We had discussions with Shadow Gallery for performing at NEARfest (it is
in their hometown of Bethlehem PA!), and they said no, because someone is
unwilling to play on stage.  Had nothing to do with tour support from the
label.

Peace, Rob

***********************************
!!!  TONIGHT   !!!
Live Chat w/ FINNEUS GAUGE
at the
<A HREF="http://progressiverock.miningco.com/mpchat.htm?pid=2798&cob=home">
Progressive Rock Mining Co.</A>  chat room
Monday, March 1st @ 10:00pm EST.
Chat with Scott McGill and Chris Eike
promoting their new CD
" one inch of the fall "
as well as  Scott McGill's new Hand Farm project
"Ripe"
  click here--->
<A HREF="http://progressiverock.miningco.com/mpchat.htm?pid=2798&cob=home">
Progressive Rock Mining Co.</A>
or copy and paste this URL :
http://progressiverock.miningco.com/mpchat.htm?pid=2798&cob=home

***********************************

i just read a really positive review on magellans "impending ascension". does
anyone have any imput?
jerry

np chris squire  fish out of water

In the last digest, Stevesly@... wrote:

>A good example is the “Going For The One”
>album.  Howe is absolutely brilliant IMO on “Awaken”, “Wondrous Stories”, and
>“Turn Of The Century”, but on the “rockier” stuff like “Going For The One’
and
>“Parallels” I don’t think he comes off nearly as well as I think Rabin's
style
>probably would have fit those parts better.

_Going For The One_ is one of my least-favorite Yes albums, mainly because
of the title track.  Both Howe's out-of-control steel guitar and Anderson's
warblings on that song are like nails on a chalkboard to me.  Turn of the
Century is an OK track, but I can take it or leave it.  Parallels - it's
a damn shame what they did to that song on the album, because I've heard
an early demo version (from the "Yesoteric" tape series) and it's a good
song.  But for some reason, by the time they got done with it on GFtO, I
don't like it at all.  Wonderous Stories is a nice song, but kind of a
fluffy little piece of filler.  Then there's Awaken, which most Yes fans
go nuts for.  First time I heard it, it literally put me to sleep.  Later,
I managed to develop an appreciation for it, but I'm still not wild about
it.  Sounds like Yes trying to recapture the "classic Yes" sound just to
please their fans and instead sliding into self-parody (which is pretty
much what I think of the KTA albums too...).

	 -- Bob "More info than anyone wanted" Eichler

Have not heard "Impending Ascension" but "Test Of Wills" is outstanding.
Some are put off with Trent Gardner's vocals, (abrupt in & out style) while
musically Magellan has an heavier feel that most Magna Carta bands. Gardner
adds trombone to a few tracks as well. All in all, one of the better prog
metal releases in 1997. If you like Magellan, check out the 1998 release
Explorers Club "Age Of Impact", which is members of Magellan w/Dream Theater
and others.

Bryan Miller
Athens, Alabama
NP: Platypus - When Pus Comes To Shove (which just plain rocks at times)


> -----Original Message-----
> From: Jerry Keller [SMTP:jerry@...]
> Sent: Monday, March 01, 1999 10:29 AM
> To: ProgAndOther@onelist.com
> Subject: [ProgAndOther] magellan
>
> i just read a really positive review on magellans "impending ascension".
> does anyone have any imput?
> jerry
>
> np chris squire  fish out of water

In a message dated 3/1/99 1:35:38 PM Pacific Standard Time, eichler@...
writes:

<<
  _Going For The One_ is one of my least-favorite Yes albums, mainly because
  of the title track.  Both Howe's out-of-control steel guitar and Anderson's
  warblings on that song are like nails on a chalkboard to me.  >>>

Wow! I love this tune, it's show's Anderson's great sense of humor! trying to
write a sports-themed tune was a joke to him and he made a little bit of self-
deprecating humor about his "cosmic mind," i always thought that he was
speaking in general about the turn YES was taking.......from theme-oriented
album concepts to shortened, contemporary fare.

<<<Turn of the  Century is an OK track, but I can take it or leave it. >>

Wow, it's only the second greatest love song ever written........2nd only to
KANSAS' Lamplight Symphony.

<<< Parallels - it's a damn shame what they did to that song on the album,
because I've heard an early demo version (from the "Yesoteric" tape series)
and it's a good
  song.  But for some reason, by the time they got done with it on GFtO, I
  don't like it at all. >>>

Agreed, but I didn't like Fish Out of Water either.

<<< Wonderous Stories is a nice song, but kind of a
  fluffy little piece of filler.>>>

This is one tune that never leaves my mind. I love the theme, the feel and the
composition. it's my fave on the album.

