Membangun Top 10 Prog Albums

JRENG!

Berdasarkan postingan terdahulu tentang Top 10 Prog Albums dimana banyak komentar yang dilontarkan oleh proggers yang biasa berkomentar di blog gemblunk ini, maka saatnyalah kita sendiri membangun Top 10 Prog Albums itu buat konsumsi kita. Saya juga mencoba membangun. Jangan salah, istilah “membangun” tuh artinya ada sebuah proses yang terlibat, tak sekedar “sak det sak nyeng” (sekonyong-konyong – red.) karena banyak faktor atau kriteria yang perlu didefinisikan dulu – PROG gitu loh!

EMANGNYA GAMPANG APA membuat peringkat Top 10 Prog Albums itu? Coba aja kalau bisa …pasti puyeng! Kalau pikiran kita waras, gak mungkin kita bisa menyusunnya dalam waktu sehari dua hari…bisa jadi berminggu-minggu …bahkan berbulan-bulan .. bahkan, dalam hal saya, sudah tahunan …gak berhasil terus. Syusyah puwollll…!!! Apalagi kalau jumlah album prog yang Anda dengarkan sudah melebihi 250 albums, udah pasti pusying tujuh keliling jal!

Untuk itu, saya membuat kriteria yang terdiri dari empat hal besar, yaitu: 1.) Composition, 2.) Performance, 3.) Like Factor, 4.) Vintage Factor atau disingkat CPLV, biar mudah. Anda juga bisa membuat kriterianya sendiri, tentunya , lha wong ini ranah prog … bebas duoooong ….sak enak perute dewe atau perute mbahe Sangkil …yo po ra jal?

Composition

Kriteria pertama ini memiliki bobot paling tinggi (85%) bagi saya karena keindahan musik prog terletak dari komposisinya. Adapun komposisi terdiri dari lima hal pokok: melodi, harmoni, kompleksitas, perubahan style dan integritas struktural. Definisinya bisa Anda baca di sini yang udah saya posting di blog gemblunk ini beberapa saat yang lalu.

Performance

Performance dari musisi juga menentukan bagaimana rating sebuah album. Belum tentu pentholan-pentholan prog bila digabung akan menghasilkan sesuatu yang dahzyat. Ingat ASIA? Dulu orang berharap akan menampilkan musik yang doahzyat tapi ternyata musiknya simple banget, gak prog blas (GPB). Saya hanya memberi bobot 5% pada aspek performance ini karena kalau komposisi dahzyat, siapapun yang memainkan mestinya OK. Liat aja GodBless membawakan lagu Kansas “Carry On Wayward Son” yang ternyata bagus juga kan? Itu karena memang komposisinya memang sudah tjiamik tenan jal!

Like Factor

Kriteria ini menunjukkan derajat kesukaan kita (Like Factor) terhadap album tersebut. Lihat aja betapa pak Alfie mendewa-dewakan Triumvirat yang sebagian orang ada yang mencibirkan bahwa grup trio Jerman ini kurang orisinal karena terkesan njiplak ELP. Atau saya yang terlalu suka Marillion bahkan seringkali lebih menyukainya ketimbang Genesis. Sebagian orang bilang (yang wawasannya kurang tentunya) mengatakan bahwa Marillion ngikut Genesis. Namun Like Factor ini tak boleh punya bobot tinggi, cukup 5% saja, sudah cukup.

Vintage Factor

Ini adalah pemberian penghargaan bagi musisi2 legendaris yang mulai menulis lagu sejak pertengahan enampuluhan hingga akhir tujuhpuluhan. Intinya, semakin lama album diciptakan (misalnya King Crimson “In The Court of The Crimson King” – 1969) maka ia mendapatkan faktor tertinggi (10). Hampir semua yang awal 70an layak mendapatkan 10. Tapi seperti Rush yang hanya mulai membuat album akhir tujuhpuluhan, dia tak layak dapat rating 10 karena toh pada awalnya dulu orang bilang Rush itu nyontek konsepnya Led Zeppelin. Vintage Factor mendapatkan porsi 5% saja.

Top 10 Prog Albums Criteria (GW)

Nah … kalau Anda setuju dengan kriteria di atas, silakan bikin Top 10 Prog Albums versi Anda.

JRENG!

Salam,

G

Top 10 Prog Albums

Menurut http://www.progarchives.com/ daftar album prog paling top (10 besar) adalah berikut ini:

1. Close To The Edge – Yes



2. Selling England By The Pound – Genesis



3. Wish You Were Here – Pink Floyd



4. Thick As A Brick – Jethro Tull



5. Foxtrot – Genesis



6. Dark Side Of The Moon – Pink Floyd



7. In The Court Of The Crimson King – King Crimson



8. Animals – Pink Floyd



9. Per Un Amico – Premiata Forneria Marconi



10. Red – King Crimson

Gimana? Apa Anda setuju? Kalau tidak, bagaiman dengan Anda? Versi Anda Top 10 Prog Albums of All Time itu apa saja? Kalau saya mah gak rela liat ‘Relayer’ nya Yes gak masuk list, juga ‘Free Hand’ nya Gentle Giant… dan juga .. dan juga … udah lah ..pokoknya banyak ‘…dan juga …’ lainnya …

Salam,

G

“Man of Miracles” by Styx

JRENG!

