The enrichment of the Prog with folk elements was especially popular in the 70s. Important features were the use of folkloristic instruments and alternative guitar tunings as well as texts related to nature or the history of the homeland. Nevertheless, the term "Folkprog" is spongy. In fact, only a few groups can be clearly located in this genre, and not necessarily over a longer period of time. In addition, the boundaries between (progressive) folk and psychedelic folk are fluid.
The 60s: Folk revival and (progressive) folk as pioneers of Folkprog
Mike Oldfield's reasons for returning to "Ommadawn" lie deeper than at first glance one might think. Even the continuation of his most famous record "Tubular Bells" in 1992 was by no means a purely economic calculation. "When I wanted to release 'Amarok' in 1990," recalls Oldfield, "Virgin boss Richard Branson told me to call it 'Tubular Bells II', but I replied that the second part of 'Tubular Bells' would certainly come sometime, but this album definitely isn't." This anecdote not only says a lot about the then smouldering conflict between Oldfield and his label boss, but also about the fact that the concept of the sequel means far more to the musician than a simple label to be able to turn on any instrumental longtrack to his fans.
After the success of "Crises", Virgin boss Richard Branson pushed for an extension of Mike Oldfield's contract. The two had closed it in 1973; it ran over ten albums, of which the artist had to deliver two more. Although his relationship with Branson was no longer the best, Oldfield let his lawyer persuade him to make a new deal: he committed himself to three more records for Virgin and in return received a significant increase in his royalties, both on future releases and on the back catalogue. At the end of the 80s, when his friendship with Branson was finally shattered, he would still regret this step bitterly and subsequently deliver either a half-baked, or - with "Amarok" - a brilliant, yet highly non-commercial album. "Discovery", it seems from today's point of view, was Oldfield's last attempt to combine art and commerce on a high level.
MARILLION
30 years "Fugazi"
"We were in a transitional phase as a band: from a bunch of kids in a van hunting for a record deal to a band that finally had that deal in their pockets and was now trying to record the follow-up to a successful debut album This is Fish's assessment of the situation Marillion found himself in a few months after the release of "Script For A Jester's Tear" in spring 1983.
PETER GABRIEL
Berlin calling
BLACK SABBATH
New Songs from the Black Box
It's actually there, the first Black Sabbath album with Ozzy Osbourne in 35 years! While fans believed that they had misheard themselves when they first announced this pact, they are now holding a recording of "13" in their hands that is not only real, but also successful. And this although Osbourne had a bad relapse into his old drug routine during the sessions. Buddy Geezer Butler gives eclipsed insights into the mood of the band and the processes inside and outside the studio.
MIKE OLDFIELD
Not for Branson: Oldfield's turbulent time at Virgin Records
40 years ago Mike Oldfield entered Richard Branson's semi-finished studio The Manor. In 1972/73 he recorded his rock-historical album "Tubular Bells" there. The surprise success laid the foundation for Branson's Virgin Empire. Before 20 the business relationship between Virgin Music and the musician of the century came to an end - Oldfield and the label boss hadn't been friends for a long time.
PETER GABRIEL
Autohemotherapy
eclipsed at Rockpalast
"Tschörmen tellewischen praudli prisents..."
"Rockpalast" - this name still awakens happy memories of long nights, great parties and extraordinary concerts for rock fans decades later. And the palace still keeps its portal open today. But it was the early "Rockpalast" nights that gave the musical building its historic glory.
100 memorable events in rock history
The Wendehälse of Rock
with Genesis, Yes, David Bowie, Queen, Chicago, Mike Oldfield, Styx, Scorpions, Barclay James Harvest, Fleetwood Mac, Jefferson Airplane, Santana..
