First episode of The European Perspective...it's been available as a podcast for the last week or so, and it gets autoplayed on the stream tomorrow, 23rd November, at 6 am Pacific time, or 3 pm GMT. The podcast will stay up until next Sunday, when the second episode will be autoplayed and the podcast swapped over...and so on until Shawn and the others get bored with me and chuck me off the station
This first edition features music from the bands that played at the 2008 Summer's End festival, together with some other proggy favourites.
01. Moon Safari - Constant Bloom/Methuselah’s Children (17:08) from [blomljud], 2008 02. Tinyfish - Fly Like A Bird (4:11) from Tinyfish, 2006 03. Also Eden - Pandora (6:09) from About Time, 2006 04. Lazuli - Laisse Courir (5:13) from En Avante Doute…, 2007
The Summer's End sequence 05. Season’s End - Ghost In My Emotion (6:32) from The Failing Light, 2005 06. Threshold - Slipstream (4:52) from Dead Reckoning, 2007 07. Overvibe - Ascension Song (4:01) from The Armature EP, 2008 08. Abarax - All These Walls (8:37) from The Crying Of The Whales, 2005 09. Quidam - One Day We Find (6:42) from Alone Together, 2007 10. Magenta - Metamorphosis (23:01) from Metamorphosis, 2008 11. IQ - Awake and Nervous (7:45) from Tales From The Lush Attic, 1983 12. G.L.O.W. - Glow (5:06) from Nearly Live, 2008 13. Thieves’ Kitchen - Chameleon from The Water Road, 2008 14. Abel Ganz - Sheepish (12:55) from Shooting Albatross, 2008 15. Frost* - Wonderland (tour CD version) (7:55) from Experiments In Mass Appeal, 2008 16. Beardfish - Into The Night (8:51) from Sleeping In Traffic Pt. 2, 2008 17. The Tangent - In Earnest (20:03) from A Place In The Queue, 2006
Just when you thought it would never arrive...the second European Perspective, a day earlier than promised!
This weeks' episode features a retrospective of the Polish progressive band, Quidam.
01. Martin Orford - Grand Designs (9:58) from The Old Road, 2008 02. The Tangent - Lost in London (8:08) from A Place In The Queue, 2006 03. White Willow - Now In These Fairy Lands (5:28) from Ignis Fatuus, 1995 04. Also Eden - Artificial Light (5:49) from It’s Kind Of You To Ask, 2008 05. Elbow - Grounds For Divorce (3:39) from The Seldom Seen Kid, 2008 06. Sigur Ros - Vid Spilum Endalaust (3:33) from Med Sud i Eyrum Vid Spilum Endalaust, 2008 07. Goldfrapp - Caravan Girl (4:05) from Seventh Tree, 2008 08. Karmakanic - Let In Hollywood (4:55) from Who’s The Boss In The Factory, 2008 09. Frost* - Welcome To Nowhere (5:32) from Experiments in Mass Appeal, 2008 10. Magic Pie - Change (20:05) from Motions Of Desire, 2005
11. Quidam - Sanktuariaum (8:57) from Quidam, 1996 12. Quidam - Bajkowy (3:42) from Quidam, 1996 13. Quidam - Awakening (1:36) from Angels’ Dreams, 1998 14. Quidam - Angels Of Wine (4:19) from Angels’ Dreams, 1998 15. Quidam - One Small Tear (4:54) from Angels’ Dreams, 1998 16. Quidam - Rhyadar/Rhayadar Goes To Town (10:02) from Baja Prog - Live in Mexico, ‘99, 1999 17. Quidam - No Quarter (11:50) from The Time Beneath The Sky, 2002 18. Quidam - Credo I (8:07) from The Time Beneath The Sky, 2002 19. Quidam - Credo II (5:13) from The Time Beneath The Sky, 2002 20. Quidam - The Fifth Season (11:50) from Surrevival, 2005 21. Quidam - Surrevival (5:13) from Surrevival, 2005 22. Quidam - Nights In White Satin (5:14) from Halfplugged, 2006 23. Quidam - They Are There To Remind Us (7:48) from Alone Together, 2007 24. Quidam - P.S. But Strong Together (4:24) from Alone Together, 2007
25. Martin Orford - Power and Speed (5:57) from The Old Road, 2008
More of a summary of what's been than anything else, as I didn't post the playlist here when the show went up - brain addled with 'flu.
