Prog Rock Wednesdays (Page 18 of 24)

Steven Wilson    "Routine"    Chicago, 2016

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hW1LFnkJfaE

Wilson often comments that people who don't like miserable music don't attend his concerts, as he explains here. His music and lyrics touch on some of the deepest emotions we all have, but would rather not talk about. Instead of trying to bury these feelings beneath party tunes, he has chosen to confront them head on. I think in 100 or 200 years, Wilson will be regarded as this century's Edgar Allen Poe, Igor Stravinsky, or perhaps Vincent Van Gogh. This song is from his 2015 album "Hand. Cannot. Erase.", and the powerful voice of Ninet Tayeb (featured on the studio album) is perfect for this song.

King Crimson    "21st Century Schizoid Man"    Japan, 2015

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3028oDEKZo4

KC founder Robert Fripp established his new independent recording label DGM Live in 1992 (Discipline Global Mobile) for the express purpose of producing high-quality multi-angle video / recordings of some of their live work. This re-work of their 1969 song from "In the Court of the Crimson King" features singer Jakko Jaksic doing an admirable Greg Lake cover. An amazing drum solo by Gavin Harrison (formerly of Porcupine Tree) is featured, backed by drummers Pat Mastoletto and Mel Collins. Fripp said that this song was dedicated to the American statesman Spiro Agnew, although the lyric references are vague. The "trippy hippy" culture of that day loved the impressionistic album cover.

I'm not sure how it happened, but my favorite wood working / tinkering music is Reggae. It has enough energy to be enjoyable, but almost no aggression ... great for when stuff goes wrong, so I don't react like the Yosemite Sam.

Magenta    "I'm Alive"    Porth, Wales, 2005

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5NgBQgx0WLU

Haven't had any Magenta up for a long time ... overdue. Vocalist Christina Booth has a haunting quality to her voice, different than the expressive power of Tracy Hitchings from last week's entry by "Landmarq". The song is from their 2005 DVD "The Gathering", which featured the brilliant musical arranging of Magenta's founder and multi-instrumentalist Rob Reed (on keyboards here). While writing for the band's debut album in 2000, Reed gave the following explanation for what they were attempting:

"Current prog bands are always scared and shy about admitting the influences of the great bands of the 70's, and I wanted to come clean and admit and celebrate those influences, and hopefully create something as worthwhile as those classic bands. To do this, all I had to do was to give priority to melody rather than technical showmanship, something I have always tried to do with all my work."

Yes    "In the Presence Of"    Amsterdam, 2001

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X_KDXoMB5wg

The European Festival Orchestra at this concert adds a lot of depth to this masterpiece, originally heard on Yes's CD "Magnification" which was released just a few months before this concert. The only "missing piece" is Rick Wakeman on keyboards (scheduling conflicts) although Tom Brislin does a capable job of filling in for him. Conductor Wilhelm Keitel chose to use the orchestra in more of a supporting role, so that "Yes still sounds like Yes". The string section picking along with Chris Squire's bass in the latter section of the song is awesome, and "Yes Symphonic Live" is (IMHO) one of the best live Prog Rock DVDs of all time ... enjoy.

Premiata Forneria Marconi    "Maestro Della Voce" (Master of the Voice)    Rome, 2010

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

Welcome back to "Marconi's Award-Winning Bakery", which is quite possibly the oddest name for a band that I know of. Based in MIlan, PFM are easily Italy's greatest contribution to the Prog Rock genre. Starting out with some enjoyable bass licks by Patrick Djivas, the song features passionate singing by Franz Di Cioccio, and some very solid guitar work by Marco Sfogli. (NOTE: I'm glad I just need to type these names, and not have to attempt pronouncing them! ) This song is from their 1980 album "Suonare Suonare" ("Play! Play!") I hope you enjoy them.

