Steven Wilson’s “The Raven That Refused To Sing” (the parent album of “Drive Home”) and “Hand.Cannot.Erase” are two of my favorite prog albums of the last 20 years. This video is great as well. The video for “Routine” from the “Hand.Cannot.Erase” album (also done by Jess Cope) is probably the most impactful music video I’ve ever seen. It never fails to move me.
The "problem" I have with that album and song is I fucking love to bits but can't help getting depressed while I listen. I almost wish I had a preference for happier songs lol
@@emrenalbantmusic I wonder if it is even possible to have a happy song that is so powerful as these. Maybe classical music like Jeaux d'Eau by Ravel or Canticles Of Ecstasy by Hildegard von Bingen... if it is happy...
@@carnifaxx probably not, or if so i don't know any that profoundly moves me as much. Maybe some of the happier The Cure songs like Mint Car for me. I will have a listen to those songs you mentioned.
It was on a guitar that someone had mailed to Steven at the studio (some sort of custom Jazzmaster type thing). It had a sustainiac pickup in it, which explains the sustained note sounds. It first Guthrie's first time playing the guitar or even a sustainiac pickup, and it worked out quite well as the solo attests. As Guthrie explained: 'Can I have a go?' and he said 'Of course - tell me if it's good or not [laughs]'. I was still getting used to it really when Steven came back and said, I think we're ready to start tracking the song. And it was just one of those idiotic impulses that we all have from time to time - I said, 'You know what, I think I might try playing the song with this guitar. And if it doesn't work after a couple of takes I'll go back to the known quantity that is my own guitar that I brought'. And I think it was a first take - certainly it's a flawed take:there's a part where you can hear the E-string pops out of the saddle towards the end - you start hearing some of the bends are choking a little bit."
@@DSG-br5lk That E-string popping fits so perfectly though, it's the emotional climax of the whole solo! It will never be replicated but it is captured in this song.
Another example of not needing to play fast, but be the right notes is Riverside. I know I mentioned them before, but the modern day Pink Floyd. If you guys like this and you haven't listened to them before, check them out. I recommend Escalator Shrine, The Same River or Second Life Syndrome.
@@ThePepitothepew I have always said that the reason I have my daughter is because Nine months before I had my wife listen to Lunatic Soul's self titled track.
And over a very strange chord progression, pretty sure its like E major to C, E, C, C#m, A7, C#m, A7 twice, ending on G major, G# major, F# major and yet it sounds perfect. Thats Steven Wilson's genius right there
Hey Doug, if you like Steven Wilson and Porcupine Tree you should also check Riverside and Lunatic Soul! Riverside is a polish prog rock band and LS is one of the solo projects of their lead vocal Mariusz Duda, who also did a track with Steven. Great stuff!
Whatever Riverside song Doug eventually reviews, he should consider a live version. All their live stuff (that ive seen so far) on youtube sounds great!
Ooh ... if you're really willing to go down the Steven Wilson rabbit-hole, try the song, "Routine." Find the Official Video with the animation. Fantastic, and truly an emotional roller-coaster.
Should check out the Aristocrats = .Guthrie Govan,, on Guitar, Marco Miinnermann on Drums and Bryan Beller on Bass, insanely good musicians ,Guthrie has been on tour with Hans Zimmerman most of his playing if not all is improvised
I've seen The Aristocrats live twice and both times they were unbelievably fun. They're not only outstanding musicians but they also know how to entertain their crowd.
And for dessert, the Bryan Beller "solo" album, Scenes from flood, which is a true and unique masterpiece. I put "solo" in quotes because, event tought he wrote it and produced all by himself, the number of guests is staggering.
I love how the live piano embellishments fit perfectly within the song while clarifying the whole chord progression. On a side note, the woodwinds mentioned aroud 7:52 are most definitely a flute sound from a Mellotron (or digital emulation), of which Steven Wilson is a rather heavy user, and the slight unsteadiness of the pitch (tape wobble ?) adds indeed a lot of breadth and character. On another side note, the harmonic progression in some parts in this song really remind me of Punch and Judy, a Marillion song from the 80s worth a listen too.
