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M u s i c N e w s
8-26-10
"Ok, ok, nothing we do is quick. We get it. Our proggie brothers-in-arms are able to produce albums in what seems like a month or two. Well...that ain't us. It's not like we wouldn't love to release two or three a year. It's just that we don't work that way. However, it is our distinct pleasure to announce the release date for our new, really really cool album, "Pennies in the Karma Jar". What's it like? you may be asking. Hmm. Well, let's say that "Pennies" is to "Mimi's Magic Moment" what "Be" was to "Not Everybody's Gold"...that is to say, this is just like every album we've ever done: different from the last one. And the release date is...September 21st, 2010. Pre-orders will begin right after Labor Day."
Go to http://www.salemhill.com for more information.
If that weren't news enough, Glass Hammer is also releasing a new album in September, the highly anticipated return to symphonic progressive rock, titled If.
Here's their press release:
"Glass Hammer is back with a brand new lineup and an album of epic-length prog tracks. The 2010 release “IF” marks the band’s return to classic symphonic-progressive rock; an album sure to please fans of the group’s earlier releases Chronometree, Lex Rex and The Inconsolable Secret. Collectors and audiophiles will appreciate artwork by Tom Kuhn of Designerloge and mastering by Bob Katz of Digital Domain."
Autographed copies can be pre-ordered now, with a release date of September 14, 2010. Go to http://www.glasshammer.com for more information.
6-18-10
Vertical Alignment has released a couple of new singles for download at www.thundersongs.com
A reminder to catch UK Christian/Celtic/Progressive rock band Iona on their US and Canadian tour this June.
Ty Tabor of King's X released a new solo album, Something's Coming, available at Molken Music: http://molkenmusic.com/store/shop/details.php?id=39
Ty has also been in the studio with John Myung of Dream Theater and Rod Morgenstien of the Dixie Dregs working on a new album for the super group The Jelly Jam
Speaking of King's X, they will be on tour with the amazing prog band Porcupine Tree this summer. Here are some dates:
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2-26-10
Some CPROG related tour news.
UK Christian Celtic prog band Iona has several shows in the US this June, and they are not to be missed live.
Here is what has been announced so far:
June 19th they Play Nearfest (with Steve Hackett, Three Friends (Gentle Giant members), The Enid, Riverside, Eddie Jobson and others) in Bethlehem, PA.
June 30th they play Cornerstone in Bushnell, Illinois.
There's a new Orphan
Project show coming up.
Orphan Project @ Bourbon St. on Guilford Ave. Baltimore,MD!
When: Sat. night March 13th @ 10pm....doors open at 7pm.
Tickets: $10 each and it's ALL AGES!
Ajalon and Neal Morse will be playing live in concert on April 1st - 7:00pm. The show will be held at the Kirkland Performance Center in Kirkland, WA, just outside Seattle. Tickets will go on sale February 27th and are available online through www.kpcenter.org.
12-21-09
Want Iona to play your local club in the US this summer? Here's how:
Hello from the Iona office over here in the freezing (but beautifully frosty) UK!
Also, news from one of my all time favorite new bands, Big Big Train:
Just a quick update from Big Big Train.
11-12-09
Ajalon, Glass Hammer, and Big Big Train all have new albums out.
You can check out Big Big Train's
latest with a free download of a 23 minute epic, The Underfall Yard. Once
again the band are joined on drums by Nick D'Virgilio (Spock's Beard, Tears For
Fears, Genesis) and new guests Dave Gregory (XTC, Peter Gabriel), Francis
Dunnery (It Bites) and Jem Godfrey (Frost). The album was mixed by Rob Aubrey
(IQ, Transatlantic, Asia)). If you love Genesis, then Big Big Train does not
disappoint. The song is available on their website:
http://www.bigbigtrain.com/
Transatlantic are back together and have released The Whirlwind, a new concept album. For those of you not familiar with Transatlantic, they feature Neal Morse (Spock's Beard), Roine Stolt (The Flower Kings), Pete Trewavas (Marillion), and Mike Portnoy Dream Theater).
8-7-09
Multi-instrumentalist Troy Donockley has announced he is leaving the band
Iona after 14 years due to musical and philosophical differences. Troy is a talented and humorous fellow that will be greatly missed, but Iona will carry on with unified vision, and even has a new album in the works. Troy was the only member of the band that was not a Christian.Here is a statement from Troy:
"I have had a wonderful time with my friends in Iona and am very, very proud
of the albums we made together. But, as in all of life, things change. After
extended periods of no activity we have found ourselves with a very different
musical and philosophical direction. We have parted as great friends should,
with a sad-happiness and I truly wish , without cliche, all the very best for
the future."
Speaking of Iona, founders Dave Bainbridge and David Fitzgerald have a new album out together.
Available NOW from at
http://www.iona.uk.com
7-14-09
Syzygy, one of the most highly acclaimed prog bands around, is back with a new album - Realms of Eternity -- full of spiritual and aural delights. Sample it here: www.myspace.com/syzygymusicenterprises
Syzygy will also be playing live at the Three Rivers Prog Festival August 8 and 9 in Pittsburg, along with awesome bands KIng's X and Glass Hammer (not to mention IQ, It Bites, Crack the Sky and others).
Speaking of Glass Hammer, they have another rare live shows in the works in Chatanooga, with Carl Groves of Salem Hill.
6-29-09
4/5 of the classic progressive rock band Kansas has released a new album under the name Native Window.
6-2-09
Shane Lankford and Orphan Project have a stellar new full length album, Spooning Out to Sea.
Glass Hammer's Fred Schendel has released an epic mostly instrumental fusion album (think Mahavishnu Orchestra) called the Ten Toes of Trurl. Review forthcoming.
Amazing French guitarist David "Shreddy" Wallimann (Glass Hammer) has released his solo album Deep Inside the Mind for FREE online with a subscription to his newsletter http://www.davidwallimann.com/music.html. You certainly cannot beat that deal.
4-23-09
Salem Hill has released their latest live album, their classic concept album Catatonia in its entirety. It is available for download in high fidelity FLAC format exclusively from Thundersongs.
Progressive rock supergroup Transatlantic have reformed and are currently recording a follow up album to Bridge Across Forever. Neal Morse, Roine Stolt (The Flower Kings), Pete Trewavas (Marillion), and Mike Portnoy Dream Theater) make up the band.
Here is the official press release:
TRANSATLANTIC, the
progressive rock "supergroup" comprised of Mike Portnoy (Dream
Theater), Pete Trewavas (Marillion),
Roine Stolt (The Flower Kings)
and Neal Morse (ex-Spock's Beard),
have reunited after a 7 year hiatus to begin work on a brand new studio album.
The band began work on the album in early April in Nashville and are expected to
have it released by year's end if all goes as planned.
TRANSATLANTIC have
previously released two studio albums to tremendous critical and fan acclaim:
2000's
SMPTe and 2001's
Bridge Across
Forever. The band toured on the heels of each release with an American
Tour in 2000 and a European Tour in 2001 and released subsequent Live DVD's/CD's
from both tours before going their separate ways for an indefinite hiatus which
lasted almost the entire decade
Asia has a new album out featuring their original lineup: Steve Howe, Geoff Downes , Carl Palmer, and John Wetton. Phoenix picks up where their debut left off - catchy commercial songs with prog sensibilities. The lyrics are also fairly spiritual in places. You can catch Asia on tour this summer with Yes, with Steve Howe playing in both bands.
Speaking of Yes, I can't recommend the new Circa:HQ CD highly enough. There will be a review forthcoming. Tony Kaye is phenomenal on here, as well as other former Yes alumni Billy Sherwood and Jimmy Haun. Unlike their Trevor Rabin era-esque debut, this album sounds more like Tales era Yes.
3-28-09
Added a couple of new Christian progressive rock bands to the list: Seven Horizons and Twin Fusion, as well as a second Ad Astra, featuring blisteringly talented guitarist Joe Nardulli.
Neal Morse is working on a progressive rock musical , to be called Jesus the Exorcist.
1-22-08
Tennessee's Salem Hill is getting ready to release a brand new live album, as well as a new studio album this spring.
Glass Hammer has released am epic new DVD, Live at the Tivoli. They are also going to be playing live at the Three Rivers Prog Festival in Pittsburgh, PA - August 9th, 2009. 5 bands are announced so far out of the 10 slots., including Phideaux, Edensong, Singularity, Syzygy, and Glass Hammer...
Unitopia has a new double album out, The Garden, on Inside Out records. It's rumored to be stellar.
Vertical Alignment has released a new mostly instrumental concept album, Lost in Space.
Kerry Livgren released a Prime Mover "Redux" version, which is the third and final version of that release, this time with no drum machines and real horns and bass. It was always my favorite AD album.
The Iona 'Live in London' DVD recording from December 2004 is now available from the Iona secure store (at www.iona.uk.com) as a 2 CD album. Dave Bainbridge is also working on the release by his new progressive rock band Open Sky. Also, Iona is planning a 20th anniversary tour this summer. Dave is also working on a new album with Iona founder David Fitzgerald, to be called Life Journey.
9-15-08
Ok, its been a while. Neal Morse has a killer new CD called Lifeline. Featuring Randy George and Mike Portnoy, is a collection of songs rather than a concept album. Read the review here.
There a awesome new CPROG band on the scene. Check out Supernal Endgame. They have a prog-worship CD, and are working on a full on prog project right now. Experience a bit of the magic at http://www.myspace.com/supernalendgame
6-15-07
Neal Morse has a sweet new live DVD which features Sola Scriptura in its entirety, plus much more. See the scoop here!
New CPROG band alert. Check out Voyager Project from the U.K.! http://www.voyagerproject.co.uk. They are also on Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/voyagerproject
5-14-08
Here's the song line up for the new CPR Volume 3 CD due out sometime soon from Threshing Floor records:
Unitopia
Ted Leonard
Phil Keaggy
Mike Florio
Apple Pie
Mike Lockett
Pursuit
Ad Astra
Time Horizon
Greg Wollan
Everlasting Arms
4-16-08
Check out the band Amaran's Plight, a prog super group made up of members of Shadow Gallery, Royal Hunt, Spock's Beard, and Under the Sun. It's a concept album about faith produced by a Christian author. Here's a review (not mine) from Angelic Warlord to read up on:
http://www.angelicwarlord.com/reviews/a/amaransplight07.html
3-9-08
Christian Progster and keyboard whiz Eddie Jerlin's
band Everlasting Arms
uploads free mp3's of their excellent original music every month. Here's a link
to this month's offering:
http://www.evarms.com/pages/offerings/Mar2008.html
Kerry Livgren will be starring in a new movie along with DC Talk's Kevin Max. Here's the press release:
GUITARIST/COMPOSER KERRY LIVGREN TO APPEAR IN FEATURE FILM ‘THE IMPOSTER’
Award winning musician/composer Kerry Livgren will make his feature film acting debut in director/screenwriter Daniel Millican’s (A Promise Kept, Striking Range) upcoming drama, The Imposter. Livgren has been cast in a supporting role in the motion picture opposite Grammy winner Kevin Max (dcTalk), who will star in the film’s lead role of ‘Johnny C’. Filming is scheduled to commence on location in Texas in January, 2008.
According to the film’s co-producer Troy Baker, “So often we have idolized Christian Artists almost to the point of deifying them. Their humanity is lost in the limelight we so easily thrust them into. This film not only deals with the lifestyle and subsequent breakdown of ‘Johnny’, it also pulls back the curtain on the Christian Music Industry. At its very core, though, The Imposter is a story of redemption and self-discovery, and what it truly means to believe.”
In his role, Mr. Livgren’s ‘Proff’ mentors the fallen Christian rock star in an attempt to help ‘Johnny C’ salvage and rebuild a life that was once perceived by others as picture perfect. After reading Millican’s moving script, Livgren decided that the time had come to take the plunge into acting. “I am a musician and composer. I never envisioned playing a role in a motion picture, yet I am very pleased to be a part of The Imposter, with its message of hope and salvation.”
Kerry Livgren penned and performed the timeless classic hits ‘Dust in the Wind’ and ‘Carry on Wayward Son’ as a member of the rock band Kansas. Four very active decades into his career in the music business, Livgren’s work includes various solo projects, collaborations with other noted musicians, and movie soundtrack work. Kerry’s current band ‘Proto-Kaw’ is now recording their third CD at his Grandyzine studio in Berryton, Kansas. The album will be released in 2008. In addition to his portrayal as ‘Proff’ in the upcoming motion picture, newly composed/performed Livgren music will also be heard in The Imposter movie soundtrack.
Millican says it was a natural step to think of putting Livgren in the role. “I grew up on music and was not only familiar with Kerry’s more famous work like ‘Dust in the Wind,’ but had enjoyed his Christian music in the late eighties with AD. While I was thinking about the role, I was watching some music videos and a cover of ‘Carry On Wayward Son’ came on and I immediately thought Kerry would be perfect in the role. Later that day, a friend and I were talking and without him even knowing, he asked if I had considered Kerry. Needless to say, I’m very excited Kerry’s agreed to do this.”
1-30-08
Neal Morse
is getting ready to release his new Sola Scriptura and Beyond Live DVD, as well as a new studio album with Mike Portnoy, Randy George, and other special guests. We also posted a new review of his new ? Live double CD. If you are in Europe, you may want to check out his schedule, as Neal will be there in February. Go to http://www.nealmorse.com.CPR Volume 3 is almost ready, check http://www.cprogrock.com for more information. They may be accepting a few more submissions.
11-26-07
I apologize for the delay in recent news. I recently moved, had some computer issues, started a new job that requires me to work about 50 hours a week, and I recently bought Halo 3. That should tell you all you need to know.
Neal Morse has a new DOUBLE LIVE CD coming out, featuring the ? in its entirety, plus other fan favorites. Here's the press release:
NEAL MORSE TO RELEASE QUESTION: LIVE
2-CD SET NOVEMBER 16, 2007
One Amazing Evening Performing His Epic Question Album in Its Entirety, Plus
Over an Hour of Fan Favorites
November 16, 2007— Upon its release in 2005, Neal Morse’s Question was quickly
recognized as one of the most ambitious and critically acclaimed progressive
rock albums of 2005. Question perfectly captured Neal’s diverse, international
listener appeal. The accolades ranged by
genre from mainstream progressive rock (Dutch Prog Rock Pages, Netherlands: “Top
5 Albums of the Year”), to Contemporary Christian (Cross Rhythms, UK: “10 out of
10 stars”), to modern rock (The National Review Online, US: “Album of the
Year”), to hardcore metal (Metal Glory, Germany: “10 out of 10 stars”).
Fast forward to late 2006. Neal embarks on a European tour to perform the entire
album, start to finish. It’s as much a technical challenge as a musical one. His
unique combination of sophisticated composition, ever-changing structures, and
melodic focus needs just the right group of performers. Neal finds them in five
extraordinary European musicians, some largely unknown to prog fans. Morse takes
his new band to enthusiastic audiences across Europe. Together, they tear
through the entire album with the intensity of a new band, resulting in
brilliant but nuanced performances. At one magical show in Germany, the tape is
rolling. Judged by the UK’s Classic Rock magazine as “One of the 100 Greatest
Frontmen of Rock,” Neal engages both the audience and band members throughout
the concert. After performing all of Question, he plays an additional hour of
fan favorites, culminating in a sensational encore of Neal’s most popular songs.
By the end of evening, both musicians and the audience recognize they’ve been
part of an electrifying musical phenomenon. Question: Live allows listeners
experience that night as it happened: one spectacular performance on one amazing
night. No re-takes. No studio overdubs. Just 2 hours of fantastic, genuinely
live music.
