Wow guys, I'm VERY touched by your compliments and enjoyment of a marathon idea that was inspired by a playlist that is a few years old (with the recent addition of "A-Z"), thank you so much for digging-in and _sharing_ with your VERY special audience, I am deeply touched 🥲. Firstly (edit: I literally wrote this part before you mentioned the issue) . . . Lexi, THANK you for bearing the "length". When I listen to this grouping of songs, time seems to go by fast as I get lost in the atmosphere. But when I'm _watching_ to SEE how you guys react to it all, its full of shivers, anticipation and nervousness to see if you guys are really enjoying it 🙂. I was "feeling" the length though and could see Lexi starting to ache, very sorry for that. - But thank you for being such a trooper💗. HUGE Hugs (but not too hard 😊). So this Marathon was based on an older Playlist that had a theme of "esoteric" and atmospheric tracks from various types of Progressive Rock, Rock, Vocalists, Prog Metal and Metal subgenres (that could be VERY heavy): *esoteric incarnatiOns ~ 1st entrance* th-cam.com/play/PL2DU3TBNutEf4T3QJTlqcLqW23k-RCgJm.html (please see the the next "parts" linked in the playlist description) There were other tracks I could have easily put in place of others, but I know 2 that N&L have reacted to already, and another that is a "blocker" unfortunately. I have been making "Themed" Playlists since the Cassette days (that I called "Concept Tapes") before 2000, where I'd mix-in sound fx, dialogue (from spoken word to movie dialogue) in between and into the songs, all "manually" without a computer, with a small mixing console, 2 turntables, a double cassette deck, laser disc player, and 2 "walkmans" (both CD & tape). Then I started burning CD's, but lacked the ability to mix IN the sound fx etc., only between tracks. When TH-cam came into vogue, I started these playlists in 2006, and its been my newer hobby ever since :). ALL these CD's you have on your shelf guys (except "A-Z", and you have "Power Windows" sent by one of your "Familia" members!). - Yes Lexi! If you open up your copy of OSI, it is designed to look like a _Passport._ And it _does_ have that Porcupine Tree/Floyd-Momentary Lapse of Reason sound. Mike Portnoy once described the Project as; "If Dream Theater met Radiohead" (which he is a HUGE fan of). Their last 2 albums have Gavin Harrison as their drummer! But Portnoy's use of cymbals and pastiche of drums, I love the guy. Kevin Moore has a very dry and deapan type of voice, but it works (for me), he also has 2 solo projects, 1 under his name and the other "Chroma Key" which both are hard to pigeon hole. - The Gathering started out as a more Atmospheric Doom Metal band, then "Gothic" Metal, and by "How to Measure a Planet? (1998)" they had a more Alternative tinge (Shoegaze to New Wave-ish and Alternative-Prog Metal) for the remaining albums with Anneke van Giersbergen, who became their vocalist on their 3rd album. N&L, you will hear more of her in the Devin Townsend and Ayreon albums I sent you last year 😉. The "keyboards" you guys were first "Air-playing" on Mystic Rhythms is actually _Alex Lifeson_ on a Fender "Stratacoustic" Guitar (and his regular customized Strat on the lead/solo), and _The Professor_ on his Electronic Kit, and those various cymbals and crashes . . . heavenly. Its probably my fave track on the album . . . which is VERY different than the other tracks (like the DT track on the "Awake" album, which the other tracks can be VERY heavy). Another must mention . . . the astounding drummer *Mark Zonder* in "A-Z". He joined _Fates Warning_ for the groundbreaking "Prog Metal" album "Perfect Symmetry" (1989), he changed the band rhythmically, with his odd-time signatures and creative patterns (and use of unusual electronic percussion patches). *Yes . . .* Union wasn't a very well received album. Though I liked 3 songs strongly, the rest of the album was a shock, because it was SOO different than anything they had ever done. It was called Union because it was 2 different era's of line-up, but they did NOT play together on the album, but they did for the outstanding Tour. The track featured was something that had to grow on me (including other tracks that were similar), it was moody, esoteric and atmospheric. It was a year or 2 later, I started getting into bands that "sounded" like that, many of them heavier, and I decided to start making playlists with that "type" of music (subgenres of Doom, Gothic Metal bands, and Vocalists that had that tone, from Peter Murphy, Peter Gabriel, Robbie Robertson, Russ Ballard, Steve Hackett and the like). And that Yes track came to mind, and it got me to re-listen to the album, and _other_ bands I put away (The Gathering "if_then_else" album stayed on my shelf for "5" years before re-listening, and it became my fave album of theirs). So I put these musics together by "track" to enjoy and share, in a new way to get myself and others _into_ this type of music. . . . that is how the playlists "esoteric incarnations" came to be born (at first, on burned CD's)🙂. I had NO IDEA you guys were going to play from the Yt "N&L Marathon Playlist - Part 1" version! 😮Because I KNEW the darn "Commercials" would come in (ugh!). But you guys did an excellent job editing the video! I hope more folks will tune-in and check it out. I think the YES and RUSH (and perhaps Dream Theater) "Fans" will get to checkout the bands they're not familiar with, as well as this was a small collection of established bands playing an _unusual_ style that may break preconceptions of what they are able to create (and exactly Lexi; hold back and focus on "songs"). - I better end here. But I really appreciate your time and enjoyment Nick & Lexi, been looking forward to this all day and evening! And thanks to "La Familia" and the kind words . . . sincerely. I hope more to come, for all of you to enjOy! ❤🔥
Extree notes! . . . 1. *OSI* - Memories Daydreams Lapses (2003 - Office of Strategic Influence) Jim Matheos - guitars, keyboards, programming, producer, engineering (Fates Warning) Massachusetts Kevin Moore - vocals, keyboards, programming, producer (Ex-Dream Theater) Long Island NY Sean Malone - bass guitar, Chapman stick (Death, Cynic, Gordian Knot) Florida Mike Portnoy - drums (Ex-Dream Theater, who was with DT at the time of OSI's 1st 2 albums) Long Island NY 4. *A - Z* - Stranded (2022 - A-Z) Philip Bynoe - Bass (Warlord, Steve Vai, Nuno Bettencourt) Massachusetts Joop Wolters - Guitar (Steve Walsh, Simon Phillips) Netherlands Vivien Lalu - Keyboards (Lalu) France Ray Alder - Vocals (Current Fates Warning vocalist since 1986, Ex-Redemption) Texas Mark Zonder - Drums (Ex-Warlord, Ex-Fates Warning, Arch/Matheos guest on 2nd album) California Nick, I think the "Neo-Prog" band you were trying to remember (for Lexi) may have been "IQ"? And others like Saga, Marillion, Pallas, Magellan, Enchant, Spocks Beard etc. Sort-of the new age of Progressive Rock from the 80's/90's. And you guys got it! You can _easily_ hear Jon Anderson and Chris Squire's "vocals", as they are very distinctive 🙂. The Dream Theater line-up for "Awake" was my fave too (with Kevin Moore on keyboards), and its my fave album as well. - Okay, shuttin' up shutting up 🤐
You beat me to it, Tony, on the Yes song. I was thinking of a Chris Squire Yes song playlist that had to include this one. It features Eddy Offord back as producer (Close to the Edges) which is why the song has that old spatial Yes sound. Thanks for all you do, Tony. You are a class act. Oh, also, we should think up a Peter Murphy marathon.
