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Showing posts from November, 2012

The World Is A Game - Mystery

The Music There are a number of forces influencing the outcome on this new offering from Michel St Pere’s Mystery with clear and overwhelming conclusions to be drawn. I thoroughly enjoyed there last offering however there was a shadow of sub Genesis tribute band about some of the music. On this CD Michel has evolved into a fully-fledged rounded musical personality who is capable of writing and producing his own personal brand of intelligently crafted, high quality, high energy rock music. The CD abounds with great musical ideas every track is infused with great melodies and unique musical moments. The post blues rock riffs of "Pride" and "Another Day" generate a magnificent big excitement and more so because of the mature use of loud/soft contrasts. When Michel plays piano or acoustic guitar it is not self-consciously classical or folky it is merely a natural extension of the compositional process. One organisational decision he has taken with this CD is

Pictures of You - Downes Braide Association

In the closing weeks of 1980 new music emerged from a respected successful keyboard player and a great vocalist where the sum was greater than the two parts and created an identifiable musical style of its own. Not only was the music of the highest quality it was also very accessible and gave them a 10 ten hit. Here we are in 2012 and some morning warm ups from early 2011 have been turned into a project full of energy, life, sophistication, great singing and superbly orchestrated keyboard playing. Jon and Vangelis  "Short Stories" was a breath of fresh air and gave us some great sophisticated pop music, so does "Pictures of You". The CD opens with the pocket symphony of “Sunday News Suite” a great vocal narrative and wonderful shifts of tempo and pace, giving it a musical gravitas, and ends with the gorgeous reading by Chris of “Sky Sailor”. For those looking for renewal whether personally or collectively the lyric to the latter hits right betwee

Prog Collective Billy Sherwood

When Billy released the third Circa CD I suggested Billy was operating within an artistic straight jacket. The music seemed to represent a narrowing down of his vision instrumentally and vocally. It was highly symbolic that he had played the drums on the CD. The sense of reduction was exacerbated by the guitar department being vacated by Jimmy Haun who had delivered a stellar performance on HQ. I suggested he needed to break out and add new sounds and ideas. Well coincidental or otherwise that is precisely what he has done with “Prog Collective”. Whilst keeping a strong reign on the overall design of the music he has brought in a cadre of musicians who have enriched the music and added sounds and qualities that lift much of this music to an entirely different level. This is an event, not just taking care of the business. There are also some refreshing lyrical ideas. John Wetton, Jerry Goodman and Annie Haslam are wound into the thread of the pieces that they contribute to pu