  <<<Then there's Awaken, which most Yes fans
  go nuts for.  First time I heard it, it literally put me to sleep.  Later,
  I managed to develop an appreciation for it, but I'm still not wild about
  it.  Sounds like Yes trying to recapture the "classic Yes" sound just to
  please their fans and instead sliding into self-parody (which is pretty
  much what I think of the KTA albums too...).>>

yeah, like a Starship Trooper sequel.

I was bored by it.

kenny

Jerry wrote:

>>i just read a really positive review on magellans "impending ascension".
does anyone have any imput?<<

I have the album and like it a lot.  Bryan Miller described their sound pretty
well.  Magellan seems to be a band that people either really like, or don’t
like at all.  I have a friend that absolutely hates them.  They definitely
lean in the prog-metal direction, but IMO have a very unique sound.
Personally I think their latest album “Test Of Wills” is their best so far.

Steve Sly
(NP - Janison Edge - The Services Of Mary Goode)

In a message dated 99-03-01 16:35:28 EST, you write:


I always find it interesting how different people can listen to the same
album, and get very different points of view from it.  Although this album is
not perfect it remains my all-time favorite Yes work to date.

Bob wrote:

>>_Going For The One_ is one of my least-favorite Yes albums, mainly because
of the title track.  Both Howe's out-of-control steel guitar and Anderson's
warblings on that song are like nails on a chalkboard to me.<<

We somewhat agree on this one, as it is my least favorite track on the disc.
I too find Howe’s steel guitar rather annoying at times (again I would like to
have seen what Rabin would have done with this one).

  >> Turn of the
Century is an OK track, but I can take it or leave it.<<

I think this track is beautiful.  One of my favorites.  The version on the
Magna Carta Yes tribute album with Steve Howe and Annie Haslam is really nice
too IMO.

  >> Parallels - it's
a damn shame what they did to that song on the album, because I've heard
an early demo version (from the "Yesoteric" tape series) and it's a good
song.  But for some reason, by the time they got done with it on GFtO,<<

I have never heard the version you mention so I cannot really compare it.  I
like the version on GFTO.

>> I
don't like it at all.  Wonderous Stories is a nice song, but kind of a
fluffy little piece of filler.<<

Again, I think it is a nice little song.  Nothing spectacular, but a credible
short little ditty.

   >>Then there's Awaken, which most Yes fans
go nuts for.  First time I heard it, it literally put me to sleep.  Later,
I managed to develop an appreciation for it, but I'm still not wild about
it.  Sounds like Yes trying to recapture the "classic Yes" sound just to
please their fans and instead sliding into self-parody<<

This is where Bob and I completely disagree.  “Awaken” is my all-time favorite
Yes track on any album they have done.  I think they really put it all
together on this one, and for me it is a masterpiece.  When I first bought
this album I admit, I was not thrilled with it either, but over the years this
track has become what I consider Yes to be all about.  I have seen Yes 7
times, and of all those concerts the “Union” tour version of “Awaken” in
Detroit Michigan remains the high point of all of them.  I know many disagree,
but for me at least “Going For The One” (with the possible exception of the
title track) was the pinnacle of Yes’s career.

>> (which is pretty
much what I think of the KTA albums too...).M<<

I agree on Keys 1, but not on Keys 2 which I  really enjoy.

Kenny wrote about the title track:

>>Wow! I love this tune, it's show's Anderson's great sense of humor! trying
to
write a sports-themed tune was a joke to him and he made a little bit of self-
deprecating humor about his "cosmic mind," i always thought that he was
speaking in general about the turn YES was taking.......from theme-oriented
album concepts to shortened, contemporary fare.<<

You do make a good point about the lyrics.  Anderson does make fun of himself
on this one, and the lyrics are quite clever.  In fact the more I think about
it, it is Howe’s guitar part that I really don’t like on this song.  The rest
of it is pretty good.

Steve Sly
(NP - Janison Edge - The Services Of Mary Goode)

hey steve sly,
you were right. the state theater is a wonderful, old, ornate, friendly theatre.
absolutely classic.its a shame that there were many just like it that have been
ripped down all over the u.s.
as for the show (jonny lang and chris whitley), we had a great time. chris
whitley is a tremendous guitarist who in my opinion needs a band. it was him and
a drum machine. he played 45 minutes. jonny lang was very good. better live than
on his cds. the rest of the band is excellent. they opened with still rainin and
finished with lie to me. they played 100 minutes.
the ride took 1hr50minutes. not bad at all.
jerry

np no madness   strawbs

i like going for the one alot. i like almost everything yes does. i guess almost
everyone has a band, who to their ears, can do no wrong.
how about you guys. what band is it, who you think can do no wrong.
jerry

-----Original Message-----
     From: Jerry Keller <jerry@...>


     >i like going for the one alot. i like almost everything yes does. i guess
>almost everyone has a band, who to their ears, can do no wrong.
     >how about you guys. what band is it, who you think can do no wrong.

