Birdsongs Of The Mesozoic - Dawn of the Cycads CD

Dawn of the Cycads buy CD music One of the high-water marks of progressive rock (and thus of 1970s rock in general), CLOSE TO THE EDGE found British prog godfathers Yes firing on all cylinders. Throughout their history, they've undergone numerous lineup changes, but this album featured the "classic" formation responsible for their absolute finest achievements. Here Rick Wakeman is at his Moog-goes-Baroque best behind the keyboards, Steve Howe sounds like a blues guitarist from Mars, Chris Squire delivers confoundingly contrapuntal bass lines, and Bill Bruford seemingly solves complex mathematical equations from his drum stool. The lion's share of the album is occupied by the title track, a complex piece that moves through numerous modes and moods. In latter decades, the extended song-suite has been denigrated as indicative of the worst rock pretensions, but, on CLOSE TO THE EDGE, it was a fascinating new concept, and Yes made it work more convincingly than anyone else before or since. 2003 remastered, reissue of 1972 album with redesigned booklet (digipak/slipcase), restored LP art, archival photos and new liner notes. Includes 4 bonus tracks 'America' (single version), 'Total Mass Retain' (single version), 'And You And I' (alternate version) & 'Siberia' (studio run-through of 'Siberian Khatru'). Elektra. Audio Remasterers: Dan Hersch; Bill Inglot. Liner Note Authors: Mike Tiano; Mike Tilano. Photographers: Michael Putland; Pieter Mazél; Neal Preston; Roger Dean ; Martin Adelman. Yes: Chris Squire (bass instrument, background vocals); Bill Bruford (drums); Steve Howe (background vocals); Jon Anderson , Rick ...

Dawn of the Cycads CD music Four decades after its release, this is still the most controversial record in Yes' output. Tales from Topographic Oceans was the place where Yes either fulfilled all of the promise shown on their previous five albums or slid off the rails in a fit of artistic hubris, especially on the part of lead singer Jon Anderson and guitarist Steve Howe, who dominated the composition credits here. Actually, the group probably did a bit of both here across 80 minutes of music on a fully packed double-LP set; the group's musical ambitions were obvious on its face, as it consisted of four long songs (really suites) each taking up a side of an album, and each longer than the previous album's side-long "Close to the Edge." And Tales had a jumping-off point that was as far advanced in complexity and density as Close to the Edge had been out in front of its predecessor, Fragile, -- and all of it made The Yes Album seem like basic rock & roll. Anderson, by virtue of his voice and lyrics, is the dominant personality on Tales, and his fascination with Eastern religion is fully manifest, as never before (or since). Confronted by song titles such as "The Revealing Science of God," and a concept derived from the Buddhist Shastric scriptures, the casual listener might have felt in need of both a running start and a sheet of footnotes: Yes keyboard player Rick Wakeman clearly felt something along those lines, as it was while making this record that he decided to exit the group. And, yet, Tales contains some of the most sublimely beautiful musical passages ever to come from the group, and develops a major chunk of that music in depth and degrees in ways that one can only marvel at, though there's a big leap from marvel to enjoy. If one can grab onto it, Tales is a long, sometimes glorious musical ride across landscapes strange and wonderful, thick with enticing musical textures; it offers the Yes fan the chance to be a true "astral traveler." Apart from one percussion break by Alan White that doesn't come off (if there had to be a Yes album with a percussion solo, why couldn't it have come along when Bill Bruford was in the band?), the music never falls flat, and it's a pity that Wakeman couldn't appreciate the richness and vitality he brought to the album. And Anderson and Howe get to work in an extraordinarily wide range of musical voices. In another reality, perhaps the gorgeous, folk-like passages on Tales would have spawned songs of four or five minutes, but here they are, woven into these long-form pieces, and if one can take the plunge into these particular sonic oceans, and comfortably stay under long enough, it's a journey that will reward. But it's not a trip for everyone -- or even every Yes fan -- to take, especially not too soon after discovering the album. ~ Bruce Eder Full title - Tales From The Topographic Oceans. 2003 remastered, reissue of 1973 album with redesigned booklet (digipak/slipcase), restored LP art, archival photos and new liner notes. Includes 2 bonus tracks 'Dance Of The Dawn' (studio run through) & 'Giants Under The Sun' (studio run through). Elektra. Digitally remastered by Joe Gastwirt. Recorded at Morgan Studios, London, England. Yes: Rick Wakeman (keyboards); Chris Squire (bass instrument); Alan White (percussion); Jon Anderson , Steve Howe. Personnel: Jon Anderson (vocals); Steve Howe (guitar); Rick Wakeman (Mellotron, Moog synthesizer, timpani); Chris Squire (fretless bass, timpani); Alan White (drums); Guy Bidmead (tapes). Audio Remasterers: Dan Hersch; Bill Inglot. Liner Note Author: Mike Tiano. Recording information: Morgan Studio, London, England (1973). Photographers: Ira Blacker; David Gahr; Roger Dean . Yes: Jon Anderson (vocals); Steve Howe (vocals, guitar); Chris Squire (vocals, bass); Rick Wakeman (keyboards); Alan White (drums).

Dawn of the Cycads songs Beloved of critics, ignored by the record-buying public, Slint stretched six tracks over 40 minutes and left an indelible impression on almost everyone. The songs on SPIDERLAND evolve of their own accord, without reference to narrative structure. What at first glance appears meandering and prosaic ("For Dinner ...") becomes, on second and subsequent listenings, hypnotic, beatific and pan-dimensional. If Brian McMahon has a peer as alternative rock's most innovative guitarist it would have to be Steve Albini, who just happens to be the producer on SPIDERLAND. The back of the CD features the legend: "This recording is meant to be listened to on vinyl", as if to ram home its left-field credentials. Whatever format you choose, SPIDERLAND will not disappoint. Recorded from August to October 1990. Personnel: Brian McMahan (vocals, electric guitar); David Pajo (guitar); Britt Walford (drums). Recording information: 08/1990-10/1990. Photographers: Noel Saltzman; Will Oldham.