THE BAND
Neal Morse – Vocals, Guitars, Keyboards • Elisa Krijgsman – Guitars, Vocals
Collin Leijenaar – Drums and Cajon • Jessica Kooman – Vocals and Keyboards
Wilco van Esschoten – Bass, Vocals • Henk Doest – Keyboards
CD 1 (All of Question Mark)
01. Temple of the Living God
02. Another World
03. The Outsider
04. Sweet Elation
05. In the Fire
06. Solid as the Sun
07. The Glory of the Lord
08. Outside Looking In
09. “12”
10. Entrance
11. Inside His Presence
12. The Temple of the Living God
CD 2 (Fan Favorites)
01. The Creation
02. The Man's Gone
03. Cradle To The Grave (With Wil Morse)
04. Help Me/The Spirit And The Flesh
05. King Jesus
06. Reunion
07. Encore Medley:
a) We All Need Some Light
b) Open Wide The Flood Gates
c) Solitary Soul
d) Wind At My Back
Dave Bainbridge of Iona's Songs For Luca 2 is out now, and features songs from such artists as Iona, Mostly Autumn, Roine Stolt, Dave Beegle, Phil Keaggy, and yours truly. All proceeds go to support Dave's wonderful autistic son Luca's support. Here's a message from Dave:
Hi All,
We are excited to announce that the long awaited Songs for Luca 2 double album
is on sale now at the brand new Iona / Open Sky Records secure store!! (where
you can also purchase all the Iona back catalogue and related solo etc
releases). The store is now active, though there are still some info details to
add, which should be going on,
on Monday. We also now accept payment via Pay Pal. Go to
http://www.iona.uk.com.
At 2hrs 20mins long and containing 25 exclusive tracks (out of 30 in total)
Songs for Luca 2 has definitely been worth the wait and is tremendous value for
money.
You will find contributions from a myriad of talented artists including: Moya
Brennan, Joanne Hogg, IONA, Phil Keaggy, Troy Donockley,
Mostly Autumn, Martyn Joseph and many many more, along with some intriguing
collaborations. Where else will you hear Heather Findlay from Mostly Autumn,
Roine Stolt from the Flower Kings and Nick Beggs from Kajagoogoo all guesting on
a newly recorded version of Iona's song 'Journey into the Morn', or Dave
Bainbridge and Phil Keaggy playing together?
All proceeds go towards helping Dave & Debbie Bainbridge's autistic son, Luca
continue on his Son-Rise Programme (Autism Center of America). Luca has been
doing his Son-Rise programme at home for 5 years now and has made amazing
progress; the proceeds of this album will enable Dave & Debbie to continue
working with Luca in this way and pay for the essential
support services that Son-Rise offer.
Songs for Luca 2 will make the perfect
Christmas present - order
now
and we'll mail it to you in time!
FULL TRACK LISTING
* = exclusive, previously unreleased
CD1
*1. Moya Brennan - Eirigh Suas a Stoirin
(Trad. arr. M Brennan)
Originally recorded for radio by Moya and her band
www.moyabrennan.com
2. Dave Beegle - Big Fish Rumba
(from the album 'A Year Closer')
Dave is simply an amazing guitarist, whether playing acoustic or
electric guitar. Here he demonstrates his flamenco technique.
www.davebeegle.com
*3. Joanne Hogg - Journey into the Morn (new version)
(Hogg / Spear Polley)
Reworking of this Iona song features Roine Stolt from the Flower Kings on
guitars, Joanne Hogg and Heather Findlay (Mostly Autumn) - vocals, Dave
Bainbridge - keyboards, Nick Beggs (Kajagoogoo / John Paul Jones etc),
Bass guitar, Frank van Essen - drums)
*4. Troy Donockley & Dave Bainbridge - 'A Stor Mo Chroi'
which translates as 'Love of my Heart'. This
traditional air is followed by some cracking dance tunes. Originally a solo
uilleann pipes feature recorded live at 'The Studio' in
Hartlepool, this version features some tasteful keyboard and bouzouki
accompaniment from Dave added later in the studio.
www.troydonockley.co.uk
www.davebainbridge.com
*5. Martyn Joseph - Strange Kind of Friend
Originally recorded in 2003, this brand new acoustic version of Martyn's song
was recorded on 13th July 2006 especially for this album.
Copyright MCPS / PRS Martyn Joseph / Pipe Records
www.martynjoseph.com
*6. Soulful Terrain - Lost For You
(Jason Williams & Danny Daughtridge - re-harmonisation by Dave Bainbridge)
Keyboards - Dave Bainbridge, Cello - Claire Fitch, Violin - Frank Van Essen -
Percussion - Van Hunsberger
www.soulfulterrain.com
7. Kenso - A Winter in
Hokkaido (Bifuka)
(from the album 'Chilling Heat - Live in
Tokyo 2004' - PA2505)
A great live track from these amazing Japanese musicians.
*8. Joanne Hogg - I Ask no Dream
Originally from Jo's 1999 solo album 'Looking into Light', this new version was
recorded in July 2006 for BBC1's 'Songs of Praise'. Jo sang and played piano,
accompanied by Dave, Troy and Frank from Iona.
*9.
Keith Baker - Asilomar Sunrise
(Keith
Baker)
written and recorded especially for this album, with Keith playing all the
instruments, including some great dulcimer.
www.keithbakermusic.com
*10. Dave Bainbridge & Phil Keaggy - Across the Sea
An exclusive mix of this evocative piece, one of several that Dave and legendary
US guitar virtuoso Phil have been working on, for a possible collaborative
album.
www.philkeaggy.com
*11. Aradhna - Rahim Dhaga
Previously unreleased track from this unique pan U.S. / Indian band featuring
the emotive vocals and sitar playing of Chris Hale
www.aradhnamusic.com
12. Eureka - Arabesque - from 'The Full Circle'
A nice track from a German band which features the fine, lyrical guitar playing
of Frank Bossert.
www.eureka-music.de
*13. Richard
John Thompson - Excuses to Fall
A very nice song from a talented young singer songwriter from the North-East
of England.
www.richardjohnthompson.com
*14. Debbie Bainbridge - In Your Arms
(Debbie Bainbridge)
Debbie - piano
*15. Invisible Opera Company of Tibet - Dreaming
(Fabio Golfetti)
Fabio Golfetti - glissando guitar & keyboards
from the album 'Glissando Spirit' (Voiceprint VP147CD)
Fabio plays guitar using an unusual right hand slide technique which results in
some beautiful, haunting sounds.
www.invisivel.com.br
CD2
*1. Iona - Bird of Heaven (2007 remix).
Dave's reworking of this epic track from Iona's
'Beyond these Shores' album.
www.iona.uk.com
*2. Nick Beggs - Do Wot you Want
Nick recorded this previously unreleased track several years ago to demo the
Chapman Stick, an instrument he has pioneered the use of over the past 20 years.
All parts except the drums are played on the Stick by Nick.
www.nickbeggs.com
*3. Chasing the Monsoon - Circles of Stone
A lovely, ethereal track featuring the voice of Lisa Fury. This version is an
exclusive pre-release demo version of the song.
www.chasingthemonsoon.com
*4. Troy Donockley - Hymn to the Sea (Donockley)
A reworking of a haunting piece that Troy originally wrote for the BBC TV series
Timewatch, based on an old hymn tune. Troy plays everything.
www.troydonockley.co.uk
*5. Nick Fletcher - Silver Moon
Recorded especially for this album at Dave's Open Sky Studio - Nick plays
classical guitar on this piece
6. Rachel Taylor-Beales - Super Glue
Copyright Rachel Taylor-Beales 2004. Licensed to Pipe Records
www.racheltaylor-beales.com
*7. Debbie Bainbridge - Sacred Space
(Debbie Bainbridge)
Debbie plays piano and alto recorder on this haunting piece, which also features
some lovely low whistle from Troy Donockley and keyboards from Dave Bainbridge.
*8. Mostly Autumn - Winter is King (Findlay)
Publishing & Copyright - MA Records 2005.
Produced by Heather Findlay & Bryan Josh - an exclusive mix especially for this
album by Ben Matthews of the band Thunder. Featuring a guest appearance on
whistle from one Troy Donockley.
www.mostly-autumn.com
*9. David Fitzgerald with Dave Bainbridge - O Euchari
(Hildegard von Bingen - arranged Fitzgerald / Bainbridge)
Originally recorded for David Fitzgerald's album 'God is Love' (ICCD79630),
David's original soprano saxophone solo is here set within Dave Bainbridge's
evocative orchestration.
www.davidfitzgerald.co.uk
*10. Mae McKenna & Dave Bainbridge - A Prayer
(original melody by Mae McKenna, lyric traditional from the Carmina Gadelica).
Mae kindly wrote and recorded this beautiful melody (sung is Scottish Gaelic)
especially for this album. Dave arranged and played the atmospheric
accompaniment.
www.maemckenna.com
11. Deborah Martin - The Brilliance of Stars
(from the album "Deep Roots Hidden Water")
www.spottedpeccary.com
*12. Joanne Hogg - Almighty Father who Dost Give
Originally from Jo's 1999 solo album 'Looking into Light', this new version was
recorded in July 2006 for BBC1's 'Songs of Praise'. Jo sang and played piano,
accompanied by Dave, Troy and Frank from Iona.
*13. Guillermo Cides & Emmett Chapman - Out of the Ether
Amazingly all the sounds on this track are performed by just 2 musicians on the
Chapman Stick - Guillermo providing the haunting soundscapes and Emmett (the
inventor of the amazing instrument) soloing on top.
*14. Theophonic Cloud - Luca
Written especially for Luca by our friends Dave and Collette Taylor in
Alaska
http://www.theophonic.net
*15. Nick Fletcher & Dave Bainbridge - Red Sun
(Fletcher & Bainbridge)
Nick -
electric guitar, Dave - Keyboards
With time to spare after Nick had recorded his beautiful
acoustic guitar piece 'Silver Moon' at Dave's studio, the two musicians
recorded an improvised jam session which highlight's Nick's rarely heard emotive
electric guitar playing (Nick was playing Dave's Fernandes Guitar).
All the best,
Dave Bainbridge (IONA)
9-24-07
Glass Hammer's new album will feature Yes vocalist Jon Anderson. Here's the press release:
Glass Hammer Release to Feature Jon Anderson
Culture of Ascent will be released on October 23rd,
but the band's website is taking pre-orders for autographed copies now. Expect
69 minutes of audiophile mastering by the legendary Bob Katz, and a digipak with
new art by Michal Karcz.
Babb, Schendel and company return with their tenth studio
release, two new contributing artists, and performances by none-other-than YES
co-founder Jon Anderson. As to how they came to work with Jon, Steve Babb
explains: Jon has been sharing musical ideas with us for a couple of years now,
and we've kept very quiet about it all. Lucky for us, the first things to come
from this exchange will be on our new album! Of course, we're just as happy
about Carl
This album takes the band in a new direction as far as we're concerned. We steered away from our retro-roots somewhat, and went for an edgier, contemporary style of prog. As always, it's about making the music that we like best. ˜Culture" represents where we want to be right now, musically and lyrically.
And what about the lyrics? Is Culture of Ascent a
concept album? Yes, says Babb. This album is about
The band's website is now accepting pre-orders for the October 23rd release. The website also offers an exclusive special edition CD release of The Compilations (formerly only available on iTunes) with a new bonus track.
8-12-07
Bands and labels should note a new mailing address as we are relocating from Alaska to Montana, and there will be some delay on the reviews while life gets reorganized there.
Orphan Project
has released a new single, which is available to listen to on their myspace site or available for purchase from http://www.thundersongs.org.Speaking of Orphan Project, fans of that band will surely love Australian prog band Unitopia. My favorite new album. Check out the review.
6-12-07
Fans of Yes and other 70's prog bands will enjoy the latest offerings from Everlasting Arms, available for download from http://www.thundersongs.org, the fantastic new Christian Progressive Rock Music Store. Other artists available there are Salem Hill, Vertical Alignment, Ajalon, and many more.
5-24-07
For fans of Porcupine Tree and other modern atmospheric prog bands, try Greylevel, a new Canadian band out on Progrock Records.
Salem Hill has released their new live DVD, a must have for fans. Check out their website http://www.salemhill.com for more details.
The CPR Volume 3 deadline for submissions is September, so bands, get your songs in to Randy George ASAP.
4-17-06
CPR Volume 3 is being assembled by Randy George and Gene Crout. If you or your band is interested in submitting a song for possible inclusion on the compilation CD, here is the information:
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If you haven't discovered the new CPROG band Greylevel, you need to. Look for the upcoming review of their latest CD, or find them at http://www.myspace.com/greylevel
2-12-07
Read the review of Neal Morse's Sola Scriptura, to be released in March of 2007.
12-29-06
I just posted a video interview with Dave Bainbridge of Iona, as well as a review of their excellent gig in Eastbourne, England, from October 28.
12-21-2006
Here's the unconfirmed artwork and track list from the new upcoming Neal Morse CD, Sola Scriptura, a concept album based on the Reformation:
Track 1. The
Door (29:14)
i Introduction
ii In The Name Of God
iii All I Ask For
iv Mercy for Sale
v Keep Silent
vi Upon The Door
Track 2. The Conflict (25:00)
i Do You know My Name?
ii Party to the Lie
iii Underground
iv Two Down, One to Go
v The Vineyard
vi Already Home
Track 3. Heaven in my Heart (5:11)
Track 4. The Conclusion (16:34)
i Randy's Jam
ii Long Night's Journey
iii Re-Introduction
iv Come Out Of Her
v Clothed With The Sun
vi In Closing...
Musicians: Neal Morse, Mike Portnoy (Dream Theater), Paul Gilbert (Mr. Big), and Randy George (Ajalon)
12-20-2006
Christian retro progressive rock band Vertical Alignment will finally be shipping their epic album Signposts on CD this January. Go to http://www.verticalalignment.com/ for more information
10-20-06
Iona has released The Circling Hour, and you absolutely have to buy a copy. This is what Spiritual Progressive Rock is all about. If you have a way to get to Europe, you should definitely find a way to get to one of their upcoming live shows. See their tour schedule and add them as your friend on their new Myspace page.
I'm flying to England to catch Iona's show at King's Church, Eastbourne, so expect a thorough review of the evening, and perhaps even some new interviews with the band.
David Walliman of Glass Hammer is finally shipping his fantastic guitar-shreddy solo album, Deep Inside the Mind. I imagine its even tastier than the demo copy I reviewed several years back.
Neal Morse has released a new album of prog and other rock covers with Mike Portnoy and Randy George called Cover to Cover. Check out Radiant Records for more information.
9-6-06
Glass Hammer is doing a special concert in Chatanooga. Here's the info:
Calling on all C-Proggers for support!
Glass Hammer Live 2006 at The Tivoli in Downtown Chattanooga, Tennessee.
October 17th 2:00 matinee 7:00 evening performance
Featuring the 150 voice Lee University Choir and the GPS Girls Choir
GH Lineup: Fred Schendel, Steve Babb, Carl Groves, David Wallimann, Matt Mendians, Susie Bogdanowicz, Flo Paris, Bethany Warren and The Adonia String Trio
Ticket proceeds go to AAA Women's Services
To buy online:
http://www.etix.com/ticket/servlet/onlineSearch?action=displayPerformance&pageNumber=0&pageSize=10&queryString=action%3dvenueSearch%26venue%5
fid%3d1470%26cobrand%3dchattanooga3
8-28-06
Sample tracks of Iona's new album The Circling Hour are up on their website at http://www.iona.uk.com . From what I've heard so far, this one is shaping up to be their best ever..
Orphan Project has called it quits for the time being. Lead singer Shane Lankford is concentrating on his new band, Fall of Echoes, with members of fusion band Visual Cliff.
8-08-06
Neal Morse
is in the studio this week with Randy George and Mike Portnoy recording an epic new prog epic based on the history of the church.Dave Bainbridge of
Iona is putting together tracks for Songs For Luca 2, again raising money for his autistic son Luca's treatment. This time contributors include Steve Howe, Dave Beegle, Soulful Terrain, Joanne Hogg, Iona, Mostly Autumn, and Phil Keaggy. See more info at: http://www.iona.uk.com/newindex/2004_pages/News_2004_5/luca2_13june06.htm6-6-06
Iona's Live in London DVD has finally been released, and its amazing. Read the review HERE. and find out where to buy it, because you really must own it.
