Prog

Titre de l'album Miroirs du groupe Eskaton (2013)

Musiciens: André BERNARDI (Guitare) // Marc ROZENBERG (Basse) // Jean Philippe GALLET (Chant & Vocoder) // Philippe ZARKA (Batterie)

Miroirs - Eskaton Le Groupe - Rock (2013)

Cosmic Symphony

lights from the deep

The fundraising campaign ended successfully and BASSORAMA album will be released on April 15 2016 (Pride and Joy Music / Edel Music). Signed Digipack CDs  at http://albertorigoni.bandcamp.com 

Alberto Rigoni "BASSORAMA" album promo sample

Written arranged and produced by John Beagley 2015. Featuring Jeremy Cubert - piano. From a new album "Uncommincated" due in Autumn 2015.

Where Did I Go Wrong?

Hand of Glory : Napier's Bones July 2015

Included as a bonus track on the 2015 Edition of "The Wistman Tales"
Free Download Link : 
https://napiersbones.bandcamp.com/album/the-wistman-tales-2015-remaster-bonus-track

Our latest offering is based around the 18th Century story of "The Stainmore Hand", well-known in Northern English folklore.

The song's events are centred on the remote Spittal Inn, its landlord, George, the maid, Bella, and a mysterious traveller seeking shelter from the ravages of an early Winter storm.

More background can be found : http://www.mysteriousbritain.co.uk/england/cumbria/occult/the-spital-inn-and-the-hand-of-glory.html

Dramatis Personae: 
Nathan : The Storyteller, The Traveller, The Gang
Gordon : The Landlord, The Chorus, The Gang

Are you sitting comfortably?
Put another log on the fire, bolt the door, pour yourself an extra large helping of your favourite beverage and let us take you on a Napier's journey.
Maybe give the candlelight a miss though, eh?

*** The 4000 character limit imposed by SC means we can't print all the lyrics -> follow this link to our FB page  
https://www.facebook.com/napiersbonesband/posts/1621592221433272:0
***
____________________________________

The Storyteller :
A mile or more beyond the town where Roman beacons burned
A long established hostelry, it stands all alone
The track that marks the entrance, often missed from the road
The turnpike has fallen quiet, none will call here tonight
As the dizzy whirls of sleet announce the storm

Bella the maid dims the lamps and bolts the door
The landlord George smiles and counts his takings after Bowes Fair
The roof creaks and groans as the wind bears down from Stainmore
Alone, enclosed, they won't see another soul
As they say their prayers to save them from the storm

Waves of rain and snow spiral down
Consumed by fear & darkness, heartbeats quicken now
They're deafened by the howling screaming sound
Then it's broken by a knocking at the door
A feeble cry of "Help me" then no more

The Inn's occupants :
Who stands outside? A wet bedraggled old woman bent double no less
Come quickly inside! Dry clothes, warm milk, our Bella will help you undress

The Traveller :
"Nothing I can say can repay you for your kindness sir
I lost the track as day turned into night
A pauper's widow I, can no longer pay my way
My daughter waits in Brough for me, I'll leave you at first light"

The Occupants : 
Sit by the Fire! No payment required when we answer a traveller's distress
Before we retire - we'll see that you're well, now take what you need and God bless

The Traveller :
"Let me say again, I don't want food or drink
Despite my situation, I still retain some pride
Now talking tires me so, I beg you let me rest
Don't touch my cloak or clothing! Just take yourself to bed!"

Let all who rest be drawn into the deepest sleep
Let those who dare to stay awake, unerringly their vigils keep
Hand of glory, keep their heavy eyelids closed
Revealing hidden riches whilst your magic taper glows

Stolen from a gibbet corpse, wrapped in a funeral shroud
Dried out with saltpeter, I command thee now
Hand of Glory, Shining Bright
Guide Your rightful owner to their rightful spoils tonight

The Storyteller:
Though she feigned to sleep, Bella watched the stranger's movements
Disturbed by their growling voice and the hood that hid their face
Surprised to see new riding boots on a pauper's wife
Then the trav'ler rose to six feet tall and slid the bolt from the door
From the folds of a steaming cloak withdrew a dead man's wizened hand
Lit the candle in its grip then the ritual began

The Traveller:
Hand of Glory where Roman signal beacons burned
I call on age-old wisdom, let the dead man's fire return
In the house where your light burns, in vain the sleepers turn
The killer's hand holds them tight, alive will be as dead tonight

From the gallow's pole to High Stainmore
Hand of Glory, do all I desire tonight





Hand of Glory :  Album Download Link in Notes

Wistman's Wood (2015)
A Cautionary Tale.

The very first Napier's track.

Wistman's Wood is an ancient copse of dwarf oaks high on the wild slopes of Dartmoor in the South-West of England.

A place steeped in Druidic legends and tales of encounters with the Devil.

