response 76 of 98:

Jun 24 15:08 UTC 1998

Hmm...
I guess it depends on what you mean by 'progressive rock'. By the definition
I seem to remember posting a while back, something about 'trying to do
something artistic and original with rock music', I guess some of her music
would qualify. 
But now I'm rethinking that definition. I mean, does that make the White
Album, or even Pet Sounds, examples of prog rock? Jimi Hendrix? Miles Davis?
Elvis? 
"Hmm" indeed....

response 78 of 98:

Dec 27 04:13 UTC 1998

Hey folks, I just got ahold of a new album by a group called _Gentle Giant_,
who, as I understand it, were in many ways the quintesence of 70's Prog.  The
album of which I am now a proud possessor is "Octopus" perhaps named so
because it contains but eight tracks?  I've only had the chance to listen to
it once, so I haven't fully formulated my oppion on them yet.  I bought it
on the recomendations of the good folks at the GEPR, which I mentioned
earlier.  What I can tell you of them; they use extreemly complex harmonies,
many of which sound impossible to do out of a studio (although, as I
understand it, they did do it live), a variaty if instuments, including a
Moog, what ever that is, and any number of Midiaeval instruments.  In fact,
that seems to be their main bent; towards fusing Rock and Midiaeval music.
Some of their songs are positively odd, like their first song, "The Advent
of Panurge"--can anybody tell me what they are reffering to?.  They remind
me, as most good prog I've heard does, of most other 70's prog bands I've
heard, most notably Early King Crimson and Genesis.
        Speaking of Genesis, I'm ashamed to note that I failed to mention that
I've got two of their early albums also; _Selling England By the Pound_, and
_The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway_, both released in the early seventies.  They
really only became mainstream after Peter Gabriel left them and Phil Collins
took the lead.  That stuff isn't bad, but the earlier albums are terrific,
and yes folks, _very_ progressive (would that mean that the turn towards
commersiallism makes them Regressive?).  _Lamb Lies Down on Broadway_ is a
fine example of their earlier work; it is a double album, with a full story
upon which the music is based in the liner notes.  In short, a concept album,
which is very prog indeed.



Y'know, one of my friends, while getting a ride (and thus a dose of my music)
in my car asked me if I listened to any normal music at all.  It was a
strange, yet proud feeling to realize that the answer to his question was
"no."

response 80 of 98:

Dec 27 17:06 UTC 1998

Thanks.  I'll look for that.  I've also been looking for a copy of "In a Glass
House," which is apparently out of print.  I know one place where I can get
a used vinal for $25, but I think I'll just wait for Polygram's re-release
in 1999 (not to far away now).

Somebody asked a while back about new prog. bands.  I actually know of one,
a group called "Porcupine Tree,"  which is mostly led be Steve Wilson, an
English chap.  I've got two of their albums, and they are very good.  What
do they sound like?  Well, I've heard critic-like folks call them the new
torch-holders for Pink Floyd, but I think that might be a little mis-leading,
as their albums are mostly instrumental, with the occational vocal.  They are
heavelly electronic, and are the kind of thing you might expect to hear on
"Hearts in Space," if it weren't for the fact that they have a very rock edge.

response 82 of 98:

Dec 29 01:12 UTC 1998

You'll probably have to special order or something of that nature if you want
it... They're (yet another) obscure English band.

response 84 of 98:

Dec 29 16:42 UTC 1998

Yah, I'll make you a tape or something.  Could you come up with anything for
"Pantagruel"?  He's the other charector in that song.  As I understand it,
they are both giants... probably refering back to the bands name?

response 86 of 98:

Dec 31 01:10 UTC 1998

Gentle Giant's FREE HAND was a favorite LP of mine back when I had 
some inclinations towards "progressive rock," 25 years ago or so.
Hmm, I wonder where that LP is.

response 88 of 98:

Dec 31 17:08 UTC 1998

Yup that's definately what they are refering to, Dan, thank you.

response 90 of 98:

Jan 5 16:11 UTC 1999

Well, my good chap, I'll be able to get you a tape of the album soon.  As for
the lyrics, I suggest that you look 'em up at www.blazemonger.com/GG/, the
official web site.  The lyrics of "Knots" are particularly interesting.

response 92 of 98:

Jan 9 18:45 UTC 1999

Derek (mumble mumble) from Gentle Giant moved on to become a record 
industry executive.  Can't remember the guy's last name.  

response 94 of 98:

May 31 22:56 UTC 1999

update:
Fish comes to Pontiac, MI, on July 28, and his newest album is well worth
listening to, if only for "Plague of Ghosts", a six-part suite which takes
up the whole second half of the album.

I also just got done reading a book on prog. rock, called "Rocking the
Classics, English Progressive Rock and the Counterculture",  by Edward Macan.
It's the most comprehensive history, definition, etc, of the subject I've come
accross. The section in which he systematically dismantles most of the major
critics complaints about the genre is particularly interesting.

Question, besides Ozrics Tenticals, which was mentioned some time back, does
anybody know of any contemporary prog. bands.  I know of a few: Spock's Beard,
Djam Karat, Hermetic Science, and Edhals, from France.  Of these, bands, I've
only heard anything by Hermetic Science, which is interesting because it
features a mallet artist.

response 96 of 98:

Jun 4 01:04 UTC 1999

Sorry, Dan.  Further update:  Fish's North America has been canceled, or at
least postponed.  

response 98 of 98:

Jun 18 22:34 UTC 1999

I went looking for reviews of the Edward Macan book (resp:94) on the 
web and it looks interesting.  I'll have to go see if I can browse
a copy at Borders to see if I want to pursue it further.