Purple (symphonic prog/crossover prog) UK

Hi DocDan. I've just finished listening to 11 Bells. This is really interesting music. I think your playing on all instruments is plenty competent enough for this material, I mean it works really well and I totally agree with what you say about music not necessarily being about technical wizardry, as long as you can realise your material competently enough, which you certainly can. It's difficult to give detailed feedback based on one listening but I think your composing is imaginative and adventurous, ranging from nice melodies and chord sequences to much more gutsy and rocky. Like some others have said, I am drawn to some sections more than others and wonder about the length of this piece - perhaps it could have been somewhat shorter and more punchy for that but you clearly set out to produce something large-scale which is very difficult to do and still maintain interest, which you do manage to do. All-in-all, I think you've done a great job here. Some sections are really exciting and immediately appealing. Will try and listen to the other pieces though some people have set me a large syllabus of listening requirements over on my 'newbie' thread so it might take a while!  

The Ebony Queen begins with a majestic orchestrated synth, electric piano sound. The melodies trade off one another strongly. Alsmost brass like, but royal. regal and reminiscent of bombastic ELP in some ways. At about 3 minutes in i like the way the guitars echo the melody which becomes quite infectious. The duel guitar playing is certainly dynamic. The juxtaposition of guitars over a layered wall of keyboards works well. Acoustic guitar flourishes chime in at 4:10 changing the atmosphere and then a delightful lead solo with phased wah wah pedals, very strong sounds, squealing pitches and down sweeps on lead. The moderate tempo picking style emulates the synth chord structures. That Spanish flavour of acoustic vibrations at 6 minutes in transforms the time signature. It is vibrant and energetic. The wah wah lead breaks in again repeating the main motif melody.  At 8:20 there is a chime or tubular bells sound thta works on a number of musical levels. It is serena nd calming at first then builds to a rather erratic musical metrical pattern. There are sporadic shifts in tempo and it quitens down so the high pitched chimes can create a dynamic pitch.  At 13 minutes there is a strange ethereal sound like a high sonic flute. The piercing sound takes some getting used to but it is whimsical like early Genesis and a joyous sound overall. An almost Parisian accordion piano sound comes in to the mix at 14:30, and this continues as a piano trades off various melodies. Some backwards guitar adds a pysychedelic flavour, transient and mystical; a highly effective addition to the soundscape.

Great idea Dean. If the music is available as a download it could be worth adding to the archives. This is something i have not considered before but it seems to make sense.

 

Dean wrote: Technically Purple do not qualify for addition as the project falls into our "unsigned" criteria (the albums are only available as "free downloads"), and our policy is not to add unsigned bands.   I am prepared to accept this nomination on behalf of Crossover Prog for further evaluation if all Subgenre Team Leaders agree to my suggestion of allowing artists that permit free-downloads of all their mateial to qualify as "signed". (re: my proposal in the SCZ)   @Dan - sorry, this isn't meant to be a downer on your music or this thread, I'm just pointing out a technical hitch to inclusion into the database, I haven't had chance to listen to your material yet, but will do in the course of time. Perhaps this thread would be better in this section of the forum.

Thanks for this Dean, and I don't at all take this as any kind of downer, I am fully aware that this project is unsigned, hence why I am here.  Of course I would be totally up for it to be included in the database, if deemed suitable.  Is there anything I should be doing towards that or should I just sit back and see?

Thanks for pointing me to the "Official "Review Our Music" Board" board - as far as I read it from the stickies on the board though, I should wait for if/when the project is included for that?

Dan

Hi - 3 things:

First I am now my own official "record company". It didn't take much (aparantly for digital download and streaming you don't need much).  While I am no "signed" the albums are now official releases.  Does that change my status?

Second, for anybody who is interested, album number three will be release in quarter 4 2011 (provisional date, 11.11.11) there is a blog about the creation at http://purplemusicblog.blogspot.com/ , is you are a facebooker and you "like" it (http://www.facebook.com/Purpleproject)you will get snippets of news and factiods, advance access to the music, rough mix snippets and all sorts (and I will be launching a viral marketing game when the album comes). Oh and the website is revamped.

Third - just bumping the post up back tot he top to see if anyone's watching, still no answer on whether I could make it onto the database (I know you guys are busy )

Cheers