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Psychedelic Paul View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Psychedelic Paul Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August 10 2023 at 01:02
Symphonic Prog Britannia

TONY BANKS      I have A Curious Feeling you're going to like Tony Banks' solo albums, no matter whether it's one of his Soundtracks such as The Wicked Lady, or one of his classical compositions such as Five, Six Pieces for Orchestra, or even Seven: A Suite for Orchestra. Tony Banks has never been "The Fugitive" from Genesis, having played on all fifteen of their studio albums, but he's Still managed to find the time for solo projects, as well as the Strictly Inc.. duo (with Wang Chung), ensuring he's managed to maintain a healthy Bankstatement over the years. Smile  

 4 stars 1983: Tony Banks - The Wicked Lady (soundtrack) - http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLdktF-lL0yEbA4hra8QBSFdWWtIF-pWfM
 3 stars 1995: Tony Banks & Wang Chung - Strictly Inc. - http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_mF5Ouqe2jNOBx24GWdarE8smLW3_3nVa0
 5 stars 2004: Tony Banks - Seven: A Suite for Orchestra - http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLdktF-lL0yEYItEOl_weawg8Oo5_FgZAQ 
 5 stars 2012: Tony Banks - Six Pieces for Orchestra - http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLdktF-lL0yEZgaAG7-M7TKny5b6yJZ3zE


Edited by Psychedelic Paul - August 11 2023 at 11:35
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Psychedelic Paul Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August 12 2023 at 05:21
Symphonic Prog Britannia

BARCLAY JAMES HARVEST      Barclay James Harvest are the featured artist today as we Once Again delve into the history of Barclay James Harvest and Other Short Stories. They're one of the few bands who've maintained the same core line-up over the years, consisting of John Lees (guitar), Les Holroyd (bass), Woolly Wolstenholme (keyboards) and Mel Pritchard (drums). Who can forget the cute picture of  Baby James Harvest poking his head out of a plant pot on their fourth album cover. Here at ProgArchives, Everyone is Everybody Else in the vast progosphere, where the classic albums of BJH appear like Time Honoured Ghosts. The eighth month of the year was October On the ancient Roman calendar, making it the perfect name for the eighth Barclay James Harvest album. The band took a short break, but weren't Gone to Earth for long before returning  with their best-selling album of all time in 1977. In the XII Kingdoms of Prog, Barclay James Harvest reigned supreme and the Eyes of the Universe were upon them again in 1982 for their Concert for the People in Berlin. This landmark gig for BJH preceded a Turn of the Tide in the Cold War when a Ring of Changes were on the way and the old Soviet leaders became Victims of Circumstance, following the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991. For a brief moment in history, the world became a safer place with no more Face to Face Cold War confrontations between East and West with the ever-present threat of nuclear Armageddon hanging over the world. History didn't end in 1991 though, and in the prophetic words of Messrs Emerson, Lake & Palmer, Welcome to the Show that never ends, because there were new threats on the way in a new century. Caught in the Light of a beautifully clear morning on 11th September 2001, an airliner flew perilously low over New York City..... The River of Dreams would soon be shattered forever. Ouch

 4 stars 1970: Barclay James Harvest - Their First Album - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_nFSIfNxs6gIBOTbbIPO1JWh2mwEyVbAIU
 5 stars 1971: Barclay James Harvest & Other Short Stories - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_l7sqXxBX6jnIktjJObqPD6GFPPdJZrUn0
 4 stars 1972: Barclay James Harvest - Baby James Harvest - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_k8dD4x9nW6_Ju8k4fWqoEflWLUgTZaswA
 4 stars 1974: Barclay James Harvest - Everyone is Everybody Else - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_mCjiub0x7T8niJz1AsTxasRH4HNRqXRdk
 4 stars 1975: Barclay James Harvest - Time Honoured Ghosts - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_leiWJFRrHO1N9EVkZilqdkKpJ9MHhMQ3Q
 4 stars 1979: Barclay James Harvest - Eyes of the Universe - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_mkQCE_CS4KRfbDHZN3InfqMcF3h0k1k8U
 4 stars 1981: Barclay James Harvest - Turn of the Tide -  https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_mmCu7zmMp0bEPRj4DwppY3kkM38oUolew
 5 stars 1982: Barclay James Harvest - Berlin: A Concert for the People - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_kio5pd2F0ddkxjfb0IjzzMM-OtL2i_Kmo
 3 stars 1983: Barclay James Harvest - Ring of Changes - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_kDSFg2np6VvahTK2tyX6EENdRzRUtsbIQ
 3 stars 1984: Barclay James Harvest - Victims of Circumstance - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_mydkINhzpKx30cXSe9ymCQi2R-dMHEx4A
 4 stars 1990: Barclay James Harvest - Welcome to the Show - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_nLlpK2fvl859Ilx9ORrPKfdYRJ_A517tc
 4 stars 1993: Barclay James Harvest - Caught in the Light - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_neYhLxswZR-65axpRUWF1wASUtQRbVQjo
 4 stars 1997: Barclay James Harvest - River of Dreams - http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLVPGzOHIIgz-bPr5ZullgVQtREMChQBMb
 5 stars 2004: Barclay James Harvest - Live: The Ultimate Anthology - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B5FjwTyqIHY&t=11s


