The Blues (Collage, 1994)

I do think "Moonshine" is a neo-prog masterpiece and you'll find more than one song from this album in my blog. Collage were at their best during the composition and recording process of this work. Some of the songs are no doubt prog pearls and "The Blues" certainly is. Its rich, flushing texture and its excellent melodies are there to please the prog ears. I also like all those tempo and volume changes, ranging between a sparkling and lively rock and atmospheric, graceful passages.

The 20th anniversary of "Moonshine"... a good reason to celebrate!

 

Robert Amirian's voice is simply perfect, so full of energy and also sensible and delicate when it comes to that. And at minute 4:20 begins what is likely to be my favourite moment: a sudden stop, then a long and enthralling instrumental passage, including some keen guitar / keyboard interplays and solos. A treat, if you ask me. Well, that's enough with descriptions: listen to it, then let me know what you think of it.

Safe [Canon Song] (Chris Squire, 1975)

"Fish out of Water", the first Chris Squire's solo album, was never fully appreciated, IMHO, and this song, the last and longest one, should prove my view. The symphonic structure of "Safe", its somewhat hieratic themes (well, the sub-title Canon Song is there for some reason, I daresay) and the perfect balance between Squire's unavoidable performance and the rest of the band's contribution seem to me the highlights of this track.

"Fish out of water" was a treat for many Yes and prog fans.

Chris's voice isn't exactly Jon Anderson's, but I like it very much both here and in Yes songs. More than this, the quiet, acoustic contributions by Jimmy Hastings (flute), Mel Collins (sax) and the orchestra are so well mixed with the electric instruments that I can hardly tell the ones from the others. It's a majestic and deep piece of music, with no useless and baroque fillers: each moment is there to give an emotion and this is exactly what I call prog rock.

Conquest of Paradise (Vangelis, 1992)

It was difficult for me to choose just one song among the huge discography of Ευάγγελος Οδυσσέας Παπαθανασίου, or Vangelis, as we all know him. A great composer, far from any musical label, but certainly not too far from prog rock (and you'll find some of his joint ventures in this blog). I finally decided to present here the title track of his 1992 original soundtrack for "Conquest of Paradise", celebrating Columbus and his explorations.

Vangelis is the author of a dozen beautiful original soundtracks.

A majestic theme, some airy keyboards, a bombastic orchestration, a magniloquent choir performance, but also a sensitive piano and well found rythmic solutions. Strangely enough, this track didn't get so popular at the film release time, but it surely did later, when it proved to be perfect for advertising spots, event openings and award ceremonies. This is also true for many other tracks by Vangelis and I do think he's the best one when it comes to rouse and excite people. That's why I listen to his music when I need some extra energy.

Heretics (Dream The Electric Sleep, 2014)

"Heretics" will luckily be considered the consecration CD for this Kentucky based band. And I do think they're mature enough to leave the wannabe status and enter the modern prog bands inner circle. As this title track can easily prove, they play a rather rough and keenly assembled kind of prog, definitely XXIst Century branded, but also reminiscent of the glorious past (especially of King Crimson, I daresay).

"Heretics" is the band's second studio album.

The saturated electric mood of this song is charming. The bass and the rythm guitar underline a discreet, effective background work (no keys, but a ton of beautiful guitar effects) and some crying solos. From the leading wall of sound to the final suspended landscapes, all is essential and perfectly in tune. These guys work and re-work their materials until they find that sound, that bridge, that distorsion. They're never trivial and never predictable. This and their taste for good melodies are enough for me. But then, I know, I'm just a simple progfan.

Wartime Chronicles (Andrew Roussak, 2008)

Born in Russia, but especially active in the German prog scene, Andrew Roussak is a talented keyboardist, a very good composer and also a spectacular performer, IMHO. He played with some prog bands  and also won the online competition launched by The Tangent to play in their album COMM. (And that's how I came across his name). This track comes from his solo album "No Trespassing" and perfectly represents Roussak's eclectic and bombastic idea of prog, something between Rick Wakeman and neo-prog bands.

"No Trespassing" was Roussak's debut solo album.

 

"Wartime Chronicles" is full of changes, strong guitar riffs (by guest guitarist Oliver Weisloger) , quick scales, classical refeerences and it's also graced by the clever drumming of Hendrik Plachtzik, let alone Andrew's grand piano. I really like the turning points of this instrumental, some of which are unpredictable and very well found. If you like enthralling and majestic music, try this track!

To France (Mike Oldfield, 1984)

I must admit this song is one of my favourite short songs by Mike Oldfield. Its remarkable balance between pop elements, folk roots and progressive visions gives birth to a delicate and well arranged track. Maggie Reilly's voice is a winning point here, and so are some old fashioned sounds, coming from Oldfield's huge collection.

This song also was a successful single release.



The lyrics about the Queen of Scots Mary's exile in France are also well written, but the sung melody is the actual pearl of "To France", IMHO. Rich and delicate, this theme is like a musical embroidery, a light and bright acoustic drawing. The acoustic instruments are wisely mixed to the electric ones, so that a full-bodied Fender Stratocaster's solo empowers this gentle tapestry. Sure, it's just a song... but oh my, what a song!

Skellig (Mr. Gil, 2010)

Ex-members of Polish band Collage definitely have a busy life. Guitarist Mirek Gil, for example, founded both Believe (see in this blog) and Mr. Gil, two very different bands, as the first ones bring on a traditional neo-prog music, while the latter released some unpredictable albums. "Skellig" is the title song of Mr. Gil's second studio work and is a keyboard-free album. Here Mirek's guitars are the leading instruments, especially his deaming electric guitar, mixing Hackett's and Gilmour's ways... not to mention Rothery's!

Each album by Mr.Gil has its own taste... that's why I like them!

 

The rythm section is also very good: in this song both drummer Wojtek Szadkowski and bassist Przemas Zawadzki contribute to the big picture with their neat and discreet work. Finally, the warm vocals by Karol Wroblewski match with the sensitive and emotional melodies. I also appreciate that the lyrics here are in the band's native language: this stresses the confidential mood of the track and adds a natural, inner side to this beautiful prog ballad.