Gong, the musical experience
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URL: http://www.progarchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=16605
Printed Date: February 06 2025 at 18:23
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Topic: Gong, the musical experience
Posted By: Winter Wine
Subject: Gong, the musical experience
Date Posted: December 27 2005 at 13:22
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I have recently been introduced to Gong. I have the albums 'Flying Teapot' and 'You' and I have to say i'm really starting to like them. They are VERY wierd, The lyrics! And some of those spacey vocals! To me they sound like what syd barrett would have been had he not gone mad, Something from the original 'Charlie and the Chocolate Factory' movie, And a touch of Soft Machine of course! Anyway i'm listening to them now and I would like to know what people think of them, And the albums I mentioned. Are there many Gong fans here??? ------------- My computer's broke |
Replies:
Posted By: Bj-1
Date Posted: December 27 2005 at 13:31
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I have only heard You, Shamal, Gazeuse and Expresso II, and I like those albums a lot. Especially Gazeuse. Brilliant musicians on all 4 albums too. ------------- RIO/AVANT/ZEUHL - The best thing you can get with yer pants on! |
Posted By: NetsNJFan
Date Posted: December 27 2005 at 13:35
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I can;t stand Gilly Smith, I think she detracted enormously from that band -- her space whisper is just irritating to me Flying Teapot is my favorite Allen era Gong record ------------- 
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Posted By: Winter Wine
Date Posted: December 27 2005 at 13:42
I really like 'Flying Teapot'!!! Great record, Wierd yet very musical too. I love them, Seem like such a bunch of spacers  ------------- My computer's broke |
Posted By: Winter Wine
Date Posted: December 27 2005 at 14:12
Not many gong fans?  ------------- My computer's broke |
Posted By: Zac M
Date Posted: December 27 2005 at 14:16
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I'm a huge fan. I have almost every album up to Time is the Key.
Camembert Electrique is really good if you haven't got it yet, and the
best of the PM years would have to be Downwind.
------------- "Art is not imitation, nor is it something manufactured according to the wishes of instinct or good taste. It is a process of expression." -Merleau-Ponty |
Posted By: Winter Wine
Date Posted: December 27 2005 at 14:23
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I only have the two I mentioned there, What about the one in the middle, 'Angels Egg'?? Is there many good Gong albums?? ------------- My computer's broke |
Posted By: Zac M
Date Posted: December 27 2005 at 14:35
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They are all good to me and yes, Angel's Egg is a very good buy if you
are thinking about getting it, but I still like Camembert Electrique
more. Also, Daevid Allen's album, Good Morning, is a must-listen for
every Gong fan!!!
------------- "Art is not imitation, nor is it something manufactured according to the wishes of instinct or good taste. It is a process of expression." -Merleau-Ponty |
Posted By: Winter Wine
Date Posted: December 27 2005 at 14:38
I can see myself becoming a big fan of this group.  I even love the covers ------------- My computer's broke |
Posted By: BaldJean
Date Posted: December 28 2005 at 05:38
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big Gong fan. according to Friede, who is a drummer herself, Pierre Moerlen, the drummer who joined on Angel's Egg, is (or rather was, since he sadly died May 3rd 2005) the best drummer of all time and influenced her drumming style the most. he also played with Brand X, Mike Oldfield, Tribute, Pekka Pojolah and on the first album of Steve Hillage -------------  A shot of me as High Priestess of Gaia during our fall festival. Ceterum censeo principiis obsta |
Posted By: Pylo
Date Posted: December 28 2005 at 05:52
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I have "Camembert electrique", "Flying teapot", "Angel's egg", "You" and "Live etc" they're all good albums, but my favourites are "Camembert electrique" and "Flying teapot". ------------- Pylo |
Posted By: Manunkind
Date Posted: December 28 2005 at 06:16
I heard "Angel's Egg" and, while promising, I ultimately found it disappointing. Guess I'll dig it up again. Also heard some other songs, and I agree with Nets - Gilly Smith's whisper is really annoying and simply detracts from the music. However, what I heard from the more fusion side of Gong I enjoyed thoroughly .------------- "In war there is no time to teach or learn Zen. Carry a strong stick. Bash your attackers." - Zen Master Ikkyu Sojun |
