Well known 70s prog bands besides Genesis thread
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Category: Progressive Music Lounges
Forum Name: Prog Bands, Artists and Genres Appreciation
Forum Description: Discuss specific prog bands and their members or a specific sub-genre
URL: http://www.progarchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=133261
Printed Date: November 21 2024 at 15:37
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Topic: Well known 70s prog bands besides Genesis thread
Posted By: AFlowerKingCrimson
Subject: Well known 70s prog bands besides Genesis thread
Date Posted: July 21 2024 at 11:08
| Since Genesis now have their own thread this is a thread to discuss mostly 70s major and second tier bands not named Genesis. To start off with let's discuss these bands: Focus, Soft Machine, Caravan, Nektar, Gong, Magma, Renaissance, Eloy, PFM, etc. The focus should be on those well known bands that don't get as much attention as the top 6 or so most well known prog bands. It doesn't have to be just 70s but I figured that's a good starting point. |
Replies:
Posted By: Jared
Date Posted: July 21 2024 at 12:04
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I must admit, I think Genesis, Yes, Floyd, Rush and ELP in particular get too much exposure across prog sites and various Fb forums generally, it becomes rather repetitive. Of course I still play them, but possibly not as much as Camel, Caravan, Oldfield, Hackett, Eloy, Curved Air, Colosseum, Greenslade, BJH, Beggar's Opera, Tull, Moodies, Triumvirat, Renaissance, Nektar, MMEB, TD, KC, GG, VDGG & even Supertramp these days... ------------- Music has always been a matter of energy to me. On some nights I believe that a car with the needle on empty can run 50 more miles if you have the right music very loud on the radio. Hunter S Thompson |
Posted By: Psychedelic Paul
Date Posted: July 21 2024 at 12:22
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I'm guessing the primary Focus is on Symphonic Prog here, so I'll start with a group called Fruupp.   1973: Fruupp - Future Legends - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_mDWM3mS4bcdNf6txuuhQE1ZwNqJyrlVn4" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_mDWM3mS4bcdNf6txuuhQE1ZwNqJyrlVn4  1974: Fruupp - Seven Secrets - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_kKdArXFNydJBsQ9MgtEN5HE67NonfrEwc" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_kKdArXFNydJBsQ9MgtEN5HE67NonfrEwc 1974: Fruupp - The Prince of Heaven's Eyes - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_l1-YdWwyEvMwLyDzrQYA4P3zvI2GUL6I0" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_l1-YdWwyEvMwLyDzrQYA4P3zvI2GUL6I0 1975: Fruupp - Modern Masquerades - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_kUw-JvZqmCYKlH-Njr7L8lT8_catyP14Y" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_kUw-JvZqmCYKlH-Njr7L8lT8_catyP14Y FRUUPP With a bizarre name like Fruupp, you might imagine this five-piece band are some obscure Krautrock outfit from deep in the heart of Germany, but no, they're some obscure Belfast-based outfit from deep in the heart of Northern Ireland. They have four albums to their credit with this album "Future Legends" (1972) being their first. Later albums were "Seven Secrets" (1974), "The Prince of Heaven's Eyes" (1974), and "Modern Masquerades" (1975). A fifth album was planned for 1976, but due to poor record sales and the emerging Punk/New Wave movement, Fruupp were consigned to the prog history books when they broke up at the end of the year. Progressive Rock has triumphed over the shortlived Punk-Rock era in the long run though, because Fruupp have gone on to become "Future Legends" in their time, with their marvellous brand of mellifluous melodic prog experiencing a well-deserved resurgence of interest on the Internet. The 2009 CD remaster of "Future Legends" includes the bonus track, "On a Clear Day", which classical buffs may recognise as being a proggy reworking of "Jupiter" from Gustav Holst's "Planets Suite" "Future Legends" opens with the title track, a short classical piece of music which acts as a prelude to "Decision", a lively and rumbunctious number that gallups along nicely with a pounding rhythm and builds up to an impressively rousing