Heavy Prog (and Related) appreciation thread |
Post Reply | Page <1 3456> |
Author | ||||
Jared
Forum Senior Member Joined: May 06 2005 Location: Hereford, UK Status: Offline Points: 19327 |
Posted: November 01 2008 at 05:19 | |||
oh good grief, Cacho....
You can't have been brought up liking Rock music in the UK, and be of a *certain* age without having heard Whitesmake's discography...truly inescapable, and yes, I've heard it all at one time or another and owned most of it, even though I admit they were never a favourite of mine...
I said absolutely nothing about them in relation to whether they would be enjoyed by fans of DP Mk 3 or not (and yes, I see an argument for Trouble, Lovehunter & R&W containing some of the bluesy progressiveness of Burn & Stormbringer, but with a generally harder edge) ...only that as a band, their discography cannot be considered as being 'progressive'.
But, all that is besides the point, because what I wouldn't want to see is for the initial idea behind this thread being subverted to become an debate on the possible progressiveness of generally accepted non-prog bands, which have had a terrific amount of exposure and album sales over the past 30 years. It would be a pointless waste of an opportunity.
my (obviously misinterpreted) quip about Coverdale was a suggestion that there are many other, newer bands out there, which truly fit into the HP category, which certainly could do with the exposure. And if a thread entitled 'Heavy Prog (and related) appreciated thread' isn't the place for that to happen, then I really don't know where, on this godforsaken forum, such a place can exist...
Right, that's truly enough on Whitesnake...
|
||||
Music has always been a matter of energy to me. On some nights I believe that a car with the needle on empty can run 50 more miles if you have the right music very loud on the radio. Hunter S Thompson
|
||||
el dingo
Forum Senior Member Joined: October 08 2008 Location: Norwich UK Status: Offline Points: 7053 |
Posted: November 01 2008 at 12:27 | |||
Another, increasingly irrelevant post from El Dingo: Head Machine were so favoured by the DJ at Dagenham (not Chalk Farm) Roundhouse in the 70s that Orgasm was standard fare before any headliner's act. Including Rory Gallagher, Thin Lizzy, Hawkwind, Man and the Fairies. Scattering Seeds was also played too. Yes there was no subtle innuendo and the pseudo sexual content was explicit but it rocked and at the time we loved it. I still have it on tape, listen to it (very) occasionally and would love to know why Heep are prog and Head Machine are not. Maybe only Ken Hensley could tell me?
|
||||
It's not that I can't find worth in anything, it's just that I can't find worth in enough.
|
||||
Alberto Muņoz
Forum Senior Member Joined: July 26 2006 Location: Mexico Status: Offline Points: 3577 |
Posted: November 03 2008 at 19:20 | |||
and what do you thing about this album: Jerusalem 1972 UK Band
|
||||
|
||||
The Quiet One
Prog Reviewer Joined: January 16 2008 Location: Argentina Status: Offline Points: 15745 |
Posted: November 03 2008 at 19:28 | |||
Bah! Now anything is considered Prog! I repeat! Daft Punk soon to be here on PA, I got Micky's aproval, the biography is ready! |
||||
Mandrakeroot
Forum Senior Member Italian Prog Specialist Joined: March 01 2006 Location: San Foca, Friûl Status: Offline Points: 5851 |
Posted: November 06 2008 at 05:10 | |||
I have problems with my turntable.
Also my old turntable... I must try to see if the pin is OK. I hope to be able to listen to 7" today and then give an opinion about this 7" and Leaf Hound. |
||||
Mandrakeroot
Forum Senior Member Italian Prog Specialist Joined: March 01 2006 Location: San Foca, Friûl Status: Offline Points: 5851 |
Posted: November 07 2008 at 04:45 | |||
I recommended (with my review, obviously):
I must thank my ex-girlfriend when I discovered Dr. Z! She, in 2000, lent me a copy MC where in the B side had registered Dr. Z. What I immediately loved.
