Progressive Palaver

Episode 45 – Asia Part 6 Omega, XXX & Gravitas

Joe completes his solo consideration of the Asia catalog, finishing up with last three albums featuring John Wetton. These three albums are full of surprises and demonstrate a band that is in clear control of their art. Fast tempos, killer vocals, well-balanced songwriting and even a mantra are the hallmarks of these albums. Even the departure of Steve Howe and the arrival of Sam Coulson doesn’t slow down Asia. These albums have found a place in heavy rotation at Palaver Central.

Twitter: @progpala

Email: [email protected]

Facebook: www.facebook.com/ProgPala

YouTube: www.youtube.com/channel/UCw_Xxit3D8wbv-AcJ_7Z__w/featured

Theme music provided by: Dave DeWhitt

SCS9- Yes - Philadelphia PA - July 21 2018 by Progressive Palaver

SCS8 – Yes – Philadelphia PA - July 20, 2018

Celebrating the summer of Yes with this first of two Special Concert Series episodes, Paul, Ken and Joe discuss the Yes 50th Anniversary Tour show at the Fillmore in Philadelphia PA on July 20, 2018. The group is reveling in the bold choice of the band to open with Close to the Edge and as usual are awed by the timeless wonder that is Steve Howe. This concert tour finds the members of Yes up to the task of celebrating the band’s golden jubilee. The special guests are discussed and all the magic they bring and while there is a little controversy the final analysis is that Tony Kaye is a badass. This concert was a true and beautiful celebration of Yes.

Twitter: @progpala

Email: [email protected]

Facebook: www.facebook.com/ProgPala

YouTube: www.youtube.com/channel/UCw_Xxit3D8wbv-AcJ_7Z__w/featured

Theme music provided by: Dave DeWhitt

Episode 44 – Asia Part 5 Aura, Silent Nation & Phoenix

Joe continues his solo consideration of the Asia catalog, finishing up the John Payne era with Aura and Silent Nation before moving on to the rebirth of original Asia with Phoenix. Aura, always a Joe favorite, fares well over time and there is much in this album to appreciate. The long list of guest musicians provides depth and interest across the tracks. The songwriting is solid and interesting. And, of course, Aura contains what may be the best Asia track ever in “Free”. Simply phenomenal. The John Payne era of Asia finishes strong with Silent Nation. The fact that this album was recorded as a band is obvious upon listening and provides a warmer, more organic feel. Guthrie Govan is a consistent highlight on Silent Nation and Billy Sherwood and Jay Schellen arrive on the scene. Phoenix sees a significant shift back to the original lineup of Downes, Howe, Palmer and Wetton. As one might expect from such a reunion, there is a lot of energy in the performance and songwriting on Phoenix. This is an album that continues to get better with repeated listens

Twitter: @progpala

Email: [email protected]

Facebook: www.facebook.com/ProgPala

YouTube: www.youtube.com/channel/UCw_Xxit3D8wbv-AcJ_7Z__w/featured

Theme music provided by: Dave DeWhitt

Episode 43 – Asia Part 4 Aria, Arena & Archiva 1

Joe continues his solo consideration of the Asia catalog, moving deep into the John Payne era with these three albums. Aria sees the new Asia continuing to develop as a band with the addition of Al Pitrelli. Is Desire awesome or terrifying? How much dramatic vocals is too much? Arena leads the band into new, jazz-influenced directions as the guitarist carousel continues. Despite this change in personnel Arena scores high marks from Joe for strong tracks like Two Sides of the Moon and The Day Before the War. Archiva 1 leads to some interesting research into the background of John Payne prior to joining Asia.

Twitter: @progpala

Email: [email protected]

Facebook: www.facebook.com/ProgPala

YouTube: www.youtube.com/channel/UCw_Xxit3D8wbv-AcJ_7Z__w/featured

Theme music provided by: Dave DeWhitt

Episode 42 – Asia Part 3 Astra, Then and Now & Aqua

In this Palaver for one episode, Joe begins his solo exploration of the bulk of the Asia catalog. Picking up where the original group discussion ended these three albums cover many changes for the band from the departure of Steve Howe on Astra through the extensive use of session musicians on the studio tracks on Then & Now to the formation of essentially a new band on Aqua. The take home lesson learned in this episode is the magical element that Steve Howe brings to Asia.

