28 June 2011: Matt Stevens & Interstellar

Interstellar 

The Canadian band was formed in 1998 by Rob Boak (guitar, bass, keyboards) and Denis Dufour (guitar, bass, keyboards, vocals).^[1] The debut album, Late Night Tea, was released in 2000 on Mother Superior Records.^[1] Cam Lindsay of Exclaim! described the record as sounding like it had been recorded "at four in the morning", comparing it with Spiritualized and Tortoise.^[2] Second album ToSleepToDreamToWake was recorded over three years and issued in 2004 on Plan Eleven Records, charting across Canada.^[3] It was described by Darren Eke of Exclaim! as containing "varying degrees of jazz, psychedelia and electro-pop, which are often aided by atmospheric guitar or synthesiser textures to enhance its up-tempo electronic lustre",^[4] and by Wavelength as "a sublime mix of multiple instrumentals and lovely spacey ambience"

Matt Stevens

From Matt Stevens: "It is just me, a guitar and a loop pedal in front of an audience at the Electric Garden Festival in May 2011. There is a full review of the festival here." 

14 June 2011: AKIN & The Winter Tree (formerly Magus)

Rancho Santa Margarita, CA – 6 June 2011 – "The way things end" is an hour plus, 15 track adventure, mixing progressive rock, metal, pop music and a bit of jazz. A string quartet from the Conservatoire National de Musique et de Danse de Lyon performs on it along with a classical flute, percussion and some other exotic instruments, such as the dilruba. The result is, as recently noted by an English reviewer, "a work of harmonious contrasts, (...) a jazzy liveliness but with a melancholy gothic underbelly; delicate subtlety and driving power; catchy and melodic but with technical musicianship; adventurous, fascinating and absorbing but oh so easy to listen to; acoustic and electronic instrumentation; simplicity and sophistication; light and dark."

THE WINTER TREE (formerly MAGUS) is a band formed by composer/multi-instrumentalist Andrew Laitres(a.k.a. Andrew Robinson) with vocalist/guitarist Mark Bond and his wife Deb Bond on keyboards. In late 2010 Andrew decided to rename the band THE WINTER TREE, after the song of the same title by one of Andrew's favorite bands, Renaissance. Andrew, along with new bandmates Deb and Mark Bond, released the self-titled CD "The Winter Tree" in mid 2011 with ProgRock Records.

The Winter Tree is a synthesis of many different musical styles and genres: rock, folk, electronic, ambient, and world music among others. These elements combine to create a fascinating and cohesive work that should satisfy the progrock enthusiast as well as a diverse listening public.
Our thanks to Shawn at ProgRock Records for making this music available for our listeners.

FreeForm Progressive Takes a Break

FreeForm Radio will continue at its regular time and day, but the hosts may not be playing progressive music.  We'll return with prog in late May.

19 April 2011: Crimson Jazz Trio & Ship of Fools

The Crimson Jazz Trio was a jazz trio led by drummer Ian Wallace, formerly of King Crimson, who re-interpreted King Crimson's music. The trio was conceived by Wallace, who recruited Tim Landers (bass) and Jody Nardone (piano) in 2004. They recorded the album The King Crimson Songbook, Volume One (Voiceprint) in 2005. The album includes material from beyond Wallace's tenure in King Crimson. It was supported with a few live dates in different parts of the US, but plans for further touring were scrapped due to Wallace's falling ill.
The band finished recording a second album, The King Crimson Songbook, Volume Two, with assistance from Jakko Jakszyk and Mel Collins (Wallace's colleagues in 21st Century Schizoid Band; Collins is also a King Crimson alumnus) before Wallace died on February 22, 2007. It was released on April 7, 2009 on Inner Knot Records.  (from Wikipedia)

Much in the vein of Ozric Tentacles, and hailing from the same UK free festival scene, the Ship of Fools took us on an all-too-short but stunning voyage of discovery through two noteworthy albums in the early 90’s. Trippy psychedelic soundscapes, oscillating, swirly and swishing keyboard effects and trance inducing grooves predominate through these albums. While less possessed of the habit of jamming than their Ozric contemporaries, Ship of Fools had a talent for painting visual albums with their sound through the interplay of music with sound-clips, giving their work an amazingly cinematic quality that could usher the mind into realms rarely explored.

The band’s first fully-fledged album came out in 1993. Close Your Eyes (Forget the World), as the title would suggest, is a work with a hallucinatory quality. Entirely instrumental, save for the odd vocal sound clip, textured electronics interact with swirling phased guitars throughout this album, all the while underpinned by an intuitive drummer and more than adequate bassist. Deft use is made of repetitive grooves, explored in all their facets, infusing the listener’s cerebrum with a gorgeous textural ambience.

This is the kind of music that makes one go ever deeper into rarely explored territory, spacing the mind out into a kind of oneness with the music. The effect can be at times meditative and calming, as when Graham Wilkes’ flute dominates during the Celtic-tinged "Western Lands". At others it is invigorating, as when a long lasting repetitive groove is suddenly replaced by heavy riffing guitars and other sonic flourishes.

