251 (edited by Tenement Funster 2016-09-14 08:13:14)

Re: Prog Rock Wednesdays

Jethro Tull    "Heavy Horses"    London, 1980

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

The title track from JT's 1978 album, during the "English folk song" era of the band's repertoire. The original album featured a string quartet, but they were unavailable for this tour, being on holiday in Blackpool (just kidding). Enlisting the considerable capabilities of Eddie Jobson, he added some nice keyboard / violin touches to this performance.

"But they're down to the few ...
And there's nothing to do ...
The tractor is on its way."

My late Grandfather grew up working in the woods, and these horses were how they hauled their logs out to the wood-burning, steam-powered sawmill. The entire industry back then ran without gasoline or diesel, and the big horses were the key to making it all work.

http://family.cameraontheroad.com/wp-content/photos/taylorrapids-sleddinglogs.jpg

252 (edited by Tenement Funster 2016-09-24 11:08:10)

Re: Prog Rock Wednesdays

Breathing Space    "Hollow"    Wolverhampton, 2010

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N1u8DMpiBac

This week's selection is from the "softer side of prog",  featuring this group which is essentially an offshoot of Mostly Autumn. Olivia Sparnenn is in fine voice as always, and the lush groove at the outset is almost hypnotizing. This performance is from their 2010 "Below the Radar" 2-disk DVD.

http://www.progarchives.com/progressive_rock_discography_covers/4980/cover_4221313112009.jpg

253 (edited by Tenement Funster 2016-09-28 10:14:15)

Re: Prog Rock Wednesdays

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.

https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/9d/8f/5a/9d8f5a9820ef9838cef9725bf33b6809.gif

254 (edited by Tenement Funster 2016-10-05 07:46:30)

Re: Prog Rock Wednesdays

Pink Floyd    "Breathe / Eclipse"    London, 1994

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Z39KZAryzk

Lots to like about this classic, especially from this paramount performance from the "Pulse" DVD. The video captures images which were typical of what haunted the late Syd Barrett, and his experiences living with Schizophrenia. The original recording of these two songs also included "Any Color You Like", with the trio of songs forming a suite called "A Piece for Assorted Lunatics". Roger Waters explained that the original idea for the line "... the lunatic is on the grass ..." referred to a beautiful plot on the campus of King's College, Cambridge. Waters said that the real insanity was that people weren't permitted to actually be on the grass ... it was for show only.

http://cdn.someecards.com/someecards/usercards/MjAxNC1lMmFhZjhlOWMwYWUwMjQ2.png

255 (edited by Tenement Funster 2016-10-12 09:30:13)

Re: Prog Rock Wednesdays

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.

http://www.recordland.ch/rocklp2_Rock_V/IMAG0017.JPG

256 (edited by Tenement Funster 2016-10-19 09:46:30)

Re: Prog Rock Wednesdays

Iron Butterfly    "In-a-Gadda-da-Vida"    Hempstead, New York, 1968

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UIVe-rZBcm4

According to Iron Butterfly's website, the original name was indeed "In the Garden of Eden", so they actually had it right on "The Simpsons". Apparently, organist/vocalist Tony Ingle had a skin-full when he told his bandmates the name, and the now iconic title is what came out. Jimmy Page once said that the group's name is where he got the idea for "Led Zeppelin", and I expect others like "Atomic Rooster" were influenced in the same way. I never got this album until 1970 (when I was 13 yrs old) but it mesmerized me, and probably began my lifelong enjoyment of Prog Rock. Who can forget the album cover:

http://www.saintstevensthingery.com/mybackpages/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/P3160005.jpg

Re: Prog Rock Wednesdays

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.

http://o.aolcdn.com/hss/storage/midas/ee06f7dbb65f44d6ec75fe9055b67379/203607040/dolphin.jpg

Re: Prog Rock Wednesdays

Tenement Funster wrote:

