70's English Progressive Rock

Prog Music for March 2010

2010-03-13T13:06:00.000-08:00

Sometimes it is good getting to the party late. When the folks who represent Syzygy offered to send me their latest CD, I had already heard good things about them, but had never actually heard them. I opened the mail the other day and to my surprise I found the entire 3 CD collection by the band, including their first work "Cosmos and Chaos" which was recorded under the band name, Witsend. In a short period of time, I was able to hear the growth of a group of musicians over their 16 years together.

Witsend (Cosmos and Chaos - 1993)/Syzygy (The Allegory of Light - 2003)/Syzygy (Realms of Eternity - 2009)

Although you can hear lots of bits and pieces of other prog bands in the their music, it is in no way derivative. What is most distinctive about their sound then as it is now, is the even balance of electric guitar, acoustic guitar and keyboards. Somehow prog rock turned into prog metal and the softer acoustic instruments disappeared. With it went much of the dynamics that made prog rock so interesting. Syzygy must understand that because the acoustic guitar finds its way into nearly half of their songs throughout their 3 CD career. The biggest change between Witsend and Realms of Eternity are the addition of vocals. I believe there is only one song that really has vocals on the Cosmos and Chaos CD, whereas most of the songs on Realms have vocals. This is classic prog rock with blazing guitar and keyboard solos along with interesting and complex melodies and musical themes. The second half of Realms of Eternity is a prog rock opus featuring 7 or 8 separate but beautifully linked pieces. Syzygy has quickly become one of my favorite active prog bands. I'm so glad they found me.

Egg (Egg - 1970)/(The Polite Force - 1971)

The key to understanding what Egg sounded like was seeing in the credits of Egg "Tone generator" as one of the instruments that Dave Stewart, keyboardist for National Health among many other great prog bands, played. This is early progressive, with a jazz/fusion sound to it and plenty of noddling around on a tone generator. The CDs now available have bonus cuts that include single versions and B-sides to singles. They made singles out of this stuff? Really? All kidding aside, for those who want to explore the earlier days of progressive rock, heavy on the psychedelic, do check them out.

King Crimson - In The Court of the Crimson King 40th Anniversary Series (2009)

There is one reason to buy this CD: The 5.1 mix that was created by Steven Wilson from Porcupine Tree. It is a fine way to enjoy one of the more important records to come out of the 70's progressive scene. Still, the quality of the actually recording, especially the drums, leave a lot to be desired compared to what can be done today. But, if you love this CD, and you are a traditionalist who believes that the original sound the band heard is all I want to hear, AND you have a stereo capable of playing a 5.1 audio DVD, then you should seriously consider adding this to your collection.

The Electric Light Orchestra (No Answer - 1972)/(II - 1973)/(On the Third Day - 1973)/(The Night the Lights Went Out in Long Beach - 1998)

Somehow I've pretty much left ELO out of the stream (there are a couple of ELO songs running I believe). They really go pretty pop in the later days, and truthfully, looking back, they were pretty pretentious with their mixing of pop and classical. But then, wasn't that really what prog music was all about; pretension? Okay, that was a bit tongue in cheek, but as I went back and listened to these first CDs and a live album from that era, I couldn't help but remember back to those days when this seemed to be the future of music. So, I'm throwing this poppy, pretentious stuff into the stream, with no embarrassment and only tune on my lips.

Cirque Du Soleil - Kooza (2008)

The current version of Cirque just blew through town and was, as always, an amazing show. Over the years I've always thought their music was the closest many people would ever get to experiencing progressive rock. With their fake language songs and very movie soundtrack style, Cirque's music has always been able to hold its own next to the prog world. The CD is much more assessable than anything I've ever heard from Cirque, but there were several songs that fit the prog format.

Kraftwerk - Autobahn (1974)

It was the turning point for the band as they started to bring in real melodies and vocals into their sound.

Music for November 2009

2009-11-27T15:24:00.000-08:00

Lots of music coming your way...

Anderson, Bruford, Wakeman, Howe - Anderson, Bruford, Wakeman, Howe (1989)

Straddling prog and pop, the bulk of the most famous version of Yes put together an interesting group of songs. The closest they come to their classic days is the cover of the CD. And maybe that is why they didn't call themselves Yes. Still a very interesting CD to listen to.

Illumination - Jamie Craig (2008)

Continuing where he left off with his last release, Jamie Craig continues to walk a beautiful path between prog and new age music. Always an enjoyable ride. http://myspace.com/craigsounds

Emerson Lake & Palmer - Works Live (1977)

Technically ELP was one of the best groups of musicians to ever play prog rock. Throw in an orchestra and there are moments on this CD, were the power overshadows the egos.

Camel, The Snow Goose, Rain Dances, Breathless - Camel (1973,1975,1977,1978)

I have no idea how these never made it into my CD collection. I went looking for one of them awhile back and realized I only had them on vinyl. A quick look online took care of that problem. Watching Andy Latimer play guitar at the Roxy in Los Angeles back in the mid 70's continues to be one of my favorite guitar moments as he closed his eyes, twitched his lips, and... and... played. The late Peter Bardens looked like a teenager up there. What an amazing show. "Camel" showed them in there still 60's psychedelic mode. "The Snow Goose", was a beautiful trip with lots of Andy's flute. There are still songs on "Rain Dances" that move me. "Breathless"... I don't remember if I ignored it or never saw it come out, but it sure felt like a first listen for me. I love Richard Sinclair's vocals and although this CD seemed to move Camel in a more pop direction, well... Did I mention I love Richard Sinclair's vocals?

The Answer - Peter Bardens (1970)

Speaking of Peter Bardens, this rare CD (I saw a copy on Amazon for $70) is very 60's psychedelic. But there are moments when you see a bit of Camel. It was definitely a long way from his days with Van Morrison.