Also, Dave Bainbridge and David Fitzgerald have released their Eye of the Eagle DVD, a deeply moving experience steeped in true Celtic Christianity. Check it out.
5-18-06
Vertical Alignment has released their excellent debut CD, Signposts. Read the review here.
Glass Hammer has released their Live at Belmont DVD, and it rocks (read review here). Go to http://www.glasshammer.com for more details.
Revelation Project
has bowed out of the Silent Planet fest this June, but the good news is that CPROG veterans Ajalon will be replacing them.
4-7-06
There's a Christian prog rock music festival happening this summer in PA.
Here's the press release:
Glass Hammer is releasing their new double live DVD Live at Belmont in May. I was there, and its definitely worth picking up. You can see a tasty clip from it at : http://www.glasshammer.com
Iona is mixing their newest studio release The Circling Hour in LA. From all accounts, its going to blow people away as usual. Also, their double Live in London DVD should be available any day now. Finally, a chance to see my favorite band live (at least on my telly).
2-15-05
I shed a tear or two today when I found out that one of my all time favorite prog keyboardists, Rick Van Der Linden, passed away on January 22nd. This guy was flat-out amazing, if you've ever heard his band Trace. Both their albums are must-haves, with Birds being one of my desert island albums, I listened to it over and over growing up. He will be greatly missed, and I hope he and Peter Bardens of Camel are trading fat B-3 solos somewhere...give yourself a treat and take a listen to him right here: http://www.music.com/release/birds/11/ Lord have mercy on you, Rick.
1-23-06
OK, back online with this beast. On to the news!
Protokaw, Kerry Livgren of Kansas new (old) band, is readying up their third album, The Weight of Glory, due out December 31st.
Iona, my all time favorite prog band, has several epic things in the works. First, their new studio album, The Circling Hour, is almost complete. Read some updates from Dave Bainbridge here. Also, their new Live in London double DVD is almost ready. This should get you stoked. I for one am salivating heavily to finally see my favorite band perform live, even if from a distance. It is due out in a month or so, along with a simultaneous US release of a live album from the show, to be released on Jhana music.
If that wasn't all, a Songs For Luca 2 is in the works, featuring Oliver Wakeman, Steve Howe, and others. They also have some European live shows coming up this spring in Germany and Holland.
1-5-06
My web server crashed in November, so I've had some problems with the page, which will continue until I get a new computer. Sorry about the delays in getting out reviews.
11-11-05
I made it down to the Past Watchful Dragons conference to see Salem Hill and Glass Hammer. It was a fantastic show. Check out my concert review (with some clips) here.
Christian musician Lennart Ostman creates synth-based space music and prog that you may find interesting. Check out clips of his material here: http://music.download.com/lennart_ostman
10-20-05
This weekend is the Salem Hill DVD filming show and Mimi CD release party in Tennessee. If you live close, you may want to catch the event. Go to http://www.salemhill.com for more information.
November 5 is the Glass Hammer/Salem Hill show at Belmont University for the Past Watchful Dragons conference. Tickets are still available, but after 10/21 will only be available at the door, if it doesn't sell out. I'm planning on catching the show. Carl Groves will be guesting on vocals with Glass Hammer, and French guitar phenomenon David Walliman has joined Glass Hammer as a new member. Also, Randy George (Ajalon, Neal Morse) will be guesting with Salem Hill.
9-28-05
The new "mystery" progressive rock CD from Neal Morse, ?, will feature the all-star cast of Alan Morse (Spock's Beard), Randy George (Ajalon), Roine Stolt (Flower Kings), Jordan Rudess (Dream Theater), Mike Portnoy (Dream Theater), and Steve Hackett (ex-Genesis). Here's the cover art:
Joanne Hogg of Iona had a successful surgery on her neck and should be singing again soon. Iona will be releasing their Live in London DVD in December. Here's some news on the next Iona album:
IONA NEW STUDIO ALBUM LATEST: Work is gathering pace on the new album,
with Dave in the midst of work on it at his Open Sky studio, and Frank
recording the drum kit parts at his studio in Holland (a number of
Frank's percussion parts were already recorded at Dave's early in
August). Troy and Dave were together recently adding more of Troy's
pipes and whistles and Joanne (who is recovering well from her
operation) will be back in the studio with Dave in the second week of
October to complete most of the main vocal parts. Meanwhile, Phil will
be making the trip 'up north' to Dave's to add finished bass parts soon
after this and it is hoped that all the actual recording side of the
album will be completed by the end on November. At this stage the
location for the album mixes has yet to be decided and may be split
between the band's studio set ups and elsewhere, but this is likely to
be completed by the end of the year or in January.
We can now give you a little info on what to expect on the album
(without giving too much away!) - and here is a provisional running
order 1. Opening track (title tbc) 2. The Circling Hour 3. Wind Off The
Lake 4. Strength 5. A Dhia Ghleigil (Angel Of God) 6. Factory Of
Magnificent Souls 7. Sky Maps 8. Life Is Precious 9. Faith 10. Wind,
Water & Fire 11. Fragment (Of a Fiery Sun)
Those of you who attended any of Iona's gigs in the latter half of 2004
will have already heard the tracks 'Strength, Factory Of Magnificent
Souls, Wind Off The Lake and A Dhia Ghleigil (Angel Of God).
'Wind Off The Lake' - a largely instrumental track featuring Troy's
pipes has undergone a major makeover since being performed live and is
now approaching Iona 'epic' proportions, with a much more powerful drum
feel throughout and more of Iona's trademark pipes and electric guitar
unison sound, and evocative ethereal sections, bringing more into
'Woven Cord' territory.
The album's opening track, the title of which has yet to be decided, is
definately an attention grabber from the outset and its life affirming
theme is something that continues throught the album.
'The Circling Hour' is based around a poem written early in the 20th
Century which Dave discovered in a book of Celtic poetry and its
mystical imagery looks forward to the life to come.
'Strength' is another live affirming track, with its lyrics very much
rooted in the Celtic tradition's love and respect for creation. Judging
by the audience reaction to this track it is destined to become a live
favourite for the band - and in fact will be seen on the forthcoming
Live in London DVD.
'Life is Precious' is a very moving song of Jo's with a beautifully
atmospheric accompanyment.
For now, we'll leave the other tracks as something of a surprise, but
the band feel that this album is definately a step on from 'Open Sky'.
Being only the second full studio album with the current (since 1998)
line up, there seems now to be a better integration of the individual
musician's abilities and personalities within the new material. Having
Dave, Frank and Troy's recording facilities available this time round
rather than an expensive studio booked for a limited time, the band are
able to spend more time getting the best performances and sounds from
everyone.
7-31-05
Here's a first look at the new King's X CD's cover art. The album is to be called Ogre Tones, and is said to be spacey and full of soaring Ty Tabor leads. The album was produced by big time producer Michael Wagener and is due out in September.
Echolyn
has a brand new album coming out August 23 called The End is Beautiful, and they will be touring Europe to support it. You can pre-order it right now (and get it autographed with a bonus DVD!). Here's the press release:echolyn will be on the road again soon, promoting their new
album "The End Is Beautiful” (release date: August 23, 2005) - and they’re
starting their tour with 10 shows in Europe – the first time this band will set
foot abroad as a group in their 15 year history!
These European tourdates are a very rare, and possibly never again, chance for
European fans to see echolyn live. The tour includes dates in the UK, Germany,
Italy, Switzerland, Belgium and The Netherlands. The tour runs from September 3
to September 15, 2005 – and to ensure great turnouts at the clubs, we are asking
(actually we NEED) people to buy tickets in advance!
So please – tell friends, enemies, family, relatives, pet lovers, co-workers,
vegans, debt collectors, scientologists (although only 3 are allowed per show),
and colleagues that we are hoping to see them at one (or more) of our stops
across the pond in September.
They have also just re-released their classic prog
album As the World, available now and it includes a bonus live DVD of As the
World performed live right before the original CD was released!
Pray for Joanne Hogg of Iona, she's having major surgery that could permanently affect her vocal chords. Read more at http://www.iona.com.uk
Unfortunately the band is having to pull out of the two UK shows planned for the end of September. Joanne is to unexpectedly have to undergo major surgery towards the end of August which will mean she is out of action for between 2-3 months.
In Jo's own words: "They say that doctors make the worst patients and although it's been a long time since I wore a white coat and stethescope, I guess I'm no exception. After many months of enduring an unusual variety of symptoms and procrastination, I eventually plucked up the courage to seek medical advice.
Following many more months of investigation and referral, it transpires that I require major surgery to remove a prolapsed cervical disc in my neck that is pressing on my spinal cord. This surgery carries a substantial risk of permanent damage to the nerve supply of the vocal cords which is of course a major consideration for me. Surgery is to go ahead and I have a provisional date of August 23rd. I've been told that some of my symptoms may not improve but surgery should prevent further deterioration.
I would really appreciate your prayers for a complete recovery and, God willing, to be able to sing for his glory in the future."
At the time of writing, the band have just returned from a succesful and enjoyable trip to a very hot and sweaty Norway, where we played at the Seaside Festival. We are continuing work on the new studio album and hope to record at least some final vocal takes on some tracks before Jo's op. The new material is coming on very well and we are very excited about how it is shaping up. Please keep Jo in your thoughts and prayers over the coming months and pray that the operation will be a success and take away many of the symptoms that she has been enduring recently.
Rather than completely pull out of the Pocklington Arts Centre show on 29th September, we are hoping that the venue will instead allow Troy and Dave to perform their as a duo. This would in effect become a launch gig for their 'When Worlds Collide' album, which is due for release in September.
Thank you for your continued prayers and support.
Iona
Neal Morse has released a new "non prog" CCM CD, God Won't Give up. It's available at Radiant Records, http://www.radiantrecords.com. Here's the press release:
Neal Morse – God Won’t Give Up
Track Listing:
1. I Sing My Love
2. His Mercy Endureth
3. King Of Love
4. The Crossroads
5. Save My Life Tonight
6. Love Like You
7. Mountain
8. John’s Dream
9. See What God Can Do
10. God Won’t Give Up
All Songs Written By Neal Morse
What? Another CD from Neal Morse? “God Won’t Give Up” and apparently Neal won’t
either! This is the CD that Neal wrote around the Spock’s Beard “SNOW” period
that somehow wound up floating around on the internet. That was the demo
version. This is the full blown, “gotta get it right” version. Most of the songs
have been re-cut with great attention to detail and quality. Featured are some
songs that Neal has performed on his last Europe tour such as “The Crossroads”
and “His Mercy Endureth” as well as a full blown version of “God Won’t Give Up”
with strings and a Gospel choir. You gotta hear it! It’s powerful. Neal says “It
was an interesting time in my life. At the time I was writing these songs I was
dealing with whether or not to quit Spock’s, and you can hear it in the songs.
Like the line “my music is now His” in “I Sing My Love” and the song “The
Crossroads” is all about how I felt during that terrible valley of decision. In
listening to it I can hear the struggle and the resolve that was going on with
me at that time.”
The new Glass Hammer album, the Inconsolable Secret, is out now and getting rave reviews (including my own).
The new Ajalon album is finally out, and excellent. A new review is now up here.
CPR Volume 2 is out now and features even more new progressive rock artists, including Dave Bainbridge, Simon Apple, Neal Morse, Orphan Project and others. I don't have a copy of it, so I haven't reviewed it yet, although I have heard a couple of the songs already, and its a great selection of artists.
5/26/05
If you haven't yet, check out my review of the new prog band Pursuit. These guys are for real.
Dave Bainbridge and Troy Donockley of Iona have released a fantastic new album called From Silence, spontaneous music recorded live inside historic Lincoln Cathedral.
The Past Watchful Dragons conference in Nashville will be November 3-5, and will feature a concert by cprog artists
Glass Hammer and Salem Hill. Here is the press release:Belmont University invites scholars, students, church and community members to attend this exciting event featuring Doug Gresham (stepson of C.S. Lewis and Consultant to the film); Christopher Mitchell (Director of the Marion E. Wade Center and Assistant Professor of Theology, Wheaton College); Bruce Edwards (Noted Lewis Scholar, Associate Dean, and Professor of English at Bowling Green State University); David Payne (British actor and President of Rising Image Productions, specializing in dramatizations of the works of C.S. Lewis); and Glass Hammer (literary progressive rock band specializing in original music based on the writings of C.S. Lewis).
Inspired by the forthcoming Walden Media/Disney Film of the classic Narnia story The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, this conference celebrates C.S. Lewis's contribution to literature, theology, apologetics, scholarship, popular culture, myth, and imagination.
'Past Watchful Dragons' will also consider the work of the constellation of writers associated with Lewis such as J.R.R. Tolkien, Charles Williams, Owen Barfield, and Dorothy Sayers.
To register, go to:
http://campus.belmont.edu/cslewis/registration.html
3/29/05
Akacia
has just released their second album, titled The Brass Serpent. Look here for more information. It is also available from http://www.amazon.com
Salem Hill is busily putting the final touches on their latest CD, tentatively titled Mimi's Magic Moment. I had dinner with Carl Groves in Nashville two weeks ago, and from the sounds of it, Mimi will be a lot jazzier than their last effort, Be. Carl also played me a tune off of his yet unreleased "Christian" CD -- fantastic stuff. He's a great guy, by the way, a first class individual. More info is to be had at http://www.salemhill.com
Ajalon is finally taking pre-orders for their new album, On the Threshold of Eternity, which is a great title, fitly describing how long it has taken for the album to get released. I've heard several cuts from it, and its going to be a keeper, with special guests such as Rick Wakeman and Neal Morse. Check in at http://www.ajalon.net
CPR Volume 1 artists Revelation Project
have finally released their debut CD, an end times
Christian prog-metal epic. More info can found here:
http://www.revelationproject.com
Glass Hammer is showing off their new logo and upcoming album art (for The Inconsolable Secret) done by none other than famed Yes-artist Roger Dean. Check it out at http://www.glasshammer.com
And CPR Volume 2 will be coming out this April on Threshing Floor Records, and here is the list of fine artists that will be showcased:
Dave Bainbridge
Orphan Project
Glass Hammer
Scott Rice
Neal Morse
Simon Apple
Soulful Terrain
Young Earth
David Wallimann
Eric Parker Project
Revelation Project
Bill Hubauer
2/1/05
Kerry Livgren
news:Soon to be released from SONY BMG Music: Seeds of Change 25th Anniversary Special Edition and Timeline 25th Anniversary Special Edition
Both titles are being remastered at DVD Audio specs from the original analog masters SONY Music, and then digitally mastered by Kerry Livgren. The audio will then be downsampled to CD specifications and released as audiophiile-quality compact discs. The printing will contain the original and new artwork, with a supplementary website featuring numerous extras, such as additional music, unreleased vintage interviews and brand new interviews. Read commentary from the original musicians, reflecting back on this seminal album, 25 years later. Also included will be a special forward on the Seeds of Change CD by Michael W. Smith. The release date is projected to coincide with GMA Week this year, in April.
Glass Hammer and Salem Hill and CS Lewis together live.
