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milica2 
Forum Newbie
Joined: May 17 2011
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Points: 2
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 Posted: December 01 2011 at 08:57 |
I've been reading a great book "Year passes, a day never" by Zarko Lausevic. http://www.yu4you.com/Godina-prodje-dan-nikada-Zarko-Lausevic,knjiga,17636,en It is almost published..a true story.
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resurrection
Forum Senior Member
Joined: August 08 2010
Location: London
Status: Offline
Points: 254
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Posted: November 21 2011 at 09:32 |
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A visually-nice book. And informative re the current situation. Shocking omission though of the importance of 1-2-3 (Clouds), par for the course in most pre-prog books, but given info available, not really excusable in the world of today.
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AtomicCrimsonRush
Special Collaborator
Honorary Collaborator
Joined: July 02 2008
Location: Australia
Status: Offline
Points: 14256
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Posted: November 14 2011 at 04:11 |
The other thing about the book is the albums listed, which of course is nothing new to the prog freaks like us, but to a newcomer this would be an invaluable resource. The info is all well informed, I saw no mistakes, at least none that were glaring, and the choice of pictures is excellent. However, how about the misprint for some albums. The albums are listed incorrectly in one section. It was quite funny in a sense cos the titles seemed to fit the covers although they were erroneously listed.
Great book anyway and I am very pleased that I could order this, my only prog publication purchased this year, besides all those mags.
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DiamondDog
Forum Senior Member
Joined: August 15 2011
Location: Cambridge
Status: Offline
Points: 320
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Posted: November 03 2011 at 18:44 |
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Enjoyed it in a general sense, but disappointed that it merely regurgitated old (and wrong!) history. Very selective and pandering to mainstream.
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nosajnosaj
Forum Newbie
Joined: November 01 2011
Status: Offline
Points: 1
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Posted: November 01 2011 at 01:40 |
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Yeah it is one of the most awaited one and the content is well appreciable infact exceptional as quoted to me by one of my friend.
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AtomicCrimsonRush
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Joined: July 02 2008
Location: Australia
Status: Offline
Points: 14256
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Posted: October 20 2011 at 06:22 |
 WMR wrote:
"Clem",
thanks for taking the time to read my book. It means a lot to me, and your feedback is invaluable. Your welcoming tone and note just underscores everything I've ever known about the prog world: it's inclusive.
And thanks for passing on the story about your home state. I'm glad to hear it. I'm pretty much out in the sticks and I found the book in the stores here as well. (Good to know the publisher is on the case...)
A lot of really good band bios and books on prog rock have been written over the last fifteen years or so. So, I think you've got a great idea about a separate section on PA. (I would say that, though, wouldn't I?) Go gently ... Ha!
Cheers!
Speak soon.
W |
Hi Will
I just wanted to say that I very much enjoyed your book. I found it to be one of the most informative books on the subject and very well illustrated. The only thing that puzzled me was the double entry of King Crimson when other bands could have taken their place. Perhaps Hawkwind could have had their own chapter or Magma as they are hugely influential. In any case I am reading through the book and it is certainly keeping me informed and entertained.
Cheers from Australia!
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AtomicCrimsonRush
Special Collaborator
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Joined: July 02 2008
Location: Australia
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Points: 14256
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Posted: October 20 2011 at 06:21 |
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I agree, some good ideas here and a VDGG chapter would have been great.
Edited by AtomicCrimsonRush - October 20 2011 at 06:23
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JeanFrame
Forum Senior Member
Joined: December 01 2010
Location: London, England
Status: Offline
Points: 195
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Posted: September 03 2011 at 11:57 |
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Thanks for that interesting post. I liked the book, but found it limited and generally pandering to mainstream regurgitation rather than delving into anything meaningful about the roots and causes. I don't know the author's age, but his writing suggests he was too young to be around at the time, and that makes it hard for him to grasp.
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ClemofNazareth
Special Collaborator
Prog Folk Researcher
Joined: August 17 2005
Location: United States
Status: Offline
Points: 4659
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Posted: August 15 2011 at 05:23 |
Strider wrote:
Got to say i really enjoyed the book (despite the missing chapter on VDGG!).
But one thing has been puzzling me - who are the band in the picture at the start of the prog folk chapter? It doesn't seem to be any of the bands featured in that chapter and it's been baffling me (and my friends) for a long time now. |
That's the Strawbs, from 'Hero and Heroine" timeframe (1974). I believe that's one of a series of promo photos taken by Vin Costello for that album. From left to right: Dave Lambert, Chas Cronk, John Hawken, Rod Coombes and Dave Cousins
Edited by ClemofNazareth - August 15 2011 at 05:47
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"Peace is the only battle worth waging."
