Classic
Rock Radio (Dot EU)
06
Jan 2015
CRR
(Dot EU) - New Classic Rock Releases
Spotlight: Peter Banks Empire - The Mars Tapes (2014)
Spotlight: Peter Banks Empire - The Mars Tapes (2014)
Imagine
my panic when, on the day I set aside to write about Peter Banks Empire - The
Mars Tapes, that it's revealed that the second disc of the two disc set
is...MISSING! Lucky for me I knew where it was. In an automobile that I rented
and gave back to its rightful owner the day before. Listened to both discs
driving up and back to San Antonio during the recently passed Christmas
holidays. When returning the vehicle I made double sure to look and make sure I
didn't forget anything, neglecting to check the fancy CD player we used the
entire four hundred mile round trip. Would have sucked if the CD was lost /
thrown away.
A
couple days after returning the vehicle, a happy ending took place as I was
reunited with the disc at the Enterprise Car Rental place in Katy, Texas. Nice
people over there. In the meantime while missing the second disc, I played the
first disc a few more times. Worked out fine really. Oh wait...I caught a nasty
ass cold, and after that had three back teeth removed in my lower jaw (receiving
stitches in my mouth). The pain once the novocaine wore off...Holy Shit! I
promise myself that I'd NEVER do that EVER again. It hurt so much. The first few
days after was pretty unbearable 24/7. Then everyday after that, a tad less
painful than the day before. In total, about five or six weeks of agony! And all
through this I'm playing mostly this new Peter Banks archival two CD project.
Now having survived, I can say it helped me through by rearranging my focus.
Shifted my attention onto something else. Along with some hot tea and honey,
Peter Banks Empire - The Mars Tapes became a cool distraction from everything I
was physically having to deal with. Onward through the fog.
I
would be remiss if I neglected to mention that I once worked with Peter Banks,
trying to help him promote an autobiography he penned with the help of William
(Billy and not William regarding authorship recognition first name) James;
titled 'Beyond And Before...The Formative Years of Yes.' This is back at the
turn of the century. Sometime after publication, I lost touch. Enjoyed the
contact I had with Peter. With him in the United Kingdom and myself in the
United States, the phone and fax machine was our main source of communication.
Peter was always nice to me, at least until one of my good friends royally
screwed up involving getting his wife and himself free admittance into a Alice
Cooper show, and then hanging out after the show together. The whole thing
planned ahead of time. Very professional actually. Never happened. My friend got
so involved with what he was doing that he totally forgot about Peter and his
wife, leaving them hanging at the door. My part was being a go-between, and
setting everything up. I drew up an itinerary, that my musician friend totally
ignored, being caught up in all the excitement. Wasn't on purpose at all. Was
seriously disappointed with the outcome. Again, nothing I directly did. Frankly,
I'd be super pissed as well with the traveling that was required, and be it all
for nothing. So there went my contact with Peter. Still, I remained a loyal
listener. Up to the end h stayed active, and his playing was still top-notch.
Broke my heart hearing the news of Peter's passing (2013).
Imagine
my delight when towards the end of 2014, here comes along some unreleased Empire
music. Of course I'm interested. Could my review be bias? A distinct
possibility, so much so that I'd say YES myself. Be it as it may, I decided the
BEST thing to do would be if I went down another path. Therefore, instead of a
straightforward review, the following are my impressions, listening to what I
believe is one of the best archival projects to come down the pike in a while.
From a band led by a man labeled the architect of Progressive Rock. Empire's
music emcompassed many styles even containing a hint of what was popular on the
charts via record company / companies request. Remember disco? A tune called
'Dancing Man' comes to mind that Empire did. Rehearsed to play live as well, as
a part of a Empire medley. Included in The Mars Tapes (disc one) for your
listening pleasure.
Imagine
if you will, a professional established progressive rock musician trying to jump
start a band to his liking, when music not of his kind, is ruling the airwaves.
The promotional norm at the time by newer and younger rockers was to simply talk
shit about established bands. One example was labeling the chart toppers
"Dinosaurs". This said with intent to kill interest in them, while at the same
time boasting their own popularity. The musical tide was sure changing, and
unfortunately just never in the direction Peter or Empire needed it to go.
Fact
is Peter Banks Empire was a band that had three major attempts at becoming a
commercial musical act, and failed at doing so, ALL three times. In their
defense, years after the band broke up and went their separate ways, music they
created did see the light of day. Three CD's labeled Empire...featuring Peter
Banks, Mark I, Mark II, and Mark III. One Way Records in the 1990's put these
out. Yours truly being the BIG Peter Banks fan, of course purchased all three at
the time of their release. Out of print and collectors items nowadays. Note,
knowing I would write something about the newest P.B's Empire release (The Mars
Tapes), I reacquainted myself with these recordings recently. The third CD of
demos / studio recordings, Mark III, compliments this recent release very well.
Same musician roster. Here's the band practicing what would have been a pretty
cool set list if they even got a chance to perform anywhere in front of a paid
crowd. And they would have had that, had Mark I been released properly, and
money spent promoting the song, 'Out Of Our Hands' been made a single. Could
have been a hit, or at least got respected airplay. Its success would have
launched the band towards popularity, and that is what makes money and keeps
things afloat. As humans mature, sometime during the process most of us learn,
and it's usually always the hard way, that hopes and dreams cost money. Adds up
quickly. As does time in a professional recording studio.
Empire
had a six year history with major occurrences happening between projects. This
was Peter's group. He devoted his all to this. The time frame was 1974 to 1980.
