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PROG ROCK IN FOCUS

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TRIFECTA START A THREE-HORSE RACE

IF IT’S OUT THERE, IT’S IN HERE

JOHN HACKETT

The Yorkshire-based flautist, composer, guitarist and singer used his 2020 downtime as an opportunity to make new solo album The Piper Plays His Tune. He tells  Prog how the early Hackett domestic arrangements were a major influence in its recording

A Pilgrim’s Progress

Love them or loathe them, cover versions provide an insight into an artist’s influences. This spring, Van der Graaf Generator’s Peter Hammill releases his very first collection of them, taking listeners on a musical trip around the world with songs he’s translated himself.  Prog catches up with the visionary artist to explore his journey from chorister to the genre-defying musician behind In Translation

Gojira

Since 1996, French metallers Gojira have slowly but assuredly grown to a stature that’s in keeping with their name. Yet despite being at their commercial peak their latest album is loaded with progressive peculiarities and extroverted moments. So now we have to ask: How prog are Gojira?

THE PROG INTERVIWE AL STEWART

Every month, we get inside the mind of one of the biggest names in music. This issue it’s Al Stewart. The Scottish singer-songwriter became part of the British folk revival in the 60s and 70s after he bagged a weekly slot at one of London’s emerging folk cafés. He almost joined The Paramounts, but instead carved out a solo career and has since worked with Alan Parsons, Rick Wakeman and Richard Thompson, among many others. As he celebrates the 45th anniversary of his best-known album, Year Of The Cat, he looks back over his life so far

FROST*

The Musical Box  Edited by Dave Everley prog.reviews@futurenet.com

MY PROG

Dave Pen (BirdPen/Archive) 

The Age of ENLIGHT ENMENT

In 2009, Big Big Train released an album that would finally bring them to the attention of a wider audience. A decade on, The Underfall Yard has now been repackaged and reissued on vinyl. Greg Spawton, David Longdon and Nick D’Virgilio recount the making of a record that almost broke the band… and Prog gets the lowdown on their upcoming new recording

Days Of Future Past

It took a global lockdown to make it happen, but Chris Braide and Geoff Downes have come up with DBA, aka Downes Braide Association’s defining album. Here they talk about the homecoming, the memories and the 10-year friendship that led to Halcyon Hymns

“We Got What We Deserved...”

In 1969, Rare Bird were on the flight path to great things. Signed to Charisma, their first single, Sympathy, reached the top of the charts in Italy and France and was a Top 30 hit in the UK.  But after six years of struggling to build on that success, they decided to call it a day.  As Esoteric collects the band’s recordings on a new six-CD box set, Prog explores their legacy with former bassist Steve Gould and drummer Mark Ashton

Aiming High

Lifesigns’ new studio album, Altitude, was recorded last year in “bedrooms over the world”, but judging by the expansive sound the prog rockers have assembled, you’d never know. Vocalist and keyboard whizz John Young tells Prog more about the record – and why you won’t be finding the full release on Spotify anytime soon

QUIET LIVES

He’s been creating experimental sounds for five decades, but on his latest album, Under A Spell, Richard Barbieri has pushed the boundaries with a truly innovative collection of new songs. The synth wizard talks to Prog about capturing the unsettling feeling of being trapped in a dreamlike state, the latest Japan reissue and the possibility of a Porcupine Tree reunion

Third Time Lucky Man

Three years after the release of The Rules Have Changed, Robert Berry has revisited the music he made with Keith Emerson for a brand new recording. He tells Prog about the challenges he faced in recreating the work of one of the finest keyboard players of modern times for 3.2’s Third Impression.

LIFE IS Suite

Former Twelfth Night bassist Clive Mitten has revisited three of his old band’s early vinyl releases on his new album Suite Cryptique. Prog looks back on the musician’s career so far and uncovers the story behind the first in a series of ambitious reimaginings

No Better Time Than Now

He’s no longer a member of Big Big Train’s live band, but Robin Armstrong is relishing having his full focus back on Cosmograf. The one-man-prog-rock-band returns with his project’s eighth album, Rattrapante, and, as he tells Prog, there’s no looking back

“Arc Of Life is NOT Yes!”

Arc Of Life are the latest offshoot from Yes, featuring Jon Davison, Billy Sherwood and Jay Schellen. With three members from the veteran prog band, they’ve certainly caught the attention of fans around the world but the feedback hasn’t all been positive. Bassist Sherwood discusses their self-titled debut album and the somewhat adverse reactions to it online

Age Cannot Wither Him

He helped create the slasher movie genre and coined that piano melody from the Halloween soundtrack. Now John Carpenter has released his third standalone album with son Cody and Daniel Davies.  Prog catches up with the acclaimed director, screenwriter and synthwave pioneer to find out more

LIVING THE DREAM

Irish post-rockers God Is An Astronaut return with their inter-galactic ninth studio album, Ghost Tapes #10. Prog catches up with Torsten and Niels Kinsella to discover why the twins decided to ditch their modern pedals in favour of classic amps and a more band-driven sound