Wednesday, January 30, 2013

The Who - QUADROPHENIA - Film


QUADROPHENIA : The Story Of A Generation

Quadrophenia is a 1979 British film, loosely based around the 1973 rock opera of the same name by The Who.
Director Franc Roddam has brought us an array of young British acting talents who bring back London's nineteen-sixties Mods and Rockers. Set against the soundtrack of The Who's 1973 mighty concept album "Quadrophenia", Phil Daniels plays working-class Jimmy, the drug-induced Mod, who hates his job and is misunderstood by his parents. But by night, he comes alive, with the all-nighters, his pills and his scooter-riding friends. Always on a high, life can't get any better. Then there's the Brighton scooter run, where both Mods and Rockers converge, ending in the battle of the cults on Brighton Beach. What goes up must come down, and with Jimmy's come-down, his life is turned around, and so begins his downward spiral into paranoia and isolation, and the four-faceted mindset: Quadrophenia. With its extremely realistic language, violent overtones and classic sixties soundtrack. : "We Are The Mods"

The Film: 





CAST :

Phil Daniels as Jimmy Cooper
Leslie Ash as Steph
Philip Davis as Chalky
Mark Wingett as Dave
Sting as Ace Face
Ray Winstone as Kevin Herriot
Gary Shail as Spider 
Garry Cooper as Peter Fenton, Steph's boyfriend
Toyah Willcox as Monkey
Trevor Laird as Ferdy
Andy Sayce as Kenny
Kate Williams as Mrs Cooper, Jimmy's mother
Michael Elphick as Mr George Cooper, Jimmy's father
Kim Neve as Yvonne Cooper, Jimmy's sister
Benjamin Whitrow as Mr. Fulford, Jimmy's employer
Daniel Peacock as Danny
Jeremy Child as Agency Man
John Phillips as Magistrate
Timothy Spall as Harry the Projectionist
Patrick Murray as Des the projectionist assistant
George Innes as Cafe Owner
John Bindon as Harry North, gangster
P. H. Moriarty as Barman at Villain Club
Hugh Lloyd as Mr. Cale
Gary Holton as aggressive Rocker 1
John Altman as Johnny 'John the Mod' Fagin
Jesse Birdsall as aggressive Rocker 2
Oliver Pierre as Jimmy and Danny's tailor
Julian Firth as drugged-up Mod
Simon Gipps-Kent as party host
Mickey Royce as Ken 'Jonesy' Jones
James Lombard as Nicky





Tuesday, January 29, 2013

Trace (prog. rock / The Netherlands)


Trace was a Dutch progressive rock trio founded by Rick van der Linden in 1974 after leaving Ekseption. They released three albums before merging back into Ekseption.

History:

In 1973 after releasing their album entitled Trinity, the members of the band Ekseption asked Rick van der Linden to leave the band. At this time Ekseption were quite famous which led Philips, their record-company, to give van der Linden the opportunity to find a new band.
In January 1974 van der Linden started rehearsals with Peter de Leeuwe, who had been playing drums with Ekseption before. The pair split up again soon after, since van der Linden considered de Leeuwe to lack in skill. De Leeuwe was replaced in February by Pierre van der Linden (a second-cousin of Rick), who had left Focus in October, 1973. To complete the trio, Rick finally asked Jaap van Eik, a self-taught musician considered to be one of the best Dutch bass players, to join the band. 

Originally named Ace (in the tradition of Cream and Flash to highlight their supergroup status), they had to change the name to Trace when they discovered a British band had already trademarked the name.

Trace is a kind of Dutch equivalent to early ELP but Rick has a wider array of keyboards, including Hammond B3 organ, Hohner clavinet and pianet, ARP - and EMI synthesizers, harpsichord, Solina string-ensemble, Mellotron and church organ. He even used the sound of a bagpipe! The music is a treat for fans from bands like The Nice, Emerson, Lake & Palmer, Triumvirat and early Le Orme. Despite good albums, great concerts and worldwide recognition, Trace didn’t work out the high expectations and the ‘supertrio’ dissolved in the late Seventies. Nowadays Jaap van Eik is chief-editor from the technical based music magazine Music Maker and Rick recently after many years again went on tour with a new Ekseption line-up, including a magnificent digital church organ and his wife on vocals. Rick died 22 January 2006 after suffering a stroke.


On the 9th September 1974 the trio released their first, self-titled album. Their second album, Birds was released on 1 January 1975, and featured future Marillion drummer Ian Mosley. 
A third album, The White Ladies, was released in 1976 with Rick van der Linden being supported by all of the former members of Ekseption save trumpeter Rein van den Broek. In 1978 van den Broek rejoined the group which effectively became Ekseption once again.


