In the summer of 1983 I saw a concert filmed in Montreal of a band I'd never heard before. The band blew me away. They were incredible. That band was SAGA. I taped the concert off the TV (sad but true) and listened to my little cassette for months (I still have it). Of course over the years I picked up all of their stuff. First on vinyl, and then on CD. Now that they're in the process of remastering their back catalog I'm going to have fun trying to justify the expense of buying them again.

These guys are musicians musicians, and as good as they are they never managed to grasp the brass ring in North America. They've still got a pretty good following in Europe, especially Germany.

Yes, they're still around. Where have you been all this time?

Now if they'd only release that Montreal concert on DVD I'd be a happy man. In a pinch the King Biscuit concert I heard on the radio years ago would be cool on CD too.

Saga (©1978, 1987 Bel Aire / New Age Communications Ltd.)

1: How Long? 2: Humble Stance 3: Climbing The Ladder 4: Will It Be You? (Chapter Four) 5: The Perfectionist 6: Giv 'Em The Money 7: Ice Nice 8: Tired World (Capter Six)

Considering how old this one is getting to be, it's remarkable how well it holds up. Songs like "How Long", "Humble Stance", and "Ice Nice" are classics. The interplay between the musicians was tight and fresh, and the songs were progressive without all the excessive trappings. Heck I still get a great big grin on my face when I hear the intricate performances between the keyboards and guitar. These guys are so good it's embarrassing.

Heck, it's possible I'll shell out some money when the band remasters its back catalog.

The guys would only get better.

Reviewed January 11, 2003

Images at Twilight (©1979, 1987 Bel Aire / New Age Communications Ltd.)

1: It's Time(Chapter Three) 2: See Them Smile 3: Slow Motion 4: You're Not Alone 5: Take It Or Leave It 6: Images(Chapter One) 7: Hot To Cold 8: Mouse In A Maze

Not among my favourite SAGA releases, but an important album none the less. There are some great songs here, among them "You're Not Alone" - a track that sounds even better on the live albums. After a minor personnel change, this would be the classic SAGA lineup. I like this one more than the debut.

Although not among their best efforts, this is one of the classic first four and as such hold a special place in the SAGA catalog.

Reviewed January 10, 2003

Silent Knight (©1980, 1987 Bel Aire / New Age Communications Ltd.)

1: Don't Be Late (Chapter Two) 2: What's It Gonna Be? 3: Time To Go 4: Compromise 5: Too Much To Lose (Chapter Seven) 6: Help Me Out 7: Someone Should 8: Careful Where You Step

The number of great songs here is unbelievable. From the opening of "Don't Be Late", to "Careful Where You Step" this is a music lesson for those who have ears to hear. I know that in today's world of disposable pop and alt rock there doesn't seem to be much call for actual musicians, but for those who appreciate great rock with some artistic flair SAGA is a safe harbour (what the hell am I trying to say?).

If there is a complaint to be made it's that the thing is so freakin' short. Eight songs that clock in at barely more than half an hour. Although is there something to be said for quality versus quantity.

This is great stuff kids. Since retro is so fashionable now, why not expand your horizons past the tried and true old fart bands, and look into these guys. Go on, I dare ya. No, I double dare you.

Reviewed January 12, 2003

Worlds Apart (©1981, 1987 Bel Aire / New Age Communications Ltd.)

1: On The Loose 2: Wind Him Up 3: Amnesia 4: Framed 5: Time's Up 6: The Interview 7: No Regrets (Chapter V) 8: Conversations 9: No Stranger (Chapter VIII)

Their fourth album, and what some fans refer to as the end of the golden age. I wasn't really aware of the band in 1981 and as classic as the first four are, they are not the be all and end all as far as I'm concerned. Oh they're great - of that there is no doubt. But that isn't their entire catalog. Still having said that, there really is something special about the first four.

Worlds Apart is one of my favourite SAGA albums. This one just about made them huge (missed it by that much). "On The Loose", "Wind Him Up", "Time's Up" and "No Stranger" are classic songs. This was SAGA near the height of their popularity. With Worlds Apart SAGA finally made some inroads in North America and the album went gold in the States. This should have been the first of many kabillion selling albums. Who knows what happened. Personally I blame Michael Jackson. Bastard.

