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Originally posted by Psychedelic Paul Psychedelic Paul wrote:

Symphonic Prog Britannia


REFUGEE were a short-lived Symphonic Prog threesome from London. You could be forgiven for thinking Phil Collins was a member of Refugee, because the man in the middle on their one and only self-titled album cover from 1974 bears a striking resemblance to the Genesis drummer. There's no mistaking Swiss keyboard player Patrick Moraz on the right of the album cover though. He was brought in as a last-minute replacement for Keith Emerson, who was otherwise engaged with the Prog- Rock supergroup Emerson, Lake & Palmer at the time. The other two members of Refugee besides Patrick Moraz were both ex-members of The Nice:- Lee Jackson on bass, electric cello, electric guitar, 12-string acoustic guitar and lead vocals, and Brian Davison on drums and percussion, where "percussion" meant virtually anything the versatile drummer could lay his hands on, including tympani, various gongs, Tibetan temple bells, African drums, kabassa (whatever that is!?) and broken glass! Patrick Moraz wasn't exactly slacking in the keyboards department either with this very impressive array of keyboard instruments at his disposal:- Mini- moog, AKS synthesiser, piano, electric piano, clavinet, organ, pipe organ, marimbaphone, alpine horn, electronic slinky, mellotron, and occasional vocals too! Patrick Moraz would of course go on to be a member of YES and a "days of future passed" member of The Moody Blues. Who could forget the famous music trial of the century!? The sole Refugee album was recorded in 1974 at ART Studios in Geneva in Patrick Moraz' native Switzerland, so he would have felt right at home there, whereas the two English members of the band, Lee Jackson and Brian Davison were temporary "refugees".

The title of the imperious 5-minute-long opening number "Papillon" can have several meanings:- Either a black butterfly; a symbolic breaking free of societal restraints and restrictions; or even a toy breed of dog with large butterfly-like ears! One thing's for sure though, the "Papillon" on this album is no delicate butterfly. No, this is an aggressive and impressive Pictures at an Exhibition-style display of powerful keyboard prog in the best tradition of Emerson, Lake & Palmer. There's no shortage of classically-inspired, lightning-speed keyboard runs to be heard from Patrick Moraz in this tremendous instrumental album opener, which also features a storming salvo of machine-gun-like drumming from Brian Davison. Yes, it looks like we could be in for quite a treat here with this gloriously pompous one-off album of unashamedly exhibitionistic Symphonic Prog. On the second song "Someday", We get to hear the emotionally-wrought (and some might say "over-blown") vocals of Lee Jackson for the first time, which also features another incredible keyboard performance from Patrick Moraz before he went on to join YES for their "Relayer" album in late 1974. "Someday" is one of those grand magisterial prog epics that gathers in pace and intensity as it progresses, so it could be described as the true definition of Progressive Rock. If "Papillon" represented a symbolic breaking-free, then "Someday" continues the theme of liberation with the powerful message contained within these lyrics:- "Someday, I'll go away, Pack my bag, Get on a plane, I'll fly up through my cloud, I'll smash right through, Right into the sun." ..... This is the kind of powerfully uplifting feel-good prog that'll leave you flying high on a wave of joyous and exhilarating emotion. If you haven't quite reached seventh prog heaven yet, then the third piece of music might help get you there, because next up is the awesome 17-minute-long, "Grand Canyon" suite, the first of two epic suites on the album. This magnificent five-part magnum opus is every bit as grandiose and spectacular as the song title implies. Be prepared to be stunned by this brilliant landscape of dazzling musical colours. The outstanding "Grand Canyon" suite represents the musical equivalent of the real Grand Canyon bathed in rich golden colours at sunset.

The title of the Side Two opener "Ritt Mickley" is a humorous reference to the strong Swiss accent of Patrick Moraz when he pronounces "rhythmically". It's another 6-minute-long demonstration of ELP-style keyboard prog at it's absolute best, so you can expect another dazzling display of keyboard histrionics from Mr Moraz & Co. The final piece of music on the album is the second of the two epic suites. It's a thunderous 18-minute-long masterpiece titled "Credo". The majestic music is divided into eight movements of stunning symphonic splendour and delight, which just HAS to be heard to be believed. This is incredible!

You can't fail to be over-awed by this stunning display of ELP-style keyboard prog. This outstanding one-off album has a treasured place in the hallowed halls of ProgArchives. Refugee might not be in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, but they truly deserve to be included with full honours and flags flying with this very impressive powerhouse debut!



Hahaha! A friend of mine listened to one of Refugee's songs and looked at the album cover. He said that the singer not only sounded like Phil Collins but also looked like Phil Collins. I then explained to him, that the one who sings, is the dude with the shades and the dude that looks like Phil Collins is the drummer.
“On the day of my creation, I fell in love with education. And overcoming all frustration, a teacher I became.”
— Ernest Vong
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^ Yes, it's quite a coincidence that Phil Collins lookalike "Blinky" Davison just so happens to be a drummer too. 
Tongue




Edited by Psychedelic Paul - October 01 2023 at 02:13
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Symphonic Prog Britannia

RENAISSANCE - Northern Lights: A Story for All Seasons

The Prologue to this tale begins with a Trip to the Fair, held annually by The Sisters of Mercy charity. The trip led to The Discovery of the book "One Thousand and One Nights". I Remember the Golden Thread of the story concerns The Captive Heart of Scheherazade, The Entertainer of the Rajah Khan, a Midas Man of immense riches with a Black Flame burning in his heart. The Air of Drama in the Opening Out of the story tells how Scheherazade finds the Golden Key to saving her life is to relate the tale of the 1001 Nights. She wins over the Jekyll and Hyde nature of the King with her exotic tales, and he shows her Kindness at the End by managing to Spare Some Love in his black heart by marrying his Precious Love. She becomes his queen in this dramatic tale of Kings and Queens and lost Innocence. One of the Pearls of Wisdom I learned from the book is that Love Goes On to conquer all in the end when  Love is All you need.

I'm a Wanderer at heart and the book inspired me to travel on a Secret Mission to the Distant Horizons of Istanbul On the Frontier of Asia aboard the Orient Express. It sometimes feels like time is Running Away from You and I was Running Hard like a Bullet  out of a gun in The Race to arrive on time At the Harbour. I arrived just in time to set sail across the English Channel on the Ocean Gypsy ferry and leave behind the Island of Great Britain. I love the Sounds of the Sea and it was a beautiful day In the Sunshine, underneath the Carpet of the Sun which glimmered like sparkling Porcelain.

Upon arrival in France, I felt like I was Bound for Infinity, with the most dramatic adventure In My Life just about to unfold. Can You Understand how good it felt to realise a dream when I'd Let It Grow in my heart for so long? I still had a long way to go though but at least I was Closer Than Yesterday to realising my dream. The Face of Yesterday was behind me now because this was the Day of the Dreamer! I dreamed of  travelling to exotic places like the Island of Kalynda, A Magical Isle with a Waterfall which sparkles Blood Silver Like Moonlight and where The Vultures Fly High in their Flight over distant shores. That was about as likely as seeing Faeries Living at the Bottom of the Garden though and my dreams vanished as quickly as the flames on a funeral pyre when only the Ashes Are Burning.

My real ambition was to eventually travel north from Istanbul to Kiev to experience exotic Things I Don't Understand, including those mysterious Ukraine Ways. I'd have to be careful to avoid Touching Once on the delicate subject of the current war with Russia though. I was planning  to head to the  northwest of Mother Russia where I'd heard the extreme Cold is Being like the inside of a freezer. I'd love to see the Northern Lights for the first time with their Majik shimmering Symphony of Light. It'd be like one of those awesome moments when you could sing A Song for All Seasons and Cry to the World with joy and shout "Can You Hear Me now"?

