Spiritual Progressive Rock Artist Reviews

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Nardulli, Joe (USA, NY)

Joe Nardulli

Christendom's answer to Eric Johnson and Steve Morse, Joe Nardulli from Glen Oaks, NY is a true master of the electric guitar. On his 43 minute self titled all instrumental progressive rock debut CD, Joe shows he has all the chops of the big boys and more feel than most. He deftly wrings emotion and uplifting vibes out of his guitar on all nine tracks, progressive odd-time tunes that interlace his tasteful lightening-fast leads with off-beat majestic rhythms. It's hard not to use comparisons to the above artists, along with guys like Joe Satriani and Steve Vai when you hear him play, because, frankly, he is as good as any of those guys. What really sets him apart is something you feel, almost intangible, yet noticeably present, a sense of holiness and anointing as his fingers wreak angelic notes from the frets.  Joe pretty much plays everything on the album, and despite programming, the drums sound great as well. The CD itself is extremely well recorded. All in all the compositions rock -- they are melodic, they groove, and the music provides the perfect framework for appreciating Joe's talents.

If you are into guitar music at all, and want to truly be inspired by a world-class musician, then you owe it to yourself to pick up a copy of Joe Nardulli's CD, which is available from his website at http://www.joenardulli.com for a mere 12 bucks.  Joe quotes Galatians 6:9 on the sleeve, which states, "Let us not grow weary in well doing, for in due season we shall reap if we don't lose heart." Let's pray that Joe keeps doing what he does well, and quickly reaps the blessings of notoriety and public accolade that his considerable guitar talents merit. {dt}

Narnia (UK)

S/T (74, Myrrh); Aslan is No Tame Lion

Folk-prog from England, don't confuse them with the progressive heavy metal band of the same name. It's supposed to be pretty good. {dt}

Aslan is No Tame Lion record includes the keyboard player from ATF, Peter Banks. This is where he played before he joined / started(?) ATF. This records relies from his part solely on the Hammond Organ, and you can recognize his playing style, although he elaborates much better on the Signs of Change record. The Narnia record uses much less keyboards, and is I'd say half-progressive, half-folk music in style. It is not a perfect record but worth a listen and interesting, but it can sometimes feel a little bit incomplete or immature. {josef garvi}

This is one fine hunk of British rock with a female lead and progressive flourishes, not unlike the band Curved Air. Notable also in that the band features two players that would later go on to form After The Fire: John Russell and Peter Banks (and they got some shaggy do's here!). The main influence, however, is Pauline Filby, lead vocalist and composer of all the material (excluding the opening tune, Tom Paxton's 'You Better Believe It'). 'Agape' and 'Living Water' both explore progressive rock with mood and time changes and faint shadows of the future ATF subtly creeping in. Some fine moody passages, too, courtesy of Banks' organ and mellotron juxtaposed with acoustic guitar, creating an atmospheric quality some have termed "folk/psych". Hard rock moments, too, even a "boogie" number. Lyrically avoids cliches and in the tradition of progressive rock opts for the more metaphorical. Obviously us Americans were deemed not to be ready for such a work back in 1974. Big-time collectors have discovered it, so now it's rare and costly (as is Pauline's earlier solo folk lp 'Show Me A Rainbow'). Beautiful cover of the lion Aslan. {one way}

Narnia (Sweden)

Awakenings; Long Live The King

Yes, it is metal, but it is neo-classical in the Yngwie Malmsteen vein. This guy is no pretender though.  His playing is quite fluid and, of course, speedy.   Vocally and lyrically it's nothing special - similar to Europe with a straight forward Gospel message. Besides the incredible guitar playing, Carljohan Grimmark plays all the instruments on this album, which is quite a feat in itself and proves himself quite capable as a jack of all trades.  Certainly the heavy classical music influence and a few passages of classical music make this worthy of a progressive label.  {Ken Vaughn}

Their first album is called "Awakenings". The second is called "Long Live The King" and has, sadly, much less progressive influence. They have also made a third album, but I don't remember it's name. The lead guitarist, Carl-Johan Grimmark is a guest player on Saviour Machine's latest album: Legend Part III.   {Josef Garvi}

Navigator (USA)

Navigator has a nice cut on the CPR Volume 1 CD, as well a CD out of original music (which I haven't heard). The track "Traveling through the Earth" evokes the feel of some of the great early 70's prog giants, while having lyrics focused on relying on the power of the scriptures. You can get to their website here, if you can wade through the slow loading flash screens. {dt}

Nektar (Germany)

Prodigal Son (01)

This might be pure speculation on my part, but I have a hunch that Roye Albrighton of Nektar has become a Christian. He recently had major transplant surgery, and found time to record a new Nektar album called The Prodigal Son. You can find info at http://www.nektarmusic.co.uk/. There is nothing concrete on there, but lyrics like "..by the time the Lord had touched my open hand.."
show some hints as well as references to heaven. Just speculating, but his near-death experience appears to have inspired an album and brought him closer to his Creator. I'm not over-impressed with the quality of the lyrics, however, which don't quite measure up to the introspective prog songs on earlier works Remember the Future and Tab in the Ocean, for instance.   But it is a concept album about a person facing death, and seeing their life flash before them. I have not heard any sound clips, so I can't vouch for the progressiveness factor, but they are a classic prog band that made a big splash in the early 70's.  A lot of folks were very impressed with their 2002 live performance at Progfest as well.

New Eden Orchestra  (PA - USA)

Anyman  (04)

9/04

Don't you just love discovering some new music that really grabs you?  If you are a prog fan that is looking for something beyond the gamut of 70's band clones, then look no further.  The New Eden Orchestra (NEO)  is a surprisingly unique and talented, uh, 'neo' prog band. Filled with off-kilter tight playing, memorable hooks, tasteful keyboard tones and fills, intriguing lyrics with soaring vocal harmonies,  and augmented by precision guitar expression, NEO successfully bridges that ground between radio-friendly modern rock and traditional old school progressive rock. The album kicks off with the ominous and relentless Jihad, then lightens up with bubbly pop-prog numbers That's Life and the hilarious Ode to the Ex, a song about a failed lust inspired first marriage to a perky bimbo. Song after song impresses with creative proggy  flourishes and well crafted, well sung vocal melodies.  Interestingly, and despite the earthy nature of a couple of the songs, the album is also spiced here and there with subtle biblical references, a reflection of principal songwriter Mike Dunn's understated faith (see news section for an email from Dunn). For example:

Jihad: It's judgement day for sure, rising like the crescent moon, the Lion's coming soon

Savanas: Cling to your rock, take the log from your eye... choirs of apparitions intoning for their peace, men of God within still waiting for release..

Full:  Who can bear the cross for all our race?

Anyman: Freed to pluck the fruit of all trees, tearing down the fences in all lands, the dawn of everlasting peace, washing from the heavens.

It's obvious that Mr. Lunn  is a keyboard player, as pianos and heavy synths set the tone for the album without being completely dominant. The main members of the band have been together for twenty odd years, and they are very tight. Eight of the eighteen tracks are instrumentals, many reminiscent of early Steve Hackett instrumentals from the Please Don't Touch through Defector era.  This is a band that is going places, and it will be well worth your time to listen to them tell their intriguing and often humorous stories along the way.  {dt}

Norman, Larry (UK)

Only Visiting This Planet (72)

OK, so this early classic Christian rock  album isn't progressive at all, but I had to list it on here because King Crimson, U.K., and Asia veteran John Wetton plays bass on this album. Norman was way ahead of his time though, and you just have to love his punchy  satirical lyric writing. A prog novelty only, but it's great music. {dt}