Glass Hammer will be playing a special concert promoting its most ambitious project yet, the double CD THE INCONSOLABLE SECRET, at a huge three-day event in November 2005. Salem Hill will open for Glass Hammer. The event details are as follows: It is my pleasure to announce "'Past Watchful Dragons': Fantasy and Faith in the World of C. S. Lewis," a conference to be held November 3-5, 2005 on the campus of Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee. Inspired by the forthcoming Walden Media/Disney Film of the classic Narnia story The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, this conference celebrates C. S. Lewis' contribution to literature, theology, apologetics, scholarship, popular culture, myth, and imagination. "Past Watchful Dragons" will also consider the work of the constellation of writers associated with Lewis such as J.R.R. Tolkien, Charles Williams, Owen Barfield, and Dorothy Sayers. Belmont University invites scholars, students, and community members to attend this exciting event featuring DOUG GRESHAM (stepson of C.S. Lewis and Consultant to the film); CHRISTOPHER MITCHELL (Director of the Marion E. Wade Center and Assistant Professor of Theology, Wheaton College); BRUCE EDWARDS (Noted Lewis Scholar, Associate Dean, and Professor of English at Bowling Green State University); DAVID PAYNE (British actor and President of Rising Image Productions, specializing in dramatizations of the works of C.S. Lewis); GLASS HAMMER (literary progressive rock band performing original music based on the writings of C.S. Lewis); and SALEM HILL (contemporary Christian band with literary flair). Scholars working on C.S. Lewis and the Inklings are invited to present paper proposals. Please visit
http://www.belmont.edu/cslewis/ for more details and for the online submission form for paper proposals. A more detailed website is under construction and will debut soon. See also http://www.glasshammer.com and http://www.salemhill.com for more information.
1/15/05
Randy George of Ajalon sent out an email recently explaining why their much anticipated album On the Threshold of Eternity has taken so long to see the light at the end of the tunnel, so to speak:
Well here it is 2005 and this CD was supposed to be done and released by now. But I bet many of you are asking.... "When is it gonna be released?"I was gonna make a joke about this, but it would be lame. Clearly some of you don't know the full story and some do. But the engineer that has held us up for the last 4 years, is still holding the master project files hostage for money. Ajalon paid him to complete the CD. He agreed to complete the CD. However, he had not completed the CD within a year and a half after that agreement was made. Upon requesting the return of the project to finish it elsewhere he refused to relinquish the files. He then demanded $5700 as payment for time over and above what was agreed to.What was agreed to was a finished project. So $5700 over the agreed budget and time, he still hadn't finished? Sadly this left us in a position where it was not financially recoupable to pay him. Nor did we have the means to pursue this in court. (No written agreement, among friends, let that be a lesson) Legal action would cast as much anyway. Well we had 8 of the nine tracks 95% mixed anyway, so we are releasing those and you have obviously heard two of them. We recorded a new track which we also included. These are sitting at the mastering lab awaiting my go ahead. I managed to negotiate the release of the remaining track so that we can include it after all. This requires some minor tracking, and will feature a prominent guest appearance by a well known favorite musician/singer. It also requires a small amount of $$ to obtain the tracks from the tracknapper. Between that and the cost of mastering and manufacturing, we are awaiting the funding to finish what has been a long journey. We are confident that we can make progress on this front soon. I would expect to see the release of the CD this year. As all previous estimates I have given were thwarted by our malevolent engineer, our ability to release the project is no longer in his control. So I can say with all confidence, that you will see this CD released THIS YEAR. Now this brings us to a very key issue. We may need a great deal of presales in order to get the product pressed. I believe that there are enough fans out there to achieve this.On the Threshing Floor front there are also two other releases coming out this year. First off the much anticipated CPR Vol.2 will be out in April and I will have my solo CD completed and released probably before summer.I wish to thank everyone for their support. Building the CPR movement is a slow and grinding process. But I see progress and fruit from our labors. This also comes with a great deal of resistance. I believe this is a sign that we are on the right track.So please continue to keep the faith, and lift us up in prayer in 2005!!!
Randy
Also, I Carl Groves of Salem Hill recently discussed an amazing jam session he had with Phil Keaggy and Neal Morse:
Greetings! Just wanted to share a really cool day I had yesterday. As most of you know, with Randy George filling in for Mike at ProgDay this past Fall, I got to meet and hang out with Neal Morse for some brief moments. Neal informed me then that he had friends over to jam on occasion and told me he'd shoot me an invite for the next one as he lives about 10 minutes from our studio. Didn't hold my breath as I thought he was just being polite and I assumed he didn't know me from Adam. But in mid October, he emailed me an invite. I had a copy gig already booked and couldn't do it, but asked him to ask me again sometime. He did this past week, and yesterday I went out to jam with him and some of his "friends." He had emailed me Friday asking if I could bring a decent PA as Phil Keaggy was coming to jam with us. Phil Keaggy. Didn't have the decent PA, but was absolutely thrilled for Phil to show up. As many of you probably know, Phil Keaggy is a big Beatles freak. As is Neal. As is me. So I was pretty comfortable with my assumption of what we'd jam to. However, the highlight of the evening? Trading solos with Phil Keaggy on Hendrix's "Little Wing." But it was also pretty cool hearing Keaggy rip the harpsichord solo from the Beatles' "In my Life" on his guitar. A nice weekend and I just wanted to share it with all of you. Carl
12/13/04
The seminal English band After the Fire has finally released their 1978 prog epic, Signs of Change, on CD, with four unreleased tracks. Here's a promo link. For more info, go to http://www.afterthefire.co.uk.
Salem Hill is heading back into the studio to start production on their new project, tentatively titled > Guitarist Mike Dearing has been on tour with platinum selling country artist Gretchen Wilson.
12/8/04
Echolyn is busy working on a new album that will be a bit different, and guitarist Brett Kull is working on a new solo album as well. Here's what Brett has to say about it:
We've been deep in the mother lode of a new album. It's coming along nicely. We are once again going into new territory wit the recording and arrangements of the tunes. My album is more of the same... just trying to get better at it. I'm excited with it because I've learned a lot since then so I can apply that knowledge. I really enjoy the whole process of writing and recording. I hope to have it come out in tandem with the new echolyn The new echolyn album has some similarities to the creation of "As The World". It's the first time since then that we are demoing the songs first then recording them. It really gives you a chance to break the song down to see what makes it work, or not. We are building the song up from the rhythm and vocal melodies first then filling in around that with the various keys bass and guitars. It's a lot of fun and a different way to write for us. Like "As The World" we will also be doing the basic tracking all together in a studio to trying a capture a certain vibe rather than doing everything separately. To do that properly you need to spend a lot of time in pre production so that your not thinking when playing or nervous about "getting a part". You can improvise and rely on instinct more when you've done your homework. We are also going to have some new instrumentation on this album, something different for us. We'll see how it pans out. Thanks for asking
11-12-04
Neal Morse
's One is out, and one fantastic spiritual prog album. Speaking of One, this is message from Roine Stolt of the Flower Kings is from the Flowerkingsmail Yahoo! Group sticks up for it as well:I've also wondered why people get offended by a Christian message while not reacting at all to all the dark, evil or even satanistic crap that's out there? I get more offended by silly or pretentious prog metal and metal lyrics ,just wondering if some "composers" think their audience is outright stoopid .
I urge everyone to at least give the new Neal album "One" a listen or two or three. It is in fact a great album with a few new twists and turns. A lot of work went into it and I do believe it is honest.
Unfortunately I've seen or heard a few comments that it's "nothing new", well maybe not, but honestly what else is there in modern prog that is more interesting or at the same production level ? Have you all been spoilt ?
Neal has something positive to offer and his voice still rules!!
Roine .
10-25-04
Big news first, After the Fire is finally re-releasing their Signs of Change album on CD. Here's the press release:
Radiant Records has released a Making of Snow DVD to go with the Testimony Live DVD (see my review) and Neal's new solo album One.
Bart Boge, of Divine in Sight, talks about their work on the follow up to Sorrow and Promise:
Work is underway on the follow up project, O Nox Ultima (Oh Final Night). It is a four-act musical drama with about 14 songs. We have the working draft of the script finished (141 pp.!) and we have the basic arrangements for about 1/3 of the songs in process. Seeing that it is all one project, none of the individual songs themselves will be very long, and at least a couple of them might have CCM/radio appeal, even outside the context of the play itself (unlike S&P, where NO song makes sense outside the narrative). Look for the sound to be even further from Rush. Guitar work will borrow heavily from early 70's dinosaur-riffing proto-metal (Richie Blackmore Purple, Brian May Queen), and drums will have a very organic, solid pocket groove slam to them. Jonathan's bass will be "Roundabout" growly and bright, and the interplay between the lead vocals and the bass will continue to be our strongest trademark.Compound meter time signatures will abound, but all will groove in such a way as to be almost unnoticeably "compound" (think Sting or Peter Gabriel in this regard). Anthemic, approachable, hummable melodies will abound--instrumental wanking will be kept to a bare minimum (when writing for the stage, screaming lead solos get tossed!). My vocals and the overall lead/backing vocals arrangement/mix will be much better as well.
10-8-04
One, the new album from Neal Morse, comes out November 2. You can pre-order it right now and get a personally signed copy. For more on One, please read about my long conversation with Neal here.
9-24-04
One of my associates recently asked Mike Dunn of the most excellent new prog band New Eden Orchestra what religious affiliation the band had, and here is his thoughtful response:
9-9-04
Here's some info on the new Neal Morse CD : The official release date is November 2, and guitar maestro Phil Keaggy contributed some smoking guitar solos on the album, as well as some vocal parts. Randy George (Ajalon) and Mike Portnoy (Transatlantic, Dream Theater) also contribute. Prepare for the musical event of the year. Neal has also recently released the Testimony Live DVD and a Making of Snow DVD. More information can be found at http://www.nealmorse.com
Photo by DJ Barry
Jeff Johnson's new album with Brian Dunning, The Katurran Odyssey - A Musical Journey, inspired from the upcoming illustrated book by Terryl Whitlatch, is National Public Radio's Echoes CD of the Month. See my review here.
9-3-04
Here's a news release from Iona:
STOP PRESS - IONA TO FILM LONDON CONCERT FOR DVD RELEASE!
On 18th November 2004 IONA will be performing their first UK concert in 2 years at the University of London. This is to be filmed for the band's first ever full length concert DVD release.
Tickets can be purchased by emailing <Voiceprint_mailorder@compuserve.com>.
The price is £25. However, this price INCLUDES the DVD of the concert, which will be dispatched to you upon release AND a special thanks name check on the actual DVD program for everyone attending the concert who takes up this offer.
Those wanting to attend the concert without purchasing the DVD will be able to get tickets for £15.
Don't miss this unique event!
More info as it comes in on our website;
www.iona.uk.com
Word is out that the new Ajalon CD On the Threshold of Eternity will be out in December. If you entered our contest, the official winner was none other than Eddie Jerlin, since he guessed December of 2004.
Kevin Jarvis from Farpoint tells us that Mellow Records is going to be putting out a Moody Blues tribute album, and so far the band list that will be contributing includes Farpoint, Glass Hammer, Akacia, and Ajalon, among many others. It should be released in early 2005.
8-18-04
Back from vacation, and I've got some news. Salem Hill will be playing ProgDay this year, and CPROG vet Randy George of Ajalon and the Neal Morse Band will be joining the band for the performance on bass guitar.
There's a very interesting article on Christian Prog music on the United Methodist Church page here, http://www.umc.org/interior.asp?ptid=1&mid=5365 . Also, there is an interesting virtual round table interview with artists such as Kerry Livgren and Neal Morse and others featured on the CPR compilation CD , found here:
http://www.umc.org/interior.asp?ptid=1&mid=5362This news just in from Kerry Livgren's Numavox website:
Talks are underway with SONY Music for a remastered, 25th Anniversary Release of Kerry Livgren's seminal Christian rock album, Seeds of Change. Widely regarded as one of the most influential Christian rock albums of all time, the album has been lauded by artists from Phil Keaggy to Michael W. Smith. Plans currently call for a bonus disc containing new versions of the songs, unreleased vintage live performances, and other goodies.
And finally, if you enjoy
Iona, then you really need to pick up Dave Bainbridge's new solo album Veil of Gossamer. I've only had it for a day, and it is already blowing my mind. A full review is forthcoming.6-28-04
Echolyn
is releasing an official live DVD called Stars and Gardens. Here's what they are saying:It's time we gave you the news on the DVD...
We are happy to announce some details on our latest project! It's a DVD called "Stars and Gardens" featuring a live performance from May 25th 2003 at the Sellersville Theater In Pennsylvania. Anyone that was fortunate enough to be there would tell you that it was a spectacular night showcasing an hour and a half of "classic echolyn" and then a rare performance of our latest CD, "Mei", with Strings, Tuned Percussion and Woodwinds!
All this was captured on 32 tracks of audio and 6 cameras to give you the best possible quality. We were lucky enough to be able to use a variety of cameras to add texture and depth to the filming. These include 3 DV Cameras, 1 Beta Camera, 1 HD Camera, and 1 16mm Camera. Also featured is a music video of "Never The Same" shot on 8mm and used in conjunction with the Live performance footage from Sellersville.
To top all this off we are adding some cool interview segments with archival footage spanning our whole career.
You can preview it here: http://www.starsandgardens.com
6-9-04
As a follow up to their recent DVD release (Lex Live), Glass Hammer’s first live album “Live At NEARfest” will be released on July 13, 2004. The CD features a guest performance by Rich Williams of Kansas (Portrait He Knew) and performances with The Glass Hammer Choir. The band’s website www.glasshammer.com is accepting pre-orders now, and NEARfest Records will be selling advance copies at this year’s festival. MP3s, streaming video and images from “Live At NEARfest” are also posted on the band’s home page.
6-5-04
This is the latest news from Neal Morse concerning the progressive rock epic he is working on for his next solo album:
Diary Entry 4
Work in the Studio: I've started working on another prog epic - I've been working on it for months now - I hadn't been sure whether I would go through with it or not.It's a concept piece - It's about God and man being in unity in the beginning in the garden, becoming separated, and then man building himself up and then coming to realize he needs God after all. Then God sending His son to be the mediator between God and man and coming back into unity again. That's the Reader's Digest version ! I've just put all the demo pieces together and then realized they wouldn't fit on one cd - it was 86 minutes or something - so I think I'll have to do some cutting. I really don't want to do another double. That would be insane! It's quite a bit like Testimony musically - a lot of instrumental passages and a lot of song bits. One thing I've found fascinating is I've felt in my spirit from the beginning that I needed help with this one. I had been seeking help from different people and it didn't originally seem that it was really happening - we couldn't find the time or it didn't really gel. But when Randy George was with me to do the gigs recently I ran some of the stuff with by him. He also sat in with me while I was doing some scratch vocals. I'd come up to a part and might say 'I'm not really happy with this line here' and he would just cock his head back and say something wonderful. He has great lyric ideas! - I'd felt him more as a music guy I didn't realize he was such an amazing lyricist. He also knows exactly what I'm talking about in this piece and what I'm writing about. He came up with some lines that are things I would never have thought of - it was really cool.There's a song called 'Help Me' where the man is realizing he's in trouble and one of the verses goes:'Help me I'm in trouble' and Randy says 'I can hear the lions roarBeing drawn ever closer To the threshing-floor', I think that's totally cool - the threshing-floor is a biblical concept. Another line of his was: 'What I thought was freedom, Has now chained me like a slave' - some really cool things ! So things are now working out with that - I've sent some demos to Randy now and what I'm planning to do is get a group of musicians together and thrash it out and work on it - change it where it needs to be changed - that's what I'm hoping !I'm also going to be taking a look at my Contemporary Christian Music album again that I originally recorded before Testimony. ('The Crossroads' and 'King of Love' are from that album). I'm considering re-cutting the drums and starting to work on that a little bit more. So there's a lot going on ! More later....
Protokaw and Kerry Livgren will soon be on tour to support Before Became After. Here is a preview of their set list from their web page:
1. Alt More Worlds Than Known 2. Totus Nemesis 3. Axolotl 4. Quantum Leapfrog 5. Occasion of Your Honest Dreaming 6. Heavenly Man 7. Skont 8. Gloriana 9. Belexes
Some additions coming for the fall shows...
1) Words of Honor 2) "Lawyer Song", 3) Really cool older song we did before famous Kansas did it...another "Belexes" type situation...sorry about the suspense! 4) Another to be determined
Practicing throughout the summer in preparation...Also working on some joint appearances in the fall with another group in some midwest cities...hope to have those working in a few weeks...will keep you all posted..
