Prog Digest – An Xperience Column

Prog Digest – An Xperience Column – by Klyde Kadiddlehumper.

Let’s talk legacy a bit.  And band and crosswinds.

Prog Digest is not always about music – as those who have read this column from time to time know. It is, however, about themes and thoughts and timing and influence.

Beyond the musings you see monthly, Klyde is likely to have zero legacy left behind.  Maybe a smile or two.

Musicians, on the other hand, come and go.  Some come and leave as quickly as they showed up.  Reminds me of an album in the old collection from a group called Trefethen.  Never heard from again. This 1980 recording was really the brainchild of Tom Trefethen, an audio engineer who worked with Ambrosia, Andrae Crouch, Michael Nesmith, and Alan Parsons, among others.  The album (Side A: “Am I Stupid or Am I Great,” Side B: “It’s All Mom’s Fault”) came and went and damned near no one noticed.  Klyde, of course, digs it.

Other musicians are much like a bad penny – they keep on showing up.  Not that all their music is bad.  They just become, well, less interesting.

The band Kansas would be an example in this household. “Kansas,” “Song for America,” and “Masque” are great records. “Leftoverture” is pretty darned good, but they really started to lose me at “Point of Know Return.” Beyond that, meh.

Through a number of iterations as Kansas, and one called Proto-Kaw, Kerry Livgren was a staple. Indeed, the current version has recently announced a new bass player/vocalist – Dan McGowen.  McGowen and his brother Patrick are founding members of the Tea Club – another well-regarded prog band.

OK – legacy.

Fast forward to today.  Yeah, Kansas is on the road – a tour I will admit I am not that interested in.

Then there is Emerald City Council.  A seriously interesting band whose most recent release, “Motion Carries,” is really special. Now, why does this fall under the legacy moniker?

Lead singer is Jake Livgren – nephew of the above-mentioned Kerry and singer for Proto-Kaw.  Drummer Noah Hungate is son of current Toto drummer and member of Team Illuminati. Guests include Paul Bielatowicz (Carl Palmer, Neal Morse), Mike Thompson (The Sons of Kirk), actor Jeffery Combs (Start Trek, Re-Animator), and Steve Rankin (Star Trek, X-Files).

The engineer/producer is a multi-Grammy/Emmy winner.

Artwork – well, look them up – who knew elephants could fly?

Legacies can be pretty cool.  Add to that the legacies a number of icons have left is, perhaps, even more impressive.

Mel Torme doing a turn in the song “Zaz Turned Blue” from Was (Not Was) “Born to Laugh at Tornadoes.”

Perhaps the king of them all: Johnny Cash OWNING Trent Reznor with “Hurt.”

Yeah, legacies can be pretty cool.  Some are not so much, and we can ignore those.  The real deals deserve respect and a listen.

Today – it’s Emerald City Council.  Who knows what tomorrow may hold.

Who?

Until next time.

Klyde

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