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erik neuteboom View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Topic: My Progrock Specials Database
    Posted: September 07 2007 at 13:15
 
                                          Hello fellow progheads.
 
                     This thread is meant to be the successor of the
                     Symphonic Prog Appreciation thread but with
                     a broader musical horizon. The main reason for
                     me to create it, is that you can more easily read
                     the specials. Good luck with your progrock quest!
 
Content:
 
1) USA
2) France
3) Italy
4) Latin-America
5) Germany
6) Japan
7) Spain (including Prog Andaluz)
8) UK
9) The Best Of The Rest
10) Video/DVD
11) Various Artists
                                                           
 

                         USA:

                                                             
                                AD INFINITUM-AD INFINITUM
- Here is a strong CD from Ad Infinitum, a band featuring Todd Bravermann from Cathedral (neo-prog band). On this eponymous album he wanted to re-create wonderful Seventies inspired 24-carat symphonic rock: a pleasant melodic sound, long, very alternating and compelling compositions, strong guitarwork and great keyboards evoking the unsurpassed Seventies sound (Genesis in “Ad infinitum” and Yes in “Immortality). The singer is from a Genesis tribute band, he managed to come close to the typcial, a bit melancholic Peter Gabriel voice from the early Genesis. The Mellotron is very omnipresent in the tracks “Waterline” and “All hallows eve”, lastmentioned song could have been from “Wind and wuthering”!
                        
                          FIREBALLET - Night On Bald Mountain
                           
- The debut-album “Night On Bald Mountain” from 1975 was produced by Ian McDonald from KING CRIMSON glory. The twelve compositions contain alternating and captivating music with strong echoes from early GENESIS and also GENTLE GIANT and YES. But many twists and turns give the music an original approach, including exciting arrangements from classic composers (MUSSORGSKY and DEBUSSY). The singer sounds powerful and has a wide range, the ‘vintage’ keyboards are very lush with spectacular synthesizer solos and the guitar work has a beautiful, 24- carat symphonic tradition. Highlight on this splendid CD is the epic title track (almost 20 minutes): wonderful changes of climate, great breaks, impressive pipe organ (evoking “Close to the edge” from YES) and beautiful HACKETT-like guitar work.
 
                            LIFT - Caverns Of Your Brain

- Thanks to the #1 USA proghead Greg Walker this rare LP was put on CD on Greg his label Syn-Phonic and released as a CD in 1990.

Most tracks contain a fluent and dynamic rhythm-section (often a propulsive Chris Squire-like Rickenbacker bass sound) featuring very exciting work on vintage keyboards: wonderful violin-Mellotron waves and majestic choir-Mellotron eruptions, powerful Hammond work and sensational, fat sounding Moog flights, GOOSE BUMPS! The vocals evoke Jon Anderson and the guitarwork is a bit on the background but in the more mellow song Caverns the solo is beautful, very sensitive and build-up strong strongly.
 
                        MIRTHRANDIR-FOR YOU THE OLD WOMEN
- This one shot USA band is rooted in 1973, their debut album is from 1976. Listening to “For you the old women” bands like Yes (bass work, organ and vocal harmonies) and Gentle Giant (brass instruments and complex parts) come to my mind. Their sound is powerful and propulsive with a remarkable role for singer/trumpet player John Visocky III. The titletrack is a mellow opener, it contains twanging guitar and flute.Then “Conversation with personality Giver” featuring sparkling synthesizer runs, dynamic drums and soli on guitar, piano and organ. The following track “Light of the candle” delivers a tasteful and varied keyboard sound, from Fender Rhodes electric piano and Moog synthesizer to Hammond – and Farfisa organ. “Number six” (the fourth song...) is a musical maverick with a Frank Zappa-like structure featuring trumpets and a complex final part. The last composition “For four” is 15 minutes long typical Seventies progrock: alternating and varied with many instrumental parts, evoking Yes, Genesis and Kansas but in general Mirthrandir succeeds to sound original with as highlight a break with propulsive drums and organ.

 
             NETHERWORLD - Netherworld (In the Following Half-light)
   
— The story of this ‘USA cult prog rock band’ started in 1975 but not until 1981 NETHERWORLD released their debut-album entitled “In The Following Half-Light”. It contains seven compositions with varied instrumentation, exciting solos and elaborate arrangements (especially “Sargasso” with its frequently shifting moods, in my opinion their absolute highlight). The powerful and expressive vocals (sometimes a bit theatrical) and fiery and sensitive guitar play often reminds me of TWELFTH NIGHT, a very original neo- prog rock band from the early Eighties. But you can also trace hints from mid-GENESIS (twanging 12-string guitars and Mellotron waves), no wonder because NETHERWORLD used to play covers from them. The colouring of the music with a wide range of keyboards (from Grand piano and Oberheim – and ARP synthesizers to the Mellotron and Crumar organ) is very tasteful with some spectacular synthesizer flights. The instrumental CD release bonus track is titled “Cumulo Nimbus” (at about 10 minutes) and divided into three parts. It has a beautiful, compelling final piece with a howling guitar and majestic choir- Mellotron.
 
                                  ST. ELMO'S FIRE Artifacts of Passion
- This is an USA six-piece band including a wide range of instruments, from guitars (12-string, electric), violins and Mellotron to tabla, djembe and gongs. The first composition starts with a mellow synthesizer sound and Arabian prayers, then a slow rhythm featuring Moog Taurus bass pedals and wonderful Chamberlain (pre-Mellotron) waves with a Morish undertone, GOOSE BUMPS! The second tracks has an up-tempo beat, fiery electric guitar and violin-Mellotron, it all sounds cheerful. Then a piece with twanging acoustic guitars, repetetive guitarwork (echoes from “Discipline”-era Fripp) and weird sounds. The ominous atmosphere gradually becomes more bombastic with a biting electric guitar solo and a dynamic rhythm-section. Most of the other tracks are new recordings (1999) and deliver a folky climate featuring cittern, violin, bagpipe and banjo. At some moments the folky climates are blended with King Crimson inspired prog (biting electric guitar and vilon-Mellotron), very compelling. This is a captivating album with a lot of good musical ideas.
          
                   VANILLA FUDGE - Psychedelic Sundae: The Best of Vanilla Fudge
                                          
— The best way to get an impression of the dynamic and alternating VANILLA FUDGE sound is the compilation-CD “Psychedelic Sundae (The Best Of…)”: some Rhythm & blues with soul/gospel-like vocals and vocal harmonies but mainly music that is based upon great interplay between the fierce electric guitar (like Jimi HENDRIX) and the powerful Hammond B3 organ. The compositions range from slow, almost hypnotizing to propulsive with heavy outbursts. The vocals sound soulful, a rather unusual combination in prog rock.
 
                                                 YEZDA URFA - Boris
— Remarkable is the Yes influence but Yezda Urfa sounds far from a Yes clone. Their compositions are very varied, ranging from acoustic piano, rhythm-guitar and vocals to pieces delivering church- organ or a sumptuous climate with Howe-like guitar runs. At other moments there is a banjo, a guitar in the vein of Rory Gallagher, interplay between acoustic guitar, electric piano, xylophone and harpsichord or ebullient keyboards featuring Moog flights and choir- Mellotron.
                               
                            SPOCK'S BEARD - The Beard Is Out There (LIVE)
                                              Ryo%20Okumoto
— This live-CD contains a special version of “The light”, keyboardist Ryo Okumoto has embellished the intro of the titletrack with Mellotron waves, that’s why this CD is still my favorite one, wonderful! Spock’s Beard showcases on “The light” their incredible power and skills: strong, very distinctive vocals featuring an emotional undertone from multi-instrumentalist Neal Morse, propulsive Squire-inspired bass from Dave Meros, dynamic drums from Nick D’Virgilio, bombastic keyboardplay from Japanese veteran Ryo Okumoto and excellent, often howling and biting guitarwork from Alan Morse. The interplay between these musicians is pure chemistry, especially the tension between the Jimi Hendrix-like wah-wah drenched guitar from Alan and the vintage keyboard sound from Ryo featuring bombastic Hammond organ, majestic violin – and choir- Mellotron and delicate ARP Odyssey synthesizer work. The composition “The light” delivers outstanding shifting moods, ranging from mellow with piano to bombastic with floods of violin – and choir Mellotron. A thrilling moment is the break with Spanish guitar runs and swinging piano (a Caribbean feel) while Neal sings “I drink my milk with Tabasco”, SPLENDID PROG!! The rest of this live-CD is also very worth listening: fresh, driven and creative prog with obvious hints from Yes, King Crimson and Gentle Giant. This is one of the best progrock CD’s in the last 15 years and in my opinion a KEY-album, AN ABSOLUTE MUST!! By the way, I miss the video Live at the Whiskey (99) in the discography, strange because it's a very exciting concert that captures Spock's Beard their enormous energy, humor and skills.
 
                                                 TOUCH - Touch
— I didn’t know Touch until I got this promo. Listening to their eponymous album I enjoy the powerful Hammond organ with strong echoes from Tony Kaye when he played in Yes. The compositions contain a lot of variety, along the Hammond organ I’m delighted about the piano play, from sparkling to swinging or jazzy. I notive influences from Yes and Fruup but Touch has a more raw and dated sound, typical progressive rock from the late Sixties. The producers must have had a painstaking job with the mastering but the sound quality remains at the level of an average bootleg, to me this was not a problem. Besides the original 7 songs, this CD contains 5 bonustracks including the unpreviously released single “We finally met today” and the movie soundtrack “The second coming of Suzanne (featuring majestic flute-Mellotron and fine pieces with harpsichord and piano).
 
 
                                                    

                  FRANCE

 
ANGE - Guet-Apens
Ange
— A few years ago a progrock dream came true when I was able to witness an Ange concert, it was the second time that this French progrock legend visited The Netherlands and exact 25 years ago! My favorite Ange album is this one and my favorite track is the epic composition "Captain coeur de miel", almost 15 minutes. This long suite showcases the most captivating and exciting elements of their unique and influential music. It’s an alternating piece, build upon the strong and emotional vocals from Christian Decamps and the ubiquitous Mellotron. The climates changes frequently from
slow and moving till bombastic with very expressive French vocals, lots of great keyboards (organ, Mellotron and strings) and some fiery electric guitar solos. Halfway the music contains a wonderful interlude with floods of choir-Mellotron and when the vocals joins, the Mellotron starts to sound slightly psychedelic. Then it continues with strong vocals, powerful drums and swelling Mellotron. It’s a splendid, very emotional build up with a biting electric guitar solo to a gradually bombastic final part with again a fiery electric guitar solo and beautiful waves of the ‘Mighty Tron’. It’s a pity that the French language and the emotional vocals sound rather unaccessible for many ‘symphomaniacs’ because this unique progrock is so moving and captivating, especially the albums from the early – and mid-Seventies. SUPERBE!!

ANGE - Tome 87
Ange
— This review is about this live-CD from Ange who could only rehearse one week in their 'Tome VI line-up' to make 'Tome 87'. If you're up to the typical Ange sound (a bit theatrical French vocals and very alternating climates) this CD is a must, what a captivating and compelling music! This CD contains 11 tracks including many 'classic' songs like "Les longues nuits d'Isaac" (excellent singer Christian
Decamps and a great interlude with melancholic vocals and soaring keyboards), "Sur les traces des fees" (emotional vocals), "Le nain des Stanislas" (catchy rhytm with powerful guitar/organ and a bombastic finale with a great synthesizer solo), "Fils de la lumiere" (beautiful interplay between swelling keyboard and fiery electric guitar) and a warm version of "Hymn a la vie". This CD also includes a bonus: an unreleased interview with Christian Decamps by Bruno Versmisse from French progrock magazine Harmonie. If you compare this CD to "Tome VI" you will miss the typical vintage keyboards like the Mellotron and string-ensemble but the music is so moving and powerful that I'm sure it will please many progheads! SUPERBE!!

EDHELS - Still Dream
— The third album from this French band is a unique progrock gem, so overlooked. Almost every track manages to keep the attention because of the captivating sound from the fiery, slightly
distorted electric guitar (with hints from Latimer and Fripp) and the modern sounding keyboards and the varied musical ideas: classical guitar - and piano pieces, a song delivering a Vangelis-like synthesizer atmosphere and lots of compositions that feature a lush, often bombastic or ominous keyboard sound (from majestic church organ to brass-synthesizer), fiery electric guitar and lots of shifting moods. GREAT!!

EDITION SPÉCIALE - Aliquante
— Since a few months I’ve re-discovered the jazz rock music from the Seventies: MAHAVISHNU ORCHESTRA, Jean-Luc PONTY, Al DIMEOLA and RETURN TO FOREVER. And then I got this promo, what a treat! The French band EDITON SPECIALE released their album “Aliquante” in ’77 featuring nine splendid songs, including two bonus tracks (“Camara” and Aurore”) from the third album entitled
“Horizon Digital”. From the first track “Verda” I’m blown away by EDITION SPECIALE, these four guys knew how to please their audience! The dynamic and powerful music on the nine compositions is based upon a strong and adventurous rhythm-section, great interplay and lots of sensational soli: wah- wah drenched guitar and pitchbend-driven keyboard pyrotechnics. The only minor flaw concerns the vocals, in my opinion the sound fits more to soul and R&B than to jazz rock. But doesn’t matter because most of the music is instrumental with strong hints from RETURN TO FORVER and WEATHER REPORT (but more guitar oriented). A must for the jazzrock aficionados!

MONA LISA De l'ombre à la Lumière
— Almost 20 years after their last album ("Vers demain" from 1979) French progrock band Mona Lisa surprised us with a new one entitled "De l'ombre a la lumière", the title refers to this (in English it means "from the shadow to the light").
The band consists of singer Dominique Le Guennec and the band members from Versailles. More than an hour we can enjoyan an accessible mix of early Ange and Mona Lisa and new Versailles, obvious less theatrical and psychedelic than aforementioned bands. Most tracks contain a slow rhythm featuring a bit bluesy guitarwork, often blended with pleasant organ waves (especially in "Passions" and the wonderful build-up "Voyage ave les morts"). Keyboardplayer Alain De Lille plays varied (harpsichord, organ, Mellotron, strings and synthesizers), his style reminds me of Tony Banks. This added with the flute from Guilliaume and the strong vocals from Dominique makes the music from Mona Lisa worth listening if you are up to the French language and a bit more mainstream progrock. And don't forget to check out their splendid Progfest 2000 DVD if you like Mona Lisa!

MONA LISA - Mona Lisa - Progfest 2000 — DVD-same tracking list as CD
When I read that all members from Versailles would join Mona Lisa singer Dominque Le Guennec during the Progfest 2000 event, I was very curious to the result. Well, after watching this DVD I can recommend it to all the progheads who like prog with a French touch. Singer Dominique knows how
to entertain, his presentation reminds me of Peter Gabriels his stage-antics (costumes, masks) and Ange legend Christian Decamps (theatrical approach), what a splendid performance! And all membes from Versailles support their singer in an excellent way, especially keyboardplayer Alain De Lille with his Hammond organ and Moog synthesizer and Guillaume De La Pilière, what a killer guitarist, he looks like a blend of Jimmy Page, Jimi Hendrix and Syd Barrett but he also knows how to rock! Enjoy the eleven powerful and often moving songs, this is French progrock at its best, A MUST!!

PULSAR - Halloween

— I'm familiar with the other albums by this fine French progrock band but "Halloween" is without any doubt their 'magnum opus', what a compelling musical experience!
1 - Halloween Part One (20.30)
A high-pitched boy's voice introduces the listener to this stunning composition. Then moving violin-Mellotron waves, followed by twanging acoustic guitars, blended with the vintage sound of the string-ensemble and Mellotron. Suddenly a captivating, ominous climate featuring slow, fat sounding synthesizer flights, violin-Mellotron, culminating in bombastic outbursts with powerful drum beats,
gradually the atmosphere got more psychedelic overtones delivering a hypnotizing rhythm-section and compelling keyboard work on synthesizers and Mellotron and psychedelic guitar play, THIS IS PULSAR AT THEIR BEST! The climate turns into mellow with the distinctive sound of the vibraphone and twanging acoustic guitars and sensitive piano but soon the climates frequently change from mellow into bombastic with dramatic English vocals, lush acoustic guitars and a harder- edged, disorted electric guitar solo. In the end we can enjoy again dramatic vocals and the wonderful sound of the string-ensemble.
2 - Halloween Part Two (18.40)
First a mellow atmosphere featuring a lush sound with violin, vibraphone, cello, acoustic rhythm-guitar, clarinet and melancholical vocals. Then a bombastic outburst with howling electric guitar and beautiful Mellotron waves. The climate returns to mellow delivering a wonderful harmony between twanging acoustic guitars, flute, sensitive electric guitar and English vocals, it reminds me of early STEVE HACKETT solo, BEAUTIFUL! Halfway another sensational, very compelling shifting mood with a propulsive rhythm-section, spectacular synthesizer flights and soft wah-wah guitar riffs, GOOSE BUMPS! Suddenly the music returns to a dreamy climate with violin-Mellotron, string-ensemble and soft vocals, a wonderful final part.
THIS IS ONE OF THE FRENCH PROGROCK HISTORY HIGHLIGHTS!!!

SANDROSE - Sandrose

— What a wonderful album from this French five-piece band! The melodic and harmonic songs alternates from romantic and swinging tot up-tempo and bombastic featuring powerful female vocals
, lush keyboards (beautiful Mellotron waves) and strong electric guitar (JP Alarcen would later produce some strong solo work). Although the track "Underground Session" (based on Chick Corea) features great soli on organ and guitar, most songs are based upon creating a warm sound that carries you away to Prog Heaven. If you like Dutch pride Earth & Fire (the early albums) this one wil surely please you because of the very moving climates!

SHYLOCK - Gialorgues
— The debut-album from the French band Shylock starts very promising on the first track: beautiful harpsicord-like arpeggio's and the wonderful sound of the string-ensemble, then bombastic eruptions
featuring fiery electric guitar runs. The climates quickly change from mellow to more heavy or bombastic, the drums sound very propulsive and dynamic and the guitarwork is powerful ('Fripperian-like'). The second track and third compositions contain many good ideas and some very strong breaks, shifting moods and compelling interplay between the guitar and keyboards but the King Crimson echoes are very obvious, sometimes a bit too.

STEP AHEAD - Step Ahead
— This French progrock band got a good contract from RCA and sold at about 30.000 copies from their eponymous debut LP (1982). But then RCA wanted to force Step Ahead to make a single on their second album. The band refused to make a commercial kneefall. The story goes that Alan Parsons was impressed by Step Ahead their demo and even proposed to partly produce their second album. But unfortunately this didn’t lead to a good end. If you listen to Step Ahead their eponymous
debut LP, it’s incredible and unfair that this promissing French band only made one album. Their sound is not typical French (melacholical, complex, theatrical vocals) but more in the vein of UK bands delivering a melodic and accessible progrock sound that evokes mid-Genesis and Rick Wakeman. The vocals from ex-Small Faces (!) singer Danny Brown sounds like Jon Anderson but less high pitched. The focus is on guitarplayer Christian Robin, obviously influenced by Jimi Hendrix. The contrast with his fiery and often raw guitarwork and the soaring keyboards and acoustic guitar often creates strong tension like in “Right and wrong” and especially “The end”: a good build-up, strong breaks and a grand finale featuring sumptuous keyboards and biting electric guitar. Most of the tracks sound dynamic, the only mellow song is “Hell” with cello and acoustic guitar.
THIS IS PLEASANT FRENCH PROGROCK THAT DESERVES WIDER ATTENTION!

TAI PHONG-TAI PHONG
- This progrock band is a French-Vietnamese collaboration that made three albums. On this eponymous debut record Tai Phong manages to create a lush and compelling traditional symphonic rock sound, very melodic and pleasant to hear. The bombastic keyboard work reminds me of Woolly
Wolstenholme (Barclay James Harvest) and Manfred Wieczorke (Jane and Eloy). The varied, often fiery guitar play (with a bluesy undertone) and the emotional, high pitched vocals give the music from Tai Phong a very original flavor. My highlights are “For years and years” with some great breaks and the wonderful “Field of gold” featuring Hackett-like guitar and halfway moving keyboards and howling electric guitar, this is our beloved music as it is meant to be! Their second album was more acoustic oriented and their third (and final) a bit too polished for me. I prefer this beautiful first one!


VERSAILLES - Don Giovanni

— If all compositions were on the level of the epic titletrack (almost 16 minutes) this album would have gained more attention: great, typical French vocals, an intro with twanging electric guitar and
strings, a splendid build up, some great interludes (featuring flute and piano) and a breathtaking finale delivering magnificent eruptions with Mellotron and piano. These moments can compete with the best from ELP, Genesis and King Crimson (like the titletrack from Museo Rosenbach their masterpiece Zarathustra)! The other compositions are OK (with echo's from Pink Floyd and Genesis) but they lack the tension and dynamics from the titletrack. Nonetheless this is a good and very moving album with a lush organ sound and great guitarwork.
 

          SEVENTIES ITALIAN PROGROCK:

 

                                   

(GLI) ALLUMINOGENI — Scolopendra                               

- Here's an often overlooked gem from the Italian Seventies prog! The seven compositions on this debut album are a very dynamic and alternating blend of Sixties, blues, rock and classic featuring excellent work on the Hammond organ and also great Italian vocals and raw electric guitar. The one moment you are carried away by bombastic a church organ sound, the other there is a bluesy electric guitar or pleasant and warm Sixties atmosphere, very exciting!

 

ALPHATAURUS — Alphataurus

 
- Alphataurus evokes very pleasant memories becaue this is such a captivating album. Most of the tracks are long featuring great work on guitar and keyboards (mainly Hammond and Moog), the vocals (with a theatrical undertone) are strong and the rhythm-section sounds powerful and dynamic. Enjoy this wonderful blend of rock, blues, symphonic and psychedelia with hints from ELP and Uriah Heep.

 

                                           APOTEOSI - Apoteosi

- This is a fine one-shot Italian progrock band from the Seventies. The five tracks sound melodic and alternating, the female vocals are wonderful. In the mellow pieces you hear a lot of strings, piano and flute, this often gives the music strong classical overtones. The more up-tempo interludes contain a strong harmony between the keyboards and guitar, the solowork is also very worth listening, the guitar has some psychedelic hints. This album has many beautiful moments, thanks to the subtle and inventive approach from these good musicians.

 

(IL) BALLETTO DI BRONZO-Ys

- In my opinion this is one of the most original Italian progrock albums from the Seventies but I'm sure that the music will not be everybody's cup of tea because of the complexity and variety of styles: a bombastic intro featuring a choir, psychedelic organ, ominous vocals, raw guitarplay, celestial Mellotron, propulsive drums, lots of surprising musical ideas, many accellarations and shifting moods and the style varies from jazzrock or avant-garde to symphonic or classical. If you are up to a stunning musical progrock adventure, this one is yours!

 

BANCO DEL MUTUO SOCCORSO - Seguendo Le Tracce

Banco%20%28BMS%29:%20Seguendo%20le%20Tracce

- This live-CD from 1975 by the Italian progrock legend BANCO showcases the band at their artistic pinnacle. Their sound is based upon the magnificent, omnipresent duo- keyboardplay (organ, synthesizers, acoustic – and electric piano, strings) by the Nocenzi brothers and the powerful voice from Francesco Di Giacomo, loaded with pathos. The tracking-list is great featuring “R.I.P.” (beautiful interlude delivering moving piano, vocals and acoustic guitar), “L’Alberto Del Pane” (splendid varied keyboards), “La danza dei gandi Rettilli” (a swinging blend of symphonic, blues and jazz), “Passagio”, “Non mi rompete” (pleasant acoustic guitarplay), “Dopo … niente e piu lo stesso (wonderful sumptuous keyboards and great vocals), “Traccia II” (fine acoustic pianoplay along trumpet and synthesizer) and an extended version (at about 26 minutes) of “Metamorfosi” (including a long and virtuosic piano solo and lots of exciting keyboards and shifting moods). If you do not own records from BANCO, this one is a perfect start. I have a lot of records from BANCO in my collection but this will be my favorite!

 

                                 BIGLIETTO PER L'INFERNO - Live 1974

- Biglietto Per L'Inferno is an interesting progrock band from the early Seventies featuring members who play a wide range of instruments: flute, flugelhorn, Gemorgan, Minimoog, Hammond organ, piano and acoustic – and electric guitars along drums and bass. As you would expect the music from Biglietto Per L’Inferno (Italian for Ticket To Hell) is varied and contains many shifting moods. The first song consists of a brass section, organ runs and fiery electric guitar. The other five tracks has echoes from Jethro Tull including cheerful rhythms, mellow organ and lots of flute play. The Italian vocals sound inspired. The recording quality is like a good bootleg and the compositions has more the structure of a jam. If you like Jehtro Tull and the early Italian progrock, this CD is recommended.

 

                                        CELESTE – Principe Di Un Giorno

- This album from 1976 is a very wonderful one but don’t expect the usual exciting keyboard excertions, complex breaks or unexpected shifting moods. No, the music on the seven elaborate compositions sound quite mellow and laidback with some Medieval and jazzy influences and fine work on acoustic guitars, flute, saxophone and often a Mellotron sound that evokes the great days of early King Crimson!

 

                                         CHERRY FIVE-Cherry Five

-  Cherry Five included three musicians who later founded Goblin.The music on Cherry Five’s eponymous album from ’75 is very YES-oriented but the keyboards sound more virtuosic than bands like DRUID, ENGLAND or MIRTHRANDIR. The album is a real treat for all progrock lovers: strong and fluent compositions, very melodic and flowing with many good ideas. The emphasis is on the keyboards (Hammond organ and vintage synthesizers), especially the ‘Tronmaniacs’ will be delighted! This is one of the gems of Italian progrock from the Seventies, a bit overlooked due to the attention for PFM, Le Orme, Banco and Goblin.

 

          (I) DIK DIK-Suite Per Una Donna Assolutamente Relativa

- This is the only progressive album I Dik Dik (the name is derived from an African gazelle) made but it is an acclaimed one by the progrock aficionados and progheads. The 11 compositions sound melodic and alternating, from folky to bombastic prog. Although every musician plays very well the focus is on the magnificent keyboard play: sparkling piano, swinging clavinet, sensational synthesizer flights, strong organ floods and majestic Mellotron eruptions. If you like the wonderful sound of the Sixties (warm vocals, acoustic guitars, organ) blended with the progressive sound from the early Seventies (The Moody Blues, The Strawbs), this is a cd to check out!!

 

                                   FORMULA 3 - Sognando e Risognando

- This third album is my favorite one, mainly because it has the most symphonic rock climates of all four records. The Hammond organ is omnipresent, it often evokes Keith Emerson but also Deep Purple, due to the fiery electric guitarplay. The music is compelling and contains some propulsive accellarations featuring organ and electric guitar. At some moments Formula Tre goes back to the atmosphere of their two albums with a more psychedelic attitude (sweeping drums and ominous keyboards).

 

                          GOBLIN - Il Fantastico Viaggio Del Bagarozzo Mark

- I've never been a fan from Goblin but I appreciate this album very much because of its pure symphonic rock sound. It contains for the first time vocals and the sound is great. The eight compositions feature strong and beautiful interplay between a fiery and flowing electric guitar and sumptuous keyboards (lots of organ and some flashy synthesizers) with echoes from a certain Keith Emerson. Some songs are different and even contain rock and roll elements. Many progheads consider this album as the best Goblin ever produced.

 

                                          JACULA - Anno Demoni

- This is one of the weirdest Italian progrock albums from the Seventies. The prime mover is Antonio Bartoccetti (guitar, bass, vocals), his almost hallucinating compositions are based upon seances and the cooperation of a medium! Female singer Fiamma Dello Spirito (also flute and violin) sounds like a nice witch, keyboardplayer acts like the alter ego of Christopher Lee with his chilling church organ sound and medium Franz Parthenzy seems to come straight from hell. If you like horror and progrock and you want to sublimate some satanic urges, this CD could be a deadly serious experience!

 

                                     LATTE E MIELE - Aquile E Scoiattoli

- Latte E Miele is an acclaimed Italian band from the Seventies. On their first two albums we can enjoy cascades of shifting moods, breaks, accellarations and the climates changes from classical overtones to ELP-like keyboard work or even heavy metal. This third album is the most accessible one, I trace echoes from the early Genesis (especially the keyboards). The long and impressive composition "Pavane" (almost 25 minutes) reminds me of The Enid, Sky and Craft. If you prefer more complex and adventurous prog, I prefer the first two albums to start with but if you like more melodic prog, this is one to discover.

 

   LOCANDA DELLE FATE - Forse Le Lucciole Non Si Amano Più

- In the other reveiws I read a lot of references but in my opinion Genesis is the most significant, especially Banks-like organplay and Hackett-like guitarwork, even the flute reminds me of Peter Gabriel. The music is drenched in the symphonic rock tradition from the Seventies, delivering very melodic and beautiful songs but the atmosphere is often very mellow. No doubt, this is very good Italian progrock but to me it sounds a bit too subdued.

 

                                  MUSEO ROSENBACH - Zarathustra

                                       

- This album had such euphoric reviews that I decided to order it in the early Nineties. Well, very soon I was mesmerized by the splendid title track, a 20 minute killer composition with echoes from GENESIS and KING CRIMSON. The foundation of this wonderful and moving song is a beautiful theme (like “Firth Of Fifth” from GENESIS) that returns in different climates (from dreamy to heavy and bombastic) and with different colouring of the instruments. The interplay between the electric guitar, keyboards (Hammond organ, synthesizer and piano), rhythm- section (propulsive and perfectly timed drumming) and strong and expressive Italian vocals is very captivating. It all creates a constant tension, topped by majestic eruptions of the Mellotron. These moments gives the title track the same compelling impact as it does on the early albums from KING CRIMSON, goose bumps all over my body! The other three (shorter) tracks sound flowing and powerful with a lot of Hammond organ and guitar play with echoes from Steve HACKETT. For me this CD is the absolute highlight of the lush and varied Italian prog rock scene in the Seventies. A MUST!

 

                                   NEW TROLLS - Searching For A Land

- This Italian progrock band has made a lot of albums, my favorite is this 2-LP (released on a 1-CD), what an exciting music! The tracks are very alternating: Bowie-like vocals in "Searching", warm twanging acoustic guitar in "Giga", splendid Mellotron waves in "In St. Peter's day", beautiful classical inspired pianoplay in "Once that I preayed" and raw and heavy rock with hints from Led Zeppelin and Deep Purple in "To Edith" (powerful Hammond and fiery electric guitar) and and "Lying here" (Ian Gillan-like vocals). Only few albums sounds so varied and captivating, this one deserve more attention!

 

                                           NUOVA IDEA - Clowns

- This is Nuova Idea their final effort, to me it sounds as their best one. The line-up has been changed, the music delivers a raw organ -and guitarsound that only has a few mellow moments. The vocals are powerful but sometimes a bit too screamy. The tiltetrack is the most cativating and alternating composition. Due to some experimental ideas (featuring brass instruments) Nuova Idea is not always a band with an accesible approach. Nonetheless, this is one of the better releases from the Italian progrock label Mellow records.

 

                                             ORME, LE - Collage

                                    

- After two psychedelic/Sixties inspired albums this third record was a true progrock gem. The 7 compositions features great Hammond organ play (Keith Emerson, early Jane and Ramses), very distinctive and warm vocals (with a melancholical undertone), some acoustic guitar and a dynamic rhythm-section. A very good element in the music from Le Orme is the tension between the mellow and bombastic climates. And Le Orme delivers a lot of musical surprises like a kind of Blackmore/Gillan-Page/Plant duel from the bass and Hammond organ in "Cemiento armato", wonderful Hammond organ work (from psychedelic to church organ) in "Evasione totale" and exciting interplay between organ and drums in "Era inverno". This album is not as refined like "Felona e sorona", "Uomo di pezza" or "Contapuntti" but it is very worth listening.

 

                                             ORME, LE - Felona e Sorona

                                             

- During the Seventies Le ORME turned from a very ELP inspired band into a more refined prog rock formation with a distinctive sound. The concept-album “Felona E Sorona” is their acclaimed ‘magnum opus’ featuring nine alternating and elaborated compositions with lush and varied keyboards (piano, organ, synthesizers and string-ensemble), wonderful changing climates and a strong and dynamic rhythm-section. The final part is one of the most compelling ‘grand finales’ I’ve ever heard: slow and fat Moog runs, repetitive organ chords, a powerful drumbeat, again slow and fat Moog sounds, then a propulsive rhythm- section, culminating in a very moving sumptuous climated featuring dazzling Moog flights and great string-sounds, what a mind blowing experience. This is the amazing Italians Seventies prog rock at its best!

 

                                                    LE ORME-Live Orme

- If I take a look at the Italian section of my progrock collection, it’s a battle between PFM and Le Orme to be honoured as my favorite band. I tend to choose (early) Le Orme because of their splendid compositorial qualities, their huge musical skills, their great dynamics and their perfect blend of technical and emotional elements. In the mid-Nineties I traced this 2-live-CD (at the level of a good bootleg) in the catalogue of Musea, the known French progrock label/mail-order service. Eventually it turned out to be both one of my most expensive orders (almost US $ 45,-) as one of my most precious Italian progrock documents because “Live Orme” contains great renditions of all the ‘classics’ like “Contrappunti”, “Maggio”, “Gioco di bimba”, “Era inverno”, “Truck of fire”, “Cementi armato”, “Collage” and the surprising (but unfortunaltely short) covers from Led Zeppelin (“Whole lotta love”) and Jethro Tull (“Aqualung”). I’m delighted about the wonderful changing atmospheres, from warm and melancholic (featuring the great, very distinctive Italians vocals and pleasant acoustic guitar) to compelling and bombastic in the vein of The Nice and ELP, what a stunning keyboardplay delivering lots of exciting Hammond organ and a dynamic rhytm-section.

 

                                           PANNA FREDDA - Uno

- This is an Italian one-shot band that made only one album entitled "Uno". You don't need an Italian dictionary to understand that this means 'one' but to my surprise Panna Fredda showcases two faces on their album! The first and final part features swelling and moving organ play and raw guitar work, to me it sounds a bit like early Eloy. It all sounds very sumptuous, mainly due to the heavy Hammond organ chords. But halfway this album Panna Fredda changes their sound to very mellow featuring acoustic guitar, sensitive vocals and medieval-like keyboards, wonderful. An unique album!

 

   PREMIATA FORNERIA MARCONI (PFM) - Storia Di Un Minuto

- The debut album “Storia di un minuto” has strong echoes from early King Crimson, especially the ‘feminine’ side. In general the seven compositions (all around the 5 minutes) contain beautiful and mellow climates featuring lots of acoustic guitar, soaring keyboards and warm vocals, interfered by bombastic Mellotron drenched eruptions and fat synthesizers. At other moments you can hear shifting moods with fiery electric guitar and swinging rhythms. The highlight is the track “Dove-Quando Part Two” delivering a great variety and a wide range of instruments, from flute, piano and violin to organ and electric guitar. It's only 34 minutes but i prefer quality above quantity, this is a classic album so I continue the five star party!!

 

                     PREMIATA FORNERIA MARCONI (PFM) - Per Un Amico

- On the second album “Per un amico” PFM has even matured their sound: wonderful symphonic rock featuring acoustic instruments like the piano, violin, acoustic guitar and flute along electrified instruments like the Mellotron and the Minimoog synthesizer. The climates are more frequently changing including up-tempo rhyhtms with electric guitar or a surprising church-organ intermezzo. The songs are very melodic and harmonic and the vocals are powerful and expressive. Another classic and again five stars!!

 

     PREMIATA FORNERIA MARCONI (PFM) - Photos Of Ghosts

- On their third album we read that Pete Sinfield from King Crimson produced this record and also delivered the lyrics, not really a coincidence if you listen to the main influence for PFM! All songs sound strong and lush and are tasteful elaborated, it sounds as a pleasant mix of folk, classical and symphonic. The violinplay is excellent! A great song is the long “Il barchetto”, it contains lots of majestic Mellotron and sparkling classical piano work. I agree with the reviewers who wished that this album was sung in their native and more expressive language, so one star less than a masterpiece!!

