dimanche 28 juin 2015

Fish out of water : Rip Chris Squire.

This day saw the passing of YES co-founder and only Bassist Chris Squire. For those you knew the musician there is no need for words to describe the talent of the big guy .
For those you don't know, just  go around the web and listen and see him play. No words can be found to measure the loss of one of the best bass player and musician around, not to the prog rock world.
Gone over the edge, condoleances to the family and extended musical world family.














dimanche 10 mai 2015

The Gentle Storm- The Diary (review and live)

The new project from Arjen Lucassen (of Ayreon fame) comes In the form of a double CD.
 Th whole concept of this one is the story of two lovers, one ais a voyager going to India in the  old days  the other is his wife, waiting for him in Amsterdam and both sending letters which arrive by the biais of other sailing ship with of course a bit of décalage...
For this one, Arjen does the Music but does not sing.. the whole parts (both woman and man) is sung by Anneke Van Giersbergen. The songs are basically put on two versions, a gentle one, more acoustic and a Storm one, more full metal band. Both CD are together.
 The songs are classic Lucassen albeit not very heavily riff oriented.
 The songs does not really differ from one version to the other save for the shores of India and the heart of Amsterdam (damn jazzy) which are the songs that really stands out. Anneke does a really lovely work but when she sings about forlorn love, she is at her best. The moment is another of this highlight.


Live the songs really kick off. the metal version mostly takes the part and really soars giving depth and power.
 On the contrary the gentle version like the moment are stripped to the bone and are really gems that makes Anneke's voice shines.


The albums is a really nice concept album with great artwork and two cd that makes you choose which versions you like.
 It was some times said that Russel Allen could have sung the album. I guess a duet would have been better suited. Not that Anneke does not do good work on the male vocals but her feminine parts are so much more lively when she sings about love and lingering feeling towards the missing one....

But enough of what ifs, very nice release, maybe  not a big highlight in both performers discography but a solid one, far from the bottom.

Hand.Cannot.Erase. Afterthoughts (and live)

The new album from Steven Wilson is here.
For those who do not know... well it is hard to sum up the workload of this musician.
 He comes here with his 4th solo album. It is a (almost) concept album based on a true story of a girl found dead in London 2 years and an half after her actual death...And a young one with still family on top.
 As usual, Steven Wilson use the childhood and dark theme to weave a new CD  with a now constant line up (Govan, Minnemann, Begg et Holzman et Travis plus a female singer Ninet Tayeb on some songs.).
The music is still prog rock but as always reflecting most of Wilson's early career, like the very no-manesque Perfect life or the pop blackfieldish title  track.
 The highlight comes mid way with Routine (which is back up with a nice visual very ...depressing. Never gonna wash up the plates again...)
The rest is great songwriting with killers solos from Govan until the final song and it's coda with, as usual from Wilson, never goes out with a Bang but in a whimper.
A very good and tightly produced records that, to my taste is the best solo album produced by Steven.
Very cinematic record full of great songs and wonderful (though kinda depressing) mood.


Live , the show is also a success not only by the usual great talent of the musicians but by the visuals provided (mostly by Lasse Hoile). Most of the songs have short movies attached  to them enhancing greatly the mood conveyed.






Here's the set list from Paris :


  1. (Porcupine Tree song)


  1. Second part


  1. Encore
  2. (Porcupine Tree song)

  1. Encore 2:
  2. Sectarian (Lucky us, seldomly played on this tour..)

lundi 20 avril 2015

Losing my religion 2 (or GodisTea)


 

God is a tea.

 

For all purpose God is like tea.

Not that you need hot boiled water to believe but just that God is a Tea.

It doesn’t matter what kind, any kind will do.

You develop or not a taste for tea

You can try different tea or stick to one

In the end the taste of good tea is only for your mouth

You can discuss tea with other people.

You can try to make them try your favourite

Each tea has its taste, pros and cons.

Even blended tea exists.

Tea helps you on your own

Tea makes you awake

Tea makes you warm

Tea makes you happy

Tea comforts you

You can have tea with lots of people too;

Tea is convivial and gets people together to exchange.

You can have your tea with someone having his own and enjoy every minute of it

Tea is good for you.

 Too Much tea may cause problems

You can’t force people to try Tea nor can you

Your tea is not better than another. Not that maybe you can prove it is indeed better for health, digestion or whatever but simply because it cannot taste good to someone else.

Trying different teas can be interesting to pick up your favourite.
 You can see in tea lots of things from the future to just plain serenity.

Do not try to force tea unto others. Tea and taste in tea can be discussed but with respect.

Tea is not sacred, it is tea. It should be, as any other thing, respected.

Plenty of tea, cheap tea, expensive tea

You don’t hate tea, you just dislike it or don’t feel the need to drink it.

You could have your tea anyway you like