 4 stars 1999: Barclay James Harvest Through the Eyes of John Lees - Nexus - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_kAmeC36vZPFOmBhQGLzhmJFFW6IAsyy9k
 4 stars 2013: John Lees' Barclay James Harvest - North - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_mFI67BUyEvgaqyFaLV188CMEwdsjqADM0
 4 stars 2018: John Lees' Barclay James Harvest - The 50th Anniversary Concert - http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_kX5HmaMi2fod1CFg0J4rBEOiMk9UCcBAE

 3 stars 2002: Barclay James Harvest featuring Les Holroyd - Revolution Days - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xqa4bZva1FI
 4 stars 2006: Barclay James Harvest featuring Les Holroyd - Classic Meets Rock - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_mbsg_xAdIkaz_ORiSusXDnGeVRFf8Lq2I
 3 stars 2016: Barclay James Harvest featuring Les Holroyd - Retrospective - http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_mUMRNPrux1WA682Ki6n_mYk2tXs8eOPgk

 5 stars 2009: Woolly Wolstenholme & Maestoso - Uneasy Listening - http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_mS--foGRmQujWGvy2tpkDMUIjX9F_xwhQ


Edited by Psychedelic Paul - August 18 2023 at 04:46
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Psychedelic Paul Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August 19 2023 at 04:14
Symphonic Prog Britannia

DAVID BEDFORD   (1937-2011) Broken Heart      The loneliness of the long-distance progger.... David Bedford was once a member of Kevin Ayers and the Whole World, as well as working with Mike Oldfield on The Orchestral Tubular Bells, but it's David's solo works that he's best-remembered for now. There's no need to go the whole marathon with David Bedford's seven albums though. Just check out The Rime of the Ancient Mariner, which features narration by actor Robert Powell - who's still sometimes mistaken for Jesus Christ. Shocked

 2 stars 1972: David Bedford - Nurses Song with Elephants - http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_lXNAC8k6dR5FYRMoKk0r1k5d-ZCBTKR1M
 4 stars 1975: David Bedford - The Rime of the Ancient Mariner - http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_lDSGlZikA8F3bhi3dq0vTvzlmNbMRjrTY
 3 stars 1977: David Bedford - Instructions for Angels - http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_lDYi8FOKEVBOt7wRS3DsuYiFHDKvYUO1o
 3 stars 1983: David Bedford - Star Clusters, Nebulae & Places in Devon - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gjzrvBUSJz8 



Edited by Psychedelic Paul - August 19 2023 at 06:55
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Psychedelic Paul Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August 21 2023 at 00:52
Symphonic Prog Britannia

BEGGARS OPERA       Beggars Opera are a Scottish Symphonic Prog band who've been around seemingly forever, or at least since the beginning of the prog era anyway. They formed in Glasgow in 1969 and released their first aptly-titled "Act One" album in 1970. They followed it up with five more albums in the proggy 1970's years:- "Waters of Change" (1971); "Pathfinder" (1972); "Get Your Dog Off Me" (1973); "Sagittary" (1974); & "Beggars Can't Be Choosers" (1975). They made a brief comeback in 1980 with the "Lifeline" album and then took a VERY long hiatus before returning with the "Close To My Heart" album in 2007. Their most recent album "Mrs. Caligari's Daughter" was released in 2012. Altogether, Beggars Opera have recorded fourteen studio albums throughout their long lifetime, although they've never quite made it to the "big league" despite their undoubted musical talent. The "Act One" album, reviewed here, was reissued on CD in 1997 with two bonus tracks added to the original five songs on the album. Let's have a listen to the album now and find out if beggars really CAN be choosers.