Posted By: flaxton
Date Posted: December 28 2005 at 06:36
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i think Gong are a bit of an aquirred taste but i love them especially the early albums. what about steve hillage albums. ------------- flaxton |
Posted By: Joren
Date Posted: December 28 2005 at 06:48
They recorded some real kick-ass stuff, but often they threw some throwaway stuff inbetween. Some discard their first album, but I think it's a very nice early psychedelic effort, comparable to Pink Floyd's "Piper". My favourite is "Camembert Electrique", followed by "Angel's Egg" and "Flying Teapot". "You" is overrated IMO. |
Posted By: Politician
Date Posted: December 28 2005 at 07:48
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I love all the Daevid Allen and Gilli Smyth-era albums (up to and including
"You"), with "Camembert Electrique" being my favourite. The first post- Allen album "Shamal" is also great, although very different, being a relaxed, almost new age-ish fusion of folk, jazz and world music elements. Subsequent LPs are very intricate instrumental fusion, but a little inorganic for my tastes, |
Posted By: Froth
Date Posted: December 28 2005 at 08:05
Gong is among my favourite bands... (in a tie with Hatfield, Camel and Soft Machine, actually) I've got all the albums up to Shamal and they are all fantastic. My favourites however are 'Magick Brother', 'Flying Teapot' and my overall favourite is 'Camembert Electrique' an amazing album... if you like Gong and you havent yet checked this one out, which is very possible, you owe it to yourself to buy it. 
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Posted By: Winter Wine
Date Posted: December 28 2005 at 08:34
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You've definately got a taste for the Canterbury scene don't you? ------------- My computer's broke |
Froth wrote:Posted By: oliverstoned
Date Posted: December 28 2005 at 08:44
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Do you know the recently released Live 75'?
I love it (featuring Steve Hillage on top form) 
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Posted By: Paulieg
Date Posted: December 28 2005 at 08:52
| You have to get Angels Egg. It's their best in my opinion. It has the perfect mix of the humor from "Flying Teapot" and the space jams from "You". |
Posted By: oliverstoned
Date Posted: December 28 2005 at 08:56
| I agree, it's the best and the trilogy is the best. |
Posted By: Winter Wine
Date Posted: December 28 2005 at 09:10
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Well I really do love the first of the trilogy, the third part needs a few more listens! I'd love to get 'Angels Egg' ------------- My computer's broke |
Posted By: oliverstoned
Date Posted: December 28 2005 at 10:43
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You can go for the virgin CD 2004 remastered version.
It's better than the former one. (and here's the beautiful vynil's inside:) 
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Posted By: Erpland316
Date Posted: December 28 2005 at 12:51
| Gong is an amazing band. I think you have to realize that, especially during the Daevid Allen era, they used a lot of humor in their songwriting. I think humor bothers some progressive rock listeners for some reason. Steve Hillage is one of the the most accomplished guitar players with a truly unique style. |
Posted By: Winter Wine
Date Posted: December 28 2005 at 13:19
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I love the humour in the lyrics! Oh and I also think that Hillage is an excellent guitarist! Adds to the atmosphere perfectly ------------- My computer's broke |
Posted By: oliverstoned
Date Posted: December 28 2005 at 13:20
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Cosmic style is Hillage's one.
He inspired french guitarist Christian Boulé from Clearlight (musical community parallel to Gong) 
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Posted By: Hemispheres
Date Posted: December 28 2005 at 13:28
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------------- [IMG]http://www.wheresthatfrom.com/avatars/miguelsanchez.gif">[IMG]http://www.rockphiles.com/all_images/Act_Images/TheMothersOfInvention/mothers300.jpg"> |
feel the same way great bandPosted By: Drew
Date Posted: December 28 2005 at 13:31
I thought Gong was a TV show
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Posted By: Winter Wine
Date Posted: December 28 2005 at 13:52
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Well it is an instrument! ------------- My computer's broke |
Posted By: Zac M
Date Posted: December 28 2005 at 18:03
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If you like Gong, you should also check out Daevid Allen and Steve
Hillage's solo careers (the Hillage albums are easier to get).