@@hasltisl Yes! Looking forward to Lexi checking out her copy of "Cascade" :). Well, "The More We Live" was a unusual Yes request I'm sure, but glad more people enjoyed it.
I watch (well listen since I was working, so I wasn't watching the video) the R25 show! It was good! I prefer the heavier songs, but at first listen, everything was good! Thanks again for introducing me to the band!
Hey! Sorry for the VERY late reply! Start from "Mandylion (1995)" and on, that is when they started their gothic tinged/alternative sound. They were one of the bands that started that type of Metal/Prog Metal. A really good Live DVD by them too is; "A Sound Relief (2005)". Great to watch "Anneke van Giersbergen" sway and sing, she's exceptionally beautiful and always happy/smiling :).
Hi Guys, Anneke van Giersbergen vocalist from The Gathering is also a guest vocalist on most Devin Townsend albums and has appeared live with him....Checkout "Hyperdrive" where she takes the lead. Love the track by 'Yes' from "Union" and the track chosen by Rush is my favourite from that album....Typing as I listen ...this is really good....so I will stop typing , sit back and enjoy. Thankyou ! Byeee Jim X
Cheers to more The Gathering! The Gathering songs are all experimental and includes influences from many music genres. I highly suggest the ff. songs to check next ;-) 1. Broken Glass (Live from TG25) - from "Souvenirs" album 2. Travel (Live from TG25) - from "How to Measure A Planet?" album 3. The Big Sleep (Live from A Sound Relief) - from "How to Measure A Planet?" album 4. Waking Hour (Live from TG25) - from "Home" album 5. Amity (Live from TG25) - from "If_then_else" album 6. Heroes for Ghosts (official video) - from "Disclosure" album 7. Saturnine - from "If_then_else" album 8. Herbal Movement (Live from A Sound Relief) - from "if_then_else" album -- continuation of the song, Analog Park 9. On Most Surfaces (Live from TG25) - from "Nighttime Birds" 10. Treasure - from "The West Pole" album.
Awesome Tony. There is a lot of great music on that full playlist. I'm really looking forward to listening to this marathon. Lex - I have to say I love the color of your guitar and that dreamcatcher necklace is beautiful.
The More We Live - Let Go “ mixed in Spherical Sound on Radian speakers” to give that 3D sound. As a fan of all Chris Squire compositions, I love this Squire/Sherwood song.
A lot of Yes fans hate the Union album, even some of the band, but I have always enjoyed it, and I have been the biggest Yes fan since '72. I think it is the electronic drums and different sounding synths that turned some fans off, and the bombast of some of the songs, along with some very slow, reflective tracks. The '90s, however, was fairly productive for the band, and they produced some great songs. In 2001, the band produced their last great albums, Keystudio and Magnification. The band toured for a few years before Jon got sick from the smoke machines and took some time off to recover. He suggested the band do an acoustic tour and they kicked him out of the band. Jon is still making really good music, while the rest of the band hired a couple of singers and produced 3 lackluster albums over the past 15 years. But, the band's output until '01 was great and some of their best work was done on those albums I mentioned. ❤✌
The Ladder had some really good songs on it, and some pretty experimental stuff that doesn’t “sound much” like Yes. But Neil Peart’s comment about there not being a “Rush sound” goes for Yes as well. Their sound is whatever they do.
@@philsmith2444 I agree. I really enjoyed The Ladder. I wasn't a big fan of the Open Your Eyes album, but even it is better than the middling albums they made after firing Jon, IMHO.
I got to see the Union Tour, I was just astounded (was my 4th time seeing them). They pulled everything off so well "together" (not like the album where the 2 versions played "apart"), and doing the classic material. I was into the album, but the esoteric tracks like this one was a bit shocking and didn't know how to take it, but they grew on me, and began listening to other bands that "sounded" like that.
The Gathering is one of my favorite bands ever. Singer Anneke was the number 1 inspiration for Floor Jansen (also Dutch) from Nightwish. They started out as a metal band and got more experimental with each release. I Love If Then Else, but Souvenirs (2003) might be even better. Try the live performance of On Most Surfaces from TG25. This is from a more recent live reunion of the band and it's such an incredible performance
Travelers from TG25 is awesome as well. Devin Townsend has Anneke guset on many of his studio and live performances, call her the "Tinkerbell" of metal.
@@wouterlevering4296 Devin has a wide range of music in his repetoire, not all of it is my cup of tea either. But everything I've heard of his featuring Anneke I have liked.
Marathon, Mystic Rhythms, and Middletown Dreams are my favorites. Geddy singled out the latter saying that every once in a while they wrote a good melody!
@@bookhouseboy280 Those 3, Territories and the lyrics and Alex's solo in "Emotion Detector", he makes his guitar "Cry" with anguish, matching the lyrics. But I really do love the whole album :). Saw the tour too!
Rush's Power Windows had a much greater impact in 1985. I was in the midst of high school and the music carried well in that era. Most everyone assimilated to the 80s, including Rush. Good album.
