Now Playing Thread

[Nicky007]

About Pendragon, I don't listen to them much ....

Bupie, I'd say you'r missing Passion and Not Of This World, great albums 

Nicky.

[Nicky007]

This wonderful song might help you guys get outta yer Christmas daze:

Pendragon:  Fallen Dreams and Angels    www.youtube.com/watch?v=_8onzQSfoME

Nicky.

[maddox]

This wonderful song might help you guys get outta yer Christmas daze:

Pendragon:  Fallen Dreams and Angels    www.youtube.com/watch?v=_8onzQSfoME

Nicky.

Like!!

NP> Pink Floyd ~ Wish You Were Here 2cd Experience version

[maddox]

Bupie, I'd say you'r missing Passion and Not Of This World, great albums 

Nicky.

Pre-Believe is in my opinion quite a different Pendragon than after Believe.
I still don't listen to Believe very much because frankly, I don't really get the album, understand it, but Pure and Passion are two gems.
The World, The Masquerade Overture and Not of this World are essential if you ask me.

Two basic elements in the music of Pendragon are the guitars, i.e. solo's, and Barret's singing.
Especially his singing, or the lack of singing ( ) might be a threshold for some but if you stick with the music, you discover that it's just a part of the music of Pendragon.

Without these two, Pendragon would be just one of the rest.

Listen to Indigo.
To me, the best Pendie song they've ever made! 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ccr-VkEpE18

[Nicky007]

Listen to Indigo.
To me, the best Pendie song they've ever made! 

Yup 

So I'm not the only one who has problems with Believe. Anyone here like that album ?

Nicky.

[The Butterfly Man]

So I'm not the only one who has problems with Believe. Anyone here like that album ?

Yes I like it. I like bands who dare to try something truly new and different. Bands who dare to be truly progressive and not rehash the same old tricks that made them famous (relatively speaking of course). Believe is not my favourite Pendragon album but I like it for what it is. I believe Believe () was the key for Pendragon in order move forward to where they are today with Pure and Passion: Two of their very best albums to date.

Especially 'The Wisdom of Solomon', 'The Wishing Well', 'Learning Curve' and 'The Edge Of The World' are some stellar songs. Give 'em another listen guys!

Oh and by the way, for what it's worth: Mad is right when he says that Indigo is the best song Pendragon ever recorded.

Tom

[Bupie]

NP Pain Of Salvation - The Perfect Element Part I

Actually, I have been listening to it all afternoon. I bought it a few years ago based on rave reviews and had been terribly disappointed by first listens. I found it unremarkable and hugely overrated. Since I am in a shelf-clearance mood, I decided to give it another chance before selling it back. And this time it clicked ! It's musically challenging, demanding, disconcerting and lyrically disturbing but overall it might well be the gem that many describe. I guess it will take me many further listens to fully appreciate it but I think it's worth it (right now, I am still struggling with King Of Loss, for instance  ). So instead of clearing the shelf, I am tempted to add a few PoS items. I was thinking of Remedy Lane, 12:15 or Ending Themes DVD+CD edition. Any advice, guys ? 

[Nicky007]

Any advice, guys ? 

Scarsick, by all means, Bupie. It has all the characteristics that you described for TPE I, plus lotta melody and special moods. Great that you'v discovered PoS 


NP  Pendragon:  Indigo  on  YouTube

Atm it doesnt beat This Green And Pleasant Land, but truly superb, man, those looong smoooth sequences with the coool guitar - whew 

Thanx for the tips, Tom. I'l give those four songs from Believe a special run ... and now I'm quite sure that I'l end up liking Believe too ... cuz Pendragon are genius - I surrender totally 

Nicky.

[The Butterfly Man]

I am tempted to add a few PoS items. I was thinking of Remedy Lane, 12:15 or Ending Themes DVD+CD edition. Any advice, guys ? 

Remedy Lane! I can write thousands of words about it but you have to hear it for yourself. I think it's (even?) better than TPE. With songs like Ending Theme, This Heart Of Mine (I Pledge), Undertow, Chainsling and Beyond The Pale you just can't go wrong.

Or check them out on Youtube for instance:

Ending Theme: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LYDiW7B65qQ
This Heart Of Mine (I Pledge): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R0gOdbkIhW8
Undertow: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n8ro066KDIM
Chainsling: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gX1NXAQk8Hg
Beyond The Pale: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KCE0h5Da5R4

The rest of the album ain't exactly bad either...

From Wikipedia: "Remedy Lane is a concept album focusing on the search of a man to discover himself. It deals with topics such as love, loss, lust, sex and understanding. A portion of the album is autobiographical in nature, and is written by guitarist and vocalist Daniel Gildenlöw. The liner notes that come with the CD are filled with extra material (e.g. poems and photos) related to the concept, and also contain date markings to assist the dedicated listener (and reader) to piece together the album chronologically."

Do yourself a favor and buy it.

Tom

[Nicky007]

The rest of the album ain't exactly bad either...