Albert Camus
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DiamondDog
Forum Senior Member
Joined: August 15 2011
Location: Cambridge
Status: Offline
Points: 320
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Posted: August 15 2011 at 03:40 |
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I was disappointed the book didn't have VDGG in any depth; also nothing of 1-2-3/Clouds and their crucial role. Was that edited out too?
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bucka001
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Joined: November 16 2005
Location: United States
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Points: 864
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Posted: June 29 2011 at 16:33 |
Will Romano, the author of Mountains..., has an article published on VdGG's Guy Evans in Modern Drummer. Never thought I'd see GE getting (some much deserved) coverage in an American music tech magazine (and a well known one at that). Kudos to Will for getting Guy some exposure. It definitely goes a long way toward forgiving the omission of a VdGG chapter in his book (an omission that wasn't his fault anyway, as he had written a chapter that was edited out by the powers-that-be). Way to go Will!
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jc
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Strider
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Joined: March 02 2011
Location: Manchester, UK
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Points: 8
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Posted: June 25 2011 at 17:25 |
Got to say i really enjoyed the book (despite the missing chapter on VDGG!).
But one thing has been puzzling me - who are the band in the picture at the start of the prog folk chapter? It doesn't seem to be any of the bands featured in that chapter and it's been baffling me (and my friends) for a long time now.
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JeanFrame
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Joined: December 01 2010
Location: London, England
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Points: 195
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Posted: May 20 2011 at 08:28 |
 yes please
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giselle
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Joined: March 18 2011
Location: Hertford
Status: Offline
Points: 466
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Posted: March 19 2011 at 04:23 |
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Enjoyed the book but it seemed very selective in its choices, going for the common denominator. Many important groups not even mentioned. The so-called history leading up to prog fell very short too, but a good book nevertheless. Needs a sequel?
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bucka001
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Joined: November 16 2005
Location: United States
Status: Offline
Points: 864
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Posted: February 10 2011 at 09:41 |
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Yes, props to Will for facing the criticism as well as the praise. Speaking of VdGG, in the new issue of Word Magazine (no 97 March 2011) there is a 'prog vs. punk' debate featuring Jello Biafra and Peter Hammill. Should be interesting... Hammill is considered a cornerstone of 'classic'-era prog, but he and VdGG definitely had elements in their music that punks picked up on. And Jello Biafra is a punk legend, but is a fan of Magma and Van der Graaf. In the U.S. the cool British rock mags (which are miles ahead of the U.S. mags) get here about a month later. Have any of you British folk on the forum seen this issue yet?
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jc
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JeanFrame
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Joined: December 01 2010
Location: London, England
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Posted: February 10 2011 at 06:22 |
WMR wrote:
Hello, Prog Archives.
How are you?
I wanted to chime in on the interesting thread that’s evolved based on my book, Mountains Come out of the Sky. Allow me to say that I really enjoyed putting the book together and I’m pleased to see a discussion of it. I'm proud of the work and hope some of your are enjoying the book.
Just to let you know, the idea of Mountains was to present a history of the “genre” through bios of (most of) the main bands that have had an impact on the mainstream psyche.
As one poster pointed out, I'm American. I have a certain perspective re: this. I’ve been writing about prog rock for virtually 20 years and, specifically for this book, I spoke with 300 people; 200 people of that group show up in print, raising the flag in one form or another for their respective bands and musical contributions.
Some will disagree with the choices that were made (some very tough choices were made FOR me), of course, but I think in large part I’ve succeeded in celebrating the genre. I know what this music has meant to me over the years and, all things considered, I’m happy with the end result.
Just to give one example of the types of dilemmas I was dealing with throughout the process: by a PA poster’s own admission, Clouds/1-2-3 isn’t really categorized as prog, but PROTO-prog. The definition of “real” prog (whatever this means) seems to change depending on the person who’s speaking/posting. So, it was a lot to think about, logically account for, and contend with during the three years I was putting together this bios-heavy book that, I knew, would contain a limited amount of pages. Having said this, I was more than happy to include a gracious Billy of Clouds in the book. I'm glad I did. I enjoyed corresponding with him.
As is true for most books, a good deal of info was cut from Mountains, including a chapter on VDGG, among other elements. As I’ve said in interviews, it’s a near miracle that a major music publisher even decided to back and then publish a book on prog rock. So, I’m grateful for the opportunity to do what I do. Given all the challenges, I loved putting it together. Again, I wanted the book to be a celebration. I’m hoping some of you view it in a similar light.
Thanks for giving me a voice on this board and to all the supportive words here.
Be well, PA.
