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Hi Phil,

Fantastic, the way you've been energised by listening to exquisite music.

might even play them some zep tomorrow as a friday afternoon treat

I wish you'd been my teacher when I was at school. Let us know the kids' reaction .

Cheers,

Diane

Diane wrote: I wish you'd been my teacher when I was at school. Let us know the kids' reaction .

Cheers,

Diane

"Teacher...leave those kids alone.................."

only joking......

I once played some Pink Floyd in an assembly. 'Two Suns in the Sunset' from the Final Cut album (a very underrated album if I may say so) to support my theme of anti- nuclear war etc
Later that day some of the older students (15/16 yr olds) asked if I could play Floyd more often in assembly. I asked why they liked Floyd and they said they listened to it whilst partaking of a certain weed (not their exact words mind you)....... next assembly I played some Mozart

Pete

Diane wrote:
Yes. Blimey haven't listened to Yes in a while. Close to the Edge; did we used to play that a lot when way back when. Fantastic.

Then there was Rush, Jethro Tull, and Marillion, other great old prog rock bands. I just don't listen to these bands any more, although I never stopped listening to classic rock. Why is that, then ? Play me some stuff and let me drift back twenty years...

Diane

"Old prog rock"...what a great phrase! It's good to be an old prog rocker. Also some groups are not quite prog but are definitely classic... there's a definite overlap but it all depends on the definition of 'progressive'..the edges are blurred but 'so what'...that's the beauty of prog...no compartments.

I've recently delved into Marillion. I bought a cd at a car boot sale..Script for a Jester's Tear.. and then wondered why I had missed all this so many years ago.
Whilst I'm rambling........

Edgar Broughton Band..did you know they've recently got back on the road??
Sensational Alex Harvey Band... they're also back on the road (but obviously without Alex RIP)...by all accounts they are as strong as ever. Their DVD (Zalvation) is one on my Xmas list...reviews are excellent.
Barclay James Harvest.. I only like their early stuff... Mockingbird...Medicine man..now that is one of my all time favourites....

"Didn't anybody see his hand move faster
Than the lightning in his eyes
Oh! what a cold surprise the flying horses cried
And didn't anybody want to ask the calliope
To call the tune
The flying horses crooned but did not know
The Medicine Man sits on the stage
Eats fire and water, earth and air while we all stare
The silver blade burns bright
And tells us to beware
Of mirrored passages that throw a thousand images
Of younger days
The wheel spins slower as it calls us back to play

Round and round now we go
Shout your name to the wind
As it spins by your side
Coloured lights echo as the sound slips on by
Could that have been me?"

p.s it only works with the music otherwise it's crap


and there's Caravan still doing the rounds...saw them last year for the first time....it took me 30 years to get to see them and well worth the wait.


I could go on....


and I will

the Classic Rock magazine for September had a feature on new prog rather than old prog and the freebie cd was a compilation of tracks from present prog groups. Usually I like to stick to my old favourites but I gave it a listen and a door has now been opened. There's a group called Mostly Autumn which I just had to delve further and I think I now need to add to my cd collection. Their song on the freebie cd 'Pass the clock pts 1,2,3" just mesmerised me... a typical trait of prog to have a song in 3 parts
Also on he disc were Porcupine Tree, Spock's Beard, Circulus (more prog folk but that's another avenue to explore down the road which leads to Strawbs, Incredible String Band etc etc). and many more.
and now I've just gone and found this website......
http://www.progarchives.com/

http://www.progarchives.com/top-prog-albums.asp (if you like lists )

so little time ..so much to explore.


and I've always got Gentle Giant to keep me sane

her endeth the ramblings

Pete

cant believe i just wiped out a long reply to you both.... grrrrrrrr

well, here goes again. i loved tyrannosaurus rex but was disappointed in their change when they morphed into t rex. john peels contribution at the end of 'their people were fair....' was slightly tongue in cheek and very droll (spelling?). my friends boyfriend helped to create the cover to that album.

caravan were great to listen to, they were quite unworldly and weird werent they? i never got to see them though.

i saw yes about six years ago at the hammersmith something or other. i loved john anderson and i think that steve howe talents are very much undervalued. i remember he played a couple of classical pieces with breathtaking dexterity.

