A new Steely Dan album?

On By Time LordIn ProgarchyLeave a comment

Something Else has constructed a new Steely Dan album that is eminently worth investigating:

Making a new Steely Dan album wouldn’t be that hard for them to do. Yeah, yeah, they do fuss over the recording process a lot in the studio, but we get the notion that they love to do that, anyway. And it’s not as if they even need to finish up those old songs from the mid-eighties, there are enough completed or near-completed tunes that are up to par to make up a complete album. Steely Dan devotees S. Victor Aaron, Preston Frazier and John Lawler humbly offer up a suggested song line-up that they could bring into the studio for a new Steely Dan album, culled from outtakes, live-only songs and one famous erasure. Click on the song titles to find the full story on these forgotten tunes.

Click on the link to Something Else and check it out.

H/T: Edward Feser

Have We Entered a Fourth Wave of Prog?

On By bradbirzerIn progressive rock music1 Comment

I’ve been thinking about this for much of the year.  2014 seems like a very different year for prog—especially when compared with 2011, 2012, and 2013.

8 page booklet P8&1The incredible music of 2014 in the prog world—from John Bassett, Newspaperflyhunting, Fire Garden, Tin Spirits, Arcade Messiah, Andy Tillison, Cailyn Lloyd, Galahad (Stu Nicholson), Salander, Fractal Mirror, and a host of others–further convinces me we’ve entered into a new wave of prog, as I’ve mentioned in a previous post.

Andy Tillison and Brian Watson have convincingly argued in favor of dividing the history of prog into three waves, the third wave beginning around 1994 or so.

If Tillison and Watson are correct, and I suspect they are, I believe we might have entered what we could call the fourth wave.

The turning point came in 2013 with grand and profound releases from Big Big Train, The Tangent, and Glass Hammer.  These albums were so excellent, perhaps the best in prog history, that they might very well have represented the apex of third-wave prog.

arcade messiah artTake a listen to any of the above mentioned artists in 2014.  Their music, especially when compared to the releases of the previous several years, offers something much more experimental and reflective.  The story telling is less narrative and more punctuated, the lyrics more imagistic.

Anyway, I’m thinking (and typing) out loud.  I’ll give it more thought.

Marillion Christmas Album

On By Gianna EIn progressive rock musicLeave a comment

Every year, Marillion release a Christmas song exclusively to fan club members.  Some are goofy (see last year’s Carol of the Bells video), but it’s always a treat to get the latest Christmas release.  This year, the band compiled several of these songs in A Collection of Recycled Gifts, available for purchase at marillion.com.  I’ve always loved their take on “Gabriel’s Message”:

You can get the album here. £1.00 from each CD sold will go to The Teenage Cancer Trust.

Joseph Bottum @JosephBottum — Grace and Gladness ♫♫♫♫

On By Time LordIn ProgarchyLeave a comment

From the people who gave us Send My Roots Rain earlier this year, we now have the two-song Christmas release Grace and Gladness. You can download it from iTunes. Joseph Bottum tells us that the songs were

recorded down at the Underground Treehouse in Nashville, with production by Chris Folsom and vocals by Mallory Reaves.
I’m really happy with them, but we’ll see what everyone else thinks. The first is “Joy Will Keep Us,” set to a modern melody by my amazingly productive composer friend, Mike Linton. And the second is “Some Come to See the Lord,” new words to a recasting of a 16th-century Swedish melody [“Bereden väg för Herran”] that Priscilla M. Jensen taught me.
There’s something about Christmas songs that makes them glow. Christmas, I suppose, it must be. The Princeton filmmaker Margaret Craycraft filmed the sessions”

Heavy Metal Stoicism — @Philosopher70 @RushTheBand @RushisaBand

On By Time LordIn progressive rock music1 Comment

Gregory Sadler, The Heavy Metal Philosopher, is doing one video per day about Stoicism during the course of Stoic Week 2014 (Nov 24–30).

Perhaps Neil Peart got you interested in the subject. If so, you may decide whether you wish to investigate further.

But even if you choose not to decide, you still have made a choice…

Minstrel’s Ghost: Funds for Art Needed

On By bradbirzerIn progressive rock musicLeave a comment
Blake
Blake Carpenter, international man of mystery and, in at least one parallel earth, Mr. Malfoy.

One of my favorite bands, Minstrel’s Ghost, is launching a fund-raising campaign to finance their next album (writeup below).  In the Middle Ages and Early Modern period of western civilization, every great artist had a patron.  Such a system is long gone, but we know have the chance to offer such help in a democratic age.  We all know that major labels have one foot in the grave.  Such fundraising is the hope of excellence of art in this world.

