The Glories of Interwar Humanism
The world was soon to be set on a course that was proletarian and ruthless; the fire of war was soon to devastate the green shoots that showed above ground in T. S. Eliot’s Criterion, in Tom Burns’ Essays in Order, in the Neo-Thomism of Maritain. The bitter frosts that followed the war were to finish the job. Scientific humanism at a crude level trampled the ground which had been leveled and seeded by philosophers of another sort. Politics ate up the autonomy which the arts had won. None of this did I foresee at the time; but I did see that a turning point had been reached and I knew that for me personally the turn things took was now for the worse. The kind of people who were now to be in the ascendancy would not be the sort of people we liked. We would be, culturally, in opposition. In the middle ages we would have been into exile with the King.
–Harman Grisewood.
Feast, Disney, 2014
This is a truly gorgeous short film. Makes me think of Burke’s “unbought grace of life.”
Testing for Echo: Rush’s Odd but Brilliant 1996 Masterpiece
While I’ve mentioned this in passing, i’ve yet to announce formally that I’m writing a book on the words and ideas of Neil Peart. So, if you’ll permit me, I’ll do it here.
I’m writing a book on Neil Peart.
There. Done. Announced.
And, I’m having a blast, not surprisingly. The book will come out this fall (2015) from WordFire Press under the editorial expertise of Kevin J. Anderson and Rebecca Moesta.
At the moment, the place-holder title is The Neil Peart Generation. I’m hoping to come up with something better.
In the meantime, here’s an excerpt–a raw, unedited version of my section on Peart and Rush in 1996-1997, just before all of the tragedies hit. I hope you enjoy. This is about 2,000 words of the ca. 40,000 word book. At least as I see it now.–Brad
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Neil Peart, ca. 1987.
Rush 1.3.5
Test for Echo, the…
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The Hugo! Kevin J. Anderson’s Nomination
I’m very happy to note that science-fiction master, Kevin J. Anderson, has been nominated for a Hugo, the most prestigious award presented in the genre. I’m certain no one deserves it more. Indeed, the book that earned the nomination, The Dark Between the Stars, is one of the finest books I’ve ever read.
Here’s Kevin’s blog: http://kjablog.com/first-hugo-award-nomination/
I’m incredibly proud of Kevin.
MorseFest 2015
Long time collaborators Mike Portnoy and Randy George, as well as Neal Morse Band anchors, Bill Hubauer and Eric Gillette, will join Neal as this group of master musicians perform Neal’s world renowned albums ? (Question Mark) and Sola Scriptura This weekend will be filled with Special Guests, Exclusive VIP Packages, a FREE Inner Circle only performance, Pre-show dinners, and much more! We also invite you to be our guests for a worship and baptismal service with Neal and friends on Sunday, Sept 6. This music event WILL SELL OUT, so make your travel plans to Cross Plains, TN now! Concert and VIP Tickets will be available exclusively to Inner Circle members on Wednesday, April 8th. Concert and VIP tickets on sale to general public, Friday, April 10th! |
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IZZ Video: Can’t Feel the Earth, Part IV
Why, yes, I think this is quite prog!
Pre-order the new album at amazon.com: http://www.amazon.com/Everlasting-Instant-Izz/dp/B00UZJVILQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1428167435&sr=8-1&keywords=IZZ
Kevin J. Anderson Hugo Nomination!
Science-fiction master, Neil Peart friend, and prog-rock lyricist (Roswell Six) Kevin J. Anderson just found out this morning that he’s been nominated for a Hugo Award–the single highest award in science fiction–for his novel, The Dark Between the Stars.
The nomination: for best science fiction novel of the year!
Excellent, Kevin! Absolutely excellent. Every progarchist sends her or his good thoughts your way. Whoo-hoo!
The Beauty of Love; The Goodness of The Good One
Though EVERY day is a good day to listen to GLASS HAMMER, today, Christians, who also love beautiful and meaningful Prog, can draw from the well of GLASS HAMMER’s past catalog and listen meditatively to ‘Centurion.’
Good music indeed for GOOD FRIDAY (Soli Deo Gloria)
Mellotron set to 11
Glass Hammer: Philosopher Kings of Prog
I’m relatively new to Glass Hammer’s music; 2012’s Perilous was the first album I heard. It’s a fine album, but it didn’t knock my socks off. So I wasn’t prepared to give their 2014 release, Ode To Echo, more than a cursory listen. Big mistake!
The release this week of Glass Hammer’s The Breaking Of The World led me to go back and give Ode To Echo another spin. Am I glad I did – in the words of our beloved editor-in-chief, “Holy Schnikees!” Ode is a shining example of how prog can be both sophisticated and fun. Even though Brad Birzer has already published an excellent review of it, I wanted to put my two cents in.
Maybe it’s lead vocalist Carl Groves’ presence, but there’s real power in both the lyrics and the playing on this album. For example, take the first song, Garden of Hedon, which begins…
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Stormfields 