Pavlov's Dog - Pampered Menial (1975)

Pavlov's Dog is an American progressive rock band formed in 1972 in Saint Louis, Missouri, out of the ashes of a local cover band called High On A Small Hill, formerly of the minor folk-rock act Touch. "Pampered Menial" is their debut studio album and was released in 1974. 

Here it's an interesting story about the release of "Pampered Menial". When the album was released, it was briefly released on ABC Records and quickly re-issued by Columbia Records. The final result was that both versions of the album appeared at the same time in the same stores, which became a little bit confused for many people in those times.

Pavlov's Dog est un groupe de rock progressif américain formé en 1972 à Saint Louis, dans le Missouri, sur les cendres d'un groupe de reprises local appelé High On A Small Hill, anciennement du groupe folk-rock Touch. "Pampered Menial" est leur premier album studio et a été publié en 1974.
Voici une histoire intéressante sur la sortie de "Pampered Menial". Lorsque l'album a été publié, il a été brièvement publié sur ABC Records et rapidement réédité par Columbia Records. Le résultat final a été que les deux versions de l'album sont apparues en même temps dans les mêmes magasins, ce qui est devenu un peu confus pour beaucoup de gens à cette époque.

Tracks : 

Side 1

A1 Julia   3:12

A2 Late November  3:13

A3 Song Dance  5:01

A4 Fast Gun 3:04

A5 Natchez Trace 3:43

Side 2

B1 Theme From Subway Sue 4:25

B2 Episode 4:08

B3 Preludin 1:37

B4 Of Once And Future Kings 5:32

Line-Up :

Bass Guitar – Rick Stockton

Keyboards – David Hamilton

Lead Guitar – Steve Scorfina

Lead Vocals, Guitar – David Surkamp

Mellotron, Flute – Doug Rayburn

Percussion – Mike Safron

Violin, Performer [Vitar], Viola – Siegfried Carver

Enjoy Music :

Pavlov's Dog - Pampered Menial (LP)

1975

Tony Banks - A Curious Feeling (1979)

A Deluxe two disc edition of the album 'A Curious Feeling' by Genesis founder member and keyboard player Tony Banks. This classic album, inspired by the novel 'Flowers for Algernon' by Daniel Keyes, was first released in October 1979 by Charisma Records. Recorded at Polar Studios in Stockholm, whilst Genesis were on a brief hiatus following the 'And Then There Were Three' tour, this majestic work featured contributions from drummer Chester Thompson (a member of Genesis for concert appearances) and vocalist Kim Beacon. Stylistically the album is equal to anything Banks composed for Genesis and includes the instrumental 'The Waters of Lethe' and the song 'For a While' (also released as a single) among its highlights. 

Une édition de luxe à deux disques pour l'album "A Curious Feeling" du membre fondateur de Genesis et claviériste Tony Banks. Cet album classique, inspiré du roman «Flowers for Algernon» de Daniel Keyes, a été publié pour la première fois en octobre 1979 par Charisma Records. Enregistré au Polar Studios de Stockholm, alors que Genesis était en pause après la tournée 'And Then There Were Three', ce travail majestueux a été présenté par le batteur Chester Thompson (membre de Genesis pour des concerts) et la chanteuse Kim Beacon. Stylistiquement, l'album est égal à tout ce que Banks a composé pour Genesis et inclut l'instrumental 'The Waters of Lethe' et la chanson 'For A While' (également sorti en single) parmi ses points forts.

Tracks :

  1. From The Undertow

  2. Lucky Me

  3. The Lie

  4. After The Lie

  5. A Curious Feeling

  6. Forever Morning

  7. You

  8. Somebody Else's Dream

  9. The Waters Of Lethe

  10. For A While

  11. In The Dark

Line-Up :

Drums, Percussion – Chester Thompson

Keyboards, Guitar, Bass, Percussion, Written-By – Tony Banks

Vocals – Kim Beacon

Enjoy Music :

Tony Banks - A Curious Feeling (LP)

1979

Focus - Mother (1975)

Mother Focus is the fifth studio album by the band Focus. It was released in 1975 on Atco Records. Some tracks on the album mark a departure from the progressive rock style that dominated the group's prior work, and herald a funk music style with light jazz and pop at the centre. 

