King Crimson react to the news HFoS survived another Christmas

This year I’ve resolved to beat the post-seasonal hangover by remaining drunk, which, thus far, has proved to be an agreeable tactic… Pay no heed if my eyes glaze over or I lose my train of thought mid

As is customary this time of year, I will be making one or two rash promises, none of which I have any intention of adhering to. So we might as well get those out of the way first.

2012 will see a new look website and a raft of new features, as well as the return of some old ones.

There, pretty much the same as last year, minus the enthusiasm.

Anyhoop, as Head Full of Snow enters its fourth year (with the official third birthday at the start of next month), I can promise more of the same, with reviews of prog, psych, folk and – yes – even jazz rock, from the days of yore, to look forward to.

This, of course, is dependent on whether you have anything better in life to aspire to, outside the semi-coherent ramblings of a drunk man, suffering delusions of grandeur. If not, sit down and make yourself at home.

There will also be some more of the only new feature to rear its hackneyed head last year; the HFoS Mixtape. Never fear, I will keep flogging that dead horse until somebody admits listening to one all the way through.

Aside from such joviality, I’ll continue posting as regularly as time will allow, beginning next week with… Oh, I’ve not decided yet. Until then, share in my addiction:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1_g-gTcohSQ

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Thanks to all the commentators, on what was an unusually busy week, for taking part. Sorry your efforts have been lost to the digital sawbones.

In the first bit of news, Roger Waters’ current 2011 touring of his criminally overrated snorefest The Wall, threw out a surprise for those fans who’d paid to see it at the O2 arena on Thursday night and somehow managed to stay awake. For only the second time in 30 years, he was joined on stage by the surviving members of Pink Floyd. Former adversaries, Dave Gilmour and Nick Mason.

Now, thankfully, I wasn’t there, but I can imagine it to have been a smug burying-of-the-hatchet type moment, accompanied by the musical equivalent of an overdose of Mogadon. Apparently, Nick Mason played a tambourine.

Of course, this is mere speculation and I’m sure there’s an army of post-Barrett Floydians out there, who actually witnessed this once in a generation spectacle and can tell me just how wrong I am; some in a witty and erudite manner that would put Oscar Wilde to shame and others less so. Such is the anonymity teh internetz brings, where the common-or-garden obsessive can issue death threats without fear of recrimination… or, indeed, having to carry them through.

This reunion of former warring factions – in Gilmour’s case during the performance of The Wall’s centrepiece ‘Comfortably Numb’ and Mason’s during the album’s spoken word tail-end ‘Outside the Wall’ – came in the same week as the second item of news was announced. Coincidence? That’s not for me to say.

This was the moderately more interesting revelation that this year will see the reissue of the complete Pink Floyd backcatalog and, more significantly, that three of the albums had been chosen for so-called “Immersion” treatment. This entails, multiple discs featuring all sorts of rare material, including live recordings, demos, documentaries, footage, as well as vinyl editions, booklets and other assorted “value-added” tat, roped together in a desperate bid to justify its extortionate price tag.

So what are the three albums chosen for this treatment? Should we be jumping for joy at the promise of a Piper at the Gates of Dawn to end all Pipers at the Gates of Dawn?

Well, no. Somewhat predictably, the albums receiving this gargantuan overhaul are Dark Side of the Moon, the aforementioned The Wall and Wish You Were Here… With the exception of the latter, a veritable voyage into the drearier reaches of sonic paint drying. There was also something about these three albums appearing in less extravagant “Experience” box-sets, but I’d completely lost interest by the time I got to these and have since forgotten individual details.

It’s worth noting that all 14 original Pink Floyd studio albums will be reissued in “Discovery” editions: single-disc remasters with absolutely no extras whatsoever. Like there aren’t enough of those already.

So it’s a big well done to Roger Waters, for once again overlooking the Syd Barrett years when it comes to putting these swanky packages together; and well done to EMI, for another shameless stab at fleecing the fans. I suppose new owner Citigroup needs some way of reclaiming that 2.2 billion debt they so “generously” wrote off.

In other news, I fear I may well have just diminished, considerably, my chances of copping hold of a few review copies.

The “Discovery” reissues and all the associated Pink Floyd box-sets are available for pre-order from Amazon.co.uk, should their acquisition be your particular bag.

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As before, it is Record Collector magazine (March 2011) that is the beneficiary of what passes for wisdom within these hallowed halls, with an article penned by my good self, detailing the brief existence of 60s psych band and Bill Wyman proteges, The End.

