Listen to some of the music here: podcasts.progrock.com/2024/02/06/sea-of-tranquilitys-ranking-the-albums-saga/?fbclid=IwAR0DJYtBlcT-zp6nyHW-caAfIAGiB3bzpcGGu6K3FMDlD6DVVtr8qKPJK7M
Growing up in Oakville Ontario I went to high school with Crichton's younger sister and she [knowing I was a music geek] told me about her brothers band in 1977 and when they were playing locally, Even in those early days watching them live you could see how this band was talented and fresh from anything out there. Once again great video Pete....
Saga is one of my favorite bands of all time too! I bought "World's Apart" & "In Transit" at the time they were released. What a guitarist Ian Crichton is - very very talented & original! Michael Sadler is hell of a singer! Cheers from Finland! 😀
Fantastic show Pete!.....One of your best yet I reckon. I think you might have seen my comment a month ago 😉😉 where I suggested you rank the Saga albums. Great stuff. I saw Saga in London back in '83 on the 'Heads Or Tales' tour. What a great night we had all those many years ago. And I think I agree with 'Worlds Apart' being No1 on the list. I would have probably gone for 'Slent Night' 2nd.
Finally! My favorite band of all time after Black Sabbath! Wonderful walkthrough of their catalog Pete - which is a massive undertaking. I'd say that at least half of their albums are top shelf. Never understood why these guys aren't bigger. Unique sounding, lots of great songs with catchy hooks, cool riffs and blazing dual guitar-keyboard solos. Glad you mention Ian Crichton. A very underrated guitarist with a unique riffing style. Instead of using "normal" power chord, his riffs are often single notes and very melodic.
This is such a solid channel with great information, entertainment, variety and well put together that it had to have at least 100 K members...So many other alike channels, pretty bad in my opinion, with Millions of peoples?....We will get there slowly but surely.Keep it up. Cheers!
Sincerely, ive never heard of these guys, Guess it's a chance to get into them! Which is part of the magic of your show, you've introduced me to so many great bands! Thanks for that Pete and have a nice day 😀
Fun little thing happened to me in the early 2000's. I did an online contest at DPRP.com and won. The prize was all of the Saga remastered cd's at the time signed by the band! Really cool!!
Yet one more band with a large treasure chest of good music that wasn't very well-known - that you have gotten me to listen to. Enjoying! Thanks, Pete!
Awesome ranking Pete. Saga is such a great band. I could have saw them in 1980 in my hometown (they were playing at a University) and never did unfortunately. I haven't listened much to their more recent stuff but I will definitely give it a listen now.
Hey Pete, Wanted to thank you for all you do. Started watching your channel in late 2019 and then got laid off my job in March 2020 due to Covid and pretty much you were my go to channel during the pandemic. You inspired me to start a TH-cam channel because I had so much vinyl and cd’s and thought what should I do with all this music since I’m not working. Thought I knew a lot about music but really wanted to thank you for turning me onto Saga, Marillion, Camel, and Caravan. Been really enjoying them all. Keep up the great content!!
Thank you for respecting Saga and doing this countdown. One of the best bands that nobody knows. And yes, Ian Crichton is probably THE best guitarist that no one knows.
Another great ranking video Pete. I used to have Silent Knight,Worlds Apart,In Transit and Heads or Tales on vinyl. I sold them stupidly moving cross country,but I would agree those first 6 or 7 albums are the best. I've loved all the ranking the album videos,and would throw out a few suggestions. I'd love to see an APRIL WINE, WEATHER REPORT, LITTLE FEAT or a BRAND X video. Thanks again for all the great content Pete. I've been letting the adds run on the videos to help out.
this is one of the many things i love about this channel...i was a saga fan from their early vinyl days and had every one of their albums...(sadly moving purged alot of my collection)...but the fact you even devote a show to them is brilliant...and my favorite album was always silent knight...stay well...peace....rocky
This is so cool. I loved this band in the early years and had no idea they had so many albums. Ian Crichton was my guitar hero. His playing is so tasteful. Thanks for giving him some props because he is so underrated. I had all their albums through MisBehavior, and I agree Worlds' Apart and the debut are the best. Probably my favorite songs are Tired World, Pitchman (wow the guitar solo on this one), Goodbye Once Upon A Time and of course the first song of theirs I heard On The Loose. Thanks Pete!
I love your esoteric knowledge of these unsung easily forgotten bands that deserve re-recognition. Queensrÿche albums and songs videos got me, and now I’m subbed.
A music journalist in the UK once described Saga as Canada's answer to Duran Duran! Fortunately I paid little heed to him a checked them out. Incredibly talented and inventive band. Loved Careful Where You Step and How Long since they were released and still listen to them today.
One of the bands that got me into music. My first introduction to the band was the Silent Knight album. Such an amazing band, glad to see you giving them some love.
