I always liked this song from the band Hawkwind. It is an uplifting pop song with synthesizer sound wash and varied instrumentation thrown on top. Hawkwind has a long history. You might be interested in learning more about these “cosmic warriors” who constituted part of a music genre labeled “Space Rock”. Try checking out the book “Space Daze”. This video is a little weird, though, as is the lead singer’s getup.
I always liked this song by Black Sabbath but being performed here by the essentially the same band with a new moniker, “Heaven and Hell” to avoid infringement with Ozzy over the BS name. Tony Iommi’s finger picked guitar alternates with a sledge hammer guitar riff. Very sinewy, melodic bass work by Geezer Butler, too. And, of course, Iron Lungs Ronnie James Dio, in a performance shortly before his death. Epic.
A phenomenal band live is augmented by percussionist Jamie Muir for more aural madness. The band performs “Larks’ Tongues In Aspic Part 1”. Muir flirts between hammered percussion, drum set, referee’s whistle, bird call and bike horn. Wonderful.
Wow. Who else every played like these maniacs? King Crimson circa 1974: David Cross, Bill Bruford, John Wetton and Robert Fripp. Mellotron, violin, viola, electric piano, guitar, bass, drums, percussion. A rock chamber orchestra. Scathing.
“A Tab In The Ocean”: a 16 minute opus from the band Nektar. This is in many ways as much a rock opera as The Who’s “Tommy”. Riffs and phrases repeat throughout the extended length song. Monster riffs, guitars, a majestic organ line, and impassioned singing make this a truly memorable track. Did Rush get inspiration from this number and apply it toward their own epic composition, “2112”? You betcha.
Roxy Music, with their original lineup, perform “Editions of You”. Lovely stage performances by Bryan Ferry and Brian Eno. This band appeared around the era of ’70’s British Glam Rock and the costumes lent themselves to that genre. Roxy, though, was able to progress artistically beyond the confines of that particular music style and continue its career. Eno would leave the band soon after this performance.
