Author: bradbirzer

By day, I'm a father of seven and husband of one. By night, I'm an author, a biographer, and a prog rocker. Interests: Rush, progressive rock, cultural criticisms, the Rocky Mountains, individual liberty, history, hiking, and science fiction.

Audiophilia Heaven: HAND.CANNOT.ERASE Blu-Ray

On By bradbirzerIn progressive rock music2 Comments
The blu-ray version of HAND.CANNOT.ERASE. Perfect sound, disappointing but sturdy packaging.
The blu-ray version of HAND.CANNOT.ERASE. Perfect sound, disappointing but sturdy packaging.

I’ve always been an audiophile (rather snobbishly), but I’ve also never quite understood the technology behind good audio.  Thank the good Lord for friends such as Craig Breaden, Kevin McCormick, and Carl Olson who have so patiently explained the details to me.  If I understood what they so kindly told me, I only did so for a moment or two.  My fault, not theirs!

I do, however, very well know what I like and what I don’t like.

A few albums have rather happily blown my ears away over the years.  I can think of many, but a few stand out rather dramatically.  The production on 90125, Songs from the Big Chair, Skylarking, Afraid of Sunlight, Space Revolver, Night, The Underfall Yard, Fog Electric, and Le Sacre du Travail never in anyway become boring or tiresome.  There’s always something new to discover in the production of each.  And, each listen reveals a new aspect of beauty in the art.

And, the same is true of every single thing Steven Wilson has released, whether with Porcupine Tree or solo.  For what it’s worth, I think Rob Aubrey and Steven Wilson are the two most important engineers and mixers of our day.

The only thing better than Wilson on CD?  Wilson on blu-ray.  Having fallen rather in love with Wilson’s fourth studio album, HAND.CANNOT.ERASE., I decided to order the blu-ray.  Holy schnikees, am I glad I did.  I’d write something cliché such as “music to my ears,” but that would be cheesy.  Still. . . .

The good.  The sound is nothing short of amazing with the blu-ray.  Even though I can’t quite understand the technology as to why this is so much better (though, of course, there’s gobs more data on the blu-ray), it is.  The sound is perfectly crisp.  This is especially important given how precise every note is—written as well as played—on Hand.Cannot.Erase.  The opening track echoes the sound of three well-known Canadian proggers.  This is Rush done with no English reserve!  Just pure imitation in the most flattering sense.

The album, of course, has been reviewed and reviewed—including by two progarchists.  So, I won’t rehash what’s been said and written.  I’ll only note, that I love this album almost as much as GRACE FOR DROWNING—my favorite album from Wilson and one of my top 25 albums of all time.

The good, part two.  Extra tracks and bonus features.  The blu-ray includes a number of additional tracks, though these are generally variations on the original album.  Still, quite enticing.  It’s interesting to listen to the instrumental version of the album as I have a hard time not hearing Wilson’s distinctive vocals and profoundly moving lyrics.

The good, part three.  As always, the documentary that accompanies the album is equal parts enlightening and weird.

The thing just ripped/popped upon pulling out the CD booklet. Come on, KScope, you're so much better than this.
The thing just ripped/popped upon pulling out the CD booklet. Come on, KScope, you’re so much better than this.

The bad.  The only bad thing is the HAND.CANNOT.ERASE. booklet.  The booklet that comes with the CD is far superior to the one that comes with the blu-ray.  The blu-ray booklet only has about half of the photos the CD booklet has.  Considering that the blu-ray booklet is quite a bit larger per page, this is just bizarre.  Indeed, while the CD booklet feels lovingly crafted, the blu-ray booklet feels a bit like something Costco might produce.  Good, but middling.  I really love what Kscope produces in terms of musical quality, but the company never seems to have gotten its packaging down to an art or a science.  I’m quite gentle and protective of everything I purchase for my music collection, but my Kscope CD packaging ripped open when I lovingly removed the booklet to read.  It wasn’t as much a rip as it was a pop that turned into a huge and ugly rip.  As OCD as I am, this is quite unsettling.  And, unfortunately, this isn’t the first time I’ve had this happen with Kscope releases.  As often as not, the digibooks booklets—held by only staples—fall out all too frequently with Kscope products.  I hope they work on this.  Those of us who are willing to pay large sums of money for physical products want the physical products we deserve.

