Rock is the new Pop

It seems that most non-mainstream artist at some point get so fed up about the music industry’s attempts to stifle creativity in exchange for profit, that they get inspired to write songs pointing the wrong doings of the corporations. I am not only talking about “poor” guys like George Michael (can’t believe I dare mention him here on this site) who could not change record label and wrote a song whining about “Freedoom….Freedoom ….You gotta give be4 u takeee” but also artists who are “persuaded” into performing a specific kind of music.

Thankfully there exist some labels that specialize in prog and other minority genres, so everything is not hopeless although only the most recognized (counted in album sales) band have a chance to move on to a bigger label and distribution channels.

Anyway, I thought it would be interesting to find out what prog artists have "done a Georg Michael” and let out some steam through their lyrics. On the top of my head I can think of the following:

Spocks beard – V - The Great Nothing
Explorers Club – Age of Impact - (whole album)
Rush - Permanent Waves – The Spirit Of Radio

…but I am sure there are many more.

I think what the most prog fans abhor in pop is the repetitiveness. MAVIII said it nicely in his last post :

“…base their rhythms from another song that was sampled, and then add some annoying FX sample and have it in the song over and over to create a beat or somekind of "cool" factor. And great! The chorus is pretty much the entire song, repeated over and over and over and over and over…”

Unfortunately this kind of stuff sell by the millions, so that is what the big labels strive to achieve in as many bands and genres as possible. To be fair, the labels are not all to blame since consumers happily buy what they offer. On the other hand, if the same labels had a bigger hand in exposing the non-mainstream, I am sure that many would break away from their current listening habits.

[hippie & futureman (chorus)]

A secret yearning lurks inside
like a dream trying to hide
another time, another space
an empty feeling haunts my brain
a strange void I can't explain
another time, another space

“Another Time, Another Space” by Ayreon on the album “Into The Electric Castle”

I have always believed that many people don’t know what they like. They just don’t know what treasures are out there until someone helps them to make the discovery. That is how I developed my own taste in music. I was listening to pop until someone showed me the hidden chest, turned the key and opened a completely new world.

To get back to the subject about repetitiveness...what really annoys me these days are the “successful” attempts to turn rock into pop. It’s not a new trend, but it is bigger business than ever. To describe what I mean...take this band, I don’t even remember their name, but they have a nice chorus line going something like this: “I will find something more of what I had before. Shame on you baby…forever your’s”. The band (or label) must have really liked that one since they repeat it a gazillion times. The style they play is rock, but their performance is pure pop. Their music is like candy, it tastes good for awhile, but when you don’t stop eating it’s going to make you puke.

Another example of rock turning pop is “Nickelback”. I my book they are the archetype of this phenomenon. There was an interesting article some time ago about how they, in their attempt to be creatively lazy, plagiarized themselves: Follow this link to read about it.

Even the harder rock is going the same direction. Just take a band like “Linkin park”. Have you ever felt that they lacked creativity? Well maybe they do, just look the following images:

What I've Done

Faint

Somwhere I Belong

Crawling

Numb

Lying From You

Please read the article related to these images here.

Alright…enough rants from me this time. Now I will go and listen to some real music and soon I will have forgotten all about pop....

The Road to Life and Progressive Rock. Part II

Phase2
Moving (backwards).

"If it wasn't for bad luck, I wouldn't have no luck at all!"
-Born on a Bad Sign/Cream/Pat Travers/adapt. from Booker T. Jones and
William Bell


Louisiana and Southern Hospitality 1972.
My Mom was longing for Family, and many of them lived in the State of
Louisiana, so it was settled, we'd pack up and make a new home there.
I . . . was not happy about it, it must have been early signs of "intuition" I had
inherited from my Mom.
The 1st sign of trouble was on the 1st day on Jefferson Parish soil at my
Aunt and Uncles house, a nice little boy said hello to me (I think), and I guess
said a few more things(?), but he "talked funny", thinking he was just being
goofy, I followed with an "imitation" of him . . .
Then the kids Father came out of the house with the same "funny talk" and
started yelling at ME! Then my Dad came out and had no idea what was
going on (just like me!), I tried to explain what happened (I'm 7!!!) but there's
my Dad and the kid's Dad yelling at each other from across the street, "Waa
is yer keed makin' fhun ov ma' Son!!!?" . . . From that day, it just got worse.
(It was all innocent, I lived 7 years with English with no accents, I guess
the "Hee Haw" shows didn't help much).
. . . A sign of things to come.

