Prog Rock
Not Forgotten: Matt Berry – Opium
A few weeks ago my father-in-law asked me, as the family’s resident source of music recommendations, if there was an act in the contemporary music scene that I was genuinely excited about. “Matt Berry”, was my immediate answer. The reason for my lack of hesitation in my response was simple. Other than Half Man Half …
Not Forgotten: Caravan – In the Land of Grey and Pink
Along with Soft Machine, Caravan are perhaps the definitive Canterbury Scene progressive rock act. Less jazzy than their more famous neighbours, Caravan weren’t as heavy handed as their more critically lauded peers, but what they did have was a much firmer grasp of pop dynamics and nowhere was this more obvious than their 1971 album, …
Album Review: Matt Berry – Matt Berry and The Maypoles Live
A quick perusal of the artwork of Matt Berry and the Maypoles Live, with it’s Acid Jazz label styled in the manner of the old Philips logo, a back cover which consists of the tracklisting and photos of the individual members of The Maypoles playing live and the inside of the CD booklet consisting of …
Live: Fish & Lazuli – Sheffield City Hall – 10.12.2015
Way back in the mid-90s, I turned down the opportunity to see Fish live in concert, and opted to go and see another band, who I was more familiar with. The band I saw were distinctly disappointing, and I’ve regretted not choosing to see the former Marillion frontman instead ever since, especially as, a couple …
Not Forgotten: Jethro Tull – Thick as a Brick
There are some albums that don’t just define an act’s career, or a moment in time, but a whole musical movement. It’s those albums where the act haven’t just pushed themselves creatively, but have comprehensively outsmarted each and every one of their contemporaries and produce a musical statement which the listener doesn’t just go ‘Wow, …
Not Forgotten: Roger Chapman – Chappo
Former Family man Roger Chapman didn’t exactly pick a prime time to start his solo career. Following his Family days, he formed a new band, Streetwalkers, who enjoyed modest success, but they didn’t experience the same level of success as Family had. By 1979 the Punk flame, although guttering, was at least still lit and …
Not Forgotten: Robert Wyatt – Rock Bottom
Rock Bottom is an album that many have attempted to emulate over the years, but few have succeeded. The genesis of the album’s creation, delayed by Wyatt’s accident that led him to spend the rest of his life in a wheelchair and its subsequent reputation as an avant-garde classic, is well documented and this album …
Album Review: Seluah – Phase III
Seluah’s sophomore album Phase III is one that’ll snake around your brain as you sink into its layered sprawling mass of sound. Advertising itself as a psychedelic/noir album, Phase III often restrains itself from the outrageous twists and turns psych music can take. Instead it seems to grasp on to post-punk sensibilities, as demonstrated by …
Not Forgotten: Marillion – Brave
It’s odd isn’t it, the amount of importance we put on being ‘cool’. Of course, the pressure on us be perceived as cool can be crippling in our teenage years, but it’s something which can continue to linger throughout our twenties, and for some of us, well into our thirties and beyond. Of course, what …
Not Forgotten: Matt Berry – Witchazel
Initially released as a one day only freebie back in 2009, before seeing a wider commercial release in 2011, Witchazel is effectively the album where Matt Berry’s musical career really started gathering momentum. While the album Opium pre-dates it, as does the music he produced for a number of television shows, for Witchazel’s 2011 release …