This episode features an interview with Martin Morgan, the writer, keyboard player and general head honcho behind Yak, the instrumental progressive rock band from Essex. If you like what you hear, go and buy an album or two from the Yak website - Martin doesn't make a penny of profit from album sales, as all proceeds go to the upkeep of the Towerhill Stables Animal Sanctuary, a very worthy cause. That's not to say the music doesn't stand up on its own - this is some of the finest prog that I've heard, and talking to Martin about the genesis of Yak music was fascinating.
01. Solstice - Return of Spring (4:53) from Silent Dance, 1984 02. Pendragon - Indigo (13:44) from Pure, 2008 03. The Tangent - The Ethernet (10:13) from Not As Good As The Book, 2008 04. The Flower Kings - Devil's Playground (25:27) from Unfold The Future, 2002
Interview with Martin Morgan of Yak, featuring excerpts from: 05. Camel - Song Within a Song from Moonmadness, 1976 06. Genesis - In That Quiet Earth from Wind and Wuthering, 1977 07. Yak - Aragorn from Dark Side of the Duck, 2004 08. Yak - Gates of Moria from Journey of the Yak, 2008 09. Yak - Entangled In Dreams from Journey of the Yak, 2008 10. Yak - Jadis of Charn from Journey of the Yak, 2008 11. Yak - March Of The Huorns from Journey of the Yak, 2008 12. Yak - Dearly Departed from Journey of the Yak, 2008 13. Yak - Journey of the Yak from Journey of the Yak, 2008
14. Haze - Fallen Leaves (3:54) from In The End: 1978-1988, 1992 15. It Bites - The Wind That Shakes The Barley (8:12) from The Tall Ships, 2008 16. Simon Says - The Chosen One (5:44) from Tardigrade, 2008 17. Lazuli - Cassiopee (6:36) from En Avant Doute, 2006 18. Tinyfish - God Eat God (3:13) from Tinyfish, 2006 19. Magenta - Pride (11:30) from The Gathering, 2005
This week's edition of the European Perspective - brought to you from influenza central - is dedicated to the so-called 'New Wave of British Progressive Rock', the second flowering of symphonic-style progressive rock in the early 1980s, which had as its unofficial home The Marquee Club in Wardour Street, London.
01 - Pendragon - The Pleasure of Hope (3:44) from The Jewel, 1985 02 - Solstice - Peace (6:33) from Silent Dance, 1984 03 - Haze - Unto The Dawn (7:21)/In The Light (3:36)/Dig Them Mushrooms (4:55) from Cellar Replayed, 2000 04 - Twelfth Night - Fact and Fiction (5:27)/The Poet Sniffs A Flower (4:03) from Live and Let Live, 1984 05 - Marillion - Grendel (19:54)/Forgotten Sons (12:04)/Market Square Heroes (7:40) from Early Stages: Official Bootleg, 2008 06 - IQ - The Last Human Gateway (20:00) from Tales From the Lush Attic, 1983 07 - Pallas - Rise and Fall, Part 1 (6:08)/East West (5:00)/March on Atlantis (5:23)/Rise and Fall, Part 2 (4:04)/Atlantis (8:06) from The Sentinel, 1984 08 - Pendragon - Leviathan (6:14) from The Jewel, 1985 09 - Pendragon - Oh Divineo (6:50) from The Jewel, 1985 10 - Twelfth Night - Sequences (17:14) from Live and Let Live, 1984 11- Solstice - Find Yourself (6:01) from Silent Dance, 1984 12 - Pendragon - The Black Knight (9:57) from The Jewel, 1985
This last episode of the European Perspective for 2008 features a review of the progressive rock releases during the year, leading up to my own personal top ten albums. It really has been a bumper year for the genre, with many excellent albums to choose from, and condensing my favourites into a three-hour show has been very difficult. What strikes me, having chosen the songs to be played, is just how varied the mix is, even just selecting from British and European acts.