Discography:


Trace (1974)
Birds (1975)
The White Ladies (1976)



Trace - King's Bird Live (1977):






 Birds (1975, full album):







Jimi Hendrix - documentary

Jimi Hendrix documentary:

http://youtu.be/pRg9h-XCHKs











Monday, January 28, 2013

ALBUM OF THE WEEK / Pavlov's Dog - Pampered Menial (1975)

Pampered Menial  is an album released in 1975 by progressive rock/AOR band, Pavlov's Dog.
 It was first released on ABC Records,debuting on the charts in early April. The LP was soon reissued by Columbia Records, whose version (with slightly different cover) entered the charts in mid-June, just after the ABC issue had dropped off the charts. Having both versions on sale in stores at nearly the same time may have confused buyers.


Personnel:

David Surkamp: vocals, rhythm guitar
Steve Scorfina: lead guitar
David Hamilton: keyboards
Doug Rayburn: mellotron & flute
Siegfried Carver: stringed instruments, vitar (a cross between a guitar and a violin)
Rick Stockton: bass
Mike Safron: drums, percussion



Track listing:

"Julia" (David Surkamp) – 3:10
"Late November" (David Surkamp, Steve Scorfina) – 3:13
"Song Dance" (Mike Safron) – 4:59
"Fast Gun" (David Surkamp) – 3:04
"Natchez Trace" (Steve Scorfina) – 3:42
"Theme from Subway Sue" (David Surkamp) – 4:25
"Episode" (David Surkamp) – 4:04
"Preludin" (Siegfried Carver) – 1:36
"Of Once and Future Kings" (David Surkamp) – 5:32 

Progressive Rock - British TV Documentary

Top Ten Progressive Rock British TV Documentary 

With bands such as Genesis, Pink Floyd, Yes ,Jethro Tull, Camel, Moody Blues 






Progressive rock, also known as prog rock, prog-rock or simply prog, is a rock music subgenre which originated in the United Kingdom, with further developments in Germany, Italy and France, throughout the mid to late 1960s and 1970s. Developing from psychedelic rock, progressive rock originated, similarly to art rock, as a British attempt to give greater artistic weight and credibility to rock music.
Progressive rock intended to break the boundaries of traditional rock music by bringing in a greater and more eclectic range of influences, including free-form and experimental compositional methods, as well as new technological innovations.
Progressive rock saw a high level of popularity throughout the 1970s, especially in the middle of the decade, with bands such as Pink Floyd, Yes, Jethro Tull, King Crimson, Genesis and Emerson, Lake & Palmer. It started to fade in popularity by the later part of the decade, with the rawer and more minimalistic punk rock growing in popularity, and also with the rise of genres such as disco, funk, hard rock, roots rock, and the gradual emergence of hip-hop.

Nevertheless, progressive rock bands were able to achieve commercial success well into the 1980s. By the turn of the 21st century, it witnessed a revival, often known as new prog, and has, ever since, enjoyed a cult following. The genre has influenced several other styles, ranging from krautrock to neo-classical metal; it has also fused with several other forms of rock music to create subgenres, including progressive metal.


More info: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Progressive_rock



Saturday, January 26, 2013

Kaipa (prog. rock, symphonic rock) / Sweden)

KAIPA was the leading Scandinavian progressive band formed in 1973 by three musicians from the city of Uppsala and recorded five albums during the years 1975 - 1982. Taking basic inspiration from the Swedish folk music they performed an elaborate symphonic music aiming at the expression of emotions and feelings in an aesthetic of formal beauty and melodic perfection.

Kaipa, however, intended to differentiate themselves from past and present styles, producing a personal and original music taking its inspiration from the past yet looking to the future.



History:

The band was originally formed under the name Ura Kaipa by Hans Lundin (keys) and Tomas Eriksson (bass). Roine Stolt joined Kaipa as their guitarist when he was 17. In 1974 also, shortly after they had cut the "Ura" from the name of the band, their self-titled debut released. Stolt went on to form The Flower Kings. Kaipa reunited for 2002's Notes From The Past. Stolt quit Kaipa after Mindrevolutions, but the band has continued without him.


Kaipa - Kaipa (1975):


Members:

Current Line-Up:

Hans Lundin – Keyboards & vocal (1973–1982, 2000–)
Patrik Lundström – Lead & backing vocal
Aleena Gibson – Lead & backing vocal
Jonas Reingold – Bass
Morgan Ågren – Drums
Per Nilsson – Guitar

Former Members:

Roine Stolt – Guitar & vocal (1974–1979, 2000–2005)
Ingemar Bergman – Drums (1974–1981)
Tomas Eriksson – Bass (1973–1977)
Mats Lindberg – Bass (1977–1980)
Mats Löfgren – Vocal (1977–1980)
Max Åhman – Guitar (1979–1982)
Mats "Microben" Lindberg – Bass (1981–1982)
Per "Pelle" Andersson – Drums (1982)



More info: http://www.kaipa.info/




Friday, January 25, 2013

The Spencer Davis Group ( beat, psych. rock, blue-eyed soul / UK)


The Spencer Davis Group are a mid-1960s British beat group from Birmingham, England, formed by Spencer Davis with Steve Winwood and his brother Muff Winwood. Their best known songs include "Somebody Help Me", the UK number one "Keep on Running" (both of which were written by reggae musician Jackie Edwards), "I'm a Man" and "Gimme Some Lovin'", which peaked at #2 in the UK and #7 in the United States.
Steve Winwood left in 1967, to form Traffic before joining Blind Faith, then forging a career as a soloist. After releasing a few more singles the band ceased activity in 1968. Davis started a new group in 2006.


