A Tale of Two Yeses

On By Adam SearsIn Progressive rock2 Comments

 

Three days after Yes gets inducted into the hall of fame, Anderson Rabin and Wakeman, announce a 2017 North American tour and that they are now “Yes featuring Anderson Rabin and Wakeman”.

On yesworld.com, the official website for Yes, Steve Howe, Alan White, Geoff Downes, Jon Davison, and Billy Sherwood thank their fans for their support and talk about the upcoming Yestival tour:

“To all our incredible fans,

Last night was truly a special evening for us. We can’t thank you enough for all the continued support you’ve shown us throughout the decades and for helping to get YES into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Thank you, as well, to Alex Lifeson and Geddy Lee from RUSH for the wonderful induction, and to Geddy for the amazing bass playing on “Roundabout”. What a tribute to Chris!

We’re looking forward to seeing everyone this summer on the YESTIVAL tour. And contrary to what you may have heard, YES has no plans to tour with the guys from ARW next year.

We do, however, have our own exciting plans to celebrate YES’s 50th Anniversary in 2018, which we will announce this summer during our 2017 YESTIVAL Tour.”

The North American YESTIVAL Tour will feature YES, Todd Rundgren and Carl Palmer’s ELP Legacy. Presales & Onsales begin April 13th & 14th. The dates are listed at Yesworld.com

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Interview: Alfonso Vidales of CAST

On By NickIn Progressive rock1 Comment

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Mexican symphonic prog rocker Cast recently put out their 19th studio album “Power and Outcome,” and it was a good reason to talk with the founder of the band Alfonso Vidales about the new record, scene, and more.

Hey there! How are you doing?

Hello, Alfonso Vidales here and feeling great!

You released “Power and Outcome” recently. How do you feel about the release?

We think that our album became a solid piece of music with every contributor’s own taste and skills. That is what every production generates when you are involved in every side of the music production.

How much of a challenge was to work on the album?

I think that the making, recording and post production came out very smooth. Carlos and I looked very much that every mixing and mastering sessions were carefully observed. All the musicians and singers felt at the end that we developed an album to be recognized. Many years of Cast’s music were melted into this production.

Power and Outcome

What other artists similar to your genre that are coming from Mexico are you friends with?

After doing Baja Prog for 14 years we meet many musicians from the Mexican prog scene. Ramses Luna from Luz de Riada, Marco Corona from Codice, Ricardo Moreno from Iconoclasta, and much more. Probably I am missing many names.

What is your opinion about the current progressive rock scene?

As I said, from our Baja Prog list of names around the world I think that the progressive movement has become important and it is a nice and elegant choice for rock lovers to listen. I understand that the first generation is not anymore very active or some paseed away, but the legacy is still growing. Mexicali, our city, has a good progressive atmosphere and I think that is because of our festival and of course because of Cast, with 40 years of activity.

Can you tell me something about your influences?

My main influence is classical music as my parents both piano and are classically trained. But also Jethro Tull (Aqualung, Thick As a Brick, Passion Play), Genesis, Manfred Mann, Kayak (concept albums), ELP are in my list of favorites.

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What are you listening to these days?

I listen to Rondo Veneziano and Classical music, but in my car you can find some classic rock too.

Your 5 favourite records of all the time?

Lamb Lies Down On Broadway, Tarkus, Thick As A Brick, Merlin (Kayak), Live With The Edmonton Symphony Orchestra (Procol Harum).

Can you tell me a little bit more about the gear you use to record “Power and Outcome”?

Yamaha CP300 piano, Nord C2D organ, Mellotron, Nord Lead, Korg Triton, Minimoog, Oberheim,…

Besides the release of the album, are there any other plans for the future?

We are planning to continue touring. We have a tour which starts in August and ends in November. In between, the recording of the 20th studio album will start.

Any words for the potential new fans?

Welcome to the music of Cast, and get involved in our activities by visiting our Facebook page and our website. And please send us your comments, I will gladly answer them!

Yes plays “Roundabout” with Geddy Lee!

On By Time LordIn Progressive rock1 Comment

Yes with Geddy Lee on bass at Barclays Center, Brooklyn, NY, on April 7, 2017.

soundstreamsunday: “Candy-O” by the Cars

On By Craig BreadenIn post-rock, Rock and Roll2 Comments

the-cars-candy-o-button-b3064(2)It’s been forty-ish years since their first record but it’s not difficult to remember how important the Cars were to American music.  Punk really broke with the Cars and maybe also with Devo, because until these bands hit the radio, and they did so in a big way in 1978-79, punk music and its influence was just a news story for those of us not living on America’s coasts.  The Cars weren’t a punk band really at all but they brought a toughness to their pop music that defined American new wave, even as they were being played, say, between the Doobies and AC/DC on the radio (as they still are today).  They represented a slew of less commercially fortunate American underground bands: Big Star, NRBQ, Flamin’ Groovies, the kind of groups who extended 60s garage rock post Beatles.  That is, they saw the art in what they did.  They opened ears.  Ric Ocasek’s and Benjamin Orr’s lyrics were smart, un-fussy, their singing had the odd effect of creating emotional distance even while containing heartbreak, and Elliott Easton’s guitar kept the band on course — they were never not a rock band.  Here on “Candy-O,” the title track of their second album,  the Cars throw down a power pop gauntlet elevated by this raw live peformance.  Bookended by a monster debut album and outsized 1980s success, “Candy-O” is nonetheless the band’s peak as new wave game changer.

