Feudalism: A medieval social system, particularly prevalent in Western Europe, under which lords, vassals (minor nobility and knights) and serfs (commoners), owed each other reciprocal defense and social duties. (Encarta Dictionary) We were met at the front gate of The … [Read more...]
PROGRESSION MAGAZINE: Flying Colors – Group or Supergroup
Prog may not have given birth to the rock “supergroup” but there can be little doubt that the notion of constructing a band out of individual members, each of whom has already achieved rock and roll notoriety has found a particular home in the prog genre. From Emerson Lake & … [Read more...]
MUSIC: Umphrey’s McGee — Dropping Anchor in a New Harbor
I WHAT IS AN UMPHREY’S McGEE? Umphrey's McGee is what would happen if King Crimson, Steely Dan and John Coltrane met at a street corner for the express purpose of paying tribute to the Grateful Dead...or was that to kick the living crap out of them? No matter. Umphrey's McGee … [Read more...]
MUSIC — Prog and Punk: Death Foes or Kissing Cousins?
Whispering the word “Punk” in a Prog crowd may not be quite the same thing as shouting fire in a crowded theater, but it is certainly close. Perhaps a better analogy would be letting a really big fart in a really small elevator. For the most part while Proggers are quick to … [Read more...]
MUSIC: IMPROVISATIONAL HEALING–On the Road with The Flower Kings in the Shadow of Tragedy
Before I wrote about food I wrote about music. For many years I was a columnist, feature writer and reviewer for Progression Magazine: The Journal of Progressive Music. Over the weeks surrounding September 11, 2001 I was on the road with the band, The Flower Kings, for their … [Read more...]