I hope you all enjoy the selection - if you disagree, then tell me, and why!
01 - Moon Safari - Yasgur's Farm (8:06) from [blomljud], 2008 02 - It Bites - Memory Of Water (4:50) from The Tall Ships, 2008 03 - Parallel or 90 Degrees - Four Egos, One War (19:57) from A Can Of Worms, 2008 04 - Panic Room - Apocalypstick (6:07) from Visionary Position, 2008 05 - Thieves' Kitchen - The Water Road (11:11) from The Water Road, 2008 06 - Big Big Train - The Shipping Forecast from English Boy Wonders - Remastered, 2008 07 -Also Eden - Skimming Stones (6:59) from It's Kind Of You To Ask, 2008 08 - Beardfish - South Of The Border (7:41) from Sleeping In Traffic, Part 2, 2008 09 - Martin Orford - The Old Road (8:37) from The Old Road, 2008 10 - Abel Ganz - Looking For A Platform (15:01) from Shooting Albatross, 2008 11 - Brighteye Brison - The Harvest (20:27) from Believers And Decievers, 2008 12 - Frost* - Dear Dead Days (6:51) from Experiments In Mass Appeal, 2008 13 - Yak - March Of The Huorns (12:08) from Journey of the Yak, 2008 England 14 - The Tangent - Not As Good As The Book (8:54)) from Not As Good As The Book, 2008 15 - Magenta - Metamorphosis/Blind Faith (29:24) from Metamorphosis, 2008
There'll be no new episode this weekend, as I'm on holiday in the wilds of Gloucestershire far, far away from computers and internet connectivity. I'll be back with a new show on Sunday 4th January 2009!
This latest episode of The European Perspective showcases progressive acts with femaile singers, going right back to Renaissance in the early seventies, and bang up to date with bands such as The Reasoning, Season's End and Yesterdays, as well as throwing in a few curveballs!
Comments etc. gratefully received, as always.
01. Claire Hamill - Awaken...Larkrise (3:58) from Voices, 1986 02. Touchstone - Shadow (6:48) from Discordant Dreams, 2008 03. Sensitive To Light - Carpe Diem (6:06) from Almost Human, 2006 04. Mostly Autumn - Carpe Diem (8:06) from Storms Over Still Water, 2005 05. Bat For Lashes - Trophy (4:01) from Fur & Gold, 2006 06. Kate Bush - The Ninth Wave (26:25) from Hounds of Love, 1985 07. Paatos - Look At Us (5:26) from Kallocain, 2004 08. Cocteau Twins - Heaven Or Las Vegas (4:57) from Heaven Or Las Vegas, 1999 09. Renaissance - Ashes Are Burning (11:20) from Ashes Are Burning, 1973 10. The Reasoning - Sharp Sea (7:33) from Dark Angel, 2008 11. Big Big Train - Broken English (14:10) from Bard, 2002 12. Afro Celt Sound System - Go On Through (8:03) from Further In Time, 2001 13. Quidam - Behind My Eyes (14:12) from Angel's Dreams, 1998 14. Season's End - Celestia (9:50) from The Failing Light, 2006 15. Yesterdays - Seven (11:48) from Moonlit Garden, 2006 16. Imogen Heap - Useless (5:19) from I Megaphone, 1998 17. Solstice - Guardian (10:44) from New Life, 1993 18. Magenta - The White Witch (20:23) from Revolutions, 2001
The Tangent are one of the premier progressive rock bands currently active on the scene, as well as being one of the most genuinely pan-European. In this episode of The European Perspective reviews their back-catalogue, hopeful that 2009 will see more activity from this most remarkable of prog acts.
Listen also for the first ever EP competition!
