Crafty Hands

Artist: Happy the Man
Label: One Way Records Inc
Category: Music

Average customer rating:

Media: Audio CD
Number Of Discs: 1

UPC: 046633454728
EAN: 0046633454728
ASIN: B00003TFVK

Release Date: 1999-09-22

Crafty Hands

Related Categories:

General

| Rock | Styles | Music

Progressive Rock

| Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music

Pop Rock

| Pop | Styles | Music

CDs $7 - $10

All Bargain Titles

Tracks:

Service With a Smile
Morning Sun
Ibby It Is
Steaming Pipes
Wind up Doll Day Wind
Open Book
I Forgot to Push It
Moon, I Sing

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Album Description

Remixed & remastered CD debut of classic 1978 album by this legendary progressive band led by keyboardist Kit Watkins . Features the artwork & all eight tracks from when Arista originally released it. 1999 release.

Customer Reviews:

A True Prog Rock Masterpiece.......2004-12-10

As is so often the case, most progressive rock music is not immediately likeable. It usually takes many, many listens to fully absorb the complexity of the music, the multiple layers of what's taking place, etc., etc. Happy The Man has all the complexity, layering, odd time signatures, superb musicianship, and impeccable craftsmanship so often associated with progressive rock. However, this album is also immediately likeable. From the very first listen, you're immediately drawn into the music. There isn't a bad track or boring second of time on this album. And if Crafty Hands is your fist exposure to Happy The Man, you'll no doubt want to explore more Happy The Man work. Happy The Man is truly ranked among the masters of progressive rock.

Wyatt, Watkins, and Whitaker on top.......2003-06-16

This is the 2nd official CD of "Happy The Man" - a highly unusual prog band. (There's another CD called "Beginnings" with previously unreleased material predating their 1st record, so "Crafty Hands" is their 3rd release in some sense.) It's difficult to say if "Crafty Hands" (1978) is better or worse than their 1977 debut album. Both are on such a high musical level that it doesn't make much sense to judge between them. Again, most of the songs are instrumentals, with tricky rhythms and wacky arrangements. Again, most songs are penned by the keyboarders Frank Wyatt and Kit Watkins, as well as guitar player Stanley Whitaker. All three of them are gifted prog composers. Listening to "Happy The Man" is never boring, because the songs always take unusual turns, and make the "progressive ear" happy by using complex harmonies and rhythms. Unfortunately, this highly creative team disbanded after this record. By the way, the material they had written for their unpublished 3rd CD has been made available in the meantime as "Better Late...", and completes the picture of an innovative prog band that lived far too short.

A Weak Second Attempt.......2002-11-07

Happy The Man had the most textured debut album in Progressive rock history! If you are not familiar with HTM, they are a richly, textured, mostly intramental prog rock band. They have excellent melodies, well crafted and placed rythmic punctuations. In my mind, they are one of the best from the 1970's. Crafty Hands, recorded the same year (1978), really lacks the flare of the first album FOR ME, but it is still good Happy The Man. Steaming Pipes is the most note worthy track as it catches the essense of hard edged sounding prog rock very well. There are some other redeeming tracks too! Most of the tracks are darker than the first record, but still accessable. If you were like me, after you heard the first album you just have to know what the follow up is like! The title of my review is just to help you to set your expectations correctly. It is still a worthy spin!

Complex, insightful, masterful, enjoying.......2002-11-02

If you are looking for background music or a pop sound like Alan Parsons, continue your search. However, if you want to truly appreciate a seminal musical work, explore brilliant fanciful realms, and continue to gain new meanings and light with additional hearings, then this CD is for you. In fact, most of the songs may not fully sink in until the 5th hearing or more. The first track, however, will rivet you to your chair with awe and amazement, likely the greatest progressive piece under 3 minutes duration (Service with a Smile).

The composition of the band is 2 keyboardist (who also play other wind instruments), guitarist, bass, and percussion. Kit Watkins is likely the most talented keyboardist I've ever heard (which is saying a lot), in terms of composition, execution, and the ability to impart emotive nuances with grace and seeming ease. Stan Whitaker doesn't try to dazzle you with speed, though many of the compositions certainly require it to the extreme. His style ranges from playful woodland fusion to pensive moodiness to contemplative wonder.

The rest of the band can hardly be called backup, as each provides a swirl of influences that unfathomably result in a coherent pronouncement, akin to realizing the meaning of a dream you had years ago. Words lack the depth to express such concepts. If you want to enjoy a lifetime of listening to music that almost defies classification, then give this CD a spin.

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