Providence

[Rick and Roll]

I've been slowly listening to the 7-CD Progday disc I bought, and one of the bands really caught my ear. "Providence" from Japan. Looks like they have two CD's, one in the late 80's and one in 1996. Alternately light, w/piano, then gets heavy, always vibrant and dynamic. And a female singer that I think sounds good but she may grate on some.

I'll be playing the Progday discs next month, and hope to get it on the Moon soon. Some of the Progday gems are Salem Hill doing "Flight of Icarus" with David Ragsdale on violin.

The musicianship is stellar.

Anybody hear of Providence?

[mailotron]

I have the same box Rick, massive Discipline material,

[Rick and Roll]

I have the same box Rick, massive Discipline material,

Yes that and the 98 disc are awesome. Mailotron, man of much taste...

[mailotron]

Rick, i'll take a look in my 'papers' about Providence , might have a progzine or two about japanese prog , wait
mailo

[mailotron]

Rick,
Apprarently formed in 1984 , mainly influenced by KC of course
They recorded a cassette in 1986 called Tradition ( quickly sold out in 1987)
1988 : one track Galatea on "Progressives battle 88" same track might have been on an another compilation called "Prospectives faces n°1)
End 1989 first LP on Crime records called " And I'll recite an old myth from..."( a five pieces band 4 boyzs and 1 girl + Christian Beya (guitarist of Atoll) on the eponym track ( 20 minutes long epic)) total lenght 53 minutes))
October 1992 : Live CD called "rare tracks" LP format ( live bootleg quality recordings from the late eighties) for collectors only
Around june 1996 : There once was a night of 'choko-muro" the paradise" àn Made in Japan 1012 MJC

To be continued , perhaps
Mailo

[KeithieW]

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]

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....