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Prog Review 71: Storm Corrosion – S/T

Darren — Sat, 12 May 2012 11:03:32 +0000

So here I am reviewing the new Storm Corrosion Collector’s Edition by Steven Wilson and Mikael Akerfeldt. This has the CD and Blu-ray version of the album to listen to.

Click here for HD version

Prog Review 70: Diamond Head – Phil Manzanera

Darren — Wed, 09 May 2012 10:39:25 +0000

This is the debut solo album from Phil Manzanera and features a galaxy of progressive rock talent. It’s an even split between instrumental pieces and sung songs.

Click here for HD quality

Prog Review 69: Nth Entities – Anna Le & Phil Manzanera

Darren — Tue, 08 May 2012 10:36:35 +0000

The latest album release from Phil Manzanera sees him branching out into experimental territory and working with street poet Anna Le to combine his instrumental pieces with her urban poetry.

The limited edition of this set comes with a book of the poetry and four extra tracks.

Click here for HD quality

The Anthony Phillips Primer

Darren — Sat, 05 May 2012 10:34:27 +0000

Here are my thoughts on the complete discography of Anthony Phillips, ex-original lead guitarist of Genesis. It’s rather long and you can actually see the energy drain from me as the video staggers to its conclusion.

Enjoy!

Click for HD quality

Prog Review 68: Yessongs 40th Anniversary Special Edition Blu-ray – Yes

Darren — Fri, 04 May 2012 10:32:02 +0000

OEG has released a new Blu-ray release of the classic Yes 1972 Rainbow footage “Yessongs”. This time around the footage has been restored from the original 16mm negatives and a surround sound remix has been done of the soundtrack. Limited to a release of 3000 units, this has to be the ultimate version of “Yessongs” and comes complete with a 60 minute interview with Steve Howe, Chris Squire and Roger Dean as well as Steve Howe’s short promotional film for his album “Beginnings”.

Click here for HD quality

First Look: Yesssongs 40th Anniversary Edition Blu-Ray – Yes

Darren — Thu, 03 May 2012 14:04:27 +0000

My full review of this will follow shortly.

Click here for full HD quality

Background music: “Steady State of Flux” by Darren Lock

Prog Review 67: The Wine of Silence – Fripp, Keeling & Singleton

Darren — Thu, 03 May 2012 01:32:48 +0000

On 28 June 2003, the Metropole Orchestra performed a number of Robert Fripp and King Crimson tunes transposed for orchestra. Now the “soundscape” part of that concert has finally been released on CD and this is my review for you to view.

Background music by me.

Click here for HD quality

My music:

Amazon
http://amzn.to/lockmusic

Apple iTunes
http://bit.ly/lockitunes

CDBaby
http://bit.ly/lockcdbaby

Rhapsody
http://bit.ly/lockrhapsody

My Website
http://music.darrenlock.com

Or perhaps I can interest you in a T-shirt:
http://lock.spreadshirt.co.uk

Connect via social media:

http://www.facebook.com/thedarrenlock
http://www.twitter.com/darren_lock
http://gplus.to/vrooom

First Look: The Wine of Silence – Robert Fripp Andrew Keeling & David Singleton

Darren — Wed, 02 May 2012 14:11:25 +0000

This is the new orchestral soundscapes CD released by DGM, which has been nearly a decade in the making. Originally recorded back in 2003, the Metropol Orchestra played a concert in which Fripp’s ethereal guitar-synth driven soundscapes were transposed for orchestra.

Here I am opening the CD and looking at the booklet with a full review of the album to follow.

Available here: http://www.burningshed.com/store/kingcrimson/

Click here for HD quality

A full review of the album is available here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WKV7LNK8e0k

First Look: Phil Manzanera & Anna Le – Nth Entities

Darren — Tue, 01 May 2012 14:07:32 +0000

The latest album release from Phil Manzanera sees him branching out into experimental territory and working with street poet Anna Le to combine his instrumental pieces with her urban poetry.

The limited edition of this set comes with a book of the poetry and four extra tracks.

Click here for HD quality

Peter Gabriel XPLORA 1 – Unboxing and Play Through

Darren — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 13:18:25 +0000

Whilst perusing eBay, I came across this item and thought it would be a jolly wheeze if I unboxed something from 1994 and then do a playthrough of the software, adding my usual frothy comments of fun. It’s a bit long, but enjoyable with a cup of coffee…OK?

Click here for HD version

Kraftwerk – The Catalogue [Retrospective Edition 2012] THE UNBOXING!