The band’s keyboard sound is heavily on the electronic side, with some elements that are close to techno. Yet all of this is counterbalanced by an organ sound that recalls the early 70’s, as well as a certain symphonic quality that gives the music a sense of grandeur and presence. Such counterbalance of instrumentation seems to have been very much a part of the band’s approach as it is difficult to find any part on a Ship of Fools disc that is dominated entirely by any one member of the band. For the most part, it is truly a group effort, with each member contributing a valuable part of the overall sonic palate; supporting the work of the others.

Out There Somewhere continues this approach, but now with a somewhat harder and more driving sound. Gone (with the exception of one track) is the flautist, as the band introduced a second guitarist to the mix. The general sound is more aggressive and heavily layered. The compositions are just that: compositions with limited jamming but plenty of flourishes into parts unknown that could only be explored by a band in which the musicians are totally in synch with a joint vision within the framework of a generally composed piece.

The musicianship is excellent, building upon the strengths of the first release. But the glue that seems to hold the whole thing together is in the extensive use of sound-clips that range from such diverse sources as the Apollo 11 mission, the Wizard of Oz, Ren & Stimpy’s Space Madness and even readings from Michel Foucault’s Madness & Civilization (from which the band appear to have taken their name). The whole thing melds the album into an exploration of one of Space Rock’s abiding fascinations: the discovery of one’s inner-self through exploring without. Hawkwind may have said it first with their "D-Rider" (“Facing out, we’re facing in”) but Ship of Fools here make the definitive space-rock commentary on the relationship of mankind to its universe. As such, this is kind of a concept album. The concept is far from linear, but a message therein is contained.

To pick out any one track from Out there Somewhere that stands above the rest is difficult. The album starts out hard and driving as if propelled by raging pistons, and yet by the third song the music takes on a pastoral quality. As each piece segues into the next, one has the impression of a carefully constructed and holistic piece of work; a rich tapestry of sound and audio-clips that weave an intricate pattern of images within the consciousness. The result is a richly psychedelic and intensely visual audio experience: one that engages the mind in a complete interaction with the music. I am quite sure that, if they had ever been introduced to each other, Nektar’s Mick Brockett would have had a field day with these guys.

With these classic albums, Ship of Fools presented an experience that went beyond that which is audible. It’s a sonic exploration of the consciousness…one that unfortunately is not available to most listeners. These titles (which were once available on a double CD) are no longer available. Hopefully enough of an outcry can emerge to make them once again available. It’s up to you, but I say that it’s time we keel-haul those responsible for the loss of one of space rock’s greats if these great titles do not once again readily grace many a CD deck.

There is some hope however. It seems at the time of writing that the best parts from these titles have been gathered together and remixed into a single CD, Lets Get This Mother Outta Here on Peaceville Records.  (from http://www.progressiveears.com/asp/reviews.asp?albumID=1838&bhcp=1)

12 April 2011: Frank Zappa & XAAL

Hot Rats is the second solo album by Frank Zappa. It was released in October 1969. Five of the six songs are instrumental (the song "Willie the Pimp" features a short vocal by Captain Beefheart). It was Zappa's first recording project after the dissolution of the original Mothers of Invention. In his original sleeve notes Zappa described the album as "a movie for your ears."
Because Hot Rats focuses on instrumental jazz-like compositions with extensive soloing, the music sounds very different from earlier Zappa albums, which featured satirical vocal performances with extensive use of musique concrète and editing. Multi-instrumentalist Ian Underwood is the only member of the Mothers to appear on the album and was the primary musical collaborator. Other featured musicians were Max Bennett and Shuggie Otis on bass, drummers Aynsley Dunbar and John Guerin and electric violinists Don "Sugarcane" Harris and Jean-Luc Ponty.
This was the first Frank Zappa album recorded on 16-track equipment and one of the first of such recordings released. Machines with 16 individual tracks allow for much more flexibility in multi-tracking and overdubbing than the professional 4- and 8-track reel-to-reel tape recorders that were standard in 1969. While Zappa was recording Hot Rats The Beatles were working on their Abbey Road album, but were limited to 8-track technology.
The album was dedicated to Zappa's new-born son, Dweezil Zappa.  (from Wikipedia)

 On the Way (En Chemin) forges ahead into the French "zeuhl" music. Based largely on pioneers such as Magma and Univers Zero, Xaal's music has the rhythmic proficiency of both the aforementioned bands, and even some horn guest spots from former Magma-ites. But rather than re-live old glories, Xaal takes the sound into new directions. Their melodies are based around a heavy, riffing guitar and occasional keyboard backdrops. Occasionally they remind me of Voivod! Led by busy drumming and an active bass, the music contains the weirdness, inconsistencies, and drive that early Magma had, without the repetition that turns many people off that band. The creative level here is something right out of the seventies and hopefully this will inspire other nineties prog bands to become more self-indulgent. This was, IMHO, one of the strongest new releases in 1992. Highly recommended. (from New Gibraltar Encyclopedia of Progressive Rock)

5 April 2011: Greylevel + Matt Stevens

Hailing from the wild west coast of Canada, Greylevel crafts a unique blend of progressive and emotional rock music.
From humble beginnings as a solo studio project, Greylevel has since evolved into a full-fledged band. Brought together by shared passion for creating original music that aims to transport the listener into worlds of sound.
The band spent two years carefully working on their sophomore release entitled "Hypostatic Union", their first album that features all 5 members. This album is now available through ProgRock Records.

