Now Playing Thread

[PH]

Spock's Beard - "Brief Nocturnes And Dreamless Sleep"
Just finished the first disc. And the closer (Waiting For Me) has this amazing Yes feel to it. Thanks to Alan's Steve Howe impersonation.

The second disc is not bad either. The Man You're Afraid You Are (a real Spock's Beard title isn't it?), which I'm currently listening to, has amazing quirky vocals by Ted Leonard.

Yes, this album is really good. You should all listen to it!

[PH]

Just finished playing:
Big Big Train - "English Electric, Part Two"
A very pleasant listen. There are no responses to my Big Big Train thread. Does this mean noone likes them?

I've only seen that Manatee and Bupie both mentioned checking this band out.

This band is among the big ones in Prog now. Do yourself a favour and check them out! Especially for Genesis enthusiasts!


Now Playing:
Haken - "The Mountain"

Also a perfect album!

[Nicky007]

I've only seen that Manatee and Bupie both mentioned checking this band out.

NP  Big Big Train  on  YouTube 

Don't want no fishy ricochet 

Remind me of Tangent 

- Nicky

[Bupie]

Maybe Roomies need glasses ? - or a bit more patience ? - or maybe just good manners    (Teunis and a few others excepted)

I need new glasses indeed.

I bought The Final Extension a few months ago, which is a reissue with a supposed better singer (and a better production ?). I found it very cold and lifeless and it did not move me at all. I guess I was playing something more appealing by the time. I'll try it again.

NP More Animals At The Gates Of Reason - A Tribute To Pink Floyd

A tribute from various Italian bands, free for listening on progstreaming classic. I really like the artwork and the listen is rather enjoyable so far.

[Nicky007]

I need new glasses indeed.

Yes, it seems so 

I bought The Final Extension a few months ago ...

Johan Reinholdz wrote "Extension of the Wish" when he was between 17 and 19 y/o, and it was recorded when he was 19. Amazing 

He found Martin Hedin, Thomas Lejon, and Gert Daun to join Andromeda on resp. keys, drums, and bass, but couldnt find the right singer for the group. So Lawrence Mackrory (of Darkane fame) stood in as "session singer". This was (the first) Extension of the Wish.

Shortly after, they found David Fremberg, who became full member as singer, and they made EotW - Final Extension (nice pun) with exactly the same instrument recording as before, but with a new vocal recording. For reasons unknown to me, it was released as late as 2004.

I'm not crazy about any of the two singers, but they'r both OK. One should enjoy Extension not for the singing but for the music as a whole and the wizardly guitar riffs and solos.

The final version has all the tracks of the first (two are interchanged), and two new "bonus" songs, of which particularly the concluding Eclipse is wonderful (in my Classic list).

A tribute ...

There's one thing you guys aint gonna get me to do, and that's listen to tribute bands. I don't even enjoy listening to Dream Theater playing Floyd songs. There's so much great original music around.

OK, an exceptional cover like Jeff Buckley's Hallelujah 

- Nicky

[Nicky007]

OK, also listened to The The cuz of a good friend ... and started faaaaallllllliiiiinnnnnggggg aaassssslllleeepppp - zzzzzzzzzzzzz - so, needed

NP  Outworld I

Whew 

Simply don't get why you guys don't getit 

Have you all become sleepyheads 

- Nicky

[PH]

NP  Big Big Train  on  YouTube 

Don't want no fishy ricochet 

Remind me of Tangent 

Hmmm, it doesn't remind me of The Tangent. Although it's funny you mention it, since BBT's lead singer is doing guest vocals on The Tangent's latest album.


Regarding cover albums. I'm also not really fond on them. A whole album filled with only covers is a no go for me. For example, I have (almost) all Neal Morse albums, but I don't need the "Cover To Cover" album. Nicky mentioned the "Dark Side Of The Moon" album covered by Dream Theater. I listened to it once, and then another time with my dad. And that's enough for me. For me it's a good way to get others into Dream Theater.