 

      PREMIATA FORNERIA MARCONI (PFM) - L'isola di niente

                             

- On the fourth album “L’isola di niente” (the English version is entitled “The world became the world”) I trace again an obvious influence from early King Crimson, and again the ‘feminine’ side in the vein of tracks like “Epitaph” and “In the court of the crimson king” featuring bombastic Mellotron and Moogs along folky parts with acoustic instruments. Another influence is from Yes: powerful and propulsive bass guitar and guitars and keyboards with echoes from Howe and Wakeman. And some climates even contain jazzrock-like music, so there’s a lot of varied styles on this album. Although at some moments my attention slips away, this album has many strong songs, especially the compelling mellotron-drenched titletrack, goose bumps!!

 

 

PREMIATA FORNERIA MARCONI - P.F.M. Live in U.S.A.

                                          (aka Cook)
                           

- This CD is a registration of a concert from 1974 while touring in the USA, to me it’s a perfect compilation of their best work and showcases the band at its pinnacle. PFM starts with “Four Holes In The Ground”: a propulsive rhythm and a catchy melody, delivering fat Minimoog synthesizer runs, some fiery electric guitar and impressive Hammond organ and majestic Mellotron waves in the mellow interludes. The English vocals sound warm and the interplay between the skillfull musicians is great. Next is “Dove ... Quando” with a classical/jazzy intro on the Fender Rhodes electric piano, turning into a duet from sparkling piano and beautiful Italian vocals. “Just Look Away” has a splendid acoustic guitar intro (featuring elements like tremolo – and sensational rhythm guitar), followed by twanging acoustic guitar, soft Minimoog flights and warm English vocals. The build-up is great with Hammond and flute and a closing section with again tremolo guitar. The ‘crowd-pleaser’ “Celebration” is a cheerful and catchy composition, delivering spectacular Minimoog runs and swirling interplay. The ‘grand finale’ includes the moving final part of “The World Became The World”, enjoy the Mellotron floods! Then “Mr. Nine Till Five”, a track with PFM at their best with the distinctive interplay between flute, Moog and violin. The final song “Alta Loma Five Till Nine” includes a long and bluesy guitar solo with a strong build-up, supported by violin- Mellotron, featuring howling and biting licks, superb! The second part has a moving violin soli, culminating in a version of Rossini’s piece “William Tell Overture” with virtuosic play on the Moog synthesizer and violin, what a way to say goodbey. This is my favorite PFM CD!

 

           QUELLA VECCHIA LOCANDA - Quella Vecchia Locanda

                                

- The debut-album belongs to the top of the acclaimed Italian progrock from the Seventies, it contains eight beautiful and original compositions. They are a bit short but it's such a splendid blend of folk, classical and symphonic. The music is build around the magnificent (inter)play from the sparkling piano, compelling violin and cheerful flute but some guitarplay (acoustic and electric) adds a pleasant dimension to the very warm atmosphere on this album. Simply wonderful!!

 

   ROVESCIO DELLA MEDAGLIA (RDM), IL - Contaminazione

- The third album from RDM is their best, it features lots of Keith Emerson inspired Hammond organ play. Along with the propulsive an dynamic rhythm-section, it evokes also TRACE and EKSEPTION (featuring Dutch pride Rick van der Linden). The instrumentation is very varied including violin, harpsichord, heavy guitar, a violin-section, piano, classical guitar and church organ. At some moments the music sounds a bit freaky or experimental but in general this is wonderful melodic Seventies based progrock. The Italian vocals are beautiful and have a warm sound. By the way, this album is a kind of tribute to Mr. JS BACH, especially the composition “Toccata in D-Fuga”.

 

                                RUSTICHELLI & BORDINI - Opera Prima

- Rustichelli & Bordini was a duo who made this wonderful album that turned out to be their swan song. The cover picture is very original: a nude and bald heavy weight man who tenderly holds a baby in his arms. To me this is a metaphor for the music, ranging from warm and tender with soaring violin-Mellotron and classical inspired piano to powerful and swinging with lots of Hammond. The interplay between the keyboards (Hammond, Mellotron, classical orchestrations, piano and synthesizers) is wonderful and the rhythm-section sounds great along emotional vocals in some parts.

 

                                                       SALIS-DOPO

- The name of this Italian progrock band is derived from the two Salis brothers, Francesco and Antonio. The music on their fourth album from 1979 sounds like dynamic symphonic jazzrock and reminds me of the splendid Spanish band Mezquita, it’s also based upon captivating interplay between fiery and powerful guitar and vintage keyboards, including a Steinway Grand piano, Fender Rhodes electric piano, organ, Minimoog, ARP string-ensemble. The level of the musicians is very high, we can enjoy strong soli on guitar and keyboards an dmany captivating moments: exciting shifting moods and virtuosic piano play in the titletrack, excellent guitarwork in the vein of Jan Akkerman (Focus) in “Peccato Che .. !”, a Spanish climate featuring strong vocals, howling electric guitar and orchestral keyboards in “El diablo” and swirling Fender Rhodes piano and fiery electric guitar in “Inquinamento”.

 

                                        SEMIRAMIS - Dedicato a Frazz

- Semiramis made only one album, what a pity because this Italian band sounded so strong and promising. The album contains pleasant and melodic compositions featuring a lot of strings and fiery electric guitarplay. The parts with twanging acoustic guitars and mellow keyboards has obvious echoes from early Genesis. Highlights are some spectacular breaks delivering organ and propulsive guitar riffs, a flashy synthesizer solo and swelling keyboards, followed by a church-organ-guitar. This emphasizes how original Semiramis sounded, this album is one of the most acclaimed Italian progrock gems from the Seventies, discover why!

 

      SENSITIVA IMMAGINE - E Tutto Comincio Cosi

                     

- Almost every inch of this CD (transferred from 1976 tapes) has the spirit of the early GENESIS, only the Italian vocals let you realise that this album is not a kind of ‘lost “Selling England By The Pound” tapes’! Even a live picture on the inside of this digipack (I own the Japanese Melos label version) looks like the early GENESIS. The six compositions (the Musea re-release has three bonus tracks) sound pleasant and melodic featuring warm vocals, great sensitive electric guitar work and lush keyboards. They don’t have the elaborate compositional skills of the other famous GENESIS-inspired band NEUSCHWANSTEIN but I’m sure SENSITIVA IMMAGINE will not be a disappointment if you want to enjoy the 70-77 GENESIS-era.

 

                                      TRIADE - La Storia di Sabazio

- This is an obscure Italian trio that made only one album. Their music is keyboard driven progrock with strongs hints from the classical music and ELP (organ and synthesizers). The combination of the bombastic keyboards and the acoustic guitar sounds very pelasant. The pieces featuring strings and rhythm-guitar are really breathtaking. The running time is just over half an hour but here you can say: quality above quantity!

 

 
           Latin American Symphonic Progressive Rock scene:
 

AVE ROCK - Ave Rock

— Although the second album sounds more progressive and more mature, I prefer the eponymous debut LP. The Hammond organ play is wonderful featuring many hugh floods and great runs, the guitar play is decent and the compositions are tasteful but not very original (evoking the organ-based progrock bands from the late-Sixties and early Seventies). Only the vocals doesn't please me, they tend too sound a bit unbalanced and at some moments too high pitched. Conclusion: a pleasant album for the Hammond aficionados.

 

BACAMARTE - Depois do Fim

- This is a Brazilian that made two albums entitled “Depois Do Fim” (’83) and “As Sete Cidades” (1999). In ’95 Rarity Records released their first LP on CD with the addition of the bonus track “Mirante Das Estrellas” from their second LP. The album “Depois Do Fim” is one of the highlights of the South-American prog rock: a compelling blend of varied keyboards (vintage synthesizers, strings, piano, organ), skilful acoustic – and electric guitar and strong female Portuguese vocals. The nine compositions (four instrumental) sound warm and elaborate with many changing atmospheres. I’m mostly impressed by Mario Neto’s alternating guita rplay: from powerful and howling electric guitar (with echoes from Neil Young to Steve Howe) to a slight Andalusian touch and classical like John Williams (SKY- era) or using the tremolo-technique on the Spanish guitar (like “Recuerdos de la Alhambra” from TARREGA). An unique, very varied prog rock CD, not to be missed by any serious prog rock aficionado!

 

BLEZQI ZATSAZ - The Rise And Fall Of Passionate Sanity

- Blezqi Zatsaz is led by keyboard player Fabio Ribeiro. On their debut-album The Rise And Fall Of Passionate Sanity from ’91 he uses an amazing array of Japanese keyboards (Korg, Yamaha, Casio and Roland) and vintage synthesizers like the Minimoog, ARP Odessey and Oberheim Matrix. The compositions sound pleasant with lots of orchestral, sumptuous and spectacular keyboardplay and some fine guitarsolo’s but it’s so obvious that this is a tribute to Rick Wakeman, many times you got the idea that you’re listening to the albums from the early Rick Wakeman era. And I traced echoes from bands like the Hungarian Solaris, especially their propulsive and bombastic approach. If you’re up to keyboard driven progrock, you will have a good time with Blezqi Zatsaz but it’s not very memorable or original music.

 

BLOPS - Locomotora

— The five compositions on the album “Locomotora” (between 5 and 13 minutes, running time at about 40 minutes) has a pleasant atmosphere with a strong ‘Sixties’ feel’: dynamic and powerful interplay like CREAM and tasteful and swirling organ like The DOORS. The guitarwork is good (from howling licks and bluesy chords to fiery soli), the flute play alternates from folky to rock (between LOS JAIVAS and JETHRO TULL/FOCUS) and the organ gives the music a real boost, great! I hope that thanks to this CD-release Los BLOPS will change from an obscure band into an acclaimed pioneer of the Chilean progressive rock movement.

 

CALIX-CANCOES DE BEURIN

- Brasil has an impressive musical tradition (folk and classic) and a good taste for rock and prog. This culminates in great bands like Bacamarte and Sagrado. Calix is a lesser known group but they have made a good album entitled “Cancoes de Beurin”. The first track is a fine one: very melodic and lush with omnipresent play on the flute along vocal harmonies, mandolin and sensitive piano. The final part contains a beautiful guitarsolo. The other songs also sound pleasant, varied and elaborated. They features references from Pink Floyd (Gilmourian guitar), Jethro Tull (flute work like Ian Anderson), Marillion, Dire Straits and Queen but Calix keeps an own face: up-tempo rock with swirling flute and fiery guitar in “Alem do vento” and “No more whispers”, R&R with slide-guitar in “Novidades”, mandolin, flute and tablas in “Pra hoje um sol”, straight rock with heavy guitar, organ and flute in “Nao se lembram do que sao” or powerful Hammond organ and fiery electric guitar in “Lancas”. The version from Carls Off his famous piece “Carmina Burana” (entitled “O fortuna”) is strong featuring ominous piano and a bombastic choir sound. A very tasteful and varied progrock album from Brasil.

 

CRUCIS - Kronologia

— This Argentinian band existed from ’74 until ’77 and made two records: “Crusis” from ’76 and “Los delirions de mariscal from ’77. The music has a typcial Seventies sound with echoes from The NICE and FOCUS. Both LP’s were released as separate CD’s but finally re- released on a 1-CD entitled “Kronologia”. The music is half instrumental/half with strong Spanish vocals and the emphasis is on the keyboards (organ, string-ensemble, synthesizers, Steinway – and Fender Rhodes piano), the rhythm-section sounds powerful and adventurous. The compositions are strong and dynamic with surprising breaks and the interplay between the electric guitar (often spectacular wah-wah) and keyboards is captivating. On their second album the tracks are longer with more solos and a stronger influence from jazzrock and Dutch masters FOCUS. Essential prog rock from South-America!

 

ESPIRITU

- Espiritu released their first album entitled “Crisalida” in ’75, a fine symphonic rock record with echoes from GENESIS and YES. The band was at their pinnacle: good response from both fans and the press and spectacular live shows. Unfortunately Fedel decided to leave the band, he was replaced by Ciro Fogliatta and these musicians released the second album entitled “Libre y natural”. Because of lack of support from the record company, musical disputes and a lot of stress Espiritu disbanded in ’76. In ’81 the record company invited Osvaldo and Fernando to make a new album, they had to search for new musicians because the other three original members were not able to join or not to trace. In ’82 Espiritu finally released Espiritu III, a year later followed by “En movimiento” and in ’96 the live album Espiritu live in The Obras stadium ‘82” was released (“En vivo en Obras” was the original title). In 2001 Osvaldo started to search for musicians in order to resurrect Espiritu. Despite the terrible circumstances in Argentina to make progrock (the media ignores it totally!) he succeeded, Osvaldo’s son Fredirico was one of them! In 2003 this new line-up released “Fronteras magicas”. It was presented live in the ND Theatre on December 10th in 2003.

 

EVOLUCION-La Era De Piscis

- Here is one of the finest surprises from the Chilean progrock label Mylodon Records. This amazing four piece formation never released an album so it was time to release this CD that contains material from the Eighties, recorded between 1982 and 1986 in changing line-ups. I was immediately impressed by the high level of the musicians. Their often swinging sound alternates between early Camel (“Moonmadness” and “Mirage”-era) and jazz: dynamic, many shifting moods, great accellarations and lots of splendid soli on guitar and keyboards. The interplay between the musicians is outstanding, both in the more symphonic parts as in the jazzy interludes like “Swing de ilusiones” (including vibraphone). The synthsizer soli (frequent use of the pitchbend button) sound somewhere between Peter Bardens and Jan Hammer. The track “Zodiaco” reminds me of Pendragon, mainly because of the Nick Barrett-like guitar work. I had a great time while listening to this strong and powerful instrumental music from Evolucion, this one is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

 

JAIVAS, LOS - Canción Del Sur

- I bought this album many years ago in a second hand record store for at about US $ 10,-. It has been released in 1977 by EMI Argentina, I own the 1980 EMI Italy LP version.

1 – La vida magica ay, si! This piece showcases the wonderful blend of prog and folk that Los Jaivas created : fiery electric guitar and splendid pianoplay mixed with the sound of several ethnic instruments, topped by warm vocals and vocal harmonies, SIMPLY WONDERFUL!

2 – En la cumbre de un cerro A dreamy climate featuring acoustic gutiar, tender piano work, trumpet ( ?) and again warm vocals, very moving. Halfway this song delivers strong interplay between fiery electric guitar and sparkling piano.

3 – Cancion para los pajaros Lots of nature sounds like wind and birds (‘pajaros’ in Spanish) blended with flutes and ehtnic percussion, this is the sound of the Andes!

4 – Dum dum Tambora Here is a Paraguayan folk traditional that almost brings you in trance with the repetetive, hypnotizing vocals (like the native North-American indians) and a very special and unique mix of folk and progrock (electric guitar, piano and rhythm-section).

5 – Cancion del sur The titletrack is the highlight on this album: first dreamy with acoustic guitar and mellow vocals, then a moving build-up featuring sharp sounding synthesizer runs, sparkling piano and melancholical vocals, VERY COMPELLING!

6 – Danzas This track is build upon a hypnotizing drumbeat and features lots on fine instrumental interludes with a great build-up synthesizer solo, beautiful ethnic flutes and sensational duels between first sparkling piano and flute and then piano and fiery electric guitar, GREAT!

7 – Frescura antigua A warm and moving ethnic climate featuring twanging acoustic guitar, flutes, the charango (small native guitar) and a focus on the wonderful sound of the panflute. I still prefer the album “Alturas de Macchu Picchu” (also because of the excelent DVD) but this one comes mighty close! This is unique progressive folk from Los Jaivas, HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

 

JAIVAS, LOS - Alturas de Macchu Picchu

- This band from Chile is one of the most interesting blends of folk and symphonic rock. They are playing many instruments including the ethnic tutruka, charanjo, tarka, tumbadore, bongo and maracas. My favorite album is “Alturas de Machu Picchu”” from ’81, featuring Nobel prize winning poet Pablo Neruda, responsible for the lyrics. Highlight is “La poderosa muerte”, a melodic and harmonic composition (around 12 minutes) that starts with the typical sound of the panflute and melancholic piano notes, very beautiful and moving, followed by emotional Spanish vocals. The build up is magnificent with propulsive drums and sparkling piano play, soon accompanied by a fat sounding synthesizer and fiery electric guitar. The dramatic atmosphere is emphasized by pathetic vocal harmonies. The moods keep on shifting with lots of (ethnic) instruments, a very emotional experience and a fine proove that progrock has emotion!

 
LEHMEJUM — Lehmejum

- When Brasilian band Lehmejum made this first album, they were at about ten years busy in the world of the music, the last years mainly in pubs for the pure fans. The music is impressive keyboard driven prog with excellent musicians, tastefully arranged compositions and lots of variation. The focus is on the Keith Emerson inspired keyboard work like in Bruce Lee and Torresmo And Puruca, evoking the great days of Fanfare For The Common Man by ELP. In the track Was It What You Wanted we can enjoy wonderful play on the fretless bass, propulsive drums and compelling organ. The beautiful classical piano play in Possesed Woman brings another keyboard virtuoso on my mind, Rick Wakeman. Most of the 13 songs alternates between bombastic symphonic rock, fusion and jazzrock. Violin player Cassio Poletto has a fine contribution in the bonustrack Two Ways.

 

LOCH NESS — Prologue

- The recording quality is not really high standard, the singer has an obvious accent, the arrangements are simple but the music is so warm and compelling and the singer does a good job to add an emotional element. Especially the tension between the beautiful work on the Grand piano and the harder edged guitarplay and bombastic keyboards is great. The one moment you listen to tender acoustic piano, the other moment to fiery or howling electric guitar runs and flashy synthesizer flights, very dramatic and dynamic!

 

MIA

- This is one of the most popular Argentine bands, all their albums are released by Japanese label Marquee with additional bonustracks that are taken from a live 2-LP (1978). The most important members from MIA were keyboard player Lito Vitale and his sister Liliana (vocals, flute and drums). The album Transparencias (1976) is a fine blend of of progrock (organ and synthesizers liek Peter Bardens and Keith Emerson and biting guitar) and classical music (flute, acoustic guitar, guitar and piano).

The second album Magicos Juegos Del Tiempo (1977) delivers a lot of variety in the keyboard sound, the sound is a blend of symphonic rock, classical – and folk music.

Their last album Cornonstipicum (1978) is generally considered as their best effort. To me it sounds as powerful symphonic rock with echoes from Genesis (acoustic guitar and flute) and Yes (Relayer-era).

 

PABLO "EL ENTERRADOR" — Pablo "El Enterrador"

- This eponymous album by Pablo 'the gravedigger' from 1979 contains eight pleasant and melodic compositions, loaded with great dual keyboard work (Oberheim - , Moog - and ARP Pro Solist synthesizers, Hammond organ and Yamaha CP 70 electric piano) evoking Tony Banks, Supertramp and the Seventies Italian progrock scene like Banco and PFM (classically inspired sound). The wonderful electric guitar play is in the vein of Hakcett and Latimer, lots of emotion! At some moments Pablo El Enterrador sounds a bit polished (like Phil Collins Genesis) but in general the music on this album sounds like 24-carat symphonic rock that is rooted in the unsurpassed Seventies.

 

PARTHENON – MARE TENEBRIS

- Here is good news from Venezuela, not a very prolific progrock country! Parthenon is a band that was founded in 1979 by two schoolfriends. After some years the keyboardplayer Victor Fiol left the band in order to join known fellow Venezuelan progrock band Tempano and soon Parthenon disbanded. Early the Nineties the two schoolfriends Robert Santamaria (keyboards/percussion) and Juan Carlos Ballesta (drums) re-founded Parthenon. Along with a female singer, a bass player and guest musicians they made new versions of the early songs and re-recorded it as this new CD, added with two sessions songs from 1980-1981 and a live track from 1981.The eight compositions sound impressive as the band does, especially the keyboard work is excellent evoking the ‘great Hammond and Moog days’ of Keith Emerson (and at some moments UK Mark II) in the early Seventies along swinging piano and some majestic violin-Mellotron. We also can enjoy flowing and senstitive work on the electric guitar, often in strong interplay with the keyboards. The music has obvious hints from ELP but the female Spanish vocals and parts with the Theremin (outstanding duel with synthesizers in Conversaciones) and hobo give Parthenon their progrock a special flavor. And the compositions deliver captivating musical breaks and musicial surprises. The two studio songs from 1980-1981 sound a bit dated and the live track is on the level of a bootleg but contains pleasant psychedelic inspired music (including a compelling organ solo). Another great release from the slightly overlooked Latin-american progrock scene!

 

PSIGLO-Ideacion & II

- Checking the information in the booklet I did an interesting discovery: Psiglo keyboard player Jorge Garcia is the same as on the splendid album Al Otro Lado by Spanish progrock band Asfalto! Another member that played in a known progrock band was drummer Gonzalo Farrugia who joinen legendary Argentine progrock band Crusis after the demise of Uruguayan progrock band Psiglo. So you can conclude that Psiglo contained good musicians! The eponymous debut album from 1973 sounds very dated and delivers in general progressive bluesrock with hints from Rare Earth and Argent: a powerful and dynamic sound with fiery electric guitar and propulsive organ – and piano work. In some songs Psiglo sounds more mellow with acoustic guitar. The Spanish lyrics has political overtones, pretty dangerous in a country that is infamous because of the violation of human rights. To record her second album Psiglo moved to Argentina, another infamous country concerning human rights. Their second album II from 1974 sounds more progressive featuring more intrumental variation like flute, swinging piano, organ and sensitive electric guitar. A fine band that deserves more attention.

 

RAEL — Mascaras Urbanas

- The progrock history contains some famous Genesis clones/Genesis-inspired bands like the German Neuschwanstein, the Japanese Shingetsu, the USA Babylon and the Italian Sensitiva Immagine. Well, you can add the Argentine Rael to this list because their music has very obvious hints from early Genesis. Especially the 2-LP "The lamb lies down on Broadway" often comes to my mind, this could have been some 'legendary lost tapes' with wonderful, very Steve Hackett-like guitarplay. But the vocalist sings mainly in Spanish. This CD features some good tracks with strong breaks, Rael has potential but in general this is not a very exciting album. Perhaps some Genesis freaks will add this to their collection?

 

REDD – Cuentos Del Subsuelo

- On her second album the Argentine progrock band Redd changed her line-up, one left and three joines Redd. The result is an album that is superior and way more interesting than their debut entitled Tristes Noticias Del Imperio (1978). On Cuentos Del Subsuelo (five tracks between 5 and 9 minutes) Redd succeeds to sound both original as captivating: inspired Spanish vocals, wonderful and varied keyboards (electric piano, organ and synthesizers), great soli and overdubs on guitar and lots of shifting moods with some great bombastic moments. Unfortunately the 3 bonus live tracks sound sloppy and have a mediocre sound quality. A band to check out!

 

SOM NOSSO DE CADA DIA - A Procura da Essência (Ao Vivo 1975-1976)

- This legendary Brasilian band is rooted in the early Seventies. This 2-CD (both CD’s contain 9 tracks) is a tribute to their music in that era, it contains recordings from 1975 and 1976 and is called Amazonia years. The compositions feature mainly instrumental pieces with lots of Fender Rhodes electric piano play and a dynamic rhythm-section. It sounds as a blend of fusion/jazzrock and symphonic. The guitarwork is very strong: varied and powerful with fine use of the volume-pedal. The music also consists of wonderful keyboards, from string-ensemble and clavinet to Hammond organ and the famous Minimoog synthesizer, very dated but a pleasant musical experience. Unfortunately the recording quality is at the level of an average bootleg. If you don’t have a problem with that, there’s plenty to enjoy like a part in which Starship trooper from Yes is mixed and some blues (with mouth-organ) and rock and roll (a short improvisation).

 

TEMPANO - Åtabal-Yémal (1979)

- In 1979 the Venezulean band Tempano made a beautiful album with echoes from Camel and Happy The Man. At about 18 years later the French progrock label Musea has invited Tempano to re-release their album on CD with the addition of 3 new tracks. These were recorded in 1998 and last for a total time of 25 minutes. The 3 new tracks showcase a dynamic and skillful band: KTR) powerful rhythm and organ), Un Nuevo Encuentro (soaring keyboards and wonderful guitarwork) and Arbol De La Vida (fiery electric guitarplay with hints from Jeff Beck). The 6 compositions from the original album feature many accellarations with lost of splendid interplay between the elctric piano and electric guitar. Some contain vocals in Spanish and nice interludes featuring strings or growling bass (often fretless). If you are up to strong and dynamic symphonic jazzrock/fusion this CD is yours. A BAND TO DISCOVER!

 



Edited by erik neuteboom - October 25 2007 at 05:10
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THE GERMAN PROGRESSIVE ROCK
 
 

ANABIS - Wer Will             

- Anabis is German band that made three albums between 1980 and 1988, this one is my favorite and pressed on red vinyl with a ‘fold out cover’ (those good old days!).

1 - Alles in eines Hauses Leben (6:15)

This catchy and alternating track features a dynamic rhythm-section (inventive drums, powerful bass sound), strong and expressive German vocals (funny lyrics), great guitar soli (from sensitive to fiery and howling). A very convincing starter!

2 - Ich will (5:33)

The intro features spectacular synthesizer runs, then a propulsive rhythm with strong vocals, this man gives every track an extra dimension! Halfway we hear a sensational synthesizer solo and then enthousiastic interplay between the vocals and a fiery electric guitar.

3 - Die Rosa Brille (4:45)

A mellow, bit dreamy atmosphere with soft vocals and twanging guitars. Slowly the climate becomes more bombastic with a sensitive electric guitar solo. This song has pleasant echoes from mid-GENESIS.

4 - Der Kritiker (4:22)

A mid-tempo featuring dynamic and powerful accellarations with great soli on synthesizer and harder-edged guitar.

5 - Genethiker (4:15)

Another dynamic mid-tempo track with strong vocals (cynical philosophical lyrics), a sensational synthesizer solo and a short but exciting guitar-synthesizer duel.

6 - Das Zünglein an der Waage (17:08)

The intro from this final composition features wonderful mellow synthesizers, a bit spacey with fat and spectacular sounds. Then twanging guitars and a cheerful, catchy rhythm with pleasant synthesizer runs, fiery electric guitar licks and again strong, expressive German vocals. The atmosphere sounds dynamic, due to the great rhythm- section and fine shifting moods, from mellow with twanging guitars to bombastic with strong work on guitar and keyboards. This is the most symphonic (mid-GENESIS inspired) track and in my opinion Anabis at their pinnacle.

 

CIRCLE — Foreign Skies   

- Many years ago I bought this album during my annual ‘progrock pilgrimages’ to Cologne (Germany) in the known record-store Saturn, one of the largest in Europe. I did this mainly because of the back cover picture featuring two keyboard players, in my opinion this would guarantee great symphonic rock. Well, it did!

1 - Why don’t we fear (4.04) : This piece starts with pleasant vocals and sparkling piano runs, followed by bombastic eruptions featuring a lush, modern (duo) keyboard sound and powerful electric guitar. The final part contains good duo-electric guitar, culminating in a great build-up guitar solo, very moving and slowly fading away.

2 - Harlequin (3.34) : The rhythm is up-tempo delivering a tight and strong rhythm-section, a mellow part with twanging guitars (mid-Genesis echoes) and a percussive keyboard solo.

3 - More than a nightmare (5.47) : First a slow rhythm with emotional vocals and warm piano work, then an accellaration with a mid-tempo, inspired vocals, propulsive guitar riffs and a tight rhythm-section. The harmony between the instruments is wonderful and it sounds very pleasant and melodic, featuring some wonderful keyboard eruptions including a short solo and orchestral layers.

4 - Lady (3.37) : This one has a mellow climate with delicate piano and fine interplay between sensitive electric guitar and piano and also quick synthesizer flights, the duo-keyboardplay gives the music a very lush sound.

5 - Sweet childhood (6.06) : One of the highlights delivering a moving atmosphere with melancholical vocals and wonderful duo-keyboard play.

6 - Nightracer (2.23) : This song starts with sensational synthesizer flights, a propulsive up-tempo beat and an applauding crowd, creating a live atmoshpere. Then lots of fluent shifting moods and again sensational synthesizer flights.

7 - Circle’s edge (7.10) : My favorite track because of the compelling climate featuring great interplay and tension between the lush keyboard sound and the fiery and sensitive electric guitars, culminating in a bombastic eruption with Minimoog-like runs and a choir-Mellotron sound. Halfway we hear pleasant vocals and sparkling piano arpeggio’s, very warm. Again Minimoog-like flights and great interplay between the instruments, this is Circle at its symphonic peak!

8 - It’s not easy (4.43) : A wonderful ballad featuring sensitive, very romantic vocals and fine piano along a warm bass sound. The second part delivers a powerful saxophone solo.

9 - I believe (5.06) : After an intro with delicate piano and then bombastic choir-Mellotron, an up-tempo rhythm follows with obvious religious lyrics, the climates shifts from mellow to bombastic with Minimoog-like runs and choir-Mellotron waves.

10 - Beneath a foreign sky (5.07) : This track delivers wonderful changing climates, from mellow with twanging guitars and warm vocals to bombastic eruptions with delicate guitar and keyboards and in the end a sensitive electric guitar solo

11 - Final step (2.54) : A dynamic final song that delivers a mid-tempo rhythm with lush duo-keyboards including flashy synthesizer flights

I won’t say this is a memorable or original album but it sounds so warm and tasteful, this is very pleasant, modern sounding symphonic prog with some neo-prog undertones. The warm vocals, inventive duo keyboards and – guitars give this album an extra dimension. If you try Google, you will find it for a decent price with some luck!

 

ELOY – Live         

This is one of my favorite German symphonic prog albums, I play it very  often. OK, the vocals have a strong German accent and the lyrics are not really ‘down to earth’ but the music is so warm and compelling. It was the touring of the Ocean album, perhaps their strongest effort and all tracks are on this live album, originally a double-LP. In the late Seventies I bought all the Eloy albums but I prefer this live registration because Eloy Live sound so more  powerful: strong and flowing guitarwork, lush keyboards and great shifting moods, this is excellent symphonic progrock!

 

EPIDAURUS - Earthly Paradise        

— From the very first moment you are flooded by waves of majestic choir-Mellotron and Minimoog runs, at some moments pleasantly boosted by Moog Taurus bass pedals, all guided by a celestial female voice. Other fine moments contain twanging 12-string guitar and spacey synthesizer flights or accelerations featuring the powerful Hammond organ. The second part of this CD showcases more electronic inspired music but also the use of the swinging Hohner D6 clavinet and some acoustic piano play. The five songs on this album sound simple but are very compelling if you like the typical Seventies keyboards sound.

 

GROBSCHNITT - Solar Music - Live   

— Have you ever seen Falwty Towers' episode The Germans with that hilarious act from John Cleese when he asks for Colditz Salad and when he starts to act like a Nazi? Well, Germans can have humor too, even when the subject is the Second World War! This can be heard on this live album, in my opinion the best work from Grobschnitt. All songs are splendid renditions featuring lots of extras. The strong points from this band are the build-ups, the tension between the mellow and heavy parts and the excellent play on the guitar ('Lupo' knows how to rock), the keyboards (beautiful analogue sound with a wide range of instruments from 'Mist') and the drums ('Eroc' is the driving force). The music is powerful, alternating and captivating, this is one of the absolute higlights of the German progrock history. Especially the three parts from the 'magnum opus' "Solar Music" are 'wunderbar'! A MUST!!

 

HOELDERLIN - Hoelderlin Live - Traumstadt       

— This is a very underrated German progressive rock band! The double-album “Hoelderlin Live - Traumstadt” is their finest work and showcases the band at their pinnacle. It’s still considered as one of the milestones in the German rock history and has some similarities with other German progrock band GROBSCHNITT concerning the long solos, visual effects, costumes and humor. The music was recorded in the Wuppertaler Opernhaus in October ’77, the 2-LP was released in ’78. The band was hit by multiple changes in the line- up, on “Traumstadt” the musicians were Joachim Grumbkow (keyboards and vocals on “Streaming”), Pablo Weeber (all guitars), Michael Bruchmann (drums), Cristoph ‘Nops’ Noppeney (lead vocals and violin) and Hans Baar (bass). All the nine melodic tracks have their own climate and features fluid accellarations, nice interludes, pleasant keyboards (string-ensemble, electric piano, organ and clavinet) and great interplay between electric guitar and violin. But the focus is on the solowork: fiery (“Sun Rays”), biting (“Soft Landing”) and howling (“Die Stadt”) on the electric guitar and exciting (“Streaming”) and spectacular (“Die Stadt”) on the violin. Many solos are supported by the wonderful and distinctive sound of the string-ensemble, a compelling combination! Recommended, especially to the fans of the violinplay of JEAN LUC PONTY and EDDIE JOBSON.

 

JANE - Jane at Home Live            

— I’ve always been a fan from German keyboardplayer Manfred Wieczorcke. He played in the early line-up from ELOY and then moved to JANE. There he delivered his best work on the live 2-LP “Jane Live At Home”. In the Seventies JANE made a progressive blend of rock and blues featuring emotional vocals (with an obvious German accent), good harder-edged guitarplay and compelling keyboardwork (floods of organ along strings and MiniMoog). The compositions sound simple but very tasteful, this band knows how to carry you away with their music: the one moment it’s rock and roll with fiery electric guitar, the other moment you hear soaring keyboards, great build ups and sumptuous outbursts. You cannot compare JANE to the progrock legends ELP, GENESIS, YES or KING CRIMSON but in my opinion this 2-LP is one of the best progressive records from all those melodic and tasteful German progressive bands that emerged in the Seventies.

 

NEUSCHWANSTEIN - Battlement       

— NEUSCHWANSTEIN (the name is derived from King Ludwig II his castle in the Bavarian Alps) is an acclaimed German one-shot-band that made one outstanding, GENESIS inspired album (’78) entitled “Battlement”. In the early Eighties I bought this LP during a ‘prog rock pilgrimage’ in the famous music store “Saturn” in Cologne (Germany), also the city where the album was recorded. The seven very melodic and harmonic compositions on the original LP feature a warm sound, pleasant shifting moods, some sensational breaks and lush keyboards (piano, string-ensemble, Mellotron, Fender Rhodes electric piano, synthesizers and organ), beautiful flute, sensitive electric guitar, twanging acoustic guitar, a decent rhythm-section and good English vocals (including a charming German accent). The Musea CD-release (from ’92) contains a splendid bonus track entitled “Midsummer Day” (strong acoustic rhythm-guitar and great synthesizer play). A must for any serious ’70-‘77’ GENESIS fan!

 

NOVALIS - Sommerabend        

— This German progrock band delivered some outstanding albums in the Seventies (by the way, the name Novalis is derived from a romantic German poet). This record is one of their best and especially the titletrack is magnificent. The first part contains a dreamy atmosphere: a slow rhythm with soft drums, strings, synthesizer sounds, twanging acoustic guitar and pleasant German vocals. The sound is a bit hypnotizing but very ‘symphonic’, especially when a sensitive electric guitar joins, the strings and synthesizer flights sound louder. Suddenly, after a short silence, the music accellarates with bombastic synthesizer runs and catchy electric rhythm guitar. Now the German vocals are accompanied by floods of organ and fiery electric guitar runs. It’s great to hear such sumptuous sound after that long, dreamy first part! Then the rhythm slows down until we hear the same climate as in the beginning: a twanging acoustic guitar, lush strings, sizzling synths. Keep on dreaming the music seems to whisper! WUNDERBAR!!

 

NOVALIS - Novalis - Konzerte       

— This is a very good live concert from one of the most original Krautrock bands. It captures Novalis at their creative peak. The long compositons contain many wonderful changing climates, from mellow, classical and folky to up-tempo rock and bombastic symphonic. The keyboard sound is magnificent, especially if you like the vintage keyboards, to me they always sound so warm and distinctive. The vocals are in the German language, for me as a Dutchman (we are neighbours) good to understand and I like the poetical undertone that is emphasized in German. I hope that this gem wil be released on CD very soon, WUNDERBAR!!

 

RAMSES - La Leyla             

- In the late Seventies I discovered a record-shop in my hometown The Hague selling German progressive rock. So I started to spent al my money on LP’s from GROBSCHNITT, TRIUMVIRAT, NOVALIS, JANE, ELOY and HOELDERLIN. One of my all time favourites is the album “La Leyla” (1976) from RAMSES, this is their best effort from the three records they released. Don’t expect elaborate or inventive compositions or amazing solo work, this music is based upon sensitive electric guitar play and a variety of ‘classic’ keyboards like Hammond organ, Mellotron, the string-ensemble and ‘vintage synthesizers’. Enjoy the soaring and sumptuous climates, the beautiful interplay between guitar and keyboards and the warm English vocals with that typical, a bit charming German accent. The lyrics are drenched into the Seventies, from love to war (anti-Vietnam). If you are, like me, a ‘vintage-keyboard aficionado”, don’t miss this one.

