Lazland playlist

Indeed Steve I do believe what occurred in the RCC in the 60s and since is a tragedy.  But I won't get into that subject on a PA blog. 

Well said Thomas!!

Words! Sounds! Feelings! 

Great post Steve, and my condolences on the passing of your FIL.  I'm with you on the afterlife thing.  Not one of us on earth, science genius or not, knows what is coming after death.  Therefore we are all entitled to our beliefs as that goes. 

Cstack....I was raised in the Novus Ordo church but despite being younger than you have reached a similar conclusion.  I study and immerse in the pre Vatican 2 church, attending Latin Mass when I am able (it's quite a drive).  I love it.  The current church is spiritually empty in comparison. 

And I feel the same way about the music of Tales....that album almost makes one feel like you do when listening to gregorian chant....open hearted, with a realization there is something greater than ourselves. 

Steve

I can't really believe that it has been a couple of months since I posted here on this little blog. Readers will, though, understand the reason why as the post goes on.

Very early on in my blog, I explained that my wife, son, and I had moved in with her parents three years ago in order to help care for John, my father in law, who had a type of dementia, alongside Parkinson's symptoms.

Well, I am sad to report to you that John passed away on May 31st, following a very short illness. He passed peacefully, with family around his bedside. My son, very bravely, closed his eyes to rest.

That has, as you can imagine, had quite a large impact on the family, and it is only really now that life is settling down again, to the extent where I was able to take the wife out on Friday for a meal, and a session to follow, at our local pub. The hangover on Saturday morning was a blinder

And then, of course, we all heard the news of Chris Squire's passing. He had announced he was receiving treatment for a rare form of leukaemia just a month before. I remember posting at the time that it was clearly very serious. I will not repeat here all of the tributes found elsewhere on another thread, but, it is fair to say, the respect and love felt for him was truly heartfelt and a mark of the man.

I have played two Yes live albums this week. Firstly, House of Blues. I reviewed this a while back, and I think it was a positive review. In hindsight, though, I feel it is the weakest of the Anderon era live albums. The production felt to me to be rather poor, and it felt very much to be a band going through some motions. I don't know, maybe it was my mood.

That, though, recovered tremendously last night, when I put on the Yes Symphonic DVD. I took my wife to see this tour in Cardiff, which must have been 14 years ago now. The live picture is from Amsterdam, and it is simply wondrous (apologies for the pun). It is, to me, the perfect fusion of all that symphonic prog should be, the joining of musicians at the peak of their powers with a divine sounding orchestra, although, I suppose, many would feel that was the only way they could get away with life without Wakeman.

It was blasting out, and the three tracks off of Magnification, especially, came out extremely well.

Anderson sung his heart out. When he, and the band backing, blasted out the sacred ground passage, you were transported there.

Squire, though, was, well, at the very heart of everything good about the album, his trademark bass literally singing lead licks, and his beautiful voice providing a lovely counterpoint to Jon's lilting lyrics.

Last night reminded me of just how much this band, and, by extension, Chris Squire, mean to me. They were my introduction to progressive rock, and with the exception of Open Your Eyes, they produced works of fundamental importance to rock music when Squire and Anderson were together.

The spiritual element is also extremely important to me. I do not know what Squire's beliefs were. I think he was brought up Church of England, but I would find it rather strange if he dismissed out of hand Anderson's spiritual view of us as a race, even if, half the time, he, and the rest of us, we're not quite sure what, precisely, he was talking about!

I finished listening about 11 p.m., and was elated after nigh on three hours of the finest concert, not a bum track, or bum note in evidence.

I thought to myself, and do tonight writing this as my lovely wife watches television, that life really is extremely special, and this site is special when we remember this, and the genre we love.

I do not pretend to know where John and Chris are now. I know that more than a few on the site believe they are, literally, nowhere.

I do not share that scepticism. John was a dairyman, running his own business, in London for many years. If you look carefully at the Abbey Road album sleeve, you will see a milk float in the background. It is his.

I like to think that John is in a happy place, recreating his younger days. I like to think that Squire is jamming with Entwistle, Peter Banks, and the rest of the fine musicians we have lost from this mortal coil.

I like to think that I will, someday, see them all again. In other words, I do not believe that Jon Anderson speaks nonsense when he talks and sings of the Divine.

None of us, of course, will know until the day comes upon us.

What I do know, though, is that it can be extremely positive to remember and celebrate the finest in them, and all of us.

