ONE STOP PROG SHOP THREAD

I think I can go even further back with "leaving" Spock's Beard...saw them play here in Cleveland with about 7 of my closest friends (or at least the crowd SEEMED that tiny) at Peabody's in 1999...I just sort of trailed off by the end of that year I think. I've enjoyed a little of NM's solo stuff since he left, but for the most part yeah, I moved on.

Band 2 signed for NEARfest 2008: this one's a repeat, but boy what a repeat:

NEARFEST PRESS RELEASE
July 23, 2007

echolyn returns to help celebrate NEARfest X

We are very happy to announce that echolyn will be returning to the NEARfest stage to help us celebrate our 10th anniversary. echolyn combines superb musicianship and songwriting with dynamic arrangements and dense multipart vocal harmonies making them a favorite across the vast progressive rock fanbase. Formed in 1991, the band self-released two studio albums and one EP before being picked up my a major label for 1995's "as the world." The band split in the fall of 1995 only to reform in 2000, returning with the excellent "Cowboy Poems Free" and a blazing (in more ways than one) performance at the NEARfest 2000 preshow in Allentown, PA. In 2002, the band was invited to play NEARfest-proper and debuted their masterpiece, the 49-minute "mei", to an audience of 1,850 people in Trenton, NJ. Since then, the band released the highly-acclaimed "The End is Beautiful" (1995), toured Europe for the first time, and was featured at the 2006 edition of FMPM in Quebec. In 2007, echolyn plans to continue writing a new studio album which will be ready for release by the time NEARfest X is upon us. NEARfest is very proud to welcome back one of America's all-time elite progressive rock band in echolyn!

Not really prog, but ambient...although I think it might interest some members here.

Recently picked up Robert Fripp's new soundscape album At The End Of Time.  If you're familiar with his recent 'scaping of the past year or so, it's similar to that.  Reminds me of somewhat of a cross between November Suite with A Blessing Of Tears...with guitar soloing on top.

Of course, being the Fripp fanboy I am, I think it's incredible.  I'm way too tired to give you guys an in depth review, but I urge you all to check it out.

Band 3 signed for NEARfest 2008:


Koenji Hyakkei to open NEARfest X

Headed by vocalist/composer/drummer Tatsuya Yoshida (Ruins, Samla Mammas Manna),and possessing a three-woman/two-man band lineup, the Japanese ensemble Koenji Hyakkei has been described as a mutant cross between Area, Emerson Lake and Palmer, Deus Ex Machina, Kenso and Magma. The band have recently released their fourth album "Angherr Shisspa", their first domestic release in the USA (on Skin Graft Records). It has been compared to Stereolab, Yes, Queen, Melt-Banana and "something so far off-Broadway it's on the moon". Koenji Hyakkei explodes with glittery keyboard lines, speedy bass/drum workouts, emotive reed respites, and operatic female vocals that take the listener from sheer exuberance to absolute apocalypse. All of this music is performed with superhuman technique in extremely catchy, complex arrangements, with an insane amount of passion and energy. Is it prog-punk? Is it zeuhl-fusion? Be sure not to miss Koenji Hyakkei’s opening set of unclassifiable, energetic music at NEARfest X!

ORIGINAL: Project2501

Band 3 signed for NEARfest 2008:


Koenji Hyakkei to open NEARfest X

Headed by vocalist/composer/drummer Tatsuya Yoshida (Ruins, Samla Mammas Manna),and possessing a three-woman/two-man band lineup, the Japanese ensemble Koenji Hyakkei has been described as a mutant cross between Area, Emerson Lake and Palmer, Deus Ex Machina, Kenso and Magma. The band have recently released their fourth album "Angherr Shisspa", their first domestic release in the USA (on Skin Graft Records). It has been compared to Stereolab, Yes, Queen, Melt-Banana and "something so far off-Broadway it's on the moon". Koenji Hyakkei explodes with glittery keyboard lines, speedy bass/drum workouts, emotive reed respites, and operatic female vocals that take the listener from sheer exuberance to absolute apocalypse. All of this music is performed with superhuman technique in extremely catchy, complex arrangements, with an insane amount of passion and energy. Is it prog-punk? Is it zeuhl-fusion? Be sure not to miss Koenji Hyakkei’s opening set of unclassifiable, energetic music at NEARfest X!

