From: Elias Granillo, Jr.
Here's a run-down of the acts at Prog Fest '97, and how much I believe they were playing
live vs. playing over prepared backing (hard disk, etc.) vs. totally pre-programmed/taped:
Day One: <> The latest entry in the Swedish Prog Revival opened up Prog
Fest, and it was 100% live: bass, vocals, flute, guitar, synth, drums, mellotron, organ,
etc. But were they exciting? Hell, no. Sinkadus bored my friend Seanna and myself stiff.
It had nothing to so with the fact they were inanimate, it's just that their music was
very *stable* and devoid of much-needed dynamics. Then again, some jumpin' 'round onstage
may have helped.
<> The sh*t hit the fan when Arena kicked off their set. Clive's grandiose
opening chords for "Valley of the Kings," Jowitt's thumpin' bass * Tarquin's
crunchin' guitar riffing totally woke up the theater, and made all the Le Orme fans walk
back to the lobby! Needless to say, Seanna and I were stage-side, raising our fists (I had
no cigarette lighter, since I don't smoke!) a few songs in! Excepting the opening
sequenced notes of "Midas Vision," Clive's keyboard-playing was live, and he
didn't hit a bum note all evening. Sometimes Paul Wrightson's vocals were a little drowned
out by the guitar, but Arena kicked some serious arse. They're quite an exciting live act,
and I hope to catch them again!!!
<> I had not heard a note of Le Orme's music before I caught them headlining
Friday nights set. And now I know why they're considered the original legendary Italian
prog band, before Banco, Il Baletto di Bronzo, and Goblin. Their music (100% live, from
what I could tell)) is an encapsulating process...it's very deep, and energetic without
being overly self-indulgent. They opened up with a complete run-through of Il Fiume, and
by the time their initial set had closed with a complete run-through of Felona E Sorona, I
was blown away. I'd seen two keyboardists and no guitarist propel the band through
song-after-song, and the majestic qualities of their music held up to their
reputation...no sweat! Oh, did I say "no guitarist"? Michele Bon came from
behind his Hammond with a strap-on synth, and ripped it up on the keys, on the best
sampled-guitar voice I'd ever heard! Not just fast triplets & septuplets, either, he
evidently knows the make-up of a fretboard and his solo was quite expressive. What a
capper for Friday night!!!! [NOTE: Le Orme returned to the stage for three more
songs very late Saturday night following the Flower Kings' set, but I was en route back
home to Palm Springs at that point.]
Now for Saturday (I'll try to be a little more brief):
<> Whoa! A LOCAL band!!!!! This keys/vox-guitar/vox-drums (no bassist!) trio
were called in by Shawn "I won't admit to being one of the arseholes who didn't want
to book John Wetton" Ahearn to replace Swedish proggers Ritual at the last minute. I
liked what I heard: lots of mean, biting organ, slammin' drums, manic guitar,
mellotron-action, and rough-house Gillan-like vocals. Keyboardist Damon Fox (the main
vocalist) is a big guy, too, so it was easy for him to convey that hostile aura. He even
knocked over the mike stand...oh, did I mention that it was 100% live?
<> ...everyone here knows how good
this band is, and how professional-sounding and *tight* they are onstage. A rendition of
Jimi Hendrix's "June" wrapped around "Wasted Away" was a nice
surprise. Ryo's strap-on synth solo was hot, and he proved to be a pretty animated guy,
too, when he came out from behind his setup. Nowadays, I hear he's hanging from the
rafters and venturing forth into the audience, as well!!
<> ...I finally got to see (albeit a too-short set...thanks a lot, Mr.
Ahearn!) this prog icon in action. John is the consummate frontman/vocalist. His voice was
in fine form, as was his backing band...what a bunch of hot players those guys were: Tommy
Lang (ex-Zappa) on drums, IQ's Martin Orford, and supershredder Billy Liesegang on some
loud guitar. The only gripe I had was too much stuff from Asia days, though I enjoyed
"Heat of the Moment" and "Sole Survivor" is a great song. They *did*
open up with "In The Dead of Night," though!!!
.....and finally...
<> These guys have become minor legends pretty fast in the modern
world of prog-rock. They opened up with "Stardust We Are," and Hans' voice
sounded loud, clear and very powerful. Roine, Tomas and the guys can reproduce every note
of their songs accurately, and Roine's bass-playing brother Mike was the least-inanimate
guy. "The Sounds of Violence" is a stonkin' (tm) number. It was a good show, but
their main set finished pretty late, and Seanna and I left before the end of the encore.