Old Crockern as he is known locally, has a tendency to hunt lost souls with his pack of dreadful Wisht Hounds, driving the unfortunate victims to their deaths over the precipice of the Dewerstone.

Please heed this warning because you may not be so lucky.

After all, everywhere has its own Wistman's Wood.

-------------------------

Part I : The Return

Two Bridges on my mind, Old and New at once, together side by side, 
Fond-remembered place of hazy carefree games
Now I returned, Oh how I yearned for those days
Perhaps to cross to find again the man I used to be?

There before me, hallowed ancient Dartmoor
Druid stones, velvet moss, just how it always was
A thousand feet beyond the bustling, frantic valley
The wizened oaks of Wistman's Wood, at Sunset I would go

This magic place, last surviving trace of an older vanished time
A time before the anxious life, a prisoner of the clock
Taking photographs, the trees, the sky, the rocks
To freeze the view and free the feelings I had lost

As I stand amongst the twisted mossy oaks
A sense that I belong here, swells to fill my heart
In the flooding warmth of golden evening sunshine
I rest awhile, these sentinels will keep me safe from harm

I'm coming home
I am home
-----------------------------
Part II : The Haunting

It all feels different now, the Wood transformed as I slept
Where once was beauty, Gnarled twisted trees, they snarl grotesque

All in darkness, no welcome in this sun starved place
A hissing whisper grows, from creviced rocks, from ancient graves!

What is this place?
Something's wrong here
I don't belong here

Golden sunlit welcome gone, Twilight, sterile, in its place
In haste I came to Wistman's Wood, to regain all I lacked

Choking on the air of sadness, contempt for those alive
This stunted copse now mocks my weakness, its magic holds me fast!

I must escape here
I have no place here

But how?
------------------------------
Part III : The Hunt

Across the moonlit slopes of Crocken Tor, a figure moves
I'm not alone, the fear dispelled, moving fast he'll reach me soon

He's drawing closer now, he must have heard my cries
His dogs run free, they've got my scent, they'll soon be at my side

Frenzied barks and howls and clouds of breath
Flashing yellow teeth and eyes of red

This is the Wisht Hounds Hunt!!

I've got to run for my life - I've got to try to get home

Nooooooo! 
Help me!
Leave me alone!
You can't have me, you can't have my soul!

Running for my life now, Terror on the open moor
Relentlessly pursued by The Devil's Spectral Hounds!

Almost at the track, a gate, a stile I recognise
Another quarter mile beyond the Dewerstone
---------------------------------
Part IV : The Testament

As I reflect upon my testament
I try and fail at making sense of that night's events
My broken bones have healed but mental scars
Are with me still, in restless nights and feverish midnight hours

All I saw, all I heard
I give my word this story's true, this warning is for you

Rocks inscribed with rites of druid sacrifice
Spirits evil lay in wait to trap lost souls at night

The past should stay the past, good and bad interred
Decide the future here and now, please just heed my words!

Will no one believe me? Condemned to live that night over again eternally....
-----------------------
The End?

Wistman's Wood (2015)

Fear & Trembling : Napier's Bones August 2015

The latest addition to the 2015 set of "Wistman Tales Retold" is that most rare of creatures, a Napier's Bones instrumental. 
The only one in captivity, although I have heard the distant calls of others in the wilds of the North.

Taking its title from Soren Kierkegaard's philsophical milestone, this piece was inspired by a different type of existential crisis.

"....if at the bottom of everything there were only a wild ferment, a power that twisting in dark passions produced everything great or inconsequential; if an unfathomable, insatiable emptiness lay hid beneath everything, what would life be but despair?"
Soren Kirkegaard, 1843


Fear & Trembling (2015)

This is a spontaneous home recording, lo-fi, now mastered recording

It is a song i made for my wife, it was started a long time ago and i just decided to finish it

Andrew Napoli - Guitars
Couch King - Production, Lyrics, Vocals
Ill Dub - Final Master 
https://soundcloud.com/ill-dub-productions

Lyrics 

Good morning my sunshine, to thee i lift my spine
My heart to your design, your sweet warm bright sunshine

It's time to live, it's time to pray
Time to say, we choose today
Choose to be now, choose to be here
Time to be present and let your mind clear
A pebble in the water, a ripple in the well
Just trying to catch a wave in that giant swell
Whose to say what your to do, whose to say just who are you
You are my dream, your a radiant being
You are my light, your a source of might
A steady stream in the darkest night
You are the unseen charged particle beam
Scream out loud in a joyful crowd
Ease into the quiet when its time to be private
Wake up to the sun, fall asleep to the stars, Salutations to the heavens and your inner avatars 

Everything is beautiful, beautiful with your smile
Smile to make the world beautiful, beautiful your smile is everything 