Interesting, I'll be checking out Samla Mammas Manna @ FMPM, I have no idea what to expect!

ORIGINAL: Progator

Interesting, I'll be checking out Samla Mammas Manna @ FMPM, I have no idea what to expect!

Samla is a tough one...one of the original Rock in Opposition bands, they really were more quirky and off the wall than angular and avant garde.  Founder Hasse Brunisson has played with the Flower Kings, but he and the band have not spoken with each other for years and years.  Tatsuya Yoshida is a monster drummer...an absolute beast behind the kid.  I don't know if he'll be quite as mad with SMM as he is with Ruins, but you might enjoy their set.  Just tough to say what you'll get...

Yeah I heard good things about that drummer, my eyes are always geared towards a drummer when I check out a band for the first time,  generally speaking anyways!

Bad news Progday attendees...Nik Turner is cancelling:

 The ProgDay organization is sad to announce that due to an issue with
 work permits / passports for playing in the United States, Nik
 Turner's Space Ritual has cancelled their North American tour that
 was slated to begin at ProgDay 2007.  All other U.S. dates are also
 cancelled.   We were informed of the situation a few days ago.  Nik
 also sends his regrets as he and the band were really looking forward
 to playing in front of U.S. audiences again.
 
 However, ProgDay is pleased to announce our last two additions to the
 lineup for 2007.
 
 FROGG CAFÉ – Frogg Café is no stranger to fans of progressive rock,
 especially those on the east coast.  The Froggs have been tearing up
 the northeast progressive rock circuit for several years to rave
 reviews.  The band appeared at NEARfest in 2005 and is featured on
 the outstanding DVD from that show released earlier this year.  The
 band's latest release is the two disc live set "The Safenzee
 Diaries."  Frogg Café began their career as a Frank Zappa tribute
 band, but have morphed their original material over the years to
 incorporate melodic progressive rock, fusion, improv, and have even
 been embraced by the jam band crowd.  Frogg Café will perform on
 Saturday, September 1.
 
 THREE – Fresh off their triumphant US tour with Porcupine Tree, Three
 encompass an accessible brand of progressive rock that both
 captivates and challenges the listener.  Led by singer / songwriter /
 guitarist Joey Eppard, Three also feature a relentless twin
 percussion attack that is sure to rock the farm.  The band's latest
 album, "The End Has Begun," was recorded at famed drum virtuoso Jerry
 Morrota's studio in New York.  The album was released in July on
 Metalblade records to glowing reviews. Three have also done an
 extensive U.S. tour with Coheed and Cambria and played countless
 headline shows over the past few years.  Porcupine Tree specifically
 picked Three to be the opening act on their 2007 tour and after
 seeing them live it is easy to understand why.  Three will perform on
 Sunday, September 2. 
 
 Progday takes place on Saturday and Sunday, September 1 and 2, at
 Storybook Farm near Chapel Hill, North Carolina.  Visit the website
 at http://www.progday.com for more details.
 
 2007 Lineup:
 
 Saturday:
 Oblivion Sun (USA)
 Naikaku (Japan)
 Frogg Café (USA)
 QOPH (Sweden)
 
 Sunday:
 
 Skeletonbreath (USA)
 Advent (USA)
 Nemo (France)
 Three (USA)
 
 Friday Night Pre-show at the local 506:
 
 The Morglbl Trio (France)
 Kill Tim's Grass (USA)

More news...

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 8, 2007
2nd Leg of ASIA's
"Heat Of The Moment"
2007 US/Canadian Tour Postponed.

