Lazland playlist

lazland wrote: Because it would not be the same. Because I am no longer 20, I am 50. I actually have worked pretty hard to get used to the fact that I am nearer 70 than 30, and getting comfortable with that person. The band would not be the same, because they, too, are older. I hate seeing The Who performing My Generation, hoping they die before they get old. Damned farcical...they didn't, and they have earned untold wealth since banging out the rebelliousness of youth. More than anything else, Marillion in 2015 are a band who released the sublime Sounds That Can't Be Made a couple of years ago. Gaza was an extremely thought provoking, and controversial, piece about a desperate situation from a child's perspective. Sky Above The Rain makes me cry, because there is stark beauty in the story of a relationship in crisis.

This week's blog is dedicated to reminiscence. There is not a great deal to report on the music front itself, with a mix of new Wilson, Sylvan, IQ, and Luna Rossa mingled with classic Oldfield and Gabriel live DVD's. The Tubular Bells II and III live sets are amongst the best live sets I have, and are thoroughly recommended to fans of Mike who do not have them.

Anyhow, reminiscing. There is a thread on the site dedicated to people's feelings and thoughts about Prog magazine, formerly Classic Rock Presents Prog. The feedback from this thread is, it is fair to say, mainly negative. My take on this is that the website we use, and love, is one for progressive rock hard nuts, hardcore fans to whom, in many instances, the more obscure the band, or music, the better, and this site caters for this extremely well. You cannot, however, possibly hope to make a profit from a magazine promoting on the front cover, or main articles inside, stuff and people who the majority of its target audience has never heard of. The obscure stuff has to be done a little bit more subtly than that, and, by and large, I personally think the magazine does a good job of striking the right balance. In addition, my local newsagent stocks it for me specially, and I like to support local small businesses.

Anyhow, I got the latest edition on Monday, and seeing the front cover took me instantly into full blown reminiscence mood. Marillion. Misplaced Childhood, the 30th anniversary celebration.

Misplaced Childhood, a brilliant album utterly full of very stark, and sometimes very violent, references to anger and rage against the system, ex-girlfriends, drugs, heroes, is 30 years old this year. Blimey, I thought, I was only 20 bloody years old when I first got this, and played it in my flat, speakers blaring out the rage and anger, me singing along at the top of my voice, and sod the neighbours!

Fish himself was only 26/27 years old, and the rest of the band of that sort of age, in other words young men. Steven Rothery and Mark Kelly still had heads full of hair. Trewavas and Moseley have aged rather well, but the starkest thing looking at the photos of the band at the time is just how much Fish has aged in these 30 years. That rock 'n roll lifestyle.....takes it out of a chap!😉

Of course, as those who know me well will recognise, I am a bigger Hogarth era fan of the band than Fish era. However, that is not to denigrate that time, or Fish, in any way, shape, or form. It was a quite remarkable achievement to get a number one album and hit singles from a pure concept piece in the post-punk era, phenomenal really. I gave the album five stars when I reviewed it a few years ago, and it still stands up incredibly well as a piece of work.

However, I was glad to read that they will not be getting back together to play it live in a special concert, or tour. Rothery explained that they were not prepared to play different chords in order to accommodate the damage the years, booze, and fags have done to Fish's voice. Actually, I suspect that the real reason is that the band feel a genuine and heartfelt love of Steve Hogarth, and would not be prepared to cross that.

Whatever the reason, I am glad it is not going ahead. I went to Milton Keynes Bowl to see the album performed in its entirety at The Garden Party, where Jethro Tull were the special guests. It was a fantastic day, and I have many fond memories of this, and seeing the band at The Marquee as a spotty 17 year old for the first time. They remain to this day my favourite band.

So, why would I not want to see it just one last time? Why not take myself back to that fun, if extremely immature, 20 year old?