finale. An awesome opening to the album. "As Day Breaks with Dawn" follows next, with a melodic classically-inspired opening, which breaks out into a powerful thrumming Genesis-like number with the singer sounding remarkably like Peter Gabriel. Yes, we're definitely in Genesis territory here, with a somewhat heavier sound, and very good it is too. Onwards now to Track 4 and "Graveyard Epistle", a song which begins as a melodic ballad before breaking out into some very proggy, heavy and intense riffing. In true prog fashion, there are constant changes of tempo, staccato breaks and a few key changes thrown in too, to keep the listener entertained and enthralled. We're halfway through the album now and this is sounding very good indeed! Side Two opens with "Lord of the Incubus". It's a grand-sounding title and the music is impressively grand too, Again, it sounds like a song Genesis could have recorded in their classic prog years. There's a thumping rhythm section and the guitarist is really in his element here as he demonstrates his virtuosity with some masterly soloing. Track 6 "Olde Tyme Future" has a more sedate pace, with some beautifully melodic keyboard motifs. The cryptic lyrics are shrouded in mystery but with music this good, who cares about the lyrics anyway!? And now we come to the penultimate and longest song on the album, "Song for a Thought". It's a seven and a half minute long magnum opus which opens in fine rollicking style and then transposes into a laid-back mellow and melodic groove in the middle section. before the resounding and reverberant grand finale, which might just blow your socks off. It's melodic, it's dramatic, and it'll leave you feeling euphoric. The final song is a brief and gentle vocal reprise of the classical title track which opened the album. It's a perfect ending to a magical album full of proggy tales of mystery and imagination. This is a very impressive debut album from this Northern Irish band that's likely to appeal to fans of the classic Peter Gabriel years of Genesis. It's hard to pick out a highlight of the album, because "Future Legends" is full to the brim with great songs. If you're looking for a band with the musical talent and melodic finesse of Genesis with a somewhat heavier edge, then you'll be in prog heaven with this superb album. This prog masterpiece is such a delight to listen to that you may be inspired to give Fruupp's following three albums a spin too. A must-have album for any discerning collector of classic British prog. |
Posted By: Jared
Date Posted: July 21 2024 at 12:29
^^ thanks for that Paul, I thought you'd have a little something up your sleeve, funnily enough!  I've not heard all their discography (which you clearly like); they have always struck me as being decent, 2nd tier fayre of the genre... might give them another try when time allows... ------------- Music has always been a matter of energy to me. On some nights I believe that a car with the needle on empty can run 50 more miles if you have the right music very loud on the radio. Hunter S Thompson |
Posted By: I prophesy disaster
Date Posted: July 21 2024 at 13:28
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Last week, Doug Helvering of "The Daily Doug" finally completed his reaction to Pawn Hearts: Lemmings, Theme One, Man-Erg, W: Three years ago, he reacted to A Plague of Lighthouse Keepers: ------------- No, I know how to behave in the restaurant now, I don't tear at the meat with my hands. If I've become a man of the world somehow, that's not necessarily to say I'm a worldly man. |
Posted By: Logan
Date Posted: July 21 2024 at 13:47
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If one considers RIO applicable: Knock, knock? Who's there? An interrupting Henry Cow. An interrupting Henry Cow wh... Moo! ------------- https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLXcp9fYc6K4IKuxIZkenfvukL_Y8VBqzK" rel="nofollow - Duos for fave acts |
Posted By: AFlowerKingCrimson
Date Posted: July 21 2024 at 17:30
I think it's pretty safe to say that KC get just as much attention as ELP (if not more at least these days) and at least almost as much as Yes, Genesis, Rush and Floyd. GG, VDGG and Camel are just behind them imo and probably don't need much more attention imo.
