GFreedom's Juke Box No.230

Hello all!
  Those who are checking my blog from time to time should know that almost on every Saturday morning I am posting my weekly Top-5 song list, under the name 'GFreedom's Juke Box).
  Today is not an exception to that, so without further ado, here's the songs I chose as the best ones for this week:
GHOST: Life Eternal (Prequelle - 2018)
WISHBONE ASH: The King Will Come (Argus - 1972)
DAVID BOWIE: Quicksand (Hunky Dory - 1971)
JUDAS PRIEST: Dreamer Deceiver (Sad Wings of Destiny - 1976)
PFM: Impressioni di Settembre (Storia di un Minuto - 1971)
If any of you is interested, you can listen to the songs by clicking on the following YouTube links. Enjoy the music and have a nice weekend.
Thank you!
GHOST: Life Eternal
WISHBONE ASH: The King Will Come
DAVID BOWIE: Quicksand
JUDAS PRIEST: Dreamer Deceiver
PFM: Impressioni di Settembre

OAK: Giordano Bruno - A Rock Opera (2018). My review...

  Starting this piece, I must admit that a few months ago I had no idea about the Italian project Oak (Oscillazioni Alchemico Kreative), until I found out about their new Rock Opera Giordano Bruno. The name of the album attracted my attention, so I tried to find more info about it. When I saw the names of the musicians that are participating in it, I knew that I had to get it! And so I did.

  Let’s take it from the start: 

  Oak is the project of the Italian composer, lyricist, singer and multi-instrumentalist Jerry Cutillo, who decided to write a Rock Opera about the life and the tragic end of Giordano Bruno; an Italian philosopher, poet, mathematician and cosmological theorist who was accused of Heresy by the Roman Inquisition and he was burned alive in 1600. Quiet a strong main theme, eh?

  Now let’s take a look at the musicians who are participating in the album. Further than Jerry Custillo and his band, we also see some great names of Progressive Rock, such as Sonja Kristina (Curved Air) on vocals, Martin Allcock (Fairport Convention/Jethro Tull) on bass and guitars, Richard Sinclair (Camel/Caravan) on bass and vocals and David Jackson (Van Der Graaf Generator) on sax.

With such a strong story and with an all-star band like that, how is it possible to create something less than wonderful? It just can’t happen!

  Jerry Cutillo created a great album, by paying attention to every little detail, which is a real treat for the senses. Where to begin? From the wonderful cover? The lyrics, that are in 4 languages? (English, Italian, German and Latin), the inner album sleeves, that have the lyrics translated even in Japanese? Or is it better to skip all these things and just concentrate on the music? This is the most important thing after all, correct?

  So, the music of Giordano Bruno can be characterized as “old-school” Progressive Rock, with many Jethro Tull influences and a few Van Der Graaf Generator influences in some parts as well, (mostly because of David Jackson’s sax).

  The compositions vary from simple ballads up to very complex Progressive rock songs, depending on the theme of each song. Since the music is following the life of Giordano Bruno, the rhythm and the pace of the album is changing all the time, including some very soft and melodic moments, but on the other hand some powerful and intense ones.

  (I was also very impressed when I saw some videos of their live performances, where they are using dancers and actors in order to give a more theatrical tone to their music).

  All the songs of the album were composed by Jerry Cutillo, with the exception of the Dance-Macabre, which was composed by Camille Saint-Saens, the famous French composer and pianist.

  I am not going to mention the songs of the album one by one, because I see it as a whole piece of work. And that’s the way it should be heard. From the beginning ‘till the end. Yes, there are some “stronger” and some “weaker” moments maybe, but the overall outcome is excellent!

  In my opinion, this is a pure work of art! Nothing more, nothing less. Congratulations to Mr. Cutillo, not only for trying to create something so difficult and beautiful, but also for succeeding in it!

The only problem I have to point out is that, Giordano Bruno is not available in CD format. You can buy the double vinyl edition, which includes a CD, or the digital one.

  Favourite songs (so far): Circe, Diana Morgana, La cena delle beffe , Dreams of Mandragora, Danse Macabre, The Globe.

  Giordano Bruno is a “must-have” album for every Progressive Rock fan. Try to find and listen to it. You won’t be disappointed!