Kembali ke pitungpuluhan dengan album legendaris yang merupakan perkenalan pertama kali bagi saya dengan kelompok Amrik yang namanya STYX (bacanya: Stiks! bukan sok tahu dibaca es-ti-wai-eks yang jelas ngawur itu karena ini nama bukan singkatan, tauk!). Pertama kali kenal band ini ya dari kaset Maxell UD C60 rekaman dari plat milik radio Geronimo Yogya yang direkam oleh kakak saya, Henky, yang pernah jadi penyiar di radio paling beken di Ngayogyokarto itu. Pada saat bersamaan saya juga punya kaset kompilasi Prambors Hits II dimana ada lagu “Christopher Mr Christopher” nan legendaris dan ngetop di kota Madiun di saat itu. Maka lengkaplah, saya menyukai album ini.

Sebetulnya gak semua lagunya enak tapi ada yang asik banget yaitu “A Song for Suzanne”, “Evil Eyes” dan tentunya “Christopher Mr Christopher”. Namun bila dinikmati satu album secara penuh, rasanya jadi “ngemplang” sukma dan nunjek ulu ati. Apalagi ini album memorable nostalgik nuansamatik …wis jan ngguweblak tenan!!!!

Studio Album, released in 1974

Songs / Tracks Listing

1. Rock & Roll Feeling (3:02)
2. Havin’ A Ball (3:53)
3. Golden Lark (3:23)
4. A Song For Suzanne (5:15)
5. A Man Like Me (2:57)
6. Lies (2:45)
7. Evil Eyes (4:02)
8. Southern Woman (3:10)
9. Christopher, Mr. Christopher (4:02)
10. Man Of Miracles (4:55)

Total Time: 37:24

Lyrics

Search STYX Man of Miracles lyrics

Music tabs (tablatures)

Search STYX Man of Miracles tabs

Line-up / Musicians

- John Curulewski / guitar, arp, vocals
- Dennis DeYoung / keyboards, arp, vocals
- Chuck Panozzo / bass
- John Panozzo / drums, percussion, vocals
- James “JY” Young / guitar, vocals

* Additional musicians on this album:
- Barry Alan Fasman / string arrangement -”Golden Lark” & horn arrangement – “A Man Like Me”

Releases information

RCA 3115-2-R

Updated on 23 Feb 08

“Man of Miracles” was my first introduction to Styx. It was my big brother, Henky, who was a rock broadcaster in a radio station (Geronimo) based in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. When he returned back home to my small town where I lived with my mother he always brought me a tape from rock groups. One of them was STYX “Man of Miracles” whom the name I had never heard before and it sounded weird to me. But when I played the cassette tape, I was amazed with the music which to me sounded simple but it rocked especially when I heard “A Song for Suzanne” for the first time. In fact this was my first in love with STYX! Later I realized that another track “Christopher Mr Christopher” became a major hit in Indonesia.

This is definitely NOT a prog album as the music is a straight rock music. However, this is an excellent rock album. “Christopher, Mr. Christopher” was then a hit in my country in mid of 70s. It’s a very nice pop rock song with good keyboard and guitar works. This song is very “nostalgic”, I would say. It’s a kind of music you’d like to enjoy while sipping a cup of starbuck’s coffee lathe. Uugghh … what a nice break! I am sure that it was Prambors radio who made the song so popular in Indonesia. In fact, the song was then used by local youngsters in my small town Madiun to name their gang with “Christopher” name. The uniqueness of this youngsters gang was that all members’ motorcycles were all painted white with red stripe. What a memorable thing for me! But again, the song itself is very melodic especially the song ambience at intro part where the guitar and drums work together beautifully. The first lyrical verse was very famous in my small town Madiun where youngsters at that time always sing together: “I remember Christopher / such a man / so brave and tall. He took the baby Jesus / in his arms / across the waterfall .” WOW man! What a memorable moment (I used to term it as “nuansamatik”).

The other tracks of my favorites are: “A Song for Suzanne” (nice intro part), “Lies”, “Evil Eyes” (this is really great track! Especially on the melody and vocal line, combined with music ambience which supports the song), “Man of Miracle” (great organ work) and “Southern Woman” (energetic rock), “Golden Lark” (mellow track with an excellent piano). Styx strong point is in its vocal. Recommended, even for a new starter (those who have not listened to STYX music). To me, the first two tracks are not enjoyable. However, this album is best enjoyed in its entirety. If you enjoy song by song you may find difficulties to absorb the two first track. Rating 4/5. Gatot Widayanto, Indonesia.

“Live at Last and More” by Pendragon (DVD)

Kenal band ini pertama kali ya dari kaset Yess di tahun 1985. memang di bilangan musik neo prog, Pendragon termasuk yang telat karena baru merilis debut di tahun 1985 bertajuk “The Jewel”. Album debut ini tidak begitu menggigit dari segi komposisi musiknya meskipun kelompok ini digawangi oleh gitaris dan vokalis penuh talenta Nick Barrett diperkuat pemain kibor andal Clive Nolan di album2 selanjutnya. Pada debut album yang main kibor adalah Rick Carter.

DVD “Live at Last and More” merupakan tontonan yang menarik bila dilihat dari permainan gitar Nick Barrett. Sayang vokal Nick sebetulnya kurang bagus, namun tertutup dengan permainan gitarnya. Pendragon sebenernya musiknya agak “nanggung” karena memang tak ada komposisi yang benar-benar dahsyat. Bagusnya, band ini selalu membaik dari satu album ke album berikutnya. Album terakhir mereka “Pure” bisa dikatakan bagus.