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Jared wrote:Posted By: Grumpyprogfan
Date Posted: July 21 2024 at 19:37
| Of the bands listed in the OP, I'll pick Gong. Love the Trilogy and Camembert Electrique with the amazing Pip Pyle on drums. And you can't go wrong with Gazeuse! with Allan Holdsworth on guitar. |
Posted By: richardh
Date Posted: July 21 2024 at 23:42
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Nowadays I like Eloy more than Yes and Genesis. They have a harder sound I enjoy and loads of synths. I believe that PFM's first 3 albums are as important to prog as any Genesis album. Are they better? Maybe not but I listen to them a lot more than Genesis and Yes nowadays. Focus are a fascinating band that were very fluid and brought a fun element to prog. Their albums are a bit 'unfocused' ironically but regarded as one of the best bands to have at a festival. Most of the other bands mentioned in the OP I don't bother with that much. That's probably my loss. I much prefer Curved Air over Renaissance taste wise but they were again a bit unfocused. Air Cut is great though and one of my favourite 1973 albums, both featuring and launching the career of a 17 yr old Eddie Jobson who then went on to form UK and produced some of the best prog of the latter part of the decade. Some other albums that are important to me from the seventies Refugee - Refugee Aphrodite's Child - 666 Hawkwind - Quark, Strangeness and Charm VDGG - Pawn Hearts and Godbluff Tangerine Dream - Force Majeure Mike Oldfield - Ommadawn (but everything really!) Vangelis - Heaven and Hell (ditto above) Kate Bush - The Kick Inside Socrates Drank The Conium - Phos Camel - The Snow Goose |
Posted By: richardh
Date Posted: July 21 2024 at 23:48
| Should also mention Triumvirat - Illusions On A Double Dimple, if only for Doug. Love that album! |
Posted By: Baldwin
Date Posted: July 22 2024 at 00:37
Posted By: Saperlipopette!
Date Posted: July 22 2024 at 01:47
-The real reason I stopped at this comment of yours, is that I realized I've been wrong about something. I’ve been thinking that even for Prog bands a hit makes all the difference in the world
-They've all had hits that helped at least a couple of their albums to sell in huge numbers. They are, if not household names, bands that even music interested people why don’t listen to any of their music, are still aware of their existance.
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Posted By: presdoug
Date Posted: July 22 2024 at 08:40
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Posted By: presdoug
Date Posted: July 22 2024 at 08:47
| Many of the 70s prog bands I listen to are not really well known at all,, but there are some that are pretty well second tier, that I do listen to avidly, like Triumvirat, Quatermass, Wishbone Ash, Nektar, PFM, Soft Machine, Atomic Rooster, Beggar's Opera, Colosseum, Banco |
Posted By: Jared
Date Posted: July 22 2024 at 10:18
I think you're right; for three of them were predominantly mainstream bands who for various reasons were adopted by the then prog fraternity who thought their music was sufficiently interesting without having released any completely progressive albums... only Mike can be considered truely progressive here, but then he's also released quite a bit of crossover pop-rock in his time. Of the four, only MMEB don't seem to have stood the test of time; my mind has them still firmly back in the 70's and I can't remember the last time someone started a thread about them here, even though Solar Fire, Good Earth & Nightingales were all great albums.. ------------- Music has always been a matter of energy to me. On some nights I believe that a car with the needle on empty can run 50 more miles if you have the right music very loud on the radio. Hunter S Thompson |
Posted By: Jared
Date Posted: July 22 2024 at 10:20
without a doubt their best, but I enjoy their first 5 quite a bit... ------------- Music has always been a matter of energy to me. On some nights I believe that a car with the needle on empty can run 50 more miles if you have the right music very loud on the radio. Hunter S Thompson |
Posted By: AFlowerKingCrimson
Date Posted: July 22 2024 at 14:02
I only have two and those are Illusions and Spartacus. I liked Illusions for a very long time until it dawned on me that the drum sound is not that good (a thud sound). For that reason I prefer Spartacus (the drum sound still isn't perfect but is at least better than Illusions). I wonder if anyone else has noticed this about the drums or is it just me? And why are we talking about Triumvirat when we could be talking about Eloy?