i havent listened to porcupine tree for a while - i have 'stupid dream' but found it rather depressing - however, there is one track which is quite haunting, 'a smart kid' about the last person left on the planet after some kind of nuclear holocaust .. its really trippy stuff, i can definately hear echoes of floyd in their music.

i also love b j h - really gentle hippy music - it kind of embodies the whole 'hippy trip' of the late 60's early 70's - mockingbird is one of my fav tracks - i listen to that and am transported straight back to those happy hope filled times - (0r have those rose tinted spectacles got stuck on my nose again?)

diane - i bought the zep dvd 'the songs remain the same' and watched plant with goggle eyes last night. my daughter was at her dads, so i could indulge myself with fantasies of mr. plant. did you know he dresses to the left? i was transfixed - so transfixed however, that i lit my ciggy at the wrong end and got a mouthful of yuk. serves me right i suppose! i followed that with another visit to 'school of rock' - i love that film.

pete - have you seen 'school of rock?' and do you read mojo mag? this months freebie are cover versions of jimis music. one is by a guy called john maclaughlin - are you familiar with his stuff? i like the psychedelicness of it. (is there such a word?) i might check him out. and yes, you are right about there being so much music and so little time. at least there are internet sites where you can get tasters.... i will check that link out that you gave us now.... see you soon music lovers!!!

Phil
I haven't seen School of Rock and I usually buy Classic Rock magazine but have been known to buy Mojo or Uncut. My brother subscribes to Mojo and he gave us the copy with the Syd barrett article in it today.
Have got piles of Q magazines in the garage from the 80's/90's but I don't buy it anymore as I found less and less to read in it which I could relate to.

Tyrannosauraus Rex.... I have 'Unicorn' and that is a classic...John Peel or no John Peel

Today I had a shock...... do you remember Principal Edwards Magic Theatre? They produced about 3 LPs and the second one called 'Asmoto Running Band' has always been one of my favourites. A few years ago I managed to buy a double cd with the first 2 albums on one CD and didn't realise until today when my brother pointed it out that there is a track missing from Asmoto in order to make it all fit on one cd. Asmoto is a concept album!!!!!.. you can't miss songs off a concept album!!!!..and I didn't notice!!... the asmoto album has just been released as a separate cd.....do I go buy it for completeness???? Why do they do this????

I also need to buy the whole of BJH 'and other stories' because I cannot listen to just parts of it...it has to be listened to in full. I have some of the songs on a Harvest compilation but it's not the same...

I think I'd better stop rambling for now... if I carry on I'll never stop.

Pete

p.s. dresses to the left???? you're supposed to be concentrating on the music.

I could say I didn't notice Stacia when Hawkwind were performing.......and I didn't because she wasn't there when I did see them

pete - did you know they have remastered george harrisons 'living in the free world?' i have the original which was really hard to find in the music stores. but the annoying thing is when they reissue these albums they always add a few more tracks which means you just have to go out and buy the new one! it's a really transcendental/spiritual album with some earthly lust thrown in for good measure.

i highly recommend you see 'school of rock' with jack black - black plays a rock obsessive who takes a job in a school and teaches a class of 13 year olds to appreciate 'real' music - the actors are all genuine musicians. black forms a band with the kids behind the headteachers back and the film culminates in the kids performing at a rock concert - to the dismay of their shocked parents.... its on sale at hmv for a fiver, worth every penny...

did you know there is a new film about neil young out this friday? called 'heart of gold?' dont know if its on general release though. must see it. love his voice which surprisingly has lasted the passage of time - must be something to do with his surname

I'll have to catch up in stages here!

Pete I haven't listened to The Final Cut in years, and you're right, it was a great album. It is probably far better than any of the subsequent solo albums. I need to get it on cd sometime as I no longer have my vinyl copy. There are some excellent videos from the album here:

http://www.pinkfloyd.co.uk/theFinalCut/

Marillion's Script for a Jester's Tear, yes, maybe their best album, came out in 83 and we played it forever at the end of term at my second year in uni, brings back very happy memories. I think the remastered version also has Grendel and Market Square Heroes, which were both originally singles. Both great songs, and especially Grendel; you must hear Grendel if your Script cd doesn't have it, Pete, it is a very powerful track. I have never heard any Gentle Giant, should I keep my eye out for them?