Strange the life: Patrick Campbell-Lyons, after Nirvana, worked as a talent scout for the Vertigo label and when presented Keith Keyes with the tapes of this concept album: 'Three Parts To My Soul (Spiritus ,Manes Et Umbra)' he decided to publish these tapes... But only in 80 copies! Of course the cncept speaks of the human soul and natur soul in its three aspects. Certainly the concept is really dark, but I find it satanic. Rather it is an esoteric dark concept! In any case, the music is hypnotic, poor, evocative, wild and essential! Harpsichord and voice dominate the melodies so that they become tribal. One point worth noting is that the songs are very melodic and with a very spartan production: are reported together because these aspects are related. In fact, the songs are designed precisely to be proposed in this way. It is clear that Watkins simply copy the rhythmic songs of Bo Didley but very, very slow: the songs are slow, Watson with his bass guitar produces strength and weight for sound because Keyes produces an inconsistent but beautiful sound with harpsichord and piano and sung not so perfect... But perfectly effective. I would say that the proposal of Dr. Z Rock but is not Medieval or Renaissance music but electric! In my CD version (by Won-Sin) two are the bonus tracks (as in my copy MC). But these two songs are too POP. In every case the two bonus tracks are extremely good. In conclusion... 'Three Parts To My Soul (Spiritus, Manes Et umbra)' is one of the more esoteric albums of Rock history. And one of the more Dark Prog albums. 'Three Parts To My Soul (Spiritus, Mames Et Umbra)' is also a magical album. And, proper for these facts, 'Three Parts To My Soul (Spiritus, Manes Et Umbra)' is also an album without time! |
||||
Alberto Muņoz
Forum Senior Member Joined: July 26 2006 Location: Mexico Status: Offline Points: 3577 |
Posted: November 07 2008 at 10:55 | |||
^ One of the Rarest items in the "Swirl" Vertigo Catalog, along with Ben.
a Very Good Album and very dark and doomy.
|
||||
|
||||
Atavachron
Special Collaborator Honorary Collaborator Joined: September 30 2006 Location: Pearland Status: Offline Points: 65268 |
Posted: November 08 2008 at 19:45 | |||
Ben ? I got their album awhile back and was very disappointed based on the collectible stature of the LP (though that's nothing new I suppose)
|
||||
Mandrakeroot
Forum Senior Member Italian Prog Specialist Joined: March 01 2006 Location: San Foca, Friûl Status: Offline Points: 5851 |
Posted: November 13 2008 at 06:30 | |||
My last review:
'Very 'eavy... Very 'umble'... If I look at the cover and because this is the cover... I laugh. In addition ... It will be suicide journalist who said: 'If this band will succeed... I kill me?'. Boh...!!!
But I have the impression that anyone who says that 'Very 'eavy...' is the son of Deep Purple's 'In Rock' has not much wrong. I find the two albums conceptually very similar. Unfortunately it is difficult to be able to demonstrate and, again, many are those who would be willing to sell your soul to the devil for to have the absolute reason. True or not true 'Very 'eavy...' is a great piece of borning Heavy Metal! The songs are all good. 'Gypsy' is the first song of this album. A great Rock cavalcade, with great organ (by Ken Hensley) and voice (by David byron) is, at the end, a great band track... Because all the musicians are great. With Blues Arrangements, 'Gypsy' is an evergreen of 70's music! Similar (but without Blues arrangements) 'Walking In Your Shadows' that is more melodic in sound but horrorific for music. Another great performance of Byron and great guitar by Mick Box. The acoustic balla 'Come Away Melinda' is a dramatic song for Byron's voice. this is a cover and sure is more famous (eh, eh... Is a pure evergreen!) in this version that in original version. In my opinion 'Come Away melinda' (in this version) is the first true Heavy Metal ballad! 'Lucy Blues' is a pure Blues with great pathos... But nothing more. 'Dreammare' present a great intro: first part by Hensley solo, second part by Box... Another great cavalcade... Another spontaneous Rock! (P.s.: Great slide guitar by Ken Hensley and Mick Box rhythm guitar). 'Real Turned On' is another great Rock cavalcade (in this case a Blues Rock cavalcade) with a great rhythm slide guitar by Hensley and great vocal lines by Byron. 'I'll Keeo On Trying' is the song more Prog in 'very 'eavy...' but also the song more Rock and few dramatic in this album. A rhythmic duel by Hensley's organ and Box guitar but dominated by Byron! Great is the Byron/ Hensley melodic interlude! great is the Box's wah wah guitar solo! 'Wake up (Set You Sights)' is the closing track of 'Very 'eavy... Very 'umble' and it is the second Prog track of this album. But... Oh my God... this is a perfect Colosseum track! This is because 'Wake Up (Set Your Sights)' is a perfect Jazz Rock! In my opinion 'Wake Up (set Your Sights) is the song more emotional in Uriah heep discography! I could say many things on 'Very 'eavy... Very 'umble'. Instead I merely say that if all the albums were aged so... Are all masterpieces. It must be said that the trio Box, Hensley and Byron transforms the spontaneity of 'very 'eavy ... Very 'umble' in a complicated and something really exciting album. In conclusion: 'very 'eavy... Very 'umble' has aged so well that today sounds like a masterpiece. Unfortunately there is little Prog. But I recommend to all this piece of history! |
||||
Alberto Muņoz
Forum Senior Member Joined: July 26 2006 Location: Mexico Status: Offline Points: 3577 |
Posted: November 13 2008 at 14:51 | |||
Very Cavalcadeish... Edited by Alberto Muņoz - November 13 2008 at 14:56 |
||||
|
||||
Alberto Muņoz
Forum Senior Member Joined: July 26 2006 Location: Mexico Status: Offline Points: 3577 |
Posted: November 13 2008 at 15:02 | |||
WHY? to me is an instrumental jazz group doing if not excellent ,well crafted music, the first track (The Influence) is my favorite and BTW the Missing Link do a cover version of that song only with another name...
