Baja Prog 2007 day 1

[progdirjim(Admin)]

Ain Soph

The only Japanese Canterbury band, we're told. Jazzy prog, all instrumental. Guitarist and keyboardist were the leaders, both good. I heard lots of David Sinclair (from Caravan) in the keys. Overall a mellow sound, but one I like a lot. We have 3 albums from them on the Moon.

Satellite

Neo-prog band from Poland. The drummer is from Collage. Intro: the guitarist (as I found out later) sits on the second drumset and starts playing a nice syncopated beat. The actual drummer comes on stage, enticing the audience to clap. Being the cynic that I am, I'm thinking "You haven't earned this yet", and he makes a complete circle through the audience - you'd have to see the theater, but I mentally agreed, "you've earned it" and clapped along. Went into a nice set of solid neo-prog - closest comparison is 80's Marillion or Wind and Wuthering era Genesis. Vocalist is Polish but sings in flawless English. Drummer is clearly one of the leaders of the band; listening to their CDs I hadn't realized just how active (in a good way) he is.

Rudess/Morgenstein Project

Drums and keyboards. Facing each other across the stage. Two virtuosos. Jordan in particular has a good stage persona; Rod is pretty likeable as well. Jaw dropping jams, obviously written and rehearsed. Another "what am I going to tell you" show. *duh* Jordan can play piano really fast */duh*

I'm getting tired of reviewing, but maybe more tomorrow.

In case I'm too burnt out, Fromuz is FROMUZbekistan, hence the name. Fusiony prog, we have them on the moon. And La Perra, a bass and drum duet if I'm reading correct. We'll call that one rhythmic...

Sat nite is Lazuli (reviewed last year and on the Moon), Balletto di Bronzo (picture an Italian ELP on steroids), and Focus.

Adios.