The British rock group, ASIA, announced today that the second leg of its North American tour has been postponed due to a recently discovered heart condition, likely to require surgery, for lead singer John Wetton.
Mr. Wetton is expected to make a full recovery and looks forward to returning to his work with ASIA, as well as his other musical endeavours, at the earliest possible time.
The postponed shows, which were in Western Canada and the US West Coast, are expected to be re-scheduled around the 2008 US concert itinerary.
John recently had a routine medical which returned a clean bill of health. John's consultant suggested a comprehensive check up, during which adverse heart readings were discovered, indicating advanced coronary disease. The routine medical check had included conventional procedures from blood pressure to ECG tests, none of which suggested the presence of heart disease.
John now has to undertake an angiogram in the immediate future. This will determine whether the condition can be treated with drugs, or whether immediate open heart surgery is needed.
John is philosophical and confident about the situation and wants it to be known that he will be back on stage as soon as possible. "God didn't save me from drowning only to beat me up on the beach. I look forward to getting back on tour."
Fans are encouraged to monitor the originalasia.com website for updates and further information.

Man I really hope Wetton get's over this operation as easy as possible

Just grabbed a boot off of dime with the double-trio lineup of KC playing "The Sheltering Sky."

And I must say...I'm pretty disappointed with what they did to it.  I had always wanted to hear it since it never got on an official release, and now I can see why.  I thought there would be so much more potential with the addition of Pat and Trey, but found it was just meandering around for 7 minutes.  Completely lacks the power of the 80s version of that same tune.

Maybe it could've been an off night, bootleg sound, whatever.  But I expected more.

Just some thoughts....anyone else heard the double-trio version of this tune and have an opinion on it?

The Sheltering Sky is a studio track in its esence, and as much as I love it, it sorta reminds me of a Casio keyboard.
 
I should check out the double trio's work. I am interested with how it works in principal.
 
In other prog news the clip of the new PT ep sounds awsome.

ORIGINAL: The Fish

The Sheltering Sky is a studio track in its esence

I dunno man, I think it worked very well live in the 80s, I just don't think the double-trio did a very good job with it.

ORIGINAL: The Fish

I should check out the double trio's work. I am interested with how it works in principal.

Check out the live release VROOOM VROOOM.  You won't be disappointed.

DGM had a boot from 81 with the Discipline lineup playing it and it was good but not on par with the rest of the show imo.

Wow this is like the newspaper of prog, I love it! Good job Bill.

My band just got reviewed by the infamous Jerry Lucky! I thought that was pretty cool.

Today was day one of ProgDay!

My abbreviated thoughts:

Oblivion Sun - Two members of Happy The Man.  These guys blew me away.

Haikaku - Take the wankiest prog metal instrumental section and put it on repeat.  This is what these guys reminded me of.  Bleh.  They could play their instruments well, and had a bunch of energy onstage.

Frogg Cafe - These guys were great.  Everyone here needs to check out their latest release, The Safenzee Diaries.  It's been in heavy rotation in casa drumline as of late.  They also did a few cover tunes.  Black Napkins, Peaches En Regalia, and Red.

Qoph - Not bad, but I left in the middle of their set.  Didn't care too much for them, and I was sunburned and tired.

Day 2 tomorrow!

ORIGINAL: drumline0671

Today was day one of ProgDay!

My abbreviated thoughts:

Oblivion Sun - Two members of Happy The Man.  These guys blew me away.

Haikaku - Take the wankiest prog metal instrumental section and put it on repeat.  This is what these guys reminded me of.  Bleh.  They could play their instruments well, and had a bunch of energy onstage.

Frogg Cafe - These guys were great.  Everyone here needs to check out their latest release, The Safenzee Diaries.  It's been in heavy rotation in casa drumline as of late.  They also did a few cover tunes.  Black Napkins, Peaches En Regalia, and Red.

Qoph - Not bad, but I left in the middle of their set.  Didn't care too much for them, and I was sunburned and tired.

Day 2 tomorrow!

Awesomeness.

Glad the Froggies and Oblivion Sun impressed.

The Safenzee Diaries is a great album, well worth getting into.  It's a great entryway into the Frogg Cafe sound.

Way jealous you get to see a longer Advent set tomorrow though...they are awesome with a capital A.

Anyone know when Nearfest X tickets go on sale?
 
 

ORIGINAL: musicfan

Anyone know when Nearfest X tickets go on sale?