------------- "Art is not imitation, nor is it something manufactured according to the wishes of instinct or good taste. It is a process of expression." -Merleau-Ponty |
Posted By: Hendrix828
Date Posted: December 28 2005 at 18:05
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Gong,
They were good until Hillage took over the band,in late 74. Everything before then is really good. One of my favorite bands!! |
Posted By: Zac M
Date Posted: December 28 2005 at 18:06
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^I disagree, they changed their musical direction under Moerlen...it's different, but still very rewarding IMO! Oh yes, and Howlett took over if I remember correctly for a very short time, not Hillage. Hillage left to do his first solo album and appeared as a guest on Shamal. ------------- "Art is not imitation, nor is it something manufactured according to the wishes of instinct or good taste. It is a process of expression." -Merleau-Ponty |
Posted By: Hendrix828
Date Posted: December 28 2005 at 18:07
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No,
They sucked after Allen left. |
Posted By: Zac M
Date Posted: December 28 2005 at 18:09
Just curious, what albums have you heard from this period? ------------- "Art is not imitation, nor is it something manufactured according to the wishes of instinct or good taste. It is a process of expression." -Merleau-Ponty |
Posted By: Hendrix828
Date Posted: December 28 2005 at 18:15
Well considering I have all of their albums,and I have every bootleg they recorded from 69-75,and a few boots from 99-2002,and I have alot of the GAS Tapes,I think I know my Gong
And just as with Soft Machine,I think they sucked after Wyatt left,I think Gong sucked after Allen left. Their reunion gigs were good from 77 and such. It's just they were a totally different band without Allen. |
Posted By: salmacis
Date Posted: December 28 2005 at 18:22
| I generally think that Hendrix828's opinion holds for me too, albeit not as strongly. However, albums such as 'Expresso II' and 'Downwind' for Gong are nowhere near as enjoyable or creative to these ears as the Allen squired version was; rather, the Moerlen albums present an in my opinion, rather stagnant take on jazz rock. They aren't bad, but not terribly innovative to these ears. |
Posted By: Zac M
Date Posted: December 28 2005 at 18:34
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I disagree with him about Soft Machine too!!!
Their later releases are still rewarding to me, even more so than the
PM Gong material. Softs is a masterpiece..to me at least-the best album
of under Jenkins. I also find Land of Cockayne very rewarding (see my
review), but I think that it and Rubber Riff should have been released
as Jenkins/Marshall collaborations and/or Jenkins solo albums.
------------- "Art is not imitation, nor is it something manufactured according to the wishes of instinct or good taste. It is a process of expression." -Merleau-Ponty |
Posted By: Flemdido
Date Posted: December 28 2005 at 19:48
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Gong is GREAT!!! My collection includes almost everything done by Allen,
and a few of the Moerlen influenced albums with the Gong name. They are quite clearly two distinct styles. Allen's humor and spaced-weirdness influences dominated when he was the leader. I'll second the earlier nomination for Angels' Egg - some of the best humor and spaciness of the trilogy there. Excellent musicians in the band, esp Hillage on axe and Didier Malherbe (aka Bloomdido) on sax and flute. The PM-led jazzy post-Allen Gong is also quite good but distinctly different, no spacey stuff or weird humor, just good fusion jams with very good percussion, if you like that type of stuff. Shamal was a transition album between the two, and while much of that album is just okay, there are a couple of standout tracks there (Cat in Clark's Shoes always makes me laugh, and Mandrake has an excellent flute track and an oriental flavor). ------------- GonG is one and one is YOU |
Posted By: Olias
Date Posted: December 28 2005 at 21:20
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If you like GONG, you will be surprised by CLEARLIGHT "Symphony" (1973) wich features Didier Malherbe, Steve Hillage & Tim Blake...and a monster called Cyril Verdeaux.
