Extended Play - December 29 Set

[Extended Play]

This week, I've got 4 albums to ring in the new year with.

Clearlight - Symphony
Gentle Giant - King Biscuit Flour Hour Live (Jan. '75)
King Crimson - Larks' Tongues in Aspic
Pink Floyd - Wish You Were Here

I'll post a bit more detail here later. Seeya then.

Tommy - Extended Playa

[Extended Play]

As usual, christmas vacation time drags and I get pulled into all kinda stuff. I had to drive over to the westbank of New Orleans for a wedding today, so my summary update for tomorrow got even farther behind. On that note, I'll have you all know that Brass Monkey is a very FUNKY monkey. Thanks Beastie Boys!

Anyway, here's a bit more on the albums for this week.

Clearlight opens up the show tonight with the 1973 album Symphony. Composed by Cyrille Verdeaux and executed by a group of various musicians, including members of Gong, this is a truly outstanding album of experimental symphonic prog. This album is composed of two parts, one for each LP side. Originally, part 2 was on side 1. However with the new remaster this has been corrected so they two parts follow each other properly. This was one of the first albums released by Virgin Records.

Following up is Gentle Giant's, January 18, 1975, concert at the New York Academy of Music. This was captured by King Biscuit Flour Hour and issued on cd in '98. This was recorded while the group was on tour for In A Glass House and contains songs from that album, Octopus, and The Power and The Glory. Tight playing and weird instrumentation help as usual to define the uniquely recognizable sound.

Third in the lineup of four is King Crimson's 1972 album Larks' Tongues In Aspic. This was the first dramatically reformed Crimson, put together after the complete collapse of the Islands era band. Like In The Court of The Crimson King and Discipline, this is a bold statement by Crimson, taking them in a completely new direction. The last song on the album, Larks' Tongues In Aspic (Part II) was illegally lifted for the movie Emanuelle. Fripp sued, got royalties, and can continue to buy ramen noodles with the money. This copy of the album is the newer remastered version.

Pink Floyd rounds out the set with Wish You Were Here from 1975. Although it may not have the allure of obscurity, this is definitely one of the top 20 progressive rock albums put out since the 60s. The album starts with Shine On You Crazy Diamond (Parts 1-6), the first part of a dark ode to Syd Barrett. Contained in this first track are a few elements from the (M.I.A.) Household Objects album that was to follow up Dark Side of The Moon. Parts 7-9 of Shine On conclude the album. Like most other albums that end up last in the lineup, this is one to listen to with the lights off.

Tommy