So here's a true but hard to believe story... I am a 70s kid...Prog Rock all the way...we listened to this band as teens along with the other big prog bands. 45 years later I would eventually be playing guitar WITH Stanley Whitaker (lead guitarist/Vocalist). How weird is that!?!? I moved to Maryland and he was doing gigs in bars and we became friends.
One of the most underrated prog albums of all time. I think if they arrived earlier in the 70s when prog was still in its prime, Happy the Man would've been way more popular.
Un saludo desde las tierras de Aysén. Chile Que maravilla esta música . Soy amante del rock progresivo.vale por lo happi los mejores años donde hay mucha creatividad desde 1966 hasta 1976..
I was fortunate to see their maiden appearance in October 1973 at the Madison College (today James Madison University) student union center. I was blown away by their musicianship and artistry. HTM - one of the very best bands to have ever graced this planet.
I saw them at Godwin Hall at James Madison University in 1977. It was the second concert I’d ever seen. When they started playing Knee Bitten Nymphs In Limbo everybody went crazy. The urban legend was they went to Madison College, and one of the guys dad was a music teacher at the school. They would do LSD, grab instruments and play whatever they came up with. They are some of the most unusual and talented musicians that have ever lived
@@kevincage1641 Kit Watkins' father Lowell was a piano teacher at Madison. It was nothing unusual to see members of the band walking throughout the music building or campus. Stan Whitaker and Frank Wyatt played in the stage band. Drummer /percussionist Mike Beck worked at the dining hall. As for the drug thing, I have no idea yet I seriously doubt anyone could compose those compositions under the influence as their attention to detail was meticulous. These guys were artisans of their musical craft.
@@jamescpotter Thanks @jamescpotter for the lesson. By the time I got there in 1977, they were already legendary. I almost majored know music, but the classes were each 1 credit hour, so the music majors were running scales and arpeggios at midnight, while we were listening to Led Zeppelin , Hendrix and UFO.
First time listening to this for me and I am very impressed. Wonder why no one has mentioned them to me before? Bee listening to proggy stuff for years. Always great when you find new stuff that hits the spot.
Record stores were so limited back then, so we all missed a ton of great stuff! At least now we can occasionally stumble across something this wonderful here!
In an age of threatening storms everywhere (July 2022) this album reaffirms prog rock as the enlightenment of a new age which may be destined to pass us without taking up the mantle of reconciliation as to our true nature which should be one with the planet and not the pernicious momentum we are rushing to the cataclysm of our species bringing down the others with us. Having the inability or unwillingness to live in harmony. Prog rock is the essence of our potentialities.
Their album would turn up in second hand record shops all over the place in the 1980's. Easy pickings and a way to expand ones prog palette. I saw Kit when he was a touring member of Camel.
16:17 and 16:44 are the perfect example of the difference between 3/4 and 6/8 16:17 can be counted like 2 bars of 3 and 16:44 like 3 bars of 2, with a 4/4 transition really good band !
Masterpiece. We always looked towards England and Europe for prog. But this is so wonderfully orchestrated. The only other prog. band that came close to this. Gentle Giant.
I would say this are probably the only band I've ever heard that has successfully approximated Giant, but imo it's just as good as their "classic era" stuff.
This is my favorite album ever. HTM is my favorite band. I'm obsessed with them. I think they were the best prog band ever, they took prog to a whole new level. Absolutely outstanding.
Saw them perform live several times, including a free release concert at Carter Barron Amphitheater in Rock Creek Park, Washington DC (August 30, 1977). I don't know how, but they sounded even better than on their albums. Completely magical experience.
Saw them a few times at The Cellar Door in Georgetown back in '77.. Just wanted to see a band...Liked the name, and was blown away the first time seeing them..Mike Beck's drum kit took up almost the whole stage... This still sounds great all these years later !
+Tim Scott Tim, I saw them back in 73 while doing covers of Watchers Of the Skies, 21st Century Schizoid Man, Man Erg, etc. at Madison College intermixed with originals from their Beginnings LP. I was absolutely floored!
Mike Beck was a beast back when I first saw them..his drum kit took up most of the stage, with pots and pans..all kinds of things hanging from a frame..
I agree.. Too bad he never gained the recognition of those drummers you named..He was very entertaining to watch..Such a creative talent..I wonder what he's up to these days ?
Born in 1989, listen to this album since 4 or 5 years because i like music of the 60-70-80's a lot, 50% of the time its progressive rock, when i discover this band it blew my mind like when i first listen to some gentle giant, now spotify ad remove this gem :(
This album should be in a record store but that’s not convenient enough for the modern moron. Grip that phone tight. Record stores were cool. What’s cool now? Nothing. Stare at phone...