The AWFUL move to Louisiana would hold the NEW influences as an escape
for a 7 to 14 year old. I started hearing a band called "Grand Funk Railroad"
on the radio, and thought it was the HEAVIEST stuff I ever heard (ahh
. . . niavete').
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0x6chChxzV0

St. Josephs Elementary School of B.S.
Catholic School would be a revelation that the Teachers were hypocrites in
the beliefs and teachings of the Church, what else is new? (to an infant mind
that did not have the courage, reasoning or wits to defend). Their was a
particular Teacher who was not a Nun, that insulted me and let other kids
tease me in the class was an almost everyday occurrence, and my folks
would be called on about "MY behavior", and we would see the Dean/Bishop/
His High Majesty of Hypocrisy in his darkly lit chamber/office and proceeded
to be made-to feel like an amoeba, where my folks complied, because he was
a "man of the cloth".
As that were not enough, my folks would then scold me when I got home, and
all that, almost everyday, pretty much ruined schooling for life.
To add torture to injury, I am in firm belief we lived in a Haunted House, houses
in older areas were built on stilts because of heavy precipitation, so all kinds
of "critters", and who knows what else, would be heard scurrying under the
house . . . we had hard wood floors, and almost nightly I'd be shaking under the
covers as I would hear, as if someone was dropping a marble on the floor, as if
it were coming from the living room.
TAK TAk Taktaktak...TAK TAk Taktaktak . . .
I'd get up to see where it was coming from . . . nothing. I'd Wake my folks who
in frustration would not believe me and angerly rush me to bed, as I in tears
would be begging to let me sleep with them. After about 30 minutes later . . .
the marble started again. Sleep deprived, nervous, geeky little boy.
Which is totally weird that I had a sort-of, blonde "Girl Friend" that lived across
the street named Jean, who was my best friends sister, she was my 2nd too!
(My 1st was back in California, across from my house, a cute Raven haired girl
named Kimberly, who we used to sneak kisses at the side of my house and put
flowers in her hair . . . at 5 years old!). But that didn't last long when my "Best"
friend started making fun of me as well.

. . . But there was a Blessing.
1973.
At this house came someone we all wanted, my little Brother Daniel :)
I loved him soo much, there are pictures of me and him in his outfit with booties
where we are soo happy together, me making a "peace sign" and him emulating
it with his little fingers, I had someone to care for and give my sence of humour
to (weird too, I was always the comedian with friends even through all the toil, as
I always have been). Its the best thing to come out of Louisiana for all of us.
I still love him to death, though he's picked up alot of the angst of my Father
. . . he's my little Brother :)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-B1wdau8uHU&feature=related

Escape through music and Roundhouse kicks.
New School, New House . . . Same crap.
After we left that God-forsaken rented house, we finally moved into a nice home
and my spacious bedroom, where I started to build model Planes and Cars and
continued drawing Hot Rods, as I did in class, from then on, I didn't care for any
schooling and payed for it at home.
I started listening to the radio on my own at this time, and my folks continued to
buy 45's of hits and my Dad, the occasional 8-Tracks.
I've never told this story to anyone, at Livaudales Junior High School, the bullying
continued (I was a nappy headed geek looking kid- on top of that, being Spanish
and tan skinned). . .
One day in class (a class that I was picked on by the teacher as well), A bully
who also was from St. Joseph's by the name of Joey Jackson (pretty much
everybody knew who he was. My thoughts in my last visit to Louisiana in 1996
were: if I EVER see that idiot when I visit La. again, I'll fricken' punch him
unconscious! . . . scars never heal) was listening to a hand held radio (in class!),
and he said to me, "do you know who THIS is?" (I'm hearing heavy riffs on a
guitar), I said, "I don't know . . . Grand Funk?"
He smacks the back of my head and says, "No bitch! its Fog Hat!"

. . . my introduction to Fog Hat and "Slow Ride".
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KhkJBBTBA4M

From that moment on, I knew who the bands were, who the members of the
bands were, and the next 5 years of Shotokan Karate (by 14 I graduated as a
3rd (dan) Degree Brown belt, that I was too scared to use because I have
always thought I'd go completely nuts, as I still feel that way) added to my anger
and sadness from Schooling, poor grades and punishment at home. I had been
facinated by Martial Arts and Bruce Lee since I lived in California, I'm not sure
why I didn't try Kung Fu, but went the to a more traditional "Japanese" style.
Maybe I started noticing heavier guitars on songs because it was much like my
anger stomping on through life.