Mother Focus est le cinquième album studio du groupe Focus. Il a été publié en 1975 sur Atco Records. Certaines chansons de l'album marquent une rupture avec le style rock progressif qui a dominé les travaux antérieurs du groupe et annoncent un style de musique funk avec du jazz léger et de la pop au centre.

Tracks : 

1 Mother Focus 3:03

2 Necesito un Bano 3:02

3 Bennie Helder 3:31

4 Soft Vanilla 3:00

5 Hard Vanilla 2:35

6 Pajaro Tropical 2:42

7 Focus IV 3:55

8 Alguien Esta Llorando...Que! 3:18

9 Todos Juntos...Eso! 3:40

10 Sin Borracheras 2:54

11 Mi Novia 3:35

12 Padre Bach 1:30

Line-Up :

Bass Guitar – Bert Ruiter

Drums – David Kemper

Keyboards, Flute – Thys Van Leer

Enjoy Music :

Focus - Mother (LP)

1975

White Wing - White Wing (1971)

White Wing formed in the late 60s and had regional success before morphing into the band Asia in the mid 70s. Asia had completed a second album and seemed poised for bigger things when it all fell apart, partially because of legal problems arising from the use of their band name, which was clashing with another band called Asia across the pond. But that's another story.

Before there was Asia there was White Wing. This is one of those midwest regional bands like Surprise or even early Curulewski-era Styx, who blended together influences of British progressive rock with plenty of good ole American hard rock. 

White Wing s'est formé à la fin des années 60 et a connu un succès régional avant de se transformer en Asia au milieu des années 70. Asia avait achevé un deuxième album et semblait prêt pour de plus grandes choses quand tout s'est effondré, en partie à cause de problèmes juridiques découlant de l'utilisation de leur nom de groupe, qui se heurtait à un autre groupe appelé Asia. Mais c'est une autre histoire.

Avant Asia, il y avait White Wing et c'est l'un de ces groupes régionaux du Midwest, comme Surprise ou encore Styx de l'époque de Curulewski, qui a mélangé les influences du rock progressif britannique avec un bon vieux rock américain.

Tracks :

1. Hansa (Cygnus)

2. Patent Leather

3. Slave

4. Wait 'Til Tomorrow

5. The White Ship

6. Harbinger

7. A Little Levity (A Satrical Salute)

8. Tuzashottma

9. Executive Privilege

10. Hansa (Aquila)

Line-Up :

Mike English - lead vocals

Mike Coates - lead guitars

Tim Renshaw - keyboards

Gary Cass - bass

Norm Curtis - drums 

Enjoy Music :

White Wing - White Wing (LP)

1971

Nightwinds - Nightwinds (1979)

Nightwinds were a Canadian band. They recorded only one album which wasn't released until long after the band had broken up. Genesis seems to be their main inspiration. Their musicianship was always extremely high level and this fact shows on the album. One is the key components of the band is the tremendous vocals of Sandy Singers.  All in all a great album, unhappy almost forgotten by many.

Nightwinds était un groupe canadien. Ils ont enregistré seulement un album qui n'a été libéré que longtemps après la rupture du groupe. Genesis semble avoir été leur inspiration principale. Leur musicalité a toujours été de très haut niveau et cela s'entend sur l'album. L'un des éléments clés du groupe est l'énorme chant de Sandy Singers. Dans l'ensemble, un excellent album, malheureusement presque oublié par beaucoup.

Tracks : 

1 We Were The Young 4:33

2 Crude Exports 3:24

3 Ivy 4:13

4 The Pirates Of Rebecca's Choice 7:06

5 Out 'n' About 5:44

6 Sad But True 4:28

7 As The Crow Flies 11:04

8 The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button 5:08

Line-Up :

Bass , Pedalboard , Twelve-String Guitar , Recorder, Backing Vocals – Mike Gingrich

Drums, Percussion – Mike Phelan 

Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar – Terry O'Brien

Lead Vocals, Backing Vocals, Twelve-String Guitar – Sandy Singers

Mellotron, Synthesizer [Prophet V], Synthesizer [ARP Pro Soloist], Organ [Hammond T-100], Clavinet, Celesta, Synthesizer [Yamaha CS-80], Synthesizer [Roland String Ensemble], Synthesizer [Maxikorg] – Gerald O'Brien.

Enjoy Music :

Nightwinds - Nightwinds (LP)

1979

Year One - Year One (1971)

Year One is basically the Miami band Fantasy without their female vocalist (of course this Fantasy isn't to be confused with the UK group of Paint a Picture fame). This was a double album, apparently United Artists probably had no interest in this  so it was released privately, as a double LP.