5--6-04
Check out the review of Joe Nardulli, a true guitar hero for the new millennium. I also added some Anthony Phillips info.
3-28-04
I have been getting so many general prog albums in the mail, I decided to be fair and put up a General Reviews page for albums that don't quite fit into the "spiritual progressive rock" category.
3-22-03
Dave Bainbridge of Iona is finishing up his solo album Veil of Gossamer. See more about it and what Iona is up to here. Also, read my new interview with him here on Virtuosity, where he gives us the scoop on what he's up to, how he met Robert Fripp and Jesus Christ, and what Iona has in store for this year.
CPR, the Christian Progressive Rock double compilation CD, is now shipping. It features songs from Neal Morse, Ajalon with Rick Wakeman, Akacia, Glass Hammer, Salem Hill and thirteen other prog artists. You can find more information at http://www.cprogrock.com . You can purchase it right here on Virtuosity's new Store page.
The CPR Volume 1 album will also feature the song Dry Bones from the band, Theophonic Cloud. The song was mixed by Fred Schendel of Glass Hammer at Sound Resources in Chattanooga. The band is my own little spiritual prog project, and features the amazing talents of Lance Haynes on guitars and bass as well as Collette Taylor on vocals.
Tr3nity's brand new album, Precious Seconds is now out on Cyclops records. Read my new review. Check out their website for more info. They are one of the UK's top prog bands right now, and they are believers, so please support them.
Inside Out Music has put up information that Tiles will be releasing a NEW cd on April 27th, 2004
12-17-03
Well, Fred and Steve were kind enough to send me an advance copy of the new Glass Hammer album, Shadowlands. If you like Glass Hammer, you will love this one. Read my new review here.
12-1-03
The official release date for
Glass Hammer's
"Shadowlands" is set -- January 14, 2004!
"Shadowlands" combines the legendary talents of prog-icons Steve Babb and Fred
Schendel, the incredible vocals of Walter Moore and Susie Bogdanowicz, a
half-million dollar pipe organ, a string section, an arsenal of analog gear, and
all the magic that modern recording technology has to offer. The band's website
(www.glasshammer.com)
has begun accepting pre-orders and plans to ship autographed copies before
Christmas of this year. The site also features a full-length MP3 from "Shadowlands",
as well as streaming video of interviews and recording sessions. Can Glass
Hammer one-up their epic Lex Rex? We'll soon find out!
David Bainbridge of Iona is busy at work on his first solo album, Veil of Gossamer. It will be a bit different from the standard Iona fare, although Joanne Hogg does add some vocal parts. You can read more information about it here. Dave has also released a compilation CD called Songs for Luca, and it features some of progressive rock's brightest stars such as The Flower Kings, Rick Wakeman, Gentle Giant, unreleased Iona tracks, and more. It's a double CD with 26 tracks in all, of which 10 are previously unreleased (these including an epic version of 'Matthew the Man - live in Tokyo 2001' and 'Beijing - widescreen remix' from IONA and other unreleased tracks from Dave Bainbridge, Bainbridge & Fitzgerald ('live' in Norwich Cathedral - 1998), The Flower Kings, Frank van Essen, Nick Beggs and Debbie Bainbridge - some of these especially written for Luca). Also features tracks by Rick Wakeman, Maire Brennan, Karnataka, Eden's Bridge, Joanne Hogg, Troy Donockley, Peter Fairclough Group, Mae McKenna, Terl Bryant, Jeff Johnson, Gentle Giant, Adrian Snell and Julie Tippetts. All proceeds from this album will go towards helping Dave and Debbie's autistic son Luca overcome the challenges that autism bring to his life using the Son-Rise Program, (Autism Treatment Centre of America).
11-8-03
I picked up Salem Hill's new album Be. It truly is their defining moment as a band. Read the review, Read our exclusive interview with Carl Groves.
Kerry Livgren and Proto Kaw are doing a special live performance to go along with their CD-release party for the new Proto Kaw album, Before Became After. Here's the scoop from Kansas City Kevin:
Start making plans now for Friday, Jan. 9th in Kansas City. Plans are not finalized at this time but the show is "private" for their friends and family and dedicated fans willing to travel from around the country to see this only live performance, CD release party and other exciting events surrounding the release of their new album "Before Became After". Everybody that has wanted to see Kerry do a whole show live, this will be your chance. There are plans for a nice long set from Proto Kaw and a jam session after concert with some special guests.
You really should check out the band Syzygy... perhaps some of the best prog I've heard in decades. I've posted a new review of their album The Allegory of Light. Here's an email I received from band leader Carl Baldassarre in response to my inquiry about their spiritual tendencies:
10/12/03
Here's an update from Mike Tenenbaum of Akacia:
10/8/03
Neal Morse's new double album Testimony is out on Radiant Records (http://www.radiantrecords.com). They also have a three disc special edition box set available. Also, Neal's website includes interviews about the record, plus a great message board with some interesting topics. You can go there here. The disc is amazing, reminding me of Kansas Leftoverture. Read my new review of Testimony here.
Randy George of Ajalon is playing bass on Neal's upcoming tour, which will feature a few dates with Mike Portnoy of Dream Theater. If they come to your area, you definitely need to be there. Dates are posted here.
The song titles of the new Dream Theater album Train of Thought sure look interesting.
Here's some Tr3nity news from the band.:
The New Album
Over the summer the album progressed well, currently the album is named "Precious Seconds", and the track line up is now fixed at
Livin a lie (previewed at Rotherham)
From Afar
Run before you walk (Previewed at Rotherham)
More than I deserve
The Last Great Climb (Could be renamed Precious Seconds)
We're all really excited with what's coming out, and really look forward to hearing your opinions. Release date is far from fixed yet, but early 2004 looks favourable.
More info can be found at: http://www.tr3nity.com
Glass Hammer's new record is nearly done, and it will be called Shadowlands. No, it won't be a concept album this time.
Steve Babb writes::
The Glass Hammer website
reports that filming for their live DVD is complete. Songwriting team Babb and
Schendel now return to work on their 8th release "Shadowlands". According to
Babb, this album is a "continuation of the style we developed during the Lex Rex
sessions." Those who have heard the early rough mixes claim the album sonically
surpasses previous GH albums, and features tighter vocal performances, a real
pipe organ, and the addition of a string section. No release date yet, but this
much anticipated follow-up to last year's successful "Lex Rex" should be
released before year's end. Check the group's website for streaming video from
recent "Shadowlands" recording sessions.
www.glasshammer.com
9/02/03
Salem Hill is finished with what may be their masterpiece, Be. It is due out in October, and is available for pre-order. If you order it early you'll get a bonus disc of unreleased Salem Hill tunes, plus some hilarious outtakes from the Be sessions. Check out their new updated website.
Ajalon's new album has been pushed back a few months as Neal Morse of Spock's Beard adds some backing vocal tracks. That means that, yes, the contest is on hold, but fear not, if you entered, you will be given a second chance once we have more details.
There is a new website out there for Christian prog-metal lovers to be found at: http://members.chello.nl/~w.de.boer/
8/10/03
The new album by Kerry Livgren and Proto-KAW has a name and artwork. Check it out:
7/21/03
Do yourself a favor and pick up Glenn Hanson's stellar album Him. Read my review here.
According to the Radiant Records website, Neal Morse's new double CD "Testimony" has been mixed and mastered and the release date has been set for September 23rd. Rumor has it that it was partially recorded with Kerry Livgren of Kansas fame. Neal will also be launching his new website, http://www.nealmorse.com soon and you'll find sound soundclips, photos and other stuff there.
Ajalon has released some full length mp3's from their upcoming new album with Rick Wakeman, On the Threshold of Eternity. Check them out at http://www.mp3.com/ajalon. Great keyboard solo from Wakey on there. I can't wait. If you are wondering when it will come out, don't forget to enter the contest for an autographed copy of the CD here.
6/6/03
Shawn Ames from prog metal band LordBane is now a Christian. He is now recording under the name MORPHEOUS (one who changes), and is currently in the studio recording his first solo album "Torn Curtain and the Needle's Eye".
"Hey - this is a strange Metamorphosis that would take a worthless piece of dirt and make it fit for the crown of the King - a life for which the angels in heaven sing - precious jewels" excerpt from The Needles Eye
"You said 'Be still and wait for that moment till you realize who I really am, I nit you together in your mothers womb - its your destiny to belong to me' " excerpt from Eli's Road (the protokon).
Check Morpheus out at http://www.intromental.com
. Also you can download an mp3 sample of Morpheus at http://www.streamload.com/shawnames/Morpheous-preview.mp3
5/27/03
Be sure to enter the On the Threshold of Eternity Contest here to win an autographed copy of the new Ajalon CD, On the Threshold of Eternity, due out this fall. The new CD, which still in production, will feature Rick Wakeman on keyboards.
5/25/03
Here's an update on the new Salem Hill album in-progress, Be, from Carl Groves:
Greetings folks,
Spent this past week recording Pat's bass tracks to "Be" and am so
juiced I have to share it with you all.
We finished drums last week and plunged right in to recording bass.
Amazingly, we will be done with bass next week. I've already recorded
a lot of my rhythm and acoustic guitar tracks, so it looks like we're
actually *past* the halfway mark of the instrument tracks!
But the most telling aspect of our sessions thus far is what I'm
hearing from my comrades. Before Kevin came in in early March, I was
telling my Hillion brothers that I feel "Be" could be something
really special. I didn't get the rolled eyes, but I imagine they're
used to seeing my early-in-the-going enthusiasm. However, they're
also used to seeing it fade as the weariness of the recording process
takes it toll. Folks, I'm still singing these silly tunes in my car
having written or co-written 'em months and months ago. And each
session I participate in gets me even more excited. My bandmates are
more...er...staid in their emotions. However, after completing his
tracks, Kevin said, "easily the finest thing I've ever done." And
last night, Pat said, "this stuff sounds better than 'The Robbery.'"
And they're both right.
I also added some new reviews sent in by Patrick Vogelaar of Holland for Azure, Eden's Bridge, and Adrian Snell.
5/22/03
Proto-Kaw, the early 70's progressive band that spawned Kansas, is back in the studio with Kerry Livgren working on a new album. Last fall, Kerry released the long lost Proto-Kaw album on Cuneiform Records to critical acclaim (even Rolling Stone gave it high marks), after mp3's of some of the band's songs appeared on the Internet, courtesy of Bill Hammell via Kerry, and they proved quite popular. According to the band's website, the new CD will feature older songs (re-worked and re-recorded from the 70's) and some new compositions by Kerry Livgren. Lynn Meredith, lead vocalist for Proto-Kaw, told me via email that the new disc should be released this fall, and the band is strongly considering some live shows as a follow up once it comes out and they've had more time to rehearse together. Apparently they were asked to headline Progday in North Carolina this summer but turned it down. More information on Proto-Kaw is available from their official website HERE.
The Sabians are a new heavy prog band worth exploring. Fusing heavy rock, chants, folk music, and sweeping King's X meets Pink Floyd style epics with lyrics penned and sung by Justin Marler, the former lead vocalist for doom/stoner rock legends Sleep. Marler spent the last seven years in a monastery centering his life on Christ after getting disgusted with his drug addled and suicidal rock star lifestyle. He then formed The Sabians to spread the truth via rock and roll. Their critically acclaimed debut is called Beauty and Ashes, and it came out last summer. The Sabians are currently in the studio finishing up a follow up album and will tour this summer. Check out their well crafted web site, which has some full mp3's to download at http://www.thesabians.com/
5/11/03
King’s X’s new album Black Like Sunday came out May 20. Expect some more faith-oriented lyrics, as most of the songs were written in the late 80's before they were called King’s X. There’s an mp3 available of the title song here: http://metalblade.com/bands/Kings_X/KingsX-Black.mp3
Also, here’s a dandy new interview with Ty Tabor from Electric Basement:
http://electricbasement.com/interview_kingsx_may2003.htm
4/29/03
Former Spock's Beard lead singer Neal Morse is hooking up with prog maestro Kerry Livgren . Apparently, Neal has been getting to know Kerry pretty well over the last few months, and Kerry invited him to his studio in Topeka to work together on some tracks for Neal's upcoming solo album. The thought of those two writing and performing songs together is music to this prog-lovers ears.
Spock's Beard is carrying on without Morse, and their new album is due out this June. The new Spock´s Beard album will be entitled "Feel Euphoria". Street date is the 30th June and it will be the first new music by the band since Neal Morse left. New vocalist is drummer Nick D´Virgilio.
3/15/03
New new double live album from Salem Hill is out now. Puppet Show, taken from various live shows over the past few years, is supposed to be stellar.
Also, Salem Hill is busy in the studio putting the finishing touches on their new concept album, Be.
1/27/03
Rick Wakeman is committed to staying in Yes, according to a new interview at Music Street Journal. Apparently, Yes is getting ready to record a new album. Also, Rick has a new prog solo album coming out in February called Out There, which is a continuation of his 70's classic No Earthly Connection. A DVD of the album will be released in April, 2003. Rick also mentioned he plans on recording some keyboard tracks for the new Ajalon album.
1/24/03
New stuff has been added to the site, like a review of the great debut album by Akacia, An Other Life, and the addition of Outlander to the band list. Also, a heart-moving new Essay has been added for your perusal. Enjoy.
1/07/03
OK, it's 2003 and time for a progressive news update (yeah, yeah, I've been on vacation, and stuff..)
Here's a new year update from the Christian prog band Ajalon:
11/28/02
Echolyn is getting ready to release their box set retrospective, entitled A Little Nonsense: Now and Then! Here's the info:
This 3-CD boxset is the ultimate in echolyn...it includes:
The fully-remastered 1991 debut release Echolyn
The fully re-mixed and re-mastered 1993 release ...And Every Blossom
The fully re-mixed and re-mastered 1996 release When the Sweet Turns Sour
The Edge Of Wonder (aka "E-Rad Glitch") - a re-mixed track from 1989 that was never commercially released
Year 2000 re-mixes of Suffocating the Bloom, As the World, Shades and Carpe Diem
Special packaging with a full-color pull out booklet
And several other surprises
The price is $35 plus $3 shipping and handling. Order it from http://www.echolyn.com
10-21-02
Check out our new intimate interview with spiritual progressive rock pioneer and Kansas veteran Kerry Livgren here.
Glass Hammer's new album Lex Rex was reviewed in the National Review here:
http://www.nationalreview.com/comment/comment-karnick101502.asp
Front man Neal Morse has left the progressive band Spock's Beard to devote his energy toward strictly Christian oriented music. Read Neal's letter to his fans explaining why here: http://www.radiantrecords.com/nealnote.htm
10-03-02
Here's some odd but really cool news. Kevin Max of DC Talk just returned from England where he worked with Robert Fripp writing the lyrics for the next King Crimson album, entitled The Power to Believe, due out in late fall. Adrian Belew and Tony Levin played on Max's recent solo album, Stereotype Be. I don't think Max is going to sing on the album, but he has a great voice, a cross between Jeff Buckley and Bono of U2.
The new Glass Hammer album Lex Rex and their for kids album David and Goliath-The Musical are now shipping. You can order them, and a new video from http://www.glasshammer.com
10-1-02
Spock's Beard's new album Snow is reviewed, and the new wave of spiritual progressive artists, Salem Hill, Echolyn, Glass Hammer, and Dream Theater are all mentioned favorably in a great new article in the National Review. Here's the link.
9-18-02
Even more Glass Hammer news. I just posted a new interview with Steve Babb, as well as a new review of their essential new album, Lex Rex. You can download the new tune One King off of their website at http://www.glasshammer.com . You must get Lex Rex. You must get Lex Rex. You must get Lex Rex. Did I make myself clear?
9-9-02
Glass Hammer
is back in the news.