Opening the curtain on "Act One" comes "Poet and Peasant", a fast and furious fugue of supersonic Emersonian organ virtuosity. This booming and bombastic Baroque piece is very loosely based on the music of the obscure Austrian composer of light operas, Franz von Suppe. Light opera has NEVER sounded quite like this though. This is a wild and dynamic organ jamboree where traditional Classical music is thrown completely on its head and given a healthy burst of pompous and powerful Prog-Rock, in true "Roll Over Beethoven" fashion. The wonderfully expressive singer sounds like he's having a great time too with some magnificently over-the-top operatic vocals, in the style of David Byron of Uriah Heep. Hold on tight now because entering stage right is "Passaglia". Can you handle it as this is George Frideric Handel played as you've never heard him played before. Again, the keyboard player is going hell for leather on the Hammond organ with no let-up in the incredible pace. There's also a flambuoyant flourish of funky guitar in an exhilarating extended solo in the middle section. This powerfully percussive piece has all the unstoppable power and explosive energy of an Exocet missile, with you the listener as the target. The next song "Memory" is another rapid-fire machine gun delivery of sound with the dynamic duo of Hammond organist and wild guitar player battling it out together while the drummer pounds away relentlessly on percussion. Apparently, when Beggars Opera acted as the support band for the Tremeloes way back in 1970, they blew the Tremeloes off the stage, and it's easy to see why when you listen to this energetic high-voltage album. This explosive music has all the flash and thunder brilliance of a boxful of fireworks that's been accidentally set alight.

Side Two is occupied by two 12-minute-long suites. There's more manic musical mayhem with "Raymond's Road". It's a soaring and symphonic sonic blast of incredible intensity with the amplifiers turned all the way up to eleven. Is it Bach or is it Mozart? One thing's for sure, you've never heard Classical music played quite like this before. You may not have heard Symphonic Prog played quite like this before either. This is no Moonlight Sonata. This is more like Widor's Toccata on anabolic steroids. It's an adrenalin rush of rip-roaring organ-powered Rock and there's even a riotous rendition of the William Tell Overture thrown in for good measure too. Rossini would be rocking and rolling in his grave to this music. The breathtaking speed of the high-energy Hammond organist on this album is just phenomenal. You really have to hear it to believe it. We're charging ahead next with "Light Cavalry" and this cavalry aren't stopping for anyone. The band of musical brothers are charging ahead with all guns blazing in a storming symphony of sound. The music gallops along relentlessly at incredible pace in this canorous cavalcade. It's time to dismount now though as we've finally reached the end of the album. Phew! That was a blast!

It's Bach to the Future for this dynamic, classically-inspired blast of powerful Symphonic Prog. It's an album to put on your Chopin Liszt the next time you head Orff into town on Debussy, although you may have to Handel disappointment and come Bach empty-handed, as it's a case of Haydn seek with finding this rare album treasure in the record stores these days.

Look out for their amazing 2007 comeback album with Virginia Aurora Scott, where Beggars Opera sound like a different band altogether, which indeed they were by this time. Smile


 3 stars 1975: Beggars Opera - Beggars Can't Be Choosers - http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_lMbfEGEq18w-ANLjnXwNN8cfMkXqMcZcw
 3 stars 1980: Beggars Opera - Lifeline - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ePvJwiCLQk
 5 stars 2010: Beggars Opera - All Tomorrows Thinking - http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_li9Vz5228HLFXWKXRpSNRnTfJM38BXrco 


Edited by Psychedelic Paul - August 21 2023 at 02:48
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Psychedelic Paul Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August 21 2023 at 08:42
Symphonic Prog Britannia: A-Z Album Links


 5 stars 1984: Camel - Pressure Points - Live in Concert - http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL5BFJgXr2uDDJTT-64OuQLvOo3oH47D2l
 4 stars 1991: Camel - Dust and Dreams - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8aHHd0iIl6M
 4 stars 1995: Camel - Harbour of Tears - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5zrh-PzFdu8
 4 stars 2002: Camel - A Nod and a Wink - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M3KNGtTa3WA