But then there was Grand Funk, and the "B-side" of the single for "Locomotion",
which was called "Flight of the Phoenix", It might be the first Hard Rock
instrumental I had ever heard. I can remember "Air Keyboarding" to the
Hammond Organ solos. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aLE4w43g_Ak

As my ears got trained baby step by baby step, I practiced dilligently on my
Karate, punches, kicks, kata's and discipline, I think that may have helped me
stay my lashing out at the world, other kids and teachers. But my Dad was hard
on me more and more in class, but I went to one belt to the next.
(See the Film: "The Great Santini", he wasn't that bad, but bad enough. If he'd
gotten into the Marines in the late 50's, early 60's, to become an automatic
citizen, instead of going the traditional route, this might be a different story).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ubir9tTlboI&feature=related

This all just became a part of life throughout my 7 LONG years of "Southern
Hospitality" for me and my Dad. He got it at work. He worked at the Avondale
Shipyards as a Welder, working on Naval Destroyers, so you can imagine
the Ass-holes he had to deal with. Stories of "I almost got in a fight today
because, I don't care if they make fun of me, but when they start making fun
of you (Mom) and the family! . . ."
So his frustrations with my grades and work just made each day excruciating.
For me, almost everyday at school I would be asked , "Are you Black!?" or
"Are you a Niggah!?" by White and Black kids. So I cringe everytime I hear
the "N" word.
Through all that, it never came to blows, just constant teasing, being pushed
on campus, classes and on the Bus made me hate school more and more.

But always throughout, I must've had angels watching over me, some-sort of
divine intervention, I don't know, through all this there were good times with
my Moms Family, which is why we moved there. There were lots of Parties
for Birthdays, Weddings, and Holiday get togethers, but at Christmas, as each
year passed, I started to realize my "worth". When it came time for all the
kids to open their presents, they were getting all kinds of Toys, but when I
opened mine . . . Socks and Ugly Sweaters or Shirts.
Even though many knew I Drew Cars all the time and Built Models, so I
started to know what was coming every year. I look at that kid and want to
lecture him about staying strong, I'd remember how caring my Aunt Daly in
California was, who always had pencils and paper ready for my visits.
. . . California dreaming.

There were also Football Parties! Everyone was a Saints fan, but me and
my Dad being from California were Raider Fans! So this could lead to
some rivalry . . . more on this later.

Hot Rods and Music.
Buying Hot Rod Magazine and the Car Comic book from the same publisher
called "CARtoons" helped my "education" in drawing and reading. And
dreamed of one day owning my own 67 Mustang Fastback, like my Fathers.
http://www.georgetrosley.com/cartoons.html
The Story from HOT ROD Magazine:
http://www.hotrod.com/thehistoryof/cars_in_cartoons_history/index.html
So my escape was always drawing and the AM Radio, hearing the likes of
Nazareth; Eric Clapton; Steppen Wolf; Mahogany Rush; Manfred Manns
Earth Band; Three Dog Night; Chicago; ZZ Top; Lynyrd Skynyrd; Eagles;
Styx; Edgar Winter Group; Blood Sweat and Tears; Todd Rungren; Electric
Light Orchestra; Rare Earth; Bachman Turner Overdrive; The Who; Derek
and the Dominoes; Mott the Hoople; Jim Croche; Cat Stevens; The Allman
Brothers; Robin Trower; Focus; Seals and Croft, as well as the Pop Music
the day, R&B of the 60's-early 70's and the "One Hit Wonders". . .
Chicago Transit Authority:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H_AP3oUYF7E&feature=related
Styx:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GSGeVx2XmSs&feature=related
BTO:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o_GHIpqRuzs
Manfred Manns Earth Band:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W_efcADtKkQ
Mahogany Rush:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_56cgFccCPk&feature=related
Three Dog Night:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b_UEnupu4UM
Robin Trower:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lkxEaDDTwho&feature=related
Edgar Winter Group:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wGNTof21jWE&feature=related
Focus:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bpV5InLw52U&feature=related
(thats the "Gladys Knight & The Pips Variety show"!)
These bands should have made a bigger impression, it astounds me why
they didn't till many years later, again, maybe because it was a bit beyond
my comprehension.
then something else . . .

