607 posts
Ok, in an effort to spark some more participation here, I thought we might try a dedicated "what are you listening to today" thread. While politics and religion threads are tearing us apart (and the occasional "Alabama lost" threads ;D ) it was music that brought us all together in the first place, so LET'S DISCUSS MUSIC!
Please list what you are playing today, and any comments or thoughts. I will go first.
First I played Anderson Bruford Wakeman and Howe. Pretty much a YES album and has some good stuff on it.
Right now (yes in my office) I'm listening to Blue Murder. My comment would be that this is one of THE best albums of the 80s, and that John Sykes is a KILLER guitar player. Yeah, it's 80s hair metal. Get over it. This stuff RIPS!!! If you aren't rockin your butt off after the first two songs, YOU ARE TOO OLD! ;D Used to be one of my FAVORITE albums to put on and play along with. Keep up with Sykes and you have got game! Probably the most overlooked shredder of the era. Killer player.
Album Highlights- Riot, Sex Child, Blue Murder and of course, John's playing!
Everybody play!
Blue Murder is one of my favorite albums of all time.
Tony Franklin is just ridiculous on this disc. His fretless playing is stellar and to me its what takes this disc to a higher level IMO. He grooves, plays amazing fills, he's just an animal on this.
I haven't listened to anything yet today. Stupid conference calls!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NsHjNgVCiao for those interested
Yes, Tony is crazy on this album as well.
listening to blue murder now... how did I miss this? I was pretty aware of this kind of thing at the time... heh.
can't add much to the thread, I've only listened to ironsheep so far today (lol).
On the car ride to work I listened to Agaetis Byrjun by Sigur Ros. It sounds like--Sigur Ros. To me it's incredible music. I've been trying for years now to get the Sigur Ros bass sound and still haven't come close. At work so far I've been listening to Speak No Evil by Wayne Shorter, and Apollo: Atmospheres and Soundtracks by Brian Eno. I don't like a lot of words clouding my head when I'm on deadline...
Let's see... Early today was a bunch of Bauhaus followed by Love & Rockets (which is pretty much Bauhaus minus Peter Murphy plus a different sound). Then Berlin's new CD, Animal, followed by two CD's from Slow Marching Band (the second CD was never released - I got it from the creators themselves). Finally I played Big Big Train parts 1 & 2 (two CD's - DAMN these are good!). :)
Big Big Train Part 2Haven't decided what will be next - I've got a conference call coming up soon so I'll probably decide during that. ;D
Didn't see Charger's reply while I was posting. Hmm... Maybe some Sigur Ros would be nice later today. :)
Hey! I have some ideas for tomorrows listening. I've been on a 70's and 80's kick lately. Two full albums that I found on youtube and listened to today were Blizzard of Ozz and Pete Townshend and Ronnie Lane's Rough Mix. Will hunt up Blue Murder tomorrow.
ok, my listening time has arrived... tonight: Flasket Brinner! not sure if I like it or not (or if I'd listen to it twice)... but it's kinda cool in it's way.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EsqtTs1gPcA
Got a set of Westone W3 IEMs on sale over the weekend so I've been listening to everything on my player. Classical to A7X. Too much to list them all even from today...
Standouts:
Frampton - Fingerprints - Listened to the whole album and it's an excellent recording dripping tone and tasteful playing.
Hendrix - People, Hell and Angels
London Symphony Orchestra;Paul Daniel;John Williams - Concerto Antico; Concerto for Guitar & Orchestra
Jude Cole - Start the Car - I like this Whole album. Unique voice and good hooks.
Couple of Allison Kraus tunes (Broadway and When You Say Nothing At All) to hear some female vox and acoustic instruments captured in a great environment.
I like it (Flasket Brinner). :)
I just started going through all of the music that hasn't been brought into MediaMonkey yet (about 75% or more) and I'm figuring out multiple genres for each artist along with their country (eventually I'll go back to the ones already loaded into my player and update them as well). With about 2,500 artists to get info on, I've still got a few more days of work to go - and that's all before the effort of loading them into the player the way I want!
