Here is some exciting news for those who pre-ordered Rick Wakeman’s “The Prog Years 1973-1977” CD+DVD box set: the expansive collection will now include 17 discs’ worth of never-before-released concert material totaling 300-plus minutes – or a whopping five hours – of live recordings all previously unreleased.
Now known as “The Prog Years: Redux,” the 32-disc box set is back in production, with a brand-new list of content and a new release date of 23rd February 2024. Explaining the decision to overhaul the collection at the 11th hour, compiler Rob Ayling says that he had a duty to do it for the fans:
“Totally out of the blue came a wave of previously unreleased concert recordings. I couldn’t believe it when I discovered them. I generally know what was recorded and what wasn’t – and then to find entire gigs from the 70s that had never before been released… I simply couldn’t ignore them! Especially if they got released later, the fans would rightly ask the question, why weren’t these recordings in the ‘Prog Years’ ?
“It was a really tough decision to make, to stop a box set in full production. But it was also a no-brainer to remove releases which have already been available in different formats over the years and replace them with a trove of music no one will own.
“My feeling is that the true fans will already have most if not all of the previously planned ‘Prog Years’ content, like the Winterland Ballroom and Hammersmith Odeon shows. They have been officially available for years. Yet how many fans have Rick Wakeman’s full 1975 concert from Boston Music Hall, or the opening night of that year’s Japanese tour, with the orchestra, or the Montreux concert from 1979?
“The newly discovered material will replace these recordings in what we’re calling ‘The Prog Years: Redux,’ which now boasts over five hours of previously unreleased music! That, to me, is a game-changer. I know it means fans will have to wait a little longer to receive the box but given that it will contain these newly unearthed gems, I hope everyone will understand why I had to make this decision. I am convinced that everyone will enjoy the gigs as much as I do.
“I also want to thank everyone who has pre-ordered the release for their patience, and promise that it will be worth the wait when ‘The Prog Years: Redux’ lands on your doorstep!”
The previously unreleased discs are:
1). The Six Wives… alternative versions 2). The Three Wives: Radio session, 27 February 1973 3). Boston Music Hall, Massachusetts, 10 October 1975, Part 1 4). Boston Music Hall, Massachusetts, 10 October 1975, Part 2 5). Missing Pieces and interviews 6). Apollo Theatre, Glasgow, Scotland, 7 May 1976 7). Koseinenkin Hall, Osaka, Japan, 21 January 1975, Part 1 8). Koseinenkin Hall, Osaka, Japan, 21 January 1975, Part 2 9). Nakano Sunplaza, Tokyo, Japan, 16 January 1975, Part 1 10). Nakano Sunplaza, Tokyo, Japan, 16 January 1975, Part 2 11). Live in Anaheim, 11 November 1975, Part 1 12). Live in Anaheim, 11 November 1975, Part 2 13). Reflections Of Winter (White Rock sessions), Part 1 14). Reflections Of Winter (White Rock sessions), Part 2 15). White Rock Original soundtrack music and FX soundtrack 16). Live From London 1979 17). Live at Montreux 1979
Previously released:
18). Live in Melbourne, 4th February 1975, Part 1* 19). Live in Melbourne, 4th February 1975, Part 2* * this concert was previously released but in an edited form to fit on one CD. We are releasing the full concert, now fully remastered.
Melodic Revolution Records is beyond excited to announce the release of Motion Carries the debut album by US Melodic Prog band Emerald City Council, the album is available as a Limited Edition 140-gram Double Green LP/vinyl housed in a full-color gatefold sleeve, as well as a single CD housed in a 4-panel full-color Digipak, and also available on your favorite streaming channels.
“A few weeks ago, Neal Morse launched our album, Motion Carries, on his Waterfall stream service by saying ” I heard this music at the last Radiant School as Brent Bristow was a participant. I loved the music right away!” We have received so much incredible feedback, and we can’t wait to share this album with the rest of the world. We now have a pre-order available for those who want to get a jump on ordering the CD or the limited edition transparent green vinyl. Both of these products sound amazing, and for those who pre-order, we are offering a discounted price to help start your 2024 musical journey. Thanks to everyone for the support!!”