Because it would not be the same. Because I am no longer 20, I am 50. I actually have worked pretty hard to get used to the fact that I am nearer 70 than 30, and getting comfortable with that person. The band would not be the same, because they, too, are older. I hate seeing The Who performing My Generation, hoping they die before they get old. Damned farcical...they didn't, and they have earned untold wealth since banging out the rebelliousness of youth. More than anything else, Marillion in 2015 are a band who released the sublime Sounds That Can't Be Made a couple of years ago. Gaza was an extremely thought provoking, and controversial, piece about a desperate situation from a child's perspective. Sky Above The Rain makes me cry, because there is stark beauty in the story of a relationship in crisis.

That is where this great band are now. I am looking forward to the next album, and instalment of a marvellous career, because the statement will be just as relevant to me at 50-odd, as Misplaced Childhood was to me at 20. I want something that is relevant to me now, that is alive, and not merely rehashed nostalgia for the sake of a few bucks.

I saw part of that concert on Youtube the other day, it's a great one. From what I saw, I especially liked South Side, with that cool duel between Howe and Wakeman I saw a copy of it on the local store, I should probably get it

I would really like to see them live even without Anderson, it's certainly not as great as their 70's performances but it would be a glimpse of their past. At least Squire, Howe and White are still part of the band

*^ well Steve I haven't got around to spinning the new Wilson. Boy, if you feel this new effort is perhaps better than his previous (the Raven) than I better get this one!! ;)

Good day to you my friend.

^^ thanks Nicholas. I will give Opeth another go. It has been a long, long time since I played them, and I do not have particularly good memories. However, I will go back and report at the end of the week.

Anekdoten are certainly a band I will be going back to. As will Katatonia, who are a very good band I should be far more familiar with.

Right now, though, the new Steven Wilson album is on the Lazland headphones for the first spin. The man is a genius. This is a very good piece of work which I am sure will get even better after a few listens.

Greatness does not come around too often. And we should cherish it when it does.

Edited by lazland - March 03 2015 at 15:13

Meant to say "prosper" but proper is good too! ;)

Doing two blog posts intwo nights is probably getting greedy, and pushing the patience of even the most loyal reader. However, this is Saturday night, my usual haunt on this blog, as last night was a very rare Friday post. On Friday, I am usually drinking with friends in town.

Anyhow, after I posted last night's fun, the wife and I relaxed with some late TV after kicking the boy upstairs to bed. I got to choose, and I chose Guitar Heroes at the BBC. I was anticipating from this a bit of Purple, Sabbath, and, well, you know the kind of stuff. What I actually got was......

Rolling Stones. Brown Sugar
David Bowie. Starman. By God, I had forgotten how good this was.
Michael Chapman. Wellington The Skelington. I had forgotten this full stop!😀
Hornslips. Dearg Doom. As Whispering Bob surely said.....Mmmmmmm. Cool.....
UPP. Down in the Dark, feat Jeff Beck.

The wife called a halt to proceedings at this stage. Can't think why.....

And so to the delight of life known as Saturday night. First on was an Alan Parsons Project compilation as a tribute to the great Chris Rainbow, who passed away this week. This was followed by Carly Simon Greatest Hits Live album. I just love this woman's voice and work.

And, so, we moved into the familiar track shifting mode, and the playlist tonight went something like this;

Rolling Stones. Angie.

Moody Blues. Go Now. Blues, man, from working class Midlands prior to anyone hearing of anything approaching psychedelic or progressive. This is one of my favourite tracks of all time, so a huge glass to the great Denny Laine. He's only four years younger than my Dad. Blimey.......

Eurythmics. I Saved The World Today. One of the finest pop rock singles of all time.

All followed by a You Tube compilation, which went something like this;

Alice Cooper. How You Gonna See Me Now. From his finest LP.

Levellers. Until The End. Their best later track, full of passion and vitriol.

Rick Wakeman. The Prisoner. The Maestro and his piano, telling the tale of The Birdman of Alcatraz, with his usual panache and emotion.

Blackmore's Night. Play, Minstrel Play. Hey.....Anderson doesn't play flute on any old sh*t, you know! I have loved Ritchie for years, and this is my favourite from his whole repertoire.

