Rosfest 2007

[Rick and Roll]

The long-awaited (by three Tibetian Monks and seven Mongolian Yak-herders) review of Rosfest, kind of late........

I'll stick mostly to the performances, theres no need to bore you all with the many friends I re-connect with at these festivals.....

Tempustry

I was looking forward to this, given the less than stellar performance of last year's Friday opener, Epemeral Sun. Allen Brunelle (who is Tempustry), is a local artist, who of all things, used to play in a metal band. He did some time with Dark Aether Project, and thenIluvatar on tour, and Jim Rezek (of Iluvatar) performed with him for this show.

The CD is electronic in the Tangerine Dream vein. It's a nice disc....but several things conspired to make my enjoyment of the performance not up to the standards I had. First was the wonderful Magic Pie listening party several hours earlier. Then the very long delay, I believe caused by the lighting crew (more on THAT later). Finally, the music dragged in places. Allen is an excellent drummer by trade, and although the Tempustry CD showcases Allen's keyboard playing, I was hoping to hear more percussion. When he did play, it was very enjoyable - but the samples and keyboard themes weared on me, and took too long to develop. I was also hoping to hear more of Jim Rezek, instead of filling in the gaps. But I did enjoy the performance overall. There was a vocal number that was quite nice.

Puppet Show

I admit knowing nothing about the band, so I had no preconceived notions. The band and music were very good, and quite crunchy....a bit dense (sort of like Tiles but more proggy)....but the singer almost ruined it for me. He was a yeller, and seemed to be on a different vibe than the rest of the band. He had an egotistical air about him, and frankly wasn't that talented. The band did close with GG's "Cogs In Cogs"...and while you have to give any band that tries that song at least a B (just try Ray Shulman's bass lines once!), there's that singer (Sean Frazier) again...too much yodeling. A connection with the last band, Chris Mack on drums is the last drummer of record for Iluvatar. He's a super talent.

Starcastle

I missed this band growing up, they went under my radar. I've since become familiar with most of their music. Al Lewis is the new vocalist, and he's a great singer. A high range, ala Anderson (imagine that!).....was weird seeing him here - I saw him in 1998 at Progday with the awsome two-man band Alaska. Al did a duet with Annie Haslam on "Song of Times". She was in surprisingly great voice, and it was a nice song. Although I couldn't get the image of Sonny and Cher out of my head! I have to say this, and it's probably not going to come out right. But the Gary Strater video I've now seen three times at Rosfest, and it's a bit heavy-handed. They ran the video the entire song, and it's mostly two or three pictures in a collage. I understand the emotion and the feeling of his passing, but maybe there could be a less subtle way of celebrating his life.

I was very impressed by their performance, and they seemed to be enjoying themselves. The show was tight and moved along smartly. I just love it when old (except for Oliver Wakeman) proggers do it right. Speaking of Wakeman, boy if he isn't just like his dad! Coincidentally, I was listening to Sabbath Bloody on the way there, which has Rick Wakeman all over it.

Back to the lighting fiasco, apparently the lighting guy was on coke (he was in the back right of the stage). He looked like a Vietnam Vet having a flashback - was beating the board like he was playing keys, and cussing out no one in particular. The band weatherd the distraction, especially the affable Al Lewis. He's the nicest man you'll meet, and how he had the composure to smile through it all while someone is 10 feet behind you cursing at the world is amazing. Thr Phoenixville poilce finally escorted our Vet to his table.

Show ended I think around 1:45 AM. Was unexpected noting that Rosfest is usually right on time. Maybe they're a real prog festival now!

Rocket Scientists

A great way to wake up on Saturday. Almost as good as our favorite breakfast place the "Classic Diner"! Attractive wait staff, great food, and a fun time (although Teerminator noted that they had dollar signs on the menu, whic is a no-no). I was a bit apprehensive as to what to expect from the band. Would it be all Erik Norlander wanking? As it turned out, not at all! Erik is an incredibly tasteful musician who is capable of playing circles around anyone, but chose to make the band stronger by working within the framework of the band. His explanations and song intros were very informative, and he had an easygoing rapport with the audience.

Guitarist Peer Varschuren was a wildman, ripping off blistering solos. He's a sterling player - I couldn't get the Eden space-hippies from Star Trek out of my head...he's a ringer for their leader....heading out to Eden, yeaaa brother..

Mark McCrite is an outstanding vocalist, with a voice remiscient of Greg Lake or John Wetton. I was very impressed. Later on at the after-show party, he sang Crimson's "Epitaph" dead-on. On bass was Don Schiff, who had had a long and illustrious career. Check out his site, etc and you'll be amazed, and see what things he's developed and done over the years. His NS/Stick solo was magic.

Finally, Lana Lane sang the last three songs with the band. Rosfest agreed to extend the set to include her. The second song was her "Lady MacBeth", which to me was a female Dio song, and like the Mastermind music. I thanked her later for making it ok for true hard rock/metal to be part of prog, which I've long advocated. The last number was a good portion of the Aqua Vitae suite, which was perfect. Lana spent some time smacking Peer with her scarf, which she also got caught in Mark's guitar once. One can only imaging the fun she and Erik have practicing the scarf-swinging.

Galahad

A band in the Pallas and Fish era Marillion vein, very propulsive and emotional. The highlight for me was "Exorcising Demons", but that might have been because I'm not that up on their catalogue. They were quite varied from song to song, which made it interesting.