01. Yes - Yours Is No Disgrace (9:41) from The Yes Album, 1971 02. Pendragon - No Place For The Innocent (5:37) from Believe, 2005 03. Hatfield And The North - Share It (3:03) from The Rotter’s Club, 1975 04. Genesis - Firth Of Fifth (9:35) from Selling England By The Pound, 1973 05. The Watch - When I Was A Tree (5:38) from Primitive, 2007 06. Brighteye Brison - Isolation (5:01) from Stories, 2006 07. Gazpacho - Upside Down (9:41) from Upside Down, 2007 Norway 08. The Tangent - In Darkest Dreams (20:06) from The Music That Died Alone, 2003 09. The Tangent - The Canterbury Sequence (8:05) from The Music That Died Alone, 2003 10. The Tangent - Skipping The Distance (8:55) from The World That We Drive Through, 2004 11. The Tangent - Photosynthesis (7:40) from The World That We Drive Through, 2004 12. The Tangent - The World That We Drive Through (live) (14:46) from Pyramids and Stars, 2005 13. The Tangent - GPS Culture (10:08) from A Place In The Queue, 2006 14. The Tangent - 21st Century Schizoid Man (11:25) from Going Off On One, 2007 15. The Tangent - Lost In London (8:08) from A Place In The Queue, 2006 16. The Tangent - Lost In London 25 Years Later (7:33) from Not As Good As The Book, 2008 17. The Tangent - The Ethernet (10:13) from Not As Good As The Book, 2008 18. The Tangent - Four Egos, One War (21:15) from Not As Good As The Book, 2001
After last week's episode, featuring the music of the Anglo-Swedish prog band The Tangent, this week reviews some of the music played by the members of that band in solo and other band projects.
The winner of last week's competition was Hemispherical Walter, who wins a copy of Magenta's Metamorphosis by identifying that The Tangent played a cover version of Yes' Yours Is No Disgrace at Summer's End last year.
01. Magenta - Speechless (4:06) from Speechless, 2007 02. Frost* - Black Light Machine (10:07) from Milliontown, 2006 03. Amarok - Quentadharken (21:31) from Quentadharken, 2004 04. Solstice - Earthsong (6:37) from Silent Dance, 1984 05. Porcupine Tree - My Ashes (5:07) from Fear Of A Blank Planet, 2007 06. Anthony Phillips - Tibetan Yak Music (6:11) from Private Parts & Pieces, 1979 07. Yak - Aragorn (5:18) from Dark Side Of The Duck, 2004 08. Carptree - The Secret (6:20) from Insekt, 2007 09. Parallel or 90 Degrees - Gods Of Convenience (9:10) from Unbranded, 2000 10. Parallel or 90 Degrees - Migraine (8:19) from Unbranded, 2000 11. Guy Manning - Castaways (4:26) from Tall Stories for Small Children, 1999 12. Manning - Suite: Dreams (20:04) from The View From My Window, 2003 13. Andy Tillison - Nebel (18:55) from Fog, 2007 14. La Voce del Vento - Harmonica (22:00) from The Spaghetti Epic, 2004 15. Karmakanic - Send A Message From The Heart (19:32) from Who's The Boss In The Factory, 2008
In this episode I attempt - with arguable degrees of success - to untangle the tangled lines that join together the progressive bands from the 1970s who comprised ‘The Canterbury Scene’. From the prototype Soft Machine, through Caravan, Matching Mole and Egg, and culiminating in the fully mature stylings of Hatfield and the North and National Health, the genre was always characterized by a willingness to experiment - sometimes severely trying the patience of the listener! Hopefully I’ve made a selection which doesn’t make such demands, concentrating on the more melodic side of the Canterbury genre.