 |
Posted By: Psychedelic Paul
Date Posted: July 22 2024 at 14:44
FANTASY: an English band from Gravesend in Kent. I've been returning to the fantastic music of Fantasy recently, a perennial Symphonic Prog favourite of mine, ever since I discovered them on ProgArchives several years ago. Fantasy only released one studio album during their brief lunchtime in the spotlight: the superb Paint a Picture (1973), but there were also two equally good archival releases, Beyond the Beyond (1974) and Vivariatum (1994). The dramatic music of Fantasy features beautiful symphonic soundscapes of ethereal Mellotron magic, which are so uplifting and inspirational to listen to that their albums could almost belong in the religious section of a record store.  1973: Fantasy - Paint a Picture - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_TaS3ukydpLn9olqC2rMHQwL7wWMmAqk" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_TaS3ukydpLn9olqC2rMHQwL7wWMmAqk 1974: Fantasy - Beyond the Beyond - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_TaS3ukydpL_IJA36xCAtvOahmqfysW3" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_TaS3ukydpL_IJA36xCAtvOahmqfysW3 1994: Fantasy - Vivariatum - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_TaS3ukydpLAqGQnPjGWL0S9U66We356" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_TaS3ukydpLAqGQnPjGWL0S9U66We356 The five-piece English band Fantasy released their fittingly-titled debut album "Paint a Picture" in 1973. The album displays beautiful symphonic soundscapes of dramatic complexity, featuring charming organ and elaborate Mellotron melodies to make a masterpiece album of the era. The album featured seven bonus tracks in the re-mastered CD version released in 2005. "Paint a Picture" passed by virtually unnoticed at the time of its release, which is a shame, considering it's a beautifully-produced album which deserves far more recognition than it's received. The album is so uplifting and inspirational to listen to that it could almost belong in the religious section of a record store. Fantasy followed it up with an equally good album in 1974 titled "Beyond the Beyond" which wouldn't see general release for another 18 years. Their third and final album "Vivariatum" (1994) was up to a similarly high standard of musicianship and all three albums should appeal greatly to fans of early Genesis. The album opens in dramatic style with the title track "Paint a Picture". The song features the magnificent distant-sounding rock organ, together with emotionally uplifting vocals and a gently rising crescendo of sound which puts the listener in an ebullient mood and makes a perfect introduction to what is a marvellous album. The second song on the album "Circus" continues in considerable style with some echoey-sounding vocals, intricate guitar playing and powerful drumming backed by the beautiful symphonic sound of the Mellotron. Track 3 "The Award" features plaintive-sounding vocals combined with a gentle melody which gathers in intensity as the song progresses. The song is another memorable addition to a fine album. Track 4 "Politely Insane" is an upbeat and uptempo number which chugs along joyfully at an impressive pace with some strident guitar chords. In a pleasant contrast of style, the next song "Widow" is a brief, gently melodic lament, as the song title implies, and nicely fits into the album as a whole. Track 6 "Icy River" is another memorable number with plenty to keep the listener entertained, including heavenly vocals, the ever-present sound of the powerful rock organ and some skilful and melodic guitar leads. Track 7 "Thank Christ" continues in similar fashion with a feel-good, uplifting sound and featuring some stylish vocal harmonies. Track 8 "Young Man's Fortune" is a real powerhouse of a song, featuring a throbbing rhythm section and sonorous organ playing. The album returns to a mellower mood in the first half of the penultimate number "Goblin Song", coming to life in marvellously-uplifting style for the finale. The final song "Silent Mine" features a religious-sounding organ combined with ethereal vocals to produce a very memorable conclusion to a superb album as a whole. This melodic masterpiece of an album deserves pride of place in any Prog-Rock enthusiast's music collection. It's an album of contrasting styles which never fail's to maintain the listener's interest. A classic example of early-1970's English Symphonic Prog at its best. |
Posted By: Grumpyprogfan
Date Posted: July 22 2024 at 16:23
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The first five albums from Kansas are excellent.
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Posted By: verslibre
Date Posted: July 22 2024 at 16:46
They sure as hell are!!  ------------- https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_ipg=50&_sop=1&_rdc=1&_ssn=musicosm" rel="nofollow - eBay |
Posted By: Jacob Schoolcraft
Date Posted: July 22 2024 at 17:07
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The Enid probably didn't surface until 76'...but they were very unique and that lured me in. Robert John Godfrey is a universal type of composer and their first 4 albums were instrumental and very innovative. What Francis Lickerish and Steve Stewart were doing was a unique and innovative idea...for example..they played single note harmonies which sounded Classical but on electric guitars in a very aggressive way. Other bands of those times specializing in twin guitar harmony lead would be Thin Lizzy...Wishbone Ash...but it wasn't Classical sounding . Steve Hackett, Robert Fripp, Steve Howe , Mike Oldfield had overdubbed harmony lead in the studio for years..but rarely did anyone have the idea of bringing 2 lead guitarists on stage to physically produce that Classical mentality of sound in an electrified way in Progressive Rock. The founding members of the Enid had lived at a experimental school called Finchdon Manor. The environment was a bit free spirited and cultic. This...(imo) can be credited as a natural influence in their music. Because they were from this particular place...they ended up sounding different from other bands..and very original ...In The Region Of The Summer Stars is a very special album... |
Posted By: AFlowerKingCrimson
Date Posted: July 22 2024 at 17:38
So that's the self titled debut to Point of Know Return? What about Monolith or Audio Visions?