I had a long journey ahead but I was looking forward to being  Back Home Once Again with my Friends, when I'd be sure to remind them that I Think of You when I'm away. Heart


Annie's Complete Renaissance, including:- Illusion; Annie Haslam solo; Jane Relf's Renaissance; Michael Dunford's Renaissance; & Annie Haslam's Nevada, in roughly chronological order. Smile



 5 stars 1975: Renaissance - Scheherazade and Other Stories - http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_nIwTNEhpVOv1gteY4V1ebEqSGu_9MfeVw
 5 stars 1977: Renaissance - Live at the BBC Sight & Sound - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5B578LuXbPI
 4 stars 2002: Renaissance - In the Land of the Rising Sun - http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_lhdgy8UIrWsqVCcCTrZhDXSh2KY1U_rCo
 4 stars 2015: Renaissance - Live at the Union Chapel - http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_m2K5nJxcB-sbSXbSgMYwxC1WipO3dw8SA


 4 stars 1997: Annie Haslam - Live in Philadelphia - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pfNHbTgv8CU

 3 stars 1994: Michael Dunford's Renaissance - The Other Woman 
 3 stars 1997: Michael Dunford's Renaissance - Ocean Gypsy 

 3 stars 2000: Annie Haslam's Nevada - Pictures in the Fire 

 4 stars 2001: Renaissance Illusion - Through the Fire - http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_n8wcScWOTsUCgA1nommDMGnoAeIrjFsZk

 5 stars 2008: Jane's Renaissance: The Complete Jane Relf Collection - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_mvCdYFHpJN_UOBNSwICSg_6HOv5Z4denQ


Edited by Psychedelic Paul - October 31 2023 at 03:19
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Symphonic Prog Britannia: A-Z Album Links

 5 stars 1971: Salamander - The Ten Commandments - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H78A8FiJQ0g

 4 stars 1996: Mickey Simmonds - The Shape of Rain - http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL2mfWcg6r5TRQ6pnsVhxDrf2kkSgCqjzQ
 4 stars 2007: Mickey Simmonds - The Seven Colours of Emptiness


 5 stars 1971: Spring - Spring - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gmY-ootwxm4

 4 stars 2000: Chris Squire & Billy Sherwood - Conspiracy - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_nrDIeGSdSWPF7UN5ESd292B4ZIYujkbZk
 4 stars 2003: Chris Squire & Billy Sherwood - The Unknown - http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL7hwp0Md6S4sMoW5me2P2OR99_TbjLKT_
 3 stars 2007: Chris Squire - Swiss Choir - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=knmWhvn1Fuk
 5 stars 2012: Squackett (Chris Squire & Steve Hackett) - A Life Within a Day - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_nQwGIivTlbkEp1OeJMlRYpeM-TJjOTVeQ
 4 stars 2013: Chris Squire & Billy Sherwood - Conspiracy Live - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_n8NkZq6P3Y7RTcsGlY1VusNjHS4xDErRE


Edited by Psychedelic Paul - November 21 2023 at 02:26
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Symphonic Prog Britannia

5 stars 1971: Salamander - The Ten Commandments - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H78A8FiJQ0g

SALAMANDER were a British Proto-Prog quartet who had a brief but bright shining moment in the prog spotlight before slipping away like eels into the swirling mists of time. They came, they saw, but failed to conquer the progosphere with their one and only album "The Ten Commandments" in 1971, which virtually disappeared without trace, until now. Inevitably, it was a concept album, when the proggy concept album was king, with each of the ten songs loosely based on The Ten Commandments, so no surprise there then. You don't HAVE to be of a religious persuasion to enjoy this pompous prog album, because it's not meant to be taken seriously, but it's been ordained by the Prog Gods on high that we need to listen to this album, so let's check it out now, before we incur the wrath of the Prog Gods with a thunderbolt from the blue. Let us pray now, and give thanks to the Prog Gods for blessing us with this awesome album from on high:- "Our Father, Who art in Prog heaven, Give us this album, and forgive us our Genesis "Trespass" album, For thine is the Kingdom of Prog, and the Power and the Glory of Prog, For ever and ever, Amen."

Holy Moses! It's time now to have a listen to the first of the solid Prog-Rock tablets of stone handed down to Moses from the biblical Holy Mount of legend. We're in suitably reverential mood for "Prelude / He Is My God", which opens to the sound of a hauntingly-atmospheric church organ at the grand altar of Progressive Rock. This tremendous cathedral-esque opening number steadily builds up into the most wonderful crypt-kicking crescendo of overblown and pompous prog in all of its grandiose majesty and holy splendour. The religiously-inspired music sounds holier than the stained glass windows in Canterbury Cathedral with a grandness that's as awe-inspiring as the gleaming white marble of the Acropolis of Athens, or an ancient Roman Amphitheatre. You really have to hear this album to believe it, because the music is so powerfully inspirational that it's enough to turn a lifelong atheist into the most devout of religious believers, but that's the power and the glory of almighty Prog-Rock. After such a grand auspicious opening, How on God's Holy Earth do you follow that!?? You follow it with "Images", a dynamic Stormbringer of thunderbolt and lightning, very very frightening Heavy Prog that hits you straight between the eyes with the unrelenting pounding and percussive energy of a steamhammer. When you're sufficiently recovered from that sonic attack, you can relax and bask in the warm glow of "People", an altogether gentler refrain that's simply beautiful. It's the kind of gloriously uplifting tune that makes you want to run out into the street and sing "Oh Happy Day" at the top of your voice, despite the strange bemused looks from passers-by. In fact, the entire album has a delightful celebratory air to it that makes you feel glad to be alive and full of the joys of spring, even in the bleak midwinter, in a snowstorm at midnight. Feel free to join in too and sing along with "God's Day", a song that's as bright and radiant as a brilliant ray of sunshine breaking through the clouds, and sounding like a religious hybrid of early Blood, Sweat & Tears, on steroids. This fine upstanding album is like musical Viagra to the ears. It's positively bursting at the seams with joy and love and passion. Side One draws gently to a close now with "Honour Thy Father and Thy Mother", a sweet message of love and devotion that leaves you feeling all warm and cuddly inside. Altogether now, "Ahh!"

Opening Side Two in dramatic style, we arrive now at the Sixth Commandment/Song in the Decalogue: "(Thou Shalt Not) Kill", a tremendously rousing and anthemic display of pompous prog in all of its magnificent glory, featuring theatrical spoken word passages (with shades of the Moody Blues), adding a solemn and sombre air to the high drama of the occasion. After all, this is a song about a heinous murder, followed by the dastardly villain being sentenced to death by hanging, so it's literally a matter of life or death, or just a matter of death, as there's no leniency to be shown or expected for the accused here. After that dark depressing tale, it's time to lighten the mood now with the wistfully nostalgic sound of "Thou Shalt Not Commit Adultery", a gorgeous Folk-Pop refrain, bringing back fond memories of The Seekers in their heyday. Salamander are Bringing on Back the Good Times again here, so it's time to put on those tie-dyed cheesecloth shirts, bright flared trousers and gold platform boots and celebrate the golden era of the early 1970's, when everything was fab and groovy. This uplifting song is positively awash with golden scintillating strings, bathing the listener in a warm radiance of brilliant Sunshine Pop. The music's so bright, you gotta wear shades, and break open a bottle of suntan lotion at the same time. Onto the Eighth Commandment/Song now with "(Thou Shalt Not) Steal", a sonorous non-stop artillery barrage of heavy Heavy Prog, with the dynamic fired-up organ player attacking his keyboards with all of the passionate fury and gusto of a whirling dervish in a sandstorm. No one's going to Steal his thunder here! And so dear friends, we come to Commandment/Song No. 9: "False Witness", a lively and energetic Jazz-Rock number with a bold and brassy attitude - very much in the style of Ginger Baker's Air Force - with the powerful singer imbuing the music with all of the emotional intensity his vocal chords can muster. He was probably in need of a throat lozenge, a stiff drink and a good lie down after that impressive performance. The Tenth Commandment decrees that thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's "Possessions", but you can certainly "covet" this sensational storming Rocker, which rounds off the album in furiously fine style.

