Perfect as they were/are. You can blame promotion or some other business aspect, but the music stands. In my opinion they were one of the great progs of the time, and still are. Thanks for the vids and please keep playing. Love you guys and what you stand for.
These guys would have been the most well known American prog band if they would have only hired a full time vocalist and got some airplay when prog was a mainstream form of music.
Yes but they really weren't a vocal band which is what made them unique. There song and arrangements truly fit their name. The music is very uplifting, positive and happy!
@wigginsdesign Wrong. Focus from Netherlands were famous for not being a vocal band either and yet have an unique sound (they used human voices almost always as instruments). What really made Happy The man great was their amazing virtuoso skills.
@Quinceps Wrong !!! If they had put lyrics and vocals in most of their songs it would have changed the essense and style of the band. They were perfect as they were. It's not their fault the radio stations and unintellectual music public didn't respond to his great music as it is. BTW I think Stan was fine as a singer.
@wigginsdesign this band is amusing. I think a vocals generally make songs more accesible for people and can become more well known. Vocals could have been a nice addition in my opinnion. They are a great instrumental band though.
Thank you for posting this. I've always liked HTM. I saw the new incarnation of HTM at the State theater, which sort of made up for the fact that I missed seeing them live in the 70's. It was a great show. Unique band!
@beadbud5000, as a musician i feel what your saying. but i appriciate how they can still rock just the same as they did 30 yrs ago. i grew up listen'n to em, and thank u wigginsdesign for they post. hell yeah this is a treat!!!
guess i'm getting old. saw these guys open for Renaissance more than once and also appear as headliners in some smaller venues in the DC area in the 70s. thought they were great. apparently i wa right.
If you see this rec. buy it! "Crafty Hands" is also great and features drummer Ron Riddle, but is slighty easier. The first (this rec) is some of the most intense prog you'll ever hear. *Kit Watkins*(keyboards; right screen) is Baaaad-ass!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
When is this show from? Is this NEARfest performance, or another one?
Unfortunately, HTM broke up again a couple years ago. Stan Whittaker (their guitarist) said that after the NEARfest performance, he started feeling too restricted by no improv policy the band always had. So I guess after they did the new album a few years ago, they decided to go their seperate ways. Stan now plays in a band called Oblivion Sun.
That's actually the only thing I don't like about HTM. I knew there was something too rigid in their music. No improvisation at all, even in live performances.
well, it depends, I believe that you can tell the master by listening to the stuff as you did in the album. so, imho I think that maybe some of the band memebers wanted to show that in live performances, that they were able to do the same same things live as in the studio. just an opinion, don't kill me if you love those dreamtheateresque audiences in which you always listen to a "new extract from something sometimes hilarious thing" like the simpsons in the middle of A Change of Seasons.
That's actually what I like about them. They approach things from a very western classical position. The improvisation occurs with the writing. If I want to hear improv I'll go listen to a jazz group, this is prog.
I was disappointed with that 2005 CD too. It sounded like the band was trying to rehash was they were thirty years later. The performances were flawless but the CD just kind of sat their. Nothing on it grabbed me.
I think that if HTM policy was no improv, that would explain a lot
My impression of 2005 CD was just the opposite. I agree it held true to the original sound of 70's HTM but I thought that was a great accomplishment because I like this CD very much. It has all the elements I luv about HTM music without loosing any of the power & impact from those earlier days
One of the best bands in prog rock, since the '70s I'm a big fan. The albums "Crafty hands" and "Service with a smile"are one of the greatest masterpieces in my collection...
I'll be the "Happy man" when I would see them once in Holland....
Sure did! That was the 1St tune I herd from yer neighborhood,tho it didnt ring any distant bells,obviously great anyway.I was freeked that HTM was rept. We proggers R keepin this great genre goin. My only bummer was there's no evidence of Henry Cow from the oily days!Ive got some Dixie Dregs,Howe related,Zappa that Rnt on Utube yet,& sum of my own goofbag bits,at this rate could take awhile,they'r stil on vhs,& all alright last time I checked.