     You guys may laugh. But I love anything and everything by Mastermind.

     Elias

Jerry Keller writes:
> i like going for the one alot. i like almost everything yes does. i
> guess almost everyone has a band, who to their ears, can do no wrong.
> how about you guys. what band is it, who you think can do no wrong.

There is no band that I like everything they've done, but Rush comes
closest for me.

--
T.J. Higgins
tjhiggin@...
Huntsville, AL

paul kantner   blows against the empire   1970  rca

this is one of my all time favorites.although released in 1970, i didn't hear it
until the summer of 1971.,around the time of my own personal musical
"awakening".
once heard, i played it constantly, wearing out one copy and today the second
copy is just about worn out too. it has been digitally remastered, so one of
these days i'll get the cd.
although at the time of its release, jefferson airplane was still in existence,
its glory days were behind them and it would be another 3 years until the
formation of jefferson starship. paul kantner did this as a solo project but
brought most of the airplane together along with jerry garcia, mickey hart ,bill
kreutzmann, david crosby and graham nash.
this is acid rock at its finest , yet in a curious mellow fashion. the story
line is innane but who cares. its about a group who highjack a spaceship so they
can colonize another planet and live life as it should be lived. the political
references are dated (to say the least)
hey dick (nixon)
whatever you think of us is totally irrelevant
both to us now, and to you
we are the present, we are the future
you are the past, pay your dues and get out of the way....

but its great music. excellent harmonies throughout. grace slick is at her best
even though kantner does most of the lead vocals.
there is extensive use of piano, which was innovative at the time. they also
incorporated some bango into some songs and it still worked!! we're talking
space music here gang, and they still pull it off with piano, banjo and
harmonies. this is not inna gadda da vidda.
the subsequent lp was sunfighter. it is similar to blows against the empire but
imo, not as good.
so, if you've never heard this album. give it a try. listen to it at least
twice. you might think its outdated and the product of another era. you might
also love it. its worth a try.
jerry


np   bursting at the seams   strawbs

<<There is no band that I like everything they've done, but Rush comes
closest for me.

--
T.J. Higgins
tjhiggin@...
Huntsville, AL>>


I agree with T.J's band disclaimer...for me, the band would have to be Jethro
Tull inall their musical incarnations.

MB

NP:  Pekka Pohjola-Live In Japan

------------------------------------------------------------------------


-----Original Message-----
From: T.J. Higgins [SMTP:tjhiggin@...]
Sent: Tuesday, March 02, 1999 9:08 AM
To: ProgAndOther@onelist.com
Subject: [ProgAndOther] Re: a confirmed yesaholic

From: tjhiggin@... (T.J. Higgins)

Jerry Keller writes:
> i like going for the one alot. i like almost everything yes does. i
> guess almost everyone has a band, who to their ears, can do no wrong.
> how about you guys. what band is it, who you think can do no wrong.

There is no band that I like everything they've done, but Rush comes
closest for me.

--
T.J. Higgins
tjhiggin@...
Huntsville, AL

------------------------------------------------------------------------
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Rob,

Glad to hear things are goinggood for NearFest.  I look forward to seeing you
there!

In the meantime i was hoping you could help me out with some information.

Some friends of mine are interested in having Kansas headline a Prog Fest in
Europe.  Do you still have a number/address/e-mail for their booking people that
you could forward me.

If so I would greatly appreciate it!

Thanks,

MB

-----Original Message-----
From: Robert  LaDuca [SMTP:rlladuca@...]
Sent: Monday, March 01, 1999 6:10 AM
To: ProgAndOther@onelist.com
Subject: [ProgAndOther] Shadow Gallery

From: Robert  LaDuca <rlladuca@...>

We had discussions with Shadow Gallery for performing at NEARfest (it is
in their hometown of Bethlehem PA!), and they said no, because someone is
unwilling to play on stage.  Had nothing to do with tour support from the
label.

Peace, Rob


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Anybody plan on attending this just announced show. It just so happens I
will be in that area for a week or so and thought about catching this one.

Let me know!

Bryan Miller
Athens, Alabama
NP: The Flower Kings - Flowerpower

Chances are very good that I'll be at the show.