Salamander have seared a blazing trail of God Almighty Symphonic Prog with the magnificent majesty of their marvellous ultra-rare one-off masterpiece. The Eleventh Commandment of Prog, ordained by the Prog Gods on high, should be that every self-respecting prog fan owns a copy of Salamander's "Ten Commandments". This superb album is as welcome an addition to your prog collection as being given the welcome news that you're to be employed as a stage hand by Fleetwood Mac for one night only, where your job will be to adjust Stevie Nicks' knicker gusset when she's on stage. If, on the other hand, you're lucky enough to already own a rare vinyl copy of this fine album, then that's as lucky as walking into an antiques shop to buy some trinkets and curios, and discovering the Ark of the Covenant for sale at a bargain price. Well, maybe not quite THAT lucky.

The Ten Commandments of Prog:-

1. The Prog Gods are the Lords of Prog and Thou shalt have no other Prog Gods before thee

2. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image of a classic Prog-Rock album cover

3. Thou shalt not take the names of the Lords of Prog in vain

4. Remember the Black Sabbath day, for the seventh day is for the Holy worship of Prog-Rock

5. Honour thy father and thy mother's Prog-Rock collection

6. Thou shalt not murder a classic Prog-Rock anthem

7. Thou shalt not commit adultery with a fellow Prog-Rock fan's husband or wife

8. Thou shalt not steal a Prog-Rock album

9. Thou shalt not bear false witness against a fellow Prog-Rock fan

10. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's Prog-Rock collection
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Symphonic Prog Britannia

MICKEY SIMMONDS      A recent addition to ProgArchives hallowed halls and one of the best keyboard players that no one outside of the progosphere has ever heard of. Drawing his inspiration from Keith Emerson,  Mickey Simmonds has worked with some of the major prog giants of our time, including Mike Oldfield, Renaissance, Camel and Fish, and er... The Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band - but you can't win them all. Tongue

 4 stars 1996: Mickey Simmonds - The Shape of Rain - http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL2mfWcg6r5TRQ6pnsVhxDrf2kkSgCqjzQ
 4 stars 2007: Mickey Simmonds - The Seven Colours of Emptiness



Edited by Psychedelic Paul - October 27 2023 at 02:39
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Symphonic Prog Britannia


Deleted  Embarrassed 


Edited by Psychedelic Paul - October 29 2023 at 03:48
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Symphonic Prog Britannia

SKY      John Williams, Francis Monkman, Kevin Peek, Herbie Flowers & Tristan Fry, collectively known as Sky! Who needs Satellite TV when you can listen online for free to a top class line-up of classically-trained musicians like this!? Smile
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Symphonic Prog Britannia



SPRING were a six-piece English band from Leicester who sprang up in 1971 to release this superb self-titled album of stereophonic delights and they released a further album "Second Harvest in 1973 before just as quickly disappearing from the music scene. The "Spring" album features three bonus tracks on the 1992 CD re-issue. This delightful album passed by virtually unnoticed at the time of its release but it's now getting the recognition it truly deserves thanks to ProgArchives and the Internet. The album features lush symphonic melodies and beautiful harmonic soundscapes and the band is unique in featuring no less than three Mellotron players in the line-up. This album will delight and enthral fans of the Moody Blues and will appeal to any fans of the symphonic, heavenly sound of the Mellotron generally.

The album opens in suitably dramatic style with "The Prisoner (Eight by Ten)". This is just a foretaste of the musical box of delights to come and Mellotron lovers will instantly recognise the similarities with the powerful, symphonic sound of the early Moody Blues from their "Nights in White Satin" era. The song features triumphal keyboard phrases coupled with the hauntingly- atmospheric sound of the Mellotron always present in the background. Song No. 2 "Grail" is an emotionally appealing and uplifting tune with some lovely Mellotron melodies and warm and pleasant vocals. The song features some lush and dramatic Mellotron solos, again very reminiscent of the sound of the Moody Blues. Song 3 "Boats" is an interesting contrast in style with a late 1960's Folk-Rock sound featuring an acoustic and electric guitar and no Mellotron this time around. Song 4 "Shipwrecked Sailor" is a rockier number with the electric guitar at the forefront and with backing from the Mellotron. The song has a military- style marching rhythm to it with some strident trumpet sounds from the synth to close out the song. The opening song of Side Two "Golden Fleece" is guaranteed to delight the senses with vast symphonic soundscapes created by the lush sound of three Mellotrons played together. Song 6 "Inside Out" returns to a heavier rock sound, interlaced with some quieter melodic passages to keep the listener entertained before the song plays out in dramatic symphonic style. Song 7 "Song to Absent Friends (The Island)" is a beautiful and gentle ballad featuring solo electric piano and vocals. Finally, we come to the album closer "Gazing", another outstanding piece of music which brings a superb album to an end in magnificent and majestic fashion.

Spring is a beautifully-produced album which is an absolute joy and delight to listen to from beginning to end. This is sublime, lovingly-crafted music at its finest. The album is guaranteed to appeal to Moody Blues fans and lovers of the Mellotron sound everywhere. A truly magnificent album of first-rate musicianship that deserves a treasured place in any music lover's collection.
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Symphonic Prog Britannia

CHRIS SQUIRE         It's been eight long years now since Chris Squire gained the Keys to Ascension and ascended The Ladder between Heaven & Earth. He's now up there somewhere in Prog Heaven performing Yessongs with his Swiss Choir of angels. Chris Squire's legendary bass-playing has featured on all 21 Yes albums, from the first self-titled Yes album in 1969, right through to the final Heaven & Earth album in 2014, recorded just a year before his untimely death from leukemia at the age of 67. During his time with Yes, Chris Squire was often known for his lateness in turning up for recording sessions and gigs, and on his commemorative plaque, it reads: "'The Late' Chris Squire."
 
The Yes Album that's been the subject of the most Talk and controversy over the years is of course the fabled Tales from Topographic Oceans album, recorded in 1973. During the ensuing Drama surrounding the recording of the album, Time and a Word has it that strained relations between the various Yes band members were in such a Fragile state that the band came Close to the Edge of splitting up. Rick Wakeman left the Yes line-up temporarily and Patrick Moraz was brought in as a replacement for the recording of the following Relayer album in 1974. Rick Wakeman had a re-Union with Yes for the Going for the One and Tormato albums in 1977 and 1978 respectively. It was decided after the rigours of recording and touring the Relayer album that each Yes member would record their own solo album to give the band members a much-needed break from the constant pressure of touring and recording with Yes. And so, the stage was set for Chris Squire to launch his solo career whilst still remaining with Yes.
 
Chris Squire may have been like a Fish Out of Water with the recording and release of his first solo album away from his Yes band-mates in 1975, but the album was generally well-received by Yes fans and was a Big Generator of album sales too, reaching No. 25 in the U.K albums chart. If you Open Your Eyes and ears and examine this wonderful album closely with some degree of Magnification, you'll realise it has the trademark Yes sound of Chris Squire's thunderous bass featuring prominently throughout the album, giving it the distinctive sound of a Yes album in all but name.
 
In the later stages of his solo career, he recorded the Chris Squire's Swiss Choir Christmas album in 2007 and formed a temporary musical Union with Steve Hackett of Genesis for the album A Life within a Day in 2012, under the cunningly-titled band-name, Squackett.
 