For any of ye gamers out there, there is a computer game called Last Day of June which is loosely based around this song and video, featuring SW music throughout, which was a fun, if not sad, but fulfilling experience.
How he can make that guitar sound like pure emotion is what makes him my favorite guitarist. The fact that he can shred and play in any style with the best of them makes him one of the greatest ever. Throw in his unmatched improvisational ability and he is surely the GOAT. No one has ever been more of the complete package.
Now that you've heard Govan and Minnemann with Steven Wilson you should really hear them in their own band, The Aristocrats, where they play jazz-rock fusion. Bad Asteroid or Get It Like That from Boing We'll Do It Live would be great intros.
My favourite Aristocrats bits are "Texas Crazypants" and "Smuggler's Corridor", both from the Tres Caballeros album. Smugger's especially. I love the Ennio Morricone spaghetti western feel of the whole thing, and it's so much fun when they do it live. When the vocal bit comes in, the whole audience is singing... they can't help it.
The first time I watched this video was laying in bed getting ready to sleep. It was rough. So many emotions flooded in. From the murder of my father when I was eleven to the years spent in Iraq and Afghanistan. Everything I had locked away came tumbling out. Finally. It’s a mantra that real men don’t cry. That mantra leads to men who rust from the inside out I’m afraid. Thanks for your video!
Such a great song makes me cry everytime. And I can see in your face you had trouble keeping it together as well. Been to all SW concerts here in Brazil and I end up crying out of joy from such impeccable musicianship. Just... ... nothing compares to it. Thanks for the good stuff
Beautiful song (and video)! I did a transcription of this a few years ago, very much looking forward to your analysis. Guthrie Govan’s guitar playing is full of emotion.
"notes don't have to be fast, they have to be the right ones at the right time" this is soooo important! And yet i rarely hear anyone say anything close to that! Love that Sentence by you. It is not only that you know a lot about Music but you also have a wonderful feeling for it as far as i can tell from your commentary in reactions. Thats very cool and i respect you a lot for that
Another great vid from Doug… brought to you by today’s theme - RIVERSIDE! I wholeheartedly agree it’s time to take a trip down the rabbit hole that is Riverside. These gentlemen are mesmerizing musically. You won’t be disappointed for sure. :-)
My favourite guitar solo of all time will always be Firth of fifth by Genesis but I love guthries playing as well especially on this song by Steven Wilson.
Such a beautiful song. Almost Perfect. p.s. I had my vote to the Riverside chorus. 'We Got Used to Us' matches the mood of this song. The Same River and Lost are also great songs. To me, Riverside is the new Porcupine Tree.
I used to have three songs that would bring me to tears, for many and different personal reasons: 1 - Believe - Savatage 2 - Let The Sunshine - 5th Dimension (Hair Soundtrack) 3 - The Winner Takes It All (ABBA) Since this song came out, I have four.
I am so thankful for your reaction, especially to see that you are again and again touched by that sensational Solo from Guthrie. Everytime I listen to it, it gives me goosebumps because of this amazing emotional journey Guthrie and the band takes us on. ❤
This song has the same story as the PS4 game "Last day of June" to which Steven Wilson composed the soundtrack. A beautiful game and beautiful music. Highly recommended if you are into puzzle solving.
One of my favourite solos lately. I was truly surprised to hear Guthrie play with sustainer or maybe ebow. It fit so perfectly to the mood of the song, elevating the theme to truly bleeding the emotion to ears. This album also starting with Luminol and the flute solos was fantastic and enjoyable.