RIP to you both, chaps. Thank you humbly for some lovely moments and memories.

lazland wrote: odinalcatraz wrote: lazland wrote: The Lazland Blog has taken a bit of a Spring break lately. There has not been any particular reason for this, aside from the fact that it is Spring, which invariably brings a hive of activity to the Lazland household in terms of jobs to do. With this, an extremely busy time at work, the usual caring stuff, and Lord alone knows what else, my time on the site is limited at the moment to a few quick visits and posts a day. Note to self. Find time to review and blog! You have a lot to do! Anyhow, in between the exceptionally good new music which continues to tickle the Lazland fancy, I did, at the weekend, have a little bit of a blowout, both in drinkie terms, and the reason why this blog started in the first place, that to place on record tracks and music which would not usually show on my Progfreak signature playlist. I have to say that there were no major surprises in the music I chose on Saturday. It was just there. It was, I suppose, ridiculously unadventurous, but, hey, there are times when you simply just want to wallow in nostalgia, or stuff you love. That was where I found myself, and here is what was listened to.... Asia. Heat of the Moment live. Of course, from the debut album, and still a classic of pop/rock/prog lite. Blackmore's Night. The Village Lantern. Turn off the lights, put on the official video from YouTube, as I did, and pump up the speakers to full effect, and simply marvel at the incredibly intricate musicianship that is demonstrated on this classic traditional track. Boomtown Rats. Rat Trap. Get your f**king money out! Dire Straits. Private Investigations Live.I thought the band were brilliant, and I was reminded of this when I listened to Knopfler's impressive new solo work the other day. This is, perhaps, the most progressive track they ever recorded, and is a delight. Fleetwood Mac. Songbird. Christine live, with just a piano and voice. A touchingly beautiful, bitter sweet, song from a beautiful lady. Fleetwood Mac. Don't Stop. Because I was now in the mood. Dexy's Midnight Runners. Geno. It is hard to believe that I was only a teenager when this was released. Staggering! A great piece of music, which thoroughly deserves the word classic attached to it. Jethro Tull. Heavy Horses, live from the A tour. This version features an incredible electric violin solo from Eddie Jobson. Of all the Tull lineups I saw live, this was, I think, the best. Jon Anderson. Change we must. I regard this as being amongst the finest pieces of music that Jon ever wrote, and, in terms of the mess the world seems to be in now, the sentiments for a bit of love and peace would not go altogether amiss. Gary Numan. Are Friends Electric? All together now - this was now approaching the six pint mark. Genesis. Dukes Travels Live. From Archives Vol. 3, an incredible version of an incredible denouement to an incredible album. Prog at its pompest (is there such a word?). Edison's Children. The Awakening. The track which has all of Marillion guesting, and is a superb track with which to close an incredibly special album. Genesis. Fading Lights. From the last Collins album. By now, I am afraid that boozy maudlin had begun to set in. Marillion. The Sky Above The Rain. Boozy maudlin well on top. Led Zeppelin. Babe, I'm Gonna Leave You. Boozy maudlin wins the night, followed by sweet oblivion. Thanks all for continuing to read my musings. It's a grand old life if you don't weaken. And, for God's sake, never weaken! I read somewhere that you hold "Amused to Death" in high regard, as do I. Well maybe the summer of 2015 will be the time that that masterpiece will, at last, get it's rightful place in history! Please get me a ticket if you know how to get good seats if he takes it live! Hi Colin. Thanks for this. Yes, I truly believe that ATD is Waters' masterpiece, and that includes the quartet of classic Floyd albums so, rightly, beloved on this site and elsewhere. I think that you have to buy into his worldview in order to both fully appreciate and enjoy it, and, as I think I have said before, as a young man, he had a profound influence on my developing political thinking. It is not just about the politics and lyrics, though. Some of the musical sequences are the most intricate he ever came up with, and I have to say that I find it difficult to imagine Floyd playing such incredible tracks as Bravery of Being Out of Range and the title track itself. The guitar solo, accompanied by such delicate keyboard work, at the denouement of It's a Miracle still makes the hairs stand up, it is staggering. I don't think, personally, that we will ever see Waters live again, certainly not on a major tour. How old is he now? 70?

70? Well I have a feeling that won't stop him. After touring the wall for so long and at last, many have realised who he is at last. I think he's enjoying it. Maybe he waited for all these years to allow Pink Floyd to have the limelight and now they are gone, he is having his turn.
Even Jeff Beck is still going strong, regardless of his tinnitus, so anything is possible.
His politics are perfect in a way because what he says is almost always completely accurate, perceptive and rather timeless but it isn't really politics. Clever!
That solo you mention. If I could ever play such a perfect short solo as that, I would be forever smiling!

A very interesting and entertaining blog Steve, I've always been a silent observer until now .

