For the second time in the last year-plus, since creating this music blog I am ending it.
True enough, the high point of blogging really was around 2007-9 or so. Hard to believe now
but my flag ship genre blog THE ROADS OF AUTUMN DUSK has 80 "followers" and numerous
comments on almost every post.
This blog has never quite done what I had hoped it would do...but...
that's kind of okay because this blog had a much narrower, laser thin if you will, focus and intended reach.
I am in reality not abandoning any of the goals but simply relocating to Wordpress.
So, no more duplication or doubling up but simply one site from henceforth. I will keep this url "alive" as long as Blogger permits for archival value (I guess? :) )
Follow my comments, reviews, and blathering on Progressive rock on the Wordpress version of
The (n)EVERLAND of PROG at
https://fatherwatson.wordpress.com/
Thanks for reading.
PROG Set To 11
Friday, March 13, 2015
Thursday, March 5, 2015
Tuesday, March 3, 2015
Will Blogger let me mention Wordpress in this Title?
New blog-post over at the main site: https://fatherwatson.wordpress.com/
We can't go on meeting like this for much longer :D
Mellotron On!
We can't go on meeting like this for much longer :D
Mellotron On!
Tuesday afternoon...(with the MOODIES #2)
Again, thank you Patti Hammerstein Dykstra :)
Mellotron On!
Mellotron On!
Monday, March 2, 2015
MARILLION MONDAYS: Gaza
My favorite Band, MARILLION, with one of my favorite epic songs off their most recent album...
To be sure, it's been castigated by PC power-elites as "controversial/political" but it shouldn't be. War is evil and so is apartheid, embargos, denial of civil rights, and a host of other crimes against the innocents of Gaza. But geo-political battles aside, it's a gutsy and dynamic piece of art by the one and only MARILLION!
Prog On!
To be sure, it's been castigated by PC power-elites as "controversial/political" but it shouldn't be. War is evil and so is apartheid, embargos, denial of civil rights, and a host of other crimes against the innocents of Gaza. But geo-political battles aside, it's a gutsy and dynamic piece of art by the one and only MARILLION!
Prog On!
Saturday, February 28, 2015
JON MIRSALIS: MUSICAL MAESTRO OF A THOUSAND TALENTS
SUNRISE is simply one of the best movies ever made: period! Silent or not, if you have not seen this F.W. Murnau classic you're no movie fan. This powerful story of lust, betrayal, hatred, love and redemption had both me and my wife weeping with joy when we saw it screened at the Lawrence Arts Center several years ago, accompanied by the live music of the Mont Alto Motion Picture Orchestra.
Well, last night in Topeka, at the 19th annual Kansas Silent Film Festival I saw two fabulously funny and entertaining comedy 5-reelers. The first was Harold Lloyd's 1922 "Grandma's Boy," and the second was Buster Keaton's 1927 "College." While there was no Mont Alto this year, the great Californian polymath, protean genius (I'm really not exaggerating) and Renaissance man Dr. Jon Mirsalis (scientist, researcher, patent holder, Lon Chaney Sr. expert, silent film expert, composer, musician, and accompanist extraordinaire) played piano and keyboards to the Keaton masterpiece. And I WAS THERE! I would have gone up and gotten his autograph, but with limited funds (i.e. no money) I was unable to purchase any of his scored DVD silents that were for sale.
While not Prog in the sense of Rick Wakeman or Keith Emmerson, Dr. Jon Mirsalis' playing last night was truly progressive in expressing ideas, emotions, and a wealth of other plot devices and manifestations.
If you ever have a chance to hear Mirsalis play--TAKE IT!
Mellotron On!
Well, last night in Topeka, at the 19th annual Kansas Silent Film Festival I saw two fabulously funny and entertaining comedy 5-reelers. The first was Harold Lloyd's 1922 "Grandma's Boy," and the second was Buster Keaton's 1927 "College." While there was no Mont Alto this year, the great Californian polymath, protean genius (I'm really not exaggerating) and Renaissance man Dr. Jon Mirsalis (scientist, researcher, patent holder, Lon Chaney Sr. expert, silent film expert, composer, musician, and accompanist extraordinaire) played piano and keyboards to the Keaton masterpiece. And I WAS THERE! I would have gone up and gotten his autograph, but with limited funds (i.e. no money) I was unable to purchase any of his scored DVD silents that were for sale.