Chuck

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Miller, Bryan [mailto:wbmiller@...]
> Sent: Tuesday, March 02, 1999 4:05 PM
> To: ProgAndOther@onelist.com
> Subject: [ProgAndOther] The Hand Farm & Somnambulist shows April 3
>
>
> From: "Miller, Bryan" <wbmiller@...>
>
>
> Anybody plan on attending this just announced show. It just
> so happens I
> will be in that area for a week or so and thought about
> catching this one.
>
> Let me know!
>
> Bryan Miller
> Athens, Alabama
> NP: The Flower Kings - Flowerpower
>
>
>
>
> --------------------------------------------------------------
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> To Unsubscribe, go to http://www.onelist.com/
>

I would make the trip down if you are gonna be around Bryan.

I will more than likely have The Hand Farm at my showcase in April so I would
not mind seeing a live set before hand.  BTW, I am really enjoying the cd of
The Hand Farm and I look forward to seeing them.

You getting up as far as New York?

Peace-
Jim

NP-Jethro Tull- Thick as a Brick

Miller, Bryan wrote:

> From: "Miller, Bryan" <wbmiller@...>
>
> Anybody plan on attending this just announced show. It just so happens I
> will be in that area for a week or so and thought about catching this one.
>
> Let me know!
>
> Bryan Miller
> Athens, Alabama
> NP: The Flower Kings - Flowerpower
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
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> http://www.onelist.com
> Come visit our new web site and share with us your stories
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> ---
> The "Prog and Other" Mailing List
> To Unsubscribe, go to http://www.onelist.com/

In a message dated 3/1/99 10:54:13 PM Pacific Standard Time,
jerry@... writes:

<< what band is it, who you think can do no wrong. >>

Hmm, not many,,,,,,,maybe none, however, there are bands that I think come
close.

Bela Fleck & The Flecktones - progressive bluegrass/jazz banjo and maybe the
best bassist on the planet - Victor Wooten. Just can't get enough.

Pat Metheny - this man has done so much right that anything he's done wrong is
out of my memory.

kenny

In a message dated 3/2/99 12:58:19 PM Pacific Standard Time, wbmiller@...
writes:

<< Anybody plan on attending this just announced show. It just so happens I
  will be in that area for a week or so and thought about catching this one. >>

I am........but with mixed emotion.

first....Scott McGill's Hand Farm project will be performing their new CD
"Ripe," i believe Chris Eike will be there on bass as he will at NEARfest.

that's the good news.

The bad is that Somnambulist, my favorite progband of the late 90's is playing
without Brian Donohoe and Steve Hatch of Volare' fame.  Although they did all
the studio recording on the CD they have split with Somnambulist and are
putting together a new project.  So I don't know bat to expect from them that
night.

Oh well.

kenny

At 09:58 PM 2/28/99 -0500, you Bob "Bice" Eichler wrote:
>I read the Belew and Gilbert reviews, and then followed the link
>to the Toy Matinee review.  Good stuff, well written (I suppose
>it helps that I agreed with many of your opinions ;-).

That does always help, doesn't it? :)

>Anyway,
>if you'd like to contribute these or other reviews to the
>ProgAndOther review page, they'd be most welcome

I may do a few for albums that I won't review anyway because I've had them
for a while, if I can find the time.  Feel free to link up my current
reviews, if you want.

>BTW, based on your review of _Desire of the Rhino King_, I'd
>say that you'd probably like Belew's _Young Lions_, and maybe
>_Mr. Music Head_

Thanks, I'll have to check those out.


Jonathan Byrne, 3L; WV University College of Law
Album Reviews, Commentary, and More at:
http://access.mountain.net/~rael/home.htm
----------------------------------------------------------------------
"I won't believe in heaven and hell
  No saints, no sinners, no devil as well
  No pearly gates, no thorny crown
  You're always letting us humans down."
-Andy Partridge, "Dear God", XTC

In the last digest, AllGdPple@... wrote:

>In a message dated 3/1/99 1:35:38 PM Pacific Standard Time, eichler@...
>writes:
>
><<
> _Going For The One_ is one of my least-favorite Yes albums, mainly because
> of the title track.  Both Howe's out-of-control steel guitar and Anderson's
> warblings on that song are like nails on a chalkboard to me.  >>>
>
>Wow! I love this tune, it's show's Anderson's great sense of humor! trying to
>write a sports-themed tune was a joke to him and he made a little bit of
self-
>deprecating humor about his "cosmic mind," i always thought that he was
>speaking in general about the turn YES was taking.......from theme-oriented
>album concepts to shortened, contemporary fare.

I think this is the big difference between me and many folks on this
list - I usually don't pay much attention to lyrics.  (As an aside - I
got a laugh out of the liner notes to French TV's "Intestinal Fortitude":
the bassist described his hobby as "Listening to music and ignoring the
lyrics".)  With Yes, in particular, I hardly ever listen to the lyrics
because half the time Anderson is just picking words that sound good
together and don't necessarily mean anything.