The "Lex Rex" release date has been
set for October 1st, and pre-orders are
being accepted at the Glass Hammer website. All pre-orders will be
autographed upon request. The new one hour Glass Hammer documentary
and music video collection "This Way To Evermore" will also be released on
October 1st, as will Babb and
Schendel's 73 minute long "David and Goliath" CD. http://www.glasshammer.com has
been updated with streaming video, free mp3's, Lex
Rex interviews and more.
I have an advance copy of Lex Rex (big review forthcoming), and I can honestly say it is their best album yet.
Rick Wakeman
was recently interviewed by news giant CNN during the Yes tour. He has some
interesting things to say about the music industry.
http://www.cnn.com/2002/SHOWBIZ/Music/09/05/yes.wakeman.trans/index.html
8/26/02
Here is an exclusive look at the incredible cover art of the new Glass Hammer album, Lex Rex. A review and fresh interview with the GH boys is forthcoming.
8/24/02
I'm proud to present a brand new essay from my friend Carl Groves of Salem Hill, wherein he expounds on the role and challenges of a recording artist that happens to be a Christian.
8/21/02
Kerry
Livgren
has just released a CD of pre-Kansas material called Proto-KAW on
Cuneiform
Records. According to Bill Evans,
from Kerry's Numavox records,
Proto-KAW is
a
full-length CD of Kerry Livgren's early compositions
from 1971-1973. It
will
released September 17 on
Cuneiform Records. The music is performed by the second incarnation of KANSAS,
the third being the group we know today. Kerry describes the songs as very much
compositional, but more jazz-oriented and free-form in their execution.
Listeners will recognize compositions and musical elements from the first Kansas
album to the latest. The CD features all the studio tracks recorded by the
band, and two live tracks selected by Mr. Livgren. All the songs were mastered
by Kerry from the original recordings at his studio in Kansas.
We can all thank Bill Hammell, moderator
of the CPROG and Art of the State lists, for helping the album get
released. Bill recently shared on the Art of the State list that
someone
that runs a list known as
"ProgAndOther" (which was an
off-shoot of the PotSW Kansas list) spotted the posted mp3 files on his
http://progrock.org site and commented
favorably on them. The Cuneiform Records label owner saw this post and
went to check out the tunes. He loved them. He had not even heard much
Kansas before, just the hits. So he was able to contact Kerry and
ask him about putting the songs out on his label. And the rest is history.
8/12/02
The Jelly Jam is going out on tour in November with The Dixie Dregs. We'll announce tour dates when we have them available.
Iona has released a new 4CD box set containing their now deleted first three albums: IONA, The Book of Kells, Beyond These Shores, with all three albums re-mastered and a number of tracks re-mixed especially for this release. CD 4 contains new and previously unreleased material including IONA's soundtrack from the BBC nature program 'Snowdonia, Realm of the Ravens' (re-mixed and extended), Jigs, Reels and Hearthquake (new versions) plus other unreleased material. The box set also includes a 60 page color booklet containing a bunch of info and many unreleased photos. Order it now here.
8/06/02
Glass Hammer has finished mixing their new epic 67 minute prog concept album, Lex Rex. It should be coming out in September sometime. Here's a link to a tasty three minute video clip of the band live in the studio: New video footage from LEX REX! In addition, the guys from GH have a new children's CD coming out called David and Goliath - The Musical. It will be available at Christian Bookstores everywhere September 3. And finally, Glass Hammer has re-released their long out of print 1994 album of live material and rarities entitled Live and Revived.
And I'm sure you noticed the complete and total revamp of the Virtuosity site. It just passed 11,000 hits after three years of existence, so in honor of that, I decided to polish it up a bit and move into an expanded realm with more interviews and essays in the future. I hope you like it.
7/27/02
Alright, I have an exclusive interview with Brett Kull of echolyn just posted to the interview page HERE. I plan on doing a lot more interviews in the future, so stay tuned.
I also added the impossible to find 70's UK band Cloud to the review page, though I've yet to hear a snippet.
7/22/02
A lot is going on in Progville. Echolyn's epic new album Mei is out, and if I were you I would put it first on your purchase list. Yes, it's that good. By the way, look for an exclusive interview up soon with Brett Kull.
Prog-metal band Threshold has a new studio album coming out in September. Their 2001 album Hypothetical had a definite spiritual overtone (see the lyrics to Light and Space at http://www.progscape.com/~threshol/tcl-hyp.htm ) More info can be found at their website at http://www.thresh.net
I just got back from a short vacation, and while I was away I caught Yes in concert and also had a chance to hang out with Randy George of Ajalon. He played me a few cuts of their upcoming album, On the Threshold of Eternity, and from what I heard its going to be quite excellent, with some real tasty Christian prog epics. So stay tuned, and check in at http://www.ajalon.net for news and information. Also, if you like mellower instrumental guitar music ala Phil Keaggy's The Master and the Musician, you should check out Randy's solo CD called In the Light of the King's Countenance. You can sample it at http://www.mp3.com.
I also got to hang out a bit with my good friend and Yum Yum Children meastro, Leon Goodenough. He played me a couple of cuts that are in progress off of their newest, great stuff if you've never heard them. It's jangly, off time Crimson meets the Violent Femmes progressive praise. I can't wait until it's out. I have nearly worn out my copy of Dufisized. No word on the actual release date, I'd guess early 2003. But there is a new mp3 up at MP3 dot com..
And finally, Spock's Beard is set to release their double cd epic, Snow. Here's a pre-release review posted recently by Greg Jones from the Salem Hill email list to wet your appetite:
From: "Greg Jones" <dregjones@myexcel.com>
Subject: "The Hills Are Alive..... With The Sound Of
MUSIC..."
Thinkers!
I have the great honor and fortune to have been allowed to hear SNOW in it's entirety. I
agree.... I'm not worthy! I'M NOT WORTHY!!!!! But since I HAVE been able to hear it,
and been given permission to talk about it (as long as I don't get too specific), I
thought I'd share my impressions with you all....
OOOOOOHHHHHHHMYGOD WHAT AN INCREDIBLE RECORD!!!!!
The first thing that struck me was a quantum leap (!) in the harmonic complexities of the
writing - what I mean is, instead of the great chordal structures that are familiar colors
in much of the existing Spock's Beard catalogue, there are a myriad of thick new musical
layerings that evoke different and yes, deeper, emotional responses in me. And
these are equally countered by the largest collection of HOOKS and STATELY THEMES ever
assembled by man in one place! This record should have a label on it that says -
"WARNING : You are holding a double album with absolutely NO filler material or
wasted tracks on it - proceed with open ears and be rewarded".
The next thing I noticed was that each listen (6 in the last 3 days) revealed many NEW
highlights without diminishing the previously uncovered ones. Yes, even the recurring
themes and segues are amazing music in their own right, equal in stature and transcendent
majesty tothe song "events" they connect! And if you can imagine Neal as an
artist who suddenly discovered equal amounts of colors that are classics he hadn't used
before ( a pinch of The WHO, a dash of 73 Stones, sharp slabs of vintage Purple) AND new
ones that have never existed, then imagine him combining all the ones he uses regularly
(but NEVER as magnificently as here) with these others as if guided by visions into a
complete all-encompassing statement of such breadth and grandeur that it boggled all
conceptions of what was possible - THEN imagine his 4 bandmates catching the vision and
reaching deep into their hearts and souls to deliver complimentary gifts and gems that
enhance and improve upon the unimaginable perfectness of it all -well, you'll start to get
an idea what effect this record will have on you.
Nick sings a short ballad at one point that could become the number one song in the entire
world and raises my armhairs every time I hear it! My fist pumped madly in the air at all
the unique slamming rock the band does thruout. The blues, jazz, folk, prog, they all get
Picasso'd in but in fresh and glorious ways. The vocal and instrumental themes encompass
you in every feeling imaginable. Each band member plays beyond what I thought were their
considerable abilities, with chops and impeccable taste and inventiveness. And the end,
well, I was crying my eyes out with joy and thankfulness, ready to conquer the earth
and make them all submit to its greatness.
This record is a WORLD unto itself that will suck you in and give you another lifetime's
worth of experiences all in a few listens. Prepare ye the way of SNOW....... it
makes V, which I consider a perfect album from start to finish, seem like a noble early
prototype.
Greg Jones
PS - and No, I DON'T know what the cover is on the third
disc.... and after THIS, well, I couldn't care less....
***
I guess there is a special edition with a third cd with a cover
tune and some instrumental versions of some
songs.
6/11/02
Be sure to check out http://www.crossingmusic.com to find many of the hard to find, independant, and out of print prog artists listed on my page.
There is a new sample clip of The Snow, a song from Spock's Beard's upcoming release, available at http://www.spocksbeard.com . Expect some lyrics on the mid-summer release that reflect Neal Morse's recent committment to Christ.
Glass Hammer is nearing completion of their latest epic Lex Rex. Steve Babb would kill me if I divulged what the subject matter for the concept album is, but there are hints enough on their webpage at http://www.glasshammer.com to whet your appetite.
5/28/02
Echolyn is in the news again. They are getting ready to release their new album entitled Mei, and you can order it from their website at http://www.echolyn2000.com . Lyrics and sounds clips are posted there as well, and they are excellent. You can also download complete songs from each of their releases, and solo releases from the band members. Echolyn is also releasing a three CD retrospective later this summer entitled A Little Nonsense, Now and Then. And to top it off, echolyn's guitarist and primary song writer Brett Kull has a new solo album out called Orange-ish Blue. I havn't heard it, but you can read a review at http://www.progfreaks.com under the review archive.
5/09/02
Farpoint has finally released their interesting art-rock debut CD First Light, and a new review has been posted within.
5/02/02
Rick Wakeman, legendary keyboardist for Yes, has rejoined the band.
Their forthcoming tour of the United States kicks off in Seattle July 17, and
Rick says that as a Christian, he has never objected to the lyrical content of some YES
songs.
"It's true I have a strong faith, but I also have total respect for all other religions and other people's beliefs," said Wakeman from London, England, where he now lives. "I also have gone on record on numerous occasions that Jon Anderson (lead singer of YES) is one of my all time favorite lyricists. There is nothing that Jon has penned that I wouldn't be happy to play."
The YES office in Los Angeles has said that Rick will rejoin YES and that rehearsals will begin at the end of June and the US tour will commence in mid-July. It is expected to finish mid-September and further countries are likely to be added for either later in the year or in 2003.
4/11/02
Ty Tabor, the guitar virtuoso from King's X, has not one, not two, but three new CD's out. Safety is his new solo CD, very cool, very modern sounding. The Jelly Jam is his prog band with Rod Morgenstein and John Myung, and the new album absolutely shreds. And finally, Ty released a special "ambient" music CD done on guitar synth only available from his website http://www.tytabor.net/
There's a great new band from the U.K. called Tr3nity well worth checking out, especially if you dig old Genesis and Camel. The new album, Cold Light of Darkness, tells of the impact of child abuse, although many of the tracks can be interpreted in a number of different ways. Although the cd is a secular release, the two primary songwriters Paul Gath and Rob Davenport are both Christians. The CD is now on general release, through Pinnacle in the UK and Griffin in the US (CYCLOPS CYCL 111). Listen to some great sound clips at http://www.tr3nity.co.uk
If you live anywhere near Tenessee and are looking for something to do this July, progsters extrodinaire Salem Hill are having a private party for all their fans. Here's the message from Carl Groves:
Greetings Peculiar People,
It is my great pleasure to invite all of you to spend the evening of
July 6th with Salem Hill.
This is not just a live show, not just a party, not just a chance to
hang out with the smartest folks on the planet (Hillions, of course),
but an interactive marathon of fun, flavor and frolic. We've booked a
wonderful venue for the entire evening--6:00 till we drop (or 2:00AM,
whichever comes first). Salem Hill (and any of you brave souls
willing to share the stage with us) will play on and off for the
entire evening. Not 1, not 2, not 3 hours, but an *entire* evening of
song that would impress even Springsteen. We'll play Rush tunes.
We'll play Beatles tunes. We'll play a Kansas tune or ten. We'll fake
Zappa tunes. We'll even take the occasional request. And we'll
probably even manage to throw in some SH tunes for you purists out
there. ;-)
Because this is likely to be SH's last public performance for a long
while, we'll be making a special, professional recording of the
evening for future release. So we'd love to have you all come and add
your whoops and whistles to the mix.
The festivities take place at Govanne's Gathering Place in Gallatin,
TN. Gallatin is about 15 miles north of Nashville. Govanne's is
located in the old public square in Gallatin at 116 N. Water St.
There is NO admission to the party, finger foods and coke, coffee,
tea will be provided, and all you'll need money for is the adult
beverages being sold, and any SH merchandise you're compelled to buy
(even tho' you already own 2 copies of everything.)
We've also got an ulterior motive for the party, but it's a secret
and you'll have to be at the event to find out what it is.
I wish I didnt live so far away. I may figure out a way to get
there yet, though.
3/01/02
Cprog list member Mike Tenenbaum has finally posted a demo song of his excellent band Akacia on the web. You may remember these guys as opening up for some prog shows like the Flower Kings last year. Anyway, the song posted is a 22 minute spiritual prog epic about the messiah called The Journal, and it's well worth your time to check it out. The vocals sound like vintage Ty Tabor, and the music, well, lots of Steve Howe style guitar, fat Hammond riffs and odd time signatures. http://artists.mp3s.com/artists/369/akacia.html
2/11/02
Glass Hammer is busily working away in the studio recording their new prog epic Lex Rex. Go to http://www.glasshammer.com to see some video feed previews. Steve Babb tells me that the lyrics of their new concept album will be especially spiritual in nature, and there will be lots of pipe organs and steel guitars. Like Salem Hill, GH just gets better and better with each release. They have been prospering with the timely release of their Middle Earth Album with the sudden surge in popularity for all things Lord of the Rings related due to the recent movie. Amazon.com had them on their bestselllers list recently.
Farpoint is finally getting ready to release their debut cd soon. Kevin Jarvis dropped me a line recently to say:
We are almost finished with our debut album, and expect an early April 2002 release date. Also, our website has moved from the site listed on our review. The new website is www.farpointband.com Thanks again for the great review and keeping up such a great site.
1/22/02
I posted a new review of the German prog miesters Eden by Harry Pinkham, along with translated lyrics.
Also added a review of the absolutely essential album The Flower King by Roine Stolt.
1/04/02
A new year, and lots of news to share. Echolyn has been stirring things up, recording a new album and getting ready to release it this spring. There is an mp3 of a new track on their web site at http://www.echolyn2000.com
Brett Kull just finished his debut solo release, entitled Orange-ish Blue (recording nine). Not much is known about the project, but Brett has has said that current Echolyn members Paul Ramsey and Chris Buzby make apperances on the disc. Look for an early 2002 release date. The other "big" news is that three is a tentative timetable on the release of new (and not so new) echolyn material! The first release will be a multi-disc compilation set with tracks from the following:
1. Echolyn's 1991 debut release, newly mastered
2. ...And Every Blossom, newly mixed AND mastered
3. When The Sweet Turns Sour, newly mixed and mastered. Look for this in
Spring 2002.
Carl Groves of Salem Hill has some news to report as well:
I'd like to let all of you in on my musical plans for this
upcoming year. Although there isn't a *new* SH offering in the works,
I hope many of you find some of these teasers...well...teasing.
1. Michael Dearing and I have had a project in the works for over a
year. It's a power trio ensemble working under the name "Hype Pulley"
(thanks, Smitty!) with me on gtr, Mike on bass (that's his primary
instrument as most of you know) and drums being played by an odd
(even odder than your run of the mill drummer) assortment of fellows.
It'll be heavy, highly improvisational at times, and greats gobs of
fun. It's my number one priority at this point, and I hope to have
something ready to release by the summer.
