I FOOOUUUNNNDDDD THIS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I had this on a CD and I lost it... I had no idea who it was!! can you imagine searching through hundreds of prog rock video's with nothing to go on? I heard, Their first album and thought it might be them... then i click on this and BAM! This man is happy.
One of the best bands in prog rock, since the '70s I'm a big fan. The albums "Crafty hands" and "Service with a smile"are one of the greatest masterpieces in my collection... I'll be the "Happy man" when I would see them once in Holland.... Kimmik
Yes great. All musicians are really awesome. I just want to underline, that this group would certainly not be what it has become without the presence of Kit Watkins within the first years of it's existence.
I saw Happy The Man live in or around 1976 at The Cellar Door (?) in Georgetown, Washington, DC. My late father, Mr. Jack Silver was doing some audio visual work for them. He also brought me to the concert, I was age 14 or 15.
@beadbud5000, as a musician i feel what your saying. but i appriciate how they can still rock just the same as they did 30 yrs ago. i grew up listen'n to em, and thank u wigginsdesign for they post. hell yeah this is a treat!!!
Dave was a friend of mine at Berklee back in the late 1970s and he, Steve, Vai, bassist Randy Coven (RIP), and drummer Eddie Rogers had an amazing band (I think they were called 'Morning Thunder' named after a celestial seasonings tea but that may have been a different band of Daves) that used to do this song as a cover along with their original tunes! Dave has had an incredible career playing with some of the biggest names in the music business, but I'm sure playing with these guys held a special place in his musical heart!!
I saw them 3 times between '77, and '78.. The first time with Mike Beck on drums was the best.. His kit almost took up the whole stage at The Cellar Door in Georgetown... ( a tiny club with seating for 120 people)… Awesome band
Perfect as they were/are. You can blame promotion or some other business aspect, but the music stands. In my opinion they were one of the great progs of the time, and still are. Thanks for the vids and please keep playing. Love you guys and what you stand for.
'Stumpy Meets the Firecracker in Stencil Forest' from their 1st album. Every song is brilliant. The original keyboard player Kit Watkins still records New Age type tunes. He's on Myspace. Great stuff as well. I grew up in D.C. and Georgetown Univ. college radio played them often. I saw them in 76
It is so amazing and encouraging to see these guys back after so many years, I 1st heeard them back in '82,(this album I believe was from 1977). Way to be,dudes!
Man now I'm in limbo it's great to see them live I've been into them for 30yrs now.It was sad when Kit left but I have all his solo stuff even with COCO .
Exact, Kit was the composer & player of the original songs, but on this reunion David plays a note for note rendition, as mentionned in the video description.
This is a great lineup. My only twinge of nostalgia is that I miss seeing all the keyboards and synths on stage from the 70's. But I'm sure the guys and the crew don't mind traveling lighter.
Oblivion Sun is the new band. Frank Wyatt, Stan Whitaker with a great drummer, bassist and keysman. Check the tunes out on the myspace site. They do some HTM when they play live.
@wigginsdesign Wrong. Focus from Netherlands were famous for not being a vocal band either and yet have an unique sound (they used human voices almost always as instruments). What really made Happy The man great was their amazing virtuoso skills.
My impression of 2005 CD was just the opposite. I agree it held true to the original sound of 70's HTM but I thought that was a great accomplishment because I like this CD very much. It has all the elements I luv about HTM music without loosing any of the power & impact from those earlier days
@JoyceFunston - Thanks for the deeper historical background. I just remember sitting in Rick's room in the band's group house in Reston Virginia, taking bass lessons....Once in awhile he'd let me play his #7 PRS Bass. That is still best bass I have ever touched. I read recently that Rick is in New York
You know the quote is, "Happy the man that dashes the young ones against the stones." It's from Leviticus, lol. Great band. Awesome live stuff. thank you.
Holy Smokes ... its Kit Watkins clone! Great acquisition for HTM. I thought it was Kit Watkins himself until I read Wigginsdesign's note. Thanks for sharing this!