 

SCHICKE FÜHRS & FRÖHLING (SFF) — Live 1975     

- This is one of the most Mellotron drenched albums I have ever heard and I often got the idea that bands like Anglagard and Anekdoten must have been inspired by this German trio because of the sound of the mighty Trons, incredible! Don't expect elaborate compositions or complex arrangements, the emphasis is on the Mellotron (played by Eduard Schicke and Gerd Fuhrs) featuring wonderful layers, some splendid, very dramatic build-up pieces and bombastic eruptions. The haunting atmosphere in Dialog reminds me of early King Crimson and Seventies Italian prog, very compelling with ominous violin-Mellotron, biting electric guitar and furious drumming. The magnum opus is Modimidofre (almost 30 minutes) delivering excellent mellotron parts although at some moments the music sounds a bit fragmentic. Along the Mellotron (lots of violin but also some majestic choir) we can enjoy keyboards like the Fender Rhodes electric piano and the Moog synthesizer, exciting Fripperian guitar play and adventurous and propulsive drum work.

 

TRIUMVIRAT - Spartacus              

— This is the German keyboard-driven trio Triumvirat at their best, what a wonderful and compelling progrock experience, I cannot trace one weak moment! All (often very ELP- inspired) compositions sound tasteful and features a lush and varied keyboard, ranging from the soaring string-ensemble and warm Grand piano to bombastic Hammond organ runs and Moog synthesizer flights. The moods shift from mellow with strong vocals and acoustic piano to heavy outbursts or bombastic parts with exciting keyboards. The highlights are "The march to the eternal city" and "Spartacus", these longer tracks sound so lush symphonic. The CD re-release contains two bonustracks: "The capital of power" (live, good recording) and "Showstopper" (previously unreleased, a bit polished and catchy up-tempo song that sounds pleasant)

 

TRIUMVIRAT - Illusions on a Double Dimple     

— If you listen to this band, only one comparison can be made and that's ELP because almost every inch of this keyboard-driven band is inspired by the legendary symphonic dinosaur! I enjoyed the pleasant and melodic sound, featuring lots of fine work on the Hammond organ, Moog synthesizer and Grand piano. Triumvirat also delivers lots of flowing shifting moods with warm vocals, fine acoustic guitar and even some saxophone. I can understand that progheads udge that this is an ordinary ELP-clone but I simply love their lush symphonic keyboard-sound on their first four studio-albums, no more or less.

 

WALLENSTEIN - Blitzkrieg              

— This is the debut-album (’71) from WALLENSTEIN, a kind of international formation. From the very first second WALLENSTEIN will carry you away with their mind blowing sound on the four dynamic compositions (running time between 7 and 14 minutes): beautiful mellow moments but in general lots of propulsive rhythms and sumptuous outbursts with biting and blistering guitar work (from USA man Bill Barone), supported by sparkling piano, majestic Mellotron waves (by Jurgen Dollase) and a very dynamic rhythm-section, featuring the known Harold Grosskopf (Klaus Schulze) on drums and the Dutch Jerry Berkers on bass. An album with a unique sound, a bit raw but very exciting.

 

ZOMBY WOOF - Riding On A Tear           

The name Zomby Woof is derived from a Frank Zappa song but their music has nothing to do with Frank Zappa! This fine and overlooked German bands makes pleasant, melodic and keyboard-oriented symphonic prog. I can trace some elements from Eela Craig, Pink Floyd and Camel but in general Zomby Woof sounds quite unique. The nine compositions on their original album from 1977 contain lots of fluent shifting moods, strong breaks and the colouring by the two keyboards players is very tasteful:sparkling Grand piano and delicate string-ensemble in Introduction, a wonderful blend of string-ensemble, Hammond-organ and mellow choir-Mellotron in the varied titletrack, lots of swinging Hohner D6 sounds in Requiem Part 2, exciting interplay by guitar and swinging clavinet and a great build-up guitar solo in Dora’s Drive and a long, spectacular synthesizer solo in Mary Wakling Through The Woods. My highlight on this CD is Waling Through The Woods: a short intro with warm, twanging acoustic guitar, then a slow rhythm featuring fluent synthesizer runs and a beautiful, lush 24-carat symphonic prog atmosphere delivering sparkling Grand piano and sensational synthesizer flights. The English vocals sound good but you can slightly hear the German accent. The CD release contains four bonustracks: two alternative versions of 1977 albums songs and two previously unreleased stuido recordings, nice but no more or less.

If you want to discover a strong and captivating German symphonic prog album, dig this one!

 
 
 
     THE JAPANESE PROGRESSIVE ROCK
 
 
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ARS NOVA-THE BOOK OF THE DEAD
- In 1997 I was lucky to witness a concert from Ars Nova during the annual Pul Festival in the Dutch city Uden. I was blown away by these three Japanese women: small size, GREAT SOUND! Especially bass player Kyoko Kanazawa took my attention because of that giant Rickenbacker bass guitar in those tiny hands. Her hotpants evoked yells like “backstage”, progrock remains a man’s world! Soon after the European tour from Ars Nova bass player Kyoko was replaced by Ken Ish*ta because Kyoko was no longer interested in making music with Ars Nova.

On this first CD without her the band had chosen for a concept CD about the Egyptian history. Keyboard player Keiko Kumagai is very omnipresent, she delivers a wonderful and varied sound out of her digital equipment featuring flute, fagot, violins, flageolets and snare instruments like the Japanese koto. But in general Ars Nova their sound keep strong echoes from ELP, UK and Trace (Keiko loves this acclaimed Dutch band from keyboard wizard Rick van der Linden): many bombastic organ waves and sensational synthesizer runs on “Ankh” and “The judgement of Osiris” and beautiful, very sparkling piano work on “Field of Irau” (one of the highlights on this CD).
A STRONG AND PLEASANT KEYBOARD DRIVEN PROGROCK CD!

ARS NOVA - Biogenesis Project
— On this CD the Japanese progrock trio Ars Nova delivers a SF concept: it’s 2301 and the earth is overcrowded, without nature, the ozone-layer has disappeared and an artificial sun is shining, a kind of Greenpeace doom-scenario! The story is written by Numero Ueno, the #1 Japanese proghead and deals about a fanatical nature organisation, space ships, robots, several ideologies and the deep-rooted evil in mankind. On this CD Ars Nova is supported by an impressive range of progrock artists: members from PFM, Goblin and Il Balletto Di Bronzo, the rhytm-section from Gerard and, I proudly presents, the Dutch genius Arjen Lucassen (the brainchild behind Ayreon). The music is in the tradition of the Japanese bombastic keyboard approach: dazzling synthesizer flights, virtuosic keyboard (inter)play and heavy floods of Mellotron and Hammond organ. In between there’s frequently Arjen’s fiery, very distinctive guitarsound. A strong contribution is from violin player Lucio Fabbri (PFM), he sounds like Jean-Luc Ponty at his best but the vocals are also OK featuring female singer Mika and ex-Leviathan vocalist Alex Brunori. At some moments the vocals sound a bit too theatrical and the compositions a bit fragmentic, in my opinion this CD would have gained at least one more star if Arjen Lucassen would have lived in Japan because of his compositional and producing skills. BUT IN GENERAL THIS IS A GOOD AND ENTERTAINING PROGROCK CD!

ATARAXIA-Adolescence Of An Ancient Warrior
- This Japanese progrock band was founded in ’83 as Position A and they did a support act for the legendary OUTER LIMITS. Soon after guitarist Aramaki left the band to join .... Outer Limits, he must have impressed them as support-act! The band decided to change their name into Ataraxia and in ’86 they released the album “Adolescence of an ancient warrior”. The stunning front cover art is similar to the work of Dutch master Hieronymus Bosch. The music has strong hints from early GENESIS and IQ.
The album “Adolescence of ancient warrior” sounds like a tribute to STEVE HACKETT, TONY BANKS and PETER GABRIEL. The instrumental parts are good with strong guitarwork and fine keyboard-play but, in my opinion, singer Kideaki Murata is the weakest link, his vocals are too high and too powerless.


BI KYO RAN - Parallax
— The King Crimson-invasion must have snatched the bodies from Bi Kyo Ran, especially guitarist Kunio Suma seemed to have had alien-commands only to play like Robert Fripp! The album "Parallax" is the most original and varied one, loaded with ominous climates. The line-up features the # 1 Japanese keyboard virtuoso Mr. Toshio Egawa (Novela, Gerard, Scheherazade), he contributes with some beautiful Mellotron playing. The focus is on the blistering guitarwork but you can also hear instruments like the cello, violin and trumpet. Despite the obvious echoes from King Crimson, this CD has some very captivating moments.

CINEMA - Into the State of Flux
— Cinema is founded on the ashes of Fromage, a fine Japanese progrock band that acted in the shadow of Outer Limits, Gerard and Ars Nova. This album has strong classical overtones featuring beautiful violinplay, sparkling piano, orchestral keyboards and opera- like vocals. The music evokes Pageant (lush symphonic atmosphere and sensitive electric guitar) and Outer Limits (classical instruments). The main part of this album contains the long track "Color of soul" (almost 20 minutes) featuring all the above mentioned elements and a wonderful Japanese undertone with a koto-like sound. If you like classical music and symphonic rock THIS IS ONE TO DISCOVER!

COSMOS FACTORY - An Old Castle of Transylvania
— The Japanese progrock band COSMOS FACTORY made a sery of albums in the Seventies with every time another sound. I prefer their debut-album “An Old Castle Of Transylvania” (1973). The long title track (around 20 minutes) is a mind blowing blend of psychedelia and progrock with great build ups and eruptions, very compelling with strong hints from early PINK FLOYD but the swirling movements also brings the long live tracks from URIAH HEEP, DEEP PURPLE, IRON BUTTERFLY, VANILLA FUDGE and Krautrock like early JANE and ELOY on my mind. It contains sumptuous keyboard play including heavy floods of Hammond organ and Mellotron along biting guitar. The interplay between guitar and organ is like “Set the controls for the heart of the sun” from PINK FLOYD. The other songs are also loaded with Hammond and Mellotron, a real ‘keyboard nirvana’ for the fans of ‘vintage keyboards’.

DEJA-VU-Baroque in the Future
— The Japanese keyboardplayer Motoi Sakuraba sonds like the Japanese twin-brother of Eddie Jobson but I also trace elements from the style of Rick Wakeman and Keith Emerson. On this album you hear instrumental keyboard-oriented symphonic rock with a tight rhythm- section and nice and alternating compositions. The vocals sound a bit powerless but this may not stop the 'vintage-keyboard-aficionados' from checking out this CD. In my opinion "Baroque in the future" is not a classic but it contains wonderful keyboardplay.

FAR EAST FAMILY BAND
- This is a legendary Japanese band, the first line-up included the known synthesizer player KITARO. The Far East Family Band released a lot of records in the Seventies and Eighties, they sound quite unique (an Eastern sound) with echoes from PINK FLOYD.
The first album “The cave down to earth” from ’75 is mostly recommended, it has a spacey and slight psychdelic sound (like early PINK FLOYD) and contains ethnic elements which gives the music an original twist. Another fine album is “Nipponjin (’75) with a keyboard version of Far Out’s “Nihonjin” (Far Out was the precursor of FEFB). It’s in the vein of the debut-album, the climates ranges from bombastic to more mellow. The album “Parallel world” was produced by the famous electronic pioneer KLAUS SCHULZE.


GERARD - Empty Lie, Empty Dream
— GERARD (the name is derived from a shop in Tokyo that sold clothes) was the first Japanese prog rock band I ever heard and they are still my favourites. Their first two albums ( from ’84 and ’85, both in ’88 released on CD) belong to the best prog rock ever made in Japan: exciting and alternating compositions with moods that shifts from mellow with piano and warm vocals to powerful mid-tempo rhythms and bombastic outbursts featuring biting and blistering guitar runs and sensational, often dazzling synthesizer play (TOSHIO EGAWA is the amazing Japanese answer to Keith EMERSON and Rick WAKEMAN). The interplay between the musicians is splendid (like metal-inspired guitar soli and violin- Mellotron waves or biting runs and spectacular synthesizer flights) and the rhythm-section sound very dynamic and adventurous. GERARD’s music has hints from ELP, ELOY, DEEP PURPLE and GENESIS (ARP Pro Solist sound) but their sound is very distinctive, especially these two albums (when guitarist/singer Yukihiro Fujimura left to found VIENNA, GERARD turned into a very ELP/UK like trio). I do have a slight preference for the second album: it sounds a bit more mature and the first album has two mediocre ballads (AOR meets symphonic rock) while the second album only contains strong tracks. I you are up to harder-edged and alternating bombastic prog rock with lots of exciting instrumental work, this band is yours!

GERARD - Live in Marseille
— Gerard was the first Japanese progrock band I ever listened to and it is still my favorite Japanese progrock band. A dream came true when they did a small European tour and visited The Netherlands, this live-CD is from that tour and recorded in France, the home of French progrock abel Musea that has re-released so many great Japanese progrock from The Eighties! Watching Gerard I was stunned because of the skills of keyboard player Toshio Egawa: with his digital Hammond Suzuki organ (connected with a real Leslie box) he evoked the best from Keith Emerson, what a dazzling runs and overwhelming sound! The high-tec Korg Trinity synthesizer enabled Toshio to sound mighty close to Eddie Jobson, at those moments Gerard seemed to be the Japanese answer to UK. But I also have to mention the very powerful and dynamic rhythm-section (the drummer is a kind of high- adrenalined Neil Peart!), they play an important role in the swirling sound of Gerard. The tracking list from this live album contains both material from their very early period (like "Orpheus Part 2", "Meridian" and "The act of apostles") as their latest CD's (songs from "Chaos", "Freedom" and "Pandora's box"). The Banco cover "La conquista della posizione eretta" showcases Gerard at their best. If you don't have a problem with super- bombastic instrumental keyboard driven progrock (with hints from ELP, Trace and UK), THIS CD IS A VERY EXCITING EXPERIENCE!!!

MAHOUJIN - Babylonia Suite
— This is one of the lesser known Japanese progrock bands. The instrumental keyboard- oriented progrock (synthesizers, piano, organ and delicate Mellotron flights) is a bit similar to bands like Triumvirat (Germany) and Northstar (USA): the sound is tasteful and features not much solowork but remarkable is the very dynamic rhythm-section, especially the bassplayer blew me away.

MARGE LITCH-FANTASIEN
- In 1986 this Japanese band formation started as a hardrock band and the y made 3 demos. From 1988 Marge Litch was more influenced by fellow Japanese bands Novela and Starless, both blende symphonic – and hardrock. After another 2 demos Marge Litch released their debut album “Fantasien” in 1990, eight years later we can enjoy a re-recorded version from that debut album. I needed a few session to get into their very varied progrock: classical and symphonic rock (orchestral keyboards), hardrock (heavy guitar riffs) and even opera (the vocals). This unique sound is delivered by good musicians, even the female vocalist (usually Japanese singers do have a bit squeeky voice!) and the compositions (most between 7 and 12 minutes) contains many surprising ideas and a clear sound. The keyboardplay is excellent, in the vein of Toshio Egawa (Novela, Gerard, Scheherazade). The guitarplayer showcases hit talents on the acoustic guitar in “Desire for wealth” (with echoes from John McLaughlin) and on the electric guitar in the captivating track “The sacred war” (a very moving solo). The highlight on this CD is the complex composition “Cruel alternative” featuring splendid keyboards (from majestic Mellotron to sparkling piano) and some great breaks. To be discovered!

MUGEN
- This Japanese progrock band was founded in ’78 by Katsuhiko Hayashi (keyboards) and Takashi Nakamura (vocals and keyboards). Not until ’84 Mugen released their first album “Sinfonia della luna”, a very mellow CD with classical guitar, beautiful waves of Mellotron and sensitive electric guitar solos. A few accellarations and bombastic movements keep a certain tension in the music. The keyboardplay is very TONY BANKS inspired. The second album “Leda et la cygne” (’86) sound most alternating but the third “The princess of kingdome gone” (’88) is a bit disappointing, it lacks any tension. Obviously the band ran out of ideas and soon Mugen disbanded. On all albums the high-pitched vocals are remarkable, a kind of classical trained JON ANDERSON.

The second album is considered as their best, thanks to contributions by Takashi Kawaguchi on violin (from OUTER LIMITS), Kazuhiro Miyatake on flute and Ikkou Nakujima on acoustic guitar (both from PAGEANT). The album has very strong classical overtones but showcases more explosive moments, due to the contribution of Takashi Kawaguchi (Outer Limits) on violin, Kazuhiro Miyatake on flute and acoustic guitar and Ikkou Nakujima (both from Pageant) on guitar). They lift this CD to a very pleasant level: elaborate compositions featuring classical guitar/violin, flute/Mellotron, electric guitar/church organ and classical orchestrations liek The Enid. The highlight on this CD is the long track "Edmond's Old Mirror" delivering bombastic keyboards in a dramatic atmosphere like Le Orme's finale on "Fellona E Sorona": awesome Mellotron flights, moving violin and some distorted electric guitar. The up-tempo song "Carmilla" (with synthesizer-runs like Rick Wakeman) shows the variety of this band.
AN ALBUM TO DISCOVER!

NOVELA - "La songerie"
— This Japanese progrock band was very popular in their own country, between 1980 and 1987 they made many albums. The line-up on their first albums included Terutsugu Hirayama (later he founded Teru's Symphonia) and keyboard virtuoso Toshio Egawa (later Gerard and Sheherazade). On their first four albums Novela sounded as a blend of hardrock and symphonic rock, later they turned more from 'heavy progressive' into a harder-edged rock band.
This debut album can be divided in short songs that are up- tempo with fiery and heavy guitarplay and a bit screamy vocals and long compositions with lush keyboards. My highlight on "La songerie" is the titletrack (running time 13.52). It starts very compelling with a bombastic climate featuring wonderful, very moving Mellotron waves and slow but powerful drum beats, goose bumps! Then the moods shifts from mellow (coloured by acoustic guitar, piano and harpsichord) to swinging (nice duet from piano and violin-Mellotron) and splendid bombastic eruptions with violin-Mellotron. After a short Spanish guitar solo the composition ends with a great 'grand finale' delivering wonderful Mellotron and a sensitive electric guitar solo, the final minute contain moving waves from the choir-Mellotron, again goose bumps!
This album is perhaps Novela their most progressive effort. In general they tend to sound a bit simple, the distinctive Japanese vocals (a bit high pitched, sometimes close to screamy) will not be everybody's cup of tea but the often breathtaking titletrack is almost worth buying this CD! And Toshio Egawa has a strong contribution by colouring the composition very tasteful with his keyboards. In Gerard he would deliver his best work!

OUTER LIMITS - The Scene of Pale Blue
— One of my favorite Japanese progrock albums is “The Scene Of Pale Blue” (1987) from OTER LIMITS. This record is generally considered as the best OUTER LIMITS ever made and one of the absolute highlights of the Japanese progrock scene. The mind blowing title track can compete with the best work from the symphonic dinosaurs: captivating skills on guitar and violin, many changing climates, great build ups and finales and compelling keyboard play, including majestic Mellotron eruptions and an impressive church organ sound. The distinctive Japanese vocals give an extra dimension to the climates. The other four tracks showcase OUTER LIMITS’ maturity in composing and deliver lots of great instrumental passages. The remastered CD (Musea) includes the strong bonu strack “Pteridophyte” (almost 9 minutes). Not to be missed in any serious prog head collection!

PAGEANT - La Mosaïque de la Rêverie
— The first album “La Mosaïque de la Rêverie” is one of the most acclaimed Japanese albums. The seven compositions contain twanging guitars, delicate flute, lush keyboards and sensitive electric guitar. It’s beautiful symphonic rock, very melodic and harmonic with strong hints from GENESIS, CAMEL and RENAISSANCE. The Japanese vocals (not always a strong point in the Japanese prog rock) sound convincing: powerful and high pitched. The climates changes from dreamy to bombastic with splendid build-ups and exciting ‘grand finales’. If you want to float on symphonic waves, let you take away by this CD from PAGEANT, later albums sound also good but were less symphonic.

PALE ACUTE MOON - Newtopia
— The only album Pale Acute Moon ever released contains tasteful arrangements but the influences from the British symphonic rock dinosaurs like Genesis, King Crimson, Yes and Pink Floyd are a bit too obvious! Some great keyboard soli on this CD are directly derived from several Rick Wakeman and Keith Emerson runs. This may be a challenge for progheads to do a game who can recognize the original work! I always wonder: is this blind worship or creative poverty?

PROVIDENCE - And I'll Recite An Old Myth
— If you are a Tron Maniac, don't miss this convincing debut-CD. It contains four long tracks, the first two have many influences from the jazzrock scene (with hints from Colosseum II) featuring good interplay between guitar and keyboards. The third song is in the vein of the early King Crimson with beautiful waves of the ubiquitous Mellotron along some changing climates with captivating guitarwork (from French progrock Atoll's Christian Beya). The final track contains spectacular breaks delivering exciting guitars and again wonderful Mellotron. GREAT ALBUM!!

SHINGETSU - Shingetsu
— This is a nice album that deserves to be discovered. The first and final track strongly evokes mid-Genesis (did Steve Hackett and Tony Banks some secret session work?). But the other tracks has a typical Japanese climate (warm and dreamy), it's very pleasant to hear the ethnic touches featuring acoutic guitar and flute. LOVELY MUSIC!

SOCIAL TENSION - It Reminds Me OF MacBethia
— “Welcome back my friends to the show that never ends, ladies and gentlemen, .. Social Tension!”. Altough SOCIAL TENSION sounds like an ‘ELP fan’s wet dream’, they do not deserve to be described as just an ELP clone. Keyboard player Nobuo ‘Kodomo’ Endoh is a virtuosic but he has a more varied an refined sound than Keith EMERSON, using synthesizers, organ, piano, harpsichord, strings, classical orchestrations and ... Mellotron (Keith EMERSON refuses to play this instrument, it would cause unemployment for classical musicians he used to say). This CD is a compilation from the two albums “MacBethia” and “It reminds Me Of Those Days”, fortunately the record company has deleted the lacklustre tracks from the second CD for this compilation. The result is a very impressive tribute to the wonderful “Pictures../Trilogy” years: seven spectacular and dynamic keyboard-driven symphonic rock compositions with bombastic keyboard play and a powerful, very propulsive rhythm-section. Highlights are the two ‘epic’ title tracks with lots of breaks, changing of atmospheres and amazing keyboards solos. Breathtaking!

VARIOUS ARTISTS - Keyboards Triangle
— This CD (the sub-title is “Keyboard trio tribute”) is a collaboration from two great, very sumptuous keyboard-driven bands: Ars Nova and Gerard. They have made their own versions of seven compositions from ELP (two tracks), TRACE, PFM, RICK WAKEMAN, IL BALLETTO DI BRONZO and BANCO. You can always argue about the value of playing covers. But in my opinion these two splendid Japanese progrock bands have succeeded in making an interesting cover-CD. First because all musicians are very talented, second they play so tight, dynamic and powerful and third both Ars Nova as Gerard have succesfully added their own, very sumptuous sound and musical vision to the original songs. If you listen to “Toccata” (from ELP) performed by Gerard, it’s incredible that this music can sound even more bombastic than the original! And in BANCO’s “La conquista della posizione eratta” you will be stunned by the Jobson-like violin sound from the Korg synthesizer and the superdynamic rhythm-section. The final part includes wonderful violin-Mellotron waves and slowly fading harpsicord play, beautiful. Ars Nova does very well in “Birds medley” (by Rick van der Linden’s TRACE), “Epilogo” from IL BALLETTO DI BRONZO (their album “Ys” is a captivating and alternating but very complex ‘classic’) and “Tarkus” (from ELP) featuring varied and exciting duo- keyboardplay (great Moog flights and classical orchestrations) and also a very dynamic and strong rhythm-section. Very surprising is the choir-Mellotron intro in “Tarkus”, Keith Emerson refuses to use this unique instrument. The other two tracks are from Gerard. First “Catharine Parr” (RICK WAKEMAN) that features the amazing talents from Toshio Egawa on keyboards (piano, organ, Mellotron, synthesizers), driven by that high- energy rhythm-section. Especially those parts with the GRIEG-inspired synthesizer flights, supported by lush organ and Mellotron waves, sound impressive. Second the known piece “Fourholes in the ground”, from PFM including those quick and catchy Moog runs and the violin-Mellotron waves. Gerard changes this song into an up-tempo piece with lots of bombastic keyboard sounds. Not every Italian progrock aficionado will be pleased with the result and I have to admit that on one hand I miss the warm atmosphere and Italian vocals but on the other hand Gerard has given their own, very distinctive dynamic and sumptuous turn to this song and they deserve credit for that is my opinion. IF YOU LIKE BOMBASTIC KEYBOARD-DRIVEN PROG, THIS CD IS A MUST!!

VIENNA - Progress - Last Live
— When Yukihiro Fujimura (typing Japanese names is like learning to skate!) left Gerard, he founded his own band and named it Vienna. After two studio-album Vienna released this live-album. The music features strong and fiery guitarplay (a lot of blistering soli), dazzling keyboards and many spectacular breaks. The band even plays a classical piece ("The planets" from Holst) but in general Vienna makes harder-edged progrock that lacks emotion and originality in the compositions altough the technical level is high. I prefer Gerard but if you like progrock with exciting heavy metal guitar, Vienna could be worth listening.
 
 

JAPANESE PROGROCK SPECIAL

 

In the early Nineties I wrote frequently about the Japanese progrock for the Dutch progrock paper SI Magazine because we often received promo CD’s from Japan and because I  ordered albums from the Japanese progrock service Marquee. Here is a compilation of bands that are (still) not added on Prog Archives, mainly because I cannot trace biographies.

 

Rosalia-Zillion Tears (mini-CD)

This is a female five piece band, keyboard player Naomi Miura played on the keyboard compilation CD King’s Boards with a strong but quite experimental contribution. The album Zillion Tears starts with freaky sounds on the Mellotron, followed by a wide range of classical elements. The other three tracks are a bit average symphonic prog with mediocre vocals, only Naomi her keyboardwork makes impression: lots of fluent synthesizer flights and organ runs. A nice album (running time at about 20 minutes) but nothing really special except for the collectors of rare prog.

 

Bohemian Symphony Project-Bohemian Symphony

This special project is a tribute to the late Freddie Mercury, two years after he passed away. It features known Japanese progrock musicians like Terutsugu Hirayama and Toshio Egawa. I had expected a bombastic sound as the typical Japanese progrock element, it would have been matched perfectly with the often bombastic parts in the Queen music. But the Bohemian Symphony Project produces a quite subdued classical sound, I could hardly recognize songs like Radio Gaga, Bicycle Race and We AreThe Champions (it lacks power). In general the songs on this CD sound very beautiful and pure but I miss the fiery Brian May guitar work and the expressive, often theatrical Freddie Mercury vocals. The best tracks are the more powerful or expressive renditions like Love Of My Life (wonderful, very moving electric guitar play), You Take My Breath Away (lush strings an dpiano work) and You’re My Best Friend (great interplay between classical guitar and violins). My highlights are Somebody To Love (the violin replaces the vocals very impressive and we can enjoy a strong guitar solo), the legendary Bohemian Rhapsody (great classical orchestrations) and Save Me (exciting bobmastic atmosphere). An interesting album but don’t expect the usual Queen sound.

 

Ishizawa & Co. – Glass Castle

This an overlooked album that deserves more attention. The first track Dream Dust opens with the longing and high pitched vocals by a female singer along some jazzy piano. Then dreamy guitar work, culminating in a final part with swelling keyboards and a fiery guitar solo. Next is Nightwings with first a mellow part, followed by heavier atmosphere, very compelling with a captivating contrast between paino and harder-edged guitar play. The titletrack is very alternating with strong vocals, lots of breaks, sparkling keyboards and propulsive guitar riffs. Then Ishizawa & Co. surprises us with a jazzrock instrumental delivering great scale acrobatics on guitar and a powerful rhythm-section. Next are Variations Of Arpeggio’s (nice but a bit too long), Love Songs (dreamy with beautiful guitar and vocals and strong soli on guitar and varied keyboards) and finally Saisei (lots of shifting moods, breaks and outstanding guitar work). This is one of the better releases in an era (early Nineties) that delivered few interesting Japanese progrock releases.

 

Kanzeon-Kanzeon

This CD contains two songs recorded in the studio in 1991, two live songs  from 1981 and a studio track from 1980. The first song (studio 1991) starts with lighting (like Black Sabbath), then a jazzrock climate with powerful soli on guitar and keyboards, it reminds me of Al DiMeola. The two live 1981 songs deliver a slow rhythm with again strong soli on guitar and keyboards and a Thijs Van Leer (Focus) sounding flute sound. We can also enjoy those typical Japanese bombastic prog atmospheres and biting electric guitar but at some moments the music fails to keep my attention. This is also the case in the 1980 studio-track despite a wonderful Pink Floyd inspired sound with beautiful keyboard and guitar play. The final song (studio 1991) is really boring so my conclusion is that with less it would have been more.

 

Maria-Maria

This is an album from 1976 with a bit sloppy production and an average bootleg sound. The music alternates between symphonic prog and hardrock and even some blues and flamenco (a rhythm based on a malaguenas). The music reminds me of Jane, a band that also blended symphonic prog, hardrock and blues with compelling keyboards. A nice effort, no more or less.

 

Negasphere-Negasphere 1985-1986

This band was rooted in the early Seventies but it lasted until 1984 before the band released their debut album Castle In The Air, the only surviving member is keyboard player Kaoru Kawasaki. In 1985 Negasphere released their second album Disadvantage, then there is silence. Because of a serie of re-releases of Japanese prog between 1970 and 1990 th eknow Japanese progrock label has released this compilation CD that contains four songs from 1985 and four songs from 1986. Some songs evoke Kitaro and Mike Oldfield but in general the main inspiration is UK, the keyboardplayer sounds as the second coming of Eddie Jobson! He is very omnipresent along some work on guitar and a short drumsolo. A special guest appearance is by Novalis member Detlev Job, did he travel to Japan to join Negasphere for playing one track? Anyway, an interesting album for the Eddie Jobson aficionados but don’t expect strong compositions, the focus is on the keyboards.

 

Starless-Song Of Silence

On this CD Starless is turning from a hardrock band in to a heavy progressive formation with my Japanese keyboard hero Toshio Egawa as the extra prog dimension with his excellent ultra-bombastic sound. In general Starless sounds quite heavy but the keyboards and the mellow tracks with acoustic guitar make this CD woth to check out for progheads, especially the alternating titletrack with lots of breaks, a varied instrumentation (piano, guitar, saxophone, synthesizer) and a captivating contrast between the biting guitar and Don Airey-like keyboards.

 

                  

 
 


Edited by erik neuteboom - September 09 2007 at 19:52
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    THE SPANISH PROGRESSIVE ROCK :

 

                       PART ONE : THE PROG ANDALUZ

 

TRIANA, the band that spearheaded the Prog Andaluz 
Triana%20picture 
AZAHAR - Elixir

- This Spanish four-piece band made two fine albums, this is their first one. It’s released in a beautiful digipack FOC that contains the lyrics, a band picture, a short story and the tracking-list. If you compare AZAHAR’s music to TRIANA, MEDINA AZAHARA or MEZQUITA their sound on the nine compositions (between 3 and 6 minutes) is more laidback and more atmospheric, featuring tasteful keyboards (lush Solina string-ensemble waves, warm piano chords, sumptuous synthesizer runs), sensitive, often howling electric guitar, some fine flamenco guitar and strong, typical Spanish vocals (emotional and expressive). The running time is only 37 minutes but here it’s quality above quantity. A nice album but their next (and final) eponymous album is their best.

 

AZAHAR - Azahar

- In the early Nineties I bought a few Sirius magazines (former Spanish progrock fanzine) in order to improve my poor school Spanish. I noticed an add in which the known Spanish proghead Angel Romero was offering his entire progrock LP collection. I got in touch with him (we shared a negative view on the awful tradition of bullfights!) and he explained that he was suffering from an increasing dust-allergy, how sad. I asked him for advise to buy Spanish progrock records from him. Nowadays AZAHAR’s second eponymous album is still one of my favorites, the debut-album was entitled “Elixer”. The difference between these two CD’s (released by Fonomusic) is that the second sound far more mature. The eight compositions (running time between 2 and 10 minutes) are more varied and elaborated. The guitarplay is sensitive featuring short but powerful soli and some exciting flamenco guitarwork. The Spanish vocals has a typical Spanish undertone, very warm and expressive. The keyboards sound lush and have a pleasant variety: strings, organ, synthesizers, clavinet and acoustic – and electric piano. The rhythm-section plays dynamic, Spanish people have a natural feeling for rhythm! This CD is a very fine example of the unique Spanish progrock: harmonic, melodic and tasteful compositions above self- indulgence.

 

CAI - Noche Abierta

- CAI was a harmonic Spanish quintet with Diego Fopiani Macias (drums/vocals), Jose A. Fernandez Mariscall (guitar), Francisco Delgado Gonzalez (guitar), Sebastian Dominguez Lozano (keyboards and piano) and Jose Velez Gomez (bass/vocals). They released three albums entitled "Mas Alla Mentes Diminutas" (’78), "Noche Abierta" (’80) and "Cancion De La Primavera" (’81). The second and third album are released as a 1-CD. The album "Noche abierta" (1980) is one of the gems of Spanish progressive rock. The seven tracks sound pleasant with warm Spanish vocals, tasteful keyboards (piano, strings, synthesizers and organ) and sensitive electric guitar. The integration of "the art of the flamenco" guitar gives this progrock an extra dimension. If you like melodic and tasteful seventies prog, embellished with some flamenco, this one is for you!

 

GUADALQUIVIR - Guadalquivir

- Once Gualdalquivir was the support act from Spanish legend Triana and they also were the support-band for another Spanish rock legend named Miguel Rios. The music from Guadalquivir is instrumental progressive jazzrock/fusion on a high level, it reminds of Return To Forever: tight, powerful, excellent soli and dynamic and pleasant compositions. I’m delighted about the guitarplayers, one of them sounds like the Andalusian Carlos Santana! If you want to discover Guadalquivir, start with their first eponymous album.

 

MARTIN, JUAN - Picasso Portraits       Juan%20Martin%20-%20Picasso%20Portraits%20album%20review,%20Mp3,%20track%20listing

- Juan Martin is a flamenco player who wanted to broaden his musical horizon, just like PACO DE LUCIA did by founding a trio with JOHN MACLAUGHIN and AL DIMEOLA in the early Eighties. Juan moved to England, wrote books about the flamenco guitar technique and played together with rock musicians. This album is one of his many musical projects and in my opinion his best and a great one to discover for the visitors and reviewers of this site. On this album Juan Martin has invited an impressive list of guest musicians: drummer IAN MOSLEY (TRACE/MARILLION), bass player JOHN GUSTAFSON (QUATERMASS/ROXY MUSIC), SIMON PHILLIPS (one of the best session drummers) and keyboardist TONY HYMAS (both on the splendid JEFF BECK albums “Wired” and “There and back”). The result is an exciting meeting between the world of the flamenco guitar and the progressive rock, this is one of my favorite LP’s and recently released as a digitally remastered CD version.

1. Harlequin: First soaring keyboards from Tony Hymas and then exciting interplay between the quick flamenco guitar runs and a dynamic rhythm-section (Phillips/Gustafson), embellished by the typical flamenco handclapping.

2. Desire Caught By The Tail: This is a sensitive duet from the flamenco guitar and the synthesizer (Memorymoog). Halfway there is a sensational break featuring sweeping drums, spectacular synthesizer sounds and rattling castannettes followed by a mid-tempo with splendid runs on the guitar and a fine colouring by the keyboards.

3. Three Musicians: We can enjoy a swinging and catchy rhythm with a funky bass by John G. Perry, powerful drums from Ian Mosley and exciting rasgueado play (quick downward strokes from the nails on the guitar strings).

4. Sleeping Girl: This piece is in the vein of the famous romantic guitar piece “Romance d’amor” delivering a sensitive duet from a twanging acoustic guitar and mellow sparkling piano, WONDERFUL!

