Doug, I haven't commented much on your videos so far (I've been kind of a lurker lol), but I must express my appreciation for you and your reaction videos. I have no one in my life that appreciates this kind of music, and I never have. I have no one to share the joy of listening to Yes, Nightwish, Flower Kings, Dream Theater, Opeth, and many more artistes with. I have a wife and friends, of course, and they are tolerant of my musical tastes, but they don't "get it" like you do. Listening to your knowledgeable comments on music that I have treasured alone for many years makes me feel like I have a friend that I can share these things with. You have no idea how much I appreciate that! Thank you, sir! Walker B.
It's taken 14 years of continually playing The Flower Kings, Spock's Beard, Transatlantic, Flying Colors etc - but my wife is now fully on board and loves nearly all of their music. Oh, did I forget Steven Wilson/Porcupine Tree (although I think it's more than the music she likes there! :o)
There's also a lot of "fan forums" and such where you can get in personal contact with the like minded. Has worked very well for me and I've ended up meeting lots of them at concerts & other events and becoming irl friends with lots as well.
Wow, finally some Flower Kings! Not the epic I expected, but a good one nonetheless! Please check out "Stardust We Are" or "The Truth Will Set You Free" as well!!
@@nectarinedreams7208 that I don't know... it's pretty good piece of music in any case. I might have started with the early FK though. I am the Sun is also a great masterpiece and what got me into these guys
Please react to the supergroup Transatlantic! Featuring Neal Morse (ex-Spock’s Beard) Roine Stolt (The Flower Kings) Pete Trewavas (Marillion) and Mike Portnoy (ex-Dream Theater. All of the Above, Duel With The Devil, Stranger In Your Soul, Into The Blue, and Kaleidoscope are some of their best epics! And they are EPIC!
Yes! I so rarely see people mention Into the Blue, but it’s probably my favorite Transatlantic song (and Daniel Gildenlow’s vocals in the middle section are just gorgeous…) It’s hard to go wrong with their epics, though
3 года назад
And the new album 1 and a half hour long is another one masterpiece!
@@lowdz68check out Tomas Bodin’s solo albums, he is the keyboardist and one of the main composers for the flower kings. It sounds just like TFK but either has no vocals or someone other than Roine singing.
@Doug - Loads of folks below have recommended 'The Whirlwind' by Transatlantic (Prog supergroup consisting of Roine Stolt, Neal Morse, Mike Portnoy & Pete Trewavas). For info, The Whirlwind is an album made of many separate tracks (due to the nature of CDs/albums etc) but should be listened to as one epic 74 minute piece in its own right. That said, anything from any of their albums is wonderful. Something shorter / more manageable would be 'Bridge Across Forever', a delicate, beautiful piece. I know you will enjoy your foray into TFK & Transatlantic.
Roine is one of those guys you can recognize his guitar even without knowing before hand. His sound and tecnique are as unique as Steve Howe's, Brian May or Carlos Santana
I follow THE FLOWER KINGS for more that 20 years now. Especially the track you choosed for this listening party in my eyes is one of their very best they did in this whole time. It feels so good that you see the worth of this music, the love it spreads and the musicianship THE FLOWER KINGS do there. Thank you for reminding us all to this one and showing it to a wider audience; the band deserves that so much.
Hi Doug...I have a challenge for you...Roine Stolt, the Flower Kings lead (Vox/Guitar/Keys) is in a band called 'Transatlantic' with Neal Morse (Spock's Beard), Mike Portnoy (Dream Theater) and Pete Trewaves (Bass, Marillion). Could you look at 'The Whirlwind'?? An amazing track and an amazing band! You won't regret it for a second...:-)
@@FVD Grendel sounds too "pasted together" to me; Marillion trying to be Genesis but not up to the task. Ocean Cloud flows together brilliantly, sounds uniquely Marillion, and the lyrics are fantastic without sounding sophomoric or too wordy. That's just my opinion.
Doug, As a classical composer you owe it to yourself and to your listeners to listen to a classical album by the band Camel "The Snow Goose" from 1975 and re-recorded in 2013 no vocals and it's one long song!
There are several fabolous Italian Progressive Rock bands: PREMIATA FORNEIRA MARCONI, LE ORME, MUSEO ROSEMBACH, LOCANDA DELLE FATE. There's an album called Contaminazione by IL ROVESCIO DELLA MEDAGLIA orchestrated
I like that he is dipping into more modern prog bands, so please don't forget about the current crop of bands from Italy (in no particular order): Il Bacio Della Medusa, Il Tempio Della Clessidre, Mad Fellaz, Il Cerchio D'Oro, Logos, Ranestane, Marchesi Scamorza, Deus Ex Machina, etc. The scene in Italy is still vibrant.