Led Zeppelin was brief, it should of hit me like a ton of bricks as well as for
my Dad. He loved the song "Black Dog" but didn't get around to buying the
albums.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bqE0gO3_BwY
Black Sabbath should have as well, but knowing Dad's ear for rumours- he
probably didn't like the so-called "Dark" side of the band. I remember seeing
"We Sold our Souls for Rock n' Roll" in a LP stack at a relatives house. I wish
I would have heard it. These guys would hit me decades later.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EvuI8d57N9I&feature=related
Alice Cooper was dark as well, but we did get into his "Hit Singles".
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XWe0pb55q8w
Queen was WEIRD, but the music was really epic, but didn't seem to catch on
either. Brian Mays tone and playing was awe inspiring though. Every time I'd
hear that guitar sound, I'd stop to listen (And the layered vocals!). I remember
only their singles, and a couple of cute cousins that were into them.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g0uiY-jDkzs
The Rolling Stones were popular, but not with me. Only a few songs but they
never really appealed to me.
The Who finally made an impression with a newly released album and a song
that would become an anthem:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oUbGLVvfB7Y&feature=related

"If you follow me, there's a specialty
some tears for you to see
Misery, misery,
Roll up! Roll up! Roll up
See the show!"
-Karn Evil 9-1st Impression, Part I /ELP

But . . .
Only in bits in pieces, and not really knowing who or WHAT it was, Yes and
Emerson Lake & Palmer, I could swear, I saw them on television.
Me and my Dad would watch all kinds of Music Specials and Variety Shows
including The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson and the awesome cavalcade
of Bands and Musicians. As well as The Midnight Special and Don Kirchner's
Rock Concert.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3TLL3ApTO4w&feature=related

Yes will always be a faint memory that I actually saw them on T.V. but ELP
made an impression.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p3zOB-nP5nk
2 experiences with ELP:
1st, was seeing a "Documentary" about them, I vaguely remember it, but what
I DO remember was the names of the members, in BIG black letters atop
their Trailers/Lorry's! (And I swear in another segment "they" were atop them
with their respective instruments) as they zoomed down the road from a
Helicopter cam view.
Part 1 of 5:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_eu7UzVgd1E
(Finally! found on YOUtube, after all these years 2/23/09)

2nd-
There was a place that my Dad used to get his 8 Track Tapes, I believe was
called "General E. Lee Music" (figures...yee haw) and in the middle of the
floor was an elaborate floor display from the Manticore Label- ELP & Brain
Salad Surgery, it was soo intriguing and SCARY! It would be my 1st time seeing
the works of H.R. Giger and both would seem to make its way throughout my
life.
At this point, other than 45's, I had yet to have my own albums(LP's).
. . . and 5 more years of misery at schools.

"I got it all together now
With my very own disco clothes, hey!
My shirts half open, t' show you my chains
n' the spoon for up my nose
I am really somethin'
That's what you'd probly say
So smoke your little smoke
Drink your little drink
While I dance the night away, I'm a
Dancing' fool . . ."
-Dancin' Fool/Frank Zappa

Jefferson Parish/Gretna Louisiana sucked BIG time. And something else would
"suck" . . . DISCO.
1976 and Disco would explode and it seemed Rock was dieing, but as the WHO
would exclaim, "Rock is dead they say, Long Live Rock!"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z-S5aVuKsgI
At first I liked Disco with its Orchestrated music and its high-hat and drum beats,
but then it started to focus on the "singer" and the simple verse and repeated
chorus over and over. It became less about the music and more the vocals, the
simplicity and the glitz, the glamour, the fashions and "lifestyle".
The flavours of the week were selling millions, but ROCK would endure and had
longevity . . . and slowly, Rock would get heavier and more creative.
Disco started to sound the same and Rock became my banner of rebellion.

Raiders STOMP Saints . . . a door opens to the west.
American Football, as much as European Futbal was very popular in our Family,
but the New Orleans "Saints" were the Team of the Famelies . . .
Not for the Velasquez Clan, The Raiders were the "NFL Rejects" of choice!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oakland_raiders
One day at a friend of the families, many were there to watch the New Orleans
Saints play the Oakland Raiders (many called the Saints the "'Aints" because
they never made it to the Superbowl), well you can imagine the yelling, cussing
and all that went into the game, but everytime the Raiders would score, the
man of the house Manuel, would "Shush" my Dad . . . "The baby is sleeping",
(Wha!?), the "shushing" would continue until it turned into . . . "SHUT UP!"
. . . I could see my Father, sitting amongst his childhood friends that HE defended
when they were kids in Honduras, his face getting redder and redder . . .
after a few minutes, he got up and said to me, my little Brother and Mom, "Lets
go...". Everyone was dumbfounded, there were pleads, tears, and my Dad
alone left the house. We got a ride with someone after a few minutes to follow,
we open the door and there is Dad, cheering on the winning Raiders doing what
they did best back in those days . . . beating the stuff out of their opponent living
the reputation as the meanest, rejects of the NFL.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fvZQtJ5REdc
Revenge was served that day . . .
I felt bad not leaving with my Dad, I think he felt bad not having his family stick
with him, there came a few days of silence at the house, but it caused a break-up
with the family that lasted about 3 decades. When they did meet in the mid 90's,
all was forgiven in heavy tears (I have a bad taste for playing most sports and its
seriousness, it brings out the worst in people, though I always liked playing
Soccer. As my Brother got older, at least my Father had him as a fellow sports fan).
. . . we are one emotional family.

