"If Francis found out there were Curved Air fans in the audience he'd sneak part of Piece Of Mind into his playing of Bach's music with great feeling." In recalling their founding member, keyboard and guitar player Francis Monkman, who died in May, UK prog rockers Curved Air perhaps answered a question that some fans may have wondered since he last featured in the band in 1990: whatever happened to Francis Monkman?
In truth, the classically trained musician remained working with music, notably with his beloved harpsichord and the work of composer Johann Sebastian Bach, but stayed out of the public spotlight, something that always seemed to be more comfortable to the musician than hogging the limelight. And yet ironically, thanks to Monkman's involvement in scores of some of the biggest films of the 1980s and 1990s, millions would have heard his work, albeit possibly without knowing it. And he never forgot his progressive rock roots.
Born Anthony Francis Keigwin Monkman in Hampstead, London, on June 9, 1949, he showed a flair for music at an early age, studying both organ and harpsichord at Westminster School, where he was a pupil. He later attended the Royal Academy of Music where he won the Raymond Russell prize for virtuosity on the harpsichord, before gaining membership of The Academy Of St Martin In The Fields.
"Francis and I first met at the Orange music shop in Denmark Street in 1969," recalls his soon-to-be Curved Air colleague, violinist Darryl Way. "I was there trying out my newly amplified electric violin when Francis strode over and we got talking. During the conversation we discovered that we had a lot in common. Both of us were classical music students, Francis studying at the Royal Academy and me at the Royal College, and both of us had a burning desire to get into rock music."
That desire initially manifested itself in early progressive rock outfit Sisyphus.
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Denne historien er fra Issue 141-utgaven av Prog.
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The Bottom Line
The experimental Aussies have turned heads with their dual bass player set-up, but chief songwriter Matt Fack says The Omnific are no mere gimmick. Having honed their craft to its sharpest point with' second album The Law Of Augmenting Returns, he sits down with Prog to discuss their desire to redefine what bass guitars can do.
UNFADING MEMORIES
Experimental Norwegian jazz-rock trio Elephant9 return with eight new tracks that make up the exploratory Mythical River. The band's co-founders, bassist Nikolai Hængsle and keyboard player Ståle Storløkken, reveal the appeal of long coffee breaks, collabs with Led Zep bassist John Paul Jones, and why three really is the magic number.
Life, Death And The Decemberists
Death, Billy Joel and angelic visitations are just three of the ingredients that shaped The Decemberists' latest album As It Ever Was, So It Will Be Again. Vocalist Colin Meloy talks to Prog about creativity as a form of hallucination, sneaking progressive music into the record collections of unsuspecting listeners, and why you have to earn the long songs.
Spellbinding
Singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and producer Jo Beth Young is back with a third album, which she describes as art-pop or experimental folk. Prog catches up with Young to learn more about the inspiration and process behind the thought-provoking Broken Spells.
COME BACK STRONGER
Tears For Fears, an A-grade solo from Steve Rothery and, erm, whalesong have all made their mark on the current release from Dave Foster Band. The guitarist and vocalist Dinet Poortman discuss their more relaxed approach to Maybe They'll Come Back For Us, and Foster opens up about his recent departure from Big Big Train.
A Family Affair
Norwegian chamber proggers Meer are back with their hotlyanticipated third album, Wheels Within Wheels. Prog catches up with co-vocalist Johanne Kippersund Nesdal and guitarist Eivind Strømstad to discuss the writing process, running their own festival and the challenges of being part of an octet.
Goodbye Blue Sky
When Pure Reason Revolution made an unexpected but very welcome return with 2020's Eupnea, all eyes were on them to see what they'd do next. However, internal changes, personal grief and a case of writer's block made the future seem less certain. New album Coming Up To Consciousness allays those fears with a selection of powerful new material and a modified line-up. Frontman Jon Courtney chats to Prog about finding inspiration during dark times, working with Guy Pratt and his renewed vigour for the band he founded at university.
PYRAMANIA
Egypt's pyramids have long captivated our imagination, with some even believing the magnificent structures harness magical or healing powers. In 1978, masters of the concept album The Alan Parsons Project explored themes of pyramid power and ancient magic on their third studio album, Pyramid. Prog and Parsons step back in time to uncover the story behind the group's Grammynominated and recently reissued record.
Still Life
\"I like to mix things that don't belong together and see what happens,\" says Eivør Pálsdóttir. The singer-songwriter talks to Prog about channelling the folk traditions of her Faroese home, the power of solitude, and the inspiring magic of the natural world into her transformative new album ENN.
Prog, Pop and Progress
By stripping back their instrumentation, Norway's art-rock sensations Leprous have found a different beast lurking below. Heavier and catchier than ever, they hope it can help them reach new frontiers. Prog catches up with vocalist Einar Solberg and guitarist Tor Oddmund Suhrke to uncover the story behind their new album, Melodies Of Atonement.
