Slo Gin Backing Track

Vangelis
Heaven and Hell
Greece
(1975 )

My next few posts will focus on Prog, etc. records that may have been around for a while. At the moment I can no longer scour all the blogs looking for duplicates. So I'm gonna post what I feel like posting - if you beat me to it, my sincerest apologies. It will not be on purpose. I'm not really much of a Vangelis fan - most of his stuff is too New Agey for my personal tastes. But this one is a real winner. Recorded about the time he was buddying around with Jon Anderson of Yes, this record is simply put - fantastic. Symphonic in every sense of the word. Very programmatic, the music evokes vivid images of both heaven and hell and plays as a soundtrack from one through the other. Powerful, exciting music from a guy who unfortunately began to mellow with time. An absolute must.

Carolina Ap Bio Labs Answer

Ronnie Montrose

Open Fire

(1978)

USA

Open Fire was guitarist Ronnie Montrose' 1978 creative collaboration with producer Edgar Winter, who also contributed numerous keyboard tracks. Recall it was Montrose adding fiery guitar work to the Edgar Winter Group's classic "They Only Come Out At Night" album ("Frankenstein", "Free Ride"), and this time Winter returns the favor on Montrose' first solo album following the dismantling of the Montrose band. Open Fire really opened up Montrose' guitar playing as he let his six string do the talking on tracks such as "Leo Rising" and the blazing title track. Classic hard rock with touches of symphonic. Great album.

Blue Prints On Buggies

Circa

2007

(2007)

Anglo-American

I think this record will turn-out to be a nice surprise for Yes fans. Composed of two Yes members - Tony Kaye and Alan White - a semi-member/associate, Billy Sherwood on bass, and finally Jimmy Haun on vocals and guitar, who evidently played on the Union tour, but I have my doubts. What the hell did he play? They had two of everything, Jon Anderson being the exception, Anyway, I digress. I didn't really expect much out of this record initially, 'cos the Sherwood/Squire collaboration was pretty lame, and during the short time that Sherwood was in Yes, they seemed to be treading water. Turns out this record is very rewarding - lot of nice thick organs from Kaye's initial turn in Yes, classic pounding rhythm section, and Haun's amazing Howe-like guitar work. The vocals are very pleasing, combining Yes-like melodies and harmonies, although Haun really has more of a Phil Collins-like voice. Makes for an interesting sound. Songs are good, nice production, ocassionally a little slick, but for the most part, a very enjoyable listening experience. I wouldn't call this record a classic, but it is a very good representation of Classic Yes, which is a sound many of us hold so dear. Recommended.