King Crimson - Live at Asbury Park NJ (1974)

It was a great time to be a prog rock fan. What else is there to say!

Port Mahadia - Echoes in Time (2007)

Ahhh... Songs about the sea. A story. A theme. Soaring guitar solos. Like Porcupine Tree, Port Mahadia can move from crunching guitars to beautiful melodies. Almost as good as taking a 45 minute vacation. http://www.portmahadia.com/

The Incident - Porcupine Tree (2009)

2 discs in this release. Disc 1 is one song (or a suite of songs actually), "The Incident". As always, there is a mix of blistering and potent guitars and then brilliant melodies. Deadwing is still my favorite PT CD, but songs like "Time Flies" will keep me coming back to this CD. Disc 2 is 4 additional songs that feel a bit like leftovers; especially after being completely enthralled by "The Incident".

Renaissance - Live at Carnegie Hall (1975)

This is the band at their peak, playing like no other band before or since. It is beautiful and gripping, with amazing stories and, of course, Annie Haslam's exquisite voice. If you only buy one Renaissance CD, this probably is the one to have.

So, Security, Secret World Live - Peter Gabriel (1984,1982,1993)

Do I really need to talk about any of these? Some of the best music (prog or not) the '80s had to offer. His early digital productions proved that music could be mind blowing. His live productions were second to none.

801 Live Collectors Edition - 801 (2009)

I have mixed feelings about this double CD. The original 801 Live was... perfect. Maybe the greatest live album ever. It wasn't just the songs, but the post production and the pacing of the album. They took "Golden Hours" and "The Fat Lady of Limbourg" out for a reason: They messed up the pace of the album. With these two songs back in, we get a better feel for the entire concert, but I'm not sure I like it any better. Still, it is great to have two more 801 songs to enjoy. Disc 2 is from rehearsals and all of the songs except "Golden Hours" are on it. This disc doesn't have the energy or the post production for that matter, that first disc has, but it is really interesting to hear slightly different versions to these songs. But you tell me what you think. We'll get that entire 2nd disc into the play list for you to listen to. Enjoy.

Prog Music for May 2009

2009-05-02T12:52:00.001-07:00

Modest Midget - Partial Exposure (2009)

There is hope for progressive pop with this EP (a full CD to be coming soon) from the Netherlands. The pretty melodies are surrounded by an intelligent design that is at times ethnic and then can suddenly sound almost classical, with classic prog guitar soloing and wonderful instrumental passages. I can't wait to hear the whole CD. http://www.modestmidget.com/

Steven Wilson - Insurgentes (2009)

The leader of Porcupine Tree gives us a solo album that is brilliant in it's sound and style. Ripping through anthems, techno blasts and pure evil and beauty, Steven creates a dark, passionate sound-scape. Don't download this CD. You must pick up the combo back with the DVD and 5.1 version. OMG! What a treat!

Cannata - My Back Pages Volume 1 (2009)

I'm not one to get into cover albums, especially when the idea is to just make the original sound better instead of making it your own. But that is what Cannata does, and... well... it's a fun ride. There are over a dozen tracks on here that you should know by now; everything from Bowie to Tull to Donavon. And truthfully, they do a great job of recreating the songs. The production is top notch and the vocals often are spot on. This was, as I said, a fun ride. I will probably put one or two of these tracks on the stream.

Cannata - Mysterium Mganum (2006)

This is really what Cannata is about: Classic 70's prog rock with solid vocals, big arrangements and soaring solos. Had I come across this in the late 70's I might have ignored it for being too commercial. Today I see the value in softening the edges of prog sometimes. To find out more about this solid CD go to http://www.cannatamusic.com/

Yes - Symphonic Live (2002/2009)

If you were lucky enough to see the Yes tour back around the turn of the century with an orchestra, I don't need to tell you how good this double CD is. Yes, lots of great live Yes, with most of the songs augmented with a full orchestra. "The Gates of Delirium" alone makes it worth the price.

Renaissance - Dreams & Omens (2008)

I don't think there can ever be enough Renaissance CDs. This live CD from 1978 is Renaissance at their peak. Too bad it is only one disc.

Gnidrolog - In Spite of Harry's Toe-Nail / Lady Lake (2004)

This double LP set (both albums were recorded in 1972) on 1 disc was recommended to me by one of my listeners. Like Van der Graff or Gentle Giant, this bands vocals were never about sweet melodies, but instead were just another instrument that defined the sound. The first LP is more psychedelic and disjointed. The band really picks up steam in the "Lady Lake" half, bringing home the instrumental intensity that we so loved from our early prog bands.

Gentle Giant - The Missing Piece (35th Anniversary Edition) (2005)

Gentle Giant was being forced out of the music biz by punk rock, but they weren't going without a fight. This under appreciated disc starts off in fairly commercial fashion, but after a blistering attack on the punk movement, "Betcha Thought We Couldn't Do It", they return to more classic GG material. This CD has held up very well over the last 30 years.

Fripp & Eno - No Pussyfooting (2008)

This 1973 release has been augmented in ways that only Fripp and Eno can do. Two songs are reversed and the other is at half speed. If you've never experienced ambient music, this is a great place to start. This is really music to do other things to. Listening intently is nearly impossible without serious drugs.

Peter Gabriel - Passion (1989)

This soundtrack for the Scorsese film was a nice diversion for Gabriel, allowing him to stretch in ways he hadn't before. Only rarely do you hear pieces that sing out: This is a Peter Gabriel track. The sound is very electronic with lots of Middle Eastern themes thrown in.

Peter Gabriel - Us (1992)

You really just can't have enough PG, can you? This CD could be subtitled, "Peter going through therapy", and with that comes some of his best lyrics ever, as Peter struggles with life, sex and relationships. Come on, kiss that frog.