I'm certainly sharing your view on Mostly Autumn's Dressed In Voices.  That would be very close to my favourite album of 2014.  I didn't think they could top Ghost Moon Orchestra which was my favourite album of theirs up to that point.  However, they might just have done so.  In the passing months since the release of Dressed In Voices I've grown to love the album, it's wonderful.  My only possible criticism being the end of the album is a bit nondescript, following the magnificent title track.

I hope you are still keeping to Doctor's orders and not too many pints of an evening!!

Be well.

odinalcatraz wrote: lazland wrote: The Lazland Blog has taken a bit of a Spring break lately. There has not been any particular reason for this, aside from the fact that it is Spring, which invariably brings a hive of activity to the Lazland household in terms of jobs to do. With this, an extremely busy time at work, the usual caring stuff, and Lord alone knows what else, my time on the site is limited at the moment to a few quick visits and posts a day. Note to self. Find time to review and blog! You have a lot to do! Anyhow, in between the exceptionally good new music which continues to tickle the Lazland fancy, I did, at the weekend, have a little bit of a blowout, both in drinkie terms, and the reason why this blog started in the first place, that to place on record tracks and music which would not usually show on my Progfreak signature playlist. I have to say that there were no major surprises in the music I chose on Saturday. It was just there. It was, I suppose, ridiculously unadventurous, but, hey, there are times when you simply just want to wallow in nostalgia, or stuff you love. That was where I found myself, and here is what was listened to.... Asia. Heat of the Moment live. Of course, from the debut album, and still a classic of pop/rock/prog lite. Blackmore's Night. The Village Lantern. Turn off the lights, put on the official video from YouTube, as I did, and pump up the speakers to full effect, and simply marvel at the incredibly intricate musicianship that is demonstrated on this classic traditional track. Boomtown Rats. Rat Trap. Get your f**king money out! Dire Straits. Private Investigations Live.I thought the band were brilliant, and I was reminded of this when I listened to Knopfler's impressive new solo work the other day. This is, perhaps, the most progressive track they ever recorded, and is a delight. Fleetwood Mac. Songbird. Christine live, with just a piano and voice. A touchingly beautiful, bitter sweet, song from a beautiful lady. Fleetwood Mac. Don't Stop. Because I was now in the mood. Dexy's Midnight Runners. Geno. It is hard to believe that I was only a teenager when this was released. Staggering! A great piece of music, which thoroughly deserves the word classic attached to it. Jethro Tull. Heavy Horses, live from the A tour. This version features an incredible electric violin solo from Eddie Jobson. Of all the Tull lineups I saw live, this was, I think, the best. Jon Anderson. Change we must. I regard this as being amongst the finest pieces of music that Jon ever wrote, and, in terms of the mess the world seems to be in now, the sentiments for a bit of love and peace would not go altogether amiss. Gary Numan. Are Friends Electric? All together now - this was now approaching the six pint mark. Genesis. Dukes Travels Live. From Archives Vol. 3, an incredible version of an incredible denouement to an incredible album. Prog at its pompest (is there such a word?). Edison's Children. The Awakening. The track which has all of Marillion guesting, and is a superb track with which to close an incredibly special album. Genesis. Fading Lights. From the last Collins album. By now, I am afraid that boozy maudlin had begun to set in. Marillion. The Sky Above The Rain. Boozy maudlin well on top. Led Zeppelin. Babe, I'm Gonna Leave You. Boozy maudlin wins the night, followed by sweet oblivion. Thanks all for continuing to read my musings. It's a grand old life if you don't weaken. And, for God's sake, never weaken! I read somewhere that you hold "Amused to Death" in high regard, as do I. Well maybe the summer of 2015 will be the time that that masterpiece will, at last, get it's rightful place in history! Please get me a ticket if you know how to get good seats if he takes it live!

Hi Colin. Thanks for this.

Yes, I truly believe that ATD is Waters' masterpiece, and that includes the quartet of classic Floyd albums so, rightly, beloved on this site and elsewhere.

I think that you have to buy into his worldview in order to both fully appreciate and enjoy it, and, as I think I have said before, as a young man, he had a profound influence on my developing political thinking.

It is not just about the politics and lyrics, though. Some of the musical sequences are the most intricate he ever came up with, and I have to say that I find it difficult to imagine Floyd playing such incredible tracks as Bravery of Being Out of Range and the title track itself. The guitar solo, accompanied by such delicate keyboard work, at the denouement of It's a Miracle still makes the hairs stand up, it is staggering.

