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Further to my other post about a certain impending gig (see elsewhere...up above).......
Cripes!!!  Have been listening to 'Rise Up Forgotten, Return Destroyed' for two days now!!!  It's amazing/brilliant/fantastic along with a few other similar adjectives!
If those Godfrey boys have got themselves into some sibling competition, I for one (but, also, there are hundreds of others of you out there in chilly land) can't wait to hear the new Frost* material.  I am sure they haven't but it is very plausible to misguidedly think so (in case my fantasies are misplaced).
Nonetheless, I am so intrigued as to how the 'Shineback' album will be presented at The Peel gig in August.  As should you all be!!!  Get a ticket guys......it's going to be something special.

BTW (and as a complete aside) - I recently met both Nathan and Craig at a local charity gig - they were 'stand-ins' for musos who had to drop out at the last minute!!  Great performances (as you may imagine) and what lovely chaps they are who were prepared to chat to an old duffer like me especially as the hour was very, very late and they both had extremely long drives home. Many thanks to both of you (and apologies for the negative comments regarding the last Christmas gig - music was marvellous - just couldn't cope with the crush, being a small person with another small person in tow and getting stuck behind slightly taller persons.  All been said before and came out in a bluuuurgghhh!! Still, thanks for the evening (then and recently) - very memorable on both occasions.
Oops!  That ended up being a bit of a mash up..... - so, cherry pick the bits you are interested in!!
PW

Having heard all the good things about the new Shineback album (see two posts below), I just wondered if there was going to be any 'on site' support for Simon at The Peel on 24th August?  He/Shineback are appearing there along with Haze, Primitive Instinct and Mr So & So.  Door open at 3.30pm so it's going to be a looooooong day!!!  But brilliant at the same time......
I have found out that it's an event put on by Cyclops Records as a 'thank you' for the bands/artistes that they have helped promote over the past years.  As such, I believe it will be a cracking event and looking forward to hearing the new Shineback material as well as tracks from Mr So & So's new CD 'Truth, Lies and Half Lies'.  And Haze and Primitive Instinct are available to listen to via the interwebbything (in case you were not familiar) - they cover all the Prog spots between them.
Nonetheless, I can report that Mr So & So's album really is a cracking good listen and I would recommend it to all concerned.  Just a fan - as we all are of good music - so no other agenda here!!  See you there - or be a rectangular object that won't fit in the circular thingy!
Tickets at £15.00 via The Merch Desk as I finally discovered - you'd think that this gig was organised by MI5 in how difficult it is to find!!!
PW

[A really good topic question to round off 2012!!]

A really good topic question to round off 2012!!
Best gig for me - Marillion at The Forum - Why? - Three new pieces off 'STCBH' + all the best bits off 'Marbles' (and a great view with great sound)
2nd Best (only cos I couldn't see anything being one of the late ones and having to stand behind tall & wide persons) - Frost*Bites - But we had 'Milliontown' in full and two new songs + an excellent It Bites set - so not that much to complain about! Oh yes, and an audience that loved every minute of it!!!
Greg Lake - oddly, very entertaining and well presented.  I hope he does it again.
Multi bands - Cambridge Rock Festival - (despite wanting to see 'Caravan' on the Saturday) specifically went on the Sunday to see 'Mr So & So', 'Touchstone', 'Don Airey', 'Mostly Autumn', etc.  But was very disappointed with headliners 'Snakecharmer' despite the talented musicians that make up the band.
Worst gig - Marshall's 50th Year Anniversary concert at Wembley - depsite the presence of Joe Satriani, a complete waste of an evening with great potential.  What looked like a good idea on paper should have stayed there!
Missed gigs (due to illness but ticket bought) - 'Chickenfoot' at Brixton Academy.  Still, seen the YouTube vids to make up.
Most pleasurable moment? - Waking up on Saturday 22nd december with the knowledge that the Mayans may have been slightly misguided and that we will all be around to hear the new Frost* album!!
And (slighlty 'off topic') - next Year 2013 - Tickets already secured to see 'Joe Bonamassa' and 'Steve Wilson'
Given that my first gig was 'Wishbone Ash' in 1970, I am glad that I have lived this long!! If emerging talent keeps up the 'prog' work, we should all have something to look forward to.
Happy New Year one and all.