Cool choice dr.doug And I'm interested more on thoughts on the modern prog after you have covered most of 70s and 90s prog bands here are some of my suggestion for the modern prog bands Riverside - left out ne obliviscaris - forget not wilderun - the unimaginable zero summer The faceless - auto theist movement 1,2&3 The pineapple thief - the final thing on my mind More haken (Not modern but worth covering) Agalloch - in shadow of our pale companion Cynic - integral birth Mr bungle - stubb a dub Neal morse - alive again I might forget some other bands feel free to add in comment
I suggested this some time ago, great to see this one happening. thanks! :) I also suggested Marty Friedman anything from Scenes or Introduction records are just such beautiful and unusual music that should not be missed, again thanks
A friend of mine had played me this a couple of months ago, and it was adding to my ongoing 'Lucy' synchronicity then. And the song popped back into my mind only yesterday, and here it is again now! 😄
Probably GG's most Gilmour-like solo. I hardly know one other of his solos with such an emphasis on having each single note sound out to its very end. Beautiful.
Entirely worthwhile trivia note: the string orchestration was written and conducted by Dave Stewart, a brilliant keyboardist, composer and arranger who has a long "prog' pedigree dating back to the early 1970s. Dave's best known for his work with the bands Hatfield And The North, National Health, Egg, drummer Bill Bruford's self-named fusion band (with guitar legend Allan Holdsworth and bassist Jeff Berlin), and for the past 4 decades his duo gig with ex-Hatfield "Northette" Barbara Gaskin. I STRONGLY suggest checking out his work, particularly "Mumps" from the Hatfields' "Rotters Club" album.
Doug, you mentioned the mixing---not only is SW is one of the best music producers/mixers alive at this time, this song and the raven album was produced by Alan Parsons.
I missed your top 5 artists response. Having Steven Wilson makes so much sense in your top 5...he is brilliant in my opinion. Look forward to hearing more of what your personal favorites are. This song is definitely one of his best!
Looking forward to this. Classic application of what Mr Wilson called the "lonely swede" tone on Guthrie Govan's outstanding solo. Just a heads up that Govan is pronounced "guv-an", both short syllables, as in the district in Glasgow. Very few US citizens get the pronunciation of the name right. Both Wilson and Govan are half Scottish and half English.
"Notes don't have to be fast. They just have to be the right ones at the right time!" Another very true comment by Doug. Very Gilmourish ;) I might just tattoo this on my left arm, downside, so I keep this in mind when playing!
Thank you, I have only just discovered your channel Doug and have really enjoyed the breakdowns so far, Zappa, Vai, Yes, Dream Theater and this one of course. As a Porcupine tree fan I was intrigued with seeing a Steven Willson track and one which for some reason I had not heard. Looking forward to hearing more selections.
Thank you. This is a lovely song. I prefer Steven's Porcupine Tree material a little more, but he has great solo works, as well. I really love "3 Years Older" and the title track from "Hand.Cannot.Erase."
Guthrie's playing on the Steven Wilson albums "The Raven That Refused to Sing", "Hand. Cannot. Erase.", and "4½", is some of the finest guitar playing ever recorded. So full full of emotion and passion, it brings me to tears every time. He truly is a man at one with his instrument, just sad I never got to them play live.
Just Amazing! Such a great track... Guthrie's Solo - I could be wrong here, but, sounds to me like he's just cranked up the amp and is using sustained notes and sliding around the fret board, it's not until half way through that he starts to use a pick and get that real gritty attack on the strings... Very crafted and emotional! Whatever he did... it's so heart wrenching!
In case non guitarists were wondering, Guthrie used a custom guitar that had arrived at the studio for Steven on the day this song was recorded. Looked like a Jazzmaster with a built-in Sustaniac. First time they had seen it. GG decided to give it a try for the solo and well, the rest is pure magic.
I love this song, whatever Wilson does is amazing. There is so many to choose from :) Love your comments and how you point out the intricacies of the song. If you also look at The Receiving End Of Sirens, especially the album The Earth Sings Mi Fa Mi, there is so much going on in there that is simply undoable to write down, my personal favourite on that album is Stay Small. As a concept album it is rather hard to pick out just one song and doesn't do it justice but I have to start somewhere.
Not that it's that important, Govan is pronounced "Guh-vin". I've ear transcribed many of his songs and they're on my YT channel. One of the most challenging things I've ever done!
The fun thing is that Steven had to reign Guthrie in on this record because his default is playing fast notes which doesn't always give the best results.