Did you see the other clip "Service with a Smile'? I got both from their site a few years back when this incarnation reformed. And while in DC visiting they were scheduled tp perform a few days after I was due to leave. Arf!!
If you're gonna lift the clips from Happy's site and re-post them on YouTube, at least give credit where credit is due! I produced and directed these clips. I have the entire concert in the can, from beginning to end. The editing on four other tunes was completed, but never finished the other twelve. I was just talking with one of my colaborators at the Oblivion Sun concert last week about getting together and finishing the rest.
Wonderful! Had no idea who was responsible. Nice to know. Actually I didn't lift , only downloaded from either their site or WindowMediaGuide back when there were no restrictions. The entire show would be what I missed in Alexandria, VA. Do it!
The comment I posted previously came up under my daughter's YouTube account and name. This is under my OWN account, but the message listed under drainingraven still applies!
this must be stolen from the infamous ARONSOUND STUDIOS!
nice work.. but a little out of focus. i am sure professor pantspress never taught you to run camera like that. my guess is you were stoned during that class.. ha ha! i bet professor handwarmer could teach you a thing or two about correct audio levels also.
That's IT! I can hazily remember somewhere in the tune shifts gears & goes bezerk. Kinda like UK's "In the light of day',when they come out that synth part & go apeshit 4 a minute B4 goin back to the reprise,only this was B4 UK! It's a drag most everyone pins disco on the 70's,when there were metric tons of great tunes happening-Where were they?!At least some of us remember!
Cool beans! this song sounds familiar from a live set I had on tape, I'm thinking from DC in 75. Seems like you nearly had to B a musician 2 have heard of these guys in the midwest. There was a tune HTM had that had something ta do with a firecracker Ithink,gone thru many brain cells since then! Used 2 floor me everytime I heard it. thanx 4 having this available 2 us masses!!
'Stumpy Meets the Firecracker in Stencil Forest' from their 1st album. Every song is brilliant. The original keyboard player Kit Watkins still records New Age type tunes. He's on Myspace. Great stuff as well. I grew up in D.C. and Georgetown Univ. college radio played them often. I saw them in 76
I'm sorry tey couldn't stay as HTM. THe last release was quite impressive. They probably didn't get much support from the dumb downed music community. But what's in a name, nice to know Wyatt and Whitaker are still collaborating
Oblivion Sun is the new band. Frank Wyatt, Stan Whitaker with a great drummer, bassist and keysman. Check the tunes out on the myspace site. They do some HTM when they play live.
It is so amazing and encouraging to see these guys back after so many years, I 1st heeard them back in '82,(this album I believe was from 1977). Way to be,dudes!
David Rosenthal. He replaced their original keyboardist Kit Watkins and duplicates their 70's songs beautifully note for note. His own work on HTM's most recent release is also quite good.
Holy Smokes ... its Kit Watkins clone! Great acquisition for HTM. I thought it was Kit Watkins himself until I read Wigginsdesign's note. Thanks for sharing this!
Man now I'm in limbo it's great to see them live I've been into them for 30yrs now.It was sad when Kit left but I have all his solo stuff even with COCO .
Artistically, they were ahead of the US Market. Europeans liked them as they had other bands in similar styles such as Gentle Giant, Kraftwerk and others. Nobody is as stylishly tasteful as Kit Watkins on the mini moog, or Stanley on his blazingly fast and intricate guitar leads. Rick lays down some hefty bass lines when called upon. This is rounded out by Frank Wyatt on a variety of instruments and great percussion work by one of 3 percussionists over their history.
Rubbish. "Ahead of the US market". Bite me. I saw all of the bands in the States. Many of them had higher sales charting in the States as opposed to the so-called "superior" euros.
HTM was a band that formed in college at James Madison University in the mid 1970's. By the time of the first recording that I was given (1975) they had formed their 'sound'. I came along in 1978, taking bass lessons from Rick Kennell. By then, the band had 2 great records, a big East Coast following and an even bigger European fan base. The problem was Arista Records dropped them on the verge of their third record and the band fell apart under the stress of the business side of music.