 5 stars 1993: Cyan - For King and Country - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wacxgQvJe8A   
 5 stars 1994: Cyan - Pictures from the Other Side - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0aDaHGNq-7U  
 5 stars 2021: Cyan - For King and Country (Re-recording)


Edited by Psychedelic Paul - December 04 2023 at 05:09
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Psychedelic Paul Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August 21 2023 at 13:19
Symphonic Prog Britannia

CAAMORA       A band that's so good, I've featured them twice, having already included them here earlier under the Neo Prog banner. Caamora is an epic rock opera that Ayreon would be proud of... Caamora consists of Clive Nolan (the Grand Wizard of Neo Prog and member of Arena and Pendragon) and Polish songstress Agnieszka Swita, as well as special guest Christina Booth of Magenta.  The musical project is based on the classic novel "She" - a mysterious white African queen (Ayesha) who must be obeyed - penned by Victorian adventurer H. Rider Haggard. For a late-19th century novel, "She" was way ahead of its time, exploring themes of female dominance and authority a whole century before Margaret Thatcher became Prime Minister. Smile




Edited by Psychedelic Paul - August 21 2023 at 13:21
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Psychedelic Paul Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August 22 2023 at 00:10
Symphonic Prog Britannia

CAMEL       Camel emerged from Guildford like a Mirage with the release of their first album in 1973. The band have since gone on to become as legendary as the flight of The Snow Goose, with its annual long migration from Canada to Mexico. Their fourth album was a concept album, released at a time when the concept album was King. When record buyers listened to the final track on the album, Lunar Sea (Lunacy), they may have thought they were experiencing a temporary bout of Moonmadness, as the song played on endlessly, in what's known as the "terminal groove" effect. Camel's next critically acclaimed album had their loyal fanbase performing Rain Dances of delight and they were Breathless with anticipation for the follow-up album. Who can forget the stark image of the crucified astronaut on the cover of I Can See Your House from Here, where he's metaphorically Nude and alone in the endless depths of space. The Single Factor determining his fate is whether there's a spacecraft waiting nearby to come to the rescue, or whether he's doomed to drift endlessly through space like a Stationary Traveller, when all of his hopes will be crushed like Dust and Dreams in a Harbour of Tears. Camel had a return to form in 1999 with the release of their Rajaz album, which gave A Nod and a Wink towards their classic 1970's albums. Wink

 5 stars 1984: Camel - Pressure Points - Live in Concert - http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL5BFJgXr2uDDJTT-64OuQLvOo3oH47D2l
 4 stars 1991: Camel - Dust and Dreams - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8aHHd0iIl6M
 4 stars 1995: Camel - Harbour of Tears - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5zrh-PzFdu8
 4 stars 2002: Camel - A Nod and a Wink - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M3KNGtTa3WA

PETER BARDENS       The keyboard player with Camel throughout much of the seventies, Peter Bardens' long solo career stretches Further Than You Know. Smile

 5 stars 1970: Peter Bardens - The Answer - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zmyHE7zQoGE
 5 stars 1971: Peter Bardens - Peter Bardens
 4 stars 1979: Peter Bardens - Heart to Heart - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aTmtbAugs14
 4 stars 1987: Peter Bardens - Seen One Earth - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rfjg5hKus44
 4 stars 1988: Peter Bardens - Speed of Light - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NqCrW4lVNhU
 4 stars 2002: Peter Bardens - The Art of Levitation


Edited by Psychedelic Paul - February 16 2024 at 06:45
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Psychedelic Paul Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August 22 2023 at 04:06
Symphonic Prog Britannia

CASINO      Symphonic Neo Prog duo Clive Nolan and Geoff Mann are upping the ante and scooping the jackpot with this superlative,  one-off album project. You can bet your bottom dollar that any  band Clive Nolan is involved with will be a surefire winner, and Casino are no exception. Thankfully, Clive Nolan's two bands - Arena and Pendragon - haven't taken the same path as Genesis. If you asked Clive Nolan to do a Pop album, that would be a bit like asking Van Gogh to churn out a few sunflower pictures for Athena. Tongue

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Psychedelic Paul Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: September 06 2023 at 10:30
Symphonic Prog Britannia

