Show 120 - Three Personal Favorites

[Rick and Roll]

After coaching four basketball games in three nights, and five in five (losing four of them), throwing out my back, losing my voice, and having my jobs be outrageously busy, I need a show like this. I hope you do too.

We'll track three of my favorite discs (of many lol)...

Phil Manzanera / 801 - "Listen Now" (1977)

As was most of the records back then, not a very long disc, but it makes it up in quality. With Bill MacCormick on bass and helping write most of the songs, and Ian MacCormick writing two (and playing harmonica on one yea!), the songwriting is great. Some of the notables: Simon Phillips, Dave Mattacks, Eno, Simon Ainley, Godley & Creme, and Eddie Jobson, it even has an all-star cast to boot. My favorites are the title track and the spectacular "Law And Order" (there's even a Tuba on it..not the "Excuse Me" Tony Levin-played one, but working within the framework of a rock song!).

Listen Now
Flight 19
Island
Law And Order
?Que?
City of Light
Initial Speed
Postcard Love
That Falling Feeling

Pop songs, heavy hitters, instrumentals...this one's got it all.

King's X - "Faith Hope Love" (1990)

The band that's cited by more musicians as a favorite finally gets a full CD play on the show. All the time I hear someone either in concert or in an interview reference them. I prefer their second record "Gretchen Goes To Nebraska", from a pure sonic perspective, but this one is their most solid. Some of the tunes you'll find surprisingly intricate ("We Were Born To Be Loved"," Talk To You"), and one or two annoying - "Moanjam" has a minute of hollering at the end (offest by a bitchin guitar lead). But the harmonies combined with the low-end bass, the crisp guitar, and the heavy drums makes for a beautiful sound. And there's a lot of diversity from song to song.

We Are Finding Who We Are
It's Love
I'll Never Get Tired of You
Fine Art of Friendship
Mr. Wilson
Moanjam
Six Broken Soldiers
I Can't Help It
Talk To You
Everywhere I Go
We Were Born To Be Loved
Faith Hope Love
Legal Kill

Enchant - "Blueprint of the World" (1993)

Rarely is the first release by a band that puts out more than a handful of them its best. This one easily rates as Enchant's crowning achievement. Right out of the gate, they put out an absolute great prog record. I have every one of their studio records, and I like them a lot. But I think this one is the best, because it combines the great songwriting of drummer Paul Craddick and guitarist Doug Ott with the impassioned vocals of Ted Leonard. Later on, Doug Ott took over most of the writing and the keys, and the music more reflects his personal stamp. They've now a new drummer and keyboardist, and while excellent, I miss the contributions by Craddick (also try the CD "Juggling 9 or Dropping 10").

The moments I like the best on the record are the 6-8 minute songs like "Oasis", "The Thirst", and "Nighttime Sky". Once you get past the layer of great keyboards and the stellar guitar playing (Ott is one of my favorites), you'll be surprised at Paul Craddick's precise power. A main beef of so called "Neo-prog" is the lack of spirited drumming. This CD featurs a ton of it. And producing 1/2 of the record and trading solos on "Nighttime Sky" is the great Steve Rothery.

The Thirst
Catharsis
Oasis
Acquaintance
Mae Dae
At Death's Door
Open Eyes (not on my copy, will be interested to hear this)
East of Eden
Nighttime Sky
Enchanted

See you there! (or here)

[Rick and Roll]