Those of you whose memory hasn’t been eroded by regular exposure to this blog, may well recall that we briefly covered The End and reviewed their one and only album, Introspection, back in the early days.

If you’re interested in finding out more, then rush out and obtain a copy of Record Collector – the one with Syd Barrett on the cover – for they’re sure to sell out fast.*

*_{There is no evidence to suggest that the latest issue of Record Collector will sell out any faster than the previous, or any other magazine, or, indeed, sell out at all, just because HFoS is gracing its pages. I made that bit up.}

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Somebody informs ELP that HFoS will be around for another year

The more eagle-eyed among you may have noticed that yesterday was in fact the anniversary of this date, but it’ll come as no surprise to anybody who visits regularly to learn that we forgot.

Still, a balloon has been released into the wild and a trilby has been sported at a jauntier angle than usual, to the mark this (belated) occasion.

In the absence of any other form of celebration, have a spot of Italian proggers P.F.M. and their very own ‘Celebration’, from the 1973 album, Photos of Ghosts.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=esHEPt41Sjc

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Soft Machine reacts to HFoS’s broken promises (image source)

Instead, as opposed to moving away from a format based exclusively on reviews, we have slid further in that direction than ever before. HFoS punted the odd interview here and there in 2010, along with the occasional vid, but it was pretty much reviews that ruled the day.

This year, we have decided to do nothing as reckless as making plans for the future. Whatever will be, will be. Maybe there’ll be a return of the long defunct Who is/Are and Cover of the Week features, as hinted at last year. There probably won’t, but who knows?

One thing that is on the cards though, is a refresh for the old site. It has to be said, HFoS is in dire need of a lick of paint and a sparkly new banner. Of course, if these words are being beamed to you via an RSS reader, it won’t make a lot of difference, but as the decor around here is looking tired after two years, I shall endeavour to give it a swift kick up the jacksy, sometime this year.

Which brings us nicely to the final item on the agenda, brothers and sisters; which is the fact that Head Full of Snow will be two years old at the start of next month. Once again, we will be doing absolutely nothing to celebrate this fact, but should you wish to let off a firework or perhaps sport your Trilby at a jauntier angle than usual, in acknowledgement of this birthday, don’t let our miserable disposition put you off.

Remember, the offer still stands for any reader that thinks they may be of the “right frame of mind” to write for HFoS. You know what we’re about by now, so I needn’t list guidelines. I offer a generous byline in return. If that doesn’t tempt thee, I don’t know what will. Contact me via the usual channels.

Happy new year.

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Airing: Saturday 4th September 2010. 10am (Repeated Friday 1oth September. 10pm)

Rick Wakeman and Keith Emerson, two of the keyboard giants of the classic progressive rock era, have recorded a rare interview together for Planet Rock Radio.

Planet Rock presenter and former Yes keyboardist, Rick Wakeman, interviewed Keith Emerson of The Nice and ELP at the Planet Rock studio on Wednesday 25^th August 2010.

Recorded exclusively for Rick’s Saturday morning show, Keith tells the story of the time he performed for the British Royal family and the extraordinary lengths to which they went when testing the cannons for the 1972 ELP tour. Plus Rick reveals the reason why Yes vocalist, Jon Anderson, decided to build a tepee in his dressing room!

This exclusive chat will air on Planet Rock, Saturday 4^th September 2010, in Rick Wakeman’s Show from 10am – 1pm.

The Rick Wakeman radio show broadcasts exclusively on Planet Rock every Saturday 10am – 1pm UK Time.

Planet Rock broadcasts on Digital Radio, Sky 0110, Virgin Media 924, Freesat 730. Online: www.planetrock.com and on the iPhone.

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That would be the June 2010 issue. The one with a photo of Keith Richards at the height of his powers on the cover.

Along with an extensive feature on the making of The Rolling Stones’ Exile on Main Street (Not, as most would have you believe, their best album ever), there’s also a three and a half page article on Zoot Money’s psychedelic troupe, Dantalian’s Chariot, written by, of all people, yours truly.

Yes, the short-lived acid-rock/pop quartet and underground regulars come in for the HFoS treatment, courtesy of myself, with a little help from Zoot and Dantalian’s drummer Colin Allen, who both kindly agreed to be interviewed for the feature.

So if that’s your bag, make sure you get a copy.

Hereby ends today’s lesson in shameless self-promotion.

Record Collector website

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Illness has struck at HFoS Towers, rendering the principle scribe bereft of what little faculties he had remaining.