If you’ve not purchased the album yet, I highly recommend getting the blu-ray.  Though the printed material that comes with it isn’t up to the perfection of the music, it is sturdier than what you’ll get with the CD packaging.  And, the sound of the blu-ray outweighs any objection or deficiency.

Thank you, Mr. Wilson.  I continue to learn from you, your art, and your excellence.

Traveling as the Ghost Rider: An Excerpt from NEIL PEART: CULTURAL REPERCUSSIONS

On By bradbirzerIn progressive rock music1 Comment
Available now in paperback and ebook at amazon.com.
Available now in paperback and ebook at amazon.com.

In his best-selling book, Ghost Rider, the Canadian drummer not only proves to be an excellent writer (imagine Willa Cather and Jack Kerouac as one person; a bizarre combination, I know, but an accurate one), but he also reveals himself, yet again, a serious and stoic social and cultural critic.  Here are two sample passages from Ghost Rider.

The first day in Mexico was Selena’s birthday, and I had made careful plans on how to ‘memorialize’ that day. Early in the morning, I walked to the big cathedral in the Zocalo, went inside and bought two princess-sized votive candles (the biggest they had, of course) and lit them in front of the chapel for ‘Nuestra Senora de Guadalupe’ . . . . I sat there awhile, and cried some (well, a lot), amid the pious old ladies, tourists, and construction workers.[1]

Later in the book, in a less autobiographical nature, he explains his own vision of what art is.

I once defined the basic nature of art as ‘the telling of stories,’ and never had I felt that to be more true. I played the anger, the frustration, the sorrow, and even the travelling parts of my story, the rhythms of the highway, the majesty of the scenery, the dynamic rising and falling of my moods, and the narrative suite that emerged was as cleansing and energizing as the sweat and exertion of telling it.[2]

Each of these passages shows Peart at his deepest.  The side the craves beauty and the side that craves telling the world about the beauty he has seen.

His travels also opened Peart to a number of personal revelations.  Overall, he believed that “the elemental ‘faith’ in life I used to possess is completely gone,” and that with such an erasing of the past and its securities, “every little element of my former life, behavior, interests, and habits, was up for re-examination.”[3]  Two specifics also emerged in this rebirth.  First, he had to accept the help of others, recognizing it as the gift it is and was intended to be by the giver.  Pride had to give way to charity.  Second, he came to see a more mystical side of life, well beyond his previously steady devotion to late eighteenth-century European rationalism.  In one incident—that would greatly influence the next three albums—Peart encountered a man who read his fortune through Tarot cards.  The reading proved so accurate that Peart ‘s “jaw dropped, and it’s still dropping.”[4]

Though most orthodox religions forbid the reading of Tarot, artists as diverse as T.S. Eliot and Russell Kirk have employed its meaning—however tragic and deep or superficial and meaningless—effectively as a form of story telling, especially when regarding character and morals.  Peart does the same through his lyrics over the next several albums.

[Taken from Bradley J. Birzer, Neil Peart: Cultural (Re)Percussions (WordFire Press, 2015), pages 96-96.  Available today in paperback for $11.99 at amazon.com.  the price includes shipping.]

NOTES

[1] Peart, Ghost Rider, 310.

[2] Peart, Ghost Rider, 355

[3] Peart, Ghost Rider, 146-147.

[4] Peart, Ghost Rider, 338-339.

All Rise! The Feast of St. Dave Gregory

On By bradbirzerIn progressive rock music1 Comment
Mister Lazy he's not. Photo borrowed from guitargonauts.info.
Mister Lazy he’s not. Photo borrowed from guitargonauts.info.

I’m not sure if I could exactly articulate my reasons as to why, but I’m not the least surprised that Dave Gregory’s birthday is two days away from the Autumnal Equinox.  There’s a fullness and a force of the seasons not only in the calmness that radiates from Gregory’s humane qualities (he’s a true gentleman), but there’s also an intensity of life in all of his art.

Clearly, his music resides somewhere in that last joyous blast of summer love and freedom.

Regardless, happy birthday, Mr. Gregory.  I know I speak for many upon many when I thank you for all you’ve given to the music world over the past four decades.  Whether it’s pop, punk, new wave, rock, chamber, or prog, you give your absolute all.

The best way to celebrate such a feast?  Listen and watch away!