I was pretty hooked by Second Love, and Bupie being a Frenchie 

www.youtube.com/watch?v=6IDYwZUK1jY

Oh yeah:

NP  ditto 

Nicky.

[maddox]

NP Pain Of Salvation - The Perfect Element Part I

Actually, I have been listening to it all afternoon. I bought it a few years ago based on rave reviews and had been terribly disappointed by first listens. I found it unremarkable and hugely overrated. Since I am in a shelf-clearance mood, I decided to give it another chance before selling it back. And this time it clicked ! It's musically challenging, demanding, disconcerting and lyrically disturbing but overall it might well be the gem that many describe. I guess it will take me many further listens to fully appreciate it but I think it's worth it (right now, I am still struggling with King Of Loss, for instance  ). So instead of clearing the shelf, I am tempted to add a few PoS items. I was thinking of Remedy Lane, 12:15 or Ending Themes DVD+CD edition. Any advice, guys ? 

It's really a shame that you don't really like The Perfect Element pt I.
It has some great moments in it.
Scarsick, or The Perfect Element Pt II , is also a great album, though the rap-parts at the beginning of the album might not be to everyone's liking.
Disco Queen however, is stunning!
Imagine the Bee Gees doing prog! Great song.
The other songs are quite dramatic, it has that nihilist flow upon them.

Another album you could, rather should try is One Hour at the Concrete lake.
From song A to last it's a helluva ride.
Remedy Lane is also a killer, but essential is the difficult BE album.
This one has it all. If you're interested.

Best to keep Road Salt One and Two for last.
It did and still does little to me.
Don't expect something like TpE on these two albums.
More bluesy than metal.

[Nicky007]

It's really a shame that you don't really like The Perfect Element pt I.

Mad, you didnt read Bupie's post properly. He writes that he didnt like it initially, but when he played it this time, it clicked with him 

Nicky.

[Teunis]

And it's all your fault, Teunis 

You're welcome  .

I'm annoyed by the regular "dumping" of fine groups like Arena and Pendragon in the standard neo-prog bin, as it's become. It gives the impression that these groups are just rehashing hackneyed stuff, album after album. Superficial attitude, and sad 

People just love to put groups in a certain bin. You are foolish if you take that for granted, without listening properly on e.g. YouTube. Hey, you discovered yourself a great band .

Was in a rocky mood today, so:
Status Quo - 12 Gold Bars (collection)
Toto - Falling In Between
Day Six - The Grand Design

now: Anima Mundi - The Way (on progstreaming.com)

[Nicky007]

NP  Charred Walls Of The Damned:  Ghost Town

www.youtube.com/watch?v=PbXEUGU4ED4

Wikipedia:  Charred Walls of the Damned are an American heavy metal supergroup formed in 2009 consisting of drummer Richard Christy, bassist Steve DiGiorgio, vocalist Tim "Ripper" Owens and guitarist Jason Suecof.  - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charred_Walls_of_the_Damned

Those names should ring a bell with progmetal cognoscenti 

Super stuff 

Nicky.

[tired_of_dancing]

Why do you use the alias tired_of_dancing ?

Actually I don't either feel like dancing to the usual stuff that's played at partys and in dance halls - except if Ms and I wanna romaaaaanticise. But put on somethin that rocks like crazy, like Alley Cat, and ya got me dancin all over the place, on chairs and tables, up the pillars, on the roof, wherever, man 

Nicky.

Yes, absolutely. With the right stuff... lifts you up to the roof. 
And we don't need the dance school steps for our music.

Though sometimes in earlier years, I regret that Mr tired of dancing cannot dance at all. I talked him into doing a course years ago, he managed bravely the first evening with the slow waltz. But in the next week, the disco fox was too much for his both left feet, and he ran out drenched in sweat, like in a panic attack while we were practising to Alcazar "Crying at the diskothek".
So MsNicky007 is more lucky there, but don't step to often on her feet, okay?

With the nick name... its from a song by Fish "A gentleman excuse me". Maybe a bit melancholic, my mood that day, so I took this one.
Check it out, if you feel like listening to a ballad.

And you? Are you a James Bond fan?

[tired_of_dancing]

@Bupie

Yes, I like Jethro Tull. I'd say if not under my top 5, then top 10.
The albums from the 70th mainly up to Broadsword. And then I have the christmas album.
Its the folky stuff I love most.

On your playlist too?
Highly appreciated your tip. Thank you. I haven't checked out yet, but I had a short look on his website. Man, so many albums, never heard about this "Guy".

[maddox]

Mad, you didnt read Bupie's post properly. He writes that he didnt like it initially, but when he played it this time, it clicked with him 

Nicky.

You're right! 

I was a bit in a hurry, I'm at work now so i totaly read over it! My bad, sorry Bups!

But still it's a solid advice. 

[Nicky007]

but don't step too often on her feet, okay?

Nope, we only take the slow ones 

And you? Are you a James Bond fan?

