Providence

Providence [Japan]
...And I'll Recite An Old Myth From... (90), There Once Was A Night of "Choko-Muro" The Paradise (96)

This was an extremely powerful band in the neo-prog vein fronted by powerful vocalist Yoko Kubota, their music having threads to bands like Quasar, mid-period Genesis, Marillion, and mid-period Renaissance, but still a very original sound, not imitative. The four tracks on ...And I'll Recite an Old Myth From... are all in the 9-20 minute range. They also have other tracks (not on the CD) on some of the Japanese compilation discs.

...And I'll Recite an Old Myth From... contains four songs, two in the 8-10 minute range, one 14 and one 20 minute cut. Providence create a very forceful and energized form of prog rock. The band consists of the usual bass, drums, guitar, keyboards and the powerful, dramatic Japanese vocals of Yoko Kuboto. Christian Beya, of Atoll, contributes guitar on the excellent 20 minute title track. Digital synths and modern guitar tones give the band a current sound but you'll also hear Mellotron-like sounds that recall the past. I guess comparison-wise, the closest I can do is some middle-era Genesis (say around Wind and Wuthering) and perhaps Quasar. Yoko's vocals are somewhat similar to Tracy Hitchings of Quasar, though Kuboto is much, MUCH better. Overall, though, the sound is pretty unique. Good new progressive that successfully straddles the border of neo-prog and retro-prog. Recommended.

There Once Was A Night... features a reformed lineup with new singer, who is every bit as good as Yoko Kubota (from Myth) but different too. The music remains heavily symphonic, featuring 12 string, bass, drums and an array of keyboards. Sounds like there's some Mellotron too, but it's not listed in the credits (may be "Vintage Keys"). Seven tracks, ranging from under two minutes to almost twenty, several are smokers, the general direction is more complex and technical when compared to the first, but the band hasn't lost their power. A good one, fans of the first album should be pleased.

Info gleaned from various sources especially GEPR.

There was also a prog band called Providence from the USA.

[Rick and Roll]

Originally Posted by KeithieW

Providence [Japan]
...And I'll Recite An Old Myth From... (90), There Once Was A Night of "Choko-Muro" The Paradise (96)

A.

That's them...this Choko Muro stuff sounds kinky....