Darren — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 00:03:07 +0000

Kraftwerk recently played eight consecutive nights at MoMA (Museum of Modern Art) in which they performed a retrospective of their musical career. In honour of this event, 2000 copies of “The Collection” were released in a black cover. This box set was previously released in 2009 in a white box, and it features all of the band’s albums remastered with new artwork and a series of glossy booklets.

This is my unboxing video of the Retrospective Reissue of “The Catalogue”

Click here for HD version

Pressure Point [25-04-12]

Darren — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 08:13:27 +0000

This is a short composition based on a riff I improvised around at the beginning of the month. It’s a bit of a rag-tag song, but there’s something in there worth keeping.

Click here for HD version

Rush Sector 2 Review Index

Darren — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 12:56:10 +0000

Prog Review 60: The Geese & The Ghost – Anthony Phillips

Darren — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 12:49:03 +0000

After reading your wonderful comments, I realised that there was a genuine interest in hearing my thoughts on Anthony Phillips – yes, I do plan to do a primer in the future though I might have to split it into two or just make it an hour long – and so here is me ruminating on his wonderful debut, “The Geese & The Ghost”.

Click here for HD version

Title Music:
“Stinkhorn” by Darren Lock

Background Music:
“The Return of the Snapdragon”, “Open Field” and “Herbie Smiles” by Darren Lock

All music has been written and recorded by Darren Lock and is used by permission because I am that Darren Lock who wrote and recorded this music. Ha ha ha ha!

If you like the background music and want to experience more Darren Lock music (or even throw the dog a bone) you can purchase my works via these online establishments.

Amazon
http://amzn.to/lockmusic

Apple iTunes
http://bit.ly/lockitunes

CDBaby
http://bit.ly/lockcdbaby

Rhapsody
http://bit.ly/lockrhapsody

My Website
http://music.darrenlock.com

Or perhaps I can interest you in a T-shirt:
http://lock.spreadshirt.co.uk

Connect via social media:

http://www.facebook.com/thedarrenlock
http://www.twitter.com/darren_lock
http://gplus.to/vrooom

Prog Review 59: Mental Notes – Split Enz

Darren — Sun, 15 Apr 2012 11:09:47 +0000

After overdosing on Rush last week, I thought I’d better look at some records I truly love and here are New Zealand band Splint Enz with their very prog-centric debut, “Mental Notes”.

Click here for 720p HD quality

Here are some videos of their early years to illustrate just what they were like in performance:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xozOG3Z3p3o

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Prb1_Y0vZ1o

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cFa0_qqjNDI

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4kD06cRP_Wc

Title Music:
“Stinkhorn” by Darren Lock

Background Music:
“The Mist Suite” by Darren Lock

All music has been written and recorded by Darren Lock and is used by permission because I am that Darren Lock who wrote and recorded this music. Ha ha ha ha!

If you like the background music and want to experience more Darren Lock music (or even throw the dog a bone) you can purchase my works via these online establishments.

Amazon
http://amzn.to/lockmusic

Apple iTunes
http://bit.ly/lockitunes

CDBaby
http://bit.ly/lockcdbaby

Rhapsody
http://bit.ly/lockrhapsody

My Website
http://music.darrenlock.com

Rush – Sector 1 Box Set Review Index

Darren — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 18:05:39 +0000

The End of the Road [07-04-12]

Darren — Sun, 08 Apr 2012 13:19:21 +0000

I decided I’d better pull my finger out and record some more music. The recent improvisation sessions are the catalysts to getting my creative juices flowing. I recorded this track in the afternoon/evening of 07-04-12 with the lead guitar re-recorded specifically for this here YouTube video.

Enjoy it in all its clumsy noisy joy.

Click here for HD quality

If you like this and want to experience more Darren Lock music (or even throw the dog a bone) you can purchase my works via these online establishments.

Amazon
http://amzn.to/lockmusic

Apple iTunes
http://bit.ly/lockitunes

CDBaby
http://bit.ly/lockcdbaby

Rhapsody
http://bit.ly/lockrhapsody

My Website
http://music.darrenlock.com

07-04-12 Improvisation B [with Godin xtSA, Roland VG-99, Roland GR-55 & Boss RC-300]

Darren — Sat, 07 Apr 2012 13:34:02 +0000

Here I am once again in improvisational territory trying my best to let my subconscious mind guide my weary fingers.

Please enjoy this for what it is.

To purchase my music, either search for “Darren Lock” on iTunes or go here: http://music.darrenlock.com

Prog Review 52: Nadir’s Big Chance – Peter Hammill

Darren — Sat, 07 Apr 2012 13:30:24 +0000

This just happens to be one of my favourite Peter Hammill albums because it straddles the worlds of prog and punk. But it is a pair of bondage trousers or just a glob of mucus spat at you from a pasty-faced teenager? The only way to find out is to watch the video!

