Friday13th: Prog - A Beginning - Discovery Rd 6

Friday13th 06.22.21	Voting ends Monday, June 28 (let's all try to listen early this time)!
bgillesp 06.22.21	Strawbs and 1 are the only two I haven’t checked yet, so I will be on top of it from here on hopefully
Friday13th 06.22.21	bgillesp running laps on us now lol
TwigTW 06.22.21	I vote for Szobel ...just kidding.
e210013 06.22.21	Ok. Let's see what this round reserves to us. It seems to me that it can be a bit mysterious, at a first sigth. We will see.
zakalwe 06.22.21	Straight into Szobel on me commute home.
Mythodea 06.22.21	I don't know if it's relevant to say, but I think YT's pauses between songs really doesn't do justice to ''In Other Worlds'' (Longer tracks are divided into their differnt phases and we lose the smooth transitions). I'd advise you to download it and listen through a player. Is it just me or does the link not work? I repost it https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_mWS8vCSWMAhWCUBG8DVcCDDOji8Tln-GU
e210013 06.22.21	Thanks for the last link Mythodea. Probably it will be a better option.
e210013 06.22.21	After a first listen of "Szobel", it seems to be an album that can please very much to Zig but that can be not so pleasant to Diva. I'm even afraid that it can be an album responsible, maybe the last drop for his wife, and that she can put him out of home or at least put him sleeping on the couch, what wouldn't be so bad. Lol.
MrSirLordGentleman 06.22.21	I've been wanting to check Szobel for some time now but I totally forgot about its existence, so I'm hyped for the round
Mythodea 06.22.21	YouTube playlist for Hermann Szobel's album: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWb59xaXahQpnZs7AjlHhCQ
Divaman 06.22.21	Interesting.
Friday13th 06.22.21	@Mythodea I fixed the links
Jethro42 06.22.21	The link of 1 doesnt work here. Edit; ok thanks
porcupinetheater 06.22.21	R.I.P. Diva’s domestic bliss
zakalwe 06.22.21	Szobel sounds like a five piece jazz ensemble falling down the stairs of that apartment block on the front cover. Some lovely piano though. Hercules tomorrow
Divaman 06.22.21	Probably. Today is the first day my wife physically went back to the office, which she'll be doing for two days a week for the immediate future. Might have to try my best to sneak these in when she's at work.
MrSirLordGentleman 06.22.21	"Szobel sounds like a five piece jazz ensemble falling down the stairs of that apartment block on the front cover" It seems you tried to criticize the album zak bro, but it just made me even more interested on it
zakalwe 06.22.21	I enjoyed it SirLord dude. Like the Yolk album there are some questioning moments. Divas better half will hate it. She needs to come on here and whip us all into shape.
MrSirLordGentleman 06.22.21	DIVA'S A SHE?
Divaman 06.22.21	No Sir. My "better half" (my wife) is a she.
Jethro42 06.22.21	I didn't understand the sense of the sentence either, probably because of the latin languages. In French for instance, we say ''tendre moitié'' which would traduce ''tender half''. Maybe it's the same for Gentleman's Spanish. Well I think his mother tongue is Spanish.
Mythodea 06.22.21	@Friday13 Thanks man
bgillesp 06.22.21	https://youtu.be/1Sk8qaJ5c0w Possible gapless full album link for 1?
bgillesp 06.22.21	Or maybe this? Can Myth help me out here? https://youtu.be/WFobntFXKIY
Mythodea 06.22.21	@bgillesp You're not entirely wrong that those are legit editions of the album. However, because different companies in different times published it, either some songs are missing, or they're differently arranged. I gave the fullest edition I could find, so that you can experience the artist's original vision, with all its intricacies, fills, and short interludes.
