The house lights fade. Full focus is now on the stage. Instrumental music (Alive Again Intro) plays. The sold out crowd at Concert Hall Boerjerij, in the Netherlands, springs to it's feet. Loud Cheers and applause follow. For they know what's next. For in their immediate future, one of the most talented / tightest progressive rock bands in today's current music scene, will entertain and dazzle them for the evening. And that they do. Ladies and Gentleman may I introduce; The Neal Morse Band. In concert, promoting their newest studio creation; The Neal Morse Band - The Grand Experiment (2015).
The Neal Morse Band hails from the United States. It's namesake, a multi-instrumentalist, songwriter whose attention level rose with a progressive rock band he was co-founder in called; Spock's Beard. I became aware of them after their second studio release called, Spock's Beard - Beware Of Darkness (1997). One of those albums you play once, and then give repeats plays for
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the next two weeks. Their debut album called, The Light, is the same way. I got to see the band perform at ProgFest '97 in Los Angeles, California. Totally mind blowing! On drums for The Neal Morse Band is former Dream Theater personal; Mike Portnoy. Like Neal Morse, I became of Mike and Dream Theater, quite early on. When Images And Words (1992) was brand new as a matter of fact. A friend turned me on to them, one late evening. I stayed a follower ever since. I honestly can't say I dig their music as much now that Mike isn't a part of the band anymore. No disrespect to his replacement, Mike Mangini. Different vibe now. Establishing that I know Neal and Mike's previous work, I can say the same isn't with the other musicians who finish making up the band. Wish it was, for this live recording put each of these musician on my radar; Randy George (bass, and backing vocals), Eric Gillette (lead guitar, and vocals), and Bill Hubauer (keyboards, and vocals). All three after hearing / witnessing for myself by watching the accompanying DVD, extremely talented multi-instrumentalist. And along with Neal and Mike, capable of beautiful harmonies. Good singers on their own. Professional musicians of this caliber, needed if playing along side Neal Morse, and Mike Portnoy. In my opinion, these guys have been at the top of their game since first entering the music business. Whatever music someone listens to, and likes may vary in taste. The range here with these two players go from Death Metal to Christian, and all inbetween. Both having big catalogs of work to show for themselves. This here new two audio disc / one DVD release entitled, The Neal Morse Band - Alive Again, a crowning achievement for all involved. Uncle G Discusses … The Neal Morse Band - Alive Again. First off, on disc one, out of eight tracks, I am only familiar with one song.
That would be a Spock's Beard tune called; Harm's Way. Brilliantly performed here by the way. The other seven numbers, were brand new to me. Two songs from the group's newest (2015) studio effort; The Neal Morse Band - The Grand Experiment. The five left, all from Neal's solo catalog. My favorite, a song Neal performs on his own called; There Is Nothing God Can't Change. Shocking when taking into account all the fine material disc one of Alive Again, has to offer. It's a song Neal performs by himself. He sings, accompanied by an acoustic guitar. A story song, that Neal introduces by saying all stories told, were true. Could be considered a Christian number. The lyrics passing along the most difficult of situations a person can have, and their getting past it. Filled with emotion that I as a person, have always had a hard time dealing with. As a rule, I'm either happy, or pissed off. And if around me, watch the latter of the
two. The second audio disc again includes two helpings of the groups super proggy album, The Grand Experiment. The studio having five tracks, (not including bonus tracks)and this live offering, giving forth four of the five. Enough for me to conclude that I need to add The Neal Morse Band - The Grand Experiment to my collection. Might as well as the studio, right? Besides, I been kind of slack in buying Neal's stuff lately. The last CD I got of his, and totally fell into it, came out back in 2005, called; Question / Questionmark. Includes Mike Portnoy, and Randy George of this band. Track five of that album (In The Fire) is performed flawlessly here, at the Netherlands, 06 March 2015 concert. I'm not fond of labels, but if I had to describe what I hearing / seeing, I would say the Neal Morse Band, as a whole is a hard rocking / modern day prog-rock band. As talented as any other out there. The lyrics can sometimes push it towards the land of Christianity. While mention of God, there is no real preaching anywhere on the two disc recording. Lyrics can be inspirational. As a real representation of Neal's musical career, The Neal