Jean-Luc Ponty - Enigmatic Ocean (1977)

The great thing about being a college DJ in the seventies, was not having to worry about labels. Was Ponty Jazz or rock... or both. It didn't matter. This was a new form of music and we loved it. Jean-Luc Ponty's jazz based violin influenced countless numbers of violin players and epic adventures like this LP were why.

Prog Update for November

2008-11-01T14:29:00.001-07:00

Apell - Reconstituted (2008)

This CD starts out with a couple of jazzy pieces with vocals (including a nice cover of "Don't Let it Bring You Down" from Neil Young and "Long, Long, Long" from the Beatles) but the heart and soul of this CD is the sometimes funky and always interesting instrumental pieces. The sound is at times techno but it reminds me more of the high energy pieces by Tangerine Dream than of the 90's techo scene. Not that this is in any way dated. The sounds and ideas are fresh and at times funky and alive. And just for good measure, the songs actually sound like their titles (I can just see the "Hash Browns" frying on the stove). http://www.apellmusic.com

Big Blue Ball - Big Blue Ball (2008)

This project, the brainchild of Peter Gabriel, was recorded back in the 90's I believe and was finally finished up this year. It features, along with Peter, Sinead O'conner, Karl Walinger (of World Party fame... he also helped produce) and Joseph Arthur along with some world music stars. The music bounces (like the pun?) around between pop and world music. It is an interesting group of songs. If you like all of Peter's dabblings in world and other styles of music, you will no doubt love this.

Ian Tescee - A Traveler's Guide to Mars (2007)

If you've ever been to a planetarium show with the cool projector that puts the stars and planets on the ceiling and the cool space music (for me, growing up, it was the Griffith Park Observatory), then you know what this CD is all about. Ian has created music that is not only worthy of any observatory but will sound really good on that cool stereo system you just bought to support you new flat screen TV. The CD owes a lot to Tangerine Dream and the other German space rockers of the 60's and 70's, but the music sounds fresh and alive. In the sub genre of electronic music this is the best I've heard in some time. http://www.iantescee.com/

Roxy Music - Roxy Music (1972) & For Your Pleasure (1973)

This is how it all began. With Bryan Ferry writing, Eno filling the sound with keyboards and tapes and Manzanera's cool guitar licks, this was Roxy Music at their best (in my humble opinion).

Roxy Music - Viva! (1976)

Eno had left the band (and took his full name back... Hmmm, do you suppose that Bryan Ferry didn't want to have 2 Bryan's in the band and that is why he was only known as Eno?) and was replaced by the great Edwin (later to be called Eddie) Jobson on keyboards and violin. What we have here is Roxy Music doing what they do best, play live. Songs like "In Every Dream Home a Heartache" sound so much better live. The power, the sexiness, the intensity is here. One of my favorite live albums of the 70's (although it is way behind "801 Live").

Jethro Tull - Carnegie Hall, NY 1970 (from the 25th Anniversary box set) 1993

Ian and band sure knew how to rock back in the old days. But I never noticed that his raps sounded a lot like Eddie Izzard. :-) The pre-Aqualung version of My God is interesting in how he later toned down the lyrics. This CD alone makes the box set worth having.

Music for October 2008

2008-10-12T12:54:00.000-07:00

Lots of music being added to the play list. Lets get right to it:

Mile Marker Zero - Out of the Ground, Into the Fire (2008)

These guys are a bit more metal than the typical band you will here on 70's English Prog, but I like a lot of their sound. Like Porcupine Tree, they bounce between the aggressive guitar and soft vocals and, at times, sweet melodies. Their suite, "Past Life", is a winning attempt to pull this all together into a 70's like epic. A band worth checking out. And you can do that at http://www.mmzband.com

Peter Hammill - Singularity (2006)

We are all getting older. Peter had a heart attack not too long ago. For an artist who was already searching deep into his own psyche there was no reason to believe this would be a light CD. It starts with some upbeat tunes, but otherwise travels typical PH ground musically. It is really about the lyrics which is one of the reasons I've been playing so much Peter Hammill over the years. Few prog bands/artists can really stand tall when talking about their lyrics. This is a powerful CD on those terms alone.

Various Artists - A Reflection - Yet More Music Inspired by and In Tribute to Gentle Giant (2008) / Giant for Another Hour (2006)

For prog fans, these two CDs are a fun ride. Some of the songs are very obviously inspired by Gentle Giant. Some are not as obvious, but interesting none the less. There are plenty of songs that stand on their own here and that they may remind you of Gentle Giant is an added bonus. You can pick these CDs up at CDBaby. Here are a couple of links: http://cdbaby.com/cd/gianthour3 and http://cdbaby.com/cd/gianthour2

Mary Fahl - From the Dark Side of the Moon (2006)

I'm not sure how this CD ever saw the light of day. Actually, it officially hasn't seen the light of day. The only way to get it is through Ebay (plan on spending about $50). Mary, has a potent voice and so the prospect of hearing her power through Pink Floyd's great achievement was too hard for me to resist. Of course vocals are only a small part of "Dark Side of the Moon" and so I was surprised at the unique approach that David Werner and Mark Doyle took. Of course this isn't better or even as good as the original, but it is a nice diversion and always a treat to hear Mary sing.

Strawbs - The Broken Hearted Bride (2008)

Always known for their ability to be "dramatic", The Strawbs open this new CD with power and passion that would have blown us away 30 years ago. "The Call to Action" is so good, they do an instrumental version near the end of the CD. With a fiddle blazing, they are the Strawbs of old. Unfortunately, this is the best song on the CD. But still, it is a solid CD and if you were/are a Strawbs fan, you will want this in your collection.