I agree - what an amazing night - me and my fellow Frostie Bites mates were delayed by the queue and missed the start of the ''support'' band - but, once we split up to find our own slots it all seemed to fall into place.  Yup, like others, some of us were stuck behind fans who were taller than our dimunitive shells but, for me, I blame my poor diet when younger.  Nonetheless, all I would request for future benefit - stand still please!  Having a good view of Jem's head is OK if it lasts!

If the new offerings on the night ''asre'' the way to go for Frost 3, then bring it on...!  Could be fun...!

As for the It Bites set - utterly fantastic.  All the 'hits and more' as they used to say.  Their next outing into recording land has got to be something special after the last two albums.

So, all that is left to say is ''Happy Christmas'' to one and all and, if I may hi-jack this part of the forum, my ''card'' to you all is my simple musical offering.

https://dl.dropbox.com/u/17885303/Almos ... istmas.MP3

It's been up here before a couple of years ago but it might be OK to let you all hear it again.  As Neil Innes once said, ''I have suffered for my music, now it's your turn'' - ha ha!!

Happy Crimbo

PH

I just love this band!  As I have said on my Marillion post (see other thread in this section), I was determined to see them as support on the recent tour.  Whilst the sound at The Forum gig wasn't brilliant for them, I knew all the songs and my head filled in all the gaps!  Still, I am glad that they all enjoyed themselves and took away a 'vibe'.

Both of their albums are constantly on the play and the DVD filmed in Poland is a great view.  They are definitely 'original' and, at the same time, very cheeky!!  Check out 'PT Tee' on 'Half Way Home' which, for all you Porcupine Tree fans, you'll get the idea!

The addition of Mike Varty on keyboards (albeit for now, just the live gigs) is an excellent move.  BTW - you can hear some of his other work if you track down the band Credo - 'Against Reason' is their latest release.

But, on a sad note (and not too disimilar to Simon Godfrey's medical issues), Tony Wright, the band's long standing vocalist, has had to retire as a result of developing 'chronic cluster headache' syndrome.  To be perfectly frank, I have no personal experience of either of the guy's problems but if it stops you doing what you love and enjoy, what a terrible thing.  Makes my tinnitus seem somewhat irrelevant which, incidentally, I put down to a life of loud gig attendance but finally doomed by going to see Black Label Society in Cambridge a couple of years ago - dreadful waste of time, money and health!  I think their albums are great but live.....please do not waste your time!!!!  And, despite that, I did it again at the 50th Marshalls Anniversary concert at Wembley a few weeks ago.  Great idea on paper - which is where it should have stayed! - so much 'self indulgence (including Zakk Wylde) with the only shining light being Joe Satriani.

Cripes, that was a bit of a drift there.... just go and check out DeeExpus - YOU WON'T REGRET IT!!!

Oh! Without doubt, it's a shame that the gig 'experience' was not up to your expectations (twats at the bar are a complete mystery to me! - why buy a ticket?)
In contrast, 'Gaza' has clicked for me and, IMHO, is a real grower.  As for 'Invisible Ink' - you have a point - it is easily the most accessible piece - although 'Pour My Love' is a very close second, but the more I listen to the CD, the more I am suitably impressed overall!  Not too disimilar to when I first purchased the vinyl version of 'Close To The Edge' in 1972 - couldn't stop playing it!
Whoa! back to the point.... When I first listened to 'Montreal' I thought it would be one of those tracks for which I would be hitting the 'next track' button - but I have a bad arm at the mo, and all to the benefit!!  Lovely stuff.....
Overall, it takes me back to the time that I first heard 'Marbles' - too much at any one time!!!  Just as that, the various meoldies within each song grab you separately.  And Steve R's interjections lift each song.
My favourite ''I am waiting for this bit...' moment is Mark Kelly's bridge in 'Sounds That Can't Be Made' (just after H's ''palms of my hand')......leading into Steve R's guitar refrain.  My head keeps telling me ''where the hell did that come from?''
Which, in the final analysis, is the whole point about music - and, when we hear Jem's next offering, we shall be saying the same thing!!  At least, I bloody hope so!!
P.S. Oddly, and ashamedly, I let 'Happiness Is The Road' pass me by but I have addressed that now and have the 2CD version in my sweaty palms all ready for a number of spins.
Anyway, subject probably closed now - for anyone who has invested - ENJOY!!

