Prog Rock Wednesdays (Page 17 of 24)

I think this might be the same thing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nENrB7hvplY

Roxy Music   "Out of the Blue" and "For Your Pleasure"    London, 2001

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9nnA72_kSkE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lR_SqG1NLrk

I couldn't decide on one selection for this week, so here are two from Roxy Music's terrific concert at the Apollo Theatre in London, from 2001. Roxy Music always had a bit of an avante garde edge to their style, and no one (except for perhaps Todd Rundgren or Split Enz) really came close to producing music anywhere similar. Vocalist Bryan Ferry's unique style has made them easily recognizable. This performance features a stellar violin solo by Lucy Wilkins, reminiscent of Eddie Jobson. And Phil Manzanera's iconic red 1964 Gibson Firebird is high up on my wish-I-owned-one list. There's a wonderful article about Phil in the June 2018 issue of "Guitar World" ... a true gentleman.

The dramatic one-by-one exit of the band members at the end of "For Your Pleasure" (while the song plays on) is both haunting and beautiful ... enjoy!

UK / King Crimson    "One More Red Nightmare"    Tokyo, 2012

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yQPJ22A8ICo

Although this a new version of the group UK, and the song is from King Crimson's third album ("Red"), singer / bassist John Wetton co-wrote it with Robert Fripp, so I guess it's not really a cover. Drummer Marco Minneman is probably one of only a handful who could take over with Bill Bruford's abilities on the skins. I've been personally enjoying how a lot of prog groups over the years have used the violin in their work, and Eddie Jobson has to be considered on of the pioneers for doing this. Plugged into an effects array, he gets lots of interesting sounds from his signature acrylic-body instrument. Wetton is in fine voice here, and he's been missed since his passing in January 2017.

Tenement Funster Genesis is is a great choice and I still  have some CD's with Peter Gabriel. They were on 33's and I converted them and some others to CD's so listen when I drive.

CG ... glad you enjoyed it! I have used an online file converter to save a lot of YouTube music as MP3's, so I could do the same thing. I had a large vinyl collection at one time, but it was all lost in a fire over 30 years ago.

Bill ... I've always loved Genesis, but for me the musical creativity went downhill somewhat when Steve Hackett left, not Gabriel. Of course that's just a matter of personal taste. Phil, Mike, and Tony decided to go into the pop music genre to make more $$$, because ... let's face it ... prog rock is not usually a huge money maker.

Your sharp eye spotted Bruford playing along with Collins for that tour, which put two of the best drummers of that era on the same stage together. Apparently Bruford would have stayed with Genesis full time, if they'd wanted him for studio and stage work. But of course Phil did the studio work, so it wasn't a good enough deal for Bruford. Not long after, Chester Thompson came along, and spent the next decade or so touring with them.

Uriah Heep    "Between Two Worlds"    London, 2001

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=di4vFTDft14

BTW is the first track from Heep's 20th studio album "Sonic Origami", released in 1998. The song was written in memory of two late band members David Byron (1947 - 1985) and Gary Thain (1948 - 1975). The simple but memorable cover art demonstrates the maturity of the the group at this stage of their career, and the whole album is full of solidly written rock and prog rock songs. This clip also features the late Trevor Bolder on bass (1950 - 2013) who passed due to complications from cancer surgery. There's something most admirable about a group that has seen the inner tragedy these guys have seen, and yet still manage to keep going and keep creating great music. With a career now spanning almost 50 years (formed in 1969) Uriah Heep has definitely made their mark in history.

Glad you liked them, Bill ... I've been a "Heepster" since High School days. When singer Bernie Shaw hits those three "... of time ..." high notes between 3:50 - 4:15, I still get goosebumps. What a voice!

Iona    "Encircling"    London, 2004

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

I suppose if we needed to pick a genre for this song, it would be "Irish Gospel Prog" (does that even exist?). Personal opinions of the subject matter aside, this is a beautifully majestic and atmospheric piece, with lots of talent and a tight performance throughout. The tones that guitarist David Bainbridge gets from his Fernandes "Dragonfly" guitar are amazing, making great use of the built in Sustainer pickup. "Encircling" is from their 1995 album "Journey Into the Morn".

So the language being sung is Tribal Irish (is there such a thing). I guess what I'm trying to say is, I couldn't understand that beautiful voice and the lyrics were in -- what -- Spanish? And live in London?

Mystifying. Maybe I'm missing it, but being a drummer primarily, I could have used a key sig. Based on what I just wrote, CG and TF, can you discern that I need to hear more from this group before saying I like them?

Bill

Aha! Thank you, Sir. I thought I was listening to some kind of dialect. Just wasn't sure which one. I will search for more from "Iona", because a voice that beautiful needs more attention than just one listen. I shall return after I do that and then let you both know which song I have listened to.

Thanks

Bill

This is the one I have chosen for my additional listen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nj5juZctCGE...... As a matter of fact this is my third listen and Dondra's first. I read some of the comments, Rick, and I agree: very spiritual and calming. Looks like you chose that one for me to hear as well! . I am now on my way to listen to hear the second choice you listed. I am glad I listened more than once. Thanks for this awesome choice for your "Prog Rock" page and thanks also for the explanation of what I was hearing, CG!

Bill

Peter Gabriel    "Come Talk to Me"    Modena, Italy, 1993

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2a3GIy03iRk

As a founding member of Genesis, Peter went on to a very successful solo career as we all know. Although he eventually found his way to a more "pop music" type of writing, he maintained a lot more originality than most do in this genre. This "Secret World Tour" concert was recorded late in 1993, and came out on DVD in 1994. Having worked with several female co-vocalists over the years, I have to say that Paula Cole is my favorite. Her voice blends so well with Peter's, and this rendition of "Come Talk to Me" is one of the best. And of course, there's always a bit of Gabriel's trademark theatricality ... a powerful weapon, in Batman's opinion.