La première année est essentiellement le groupe de Fantasy de Miami sans leur chanteuse (bien sûr, ce Fantasy ne doit pas être confondu avec le groupe britannique de Paint a Picture). C'était un double album, apparemment United Artists, leur label, n'était pas intéressé à le publier, donc il estsorti en privé, effectivement en double LP.

Tracks :

1. E=mc2 

2. Now You Are In The Puzzle

3. Morning Lights 

4. Jubilation

5. Your Love, My Love

6. Juggle

7. Transitory River 

8. Flood 

9. Universal Love Song 

10. Year One 

11. We Look Out At You 

12. As Much As I Know You

13. Rock 'n' Roll Nights

14. Above You 

15. True My Lord

16. Champion

Line-Up :

Bob Robbins - bass, vocals

Jim DeMeo - guitar, vocals

Greg Kimple - drums, vocals

Mario Russo - keyboards, vocals

Enjoy Music :

Year One - Year One (LP)

1971

Another World Production - The End Of The Age (1980)

All the elements of good guitar-based progressive rock can be found in this Wisconsin foursome’s excellent custom. A variety of expressions gives the music a lot of depth. ‘He Is Real’, ‘Tales Of Evil’, ‘What Will Become’, the apocalyptic title track and the instrumental ‘Lessons In Seven’ all check in with an artful heavy rock sound, including several driving dual electric guitar side trips. ‘I Say Hello’ and ‘Reprise’ begin and end the set with a lush symphonic presence – a stately melding of acoustic guitars, piano and mellotron-like orchestration.

Tous les éléments d'un bon rock progressif à base de guitare se retrouvent dans l'excellente prestation du quatuor du Wisconsin. Une variété d'expressions donne beaucoup de profondeur à la musique. «He Is Real», «Tales Of Evil», «What Will Become», la chanson-titre apocalyptique et l'instrumental «Lessons In Seven» sont tous accompagnés d'un son heavy rock astucieux, incluant plusieurs doubles sorties de guitare électrique. 'I Say Hello' et 'Reprise' commencent et finissent le set avec une présence symphonique luxuriante - un mélange majestueux de guitares acoustiques, d'orchestration de piano et de mellotron.

Tracks :

1. I Say Hello 

2. Now I Sing 

3. He Is Real 

4. Tomorrow 

5. Tales Of Evil 

6. End Of The Age 

7. What Will Become 

8. Lessons In Seven 

9. I Pray Some Day 

10. Reprise

Line Up :

Steven Cumber

Mark Redlin

Steve Appolloni

Gary Cumber

Enjoy Music :

Another World Production - The End Of The Age (LP)

1980

Easter Island - Easter Island (1979)

Another terribly underestimate North-American band !

Maybe due the influence of the British prog masters, like Yes, E,L & Palmer, Genesis, Gentle Giant and others. Easter Island bring to us in their wonderful music a lesson of a mix symphonic/hard and space prog.

Un autre groupe nord-américain terriblement sous-estimé!

Peut-être en raison de l'influence des maîtres britanniques prog, comme Yes, Emerson Lake & Palmer, Genesis, Gentle Giant et d'autres. Easter Island nous apporte avec leur merveilleuse musique une leçon d'un mélange symphonique / hard et space prog.

Tracks :

1. Face To Face

2. Genius Of The Dance 

3. Solar Sailor

4. Winds Of Time 

5. The Alchemist's Suite

a) Prelude

b) Life Celebration 

c) Telesterion 

d) Resurrection

6. Summerland 

Line-Up :

Rick Bartlett - vocals

Park Crain - bass, percussion

Mark Hendricks - drums

Mark Miceli - guitar, vocals, gato drums

Ray Vogel - Hammond C-3 organ, Mini-moog, piano, Mellotron

Enjoy Music :

Easter Island - Easter Island (LP)

1979

Riff Raff - Original Man (1974)

Second (and last) official album, from this highly gifted group who would've probably deserved much more attention from the public. Still the "classic prog quartet", this time augmented not by one but two guest wind players and an all-around finer album.

Deuxième (et dernier) album officiel, de ce groupe très talentueux qui aurait probablement mérité beaucoup plus d'attention du public. Toujours le "quatuor de prog classique", cette fois augmenté non pas par un mais deux vocalistes et un album globalement plus sophistiqué.  

