Re: Prog Rock Wednesdays

Nice job on roundabout on acoustic .

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

King Crimson    "Larks' Tongues in Aspic"    Japan, 1995

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

King Crimson were another one of those Prog Rock pioneers, who quickly developed a cult following because of their originality. Although the band members changed throughout the years, the consistent influence of Robert Fripp (white jacket, glasses, stage right) formed and maintained KC's signature sounds. King Crimson certainly isn't to everyone's taste, and sometimes their prolonged use of dissonance can actually be hard on the head. However, there's no denying their talent (drummer Bill Bruford is one of England's best) and the fact that they pushed the envelope within a very creative genre. Robert's "Frippertronics" became the basis for many of the synth guitar effects in use today.

78 (edited by Tenement Funster 2015-01-17 12:32:38)

Re: Prog Rock Wednesdays

Steve Hackett    "Blood on the Rooftops"    Budapest, 2004

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

I was on the classical guitar practicing this piece last evening, so thought it'd be a good entry for this week. I certainly can't play it to perfection all the way through, but it's passable. This song was from the second Genesis album after Peter Gabriel left (Winds & Wuthering), and Phil Collins did an excellent job on the vocals. After Hackett left the group, the whole "flavour" of Genesis changed to pop music and I completely lost interest. Yet their album sales increased from that point on, with their only Platinum albums coming after they went pop. The point: musicality does not equal popularity, but most of us at Chordie already know that.

Trivia Notes: The whole song is about violence on TV, with some cultural references that are interesting. For example, one line states "The trouble all started with a young Errol Flynn". I read years ago that the original "Robin Hood" movie (1938) is the first time actual bloodshed was shown in film, when Robin kills Sir Guy of Gisbourne (Basil Rathbone) in the final sword fight, and blood trickles from the corner of his mouth as he dies. Quite benign by today's standards!

79 (edited by unclejoesband 2015-01-17 12:11:56)

Re: Prog Rock Wednesdays

Tenement Funster wrote:

Steve Hackett    "Blood on the Rooftops"    Budapest, 2004

http://www.chordie.com/forum/viewtopic. … 92&p=4

Ooooooooooops.

Seems the link reloads the current page.

Is this what you were trying to post?

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

__________________________________
[b]Today Is Only Yesterdays Tomorrow[/b]

Re: Prog Rock Wednesdays

Great catch, Uncle Joe ... thank you! I've changed the link in my post, and you got the exact one I'd selected.

Re: Prog Rock Wednesdays

Pendragon    "Breaking the Spell"    Poland, 2009

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BItp37gKtAo

This is jaw-dropping great work on a Stratocaster, by guitarist Nick Barrett. Pendragon have been around since 1978 in various incarnations, with Barrett being the common thread throughout the whole time. This track has solo work beginning a couple minutes in, and it just keeps building and improving until the end of the song. They've never had a pop hit or anything like that, but really kicked the group's awareness into high gear when they started touring with Marillion in 1982. They'll be a featured act this coming July at "The Ramblin' Man Fair" in Kent, England. Enjoy Nick's guitar work ... it's amazing.

Re: Prog Rock Wednesdays

Landmarq    "Thunderstruck"    Poland, 2006

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WCE5urIqjM4

Here's another high-quality prog band, performing in the same venue (Wyspianski Theatre, Katowice, Poland) as the Pendragon entry. Although it has a small stage that bands like Pink Floyd wouldn't fit on, the muli-tier seating and ceiling height of this type of concert hall are great for the audience and the ambient sound.

The real highlight (for me) in this song is the bass playing of Steve Gee, who is also doing the majority of the visual cues to the other band members throughout. If you give this a listen and focus on it, it will likely amaze you as much as it did me. The opening riff with the bass, synth (Mike Varty), and guitar (Uwe D'Rose) following each other at high-speed is also amazing. Female vocalists aren't often featured as the leads in this genre, but Tracy Hitching's power and emotion are excellent, with a style reminiscent of Anne Wilson from Heart. This is 14-minutes of seriously good music; well-composed and well-played ... hope y'all enjoy it.

Re: Prog Rock Wednesdays

Porcupine Tree    "Even Less"    Tillburg, 2008

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_BLJPCcjg7I

A haunting slide riff opens this piece, featuring some delicious sustain on Wilson's PRS guitar. Again, drummer Gavin Harrison showcases his considerable talent, and the song takes a very cool turn at around the 4:20 mark. It's these surprise changes in direction that so may Prog Rock songs have, that I find so very interesting and engaging.