5. Self Portrait: The start is like “Spanish caravan” from The Doors: a bit sultry flamenco guitar, culminating in spectacular and propulsive interplay between the flamenco guitar, rhythm-section (Mosley/Perry) and keyboards, it sounds pleasantly bombastic.

6. The Aficionado: An exciting blend of typcial flamenco elements (based a ‘bulerias’, one of the more complex flamenco rhythms) and the technical sound of the progrock: handclapping and quick flamenco runs blended with a funky bass (Gustafson) and pitchbend-driven Moog flights from Hymas, VERY SPECTACULAR!

7. Girls Of Algiers: This one is based on a ‘zambra mora’, the most Arabian-influenced flamenco rhythms. First swelling keyboards, drums and bass, then great interplay between the flamenco guitar, keyboards and rhytm-section, its sounds very dynamic. The tension between the spectacular Moog flights from Hymas and the quick runs on the flamenco guitar delivers a captivating climate, in the end there is a magnificent duel, this is perhaps the finest moment on this album!

8. Weeping Woman: Here is the only solo guitar track from Juan Martin, it introduces you to the wonderful art of the flamenco guitar and sounds very varied with halfway a great build-up, very moving.

9. The Picador: The ‘malaguena’ is perhaps the most famous flamenco rhythm, you will recognize it for sure! It is a cheerful climate with catchy and powerful interplay from the flamenco guitar, rhythm-section and keyboards featuring sensational Moog runs. Halfway the music slows down and then goes faster and faster until an ebullient atmosphere, what a ‘grand finale’! This album is not just another smooth rumba-drenched blend of flamenco and rock but an excellent meeting of the flamenco guitar and the progressive rock, highly recommended!!

 

MEDINA AZAHARA - En Al-Hakim 

— This my favorite studio-album from MEDINA AZAHARA, in my opinion their most mature, varied and symphonic effort. The opener “Al Hakim ... otro lugar” has that typical Morish climate, strong and expressive Spanish vocals and pleasant synthesizer flights (in the vein of Mark Kelly). The ballad “Otono” has become one of the ‘crowd-pleasers’: a slow rhythm featuring emotional vocals, tender pianoplay, bluesy guitar riffs and some fiery and howling electric guitar. Next is “Velocidad”, a simple but catchy up-tempo rock song delivering some fine synthesizer runs. On “La guitarra” guest musician Vicente Amigo (nowadays one of the leading flamenco guitarists!) enters the scene with a compelling acoustic guitar intro and then quick runs, accompanied by expressive vocals (this is the flamenco spirit) and later a fiery electric guitar and sensational synthesizer flights, what an exciting contrast with the acoustic flamenco guitar play! It’s bluestime in “El destino” but MEDINA AZAHARA adds an extra dimension by blending expressive flamenco guitar, moving mouth-organ, wailing Spanish vocals and harder-edged electric guitar, what an emotional experience, goose bumps! “Dejame vivir” (heavy electric guitar solo) and “Tal como es” (swinging piano solo) are two simple up-tempo rocksongs in the vein of “Velocidad”, tasteful but predictable. The final track “Desde Cordoba” features again the excellent Vicente Amigo on flamenco guitar, this time he delivers exciting duels with Paco Ventura’s hard-edged electric guitar, again goose bumps!

 

MEDINA AZAHARA - En Vivo (Live)

— This is the most popular Spanish rock band in the post-TRIANA era. In 1990 they released the double-LP “En Vivo”, on this live recording the band succeeded to capture the great live atmosphere and it contains all their best work. MEDIANA AZAHARA delivers on my 1- CD release version “En Vivo” (running time almost 75 minutes) a powerful blend of rock and ‘heavy progressive’. The keyboards from Pablo Rabadan have obvious hints from Mark Kelly (synthesizer flights), Manual Martinez his vocals sound inspired and emotional and the rhythm-section Randy Lopez on bass and Manuel Reyes on drums is strong and tight (sometimes too). But the focus is on Francisco Ventura’s varied and powerful guita rplay, he gives the tasteful arranged compositions a special flavour with his harder-edged but sensitive play, like Ritchie BLACKMORE meets Carlos SANTANA! Discover this top notch Spanish prog rock band: from the catchy “Velocidad”, the beautiful ballad “Otono”, the stage favourites “Amiga”, “Se” and “Hacia Ti” to the highlight “Paseando Por La Mezquita” (compelling Morish undertone and moving crowd participation, goose bumps!) and the up- tempo rock version from “El Lago”, a legendary track from TRIANA’s eponymous debut- album.

 

MEZQUITA - Recuerdos De Mi Tierra     

— The album ”Recuerdos De Mi Tierra” from ’79 contains six inventive and compelling tracks with exciting interplay between electric guitar and synthesizer, strong and expressive Spanish vocals, the emotional flamenco guitar and some handclapping (palmas). This is certainly one of my favourite Spanish prog rock albums because the atmosphere has such a typical Morish and Andalusian undertone like early TRIANA.

 

TRIANA - El Patio 

— TRIANA is the most legendary and pivotal progressive rock band in Spain. Their stunning debut-album “El Patio” (1975) was a seminal blend of flamenco and prog rock and paved the way to flamenco-inspired prog rock in Spain, culminating in bands like AZAHAR, CAI, ALAMEDA, QUALDAQUIVIR, MEZQUITA and MEDINA AZAHARA. The opener on “El Patio” is “Abre La Puerta” (almost 10 minutes), it starts with choir-Mellotron, piano and flamenco guitar (tremolo-technique). Then the typical sensitive and skill full flamenco guitar blends with piano and soft synthesizer chords. A fluent and tight rhythm-section carries the music to a powerful acceleration with the typical flamenco vocals, expressive and a bit wailing. The rest of this song contains lots of shifting moods that range from mellow with flamenco guitar and choir-Mellotron to propulsive with powerful drums and howling electric guitar, very moving. Most of the other six compositions are in the vein of “Abre La Puerta”: beautiful shifting climates with typical flamenco elements like palmas (handclapping), rasgueado (quick downward strikes across all strings) and picados (quick runs on the guitar with two fingers), along with tasteful keyboards (organ, synthesizers, Mellotron and piano) and fine electric guitar play. The final two tracks are splendid compositions: beautiful interplay between the flamenco – and electric guitar and a bombastic finale with rasgueado, organ and electric guitar in “En El Lago” and powerful drums and a howling and biting electric guitar in “Recuerdos De Una Noche”. If you are up to the typical flamenco mood or you want to discover this perfect marriage of folk and sympho, try this album. For me it’s one of the few CD’s that can compete with the Seventies prog rock from YES, ELP, KING CRIMSON and GENESIS!

 

TRIANA - Hijos Del Agobio

— This album is in the vein of their debut LP featuring a wonderful and exciting blend of symphonic rock and flamenco. This ethnic music comes from Andalusia where the poor gypsies sublimated their misery into music, this often culminated in very emotional results. The songs on "Hijos del agobio" delivers an unique tension between the the flamenco elements (waling Spanish vocals and the art of the flamenco guitar) and the electric guitar and keyboards (vintage sound). WHAT AN EMOTIONAL EXPERIENCE! By the way, in the same year most members from Triana and Granada joined flamenco guitarist Diego De Moron on his eponymous album (on Fonomusic). If you like flamenco guitar DON'T MISS THIS CD: the focus is on playing the flamenco guitar but many songs delivers a combination with lush keyboards (string-ensemble, synthesizers), VERY EXCITING!!

 

VEGA - Andaluza

- In the early Nineties I bought some Spanish progrock magazines (Sirius) in order to improve my ‘one-year-Spanish’ and to discover more of the exciting world of Spanish progressive rock. In one Sirius I noticed an add in which Angel Romero (a known Spanish proghead from Madrid who later moved to the USA) offered his entire progrock LP collection because of a dust-allergy. I felt like a vulture but it was no problem to him, he was happy with my appreciation for the socalled Rock Andaluz, the wonderful blend of Spanish flamenco and progrock. I asked him for advise and bought albums from Cai, Azahar and Vega. On this debut LP guitarplayer Tomas Vega delivers a pleasant progressive blend of flamenco and rock.

1. Triana (3:55): This track is a transition from Spanish composer Isaac Albeniz his work. It contains a cheerful climate and a swinging rhythm-section featuring jazzy inspired flamenco guitar runs, a bit polished string-arrangements and an exciting duel between flowing electric guitar and fast flamenco guitar.

2. Zona rosa (5:53): The first and final part sounds romantic with warm flamenco guitar and tender acoustic piano runs. In between a swinging rhythm and splendid flamenco guitar work, great electric guitar overdubs (howling with echoes from early Triana), propulsive conga percussion and a dynamic rhythm-section.

3. Origen (5:07): This song delivers the most obvious Morish atmosphere (for many years Andalusia was occupied by the Arabs in medieval times): a mid-tempo with an adventurous rhythm-section, exciting flamenco guitar and fiery electric guitar (again some great overdubs), evoking bands like Triana, Mezquita and Iceberg (also Rock Andaluz).

4. Arco Iris (3:30): It starts with warm and sensitive flamenco guitar and soaring strings. Then an accellaration delivering a mid-tempo with powerful electric guitar, sparkling Fender Rhodes piano and again exciting flamenco guitar play.

5. Andaluza (5:32): The titletrack (a transition from Spanish composer Enrique Granados) has a romantic undertone due to the romantic string- arrangements, bringing Alameda to my mind. The jazz inspired flamenco guitar work reminds me strongly of the pivotal and innovative flamenco guitarist Paco De Lucia, outstanding!

6. Lamentos (6:06): The final song delivers great interplay, sensational electric guitar overdubs and alternates between mellow with romantic piano and sensitive flamenco guitar and swinging with fiery electric guitar (an Andalusian undertone).

Essential spanish progrock!!

 

 

                 THE SPANISH PROGRESSIVE ROCK:

 

PART TWO : THE PAST:

 

ATILA - Intencion & Reviure     Atila%20picture

- The Spanish band ATILA was formed in ’73 and made three LP’s: “The Beginning of the End” (’75), “Intencion” (’76) and Reviure (’77). At the end of ’78 the band dissolves but in ’99 they reformed. In the same year this ATILA did a reunion-concert, playing their best material. The sound of ATILA has elements from VANILLA FUDGE, CREAM, The NICE and ELP but in general ... it’s ATILA! The remastered second album “Intencion” (considered as their best) and a concert from ’99 are put on 1-CD (entitled “Atila: Intencion + Reviuvre”), this is a treat for the lovers of ‘vintage-keyboards’ (Hammond, Moog, Mellotron) with some mind blowing moments (swirling organ and fat Moog runs) but the guitar work is also worth listening, a bit harder-edged but very inventive, at some moments with a Spanish flavour. The songs from the live-concert (’99) are more original and belong to the best Spanish prog rock ever made: intense, compelling and exciting climates and shifting moods (a bit like the Italian Il BALLETTO DI BRONZO but less complex) with lots of great solos. Recommended to the fans of Seventies inspired prog rock.

 

AZABACHE-Días De Luna

- As a fan from Spanish flamenco inspired band Azahar I was curious to their offshoot named Azabache. After a first listening session I concluded that the music has echoes from Azahar but more polished and a less Spanish flavored atmosphere. In fact I was a bit disappointed but when I gave it another chance, I started to appreciate it more and more. The compositions sound melodic and often accessible but the arrangements are very tasteful with beautiful colouring of the keyboards (piano, lush strings, short synth soli and guitarwork (some great howling soli). The vocals are disctinctive, sometimes a bit high pitched but they sound warm and inspired. The ‘magnum opus’ on this CD is the composition “Algun dia” (7.22): lots of changing climates (from mellow acoustic guitars and swinging to bombastic and propulsive with echoes from “The gates of delirium” from Yes), excellent guitar soli (from bluesy and rock to fiery). A wonderful and elaborated progrock gem from spain.

 

BLOQUE - Musica Para La Libertad

- I purchased this album when I reacted on an add in the former Spanish progrock magazine “Sirius”. Spanish proghead Angel Romero (now living in the USA) offered his entire LP collection because of his ‘dust-allergy’. How sad for him, how lucky for me! This album is a good example of the unique and delicate Spanish progrock.

The first two tracks Pesadilla De Vivir and El Poder De La Libertad are tasteful mid-tempo rock songs with strong vocals and nice work on guitar. The third Anoranza is very beautiful featuring a kind of bluesy symphonic rock with warm Spanish vocals and wonderful choir-Mellotron waves. The final song on side 1 entitled Camino Del Universo sounds pleasant and catchy delivering delicate and varied work on keyboards and fine rhythm guitar. Side two starts with the catchy track Tau Ceti featuring a tight and propulsive rhythm-section, lots of powerful and fiery electric guitar runs and some beautiful choir-Mellotron, what a captivating combination! Then Detinido De La Materia, an alternating piece with strong electric guitar work along powerful Spanish vocals, fiery saxophone and wonderful keyboard sounds.

 

CRACK - Si Todo Hiciera Crack

- This Spanish band came from Gijon, the northern part of the Iberian Peninsula. Their only album “Si Todo Hiciera Crack” (1980) is one of the jewels of the Spanish progressive rock. It contains seven tracks, all with a beautiful harmony between keyboards, guitar and flute. There are hints of early GENESIS (sensitive piano chords and moving Mellotron waves) and JETHRO TULL (flute) but the typical Spanish climate and the elaborate compositions makes this album to an enthralling and emotional experience.

 

FUSIOON - Minorisa

- FUSIOON is a Spanish quartet, in the first half of the Seventies they released three albums entitled “Fusioon I” (1972), “Fusioon II” (1974) and “Minorisa” (1975). Their best effort is the third record entitled “Minorisa”, containing three long tracks. The first two tracks are an amazing blend of KING CRIMSON, GENTLE GIANT, ELP and even TANGERINE DREAM (flute- Mellotron like the “Phaedra-era”) with lots of captivating musical moments, lush keyboards and strong interplay (guitar, keyboards, flute, bass). The third song is a maverick: a kind of sound collage, very electronic like TANGERINE DREAM, SYNERGY and Klaus Schulze with flute Mellotron, all kind of synthesizer sounds and fat Moog runs, a bit weird and not really satisfying end of this good album.

 

GOTIC - Escenes

- This is a re-release from one of the Spanish progrock gems, the album Escenes (1978) from Gotic. In the first track you will love the plesant sound from the Fender Rhodes electric piano and the soaring, very distinctive string-ensemble. The melodic and harmonic, very warm climate and the flute play evokes early Camel, this is the most obvious reference on this album. At some moments Gotic surprises us with a fat Moog sound, the swinging underrated clavinet, a church organ piece or a fiery electric guitar solo. But in general the music is a beautiful blend of folk, jazz and symphonic featuring interesting work on flute, Fender and strings. The final, very alternating composition (running time 10 minutes) is the highlight delivering many great instrumental ideas, a strong build-up and a wonderful theme. These musicians play with pleasure and there music is fine progrock. A band to discover!

 

GRANADA - Hablo de Una Tierra

- GRANADA was the musical project of multi-instrumentalist Carlos Carcamo: flute, violin, acoustic – and electric piano, mellotron, clavicordio, 12-string guitar, percussion and vocals! The debut-album “Hablo De Una Tierra” (1975) is their most original album in my opinion and a good example of the original Spanish approach towards progrock. The six compositions sound very varied (from rock and bluesy to Latin and symphonic) with strong Spanish vocals, powerful guitar (some biting solos), pleasant keyboards (many beautiful Mellotron waves) and IAN ANDERSON inspired fluteplay. The titletrack includes a splendid and very unique duet from the Mellotron and flamenco guitar of guest-musician Manolo Sanlucar, goose bumps!

 

ICEBERG - Tutankhamon 

— This Spanish band ICEBERG came (like Manuel from Fawlty Towers) from Barcelona. Their debut album “Tutankhamon” (1975) is the most ‘symphonic’ release: tasteful songs with many shifting moods, ranging from fluent with biting and howling, wah-wah drenched guitar solos to dreamy with floods of choir-Mellotron and tender Fender Rhodes piano. The vocals are often passionate and the interplay between guitar and keyboards is flowing. Recommended.. !

 

 



Edited by erik neuteboom - October 25 2007 at 05:08
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  ...THE PROGRESSIVE ROCK IN THE UK

 

         Part One - The Past:

 

Bram%20Stoker%20-%20Heavy%20Rock%20Spectacular%20/%20Schizo-Poltergeist%20album%20review,%20Mp3,%20track%20listing
 
ARZACHEL - Arzachel

— Many years ago I purchased this CD, unfortunately the recording quality was very poor (it must have been a bootleg recording). But the music blew me away, what a great compelling psychedelic inspired music! The excellent work from Mr. Hillage and Mr. Stewart (they had to use pseudonyms) are magnificent. After reading the recent euphoric review on Prog Archives I will try to find a decent recorded CD from this outstanding album!

 

ATOMIC ROOSTER - The First 10 Explosive Years

— In 1970 guitarist and vocalist John DuCann joined Atomic Rooster and he immediately went on tour with the band. When bass player Graham left the band keyboardist Crane refused to replace him and started playing bass lines on the lower part of Hammond organ. To compensate the fact that he couldn't use his left hand to press down chords on the lower manual he created a 'burning' style of playing, often in furious interplay with DuCann. When Carl Palmer left Atomic Rooster to join Keith Emerson and Greg Lake left for supergroup ELP Rick Parnell shortly replaced him. John and Vincent were not satisfied about his skills and had to replace him by Paul Hammond, an extremely good drummer from a local band called Farm. Soon the trio started to develop their influential 'heavy progressive' sound: hard edged progressive music with a swirling Hammond B3 organ and fiery guitarplay. The interplay between John's guitar and Vince organ is hot and often furious. In fact this powerful sound was the precursor to 'progressive metal', many metal- acts from The Eighties pointed at Atomic Rooster as their main source. In '89 it was all over for Atomic Rooster because of Crane's tragical death, he commited suicide. On this great compilation (my favorite Atomic Rooster CD) you will be blown away by the dynamic sound, loaded with short but magnificent soli on guitar and organ, energetic drums and powerful vocals. DISCOVER THE FIRST 10 EXPLOSIVE YEARS BY THIS UNDERRATED BAND!

 

BARCLAY JAMES HARVEST (BJH) - Barclay James Harvest live

— In the late Seventies I bought the double-album entitled “Live Tapes” (1978) from BARCLAY JAMES HARVEST, mainly because of the picture from keyboard player Wooly Wolstenhome, surrounded by a wonderful range of analogue keyboards: Hammond C3, Mellotron M300 and M400, ARP Pro Solist synthesizer, ARP String-ensemble and a MiniMoog. I was blown away by their music but then I discovered that BARCLAY JAMES HARVEST had made another live album simply titled “Live” from 1974. This 2-LP is still my ‘ultimate progrock Mellotron album’: lots of majestic waves of the Mellotron, beautifully blended with the warm vocals, sensitive electric guitarwork and a good rhythm-section. I don’t understand why the press invented the humilating nickname ‘Poor Man’s Moody Blues’ for BARCLAY JAMES HARVEST. Of course their roots were obvious The BEATLES and The MOODY BLUES but BARCLAY JAMES HARVEST developped their own, unique sound: so melodic and harmonic and the interplay between the Mellotron and electric guitar is so compelling and moving. TRON MANIACS ALERT!!!

 

BEGGAR'S OPERA — Act One Beggars Opera

- What a mindblowing debut-album this is! The very melodic and harmonic music from this five-piece band is based upon an incredible dynamic and propulsive rhythm-section and splendid, very exciting Hammond organ work, often accompanied by a powerful and fiery electric guitar. The interplay between the musicians is magnificent and the excertions on keyboards and guitar are very compelling, in the spirit of the late Sixties and early Seventies. The vocals are also worth to be mentioned: distinctive with an enthusiastic approach and often a bit cynical undertone but at some moments also warm and plesant. The highlight on this CD is the track "Raymond's road" featuring awesome guitarsoli (inspired by Hendrix and Page)and exciting work on the Hammond organ in the vein of the best Keith Emerson, including short renditions of known classical pieces from Bach and Grieg. An excellent album that will please every hammond aficionado and fans from the early seventies progrock sound!!

 

BEGGAR'S OPERA - Water of Change

— This second album from Beggar's Opera is more refined than the exciting but not very original and elaborated first LP. Most compositions are build upon pleasant organ and Mellotron, warm, distinctive vocals and flowing, a bit fiery electric guitarwork. They sound accesible and melodic but the arrangements are very tasteful delivering beautiful and varied climates, from dreamy to up-tempo. It makes the second album from Beggar's Opera to a great progrock experience. The best had yet to come with their third but this is warm and tasteful, early seventies progrock!!

 

BRAM STOKER — Heavy Rock Spectacular / Schizo-Poltergeist

- Here is a gem from the Early British Progressive Rock Movement, unfortunately it was both a painstaking as a hardly impossible task to find information from this elusive band. Bram Stoker was a one shot band that released their album in 1972 under the title Heavy Rock Spectacular. In 1999 the label Audio Archive released the album with the same tracks but a different cover (to be seen along with this review) as a reissue CD, a year later the label Black Widow released it with the original artwork and in 2003 the label Akarma released it as CD reissue in a mini LP gatefold sleeve.

The eight melodic and dynamic compositions are Hammond organ drenched, the electric guitar is often distorted (fuzz) delivering some fiery soli but in general it is on the background. Bram Stoker their sound has elements from Atomic Rooster (Born to be free), ELP (Fast decay) and often Beggar's Opera, mainly due to the classical organ sound (for example Bach's Toccata In D-Fuga in Fast Decay and the long Fingal's Cave) and the pleasant vocals. The track Blitz has some Spanish flavored guitar undertones and sounds a bit dark. The final, horror-like song Poltergeist features floods of classical inspired organ. If you like Hammond drenched seventies progrock, I highly recommended this cd!!

 

COLOSSEUM II - Electric Savage

— In fact this is a supergroup featuring Gary Moore on guitar, Don Airey on keyboards and Jon Hiseman on drums along John Mole on bass. Apart from the smooth and polished track "Rivers" (fortunately the only vocal performance!) this CD is a very captivating and alternating blend of blues, jazz, symphonic and classic delivering a very dynamic and adventurous rhythm-section, many exciting soli on guitar and keyboards and splendid interplay between the 'vintage' sound (Minimoog, Hammond, string-ensemble, clavinet, Fender Rhodes piano) from Don Airey (at this moment a Deep Purple member) and the harder-edged guitar runs from Gary Moore. EXCELLENT!!

 

COLOSSEUM II - War Dance

- In the late Seventies I was on a ‘vintage-keyboard-quest’, scrutinizing all the covers of the albums in my favourite record-shops on pictures of musicians playing Moog synthesizer, Hammond organ, Fender Rhodes piano, Hohner clavinet or Mellotron. I got excited when I noticed a certain Don Airey using the famous Minimoog, it was on the album “Electric Savage” by COLOSSEUM II. The line-up was sensational featuring Jon Hiseman on drums and Gary Moore on guitar (along John Mole on bass). I was delighted about “Electric Savage” but their next LP “Wardance” (1977) is my favourite one, it sounds more mature than the other two records. The rhythm-section is amazing, what a dynamic and propulsive sound. Don Airey plays lots of great solos (Minimoog, Fender Rhodes, Hammond organ) and Gary Moore delivers his best work, his guitar play is more varied and subtle than during his blues – and heavy metal days (a blistering, wah-wah drenched solo in “Star Maiden/Mysterioso/Quasar and a mind blowing guitar-overdub duet with Spanish guitar and fiery electric guitar). But the most thrilling element on this album is the interplay between Don Airey’s spectacular Minimoog flights and Gary Moore’s biting electric guitar. The crappy “Castles” (boring vocals and boring climate) keeps this album from a ‘five-star- award’, the other seven instrumental tracks are splendid symphonic jazz rock!

 

CRAFT - Craft

— In the mid-Eighties I visited my favorite record store “Manus” in The Hague when the owner pointed me at this album. He was sure that I would like it as a fan from THE ENID, he explained that Craft had some The Enid members in their line-up. Indeed, it was not a disappointment ... to use an understatement!

1 : Aries – 5.52

The first encounter with Craft their music evokes THE ENID but with a more modern sound and less bombastic. The contrast between the classical keyboards and the fiery electric guitar is captivating. The climates fluently changes from mellow to bombastic featuring wonderful classical orchestrations and ARP Pro Solist-like synthesizer flights.

2 : Taurus – 3.53

This is a bit dreamy piece with tender piano play, a soothing bass and soaring keyboards, topped by slow and sensitive electric guitar runs.

3 : Gemini – 7.11

The climate is bombastic featuring a propulsive beat and great interplay between the classical sounding keyboards and the harder-edged electric guitar. After a fiery electric guitar solo we hear wonderful orchestral keyboards, perfectly in balance with the guitar, it sounds compelling with a Wagnerian undertone.

4 : Cancer – 6.56

This track has some mellow atmospheres but in general it features a propulsive drum beat with bombastic keyboards and fiery electric guitar, this is the typical Craft sound, a captivating blend of classic (keyboards), symphonic and rock (guitar).

5 : Leo – 8.35

Again a propulsive drum beat and great sounding keyboards, this time organ and mid- Emerson-like synthesizer flights. The climates changes fluently and the fiery electric guitar is omnipresent, it gives the music an extra dimension.

6 : Virgo 2.27

A short and classical sounding song that has the most obvious echoes from THE ENID. Very refined and beautiful classical orchestrations.

 

DRUID - Toward the Sun

— Here’s another acclaimed YES-oriented progrock band named DRUID. In ’75 they released their debut-LP “Towards The Sun” and a year later a second album entitled “Fluid Druid”. Their first effort is their best: fluent and melodic songs, layered with Mellotron, often in combination with sensitive electric guitar work. The echoes from YES are obvious: lots of vocal harmonies, a Chris SQUIRE-like bass, WAKEMANesque keyboards and even the high- pitched vocals like Jon ANDERSON. But DRUID plays less complex and virtuosi, their pleasant sound appeals to me, more than the 24-carat YES-clone STARCASTLE. The second LP entitled “Fluid Druid” is in the vein of their first but less mature, as if the band is a bit running out of ideas. So start with their very pleasing debut-album.

 

ENGLAND - Garden Shed

— ENGLAND’s album “Garden shed” is one of the finest, 24-carat prog rock records I’ve ever heard! After it was released in the UK in ’77 ENGLAND became a ‘cult band’ and the LP a highly sought after item. In the Nineties “Garden Shed” was released on CD in Japan but you could hear the scratches because they put it directly from the record on CD without the usual mastering. Fortunately keyboard player Robert Webb re-released the original album tapes on a limited edition CD with the help of Gordon Haskell and The Forward Organisation. This in order to celebrate the 20th anniversary of “Garden Shed” in 1997. The album “Garden Shed” has strong echoes from early GENESIS and YES. The often Mellotron drenched compositions sound melodic, warm and inventive with many captivating changes of climate and thrilling breaks. The guitar work is sensitive, the keyboard play is varied and the vocals are strong, these guys are good musicians. The way ENGLAND combines the influence of YES with lots of original ideas reminds me of FRUUPP, another good British prog rock band. Not to be missed in any serious prog rock collection!

 

ENID, THE - Touch Me

— In the late Seventies and early Eighties I used to travel by ferry and train to the heart of London. On these 'progrock pilgrimages' I discovered the Virgin record store and took a dive into their large progrock section, ranging from Ange and Gandalf to Flame Dream and ... The Enid. I had already some LP's but "Touch me" was new to me. I still love the cover: a red color with the picture of the upper back from a young woman with wonderful plaits and a tattoo that contains three boys and "Touch me"written under it, enigmatic and mesmerizing! The music is very classical inspired with amazing classical orchestrations, wonderful acoustic piano, blended with some fiery and howling electric guitar and propulsive drum beats. The alternating and dynamic climates range from ambient, dreamy or mellow to up-tempo and bombastic, sometimes with a strong Wagnerian undertone, very compelling and exciting! This is a unique encounter between classic and prog!!

 

ENID, THE - Six Pieces

— I discovered this amazing progrock band while I was searching the section ‘Symphonic Rock’ in the famous Amsterdam record shop Boudisque. Reading the back cover of the album “Six Pieces” from a formation called The ENID I couldn’t believe my eyes: a six-piece band including no less than three keyboard players, what a thrilling idea (like SPRING and EELA CRAIG)! I didn’t even listen to the album but bought it immidiately. At home I felt in love with their unique and compelling sound, this sounded lke genuine progrock in every inch: classical inspired compositions (six pieces) with lots of changing climates featuring sumptuous Wagnerian sounding orchestral keyboards, some Emersonian synthesizers (brass sound), sparkling pianoplay, fiery electric guitar, a dynamic rhythm-section and varied percussion. I still don’t know any other band that succeeded to blend classical music and symphonic rock the way The ENID did, what a mindblowing progrock! Within a few weeks I bought all their LP’s, from the debut album entitled “In The Region Of The Summer Stars” until “Live At Hammersmith Vol II” but despite the high level of all those records “Six Pieces” remains my favorite, a matter of taste I think while reading the other reviews on Prog Archives. Anyway, thanks to all fellow reviewers for the advise concerning the CD (re- releases).

 

FANTASY — Beyond the Beyond plus...

- Fantasy their debut gig at the famous London 'music temple' The Marquee alongside Robin Trower, not bad at all for such an unknown progrock formation. It was the start of a succesfull tour in the country, supporting bands like Uriah Heep, Argent, Free, Supertramp, Geensis, Greenslade and The Kinks. And one night, again at the Marquee, two bands were billed to promote their debut albums: Fantasy and...Queen! The debutalbum was called Paint A Picture and released in '73. Soon Fantasy belonged to the past, the tapes for a next album remained in the vaults of time. Until the label Audio Archives released these tapes as a CD called Beyond The Beyond. In my opinion this CD is one of the highlights of the Early British Progressive Movement, what a wonderful and elaborated compositions! Every track is very melodic and harmonic featuring tasteful keyboards (lots of Hammond organ), strong guitarwork, a dynamic rhythm-section and good vocals. The climates changes from mellow with acoustic guitar and warm vocals to bombastic with fiery electric guitar and majestic Mellotron eruptions ("Alanderie" is such a beautiful example!). This is very warm and compelling progressive rock, one of my favorites seventies albums!!

 

FUZZY DUCK - Fuzzy Duck

— This is one of the many harder-edged and organ dominated progressive bands that emerged in the early Seventies. FUZZY DUCK’s music is simple but it touches me very much: pleasant vocals, a tight rhythm-section, strong guitarwork and, the most delightful element, floods of Hammond organ. This reminds me of Ken Hensley from early URIAH HEEP and Manfred Wieczorke from German heavy progressive band JANE. The guitarplay is also a good point, featuring fiery solos and catchy riffs. The final song “A word from bid D” includes the so called ‘ducking vocals’ from keyboardplayer Roy (Daze) Sharland, very funny to hear. FUZZY DUCK’s music has echoes from ATOMIC ROOSTER, SPENCER DAVIES GROUP, VANILLA FUDGE and QUATERMASS. If you like the Hammond organ, don’t miss this CD! By the way, I own the “Aftermath” CD version, it contains 11 tracks, including the previously unreleased “No Name Face”.

 

GRACIOUS — This is.....Gracious!!

- Another fine band from the Early British Progressive Rock Movement (like Fantasy, Rare Bird, Cressida). A double-concert with King Crimson turned out to be pivotal for the band’s musical direction: keyboard player Martin Kitcat was so impressed by King Crimson’s Mellotrons that he wanted to incorporate the Mellotron into the sound of Gracious. In ‘70 Gracious released their eponymous first album, a year later their second entitled “This is ... Gracious!”. The end of the band came soon when they didn’t get gigs and run out of money. On their debut-album “Gracious!” the songs are alternating and adventurous but at some moments the music tends to become too structureless or too longwinding. Despite good ideas and a ‘progressive mind’ it’s not really a memorable album. So I woud like to have a session with their second album entitled “This is ... Gracious” is another story, due to a stunning progress from the band and Martin Kitcat’s frequent play on the mellotron, often in captivating interplay with the electric guitar. The songs are varied (blues, rock, classical, symphonic) and the climates are pleasant, especially the 'epic' track "Super nova" (4 parts) featuring amazing Mellotron eruptions. If you are lucky you can get both albums on one CD by BGO Records (UK).

 

GREENSLADE - Live 1973-75

— After the demise of COLOSSEUM in ‘71, keyboard player Dave GREENSLADE founded his own band GREENSLADE, featuring Tony Reeves (bass), Dave Lawson (keyboards, clarinet, flute) and Andrew McCulloch (drums), he had left KING CRIMSON.. The best introduction to their excellent blend of classic, jazz, rock, blues and symphonic rock is the live-album “Live” (with tracks from ’73 and ’75) containing their best material: elaborate compositions like “Sundance”, Feathered Friends”, “Bedside Manners Are Extra” and “Joie De Vivre” and lots of inventive and exciting dual-keyboard play by GREENSLADE and Lawson. The omnipresence of the Mellotron is very pleasant with majestic waves of the violin-Mellotron (like early KING CRIMSON) and glorious eruptions of the sumptuous choir- Mellotron. This live-CD also features some spectacular play on the Minimoog (with pitch bend). It’s the most keyboard-loaded album with hints from WAKEMAN, MANFRED MANN’S EARTH BAND and SUPERTRAMP. In my opinion GREENSLADE deserves more appreciation by the prog rock aficionados, it’s a wonderful band to discover!

 

HILLAGE, STEVE - Live Herald

— Once Steve HILLAGE was a member of URIEL/ARZACHEL, KHAN and the seminal space fusion band GONG. In ’75 he made his first solo album “Fish Rising”, soon after he left GONG and released a serie of studio LP’s. The first solo-album “Fish Rising” is the HILLAGE’s most acclaimed record but my favorite is “Live Herald”. This is a great and stunning live- recording with different line-ups, including drummer Clive Bunker (ex-JETHRO TULL) and bass player Colin Bass (later joining CAMEL). The music shows HILLAGE’s spectacular, often distorted and spacey effects and spectacular flights with the synthesizers (often the Minimoog). The climates shifts from dreamy of mellow to up-tempo and bombastic but it remains melodic and harmonic. Not as complex and adventurous as GONG but Steve HILLAGE, ‘the hippie from outer space’, will be remembered as one of the main inventors of the space rock, his unique guitarplay inspired later progrock bands like OZRIC TENTACLES and PORCUPINE TREE.

 

JULIAN'S TREATMENT - A Time Before This ... Plus (1970-73)

— The brainchild of this musical project was Julian Savarin. He was born in Dominica but moved with his family to Britain in the early Sixties. He was a writer and a keyboard player and longing to fullfill his musical ideas. Julian recruited his own band with John Dover on bass, Del Watkins on guitar, Jack Drummond on drums and Cathy Pruden on vocals. They started rehearsing and gigging round London as JULIAN'S TREATMENT. In june '70 the label Youngblood released their first album “A Time Before This”. Two years later Julian was approached by Birth records to make a new album. Only bass player John Dover came from the old line-up, other musicians of JULIAN's new band were Nigel Jenkins (guitar), Roger Odell (drums) and Jo Meek (vocals). And in '73 the second album “Waiters On The Dance” came out, credited by Julian J. Savarin (nowadays a famous writer!). In 1990 the British label See For Miles Records released a compilation with material from JULIAN'S TREATMENT recorded between 1970 and 1973. It’s entitled “A Time Before This ... Plus” and a perfect showcase of the exciting sound from JULIAN'S TREATMENT: lots of organ, strong female vocals, a dynamic rhythm-section and some piano, guitar, flute and Mellotron. The music frequently alternates from melodic progrock in the vein of EARTH & FIRE (female vocals and layers of organ) to ominous climates with hints from the Gothic scene featuring haunting vocals and majestic Hammond organ. My highlight on this compilation is the compelling composition “Child of the night 1 + 2” delivering wonderful vocals, impressive Hammond organ, some beautiful flute – and violin Mellotron waves and fiery electric guitar, this is the band at their best. The music from JULIAN'S TREATMENT sounds very dated and relatively simple but if you love the organ-based progrock bands from the early British Progressive Rock Movement like RARE BIRD, BRAM STOKER, QUATERMASS or GRACIOUS, don’t miss this underrated, often missed band with the powerful female vocals and splendid organplay as their trademark!