Renaissance - Turn of the Cards (1974)

One of my all time favorite albums. With songs like "Mother Russia" and "Running Hard", Annie Haslam's vocals shine. They may be the best of the classical influenced bands of the 70's.

Renaissance - Scheherazade (1975)

Almost as good as "Turn of the Cards" this CD doesn't have a bad song on it. "Trip to the Fair" is unique and challenging and accessible all at the same time. Side 2 (on the album) is "Song of Scheherazade", a 24 minute interpretation of the story of Scheherazade.

Renaissance - In the Land of the Rising Sun (2002)

Annie Haslam is in her 50's and can still send shivers down my spine when she sings. Her voice may not be quite as exact, but there is more passion there now and the bulk of the band that has been reassembled is playing the music beautifully. This is supposedly the last live piece we will ever see from this classic classical rock band. It is sad, but they have left us with music that will last the ages. Trust me, when you hear this live version of Ashes are Burning, you will be moved.

Dave Cousins - Duochrome (2008)

On the road in the U.S. this year, the leader of the Strawbs created a wonderful live CD. Most of the music is from the last few years, but the highlight of the CD is his version of "Beside The Rio Grande". Dave's solo music is a reminder to us Americans that there may be a strong difference between English folk music and our folk music, but performers like Dave Cousins have no problem bringing the passion.

Roxy Music - Country Life (1974), Stranded (1973), Siren (1975)

In America, "Love is a Drug" from 1975's "Siren" is about all most radio listeners know of Roxy Music. Back in the 70's, in college stations across the country though, Roxy Music was a staple for any worthy progressive station. Part glam rock, part prog rock but always the coolest guys on the planet, Roxy Music's best music is still vital today. Probably their best albums are the first 2 with Brian Eno. We will get to those next time.

Music for May

2008-05-26T13:36:00.000-07:00

What a weekend. The radio station hard drive was failing and bringing down the station was my only choice. While it was down though I was able to get a couple of things done. The long awaited updates to the play list happened and more important, I was able to get a backup system in place for the next time. I also updated some of the older files to a higher format. Hopefully some of the songs will sound a bit better. So, lacking sleep and wishing the weekend had just started, here is the music I added to the station this weekend:

We start with some new music from Quidam and Cary Clouser...

Quidam - Alone Together (2007)
Like Porcupine Tree, Quidam bridges that gap between pop and progressive so nicely that if you are a prog only kinda listener, you hardly feel guilty. You'll find some beautiful melodies and pretty (okay, handsome) vocals throughout, but you are never far from a searing guitar solo. The sound has a strong 70's vibe but with a very modern feel. This is one of my favoriteprog releases in some time.

Cary Clouser - Finger Paintings (2008)
Cary is an indie prog artist with loads of talent. This CD is very much a one man effort with a little help here and there from a couple of bass and guitar players. But you won't know that by listening. There is a full produced sound here with an emphasis on piano based pop/prog. There is some fine soloing and nice vocals. Someone to keep an eye on. http://www.isound.com/cary_clouser .

And then we have some oldies that are new to the play list.

UK - Night After Night (1979)
After UK lost its drummer and guitarist, you would think that Eddie and John would have hung it up. But they brought on Terry Bozzio and really, who needs a guitarist when you have great violin and keyboards from Eddie. Well, maybe a guitarist would have helped fill in a few holes in the sound, but otherwise, this live CD brings back lots of good memories. Thanks to Mark for recommending this CD.

Steeleye Span - The Journey (1999)
This live recording from 1995 brought back all but one of the Steeleye Span members for a memorable concert. You can easily see by listening why I have picked this band as the main representative of English folk for my prog broadcast.

Frank Zappa - Zappa In New York (1978)
There was nothing like seeing Frank Zappa live and this R rated double CD is worth every minute of it. Frank may never have been lumped into the progressive rock category, but there wasn't a rocker alive making more sophisticated music.

Traffic (multiple discs)
I only had a couple of songs from John Barlyecorn Must Die and Low Spark of High Healed Boys on the stream. These are fantastic CDs that get airplay on classic rock stations. But they are part of the sound that made up progressive radio back in the 70's, so I decided to add the other songs from these CDs. If they are not in your collection...

And I've started bringing more ripped vinyl to the play list.

Procol Harum - Grand Hotel (1973)
Because of their success, Procol Harum can be a hard band to categorize. There is no doubt though that this particular album is far beyond the standard fare that was the classic rock of the 70's. Unlike most prog rock of the time though, the lyrics are equal to the amazing musical journey.

Pulsar - Strands of the Future (1976)
One of the best progressive bands to come out of France, Pulsar mixes moody atmospheres with melodies that often feel like they belong in a scary midnight movie. And then... an acoustic guitar may come out of nowhere and make you feel all better again. If you like the space music that came out of Germany, Pulsar takes it to the next level.

New Music for February 2008

2008-02-23T17:30:00.001-08:00

I've got some new music along with a few old ones to add to the play list. As always, a big thank you to the artists that send in their music. Even though the focus of the broadcast is 70's music, there is plenty of music today that fits right in. And if it does, I'll play it. And also thankyous go out to all of the kind listeners who have written in over the years. I always enjoy hearing from you. Thanks for the stories. Hope you enjoy the music.