The Couch King - Your Smile Is Everything

1855, Torino, nice 1st floor suite on the Plaza. Dashed good soak in the tub with a cigar and a healing bottle of Muscat. I tinkled for service and was passed my bathrobe. Waited for the door to shut, then stood, steam rising through the cotton, in front of the tall windows and the dressing mirror. Some sort of carnival beat started. Looked at my pink cheeks and caught my eye in the mirror. Gradually transported to an imaginary stage.  Started miming, then singing random words..clumsy rhymes..love, shove, dove, enough (with a 'v').
Was moving slinkily in my gown..big operatic reaches to the heavens, half-pirouettes, a pelvic jerk, recognising dignitaries in the phantom audience with winks and pointed finger. The gown slipped away with a noiseless 'ffff'. Crescendo. A heavy landing from the edge of the bed and a dangerous skid onto the rug. Composed again, bowing to myself and smiling,  wiping tears and sweat from my brilliant brow.

Suddenly aware of the beat stopping, replaced by a baying horde of a thousand barking, chuckling faces..teeth and white eyes, jabbing fingers. Standing bestripped before them, I gave a feeble wave.
Left sharpish through the back door.

C'mon ..We've all been there!?
Be good

Nick



Private Performance


Simple short track (theme to be expanded upon) using just two instances of patches I have made in U-HE Diva (and nowt else!), played in CPU hogging Divine mode.

Played on keyboard and ribbon control.



Solitude

Alberto Rigoni -  Floating #adamaudio #moon

Prog Fest Ye Merrie Gentlemen : December 2015

Christmas, Yuletide, Winterval, Saturnalia, Noel.... so many different ways of referring to this time of year.

In the Napierverse we celebrate the ancient tradition of Progmas.

Join with us in a dance around the Mellotron then open your gifts beneath the spruce-topped Twelve String, all the while resplendent in your festive capes.

This is a long preamble, but it's a very short tune :))

Season's Greetings to You All 

from Napier's Bones



Prog Rest Ye Merrie Gentlemen

A thousand miles still on we go
Said goodbye to all we've known
Heading North, Magnetic Pole

Senses heightened by the cold
Ghostly gleaming, blue the snow
Austere beauty all around us

Frozen landscape, Silent Night
All is calm and all is quiet
Out of nowhere bathed in light

Transported to some other place
Emotions rise we turn to face
Spectral rainbows flowing over us

What mystery?
What magic sight?
Words can't describe it

Banish Darkness
Spirits dance in light
Aurora Borealis
Tonight

Guy Mauseth: Bass guitar, synths, drums arrangement.
Gordon Midgley: Guitars and vocals.

Lyrics by Gordon Midgley 

Mixed and mastered by on iPad Air2/ Auria Pro

Many thanks to Gordon, the man behind Napier's Bones!

Hetland (featuring Gordon Midgley)

Artwork: Fractured Fractals
www.facebook.com/FracturedFractals

Bowling Tide: @bowling-tide
Tensor: www.facebook.com/tensortensortensor

Tensor X Bowling Tide- Formaldehyde To Keep You Alive

The Transfiguration : Part 1 : An Air of Mystery
Napier's Bones, January 2016

The first complete track from "The Transfiguration", a 24 min suite telling of a paranormal investigator eager to debunk another folkloric legend for the benefit of his eager TV audience.
Ratings pressure from other, more spectacular, ghost-hunting shows  leads to a compromise between his scientific rigour and the need for dramatic programming.

The ruined Holy Trinity Church of Buckfastleigh, Devon, is the location for his latest assignment : to find evidence relating to the infamous Squire Richard Cabell...
Seventeenth Century Schizoid Man.

Are You Sitting Comfortably?
Then we'll begin.

----------------
1. An Air of Mystery
 
Another week, a new assignment
Ratings up with every phantom found
Goodbye kiss then onto Devon roads
Such a Happy Haunting Ground

Another well-loved ancient story
Handed down through history
Like Wistman's Wood, the Hand of Glory
They cling to make-believe

	Discarding age-old superstition
	On camera captured in full view 

Network :        "If it's there, it's on air"

Darting by the river, I see the ruined church in silhouette
So it's Squire Cabell, his spectral hounds and mausoleum glowing red
Sensors all around the tomb, remote connect all seeing eyes
Rational sights you can believe, midnight transmission time

	Presenting only what I find
	The viewers making up their minds 
Network :       "Success, Speaks for itself"

A air of mystery, goes a long way
A hint of danger, goes a long way
A little guidance, goes a long way
And who needs certainty? They all prefer it to be this way....
----------
The Transfiguration 
(1) An Air of Mystery
(2) Broadcasting Live
(3) No Return?