Really enjoyed The Gathering - Analog Park. Thank you Tony, Nick & Lex. 😎👍 I could never get into this Rush synth period much, but there were some good ones (not Mystic Rhythms IMHO). Please Alexia, stand up or stop or do what ever you need to do when you know the pain is building (you know exactly what I mean). P.S. If you used a couch, you could shift around more and adjust your legs maybe. 2c Take care 😊🍁
check out more Anneke van Giersbergen - vocalist of The Gathering! she did some solo albums, great feats in Ayreon th-cam.com/video/aeXAiXhYKqc/w-d-xo.html and covers th-cam.com/video/BeXsui4wcc4/w-d-xo.html
If you're looking for some 'Great' 90's YES, I 'highly recommend' these 3: That, That Is Mind Drive Endless Dream They're all 15+ minutes in length. Not as good as Close to the Edge or Gates of Delirium or Awaken, or TfTO, but still very good stuff, that I'm pretty sure you'll enjoy listening to.
"Endless Dream" off of Talk, is one of my most FAVORITE Epics of all time. N&L (especially Nick) will be blown away! Trevor Rabin is an exceptional composer, guitarist and keyboardist, and to hear him and Jon singing together is awesome. Those "Studio" tracks from *Keys to Ascension* 1 & 2 sound like if the Jon Anderson/Steve Howe era continued (or an album after Tales from Topographic Oceans). They are MUCH overlooked and underrated Ultra-EPICS.
Before I dive into this wonderment, lemme comment on those first few seconds. That bit was an earworm for decades...because that is what drive-ins and other movies would play before the main attraction, along with an animation telling you to be quiet, buy snacks, etc. I used to sing it far too often. On with the show this is it!
That 1st intro, I actually had been looking for it for YEARS, because I remembered it as a kid, and I thought I was making it up decades later, then found it here at Yt, and it was EXACTLY how I remembered it :D.
Great job Tony, interesting selection of songs put together based on your idea. I agree with Alexia, as she says "atmospheric", that's my feeling throughout the marathon. Knowing 3 songs and 3 not here's my comment: OSI: I went to the record store one day and saw this beautiful cover and the sticker - OSI are Jim Matheos, Kevin Moore and Mike Portnoy ... feat. Steve Wilson (singing the 10 minute shutdown) and Sean Malone. I also loved the lyrics of the song OSI right away: Hate it when the truth unravels, hate it when we don't get a spin, hate it when the enemy travels 'cause it's awfully un-american 😆 Is it? The Gathering was a surprise since I only now the older stuff (Mandilion - more metal) and the newer songs without Anneke. Yes : Honestly 80s and 90s Yes isn't mine ... not bad of a song ... but I wouldn't by the record A-Z : completely new to me, worth to be checked ... even though I always loved John Arch more than Ray Alder Dream Theater : FINALLY 😄 A Dream Theater reaction after more than a year. Awake is a fantastic album, maybe my favourite DT album, but for sure the one, if listened the most with headphones, so many times, I basically know every single note. I used to put the songs in another sequence and varied it, but Space Dye Vest was always the last. Lifting shadows .... finally opened my eyes, what a fantastic drummer Mike Portnoy is. Liking his drumming from the beginning, especially the hard and fast in Take the time or the crazyness of Metropolis. But Lifting shadows is so filigrane, I started comparing him to Neal Peart and listened to the drumming of all DT records much more carefully. Rush - Quo vadis - I wasn't quite sure in the second half of the 80s, if that's still the Rush I wanted to hear. Having liked the keyboards in Mowing Pictures and Signals, it somehow became too much for me ... not my favourite Rush period. FUN FACT: I talked the other day to Nick about misspelling/mishearing lyrics. When I bought Power Windows, I first played the LP without looking at the cover and titles, so for a certain time I thought, they sing Mystic River instead of Rhythm 🤣🤣🤘
Yeah, "Union" it seems is the "Whipping Boy" of the Marathon. Half the audience is loving it, the other half doesn't care for it (and some want people to _understand_ why they don't like it). While I _tried_ to explain how the "other" songs changed for me (in my LONG rant). "Awake" is my fave DT album, followed by "Six Degrees" and . . . . "When Dream and Day Unite". That is how I 1st heard them, ON the day it was finally released, and I still have that "Lp". Portnoy can be VERY diverse, and he has shown the various drumkits he's created specifically for each project he has worked on. DT is MUCH more than their EPICS and musical gymnastics. OSI is an awesome band, I wish Moore and Portnoy weren't at odds (maybe its Moore, being that he's a MUCH different kind of musician than he was with DT, and being so close to Portnoy's life, for a time). I'm really anxious to play the 1st 2 tracks, so I'm coming-up with another marathon idea. Yes! Those lyrics, I don't know why (todays news possibly), I think of that verse often :p. The Gathering got my attention on their 3rd album with Anneke singing, but it was a LATE discovery when I gave that particular album with the track in the marathon, a "2nd chance" (see my rant). A-Z . . . I've like what I've heard so far, don't own it yet, but the musicians in it are stellar. And hey, freakin' *Mark Zonder* on drums! He changed Fates Warning to be even more creative with their rhythms. Rush . . . I'm a Fanboy, but, I REALLY enjoy _most_ of their material ("Roll the Bones" and "Snakes and Arrows" are my least faves, but both have at-least 5 STRONG tracks). Portnoy became friends with Peart, and I'm sure Ged and Alex know him by his music. And Portnoy loves Rush and their pre-mid 80's material (though he may have warmed to their later catalogue) and has played their music, so he would probably be top candidate for somekind of "Trio" Project, not called Rush? "Great job Tony, interesting selection of songs put together based on your idea. I agree with Alexia, as she says "'atmospheric', that's my feeling throughout the marathon". Thats why I called it "Nocturnal Landscapes (I)", something to hear at night, maybe without the lights on, maybe on headphones, or in your car while driving. I "Linked" the Playlist where this set was inspired from, so please read the pinned comment and checkout the playlist('s) :). Still owe you a great big Email my friend. I hope more Marathons to come (I have a LOT of ideas and others in the works), and there is "1 more" for both Nick & Lexi, and I'm sure people will be surprised, and it will be more of a "crowd pleaser" :). - Till next time! 😊
@@mvunit3 Concerning the "Trio Project" I watched the video of another channel talking exactly about that: Who could be a replacement for Neil ? They listed I think 10 names and Mike was Top 3, but the final judgement was, that nobody really can replace Neil. That's also my opinion, Neil is history and so is Rush. Let Geddy and Alex play new music, but don't call it Rush
The gathering are among the Best contemporary bands, sadly are little known and overrated, good to see that you enjoy his song. Try We Just Can't stop whispering or i can see 4 Miles.
