Rickter Scale Show 157 - Gourishankar, Blind Ego, Jeff Beck, Rare Tull

[Rick and Roll]

airing Sunday, December 2 from 8-11 PM EST and Monday, December 3 from 1-4 PM EST

It's a little early, but I have to post when I can. A fun show this week - I polled myself and got a 100% approval rating!

The Gourishankar - Close Grip (to be released Jan '08)

Gripped By Fear
Insomnia
Sweet Earth
In The Hope
Wind of Night
Autumn Frost
Close To Death
For Nobody

A great band from Russia. Their CD "2nd Hands" is a masterstroke. This one is their first release, originally titled "Integral Symphony". I picked Symphony up at Nearfest (it was a promo given to Progression magazine) and played it on the show soon after. However, the Gouris decided to re-record the disc, add a song, and give it a new title. They even added new vocals (the first singer wasn't quite up to standard). And, added a great cover of Gentle Giant's "For Nobody" - appropriate given our recent discussion of the song.

This is a download that the band asked me play. I noticed that it was spun last week on the Dividing Line, so it's making the rounds. I was hoping they'd be at Nearfest but visa problems may have taken them out of the equation for this year. This is exactly the type of band suited for prog stardom.

Blind Ego - Mirror (2007)

Obsession
Break You
Black Despair
Open Sore
Hollowed
Mirror
Don't Ask Me Why
Moorland
Forbidden To Remain

A band formed by RPWL's guitarist Kalle Wallner, featuring lots of talent to play his excellent compositions. John Jowitt is the bassist, and John Mitchell handles a lot of the vocal. Paul Wrightson sings on a few of the songs, including the spectacular "Forbidden To Remain". And Yogi Lang, singer of RPWL adds keys only.

They will be at Rosfest, and Kalle and Yogi will be pulling double duty with RPWL also appearing. Good Neo with some instrumentals, and a more aggressive edge, sometimes a bit metallic.

Jeff Beck - There And Back (1980)

Star Cycle
Too Much To Lose
You Never Know
The Pump
El Becko
The Golden Road
Space Boogie
The Final Peace

I wanted some balance on the show, and it's been awhile since I heard this. I was ready to upload it for play and realized it's on the playlist - sweet! The earlier "Blow By Blow" and "Wired" are two of my favorite records - but I wanted to spin this one. Jan Hammer plays on the first three, including drums on the first cut. The great Simon Phillips handles the rest, and Mo Foster and Tony Hymas also appear.

from Jethro Tull's Nightcap (released 1993), most of Disc 1, the "Chateau D'Isaster Tapes"

Look At The Animals
Law of the Bungle Part II
Left Right
Critique Oblique
Scenario
Audition
No Rehearsal

This is the recording (from 1973) of what was supposed to be "A Passion Play", a very underrated and dark record. You will hear segments of music that was to become that record, and even some War Child bits. Recorded outside of Paris, poor health and bad equipment and facilities forced Tull to scrap the record and redo it later in England. As is the case with Tull music not released, the quality is still brilliant. The vocals have some echo, and some of the music is raw, but in the case of Bungle II and Left Right (one of the heaviest Tull songs ever), it kicks ass. It's almost like getting two records in one.

Disc two has rare tracks - not up to the quality of the 20th anniversary collection (some of the best music never to make it on a record), but the Nightcap set is a must have.

Raise a glass and Enjoy!

[OverHillandDale(Admin)]

Rick Said: "This is a download that the band asked me play. I noticed that it was spun last week on the Dividing Line, so it's making the rounds. I was hoping they'd be at Nearfest but visa problems may have taken them out of the equation for this year. This is exactly the type of band suited for prog stardom."

Well, how about Montreal? FMPM still needs groups. Maybe that visa won't be so hard.

And thanks for the Jeff Beck!