Echoes by Pink Floyd

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The Extra Long Week at The Lost Soul of Rock and Roll ends today. I hope you've enjoyed some rock classics that go into the ten, fifteen, or twenty minute mark. The albatross is motionless above me this morning. The song of the day for November 30, 2012 is 'Echoes' by Pink Floyd. This twenty three minute song is featured on the 1971 album, Meddle.

I decided to use the 1972 Live at Pompeii version of 'Echoes' for today's selection. Live at Pompeii is a must see movie in my opinion if you are a fan of Pink Floyd. It is a concert film, but there are no fans at the performance. Pink Floyd haters love that last sentence.As far as rock concert films go, I must admit that Live at Pompeii just might be the best of the bunch.

Is there a rock band out there today that performs without their shirts? This seems to be a lost art in my opinion. There was a time when a rocker dude could show up at a concert only wearing a pair of jeans. That was acceptable. If that were to happen today then there might be some outrage or perhaps some concern over the mental state of the shirtless rocker.

As a fan of Pink Floyd, I must show some love to Meddle. 'One of These Days', 'San Tropez', and 'Echoes' are my top tracks from the album. Although 'Echoes' goes past the twenty minute mark, it is an enjoyable rock experience. Floyd's hit the twenty minute mark in other songs, and I'm going to give the title to 'Echoes' for being the best extra long track for the band. Enjoy.

Supper's Ready by Genesis

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The Extra Long Week at The Lost Soul of Rock and Roll is almost over, but your supper's waiting for you. The song of the day for November 29, 2012 is 'Supper's Ready' by Genesis. This twenty-two minute epic is featured on the 1972 album, Foxtrot.

Many fans know Genesis from the 1980s Phil Collins pop era. 'Misunderstanding', 'Turn it on Again', 'Abacab' and 'Invisible Touch' are some of my favorites from the Phil years, but I must admit that I've had a very tough time liking the Peter Gabriel progressive rock version of Genesis. I know some of my fellow rock scholars love The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway and Foxtrot, but I've tried to like those albums. Seriously. I've given them a chance, but they just don't do anything for me as a listener.

The reason I chose 'Supper's ready' is because that seems to be the one Genesis song from the Gabriel era that I like. Yes, it is twenty-two minutes and I encourage those with a fondness for progressive rock to hit play below. For those of you that are adventurous or want to experience the Gabriel era of Genesis then give it a shot.  

Starship Trooper by Yes

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We are at the halfway point for The Extra Long Week at The Lost Soul of Rock and Roll. I hope you enjoyed the short week last week due to the Thanksgiving holiday. Maybe this week is going by slowly and it feels as if this week will never end. I'm here to give you some extra long rock jams to survive. Sister bluebird is flying high above the Lost Soul of Rock and Roll this morning. The song of the day for November 28, 2012 is 'Starship Trooper' by Yes. This song is featured on the 1971 album, The Yes Album.

'Starship Trooper' only hits the nine minute mark and this selection might be debated by some readers for being too short for the Extra Long Week. I wanted a Yes song for today and was more interested in selecting something from The Yes Album or Fragile than something from Tales From Topographic Oceans. I've tried to like Tales From Topographic Oceans, but there is something about that album that bores me to tears.

I like 80s corporate rock Yes and I really dig the 70s progressive rock Yes. It's easy to dislike progressive rock because it is so pompous that it makes indie rock look humble. Even the shortened version of progressive rock, "prog rock", sounds obnoxious. I'm of the opinion that Yes is the most digestible progressive rock band for beginners. They are not too arty nor do they have the sound of a god-awful Renaissance fair act. Enjoy.    

The Low Spark of High Heeled Boys by Traffic

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This is The Extra Long Week at The Lost Soul of Rock and Roll. You may have enjoyed an extended period of time off from school or work last week for the Thanksgiving holiday, but now we are all back to work for an extra long week. This week, I will play some really cool songs that are extra long in their length. Get your mind out of the gutter, you perverts! The percentage that you're paying is too high priced while you're living beyond all your means. The song of the day for November 26, 2012 is 'The Low Spark of High Heeled Boys' by Traffic. This song was released in 1971 and is featured on the album The Low Spark of High Heeled Boys.

It's easy to lump Steve Winwood into the yuppie fueled rock of the 1980s due to his hits 'Valerie' and 'Back in the High Life Again'. Winwood has had an impressive career, and the 80s hits sometimes overshadows his wonderful 60s and 70s accomplishments with The Spencer Davis Group, Blind Faith, and Traffic. 'The Low Spark of High Heeled Boys' was my first choice for The Extra Long Week.

I discovered Traffic back in the late 80s or early 90s while reading some rock and roll publication. I don't recall what the article was about, but I do remember the writer stated something about the brilliance of an album titled The Low Spark of High Heeled Boys. It was not long after reading that article that I found myself at a garage sale. The family that was having the sale had a large stack of vinyl for sale. I found some great albums that day like 4 Way Street by Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young and Decade by Neil Young. While searching for some more vinyl, I discovered The Low Spark of High Heeled Boys. I had never heard a song by Traffic at that time, but decided to purchase the album. It didn't capture my attention the first time I played the album because I was not in the mood for jazzy progressive rock.

I've always found the cover to this album to be pretty cool. And on an interesting note, the artist that designed this cover was named Tony Wright. Now that's a good name.

 

Over the years, I have come to appreciate the Traffic catalog, and I hope you enjoy today's selection.