><<<Turn of the  Century is an OK track, but I can take it or leave it. >>
>
>Wow, it's only the second greatest love song ever written........2nd only to
>KANSAS' Lamplight Symphony.

Would it surprise you to hear that I don't care too much for Lamplight
either, except for the some of the instrumental sections?  I never said
so on the PotSW list though, for fear of having Neal rip my head off...


>Agreed, but I didn't like Fish Out of Water either.

I guess I shouldn't be surprised since we rarely agree, but come on!
"Fish" is an excellent album - possibly my favorite album from the
Yes camp.  Great composition - most of the tracks get a groove going
and then just build and build on them.  And whatever he's doing at
the end there with the chiming notes, sends shivers down my spine.
Play it *loud*!


> <<<Then there's Awaken, which most Yes fans
> go nuts for.  First time I heard it, it literally put me to sleep.  Later,
> I managed to develop an appreciation for it, but I'm still not wild about
> it.
>
>yeah, like a Starship Trooper sequel.
>
>I was bored by it.

Woo-hoo!  Finally, someone agrees with me about Awaken!  :-)


Stevesly@... wrote:
>
> >> Turn of the
>Century is an OK track, but I can take it or leave it.<<
>
>I think this track is beautiful.  One of my favorites.  The version on the
>Magna Carta Yes tribute album with Steve Howe and Annie Haslam is really nice
>too IMO.

That Haslam version on _Tales From Yesterday_ bores me to tears.  I
absolutely don't get what people see in her.  Yeah, her voice is
crystal clear, but it's so *whimpy* sounding!  Does nothing for me.

And what's with Steve Howe playing guitar on a tribute album on a
song he did originally?  What kind of tribute is that?


> >> Parallels - it's
>a damn shame what they did to that song on the album, because I've heard
>an early demo version (from the "Yesoteric" tape series) and it's a good
>song.  But for some reason, by the time they got done with it on GFtO,<<
>
>I have never heard the version you mention so I cannot really compare it.  I
>like the version on GFTO.

The demo version is all instrumental, with a more impressive bass line.
And it's mixed better - on the album version the pipe organ drowns
everything else out, on the demo version you can actually hear the bass.
Even my wife, who *loves* GFtO (it's one of her all-time favorite albums),
says she likes the demo better.

If we ever do a tape trade or something, remind me to include that song.
That reminds me - there was an idea a while back to set up a ProgAndOther
tape trading circle, to help expose each other to our favorite music.  I
just had a bag full of blank tapes given to me by a coworker, so I'd be
up for making some mix tapes.  Anyone else interested?


>I know many disagree,
>but for me at least “Going For The One” (with the possible exception of the
>title track) was the pinnacle of Yes’s career.

I've seen a surprising number of people who agree with you.  In fact,
I think GFtO might have won a poll held on alt.music.yes a while back.
Personally, I think Relayer is their best, which is more evidence that
I'm a prog-snob (I've noticed that most snobs seem to like Relayer).
GFtO, to me, represents the start of the slide that eventually led
to the 70s Yes breaking up.  But it's still a lot better than Tormato...


"Jerry Keller" <jerry@...> wrote:

>the state theater is a wonderful, old, ornate, friendly theatre. absolutely
>classic.its a shame that there were many just like it that have been ripped
>down all over the u.s.

You said it.  One of my favorite concerts was seeing ELO pt 2 open for
Kansas at the Valley Forge Music Fair outside Philly.  Excellent concert
venue - not a bad seat in the house and excellent acoustics.  A couple
years ago they tore it down to build a parking lot for a shopping center.
Sometimes the world just sucks.


>i like going for the one alot. i like almost everything yes does.

I used to be the same way.  I used to buy *anything* I could find
that was somehow related to Yes.  I've got all the officially
released Yes albums, plus the two ABWH albums, a half-dozen Jon
Anderson albums, a half-dozen Bruford albums, Squire's "Fish",
a half-dozen Wakeman albums (and that's just scratching the
surface), most of Howe's solo work, a Moraz solo CD, a Bruford/Moraz
CD, a Badger CD,  a few Rabin solo albums, a Buggles album, most
of the Asia albums, a lot of King Crimson, etc, etc.

