Prog Rock Wednesdays (Page 12 of 24)

Spent a little time tonight catching up on PRW. Some really great stuff that I haven't heard for a very long time.

But I especially enjoyed ELP's "Take a Pebble"  Thanks for a long ago discarded memory TF

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EDIT: I should pay attention to spellcheck

"Tom Sawyer" had been the opening tune for most of their live shows for many years, and proved to be the perfect adenalin-boost to get the crowd into the concert. It's a fairly easy song to play, and those opening E5 - D5 - A7sus4 - Csus2 chords sound really good, with a cranked-up bridge humbucker smacking into those preamp tubes, for some solid gain & sustain.

No surprise that it's a favorite track with many Rush fans, including yourself!

I haven't seen any live Klaatu on YouTube, but I had their album "Hope" many years ago ... don't know where it ended up. Wasn't there a rumour circulating in the 70's, that Klaatu were really an anonymous reincarnation of The Beatles?

King Crimson    "Easy Money"    Japan, 2015

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eOdk015mLEo

Here's another selection from KC's recent "Radical Action ..." DVD. Interesting time signatures. Robert Fripp (far right) is his usually formal self, and his creativity with guitar + electronics is in full evidence, even though he looks like a guy who's about to do your tax return. Jakko Jackzyk is in fine voice, and the percussion trio offers a fresh perspective ... no rules, once again.

Thanks, Bill ... glad you enjoyed it.

King Crimson: There's no doubt that they have been a major influence since their original incarnation n 1968. Some notables onstage here are bassist Tony Levin, who has played with so many well-known musicians it would be impossible to list them. Also of note is drummer Gavin Harrison (on the right, audience view) formerly of Porcupine Tree.

Marillion: I consider these guys "pop prog", as they have bridged the gap nicely between true prog creativity, with a broader pop audience appeal. That's no small feat, and kudos to them for succeeding at it. The only song of theirs I can think of with a lady's name is "Kayleigh", from their 1985 album "Misplaced Childhood". It was released as a single (which is probably why it's better known) and featured former lead vocalist Derek Dick (a.k.a. "Fish"). I tend to prefer their later material, after Steve Hogarth replaced Fish in 1988. That said, their material is all quite good, from both eras.

Iron Butterfly: The story of the botched name is true, according to their drummer Ron Bushy. Singer Doug Ingle was apparently blind drunk when he told Bushy the song's name, and that's how it was printed. Not every famous idea is well-planned!

Tangerine Dream    "Jungle Voice"    Lisbon, 2010

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aPK1NV4bXqA

The Lisbon concert was one TD's most ambitious, delivering a full 3 hrs + 21 mins of music. They featured a broad spectrum of their material (over 100 albums / CDs released since they began) with much of it adapted and re-worked as bands will often do. This piece features a rare vocal element, and showcases percussionist Iris Camaa's talent. Her percussive skills and stage presence add a greater audience appeal than TD was once know for, although some stalwart TD fans don't always approve. Enjoy!

Richard Wright & David Gilmour    "Breakthrough"    London, 2002

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Rnn2cV9NHA

Here's another beautiful piece by the late Richard Wright, from his 1996 solo album "Broken China". He only did one other solo album (Wet Dream, 1978), and ultimately passed away in 2008. Richard's wife suffered with mental illness (as did former band-mate Syd Barrett) and it's easy to hear Wright's heart & soul in most of his solo work. "Breakthrough" is one of 16 tracks from the album, and it's all wonderfully written music with deep feelings throughout. On a separate note, this clip really makes me want to learn how to play the cello!

Quidam    "SurREvival"    Oskard, 2010

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lbH7qPTNQr4

Not to be confused with the Cirque du Soleil production of the same name, Quidam is another terrific prog group from Poland. This live concert was shot in Oskard in 2009, and released as a 2-disk DVD set in 2010. The whole group displays excellent musicianship, and are as tight together as any 6 or 7 piece ensemble could hope to be. Violinist Tylda Ciolkosz hammers home her solo contributions, and the sum of the various parts is delicious. Although Quidam haven't toured much outside their local area, their music has won critical acclaim, and prog lovers (like me) continue to hope for more.

Thanks, TIG / Jim ...

I don't get many comments on this thread, and realize that Prog isn't most people's cup o' tea. This is as much personal therapy as anything, and I'm glad you enjoyed it. And I agree ... these guys are great musicians ... solid timing.

Thanks, CG ...

Most of these selections are from groups I'm familiar with, and I've also amassed quite a CD collection of Prog Rock over the years. There are several Prog websites I visit and have learned about new groups, and have made some nice discoveries that way. I've kept a log of who/what I list each week to avoid duplication, and have now posted 149 entries without having scratched the surface yet. It needs to be said, that I certainly wouldn't say that Prog musicians are any better than anyone else, or that their compositions are any better. I just happen to like most of it ... it holds my attention.

Our fellow-Chordian "Badeye" (Friday Blues Fix) is now in his 10th year of weekly entries, and he continues to amaze me with the variety and quality of blues he finds. And while blues is not my first choice of style, there is certainly an amazing wealth of talent in that genre. Blues guitar has likely influenced more of modern music than any other, with classical being perhaps the only contender.

Pink Floyd    "On the Turning Away"    New York, 1988

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GZLuDvN7W0c

The 1988 live album "Delicate Sound of Thunder" was compiled from shows in New York, and engineered at Abbey Rd. This particular song is from their 1987 album "A  Momentary Lapse of Reason". This was one of the three post-Roger Waters albums, which I feel were just as good as their previous ones ... this song is further evidence. The solo portion (second half of song) is a showcase for the amazing Fender "Fat 50's" pickups, my favorite single-coil pups of all time. They solo clearly and growl loudly!

Genesis    "Dancing With the Moonlit Knight"    Shepperton, Surrey, England, 1973

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jPm62PqLk34

Here's Peter Gabriel at the height of his theatrical self. His predisposition for this kind of thing made keyboardist Tony Banks and bassist Mike Rutherford quite uneasy, and in most live film from this era, you'll often find them exchanging disapproving glances while Peter was goofing off. Their 1973 album "Selling England by the Pound" featured this song, as well as some of the best music of that incarnation of the group.

Of particular note is a few segments where guitarist Steve Hackett is seen doing what we now call "tapping" (he called it "nailing"). He was the first guitarist to employ this technique, which is also heard on their 1971 album "Nursery Cryme". Later guitarists used it with greater abundance, most notably Eddie Van Halen. In an interview, Eddie declared that Hackett had invented the technique, but we all know that he, Angus Young, Gary Moore, and others took it to a whole different level.

Iona    "Inside My Heart"   

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NAVkXtAP3yo

Another great tune by this Irish Prog / Gospel / Celtic band, who have been at it since 1990. This song features an almost 3-minute guitar solo at the end by David Bainbridge which is freakin' amazing! This track is from their 1996 album "Journey Into the Morn", which Bainbridge also produced. I know I'd need an ice-bag for my hand if I even attempted something like this ... enjoy!