I miss Marco and Guthrie playing with Steven.
Marco is such a beast.
Me too
Same here. I love Steven as a musician but I wish he had less of an ego. He lost two of his best musicians ever because of it.
You said it brother. Although Craig Blundell is a great drummer too.
@@MechanicalRabbits I thought Marco and Guthrie left due to their own projects?
Steven Wilson’s “The Raven That Refused To Sing” (the parent album of “Drive Home”) and “Hand.Cannot.Erase” are two of my favorite prog albums of the last 20 years. This video is great as well. The video for “Routine” from the “Hand.Cannot.Erase” album (also done by Jess Cope) is probably the most impactful music video I’ve ever seen. It never fails to move me.
"Routine" is my favorite song by SW.
The "problem" I have with that album and song is I fucking love to bits but can't help getting depressed while I listen. I almost wish I had a preference for happier songs lol
Having seen that Live twice it brought half the audience to tears. The video is nothing short of brilliant to match the song.
@@emrenalbantmusic I wonder if it is even possible to have a happy song that is so powerful as these. Maybe classical music like Jeaux d'Eau by Ravel or Canticles Of Ecstasy by Hildegard von Bingen... if it is happy...
@@carnifaxx probably not, or if so i don't know any that profoundly moves me as much. Maybe some of the happier The Cure songs like Mint Car for me. I will have a listen to those songs you mentioned.
Guthrie's guitar solo is just sublime. I believe it was his first go as well.
IRC most of the songs of this album and the next were recorded in just one or two takes. It's pretty amazing.
It was on a guitar that someone had mailed to Steven at the studio (some sort of custom Jazzmaster type thing). It had a sustainiac pickup in it, which explains the sustained note sounds. It first Guthrie's first time playing the guitar or even a sustainiac pickup, and it worked out quite well as the solo attests. As Guthrie explained:
'Can I have a go?' and he said 'Of course - tell me if it's good or not [laughs]'. I was still getting used to it really when Steven came back and said, I think we're ready to start tracking the song. And it was just one of those idiotic impulses that we all have from time to time - I said, 'You know what, I think I might try playing the song with this guitar. And if it doesn't work after a couple of takes I'll go back to the known quantity that is my own guitar that I brought'. And I think it was a first take - certainly it's a flawed take:there's a part where you can hear the E-string pops out of the saddle towards the end - you start hearing some of the bends are choking a little bit."
@@DSG-br5lk That E-string popping fits so perfectly though, it's the emotional climax of the whole solo! It will never be replicated but it is captured in this song.
@@DSG-br5lk great info :)
i read it was the 1st take,cant remember the source to link .... but foook! what a track :)
Another example of not needing to play fast, but be the right notes is Riverside. I know I mentioned them before, but the modern day Pink Floyd. If you guys like this and you haven't listened to them before, check them out. I recommend Escalator Shrine, The Same River or Second Life Syndrome.
depth of self-delusion
@@alexbinder2102 Great Song. Too short. Especially the official radio edit.
I will extend to Lunatic soul.
@@ThePepitothepew I have always said that the reason I have my daughter is because Nine months before I had my wife listen to Lunatic Soul's self titled track.
Modern day Pink Floyd? Bit of a stretch there imo.
Govan's solo on "Ancestral" gives me serious goosebumps every time I listen to it.
As well as Adams but yeah, when that howl of the guitar comes in.....chills.
Yeah, that one might even be his best with Steven. :)
And the one in the Frankfurt-Live version of Watchmaker is awesome, too
Its the best solo ever - i listen to this almost every day for years already. I always gravitate back to it…
I agree. The best solo I've ever heard
Govan’s solo in Regret #9 is also improvised and insanely great. One of the best solos I’ve ever heard
Yup. You can say that about a lot of his solos, though. The man is a genius. :)
Not only is it improvised, he had never even heard it. Walked in played along and did that 👌
And over a very strange chord progression, pretty sure its like E major to C, E, C, C#m, A7, C#m, A7 twice, ending on G major, G# major, F# major and yet it sounds perfect. Thats Steven Wilson's genius right there
Every single time I hear this I end up in tears. Steven Wilson is a genius, Guthrie Govan is a genius.
same...
