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Hands - Twenty Five Winters

Hands - Twenty Five Winters
Released: 2002
Label: Shroom
Cat. No.: SP-2113
Total Time: 39:02

Reviewed by: Eric Porter, December 2002
When I think of Texas and music, what immediately comes to mind are bands like ZZ Top or Stevie Ray Vaughn, the blues based rock. So a progressive band from Texas seems as out of place an armadillo in upstate New York. Texas-based Hands carried the progressive flag in Texas throughout the 70s, yet Twenty Five Winters represents their first "proper" release. The prior releases were put out long after the group had gone their separate ways. Twenty Five Winters brings together key members of the band from the 70s recording all new material.

The opening "Knock/Enter" shows off the bands use of multi-instrumentation. Building from an acoustic guitar riff, the song ultimately becomes a mesh of Gentle Giant and Kansas influence. The music is always centered with a melodic foundation, yet the instrumentation takes many different paths. "Green Room (Pt.1 & 2)" are basically two different songs using the same melody, with a melodic piano setting up an almost Genesis ala "After The Ordeal" feel. Twenty Five Winters has a tighter feel than the 70's output. The violin often takes center stage as the lead melodic instrument, but the keyboards and guitars also make their presence felt.

Hands offers up a plate of musical diversity, with each song having a unique identity. "Zombieroch (Pt.3)" shows more Gentle Giant influence with the quirky use of the electronic woodwinds in between the harder edged guitar parts. From the pop-like sounds of "Dance Of Light And Darkness" to the violin and piano duet "I Laughed Aloud," the band's focus is on the music, and not trying to create a particular sound. An engaging listen from start to finish.

[See also Steph's review - ed.]

More about Twenty Five Winters:

Track Listing: Knock/Enter (6:50) / Walls (4:15) / Green Room (pt. 1 & 2) (3:51) / Dance Of Light And Darkness (5:09) / I Laughed Aloud (2:46) / Zombieroch (pt. 3) (4:46) / Leaving (11:25): I. Song Of Summer - II. Vigil For One - III. The Traveler's Lament - IV. Above And Below

Musicians:
Rex Bozarth - Bass, Stick, Cello, Vocals
Michael Clay - Piano, Synth, guitars, electric woodwinds, devices, composer
Martin McCall - Drums, Percussion, Noisemakers, Electronics
Mark Menikos - Violins, Mandolins, Acoustic Guitar, Vocals
Ernie Myers - Vocals, Guitars, composer

Guest musicians:

John Fiveash - Drums, backing vocals
Steve Parker - Backing vocals
Chris Dulen - French Horn

Contact:

Website: www.wheelhouse-music/hands.htm
Note: will open new browser window

Email: info@wheelhouse-music.com

Discography

Hands (1977)
Palm Mystery (1996/99)
Prism Live 75-77 (1997)
The Early Years 1974-76 (2000)
(Shroom Ltd Edition of 400)
Twenty Five Winters (2002)

	Hands - Twenty Five Winters
	Released: 2002 Label: Shroom Cat. No.: SP-2113 Total Time: 39:02
	Reviewed by: Eric Porter, December 2002 When I think of Texas and music, what immediately comes to mind are bands like ZZ Top or Stevie Ray Vaughn, the blues based rock. So a progressive band from Texas seems as out of place an armadillo in upstate New York. Texas-based Hands carried the progressive flag in Texas throughout the 70s, yet Twenty Five Winters represents their first "proper" release. The prior releases were put out long after the group had gone their separate ways. Twenty Five Winters brings together key members of the band from the 70s recording all new material. The opening "Knock/Enter" shows off the bands use of multi-instrumentation. Building from an acoustic guitar riff, the song ultimately becomes a mesh of Gentle Giant and Kansas influence. The music is always centered with a melodic foundation, yet the instrumentation takes many different paths. "Green Room (Pt.1 & 2)" are basically two different songs using the same melody, with a melodic piano setting up an almost Genesis ala "After The Ordeal" feel. Twenty Five Winters has a tighter feel than the 70's output. The violin often takes center stage as the lead melodic instrument, but the keyboards and guitars also make their presence felt. Hands offers up a plate of musical diversity, with each song having a unique identity. "Zombieroch (Pt.3)" shows more Gentle Giant influence with the quirky use of the electronic woodwinds in between the harder edged guitar parts. From the pop-like sounds of "Dance Of Light And Darkness" to the violin and piano duet "I Laughed Aloud," the band's focus is on the music, and not trying to create a particular sound. An engaging listen from start to finish. [See also Steph's review - ed.] More about Twenty Five Winters: Track Listing: Knock/Enter (6:50) / Walls (4:15) / Green Room (pt. 1 & 2) (3:51) / Dance Of Light And Darkness (5:09) / I Laughed Aloud (2:46) / Zombieroch (pt. 3) (4:46) / Leaving (11:25): I. Song Of Summer - II. Vigil For One - III. The Traveler's Lament - IV. Above And Below Musicians: Rex Bozarth - Bass, Stick, Cello, Vocals Michael Clay - Piano, Synth, guitars, electric woodwinds, devices, composer Martin McCall - Drums, Percussion, Noisemakers, Electronics Mark Menikos - Violins, Mandolins, Acoustic Guitar, Vocals Ernie Myers - Vocals, Guitars, composer Guest musicians: John Fiveash - Drums, backing vocals Steve Parker - Backing vocals Chris Dulen - French Horn Contact: Website: www.wheelhouse-music/hands.htm Note: will open new browser window Email: info@wheelhouse-music.com Discography Hands (1977) Palm Mystery (1996/99) Prism Live 75-77 (1997) The Early Years 1974-76 (2000) (Shroom Ltd Edition of 400) Twenty Five Winters (2002)