While combing the garden for something new, I stumbled across a band not so much original as a reinvention...The Security Project. Familiar names and faces in the prog garden yes--but performing together to breathe new life into the work of Peter Gabriel, both as a solo artist and his early Genesis material. The Security Project joined forces in 2012; the 25th anniversary of Gabriel's "Security" album...hmmm...pieces starting to fall into place...
My initial listen is to The Security Project's version of "San Jacinto" and it truly is a remarkable piece. The mood is exceptionally close to what Peter exuded. The raw emotion bleeds all over the canvas as vocals pour over you...enveloping your auditory senses like seal skin earmuffs. The subtlety of the guitars and percussion as they build to a climax is brilliant. The Security Project has crawled inside Mr. Gabriel's head and took copious notes...should be quite the educational week...
Moving back to a buffet filled with wonder, I am perplexed as to what I should sample next, settling for "Fly on a Windshield" (not a bad thing...) Once again TSP cruises in the right lane, capturing the essence of a beautiful song. The acoustic guitar enters just boastful enough, while the vocals scruff along like sandpaper on glass...appropriately rough and not scathing. The Security Project nails the mood and the emotion...of course there will always be a degree of separation; only Peter Gabriel is Peter Gabriel after all. However; these guys lived it the first time around so it was more of an open book test.
Liner Notes...The current line-up for The Security Project is Brian Cummins on lead vocals, Trey Gunn on Warr guitar and backing vocals, Michael Cozzi on guitars and backing vocals, David Jameson on keyboards and Eigenharp, and Jerry Marotta on drums, percussion, and backing vocals. Fuzzbee Morse has also performed with TSP on guitars and flute. Lots of bleach in that gene pool; talents oozes from every inch of the stage. A partial/combined resume includes stints not only in Peter Gabriel's band (post Genesis), but also King Crimson and Shriekback. This is not a novice group nor a collection of wannabes trying to garner attention doing the county fair circuit...these guys have logged many miles in, through, and around the prog garden...
Musical Interlude #3 up for review this week is an absolutely marvelous version of "The Rhythm of the Heat." The percussion work unquestionably captures the feeling and sentiment that radiated from the original; Trey and Jerry work in harmony amazingly well as sound seems to ooze from their very pores. Brian is quite adept at seizing the passion Peter brought to his work and thrusting it back out like a T-Shirt cannon at a football game. Each performer on the stage feeds off the energy of the others; it is almost a living, tangible force empowering the group to hit harder and more deliberate.
I chose the clip below because it is one of my favorite PG solo numbers and TSP paints a copy so real it could hang in The Louvre unnoticed by the experts..."Biko." In and of itself "Biko" is a very powerful song; Peter Gabriel is a master at painting a picture with words and sound. The Security Project was able--as is their wont--to pick up where Gabriel left off and drive that point home with a stake through the heart. The drums hit you square and the bagpipes simply encapsulate the entire piece.
The Security Project tours extensively and has released one live album aptly titled, "Live 1." You can learn more about The Security Project and purchase this amazing CD at The Security Project. You will also find tour dates listed, and if it is at all possible I would encourage you to witness this band live. Keep up with everything the band is doing at TSP Facebook. Of course no band can reach the masses today without the benefit of Twitter, and The Security Project can be followed there as well @TheSecurProject.
Once again fellow progheads the sand has fallen through the hourglass as a great prog week winds down. The Security Project, while perhaps occupying acreage in the lesser-known section of the prog garden, is made up of some major players in the genre. While I do listen to and appreciate some tribute bands, I tend to come away feeling like I just bought a print of the Mona Lisa at Walmart being passed off as the real thing.
The Security Project however, is different. Similar to The 21st Century Schizoid Band and select others, The Security Project is made up of members who were part of the original masterpiece...in the room so to speak when the first paint hit the canvas. Bringing version 2.0 to the next generation and/or old timers who just cannot get enough, The Security Project will draw you back for more.
So...with my work complete for another 168 hours, I say --with perhaps a sly smile and a true appreciation for the opportunity--the Concert Closet once again sets off on the search for all things prog. Until next week...
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