Oh well, the bottom line is that I've probably gone through about 1,500 artists and already I can see I've got a lot from Sweden! :)
When I'm done I think the stats will be interesting too.
well, Flasket Brinner was... something. so, for selection #2 tonight, I'm going with the band and album title I could not resist: Barbed Wire Sandwich by The Bad Cat Bones!
kinda disappointed so far... I mean, BARBED WIRE SANDWICH!! it should totally rule... but it's kinda blues.. oh well... but it's got some Mayall qualities, sorta. oh well, I'm in for the whole thing... wasn't really planning on a pentatonic minor wailer tonight... oh well - can't win em all playing YouTube roulette.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fqCTOzbDxJM
oh, Black Cat Bones... doh... lol.
(not sure I'm going to make it through this album...)
k, screw that.
moving on to The Woods Band.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h3h3pCNw59o
much better.
... until the singing started. damn, not in the mood for that. oh well, calling it a night.
Ok, to keep this moving, a couple requests. When you post about the band you are listening too, unless it's a well known band, please state what style of music it is and in your opinion, how good it is. IF you have a link to something you are listening to by them, provide that as well. That way, if others read about a band they can decide if they might be interested and if so, can check them out. Most of the bands mentioned above, I have never heard of.
Today- Alan Holdsworth "Sand" Fantastic album. Love Holdsworth.
Also, Uriah Heep- mixture of albums. Note to others. One must exercise caution when playing things like the intro to "Love Machine" in a professional office environment. LMAO
Where's the links, Numbnuts??? ;D ;D kidding I just copy and paste right into youtube. I was able to listen to a little bit or more of everything that you guys posted last night, today in the shop. All was interesting stuff.
I liked the Big Big Train. Terri Nunn still looks good by the way.
I'll probably purchase the Frampton. I saw him on one of the AXS TV concerts recently. Most of his newer stuff seems to be YT blocked.
Chargers Sigur whatever kept me looking for my stash. Haven't smoked in 25 years. LOL I listened to the whole album. I hear some of the Bass sound that you mention. I like toward the end the acoustic clean string squeak was just unbothered and a part of.
Sheeps BW Samich post sent me looking for newer Rod Price. Pretty good slide work from about 2002. He died in 2005. I saw Foghat way back.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=urggFxadt_k
as a rule, and by default, don't listen to what I mention. I spend an hour or so cruising YouTube most nights looking for the unusual... and there's no trouble finding it, either! lol. I'll be sure to mention if it's something I think will appeal to someone but also link to the crap... for posterity. ;)
I like how Howie decides to make up some rules than immediately doesn't even follow them himself (what are you? A Senator? :D ).
Ok,
HERE'S A TEST - CLICK HERE!I've removed the identifying marks on this song because I'm curious to hear what you guys (especially Howie) think about it. Yes, it IS one of those long Prog songs so feel free to jump ahead as you wish.
But I'm curious what you think about it in general (especially YOU Howie!). THEN I'll let you know what you've been listening to. ;)
I'm on the iPad for awhile... but checked it out and concluded: I need to listen to it through better speakers...but, pretty cool. will report.
As a response to your post, what genres are the albums you posted? Allan Holdsworth, is it jazz? And Uriah Heep... is that metal, hard rock? Haven't really listened to them. And do you really want us to tell you whether what we are listening to is "good?" I'm just trying to imagine why I would throw on an album I don't like.
For mine yesterday, Sigur Ros is a kind of music I can only describe as Sigur Ros... dreamy, ethereal, with very high-pitched dreamy, ethereal vocals. Lots of reverb, lots of compression, guitar played with a bow... It's beautiful.