Will Romano
Author
Mountains Come out of the Sky
Big Boss Man
Incurable Blues |
A writer who comes out from behind the dusty bookshelves to face the wrath as well as the praise? I'm impressed. If you keep this up maybe those Mountains will rise out of the sea after all. But it will take another book to do it. I like this one (your appearance has prompted me to read it again) but it's like the first of a series. And please put Clouds and VDGG in next time.
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resurrection
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Joined: August 08 2010
Location: London
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Posted: February 06 2011 at 02:15 |
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WMR: The book sounds good. And do you mean you have contact with Billy Ritchie? From what I know, he is not keen on music contacts. Would be interesting to hear his views. Will definitely check out the book.
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bucka001
Forum Senior Member
Joined: November 16 2005
Location: United States
Status: Offline
Points: 864
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Posted: February 04 2011 at 11:44 |
Will,
You are correct to point out that it's not an encyclopedia and doesn't claim to be. I "misremembered" that! It's an "illustrated history" and there is not as much of an all-encompassing claim with that term.
I would definitely love to know when the Guy piece comes out in Modern Drummer (did you talk to him directly? He's a very cool dude). That would certainly help to redress the balance.
This isn't the place, but I've got great stories about playing with Otis Rush and Buddy Guy (I'm in a Chicago blues band and Buddy was on our third album... errr, CD). We went on tour with Buddy all over the midwest right after he hit it big with the Silvertone release. Also have performed with Junior Wells, Bo Diddley (several times), Chuck Berry (in front of 15,000 in Long Beach... that was an interesting gig), Lonnie Brooks, and tons of others (and have opened for B.B. King a few times, Koko Taylor, etc etc). That's why I wrote a book on VdGG (...sorry, just had to throw a curve ball in there)
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jc
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WMR
Forum Newbie
Joined: February 03 2011
Status: Offline
Points: 3
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Posted: February 04 2011 at 11:34 |
Hello, Jim, right?
Thanks for referring to me as a “real” author. I appreciate it. (It’s my wife who’s usually saddled with the thankless job of having to convince me …)
I want to let you know that I got your points. I agree with them. VDGG is influential. No doubt. And I can tell you've done your homework. You've got the stuff "down" as they say. (Cheers, Jim.)
Allow me to say that when the band regrouped in the 1970s, I believe, they did their best material. I really love the jazz influence (and a lot of other things) heard, particularly, on Still Life. They sound so connected to one another, as if they were operating of one brain. (That's meant to be a complement re: musical cohesiveness, not a dig ...)
I did want to clarify a couple of things, too:
While it’s frustrating that VDGG don’t have their own chapter as the book stands, I did, indeed, reference and make mention of the band and Hammill throughout the book, including providing an original quote from Hugh about the Italian scene (and why he thinks/thought VDGG was supported by Italian fans). VDGG even figures prominently in the discog at the end.
These bright spots might satisfy only the casual VDGG fan, but I felt compelled to say that the band was afforded, at least, some ink in this book. They were not totally ripped out of Mountains. Any suggestions to the contrary are inaccurate. (Ha!)
Secondly, and maybe this is splitting hairs, but I wouldn’t categorize Mountains as an encyclopedia. That certainly wasnn't its original intent. As much as I respect Otis (West Side guitar playing style and all) and realize that his contribution to electric Chicago Blues is immense, the error of omission would have been far greater had Magic Sam, Buddy Guy and even one of Chicago Blues’ acoustic forefathers, Charlie Patton, also been left out.
As far as the VDGG chapter seeing the light of day, who knows? I suspect that I might have another crack at this book, but I’ll have to wait and see … You have more confidence than I do that I could have found another willing partner to print a book on prog rock … Ha!
VDGG pieces: I’ve written on VDGG here and there but I’ve done (well, what I consider) a good piece on Guy upcoming in Modern Drummer. I’ll alert you when it gets printed.
Thanks for the kind words, Jim. It's good to hear from you.
Good luck with all things VDGG.
Stay in touch.
W
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bucka001
Forum Senior Member
Joined: November 16 2005
Location: United States
Status: Offline
Points: 864
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Posted: February 04 2011 at 09:32 |
Will,
Given my avatar you will no doubt detect a bias on my part regarding your book! But congrats are certainly in order that you pushed it through, especially with the way publishers sometimes react to specialty topics... and while MacFarland probably would have went for it, you hopefully got a better deal! Anyway, as the author of the VdGG book, grant me my rant (not to be taken personally by you, just a get-it-off-the-chest rant!)