@Big77Jim Yes but they really weren't a vocal band which is what made them unique. There song and arrangements truly fit their name. The music is very uplifting, positive and happy!
@Quinceps Wrong !!! If they had put lyrics and vocals in most of their songs it would have changed the essense and style of the band. They were perfect as they were. It's not their fault the radio stations and unintellectual music public didn't respond to his great music as it is. BTW I think Stan was fine as a singer.
Wonderful! Had no idea who was responsible. Nice to know. Actually I didn't lift , only downloaded from either their site or WindowMediaGuide back when there were no restrictions. The entire show would be what I missed in Alexandria, VA. Do it!
Did you see the other clip "Service with a Smile'? I got both from their site a few years back when this incarnation reformed. And while in DC visiting they were scheduled tp perform a few days after I was due to leave. Arf!!
@Beadbud5000 I agree but I thought those attributes were a plus. They rehashed the same emotion & sensibiliy that I loved back when. Guess that's why I liked it!
well, it depends, I believe that you can tell the master by listening to the stuff as you did in the album. so, imho I think that maybe some of the band memebers wanted to show that in live performances, that they were able to do the same same things live as in the studio. just an opinion, don't kill me if you love those dreamtheateresque audiences in which you always listen to a "new extract from something sometimes hilarious thing" like the simpsons in the middle of A Change of Seasons.
Artistically, they were ahead of the US Market. Europeans liked them as they had other bands in similar styles such as Gentle Giant, Kraftwerk and others. Nobody is as stylishly tasteful as Kit Watkins on the mini moog, or Stanley on his blazingly fast and intricate guitar leads. Rick lays down some hefty bass lines when called upon. This is rounded out by Frank Wyatt on a variety of instruments and great percussion work by one of 3 percussionists over their history.
I would like to see Dave Navarro or any of the other posers of "modern rock" do that. These guys, HTM, are the real deal, with real talents for composition and performance.
HTM was a band that formed in college at James Madison University in the mid 1970's. By the time of the first recording that I was given (1975) they had formed their 'sound'. I came along in 1978, taking bass lessons from Rick Kennell. By then, the band had 2 great records, a big East Coast following and an even bigger European fan base. The problem was Arista Records dropped them on the verge of their third record and the band fell apart under the stress of the business side of music.
@wigginsdesign this band is amusing. I think a vocals generally make songs more accesible for people and can become more well known. Vocals could have been a nice addition in my opinnion. They are a great instrumental band though.
David Rosenthal. He replaced their original keyboardist Kit Watkins and duplicates their 70's songs beautifully note for note. His own work on HTM's most recent release is also quite good.
I'm sorry tey couldn't stay as HTM. THe last release was quite impressive. They probably didn't get much support from the dumb downed music community. But what's in a name, nice to know Wyatt and Whitaker are still collaborating
When is this show from? Is this NEARfest performance, or another one? Unfortunately, HTM broke up again a couple years ago. Stan Whittaker (their guitarist) said that after the NEARfest performance, he started feeling too restricted by no improv policy the band always had. So I guess after they did the new album a few years ago, they decided to go their seperate ways. Stan now plays in a band called Oblivion Sun.
This is a bit frustrating.... I've had the album and LOVED it since it came out - telling anyone who would listen to LISTEN TO THIS!! And now, I find some footage...and I keep wanting to say.... "Uhhhh... y'all got any more of them pixels?" It's making me crosseyed to watch. Still..... better than nothing, in'it?
I don't want to be blamey at all but David seems to have a unconfortable time playing Kit's solos, also that electronic keyboard can't reach the expressive level of the minimoog but come on, Kit's fingering is insane!, otherwise what a performance!
Won't hold the "blamey" thing against you. But for me it is just great to hear a live version of Kit's work today in 2021 (show from 14yrs ago). It makes me think of the joy and amazement that my musician friends and I had when we would listen to HTM in the 1970's...BTW....they had a sizable fanbase at Howard University back then.