Speak no Evil is a Wayne Shorter album from the 60s, it's jazz. Wayne Shorter is kind of in between Miles Davis and Thelonious monk to me... he tends toward dissonant, weird harmonies, but writes them into beautiful melodies. The album absolutely kills.
Apollo: Atmospheres and Soundtracks is instrumental, somewhat ambient music by Brian Eno, part of what I think of as a trilogy- Music for Airports, Music for Films, and Apollo. It's Eno/Lanois... if you like Eno/Lanois you will like it. If you like your music with verses, choruses, and vocals, you probably won't.
Today it's Explosions in the Sky, "The Earth is not a Cold, Dead Place." The genre is "Explosions in the Sky." Is it good? I think it's one of the best albums I've ever heard, and in the last 9 or 10 years, I've definitely listened to this more than any other album I own. It's instrumental, grandiose, sad, triumphant melodic rock. Three guitarists who trade off between two guitars/bass and three guitars, playing big reverby Fender amps with lots of delay and feedback. And a drummer who is all about impact and color. Their melodies, songwriting, and the journey each song takes are mindblowing to me.
Full album:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ziw4yd5R0QI
CraigBert — Dec 04, 2013
Ok, HERE'S A TEST - CLICK HERE!
I've removed the identifying marks on this song because I'm curious to hear what you guys (especially Howie) think about it. Yes, it IS one of those long Prog songs so feel free to jump ahead as you wish.
That's funny! It's pretty good jam. Kinda girlie.
DM — Dec 05, 2013[quote author=CraigBert link=1386100196/0#17 date=1386196502]
Ok, HERE'S A TEST - CLICK HERE!
I've removed the identifying marks on this song because I'm curious to hear what you guys (especially Howie) think about it. Yes, it IS one of those long Prog songs so feel free to jump ahead as you wish.
That's funny! It's pretty good jam. Kinda girlie.
:)
Still waiting on Howie!
listening again now... liking most of it (the Jethro Tull and KennyG parts not as much). earlier opinion (pretty cool) affirmed but will also say it sounds pretty cool too.
starting tonight's youtube foray with HorrorPops, Hell Yeah!. Genre... PSYCHOBILLY!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WRSoBENxaWg
also per request... I would recommend listening to this. it's got a good beat, you can dance to it.
I stumbled on this for this evening: Guitar goodness. It's a two hour ride.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7U2BFqtWTLU
ironsheep — Dec 05, 2013starting tonight's youtube foray with HorrorPops, Hell Yeah!. Genre... PSYCHOBILLY!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WRSoBENxaWg
also per request... I would recommend listening to this. it's got a good beat, you can dance to it.
Ha! If No Doubt and the Clash had a child... :D
DM — Dec 05, 2013I stumbled on this for this evening: Guitar goodness. It's a two hour ride.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7U2BFqtWTLU
oh man, I'll have to watch that in the morning... is Poppy in there? such a great tune.
I saw Frank Moreno and Mahogany rush way back in 1979 in UK.....that seems like a lifetime ago now.
Yeah, I did too, Jon. Which is what interested me in the 2010 recording. It seems to be a fan recording, not a video. I worked late last night so I listened to the whole recording. It's a pretty fair quality recording. Usable.
Ironsheep, Poppy is there toward the end in sort of a medley of stuff.
I'm up to the civil defense siren effect portion... he's kinda losing me. the crowd claps a bit with the "ok, Frank, that's enough, nice job!" but he keeps going... lol. great concert though, been enjoying it!
I listened to both of the albums Charger posted (Sigur Ros & Explosions In The Sky - I've got several albums from both), but I find I can't work with those playing. I tend to mentally drift off somewhere - lol!
Next up was the Sheepster's recommendation of HorrorPops (which helped wake me up again - good stuff!).
I then listened to Djam Karet The Trip again (link in original thread about this) and ended with
The Flower Kings - Banks Of Eden 2012 :)
(I began to watch the Frank video, but thought I'd save him for later.)