My Rating will be between 4.0 and 4.5 stars (out of 5.0)

 

Prog n Roll Radio show (24/6/2018). The complete playlist and more...

Hello all!

  Last night, one more Prog n Roll radio show was online as usual. As the season's end is approaching, we are trying to make these remaining shows as interesting and fun as possible for our listeners.

  For those who are maybe interested, I should say that only 3 shows left until our summer break. These shows will take place on the 1st, 8th and 15th of July. (On the 8th we are going to have something very special, but for that I will inform you later on).

  We had a good crowd listening last night, including 3-4 musicians from some bands once more, and the whole atmosphere was warm, friendly and fun.

  The playlist was including songs from different styles and sub-genres once more, but as it seemed the people enjoyed it. Everybody was in a good mood and the 2 hours of the show passed really fast. 

  Here you can take a look at the whole playlist: 

1st Part: GHOST: He is / SABATON: Long live the King / IMPERIAL AGE: The monastery / MONUMENT: The chalice / IRON MAIDEN: Wasted Years.

2nd Part: DAVID BOWIE: Cygnet Committee / MYSTERY: The world is a game / FISH: 13^th star. 

3rd Part: BRYAN FERRY: A hard rain’s a gonna fall / THE WHO: Who are you / STEVE MILLER BAND: Jet airliner / QUEEN: Don’t stop me now.

4rth Part: DRIFTING SUN: Atlantis / OAK: Danse-macabre / AYREON: The theory of everything (live) / GANDALF’S FIST: The Lamplighter Parts I – VII.    

 A very big thanks to all those who are supporting our show and they are listening to Prog n Roll whenever it is possible. We love the warm and friendly company we got there, and we are waiting with anticipation for the next show every time.

Thank you all!                 

GFreedom's Juke Box No.229

Hello all!
This week I was so busy that I couldn't find time for almost anything. I don't know what's wrong lately, but my free time becomes less and less with each passing day. I try to find some peace and quiet to enjoy some music, but it is never enough...
 The truth is that I did listen to some good music during the week, so today I can write here my usual weekly Top-5 song list for you.
Here it is:
GHOST: He is (Meliora - 2015)
DAVID BOWIE: Life on Mars? (Hunky Dory - 1971)
SUPERTRAMP: Crime of the Century (Crime of the Century - 1974)
GENESIS: The Musical Box (Nursery Cryme - 1971)
OSCILLAZIONI ALCHEMICO KREATIVE (OAK): Danse-Macabre (Giordano Bruno - 2018)
If you want to listen to the songs in my list just click on the following YouTube links:
GHOST: He is
DAVID BOWIE: Life on Mars?
SUPERTRAMP: Crime of the Century
GENESIS: The Musical Box
OAK: Dance-Macabre
Enjoy the music folks and have a great weekend!
Thanks for visiting...

Prog n Roll's presenation on Drifting Sun's Twilight now available as podcast on mixcloud.

Hello all!
  I am writing this piece to inform you that I just uploaded on Prog n Roll's page on Mixcloud one of our older shows, where we presented the latest album of Drifting Sun, Twilight. It is a really beautiful - piano driven - album, so in case you are interested, you can listen to a big part of it in our presentation.
  That night, we had the band's leader on our chatbox, but further than that, with the help of technology, he became the show's co-host, and announced a few songs himself with his very sweet English with the French accent.
  Further than this show, have in mind that we are uploading some selected shows on our Mixcloud page every now and then, so if you subscribe you will be able to get informed immediately about our new uploads.
Here's the playlist from that night: 

1st Part: COBALT BLUE: Bereaved / SIENA ROOT: Sundown / SOEN: Jinn / TIME COLLAPSE: The Messiah Complex Pt.1 / EARTH ELECTRIC: The Endless Road.

2nd Part: DRIFTING SUN: Twilight / COMEDY OF ERRORS: One Fine Day / CELLAR NOISE: Move the Stone / DRIFTING SUN: Wings of Hope.

3rd Part: FUN LOVING CRIMINALS: I’m not in Love (Music Quiz) / ROGER WATERS: Picture That / DRIFTING SUN: Soldiers / STEVE HACKETT: Inca Terra/ DRIFTING SUN: Remedy.