Mythodea 06.22.21	So, I would stick to the playlist I've provided and if you feel like the gaps take away some of the enjoyment, I'd say try downloading the songs (worked for me). However, as it is a really rich album, I think that's not going to be a huge problem, rather a minor disturbance.
bgillesp 06.22.21	Okay thanks! I did not know they were different arrangements and wanted to check with you
porcupinetheater 06.22.21	Damn y'all get down with slsk Snagged a 320kbps file of Hercules, I'll put it in a drive folder when I get home and post it here for anyone that needs it gapless
Mythodea 06.22.21	what's slsk?
porcupinetheater 06.22.21	Soulseek, best file sharing site in the biz
Mythodea 06.22.21	oh, great! Thanks for doing this ;)
MrSirLordGentleman 06.22.21	"No Sir. My "better half" (my wife) is a she." Oh lmao yeah, Jethro's right, it is because of spanish. I'm aware of the way "better half" can be used in english but I didn't make the connection right there lol Anyway, Szobel's pretty cool so far
porcupinetheater 06.22.21	Alright lads, here's a folder with all the mp3's from 1. Don't do anything I wouldn't do https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1JmhzIUaOnvSqnHxemKwOC3R_kQUGFqyY?usp=sharing
bgillesp 06.23.21	Lol thanks. I’ve been a goodboi all my life and forget that you can just download music. I did use slsk once for something that did not exist anywhere else though. Gonna try the YT playlist first unless it bugs me
Mythodea 06.23.21	Apparently, Szobel didn't disappear solely from the music world, but from the world entirely. He was living in the USA with a monthly allowance from his mother until 2002, when she reported his disappearance. There's this speculation that he's gone to Israel and has ''Jerusalem Syndrome'', an unofficial alternative term for ''Messiah Complex'', if that makes any sense to you.
e210013 06.23.21	Man, that is an amazing thing really. If that is true, it confirms what I always thought, that we always lived in a very strange world. I never ceased to be surprised by the cappabilities of the Human mind. It's abble to show us some of the most incredible things that we are abble to immagine. Unbelievable. It's very hard to makes sence to me, really. But, as your contemporary Socrates said, I think this is the expression: I only know that I know nothing.
Mythodea 06.23.21	Yes, he did say that, but if he's my contemporary, that makes me... hmm... 2500 years old!
TwigTW 06.23.21	Lol, and I thought I was old! Yeah, from my reading, it seems that his disappearance involves mental illness. No one says it explicitly, but they hint at it. He's spent time living homeless (in LA, I think), while selling his 'art' on the sidewalk.
e210013 06.23.21	Luck to you. It's really hard to have so great contemporaries, in spite of however old they are. It must be a bless. Lol.
Mythodea 06.23.21	At least, I can indeed confirm that, yes, Socrates was a chill dude, very modest guy. Drunk at times, but kept his cool
e210013 06.23.21	That is a very sad thing Twig. As I said, the Human mind is a very complex thing that doesn't cease to surprise me, by the negative but also by the positive things, whatever it means.
e210013 06.23.21	If he drunk at times he must have been a great guy, surely. Lol.
e210013 06.23.21	And that must be the main reason why he didn't know nothing. Lol.
Mythodea 06.23.21	Once there was this new guy with us, Eratosthenes, and when Socrates got tipsy, we told Eratosthenes to take him home. Poor lad kept asking Socrates what his address was, and Socrates would beg for a taxi. ''Where's your house, you old goof? And what the hell's a taxi?'' Of Socrates wouldn't know either of these. Some say he was faking it, though, to get out of trouble when his wife discovered his dirty secrets. ''What did you do last night Socrates? What's that bra doing here?''.... Again, Socrates knew nothing about no bra....
e210013 06.23.21	That only confirms what I said. Sócrates was a great guy. He was very ahead of his time.
e210013 06.23.21	That is the same with us. We are also ahead of our time, surely, when we are checking these kind of albums, where some of them are really very strange for the common listener. We must be a kind of aliens for them. Lol.
TheIntruder 06.23.21	I am also very curious about this new round. I think I am going to begin check both albums today.
Jethro42 06.23.21	My choice was officially done until I gave a second listen to one of them. Everything has to be started again.
zakalwe 06.24.21	Hercules is very Balkans/Mediterranean/Greek innit. Nice.