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Posted By: Froth
Date Posted: December 28 2005 at 23:02
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You is quite a leap from Flying Teapot. Really it helps to know Angels Egg, which most people regard as the bands finest hour. Believe it or not their is a part 4 and 5 to the trilogy (dunno how that works?) but i havent heard those Clearlight Symphony, by the way, is amazing. if you have ears you owe it to your self to listen to it. |
Posted By: BaldFriede
Date Posted: December 29 2005 at 04:55
It also features Steve Hillage's "little brother" Christian Boulé (on side 2 of the original vinyl; Hillage is the guitar player on side 1), whose style is almost identical to the style of Steve Hillage. No wonder Hillage recruited him for his touring band (as can be heard on "Live Herald" and "BBC Radio Sessions"). Chirstian Boulé sadly died in 2001. He recorded 2 solo albums in the late 70s, "Photo Music" and "Non-Fiction", which are both worth a listening, especially "Photo Music". Their style can be described as "Gongish": Space-influenced jazz-rock or jazz-influenced space-rock, however you want to put it. -------------  BaldJean and I; I am the one in blue. |
Posted By: ANDREW
Date Posted: December 29 2005 at 19:56
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GONG is a great space-rock / Canterbury scene band, i admire them. I have "Camembert Electrique", "Radio Gnome Invisible Vol.1 - Flying Teapot", "Radio Gnome Invisible Vol.2 - Angel's Egg", "Radio Gnome Invisible - You", "Shamal", "Gazeuse", "Expresso II", "Time Is The Key", "Live 2 Infinitea". My favorite GONG album is YOU. |
Posted By: Biggles
Date Posted: December 29 2005 at 19:59
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I've known and liked them for a while, but I'm starting to really love them now. I think it's great how they have two completely different sounds. Pierre Moerlen's Gong is as good as fusion gets; with people like Allan Holdsworth and Moerlen's INCREDIBLE drumming (just listen to "Golden Dilemma") you can't really go wrong, but I also love the Allen stuff. I managed to download a video of a fairly recent Gong concert on SoulSeek. I managed to pick out Allen (his guitar playing has gotten much better... I thought he was Hillage before the camera zoomed in!), Smyth, Howlett, and Malherbe, but I don't know who the other saxophonist, the drummer (he looks much younger than the rest, so I don't think it's Moerlen), and the keyboardist are. Anyone know what members Gong has been touring with in recent years? It's a brilliant show, anyway, and it's made me appreciate Gong even more. I also love Hillage's "Fish Rising," which is the only Gong member solo album I've heard so far. ------------- The crux of the biscuit is the apostrophe. http://www.last.fm/user/sbonfiglioli/?chartstyle=red"> 
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Posted By: Zac M
Date Posted: December 29 2005 at 20:02
Get Daevid Allen's solo album Good Morning, you won't be disappointed! ------------- "Art is not imitation, nor is it something manufactured according to the wishes of instinct or good taste. It is a process of expression." -Merleau-Ponty |
Posted By: BaldFriede
Date Posted: December 29 2005 at 20:20
I haven't seen the video, but the sax player is most likely Theo Travis. The drummer is probably Orlando Allen, the son of Gilli Smythe and Daevid Allen. The keyboarder is Gwyo Zepix. Pierre Morerlen sadly died of a heart attack May 3rd 2005 ------------- BaldJean and I; I am the one in blue. |
Posted By: Biggles
Date Posted: December 29 2005 at 22:07
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Thanks for the lineup info BaldFriede. I know about Moerlen's death, I didn't know who he was back in May but now that I do I realize what a sad loss it is for the world of music. Truly astounding drummer, fronting one of the most creative bands that prog has seen. ------------- The crux of the biscuit is the apostrophe. http://www.last.fm/user/sbonfiglioli/?chartstyle=red">
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Posted By: Biggles
Date Posted: December 29 2005 at 22:13
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I Googled a bit and I managed to find the concert http://www.btinternet.com/~archimedes/gong2.html - here . I recognize it by the decoration and the costumes the band members are wearing. It was in 2000. Looks like you were right about all the members except for the drummer. ------------- The crux of the biscuit is the apostrophe. http://www.last.fm/user/sbonfiglioli/?chartstyle=red">
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Posted By: ViolinCyndee
Date Posted: December 30 2005 at 02:45
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I am a HUGE Gong fan! I even went to Nottingham, England (from the US) to see them play a show with Hawkwind a few years ago. I love the trilogy albums, Shamal, Zero to Infinitea.....etc. And I love Gilli's spacewhispers!! I also think you should get the "Live at Sherwood" that was recently released on the GAS site. It's AWESOME! So... after they iron out all the details of the Amsterdam gig in the fall... I am going to try to get tix to that show! YAY! Btw, Daevid Allen did the coverart for my CD "UFOsmosis"! They have a link to my site on the GAS site but you can also see the coverart on my Soundclick site: http://www.soundclick.com/cyndeeleerule - www.soundclick.com/cyndeeleerule SSSSSSSSSSSsssssssssssssssssspaceeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee Cyndee |
