Brand X Appreciation Thread

[Phlakaton]

I dig both almost the same - RTF gets a bit more attention from me though. I think BobM just nailed it for the most part.

[Reid]

But I will say this: Corea has been a Scientologist for 45 years. Whether or not I think it's a scam (I do), it's clearly been working for him.

Sometimes I wonder if the continuous dedications to L. Ron on all of Corea's releases are done to stay in the good graces of that sinister organization? But no matter, the Scientology folks have a great poster boy in a world famous artist like Corea.

[MYSTERIOUS TRAVELLER]

^^ and Tom Cruise and Travolta

silly religion made up by a Sci-Fi writer
but hating an artist for being a part of the thing is perhaps even more silly than the religion itself

[Reid]

^^ and Tom Cruise and Travolta

silly religion made up by a Sci-Fi writer
but hating an artist for being a part of the thing is perhaps even more silly than the religion itself

Nobody mentioned hate. Everybody has different needs to feel fulfilled and stay sane in this crazy world, so I wouldn't boycott an artist's music based on this. But getting back to the subject at hand... Since Brand X is being labeled a jam band (I never thought of them that way) what do listener's think about their compositions? Percy's title piece for Masques is a favorite of mine.

[gearHed289]

Sorry, but only Corea and Clarke were Scientologists, actually, as I recall.

But irrespective - and I share your dislike of Scientology and Hubbard- shouldn't music be assessed on its own merits? McLaughin was into Sri Chinmoy for a time; Richard Thompson was Muslim. Neal Morse an ardent Christian. Plenty of artists have been involved in what are, for some, questionable spiritual pursuits. But shouldn't their music be assessed on its own merits? Why does having written Romantic Warrior for L. Ron make it somehow bad? There's nothing actually in the music that reflects Hubbard or his sect.

To each their own, but for me, the music is what matters...unless the artists are something truly egregious, like pedophiles or murderers, then I don't care what their spiritual pursuits are.

But I will say this: Corea has been a Scientologist for 45 years. Whether or not I think it's a scam (I do), it's clearly been working for him.

I agree with this and don't care too much who someone worships, or sleeps with, or whatever. I'm just happy for the music. I believe Billy Sheehan is a Scientologist as well.

As far as Brand X being a "jam band", I don't see them as such by definition, but I can see that as a valid observation. They clearly created a lot of material out of jams, whereas RTF is much more "composed".

[dropforge]

Victor Wooten
Arild Andersen (a double bassist who cites Jaco as a seminal influence)
Mark Egan
....

I love the Woot but I regard him as Clarke II the same way I see Chambers as Cobham II. Egan's good, but if you have to compare them, Manring's the innovator.

[dropforge]

^^ and Tom Cruise and Travolta

silly religion made up by a Sci-Fi writer
but hating an artist for being a part of the thing is perhaps even more silly than the religion itself

Hail Xenu!

There was an indie shop in Downey, CA called Middle Earth (it closed roughly a decade ago). The owner assembled HAIL XENU with clasp letters on a bulletin board. I saw that and laughed. He went "That's in case Tom walks in here."

[MYSTERIOUS TRAVELLER]

Manring's a monster player

[nosebone]

I love the Woot but I regard him as Clarke II the same way I see Chambers as Cobham II. Egan's good, but if you have to compare them, Manring's the innovator.

I'd go along with that, although Manring never did much for me.

How about Eberhard Weber?

[Watanabe]

Always thought of Goodsall as sort of a "jimmy page" of fusion guitar.Like Coryell, he was pretty erratic.

[MYSTERIOUS TRAVELLER]

Always thought of Goodsall as sort of a "jimmy page" of fusion guitar.Like Coryell, he was pretty erratic.

true... but Coryell is better

[Scrotum Scissor]

I like some Isotope and Brand X, some RTF and WReport even more, and I love much Mahavish - but I ADORE National Health. Who, of course, weren't "fusion" anyway.

Still, I'm willing to accept that Corea is exactly 7% better the keysman than Lumley (or even Robinson), and that White is all 19,5 % better than Collins (sometimes only 14,9% better, at other occasions 22,1%). Even though the latter was in that other "straight-up" prog band and of course we'd all love to see a "straight-up" progband-man be as good as a "straight-up" fusion-man.

[MYSTERIOUS TRAVELLER]

my dad can beat up your dad

[gallen1964]

I think A Longer April on Is There Anything About is some of the most stunning Fretless Bass I ve heard and I presume is Giblin. Think it's an extended piece originally on Product but the bass seems more upfront on the extended version.

[jkelman]

I'd go along with that, although Manring never did much for me.

How about Eberhard Weber?

Absolutely a major innovator who has remained uninitiated and uncooked....largely because his instrument is so unique that to copy him you,d need something similar.

And yes, while Wooten is a logical evolution of Clarke (and Marcus Milker), when he plays fretless, the Jaco comes shining through......

[interbellum]

Jack Lancaster has released a new album: Carnival Of The Animals. It features amongst others Phil Collins and Gary Brooker.

[nosebone]

Absolutely a major innovator who has remained uninitiated and uncooked....largely because his instrument is so unique that to copy him you,d need something similar.

And yes, while Wooten is a logical evolution of Clarke (and Marcus Milker), when he plays fretless, the Jaco comes shining through......

Gary Willis

[interbellum]

Phil Collins & John Goodsall: The Complete Boffomundo Interview

[eporter66]

Love Brand X, big fan. But, as others have said, all the musicians mentioned are great players, that's all that needs to be said. You may prefer ones style, or songwriting, but I think they are all incredibly talented.

[Svetonio]

(...)

As far as Brand X being a "jam band", I don't see them as such by definition, but I can see that as a valid observation. They clearly created a lot of material out of jams, whereas RTF is much more "composed".

+1

[Big Ears]

I don't think anyone has mentioned that Brand X were a very good live band in the early days and more interesting than the Gabriel/Collins shows around that time. Isotope are another excellent British jazzrock band and Gary Boyle's fingers on a fretboard have to be seen to be believed. Give me the jazzrock guitarists, like McLaughlin, DiMeola, Boyle and Johnny Mandala, over the shredders any day of the week.

[Zeuhlmate]

Sometimes I wonder if the continuous dedications to L. Ron on all of Corea's releases are done to stay in the good graces of that sinister organization? But no matter, the Scientology folks have a great poster boy in a world famous artist like Corea.

And Mark Isham and Billy Sheehan. Its a cartoon religion.

[Brand-X 2016]

thanks for the kind words guys! Percy & John are still out there making noise

[interbellum]

thanks for the kind words guys! Percy & John are still out there making noise

And it is great to see (and hear) Percy also found some time to do a second BangTower with Neil Citron.
Although he's not on all tracks anymore, people might like the other tracks too with Robbie Pagliari (Ohm) on bass.

[Dave (in MA)]

I scored front row tix to Arlington MA in October.
http://www.regenttheatre.com/details/welcome_to_brand_x

I just happened to look at the Regent site last night and the tix were on sale. I haven't seen any announcements.

Just a heads-up - It looks like touring kicks off in Ithaca on Sept. 6.