Twitter: @progpala

Email: [email protected]

Facebook: www.facebook.com/ProgPala

YouTube: www.youtube.com/channel/UCw_Xxit3D8wbv-AcJ_7Z__w/featured

Theme music provided by: Dave DeWhitt

Episode 41 – Rush Part 16 Test for Echo, Vapor Trails, Snakes and Arrows & Clockwork Angels

In this episode of the Palaver Tom, Paul and Joe finish out the Rush catalog by doing a quick burn through the last four albums. These four albums span a great deal of real time and the Palaver tries to sort out the greater context both in the Rush lineage and the larger musical landscape. Of particular note is the discussion regarding the two different versions of Vapor Trails. This episode finds the group grappling with a changing group that ultimately lands strong on their last output, Clockwork Angels.

Twitter: @progpala

Email: [email protected]

Facebook: www.facebook.com/ProgPala

YouTube: www.youtube.com/channel/UCw_Xxit3D8wbv-AcJ_7Z__w/featured

Theme music provided by: Dave DeWhitt

Episode 40 – Rush Part 15, Counterparts

In this episode of the Palaver Tom, Ken, Paul and Joe spend some quality time with Counterparts. This album features the return of Peter Collins and with him a recurring theme (real or imagined) of the Queensryche influence. The context of 1993 (with the onset of grunge and the continuing demise of prog) is explored in general terms and how Rush maintained relevancy during this period. First and foremost, in this vein is Ken’s “heavy metal bait and switch” theory with regards to this album. Tom contemplates the (potentially) controversial use of acoustic guitar in Nobody’s Hero and the group searches for the meaning behind Between Sun and Moon. It is noted that Rush continue to challenge us as listeners as they continue to explore new areas both musically and lyrically. In the end Counterparts receives high Palaver marks indeed!

Twitter: @progpala

Email: [email protected]

Facebook: www.facebook.com/ProgPala

YouTube: www.youtube.com/channel/UCw_Xxit3D8wbv-AcJ_7Z__w/featured

Theme music provided by: Dave DeWhitt

Episode 39 – Rush Part 14, Roll the Bones & Rupert Hine Reflections

Technical difficulties… They are bound to catch up with most podcasts sooner or later. The Palaver got them good for this section. Due to these technical gremlins we lost the recordings of both our episode on Roll the Bones and the outstanding interview Tom and Joe did with Rupert Hine. This episode attempts to recap both of those recordings that are forever lost. The Palaver would like to send our most sincere thanks and apologies to Mr. Hine for being so gracious with his time. The insights he provided into his time with Rush (as well as topics beyond) were beyond compare.

Through this somewhat brief episode, you will get the main gist of our thoughts on Roll the Bones as well as some of the stories relayed by Rupert.

Twitter: @progpala

Email: [email protected]

Facebook: www.facebook.com/ProgPala

YouTube: www.youtube.com/channel/UCw_Xxit3D8wbv-AcJ_7Z__w/featured

Theme music provided by: Dave DeWhitt

Episode 38 – Rush Part 13, Presto

“Hitting if fresh and finding it new” - This Palaver finds Joe, Ken, Colby and Tom considering Rush’s Presto. First and foremost, the group must consider the effect of producer Rupert Hine on this record and the fact that Presto is sonically very different from other Rush albums up to this point. From there the group considers the question “How proggy is Presto” and the nature of “chameleon Rush”. There is a small sidebar conversation on the members’ three favorite Rush albums. The topic of soundtrack dissonance surfaces again. Why don’t people like the inflatable bunnies??

Twitter: @progpala

Email: [email protected]

Facebook: www.facebook.com/ProgPala

YouTube: www.youtube.com/channel/UCw_Xxit3D8wbv-AcJ_7Z__w/featured

Theme music provided by: Dave DeWhitt