Pink Floyd    "Breathe / Eclipse"    London, 1994

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Z39KZAryzk

Lots to like about this classic, especially from this paramount performance from the "Pulse" DVD. The video captures images which were typical of what haunted the late Syd Barrett, and his experiences living with Schizophrenia. The original recording of these two songs also included "Any Color You Like", with the trio of songs forming a suite called "A Piece for Assorted Lunatics". Roger Waters explained that the original idea for the line "... the lunatic is on the grass ..." referred to a beautiful plot on the campus of King's College, Cambridge. Waters said that the real insanity was that people weren't permitted to actually be on the grass ... it was for show only.

http://cdn.someecards.com/someecards/usercards/MjAxNC1lMmFhZjhlOWMwYWUwMjQ2.png

I love the Pink Floyd channel!

my papy said son your going too drive me too drinking if you dont stop driving that   Hot  Rod  Lincoln!! Cmdr cody and his lost planet airman

259 (edited by Tenement Funster 2016-11-02 01:07:52)

Re: Prog Rock Wednesdays

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.

https://progressivemusicreview.files.wordpress.com/2016/09/kc-radical-action07.jpg?w=636

Re: Prog Rock Wednesdays

Yes    "Awaken"     Birmingham, 2003

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vd2QM84wFGc

I don't know how many hundreds of times I've sat back with eyes closed, and listened to "Awaken". There is so much going here musically, and it's atmospheric changes and various instrumentations are transcendent (my word for the day). Howe uses three different guitars throughout, and the late Chris Squire does the same, except they're all in one big chunk o' lumber. It's very difficult to refrain from doing a play-by-play on this great composition ... but I will. lol "Awaken" is from Yes's 1977 album "Going for the One".

http://www.mootzproductions.com/images/vinyl-albums/goingfortheone/IMG_8936.jpg

261 (edited by Strummerboy Bill 2016-11-13 00:26:30)

Re: Prog Rock Wednesdays

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

Epiphone Les Paul Studio
Fender GDO300 Orchestral - a gift from Amy & Jim
Rogue Beatle Bass
Journal: www.wheretobud.blogspot. com

262 (edited by Tenement Funster 2016-11-14 12:31:50)

Re: Prog Rock Wednesdays

Bill , there's no need to apologize for personal music taste ... we all have our favorites and not-so-favorites. I'm not a country / bluegrass fan, but I certainly can appreciate the talent of so many terrific musicians in those genres.

Prog isn't popular amongst the masses (never was) but those of us who like it ... like it a lot. I think there's been so much Prog emphasis on the surreal / fantasy / escapism themes that has turned so many off to it. Most of that stuff is immaterial to me ... I just enjoy the atmospheric nature of the music itself, the imaginative time signatures, the changes, etc. YES is a perfect way to illustrate that, because although most of their work features vocals by Jon Anderson , I'm convinced that most of YES's lyrics have little or no meaning. The voice is simply another "instrument" to enhance the overall sound.

What I'm pleased about is that I don't have to live in the past to enjoy Prog. There are lots of great groups doing it now, each with their own slant on it ... good music should evolve, without disrespect to the past IMHO.

http://images.idakoos.com/B0220000BL0000020431111110383WHRE00AFA,love-progressive-rock.jpg

263 (edited by Tenement Funster 2016-11-16 10:39:35)

Re: Prog Rock Wednesdays

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!

https://67.media.tumblr.com/afc2978f29561c92a1bbd425576d5c12/tumblr_mg4o8tpUGB1s03bmbo1_500.jpg

Re: Prog Rock Wednesdays

Thanks, TF! An FB Friend of mine knows Durga McBroom through one of the Aussie shows and they both agree that Clare has the best pipes on that version.

Thanks again!

Bill

Epiphone Les Paul Studio
Fender GDO300 Orchestral - a gift from Amy & Jim
Rogue Beatle Bass
Journal: www.wheretobud.blogspot. com

Re: Prog Rock Wednesdays

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.