Matt Stevens is a musician and composer from North London. An instrumental artist, he uses an acoustic guitar and a sampler to create multi layered tracks live. This is often called Live Looping. His music is compared with artists as diverse as Radiohead and Robert Fripp. He plays live all over the UK. 

March 29 2011: Tribute to Gary Moore

Tonight's show is a tribute to the late, great guitarist Gary Moore who passed away recently.  We'll be playing Andrew Lloyd Webber's Variations (for rock band and cello), a live recording of Gary supporting Greg Lake in 1981, and few other tidbits.

Robert William Gary Moore (4 April 1952^[1] – 6 February 2011), better known simply as Gary Moore, was a musician from Belfast, Northern Ireland, best recognized as a blues rock guitarist and singer.
In a career dating back to the 1960s, Moore played with artists including Phil Lynott and Brian Downey during his teens, leading him to membership with the Irish rock band Thin Lizzy on three separate occasions. Moore shared the stage with such blues and rock luminaries as B.B. King, Albert King, Colosseum II, Greg Lake and Skid Row (not to be confused with the heavy metal band of the same name), as well as having a successful solo career. He guested on a number of albums recorded by high profile musicians, including a cameo appearance playing the lead guitar solo on "She's My Baby" from Traveling Wilburys Vol. 3.
Moore died of a suspected heart attack^[2] in his hotel room while on holiday in Estepona, Spain, in February 2011.^[3][4]

Variations is a Classical/Rock fusion album by Andrew Lloyd Webber
Andrew Lloyd Webber and younger brother Julian Lloyd Webber were always very close, but their two different careers (a rock musical composer and a classical cellist) meant that a collaboration seemed unlikely. It wasn't until Julian beat his brother in a bet on a Leyton Orient football match that Andrew was forced to write his cello work.
As his subject, Andrew chose the theme of Paganini's 24th caprice and added 23 variations for cello and rock band. The work premiered at the 1977 Sydmonton Festival with rock band Colosseum II, featuring Gary Moore, being joined by Barbara Thompson (Sax, Flute), Rod Argent, (Piano, Synthesizer, Keyboards) and Julian Lloyd Webber (Cello). It was subsequently rearranged and recorded in 1978. It reached number 2 in the album charts.  (from Wikipedia)

Progressive Music Hiatus on FreeForm

The FreeForm staff will be taking a break for a couple months for a well-deserved rest.  Freeform Radio will be staffed by guest hosts who may or may not be playing progressive music.  See you in March!

Jan 11 2011: Gazpacho

Gazpacho are an Art rock band from Oslo, Norway.
The original core band of Jan-Henrik Ohme (vocals), Jon-Arne Vilbo (guitars) and Thomas Andersen (keyboards, programming, producer) started making music together in 1996 and the band has since expanded with Mikael Krømer (violin, co-producer), Lars Erik Asp (drums) and Kristian Torp (bass).
Gazpacho's music has been described by one critic as being "classical post ambient nocturnal atmospheric neo-progressive folk world rock".^[1] The music has been compared to A-ha, Radiohead, Marillion and Porcupine Tree.

Atropos is the Greek goddess of fate and destiny and she is one of the three goddesses of Fate. It is believed that she was the controller of the death of every mortal man on the earth. The Roman equivalent of Atropos was Morta and she had almost similar powers and functions as Atropos. She was the deciding factor of the death of a person and she chooses the way of death. She would cut the threads of life with her shears and end the life cycle. She is the oldest goddess among the three goddesses of fate and it was believed that all the other gods respected and feared her. Clotho and Lachesis were the other goddesses of fate and they were believed to be the daughters of the God Zeus. Atropos is often symbolized with shears in her hand, which is her tool to cut the threads of life. In popular culture, the Atropos is still worshipped in the Italian and Roman regions. The regions suffering from the low birth rates and high death rates are believed to be affected from the curse and wrath of Goddess Atropos. In the medical science, a fatal and life threatening drug is named as Atropos because of its immediate fatal effect on the human body.

