Classic Rock And Prog Almanac

This week, in celebration of the new documentary 'Burning Ambition', Tim went backwards through the history of Iron Maiden, choosing a paradigm song from each of their albums. Topics covered include: the classical music influence on the band, which album is their best, how the line-up changes in the band have affected their approach, the programmatic aspect of Maiden’s writing, and whether the band can be considered ‘prog-adjacent’. Also, what’s the connection between Iron Maiden and theoretical physics? What’s the most historically inaccurate film ever made? Is Britain a country of hobbyists? What would the philosopher Wittgenstein have thought of Iron Maiden? Can you imagine ELP playing a Maiden track? And why is Bruce Dickinson’s autobiography unreadable?

This week, Tim and Peter discussed the third album by Genesis, Nursery Cryme. Topics covered include: how this album stands in relation to the rest of the Genesis canon, the effect of the line-up change, why the album was recorded so quickly, the contrast between the various writing styles in the band, and the surrealist dimension of the album. Also, is it an Edwardian album or a Victorian one? Which of these songs wins the prize for the most key changes? Is there a worse way to be castrated than with a croquet mallet? Is Harold The Barrell Peter Gabriel’s re-writing of Oedipus Rex by Sophocles? Why are British people obsessed by the Russians? And crucially, do Yes have a sense of humour?

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?