History:

The Spencer Davis Group was formed in 1963 in Birmingham when Welsh guitarist Spencer Davis recruited vocalist and organist Steve Winwood and his bass playing brother Muff Winwood. The group was completed with Pete York on drums. 

Originally called the Rhythm and Blues Quartette, the band performed regularly in the city. In 1964 they signed their first recording contract after Chris Blackwell of Island Records saw them at an appearance in a local club; Blackwell also became their producer. Muff Winwood came up with the band's name, reasoning "Spencer was the only one who enjoyed doing interviews, so I pointed out that if we called it the Spencer Davis Group, the rest of us could stay in bed and let him do them."

The group's first professional recording was a cover version of "Dimples", but they came to success at the end of 1965 with "Keep On Running", the group's first number one single. In 1966, they followed this with "Somebody Help Me" and "When I Come Home". They had one single issued in the US on Fontana, as well as "Keep On Running" and "Somebody Help Me" on Atco, but due lack of promotion, none of these 3 singles got airplay or charted.
For the German market the group released "Det war in Schöneberg, im Monat Mai" and "Mädel ruck ruck ruck an meine grüne Seite" (the first is from a 1913 Berlin operetta, the second is a Swabian traditional) as a tribute single for that audience, Davis having studied in West Berlin in the early 1960s.
By the end of 1966 and the beginning of 1967, the group released two more hits, "Gimme Some Lovin'" and "I'm a Man". Both of them sold over one million copies, and were awarded gold record status. These tracks proved to be their two best-known successes, especially in the U.S. (where they had signed to United Artists). Jimmy Miller was their producer.

In 1967, Winwood left to form Traffic; his brother Muff moved into the music industry as A&R man at Island Records. In a joint venture, the soundtrack to the film Here We Go Round the Mulberry Bush featured both the Spencer Davis Group and Traffic. After the Winwoods' departure, the Spencer Davis Group regrouped with the addition of guitarist Phil Sawyer (ex-Les Fleur de Lys) and keyboardist/vocalist Eddie Hardin (ex-A Wild Uncertainty). 
This line-up recorded several tunes for Here We Go Round The Mulberry Bush and released the "Time Seller" single in July 1967; the b-side, "Don't Want You No More," also received radio airplay.
This was followed by "Mr. Second-Class" in late 1967, which received heavy airplay on Radio Caroline (at that time one of the two remaining pirate radio ships off the British coast), and the album "With Their New Face On" in 1968. At that time Ray Fenwick had replaced Phil Sawyer. The group's last minor hit, "After Tea", was released at the same time by the German band The Rattles, providing competition that led finally to a temporary stop to all activities of the band. The song was originally recorded by the Dutch group After Tea, which included guitarist/singer Ray Fenwick.


The group in 1974:

After one further single ("Short Change"), at that time Eddie Hardin and Pete York had left to form the duo Hardin & York. They were replaced by future Elton John Band member Dee Murray on bass and Dave Hynes on drums. This line-up, with Nigel Olsson replacing Dave Hynes, produced the album "Funky" in 1969 (only released in the USA on DATE, a sub-label of CBS) before splintering.
The group reunited in 1973 with Davis, Fenwick, Hardin and York, and newcomer Charlie McCracken on bass. The group released the albums Gluggo (1973) and Living in a Back Street (1974) before once again disbanding.
Davis continued working, however, producing some jazz-oriented albums in the late 1970s and early 1980s.
As of 2010, The Spencer Davis Group still extensively tours the USA and Europe, but with two differing line-ups, only Spencer Davis himself is present in both formations of the band.

Influence:

The Spencer Davis Group – particularly its incarnation with Steve Winwood – proved to be influential, with many of the band's songs covered by other artists over the years. Notable among these are Chicago's 1969 version of "I'm a Man"; The Allman Brothers Band's 1969 take of Davis' instrumental "Don't Want You No More"; Three Dog Night's 1970 recording of "Can't Get Enough of It"; and The Blues Brothers' 1980 recording of "Gimme Some Lovin". The Grateful Dead also covered Spencer Davis Group material in live performance on occasion, and Spencer Davis himself performed "I'm a Man" with the Grateful Dead at a 1989 performance at Los Angeles' Great Western Forum.
The band re-formed in 2006, although only Davis and Hardin remained from the 1960s group line-ups.


