Aural Moon - Progressive Rock Discussion - Rickter Scale Show 164

airing Sunday, January 20 from 8-11 PM EST and Monday, January 21 from 1-4 EST.

I'll be at the Styx show on Sunday, and Monday is a holiday, so I may not be around to chat. A shame, since I had much fun last week.

Last week we heard Azureth's second disc, Black Bonzo's second disc, and a more recent Ars Nova disc. This week will be the debut discs from the first two bands and a classic (as voted by Mr. Magoo and gr8sho92) from the ladies of Ars Nova.

Ars Nova - The Goddess of Darkness (1996)

Morgan
Fury
The Gorgons
Ainsel
Kali
War of the Worlds

This is the period I was seeing the band live. This record and "Transi" before it were most of their sets. Blistering instrumentation and exciting runs. Not for the faint of heart! The edition on the Moon has a bonus track at the end...sweet.

Black Bonzo - Black Bonzo (2004)

Lady of the Light
Brave Young Soldier
These Are The Days of Sorrow
New Day
Fantasyworld
Freedom
Sirens
Jailbait
Leave Your Burdens
Where The River Meets The Sea
(w/Lady reprise)

I like this as almost as much as the 2007 record, and that's saying a lot. It's much more raw and appeals to me on a more visceral level. Some of the songs are unforgettable, like "Freedom", with it's piano. "Brave Young Soldier" is a fantastic song, and there's even a bare bones rocker in "Jailbait" (now that's a prog title!)

It was mentioned that Magnus Lindgren's voice sounds like Paul McCartney. Swedish Paul :) ...however, on the slow passages, I think he's a dead ringer for Martin Turner. They will be playing the slot before Wishbone Ash at Rosfest. Maybe we can convinvce him to help out! Speaking of Rosfest, with those two on Sunday, having the macho sound of Credo opening, and Crack the Sky headlining, it's going to be a GREAT day.

Azureth - Yesterday's Future, Tomorrow's Past (2004)

Wake the Dragon
Searching
Man On The Moon
The Grand Design:
Overture
The Grand Design
Shadow of A Man
Fanfare
Humanity Revisited
The Sleeper Has Awakened
Timeless Moments In Sherwood
The Lathe of Heaven
Afterglow

Unlike the 2007 record, this is a trio effort. Kenneth Aspeslaen (from Norway) sings, plays bass AND drums. He was replaced on the second disc on vocals and drums, and Mark Connors of Houston, TX added the bass to his guitar duties here. Rounding out the trio is Florida's Stephen Rivera on keys.

Rivera and Connors write some great passages and stellar prog. I'm not a fan of the vocals, except the Genesis cover, which sounds fantastic. I think when he sings fast he gets flat. But the instrumental parts are extended and amazing.

A fine disc, and very long. Not as long as it took me to get around to listening to it, however. Better late than never!

Enjoy the show...catch you next week most likely with a show of various songs not linked by a theme. What a concept!