Tag Archive for: progressive rock

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Procol Harum- Best- Gary Brooker, Keith Reid, Matthew Fisher, Robin Trower

“Live with the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra" from the eclectic British band Procol Harum, which has the distinction of placing two of the most unlikely songs at the top of the singles chart five years apart with "Whiter Shade of Pale" in 1967 and "Conquistador" in 1972. My ultra-rare interview features organist Matthew Fisher, lyricist the late Keith Reid, guitarist on the first three studio albums, Robin Trower, and the late singer/pianist Gary Brooker.
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Jethro Tull- Aqualung 55th Anniversary- Ian Anderson

Few albums from any time in the Rock Era continue  to satisfy quite so well as Jethro Tull's masterpiece "Aqualung". Ian Anderson smartly wrote songs for all seasons for a superb band, including the timeless rockers "Aqualung","Cross-Eyed Mary","Locomotive Breath," and "Hymn #43", but perfectly paced the album with tasty acoustic classics like "Wond'ring Aloud"and "Mother Goose". On "Aqualung" 's 55th anniversary, Ian Anderson is my guest In the Studio.

David Gilmour- On an Island 20th Anniversary

David Gilmour joins Redbeard In the Studio for Gilmour's March 2006 solo album "On an Island".
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YES Album- Jon Anderson, Tony Kaye, Steve Howe, Bill Bruford

"The YES Album", a progressive rock touchstone, was quietly released in early 1971. If the British Invasion bands led by The Beatles and Rolling Stones wanted to be rock'n'roll's second verse after "Be Bop a Lula" and "Maybe Baby", then London's King Crimson, Emerson Lake and Palmer, and YES were determined to be rock's "C" section, the musical bridge which takes the listener somewhere unexpectedly before returning to the familiar refrain.

Genesis- A Trick of the Tail- Phil Collins, Mike Rutherford

The first album in the post-Peter Gabriel era, Genesis "A Trick of the Tail" interview In the Studio with Phil Collins, Mike Rutherford.

Alan Parsons Project- Turn of a Friendly Card 45th Anniversary

The real-life backstory inspiration for the Alan Parsons Project's million-seller album "Turn of a Friendly Card", released in November 1980, is pretty interesting. Alan Parsons is my guest In the Studio.
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Moody Blues- Days of Future Passed

"Days of Future Passed" Moody Blues mainstays Justin Hayward and the late John Lodge document the fascinating story of a true Hail Mary pass to avoid abject poverty and starvation, resulting not only in timeless hits "Tuesday Afternoon" and "Nights in White Satin" but also igniting a musical movement, Progressive Rock,
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Pink Floyd- Wish You Were Here- Roger Waters, David Gilmour, Nick Mason

"YOU try following up 'Dark Side of the Moon'. Go on, just try it!" playfully admonishes Pink Floyd guitarist/singer David Gilmour. "We've been trying to do it ever since!", laughs drummer Nick Mason. Gilmour and Mason are my guests, Roger Waters makes a cameo, and we include archive comments from the late keyboard player Richard Wright to round out the definitive classic rock interview regarding "Wish You Were Here" on its fiftieth anniversary.

Jethro Tull- Minstrel in the Gallery/Songs from the Wood- Ian Anderson

"Minstrel in the Gallery", released fifty yeas ago, and "Songs from the Wood" released in February 1977, were already the English folk/progressive rocker's ninth and tenth albums. There was nothing then that sounded remotely like the ancient pastoral songs and instrumentation on "Minstrel in the Gallery" and "Songs from the Wood" playing on the all-important American rock radio. Ian Anderson is my guest In the Studio  for "Minstrel in th Gallery" 's 50th anniversary.
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Moody Blues- A Question of Balance- Justin Hayward, the late John Lodgelate Graeme Edge

By August 1970 when The Moody Blues released "A Question of Balance", the only thing that rivaled their prolific musical output was their supernova of fame. Moody Blues mainstays Justin Hayward, John Lodge, and the late drummer Graeme Edge all walk the tightrope of rock history here In the Studio with my classic rock interview about the #1 UK-seller, #3 US "A Question of Balance".