TPA Live Review: Yes - Colston Hall, Bristol, 4th May 2016

Yes - 4th May 2016

[Click here to read the full review at TheProgressiveAspect.net]

[Photo by Anthony Firmin]

...So, is it Yes?

Well, yes. Sort of. And in all honesty that’s good enough for me. Don’t forget, the classic albums are 40+ years ago now. 40 years! I’m just amazed that a bunch of the same musicians, admittedly with the help of friends and acolytes, can still land a tour like this and play as well as they do. Is it the best Yes ever? No. Is it the worst? No. Is it a tribute? No way, they are carrying forward the legacy of some wonderful music that has enriched people’s lives.

And it is the music that is the winner here.

I’m not expecting Yes to record another Close to the Edge (and likewise hope that they don’t even think about recording another Heaven & Earth), I don’t expect them to ever tour Relayer (although I’d be ecstatic if they did!), but what Yes are currently doing is making a lot of fans very happy, which is the best bit. It is no doubt lucrative for a band at the tail end of it’s career but the most important thing is that the music is still heard, in the most legitimate way available, and it is good to know that they’re out there somewhere playing more shows than you could reasonably expect them to and still drawing enthusiastic and supportive crowds – although it would be nice if just a small percentage of these folk would venture out to see some of the current crop of prog bands doing the rounds and it’s a shame that, other than at the Royal Albert Hall show, they weren’t exposed to the magnificent Moon Safari as originally planned.

TPA CD Review: The Syn - Trustworks

The Syn - Trustworks

You can read the full TPA Review here

...So overall a very nice album that starts well and improves in the second half, Steve Nardelli has made the right choice in working with Moon Safari who give Trustworks their all. They have stuck with it through the many years where Nardelli was otherwise engaged and their contribution, together with that of Reingold, makes it shine and more than justifies the recording.

TPA Book Review: Opeth - Book of Opeth

Opeth - Book of Opeth

You can read the full TPA Review here

...The layout is engaging and easy to read, drawing the reader into the story, although there are one or two minor typographical errors within the text which is a shame but doesn't spoil the experience. Overall this is a stunning book and a fascinating read that opens up the inner workings of the band. The photos include early and candid personal photos with plenty of studio and live material, the settings for them throughout the book being beautiful and a fine fit within the breadth of Opeth imagery over the years.

TPA CD Review: Delta Saxophone Quartet with Gwilym Simcock - Crimson!

Delta Saxophone Quartet with Gwilym Simcock - Crimson!

You can read the full TPA Review here

...If recordings of this nature underline a growing acknowledgement and acceptance for “The Music That (for far too long) Dare Not Speak Its Name” then it’s all good. The fact that it’s also a fascinating slant on what this music would sound like in an alternative universe and a damn good listen for both prog and jazz fans alike makes it a no brainer.