Read more: http://www.kosmix.com/topic/atropos#ixzz1AnfI4mVy

04 January 2010: Transatlantic "The Whirlwind"

Transatlantic: The Whirlwind
Studio Album, released in 2009

Songs / Tracks Listing

Disc 1: The Whirlwind (77:47)
i) Overture / Whirlwind (9:54)
ii) The Wind Blew Them All Away (6:10)
iii) On The Prowl (6:03)
iv) A Man Can Feel (6:35)
v) Out Of The Night (4:22)
vi) Rose Colored Glasses (7:54)
vii) Evermore (4:10)
viii) Set Us Free (5:03)
ix) Lay Down Your Life (5:11)
x) Pieces Of Heaven (2:17)
xi) Is It Really Happening? (8:11)
xii) Dancing With Eternal Glory / Whirlwind (Reprise) (12:04)

Total Time 77:54

Line-up / Musicians

- Neal Morse / vocals, keyboards, acoustic & electric guitars
- Mike Portnoy / drums, vocals
- Roine Stolt / vocals, acoustic & electric guitars, mellotron, percussion
- Pete Trewavas / bass, bass pedals, vocals

Releases information

Release date:
October 23rd 2009: Germany, Austria, Switzerland
October 26th 2009: Europe
October 27th 2009: North America

28 Dec 2010: Pulsar & Anglagard

Pulsar's second album, 'The Strands of the Future', is one of the definite and undisputable masterpieces of French prog, and together with their next recording 'Halloween', incarnates the band's peak in terms of inspired writing and skillful performing. Their style keeps on being somewhat inspired in 73-75 era Pink Floyd, but there are also obvious references to Tangerine Dream and Jean-Michel Jarre's electronic excursions (powerful presence of multiple layers of synths and mellotrons), and also some compelling pastoral passages of flute and acoustic guitar in the 3-minute coda. (from "Orexis of Death" blog)
Studio Album, released in 1976 
Songs / Tracks Listing

1. The strands of the future (22:08)
2. Flight (2:37)
3. Windows (8:47)
4. Fool's failure (10:17)

Total Time: 43:49

Line-up / Musicians

- Victor Bosch / drums, percussion
- Gilbert Gandil / guitars, vocals
- Roland Richard / flute, strings
- Jacques Roman / organ, Mellotron, bass, synthesizers

Anglagard biography
Änglagård were a short-lived band who nonetheless generated critical acclaim and a loyal following in the early nineties with their brooding mellotron and synth heavy sound that also featured virtuoso percussionist Mattias Olsson and classically trained flautist Anna Holmgren.
Änglagård's sound is rich in mellotron, Hammond and piano, and a brooding wash of guitars and bass/bass pedal accented by Holmgren's moody and precise flute. The band's compositions are characterized by long, often instrumental tracks with significant tempo shifts and sometimes intense guitar flourishes. The Epilog album is instrumental in its entirety, and many of the tracks are distinguished by striking passages from Johnson's grand piano. Early Porcupine Tree also comes to mind, particularly when listening to Epilog. 
MUSICIANS

Mattias Olsson: drums, cymbals and percussion
Johan Högberg: bass
Thomas Johnson: Hammond organ, mellotrons and other keyboards
Jonas Engdegård: guitars
Tord Lindman: guitars
Anna Holmgren: flute

Åsa Eklund: voice
Martin Olofsson: violin
Karin Hansson: viola and double bass
Jan Christoff Norlander: cello

All music was written and arranged by Änglagård
Pictures by Rut Hillarp
The poems to Rösten (The Voice) and Sista Somrar (The Last Summer) were written and translated by Rut Hillarp. The other poems were snatched from the wind, those poems were translated by Christian Holmgren.

The music was recorded in Herman Palmsalen on Ekerö on 28th of July and in Studio Largen between 29th of July and 28th of August 1994. Mixed in Studio Largen between 3rd and 11th September 1994.
Sound engineer: Roger Skogh
Mixed and produced by Änglagård and Roger Skogh

Excellent Recap of Top Ten Progressive Albums for 2010

2010 Holiday Buyer’s Guide- Progressive

No FreeForm 21 Dec 2010

FreeForm for 21 December has been bumped by a Solstice Special - the Pagans have prevailed over prog!

14 Dec 2010: Lunatic Soul & King Crimson On Broadway (selections)

Lunatic Soul biography
The LUNATIC SOUL is a solo studio project from RIVERSIDE's bass guitarist and vocalist Mariusz DUDA featuring RIVERSIDE's keyboard player Micha³ £APAJ on the Hammond organ with Maciej SZELENBAUM playing keyboards, piano, flutes, harmonica and qujang, Wawrzyniec DRAMOWICZ from INDUKTI on drums and QUIDAM's Maciej MELLER utilising the e-bow on an unspecified stringed instrument.

While far removed from RIVERSIDE's Progressive Metal it is not difficult to see comparisons and similarities to the parent band in the music contained on the eponymous debut album - not least of all because of DUDA's distinctive clean vocals, the occasional guttural growl and, despite the lack of electric guitars, the pounding acoustic guitar riffs that appear on some of the tracks. However, this is not the lighter, unplugged side of DUDA, it is a dark brooding mix of eclectic sounds with ethnic instruments and influences evoking eastern/oriental themes, psychedlic-era PINK FLOYD-like rhythms, swirling and ethereal keyboards reminiscent of early PORCUPINE TREE tied together by songs that are surprisingly accessible and melodic.