@@michaelrandall9034I'm 17 and I wholeheartedly agree and sorrow for the modern generation. My brother and I are prog lovers and we always talk about this band. We can't decide whether HTM or Gentle Giant is better (or ANY prog band), but we pretty much always conclude that all of these bands are the best in their own way. Beautiful album and it's on my CD list this Christmas!
@@michaelrandall9034 My favorite is Yes! And... Well... "yes"... King Crimson is amazing. Red is my favorite one by them. Discipline is also awesome. Merry Christmas!!
Hard to believe that its been 40 years, since this amazing album was released! It still sounds as crisp and relevant as when I first heard it back in '77.
What a surprise to find this gem here! It disappeared from Spotify some time ago. I do have the vinyl and a player but.. Published at the time when my eight-year prog era was ending in the 70s (never truly ended) and heard this too many years later. Contains some of the most beautiful melodies I've ever heard. Echoes of Genesis here and there.
Snup, I just discovered this through a rolling stone article. Can you recommend me any more albums which are similar to this? I already own Yes discography, Genesis DG and have heard Pink Floyd Dark Side. Thanks.
+Tobias Davies : Van Der Graaf Generator is the band I like the most. I like a lot too the solo albums of the singer, Peter Hammill. Albums like : (solo) Over, The Silent Corner and The Empty Street, (with the whole group) H to He, Who Am The Only One, Godbluff, Pawn Hearts... They could appear a little chaotic (above all when there is the whole group) at the first listening, but it becomes really beautiful when you listen to it again. From the Strawbs I like a lot the album "Hero and Heroine" and from Caravan I like a lot "1st album" and "For Girls Who Grows Plump In The Night", but their most famous album is "In The Land Of Grey And Pink". I think you should enjoy Emerson, Lake and Palmer (album : Trilogy, Tarkus), Hawkind (album : Space Ritual), Gong (album : You, The Flying Teapot). Maybe you will like Camel (album : Mirage), Amon Düül II (album : Hijacks, Wolf City), Funkadelics (album : Maggot Brain). Have a nice day.
One of the greatest prog gifts of all. Unfortunately known to but the few at the time. I haven't heard in decades. What memories. I am an old guy, but recent "Moogfest" Asheville attendee. So am now way back in the world of everything from Eno and Keith Emerson (met both there on different years) to Neon Indian to everything else. And ditto from the modular end to the ubiquitous Minimoog. Which of course brings us to Happy The Man. Now to get on to some righteous Brand X to round things out. What an amazing time re uber creativity the mid-late 70's and early 80's were. And people could PLAY stuff.
Saturdays in the late 70s people used to hang out on the lawn at American university after checking out the ride board. That ride board was a good way to get to the west coast without flying. Anyway, saturdays bands would set up to play free while we were looking for girls with gauge etc. I saw happy the man and quill this way. Saw Foreigner's first us shows on that lawn when they sounded a bit like a hard rock crimson. We were teenagers, amazed.
thx for the upload...my dad used to play htm for me when i was a baby....they amongst others made me the musician i am today. i've played music festivals since :)
Local heroes for me and my music buds in HS. Really shows how there is so much interesting music that goes unnoticed. Yet the Machine makes us listen to inferior stuff for years on end. Wow it would be nice to be in a grocery store and a Happy the Man track is allowed to be heard.
John, It is amazing stuff! The band cultivated in Virginia/DC area in the mid to late 70s. Living there myself as a teenager, I was exposed to HTM early. Me and my friends were “ blown away” by the quality of this progressive fusion at that time. Check out their album “ Crafty Hands” my overall favorite!!! Peter Gabriel, as I understand it, may have considered the band as his new band upon leaving Genesis. However, it’s my understanding that Gabriel turned them away as they sounded to close to Genesis! Lol Kit Watkins, the keyboardist had a brief time with British band Camel. His solo material is excellent… “ Labyrinth” and “ In Time” , etc etc.
I could imagine Leonard Bernstein "Age Of Anxiety"(& W.H. Auden poem) influenced Kit Watkins and Happy The Man to create this 1977 Arista album.Excellent album backed by top-notch musicianship.8-10-1977 purchase.
THE BEAUTY OF THIS WONDERFUL TRACK AT 41:00.....I STILL FALL IN LOVE EACH TIME I HEAR THIS SONG.....WHAT A BEAUTIFUL TIME IN MY LIFE....THIS SONG IN ITSELF IS A JOURNEY FROM LIFE TO DEATH...OR LIFE TO LIVING AND UNDERSTANDING IT....
Rock Zombie. I love the post and all the great comments. Maybe the most underrated dvd of all time is Rob Zombie’s video compilation which I would be willing to stake my non-existent reputation suggesting it is up there with the greatest of all time and guaranteed to be the funniest. Rob Zombie proves genius can come in many forms. Thank you Rok or Rob whoever you are to make me remember greatness in its multitude of forms.
