Search - Michael Giles :: Progress

LONG OVERDUE

Kerry Leimer | Makawao, Hawaii United States | 12/21/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The imprint Michael Giles has left on music is vastly underrated. From the earliest work under the guise of Giles, Giles and Fripp (both "Cheerful Insanity of" and "The Brondesbury Tapes" are essential to any collection) to the original King Crimson and on to the also underrated McDonald and Giles self-titled album, Michael Giles was and is one of the most unique and distinct writers and drummers in rock.



"Progress" is finally available to us, thanks to the people of Voiceprint. It exhibits none of the dark calamity of the first 2 King Crimson albums. Instead, the music is much closer to the bright, crisp and airy textures of the McDonald and Giles album that precedes it. Listening to the well-defined punch of the bass and drums, the slightly distant vocals and rounded horns the listener can only conclude that Mr. Giles is one of those musicians with truly golden ears. In fact, if you have had the chance to hear "The Brondesbury Tapes" you cannot help but be amazed by the engineering the Giles brothers deliver by bouncing tracks on a 2 channel Revox.



So, aside from hearing some wonderfully written and performed music (think of "I Talk to the Wind", "Suite in C" and even "Tomorrow's People" as markers) you also experience what can only be described as an amazing job of recording and mixing. At moments it can make you sad that it was Fripp who wrested control of Crimson. We might have all been spared some unforgivably pretentious episodes (amid some admittedly brilliant work, too) had the original vision of King Crimson remained in the hands of Giles and McDonald. Who knows? What matters is that we can finally hear this music. "Progress" is a completely engaging and rewarding record.



2009 Update: No, you can't have my copy for $150.00 and more importantly, why is this "unavailable"?"

Sort of a musical storybook

Peter Baklava | Charles City, Iowa | 05/26/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Mike Giles was one of a trio of great drummers (including Bill Bruford and Ian Wallace) who were at one time or another involved with the progressive rock band King Crimson.



Giles is the most "European" of the three in his drumming sensibilities, and the most poorly represented on cds. In the liner notes to "Progress", Giles says that he made this album with his children in mind while he lived in a cottage in rural England. The album could be described as "program music", depicting the stages of a train journey from inner England to a resort town on the coast. The segment which gives the album its title is rambunctious music depicting the initial stage of the journey. Later, the music becomes calm, pastoral, and rather moving.



This album compares favorably with the 1971 Giles collaboration with Ian McDonald, simply titled "McDonald and Giles". On "Progress", as on that earlier album, Giles is joined by his brother Peter, who plays bass guitar. Most of the other musicians are veterans of the "Canterbury School" of progressive rock.



"Progress" highlights Michael Giles as a drummer, percussionist, composer and arranger. The pastel tones and simplicity of the album's theme should appeal to both children and adults. Pity that Michael's cv isn't chock full of more cds like this one. Pick it up if you get the chance."

Progress-Michael Giles RULES!

B. Bokal | Hudson, OH | 01/18/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"As Hendrix was to Guitarists, Michael Giles filled the same role for many classical rock drummers, including Neil Pert. Michael's legendary drum designs as heard on "21'st Century Schizoid" man and his powerful vocals on I Talk To The Wind" are just a few examples of this man's dynamic range.



Fripp was right on, when he once said in an interview "In all my years of playing with Michael, I NEVER heard him make a mistake". So true with PROGRESS,it's pure GILES for the GILES PURIST.



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