Morse Band - Alive Again, covers Neal's past. From the last studio album which not only did Neal have a hand in writing, but the rest of the band as well. To his involvement in Spock's Beard to his new life journey as a born again Christian. The results, a glorious set list. A collection of sounds and thoughts that don't insult your intelligence. Musically, there are times on this two disc live recording, where this band totally smokes. When there is no holding back Mike Portnoy. Which to me, is a good thing. Neal certainly rocks at times. Complimenting those two, three players, continually making their contributions known. What's nice here, is that there is plenty of room given to see Randy, Eric, and Bill each shine as not only a solid member of the band, but then on their own. For the band members solos found on Alive Again, are not only for getting up, relieving oneself, and getting another beer. Simply not the case here. Besides one can do all that either before or after the performance. Of course the listener / viewer can hit the pause button. How dare thy? Blasphemy in my eyes. Each second, of each minutes, of each track, deserves full attention. Even Mr. George's bass pedal solo. I luv Prog-rock! Uncle G RATES … The Neal Morse Band - Alive Again. Using the five star rating system whereas one star means it's should be condemned to Hell, to five stars which can be interpreted as being a personal slice of Heaven right here on Earth, Uncle G rates The Neal Morse Band - Alive Again … 5 stars! I'm more into progressive rock then I am the other forms of music that have been mentioned here. This double CD / DVD is full of prog-rock, at it's finest. Performed by one of the tightest five piece group's, on this planet. It's was watching (twice) the DVD that really pushed my appreciation level up a notch. The bands fun to watch as well. Filmed beautifully by the way. In closing, I'll next dig into the catalogs of each member, for anything I don't know about, or may have missed. And like I said, I'm going to secure the album was group was touring on; The Neal Morse Band - The Grand Experiment. Weblinks (insert).
Fetters, Nyswonger and Arduser are all former members of the Raisins, a Cincinnati-based band that was a local success in the early 1980s. In 1983, the Raisins, who then consisted of Fetters, Nyswonger, Rick Neiheisel (keyboards, vocals) and Rick "Bam" Powell (drums, vocals), recorded an eponymous album, produced by Adrian Belew. Adrian's friendship with the Raisins dated back to the mid-'70s, when he crossed paths with them as a member of a band named Sweetheart before being discovered by Frank Zappa. The Raisins album, which was released on the small Cincinnati-based label Strugglebaby, produced a local No. 1 hit, "Fear is Never Boring" (later re-recorded for the Bears' first album), on popular Cincinnati radio stations. Clive Davis, then head of Arista Records, considered signing the band, but the Raisins didn't break through nationally.
The band is composed of six musicians, and has been in the music industry for over twenty years. The main singer is the director and is the oldest member of the band, he has been there since
Debra Rathwell is the Senior VP for AEG Live. Rathwell oversees the active New York office of AEG along with being a force in national touring. Rathwell has more than 30 years of experience in the industry and her dedication inspires me. I know she is well respected in the industry and I think it is impressive that she books on average 800 shows every year. Being a woman in the music industry is a big challenge, but Rathwell proves to me and the world that being hard working will help prove yourself. The first step that really started Rathwell’s career was during her last year at Carleton University in Ottawa, Ontario. Rathwell was Harvey Glatt’s assistant and went on to work as Bass Clef Entertainment, which partnered on shows with Canada’s concert leaders. This introduced Rathwell to the industry and the rest was like a snowball effect, one job led to another. Another step Rathwell took in her career was pivotal was joining Donald Tarlton for 12 years at DKD. With DKD, Rathwell managed a staff ...
Ringing in the New Year, we’ve chosen an individual who has created his own music and created interesting remixes of other songs over the course of (now) 16 years. We enjoy the twists he plays on his music and admire his efforts to take his music to live performance stage. Local to Brick Township, NJ, Brian Stewart (DJversion666) started out, born and raised, in Evansville Indiana, playing in a multitude of bands, playing bass and/or singing various genres of music. Upon moving to Nashville, he has done studio work, laying down bass tracks for commercials and advertisements. Continuing down the path of music Stewart attended Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts. He combines various genres and ties them all together with an industrial sound.
