Fiori - Séguin - Deux cents nuits à l'heure (1978)

Fiori - Séguin - Deux cents nuits à l'heure 

  Deux cents nuits à l'heure (Two Hundred Nights Per Hour), was the collaborative efforts of  Québec folk-prog singer-songwriters Serge Fiori and Richard Séguin.   In many ways this album marks for me the end of the 70's prog Québec music scene.   

 At the time of this recording Serge Fiori had left Harmonium, while  les Séguins, had also recently folded, leaving the two artists finally free to collaborate on this new project.

 Fiori and Séguin are backed up by a great lineup of musicians that had performed and toured in support of Harmonium's L'Heptade.  The band included Neil Chotem – electric piano, Michel Dion – electric bass, Denis Farmer – drums, tambourine, Monique Fauteux - vocals (4 tracks), Libert Subirana - flutes, saxophones (6 tracks), Jeff Fisher - keyboards (4 tracks), Robert Stanley - electric guitar (5 tracks) And Pierre Cormier - congas (2 tracks).  

Musically the album covers a wide range of styles and tempos, incorporating many of the sounds and stylings familiar to that of Harmonium.  

Neal Morse - Momentum (2012)

Neal Morse - Momentum 

Momentum is the ninth solo album (not counting his live, demos albums etc.) for ex Spock's Beard lead vocalist Neal Morse and represents another milestone is his discography and for me one of his most complete albums.    I have followed Morse pretty close over the years and have snagged a number of his albums and Inner Circle ditties and I would put Momentum in the superb category!

   Joining Morse are his 2 "faithful" companions.......Dream Theater's Mike Portnoy and bassist Randy George who seem to work so well all together.   

   Like all of Neal's solo albums they draw musically on the symphonic progressive rock genre with pop tinges and a heavingly halo of the lyrics.  

  On Momentum his music feels deeply inspired and as always very creative and catchy!   

Just how does he does this time and time again ????????

Of course the watermark on this album is the 33 minute epic track "World Without End" with its 6 part interludes and is an amazing song!   Side one is comprised of 5 shorter songs with varied tempos and themes including an ode to Spock's Beard with "Thoughts Part 5" and its associated Gentle Giant bits of harmonic craziness and wild semi- structured parts.

  Overall a fantastic album that feels inspired and has some great breathtaking moments.
  

   

  

Lyres - A Promise Is A Promise (1988)

Lyres - A Promise Is A Promise + bonus LP

  Somewhere between garage rock, power-pop, psych rock and punk rock lies Boston's Lyres....a band that were local heroes and a band that just rocked!    Imagine the Ramones meet the B-52's meet Bubble Puppy meet The Fuzztones!

      I love all their albums but I think on "A Promise Is A Promise" they expanded their music playing and went for a less garage psychy feel and took a more power pop avenue.   If you have never heard the vocal of Jeff Conolly then you are in for quite a ride my friend!   

This album rocks...from start to finish and is a mixed bag of goodies from old and new tracks with some live numbers too from their European tour and a number of covers too!   There is a killer version of The Sonics' classic "Witch" taken from a concert in France they did. 

  My version of the album is a double vinyl on Oshawa's own local Star Records label and comes with a bonus 7 track LP of additional material from a Boston radio station visit spanning their first 3 albums and opens with a total kiss-ass version of "she pays the rent".  

  How this band didnt make a bigger splash I will never know ...........

   

Perth County Conspiracy - Alive (1971)

Perth County Conspiracy - Alive (1971)

   Years ago i downloaded a poor quality bootleg mp3 version of this album and i was very pleased to have found this double vintage vinyl in great shape at a recent record shop for $6.99!

  According to the liner notes this live album was recorded at the Bathurst St. United Church in Toronto way back in 1970 and was engineered by A very young Terry Brown who would go on to produce the music of RUSH.

  Musically the Perth County Conspiracy play very much in the classic folk psych vein and very remiscent of Crosby, Stills Nash and Young with excellent vocal harmonies and that spirtual acoustic vibe.   There is some great music on this 2 LP set and they were a very good band !   

  The album's inner art and documentation is quite awesome too with lots and lots of psych craziness all done by Bart Schoales.

 The band was guitarist Richard Keelan (formerly of the American band The Spike Drivers) and Cedric Smith, who were joined by Terry Jones (guitar, vocals), Michael Butler (bass) and George Taros (piano, vocals) and other friends and family members all who lived on a commune.

  There is some major tripping going on i think at times on this album.......like the song about an old John Deere 2 stroke engine.........