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/5/51/David_Gilmour_About_Face.jpg

Re: Prog Rock Wednesdays

TF

Prog rock to me- is mood related.  sometimes I can listen for hours, other times its hard or me to listen to it.  I pretty much love Yes, Emerson  Lake and Palmer, Pink Floyd, and Iron Butterfly - not too familiar with many others , but probably if I went in my attic and dusted off the 400 vinyl albums there   I'd probably find a few more PR groups I listened to in college.  smile

Thanks for sharing your PR finds  TF.

Jim

Your vision is not limited by what your eye can see, but what your mind can imagine.
Make your life count, and the world will be a better place because you tried.

"Use the talents you possess, for the woods would be very silent if no birds sang except only the the best." - Henry Van Dyke

267 (edited by Tenement Funster 2016-11-28 11:45:30)

Re: Prog Rock Wednesdays

TIGLJK wrote:

TF

Prog rock to me- is mood related.  sometimes I can listen for hours, other times its hard or me to listen to it.  I pretty much love Yes, Emerson  Lake and Palmer, Pink Floyd, and Iron Butterfly - not too familiar with many others , but probably if I went in my attic and dusted off the 400 vinyl albums there   I'd probably find a few more PR groups I listened to in college.  smile

Thanks for sharing your PR finds  TF.

Jim

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.

Re: Prog Rock Wednesdays

Believe    "Don't Tell Me"    (Poland, 2008)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0id4aaKFeXk

Featuring beautiful work between pianist Adam Milosz and violinist Noriko Satomi, this beautiful ballad is a great example of some of the creative Prog that's been coming out of Poland over the last 10 years. If it wasn't for YouTube, groups like this probably wouldn't get much exposure outside of their locale due to the cost of touring. So much Prog has a familiar sound .... like this or that other group. These guys have a freshness and originality that's quite unique to them. This song is from their first of 8 albums "Hope to See Another Day".

http://e-rock.ru/picture.php?albumid=6630&pictureid=11416

269 (edited by Strummerboy Bill 2016-11-30 10:19:28)

Re: Prog Rock Wednesdays

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. smile

Thanks, my friend!

Bill

Epiphone Les Paul Studio
Fender GDO300 Orchestral - a gift from Amy & Jim
Rogue Beatle Bass
Journal: www.wheretobud.blogspot. com

Re: Prog Rock Wednesdays

Great sound between the piano and violin. Really enjoyed listening to it.

Music is what feelings sound like.
Music is life, that why our hearts have beats.

271 (edited by Tenement Funster 2016-12-05 01:20:05)

Re: Prog Rock Wednesdays

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!

http://www.tonedeaf.com.au/wp-content/uploads/lamedeaths672a6.jpg

Re: Prog Rock Wednesdays

Emerson, Lake and Palmer    "Take a Pebble"    1970

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IaYsgjn82GA

In fond memory of bassist Greg Lake, who left this sphere last Wednesday. Here he performs one of ELP's best known songs, featuring his terrific vocal abilities, as well as bass and guitar. Although only 23-years-old in this clip, his voice displays an expansive maturity, as does his other talents. R.I.P. Mr. Lake ... and thanks for decades of a great musical legacy.

http://sendablequotes.com/quotes/29712.jpg

Re: Prog Rock Wednesdays

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

my papy said son your going too drive me too drinking if you dont stop driving that   Hot  Rod  Lincoln!! Cmdr cody and his lost planet airman

Re: Prog Rock Wednesdays

Sorry 'bout that, Dino ... try this one:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wNJFUBbI4b8

dino48 wrote:

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

Re: Prog Rock Wednesdays

Rush    "The Pass"    Dallas, 2012

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BACC_zd26QQ

Been a couple months since the last Rush entry ... overdue for some more. This is one of the few songs they do which feature Alex Lifeson doing backup vocals. Some speculate that he's only lip-synching, but that would be highly uncharacteristic for them to pretend something like this. Alex's modified Les Paul Custom is a real beauty ... just had to drool over it. smile The "Clockwork Angels Tour" was the first time Rush had toured as more than a trio. Accompanied by a string ensemble, they were able to offer lush sound-scapes behind their work, as evidenced on the DVD release.

http://pxhst.co/avaxhome/24/af/003faf24_medium.jpg