19 May 2025: Gordon Giltrap "Live at Oxford 1979"; Richard Wright "Wet Dream"

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This is one of my favorite live albums of all time; Gordon Giltrap had a brief "progressive rock" phase and this album is an excellent chronicle of my favorite GG era.

Review by SouthSideoftheSky
SPECIAL COLLABORATOR Symphonic Team

Fast approaching

This excellent live album can be summed up in a single sentence: Some of Gordon Giltrap's best and most memorable tunes from his three best and most progressive albums, performed with more energy and with more of an edge compared to the studio versions with a great band backing him up. When this live concert was recorded in the late 70's, Giltrap was at the peak of his progressive period and had just released three good studio albums in Visionary, Perilous Journey, and Fear Of The Dark. So there was never a better time for him to record a live album and the result is a very good introduction to Gordon Giltrap.

Apart from Giltrap himself, the band consists of no less than two keyboard players in Rod Edwards and Eddie Spence, John Gustafson (who was also part of the Ian Gillan Band) on bass, and Ian Mosley (who also played with Steve Hackett and later became a member of Marillion) on drums. While most of the show is instrumental, there are a few numbers with Shirley Roden on vocals. The parts on which she sings lead remind me of the band Renaissance. The similarities with that band on these parts are particularly strong due to the combination of the music's being driven by acoustic guitar and piano, backed up by a rhythm section of electric bass and drums. Add to that a female vocalist in a somewhat similar style to Annie Haslam, singing songs with folky as well as Symphonic aspects.

But there are also many electronic keyboards used and Giltrap alternates here between acoustic and electric guitars to great effect. His acoustic guitar playing is the most impressive and he showcases very well his trademark acoustic style (that influenced among others Ritchie Blackmore's acoustic playing). Giltrap's speed and accuracy is incredible, and he plays even the most complex and fast parts with such ease and makes not the slightest mistake. But unlike some other technically skilled guitar players, he never lets technicality overshadow the often gorgeous melodies. His electric guitar playing is less distinctive, but is an essential ingredient in the overall sound. Also, though Giltrap is the star, he does not steal the show and allows the whole band to shine.

Live At Oxford is a fine addition to many a Prog fan's collection 

Review by kenethlevine
SPECIAL COLLABORATOR Prog-Folk Team

A live performance for essentially a solo guitarist always raises the question of faithful sound reproduction. For instance, GORDON GILTRAP plays both electric and acoustic guitar very well. Does he go with an additional guitarist to complement or at least not cramp his style? What of other instrumentation like sax which he occasionally hires? Should vocals be introduced for variety? On "Live at Oxford" GILTRAP makes several brilliant choices - hiring a competent backing rock band, continuing to play all guitars himself, engaging a female vocalist, and utilizing keyboards and vocals to fill some of the additional guitar and brass sounds. How he implements these decisions results in a show and a resulting album that plays to his strengths while rendering his shortcomings moot.

In some sense this virtuoso's work is best suited to the live setting, since his primary talent is in playing and, to some extent, arranging, as opposed to composition. Luckily his skill is exposed in a measured fashion throughout. The main source of material is "Fear of the Dark", the most recent album at the time of the concert, and it would be hard to imagine that those tracks represented here are not more fully realized than the studio versions. This is especially the case for the epic "Visitation" and the suspenseful "Fear of the Dark", both of which benefit from the sultry expressive vocals of SHIRLEY RODEN. Still, the best example of this adaptive spirit and of Roden's power is in "The Deserter"; originally an instrumental on "Perilous Journey", it is re-invented as a spacey lyrical piece with Roden's vocals replacing sax and some pointed guitar leads. I had never heard of Roden so has to look her up, and found that her limited credits include several prog artists including MICHAEL MOORCOCK, MIKE OLDFIELD and DAVID GILMOUR.

As is standard for Giltrap, none of the material or the performances are weak but here the energy of the live setting and the commitment to the team concept contribute equally to what could be the most suitable introduction to Gitrap for prog fans. 

 

Pink Floyd founder member and keyboardist Richard Wright’s debut solo album, Wet Dream, is to be reissued in July.

The album has been remixed by Steven Wilson in Dolby Atmos, 5.1 and stereo for this release. The original mix does not feature on any of the three physical formats and all the new mixes include some extra passages of music that were edited out of the original.

Originally released between Pink Floyd’s Animals (1977) and The Wall (1979), Wet Dream was self-produced and Wright wrote all the songs (except ‘Against the Odds’, which was co-written with his then-wife, Juliette). Remarkably, the album flew under the radar was at best under appreciated, if not almost unnoticed at the time.