Glad to see you venture into the realm of the Flower King, Roine Stolt is my go to composer, producer, arranger, player etc, over even the likes of Steven Wilson, I was actually afraid you'd not like his works so I am really glad you enjoyed it as there is a ton more music ahead to explore in this vein when you find the time. Continuing with The Flower Kings Stardust We Are will be mentioned a lot as a go to song, but I also recommend some deeper cut songs like `The Road Back Home` off of Retropolis, `I Am the Sun` part 1 and 2 off of Space Revolver and I absolutely dare you to react to 'Circus Brimstone' off of Stardust We Are, it's maniacal. As you mention Sweden, they do have some special water up there, some other bands you might want to look into are Beardfish (look to Comfortzone as an album), Moon Safari (look to Lovers End Part 3 as a song), Karmakanic (look to DOT as a song) and then Kaipa is another one that is quite fun with their folk prog.
Thanks. Here's a group I'd never even heard of! Very interesting music. Love the VW guppy-bus! I'm always in awe of any band that can come up with intricate and different stuff - especially over & over. I'd get lost as to which song I was playing, and how it goes! (And I've noodled with guitar, keyboards, drums, & quite a few other things for most of my life.) Add to that the question: How did we make all those sounds, again?? and I couldn't comprehend any such undertaking without written music, AND detailed notes on mike setups, amp & pedal settings, etc. Heck, even professional orchestra musicians practice a limited repertoire just before a given concert. But prog bands? They have to know most of their own stuff most of the time. Amazing. I'm just glad there are bands out there who can manage all that. I'll just listen. tavi.
I'm a huge Flower Kings fan, and I'm glad Doug seems to like this, but this was an odd choice of a first FK song - I would never have suggested this as an introduction to the band. Truth Will Set You Free, Stardust We Are, I Am The Sun (both one & two), Love Supreme, Big Puzzle, Numbers, or even One More Time (the cut right before Love is The Only Answer). And Doug, if you like this, Transatlantic will blow your mind (All of The Above or Stranger In Your Soul)
When it comes to flower Kings epic length compositions, I don't really think that there is a bad choice for a first song. In fact, starting with one like this that isn't one of their biggest hits, but still amazing, is actually a good move because it gives room to grow and to some of it even more well-regarded pieces like Stardust for example.
Hard agree. Love TFK but this is probably one of their least-good epics from probably my least favorite album of theirs. Stardust We Are is my favorite of their epics. I also love a lot of their "shorter epics" like End on a High Note and There Is More To This World. Also second the Transatlantic rec. I'd go with Stranger In Your Soul or Duel With the Devil. Bridge Across Forever is just one of the greatest prog rock albums ever. Another Roine Stolt band (supergroup) worth checking out is The Sea Within, especially their song An Eye for an Eye for an Eye.
@@jonathanhenderson9422 In my book, Bridge Across Forever is indeed the greatest prog album ever made. Absolutely incredible from start to glorious finish. Exceeded only by the live version, Bridge Across Europe, which is the greatest live prog album ever made.
"I wonder where they're going." 😂 The Flower Kings are just so awesome. Every song is a musical journey. You should check 'em out live, Doug! I have. 😉
Highly Recommend the 'Meet the Flower Kings' - DVD. I'm sure most of it is on the tube. It is a perfect blend of old a new. And a personal recommendation if emotional guitar solo is your thing, find the 'Touch My Heaven' live clip also available on the tube. Enjoy!
Came back to this after realizing I had missed it while watching the recent Transatlantic reaction... this is my favorite TFK album, easily. And I love that you picked up on the major seventh chords, they are the rock band that I know that uses them the most. Never thought 7+ could rock until I heard them!
Great to see Doug reacting to TFK. One remark: the balance between Doug's voice and the music was a bit off: the music volume was too low imo. It would be nice if it could be changed a bit, especially for first-time listeners.
I'm completely agree with other comments I read on this video. I discovered FK one week ago with the «Stardust We Are» album. And I can't stop listening the hole album repeatly. For me, Stardust We Are (The song) is «THE» masterpiece of the band, it might be really really great you dive into it!
Been waiting months for some Flower Kings. Really hoped for Love Supreme by them after posting about it every day for over a month. Kind of gave up requesting, but at least we got something from them :)
You seemed to have really enjoyed this song. The flower kings are amazing and I hope you do some more videos on them. Now that you've had Mike Portnoy on Dream Theater, Neal Morse on Spock's Beard and Roine Stolt on The Flower Kings, I think it's time for you to react to Transatlantic as those 3 musicians are playing in it. My recommendation would be The Whirlwind, on an epic friday of course!!
Nice! Now that we're in Sweden, I think you'll appreciate Moon Safari too: a mix of Flower Kings, Yes and the likes, with lots of 5 part vocal harmonies as icing on the cake. The 'Beach Boys' of Prog! (Stay away from 20+ minutes songs! Not necessary; their 'shorter' tracks are complete enough.) My favorite Moon Safari songs: - A Sun Of Your Own - Constant Bloom/Methusalah's Children - Ghost Of Flowers Past - A Tale Of Three And Tree - Heartland - Mega Moon
I am so glad you finally got to listen to some Flower Kings. They are one of my absolute favorite bands, one that I can listen to all day. Really enjoy your videos and I am loving listening to your reaction to TFK while I am drinking some Scotch whisky myself.
I love The Flower Kings and have several of their albums but I have not yet heard this one. Consistent with their other releases and you can hear elements of it that Roine brings to Transatlantic. Thanks for the intro! Happy weekend.