Sometime in February I'd wager.  No date has been set yet that I know of tho.

ORIGINAL: Project2501

ORIGINAL: musicfan

Anyone know when Nearfest X tickets go on sale?

Sometime in February I'd wager.  No date has been set yet that I know of tho.

 
Thanks, I've been trying to convince my buddy to go for years now.  We live so close and have never gone. 
 
If he doesn't want to go this year, I'm going anyway.

ORIGINAL: Salmacis

Over: From reading the review, it sounds like an album that can be compared to that of PG's Passion or Marillion's Brave...in other words, an overpowering emotional journey. One of those albums that is looked at as a monolith by those who are effected by it's music. Will definitely have to check it out.

Quite true. PH's music is often either met with complete disinterest or rabid fans who he seems to strike a huge chord with on an emotional level that is rare in music today. There's little to no middle ground.

That's an understatement. I'm completely hooked on VdGG/PH.

What I think I like the most is Peter's lyrics. The man can write.

Just got back from day 2 of ProgDay.

Skeletonbreath - These guys rocked the fuck out.  The trio of bass, violin, and drums put on a high energy (abeit short) set that left everyone in the venue breathless.  They only played 8 songs or so (about 40 minutes), but they gave it their all.  They were dripping in sweat and completely out of breath.  After cries for an encore, they said they hadn't really prepared anything, but ended up playing this new tune that wasn't complete, but they had been working on it for a while.

Advent - Probably the band I was most looking forward to, and they didn't disappoint.  Their hour and half set flew by quite fast...I couldn't believe it.  They played songs from both of their albums, and a few covers that included "In That Quiet Earth," with their guitar playing mimicking Hackett perfectly.  He even played sitting down the whole show....until that song when he stood up and took the spotlight.  Brilliant band.

Nemo - These guys were good.  I didn't know what to expect since I wasn't familiar with them, but they were entertaining.  I liked a good portion of their set.

Three - I wasn't familiar with this band either, except for hearing people talk about them around here a lot.  They toured with Porcupine Tree on the first leg of the FOABP tour, and they're also doing the second leg with them.  They had some excellent songs, but also some clunkers in the set.  I couldn't help but feel they would've been better earlier in the day, not a headliner.  They kept me entertained though.

Attendence was pretty poor.  About the same as last year, maybe a little less, maybe a little more.  ProgDay deserves a lot more people to come out...it's a great time.  The people are fantastic, the atmosphere is incredible, and you can't beat 2 days worth of prog music.  I urge you all to come out, you won't regret it.

Thanks for reading my ramblings.

I'm very interested in both Skeletonbreath and Advent. Recommendations?

ORIGINAL: Salmacis

I'm very interested in both Skeletonbreath and Advent. Recommendations?

I can't recommend albums, since I don't have any yet, but you can check out their myspace pages for some tracks.

http://www.myspace.com/skeletonbreath

http://myspace.com/adventmusicnet

I'm sure Bill will be in this thread sometime soon to supplement my post.

ORIGINAL: Salmacis

I'm very interested in both Skeletonbreath and Advent. Recommendations?

In both cases, you're kind of limited to 1 CD.

Skeletonbreath only has one album out right now, titled louise.  Think punk/klezmer/jazz fusion.  Goof stuff.

Advent has 2 albums out, Advent and Cantus Firmus.  Advent is OOP...the band has not been able to wrest the rights back from the label, and as such has taken to selling CDR copies, which is a major downer.  Cantus Firmus, on the other hand, was my symphonic prog album of the year for 2006.  Sheer brilliance....if you like Gentle Giant and Trespass-Foxtrot era Genesis with a modern sensibility...and without sounding like they just cloned those two bands, you'll love Advent.

Update from RF:

http://www.dgmlive.com/diaries.htm?artist=&show=&member=3&entry=7546

16.31 E-replies are in from all fellow Crims to the e-mail – Awakening The Beast of Crim. This is not a Lovecraft story, although it has often felt as if it might be. All Crims have responded positively to my suggestion of first-rehearsal dates in 2008.