Thanks Pete for this one! Saga is an undiscovered gem for many and Crichton is super original, one of my favorite players. When Crichton and Gilmour do the tandem solo runs, it's awesome a la Dream Theater before Dream Theater was doing it.
One of my favorite bands of all time. It's a shame they never broke here in the US. Very ahead of their time. My top three favorite albums from them in no particular order are Silent Knight, Worlds Apart, and Heads or Tales.
I'm a huge Saga fan from Germany. Their live sound on stage is so fantastic with a brilliant combination of keysounds and guitar. Ian Crichton is so amazing. Michael Sadler have a german girlfrind. (or have had?) Saw them a lot. Great!!
Good point! Was just thinking of asking Pete if he's familiar with Zebra. Zebra's an excellent 3 piece band with some great songs. Saw them live years ago terrific.
I never got into Zebra, I heard them many years ago and thought they were just "a poor man's Led Zepellin" but I really should go back and give them another chance. Otherwise I've been a huge Triumph and Saga fan for years (I saw Saga once back in 1981 at Reading Rock Festival here in the UK). I have been a big fan of them ever since and own all of the albums, including the latest "Symmetry" album that came in the post today. If you are talking about "obscure but great" Canadian rock bands, you should not forget Max Webster, Moxy and Goddo - again, they rarely get talked about.
I know saga from their beginning in 1978, I saw them live twice, in 2006 in germany, they were the headliners, I also met all the members of the band minus the drummer in a meet and greet a few hours before the show, I spoke mostly with Michael sadler, they were very nice and polite, the second show was in Sweden 2014, their best album is the debut album and saga is the most unique prog rock band in history, thank you pete for reminding us about this great band
This is great! My introduction to Saga was seeing the On The Loose video when it debuted on MTV. Worlds Apart is a great Album. I have all the studio albums and really need to revisit them again.
I remember going to see Saga at Hammersmith Odean on the Worlds Apart tour, Awesome live band, saw them supported by the fantastic A.C.T. Swedish band. Check them out Pete! Rush and Triumph also my favourite bands Canada has produced some Amazing bands over the years. Made up you did this Saga review as many people may not have heared them.Keep up your great reviews etc. Your musical knowledge is second to none 👏👏👏
Love Saga! I’m from Toronto and in my 50’s so they were all over the place in the eighties. Q would play them a lot. I loved the song “I’m the Flyer” when it came out.I saw them live only once in 2002. They opened for Styx. ✌️🎸❤️🇨🇦
Thanks Pete for covering one of my favorite bands. I'm a completist when it comes to these guys and man its a big catalog! I had to combine vinyl and CD to finally complete their collection due to availability issues and out of print titles. Check out the live DVD releases from a few years ago they are smoking! I heard they were close to retiring and had some pre Covid 19 dates canceled, hope its not the end. Thanks again.
Can't wait to watch this - one of the best unknown bands here in the US. I have 15 of their albums and all my friends are like, "Who?" Great job as always!!
I had the worlds apart lp with those two songs. I only liked three songs on the album but I'm going to revisit it. My taste has changed a bit and based on what Pete says I might take a liking to them. Didn't know they had 22 albums. That's impressive.
I've been trying to figure the meaning behind the weird insect alien on their covers. From what I can gather it's often called the Golden Warrior, or Harold the Locust. But I have no idea who designed it or why exactly it's the bands "mascot". If anyone knows, I'd love to hear something. BTW I just heard them live yesterday in Denmark, and man they were so awesome.
Great video. Two hints, Crichton is pronounced Cry-ton, which you said last, and Sagacity is Saw-Gas-ittee. My favourite band. I agree with your on the top 5, however my order is slightly different. And I put Beginner's Guide and Security way higher, and Wildest Dreams slightly higher.
I rate The Security Of Illusion album as one of the 5 albums in the best of the rest, #8 - #12--everything after The Classic Era of 1977 to 1986. Wildest Dreams and The Beginner's Guide are, on any given day, between #13-#19 out of 22.
Saga - the support act at the first concert I went to. So the first band I saw live. They opened with "It's Time" with Ian rocketing on from the wings with his iconic white strat to do the "motorcycle chord" before the first solo - and EVERYONE played keyboards except Ian. Fantastic stuff. That was a couple of months before "Silent Knight" came out. Also saw them headline the Hammersmith Odeon on the Heads and Tails, and Behaviour tours. Lots of memories...
also, regarding studio material, worth mentioning are the 3 new/unique studio tracks on the double-cd/best-of collection "The Works" (2 original compositions plus a pretty good cover of Peter Gabriel's Solsbury Hill") - thanks for your continued stellar music commentary!
Hey thanks for this. Love this band so much. Saw them once open for Styx in Ontario 🇨🇦. Even though they are Canadian they were still more popular in Europe. A great underrated band.