While not Prog in the sense of Rick Wakeman or Keith Emmerson, Dr. Jon Mirsalis' playing last night was truly progressive in expressing ideas, emotions, and a wealth of other plot devices and manifestations.
If you ever have a chance to hear Mirsalis play--TAKE IT!
Mellotron On!
LONELY ROBOT - Airlock (Teaser)
Do you like science fiction? OF COURSE YOU DO!
Do you like rich, lush, prog music with concept-themes and incredible melodies? DUH!
Are you a "thinking man?" WELL..............?
Surf over to The (n)EVERLAND OF PROG on wordpress https://fatherwatson.wordpress.com/
to read my review of this singular 2015 mega-release.
And since you're a "hard case," here's a snippet to hook you like a large-mouth (Mickey's) bass
Mellotron On!
Do you like rich, lush, prog music with concept-themes and incredible melodies? DUH!
Are you a "thinking man?" WELL..............?
Surf over to The (n)EVERLAND OF PROG on wordpress https://fatherwatson.wordpress.com/
to read my review of this singular 2015 mega-release.
And since you're a "hard case," here's a snippet to hook you like a large-mouth (Mickey's) bass
Mellotron On!
Friday, February 27, 2015
New Post sorta
I've got a brand-new album review posted on our doppelganger site (....hmmm...or is this the simulacrum site?)
check it out:
https://fatherwatson.wordpress.com/
Mellotron On!
check it out:
https://fatherwatson.wordpress.com/
Mellotron On!
Thursday, February 26, 2015
BIG BIG TRAIN: Thursdays
What a perfect little gem of a tune to put a smile on your face (especially if you're in a wintry and frigid part of America or the UK).
'Uncle Jack' (written in honor of lead vocalist David Longdon's uncle) is the second track on BBT's 2012 album ENGLISH ELECTRIC PART ONE. It appears as the third track of disc one on their Double album (with extra tracks) of 2013 FULL POWER.
This is a song totally immune from the criticisms sometimes leveled at bands like Mumford & Sons as being only tepid ersatz folk rock or roots-rock. No! This song is so genuine and earthy that you can taste the 'bangers & mash' and smell the stout (or coffee).
That first 20 seconds, once the banjo (Dave Gregory) takes off, has one grinning, bopping the head, and tapping the foot. Then when the vocal harmonies join in with the lead of David Longdon you're in heaven--which is fitting since Longdon truly has a voice of an angel.
This song has one thinking of the perfect meld of Jethro Tull and Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young, only far better than both!
What a salutary love poem to localism, rootedness, and earth; GKC would be smiling...heck, Wendell Berry too.
Mellotron On!
'Uncle Jack' (written in honor of lead vocalist David Longdon's uncle) is the second track on BBT's 2012 album ENGLISH ELECTRIC PART ONE. It appears as the third track of disc one on their Double album (with extra tracks) of 2013 FULL POWER.
This is a song totally immune from the criticisms sometimes leveled at bands like Mumford & Sons as being only tepid ersatz folk rock or roots-rock. No! This song is so genuine and earthy that you can taste the 'bangers & mash' and smell the stout (or coffee).
That first 20 seconds, once the banjo (Dave Gregory) takes off, has one grinning, bopping the head, and tapping the foot. Then when the vocal harmonies join in with the lead of David Longdon you're in heaven--which is fitting since Longdon truly has a voice of an angel.
This song has one thinking of the perfect meld of Jethro Tull and Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young, only far better than both!
What a salutary love poem to localism, rootedness, and earth; GKC would be smiling...heck, Wendell Berry too.
Mellotron On!
Wednesday, February 25, 2015
You know what, I'm happy
First Droopy (love me that Daws Butler)
Then the reason thereof:
I have long drooled over, and thumbed through, PROG on the newstand--or, at least the magazine section of my local HASTINGS (which has been like a ghost-town for the last several years...no one reading or BUYING magazines anymore it seems). I would buy every issue of PROG but for the too-high (for me) cover price. Heck, for $3.99 I can buy that Cars album I don't have or the Geo. Lynch Dokken masterpiece that's on sale (HASTINGS is pretty slim pickens when it comes to actual Prog Cds :( ) So I just can't seem to part with the $15 bucks that this journal requires.