2. I've penned about 4 songs for my next solo project, tentatively
entitled "Be". Although I again plan on playing much of the album
myself, I intend to enlist my SH comrades in certain spots. It won't
be a "by the seat of my pants" record like "Branch" was, as I intend
to actually take some time on this one and give it the full
treatment. If Hype Pulley doesn't consume my time and energy, I
anticipate a fall release.
3. I realize that this will appeal to any even smaller audience than
those in the SH fold, but I also intend on recording an album of
Christian music. If you've read the interviews at the SH website, you
know that I have a particularly profound dislike for "contemporary
Christian" music. I feel it's poorly done, it's unimaginative, it's
sophomoric... shall I go on? But then there's this rub in the back of
my mind whining "if you can do better, why don't you?" So I will.
Possible Christmas release. Again, depending on how quickly the HP
and solo projects go.
4. Pat and I have been bouncing ideas off of each other for a long
time on an epic we dreamed together. In many ways it's the most
daunting musical experiment I've encountered thus far. And probably
because of that, there are no pretentions about a 2002 release.
However, if the muse strikes...
5. The band would love to throw a huge party sometime this year for
SH fans. What we'd like to do is rent a hall, set up on a stage and
invite anyone interested in spending 10-12 hours partying with us
playing SH tunes, copy tunes (no Buffett or Mellencamp, tho), and
hanging out with good company, good conversation, good cigars, and a
pint or two. We're looking for a hall and sound/lighting company that could
accomodate our needs.
6. And just so I don't get criticized for leaving out any SH musical
content...we have been looking for a label to carry a SH live album.
We have the audio ready to go, but we're simply in no position to
release it ourselves. Cyclops has shown interest but only for a Euro
release and that doesn't help us over here. So although we don't have
anything set in stone, we are trying to work out a deal. The live
album would also have a few unreleased studio nuggets from our sordid
past.
Wishing you all a wonderful 2002.
Carl
12/13/01
Iona News (thanks to the Phantom Tollbooth)
In between announcing that vocalist Joanne Hogg has given birth
to a baby
boy named Isaac (congratulations Jo) and that their website is to be
redesigned very soon, Iona have informed us that they've been dropped by
Forefront records "in favour of looking to sign 'pop acts capable of wider
crossover appeal'". Since Forefront had a deal which meant they helped
Alliance fund Iona's recording projects, Alliance are no longer able to
continue their deal with the band who as a result are now independent. The
band have decided to experiment with independetly releasing future albums on
their own label and are asking fans to pre-order future projects to help
with financing them. At the same time Dave Bainbridge has announced that the
first release on Iona's new label will be a 4 CD box set containing the
band's first three albums and an additional CD of unreleased material, both
live and studio. The box set will also include a 56 page booklet of archive
photos. The proposed release date is Spring 2002 and the band are asking
interested fans to get in touch for more information.
Dave Bainbridge has also updated the Iona website with news about progress on
the band's development of their own label which is to be callec Open Sky
Records. The label will have distribution through Alliance (UK/Europe
Christian outlets), Voiceprint (general market) and a few other
organisations worldwide. The first release will be the box-set mentioned
above, to be titled The River Flows (Iona Anthology
Volume 1) and to be released early next year. The band will soon be
re-entering the studio to record and mix the tracks "Jigs", "Castlerigg
and extended reels" and "Hearthquake" to be included on the bonus disc
included in the box set. The band will be doing a few shows in Germany in June,
though it is not yet confirmed whether this will be the full lineup or the
rumoured instrumental outing.
And for those Ty Tabor/King's X fans, Ty's new post-Platypus prog
project The
Jelly Jam is coming out in February, and he has some mp3's posted at his
site at: http://www.tytabor.net/discog.htm
If you like Christmas music with a progressive twist, you must
check out The December People , Sounds Like
Christmas. It is a progressive rock Christmas album featuring a new song by Kansas
and songs done in the style of your favorite progressive bands such as Yes, ELP, Kansas,
Pink Floyd, Queen, and others, and featuring Steve Walsh, John Wetton, Robert Berry, Jake
Livgren, and others on vocals. It's pretty tasty, and features a number of classic
songs about the celebrated birth of the Savior.
12/05/01
Updated the site with a review of the new Torman Maxt CD, The Foolishness of God. It's great stuff, so check it out.
Also new is some info on legendary Christian prog band Tetelestai. It's worth checking out.
11/25/01
Phil Keaggy has been in the studio with Kerry Livgren of Kansas, recording some guitar and vocal parts for Kerry's new epic The Cantata.
Also added were reviews for Azure Circle, Eve and the Garden, Seeds, and Destra (thanks Mike T.), and one for a Tournequet album.
If you havnt heard it yet, you owe it to yourself to pick up the new Transatlantic album, Bridge Across Forever, featuring Neal Morse, Roine Stolt, etc. Definitely some spiritual flavor to some of the songs, including the chorus: His name is Wonderful..His name is Majesty...
10-15-01
If any of you old-timers remember Nektar,
you may want to check their new album out. 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
concept album called The Prodigal Son. You can find info at http://www.nektar2000.com/
9-6-01
Neal Morse of Spock's Beard comes out of the closet and admits that he has become a Christian and is starting a Christian music label. No kidding. Here's the news blurb:
Neal Morse has started a new label, LATTER RAIN RECORDS,
dedicated to
and specializing in Christian music. "Since I've become a Christian in
recent years, I've been wanting to do something different just for the Lord,
and when my friend Mark Leniger asked if I wanted to help him make an album
for worship, I jumped at the chance. If I could do something to help people
get closer to God...we'll, what could be greater than that?"
The album, "Mark Leniger - Amazing Love", turned into a real partnership
with Mark handling the drums, sax and lead vocals and Neal producing and
playing most of the organ, piano, guitar and bass tracks, with some help
from
their friends from the Christian Gospel Temple in Nashville, TN.
"This is a REAL departure from what anyone's heard me do in the past"
says Morse. "This is about as non - prog as you can get!....but this music
has really touched my heart...the song Amazing Love has made me cry many
times."
Morse adds "I certainly hope I don't offend anybody, I just want to make
this music available to those who would be touched by it."
NOW AVAILABLE AT
http://www.latterrain.net
http://www.spocksbeard.com
http://www.radiantrecords.com
9-3-01
Adrian Belew and Tony Levin of King Crimson are all over the new solo record Stereotype Be from DC Talk frontman Kevin Max. Its an interesting offering from Forefront records, who recently dropped Iona. Max talks a bit about the new record and Levin's influence:
'The record is very, very eclectic, from songs like "Return of the Singer," which is kind of a Middle Eastern/disco vibe, to some songs that are almost "Brit anthem" sounding, to -- you know what it is, it's an international record. I mean, it's got flavors from everywhere. It's slightly African in parts. The bass player that I chose to play on the record, Tony Levin -- he played for Peter Gabriel, and King Crimson of course, and other people -- he's very African in his approach to bass playing. It's very different, almost like world music, like Paul Simon when he flirted with stuff like that. I think about Sting, too -- he kind of gets out there in the international field. So it's kind of like a combined effort from all of the different musicians on the record.
What I'm trying to say is that the music is not definable. I can't just say, "Well, my music is 'pop/rock,' or it's got 'pop-laced melodies.'" Everybody tries to put that kind of tag on it, and I just don't have a tag. And I don't want it to have a tag. I want to be the anti-tag. I want people to go, "I've never heard anything like this in my life." That's why I hired a lot of King Crimson guys. Adrian Belew plays all over the record.'
The rest of the interview can be found here.
You can listen to clips of the album Stereotype Be at http://www.kevinmax.com
8-23-01
Ok, I finally got the classic 1973 prog album by Vindication on CD. It is well worth the money ($22 with shipping) - very original, and it is going to take me some chewing to get the full brunt of its barely 37 minutes of prog ecstacy. I've got an initial review up and running though to whet your appetite. You better get your copy from Rock Solid Music quick before they are gone (ask them about it, it isn't listed on their web page). http://www.rocksolidmusic.com
8-6-01
Then as a final treat, you can download three brand new King's X songs off their upcoming album due out Sept 25 right here: http://welcome.to/the.groovemachine
If you like King Crimson like prog, you would do well to check out Blink of an Eye and their new CD called Until Then. Check out their page at http://artists2.iuma.com/IUMA/Bands/Blink_of_an_eye/ to download some samples.
7-19-01
Fixed some stuff, added Trytan (a Rush clone) and some info on the release on CD of Arkangel's debut Christian art-rock album Look Up. And yeah, I lost the Hildebrand paintings, not because I dont like them, but because they annoy the heck out of people who try to read the info. Oh, and Glass Hammer's new Middle Earth Album is out, for the orc and dwarf in all of us....hehe
6-29-01
If you are looking for great progressive rock with a decidedly Christian slant, then look no further than The Ground Zero Project and their new CD called Battle Cry (available at www.fscomcen.com ). A thorough review was just posted, and the sound has that heavy prog vibe that UK, Cairo, and ELP made famous.
5-24-01
Added my personal testimony to the Essay Page. Added a new review of Holy Cross.
5-17-01
Added Azitus, Electric Prunes, and Out of Darkness.
5-13-01
Added new mini-reviews for Steelwind, Farpoint, Titus, and XP.
4-27-01
I put up a review of Sorrow and Promise from Divine-in-Sight, thanks to Dan Kunde who sent me a promo copy. I have a feeling you are gonna really like this album...hehehe
I am just now realizing I didnt write a review yet of Carl Groves great new album Branch Upon the Ground. It is amazing as well, a gem from one of my favorite songwriters. I guess I am going to have to get serious and write a review. I also got Salem Hill II, which is great. Unfortunately, I dont have much other news to report right now. No word on the new Ajalon album as of yet. Iona should be playing Cornerstone this summer. The new Pendragon album has some Christian themes to it. Hmm...send me some news.
3-05-01
Carl Groves, the voice and major composer of Salem Hill's incredible prog music, has a new solo album available, Branch Upon the Ground. I have my copy on the way, but if you are a SH fan at all, I can guarantee you it is a must have. Go to Carl's personal page at: http://cgroves.home.mindspring.com/grovespage.htm You can read about it, and a little personal history of Carl and his beliefs, plus lyrics to his solo album.
Divine-In-Sight is taking orders for their incredible new release, Sorrow and Promise.
This has nothing to do with prog, but run my (or your favorite) web pages through the Dialectizer to get a few good laughs: http://www.rinkworks.com/dialect/
2-10-01
Jon Anderson layed a bunch of vocal tracks on his new album with colloborater and producer Robin Crow. Crow had fellow Christian virtuoso guitarist Phil Keaggy lay down some licks on four of the tracks. That should be a highly anticipated release, providing Jon can refrain himself singing his lame hymns to devine mother...
Carl Groves from Salem Hill is hard at work on a new solo album. Salem Hill has re-released their classic prog album Catatonia, complete with some added keyboard tracks from Michael Ayers.
Echolyn has re-released their classic prog album Suffocating the Bloom on CD. Incredible album, buy it immediately.
Iona is playing Cornerstone this year near Chicago. If you live anywhere near there you owe it to yourself to see them live.
Kerry Livgren is hard at work on a secret non-Kansas project for prog label Magna Carta.
Those of you into early-mid era Genesis would do well to check out the band Sacred Clown. Song samples are availble for download on http://www.mp3.com
Some possible "spiritual prog band" leads have been passed my way:
Salamander - The Ten Commandments (British classic prog);
Los Canarios (looks especially
tasty - read the reviews here:
http://www.e-prog.net/bands/canarios.htm)
;
Quiet World - The Road (w/ Steve Hackett);
Ken Hensley (Website http://www.geocities.com/~wonderworld/menu.html former Keyboard wizard forUriah Heep. He was led to the Lord a few years ago and just released an awesome hard/prog/rock CD called, "A Glimpse of Glory." Definitely worth checking out!)
Ten point Ten (http://www.tenpointten.com) A "prog-ish" Christian band.
Divine-in-sight news: this in from the band last November:
The Divine-In-Sight album Sorrow and Promise will officially be
released in
a few more months. The artwork is being put together right now and all the
music has been mixed and is back from the mastering house in its final form.
It will probably be a 2 CD set. 55 min on one and 40 on the other. There
are no throw away tracks, but we are considering just one disc for maximum
effect. All in all there are only 4 songs. Disc 1 is the title track. Disc
2 has the other three songs which have appeared in demo form on our so
called bootleg demo. The songs have been edited down and rerecorded, so all
the material is fresh with a different drummer/arrangement. Any Christian
who enjoys any of the different prog classifications will get their moneys
worth. The message is vital, and drives the vision home. We hope everyone
on the list will check it out when released, and we will have a marketing
strategy which will encourage others to get on the band wagon. We will also
be updating the web site to match the album and introduce us to a larger
audience. You will hear many influences in DIS music, but we are obviously
attempting to be doing our own thing, especially on the Christian side of
things. The album will not turn off secular listeners either. Of course
some of this is my opinion, and I look forward to finally releasing this
thing so DIS can get many opinions/reviews. Please support our efforts by
buying Sorrow and Promise upon official release.
This shameless plug is over for now.
Sincere thanks,
God Bless,
Jonathan Dexter (bass/keys for DIS)
10-8-00
I've been overwhelmed with new CD's to review, so if you sent me one (or ten, like Mr. Ray), please be patient. One thing I will say, though, is there is a lot of great new music out there. Glass Hammer's new one Chronometree is a dandy.
The Big News: Iona will be playing at Baja Prog Progressive Rock Festival in February/early March. It will be their first ever concert near the West Coast, according to www.progressiveworld.net. Other progressive rock bands on the slate are: Azigza (USA), Cast (Mexico), Finisterre (Italy), John Jowitt and Friends (England), Le Orme (Italy), Lands End (USA), Landmarq (England), Priam (France), Solaris (Hungary), Sylvan (Germany). There's one more band yet to be confirmed.
I just hope I can find a way down there, or that they play some more dates than that one while they are here.
9-13-00
I added a long review of prog guitarist Rick Ray's A Summary of the Works of Rick Ray.
Kerry Livgren appears on the cover of Charisma magazine this month, and there is a in-depth interview with him about his music and his faith inside. Also included are interviews with Rick Wakeman and a member of the Moody Blues.
8-31-00
Added new band Aeon's Promise, plus a review of the new Salem Hill and Kansas albums. I've been gone on vacation for a month, so I have some catching up to do..hehehe...
7-11-00
Added new reviews of Holy Cross, Majestic Edge, Collaboration Element, Dichotomy, and Jimmy Hotz based on some mp3 sampling I did recently. Still waiting for my copy of Somewhere to Elsewhere to show up...
6-27-00
Howdy friends. Added a couple of new reviews of some classic albums by Aslan and Narnia from One Way, as
well as a link to Iona videos. The new Echolyn album is out, with fairly positive reviews.
5-28-00
Ok, long time no update. But now I have copies of the new Platypus, King's X, Iona etc.
All is wonderful in the world of spiritual prog. Incredible new releases abound.
The new Kansas album will be released June 1 on Magna Carta records: http://www.magnacarta.net/
Sounds clips are available on the site and from listening to them classic Kansas fans will be overjoyed to find music
in the same vein as Leftoverture. Kerry Livgren's lyrics are ripe with spiritual overtones as well, so I cant wait.
He recently released a CD of his own called Collector's Sedition, which I dont have but have heard great things about.
King's X released Please Come Home Mr...Bulbous, and it hearkens back to the era of their classic Gretchen
Goes to Nebraska, ripe with creativity and lush harmonies, the only bummers being the short length and the mostly
unspiritual subject matter (except for the last song, Move Me). Even though Doug Pinnick, their frontman and bass
player, continues to renounce his faith in interviews and made headlines last year after announcing he is gay, he still
sings with incredible passion and the drop A tuning he uses on the low end really thumps your kidneys. It's great stuff, an instant
classic.
The new Platypus album Ice Cycles is excellent, mixing driving rock songs with progressive elements with all out
Liquid Tension or Dregs type jams.