@leesystems Rick & Stanley played together first in Germany before they were at JMU. Kit was introduced to them at JMU 1973 ... Mike & Frank joined them there too. Arista signned them, but was busy promoting The Bee Gees...... too bad for everyone. After Mike left and then Kit it was never the same....... But check out Kit Watkins' ongoing recordings... he is sooooooooooooooooooo talented!
@JoyceFunston - Thanks for the deeper historical background. I just remember sitting in Rick's room in the band's group house in Reston Virginia, taking bass lessons....Once in awhile he'd let me play his #7 PRS Bass. That is still best bass I have ever touched. I read recently that Rick is in New York
@leesystems Rick & Stanley played together first in Germany before they were at JMU. Kit was introduced to them at JMU 1973 ... Mike & Frank joined them there too. Arista signned them, but was busy promoting The Bee Gees...... too bad for everyone. After Mike left and then Kit it was never the same....... But check out Kit Watkins' ongoing recordings... he is sooooooooooooooooooo talented!
I would like to see Dave Navarro or any of the other posers of "modern rock" do that. These guys, HTM, are the real deal, with real talents for composition and performance.
Perfect as they were/are. You can blame promotion or some other business aspect, but the music stands. In my opinion they were one of the great progs of the time, and still are. Thanks for the vids and please keep playing. Love you guys and what you stand for.
naldofritsche 1 month ago
Excccccccccccellllllllllllllllllllleeeeeeeennnnnnnnt....!!
Thanks for this video..!
mrprogjazzgto 3 months ago in playlist Happy The Man
These guys would have been the most well known American prog band if they would have only hired a full time vocalist and got some airplay when prog was a mainstream form of music.
Big77Jim 6 months ago
@Big77Jim
Yes but they really weren't a vocal band which is what made them unique. There song and arrangements truly fit their name. The music is very uplifting, positive and happy!
wigginsdesign 6 months ago
@wigginsdesign Wrong. Focus from Netherlands were famous for not being a vocal band either and yet have an unique sound (they used human voices almost always as instruments). What really made Happy The man great was their amazing virtuoso skills.
Quinceps 5 months ago
@Quinceps Wrong !!! If they had put lyrics and vocals in most of their songs it would have changed the essense and style of the band. They were perfect as they were. It's not their fault the radio stations and unintellectual music public didn't respond to his great music as it is. BTW I think Stan was fine as a singer.
wigginsdesign 5 months ago
@wigginsdesign this band is amusing. I think a vocals generally make songs more accesible for people and can become more well known. Vocals could have been a nice addition in my opinnion. They are a great instrumental band though.
voidstuff 4 months ago
One of the best guitar riffs I've heard I'd say.
PennyRacerDean 7 months ago
Thank you for posting this. I've always liked HTM. I saw the new incarnation of HTM at the State theater, which sort of made up for the fact that I missed seeing them live in the 70's. It was a great show. Unique band!
ExecuMutant 9 months ago
hey they took down new york d reams suite..BOOOOOOO can somebody get it back..
TheTayedrums 9 months ago
i forgot just how great this band is thanks for the reminder
centralscrutinizer9 9 months ago
Still F***ing incredible music!!!
SilentKnight65 1 year ago
@beadbud5000, as a musician i feel what your saying. but i appriciate how they can still rock just the same as they did 30 yrs ago. i grew up listen'n to em, and thank u wigginsdesign for they post. hell yeah this is a treat!!!
neogen50 1 year ago
Great musicians so of course they're still relatively unknown.
rematpac 1 year ago
good music, but the guitar player's right hand irritates me
TheKirkYates 1 year ago
@TheKirkYates LMAO!
