Cleopatra Records [Release date 16.12.20]

The latest iteration of The Prog Collective is ever more relevant in these times of artist lockdown and lack of live.  A project started in 2012, and spearheaded by Yes bassist Billy Sherwood, the idea is to gather a who’s who of prog, mostly retro names it has to be said, but nevertheless providing a much needed outlet.  And certainly of interest to their fans and followers of this franchise.

Todd Rundgren opens up shop with the powerful and very relevant title track ‘World’s On Hold’ with violinist L.Shankar adding support whilst Geoff Tate fronts the first single ‘Two Trajectories’ with Bumblefoot on guitar.

With Sherwood at the controls you will not be surprised that this, and other songs, are very Yes sounding.  This is reinforced by the inclusion of vocalist Jon Davison, Geoff Downes , Patrick Moraz, Alan White and Tony Kaye albeit on different tracks.  That does produce a certain same-iness, and all players definitely in their comfort zone.

Elsewhere other contributors include a surprisingly lack-lustre although under-utilised  Jan Akkerman, Steve Hillage and Sonja Kristina (an excellent ‘Brave New World’) whilst Steve Hackett gets a look-in on ‘Glory Days Ahead’ with Arjen Anthony Lucassen.

The lack of lyrics in the rather basic album packaging is something of an oversight.  The album is a mix of original material and cover versions including three previously released bonus tracks.

The “original” covers include ‘Solisbury Hill’ (with Roine Stolt), ‘A Whiter Shade Of Pale’ (Graham Bonnet & Derek Sherinian), ‘Eye In The Sky’ (a somewhat strange pairing of melodic rocker Joe Lynn Turner and Tull acolyte Martin Barre) and ‘Nights In White Satin’ which resurrects the great David Clayton-Thomas with Geoff Downes.  At least these pieces don’t sound like Yes!

The best album Yes never made?  ***1/2

Review by David Randall

Album review (Epilogue, 2013)

---

Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions, streamed via Facebook.

Next session: Sunday 19 January

Check out videos here: https://www.facebook.com/getreadytorockradio

---

David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast on 1 December 2024.

UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). This show was first broadcast 3 December 2024.

How to Listen Live?

Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)

Listen via Windows Media Player. Click or tap here and “open file”
Listen via other media player (eg. VLC) Click or tap here and “open file”

Get Ready to ROCK! Radio is also in iTunes under Internet Radio/Classic Rock
Listen in via the Tunein app and search for “Get Ready to ROCK!” and save as favourite.

More information and links at our radio website where you can listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com

---

Power Plays w/c 9 December 2024

In this sequence we play ‘The Best of 2024′ GRTR! reviewer selections

Featured Albums w/c 9 December 2024

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2024 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2024 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2024 (Singer Songwriter)

---

---

Popular (last 10 days)

---