Craig,
Forgive me. I thought everyone here had heard of Alan Holdsworth and Uriah Heep. I specifically mentioned links when available, to facilitate finding those groups mentioned by others that NOBODY ELSE HERE has even heard of.
Charger, read above. More than a little surprised that you don't know what kind of music these two groups play. Guess I assumed too much. Alan Holdsworth is widely praised as one of the greatest guitar players alive, constantly in the guitar mags for the last 30 years or so.... Uriah Heep, classic rock band from the 70s. Holdsworth still playing and putting out albums. Jazz/Rock fusion and you of all people should probably hear the guitarist that has the best legato style of anyone I've ever heard. This guy is from a different planet. If you are into legato and haven't heard a wide range of his music, prepare to be knocked out. (see how the description thing works? LOL )
You want links to Holdsworth? Let me set up an FTP for you. I have about 15 albums ripped. ;)
So yeah, while called on the carpet here, I would expect there be some differences in how we treat the spectrum of things we listen too. As an example, I'm listening to Led Zeppelin I and II this morning. I am NOT putting up links OR describing what kind of band and music this is, as I'm assuming you should have heard by now. And next is some Kansas, which I'll list later. And that is part of what I hoped this thread would be about as well. I MAINLY listen to music I have already. If I'm listening to this Zep now, the only link I need is to my MP3 folder on the hard drive. But when you guys mention going on you tube or wherever else you go and checking out obscure bands, then certainly links would be a benefit for the group AND, yes Charger, a mention of your opinion of the band WOULD be helpful. If Sheep finds some obscure prog band and thinks they rule, I'd like to HEAR that so I can check them out. Where if he says "here is a prog band I found and they ........ but I didn't think it was very good music" then I'm not likely to spend time chasing it. I didn't think asking for opinions on unheard of stuff was an unusual request.
DREAM THEATER RULES!
See, that would help all of you discover this killer band because you now know that they rule! See how that works? ;D ;D
Last night I listened to a Heap o' Heep. They have a newer release from 2012. Very Good IMO. Here is a link that will play the bulk of the cuts from that release. I also listened to some older stuff from 1971. I was amazed that the original line up is still pretty much intact. I had heard stuff from them many years ago, but had not listened to them in a long time. Good Stuff.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jjuf7KcLFus&list=PL91EF773BE9378FCE
I listened to Explosions in the Sky last night also. My first helping this morning was HorrorPops. That was a fair description Craig. Definitely had a Gwen Stefani sound.
I'm listening to The Flower Kings now, which I like quite alot. The link you posted was of a live show and was kind of muffled, so I found the studio cuts from Banks of Eden. Wiki also told me that they have a brand new 2013 release. A few cuts from it are available. will check those out next.
Here is a scrolling Banks of Eden Link: start with the second track
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AJnkySD8h0M&list=PL611C9C38E1EA6164
DreamTheaterRules — Dec 05, 2013Craig,
Forgive me. I thought everyone here had heard of Alan Holdsworth and Uriah Heep. I specifically mentioned links when available, to facilitate finding those groups mentioned by others that NOBODY ELSE HERE has even heard of.
Don't ask me for forgiveness, DM was the one gettin' on you (I just join in for fun). ;)
Besides, you STILL haven't done what I asked you to (listen to the Test mp3).
Oh yeah, and how can you be sure that someone YOU listen to all the time isn't someone another person's never heard of? :D
Now go listen to my test, forward to different parts, and tell me what you think so I can reveal who it was! :)
I listened to Comus, First Utterance this morning.
well, since it's my wake up CD, I listen to it every morning... but still, I'll mention it once for participation's sake. ;)
CraigBert — Dec 05, 2013
Don't ask me for forgiveness, DM was the one gettin' on you (I just join in for fun). ;)
Did anybody see the Tag of that bus that just ran over me??? ;D ;D
Craig, like I said, I couldn't fathom a bunch of guys our age and whom pretend to be guitar players not having HEARD OF Alan Holdsworth. I'd believe some haven't heard him, but he's been a guitar hero since I was a teenager.... in the mags, has Carvin guitar models named after him, Guitar Player Gallery of Greats, cover shot featured artist in most guitar mags at least once a year.... I could go on.