The good news – or bad, dependent upon your point of view – is that efforts have been made to ensure things get back to normal next week. Several strong drinks and a damn good talking to, should sort it.

Therefore, as promised TWO weeks ago, we will be publishing the first part of the interview with Fruits de Mer Records NEXT WEEK, on pain of death.

Anybody who has contacted us regarding reviews, interviews etc. please bare with us. Things should be back on track next week.

In the meantime, have some Roy Wood and Wizzard, with all nine minutes of ‘Wear A Fast Gun’, from 1973′s excellent Wizzard Brew. Always good in times of a crisis (imagined, or otherwise).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yy6oBMpzdH8

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‘Losing You’ is a psychedelic-edged track from little known rock act Blue Beard, who are so arcane, in fact, that their album never got beyond test pressings.

It’s taken from the recently released compilation Looking Towards the Sky, which collects together the psychedelic, prog and folk rock output of the UK’s indie label, Ember Records, between 1969 and 1972. Needless to say it’s obscurity heaven with acts so deep underground, you’ll need Steve Austin implants to hear them.

Exciting stuff! Featured acts include prog folk group 9.30 Fly, acoustic hippies Knocker Jungle, and the psych-popsters providing the title track Davey Payne & The Medium Wave. And no, I’ve not heard of any of them either.

Anyways, ‘Losing You’ by Blue Beard has a pleasingly jangly US garage-psych sound to it, give it a listen:

[See post to listen to audio]
Plundering the Ember vaults are Fantastic Voyage, the label dedicated to releasing pop, soul, blues, jazz and rock’n'roll from the 1920s(!) to the1970s.

There’ll be a review of Looking Towards the Sky up at HFoS, just as soon as my copy arrives. In  the meantime, you can get a hold of the album yourself from Amazon.co.uk

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Jeff Lynne and the Idle Race boys react to the news HFoS is one year old

365 days may have passed since the first proper posting here, but as I promised at the start of the year, we shan’t be doing anything to celebrate.

If the desire takes you though, feel free to sport your trilby at a jauntier angle than per usual.

In the absence of a cake or balloons, try a bit of Birmingham’s own Idle Race instead. From their 1968 debut The Birthday Party, the aptly titled ‘Birthday’.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wOKFpEl_EPU

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Yes, the good people at Esoteric have given the one and only album by this iconic, psycho-delic rock band the royal treatment, delivering a remastered version of the original album and a host of extras, such as alternate mixes, a BBC session from 1968 and rare single tracks, including the wonderfully anarchic piss-take of the peace and love movement, ‘Give Him a Flower’ – “Don’t ‘it ‘im wiv a bottle, Give him a flower”

Of course, the original firestarter, Arthur Brown, would go on to record multiple solo albums and as part of psychedelic prog-rockers Kingdom Come, but nothing could quite touch this demented shard of late 60s Amicus-inspired mayhem, produced by The Who’s Pete Townshend.

Also promised is some lavish packaging and an extensively illustrated booklet, which one can only hope is a lickable as it sounds.

While on the subject of both the psychedelic and the certifiable, the same day also sees the reissue of Glass Top Coffin by Ramases.

The second album by the self-professed reincarnation of the Egyptian Pharaoh Ramases, and his wife Selket, came out in 1975, a follow-up to 1971′s Space Hymns, which featured a reworking of their 1968 psych classic ‘Crazy One’.

A progressive rock concept album of an intergalactic bent – featuring the Royal Philharmonic and London Symphony Orchestras – this will be the first time the album has appeared on remastered CD. Ramases (Michael Raphael) committed suicide three years after Glass Top Coffin was completed.

The Crazy World Of Arthur Brown and Glass Top Coffin by Ramases are both available for pre-order from Amazon.

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Jethro Tull look forward to another year of HFoS

2010 marks the official first birthday of Head Full of Snow, February 8^th last year being the hallowed date when all this started with a wee profile of lost psychedelic popsters and brief Beatles’ protégés, Focal Point.

To celebrate this momentous occasion we’ll be doing absolutely nothing. Should you wish to wear a sparkly hat or release a party-popper into the wild on said date, you’re more than welcome.

Which brings me to the intentions for Head Full of Snow into 2010.

Intentions being what they are – well mine, anyways – they’ll probably have bore sour, shrivelled fruit, come the revolution, but right here, right now, this is what I’m thinking.

