the 'un' page: unheard, unsung or underappreciated music

[Mark Newman]

In an effort to uncover uncommon music on a regular basis, I have started a music blog where my stated goal is to highlight one unheard, unsung or underappreciated song every day:

http://www.theunpage.com

There are no parameters to the selections, so there will likely be just as many, if not more, non-prog acts as prog, but hopefully it will represent a spectrum of the sounds that deserve exploring by a wider audience. The emphasis is on new or relatively recent (past year) music. Here are the artists featured so far:

Vintergatan
Efterklang
Active Child
A Silent Film
Gold Fields
Leagues
Dan Croll
Tame Impala
Lord Huron
Colin Edward & Jon Durant
Kompendium

The site also includse transcripts of some of my music interviews written many moons ago when I was a newspaper reporter (pre-Internet, hence the reason for posting them).

To date, I've already posted interviews with Adrian Belew, Bill Bruford, Stanley Clarke, Ronnie James Dio, Philip Glass, Billy Idol, Jon Bon Jovi, B.B. King, Huey Lewis, John Wetton and Robin Zander. In coming weeks, I will be adding Ray Charles, Alice Cooper, Jimmy Buffett, Willie Nelson, Neil Peart, Carl Palmer, Adam Clayton, Pat Metheny, Randy Bachman, Anthony Kiedis, Rob Halford, Emmylou Harris, Jean-Luc Ponty, Wynton Marsalis, Graham Nash, Joe Perry, Steven Wilson, Hank Williams Jr., David Sanborn, Eddie Money, Rick Springfield, Steve Walsh, Kirk Hammett, Glen Campbell, Tony Bennett, Loretta Lynn, Gordon Lightfoot, Amy Grant, David Coverdale, Christine McVie, John Waite and Fish, among others.

I realize the artists featured in the New Music section won't appeal to everyone, but if I can provide a little exposure to a few obscure or overlooked musicians, my mission will be accomplished. I also have set up associated Twitter and Facebook pages for anyone interested in following via social media.

Feel free to make suggestions here for acts to consider. I have a long list of candidates but I'm always on the lookout for new music. In fact, my list includes a number of acts who were recommended by others here. If you have an idea, let me know.

Thanks for "listening."

Mark Newman

[progeezer]

Even though exponentially it is much better in 2013 than it was in 1967, for me, Love's "Forever Changes" will always be the most under-appreciated album in rock history.

[Mark Newman]

Even though exponentially it is much better in 2013 than it was in 1967, for me, Love's "Forever Changes" will always be the most under-appreciated album in rock history.

Alone Again Or is certainly one of the most underrated songs of all-time. What's amazing is how many bands like Love – thanks to advances in technology and the web – are out there waiting to be discovered.

[Mark Newman]

The superb Swedish band Vintergatan has changed its name to Wintergatan and has posted a new video (you can see the link to their earlier video here http://bit.ly/ZVMbFq). Their MacGyver-like ingenuity is off the charts (watch the video below all the way through to see how they construct their own musical box). These guys are simply amazing!

[ThomasKDye]

Empire's "Out of Our Hands" ... a great song with great playing that never got an official release and is even now mostly ignored:



The rest of the album is decent, but a bit "lounge-singery" in places, which understandably might put some people off.

[polmico]

I don't know. I really liked the first video Wintergarten put out, but this new one is just a little too gimmicky. They're clearly talented, though. I just wonder if it works better as purely an AV experience rather than just music.

How 'bout Syd Arthur? A few people on this site have been turned on to them, and they've gotten a bit of press. Really nicely done folksy, pop, slightly Canterbury music (shit, they're from Canterbury!). Check it out:

[Mark Newman]

Added several new entries to the "un" page:

Canon Blue http://www.theunpage.com/2013/01/19/canon-blue-chicago/
Right The Stars http://www.theunpage.com/2013/01/18/...s-give-it-all/
Kristina Train http://www.theunpage.com/2013/01/17/...in-dark-black/
Morning Parade http://www.theunpage.com/2013/01/16/...rade-carousel/
Moon Safari http://www.theunpage.com/2013/01/15/...outhern-belle/
Balmorhea http://www.theunpage.com/2013/01/14/balmorhea-dived/
Magnets and Ghosts http://www.theunpage.com/2013/01/13/...like-a-sunday/
Foals http://www.theunpage.com/2013/01/12/foals-my-number/

How 'bout Syd Arthur? A few people on this site have been turned on to them, and they've gotten a bit of press.

