VA - Arrow Classic Rock Presents The Best Symfo Rock (2005) MP3

This 3-CD set is sponsored by Arrow Classic Rock, the Dutch radiostation that is embraced by all Dutch progheads because they are the only radiostation that frequently plays many progrock classics and every week on Tuesday the known rock-journalist/producer Kees Baars (he is a personal friend of Geddy Lee) is the host for a two hour progrock show. In my opinion this is a comprehensive symphonic rock/progrock 3-CD: it includes compositions from the symphonic rock dinosaurs Yes, Genesis, ELP (2 songs) and Yes (but to my surprise no King Crimson, perhaps Mr. Fripp didn't agree?), the neo-prog featuring Pendragon, Marillion,IQ and Arena (no Twelfth Night, an inclusion would have been done justice to their unique sound), many known progrock acts like Camel, the Dutch section with Supersister, Kayak and Focus, Jethro Tull and Manfred Mann's Earth Band (I miss The Strawbs and Barclay James Harvest), heavy progressive delivering Kansas, Rush, Rainbow, Uriah Heep, Queensryche, Dream Theater and Angel (two times, "Fortune" is one of my favorites, what a mindblowing keyboards!) and new acts like Mostly Autumn and Opeth. Of course these kind of compilations always evoke discussions about the choices (in my case: I prefer the missing bands I mentioned above Mike And The Mecanics, Toto, Asia or Fish solo but on the other hand I'm pleased with Colosseum, I hope that many progheads will discover this very overlooked band by buying this wonderful 3-CD set!

Tracklist CD1:

01 Genesis - Firth Of Fifth [9:35]
02 Yes - Yours Is No Disgrace [9:43]
03 Rush - Tom Sawyer [4:34]
04 Marillion - Script For A Jester's Tear [8:39]
05 Manfred Mann's Earth Band - Blinded By The Light [7:05]
06 Asia - Heat Of The Moment [3:50]
07 Pendragon - Paintbox [8:37]
08 Emerson, Lake & Palmer - Lucky Man [4:38]
09 Queensryche - Walk In The Shadows [3:35]
10 Styx - Come Sail Away [5:31]
11 Jethro Tull - Nothing Is Easy [4:22]
12 Mike & The Mechanics - Blame [5:18]

Tracklist CD2:

01 Camel - Ice [10:13]
02 Kayak - Merlin [7:20]
03 Fish - Vigil [8:43]
04 IQ - Promises (As The Years Go By) [4:31]
05 Rainbow - Gates Of Babylon [6:48]
06 Queensryche - Operation Mindcrime [4:47]
07 Angel - Tower [6:56]
08 Uriah Heep - July Morning [10:34]
09 Colosseum - The Valentine Suite Theme One - January's Search [6:22]
10 Opeth - A Fair Judgement [10:23]

Tracklist CD3:

01 Rush - Spirit Of Radio [4:59]
02 Dream Theater - Metropolis Part I (The Miracle And The Sleeper) [9:32]
03 Arena - The Hanging Tree [7:12]
04 Emerson, Lake & Palmer - Peter Gunn Theme [3:36]
05 Angel - The Fortune [8:39]
06 Styx - Suite Madame Blue [6:32]
07 Mostly Autumn - The Gap Is Too Wide [10:37]
08 Supersister - Present From Nancy [5:11]
09 Focus - Hocus Pocus [6:42]
10 Kansas - Carry On Wayward Son [5:23]
11 Toto - Home Of The Brave [6:50]