Phil (Primarily_Prog)

Bed-bound for the entire day following a pretty bad reaction to yesterday evening’s Shingles jab. I can honestly say that I haven’t ever felt as bad as I have today. Surprising really because I usually get little to no side effects from inoculations. First play of the day …

Pre-football calmer … #COYG

This afternoon’s gym buddy …

Now playing … Released 27 years ago today: a hugely impressive concept album based on a past-life murder mystery and betrayal and for me, the best progressive metal release by a country mile. Creative and complex, yet captivating and cohesive. An absolute masterpiece.

Now playing … One of the most memorable gigs I’ve been fortunate enough to attend. They opened with Intruder with Peter and the band entering the packed, all-standing hall from the back with torchlights and finished with Here Comes The Flood. PG was absolutely captivating.

This morning’s gym buddy …

Now playing … The latest from prolific Ukrainian multi-instrumentalist and composer Antony Kalugin (a follow-up to last year’s OMNI) featuring Roine Stolt, John Hackett, Rob Reed (Magenta), Yogi Lang (RPWL) and Michel St-Père (Mystery) amongst others.

Now playing … Credo’s latest release - their 4th studio album and the first for 15 years following 2011’s Against Reason. Shame that such a long-established (34+years) neo-prog band are still so unknown. If you like IQ, Pendragon and/or Arena then this one’s worth a play.

Now playing … … and a happy 82nd birthday to the most enduring prog vocalist ever.

“ So here I am once more … ”

Now playing …

“ It's so very dark in here … ” Quite why Mike seems to value this album so little puzzles me.

Now playing … The Flower Kings ~ Hope The newly released 18th studio album by the FKs, bookended by 2 multi-part suites totalling 46 mins. The usually high standard musically, but if I’m honest I think it would have benefited from being just a tad less theatrical in places.

Nine albums that were seldom off my turntable fifty years ago …

Fish day today … In no particular order.

“ When the flames have their season Will you hold to your reason? Loaded down with your talents Can you still keep your balance? Can you live on a knife edge? ”

Now playing …

“Nine albums …” Not “The nine albums …”

Pre-match calmer … #bigbigtrain #thesecondbrighteststar #COYG ⚽️

Nine pre-‘70s recordings that helped to ignite the progressive rock genre …

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I find it fascinating how worked up some folk get about trivia whilst serious shit going on in the world passes them by. I’ve been called a prick, a time-waster & a fake news spreader. Okay … they took longer than 3 days to record this album. Which makes it worse, surely? 😃

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Now playing … Nice album from the Spock’s Beard’s guitarist.

Couldn’t resist. Got bored on the plane 🥱 😃

On the topic of my least favourite album, I just stumbled across this interview with Phil Collins in an old version of Melody Maker. It explains everything and reinforces what I’ve always suspected …

Home!

Flight delayed (once again!) so plenty of time to download a playlist …

Kos day 15… Genesis worst to best (IMHO)… No 1: A Trick Of The Tail Their first as a 4-piece & the perfect response to those writing them off. An enchanting blend of mythical stories & lush, symphonic arrangements with a final nod to Peter in the closing lyrics. #Genesis15

Kos day 15 … Pink Floyd worst to best (IMHO) … No 1: The Dark Side Of The Moon A single, seamless piece of music tackling the pressures of human existence, road-tested live for a full year before recording. Pink Floyd at the height of their collaborative powers. #Floyd15

Question … The only vinyl album missing in my Genesis collection is the album I ranked 13/15 of theirs. I have it on CD but never listen to it. But it’s an itch the needs scratching apparently due to a psychological phenomenon known as the Completion Effect. Should I buy it?

Last night in Kos … time for a drink or two whilst waiting for the missus and chilling out to this 2025 album by Italian composer and singer-songwriter Marco Mattei, featuring Peter Gabriel alumni Tony Levin and Jerry Marotta throughout.

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Now playing … One of their best IMHO.

Now playing … England ~ The Last Of The Jubblies Recorded in ‘76/‘77 around the time of their acclaimed debut - and sole - album Garden Shed, these tracks gathered dust for two decades and were eventually released as the “lost” follow-up in 1997.

Kos day 14 … Genesis worst to best (IMHO) … No 2: Nursery Cryme Perfect from the delicate 12-string opening of The Musical Box to the majestic guitar solo that concludes Fountain of Salmacis. Wonderful lyrics throughout: dark, mythical, surreal and humorous. #Genesis15

Kos day 14… Pink Floyd worst to best (IMHO) … No 2: Wish You Were Here Floyd’s 2nd greatest achievement was surely their ability to follow TDSOTM with another 5 ⭐️ album. A scathing swipe at the music industry’s corporate greed, bookended by a poignant nod to Syd. #Floyd15

Morning all … An enormous surprise given what had come before which proved that Opeth’s musical ability didn’t depend on heavy metal distortion and death growls.

Last up tonight …

Roger’s impassive response to James Hetfield’s apolitical stance at a recent Metallica gig. It appears that any musician who decides not to use their platform as a political mouthpiece is likely to come under fire from Mr Cheerful.

Now playing … Easier to list who isn’t on this album. Crosby, Nash, Clapton, Hendrix, Starr, Rita Coolidge and Cass Elliot are.

This afternoon’s listening … "Have you ever been to Electric Ladyland? The magic carpet waits for you" Released 58 years ago today.

I guess this would be classified as indecisive …

Now playing … As vocalists go, I regard this fella as one of the best.