Giona

Hi Antonio, it's been a while... No, I have never seen any artist in the flesh. The reasons for such a huge gap, on the part of a music enthusiast, are so numerous that I wouldn't even know where to begin explaining them. Let's just say that, on one hand, I perceive artistic enjoyment as an exquisitely intimate event, while on the other, my hermitic instinct views public events with suspicion, as I am structurally incapable of feeling at ease and, consequently, relaxing or appreciating something in an environment with an unusual concentration of people (and it really takes very few to disrupt my fragile balance). Fortunately, nowadays there are DVDs for chronic misfits like me (needless to say, I have enjoyed all the productions of Maestro Steve, favoring, as was obvious, the splendid acoustic concert of "Hungarian Horizons").

Thank you all. Elio, I must admit that, while keeping in mind the archaic year of recording, the blues-rock of The Shiver fails to convince me, as it tends to remain anchored to widely tested parameters, still unable to fully take advantage of the musical ferment of the time.

Thank you so much Gasta. Hjhhjij, I couldn’t agree with you more.

Thank you for the comments. The album in question is truly beautiful, and I’m pleased to see that most of those who have listened to it agree that it is one of the best progressive releases in recent times.

Thank you very much to the visitors and for the warmth with which they welcomed what rightfully belongs among the absolute peaks of progressive music from across the sea.

I thank the last commenters, joining them in their boundless admiration for Maestro Robert and endorsing the final sentence of Maurinok60, a worthy summation of a rich list of sharp observations.

Thank you all for the attention given to this instrumental gem, which deserves the highest and most heartfelt praises. A unique folk jazz relic worthy of being passed down to future generations.

Thanks to the ancient commentators and to Helio. I’m glad that you finally had the chance to listen to and appreciate an album that perhaps tends to get lost in its numerous influences, yet still maintains an undeniable charm.

In addition to thanking the latest arrivals to comment (with a delay of years), I cannot help but quote Batpluto in his brief but clear comparison of the acoustic offspring of Master Steve, among which "Bay of Kings" indeed stands out for its disarming genuineness and an arcane, unrepeatable flavor. However, they are all firmly positioned at the highest conceivable levels, so these distinctions are only meant to hold value for curiosity or completeness.

I would like to express my gratitude and also echo the enthusiasm of the recent comments, as indeed, the Bay of Kings is a magical and secret place, impossible to confine within the limits of a mere numerical report. One of those classic cases where 5 is at best too narrow and inadequate.