Recorded in Nashville, TN - 1980 and 1981. Makes use of some Arp (Avatar, Odyssey Mk2, String Ensemble, Omni 2) and Yamaha (CS 60, CP 30) instruments of the day (even a Mellotron at the end of the title track)...
masquepremiere.bandcamp.com
Recorded in Nashville, TN - 1980 and 1981. Makes use of some Arp (Avatar, Odyssey Mk2, String Ensemble, Omni 2) and Yamaha (CS 60, CP 30) instruments of the day (even a Mellotron at the end of the title track)...
masquepremiere.bandcamp.com
I have it that some years(mp3 including with some attempt artwork) from an italian friend ,but I will buy the FLAC version.
You might be speaking of Gianlorenzo from Italy. We corresponded with him a couple of years ago, very nice chap! This update has been painstakingly remastered since then, from the wav files taken from the original cassettes (the only surviving copies of the music from that time). Your interest is certainly appreciated...please feel free to spread the word. Would enjoy knowing that the music has become a little more known in the Prog world. Cheers! Jim
Yes, Gianlorenzo sent me the files couple years ago .Incidentally I reheard this album a month ago, thanks for the music
A bit more background info would be nice. Except for who plays what, there's nothing on the bandcamp page. But the music sounds good, purchase made!
Thank you both for your interest !
I'm not sure what would be relevant exactly, but if you have questions feel free to ask. The story is that the principle writers... Jim (myself - keyboards, vox) and Forrest (guitars, vox) were very enthusiastic prog fans just out of High School (18 and 21 respectively). We recorded this album in two go rounds. In 1980 the first 3 songs were recorded at prog fan/engineer Richard Owens' Nashville recording studio Horizon Studios (sadly, Richard passed away a few years ago - the album is dedicated to him). We recorded that batch so that we could enter a contest at Nashville rock station WKDF. The winning band was supposed to get signed. An AC/DC knock off called "Lust" won the contest (...come to think of it, I don't think they probably even considered listening to 10 minute songs! haha).
The last 2 songs are a bit more involved musically (written a year later). Engineer Richard graciously offered us a day of free studio time to get them recorded. The quality isn't quite as good as the 1st three because we felt there were limits to what we could ask of our friend in that short amount of time. Add to this that after it was recorded, we unwittingly gave all of our copies away (one was given to Kerry Livgren of Kansas as he was getting on to the tour bus). At this point the other guys in the band were all going on to other things,... and when I realized we didn't keep a copy, I was panicked. Was finally able to track down a girlfriend of a friend who had gotten a dub somehow. She let me copy hers (after a few days of being coy about it).
Most of this music was recorded live. The vocals were overdubbed, as well as some of the solos.
The two writers have both had careers in music. I have played well over 1000 gigs (mostly cover bands). Have had bumper music on MTV and Good Morning America. Have released other album projects. As for Forrest - if you like, do a youtube search for Forrest York - The Nonprophet. That's a fairly proggy tune, great guitar playing (live in his studio). Drummer Bruce Tanksley (from the above project) plays drums. I admire them both... great musicians!
Last edited by ProgMusician; 09-24-2014 at 01:30 PM.
Thanks Jim, nice story. 10 minute songs in 1980, what were you thinking? Listening to the full quality tracks on proper speakers now (instead of bandcamp on my laptop)
A prog band from TN after the glory days of prog but before Glass Hammer. Imagine that.
It sounds pretty good so far. Are there plans for a cd release in the future?
Last edited by Digital_Man; 09-22-2014 at 03:09 PM.
Most likely in the coming year. We hope to do vinyl as well
Last edited by ProgMusician; 09-22-2014 at 03:36 PM.
I bought the download, and gave it a listen last night. Very good, and firmly in a 70s style. Not clonish at all, and thankfully doesn't worship at the altar of Yes, like so many American 70s Prog bands.
Cool. Love archival stories like this. I'll buy the CD when it comes out.
Just post in this thread when it comes out, or you do a pre-order. I'd buy a hard copy as well.
Especially instrumentally this is fine stuff. 1981 was a difficult year for progressive rock-lovers. I believe one of the only good albums in that style that was released was from Heads In The Sky (never released on CD). Would love this one on CD too.
Sounds a lot more like something that would have come 5-6 years earlier - pretty solid 70's symphonic feel
Thank you for posting this, it's right in my wheelhouse and some good stuff
BG
"When Yes appeared on stage, it was like, the gods appearing from the heavens, deigning to play in front of the people."
I purchased the download on bandcamp. Very, very nice, and I echo those who noticed the originality of the music, too. Btw, I see you are from Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio. Though I've lived and worked here in South Korea for nearly 20 years now, I grew up in northeastern Ohio, too (Garrettsville). Good to see someone from that area making such great music!
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