Singles/EPs/Fan Club/Promo, released in 1999:
This 2 CD set represents the 5th and 6th Collectors' Club releases (July, 1999). From the November 20, 21, 22, 24 & 25, 1995 performances at The Longacre Theater, New York City.

Songs / Tracks Listing

Disc 1
1. Conundrum
2. Thela Hun Ginjeet
3. Red
4. Dinosaur
5. VROOOM VROOOM
6. Frame By Frame
7. Walking On Air
8. B'BOOM
9. THRAK
10. Neurotica
11. Sex, Sleep, Eat, Drink, Dream
Disc 2
1. People
2. One Time
3. Indiscipline
4. Improv: Two Sticks
5. Elephant Talk
6. Prism
7. Talking Drum
8. Larks' Tongues in Aspic (Part II)
9. Three Of A Perfect Pair
10. VROOOM
11. Coda: Marine 475
12. Fearless And Highly THRaKked

Line-up / Musicians

Robert Fripp - Guitar, Soundscapes
Adrian Belew - Guitar, Voice
Trey Gunn - Touch Guitar
Tony Levin - Basses, Stick
Pat Mastelotto - Acoustic & Electronic Drums & Percussion
Bill Bruford - Acoustic & Electronic Drums & Percussion

08 Dec 2010 FreeForm Spotlight: Pendulum "Immersion"

Pendulum's latest release: Immersion.
Pendulum are an Australian electronic rock/drum & bass band founded in 2002 in Perth by Rob Swire aka "Anscenic", Gareth McGrillen aka "Speed", and Paul Harding aka "El Hornet".^[1] Harding is a veteran DJ while Swire and McGrillen were part of an acclaimed rock band known as Xygen, but after hearing Konflict's "Messiah" at a rave they were inspired into the drum and bass genre. In 2003 they relocated to the United Kingdom. While Hold Your Colour held true to this intent, they have since experimented with mixing rock influences back in, with the rock-heavy second album In Silico, and the third album, Immersion, being a mixture of both, together with more electronic influences. Their newer efforts incorporate styles from genres such as dubstep, heavy metal and electro house. Pendulum are now better known for their energetic live shows, with live band setup and advanced visual displays and incorporating their rock background with drum and bass. (from Wikipedia)

07 Dec 2010: Pendulum & Pendragon

Pendulum's latest release: Immersion.
Pendulum are an Australian electronic rock/drum & bass band founded in 2002 in Perth by Rob Swire aka "Anscenic", Gareth McGrillen aka "Speed", and Paul Harding aka "El Hornet".^[1] Harding is a veteran DJ while Swire and McGrillen were part of an acclaimed rock band known as Xygen, but after hearing Konflict's "Messiah" at a rave they were inspired into the drum and bass genre. In 2003 they relocated to the United Kingdom. While Hold Your Colour held true to this intent, they have since experimented with mixing rock influences back in, with the rock-heavy second album In Silico, and the third album, Immersion, being a mixture of both, together with more electronic influences. Their newer efforts incorporate styles from genres such as dubstep, heavy metal and electro house. Pendulum are now better known for their energetic live shows, with live band setup and advanced visual displays and incorporating their rock background with drum and bass. (from Wikipedia)

Pendragon's 1985 release: The Jewel
Pendragon biography
PENDRAGON were formed in Stroud, England in 1978. Originally known as ZEUS PENDRAGON it was decided fairly early on to drop the "ZEUS" as co-founder Julian Baker felt it was too wordy to fit on a t-shirt! There were several line up changes in the early days, members included Julian Baker (co-founder/guitar) Nigel Harris (drums) Stan Cox (bass) Robert Dalby (bass) John Barney Barnfield (keys) Rik Carter (keys). The one constant key element was Nick Barrett. The line up then remained the same for almost 20 years, featuring : Nick Barrett (guitar/lead vocal) Clive Nolan (keys) Peter Gee (bass) and Fudge Smith (drums), until 2006 when PENDRAGON and Fudge Smith parted ways.

Todate there have been 21 releases from PENDRAGON who set up their own label "TOFF RECORDS" in the late 1980's following the release of "The Jewel" and "KowTow" (as well as a couple of mini albums). "The Masquerade Overture" is probably their most acclaimed work todate. Although a recent change of direction with "Believe" has seen opinions somewhat split, it is definitely a remarkable album and maybe showing a move away from classic Neo-Prog.