But my best friend in the universe, Reliops of California (the Spoiler of plebian music), bought me a subscription for Christmas. My first issue just arrived. I can't wait to listen to the free Cd sampler on my way to Kansas City tonight. I also can't wait till March 4th when Steven Wilson's much lauded new album drops. Stay tuned.
Mellotron On!
Then the reason thereof:
I have long drooled over, and thumbed through, PROG on the newstand--or, at least the magazine section of my local HASTINGS (which has been like a ghost-town for the last several years...no one reading or BUYING magazines anymore it seems). I would buy every issue of PROG but for the too-high (for me) cover price. Heck, for $3.99 I can buy that Cars album I don't have or the Geo. Lynch Dokken masterpiece that's on sale (HASTINGS is pretty slim pickens when it comes to actual Prog Cds :( ) So I just can't seem to part with the $15 bucks that this journal requires.
But my best friend in the universe, Reliops of California (the Spoiler of plebian music), bought me a subscription for Christmas. My first issue just arrived. I can't wait to listen to the free Cd sampler on my way to Kansas City tonight. I also can't wait till March 4th when Steven Wilson's much lauded new album drops. Stay tuned.
Mellotron On!
The Flower Kings - Pipes of Peace
Due to my other, other gig (i.e. my full-time vocation) I'm probably not going to be able to post as often as I had hoped during this period of "re-launch." We'll see.
But in the spirit of my vocational music (no, I'm not an organist but I'm married to a musical lady who can play the organ) I present a marvelous little "minute-plus" piece by the amazing TOMAS BODIN, keyboard wizard extraordinaire of The Flower Kings. This virtuoso snippet would be well suited for our Lententide services...just sayin' :)
Mellotron On!
But in the spirit of my vocational music (no, I'm not an organist but I'm married to a musical lady who can play the organ) I present a marvelous little "minute-plus" piece by the amazing TOMAS BODIN, keyboard wizard extraordinaire of The Flower Kings. This virtuoso snippet would be well suited for our Lententide services...just sayin' :)
Mellotron On!
Tuesday, February 24, 2015
New Post
A new text-post has been posted on the mirror Wordpress site.
Check it out: https://fatherwatson.wordpress.com/
Mellotron On!
Check it out: https://fatherwatson.wordpress.com/
Mellotron On!
Moody Blues: House of Four Doors~Part 1
TUESDAY AFTERNOON (with the MOODIES) #1
Although not considered prog my most progologists (and rightly so, I think) this was THE band that opened it all up for me.
Here (and hear) is part 1 of one of my favorites which definitely has prog elements.
Mellotron On!
Monday, February 23, 2015
Marillion - The Invisible Man - Out Of Season DVD
How can I handcuff a bloomin' shirt?
H.G. Wells' Dr. Jack Griffin (Claude Rains too) would absolutely love this tune (I know I do!!! but then Marillion has become my favorite band) even in his own chemically induced insanity
H.G. Wells' Dr. Jack Griffin (Claude Rains too) would absolutely love this tune (I know I do!!! but then Marillion has become my favorite band) even in his own chemically induced insanity
New Post...but you've got to point your mouse and click :)
Surf over to the "mirror" image (sort of, sideway, backwards....) blog of this blog at Wordpress:
https://fatherwatson.wordpress.com/
for the most recent post.
In a short while this blogger site will cease and all content will only be available at the Wordpress url.
There's a few more YouTube videos to post here first :)
Mellotronally,
jww
https://fatherwatson.wordpress.com/
for the most recent post.
In a short while this blogger site will cease and all content will only be available at the Wordpress url.
There's a few more YouTube videos to post here first :)
Mellotronally,
jww
Sunday, February 22, 2015
EVERLAND
So why do I have a new blog name? As a huge fan of Al Stewart (my favorite
singer/songwriter) and an admirer of the fiction of Kurt Vonnegut, I wanted to
go with The Sirens of Titan. As that
title was already taken on blogger I
used a spelling variation. It was to be an all-purpose musical blog primarily
directed at a very limited audience. Now
that I’m going to focus primarily on progressive rock music I decided to change
it.