Happy the Man's second album "Crafty Hands" is a great one . There was a 3rd but it was never officially released by Arista. (3rd...better late) Somehow I have seven different Happy Cd's. Kit Watkins has some great solo work. This music is softer and maybe at one time considered New Age. The solo work was listed under Linden Music and I hope still available. I had a multiple disc Cd player at one time and I would play 3 or 4 disc on random play. Nice!
@@rabarebraI think it has unique enough soundscapes to warrant calling it magnificent… but music is subjective and that is the most beautiful part… if it does not connect with you it does not mean it is worthless art and clearly it connects with others. Have a good day and best of luck on your life journey
@@thankujacob Too weak singer for my liking, along with weak compositions. Maybe that's why they didn't go anywhere? What do I know? It's just my subjective meaning, and I am allowed to say what I mean about it. Summed up in one word: weak.
'On time...' was a particular favorite, {as was Hidden Moods and Starborne} back in '77 when I had this album. Always thought the vocals were an acquired taste, lol., but I got used to them and eventually like them. They reminded me of a guitar player/vocalist I knew named Steve Carlisle.
For me the go to band of the 70s was “return to for ever” (chick corral, Stanley clarke, al di meola, and Lenny white on drums) with chick leading on piano. Stanley being one of the great bassists of all time (arguably) and al a genius composer and guitar virtuoso both who are probably still going strong with or without chick the never ending genius on piano. Love them but who new about “happy the man” except those lucky few. At the time nobody was calling Genesis or PF prog rock; this just goes to show the duration of stupendous works of art which this album represents. Instrumentation is broader than RTF. WYATT, WATKINS AND WHITAKER (the3 W’s) pretty much divided up the number of compositions on this album which just goes to show the immensity of each of their talents. Thank goodness for the quality of sound mastership that we get to enjoy such brilliance.
Knee Bitten Nymphs in Limbo blew me away the first time hearing it back in 1977. Absolutely brilliant! Gets my vote for all-time greatest prog composition.
I checked this out after reading the biography of Ken Scott "Abbey Road To Ziggy Stardust", a great read. Ken produced and recorded this LP.. and yes, morons at Arista didn't know what to do with it..great album!!
Even though there technically were more than just two, I presume you must be taking about this self-titled debut and its follow-up ("Crafty Hands")? These two ARE the real important ones for sure. The first time I had ever heard these guys (back in the mid-'90s), I was played a best-of compilation disc from them, titled "Retrospective". Later, when I was looking to buy their music, this compilation was not one of the ones I could find. But I was then told, by the owner of the copy I was played, that everything on Retrospective is from the first two albums. There's a third one from the same time period...but he told me that it doesn't measure up to the first two for some reason. Pretty sure he had a copy of it too. So, I imagine that there might be some truth to what he was telling me. Anyway, after seeing them live at NEARfest '00, I bought a more-recent CD from them (titled "Death's Crown"), which is a collection they put together containing preliminary material. Interesting to hear the origins of some stuff from the first couple records. But I'd never use it to introduce HTM to anyone.
@@davidryan7386 Yes, indeed! A while back, I've looked up some of the tracks from that record after commenting here, and it's definitely not bad. I also came to realize that one or two of its tracks were on the aforementioned compilation ("Retrospective"). But there's no doubt that the first two releases would be in my 5 all-time favorite "instrumental prog albums" if you will, despite a few tracks having the vocals. Gryphon's "Red Queen to Gryphon Three" will always be my number one, and the other two would have to be Solaris' "Marsbélli Krónikák", and the proto Brand X record, entitled "Marscape".
It's actually the second half of the original piece. The first half was light and breezy. Ken Scott wanted to do this and the band went along with it. Also, those Jimi Hendrix-sounding licks at the end are Kit on Mini-Moog.
Such a great band and LP. I won't do my 65 year old rant about the prog music of the 70's and how much better it is than what's going on now...ooops just did.
very very well...................................................................................................................................................................
I saw the band live, Just imagine if in the middle of a song they had to stop for an ad to be aired then pick up where they left off. It is a disgrace what TH-cam has done to this wonderful album.
35 years ago, it was RAD. Now, it's ageless. Everyone I play this for cannot believe it wasn't made yesterday. And in this age of electronic music perfection, everything perfectly on the beat (almost TOO perfectly), the musical virtuosity displayed in this project, done the hard way before digital tape, is beyond comprehension. NObody does starlight (waltzing among the stars?) or far out fugue better - or even *begins* to approach these folks. An earlier poster called it "prog rock-jazz fusion" but even this is inadequate. In fact, you *can't* categorize HTM without leaving a LOT out. Since I was 10 I've been trying to find music that approaches what I hear in dreams -- these guys are the Real Deal. The good news, you can go on to Camel and Kit Watkins solo works for more undiscovered incredibleness. When I need music to take me away, these and HTM are the go-to. Back when all I knew was Kit Watkins, I was poking through Houston's Records and Tapes (and Drugs, we used to joke). Scary as shopping there was, it paid off with pristine vinyl promo copies of this album and Crafty Hands (also available here on YT). They were $25 each. We could hardly contain our excitement to find them and with trembling hands we paid the ransom. Took 'em home and I can't tell you how happy it made us or how many tears of joy we shed to hear for the first time to this music that for us had been made of pure Unobtainium until then. Thanks to Happy The Man and *especially* the poster, for making this wonderful music widely available. You have no idea how wonderful it is to find it on YT...