Same to me. Had to stand this misery twice until the age of 50.
Hey Doug, if you like Steven Wilson and Porcupine Tree you should also check Riverside and Lunatic Soul! Riverside is a polish prog rock band and LS is one of the solo projects of their lead vocal Mariusz Duda, who also did a track with Steven. Great stuff!
Definitely one up from me for Riverside. Brilliant band!
YES! Start with the song Escalator Shrine!
@@tonys2899 I totally agree!
Whatever Riverside song Doug eventually reviews, he should consider a live version. All their live stuff (that ive seen so far) on youtube sounds great!
@@matthewperkins2827 SLS from Reality Dream
I get so emotional EVERY TIME I hear Guthrie's solo on this song. Absolutely brilliant, as is the entire song and Steven Wilson's genius !!
Ooh ... if you're really willing to go down the Steven Wilson rabbit-hole, try the song, "Routine." Find the Official Video with the animation. Fantastic, and truly an emotional roller-coaster.
I concur with people suggesting Riverside, one of my favorite prog bands
or Spiral Architect...or Anglagard from Sweden!
Should check out the Aristocrats =
.Guthrie Govan,, on Guitar, Marco Miinnermann on Drums and Bryan Beller on Bass, insanely good musicians ,Guthrie has been on tour with Hans Zimmerman most of his playing if not all is improvised
I've seen The Aristocrats live twice and both times they were unbelievably fun. They're not only outstanding musicians but they also know how to entertain their crowd.
And for dessert, the Bryan Beller "solo" album, Scenes from flood, which is a true and unique masterpiece. I put "solo" in quotes because, event tought he wrote it and produced all by himself, the number of guests is staggering.
@@ZorgyGirl How friggen good is that Beller album! I hope for more from him soon
I was literally crying by the end of the guitar solo!
Oh my god Doug! Your narrative plus keyboard accompaniment just makes this that much more brilliant. I get all teary eyed.
Nick Beggs is always at his best when playing alongside Steven. And to think he was the bassist in 80s band ‘Kajagoogoo.
Fabulously fabulous.
I love how the live piano embellishments fit perfectly within the song while clarifying the whole chord progression.
On a side note, the woodwinds mentioned aroud 7:52 are most definitely a flute sound from a Mellotron (or digital emulation), of which Steven Wilson is a rather heavy user, and the slight unsteadiness of the pitch (tape wobble ?) adds indeed a lot of breadth and character.
On another side note, the harmonic progression in some parts in this song really remind me of Punch and Judy, a Marillion song from the 80s worth a listen too.
For any of ye gamers out there, there is a computer game called Last Day of June which is loosely based around this song and video, featuring SW music throughout, which was a fun, if not sad, but fulfilling experience.
How he can make that guitar sound like pure emotion is what makes him my favorite guitarist. The fact that he can shred and play in any style with the best of them makes him one of the greatest ever. Throw in his unmatched improvisational ability and he is surely the GOAT. No one has ever been more of the complete package.
Now that you've heard Govan and Minnemann with Steven Wilson you should really hear them in their own band, The Aristocrats, where they play jazz-rock fusion. Bad Asteroid or Get It Like That from Boing We'll Do It Live would be great intros.
My favourite Aristocrats bits are "Texas Crazypants" and "Smuggler's Corridor", both from the Tres Caballeros album. Smugger's especially. I love the Ennio Morricone spaghetti western feel of the whole thing, and it's so much fun when they do it live. When the vocal bit comes in, the whole audience is singing... they can't help it.
Yes!
i second that
The first time I watched this video was laying in bed getting ready to sleep. It was rough. So many emotions flooded in. From the murder of my father when I was eleven to the years spent in Iraq and Afghanistan. Everything I had locked away came tumbling out. Finally.
It’s a mantra that real men don’t cry. That mantra leads to men who rust from the inside out I’m afraid.
Thanks for your video!