I do like it when a band makes a cover song fit the style and theme of their album. Master Of Time originally by Anthony Phillips, covered by Big Big Train, South Side Of The Sky of Yes, covered by Glass Hammer (the cover of the same song by Spock's Beard on the "Snow" album was nice, but it doesn't fit the theme and concept of the album at all). And what about Transatlantic's take on Procol Harum's In Held ('Twas) In I? An excellent example of how to incorporate a cover into your own album and make it part of the feel of the album. Yes' cover of America (by Simon & Garfunkel) on the album "Fragile"is another very good example, although this is only the case with the expanded and remastered 2003 album.

I don't mind cover songs as part of an extra bonus track (or a bonus disc!) at the end of an album. Though I'm very likely to skip it after only listening to it once. Theshold's cover of Muse's Supermassive Black Hole for example. It's funny in some way, but it's in no way sounding like Threshold. Besides that, there are so many other Muse songs, which would make for a better song to cover. Arjen Lucassen made a really good move with the second disc of his "Lost In The New Real" where a few 'leftovers' and a few covers make an excellent addition to the concept of the main album.

Talking about Arjen Lucassen. His many bands and projects do have a lot of crossover covers. Mostly live or acoustic versions. Star One, Stream Of Passion and Ambeon did this to Ayreon. Especially Ambeon was really special, because the Ayreon melodies where reused and made a totally different album.
In this category I also want to mention Blackfield. Most of the Blackfield songs are rewritten arrangements of older Aviv Geffen songs. And this is not bothering me at all.

Then we have Steve Hackett's "Genesis Revisited" albums. Now this is where it gets tricky. Because normally I wouldn't want to buy an album full of covers (as you can read in the first paragraph of this oh so interesting 'article'). But 1) Steve is not really covering another band. He's just re-recording his own songs, improving a bit here and there. 2) These are all excellent songs, which makes it a bit of a 'best of' album, with an updated sound, recorded by a cast of brilliant professionals. And 3) I'm just a Genesis fanboy!

All of that said, I would really like to have the "Lamb Lies Down On Broadway" cover album by Rewiring Genesis (a.k.a. Nick D'Virgilio and a few others), because this is a really cool and extremely well done cover album. Most of the instruments are totally different. Add to that a very clear sounding producing and a really fine singer, which makes the album much more accessible than the original (which will still hold a very special place in my heart...).
Too bad, I can't find it anywhere! Anyone here who has it? (And who wants to sell it to me? )



On topic:

I just finished playing:
Riverside - "Shrine Of New Generation Slaves"
...which I need to listen a bit more, but I already enjoy it very much now.

Sound Of Contact - "Dimensionaut"
A nice bunch of songs. It's not the masterpiece every Progressive Rock review website seems to talk about, but it's ok. I need to listen to this one a bit more too. I've got a feeling Collins is trying to hard to be catchy. Still, this album could make a bridge from a Pop to Prog audience. If only people would listen beyond what they hear on the radio and tv....

[Nicky007]

Hmmm, it doesn't remind me of The Tangent. Although it's funny you mention it, since BBT's lead singer is doing guest vocals on The Tangent's latest album.

It's the piano. I don't listen much to music where the piano is ever-present. But also the mood.

Regarding cover albums ...

Interesting. Thanx, Paxi 

Actually, I havent heard DT's "Dark Side of the Moon". I was thinking of what I had heard here and there. My greatest distress is with their cover of Elton John's fabulous "Funeral for a Friend". It's one of the most gripping pieces of music, and I'v heard the original so many times, and I'm so fond of it 

Well, maybe for newbies to prog ... 