DVD/Video, released in 2002

Songs / Tracks Listing

1. March Of The Torreadores (Intro) (0:43)
2. Nostradamus (3:03)
3. As Good As Gold (7:30)
4. Paintbox (7:34)
5. Breaking The Spell (8:19)
6. Guardian Of My Soul (12:58)
7. Back In The Spotlight (6:17)
8. The Last Man On Earth (14:35)
9. The Shadow (9:57)
10. Leviathan (6:43)
11. Masters Of Illusion (13:01)
12. The Last Waltz (Queen Of Hearts Part Three) (5:12)

Total Time: 95:53

Lyrics

Search PENDRAGON Live At Last … And More lyrics

Music tabs (tablatures)

Search PENDRAGON Live At Last … And More tabs

Line-up / Musicians

- Nick Barrett / guitar, vocals
- Peter Gee / bass
- Clive Nolan / keyboards
- Fudge Smith / drums

I’ve got this DVD early last year and just found out that it has not been reviewed here. It’s probably people don’t pay attention to Pendragon as many consider that if we talk about neo prog it must be about Marillion, IQ, Pallas, etc and rarely mention about Pendragon. It’s actually worth observing because this four-piece band has been consistent with their music style since its inception. This live set was filmed during the band’s The Masquarade Overture Tour. Specific to this DVD it was filmed at Krakow, Poland on 24th November 1996. As you may guess, this was a performance to promote their latest album at the time: The Masquarade Overture.

The show started with a shot of a nice stage design with back drops containing materials from album cover designs. The welcoming music sounds awful to my ears called “March Of The Torreodores” – what’s this? This is not suitable to welcome a prog show. How can someone compares this to, say, uplifting Firebird Suite of Yes or Rosini’s William Tel Overture? I almost drop my listening at first spind of the DVD. But, I already paid US$ 18 (quite cheap, actually), so I forced myself to enjoy it. Nick Barrett, Clive Nolan, Peter Gee and Fudge Smith then enter the stage. Barrett dressed in a yellow and blue checkered coat, again, for it does not prog at all. Ugghhh . Nolan dressed like Rick Wakeman? Sort of. Peter Gee dressed with a vest and did not really prog, appearance wise – especially looking at the way he played his bass guitar. Awful. Sorry.

The show started with Nostradamus in an upbeat tempo that stimulated audience participation. Barrett seemed like more than a singer, more than a songwriter and I think he was the center of the show. He is also a fantastic guitar player with Floydian style. One of my favorite was when the band played Guardian Of My Soul (12:58). It’s a great song that starts energetically followed with a silent break and then continued with slow guitar fills. The song moves from slow to a rocking style with great guitar and keyboard works. There is short drum solo in the middle followed with stunning guitar solo. There are many tempo changes with combination of low to high register notes on vocal. Back In The Spotlight (6:17) starts off in upbeat tempo with guitar solo and keyboard as rhythm. The vibe is heating up and the vocal is becoming aggressive. The crowd is excited. Under The Last Man On Earth (14:35) the crowd sing along with the band. Yes, the band has successfully made the audience getting hot with the show. Just before The Last Waltz (Queen Of Hearts Part Three) (5:12) the crowd sing in a capella with Fudge Smith plays his bass drum as beat keeper. It’s a good live vibe, really.

On stage, it seems really clear that Nick Barrett is the center of attention as he delivers his roles excellently. Second is Clive Nolan with his long hair and head banging acts at some rocking segments. Unfortunately, his keyboard sound is mixed at relatively low level so that the keyboard sound is not truly obvious – even on solo part. It’s probably he plays his keyboard very carefully. Fudge Smith delivers better drumming here compared to his performance with Steve Hackett in Time Lapse live video.

There is a huge selection of bonus material for fans. It includes the commercial video for “Saved By You. Also a short biography on the band and its members; complete with a discography with scans from all the albums. Also some website information and a Pendragon logo also there’s an interview. The interview was not clear to my ears as the recording technology used was really bad so I can’t hear half the questions asked. This DVD gives an overview of Pendragon and the kind of music they play.

Overall, this DVD will favor most of neo progressive fans. It’s enjoyable live performance especially on guitar work. On the stage performance I observe that there is a little mismatch between audio and visual takes that are obvious especially during Nick’s vocal part or Fudge Smith drumming. It’s a production issue, I think. Keep on proggin’ ..!

Progressively yours,

GW

“The Wedge” by Pallas

JRENG!

Bener juga kata mas Kristanto bahwa saya jarang bikin tret baru di blog gemblunk ini. Kemudian beliau mengusulkan saya mengulas Pendragon. Good idea juga. Tapi sebelum kita bahas Pendragon, kita bahas juga ‘nak ndulur’ (saudara dekat) Pendragon selain Marillion dan IQ. memang empat band inilah dulu yang berjibaku mempertahankan musik prog yang sedang sekarat di awal 80an gara2 digempur punk dan new wave. Diantara mereka berempat memang Marillion (ehem!) yang benderanya berkibar kuat karena kiprah ‘Market Quare Heroes’ EP (1981) dibarengi dengan album penuh ‘Script for a Jester’s Tear’ (1983) lantaran didukung oleh label kuat: EMI.

Berbicara tentang Pallas, saya gak bisa lari dari kenyataan bahwa kelompok ini saya kenal juga dari kaset Yess yang memproduksinya juga saat itu. Pada jaman 80an yang saya kenal ya album ‘The Sentinel’ (1984) disusul dengan ‘The Wedge’ (1986). The Sentinel bagi saya kurang nunjek karena musiknya masih ‘raw’ dan ada bau SAGA nya sehingga kurang orisinil, menurut saya lho … Baru pas kaset Yess selanjutnya menyajikan ‘The Wedge’ dengan orientasi musik yang berbeda, yaitu lebih mendayu-ndayu atau istilah prog nya adalah neo-prog. Wah pertama kali denger ‘The Sanctuary’ saya langsung jatuh cinta dengan band ini. Musiknya mengalun asik banget dari sepi menjadi agak gaduh.

