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Anyone else have this new album organized by Billy Sherwood and featuring guest appearances by various progressive musicians including John Wetton, Geoff Downes, Peter Banks, Chris Squire, and others?
It's less than $7 on Amazon MP3 in the US, if you're on the fence about it, and act fast, there is a deal on Amazon Local where you can buy a "$3 off any MP3 album $5.99 or more" coupon to apply to your account before purchase, making the total cost under $4!
I've only had one listen through so far, but I really like it. If you like Sherwood stuff, you'll like this.
Interesting to hear John Wetton's track where he tries to sing Billy Sherwood style. :)
The early stand out track for me is "Social Circles", though, surprisingly. I wasn't expecting it to be, because the title isn't as intriguing as some other tracks, I didn't really have any idea who Anne Haslam was (the guest vocalist on part of this track), and I didn't know how good Peter Banks was going to be on guitar, since the last thing I heard from him was probably recorded 50 years or so ago. :) The song itself has great lyrics, Anne's voice fits it very well and plays off a male co-vocalist (Probably Sherwood) and the music behind her works almost perfectly. Banks plays this beautiful slow southwestern style of guitar that reminds me a bit of some of Steve Howe's work, and is a great compliment to the sort of synth-80s music that's the base to the song. The combination of those two types of music in the same song at the same time play together beautifully- one wouldn't think that it would, but it does. You've got a vocal duet, a duet between instruments, and a duet between styles- and all three of those things sort of merging together into this collective bit of awesomeness. :)
One criticism some have of Sherwood's work is that it sometimes seems a little samey. That song doesn't seem samey. It's a beautiful meld of a ton of different things. And it manages to meld them all without it sounding like too much is going on or giving me a pounding headache. It's actually very relaxing.
What did you guys think of the album? Any favorite song(s)? If you don't have it yet and are planning to get it or thinking about getting it, which track or tracks are you most looking forward to hearing?
Anyone know if they designated a song to be the "lead single" from the album? If they did, anyone know what it is?
Anyone hearing anything in the wind about a sequel album?
I just ordered it.
I want to read more before I buy it.
It is cheap! Read and think before you buy a house or change jobs. This is MUSIC we are talking about...splurge now and think later...if you don't like just give it to you nephew like i do!! (LOL!)Originally Posted by Sharp on Attack
Update:
My copy arrived today here at work and even though i am only 3 minutes into the opening track I'd say it is worth it already...good Wetton vocal line and backing vocals, killer drums, Tony Levin on bass and stick, and Jerry Goodman (who used to play with McGlaughlin in the Mahvishnu days) playing a violin line that sounds like vintage U.K.
Good album I like it quite a lot. I think Billy is doing another one but more in the Jazz/rock/fusion stuff with different performers for that type of music. But I hope he does more Prog collective albums like this.
I just bought this from a record shop. Look forward to listening.
Listen to Delicious Agony Progressive Rock Radio (www.deliciousagony.com).
"Name one band who only plays their new album, and no old songs from their past catalogue - I can't think of one. Didn't Yes play Roundabout as an encore on the Tales tour?" - BillGuitar
Yes. It is true about the fusion album.
I noticed there is a "Deluxe" edition of the Prog Collective that has (according to a review) "a second CD that has instrumental versions of the pieces." Sounded great so I checked but apparently that "Deluxe" copy is only available as a MP3 download, not a real CD package. Too bad!
Yeah I bought the CD from a local store which increases the price a little, and you do not get the instrumental tracks. I tunes has the whole package for 9.99.
Overall, I think this is an album that will probably grow on me. For all the talent on the record, it comes up a little less than blowing you away, but , this is a Billy S album that's using all the great talent. It's not a collaboration.
Having said that, it's pretty a nice CD that as I said will grown on me... cool, and I really like the song written for Annie Haslem. She needs more quality music written for her. That voice is still great. Haven't heard recent Renaissance, so I guess I should check that out.
Last edited by YESOLA; 09-04-2012 at 07:08 PM.
Listen to Delicious Agony Progressive Rock Radio (www.deliciousagony.com).
"Name one band who only plays their new album, and no old songs from their past catalogue - I can't think of one. Didn't Yes play Roundabout as an encore on the Tales tour?" - BillGuitar
BTW, I was amazed at the quality of Billy's drumming!
(Oh, in case it comes up, Billy says he reached out to Jon Anderson but he was very much not interested in joining the project.)
Downloading this from Amazon right now, it was only $5.99 for the non-deluxe version. Hope it is as good as the samples.
Jeff the Lonewolf
Billy said on Fbook he made the mistake of sending tracks to Jon Anderson that were maybe two heavy prog with metal guitars all over the place. He added that he eventually understood why Jon declined to guest and that he (Billy) would make sure to create a much quieter instrumental vehicle specifically designed for Jon's singing on the next project.
Makes sense...
merci for this info!
not a mistake in my eyes..
still undefined
Get it from Amazon.
I like the John Wesley tune.
Billy also said that Jon declined because he prefers to sing his own lyrics and compose his own melody lines to instrumental bases. Billy sent him a complete song. He has already contacted Jon again with regard to The Prog Collective 2 (along with 19 other musicians despite not having written anything for it yet) and has stated this time that a song melody and lyrics will not be included.
Angelsembraceall
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