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Posted By: Grumpyprogfan
Date Posted: July 22 2024 at 19:19
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Posted By: verslibre
Date Posted: July 22 2024 at 19:34
To me, Monolith equals unrealized potential. It sounds unfinished. I actually like Audio-Visions better. Vinyl Confessions and Drastic Measures are the two with singer John Elefante. I prefer the former. Kerry Livgren leaves after DM. Steve Walsh is back with Power, with Steve Morse as their new lead guitarist. Very good album, with a great instrumental in "Musicatto." In the Spirit of Things is the second/last with Morse, and quite underrated. Seven years go by before we get Freaks of Nature, and another five before Somewhere to Elsewhere, which features the return of Kerry Livgren, who composes the whole album. STE is also the final Kansas album with both Steve Walsh and Robby Steinhardt (RIP). I consider both to be essential Kansas albums. ------------- https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_ipg=50&_sop=1&_rdc=1&_ssn=musicosm" rel="nofollow - eBay |
Posted By: richardh
Date Posted: July 23 2024 at 15:02
I know someone who went to see them at the Reading festival and they played Purple Haze. Robert John Godfrey doing the whole rock star thing was one of his best memories. He loves the Six Peices album although he's not that much of a prog fan (he likes Genesis but not a lot else). I like that one but my favourite would be Aerie Faerie Nonsense and even some of their recent albums like Journey's End are more than decent. Excellent band, thanks for mentioning them!
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Posted By: Jacob Schoolcraft
Date Posted: July 23 2024 at 17:04
Your welcome...anytime! I love the Enid. |
Posted By: Saperlipopette!
Date Posted: July 23 2024 at 22:52
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-this has made me wanting to relisten to The Enid. And also regret
getting rid of their two first albums - once bought for about an € each. I was still in my teens, and found the Aerie Faerie Nonsense cover art intriguing and
beautiful enough to grab them both. The musical content failed to
grab me though. But I was once
underwhelmed by most bands on the soft(er) side of progressive rock. That's not really an issue anymore. I've changed several times since then. I probably weren't the most attentive listener either, as I don't even have a recollection of this:
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Posted By: Cosmiclawnmower
Date Posted: July 24 2024 at 06:50
The 'Live at the Hammersmith Odeon 79' video (bits of it are available on youtube) show this to great effect on 'Mayday Galliard' and 'in the region of the summer stars' with them leaping about the stage! Also the spectacle of RJG and William Gilmour playing keyboards together (almost as a four-armed entity) is quite amazing.. although the quality of the video is pretty clunky, the 2 lps culled and remixed from the audio really show them at their best for me
Also, if you can find it, the drummer, David Storey's rendition of Cliff Richard's 'Summer Holiday' is pretty barking and surreal...------------- |
Posted By: mellotronwave
Date Posted: July 24 2024 at 06:59
Monolith is OK too
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Posted By: presdoug
Date Posted: July 24 2024 at 07:51
Posted By: Jacob Schoolcraft
Date Posted: July 24 2024 at 10:18
Aerie Faerie Nonsense grew on me slowly. It took some time to like it. It's my least favorite of the first 4 albums. In The Region Of The Summer Stars is my favorite. Touch Me and Six Pieces have exciting aggressive breathtaking music |
Posted By: Psychedelic Paul
Date Posted: July 24 2024 at 10:37
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THE ENID A mysterious Symphonic Prog band unknown to most people outside of the progosphere, The Enid are primarily a trio led by Robert John Godfrey on keyboards with Francis Lickerrish (1976-1980) and Stephen Stewart bringing up the rear on guitars. It's unlikely you'll find any of The Enid's albums in your local record store though, but you'll find them In the Region of the Summer Stars, and thankfully, you can hear all of their albums much closer to home on YouTube. Anyway, enough of this Aerie Faerie Nonsense and on with the music! 