Members:

Spencer Davis
SDG- Europe
Eddie Hardin
Miller Anderson
Colin Hodgkinson
Steff Porzel
Wolfgang N. Dalheimer
SDG - USA
Ed Tree
Taras Prodaniuk
Jim Blazer
Tom Fillman


Past members:

Steve Winwood
Muff Winwood
Pete York
Phil Sawyer
Nigel Olsson
Dee Murray
Ray Fenwick
Allan Hodkinson


I'm a Man (live):


Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spencer_Davis_Group


Jimi Hendrix - documentary (1942 - 1970)


With the blessings of Jimi's biological family and many of his closest friends, Passport brings the life of Jimi Hendrix to light as never before. 
From his upbringing in Seattle to his final days in London, Jimi Hendrix: The Uncut Story goes beyond all previously released documentaries to explore the complete life-story behind the legendary artist.

Jimi Hendrix -  The Uncut Story 



1942-1961: http://youtu.be/6V4cCr_g8gg


1961 - 1967: http://youtu.be/tAfFP2HghmY


1967 - 1970: http://youtu.be/GEfG2BGKELM


The Pineapple Thief (TPT) (prog. rock, indie rock, new prog. / UK)


The Pineapple Thief is a progressive/indie rock band, started by Bruce Soord in 1999 in Somerset, England.

History:

Early years:

Founder Bruce Soord started "The Pineapple Thief" (TPT) as an outlet for his music back in 1999. Bruce released the debut Abducting the Unicorn on Cyclops records, which created enough to establish a small but loyal fan base. Soord returned to the Dining Room studios to work on the second album 137. During this time, several major labels started to take an interest, causing a delay in the release which arrived over two years after the debut. However it was probably the third album, Variations on a Dream that gave TPT the boost they needed, reaching out to yet more people all over the world, by which point TPT were consistently the top sellers on their label, Cyclops.

After this release in the spring of 2002 Bruce decided to form a band to take his music to the fans. The band consisted of his close musical friends - former university band mate Jon Sykes on bass, Wayne Higgins on guitars, Matt O'Leary on keyboards and Keith Harrison on drums. As a full band, they released 12 Stories Down in 2004, but Bruce Soord was unhappy with the final sound and re-recorded, remixed and changed some of the tracks before the release of 10 Stories Down in 2005. Matt O'Leary subsequently left the band, but Steve Kitch (who co-produced and mixed 10 Stories Down) joined to play keyboards.

Following the release of Little Man in 2006, the band released What We Have Sown in late 2007 as a final Cyclops release before being signed to Kscope, a division of Snapper Music.
Wayne Higgins left the band in March 2008, but the group continued as a four piece live act, playing gigs across Europe, Canada and the USA throughout much of the following years.

The Kscope years:

In May 2008, The Pineapple Thief launched the Kscope label with the critically acclaimed album, Tightly Unwound, which was marked by launch shows at Witchwood in Manchester on 17 May 2008 and at the Water Rats Theatre in London on 22 May 2008. The same day as the album's release, a mini-documentary filmed at The Half Moon, London, was released through the band's website, featuring interviews and two exclusive live tracks.
This was followed in 2009 by The Dawn Raids EPs and 3000 Days, a 2CD re-mixed and re-mastered collection of songs from their ten year history to date. In January 2010, their 2006 album, Little Man was also fully remixed by Bruce Soord and Steve Kitch and released through Kscope with new artwork. There are plans to gradually give all of their back catalogue the same treatment as the Cyclops albums are no longer available and sell for large sums in the second hand market. 2009 also saw them supporting Riverside on the UK leg of their European tour.
Someone Here Is Missing was launched at a show at Bush Hall, London on 19 May 2010, whose attendees included Kscope lablemates Steven Wilson of Porcupine Tree and Daniel Cavanagh of Anathema. 
The album also features artwork by the legendary designer Storm Thorgerson, who is famous for creating some of the most recognisable artwork of the last 30 years including albums by Pink Floyd (Dark Side Of The Moon, The Division Bell, Pulse), Muse, Led Zeppelin, Biffy Clyro and Dream Theater. The album continues to nurture the band's trademark ‘bittersweet’ progressive sound.
2010 saw a number of European festival appearances and a full 2 week tour of mainland Europe. This was recorded and released as the download only album "Someone Here Is Live".
The band entered the studio in January 2012 to record their next album, which included (for the first time) a 22 piece orchestra and choir. "All the Wars" was released in September 2012 and followed by a UK tour.


Members:

Steve Kitch - keyboards
Bruce Soord - vocals, (guitars ? )
Jon Sykes - bass
Keith Harrison - drums

Past members:

Wayne Higgins - guitars
Matt O'Leary - keyboards







Discography:

Studio albums:

Abducting the Unicorn (1999)
137 (2001)
Variations on a Dream (2003)
10 Stories Down (2005)
Little Man (2006)
What We Have Sown (2007)
Tightly Unwound (2008)
Someone Here Is Missing (2010)
All the Wars (2012)

Note: "Abducting the Unicorn" was originally titled as "Abducted at Birth". It was later renamed due to the label requesting the title to suggest a connection to Soord's previous band, Vulgar Unicorn.


Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Pineapple_Thief



Thursday, January 24, 2013

Alquin (prog. rock / The Netherlands)



A few students in Delft (The Netherlands) start a group in 1968. It is called Threshold Fear and they mainly play rhytmn and blues. In 1970 the band members are: Hein Mars (bass, vocals), Job Tarenskeen (vocal, sax, percussion), Ronald Ottenhof (sax, flute), Ferdinand Bakker (guitar, vocals, keyboards), Dick Franssen (keyboards) and Bart Terlaak (drums). A single is released on Negram: Sally Saddlepain/Thank me not, the track was produced by Peter Vink who later on would form Finch.

At the end of 1971 the group changes the drummer: Terlaak goes and Paul Weststrate comes. In January 1972 they perform in Paradiso for the first time, under their old name. Shortly thereafter (February 1972) the group changes its name to Alquin, after the student society and rehearsal room Alcuin. Due to their growing reputation, May 1972 a record deal with Polydor is closed for 2 albums and 4 singles, and they record their debut album Marks, produced by Hans van Oosterhout. He was also the producer of Supersister. The album is mainly a mix of rock, jazz and classical influences; “symphonic rock”. As a single You always can change is released with on the flip side the non album track Hard royce. 

The popularity of the band is growing in 1973 The readers of  Oor magazine vote Alquin as the ‘number 1 trendsetter’ of 1973. Alquin tours Great Britain in April and May (17 performances), on stages like Liverpool University, Cavern Club, Greyhound and Marquee Club (London) and including a live TV performance on The Old Grey Whistle Test. They also give a good performance as the one and only Dutch act at the Pinkpop festival in the Netherlands. A second album, The Mountain Queen is recorded at the DeLane Lea studio’s in London, with the help of producer Derek Lawrence. He was also the producer of Deep Purple and Wishbone Ash. For fans of progressive rock, this is probably their best effort.

In 1974 the band tours with The Golden Earring in Germany and England and as support act with The Who in France. In the summer of 1974 Alquin successfully toured England on their own. In the autumn of ’74 singer Michel van Dijk - who sang with Brainbox and Ekseption - joined Alquin. In this line-up the third album “Nobody can wait forever” was recorded in December 1974 at the Rockfield Studios in Whales, with producer Roger Bain. The music Alquin make changes, less progressive. The songs are shorter, heavier and even funkier. At the release of the album in January 1975 Job Tarenskeen took the place of Paul Weststrate as drummer of the band, because Paul had to join the army.

The single Wheelchair Groupie is a minor success. The album was also released in the United States, but a tour was cancelled at the last minute. A little later Hein Mars leaves the band and is replaced by Rob ten Bokum. Mars completely resigns from the music scene. In this line-up the band starts an extensive Holland-tour.
 
Wheelchair Groupie:  https://youtu.be/OniG_Tnd0IA :



 


A year later the band records yet another album, Best Kept Secret , with another bass player Jan Visser. The album is recorded with the help of Vic Smith. On this album they sound funkier than ever. Later that year the band goes on a second Holland-tour, the results of this can be heard on a live album On Tour, that was released the same year.

In 1977 the readers of Oor magazine vote the band as Best Dutch Band. This doesn't, however, prevent them from breaking up. The music climate changed (punk) and there were differences about the musical direction. Job Tarenskeen and Ferdinand Bakker stay together and start another band Meteors. A double compilation album, Crash, was released, with tracks from the five albums.

This isn't the end of the story. On November 18, 1995 Alquin does a successful reunion concert in youth center De Eland in Delft. The line up consists of Van Dijk, Bakker, Franssen, Tarenskeen, Ottenhof and Dick Schulte-Nordholt. A year later is involved in a short tour, where they visit some Dutch university cities. And again in 2003 they perform in several cities in the Netherlands and they have plans to release a DVD with a registration of these concerts but also with archive material. The line up this time is: Michel van Dijk (vocals), Ferdinand Bakker (guitar, vocals), Dick Franssen (keyboards), Job Tarenskeen (drums, percussion), Ronald Ottenhoff (saxophone, clarinet), Frans Koenn (bass), Trudie van Starrenburg (backing vocals) en Caroline Dest (backing vocals). In 2003 the new double cd and dvd are released as One More Night. The cd contains also a new Alquin track, Sweet Surrender. In 2004 Alquin returns with a dutch tour. This time with a new bass player, Walter Latuperissa.