Jamie Craig - The Lost Dream (2007)
Back in the 70's a friend of mine used to refer to progressive music as soundtrack music; and with good reason. Bands like Tangerine Dream easily moved into the soundtrack business after gaining worldwide fame. Continuing on in the "soundtrack style" tradition is Jamie Craig, who has put together a handful of mood inspiring recordings. It is easy to listen to these songs and get lost as they carry you away. Somewhere between 70's prog and New Age you will find "The Lost Dream". It is an enjoyable trip. http://myspace.com/craigsounds
The Neil Campbell Collective - Particle Theory (2007)
This is a strong collection of prog/jazz music. What many hard core prog fans won't admit is that a good melody can be just as important as the sound scape. And there are some beautiful melodies that lead you along. Whether it is the cello from Aria or Neil's keyboards from the title track, there is a beauty to go along with the intelligence. http://www.neilcampbellcollective.com

And from the vaults...
Cirque Du Soleil - Saltimbanco (1992)
Their music has always captivated me. It is always unique and inspiring. I believe it will fit in very nicely with the great music from the 70's.
Genesis - Selling England By The Pound (1973)
This is embarrassing. How did this one escape getting put into the play list. A great album from a band that was in their peak period.
Peter Gabriel - Peter Gabriel (1977)
Another oversight. An all star cast gives Peter a great start as a solo artist.

There are more "oversights" coming. I just can't keep up. As long as you all keep listening, I'll keep getting the music to you.

bruce

Music for November

2007-11-11T11:26:00.001-08:00

Lots of music added to the stream recently. As always, if you have any suggestions, please write me or comment on this blog.

Lindsey Boullt - Composition (2007)
I like to play new music here once in awhile. Lindsey is one hell of a guitar player and these compact pieces of music show it off, along with his excellent sense of melody. The arrangements are clean and support him well. I love the energy in the guitar without having to deal with the anger and overload that seems to come fromprog guitar players these days. Check him out at http://www.lindseyboullt.com/ .
Versylus - Verysylus (1982)
They came to the party a bit too late and only got one album out. With the Internet bringing the past back though, they are trying to re-release their album. Classicprog that you can check out at: http://myspace.com/versylus .
Patrick Moraz - Future Memories II (1982/2006)
Composed and arranged live on TV are what the liner notes say. Very cool approach to music and Patrick does some of his best work since "I" here.
Steve Howe - The Steve Howe Album (1979)
An interesting album. At times you hear Yes here. But the supporting cast really gives this album some extra punch. If you are a Yes fan, you should probably have this one.
Steve Hackett - Watcher of the Skies/Genesis Revisited (1996)
I'm not sure why Steve felt the need to redo all of this great music, but here it is. I really enjoyed the CD, but would rather get the original cast back together.
Rick Wakeman - Journey to The Centre of The Earth (1974)
Maybe the best of Rick's solo work; powerful, majestic and still a fun ride 30 years later.
Pink Floyd - Wish You Were Here (1975)
By 1975 I was already pushing away from Pink Floyd. There was new interesting stuff coming from across the ocean and PF was already becoming... conventional. But 30 years later you have to admire the work. Today I admire how they mixed the serious work with the pop melodies.
Yes - Going For The One (1977,1991 & 2003)
The buildings on the cover always reminded me of Century City in Los Angeles. It says "business". And by this point in Yes' career, it seemed that business was on their minds. They were moving toward a more conventional style. But this is still a solid CD. The last good prog CD from them until the late 90's.

Music Update for July

2007-07-29T14:07:00.001-07:00

Telesma - O(h)M (2007)
Somewhere between dark and techno rides Telesma. They are a unique band that seems to borrow from many different progressive and techno styles creating a unique sound that will move your body and your mind.

Porcupine Tree - Fear of a Blank Planet (2007)
The band that can add beauty to the progressive sound released this CD earlier this year. I think I prefer Deadwing, but this is still an excellent CD. Waves of music come and go with such ease and yet with such dramatic effect. I believe Steven and his band still have a long way to go on their journey. There is just so much talent here.

Hypnoise - St. Valentine's Porno Bar
Strange, dark, at times terrifying. Is that a positive review or what? This is the type of band I drooled over as a college student. They really don't fit any genre, and yet seem to fit in very nicely with my 70's prog. stream.

Rising Higher Gone (2007)
This is a young guy named Elliott who has created a sophisticated and layered piece called "The Astronaut has Landed". It brings back memories of the space progressive of the 70's, but with a strong bass line that not only holds it together but gives it some extra energy. I hope to hear more from this young man in the future.

New Music for May 2007

2007-05-19T13:28:00.000-07:00

Roz Vitalis - Compassionizer (2007)
We used to call it Eastern European prog. It was more than the German Kraut Rock. There was a strong sense of classical music running through its veins. It was dark and ominous. Roz Vitalis brings us that sound, with a modern touch. Compassionizer stands on its own, but you may have trouble picking it out from the original 70's music on my stream. Do check these guys out at http://www.realmusic.ru/roz_vitalis .
Rags to Riches - Picking up the Pieces (2007)
From Norway, these guys understand the classic rock/prog rock sound. I only have one song, "Diamond on a Ring" to go by, but I did enjoy it a lot. Hope to hear more from them soon. You can pick up their CD at CDBaby. http://cdbaby.com/cd/rtorichesmusic
Van Der Graaf Generator - Real Time (2007)
Recorded in 2005 at the Royal Festival Hall, this two CD set is what we would have killed for back in the 70's. The sound is excellent and the music is... well, Van Der Graaf. After 30 years, there is no doubt these guys know how to play their music. Peter is in good voice too. If you love VDGG, just go and buy it.
Tangerine Dream - Alpha Centauri/Phaedra (1971/1974)
A couple of classic TD albums put together in one CD. Such a deal. They really were the first great Space Rock band. A friend back in those days used to call them a soundtrack band because their music always sounded like it was a score to a movie. And of course, years later they did just that. Enjoy.
Popol Vuh - in den garten pharaos (2004)
During the early 70's the two bands that mined the "space rock" genre were Tangerine Dream and the not as famous (at least in the U.S.) Popol Vuh. Just as experimental as TD, this is still an interesting CD to listen to. The bonus tracks with this release aren't worth any extra money though. And a thank you to the anonymous poster to set me straight on their history.
Patrick Moraz/Syrinx - Coexistence (2006)
This is another piece of the Patrick Moraz reissue catalog. If you aren't in to the pan pipe, stay away from this one. It is all keyboards (Patrick) and pipe (Syrinx). Not for everyone, it does have its moments. I found a couple of songs I liked a lot for the stream. Check them out.
David Sylvian - Gone to Earth (1986) & Secrets of the Beehive (1987)
I fell in love with this one song I heard on XM and thought I'd check out David's solo CDs. I was planning on putting his music on my singer/songwriter station but was delightfully surprised to find that it really fit the progressive rock station more. Think of him as a moody singer/songwriter with vocals coming through a haze of atmosphere and fog. But of course he is so much more complex than that. With help from artists like Robert Fripp, his solo career (he was also the leader of the band Japan back in the 80s) is eclectic to say the least.