Elfwolf7 1 year ago
Is there any video of them doing "Wind Up Doll Day", ? My favorite HTM piece!
kurt1mark 1 year ago
Happy the Man is the Man - still !
wigginsdesign 2 years ago
Carousel is a killer tune!!!
vargason82 2 years ago
great music? great musicians!!! i like this music
vnutrizvuka 2 years ago
guess i'm getting old. saw these guys open for Renaissance more than once and also appear as headliners in some smaller venues in the DC area in the 70s. thought they were great. apparently i wa right.
bendobrin 3 years ago 2
Yes i'm from DC and saw them in the Seventies in Georgetown but missed this reunion in Alexandria by days during my visit back there
wigginsdesign 3 years ago
I love you guys! Anyway my band can open for you? It would be my dream come true.
meta4foreverything 3 years ago
I'm pretty sure this was recorded at the State Theatre in Falls Church, VA in Summer 2002.
slickkery 3 years ago
If you see this rec. buy it! "Crafty Hands" is also great and features drummer Ron Riddle, but is slighty easier. The first (this rec) is some of the most intense prog you'll ever hear. *Kit Watkins*(keyboards; right screen) is Baaaad-ass!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
1onebastard 3 years ago
That's not Kit Watkins, its David Rosenthal.
Gwyo 2 years ago 2
Dave also tour with, believe it or not, Billy Joel back in 2006 or 7!
Beadbud5000 2 years ago
try buying HTM records first bonehead. Kit Watkins is the keyboard player. Don't reply until you educate yourself
1onebastard 2 years ago
When is this show from? Is this NEARfest performance, or another one?
Unfortunately, HTM broke up again a couple years ago. Stan Whittaker (their guitarist) said that after the NEARfest performance, he started feeling too restricted by no improv policy the band always had. So I guess after they did the new album a few years ago, they decided to go their seperate ways. Stan now plays in a band called Oblivion Sun.
Kohntarkosz 3 years ago
That's actually the only thing I don't like about HTM. I knew there was something too rigid in their music. No improvisation at all, even in live performances.
Pectiniculus 3 years ago
well, it depends, I believe that you can tell the master by listening to the stuff as you did in the album. so, imho I think that maybe some of the band memebers wanted to show that in live performances, that they were able to do the same same things live as in the studio. just an opinion, don't kill me if you love those dreamtheateresque audiences in which you always listen to a "new extract from something sometimes hilarious thing" like the simpsons in the middle of A Change of Seasons.
DrKavan 2 years ago
That's actually what I like about them. They approach things from a very western classical position. The improvisation occurs with the writing. If I want to hear improv I'll go listen to a jazz group, this is prog.
VladtheEmailer 2 years ago
I like that!
wigginsdesign 2 years ago
I was disappointed with that 2005 CD too. It sounded like the band was trying to rehash was they were thirty years later. The performances were flawless but the CD just kind of sat their. Nothing on it grabbed me.
I think that if HTM policy was no improv, that would explain a lot
Beadbud5000 2 years ago
My impression of 2005 CD was just the opposite. I agree it held true to the original sound of 70's HTM but I thought that was a great accomplishment because I like this CD very much. It has all the elements I luv about HTM music without loosing any of the power & impact from those earlier days
wigginsdesign 2 years ago
I loved the new CD! The first tune Contemporary Insanity just about knocked my head right off! Unbelievable synth work! I agree with you totally!
VladtheEmailer 2 years ago
@Beadbud5000
I agree but I thought those attributes were a plus. They rehashed the same emotion & sensibiliy that I loved back when. Guess that's why I liked it!
wigginsdesign 1 year ago
AWESOME>Jeff Beck on guitar!!!! man, he really CAN stretch out!!!
ViaKiller 3 years ago
I was just thinking how Stanley always reminded me of Jeff Beck, visually.
GBJPhotoWorks 2 years ago
My favorite HTM composition. How many different time signatures are there in this tune? Anyone know what odd meter this is in?
TheTravelingThumb 3 years ago
HTM as good as ever.
DerSheesh 3 years ago
One of the best bands in prog rock, since the '70s I'm a big fan. The albums "Crafty hands" and "Service with a smile"are one of the greatest masterpieces in my collection...
I'll be the "Happy man" when I would see them once in Holland....