“This album, Motion Carries, has been a couple of years in the making, with tracks recorded in Los Angeles, London, and so many points in between. Countless hours have been spent in preparation for this release, and we can’t believe the time is finally upon us. We believe we have made an album that flows from start to finish, and it will let you escape the world and lose yourself in the music for an hour. Everyone who has been a part of this project feels that it is something special, and we hope that you will too. Whether you are a hardcore prog fan, or just enjoy great rock music, we have made an album for you. So, let the 2024 session of Emerald City Council commence!” Emerald City Council
CD Track-list
1 Realize I – Escape From The Ancient 2 Realize II – Brutal Camouflage 3 Noisy Talking 4 Mortal Game 5 Ice Thinning 6 Platforms of Illusion 7 Diversion I 8 No Thanks To You 9 Realize III – The Comfort of Suffering
LP Tracklist
Side – 1 Realize I – Escape From The Ancient 2 Realize II – Brutal Camouflage 3 Noisy Talking
Side – 2 4 Mortal Game 5 Ice Thinning
Side – 3 6 Platforms of Illusion
Side – 4 7 Diversion I 8 No Thanks To You 9 Realize III – The Comfort of Suffering
Emerald City Council are: Jake Livgren-lead and backing vocals, keyboard Noah Hungate-drums Jeremy Nichols-bass Seth Hankerson-guitar Brent Bristow-saxophones, keyboards, recorder, guitar, vocals
Guest performances: Brandon Goff-lead guitar on tracks 1 and 4 Paul Bielatowicz-guitar solos on track 3 Jeffrey Combs-narration on track 1 and acoustic guitar on track 7 Steve Rankin-acoustic guitar, guitar solo, and mandolin on track 7 Mike Thompson-guitar solo on track 8
Additional musicians: Phillip Moore-acoustic guitar on track 2 Heather Bristow-additional vocals on tracks 2 and 4 Douglas Case-additional guitar and backing vocals on track 3 Calvin Barnes-acoustic guitar on tracks 6 and 9
The album will appeal to fans of Transatlantic, Able Ganz, Flying Colors, Kansas, The Neil Morse Band, Seven Steps to the Green Door, Proto-Kaw, Native Window, Alan Parsons Project, and Fish On Friday.
Taken from the album “The Likes of Us’ out March 1st, 2024
The award-winning progressive rock band BIG BIG TRAIN release their 15th studio album via InsideOut Music on March 1, 2024, marking the first full release with new frontman Alberto Bravin (ex-PFM). The anxiously-awaited unveiling of ‘The Likes Of Us’ follows BIG BIG TRAIN’s massively successful recent European tour, which saw them perform 17 concerts across nine countries, concluding with two triumphant appearances at London’s Cadogan Hall. The album is a stunning piece of work that retains all the elements that make the band so special, including absorbing and memorable arrangements and first-rate musicianship.
Line-Up: Clare Lindley Nick D’Virgilio Alberto Bravin Rikard Sjöblom Gregory Spawton Dave Foster Oskar Holldorff
Prog legends Happy The Man have returned with the release of a new single, “Only Love,” on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, January 15, 2024. The song is from the band’s highly anticipated forthcoming album of the same name.
Stanley Whitaker, Ron Riddle, Michael Beck, and Rick Kennell have reunited and recorded a phenomenal new song promising to please fans of the band and prog fans worldwide.
New single available January 15, 2024!
Says Stanley Whitaker, “The basic concept was to not only express my frustration and sadness in the world while shedding light and awareness. In late August 2020, while in a deep meditative state, I wondered what John Lennon would say about the state of affairs in America. I craved his voice and message and prayed for inspiration. In a blast of energy, I wrote over ten pages of lyrics and spent the next two weeks editing and laying down musical ideas. Recently, our former bandmate, Frank Wyatt, passed away on January 10, 2023, and the following morning, I awoke to, ‘Now it’s time to put HTM back together.’ Gobsmacked! I called Rick, Ron, and Michael, and everyone was on board to reunite as Happy the Man. All of the music was developed remotely from our studios across the country.”