1. An Air of Mystery

Change (written by Terry Reeves)
By Cripple Club with Gordon M
Produced, arranged and mixed by Gordon Midgley
https://soundcloud.com/gordon_m
https://soundcloud.com/selena-factory
https://soundcloud.com/napiers_bones
 
Terry Reeves:  Lead Vocal
Gordon Midgley: Guitars, Bass, Keyboards
Gary Reeves:  Drums, Percussion

When in my early teenage years I had a tendency to be a little outspoken, always polite, but not a shrinking violet, particularly when it came to matters of what I believed to be injustices.  The number of times I was told, "when you get older, you’ll change" and although these were meant to be comforting words of advice, I could not understand why, if I was right, I should change.  My children have had similar experiences (might have had something to do with me...whoops) and all of them have shared the same frustrations with me, prompting the writing of this song.  Today is my birthday. I am now 60 years old and would like to think that I’ve gained some small experience over the years, with the basic, family principle of treating everyone equally remaining very much unchanged.  I’m still waiting for the promised 'grown up' knowledge that would apparently mean I’d be less opinionated but have to admit that is something I am still trying my best not to change!
I absolutely love the music that Gordon has created for this track – his exceptional playing and production, enhanced by Gary’s brilliant drumming, made the vocal a real pleasure to do. (Terry Reeves)

With regard to the above, I totally deny the outrageous suggestion that any monies changed hands between my brother and myself.  I mean, it was only a tenner for goodness sake.  Do however totally agree with his words about Gordon’s contribution to the track.  Tel and me are becoming quite accustomed to being blown away by the work of our fellow collaborators.  We are currently considering purchasing anenometers.  (Gary Reeves)

Lyrics:

I got a feeling that you'll never see half as much as I want you to see
I keep on trying not to change
I got a feeling that you'll never know half as much as you want to know
I keep on trying not to explain
Every day and every night my head explodes with other people’s rights
The time may come when you will see it's not an age thing this is really me

If you really want to hear the truth then I'll shout it from the highest roof
I keep on trying not to change
Honesty is not the only way, try to pretend it may go away
I keep on trying not to explain
Every week and every month my body's aching with the weight of touch
You seem to worry who I'm going to be
The time is now and it's really me

Growing up is not all that great, attempt  to capture the change of fate
But I keep on trying not to change
I know you will never understand the total truth behind my hand
Can't keep on trying to explain
Every moment in every year all advice seems to disappear
Tried to listen to what was said but it's not the same voice that is in my head
It's in my head

Keep on trying, keep on trying, keep on trying

Change by Cripple Club with Gordon M  *lyrics

The Transfiguration : 

3. No Return?
Napier's Bones, January 2016

From the new album "Hell and High Water"
__________
The Squire's ghost, bathed in praeternatural light, pauses to absorb his surroundings, eyes wide open but staring blankly. Present yet in defiance of the physical world and its laws.

Strands of hair are stirred by an unnatural breeze as this glorious,  radiant apparition points toward the investigator, "another so-called seeker of the Truth".

A lifetime of taking measurements and adhering to scientific principles couldn't prepare him for this encounter, a coalescence of the temporal and eternal.

Frightened,  amazed and mesmerised in turn, the man remembers the rhymes and folklore of his childhood and shakes off his hypnotic fascination. If this is Squire Cabell's ghost then his problems have only just begun.

A low, hollow, hissing sound changes to a sonorous groan as the Squire addresses his captive audience.....
__________

Another so-called seeker of the truth, 
Another Fool in search of wisdom
Another Fool demanding proof

I care not for your difference engines
Machines cannot the truth divine
Your petty laws, philosophy
In the darkness cannot shine

I serve a different master now
No chains of sin, no need atone
As Doubting Thomas found belief
All you have is Death Alone

Mark well, no artifice
Your monuments and spires crumble, it all comes down to this

We, The Hidden Ones, The Veiled Ones, Eternally
We, The Hidden Ones, The Veiled Ones, Eternity

And Veiled Thou Art !

*** Children's Rondo : Distant***

In this Half-World, this land of dreams
The dark, forbidden realms of sacred mystery
Far removed from mortal ebb and flow
Condemned to watch, and watch alone, all the life I've known

Such a long way, Such a long way
Such a long way from home

Such a long way, Such a long way
I'm so very far from home
__________

"Every man must do two things alone : he must do his own believing and his own dying"
Martin Luther

3. No Return?

Beautiful tranquil track from "Pilgrimage", featuring the piano & mellotron/synths from Andy Wells, and a searing wah-wah end solo from Tony Drake. re-release now available with full version of "Unknown Soldier Suite" [13 minutes] here http://pilgrym.bigcartel.com/ for £7.99

Pilgrym - Song of the Albatross

Part 2 featuring awesome Hammond from Andy Wells and a beautiful soaring guitar solo from Tony Drake. Recorded and mixed by Andy Wells. Available now re-released with the full 13 minute "Unknown Soldier Suite" here http://pilgrym.bigcartel.com/ for £7.99

Prog

Andrea Weiß