I’m looking to diversify the content at Head Full of Snow, as at present the site seems to be weighted in favour of album reviews (occasional exceptions granted). The reviews will continue, of course, hopefully at the current rate of at least one a week, but more features wouldn’t go amiss. Whether these constitute profiles, interviews or whatever, remains to be seen.

Speaking of which, I should be getting around to interviewing -valis of excellent psychedelic website Trip Inside this House, before time is called on January. I promised him late last year, but things being what they are, I never got around to it. As is fitting, it will take the form of -valis’s own 10 Questions slot, which has become a Friday fixture at Trip Inside This House.

Elsewhere, I hesitate in saying we’ll be broadening the remit to cover more new bands, for fear of alienating those who, like me, have their heads stuck in the late sixties and seventies. But there’s every chance, so long as they’re of a psychedelic, prog or acid/wyrd-folk leaning. So if you’re one such artist or a group, looking for a spot of promotion via interview, etc. feel free to get in touch via the email address or contact form.

Likewise. if, in any way, you desire to write for Head Full of Snow, send me your thoughts via the same channels. I’m afraid I’ll only be able to offer a byline and a sincere thank you for your efforts though.

Also, making a return in 2010 will be such gems as Who is/are: and Cover of the Week, as well as more news, vids etc.

As already stated, these are mere intentions and time being of the premium, may fall flat on their collective faces before the ink has dried on this post.

If that be the case, feel free to remind me of this a year from now, when we’re staring down the barrel of a second HFoS birthday.

Happy New Year, and all that malarkey.

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Image courtesy Capitol/EMI Archive

The damaged film stock, on 1 inch, reel to reel tape, was discovered in a private collection and has been restored to a state where it can once again be viewed.

The lost footage features two performances of the band’s second single ‘See Emily Play’, filmed on the 6th and 27th July 1967, and is of particular interest as there is so little film of Syd Barrett, the erstwhile singer, knocking around. The recordings of these two Top of the Pops Floyd performances had, until now, been presumed destroyed, as was much of the BBC’s output from the 1960s due to storage space.

The Pink Floyd footage will be shown at the BFI’s ‘Missing Presumed Wiped’ event on 9th July 2010.

Enjoy the original promo vid (minus an MIA Syd Barrett) for ‘See Emily Play’:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F94vHO7okZQ

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So as the leaves brown, the air gets colder and the door slowly creaks shut on 2009, what’s crackling away in the Esoteric fireplace, lined up for a November release?

Pete Sinfield – Still (1973)  A 2CD reissue of the King Crimson lyricist’s one and only solo venture. A large number of alternative mixes and outtakes are promised.

Flash – Flash (1972)  The debut album by prog rocker’s Flash, the band formed by ex-Yes guitarist Peter Banks in the wake of his unceremonious replacement by Steve Howe in 1971.

Peter Banks – Both Side of Peter Banks (1973)  With little information at the time of publishing, one has to imagine that this is either a typo or a renamed reissue of the deposed Yes guitarist’s 1973 album Two Sides of Peter Banks. Featuring Genesis’s Steve Hackett and Phil Collins (don’t let the mention of Phil Collins put you off) and King Crimson’s John Wetton, the album was written and recorded with Jon Akkerman of barmy Dutch progsters Focus.

Supersister – Spiral Staircase aka as Sweet Ok Supersister (1974)  Just as Dutch and equally as barmy as Focus is the fifth and final classic-era release for Supersister.

Daryll Way – Concerto for Electric Violin (1978)  Solo album from the founder member of Curved Air, who, in the same year, also recorded with Gong and Jethro Tull (on the title track of Heavy Horses).

Made in Sweden – Made in England (1970)  The fourth album from the progressive jazz-rock trio.

Robert Calvert – Captain Lockheed and the Starfighters (1974)  Debut concept album from Hawkwind associate,  poet and rock-nutter Robert Calvert. Billed as no different to the 2007 Eclectic release, simply made re-available.

Esoteric Recordings website

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Whereas, generally, ‘Happiness is a Warm Gun’ , true happiness can only be achieved by ‘Something’ such as this book/display case combo – the type which makes you want to scream in its general direction, “I’ve ‘Got to Get You into My Life’”…

… But crap punning aside, this really looks to be one for the collector, boasting three components that will leave a Beatles enthusiast foaming at the mouth.

Book 1 – The Album Artwork Book is a 200 page, LP-sized lexicon of all The Beatles’ album covers (both UK and US), back covers, gatefolds, inserts and complete booklets, presented in new restored art prints. One for the completist to get more than a little moist under the collar over.