Richard Wright : Wet Dream : Steven Wilson Remix : Review

Phil Aston14th August 20230 Comment6k

Richard Wright’s “Wet Dream” (1978): A Remix Revelation by Steven Wilson

The Original “Wet Dream”
Released in 1978, Richard Wright’s “Wet Dream” is an album I’ve cherished, even owning a vinyl copy tucked away probably in my garage. It’s a beautiful blend of instrumentals and vocals, showcasing Wright’s jazz inclinations. While I’ve always had a soft spot for “Broken China” among Wright’s solo works, “Wet Dream” is undeniably pleasant, a testament to his musical prowess.

Steven Wilson’s 2023 Remix
Fast forward to 2023, and we have a remix by the renowned Steven Wilson. Now, we’ve all seen remastered versions of albums, but a remix is a different beast altogether. Wilson’s expertise in extracting nuances from old recordings and highlighting elements we might have missed is unparalleled. His ability to enhance without altering our cherished memories of the original tracks is nothing short of genius.

This remix is a revelation. From the very first play, tracks like “Mediterranean Sea,” “Against the Odds,” and “White Waves” felt rejuvenated. The clarity with which each instrument stands out, be it Snowy White’s guitar or Mel Collins’s saxophone, is astounding. It’s as if the musicians are right there in the room with you.

A Dive into the Details
There’s a slight discrepancy in the songwriting credits between the original and the remix. The original credits all songs to Richard Wright, except “Against the Odds” to Julie Wright. The remix, however, attributes the words for “Pink Song” to Juliet Wright. It’s a minor detail, but worth noting for the purists.

The remix also comes with a booklet featuring photographs taken by Richard Wright, capturing personal moments from his holidays. Fans of the original will appreciate the reproduced gatefold sleeve, a nostalgic nod to the 1978 release.

The Verdict
If you’re a Pink Floyd aficionado, this remix is a must-have. Even if you own the original, the Steven Wilson remix offers a fresh, immersive experience that’s hard to resist. It’s not just about the enhanced sound quality; it’s about the emotions it evokes. Listening to it in a dimly lit room, letting the music wash over you, is an experience I can’t recommend enough.

In conclusion, the 2023 remix of “Wet Dream” is a testament to both Richard Wright’s timeless artistry and Steven Wilson’s remixing prowess. It’s available now on Polarphone Records, and I urge you to give it a listen.

Phil Aston | Now Spinning Magazine

 

 

30 May 2023: Yes "Mirror to the Sky"; Pink Floyd "The Dark Side of the Moon" 50th Anniversary remaster; Michael Bonaventure "Retrospective"

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Mirror to the Sky is the twenty-third studio album by English progressive rock band Yes, released on 19 May 2023 by InsideOut Music and Sony Music.^[2] It is their first studio album with American drummer Jay Schellen as a full-time member following the death of long-time Yes drummer Alan White in 2022, and to whom the album is dedicated.^[3]

Yes started work on the album shortly before the release of The Quest, their previous album, in October 2021. Like its predecessor, guitarist Steve Howe resumed his role as producer on Mirror to the Sky and the FAMES Orchestra in North Macedonia provide orchestral arrangements by Paul K. Joyce on some songs. 

Yes – Mirror To The Sky: "the best Yes album in more than 20 years"

By Sid Smith

( Prog )

No Jon Anderson, Chris Squire or Alan White? No problem for Yes. Prog’s great survivors hit a late-career upswing on Mirror To The Sky

With every studio recording, live album or tour announcement, there’s always a faction of fans who will turn up on a corner of the internet waving their ‘No Jon Anderson, No Yes’ banners. Their zeal is only matched by the nearby counter-demonstration shaking their ‘No Peter Banks, No Yes’ placards.

But time and events have moved on and maybe the ‘No Anderson’ contingent should too. In the aftermath of the singer’s unceremonious departure 15 years ago, we’ve since lost Chris Squire and Alan White, a stark reminder, should it be needed, that life is really too short to spend time grinding gears over something we have no control over. Rather than exercising well-worn prejudices and allowing expectations to become self-fulfilling prophecies, isn’t it better to approach a new album with an open mind? 

If 2021’s The Quest represented a return to some kind of form after the bland torpor of 2014’s Heaven & Earth, Mirror To The Sky feels like another useful step forward in Yes’ apparently never-ending story. There’s a good reason they released Cut From The Stars as a digital single ahead of the album: it has more hooks in it than an angler’s bag. With a cascading string motif; vibrant rays of organ; spiky, undulating bass; bubbling guitars; dead-ahead drumming and ecstatic skipping vocals, it moves with determined energy and purpose. Setting out the stall of a band that have now been fully rejuvenated with the installation of drummer Jay Schellen, it’s a track that has urgency and power in abundance. Or, to put it another way, it fucking rocks. 

