Rickter Scale Show 185 - Morglbl, Crucis, Ezra

[Rick and Roll]

airing Sunday, July 6 from 8-11 PM EST and Monday, July 7 from 1-4 PM EST

A fun week on the Rickter Scale - first up we will hear a full concert of studio songs....what is that you say? It is Morglbl's show at Nearfest, played in order, but the studio cuts. I did cut out one song due to time constraints, and the encores. After all, they don't have a studio version of Smoke on the Water!

The set list (thank you Nearfest and Prog Ears) - Morglbl:

The Tale of Thibault
Streets and Traps
Tapas Nocturne
Lieutenant Colombin
Le Projet Pied de Biche
Buffet Froid (this is the one I skipped)
Les Mechanismes du Temps
Haute Voltige en Haute-Volta
L'ami Deglingo
Totale Bricole

I was going to play Morglbl this week, and when I picked the songs, it was close to the set list. The first two songs and "du temps" are off the Morglbl Trio (their first record, in 1998) and the remainder are off Grotesk, their amazing 2007 release.

Crucis - Crucis (1976)

Todo Tiempo Posible
Mes
Corto Amanecer
La Triste Vision del Entierro Propio
Ironico Ser
Determinados Espejos
Recluso Artista

Crucis - Los Delirios del Mariscal (1977)

No Me Separen de mi
Los Delirios del Mariscal
Pollo Frito
Abismo Terranal

Two great records from the mid-70's by this great Argentinian band. Definitely a Focus sound on the second disc, but typical great South American prog/fusion. Some fine vocal, and wonderful arrangements.

Ezra - Songs From Pennsylvania (2006)

A Little Bit More
Everyday
Summer Again
Underground
Chances
Lazy
Alive

I had seen these guys at Summers' End in the UK in 2006, and thought they were pleasant, but wasn't too wowed. Maybe it was the two attractive ladies singing with the band that dulled my senses (Rogor Mortis where are those pics!). I finally got around to buying this at Nearfest.....a great disc I must say. The first song is a great rock and roll sing along, catchy like something Big Country would do. "Everyday" may be the best song, and "Summer Again" has the best three minute closing section I've heard in ages. Although it's a very front-loaded disc, all of it is very good.

Next week - a 2008 instant classic, an old favorite, and a some obscure stuff.