Divaman 06.24.21	I started yesterday, but for various reasons, didn't get a complete listen of either album. I'll pick it up again tomorrow.
Pangea 06.25.21	listened to both today. great albums once again! love the variety in instruments on 1 and 2 has some super nice jazz stuff. really well aranged too i'll try to fit in some more listens over the weekend but great picks!
e210013 06.25.21	I agree with Pangea. After a few auditions of both albums, I can say this is another excellent prog journey. Both albums are great in their own way. The first one is a great prog folk album with a very strong Mediterranean/ Greek mood played by an amout of instrumentation and with diverse influentions.The second one is an excellent album of avant, jazz and contemporary music, with an amazing compositional quality and a true amazing performance too. So, we are in presence of another very tough journey, with very tough decisions.
Zig 06.25.21	Folks, I'll try to check these today and give my vote. Begining tomorrow I'll be out for two weeks, it will almost impossible to get into further rounds.
zakalwe 06.25.21	Casting me vote. Despite loving the piano of Hermann I prefer the ‘proginess’ of Hercules so I’m going with In Other Worlds.
Jethro42 06.25.21	One time it's Szobel, one time it's In Other Worlds. Both have their respective strenghts/weaknesses, of course.
MrSirLordGentleman 06.25.21	I'm having the same issue as jethro
MiloRuggles 06.26.21	subscriban
bgillesp 06.26.21	I have a pretty strong preference developed now, but I will give one more listen to my lesser choice just to be sure.
SharkTooth 06.26.21	I did not expect the 12 bar blues on a greek prog album, but it's a welcome surprise(it's on the track Tha 'Rthei Vrohi )
Mythodea 06.26.21	Traffic has gotten lighter in these last two rounds now, hasn't it?
TwigTW 06.26.21	maybe because the summer weather has arrived (at least it has here)
TwigTW 06.26.21	I've been listening to the Hermann Sobel album for a while now. It was my second choice entry for the last prog tourney. When I first listened to it, I was pulled in by the manic vibra/saxophone passages. I like how the vibraphone adds whimsy to the 'chaos' and dissonance. I agree with Zak, "...sounds like a five piece jazz ensemble falling down the stairs of that apartment block on the front cover." (I assume that was a compliment, lol.) That's a good way to describe the turmoil of the piece. I don't think I even noticed the quieter interludes at first, but they have grown on me too. I hear the piece as a struggle between chaos and control, or peace and harmony. (You decide who wins.) Szobel's story makes this especially poignant for me, but I believe the album stands on it's own without any biographical info ...I'm not even sure how to compare it with In Other Worlds, but I'll try to figure that out today.
Mythodea 06.26.21	It's true that Szobel's album is magnificent, and perhaps a hidden, bizarre part of progressive jazz rock! Certainly the story behind it is quite intriguing, though you're right to say that it's not the reason this album is interesting. Szobel's talent is apparent, and it's even more strange that, supposedly, he hadn't heard of the likes of Zappa.
TwigTW 06.26.21	Yeah, it's hard to believe he never heard Zappa ...but it was the 70s, and he lived in Austria, so maybe.
Friday13th 06.26.21	1:0 zakalwe
Friday13th 06.26.21	Liking the Hercules so far. The violin playing is a lot of fun.
Friday13th 06.26.21	@Mythodea I am impressed by your album. My only real critique is some of the shorter tracks could flow a little better and the singing is just average, but the variety and instrumentation is superb.
MrSirLordGentleman 06.26.21	"The violin playing is a lot of fun." this, hard
Jethro42 06.26.21	''but the variety and instrumentation is superb''. The variety goes further than prog for Hercules. It goes Beatlesque, pop, blues, country, honky tonk, singer songwriter, etc. I like its prog segments though. I don't dig the hesitant piano solo. It sounds as if a cat would jump on the notes all the way through, lol. Szobel could be my kind of jazz fusion, if it was not of the fast paced, nervous playing everywhere. I'd prefer if there were more songs like ''New York City, 6:AM'', my favorite one of both albums. The man is proficient for sure. He sounds like Patrick Moraz. Nothing less. I'm about to vote, patience.