Although Chris Squire is now up amongst the Prog Gods in Heaven, the marvellous music of Yes transcends Heaven & Earth  and it'll live on forever in our hearts, attracting new generations of Yes fans who haven't yet been born. Heart
 
All album titles in Red Highlights by Chris Squire and Yes
 
Just before I Fly from Here,  here's Chris Squire's complete discography. Smile

 4 stars 2000: Chris Squire & Billy Sherwood - Conspiracy - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_nrDIeGSdSWPF7UN5ESd292B4ZIYujkbZk
 4 stars 2003: Chris Squire & Billy Sherwood - The Unknown - http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL7hwp0Md6S4sMoW5me2P2OR99_TbjLKT_
 3 stars 2007: Chris Squire - Swiss Choir - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=knmWhvn1Fuk
 5 stars 2012: Squackett (Chris Squire & Steve Hackett) - A Life Within a Day - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_nQwGIivTlbkEp1OeJMlRYpeM-TJjOTVeQ
 4 stars 2013: Chris Squire & Billy Sherwood - Conspiracy Live - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_n8NkZq6P3Y7RTcsGlY1VusNjHS4xDErRE

CHRIS SQUIRE (1948-2015) is of course best-known as the legendary bassist with YES, appearing on all twenty-one YES studio albums, from their first self-titled album in 1969 right through to the final YES album "Heaven & Earth" in 2014, just a year before his tragic death from leukemia at the age of 67. His unique and aggressive style of bass playing was a major part of what gave YES such a distinctive sound. This album "Fish Out of Water" (1975) was the first of two Chris Squire solo projects, with his second solo album "Chris Squire's Swiss Choir" (2007), a Christmas album, following 32 years later. He also collaborated with Steve Hackett of Genesis to record the album "A Life Within a Day" (2012) under the cunningly-titled name "Squackett". The "Fish Out of Water" album was recorded at a time when all of the YES musicians were taking a long hiatus from the band to record a solo album after the trials and tribulations of recording the YES "Relayer" album. Chris Squire's first solo album featured an impressive line-up of musicians from the world of prog, including:- Bill Bruford on drums; Mel Collins on saxophones; and Patrick Moraz on synthesisers. The album also featured an orchestra, conducted by Chris Squire's old bandmate from The Syn, Andrew Price Jackman. Let's dive in now and have a listen to the album.

Chris Squire makes a big splash with "Hold Out Your Hand", which is very much in the mould of classic Yessongs, with Squire's vocals sounding remarkably like Jon Anderson. The sound of Chris Squire's bass is very much at the forefront, giving the music the distinctive YES sound that we've come to know and love over the years. This music has all of the dynamic power and glory that we've come to expect from YES, with the sound of Barry Rose's pompous pipe organ adding a rich fullness to the sound. Chris Squire might feel like a "Fish Out of Water with his first solo album, but we're in very familiar YES territory with this opening song. There's a lovely message about the wonders of nature and the universe around us contained within the lyrics:- "All you've got to do is, Hold out your hand, For the treasures of the universe, Are lying at your feet." ..... I think we can all hold out our hands and give Chris a big round of applause for "Hold Out Your Hand" because this is a superb opening number. The next song "You By My Side" is a BIG romantic piano number with full orchestration and featuring a tremendous hook-line, so be prepared to be swept away on a passionate wave of emotion. The powerful music really tugs at the heart- strings with these heart-warming lyrics:- "You know I love you, we can't be without you, When I'm alone, I still feel this way about you." ..... This sumptuous grand piano and orchestra piece is positively overflowing with emotion and it's enough to make you feel all dewy-eyed and sentimental, so keep a hanky at the ready. We're "Silently Falling" now for Song No. 3, which opens to the sound of a flamboyant flute. This is one of two big epic numbers on the album, and with a running time of over 11 minutes, there's plenty of time for some keyboard wizardry from Patrick Moraz with the marvellous sound of Chris Squire's sonorous bass and Bill Bruford's pounding drums carrying the song along in true YES tradition. It's majestic and magnificent. This is uplifting and unrestrained grand Symphonic Prog which is sure to delight fans of the sonorous full-toned sound of YES.

Do you feel lucky, because "Lucky Seven" is the opening song on Side Two. It's a Jazzy saxophone number in complex 7/8 time that sounds like it could have been a missing King Crimson song, which is probably not too surprising considering Mel Collins and Bill Bruford have both been members of Robert Fripp's King Crimson ensemble at various times. This is a funky fusion of sassy and sophisticated Jazz-Rock given the heavy bass treatment by Mr Chis Squire, esquire. And now we come to the grand symphonic epic "Safe (Canon Song), to close out the album. It's a 15-minute masterpiece featuring the full works, including a floating flute, sensational saxophone, booming bass, dynamic drumming, and with a full orchestra bringing this outstanding piece of music to a dramatic conclusion in glorious pomp and symphonic splendour.

Chris Squire's first solo album features the oh-so-familiar heavy bass sound of YES, combined with sumptuous vocals, keyboard wizardry, and sophisticated saxophones in abundance. "Fish Out of Water" is sure to delight fans of the classic YES sound, as this album sounds very much like an undiscovered YES album treasure. There's enough dramatic chord progressions and tricky time signature changes contained within this album to keep any Progressive Rock fan happy. It's an album full of romantic refrains, jaunty Jazz, mellifluous melodies and scintillating symphonies, but it's ALWAYS consistently great music.



Edited by Psychedelic Paul - November 03 2023 at 04:19
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Symphonic Prog Britannia

MICHAEL ALAN TAYLOR     "A great battle is a terrible thing," the old knight said "but in the midst of blood and carnage, there is sometimes also beauty, beauty that could break your heart!"...... And so it is with the beautiful music of Michael Alan Taylor, who's taking a break from Neo Prog band Nth Ascension to present this magnificent swords and sorcery epic of Arthurian legend, where gallant knights in white shining armour come to the rescue of fair maidens in distress. Surely the most epic tale since Rick Wakeman presented King Arthur on Ice, but at a fraction of the cost. Smile

5 stars 2018: Michael Alan Taylor - Avalonia (The Sonnets of Guinevere) - http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_lXkEL6wWKJh_UyirC6BwLqdd_2IAyJdUs
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Symphonic Prog Britannia

U.K.       A short-lived prog supergroup with a long-lived reputation, featuring prog legends Bill Bruford, Allan Holdsworth, Eddie Jobson and John Wetton. U.K.'s outstanding debut was one of the last albums of the classic  1970's prog era  and gained recognition in the jaded music press too with Rolling Stone magazine ranking it the 30th best Progressive Rock album of all time - which seems a fair assessment to me. Smile




Edited by Psychedelic Paul - November 03 2023 at 11:24
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Symphonic Prog Britannia: A-Z Album Links

From Wakey, to Wally, to Wetton, to Woolly, and finally, YES, the biggest and best Symphonic Prog band of them all. Clap