I would highly recommend this band to anyone enjoying neo-prog.(from ProgArchives.com)

Studio Album, released in 1985

Songs / Tracks Listing

1. Higher Circles (3:29)
2. The Pleasure of Hope (3:43)
3. Leviathan (6:13)
4. Alaska (8:39)
a) At Home With the Earth
b) Snowfall
5. Circus (6:34)
6. Oh Divineo (6:51)
7. The Black Knight (9:57)
8. Fly High Fall Far (4:56)
9. Victims of Life (6:53)

Total Time: 57:15

Bonus tracks on remaster:
10. Armageddon (6:15)
11. Insomnia (4:19)Total Time: (67:49)

- Nick Barrett / vocals, guitars
- Rik Carter / keyboards
- Peter Gee / basses, guitars, bass pedals
- Nigel Harris / drums, percussion

Releases information CD Released in 1985 Toff Records PEND2CD

Remastered with bonus tracks and different sleeve 2005
CD Inside Out CD3705 (2005)
CD Toff Records PEND12CD (2005)

Spotlight 01 Dec 2010: Stacy & I Pick Five

Today from 12:30 - 1:30 AST, my wife Stacy and I play our top 5 songs.  Tune in to hear our criteria and a great eclectic mix of music, from Miriam Makeba to Jimi Hendrix to Porcupine Tree.
This program is part of the KMXT Fall Fund Raiser - call 907-486-498 and pledge your support for locally hosted public radio!

30 Nov 2010: Pink Floyd "The Wall - Live" Is There Anybody Out There?

A special Fall Fund Raiser edition of FreeForm Radio:

Pink Floyd's magnum opus, The Wall, recorded live in 1980-81. 

If you enjoy hearing progressive music on KMXT, please call and pledge your support (907-486-3181) or go online to www.kmxt.org.

Is There Anybody Out There? The Wall Live 1980–81 is an album released by Pink Floyd in 2000. It is a live rendition of The Wall, produced and engineered by James Guthrie, with tracks selected from the August 1980 and June 1981 performances at Earls Court in London. The album was first released in The Netherlands by EMI Records on 23 March 2000, who released a limited edition in the United Kingdom on 27 March. The general release followed on 18 April 2000, with US and Canadian distribution by Columbia Records.

No FreeForm Spotlight Nov 24 - Tune in Next Tuesday Night

23 Nov 2010: Rare Bird & Quidam

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia:

Rare Bird was a progressive rock band founded in 1969. They were formed in England, but had more success in other European countries than they did at home. They are mostly remembered for the haunting, organ based track "Sympathy". It sold one million copies globally.^[1]

 ^{From ProgArchives:}

SNY ANIOłÓW

 (Angel's Dream) Studio Album, released in 1998
If you're a prog fan looking for the cream of the nineties progressive releases then add Poland's QUIDAM to your list. Influenced by MARILLION and CAMEL, this band elegantly blends harmonies, refined arrangements and diversity of orchestrations (keyboards, cello, flute, oboe, strings).

The neo prog style guitar playing is interlaced with haunting flute, cello that evokes depth, female vocals and keyboards that give an orchestral fullness to the music. Their style is a melodic, text-based (female vocals) symphonic rock. The rhythms intensify, the symphonic keyboard textures thicken and the electric guitar plays long melancholic notes. QUIDAM is certainly the main and most appreciated act to have emerged from this field, with ABRAXAS and COLLAGE.

Songs / Tracks Listing

1. Awakening / Prezebudzenie (1:48)
2. Angels Of Mine / Moje Anioly (4:21)
3. An Apple Dream / Morelowy Sen (5:17)
4. Cheerful / Wesoła (6:59)
5. Little Bird With No Legs / Beznogi Maly Ptak (4:06)
6. One Small Tear / Łza (4:56)
7. Behind My Eyes / Pod powieką (13:57)
8. Awakening (Dawn Of Hope) / Przebudzenie (świt nadziei) (4:07)
9. There is Such a Lonely House / Jest Taki Samotny Dom (5:31)

Total Time: 51:02

Line-up / Musicians

- Emila Derkowska / vocals, cello, backing vocals
- Zbyszek Florek / piano, keyboards
- Rafal Jermakow / drums, percussion
- Maciek Meller / guitars
- Radek Sholl / bass
- Jacek Zasada / flute

GUESTS:
- Michal Wojciechowski / basson (5)
- Witold Ekielski / oboe (5-7)
- Malgorzata Lachowics / violin (9)
- Karolina Chwistek / violin (9)
- Magdalena Wróbel / viola (9)
- Dominika Miecznikowska / cello (9)

17 Nov 2010 Spotlight: Neil Young "Trans"

 Trans is the 14th studio album by Neil Young, released in 1982. Recorded partially and released during his notorious Geffen era in the 1980s, Trans baffled many Neil Young fans. Some suggested that the album could be a satirical message that Young was trying to send about the direction music was headed in the future. A vocoder features prominently in five of the nine tracks. While the album was poorly received, some critics point out that the melodies are strong and that the album involves Young addressing new musical movements, as he did previously on Rust Never Sleeps and later with the grunge movement. (from Wikipedia.org)

16 Nov 2010: Neil Young & Todd Rundgren

Todd Rundgren's Utopia  features lengthy, complex and highly arranged progressive rock pieces, performed by a six-piece multi-instrumentalist ensemble. The album contains only four tracks and runs for almost sixty minutes in total, opening with "Utopia Theme" — recorded live in concert — and closing with the extended concept piece "The Ikon", which runs more than thirty minutes and takes up all of Side 2 of the album.
It features a six-piece ensemble featuring Todd Rundgren (guitar & vocals), Kevin Ellman (drums and percussion), Mark "Moogy" Klingman (keyboards), Jean Yves "M. Frog" Labat (synthesizers), Ralph Schukett (keyboards), and John Siegler (bass and cello). (from Wikipedia.org)