Link for HD quality

Title Music:
“Stinkhorn” by Darren Lock

Background Music:
“The Return of the Snapdragon”
“Open Field”
“Herbie Smiles

05-04-12 Improvisation [featuring Godin Multiac ACS SA, Roland VG-99 and Boss RC-300]

Darren — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 10:56:48 +0000

Here I am once again in improvisational territory trying my best to let my subconscious mind guide my weary fingers.

Please enjoy this for what it is.

To purchase my music, either search for “Darren Lock” on iTunes or go here: http://music.darrenlock.com

Prog Review 51 – Bruford Levin Upper Extremities B.L.U.E.

Darren — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 13:23:20 +0000

In this episode, I go back to 1998 and one of the more curious offshoots from the King Crimson family, which produced an album that is guaranteed to interest KC fans.

Click here for HD quality

Title Music:
“Stinkhorn” by Darren Lock

Background Music:
“The Mist Suite”

04-04-12 Improvisation [featuring Godin Multiac ACS SA, Roland VG-99 & Boss RC-300]

Darren — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 08:25:31 +0000

Here I am trying to get my brain and fingers back into shape with a quick improvisational piece.

Review – LaCIE 2big Thunderbolt 4TB RAID Drive

Darren — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 09:02:21 +0000

I’ve had the LaCIE 2big Thunderbolt 4TB RAID Drive for a month now and I thought I put down my thoughts on this product, which was purchased to replace my underperforming Netgear ReadyNAS DUO drive.

Click for HD quality

Background music:
“Steady State of Flux” by Me.

http://music.darrenlock.com/track/steady-state-of-flux

Prog Review 50: Water Bearer – Sally Oldfield

Darren — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 13:20:14 +0000

We hit the milestone of 50 episodes of Prog Review with this little album from Michael’s big sister, Sally Oldfield. It’s one of those records that’s oft-forgotten but always manages to pull me out of the dark cloud. It’s it mithrin silver or a load of old goblin balls? There’s only one way to find out – watch the video!

Click here for HD quality

Title Music:
“Stinkhorn” by Darren Lock

Background Music:
“The Mist Suite”

Prog Review 49: Peter Gabriel II – Peter Gabriel

Darren — Sat, 31 Mar 2012 13:16:36 +0000

This time around I peruse the second album from Peter Gabriel and give it the Prog Review treatment.

Click here for HD quality

Old Music, New Edits

Darren — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 15:07:28 +0000

How Not to Get Ahead in Business (Without Really Trying)

Darren — Sun, 25 Mar 2012 11:00:01 +0000

*** WARNING – THIS IS A REALLY LONG VIDEO ***

So what really happened in 2008? Do you want to hear a story of misery and woe? Do you want to settle down with a cup o’ java and watch as one man’s life, hopes and dreams unravel before your very eyes. Do you want to see a family triumph over outstanding adversity onto to fail against an uncaring world?

This is no Hollywood blockbuster starring Matt Damon. No. This is real life starring yours truly, the insurance industry and a number of car batteries.

My Godin xtSA Guitar – Review & Demonstration

Darren — Sat, 24 Mar 2012 12:34:08 +0000

This is a short video of me talking about my Godin xtSA guitar, demonstrating the unprocessed sound from all pickup configurations and then playing the first 20 or so patches from my Roland VG-99.

Click here for HD quality

My Passion for MIDI Guitar

Darren — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 12:25:35 +0000

I’ve been into MIDI guitar for nearly 20 years now and when a viewer asked me to talk about the guitars in my collection, I thought it would be more interesting to talk about MIDI guitar and the various internal MIDI conversions I have performed over the years.

Click here for HD quality

Prog Review 48: The Yes Album – Yes

Darren — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 08:45:37 +0000

A classic album by the classic configuration of the band. But is it a Starship Trooper or a plate of cold Wurms? There’s only one way to find out and that’s to watch the video…

Click here for 720p HD quality

Title Music:
“Stinkhorn” by Darren Lock

Background Music:
“The Mist Suite”

All music has been written and recorded by Darren Lock and is used by permission because I am that Darren Lock who wrote and recorded this music. Ha ha ha ha!

To buy an EP containing some music:
http://music.darrenlock.com/album/the-stinkhorn-ep

Or visit my iTunes page:
http://bit.ly/m53fg8

Or my own music page:
http://music.darrenlock.com