Happy The Man - The Muse Awakens


Year of Release: 2004
Label: InsideOut Music America
Catalog Number: IOMA CD 2097
Format: CD
Total Time: 56:05:00

This review is excerpted from Clayton's October 31, 2004 The Prog Life column found here -ed.

Some of the best prog acts of the 70s toiled in near obscurity, appreciated by only a small cult of followers. An example is Happy The Man, who, based on their first two classic albums Happy The Man and Crafty Hands, deserved at least the respect garnered by Gentle Giant, if not the fame and fortune accorded to big acts like Yes and Genesis. Now these intrepid players have embarked on another chapter in their distinguished careers with the new album, The Muse Awakens, a terrific example of 70s-style prog brought into the new millennium. Along the way, the band has lost most of their quirkiness (which is unfortunate), but have gained an assurance and adroitness that places them near the top of the modern prog heap. The Muse Awakens confidently mixes modern jazz instrumentals with the complex playing that was a staple earlier in the band's career. Myself, I'd prefer that the band stuck with the proggier stuff throughout, but there's no denying that this is one quality release. Highly recommended.

Released in Europe by InsideOut Music (IOMCD 187/SPV 085-40542)


Tracklisting:
Contemporary Insanity (3:25) / The Muse Awakens (5:34) / Stepping Through Time (6:12) / Maui Sunset (5:35) / Lunch at the Psychedelicatessen (4:58) / Slipstream (4:43) / Barking Spiders (4:12) / Adrift (4:03) / Shadowlites (3:53) / Kindred Spirits (5:26) / Il Quinto Mare (7:22)

Musicians:
Frank Wyatt - saxes, keyboards, woodwinds
Stanley Whitaker - guitars,vocals
David Rosenthal - keyboards
Joe Bergamini - drums, percussion
Rick Kennell - bass

Discography:
Happy The Man (1977)
Crafty Hands (1978)
Better Late... (1983)
Beginnings (1990)
Live (1997)
Death's Crown (1999)
The Muse Awakens (2004)

Genre: Progressive Rock

Origin US

Added: October 31st 2004
Reviewer: Clayton Walnum
Score:
Artist website: www.happytheman.com
Hits: 2333
Language: english

  

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