Music Update January 2007

2007-01-10T23:24:00.000-08:00

Although I haven't been posting here lately (that's an understatement), I have been adding new music over the last year. So let's get caught up and also look toward the future...

Patrick Moraz. Do you know the name? He is the answer to one of my favorite prog rock trivia questions: Who is the only keyboard player to replace not only Keith Emerson but also Rick Wakeman? It's not 100% true, but it is a fun question nevertheless. If you are a big Yes fan, you know that when Rick left Yes, they brought in Patrick Moraz to replace him. But many people didn't know that after Keith Emerson's The Nice broke up and Keith formed ELP, the rest of the band found Patrick and formed Refugee. With just this alone, you know that Patrick Moraz is one hell of a keyboard player. I recently received a box of reissues of Patrick's solo work and some bands he has been in. This has been so much fun, discovering and rediscovering Patrick's music. The CDs have been remastered and released in the UK at Voiceprint Music . You can purchase them all there. Here are the first ones that I have added to the stream.

Refugee - Refugee
This band was somewhere between The Nice and ELP. It is a good classic keyboard driven prog record. Patrick did a great job leading the old Nice members, but he had so much more to offer.

Patrick Moraz - The Story of I
This has always been my favorite Patrick Moraz CD. 70's Prog rock was often accused of not having any passion or soul. By adding South American rhythms and percussion, Patrick Moraz added a warmth and energy that most progressive rock bands never came close to achieving. Each side of the original album had the songs segueing together into a unified work. It is a great CD. I have been playing this one for some time now, but will replace the previous tracks with the new remastered tracks along with one jazzy variation that is included as a bonus track.

Patrick Moraz - Patrick Moraz / Out In The Sun
These two CDs continue the South American themes and sounds. They are at their best when the percussion kicks in and Patrick puts it in gear.

All four of these CDs from Patrick are worth checking out. During 2006 I added several CDs including:

Stomu Yamashta - The Go Sessions
Maybe not the best re-mastering, but the entire Go catalog is included in this 2 CD set. The first CD is fantastic featuring everyone from Al Di Meola on guitar to Steve Winwood on vocals to Klaus Schulze on electronics and keyboards. The Live From Paris CD is also good, although its sound quality isn't great. Go Too, the final CD in the collection is a lot more commercial and not nearly as interesting. Still a great CD to own. Go to http://www.ravenrecords.com.au for more info.

Greg Smith - Above The Clouds
A CD from 2006, this guitarist has some wonderful guitar licks to play for you. More info available at http://www.gregsmithguitar.com

Phil Manzanera - 6PM
If you enjoyed the 801 Live CD and its follow up, you should like this 2004 release. Very similar to the 2nd 801 CD. I enjoyed it a lot.

Alien Cowboys - Zero Gravity
Don't ask. I have no idea. Bill Drescher sent me this cool jazz/prog CD from 2005. Not many bands doing this kind of stuff. More info at http://www.aliencowboys.com .

Music for April

2006-04-14T20:51:00.000-07:00

Four discs have been added to the play list this week…

Robert Berry – Prime Cuts (2006)
This is a fun CD: Listening to nicely produced re-workings of classic prog rock tunes. A whole bunch of progressive stars adorn this CD; from classic stars like Steve Howe and Simon Phillips to younger proggers like Jordan Rudess. There is a fine balance here between being true to the originals and making the songs his own. If you like covers, you may find this enjoyable.

Esperanto – Esperanto Rock Orchestra (1973)
The first of their three CDs, this is much better than I remembered it from 30 years ago. The sound has not settled at this point, and this has a bit more of the sixties in it. But the beginnings of what should have been a great band are here.

Pink Floyd – The Division Bell (1994)
All of their music over the years has been very enjoyable. I admit that I haven’t spent a lot of time with them after the mid 70’s. It’s not because their music wasn’t good. I suppose it was because they were just so popular and I always felt that there was so much more good progressive music out there. So, I’ll keep adding their music to my stream, as I find it, but I’m not going to try and review it.

Tempest – The Double-Cross (2006)
I love these guys. The is potent traditional based Celtic rock; which means lots of fiddle in the music and stories masquerading as songs. This is a bit of a theme CD, focusing on pirates; specifically Captain Kidd.

New and Old Music

2006-01-17T20:36:00.000-08:00

A couple of CDs to add this week. One very old and one very new.

IQ – Are You Sitting Comfortably? (2005) I was listening to The Lab on XM and heard IQ for the first time. The guitars reminded me of Steve Hackett. That’s a good thing. So, I bought this CD without listening to it first and was nicely surprised at its overall quality. This is good modern progressive rock with it’s basis in the classic prog rock of the 70’s.