An excellent album and a bit of Cancon history on this one too !

 The final song "Uncle Jed" was recorded at the old Toronto tavern the Black Swan !

Klaus Wunderlich - Hammond Pops 4 (1969)

Klaus Wunderlich - Hammond Pops 4 (1969)

  I have to admit I was a bit sketchy on this one too from the cheesecake'y cover but I was totally surprised by the content.   This album was another fine $ 1.00 pick up from my local Thrift Store and I bought it totally on a whim......and what a find !
  Klaus Wunderlich recorded a number of Hammond Pops albums in the late 60's and early 70's all featuring his creative and modern sounds of the Hammond organ.

  I think when listening to this album you need to keep in mind that this was late 60's and recording technology was still in progress.
  
  Klaus was able to overdub and create some very unique sounds out of the Hammond almost as if at times you'd think it was a vintage 70's synths.  His interpretations of the music is also very interesting and does not simply put the music to hammond.  The coolness for me on this album is that Wunderlich reinterprets the music and produced this thru the analogue hammond.

  The album plays non-stop which is kind of cool too.....not unlike the "Stars on 45" or "hooked on__ Series" with no clear vinyl delineation between tracks...in fact they all just run on together.

  This album would be a great addition to your next pool party or bachelor pad get together ! 

Bud Powell - Inner Fires (1953)

Bud Powell - Inner Fires

  Here is great jazz trio at work waaaaaay back in 1953 with Bud Powell in the spotlight with his adventurous piano, Charles Mingus' big bass lines and the percussive touches of Roy Haynes.   Audiophiles should take note that this album is NOT for you....repeat this album is NOT for you.
  What "Inner Fires" loses in sound it more than makes up for in musicianship!   Recorded live April 5th 1953 at the Club Kavakos in Washington DC this album is like a real little musical snapshot....a time capsule into an evening that was extra special.

  The album does sadly suffer from a poor source tape and engineering Jack Towers did his very best to preserve and remaster this treasured recording.  What you will hear is Powell at the height of his prowess and nonquestion having Mingus right beside you on stage made him play his very best!    

  This is very exciting music and for any true fan of piano-centric jazz (ie, Art Tatum) will need to own a copy of this gem.  

Sigur Rós - Kveikur (2013)

Sigur Rós - Kveikur

  Sigur Rós have done it again....they have managed to release another epic album that will take you into the far reaches of the universe!

  "Kveikur" is a bit more aggressive in nature and offers another different approach than their previous masterpiece "Valtari" but maintains their epic sonic landscapes and grand building cresendos. 

    Sigur Rós have a real flare for writing these songs that build up to a huge release that usually tear out your soul.....and I am pleased to say that they have once again achieved this objective.
  

Dave Brubeck - Take Five (1959)

Dave Brubeck - Take Five, SACD

   OK so who hasn't heard this jazz masterpiece on the planet ?   IMHO "Take Five" is one of the most significant jazz albums of all time and would rank right up there on my desert island picks.

    My mom had a vinyl copy of this album waaaaaaay back when and I remember listening to this with her and having her try to explain the wild timing Brubeck utilized on this album.  "Blue Rondo a la Turk" 

  

Genesis - Seconds Out (1977)

Genesis  -  Seconds Out  (2 LP set)

  Any fan of Genesis has likely marvelled at this two LP set capturing them live post Peter Gabriel era.  Exit Mr. Peter Gabriel and enter Chester Thompson and Bill Bruford who more than adequatley sub in as drummers and percussionists while Phil Collins takes over lead vocals.

   "Seconds Out"was recorded in Paris during the 1976 and 1977 tours and represents a wonderful cross section of songs from the early and mid period albums.
   
   No question Genesis were one of the great progressive rock bands of all time and this double live album is proof of just how good they were.  I personally prefer the vocals of Peter Gabriel but Phil does a good job too and he sounds great on this tour.

 
   

Starwood (1977)

Starwood

Starwood formed in the early 70's in Aspen, Colorado and managed to release only 2 albums before splitting up with Member Bob Carpenter joining the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band .  John Denver signed the band to his fledgling Windsong label for one album and then Starwood toured extensively with Santana, Journey, Eddie Money, Quicksilver Messenger Service and of course Nitty Gritty Dirt Band.    The line up was David James Holister (vocals, guitar),  Bob Carpenter ( keyboards), Haden Gregg (guitar, vocals), Bob Mason  (guitar, vocals),  Bernie Mysior ( bass) ,  Michael Buono (drums) and Bryan Savage ( woodwinds).

