Show 108 - Salem Hill

[Rick and Roll]

Many things to be thankful for, not the least of which is hearing new bands. Although Salem Hill has been around since 1991, I was just turned on to them three years ago at Rosfest. Since then I've bought all of their CD's and am one of the "Hillions".

This week we'll give them the Rickter treatment and play a representative sample, chronologic-like (apologies to Snagglepuss).

On the records:

Carl Groves - Guitars, keys, lead vocals (and all instruments on his solo record!)
Mike Dearing (except for Catatonia and Different Worlds) - Guitars, keys, lead vocals
Patrick Henry - bass, vocals
Kevin Thomas - drums, vocals, vibes, those kind of things

from "Salem Hill", 1991

Golden Crosses
Aceldama
Between the Two

from "Different Worlds", 1993

Here and Now
Brave New World
Question of Honor
Listen To Me

These are two hard to find CD's, that I've just sent up to add to the library. Great stuff, their sound was unmistakable from the start. A good cross-section of what their music was like at that time. I'm especially fond of Aceldama, Between the Two, and Question of Honor. Mike Dearing is absent from the second record

from "Catatonia", 1997

The Judgement
Peculiar People
Awake

Again just the three, this record is more amibitious in the songwriting. Judgement is an 11-minute epic, and Awake is a brilliant song. Peculiar People is added because of its light nature and it's a crowd favorite.

from "The Robbery of Murder", 1998

Dream
To The Hill
Revenge

This record should really be taken as a whole. The subject matter is very strong, as is a lot of the writing by Carl. Dream belies the mood of the record, because it's a happier song, with that King's X backdrop. There's a song or two off of each record that has the King's X vibe. To The Hill is very emotional, and a slow, beautiful piece. It was a highlight of the acoustic set at last year's DVD shoot. Revenge is Mike Dearing (he's baaaaack) with a roaring vocal performance.

David Ragsdale adds his trademark sound on violin, as he does throught the band's records.

from "Not Everybody's Gold" (2000)

Riding the Fence
January
Let Loose the Arrow

Michael Ayres is added to the band, and the band really develops some diverse and vibrant directions. Riding the Fence is a fast Carl number, full of instrumental Kansas-like passages. January is by Pat Henry, and one the best-loved Salem Hill songs. And probably in top 5 of SH songs is Let Loose the Arrow, a stellar Michael Ayres song. Sweet Hope Suite, a 30-minute excursion closes out the CD (but not heard this time).

from "Be", 2003

Symposium
The Great Stereopticon
Children of the Dust
So Human
The Red Pool
A Perfect Light
Love Won't Save The World
Beings

After a live record, 2002's "Puppet Show", this guitar-driven masterpiece was made. The songs are connected by a common thread both musically and lyrically, and the whole package just works. Simply one of my favorite CD's. Listen close to the lyrics, they're an excellent commentary on what we've become. "Beings" is one of those goose-bump songs. Like Manzanera's "Diamond Head", it works both electric (that riveting 7-string green guitar Carl solo at Rosfest) and acoustic (the DVD shoot performance).

from "Mimi's Magic Moment", 2005

The Joy Gem
The Future Me

How to top "Be"? Just put out a four-song, 60-minute CD of sonic bliss. Joy Gem features Neal Morse on vocals and David Ragsdale. You'll hear Pat Henry in the middle adding some lead vocal also. In addition to that 15 minute piece, we'll hear The Future Me, which closes out the CD at 18+ minutes. Unfortunately, we won't have time to hear "Stolen By Ghosts", at 23 minutes features Mike Dearing's wonderful vocals. One of the best records of 2005.

Hope that's enough information for those who find the music interesting enough to investigate more. I'll invite the band in the thread for some more commentary.

Enjoy!

[moses]

Nice! I'm going to have to come home early from work to catch it.

[Rick and Roll]

Originally Posted by moses

Nice! I'm going to have to come home early from work to catch it.

That's what I like to see! Interference with employment!