So far, progarchy has encouraged the funding of Leah (success!) and Lifesigns (in process).  Let’s offer the same for Minstrel’s Ghost.

Here’s what I received from Blake (leader of MG)

****

Who is The Minstrel’s Ghost?

The Minstrel’s Ghost is a melodic rock/progressive band featuring Blake Carpenter (writer, singer, keyboards and guitars), Troy James Martin (bassist and singer), Mike Troupe (drummer and singer) and Jartse Tuominen (lead guitars). If you love Pink Floyd, The Alan Parsons Project, Asia, Saga and the like then you will love us too. We do not try to sound like anyone else but the influences can be heard in our music. From the jazzy drums and rippling bass to the fluid guitar leads, sweeping keyboard riffs and story telling vocals our music takes you on a journey from beginning to end.

What is this all about?

This campaign is to raise funds for our third album and a movie to accompany it. The album is a take on the life of Jack the Ripper, a kind of back story if you will. A little creative license applied and we see how difficult growing up in the late 19th century is for a young boy. The harsh realities of prostitution, brutality and shocking loss leave young Jack struggling to cope. How will he deal with it all? We are planning on making a silent film using the music from the album as the story teller.

This has been in the head of Blake, the writer of the album, for a long time. The vision of making a movie instead of a couple of videos to accompany an album came when he was looking through old Victorian images on the web and trying to put a story line together with pictures.  There is a story to be told here, this is about Jack but it could be about anyone who suffers hardship and tragedy at a young age. We all handle our pain in different ways and that, at least to some extent, defines us, no matter where or when we live.

Why we need you…..

Making this movie is a big deal for us! We are still a young band trying to make our way into a much larger family of melodic, progressive bands. We hope that this movie will help us reach more of those whom we know would love our music. Please know that what ever we do it will always be about the stories inside the music and giving you the opportunity to laugh or cry, smile or frown and take something away from the music and story that will help you through your day, week, or life.

What We Need & What You Get

We have some things already in place and are using the barter system to get portions of the production done but we still need some equipment and perhaps some licenses to use public areas for filming. This fundraiser is also for CD and DVD manufacture as well as artwork for the whole project.
We are looking for $15,000 to secure:

  • camera and lighting rentals
  • a video editing machine
  • any licenses we may need for filming in public places
  • any potential extras needed for the film such as wood, paint and other building materials for sets
  • paid actors (if we need to as most are included in the bartering)
  • feeding actors and crew
  • all artwork for the CD and DVD (not your typical insert, a full sized newspaper)
  • CD and DVD manufacturing
  • Photo shoot for the artwork
For your contribution you can get:
  • posters
  • t-shirts
  • Signed copies of both CD and DVD from all members of the band
  • your name in lights at the beginning or the end of the movie
  • and much more

If the goal is not reached, we will do what we can with the funds raised and work out other arrangements for the perks we are not able to fulfill. We will work with you personally on all substitute perks if it comes to that – but let’s make sure it doesn’t come to that!

Risks & Challenges

We have been down this road before, just like so many other bands and artists so we know all too well that things happen that can get in the way of a happy ending. We also know that we have you, our friends and fans to join us in jumping over any hurdles we may come across. That said, we will be sure to make this happens in some way, shape or form for everyone to enjoy.

Other Ways You Can Help

We know that some people just can’t contribute, but that doesn’t mean you can’t help:

SHARE, SHARE, SHARE, SHARE!!!!!!!!!! Tell your friends, use Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Google+, and all the other outlets you can to let everyone know about this project. Don’t forget music forums you may be a member of, please, if you can, print up a few flyers and throw them up around town. Don’t forget that there are tools right here on this page that you can use to share this project and help it reach as many people as it can.

Don’t forget to sign up for the The Minstrel’s Chronicle our (almost) monthly newsletter atminstrelsghost.com

https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/the-minstrel-s-ghost-jack-a-different-tale-cd-dvd

Queen — Forever (2 CD Deluxe Edition) ♫♫♫♫

On By Time LordIn Progarchy1 Comment

Queen — Forever

Time Lord’s Rating: 8/10 ♫♫♫♫

This is an excellent compilation of killer Queen songs about that crazy little thing called love. But it’s more than a greatest hits package. In the two-disc deluxe edition, it provides an unparalleled synoptic view of the development of the band’s inimitably epic sound.