01. Caravan - Memory Lain, Hugh/Headloss (9:16) from For Girls Who Grow Plump In The Night, 1973 02. Soft Machine - Love Makes Sweet Music (2:32) from the single, 1968 03. Soft Machine - Hope For Happiness (4:22) from The Soft Machine, 1968 04. Egg - I Will Be Absorbed (5:12) from Egg, 1970 05. Egg - Fugue In D Minor (2:50) from Egg, 1970 06. Caravan - In The Land Of Grey And Pink (5:00) from In The Land Of Grey And Pink, 1971 07. Kevin Ayers - Whatevershebringswesing (8:13) from Whatevershebringswesing, 1971 08. Kevin Ayers - See You Later (4:40) from The Confessions Of Doctor Dream, 1974 09. Khan - Driving to Amsterdam (9:23) from Space Shanty, 1972 10. Matching Mole - O Caroline (5:06) from Matching Mole, 1972 11. Robert Wyatt - Little Red Riding Hood Hit The Road (7:41) from Rock Bottom, 1974 12. Hatfield And The North - Fitter Stokes Has A Bath (4:35) from Hatfield And The North, 1974 (1987 re-release) 13. Hatfield and the North - Mumps (20:31) from The Rotter’s Club, 1975 14. Gong - Master Builder (6:20) from You, 1974 15. Pierre Moerlen’s Gong - Downwind (12:31) from Downwind, 1979 16. Steve Hillage - The Salmon Song (8:29) from Fish Rising, 1974 17. Steve Hillage - Hurdy Gurdy Man (6:34) from L, 1975 18. National Health - Brujo (10.17) from National Health, 1977 19. National Health - Binoculars (11:46) from Of Queues And Cures, 1978 20. Camel - Tell Me (4:07) from Rain Dances, 1977 21. Camel - Skylines (4:28) from Rain Dances, 1977 22. Caravan - Nine Feet Underground (22:44) from In The Land Of Grey And Pink, 1971
This week's episode of the European Perspective starts with a tribute to John Martyn, the Scottish guitarist/singer/songwriter, who died at the age of 60 last Thursday, 29th January 2009. Although not a progressive rock artist, John's approach to his music was always eclectic and forward-thinking, from its early folk roots, taking in rock, jazz, reggae and even dance elements - a truly 'progressive' artist in the real sense of the word.
The theme for Episode 10 is 'DJ's choice'. I asked all the DLBN DJs to choose their favourite British or European progressive music, and got back the selection which comprises this week's show. Find out just which Napalm Death tracks Shawn Bishop likes best, or hear the rationale behind Brad and Lorena's deep love of 1920's cocktail lounge music.
As many of the selected tracks are very l-o-n-g, this week's episode is over four hours in duration, but for you podcast downloaders - it's worth it!
In memory of John Martyn, 11th September 1948-29th January 2009 01. John Martyn - May You Never (3:42) from Solid Air, 1973
Shawn Bishop - Behind The Lines 02. Genesis - Behind The Lines (5:31) from Duke, 1980 03. Genesis - Duchess (6:25) from Duke, 1980 04. Genesis - Guide Vocal (1:34) from Duke, 1980
Eric Brooks - Critic's Carnival 05. Marillion - Kayleigh (4:04) from Misplaced Childhood, 1985 06. Fish - Dark Star (6:45) from 13th Star, 2008 07. Marillion - Incommunicado (5:17) from Clutching At Straws, 1987
Mary "Grrrl" Campbell - Underdog Prog 08. Yes - Parallels (5:47) from YesShows, 1980 09. Gentle Giant - Funny Ways (8:30) from Playing the Fool: The Official Live, 1977 10. Muse - Plug In Baby (3:40) from Origin Of Symmetry, 2001
Vince & Daisy Font - Prog'opolis 11. Camel - A Song Within A Song (7:10) from A Live Record, 1976 12. King Crimson - 21st Century Schizoid Man (7:23) from In The Court Of The Crimson King, 1969 13. King Crimson - Starless (12:17) from Red, 1974
David "Winkler" James - Under The Radar 14. Genesis - The Cinema Show (10:41) from Selling England By The Pound, 1973
Mikebo - Strange Avenues 15. Porcupine Tree - The Sky Moves Sideways (12:41) from Coma Divine, 1997
Paul "Whistler" Brower - Strange Avenues 16. Jethro Tull - Thick As A Brick, part 1 (22:40) from Thick As A Brick, 1972
Woody Harris - Soundscape 17. Alan Parsons - Blown By The Wind (5:26) from On Air, 1998 18. U.K. - Carrying No Cross (9:59) from Live In Boston, 2007 (recorded 1978) 19. Marillion - Ocean Cloud (17:58) from Marbles, 2004
Brad & Lorena - Rush Hour 20. Marillion - Fantastic Place (6:12) from Marbles, 2004 21. Riverside - The Curtain Falls (8:00) from Out Of Myself, 2004
Rene Young - Prog Roots 22. Yes - Close To The Edge (18:41) from Close To The Edge, 1972
Chris Ambler - The Gates Of Delirium 23. National Health - The Collapso (6:19) from Complete, 1990
Shawn Bishop - Behind The Lines 24. Frost* - Milliontown (26:35) from Milliontown, 2006
With a couple of exceptions, quite a conservative collection! Not that this is a bad thing, of course...
