OBLIVION SUN
Pink Sky
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A5n_JPLXu6g
Dead Sea Squirrels...and 28 more tracks to enjoy
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gtxz6W8 ... r9C-ZX00Vl
Stan Whitaker / Frank Wyatt — Pedal Giant Animals
((Not on label) 83710127816, 2006, CD)
by Peter Thelen, Published 2008-01-01
This gem came out quietly toward the end of 2006, a side project by two of the primary composers of Happy the Man needing an outlet for their material, unable to wait for the stars and planets to be in perfect alignment for the full band to get together, rehearse and record. Joining them on various tracks are Peter Princiotto on bass (from However) and Chris Mack on drums (Puppet Show and Iluvatar). Many of the numbers here are typical of the more gentle vocal pieces one might find too few of on any given HtM album, sung by Whitaker with backing support from Wyatt. That said, there are a fair number of instrumentals too, many of which tend to rock a little harder and also get into some very tasty and colorful elaborations and variations. These guys are both masterful creators, and each piece they cast is brilliantly arranged to pull out its strengths, using piano, synthesizers, guitars, bass, drums, and all manner of woodwinds, much as they would be had they been included on a HtM album. Since these were recorded, Pedal Giant Animals (the project) has evolved into a full five-piece band Oblivion Sun, featuring Wyatt, Whitaker, Mack, and two additional musicians on bass and keyboards.
–espose.org
Filed under: New releases, Issue 35, 2006 releases
Related artist(s): Oblivion Sun, Stan Whitaker, Frank Wyatt
More info
http://www.myspace.com/pedalgiantanimals
...............................................................................
Oblivion Sun biography
Hailing from Maryland (USA), five-piece OBLIVION SUN were formed by Frank Wyatt (keyboards and saxes) and Stanley Whitaker (guitars and vocals), founding members of HAPPY THE MAN, from the ashes of the legendary US 70's prog band.
HTM had reformed in 1999, and released two CDs, "Death's Crown" (1999) and "The Muse Awakens" (2004). However, a series of practical problems prevented the band members from getting together to record a follow-up to the latter album, in spite of the large amount of material they had gathered. Therefore, Wyatt and Whitaker decided to begin recording under the name of PEDAL GIANT ANIMALS, a duo project featuring drummer Chris Mack (formerly with ILUVATAR) as a guest musician.
In 2006, with the addition of Bill Plummer (keyboards), a skilled audio engineer and former Grammy nominee, and Dave DeMarco (bass), OBLIVION SUN were born. Their self-titled debut album, produced by Wyatt and engineered by Plummer, was released in September 2007 by ProPhase Music, an independent label located in Philadelphia.
The music played by OBLIVION SUN crosses many genres, while staying true to their progressive roots. The band cite such diverse influences as GENESIS, FRANK ZAPPA, GONG, KING'S X, GENTLE GIANT and XTC, and their live performances are heavily based on improvisation. They are currently active on the US live circuit.
Raffaella Berry (Raff)
Why this artist must be listed in http://www.progarchives.com :
While firmly rooted in the great '70s prog tradition, OBLIVION SUN are not afraid to blend diverse musical influences into an exciting, dynamic modern sound.