I got no money–I got no faith. I got no interest in the human race,– But I don’t mind

…adalah cuplikan lirik indah dari lagu  ‘Nguncalno Watu Nang Awang-Awang’ yang arti boso Jowone adalah ‘Throwing Stones At The Wind’. Whoooaaa…lagu ini juga nunjek ulu ati tenan … Wis pokoke huenak kepuenak pol menikmati album ini. Selain lagune enak2, rekaman kaset Yess nya juga dramatically great! (opo maneh kuwi?). Lha wong treblenya kemrichink, bass-nya ‘ulem’ dan midrange vokal Alan Reed juga huenak tenan jal!

Pokoke ojo ngaku PROG yen ora nate krungu album iki jal!

JRENG!

Studio Album, released in 1986

Songs / Tracks Listing

1. Dance Through The Fire (4:46)
2. Throwing Stones At The Wind (5:15)
3. Win Or Lose (4:32)
4. The Executioner (5:36)
5. Imagination (4:35)
6. Rat Racing (8:09)
7. Just A Memory (5:29)
8. Stranger (3:50)
9. Sanctuary (9:34)
10. Nightmare (4:24)

Total Time: 56:10

Lyrics

Search PALLAS The Wedge lyrics

Music tabs (tablatures)

Search PALLAS The Wedge tabs

Line-up / Musicians

- Alan Reed / vocals
- Graeme Murray / bass, vocals
- Niall Mathewson / guitars
- Derek Forman / drums
- Ronnie Brown / keyboards

Releases information

Inside Out IOMCD059

Review hamba di Progarchives:

“I got no money–I got no faith. I got no interest in the human race,– But I don’t mind” – PALLAS “Throwing Stones at The Wind”

When it was first released in 1986, this album received little attention to my ears as I was at the time fully loaded with Marillion early albums and EP from “Market Square Heroes” until “Misplaced Childhood”. I only played the cassette version of “The Wedge” occasionally because I considered Marillion was the only excellent prog band in the mid eighties. Of course, I also knew IQ “The Wake” but again, Marillion was my main menu of daily music life. Whenever I played this cassette usually I took mostly track 9 “Sanctuary” that pleased my neo prog ears at the time. Alan Reed was the new lead singer replacing Euan Lowson.

“Dance Through The Fire” (4:46) opens the album through percussive work combined with keyboard punch in fast tempo music. It’s a rocking track that is suitable to open the show, actually. It has also tempo change into slower one when guitar solo enters in the middle. The music reminds me to the work of Steve Hackett solo album. ” Throwing Stones At The Wind” (5:15) still continues with rock music spirit with excellent guitar riffs combined with drumming. The music is energetic and simple to follow. “Pull the string, make him sing, He’ll do anything that you want him to, They tell him he’s free, Between you and me, He’s throwing stones at the wind” is lyrical part that is very usual to emulate. Beautifully composed song. “Win Or Lose” (4:32) is a slow track with keyboard-based structure that reminds me to the music of Saga. It’s a nice music.

“The Executioner” (5:36) caught into my specific attention after I watched the live version through “The Blinding Darkness” DVD set. It’s another rocking track with neat arrangement especially the combination between keyboard, bass guitar and vocal during opening part. The song has a very strong symphonic nuance. “Imagination” (4:35) might confuse you with Saga because the music is in the same style. You must try it; especially for those of you who are familiar with Canadian Saga. “Rat Racing” (8:09) is an interesting track with symphonic style, many tempo changes, great keyboard work. When guitar solo enters the music it really represents the neo progressiveness of this album. Excellent song. “Just A Memory” (5:29) is an enjoyable track using music loop / programming reminiscent of Genesis “Tonight, Tonight”. I really enjoy this track as the melody and the composition are really good.

“Stranger” (3:50) is for me a mediocre track and still reminds me to Saga. But “Sanctuary” (9:34) is really an excellent composition. It starts with beautiful combination of keyboard, guitar, Taurus bass pedal and vocal. The acoustic guitar work is in Eastern tuning and characterizes the melody in the same style. The howling guitar at the back reminds me to Steve Hackett. When percussive enters the music it even makes the song sounds better. The music increases into faster tempo with percussive as driver of musical nuance. Really great! The best track of this album! “Nightmare” (4:24) is another excellent track that combines great guitar solo, keyboard and bass to make this track a cohesive one. It concludes the album.

Overall, this album is an excellent addition to any prog music collection. Keep on proggin’ ..!

Progressively yours, GW

“The Pinnacle” by Kansas

JRENG MUKEJRENG!!!!

Piye kabare rek? Mo tahun baruan dimana? Udahlah di rumah aja! Ngapain pulak keluyuran kemana-mana – apalagi ngadain pesta semalem suntuk, ntar gak baik lho. Lha wong Gusti Allah aja udah mengingatkan kok lewat surah At-Takaasur (Quran surah no 102) ayat 1: “Bermegah-megahan telah melalaikan kamu,”. Jadi, buat apa kalau kita hidup ini lalai terhadap Allah swt yang MAHA KUASA itu? Lagian, kita kan tergolong jiwa yang PROG. Orang prog selalu mencoba mencari dan meningkatkan jalan menuju peningkatan iman dan takwa. Iya ndak? Lagian, di rumah kan banyak musik prog to? Udah mendingan muter musik prog di rumah, terus malemnya ngaji. Pasti ngguweblak!!!

Belakangan ini saya setel koleksi lama dan ternyata masih nunjek ulu ati. Saya lagi jatuh cinta nih untuk kesekian kalinya dengan THE PINNACLE nya Kansas sampe saya bikin status di FB saya tentang suasana hati yang asik menikmati tembang doahzyat ini. Bagaimana menurut Anda lagu ini? Asik ndak?

