Starcastle

[Gtkgasman]

Starcastle - Listened to live show on YouTube from ‘76 the other day - First s/t album in full. Listening to Fountains of Light on vinyl this morning. Prob hit Citdel vinyl later this aft.

I always enjoy putting them on every now and then, and I do the same thing - I listen to the first 3 records in a row through. I find them very relaxing, when just hanging around. And When In a mellow mood.

This is morning I had a a revelation of sorts for me, is “my Yes” Of today (H&E, TQ....) the Starcastle of today? Damn if I don’t get the same vibe, and also want each when in a similar mood.......

[Soundwaveseeker]

Starcastle were good, laid back Yessy stuff. First three albums indeed the best of their output. The fourth was a complete shift towards Reo Speedwagon/AOR territory. I also find them relaxing and summer-y.

I used to be suspicious of Starcastle, and thought they were a little ridiculous. I mean...'Starcastle!?' Just the name alone, cool but also ridiculous. They were kind of like if the original Yes with Kaye & Banks but with Alan White made Close To The Edge. They were like Yes without the songs, but bunches of arrangements. Like Yes-lite.

But then in 2017, I got the Starcastle bug for some reason, and went and got all four of those 70's albums on CD. Enjoyed them through part of the summer. I now can say I really like Starcastle, for the main reason that they feel good. Ridiculous and Yes-lite, maybe, but cozy stuff. I like Starcastle.

[downbyariver]

Everyone forgets Starcastle's fifth album, Song of Times, released in 2007. It was pretty good, albeit not well advertised.

It also created a situation whereby Oliver Wakeman could be their on-stage keyboardist for at least one live gig promoting the album, making him the only musician I know of who has been on stage playing music with both Yes and Starcastle. Wakeman isn't on the album, though.

[Soundwaveseeker]

They also put out a download only album in recent years called Alchemy, which is Starcastle demos from the 80's. Sound quality is kinda dodgy though, and in more of an aor/pomp rock style with a few proggy touches. Song Of Times is decent, but without most original members. The first four albums are like their 'main sequence'. Debut and Fountains of Light are their most Yes/prog, Reel To Real is straight rock/aor. Citadel is a hybrid of both styles, and may actually be their most realized album. Any mid-70's Styx fan should probably like that one.

I'm surprised Yes never tried to hunt down Terry Luttrel of Starcastle to join up when Jon or Benoit were out. He's probably works in computers/engineering or is retired by now. Did Starcastle ever open for Yes back in the mid/late 70's?

[Gtkgasman]

Everyone forgets Starcastle's fifth album, Song of Times, released in 2007. It was pretty good, albeit not well advertised.

It also created a situation whereby Oliver Wakeman could be their on-stage keyboardist for at least one live gig promoting the album, making him the only musician I know of who has been on stage playing music with both Yes and Starcastle. Wakeman isn't on the album, though.

Well. I didn’t forget about it. I didn’t even know about it. Haha. 😂😂😂😂. So just gave a listen to 2 tracks. Yes this harkens back to those first 3 studio albums. I’ll give it a full listen soon. If I’m in the starcastle mood , it def fits.

I also went back and gave Real to Reel another
shot - nah - doesn’t do it for me, not proggy, not Rocky, so if I see a vinyl at the flea market for a buck, I’d get it for the collection, but that’s about it with that one.

I see they have a live release and a compilation. Will keep in mind for someday. As I like live stuff better. And keep my eyes open for the ‘07 release!!

[Gtkgasman]

Starcastle were good, laid back Yessy stuff. First three albums indeed the best of their output. The fourth was a complete shift towards Reo Speedwagon/AOR territory. I also find them relaxing and summer-y.

I used to be suspicious of Starcastle, and thought they were a little ridiculous. I mean...'Starcastle!?' Just the name alone, cool but also ridiculous. They were kind of like if the original Yes with Kaye & Banks but with Alan White made Close To The Edge. They were like Yes without the songs, but bunches of arrangements. Like Yes-lite.

But then in 2017, I got the Starcastle bug for some reason, and went and got all four of those 70's albums on CD. Enjoyed them through part of the summer. I now can say I really like Starcastle, for the main reason that they feel good. Ridiculous and Yes-lite, maybe, but cozy stuff. I like Starcastle.

Yes-lite. I like that. That captures what I was trying to say. They are sort of Yes-lite. And the yes we have today is yes-lite also. 😊. JD / Luttrell very similar

[Soundwaveseeker]

They also have a live album Shine On Brightly/Alive In America, a 1-disc 10 track concert classics-type album put out way after the fact that was recorded in 1978 during the Citadel period. It's a good live album. And Chronos, a 'rarities' album, which is mostly Fountains Of Light era demos which aren't too different from the album versions.

For completists:

Starcastle - 1976
Fountains Of Light - 1977
Citadel - late 1977
Real To Reel - 1978
Chronos I - 2001
Shine On Brightly live - 2006
Song Of Times - 2007
Alchemy - 2018