Prog Digest – an Xperience Column by Klyde Kadiddlehumper

The Prog Digest.

Be vewy, vewy quiet. We’re hunting wabbits!

Where in the Sam Hill is this going? What massive rabbit hole am I getting into?

Well, got to thinkin’ – more a thought came to mind. Someone once, an adult even, mentioned that they didn’t get the whole Easter Bunny thing. Why a bunny? Now, most of us know that it is a symbol of renewal, which is Spring – and then there is that whole holiday part. Those are only kinda the topic.

What is it we know bunnies are famous for? In a phrase that we can actually print (we can print anything we want here, but it would be nice if I had SOME decorum) – they are noted for doing the horizontal bop. Prolifically.

The music world is full of bopping. Not just the swapping of partners in the biblical way, but also for creating new life from folks we all know.

David Crosby (the Byrds), Stephen Stills (Buffalo Springfield, Manassas) and Graham Nash (The Hollies) got together to become CSN. And Crosby Nash and a bunch of other stuff. Of course, Judy Collins and Joni Mitchell were integral parts of the creative process. Not the first time a bunch of musicians have gotten together to create another thing.

Let’s go in a completely different direction. James Brown’s backing band at one time was known as The Pacemakers. Brothers Phelps and William Collins were both members. Phelps (aka Catfish) played guitar and William bass. William ultimately left due to, ummm, creative differences. Yeah, creative differences……there is, of course, a story that I will, perhaps have a chance to relate in a different piece. One day, he was introduced to George Clinton. Then known as Bootsy, he taught George a lesson from James about ‘the one’. It’s all about the beat, baby. Thus, they begat Parliament and Funkadelic and the sound is P-Funk. From Maggot Brain to Dr. Funkenstein – always supporting the Mothership Connection and fighting against the evil Sir Nose Devoidafunk.

Heck of a hole we are down.

How heavy can the blues get? The Yardbirds were a decidedly blues band. Upon splitting up, Jimmy Page came up with the New Yardbirds. Apparently, Jimmy Page tried to put together a group with John Entwhistle, Jeff Beck and Keith Moon. Moon suggested in his usual comedic fashion that it was likely to go down like a Led Zeppelin. Coupla different players, and a legend was born.

Now, to the really crazy, confusing bits. As Douglas Adam’s Dirk Gently would say – we believe in the interconnectedness of all things. You know – the holistic approach. Anyway, there are a bunch of bands that are simply to webbed together to fit into one brain.

Marillion’s bassist Pete Trewavas is also a member of Edison’s Children and Transatlantic. Edison’s Children features Rick Armstrong (son of Neal) as well as having featured Lisa Wetton (Syracuse’s own), wile of the late guitarist John Wetton. Transatlantic’s drummer is Mike Portnoy, former Dream Theatre drummer as well as a member of The Winery Dogs. Transatlantic also featured Neal Norse, formerly of the Flower Kings (wait – did I mention that the aforementioned Pete Trewavas is a member of the Flower Kings?).

OK – even when I was a young lad at a small liberal arts college in the North Country of NY – I couldn’t do THAT much begetting.

So, are your favorites one trick ponies, or, are they in the rabbit hole?

Until next time.

Klyde