Classic Rock And Prog Almanac

This week, Shaun did one of his critically-acclaimed “pods from the wood” series, this time on the third album by Gryphon, Red Queen To Gryphon Three. Topics covered include: the uniqueness of the band’s sound, the band’s connection with Rick Wakeman, how this record compares to the group’s other work, the visual nature of their music and the connection with Lewis Carroll’s Wonderland. Also, what’s a Krumhorn when it’s at home? If Gryphon were an apple, what kind would it be? Is the last part of the album based on the Battle of Hastings? How little does Shaun know about rap music? Who is Dan Pearce and can he get in touch? And will the trees please shut up?

This week Tim did an analysis of the eleventh studio album by Genesis, Abacab. Topics covered include: the antipathy long-time Genesis fans have towards the album, whether there’s a difference between progressive and experimental music, the soul influence on the album, the difference between writing for guitar and writing for keyboard, and which bits of the record sound like Steve Hackett. Also, what’s the connection between Steve Hackett and Jeremy Corbyn? How is it possible that the same man wrote Smallcreep’s Day and Like It Or Not? Why can’t Tony Banks pronounce the word ‘reggae’? Did Phil Collins’ wife leave him because of his cockney accent? Why don’t you ever see Tony Banks and Tony Blair in the same room? And of course, what would Stumpy do?

This week, Shaun and Tim discussed the fourth album by The Bonzo Dog Band, Keynsham. Topics covered include: whether this is their best album, the relationship between comedy and music, the relationship between The Bonzos and The Beatles, the influence that the band had on the British comedy scene, the band’s musical skills, and their connections to the Monty Python group. Also, who exactly was Horace Batchelor? Was Bryan Ferry ever actually sighted on a ferry? What happened when Tim and Shaun were attacked on stage by some dockers from Tilbury? Were the Bonzos influenced by Marcel Duchamp’s toilet? Should Jimmy Page have used a leg theremin in The Song Remains The Same? And our classic question: is it is or is it ain’t a concept album?

Today Peter gives his ranking of The Incredible String Band albums. Topics covered include: the Edinburgh folk scene, the distinctive String Band cover art, the influence ISB had on other bands of the period, the band’s unusual lyrics and the Williamson-Heron dialectic. Also, who is the worst singer in the band? Exactly how cold is Edinburgh? Who is Wee Tam? Why is The Hedgehog Song so popular? When did the scientology kick in? Who does worse fake laughter, the String Band or Joni Mitchell? And of course, which album will be number one?!

This week Tim had a conversation with himself about Roger Waters’ third studio album, Amused To Death. Topics covered include: whether this is Waters’ best solo album, the subterranean structure of the album, the difference between George Orwell and Aldous Huxley, whether the album is written like a musical, and the debt the album owes to Pink Floyd. Also, how does Roger Waters echo the 19th Century German philosopher Feuerbach? Is TV a good thing or a bad thing? Is Jeff Beck doing Dave Gilmour doing Jeff Beck? Can Dark Side Of The Moon really be played in sync with The Wizard Of Oz? Why is Andrew Lloyd-Weber so bad? And what exactly is basketball?