I don't think, personally, that we will ever see Waters live again, certainly not on a major tour. How old is he now? 70?

lazland wrote: The Lazland Blog has taken a bit of a Spring break lately. There has not been any particular reason for this, aside from the fact that it is Spring, which invariably brings a hive of activity to the Lazland household in terms of jobs to do. With this, an extremely busy time at work, the usual caring stuff, and Lord alone knows what else, my time on the site is limited at the moment to a few quick visits and posts a day. Note to self. Find time to review and blog! You have a lot to do! Anyhow, in between the exceptionally good new music which continues to tickle the Lazland fancy, I did, at the weekend, have a little bit of a blowout, both in drinkie terms, and the reason why this blog started in the first place, that to place on record tracks and music which would not usually show on my Progfreak signature playlist. I have to say that there were no major surprises in the music I chose on Saturday. It was just there. It was, I suppose, ridiculously unadventurous, but, hey, there are times when you simply just want to wallow in nostalgia, or stuff you love. That was where I found myself, and here is what was listened to.... Asia. Heat of the Moment live. Of course, from the debut album, and still a classic of pop/rock/prog lite. Blackmore's Night. The Village Lantern. Turn off the lights, put on the official video from YouTube, as I did, and pump up the speakers to full effect, and simply marvel at the incredibly intricate musicianship that is demonstrated on this classic traditional track. Boomtown Rats. Rat Trap. Get your f**king money out! Dire Straits. Private Investigations Live.I thought the band were brilliant, and I was reminded of this when I listened to Knopfler's impressive new solo work the other day. This is, perhaps, the most progressive track they ever recorded, and is a delight. Fleetwood Mac. Songbird. Christine live, with just a piano and voice. A touchingly beautiful, bitter sweet, song from a beautiful lady. Fleetwood Mac. Don't Stop. Because I was now in the mood. Dexy's Midnight Runners. Geno. It is hard to believe that I was only a teenager when this was released. Staggering! A great piece of music, which thoroughly deserves the word classic attached to it. Jethro Tull. Heavy Horses, live from the A tour. This version features an incredible electric violin solo from Eddie Jobson. Of all the Tull lineups I saw live, this was, I think, the best. Jon Anderson. Change we must. I regard this as being amongst the finest pieces of music that Jon ever wrote, and, in terms of the mess the world seems to be in now, the sentiments for a bit of love and peace would not go altogether amiss. Gary Numan. Are Friends Electric? All together now - this was now approaching the six pint mark. Genesis. Dukes Travels Live. From Archives Vol. 3, an incredible version of an incredible denouement to an incredible album. Prog at its pompest (is there such a word?). Edison's Children. The Awakening. The track which has all of Marillion guesting, and is a superb track with which to close an incredibly special album. Genesis. Fading Lights. From the last Collins album. By now, I am afraid that boozy maudlin had begun to set in. Marillion. The Sky Above The Rain. Boozy maudlin well on top. Led Zeppelin. Babe, I'm Gonna Leave You. Boozy maudlin wins the night, followed by sweet oblivion. Thanks all for continuing to read my musings. It's a grand old life if you don't weaken. And, for God's sake, never weaken!

I read somewhere that you hold "Amused to Death" in high regard, as do I. Well maybe the summer of 2015 will be the time that that masterpiece will, at last, get it's rightful place in history! Please get me a ticket if you know how to get good seats if he takes it live!

Thank you both, gentlemen, for your thoughts and responses.

Nicholas, you are right about the album being timeless. It is one of those special pieces which sounds incredibly fresh, even now.

Gerard, I didn't go to see the Misplaced Childhood Fish tour ten years ago, but I did get the CD. I thought it was okay, nothing more. His voice has definitely deteriorated in range the last few years, so, yes, I do think any reunion, or solo effort, would now be a tad forced.

As a slightly seasoned youngster if I may just chime in here and say that, Marillion's Misplaced Childhood should really be untouched. It really is a true classic and even at my young age I can very well see it that way.
I discovered Marillion about 10 years ago today. I remember the first time spinning Misplaced Childhood and the amount of goosebumps and the serge of power I felt was overwhelming. The amazing thing is I still feel all those feelings when I revisit the album. The album is timeless. Both for its age and for the feelings it invoked with me since its first listen into my ears. 30 years? Amazing. That's almost as old as me. Indeed, a special time and a very special album. So very glad I discovered Marillion in general. They are a very important part of my sonic universe.

Prog definitely on. :)

And thank you once again, Steve for a beautiful read. You write so well. I very much enjoy reading your blogs and reviews because I can feel your love and enthusiasm for music in general, which is exactly how I feel; however, your quite a bit better than I at putting thoughts onto paper than I.
A true gift you have Sir! PA is lucky to have you.
Enjoy the day.