 Trans is the 14th studio album by Neil Young, released in 1982. Recorded partially and released during his notorious Geffen era in the 1980s, Trans baffled many Neil Young fans. Some suggested that the album could be a satirical message that Young was trying to send about the direction music was headed in the future. A vocoder features prominently in five of the nine tracks. While the album was poorly received, some critics point out that the melodies are strong and that the album involves Young addressing new musical movements, as he did previously on Rust Never Sleeps and later with the grunge movement. (from Wikipedia.org)

FreeForm Spotlight 10 Nov 2010: NeoProg from Poland: Collage

With the  Collage album "Safe", you know what you are going to get. Nothing too adventurous or different, but good, solid, highly melodic prog, with no obvious weaknesses.  This prematurely extinct Neo Prog band from Poland was not only the most important band from this country in the 90's; it figured among the best Neo Prog bands in the world. Blending heavy keyboard background with extremelly melodical guitar and vocals, they were able to deliver an original and very interseting music. Intricate tempo changes differentiate this band from the competition amongst their style, with vocals in Polish and English depending on the album. (from ProgArchives)

9 Nov 2010: Spleen Arcana & Collage

The latest release from Spleen Arcana: The Field Where She Died
Studio Album, released in 2009
Songs / Tracks Listing

1. Trample On Me (9:07)
2. The Missing Piece (3:42)
3. A Picture Of Two Lovers In The Mist (10:12)
4. Tears Are Made To Flow (9:49)
5. A Kind Of Heaven (10:04)
Total Time: 42:54

Line-up / Musicians

- Julien Gaullier / vocals, electric & acoustic guitars, bass guitar, keyboards, bodhran, mandolin
Special guests:
- David Perron / drums
- Marie Guillaumet / vocals

 

With the  Collage album "Safe", you know what you are going to get. Nothing too adventurous or different, but good, solid, highly melodic prog, with no obvious weaknesses.  This prematurely extinct Neo Prog band from Poland was not only the most important band from this country in the 90's; it figured among the best Neo Prog bands in the world. Blending heavy keyboard background with extremelly melodical guitar and vocals, they were able to deliver an original and very interseting music. Intricate tempo changes differentiate this band from the competition amongst their style, with vocals in Polish and English depending on the album. (from ProgArchives)

Spotlight 3 Nov 2010: Spleen Arcana

On today's FreeForm Spotlight, we'll be featuring the latest release from Spleen Arcana: The Field Where She Died
Studio Album, released in 2009

Songs / Tracks Listing

1. Trample On Me (9:07)
2. The Missing Piece (3:42)
3. A Picture Of Two Lovers In The Mist (10:12)
4. Tears Are Made To Flow (9:49)
5. A Kind Of Heaven (10:04)

Total Time: 42:54

Line-up / Musicians

- Julien Gaullier / vocals, electric & acoustic guitars, bass guitar, keyboards, bodhran, mandolin

Special guests:
- David Perron / drums
- Marie Guillaumet / vocals

No FreeForm 2 Nov 2010: Election Coverage

FreeForm is pre-empted by local, state, and national elections coverage this week.

Rock Radio Digital :: Porcupine Tree take over Rock Radio

Rock Radio Digital :: Porcupine Tree take over Rock Radio
Saturday series continues with Steven Wilson playing the tracks of his
choice - with more big names still to come.
<http://www.rockradio.co.uk/digital/rock-news/porcupine-tree-take-over-rock-radio/qp9z4tpc/>

FreeForm SpotLight 27 Oct 2010: Dr. Horrible's Sing-along Blog Soundtrack

To celebrate the Halloween holiday, FreeForm Spotlight brings you a special treat: excerpts from the soundtrack to Joss Wheedon's "Dr. Horrible's Sing-along Blog"!!

26 October 2010: Halloween & Dr. Horrible's Sing-along Blog

From ProgArchives: In 1989, the French symphonic-weird, highly creative HALLOWEEN released inventive and creative musical ideas and vocals with "Laz". Maybe for PULSAR, VDGG, or KC fans and for prog heads that do not believe "it was impossible to release outstanding prog in the eighties".

To celebrate the Halloween holiday, FreeForm brings you a special treat: the soundtrack to Joss Wheedon's "Dr. Horrible's Sing-along Blog"!!

FreeForm Spotlight 20 October 2010: Hecenia "La Coleur de Feu"

19 October 2010: Hecenia & Collegium Musicum

Founded by former Elohim members, brothers Jean-Paul Trutet and Daniel Trutet, along with Delphine Douillard, and keyboard maestro Thierry Brandet. This would prove to be mainly a Brandet venture, as the Trutets did not stay for the second album. Brandet is also the primary composer.

