Bonus Episode – Apple TV’s Foundation, Season 3 Preview SPOILER ALERT! This podcast is recommended for people who have both seen the TV show (seasons 1 and 2) AND read the source novels (all of them). Joe and Sarah take a moment to look ahead at Season 3 of Apple TV’s Foundation series. On the back of yet another rewatch of Season 2 and armed with Season 3 trailers and some YouTube help, we consider what may be to come in this always exciting show. Characters and story arcs from the source novel...
Jul 10, 2025•40 min
Bonus Episode – Apple TV’s Foundation, Season 2 Recap SPOILER ALERT! This podcast is recommended for people who have both seen the TV show (seasons 1 and 2) AND read the source novels (all of them). Joe and Sarah explore the second season of the Apple TV series Foundation. This is a free-ranging palaver on many different aspects of the Foundation, both the books and the TV series. Having recently done a complete season 2 rewatch, Sarah and Joe explore the ways the TV show diverges from the novel...
Jul 09, 2025•59 min
SCS34 – Marillion Weekend at Port Zelande, March 2025 Joe shares his experiences attending the (last??) Marillion Weekend at Port Zelande in March 2025. The conversation covers all the usual Marillion weekend topics including outstanding music, interesting food, new bands, and excellent new friends. Marillion Weekends are truly something special and getting to go to Holland again was a special treat. Be on the lookout for a special “extra” episode to round out the experience. Enjoy! X: @progpala...
Jul 02, 2025•1 hr 26 min
Episode 159 – Fish Part 11, Vigil In a Wilderness of Mirrors 2024 This episode of the Progressive Palaver is the first in a short segment where the group considers some of the myriad remixes and remasters that have been released in the past few years. This 2024 remix of Fish’s debut solo album presents a dramatic departure from the original. Cleaner and more focused, this remix fits right in with the latest Fish albums while maintaining the charm of the original. This treatment, for the most par...
Jun 29, 2025•1 hr 4 min
Special Episode – Interview with Paul Bielatowicz – May 2025 The Palaver had the distinct pleasure of interviewing the amazing guitarist Paul Bielatowicz. We were able to discuss a wide variety of topics ranging from Paul’s gig in the Carl Palmer ELP Legacy to all of his other wide-ranging projects. Paul was able to give us a glimpse into his enticing Patreon community and we were happy to hear his (somewhat) unorthodox approach to guitar playing. Paul is a true gentleman and we very much enjoye...
Jun 22, 2025•1 hr 11 min
Episode 158 – Styx & Kansas Part 11, 2020 to 2021, The Absence of Presence and Crash of the Crown The Palaver goes into extra time! We found that we couldn’t close our Styx and Kansas discussions without talking about these two absolute gems from 2020 and 2021. In our explorations of the later catalogs, we all found ourselves enamored with these two records. They each display a vibrance and vitality that is both refreshing and reassuring. We hope you enjoy this episode as much as we do. Twit...
Mar 30, 2025•1 hr 46 min
Bonus Episode – Ranking Kansas Albums A very straightforward bonus episode. As we look back on our combo Styx/Kansas segment, we rank all the Kansas albums. X: @progpala Facebook: www.facebook.com/ProgPala YouTube: www.youtube.com/channel/UCw_Xxit3D8wbv-AcJ_7Z__w/featured Theme music provided by: Dave DeWhitt
Mar 07, 2025•44 min
Bonus Episode – Ranking Styx Albums A very straightforward bonus episode. As we look back on our combo Styx/Kansas segment, we rank all the Styx albums. X: @progpala Facebook: www.facebook.com/ProgPala YouTube: www.youtube.com/channel/UCw_Xxit3D8wbv-AcJ_7Z__w/featured Theme music provided by: Dave DeWhitt
Mar 07, 2025•52 min
Bonus Episode – Styx and Kansas Playlists We set a challenge for ourselves, create a 15-song playlist from the combined Styx and Kansas catalogs that we covered here on the Palaver. This was a steep climb and there was some last minute scambling, but we did it! This is a fun, different way for us to look back at the combo Styx/Kansas segment of the Palaver with the added bonus of having playlists on Spotify that everyone can check out. Twitter: @progpala Facebook: www.facebook.com/ProgPala YouTu...
Feb 11, 2025•43 min
Special Episode – Interview with Fenando Perdomo – January 2025 At long last we had the privilege of speaking with Fernando Perdomo! You can’t be in the prog world in the 21st century and not know of Fernando. We were thrilled that he was able to make time to discuss many topics including his massive, ambitious Waves project, influences, writing and recording style, and, of course, the devasatating LA fires. For a man who is going to release 12 albums in a year, Fernando still managed to find ti...