And best of all, a brilliant interview with Dave.  Well worth watching it all.

R40 Live to be Released: News from Prog-Sphere

On By bradbirzerIn progressive rock music1 Comment

Our good friends at Prog-Sphere have the following news regarding the November release of a R40 Live dvd.

Canadian rock legends Rush had both of their hometown Toronto performances — on June 17 and June 19 at the Air Canada Centre — professionally filmed and recorded for a future live DVD release. It is the first time the band had filmed a hometown concert in almost 20 years — since the recording of Rush‘s 1997 show at the Molson Canadian Amphitheatre on the ”Test For Echo“ tour. Prior to that, they recorded the legendary ”Exit… Stage Left“ at Massey Hall in 1980.

The new Rush set will be released on CD/DVD on November 20 via Zoe / Rounder Records / Concord Music Group.

For all details, go to: http://www.prog-sphere.com/news/rush-release-new-live-dvd-november/

RochaNews: Jane Getter Premonition, October 2

On By bradbirzerIn progressive rock musicLeave a comment
JANE GETTER PREMONITION
ON
MADFISH
2 October 2015
Jane Getter Premonition new album ‘On’
due for release via Madfish, October 2 Label debut for Madfish feat supergroup line up including Adam Holzman, Chad Wackerman, Alex Skolnick, Bryan Beller & Corey Glover

“the fieriest frettboarding female ever to strap on a Stratocaster” GUITAR PLAYER
Madfish is set to release the brand new studio album, and first for the label from Jane Getter Premonition entitled “On”.
Recorded at Avatar Studios in New York, ON features a stellar line up of progressive and rock musicians – Keyboardist Adam Holzman (Miles Davis, Steven Wilson); bass player Bryan Beller (Joe Satriani, The Aristocrats); jazz/rock drummer Chad Wackerman (Frank Zappa, Allan Holdsworth, Steven Wilson) and special guests including vocalist Corey Glover (Living Colour), jazz/metal guitarist Alex Skolnick (Testament, Savatage, Ozzy Osbourne Band) and British saxophonist, flautist and clarinetist Theo Travis (Steven Wilson, Robert Fripp). The album was co-produced by Jane Getter and Adam Holzman. Mixing duties were handled by Adam Holzman  and Anthony Ruotolo at Spin Studios in Long island City, NYC.

Guitarist and composer Jane Getter has played with many jazz and rock greats while garnering increasing recognition as a bandleader, gifted writer and instrumentalist. Early in her career she toured with legendary jazz/blues organist Brother Jack McDuff. Her composing talents received attention when she won the ASCAP Gershwin Award for Music for Dance or Theatre in the mid 90’s. Her debut CD Jane in 1998 received worldwide critical acclaim and the 2006 follow up See Jane Run was released on Alternity Records (home of Allan Holdsworth). In 2012 she released the progressive jazz/rock album Three. Getter also received widespread exposure playing in the Saturday Night Live Band.

Her band has played and toured internationally and live dates this fall will be announced shortly.
‘ON’

TRACKLIST:
Surprised
Where Somewhere
Pressure Point
Train Man
Diversion
Falling
Logan (would’ve sounded great on this)
Transparent

JANE GETTER ONLINE:
http://janegetter.com/
https://twitter.com/janegetter
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Jane-Getter/237319986301449

HI RES IMAGES AVAILABLE TO DOWNLOAD:
http://www.madfishmusic.com/media/jane-getter-premonition

Progarchy’s Best Commentator Ever: Indieun7

On By bradbirzerIn progressive rock music3 Comments

As we approach our third anniversary, it’s fun to look at the stats for the site.  And, one stat really sticks out.  One man has commented on nearly half of our posts, sometimes more than once.  Thanks, Indieun7!  We really appreciate the support.

And, here’s all we know of him.  He’s an American man of mystery.

Indieun7

Off the Rez.

I’m a mild-mannered Native-American writer who’s true-identity is the superhero known as “SUPA-NATIVE”!!!