Sources: Oor Popencyclopedie, Nationaal Pop Instituut, Paul Weststrate Album sleeves, Nederpop


Alquin: Years Active: 1972–1977  and 2003–present


Fool In The Mirror (from "Best Kept Secret") : https://youtu.be/qdsftSoPS0Q :








Members:

Dick Franssen - keyboards, organ, piano
Ferdinand Bakker - guitar, vocals, piano, violin, arp-synthesizer, keyboards
Job Tarenskeen - vocal, sax, sopranino, percussion
Michel van Dijk - vocals
Ronald Ottenhoff - sax, flute
Walter Latuperissa

Past members:

Jan Visser - bass
Bart Terlaak - drums
Piet-Hein Strack van Schijndel
Paul Westrate - drums, vocals
Hein Mars - bass, vocals
Rob ten Bokum
Frans Koenn - bass
Dick Schulte-Nordholt





Wednesday, January 23, 2013

Quotes


“Music is my God, and it is the only love that has never left me.” 
Ville Valo



“Life dies but forever will there be music. Always.” 
Nicholas A. McGirr



“There is music you never hear unless you play it yourself.” 
Marty Rubin



“Your youth is the most important thing you will ever have. It's when you will connect to music like a primal urge, and the memories attached to the songs will never leave you. Please hold on to everything. Keep every note, mix tape, concert ticket stub, and memory you have of music from your youth. It'll be the one thing that might keep you young, even if you aren't anymore.” 
Butch Walker



“I'm a bluesman moving through a blues-soaked America, a blues-soaked world, a planet where catastrophe and celebration- joy and pain sit side by side. The blues started off in some field, some plantation, in some mind, in some imagination, in some heart. The blues blew over to the next plantation, and then the next state. The blues went south to north, got electrified and even sanctified. The blues got mixed up with jazz and gospel and rock and roll.” 
Cornel West



“To do what you love and are passionate about is a dream come true, My life is consumed by music and entertainment— and it’s the best life I could ever hope for.” 
Blake Lewis



“Speaking unspoken words,
music is a good way to say.” 
Toba Beta



“You can put off your dreams, your desires, your careers, your farms. You can avoid your responsibilities, obligations, promises, and sovereign rights. But any person who wants to make music, and doesn't, is a goddamned fool.” 
Jenna Woginrich



“Music that gentlier on the spirit lies,
Than tired eyelids upon tired eyes.” 
Alfred Tennyson



“Music is the soul of language.” 
Max Heindel



“Where words fail, music speaks.” 
H. C. Andersens



“Musicians have always had a better understanding of love than the rest of us. Over the years they have told us that love: is like a rock, is here to stay, is all you need, will find a way, will keep us together, will tear us apart, sucks.” 
Cuthbert Soup



“Music expresses feeling, that is to say, gives shape and habitation to feeling, not in space but in time. To the extent that music has a history that is more than a history of its formal evolution, our feelings must have a history too. Perhaps certain qualities of feeling that found expression in music can be recorded by being notated on paper, have become so remote that we can no longer inhabit them as feelings, can get a grasp of them only after long training in the history and philosophy of music, the philosophical history of music, the history of music as a history of the feeling soul.” 
J.M. Coetzee
















Beggars Opera (prog. rock / UK)

1969

Beggars Opera were a progressive rock band from Glasgow, Scotland, formed in Glasgow in 1969 by guitarist Ricky Gardiner. The line-up consisted of Ricky Gardiner (guitar/vocals) (born Richard Gardner, in 1948, Edinburgh, Lothian, Scotland), Alan Park (keyboards) (born 10 May 1951, Glasgow, Strathclyde, Scotland), Martin Griffiths (vocals), Marshall Erskine (bass/flute) and Raymond Wilson (drums).

In 1970, after signing to Vertigo Records, the band recorded their first album Act One, and a single "Sarabande", which charted record in several European countries. The following year, for their second album, Waters of Change, the band were joined by Gordon Sellar (bass) (born 13 June 1947, Glasgow, Strathclyde, Scotland). The single "Time Machine" from that album was successful in Germany, where the band toured extensively.
Erskine left the band before they recorded their third album, Pathfinder (1972), which included a cover version of Richard Harris' hit " MacArthur Park". Several other personnel changes ensued, with Pete Scott replacing Martin Griffiths in 1972, and Linnie Paterson replacing Pete Scott in 1973. By 1973's final album, Get Your Dog Off Me, Beggars Opera were reduced to a trio of Gardiner, Park and Sellar.

In 1974/76 a new version of Beggars Opera recorded two albums for Jupiter Records in Germany; "Sagittary", featuring Ricky Gardiner (guitar), Pete Scott (vocals), Virginia Scott (Mellotron) (born in 1948, Glasgow, Strathclyde, Scotland) and Mike Travis (drums), and "Beggars Can't Be Choosers" with Clem Cattini replacing Mike Travis on drums.
Ricky Gardiner went on to play for David Bowie on the Low album, and with Iggy Pop on the Lust for Life album as well as his Idiot tour of 1976. He co-wrote "The Passenger" with Iggy Pop.
Alan Park (organist) worked with Sir Cliff Richard for many years as musical director.
A cover of the Beggars Opera hit "Time Machine" was published in 2011 by the German band Alias Eye on their album In-Between, featuring former Beggars Opera singer Martin Griffiths alongside his son Philip Griffiths, the frontman of this group.