But at the time, it pretty much was the straw that broke the Camels back.

"Cryin' won't help you, prayin' won't do you no good,
Now, cryin' won't help you, prayin' won't do you no good,
When the levee breaks, mama, you got to move "
-When the Levee Breaks/Led Zeppelin

Phase3
The move back to California!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ljYkQiIrFtU&feature=related
To be Continued . . .

OPUS INSERT
Occasionally a commercial for a Concert coming to town would come on the
radio (even though I rarely listened to FM), ZZ Top, Lynnrd Skynrd, Black
Oak Arkansas, Allman Brothers and whatever Southern Rocker that would
visit New Orleans, not that it was bad (I liked most of them), but it was rare
to be surprised by a band coming to town.
But I remember this one really stood out:
(annoucers booming deep voice) "THE PRIEST!!! JUDAS PRIEST!!!" At the
time I had no idea who they were, but the music clips sounded really cool!
-"Exciter" - "Green Manalishi" - "Diamonds and Rust" - "2 NIGHTS AT THE
(what-ever club in New Orleans) JUDAS PRIEST!!! another Beaver Production!"
Again . . . why I didn't get into them right away is another mystery.
. . . a very cool memory that comes to mind when I hear a Concert coming to
town that takes me back to naive younger days.

The Road to Life and Progressive Rock. Part I

Introduction:

"Talk talk talk, it's only talk, comments, cliches, commentary, controversy
chatter, chit-chat, chit-chat, chit-chat, conversation, contradiction, criticism
It's only talk . . . Cheap talk..."
- Elephant Talk/King Crimson

My name is Marco A. Velasquez III, I'm a very passionate fan of
this music we call Progressive. Its a word that has started
controversy, criticism, and defining its definition can be a task.
For me its a label . . . but I like labels. When you want to buy a
product at the Market, you look at the label to see what you're
gonna' get.
But it takes some "logic" to know . . . what you're gonna' get.
If you say to a Prog Rock fan, "Hey! I hear you like Progressive
Rock . . . ever heard of Meshuggah?" and this "Prog Fan" is the
type who likes the "Genesis" kind of Prog,
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p_EYU75uhKk&feature=related
. . . there is a chance after a few seconds of those crazy
Meshuggahners . . .
your'e friend might just strangle you.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y6VerKdcrOQ
Now take Genesis and label it . . . what kind of Prog is it?
It could start a war of words. Art Rock, Neo-Classical, Symphonic,
Epic . . . yes, Internet Stations could topple, friendships tainted,
ruin a meal, Nuclear weapons armed and positioned, make you
wanna' burn every "Rules of Prog List (what rules!?)" atop a roaring
Bon Fire Rally filled with Proguli singing "Freewill"! and any sense
of humour ceased (proggers are soo serious) . . . it could happen.
Things can get pretty contentious about who belongs in the Prog
list of Bands.
Follow a Family Tree of Prog bands and you could be surprised.

Then their comes along a person like me . . .
I screw everything up, sideways, backwards, upside down. I love
it all! . . . no really, the Avant Garde to the Mathematical and even
the more extreme. Even add some humour in the mix!
Yes (...them too!), I am a card carrying Progressive Rock/Sub-Genre
Fan (say that 5 times real fast).
What kind of Fanatic am I? . . .
When I hear the motors whine of a Car Window opening, the 1st
thing I think of, is the dialogue: "Kill her, thats all you have to do-
Kill Mary? - She's a risk, and get the Priest as well".
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oG3qgH_3E_k
I keep the "Original" Printings of Yes CD's along with the Re-Masters
because the Inner Art is slightly different and original recordings have
nuances that were edited "out" of the re-masters!
Or when I get into a discussion with friends about our day to day, or
some sort of political or religious/spiritual topic, I may just quote Rush
or Kansas . . . its embedded in me, I can't help it.
And as you will read throughout the months to come (. . . I'm Old), how
I got here through the "Noise and Confusion", the madness and the
laughter of my life.