An interesting set of songs (as is the case with the vast majority that come in). 👍Thanks so much. Just a couple questions...1) I know you're both very busy but when may new Nick N Lex requests be opening up again (I have a real good one teed up that you would both enjoy)? & 2) May there be an un-boxing video be coming soon (I only ask because I sent something about 2 weeks before you left for Spain and mostly curious if it made it to you)?
I feel the same! I do enjoy the albums with Derek and Jordan, but Moore had the "mood" that set the songs. His solo albums (and "Chroma Key") are very special and _different._
@@mvunit3 Dream Theater with Jordan could never, *ever* write anything that just grabs your soul from the first few notes like “Space-Dye Vest.” One reactor who’s not around any more reacted to it, and I think the song was about 3 bars in when he said “somebody got a broken heart!” I respect him for his talent, but his style just doesn’t resonate with me.
@@philsmith2444 I'm sorry, but I have to disagree with you. For sure the intro of Space Dye Vest is epic, but what about The Spirit carries on or maybe This is the life ... different keyboard sound in those, but still soul touching.... to me
@@rudolfbecker4313 To be honest, I listened to the first 2 albums (Octavarium? And ?? I can’t remember the names) with Jordan back in the day but not a single song spoke to me. I didn’t like Falling Into Infinity at all, ACOS was OK but I liked the cover of FFAF/LLB much better. I&W and Awake are the only ones I can truly say I like.
It is interesting that in this video where most songs were a bit eerie and dark and maybe ethereal, Lex looked Gothic because of the black dress and due to the light the face looked more pale than usual.
Man! THAT is what I was thinking myself! Haha! . . . isn't it weird how it ALL fit together! The contrasts in the songs and on Lexi, all put together beautifully it seems? It was Fate Lexi! ☺
Rick Wakeman called the album 'Onion', as every time he heard it, it made him cry 🤣. The production team brought in session musicians and overdubbed a lot of what the band played to the extent that Rick can't identify almost any of his original work on the album 🤷
I don't remember fans knocking the album (it made the top ten and "Lift Me Up" was a hit) until they found out about the additional musicians and the frustrations of the band members. Rick, Bill, and Steve were in England and couldn't always be in California where the album was recorded, so that was a problem on some tracks. The Yes-West songs are the band only. I agree with the criticisms but feel that too many fans overdo it because it's not always who should be playing, and they heard that Rick threw the tape out of his limo window! A few lesser tracks and some questionable production/mixing do not a bad album make. Good music speaks for itself and at least half of the album does. I say the glass is half-full.
@@bookhouseboy280 if you look at any ranking of YES albums, Union is almost always near the bottom, along with Open Your Eyes, and the really bad album, Heaven and Earth, but Bill Bruford's comment pretty much says it all: "It was probably not only the most dishonest title that I've ever had the privilege of playing drums underneath, but the single worst album I've ever recorded."
@@Lightmane Being near the bottom doesn't make it a bad album. Of course it's not great by Yes's (and Bill's) high standards but It's still a good album, flaws and all. Rankings can be deceiving and don't present the whole picture anyway. A lot of fans rank the way they do because their opinions influence one another just like critics have dissuaded fans from buying albums they would've otherwise owned. I put off getting into Topographic Oceans for a few years because of this and regretted it once i heard it. Same with Tormato.
@@Lightmane I quite like Heaven and Earth. For me, 'To Ascend' is beautiful. Not full of virtuous musicianship granted but if Anderson had sung it it could more than have held its own on an album like 'Song of Seven'. Just my humble... 🤷
Union was not a good album by YES. Wakeman called it Onion, and Bruford said he was embarrassed to be a part of it. There's a few good tracks, but this wasn't one of them. The tour though was phenomenal.
It brought them all back together -- so it was good. Without it, some of the members might never have made it through the 90s. Not everyone got rich from "Owner of a lonely heart". The live tour album "Yesshows" from the Union tour (which morphed into a greatest hits tour) is a great road album to listen to on a car trip.
Wow guys, I'm VERY touched by your compliments and enjoyment of a marathon idea that was inspired by a playlist that is a few years old (with the recent addition of "A-Z"), thank you so much for digging-in and _sharing_ with your VERY special audience, I am deeply touched 🥲.
Firstly (edit: I literally wrote this part before you mentioned the issue) . . .
Lexi, THANK you for bearing the "length". When I listen to this grouping of songs, time seems to go by fast as I get lost in the atmosphere. But when I'm _watching_ to SEE how you guys react to it all, its full of shivers, anticipation and nervousness to see if you guys are really enjoying it 🙂. I was "feeling" the length though and could see Lexi starting to ache, very sorry for that.
- But thank you for being such a trooper💗. HUGE Hugs (but not too hard 😊).
So this Marathon was based on an older Playlist that had a theme of "esoteric" and atmospheric tracks from various types of Progressive Rock, Rock, Vocalists, Prog Metal and Metal subgenres (that could be VERY heavy):
*esoteric incarnatiOns ~ 1st entrance*
th-cam.com/play/PL2DU3TBNutEf4T3QJTlqcLqW23k-RCgJm.html
(please see the the next "parts" linked in the playlist description)
There were other tracks I could have easily put in place of others, but I know 2 that N&L have reacted to already, and another that is a "blocker" unfortunately.
I have been making "Themed" Playlists since the Cassette days (that I called "Concept Tapes") before 2000, where I'd mix-in sound fx, dialogue (from spoken word to movie dialogue) in between and into the songs, all "manually" without a computer, with a small mixing console, 2 turntables, a double cassette deck, laser disc player, and 2 "walkmans" (both CD & tape).
Then I started burning CD's, but lacked the ability to mix IN the sound fx etc., only between tracks.
When TH-cam came into vogue, I started these playlists in 2006, and its been my newer hobby ever since :).
ALL these CD's you have on your shelf guys (except "A-Z", and you have "Power Windows" sent by one of your "Familia" members!).