Not bad..had a copy of the LP in my hand at a record show today for $10 and after listening....I passed....I have live I've downloaded.....just a tad busy on the keys.....I do like this type of music in general...I noticed someone mentioned Gilgamesh below..now I LOVE that LP.
Whos still listening in 2023? Magnificent album!
Was going to, but it was removed from spotify! what a shame
@@cennty6822 i was going to listen to the album on Spotify and I also realized, do you have any idea why they removed it?
@@presio5323I’m still trying to figure out how to save this album forever
You can of course digitize it from here but save it forever!? I don't know.. 😊@@gabrielcarvalho3623
🖐🏽
So here's a true but hard to believe story...
I am a 70s kid...Prog Rock all the way...we listened to this band as teens along with the other big prog bands. 45 years later I would eventually be playing guitar WITH Stanley Whitaker (lead guitarist/Vocalist). How weird is that!?!? I moved to Maryland and he was doing gigs in bars and we became friends.
Great story 3 years ago. Hope your still friends.
4 years on and this story is still pretty awesome, thanks for sharing :)
Sad but awesome at the same time!
WOW! That is not a coincidence, it is the path that love for music takes you... regards
Far out man
One of the most underrated prog albums of all time. I think if they arrived earlier in the 70s when prog was still in its prime, Happy the Man would've been way more popular.
Un saludo desde las tierras de Aysén. Chile
Que maravilla esta música . Soy amante del rock progresivo.vale por lo happi los mejores años donde hay mucha creatividad desde 1966 hasta 1976..
I was fortunate to see their maiden appearance in October 1973 at the Madison College (today James Madison University) student union center. I was blown away by their musicianship and artistry. HTM - one of the very best bands to have ever graced this planet.
James P Jealous!! If I could've been there...had 4 years, to the month, yet to be born though
Wow!
I saw them at Godwin Hall at James Madison University in 1977. It was the second concert I’d ever seen. When they started playing Knee Bitten Nymphs In Limbo everybody went crazy. The urban legend was they went to Madison College, and one of the guys dad was a music teacher at the school. They would do LSD, grab instruments and play whatever they came up with.
They are some of the most unusual and talented musicians that have ever lived
@@kevincage1641 Kit Watkins' father Lowell was a piano teacher at Madison. It was nothing unusual to see members of the band walking throughout the music building or campus. Stan Whitaker and Frank Wyatt played in the stage band. Drummer /percussionist Mike Beck worked at the dining hall. As for the drug thing, I have no idea yet I seriously doubt anyone could compose those compositions under the influence as their attention to detail was meticulous. These guys were artisans of their musical craft.
@@jamescpotter Thanks @jamescpotter for the lesson. By the time I got there in 1977, they were already legendary. I almost majored know music, but the classes were each 1 credit hour, so the music majors were running scales and arpeggios at midnight, while we were listening to Led Zeppelin , Hendrix and UFO.
First time listening to this for me and I am very impressed. Wonder why no one has mentioned them to me before? Bee listening to proggy stuff for years. Always great when you find new stuff that hits the spot.
Damnit, I almost forgot how freaking great this album is. Oh man, freaking great music. I listened to the whole thing. Damn, so good.
Astonishing album, complex jazz and progressive rock music mixed in this 'musical box'.
You'd said what I've thought :)
Im ashamed to say that I didnt know about this band until now. Im totally impressed.
Stumpy Meets The Firecracker In Stencil Forest (Whitaker)
i only know of them cause i grew up in northern Va.
they are obscure as the best prog gets.
Record stores were so limited back then, so we all missed a ton of great stuff! At least now we can occasionally stumble across something this wonderful here!
It is amazing how many people still admire this kind of music!It is highly improbable, still true!
In an age of threatening storms everywhere (July 2022) this album reaffirms prog rock as the enlightenment of a new age which may be destined to pass us without taking up the mantle of reconciliation as to our true nature which should be one with the planet and not the pernicious momentum we are rushing to the cataclysm of our species bringing down the others with us. Having the inability or unwillingness to live in harmony. Prog rock is the essence of our potentialities.
i'm agree very fine music thanks.