TwigTW 06.27.21	I don't know how you guys feel about Steven Wilson remixing prog classics, but his version of Gentle Giant - Free Hand is released this week on Spotify.
Jethro42 06.27.21	Ok my vote goes to the jazzy Szobel. It doesnt have much importance that it's fast paced or not after all. The speed is well controlled, and it comes natural. Album is well balanced. As for Hercules, I come back on my statement; Prog is predominant there. It's just that I find there are less memorable moments. It's hard for me to retain, to remember its best. Szobel for me.
Jethro42 06.27.21	@Twig, Free Hand is my second fave GG album! So yes!
TwigTW 06.27.21	I know it's a little late in the week, but I just found 'In Other Worlds' on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/4D25vkLBmmA0X3j8raceFY?si=yqAR7C6gTDKcZQ4flFSRTA&dl_branch=1
Mythodea 06.27.21	Okay, my vote won't come as any surprise, but I will give an opinion as always: Not knowing much about the '70s prog scene in Greece, I was actually impressed by the In Other Worlds, as it has its own identity, doesn't shy away from experimentation, and uses traditional motifs. I repeat that the plethora of instruments and singers, along with how short some of the tracks are (first half of the album's tracklist is only twenty minutes), gives an impression of fluidity and unstableness. The rich palette of sounds and influences further highlight this impression, and I feel like we're on a literal voyage across various (musical) worlds. I guess some of the singing is indeed subpar, but without the language barrier, and having known some of the vocalists my whole life, I feel strangely at home. Lyrics, although your typical sidewalk-poetry, remain hopeful, colorful and express innocence in the face for adversity (for instance, the tracks ''We Begun'' - ''We Have Fire'' - ''For War'' tell the story of naiv soldiers marching on to war all brave and shiny, before the music is abruptly interrupted by gun sounds). All instruments find their time to shine, the bass, the drums, the guitar, but most prominently the immaculate violin, accompanied by brass and orchestral arrangements, giving the album a symphonic flair. I cannot recommend this album enough. (4.5) Before this tournament, I would avoid instrumental prog jazz as I found it tiring and indifferent. ''Szobel'' is a prime reason for changing my stance. Behind the surreal story surrounding the album, there is actual musical wealth to be found. The tight musicianship, exemplary performances by all players, and a unique compositional taste create an album that could make even prog pioneers' faces get green with envy. It's even more insane that this audacious piano player was only 18 at the time. ''Szuite'', for example, showcases an impressive talent, that can jump around, toy with notes and soundscapes, mess with scales and instruments for 12 whole minutes and still end up with an engaging, interesting and entertaining piece. It's still too much to swallow for a jazz non-enthusiast like I, and more often than not I am exhausted when the final track starts. Moreover, the complete absence of apparent structure prevents me from remembering how each individual track sounds like. These mere criticisms aside, however, I find this as an unappreciated gem in prog history and I'm glad that I now know it. (4)
wham49 06.27.21	I get a very strong Zappa vibe from 2, and I think that 1 is too orchestral, so my vote goes with 2
bgillesp 06.27.21	I was dead set on 1 until a third listen of 2. I will have my vote in tonight.