I’ve been a Saga fan since the beginning. I saw them play at The Knob Hill Hotel in Scarborough in ‘79, then a few years later at Maple Leaf Gardens in Toronto. Both venues are gone now. Saga has been a strong contender in my catalog for most of my life. Too bad they never got the recognition they deserved here in North America as they did in Europe. A great Canadian band! 🇨🇦🎸
First time I saw Saga, was on a TV show from Germany in 1981 or 1982. I had just bought my Fisher Beta video recorder, and was lucky enough to tape their concert. Played that cassette a lot. Began buying records, and became a big fan. Great car music ! Lot's of memories. Been too long since I've played them now, but tonight I'm gonna do something about that.
I have seen a few concert dates announced for 2023. Go see them if you can. I've seen them many times and have never been disappointed. Great band live.
Living fairly close to NYC/ and although I was NOT at the show/ an old acquaintance I knew/ saw SAGA at BB KINGS in the Summer 2006. He said they were unreal / but hardly anyone showed. What a shame.! I did not realize PETE they had this many albums. Have not played these guys in years. I’ll go on a 4 or 5 day run starting now. Thx PETE.
Thanks, Pete...I quite liked Saga in the 80's but after "Heads or Tales", they dropped off the face of the earth down here in the south. It's good to hear they continued putting out quality albums after the MTV 80's blitz. The airplay down here is terrible. I appreciate the wake up call of Saga.
Pete, thank you so much for making this video and getting me hooked on Saga. Im ashamed to say i hadnt listened or heard of them before your channel. So many thanks again fot introducing me to the world that is Saga.
As someone only familiar with the studio album "Worlds Apart" this was helpful. Thanks. I just ordered "Generation 13" , looks interesting. I did see their "live in Munich" concert on TH-cam and it was awesome.
Thank you for this! SAGA is one of my all time fav bands. My top 5 albums by them: 1. Silent Knight 2. Worlds Apart 3. Images at Twilight 4. Saga 5. Heads or Tales
I have to admit I’ve overlooked saga for many years. I think it was that darn mtv video they did for their big hit on the loose. Probably just overplayed to me and I put them in the back of my mind. And then over time just forgot all about them. They are now in my music rotation now (the top ten albums here) to listen to! Thanks pete I am enjoying “new” music
After chatting with him through Facebook, Michael Sadler actually called me one Sunday morning and we sat and chatted for about 20 minutes. there is a really cool experience. He told me why they were never really big in the U.S. and it made perfect sense. He used Rush as a comparison.he said that when Rush first started out they had some releases in the United States and they played dates in the United States and did really well. Therefore that's where they focused their efforts. In the United States. Saga, on the other hand, was booked by their agents at some venues in Germany and other parts of Europe. They did really, really, well there. As a result that's where they have focused the majority of their time and performances. It really sucks that the United States has been deprived of live Saga but at least we do have their music.
Okay so this is the second time watching this video,.Ian Critchton, definitely one of my favorite guitarists. I would love to see album rankings of Crack the Sky. Thanks for the videos! Great job
One of my all time favorite band. Many great studio albums and one of the best live album ever (On Stage). Guestion: Have you ranked the Cult already? Waiting to hear your comments about their production.
One of my favourite bands ever, and I found out about them by chance when a record mailing club offered a best of album from the early 90s. I think they hide their talent behind a very, as you say Pete, slick exterior. My favourite album is actually Marathon. It's hard for me to say why, but it just works for me, the first 4 albums they out out are next, in the same 2nd place
Great to check out the ranking and yours thoughts on one of my favorites band of all time ! M.Sadler's unique voice, it's the one I love the most, at list in the rock genre. No such depth and nuances of the expressed emotion ... just going straight to the heart. Ian's guitar work also has unique and distinctive style. For me he's easily up there with A.Lifson's, massively underrated craftmaster. I was surprised to see so low to the bottom of your chart, two albums, that I have my heart on them : "The security of ..." and especially "The beginner's guide of ..." : D Of course it's part of the fun and charm side of such reviews, we can virtually exchange arguments :)) So, cheers & KUTGW !
Saga, was the band that started me on Keyboards about 1978. I now have 8 keyboards, loved the band! Wildest Dreams I liked, but odd, Before that all was great. Some after.
Massively underrated band, that I've been lucky enough to see live twice. I'm surprised to see Beginners guide as low as you've placed it, but hey no matter. At least it gives me a chance to re-listen to their back catalog again and see where I'd rate them all now
Thanks so much for switching me on to this band Pete - wow1 Have you heard Uk 80s prog band Quasar's 'Fir in the Sky' - I think they must have liked Saga! Cheers!
