    Madison Square Gardens, 1979

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NegXrA7uNa8

From JT's 1979 album "Stormwatch", this is one of the songs that was performed before the albums actual release. It was the last tour which included bassist John Glascock, who died just two months after this concert, from a congenital heart valve failure, as the result of an infection. He was only 28 at the time, and this was the "beginning of the end" for the classic 70's lineup that so many of us loved. Not longer after, drummer Barriemore Barlow (a close friend of John's) left the band, emotionally devasted by John's death. To compound things, both keyboardists John Evans and David Palmer left in the Spring 1980. Ian and guitarist Martin Barre managed to hold things together, and they soon formed a new lineup which went on to another decade of success.

R.I.P. John Glascock ... you were great!

They blocked me from viewing it because I am in the states.