Ternyata saya dulu pernah nggeblak juga dan saya tulis di blog saya yang dulu (Progressive Mind) dan ini adalah link nya.

Salam,

G

Berburu Kaset di Denpasar

Jreng!

Beberapa hari lalu buka-buka lemari nemu foto-foto jadul yang diantaranya saat kami berlima dari gank yg dulu menamakan dirinya Thunderstorm berpiknik di Pulau Dewata tahun 1976. Yang berangkat saat itu, selain saya, adalah: Yuliadi (Dudiet), Eko Bayu Sasmito (alias Koko Bolek), Hadi Muhardjono (alias Djoni) dan Bagus Sudaryanto.

Kami berangkat bersama, naik bus, dari Madiun menuju Jember, menginap dulu di Benculuk (rumah Koko) dan wisata salak, memetik buahnya sendiri. Kemudian esoknya kita lanjut ke Gilimanuk (nyebrang pake feri) trus ke Denpasar. Di Denpasar kami menginap gratis di rumah tantenya Bagus di daerah Sanglah.

Lucunya, ke Bali bukannya kami cari pantai, tapi fokus kami justru berburu kaset progrock di sebuah toko kecil di Denpasar. Lumayan lengkap koleksinya dan Bagus dapet banyak kaset Pink Floyd saat itu. Juga ada yg dapet Focus. Selain cari kaset, kami juga berburu lampu tabung 807 buat pemancar kami TS-BC. Hua ha ha ha …perjalanan liburan nan nuansamatik dan tak terlupakan!

Memang pada akhirnya kami jalan2 ke Sanur, Kuta dan Tanah Lot …tapi hati kami tertambat kepada berburu kaset itu …ha ha ha ha … Opo tumon???

The Original Members of PINK FLOYD (Post Syd Era). GW - Djoni - Bagus - Koko Bolek. Berpose di rumah Sanglah, sebelum berburu kaset ...

Salam,
G

Napak Tilas ProgRock di Madiun

JRENG!

Separuh penduduk dunia tahu bahwa saya lahir dan dibesarkan secara progresip rock di kota Madiun, Jatim. Kalo gak percaya, cek aja di situs http://www.progarchives.com dan cari prog-bio saya di situ. Kalaupun ada penduduk dunia yang ndak tahu, mereka lupa saja. Muuuaaaap juga …lama ndak bikin postingan baru soalnya padat kegiatan yang menyita waktu, salah satunya ya dua kali bolak-balik ke Jatim: yang pertama ke Madiun akhir Nopember dan seminggu kemudian ke Tulungagung. Setelah itu banyak kerjaan menumpuk dan lain sebagainyalah.

Perjalanan ke Madiun adalah napak tilas karena kota ini menorehkan sejarah paling dalam bagi kehidupan saya (ciiieee…!) karena saya memang dilahirkan dan diprogresip-kan di kota ini. Selama di Madiun dari tanggal 26 Nopember sd 28 Nopember kemudian dilanjut ke Sarangan (Puncaknya Madiun) tgl 28 sampai dengan 29 Nopember merupakan napak tilas kenangan saya di kota nuansamatik kemlitik kharismatik tanpa batik ini. Kisah menyeluruh namun tak detil saya torehkan di sini sedangkan yang sifatnya ibadah saya torehkan di sini. Karena ini adalah blog gemblunk prog, maka saya hanya mengulas tempat-tempat bersejarah di Madiun yang menge-prog-kan saya…he he he …

Setelah shalat Iedul Adha, saya sengaja berjalan kaki mengitari toko-toko kaset yang telah berjasa menanamkan nilai-nilai luhur musik progrock ke dalam jiwa saya.

Pabrik Limun Kuda Sembrani

Lho? katanya mau cerita tentang toko kaset, kok jadinya ngebahas pabrik limun? Opo tumon?! …. Eits … tunggu dulu jal! Memang tempat ini aslinya adalah pabrik limun yang tutup botolnya pake kayu gabus terus dijepit pake kawat yang ada

Masih mulus dan kemrinchink ...

keramiknya. Ingatkah? Ya begitulah saat saya SD dulu.  Namun kemudian di era TVnisasi (saat itu TV mulai ada di Madiun, hitam putih, kami punya merek Sierra yang lemarinya segede lemari baju! ha ha ha …) ada iklan “I’d like to teach the world to sing ….” yang dinyanyikan secara aubade di alun-alun oleh londo2 cewek, maka limun pun mulai dibunuh oleh Coca Cola. Ndak ada lagi botol bertutup gabus. Ndak ada lagi limun cap Kuda Sembrani. Lantas, toko ini berevolusi menjadi toko kaset. Nah … di ultah saya pada tahun 1978 itulah saya membeli kaset Genesis “Seconds Out” rekaman Perina Aquarius di toko Kuda Sembrani ini. Koleksinya ndak banyak, tapi lumayan bisa dapet kaset nuansamatik ini di sini. Sampe sekarang, kaset itu masih ada di saya, tersimpan dengan baik, mulus kemlunyus dan…suaranya masih kemrinchink! YES “Tormato” rekaman Perina Aquarius juga saya beli di toko ini.

Toko kaset di pabrik limun Kuda Sembrani. Lihat gambar Kuda Sembrani di atas? (sebelah kiri biskuit Monde). Di sini saya membeli Genesis "Seconds Out" dan Yes "Tormato".

Miraco – Photos of Ghost

Ini segetulnya adalah studio pas foto yang dulu sangat top terutama untuk ijazah atau surat2 lainnya. Masih ingatkah Anda? Dulu kagak ada foto digital, makanya studio seperti Miraco ini jadi ngetop dan “terbaik” (bisa dikatakan begitu) di kota Madiun. Istilah kerennya: Leading Photo Studio in Madiun .. begitulah ceritanya.