Those catchy qualities continue with All Connected – its expansive feel seamlessly unrolls from one section to another, making the musical connectivity work with consummate ease. While taking disparate elements and welding them into something functional and cohesive is pretty much what Yes are best known for, there’s an argument that it’s not been done as elegantly as this for quite some time. If the chorus of Luminosity sounds, at times, like it might have been rejected by the local Christian Fellowship for being too happy-clappy, it’s at least bookended with an engagingly upbeat arrangement. The same cannot be said for the plodding dreariness of Living Out Their Dream, an unimaginative rocker whose by-the-numbers presence here is baffling.

That lapse of judgement is mercifully brief and the title track restores momentum. The piece showcases orchestral embellishments by Paul K Joyce, whose work also graced The Quest. Mid-tempo rather than magisterial, it nevertheless works well, with ethereal violin harmonics adding a chilly trail in the wake of Howe’s contemplative fretwork. The guitarist’s soloing throughout the track is especially good. At 75 years old he might have slowed down in comparison to the flash of his youth, but he demonstrates the wisdom of knowing that, in this case, a leaner, cleaner melodicism will serve the song all the better. As principal soloist and producer, Howe is ultimately free to overdub as many guitars onto a track as he sees fit without fear of anyone telling him otherwise, yet here he opts for a restrained approach that benefits the album overall. 

Yes’ internecine politics in the past have sometimes reduced the album-making process into a passive-aggressive grudge match, wherein the band are only able to work at the speed of the unhappiest member. By contrast, this line-up has publicly stated that the spirit of cooperation and mutual support evident during The Quest has continued to flourish. Though it’s hard to objectively quantify, there’s a sense that everyone being on the same page has brought optimism and coherence to the music. Jon Davison’s charming ballad Circles Of Time, which gently closes the album, though delicate on the surface, comes with a real inner strength that’s due to the simplicity of its arrangement and uncluttered sureness of its production.  

As with The Quest, this album also comes with a three-track bonus disc. The best of these is the middling Unknown Place. With its Hammond organ wig-out and solo cowbell section it seems designed to provide some clap-along crowd participation when Yes next get back on the road.

The long tail of Yes’ inventiveness during the 1970s burns so intensely to this day that it’s inevitable that the current band will likely always be judged against those past glories. While Mirror To The Sky doesn’t scale those early innovative heights and is unlikely to change the musical weather in the way the band once did, when judged on its own merits, this is a set that stands as the best Yes album in more than 20 years. Maybe it’s time to put down the placards and listen.

 A few weeks ago we featured a live 1974 recording of DSotM; tonight we spotlight the 50th Anniversary remastered recording of the original release.

The Dark Side of the Moon 50th Anniversary is a box set reissue of British progressive rock band Pink Floyd's original 1973 album. It was released on 24 March 2023 by Pink Floyd Records. Five digital-only singles were released to support the set. 

The Dark Side of the Moon is the eighth studio album by the English rock band Pink Floyd, released on 1 March 1973 by Harvest Records. Developed during live performances before recording began, it was conceived as a concept album that would focus on the pressures faced by the band during their arduous lifestyle, and also deal with the mental health problems of former band member Syd Barrett, who departed the group in 1968. New material was recorded in two sessions in 1972 and 1973 at EMI Studios (now Abbey Road Studios) in London.

The record builds on ideas explored in Pink Floyd's earlier recordings and performances, while omitting the extended instrumentals that characterised the band's earlier work. The group employed multitrack recording, tape loops, and analogue synthesisers, including experimentation with the EMS VCS 3 and a Synthi A. Engineer Alan Parsons was responsible for many of the sonic aspects of the recording, and for the recruitment of session singer Clare Torry, who appears on "The Great Gig in the Sky".

The Dark Side of the Moon explores themes such as conflict, greed, time, death and mental illness. Snippets from interviews with the band's road crew and others are featured alongside philosophical quotations. The sleeve, which depicts a prismatic spectrum, was designed by Storm Thorgerson in response to keyboardist Richard Wright's request for a "simple and bold" design which would represent the band's lighting and the album's themes. The album was promoted with two singles, "Money" and "Us and Them".

The Dark Side of the Moon is among the most critically acclaimed albums and often features in professional listings of the greatest of all time. It brought Pink Floyd international fame, wealth and plaudits to all four band members. A blockbuster release of the album era, it also propelled record sales throughout the music industry during the 1970s. The Dark Side of the Moon is certified 14 times platinum in the United Kingdom, and topped the US Billboard Top LPs & Tape chart, where it has charted for 981 weeks. As of 2013, The Dark Side of the Moon has sold over 45 million copies worldwide, making it the best-selling album of the 1970s and the fourth-best-selling album in history.^[4] In 2012, the album was selected for preservation in the United States National Recording Registry by the Library of Congress as being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant".

