A Spoonful Of Time (Cleopatra, 2012)
At a first glance, the project looked really attractive. Great artwork by the Carmona brothers, pioneering progressive rock band Nektar spearheading the project and an impressive cast of well-known musicians from the progressive rock, fusion, metal and classic rock worlds.
Nektar was given a collection of rock radio hits and was asked to make new versions. Unfortunately, the musicians directing the project played the songs with little variation from the original. I was expecting more creativity, with tempo changes, new arrangements and more of a progressive rock spirit. Instead, the album feels like a set of very familiar commercial rock radio covers with an occasional inspired solo.
Track Listing
1. Sirius featuring Michael Pinnella (Symphony X)
2. Spirit Of The Radio featuring Mark Kelly (Marillion)
3. Fly Like An Eagle featuring Geoff Downes (Asia / Yes) • Joel Vandroogenbroeck (Brainticket)
4. Wish You Were Here featuring Edgar Froese (Tangerine Dream)
5. For The Love Of Money featuring Ian Paice (Deep Purple) • Nik Turner (Hawkwind)
6. Can’t Find My Way Home featuring Steve Howe (Yes) • Derek Sherinian (Dream Theater/Black Country Communion) • Mel Collins (King Crimson)
7. 2000 Light Years From Home featuring Simon House (Hawkwind)
8. Riders On The Storm featuring Billy Sheehan (Mr. Big) • Rod Argent (The Zombies / Argent)
9. Blinded By The Light featuring Joakim Svalberg (Opeth) • Ginger Baker (Cream)
10. Out Of The Blue featuring Simon House (Hawkwind)
11. Old Man featuring David Cross (King Crimson)
12. Dream Weaver featuring Jerry Goodman (Mahavishnu Orchestra)
13. I’m Not In Love featuring Rick Wakeman (Yes)
14. Africa featuring Bobby Kimball (Toto) • Patrick Moraz (The Moody Blues)