Such a great song makes me cry everytime. And I can see in your face you had trouble keeping it together as well.
Been to all SW concerts here in Brazil and I end up crying out of joy from such impeccable musicianship. Just... ... nothing compares to it.
Thanks for the good stuff
Waiting for the day when Riverside will show up on channel. Doug if You love this song, You will love Riverside
Yes, do Escalator Shrine!
You should do Storm Corrosion - Drag Ropes. Steven Wilson and Mikael Akerfeldt (Opeth) the video is great too.
Great song and album, Ljudet Innan is my fave from it
Beautiful song (and video)! I did a transcription of this a few years ago, very much looking forward to your analysis. Guthrie Govan’s guitar playing is full of emotion.
Doug please don't play along. You detract from this great music. Or atleast be quietly in the furthest back ground. Thanks
"notes don't have to be fast, they have to be the right ones at the right time" this is soooo important! And yet i rarely hear anyone say anything close to that! Love that Sentence by you. It is not only that you know a lot about Music but you also have a wonderful feeling for it as far as i can tell from your commentary in reactions. Thats very cool and i respect you a lot for that
I now understand that as Guthrie started playing, his High E string was lost, yet he just went on and produced this solo in one take. Amazing.
Another great vid from Doug… brought to you by today’s theme - RIVERSIDE! I wholeheartedly agree it’s time
to take a trip down the rabbit hole that is Riverside. These gentlemen are mesmerizing musically. You won’t
be disappointed for sure. :-)
This solo has made me cry many times. It is just perfect.
You should check The Aristocrats with Guthrie and Marco (both on this record)
Really looking forward to this one! Possibly my favourite guitar solo of all time.
Indeed, or maybe this one is better idk : ua-cam.com/video/IaH2C2Qe97Y/v-deo.html
My favourite guitar solo of all time will always be Firth of fifth by Genesis but I love guthries playing as well especially on this song by Steven Wilson.
Like others, I recommend the band Riverside. They some incredibly beautiful music. The Depth of Self - Delusion or Deprived
Thanks for letting me enjoy this again, it's like listening with a friend.
Such a beautiful song. Almost Perfect.
p.s. I had my vote to the Riverside chorus. 'We Got Used to Us' matches the mood of this song. The Same River and Lost are also great songs. To me, Riverside is the new Porcupine Tree.
I used to have three songs that would bring me to tears, for many and different personal reasons:
1 - Believe - Savatage
2 - Let The Sunshine - 5th Dimension (Hair Soundtrack)
3 - The Winner Takes It All (ABBA)
Since this song came out, I have four.
The Raven that Refused to Sing does it for me!
Most people don't know that The Trans Siberian Orchestra used to be Savatage.
Add Routine from the same album as this. You'll howl...
Wow! another amazing song from Steven Wilson. This was beautiful. Thanks Dr. H for bringing the power of music to us mere mortals.
I am so thankful for your reaction, especially to see that you are again and again touched by that sensational Solo from Guthrie. Everytime I listen to it, it gives me goosebumps because of this amazing emotional journey Guthrie and the band takes us on. ❤
This song has the same story as the PS4 game "Last day of June" to which Steven Wilson composed the soundtrack. A beautiful game and beautiful music. Highly recommended if you are into puzzle solving.
Friendly petition to start a 'Steven Wilson Wednesday' on your channel. :)
I'm in!! There's more than enough material!!
Such a heart wrenching and beautiful song and video. Very moving.
This is such a wholesome analysis. Thank you 🙏🏽
Guthrie's solo on this one is MAGICAL. I imagine he's using an E-bow or something. Emotional, haunting and jawdroppingly well performed.
Sustainer pickup
@@DrummerRF Makes sense yeh. Got one of those myself. Lots of fun to play with.
Fretless
@@russellmorgan5611 Is it? That's cool. I've got one of those, myself. I'm no where near his level on it, though. Not even close. :p
One of my favourite solos lately. I was truly surprised to hear Guthrie play with sustainer or maybe ebow. It fit so perfectly to the mood of the song, elevating the theme to truly bleeding the emotion to ears.