What the Heck are you talking about?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pU3-zd86BLQ&feature=pyv&ad=614
2376617&kw=%22progressive%20rock%22&gclid=CJ3Y4_bawaMCF
RpZiAod0FRMdQ
Well, if you are one of the uninitiated, what is Progressive Rock?
Well it be very easy to go into a detailed description that would only
make you want to jump off the nearest tallest building, so I will let the
armchair experts of Wikipedia and The Prog Archives Forum 'splaine.
1. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Progressive_rock
2. http://www.progarchives.com/Progressive-rock.asp#definition
(Scroll down page).

Where do we go from here?
This "Essay" marks pivotal moments in my life that would shape
the music in my growing up and start me on my Prog Odyssey.
It is also a way to contemplate the Book I want to write about my
Life and "insert" the weird, funny, sad, wacky, pathetic and
sometimes good and blessed things that have happened "on this
long strange trip".

Dedication. . .

I want to Dedicate this to my Father, Marco Antonio Duarte-Velasquez II.
If it wasn't for him, his Guitars and who he was, I would not be who I am
today, for good or bad, but you instilled in me a love for many musics.
God be with you eternally papa', may you be at peace, riding horses and
playing Guitars with your heroes and Family, and . . . may "Corky" be at
your side.
. . . And for my Mother, Zoila Guadelupe Zelaya-Velasquez and Brother,
Daniel Velasquez for their music/life influences, and love.
A love I could never put into words and protected by my Father, each and
every day of their lives.

Last but certainly not least, my friends that dealt with my musical
madness through Lp's, Tapes and Cd's, VHS tapes, DVD's, Concerts,
Store-hopping and conversations.
This music has shared love and laughter, tears, sadness and joy with
these friends and loves. Within many a lyric they are best explained.

And to the astounding like minded listeners of the Progulus.com
community that put up with my opinions, wackyness and love for all
things Progressive, and the friendships I have made there . . . you guys
rule. This is also a GREAT place to "Hear" the Music that influenced
me and meet some great people who share the love:
http://www.progulus.com/rprweb/playing.php

>>>WARNING<<< I may have to Re-edit Video Links because
YOUpoop keeps banning them (copyright infringments and all that
rubbish), so thank YOU for your patience.

"Here we go...vertigo
Video vertigo
Test for echo
Here we go...in slo-mo
Video vertigo
Test for echo . . ."
-Test for Echo/RUSH


Phase1
In the Beginning . . .
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ziPh9U_EmPs&feature=related

"Turn off your mind, relax and float down stream . . .
It is not dying, it is not dying, Lay down all thoughts, surrender to the void, It is
shining, it is shining . . ."
- Tomorrow Never Knows/the Beatles

From 1963 to now, My life has been filled with music of all sorts to enjoy.
My love for "The Beatles" as a little kid was overwhelming, I knew even as
a 5-7 year old that this music was different than anything on Top 40 radio of
the 60's. Then there was my Dad's fondness of "Santana", it went along
with his tastes in Latin music that he grew up with (Herb Albert and Brazil
66 were my faves, along with many other Latin and South American music
styles). He was also very influenced by American Rock and Roll of the
1950's, but it was the 60's and my Dad's love of guitar would influence my
childhood (he also had a Spanish/Acoustic Guitar and a hollow body
Harmony electric with an accompanying amp).
I had learned from my Uncle, that my Dad used to walk the neighborhoods
of San Pedro Sula (in Honduras), with his friends strumming his acoustic
guitar almost everywhere he went . . . that makes me smile.
A wanna-be "Balladeer" to win my Moms affections it seems (he was quite
handsome, looked like a young Elvis, and even had the "lip" thing goin',
something me and my Brother get when we're angry. His real Mother was
a "Beauty Queen" of Honduras, and My Mom was a real looker back in the
day, they were a popular couple her and my Dad).

The Music.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T80KPqxl29U&feature=related
For some reason, Jimi Hendrix, Cream, Alvin Lee & 10 Years After, and
the like, eluded us for some reason back then. I might've been a musician
instead of an Artist if we listened to more of the innovators of the day.
The "Hits" were heard, but my Mom and Dad never purchased any albums
(maybe it was their association with "hippies" and the drug culture).
But I did hear this song vividly, "Sunshine of your Love", the Guitar riff was
soo HEAVY, it would stick with me for the rest of my life.
But Carlos Santana were on the same par as those musicians, even as a
kid I could hear it. This was beyond Bubble Gum.
There were no "twangy" guitars here, these guys knew the power of the
Power Chords, the sustaining notes and adding the heavy blues influence
and innovation of the Player that would influence everyone.
But Santana had this HUGE group of musicians, top of there form, at such
a young age! (that included: Greg Rollie, Neal Schon who would later
form Journey, and Michael Shrieve who would become a session Rock
and Fusion Drummer). They also added the African/Latin/Tropical flavour
that always held musicianship to the highest degree.
It would be the albums "Abraxas"; "III"; and "Caravansari" that would shape
me into the music aficionado.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AEm2afF8Iyo&feature=related
"Every step of the way" from Caravanserai, Live:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AHVLGWT9jFM&feature=related