Glad you enjoyed this, CG. I found the lyrics at www.lyricsmode.com, and ran them through the translator ... here's what came out:

"One like me.
White shoes like me.
He lived in the railings north of the city.
He sang like crazy
At night and during the day
He lived his age even in winter.
By day and by night I

"To live
I speak of stars, of women and I have songs to learn
Around Milan
Under an ever-dark sky
Clear eyes and a warrior's expression

"With our tired faces
One morning He
finds us walking together
Talk to me
Hours and hours
Do not hide fears
Master of voice only a song
Master of voice to sing give me a song.

"One like me.
White shoes like me
Always sing for people
How often have I tried
How often do I try ?
To make my hands sing

"Master of the voice to sing give me a song
Master of the voice to sing give me a song.

Give me your song."

NOTE: I hope this isn't violating a copyright law or Chordie policy to cut & paste these lyrics, instead pasting the link only. I tried to do that, but only the Italian lyrics would come through.

Wishbone Ash    "Warrior"    Rock Concert TV Show, 1973

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hg6zqejXvqI

From their 1972 album "Argus", this Wishbone Ash lineup consisted of two lead guitarists, being Andy Powell (Flying V) and Ted Turner (Stratocaster). They traded roles throughout most of their songs both live and in the studio. In 1989, Traffic Magazine actually listed them both as two of the ten most important guitarists in rock history! They both also received top level recognition in numerous articles in both Melody Maker and Rolling Stone magazine. Unfortunately, Turner left the band the following year.

"Warrior" came to mind after re-listening to CTECH's song "I'll Die With a Sword in My Hand". The lyrics tell the story of some one fighting for liberty, and weighing the high cost of freedom against the unacceptable cost of subjugation. Great guitar work, singing, etc. ... these guys are a complete package.

Glass Hammer    "If the Stars"    Gettysburg, 2015

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w9XUsLyByf4

Glass Hammer's "Double Live" DVD was recorded at their performance for The Rite of Spring Festival, in Gettysburg PA in May 2015. Of the 12 acts that performed over the three days, GH were declared by Prog Magazine to be:

"... the boldest set of the weekend. Steve Babb (bass) and Fred Schendel (keyboards) have always succeeded in creating an ensemble that fully complements their sense of musical grandeur.”

Personally, I would have to say that GH are one of the greatest prog bands to come out of the USA, and there have been many. Haling from Chattanooga, TN, everything about their performance is passionate, skillful, and tightly played ... enjoy!

The Scene: Three electronic drum kits being wheeled out the back of this concert venue - their wiring hanging off and dragging the floor, popping and throwing sparks right and left as they are being loaded onto the equipment transport vehicle.

One Roadie was overheard calling to the crowd, "Step back please, ladies and gentlemen!  These wires are "live" and you could get electrocuted!  Back off, PLEASE!!!!!:

"What the hell happened????", asked one of the crew.

"All I know is what Security told me", replied the Roadie."They were backstage, ready to be set up and plugged in when the humans' lead solo began. After a minute and a half, electronic kit "A" began using its sticks to pull its wires loose from the soundboard. When that was done, it jammed one of those sticks into its electric sockets, and all hell broke loose when the other two electronic kits followed their leader."

"Second time this has happened, right?, asked the crew member.

"Third", came the reply. "Happens every time Bruford & Co.play Schizoid Man". He shakes his head: "They never knew what hit 'em. One minute they're backstage all full of piss and vinegar, then the humans start playing and next thing you know this happens."

"Their management signed the waiver, right?"

"Every time. They just never learn. That's about half a million in US Dollars you see being hauled off there, mate. They'll recoup about half by recycling and selling the parts for the newest Tesla............. Fancy a pint?"

"Always", said his friend. "Hey! Watch that wi -------"

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Before y'all think I've gone completely "round the bend, I better explain that what I wrote above is just a bit of satire which was meant to say no electronic drum kit will ever replace  a human drummer. Sorry if you or a friend play one of those things, but that's the way I feel.

Bill