1976: The Enid - In the Region of the Summer Stars - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CdU5MQKDXsk" rel="nofollow - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CdU5MQKDXsk 1977: The Enid - Aerie Faerie Nonsense - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BJOT707sogc" rel="nofollow - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BJOT707sogc 1979: The Enid - Touch Me - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ja0bqTOyecU" rel="nofollow - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ja0bqTOyecU 1979: The Enid - Live at Hammersmith Odeon - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s0YgBn1GZxo" rel="nofollow - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s0YgBn1GZxo 1980: The Enid - Six Pieces - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hsMQfw_0L0s" rel="nofollow - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hsMQfw_0L0s 1980: The Enid - Live at Loughborough Town Hall - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_li-5cgYRiVV9XkpQfkhsBSRNi36Inpsbc" rel="nofollow - http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_li-5cgYRiVV9XkpQfkhsBSRNi36Inpsbc 1983: The Enid - Something Wicked This Way Comes - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_mKHWGN-FcDirVvf05Jm3rF-cSvL_or-m4" rel="nofollow - http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_mKHWGN-FcDirVvf05Jm3rF-cSvL_or-m4 1984: The Enid - Live at Stonehenge - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_TaS3ukydpJWwtuXndJjslBKhgqaaSH6" rel="nofollow - 1984: The Enid - Live at Claret Hall Farm - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_TaS3ukydpJ2qUR4OmDgf8Hw5JiQo-Mw" rel="nofollow - 1984: The Enid - Live at Hammersmith, Vol. 2 - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_nlBSdrNRLX7MzllJKlE66Y1y0bHfcTFqU" rel="nofollow - http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_nlBSdrNRLX7MzllJKlE66Y1y0bHfcTFqU 1984: The Enid - The Stand - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_lfFlnWOk1gVw5ofaQN-EsCPFnTYtKK8-U" rel="nofollow - http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_lfFlnWOk1gVw5ofaQN-EsCPFnTYtKK8-U 1985: The Enid - The Stand 2 - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_l6_j8xpOP0EjIhbI5_X1lBKgWQWSuzjlE" rel="nofollow - http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_l6_j8xpOP0EjIhbI5_X1lBKgWQWSuzjlE 1985: The Enid - The Spell - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_mtsJNfwAJ4M-FaYYmNWuq31tBt71KJEJ4" rel="nofollow - http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_mtsJNfwAJ4M-FaYYmNWuq31tBt71KJEJ4 1986: The Enid - Salome - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_nQVwn91QbwizunsvtnP3OkQcmzdGUx0e4" rel="nofollow - http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_nQVwn91QbwizunsvtnP3OkQcmzdGUx0e4 1988: The Enid - The Seed and the Sower - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_l-VNwGpFc7GpZju8Gx_votp8ObpRudsOw" rel="nofollow - http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_l-VNwGpFc7GpZju8Gx_votp8ObpRudsOw 1989: The Enid - Final Noise - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_k28o8NM3oOFyZOXFsTuetZFFBTmYbP9sE" rel="nofollow - http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_k28o8NM3oOFyZOXFsTuetZFFBTmYbP9sE 1994: The Enid - Tripping the Light Fantastic - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_lDXULKPBB-n5ozUvmnAKEbvhyC0TiyTqo" rel="nofollow - http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_lDXULKPBB-n5ozUvmnAKEbvhyC0TiyTqo 1995: The Enid - Sundialer - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TQj-MCZCmOI" rel="nofollow - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TQj-MCZCmOI 1996: The Enid - Members One of Another - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oT6ClDq5GYg" rel="nofollow - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oT6ClDq5GYg 1996: The Enid - Healing Hearts - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_n-B8Q5dlms7JHRLd--w3NJNu6rvoPecVE" rel="nofollow - http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_n-B8Q5dlms7JHRLd--w3NJNu6rvoPecVE 1997: The Enid - White Goddess - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_mP9UUKcT7g1Sddl1rVKpZguos-xpLVGF8" rel="nofollow - http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_mP9UUKcT7g1Sddl1rVKpZguos-xpLVGF8 1999: The Enid - Tears of the Sun - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_nIy5v5ri9tFFpEZrQbP8oXhQjSKlpJ2oY" rel="nofollow - http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_nIy5v5ri9tFFpEZrQbP8oXhQjSKlpJ2oY 2006: The Enid - Sheets of Blue - An Anthology 1975-2004 - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_kqWrRJM8T1fOt-za97sFZXskadhoh7VGw" rel="nofollow - http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_kqWrRJM8T1fOt-za97sFZXskadhoh7VGw 