Vangelis – Earth (1973) Long before Chariots of Fire made Vangelis a household name (well almost), he was working toward the style that became the standard for many film scores for many years. The combination of psychedelic and progressive drives this album, which many believe is the best work from his early years.

First batch of music for 2006

2006-01-04T00:18:00.000-08:00

I've got 3 great progressive rock CDs from the 70's and one CD from last year to add to the play list this week. I hope you enjoy them. And please keep those requests coming in.

Tim Morse – Transformation (2005) Prog rock in a classic style. I enjoyed this indie release and happily pass it on to you all. For more info you can go to his website at: www.timmorse.com

Emerson Lake & Palmer – Tarkus (1971) They were pretentious and arrogant, but they backed it up with some amazing pieces of music. Many great prog rock keyboardists have been influenced by this music. And Greg Lake is so underrated and deserves plenty of credit for balancing out Keith Emerson’s excursions into uncharted territory. And of course there is Carl Palmer’s drumming; Wow.

Esperanto – Danse Macabre (1974) The second of only 3 CDs from this amazing and unique band. With Pete Sinfield doing the production, they were just starting to find their sound. This and the third CD, “Last Tango” are available as imports in the U.S., but can be had on Ebay on a regular basis.

Gong –Live Etc (1977) They make so much more sense to me today. This is a fun CD to listen to, with its strange vocals, soaring guitar solos and jazz (or is it some form of modern classical?) backbone. Steve Hillage does some great guitar work on this CD which is collection of live performances from a few eras of the band (through 1977).

More Music

2005-11-27T18:11:00.000-08:00

The Syn – Syndestructible (2005) Before there was Yes, there was The Syn (Have I gone down this road before?). Chris Squire gets back together with Steve Nardelli to create a sound I think you all will find familiar and yet new in this brand new release. If you have all of the Yes albums and most of Yes solo projects, this should definitely be in your collection. An excellent prog rock CD for 2005. For more info on The Syn, check out http://www.umbrellorecords.com/index_main.html .

Emerson, Lake & Palmer – Brain Salad Surgery (1973) The last of the great ELP CDs. Sure there were more to come, but this was the peak. Throughout most of this CD, the visions of Greg and Keith were in sync and they created a sound that was sophisticated and accessible. Maybe only “Dark Side of the Moon” did this better.

Peter Gabriel – Peter Gabriel 3: Melt (1980) It was a classic move on Peter’s part to name all of his initial albums “Peter Gabriel”. It was almost like he was trying to find himself in these albums and didn’t want a name or label on them. Years later, unique titles were added to help people differentiate them. They are all great CDs that belong in every prog rock collection (not to mention classic rock collections).

More Music

2005-11-12T19:38:00.000-08:00

I can't seem to catch up. But here is a bunch of music for you; some new some very old. Enjoy.

Kate Bush – Aerial – (2005) We’ve waited 12 years for this CD and it may well be worth it. I feel bad though. There is no way this stream can do justice to the quality of production and engineering on this masterpiece.

Kevin Ayers John Cale Eno Nico - June 1 1974 (1974) A classic album back in the days where there was no distinction between progressive, punk or art. This is a dark and haunting live CD.

Porcupine Tree – In Absentia (2002) They are probably my favorite modern prog band. This is one of their best CDs. It is an excellent mix of prog rock, metal and beautiful melodies.

Soft Machine – Third (1970) This early progressive band blurred the lines between jazz and rock early on. They are one of the great pioneers.

Spring – Spring (1971) This was requested by one of my listeners. Thanks for the request Stuart. A less known band from the 70’s, and truthfully, that is about all I know. I enjoyed this classic prog / psychedelic.

Porcupine Tree Live at the Grove in Anaheim... Again

2005-10-26T00:09:00.000-07:00

It’s only been a few months, but Porcupine Tree returned to the Grove in Anaheim. They are really an amazing band. Their blend of metal with pop harmonies is so unique, so well played, so inspired I find it incredible that they are so unknown. This time around, they focused less on the new CD and more on their more dark and intense songs. The mid section of the show seemed to lack in variety, which made this show a little less interesting than the previous performance in June. But overall it was a great show and a band that I look forward to seeing many times in the future.

Kate Bush

2005-08-31T14:53:00.000-07:00

Reuters is reporting that Kate Bush, after a 12 year hiatus will be releasing a double CD called "Aerial" on November 8th in the U.S. (November 7th in the U.K.). It is going to be a long 69 days. :-)

More Music...

2005-08-29T21:07:00.000-07:00

Stomu Yamashta – The Go Sessions (2005) Finally! This is the complete 3 LP set of music from Stomu Yamashta’s super group from the 70’s. The original “Go” LP featured, along with Stomu on percussion and keyboards, Michael Shrieve on drums, Klaus Schulze on keyboards and effects, Al Dimeola on guitar and Steve Winwood on vocals and keyboards. With Schulze and Yamashta’s keyboards creating the atmosphere, Dimeola’s guitar attacks and Winwood’s vocals soar. It is an amazing trip bouncing between pop and space. “Live From Paris”, is the live version of this and although it is only an okay recording, hearing Dimeola explode is the main reason you want to own this. “Go Too” had some member changes, including the loss of Winwood. I think it had trouble finding its voice in the end and isn’t nearly as good as the first two. For those interested in buying this, be warned that this isn’t a remastering. It is a fairly flat recording and probably sounds better on your turntable (pops and all). I have already inserted the first 2 LPs onto my play list. I’m not sure about “Go Too” yet.

Van Der Graaf Generator – Present (2005) Yep. VDGG has put together a double CD of new music. I liked the CD, but truthfully, this felt pretty much like what they were doing 30 years ago. That’s not a bad thing. But I was hoping for more growth. This is a copy protected release, so be prepared to find a workaround (not too tough with this type).

More Music...