- Yes Lexi! If you open up your copy of OSI, it is designed to look like a _Passport._ And it _does_ have that Porcupine Tree/Floyd-Momentary Lapse of Reason sound. Mike Portnoy once described the Project as; "If Dream Theater met Radiohead" (which he is a HUGE fan of). Their last 2 albums have Gavin Harrison as their drummer! But Portnoy's use of cymbals and pastiche of drums, I love the guy.
Kevin Moore has a very dry and deapan type of voice, but it works (for me), he also has 2 solo projects, 1 under his name and the other "Chroma Key" which both are hard to pigeon hole.
- The Gathering started out as a more Atmospheric Doom Metal band, then "Gothic" Metal, and by "How to Measure a Planet? (1998)" they had a more Alternative tinge (Shoegaze to New Wave-ish and Alternative-Prog Metal) for the remaining albums with Anneke van Giersbergen, who became their vocalist on their 3rd album. N&L, you will hear more of her in the Devin Townsend and Ayreon albums I sent you last year 😉.
The "keyboards" you guys were first "Air-playing" on Mystic Rhythms is actually _Alex Lifeson_ on a Fender "Stratacoustic" Guitar (and his regular customized Strat on the lead/solo), and _The Professor_ on his Electronic Kit, and those various cymbals and crashes . . . heavenly. Its probably my fave track on the album . . . which is VERY different than the other tracks (like the DT track on the "Awake" album, which the other tracks can be VERY heavy).
Another must mention . . . the astounding drummer *Mark Zonder* in "A-Z". He joined _Fates Warning_ for the groundbreaking "Prog Metal" album "Perfect Symmetry" (1989), he changed the band rhythmically, with his odd-time signatures and creative patterns (and use of unusual electronic percussion patches).
*Yes . . .*
Union wasn't a very well received album. Though I liked 3 songs strongly, the rest of the album was a shock, because it was SOO different than anything they had ever done. It was called Union because it was 2 different era's of line-up, but they did NOT play together on the album, but they did for the outstanding Tour.
The track featured was something that had to grow on me (including other tracks that were similar), it was moody, esoteric and atmospheric. It was a year or 2 later, I started getting into bands that "sounded" like that, many of them heavier, and I decided to start making playlists with that "type" of music (subgenres of Doom, Gothic Metal bands, and Vocalists that had that tone, from Peter Murphy, Peter Gabriel, Robbie Robertson, Russ Ballard, Steve Hackett and the like). And that Yes track came to mind, and it got me to re-listen to the album, and _other_ bands I put away (The Gathering "if_then_else" album stayed on my shelf for "5" years before re-listening, and it became my fave album of theirs). So I put these musics together by "track" to enjoy and share, in a new way to get myself and others _into_ this type of music.
. . . that is how the playlists "esoteric incarnations" came to be born (at first, on burned CD's)🙂.
I had NO IDEA you guys were going to play from the Yt "N&L Marathon Playlist - Part 1" version! 😮Because I KNEW the darn "Commercials" would come in (ugh!). But you guys did an excellent job editing the video!
I hope more folks will tune-in and check it out. I think the YES and RUSH (and perhaps Dream Theater) "Fans" will get to checkout the bands they're not familiar with, as well as this was a small collection of established bands playing an _unusual_ style that may break preconceptions of what they are able to create (and exactly Lexi; hold back and focus on "songs").
- I better end here. But I really appreciate your time and enjoyment Nick & Lexi, been looking forward to this all day and evening! And thanks to "La Familia" and the kind words . . . sincerely. I hope more to come, for all of you to enjOy! ❤🔥
Extree notes! . . .
1. *OSI* - Memories Daydreams Lapses (2003 - Office of Strategic Influence)
Jim Matheos - guitars, keyboards, programming, producer, engineering (Fates Warning) Massachusetts
Kevin Moore - vocals, keyboards, programming, producer (Ex-Dream Theater) Long Island NY
Sean Malone - bass guitar, Chapman stick (Death, Cynic, Gordian Knot) Florida
Mike Portnoy - drums (Ex-Dream Theater, who was with DT at the time of OSI's 1st 2 albums) Long Island NY
4. *A - Z* - Stranded (2022 - A-Z)
Philip Bynoe - Bass (Warlord, Steve Vai, Nuno Bettencourt) Massachusetts
Joop Wolters - Guitar (Steve Walsh, Simon Phillips) Netherlands
Vivien Lalu - Keyboards (Lalu) France
Ray Alder - Vocals (Current Fates Warning vocalist since 1986, Ex-Redemption) Texas
Mark Zonder - Drums (Ex-Warlord, Ex-Fates Warning, Arch/Matheos guest on 2nd album) California
Nick, I think the "Neo-Prog" band you were trying to remember (for Lexi) may have been "IQ"? And others like Saga, Marillion, Pallas, Magellan, Enchant, Spocks Beard etc. Sort-of the new age of Progressive Rock from the 80's/90's.
And you guys got it! You can _easily_ hear Jon Anderson and Chris Squire's "vocals", as they are very distinctive 🙂.
The Dream Theater line-up for "Awake" was my fave too (with Kevin Moore on keyboards), and its my fave album as well.
- Okay, shuttin' up shutting up 🤐
You beat me to it, Tony, on the Yes song. I was thinking of a Chris Squire Yes song playlist that had to include this one. It features Eddy Offord back as producer (Close to the Edges) which is why the song has that old spatial Yes sound. Thanks for all you do, Tony. You are a class act. Oh, also, we should think up a Peter Murphy marathon.
@@hasltisl Yes! Looking forward to Lexi checking out her copy of "Cascade" :).
Well, "The More We Live" was a unusual Yes request I'm sure, but glad more people enjoyed it.
Wow, The Gathering - Analog Park goes so well with OSI
Tony, I want to dig into The Gathering! I loved it! I knew Mystic Rhythms very well, I didn't know the other songs.
I watch (well listen since I was working, so I wasn't watching the video) the R25 show! It was good! I prefer the heavier songs, but at first listen, everything was good!
Thanks again for introducing me to the band!
Hey! Sorry for the VERY late reply!
Start from "Mandylion (1995)" and on, that is when they started their gothic tinged/alternative sound. They were one of the bands that started that type of Metal/Prog Metal.
A really good Live DVD by them too is; "A Sound Relief (2005)". Great to watch "Anneke van Giersbergen" sway and sing, she's exceptionally beautiful and always happy/smiling :).
Great Rush song!
