A TRIP TO THE LORELEI PROG FESTIVAL, ST GOARSHAUSEN, GERMANY, JULY 2008

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On Monday morning, I got up as early as 05h30, packed the tent away, showered and drove down to take the ferry. the castle ruins above St Goar were bathed in sunlight. I returned the car to Avis at Frankfurt (Hahn) airport around 08h15, after a relaxing drive across the Rhineland countryside. I checked in well ahead of schedule but unfortunately, went to the wrong gate (the TV monitors aren't that fantastic, are they?).  I must have been hearing things as I thought the announcement referred to gate 6. Three other folk made the same mistake and I missed my 10h30 flight to Stansted. I was compelled to purchasing another ticket at a total cost €284. At the same time I considered taking a bus to Frankfurt (Main) but as I left the building, the 11h30 bus pulled away (the next was at 13h00). I had phoned beforehand and there was a flight to Heathrow at 15h15, which I would not have got to on time as a result. My problem was that I was desperate to get back in time for the Return To Forever gig in London Monday evening. A later flight to Stansted at 18h30 was fully booked (with ten people on standby) so I had to wait around 12 hours till 23h30 for my next flight, which nearly drove me crazy. I therefore missed the RTF concert, the biggest blow of all, which still drives me to depression thinking about it. With the European leg of the tour over at the time of writing, only RTF US gigs remained. I arrived back at Stansted and with no public transport to the Cambridge area, my neighbour Chris was kind enough to fetch me from the airport.
 
 

Brief comments - SUNDAY:

KNIGHT AREA - [Dutch band in classic progressive rock vein, proving hugely popular with the audience. Use of the mini-moog gave them, musically speaking, that distinctive Arthurian quality distinctive of Rick Wakeman's sound.]

GAZPACHO - [A subtle, light, delicate sound, as opposed to driving rock sound, devoid of overblown dramatics associated with prog. Lead singer reminded me of Jim Kerr, lead singer of Simple Minds, whilst the music smacked too as having elements of the romantic, associated with the famous Norwegian band A-Ha. No surprise therefore, that the latter band is listed as one of their influences.] 

  
 

QUIDAM - [Band from Poland, introduced to me by, Marta, a friend from Katowice, whom I had met at the premiere of the rock musical Caamora. Their latest album, "alone Together", is amazing piece of production, as impressive as that of Magenta's "Metamorphosis". They did not disappoint. Spoke to the singer afterwards, who struck me as somewhat moody. They are scheduled to play at the 2008 Summer's End Festival, along with Magenta.]

THE NEAL MORSE BAND - [The highlight of Sunday - see Neal Morse Band page.]  [5]

RAY WILSON AND STILTSKIN - [Until he mentioned it at Lorelei, I had not recall the name of Ray Wilson as being remotely familiar but was aware of his contribution on the last Genesis album "Calling All Stations" after the departure of Phil Collins. From Dumfries in Scotland, Wilson's folk rock and softly spoken demeanour laced with subtle humour, in contrast to the more direct approach of Fish, sits well with the audience. Enjoyed his set.]

ROGER HODGSON - [See Roger Hodgson page.] [6]
 
 

KNIGHT AREA
 

Mark Smit, lead singer of Dutch band Knight Area, who kicked off Sunday's program.
 
 

GAZPACHO
 

Oslo band Gazpacho have Jan Henrik Ohme on vocals.

 

Jon-Arne Vilbo (guitars) and Thomas Andersen (keyboards)

 

Mikael Krømer (Guitar & Violin)
 
 

QUIDAM
 

BARTOSZ KOSSOWICZ (vocals)
 

 

MACIEK MELLER (guitars)
 

MARIUSZ ZIOLKOWSKI (bass guitar)
 

ZBYSZEK FLOREK (keyboards)
 

Quidam take a bow - MACIEK MELLER (guitar), BARTOSZ KOSSO (vocals), ZBYSZEK FLOREK (keyboards), MARIUSZ ZIOLKOWSKI (bass), MACIEJ WROBLEWSKI (drums) and JACEK ZASADA (flutes).
 
 

THE NEAL MORSE BAND
 
 
 

The brilliant, passionate believer & multi-instrumentalist Neal Morse, ex frontman of Spock's Beard.
 

More photos of The Neal Morse Band, go to [5]
 
 

RAY WILSON & STILTSKIN
 

Ray Wilson with Ashley Macmillan on drums, at the rear.
 

Ray Wilson on acoustic guitar.
 

Ali Ferguson of Stiltskin on guitar.
 

Lawrie Macmillan on bass.
 
 

 

 

Ray Wilson on vocals, acoustic and electric guitars.
 

Ray Wilson and drummer Ashley Macmillan.
 

Ray Wilson
 
 

ROGER HODGSON
 

 
 
 

Roger Hodgson, former frontman of Supertramp, closed off the 2008 Lorelei program.
 

More photos of Roger Hodgson, go to [6]
 
 

THE LORELEI PROG ROCK FESTIVAL, ST. GOARSHAUSEN, GERMANY - 2008  - [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6]
 

 

 
 
 

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