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Thursday, July 31, 2008

Kanye West and Daft Punk

This was a matching I would have never expected, but it works. A very cleaver idea whoever thought it up.

Very cool album cover, Daft Punk.

When I first saw this Daft Punk Album cover, I thought, wow, how cool is that. It reminds me of a cheesy early eighties Atari 2600 cartridge design. Cheesy in a good way.

Daft Punks gear. Moogs and more.

Here is a great image showing Daft Punks gear. I think those are Moog Voyagers. Very cool stuff indeed.

These are the moog cookbook guys

They look like Daft Punk, but they are not. Nice vintage moog gear in the background. I got this image from http://www.idmforums.com This is a forum for electronic music. I will have to check this out in greater detail latter.

Daft Punk meets Led Zepplin

These guys were actual rock musicians before they moved into Techno. So they know their way around real instruments as well as computers.

Daft Punk

Not exactly prog, but I really like these guys. They have a fresh approach to music and a great image to boot. So if progressive music is truly progressive, perhaps these guys are prog.

Very cool little piece of sequencing.

EMS synth in action.

I just joined cirip

This is a Romanian site similar to Twitter. 

Friday, July 25, 2008

New Prog Album site

Be sure to check out my new prog album site chalk full of great deals on vintage prog records. http://progalbums.com/

Prog band list

Here is a extended list of some of the greatest prog bands ever. If you don't know exactly what prog is, here is a quote I a made on KVRaudio that might help you understand.....

"Well, my viewpoint is that Prog's roots come from Jazz, folk and Classical mixed together, so I would think that "prog" as a genre of music is one of the most open-minded (for a lack of a better phrase) out there."

And without further a due, here is the list...

Rush (without a doubt)

Here is part of a quote I wrote on KVRaudio

"I personally only recommend Rush albums from 1976 until 1982. Then newer stuff sounds a bit dry to me, and Getty can't really hit the notes anymore. I guess the same thing happened to Robert Plant."

Genesis (need I say more)

ELP when the P was palmer (Great in the beginning, but lost it latter on)

Gong (I don't know much about these guys, but I think they are from the early days of prog)
jethro tull (not one of my favs, but defiantly prog)

Aphrodites Child (again, I don't know much about these guys, but I will look into them)

Pink Floyd (more psychedelic/mello stuff, but defiantly on the fringes of what is considered prog)

strawbs (Rick Wakemans early band)

Queen (Some may disagree with this one, but they definitely have some proggy stuff) Here is another quote of mine from kvraudio. " Yes, many people forget that Queen and Led Zepplin are basically prog." Thinking about this more, I would say this only applies to half of their discography. These two bands are only part prog.

Here is another quotable statement I made.

"You are telling me that "Stairway to heaven" and "Bohemian Rhapsody" aren't basic prog song structures?"

You can see that I was getting into quite the debate.

Marillion (Great prog from the eighties. Mood and feel simialr to early genesis)

Frank Zappa (I never got into him, but I would like to give a closer listen some day. But what I have heard is a bit too whimsical for my tastes)

Yes (A great staple of progressive rock, nobody can deny)

Gentle Giant (A lesser known name, but definitely a staple of prog)

Here is a selection of great prog albums on ebay.

Thursday, July 24, 2008

Love prog?

Here are some quotes from a forum post I started on KVRaudio. Be sure to check out the actual posts and links. This debate good hot!

I started some pretty vibrant forum posts. Here is a link to some of them. I have also included some quotes I made in the posts. I know it may sound odd because it is out of context, but bare with me. I would like to include some of my writing in this forum.



Thread Read
Do you have a fav prog band, or do you hate prog?



"I personally only recommend Rush albums from 1976 until 1982. Then newer stuff sounds a bit dry to me, and Getty can't really hit the notes anymore. I guess the same thing happened to Robert Plant."



"Yes, many people forget that Queen and Led Zepplin are basically prog."



"You are telling me that "Stairway to heaven" and "Bohemian Rhapsody" aren't basic prog song structures?" Some guy disagrees with me.



"Well, my viewpoint is that the Prog's roots come from Jazz, folk and Classical mixed together, so I would think that "prog" as a genre of music is one of the most open-minded (for a lack of a better phrase) out there."



"Well, the difference is that Led Zepplin and Queen have that blues thing going, whereas Yes and Genesis are more English Folk Rock, but their prog sensibilities come from the same place."



"Good points. I have to admit that prog stagnated after the 1970's, however Marillan is one exception of a bright spot in the eighties. And Radiohead is a bright spot for the nineties."



But what was that "preformed on ice" period Rick Wakeman went through after Yes. That was so cheesy. A low point for prog. Rick was a bit too full of himself. And Emerson too. These guys really damaged prog's reputation.

Here is a link.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXlZ0x0Ghrk&feature =related

Pure mid evil cheese.....



I would never have known that this topic I started would be so heated. After reading all the posts, I now remember one other point I wanted to make. One guy mentioned this in this topic too. Why has modern prog morphed into metal/thrash territory (ie, Dream Theater).



What ever happened to Fuzz guitars(ie Steve Hackett, early genesis), 12 sting guitars (again, Genesis-esque), buzzy imperfect mellotrons, and frantic jazz-esque solos like Steve Howe.



All I have to say to modern prog acts is, go easy on the generic metal distortion sounds. If I want to hear that, I would just listen to early Metallica.



PS, that first Genesis album isn't all that bad. There are some nice melodies there. Nothing on that album is as bad as Invisible Touch yah!



"I agree with you. It is a bit silly that the whole world has decided on the word "prog" rock. Symphonic rock and Art rock are good terms, but I guess the general public got confused.



So whether we like it or not, the term "prog" is here to stay because people always have the need to label things, and I guess I can live with that. The good thing is that when I say "Prog" at least people know exactly the era and bands I am refering to."









Who is your favourite Keyboard player from the 1970's?



This was a hot topic. Seems everybody has an opinion.



"Mine would have to be Tony Banks. How about you?"



"ELP had some bright spots in the early days, but latter they got so boring. Rick Wright is a good choice. He is very under ratted."




"Roger Hodgson."
Is he the guy from Supertramp? If so, they are good.



"Gentle giant had great potential. I am trying to remember that really melodic slow song they had, I can't remember the title. I loved that song.

Oh, here it is...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mN6ZK1TvtBI

Think of me with kindness"






Do all guitar Synths suck?



One guy recommends I take a look at "axon".




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Is Korean built better than Chinese for guitars?



Best bass player ever, and best looking bass?

I will be unoriginal here and say Chris Squire. Duhhh. And another point. I think the 4001 is the best looking bass ever. Looks matter too.



Best Synth solo ever?!?



I am not sure, but I think it was Heart. They had a song called Magic man. I think that is the one with the killer synth solo.





Monday, July 7, 2008

Guitars & Guitar parts in Toronto

I have built a new website devoted to Guitars and guitar parts for sale in the Toronto area in Southern Ontario. It's always important to view a guitar before you buy one so that is why you should find listings in your local neighborhood. For residents of Southern Ontario you should check out my listings because some of the most popular items are listed here.
visit....
http://aliveguitar.com/
for pictures and info.