 5 stars 1973: Rick Wakeman - The Six Wives of Henry VIII - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1LtZowz5527OrFUPTS44Xpuc
 5 stars 1974: Rick Wakeman - Journey to the Centre of the Earth - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1LtEQI0AHVt-bA8kiI7PzDD2
 4 stars 1975: Rick Wakeman - Lisztomania (soundtrack) - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1Lt78tfVaMqbrHr-S1k_pqKz
 5 stars 1975: Rick Wakeman - Live at the Empire Pool, Wembley: King Arthur on Ice - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1LvKmTio-XAjWqR5mj5iGwID
 4 stars 1976: Rick Wakeman - No Earthly Connection - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1LuG8N2Ky81znrA3rLcilFV6
 4 stars 1976: Rick Wakeman - Live at the Maltings, Farnham - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1LvcL_8Yny_oJ-CcJn7BMhMe
 4 stars 1977: Rick Wakeman - White Rock (soundtrack) - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1LvBvlRjvXBnl_U7DHxzlmkW
 4 stars 1980: Rick Wakeman - Live 1980: Swedish Television Special - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1LsdDrXK6QACUrQoFPEABHN9
 3 stars 1981: Rick Wakeman - The Burning (soundtrack) - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1Lv1NuYgg79wWUSEgvoLeCac
 4 stars 1981: Rick Wakeman - 1984 - Live at the Hammersmith Odeon - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1Lv_KbReg0ChkRrjTwNrm90y
 3 stars 1982: Rick Wakeman - Rock 'n' Roll Prophet - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1Lufpi2OwFqSUvl2Czroe9Ia
 4 stars 1983: Rick Wakeman - G'ole! (soundtrack) - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1LvO8kVbHw3xcL02thLOUUqy
 3 stars 1984: Rick Wakeman - Crimes of Passion (soundtrack) - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1LtF9Vln0qHFVIQzEjevXmkg
 4 stars 1984: Rick Wakeman, Jeff Wayne & Kevin Peek - Beyond the Planets -  https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1LsBW-Gidl8xtqrXJs-w2cmd
 5 stars 1985: Rick Wakeman - Live at Hammersmith  - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1LuAEq1ubEUr2xphGq46o7Qy
 4 stars 1988: Rick Wakeman & Ramon Remedios - A Suite of Gods - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1LtgiI7SPaX18D2MaLYdrXcw
 4 stars 1988: Rick Wakeman & Tony Fernandez - Zodiaque - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1LuGAut6SPLIb8C_ccjAqvYH
 5 stars 1988: Rick Wakeman - The Word and the Gospels - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1LvRntLkqT7ztMe2PpWQ36hP
 4 stars 1989: Rick Wakeman & Mario Fasciano - Black Knights at the Court of Ferdinand IV - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1LsZy3vThTRSMU3cCcQLa1np
 4 stars 1990: Rick Wakeman - Phantom Power (soundtrack) - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1Lsqj_KHMGepULnZO0Bii5BG
 4 stars 1990: Rick Wakeman - Access All Areas: Live in Nottingham - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1LsjuWHjXiQZSzEQveaOSEvC
 3 stars 1991: Rick Wakeman - Aspirant Sunshadows - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1LsNP29TbKcTtgZdEvptCSxZ
 4 stars 1991: Rick Wakeman - The Classical Connection - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1LsyLnV7EbJhqadgK7PiyxzW
 4 stars 1991: Rick Wakeman - Classical Connection Concert - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1LtSLpNYWTM0Ei8o2xcUl5pv
 4 stars 1991: Rick Wakeman - 2000 A.D. Into the Future - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1Lvl8BB91ql6cjy9RzkvFzlg
 4 stars 1991: Rick Wakeman - Softsword - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LgA3FNl7Dms
 4 stars 1993: Rick Wakeman - The Classical Connection 2 - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1LuwZLc3Z0_FVrsBx5S4bfI2
 4 stars 1993: Rick & Adam Wakeman - Wakeman with Wakeman (Aka: Lure of the Wild) - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1LvUmWsO0GCGkgN6Esg0kZ9O
 4 stars 1993: Rick & Adam Wakeman - No Expense Spared - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1LvOD7UvrV27Tjotf_xhWgIv
 4 stars 1994: Rick Wakeman - Chronicles (compilation) - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1Lt04ZApwgz90SAFjv9uB9QB
 4 stars 1994: Rick & Adam Wakeman - The Stage Collection - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1Lv3eHBEMzwPndWRSYDKu7IF
 4 stars 1995: Rick Wakeman - Almost Live in Europe - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1Lu1-7pgOxSbweM2_S6mf12E
 3 stars 1995: Rick & Adam Wakeman - Romance of the Victorian Age - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1LtozfXjwZIzs_NTc7-85qye
 4 stars 1995: Rick Wakeman - The Seven Wonders of the World - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1Lt43ZgoLm4C773jIxoZWiyj
 2 stars 1996: Rick & Nina Carter Wakeman - Orisons - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1LuqUmhMcO7v7N8RtdbD7aKS
 2 stars 1996: Rick & Nina Carter Wakeman - The Word and Music - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1Ls2TTrV8MY6CTpnQzgISTKo
 3 stars 1997: Rick Wakeman - Tribute to The Beatles - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1LvP1XqAzRt1rNC78Hq5t9yE
 3 stars 1999: Rick Wakeman - The Natural World Trilogy -  https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1LswftmffayxBOEvVKcwARRQ
 5 stars 1999: Rick Wakeman - Return to the Centre of the Earth - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1LsTzjhyPoSljWMK5h2ln9ce
 3 stars 1999: Rick Wakeman - Art in Music Trilogy - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1Lvp-eWlqCNgouxsD13O08TC
 4 stars 1999: Rick Wakeman & Mario Fasciano - Stella Bianca - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1LsmyXoDbId_8h7XpRSzYYOD
 5 stars 2000: Rick Wakeman - The Legend: Live in Concert - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1Lv5F2C4JuRQ_ZfJ5NLmh8JV
 3 stars 2000: Rick Wakeman - Preludes to a Century - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1LupRzM2nxjapoZiMLKbY-Mr
 3 stars 2000: Rick Wakeman - Christmas Variations - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1LsNq2OEMJ_AJXoCc_4bqEz6
 3 stars 2001: Rick Wakeman - Classical Variations - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1LuR0yIGTR1S7mLkmXXRcsRy
 5 stars 2001: Rick Wakeman - Live in Buenos Aires - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1LuCp_aGDGw977eRXh2Vzd2s
 4 stars 2001: Rick Wakeman - Tales of Future and Past - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1LvBIJMvcPMIwlPRHRPPjMkd
 4 stars 2002: Rick Wakeman - Two Sides of Yes: Volume 2 - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1LuxXgziTcmZWcwn3xWGH49b
 3 stars 2002: Rick Wakeman & Dave Cousins - Hummingbird - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1LtmpYpg_Yj9jZI6pmwLdIap
 3 stars 2002: Rick Wakeman - The Real Lisztomania - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1LvKdiX_uuhmdksr7o2WmCJE
 4 stars 2002: Rick Wakeman - The Wizard and the Forest of All Dreams - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1Lsq2vbLpScQmnq7Df5vRK-q
 4 stars 2002: Rick Wakeman - Songs of Middle Earth - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1Lunrb_h1Oyv_lSVI7Hd93DQ
 5 stars 2003: Rick Wakeman & the New English Rock Ensemble - Out There - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1Lu4u9ia3dmybR8-wrmo8Psl
 4 stars 2004: Rick Wakeman - The Ultimate Anthology - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1LuU7RUKViEogei3k4hgjAny
 5 stars 2005: Rick Wakeman - The Ultimate Rick Wakeman Experience - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1LsMaOR1wq5YIIPtxBsHpXos
 4 stars 2005: Rick Wakeman  - Live at Lincoln Cathedral - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1LvEbQkbyQ2ve9DEJ-OvfRns
 4 stars 2007: Rick Wakeman - Night Music (TV concert recorded circa 1980) - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xo0XpTGLULs
 3 stars 2007: Rick Wakeman - The Other Side of Rick Wakeman - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1LunTqHqOPFqvJ1tKTQm9PB8
 3 stars 2008: Rick Wakeman - Grumpy Old Picture Show - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1LtrOtFD60vDJIriV7ImGcSN
 5 stars 2009: Rick Wakeman -  The Six Wives of Henry VIII: Live at Hampton Court Palace - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1LvLMJHWVmnKUdWjAdkGtnh
 4 stars 2010: Rick Wakeman - Classical Wakeman: Live in Lugano - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1Luey1j4PeTm_oWZFaD79t7s
 5 stars 2012: Rick Wakeman - Journey to the Centre of the Earth -  https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1LsBSxmCn5NIcIgf-jA0AGwS
 5 stars 2017: Rick Wakeman & the English Rock Ensemble - Live at Starmus - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1LvH5AfvS6GFOLkOVVY25idE
 5 stars 2017: Rick Wakeman - The Phantom of the Opera - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1Lt8uOgwGQazOgvPCEZ5fHIi
 3 stars 2019: Rick Wakeman - Christmas Portraits - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1LuktAVS-OGEeKT95vWkPjEQ
 4 stars 2022: Rick Wakeman - A Gallery of the Imagination - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wTsFV6cfnk0


