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: : Orphan
Project : :
First up on Saturday was a great band with a depth of musical and lyrical
consciousness that extended far beyond the length of time they had actually been
playing together. These guys clearly had influences from bands like Kansas, U2,
Peter Gabriel and even Yes, but their own sound filled the room.
Complete with a strong religious message these guys rocked, rolled, and simply set
the bar higher than is normal for opening bands at any type of rock and roll show. A
review of their CD, Orphan Found can be found on the www.prog4you.com web site.
From the beginning of planning for this event, George and Tom had struggled with
whether they would have four or five bands per day. My self and I suspect all who
attended really appreciated the fact that only four bands per day played. This
allowed for a minimum of 90 minutes between bands. The net effect was that the stage
could be changed out as needed and each band was able to have a legitimate sound
check which I am certain was directly responsible for the high quality of sound each
band had.
: : IZZ : :
The second band on Saturday was IZZ. I just do not know where to start telling you
just how good these guys were. Having seen them twice before, I knew they were a
great band but I was unprepared for the way they ripped on this day. Having three
full CD’s out they had a great deal of music to offer up to the demanding crowd.
IZZ is a great example that prog rock has in fact moved forward and is not all based
around themes harking back to the 1970’s. They blend some aspects of that early 70’s
sound but their originality shines through so much that there are no real
comparisons to bands form the past. You get wonderful vocal harmonies, some Celtic
sounds, a little jazz, a little funk, all the while maintaining a clear sense of
melody.
One of the highlights of this set was Paul Bremner on lead guitar. I mean maybe I
did not pay attention the previous times I had seen them, but Paul absolutely
shredded on this day. His playing style made everyone sit up and take notice and
frankly may have been arguably the best guitarist of the weekend.
Unfortunately they used up their 90 minutes during their set and left themselves no
time for a much-demanded encore. Oh well, we did have a show to run and off the
stage they had to go.
It was very pleasing to hear so many people after they left the stage wanting to
hear more from IZZ. Much like Orphan Project’s set, IZZ definitely raised the bar a
little higher for the next band up.
: : ALIAS EYE : :
After another 90 minute break Alias Eye took the stage. I had reviewed their newest
CD “A Different Point of You” for George’s web site and was very much looking
forward to hearing these guys live. I was not disappointed. They opened their set
with the first track from that CD, “A Clown’s Tale” and the crowd immediately sat on
the edge of their seats still unaware of the great music to follow. This song is
full of wonderful musical experimentation while being very proggy. You get a host of
Arabian instrumental sounds mixed with heavy guitar riffs and a strong back beat.
Alias Eye’s set then took you into a 30’s jazz club vibe with their song “Too Much
Toulouse”. Also, when is the last time that you heard an accordion played in a
progressive rock band? Well they did and it worked perfectly.
For the entire weekend there was only one technical boo-boo and of course it
occurred during Alias Eye’s set. It seems that a circuit breaker in the keyboardist
gear would keep tripping. Unfortunately it occurred right in the middle of each of
his solos. It got so bad that ultimately Denis Haley, the ROSFest keyboard tech,
ended up crouching on the stage right behind the unit resetting the breaker when it
would trip.
Regardless of this tiny but obvious problem, Alias Eye too seemed to step up to the
plate and hit a home run again forcing the headliner to really do a top-notch show.
After Alias Eye’s 2-hour set there was a 2-hour dinner break. Again, a tip of the
hat to George and Tom for their planning. Adjacent to the Colonial Theater was Bigg
Daddy’s Rhythm – N –Ribs, a most wonderful watering hole and place to eat. They had
a special Rites of Spring Festival buffet that was priced right and full of great
food.
: : JADIS : :
So after a nice dinner it was time to get ready for Saturday’s headliner. Jadis,
while not truly one of the first neo-prog bands say like Pendragon, Marillion, or
IQ, they had been playing live as a supporting band for these bands as far back as
1987. To finally get to see these guys live was yet another dream come true. The
cool part was that it seemed the entire audience felt exactly like I did.
Jadis’s set was a great reminder that this music we love is in fact progressive
ROCK. Gary Chandlers voice was so right on. Martin Orford’s keyboard work was
brilliant as ever, John Jowitt in his plaid pants with a gazillion zippers showed
how he makes playing a five string bass rock. Finally Steve Christey’s
drumming really out showed all three previous drummers.
Jadis played their hearts out for the entire two hours and did not disappoint any
one who was there. They played a little something from all their releases covering
the audience with brilliant musical soundscapes that filled us all with awe and
wonder.
Jadis was a band that I had felt I would never get an opportunity to see, as they
just were not going to get an invite to come play across the pond. I can now put
them into my musical box of bands I’ve been able to see. Nektar, Caravaan, Steve
Hacket, and now Jadis. Life is good, my friends, life is very, very good.
: : AFTER HOUR PARTY : :
As part of this event, those attendee’s that paid a slightly higher charge for Gold
Patron Tickets got to attend a private “after show” party back at the Sheraton Great
Valley. A side bar, what a great hotel, hotel staff, and room rates. I’m back there
again for next year. Okay, back to the party. George and Tom had arranged for a drum
kit, a keyboard, and a couple of small amps to be set up in the “party room”. All
patrons were treated to a meet and greet with all the bands that had played on
Saturday and some who had arrived early that were playing on Sunday.
Alias Eye had worked up some special songs for their impromptu set in the party
room. I’ve got to tell you hearing these guys from Germany playing rockabilly music
was a tad bit scary. Not that they were bad at it but it just seemed so odd. Then
there was a jam session with members of IZZ, Little Atlas, Salem Hill and Man on
Fire. At times different people would pick up the guitar or bass and overall we were
treated to just a fun evening of more great music.
There was lots of time to meet new friends and get re-acquainted with old ones.
There was time for a few beers, some jokes, kudos and pats on the back to Tom and
George and just an overall great time. Well worth the minimal difference in the
price of the patron tickets. Who knows, maybe George and Tom will sell more than 100
patron seats for ROSFest 2K5.
I ended up going to bed around 3 am and woke refreshed and ready to go around 6 am.
Hey, who needs sleep when there is music to listen to?
After a nice breakfast we headed over to the venue to prepare for the opening band,
Sonus Umbra.
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