What finally cooled me off on the band was realizing that about
75% of the solo albums really aren't very good.  Plus, reading
alt.music.yes was very informative on what jerks most of the
band members have been at one point or another.  Way too much
politics in Yes, going all the way back to when they booted
Banks for Howe.  Plus (and this is in no way the band's fault,
but it still put me off Yes), most of the *fans* in alt.music.yes
are...well, either out-and-out assholes or idiots.  That group
had the lowest signal-to-noise ratio of any newsgroup I've ever
read.  It's not fair to judge the band by their fans, but every
time I listen to Yes, I have bad flashbacks to a.m.y.

On the topic of Peter Banks - is anyone else a fan of his solo work?
I honestly think he's my favorite Yes-member as far as solo albums.
_Two Sides of Peter Banks_ is excellent, and once you get used
to the drum machines and 90s production, _Instinct_ is great too.
I like the first two Flash albums, particularly the first one
which also featured Tony Kaye.  And I even like the recently
released "Empire" albums, which were recorded in the 70s but
shelved until now.  Much more commercial sounding than most
Yes related music, but I really like it (except parts of the
third album, when they really started scraping the bottom of
the barrel to try to get enough material to fill a disc).

Hmmmm, maybe I should write up an overview of Peter Banks for
the ProgAndOther reviews page...


>i guess almost everyone has a band, who to their ears, can do no wrong.
>how about you guys. what band is it, who you think can do no wrong.

Currently, it's probably Mike Keneally.  The guy's a genious.  I have
yet to hear an MK tune that I didn't eventually grow to love, and my
current absolute favorite tune (Aye Aye Monster) has Keneally written
all over it.

Kevin Gilbert (who often crossed paths with Mike) also has no bad
songs, although I've only got two albums and a handful of tracks on
compilation albums to go by.  But everything I've heard is brilliant.

I would say Frank Zappa, but to be honest he does have a couple albums
and a few individual songs that I'm not wild about.  But when you've
got 70+ albums, there's bound to be a few duds in there somewhere.

King Crimson comes close - I like about 90% of what I've heard, but
I've gotta admit that _Thrakattak_ doesn't do much for me.

I'll stop there before I fill an entire digest...

	 -- Bob "Bice" Eichler

NP:  Sifl And Olly (the only thing worth watching on MTV).  Never
thought I'd be addicted to a show starring sock puppets.

"Zafo, dude, I can't believe you played for 15 hours!  That was
insane!" - Sifl, on the concert he attended the night before.

After taking a lengthy break, I got back to listening to the pile
of "second chance" CDs that I had asked for opinions on a while
back.  Today's album was Rob Volpintesta (aka vocalist "Thorn"
from Soundscape)'s _America The Beautiful_.  I wasn't expecting
to get much out of this album, considering how underwhelmed I
was on first listen, but this is an album who's pain just keeps
givin'...

Ever wonder what it would have sounded like of Spinal Tap decided
to do a concept album?  Well, this is it.  The problem is, this
isn't a tongue-in-cheek parody, these guys are *serious*.

The music, for the most part, is really weak, non-descript prog-metal.
No, scratch that, for the most part this album isn't "prog" at all,
just the worst aspects of heavy metal.  The shame is that there are
a few pockets of actual decent music here and there, and some of it
isn't too metalish - just nice, instrumental "proggy" music.  But
those pockets are few and far between, lost in a sea of mediocre metal.

As with _Iago_, _America_ is a concept album.  It's based on the
love triangle between Joe DiMagio, Marilyn Monroe and John Kennedy.
But these characters are cleverly disguised (note sarcasm) as Rowe
Demasio, Marilyn Munro and "Johnny".

The lyrics are *bad*, in a way that only a chovinistic heavy metal
band can be.  They range from just plain stupid to increadibly
offensive to women, all sung without a trace of irony or humor.
At one point, the lyrics start to sound like an Abbot and Costello
routine, but they're not meant to be funny.  Then there's the song
with Marilyn happily singing about how she wants her shot of drugs
injected "In the butt!".  Add this to the drawing of a naked
woman (with strands of a US flag swirled around her) on the front
cover and the drawing of a naked woman (with wings and thorns
swirled around her) that makes up the logo for the band's
label "Angel Thorn", and you've got a good idea where these guys
are coming from.

If I hadn't seen these guys perform live at Orion and ProgDay, I
would be *sure* that this was just a clever parody of the worst
aspects of prog-metal and concept albums.  But I'm pretty sure
this is seriously meant as a work of art.  Still, it's unintentionally
hilarious, so if you've got a tasted for cheese, you might get some
twisted enjoyment out of these discs (it's a double album - the
suffering lasts for two full hours).

I'm gonna haveta write a full review for the P&O web page, just
to warn people away from this one...

Whew, just one more "second chance" disc left - World Trade.

	 -- Bob "Bice" Eichler

NP:  News Radio, which has actually been in the same time slot for
over a month now!  A new record!