I had purchased Brave by Marillion back
in 2005 and while impressed with its scope and emotional depth, was not as overblown
as I had hoped. Limited funds (the
universal cry of all music nerds and especially progheads—dang double albums
and bonus editions ;) ) kept me from buying more of their back catalog. It wasn’t until Dr. Thomas Woods had Marillion vocalist Steve Hogarth on his podcast http://tomwoods.com/blog/marillions-steve-hogarth-on-the-past-and-the-future/
that I dipped back into Marillion. I followed Dr.
Woods’ suggestion to view the live version of Neverland and I was hooked. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rWFuzjqJYpY
I think my credit card was humming the amazon.com theme song within minutes of
that YouTube video. The performance was everything and more that
Woods said it would be. Now, several Marillion albums later (only “several”…dang limited funds) Hogarth and company are in heavy rotation
and enshrined in the Beatific Tonalities Pantheon.
The current blog title is a “take” on that song title Neverland with the added twist that the
letter “n” is put in lower case in
parenthesis. A bit of a play also on
J.M. Barrie’s Neverland (magical,
mythological, fantasy lands seem to be very prog friendly in my mind) but also
a bit of theological/teleological commentary on the inaugurated eschatology of “now/not yet.” We live in a broken world
where all around us everything decays and dies…even our music. Our attempt at lasting fulfillment in the here
& now is a Lenten trek through a “Neverland.”
But beautiful and melodic music
(prog) need not be some inane Hegelian game of Sisyphean pop culture. Lovers of the transcendence that comes from
the best of prog (Yes, Camel, Genesis, Spock’ Beard, Flower Kings, the Tangent,
Big Big Train) and yes, Marillion’s Everland, believe, teach, and confess
that in heaven (or whatever afterlife they may posit) we will be not only be in
Everland,
but that we will have found all the lost chords.
Saturday, February 21, 2015
Small We Begin
I would like to begin at the beginning, but
this is only the initial blog post to restart an inconsequential blog and not a
bloated autobiography.
My love for music comes from my Dad. Though
our musical tastes were not identical he did help shape my love for melody and
an appreciation for beauty in music. He
loved to whistle; that says a lot.
I was very unmusical in Junior High at a
time when watching too much television had me missing out on the golden age of
mid to late 60’s rock and pop. I knew the
Beatles
of course, watched the Monkees on the tube, and had friends
who liked the Doors, Simon & Garfunkel, and Dylan,
but I did not become a regular listener of music until my Junior year in High
School. My clock radio introduced me to AM top forty but also to the almost prog sounds of Procol
Harum’s Conquistador. Thanks to the Midnight Special and other sources I also became acquainted with Three
Dog Night (remember, melody) and the Bee Gees (ditto) pre-Saturday Night Fever. I also loved the Guess Who.
It was at a party that a friend introduced
me to a band that forever has changed my musical life. PD who helped provide music for the party
brought her collection of Moody Blues’ albums…and she loaned
them to me to re-listen to at my leisure.
Have I mentioned melody? While
this is not a post about the magnificent Moodies I can honestly say that the succeeding
40 years has been a quest in finding bands that might touch me with the
supernal joys that I first experienced from journeying from Days of Future Past to Seventh Sojourn.
I quickly discovered Queen and Electric
Light Orchestra (there were things on AM radio worth pursuing) and my
cousin Dave introduced me another band that would forever mold my musical
tastes—Genesis. I also started
exploring the discographies of Yes and Jethro Tull, two bands I
met via their top forty hits: Roundabout
and Aqualung.
And now decades later, I re-launch this
music blog originally started in early 2014 under the name Seirenes of Titan (even though blogs are so 2009) because my
long-time best friend “the Spoiler” has re-kindled my love
for prog which had dwindled and burned out back around 2005/6. I also acknowledge a debt of gratitude to
both Dr. Thomas Woods and Dr. Brad Birzer.
The love these two marvelous Christian scholars and amateur prog
musicologists have for progressive music, and the joy in which they share their
passions, caused me to discover BIG BIG TRAIN. This band alone can fuel a plethora of future
posts. But I have also been diving back
into the Flower Kings, Marillion, and Steven Wilson.
I only scratch the surface here.
That’s why there will be more posts to
come.
The Moody Blues were only the beginning
in this trek to The (n)Everland of Prog. I continue searching for lost chords.
Monday, February 16, 2015
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