Thanks for the reminder. Not crazy about the song Edge of the Earth, but I like some of their other stuff. Nice vibe about them. I will likely feature them at some point.

[Mark Newman]

Recent additions of bands to check out:

Woodkid http://www.theunpage.com/2013/01/27/woodkid-iron/
The Rubens http://www.theunpage.com/2013/01/26/...r-be-the-same/
The Chevin http://www.theunpage.com/2013/01/25/the-chevin-drive/
Shout Out Louds http://www.theunpage.com/2013/01/24/...ouds-blue-ice/
Boxer Rebellion http://www.theunpage.com/2013/01/23/...on-the-runner/
Chrome Canyon http://www.theunpage.com/2013/01/22/...nyon-branches/
Nightlands http://www.theunpage.com/2013/01/21/...o-far-so-long/
Erin McKeown http://www.theunpage.com/2013/01/20/erin-mckeown-proof/

[80s were ok]

Empire's "Out of Our Hands" ... a great song with great playing that never got an official release and is even now mostly ignored:



The rest of the album is decent, but a bit "lounge-singery" in places, which understandably might put some people off.

all three Empire albums were "Officially" released in the 90's on One Way Records. Years beyond the times they were recorded but it was still an official release with Banks involved, providing some liners, etc.

[Progbear]

Empire's "Out of Our Hands" ... a great song with great playing that never got an official release and is even now mostly ignored:

Empire’s Mark I is way better than the third Flash album. In fact, the displaced title track you posted is possibly the greatest song Flash never recorded. I get the distinct feeling that by the end of Flash’s life, Banks was withholding his A-material (the mediocrity of Out of Our Hands, compared with the Mark I material, rather bears this out). It’s a shame the Empire material had to wait 20 years to get a proper release.

As for unheard, unsung and/or underappreciated, Omaha Sheriff for sure.



-------------
MIKE (a.k.a. "Progbear")

‘“What blow, Goblin?” said Corinius.’ --E. R. Eddison

N.P.:“Get Out of the Jungle”-Fanny/Rock & Roll Survivors

[Mark Newman]

Recent additions of acts to check out:

First Aid Kit: http://www.theunpage.com/newmusic/fi...d-kit-emmylou/
Seasfire: http://www.theunpage.com/newmusic/se...-we-will-wake/
Cave Painting: http://www.theunpage.com/newmusic/ca...nting-so-calm/
Public Service Broadcasting: http://www.theunpage.com/newmusic/pu...n-can-take-it/
Serafina Steer: http://www.theunpage.com/newmusic/se...before-mutiny/
Satellites: http://www.theunpage.com/newmusic/sa...-railway-line/
RNDM: http://www.theunpage.com/newmusic/rndm-modern-times/
Mothlite: http://www.theunpage.com/newmusic/mo...g-in-the-dark/
City Calm Down: http://www.theunpage.com/newmusic/ci...d-consequence/
Mirrors: http://www.theunpage.com/newmusic/mirrors-hourglass/
Anna von Hausswolff: http://www.theunpage.com/newmusic/an...untains-crave/
Man Without Country: http://www.theunpage.com/newmusic/an...untains-crave/
Hudson: http://www.theunpage.com/newmusic/hu...nst-the-grain/
Yello: http://www.theunpage.com/newmusic/ye...to-perfection/

I also added several interview stories, including:
Carl Palmer: http://www.theunpage.com/interviews/...mer-interview/
Neil Peart: http://www.theunpage.com/interviews/...ush-interview/
Ray Charles: http://www.theunpage.com/interviews/...les-interview/

Other articles already posted (from the '80s) include: Joe Perry, Graham Nash, Adam Clayton, Eddie Money, B.B. King, Jon Bon Jovi, Ronnie James Dio, Huey Lewis, Philip Glass, Stanley Clarke, Robin Zander, Billy Idol, Bill Bruford, Adrian Belew and John Wetton.

[progeezer]

Godsticks, Future Kings Of England, Black Mountain, agree with Moon Safari, Magic Pie, Discipline/Matt P solo, Astra, Diagonal, MoeTar, District 97.

That's enough for now.

[Yaman Aksu]