Bang a Gong

Posted over 5 years ago
Gong is a prog band that came out of Britain's Canterbury scene in the 1960s. It has morphed through many different incarnations through the years. Early versions of the band led by Daevid Allen were quite psychedelic. The band led by Pierre Moerlen in the 1970s (which recorded Gazeuse! and Expresso II) had a heavier prog and sometimes fusion sound. It's probably the heaviest damned sax, vibraphone, guitar band you'll ever here! Allan Holdsworth's guitar, together with Pierre Moerlen's percussion (marimba, vibraphone, etc.), make for a very different aesthetic from the early Gong.The clip here, "Three Blind Mice," is from Expresso II. It starts with a wacky bunch of arpeggio's from Moerlen on the 'phone, which then breaks into a cool, swinging jazz section for a few bars, until Holdsworth comes in and rips the whole thing apart with a squealing guitar. Throughout the rest of the song the band works through all kinds of interesting tempos and some weird syncopation. One of my favorite songs. Two of my favorite albums. Still available for purchase!

Comments (3)

  1. Kate says Wow! This is the first Gong post i've seen on MOG. I love them, especially the Daevid Allen stuff. I have a cd of New York Gong and Planet Gong which I quite enjoy.
    Permalink posted 12/09/2006
  2. spaceling says Well, there was this post. Love Angel's Egg and You and pretty much everything else Steve Hillage has been involved with.
    Permalink posted 12/09/2006

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