The sleeper awakens...

Great news, bill!!

I'm finally elbow deep in to Crimson...I picked up "the wake of...", 2 cd's of "the collectable king crimson" to go along with my relatively un-listened "court of...", Discipline and Red. I dunno what happened but it just clicked and now I can't get enough.

I also picked up "H to He..." from VdGG, kansas's self titled (which I knew most of, but...) and Eloy's "Oceans". Anybody Eloy fans? I've heard the name and never really heard them at all...is this on par with their "best" stuff? any other recommendations?

ORIGINAL: icepick3383

Great news, bill!!

I'm finally elbow deep in to Crimson...I picked up "the wake of...", 2 cd's of "the collectable king crimson" to go along with my relatively un-listened "court of...", Discipline and Red. I dunno what happened but it just clicked and now I can't get enough.

That's generally how it happens...at one point or another it just kind of snaps into place, and you just...get it.  Interestingly, that's how it's been for me the past month or so with Daevid Allen's Gong.  I've been a fan of PM Gong forever (that's the fusiony side of Gong, led by drummer Pierre Moerlen and heavy on vibes and lengthy jazz/fusion instrumental workouts) and never was able to get into the earlier pot-head pixie/Planet Gong/pataphysical/absurdist Gong.  And one day I was listening to a track on Delicious Agony, with this intense instrumental workout, and was saying to myself "Wow, this is seriously kicking my ass."  I pulled up the player to see what it was, and it was "You'll Never Blow Yr Trip Forever" off You, I believe.  From there, it's all started to slot into place a bit more.

Ocean is Eloy's most well-known work, I'd say. They have a huge catalog of releases, with several shifts in style. The first few albums are more early hard-prog with pysch tendencies, and the best of these is Inside and Floating. Later works were more keyboard-based with a lot of concept releases (Colours, Planets, Dawn).... if you like Ocean, you may like some of those. Some great work on some of those albums, for sure. I'd really recommend Floating above all else, although that sounds little like Ocean.

Is H to He the only VDGG you've heard so far? If so, scan the VDGG threads for further recommendations.

And Bill: You is the best Gong album, IMO, but you may find yourself enjoying the other instalments of that trilogy as well. But You is a masterpiece from beginning to end. I love how it kicks off with two very short, silly pieces before descending into psychotic space jams. Very cool album.

ORIGINAL: Salmacis

Ocean is Eloy's most well-known work, I'd say. They have a huge catalog of releases, with several shifts in style. The first few albums are more early hard-prog with pysch tendencies, and the best of these is Inside and Floating. Later works were more keyboard-based with a lot of concept releases (Colours, Planets, Dawn).... if you like Ocean, you may like some of those. Some great work on some of those albums, for sure. I'd really recommend Floating above all else, although that sounds little like Ocean.

Is H to He the only VDGG you've heard so far? If so, scan the VDGG threads for further recommendations.

And Bill: You is the best Gong album, IMO, but you may find yourself enjoying the other instalments of that trilogy as well. But You is a masterpiece from beginning to end. I love how it kicks off with two very short, silly pieces before descending into psychotic space jams. Very cool album.

I'll let you know how much I enjoy the eloy after I give it a few more spins. i've been crimson-immersed lately. ;)

I've only heard H to He from VdGG, yeah. I've downloaded a couple boots from Dime that i'm yet to check out...but I'm really enjoying H to He, so far. What's your fav, sal?

I've often heard about Gong and Magma and Can and those quasi/psych/prog melting pots...I dunno if i'm ready for that yet. I bought this 5 CD set called "the progressive years" that has a few of those tunes on it and...well...maybe it's time to revisit...

oh and I was playing H To He in the car after I bought it, in maine with my wife, and I took it out after a few songs and my wife was like "Why'd you do that, it wasn't so bad!" and for her to say that was equivalent to me saying "wow, this is reall great!". She thought the sax was cool and the music was different. She also seems to enjoy "crimson King" and "in the wake of" so that's cool. Maybe there's hope...