Carptree

Oh boy, what a mess. The good points - I like the quiet passages, and Carl Westholm's piano was sweet. But to go from the quiet passages to overly discordant themes was annoying. I love contrast in music, but when they got loud it was too distorted and sounded forces. Also, the songs didn't seem to have any continuity. I found out later that that was their first performance. Well, like Satellite the year before I see. How about scheduling an established or anup and coming band who gives great live performances? Bands like Strangefish can't get invited but Carptree does, doesn't seem fair. I am sure the music is enjoyable on the record, but it certainly didn't translate.

Pendragon

As they were at Summers End last year, a riveting live performance. Nick Barrett always manages to give an emotional and inspired performance, overcoming his lack of vocal range. I just wish the music was more interesting. It gets a bit stale in places....but then they played the killer "Paintbox", and that led to a great closing run of songs. Paintbox gets Clive Nolan into interesting keyboard passages, and not just playing chords.

Here's a really good link to the Pendragon site, where they discuss the show....

http://www.pendragon.mu/uk/files/new...tm#rosfest2007

One note - my friend Mark has a tattoo of a Pendragon record on his back. When he showed Nick, he said "No f'in way".....

Darwin's Radio

Another repeat Summers End act, they were even better than that fine show. Dec Burke is a world-class guitarist. He definitely drives the band, although I'd like to see Mark Westworth be featured more (on keys)..he's a talent. The music is like Enchant, but more melodic (if possible) and less heavy, and slightly more progressive. A fun band and show, I don't think there was a disappointed person there (save for anyone hung over).

Retroheads

Easily the most entertaining act of the weekend. There seemed to be a big difference between their two CD's at least live (I've not heard them all the way through). Tore Bendixen writes the music, which alternates between classic hippie-prog (the good song "Man", which he sang) and frenetic Zappa-like songs. They reminded me of Beardfish at Progday. Action-packed and funny. Tore was mingling the day earlier at the bar, and is a super guy.

The lead singer is Mike Mann, I believe he's Scottish or Irish. What a fun dude. He sat in the crowd during songs, and was having a great deal of fun, almost in tears at times. the onloy thing that made some people mad was his constant use of the f word (in an Ozzy-like "I love you" sort of way).... the drummer Morten Venil, beat the living shit out of the drums. A Viking! Speaking of drums, that was the one constant issue with the sound. the drums were mixed way too high in most of the bands.

Deb Girnius, living in Norway via Kansas, is a great talent. She played flute and acoustic guitar (later she told me her secret of how she holds her guitar so well). Folk-rock of sorts in her solo career, she fits in great with the band.

Unfortunately Ann-Kristin Bendixen's keyboard went dead partway through and that was a shame.

Magic Pie

Ever since their awsome performance at last year's fest, I've been looking forward to this. So often after so much anticipation, there's a letdown. Not so here. They played the entire Circus of Life CD, and the title cut and Change from Motions of Desire. The first song was forty mintues, and the crowd was spent after that. But they were only halfway through. The end of the show featured the crowd singing the chorus of Change...like last year when we all did Hey Jude it was so fun. I know British football fans sing a capella all the time, but for Americans to do it is hard!

The thing that makes the Pies so enjoyable is their vocals layered on top of their outstanding musicianship. Gilbert Marshall has a smooth voice, and he sings the lead in most of the songs. Allan Olsen has a powerful, great voice. And Eirik Hanssen is the third....he was featured more on the Motions CD, ans Allan is more on the new CD. The three together are just like Kath, Lamm, and Cetera...same style.

Kim Stenberg writes the lion's share of the music, and not only is he an outstanding writer, he's an amazing guitarist. But his shyness only opens the way for the others to shine. The music is 70's prog brought forward beautifully. They deserve all of the accolades they receive. I hope they continue to make this music as they're not youngsters.

As per their good nature, they cut two songs from the set to defer to Spock's Beard, as the day was running late again.

Spock's Beard

Another interminable delay preceded the mighty Beard. I'm glad I'd seen them without Neal (last year) so that I'd know what to expect. Admittedly, I'm not enamored with their later records (I do have Octane, and the three songs I've heard from the latest I do like). They opened with On A Perfect Day from the latest. Great song. Nick D. is a super talent. He stands in the center with his guitar and keyboard, then hops back to drum like Phil and Chester (their live dummer Jimmy Keegan is small in stature but heavy on the kit). Nick said he'd been to the hospital the day before, but still put on a great show. (That's typical -He was on acoustic at the Nearfest hotel conference room several years back at a late hour leading everyone in a "June" singalong).

Dave Meros on bass is so good. I wish he was more in front. Even when I'd seen them with Neal he was in the back. Ryo had to do gymnastics to play all of the parts on the old Beard songs. He gets a bit loopy at times (his "buttpaste" comments formerly "buttplug" at prior shows gets annoying) but he's fun. Alan Morse played with no picks, despite having them available (to throw in the crowd). He's amazing but I got the sense he's a bit lazy. The band is so talented but they seem to be content to be just very good.

The songs were heavy for thr most part. Walking on the Wind went into Go the Way You Go and Avalanche (from Octane). Mouth of Madness and Thoughts (Pt. 2) were the only other Neal-era songs I believe.

[OverHillandDale(Admin)]

I feel like I was almost there. Wish I had been.

Thanks for a great review.