This album also starting with Luminol and the flute solos was fantastic and enjoyable.
Guthrie Govan is a legend, there's also an video of him recording 'Regret #9" here on YT, which was also done in a single take.
Thats not the actual recording, they re dubbed it if I'm not mistakig.
Thanks a lot Doug, once again. This song is so beautiful, pure magic.
Fear Of A Blank Planet… love that album.
Anesthesize is a masterpiece
Thanks for going through one of my favorite tracks. It’s brilliant!
My favorite SW solo album for sure, so many excellent openings, and endings on all the songs.
Cool choice dr.doug
And I'm interested more on thoughts on the modern prog after you have covered most of 70s and 90s prog bands here are some of my suggestion for the modern prog bands
Riverside - left out
ne obliviscaris - forget not
wilderun - the unimaginable zero summer
The faceless - auto theist movement 1,2&3
The pineapple thief - the final thing on my mind
More haken
(Not modern but worth covering)
Agalloch - in shadow of our pale companion
Cynic - integral birth
Mr bungle - stubb a dub
Neal morse - alive again
I might forget some other bands feel free to add in comment
I don't even know this song, but just seeing your emotional reaction to it strikes a chord with me... It's lovely mate. Beautiful.
Thank you, dear Doug! Nice video - i love this piece from Steve.
This was the best!! You playing along on the piano was magical. Really loved it.
This is a very beautiful song, thank you for bringing it to our attention.
Thank you Doug for sharing this. Your review was so insightful and helped me with an ongoing trauma issue. God bless you
Great choice. I had not heard this lovely music for quite a while. Such a well constructed and produced song and performance. Nice share.
Ooooh, this is gonna be good! One of Steven's absolute bests!
Great stuff! I also think it's not a problem to have songs you know, your insights are just as interesting for us, Doug.
An absolute masterwork. Amazing song, amazing video.
That brought so many tears to my heart and eyes in my trauma in the passed and recently losing my 23 yr old son Jacob in June 2021
Great choice. Thanks Doug.
I suggested this some time ago, great to see this one happening. thanks! :) I also suggested Marty Friedman anything from Scenes or Introduction records are just such beautiful and unusual music that should not be missed, again thanks
I appreciate the song so much more! Thank you!
I can't decide whether I prefer this solo or the Ancestral one, they're both perfect.
This one for sure. Not trying to knock Ancestral, but this one takes the emotions to a higher level.
A friend of mine had played me this a couple of months ago, and it was adding to my ongoing 'Lucy' synchronicity then. And the song popped back into my mind only yesterday, and here it is again now! 😄
Thanks for doing this one....fantastic song! I have loved it since my first listen, a couple years ago!
Steven Wilson is a musical genius. Great to bring him to a wider audience.
Probably GG's most Gilmour-like solo. I hardly know one other of his solos with such an emphasis on having each single note sound out to its very end. Beautiful.
Govan solo still gives me goosebumps each time
As soon as it starts, every single time. Amazing.
Improvised, in 1 take... Because that's Guthrie for ya. Christ.
Entirely worthwhile trivia note: the string orchestration was written and conducted by Dave Stewart, a brilliant keyboardist, composer and arranger who has a long "prog' pedigree dating back to the early 1970s. Dave's best known for his work with the bands Hatfield And The North, National Health, Egg, drummer Bill Bruford's self-named fusion band (with guitar legend Allan Holdsworth and bassist Jeff Berlin), and for the past 4 decades his duo gig with ex-Hatfield "Northette" Barbara Gaskin. I STRONGLY suggest checking out his work, particularly "Mumps" from the Hatfields' "Rotters Club" album.
Doug, you mentioned the mixing---not only is SW is one of the best music producers/mixers alive at this time, this song and the raven album was produced by Alan Parsons.
One of my favs too. That guitar!
For some reason this never struck me as one of my favs, but the solo is undeniably one of the best. I think the outro is just a little abrupt.