  The watermark on this album is the tune "Silver and Gold" which has a very strong Crosby Stills Nash and Young vibe about it.   The whole album is enjoyable and this 7 piece band were excellent and it is too bad they had such a short life span.

Miles Davis - In A Silent Way (1969)

Miles Davis - In A Silent Way SACD

  "In a silent way" was one of the albums that got me into fusion.......

Miles managed to draw in Tony Williams and John McLaughlin fresh from their groundbreaking work on "Emergency" along with Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, Dave Holland, Chick Corea ad Josef Zawinul to create a new kind of album!

   No question this album will spiral you deep into space.......

  It seems like Miles almost eases us all into this new sound....The aply titled A-side of the album, "Shhh/Peaceful,"  opens in a very soft, space-like manner with Corea's & Hancock's Fender Rhode and electric piano work, Williams cymbol rolls with Davis and McLaughlin answering each other in a peaceful manner.  The opening chords of this album marks for me the dawn of somethng new...an almost audio birth with a promise that something wonderful is about to happen.    As soon as I hear the opening chords of this album I know what I am going to sit in a silent way for about 40 mins!

But enough of the review....i will leave this for others who are better qualified to handle this one and all I can say is that I have been a huge fan of this album since the day I first heard it...

Now for the sound.....

  I believe this album has been put on SACD a number of times, but sadly I dont own any of them so I can not offer an educated comparison to the MOFI release, but I can offer a comparison to my original Sony RBCD and that is it is an improvement!    

First off let me say that this is not the  best sounding SACD in my collection .....there are many other SACD's that outperform the dynamics and quality of sound over this one!   I bet this is true of the other "In A Silent Way" SACD releases too as the original masters are just less dynamic than other pressings.  This SACD offers more of an overall group sound where the individual artist is just as clearly distinguishable as on other SACD's.     There is a definite presence of tape hiss and I think the SACD clarity brings this to life more so than the RBCD version.  The hiss is not horrible or anything but just on higher volumes does become more evident.   Also there is a small sonic glitch at the 11 minute mark (likely a cut in merging songs) almost which I suspect was on the original master and left on this version in its approach to retain its full integrity. 

  But having said that there is something about this MOFI SACD version that I really appreciate....it may just be that the recording is just so pure and "untouched" and in its bare form sounds real and authentic.     No question the goal of Rob LoVerde was to retain the original master tape integrity without too much human intervention and for this I do hear and apprecite what he has done.  Regardless of tape imperfections the clarity is good.  For example during the 5:00 mins marker on side two (In A Silent Way/It's About That Time) you can actually hear very soft talking...almost whispers that I never heard before!

In summary the music is unforgettable......the sound is excellent but not an essential SACD but a good one!

Urges - Psych Ward (2008)

Urges - Psych Ward

  ok so I see all the criticisms out there about this album..."garage-rock bands are a bit dated" (I guess) and "there is nothing new here"...but for some reason I am totally into this album.....

Perhaps my fondness for Psych and garage rock is just too strong but I think this album plays a superb ode to this genre and these Dubliners are "heavy-man". 

Tony Williams - Emergency (1969)

Tony Williams - Emergency

  My first encounter with el-drummer-extraordinaire was during my Miles Davis days but it was my boosom pal Doug who "put me on the track to burn a little brighter now" with the solo albums of Willams.
  Emergency was a very influential album back in 1969 and is considered one of the watermarks in the Fusion genre still today.

The Tony Williams Lifetime was a combo of Williams,  guitarist John McLaughlin and organist Larry Young aka  (aka Khalid Yasin) .    Musically this is pure fusion !   Gigantic drumming and percussion with endless organ grinds, riffs and swirls all held together by the dynamic and ever changing creativity of McLaughlin's fret work!

 " Emergency" had a profound impact on Miles Davis who would recruit this band for work on his masterpiece "in a silent way".  No question that "emergency" also spurred on The Mahav and Return To Forever revolution of FUSION!   It was an original album full of strange and very unique sounds and at first was shun by the jazz and rock world and it wasnt until years later that this album was truely discovered and appreciated.

  "Emergency" is definitely NOT an audiophile's dream......in fact my copy comes with a  disclaimer saying it was poorly recorded — two albums in two days! And acknowleded that the original eight-track tape was distorted, but regardless Polydor released this as a double vinyl record set with sound flaws et all!    .....but to be honest it is this imperfect live electric vibe that I like about this album and I persoanlly would not want it any other way!    