Says Ron Riddle, “My work as a film and TV composer/orchestrator and my work as a drummer has always been at odds and very separate from each other. I would say that over 95 percent of the music I’ve written had no drums at all! Stanley and Rick approached me to get the band back together, and Stanley asked me to do the orchestration and drumming. I was smitten, thrilled, and, honestly, a bit nervous. ‘Could both exist in the same song?’ I wondered. It’s like Dr. Jeckel meeting Mr. Hyde!”
Michael Beck says, “Putting Happy The Man back together and creating new music is something I’ve wanted to do for a long time. I could not be happier and prouder to work with these incredible musicians and friends again.”
Says Rick Kennell, “How can you not enjoy working with musicians of this caliber? What fun!” Born out of the intensely creative and artistic art rock and fusion movements of the 70s, Happy The Man is regarded as one of the most legendary progressive rock bands of all time. Although Happy The Man only released two official albums before breaking up, their impact continues to endear the group to a cult following that has been growing ever since. With the passing of many years, Happy The Man’s music has demonstrated a timeless quality that suggests that it was ahead of its time and beyond this world.
Original members Stanley Whitaker (guitar) and Rick Kennell (bass guitar) first met in Germany. They soon returned to the US, enlisting Frank Wyatt (keyboards, saxes, flute), Kit Watkins (keyboards), and Mike Beck (drums and percussion). They created two of the most deeply admired prog-rock albums of all time on Arista Records: “Happy The Man” (1977) and “Crafty Hands” (1978), with Ron Riddle taking over drumming from Mike Beck.
“This world is on fire, my friends and we desperately need to share our love and light to heal this planet earth!” To purchase: https://ffm.to/happytheman-onlyloveOnly Love (Original Version or OV)Only Love (Radio Edit or RE) For more information: http://www.happytheman.com
Track Listing:SIDE A1. Two Weeks in Spain 3:042. I’m Turning Around 3:583. Betcha Thought We Couldn’t Do It 2:164. Who Do You Think You Are? 3:375. Mountain Time 3:21SIDE B1. As Old As You’re Young 4:212. Memories Of Old Days 7:223. Winning 4:154. For Nobody 4:095. Winning (Outtake) 3:31 (Bonus Track) To pre-order: https://linktree.com/gentlegiantband
Previously unreleased bonus track “Winning (outtake)” In 1977 Gentle Giant recorded their ninth studio album “The Missing Piece.” It was a time of change. Punk, disco and rap were altering the musical landscape and even this well-established progressive rock band were willing to explore new directions. Side one saw them experimenting with quirky pop (“Two weeks in Spain”), a grandiose power ballad (“I’m turning around’), syncopated funk (“Who do you think you are?”) and even the punky aggression of “Betcha thought we couldn’t do it.” Meanwhile the call and response soul shouting of “Mountain Time” hearkened back to the “big sound” of their Simon Dupree R & B revue days.
Normal service was resumed on side two with some of their most sublime and intricate progressive stylings to date. The breezily baroque “As old as you’re young” led into the yearningly elegiac “Memories of Old Days” with a particularly heartfelt vocal from Derek Shulman. The percussive tour de force of “Winning” then set up the blazing finale of “For Nobody,” another mind blowing complex collection of driving intertwining riffs that the band would nonchalantly thunder through with apparent ease.
It remains a polarizing effort amongst fans to this day, some bemused by its diversity, others enchanted by its versatility and sense of humor. “The Missing Piece” certainly proves that Gentle Giant could play anything they set their minds to. It was the last Gentle Giant album to chart in the USA.
Award winning producer and musician Steven Wilson continues his association with the band, remixing the album in Dolby Atmos, Stereo and 5.1 surround sound. In addition, the digipak CD/Blu-ray version also contains an instrumental mix, the original 1977 stereo mix and videos for each track. All remixes except the Atmos contain a bonus track, a previously unreleased outtake of “Winning.”
Gentle Giant’s “The Missing Piece” Steven Wilson remix will be released on CD, 5.1 Blu-Ray, 180g vinyl and Limited Edition Transparent Green Vinyl variant on February 16, 2024.
Personnel: Derek Shulman – Lead Vocals Kerry Minnear – Keyboards, Vocals Ray Shulman – Bass Guitar, 12 string Guitar Gary Green – Electric and Acoustic Guitars John “Pugwash” Weathers – Drums and Percussion
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