Their album would turn up in second hand record shops all over the place in the 1980's.
Easy pickings and a way to expand ones prog palette.
I saw Kit when he was a touring member of Camel.
I've seen Camel at least 8 times. So good! Got to meet Andy Latimer.
Happy the man who discovers this in 2018... but he'd have been happier still if he'd heard this decades ago... Bur NOW is as good a time as ever.
Well? “ Better Late…” this is the title of their 3rd Album. My favorites off it: “While Chrome Yellow Shines,” “ Labyrinth “ and “Eye of the Storm “
How am I _just_ hearing this now? Thanks for the upload, great stuff!
16:17 and 16:44 are the perfect example of the difference between 3/4 and 6/8
16:17 can be counted like 2 bars of 3 and 16:44 like 3 bars of 2, with a 4/4 transition
really good band !
Masterpiece. We always looked towards England and Europe for prog. But this is so wonderfully orchestrated. The only other prog. band that came close to this. Gentle Giant.
I would say this are probably the only band I've ever heard that has successfully approximated Giant, but imo it's just as good as their "classic era" stuff.
I literally just said this in another comment. I'm glad I can be so like-minded to prog lovers even though I'm a teen!
This is my favorite album ever. HTM is my favorite band. I'm obsessed with them. I think they were the best prog band ever, they took prog to a whole new level. Absolutely outstanding.
It doesn't get any better than this My friend.
Stan Whitaker just played in the restaurant I work at. Excellent musican and an incredibly nice guy.
My vote for best American prog album
Never heard of them before, how refreshing and uplifting. Excellent.
Saw them perform live several times, including a free release concert at Carter Barron Amphitheater in Rock Creek Park, Washington DC (August 30, 1977). I don't know how, but they sounded even better than on their albums. Completely magical experience.
Played at venue under K street
Saw them a few times at The Cellar Door in Georgetown back in '77.. Just wanted to see a band...Liked the name, and was blown away the first time seeing them..Mike Beck's drum kit took up almost the whole stage... This still sounds great all these years later !
+Tim Scott Tim, I saw them back in 73 while doing covers of Watchers Of the Skies, 21st Century Schizoid Man, Man Erg, etc. at Madison College intermixed with originals from their Beginnings LP. I was absolutely floored!
Mike Beck was a beast back when I first saw them..his drum kit took up most of the stage, with pots and pans..all kinds of things hanging from a frame..
+Tim Scott Mike is one of my favorite drummer/percussionists. He was equally talented as Bruford, Collins, Weathers, Palmer, etc.
I agree.. Too bad he never gained the recognition of those drummers you named..He was very entertaining to watch..Such a creative talent..I wonder what he's up to these days ?
+James P OF COURSE MAN...THEY WERE ALL GREAT DRUMMER S BACK THEN...YOU COULDNT EVEN BE IN A BAND IF YOU WERE SHITTY BACK THEN....ROCK ON....
Happy We Are for this great album!!
Kit Watkins: 27:22. 27:39. 28:12. and the jaw dropper at 31:27. OMG!
what a album! first listen to the band and iam very very impressed!
tyler nedokis like me too.
+tyler nedokis See if you can find the song Deaths Crown by Happy the Man
My first listen too. Blown away.
Born in 1989, listen to this album since 4 or 5 years because i like music of the 60-70-80's a lot, 50% of the time its progressive rock, when i discover this band it blew my mind like when i first listen to some gentle giant, now spotify ad remove this gem :(
Happy the Man and Gilgamesh are my two favorite bands. Thank you for the upload!
Happy the Man were so tight together
This album from beginning to end is so beautiful
Why isn’t this album on Spotify?!!!?
This album should be in a record store but that’s not convenient enough for the modern moron. Grip that phone tight.
Record stores were cool.
What’s cool now? Nothing.
Stare at phone...
It used to be, then it got taken down for some reason. Now, their only album on Spotify is The Muse Awakens
@@michaelrandall9034I'm 17 and I wholeheartedly agree and sorrow for the modern generation. My brother and I are prog lovers and we always talk about this band. We can't decide whether HTM or Gentle Giant is better (or ANY prog band), but we pretty much always conclude that all of these bands are the best in their own way. Beautiful album and it's on my CD list this Christmas!
King Crimson is at the top for me. Have a great Christmas!@@LilShredd
@@michaelrandall9034 My favorite is Yes! And... Well... "yes"... King Crimson is amazing. Red is my favorite one by them. Discipline is also awesome. Merry Christmas!!
Hard to believe that its been 40 years, since this amazing album was released! It still sounds as crisp and relevant as when I first heard it back in '77.
Now 45 years and it's still great.
What a surprise to find this gem here! It disappeared from Spotify some time ago. I do have the vinyl and a player but.. Published at the time when my eight-year prog era was ending in the 70s (never truly ended) and heard this too many years later. Contains some of the most beautiful melodies I've ever heard. Echoes of Genesis here and there.