Kimmik
jaapbaart 4 years ago
i thought that i will never see these guys, such a great sound!
arcanol 4 years ago
thanks for slapping around
I NEEDED THAT!
one of a kind band, dig
B3boy 4 years ago
Yes it is!!!! Please give me any background on him
wigginsdesign 4 years ago
Is that Joe Bergamini on drums?
johnarthurknight 4 years ago
That's Ron Riddle on drums.
Canefire 4 years ago
Sure did! That was the 1St tune I herd from yer neighborhood,tho it didnt ring any distant bells,obviously great anyway.I was freeked that HTM was rept. We proggers R keepin this great genre goin. My only bummer was there's no evidence of Henry Cow from the oily days!Ive got some Dixie Dregs,Howe related,Zappa that Rnt on Utube yet,& sum of my own goofbag bits,at this rate could take awhile,they'r stil on vhs,& all alright last time I checked.
OceanPyramidTent 4 years ago
Did you see the other clip "Service with a Smile'? I got both from their site a few years back when this incarnation reformed. And while in DC visiting they were scheduled tp perform a few days after I was due to leave. Arf!!
wigginsdesign 4 years ago
If you're gonna lift the clips from Happy's site and re-post them on YouTube, at least give credit where credit is due! I produced and directed these clips. I have the entire concert in the can, from beginning to end. The editing on four other tunes was completed, but never finished the other twelve. I was just talking with one of my colaborators at the Oblivion Sun concert last week about getting together and finishing the rest.
L.A.
drainingraven 4 years ago
Wonderful! Had no idea who was responsible. Nice to know. Actually I didn't lift , only downloaded from either their site or WindowMediaGuide back when there were no restrictions. The entire show would be what I missed in Alexandria, VA. Do it!
wigginsdesign 4 years ago
My apologies...
The comment I posted previously came up under my daughter's YouTube account and name. This is under my OWN account, but the message listed under drainingraven still applies!
L.A.
LWAnim8r 4 years ago
L.A.
this must be stolen from the infamous ARONSOUND STUDIOS!
nice work.. but a little out of focus. i am sure professor pantspress never taught you to run camera like that. my guess is you were stoned during that class.. ha ha! i bet professor handwarmer could teach you a thing or two about correct audio levels also.
hetjaar 4 years ago
That's IT! I can hazily remember somewhere in the tune shifts gears & goes bezerk. Kinda like UK's "In the light of day',when they come out that synth part & go apeshit 4 a minute B4 goin back to the reprise,only this was B4 UK! It's a drag most everyone pins disco on the 70's,when there were metric tons of great tunes happening-Where were they?!At least some of us remember!
OceanPyramidTent 4 years ago
Cool beans! this song sounds familiar from a live set I had on tape, I'm thinking from DC in 75. Seems like you nearly had to B a musician 2 have heard of these guys in the midwest. There was a tune HTM had that had something ta do with a firecracker Ithink,gone thru many brain cells since then! Used 2 floor me everytime I heard it. thanx 4 having this available 2 us masses!!
OceanPyramidTent 4 years ago
'Stumpy Meets the Firecracker in Stencil Forest' from their 1st album. Every song is brilliant. The original keyboard player Kit Watkins still records New Age type tunes. He's on Myspace. Great stuff as well. I grew up in D.C. and Georgetown Univ. college radio played them often. I saw them in 76
wigginsdesign 4 years ago
I'm sorry tey couldn't stay as HTM. THe last release was quite impressive. They probably didn't get much support from the dumb downed music community. But what's in a name, nice to know Wyatt and Whitaker are still collaborating
wigginsdesign 4 years ago
Oblivion Sun is the new band. Frank Wyatt, Stan Whitaker with a great drummer, bassist and keysman. Check the tunes out on the myspace site. They do some HTM when they play live.
prosoloist 4 years ago
It is so amazing and encouraging to see these guys back after so many years, I 1st heeard them back in '82,(this album I believe was from 1977). Way to be,dudes!
kermittheprog 4 years ago
coolest...