Nope, not at all, I left my puberty behind me long ago 

The original 007 has a "license to kill", mine is a "license to live and let live". As I'v decided to cut down on my destruction of animals, climate, and my own health, I'v become 100% vegetarian (lacto-ovo, took me 30 years), and I try to be kind to others and help them evolve themselves - except for some dumb Roomies, who I enjoy ragging 


NP  Peter Gabriel & Friends:  Big Blue Ball

Hey, real cool stuff 


Wikipedia:  Big Blue Ball is an album by multiple artists which "grew from 3 recording weeks" at Peter Gabriel's Real World Studios in the summers of 1991, 1992, and 1995.

In production for more than 18 years, "Big Blue Ball" is a project featuring several artists from all around the world working together. According to Gabriel, the initial recording was finished in three years during the early '90s, but "the tapes were left in a mess and it's taken this long to sort out." Producer Stephen Hague was finally called in to sort out the project.

Guests on the album include Sinéad O'Connor, Karl Wallinger (of World Party), Natacha Atlas, and Papa Wemba. Gabriel takes the lead vocals on several tracks on the album. A mix of western, African, and Asian musicians are also included.

Big Blue Ball was launched in America in June, 24th, 2008. "After all these years, it's a fine wine ready to be drunk," says Peter Gabriel, "It was the most fun music making I've ever had."

- en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_Blue_Ball

Nicky.

[Bupie]

Thanks for the PoS tips, guys. Remedy Lane seems a "safe" pick if such a word can be used for a music as demanding. I'll let you know.

@ tired_of-dancing. I like Tull but I am not a die-hard fan. I play Crest Of A Knave on a regular basis and really love its ballads Budapest and Said She Was A Dancer.

About Manning, yes the guy is very productive. I only know the last album so I don't know if quality is always there on his numerous outputs but the track that I mentioned is really worth checking.

NP Pendragon - Kowtow

I had not listened to it for years and it is still like I discovered it some twenty years ago : great 
It was a time when almost all prog bands had gone pop and Pendragon was no exception. Did those bands sell their musical soul to the devil in order to sell more records (and fail at that) ? Maybe. But I could not care less as far as I like the result. And with Kowtow I like it. A lot. There are pure pop songs here (Saved By You, Solid Heart, Time For A Change) along with some 100 % Pendragon prog (The Haunting) and some mixed songs (Total Recall, Kowtow). I enjoy them all, really, and some of them do move me so much (Total Recall could make me cry each time). The lyrics of Kowtow, for instance, are so meaningful to me. I could even consider changing my avatar ... but I won't 

I am not sure that Clive really enjoins his look on the band's picture in the booklet though 

Teunis, as a (open minded) Pendie forever, what is your take on this album ?

[Teunis]

NP Pendragon - Kowtow

Teunis, as a (open minded) Pendie forever, what is your take on this album ?

I have to admit that I don't play the album very often. Most of the time I pick the albums from 'The World' from 1991 till 'Passion'. Most spins for 'The Window of Life' with 'Breaking The Spell' being my favourite track! I do enjoy the song 2 AM from 'Kowtow' on the live DVD's very much by the way  . I'll play the album soon to refresh my memory .

Today:
Arena - The Seventh Degree Of Separation
Gazpacho - Tick Tock
Muse - The Resistance

[Nicky007]

Hey, you discovered yourself a great band .

Betcha 


NP  Magellan:  Estadium Nacional

www.youtube.com/watch?v=7YQnJLEShZM&feature=related

Fans of DT and Explorers Club should get to know this great group 

Teunis, Mad, how are you guys with Magellan ?


OK, Roomies, Happy New Year to you all 

Ms 007 and I are off to celebrate New Year's Eve with Ms' brother and his wife in a country house in a very beautiful part of Blekinge, Sweden 

Nicky.

[Teunis]

Teunis, Mad, how are you guys with Magellan ?

Now the band by name, not the music yet. Will check it out. I assume I won't find growls, as you mention my name .

Ms 007 and I are off to celebrate New Year's Eve with Ms' brother and his wife in a country house in a very beautiful part of Blekinge, Sweden 

Have fun, 'see' you next year  .

np: Star One - Victims Of The Modern Age

[Teunis]

Pendragon - Kowtow

Sorry Bupie, nice but a little bit too poppy for me, I prefer the proggier stuff. '2 AM' and 'The Haunting' are great though .

[maddox]

Betcha 


NP  Magellan:  Estadium Nacional

www.youtube.com/watch?v=7YQnJLEShZM&feature=related

Fans of DT and Explorers Club should get to know this great group 

Teunis, Mad, how are you guys with Magellan ?

They have some great moments, Hundred Year Flood and Impossible Figures for instance but the music is quite difficult.
Usually I wouldn't mind that, at all but in Magellan's case it's too much.
I blame it on the production. The album has that typical Shrapnel-sound over it that I find very amateurish, but music-wise it usually isn't.

[Bupie]

Pendragon - Kowtow

Sorry Bupie, nice but a little bit too poppy for me, I prefer the proggier stuff. '2 AM' and 'The Haunting' are great though .

No problem Teunis. Happy New Year everybody !