Rickter Scale Show 155 - From Al To Izz

[Rick and Roll]

Airing from 8-11 PM EST Sunday November 18 and from 1-4 PM EST Monday November 19.

Lots to type, not much time. let's get to it...

Al Di Meola - Consequence of Chaos (2006)

1. San Marco (moderna)
2. Turquoise
3. Odyssey
4. Tao
5. Azucar
6. Sanctuary
7. Hypnose
8. Red Moon
9. Cry For You
10. Just Three Words
11. Tempest
12. Storm Off-Shore
13. Black Pearls
14. Africana Suite
15. San Marco (Vecchio)

The man is back (he was never gone really, just putting out less heavy music since the early 80's). This one is reminiscent of the great "Kiss My Axe" from 1991 (that needs to be in Moon library). A perfect blend of electric and acoustic....a good example of the seamlessness of the music is that fact that I saw him in concert playing some of the electric cuts from this record - Al on acoustic, a fantastic accordion player, another acoustic guitarist, and a percussionist. Music that you can fit into any arrangement. His songwriting is as strong as its ever been.

Dragonfly - selections from "Dragonfly (1982)

Shellycoat
Dragonfly
Humdinger

Don't know much about this band, except that they're Swiss. The title cut is a cool 18:30.

ChimpanA - Future Love Games

One song from a British band founded by Magenta's Rob Reed. Smooth almost pop, but pleasant.

Abigail's Ghost - three from "Selling Insincerity (2006)

Close
Waiting Room
Dead People's Reviews

A band from California that is a dead ringer for Porcupine tree circa 1998-2005. In fact, Steven Wilson needs a royalty check. The only real distinguishing difference is the guitar. It almost has a Belew-like presence to it. But from the songwriting to the tin-cup singing, you'd swear you accidentally put on In Abstentia. All that said, it's very well-done.

Jebo - three from "Sinking Without You"

Sane Man
Lighthouse
Sand

From Bristol, England we'll hear three four-minute songs (they have longer). A big taste of 70's classic rock, without the triteness.

Alpha Zentradi - two from "Hello Copernicus" (2006)

Tarry and Oppugn Foul Villian (Upptackt,Skyddar,Nederlag)
Mercury the Courier

Prog metal....not one of my preferred genres (I like my metal without the bells and whistles)...most of this record is fairly non-descript except...there are some ambient passages though. These two are my favorites - the 2nd half of "Mercury" is pure Zeppelin.

Joey Eppard - two from "Been To the Future" (2002)

Been To The Future
Vinegar Hill

The force behind "3" put out an acoustic solo record that has major tinges of R & B. Many of the themes and some full songs (the title cut for instance) appear on later 3 records. "Vinegar Hill" is a 2+ minute example of Joey's unique flamenco-style guitar work.

Izz -

Rose Colored Lenses
Coming Like Light

From "My River Flows" and "I Move", two songs from a fantastic band that's done the trifecta of Nearfest, Progday, and Rosfest. And on Saturday the 17th, the NJ Proghouse (with Anton Roolaart). Vax will be there, and so I will I sandwiched between stops in NYC.

Enjoy!