Phil, glad you enjoyed The Song Remains the Same. I've not seen it for years! I tend to fantasise more about Bruce Springsteen these days, but I saw Robert Plant a couple of years ago, and he is still going strong. I believe he is planning a concert right now to raise money for a neighbour's operation, but I'm not sure if he is touring with it. I have never even heard of School of Rock. I will keep my eye out!

More another time, must start work.

Cheers,

Diane

Diane wrote: Marillion's Script for a Jester's Tear, yes, maybe their best album, came out in 83 and we played it forever at the end of term at my second year in uni, brings back very happy memories. I think the remastered version also has Grendel and Market Square Heroes, which were both originally singles. Both great songs, and especially Grendel; you must hear Grendel if your Script cd doesn't have it, Pete, it is a very powerful track. I have never heard any Gentle Giant, should I keep my eye out for them?

My copy of Script for a Jester's Tear does not have those 2 tracks...it's one of those cds they copied straight from the original...no remastering, that's why it was in the car boot sale

Gentle Giant is an acquired taste. They are very musically gifted and some songs need a few hearings before it all starts to make sense. The time signatures are sometimes unconventional but it does work..for me it does anyway
As with all bands you have to be careful which album you encounter first. The later ones reflect their commercial desires, the middle ones are the strongest and the early ones , for me, show their versatility and creativity which laid the foundations.

This video clip is an animation of a song from their very first album
http://youtube.com/watch?v=YgYP-bX3XLU& ... oclamation

This shows them live in 1978 for the BBC In Concert series about 2 years before they called it a day. This particular song is from 1975 though.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=xcnvfoyA9rA& ... oclamation

the sound quality might not do them justice but it does go some way to displaying their craftmanship.
It's all many years ago now

http://www.blazemonger.com/GG/albums/#STUDIO

Pete
p.s. Phil.. I don't have any George Harrison exept for a cassette tape of 'Cloud Nine'....I think it's Cloud Nine. I must admit..I prefer george's solo stuff to any of the other Beatles

I'll check those links and let you know, Pete. I suspected you might not have those two tracks. PM me your postal address and I'll furnish you with them if you like.

Later,

Diane

diane - sounds like you are a floyd fan too. my fav albun got to be 'wish you were here', although 'the wall' comes a close second. will check that link.
hope mr plant does tour next year - would be good if leonard joined him on tour!!!!!!!!!!

Hi Pete, Gentle Giant sound very Yes-like, not bad, I almost never hear music like that any more. I listened to a bit of Marillion last night. I used to adore Fish's distinctive, almost sinister voice and his on-stage theatricals, saw them on numerous dates on both the Script and Fugazi tours. The music is still good; but no longer has quite the effect it had. Back then. I have almost no Marillion after Fish left, couldn't imagine them without him. I have so many holes in my music collection it's like a string vest. Anyways, I am enjoying the trip down memory lane...

"Old prog rock"...what a great phrase! It's good to be an old prog rocker. Also some groups are not quite prog but are definitely classic... there's a definite overlap but it all depends on the definition of 'progressive'..the edges are blurred but 'so what'...that's the beauty of prog...no compartments.

I know, music doesn't always fit neatly into compartments. I think sometimes I find "prog rock" a bit rambling, unless it is very good, like some Yes and Genesis. Remember Genesis Lamb Lies Down on Broadway, and Trick of the Tail, brilliant albums.

Phil, you are funny. If Robert Plant tours with Leonard, I will be putting the wrong end of a cigarette in my mouth. And I don't even smoke. But I think it a trifle unlikely. Yes, I agree, Wish You Were Here is the best. I imagine I'll meet you at some concert somewhere some time in the future.

Thanks guys,

Diane

I have Seasons End by marillion (no Fish) on cassette tape. Used to play it in the car until I swapped the car for one with a cd player. Must give it another listen on my tape deck in the house. I remember being very impreesed with this album.

I also have the double live LP, Thieving Magpie which goes some way to capture their live performance. I see from their website that they are touring next year across all of Europe.

I don't see myself as a true marillion fan but it's good to dabble.