Wonderful thank you. Love govan's work in hans zimmers live music
I missed your top 5 artists response. Having Steven Wilson makes so much sense in your top 5...he is brilliant in my opinion. Look forward to hearing more of what your personal favorites are. This song is definitely one of his best!
Delivered as promised! ;) Thank you Doug!
Very happy to listen to your "reactions and analysis" even if it is not a true first listen, so keep em coming 🤩
Looking forward to this. Classic application of what Mr Wilson called the "lonely swede" tone on Guthrie Govan's outstanding solo. Just a heads up that Govan is pronounced "guv-an", both short syllables, as in the district in Glasgow. Very few US citizens get the pronunciation of the name right. Both Wilson and Govan are half Scottish and half English.
Yeah, the "lonely swede" tone is prolly refering to Michael Åkerfeldt of Opeth. In a rig rundown video with Michael, he also mentions the tone.
Ouggghh
Best of Times , Dream Theater, you gotta give that a listen. Super emotional song written by Portnoy
One of my favorite DT songs. JP's melodic solos are amazing.
Amazing track, writing and musicianship.
"Notes don't have to be fast. They just have to be the right ones at the right time!" Another very true comment by Doug. Very Gilmourish ;) I might just tattoo this on my left arm, downside, so I keep this in mind when playing!
I like you analyze this track, very much. You are genius too.
Thank you, I have only just discovered your channel Doug and have really enjoyed the breakdowns so far, Zappa, Vai, Yes, Dream Theater and this one of course. As a Porcupine tree fan I was intrigued with seeing a Steven Willson track and one which for some reason I had not heard. Looking forward to hearing more selections.
That line up is just perfect!!!
Thank you. This is a lovely song. I prefer Steven's Porcupine Tree material a little more, but he has great solo works, as well. I really love "3 Years Older" and the title track from "Hand.Cannot.Erase."
Such a beautiful song
Glad people said they didn't care. Thanks Doug.
Guthrie's playing on the Steven Wilson albums "The Raven That Refused to Sing", "Hand. Cannot. Erase.", and "4½", is some of the finest guitar playing ever recorded. So full full of emotion and passion, it brings me to tears every time. He truly is a man at one with his instrument, just sad I never got to them play live.
I love this song! Thanks Doug!
Love it! Thank you Dougie!
Just Amazing! Such a great track... Guthrie's Solo - I could be wrong here, but, sounds to me like he's just cranked up the amp and is using sustained notes and sliding around the fret board, it's not until half way through that he starts to use a pick and get that real gritty attack on the strings... Very crafted and emotional! Whatever he did... it's so heart wrenching!
A fantastic tune... one of my favorites by Steven Wilson!!!
Thank you for another great video!
Gracias gracias, es bueno saber que no soy el único... saludos desde Chile
Hands down my favorite SW song and Guthrie's solo is the Comfortably Numb solo of the 2000's. Next try Porcupine Tree's The sound of Muzak.
In case non guitarists were wondering, Guthrie used a custom guitar that had arrived at the studio for Steven on the day this song was recorded. Looked like a Jazzmaster with a built-in Sustaniac. First time they had seen it. GG decided to give it a try for the solo and well, the rest is pure magic.
I love this song, whatever Wilson does is amazing. There is so many to choose from :) Love your comments and how you point out the intricacies of the song.
If you also look at The Receiving End Of Sirens, especially the album The Earth Sings Mi Fa Mi, there is so much going on in there that is simply undoable to write down, my personal favourite on that album is Stay Small. As a concept album it is rather hard to pick out just one song and doesn't do it justice but I have to start somewhere.
Not that it's that important, Govan is pronounced "Guh-vin".
I've ear transcribed many of his songs and they're on my YT channel. One of the most challenging things I've ever done!
Beautifully played Doug, its an excellent song and the guitar from Guthrie is stunning, a wonderful album all round, in fact stunning
The fun thing is that Steven had to reign Guthrie in on this record because his default is playing fast notes which doesn't always give the best results.
Steve Wilson's music can be heart stoppingly beautiful, or violent and ugly. Sometimes he manages to do all of those things at once.