>From: Bob Eichler / Michele Matthews <eichler@...>
>
>Still, it's unintentionally
>hilarious, so if you've got a tasted for cheese, you might get some
>twisted enjoyment out of these discs (it's a double album - the
>suffering lasts for two full hours).


Nah, I'll pass, I've spent enough $$ on discs for the first quarter of the
year, but kudos for another hilarious review, Bob! Two full hours? Ugh.

>Whew, just one more "second chance" disc left - World Trade.

I've heard nothing good about World Trade. Billy Sherwood in Yes doesn't
excite me, neither. Speaking of Magna Carta bands, I just received Enchant's
_Break_. Enchant's _A Blueprint of the World_ and _Time Lost_ are superb
Kansas/Rush/Yes-style prog-rock albums. Totally dig 'em. _Wounded_ was good,
though not as memorable, and sounded decidedly more commercial. As for
_Break_, I think I may have to trade this one away (it has the bonus track,
German edition). It loses steam really fast. I kept listening, thinking,
"What happened???" *sigh*

*Good* news: Solaris' new album comes out this month! Ya-hoo! I'm also
checking around for Platypus and Mastermind's European (?) release of
_Excelsior!_.

E-Man

>I've heard nothing good about World Trade. Billy Sherwood in Yes doesn't
>excite me, neither.

I wasn't all that impressed with Billy until I heard World Trade, and
later The Key. The problem is, at least in Yes, Billy isn't doing what he
is truely good at. As long as Chris Squire is around he won't either.

>Speaking of Magna Carta bands, I just received Enchant's
>_Break_. Enchant's _A Blueprint of the World_ and _Time Lost_ are superb
>Kansas/Rush/Yes-style prog-rock albums. Totally dig 'em. _Wounded_ was good,
>though not as memorable, and sounded decidedly more commercial. As for
>_Break_, I think I may have to trade this one away (it has the bonus track,
>German edition). It loses steam really fast. I kept listening, thinking,
>"What happened???" *sigh*

:::::E::::: you might not think that had you seen them play this material
live. I have a whole new appreciation for "Break", due in large part to
their show with Spock's Beard in SF.
>
>*Good* news: Solaris' new album comes out this month! Ya-hoo! I'm also
>checking around for Platypus and Mastermind's European (?) release of
>_Excelsior!_.

Platypus is incredible, but you'd expect me to say that...eh E-man ;^) ?

Cheers,
John



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Johnny Baby!


>From: Heald Insane Asylum <healdia@...>
>
>>I've heard nothing good about World Trade. Billy Sherwood in Yes doesn't
>>excite me, neither.
>
>I wasn't all that impressed with Billy until I heard World Trade, and
>later The Key. The problem is, at least in Yes, Billy isn't doing what >he
is truely good at. As long as Chris Squire is around he won't >either.

You don't mean to say as long as Howe is around? I've always had this
perception Chris (Squire) just molds himself to whatever the "line-up for
the day" happens to be. But that's me, and you know how sad and pathetic I
am ;-)

>>_Break_, I think I may have to trade this one away (it has the bonus
track,
>>German edition). It loses steam really fast. I kept listening, thinking,
>>"What happened???" *sigh*
>
>:::::E::::: you might not think that had you seen them play this material
>live. I have a whole new appreciation for "Break", due in large part to
>their show with Spock's Beard in SF.


Oh, how I wish I could've driven up to L.A. to see Enchant. I wanted to see
Enchant more than the Beard. Perhaps live, it comes off better. By the way,
John, since my fave material is on _Time Lost_, followed by _Blueprint_,
which songs did they perform from those?

::E::

upnsm0ke wrote:
>
> From: "upnsm0ke" <upnsm0ke@...>
>
> Johnny Baby!

How nice of ya to remember!!! ;^)
>
> >From: Heald Insane Asylum <healdia@...>
> >
> >>I've heard nothing good about World Trade. Billy Sherwood in Yes doesn't
> >>excite me, neither.
> >
> >I wasn't all that impressed with Billy until I heard World Trade, and
> >later The Key. The problem is, at least in Yes, Billy isn't doing what >he
> is truely good at. As long as Chris Squire is around he won't >either.
>
> You don't mean to say as long as Howe is around? I've always had this
> perception Chris (Squire) just molds himself to whatever the "line-up for
> the day" happens to be. But that's me, and you know how sad and pathetic I
> am ;-)