To me Saga is the 2nd best Canadian prog band ever (you-know-who is #1). I've got most of their catalog, really great music. Totally agree with Pete's assessment of the great guitar work, also the great vocals. I'll just rate my favorite albums & mention the rest below (those can rank in any order really): #1: Sagacity (Special Edition) #2 (tie): Symmetry / House Of Cards / Trust #3: Generation 13 #4 (tie): Wildest Dreams / The Security Of Illusion / Marathon / Network / Behaviour #5: Beginner's Guide To Throwing Shapes #6: Pleasure And The Pain #7: 10000 Days #8: Silent Knight The rest (in any order): Saga, Gotta Love it (cds), Human Condition, 20/20, To Whom It Concerns, Worlds Apart, Steel Umbrellas, Images At Twilight. Nice best-of's: Best Of Saga Now & Then The Collection 1978-Infinity & Defining Moments. For live: So Good So Far - Live At Rock Of Ages & Spin It Again! Live In Munich. Great band!
My favorites top five, from top to bottom, are: Worlds’ Apart, Silent Knight, Generation 13, Security of Illusion and Behavior. Heads or Tails is in the sixth position as I do not own the first two. Ian Crichton is a hugely underrated guitarist, but this applies to every other member who played in this band. This band is loaded with talent in every area-and everyone contributed something to the overall sound. As a unit this band can still deliver a potent punch.
Nice video mate i’m quite sharing your ranking!! I would have highlighted the song giant as a kind of tribute to gentle giant.Saw them in Germany just before Covid mess was a blast!!
like the first 'SAGA' album so much, and the song "TIRED WORLD" is maby the best song ever they did for me.., this song is so great.. but the other follow up albums are also great !... but the song 'TIRED WORLD' saved my life
Saga was my first ever consert in Oslo in 81’. Sold out based on the live broadcast from Germany just before.. The Worlds apart record record had just been released i think.. the band killed it that night and the audience went nuts. Great memories 😉
Listen to some of the music here: podcasts.progrock.com/2024/02/06/sea-of-tranquilitys-ranking-the-albums-saga/?fbclid=IwAR0DJYtBlcT-zp6nyHW-caAfIAGiB3bzpcGGu6K3FMDlD6DVVtr8qKPJK7M
That is CRAZY. I was just thinking last night - I wonder why he's never done Saga. One of the greatest prog bands of ALL TIME. Hugely underrated band.
1000% agree
Better than Rush, Genesis, Pink Floyd, Alan Parsons, Yes, Socrates etc? Not disagreeing just genuinely asking
Pete, I was amazed with all the bands you know, but Saga? Dude, you really, really know your music. Been a fan of Saga since 1978.
Love love this band. They were HUGE in Puerto Rico in the early 80's.
I still recall Alfa Rock playing The Perfectionist all the time in the radio, for years and years, Saga is definitely big in PR.
Saga is one of my favorite bands
Growing up in Oakville Ontario I went to high school with Crichton's younger sister and she [knowing I was a music geek] told me about her brothers band in 1977 and when they were playing locally, Even in those early days watching them live you could see how this band was talented and fresh from anything out there. Once again great video Pete....
@Donald Duck Ontario is part of Canada. Look at an atlas sometime.
Saga is one of my favorite bands of all time too! I bought "World's Apart" & "In Transit" at the time they were released. What a guitarist Ian Crichton is - very very talented & original! Michael Sadler is hell of a singer! Cheers from Finland! 😀
Fantastic show Pete!.....One of your best yet I reckon. I think you might have seen my comment a month ago 😉😉 where I suggested you rank the Saga albums. Great stuff. I saw Saga in London back in '83 on the 'Heads Or Tales' tour. What a great night we had all those many years ago. And I think I agree with 'Worlds Apart' being No1 on the list. I would have probably gone for 'Slent Night' 2nd.
Happy to hear you like Saga as much as I do
I’m losing track of how many great bands I’ve missed over the years that you’re getting me into. Keep up the great videos, this channel kicks ass!
I have yet to explore the Saga catalog, I do think they are underated. Thanks for the ranking, Pete, I"m going to check out a few albums now.
Finally! My favorite band of all time after Black Sabbath!
Wonderful walkthrough of their catalog Pete - which is a massive undertaking. I'd say that at least half of their albums are top shelf.
Never understood why these guys aren't bigger. Unique sounding, lots of great songs with catchy hooks, cool riffs and blazing dual guitar-keyboard solos.
Glad you mention Ian Crichton. A very underrated guitarist with a unique riffing style. Instead of using "normal" power chord, his riffs are often single notes and very melodic.
This is such a solid channel with great information, entertainment, variety and well put together that it had to have at least 100 K members...So many other alike channels, pretty bad in my opinion, with Millions of peoples?....We will get there slowly but surely.Keep it up. Cheers!
I feel reintroduced to Saga. A new to me band with music I can get into that hasn't been played to death. TY! 🤟 Great channel Pete.
"In transit" is one of the greatest live album I've ever heard...
Totally! 🤘🤘🤘
Only problem not enough tracks. And only covers first 4 albums.
