Full Circle. Indeed. You don't need to understand the significance of the title or artwork to appreciate this album, but the background history is important. Saga emerged in the late seventies with a style of music that fused the coming synthesizer-driven pop sound with hard rock guitars and a flair for progressive instrumental sections. Add to that songs of science fiction and intrigue and you have what made the first four albums Saga classics…
Released in 1993, The Security of Illusion signaled a rebirth of sorts for Canadian prog rock popsters Saga, as earlier members Jim Gilmour (keyboards) and Steve Negus (drums) were welcomed back into the fold – for the first time since 1985's Behaviour. And as evidenced by the music, the result of the reunion returned the group straight back to their heady early-'80s period, especially on the downright vicious rockers "Mind Over Matter" and "Stand Up," as well as the percussive-heavy album closer, "Without You." Instead of being influenced by what was going on in the rock world circa this time period (here's a hint…well, whatever, nevermind), Saga stick to their guns on The Security of Illusion, and come up with a release that nearly managed to out-rock their Canadian competitor at the time, Rush. AMG
Excellent French three CD compilation from the Jazz legend. This is a set that any self-respecting Jazz fans will want to own. They may already have all of these recordings on other releases, but never have they been put together before in such luxurious packaging. Of all the Parker sets on the market, this is definitely one to be put at the top of the list. Disc One features 24 tracks spanning the years 1940-47. Disc Two also features 24 tracks that cover the 1947-51 time period. Disc Three contains an additional 14 tracks that were recorded between the years 1947 and 1953. Includes tracks recorded for the Decca, Savoy, Dial, Comet, Musicraft and Guild labels. Also included in this package is a beautifully illustrated 80 page plus booklet with tons of archival photos. 62 tracks total. Saga Jazz.
Released in 1993, The Security of Illusion signaled a rebirth of sorts for Canadian prog rock popsters Saga, as earlier members Jim Gilmour (keyboards) and Steve Negus (drums) were welcomed back into the fold – for the first time since 1985's Behaviour. And as evidenced by the music, the result of the reunion returned the group straight back to their heady early-'80s period, especially on the downright vicious rockers "Mind Over Matter" and "Stand Up," as well as the percussive-heavy album closer, "Without You." Instead of being influenced by what was going on in the rock world circa this time period, Saga stick to their guns on The Security of Illusion, and come up with a release that nearly managed to out-rock their Canadian competitor at the time, Rush.
Saga have had their share of lineup changes along the way; one of the most talked about came in late 2007, when longtime frontman Michael Sadler left the band (Rob Moratti was hired as a replacement the following year). Sadler had been Saga's lead singer from the beginning; he was around back when the Canadian prog rockers were still calling themselves Pockets (which was also the name of an Earth, Wind & Fire-ish soul-funk band that recorded three LPs for Columbia in the late '70s), and his departure came after no less than 30 years with the band. Documenting a 2007 show in Munich, Germany, Contact: Live in Munich was recorded/filmed during Sadler's final tour with Saga…
Adele Schmidt and Jose Zegarra Holder have released a 95 minutes documentary that features several prog rock bands and label/studio owners. This is not so much a story of current progressive rock, as it a small survey of several bands and the USA North East coast fests…