Hi Guys, Anneke van Giersbergen vocalist from The Gathering is also a guest vocalist on most Devin Townsend albums and has appeared live with him....Checkout "Hyperdrive" where she takes the lead. Love the track by 'Yes' from "Union" and the track chosen by Rush is my favourite from that album....Typing as I listen ...this is really good....so I will stop typing , sit back and enjoy. Thankyou ! Byeee Jim X
"Hyperdrive" is one of my all time fave Hevy Devy tracks, and Anneke really shines on that track and album :D.
@@mvunit3 Brilliant album but Hyperdrive does get a few repeats when it's playing. Lol
Let's All go to the Lobby🥨🌭🍬
Wow cool emojis!! 🤩🤩
The OSI track, LOVE the drum work, especially after the backwards vocals OMG
Holy Cow! A Prog Rock Extravaganza! Thanks @tony
You're MOST welcome 😊. Glad you enjoyed it. But I'll be more mindful when I ask Lexi to join in, what a trooper she was.
John Myung actually played on a Gordian Knot album
Cheers to more The Gathering! The Gathering songs are all experimental and includes influences from many music genres.
I highly suggest the ff. songs to check next ;-)
1. Broken Glass (Live from TG25) - from "Souvenirs" album
2. Travel (Live from TG25) - from "How to Measure A Planet?" album
3. The Big Sleep (Live from A Sound Relief) - from "How to Measure A Planet?" album
4. Waking Hour (Live from TG25) - from "Home" album
5. Amity (Live from TG25) - from "If_then_else" album
6. Heroes for Ghosts (official video) - from "Disclosure" album
7. Saturnine - from "If_then_else" album
8. Herbal Movement (Live from A Sound Relief) - from "if_then_else" album -- continuation of the song, Analog Park
9. On Most Surfaces (Live from TG25) - from "Nighttime Birds"
10. Treasure - from "The West Pole" album.
Awesome Tony. There is a lot of great music on that full playlist. I'm really looking forward to listening to this marathon.
Lex - I have to say I love the color of your guitar and that dreamcatcher necklace is beautiful.
Thank you! Got it from Lucy when we went to Taos together earlier this year!
Means a lot Raider Fan, thank you ☺. Lex looks great in Black! And how apropos for the playlist tone :) As Narvik pointed out.
The More We Live - Let Go “ mixed in Spherical Sound on Radian speakers” to give that 3D sound. As a fan of all Chris Squire compositions, I love this Squire/Sherwood song.
Yes, always ahead in technology and engineering!
James Labrie's vibrato in Lifting Shadows off a Dream, it's gorgeous!!!
Yes to Yes 👍👍
A lot of Yes fans hate the Union album, even some of the band, but I have always enjoyed it, and I have been the biggest Yes fan since '72. I think it is the electronic drums and different sounding synths that turned some fans off, and the bombast of some of the songs, along with some very slow, reflective tracks. The '90s, however, was fairly productive for the band, and they produced some great songs. In 2001, the band produced their last great albums, Keystudio and Magnification. The band toured for a few years before Jon got sick from the smoke machines and took some time off to recover. He suggested the band do an acoustic tour and they kicked him out of the band. Jon is still making really good music, while the rest of the band hired a couple of singers and produced 3 lackluster albums over the past 15 years. But, the band's output until '01 was great and some of their best work was done on those albums I mentioned. ❤✌
The Ladder had some really good songs on it, and some pretty experimental stuff that doesn’t “sound much” like Yes. But Neil Peart’s comment about there not being a “Rush sound” goes for Yes as well. Their sound is whatever they do.
@@philsmith2444 I agree. I really enjoyed The Ladder. I wasn't a big fan of the Open Your Eyes album, but even it is better than the middling albums they made after firing Jon, IMHO.
I got to see the Union Tour, I was just astounded (was my 4th time seeing them). They pulled everything off so well "together" (not like the album where the 2 versions played "apart"), and doing the classic material.
I was into the album, but the esoteric tracks like this one was a bit shocking and didn't know how to take it, but they grew on me, and began listening to other bands that "sounded" like that.
If you want to see why most fans don't like the Union album, watch Jim Newstead listen to side 2 of that album. He liked side 1. Side 2? Not so much.
You guys should listen more to OSI very very underrated project/band.
AGREED! :D
The Gathering is one of my favorite bands ever. Singer Anneke was the number 1 inspiration for Floor Jansen (also Dutch) from Nightwish. They started out as a metal band and got more experimental with each release. I Love If Then Else, but Souvenirs (2003) might be even better. Try the live performance of On Most Surfaces from TG25. This is from a more recent live reunion of the band and it's such an incredible performance
Travelers from TG25 is awesome as well. Devin Townsend has Anneke guset on many of his studio and live performances, call her the "Tinkerbell" of metal.
@@tomvenner6030 To be honest, i've been a fan of TG since 1998 and i'm not a big fan of Devin
@@wouterlevering4296 Devin has a wide range of music in his repetoire, not all of it is my cup of tea either. But everything I've heard of his featuring Anneke I have liked.
Don't forget on "The More We Live" there's Steve and Trevor singing harmonies as well. Great song. The highlight on the album for sure.
The Yes track is a wonderful Chris Squire tune. "It's time to reach the goals we set for ourselves." Indeed.
I'll never forget that GCC Cinema thing from my childhood.
Love OSI especially the first album.
Marathon is my favourite track off this rush album
Marathon, Mystic Rhythms, and Middletown Dreams are my favorites. Geddy singled out the latter saying that every once in a while they wrote a good melody!
@@bookhouseboy280 Those 3, Territories and the lyrics and Alex's solo in "Emotion Detector", he makes his guitar "Cry" with anguish, matching the lyrics. But I really do love the whole album :). Saw the tour too!
Rush's Power Windows had a much greater impact in 1985. I was in the midst of high school and the music carried well in that era. Most everyone assimilated to the 80s, including Rush. Good album.
Hi again .... Loving the Dreamcatcher pendant Lex !!! Jim X
The Lineup on The More We LIve is Anderson, Squire, Rabin, White, Kaye, and Sherwood.
Really enjoyed The Gathering - Analog Park. Thank you Tony, Nick & Lex. 😎👍
I could never get into this Rush synth period much, but there were some good ones (not Mystic Rhythms IMHO).