2005-07-11T00:40:00.000-07:00

There don't seem to be enough hours in the day. I've got a lot of music to add to the stream, and hopefully I'll get it in soon. Meanwhile, I've at least got this... Something to nibble on. :-)

Klaus Schulze - Timewind (197?) This is an absolute classic, and there is no excuse for my not having it in the stream before now. This is one of the best "space music" CDs ever created. And to add to the reality and bring back memories for those of you who are old and enough and still have those memories, I've left all the pops and scratches in. "Bayreuth Return" still has one of the most amazing endings ever recorded. Crank up your computer when this one comes around and be prepared to freak out everyone in the adjoining cubicles.

Syn (from a new MP3) - Time and a Word (2005) This classic is reinterpreted by Chris Squire and friends... And catch Chris and Steve and Alan White in concert this summer.

Porcupine Tree Live at The Grove of Anaheim

2005-06-15T23:12:00.000-07:00

I posted a review of Porcupine Tree's concert here in the OC on my other blog. Check it out at:
http://thepromiselive.blogspot.com/2005/06/porcupine-tree-live-at-grove-of.html

And check out their latest CD, which is playing on my stream.

Mars Volta Live at the Greek

2005-06-07T00:12:00.000-07:00

I was shocked! Completely shocked! No, not at the music… At the crowd. What were 6,000 people doing sitting /standing at a sold out Greek Theatre on a lovely night in L.A., listening to a band that owes as much to King Crimson as they do to Led Zep. After all, this is L.A., not known these days as a hot bed for experimental music. And yet, there they/we were, listening to this band jump back and forth between hard metal and experimental jazz; often in the same song. This was the type of music I looked forward to back in the mid/late 70’s. But what makes Mars Volta stand out is the energy and emotion they put into their music. The drummer drove this band from the opening beats and soloing was intense with an overall effect that rarely seemed pretentious. After the first song, which ran about 20 minutes, they had some equipment trouble. The lead singer said to the crowd, “maybe this is God’s way of telling us to play more normal music”. Not only was that not going to happen, that was also just about the last thing they said to the crowd. And yet it didn’t matter. The music carried the night. Not knowing their music well, the piece that really got me was a song that bounced back and forth between a slow Latin rhythm and then an intense full speed Latin/rock rhythm. This song along with another 3 or 4 were sung in Spanish. Did I mention it was a sold out show at the Greek? 6,000 people watching a multilingual rock band? It was an amazing show.

I will probably be adding some of their music to the stream. It really fits in with the classics from the 70's.

More Music...

2005-05-29T08:23:00.000-07:00

Two CDs added to the play list today:

Esperanto - Last Tango (1975) A band with lots of talent and a very unique sound, Esperanto only got 3 albums out before succumbing to the pressures of the record biz. Okay, maybe I'm being a bit over-dramatic again; but you get the point. Last Tango, maybe their best, is a mix of styles of music; and yet it all fits as if it were one piece of music. When I first started this stream back in the 90's (I just had to say that, it sounds soooo cool) I had ripped my vinyl to bring this to you. Somehow, it disappeared from the stream. It's back now, without the pops, scratches and hum. Thank you Ebay. There are now Japanese and Korean CDs available of this album.

Porcupine Tree - Deadwing (2005) Porcupine Tree is easily one of the best prog rock bands playing today. Whereas most prog bands focus almost entirely on guitar, PT builds classic song structures with solos important but not the focus; just like the great bands of the seventies.

More Music...

2005-05-10T22:29:00.000-07:00

Ashra - New Age of Earth (1977) I've already got some Ashra on the stream and really love them. The music creates a spacy backdrop for soring guitar solos. Great stuff.

Manzenera - K-Scope (1978) Phil Manzenera the guitar player behind Roxy Music and 801 put out this unnoticed solo CD as the end of the first era or prog rock was starting to assend upon us. Maybe not his best work, but good enough for the rest of us. :-)

Mike Oldfield - Five Miles Out (1982) Someone forgot to tell Mike that progressive rock was dead in 1982. Nevertheless, this is fine CD with classic MO style: Lots of layers. I promise to get more Oldfield on the stream someday. I just can't buy everything.

The First Post

2005-05-10T21:07:00.000-07:00

This is the first post for 70's English Progressive Rock. So here we go...

Back in 1999 I started my first online radio station, thanks to Live365.com . For the last 5 and a 1/2 years I've had this crappy web site that had lots of info and little style. I just don't have time to create wonderful web sites. And now there are blogs and it is time to start doing it at least better if not great. So here we are. At the minimum, this site will show all additions to my station. I also will put in the few concert reviews that fit this site. Hopefully, I will find the time and a way to move all of the info from my other web site over here. I will always keep a link to that site. Also, if you like new music performed by singer/songwriters and people like Bruce Springsteen, Bob Schneider and Patty Griffin, check out The Promise.

So, what is 70's English Progressive? Good question. Even I am not totally sure. When I was younger, lots of people thought groups like Rush were progressive rock. That isn't what I listened to, and that is not what you will hear on this stream. I am trying to re-create the experience I had in college radio back in the 70's. Of course we played pre-Gabriel Genesis and early Supertramp (groups you should know). But we also played Van der Graaf Generator and Gentle Giant and Caravan (groups I hope you know). Then there were the bands that had trouble fitting. Were The Strawbs a progressive folk band or just an electric folk band or what? Doesn't matter. They fit. As does Steeleye Span and John Martyn and Be Bop Deluxe and Roxy Music. These are just a handful of the band we were playing and the artists you will hear on my stream.

So please, if you made it this far, check out the stream and if you're old enough, check out my old web site and stroll down memory lane as you read the names of many of the bands that are on this stream.

Thanks for tuning in,

bruce