   In many ways this album reminds me of King Crimson with a mix of acid jazz and rock with progressive characteristics.....check out the song "Spectrum Road" with its Robert Fripp like guitar work!   

 Vocals are aptly handled by Williams himself and although not an overly vocal intensive album, he does a reasonable job !

This is an essential album !       Dont let fusion scare you or the age ofnthis recording.....it is an essential gem!

Omar Khorshid - Guitar El Chark (1973-1977)

Omar Khorshid -  Guitar El Chark

Omar Khorshid may not be a household name over here in North America, but in Egypt and parts of the Middle East he is famous!

   And wait till you hear his deep exotically intoxicating and totally electrified Arabic belly dance infused music!  Omar totally won me over with his innovative guitar, hand percussive beats and outer-space like synths and crazy effects.  

"Guitar El Chark" (guitar of the Orient) is the title of this compilation and opening track by this Egyptian psych- belly dance artist who has been a hidden secret for far too long!    This excellent compilation covers Omar's most prolific musical years from 1973 to 1977.  The fine folks at Sublime Frequencies did a masterful job in remastering and compiling this collection spanning all 3 classic Belly Dance albums belly dance from lebanon"', "omar khorshid with love volume 1 and 2" and his "tribute to farid al atrache" albums. 

Omar plays all the guitar bits, synthesizer and moog while the ever present  percussive vibes are played by a number of top musicians with accordion accents by Hasan Aboussoud. 

"  Guitar El Chark" was carefully mastered by Mark Gergis who maintained the audiophile quality of these precious Arabic transfers.   All songs were recorded by recording engineer Nabil Moumtaz at Polysound Studios Beirut Lebanon.

LISTEN HERE TO MY OMAR KHORSHID PODCAST "http://progboy.podbean.com/"

Gary Burton Quintet - Dreams So Real (1976)

Gary Burton Quintet - Dreams So Real

  Ever since in University I heard 1972's "Crystal Silence" I became enthralled in the vibes and craft of Gary Burton.    On "Dreams So Real" , Gary Burton is teamed up with some very well known ECM artists including a very young and at the time recent grad Pat Metheny (guitar)' fellow professor at the Berklee College of Music Mick Goodrick (guitar),  Steve Swallow ( ebass) and the superb drumming of Bob Moses.  

  It was while at University that I also first heard the challenging and crazy musical mind of Carla Bley...."A Genuine Tong Funeral" was one of THE albums !!

  Performing the intricate music of Carla is by no means simple to begin with but then to put it to the vibraphone is another whole adventure !   No question The Gary Burton Quintet pulled off an amazing interpretation of Bley's chaotic musical mind and IMHO "Dreams So Real" is perhaps his finest album in all his discography.    The ten minute "Ictus Syndrome" ebbs and flows like a fusion progressive rock epic track while "Jesus Maria" plays to a quiet chuch-like psalm!

  Audiophiles will recognize the ECM vinyl label immediately with its signature crystal clear sound and super high quality processing making for an extra great listen time after time.
   

Ravi Shankar : Yehudi Menuhin - West Meets East (1966)

Ravi Shankar : Yehudi Menuhin - West Meets East (Mono)

   Here is a great find that I discovered at a recent Hock Shop and I paid a whopping $1.00 Canadian for this gem!     Wow!    1966 original pressing in EX condition and best news is MONO baby !!!!!!

   "West Meets East" is an excellent album that sort of contrasts East (Side 1) with the West represented by (Side 2).    Side 3 is devoted to 3 traditional Indian Ragas played by Ravi, Yehudi, Alla Rakha (table master) and Prodyot Sen (Tanpura).  Side 2 is solely an Indian interpretation of Georges Enesco's Sonata No. 3 in A Minor, Op. 25 played by Yehudi (violin) and Hephzibah Menuhin (piano).

  

Nat King Cole - Sings For You (1963)

Nat King Cole - Sings For You 

   Now here is a superb album of the velvetty voice of Nat King Cole released back in the early 60's as a British import.  Therebis no date stamp on the vinyl and I had a hardtime dating this old vinyl compilation, but my guess is early 60's.      