Glass Hammer's new classic prog epic, Chronometree, came out a few weeks back, and from the soundclips and
reviews I have read, is a must for fans of classic keyboard driven prog.
The new one from Iona, Open Sky, is their best and most progressive yet, surpassing even The Book of Kells as my
all time favorite. It is lush and epic, and ups the ante on the progressive scale.
Echolyn's new album Cowboy Poems free is due out June 1, and Salem Hill's new one, Not Everyone's Gold, will follow
soon after.
3/23/00
More Details Surface On Kansas Reunion Album
March 23, 2000, 1:20 pm PT
Kansas
No, we're not talking about the Kansas Jawhawks returning to the NCAA Final
Four -- we're talking about Kansas, folks. The '70s heartland rockers'
original lineup has entered a Topeka, Kan. recording studio to lay down
their first album together in 17 years, titled Somewhere to Elsewhere.
Tentatively slated for a July 11 release on Magna Carta Records, Elsewhere
is being produced by guitarists Kerry Livgren and Richard Williams and
drummer Phil Ehart. The band, together again with original vocalist Steve
Walsh, is currently mulling over 16 songs, 10 of which are likely to make
the final cut, including "Icarus II," "Myriad," "Distant
Vision," "Grand Fun
Alley," "Look at the Time," "Byzantium," "Thanatopsis,"
and "When the World
Was Young."
Kansas first surfaced with 1974's Kansas but didn't strike gold until 1977's
Leftoverture, featuring the smash hit "Carry on Wayward Son." Later that
year, Point of Know Return spawned the hit "Dust in the Wind" -- both of
which became classic rock staples from the onset.
Although Kansas has continued to record albums over the years (the last of
which being 1998's Always Never the Same), Elsewhere is the first to feature
Ehart, Livgren, Walsh, Williams, and violinist Robby Steinhardt since 1980's
Audio-Visions. Billy Greer, Kansas' bassist for the last 15 years, will
remain with the band as well.
Whether or not the band's original lineup will tour behind Elsewhere is
undecided at press time.
-- Kevin Raub
RELEASE DATE FOR NOT EVERYBODY'S GOLD ANNOUNCED
The long awaited release of the new Salem Hill CD, Not Everybody's Gold is earmarked for
April 1, 2000.
We are pleased to announce that European distribution and promotion will be courtsey of
Cyclops Records: www.gft-cyclops.co.uk
U.S. distribution will be provided by Lazarus Records. Advance U.S. orders are now being
accepted vai E-mail to salemhill@hotmail.com
Track listings for NOT EVERYBODY'S GOLD are as follows:
PRELUDE (Michael Ayers)
RIDING THE FENCE (Carl Groves)
THE LAST ENEMY (Carl Groves)
JANUARY (Patrick Henry)
LET LOOSE THE ARROW (Michael Ayers)
WE DON'T KNOW Dedicated to our female fans! (Carl Groves)
SWEET HOPE SUITE w/ David Ragsdale (Carl Groves)
Audio selections from NOT EVERYBODY'S GOLD will soon be available from www.salemhill.com
For you Echolyn fans:
You can pre-order Cowboy Poems Free and get a free bonus
CD too..pretty cool.
http://www.artist-shop.com/newlabel/index3.htm
or find out more info on their new web site: http://www.echolyn2000.com
Find out about the new Glass Hammer CD Chronometree at:
http://www.glasshammer.com/chronometree.html
It is being duplicated right now and should be available to order soon.
|
3/1/00
Iona are putting the finishing touches to their new album, Open Sky which should be mastered for immediate release this month. "It's a real departure from previous Iona albums," bassist Phil Barker tells us. He says that it's "very positive and the theme is the unseen spiritual realm that envelopes us." It is scheduled for release in April. The band have been recording at The Chapel in Lincolnshire.
2/17/00
Here's an inside scoop on the new echolyn release:
They were to begin recording the new CD ('Cowboy Poems Free') the week of 2/7, but Brett
Kull didn't have a good idea
when they would finish. He was hoping to have it out end of March/beginning of April
depending on the label's release schedule.
It's gonna be great.
My guess is we won't see it until Summer. But at least it is coming.
1/29/00
Posted a new review of hard prog outfit No Brass. Check out sound clips at http://www.nobrassmusic.com/
Stan Whittaker of Happy the Man had this to say about Kit Watkins departure and his replacement with David Rosenthal:
"Just to let you know, the new keyboardist David Rosenthal is an absolute
monster! He's played with Billy Joel, Cyndi Lauper, Robert Palmer and
Rainbow just to name a few. His favorite band of all time is Happy the
Man and he knows every lick Kit ever played! Not just the insane
nimble-fingered notes but the tones as well as every little subtle bend
and nuance! Plus he's a great performer! Kit hated playing 'live' and
had no desire to do so again. He only wanted to do the new album and with
Coco, not Ron. Frank and Rick and I wanted Ron, and we wanted a 'band'
again, not just a new album! I assure you, you won't miss Kit at all! If
you were to close your eyes, you'd swear it was Kit! And if you opened
your eyes, you'd have a MUCH more exciting 'live' performer!
We had our first full band rehearsal this past weekend and this
incarnation absolutely smokes the old band!!!"
1/21/00
There's an interesting new interview with Kerry Livgren from Kansas about their new reunion album, which Kerry wrote all the tracks for, at:
http://cjonline.com/electriccafe/
Here is the tracklisting for the upcoming Platypus album, "Ice Cycles", which is
currently scheduled for a release in the US on March
14th, 2000:
1.Oh God (4:16)
2.Better Left Unsaid (5:24)
3.The Tower (3:30)
4.Cry (6:15)
5.I Need You (4:17)
6.25 (5:09)
7.Gone (6:42)
8.Partial To The Bean (a tragic american quintogy) (10:33)
i.intro pompatous
ii.yoko ono
iii.yoko two-no
iv.yoko three-no
v.platmosis
vi.yoko againo
vii.yoko outro
This album is prog rock at it's shredding finest.
12-23-99
New interview with Starcastle at http://www.angelfire.com/az2/strutter3/STARCASTLEINTERVIEW.htm. Their new album, Chronos, is due out next year. At least two members of the prog band are Christians.
Check out Fountain of Tears website at http://www.FountainOfTears.com . You can download mp3's there.
12-22-99
According to Kansas bassist Billy Greer, Kansas is currently working on a brand new studio album. Kerry Livgren has rejoined the fold and he and Rich Williams will be performing all the guitars for the album. Kerry also supposedly wrote all the songs. Former bassist Dave Hope will also return to contribute some bass work, along with Greer, who incidently may sing lead vocals on one of the tracks. Look for the album sometime in the new year. The remainder of the band will include founders Steve Walsh (vocals, keyboards), Phil Ehart (drums) and Robbie Steinhardt (violin). For more Kansas info, visit People of the South Wind web site.
12-19-99
I saw this on the King's X newsgroup, and thought you all might
be interested in this comment from Frank Hart of Atomic Opera
on the new Platypus record due out in February:
This message by Frank Hart is pulled from the Atomic Opera message board:
- - -
Ty just gave me a CDR of "Ice Cycles" and it is all I've been playing.
It is the best thing he has ever done.
I like "Pus Comes To Shove" but it doesn't come anywhere near the new CD. The
songs are wonderful. It was sure cool of those other guys to help Ty out on another
solo album. (ha) The sound quality of the new CD is very good, and the playing is (of
course) excellent. A true prog art rock album ... Haven't heard a really good one since
... "Leftoverture."
I hope the world pays attention ... Kansas, Yes, Tull, Dreggs, Genesis ... PLATYPUS!
- - -
12-6-99
Despite previous mention to the contrary, the recent project
involving Chris Buzby, Brett Kull, Paul Ramsey and Ray Weston will in
fact be called Echolyn. This has been confirmed by Brett Kull himself for Ghostland. Brett
also mentioned that the band hopes to have the new record out in February, but is not
making any promises due to the numerous personal projects in which band members are
currently involved. The tentative album title is Cowboy Poems Free and is currently being
reviewed by a potential label (no, not Sony!). The sound of the band remains rather
hush-hush, though Brett said it "turned out like an Echolyn record." In line
with that, a recent Internet posting via Buzby stated that the band is "building on
the sound, style, and vision that Echolyn brought to original music in the early 90's with
its 5 studio album releases as well as the recent musical output from bands like Finneus
Gauge, Always Almost and Still." An added dimension to the Echolyn sound will be the
inclusion of drummer/percussionist Jordan Perlson on the new record. For more on Echolyn,
visit http://www.progscape.com/echolyn.
Salem Hill's new album, Not Everyone's Gold, is due out in February of 2000 as well. That should be a wonderful month for new music, with releases from two of my all time favorite progressive bands. They recently had a live web simulcast (www.therecordlable.com) featuring new and classic songs. I missed it. If anyone can find the archive links, let me know.
11-21-99
Posted my review of Lou Max Taylor's wonderful new folk-prog CD Cheshire Tree Suite. Also posted reviews by contributing editor Ken Vaughn of the prog-metal bands Torman Maxt, Teramaze, and Narnia. If you have review to contribute, then get right on it and I will post it as well.
11-15-99
Check out this page http://www.felsenfest.de/felsenfest/neu.htm for a link to a sound clips of a CD with Phil Keaggy and legendary drummer Vinny Colaiuta playing together. The artist is German artist and guitarist Lothar Kosse. Of course, it would be a lot better if you can read German. But it sounds great.
Also, expect an upcoming review of the album The Cheshire Tree by L. Max Taylor, some very intriguing new progressive music. To whet your appetite, check out this web site http://welcome.to/the-cheshire-tree The guy is an amazing lyricist. Sound clips are available on there as well.
11-1-99
Terl Bryant, Iona's former drummer, has a new US album out called Timbrel, which is a combination of his two UK releases, Psalm, and Beauty as Far as the Eye Can See.
Echolyn has reformed with Chris Buzby back on keyboards, with
Ray Weston, Brett Kull and and two drummers. Here's the press release from the Finneus
Gauge website "news" page, posted on oct 31st:
Chris Buzby (keyboards; vocals) is pleased to announce that he has been working with Brett
Kull (guitars; vocals), Jordan Perlson
(drums, percussion), Paul Ramsey (drums, percussion), and Ray Weston (bass guitars;
vocals) since March of 1999 on a new musical project.
Currently this band is closing in on the end of its writing/arranging process with 10
brand new songs nearing completion. Next come preparations to head into recording mode for
the months of November and December with an anticipated album release in early 2000.
Building on the sound, style, and vision that echolyn brought to original music in the
early 90's with its 5 studio album releases, as well as the recent musical output from
bands like finneus gauge, Always Almost and Still, this renewed line-up, with the addition
of a second percussionist, has taken the original composition process to yet another new
musical plateau. The combination of 3 years of time apart, coupled with 8 months of time
back together, is what now writes this brand new chapter to a musical adventure that
started some 10 years ago in a little barn in West Point, Pa.
10-28-99
Theres a new Dream Theater album- Scenes from a Memory (Metropolis Part II). Its supposed to be a return to form from Images and Words, and is a highly progressive concept album.
There's also a new King Crimson album. I forgot the name of it- Projekts or something like that. Its live sets from their Projekt tours.
There's a new Genesis "best of" called Turn It On Again that features a new version of Carpet Crawlers with Peter Gabriel on vocals. Its pretty good, I have the MP3 - so e-mail me if you want it. The rest of the record is the crappy Collins hits.
Bono from U2 is currently getting the leaders of the developed nations of the world to forgive all the financial debts of the underdeveloped ones, no small task. It's called Jubilee 2000, based on the Jewish principle of Jubilee. You can read about it in November's Rolling Stone, where he talks about his meetings with the United Nations, the Pope, Clinton and Billy Graham. In the photo he's showing off his solid gold "Jesus Saves" ring.
Iona just released Woven Chord, a new live album done with an orchestra. They are also working on a new studio album.
9-27-99
Starcastle has officially re-formed with all original members, and has been signed to Aeria records for their upcoming new release. Two of their members are now professing Christians.
Animator- The band have split but the vocalist has been working with Gary Strater of Starcastle on a new Progressive rock project called Lush.
Glass Hammer - Their next album, due out who knows when, is a bit of a departure lyrically. They've laid aside allegory to bluntly proclaim their faith in Jesus Christ and to boldly sing His praises in such tunes as "The Morning Song", "Father", "A is A", and "Paint The Picture". You can check out "The Morning Song" online via RealAudio at http://www.musicsojourn.com/ on the Night Vision prog rock showcase. The lineup includes regulars Babb, Schendel, Carter and Moore. At least two 12-minute epics will be included and both Babb and Schendel will sit behind one of the largest pipe organs in the world for the recording. A full choir of professional choral singers will fill out the sound for what Babb is calling "the most massive production we've ever undertaken." He expects to be recording parts of the album in the U.K. as well as his home studio in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Drum tracking was recently finished at Walter's Knoxville studio.
Yes is currently touring in support of their new album The Ladder
Happy the Man news. Stan Whitaker, the guitarist, recently said that the band got it's name from a Scripture verse. Look for the brand new remasters of Happy the Man and Crafty Hands on One Way Records on September 14. The albums were meticulously handled by Kit Watkins and are far superior to the Japanese versions. In the next few weeks, Stan Whitaker will be moving back to the east coast to reform Happy the Man with Kit, Rick Kennell, Frank Wyatt and one of several possible drummers. The band plans to record a new album for release probably in early 2000. The band have also announce that they will make their first live performance in over 20 years at the North East Art Rock Festival in Bethlehem, PA on June 17, 2000.
Fountain of Tears - Joey Daub (Believer), Mike DiDonato + Erik Ney (Sacrament), and Jeff King (Sardonyx) have joined vocalist Anna DeRose to form Fountain of Tears, a progressive rock band generations away from the sounds of the band members' former ensembles.
Salem Hill - Here's the good word on the "deadline" for their latest release straight from the horses mouth:
Hey Dave,
"Deadline" is a funny term, isn't it? "Guideline" sounds so
much...less binding. Our "guideline" for having this beast completed is late
Oct. Replication and related post production usually takes 4-6 weeks. Soooooo, we're
trying really hard to make this a record to close out the 90s, not bring in the 00s! We've
finished 4 tracks, so we're a little over halfway done. Believe me/us, I'm/we're ready for
it to be out there too. Thanks for the interest and stay warm!
Peace,
Carl
On June 4th, Tiles opened for Kansas at the Pine Knob Music Theater near Detroit. In front of 15,000 people they played songs from their upcoming release Presents of Mind.
Suspected Spiritually-minded prog bands awaiting reviews (from you!):
Atavism of Twilight (great all instrumental band on Syn-Phonic), Halian, J.E.T., Banco, RDM, Tellus, Can, Quiet City (modern with prog elements), Dilemma, Kreuzweg, Lush (Animator/Starcastle supergroup), Tetlestai (70's very Christian American prog band), Visible Faith (w/ Ken Hensley , ex-Uriah Heep, check it out at: http://www.geocities.com/SunsetStrip/7065/), Also, Last Chapter, Eden (Erwatung, Perelandra), Salamander (Ten Commandments), Mithrandir (For You The Old Women), Earthen Vessel (Everlasting Life), Valley of Achor (Door of Hope), and even Twila Paris (Beyond a Dream) are rumoured to be spiritual prog Please let me know if you have reviews of these bands. Remember, your submissions of reviews to this page will be included, so start cranking them out and e-mail them to virtuosityatworldnet.att.net.
Extra special thanks to: Virginia Landgraf, Hubert Jakobs, Chrisopher Lindsley, Mike Tenenbaum, and Josef Garvi who were kind of enough to send in some reviews. They are now included.
"..I know a Farmer who looks after His farm. With water clear, He cares for all His harvest.."
- Genesis, Supper's Ready
After a time of
sabbatical and reassessment, 