Michael's Record Collection

Progressive rock master Neal Morse is a prolific and qualitative force in modern prog and he's back on the show to talk about a brand new band project called Neal Morse & the Resonance. The band will drop its debut album, No Hill for a Climber, Nov. 8 on Inside Out Music. Neal discusses the other band members, making the album and writing the songs, his recent solo acoustic tour, an exciting new collaboration with Chester Thompson and Phil Keaggy coming soon, and more. Learn more about Neal and order the new album at nealmorse.com.

Please hit the like button and/or leave a rating/review wherever you consume this podcast. You can read my Michael's Record Collection newsletter for free by signing up at michaelsrecordcollection.substack.com. Follow MRC on Twitter (@MikesRecords), like it on Facebook, and follow on Instagram and/or TikTok. Have questions or comments or want to suggest a topic? Hit me up at [email protected].

I'd love to have your support for this independent podcast. You can become a patron of this show by becoming a Michael's Record Collection Patreon subscriber starting at only $2 per month at the MRC Patreon page. Supporter benefits escalate at each level, providing more value the more you support the show. For example, you will know about interviews in advance and at some levels you can submit questions for the artists, come on the show to co-host, enter prize drawings, and more. 

Galahad guitarist Lee Abraham returns to the show to discuss Origin of the Storm, a brand new solo album (his 10th), which drops Oct. 21 on F2 Music. Lee was kind enough to discuss the making of the new album with me, along with the stories behind the songs. The new record should appeal to fans of melodic progressive rock with Steve Rothery-esque guitar work. Follow Lee Abraham Music on Facebook for more info.

Please hit the like button and/or leave a rating/review wherever you consume this podcast. You can read my Michael's Record Collection newsletter for free by signing up at michaelsrecordcollection.substack.com. Follow MRC on Twitter (@MikesRecords), like it on Facebook, and follow on Instagram and/or TikTok. Have questions or comments or want to suggest a topic? Hit me up at [email protected].

I'd love to have your support for this independent podcast. You can become a patron of this show by becoming a Michael's Record Collection Patreon subscriber starting at only $2 per month at the MRC Patreon page. Supporter benefits escalate at each level, providing more value the more you support the show. For example, you will know about interviews in advance and at some levels you can submit questions for the artists, come on the show to co-host, enter prize drawings, and more. 

Progressive rockers Frost* return with the band's first official concept album, Life in the Wires, which is set to drop Oct. 18 on Inside Out Music. Founder, keyboardist, vocalist, producer, and primary songwriter Jem Godfrey was kind enough to take time out of his busy schedule to discuss the new album with me, as well as such topics as his musical beginnings, how he became a producer, producing No. 1 hits for pop artists, playing keyboards for guitar heroes Steve Vai and Joe Satriani, and much more. The new album should appeal to fans of the Frost* 2006 debut, Milliontown, although it includes sonic flavors from more recent albums as well. Learn more about Frost* at the band's website, frost.life.

Please hit the like button and/or leave a rating/review wherever you consume this podcast. You can read my Michael's Record Collection newsletter for free by signing up at michaelsrecordcollection.substack.com. Follow MRC on Twitter (@MikesRecords), like it on Facebook, and follow on Instagram and/or TikTok. Have questions or comments or want to suggest a topic? Hit me up at [email protected].

I'd love to have your support for this independent podcast. You can become a patron of this show by becoming a Michael's Record Collection Patreon subscriber starting at only $2 per month at the MRC Patreon page. Supporter benefits escalate at each level, providing more value the more you support the show. For example, you will know about interviews in advance and at some levels you can submit questions for the artists, come on the show to co-host, enter prize drawings, and more. 