When the financially bad times hit, he slept on peoples couches while playing
salesman, trying to get the band it's BIG break. From his own personal accounts,
Peter's attitude came off as 'all or nothing'. Unlike other rock bands he
participated in like Yes or Flash, Empire as a whole had no one to answer to but
Peter. With authority came responsibility. At times the money was there, and at
others it wasn't. Unfortunately in the business world in which music, like it or
not, is a BIG player, deals fall through. Peter's actions dictated the man
certainly tried, doing all he could to make Empire not only the band he wanted,
but a success as well. A hard working / well rehearsed musical group that made
chart topping albums, and went out on tour. A band that actually played live
gigs in front of paying crowds. None of that ever happened for Empire. I
conclude what a major shame that was, because the material when presented in the
right environment was there. I base this on the three (Mark I, II, and III) now
Out of Print (OOP) Empire factory pressed from the now defunct One Way Records
CDs that I have. All these years later since their release is further testimony
to conclusion, with the double CD; Peter Banks Empire - The Mars Tapes.
Let's
talk content. The two CD's that make up Peter Banks Empire - The Mars Tapes
amount to around ninety minutes of unreleased music from what would be the third
major, and I guess final line-up of the group. Rehearsal tapes recorded at Mars
Studios in Los Angeles, California. Music that represents not only the three
past failed studio recordings, but Peter as its star as well. And rightly so for
this was Peter's vision. He was the music guy, and his once wife and Empire's
lead singer, Sydney Foxx (nowadays Sidonie Jordan) doing the lyrics. Long
instrumental parts in songs are credited by Peter as music created when their
singer was not around. The results are wonderful. I can see Sidonie maybe
stepping aside while the band did its thing. Kind of like James LaBrie does when
performing with Dream Theater. And while on the subject, maybe not what the
record companies were looking for at the time, but am glad Empire was a band
with a strong voiced female singer. Has seen success since those days, as did
the bands drummer, Mark Murdock. He's rocking Tokyo, Japan with a group called
Machine Messiah in which material like that found on this CD, could be heard /
seen in concert. Mark also is very involved with a very cool progressive /
jazz-rock band called Cymbalic Encounters. Their sophomore studio release will
be out here shortly. Includes Percy Jones and John Goodsall from a band Phil
Collins was in at one time called; Brand X. As for the others involved with
Empire, we are talking a few decades ago; R.I.P.
Did
I just speak his name? One of the best drummers in prog-rock history, Mr. Phil
Collins is included in Empire's history, being a session man in the bands
beginning days. Friends of Peter's, it was another band he was in called Genesis
that kept him from perhaps being Empire's full time drummer. As a admitted fan
of Empire, be it what ever line-up, featuring Peter Banks, I just think it's so
cool he contributes. Makes for an excellent footnote. A man behind the drum kit
that I would have loved to have at least once witnessed in person, seeing him
play live. With everything else I witnessed over the decades it's hard to
believe I missed something like that. A lifelong friend with Empire's final
drummer, Mark Murdock also. Phil rocks! Good singer / showman also. Oh...on The
Mars Tapes, Phil appears on disc two. On a song called 'Sky At Night'. A
beautifully layered prog-rock song if there ever was one. Sydney / Sidonie's
vocals shine here, and I dig the tabla playing (by Sam Gobal). Another one with
hit potential, and I bet would have been cool to see them do in concert. Give
the prog rock band Renaissance a run for their money.
Uncle
G Rating: Using the one to five star rating system with one star pretty much
meaning, "pass", to five stars meaning it's cool to spend your hard earned cash
on, I rate Peter Banks Empire - The Mars Tapes - 5 Stars! From the concept,
which would include an awesome representation via the artwork that accompanies
this release, by Paul at Studio 3 (as listed in the CD's credits). Makes for
slick looking promo ads as well. A GREAT idea using an obvious Sci-Fi twist
based on the name of the studio. Nice work! Progressive rock and Outer Space do
go together nicely.
Speaking
of Mars, a couple instrumentals found on the second disc of The Mars Tapes by
Peter Banks Empire, captures the spirit of the project. The first being a tune
called 'Ascending To The Planet Mars'. Songwriting credits go to Peter and the
whole band. And also containing the same spirit is a song called 'The Fall Of
The Empire', which gets my attention every time played. Always trying to be
honest, I LIKE the second disc of Peter Banks Empire - The Mars Tapes more than
the first. Different listeners, different reactions. Remember, I'm more into the
actual music itself. It's Peter's guitar playing that holds my focus. All other
players being outstanding, and having to be so to keep up with Peter in the
first place.
Note:
Please understand what an archival project is before paying all that money for
postage. You know, should one be buying the physical CD itself. Available for
official download also. The recordings themselves reflect recording devices and
techniques reflective of the time the music was recorded. Just pointing out the
obvious. Saying that, sounds very well being blasted out of a powerful home
stereo system. Comparable or better to that of the One Way Record releases. On
the negative side, a couple songs could have had better endings, and not sound
so like they abruptly stop. Maybe could have faded out sooner? Maybe due to
glitches in the source tapes themselves? A wild guess really. I once was
involved with a Billion Dollar Babies three disc CD archival project called,
Complete Battle Axe (2002). Learned many valuable lessons helping Michael Bruce
with that one. Another story for another day. Back to the way a couple songs
ended, it's really the only bad thing I got to say about the whole project.
Having worked on an archival project before, was taking a above novice
educational guess as to why.
Before
this turns into a two parter, I sign out forever a fan of Peter Banks music. His
sound will outlive us all. The possibility of a human being on the planet Mars
listening to music Peter was involved with, or better yet, this very recording,
will increase as time goes by. In the vast far reaches of outer space...may the
vibes proceed the jive. Isn't that Seventies sounding?
Gary Brown - US Correspondent for CRR (Dot EU) Twitter
@GBrown0816
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