[Rick and Roll]

airing Sunday, August 17 from 8-11 PM EST and Monday, August 18 from 1-4 PM EST

This week it's back to basics. I've been playing a lot of new music, music I've picked up and not heard for ages, or theme/festival shows. It's about time for a good old-fashioned odds and ends show like I used to do. And since RS 192 will be the Progday preview, not a moment too soon.

David Cross - Exiles

Fantastic remake of the Crimson song he was on, with John Wetton returning on vocal.

XTC - Extrovert

Lively cut that opens up "Rag & Bone Buffet".

Mathematicians - Orlando Furioso

Fusion from the Midwest, they're good for that.

The Dark Aether Project - Drive Time

Some Stick action.

Focus - Focus 8

Thijs Van Leer returns with a whole new group but the same great sound.

Tool - The Grudge

Say what you may about Tool, but you can't deny that this song is pure prog.

Tears For Fears - Badman's Song

Oleta Adams and jazzy composition make this song a winner.

Kingston Wall - Istwan, Could It Be So?

Two from their second disc - an sweet instrumental and a crushing rocker.

After Crying - Remote Control

From their ambitious release "Show".

Amagrama - Faubula de un titere

Amazing prog from young Argentinians.

King's X - Out of the Silent Planet

Opener from "Gretchen", maybe their most interesting song.

Violent Silence - Sky Burial

No guitar - yet another in the long line of great Swedish music.

Queensryche - The Mission

Full of passion, a wonderful song.

Karcius - Lunatik

A three-part song from "Sphere", 18 minutes of excellent fusion.

Darwin's Radio - Eccentric Orbits

One of the best releases of that year.

Frank Gambale - Weddington Street

The Thunder from Down Under never sounded better.

Sylvan - Given Used Forgotten

A taste of what I thought they would become. A great epic from "X-Rayed".

Steve Vai - Fire Garden Suite

A virtual orgy of notes and complicated arranging, a wild, tight ride.

National Health - Portait of A Shrinking Man

Towards the end of their brief but brilliant career.

Rush - Nobody's Hero

"Counterparts" hits me right, and the lyrics are very well done here.

Jethro Tull - Thinking Round Corners, Sparrow On The Schoolyard Wall

Two from "Catfish Rising", that illustrate the divergent sounds that Ian Anderson come up with. It's why it's up with the best of the Tull catalogue in my book.

Galleon - Land

Relatively short, but a masterful song.

By the grace of the mp3's on the Progday site (and a few Moon selections), I should be able to cobble together a show next week concentrating exclusively on Progday 2008 bands.