Namun jangan salah jal! Di studio ini dijual sederetan kaset rock dan progrock yang ragamnya banyak terutama rekaman Nirwana dan Starlite. Ingat Nirwana LP Series? Ya .. ya .. ya .. Kaset2 tersebut dijual paling banyak ya di Miraco ini. Waktu saya sunatan, angpo dari tamu saya kumpulkan sebesar Rp. 27 ribu …terus saya belikan Tape Recorder National Panasonic (mono) warna abu2. Nah, bersama dengan beli tape recorder tersebut, saya juga membeli enam kaset rock di Miraco ini, antara lain URIAH HEEP “Demons & Wizards” rekaman Starlite. Side B nya LUCIFER’S FRIEND “Where The Groupies Killed The Blues” dan KHAN “Space Shanty”. Huopo tumon??. Selain itu ada SANTANA yang ada lagunya : “I got nobody – JRENG! – nobody to depend on – THAK DUG DUG JRENG!”. Juga ada EL CHICANO dan DEEP PURPLE yang ada “My Woman from Tokyo”.

MIRACO - gudangnya kaset LP series keluaran Nirwana dan Starlite. Pertama kali punya tape recorder, beli kaset Uriah Heep ya di foto studio ini. Opo tumon?!

Banyak kaset rock dan progrock saya beli di MIraco ini termasuk YES “Relayer” dan PINK FLOYD “Wish You Were Here”. Lucu nih kaset…dulu saya kembalikan ke Miraco dan saya tuker CHICAGO “Saturday In The Park” lantaran di lagu “Welcome to The Machine” ada ‘kerusakan’ kaset karena lagu ujug2 brenti mendadak trus babaliyut .. ha ha ha ha.. ternyata memang gitu jal! Jangkrik tenan! Isin aku ….

Tales from Bogowonto, Minstrel InThe Ocean …

Tak jauh dari toko kaset Kuda Sembrani itu, di belakangnya ada jalan Bogowonto yang membujur agak serong membelah Jl Kolonel Mahardi menuju Pasar Kawak. Di situ banyak sekali toko-toko kecil berderet dan sebagian besar jualan alat-alat listrik termasuk solder. Saya dulu kalo beli solder suka ke toko2 di sini. Suatu hari saya “njumbul” karena di salah satu toko solder itu ada yang jual kaset YES “Tales from Topographic Ocean” rekaman Perina Aquarius hitam putih. Tanpa pikir panjang, saya beli kaset itu dan itu adalah “satu-satunya” yang ada di Madiun. Whoooaaa… bangga sekali saya bisa beli kaset YES ini … Dari kaset inilah saya belajar pusing menikmati musik rumit. Diputar sekali dua kali tak masuk. Namun begitu udah sepuluh kali .. mak BLENG langsung jatuh cinta. Tadinya hanya bisa menikmati “The Revealing Science of God” namun lama kelamaan menjamah ke “The Ancient” dan dua lagu lainnya.

Toko solder of fortune nan progresip abis! Jualan solder sampe Yes dan Jethro Tull. Opo ora huebat???!

Meski toko solder, toko ini juga di kemudian hari menyediakan kaset JETHRO TULL “Minstrel In The Gallery” rekaman Perina Aquarius hitam-putih. Wuih! Makin nggajak (baca: “keren” – red.) aja saya dapet dua kaset prog langka yang saya haqul yaqin kagak ada yang punya di Madiun saat itu ….

Duta Irama – Raja Kompilasi

Ada satu lagi toko kaset yang berlokasi tak jauh dari Miraco, di daerah Tugu Mediun namanya Duta Irama. Spesialisasi toko ini adalah membuat campursari alias kompilasi. Bagi temen2 di Jakarta dulu sangat familiar di Kota ada toko di Lokasari yang spesialis membuat campuran lagu-lagu “enak” menjadi satu kaset. Daftar lagunya diketik pake mesik ketik Brother terus diselipkan di bagian muka kaset TDK atau Maxell. Saya masih punya produksi Lokasari ini dari temen saya sang kolektor plat: Ali Gunawan. Nah, kalau Duta Irama Madiun pekerjaannya juga sama: membuat campursari. Bedanya, Duta Irama fokus kepada lagu2 produksi dalam negeri. Jadi jangan kaget dulu ada satu kaset isinya lagu-lagu dari The Rollies, Rasela, Freedom of Rhapsodia, The Gembel’s, The Favourittes, Panbers, Koes Plus, NoKoes, De Hands, D’Lloyd, The Mercy’s dll dikumpulkan ke dalam kaset C-60.

Meski Duta Irama ini fokus di kompilasi, namun juga jualan kaset bajakan. Jangan salah, saya mendapatkan ilmu dari toko ini lantaran beli kaset BLACK SABBATH “Sabotage” rekaman Sinar Djaja (warna pink), side B nya kelompok yang saya belum pernah denger sebelumnya: KANSAS. Hah? Apa ini bukan nama rokok seperti ARDATH? Begitulah saya kenal KANSAS dan langsung ngguweblak nggulung koming ping kopang kaping saat pertama kali menikmati (secara gak sengaja, karena hanya Side B) lagu bertajuk “Incomudro” – “Journey to The ATman”. WHOAAAA….!!! Uediyan keren abiess…!!!! Kaset nuansamatik inipun sampe sekarang masih saya simpan dengan baik karena banyak menyimpan kenangan ….

Duta Irama - Raja Kompilasi. Beli kaset Black Sabbath (side B nya Kansas) di sini ...

