Also see: After Crying ~ Vedres Csaba
From: "Andrew J. Rozsa" <>
I have never heard any of the Hungarian ProgRock groups, until
someone let me hear Townscream's "Nagyvarosi Ikonok' (Big City
Icons). I was bowled over. I was hooked. The classical training of
all the members is immediately obvious. The execution is superb, the
sound is rich, complex, and very modern, in the classical sense. I
remember that many years ago I hated Copeland and Stravinsky.
Townscream (and After Crying) are a bit where Copeland would have
evolved into, had he been a ProgRock composer. Very symphonic, in
fact, amazingly so, considering that's only four people making all
that music. The instruments are not particularly unusual (piano, Korg
Synths, bass, bass-guitar, drums, and cello) or numerous, but ohboy,
do these guys make some beautiful music with them. There are a about
three tracks that really showcase Vedres Csaba (in Hungarian you put
the last name first) technique AND soul. The rest are also very, very
good. I can't tell whether understanding the lyrics matters or not
(since I understand them).... For those who really want to know what
they are singing, I will translate some of the songs. Nothing
Earth-shattering here... mostly typical Hungarian melancholy... you
know "Closed doors, iron bridge, subways... One goal, one machine...
One color, one picture... Doubt with a hundred faces... Tell me, why
do I have to still bear it...." (from Nagyvarosi Ikonok IV) or "Look,
I sleep on stones... My home is neglect....It's going hurt someone
else... It's alright that I have nothing... I am not seduced by
treasures or by painted lips..." [from Koldus (Beggar)]
This album started me on my 'discovery' of all the Hungarian
ProgRockers, and when my latest shipment comes in from Hungary (next
week) I will have everything After Crying, Korai Orom, Townscream,
Solaris, and The Galloping Coroners (Vagtazo Halottkemek) and Masfel
have ever done. As is, I have been in ProgRock heaven for weeks
listening to what was available from Syn-Phonic and Cranium.
Townscream has a Web page:
http://www.alarmix.net/cult/jam/townscream/ but, unfortunately,
it is in Hungarian. "Nagyvarosi Ikonok" was the highlight of my
ProgRock listening pleasure for the last year (the album came out in
1997). I have heard it several times -- which is quite a rarity for
me, since there is so much good music and so little time :-), and I
never get tired of it.
From: Jeff Marx <>
I've finally gotten a chance to listen to Townscream, and After
Crying's "Almost Pure Instrumental," and there's no denying the
incredible talents and classical traits of the musicians. My only
wish is that Vedres Csaba would decide to fully step out in front for
a real showcase of his keyboard talents, as I sense he restrains his
playing somewhat in the name of staying within the ensemble context.
I'd like to see him do a keyboard-oriented solo album or something
along those lines, unless he's already done one?
From: "Richard Stockwell" <>
> I remember that many years ago I hated Copeland and Stravinsky.
Townscream (and After Crying) are a bit where Copeland would have
evolved into, had he been a ProgRock composer.
Argh ... so I'm not mad on my own :) After Crying will be seen as
Masters years down the track when the music has mellowed like fine
wine and people discover some fine musical heritage. Here is Copeland
taken to a further level ... and mixed with King Crimson providing a
unique interpretation. See this is where I can't understand people
who say progressive music died in the seventies. No no no ! It is
alive and thriving underground in places like Hungary, Brazil,
Slovenia and Sweden. By the way Andrew, the Townscream lyrics
make perfect sense to me ... it must be the effects of being exposed
to the two Terra Mystica members .... no frilly English words in
between, just straight to the point.
From: "Andrew J. Rozsa" He does...regularly. Unfortunately for us, thus far, he does it in Budapest. He gives piano solo concerts ("piano evenings"). One of the Hungarian sites talks about the series of piano music pieces titled "The Tales of a Dark Room," apparently composed during "some very moody days." There is a pretty little 2+ minute MIDI piece ("Tales V" on Korg Trinity Plus) at: http://www.vjrktf.hu/szentendre/XZENE.HTM Gives you an idea where his head was at. I will see if I can find out more about this.... Lyrics to some of the pieces on the commercial albums are English: http://www.umann.com/dalok/After_Crying/songs.html Vedres Csaba vexes philosophical when he says: "F?zenei c?kit??em az, hogy olyan modern, klasszikus m?t?kel is ?t?elhet?darabokat ?jak, amelyek egyben nem hallgathatatlanok. Nem hiszek a mai ?. modern zene emberidegens??en ? hidegs??en. Az a v?em?yem, hogy a zenet?t?et egyes korszakaiban az ?telmis? ? a szakma ?tal t?finom?ott, elidegenedett magas zen? mindig alulr? j?? n?i eredet?kezdem?yez?ek tett? ?ra er?eljess? A mi korszakunkban a rock-zen?en l?om ezt a lehet??et. Azt gondolom, hogy maradand? lehet l?rehozni a rock-zene energikus ritmusvil??ak ? a klasszikus zene csod?atos hagyom?yainak tal?koztat??al." which translated means.... "My main goals are, to compose the kind of (musical) pieces that can also be evaluated by modern classical standards, yet at the same time are not unlistenable. I don't believe in the alienating and coldness of today's modern music. It is my opinion, that in the history of music, during certain eras, the intellectually and professionally refined , yet alienated 'high' music was made powerful again by folk (ethnic) music. In our times, I see this opportunity in rock music. I think that an entity can be created that merges the energetic rhythmic world of rock-music with the wonderful traditions of classical music." On the Vedres' split from After Crying, a reviewer (Dr. Progresso), talking about "6" and "Nagyvarosi Ikonok" says (I likes this): "Townscream has a drummer; After Crying often dispenses with drums. Townscream's approach is less orchestral, the arrangements more spare. Otherwise, there is little difference in the nature of the two groups' music. In both cases the music is ambitious and complex, but at heart melodic and evocative. Vedres' split from After Crying has led to the best of all possible outcomes, from my point of view: twice as much exciting new music. Both of these albums are 1997 releases, and they bode well for future albums from both After Crying and Townscream." http://pons.sote.hu/~bauvikt/drprog2.html There is word that Townscream has two live albums coming out in the near future. :-)
From: "Andrew & Jo Holborn" <>
Date: Sun Jan 20, 2002 8:26 pm
Subject: Re: [e-Prog] In the CD changer [was Re: Nexus]
I really Love Townscream. Where is the Csaba Vedres "Mire Megvirrad -
Stanislawski dalok" available from?
Also, I think I remember you saying you have the Solaris keyboard player
Robert Erdesz's cd. I believe its a mixture of prog and world. Can you
provide us with further details please Andrew?