Yes it is!!
Spin it Again - Live in Munich released in 2013 is a double CD with 19 tracks.. excellent .. I highly recommend it ..:)
Thanks for reviewing the albums for this band love them since 1978 truly a underrated band they are simply amazing
Sincerely, ive never heard of these guys, Guess it's a chance to get into them! Which is part of the magic of your show, you've introduced me to so many great bands! Thanks for that Pete and have a nice day 😀
By the way, im looking forward the Spock's Beard and Flower Kings show, huge fan of prog here!
You won't regret it.
In Transit is a famous Saga live album that could be a great start. 🤘🤘🤘
@@chassy Thanks for the recomendation! Greetings and have a nice day
check them out, start with worlds apart
@@stephanerichard6267 thank you stephane! By the way, are you into The Flower Kings?
I had no idea they were so prolific. I was fortunate enough to catch one of their 2 US dates last year and they killed it.
Fun little thing happened to me in the early 2000's. I did an online contest at DPRP.com and won. The prize was all of the Saga remastered cd's at the time signed by the band! Really cool!!
Thanks Pete ! ..been waiting for this discography review . Very underrated band.
Yet one more band with a large treasure chest of good music that wasn't very well-known - that you have gotten me to listen to. Enjoying! Thanks, Pete!
SAGA! So interesting. A very great canadian band!. 🤘🇨🇦🤘🇨🇦🤘
Back in 1978 Saga released one of the most impressive debut albums ever.
"Tired World" is so cinematic
Ice Nice, one word...sick
Awesome ranking Pete. Saga is such a great band. I could have saw them in 1980 in my hometown (they were playing at a University) and never did unfortunately. I haven't listened much to their more recent stuff but I will definitely give it a listen now.
Thank you for ranking the studio albums of Saga.🎤🎸🎵🥁
Thanks for the ranking Pete. Cool bringing up the Silver Surfer!
Hey Pete,
Wanted to thank you for all you do. Started watching your channel in late 2019 and then got laid off my job in March 2020 due to Covid and pretty much you were my go to channel during the pandemic. You inspired me to start a TH-cam channel because I had so much vinyl and cd’s and thought what should I do with all this music since I’m not working. Thought I knew a lot about music but really wanted to thank you for turning me onto Saga, Marillion, Camel, and Caravan. Been really enjoying them all. Keep up the great content!!
Thanks!
I'm Canadian & this is my fave Canadian band....
Great job, Pete. Luv to hear praise for one of Canada's finest!
Thank you for respecting Saga and doing this countdown. One of the best bands that nobody knows. And yes, Ian Crichton is probably THE best guitarist that no one knows.
Another great ranking video Pete. I used to have Silent Knight,Worlds Apart,In Transit and Heads or Tales on vinyl. I sold them stupidly moving cross country,but I would agree those first 6 or 7 albums are the best. I've loved all the ranking the album videos,and would throw out a few suggestions. I'd love to see an APRIL WINE, WEATHER REPORT, LITTLE FEAT or a BRAND X video. Thanks again for all the great content Pete. I've been letting the adds run on the videos to help out.
this is one of the many things i love about this channel...i was a saga fan from their early vinyl days and had every one of their albums...(sadly moving purged alot of my collection)...but the fact you even devote a show to them is brilliant...and my favorite album was always silent knight...stay well...peace....rocky
This is so cool. I loved this band in the early years and had no idea they had so many albums. Ian Crichton was my guitar hero. His playing is so tasteful. Thanks for giving him some props because he is so underrated. I had all their albums through MisBehavior, and I agree Worlds' Apart and the debut are the best. Probably my favorite songs are Tired World, Pitchman (wow the guitar solo on this one), Goodbye Once Upon A Time and of course the first song of theirs I heard On The Loose. Thanks Pete!
If you go to find Saga on Amazon Music, their photo is the picture with the one off singer. Just thought that was funny.
I love your esoteric knowledge of these unsung easily forgotten bands that deserve re-recognition. Queensrÿche albums and songs videos got me, and now I’m subbed.
A music journalist in the UK once described Saga as Canada's answer to Duran Duran! Fortunately I paid little heed to him a checked them out. Incredibly talented and inventive band. Loved Careful Where You Step and How Long since they were released and still listen to them today.
Awesome review, definitely my favorite prog band which I have been listening since the early 80's. And totally agree with your #1!
oh, and one MORE comment and thanks for spotlighting one of my favorite theme-albums "Generation 13" - overlooked and underrated - just great.
One of the bands that got me into music. My first introduction to the band was the Silent Knight album. Such an amazing band, glad to see you giving them some love.
Salute from Canada! 🇨🇦🎶🇺🇸
Thanks Pete for this one! Saga is an undiscovered gem for many and Crichton is super original, one of my favorite players. When Crichton and Gilmour do the tandem solo runs, it's awesome a la Dream Theater before Dream Theater was doing it.