I would really like to have the "Lamb Lies Down On Broadway" cover album by Rewiring Genesis

You can get it used for 40 bucks + postage at Amazon.com:

www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_sabc?url=search-alias%3Dpopular&pageMinusResults=1&suo=1379518419842#/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Dpopular&field-keywords=rewiring%20genesis&sprefix=rewiri%2Cpopular&rh=i%3Apopular%2Ck%3Arewiring%20genesis

- Nicky

[PH]

It's the piano. I don't listen much to music where the piano is ever-present. But also the mood.

Oh, but you should! It's a fantastic instrument.

Interesting. Thanx, Paxi 

Thank you. I knew you'd like it.

Actually, I havent heard DT's "Dark Side of the Moon". I was thinking of what I had heard here and there. My greatest distress is with their cover of Elton John's fabulous "Funeral for a Friend". It's one of the most gripping pieces of music, and I'v heard the original so many times, and I'm so fond of it 

Yeah. Dream Theater are a bunch of brilliant musicians who are really good at their instruments. But how much I love Dream Theater (I really do!), I know they're taking away a bit of the emotion on these covers.

You can get it used for 40 bucks + postage at Amazon.com:

www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_sabc?url=search-alias%3Dpopular&pageMinusResults=1&suo=1379518419842#/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Dpopular&field-keywords=rewiring%20genesis&sprefix=rewiri%2Cpopular&rh=i%3Apopular%2Ck%3Arewiring%20genesis

Thank you Nicky. But 40 bucks for an album that's half a decade old, is a bit too much for me... Perhaps if it was a classic album, years out of print. But I've seen this album for 15 euros on its release. Should have bought it then...
I mean, it's really good! But it still is just a cover album.

[PH]

On topic:

I'm now listening to the soundtrack to the video game "The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim".
It's one of the best music in video games I've ever heard.

I dare you to listen to this:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fJU4zt2i3eA&list=PL2BF009C9A0E33404

[Teunis]

Just finished playing:
Big Big Train - "English Electric, Part Two"
There are no responses to my Big Big Train thread. Does this mean noone likes them?

I've only seen that Manatee and Bupie both mentioned checking this band out.

It was on progstreaming months ago (don't know for sure whether it was part 1 or 2). I wanted to hear it because of the many very positive reviews, but it didn't grip me at first listening. Not bad, but also no feeling. Maybe it would click after more listenings, but there are so many great releases this year that I don't have enough time to dig in every release .

Ayreon - The Human Equation

[PH]

It was on progstreaming months ago (don't know for sure whether it was part 1 or 2). I wanted to hear it because of the many very positive reviews, but it didn't grip me at first listening. Not bad, but also no feeling. Maybe it would click after more listenings, but there are so many great releases this year that I don't have enough time to dig in every release .

Fair enough.

Ayreon - The Human Equation

That's from 2004!

[Nicky007]

Oh, but you should! It's a fantastic instrument.

Betcha: I played piano myself for 40 years, everything that the instrument can take - well almost - played concerts for hundreds of people at a time - Beethoven and stuff - and I also played organ concerts in churches. So that's it, babby !

Now it's rock, and it's gotta shake me up and stuff, and the piano aint part of that - well, occasionally, for that sorta atmosphere 


NP Opus Atlantica I

Most of it is rather Italian style rock, which aint my thingy, but this song rocks bigtime:

Opus Atlantica:  Edge of the World   www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iz37CYRAyvQ 

I got into OA cuz of Wiz Reinholdz - and that's nuff for me 


Just noticed that 1969 was a super year for rock - saw it in my Classic list - there was Beatles' Abbey Road, Zep's I & II, Blind Faith's album (only studio album), Procol Harum's Salty Dog, Steppenwolf's Monster, Fleetwood Mac's Albatross, Hollies' He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother, Badfinger's Come And Get It, Santana's Soul Sacrifice, and Stones' Honky Tonk Women - oh Man !!! 

- Nicky

[PH]

Betcha: I played piano myself for 40 years, everything that the instrument can take - well almost - played concerts for hundreds of people at a time - Beethoven and stuff - and I also played organ concerts in churches. So that's it, babby !