CHALCEDONY      Chalcedony is a form of quartz, and in common with the mineral, the four albums listed below are real gems. Eveshka Ghost (great name!) is the man behind the symphonic music of Chalcedony. Eveshka is the Mozart of Prog, having composed The Fantasy Sonata while he was still in short trousers at primary school, which must have made him the envy of his schoolmates, when most kids of that age can only aspire to be the school conker champion. Eveshka Ghost is certainly not lacking in musical inspiration, but he may have been lacking in imagination by naming his four albums Chapters One, II, III & IV, although a series of uninspired (or non-existent) album titles never did Peter Gabriel's career any harm. Smile

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Psychedelic Paul Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: September 06 2023 at 17:18
Symphonic Prog Britannia

CITIZEN CAIN      A Symphonic Neo Prog band who are so obscure to non-proggers that if you look them up on Wikipedia, it'll lead you straight to the door of Orson Welles' newspaper empire. Are they snakes in the grass or just Serpents in Camouflage? One things for sure, Citizen Cain are mighty fine Citizens of Hope and Glory in the magical realm of Neo Prog. You don't have to take my word for it though. Just take a look at band member "Cyrus" below, who looks like he's auditioning to be the new Albus Dumbledore in the next Harry Potter movie. Tongue 





Edited by Psychedelic Paul - September 07 2023 at 02:26
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Psychedelic Paul Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: September 07 2023 at 02:39
Symphonic Prog Britannia

COUSINS & CONRAD     Who's that with the oh-so-familiar warbling voice? Why, it's none other than skipper Dave Cousins of the Strawbs, sailing the High Seas together with able seaman Conny Conrad on guitars and keyboards. Smile

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Psychedelic Paul Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: September 07 2023 at 04:58
Symphonic Prog Britannia

CRAFT      A rare collectors item for fans of The Enid. When William Gilmour (no relation) and Martin Russell left the aforementioned band, they formed this one-album project. The First Signs were that this promising band could go far, but it was written in the stars that they were destined not to last. Confused

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Psychedelic Paul Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: September 07 2023 at 09:34
Symphonic Prog Britannia

CROOKED MOUTH     Britain's got talent, but you'll find most of it right here on ProgArchives - not on TV. Crooked Mouth are a  Scottish band led by Ken Campbell, who says he's tired of quality prog playing second fiddle to the mindless pap we hear played on the radio every day. That's a sentiment we proggers can all agree on. Crooked Mouth perform music as a labour of love and to raise money for charity, and they say they're not out to make money, which is just as well, bearing in mind how hard it is for a virtually unknown band to make a living in the cut-throat music business these days. Confused 

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Psychedelic Paul Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: September 07 2023 at 11:39
Symphonic Prog Britannia

CRESSIDA        Cressida are a group of five accomplished musicians who got together in London in the late 1960's to form a band. The band initially called themselves "Charge" before changing their name to Cressida. They released their self-titled debut album in 1970 and a further album "Asylum" followed in 1971 shortly after the break-up of the band. The "Cressida" album is full to the brim with complex changes of time signature, soaring emotional vocals, impressive Hammond organ virtuosity and wild guitar solos. The album contains 12 diverse songs, ranging from short Jazzy numbers, melancholy ballads, and all-out symphonic masterpieces. It's hard to pick out a favourite in an album that is a sheer joy to listen to from beginning to end, but the final song "Tomorrow is a Whole New Day" represents a masterpiece of Symphonic Prog. The melancholic singer sounds remarkably similar to Justin Hayward in places and the album is guaranteed to appeal especially to fans of the Moody Blues and any collectors of classic Symphonic Prog generally.

