Prog Rock Wednesdays (Page 20 of 24)

TIG ... yup, weird pretty much describes Frank alright. IMHO Dweezil is even a better guitarist than his Dad, and he clearly had a lot of respect for him. My personal fav Zappa album was "Apostrophe", and I think I still have all the lyrics for the whole Yellow Snow - Father O'Blivion suite memorized ... so fun.

Peatle ... Brock is the kind of singer every band wishes they could have ... talented, passionate, expressive, and really plays well to his audience.     

Greg Lake    "I Believe in Father Christmas"    1975

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

Aside of the cynical message in this song, it does highlight how much fantasy over shadows the root meanings of - not only Christmas - but so many other things in life. The song first appeared as a single, on a 45 RPM disk with "Humbug" on the flip side. It was co-written with Peter Sinfield, recorded in 1974, and finally released until November 1975. Greg admitted he was somewhat surprised at how popular it became, and also how so many interpreted it as an anti-religious song. He simply meant to write against the over commercialization of Christmas, and offered these thoughts in an interview with MOJO Magazine:

"I find it appalling when people say it's politically incorrect to talk about Christmas, you've got to talk about 'The Holiday Season'. Christmas was a time of family warmth and love. There was a feeling of forgiveness, acceptance. And I do believe in Father Christmas."

Cheers, Peatle ...I've also been catching up on some ELP lately. Great minds think alike / fools seldom differ ... pick one. For many of us 70's stoners, ELP gave us a first introduction to classical music. Their performance of "Pictures at an Exhibition" at the California Jam in 1974 left the audience "gob smacked" (as my Brit wife would say).     

From one old man to another, Happy New Year, Arkady!

Another gem along these lines is FireBallet's 1975 album "Night on Bald Mountain". They were a short lived group (only two albums) but this is great rendition of another of Mussorgsky's works:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k5j2iosGa1E     

Camel    "Stationary Traveler"    Santa Cruz, 2003

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VfF2UZjXx_g

A very expressive and soulful instrumental from Andy Latimer, who pours enormous emotion into his playing which a listener can really feel. It's interesting that this was considered to be a "farewell tour" as Andy was becoming quite sick at the time. He had a rare form of blood cancer which was thought to be incurable, but he eventually employed conventional and holistic means to come out of it for the better. It's also worth noting that he has removed the tremolo bar from his Strat, and uses beautiful vibrato technique with his fretting hand instead. He also does some old school volume knob swells at the end ... terrific player. Tom Brislin joined them on keyboards for this one, who also played with YES on the their 2003 "Yes Symphonic Live" DVD, filmed in Amsterdam. This song is from their 1984 LP of the same name.

Iona    "Inside My Heart"    London, 2005

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

Another gorgeous piece from IONA's 2008 DVD filmed at a concert in London. This particular song features a blistering 3-minute solo at the end by David Bainbridge. He's another one of the many great unknown guitarists in the world, and not too bad on keyboards either. The songs lyrics have a hopeful Christianity-themed message, but I don't know if there's a music category for "Prog Gospel" or not like there is in Bluegrass or Country music.

Bainbridge's guitar is a Fernandes "Dragonfly Elite" series, which has some cool electronics innovations. Part of it is the patented Fernandes Sustainer pickup in the neck position. When turned on (mini toggle switch) it emits an active pulsating magnetic signal, which keeps the string vibrating infinitely until muted. Steve Hackett (formerly of Genesis) also uses one in his solo work over the past 10 years or so, and really makes it sing. The Sustainer pickup also has a setting to allow the guitarist to play soaring harmonics, without the eardrum-damaging volume usually needed to do this. Yup ... i want one ... but there doesn't seem to be very many in the market. Enjoy!

Barock Project    "Kyrie / Fool's Epilogue"    Rome, 2016

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

We were just discussing the prevalent influence of classical music on a lot of Prog Rock, and here's a terrific group from Italy who are obviously doing just that. Keyboardist Luca Zabbini plays in a style reminiscent of the late Keith Emerson. Guitarist Giacomo Anselmi lays down some great licks which would sound equally good on a violin played at Paginini-like speed ... lots to like here. These songs are originally from their 2012 CD "Coffee in Neukolln", and the concert footage was shot in Rome for their "Vivo" DVD.

Glass Hammer    "A Bitter Wind"    Pittsburgh, 2009

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

Here's another entry from the best Prog group I know of from Chattanooga, Tennessee (there may be others from "The Scenic City"). GH is primarily a studio project group, so don't tour often, and then not too far from home. Founded in 1992 by bassist Steve Babb and keyboardist Fred Schendel, they have released 17 studio albums to date with the most recent being "Chronomonaut" in 2018.  Vocalist Susie Bogdanowicz has been in an out of the line up for family reasons over the years (4 children), but her smooth and sometimes haunting voice is beautiful to listen to. This song is from their 2009 album "Three Cheers for the Broken-Hearted" (super album!), which was the first to feature their current guitarist Kamran Alan Shikoh.

Hans Zimmer    "Why So Serious? / Like a Dog Chasing Cars"     Prague, 2017

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xjJnWuA7-ps

There are several ways to make a good movie a great movie, and having Hans Zimmer do the score with Christopher Nolan directing, have produced some gems in the last decade. These two selections from the film "The Dark Knight Rises" are impossible to relax to. Zimmer's ability to create tension with his work is unparalleled, and that was a real highlight of the film in keeping with the Joker's chaotic mission. Zimmer is seen at center stage, alternating between guitar and keyboards. And I also see guitarist Govan Guthrie (long hair to the right) who is one of the best guitarists I know of, that few have heard of. Enjoy!

Steve Rothery Band    "Old Man of the Sea"    Rome, 2014

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uOGhRn5rZKc

Perhaps best known as founding member & guitarist for the group "Marillion", Steve has also embarked on some solo projects. His album "The Ghosts of Pripyat" was released in 2014, and is a delicious and haunting collection of instrumentals. The album is about the the city of Pripyat in Northern Ukraine (near Chernobyl) which was completely evacuated on April 27, 1986, the day after the nuclear disaster. The number who died as a result of the meltdown is unclear, but to this day the city sits completely abandoned and uninhabitable ... apart from the "ghosts".   This concert also features guitarist Dave Foster (from "Mr. So & So") and between the two of them some amazing and emotional guitar work is produced.  Much of Steve's style reminds one of Andy Latimer (Camel) and even David Gilmour (Pink Floyd). Enjoy the ghosts!

As good as they sounded, all you need to do is is watch the audience reaction and is tells how much they enjoyed it live.     

TF 
That is quality guitar work ! 
I appreciate the fact that you ( and Badeye ) take the time to locate and share music. I normally would not listen to this genre, but when you present it - I always give a listen.  You are correct - music is amazing. I wish I had more musical ability.
Thanks for sharing and keep them coming.

Jim