Confession Time - First Live Gig & First Record Bought

[John]

[QUOTE=alb;23410]My daughter introduced me to Opeth. Not got any CDs yet but happy to watch one of their DVDs. So long as they don't overdo the growling, i think they're quite talented.

Best place to start off if you do not like the growls is Damnation

[Spectral Morn]

Hi guys

This year has been quite good so far. I have been to see a few older groups that I had seen years ago and wanted to see again.

Clannad - Irish, folk prog rock band. Excellent live and they played a lot of the prog stuff but for me just a wee bit to much of the early trad Irish folk. Still grat sound and quality musicianship. The first time I saw them Enya was playing keyboards. Pity my past employer has taken down my gigs reports from his web site as the photos were quite good.

The Orb -(again nice photos now gone from website). Saw these guys last when their first album came out. Came to them via System 7(used to love Steve Hillage many years ago(great music but like some Gong music, also, song lyrics are complete madness IMHO). Love System 7 and when I found out about the Orb and Steves involvement I had to check them out. This gig was very good and they played all my faves such as Fluffy Little Clouds etc.

Focus - Always wanted to see these guys. Wow what an amazing gig. Great sound and showmanship.

Asia- Saw these guys in The Perth concert hall in Scotland. Amazing always wanted to see these guys and thanks to my wife who booked it as a surprise I got to see them. Highlight of the night was their version of King Crimsons In the court of the Crimson King (however I would love to have seen King Crimson do this back in 1969, I was 4 then).

Jane Sibbery -a few years ago. Very individual and arty but amazing sound and show. Pity more don't know about this Canadian singer song writer.

Yes- with an orchestra. About six years ago on their Magnification tour. The orchestra played the keyboard parts. Wow,wow, wow. This was one of those gigs that just lives on. A magical experience. Saw yes in London on their reunion tour(everyone except Patrick Moraz who was in the band, played that night). That was incredible but and maybe it was the smaller venue but I enjoyed this gig more.

Regards D S D L

[alb]

Best place to start off if you do not like the growls is Damnation

I'll make a note of that. Thanks John.

[Beechwoods]

Clannad - Irish, folk prog rock band. Excellent live and they played a lot of the prog stuff but for me just a wee bit to much of the early trad Irish folk. Still grat sound and quality musicianship. The first time I saw them Enya was playing keyboards.

Clannad were a great live band. I saw them a couple of times back in the 80's c. 'Magical Ring' and 'Macalla' which was the last album they did that didn't seem lose their folk roots. They followed that with an awful album called Sirius which was - to me - far too MOR, and that turned me off checking out their later stuff. I much prefer the folky period myself - 'Dulaman', 'Cran Ull' and 'Fuam'. Their use of synths in supporting the early folk stuff was great. I think they had trouble fighting off major label pressure to get commercial after the success of the 'Legend' project.

I'd also just like to second John's recommendation of 'Damnation' to folks wanting to check out 'clean vocal' Opeth. It's almost an acoustic album. 'Windowpane' is a great track.

[Spectral Morn]

Hi Beachwoods.

I like them from the end of the pure folk period, so Legend, Magical ring onward. I actually like Sirius but as I like melodic American rock(AOR) this change in direction was welcomed by me, but short lived(Clannad say they don't like this album).

If you like the Legend, Maccala. Magical Ring period then there is a band called Iona who play similar music but a bit heavier. I saw them live a couple of times and they are amazing. However they are a Christian group and make no bones about that but they don't strictly speaking make praise music. There is more depth to it(not that I am knocking praise music).

When I first saw Clannad it was in support of the Magical Ring album. Sound was one of the best I have ever heard.

Regards D S D L ---- Neil

[Beechwoods]

I'll have to check out Iona. No problem here with evangelical music, I'm not religious by any stretch but I do like music with passion, even if its overtly proselytising. Richie Furay's 'I Am Sure' album is a great evangelical record. All the better for Chris Hillman's great mandolin. Lots of good music comes from this root, it's a strong creative seam.

[Spectral Morn]

Hi

Glad to hear you have an open mind. There is a guy who sadly died a few years ago( I also saw him live once, truly an amazing evening). His name is Rich Mullins and hes a singer song writer and very talented musician. I would suggest trying these two albums first . The world as best I remember it vol one and vol two. These should be easily got at any Wsley Owen bookshop or on line.

John If you have as open a mind then you should check out the following Christian rock bands Whiteheart ( albums Highland, Tales of wonder and Powerhouse) they are a bit like across between Styx, Kansas and Yes on these three albums.

Idle Cure, Rick Cua, Ralph Van Manen ( his Face the feeling album is amazing AOR, however I am not so keen on some of his other albums but this ones a classic), Kings X, Neal Morse, Geof Moore and the distance( Pure and simple is breathtakingly good IMHO), Rachel Rachel (who are like Heart).

I have many more if your interested.

Regards D S D L ----- Neil

[John]

Thanks for your recomendation I liked Kansas and Styx when they where more pomp so will check out Whiteheart , but if it goes to AOR I tend to switch off

[Spectral Morn]

In that case check out Tales of Wonder and Highland by White Heart and give Powerhouse a miss(bit like Survivor in places).

Some of the others I list are more AOR, I will have a think about POMP style rock.

Just popped into my head Trillion, Zon, Balance and Spys , all more Pomp in style.

Regards D S D L ---- Neil

[John]

wow now we talking obscure; long time since I heard anything by Trilion or Zon