No, I mean Billy is a bassist. He isn't a great guitarist, and from what
I can tell he never will be. When he does "his" stuff, he's not a bad
vocalist either. I see his role in the 1999 edition of Yes, as the
guitarist who covers (...however poorly) Trevor's solos. This is either
due to Howe not being able to, or not wanting to play them. Howe has
never looked comfortable playing Trev's parts, and I doubt he enjoys
them. My personal opinion is he can't.
>
> >>_Break_, I think I may have to trade this one away (it has the bonus
> track,
> >>German edition). It loses steam really fast. I kept listening, thinking,
> >>"What happened???" *sigh*
> >
> >:::::E::::: you might not think that had you seen them play this material
> >live. I have a whole new appreciation for "Break", due in large part to
> >their show with Spock's Beard in SF.
>
> Oh, how I wish I could've driven up to L.A. to see Enchant. I wanted to see
> Enchant more than the Beard. Perhaps live, it comes off better. By the way,
> John, since my fave material is on _Time Lost_, followed by _Blueprint_,
> which songs did they perform from those?

If I remember correctly, they did "Under the Sun", "New Moon", and "Open
Eyes". I didn't write the list down and it was quite a while ago. They
played much of the "Break" CD, and a couple off "The Wounded" too. SB
let them do a long set for us hometowners :^)
>
> ::E::
Cheeze,
Juancin

>From: Heald Insane Asylum <healdia@...>
>
>How nice of ya to remember!!! ;^)

(For those on ProgAndOther who are unaware, John and I shared an evening of
intimacy several nights ago. Okay, I'm just kidding, what, y'all thought we
wuz a couple of f*gg*ts????)

We now return you to the email reply-in-progress...

>No, I mean Billy is a bassist. He isn't a great guitarist, and from what
>I can tell he never will be. When he does "his" stuff, he's not a bad
>vocalist either. I see his role in the 1999 edition of Yes, as the
>guitarist who covers (...however poorly) Trevor's solos. This is either
>due to Howe not being able to, or not wanting to play them. Howe has
>never looked comfortable playing Trev's parts, and I doubt he enjoys
>them. My personal opinion is he can't.

Whoa! How could you say that about 'prog-god' Steve Howe??? Oh, how could
you, waaaaaaah!

Actualy, John, I think I am in total agreement with you. Are we the only
guys on this list who even like Trevor Rabin/d? Well, if Billy's a good
bassist, I trust you.

(Hey, everyone, Sherwood is John's son-in-law, pass it on...)

>> John, since my fave material is on _Time Lost_, followed by _Blueprint_,
>> which songs did they perform from those?
>
>If I remember correctly, they did "Under the Sun", "New Moon", and "Open
>Eyes". I didn't write the list down and it was quite a while ago. They
>played much of the "Break" CD, and a couple off "The Wounded"
>too. SB let them do a long set for us hometowners :^)

I would have been crying tears of joy!!! (But I'm still miffed at the fact
Neal Morse shrugged off Djam Karet as an opening act a while back)

Cheer-i-o,

E-Man

>Whoa! How could you say that about 'prog-god' Steve Howe??? Oh, how could
>you, waaaaaaah!

Ahhh,...it's the truth?
>
>Actualy, John, I think I am in total agreement with you. Are we the only
>guys on this list who even like Trevor Rabin/d?

Maybe...

>Well, if Billy's a good
>bassist, I trust you.

That'll be a first...:^)
>
>(Hey, everyone, Sherwood is John's son-in-law, pass it on...)

:::E:::, don't ever mess with family!  ;^)

The Godfather




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In a message dated 3/2/99 5:24:40 PM Pacific Standard Time, eichler@...
writes:

<<
  I've seen a surprising number of people who agree with you.  In fact,
  I think GFtO might have won a poll held on alt.music.yes a while back.
  Personally, I think Relayer is their best, which is more evidence that
  I'm a prog-snob (I've noticed that most snobs seem to like Relayer).
  GFtO, to me, represents the start of the slide that eventually led
  to the 70s Yes breaking up.  But it's still a lot better than Tormato... >>

I agree with you here Bob, I think Relayer is their best and wonder what early
YES would have sounded like if the jazzier-Moraz was on board instead of the
baroqueier-Wakeman.

Oh man, Siberian Khatru with Moraz at the helm......talk about shivers.

Or Tales......which is my favorite YES album.......Relayer is better, but
Tales is a more beautiful musical portrait and I'm into theme before
composition.  That's not to slight the incredible themes on
Relayer,....they're just not as grand and glorious IMO.

Yet unlike you, my fave Yes solo work is Olias of Sunhillow. Talk about
beautiful themes......these are the most wonderful musical ideas that any YES
member has ever created.

my order of Yes albums:
Relayer
Tales
Drama
Close to the Edge
The Yes Album
Fragile
Going for the One

everything else.......yawn

kenny