Jethro42: Prog epic Rd 7

Jethro42 06.21.23	Voting ends June the 28th. Good match y'all!
e210013 06.21.23	Interesting, I really didn't expect this two albums against each other. You deceived me Jethro. Lol. Instead, I expected "Paseando Por La Mesquita" against "Castle Of Noi". But, it makes sence. The choices weren't many, indeed.
Jethro42 06.21.23	Yes, I thought it would be a good match between Paseando and Castle because of their exotic nature, but I had to set Spirit somewhere. What a beast.
e210013 06.21.23	No, problem. Nothing against. This time I have a clear favourite but I need to check one of them more a couple of times. So, I expect to vote much more earlier in this round.
Jethro42 06.21.23	It's gonna be a free game for bgillesp.
e210013 06.21.23	Probably you're right. We'll see it.
Jethro42 06.21.23	wham is no longer in the game. Spirit lives.
TheIntruder 06.21.23	When another round finishes another one starts. Let us see we have here. It seems an interesting journey around two albums from the 70's. Nice week fellows.
Donchivo 06.22.23	Stoked for Medina Azahara as I truly loved Mezquita from last tourney. That one was in the top 3 of Progland for me. Also proto psych prog is really up my alley! Can't wait to jam these 2 Bois!
Scheumke 06.22.23	Oeh two rounds more to go before we've heard them all. Just did a first listen of Medina and I agree that it would've fit my knight as well. Enjoyed the subtle musicianship here, especially the bass is very tasty. Not sure yet about the vocals but it was pretty short and sweet so good times.
Zig 06.22.23	must say, Paseando por la Mezquita, a classic Rock andaluz record, is almost better in every way compared to Son of Spirit, BUT Spirit has something that was vital for me to decide my vote: a Beatles cover, in particular that song that everyone does covers of. so, wham49 gets my vote, mostly because of the wham's audacity to bring a non-prog record to a prog tourney. now that's courage and i admire that.
e210013 06.22.23	Medina Azahara is another Spanish prog band that was brought here, again, by our friend bgillesp. I admire his love by the Spanish prog, and I think once he also mentioned his love for Portuguese prog bands too. I take my hat off to him. I imagine he has nothing to do with the Spanish or Portuguese cultures, despite many differences between both musical cultures. Brought by him or by some other contestants all over the years I participte in these tourneys, I can say that we were put in touch with many Spanish prog bands. It come to my mind, "Cuevas De Altamira" of Ibio, "Why? of Maquina!, "Recuerdos De Mi Terra" of Mezquita, "Tarantula" of Tarantula and "Hijos Del Agobio" of Triana, without forget "Fandangos In Space" of the English band Carmen, an album strongly linked with this kind of music. "Paseando Por La Mezquita" of Medina Azahara is another Spanish prog album linked with the prog made in the south of Spain, in the Andalusia province, a prog strongly influenced by the Arabian and Gipsy music (the flamenco), in the same vein of Mezquita, Triana and Carmen. And I can say that it's perfectly in the same quality line of many of these albums. I hope these lines can clarify you better of this kind of prog music.
Jethro42 06.22.23	''It (Medina) would've fit my knight as well'' No offense; I had to put Son of Spirit somewhere. 0;1 ZIG
bgillesp 06.23.23	e21 wrote a better summary for my album than I did : ) Thanks!
Jethro42 06.23.23	It's true, e21 is a passionate.
Scheumke 06.23.23	"No offense; I had to put Son of Spirit somewhere." Non taken whatsoever. Both this round and the last will be pretty great I think :D
e210013 06.23.23	Be my guest bgillesp and it's true Jethro. I think is useful, in the Spanish prog, not to see it as a unified thing, as happens with the country. There are differences between the different regions of Spain that is reflected in the music too. The north has more Celtic and Europeean influences and the South more Arabic and flamenco influences. That can be seen, for instance betwwen Ibio's album and this one.
e210013 06.23.23	As I mentioned on my previous comment, "Paseando Por La Mezquita" is a great album, an album in the same vein of the best Spanish prog albums made in the Andalusia in the 70's, such as, "Recuerdos De Mi Terra" and "Hijos Del Agobio". In relation to "Son Of Spirit", it's an album by a legendary US band. They became known by their four first studio albums. I own CD copies of three of those albums just missing me the third, "Clear". I like those albums. But, I never had checked this one. Despite be an atmospheric and enjoyable album, I expected a bit more. The psych prog tendencies of the first works were almost gone and were replaced by a more pop tendency. I don't know if that is due to this album be a duo work and not a band's work as happened with the first ones. Anyway, "Son Of Spirit" is a very decent work that deserves a few spins. Said that, I need to vote on "Paseando Por La Mezquita" because is better and solid, a more prog work and above all it's more akin with my taste.
