LP>Play #051 feat. Bruford, Peter Gabriel, It Bites, and more
A regular playlist, founded on prog and folk rock and embracing the globe.
I post an LP>Play of the Day in Substack Notes.
Listening Guide #051
1. Statistical Blip, ‘Something in the Water’ from The State of the World (2025)
A classic prog rock band from Southern Spain. This is the opening track on their second album, melodic/symphonic prog at its best. The band can rock hard when required. On this album, Martin Wilkinson’s lyrics and vocals take aim at the madness currently engulfing the planet. Perhaps there really is something in the water. Imagine Pete Townshend’s songwriting from the early seventies being allowed to morph into a fully prog Who; even then, you won’t have a full picture of what the Blip are doing on this album, but it’s a start.
2. Bruford, ‘Sample and Hold’ from Feels Good to Me (1978)
Bill Bruford is a brilliant prog and jazz rock drummer (as well as his own ventures such as this, he’s played with King Crimson, Genesis, and Yes, among many others). This is an instrumental that shows off his drumming style and the excellent musicians he surrounds himself with. The band features Allan Holdsworth (electric guitar), Dave Stewart (keyboards), Jeff Berlin (bass) and, although not on this track, Annette Peacock on lead vocals.
3. Chimpan A, ‘Wichita Lineman’ from M.I.A. Vol. 1 (forthcoming)
Here’s a brave cover of one of the finest songs ever written. You’ll be familiar with Glen Campbell’s version from 1968. The song was written by Jimmy Webb and, famously, wasn’t finished. Webb sent a demo version of ‘Wichita’, and Campbell promptly recorded it. There have been many covers, ranging from Engelbert Humperdinck to Guns N’ Roses. This new one brings out the full beauty of the song. It is gorgeous. Chimpan A are Rob Reed (of Magenta, and also known for his ‘Sanctuary’ albums in the style of Mike Oldfield) and Rob Thompson (guitar) / Steve Balsamo (vocals) from The Storys. On this track they are joined by Kirstie Roberts and Christina Booth on vocals. There’s a new album to follow in August, mixing covers with original material.
4. Millenium, ‘Hope Dies Last’ from Hope Dies Last (2024)
Polish band with a back catalogue dating from (of course) 1999. ‘Hope Dies Last’ is a beautifully reflective song, building from a strummed acoustic opening to dramatic chords and melodic guitar solos for the second half of the song, taking us into Pink Floyd, Genesis and Marillion territory. Inspired.
5. Jethro Tull, ‘Teacher’ (UK Single Version) [2025 Remix] from Still Living in the Past (forthcoming)
Living in the Past first surfaced in 1972 as a double-album compilation of Tull’s various non-album and live recordings. This expanded version comes on five CDs and a Blu-Ray, with more live material and a remix by the unstoppable Steven Wilson. Ian Anderson and Jethro Tull have explored many genres since beginning with blues-rock in 1968. ‘Teacher’ is an example of a track that was included to allow the US market to catch up, with an alternative version having been issued as a UK B-side.
6. It Bites, ‘Yellow Christian’ from Once Around the World (1988)
It would be possible to play Once Around the World alongside any of the classic prog albums of the time and believe it must have been as successful, both in terms of sales and critical reception, as any of them. And yet It Bites are one of those bands who never got the recognition their music deserved (with the exception of one hit single from two years previously, ‘Calling All the Heroes’). If you enjoy this track – I could have selected any track from the album – dive in to the stream.
7. Caravan, ‘Winter Wine’ from In the Land of the Grey and the Pink (1971)
To the Canterbury scene, and another band with a long history who are still playing, although with a necessarily changed line-up. This is one of my favourite albums from that sub-genre. I was reminded to include a track by Caravan because they have a new 10 LP set of live performances on release. Distinctive and innovative, probably an acquired taste but one worth discovering.
8. Synthagma, ‘Power’ from Radical Animal (2025)
A German band with a brilliant debut album. I’ll leave it to them to introduce themselves via this statement on their website: ‘“If it is art, it is not for all, and if it is for all, it is not art.” (A. Shonberg). We know that our music is not mainstream – we consider our music to be art. Feel free to form your own opinion.” This track heads into ELP/King Crimson styles, so probably not for the mainstream beyond prog – but definitely for me. What do you think – can mainstream music (or mainstream anything) also be art? Is this music art?
9. Peter Gabriel, ‘Digging in the Dirt’ (Live) from In the Big Room (2025)
To support the release of his album Up in 2002, Peter Gabriel played for a select group of his Lunatics (members of his Full Moon Club) in the Big Room at Real World Studios in Box, UK. He’s been making tracks available on Bandcamp to current Lunatics, and now the whole gig is available for everyone to stream. ‘Digging’ was originally released on his 1992 album Us. The live version kicks hard when the chorus slams in.
10. Faun Fables, ‘Wonderous Stories’ from Counterclockwise (2025)
Yes, this is a cover of Yes. Faun Fables won’t be for everyone (on the album they also cover the Bee Gees – nothing wrong with that). This stays true to the Yes original, except the guitar solo is replaced by what sounds like a wibbly-wobbly saw to me (or is probably a synth).
Next is my review of The Orphen Epoch by Cosmograf, followed by LP>Play #052 and Part 5 of the Phil Collins series. Stay tuned!
Some great tracks here Ian! As is often the case with prog, some of the songs are a little intense for me (Synthagma). Really enjoyed the lovely cover of Wichita Lineman and the Millennium track. I feel like I could do with listening to more Jethro Tull as I definitely seem to enjoy much of what I hear.