 2 stars 1996: John Wetton - Akustika: Live in Amerika -  https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLdktF-lL0yEaL7NHq3_avEdIoQ8YVNhnC
 3 stars 1999: John Wetton - Live at the Sun Plaza, Tokyo - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLdktF-lL0yEbTfkYYZms2goE7HJlx5Tcc
 4 stars 2000: John Wetton - Sinister (Welcome to Heaven) - http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLTCHZJbJm7G0giNHCMU-i4jybCmH9_gQM
 2 stars 2002: John Wetton - Live via Satellite II - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLdktF-lL0yEa_DmOVySYpwkGADNgIkd1y
 4 stars 2003: John Wetton - Agenda: Live in Poland - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLdktF-lL0yEZlpZDPcF9RUISI0STtDStP
 2 stars 2017: John Wetton - Akustika II: Return to Amerika - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLdktF-lL0yEZGDVWq6m57RKAZW0n_uvdS

 3 stars 1987: John Wetton & Phil Manzanera - Wetton-Manzanera - http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLTCHZJbJm7G2bsSHAVrEYOGHuFqr3z9nN

 4 stars 2002: John Wetton & Ken Hensley - One Way or Another - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PYoAZSEkD-A
 
 4 stars 2006: Wetton-Downes - Icon Live: Never in a Million Years - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLdktF-lL0yEanOaCIzqHCW3dCmAIwCQJF
 3 stars 2006: Wetton-Downes - Icon: Acoustic TV Broadcast - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLdktF-lL0yEbnroEXCaf02DFBftxA0mW6


 4 stars 2015: Doug Woods & Colin Powell - The Haunting of Sally Caster - http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_n-87ZXzB0w0VfVK28kykcdks-0_d6FCqM
 3 stars 2016: Doug Woods & Colin Powell - Seven Days - http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_mhqrR5Rn5BTSd5m_GdGYkYUHtNu1S-eko
 4 stars 2016: Doug Woods & Colin Powell - The Astronomers - http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_k8allLOUNSS0vp0g0sm0F6mYP4EZ6pg5c
 4 stars 2016: Doug Woods & Colin Powell - The Dark Side of the Pen - http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_n9St5RY2wC2TpGAmm9RciLqYPLk5ILL88
 3 stars 2016: Doug Woods & Colin Powell - The Last Will & Testament of Walter Canterbury - http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_kQF1XLfb1DvARJYAv0pBV6BfPaVXzwfPU 
 4 stars 2016: Doug Woods & Colin Powell - Sally Caster 2: The Revenge - http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_keDGQr-vtTQXotr1f-JAT9Op0QPg2DDnM
 4 stars 2017: Doug Woods & Colin Powell - Sally Caster & Denks & Klade: The Mechanical Girl Takes Revenge - http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_n5W-MC7nThmBG06lLUW19Pvyhmbiq5o6o
 4 stars 2017: Doug Woods & Colin Powell - The Chronicles of Mr Denks & Mr Klade: The Time Traveller - http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_nmVAGu2CSQf-c_owYlKAk6SlAU1g0n6ag
 4 stars 2017: Doug Woods & Colin Powell - The Chronicles of Mr Denks & Mr Klade; The Absurdium Fog - http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_nZLZ2jM3uLPnqbqSX2vFcy9nFDMrtuiFk 
 4 stars 2017: Doug Woods & Colin Powell - The American Highway Suite: Darklands & Strange Days - http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_mmMGVtcPo1uuhGzqF_QV4h5laoZPR28iM 
 4 stars 2017: Doug Woods & Colin Powell - Psychedelic Space - http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_l7tP6MJqI5SYlRAXZGY4MMyB3FrXOknlE
 4 stars 2018: Doug Woods & Colin Powell - The Madness of Benjamin Folde - http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_kfCJ_3CWRGkhryflFIwDYEBJv2XCU2V4s
 4 stars 2018: Doug Woods & Colin Powell - Lily's Gone Mad - http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_lVg-blTUXjG-rCuS7uQMzSgLpm9oa-r-U
 4 stars 2018: Doug Woods & Colin Powell - The Further Adventures of Miss Lily Louise Pepper - http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_ny4Yqeq1C0Jnk7k4HrZbyO2mswzAfzusA
 4 stars 2019: Doug Woods & Colin Powell - Angels: Heaven's Lore, Part One - http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_khfnQe4TzXa1PU2q-AL6OYRN9WaTZ9sts
 4 stars 2019: Doug Woods & Colin Powell - The Grand Theatre - http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_lQQ9Wih7P7H7vAX2b2rJhdfGuL5GRwUOE 
 3 stars 2020: Doug Woods & Colin Powell - The Mechanical Girl A.I. - http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_mmDfkUBCxkv88yKV8CCwI5zD5bthu-AT8
 4 stars 2020: Doug Woods & Colin Powell - Cinematica - http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_kAvKbuMbPoHV9gpsYnpkO2FlbvcnOjl5M
 4 stars 2021: Doug Woods & Colin Powell - Tales from the Edge of Yesterday - http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_lg9uheyjcxwJ7gn2sZD4VpV_KrTPT6OW4
 4 stars 2022: Doug Woods & Colin Powell - The Chronicles of Mr Denks & Mr Klade: The Lost City - http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_lq21JPhV_IyMWTUjq2U4c0BhNq7xqIHtQ
 4 stars 2023: Doug Woods & Colin Powell - Levitation - http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_kH-b6QWH5quvPp-I2zqKmH3NNIqu1Oc1g


Edited by Psychedelic Paul - November 20 2023 at 09:42
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Symphonic Prog Britannia

RICK WAKEMAN           Rick Wakeman's scintillating Piano Vibrations and stunning keyboard wizardly have been  entertaining and enthralling us now for half a century. He's almost as legendary in modern times as The Six Wives of Henry VIII were in Tudor times. Let's Journey to the Centre of the Earth with Rick and explore some of the Myths and Legends of his incredible career. Some of the myths  surrounding Rick Wakeman may have No Earthly Connection with reality, but that's how prog legends are created. His symphonic masterpieces have all the magnificent majesty of the towering White Rock of the Matterhorn, and for any self-respecting YES fan not to have at least one Rick Wakeman album in their collection is *almost* as embarrassing as admitting to a past Criminal Record. As we listen again to Rick's rapturous Rhapsodies, it's as well to remember that The Burning issue in 1984 for Rock & Roll Prophet Rick Wakeman was whether he'd ever make any profit again after staging the spectacular King Arthur on Ice in 1975 at enormous expense during an increasing Cost of Living crisis. Geek