|
||||
|
||||
Mandrakeroot
Forum Senior Member Italian Prog Specialist Joined: March 01 2006 Location: San Foca, Friûl Status: Offline Points: 5851 |
Posted: November 14 2008 at 04:39 | |||
But not of this type :
|
||||
Atavachron
Special Collaborator Honorary Collaborator Joined: September 30 2006 Location: Pearland Status: Offline Points: 65268 |
Posted: November 14 2008 at 04:47 | |||
really? the soggy psych-jazz, limp Doors impersonations, bad production, you liked it? |
||||
Mandrakeroot
Forum Senior Member Italian Prog Specialist Joined: March 01 2006 Location: San Foca, Friûl Status: Offline Points: 5851 |
Posted: November 14 2008 at 06:55 | |||
My last HP review:
If 'Very 'eavy... Very 'umble' can be considered a Heavy Metal album... 'Salisbury' is certainly the most Prog album (if not the only one) that Uriah Heep has produced. In any case 'Salisbury' is the first absolute masterpiece of Uriah Heep. And frankly 'Salisbury' is also one of the first Prog album that I bought and loved!
Ken Hensley finally can shout his organ, David Byron can use your voice as a musical instrument and Mick Box can do the minstrel... And all with a spontaneity... Really spontaneous! Certainly that 'Bird Of Prey' is a pure Power Metal (but in 1971 is correct to speak of Power Metal?) but it sounds more substantial than the songs of 'Very 'eavy... very 'umble'. 'The Park' is a dramatic acoustic ballad for organ and voice... In my opinion Byron and Hensley here create the 'Child In Time' of Uriah Heep! I love Byron's vocal lines in 'The Park', but also the acoustic rhythmic guitar by Mick Box is extreme exciting! More Heavy is 'Time To Live' with another great organ parts and wah wah guitar. 'Time To Live' is the more Heavy Metal song of 'Salisbury' and a another perfect track for David Byron's voice. The acoustic ballad 'Lady In Black' is another dramatic song for atmospheres... And the best song of 'Salisbury' because in this album is the song aged better. Sure 'Lady In Black' is a true hymn of 70's music! (P.s.: I must say again how is great David Byron?). 'High Priestess'... Is a very catchy song, despite the distorted guitars and a Rock Byron really dominate the song. That is one of most successful cavalcade of Heep. Finally 'Salisbury', a composition by Box, Byron and Hensley with bass and woodwind arranged by John Fiddy that present the best organ performed by Hensley. 'Salisbury' is the only Symphonic Prog composition of Heep. If woodwind and brass dominate the composition, it must be said that Hensley and Byron are not less. 'Salisbury', then, is a suite really heavy (even in melodic parts), dramatic but at the same time catchy. Is 'Salisbury' a perfect album? Of course, 'Salisbury' is a perfect album. Also because it is aged extreme well. Perhaps because spontaneous' Salisbury 'is a magical album. All musicians (and not only them) give the best of themselves. And this feels. But if I have to be sincere, 'Salisbury' is also great because it is aged so well that the songs are so fresh and current that is difficult not to classify 'Salisbury' as a masterpiece. |
||||
el dingo
Forum Senior Member Joined: October 08 2008 Location: Norwich UK Status: Offline Points: 7053 |
Posted: November 15 2008 at 04:03 | |||
Yeah, good album. Got it when it came out - the nucleus of Heep lived where I did and they had a sound local following (London/Essex UK).