Three new songs lead off the collection: “Let Me in Your Heart Again,” “Love Kills,” and “There Must Be More to Love Than This” (with Michael Jackson). They alone are worth the price of admission. Play them loud and revel in the greatness.

The first track “Let Me in Your Heart Again” (4:35) is a true slice of power chord awesomeness, but I also recommend that you hunt down on iTunes the William Orbit synthed-up remix (6:42) of it, which has a totally different flavor, yet is also pure genius.

The compilation doesn’t unfurl in chronological order, so let me unscramble the mix. This is so I can let you know about all the goodies on the discs and where they happen to be coming from.

Digging into the Seventies, we get thirteen tracks. But Queen II (1974) only contributes one track: “Nevermore”; however, Sheer Heart Attack (also 1974) yields “Dear Friends,” “Lily of the Valley,” and “In the Lap of the Gods… Revisited.” Fantastic music!

From the same decade, “You’re My Best Friend,” “Love of My Life,” and “’39” show up from A Night at the Opera (1975), while “Drowse,” “You Take My Breath Away,” “Long Away,” and “Somebody To Love” represent A Day at the Races (1976). Amazing how much skill is found in this band.

Finally, “Jealously” shows up from from Jazz (1978), but “Spread Your Wings” is an extra favorite track of mine, from News of the World (1977). I have to hit repeat on that one again and again.

Moving on to the Eighties, for twelve tracks, we begin with four from The Game (1980), namely, “Play the Game,” “Crazy Little Thing Called Love,” “Save Me,” and “Sail Away Sweet Sister.” I favor the last two especially. Repeat, repeat!

“Las Palabras de Amor (The Words of Love)” is from Hot Space (1982), while from The Works (1984) we get “It’s a Hard Life” and “Is This the World We Created?” Oh, but wait, the Eighties are not over yet…

“Who Wants to Live Forever,” “Friends Will Be Friends,” “One Year of Love,” and “Forever” are from A Kind of Magic (1986); then, the Eighties end with “The Miracle” from The Miracle (1989).

The Nineties yield nine tracks. “Don’t Try So Hard,” “Bijou,” and “These Are the Days of Our Lives” represent Innuendo (1991); but “I Was Born to Love You,” “A Winter’s Tale,” “Mother Love,” “Made in Heaven,” and “Too Much Love Will Kill You” come from Made in Heaven (1995).

Queen is a one-of-a-kind band with amazing material and top notch talent. If you have worn out Classic Queen and Greatest Hits, this is where to turn to next. God save the Queen!

Finnish prog rock outfit Minutian are releasing their second album on Jan 30

On By Time LordIn progressive rock musicLeave a comment

Great news from Finland regarding the artists behind the awesome Repercussions debut album:

MINUTIAN TO RELEASE SOPHOMORE ALBUM JANUARY 30

The Finnish prog rock outfit Minutian are releasing their second album early next year. The album, titled Inwards, will be released through Secret Entertainment and is the follow-up to 2011’s favorably received Repercussions.

After the tragic death of guitarist Jaakko Jernberg in 2012, Minutian dealt with their loss with a lengthy process of writing new material. This work has now resulted in nine tracks of progressive rock music with originality and emotion.

The title Inwards depicts not only the overall expression of the music and the process leading to its creation, but also an underlying theme in the lyrics. A common theme wasn’t as much intentional as it was a result of shared feelings and experiences. The album’s narrative tells a story of the protagonist struggling with his visions and seeking ways to mend his shattered thoughts to ultimately find safety. The story encompasses several differing perspectives.

The album is dedicated to the memory of Jaakko Jernberg. The album closes with “Redeemer,” a song he composed and wrote lyrics for.

Inwards features piano arrangements by Helsinki-based composer Elias Patrikainen. The album is to be mixed by Toni Kimpimaki at Redfive Studios. Mastering will be handled by Ronan Chris Murphy, known for his work with King Crimson, Terry Bozzio and Ulver.

The release date of the album is January 30, 2015. A digital single will be available in advance. An album release gig will take place at Korjaamo Culture Factory in Helsinki on the day of the release.

Minutian – Inwards
1. Hollow Heroics
2. On Derelict Sidings
3. The Crust Of The Earth
4. Void Within
5. Onus
6. Burning Bright
7. Manifest
8. Aphelion
9. Redeemer

LEAH — “Enter the Highlands”

On By Time LordIn ProgarchyLeave a comment

The new LEAH album sure sounds great!

Because pre-orders are available on iTunes, we are able to listen there to 90-second previews of every song on the album.

Enjoy the previews! And be sure to download “Enter the Highlands” today…