 5 stars 1973: Rick Wakeman - The Six Wives of Henry VIII - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1LtZowz5527OrFUPTS44Xpuc
 5 stars 1974: Rick Wakeman - Journey to the Centre of the Earth - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1LtEQI0AHVt-bA8kiI7PzDD2
 4 stars 1975: Rick Wakeman - Lisztomania (soundtrack) - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1Lt78tfVaMqbrHr-S1k_pqKz
 5 stars 1975: Rick Wakeman - Live at the Empire Pool, Wembley: King Arthur on Ice - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1LvKmTio-XAjWqR5mj5iGwID
 4 stars 1976: Rick Wakeman - No Earthly Connection - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1LuG8N2Ky81znrA3rLcilFV6
 4 stars 1976: Rick Wakeman - Live at the Maltings, Farnham - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1LvcL_8Yny_oJ-CcJn7BMhMe
 4 stars 1977: Rick Wakeman - White Rock (soundtrack) - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1LvBvlRjvXBnl_U7DHxzlmkW
 4 stars 1980: Rick Wakeman - Live 1980: Swedish Television Special - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1LsdDrXK6QACUrQoFPEABHN9
 3 stars 1981: Rick Wakeman - The Burning (soundtrack) - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1Lv1NuYgg79wWUSEgvoLeCac
 4 stars 1981: Rick Wakeman - 1984 - Live at the Hammersmith Odeon - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1Lv_KbReg0ChkRrjTwNrm90y
 3 stars 1982: Rick Wakeman - Rock 'n' Roll Prophet - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1Lufpi2OwFqSUvl2Czroe9Ia
 4 stars 1983: Rick Wakeman - G'ole! (soundtrack) - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1LvO8kVbHw3xcL02thLOUUqy
 3 stars 1984: Rick Wakeman - Crimes of Passion (soundtrack) - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1LtF9Vln0qHFVIQzEjevXmkg
 4 stars 1984: Rick Wakeman, Jeff Wayne & Kevin Peek - Beyond the Planets -  https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1LsBW-Gidl8xtqrXJs-w2cmd
 5 stars 1985: Rick Wakeman - Live at Hammersmith  - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1LuAEq1ubEUr2xphGq46o7Qy
 4 stars 1988: Rick Wakeman & Ramon Remedios - A Suite of Gods - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1LtgiI7SPaX18D2MaLYdrXcw
 4 stars 1988: Rick Wakeman & Tony Fernandez - Zodiaque - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1LuGAut6SPLIb8C_ccjAqvYH
 5 stars 1988: Rick Wakeman - The Word and the Gospels - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1LvRntLkqT7ztMe2PpWQ36hP
 4 stars 1989: Rick Wakeman & Mario Fasciano - Black Knights at the Court of Ferdinand IV - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1LsZy3vThTRSMU3cCcQLa1np
 4 stars 1990: Rick Wakeman - Phantom Power (soundtrack) - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1Lsqj_KHMGepULnZO0Bii5BG
 4 stars 1990: Rick Wakeman - Access All Areas: Live in Nottingham - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1LsjuWHjXiQZSzEQveaOSEvC
 3 stars 1991: Rick Wakeman - Aspirant Sunshadows - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1LsNP29TbKcTtgZdEvptCSxZ
 4 stars 1991: Rick Wakeman - The Classical Connection - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1LsyLnV7EbJhqadgK7PiyxzW
 4 stars 1991: Rick Wakeman - Classical Connection Concert - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1LtSLpNYWTM0Ei8o2xcUl5pv
 4 stars 1991: Rick Wakeman - 2000 A.D. Into the Future - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1Lvl8BB91ql6cjy9RzkvFzlg
 4 stars 1991: Rick Wakeman - Softsword - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LgA3FNl7Dms
 4 stars 1993: Rick Wakeman - The Classical Connection 2 - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1LuwZLc3Z0_FVrsBx5S4bfI2
 4 stars 1993: Rick & Adam Wakeman - Wakeman with Wakeman (Aka: Lure of the Wild) - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1LvUmWsO0GCGkgN6Esg0kZ9O
 4 stars 1993: Rick & Adam Wakeman - No Expense Spared - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1LvOD7UvrV27Tjotf_xhWgIv
 4 stars 1994: Rick Wakeman - Chronicles (compilation) - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1Lt04ZApwgz90SAFjv9uB9QB
 4 stars 1994: Rick & Adam Wakeman - The Stage Collection - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1Lv3eHBEMzwPndWRSYDKu7IF
 4 stars 1995: Rick Wakeman - Almost Live in Europe - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1Lu1-7pgOxSbweM2_S6mf12E
 3 stars 1995: Rick & Adam Wakeman - Romance of the Victorian Age - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1LtozfXjwZIzs_NTc7-85qye
 4 stars 1995: Rick Wakeman - The Seven Wonders of the World - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1Lt43ZgoLm4C773jIxoZWiyj
 2 stars 1996: Rick & Nina Carter Wakeman - Orisons - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1LuqUmhMcO7v7N8RtdbD7aKS
 2 stars 1996: Rick & Nina Carter Wakeman - The Word and Music - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1Ls2TTrV8MY6CTpnQzgISTKo
 3 stars 1997: Rick Wakeman - Tribute to The Beatles - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1LvP1XqAzRt1rNC78Hq5t9yE
 3 stars 1999: Rick Wakeman - The Natural World Trilogy -  https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1LswftmffayxBOEvVKcwARRQ
 5 stars 1999: Rick Wakeman - Return to the Centre of the Earth - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1LsTzjhyPoSljWMK5h2ln9ce
 3 stars 1999: Rick Wakeman - Art in Music Trilogy - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1Lvp-eWlqCNgouxsD13O08TC
 4 stars 1999: Rick Wakeman & Mario Fasciano - Stella Bianca - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1LsmyXoDbId_8h7XpRSzYYOD
 5 stars 2000: Rick Wakeman - The Legend: Live in Concert - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1Lv5F2C4JuRQ_ZfJ5NLmh8JV
 3 stars 2000: Rick Wakeman - Preludes to a Century - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1LupRzM2nxjapoZiMLKbY-Mr
 3 stars 2000: Rick Wakeman - Christmas Variations - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1LsNq2OEMJ_AJXoCc_4bqEz6
 3 stars 2001: Rick Wakeman - Classical Variations - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1LuR0yIGTR1S7mLkmXXRcsRy
 5 stars 2001: Rick Wakeman - Live in Buenos Aires - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1LuCp_aGDGw977eRXh2Vzd2s
 4 stars 2001: Rick Wakeman - Tales of Future and Past - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1LvBIJMvcPMIwlPRHRPPjMkd
 4 stars 2002: Rick Wakeman - Two Sides of Yes: Volume 2 - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1LuxXgziTcmZWcwn3xWGH49b
 3 stars 2002: Rick Wakeman & Dave Cousins - Hummingbird - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1LtmpYpg_Yj9jZI6pmwLdIap
 3 stars 2002: Rick Wakeman - The Real Lisztomania - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1LvKdiX_uuhmdksr7o2WmCJE
 4 stars 2002: Rick Wakeman - The Wizard and the Forest of All Dreams - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1Lsq2vbLpScQmnq7Df5vRK-q
 4 stars 2002: Rick Wakeman - Songs of Middle Earth - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1Lunrb_h1Oyv_lSVI7Hd93DQ
 5 stars 2003: Rick Wakeman & the New English Rock Ensemble - Out There - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1Lu4u9ia3dmybR8-wrmo8Psl
 4 stars 2004: Rick Wakeman - The Ultimate Anthology - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1LuU7RUKViEogei3k4hgjAny
 5 stars 2005: Rick Wakeman - The Ultimate Rick Wakeman Experience - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1LsMaOR1wq5YIIPtxBsHpXos
 4 stars 2005: Rick Wakeman  - Live at Lincoln Cathedral - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1LvEbQkbyQ2ve9DEJ-OvfRns
 4 stars 2007: Rick Wakeman - Night Music (TV concert recorded circa 1980) - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xo0XpTGLULs
 3 stars 2007: Rick Wakeman - The Other Side of Rick Wakeman - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1LunTqHqOPFqvJ1tKTQm9PB8
 3 stars 2008: Rick Wakeman - Grumpy Old Picture Show - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1LtrOtFD60vDJIriV7ImGcSN
 5 stars 2009: Rick Wakeman -  The Six Wives of Henry VIII: Live at Hampton Court Palace - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1LvLMJHWVmnKUdWjAdkGtnh
 4 stars 2010: Rick Wakeman - Classical Wakeman: Live in Lugano - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1Luey1j4PeTm_oWZFaD79t7s
 5 stars 2012: Rick Wakeman - Journey to the Centre of the Earth -  https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1LsBSxmCn5NIcIgf-jA0AGwS
 5 stars 2017: Rick Wakeman & the English Rock Ensemble - Live at Starmus - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1LvH5AfvS6GFOLkOVVY25idE
 5 stars 2017: Rick Wakeman - The Phantom of the Opera - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1Lt8uOgwGQazOgvPCEZ5fHIi
 3 stars 2019: Rick Wakeman - Christmas Portraits - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1LuktAVS-OGEeKT95vWkPjEQ
 4 stars 2022: Rick Wakeman - A Gallery of the Imagination - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wTsFV6cfnk0