Tracks :

1. Original Man 

2. Havakak

3. Goddamm The Man

4. In The Deep 

5. The Waster 

6. Tom's Song 

7. Speed 

Line-Up : 

Tommy Eyre - keyboards, string synthesizer, vocals

Bud Beadle - tenor, alto, soprano & baritone saxophones

Steve Gregory - tenor saxophone, flute, clarinet

Pete Kirtley - guitars, vocals

Roger Sutton - bass, cello, vocals

Aureo DeSouza - drums, percussion

Joanna Newman - vocal on "In The Deep"

Joe O'Donnell - viola on "Original Man"

Enjoy Music :

Riff Raff - Original Man (LP)

1974

Twogether - A Couple Of Times (1973)

A Couple of Times is an exubberant-powerfully tripped out jazzy-electronic trip. With bands as Kollektiv, Kraan, Out of Focus, Xhol (...) Twogether represent the jazziest side of german krautrock. Their sound is rather atypical with reminiscence of notorious epic symphonic keyboardists (I'm thinking notably to early Keith Emerson with The Nice). A couple of Times is a patchwork of musical styles and influences, an imaginative trip through coulourful, soulful and freely improvised jam sessions.

A Couple Of Times est un voyage jazzy-électronique exubérante et puissant. Avec des groupes comme Kollektiv, Kraan, Out of Focus et Xhol, Twogether représente le côté le plus jazz du krautrock allemand. Leur son est plutôt atypique avec des réminiscences de claviers symphoniques (les débuts de Keith Emerson avec The Nice). Cet album est un patchwork de styles musicaux et d'influences, un voyage imaginatif à travers des sessions de jams colorées, soul et librement improvisées.

Tracks :

1. Percussion 

2. Don't Cry 

3. Out Of Range 

4. Make Me Feel Alright 

5. On The Move 

6. Toss-Up 

7. I Look Around 

8. Meet Me Every Day 

9. Bolero 

10. Cathedral 

11. Fusion 

12. I Was Away Too Long

13. I've Found A Love Again 

Line-Up :

Klaus Bangert - vocals, organ, piano, synthesizer

Reinhard Fisher - drums, percussion, synthesizer

Rolf Schneider - bass, electric & acoustic guitars

Enjoy Music :

Twogether - A Couple Of Times (LP)

1973

Happy The Man - Crafty Hands (1978)

Second album of the first truly exclusive American progressive rock band, "Crafty Hands" is rightly considered their best. Happy The Man as the particularity of being composed in particular of two keyboarders, including Kit Watkins, true virtuoso both for the richness of their compositions as for the quality of their interpretations, full of serenity, grace and delicacy.

Happy The Man combines the complexity of Gentle Giant and the melodic approach of Yes without ever falling into sterile technical demonstration.

Deuxième album du premier véritable groupe de rock progressif exclusivement américain, "Crafty Hands" est considéré, à juste titre, comme leur meilleur. Happy The Man a la particularité d'être composé notamment de deux claviers véritableS, virtuose tant pour la richesse de leurs compositions que pour la qualité de leurs interprétations, empreintes de sérénité, de grâce et de délicatesse.

Happy The Man allie la complexité de Gentle Giant et l'approche mélodique de Yes sans jamais tomber dans la démonstration technique stérile.

Tracks : 

1. Service With A Smile 

2. Morning Sun

3. Ibby It Is 

4. Steaming Pipes 

5. Wind Up Doll Day Wind 

6. Open Book 

7. I Forgot To Push It 

Line-Up : 

Stanley Whitaker - 6 and 12 string guitars, vocals

Frank Wyatt - piano, harpsichord, saxophone, flute, voice

Kit Watkins - piano, harpsichord, Moog, fake strings, clavinet

Rick Kennell - bass

Ron Riddle - drums, percussion

Enjoy Music :

Happy The Man - Crafty Hands (LP)

1978

Fantasy - Paint A Picture (1973)

Fantasy's "Paint a Picture" is an example of prototypical progressive rock that appears to be as influenced by The Beatles and The Moody Blues as by King Crimson. In this way, Fantasy compares to Spring, Gracious and Cressida (if you are familiar with those bands). The band's original guitarist had died accidently before this was made and subsequently the lyrics reflect an overall questioning of existence.