One of my favorite bands of all time. It's a shame they never broke here in the US. Very ahead of their time. My top three favorite albums from them in no particular order are Silent Knight, Worlds Apart, and Heads or Tales.
Your channel is awesome. Thanks for all your work. Just wanted to say that.
I'm a huge Saga fan from Germany. Their live sound on stage is so fantastic with a brilliant combination of keysounds and guitar. Ian Crichton is so amazing. Michael Sadler have a german girlfrind. (or have had?) Saw them a lot. Great!!
I believe he used to have a Danish girlfriend or wife, he's a very international man. :)
Saw them 1981or 1982 in Columbia MO had those two huge hits they were awesome ! Glad I did see them one of my favs
Oh my... Beginners Guide ..is my fav album. The guitarsound is incredible on this album.
Drop-C tuning on Waiting in the Wings, yay!
Wonderful album.
Ranking it at number 20 has no sense
It's one of my go to's along with heads or tales , i couldn't believe it was ranked so low.
I've always thought of Triumph, Saga & Zebra as the great trilogy of under appreciated heavy/prog bands.
Good point! Was just thinking of asking Pete if he's familiar with Zebra. Zebra's an excellent 3 piece band with some great songs. Saw them live years ago terrific.
Triumph aren't prog
I never got into Zebra, I heard them many years ago and thought they were just "a poor man's Led Zepellin" but I really should go back and give them another chance. Otherwise I've been a huge Triumph and Saga fan for years (I saw Saga once back in 1981 at Reading Rock Festival here in the UK). I have been a big fan of them ever since and own all of the albums, including the latest "Symmetry" album that came in the post today.
If you are talking about "obscure but great" Canadian rock bands, you should not forget Max Webster, Moxy and Goddo - again, they rarely get talked about.
@@flak4438 Yes they are.
This is why I love your show; getting to hear about a band I've never heard of before. Looking forward to having a listen! Love the chapter concept.
I envy you getting to hear them for the first time. hope you enjoy!
I know saga from their beginning in 1978, I saw them live twice, in 2006 in germany, they were the headliners, I also met all the members of the band minus the drummer in a meet and greet a few hours before the show, I spoke mostly with Michael sadler, they were very nice and polite, the second show was in Sweden 2014, their best album is the debut album and saga is the most unique prog rock band in history, thank you pete for reminding us about this great band
This is great! My introduction to Saga was seeing the On The Loose video when it debuted on MTV. Worlds Apart is a great Album. I have all the studio albums and really need to revisit them again.
I remember going to see Saga at Hammersmith Odean on the Worlds Apart tour, Awesome live band, saw them supported by the fantastic A.C.T. Swedish band. Check them out Pete! Rush and Triumph also my favourite bands Canada has produced some Amazing bands over the years. Made up you did this Saga review as many people may not have heared them.Keep up your great reviews etc. Your musical knowledge is second to none 👏👏👏
Love Saga! I’m from Toronto and in my 50’s so they were all over the place in the eighties. Q would play them a lot. I loved the song “I’m the Flyer” when it came out.I saw them live only once in 2002. They opened for Styx. ✌️🎸❤️🇨🇦
Nice video as always Pete ty sir.
My favorite band, top 3.
3. Saga
2. Silent Knight
1. Worlds apart
Behavior and beginners could be higher, but great list and awesome passion.
Thanks Pete for covering one of my favorite bands. I'm a completist when it comes to these guys and man its a big catalog! I had to combine vinyl and CD to finally complete their collection due to availability issues and out of print titles. Check out the live DVD releases from a few years ago they are smoking! I heard they were close to retiring and had some pre Covid 19 dates canceled, hope its not the end. Thanks again.
There's hope. I saw they are playing some dates this summer.
Can't wait to watch this - one of the best unknown bands here in the US. I have 15 of their albums and all my friends are like, "Who?" Great job as always!!
They had 2 hits in the US actually, “On The Loose” and “Wind Him Up”, I had both 45’s. Great band.
I always thought "On the loose" was from Loverboy!!
Michael Russell Loverboy has Turn Me Loose :)
The Flyer was also a minor hit
I had the worlds apart lp with those two songs. I only liked three songs on the album but I'm going to revisit it. My taste has changed a bit and based on what Pete says I might take a liking to them. Didn't know they had 22 albums. That's impressive.
@@garygennaro6029 Conversations is a darn good instrumental
Love you channel Pete. I will give Saga a try.
I've been trying to figure the meaning behind the weird insect alien on their covers. From what I can gather it's often called the Golden Warrior, or Harold the Locust. But I have no idea who designed it or why exactly it's the bands "mascot". If anyone knows, I'd love to hear something.
BTW I just heard them live yesterday in Denmark, and man they were so awesome.