Jon & Vangelis. I Hear You Now. I have been sad for so long that these two had a falling out, because their music has given me so much pleasure over the years. This is the hit single from the first album, and features Jon at his most loving and spiritual. In other words, at his best.

Porcupine Tree. Lazarus. The track that all of the planet needs to hear to remind themselves that genius walks amongst us. This is utterly powerful and emotional, and I adore it.

Levellers. Hope Street. As regular readers of this blog will know, a favourite of Laz which gets regular AirPlay. Brighton's finest at their finest, the greatest grungy, folky, punky, track of all time, and, for those familiar with Brighton, ridiculously accurate in its portrayal.

Lindsay Buckingham. Bleed To Love Her. It has appeared on a Fleetwood Mac live album, but the original is better. This man oozes talent and feeling.

Marillion. Lavender. Fish. Rothery with a double necked guitar, playing that solo. My yoof. All you need to know, really😄

Marillion. The Great Escape.......My favourite piece of music ever, full stop. It's why I play it so often, it really epitomises all that is best about progressive rock. This is from the original Brave short film, which featured an incredible female lead.

Mike Oldfield. Man In The Rain. From the third TB opus, this is something I picked up from some German award show, a great piece of music.

Mostly Autumn. Shrinking Violet. The finest track from the early MA period, the lovely Heather putting all into what is clearly a very emotional experience. It was, as well, the moment listening to it the first time I realised just what a special talent Bryan Josh is.

Peter Gabriel. I Grieve. Peter playing live on the Larry King show from his studio in Bath. This is an incredible track, and I really do wish the great man would release just one more album of original material. He really is rather good at it, you know.......

Procol Harum. A Salty Dog Live. Gary on top form.

Rick Wakeman. The incredible solo piece from the ABWH tour. See those digits move!

And, to finish off, Gabriel performing Biko live at an Amnesty concert. When I was a college student in early 1981, this track, for us, epitomised decency and the struggle against oppression and unfairness in society.

Not a bad night's music, this on top of a great afternoon's rugby, when both Italy and Wales had very well deserved away victories. Onto Dublin tomorrow for the championship showdown between Ireland and England.

The blog this time around spans a few days. I write this on a train at Carmarthen station awaiting departure on a miserable, wet, Sunday morning. I am going to Lincoln on a work seminar, and the train journey will take nine hours. Yep, nine hours. It would be quicker for me to fly to New York. Sometimes I wonder whether we are living in a third world country.

Anyhow, This week, I listened to Dave Bainbridge, Veil of Gossamer, which was given the Thomas five star treatment about ten years ago. I listened to it in Spotify one evening on the bus home, and it is rather a special album, full of melody and folky delights. It has been added to the "to buy"list.

On Thursday evening, I put on Progstreaming, and Cailyn's Voyager. I remembered Ivan's review of this album, and it is spot on. A very enjoyable album, full to bursting with talent. I believe she is also a PA member, so a great thumbs up! The guitar work is especially magnificent. I might well have to get this, as well!

Owing to a visit to the doctor a few months ago, when a check up blood test revealed higher levels of enzymes than should be in the liver test, said doctor advised Mr Laz to watch his alcohol intake a bit more. Hence, I now have a two day a week break, and only have a couple of pints on a Saturday night, whereas before it would be a five pint and scotch night.

Well, last night, I decided to have a bit of a blowout, so, naturally, the music had to follow. It was, in truth, a "traditional" Lazland music night, with absolutely nothing particularly adventurous, just stuff I really like.

Old Red Eyes and 36D. The Beautiful South. My best man, Nashy, and I saw this lot a few times. We started listening to Heaton when he was in The Housemartins. I was going to have a Heaton evening, but Nashy's death is still a little bit too raw for that, and, anyway, the Prog had to go on.

The playlist was:

Beautiful. Marillion
Red & Larks Tongues in Aspic II (live). King Crimson
We All Need Some Light. Transatlantic
This Strange Engine (live). Marillion
Sky Above The Rain. Marillion
Turn It On Again. Genesis
Harvest of Souls. IQ
Start the Sound. Panic Room
Flowers in my Hair. Luna Rossa
Ain't Nobody But Me, Two of Us, From Now On, The Logical Song, It's Raining Again, Don't Leave Me Now, Free As A Bird. Supertramp
Passengers. Mostly Autumn

Not a bad list, even if I say so myself.