An essential masterpiece of prog rock!
Snup, I just discovered this through a rolling stone article. Can you recommend me any more albums which are similar to this? I already own Yes discography, Genesis DG and have heard Pink Floyd Dark Side. Thanks.
+Tobias Davies Caravan, Camel, The Strawbs, Soft Machine, Kraan, Can,
Island with the album Pictures.
+Tobias Davies : Van Der Graaf Generator is the band I like the most. I like a lot too the solo albums of the singer, Peter Hammill. Albums like : (solo) Over, The Silent Corner and The Empty Street, (with the whole group) H to He, Who Am The Only One, Godbluff, Pawn Hearts... They could appear a little chaotic (above all when there is the whole group) at the first listening, but it becomes really beautiful when you listen to it again.
From the Strawbs I like a lot the album "Hero and Heroine" and from Caravan I like a lot "1st album" and "For Girls Who Grows Plump In The Night", but their most famous album is "In The Land Of Grey And Pink".
I think you should enjoy Emerson, Lake and Palmer (album : Trilogy, Tarkus), Hawkind (album : Space Ritual), Gong (album : You, The Flying Teapot).
Maybe you will like Camel (album : Mirage), Amon Düül II (album : Hijacks, Wolf City), Funkadelics (album : Maggot Brain).
Have a nice day.
Actually the name is a reference to Goethe’s "Faust", and the Bible.
One of the greatest prog gifts of all. Unfortunately known to but the few at the time. I haven't heard in decades. What memories. I am an old guy, but recent "Moogfest" Asheville attendee. So am now way back in the world of everything from Eno and Keith Emerson (met both there on different years) to Neon Indian to everything else. And ditto from the modular end to the ubiquitous Minimoog. Which of course brings us to Happy The Man. Now to get on to some righteous Brand X to round things out. What an amazing time re uber creativity the mid-late 70's and early 80's were. And people could PLAY stuff.
Top 5 Prog LP of all time-genius musicianship and masterfully produced
Happy The Man and Yezda Urfa are my favorite prog rock bands, and both American too! Kit Watkins is my hero and later left the bad to join Camel.
Do you like Supersister? Yezd Urfa is VERY heavily influenced by them.
Such a good band, complex and imaginative, this level of musicianship leaves many artists of the time way behind.
F*****G good Band!! Totally unknown to me but it makes me so happy hearing this for the 1st time. Thanks Rokzombie !
Saturdays in the late 70s people used to hang out on the lawn at American university after checking out the ride board. That ride board was a good way to get to the west coast without flying. Anyway, saturdays bands would set up to play free while we were looking for girls with gauge etc. I saw happy the man and quill this way. Saw Foreigner's first us shows on that lawn when they sounded a bit like a hard rock crimson. We were teenagers, amazed.
thx for the upload...my dad used to play htm for me when i was a baby....they amongst others made me the musician i am today. i've played music festivals since :)
Local heroes for me and my music buds in HS. Really shows how there is so much interesting music that goes unnoticed. Yet the Machine makes us listen to inferior stuff for years on end. Wow it would be nice to be in a grocery store and a Happy the Man track is allowed to be heard.
fantastic. is my firs`t time listen this album... is great.
Nice record, very Genesis-influenced I think
How have I not heard of these guys before? This is amazing stuff!
John, It is amazing stuff! The band cultivated in Virginia/DC area in the mid to late 70s. Living there myself as a teenager, I was exposed to HTM early. Me and my friends were “ blown away” by the quality of this progressive fusion at that time.
Check out their album “ Crafty Hands” my overall favorite!!!
Peter Gabriel, as I understand it, may have considered the band as his new band upon leaving Genesis. However, it’s my understanding that Gabriel turned them away as they sounded to close to Genesis! Lol
Kit Watkins, the keyboardist had a brief time with British band Camel. His solo material is excellent… “ Labyrinth” and “ In Time” , etc etc.
IF YOU CAN FIND DEATH'S CROWN.
THEY STARTED IN THE 70'S
I got to go to college with them and become friends and still am! Did I luck out or what?!!
@@debradesarmeaux2906 SWEET!!!
VIVA!!!!!!TENHO 68 ANOS E AMEI A COMPOSICAO!!!!!!BANZAI,,!!!!!!
thank you this is competely fabulous music , yes his is really great music , very intelligent composition :: gratitude!
I could imagine Leonard Bernstein "Age Of Anxiety"(& W.H. Auden poem) influenced Kit Watkins and Happy The Man to create this 1977 Arista album.Excellent album backed by top-notch musicianship.8-10-1977 purchase.