Posted By: Syzygy
Date Posted: December 30 2005 at 09:13
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I seem to be in the small minority who like both Allen's and Moerlen's versions of Gong, although I prefer the Daevid Allen incarnation. I've got all the main albums, plus most of Steve Hillage's solo work, and I'm just dipping a toe into Daevid Allen's solo work (for some reason I never thought I'd go for it). This little gem from GAS shows just how good a guitarist he can be:
------------- 'Like so many of you I've got my doubts about how much to contribute to the already rich among us...' Robert Wyatt, Gloria Gloom |
Posted By: Froth
Date Posted: December 30 2005 at 19:14
| Brainville sounds like a top notch canterbury supergroup i may perchase that album myself... by the way, are you sure this 'mystery drummer' in Gong's recent tour isnt Pip Pyle? |
Posted By: Lanky
Date Posted: December 31 2005 at 00:04
Please be careful how you refer to Syd Barrett. ------------- 
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Posted By: Someo Therguy
Date Posted: December 31 2005 at 03:36
| I love Pierre Moerlen's Gong but I can't stand David Alllen (spelling, whatever - HATE IT!). The fusion stuff is awesome - espicially when Allen Holdsworth is on it. I also like Gongzilla - the latest iteration - which is more like the fusion Gong. |
Posted By: BaldFriede
Date Posted: December 31 2005 at 05:02
I like both incarnations too, and Moerlen is, or sadly was, my favourite drummer, (just have a look at my signature pic), closely followed by Vander. Too few know him though, else he would much more often appear in drum polls. ------------- BaldJean and I; I am the one in blue. |
Posted By: oliverstoned
Date Posted: December 31 2005 at 05:07
And even more with "Forever blowing bubbles" (get the Clearlight888 remaster with the amazing bonus), IMO the best french prog record and part of my Top10. 
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Posted By: oliverstoned
Date Posted: December 31 2005 at 05:10
Yeah it's a great drummer. He was at the top on "You". 
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Posted By: Winter Wine
Date Posted: December 31 2005 at 07:47
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Thats one of the greatest covers i've ever seen!!!!!!!!!!!! I want it! ------------- My computer's broke |
Posted By: Froth
Date Posted: December 31 2005 at 10:36
| Ive never heard any of Clearlight's recordings after 'Symphony'. Are they good? I kinda have high expectations for 'Clearlight Visions'... probably cos of the fine cover art |
Posted By: stan the man
Date Posted: March 24 2006 at 21:01
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I have just purchased You and I love it! What should I buy next? ------------- true as a lobster in a pteredaktyl's underpants. 
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Posted By: Ultaigh
Date Posted: March 24 2006 at 21:03
Get Angels Egg or Camembert Electrique. ------------- 
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Posted By: pero
Date Posted: March 25 2006 at 14:37
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Gong is one of my favorite bands! I have: Angel's egg, Camembert Elektrique, Live ETC, Shamal, Gazeuse, Espresso II, Downwind I have also DVD 1991 with David Allen and Didier Malherbe. My favorite period is Shamal, Gazeuse with Holdswort and Mick Taylor on guitars. |
Posted By: Tuzvihar
Date Posted: March 25 2006 at 14:58
I bought this compilation some time ago:
I couldn't resist when I saw it in my local store .
That's my introduction to the band and I must say it's quite nice. ------------- "Music is much like f**king, but some composers can't climax and others climax too often, leaving themselves and the listener jaded and spent." Charles Bukowski |
Posted By: Rashikal
Date Posted: March 25 2006 at 15:35
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i have the trolpgy and i love it
------------- 
listen to Hella |
Posted By: ViolinCyndee
Date Posted: March 25 2006 at 16:36
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Are any of you going to the Gong 2006 Event in Amsterdam? I will be going and just got word that I will be playing a solo set during the festival too! I am excited that Steve Hillage will be playing with Gong at this show!!!!!!!!
Cyndee ------------- http://cdbaby.com/cd/cyndeeleerule www.cyndeeleerule.com |
Posted By: BaldFriede
Date Posted: March 25 2006 at 17:11
When wll that be? ------------- BaldJean and I; I am the one in blue. |
Posted By: eugene
Date Posted: March 25 2006 at 17:20
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Apart from above albums I have Flying Teapot and Angels Egg. IMO Gazeuse is their best one, with You second, but I understand that most of Gong fans prefer trilogy and earlier stuff, which I can't really share their excitement about.
------------- carefulwiththataxe |