Aural Moon - Progressive Rock Discussion - Show 129

Playing Sunday, May 13 from 8-11 PM EST and Monday, May 14 1-4 EST.

This week we have three very much different but equally excellent artists.

Hanspeter Hess - "The Healing Road" (2007)

Our first stop takes us to Germany, and to Hanspeter Hess. Hans is part of the outstanding "Bearded Project" collaboration, which should be out very soon (and you will hear on this show). The song he contributes, the 17:33 "Crovenia", is detailed here:

http://web.mac.com/hphess/iWeb/Web-Site/Crovenia.html

Then to learn more about the record we're hearing, go to "home". It's nice to see an artist so well-grounded. Here's the track list:

Turbulences 8:51
Southern Destination 2:32
Viadukt 4:41
Crovenia 17:33
Guess this old town's seen better days 5:47
Audacity 6:45
Espresso Bar 3:59
Mrs Burns 3:57
Antequera 4:09
The Healing Road 2:24

Along with Crovenia, I especially like Viadukt and Audacity. But the whole CD is very tasteful. A big thanks to Frank (Prickly), for leading me to the CD. All tracks except "Espresso" are instrumental, and Hans plays all instruments (mostly done on keys and Roland drums, he has a nice write-up about it on the CD) except for any guitars you hear.

Magic Pie - "Circus of Life" (2007)

Now to Norway...

The freshly released much-anticpated follow-up to "Motions of Desire" is everything I expected. They are simply the best band out now. I'm not sure how much is left in the tank for these guys, given they're not young men. But I'm just enjoying the ride....

Circus of Life -
Welcome 3:24
Freakshow 6:14
What If... 8:09
Trick of the Mind 21:50
The Clown 6:07
Pointless Masquerade 8:57
Watching the Waters 9:31

Pointless has great vocal interplay (the three vocalists remind me of Chicago), and the choruses in Circus are aurally breathtaking, a great counterpoint to some of the more crunchy passages. Kim Stenberg is a brilliant songwriter, again on display here (Gilbert Marshall wrote Watching the Waters).

Their two live performances at Rosfest were two unforgettable experiences.

Trying not to play it too much!

Combination Head (2006)

To England!

Tasteful instrumental fusion, not wanky like a lot of the genre. Only the song "Combination Head" approaches wank, but it's the best tune on the record. A short CD (at 38 minutes, that used to be the norm), and no song list on the back cover (a minor irritant), but a brilliant disc. Paul Birchall on keys writes some fine music, with help on some tracks by guitarist/bassist Keith Ashcroft. Although they're on the Moon, I found about them via myspace, and am grateful for it.

The closing song, "For What?" has a theme that sticks with you for days. You'll hear what I mean....

Clover RD A.B.C.
Devonshire Crescent
Combination Head
Blue Waters
The Bonk
Clover Rd D.E.F.
Fourteen
For What?

Three more "must buys" next week!