Le Orme ‎–"Felona and Sorona / Felona E Sorona" (Deluxe Edition) 1973

The resplendent statues on the sleeve emit a certain 'Concentration Camp Chic' that suggests......"Art". So, beware, this could well be a Concept album about two planets which revolve around each other, without ever coming into contact. While Felona is shiny and flourishing, Sorona is dark and home to plagues and catastrophes,like Brexit and Trump-ism: however, in the second part of the suite, the fate of the two planets are inverted.Perfect fodder for anglo-prog doom merchant Peter Hammill to translate the Italian lyrics into English for the Anglo-Saxon market.....which he did.....shit, now I know what they're singing about!!!!?
Like Van Der Graaf, Le Orme were/are a trio who make a gloomy form of dramatic Prog that is very reflective of these polarized times in which we exist.
Another certified Italian Prog classic with a Science Fiction as tool for criticism element.Yes, as usual with Concept albums,there is a Bad Musical in there somewhere.Just cast those aspersions from your mind and listen to the version that isn't in your mother tongue for safety.Life was better when information was severely limited.Mystery is an under-rated concept,just as this album is an under-rated concept......album.

Tracklist:

Disc 1 : English Version:

1.1 In Between
1.2 Felona
1.3 The Maker
1.4 Web Of Time
1.5 Sorona
1.6 The Plan
1.7 The Balance
1.8 Return To Naught 

Disc 2: Italian Version:

2.1 Sospesi Nell'incredibile
2.2 Felona
2.3 La Solitudine Di Chi Protegge Il Mondo
2.4 L'Equilibrio
2.5 Sorona
2.6 Attesa Inerte

2.7 Ritratto Di Un Mattino
2.8 All'infuori Del Tempo
2.9 Ritorno Al Nulla

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"Tommy Vance Show, Capital Radio July 16th 1977 - "Johnny Rotten, The Punk and His Music"

Ok, here's the infamous Tommy Vance show, when Johnny Rotten exposed himself as a prog/folk/reggae fan. No New York Dolls on this show, and i'm sure Malcolm Maclaren was fuming.Serves him right for breaking the first rule in Pop svengali-ism.....Don't Pick anyone with a brain for your living art project!
It's amusing to listen to Lydon trying not to alienate his street cred whilst at the same time audibly loving Tommy Vance's naked sycophancy. 
"What turned me on to you was that here's someone who reaaallllly knows what he's talking about", said Tommy (from memory so don't pull me up about any errors please!?).
"I phfink I do" says Johnny, who's hideous Ego-trip was just about to go into first gear around this time in 1977.
He always gave me the impression that he didn't know what he was talking about,constantly making contradictory and confused statements, whilst banging on about being " 'Onest.".
But nevertheless, he was in two of the greatest groups of all time, had great stage and media charisma, and wore good clothes. Of course, as it was (almost)written in Neil Youngs tune from "Rust Never Sleeps", he burnt out, but then insisted on fading away into the cuddly TV chat show guest that he's turned into today.
Oh Yeah, he's a fucking Brexiter as well; the final nail in the coffin of my teenage idolatry......but Pil 1.1 and 1.2 are immortal in their shear brilliance,so I forgive him. And he likes Captain Beefheart, Van der Graaf, and Gary Glitter, so he ain't all bad.
To counteract Vance's sickening sycophancy, there's always the vintage radio adverts, which are probably more entertaining than listening to Rotten's 'I'm working claahs' monologues between questions.  

Tracklist:

1.Tim Buckley - Sweet Surrender
2.The Creation - Life Is Just Beginning
3.David Bowie - Rebel Rebel
4. Unknown Artist - Drowsy Maggie
5.Augustus Pablo - King Tubby Meets The Rockers Uptown
6.Gary Glitter - Doing Alright With The Boys
7.Fred Locks - Walls
8.Vivian Jackson and the Prophets - Fire in a Kingston
9.Culture - I'm Not Ashamed
10.Dr Alimantado & The Rebels - Born For A Purpose
11.Bobby Byrd - Back From The Dead
12.Bobby Byrd - Back From The Dead

13.Neil Young - Revolution Blues Neil Young - Revolution Blues
14.Lou Reed - Men Of Good Fortune
15.Kevin Coyne - Eastbourne Ladies
16.Peter Hammill - The Institute Of Mental Health is Burning
17.Peter Hammill - Nobody's Business
18.Makka Bees - Nation Fiddler / Fire!