Ha ha!!  You are all missing something if you think that 'Marrilion are still going'!!  Yes, 'the Fish era' has long past but what the band are doing now and for the past many years may well blow your socks off if you have not been a follower!
Fish era - 4 albums
Hogarth era - 13 albums (to date)
If you have access to 'Spotify' there are a number of albums well worth checking out - albeit that a large proportion are live recordings - but, excellent, nonetheless.

And that includes the 'High Voltage Festival' appearance which has been mentioned on a previous post.  I was there for that one as well and, I have to confess, was the first gig that I had attended with 'H' in tow - he is so funny and powerful in a live situation.  They played a set that was amazing and covered all the salient points in their career that I was hoping to see performed.

Previously, before that and many years ago, the Fish era at Hammersmith Odeon (as it was then) and other smaller gigs, St Albans, etc.

I cannot recommend them highly enough and, for the sake of avoidance, I have no vested interest other that I just love good, well constructed music.  Which, probably, is why I am also a Frost* fan!!!!  And I have my tickets ready for the Frost* Bites gig in December becasue of that. Whoo hoo!

Marillion songs of distinction - 'Neverland', 'Fantastic Place', 'The Invisble Man', 'This Strange Engine', 'The Lap of Luxury', 'The Party', 'You're Gone', 'Angelina', etc. - a number of those are from the album 'Marbles' which is a highlight!!!

ENJOY!!

As I see no mention to date, is it really true that no Frostie* whatsover attended the recent Marillion UK tour or have heard (and wish to comment upon) the new album ''Sounds That Can't Be Made''??
I was at The HMV Forum gig on Sunday last and, apart from the added bonus of DeeExpus as support - who were utterly marvellous!, I was completely blown away!!  Despite hearing the new pieces for the first time (apart from 'Power' which is readily available), the sound quality for a live gig was, without doubt the best I have experienced in a small venue.  Every word of the lyrics perfectly heard alongside the musical extravganza accomponiment from Steve, Mark, Pete and Ian.
As a complete aside - sound wise, it was on a par with the Greg Lake concert at The Stevenage Leisure Centre which I attended a few years ago and which was filmed for the 'GL Live' DVD - thorougly recommended BTW.  We talked to the sound engineer that night as we couldn't believe how he did what he did!!
That said, having now downloaded the HMV Forum Marillion concert which was recorded live on the night, I am reliving a unique experience as far as that band's history is concerned.  'Pushing the boundary's' might be a cliche but I am prepared to stick my neck out!!  They are true entertainers with a back catalogue of music to back it up.
Oh yes, one final thing - Steve Hogarth is a supreme entertainer displaying humour, humilty and 'on stage' power that I am confident that not many can match!  When he speaks, he has such a quiet, vunerable voice - when he sings, it's like an express train hitting you full on!
If you missed them - do not do so again!

And I like it!  Yes, you are right Pedro, not 'exactly prog' but, then again, Chris Postl did once declare that he was was a massive Alan Parsons fan going to the extent that he enlisted Ian Bairnson to certain guitar duties on the first album.  As such, I believe he has carried on the ''tradition'' and engaged in more 'AP' influenced output.  But then, again, the first album was so diverse........
I was once accused of my own out-pourings being like an 'Alan Parsons' demo so either 100,000 flies are wrong or 100,000 are near the mark!!
And so it goes......

OK - it's been a while since I was here.....but fav Prog bands/artists is a topic I couldn't ignore.. no particular order of preference (how could you....?)

Ten....(for starters)

DeeExpus (aka DeeExpus Project) - ref. Spotify for output
Mr So & So - you will be pleased (IMHO)
Parzival's Eye - (thanks to fellow forum member)
The Third Ending (ditto!)
The Pineapple Thief
Pavlov's Dog (progressive....maybe.....? - but my cup of tea)
Credo
IQ
The Mahavishnu Orchestra
Colusseum II

and then...another Ten

Caravan
Jethro Tull (TAAB2 is excellent beyond expectations - and it was a surprise anyway..!)
Argent (for 'The Coming of Khaoutec' if nothing else...)
Jon Anderson
Martin Orford (whatever guise)
Marillion
IQ
Mostly Autumn
Dream Theater
Fat Grapple (there, that's got you stumped!! - check out Eddie Jobson)

And I haven't had time to mention 'Gong/Steve Hillage', 'Egg', 'Arena', 'Camel', 'It Bites', 'Neal Morse', 'Talk Talk', etc, etc and, of course, not forgetting the wonderful 'Frost*'.....

