Every once in a while an album gets sent to me that stops me in my tracks. Recently I was contacted by a young man called Dominic Sanderson, a name already on my radar. After reading the press kit sent to me I was more than a little intrigued. Based in Liverpool, though originally from …
Jan 29 2025
And then one day you find, 50 years have got behind you….
A few months shy of 50 years ago I was sitting on the roof of a school bike shed with my friend on the day that we both left school without a qualification between us. I have no doubt at all that on reflection the same thoughts were in our heads. What the hell do …
Jan 05 2025
Paul Birchall | The Old Buffoon And Other Short Stories.
When ever I think of Paul Birchall I think firstly of his musical talent and secondly his killer dry sense of humour. Lately I think of his resilience too. Having some very significant connections in the music scene Paul toured the globe as both a keyboard player and on occasion as a musical director. His …
Jan 05 2025
The Progmeister’s top 12 albums of 2024
2024 will go down in my view as a year that was rich in new music releases throughout the year in much the same way as 1974 did. It became a year that as well as established artists such as Steve Hackett, Jon Anderson and their like hit the Prog scene with some great tunes …
Oct 25 2024
We’ve Been Expecting You | Tony Patterson/Doug Melbourne
When you have been the front man for one of the most successful Genesis tribute bands in the UK and some would say Europe, what do you do when it’s time to call it a day? The same can be said if you are the keyboard player for the same well travelled band and no …
Aug 07 2024
Nick Magnus | A Strange Inheritance
When composer/keyboard player Nick Magnus launches new work upon his loyal fan base and indeed the world in general it is to be greeted with the respect that Mr Magnus has earned over the years. Nick earned his spurs as a touring keyboard player for The Enid and the legendary Steve Hackett before embarking on …
Mar 26 2024
A time and a place.
As I spend my last few month in gainful employment as a health professional I have become quite reflective which is I suppose a sign that I may be getting a little older. As I think about music especially I began to realize how much in recent years I am reminded of certain pieces of …
Mar 14 2024
Fusion 5: Music without boundaries. | A great journey.
Steve Gould’s notorious Fusion festivals have been on my radar since their inception some years back. Logistics have weighed against me from the outset, though meeting Steve last year for the first time in the flesh as it were, we bonded instantly. It was then I knew I had to plan well in advance to …