 

KHAN – Space Shanty

- This re-release (2 bonustracks, running time 55 minutes) CD is originally an album from 1972 with 6 songs. It featured two ‘Canterbury legends’ named Steve Hillage (Gong) and Dave Stewart (Hatfield And The North and National Health) and both played together in the great bands Arzachel and Egg. The dynamic rhythm-section on this CD consists of Nick Greenwood (bass and vocals) and Eric Peachey (drums) but the focus is on mr. Hillage and Stweart, they are colouring the compositions with their distinctive play, loaded with breaks, soli and shifting moods. Steve Hillage his guitarplay alternates from lues and rock to spacey, from dreamy twanging guitar to moving soli and fiery and biting licks. Dave Stewart is a master on the Hammond organ along other keyboards, skyceleste and marimba. The vocals are good and the compositions are elaborated. EXCITING PROGROCK!!

 

MAINHORSE - Mainhorse

— I wonder how many Yes fans are aware of the historical fact that once Patrick Moraz playes in the band Mainhorse? Anyway, on this album the 'Swiss poodle' delivers an impressive Hammond organ sound. The first song is “Introduction”, it features fluent ‘heavy progressive’ with floods of Hammond organ and fiery electric guitarplay, the sound has echoes from ATOMIC ROOSTER, THE NICE and early DEEP PURPLE. The following “Passing Years” is a slow, bluesy like song with mellow organ and a bit melancholic vocals. Then again ‘heavy prog’ with swirling organ and biting electric guitar in “Such a beautiful day”, the climate evokes THE NICE and QUATERMASS. In “Pale sky” a wailing violin and howling electric guitar colour a bluesy atmosphere, topped by strong Hammond play and dynamic drums. This song features halfway a jam with violin, guitars, electric piano, experimental sounds and a hypnotizing rhythm-section, to end with a sensitive electric guitarsolo and loads of Hammond. Next is “Basia”, an up-tempo and catchy song with strong organ - and electric guitarplay, a pumping bass and cheerful vocals, halfway MAINHORSE surprises with a swinging electric pianosolo. The track “More tea vicar” contains subtle changes of rhythm, from soft jazzy to fluent heavy prog with a classical sounding organ (like EKSEPTION), assorted percussion like glockenspiel and fiery electric guitar. The final composition “God” (almost 10 minutes) is the most alternating and dynamic one with many changes of climate with Patrick MORAZ on organ and the ‘Klavio- synthesizer’ and strong electric guitarwork, it sounds like a blend of THE NICE and ATOMIC ROOSTER. This album contains the first impressive steps from patrick moraz as a keyboard-wizard!

 

MANFRED MANN'S EARTH BAND - Nightingales & Bombers

— I love the way Manfred Mann's Earth Band sounded in the mid-Seventies (74-76) during the sensational breaks featuring a propulsive rhythm-section, harder-edged guitarwork and short but sensational Minimoog soli with often an accellaration and use of the pitchbend-button. On this album Manfred Mann is accompanied by a dynamic rhythm- section (Colin Pattenden on bass and Chris Slade on drums) and, fiery electric guitarplay and powerful vocals (both Mick Rogers). The compositions (including two covers) sound powerful, dynamic and varied, the distinctive Manfred Mann's Earth Band sound is at its pinnacle, waht a stunning but underrated progrock classic this album is!

 

MARSUPILAMI - Marsupilami

- As a huge fan from the early British Progressive Rock Movement I got excited after reading the positive reviews on this site. So I ordered their two albums and especially this eponymous debut album is a treat. The sound is typical early Seventies: very alternating (a progressive blend of classic, folk, blues and psychedelia) and dynamic featuring long compositions that are build around great Hammond organ play, powerful flute work and fiery electric guitar. The vocals are good and the instrumentation delivers also bongos, xylophone and mouth organ. To me the music of Marsupilami has echoes from JULIAN'S TREATMENT, BEGGAR'S OPERA (first album), IRON BUTTERLY, THE CRAZY WORLD OF ARTHUR BROWN and some early PINK FLOYD but their music has sufficient musical ideas to nail them as a derivative! I'm delighted about this discovery, VERY COMPELLING AND EXCITING EARLY PROG!

 

QUATERMASS — Quatermass

- The very promising trio Quatermass was founded in '69 and included Mick Underwood on drums, Peter Robinson on keyboards and Johnny Gustafson on bass and vocals. At that moment they were all experienced musicians. Gustafson played in the Liverpool-era in local bands named Cass & The Casanovas, The Big Three and The Merseybeats before forming his own band Johnny Gus Set. Mick Underwood played with the very young Ritchie Blackmore in The Dominators and The Outlaws and in The Herd before Peter Frampton's arrival. Mick joined Peter Robinson in The James Royal Set. But finally all three met each other in a band called Episode Six. When their singer Ian Gillan and bass player Roger Clover joined Deep Purple their struggle to survive with Episode Six was in vain. They decided to form their own band to make progressive rock with the same heavy foundation as Led Zeppelin and Deep Purple. Quatermass toured through the whole UK and released their legendary album in May 1970 (backed by the single Black Sheep Of The Family). The band gained good reviews and set off on a tour through the USA, hoping to crack the lucrative American market. But lack of business support undermined their efforts and Quatermass broke up in April 1971. Mick Underwood joined Paul Rodgers in Peace and Pete Robinson became a member of Brand X, the jazzrock adventure of Phil Collins. But Johnny Gustafson turned out to be the most succesfull musician: he backed Chi Coltrane, Kevin Ayers, Ian Hunter, Bryan Ferry and Steve Hackett on their albums. He also joined Roxy Music on the 1976 world tour. The music on their eponymous debut album (originally nine tracks) is dynamic and inspired a blend of blues, rock, classic and symphonic (with hints from ELP and Deep Purple) delivering splendid, often very sumptuous Hammond organplay and lots of other nice keyboards. Don't expect very elaborate or complex progrock, just enjoy the enthousiastic music! In 1996 Repertoire Records re-released Quatermass and added two nice bonustracks (One Blind Mice and Punting).

 

RARE BIRD - As Your Mind Flies By

— This is a wonderful album that is build around the excellent duo-keyboardwork from Graham Field and David Kaffinetti. The shorter songs alternates from romantic to bombastic featuring powerful vocals (warm, melancholic, dramatic) and great play on the Hammond organ ("I'm thinking" is the Hammond in its full glory!) , electric piano and harpsichord ("Down on the floor"). The absolute highlight on this album is the 'magnum opus' "Flight" (at about 20 minutes), divided in four pieces. Part One contains propulsive interplay between drums and organ, Part Two has exciting duo-keyboardwork (swirling organplay), Part Three delivers a psychedelic organ (like early PINK FLOYD) and in Part Four is the focus on slow and sumptuous Hammond organ play (including excerps from RAVEL's "Bolero"), the vocals have a slightly hysterial undetone but fits perfect to the atmosphere. Although this is a good and often compelling album, in my opinion it is a bit overrated because it gained a kind of 'cult-status'

 

REFUGEE - Refugee

— After Keith EMERSON had left The NICE, the two remaining members bass player / vocalist Lee Jackson and drummer Brian Davison teamed up with the promising Swiss keyboardist Patrick MORAZ (ex MAINHORSE). In ’74 they released their acclaimed eponymous album. The music is carried by the astonishing skills of Patrick MORAZ. His wide range of keyboards colours the music in many different ways: majestic Mellotron waves, spectacular synthesizer flights, bombastic church-organ, swinging clavinet play and impressive work on the Grand – and electric piano. The compositions show a great diversity but the boring vocals are a blow and keep this album from being a masterpiece. Nonetheless, if you’re up to splendid keyboard driven prog rock, I’m sure you will not complain about Jackson’s vocals. Because most parts of the alternating and elaborate compositions (not typical The NICE, ELP or TRACE keyboard prog) are instrumental and showcases the incredible talents and good ideas of keyboard-wizard Mr. MORAZ (later nicknamed “the Swiss poodle” by the YES members).

 

SPRING - Spring

- This is a one-shot band that released the album “Spring” in 1971, in ’92 the USA prog rock label Laser’s Edge put it on CD. That re-release contains 3 previously unreleased bonus tracks. The sound of Spring is a ‘Mellotron’s heaven’, no less than three members use this marvellous instrument! So it isn’t no surprise that this album is loaded with Mellotron (flute – and violin-sound) but it doesn’t harm the compositions, there’s no overkill. All 8 songs from the original LP from ’71 sound warm and melodic with strong vocals, many floods of organ and sensitive electric guitar work and beautiful twanging 12-string guitar play. To my surprise, the 3 bonus tracks doesn’t contain Mellotron. The emphasis in these songs is on the organ in fluent rhythms with nice, slightly shifting moods. Certainly one of the gems, beloved by the ‘connaiseurs’. By the way, many years later drummer Pique Withers became famous with DIRE STRAITS.

 

THE STRAWBS - BBC in concert

I do not own studio-albums from The STRAWBS, I’m more pleased with some compilations and especially live-recordings. My favourite is the CD “Strawbs In Concert” with BBC radio- recodings from ’73 and ’74. The music frequently ranges from folky (acoustic guitars) and classic (piano and harpsichord) to bombastic, symphonic rock (fiery electric guitar and glorious Mellotron waves in the vein of BARCLAY JAMES HARVEST and The MOODY BLUES). The vocals are powerful with a lot of expression, very distinctive.

The tracking list (15 songs) includes all their best material like “Tears And Pavan”, “Down By The Sea” (great choir-Mellotron eruptions), the UK #2 hitsingle “Part Of The Union” and “Hero And Heroine”. This is The STRAWBS at their apogee, very unique and compelling music.

 
 
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: September 07 2007 at 13:21
   SYMPHONIC ROCK

                   THE BEST OF THE REST

                     PART ONE : THE PAST

 

After specials about countries like Italy, Spain, the USA, Germany, Latin-America, Japan, the UK and France, this time I recommend you ‘the best of the rest’ from countries like Poland, Hungary, Australia and Belgium. I took the ‘artistic freedom’ to include some bands that are not pure symphonic prog or not categorized as symphonic prog on this site, I hope you forgive me about that ...Wink  

 
 
AFTER CRYING - Struggle For Life      

— In the mid-Nineties I discovered the incredible progrock from the Hungarian formation After Crying. This 2-CD set is a very comprehensive musical compilation of their best work and their stunning skills on a wide range of instruments. You can compare After Crying with Gentle Giant concerning the complexity of the music and versatility of every musician. The sound of their music has elements from ELP (bombastic keyboards) and King Crimson (Fripperian guitar) but in general it's a unique blend of classical, jazz, rock, symphonic and avant-garde: a combination of Keith Emerson keyboards, trumpet, fiery electric guitar in "Viadukt", soaring keyboards, repetetive guitarplay and powerful drumbeats in "Stalker", howling electric guitar, a wailing cello and powerful trumpet in "Suburban night", piano, cello and contrabas in the Gentle Giant sounding "Goblin dance", sensitive Fripperian guitar (like Edhels) in "Pilgrim's march" and a superb rendition of King Crimson's classic piece "Starless", goose bumps! After Crying doesn't make very accesible progrock because the combination of classical instruments (please, take a look at the track listing) and modern electric equipment and the variety of styles begs for an adventurous taste and most progheads are very conservative. An example: a few years ago I attended a gig in Holland during their world tour, I was one of the 40 visitors....! But this didn't bother the band, they played very inspired and enjoyed the hugh response from the 40 fans. Excellent and unique prog!

 

AIRLORD - Clockwork Revenge 

— This is progrock from Wilmington, New Zealand, the other end of the world for us Dutchmen! This five-piece band that was rooted in ’76 and disbanded in ’78 has delivered an amazing album.

1 – Clockwork revenge: This is an impressive opener that has a fluent rhythm, sensational synthesizer flights, great duo-guitarwork (both guitarplayers has their own sound) and very distinctive duo- vocals (one sound as ‘the Very Down Under nephew of Peter Gabriel). The final part includes a powerful, very biting guitar solo.

2 – Pictures in a puddle: The first part is very mellow with emotional vocals, soaring keyboards and acoustic rhythm- guitar, then a mid-tempo featuring fiery electric guitar and beautiful choir-Mellotron drops.

3 – Ladies of the night: It opens with a slow rhythm and a bit folky climate, then lots of shifting moods including majestic choir-Mellotron waves and fiery and biting, wah-wah drenched guitar soli. The excellent duo vocals give an extra dimension to the music, very disctinctive!

4 – Earthborn pilgrim: This is a mellow song with twanging guitars, good vocals and in the end a bluesrock inspired guitar solo.

5 – Out of the woods: A very alternating track that ranges from bluesy to mid-tempo delivering a splendid build- up guitarsolo, from sensitive to howling and biting, accompanied by lush organ waves.

6 – Is it such a dream?: Here the string-ensemble and a sensitive guitar perfectly blend, in the end there’s a biting electric guitar solo.

7 – You might even be: Another very alternating track, the vocals reminds me of the early Peter Gabriel (“Nursery cryme”-era), the duo-guitarplay is very strong, supported by a dynamic rhythm-section. The final part contains the sound of many ‘laughs’, this emphasizes the original approach from Airlord. This band has delivered a great, very unique album!

 

ANOMALY — Anomaly  

- Anomaly was a very promising Dutch progrock band with members who all had a different musical background, this led to an exciting chemistry! Unfortunately their record company run out of money, soon they disbanded. OK, this is more metal and fusion than symphonic rock but in my opinion Anomaly deserves more attention so here is the maverick in this special!

1. B-YOND 2K (5:34): This an alternating piece with fine breaks, metal-guitar riffs and propulsive drums, orchestral keyboards and Holdsworth-like guitar runs.

2. >4TH&X (4:06): A very exciting tension between the propulsive metal-guitar riffs, classical keyboards and jazzy, Holdsworth inspired guitar work. It sounds very dynamic.

3. 101101001 (4:58): The first and final part contain a harpsichord-electric guitar duet, halfway fiery electric guitar, a virtuosic guitar-keyboard duet and a powerful rhythm- section.

4. Xtreme (4:54): The intro contains beautiful acoustic piano play, then sensitive electric guitar, great guitar-overdubs and a break with the captivating blend of metal-riffs on guitar, a choir and orchestral keyboards.

5. Mt Chamber (4:40): This one is very fusion inspired featuring vibraphone, warm fretless bass, wonderful strings and in the end a spectacular synthesizer solo.

6. XS D-NIED (5:06): Here a metal-fusion climate, very powerful with a freaky Moog- like synthesizer solo, vibraphone runs and Holdsworth-like guitar play.

7. VIR2AL (8:36): First strings and vibraphone, then a fusion atmosphere with fretless bass, a swinging keyboard solo and a great build-up delivering fiery electric guitar and splendid Fender Rhodes and Moog samples.

8. None Of The Above (4:48): Here we can enjoy a swinging clavinet and again Holdsworth-like guitar work along a flashy duel between the bass and keyboards.

This is a dutch progrock album to be proud of!

 

(JOSE) CID - 10,000 Anos Depois Entre Venus E Marte  

- This album by Portuguese keyboardplayer/singer Jose Cid has a kind of 'cult-status' among the Tron-maniacs. Many years ago I listened to the album but I was not really impressed. Because of the huge amount of sheer euphoric reviews on this site, I decided to give this album a second chance, thanks to Portuguese proghead Roger Silva (obrigado!), I got the opportunity to listen to it.

After a first listening session I know why I was not impressed at first: this is a very varied album and it is not layered with Trons as you might expect. The climates ranges from mellow with spacey synthesizers to up-tempo rock with distorted electric guitar. The Portuguese vocals sound very warm and all compositions are tasteful arranged with pleasant work on piano, some sensitive and howling electric guitar soli and frequently the majestic sound of the choir-Mellotron (my favorite one), subtle or surprisingly blended with the melodic and pleasant progrock Jose Cid has created.

This is a wonderful, often compelling progrock experience!

 

CLIFFHANGER — Hope And Despair  

- I have followed Dutch formation Cliffhanger almost from the beginning and was impressed by their skills, musical ideas and enthousiasm. Their sound is strongly rooted in the Seventies symphonic rock tradition with obvious echoes from Genesis, Yes and UK. Although they earned contracts from the defunct Dutch progrock-label SI Music and the known French progrock label Musea, Cliffhanger never broke through. On their debut-CD "Cold steel" (SI Music) the band played a pleasant and melodic blend of YES, GENESIS and UK with exciting work on the keyboards by Dick Heijboer, wonderful electric guitar by Rinie Huigen (Hackett-inspired) and inventive play on the Rickenbacker bass by Gijs Koopman (both now in Knight Area). On "Not to be or not to be" (Musea) Cliffhanger sounded more complex, for many progheads too complex and the large cult-following from the beginning became smaller and smaller until I was one of the 10 remaining fans that kept on visiting the concerts!

On this live-CD you can enjoy an inspired and entertaining Cliffhanger playing their best work. The only flaw are the vocals: I didn't mind about it but many progheads were complaining about Rinie's voice. OK, I can understand but on "Hope and despair" their is so much good instrumental work I am sure this will not be a barrier to check out this interesting and underrated Dutch progrock band.

 
EELA CRAIG - Symphonic Rock 

— The often overlooked Austrian progrock band EELA CRAIG epitomizes the entire Austrian progressive movement. The music on the great compilation-CD “Symphonic rock” (including the songs from the albums “One Niter” and “Hats of Glass”) is hard to compare, maybe some hints from RICK WAKEMAN solo, ELOY, PINK FLOYD and CAMEL can be traced. The melodic and harmonic music from EELA CRAIG is build upon beautiful interplay between four members with their keyboards (ranging from soaring strings and bombastic choir- Mellotron to the typical sound of the Fender Rhodes electric piano, sensational Moog flights, swinging clavinet and powerful Hammond organ runs) and sensitive and howling electric guitar play. The moving compositions sound warm and are coloured with lots of instruments, from the aforementioned keyboards to flute, acoustic guitar and assorted percussion. This is wonderful symphonic rock that deserves more attention, especially ‘Tron- maniacs’ will be delighted about the omnipresence of this unique keyboard.

 

FINCH - Beyond Expression  

- Finch evokes very pleasant adolescent memories. I had a kind of competition with one of my best friends who discovered the best prog. In general it was me because of my fanatic attitude (close to compulsive behavior) but he came with Finch and I was so jealous! But what a fine coincidence that many years later, when I worked for several progrock magazines,  I was invited to write the linner notes for Finch their 2-CD “The making of galleons of passion../Stage 76”. As an adolescent the Finch musicians were my heroes and 20 years later I was allowed to do interviews with them, very emotional! Finch band has always played in the shadow of the more famous Dutch progbands Focus,  Ekseption. Earth & Fire and Trace. But they were excellent musicians who created an own sound on their best album “Beyond expression”. The longest suite “A passion condensed” starts bombastic with a fiery electric guitar, delicate piano and a soaring string-ensemble. It slows down and after a short bass-run the focus is on the excellent guitarplay of Joop van Nimwegen (famous Focus guitarplayer Jan Akkerman called him a great talent when he saw him on a German festival!). The music contains lots of changes in movement and climate with a strong and adventurous rhythm-section (with Chris Squire inspired bass play) and tasteful keyboards (fine solos on the ARP synthesizer and Hammond organ). Halfway a twanging electric guitar starts to blend with a Wurlitzer electric piano, a beautiful combination. Suddenly the electric guitar speeds up the rhythm to culminate in an exciting solo with lots of biting runs. Then again twanging electric guitar and electric piano, joined by another exciting electric guitar solo with inventive keyboards (organ, strings, piano). The music continues with a swinging rhythm, flights on the synthsizer and a phaser-drenched electric guitar. After a short piano break a sensational duel between a flashy synthesizer and a biting electric guitar follows. The music continues with a swinging rythm to end with a bombastic grand finale containing beautiful strings, a powerful electric guitar and a propulsive rhythm-section. Technically this music can compete with the other, more famous bands but commercially it didn’t reach that sales to make a breakthrough to a wider audience, unfortunately. This is a Dutch progrock classic!

 

HEMLOCK-Exordium 

- This Canadian ‘heavy progressive’quartet includes John Brown (electric – and acoustic guitars, violin, recorders, flute and backing vocals), Dean Roberts (fretless bass), Todd Nesbitt (drums and percussion) and Jim Rose (vocals, electric -, acoustic – and classical guitars, bass pedal, synthesizer and percussion). In ’94 they made their debut-album entitled “Exordium”, a blend of folk, hardrock like Metallica and progrock like Rush. Unfortunately Hemlock turned out to be another promising one-shot band.

In my opinion the album “Exordium” is a bit overlooked gem. Due to frequent accellarations, shifting moods and heavy outbursts, Hemlock sounds often very exciting. Another strong point is the constant tension between on one side the acoustic instruments (classical guitar, flute and many violin solos) and on the other side the electric guitar and powerful rhythm-section. The beautiful epic song “The immortal” (almost 20 minutes) is the only composition that contains flute and synthesizer. The guitarplay on the whole album is magnificent (howling and biting solos and strong overdubs), it could have been a tribute to Alex Lifeson, one of the most underrated rock guitarplayers.

 

KYRIE ELEISON - The Complete Recordings 1974-1978

— This Austrian band is rooted in 1973 when 3 schoolfriends decided to make music in the vein of their heroes Yes, Genesis and ELP. They made some albums, joined VDGG, Colosseum, Amon Duul and Eela Craig (my favorite Austrian band) on festivals but eventually Kyrie Eleison ran out of money, the same old story as so many small progrock bands discovered when the record companies ignored them! The music on this 3-CD set (limited edition of 1000 copies) varies a lot in sound - and musical quality. On disc-1 the music is in the vein of Iron Butterfly, Deep Purple and early Jane (the keyboardplayer is obviously classical educated), the tension between the guitar and keyboards evokes early Wallenstein. The compositions and sound quality are amateurish but contain many strong moments featuring a church- organ intro, sparkling piano, compelling organ, some Floydian organ and a bluesy Dave Greenslade-like organ piece. Disc 2 is more symphonic (Mellotron, synthesizer soli and a solo classical piano piece) with strong echoes from early Earth & Fire (but in a more raw version) and Genesis. Comparing to Dutch bands, I trace also Finch during the fiery electric guitar parts. The five compositions deliver some beautiful symphonic rock but the vocals are mediocre. Disc-3 has the focus on the key-album "The fountain beyond the sunrise", I suggest to read the reviews on Prog Archives (and other progrock sites), these are ranging from boring and poor Genesis clone to wonderful Genesis inspired symphonic rock, it's up to you!

 

                        MACHIAVEL   

 
- The CD Original Hits (  ) is a comprehensive compilation to discover my favorite Belgian symphonic rock band, it contains 13 tracks of Machiavel their first five studio albums, recorded between 1976 (Machiavel) and 1980 (New Lines). Fortunately the emphasis is on the more symphonic rock era, later Machiavel made more polished and rock-based music (as you can hear on the tracks Fly, Over The Hill, Champagne In Amsterdam, Turn Off and Fade Away). Machiavel was inspired by Genesis and Yes but managed to create an own, very distinctive sound, based upon good, a bit high-pitched vocals, wonderful vintage keyboards, varied guitar work and a decent rhythm-section. The compositions sound elaborate and alternating: dreamy with twanging acoustic guitars, mellow synth drops and Mellotron waves and warm vocals in Rope Dancer and Mary, dynamic and ultra bombastic (exciting Moog flights and choir Mellotron) in Beyond The Silence and varied in Jester (from mid-tempo rock to compelling symphonic rock with lush keyboards ans sensitive electric guitar), Wisdom (howling guitar and great synth sounds), Rebirth (sparkling piano, majestic choir- Mellotron and flashy Moog runs) and Johan's Brother Told Me (wonderful string-ensemble sound and warm vocals in a melancholic climate). This is a good introduction to the best Belgian symphonic rock band!!

 

MORSE CODE - Les Grands Succès De Morse Code 

— I know that some very die-hard record collectors will pay a lot of money for the Morse Code LP's, it's a kind of cult band for them! I prefer to listen to CD's, this compilation with 12 tracks features 5 songs from their acclaimed debut album. These are the most captivating and progressive moments on this CD. The long opener "La marche des hommes" (at about 11 minutes) delivers delicate guitarwork, ominous, Wetton-like bass play, a mellow organ sound and soaring Mellotron. Most of the following songs sound powerful and alternating, Morse Code succeeds to make both wonderful dreamy (tender acoustic guitar and emotional French vocals) as harder-edged prog (fiery electric guitar). Unfortunately most of the other songs are very polished and not really progressive. But the two final tracks are almost worth buying this CD: "Magie de musique" is very bombastic featuring Pallas-like Mellotron and the instrumental "Cocktail" delivers fine flute and Mellotron. This is a nice introduction to the acclaimed Canadian progrock band.

 

OMEGA  - Live At The Kisstadion 

— This legendary Hungarian prog rock band made some beautiful albums in the Seventies but ‘live’ they were at their best. This originally 2-LP from ’79 (on the 1-CD release the song “Rush Hour” has been deleted) showcases an inspired and powerful performance (more than 50.000 spectators!) from OMEGA, playing most of finest material like “Gammapolis” (great howling guitar licks), “Help To Find Me” (strong Minimoog solo with sensational use of the pitch bend button), “Time Robber”, “High On The Starway” (rock and roll with heavy duo guitar work) and “Metamorphosis II + II. The massive crowd reacts very enthusiastic to the warm, melodic and varied ‘heavy progressive rock’ featuring tasteful keyboards, fiery and sensitive electric guitar and inspired Hungarian/English vocals. I’m pleased with the typical melancholic mood from Eastern Europe in some songs (like “Russian Winter”), very original that makes OMEGA to a band worth to discover for the younger ‘prog heads’.

 

PLJ BAND – Armageddon 

- This album by the formation PLJ Band is often considered as the most acclaimed Greek progrock music. It was released in ’82 but immediately forbidden because of the blasphemical lyrics and the albums had to be destroyed. Fortunately at about 300 records survived and ended as highly sought after ‘collector items’ (value more than US $ 300,-) in the arms of some very lucky and wealthy progheads many years later! The progressive German label Second Battle re-released “Armageddon” on CD from the original LP because the mastertapes were lost. The musicians: Laurentis Macaeritsas (lead vocals, 12-string guitar and keyboards), Antonis Mijelos (lead guitar, acoustic guitar), Jimmy Vasalakos (bass, backing vocals), Pavlos Kikrilis (rhythm – and classical guitar) and Tolis Skamajouras (drums and percussion). The sound is very unique: a captivating progressive blend of acoustic – and electric folk and (space) rock with a strong psychedelic undertone. The stunning surrealistic cover art is in the vein of Salvador Dali. Perhaps his mind reigns over this album?

The album “Armageddon” is one of the most original progrock albums ever made. The tension between the acoustic – and classical guitars (twanging and rhythm) and the soaring and spacey keyboards on one hand and the fiery and howling, distorted electric guitarplay on the other hand creates a lot of tension and compelling climates, emphasized by the hypnotizing vocals. If you want a psychedelic experience without drugs, this one is yours.

 

SBB- Follow My Dream   S.B.B.Follow%20My%20Dream%20CD%20%28album%29%20cover

- The name from this known Polish band is an abbreviation from Silesian Blues Band. In the early Seventies they started as members from a musical project by musician Czeslaw Niemen. From 1974 they decided to make their own music and S.B.B. started to give concerts and to make albums.

This album is from 1978 and contains two long parts (each has a running time from at about 20 minutes). The first one entitled “Going away” starts with the powerful and distinctive sound from the Hammond organ, then soaring keyboards and Gilmourian guitar work (“Meddle”-era). Due to the vocal similarities with Steve Hillage the music evokes Gong and early Hillage-solo. The more fluent parts feature flashy Moog synthesizer flights and other vintage keyboards like the clavinet and string-ensemble, a very pleasant colouring. The second composition “Follow my dream” delivers more jazzrock inspired music, the Moog work often reminds me of Jan Hammer (Mahavishnu Orchestra and Jeff Beck solo). We can also enjoy swinging parts with a fat bass sound and Fender Rhodes piano and some good guitar soli. Unfortunately the final part sounds more poppy, not a very representative ending of this fine and varied album.

 

SOLARIS - Marsbéli Krónikák (Martian Chronicles) 

— The Hungarian formation SOLARIS was originally founded by some school friends in 1980. The band’s name was derived from the title of book by SF writer Stanislaw Lem. In ’84 SOLARIS released their first album “The Martian Chronicles”, it sold almost 40.000 copies. On “The Martian Chronicles” SOLARIS creates a very dynamic and compelling progressive mix of classical and rock music. It’s build upon sensational interplay between fiery electric guitar, tasteful keyboards and a powerful flute with lots of changing climates, surprising breaks and bombastic outbursts. Although SOLARIS sound rather unique, elements of JETHRO TULL (flute), MANFRED MANN’S EARTH BAND (Mini-moog solos with pitch bend) and JEAN MICHEL JARRE (electronic intro in the first part of the title track) can be traced. For me this CD is one of the highlights in progressive rock. What a powerful and great prog rock!

 

SOLARIS - Solaris 1990     

— Many years ago I ordered the 2-LP “1990” in the USA. But they send me the CD-version on which the ‘side-long-track’ “Los Angeles 2026” had been deleted! What a disappointement but fortunately a few years ago I managed to purchase the reissue 2-CD “1990” , including some fine bonustracks and... the lost track “Los Angeles 2026”. It contains dynamic and propulsive with spectacular synth runs, fiery electric guitar and beautiful flute-play. Remarkable is the spacy keyboard sound in some songs and the obvious classical influences. The tracks from the mid-period (1986) sound rather accessible: a catchy and often funny combination of classic, pop and rock. But the most impressive composition is their ‘magnus opus’ Los Angeles 2026 (almost 24 minutes long). It opens with alarm sirens and SF sounds to evoke a menacing atmosphere of a future Los Angeles. Then it starts to swing with propulsive guitarplay, powerful drums and some funky bass-play, followed by lots of changing climates and short pieces with modern keyboards. Suddenly a mid-long solo piece from the piano begins, from tender to sparkling until the captivating interplay from electric guitar, flute and keyboards takes it over, enjoy the spectacular synthesizer flights! A howling electric guitar and bluesy organ is next and then the ‘essential Solaris’ appears again with splendid interplay between the fiery electric guitar, swirling flute and spectacular keyboards (Manfred Mann meets Jethro Tull and Focus). Slowly the same climate as during the intro returns, topped by a fat synthesizer sound. I hope that once the video Progfest 1995 Day One will be relased on DVD, it contains almost 30 minutes of Solaris playing live, excellent, what a stunning progrock band!

 

SYMPHONIC SLAM-Symphonic Slam  

— Many years ago I gave this album a try because of the wonderful painted album sleeve, in the vein of the usual progrock albums featuring a surrealistic/magical-realistic painting to dream away with. My first session caused mixed feelings because of the poppy atmosphere on some tracks. But gradually the music grew and grew and eventually I was delighted about the exciting mix of pop and symphonic: at some moments I trace hints from The Tubes, at other moments the music is more in the vein of "Utopia"-era Todd Rundgren. The strong point on this album is the tension in the music (from pop or art-rock to bombastic prog or electronics) and the use of fat sounding Oberheim synthesizers and a polyphonic guitar synthesizer, culminating in a very spectacular sound that often blows me away. This is unique progressive poprock!

 

TRACE — Trace  

- The late Dutch keyboard-wizard Rick van der Linden got worldwide recognition with the ‘classic-rock formula’ from EKSEPTION but he wanted his own band to work out his own ideas. He founded TRACE with bass player Jaap van Eik (CUBY AND THE BLIZZARDS, The MOTIONS, SOLUTION, LIVING BLUES) and drummer Pierre van der Linden (TEE SET, BRAINBOX, FOCUS), a real Dutch supergroup. TRACE sounds like the Dutch equivalent to early ELP but Rick has a wider array of keyboards, including Hammond B3 organ, Hohner clavinet and pianet, ARP – and EMI synthesizers, harpsichord, Solina string-ensemble, Mellotron and church organ. He even used the sound of a bagpipe. The music on the eponymous debut album is a treat for fans from bands like The NICE, ELP, TRIUMVIRAT and early LE ORME. It delivers exciting, often sumptuous, keyboard driven symphonic rock: the mainly instrumental music is loaded with virtuosic keyboard runs, swirling Hammond organ and majestic Mellotron, supported by a powerful and propulsive rhythm-section. The Musea CD-release contains two bonustracks (“Progress” and “Tabu”) and the history of Trace with nice pictures. Recommended to all progheads who want to be blown away by ‘keyboard pyrotechnics’ in the vein of Keith Emerson, Patrick Moraz or Toshio Egawa (from GERARD).

 

TRESPASS- In Haze of Time  

— Three years ago this keyboard driven trio from Israel delivered an amazing debut-CD: bombastic and dazzling synthesizer flights, impressive Hammond runs, swinging piano and some majestic harpsichord, this is the realm of keyboard-wizards in the vein of Keith Emerson, Rick van der Linden, Eddie Jobson or Toshio Egawa, what an excellent keyboardplay and what an extremely talented guy this is! But the seven compositions deliver more than just breathtaking keyboardwork (and some howling electric guitar). The climates range from classical (Bach) and rock to jazz and symphonic. Some songs contain surprising elements like the tin whistle, vibraphone and even some boogie woogie piano! The rhythm-section is very dynamic and propulsive, this trio rocks and swings! Unfortunately the vocals are mediocre and the music sounds far from original so I rate this for three stars.

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Direct Link To This Post Posted: September 07 2007 at 13:22
Great idea, Erik.

In fact I noted that when certain thread go for the long forgiveness glamour.  It is the yours that the mine they didn't interest more to nothing.  So I stopped the mine and you the yours.  Just I would say that we did well.
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: September 07 2007 at 13:23

As a huge fan and collector of (rare) video’s and DVD’s I am glad to present you my special about the lesser known and unknown progrock bands with the emphasis on symphonic prog. You will find many items that are hardly reviewed so take your time to read my recommendations.

 

                    VIDEO AND DVD  

             PROGROCK SPECIAL

 

ANGE — Live Tour 2003-2004 Par Les Fils De Mandrin 

- A few years ago I attended a gig from this Ange world-tour near my hometown The Hague in Holland. It was the first time I saw them on stage, what an impressive performance and what a powerful and exciting, modern sound Ange delivered that memorable night! Their legendary frontman Christian Decamps has a great, very expressive voice and his stage antics are humorous and often dramatic. He is accompanied by female singer Caroline Crozat who often joins Christian on vocals and with his theatrical acts. The lightshow is wonderful and the band sounds outstanding: the ryhthm-section plays creative and dynamic, the keyboards by Christian his son Tristan sound varied and tasteful (moving solo spot in Le Bal Des Laze on keyboards and vocals, he's obvious a son of his father!) and guitarist Hassan Hadji does an excellent job delivering lots of fiery and distorted soli, what a killer guitarplayer this is! The track list contains early and new work: the climates on the 17 songs are very alternating, from emotional ballads or bluesy to rock and heavy bombastic. My highlights on this DVD are the jazzy flamenco guitar improvisation and the dancing from Caroline in Autour Du Feu, Caroline with a white sheet around her, accompanied by howling electric guitar and soaring strings in Atlantis - Les Géants De La Troisième Lune, a Middle Eastern inspired atmosphere with a duel between theatrical vocals from Tristan and rocking electric guitar in Quasimodo and a catchy rhythm with powerful duo-vocals and biting electric guitar in the final track Docteur Man. If you like Ange, Christian Decamps solo or adventurous progrock, this DVD is a must!

 

BANCO-Cio’Che Si ede E      

- This is a concert from a Banco-reunion tour in ’92, the line-up includes four original members. The crowd is very enthousiastic, now wonder because Banco plays an inspired set, featuring lots of ‘classics’. This DVD is not a pure concert because at some moments black-and-white images are shown (from nature to short early Seventies live footage). On one hand hand this creates a special atmosphere, on the other hand it’s sometimes a bit disturbing. The first track “Il Volo” contains black-and-white images from the soundcheck. Then, in color, we can enjoy the song “R.I.P.”, singer Francesco Di Giacomo still has an impressive, very warm voice and the crowd goes wild. The second part evokes goose bumps when Francesco sings a bit melancholic, supported by compelling piano. The next composition “L’Evoluzione” starts with sumptuous keyboards, followed by a swinging rhythm, delivering swirling keyboards in the vein of KEITH EMERSON (“Works-era”). “Moby Dick” is a ultra-sweet ballad from the later, more commercial period. The long and alternating track “Il Giardino Del Mago” includes virtuosic interplay, vocal harmonies, a wonderful intermezzo with classical piano and often KEITH EMERSON-like keyboards, amazing! Next is “750.00 Anni Fa ... L’Amore, a captivating composition featuring sparkling keyboards, a warm piece with warm vocals and piano, again goose bumps. The final song is the catchy “Non Mi Rompete”, it contains  virtuosic interplay, this time with acoustic guitar and electric piano. In the end all kinds of figures from the famous Venetian carnaval enters the stage, what a splendid and spectacular conclusion from a magnificent performance by these skillful veterans from Banco. A monumental DVD!!