Talking of dabbling (or not)... a group I didn't even dabble in is Genesis. I'm not a Phil Collins fan but I am intrigued in the Peter Gabriel era.

I read so much about 'Lamb lies down...' .. enough to make me want to listen but not go out and buy. Is it worth a dabble?

Have you heard of 'The Enid' ? I have 'region of the summer stars' LP and am on a quest to buy the cd version. I have a long mental shopping list

I went to see Jon Anderson and Rick Wakeman at the weekend. I just love Jon's voice..and as for Rick's dexterity on the piano....wow!!!
They played a mixture of new songs and classic Yes..piano and guitar and vocals..nothing else. A magical evening but I was willing Jon to do at least one song from his stuff with Vangelis (of whom I am a great fan).

enough of my ramblings

it's good to have this corner of the forum to talk classic rock

Pete

Hi Pete,

I do have the excellent live Theiving Magpie live album, but I haven't heard more than a track or so from Season's End. In fact, I see from the Marillion website I have listened to only one or two releases from the last 20 years! Oh well, recently I have made the decision to stop indulging in the anxious feeling that I am 'missing' stuff. I would never listen to all the music I might enjoy, even if I lived to be 400, and I have more than enough to keep me going.

I do have a couple of tracks from Afraid of Sunlight a friend copied for me. Steve Hogarth took over after Fish it seems. On the website, a free Marillion sampler cd is available:

http://www.marillion.com/music/racket/crash.htm

I'm not sure the "new" stuff won't mostly sound a bit wishy-washy after Fish, but, I'll try to keep an open mind.

Looking at the website I discovered for the first time that Out Of This World (from Afraid of Sunlight) is about Donald Campbell who was killed in 1967 attempting the water speed record in Bluebird on Coniston. People who push boundaries fascinate me, and I have always been intrigued by Campbell, and have visited Coniston since the Bluebird wreckage was raised. What I did not know until just now is that:

The wreckage of Donald Campbell's Bluebird K7 and Campbell's remains were not recovered until May 28, 2001 when diver Bill Smith was inspired to look for the wreck after hearing "Out Of This World". Both Steve Hogarth and Steve Rothery were present at the raising.

Three hundred miles an hour on water
In your purpose-built machine
No one dared to call a boat
Screaming blue
Out of this world
Make history
This is your day
Blue Bird
At such speeds, things fly

What did she say?
I know the pain of too much tenderness
Wondering when or if you'll come back again
Wanting to live for you
And being banned from giving

But only love will turn you around
Only love will turn you around
Only love
Only love will turn you around

So we live you and I
Either side of the edge
And we run and we scream
With the dilated stare
Of obsession and dreaming
What the hell do we want
Is it only to go
Where nobody has gone
A better way than the herd
Sing a different song
Till you're running the ledge
To the gasp from the crowd
Spinning round in your head
Everything that she said

That's brilliant. Campbell's remains were raised because of a Marillion song! The power of music again. Makes me really want to hear the song.

Peter Gabriel's swansong, Genesis' Lamb Lies Down on Broadway is a wonderful album, although god knows what it is about. I have it on cd but lent it out some time ago. The person who has it has just emailled me to say they will return it, so I shall be listening later this week. Is it good to live in the past so much ? Once I have listened I will let you know whether it is still vital listening for someone in their forties .

I have not heard anything of The Enid. Glad you enjoyed Anderson and Wakeman. Ah yes, Jon and Vangelis. Friends of Mr Cairo we once played to death, and Short Stories. "No question I'm not alone, somehow I'll find my way home." That's a great song.

Oh, please do ramble on, Pete. It is tres good to have a place to discuss the old rock stuff.

Cheers,

Diane

ps. is there nothing that youtube can't come up with ? I just watched this a few times, Out of This World played with a video of a BBC adaptation of Campbell's story (with Anthony Hopkins). The song is a bit slow and simple compared to "old" Marillion, but I love it cos of what it is about.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n3ftZfB-VNQ

yes i must check out my marillion cd, havent heard it in a while. and theres nothing wrong in living in the past, wait until you reach fifty!
i continue purchasing zep at a manic rate. i bought dvd of page and plant - 'no quarter' this weekend. its great visually with contrasting landscapes and of course the music is perfect classic rock....