...see, the list(s) can be endless!!!

Hey, but never mind all of that - check out YouTube for Rachael Flowers 'test driving' Emerson's re-modified 'modular Moog'.

After seeing that, I decided to give up - Brilliant!!! Try this for starters....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FLT3Cb96 ... re=related

So, just keep those notes in an order that we weren't expecting - and that's PROGRESSIVE!!!

Take care all (back in a year or so..)

Mmm! A poser, but then again....

Check out the current edition of Classic Rock 'Prog' and you will find a CD enclosed with some excellent examples of 'where we are' in the modern world of prog.  Please note that you might should ignore the listings on the CD card sleeve as they are wrong, but the overview descriptions in the mag itself are fine.

Standouts for me are 'Pallas (they are there own men...always have been), Aisles (outstanding melodic arrangements...), Credo (reminds me of Martin Orford's best...and, as the blurb says, Fish era Marillion)), Amplifier (King Crimson meets Porcupine Tree...), Modest Midget (Crowded House meets Zappa meets The Beatles apparently (who would have thought of that one?!)), and, of course, Spock's Beard featuring the wonderful Mr Nick D'V)

And there you go - 60mins plus of something that you haven't heard before but will be pleased when you have! (Or, at least, I ruddy well hope so!).  Enjoy!

Evening All - it's been a very long time since I ventured onto the board - been keeping any eye out on all that is Frostie* but otherwise silent.  Until today....  I have posted this on what, in terms of the forum is the correct place, but, in all honesty, it was a hard choice!

I have just seen the incredibely sad news that Gary Moore has passed away whilst on holiday in Spain.  A long time guitar hero to many of us I am sure and, to boot, a 'prog' man as well - please witness his startling work on the output of Colosseum II.

His work will live on as a testament to his genius but, for time being, may I just say ''thank you Gary - you may have had the blues but it went beyond that and into the realms artistic genius.  And to see you work and play was pure joy.''

Like many before him, he will be sadly missed and highly revered at the same time.  One of my good friends was a long time collaborator and I know he will be stunned by this as, indeed will all the industry and profession.

God rest his soul.

Just caught up with this one (and also been away for a while being extremely busy with work stuff)

Anyway, I think you will also find that Jordan Rudess is a fan of 'GG' as he covered 'Just The Same' from 'Free Hand' on his last CD 'The Road Home'.

Was never a huge 'GG' fan but you can't listen to everything.  However, I can recommend the JD CD as a great listen due to there being covers of Genesis, Yes and ELP pieces.  The latter is a complete version of 'Tarkus' with Steve Wilson covering one of the vocal elements (Stones of Years).  Aaaahhh!, heaven on earth!

But then, you all knew this already and were too shy to mention it!!  LOL!

Back soon(ish) - supper's ready!

I'm with Jem on this one for all the reasons of the use of the web site, the blogs, the video diaries, etc.  We hunger for knowledge but then, for some reason, feel let down by the outcome!  Why?

Of all the pieces on the EIMA CD, I am most taken by 'DDD', Toys' and 'WTM' none of which I had an inkling until postie delivered the magical envelope.  Now, that's what I call ''secret''!!

In any event, erhaps 'Secret Songs' should be kept secret....a bit like 'easter eggs' on DVDs - perhaps that's stretching it a bit too far, I accept.  Maybe we would be better off being teased by snippets of stuff that never reaches the final output - that would be good as the expectations would dashed and our ears assailed with musical doodlings afresh...?  Having said that, aren't we due the outtakes at some stage?

On a similar vein (secret song wise), how many of you's out there have a CD that you let run on only to discover that there are 'secret songs' tagged onto the end - I have at least two.  Those that spring to mind are Robert Berry's ''Pilgrimage To A Point''  and Chris Squire/Robert Sherwood's first 'Conspiracy' offering.  And there are others but I would find it hard to dig them out.

Anyway, something along those lines is what I fancy next time around.

So, glad it all went well last night and that the rocks were rocked and the progs were progged!  Congrats to all recipients of awards - well deserved, I have no doubt.

Long live the experiment.

But I forgot to say that to give EIMA 8/10 as well is rather missing the point.  But it might be enough to get the ball rolling with new listeners...?