 

EARTH & FIRE — Greatest Hits - Clips, Interviews And TV-Specials

                               Earth%20&%20FireGreatest%20Hits%20-%20Clips,%20Interviews%20And%20TV-Specials%20CD%20%28album%29%20cover              
- The legendary Dutch progrock band Earth & Fire is an acclaimed one on this site, I enjoyed to read the cascades of positive reviews. To my surprise the last year released DVD was not included on Prog Archives so I did my chauvinistic job!

This DVD features their 20 'greatest hits' as tv clips and an interview and live footage from the German television. The tv clips can be divided into three parts. The first part contains the rock/Sixties oriented sound: the clips “Seasons”, “Ruby is the one”, “Wild and exciting” and “Invitation” show windmills, typical Dutch landscapes (pine tree forests, dunes, sea) and a gorgeous, very sexy female singer Jerney Kaagman. The second part features the wonderful symphonic rock-era, based upon melodic and often moving compositions with wonderful violin- Mellotron work, sensitive electric guitar and warm vocals: “Storm and thunder” (what a splendid Mellotron sound!), “Memories” (on the German television), “Maybe tormorrow, maybe tonight” (on the most famous Dutch pop programm Toppop) and “Love of life”. The final part delivers the commercial period: Earth & Fire sounded very smooth with a blend of rock, pop and disco, very professional but to me awful! Most of the clips features ex-Focus bass player Bert Ruiter, he is living with Jerney for more than 20 years. And on “French word for love” ex-Kayak and Camel keyboardplayer Ton Scherpenzeel can be seen.

The most interesting part of this DVD is on The Extra’s/Bonus material (at about 25 minutes) that contains an interview (in German) with Jerney Kaagman and outstanding live footage from an inspired early Earth & Fire on the German television (Swing In and Musikladen): an excerpt from “Song of the marching children”, an extended version of “Storm and thunder” (including a compelling solo on the Mellotron) and “Maybe tomorrow, maybe tonight” (great interplay between guitar and keyboards from the twin- brothers Gerard and Chris Koerts). For me it was an emotional experience to look at these wonderful live scenes from this great Dutch symphonic rock band, EXCELLENT! This is essential dutch progrock, now on DVD!!

 

GERARD — Chaos Live       

- This video delivers Toshio Egawa, the Japanese #1 keyboard wizard. He has Eddie Jobson his androgyn looks, Keith Emerson his bombastic approach and Rick Wakeman his elegant virtuosity. Toshio his mother was a piano teacher, she can be proud of her son, what an extremely talented and creative keyboard player he is! On this video Toshio is accompanied by a very dynamic, adventurous and energetic rhyhtm-section, the drummer and the bass player sounds like the Japanese counterparts of Neil Peart and Geddy Lee, an incredible level for such unknown musicians! Toshio will certainly please progheads who love bombastic and virtuosic keyboard driven progrock: splendid runs on his Korg Trinity synthesizer with often, very spectacular use of the pitchbend button and powerful work on the Hammond organ along warm and sensitive piano play. It’s great to look at Toshio who combines pleasure and virtuosic play. His sound and style incorporates the best of early Keith Emerson, UK (mark II) and Rick Wakeman solo, he delivers one after another flashy and exciting solo, mighty close to the famous keyboard heroes from the Seventies. One of the highlights of this video is ELP’s cover Toccata, it even sounds better and more exciting than the original! But also the renditions of the songs from their early albums are absolute phenomenal, even without the sound of the guitar player because Toshio plays so exciting synthesizer. Another highlight is Toshio his sensational play on the Yamaha Key-tar (a hybrid of a guitar and keyboard), especially when he stands back to back with his bass player, the stunning interplay evokes the best of mid-Rush! JAPANESE PROGROCK AT ITS BEST!!!

 

(Steve) HOWE — Remedy Live    

- Early 2004 I wrote his biography for Prog Archives as a tribute to my first guitar hero. On this DVD you can witness Steve Howe's incredible virtuosity and versatiliy. On the first part he plays with his own band featuring his two sons Virgil on keyboards (he looks very similar to the young Steve Howe) and Dylan on drums. You can enjoy his play in a wide variety of styles: cheerful country in "Country viper", Ventures-inspired guitar rock in "Diary of a man who vanished" and bluesrock in "Pennants. Not everybody will be pleased with the way Steve turned the bombastic archetypical progrock composition "Close to the edge" into a mellow camp-fire song but I love the warm atmosphere. One of the higlights is the track "Raga" (the most popular ethnic music from India) in which Steve delivers a splendid sitar-like sound, very compelling! It is followed by the Tomorrow (Howe's early steps to success) song "My white bicycle" (strong rendition) and "Wurm" (strong guitarwork but I miss the synthesizer duel). To me Steve Howe plays very well with his band, I enjoyed their music. The second part features Stve Howe solo on the acoustic guitar, what a stunning performance, from "Excerpt from The ancient" and "Mood for a day" to "Intersection blues" (exciting blend of blues and ragtime) and the inevitable but amazing "Clap". GREAT! The final part includes a "Tour story", a nice bonus. I award this DVD with 3 stars for the average proghead and 4 stars for the guitar freaks!

 

(Los) JAIVAS — Alturas de Macchu Picchu (DVD)   

- Have you ever seen a Minimoog that conquered Peru? Did you ever witness a progrock band on a height of 6000 kilometers? Well, watch this video featuring the splendid and very unique blend of folk, rock, classic and symphonic that Los Jaivas made on their album "Alturas the Macchu Picchu"! I have nothing to add to the other reviews on this site so, I can only say: DISCOVER THIS BAND THAT MIXES SKILLS AND EMOTIONS IN A SUPERIOR WAY!! By the way, did National Geographic sponsored this DVD?

 

(The Best Of) Krautrock Vol 1 – Various Artist   

- WHAT AN INCREDIBLE EXCITING EXPERIENCE THIS DVD IS!! Since the second half of the Seventies I am a Krautrock fan, in that period I started to collect albums from Novalis, Jane, Grobschnitt, Eloy, Hoelderlin and Ramses. I remember that I witnessed concerts by some of these bands on the German television (our neighbours) like Grobschnitt and Jane. And now this DVD contains live footage from that era (1970-1978).

The featured bands on this DVD are Amon Düül II, Can, Frumpy, Lucifer’s Friend, Epitaph, Birth Control, Passport, Guru Guru, Popol Vuh, Kraftwerk, Embryo, Novalis, Lothar Meid, Eloy and Jane. These bands deliver a lot of variety, from psychedelic (Amon Duul II), experimental (Popol Vuh) and jazzy (Passport) to symphonic rock (Novalis and Eloy), bluesrock (Frumpy) and hardrock (Lucifer's Friend). I was very delighted about the tracks by Frumpy (great Hammond organ sound), Amon Duul II (captivating psychedelic rock with raw guitar, a powerful violin solo and lots of weird synthesizer sounds), Eloy (wonderful and lush sound with Hammond, Minimoog and fiery electric guitar along the warm and distinctive vocals by Frank Bornemann), Jane (simple but very compelling symphonic bluesrock with great interplay between fiery guitar and powerful Hammond waves) and the absolute highlight Novalis delivering their epic Sonnenwende (17 minutes): wonderful keyboards by Lutz Rahn (beautiful flute-Mellotron intro, then tasteful work on Hammond, Minimoog, string-ensemble and clavinet), inspired vocals and sensitive, very flowing electric guitar, GREAT! The 42 minutes docu is very interesting but also a bit sad because it confronts you with the difficult situation in which the many promising Krautrock groups had to survive, only a few managed because most of the bands got no support from record companies and government! The docu contains very exciting live footage from bands like Udo Lindenberg & Panikorchester, Amon Duul II in 1968, Pell Mell, Kraan, Hoelderlin, Atlantis (with Inga Rumpf), Conny Plank Studio with Grobschnitt, Can and really great live scenes from mid- Seventies Tangerine Dream, including Edgar Froese on the Mighty M400 Tron!!

NOT TO BE MISSED!!

 

LANDMARQ – Turbulence Live In Poland   

- I have seen this fine band a few times and still remember vividly one time when I was invited to join the band after a concert on a dinner. During that dinner I discovered that bass player Steve Gee had seen Genesis performing The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway. I am a ‘Lamb Freak’ so asked him to tell his experiences. Gradually more and more people on table got involved and eventually everybody was talking enthousiasticly about “the Peter Gabriel dummie”, “Slipperman”, “the slide-show” and “Rael”, an unforgettable evening! Back to the music by Landmarq, I know this band from the very first beginning because they were on the label of SI Music, part of SI Magazine I worked for at about five years. On this DVD four members of the original line-up (the debut CD Solitary Witness is from 1992) are still Landmarq musicians and female singer Tracy Hitchings joined the band in 1998. You can hear that while listening and watching Turbulence Live In Poland because the band sound tight, inspired and they play with pleasure. From the first moments on this DVD there is also a great atmosphere and the concert is filmed very tasteful with lots of good shots on interesting musical and visual moments. I am (still) delighted about guitarist Uwe D’Röse his performance, this man has such a wonderful flowing and emotional sound, especially on the intro in Solitary Witness (soaring and sensitive), the mid-part of Calm Before The Storm (powerful and propulsive) and lots of great soli and riffs in most of the tracks. I was stunned by Tracy her powerful and inspired voice, she sings a bit theatrical but that matches with her ‘progrock vamp presentation’! On the bonus video (five tracks) I enjoyed Between Sleeping And Dreaming (live recorded on The Whitchurch Festival in 2000) and Dancing On Stones - Why Am I Standing featuring a Nineties Tracy, the song Killing Fields (recorded in my home country Holland in Uden, 1993) with the original singer Damian Wilson (what a very distinctive voice, even Rick Wakeman was impressed!) and Janison Egde - Beneath The Boy (also recorded in my home country Holland on the annual Progfarm Festival) including a flashy syntesizer solo. The bonus audio contains a great and exciting instrumental medley

(live recorded in Belgium,1998) with the tracks Killing Fields , Cutting Room, Ta'Jiang en Narovlya, Uwe D’Röse on his best! Other extras are an interview, the band history and a photo galery along lots of other items.<p> Personally I am a bit more in the earlt Landmarq era but if you like Langdmarq or you are up to melodic, tasteful and modern neo-prog, this DVD is yours!

 

MALIBRAN – 10 Anni In Concerto     

- In the early Nineties I bought the LP “A wood of tales” (from 1991) after I had read a positive review. I was delighted about the long track “A pyrimid’s street” featuring hints from Jethro Tull and an ethnic touch. Since then I follow this fine Italian band that showed a more early Marillion influence on their next albums. This DVD (running time 150 minutes) is a very comprehensive musical view on their progrock carreer spanning the period between 1988 and 1999. You can divide “Malibran 10 anni in concerto” into three parts. The first part contains live recordings from the second half of the Ninities. Remarkable is the powerful, tight and enthousiastic approach by the band, live Maliban is on its best: great shifting moods (from dreamy with flute, twanging guitars and mellow organ to a propulsive rhythm with Eastern inspired flute work) in “Pyramid’s street” and classical interplay between flute and guitar and a Ritchie Blackmore-like guitar solo (between classic and heavy metal) in “Prelude”. Most of the other live tracks delivers powerful and sensitive guitar soli from the two guitar players, some nice work on the keyboards, a dynamic and adventurous rhythm-section (especially the bass player) and swirling flute play (often Thijs van Leer inspired). The second parts features Malibran on tv specials, mainly playback, on one moment the flute player starts its solo too early! The final part contains amateur live video shots, a bit bootleg but very worth to watch because it showcases the enthousisastic performances from Malibran on stage featuring the funny stage antics from the fluteplayer with his ‘air-playing’ on his flute during several guitar soli and at one moment he takes oneof the guitarists on his shoulders! One of the highlights is “Le porte del silenzio”, a very compelling but short rendition in the vein of the early Marillion. You can argue about the value of the tv specials and the (bootleg) amateur shots but in my opinion this DVD is almost worth buying because of the first part (almost an hour) featuring the EXCITING SOUND OF MALIBRAN ON STAGE!

 

MEDINA AZAHARA — En Gira (Live 2000)    

- This is the second DVD release by Medina Azahara, the popular 'heavy progressive' rockband from Spain. It's an official video release (1991) from a concert in 2000 and has been put on DVD in 2003. If I compare it to the other DVD entitled "En concierto" this DVD will appeal more to progheads although most songs are tasteful mainstream rock featuring strong harder-edged guitarwork (with echoes from Blackmore and Vai) and functional keyboardplay (some soli on organ and synthesizers). The rhythm-section sound very tight and propulsive, the hugh blond lead singer has a very warm and often emotional stage peformance. The lightshow is beautiful (including pyrotechnics) and the crowd reacts enthousiastic to the music, often due to singer Manuel who runs around and search for contact with the fans in the vein of David Byron and Mick Jagger but less theatrical and self-indulgent. The best moments on this DVD are the harder-edged renditions from the Triana songs "Abre la puerta" (great vocals) and "El lago" (emotional community singing), the exciting guitar/keyboard solo-duel, the wonderful ballad "Otono", the flamenco- inspired "Paseando por la mezquita" and the final track "A toda ese gente", a warm goodbey from a very tight and enthousiastic band that is still alive and kicking after 25 years! VERY DRIVEN PROG AND ROLL!!

 

NIACIN-LIVE! BLOOD, SWEAT & BEERS (1997)  

- A few years ago I got a promo from Niacin and was stunned by the wonderful Hammond B3 organ sound from John Novello. His play reminds me of Greg Rolie (Santana) and Vincent Crane (Atomic Rooster): lots of organ floods and short soli. The title of the CD was “Time Crunch” and most of the songs delivered a very dynamic rhythm-section and exciting organplay. But I was most delighted about the two covers “Red” from King Crimson and “Blue Wind” from Jeff Beck’s excellent  solo album “Wired”. The live DVD “Blood, Sweat & Beers” (recorded in Japan in 1997, running time 57 minutes) mostly contains songs from the eponymous debut-CD, all sound as a pleasant mix of blues, jazz, funk and rock with good interplay, some nice work from bass player Billy Sheehan and powerful support from drummer Dennis Chambers. But again my conclusion was that two covers were the best part, this time “Birdland” from Weather Report and “You Keep Me Hanging On” (great rendition) from Vanilla Fudge were the most mature compositions. In my opinion Niacin is a great band to witness during a concert but they have to work on their own compositions that sound more as a jam, this in order to keep my attention when listening to one of their studio albums.

 

OMEGA – Zsuperkoncert - Nepstadion 2001     

- In the late Seventies I bought the 2-LP Live At The Kiss Stadion by the acclaimed Hungarian progrock band Omega. This is still one of my favorite ones so I was excited when I heard that this live DVD contains many songs from the great early period. Omega has released a lot of DVD’s but in my opinion this one is superior to all others in every way.<p> From the very first moment you will be blown away by the inspired and dedicated performance by Omega: the beautiful lighshow, the emotional crowd participation (lots of Omega banners, even “Deutschland Gammapolis”) and, last but not least, the outstanding renditions of their early work like Russian Winter (wonderful melancholic climate, great vocal harmonies and wonderful synthesizer flights), Late Night Show (excellent interplay, strong duo-guitar work and warm crowd reactions),  Ten Thousand Paces (swirling Hammond organ intro, exciting V-shaped guitar an duo-guitar play) and Help To Find Me (sensational, often pitchbend driven synthesizer flights, powerful duo-guitar play and dynamic drums). For me it was very moving to see how outstanding this Hungarian progrock legend played (skills, power, energy) and how sheer euphoric the Hungarians fans reacted on the music, this concert was a joy for everyone! This DVD is an excellent choice, it captures Omega at their best!

                 

OSANNA — Osanna Live Uomini E Miti    

- Osanna was one of those many captivating Italian progrock bands from the Seventies. They made some fine albums, perhaps “Palepoli” is their most acclaimed one. In the autumn of 2001 Osanna gave a reunion concert and the band even decided to make new songs. Two years later Osanna performed live in Napoli with contributions by members from other Italian progrock legends from the Seventies. This is all put on a CD and a DVD, beautifully packaged in a double fold out cover entitled “Osanna Live – Uomini e miti”.

The CD delivers a bit more polished and groovy sound than the more raw and agressive sound in the Seventies. But the performance from all the musicians is outstanding, these veterans love to play their music and they are so talented and experienced! Osanna plays material from their Seventies albums like “Ce vulesse – ce vulesse” (exciting ethnic sounding clarinet), “There will be time” (wonderful piano and warm vocals), “Mirror train” (propulsive guitar riffs, powerful clarinet and organ and strong vocals) and an abridged version from “Oro caldo” (swinging bass intro, catchy rhythm and great work on clarinet, fiery electric guitar and vocals), one of the highights from the album “Palepoli”. If you like the early Osanna I’m sure you will not be disappointed by this reunion band concert (featuring three members from the Seventies line-ups). The four studio tracks sound pleasant and varied with strong guitar, saxophone and clarinet but I wonder how many fans from the early Osanna will be pleased by this quite modern and more polished Osanna.

The DVD is very worth to check out, especially because of the contributions by members from Area, Il Balletto Di Bronzo, Area and Banco. The concert (12 songs) is recorded on December 2nd 2003 in a theater in Napoli, the (in)famous city in the poor southern part of Italy. Osanna plays powerful and inspired, most of their songs can also be traced on the aforementioned CD. Very interesting are the tracks by the Italian progrock legends Vittorio De Scalzi from New Trolls with “Signore, io sono Irish” (tender piano and expressive vocals) and “Ti ricordi Joe?” (strong acoustic rhythm guitar), Francesco Di Giacomo and Rodolfo Maltese from Banco with “R.I.P.” (very compelling ‘unplugged’ version with splendid work on a blue Ovation guitar and great moving vocals, goose bumps halfway!), Patrizio Fariselli from Area with “Luglio, agusto, settembre (Nero)” (sparkling piano and guitar with talkbox, it sounds a bit experimental) and Gianni Leone from Il Balletto Di Bronzo with “Love in the kitchen” (very distinctive with bombastic keyboards, classical orchestrations and theatrical vocals). The final 13th song entitled “Everybody’s gonna see you die” is recorded on a festival in 2003 and features Osanna with again Gianni Leone, it sounds swinging and it rocks featuring clarinet, saxophone and heavy electric guitar riffs.

An impressive return from the legend Osanna!!

 

PFM-LIVE IN JAPAN 2002 (DVD)    

- This is a real treat, what an amazing music from Italian progrock legend PFM, featuring three original members. Some hair was lost or has become grey but the band sounds very inspired and so virtuosic! PFM plays 25 songs including strong and exciting renditions from ‘classics’ like La Carozza Di Hans”, Photos Of Ghosts”, “Dove .. Quando”, “Il Banchetto”, “Mr 9 Till 5”, “E Festa” (aka “Celebration”) and “La Luna Nuova” (aka “Four Holes In The Ground”). Lots of outstanding soli on piano, acoustic – and electric guitar, keyboards and violin (special guest Lucio Fabbri). Some tracks from the later, more commercial era sound a bit polished but in general this DVD delivers outstanding progrock (the Japanese fans go wild, what a perfect atmosphere) from the best Italian progrock band ever. GREAT!

 

 

PFM+PAGANI-PIAZZA DEL CAMPO (CD/DVD)  

- Here’s another, even more exciting and captivating DVD (also including a CD) from PFM after their DVD entitled “Live in Japan 2002”. It’s from a concert in the beautiful Italian city Sienna so PFM played a homegame, you can feel it in the air, what a enthousiastic atmosphere on stage and what a warm interaction with the crowd (many 40+ fans!). On the DVD “Live in Japan 2002” PFM played almost in the original line-up and in Siena former violinplayer Mauro Pagani joined the band on stage, along other guest musicians Piero Pelu (vocals), Lucio Fabbri (violin, keyboards, rhythm-guitar), Roberto Gualdi (drums) and some classical musicians. After the short opener “Rain birth” PFM showcases their class with the composition “River of life”: a wonderful harmony of classical guitar, flute and piano, followed by sparkling and dynamic interplay by piano, flute, electric guitar, Minimoog and violin. What a lush and captivating sound and what a warm performance, these veterans love to play progrock, it comes straight from their hearts! The rest of the concert is a succession of  ‘classics’: a splendid violin solo, accompanied by a propulsive rhythm-section in “Photos of ghosts”, exciting interplay from flute and electric guitar and lots of changing climates in “La carrozza di Hans”, fat Minimoog runs and cheerful violin in “Fourholes in the ground”, stunning interplay from sparkling piano, harder-edged guitar en sweeping drums in “Mr. 9 till 5” and the catchy rhythm from “Celebration” featuring the known Minimoog flights, flute and violin, everybody is cheering, clapping and dancing! The long live improvisation “Siena rock jam” delivers lots of soli (from a ‘western’ violin and sensational Minimoog with pitchbend to a short Blackmore/Gillan variation). Also worth mentioning is the duo-violin performance resulting in “Rossini’s William Tell Ouverture”, an excellent encounter from classical – and progressive rock music, very appreciated by the fans. The DVD contains 15 tracks and the CD 12 (slightly different) so you can enjoy this outstanding Italian progrock legend both on CD and DVD. HIGHLY RECOMENDED!

Erik Neuteboom

 

PLACKBAND – Visions    

- The first line-up from Plackband existed between 1977 and 1981, then they disbanded due to the usual problems like musical disputes and lack of money and interest from record companies. While other Dutch symphonic rock bands like Differences, Taurus, Ywis, Cirkel and Arkus succeeded to release a LP in thsoe days, Plackband only managed to release the single Seventy Warriors. But in the late Nineties the band members started to meet each other again, everybody was super enthousiastic and one decided to re-found Plackband. And what a contrast: during their early years Plackband released only that single and now, after their re-union, the band has released the CD The Lost Tapes (a concert from 1981) in 2000, a CD-single entitled Remember Forever in 2001, a new CD After The Battle (with some re-recodings) in 2002 and this week the eagerly awaited DVD/CD entitled Visions, how prolific in comparison with the poor early years! The lion share of the DVD contains a concert recorded in November 2004 featuring new singer Karel Messemaker. Plackband showcases their huge potential, what a professional and inspired band! We can enjoy their wonderful mid-Genesis inspired symphonic rock sound. But  Plackband was more than a copycat, at some moments they added distinctive elements like the pleasant vocal harmonies, a jazzy flavor by keyboard players Michel Van Wassem and a rocky approach by guitarist Ronald Brautigam. Especially in the long first track The Battle/After The Battle delivering a great solo on the ARP Pro Solist synthesizer, a powerful and catchy guitar riff and a fiery wah-wah solo on guitar. Drummer Tom Van Der Meulen does a decent job and the bass work by Albert De Keijzer is very flowing, he is a very underrated musician. Singer Karel Messemaker his voice is very similar to Peter Gabriel (he even has that hoarse ‘timbre’), in the covers Red Rain and Carpet Crawlers he sounds excellent! Almost 1,5 hour Plackband treats us on strong renditions of their ‘classics’ See The Dwarf and Hunchback with great Mellotron samples, fat Moog Taurus bass pedals notes, sensitive electric guitar and fluent synthesizer runs. In The Good Earth is a captivating instrumental jam in which Ronald (subtle build-up solo) and Michel (exciting pitchbend driven synthesizer soli) show their skills. Way more than Genesis, their heroes, Plackband on stage played a lot of improvisations, extended soli and sursprising musical ideas, you can witness these distinctive elements on this DVD/CD. Plackband also delivered some less known songs like Little Minds, Pillow and Blue Flashes In The Red Light District but the ‘total chemistry’ is during the final song, ‘stage favorite’ Seventy Warriors: Michel plays a flashy synthesizer solo, Ronald a very compelling guitar solo and both gentlemen deliver exciting improvised interplay, their combination of skills and pleasure reminds me of Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson from Rush, almost emotional to watch this! The extra’s on the DVD are the tracks Visions Of Another Life (featuring the distinctive voice of  Kees Bik and dia-images of the young died fan Paul Jeczek) and L’Enfant Du 92ème (with beautiful vocals from the recent singer Koos Sekrève), the docu The Making Of Visions Of A Concert and the ‘collage’ Guests that contains pictures from Plackband die-hard fans like Jan Vrolijk and Jerry Van Kooten. This set also includes a CD that contains the concert from 2004 in De Boerderij and a 16-page booklet with wonderful, often nostalgic pictures. In my opinion this dvd will appeal to many mid-genesis fans and symphonic rock aficionados, what a wonderful dvd/cd set from the most overlooked Dutch symphonic rock band

 

(Jean-Luc) PONTY — Jean-Luc Ponty In Concert DVD

- This DVD is a registration from a concert on the Jazz Jamboree 1999 in the Polish capital Warsaw with Jean Luc Ponty on electric violin, supported by William Lecomte on keyboards, Guy Nsangué on bass, Thierry Arpino on drums and Moustapha Cissé on percussion. During the concert you will be delighted about these musicians, what an incredible skillful and creative band!

1. Rhythms of Hope (7:57) : Enjoy JL Ponty his flowing and dynamic jazzy-inspired style. The long violin solo has a great build-up and an exciting finale, supported by splendid play on the piano, drums, bass and percussion, very rhythmic!

2. Jig (8:07) : A very swinging track featuring propulsive bass work, a Latin- American percussive undertone, swirling violinplay and an outstanding piano solo, virtuosic and varied (from jazz to Caribbean).

3. No Absolute Time (10:38) : This long composition is mainly based upon strong soli from violin and piano, the atmosphere is mellow.

4. Pastoral Harmony (8:25) : First a dreamy climate with sensitive violin and tender piano, then the piano culminates into swinging. The violin solo is very intense with those typical fast runs from monsieur Ponty.

5. Caracas (8:36) : The intro contains a swinging and pleasant bass and percussion, then a cheerful sounding violin. Halfway an exciting percussion solo on conga’s and bongo’s which goes into a duet with the drummer, the big smiling faces reveal the pleasure from the musicians, including JL Ponty himself!

6. Memories of California (5:41) : This is an electronic inspired piece delivering synthesizer sounds from Ponty his electric violin and soaring keyboards. Halfway a wonderful, very sensitive violin solo with a classical undertone.

7. Mouna Bowa (8:59) : A catchy rhythm and swinging violin work, then a strong and enthousiastic bass solo, supported by South-American-oriented piano play. Again lots of joy on stage, goose bumps from me while watching this!

8. Enigmatic Ocean, Pt. 2 (7:16) : A splendid rendition from one of his best compositions featuring swirling and dynamic violin work, including an exciting duel between the piano and violin. The rhythm- section is great delivering a short but propulsive drum solo.

9. Open Mind (5:14)1 Rhythms of Hope (7:57) : The final song contains a catchy rhythm with swinging piano and magnificent interplay between all the musicians, a perfect grand finale!

If you are up to jazzy/fusion/jazzrock inspired prog, this excellent DVD is yours!!

 

VARIOUS ARTISTS — Progfest '95 Day One     
 
- Progfest is the largest progressive rock festival in the world, it started in 1993 due to the enormous support from USA prohead #1 Greg Walker! This video is from 1995 featuring Ars Nova from Japan, White Willow from Norway and Solaris from Hungary, what an amazing and exciting line-up! The video starts with tasteful introduction scenes: the music hall in Los Angeles, the progheads from all over the world, band members, the equipment like the ubiquitous Mellotron M400, rehearsals, a progrock market and pictures from progrock magazines (like Progression) and several other progrock items.

And then ... ARS NOVA enters the stage. Great to see those tiny female Japanese musicians with their huge equipment like a wide range of keyboards and the impressive Rickenbacker bass guitar. And how sexy they look wearing very long hair and very short skirts and trousers...! But back to the music, the trio Ars Nova plays melodic and classical inspired, keyboard driven instrumental progrock delivering strong, fluent interplay and lots of splendid and varied keyboards flights (organ, piano, synthesizers, harpsichord). The drummer plays tight and powerful and the bass player with some jazzy undertones. This is wonderful and very pleasant prog with lots of changing atmospheres and musical surprises!

WHITE WILLOW their sound is a compelling blend of folk (violin, acoustic guitar), classical (piano), rock (fiery electric guitar), symphonic (vintage synthesizers like the Minimoog along the Hammond and Mellotron). The music is very intense, adventurous and varied and has in my opinion some echoes from both King Crimson (dark and complex parts) as Renaissance (melodic blend of classical and symphonic and dreamy female vocals). But White Willow doesn’t sound derivative, discover their unique musical progrock adventure, including a swinging bass solo and some strong improvisations.

SOLARIS is my highlight on this video, what an exciting prog: splendid interplay (flute, guitar, keyboards), great soli (spectacular Minimoog runs), a propulsive and dynamic rhythm-section and lots of amazing shifting moods and breaks. Solaris blends classic, folk, rock and symphonic in a very fascinating way and the crowd loved these crafty and enthousiastic Hungarian musicians. From all three bands on this video Solaris is the most explosive to watch on stage, WHAT AN EXCELLENT PROGROCK BAND THIS IS!!!

 

QUIDAM – The Fifth Season Live In Poland  

- In the late Nineties I witnessed a gig by Polish progrock band Quidam, my strongest memory about that concert is the wonderful version of Genesis their masterpiece Firth Of Fifth, say no more! I won’t say that I didn’t like Quidam but they didn’t make music that manage to keep my attention. This DVD is another story, perhaps because of the fresh blood in the line-up? Anyway, the first track Hands Off showcases Quidam their sound: a wonderful balance between dreamy parts (with warm vocals, sensitive electric guitar and flute) and more bombastic pieces (howling electric guitar and fuent work on organ and synthesizers). The neo-prog sound is blended with progressive poprock bands like U2 (guitar sound) and Talk Talk (especially the vocals). My highlights are the Led Zeppelin cover No Quarter (fine Fender Rhodes piano sound, flute and then a ‘symphonic rock Camel turn’ to the original quite raw climate), the long and alternating titletrack (halfway a jazzy piano solo along fat guitar riffs and a propulsive rhythm-section) and Everythin’s Ended (first dreamy, then more and more lush and bombastic delivering howling electric guitar). The song Jestes contains Polish vocals and the final track Not So Close has a final part with the vocal harmonies of Hush Hush by Deep Purple.

This DVD also contains lots of many extra’s like recording sessions, video clips, festival and concert reports, an interview and a biography, discography and photo galery.

I was very pleasantly surprised by the high level of Quidam and their tasteful and inspired modern progrock sound, along with the extra DVD value (beautiful lightshow, pleasant images and nice crowd participation) this DVD is highy recommended!

 

ROXY MUSIC – Musikladen Live 74/75  

- This DVD ( recordings from the famous German rock shows Musikladen and Beatclub) showcases a band that looked like glamrockers but for sure their sound was progressive rock! The focal point was the handsome and versatile (vocals, keyboards, mouth-organ) singer Bryan Ferry but some members were mighty close like a spacey dressed Brian Eno (great to see him on that odd Synthi-A synthesizer during “Virginia plain”), the underrated guitarplayer Phil Manzanera (loads of powerful and moving soli) and the androgyn joung genius Eddie Jobson (monumental duel on his transparant violin with bassplayer John Wetton on “Out of the blue”). And don’t forget Andrew MacKay (strong and distinctive work on the sax and oboe) and a magnificent rhythm-section featuring the very dynamic drummer Paul Thompson. Roxy Music plays most of their best material, enjoy splendid renditions of “Do the strand”, “Remake re-model”, “Mother of pearl” and my highlight, the classic composition “Out of the blue”. Let’s not argue about their musical direction, art-rock or progrock or just poprock, enjoy this great band during their progrock heyday.

 

SATELLITE – Evening Dreams   

- While listening and watching to this DVD, to me it seems that this DVD experience succeeds to keep me more involved in the music than their last CD entitled Evening Games. The reason is that I feel much more emotion and to me the music sounds more powerful and compelling on this DVD than on the CD.

During the start of this concert (recorded live in Poland, 2005) the atmosphere is great with enthousiastic crowd participation (clapping and cheering). Then we can enjoy the wonderful lightshow and the modern, very tasteful and often emotional sounding neo-prog by the Polish four piece band Satellite: inspired vocals, howling electric guitar, pleasant keyboard layers and runs and lots of dynamics. The next track is Evening Games, a perfect example how Satellite manages to keep my attention, despite the long running time of this composition (more than 15 minutes): a wonderful intro with soaring violin-Mellotron samples, followed by warm vocals, sensitive electric guitar and some exciting bombastic eruptions. In the other seven songs Satellite also delivers wonderful, very melodic neo-prog with flowing shifting moods and beautiful work on guitar and keyboards, emotional vocals (early Fish inspired) and compelling work on keyboards and guitar (lots of very beautiful soli with hints from Latimer and Rothery).

The bonus video contains the video clip Love Is Around You, the docu Satellite Offstage and extras like a biography, discography and  bonus audio tracks (On The Run, Now, Rush and Why). The total running time of this DVD is more than 200 minutes, this is a must for any neo-prog fan!

 

SPOCK'S BEARD — Live At The Whiskey A Go-Go (Los Angeles 1999)    

- In the mid-Nineties I ordered some CD’s from Greg Walker his progrock mailorder- service/label Syn-Phonic in the USA. When I received a few weeks later Greg his parcel, it appeared to contain one CD more, accompanied by a small letter. On it was written that Greg had added a brandnew CD from his latest discovery named Spock’s Beard, he finished his short letter with the unforgettable words “I am sure you will like it!”. Well, this almost turned out to be an understatement, what an exciting and captivating progrock Spock’s Beard presented me on their debut album The Light! A few years later I finally could witness my new progrock heroes during a concert in Utrecht, Holland. This video captures Spock’s Beard on their Day Of Night tour during a concert in the known Whiskey A Go-go in Los Angeles in 1999.

The USA progrock band Spock’s Beard features five excellent, experienced musicians. Their varied musical backgrounds have resulted in very dynamic music with sparkling chemistry, mighty close to the excitement when I discovered Marillion in the early Eighties! On this video (not DVD!) you can enjoy lots of great compositions from their first four studio albums and many sensational solo excertitions. In those days for me Spock’s Beard’s progrock was a pleasant blend of Genesis, Yes, Gentle Giant and The Beatles, the music alternated from rock and pop to bombastic and complex progrock featuring tasteful vintage keyboards (Mellotron, Hammond, Moog), fiery and biting, often wah-wah drenched guitar soli (using a Fender Stratocaster with the word ‘Mellotron’ on it!), a dynamic and adventurous rhythm-section and the enthousiastic and humorous multi-talented eyecatcher Neal Morse on lead vocals, keyboards and guitar, AMAZING! Highlights are the long Go The Way You Go (great final part delivering a moving guitar solo and majestic choir-Mellotron), a spectacular solo from Ryo on his ‘key-tar’ (a keyboard body and a guitar neck) with outstanding support on powerful Rickenbacker bass and creative drumming (it sounds like mid-ELP), virtuosic duo acoustic (6 – and 12-string) guitar play in The Doorway from Neal and Alan, lots of exciting shifting moods and soli in their magnum opus The Light and a harder-edged version from Squonk (by Genesis) with a funny acting Nick on vocals. Perhaps later Spock’s Beard sounded more original, for me this video captured Spock’s Beard, despite some more poppy oriented songs, at their pinnacle!