Nice.

Now it's rock, and it's gotta shake me up and stuff, and the piano aint part of that - well, occasionally, for that sorta atmosphere 

What about Jordan Rudess' piano on the Dream Theater albums?

NP Opus Atlantica I

Most of it is rather Italian style rock, which aint my thingy, but this song rocks bigtime:

Opus Atlantica:  Edge of the World   www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iz37CYRAyvQ 

Pretty catchy stuff there.

I got into OA cuz of Wiz Reinholdz - and that's nuff for me 

They also have Jonas Reingold and Jaime Salazar of The Flower Kings.

Just noticed that 1969 was a super year for rock - saw it in my Classic list - there was Beatles' Abbey Road, Zep's I & II, Blind Faith's album (only studio album), Procol Harum's Salty Dog, Steppenwolf's Monster, Fleetwood Mac's Albatross, Hollies' He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother, Badfinger's Come And Get It, Santana's Soul Sacrifice, and Stones' Honky Tonk Women - oh Man !!! 

Don't forget King Crimson. 21st Century Schizoid Man rocks pretty hard.


Thanks to this thread I'm listening to:
Arena - "Contagion" + "Contagious" + "Contagium"

It's still astonishingly good!

[Nicky007]

What about Jordan Rudess' piano on the Dream Theater albums?

Right, Paxi 

It's still astonishingly good!

Right, Paxi 

Don't forget King Crimson. 21st Century Schizoid Man rocks pretty hard.

Right, Paxi 

NP  KC:  21st Century Schizoid Man

Right, Paxi 

- Nicky

[Teunis]

jp: Comedy Of Errors - Fanfare & Fantasy
np: Nosound - Afterthoughts

both 2013 releases

[PH]

Right, Paxi 

Right, Paxi 

Right, Paxi 

Right, Paxi 

I know.



Today I played (again):
Arena - "Contagion" (without the EPs this time)

NP:
Yes - "Going For The One"
04. Wonderous Stories

Very nice.

NP:
Yes - "Going For The One"
04. Wonderous Stories

Very nice.

Right, Paxi

Yup.

[Bupie]

NP Symphony X - The Divine Wings Of Tragedy

A bit of prog metal while waiting for the new DT album that should arrive in my mailbox next week, hopefully.

[Teunis]

Camel - A Nod And A Wink
Threshold - Subsurface
Crystal Palace - The System Of Events

[Nicky007]

Quote from: future comment by Nicky007
NP:
Yes - "Going For The One"
04. Wonderous Stories

Very nice.

Right, Paxi 

Cool, Paxi 

Altho it was Track 1, Going For The One, that blew my mind bigtime - man 

- Nicky

[Peter]

Porcupine Tree ~ In Absentia : Blackest Eyes [4:23]

awww man, goood choice. 

[Peter]

np: Alter Bridge  - Addicted to Pain

on an obscure Austrian TV station that I happen to be able to receive on my cable contract.

Last two weeks, on my trips to an fro two different training courses (Microsoft Hyper-V... ) I had:

Alter Bridge - ABIII
Ayreon - Into the Electric Castle CD1
Ayreon - 01
Porcupine Tree - in Absentia
Porcupine Tree - Deadwing
Saga - Heads or Tales
Kamelot - The Black Halo
Ayreon - The Human Equation

The car I had happened to have a very good stereo, and I used it
No ARENA, unfortunately.

[Peter]

Right before this one, they had

Avenged Sevenfold - Hail to the King

An now it's

Dream Theater - (some song from Octavarium)

like both of them

[Peter]

Avenged Sevenfold - Hail to the King

Whoa, just found the whole album on YT, this is a real rocker. Very old-school'ish. Somehow.

[Peter]

Opus Atlantica:  Edge of the World   www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iz37CYRAyvQ 

Very catchy tune, I like it