The album opens impressively with "To Play Your Little Game", featuring plaintive vocals and a beautiful organ solo before launching into some fast-paced Jazz-Rock played in an unusual time signature. "Winter is Coming Again" is a pleasant sounding melody, featuring a wild psychedelic guitar and Hammond organ solo in the middle section. "Time or Bed" opens with an acoustic guitar before transposing into another up-tempo Jazz-Rock number in an irregular time signature. The title track "Cressida" is probably the most Jazzy track on the album with an upbeat Jazzy 5/4 time signature. "Home And Where I Long To Be" is a beautifully complex song, and ranks as one of the most impressive numbers on the album with it's sudden changes of tempo, soaring vocals and virtuoso Hammond organ and guitar accompaniment. The song is very much in the style of the Moody Blues and would deserve pride of place on any of their albums. "Depression" is a very fast-paced song, very reminiscent of one of the Moody Blues rockier numbers. Side Two of the album opens in similarly impressive style with the jaunty song "One of a Group" with the sound of the Hammond organ very much at the forefront and featuring a brief fuzzy guitar solo with a few Jazzy piano motifs included for good measure. The eighth song on the album "Lights on My Mind" is an up-tempo rocker with some bright and breezy Hammond organ playing and another far-out fuzzy guitar solo. "The Only Earthman In Town" begins with a haunting refrain and launches into some dextrous and intricately fast-paced organ-playing. Track 10 "Spring '69" is a gentle melody featuring a solo acoustic guitar which blends in nicely in between the orchestral and Jazzier numbers. The penultimate song on the album "Down Down" opens with a beautiful organ solo and features the haunting sound of the Mellotron. The song has several interesting changes of pace throughout and includes a Jazzy interlude. The album concludes in full grandiose splendour with "Tomorrow is a Whole New Day", a song very much in the symphonic style of the Moody Blues classic "Night in White Satin".

This is a superb album of musical virtuosity featuring a very talented group of musicians. The album should delight Symphonic Prog lover's everywhere. It should also appeal to any aficionados of early Jazz-Rock with special appeal to fans of Justin Hayward and the Moody Blues symphonic sound. It's no exaggeration to say this album is a masterpiece and it deserves repeated listening to fully appreciate the beautifully complex nature of the twelve well-crafted songs. There's an abundance of melancholy melodies, fast-paced Jazz-Rock songs and grand masterpieces of symphonic virtuosity to entertain and enthral the listener in equal measure and it's an essential album for any classic Symphonic Prog collection.


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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Psychedelic Paul Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: September 07 2023 at 14:59
Symphonic Prog Britannia

CYAN    Welsh keyboard wizard Rob Reed is the man behind the grandiose and majestic music of Cyan. You may know him better as a founder member of that other colorful band: Magenta. The debut album from Cyan is so good that Rob Reed recorded it twice, but if you're not sufficiently motivated to give it a listen, then do it For King and Country. Smile

 5 stars 1993: Cyan - For King and Country - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wacxgQvJe8A   
 5 stars 1994: Cyan - Pictures from the Other Side - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0aDaHGNq-7U  
 5 stars 2021: Cyan - For King and Country
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Psychedelic Paul Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: September 08 2023 at 01:32
Symphonic Prog Britannia: A-Z Album Links

 5 stars 1987: Geoff Downes & New Dance Orchestra - The Light Program -   https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLdktF-lL0yEapk1L5x6Xvsc0u4w1rIcMr
 3 stars 1992: Geoff Downes & New Dance Orchestra - Vox Humana - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLdktF-lL0yEZYaESgPStXwVjEioAhIICw
 4 stars 1999: Geoff Downes & New Dance Orchestra - The World Service - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLdktF-lL0yEZJehI5Mybfzs5NnPTXLdX3
 
 3 stars 2012: Downes-Braide Association - Pictures of You - http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_lDuJPaAeh6WbiU7fmWBc6PknzpReh46OA
 4 stars 2015: Downes-Braide Association - Suburban Ghosts - http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_l0tdnDNa8LlI-pWQnpWa7_unQew0-oltc
 4 stars 2017: Downes-Braide Association - Skyscraper Souls - http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_mrS6ZNUOk0BpsYpzl5yNtshHgmbQ6cU7Q
 4 stars 2019: Downes-Braide Association - Live in England - http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_nOojXmCSkY0y6p7VAUl1s7kuKcrt8vhxk
 4 stars 2021: Downes-Braide Association - DBA IV: Halcyon Hymns - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLdktF-lL0yEbxzSX8xo-t12KMZd2FkA1o
 4 stars 2023: Downes-Braide Association - Celestial Songs - http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_m612im3DBpw5oOzPQgCZjSjZA3y13D2OM



Edited by Psychedelic Paul - September 10 2023 at 06:06
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Psychedelic Paul Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: September 08 2023 at 07:25
Symphonic Prog Britannia