“Why The Grateful Dead Were the Greatest American Rock Band:, BlogCritics, BlogCritics, 2014, web, 16 April 2014
In closing, the undoubtable influence of music, more specifically of Rock ‘n’ Roll on American society is responsible for a number of changes to the status quo. These range from sexual liberation and racial desegregation all culminating with other influences to create an intergenerational identity. Despite the desperate attempts of older generations to smother these influences, these changes ultimately shaped the years that followed, molding the country into what it is today. Along the way these changes as well as individual involvement in them has also eased the lives of many through empowerment and a feeling of community and purpose. Despite a lull and renewal Rock ‘n’ Roll continues to serve as an agent of influence and change in today’s youth culture and continues to burn in the heart of past generations of loyal fans.
Imagine attending a concert in which if you were to close your eyes, you would assume that the music you are hearing is being created by a cast of band members, each playing their respective instruments. Contrary to your assumptions, however, this band only consists of one member. Keller Williams, dubbed by critics as a one-man-band, is one of a kind both in his musical talent and his solo act. Very few solo musicians have mastered such a multi-dimensional sound and captivating live show as Keller, making him standout amongst today’s musicians. Keller’s ability to perform improvisational live shows, form a large and dedicated fan base, and share the beliefs and attitudes of the hippie generation has given him the musical identity of the jam band genre in addition to his personal identity of being a solo act.
The band consist of 8 members, Nathan East bassist/vocals, Andy Fairweather-Low, lead guitar/vocals, Steve Ferrone- drums, Chuck Leavell-key boardist, Ray Cooper- tambourines, Katie Kissoon and Tessa Niles- vocals, and Eric Clapton- composer, rock n roll guitarist, lead vocalist. The band members dressed in casual attire. The band members were professionals, they knew exactly how to orchestrate every chord, they collaborated with the lead singer and each other in ways that wasn’t so noticeable to the audience but they knew which chords to use for every song, the band was a top notch team. The tempo of the songs were a mixture of fast, slow, to a medium style beat. The texture of the songs was homophonic and well put together lyrics. The style of the music was from the 1960s-1970s which genres were rock, blues rock, psychedelic rock, hard rock, jazz and blues.
Coldplay. “Viva la Vida.” (From CD Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends).
Music week ( 2005) ‘HMV to encourage environmental awareness’ [online] musicweek 27TH of January. Available from http://www.musicweek.com/news/read/hmv-to-encourage-environmental-awareness/027552 [accessed on the 30-3-1014]
Looking at verse six, and two, it is easy to see when they are singing “So do we, so do we” that fear takes over as all the injured dying men think that their families will never know what happened to them. They will be lost and forgotten forever. (A Tisket A
This song uses a range of different techniques to get the main message of the song across to the audience. Repetition is used in verses 2,4, and 8. “God help me, I was only nineteen”. The effect this gives is to emphasize how the composer is feeling. You feel the pain and the grieving the veterans went through whilst fighting for our country in the war. It makes you realize that some men and women were so young to go out and experience such things that no human being should go
The affects of Seattle’s geographical location appears to be an ingredient of the music created by these grunge bands, whether expressed blatantly or subliminally. Seattle exists in a corner of our nation and a great distance from more prominent cities, therefore, a sense of isolationism amongst its citizens is to be expected. Seattle is also subject to an unusually high level of precipitation, most notably rain, one (1) of the few things that the city may be regarded as famous for. An abundance of gloomy days certainly plays upon the psyche of the human attitude. Musicians of grunge bands appear to express this geographical condition in the manner in which they choose their topics for lyrics and deliver their music. Isolation may be cited as an influence in their music with the respect to the style in which they deliver their product, well practiced, yet unrefined because of their lack of hope for recognition. Unrelentingly dreary weather may be responsible for depression among band members that may well be reflected in their music, possibly accounting for their extreme volume (frustration and yearning to be heard) and crude lyrics (unpolished because they expect to remain obscure).
In the story “The Adventure of the Speckled Band” the author Conan Doyle portrays many different narrative techniques. He uses these techniques to provide meaning for the audience as well as help them visualize the situation that was being described. The different techniques used are narrative discourse, suspense, conflict, close, and focalization in his story. Narrative discourses are events, to describe a series of events that are contingent one on another. Typically focuses on one or more performers of actions. Personal experience can influence narrative discourse due to the explaining of significant events in the life of the narrator. Narrative discourse is made up of setting, developing
xistmusic. "News Release Tuesday." 16 December 2011. Da' T.R.U.T.H. Artist Profile. 02 December 2013 .