Great video. Two hints, Crichton is pronounced Cry-ton, which you said last, and Sagacity is Saw-Gas-ittee. My favourite band. I agree with your on the top 5, however my order is slightly different. And I put Beginner's Guide and Security way higher, and Wildest Dreams slightly higher.
I rate The Security Of Illusion album as one of the 5 albums in the best of the rest, #8 - #12--everything after The Classic Era of 1977 to 1986. Wildest Dreams and The Beginner's Guide are, on any given day, between #13-#19 out of 22.
Saga - the support act at the first concert I went to. So the first band I saw live. They opened with "It's Time" with Ian rocketing on from the wings with his iconic white strat to do the "motorcycle chord" before the first solo - and EVERYONE played keyboards except Ian. Fantastic stuff. That was a couple of months before "Silent Knight" came out. Also saw them headline the Hammersmith Odeon on the Heads and Tails, and Behaviour tours. Lots of memories...
I like your channel because
I often discover some bands
I have NEVER heard of
also, regarding studio material, worth mentioning are the 3 new/unique studio tracks on the double-cd/best-of collection "The Works" (2 original compositions plus a pretty good cover of Peter Gabriel's Solsbury Hill") - thanks for your continued stellar music commentary!
Hey thanks for this. Love this band so much. Saw them once open for Styx in Ontario 🇨🇦. Even though they are Canadian they were still more popular in Europe. A great underrated band.
I’ve been a Saga fan since the beginning. I saw them play at The Knob Hill Hotel in Scarborough in ‘79, then a few years later at Maple Leaf Gardens in Toronto. Both venues are gone now. Saga has been a strong contender in my catalog for most of my life. Too bad they never got the recognition they deserved here in North America as they did in Europe. A great Canadian band! 🇨🇦🎸
Only Time Will Tell is my favorite SAGA song. The synthaxe rocks on that one.
That’s your favourite saga song too and it’s one of those songs that made 80s great.
Mine is chase to wind, then…Only time will tell
First time I saw Saga, was on a TV show from Germany in 1981 or 1982. I had just bought my Fisher Beta video recorder, and was lucky enough to tape their concert. Played that cassette a lot. Began buying records, and became a big fan. Great car music ! Lot's of memories. Been too long since I've played them now, but tonight I'm gonna do something about that.
Saw them live once on the Generation 13 Tour. Great show.
Always wanted to see them LIVE, been a fan 40 + years and own most of their catalog mixed on CD and LP.
Saw them twice. Totally Nice!
Saw them three times, great every time!
I have seen a few concert dates announced for 2023. Go see them if you can. I've seen them many times and have never been disappointed. Great band live.
Living fairly close to NYC/ and although I was NOT at the show/ an old acquaintance I knew/ saw SAGA at BB KINGS in the Summer 2006. He said they were unreal / but hardly anyone showed. What a shame.! I did not realize PETE they had this many albums. Have not played these guys in years. I’ll go on a 4 or 5 day run starting now. Thx PETE.
This should be a great show
I agree about your statement on Jim Crichton guitar work! Totally underrated.
Thanks, Pete...I quite liked Saga in the 80's but after "Heads or Tales", they dropped off the face of the earth down here in the south. It's good to hear they continued putting out quality albums after the MTV 80's blitz. The airplay down here is terrible. I appreciate the wake up call of Saga.
Nice to hear Pete sing the songs on the album! Thanks for the review.
He is so gifted guy that he even composed completely new melodies! :D
My favorite band of all time. Have loved them since "Worlds Apart" came out. I pretty much agree with your ranking.
Greetings from Belgium. Massive Saga fan here. Regularly see them live still in Holland! Great review!😉
Pete, thank you so much for making this video and getting me hooked on Saga. Im ashamed to say i hadnt listened or heard of them before your channel. So many thanks again fot introducing me to the world that is Saga.
As someone only familiar with the studio album "Worlds Apart" this was helpful. Thanks. I just ordered "Generation 13" , looks interesting. I did see their "live in Munich" concert on TH-cam and it was awesome.
Saga is amazing. They deserve to be recognized more by rock audience out there.
Thank you for this! SAGA is one of my all time fav bands.
My top 5 albums by them:
1. Silent Knight
2. Worlds Apart
3. Images at Twilight
4. Saga
5. Heads or Tales
Saw them open for Max Webster on New Years Eve 1979 at Maple Leaf Gardens in Toronto. I was blown away. Images at Twilight always been my favorite.
I have to admit I’ve overlooked saga for many years. I think it was that darn mtv video they did for their big hit on the loose. Probably just overplayed to me and I put them in the back of my mind. And then over time just forgot all about them. They are now in my music rotation now (the top ten albums here) to listen to! Thanks pete I am enjoying “new” music
After chatting with him through Facebook, Michael Sadler actually called me one Sunday morning and we sat and chatted for about 20 minutes. there is a really cool experience. He told me why they were never really big in the U.S. and it made perfect sense. He used Rush as a comparison.he said that when Rush first started out they had some releases in the United States and they played dates in the United States and did really well. Therefore that's where they focused their efforts. In the United States. Saga, on the other hand, was booked by their agents at some venues in Germany and other parts of Europe. They did really, really, well there. As a result that's where they have focused the majority of their time and performances. It really sucks that the United States has been deprived of live Saga but at least we do have their music.