Friday13th 06.27.21	I’m voting 1. It’s got some great instrumentation and variety throughout, and the Greek folk fits well. The ‘50s rock n roll track is a little out of place, but overall great album. I agree with Jethro’s general take on 2 and the last track being the best. It’s just a bit too much Zappa/ELP to keep me interested all the way through. 3:2 zakalwe Mythodea Friday Jethro wham
TwigTW 06.27.21	I enjoyed listening to In Other Worlds, and it continues to grow on me. I discover something new with every listen. I like how it's built around a strong foundation of classic prog and traditional Greek music. On top of that, they weave in other genres too. Sharktooth mentioned "Rain Will Come" earlier, and there are some nice folk/bluegrass/Americana touches sprinkled about. I won't name them all, but you could play a game of name-that-genre with this album. Even still, it never gets gimmicky. This is a great album. My only criticism is it runs a little long for me. In Other Worlds is beauty and sunshine, while Szobel is more dark and mysterious. I like a little dissonance in the mix, and the manic energy of this album only adds to my enjoyment. Szobel is my kind of album. All other things being equal, I like Szobel better on the style, the mood, the ride ...my vote goes to Szobel. (shocking, i know, lol)
Friday13th 06.27.21	3:3 zakalwe Mythodea Friday Jethro wham Twig
Inoculaeted 06.27.21	I’ll vote szobel. It packs so much into a tight space and I appreciate it greatly for that. The zappa-isms are undeniable. In Other Worlds is a diverse epic ride, but it’s not one I’ll be able to take as often as Szobel. I think it’s partly because of the nature of this tournament that slow growing albums are at a slight disadvantage, but I think In Other Worlds has huge grower potential. I will continue to revisit because it is that damn good. Edit. This round is massive. It really sucks one of these will be eliminated.
bgillesp 06.28.21	For me, the Szobel album was the grower but both are very good. There are only two in the tournament (none that we have voted on yet) that I’m not impressed with this year so everybody did well with recs I think!
Inoculaeted 06.28.21	Okay this is a huge longshot but does anyone here watch Its Always Sunny in Philadelphia? The last track on In Other Worlds has that piano progression that sounds so much like the finale in “The Nightman Cometh”. I fought The Nightman, lived as Dayman, now I'm here to ask for your hand… Lol.
bgillesp 06.28.21	Gotta go with 1. Closer than I thought at first but I really loved 1
Friday13th 06.28.21	4:4 zakalwe Mythodea Friday bgillesp Jethro wham Twig Inoculaeted
e210013 06.28.21	After 4 auditions of both albums: Hercules And Lernaean Hydra - In Other Worls: This is a great prog folk album with a very strong Mediterranean/ Greek mood played by an amout of instrumentation and with diverse influentions. I like the way it fuse the traditional Greek folk with psychedelic rock and classical aspects. I agree with Jethro that prog is the predominat thing on the album. It has also some great and variety instrumentation and is very enjoyable to hear. My only complaint is about the size of the tracks. Some are too short make lose the abum some consistency. I also agree with Friday that the 50's rock'n' roll track. It doesn't belong here. Overal, this is a great album. Hermann Szobel - Szobel: Besides the unbelievable story of Szobel, this is also an unbelievable album. Despite I'm not one of the greatest experts in this kind of music, this is, for me, one of the best and most amazing album in this genre. It's at the same level of the best albums of avant-garde, jazz/fusion and and contemporary music I've ever heard. This is an album whitout weak points, perfectly ballanced and with an amazing compositional work and a perfect performance too. Szobel was really an amazing artist. He was able to create a dark and mysterious atmosphere all ove the album. It's a pity what happened to him. "In Other Worls" rated with 4.0. "Szobel" rated with 4.5. So, my vote must be to "Szobel". Thanks to you Mythodea and Twig for bring me both albums. They're so obscure works of the classic prog era that I'm absolutelly sure that I would never checked them if it weren't bring by you both.
Friday13th 06.28.21	4:5 zakalwe Mythodea Friday bgillesp Jethro wham Twig Inoculaeted e21
SharkTooth 06.28.21	still listening, will form a vote by the end of today
TheIntruder 06.28.21	Another tough round. This has been a hallmark of this tourney. One is an album influenced by the Greek folk music with some other various influentions. The other is an avant-gard jazz/fusion album with a great musicanship. Both albums are fantastic. Since I needed to choose one of them, I chose Szobel. It is a more cohesive album, despite the originality of In Other Worlds. Anyway, another amazing round. Yeah. Lovely records from Mytho and Twig.
Jethro42 06.28.21	I'm surprised of the amount of candidates whom are voting for Szobel. I juggled so much between both, I swear I'd probably vote for Hercules if we could go back. I observed there are more hooks for the latter. So good luck for that one, Myth.
Divaman 06.28.21	Hi guys In hospital but I vote for hercules Hope to be out in a day or two
Mythodea 06.28.21	All the love Diva! Hope it's nothing serious and you get a quick recovery!