Then hearing bits of Revolver, Sgt. Pepper, the White Album, Abby Road
and Let it Be from the Beatles with the usual hit singles (Lady Madonna
made an impact on my early ears).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VfthrizXKOM
This song always takes me back to the "feelings" I had as a small boy at
a Nursery/Kindergarden school, the taste of Milk with Cheese Sandwiches,
the naps, Mr. Glardinis "Hot Wheel Collection" that if we were lucky, got to
play with and bring in our own, and drawing with the "older" kids (how
GIANT they were to me, they might as well been High School kids, they
must have been, at the most, 11 years old), kids that drew Hot Rods,
Dragsters, Funny Cars, even a kid who drew them as "Cutaways".
Amazing how just 1 song can take you back, and The Beatles and
Santana are literally seedlings for music in general, germinating within
me. A childs growth with music that too, would grow.

These 2 bands I consider the 1st Progressive Rock bands-in general, and
that would be the "seed" for the movement, even though I usually didn't
know what the heck they were singing about ("I am the Egg Man, I am the
Walrus, kookookatchoo!"?), but the "Progression" was on the move,
Instruments not associated with "Rock", Classical influences, Jazz and
Art and the counter culture all creating a new soup. A Renaissance!
Recent note:
It could be that "Procal Harum" may have been the 1st, and the song
"Whiter Shade of Pale" is embedded in me as it takes me back to Radio
and the feelings I had in the 60's, a time that will never return.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mb3iPP-tHdA&feature=PlayList&p=85E467
B30BCD5E07&playnext=1&index=71
(See the story here, Part 1 of "Prog Rock Britannia"):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rt6uWZpIiMY

But the Beatles were always a staple on the radio. The only album we had
at the time was "Meet the Beatles" and 45rpm singles. The Let it Be album,
would be given by my Aunt Daly, she noticed every time I'd visit her, I'd
want to hear it, she decided to give it to me to take home (and I still have it),
She was also a HUGE encouragement on my Art, I was fascinated by Cars
at the time, mostly Race Cars and Hot Rods. So when I visited, she
supplied paper and pencils as we listened to music (I may have been a bit
precocious as a child, which makes me cringe, yikes! . . . :shakesoutofit: ).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RdopMqrftXs
(. . . and "Hey Jude" that I saw on T.V. "Re-Broadcast" as a kid on ABC):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GEKgYKpEJ3o
I have pleasant memories of taking Sunday drives, heading home at night
and listening to "8 Track Tapes" (and the soft lights of the player under the
dash board) in my Dads 67 Mustang Fastback, laying on the flattened back
seats (back seats would fold down into a flat-bed) and looking at the lights
and stars through the rear window, going through the various streets of
Los Angeles and Hollywood.

There was also my Dads love (I should insert that my Dad hated to say
things like love for "things", "How can you LOVE cars, they're not REAL!
Love people, thats different!" . . . thats my Papa') of Country, and this was to
be the "Golden Age", where the Outlaws of Country like Waylon Jennings,
Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash and Merle Haggard thrived. Then you had the
likes of Tom T. Hall, George Jones, Tammy Wynette, Tennesse Ernie Ford,
Loretta Lynn, Charlie Pride, as well as soo many others that had the old
"twang" and swing of the classic stars, with incredible voices, musicianship,
with all sorts of Guitars, tone and style.
A nice memory is watching the Country Variety show "HEE HAW" with my
Dad and the various Country Stars of the time. But when Co-host Roy Clarke
would play his various Guitars, he was like the Steve Howe (Yes guitarist)
of Country! (And it was a treat to see him on Johnny Carson as well).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k59g3pX-C_s
"Fingers on Fire" (Hee Haw):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ipweRXwPFiQ
Then you would have guests like Chet Atkins and Glenn Campbell that also
would shred and finger-pick with unbelievable speed (Influences for Dixie
Dregs Steve Morse I'm sure).
Chet:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ni8KBhnebwE
Glenn:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kh0F2sMcr_4&feature=related

Recent:
How could I forget the late great Les Paul (and Mary Ford):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AP7qI5RVtxw&feature=related

Johnny Cash, Jerry Reed and Glenn Campbell also had variety shows with
diverse music talents (Comedian Steve Martin was one of the Lead Banjo
players in Cambell's Band!). John Denver would soon follow.
But Country music has become a "cash cow" and less twang, more rock.
My Dad used to say "...that isn't Country!" There are exceptions, but it mostly
sounds like Top 40 music with a southern "drawl" nowadays.