Dream Theater and Liquid Tension Experiment keyboard wizard Jordan Rudess joins me to discuss his upcoming solo album, Permission to Fly. Unlike many keyboard player solo albums, which focus on the keys and often use multiple singers and musicians, this one was put together like a band album, using a consistent lineup across the record. It's a cohesive album that has its moments of keyboard pyrotechnics, but also contains a strong commitment to servicing the songs. In addition to the album, Jordan discussed his musical background, joining LTE and Dream Theater, how he ended up on David Bowie's Heathen album, his take on AI's place in creating music, and more. Learn more about Jordan's work at jordanrudess.com. 

Please hit the like button and/or leave a rating/review wherever you consume this podcast. You can read my Michael's Record Collection newsletter for free by signing up at michaelsrecordcollection.substack.com. Follow MRC on Twitter (@MikesRecords), like it on Facebook, and follow on Instagram and/or TikTok. Have questions or comments or want to suggest a topic? Hit me up at [email protected].

I'd love to have your support for this independent podcast. You can become a patron of this show by becoming a Michael's Record Collection Patreon subscriber starting at only $2 per month at the MRC Patreon page. Supporter benefits escalate at each level, providing more value the more you support the show. For example, you will know about interviews in advance and at some levels you can submit questions for the artists, come on the show to co-host, enter prize drawings, and more. 

Jon Courtney is the founder, vocalist, and multi-instrumentalist who drives modern prog rock outfit Pure Reason Revolution. The band is set to release its sixth album on Sept. 6, Coming Up to Consciousness. The themes on the record are lyrically personal ones to Jon, who was kind enough to discuss the album, getting the legendary Guy Pratt to play on it, his influences, and the band's career with me. Find out more about the band at https://www.purereasonrevolutionofficial.com/.

Please hit the like button and/or leave a rating/review wherever you consume this podcast. You can read my Michael's Record Collection newsletter for free by signing up at michaelsrecordcollection.substack.com. Follow MRC on Twitter (@MikesRecords), like it on Facebook, and follow on Instagram and/or TikTok. Have questions or comments or want to suggest a topic? Hit me up at [email protected].

I'd love to have your support for this independent podcast. You can become a patron of this show by becoming a Michael's Record Collection Patreon subscriber starting at only $2 per month at the MRC Patreon page. Supporter benefits escalate at each level, providing more value the more you support the show. For example, you will know about interviews in advance and at some levels you can submit questions for the artists, come on the show to co-host, enter prize drawings, and more. 

Four members of the New York-based progressive rock band IZZ are my guests on this episode as we discuss their first new album in five years, Collapse the Wave. The new record is a fresh and energetic take on their signature sound that should please their longtime fans and impress newcomers. It was a blast learning about the making of the album. Be sure to check out their website at izzmusic.com.

I'd love to have your support for this independent podcast. You can become a patron of this show by becoming a Michael's Record Collection Patreon subscriber starting at only $2 per month at the MRC Patreon page. Supporter benefits escalate at each level, providing more value the more you support the show. For example, you will know about interviews in advance and at some levels you can submit questions for the artists, come on the show to co-host, enter prize drawings, and more. 

Andy Tillison from The Tangent returns to talk to me about the new album To Follow Polaris, which is a unique record in the band's catalog. The primary reason for this is because it's all Andy this time. With his bandmates' busy schedules, Andy decided to have a go at a Tangent album himself, playing all the parts and trying to get into the headspace of his bandmates. The result is another solid release from The Tangent and it was kind of Andy to take the time to tell me about what went into making it. Learn more about The Tangent at https://www.thetangent.org.

Please hit the like button and/or leave a rating/review wherever you consume this podcast. You can read my Michael's Record Collection newsletter for free by signing up at michaelsrecordcollection.substack.com. Follow MRC on Twitter (@MikesRecords), like it on Facebook, and follow on Instagram and/or TikTok. Have questions or comments or want to suggest a topic? Hit me up at [email protected].

I'd love to have your support for this independent podcast. You can become a patron of this show by becoming a Michael's Record Collection Patreon subscriber starting at only $2 per month at the MRC Patreon page. Supporter benefits escalate at each level, providing more value the more you support the show. For example, you will know about interviews in advance and at some levels you can submit questions for the artists, come on the show to co-host, enter prize drawings, and more. 