2009: The Enid - Arise and Shine - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_TaS3ukydpK0BaF2aAZ6-Q3dXLwQgu_o" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_TaS3ukydpK0BaF2aAZ6-Q3dXLwQgu_o 2010: The Enid - Journey's End - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_TaS3ukydpLW5cNLhdvpx2Os9gRNf6HY" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_TaS3ukydpLW5cNLhdvpx2Os9gRNf6HY 2010: The Enid - Live at Town Hall, Birmingham - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_TaS3ukydpKF9350hc2jSQmqDh_3sw8D" rel="nofollow - 2011: The Enid - Risen - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_TaS3ukydpKThZ4Cbel7y4eFGgwPGZWm" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_TaS3ukydpKThZ4Cbel7y4eFGgwPGZWm 2012: The Enid - Shining - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_TaS3ukydpJSodinFjH02PSMCcs_nSt1" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_TaS3ukydpJSodinFjH02PSMCcs_nSt1 2012: The Enid - Invicta - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_TaS3ukydpLm8ir6wlBqPv6h2Fz19gju" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_TaS3ukydpLm8ir6wlBqPv6h2Fz19gju 2012: The Enid - Live with the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_TaS3ukydpJbqaps-yCP-rucq68UFaIx" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_TaS3ukydpJbqaps-yCP-rucq68UFaIx 2015: The Enid - The Bridge - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_TaS3ukydpK0_pNeYEyPGnrSE9uWzyMm" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_TaS3ukydpK0_pNeYEyPGnrSE9uWzyMm 2015: The Enid - The Bridge Show - Live at Union Chapel - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_TaS3ukydpK-DF7We7DqQKSKynVTN91v" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_TaS3ukydpK-DF7We7DqQKSKynVTN91v 2016: The Enid - Dust - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_TaS3ukydpL-KgTFGwYnAXCs6HYElyO5" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_TaS3ukydpL-KgTFGwYnAXCs6HYElyO5 2017: The Enid - Resurgency - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_TaS3ukydpIuRq1vxumveDVUBudYLLQL" rel="nofollow - 2019: The Enid - U - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_TaS3ukydpLkJIgzUIp2VDAmU8h3HOpk" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_TaS3ukydpLkJIgzUIp2VDAmU8h3HOpk ROBERT JOHN GODFREY He may have the appearance of a college professor with his long beard and studious expression, but Robert John Godfrey is the main driving force behind THE ENID, the Symphonic Prog band that's been around now for well over 40 years. Although this album, "Fall of Hyperion" (1974), is billed as a Robert John Godfrey solo album, it's really an album by The Enid in all but name, and presumably, that's why this album is included at the beginning of The Enid albums roster on Prog Archives. Most importantly though, this album SOUNDS like The Enid, with all of the symphonic pomp and ceremony you might expect from such a distinguished Prog-meister as "Professor Godfrey". His first album release as The Enid, "In the Region of the Summer Stars"was released two years later in 1976, followed swiftly by the humorously-titled "Aerie Faerie Nonsense" album in 1977. This solo album "Fall of Hyperion" features vocals, although the first four albums by The Enid proper were all orchestral pieces with no lyrics. It wasn't until the release of the band's fifth album, "Something Wicked This Way Comes" in 1983, that lyrics were featured for the first time. Robert John Godfrey worked with Barclay James Harvest in the early 1970's before deciding to go solo. Godfrey and The Enid have 20 studio albums to their credit, and despite him being diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease in 2013, The Enid still continues to this day with many changes of line-up along the way. Although Robert John Godfrey has had to retire from touring due to his illness, he IS The Enid, because without keyboard maestro Godfrey ever- present at the helm, the band would never have existed. The album opens in grand symphonic style with "The Raven". This anthemic piece of music is so extravagantly ostentatious in in all of its glorious pomp and splendour, that you may feel the patriotic urge to stand up and give a rousing rendition of "Land of Hope and Glory", or maybe the "Star Spangled Banner" if you're an American. Yes, it really IS that anthemic. It's booming, it's bombastic, and it's fantastic! You really have to hear it to believe it. This grand stentorian, orchestral symphony would have been equally at home as