All the more so if you consider the two leading members of the band were then both 18 years old...Originally Posted by MYSTERIOUS TRAVELLER
All the more so if you consider the two leading members of the band were then both 18 years old...
quite honestly... I prefer it to ITCOCK, Bitches Brew, Soft Machine and Tony Williams Emergency which were all the most Progressive (with a capital P) Rock (combined with other things) recordings through the year 1970
Why is it whenever someone mentions an artist that was clearly progressive (yet not the Symph weenie definition of Prog) do certain people feel compelled to snort "thats not Prog" like a whiny 5th grader?
Are there any legitimate sites for downloading Egg albums? The usual places don’t seem to carry them…
I heartily recommend this little book about Egg, Copious Notes:
https://www.burningshed.com/store/bo...oduct/365/717/
It's very funny and interesting - it's one of the music-related books I reread fairly often, like Julian Cope's Krautrocksampler. It's written by the band members and edited by Dave Stewart, or something like that. I've been predicting for a long time that when it's OOP there will be some disappointed people.
If it's anywhere near the level of fun and sheer lingual brilliance of Deke Leonard's book on Man (the legendary Walisian band), then I'd definitely like to have a go at this.
"Improvisation is not an excuse for musical laziness" - Fred Frith
"[...] things that we never dreamed of doing in Crimson or in any band that I've been in," - Tony Levin speaking of SGM
Definitely a good read - it supplements the sleeve notes in the two archive CDs released by the band.
www.burningshed.com/store/eggarchive/
First 2 are cool. The bonus tracks on the first are quality also. Civil surface is strong on Side 1. Side 2 seems unfinished really
Not sure I'd say brilliant, but it has a lot of fun and interesting stories and observations about the band's trials and travails playing gigs around England back in the day. And it *is* well written and literate, but more fun than brilliant. If, like me, you're interested in what the life of working musicians was like back then in the UK, a good read.
Are they counting the Arzachel release as one of the Egg archival CDs, or am I missing something?
You're not missing anything. The two archival CDs are Arzachel Collectors Edition by Uriel (the three Egg guys with guitarist Steve Hillage) and The Metronomical Society by Egg.
Just did a search for this release because of the Wikipedia article.. I can only find the original Arzachel release w/out the bonus tracks... pricey at that.. do you know of any other places that might list this release in the USA?
Hit JKL2000's link, choose USA in the right sidebar, buy ($17.55 USD).
Me neither although I have heard bits and pieces here and there. Usually they are recommended to not only Canterbury fans but to those who like ELP, The Nice, Le Orme or Atomic Rooster.
I went there shortly after posting my question.. did not however realize there was a USA option.. I will revisit.. Thanks!
Start with The Polite Force - one of the most amazing displays of actually *composed* "keyboard rock" ever made.
"Improvisation is not an excuse for musical laziness" - Fred Frith
"[...] things that we never dreamed of doing in Crimson or in any band that I've been in," - Tony Levin speaking of SGM
Most Arzachel CDs are bootlegs. The only official band release is the Arzachel Collectors Edition CD, available worldwide at www.burningshed.com/store/eggarchive/. US buyers should select the 'USA' option. If you buy this version, the musicians *actually get paid* (gasp). Burning Shed (the distributor) is very reliable and has a great reputaion for ethical trading.
The album (recorded when the members were very young) is psychedelic rather than prog, but it shows where Egg evolved from. The sleeve notes of this album, The Metronomical Society CD by Egg and the Copious Notes booklet, written by the band and their friends, explains the group's history in detail with some great period photos.
I heard the Civil Surface first and it just floored me. So awesome. That was a bitch to find on cd back in the mid 90s too. Was that the Virgin label?
I bought a sweet copy of The Polite Force on vinyl and holy smokes... think about this - could you imagine trying to actually compose something that sounds like that? What a forward thinking and progressive album for the time. Heavy duty and thick! Metronomical Society is great and I got the signed copy. Love the little book they turned out on that period from Burning Shed too. Almost as funny as the book that came with National Health Complete - Dave is hilarious.
Weren't there members of this band also in the band Chicken? Which came first?
"Corn Flakes pissed in. You ranted. Mission accomplished. Thread closed."
-Cozy 3:16-
I believe Civil Surface was a Caroline Blue Plate release. I really need Metronomical Society to complete my Egg collection. Probably the liner notes alone, if Dave’s on National Health Complete (now a somewhat ironic title, as this pre-dated both Missing Pieces and Play Time) are anything to go by, will make this worth the price of admission.
Lastly, people keep telling me the title to The Polite Force is a “pun.” Clearly I’m dense, but even after twenty-ish years of owning this album, I still don’t get it.
-------------
MIKE (a.k.a. "Progbear")
"'Thin Thighs For Your Man.' But I don't *like* men with thin thighs" --Daria
N.P.:“Ice Cream Phoenix”-Jefferson Airplane/Crown of Creation
its a play on Police Force.
Lastly, people keep telling me the title to The Polite Force is a “pun.” Clearly I’m dense, but even after twenty-ish years of owning this album, I still don’t get it.
[QUOTE=Progbear;132148]
Lastly, people keep telling me the title to The Polite Force is a “pun.” Clearly I’m dense, but even after twenty-ish years of owning this album, I still don’t get it.
-------------
Try changing the t for a c. The Police Force, the Civil Service, the National Health Service, all very English institutions but probably meaningless in the US. National Health is not a pun but there used to be a style of glasses that you got if you couldn't afford private frames -there was just one style of round wire framed glasses that became known as 'National Health specs'. Dave Stewart used to wear them (the type on the first National Health LP).
It’s probably their most “difficult” album (the debut is a far easier listen) but, in the end, I find it to be their most rewarding. It’s some extremely sophisticated (rhythmically, melodically and harmonically, a rather rare combination altogether) composition. “Long Piece No. 3” is definitely rough going the first few times through, but now that it’s had plenty of chances to sink in, it’s one of my most beloved extended prog tracks.
-------------
MIKE (a.k.a. "Progbear")
"'Thin Thighs For Your Man.' But I don't *like* men with thin thighs" --Daria
N.P.:“Fall of the Leaf”-Gryphon/Treason
Heard this song on Progression where I used to have a Sirius subscription. It floored me, but I have not gotten an Egg CD yet.
HA!
Kim
And the code is a play, a play is a song, a song is a film, a film is a dance...
Yep, you are. There's a funny little recording called "Neil's Heavy Concept Record" which has Dave Stewart (and Barbara Gaskin!) all over it, not only playing organ but also synths, bass and guitar(!) Hilarious liner notes, some REALLY good covers, & lots of happy Eggish moments. Well worth searching out.
Posting Permissions
Reply With Quote
Bookmarks