GEOFF DOWNES      One of the busiest keyboard players on the entire planet, aside from Rick Wakeman. In fact, the number of bands and album projects Geoff Downes has been involved with just Buggles the mind. When he's not touring Asia with YES, he's touring Europe with ASIA, and as if that's not enough to keep any musician fully occupied, he's also one half of Wetton-Downes as well as being one half of the Downes Braide Association, on top of which Geoff Downes has made numerous guest appearances on other albums too. All in all then, his professional life has been filled with mostly Ups and hardly any Downes. Regarding his personal life, Geoff Downes is a supporter of Cardiff City, but you can't have everything in life. Tongue

 5 stars 1987: Geoff Downes & New Dance Orchestra - The Light Program -   https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLdktF-lL0yEapk1L5x6Xvsc0u4w1rIcMr
 3 stars 1992: Geoff Downes & New Dance Orchestra - Vox Humana - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLdktF-lL0yEZYaESgPStXwVjEioAhIICw
 4 stars 1999: Geoff Downes & New Dance Orchestra - The World Service - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLdktF-lL0yEZJehI5Mybfzs5NnPTXLdX3


Edited by Psychedelic Paul - September 08 2023 at 08:08
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Symphonic Prog Britannia

DOWNES BRAIDE ASSOCIATION (DBA)       As you may be aware, I've remained quietly in the background within PA's hallowed halls for the last couple of weeks (a blessed relief for some), but one thing I knew for sure is I just HAD to be back here for a major event in the prog calendar on September 8th, and the reason being? Well, if you take a look at the list of DBA albums below, you'll see that they have a new album out in 2023 titled "Celestial Songs" which was due for release on September 8th, which is, Today! And so, you can say you heard it here first on ProgArchives, courtesy of Geoff Downes & Chris Braide, and of course, YouTube. Thumbs Up

 3 stars 2012: Downes-Braide Association - Pictures of You - http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_lDuJPaAeh6WbiU7fmWBc6PknzpReh46OA
 4 stars 2015: Downes-Braide Association - Suburban Ghosts - http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_l0tdnDNa8LlI-pWQnpWa7_unQew0-oltc
 4 stars 2017: Downes-Braide Association - Skyscraper Souls - http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_mrS6ZNUOk0BpsYpzl5yNtshHgmbQ6cU7Q
 4 stars 2019: Downes-Braide Association - Live in England - http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_nOojXmCSkY0y6p7VAUl1s7kuKcrt8vhxk
 4 stars 2021: Downes-Braide Association - DBA IV: Halcyon Hymns - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLdktF-lL0yEbxzSX8xo-t12KMZd2FkA1o
 4 stars 2023: Downes-Braide Association - Celestial Songs - http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_m612im3DBpw5oOzPQgCZjSjZA3y13D2OM


Edited by Psychedelic Paul - September 10 2023 at 04:19
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Psychedelic Paul Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: September 08 2023 at 17:15
Symphonic Prog Britannia

DRUID      Ideally, I should have featured this stoned henge band of pagan sun worshippers on the summer solstice, but I'll have to settle for the upcoming autumn equinox instead. Smile

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Symphonic Prog Britannia: A-Z Album Links

 4 stars 1994: Earthstone - Seed  - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cf5-UvNGEZY

 5 stars 2011: Edison's Children - In the Last Waking Moments - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLdktF-lL0yEb_s6dSYhR2sUilYyHWZW6y
 5 stars 2013: Edison's Children - The Final Breath Before November - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLdktF-lL0yEbKHW9TOC4-Zapi4reVICNF
 5 stars 2015: Edison's Children - Somewhere Between Here & There - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLdktF-lL0yEaqe7_4Rwsx_4PT1GclZHts
 5 stars 2019: Edison's Children - The Disturbance Fields - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLdktF-lL0yEYHEf24ubCszxUWoKp0qn5e