Please Alexia, stand up or stop or do what ever you need to do when you know the pain is building (you know exactly what I mean).
P.S. If you used a couch, you could shift around more and adjust your legs maybe. 2c Take care 😊🍁
check out more Anneke van Giersbergen - vocalist of The Gathering! she did some solo albums, great feats in Ayreon th-cam.com/video/aeXAiXhYKqc/w-d-xo.html and covers th-cam.com/video/BeXsui4wcc4/w-d-xo.html
I actually sent them 2 Gathering albums, 2 with Devin Townsend and 3 Ayreon albums, last year :D.
If you're looking for some 'Great' 90's YES, I 'highly recommend' these 3:
That, That Is
Mind Drive
Endless Dream
They're all 15+ minutes in length. Not as good as Close to the Edge or Gates of Delirium or Awaken, or TfTO, but still very good stuff, that I'm pretty sure you'll enjoy listening to.
"Endless Dream" off of Talk, is one of my most FAVORITE Epics of all time. N&L (especially Nick) will be blown away! Trevor Rabin is an exceptional composer, guitarist and keyboardist, and to hear him and Jon singing together is awesome.
Those "Studio" tracks from *Keys to Ascension* 1 & 2 sound like if the Jon Anderson/Steve Howe era continued (or an album after Tales from Topographic Oceans). They are MUCH overlooked and underrated Ultra-EPICS.
@@mvunit3 yeah, Trevor wrote and performed a ton of music. Loved ARW
@@Lightmane Also got N&L last year, Trevor's album "Can't Look Away". I'll figure out a marathon including a track soon :).
@@mvunit3 sounds good. I look forward to watching it 🙂
Good songs and excellent memories ! .... Alexia! That's a beautiful pendant you have! It looks like a Dream Catcher. 😴
Thank you! It IS a dream catcher! Got it from Lucy when we went to Taos together earlier this year!
Before I dive into this wonderment, lemme comment on those first few seconds. That bit was an earworm for decades...because that is what drive-ins and other movies would play before the main attraction, along with an animation telling you to be quiet, buy snacks, etc. I used to sing it far too often. On with the show
this is it!
That 1st intro, I actually had been looking for it for YEARS, because I remembered it as a kid, and I thought I was making it up decades later, then found it here at Yt, and it was EXACTLY how I remembered it :D.
Great job Tony, interesting selection of songs put together based on your idea. I agree with Alexia, as she says "atmospheric", that's my feeling throughout the marathon. Knowing 3 songs and 3 not here's my comment:
OSI: I went to the record store one day and saw this beautiful cover and the sticker - OSI are Jim Matheos, Kevin Moore and Mike Portnoy ... feat. Steve Wilson (singing the 10 minute shutdown) and Sean Malone. I also loved the lyrics of the song OSI right away: Hate it when the truth unravels, hate it when we don't get a spin, hate it when the enemy travels 'cause it's awfully un-american 😆 Is it?
The Gathering was a surprise since I only now the older stuff (Mandilion - more metal) and the newer songs without Anneke.
Yes : Honestly 80s and 90s Yes isn't mine ... not bad of a song ... but I wouldn't by the record
A-Z : completely new to me, worth to be checked ... even though I always loved John Arch more than Ray Alder
Dream Theater : FINALLY 😄 A Dream Theater reaction after more than a year. Awake is a fantastic album, maybe my favourite DT album, but for sure the one, if listened the most with headphones, so many times, I basically know every single note. I used to put the songs in another sequence and varied it, but Space Dye Vest was always the last. Lifting shadows .... finally opened my eyes, what a fantastic drummer Mike Portnoy is. Liking his drumming from the beginning, especially the hard and fast in Take the time or the crazyness of Metropolis. But Lifting shadows is so filigrane, I started comparing him to Neal Peart and listened to the drumming of all DT records much more carefully.
Rush - Quo vadis - I wasn't quite sure in the second half of the 80s, if that's still the Rush I wanted to hear. Having liked the keyboards in Mowing Pictures and Signals, it somehow became too much for me ... not my favourite Rush period.
FUN FACT: I talked the other day to Nick about misspelling/mishearing lyrics. When I bought Power Windows, I first played the LP without looking at the cover and titles, so for a certain time I thought, they sing Mystic River instead of Rhythm 🤣🤣🤘
Yeah, "Union" it seems is the "Whipping Boy" of the Marathon. Half the audience is loving it, the other half doesn't care for it (and some want people to _understand_ why they don't like it). While I _tried_ to explain how the "other" songs changed for me (in my LONG rant).
"Awake" is my fave DT album, followed by "Six Degrees" and . . . . "When Dream and Day Unite". That is how I 1st heard them, ON the day it was finally released, and I still have that "Lp". Portnoy can be VERY diverse, and he has shown the various drumkits he's created specifically for each project he has worked on. DT is MUCH more than their EPICS and musical gymnastics.
OSI is an awesome band, I wish Moore and Portnoy weren't at odds (maybe its Moore, being that he's a MUCH different kind of musician than he was with DT, and being so close to Portnoy's life, for a time). I'm really anxious to play the 1st 2 tracks, so I'm coming-up with another marathon idea.
Yes! Those lyrics, I don't know why (todays news possibly), I think of that verse often :p.
The Gathering got my attention on their 3rd album with Anneke singing, but it was a LATE discovery when I gave that particular album with the track in the marathon, a "2nd chance" (see my rant).
A-Z . . .
I've like what I've heard so far, don't own it yet, but the musicians in it are stellar. And hey, freakin' *Mark Zonder* on drums! He changed Fates Warning to be even more creative with their rhythms.
Rush . . .
I'm a Fanboy, but, I REALLY enjoy _most_ of their material ("Roll the Bones" and "Snakes and Arrows" are my least faves, but both have at-least 5 STRONG tracks).
Portnoy became friends with Peart, and I'm sure Ged and Alex know him by his music. And Portnoy loves Rush and their pre-mid 80's material (though he may have warmed to their later catalogue) and has played their music, so he would probably be top candidate for somekind of "Trio" Project, not called Rush?
"Great job Tony, interesting selection of songs put together based on your idea. I agree with Alexia, as she says "'atmospheric', that's my feeling throughout the marathon".