Okay so this is the second time watching this video,.Ian Critchton, definitely one of my favorite guitarists. I would love to see album rankings of Crack the Sky. Thanks for the videos! Great job
One of my all time favorite band. Many great studio albums and one of the best live album ever (On Stage). Guestion: Have you ranked the Cult already? Waiting to hear your comments about their production.
One of my favourite bands ever, and I found out about them by chance when a record mailing club offered a best of album from the early 90s. I think they hide their talent behind a very, as you say Pete, slick exterior. My favourite album is actually Marathon. It's hard for me to say why, but it just works for me, the first 4 albums they out out are next, in the same 2nd place
I am the first viewer
My favorite is A tie between heads or tales and worlds apart..iamages at twilight is outstanding...great band
In Denmark this is a big band. I totally agree with your list and the songs you chose to mention.
Great to check out the ranking and yours thoughts on one of my favorites band of all time ! M.Sadler's unique voice, it's the one I love the most, at list in the rock genre. No such depth and nuances of the expressed emotion ... just going straight to the heart. Ian's guitar work also has unique and distinctive style. For me he's easily up there with A.Lifson's, massively underrated craftmaster.
I was surprised to see so low to the bottom of your chart, two albums, that I have my heart on them : "The security of ..." and especially "The beginner's guide of ..." : D
Of course it's part of the fun and charm side of such reviews, we can virtually exchange arguments :)) So, cheers & KUTGW !
Best channel ever! Any chance of having a Camel rating? Would be amazing! Keep up the great work, Pete!
I've already done that.
Saga, was the band that started me on Keyboards about 1978. I now have 8 keyboards, loved the band! Wildest Dreams I liked, but odd, Before that all was great. Some after.
Massively underrated band, that I've been lucky enough to see live twice. I'm surprised to see Beginners guide as low as you've placed it, but hey no matter. At least it gives me a chance to re-listen to their back catalog again and see where I'd rate them all now
Thanks so much for switching me on to this band Pete - wow1 Have you heard Uk 80s prog band Quasar's 'Fir in the Sky' - I think they must have liked Saga! Cheers!
How Long from their debut hooked me. Saw them live in the bars of London and Stratford Ontario.
Hey, Dougish! Got a few Saga albums of my own...
To me Saga is the 2nd best Canadian prog band ever (you-know-who is #1). I've got most of their catalog, really great music. Totally agree with Pete's assessment of the great guitar work, also the great vocals. I'll just rate my favorite albums & mention the rest below (those can rank in any order really):
#1: Sagacity (Special Edition)
#2 (tie): Symmetry / House Of Cards / Trust
#3: Generation 13
#4 (tie): Wildest Dreams / The Security Of Illusion / Marathon / Network / Behaviour
#5: Beginner's Guide To Throwing Shapes
#6: Pleasure And The Pain
#7: 10000 Days
#8: Silent Knight
The rest (in any order): Saga, Gotta Love it (cds), Human Condition, 20/20, To Whom It Concerns, Worlds Apart, Steel Umbrellas, Images At Twilight.
Nice best-of's: Best Of Saga Now & Then The Collection 1978-Infinity & Defining Moments. For live: So Good So Far - Live At Rock Of Ages & Spin It Again! Live In Munich. Great band!
My favorites top five, from top to bottom, are: Worlds’ Apart, Silent Knight, Generation 13, Security of Illusion and Behavior. Heads or Tails is in the sixth position as I do not own the first two. Ian Crichton is a hugely underrated guitarist, but this applies to every other member who played in this band. This band is loaded with talent in every area-and everyone contributed something to the overall sound. As a unit this band can still deliver a potent punch.
Nice video mate i’m quite sharing your ranking!! I would have highlighted the song giant as a kind of tribute to gentle giant.Saw them in Germany just before Covid mess was a blast!!
Yeah,finally,SAGA! I thought the band has been forgotten over the years.The Security Of Illusion-my favorite album .Nearly heavy metal.
like the first 'SAGA' album so much, and the song "TIRED WORLD" is maby the best song ever they did for me.., this song is so great.. but the other follow up albums are also great !... but the song 'TIRED WORLD' saved my life
Heads or Tales was one of my favorite albums of all time. I loved it the first time I heard it.
Saga was my first ever consert in Oslo in 81’. Sold out based on the live broadcast from Germany just before.. The Worlds apart record record had just been released i think.. the band killed it that night and the audience went nuts. Great memories 😉