Hot, Bothered, but Not Smoking!

Two great albums hit my mat during the week: The Difference Machine by Big Big Train, and Soniq Circus by Soniq Circus.  Both are wonderful example of progressive rock at its best, combining excellent melodies with well crafted song writing.  Even now, nearly two weeks after I first heard them, they are still being played on my MP3 player as I travel about.  I also have to confess to being a bit impressed with the line-up on the BBG album, which includes Dave Meros of Spock’s Beard, Nick D’Vergilio of same plus Tears For Fears and Pete Trevewas of Marillion.  Spock’s Beard and Marillion are two of my favourite bands, though I can’t really say the same for Tears For Fears but, to be fair, Sowing The Seeds of Love is in my top 50 all time best albums.  Do you think I should play some of it on the show?  I mean, it’s so proggy in places you wouldn’t believe it!

Anyway, what did I play on Saturday the 29^th of September?  Here’s the playlist:

Artist : Album : Track

Heaven If : Heaven If : Insomnia

Flower Kings : The Sum Of No Evil : Life in Motion

Soniq Circus : Soniq Circus : Chain of Consequences

Soniq Circus : Soniq Circus : Colliding Stars

Big Big Train : The difference Machine : Perfect Cosmic Storm

Big Big Train : The difference Machine : Pick Up If You’re There

Touchstone : Discordant Dreams : Dignity

Touchstone : Discordant Dreams : The Beggars Song Part 1

Magenta : Seven : Envy

Galahad : Empires Never Last : Termination

Speaking of albums arriving, the new Touchstone album arrived on Friday morning so I nearly didn’t have time to include it in the show.  But, on Friday night, after a few beers down the local pub, I got in and thought I’d list to a track or two off the album before bed.  Well, one whole album later and I finally crept up to bed.  As you can see above, two tracks made it onto the show.  Saved by the beer, eh?

I played the last track from the new Flower Kings album on the night, having played the rest of the album over the last few weeks.  Still, it’s a wonderful bit of music and I have enjoyed the whole album, so maybe in a month or so I’ll play it again.

Magenta and Galahad are two great bands that you just don’t hear enough of on the radio, something I’m trying to rectify as you no doubt know.  I have a real soft spot for Magenta as I’ve met the band, seen them play live and interviewed Christina, the lead vocalist, live on the show.  They are a nice bunch of people and it’s always a pleasure to play their music.  And Galahad!  Lee Abraham, the bass player, made up the prog show’s opening jingle for me, for which I am truly grateful.  But again, their music is a joy to listen too, and needs so much more airplay in this country.

I’d like to take a moment out to all those who wished me luck last week.  I gave up smoking live on the show, putting my last roll-up out just before I came on air.  A load of excellent ideas were thrown at me: eat sunflower seeds, try gum, and so on.  As I’m writing this it is 5 days down the line since that moment and some of you maybe wondering how I’m doing.  I will reveal all in the next show, so make sure you tune in!

All the best,

DaveO.

Article by Dave O'Neill, 4 Oct 2007
Posted in The Dave O Prog Rock Show

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