Aggie87

SW is currently working on his next solo album apparently, as well as the Akerfeldt collaboration. Some interesting info from his FB: "A little more about the collaboration album between myself and Mikael - so far we have 25 minutes of music, it seems to us like nothing either us have done before. Mikael is taking care of all guitars (since he's at least 100 times better than me), and I'm playing keyboards, percussion and doing orchestrations, both of us singing. It's pretty dark stuff, in a way heavy music with no heavy metal elements. (-;" - and - "On a related note, the track I wrote for the originally planned Akerfeldt/Wilson collaboration all those years ago when it was going to be more metal orientated, "Cut Ribbon", is scheduled to finally appear on the next SW solo album (shaping up to be a very diverse double CD). Steve Hackett just played some fantastic ...guitar on a track for that one too."

All the best for the coming year, Bob!

His album with Jim Hall, "Free Association", is very nice. I also like the Locke/Keezer "Live in Seattle" recording, as well as Christian McBride's funky "Vertical Vision", both of which also include Terreon Gully.

Some early SW tracks These are downloadable - will be interesting to see if he adds to this with other tracks from PT or solo, etc.

Interesting - now Wilson has posted one of his 1985 tracks on his myspace page (http://www.myspace.com/therealstevenwilson), I think as a gage to see what type of response he'd get. To me it generally sounds like a young SW fiddling around with keyboards and sounds. But there's been enough positive response on his FB page that he said this: I'll post a link to the archive music once it's available.

Another update from SW, kinda disappointed about this. .and more info from SWHQ: steven wilson - vapour trail lullaby (9.18) this song was written and demoed for porcupine tree prior to the band recording 'in absentia', a prolific period of writing that resulted in perhaps the best pool of songs that the band has been able to draw from for a studio album to date. but as that album developed in a heavier direction, the song didn't really fit in stylistically, so was dropped quite early on and never recorded by the band. two years later it was included instead on the first blackfield album under the title 'lullaby'. the blackfield interpretation worked really well but took the song in a very different direction, stripping it down to just voice, piano and strings, so I took the opportunity to revisit the full arrangement of the song during sessions for my first solo album 'insurgentes'. this time the song went a lot further down the road (you can see me playing it in the film during the piano recording session at st bartholomew's church in brighton), but once again it didn't fit in with my more experimental ideas for the album (in many respects it just sounded too much like porcupine tree) so I never finished it, although I did adapt the coda section into the short instrumental album track 'twilight coda'. even though the new version was much more fully realised, I find I still prefer the original demo version from 2001, so that is the one I have decided to include here. still, it's another part of the 'insurgentes' story, which saw around 30 songs, both old and new, and in many different styles, considered.

Sounds like it was a great show, Eric! Envious of "Even Less" for sure!

Was hoping nobody would notice that!

Happy Birthday!

It's nice being in first place! I am sure I will enjoy this up until the first game, at which point I'll be in last place the rest of the season.

The whole reference in that sentence is to another person altogether - "Bonds made a deal with HIM", meaning a third party, clearly Gregg Anderson. Clearly NOT Clemens. That makes no sense whatsoever. I don't think there is any other way to read that. Context is important. Plus, Dan clarified it so there would be no confusion, and you're STILL arguing about it??

That would be my hunch.

No more hecklers at Free's performances!

Just make sure it's a big beer!

Happy Birthday!

Chris - it seems you aren't aware that the band (organissimo) has gone on permanent hiatus, after a 10 yr run (?)

I love those coastline pictures, Bev! Beautiful countryside there.

An update from SW: I'm actually really excited about this bonus now - should be very different!

Wow - Pure Narcotic and the full version of Even Less! I can't make the San Antonio show next week unfortunately. Gonna regret it even more if they play tracks like that.

For anyone interested, the 2 dvd "Insurgentes" set is available for pre-order from Burning Shed. First 2000 orders get a free gift, not sure what it is yet. Also, the reissue of Recordings is up for pre-order. If you like Stupid Dream/Lightbulb Sun, this one's a no-brainer. Appears to be a straight reissue of the original set, except in a digibook this time around.

All the best for the coming year, Mike! I resolve to see one of your shows some time in the next year, too!

Happy Birthday, kinuta!