Jan 27, 2025•1 hr 5 min
Special Episode – Interview with Randy McStine – December 2024 We were very honored to welcome renowned musician Randy McStine to the Palaver in December 2024. Randy shared some of his unequalled experiences throughout his career. We were able to discuss his current solo release, Mutual Hallucinations, as well as his work with Porcupine Tree. Randy has released a wide variety of albums over the years and worked with artists from Sound of Contact to Steven Wilson. His insights from the progressiv...
Jan 22, 2025•1 hr 35 min
Episode 157 – Styx & Kansas Part 10, 1986 to 2000 Technical Note: apologies for the stalker breathing throughout this episode In this episode the group considers the decade plus where both Styx and Kansas search for who or what they are. Both bands see significant lineup changes resulting in albums that, while enjoyable, didn’t seem to capture the previous magic. This period ends for both bands by trying to recapture the intangible aspects of their heyday personnel. We loosely cover the four...
Jan 12, 2025•57 min
Special Episode – Interview with Tom Brislin of Kansas – April 2024 The Palaver crew welcomes Kansas keyboardist Tom Brislin to the show for a fascinating conversation. Tom provides us some truly fantastic tales as he describes the career path that ultimately led him to be music director for Kansas. From Meatloaf to Yes with stops to play with Dennis DeYoung, Tom’s experiences leave one agog. He also gives us a glimpse into the way that Kansas has maintained their music magic. This is an excelle...
Jan 07, 2025•1 hr 47 min
Episode 156 – Styx & Kansas Part 9, 1983 – Kilroy Was Here Another palaver years in the making. Kilroy Was Here is a clear enigma. Some of us LOVE this record. Some of us do not love this record. Some of us are in the middle. There are certainly some very strong feelings on each side of this, but they ultimately lead to interesting discussions. The group certainly had a great time discussing this record. Styx have given us much to consider with this offering. Twitter: @progpala Facebook: www...
Dec 16, 2024•1 hr 34 min
Bonus Episode – Grease (The Original Soundtrack from the Motion Picture) Paul and Joe take a side quest to discuss the soundtrack to the movie version of Grease. We know that this is not what we normally do. We also know that there are many people who know a LOT more about this movie and music than we do. This is a light dip into an album that we hold dear and came up in our discussions of more prog-centric topics. Don’t take it too seriously and we hope you have a little fun with this. X: @prog...
Dec 14, 2024•51 min
Bonus Episode – ProgStock 2024 Recap On the heels of ProgStock 2024, the group gathered with new Friend of the Palaver Jordan Blum to recollect. ProgStock is always a wonderful, rewarding, and slightly exhausting experience. You get merit badges for this and you LOVE them. We have a great time revisiting our favorite moments from a jam-packed weekend of excellent prog music. Jordan adds some welcome flavor to the soup as we cover from Thursday night with Abacab to the jubilant ending nuptials of...
Nov 06, 2024•1 hr 7 min
Special Episode – Interview with Mark Anthony K of Projekt Gemineye – Oct 2024 The Palaver is very pleased to have another chat with Mark Anthony K (Projekt Gemineye, The Dark Monarchy, The Yes Music Podcast, and KissFAQ) about the latest Projekt Gemineye offering Canada: Stories and Legends. Mark is, as always, very engaging and insightful about the process that led to this latest record. He walks us through his inspirations, recording techniques, and overall intentions. We poke into almost eve...
Nov 04, 2024•57 min
Episode 155 – Styx & Kansas Part 8, 1982-83 – Vinyl Confessions and Drastic Measures The Palaver splits up the Kansas / Styx timeline to consider the two John Elefante Kansas records. Offering a complete view of what Kansas would be without Steve Walsh in the early 80s these two records showcase the songwriting of John and his brother Dino. The group considers the influence of religion on the band and on these records. These albums are a fascinating part of the Kansas stories and provide som...
Oct 30, 2024•1 hr 33 min
Special Episode – Interview with Joe and Terry From Total Mass Retain – Oct 2024 The Palaver crew gets the chance to catch up with Joe and Terry from Total Mass Retain ahead of their JA80 tour in October 2024. We always enjoy the chance to talk all things Yes and Yes music with these consummate musicians. Their perspectives are unique and illuminating. As always, it’s a great chat with these excellent gentlemen. Twitter: @progpala Facebook: www.facebook.com/ProgPala YouTube: www.youtube.com/chan...
Oct 10, 2024•1 hr 17 min
Episode 154 – Styx & Kansas Part 7, 1980-81 – Audio Visions and Paradise Theater Welcome to the 80’s for our Styx and Kansas combo timeline. Audio Visions and Paradise Theater are albums that find both bands on slightly different precipices. Audio Visions will be the last Steve Walsh Kansas record until he returns with Power. Paradise Theater will be the last Styx album before their leap over the cliff of Kilroy was here. Surprisingly, the group has differing opinions on both of these record...
Oct 08, 2024•1 hr 31 min
Episode 153 – Styx & Kansas Part 6, 1979 – Monolith and Cornerstone On this episode Joe isn’t quite sure what year it is, but the group soldiers on to cover both Monolith and Cornerstone. Both these albums stand out for their memorable packaging. Monolith’s epic artwork and the innovative design of the Cornerstone album cover certainly stand the test of time. As for what’s inside, the group has varied reactions to both these records. No one really seems to buy in to Joe’s opinion that Corner...
Sep 07, 2024•2 hr 23 min
Special Episode – Interview with Know Return-Fooling Ourselves, Part 2 In this special episode, we finish our conversation with members of the dual tribute bands Know Return and Fooling Ourselves, Howard Whitman and Dave Boardman. During this episode, Dave and Howard provide some insights to how they approach the task of recreating both these bands as well as sharing some of their influences. X (formerly Twitter): @progpala Email: progpala@gmail.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/ProgPala YouTube: w...
Aug 29, 2024•42 min
Special Episode – Interview with Know Return-Fooling Ourselves, Part 1 For this special episode, we get to meet two of the driving members of the dual tribute bands Know Return and Fooling Ourselves. Howard Whitman and Dave Boardman share their experiences paying tribute to two of prog’s greatest bands, Kansas and Styx, AT THE SAME TIME! During this first part of a two part episode, Dave and Howard provide some insights to how they approach the task of recreating both these bands as well as shar...
Aug 28, 2024•41 min
Episode 152 – Styx & Kansas Part 5, 1978 – Pieces of Eight The year 1978 brings us just one offering from Styx, Pieces of Eight. This album was well known for it’s monster single Renegade (go Tommy Shaw!!), but the conversation gets a lot deeper. In this episode, the group sifts through often contradictory views of this offering. There should be something for everyone here. X (formerly Twitter): @progpala Email: progpala@gmail.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/ProgPala YouTube: www.youtube.com/...
May 03, 2024•1 hr 26 min
Episode 151 – Styx & Kansas Part 4, 1977 – The Grand Illusion and Point of Know Return The year of 1977 is a huge one in the Styx / Kansas timeline. Point of Know Return is the album that sent Kansas into the stratosphere. With the title track and the timeless Dust In the Wind, Point of Know Return is truly a classic album that you should listen to before you die. The Grand Illusion shows Styx as a band finally showing some of the focus that will define them for the next several years. Anoth...
Apr 05, 2024•1 hr 47 min
SCS33 – King’s X in Houston, May 2023 Joe gets a chance to share his experience seeing King’s X for a second time as they toured to promote Three Sides of One. This show was in Houston in the spring of 2023. From the venue and the opening acts, it was a show to remember. Watching from the pit, Joe got to experience the full glory of King’s X as they tore through their standard set. Luckily the sound was MUCH better than the last time Joe saw them in Dallas. X: @progpala Email: progpala@gmail.com...
Apr 01, 2024•46 min
Special Episode – Interview with Brian Heaton and Brian Naron on Roads to Madness Progressive Palaver are thrilled to welcome back authors Brian Heaton and Brian Naron to discuss their new book Roads to Madness: The Touring History of Queensrÿche (1981 – 1997). Following on the heels of their first book Building an Empire, Roads provides a comprehensive look at all the tours for the original band lineup. Brian and Brian give us a peak into their process and how this magnificent tome came into be...
Mar 25, 2024•1 hr 11 min
Episode 150 – Styx & Kansas Part 3, 1976 – Crystal Ball and Leftoverture In this episode, the group covers 1976 in the combo Styx / Kansas timeline. Crystal Ball sees the introduction of Tommy Shaw to the Styx lineup. Some of the results are immediately remarkable and some of the results are as uneven as the rest of the catalog to this point. Crystal Ball shows a band that is still working to perfect their formula. Leftoverture, on the other hand, is an album for the ages. Kansas were able t...
Mar 23, 2024•1 hr 19 min
Episode 149 – Styx & Kansas Part 2, 1975 – Song for America, Masque, and Equinox In this episode, the group covers 1975 in our combined Kansas and Styx timeline with three strong albums. Song for America, the sophomore effort from Kansas, shows a band that is racing ahead in their development behind the strength of the title track and Lamplight Symphony. Masque, Kansas’ third record later that year, is another step toward their breakthrough success in 1976. Masque has some of the flaws you w...
Mar 16, 2024•1 hr 47 min
Episode 148 – Styx - Kansas Part 1, Preamble and 1972 to 1974 In the start of our new combined segment on Styx and Kansas, we explore how we all got into these bands. Our plan is to cover these bands on a year by year basis, to the extent we are able. Family stories abound as we discuss our earliest experiences with these two American stalwarts. We then continue on to a brief, unfocused discussion about the first three Styx albums in the catalog. There are some moments here as Styx try to discov...
Mar 08, 2024•1 hr 22 min