Jethro42 06.23.23	@Sheumke, I think so as well :) There are some pretty ditties in Son of Spirit, after all. 1:1 e21 ZIG
Jethro42 06.24.23	Medina got good songwriting, but I don't dig the garish vocals. At least, it's melodic. Musically, it's entertaining, and sounds like an energetic symphonic prog. Spirit got some good songs, but it's non constant and contains fillers. The good songs are similar to Nick Drake and or Crosby Still and Nash, and folk like that. ''Holy Man'', ''Don't go Away'', ''Circle''and ''The Other Song'' stand out. Medina's musicianship is superior to Spirit and as a whole, it's more appealing, so Medina gets my vote. 2:1 e21 Jethro ZIG
Jethro42 06.25.23	Thanks for the feature, manosg.
bgillesp 06.25.23	This shouldn’t come as much of a surprise but I’ll be voting for my own album here. I did really enjoy the album from Spirit, and lots of things in it reminded me of the Grateful Dead, but a few songs in it fell flat for me. However, I feel like digging into their other albums now, because I’d bet they have another more consistent album somewhere
Jethro42 06.25.23	There is a song missing called ''Magic Fairy Princess'' which would be the sixth song. It's not a gem though. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iDPrmYGesnw
Jethro42 06.25.23	3:1 e21 Jethro bgill ZIG
Scheumke 06.26.23	I think Medina has a really nice flow and vibe to it. Still not a big fan of the vocals but it's balanced by a great rhythm section and a good flow throughout the album, making it breeze by. Son of Spirit is a nice and calming listen that also felt very brief and was over before I knew it. The instrumentation is nice and the vocals where comfortable. Therein lies the problem for me with Son of Spirit though. It feels very safe and it didn't really provoke any other reaction out of me other then: this is nice. My vote therefore goes to Medina Azahara
Donchivo 06.26.23	My vote goes to Medina Azahara, mostly for bass and guitar playing. Really like their playfulness and creativity. Spirit had some wonderful tunes like 'Circle' and 'Don't Go Away' but overall was a bit hit and miss for me with some I really didn't like, e.g 'Family' which I find quite bland (also lyricswise)
kalkwiese 06.26.23	Medina Azahara for me, because it scratches that prog itch
TheIntruder 06.26.23	I am with the majority. Medina Azahara for me too because it has a nice flow and a good vibe. Spirit has some good moments but it did not move with me much.
Jethro42 06.26.23	7:1 e21 Jethro bgill Scheumke Don kalk Intruder ZIG A big wave for Medina. Will be hard to ascend for Son of Spirit.
zakalwe 06.26.23	Stick us down for Medina please. Amazing guitar.
Sabrutin 06.26.23	Medina is consistent, but Spirit is the real surprise in my eyes. It sounds so... modern? Ahead? Almost "electronic" in places (see track 2!! highlight for sure)? mmm
Sabrutin 06.26.23	If it had modern production Spirit could've been released yesterday lol
Jethro42 06.26.23	8:1 e21 Jethro bgill Scheumke Don kalk Intruder zak ZIG
Jethro42 06.26.23	Is it a vote for Spirit, Sabrutin?
Jethro42 06.26.23	8:2 e21 Jethro bgill Scheumke Don kalk Intruder zak ZIG Sab
Sabrutin 06.27.23	I like them about the same for different reasons. I wasn't sure for the vote but I'll gladly show some love to Spirit even if the match may be decided
Jethro42 06.27.23	There we go for Spirit, objectively.
bgillesp 06.27.23	I agree exactly with Donchivo on the tracks for Spirit that were hits and misses
Koris 06.27.23	I'll go with Medina Azahara for this one. I do enjoy Spirit, but Son of Spirit is not really one of my favorites of theirs. As for the Medina album, I enjoy that symph-meets-flamenco thing that it has. Really enjoyable stuff
bnelso55 06.27.23	One more vote for Medina. There are some great songs on the Spirit album that I know I will return to, but I find that I get more consistent enjoyment from Paseando por La Mezquita.
Jethro42 06.27.23	10:2 e21 Jethro bgill Scheumke Don kalk Intruder zak Koris bnelso ZIG Sab
SlothcoreSam 06.27.23	Ok, I'm going to lock in Medina Azahara
Jethro42 06.27.23	11:2 e21 Jethro bgill Scheumke Don kalk Intruder zak Koris bnelso Sloth ZIG Sab
Helentroy 06.27.23	These aren't two of my faves. But i enjoy more Medina Azahara. Spirit sounds to me much of 60's and I don't like much of those music years. So Medina Azahara.
Jethro42 06.27.23	12:2 e21 Jethro bgill Scheumke Don kalk Intruder zak Koris bnelso Sloth Helentroy ZIG Sab
Mythodea 06.28.23	Hello guys, morning from this side of the Earth! I won't be voting for this round, as it's been a very heavy week for me, both musically (we're packed with concerts these days) and on a working level. I haven't had the time to delve into the albums, and I feel like my vote would not make any difference any way
Donchivo 06.28.23	How will the second round be, will we have quarter finals and then semi? or the same as last year? I think I would enjoy the quarter final thing, but I am sure you already have a plan, Jethro! :)
Zig 06.28.23	wham didn't even show up for this round :(
e210013 06.28.23	Another journey has gone and an it was an easy ride to bgill. Congrats to him and we'll see how does works the last one on this first phase.
Jethro42 06.28.23	@ZIG; wham is no longer in the game. Yeah congrats bgill!
TheIntruder 06.28.23	I agree, this was an easy ride to bgillesp. Congrats to him.
bgillesp 06.28.23	Hey I usually lose in the first round so I’ll take it