[atlantaprog] NEARFest review

OK, As I rub the sleep from my eyes after a 14 1/2 hour drive home, here's a 
short take on the weekend: 

Synergy - B+ - VERY cool music. Really nothing to look at but the NYC video was 
great. He should do a full DVD for just that. 

FISH - C - Having not heard any of his solo stuff and assuming that it was 
Marillionish, it all started to sound the same to me very quickly. I love the 
"pictures" he paints with his stories but in the end, Sonically, it's all very 
similar. 

Koenji - A+ - Never hear them before. Was blown away. Kind of a Japanese, 
Jazz-Rock version of Magma (a good thing) Loved it. The drummer was the best of 
the weekend. HE could really swing!!!!

Discipline - C+ - After not playing together for what, 8 years? It showed. 
Although Matt P was SPOT ON with his delivery, I felt that the band, especially 
the GTR player were dynamically unsure of themselves and the overall ensemble 
delivery suffered. I'm so glad though that I got to see them do so much of 
Unfold Like Staircase. 

Peter Hammill - ???? - Let's get two things straight: 
1) Peter Hammill is a genius 
2) Peter Hammill is an acquired taste 

I never really acquired that taste too much. His performance was heart-felt and 
spot-on, however, over time, his stuff starts to sound the same. I really wish 
my brother was able to see him. (He's a total PH fan-boy) 

LTE - C- Yeah, they all have chops but, it was WAY TOO LOUD and bored the shit 
out of me. Their rendition of Rhapsody in Blue was very bold and I'm so glad 
that I saw them do that. VERY COOL. I would bet that G. Gershwin would have 
been proud. A+ for Rhapsody.

Morglbl - B-   - Steve Vai wanna-be who does-in-fact have the chops but I was 
put off by their comic shtick and it all sounded the same. Don't get me wrong, 
I am really glad that I saw them. Their very tight and talented but I would 
never listen to their stuff on a regular basis. 

RMI - B+ - Love their albums. Their set was a bit unbalanced. The ambient-space 
stuff was fantastic but the "rockier" tunes seemed a bit forced. The electric 
violin was a complete waste of time as Cyndee was totally lost for her entire 
time on stage. That detracted the overall visual effect for me. A pity really. 

Echolyn - C- - I really don't get this band. To me, they're a good, crafty pop 
band with REALLY great harmonies. End of story. 

ROB + CHAD send off: A+++ Despite the singing chicken, the send-off was 
heart-felt and very real. R+C, you guys did a fantastic job. THANK YOU !!!!! 
AND, I know that the torch has been passed to very competent hands.....I was 
tearing up just a bit. Oh, and how could I forget D Kerman as Col. Sanders. 

Banco A++ - So heart-felt that I once again had tears of joy welling up. This 
was my first time seeing them. FANTASTIC !!! 

All-in-all a great weekend. Spent WAY TOO much money but I got some great CD's 
& DVD's...........

They already announced PFM for next year.


Later,

Harold

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