A classic of 'modern' prog (although it is over 20 years old now). One of my favorite epic tracks along with Dream Theater's Octavarium. I first heard Spock's Beard shortly after the release of V, and it was one of those artists that having heard one track I immediatly tried to get hold of the full back catalogue.
Waiting for another "modern prog rock" bands reaction: Flying Colors, The Flower Kings, Karmakanic, The Tanget, Apple Pie, Echolyn, Magellan, Anglagard, Moon Safari, Miriodor, Kenso and Magic Pie.
Great pick! I have loved this piece since 1st hearing it, although if I was in the studio, I might chop up a bit of it now. it might be more like 20-23 minutes for my take and it would be absolutely perfect. It was somewhat autobiographical from Neal, but also it has been mentioned that it was inspired by Neal and the band's relationship with the late Kevin Gilbert. Kevin engineered among other things, music on the 1st 2 Spock's Beard albums. And there's a ton of references, both musically and lyrically, that could be noted. The patch Ryo uses at times that sounds kind of repetitive and monotone. Even say the title "The Great Nothing," Kevin had done a tune titled "Starring Into Nothing" both solo and with 2 of his bands (Giraffe and NRG). If you listen to "The Shaming of the True," which was literally released Post-Humously just a few months after V, a lot of the narrative in The Great Nothing could be seen as similar or from the same idea; the whole talented musician trying to make it big in the Music business, etc. "Suit Fugue: Dance of the A&R Men" and the 4th and 5th movements "Submerged" and "Missed Your Calling" kind of with Record label people forcing the direction for commercial success, etc. "Dump the band, they are in the way"... Of course Nick D'Virgilio played with Kevin Gilbert and had a ton to do with completing The Shaming of the True, around the same time, so some of that could have found its way into this track as well. I was lucky enough to see Neal with Spock's on tour for this album (the 1 and only time I have seen Spock's live in fact), back on July 26, 2001 in Milwaukee and remembering and looking at the set list on setlist.fm, they did play this whole piece live. I feel very fortunate to have seen that.
Not sure if any of these are already on the list but if Jana wants some more shorter songs (instead of more 10-20 minute long ones) here are some suggestions. That might bring the average time down a little Horizons, For Absent Friends, and Harold the Barrel by Genesis Blank Tapes, Hand Cannot Erase, and Transience by Steven Wilson The Rest Will Flow and This is No Rehearsal by Porcupine Tree Goodbye Blue Sky and Pig's on the Wing (part one) by Pink Floyd Hymn 43, Sweet Dreams, and Living in the Past by Jethro Tull Sid's Boy Choir and 4th of July by Spock's Beard Geronimo by Tony Levin
Amazing how few people know this music. Truly the hidden gem of the genre.
Great epic track! My favorite Spock’s Beard song.
the look you made at the 30:25 mark says it all that last 4 minutes is a emotional roller-coaster.......thank you for this.
Totally love this song!!!!
Great prog epic.
First time listen for me as well.
This was glorious!
Musically and lyrically. 💖
Awesome!! Glad you liked it 😊
27 minutes of pure bliss
A challenging first listen!
A classic of 'modern' prog (although it is over 20 years old now). One of my favorite epic tracks along with Dream Theater's Octavarium. I first heard Spock's Beard shortly after the release of V, and it was one of those artists that having heard one track I immediatly tried to get hold of the full back catalogue.
I entered Spock's Beard by their third album, Kindness of Strangers, and that was pretty much IT! Got everything as it came after that.
Hey Nathan me too bro!lol I have music playing almost 24/7 .
Love this song! Ever heard Echolyn? They have a single song album called Mei. It is amazing.
Yes, I love Echolyn! Mei is indeed amazing, totally agree!
@@NathanOnShuffle 10000% agree
Waiting for another "modern prog rock" bands reaction: Flying Colors, The Flower Kings, Karmakanic, The Tanget, Apple Pie, Echolyn, Magellan, Anglagard, Moon Safari, Miriodor, Kenso and Magic Pie.
Great pick!
I have loved this piece since 1st hearing it, although if I was in the studio, I might chop up a bit of it now. it might be more like 20-23 minutes for my take and it would be absolutely perfect.
It was somewhat autobiographical from Neal, but also it has been mentioned that it was inspired by Neal and the band's relationship with the late Kevin Gilbert. Kevin engineered among other things, music on the 1st 2 Spock's Beard albums.
And there's a ton of references, both musically and lyrically, that could be noted. The patch Ryo uses at times that sounds kind of repetitive and monotone. Even say the title "The Great Nothing," Kevin had done a tune titled "Starring Into Nothing" both solo and with 2 of his bands (Giraffe and NRG).
If you listen to "The Shaming of the True," which was literally released Post-Humously just a few months after V, a lot of the narrative in The Great Nothing could be seen as similar or from the same idea; the whole talented musician trying to make it big in the Music business, etc.
"Suit Fugue: Dance of the A&R Men" and the 4th and 5th movements "Submerged" and "Missed Your Calling" kind of with Record label people forcing the direction for commercial success, etc. "Dump the band, they are in the way"...
Of course Nick D'Virgilio played with Kevin Gilbert and had a ton to do with completing The Shaming of the True, around the same time, so some of that could have found its way into this track as well.
I was lucky enough to see Neal with Spock's on tour for this album (the 1 and only time I have seen Spock's live in fact), back on July 26, 2001 in Milwaukee and remembering and looking at the set list on setlist.fm, they did play this whole piece live.
I feel very fortunate to have seen that.
That is really interesting about the connection with Kevin Gilbert! I may have heard about that a while back, but I had forgotten those details 👍
Not sure if any of these are already on the list but if Jana wants some more shorter songs (instead of more 10-20 minute long ones) here are some suggestions. That might bring the average time down a little
Horizons, For Absent Friends, and Harold the Barrel by Genesis
Blank Tapes, Hand Cannot Erase, and Transience by Steven Wilson
The Rest Will Flow and This is No Rehearsal by Porcupine Tree
Goodbye Blue Sky and Pig's on the Wing (part one) by Pink Floyd
Hymn 43, Sweet Dreams, and Living in the Past by Jethro Tull
Sid's Boy Choir and 4th of July by Spock's Beard
Geronimo by Tony Levin
Thank you so much for the suggestions! I'll put them in the list! Jana will be thrilled to have more shorter songs!
Try Flying Colors. Songs I recommend from them: Infinite Fire, Cosmic Symphony, Crawl (all three closing tracks on their three studio albums).
Amazing band - one of my all-time favorites! Would love to cover them on a future episode!
I'm in no way an expert on SB although I did enjoy them on CTTE 2015.