TwigTW 06.28.21	Hope you feel better soon, Diva.
Jethro42 06.28.21	You're in my thoughts, Diva.
zakalwe 06.28.21	Diva blasting obscure prog in the ICU and still getting his vote in like an absolute chap. I hope all is well mate.
Friday13th 06.28.21	@Divaman praying for you, man!
Friday13th 06.28.21	5:7 zakalwe Mythodea Friday bgillesp Divaman Jethro wham Twig Inoculaeted e21 normaloctagon Intruder
MrSirLordGentleman 06.28.21	I'll go with Hercules just to make things more interesting because I can't honestly pick one. Both are among my favorites in the tourney so far
porcupinetheater 06.28.21	Neither record this round really knocked my socks off, but have a pretty definite preference. Hercules whips back and forth between moments that are predominately old school prog with just a hint of folksiness, and folk moments with the faintest bit of prog. The folk-forward bits are pretty excellent, but a lot of the more prog forward moments feel a little slapdash and don’t really do much for me. So stuff like track 16 (not going to worry about getting the titles right, I’M SORRY MYTH) that goes from psychedelic guitar soaring into a fucking hoedown are GREAT but it comes right after a run of some less than inspired cliché progging, and doesn’t stick around long enough for its great moments to properly stick. Szobel might be a case of my opinion being influenced by the background info, but it really feels like an album with a teenage bandleader. Individual segments thrown together without much concern for coherent transitioning - but that said, the individual sections themselves are pretty great across the board. And New York City, 6 AM amends any issues as an extraordinary closing piece with that thick fluid bass and smooth accumulating layers behind it. Szobel gets my vote. Both records are lacking something in the way of focus, even with quite a few positive elements, but the lack of focus is really my only major issue with Szobel so there it is
Mythodea 06.28.21	Awww, shit, I was hoping you'd side with Hercules @porc. No hard feelings, although I do hate you for making me search what ''hoedown'' means (I understood in context, but wanted to make sure), because now I'm listening to the atrocious Hoedown Throwdown by Hannah Montana...
porcupinetheater 06.28.21	All roads lead to Miley Cyrus, ain’t that what this whole tourney is about?? Forgive me Myth!!! Feel like Hercules could grow if we had a month to absorb things at our own pace, these week long turn arounds got me all sorts of downer on records lmao. Definitely ain’t my usual pace, and still dig Hercules fwiw! Procol Harum and Pendragon are the only 2 in the tourney so far I’m totally not on board with
Friday13th 06.28.21	6:8 zakalwe Mythodea Friday bgillesp Divaman Gentleman Jethro wham Twig Inoculaeted e21 normaloctagon Intruder porcupine
Jethro42 06.28.21	It's not finished 'till it's finished.
SharkTooth 06.29.21	I'm still trying to decide what to vote gah this is so hard
SharkTooth 06.29.21	I've come to a conclusion I vote 1. I love how it's always shifting between genres, playing around with its sound while still managing to sound like a cohesive whole 2 is more interesting performance wise, and I cannot deny the technicality, but feels lifeless in comparison to me
Friday13th 06.29.21	7:8 zakalwe Mythodea Friday bgillesp Divaman Gentleman Sharktooth Jethro wham Twig Inoculaeted e21 normaloctagon Intruder porcupine
MiloRuggles 06.29.21	Sorry for the late vote team Voting for Szobel. Other album is probably more consistent, but the highs on this thing are nuts
e210013 06.29.21	I regret your situation Diva, but I expect that in the end everything be ok with you. You have my thoughts pal.
Zig 06.29.21	Sorry for late reply. Szobel gets my vote.
Pangea 06.29.21	I like the variety on on hercules, but it does feel very fragmented. more of a loose collection of ideas, rather than a cohesive experience. Szobel goes a lot of places as well, but it flows much better. my vote is for Szobel
Mythodea 06.29.21	⚰ 🔨 RIP
TwigTW 06.29.21	Wow, that took an unexpected, last minute, turn.
