Speaks of Rain (Crossover Prog)

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Hello everyone. My name is Steve, a past lurker and recently registered member. Pleased to be here!
I would like to offer Speaks of Rain, a musical endeavor I share, for consideration.  Home in Bluffdale is our 2014 debut release. With respect to sub-genre, it is probably best described as “crossover prog” as it touches on many styles. There is a strong world-music influence in much of the material, and our 70’s prog roots are evident. It opens with a “neo-beatnik” vibe (that should qualify as educational), veers into social commentary (“protestgressive?”) in more places than one, and closes out with a neo-prog instrumental and a quiet chiming guitar piece.

Alan and I, both seriously smitten with this new art form called progressive rock and enjoying one groundbreaking release after another, began playing music together in the 1970's. Following a long hiatus during which we lived in far flung places, we began playing and writing again in 2011, laying down tracks in our respective home studios near Atlanta and Columbia, and at Alan's hideaway and studio at the foot of the Blue Ridge. We rapidly amassed a pile of material, a small portion of which coalesced as Home in Bluffdale . 

Maybe it’s the vintage prog blood in our veins that sends us down sundry musical paths. We hope you find that some lead to obscure places perhaps worth visiting. The music is available on bandcamp, and many other venues. 

http://speaksofrain.bandcamp.com/album/home-in-bluffdale

Direct links to streaming sites are available on our web page, along with album liner notes, band bio and more: 

http://speaksofrain.com/

We would be honored to be included in the archive. Above all, we hope you enjoy the music.

Best to all,
Steve

Speaks of Rain is Alan Rogers and Stephen Godfrey

Home in Bluffdale Track List

1. EdHK (Rogers)
Alan: bass guitars, lead and backing vocals
Stephen: drums, percussion, backing vocals

2. Orionids 19 (Rogers/Godfrey)
Alan: nylon-string guitar, bass guitar, percussion
Stephen: drums

3. Togo Mountain Dawn (Godfrey)
Stephen: drums, West African bells, chime cymbal

4. Black Widows (Rogers)
Alan: bass guitar, Irish flute, lead and backing vocals
Stephen: drums, percussion

5. Brain Coral (Rogers/Godfrey)
Alan: bass guitars
Stephen: drums, percussion

6. Fly (Godfrey)
Stephen: keyboards, xylophone, guitars, lead and backing vocals
(with thanks to Leslie for being the voice of reassurance)