"Paint a Picture" de Fantasy est un exemple de rock progressif prototypique qui semble être aussi influencé par The Beatles et The Moody Blues que par King Crimson. Ainsi, Fantasy peut se comparer à Spring, Gracious et Cressida (si vous connaissez ces groupes). Le guitariste original du groupe est mort accidentellement avant l'enregistrement et c'est pourquoi les paroles reflètent un questionnement général de l'existence.

Tracks :

1. Paint A Picture 

2. Circus 

3. The Award 

4. Politely Insane 

5. Widow

6. Icy River 

7. Thank Christ 

8. Young Man's Fortune

9. Gnome Song 

10. Silent Mine 

11. Beyond The Beyond 

12. Reality 

13. Alanderie 

14. Afterthought 

15. Worried Man 

16. Just A Dream 

17. Winter Rose 

Line-Up :

Paul Lawrence - 12 string guitar, vocals 

David Read - bass, vocals 

David Metcalfe - keyboards, vocals 

Peter James - lead guitar, vocals 

Jon Webster - percussion, vocals 

Enjoy Music :

Fantasy - Paint A Picture (LP)

1973

The Neutrons - Tales From The Blue Cocoons (1975)

Second and  last album by the Neutrons, "Tales From The Blue Cocoons" took the progressive tendencies of the first album and rolled in a slightly more pop 70's feel to it. I. In contrast to their debut album, "Tales.." takes on a slightly more accessible sound and a different feel with the insertion of female vocals of Caromay Dixon on several tracks. The album boasts some fantastic keyboard and guitar work all surrounded by some pretty clever song writing and vocalizations.

Deuxième et dernier album des Neutrons, "Tales From The Blue Cocoons" a pris les tendances progressistes du premier album et a évolué dans un sens légèrement plus pop 70's. I. Contrairement à leur premier album, "Tales .." prend un son légèrement plus accessible et une ambiance différente avec l'insertion de la voix féminine de Caromay Dixon sur plusieurs pistes. L'album propose un travail fantastique de clavier et de guitare tous entourés par une écriture et des vocalisations assez intelligentes de chanson.

Tracks : 

1. No More Straights (5:16)

2. Northern Midnight (5:55)

3. Come Into My Cave (4:47)

4. Live Your Lie (1:54)

5. L'Hippie Nationale (3:25)

6. Take You Further (5:55)

7. Welsh R Blunt (Or The Dexidrine Dormouse) (3:39)

8. The Jam Eaters (4:09) 

Line-up :

Phil Ryan - keyboards, vocals

Will Youatt - bass, guitars, vocals

Stuart Halliday - drums

Dave Charles - drums

Martin Wallace - guitars, vocals

Ray "Taff" Williams - guitars, bass

Caromay Dixon - vocals 

Enjoy Music :

The Neutrons - Tales From The Blue Cocoons (LP)

1975

Earth Opera - The Great American Eagle Tragedy (1969)

Earth Opera emerged from the Boston folk scene (as did Appaloosa and James Taylor) and recorded two folk rock albums in the late-60's. The main figures of Peter Rowen and Dave Grisman played in various eastern US folk music groups as far back as the early 60's, and their early works can be found on the String Band Project released in 69 by folk-specialist label Elektra. 

Earth Opera a émergé de la scène folk de Boston (comme Appaloosa et James Taylor) et enregistré deux albums de rock folk à la fin des années 60. Les principales figures, Peter Rowen et Dave Grisman, ont joué dans divers groupes de musique folklorique de l'Est américain dès le début des années 60, et leurs premiers travaux peuvent être trouvés sur le String Band Project publié en 69 par Elektra.

Tracks :

Side 1

A1 The Red Sox Are Winning 3:30

A2 As It Is Before 7:21

A3 Dreamless 2:50

A4 To Care At All 3:34

A5 Home Of The Brave 4:46

B1 The Child Bride 4:40

Side 2

B2 Close Your Eyes And Shut The Door 2:45

B3 Time And Again 5:45

B4 When You Were Full Of Wonder 3:55

B5 Death By Fire 6:05

Line-Up :

Bass – John Nagy

Drums – Paul Dillon

Drums, Percussion – Billy Mundi, Warren Smith

Mandocello, Mandolin – David Grisman

Piano, Organ, Vibraphone [Vibes], Harpsichord – Bill Stevenson

Vocals, Guitar – Peter Rowan

Enjoy Music :

Earth Opera - The Great American Eagle Tragedy (LP)

1969