THE BEAUTY OF THIS WONDERFUL TRACK AT 41:00.....I STILL FALL IN LOVE EACH TIME I HEAR THIS SONG.....WHAT A BEAUTIFUL TIME IN MY LIFE....THIS SONG IN ITSELF IS A JOURNEY FROM LIFE TO DEATH...OR LIFE TO LIVING AND UNDERSTANDING IT....
This has got to be the best track on an album full of incredible tracks.
Excelente álbum. Cada tema tiene una gran riqueza musical
Gracias por compartirlo
Good stuff here. Don't know why I've ignored Happy The Man for so long.
Rock Zombie. I love the post and all the great comments. Maybe the most underrated dvd of all time is Rob Zombie’s video compilation which I would be willing to stake my non-existent reputation suggesting it is up there with the greatest of all time and guaranteed to be the funniest. Rob Zombie proves genius can come in many forms. Thank you Rok or Rob whoever you are to make me remember greatness in its multitude of forms.
Happy the Man's second album "Crafty Hands" is a great one . There was a 3rd but it was never officially released by Arista. (3rd...better late) Somehow I have seven different Happy Cd's.
Kit Watkins has some great solo work. This music is softer and maybe at one time considered New Age. The solo work was listed under Linden Music and I hope still available. I had a multiple disc Cd player at one time and I would play 3 or 4 disc on random play. Nice!
This is becoming my favorite album with each listen...
What a keyboardist!!!
One of the best prog albums ever. A masterpiece of it´s time. JG
what a nice and beautiful album... that's amazing
been listening to this since it came out.. withstands repeated listening..usually whole album
Such a shame people will never experience or understand how magnificent this is....sublime 1st track..
What does this even mean?
@@cinemaspire7258 makes sense to me
@@thankujacob But it is not magnificent.
@@rabarebraI think it has unique enough soundscapes to warrant calling it magnificent… but music is subjective and that is the most beautiful part… if it does not connect with you it does not mean it is worthless art and clearly it connects with others. Have a good day and best of luck on your life journey
@@thankujacob Too weak singer for my liking, along with weak compositions. Maybe that's why they didn't go anywhere? What do I know? It's just my subjective meaning, and I am allowed to say what I mean about it. Summed up in one word: weak.
'On time...' was a particular favorite, {as was Hidden Moods and Starborne} back in '77 when I had this album. Always thought the vocals were an acquired taste, lol., but I got used to them and eventually like them. They reminded me of a guitar player/vocalist I knew named Steve Carlisle.
Track 4 is lovely.
Transport to another world!
I think exactly the same!
A more better world like the real I think.
For me the go to band of the 70s was “return to for ever” (chick corral, Stanley clarke, al di meola, and Lenny white on drums) with chick leading on piano. Stanley being one of the great bassists of all time (arguably) and al a genius composer and guitar virtuoso both who are probably still going strong with or without chick the never ending genius on piano. Love them but who new about “happy the man” except those lucky few. At the time nobody was calling Genesis or PF prog rock; this just goes to show the duration of stupendous works of art which this album represents. Instrumentation is broader than RTF. WYATT, WATKINS AND WHITAKER (the3 W’s) pretty much divided up the number of compositions on this album which just goes to show the immensity of each of their talents. Thank goodness for the quality of sound mastership that we get to enjoy such brilliance.
Agreed!
Knee Bitten Nymphs in Limbo blew me away the first time hearing it back in 1977. Absolutely brilliant!
Gets my vote for all-time greatest prog composition.
I checked this out after reading the biography of Ken Scott "Abbey Road To Ziggy Stardust", a great read. Ken produced and recorded this LP.. and yes, morons at Arista didn't know what to do with it..great album!!
Great album !!! Great band !!!!
HTM played excerpts of this album when they opened for Stomu Yamash’ta's Go in 1977. I saw them in Milwaukee at the Oriental Theater.
I heard of the band years ago, but only listened to them yesterday. Amazing stuff, sounds like a darker version of National Health.
Good heavens, another fantastic band to discover!!! Am I right in that they made only two records?
Even though there technically were more than just two, I presume you must be taking about this self-titled debut and its follow-up ("Crafty Hands")? These two ARE the real important ones for sure. The first time I had ever heard these guys (back in the mid-'90s), I was played a best-of compilation disc from them, titled "Retrospective". Later, when I was looking to buy their music, this compilation was not one of the ones I could find. But I was then told, by the owner of the copy I was played, that everything on Retrospective is from the first two albums. There's a third one from the same time period...but he told me that it doesn't measure up to the first two for some reason. Pretty sure he had a copy of it too. So, I imagine that there might be some truth to what he was telling me. Anyway, after seeing them live at NEARfest '00, I bought a more-recent CD from them (titled "Death's Crown"), which is a collection they put together containing preliminary material. Interesting to hear the origins of some stuff from the first couple records. But I'd never use it to introduce HTM to anyone.