4rth Part: BIG BIG TRAIN: The Second Brighter Star / BAROCK PROJECT:  Alone / DRIFTING SUN: Summer Skies.

In order to listen to the show I mentioned above, just click here: https://www.mixcloud.com/ProgandRoll/prog-roll-radio-show-presents-twinight-by-drifting-sun-show-192/
Also, here's Prog n Roll's page, where you can subscribe, or just take a look at the shows we've uploaded so far and listen to them:https://www.mixcloud.com/ProgandRoll/ 
I hope you will find it interesting and enjoyable.
Thank you!

GFreedom's Juke Box No.228

Greetings all from rainy Athens!
 Today is a perfect day to stay indoors and deal with some stuff, like my blog for example.
  During this week I've listened to lots of songs, from many different styles and genres, so once more it wasn't easy to pick only 5 and add them to my weekly Top-5 song list.
  But I'm pretty sure that these are some of the best ones:
PALLAS: Ghost Dancers (The Dreams of Men - 2005)
JUDAS PRIEST: Jawbreaker (Defenders of the Faith - 1984)
SABATON: Long Live the King (Carolus Rex - 2012)
FISH: The Company (Vigil in a Wilderness of Mirrors - 1990)
OSCILLAZIONI ALCHEMICO KREATIVE (O A K): Dance Macabre (Giordano Bruno - 2018)
In case you are interested, just click on the following YT links and listen to them.
Enjoy the music and have a great weekend!
PALLAS: Ghost Dancers
JUDAS PRIEST: Jawbreaker
SABATON: Long Live the King
FISH: The Company
O A K: Danse Macabre

Prog & Roll radio show, inluding Spriggan Mist as special guests. (10/6/2018). The complete playlist and more...

Hello all!

  Last night one more Prog n Roll radio show was on air as usual. This time we had the pleasure to have on the chatbox the members of the very talented English Folk-Rock band Spriggan Mist as our special guests. A few days ago I wrote here that I have a very good feeling about this show, and you know what? I couldn't be more right! 

  At the time of the show, almost all the members of Spriggan Mist joined the chatbox, and they stayed there for the whole duration of the show, chatting with us and our listeners, while listening to the music we chose to play.

  The guys of Spriggan Mist were super friendly and cool people and as it seemed they enjoyed the show to the maximum.

  From our behalf, we prepared a rather melodic and cool playlist, that was including 6 songs taken from the band's new album The Portal, plus songs in the same style (more or less) by other bands.

  We also did our usual music quiz, and the winner was Tim who was listening from London. His prize was a CD copy of The Portal, signed by the members of the band. Not bad, eh?

  I believe that last night's show was a very pleasant, informative and fun one and judging from the people's reactions I am sure that everybody had some great time! Well, that's the point, right?

Here you can take a look at the complete playlist:

Part 1: TIGER MOTH TALES: Beauty Falls / JETHRO TULL: King Henry’s Madrigal / THE GENTLE STORM: The Heart of Amsterdam / SPRIGGAN MIST: Dance of Pan / LOREENA McKENNITT: Sun, Moon and Stars. 

Part 2: SPRIGGAN MIST: The Portal / BREATHING SPACE: Lantern for a Smile / THE HEATHER FINDLAY BAND: Dark Eyes–The Dreamer’s Wake / SPRIGGAN MIST: The Handfasting.

Part 3: GLASS HAMMER: Air Born (Music Quiz) / SPRIGGAN MIST: Magical Ways / MOSTLY AUTUMN: Things that we Notice / SPRIGGAN MIST: The Spellmaker.

Part 4: FISH: Credo / FLYING COLORS: The Storm / SPRIGGAN MIST: The Good Ship Polyphemus / KAIPA: In the Wake of Evolution.

  I would like to thank all those who chose to spend their Sunday evening with our show. Also, a very big thanks to the guys of Spriggan Mist for being there, and for the CD that they offered. And last but not least, a very big thanks to Graham Steel, for organizing the whole thing.

Prog n Roll is going to have a day off on Sunday the 17th, and it will be back after 2 weeks, on Sunday the 24th of June.

Thank you all!

Take care!