ProgAID – All Around The World

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F2 Music
Produced by Rob Reed & Andy Edwards

This is the prog rock World’s contribution to the Tsunami relief effort. A huge BandAID style collaboration comprising 41 of the World’s best prog rock artists and twelve minutes (in the full version) of soft progressive rock. The single consists of six tracks, but only one song. That is to say, there are no less than five different versions of the song All Around The World on here, plus a making of CD-ROM video.

First up, we have the single mix, which is presumably the one that will be sent out to radio stations (although, in true modern prog rock style, this will probably only occur in Scandanavia and Germany). It clocks in at 5:25 and lacks most of the slightly harder guitar and keyboard solos that would otherwise make it too rock for the radio. This is a save-the-world ballad in the true spirit of past collaborations and fund-raisers of this kind, so there’s no room for storming three-minute guitar solos here.

Second we have the ‘definitve mix’, which is the full twelve-minute epic. For prog fans, this is the version it’s all about. There aren’t many additional lyrics beyond that of the single mix, all the verses are present in both. This is because the single mix pretty much seems to be the first five minutes of the full version with one or two additions, and a longer intro. At about seven minutes, after the most rousing version of the chorus thus far, the song all but disappears, before the second half starts. It almost sounds like two similar songs bolted together. Which is a shame. Given the wealth of talent involved, you’d think they could have kept the momentum going. The second half is completely instrumental, again, almost like it’s an entirely separate, instrumental song and was added as an afterthought, like someone suddenly thought “this is supposed to be a prog song… it’s not long enough!!”.

Nevertheless, it’s a very good instrumental song. Now, we start to go into overkill. The next version, the ‘air mix’ is, to be honest, unnecessary. The only difference with the air mix seems to be extra mini moog-ish keyboards and some bongo-style drums. One or two of the vocalists may be different too. It’s hard to tell, they all sing so softly. There’s definitly more harmonies. The cue mix (version four, and counting) is purely a vocal version with an acoustic guitar and a keyboard. Maybe the title suggests that this version was recorded because it’s easier for the vocalists to follow and the acoustic guitar acts as a cue for them to sing their lines. Some bongo style drums come in later. The electric guitar solo from the single mix is still present. This stripped down version is a welcome addition. The final version is the expected instrumental version of the single mix. Had to be there, really.

As for the musicians involved, the biggest names would have to be Marillion/Transatlantic man Pete Trewavas, Ayreon supremo Arjen A. Lucassen, Yngwie Malmsteen and ex-Rainbow vocalist Doogie White, Flower Kings guitarist Roine Stolt, Neal Morse, Pendragon/Arena keyboard player Clive Nolan and Sack Trick/Ex-Bruce Dickinson bass player Chris Dale. Other than that we have members of IQ, Mostly Autumn, Shadow Gallery, Landmarq and many others.

The single is only available from the ProgAID site, with back-end purchasing provided by progrock.co.uk. It’s £5, which included delivery to anywhere in the World. Get it, and do your bit for the tsunami effort (as this is the only worthwhile musical contribution).

“ like two similar songs bolted together ”

Tracklist: All Around The World (Single Mix) / All Around The World (Definitive Mix) / All Around The World (Air Mix) / All Around The World (Cue Mix) / All Around The World (Instrumental Mix)

Written by Andy Lye
More: Progressive, Rock, Singles, ProgAID