@@Cr8Tron the 2 from arista are the best, but 3rd, better late is awesome in many places too.
@@davidryan7386 Yes, indeed! A while back, I've looked up some of the tracks from that record after commenting here, and it's definitely not bad. I also came to realize that one or two of its tracks were on the aforementioned compilation ("Retrospective"). But there's no doubt that the first two releases would be in my 5 all-time favorite "instrumental prog albums" if you will, despite a few tracks having the vocals.
Gryphon's "Red Queen to Gryphon Three" will always be my number one, and the other two would have to be Solaris' "Marsbélli Krónikák", and the proto Brand X record, entitled "Marscape".
@@Cr8Tron have to check put msrscape!
man this makes me happy
THEY ALWAYS MADE ME HAPPY....THEY MADE HAPPY INSPIRING MUSIC
You could say you're.....happy the man....
Holy shit, 34:40 onwards, the guitar!!
I just found this and hot damn, it is pure gold
Steely Dan sounds quite a bit light this Happy The Man band and that's not a bad thing
Just halfway through this track, and I am delighted to listen to this so much!!!
one of the 1st records i ever sampled from..my mother had a very nice vinyl collection and this was in it..a wonderful album this is...
Amazing! Absolutely prog! Killer album!
Carousel is scary, Sounds like a creepy fun-house! Great album all around.
It's actually the second half of the original piece. The first half was light and breezy. Ken Scott wanted to do this and the band went along with it. Also, those Jimi Hendrix-sounding licks at the end are Kit on Mini-Moog.
Steve Durham
Thanks for the trivia. I only recently started listening to this band and wish I started sooner.
Stumpy is just insanely good!!
I recently discovered Gentle Giant and i love their music, but i love Happy The Man even more.
Has anybody observed that the track names are just about as bizarrely creative as the music they yield?
Such a great band and LP. I won't do my 65 year old rant about the prog music of the 70's and how much better it is than what's going on now...ooops just did.
This one is in top 10 of my favourite prog albums
very very well...................................................................................................................................................................
Last 45 or so bars should have won a Pulitzer Prize
from James Madison University, whoa! VA Represent!
You know music is good when it "does something" to you. HTM DOES IT!
True original American prog. Superb album that holds up well against the British masters.
Just discovered "Happy the man". Where have I been all this time I wonder.
greatest prog band, Yezda Urfa a close second.
this is the best prog album and Boris being second.
growing up in NoVa in the early 80's I worshipped these guys. This album changed my, well, my musical life anyway. Still sounds good
I saw the band live, Just imagine if in the middle of a song they had to stop for an ad to be aired then pick up where they left off. It is a disgrace what TH-cam has done to this wonderful album.
Kit Watkins, what a key solos😀
Holy Shit! This album is RAD!
35 years ago, it was RAD. Now, it's ageless. Everyone I play this for cannot believe it wasn't made yesterday. And in this age of electronic music perfection, everything perfectly on the beat (almost TOO perfectly), the musical virtuosity displayed in this project, done the hard way before digital tape, is beyond comprehension. NObody does starlight (waltzing among the stars?) or far out fugue better - or even *begins* to approach these folks. An earlier poster called it "prog rock-jazz fusion" but even this is inadequate. In fact, you *can't* categorize HTM without leaving a LOT out. Since I was 10 I've been trying to find music that approaches what I hear in dreams -- these guys are the Real Deal.
The good news, you can go on to Camel and Kit Watkins solo works for more undiscovered incredibleness. When I need music to take me away, these and HTM are the go-to.
Back when all I knew was Kit Watkins, I was poking through Houston's Records and Tapes (and Drugs, we used to joke). Scary as shopping there was, it paid off with pristine vinyl promo copies of this album and Crafty Hands (also available here on YT). They were $25 each. We could hardly contain our excitement to find them and with trembling hands we paid the ransom. Took 'em home and I can't tell you how happy it made us or how many tears of joy we shed to hear for the first time to this music that for us had been made of pure Unobtainium until then.
Thanks to Happy The Man and *especially* the poster, for making this wonderful music widely available. You have no idea how wonderful it is to find it on YT...
Watkins work here is amzing!!
The first minute of stumpy meets the firecracker, just wow, but why go off on a jazzy riff after that? Didn't want it to stop!
Not bad..had a copy of the LP in my hand at a record show today for $10 and after listening....I passed....I have live I've downloaded.....just a tad busy on the keys.....I do like this type of music in general...I noticed someone mentioned Gilgamesh below..now I LOVE that LP.
26:33 Epic❣️ (31:19)
Amazing album. Love it.
Americas only Prog band. This record is genius!
Yes Man,This's A Wonderful Dream...And Progressive Rock Makes It Naturally So Real !...
Fantastic ❤️
Thank you, rokzombie.