19.Captain Beefheart - The Blimp
20.Nico - Janitor Of Lunacy
21.Let's Get It On Ken Boothe - Is It Because I'm Black
22.John Cale - Legs Larry At Television Centre
23.Third Ear Band - Fleance
24.Can - Halleluhwah

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Peter Hammill ‎– "Nadir's Big Chance" (Charisma ‎– CAS 1099) 1975

1975 is often cited as the Nadir of popular music,but it contained quite a few overlooked influential classics.An often cited influence on the punk rock explosion is Hammill's "Nadir's Big Chance" album.For its anger, short aggressive tunes, and lack of showy musicianship. Also as John Lydon played a track from it on his infamous Capital radio show. That says less about this record than it does about Mr. Rotten's musical roots. He liked Folk,Prog,and Captain Beefheart, much more to do with the music after punk than during. Which explains the music he got involved with immediately after the Pistols, who really were the 'Last' rock band...time to move on. 
This is one of Peter Hammills top three albums in my opinion, alonside "Over", and "The Silent Cornser and the Empty Stage".......again he's back by his old mates from Van Der Graaf Generator, so it can sound at times like a basic version of his more celebrated group persona rather than a purely 'solo' record.

Tracklist:

Nadir's Big Chance 3:27
The Institute Of Mental Health is Burning 3:50
Open Your Eyes 5:10
Nobody's Business 4:15
Been Alone So Long 4:20
Pompeii 4:50
Shingle Song 4:10
Airport 3:02
People You Were Going To 5:10
Birthday Special 3:40
Two Or Three Spectres 6:20

DOWNLOAD from rock's nadir year HERE!

Peter Hammill ‎– "pH7" (Charisma ‎– CAS 1146) 1979

PH7 is a good litmus test for the way I feel about a lot of Hammill solo works.Lyrically, of course, they are brilliant;But he struggles to get away from that Bad experimental Musical comparison.

The cover looks like this record must be part of a dystopian future of pop, but it could as easily have come from the dystopian past of pop too. There are a fair number of concept album filler ballads littered among a few tunes that post-punk kids might like;"Porton Down" for instance.And "Careering" may well have had its title lifted by John. Q Rotten for his "Metal Box" concept album later that same year.

One of his better albums, but ultimately his wordy lyrics, and stagy delivery tend to reduce the opportunity for the music to breath.Sometimes while listening to this LP, you just want ex-choirboy Peter to just SHUT UP! Maybe even Neutralised,like the backing has been?

Tracklist:

My Favourite 2:50
Careering (Don't Ask Me) 4:00
Porton Down 3:35
Mirror Images 3:50
Handicap And Equality 4:00
Not For Keith 2:25
The Old School Tie 4:50
Time For A Change
Imperial Walls 5:00
Mr X (Gets Tense) 4:45
Faculty X 4:10

DOWNLOAD from a point of neutrality HERE!

Peter Hammill ‎– "Patience" - (Naive Records ‎– NAVL 3) 1983

Surprise surprise, here's a few Peter Hammill solo albums from his vast canon.This one, Patience, is the one I like the best from his post-punk period.
It still sounds like VDGG with different drumming, keyboards and less Saxes;all replaced by a minimal rock group backing in a prog/post punk stylee.....which is surprising,or not, as everyone from VDGG are in the backing band.Oh, they're sooooo versatile those progressive rockers aren't they? 
The lack of mournful ballads like refugees from a Steven Sondheim  off-broadway musical is a major plus.

Tracklist:

Labour Of Love 5:50
Film Noir 4:13
Just Good Friends 4:20
Jeunesse d'Orée 4:45
Traintime 4:23
Now More Than Ever 5:36
Comfortable? 4:52
Patient 6:11

DOWNLOAD with patience HERE!