Mythodea 06.29.21	I was convinced from the beginning that Szobel would make it to the next phase, smh, but I'm not even mad, album's stellar
TwigTW 06.29.21	That's funny, because I was thinking it would be the other way around. I guess you really never know till it's over.
Friday13th 06.29.21	7:11 zakalwe Mythodea Friday bgillesp Divaman Gentleman Sharktooth Jethro wham Twig Inoculaeted e21 normaloctagon Intruder porcupine Milo Zig Pangea The winner is Szobel!
Mythodea 06.29.21	Okay, so this concludes it: 7 out of 11 Sputnik proggers have actual taste! Obvious joke is obvious, I am really happy for yet another excellent round in this prog Tournament! Thanks for TwigTW for his incredible suggestion, and now a gift for those of you who: 1. Enjoyed ''In Other Worlds'' but want the abridged version, here's the 40 minute edition, where quite some fat is trimmed: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Sk8qaJ5c0w 2. Would like to have a ''Part II'' in Szobel's work, here's a 20-minute demo recording of some follow-up unreleased work: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IaXmkgrzOyo
e210013 06.29.21	You're a Gentleman Mythodea. Yours knight was a great fighter. Personally, I liked it very much. But, you're right. I think, in general, Szobel's work is like something out of the world. It belogs to the very rare unknown masterpieces. A true obscure masterpiece. So, it was a great fight, but somehow, we can see as a natural thing why Szobel's work won. Nothing personal against you, my friend, by all of us. But, there are some things that we can never win. And this is probably one of them. Anyway, you brought to us a real great unknown gem that deserves to be known. Cheers to you buddy.
Mythodea 06.29.21	> You're a Gentleman Mythodea I think you're mistaking me with MrSirLord, here, e210013 darling (hihihi). But yes, you're correct on every word you have written, and I never took the loss so hard as you say! Prog on!
e210013 06.29.21	"I think you're mistaking me with MrSirLord, here, e210013 darling (hihihi)." Of couse not. But, without any doubt, the mistaking could be possible. Why? Because MrSirLord is also a perfect Gentleman, like you are.
Jethro42 06.29.21	@Myth, you've laden the good fight. Even if I've chosen the other entry, I was secretely hoping you would win. Congrats Twig. I so often changed my mind for this round. You chose a good entry. I thought the score would have been more tight, but it was a good fight.
Mythodea 06.29.21	@Jethro42 We're all winners here, all learning amazing albums and artists! Let's remember next year to take the pressure of Friday's shoulders and keep the Tournament going! @e210013 Thank you! We have to find another title for you... What about... Monsieur? But perhaps Caballero would be more appropriate!
Divaman 06.29.21	Hi guys. I'm out today, thanks. Had a touch of pneumonia, which is why I kept complaining that I couldn't breathe, but I'm doing better and glad to be back. Just to elaborate on my vote, while I regret I wasn't able to give the albums the three listens I usually do, I heard enough with one solid listen apiece to know my vote was solid. There were a couple of times where I thought Hercules went a little over the top, but overall, I have such a strong stylistic preference for Hercules' brand of folk infused prog over Szobel's kind of jazz prog that it was clear which way my vote was going. I will say, though, that I enjoyed the Szobel more than I usually do music of this style.
TwigTW 06.29.21	I made an effort to not go too Island/Pictures this year ;-) Glad to hear you're feeling better and home, Diva.
Divaman 06.29.21	Thanks Twig.
bgillesp 06.30.21	Well I’m glad Szobel won even though I did not vote for it because it gre on me from about a 3.7 to about a 4.2 after a few listens
Divaman 06.30.21	I don't have a problem with Szobel moving on, but I am sad to see Hercules not move on. There's some really tasty stuff on there (although that one female vocalist could have taken it down a notch).
Mythodea 06.30.21	haha, Divaman, you're completely right! I was wondering actually if at some moments the song speeds up it's because she is so passionately out of rhythm, or because it was intended to be this way!
Divaman 06.30.21	Yeah, she needed to chill JUST A TOUCH. I liked her passion, though.