a magnificent finale to the album. And so, how do you follow up such a marvellous 9-minute album opener? You follow it with "Mountain", a 7-minute-long, energetic and euphonic piece of music with classical glissandos galore. Even classical music buffs couldn't fail to be impressed by this flawless fugue. This theatrical and emotionally uplifting music is like Renaissance with knobs on, where the dynamic and dramatic classical influences are even more in evidence. This is masterful Symphonic Prog taken to even more powerful extremes of classical greatness. Sailing onwards now on a patriotic wave of glory, comes the 6-minute "Water Song". You can expect to hear a profusion of grand- sounding keyboard runs on the piano with the ever-present full orchestra there in all of their magnificent power and glory. Side Two opens with "Isault", an emotional powerful song with all of the grand theatrics of a BBC costume drama. It's grandiose and spectacular and just what we've come to expect by now from such an accomplished keyboard maestro as "Professor Godfrey". And now we come to "The Daemon of the World, a 15-minute long 6-piece suite to round off the album in grand style. Listen in awe and be prepared to be swept away by the magnificent grandstanding on display here in this powerful symphonic opus. It's melodious and triumphal with constant changes of tempo, staccato breaks, and sparkling fast and slow keyboard runs. This marvellous finale is sure to delight fans of The Enid and the whole Symphonic Prog genre generally. There's even the stentorian sound of a pipe organ thrown in for good measure. What more could you ask for!? A gloriously powerful album of passionate majestic anthems that's guaranteed to astound and delight fans of classically- inspired Symphonic Prog. This album might be described as overblown and pretentious (just like this review) by those who aren't in the know, but to prog aficionados, this is prog heaven! Let Robert John Godfrey carry you away to a Land of Hope and Glory in this unashamedly pompous and sonorous extravaganza. It's an absolute must-have album for connoisseurs and collectors of classic British Symphonic Prog. 1974: Robert John Godfrey - Fall of Hyperion - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_TaS3ukydpKggplszMt_cWZOgljkSwwE" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_TaS3ukydpKggplszMt_cWZOgljkSwwE 1986: Robert John Godfrey - The Music of William Arkle - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OI4vnCiJMsU" rel="nofollow - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OI4vnCiJMsU  1987: Godfrey & Stewart - Joined by the Heart - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_TaS3ukydpIgt2EC_GDSJa2SuFt3Cpql" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_TaS3ukydpIgt2EC_GDSJa2SuFt3Cpql 2013: Robert John Godfrey - The Art of Melody - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_TaS3ukydpL0_Fd5d0vkqk5Fvy88_idi" rel="nofollow - 2012: Francis Lickerish - Far and Forgot: From the Lost Lands - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_kq-pjlZUbHbWHat5VafAgRa4jb9t9rILI" rel="nofollow - http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_kq-pjlZUbHbWHat5VafAgRa4jb9t9rILI 2009: Secret Green - To Wake the King - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_kohdccMjq6UAMA59szFczMCb6L4YtdbSE" rel="nofollow - http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_kohdccMjq6UAMA59szFczMCb6L4YtdbSE |
Posted By: richardh
Date Posted: July 25 2024 at 23:09
| ^ well remember that Lickerish album I have it somewhere in my CD rack although I'm very disorgnised at the best of times and will struggle to find it. Sadly I guess they are more or less finished with the last album released 5 years ago. I remember seeing some e-mails from RJG where he was very critical of himself and had necessarily taken control of then band back but I've not seen any further e-mails for a long time. |
Posted By: progaardvark
Date Posted: July 26 2024 at 08:21
|
RJG is still active on Facebook, at least up until June 28. He last posted a schedule of six concerts for 2024. I have not seen any news about any new studio work, but then I'm only on Facebook for brief moments every couple of days, mostly to post dog pictures. Not sure if his profile is entirely public: https://www.facebook.com/robert.godfrey" rel="nofollow - https://www.facebook.com/robert.godfrey ------------- ---------- i'm shopping for a new oil-cured sinus bag that's a happy bag of lettuce this car smells like cartilage nothing beats a good video about fractions |