 

STAMPING GROUND - Various Artists  

- In late June 1970 the Kralingen Pop Festival (named Stamping Ground, derived from the pioneers in the West who gathered to celebrate and do spirituals things) took place in Rotterdam as a Dutch answer to the Woodstock and Isle Of Wight festivals. The band list was impressive: Santana, Al Stewart, Canned Heat, T-Rex, Jefferson Airplane, It’s A Beautiful Day, Family, Country Joe, Dr. John & The Night Trippers, Flock, The Byrds and Pink Floyd! The video is a very tasteful registration of a festival with lots of great bands and a crowd that looked so happy: many hippies with water pipes, hasj and coloured cloths, people who jumped naked into the water, made love or went asleep because of the drugs and accohol, wonderful and legendary scenes. You also see  images from The Netherlands: flat and green landscapes with windmills and Amsterdam with their typical houses, canals and bridges (young tourist Brian Aydair will show you his pictures from that!).<p>But of course the focus is on the music and there was a lot to enjoy on that point: Al Stewart a few years before his breakthrough with Year Of The Cat, Marc Bolan with T-Rex a few years before his death, Family with an appreciated vocal performance by Roger Chapman (raw and so distinctive), Dr. John & The Night Trippers with flaming torches in the dark, The Byrds, always pleasant to hear and the brand new Prog Archives addition Jefferson Airplane with a compelling (sometimes bit unpitched) version of White Rabbit. The two highlights on this video are two famous bands that still make music. First Santana, they stunned the crowd with their latin-prog sound, based upon the powerful and emotional guitarwork by Carlos Santana, the propulsive percussion play (conga’s and timbales) and the swirling Hammond B3 organ sound by Greg Rolie. And second the final act from this 3-day festival, Pink Floyd: although the images are a bit dark, the sheer psychedelic atmosphere is amazing with mindblowing, very inspired versions from Set The Controls For The Heart Of The Sun and A Saucerful Of Secrets. It seemed that Pink Floyd enjoyed themselves so much that they stretched the latter song to eternity, we can witness fine views on Rick Wright playing the Farfisa organ runs and David Gilmour delivering his emotional vocal contribution, goose bumps!<p>There is also a DVD version but in my opinion it is illegal (from Brasil) so I have added this video, a historical muscial document, loaded with progressive rock moments.

 

STRAWBS – LIVE IN TOKYO ‘75/GRAVE NEW WORLD THE MOVIE (DVD)   

- In the Seventies the Strawbs were an interesting progressive band. Their music was a blend of folk, rock and symphonic (in the vein of THE MOODY BLUES and BARCLAY JAMES HARVEST), topped by the distinctive vocals from Dave Cousins. RICK WAKEMAN was in the early line-up but he had a minor role. After he left to join YES the band, how ironically, blossemed and made some captivating progrock albums. The driving force behind the band was (and is, recently they re-united and even made a live-DVD) singer/guitarist Dave Cousins, a kind of progrock answer to DONOVAN or BOB DYLAN. This DVD showcases their unique progrock in their artistic and commercial heyday (the albums “Hero and heroine” and “Ghosts” sold well). The first part of this DVD is a concert in Tokyo from 1975 (running time 40 minutes). It shows an inspired band that plays songs like “Lemon pie”, “You and I, when we were young”, “New world”, “Hero and heroine”, “Just love” (straight rock with fiery guitarwork from Dave Lambert) and the highlight “Down by the sea” (compelling twanging electric and majestic choir-Mellotron waves). The bass player was Chas Cronk, later he joined THE STEVE HACKETT BAND. The second part includes the movie “Grave new world” (from 1972, almost 30 minutes), featuring the songs from that album, all visually embellished by a ‘video-clip’. The result ranges from impressive (the gospel-like “Benedictus” and the bombastic “Tomorrow”) to funny (“The flower and the young man” and “Ah me, ah my”). I my opinion this movie has an undertone of typical British humor, not everybody’s cup of tea! The last part is a special bonus (10 minutes): Rick Wakeman’s television debut in the song “Til the sun comes shining through” (he already shows his sparkling piano-play), an interview with Dave Cousins on a lifeboat and a preview from the album “Wakeman and Cousins” with the song “The young pretender” (wonderful violinplay).

A good and comprehensive DVD that shows The Strawbs at their best.

 

TRIANA-SE DE UN LUGAR (2CD/1DVD-double-fold-out-digipack version)       

 
 

- This is the best progrock you can get from Spain ! Triana was the most pivotal band that blended symphonic rock and flamenco, the ethnic music from the Andalusian gypsies. Their first album “El Patio” is a classic, the second is good but from the third the albums gradually sounded less symphonic and more as polished rock. Nonetheless the Spanish people loved their music and Triana became the most popular rockband in the Spanish rock history, they often played for massive crowds and most their albums got the platinum status! Unfortunately in ‘83 band member Jesus De La Rosa died in a car accident and Triana was no longer. They released a lot of compilation albums, this one contains two discs with 24 tracks (many from their best three albums) and for the first time a DVD. That DVD is a 55 minute documentary with footage from several TV music programs like Mundo Pop, Ahora, Popgrama (beautiful scene in a Morish palace) and Aplauso (from ’74 until ’81). Most of the 13 songs are interrupted by commentary from the band members, people who worked with Triana and who are influenced by Triana, like a musician from Ketama, the known ‘new flamenco movement’. This DVD (13 songs, most are long excerps) gives a good impression from the innovative and exciting sound from Triana: propulsive flamenco solo – and rhythm guitar, howling electric guitar (great double-neck guitar), warm string-ensemble, distinctive Fender Rhodes piano, slow Moog synthesizer runs, lots of Banks-like organ play and great Andalusian vocals (expressive and a bit wailing). Some songs from the later period sound a bit polished (like “Corre”) but in general this DVD shows a stunning and very talented band that delivers music that has a perfect balance between emotions and skills and electric – and acoustic music. If you are up to discover the wonderful world of flamenco this historical document is a splendid Christmas gift. Feliz Navidad y un prospero ano nuevo para todos los aficionados de Triana, el grupo numero uno!

 



Edited by erik neuteboom - September 07 2007 at 13:47
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   ......THE VARIOUS ARTISTS SPECIAL

 

 

 

                

UN BIGLIETTO PER L'INFERNO-CONCERTO TRIBUTO

  
- This DVD is a 'tribute concert' to the legendary Italian progrock band BIGLIETTO PER L'INFERNO, this sold out concert was given in Lecco (Italy), early 2005. It was a memorable day for the Italian progrock fans that day because some line-ups featured musicians from other legendary Italian progrock bands like Rodolfo Maltese from BANCO, Tony Pagliuca from LE ORME and Patrizio Faresseli and Paolo Tofani from AREA.

The first band on this concert was Ubi Maior, they played tight and dynamic with a humorous and very energetic singer. Their keyboard sound sounded modern, only the Hammond organ took us back to the typical progrock sound of the Seventies.

Next the band Greenwall, they presented a female singer with a very distinctive voice, not always my cup of tea. Greenwall played mainly acoustic but on "Abbiamo ragione" the band members took a key-tar and a twin-neck, always nice to see those instruments!

The next two musicains (both from AREA) performed solo: first Paolo Tofani on a sitar-like acoustic guitar and then Patrizio Fariselli on the acoustic piano, both delivered a great performance.

The band Fonderia started to play "Dubbio II", when this song was finished guitar/trumpet-player Rodolfo Maltese from BANCO entered the stage, he surprised the audience with the BANCO songs like "RIP" and "Non mi rompete", GREAT!

Between the band Destabanda and musicians from Claudio Rocchi, keyboard player Tony Pagliuca from LE ORME joined the band Gas for two Le Orme songs entitled "Era inverno" and "Uno sguardo verso il cielo". In both songs a violin player has been added, he gives the music an even more classical touch, along the powerful Hammond organ sound.

Don't excpect on this DVD a perfect dive into the Italian progrock sound from the Seventies, just enjoy the pleasant and inspired appearances from some members from that era, they delivered a good performance so we could taste a few moments from that wonderful era! If you are an Italian Seventies aficionado, this DVD is essential. Otherwise this DVD deserves 3 stars. But it's my review so 4 stars!

 

    RIME OF THE ANCIENT SAMPLE

     THE MELLOTRON ALBUM                 
 

- My #500 review on this site was dedicated to the unsurpassed Mellotron and what a coincidence, it's all about MELLOTRON'S!! This CD is an initiative from Alan Fluff Freeman, the executive producer is Martin Smith and it's dedicated to Leslie and Norman Bradley and to the memory of Frank Bradley and Bill Franssen. All these aformentioned people contributed very much to the rise of the Mellotron in the late Sixties. The 8 page booklet contain a foreword by Alan Freeman and a story about the Mellotron, short but comprehensive and very pleasant to read.

The CD delivers 18 tracks in which we can enjoy the Mellotron in all its splendor: voices, electric guitar, violins, choirs, sound effects, harps, waltz, backward piano (!), Hammond organ, boys choir, flutes, vibes, 16 voice choir, female choir, oboe, trumpet, Spanish guitar, mandolin, strings, brass and saxes. These sounds are produced by several Mellotrons, a Birotron and Chamberlain and played by a lot of known progrock musicians like Michael Pinder, Sheila Maloney, Blue Weaver, Nick Magnus, Woolly Wolstenholme, Julian Colbeck and David Etheridge. The music is on a varied level (from boring New Age to wonderful prog) and contains some splendid pieces like "Deceivers all" from Woolly Wolstenholme (close to the early BJH sound), "Bradmatic" from Martin Smith (wonderful Spanish guitar/choir-Mellotron duel), "Mellow blues blues" from Blue Weaver (indeed, blues featuring the Mellotron) and "Julia" from Gordon Reed and "Lift" from David Kean, both with David Cross on midi- violin, very compelling! The final track "1964 Mellotron demonstration disc" from El Cumbanchero is a very entertaining and funny one, a person tells enthousiasticly about the numerous possibilities and you can hear guitars, violins, mandolin, several rhythms and a Latin orchestra, "..what a thrill..."!

 

TALES OF BRAZILIAN ROCK CHAPTER 1 

- “Brasil is not only samba” as the Brasilian progrock label Record Runner mentions in the booklet! We are very willing to believe that so let’s try to be convinced. This compilation features 8 bands from 3 different periods: Terco and Verdaguer from The Seventies, Sagrado, Quantum and De Boni from the Eighties and Nave, Lehmejum and Blezqi Zatsaz from the Nineties. But all material played on the 10 compostions is recorded between March and June in 1993.

The first band is Quantum with two songs (The Sword and Parcecs), both deliver bombastic keyboard prog in the vein of ELP with lots of flashy synthesizer and organ soli. Next is Verdaguer (the name is derived from Argentine bass player Willy Verdaguer), they also play two tracks (Figuras and Galho De Arruda) loaded with pleasant jazzrock – and Latin-American elements and strong work on the bass. Sagrado is perhaps the most known Brasilian formation on this compilation. This six piece band makes wonderful, very elaborate and tastefully arranged prog featuring excellent electric violin work. Then the quartet Blezqi Zatsaz, in their song Trip To Delirum we hear modern, very fluent prog with biting electric guitar and swirling keyboards. The next track is by Boni (named after their keyboard/bass player Luiz De Boni), their song Rainbow Circling The Sun contains pleasant and tasteful electronic rock inspired music. The band Nave delivers the longest composition (10 minutes), unfortunately it’s also the less captivating song, a bit too tame. The next band Lehmejum is another story, their contribution Two Ways is swinging jazzrock with great violin play that reminds me of JL Ponty. Certainly one of the highlights on this CD! The final song The Guardians is by the veterans of Terco, the atmosphere is wonderful and compelling with fiery electric guitar and soaring keyboards.

This CD is a good introduction to the interesting Brazilian progrock although it's from 1993!

 

ROCKANDALUS             

- Last year I started a topic on the Forum entitled “Spanish Prog!”. After a slow start it was visited very well and I got many pleasant reactions, even from Spanish progrock musicans! Most of them hailed the unique and captivating sound. For me it is obvious that the Spanish progrock is the most prolific, distinctive and exciting blend of ethnic music (often the Andalusian flamenco) and progressive rock in the world. It emerged in the second half of the Seventies, speerheaded by the legendary Triana. This review is dedicated to all those progheads who appreciate or want to discover the Spanish progressive rock

This CD compilation is a perfect introduction, it contains 16 tracks from 5 known bands: Alameda, Medina Azahara, Iman, Cai and Guadalquivir. The lion’s share is by Alameda (6 songs). In general they sound a bit sentimental featuring romantic violins, tender piano, flamenco guitar and almost tearjerking vocals. One of the best compositions on this CD is also by Alameda, it’s titled Amanecer En El Puerto and contains beautiful, omnipresent keyboards and strong, moving vocals. Another good track from Alameda is Al Caer with its sultry, typical Morish atmosphere.

A very known band is Medina Azahara, the successor of the legendary Triana but more harder-edged and less flamenco inspired. On their three contributions La Esquina Del Viento, Paseando Por La Mezquita (great guitar riff that blends hardrock and flamenco) and Andalucia they deliver an enthousiastic approach with catchy rhythms, Mark Kelly-like synthesizer flights, powerful, often emotional vocals and pleasant variation.

From Iman we got also three songs: the beautiful acoustic Ninos (from their debut-CD released by Musea), Tarantos (wonderful floating guitar sound) and Cancion De La Oruga (very warm and pleasant climate).

One of the finest blends of flamenco and progrock is from Cai on the track Noche Abierta: a wide range of keyboards and exciting flamenco guitar work. Their other song Sone Contigo delivers strong, melancholical vocals and senstitive electric guitar.

Finally there is Quadalquivir with their powerful and dynamic jazzrock-oriented progrock sound. The interplay is great, the keyboard runs are impressive and the guitarplay is excellent, here is the Andalusian Carlos Santana!

This is essential Spanish progrock, what a masterpiece!!

 

PROGFEST '95 DAY ONE      

- Progfest is the largest progressive rock festival in the world, it started in 1993 due to the enormous support from USA prohead #1 Greg Walker! This video is from 1995 featuring Ars Nova from Japan, White Willow from Norway and Solaris from Hungary, what an amazing and exciting line-up! The video starts with tasteful introduction scenes: the music hall in Los Angeles, the progheads from all over the world, band members, the equipment like the ubiquitous Mellotron M400, rehearsals, a progrock market and pictures from progrock magazines (like Progression) and several other progrock items.

And then ... ARS NOVA enters the stage. Great to see those tiny female Japanese musicians with their huge equipment like a wide range of keyboards and the impressive Rickenbacker bass guitar. And how sexy they look wearing very long hair and very short skirts and trousers...! But back to the music, the trio Ars Nova plays melodic and classical inspired, keyboard driven instrumental progrock delivering strong, fluent interplay and lots of splendid and varied keyboards flights (organ, piano, synthesizers, harpsichord). The drummer plays tight and powerful and the bass player with some jazzy undertones. This is wonderful and very pleasant prog with lots of changing atmospheres and musical surprises!

WHITE WILLOW their sound is a compelling blend of folk (violin, acoustic guitar), classical (piano), rock (fiery electric guitar), symphonic (vintage synthesizers like the Minimoog along the Hammond and Mellotron). The music is very intense, adventurous and varied and has in my opinion some echoes from both King Crimson (dark and complex parts) as Renaissance (melodic blend of classical and symphonic and dreamy female vocals). But White Willow doesn’t sound derivative, discover their unique musical progrock adventure, including a swinging bass solo and some strong improvisations.

SOLARIS is my highlight on this video, what an exciting prog: splendid interplay (flute, guitar, keyboards), great soli (spectacular Minimoog runs), a propulsive and dynamic rhythm-section and lots of amazing shifting moods and breaks. Solaris blends classic, folk, rock and symphonic in a very fascinating way and the crowd loved these crafty and enthousiastic Hungarian musicians. From all three bands on this video Solaris is the most explosive to watch on stage, WHAT AN EXCELLENT PROGROCK BAND THIS IS!!!

 

DUENDE ELECTRICO (2-CD)      

 
- Last year a read a topic in which somebody was wondering why there were/are so few progrock ideas from Spain. Well, this 2-CD set is a perfect introduction to the wonderful and exciting world of the Spanish progressive rock, loaded with great progrock ideas! The Spanish word 'duende' is used in the art of the flamenco, it pointed at the extraordinary moments when a flamenco artist has total communion with the audience. These moments are rare but very special, often accompanied by "ole's" (this has nothing to do with the awful and cruel bullfights!). On this 2-CD set you will find lots of duende between flamenco and progrock, I compare it with the unique and compelling blend of folk and progrock from Los Jaivas!

On CD1 there is a lot of variety from bands and musicians, the songs are recorded between 1975 and 1994. SMASH delivers a powerful blend of rock, blues, flamenco and Sixties (Stones, Yardbirds) featuring fiery electric guitar and typical Spanish vocals. ICEBERG, IMAN and GUADALQUIVIR make strong and captivating symphonic jazzrock with a Morish undertone and great interplay between guitar and kebyoards, supported by a dynamic rhythm-section. GUALBERTO plays a flamenco guitar piece entitled "Tarantos para Jimi Hendrix", it sounds as an exciting blend of rock and flamenco featuring violins and electric - and acoustic guitar. Another good track is "Al Andalus" from Spanish rock legend Miguel Rios: it contains a typical Morish atmosphere, distinctive vocals from Miguel Rios and a swinging and catchy rhythm. Of course Spanish most pivotal progrock band TRIANA is included, they play "Quiero contarte" featuring wonderful melancholical vocals and compelling progrock. The track "Aires de la Alameda" from ALAMEDA contains strong Spanish vocals and wonderful piano, it's typical 'Rock andalus' just like the final song "Hablo de una tierra" featuring a very moving duet from the violin-Mellotron and flamenco guitar!

CD2 contains songs from bands and musicians that are recorded between 1986 and 1996. MEDINA AZAHARA plays heavy progressive with echoes from Marillion, the track "Paseando por la mezquita" is their most Morish/flamenco inspired and sounds powerful and moving. PATA NEGRA (featuring the Amador brothers) plays an exciting blend of rock, blues and flamenco on acoustic guitars. RAIMUNDO AMADOR is also included with the band ARRAJATABLA, they deliver another exciting blend of progrock and flamenco with excellent electric guitar work. A known new band is KETAMA with their strong blend of pop, rock and flamenco featuring typical Spanish vocals. A fine surprise is the music from (again) RAIMUNDO AMADOR in "Ay que gustino pa mis orejas", he plays an unique mix of Bob Marley inspired reggae (with organ and typical rhythm-guitar) and flamenco, very swinging! Another known new band is MANTECA, included with the track "Tarila": a fusion-like mix of flamenco guitar and jazzy piano and saxophone. The final song is from DIEGO THE MORON, he is joined by members from GRANADA, the composition "Despertar (a 'rondena')" delivers a great blend of flamenco guitar and lush keyboards, typical 'Rock andalus'.

This 2-cd set is a perfect introduction to the exciting world of the Spanish progrock!

 

STAMPING GROUND       

- In late June 1970 the Kralingen Pop Festival (named Stamping Ground, derived from the pioneers in the West who gathered to celebrate and do spirituals things) took place in Rotterdam as a Dutch answer to the Woodstock and Isle Of Wight festivals. The band list was impressive: Santana, Al Stewart, Canned Heat, T-Rex, Jefferson Airplane, It’s A Beautiful Day, Family, Country Joe, Dr. John & The Night Trippers, Flock, The Byrds and Pink Floyd! The video is a very tasteful registration of a festival with lots of great bands and a crowd that looked so happy: many hippies with water pipes, hasj and coloured cloths, people who jumped naked into the water, made love or went asleep because of the drugs and accohol, wonderful and legendary scenes. You also see images from The Netherlands: flat and green landscapes with windmills and Amsterdam with their typical houses, canals and bridges (young tourist Brian Aydair will show you his pictures from that!).

But of course the focus is on the music and there was a lot to enjoy on that point: Al Stewart a few years before his breakthrough with Year Of The Cat, Marc Bolan with T-Rex a few years before his death, Family with an appreciated vocal performance by Roger Chapman (raw and so distinctive), Dr. John & The Night Trippers with flaming torches in the dark, The Byrds, always pleasant to hear and the brand new Prog Archives addition Jefferson Airplane with a compelling (sometimes bit unpitched) version of White Rabbit. The two highlights on this video are two famous bands that still make music. First Santana, they stunned the crowd with their latin-prog sound, based upon the powerful and emotional guitarwork by Carlos Santana, the propulsive percussion play (conga’s and timbales) and the swirling Hammond B3 organ sound by Greg Rolie. And second the final act from this 3-day festival, Pink Floyd: although the images are a bit dark, the sheer psychedelic atmosphere is amazing with mindblowing, very inspired versions from Set The Controls For The Heart Of The Sun and A Saucerful Of Secrets. It seemed that Pink Floyd enjoyed themselves so much that they stretched the latter song to eternity, we can witness fine views on Rick Wright playing the Farfisa organ runs and David Gilmour delivering his emotional vocal contribution, goose bumps!

There is also a DVD version but in my opinion it is illegal (from Brasil) so I have added this video, a historical muscial document, loaded with progressive rock moments.

 

KEYBOARDS TRIANGLE    

- This CD (the sub-title is “Keyboard trio tribute”) is a collaboration from two great, very sumptuous keyboard-driven bands: Ars Nova and Gerard. They have made their own versions of seven compositions from ELP (two tracks), TRACE, PFM, RICK WAKEMAN, IL BALLETTO DI BRONZO and BANCO. You can always argue about the value of playing covers. But in my opinion these two splendid Japanese progrock bands have succeeded in making an interesting cover-CD. First because all musicians are very talented, second they play so tight, dynamic and powerful and third both Ars Nova as Gerard have succesfully added their own, very sumptuous sound and musical vision to the original songs. If you listen to “Toccata” (from ELP) performed by Gerard, it’s incredible that this music can sound even more bombastic than the original! And in BANCO’s “La conquista della posizione eratta” you will be stunned by the Jobson-like violin sound from the Korg synthesizer and the superdynamic rhythm-section. The final part includes wonderful violin-Mellotron waves and slowly fading harpsicord play, beautiful. Ars Nova does very well in “Birds medley” (by Rick van der Linden’s TRACE), “Epilogo” from IL BALLETTO DI BRONZO (their album “Ys” is a captivating and alternating but very complex ‘classic’) and “Tarkus” (from ELP) featuring varied and exciting duo- keyboardplay (great Moog flights and classical orchestrations) and also a very dynamic and strong rhythm-section. Very surprising is the choir-Mellotron intro in “Tarkus”, Keith Emerson refuses to use this unique instrument. The other two tracks are from Gerard. First “Catharine Parr” (RICK WAKEMAN) that features the amazing talents from Toshio Egawa on keyboards (piano, organ, Mellotron, synthesizers), driven by that high- energy rhythm-section. Especially those parts with the GRIEG-inspired synthesizer flights, supported by lush organ and Mellotron waves, sound impressive. Second the known piece “Fourholes in the ground”, from PFM including those quick and catchy Moog runs and the violin-Mellotron waves. Gerard changes this song into an up-tempo piece with lots of bombastic keyboard sounds. Not every Italian progrock aficionado will be pleased with the result and I have to admit that on one hand I miss the warm atmosphere and Italian vocals but on the other hand Gerard has given their own, very distinctive dynamic and sumptuous turn to this song and they deserve credit for that is my opinion.

If you like bombastic keyboard-driven prog, this CD is a must!!

 

THE READING ROOM     

- When I got this CD as a promo for a Dutch progrock magazine I was stunned by the high level of the progrock bands. It is a concept album with exclusive new songs from: Aragon, Brassé, Cliffhanger (featuring bass player/keyboardist Gijs Koopman who recently played with The Knight Area on Nearfest 2005), Final Conflict, Galahad, Galleon, Jacob's Dream, Like Wendy (an acclaimed musician on Prog Archives), Maryson and The Night Watch (the Italian Genesis). If you want to discover some new interesting progrock, this is a fine opportunity!

 

PINKPOP - THE VINTAGE YEARS 1975-1979  

- In the summer of 1979 I decided to return to the annual Pinkpop Festival (the ‘Dutch Woodstock’) in Geleen, a town in the southern part of The Netherlands. The year before I had visited it for the first time and enjoyed music from Journey, Thin Lizzy and Mother Finest in a sold out Sportpark Geleen, what a wonderful and pleasant ‘hippie-like’ event. The year 1979 promised appearances from The Police, Dire Straits, Massada (the Dutch Santana) and ... Rush, for the first time in The Netherlands so this was my chance to see the Canadian ‘powerprog’. It was again a sold out festival, it was sunny and warm and the presentation was, as usual, in the hands of the known UK dj John Peel. The Rush ‘Hemisphere-tour-gig’ on Pinkpop was excellent and stunning, the trio made impression, not only by the many Canadian fans who joined Rush on their worldtour!

Looking at this DVD it’s a bit sad to conclude that the Rush one hour performance has been reduced to 6 minutes from the composition La Villa Strangiato. The camera work is good, the musicians outstanding (especially Alex with his compelling solo is sheer magical) and the power and energy is tremendous! But it is one of the few highlights on this DVD, along with Uriah Heep delivering their catchy song Sweet Lorraine (enthousiastic David Byron as a kind of Freddy Mercury ‘avant-la- lettre’) and an exciting Massada featuring Neppie Noya on percussion in Sageru. But unfortunately most of the other band scenes look sloppy (boring and too far away with Manfred Mann’s Earth Band on Blinded By The Light) and we cannot enjoy footage from Dire Straits and The Police. Conclusion: nice festival scenes, some great live bands scenes but in general a bit disappointing DVD. Perhaps once Rush will release the footage from Pinkpop 1979 when they convinced Europe and would soon turn into ‘biggies’!

 

PROGRESSIVAMENTE 1973 – 2003   

- This CD is a compilation featuring 11 Italian progrock bands with music made between 1973 and 2003. It’s an initiative by some Italian progheads in order to let us enjoy from the captivating and varied Italian scene. Most of the compositions are composed in the last ten years but this CD also contains material from the Seventies like the final track by Semiramis that came from the vaults of one member!

1. GIANNI LEONI : Frammenti Di Ys (4:48) : Here’s the keyboard player from the legendary, highly acclaimed band Il Balletto Di Bronzo with fragments from their excellent album Ys, re-recorded in 1996. He delivers dazzling keyboard work in the vein of the bombastic and virtuosic Keith Emerson. Halfway a mellow piece with soaring keyboards and warm vocals and finally some complex prog, their trademark!

2. METAMORFOSI : Porta Dell'Inferno/Caronte/Spacciatore di droga - live 1996 (3:33) : Another acclaimed band from the Seventies, they start with a majestic church- organ sound, then very distinctive vocals (expressive, opera-like) and the music turns into swinging with sparkling organ runs and a powerful rhythm-section, great!

3. SINFONIA: La Follia Che Diventa' Realta' - 2003 (6:44) : First dreamy with soft synthesizer flights, twanging and pleasant vocals. Then it’s Pandora’s Box featuring fluent flute traverse and a spectacular synthesizer solo. The music becomes more and more complex and bombastic including soli on violin, saxophone and piano. A real gem in the wonderful Italian progrock tradition!

4. OSANNA: Non Sei Vissuto Mai - new version from 2001 (4:53) : This song contains a mid-tempo delivering fiery electric guitar runs and powerful vocals, halfway a short dreamy part with saxophone. Quite swinging for the usual progrock standards!

5. EZRA WINSTON: The Painter And The King - alternative version from 1990 (7:53) : This known band from the Eighties delivers a fine blend of folk, classical and symphonic rock, very alternating with many delicate musical ideas and a lush instrumentation, ranging from piccolo flute and trumpet to saxophone and wonderful keyboards.

6. HYDRO: Worry from 2001 (5:08) : This song is a bit of a maverick, it sounds atmospheric and has electronic undertones with lots of weird sounds.

7. ALBERO MOTORE: Capodanno '74 from 1974 (6:55) : We can enjoy the distinctive Rhodes electric piano sound and then strong interplay with the (often fiery) guitar and some flute. To me the music has elements from Frank Zappa and King Crimson

8. METAMORFOSI: Mururoa from 1996 (6:35) : Another track on this CD by legendary Metamorfosi. This one is very alternating, from dreamy and swinging to bombastic, embellished with great vocals, these sound dramatic, great Italian prog!

9. VITTORIO DE SCALZI – La Storia Dei New Trolls: La Prima Goccia Bagna lI Viso - Part I & II - new version from 2002 (9:04) : From the beginning you can enjoy the powerful, very typical Hammond organ sound in a bluesy climate featuring a bit screamy vocals, a piece with classical piano, vocal harmonies and finally a strong build- up guitar solo.

10. VIRTUAL DREAM: Frengo from 1996 (7:31) : This composition delivers jazzrock inspired prog with strong interplay and biting, wah-wah drenched guitar and a bass solo with propulsive rhythm-guitar.

11. LEONERO: Il Castello - English version from 1975 (4:56) : A catchy rhythm with a varied keyboard sound (a kind of fuzzed clavinet, piano and organ) and strong duo vocals, very compelling.

12. SEMIRAMIS: Luna Park - demo version from 1973 (4:43) : This final track by one of my favorite Italian progrock bands is one of the highlights of this CD, it features wonderful keyboard work (my beloved string-ensemble), a dynamic atmosphere, a piece with mandoline and finally a sensitive electric guitar solo. A great final song that contains the typical Seventies prog sound.

A big hand for Progressivamente!!

 

KRAUTROCK MEETING       

- In the late Seventies my favorite record shop Moonlight Records in The Hague (the owner was drummer Bob De Jong from Dutch prog band Pythagoras) started to sell Krautrock/German progrock. I was mesmerized by line-ups that featured lots of Hammond organ work, a wide range of keyboards and varied instrumentation (flute, acoustic guitar, violin). After a first listening session I bought albums from Jane, Grobschnitt, Eloy and Novalis, I was so delighted about their music that within a few weeks I had almost bought the entire Krautrock/German progrock section, from the aforementioned bands to Ramses, Triumvirat, Birth Control and Hoelderlin. At about 25 years later I have bought my first DVD featuring Krautrock/German prog bands and I am very pleased with it.

The 2-DVD Krautrock Meeting contains a concert with 6 bands (each played at about 30 minutes), recorded late 2004 in Bonn, Germany. So don’t expect footage from the Seventies or Eighties or all bands in the original line-up. On this 2-DVD you will witness Krautrock veterans with often rugged faces and grey or thin hair but how inspired and professional they played that evening, THUMBS UP!

DVD-1 starts with Epitaph, they play bluesrock with echoes from Cream, Eric Clapton and Wishbone Ash (duo guitarwork). Guitarplayer Heinz Glass does a good job on his silverplated Fender Telecaster.

Then legend Guru Guru, they offer varied songs: bluesy in Living In The Woods, swinging in Izmiz (with strange small blow instruments, sounds funny), sultry in Kleines Pyama (powerful saxophone play), heavy and bombastic in Moshi Moshi (heavy guitar riffs and fiery saxophone with hints from King Crimson) and hypnotizing in the final song Der Elektrolurch, the singer wears an exotic, very coloured mask and climbs and the back of the guitarplayer while he plays a solo, these guys had fun!

Next is Karthago, they play bluesrock that is loaded with the powerful sound of the Hammond organ. The band plays pleasant and dynamic, nothing special but very entertaining.

Finally Jane, my favorite band on this 2-DVD. The line-up features drummer/singer Peter Panka (he looks like Jack Bruce from Cream) and the early keyboard player Werner Nadolny (later replaced by Manfred Wieczorcke who came from Eloy). Jane turns out to be the absolute highlight on this 2-DVD, what a wonderful melodic sound, based upon compelling interplay by the keyboards (strings, organ, synthesizers and Mellotron samples) and guitar (powerful and sensitive), to me it sounds as ‘symphonic bluesrock’. They play the songs Daytime, Windows/Spain Medley and Out In The Rain. For me this gig from Jane is almost worth buying this 2-DVD, especially the final track Out In The Rain delivering beautiful sampled choir-Mellotron, very moving guitarwork and great vocals, SPLENDID!

DVD-2 opens with another legend, Amon Duul II. I know this band from their ‘free-form’ psychedelic albums but during this gig the music is mainly rock- based (along the reggae song Speed Inside My Shoes) with good duo-guitarwork. The female singer Renate Knaup-Krötenschwanz has lost some power and often tended to sound unbalanced/out of tune although her presentation is very warm and enthousiastic.

Finally another personal highight: the known band Birth Control. They played three songs: Just Before The Sun Will Rise (dynamic progressive bluesrock featuring good soli and interplay by swirling organ and fiery electric guitar), Back From Hell (floods of organ, wah-wah drenched guitar and duo vocals, including special guest Peter Föller) and the epic ‘crowd pleaser’ Gamma Ray (on a propulsive rhythm it is 'solo time' with a percussive break, a bass solo accompanied by distorted clavinet, a spendid build-up guitar solo and a duel between the singer and the guitar, evoking Gillan/Blackmore and Page/Plant). To me Birth Control sounds as a great end of an impressive Krautrock Meeting, not really progressive in the vein of ELP, Yes or Genesis but as Krautrock sounds, unique!

 

ODYSSEY - THE GREATEST TALE    

 
- I would like to start with my conclusion: NOT TO BE MISSED IN ANY SERIOUS PROGROCK COLLECTION!!!

This lavish international progrock project includes 3 CD featuring nine more or less known progrock bands (each one 'epic' composition) and their musicians and instruments and a 56-page booklet that contains drawings, lyrics and stories about this project and the Greek saga the Odeysey (about Odysseus and his travels on which he met Cyclopes and Sirens).

CD1 (73:29) 1. Opener is Canadian band Nathan Mahl, led by multi-instrumentalist Guy LeBlanc (keyboards, bass and guitar). He colours the alternating music very pleasantly with his vintage keyboards (Hohner clavinet, Rhodes electric piano, Moog and Hammond), the fiery electric guitar is a strong counterpart. During the more than 20 minutes Nathan manages to keep my attention due to great soli, a wonderful vintage sound and lots of strong musical ideas. 2. Argentine band Nexus is my favorite band on this project and they don't disappoint me, the music delivers splendid early Keith Emerson inspired keyboards (fat Moogs and powerful Hammond), some heavy and propulsive guitar riffs, warm Spanish vocals, a piece with classical guitar and many great breaks, accellarations, build-ups and 'grand finales', A MASTERPIECE! 3. USA band Glass Hammer is perhaps the most known progrock band on this 3-CD, they sound here very familiar to their fans: dynamic and alternating with a melodic and accessible progrock sound featuring wonderful vintage keyboards and fiery electric guitar.

CD2 (79:23) 4. XII Alfonso from France sounds very original: an opening with classical orchestrations, choir samples and percussive sounds, then many musical ideas like jazzy with a Hammond solo, dreamy with twanging guitar and soaring keyboards and bombastic with sparkling piano, fiery guitar and flashy syntehsizers. 5. Simon Says from Sweden is another favorite of mine (I love their album Paradise Square from 2002). You have to be up to the a bit theatrical and very distinctive vocals but the duo-keyboard players deliver an outstanding and varied sound. The guitar soli are fiery (he uses an E-bow) this composition is build upon many strong soli. 6. C.A.P. is an experienced Italian band with powerful Italian vocals, lots of organ and piano and some fat, very spectacular sounding Moog soli. This song sounds fluent and often bombastic, C.A.P. is just another good, new Italian band.

CD3 (68:07) 7. Tempano from Brasil is the most original but also less accessible sounding band on this 3-CD. The track starts with church organ and opera-like vocals, then adventurous and a bit wayward progrock featuring sensitive electric guitar work, wonderful choir-Mellotron and great synthesizers. 8. Minimum Vital from France makes alternating and melodic prog with that special blend of church organ and Mike Oldfield- like electric guitar (flowing and fiery). The bombastic final part with howling guitar is very moving. 9. Aether from Brasil is the warm and pleasant final act on this 3-CD. they sound traditional with strong echoes from the neo-progressive movement with music that ranges from swinging with fluent electric guitar to dreamy with soaring keybards and mid-tempo with exciting synthesizer flights. The end is beautiful with sensitive acoustic guitar.

I would like to end with my intro: NOT TO BE MISSED IN ANY SERIOUS PROGROCK COLLECTION!!!

 

HIJOS DEL AGOBIO Y DEL DOLOR (2-CD)

- After the great compilations Rock Andalus (CD) and Duende Electrico (2-CD), here is a new and excellent doorway to the captivating and often exciting Spanish progressive rock: a box set entitled Hijos Del Agobio Y Del Dolor (subtitle: Pioneros Y Origines Del Rock Andaluz) featuring a 2-CD and a docu DVD.