I also got to appreciate Vocalists like, Frank Sinatra; Tony Bennet; Johnny
Mathis; Dean Martin; and Pop music and Rock of the day like Simon &
Garfunkle; Sugarloaf; the Strawberry Alarm Clock; The Guess Who; Jackie
DeShannon; Ray Charles; Stevie Wonder; the Letterman; America; Love;
Spiral Staircase; the 5th Dimension; the Carpenters; the Lovin' Spoonfull;
Buffalo Springfield; the Monkees; the Byrds; the Beach Boys; Crosby, Stills,
Nash & Young; Janis Joplin; Procul Harem; Iron Butterfly; the Cowsills; the
Rolling Stones; Credance Clearwater Revival; Bread; T-Rex; Three Dog
Night, and the Jackson 5. Including the British Pop Bands/Vocalists of the
"British Invasion" like Lulu; Dusty Springfield; Donovan; the Bee Gees;
Hermins Hermits; Petula Clark; the Seekers; the Zombies; the Hollies; the
Kinks; Eric Burden and the Animals and more (Did not remember hearing
the Who this early on, I have no idea why).
Missed out on the Moody Blues; Fleetwood Mac Mk I; Pink Floyd; Yes Mk I;
and Jethro Tull Mk I (I would have been a REALLY strange kid...).
This would be from 1963 to about 72.

But the happiness of living in California would soon be over . . .
"Southern Hospitality" would bring an end to that.


Phase2
Moving (backwards).

"Boy, you're going to carry that weight, Carry that weight a long time
Boy, you're going to carry that weight, Carry that weight a long time . . ."
- Carry that Weight/The Beatles

A song that would be an analogy for life.

To be continued . . .

OPUS INSERT
An odd thing for a kid of 6-7 to be thinking about . . .
Something we take for granted these days are Pop Songs within Television Shows nowadays,
a song can grab attention for both performer and show, everybody wins (unless you are like
me, sick and tired of hearing the sappy love song, the inevitable R&B or Hip-Hop song, or the
teen angst emo/post punk song... enough to make you wanna' throw-up! But it took an
episode of Smallville to introduce me to Porcupine Tree . . . yup, Porky Tree's In Absentia).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XO3GQvye2bQ&feature=related
When I was a little kid, I used to wonder why I didn't hear "real" Rock songs on T.V. shows
that I liked, especially when it involved kids, pre and post teens. For example The Brady
Bunch (I remember thinking this), seems adults thought Rock n' Roll was music that had
"Horns" in it for some reason, and NO Guitars, so what you got was trumpets sounding like:
Da Da da DADADADAHHH Da Da DaDaAaAAaaAAaaAAHH!
(kind of that "60's-70's GoGo Dancer vibe thing") and that annoying Organ doing the same
thing, like Ray Manzarek of the Doors (Reminds me of Latino bands of the 60's I heard at
weddings, it annoyed the hell out of me and my Dad, sorry Doors fans) . . . what was that all
about? I would probably ask friends and my parents this, and they must have just thought,
". . . what are you talking about?"
In the 70's, songs would take their cue from modern Films and a pop song would be heard in
the backround if you payed attention.
Surprisingly (or not), George Lucas was the 1st to use an ALL "Rock'n Roll" Soundtrack in a
Movie, that was American Graffiti : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WvmFpj2Bgyc
The Beginnings of how to Market a Film in the new Era of Cinema.

Then came Miami Vice, the Crime series that started a style, and made a "niche" music
seem hip and made it part of each angular frame and noir motif. For us music devotees, we
were lucky to hear Jan Hammer, Brian Ferry, Genesis and even Russ Ballard. And cool
session musicians with Chorus/Echo laden Voices and Guitars, as stylish as the
Cinematography.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=60kmZiCbxjI
That was then, now music styles are in MacDonalds commercials and in Children shows,
and sell you that "this music represents YOU, because its the fashion, so that makes YOU
hip... Just another Car, Credit Card and Cell Phone commercial YOU need, now Assimilate!"
For a brief time it was about enhancing a scene, now its a plug as much as a Beer Cans
Label facing the camera . . . MTV "killed the radio star" indeed.
Be careful what you ask for I guess. . . what a weird kid to be asking that question at 6
years old. Thanks kid, wheres my money?