soundstreamsunday presents one song or live set by an artist each week, and in theory wants to be an infinite linear mix tape where the songs relate and progress as a whole. For the complete playlist, go here: soundstreamsunday archive and playlist, or check related articles by clicking on”soundstreamsunday” in the tags section above.

Yes gets inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

On By Adam SearsIn Progressive rock1 Comment

Congratulations Yes!!! A long time coming.

 

Watch videos of Yes’ speeches and performances from last night’s induction- Progreport

Video preview of “Apex” from Unleash the Archers @UnleashArchers

On By Time LordIn Progressive rockLeave a comment

Here’s the video for a track from Unleash the Archers’ forthcoming new album, Apex:

Review: Emperor Guillotine – Emperor Guillotine

On By NickIn Progressive rockLeave a comment

Emperor Guillotine

Dallas’s Doom Metal upstarts EMPEROR GUILLOTINE have landed firmly within the Metal scene as one of the “newest modern” instrumental bands carrying the torch of the blueprint that BLACK SABBATH created over 40 years ago. In particular, SABBATH‘s first three albums are all over the project’s full-length debut release. From the song structures, the occasional synth noodling and the demonic Blues you cannot mistake the influence.

The project was formed by multi-instrumentalist and sole band member, Ben Randolph. A digital only release, it wets the appetite of every doom metal fan and the excitement for what comes next.

One of the biggest highlights of the record is definitely its production. It is obvious that EMPEROR GUILLOTINE reaching for a retro feel and are heavily influenced by Rodger Bain and his early BLACK SABBATH productions. Randolph achieves it in a very good way. One of the issues with bands going for this type of sound is that usually the bass is mixed too loud and dominates the material. In this case, the bass is audible but it still gives way for the guitar and drums. The guitar has enough gain, it’s powerful and greasy—just as it should be.

The songwriting is as strong; there is plenty here to celebrate. “Sailor on the Seas of Fate,” “Sea of Dust,” “The Oak and the Ram,” “Witch Mountain,” “The Bastille,” and “The Unearthly” are heavy, pounding numbers that represent this release. “Ursa Minor” is a beautiful acoustic piece that connects the “sides.” Its melody is haunting and recalls the atmosphere of 1960s inspired acoustic, folk records.

“Emperor Guillotine” is an excellent introductory release from Randolph. My hope is that the next releases will embrace more of different styles such as folk rock and progressive rock. On their next release they need to instill the confidence that they don’t need to rely so heavily on imitating BLACK SABBATH. Do yourself a favor and check this album out out.

EMPEROR GUILLOTINE is on Facebook.

Clockwork Lives Graphic Novel

On By bradbirzerIn Progressive rockLeave a comment

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Well, in perusing Cygnus X1’s website just now, I found even more information about Rush.  Stuff that had totally eluded me.  Cygnus, what would we do without you???  Thank you!

Kevin J. Anderson has just announced that CLOCKWORK LIVES will be a graphic novel soon.  How very cool.

Here’s the Cygnus X1 link: http://news.cygnus-x1.net/2017/04/clockwork-lives-graphic-novel-coming.html

And, here’s the direct link to KJA’s website: http://kjablog.com/clockwork-lives-graphic-novel/

Cygnus X1 on Geddy Lee and YES tonight

On By bradbirzerIn Progressive rock3 Comments

Amazing moment in rock history.  From Cygnus X1:

Ever since it was announced that the progressive rock band YES was to be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, rumors abound regarding a possible involvement with the members of Rush, who are all self-proclaimed YES fans.

In January, the news many fans were waiting for arrived – both Geddy Lee & Alex Lifeson would induct YES into the Hall. However as of that writing, there was no indication as to whether or not Geddy and/or Alex would actually perform during the evening’s festivities. Fast-forward a few weeks, and a huge story coming out of Billboard was published which all but confirmed that Geddy Lee would, in fact, be performing with YES. Less than a few hours after the story broke, Billboard posted a retraction indicating that Geddy Lee would NOT be performing.

To read the full article at CYGNUS, go here: http://news.cygnus-x1.net/2017/04/geddy-lee-alex-lifeson-set-to-induct.html

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Photo taken from Cygnus X1.

Thanks to John at Cygnus and Brian Sullivan!