Book 2 – “The Catalography” is a full colour Beatles discography, bursting with photos, text and track-listings for all the UK and US releases.

Book 3 – The Box of Vision storage book is designed to organise and display the complete Beatles backcatalog in the style of lush oppulence they surely deserve. Tailored to store the recent digi-pack reissues, those who own the previous releases can still bung the CDs and booklets in, dispensing with the jewel cases or putting them to better use (ideas in the comments below, please).

“It’s the ultimate fan piece,” says designer, Jonathon Polk, and it would certainly add a spring to the step of those of The Beatles persuasion.

Available from selected outlets or mail order, it only remains for me to say, ‘Mailman, Bring Me No More Blues’, bring me one of these badboys.

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Kicking off tomorrow, Head Full of Snow is dedicating itself to the innovative progressive rock act that will, unfairly or otherwise, forever be associated with one song, ‘A Whiter Shade of Pale’.

Between 1967 and 1977 Procol Harum released ten albums, yet never managed to repeat nor shake the success of their breakthrough single, officially the UK’s most played record of all time*.

Head Full of Snow loves Procol Harum’s symphonic rock/ prog excess, and following on from the underwhelming success of The Dukes of Stratosphere weekend, we give ourselves over to the band that’s spanned 23 different line-ups and is still playing today (with main man, Gary Brooker still at the helm).

Stay tuned this week for more.

*According to Phonographic Performance Ltd.

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Gong formed in 1968 during the Paris student riots, giving birth to a wealth of weird and wonderful albums, overflowing with psychedelic and progressive flavours, most notably the Radio Gnome Trilogy, of which the new album 2032 is to be the next installment.

This year sees the 40th anniversary of the band as a touring act. Here’s a few pics of Gong as they are today, as well as the dates for their UK tour. A review of Gong’s forthcoming new album, 2032, will be up at HFoS very soon.

GONG NOVEMBER 2009 UK TOUR:

Bristol O2 Academy                           Thursday 19 November
Exeter, The Lemon Grove               Friday 20 November
Manchester Acedemy 2                   Saturday 21 November
Edinburgh, HMV Picturehouse     Sunday 22 November
Sheffield Leadmill                               Monday 23 November
Leamington Spa Assembly             Wednesday 25 November
Cambridge Corn Exchange             Thursday 26 November
London HMV Forum                         Friday 27 November
Oxxford Regal Theatre                     Saturday 28 November
Brighton Corn Exchange                 Sunday 29 November

Ticket Hotline: 08700 603 777

For further info about Gong’s full UK tour dates, visit www.planetgong.co.uk

See also:

Gong – 2032 Review

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To me, just from the scant information at my fingertips, it looks to be a dead cert for the Christmas list.

As I said, details at the moment are sketchy aside from the promise of five hours worth of audio and visual delights, but if last year’s Salvo/Fly The Move Anthology is anything to go by then we should be in for an absolute treat. That particular four-disc release was a feast of rarities, outtakes, alternative takes and live versions. One should also expect a definitive booklet on the band’s history that wouldn’t look out of place on a discerning vicar’s shelf and some lickably attractive packaging, the like of which hasn’t been seen outside of God’s own harem.

There’s no release date of yet, just a tantalising “Coming Soon”. Roll on soon, that’s what we say!

More info on the Procol Harum compendium, All This and More, as it becomes available.

UPDATE: A review of All This and More can  be found here.

See also:

More Procol Harum

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First up is the reissue of Genesis keyboard-noodler, Tony Banks’ 1979 debut solo album A Curious Feeling. Released at a time when the rot that was Phil Collins had truly set in, this solo outing retains a feel for the early progressive sound of that once proud band. Further details of A Curious Feeling can be found here.

Next up is a new three CD retrospective of Oldham’s finest progsters, Barclay James Harvest, entitled Sea of Tranquility – The Polydor Years 1974 – 1997. No details of a track listing yet, but hopefully it’ll be more ’74 than ’97, if you know what I mean.

Then there’s the continuation of the Camel reissues, all remastered and repackaged, with I Can See Your House from Here, Nude and a two CD expanded edition of Pressure Points – Camel in Concert.

Occasional member of Hawkwind, Steve Swindells also gets the reissue treatment with his 1974  album Messages – a two CD set promising a previously unreleased album.

And finally for October there are two albums from heavy blues-rock crunchers Stray Dog. 1973′s Stray Dog and 1974′s While You’re Down There are remastered and mark the first of Esoterics reissues from Emerson, Lake and Palmer’s Manticore Records label.

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