Brawk 4 years ago
that keyboard player is great! who is that?
pianojoe123 4 years ago
David Rosenthal. He replaced their original keyboardist Kit Watkins and duplicates their 70's songs beautifully note for note. His own work on HTM's most recent release is also quite good.
wigginsdesign 4 years ago
I LOVE THIS SONG!!
keyboardr 4 years ago
Isn't that David Rosenthal on Keyboards from Rainbow?
Beadbud5000 4 years ago
Yes. but I'm not very familiar with Rainbow. I'll have to check them out.
wigginsdesign 4 years ago
Dave was in Richie Blackmore's Rainbow about 1990. I knew him at Berklee in 1979-80
Beadbud5000 4 years ago
Actually, I was wrong there. He was in Rainbow in 1982, Steve Vai's band in 1990
Beadbud5000 4 years ago
Great stuff! hell it sure beats 3 chord strumming and 2 note chugging.
thefretboard 5 years ago
Holy Smokes ... its Kit Watkins clone! Great acquisition for HTM. I thought it was Kit Watkins himself until I read Wigginsdesign's note. Thanks for sharing this!
Jazzrockfusion 5 years ago
Man now I'm in limbo it's great to see them live I've been into them for 30yrs now.It was sad when Kit left but I have all his solo stuff even with COCO .
turnstile1 5 years ago
I introduced his wife to him.
I didn't know he even had solo stuff.
Buzz
opbuzz 5 years ago
@opbuzz You introduced Kit to his wife?
PragueFanity 1 year ago
Fire that light technician!
Jealkeja 5 years ago
LOL! I reallly hadn't given any attention to those crazy lights until you mention it. Now it's hard for me to avoid them.
wigginsdesign 5 years ago
Artistically, they were ahead of the US Market. Europeans liked them as they had other bands in similar styles such as Gentle Giant, Kraftwerk and others. Nobody is as stylishly tasteful as Kit Watkins on the mini moog, or Stanley on his blazingly fast and intricate guitar leads. Rick lays down some hefty bass lines when called upon. This is rounded out by Frank Wyatt on a variety of instruments and great percussion work by one of 3 percussionists over their history.
leesystems 5 years ago
Rubbish. "Ahead of the US market". Bite me. I saw all of the bands in the States. Many of them had higher sales charting in the States as opposed to the so-called "superior" euros.
progion 4 years ago
HTM was a band that formed in college at James Madison University in the mid 1970's. By the time of the first recording that I was given (1975) they had formed their 'sound'. I came along in 1978, taking bass lessons from Rick Kennell. By then, the band had 2 great records, a big East Coast following and an even bigger European fan base. The problem was Arista Records dropped them on the verge of their third record and the band fell apart under the stress of the business side of music.
leesystems 5 years ago
@leesystems Rick & Stanley played together first in Germany before they were at JMU. Kit was introduced to them at JMU 1973 ... Mike & Frank joined them there too. Arista signned them, but was busy promoting The Bee Gees...... too bad for everyone. After Mike left and then Kit it was never the same....... But check out Kit Watkins' ongoing recordings... he is sooooooooooooooooooo talented!
JoyceFunston 5 months ago
@JoyceFunston - Thanks for the deeper historical background. I just remember sitting in Rick's room in the band's group house in Reston Virginia, taking bass lessons....Once in awhile he'd let me play his #7 PRS Bass. That is still best bass I have ever touched. I read recently that Rick is in New York
leesystems 5 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
@leesystems Rick & Stanley played together first in Germany before they were at JMU. Kit was introduced to them at JMU 1973 ... Mike & Frank joined them there too. Arista signned them, but was busy promoting The Bee Gees...... too bad for everyone. After Mike left and then Kit it was never the same....... But check out Kit Watkins' ongoing recordings... he is sooooooooooooooooooo talented!
JoyceFunston 5 months ago
My only complaints are that the bassist uses a pick and the drummer wears gloves. REO Speedwagon, anyone?
taidhbhse 5 years ago
I would like to see Dave Navarro or any of the other posers of "modern rock" do that. These guys, HTM, are the real deal, with real talents for composition and performance.
lzimmer 5 years ago
This is great!
Will this on DVD in the future?
Thanks for sharing it!
klukkluk 5 years ago