And Uriah Heep, well, if I were hanging out with a bunch of 20 year olds, I wouldn't expect them to necessarily know about them. They were a big deal in the 70s and MOST of us were around when they were. (Deano, than's for the link! Didn't know about the new stuff but I'll listen tonight and probably purchase soon.
And back to Craig.... 12:35 in and.... meh. Not diggin' it so much.
as stated before, Mahogany Rush used to be one of my favorite bands. I saw them in 80, 81 and 82 (I think on the years... 3 times in short succession) Have those old black vinyl things with their name on it!
DreamTheaterRules — Dec 05, 2013Craig, like I said, I couldn't fathom a bunch of guys our age and whom pretend to be guitar players not having HEARD OF Alan Holdsworth. I'd believe some haven't heard him, but he's been a guitar hero since I was a teenager.... in the mags, has Carvin guitar models named after him, Guitar Player Gallery of Greats, cover shot featured artist in most guitar mags at least once a year.... I could go on.
And Uriah Heep, well, if I were hanging out with a bunch of 20 year olds, I wouldn't expect them to necessarily know about them. They were a big deal in the 70s and MOST of us were around when they were. (Deano, than's for the link! Didn't know about the new stuff but I'll listen tonight and probably purchase soon.
And back to Craig.... 12:35 in and.... meh. Not diggin' it so much.
Yeah, so?
no clue who it is. Listened at work, tiny laptop speakers, etc. Loud enough to hear but not critical listening with analog front end and Charter RCA cables. ;D
I didn't care for it.
Good enough. Chances are there won't be much in the Prog world you'll really care for.
The song was the title song from the album with the strange cover shown in that other thread (with the cross-dressing guys on it). DM figured it out.
Forgive me. I thought everyone here had heard of Alan Holdsworth and Uriah Heep. I specifically mentioned links when available, to facilitate finding those groups mentioned by others that NOBODY ELSE HERE has even heard of.
Charger, read above. More than a little surprised that you don't know what kind of music these two groups play. Guess I assumed too much. Alan Holdsworth is widely praised as one of the greatest guitar players alive, constantly in the guitar mags for the last 30 years or so.... Uriah Heep, classic rock band from the 70s. Holdsworth still playing and putting out albums. Jazz/Rock fusion and you of all people should probably hear the guitarist that has the best legato style of anyone I've ever heard. This guy is from a different planet. If you are into legato and haven't heard a wide range of his music, prepare to be knocked out. (see how the description thing works? LOL )
DTR, I have definitely heard Allan Holdsworth, and know exactly who he is. However, he's done a lot of different albums with different people in a few different styles, I wasn't asking you to explain who Allan Holdsworth IS, but what the album is like.
Ironically, Wayne Shorter is probably as well known among jazz musicians as Holdsworth is among guitarists--fer chrissakes he was in the Jazz Messengers, the second great Miles Davis Quintet, and founded Weather Report-- but I'm not going to jump all over you for not knowing what a particular album sounds like, or not knowing who he is. In other words, no reason to be a dick about it.
Craig, I listened to your tune and wasn't very taken with it... rambling, lacking coherence, but a lot of that was motivated by my dislike of the mix which was bugging me the whole time. Seems to be a break at around 8 minutes, is this two songs? And I liked the singing at the end of the second song. If I was to hazard a guess I'd say this is Son Ra, but I'd probably be wrong.