Re: Prog Rock Wednesdays

Tangerine Dream    "Blue Bridge"    Zurich, 2012

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jNN6N0m1mXU

A beautiful duet featuring the late Edgar Froese on guitar, and the lovely Linda Spa on saxophone. Enjoy!

85 (edited by Tenement Funster 2015-02-07 12:17:09)

Re: Prog Rock Wednesdays

Rush   "Freewill"    Toronto, 2003

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nhcM_hx0zxw

The "Toronto Rocks" concert was a massive benefit staged in 2003, following the outbreak of SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) in Canada that year. A massive mobilization of dedicated health-care workers helped to contain the virus, which was eventually subdued by the end of the year. It is estimated that 450,000 - 500,000 people attended this one-day concert at Downsview Park, making it the largest ever on Canadian soil, and one of the largest ticketed events in world history. By comparison, Woodstock had approx. 400,000 people over 3 days.

Accounts vary, but apparently Rush were a last-minute addition, due to a snub or an oversight. With Toronto being their home city, the crowd appreciated them regardless of what the organizers had been thinking. A number of performers were featured throughout the day, concluding with a 90-minute set by the Rolling Stones. Justin Timberlake received a lot of hostility from the crowd, and was subjected to repeated booing and projectiles (water bottles, candy bars, toilet paper, etc.) throughout his set. Tough crowd!

Re: Prog Rock Wednesdays

love rush,,  been a fan since the early 70's,,,    2112,,,



badeye   cool

one caper after another

87 (edited by Tenement Funster 2015-03-18 23:34:30)

Re: Prog Rock Wednesdays

Magenta    "Metamorphosis"    Bath, England 2009

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qdCvDEO7nGM

Originating from Wales, Magenta was formed in 1999, with 12 studio albums and 4 live albums to date. This is an "unplugged" version of the title track from their 2008 album of the same name, recorded at Peter Gabriel's "Real World Studio" in front of an intimate audience of 60 people. There are great guitar and string arrangements throughout, and singer Christina Booth's clear and expressive voice punctuates the piece nicely. I'm a real fan of the so-called "unplugged" format for Prog Rock, and bands that do it well often exceed the quality of their full-blown electronic versions.

88 (edited by Tenement Funster 2015-02-17 00:44:36)

Re: Prog Rock Wednesdays

Anglagard    "Jordrok"    Sweden, 2013

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uMebru4Mcsc

When not moving snow, most of the weekend has been spent recuperating from moving snow, and enjoying some music. This recorded rehearsal of Swedish prog group Anglagard is quite good, both from the playing and sound quality captured. I really like the biting sound of Johan Brand's Rickenbacker bass ... no other guitar sounds quite like it.

Trivia note: The name "Jordrok" is the Swedish name for a plant called "Fumitory". Among other things, ancient alchemists and exorcists claimed that the smoke of the burning Jordrok had the ability to expel evil spirits. I guess it must really reek!

Enjoy!

89 (edited by Tenement Funster 2015-02-21 11:41:21)

Re: Prog Rock Wednesdays

Steve Hackett    "Valley of the Kings"    Budapest, 2004

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=no-DAx3O0fA

This tune has two standout features. First is (obviously) the amazing guitar playing of Hackett throughout. He has a unique combination of talent and creativity which just mesmerizes me when I watch & listen. He's primarily a finger-style or classical-style guitarist (note use of fingernails instead of picks), yet transposes those skills expertly to the electric. After he left Genesis, they came out with the "And Then There Were Three" album, and there was a noticeable change of direction in musicality for the group. For me, it seemed they simply were going commercial ... for better or worse.

The other star on stage is his custom built guitar from Fernandes. You'll notice two small toggle switches amongst the main tone/volume buttons. The one to the rear is a coil-tap switch ... not unheard of. The one towards the front is a Sustainer circuit developed by Fernandes, as explained here:

http://www.fernandesguitars.com/sustain … ainer.html

Throughout this song (and others) you'll hear inhumanly sweet sustain which he flicks back and forth to, that enables the tune to really soar. This is where technological weaponry truly serves the player and the music, and isn't just a showy gadget. Crank this one up ... it's amazing!