On CD 1 and 2 you will find many legendary socalled Rock Andaluz bands like Triana, Medina Azahara, Qualdalquivir, Mezquita, Azahar, Alameda, Iman and Cai. These bands, spearheaded by Triana, blended several styles like symphonic rock, hardrock, jazzrock and rock with flamenco, the ethnic music from Andalusia (Southern Spain): the one moment you will be carried away by a virtuosic flamenco guitar intro, palmas (handclapping) or wailing, expressive vocals, the other moment you will be stunned by howling electric guitar, Hammond and Mellotron waves or quick synthesizer flights, a very exciting experience! Also featured are interesting groups that are more mixing flamenco with blues and rock like Miguel Rios (intricate Morish atmosphere) and All & Nothing (flamenco with swinging piano and fiery guitar) or bands with strong flamenco overtones like Camaron De La Isla (pleasant flamenco guitar work but also a flashy synthesizer solo) and Vega (accessible and catchy flamenco-pop). The band The Storm is more in the vein of Rare Bird and Procol Harum delivering a Hammond organ drenched sound. CD-2 is more focussed on special sounding bands like Tabletom (swinging mix of flute, saxophone and piano) and Gualberto (wonderful blend of flamenco, raw electric guitar and vintage keyboards like the string-ensemble), the bluesy Cuarto Menguante and the Sixties band Tarantos (1969) delivering a pleasant mix of pop, rock and flamenco. My highlight is the track Nuevo Dia by Lole Y Manuel featuring moving female vocals, wailing cello, some Mellotron and great flamenco guitar work, an exciting, very compelling song!

The DVD is a docu about the development of the Spanish progressive rock between the late Sixties and early Seventies, focussed on the known band Smash. Their guitarplayer Gualberto tells his story along many other legendary or known early Spanish progressive rock musicians. The docu also contains stories about the Underground scene, the drugs, the gypsies and the blend of flamenco and fusion. Unfortunately there is little live footage from bands, only some shots from Gong and Smash but no Cai, Triana or Azahar. Nonetheless, this docu (in Spanish, not subtitled) is a warm and pleasant view on an unique progrock scene.

If you want to discover the exciting spanish progrock scene, this box set is a must!!

 

THE BEST OF KRAUTROCK VOL 1    

- What an incredible exciting experience this dvd is!! Since the second half of the Seventies I am a Krautrock fan, in that period I started to collect albums from Novalis, Jane, Grobschnitt, Eloy, Hoelderlin and Ramses. I remember that I witnessed concerts by some of these bands on the German television (our neighbours) like Grobschnitt and Jane. And now this DVD contains live footage from that era (1970-1978), WHAT A THRILL!!

The featured bands on this DVD are Amon Düül II, Can, Frumpy, Lucifer’s Friend, Epitaph, Birth Control, Passport, Guru Guru, Popol Vuh, Kraftwerk, Embryo, Novalis, Lothar Meid, Eloy and Jane. These bands deliver a lot of variety, from psychedelic (Amon Duul II), experimental (Popol Vuh) and jazzy (Passport) to symphonic rock (Novalis and Eloy), bluesrock (Frumpy) and hardrock (Lucifer's Friend). I was very delighted about the tracks by Frumpy (great Hammond organ sound), Amon Duul II (captivating psychedelic rock with raw guitar, a powerful violin solo and lots of weird synthesizer sounds), Eloy (wonderful and lush sound with Hammond, Minimoog and fiery electric guitar along the warm and distinctive vocals by Frank Bornemann), Jane (simple but very compelling symphonic bluesrock with great interplay between fiery guitar and powerful Hammond waves) and the absolute highlight Novalis delivering their epic Sonnenwende (17 minutes): wonderful keyboards by Lutz Rahn (beautiful flute-Mellotron intro, then tasteful work on Hammond, Minimoog, string-ensemble and clavinet), inspired vocals and sensitive, very flowing electric guitar, GREAT! The 42 minutes docu is very interesting but also a bit sad because it confronts you with the difficult situation in which the many promising Krautrock groups had to survive, only a few managed because most of the bands got no support from record companies and government! The docu contains very exciting live footage from bands like Udo Lindenberg & Panikorchester, Amon Duul II in 1968, Pell Mell, Kraan, Hoelderlin, Atlantis (with Inga Rumpf), Conny Plank Studio with Grobschnitt, Can and really great live scenes from mid- Seventies Tangerine Dream, including Edgar Froese on the Mighty M400 Tron!!

NOT TO BE MISSED!!

 
   Here is the  VARIOUS ARTISTS SPECIAL, Part 2:
 
 
The Best Of Krautrock Vol 1:
Review by erik neuteboom (erik neuteboom)
SPECIAL COLLABORATOR Symphonic Prog Expert

5%20stars WHAT AN INCREDIBLE EXCITING EXPERIENCE THIS DVD IS!! Since the second half of the Seventies I am a Krautrock fan, in that period I started to collect albums from Novalis, Jane, Grobschnitt, Eloy, Hoelderlin and Ramses. I remember that I witnessed concerts by some of these bands on the German television (our neighbours) like Grobschnitt and Jane. And now this DVD contains live footage from that era (1970-1978), WHAT A THRILL!!

The featured bands on this DVD are Amon Düül II, Can, Frumpy, Lucifer’s Friend, Epitaph, Birth Control, Passport, Guru Guru, Popol Vuh, Kraftwerk, Embryo, Novalis, Lothar Meid, Eloy and Jane. These bands deliver a lot of variety, from psychedelic (Amon Duul II), experimental (Popol Vuh) and jazzy (Passport) to symphonic rock (Novalis and Eloy), bluesrock (Frumpy) and hardrock (Lucifer's Friend). I was very delighted about the tracks by Frumpy (great Hammond organ sound), Amon Duul II (captivating psychedelic rock with raw guitar, a powerful violin solo and lots of weird synthesizer sounds), Eloy (wonderful and lush sound with Hammond, Minimoog and fiery electric guitar along the warm and distinctive vocals by Frank Bornemann), Jane (simple but very compelling symphonic bluesrock with great interplay between fiery guitar and powerful Hammond waves) and the absolute highlight Novalis delivering their epic Sonnenwende (17 minutes): wonderful keyboards by Lutz Rahn (beautiful flute-Mellotron intro, then tasteful work on Hammond, Minimoog, string-ensemble and clavinet), inspired vocals and sensitive, very flowing electric guitar, GREAT! The 42 minutes docu is very interesting but also a bit sad because it confronts you with the difficult situation in which the many promising Krautrock groups had to survive, only a few managed because most of the bands got no support from record companies and government! The docu contains very exciting live footage from bands like Udo Lindenberg & Panikorchester, Amon Duul II in 1968, Pell Mell, Kraan, Hoelderlin, Atlantis (with Inga Rumpf), Conny Plank Studio with Grobschnitt, Can and really great live scenes from mid- Seventies Tangerine Dream, including Edgar Froese on the Mighty M400 Tron!! NOT TO BE MISSED!!


Hijos Del Agobio Y Del Dolor:
Review by erik neuteboom (erik neuteboom)
SPECIAL COLLABORATOR Symphonic Prog Expert

4%20stars

HOLA, AFICIONADOS DEL ROCK ANDALUZ!!

After the great compilations Rock Andalus (CD) and Duende Electrico (2-CD), here is a new and excellent doorway to the captivating and often exciting Spanish progressive rock: a box set entitled Hijos Del Agobio Y Del Dolor (subtitle: Pioneros Y Origines Del Rock Andaluz) featuring a 2-CD and a docu DVD.
- On CD 1 and 2 you will find many legendary socalled Rock Andaluz bands like Triana, Medina Azahara, Qualdalquivir, Mezquita, Azahar, Alameda, Iman and Cai. These bands, spearheaded by Triana, blended several styles like symphonic rock, hardrock, jazzrock and rock with flamenco, the ethnic music from Andalusia (Southern Spain): the one moment you will be carried away by a virtuosic flamenco guitar intro, palmas (handclapping) or wailing, expressive vocals, the other moment you will be stunned by howling electric guitar, Hammond and Mellotron waves or quick synthesizer flights, a very exciting experience! Also featured are interesting groups that are more mixing flamenco with blues and rock like Miguel Rios (intricate Morish atmosphere) and All & Nothing (flamenco with swinging piano and fiery guitar) or bands with strong flamenco overtones like Camaron De La Isla (pleasant flamenco guitar work but also a flashy synthesizer solo) and Vega (accessible and catchy flamenco-pop). The band The Storm is more in the vein of Rare Bird and Procol Harum delivering a Hammond organ drenched sound.
- CD-2 is more focussed on special sounding bands like Tabletom (swinging mix of flute, saxophone and piano) and Gualberto (wonderful blend of flamenco, raw electric guitar and vintage keyboards like the string-ensemble), the bluesy Cuarto Menguante and the Sixties band Tarantos (1969) delivering a pleasant mix of pop, rock and flamenco. My highlight is the track Nuevo Dia by Lole Y Manuel featuring moving female vocals, wailing cello, some Mellotron and great flamenco guitar work, an exciting, very compelling song!
- The DVD is a docu about the development of the Spanish progressive rock between the late Sixties and early Seventies, focussed on the known band Smash. Their guitarplayer Gualberto tells his story along many other legendary or known early Spanish progressive rock musicians. The docu also contains stories about the Underground scene, the drugs, the gypsies and the blend of flamenco and fusion. Unfortunately there is little live footage from bands, only some shots from Gong and Smash but no Cai, Triana or Azahar. Nonetheless, this docu (in Spanish, not subtitled) is a warm and pleasant view on an unique progrock scene.
IF YOU WANT TO DISCOVER THE EXCITING SPANISH PROGROCK SCENE, THIS BOX SET IS A MUST!!
 
(The) 7 Samurai:
Review by erik neuteboom (erik neuteboom)
SPECIAL COLLABORATOR Symphonic Prog Expert

4%20stars Here is another project by Colossus and Musea, this time a CD featuring three bands, each with an ‘epic’ composition between 20 and 30 minutes.

CAP – Alla Corte Degli Eroi (27.03) First the Italian band CAP, they deliver symphonic prog in the 24-carat tradition, wonderful ! After a dreamy intro with violin, flute and twanging acoustic guitar, the music turns into a lush and compelling prog sound with strong hints from the Classic Seventies Italian Prog featuring warm Italian vocals, lots of Grand piano, Hammond organ and Mellotron and fiery electric guitar. The powerful guitar and flute traverse work evoke Jethro Tull, a very popular band in Italy in the Seventies!
TEMPANO – The Farmers (26.19) This band is from Venezuela, they also treat us on beautiful symphonic prog, very tastefully coloured by fat Moog flights and delicate work on the Hohner D6 clavinet, Farfisa organ and Rhodes electric piano. The music changes frequently and very fluently from dreamy with violin or a slow rhythm with soaring keyboards to propulsive with fiery guitar or bombastic with lush keyboards. At some moments there are vocals but it’s mainly instrumental prog.
TAPOBRAN – The Bandits (22.33) Lots of progheads are eagerly waiting on their debut CD but first here they are with a very alternating contribution to this CD. First an impressive intro with majestic violin-Mellotron and sweeping drum beats, followed by a swinging rhythm with flashy soli on Hammond organ and Moog synthesizer, this is ‘keyboard Heaven’, with obvious echoes from Keith Emerson! Then a mid-tempo with warm Italian vocals evoking Nuova Era (another wonderful ELP inspired Italian band). Suddenly the atmosphere turns into folky with flute, mandoline and violin, it reminds me of the Andean folk. Tapobran keeps on surprising us with lots of fine musical ideas: sweeping drums with powerful violin-Mellotron, a piece with clarinet and piano and finally a bombastic climate with propulsive Hammond waves and captivating interplay between saxophone and choir-Mellotron, supported by dynamic drumming, unique prog!
This CD is highly recommended to all symphomaniacs on this earth .. and beyond!

 
Rock Progressivo Italiano:
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Review by erik neuteboom (erik neuteboom)
SPECIAL COLLABORATOR Symphonic Prog Expert

4%20stars In fact this is a book with an additional CD compilation but in order to give this wonderful box set more attention I took the ‘artistic freedom’ to name it a CD compilation with an additional book so it appears on the homepage, now, now, now! The CD compilation contains 15 tracks by 15 different bands from the legendary, almost magical Seventies Italian prog. You can enjoy the huge variety that marks the Italian prog from that era: a raw sound by Osanna (fiery electric guitar and Jethro Tull inspired flutework), swinging with a piano solo and nice vocal harmonies by Delirium, alternating with warm vocals and a varied instrumentation (acoustic – and electric guitar, violins and powerful flute) by New Trolls, propulsive rock with wah-wah guitar by Osage Tribe and psychedelic with choir- Mellotron, organ and fat synthesizers by Libra. My highlights are the compositions by Raccommandata Ricevuta Ritorno (very dynamic with great breaks and exciting shifting moods), Quella Vecchi Locanda (wonderful build-up with a strong ‘grand finale’ featuring lush keyboards and beautiful flute play), Metamorfosi (dramatic vocals, fat Moogs runs and swirling piano, very compelling) and Cherry Five, my personal favorite: 24- carat symphonic prog delivering splendid Mellotron waves, fiery guitar, a Squire sounding bass and a fluent organ solo, excellent!

The book (according to the Italian label Btf.) “includes complete discographies for all artists and groups, updating the previous Paolo Barotto book. Many new entries and weird, obscure italian prog bands' rare discographies are mentioned in this new book, packaged in an oversized cardboard outer cover. The book also features reproductions in full color of hundreds of original LP and singles covers, plus rarity ratings (from ‘common’ and ‘difficult to find’ to ‘very rare’ and ‘impossible to find’), plus rare magazine covers of Ciao 2001 from the Seventies, in a deluxe hardcover volume without any comments or text descriptions.” The seize is similar to an ‘ancient vinyl single’, very easy to handle.
Both the book and the CD are great entries to the captivating and varied world of the Italian prog, highly recommended!
 
Canossa "Rock Opera":
Review by erik neuteboom (erik neuteboom)
SPECIAL COLLABORATOR Symphonic Prog Expert

4%20stars This is an Italian prog project by Mangala Vallis member Gigi Cavalli Cocchi, he is both the brainchild as the producer. The story (I did my best to translate the Italian because the English version was out of function) is about the small village Canossa in the Italian provence Reggio Emilia. An imiginary visitor of the Canossa Castle tells in the warm and passionate Italian language the more than 1000 year old history in 7 short interludes with spoken words, the other 7 parts are tracks by 7 different (mainly uknown) Italian progrock bands. After the first interlude with a Vangelis-like keyboard intro and the first spoken words, the known band Mangala Vallis starts with an alternating, classic Seventies prog rooted sound, from dreamy with twanging guitar to mid-tempo with fiery guitar and bombastic with lush Hamond and flashy synthesizer flights. The other six bands sound pleasant and varied: melodic and moving with female vocals and a strong final part including howling electric guitar runs by Trama Sonora, heavy symphonic, romantic inspired prog with warm vocals, lots of variety and in the end a sensational keyboard solo by Sequencer, a long piece with a tight beat, sumptuous keyboards and omnipresent, fiery electric guitar by Arcanoise, a heavy and dynamic sound with strong hints from early King Crimson delivering Fripperian guitar and a propulsive rhythm-section by Type, pleasant and alternating (dreamy, compelling, mid-tempo, bombastic) with passionate vocals and a spectacular synthesizer solo by Oltremare and finally Master Experience: a dynamic atmosphere featuring fiery guitar, a psychedelic organ sound and intense vocals. The final part delivers soli on organ and guitar.

I am sure this very pleasant and varied sounding project will please many prog fans, especially those who love the classic Seventies symphonic prog featuring lots of vintage keyboards like Hammond, Moog and Mellotron. Four stars because it's a wonderful project, I love this kind of music and it's an excellent addition for the symphonic prog aficionados, highly recommended!
 
Progressivamente 1973 – 2003:
Review by erik neuteboom (erik neuteboom)
SPECIAL COLLABORATOR Symphonic Prog Expert

4%20stars This CD is a compilation featuring 11 Italian progrock bands with music made between 1973 and 2003. It’s an initiative by some Italian progheads in order to let us enjoy from the captivating and varied Italian scene. Most of the compositions are composed in the last ten years but this CD also contains material from the Seventies like the final track by Semiramis that came from the vaults of one member!

1. GIANNI LEONI : Frammenti Di Ys (4:48) : Here’s the keyboard player from the legendary, highly acclaimed band Il Balletto Di Bronzo with fragments from their excellent album Ys, re-recorded in 1996. He delivers dazzling keyboard work in the vein of the bombastic and virtuosic Keith Emerson. Halfway a mellow piece with soaring keyboards and warm vocals and finally some complex prog, their trademark!
2. METAMORFOSI : Porta Dell'Inferno/Caronte/Spacciatore di droga - live 1996 (3:33) : Another acclaimed band from the Seventies, they start with a majestic church- organ sound, then very distinctive vocals (expressive, opera-like) and the music turns into swinging with sparkling organ runs and a powerful rhythm-section, great!
3. SINFONIA: La Follia Che Diventa' Realta' - 2003 (6:44) : First dreamy with soft synthesizer flights, twanging and pleasant vocals. Then it’s Pandora’s Box featuring fluent flute traverse and a spectacular synthesizer solo. The music becomes more and more complex and bombastic including soli on violin, saxophone and piano. A real gem in the wonderful Italian progrock tradition!
4. OSANNA: Non Sei Vissuto Mai - new version from 2001 (4:53) : This song contains a mid-tempo delivering fiery electric guitar runs and powerful vocals, halfway a short dreamy part with saxophone. Quite swinging for the usual progrock standards!
5. EZRA WINSTON: The Painter And The King - alternative version from 1990 (7:53) : This known band from the Eighties delivers a fine blend of folk, classical and symphonic rock, very alternating with many delicate musical ideas and a lush instrumentation, ranging from piccolo flute and trumpet to saxophone and wonderful keyboards.
6. HYDRO: Worry from 2001 (5:08) : This song is a bit of a maverick, it sounds atmospheric and has electronic undertones with lots of weird sounds.
7. ALBERO MOTORE: Capodanno '74 from 1974 (6:55) : We can enjoy the distinctive Rhodes electric piano sound and then strong interplay with the (often fiery) guitar and some flute. To me the music has elements from Frank Zappa and King Crimson
8. METAMORFOSI: Mururoa from 1996 (6:35) : Another track on this CD by legendary Metamorfosi. This one is very alternating, from dreamy and swinging to bombastic, embellished with great vocals, these sound dramatic, great Italian prog!
9. VITTORIO DE SCALZI – La Storia Dei New Trolls: La Prima Goccia Bagna lI Viso - Part I & II - new version from 2002 (9:04) : From the beginning you can enjoy the powerful, very typical Hammond organ sound in a bluesy climate featuring a bit screamy vocals, a piece with classical piano, vocal harmonies and finally a strong build- up guitar solo.
10. VIRTUAL DREAM: Frengo from 1996 (7:31) : This composition delivers jazzrock inspired prog with strong interplay and biting, wah-wah drenched guitar and a bass solo with propulsive rhythm-guitar.
11. LEONERO: Il Castello - English version from 1975 (4:56) : A catchy rhythm with a varied keyboard sound (a kind of fuzzed clavinet, piano and organ) and strong duo vocals, very compelling.
12. SEMIRAMIS: Luna Park - demo version from 1973 (4:43) : This final track by one of my favorite Italian progrock bands is one of the highlights of this CD, it features wonderful keyboard work (my beloved string-ensemble), a dynamic atmosphere, a piece with mandoline and finally a sensitive electric guitar solo. A great final song that contains the typical Seventies prog sound.
A BIG HAND FOR PROGRESSIVAMENTE!!
 
Keyboards Triangle:
Transi
Review by erik neuteboom (erik neuteboom)
SPECIAL COLLABORATOR Symphonic Prog Expert

4%20stars This CD (the sub-title is “Keyboard trio tribute”) is a collaboration from two great, very sumptuous keyboard-driven bands: Ars Nova and Gerard. They have made their own versions of seven compositions from ELP (two tracks), TRACE, PFM, RICK WAKEMAN, IL BALLETTO DI BRONZO and BANCO. You can always argue about the value of playing covers. But in my opinion these two splendid Japanese progrock bands have succeeded in making an interesting cover-CD. First because all musicians are very talented, second they play so tight, dynamic and powerful and third both Ars Nova as Gerard have succesfully added their own, very sumptuous sound and musical vision to the original songs. If you listen to “Toccata” (from ELP) performed by Gerard, it’s incredible that this music can sound even more bombastic than the original! And in BANCO’s “La conquista della posizione eratta” you will be stunned by the Jobson-like violin sound from the Korg synthesizer and the superdynamic rhythm-section. The final part includes wonderful violin-Mellotron waves and slowly fading harpsicord play, beautiful. Ars Nova does very well in “Birds medley” (by Rick van der Linden’s TRACE), “Epilogo” from IL BALLETTO DI BRONZO (their album “Ys” is a captivating and alternating but very complex ‘classic’) and “Tarkus” (from ELP) featuring varied and exciting duo- keyboardplay (great Moog flights and classical orchestrations) and also a very dynamic and strong rhythm-section. Very surprising is the choir-Mellotron intro in “Tarkus”, Keith Emerson refuses to use this unique instrument. The other two tracks are from Gerard. First “Catharine Parr” (RICK WAKEMAN) that features the amazing talents from Toshio Egawa on keyboards (piano, organ, Mellotron, synthesizers), driven by that high- energy rhythm-section. Especially those parts with the GRIEG-inspired synthesizer flights, supported by lush organ and Mellotron waves, sound impressive. Second the known piece “Fourholes in the ground”, from PFM including those quick and catchy Moog runs and the violin-Mellotron waves. Gerard changes this song into an up-tempo piece with lots of bombastic keyboard sounds. Not every Italian progrock aficionado will be pleased with the result and I have to admit that on one hand I miss the warm atmosphere and Italian vocals but on the other hand Gerard has given their own, very distinctive dynamic and sumptuous turn to this song and they deserve credit for that is my opinion. IF YOU LIKE BOMBASTIC KEYBOARD-DRIVEN PROG, THIS CD IS A MUST!!

 
Duende Electrico:
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Review by erik neuteboom (erik neuteboom)
SPECIAL COLLABORATOR Symphonic Prog Expert

4%20stars Last week a read a topic in which somebody was wondering why there were/are so few progrock ideas from Spain. Well, this 2-CD set is a perfect introduction to the wonderful and exciting world of the Spanish progressive rock, loaded with great progrock ideas! The Spanish word 'duende' is used in the art of the flamenco, it pointed at the extraordinary moments when a flamenco artist has total communion with the audience. These moments are rare but very special, often accompanied by "ole's" (this has nothing to do with the awful and cruel bullfights!). On this 2-CD set you will find lots of duende between flamenco and progrock, I compare it with the unique and compelling blend of folk and progrock from Los Jaivas!

On CD1 there is a lot of variety from bands and musicians, the songs are recorded between 1975 and 1994. SMASH delivers a powerful blend of rock, blues, flamenco and Sixties (Stones, Yardbirds) featuring fiery electric guitar and typical Spanish vocals. ICEBERG, IMAN and GUADALQUIVIR make strong and captivating symphonic jazzrock with a Morish undertone and great interplay between guitar and kebyoards, supported by a dynamic rhythm-section. GUALBERTO plays a flamenco guitar piece entitled "Tarantos para Jimi Hendrix", it sounds as an exciting blend of rock and flamenco featuring violins and electric - and acoustic guitar. Another good track is "Al Andalus" from Spanish rock legend Miguel Rios: it contains a typical Morish atmosphere, distinctive vocals from Miguel Rios and a swinging and catchy rhythm. Of course Spanish most pivotal progrock band TRIANA is included, they play "Quiero contarte" featuring wonderful melancholical vocals and compelling progrock. The track "Aires de la Alameda" from ALAMEDA contains strong Spanish vocals and wonderful piano, it's typical 'Rock andalus' just like the final song "Hablo de una tierra" featuring a very moving duet from the violin-Mellotron and flamenco guitar!
CD2 contains songs from bands and musicians that are recorded between 1986 and 1996. MEDINA AZAHARA plays heavy progressive with echoes from Marillion, the track "Paseando por la mezquita" is their most Morish/flamenco inspired and sounds powerful and moving. PATA NEGRA (featuring the Amador brothers) plays an exciting blend of rock, blues and flamenco on acoustic guitars. RAIMUNDO AMADOR is also included with the band ARRAJATABLA, they deliver another exciting blend of progrock and flamenco with excellent electric guitar work. A known new band is KETAMA with their strong blend of pop, rock and flamenco featuring typical Spanish vocals. A fine surprise is the music from (again) RAIMUNDO AMADOR in "Ay que gustino pa mis orejas", he plays an unique mix of Bob Marley inspired reggae (with organ and typical rhythm-guitar) and flamenco, very swinging! Another known new band is MANTECA, included with the track "Tarila": a fusion-like mix of flamenco guitar and jazzy piano and saxophone. The final song is from DIEGO THE MORON, he is joined by members from GRANADA, the composition "Despertar (a 'rondena')" delivers a great blend of flamenco guitar and lush keyboards, typical 'Rock andalus'.
THIS 2-CD SET IS A PERFECT INTRODUCTION TO THE EXCITING WORLD OF THE SPANISH PROGROCK!
 
Zarathustra's Revenge:
 
Review by erik neuteboom (erik neuteboom)
SPECIAL COLLABORATOR Symphonic Prog Expert

3%20stars As a huge fan of the Seventies Italian Prog I was very curious to this lavishly packaged 4-CD box set. It took a while before I got the opportunity to listen to it but last week I could borrow if from my friend from Progwalhalla. The list of bands features many known and lesser known groups, from the Finnish Sea Reach & Friends, the USA bands Fonya and Strange New Toys and Japanese Gerard and Ars Nova to the Italian Hostsonaten, Finisterre, Mad Crayon, Blondie Fox, Moongarden and Eftus, quite a varied musical company! Most of the bands that were covered I know like Le Orme, Banco, PFM, Museo Rosenbach, Celeste and Nomadi but some sound less familiar like Alan Sorrenti, Fortis, Protici and Claudio Rocchi. I couldn't even trace some of these names in the wonderful, just re-released book/CD Rock Progressivo Italiano (by Barotto/D’Ubaldo) so you can conclude that the producers have done their best to present a comprehensive group of ancient and current bands! In general the level of the bands is decent, let’s start my musical analysis CD by CD.

CD-1: The formation Sea Reach & Friends deliver a tasteful rendition (pleasant organ and acoustic guitar work and warm vocals) of Celeste their song Principe Di Un Giorno, Hostsonaten sound beautiful (sensitive electric guitar and fluent organ play) in Vorrei Incontrari by Alan Sorrenti, Fonya plays inspired during a PFM medley (cheerful Minimoog flights and raw, propulsive guitar riffs), Avarta sounds Eastern (with violin and tablas) in Mauro Pagani’s song Europa Minor and Finisterre does a fine job with PFM their track Alta Loma Five Till Nine (bluesy guitar and a moving organ solo).
CD-2: A lot of variety, the trademark of the Seventies Italian Prog! My highlights are Trama with Profuma Di Colla Bianca by Locanda Delle Fate (strong female vocals and wonderful Hackett inspired guitar play) and Iconae with U.F.D.E.M. by Jacula (majestic church organ sound, theatrical female vocals and intense violin play).
CD-3: This is my favorite disc in this box set, especially because of the Italian Rock Session Band (great renditions from songs by New Trolls and Il Balletto Di Bronzo) and the Japanese keyboard wizards from Gerard (La Conquista .. by Banco) and Ars Nova (Epilogo by Il Balletto Di Bronzo). I also enjoyed Strange New Toys with Snip-Snap by Goblin (swinging clavinet, fiery guitar and pleasant synthesizer runs). But I was very disappointed about the versions of the legendary compositions Felona E Sorona (Le Orme) by Algebra (the screamy saxophone doesn't fit in this song in my opinion) and Zarathustra (Museo Rosenbach) by Mouse (too much avant-garde).
CD-4: To me this disc sounds the least captivating, to start with the punk version of Il Balletto Di Bronzo their song Neve Calda by Blondie Fox, horrible! Only Italian bands H2O with C'E Un Paese Al Mondo by Maxophone (sumptuous keyboards and sensitive guitar) and Moongarden with There Will Be Time by Osanna (beautiful keyboards and strong guitar work) manage to excite me.
- Despite some weaker moments, in general this 4-CD set has a lot to offer and I am pleased with the often creative ways the new bands offer their renditions of the Seventies Italian Prog bands. A dood effort but to me it doesn't sound as excellent or essential.
 
Un Biglietto Per L'inferno-Concerto Tributo:
Review by erik neuteboom (erik neuteboom)
SPECIAL COLLABORATOR Symphonic Prog Expert

4%20stars This DVD is a 'tribute concert' to the legendary Italian progrock band BIGLIETTO PER L'INFERNO, this sold out concert was given in Lecco (Italy), early 2005. It was a memorable day for the Italian progrock fans that day because some line-ups featured musicians from other legendary Italian progrock bands like Rodolfo Maltese from BANCO, Tony Pagliuca from LE ORME and Patrizio Faresseli and Paolo Tofani from AREA.

The first band on this concert was Ubi Maior, they played tight and dynamic with a humorous and very energetic singer. Their keyboard sound sounded modern, only the Hammond organ took us back to the typical progrock sound of the Seventies.
Next the band Greenwall, they presented a female singer with a very distinctive voice, not always my cup of tea. Greenwall played mainly acoustic but on "Abbiamo ragione" the band members took a key-tar and a twin-neck, always nice to see those instruments!
The next two musicains (both from AREA) performed solo: first Paolo Tofani on a sitar-like acoustic guitar and then Patrizio Fariselli on the acoustic piano, both delivered a great performance.
The band Fonderia started to play "Dubbio II", when this song was finished guitar/trumpet-player Rodolfo Maltese from BANCO entered the stage, he surprised the audience with the BANCO songs like "RIP" and "Non mi rompete", GREAT!
Between the band Destabanda and musicians from Claudio Rocchi, keyboard player Tony Pagliuca from LE ORME joined the band Gas for two Le Orme songs entitled "Era inverno" and "Uno sguardo verso il cielo". In both songs a violin player has been added, he gives the music an even more classical touch, along the powerful Hammond organ sound.
Don't excpect on this DVD a perfect dive into the Italian progrock sound from the Seventies, just enjoy the pleasant and inspired appearances from some members from that era, they delivered a good performance so we could taste a few moments from that wonderful era! If you are an Italian Seventies aficionado, this DVD is essential. Otherwise this DVD deserves 3 stars. But it's my review so 4 stars! 

Theme Of Appreciation – Worldwide Tribute To Eddie Jobson:
Theme%20Of%20Appreciation%20~%20A%20Worldwide%20Tribute%20to%20Eddie%20Jobson
Review by erik neuteboom (erik neuteboom)
SPECIAL COLLABORATOR Symphonic Prog Expert

4%20stars This is a musical project from artists all over the world (USA, Germany, Netherlands, Rssuia, Sweden, UK, Italy, Canada and South-Africa), here is information I took from the website: (by Ben P. Stein): “Just a month after Eddie Jobson opened his first-ever official Internet message forum in January 2006, a few of us who congregated there (and got to know each other as if we had been friends for many years) decided to make this CD for Eddie. Rather than imitate or interpret his great works, we agreed to pay tribute to him by contributing original pieces, ones showing how he has inspired us to stretch beyond our limitations and strive for the amazing levels of excellence he has demonstrated in every aspect of his work. Over the course of seven months, we received 15 contributions from 9 countries. Most contributors created new music especially for this CD, while some drew upon previously composed works that proved especially fitting for this album. In the course of making this CD, it developed into something greater than we ever imagined. We hope you get a similar sense when listening to this album.”

Well, congratulations to all who were involved in this daring project because this CD has become a very pleasant and varied musical experience in my opinion! The music alternates from minimal soundscapes and mellow keyboard layers to mid-tempo rock and bombastic keyboard driven compositions. Although you can read about the huge inspiration Eddie Jobson was for all those musicians, the music is no derivative of Eddie Jobson his musical heritage. My highlights on this CD are Who’s Flying Over my by the Kostarev Group from Russia (captivating and experimental melodic blend of classical and symphonic prog with a fluent rhythm featuring flute, violin, fiery guitar and fat synthesizers), Alysheba by Steven Robinson from the USA (dynamic and catchy with powerful Jeff Beck/Allan Holdsworth inspired guitar and varied keyboards), Bicycleride by Lennart Ståhle from Sweden (catchy with vintage keyboards like powerful Hammond and fat Moog runs), Presto by Bobby Simons from the USA (wonderful Larry Fast-like electronic music), Krimimusic by Ferry Zantman from The Netherlands (exciting and dynamic, very elaborate track with sensitive guitar, powerful drums and strong keyboard work) and Uncharted Destination by Ben One from the USA (majestic and very tasteful keyboard sound with echoes from Vangelis). A funny song is Long-Haired Funky Friends Of Jesus by the Super Groovy Band from Canada delivering a hilarious atmosphere with violin, a funky bass and great vocals, it could have been composed by Frank Zappa! I enjoyed listening to this unique musical project but don’t expect music like UK or Roxy Music!
Eddie Jobson his reaction after listening to the CD: "I was surprised how good this was. It was obviously a labor of love for all involved, and definitely touched Eddie. The music on this CD ranges from good to outstanding. If you are an EJ fan it is very well worth your while!"
 


Edited by erik neuteboom - September 07 2007 at 13:50
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: September 07 2007 at 13:34
Haha Mandrakeroot, it was you that hijacked my thread while I was still moving the specials from the Symphonic Apprecoation thread to this one, typically you with your enthousiasm, great Thumbs%20Up But you are right, at some moments you have to take decisions and sometimes these are hard but necessary. By the way, I need to replace some abacadabra into pictures Shocked...
 
                       I hope this thread will be a source for progheads who wants
                        to discover more than the Classic Prog bands. Good luck!
 
 
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: September 07 2007 at 13:44
It's such a mediatic source where we can find some interesting and obscure bands..... astonished to read about Los Blops among others..... Cool! Thumbs%20Up

NOTE: Don't you european people have the letter "Ñ" in your PC keyboard? 'Cause in the last lines, where you said "Feliz navidad y un próspero ano nuevo....".... Ano = anus LOLLOL
The best you can is good enough...
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: September 07 2007 at 13:53
 
          Sorry but that must be another example of my anal fixation, Sircosick Wink 
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: September 07 2007 at 13:56
LOL
The best you can is good enough...
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: September 07 2007 at 15:02
By the way Sircosick, I got that Blops CD from Chile, the manager of Angulart was so pleased with my support for his band that he surprised me with Blops, I am very glad with it Approve
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: September 07 2007 at 15:15
Wow! That's a hell of a lot of work you've put in there Erik! Excellent stuff. Clap
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: September 07 2007 at 17:25
Thanks Nightfly Thumbs%20Up By the way, may I borrow your name, this evening I have started my four nightshifts in a row Wink
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: September 07 2007 at 22:39
My goodness....this will greatly help with the extensive wish-lists I'm always putting together; I'll never run out of material that's for sure.  The only side-effect is all the time spent reading these wonderful reviews...and of course the complete raping of my bank accountOuch
 
I think I speak on behalf of most of us on the forums in extending a gracious thank you for all the work you've dedicatedClap
 
 
 
btw, there's an RPI album on there I've never even heard of...and I really should explore some Prog-Andaluz....and Japanese....and South American....(you get the point)LOL
 
 
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: September 08 2007 at 00:37
Thanks Jimmy Row Thumbs%20Up .... but I have had almost as much grateful posts as complaints about raped bank accounts during my 3,5 years on Prog Archives LOL

Edited by erik neuteboom - September 08 2007 at 00:38
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: September 08 2007 at 11:22
Originally posted by erik neuteboom erik neuteboom wrote:

Thanks Nightfly Thumbs%20Up By the way, may I borrow your name, this evening I have started my four nightshifts in a row Wink
 
4 night shifts in a row! Dead My deepest sympathy Erik. Wink
 
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: September 08 2007 at 11:25
 
                            I just woke up, an hour ago Sleepy ...
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: September 08 2007 at 15:58
OK Erik, I get the message, time for me to start digging too. I'll come up with some goodies soon. I should also have a review of the second Circle album soon.
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