Prog Digest – An Xperience Column

Prog Digest – An Xperience Column – by Klyde Kadiddlehumper.

You know, there are times we think we know what we are doing next, and then … well … things happen.

I thought this month was going to be waxing rhapsodic about the new record by an act that has been around forever, just got back together, and created a killer freakin’ record. Then, well … squirrel!

OK – here’s the rabbit hole.

Wandering around the internet can be, well, mind-boggling. One never knows what they will see, or find, or hear, or just think is kinda cool.

Up pops a thing for this record, “Flight of the Raven,” from a guy I’ve never heard of (and I am willing to bet you have never heard of), Matt Steady. OK – how bad could it be?

Pretty darned good, it seems. You can find it and play it back (with videos) on YouTube.

One is usually a bit skeptical when they use the phrase “Celtic prog” as there are times it becomes, well, cloying. Smarmy. Blech. (I will not mention the name of the very famous rock guitarist whose current act with his wife leaves me seriously cold). It’s an excellent mix of what one might consider traditional, with fiddle and pennywhistle and the like, mixed with some serious guitar and heavy beats.

Hailing from Leicester, England (pronounced Lester, not Lie-chester), he appears an interesting character by the sounds of it. He and his wife, Abi, adopt and foster (six kids in the house and two grown and out). Oh, not to forget the three guppies, two cats, and an Irish Wolfhound (that is one big dog).

Has Matt been a musician all his life? Nope. Not as a job, at least. Mom and Dad were musical, always music in the house, and living four years in Africa as a youngster made an impression. Learning piano and violin young – it’s always been there.

But then, like many a young man, he was drawn to the dark side.

IT.

20 years of it appears to have been enough, and he made the leap and became a one-man band. Not the kind that was Burt in Mary Poppins, but he does it all. Many of his backing musicians are well known in their profession, having played with the likes of Martin Barre, Iona, John Paul Jones, and The Strawbs. As Matt puts it – no accountants, no marketing department. Indeed, his press and videos have lots of flannel, working man’s pants, boots, and a brown (likely beaver) felt travel hat. If I had to guess, a Borsalino much like ol’ Klyde wears.

As you are, no doubt, asking yourselves (ok – you’re not asking but I am going to ask for you) – how did we miss this guy all these years? 11 studio albums under the radar (at least here). And Matt wins best album title I’ve seen this year; his debut album, “Blood is Thicker than Gold.”

Of course, what particularly struck me was the use of the uilleann pipe – Irish bagpipes. Similar to the Scots pipes, except you don’t have to be a blowhard to play them; they are inflated by a bellows. All self-contained.

Nothing against the Scots pipes, mind you. I’ve Scots blood (as well as a bunch of others) and do love me the idea of the enemy being scared out of their wits by a huge number of them, leading the way into battle, making a gawd-awful noise. And the Scots pipes do rock – from Ally the Piper doing “Crazy Train” to AC/DC – yeah, dig it.

But, again, I digress.

So, as usual, Klyde wants you to check stuff out. Take a look. Take a listen. You can still have your favourite bands and the like, that you will defend to your dying breath. But – don’t ignore something new (to you).

I keep tellin’ ya. The Duke was right. If it sounds good, it is good.

Until next time.

Klyde

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