90 (edited by Tenement Funster 2015-02-25 23:46:40)

Re: Prog Rock Wednesdays

Believe    "This Bread is Mine"    Poland, 2012

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vR_o_9y … pfreload=1

Believe is a relatively new Prog Rock band from Poland, which formed in 2006 under the guidance of guitarist Mirek Gil (formerly of "Collage"). I for one am delighted that this genre has survived the critics, and that new and inventive groups like this are still being born, creating, performing, etc., realizing that Prog Rock is never likely to become "mainstream". This song is the title track from their 5th album, which I have to say has a very cool cover:

http://www.progarchives.com/progressive_rock_discography_covers/2543/cover_34611982009.jpg

The group features Japanese classical violinist Noriko Satomi, who brings her considerable talents to lend a unique sound to the group. Also of note is their new singer (Karol Wroblewski) who is just 17 years old in this performance, and has an amazingly mature voice. He reminds me of a young David Byron (Uriah Heep). The song crash lands into a frenzied finale, which the musicians obviously seem to enjoy after the moody tone of the song throughout. Mirek's dark backing riff on his Les Paul is simple, but gripping ... hoping you all enjoy this.

91 (edited by Tenement Funster 2015-02-28 10:52:08)

Re: Prog Rock Wednesdays

Pink Floyd    "Run Like Hell"    Pulse Tour, 1994

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WF1xiXpl9I0

One the the most fun pieces of Pink Floyd to play! Plug in your Phaser, turn your Reverb setting to "Hall", throw in some Analog Delay ... and fire away.

There are many who feel the true Pink Floyd died with the departure of Roger Waters in 1985, but I happen to like both eras of Pink Floyd. Their subsequent 3 studio albums (Final Cut, Momentary Lapse, Division Bell) as well as their "Pulse" DVD were as good as any work they did prior to Roger leaving. Bassist Guy Pratt really shows his talent in this one, on bass and vocals. And I wouldn't want to guess how many kilowatt/hours they consumed in electrical usage!

Gilmour's compositional work, stage presence, vocal abilities, and amazing guitar style have stood the test of time, with an amazing solo career still moving along. Deserved recognition was extended to him in 2005, when he was made a "Commander of the Order of the British Empire" (CBE) in recognition of his musical contributions.

http://www.starslife.ru/images/content_images/_41f70005.jpg

Sir David Gilmour, CBE

92 (edited by Tenement Funster 2016-03-11 00:11:28)

Re: Prog Rock Wednesdays

Jethro Tull    "Pibroch (Cap in Hand)"    1977

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F1LYUTDGwWY

I searched in vain for quality live version of this one, but none of them do the studio version justice. This song has a bunch of various song genres all in one, hence the name "pibroch". The dramatic guitar intro still gives me goosebumps every time I hear it. The album cover also had a neat back cover photo, perfectly suited to the album's title:

http://i1015.photobucket.com/albums/af278/tootull/SftWback.jpg

"Pibroch, Piobaireachd or Ceòl Mòr is an art music genre associated primarily with the Scottish Highlands, that is characterised by extended compositions with a melodic theme and elaborate formal variations. Strictly meaning "piping" in Scottish Gaelic, piobaireachd has for some four centuries been music of the Great Highland Bagpipe.[1] Music of a similar nature, predating the adoption on the Highland pipes, has historically been played on the wire-strung Gaelic harp (clarsach) and later on the Scottish fiddle, and this form is undergoing a revival."

(from Wikipedia)

Re: Prog Rock Wednesdays

Porcupine Tree    "My Ashes"    Tillburg, 2008

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PYOUQXhXO24

I know it isn't Saturday, but I learned to play this song this week, and just can't get this haunting melody out of my head. I love John Wesley's voice in the chorus, but my own vocal range forces me to sing it an octave lower.

Re: Prog Rock Wednesdays

Pendragon    "Sister Bluebird"    Poland, 2008

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MEAozpcat6I

Another great number featuring Nick Barrett's silky guitar playing, and solid accompaniment all around the stage. It seems that Poland has been a real hotbed for Prog Rock in the last 10 years. A lot of great bands are active there, both as home-grown and visiting groups.

95 (edited by Tenement Funster 2015-03-18 23:34:51)

Re: Prog Rock Wednesdays

Magenta    "Speechless"    Cardiff, 2007

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hoUFBWmd0x4

Sitting here in disgust with our horrible weather, so decided to do a mid-week upload to the Prog Rock selections.

After a 2-minute pipe organ opening (Opus III) by keyboardist Rob Reed, this is the first track of this concert from November 2007 at "The Point" in Cardiff Bay, Wales. A lot of us old "prog heads" miss some of the classical-styled prog from the 70's, so when neo-prog bands like Magenta (formed in 1999) continue the tradition, we love it. It's also great when some of them are featuring talented female vocalists like Christina Booth here, or Tracy Hitchings (Landmarq) as another example.