 

Michael Bonaventure Works 2018-2023

The music in this new collection of Bonaventure’s work since 2017 displays the ongoing synthesis and/or particularisation of genres, extra- musical influences and fields of intuitive awareness that have always been at work in his music. All of these being subject to the natural flow of evolution that comes through continual artistic exploration never to be constrained by convenient labels such as ‘classical’, ‘experimental’ ‘avant garde’ or ‘dark ambient’ etc. For example, a lot of the music in his endless cycle of ‘Preludes, Interludes & Postludes’ for organ is informed as much by phenomena that occur in electronic & digital sounds and processes as it is by the splendour, gestures and harmonic idioms of ‘normal’ contemporary organ music. His natural inclination to explore both fields simultaneously - electronic & acoustic - is rooted in his youth when he was playing on a Hammond organ with Leslie speaker, and a basic synthesiser, as well as learning to play the ‘real’ organ and exploring the (then) contemporary repertoire that fascinated and inspired him to create. In this regard, his main tool was the recording of improvisations and sonic explorations, not just with the organ but with anything that potentially had music in it. And it still is. The process of recording and transcribing is the very bedrock of his...  more

credits

released May 25, 2023

Michael Bonaventure (b. 1962, Edinburgh), composer, organist and collaborator in new and experimental music projects; based in Edinburgh & Amsterdam.
In recent times he has been producing work in the Dark Ambient field of electronica, as exemplified in the CD album In Tenebris Ratione Organi, released in 2019 by Eighth Tower Records. An earlier survey of his electronic & organ music, Works 2008 - 2017, was released on the Unexplained Sounds Group label in 2017, and in 2020 he co-created with the Italian guitarist & synthesiser musician Loo(p)cy (Lucia Caiazza) a new album entitled Across The Blood, released digitally in October 2020. Most recently he has formed a duo,’PNEUMA’, with the Scottish-based flautist, composer & improviser Richard Craig in which a new dimension of artistic practice is being explored through the synergy of flute, organ and amplified sounds in new compositions, improvisation and the adaptation of existing repertoire. Bonaventure’s own sonic universe derives its inspiration from mysticism and ritual, natural and imaginary worlds, astronomical and supernatural phenomena; much of his work is rooted in a personal kind of ‘adapted minimalism’ and in improvisation.
Recent works are: Omega (2023) for organ & fixed media, Prayer & Exaltation (2022) for organ, Odd, Even & December Union (2021) for music box, both written for Joseph Kudirka; Mavisbank (2021), an electronic track created for Hauntology in the UK, a CD album released in December 2021 by Eighth Tower Records; The Land Of Silence (2021), a setting of Ernest Dowson’s poem “Beata Solitudo” for soprano, live electronics & organ, premiered in Montréal in May 2021 by Kimberley Lynch & Adrian Foster; an adaptation of Giant Silver (a track from In Tenebris Ratione Organi) with new material for organ, premiered by Lauren Redhead & Alistair Zaldua at the BBC Tectonics Festival in Glasgow in 2021; and Giant Glass Green (2020), an electronic work commissioned by Earth World Collaborative and funded by Canada Council for the Arts. A number of his electronic works have been used in video art created by the Dutch-based artist Thomas Mohr and shown at various film/video art festivals in Europe in recent years, including at Berlin Atonal.
His music has been played in Canada, USA, Russia, UK, New Zealand, France, Spain, Germany, Belgium & The Netherlands as well as on BBC Radio 3, Concertzender (Netherlands), Radio Onda Rossa (Italy) and Resonance Extra FM.
As an organ soloist (with and without electronics) Bonaventure is also a seasoned interpreter of new & experimental music, with innumerable composer collaborations since the early 1980s. To date he has given over 200 premières and concertized in churches, cathedrals, universities and at festivals throughout the UK, in Europe & USA, on BBC Radio 3 & Radio Scotland, and on 7 solo CDs. These include four volumes of ‘Contemporary British Organ Music’ on the sfz label and the later organ cycles of Olivier Messiaen for Delphian Records, including a widely-acclaimed rendition of the massive Livre du Saint Sacrement, released in 2008.


Published by Unexplained Sounds Group
Music by Michael Bonaventure
Mastering by Raffaele Pezzella (a.k.a. Sonologyst)
Artwork by Christian Voyce
© 2023. All rights reserved. 

Our thanks to Raffaele for providing a copy of this release to FreeForm Radio.

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experimental avant-garde drone improvisation musique concrete sound art Italy