Members:

Ricky Gardiner - guitar, vocals (1969-1973, 1974-1976)
Alan Park - keyboards (1969-1973)
Raymond Wilson - drums (1969-1973)
Martin Griffiths - vocals (1969-1972)
Marshall Erskine - bass, flute (1969-1972)
Gordon Sellar - bass (1971-1973)
Pete Scott - vocals (1972-1973, 1974-1976)
Linnie Paterson - vocals (1973)
Virginia Scott - Mellotron (1974-1976)
Mike Travis - drums (1974-1975)
Clem Cattini - drums (1975-1976)

"Waters of Change" (full album):





Tuesday, January 22, 2013

Group 1850 (psychedelic rock / The Netherlands)


Groep 1850 was a Dutch psychedelic rock band. The band was founded in 1964 in The Hague by the name Klits and renamed Groep 1850 in 1966. Group 1850 is an interesting, if sometimes exasperating, late-'60s Dutch band who ranks among the most accomplished and original Continental rock acts of the era, though they made little impression in English-speaking territories. Starting as a more or less conventional beat band in the mid-'60s, they had taken a turn for the more psychedelic and bizarre by 1967. Determined to drive into the heart of the psychedelic beast, their songs (performed in English) are quite eclectic for the era, shifting from doom-laden tempos with growling vocals to sunny, utopian passages with breezy harmonies. The group could be roughly labeled as a mixture of the early Mothers of Invention (whom they supported at a Dutch concert in 1967) and Pink Floyd without much of a sense of humor; their songs are intriguing and not without powerful hooks, and the lyrics ambitious (if often inscrutable), but one's attention tends to wander over the course of an album, or even during their lengthier songs. Their late-'60s LPs are highly esteemed by some serious psych/progressive collectors.

When their debut single, "Misty Night" / "Look Around", appeared on the tiny Yep label. Though few copies were pressed, it established them as one of The Netherlands most original bands (alongside the Outsiders and Q65) and they soon signed to Philips. 

More singles ensued, in a highly psychedelic vein, including the "Mother No Head". Their debut album, Agemo's Trip To Mother Earth, appeared in late 1968.
In The Netherlands its sleeve had a 3-D image on the cover, and came with a pair of 3-D glasses. A UK release (also on Philips) did not help the band gain a footing outside The Netherlands, and Philips dropped them soon afterwards. 
Their next album, Paradise Now, appeared on the Dutch Discofoon label in 1969 and was only marginally less acid-influenced than its predecessor.
The band disbanded soon afterwards, but was sporadically active through the 1970s. Especially notable was another single, 1971's "Fire" / "Have You Ever Heard?", which appeared on Polydor.
In subsequent years related albums have appeared by S.I.X. (Sjardin's Invisible X-factor), Sjardin's Terrible Surprise and Orange Upstairs.


At the end of 1968 the band breaks up. Klaasse, Van Buren and Van Bergen form the new band Boots together with vocalist Jack Eckhardt. Beer Klaasse would later turn up in Finch.

In 1968 Peter Sjardin forms a new version of Groep 1850. This time with guitarist Dave Duba, bass player Dolf Geldof and drummer Martin van Duynhoven. Former member Daniël van Bergen returns. 



At the end of the year Martin van Duynhoven is replaced by Paul van Wageningen and Daniël van Bergen leaves the band. With this formation and with the help of percussionist Neppy Noya live recordings are made, which are released in 1974.

In the years to follow Groep 1850 is more a project of Sjardin. They perform in changing formations of musicians and singles are irregularly released. In 1975 Polyandri is released with a bunch of old and new members.


Personnel:

Ruud van Buuren  - bass 
Peter Sjardin  - flute, keyboards , vocals 
Daniël van Bergen - guitar, piano 
Beer Klaasse - drums 
Rob de Rijke bass 

Other Musicians: 

Paul van Wageningen - drums 
Arthur Ebeling  - guitar 
Hessel de Vries -  piano, synthesizer 
Nippy Noya -  percussion 
Dolf Geldof - bass 
Dave Duba - guitar 
Rob de Rijke -bass, flute 
Elout Smit  - drums 
Martin van Duynhoven - drums 




Incomplete discography:

Albums:

Agemo's Trip to Mother Earth Philips PY 844083 (1968)
Paradise Now Discofoon Vroom & Dreesman 7063 (1969)
Polyandri (1974)

Singles:

"Look Around" / "Misty Night" (Yep 1013), 1966
"I Know (La Pensee)" / "I Want More" (Philips JF 333835), 1967
"Mother No Head" / "Ever Ever Green" (Philips JF 333901), 1967
"Zero" / "Frozen Mind" (Philips JF 333973), 1968
"We Love Life" / "Little Fly" (Philips JF 334646), 1969
"Don't Let It Be" / "Sun Is Coming" (Action 2102004), 1970
"Sun Is Coming" / "We Change From Day To Day" (Intertone), 1970
"Fire" / "Have You Ever Heard?" (Polydor 2050111), 1971



Mother No Head:




I Put My Hand on Your Shoulder:








Monday, January 21, 2013

Rick Wakeman - Six Wives of Henry VIII, 1973, concept album (prog. rock , instrumental rock / UK)

Rick Wakeman - Six Wives of Henry VIII  (1973)



https://youtu.be/UjjYT90yFxE




The Six Wives of Henry VIII is the first studio album (also a concept album) from the English keyboardist and composer Rick Wakeman as a solo artist, released in January 1973 on A&M Records. It is an instrumental progressive rock album with its concept based on his interpretations of the musical characteristics of the six wives of Henry VIII. Wakeman decided on the concept in 1972 while he toured the United States with the progressive rock band Yes. As he read a book about the wives on his travels, melodies he wrote the previous year came to him and were noted down. Wakeman plays a variety of keyboard instruments including piano, Minimoog synthesiser, Mellotron, harpsichord and organ. Musicians from Yes and Strawbs, who he performed with prior to Yes, also play on the album.
The album received generally positive reviews from music critics. It reached number 7 on the UK Albums Chart and number 30 on the US Billboard 200. It was certified gold in 1975 by the Recording Industry Association of America and has sold 15 million copies worldwide. In 2009, Wakeman performed the album live for the first time at Hampton Court Palace for the 500th anniversary of Henry's accession to the throne. Each track was re-scored with added elements that could not be there due to time restrictions on the vinyl record.


Conception:

In August 1971, Rick Wakeman joined the English progressive rock band Yes to replace keyboardist Tony Kaye. While on tour of the United States in early 1972 to promote their fourth album Fragile (1971), he bought four books at an airport bookstall in Richmond, Virginia, one of them being The Private Life of Henry VIII by Nancy Brysson Morrison. As he read about Anne Boleyn on the subsequent flight to Chicago, a theme he recorded in November 1971 ran through his mind. He often scribbled down pieces of music while travelling, but could not find a theme to put them to. Said Wakeman, "I had been searching for a style to write in and suddenly I found it in writing music about these six ladies...I would concentrate on one of the wives and then music just came into my head and I would write it down. Sometimes I was flying, other times I was on stage, or just in front of the piano at home...The "Six Wives" theme gave me the thread, the link, I needed to give me a reason for putting these pieces of music together." He explains the album's concept in its liner notes: "The album is based around my interpretations of the musical characteristics of the wives of Henry VIII. Although the style may not always be in keeping with their individual history, it is my personal conception of their characters in relation to keyboard instruments."

More info about recording, release and reception:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Six_Wives_of_Henry_VIII_(album)



Additional musicians:

Bill Bruford – drums (A1, B2)
Ray Cooper – percussion (A1, B2)
Dave Cousins – electric banjo (A3)
Chas Cronk – bass guitar (A3)
Barry de Souza – drums (A3)
Mike Egan – guitar (A1, A2, B2, B3)
Steve Howe – guitar (A1)
Les Hurdle – bass guitar (A1, B2)
Dave Lambert – guitar (A3)
Laura Lee – vocals (B2)
Sylvia McNeill – vocals (B2)
Judy Powell – vocals (A1)
Frank Ricotti – percussion (A2, A3, B3)
Chris Squire – bass guitar (A1)
Barry St. John – vocals (A1)
Liza Strike – vocals (A1, B2)
Alan White – drums (A2, B1, B3)
Dave Winter – bass guitar (A2, B3)



Track listing:

All tracks were written by Wakeman, except where noted.

Side A:
"Catherine of Aragon" – 3:44
"Anne of Cleves" – 7:53
"Catherine Howard" – 6:35

Side B:
"Jane Seymour" – 4:46
"Anne Boleyn 'The Day Thou Gavest Lord Hath Ended'" – 6:32 (Wakeman, E. J. Hopkins)
"Catherine Parr" – 7:06





Bob Dylan (Photos)












Sunday, January 20, 2013

Sunset Love (psych. / USA)

 “Sunset Love” was comprised of band members from New Mexico and Texas.  In the fall of 1968, thirteen original songs and two covers were recorded for a potential album, but nothing was ever released.  “Sunset Love’s” lush harmonies, soaring vocals, superior song writing, and flower power consciousness pervaded their songs with a depth and quality unheard of from most 60s’ bands.  

While their sound can be compared to such bands as “The Mamas and The Papas”, “The Peanut Butter Conspiracy”, “Spanky and Our Gang”, and “The Love Exchange”,  “Sunset Love” had their own inimitable style that transcended a generic stereo-type.  Had Sunset Love released their album in the 60’s, there is no doubt it would have been an instant rarity of excellence. The “Sunset Love” tapes are sourced from the original stereo versions and reveal the great harmonies and surrealistic lyrics of an undeservedly overlooked and forgotten band from the late 60’s.

Sunset Love - Reach Out:





Tracks on the album:

Change
Tribute To Kay
Run To The Sun
Reach Out
Little Children
Winters Day
Sunset Love
Green Hippie
World Of Pain
A Man In The Park
Father Paul
I Will
Wheels
Push
Innocence Dies Young On Our Street