Yesterday, I listened to a Parliament/Funkadelic concert on Youtube from 1976...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CiTh8BQ4oVU
These guys are so far out there in psychedelic land it's absurd. But at the same time, their funk and their groove is so sick it's undeniable. Eddie Hazel slashes all over the place with his guitar, the drummer absolutely kills it, and it's Parliament/Funkadelic! It's like a freakshow with funk. All kinds of insane costumes and maybe thirty people on stage. Tight and loose and crazy. I mostly listened but every time I flipped back to the video something insane was happening.
Then I listened to maybeshewill's album I Was Here for a Moment, Then I Was Gone. Not sure if I love it yet, but I definitely like it. Similar to a lot of stuff I listen to, much heavier, tighter, riff-oriented, and not quite as melodic or as song-structured as Explosions in the Sky. But listenable.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xnrDBZMe6BI
Right now I'm listening to the Album Leaf's Into the Blue Again. Softer, more melodic, less guitars, more Rhodes...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MlXAf7RUJdc&list=PLvBWC_RwI6dltMEEC8qGWwq3PqRZOdSqT
DreamTheaterRules — Dec 05, 2013Craig, like I said, I couldn't fathom a bunch of guys our age and whom pretend to be guitar players not having HEARD OF Alan Holdsworth. I'd believe some haven't heard him, but he's been a guitar hero since I was a teenager.... in the mags, has Carvin guitar models named after him, Guitar Player Gallery of Greats, cover shot featured artist in most guitar mags at least once a year.... I could go on.
You just keep piling it on, don't you? Jeesh. Woe to the person who "pretends" to be a guitar player who doesn't know all the music you know...
Of course, I'm not "of your age" either.
charger — Dec 05, 2013
DTR, I have definitely heard Allan Holdsworth, and know exactly who he is. However, he's done a lot of different albums with different people in a few different styles, I wasn't asking you to explain who Allan Holdsworth IS, but what the album is like.
Ironically, Wayne Shorter is probably as well known among jazz musicians as Holdsworth is among guitarists--fer chrissakes he was in the Jazz Messengers, the second great Miles Davis Quintet, and founded Weather Report-- but I'm not going to jump all over you for not knowing what a particular album sounds like, or not knowing who he is. In other words, no reason to be a dick about it.
Craig, I listened to your tune and wasn't very taken with it... rambling, lacking coherence, but a lot of that was motivated by my dislike of the mix which was bugging me the whole time. Seems to be a break at around 8 minutes, is this two songs? And I liked the singing at the end of the second song. If I was to hazard a guess I'd say this is Son Ra, but I'd probably be wrong.
I'd heard the name "Wayne Shorter" but still had to look that one up. Actually, that's exactly why I like threads like this. I find artists that "some" think everyone knows that I (and others) have never heard of.
Even I'd rank the test tune as somewhere between "Meh" and OK. But there was a side-joke about it that only DM got. It's the title track from the album with the weird cover of cross-dressing guys (Brainstorm - Smile Awhile).
There is sooooo much other great Prog out there and, I'm willing to bet, that Howie hasn't heard of 90% of the artists.
Now I'm off to checkout the Parliament/Funkadelic link (which I don't have anything from) before listening to Ironsheep's Comus wakeup album (which I do have). :)
Kaare Norge (classical guitar)... fantastic. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c8X2jyoW0Fg
A quick sample of the other Charger links has me liking Album Leaf, but really liking Maybeshewill. That one is definitely going on the wishlist. :)
CraigBert — Dec 05, 2013Good enough. Chances are there won't be much in the Prog world you'll really care for.
The song was the title song from the album with the strange cover shown in that other thread (with the cross-dressing guys on it). DM figured it out.
While I was listening, I held my phone up and did a google search on it. The Album cover came up and I about fell off my chair. ;D ;D
I love SoundHound. :)
Out of curiosity, I just checked out Charger's guess (actually Sun Ra, Son Ra doesn't exist) and even I can't handle listening to that! ;D
Craig, I figured that's who it was. ;)