The name is taken from a mysterious community of ancient Jews, called the esséniens, who lived in the desert of Judea. Almost nothing was known about them until the discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls. They were dislodged by the Romans, at the time of the Jewish revolution.

As you may have guessed, Keyboards reign supreme with this group. There are the usual comparisons to Genesis, Yes, and even Marillion. The most obvious influence is Rick Wakeman, but there is more. Douillard's Harp is quite unique in the realm of rock music. Classical composers, and France itself, are in the mix, thus giving a unique flavor to Hecenia.   (from ProgArchives.com)

Collegium Musicum is an art-rock band from Czechoslovakia and was established by stable member Marián Varga 1969. Prevalent in the band´s repertory are instrumental compositions, comprising re-interpretations of classical music themes (Haydn, Bartók, Stravinskij …), and original compositions bearing the first signs of artistic post-modernism (Euphony from the album Convergencie). The story of this band was published in book by musician and music reviewer Marián Jaslovský. Star formation of Collegium Musicum were Marián Varga (hammond organ, keyboards, piano), bassguitarist Fedor Frešo and drummer Dušan Hájek. Collegium Musicum played in various formations, also with guitarists Rasťo Vacho (from Blues Five), Pavel Vaňě (from Synkopy 61 and Progress Organization), František Griglák (later Fermáta) and others. In early days Collegium Musicum played with guitarist Fedor Letňan. Latňan was fired and replaced by Rasťo Wacho from Blues Five. Rasto Vacho left the band first time when he gone studied. Collegium Musicum requested Pavel Vaňě and they record first debut EP. After return of Rasťo Vacho they record debut LP “Collegium Musicum”. (from Last.FM)

No Progressive FreeForm on Oct 12 or Progressive Spotlight Oct 13

I'll be off-island during the week of Oct 11-15, elk hunting on Afognak Island; the FreeForm host that week may or may not be playing progressive music.

FreeForm Spotlight 06 Oct 2010: Jean-Pierre Alarcen

Jean-Pierre Alarcen's classic Tableaux Number 1 from 1979 will be featured on today's spotlight.In 1979, he released his second album, "Tableau No. 1". This work in three movements has more ambient (somewhat The ENIDish) and symphy qualities, but also has jazz and Zeuhlish elements. It's more in the romantic "classical" (to mix my eras in a poor turn of phrase) with melodic rock styled camp than before, but with dramatic contrast. Soft ambient music turns into jazzy guitar driven rock. Allan Holdsworth springs to mind as a possible influence on his guitar work here, as well as McLaughlin. The third movement in particular has exciting funky bass guitar-driven work. It ends with music that rather reminds me of Toto's "Dune" soundtrack.  (from ProgArchives)Alarcen, Jean-Pierre [France]
Jean Pierre Alarcen (78), Tableau (80)
Alarcen was the guitarist in the one-shot french group Sandrose. After Sandrose he had two albums: JPA and Tableau. Tableau which is very symphonic, is basically one long piece spanning both sides of the album, vaguely comparable to stuff like The Enid, but a little more low key for the most part. Jean Pierre Alarcen is a more guitar oriented album with some fusion leanings, but not overtly so, which features excellent guitarwork and some brilliant writing. Both are available together on one CD.

5 October 2010: Unwritten Pages - Noah & Jean-Pierre Alarcen

Unwritten Pages - Noah
Rancho Santa Margarita, CA – 13 July 2010 – Unwritten Pages' Noah is an album born out of a passion for progressive, driving music, concept albums and 80's science-fiction films. It combines the broad musical taste of its creator Frederic Epe and the stylistic and unique musical backgrounds of each project member, reaching from rock and metal to Latin influences and more classical/score-oriented arrangements. The album features soaring guitars, fat organs and bone-breaking drums, as well as a healthy dose of retro. But most of all, it never loses its focus on unique and melody-driven song-writing. And it comes in the form of an ambitious story, told through the eyes of the vocalists and musicians. This double album features the talents of Damian Wilson (Threshold, Ayreon, Les Misérables), Karl Groom (Threshold, Shadowland), Davy Mickers (Stream of Passion, Ayreon), Alejandro Millán (Hello Madness, Stream of Passion) and many others.

Jean-Pierre Alarcen's classic Tableaux Number 1 from 1979 will be featured in the second half of tonight's show.  In 1979, he released his next album, "Tableau No. 1". This work in three movements has more ambient (somewhat The ENIDish) and symphy qualities, but also has jazz and Zeuhlish elements. It's more in the romantic "classical" (to mix my eras in a poor turn of phrase) with melodic rock styled camp than before, but with dramatic contrast. Soft ambient music turns into jazzy guitar driven rock. Allan Holdsworth springs to mind as a possible influence on his guitar work here, as well as McLaughlin. The third movement in particular has exciting funky bass guitar-driven work. It ends with music that rather reminds me of Toto's "Dune" soundtrack.  (from ProgArchives)