Dawn of the Cycads album for sale The 2007 box set I WANNA GO BACKWARDS contained three albums British quirk-rock king Robyn Hitchcock had released as a solo artist, along with a bevy of bonus material. Its 2008 sequel, LUMINOUS GROOVE, focuses on Hitchcock's classic work with his band the Egyptians, encompassing FEGMANIA!, ELEMENT OF LIGHT, and the live album GOTTA LET THIS HEN OUT! (they liked their exclamation points). His interaction with the Egyptians (which comprised most of his old Soft Boys bandmates) resulted in some of his most creative, inspired work. In addition to the prime-era Hitchcock represented by these albums, this set includes two full discs' worth of bonus rarities hailing from the same era as the abovementioned albums, making LUMINOUS GROOVE a Hitchcock collector's dream come true. Audio Remasterers: Donal Whelan; Charlie Francis. Recording information: 1st Ave, Minneapolis, MN; Alaska And Berry Street Studios; Alaska And The Greenhouse, London, England; Boston Nightstage; Great American, San Francisco, CA; Leeds University; The Garden, London, England; The Greenhouse, London, England; The Hub Ballroom, Seattle, WA; The Ritz, New York, NY; The Town & Country Club; Yarmouth, Isle of Wight, England. Photographers: Rosalind Kunath; Jason Hoffman; Paul Natkin; Morris Windsor; Robyn Hitchcock; Tony Moon. Arranger: Robyn Hitchcock & the Egyptians. Personnel: Robyn Hitchcock (vocals, guitar, piano, keyboards); Morris Windsor (vocals, guitar, drums); Andy Metcalfe (vocals, piano, organ, keyboards, drums); James A. Smith, Peter Buck , Sean Lyons (guitar); Chris Cox (mandolin, percussion); Roger Jackson (keyboards); John Kingham (drums); Justin Grimaldi (congas). Audio Mixers: Jessica Corcoran; Pat Collier; Andy Metcalfe; Robyn Hitchcock; Charlie Francis; Roger Jackson.

Dawn of the Cycads CD music Released in 1989, FAULTLINE was recorded after the departure of founding member Roger Miller (who'd previously led Mission Of Burma). The band had a unique and brief quintet at this time, incorporating two saxophonists, Steve Adams (who ultimately left to join the Rova Saxophone Quartet), and newest member Ken Field. The album opens with what was to become one of the band's signature numbers, "The True Wheelbase," written by Erik Lindgren, who again pens the bulk of the material here, including the other band standard "Coco Boudakian." Adams contributes a couple of pieces, including the gorgeous and meditative album closer, "Just Say Yes." Rick Scott, who writes only rarely, came up with a real gem again, "Maybe I Will." His writing is rich in subtlety and sly fun--characteristics that are components of Birdsongs Of The Mesozoic's work as a whole. Recording information: Lyx Studio, Worcester, MA (01/1989-02/1989). Photographers: Kathy Chapman; Ken Winokur. Unknown Contributor Role: Bob Winsor. Producers: Birdsongs Of The Mesozoic, Bob Winsor. Personnel: Martin Swope (guitar, percussion, sampler); Steve Adams (bass clarinet, alto saxophone, tenor saxophone, synthesizer, drum machine, percussion); Ken Field (soprano saxophone, alto saxophone, percussion); Erik Lindgren (trumpet, piano, keyboards, drum machine, percussion, sampler); Rick Scott (piano, synthesizer, percussion); Richard Scott (keyboards, percussion); Willie "Loco" Alexander (percussion).

Dawn of the Cycads buy CD music This was Birdsongs Of The Mesozoic's first new album in five years. Clearly good material had been stockpiling on all fronts, with all four members contributing new compositions. Erik Lindgren performs the lion's share, with two contrasting suites clocking in at nine and 17 minutes each. Saxophonist and reed player Ken Field's "One Hundred Cycles" is built on a rhythmic base that positively propels it forward (he had also recorded a couple of solo albums during the band's time away from the studio, which clearly inform his contribution). Rick Scott's darkly inviting "Study of Unintended Consequences" sounds like the confluence of geological phenomena, wayward machines, and human drive. Guitarist Michael Bierylo, besides bringing a couple of new pieces of his own, sparkles throughout, tossing off stinging lines that burn through the landscape. With Field, he adds a certain soulful presence to the otherwise austere settings. Recorded at Sounds Interesting, Middleborough, Massachussetts between June 1999 and April 2000. Includes liner notes by Chuck Vrtacek. Engineers include: Michael Bierylo, Erik Lindgren, Frank Cheng. Personnel: David Greenberger (vocals); Michael Bierylo (guitar, programming); Ken Field (flute, soprano saxophone, alto saxophone, percussion); Rick Scott (piano, synthesizer); Erik Lindgren (grand piano); John Styklunas (acoustic bass); Terry Donahue , Ken Winokur (percussion). Audio Mixer: Bill Scheniman. Recording information: Sounds Interesting, Middleborough, MA (06/1999-04/2000). Birdsongs Of The Mesozoic: Michael Bierylo (guitar, programming); Ken Field (flute, soprano & alto saxophones, percussion); Erik Lindgren (acoustic grand piano); Rick Scott (piano, synthesizer). Additional personnel: David Greenberger (vocals); John Styklunas (acoustic bass); Eric Paull (drums); Ken Winokur, Terry Donahue (percussion); Pacey Foster (turntables).