One disagreement with your review, tho: I know it was a live staple for years and a big favourite with some fans but... Gypsy is a dog! Lyrics more naive than Enid Blyton and just a noise. I mean, I don't think Byron ever had a gypsy queen's father put a whip across his back... in a shack. Do You?
One footnote, everyone probably knows but in case they don't... the guy on the cover is indeed Dave Byron.
Glad I'm not the only one who rates the album
|
||||
It's not that I can't find worth in anything, it's just that I can't find worth in enough.
|
||||
Mandrakeroot
Forum Senior Member Italian Prog Specialist Joined: March 01 2006 Location: San Foca, Friûl Status: Offline Points: 5851 |
Posted: November 15 2008 at 08:37 | |||
I think that the lyrics of 'Gypsy' are really interesting for the period. It is clear that are naive. But for the time were good. As for the cover... I did not find the magazine where I read what I reported in the review. So I just wrote what I remembered to 100%! |
||||
Mandrakeroot
Forum Senior Member Italian Prog Specialist Joined: March 01 2006 Location: San Foca, Friûl Status: Offline Points: 5851 |
Posted: November 16 2008 at 15:36 | |||
This is my last HP review:
If I had not been able (thanks also to the sticker in the package) that JOHN PAUL JONES was the BASS PLAYER and KEYBOARDIST of the legendary LED ZEPPELIN would have believed that he was one of KING CRIMSON! Because the music of ZOOMA is a full HEAVY PROG version of KING CRIMSON's music!
The ingredients that make JPJ on CD are few but good: ELEMENTARY DRUMS and DISTORTED RHYTHMIC BASS. In a certain sense one of the KING CRIMSON's ingredients. In reality JPJ not forget the LED ZEPPELIN, which are mentioned in the DRUMS ARRANGIAMENT of ZOOMA. In general, however, JPJ tries to follow a reasoning that takes him away from LED ZEPPELIN: PLAYING for the FUN RUN. What is the reasoning behind the KING CRIMSON. But here there is a MELODY, even if VERY ABSTRACT. And, as icing on the cake here BASS'N'DRUMS which is a short interference in the genre of Bass'n'Drums. Then is Present NOSUMI BLUES, a sort of ABSTRACT BLUES! Frankly the KING CRIMSON are TOTALLY ABSTRACT: Here at least THIS IS MELODY. So, I think that ZOOMA be a GREAT MODERN piece of ART. |
||||
mithrandir
Forum Senior Member Joined: March 25 2006 Location: New Mexico Status: Offline Points: 933 |
Posted: November 16 2008 at 15:51 | |||
great band! shining example of 70s Heavy Metal |
||||
Mandrakeroot
Forum Senior Member Italian Prog Specialist Joined: March 01 2006 Location: San Foca, Friûl Status: Offline Points: 5851 |
Posted: November 17 2008 at 04:02 | |||
My last review... In this case from related Heavy Prog band:
Expect a second representation of CONCERTO FOR GROUP AND ORCHESTRA is not correct. Because this LIVE AT ROYAL ALBERT ALL contain CONCERTO... but in true THIS IS A GREAT PARTY! The start with two PIANO/ ORCHESTRAL JON LORD's songs is good. But these two songs remember me too ELTON JOHN! In other way the ROGER GLOVER SECTION is TOO DISTANT from PURPLE CONCEPT. Interesting the presence of RONNIE JAMES DIO in SITTING IN A DREAM (beautiful SWEET JAZZY BALLAD) and in LOVE IS ALL, a JAZZ SOUL song. In first CD is GREAT the version of TAKE IT OFF THE TOP, played by STEVE MORSE BAND. EXTREME INTERESTING the BIG BAND version of WRING THAT NECK, that is POWERFUL and MAGIC. The 2nd CD have in tracks 1, 2 and 3 the new arrangement of CONCERTO FOR GROUP AND ORCHESTRA. Good FIRST MOVEMENT (as the original), to convince me little this new version of 2nd MOVEMENT because bored me. GREAT and FINALLY PERFECT 3rd MOVEMENT because FINALLY IS CLEAR the DUEL about BAND and ORCHESTRA, with a great STEVE MORSE that SURCLASSED RITCHIE BLACKMORE. The rest of 2nd CD is good. SOMETIMES I FEEL LIKE SCREAMING would need an ORCHESTRAL ACCOMPAINMENT to be perfect. But the REAL SURPRISE is SMOKE ON THE WATER with RONNIE JAMES DIO that SINGING a verse.