I think my disappointment stems from the fact that "classic" prog is a mostly British phenomenon (even taking into account the scenes in Italy, France, etc...). And I do believe that a British author never would have left VdGG out of an encyclopedia of prog. It would be like leaving Otis Rush out of a blues encyclopedia. (VdGG, while only charting with The Least in England, certainly had a large following in their home country and even appeared on the cover of Melody Maker as 'Britain's Most Fashionable Band' in '71... strange times indeed! And they were certainly very popular in Italy, France, Beligum, and other European countries [and French Canada]). As you know, they were part of that wonderful scene in the late 60's/early 70's when prog (or whatever it was called then) came into being and flourished. They nudged shoulders with Yes at the Marquee and elsewhere (Chris Squire told me he remembered meeting them back then and thought they were great), Fripp was on their albums, and Genesis was their sister act (Peter Gabriel said years later that Hammill was one guy he'd like to base his own career around).
It's well known that when prog was vilified by the mainstream press (and, so the legend goes, punks), VdGG and Crimson were the two bands that it was "okay" to like. Because Johnny Rotten, Mark E Smith, Jello Biafra, The Germs, etc, loved VdGG, it was okay to like them whereas it wasn't 'cool' to like Yes, ELP, etc. Not my personal opinion, but pretty much the way it played out for a long time.
Since VdGG's reformation in '05, they've gotten astonishing press from several mainstream British rock mags (and newspapers ranging from the London Times, which called them Britain's Velvet Underground in that they didn't sell millions of records, but had an astonishing influence on a wide array of musicians, to The Independent). Mojo has ran several positive pieces on VdGG, Uncut ran a nice long article calling VdGG "the coolest, strangest band in prog," Guitar & Bass (which is the British equivalent of America's Guitar Player, which also ran a lengthy Hammill/VdGG article recently) did a nice article, and The Wire (which would probably never do an article on ELP or Gentle Giant) did a huge piece on PH/VdGG recently. Even Rolling Stone in the U.S. gave Present a good review. There are several others but you get the drift.
NPR broadcasted a segment of All Things Considered recently dedicated to Hammill/VdGG where it was stated that VdGG was the one prog band that 'got it right.' I don't agree with that, but...
People influenced by the band (and I've interviewed several of these people and have uncovered more to interview for the second VdGG book) include best-selling authors (Ian Rankin, Michel Faber), record producers (Hugh Padgham, Tchad Blake, George Martin [who told me he loved VdGG's version of Theme One], Jack Endino [Nirvana, Soundgarden, etc]), movie directors (Jonathan Demme, Anthony Minghella, Vincent Gallo), and tons of musicians: John Frusciante (Red Hot Chili Peppers), Graham Coxon (Blur), Don Bolles (The Germs), Johnny Rotten, Jello Biafra (Dead Kennedys), Simon Gallup (The Cure), Julian Cope, Bruce Dickinson (Iron Maiden), Marc Almond (Soft Cell), Colin Newman (Wire), Gary Lucas (Beefheart's Magic Band), Chris Carter (Throbbing Gristle), Ivan Krall (Patti Smith Group), Jon Langford (Mekons, Waco Brothers), Guy Severs (Univers Zero), Geddy Lee (Rush), Thighpaulsandra (Spiritualized), Stephen Morris (New Order, Joy Division), and These New Puritans. There are tons more
Many of these are artists who claim to not like prog, but like VdGG (which I think is good for prog overall; Gary Lucas told me that Pawn Hearts gave credibility to the words 'progressive rock').
I flew to Europe several times since '05 to see and hang out with the band. It's astonishing how different it is there from here. The band was playing 1,500 - 3,000 seat arenas and doing well in them (again, it's not the new Dallas stadium but it's respectable enough). And even on their one and only U.S. tour two years ago, they played several shows in front of 400 people or so (and thousands in Canada).
So, end of rant! I know your book was done with love and care (and it's an editor who will screw up the titles beneath album covers, which is terminally frustrating, but the book looks great and is certainly well-written; yes, I have seen a copy!), but I thought there were other things that could have been edited out rather than a chapter on one of the most respected (although not 'successful') and highly influential groups of the prog field. Again, a blues encyclopedia sans Otis Rush.
(sorry about all of this, but you probably knew that in an 'encyclopedia' of anything, the [fill in the blank] that gets left out is going to have its defenders charge to right the perceived wrong!)
By the way, is there any chance of your VdGG chapter even seeing the light of day? I'm looking for quotes from 'real' authors go include in the next book (which will take up from '05 to the present, and also covering stuff from the 70's era that we missed the first time around). You also mentioned that you've written about prog for 20 years. Can I see some of the VdGG pieces/references (assuming you've covered them)?
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jc
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Mountains Come Out of the Sky