L.A. this must be stolen from the infamous ARONSOUND STUDIOS! nice work.. but a little out of focus. i am sure professor pantspress never taught you to run camera like that. my guess is you were stoned during that class.. ha ha! i bet professor handwarmer could teach you a thing or two about correct audio levels also.
That's actually the only thing I don't like about HTM. I knew there was something too rigid in their music. No improvisation at all, even in live performances.
I FOOOUUUNNNDDDD THIS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I had this on a CD and I lost it... I had no idea who it was!! can you imagine searching through hundreds of prog rock video's with nothing to go on? I heard, Their first album and thought it might be them... then i click on this and BAM! This man is happy.
One of the best bands in prog rock, since the '70s I'm a big fan. The albums "Crafty hands" and "Service with a smile"are one of the greatest masterpieces in my collection...
I'll be the "Happy man" when I would see them once in Holland....
Kimmik
Mind blowing amazing band! Very unfortunate that they didn't get the recognition they deserved.
Rosenthal, your Kit homage is fucking spot on dude, wow
I just learned Frank Wyatt passed away in January... Can't believe it.... RIP and thank you
Yes great. All musicians are really awesome. I just want to underline, that this group would certainly not be what it has become without the presence of Kit Watkins within the first years of it's existence.
I saw Happy The Man live in or around 1976 at The Cellar Door (?) in Georgetown, Washington, DC. My late father, Mr. Jack Silver was doing some audio visual work for them. He also brought me to the concert, I was age 14 or 15.
@beadbud5000, as a musician i feel what your saying. but i appriciate how they can still rock just the same as they did 30 yrs ago. i grew up listen'n to em, and thank u wigginsdesign for they post. hell yeah this is a treat!!!
Probably the best band I've never heard
Ever listened to Cardiacs?
The keyboard player is David Rosenthal. He is presently the music director and keyboard player for Billy Joel's touring band.
Dave was a friend of mine at Berklee back in the late 1970s and he, Steve, Vai, bassist Randy Coven (RIP), and drummer Eddie Rogers had an amazing band (I think they were called 'Morning Thunder' named after a celestial seasonings tea but that may have been a different band of Daves) that used to do this song as a cover along with their original tunes!
Dave has had an incredible career playing with some of the biggest names in the music business, but I'm sure playing with these guys held a special place in his musical heart!!
A great show. The Muffins played at that fest as well. Great hangs with HTM. RIP Frank. xoxo
i forgot just how great this band is thanks for the reminder
i've loved this band since the 70's ...I always said that they were way ahead of their time ! wish I could've seen them live !! long live HTM !!!
I saw them 3 times between '77, and '78.. The first time with Mike Beck on drums was the best.. His kit almost took up the whole stage at The Cellar Door in Georgetown... ( a tiny club with seating for 120 people)… Awesome band
Becoming a big fan of Happy the Man.
Happy the Man is the Man - still !
Yes i'm from DC and saw them in the Seventies in Georgetown but missed this reunion in Alexandria by days during my visit back there
arguably the best prog band ever
The best in America.
Perfect as they were/are. You can blame promotion or some other business aspect, but the music stands. In my opinion they were one of the great progs of the time, and still are. Thanks for the vids and please keep playing. Love you guys and what you stand for.
Still F***ing incredible music!!!
Frfr
Gran grupo del rock progresivo. 👏👏👏👏👏 Gracias por el video.
great music? great musicians!!! i like this music
'Stumpy Meets the Firecracker in Stencil Forest' from their 1st album. Every song is brilliant. The original keyboard player Kit Watkins still records New Age type tunes. He's on Myspace. Great stuff as well. I grew up in D.C. and Georgetown Univ. college radio played them often. I saw them in 76
It is so amazing and encouraging to see these guys back after so many years, I 1st heeard them back in '82,(this album I believe was from 1977). Way to be,dudes!