Seriously though……….I’m a writer who writes WHAT he feels,WHEN he feels it!!! The one true thing I can guarantee You after reading my words,ARE…… it’s complete and total “Honesty”!!! For Honesty is NOT what You “think”……but what You “Feel”…….and in this case………ALSO……..what I “write”!!! ~Peace~

New Spock’s Beard and Flying Colors

On By bradbirzerIn progressive rock musicLeave a comment
This just in! 2 Amazing Releases!
Spock’s Beard Releases “Best Of” Collection with a NEW track written by Neal Morse featuring all members of Spock’s past and present!
  Legendary Californian progressive-rockers Spock’s Beard are set to release ‘The First Twenty Years’ collection on November 20, 2015. Arriving as a special 2CD & DVD package, it includes a selection of the best tracks from their entire career, as well as a brand new 19-minute long track titled ‘Falling For Forever’ that features every member of Spock’s Beard past and present performing, including Neal Morse (who also wrote the track), Nick D’Virgilio & current vocalist Ted Leonard. All the tracks have also been re-mastered by long-term collaborator Rich Mouser, and the DVD portion of the release will include rare footage of the band in the 90’s, featuring vintage live performances from Progfest ’97 as well as the band rehearsing and recording “The Kindness of Strangers” album.
Pre-orders begin Now!
And..

In 2014, on the 8th show of their fall tour, Flying Colors took to the stage at Switzerland’s storied Z7 venue, and on film, captured a breathtaking live performance. With their critically acclaimed sophomore album Second Nature out for only a week, the concert recorded an exceptional rarity: band and audience, together, discovering an album for the first time. Release date November 13, 2015

We have bundled these 2 great releases in a special package and the first 200 people to pre-order this bundle will receive an exclusive signed frameable graphic signed by ALL seven members of Spock’s Beard past and present!
 
Pre-Order NOW!!!
Don’t miss your chance to get these 2 great releases at a great price and the free signed rare collectors item!
Get your Bundle HERE

Neil Peart: Cultural Repercussions Now Available

On By bradbirzerIn progressive rock music1 Comment

As any Neil Peart fan well knows, the great man just celebrated his 63rd birthday and his sequel to his co-authored novel, CLOCKWORK LIVES, comes out tomorrow. We all eagerly await with intense and immense anticipation this new work by Peart and Hugo-nominated science-fiction author, Kevin J. Anderson.

Out September 15, 2015.
Out September 15, 2015.

I must also proudly note that my intellectual biography of the world’s greatest drummer comes out tomorrow as well. NEIL PEART: CULTURAL (RE)PERCUSSIONS (WordFire Press). It will be available in paperback ($14.99) and ebook ($5.99) but is now available for pre-order.

http://www.amazon.com/Neil-Peart-Repercussions-depth-professional/dp/1614753547/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1442243061&sr=8-1

I have to thank a lot of folks for their encouragement with this book project, and I hope I give everyone due credit in the book. When I read the works of Steve Horwitz and Rob Freedman, I just knew that I had to write a book on Peart. I’ve loved Neil Peart’s words and musicianship since first encountering MOVING PICTURES in March 1981. I was in seventh grade, and I’ve never been the same. To me, Peart fits in the same category as J.R.R. Tolkien, Ursula LeGuin, Ray Bradbury, and Milton Friedman as influences on my young life. As Peart has grown, so have I. And, so, I presume have most of us.

This book also turns out to be my fifth published biography. The other biographies, however, have been almost completely academic. When I first started to write this book, I’d wanted to write an autobiography with the emphasis on how Peart shaped my own life and thoughts on a variety of things. Even during the first draft, I started deviating from this plan. By the final product, I’d left in only a few personal experiences. There are two reasons for this.

First, almost everyone who reads the book wants to know about Peart, not me. Second, some of the experiences are still too painful to make public fully. I can only state that Peart’s art and example has meant as much to me and my life as any figure outside of my family.

In the book, I focus on Peart as a man of letters, one of our greatest in the English language. I was pretty thrilled when PROG’s Johnny Sharp wrote:

But author Bradley Birzer does go a little over the top in his gushing praise of his subject. When an intro mentions Peart in the same sentence as Socrates and Cicero. . .

He’s completely correct, of course. But, you should’ve seen earlier drafts! Ha. Anyway, if you like what we do at progarchy, you’ll like the bio.

Actually, I was just thrilled that my favorite magazine reviewed my book! Even if Sharp had hated it, I’d still be pretty honored that Jerry Ewing and Grant Moon took it seriously enough to review. Still, I’m so glad Sharp actually enjoyed it!

Here’s hoping you will as well!