This year the Baja Prog festival was held on March 6,7,8 & 9 2002 in Mexicali, Baja , Mexico. Once again it offered progressive music fans an assortment of varied acts. This special festival review was an invite by Baja Prog founder, and Cast member, Alfonso Vidales for Prog4you.com and completed by Captain MDA on our behalf. Read on and enjoy it as much as we did. It's a great review!

Day Minus 2, Arrive in San Diego 3/4/02

My wife and I arrive in beautiful San Diego after a flight in from Chicago where a sardine would have had more room.

A beautiful sunny day. Warm and so very inviting and what is the first thing we see upon exiting the baggage claim area? Our friend, confidant, and make shift chauffer, The Honorable MAG Gardiner, receiving a ticket in front of Lindbergh International Airport.

Was it possible our very own “Legal Eagle” had been so thoughtless as to park in a “No Parking Zone”? Nope! Seems our Legal Eagle had somehow avoided having his Saab Convertible properly inspected as required by California’s Federalies..

I’m convinced the local constable noticed him more for his absolutely filthy automobile (this is southern California after all!) than for the lack of that tiny sticker… But that is a story for another time.

Day Minus 1, Waiting in San Diego 3/5/02

After a long night of great food (compliments of Chef MAG), far too much excellent red wine, and listening to great new music, it was time to head east toward Mexicali.

Another Prog Head, Phil Bastanchury, who was coming down from the Seattle area for Baja Prog too, picked up JoAnn and me.

Heading east as the sun was setting behind us, the three of us drove into the night, the barren California desert looming all around us as we headed methodically to the US/Mexican border.

Baja Prog, Day 1 3/6/02, Hotel Araiza

With the anticipation of great music building through out the Hotel Araiza, our hopes and hearts grew with each passing minute. Milling around the hotel venue, we were able to see the main load in and the early sound checks for both Glass and Muros de Agua.

In addition, we ran into old friends; meet band members as we attempted to avoid too much fawning, and in general setting the stage for the first day of music.

The Hotel Araiza was a beautiful place having been totally remodeled over the past two years.

Two outdoors pools, one heated and one ice cold! A nice Jacuzzi that ended up being an afternoon meeting place for band members and old friends. It was very nice talking with bands from Canada and other parts of the world.

Even though I spoke no Spanish, it was very easy to communicate the love of music to people. Especially once you had heard them play.

The venue at the Hotel Araiza was small (maybe full it would hold 100/150 people) but well set up. Stadium style seating; with seats on the floor and in a semi-circle outward from the stage. Seating off the floor and at different levels around the stage, a nice bar (but they only sold colas, water, and Miller Genuine Draft), a very good sound system and stage lighting far better than seen in most club environments.

We were so ready for the music to begin.

Glass

With much hype, Glass, a reunion band from the 70’s began to play. It was obvious from the opening notes that this group consisted of some highly talented musicians. But to tell the truth, they were simply putting me to sleep.

This band started off this festival with boring and uninspiring playing. Two keyboards, drums, no guitar. And unlike Ars Nova that take the same approach, these guys simply plodded along asking nothing of themselves or the audience.

A preponderance of keyboard samples and patches along with the serious lack of a guitar had these guys coming off extremely weak in each composition. The playing and song structure just seemed to fall flat. Dated or not these guys were even outclassed by themselves.

There is a reason why not every prog band from the 70’s “made it”. After listening to this set, I’d have to add Glass to that group of just not that good.

Muros de Agua

Again, no guitar. Drums, bass, and keyboards. I was prepared once again to be bored to tears. I could not have been more wrong.

From the opening salvo, Muros de Agua had more life and energy that in the entire Glass set. The initial tune, complete with the energetic bass player doing his best “Tony Levin drum sticks on fingers” trick had the entire audience, and me in its grasp.

A great set! Wonderful improvisation, brilliant bass fret work, powerful drumming and appropriate keyboard runs made Muros de Agua an aural pleasure to behold.

Needless to say, this was my first of many CD’s purchases for the week.

[ Prev Page <---> Next Page ]