Jangan remehkan kota Madiun ya .. meski kecil, nuansa progrock begitu kental dibangun pada tahun tujuhpuluhan, melalui kaset2 “impor” dari Jakarta … ha ha ha ha …  Dan, yang suka progrock bukan saya saja lho, dulu temen2 saya satu gank THUNDERSTORM menyukai progrock. Inget sekali kita jalan ke Bali bukannya mau berjemur di pantai tapi malah cari kaset Pink Floyd dan lampu tabung 807 buat pemancar gelap … What a great life man!!!

Gitu lho jal .. perjalananku ke Madiun kemarin begitu indah bisa napak tilas to the place when I crafted my progressive heart since my childhood to teenager … I was born with the heart of Madiun man .. and I am proud as Mediuner …

But it’s OK if you were not borne in Madiun as long as you have progressive heart and progressive mind .. I still treat you as friend. If you don’t, I will make you prog first before I accept you as friend. Why? Because there is no friendship without progrock …!!! Mekaten lho mas …!!!! Be progressive man ..!!!!

Salam,

G

The Soft Machine “Softs”

Karena ada permintaan membahas SOFT MACHINE, yuk silakan kita kupas bareng. Jujur aja, pemahaman saya tentang kelompok ini cukup cekak, itupun saya hanya modal kaset Yess. Apalagi modal saya? Ha ha ha … Memang saya akhirnya beli CDnya juga, tapi ya pertama kali dari kaset Yess. Di sini saya ulas album yang menurut saya menarik. Silakan simak dan komentari yah ….

Studio Album, released in 1976

Songs / Tracks Listing

1. Aubade (1:51)
2. The Tale of Taliesien (7:17)
3. Ban-Ban Caliban (9:22)
4. Song of Aeolus (4:31)
5. Out of Season (5:32)
6. Second Bundle (2:37)
7. Kayoo (3:27)
8. The Camden Tandem (2:01)
9. Nexus (0:49)
10. One Over the Eight (5:25)
11. Etika (2:21)

Total Time: 45:13

Lyrics

Search THE SOFT MACHINE Softs lyrics

Music tabs (tablatures)

Search THE SOFT MACHINE Softs tabs

Line-up / Musicians

- Roy Babbington / bass guitar
- John Etheridge / acoustic & electric guitars
- Karl Jenkins / piano, electric piano, pianette, string, Mini-Moog synthesizers, orchestration
- John Marshall / drums, percussion
- Alan Wakeman / soprano & tenor saxes
+ Mike Ratledge / synthesizer (3,4)

Releases information LP Harvest SHSP4056 (1976)
LP & CD See For Miles SEE 285 (1990)

Ini review saya di progarchives:

WOW! What an excellent album. When I bought this album in 1982, I though that I would get a music that is soft as the album tells. But in fact, the music is quite heavy and complex. I would say that this album has inspired (and probably influenced) Ozric Tentacles because in some segments I can get the nuance similar with the music of Ozric Tentacles.

The album kicks off with an ambient music which features John Etheridge’s acoustic guitar fills accompanying Alan Wakeman’s soprano saxes in “Aubade” followed almost seamlessly with second track “The Tale of Taliesin” through a nice piano solo (by Karl Jenkins) that later (with the entrance of drumming) brings to a floating music with piano as rhythm section accompanying electric guitar solo. The music turns into a fast tempo style with powerful guitar solo and dynamic drumming by John Marshall. It reminds me to the music of Colosseum II. Wow man .. I love this part and I’m lucky that this part takes relatively long guitar solo with solid bass lines by Roy Babbington. “Ban-Ban Caliban” follows with great synthesizer work by guest musician “Mike Ratledge” with a style that reminds me to Ozric Tentacles. Soprano saxes augment the music and give a richer texture. During soprano sax solo improvisation the music is performed in relatively fast tempo. It’s really an enjoyable music that any Canterbury or jazz rock fusion fans would enjoy very much. The changes in style and tempo happen nicely – for example when the solo improvisation changes from soprano sax to electric guitar, the transition happens wonderfully. Drum work is awesome. This kind of music reminds me also to artists like Billy Cobham, Jean Luc Ponty (especially “Enigmatic Ocean” album), The Flock, Mahavishnu Orchestra and also Return To Forever. The music then turns slower with “Song of Aeolus” where guitar is taking the lead melody role in slow tempo style.

With Side 2 the band offers another stream of good composition where it opens with soft piano touch in “Out of Season” combined nicely with acoustic guitar. It serves like a musical break after enjoying hard-edge music in fast tempo. The guitar changes to electric and plays a role as lead melody with piano as rhythm section. also contains excellent drum solo in “Kayoo” which reminds me of Billy Cobham’s drum solo. I do enjoy John Marshall drum work – it’s dynamic and produces excellent sounds.

It’s a highly recommended album – an excellent addition to any prog music collection. If you like jazz rock fusion or Canterbury, this album is yours. Keep on proggin’ ..!

Progressively yours, GW

Patrick Moraz “The Story of I”

JRENG!

Pertama dengar nama Patrick Moraz ya dari kaset YES “Relayer” rekaman Nirwana (Surabaya). Wah…kagum banget kok bisa ya main kibor akrobatik gitu terutama di “Sound Chaser” dan tentunya “Gates of Delirium” (lagu Yes paling keren menurut saya). Setelah itu kakak saya, Jokky, punya kaset rekaman Perina Aquarius yang tajuknya Patrick Moraz namun sebenerna adalah band nya dia sebelum YES, yaitu REFUGEE. Wah saat denger kaset rekaman Perina hitam-putih itu saya langsung jatuh hati luar biasa sama Patrick Moraz di REFUGEE ini. Wah edan tuh lagu seperti “Credo”, “Grand Canyon”, “Papillon”, “Ritt Mickley” semuanya dahzyat. Apalagi “Grand Canyom” ada nuansa Padang SumBar …bak menikmati musiknya Malin Kundang aja nih pak Cik ….!!!