Excccccccccccellllllllllllllllllllleeeeeeeennnnnnnnt....!!
Thanks for this video..!
Man now I'm in limbo it's great to see them live I've been into them for 30yrs now.It was sad when Kit left but I have all his solo stuff even with COCO .
The keyboard player is NOT Kit Watkins. His name is David Rosenthal.
Exact, Kit was the composer & player of the original songs, but on this reunion David plays a note for note rendition, as mentionned in the video description.
i thought that i will never see these guys, such a great sound!
This is a great lineup. My only twinge of nostalgia is that I miss seeing all the keyboards and synths on stage from the 70's. But I'm sure the guys and the crew don't mind traveling lighter.
Oblivion Sun is the new band. Frank Wyatt, Stan Whitaker with a great drummer, bassist and keysman. Check the tunes out on the myspace site. They do some HTM when they play live.
@wigginsdesign Wrong. Focus from Netherlands were famous for not being a vocal band either and yet have an unique sound (they used human voices almost always as instruments). What really made Happy The man great was their amazing virtuoso skills.
Jesus H Christ!!! That's some playing!!!
My impression of 2005 CD was just the opposite. I agree it held true to the original sound of 70's HTM but I thought that was a great accomplishment because I like this CD very much. It has all the elements I luv about HTM music without loosing any of the power & impact from those earlier days
@JoyceFunston - Thanks for the deeper historical background. I just remember sitting in Rick's room in the band's group house in Reston Virginia, taking bass lessons....Once in awhile he'd let me play his #7 PRS Bass. That is still best bass I have ever touched. I read recently that Rick is in New York
You know the quote is, "Happy the man that dashes the young ones against the stones." It's from Leviticus, lol.
Great band. Awesome live stuff. thank you.
They got their name from the Genesis song "Happy the Man."
Great stuff! hell it sure beats 3 chord strumming and 2 note chugging.
Holy Smokes ... its Kit Watkins clone! Great acquisition for HTM. I thought it was Kit Watkins himself until I read Wigginsdesign's note. Thanks for sharing this!
@Big77Jim
Yes but they really weren't a vocal band which is what made them unique. There song and arrangements truly fit their name. The music is very uplifting, positive and happy!
LOL! I reallly hadn't given any attention to those crazy lights until you mention it. Now it's hard for me to avoid them.
@Quinceps Wrong !!! If they had put lyrics and vocals in most of their songs it would have changed the essense and style of the band. They were perfect as they were. It's not their fault the radio stations and unintellectual music public didn't respond to his great music as it is. BTW I think Stan was fine as a singer.
Wonderful! Had no idea who was responsible. Nice to know. Actually I didn't lift , only downloaded from either their site or WindowMediaGuide back when there were no restrictions. The entire show would be what I missed in Alexandria, VA. Do it!
Amazing band.
Did you see the other clip "Service with a Smile'? I got both from their site a few years back when this incarnation reformed. And while in DC visiting they were scheduled tp perform a few days after I was due to leave. Arf!!
Knee Bitten Nymphs in Shangra La La Land...is a good nonfiction b00k...
@Beadbud5000
I agree but I thought those attributes were a plus. They rehashed the same emotion & sensibiliy that I loved back when. Guess that's why I liked it!
Awesomeness
well, it depends, I believe that you can tell the master by listening to the stuff as you did in the album. so, imho I think that maybe some of the band memebers wanted to show that in live performances, that they were able to do the same same things live as in the studio. just an opinion, don't kill me if you love those dreamtheateresque audiences in which you always listen to a "new extract from something sometimes hilarious thing" like the simpsons in the middle of A Change of Seasons.
Artistically, they were ahead of the US Market. Europeans liked them as they had other bands in similar styles such as Gentle Giant, Kraftwerk and others. Nobody is as stylishly tasteful as Kit Watkins on the mini moog, or Stanley on his blazingly fast and intricate guitar leads. Rick lays down some hefty bass lines when called upon. This is rounded out by Frank Wyatt on a variety of instruments and great percussion work by one of 3 percussionists over their history.