Thats why I called it "Nocturnal Landscapes (I)", something to hear at night, maybe without the lights on, maybe on headphones, or in your car while driving. I "Linked" the Playlist where this set was inspired from, so please read the pinned comment and checkout the playlist('s) :).
Still owe you a great big Email my friend. I hope more Marathons to come (I have a LOT of ideas and others in the works), and there is "1 more" for both Nick & Lexi, and I'm sure people will be surprised, and it will be more of a "crowd pleaser" :).
- Till next time! 😊
@@mvunit3 Concerning the "Trio Project" I watched the video of another channel talking exactly about that:
Who could be a replacement for Neil ? They listed I think 10 names and Mike was Top 3, but the final judgement was, that nobody really can replace Neil. That's also my opinion, Neil is history and so is Rush. Let Geddy and Alex play new music, but don't call it Rush
Great Marathon. For me the absolute Highlight is A-Z - Stranded. Awesome tune as the whole Album is.🦓
Really need to purchase it soon. Really good album, and what a grouping of musicians!
That trippy Alice in Wonderland part was the lead in to the next The Gathering song called Herbal Movement. th-cam.com/video/V0vB73-fwH8/w-d-xo.html
. . . . "Fabric Softener of the Mind" ♬
Awesome album :)
The Gathering goats
I used to like intermissions at drive ins too back in the 70s. I don't know if my girlfriend(s) did, but I did. 😁 Oh to be young again!
The gathering are among the Best contemporary bands, sadly are little known and overrated, good to see that you enjoy his song. Try We Just Can't stop whispering or i can see 4 Miles.
An interesting set of songs (as is the case with the vast majority that come in). 👍Thanks so much.
Just a couple questions...1) I know you're both very busy but when may new Nick N Lex requests be opening up again (I have a real good one teed up that you would both enjoy)? & 2) May there be an un-boxing video be coming soon (I only ask because I sent something about 2 weeks before you left for Spain and mostly curious if it made it to you)?
Thanks Rob 😊. Look forward to that "Unboxing" and to see all the gifts they receive from everyone.
Dream Theater without Kevin Moore just isn’t the same.
I feel the same! I do enjoy the albums with Derek and Jordan, but Moore had the "mood" that set the songs. His solo albums (and "Chroma Key") are very special and _different._
@@mvunit3 Dream Theater with Jordan could never, *ever* write anything that just grabs your soul from the first few notes like “Space-Dye Vest.” One reactor who’s not around any more reacted to it, and I think the song was about 3 bars in when he said “somebody got a broken heart!” I respect him for his talent, but his style just doesn’t resonate with me.
@@philsmith2444 I'm sorry, but I have to disagree with you. For sure the intro of Space Dye Vest is epic, but what about The Spirit carries on or maybe This is the life ... different keyboard sound in those, but still soul touching.... to me
@@rudolfbecker4313 To be honest, I listened to the first 2 albums (Octavarium? And ?? I can’t remember the names) with Jordan back in the day but not a single song spoke to me. I didn’t like Falling Into Infinity at all, ACOS was OK but I liked the cover of FFAF/LLB much better. I&W and Awake are the only ones I can truly say I like.
YES IS ALWAYS GOOD. You need to look at more of the new YES as well. You only did the ICE BRIDGE and dismissed them. You are missing out.
It is interesting that in this video where most songs were a bit eerie and dark and maybe ethereal, Lex looked Gothic because of the black dress and due to the light the face looked more pale than usual.
Man! THAT is what I was thinking myself! Haha! . . . isn't it weird how it ALL fit together! The contrasts in the songs and on Lexi, all put together beautifully it seems? It was Fate Lexi! ☺
Rick Wakeman called the album 'Onion', as every time he heard it, it made him cry 🤣.
The production team brought in session musicians and overdubbed a lot of what the band played to the extent that Rick can't identify almost any of his original work on the album 🤷
I don't remember fans knocking the album (it made the top ten and "Lift Me Up" was a hit) until they found out about the additional musicians and the frustrations of the band members. Rick, Bill, and Steve were in England and couldn't always be in California where the album was recorded, so that was a problem on some tracks. The Yes-West songs are the band only.
I agree with the criticisms but feel that too many fans overdo it because it's not always who should be playing, and they heard that Rick threw the tape out of his limo window! A few lesser tracks and some questionable production/mixing do not a bad album make. Good music speaks for itself and at least half of the album does. I say the glass is half-full.
@@bookhouseboy280 if you look at any ranking of YES albums, Union is almost always near the bottom, along with Open Your Eyes, and the really bad album, Heaven and Earth, but Bill Bruford's comment pretty much says it all: "It was probably not only the most dishonest title that I've ever had the privilege of playing drums underneath, but the single worst album I've ever recorded."
@@Lightmane Being near the bottom doesn't make it a bad album. Of course it's not great by Yes's (and Bill's) high standards but It's still a good album, flaws and all. Rankings can be deceiving and don't present the whole picture anyway. A lot of fans rank the way they do because their opinions influence one another just like critics have dissuaded fans from buying albums they would've otherwise owned. I put off getting into Topographic Oceans for a few years because of this and regretted it once i heard it. Same with Tormato.
@@bookhouseboy280 I love TfTO and like Tormato very much, but Union is just ok for me. It's just not a very good album.
@@Lightmane I quite like Heaven and Earth. For me, 'To Ascend' is beautiful. Not full of virtuous musicianship granted but if Anderson had sung it it could more than have held its own on an album like 'Song of Seven'. Just my humble... 🤷
Mas contento que gordo en mcdonals .💪🇦🇷🇦🇷🇦🇷🇦🇷🇦🇷
Union was not a good album by YES. Wakeman called it Onion, and Bruford said he was embarrassed to be a part of it. There's a few good tracks, but this wasn't one of them. The tour though was phenomenal.
In your opinion the song is not good.
@@j.jennings1722 correct
It brought them all back together -- so it was good. Without it, some of the members might never have made it through the 90s.
Not everyone got rich from "Owner of a lonely heart". The live tour album "Yesshows" from the Union tour (which morphed into a greatest hits tour) is a great road album to listen to on a car trip.
YES 2 or 3 good tunes on that album though not a great album. This tune is fairly decent with Jon’s angelic voice. It does lack pace and energy .
@@joelliebler5690 agreed
Never liked Korn or L Park either
Yeah, never got into "NU Metal". But glad you liked the Marathon!