I hope you enjoy this beautifully atmospheric music!

96 (edited by Tenement Funster 2015-03-21 10:00:02)

Re: Prog Rock Wednesdays

Yes    "Machine Messiah"    Lyons, France, 2009

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PbrO7rO2_rw

The lads are looking a bit long in the tooth, but that's true of a lot of us ... they can still bring it, that's the main thing. Singer Benoit David replaced long-time front-man Jon Anderson in 2008, and is from Montreal here in the "great white north". The keyboardist is Oliver Wakeman, son of Rick who was with them for years. Looks like he's picked up his Dad's chops on the keys. As a big Steve Howe fan, I just love his style, and the tones he gets out of his Gibson ES-175. Now that Epiphone has a version of it (complete with Classic '57 pickups) this is at the top of my G.A.S. list.

http://images.epiphone.com.s3.amazonaws.com/Products/Exclusives/2014/ES-175-Premium/ES175Prium_VS_Splash.jpg

"Machine Messiah" opens their 1980 album "Drama", and is a return to some of the more epic composition format Yes employed in the 70's, the last one being "Going for the One" (1977). Their 1978 album "Tormato" has no tracks longer than 8-minutes, and they made a shift in focus that seemed to bewilder everyone .... including themselves. All of this stuff led to internal strife and personnel changes, as often happens.

97 (edited by Tenement Funster 2015-03-28 10:53:11)

Re: Prog Rock Wednesdays

Frank Zappa    "Cosmik Debris"    Where? 1976?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dp6LT2MdaPI

The late FZ may not have been slotted as a Prog Rock artist, but a lot of what he did was great rock and very progressive. Mixing jazz fusion and rock together with clever and cynical lyrics, sound effects from the various musicians, and chucking in a sax solo run through a wah-wah pedal ... and you've got progressive in spades. Frank's music was all about expression, blending the music and message together as well as anyone ever has, and he never felt bound by tradition when something new was needed. He could get crude, racial, and so on, but it was all part of who he was. This is summed up in a great quote of his, mentioned in one of the YouTube comments:

"You can't always write a chord ugly enough to say what you want to say, so sometimes you have to rely on a giraffe filled with whipped cream."

Frank Vincent Zappa, 1940 - 1993

98 (edited by Tenement Funster 2015-04-04 01:36:30)

Re: Prog Rock Wednesdays

Rush    "2112 Overture / Temples of Syrinx"   Rio de Janeiro, 2003

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=APbogD9uwFU

This is one of the most "into it" crowds I've ever seen in a concert video. The 40,000 Brazillians attending, with Portuguese as their native tongue, sang along to every word, fist-pumped to every beat, and shouted in unison in time to the music. I haven't performed for almost 40 years, but I get a rush (pun intended) thinking about how energizing it would be to play to a crowd who were this connected with the music. If you're a Rush fan and haven't watched this whole concert, make a big cup o' tea, and watch this one through ... amazing!

https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRGY9z_cKMoS5pgMKffAx0XoTYjjm-z94a-9oVLkJEHDWLPbuOx

Re: Prog Rock Wednesdays

Steve Hackett    "Los Endos"    Budapest, 2004

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mZdyR0GBOu8

Another superb track from the "Once Above a Time" DVD. Hackett goes to town on his Fernandes Monterey guitar, using it's abilities and some of his unique techniques to create interesting sounds and embellishments to the song. "Los Endos" is a track from the 1976 Genesis album "A Trick of the Tail", the first album they made after the departure of Peter Gabriel. Steve stayed on with the group for one more album (Wind & Wuthering), and the band made a significant change in direction towards pop music afterwards.

Re: Prog Rock Wednesdays

Tenement Funster wrote:

Rush    "2112 Overture / Temples of Syrinx"   Rio de Janeiro, 2003

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=APbogD9uwFU

This is one of the most "into it" crowds I've ever seen in a concert video. The 40,000 Brazillians attending, with Portuguese as their native tongue, sang along to every word, fist-pumped to every beat, and shouted in unison in time to the music. I haven't performed for almost 40 years, but I get a rush (pun intended) thinking about how energizing it would be to play to a crowd who were this connected with the music. If you're a Rush fan and haven't watched this whole concert, make a big cup o' tea, and watch this one through ... amazing!

https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/imag … EHDWLPbuOx

Somehow I missed this one. Awesome!!  I love Rush. Couldn't get enough of this album when it came out.

My younger brother is a drummer. Neal Peart is his idol.

__________________________________
[b]Today Is Only Yesterdays Tomorrow[/b]