 5 stars 1970: Emerson, Lake & Palmer - Emerson, Lake & Palmer - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1LupA_HcmerhVcS72ZRm6z5f
 4 stars 1970: Emerson, Lake & Palmer - Live at the Lyceum Theatre - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1LsLAtaXzZYNdphJ2K31sGlg
 4 stars 1971: Emerson, Lake & Palmer - Pictures at an Exhibition - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1Lvtxv-_M990EeRAYs0262c7
 3 stars 1973: Emerson, Lake & Palmer - Brain Salad Surgery - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1LtFEdO7icqkDbTHkuco3Lyi
 4 stars 1974: Emerson, Lake & Palmer - Welcome Back My Friends to the Show That Never Ends - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1Lv08PZL5CkZsjxcHJy6ILWj
 3 stars 1974: Emerson, Lake & Palmer - California Jam - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1LvlDSW-XWwVXoVF_-v5U5Nj
 5 stars 1977: Emerson, Lake & Palmer - Works Volume 1 - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1LtbMMJU_ueOBFsKScckwbjp
 3 stars 1977: Emerson, Lake & Palmer - Works Volume 2 - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1LtyTIWpaQ-4akV2z3B9c3RL
 3 stars 1977: Emerson, Lake & Palmer - Live in Montreal - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1Lt48UNkRvvhF-HpmWCpEM5U
 3 stars 1978: Emerson, Lake & Palmer - Love Beach - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1LvU2i83JQfiswmBTTaAyhB5
 4 stars 1979: Emerson, Lake & Palmer - Works Live in Concert - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1LubGEipGTTCOJXyJnyDqiAw
 4 stars 1986: Emerson, Lake & Powell - Emerson, Lake & Powell -  https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1LtKb2sKbN9e7RqzfFtnb3k0
 3 stars 1988: 3 (Emerson, Berry & Palmer) - To the Power of Three - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1LvwwylCrJEuChC68BBpb9pt
 5 stars 1992: Emerson, Lake & Palmer - Black Moon - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1LvKlKtnIef2L-sKwWozM6Dh
 4 stars 1993: Emerson, Lake & Palmer - Live at the Royal Albert Hall - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1Lu1SH2fMU-LN405jSagHGzD
 3 stars 1994: Emerson, Lake & Palmer - In the Hot Seat - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1LsRElYTXER7YSEMhEIOmP3D
 4 stars 1997: Emerson, Lake & Palmer - Live at Montreux - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1LtwKNdYm3zjUe82cvjEujZ_
 4 stars 2010: Emerson, Lake & Palmer - 40th Anniversary Reunion Concert - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1Lvg7UZ6rYE9plyqgOM1ocJC


 5 stars 1976: The Enid - In the Region of the Summer Stars - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CdU5MQKDXsk
 5 stars 1977: The Enid - Aerie Faerie Nonsense - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BJOT707sogc
 5 stars 1979: The Enid - Touch Me - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ja0bqTOyecU
 5 stars 1979: The Enid - Live at Hammersmith Odeon - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s0YgBn1GZxo
 5 stars 1980: The Enid - Six Pieces - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hsMQfw_0L0s
 4 stars 1980: The Enid - Live at Loughborough Town Hall  - http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_li-5cgYRiVV9XkpQfkhsBSRNi36Inpsbc
 4 stars 1983: The Enid - Something Wicked This Way Comes - http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_mKHWGN-FcDirVvf05Jm3rF-cSvL_or-m4
 4 stars 1984: The Enid - Live at Claret Hall Farm -  https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_TaS3ukydpJ2qUR4OmDgf8Hw5JiQo-Mw
 5 stars 1984: The Enid - Live at Hammersmith, Vol. 2 - http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_nlBSdrNRLX7MzllJKlE66Y1y0bHfcTFqU
 5 stars 1994: The Enid - Tripping the Light Fantastic - http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_lDXULKPBB-n5ozUvmnAKEbvhyC0TiyTqo
 4 stars 1995: The Enid - Sundialer - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TQj-MCZCmOI
 5 stars 1996: The Enid - Members One of Another - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oT6ClDq5GYg
 5 stars 2006: The Enid - Sheets of Blue - An Anthology 1975-2004 - http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_kqWrRJM8T1fOt-za97sFZXskadhoh7VGw
 5 stars 2010: The Enid - Live at Town Hall, Birmingham - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_TaS3ukydpKF9350hc2jSQmqDh_3sw8D
 5 stars 2012: The Enid - Live with the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_TaS3ukydpJbqaps-yCP-rucq68UFaIx
 5 stars 2015: The Enid - The Bridge Show - Live at Union Chapel - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_TaS3ukydpK-DF7We7DqQKSKynVTN91v


Edited by Psychedelic Paul - September 19 2023 at 15:28
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