No theme for this week's episode, just a selection of choice proggy music from the UK, Sweden, Germany. France, Portugal and the Czech Republic. Wow to the sounds of Forgotten Suns, delight to the point of swooning with the wonder that is Mr. So & So's latest album, and wonder how you were able to live before hearing Seven Steps To The Green Door!
01. Magenta - Children of the Sun (19:18) from Revolutions, 02. Abel Ganz - Rain Again (8:14) from The Danger Of Strangers, 1988 03. Mr. So & So - Flying Triangles (5:03) from Sugarstealer, 2009 04. Mr. So & So - New Year's Day (3:14) from Sugarstealer, 2009 05. Mr. So & So - Thursdays Are Blue (4:51) from Sugarstealer, 2009 06. Mr. So & So - Dandelion Amongst The Violets (0:33) from Sugarstealer, 2009 07. The Black Noodle Project - Deliverence (9:34) from Eleonore, 2008 08. Forgotten Suns - Doppelganger (4:08) from Innergy, 2009 09. Forgotten Suns - Outside In (10:05) from Innergy, 2009 10. Forgotten Suns - Mind Over Matter (8:43) from Innergy, 2009 11. Ezra - Summer Again (8:18) from Songs From Pennsylvania, 2006 12. Taliesyn - Birds Of The Hills (4:36) from Southern Amnesia, 2007 13. Taliesyn - Lady Of The Lake (5:05) from Southern Amnesia, 2007 14. Seven Steps To The Green Door - New Rising (5:55) from Step In 2 My World, 2008 15. Seven Steps To The Green Door - Stay Beside (6:01) from Step In 2 My World, 2008 16. Seven Steps To The Green Door - Step Into My World (5:45) from Step In 2 My World, 2008 17. The Gift - Awake And Dreaming (41:49) from Awake And Dreaming, 2006 18. The Flower Kings - Church Of Your Heart (9:11) from Stardust We Are, 1999
Another selection of choice proggy cuts this week, including tracks from the new Manning album, plenty of music from Norway, and some listeners' requests. Plus, for the first time, a mystery co-presenter - listen in to find out who! Perhaps it's Neal Morse, finally seeing the light and embracing a more European feel...or maybe the two surviving members of Pink Floyd, displaying a hitherto undemonstrated love of Norweigen death metal. Or maybe it's someone else completely - you'll have to tune in to find out!
01. The Divine Comedy - National Express (5:06) from Fin de Siecle, 1998 02. Frost* - Toys (3:06) from Experiments In Mass Appeal, 2008 03. Mr. So & So - Honey Jar (6:13) from Sugarstealer, 2008 04. Abel Ganz - Looking for a Platform (15:03) from Shooting Albatross, 2008 05. Soft Machine - (Black) Velvet Mountain (5:10) from Land of Cockayne, 1981 06. Also Eden - The Enemy Within (12:13) from About Time, 2007 07. Gazpacho - Chequered Light Buildings (6:35) from Night, 2007 08. Gazpacho - Upside Down (9:41) from Night, 2007 09. Gazpacho - Valerie's Friend (6:29) from Night, 2007 10. It Bites - The Wind That Shakes The Barley (8:12) from The Tall Ships, 2008 11. Green Carnation - The Burden is Mine...Alone (3:15) from The Acoustic Verses, 2006 12. Green Carnation - Maybe (5:03) from The Acoustic Verses, 2006 13. Solstice - Journey (10:05) from New Life, 2007 14. Pete Bardens - Homage To The God Of Light (13:32) from The Answer, 1970 15. Manning - A Road Less Travelled (10:34) from Number Ten, 2009 16. Manning - Another Lazy Sunday (5:25) from Number Ten, 2009 17. Manning - The House On The Hill (15:52) from Number Ten, 2009 18. Thieves' Kitchen - The Long Fianchetto (21:02) from The Water Road, 2008
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