I would like to see Dave Navarro or any of the other posers of "modern rock" do that. These guys, HTM, are the real deal, with real talents for composition and performance.
Thanks wigginsdesign !
Is there any video of them doing "Wind Up Doll Day", ? My favorite HTM piece!
HTM was a band that formed in college at James Madison University in the mid 1970's. By the time of the first recording that I was given (1975) they had formed their 'sound'. I came along in 1978, taking bass lessons from Rick Kennell. By then, the band had 2 great records, a big East Coast following and an even bigger European fan base. The problem was Arista Records dropped them on the verge of their third record and the band fell apart under the stress of the business side of music.
One of. Unfortunately, barely anybody knows about them.
this is so good
This must be the new HTM, great ? yes these finger fiddling parts are terrific. I wondered what keyboard he could use to mimic the minimoog
I like that!
Yes it is!!!! Please give me any background on him
@wigginsdesign this band is amusing. I think a vocals generally make songs more accesible for people and can become more well known. Vocals could have been a nice addition in my opinnion. They are a great instrumental band though.
This is great!
Will this on DVD in the future?
Thanks for sharing it!
Awesome!! JB JBOTV
David Rosenthal. He replaced their original keyboardist Kit Watkins and duplicates their 70's songs beautifully note for note. His own work on HTM's most recent release is also quite good.
I'm sorry tey couldn't stay as HTM. THe last release was quite impressive. They probably didn't get much support from the dumb downed music community. But what's in a name, nice to know Wyatt and Whitaker are still collaborating
I love you guys! Anyway my band can open for you? It would be my dream come true.
When is this show from? Is this NEARfest performance, or another one?
Unfortunately, HTM broke up again a couple years ago. Stan Whittaker (their guitarist) said that after the NEARfest performance, he started feeling too restricted by no improv policy the band always had. So I guess after they did the new album a few years ago, they decided to go their seperate ways. Stan now plays in a band called Oblivion Sun.
Yes. but I'm not very familiar with Rainbow. I'll have to check them out.
That's Ron Riddle on drums.
This is a bit frustrating.... I've had the album and LOVED it since it came out - telling anyone who would listen to LISTEN TO THIS!! And now, I find some footage...and I keep wanting to say.... "Uhhhh... y'all got any more of them pixels?" It's making me crosseyed to watch. Still..... better than nothing, in'it?
saw this show and many bitd 73-76 . this show sounded better
monster us prog group from the 1970s!!
one of the most anoying melodies i ever heard .... it keeps days in my head
I introduced his wife to him.
I didn't know he even had solo stuff.
Buzz
hey they took down new york d reams suite..BOOOOOOO can somebody get it back..
I don't want to be blamey at all but David seems to have a unconfortable time playing Kit's solos, also that electronic keyboard can't reach the expressive level of the minimoog but come on, Kit's fingering is insane!, otherwise what a performance!
I agree! Didn't notice it at the show, but I can hear it now! Good ear!
Won't hold the "blamey" thing against you. But for me it is just great to hear a live version of Kit's work today in 2021 (show from 14yrs ago). It makes me think of the joy and amazement that my musician friends and I had when we would listen to HTM in the 1970's...BTW....they had a sizable fanbase at Howard University back then.
@@willf.5608 Don't deny that. A wonderful fact
@@FukiMakai 😁
L.A.
this must be stolen from the infamous ARONSOUND STUDIOS!
nice work.. but a little out of focus. i am sure professor pantspress never taught you to run camera like that. my guess is you were stoned during that class.. ha ha! i bet professor handwarmer could teach you a thing or two about correct audio levels also.
Kit Watkins dislined this vid six times
That's actually the only thing I don't like about HTM. I knew there was something too rigid in their music. No improvisation at all, even in live performances.
good music, but the guitar player's right hand irritates me
Nobody can replace Kit Watkins.