Album solo Ptarick Moraz bertajuk “The Story of I” bener2 menakjubkan. Selama bertahun-tahun, sejak dirilis di 1976, saya mengaguni album ini karena musiknya unik. Tadinya saya berpikir ini album mendapatkan cukup 4 bintang (excellent) tapi saya putuskan bahwa album ini tergolong masterpiece karena gak ada tandingan yang sejenis – bahkan sama sekali gak mirip YES …namun tetep menawan. Herannya, saya baru sempet beberapa hari lalu review album ini di progarchives. Bagaimana menurut Anda?

Studio Album, released in 1976

Songs / Tracks Listing

1. Impact (3:31)
2. Warmer Hands (3:31)
3. The Storm (0:52)
4. Cachaca (4:07)
5. Intermezzo (2:49)
6. Indoors (3:44)
7. Best Years of Our Lives (3:59)
8. Descent (1:43)
9. Incantation (Procession) (1:51)
10. Dancing Now (4:38)
11. Impressions (The Dream) (2:49)
12. Like a Child Is Disguise (4:05)
13. Rise and Fall (5:34)
14. Symphony in the Space (2:56)

Total Time: 46:09

Lyrics

Search PATRICK MORAZ The Story of I lyrics

Music tabs (tablatures)

Search PATRICK MORAZ The Story of I tabs

Line-up / Musicians

- Patrick Moraz / keyboards, vocals, marimbaphone, additional assorted percussions
- John McBurnie / lead vocals
- Vivienne McAuliffe / vocals and additional lead vocals
- Ray Gomez / electric lead and rhythm guitars
- Jeff Berlin / electric basses
- Alphonse Mouzon / drums (1-7)
- Andy Newmark / drums (8-14)

The Percussionists of Rio De Janeiro
- Jean-Luc Bourgeois / gongs and tam-tams
- Auguste de Anthony / acoustic guitar and additional electric guitars
- Jean Ristori / cello and acoustic string bass
- Phillippe Staehli / tympanis and assorted percussions
- Rene Moraz / tap dance, castagnets
- The children of Morat, Switzerland
- Veronique Mueller / French and additional vocals

Releases information

LP Atlantic SD 18175 (1976) / LP Virgin (CDOVD 446) Switzerland 1976 / Charisma LP CDS 4002 (1976) / CD Virgin CDOVD 446 (1995)

Review saya di progarchives:

I had been thinking FOUR, but I’ve just realized that it should be FIVE stars…

This morning I planned to post a discussion about Patrick Moraz in my personal prog blog. I usually started the discussion by posting the review that I made before on this site. But I was shocked knowing that I have NOT reviewed this excellent (?) album yet. How come? I have known this album long time ago, in fact when this album was released I purchased the cassette version and it blew me away musically. Don’t get surprised that the ballad ‘Best Years of Our Lives” was once a major hit in Bandung City when I took my engineering degree. Well, it’s not really major but one famous radio kept playing this song in 1979 – 1980 so this song became quite popular at that time.

Is it an excellent album?

In fact, it’s been years I assume that this is an excellent album of progrock and the best that Moraz has ever made. But this morning, as I play this album back again I come to realize that it’s not just excellent, but it’s a masterpiece album – or five stars album. Why? Let me explain in detail as I have robust reasons to support my conclusion.

First off, look at musically.. You would never find any band or artist that had made the kind of music Moraz made with this ‘The Story of I’. You cannot call it simply symphonic nor jazz-rock fusion. There are many components and styles that Moraz has masterfully made this album as a masterpiece creation. Yes, there are extensive uses of percussion throughout the album but try compare the style! You would find your efforts useless as there had never been any music that is similar with this album. There are components of space music here, with some latin flavor and of course jazz-rock fusion plus classical music influences. I have never been able to manage listening this CD half-way through as it has always been the whole album – in its entirety! Why? It’s because of the experience that I feel, listening to this album is like listening to one long-duration song as all the songs form a cohesive whole. So, the music of this album is so UNIQUE that no one is able to emulate.

Second, the album delivers a solid storyline from start to end with varied compositions that encompass many different songs – most of them are instrumentals but Moraz has successfully composed some shots of vocal line in some songs. As this album was made when the recording format was vinyl so it has its limitation as ‘Best Years of Our Lives’ is the last song at the A side. The next songs are basically occupy the side B of the vinyl. So, listening to this album is like reading a solid novel where you cannot pick certain pages. Every piece of music presented here are absolutely excellent!

The third reason is the composition: brilliant! From the five dimensions that I usually use in reviewing a composition, this album stands really high. The melody ? i.e. the degree to which the main melody of the song is constructed from a combination of notes; this album is really excellent. The harmonies ie. how each instrument contributes in creating sounds and notes, especially the combination of dynamic percussion work and keyboard it’s really fabulous. The complexity of the arrangement i.e. the degree in which the instrument (including vocal) being played by the musicians and how they generate a piece of music stream or segment of the music is also an excellent one. The album also provides a frequent change of style which includes tempo changes and/ or heavy or soft musical sounds. The last one is the structural integrity i.e. the degree to which all musical segments, including changes of style, form a cohesiveness of the music as a whole from start to end. The five components are very fundamental for me to assess my rating towards the music, especially progressive music.

There is no reason for NOT liking this album! You MUST have it …!!!

Keep on proggin’ …!!!

Peace on earth and mercy mild – GW