7. Mark Twain's Lament (Rogers)
Alan: guitar

8. Mary Magdalene Cha Cha (Rogers)
Alan: guitars, bass guitar, percussion, vocals
Stephen: drums

9. The Step (Rogers/Godfrey)
Alan: guitars, bass guitars
Stephen: drums, percussion, fuzz guitar

10. Nashon (Rogers)
Alan: guitars
Stephen: percussion

Edited by Andy Webb - May 25 2015 at 13:37

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Drummer Speaks Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Forum Newbie Joined: May 19 2015 Location: South Carolina Status: Offline Points: 5	Topic: Speaks of Rain (Crossover Prog) Posted: May 22 2015 at 20:20
	Hello everyone. My name is Steve, a past lurker and recently registered member. Pleased to be here! I would like to offer Speaks of Rain, a musical endeavor I share, for consideration. Home in Bluffdale is our 2014 debut release. With respect to sub-genre, it is probably best described as “crossover prog” as it touches on many styles. There is a strong world-music influence in much of the material, and our 70’s prog roots are evident. It opens with a “neo-beatnik” vibe (that should qualify as educational), veers into social commentary (“protestgressive?”) in more places than one, and closes out with a neo-prog instrumental and a quiet chiming guitar piece. Alan and I, both seriously smitten with this new art form called progressive rock and enjoying one groundbreaking release after another, began playing music together in the 1970's. Following a long hiatus during which we lived in far flung places, we began playing and writing again in 2011, laying down tracks in our respective home studios near Atlanta and Columbia, and at Alan's hideaway and studio at the foot of the Blue Ridge. We rapidly amassed a pile of material, a small portion of which coalesced as Home in Bluffdale . Maybe it’s the vintage prog blood in our veins that sends us down sundry musical paths. We hope you find that some lead to obscure places perhaps worth visiting. The music is available on bandcamp, and many other venues. http://speaksofrain.bandcamp.com/album/home-in-bluffdale Direct links to streaming sites are available on our web page, along with album liner notes, band bio and more: http://speaksofrain.com/ We would be honored to be included in the archive. Above all, we hope you enjoy the music. Best to all, Steve Speaks of Rain is Alan Rogers and Stephen Godfrey Home in Bluffdale Track List 1. EdHK (Rogers) Alan: bass guitars, lead and backing vocals Stephen: drums, percussion, backing vocals 2. Orionids 19 (Rogers/Godfrey) Alan: nylon-string guitar, bass guitar, percussion Stephen: drums 3. Togo Mountain Dawn (Godfrey) Stephen: drums, West African bells, chime cymbal 4. Black Widows (Rogers) Alan: bass guitar, Irish flute, lead and backing vocals Stephen: drums, percussion 5. Brain Coral (Rogers/Godfrey) Alan: bass guitars Stephen: drums, percussion 6. Fly (Godfrey) Stephen: keyboards, xylophone, guitars, lead and backing vocals (with thanks to Leslie for being the voice of reassurance) 7. Mark Twain's Lament (Rogers) Alan: guitar 8. Mary Magdalene Cha Cha (Rogers) Alan: guitars, bass guitar, percussion, vocals Stephen: drums 9. The Step (Rogers/Godfrey) Alan: guitars, bass guitars Stephen: drums, percussion, fuzz guitar 10. Nashon (Rogers) Alan: guitars Stephen: percussion Edited by Andy Webb - May 25 2015 at 13:37
	"People who make no noise are dangerous." -Jean de La Fontaine

yam yam Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Forum Senior Member Joined: June 16 2011 Location: Kerberos Status: Offline Points: 5814	Posted: May 23 2015 at 00:37
	I certainly get the World Music vibe that you talk about, but I'm not too sure that overall this isn't a tad too 'out-there' for our Crossover Prog sub. I definitely can't hear much Neo Prog in the album, and am really not sure where I'd file it on here to be honest (if it fits on the site at all, that is). Maybe Eclectic Prog would be the best place to start?...Heck - I just don't know!! Help!!

Drummer Speaks Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Forum Newbie Joined: May 19 2015 Location: South Carolina Status: Offline Points: 5	Posted: May 23 2015 at 08:33
	If it is difficult to categorize, then we have succeeded! Eclectic prog might be better, to the extent labels are helpful as guidance. It has been called crossover prog by some, so I went with that. We value originality above all, and are wary of emulating anyone.
	"People who make no noise are dangerous." -Jean de La Fontaine

yam yam Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Forum Senior Member Joined: June 16 2011 Location: Kerberos Status: Offline Points: 5814	Posted: May 23 2015 at 08:42
	Someone from the Crossover team will certainly check this out - since they are specifically mentioned in the topic title - hopefully they will add their thoughts to the debate here, and eventually there will be a consensus so that an evaluation can be gotten under way in one sub or another.

kev rowland Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Special Collaborator Honorary Reviewer Joined: November 18 2005 Location: New Zealand Status: Offline Points: 2132	Posted: May 24 2015 at 13:37
	I've also had a PM from Drummer Speaks - I have posted this into the Crossover thread as that is where it was originally suggested for, then they can move to eclectic if they feel that is a better place
	All five volumes of The Progressive Underground now available https://www.amazon.com/Kev-Rowland/e/B07RJVRB2X

yam yam Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Forum Senior Member Joined: June 16 2011 Location: Kerberos Status: Offline Points: 5814	Posted: May 24 2015 at 14:06
	Nice one Kev! Thanks!!