GREAT are the DIFFERENCE about THIS and ORIGINAL version. Much differences are in NEW ARRANGEMENT, second because the new RECORDING TECHNIQUES and STAGE TECHNIQUES allow better interaction between band and orchestra. So this new version is not MAGICAL AS THE ORIGINAL. But sure is SUPERIOR to the original version. I RECOMMENDED the POSSESS of BOTH VERSIONS (original version is better in DVD version) but this new version is better. |
||||
Mandrakeroot
Forum Senior Member Italian Prog Specialist Joined: March 01 2006 Location: San Foca, Friûl Status: Offline Points: 5851 |
Posted: November 17 2008 at 04:09 | |||
Another two reviews from me... Good for this thread:
18 70's ballads in this 'Come Away Melinda: A Collection Of Classic Uriah Heep Ballads'. What then is not the usual compilation of Uriah Heep. In this case is a thematic compilation. And I love this compilation because is a sort of jewel!
Ballads and Uriah Heep... Well... great! This compilation is great. I should describe every song but... It is not the case. Instead I must note that the ballads are presented in chronological order. For this reason, Come Away Melinda' opens the dances. And for this motive 'Lady In Black' is the second song. But also 'The Park' is a pure Hard Rock ballad. And I love these three ballads, for power but not only. Please me also: 'The Wizard', 'Rainbow Demon', 'Rain', 'If I Had The Time', 'Wonderworld', 'The Easy Road', 'Why Did You Go?', 'Your Turn To Remember', 'Weep In Silence' and 'Come Back To Me'. The ballads are usually ground for singers. With Heep, however, I have the feeling that they are inspired to know that they were a band. With the life that they were (9 months on tour, 3 to write, publish and record albums, as Mick Box said) it was logical to change so often line-up. And for this I say that in this case, the ballads are the work of the group. With Heep, often, the ballads were the most dramatic moments of the album (which is very evident in 'Salisbury'). Thus a compilation of ballads like this is really a great tribute to the Heep, more than just a promotional product. Few compilations such as this are essential. Not recommend to everybody. But having 'Come Away Melinda: The Ballads' is not a bad thing.
'Steel Box Collection' is a series of budget price 'Greatest Hits' by Sony BMG packaged in a metal package! This, which is on Deep Purple is very interesting. Although it is almost a photocopy of 'Purplexed' is really interesting even if you have 'Purplexed'. 6 songs are classics (evergreens?!?) of Purple and 5 are studio songs but all published at the time on albums by BMG. So we have songs with the classic MK II, with JL Turner and Steve Morse. What else to say in the introduction? Let then to read the CD.
'Smoke On The Water' (live): It is not the best version. Immortal song. Almost forgotten by this interpretation. 'Highway Star' (live): Interesting version. More relaxed than the original... But very well managed. 'Child In Time' (live): See 'Highway Star' comment. I add only that in this case listening is easier because by not truest virtuoso parts 'Child In Time' becomes more honest. Even if it loses much charm. 'The Battle Rages On': Excellent song. Poised between AOR and Hard Rock and very melodic. There is very little Blackmore and too last solo Ian Gillan. But 'The Battle rages On' is a song that can compete with their traditional repertoire. 'Woman From Tokyo' (live): This track not please me. But in this version this track is good. 'Love Conquers All': Ballad with Turner vocals. Too much honey! 'King Of Dreams': Another song with Turner. Certainly the same considerations made for 'The Battle Rages On'. But if we want 'King of Dreams' is the most beautiful and magical than' The Battle rages On '. I am sincere: 'King Of Dreams' is one of my preferred Purple songs! 'The Aviator': Great song with Steve Morse. A perfect song. Hard Rock with AOR treatment. Great live... Great in the original studio version. 'The Aviator' is a gentle and sincere song as few in the history of Purple. 'Anya' (live): mediocre song. It works only with Purle before our eyes. 'Perfect Strangers' (live): Great 80's evergreen. Great song... That I love. But this version is not good. The arrangements of this version kill 'Perfect Strangers'. 'Fortuneteller': With JL Turner. A good AOR song. But great. Finally 'Greatest Hits (Steel Box Collection)' is not a perfect compilation. It has many ups and downs. However, it is a pleasure to listen. But without much demand. |
||||
Post Reply | Page <1 3456> |
Forum Jump | Forum Permissions You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot create polls in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum |