Well see what the answer is! Don't they have one more CD on the record deal if I remember correctly? I would love a new HTM album including Kit Watkins and Rick with a Rickenbacker bass hehe.

Sorry to inform you guys, but to the best of my knowledge, HTM is history! Golden Feast - Oblivion Sun

If that is the truth...I still hope for a reunion with all the original members of those two magic albums some day in the future, maybe just to make a CD for us fans..not necessarily a world tour, ...

I can't imagine that would be impossible.

Yeah, I'm pretty sure there was one more CD in there.
hm. But yeah, from the looks of it, HTM seems to be all over the place with each member involved in various other projects. But yes I'm pretty sure they have to make one more CD but after that they'll probably disband. =[

For now HTM is gone. I'd never say never again, but Stan's pretty clear in not wanting to do HTM any more. It was great while it lasted.

From now on we can start the stories about our favourite band with: "Happy the man who called his band Happy The Man".

What has been, has been..
For shure..

..but I really wonder..

..Why couldn't HtM improvise on stage???

I remember the first time I heard a HtM boot thinking; -Mm hopefully the band stretch, improvise or even change something within a song, but unfortunately they didn't. The songs where exactly as on the albums.

Also remembering when listening to Rush's "All the Worlds a Stage". It was like listening to the studio albums with some overlay of crowd voice mixed in between the songs..nothing changed nor any impros which I find boring. I do agree with steamingears that if a band plays the same as on the studio albums you can sit at home listening to the CD and saving the money.

I would have been really happy if Happy the Man "played around" a little with the compositions, small details and notes and if Stan played a different solo on Ibby, Stumpy or whatever. Thats one interesting part with live performances imo.

Does Oblivion Sun improvise much at the shows (except for the Improv One tune)?

Well, I have just a small musical education and in fact I started fooling around on a small organ which was supposed to be for my mother and little brother. Fooling around meant, trying to create famous atmospheres from for instance Shine On or Echoes. But I couldn't play it note for note, so I improvised. Later (I was in my early twenties) I took 5 years of piano-lessons and although I still did my free improvs I couldn't play an existing tune. But what I learned was that most educated players had trouble with improvisation. The best results they got was from playing the music the way they learned it. When you're in a group with a couple of players like that and you're an improviser yourself, it won't work, especially with a tight band like HTM. I think most rock-bands have that habit. It was cool to see an interview with Bill Bruford this week (on a free dvd from Summerfold) in which he explained why he couldn't play with Yes and later King Crimson any longer: every day the same "musical conversation" made him sick and tired. He wanted to "talk" different every evening and for that purpose he selected likewise musicians for his Earthworks. I think even in Bruford it was hard to improvise, but that was mainly because the band didn't last too long.

^ I didn't know you have played an instrument so that was interesting to know. I learned to play the guitar a bit without any lessons and found out that it was more fun to improvise, so I really get your point on this.

Befrost,

Improvisation occurs in each and every song. Stan has no clue what he is going to do for ANY of his guitar solos until it is time for them. He lets loose on each and every solo and every one of them is unique. When audio of each show becomes available (note to BP), listen for the subtle differences in each live performance. There are plenty of new drum fills and soloing that you will not hear on the studio album. Additionally, the free form jam is a sight to see. For example, on the last JJ show, Dave came up with a killer bass riff and brought the funk, Chris quickly chimed in with a nice steady beat. Right after that, Stanley came in and lit the place up with those fingers of his. Bill quickly followed and it was a jaw-dropping experience. Stanley even did some finger picking in that improv. The incredible musicianship of these guys is awe inspiring in my humble opinion. They can quickly play off of each other's rythms and notes seamlessly. I sure hope more video follows quickly for those of you who have not had the luxury to see them live.

Oops, I forgot to add that Frank gets to solo on not one or two but three distinct instruments on the improvs. Sorry for leaving you out Frank.

guitarnut,

Thanks for giving an insight about the improvisations. Oblivion Sun seems to have such a great time on stage. I shurely hope for a OS DVD some day. HTM didn't so..
___________

I really wonder, didn't HtM improvise at all at the concerts..ever.. (besides Stan's funny talk to the crowd)?