   All the tracks on this album are superb and very well recorded.  Nat's voice is clear and soft with that voice that only he had.   Songs on this compilation are  Song Of Delilah, and gorgeous version of Funny,  The Little Boy That Santa Claus Forgot, Land Of Love,  I'll Never Say Never Again Again,  I'll Always Remember You, Here's To My Lady, Who Do You Know In Heaven, A Weaver Of Dreams, Return To Paradise, Lush Life and  Three Little Words

Lee Morgan - Speedball (1973)

Lee Morgan - Speedball

   On February 19, 1972, Lee Morgan was shot and killed by his common-law wife, Helen More following a performance at the New York club Slug's.  Sadly much of his work was released after his death and this is the case with this rare gem aply titled "Speedball".    This album although released in 1973 has no liner notes nor can I find out much about this old vinyl album.  I dont think is lifted from the Lighthouse 1970 double album as the sound indicates a less professional source and the inclusion of "Willow Weep For Me" which didnt appear on that live album.       This ones a bit of a mysty to me so if anyone knows please contact me..

I also should mention that although the recording has some limitations ...a wee bit of distortion and some fade outs the overall recording is brilliant and alive!  

    If I am correct on the source for this album then joining Lee Morgan on stage is Bennie Maupin (on tenor, bass clarinet, and flute)  pianist Harold Mabern, bassist Jymie Merritt, and drummer Mickey Roker.  

  The album kicks off with a side long live track "Willow Weep For Me" which clocks in just over 20 minutes and gives everyone a chance to spread out and jam a bit.   Thos vinyl plays like it was recorded in a smokey room full of guests having dinner and sipping cocktails.  You can hear the clanging of glasses and forks on the plate and clearly this was an intimate evening where ever it was.

   

Chuck Berry - Rarities (1986)

Chuck Berry - Rock 'n Roll Rarities

   Double vinyl album set capturing 20 rare and unreleased Chuck Berry songs on Chess Records.   This albm was produced and remixed for this vinyl compilation by the audiophile master Steve Hoffman so you know that the sound is awesome!
   This is really an exceptional compilation with some great late 50's and 60's rock n roll.   Considering many of the tracks featured are unreleased or newly released versions the quality is superb.....there are no bad demo tracks on this set!
   No question Chuck Berry was huge in his day and I would recommend this vinyl set to all lovers of rock!   On Johnny B. Goode you can hear Chuck asking the keyboardist to lay off the "Rollover Beethoven" lick .....and then it kicks into a thrilling unreleased version of the tune!
   One of my favourite Chuck Berry tracks "Promised Land" is presented here is stereo remised by Hoffman and its sounds like a fresh new song.
  And just like the Hoffman : Ray Charles Dunhill Record releases, Steve worked directly with the artists and in this case Chuck Berry in both song selection and audio mastering.

  Chuck Berry fans will need to own this compilation and Audiophiles will love this too "

 

Fanny - Rock And Roll Survivors (1974)

Fanny - Rock And Roll Survivors 

  The "all girl" Glam rockers Fanny released 5 studio albums between 1970 and 1974 with  "Rock And Roll Survivors" being the final.    By the release of this album June Millington and Alice De Buhr had left the band and Fanny would give this one more try.    The end result is a prototypical Fanny album with rock at its core and multi influences surrounding it .  The only bummer on this album is the rather weak production and it sounds at times like someone was trying to make this band sound more like Heart and Blonde!

  In an Ode to the Stones they do a cool version of "lets spend the night together".  

   For those unfamiliar with Fanny you might find it interesting to know that in 1971 Fanny were on top of their game with a number of chart hits and toured in support of Jethro Tull and Humble Pie.

  Considering all the odds against Fanny on this swan song album I love this album.   Highlight for me is the funked-rock tune "Beggar Man" with its groovey bass lines and space keyboards.  Vocals are shared across all four members and the guitar work of Patti Quatro (yes sister of Suzi!) is quite good and actually quite psychy!

  

City Boy - Heads Are Rolling (1980)

City Boy - Heads Are Rolling 

     "Heads Are Rolling" was sadly the second last release by England's City Boy in 1980.  The basic formula of City Boy was still intact on this album with clever art-rock stylings, power-pop melodies and tons of excellent vocal harmonies.  There is a slight 80's edge and tone to this album on a couple of songs as well but nothing to be concerned about...mostly in the keyboard sounds.

  The most memorable songs for me on this album are "change in the weather" with its catchy chorus and excellent guitar, keys and vocals and the Styx-inspired song "Domino".   

I will never know how City Boy didnt become huge really....with so many great albums but that is another story.

  City Boy were Max Thomas (keys), Mike Slamer (guitars, bass), Roy Ward (drums) and Lead Vocalist Lol Mason.