Lastly, on this week's segment, the great news that PA Crossover team have unanimously voted to add Luna Rossa to the database, which is fantastic. I will now have the honour of contacting the band for a biography, and I will ask if they are willing to do an interview for us as well.

See you all soon.

Steve! My good man.

Thank you once again for such a wonderful, thorough and meaningful response to your last 3 above posts. I certainly care to share my thoughts on all of what you've meantioned and thoughtfully have done.   

First of all. To the aforementioned, Wilson. I'm so glad that it appears you got the most out of 'I am A Soldier' and even decided to venture deeper by spinning the entire 'Headspace' album. Yes, Daddy f'ing loves you is a superior example by just how wonderful modern Prog metal can sound. I cannot begin to describe my level of enjoyment that I am received from listening to the "I am Anonymous' album. It has certainly hit me in a good way. Also, just a quick rec. "Out There" is an album by Rick Wakeman that features Wilson on lead Vocals and I think you might find Wilson's voice quite tasteful and to contrast a keyboard driven sound very well. :)

Secondly. CDs v.s MP3 downloading. Oh boy.   
I have spent a lot of time and research into the art and science behind sound recording and of course many variables come into play (depending on your music sources) but it is in my opinion that CDS, with their sound quality at a standard uncompressed format (16/44.1) hold the most weight sound quality wise!
Unfortunately we live right now in a digital epidemic whereby most people are sacrificing sound quality for just udder convenience.
Taking a downloaded mp3 say directly off I tunes and throwing that onto either your mobile phone or other portable music devices is absolute rubbish! It is horribly compressed audio whereby the sound is bloated and bright in the wrong areas so you have no chance in hell hearing what or how the artist originally wanted you (the listener) to hear that album. The highs, mids and lows are so unrefined and imbalanced it actually sickens me. Worst of all, most people especially on the go are using sh*tty-little ears buds and directly pairing those buds to their portable music devices. Yuk.
However, in the incredible world of audio technology is at an all time high, but known by so few that it is actually archaic.   . DIGITAL ANALOGUE CONVERTERS (DAC's) and PORTABLE HEADPHONE AMPLIFIERS are wonderful pieces of audio equipment that can pair well with *some* downloaded music formats and they are FLAC ALAC, and WAV which are uncompressed lossless audio codecs that will sound great if you have the rights sources; hence the DAC.   . Therefore, this can negate the purchases of CDS, but for really doing things right in the audio world and for ethereal listening experiences, top quality audio gear and systems respond best with CDS or vinyl records. I can only say this, keep buying CDS! We are huge music appreciators and I find having something tangible is top drawer both for aesthetics and in my situation given what kind of audio equipment I have, sound quality as well.

Lastly. While heaven Wept was reviewed and rejected???!! I can only do and say this.

I kid! I'm not gonna point fingers and play the blame game, but clearly WHW are a progressive act and a very good one at that. I will say to you master laz, thank you. Thank you for looking into this matter more thoroughly because I would really love to see WHW belong where they rightfully belong.
I think "Team Metal" here on PA should have a nice listen to their latest album "Suspended at Aphelion" (2014).
A dazzling display of Prog metal might and sophistication.

Anyhow, I leave you with a question. Since you started out with a "metal sound' is it possible that true love for metal could be revived with in you? If so, allow me to join you on the adventure. It would be my pleasure to share some 'fresh' acts with you with in the prog metal genre cause I feel it's kind of my bag!   

I hope you will do the same for me with in the modernized symphonic Prog world (NEO).
I know you are an expert in the field.

Talk soon.

And thanks to you YAMI YAMS.

I still say you Landmarq a chance; Damian was on their first three albums - 1992 - Solitary Witness, 1993 - Infinity parade and 1995 - The Vision Pit.

here's one of my favorite songs by them