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November - Memory

Artist:	November
Title:	Memory
Label:	SI Music Simply 20001
Length(s):	18 minutes
Year(s) of release:	1995
Month of review:	11/1995

Line up

Karel Messemaker - vocals
Ronald Brautigam - guitars and bass
Michel van Wassem - keyboards and grand piano
Ed Wernke - drums and percussion

Tracks

1)	Memory	3.27
2)	Africa (where Are You?) (live)	9.35
3)	The Cinema Show (live)	5.19

Summary

Well, their album has been out for some time. In my review I compared quite extensively to Peter Gabriel and because these tracks are from that album (the original versions I mean), that will still be the case here. Recently they have played in a popular tv programme in the afternoon, but I haven't seen them, because I do work. I do have seen them live once in Almelo and they were alright, but the music is too little progressive and too much melodic rock to be of interest to the avid prog fan. Still, we owe them a listen....not in the least because of the third track.

The music

The single track is melodramatic and certainly not bad as a single. The song is a ballad in the Genesis vein (Duke era) and quite good. Still, the single market is hard to penetrate for a progressive label.

The second track is a live version of Africa recorded at the World Liberty Concert in 1995 in Arnhem. The song is very percussive and the ghost of Gabriel is very much present, and the song might remind people of Biko. Still the song hasn't the emotional impact of the latter and I do not think that such could be expected. The vocals are a bit too much on the safe side. The guitar solo is quite good and tends to create a sound of the African steppes and other such wide open spaces. Tension is well built, but doesn't really detonate.

The third track should be familiar with anyone reading this. This track makes clear that Messemaker is NOT Peter Gabriel. Especially in the high parts he sounds very thin. The track is unplugged with some pan flute and all in all quite a good rendition. Very flowing, like it should. Note that this track contains only part of the original as it stops after the last vocal parts.

Conclusion

For the Genesis fan something worth considering as it contains one of their tracks. The two other tracks have good melodies, but little power.