Rickter Scale Show 178 - Later Crack, Ritual's most recent, Gentle Giant's first, and
 

two from 3RP.

airing Sunday, May 11 from 8-11 PM EST and repeating Monday, May 12 from 1-4 PM EST.

After a grand time at Rosfest, work and all else has piled up at the doorstep. Life's a bitch, then you do a show. Need to get this thread out before I lose all motivation.

For the next several weeks, I'll be spinning some of my Rosfest purchases (This week Crack the Sky and Ritual), along with some favorites that have jumped out and said "put me on the Scale and weigh me please" (Gentle Giant). Plus a sneak preview of the 3RP in Pittsburgh, late August.

Also in the mix will be some music supplied to me by our moonfriend Lamour, as I listen and get the songs in.

Crack The Sky -

from "The Sale" (2007):

The Sale: Introduction
Prelude
American Refugee
American Refugee Movement 2
The Voice of Revolution
The Voice of Revolution Movement 2

from "Ghost" (2001):

Coconuts
Go
Fly
Tomorrow
Zoom

from "Cut" (1998):

Why Me?
God
The Art of Wondering
Hey Earl

Here we're sampling the last three studio releases. They are not close to the best music the band has put out. Nothing can touch their first three records. And fortunately they hit the first three hard in concert. But there are a few gems here - live at Rosfest "Zoom" and "Go" and "Art" were played, and "Why Me?" used to be a concert staple, and is a vibrant song. Don't be too critical of the rap in "Hey Earl" - it's similar to Adrian Belew's early solo stuff. Musically brilliant and quirky.

Ritual - "The Hemulic Voluntary Band" (2007)

The Hemulic Voluntary Band
In The Wild
Late In November
The Groke
Waiting By The Bridge
A Dangerous Journey

Damn if it doesn't ALWAYS happen. We vote on out "best ofs" and miss some real winners. I bought this on Saturday, later heard all but one song live, and played it last night. What a freakin record. The title cut is almost a direct lift of Gentle Giant's "Experience", but who cares? "Wild" is a monster, and "November" is sweet. The final tune "Journey" is 26:33 of epic not to far different from "Suppers Ready" or "Stardust" in structure. And of course...once again a SWEDISH BAND. What a buy...make this one at the TOP of your list!

Gentle Giant - s/t (1970)

Giant
Funny Ways
Alucard
Isn't It Quiet And Cold
Nothing At All
Why Not
The Queen

Actually heard this in 1979 on a radio station...at 3:30 AM. Yes I was out late sometimes as a teen. Never really put this into the upper tier of Giant records before, but actually, it deserves to be there. This one's got a bit of everything - Giant and Alucard are fantastic, Funny Ways is perfect sandwiched between the two, and they rock out on Why Not.

from a sampler, given to me by Howard Levy, promoter for the Three Rivers Progrssive Rock Festival...

Manifesto - Floydian Slip
The Mandrake Project - I'm (overneath) Myself

Two local bands from this upcoming festival:

http://3rprogfest.com/

Mandrake is pretty wild stuff. There are two more slots open for bands, one to be filled by a local band in a "battle of the bands" format. If they're anywhere near these two, all the bands in the festival will be awesome.

Howard is a very nice man...on Friday night there were maybe eight of us left at the bar, after a fine set by The Rebel Wheel. I was told Howard was in the bar, so I immediately looked for him.

Enjoy everyone, next week more purchases, moving somewhat into the realm of the obscure.....

Re: Rickter Scale Show 178 - Later Crack, Ritual's most recent, Gentle Giant's first,
 

THE Howard Levy? of Bela Fleck fame?

Re: Rickter Scale Show 178 - Later Crack, Ritual's most recent, Gentle Giant's first,
 

Doesn't appear to be....but it was a good five minute research project for me!

Re: Rickter Scale Show 178 - Later Crack, Ritual's most recent, Gentle Giant's first,
 

Yeah! Ritual! I'm their newest fan! (Can't say I'm a big fan - I'm rather height challenged!) :D

Re: Rickter Scale Show 178 - Later Crack, Ritual's most recent, Gentle Giant's first,
 

My wife is now a fan. Even bought a tee shirt. Now that's saying something coming from her.

Re: Rickter Scale Show 178 - Later Crack, Ritual's most recent, Gentle Giant's first,
 

LOL! you should probably listen to it first before you commit to playing it on the show. ;-)

BTW, I meant to tell you this at RoSfest, during our first conversation (with PG and JV and Buster out in the parking lot), I kept thinking that you sounded like someone I knew. I kept trying to place it, but I couldn't quite get it. I figured it out later. You sound like YOU! lol! I'd forgotten for a moment that I hear you speak for 3hrs every week. I laughed quite a bit when I figured it out. ;-)

Re: Rickter Scale Show 178 - Later Crack, Ritual's most recent, Gentle Giant's first,
 

That is funny! I was wondering what the quizzical look was. I think you were just trying to tell me a way to shut up (which you did later in the weekend, another funny moment:haha: )

Actually I sounded like someone who used to run the Gilbraltar...oh yeah that's YOU!