My guest, Ian Crichton, has long been an underrated yet exciting guitarist primarily known for his work in the Canadian progressive pop/rock band Saga. Ian's still a member of that band, but he's also in an exciting trio called Six By Six with vocalist/bassist/keyboardist Robert Berry and Saxon drummer Nigel Glockler. Six By Six dropped its sophomore album, Beyond Shadowland, today, and like the debut record, it's full of melodic hard rock with pop sensibility and a bit of complexity that keeps things interesting. Ian was kind enough to tell me about his background, joining Six By Six, and the new record. Learn more about it at SixBySixBand.com.

Please hit the like button and/or leave a rating/review wherever you consume this podcast. You can read my Michael's Record Collection newsletter for free by signing up at michaelsrecordcollection.substack.com. Follow MRC on Twitter (@MikesRecords), like it on Facebook, and follow on Instagram and/or TikTok. Have questions or comments or want to suggest a topic? Hit me up at [email protected].

I'd love to have your support for this independent podcast. You can become a patron of this show by becoming a Michael's Record Collection Patreon subscriber starting at only $2 per month at the MRC Patreon page. Supporter benefits escalate at each level, providing more value the more you support the show. For example, you will know about interviews in advance and at some levels you can submit questions for the artists, come on the show to co-host, enter prize drawings, and more. 

Canadian power pop-infused party rockers The Kings are my guests for this episode. Well, at least bassist/vocalist David Diamond and guitarist Mister Zero, anyway. We discuss the band's 2023 release, The Longest Story Ever Told, the band's first release in 20 years. We also dove into their musical backgrounds, how they got Bob Ezrin to produce their debut album, the writing of their hit "This Beat Goes On/Switchin' to Glide," and much more. Learn more about the band at thekingsarehere.com.

Please hit the like button and/or leave a rating/review wherever you consume this podcast. You can read my Michael's Record Collection newsletter for free by signing up at michaelsrecordcollection.substack.com. Follow MRC on Twitter (@MikesRecords), like it on Facebook, and follow on Instagram and/or TikTok. Have questions or comments or want to suggest a topic? Hit me up at [email protected].

I'd love to have your support for this independent podcast. You can become a patron of this show by becoming a Michael's Record Collection Patreon subscriber starting at only $2 per month at the MRC Patreon page. Supporter benefits escalate at each level, providing more value the more you support the show. For example, you will know about interviews in advance and at some levels you can submit questions for the artists, come on the show to co-host, enter prize drawings, and more. 

Big Big Train has been building momentum in the progressive rock world for years with their brand of quintessentially English, pastoral prog, but the sudden and tragic death of lead vocalist David Longdon dealt the band a huge blow. The band is about to release its first album without David on March 1 through Inside Out Music. New vocalist Alberto Bravin isn't Longdon, but his voice is well suited for what Big Big Train does well. Founding member Gregory Spawton was kind enough to discuss the new album with me, as well as such topics as his musical origin story, how the band got its name, how the band navigated the loss of Longdon and ultimately found Bravin, finally becoming a full-time career musician in his 50s, and much more. Learn more about the band at bigbigtrain.com.

Please hit the like button and/or leave a rating/review wherever you consume this podcast. You can read my Michael's Record Collection newsletter for free by signing up at michaelsrecordcollection.substack.com. Follow MRC on Twitter (@MikesRecords), like it on Facebook, and follow on Instagram and/or TikTok. Have questions or comments or want to suggest a topic? Hit me up at [email protected].

I'd love to have your support for this independent podcast. You can become a patron of this show by becoming a Michael's Record Collection Patreon subscriber starting at only $2 per month at the MRC Patreon page. Supporter benefits escalate at each level, providing more value the more you support the show. For example, you will know about interviews in advance and at some levels you can submit questions for the artists, come on the show to co-host, enter prize drawings, and more.