Kudos to those suggesting these bands. Flower Kings, Dream Theater, Spock's Beard... excellent! Maybe some Beardfish (sleeping in traffic part 2), Steven Wilson, Transatlantic, Flying Colors, or maybe even Snarky Puppy (if he hasn't done that already).
Beautiful casualties! I have been listening to this album today! One of favorites! It has everything in a great way and quantity. The keyboards from Tomas are amazing and all the arrangements the same. I truly think this is the best album to start listening to the Flower Kings.
Love your revelation of despair with the necessary restrictions of Covid which kept you away from the music you love, but then your finding renewal with a journey into 'other' music that surprisingly acted as a balm. Investing in love but not expecting something in return is a great way to end and reinforce the Flower Kings message. Add in your comment about science being the best way we have to reveal truth and this was a pleasant, positive experience. I will now check out your recipe for Gin and Tonic, cuz who can't use a nice tonic once in awhile (or even more often)? Cheers.
TFK are one of the few modern prog rock bands that I know (or maybe care for). Great band with great albums. On many albums there are some musical themes or lyrics re-used throughout an album, which I like. Sometimes it helps the flow of the album or main composer Roine Stolt just likes a section from the epic he's working on and decides to develop that section into its own song, leaving the section also in the epic (like on The Truth Will Set You Free off of Unfold The Future).
OK, Doug, now that you're discovering some really mature newer prog, you have GOT to review something by Wobbler, a modern prog band from Norway. A good start would be the song "In Orbit" from their LP "RItes at Dawn"... They remind me of Close To The Edge-era yes, using all vintage sounds and analog synths. Please give it a consideration. Thanks!
Yo, I wish I could like this 1000 times. Wobbler is amazing, they have some many pieces that are worthy of analysis. I would also love to hear him react to something from Anglagard (Epilig or Viljans Oga)
Other Norwegian prog bands to check: Gazpacho, Motorpsycho, Green Carnation, Leprous, D'AccorD. Of the older generation, Junipher Greene and Popol Ace/Popol Vuh.
btw, I'm not implying that Anglagard is Norwegian (as you probably know, they are Swedish); I just wanted to mention them alongside Wobbler because I think these bands often share a similar fanbase. From Wobbler I would love to hear him listen to By the Banks from the new album. That said, In Orbit is an amazing tune, my top choice from Rites at Dawn for sure! :)
Totally get your feelings about music in the lockdown, I picked it up again in lockdown, got my guitars fixed, started getting bits for a computer studio and listened to loads of music youtube channels, just like yours! That was a slippery song.. one bit where you sounded like you got strayed was that when they were in D they would go to an F, so a modulation.
Ah. Flower kings. Good!! Never thought of recommending it, though it's one of my favourite bands, weirdly enough. Saw them live in Lisbon for their Banks of Eden tour. Great gig.
The bassist Jonas Reingold has a REALLY cool band called Karmakanic. Nice tracks to begin with: Wheel of Life, Eternally pt. 1 & 2, or any song really.
16:38 it starts sounding sorta Zappaesque to me. Thanks for bringing this one Doug. Never heard of this band but I'll be looking for them now thanks to you and your fans.
The best TFK songs are their long epics. A couple of shorter epics I would suggest are "End On A High Note" and "Road To Sanctuary". Awesome stuff. Also, their bassist, Jonas Reingold, has a great band called Karmakanic. Highly recommend their epic "Send A Message From The Heart" for a Friday session. Stellar.
If you've got the time you really need to check them out live - the "Meet the Flower Kings" DVD is an incredible lineup, and it's really neat to see how they pull this kind of stuff off.
Hey Doug - A sincere and enthusiastic "thank you" for the love you bring to appreciating this music, It has been a treat to re-experience some of my favorite music through fresh ears with a sophisticated musical voice.And, I had the same sense upon hearing TFK for the first time - nourishment, novelty, depth, and "better late than never" - new, exciting, classic progressive rock, with a different cultural spice, all in my late 40s. It is not getting old, even if I am! BTW - try a band called "echolyn" - Mei, Islands, All this time We're Given...trust me.
Great, thanks and have a great weekend Doug. Been a long time follower of the Flower Kings. One can do a lot with relative pitch. Favored Kings track is "Stardust We Are".
Yes! Flower Kings! \o/ Seen them live a couple times, always nice. For more Swedish prog awesomeness, check out Karmakanic, which is Jonas Reingold's other project. From them, songs like 1969 or Entering the Spectra are good options to start with.
Hello Doug. First of all I want to congratulate with you for your wonderful reactions to the music I love the most: Progressive Rock. May I suggest to you to listen to another fantastic band hailing directly from Sweden? The band is called "Anglagard" and I suggest you to analize the song "Kung Bore" for the first album "Hybris". A great hug from Italy.
This was cool.. Never heard this tune before and i really like prog metal/rock music. Now i feel a bit ashamed and yet i am from Sweden and i knew about The Flower Kings. But for some reason their music passed me by. So yea this was an awesome introduction. Thanks Doug for this one.
