The Psychedelic Ensemble? New to me.

**Splicer** · 08-13-2016

a1319985398_10.jpg
https://thepsychedelicensemble.bandc...-myth-of-dying

I would guess a Yes cover band branching out into Yes soundalike music. Seem to be good musicians doing a creditable job of it even if it is a pastiche.

**rickawakeman** · 08-13-2016

Love the two TPE albums I have (Golden King and Sunstone). Kind of a guilty pleasure. If you like big Wakeman-like concept albums, recommended.

Now if we could crack the identity of the mystery musician behind TPE.

Or perhaps we are all TPE.

**moecurlythanu** · 08-13-2016

Pretty sure there have been threads or a thread on them here before, and I think I recall the artist posting in a thread on their last album.

**rickawakeman** · 08-13-2016

Yes, we've discussed "them"...or is it he or she, or X or Z...before. If the artist posted, it was under the TPE moniker, so still a mystery man....

**Splicer** · 08-13-2016

Originally Posted by moecurlythanu

Pretty sure there have been threads or a thread on them here before, and I think I recall the artist posting in a thread on their last album.

In that case, the search feature on Progressive Ears sucks the root. I searched for the artist name and it came up with nothing.

**moecurlythanu** · 08-13-2016

Originally Posted by Splicer

In that case, the search feature on Progressive Ears sucks the root. I searched for the artist name and it came up with nothing.

Hmm, not sure what to say. I purchased Sunstone off of samples and recs posted online, and this is really the only music forum that I frequent, so I would say it had to be here.

**moecurlythanu** · 08-13-2016

Just did a search. A lot of hits, but these are definite-

http://www.progressiveears.org/forum...delic+ensemble

http://www.progressiveears.org/forum...delic+ensemble

**JKL2000** · 08-13-2016

Originally Posted by Splicer

the search feature on Progressive Ears sucks the root.

I'm reporting you!

**Soc Prof** · 08-13-2016

TPE is definitely a he. I promised not to reveal his identity, but I can say that his day job is being a music professor/classical composer. There are some interviews with him posted on his website.

It looks like his is behind schedule on his next album. But I understand these things happen, so I won't complain.

**wiz_d_kidd** · 03-08-2018

If you Google... deezer "psychedelic ensemble"... you get, among other things, the following search results which suggests that The Psychedelic Ensemble is Craig P. First. All of the clues seem to confirm this (Alabama, classical composer, professor of music, links to Michael Wilk, Kurt Fowler, Davis Brooks, etc).
Deezer search results.jpg

**miamiscot** · 03-08-2018

I too really like the last two from him - especially The Golden King. Quality stuff.

**Progbear** · 03-08-2018

I’ve heard Tale of the Golden King, and while I would hesitate to call it a “modern classic,” it does a bang-up job in a style of symphonic prog nobody else seems to be doing anymore. Certainly a bigger production than I’m used to from latter-day prog, which suggests that whoever this TPE guy is, he a) has classical training, b) is independently wealthy and c) has ties to a local symphony orchestra. Total vanity project, but if only all suchlike had such quality in the composing, arranging and playing. The name doesn’t make any sense—what about this is in any way “psychedelic”?—but it seems to be an artifact; apparently, the earlier TPE material was more Floydian in orientation. The concept is kind of cheesy but oh well, I guess that comes with the territory.

**jlneudorf** · 03-08-2018

Hes an incredibly talented guy. Have emailed with him the last few years and he seems like a good guy as well. I hope he is doing okay and his new album will get released.

**harbinger58** · 03-08-2018

Last I heard, he has been very ill and stricken with Parkinson's Disease. I had contact with his aides but they no longer answer.

**Soc Prof** · 03-08-2018

Originally Posted by harbinger58

Last I heard, he has been very ill and stricken with Parkinson's Disease. I had contact with his aides but they no longer answer.

This is sad to hear. I checked his music department page, and he is no longer listed as a faculty member.

Progbear: I don't think he is particularly wealthy. Just well connected to classical musicians who were willing to help him out. At least some of them are former students. As for the name, he came up with it when he thought he was doing a one-off project. It refers to the subject matter (the psyche) rather than a music style.

Wiz_d_kidd: I neither confirm nor deny your allegation.

**wiz_d_kidd** · 03-09-2018

I noticed that he is no longer shown on the university website. Email sent via his TPE website bounces back as undeliverable, and his personal website associated with his classical work has been taken down. I cannot find any news, however, to confirm the rumors of his illness. This is all very troubling...

**Soc Prof** · 03-09-2018

If you are a TPE fan, I would suggest picking up his albums while they are still in print.

**jlneudorf** · 03-09-2018

Going to fire him an email this weekend Will report back.

Jon

**jlneudorf** · 03-09-2018

But he's probably looking for privacy.

Jon

**moecurlythanu** · 03-09-2018

Trying to order CDs from his website is a no-go. I had to order from bandcamp, which was more expensive.

**Soc Prof** · 03-10-2018

There are a few CDs left on Amazon.

**harbinger58** · 03-10-2018

When I contacted him last, he had 2 full-time assistants. Financially, he was fine. But I am hearing nothing at all from him. He was very ill last time I corresponded with one of his assistants about a year ago, but everything including email has gone dark.

**wiz_d_kidd** · 03-11-2018

More (distressing) news... I found the facebook pages for his wife (Jean), son (Craig F.) and daughter (Caroline). None make any mention of him having an illness or passing away (going way back to 2013, where I stopped looking). In fact, other than one very old family photo, there is no reference to him whatsoever. Jean's page shows her marriage as a "life event", but now shows her status as "single". Zillow shows that the family home in Tuscaloosa sold this past summer. I searched nationwide obituaries and found none. Divorce?