Edited by Psychedelic Paul - November 06 2023 at 14:13
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Symphonic Prog Britannia

WALLY         Not a band of jihadis from the Middle East - despite the Islamic star and crescent on their album covers - but a band of Yorkshire lads from the sleepy town of Harrogate. After playing the usual northern pub circuit, Wally got their big break after coming second only to Druid in the best New Act competition organised by the Melody Maker, and with a little help along the way from Rick Wakeman and Whispering Bob Harris, they were the most famous band in Harrogate for a brief time - at least until their record company Atlantic finally pulled the plug on them in the wake of poor album sales. In 1975, In a last desperate bid for fame and recognition, Wally toured Japan as the backing band for French singer Michel Polnareff (Who!??). Sadly, that was the end for our intrepid bunch of Wallies and they were consigned to a footnote in the history of Progressive Rock, where they barely get a mention outside of Prog Archives hallowed halls.  Confused



Edited by Psychedelic Paul - November 07 2023 at 13:30
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Symphonic Prog Britannia

JOHN WETTON  (1949-2017) Broken Heart        A legendary bass player and baritone voice of the progosphere who's not just big in Europe - he's big in ASIA too. John Wetton has been involved with more prog bands during his long career than most people could even mention. Namely:- Mogul Thrash; Renaissance (briefly); Family; King Crimson; Uriah Heep; Roxy Music; U.K; Jack-Knife; Wishbone Ash; and of course, ASIA, as well as the long-running Wetton-Downes musical partnership with Geoff Downes and brief one-album collaborations with Phil Manzanera and Ken Hensley, and not forgetting to mention a huge amount of session work with other prog luminaries too. The list goes on... All in all then, John Wetton remains a never-to-be-forgotten true hero and Icon of Progressive Rock. Clap

 2 stars 1996: John Wetton - Akustika: Live in Amerika -  https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLdktF-lL0yEaL7NHq3_avEdIoQ8YVNhnC
 3 stars 1999: John Wetton - Live at the Sun Plaza, Tokyo - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLdktF-lL0yEbTfkYYZms2goE7HJlx5Tcc
 4 stars 2000: John Wetton - Sinister (Welcome to Heaven) - http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLTCHZJbJm7G0giNHCMU-i4jybCmH9_gQM
 2 stars 2002: John Wetton - Live via Satellite II - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLdktF-lL0yEa_DmOVySYpwkGADNgIkd1y
 4 stars 2003: John Wetton - Agenda: Live in Poland - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLdktF-lL0yEZlpZDPcF9RUISI0STtDStP
 2 stars 2017: John Wetton - Akustika II: Return to Amerika - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLdktF-lL0yEZGDVWq6m57RKAZW0n_uvdS

 3 stars 1987: John Wetton & Phil Manzanera - Wetton-Manzanera - http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLTCHZJbJm7G2bsSHAVrEYOGHuFqr3z9nN

 4 stars 2002: John Wetton & Ken Hensley - One Way or Another - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PYoAZSEkD-A

 4 stars 2006: Wetton-Downes - Icon Live: Never in a Million Years - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLdktF-lL0yEanOaCIzqHCW3dCmAIwCQJF
 3 stars 2006: Wetton-Downes - Icon: Acoustic TV Broadcast - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLdktF-lL0yEbnroEXCaf02DFBftxA0mW6


Edited by Psychedelic Paul - November 12 2023 at 06:32
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Originally posted by Psychedelic Paul Psychedelic Paul wrote:

Symphonic Prog Britannia

SKY      John Williams, Francis Monkman, Kevin Peek, Herbie Flowers & Tristan Fry, collectively known as Sky! Who needs Satellite TV when you can listen online for free to a top class line-up of classically-trained musicians like this!? Smile



Not a band that is talked about that much. Monkman (ex Curved Air) added a lot of prog 'gravitas' to the whole thing and was laregly responsible for the better tracks on the first 2 albums. After he departed it became a lot less interesting sadly. At the time (1980) I played their second album to death along with Pink Floyd's The Wall. Both were double albums as well!
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^ And in addition to being the keyboard player with Curved Air, Francis Monkman has an impressive back-catalogue of virtually unknown solo albums too - including The Long Good Friday soundtrack - all of which I listened to for the first and last time about three years ago. Tempus Fugit. Smile

 3 stars 1978: Francis Monkman - Tempus Fugit - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RDhB1PoLluA
 3 stars 1979: Francis Monkman - Classical Concussion - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_TaS3ukydpLW4SN_WBtASEEF35z-KfEB
 3 stars 1980: Francis Monkman - Classical Odyssey - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_TaS3ukydpJQ-cjuOguMbPHu94lLMT1v
 4 stars 1981: Francis Monkman - The Long Good Friday (soundtrack) - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_TaS3ukydpIbIqS_tW0l9UXA7owbMNaK
                  1981: Francis Monkman - Dweller on the Threshold (currently unavailable) Confused
 3 stars 1993: Francis Monkman - Virtual Classics - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_TaS3ukydpJ0ocKypFOzugEnDWeg4zzx
 3 stars 1998: Francis Monkman - 21st Century Blues - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_TaS3ukydpKPFwn8WoSqyCsb_f7eROYM
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Originally posted by Psychedelic Paul Psychedelic Paul wrote:

^ And in addition to being the keyboard player with Curved Air, Francis Monkman has an impressive back-catalogue of virtually unknown solo albums too - including The Long Good Friday soundtrack - all of which I listened to for the first and last time about three years ago. Tempus Fugit. Smile

 3 stars 1978: Francis Monkman - Tempus Fugit - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RDhB1PoLluA
 3 stars 1979: Francis Monkman - Classical Concussion - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_TaS3ukydpLW4SN_WBtASEEF35z-KfEB
 3 stars 1980: Francis Monkman - Classical Odyssey - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_TaS3ukydpJQ-cjuOguMbPHu94lLMT1v
 4 stars 1981: Francis Monkman - The Long Good Friday (soundtrack) - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_TaS3ukydpIbIqS_tW0l9UXA7owbMNaK
                  1981: Francis Monkman - Dweller on the Threshold (currently unavailable) Confused
 3 stars 1993: Francis Monkman - Virtual Classics - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_TaS3ukydpJ0ocKypFOzugEnDWeg4zzx
 3 stars 1998: Francis Monkman - 21st Century Blues - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_TaS3ukydpKPFwn8WoSqyCsb_f7eROYM

One of my favourite British films is the The Long Good Friday. Famously the not very well known cast at the time including Bob Hoskins and Helen Mirren decided to take a percentage cut of the film's profit and did very well indeed (it cost about £40,000 to make and was mainly location shooting)
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^ After seeing Helen Mirren get kidnapped, gangster Bob Hoskins finally gets his comeuppance when future James Bond Pearce Brosnan points a gun at him in the back of a car. 



Edited by Psychedelic Paul - November 12 2023 at 01:23
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