ORIGINAL: icepick3383
I've only heard H to He from VdGG, yeah. I've downloaded a couple boots from Dime that i'm yet to check out...but I'm really enjoying H to He, so far. What's your fav, sal?

I'm not sal, but I STRONGLY reccomend you pick up Pawn Hearts and Godbluff. The 2 essential albums in the VDGG catalog. I also auggest looking into Peter Hammill's solo career. The Silent Corner and the Empty Stage and Over are good place to start.

ORIGINAL: Oblivion86

ORIGINAL: icepick3383
I've only heard H to He from VdGG, yeah. I've downloaded a couple boots from Dime that i'm yet to check out...but I'm really enjoying H to He, so far. What's your fav, sal?

I'm not sal, but I STRONGLY reccomend you pick up Pawn Hearts and Godbluff. The 2 essential albums in the VDGG catalog. I also auggest looking into Peter Hammill's solo career. The Silent Corner and the Empty Stage and Over are good place to start.

And if by Godbluff you actually mean Still Life, I wholeheartedly 100% agree.



I've made no small deal of my love of Still Life as the ultimate VdGG album of their second phase, and I'll repeat it here: Still Life is the ultimate VdGG album of their second phase.  It gets more plays here than any other VdGG or Hammill album, concert recording, or so on.  It is sublime in its perfection, Hammill at his most poetic whilst perdition's orchestra alternately wails and coaxes out the purest of pain and passion.  It is the Koh-i-Noor of PH's vast and brilliant catalogue.

Yeah, Still Life is incredible of course. I do personally prefer Godbluff, but you can't go wrong with either. The only thing I can say to tip the scales in Godbluff's favor is that Still Life has one song I've never been able to get into ("My Room"). And yes, Pawn Hearts is another recommendation for the earlier period.

I have been spinning the King Crimson "Live in Asbury Park 1974" cd all afternoon and there's no lineup that I enjoy more. Fripp, Bruford, Wetton and Cross. Wow. I also think that Red is my fav based on that lineup (minus cross)...heavy, evil, precise and full of energy. Top notch!

Well! I've finally read this entire thread and my thoughts towards everyone involved and everything written are summed up as follows:

The thoughts towards myself for not having checked this out way earlier and missing all the fun:

In any case, this has been quite a trip and it has helped me immensely better my grasp of classic prog and everything it entails. My notes text file has certainly grown bigger with band names to check out, respective URLs and other assorted tidbits.

I also noticed I'm the first to post in a week. Considering there's still so much prog to talk about, this thread shall not be buried into oblivion. I'll gladly do my best towards not letting that happen.

I have a couple of reviews in mind and other thoughts I'd love to post, I'll try to do that soon.

I'd have posted something, but honestly...the biggest musical news for me of late was the interview I just concluded with a pretty much non-prog musician (though one could argue that his band was proto-prog in many ways...I certainly would)...Ray Manzarek of the Doors/Riders on the Storm.

Other than that, waiting for my copy of the 3-CD Piper at the Gates of Dawn reissue to come home today.

Not much other than that, I fear...

ORIGINAL: Project2501

Other than that, waiting for my copy of the 3-CD Piper at the Gates of Dawn reissue to come home today.

And there is really something to enjoy... at least I have

The addition of the third cd is VERY awesome. The ultimate Syd era package to get

ORIGINAL: Devnoy

ORIGINAL: Project2501

Other than that, waiting for my copy of the 3-CD Piper at the Gates of Dawn reissue to come home today.

And there is really something to enjoy... at least I have

The addition of the third cd is VERY awesome. The ultimate Syd era package to get

Alas...got a call from the store I have a copy on order at...it did not come in.  If I don't have it in a week or so, I'll order it.

ORIGINAL: Project2501
I'd have posted something, but honestly...the biggest musical news for me of late was the interview I just concluded with a pretty much non-prog musician (though one could argue that his band was proto-prog in many ways...I certainly would)...Ray Manzarek of the Doors/Riders on the Storm.

 
How'd that go for you? I've heard he's a great interview...lots of fun anecdotes that sort of walk the line between truth and fun conspiracy theorist.