Hard to imagine so many years have come and gone without me aging a day. This one still sounds great. Heck, even the guys in the band seem somewhat ageless as they continue to record and tour to a smaller but no less enthusiastic audience.

Reviewed January 17, 2003

In Transit (©1982, 1987 Bel Aire / New Age Communications Ltd.)

1: Careful Where You Step (live) 2: Don't Be Late (live) 3: Humble Stance (live) 4: Wind Him Up (live) 5: How Long (live) 6: No Regrets (live) 7: A Brief Case (live) 8: You're Not Alone (live) 9: On The Loose (live)

There are live albums, and then there are living albums (say, that's pretty cool). This is without a doubt one of the crowning accomplishments for the band. In the early 80's SAGA appeared to be on the edge of world wide success. The songs they performed from their first four albums are better than the studio performances and showcase the incredible musicianship of the band. What makes the first four so special is this album. It's a great showcase to the talents of the band, and after hearing this album, I went out and starting buying up their previous releases. Which is something of a rarity with live albums.

The audience participation is highlighted to great effect, and brings an extra dimension to many of the songs. This was one of the first SAGA albums I ever bought, and to this day remains one of my favourites.

Reviewed January 12, 2003

Behaviour (©1985 Portrait)

1. Listen To Your Heart 2. Take A Chance 3. What Do I Know? 4. Misbehaviour 5. Nine Lives Of Miss Midi 6. You And The Night 7. Out Of The Shadows 8. Easy Way Out 9. Promises 10. Here I Am 11. (Goodbye) Once Upon A Time

1985, and SAGA was still making a grab for the brass ring. They'd get close, but never really catch the big break in North America, and would be simply known as those guys that did "On the Loose". I'm pretty sure Behaviour isn't an album considered a high water mark by a lot of the band's fans - it's too polished, too poppy, the songs are too short. In short, it's not like their early stuff. It's not like the band wasn't moving in this direction. Looking back you can hear changes afoot on "World's Apart", and are even more evident on "Heads or Tails." By the time Behaviour hit (or missed if you don't like it), music was changing, and the guys were keeping up, if not staying ahead. I'm guessing that even within the band this album caused some grief regarding the direction the music was taking.

Who knows what happened, and why it never broke wide open. "Take a Chance" is to this day one of my favourite songs ever - and "You and the Night" is still haunting. "What Do I Know?" pissed a lot of people by having a girl (ick, eyeew) duet with Michael. I like it, but then (wait for it) what do I know? "(Goodbye) Once Upon a Time" is about the most old school, and even then for a six minute song, it's a pretty good rocker.

I guess because I didn't jump on the bandwagon in the 70's, I'm more partial to their straigh ahead stuff, and back in the day, this was an album that spent a long time on my record player. It's still one of my favourite albums.

Reviewed November 23, 2007

Generation 13 (©1995 Bon Aire)

Tracks: Chances Are #1 / Generation 13 (Theme #1) / All Will Change / The Cross (Home #3) / Danger Whistle / Leave Her Alone / I'll Never Be Like You #1 / My Name Is Sam (Finding A Friend) / The 13th Generation / The Cross / The Learning Tree / I'll Never Be Like You #2 / Snake Oil / We Hope You're Feeling Better (The Test) / 'My Name Is Sam' (Your Time Is Up) / Generation 13 (Theme #2) / Where Are You Now? / 'Screw 'Em' / No Strings Attached / All Will Change (It's Happening To Me!) / The Victim / One Small Step / Sam's New Friend / We Hope You're Feeling Better / Chances Are #2

This is one of my favourite inconsistent SAGA albums. The songs that rock are unbelievably great, and the ones that miss, are, well - not all that good. But I have to be fair, when taken as part of the whole they work (sort of). As a concept album it's okay, but it's not one that grabbed my imagination and kept me up at night trying to work out the little nuances of what the guy's were trying to say.

It's an uneven rock album with killers and fillers.

What I liked most about this one was that SAGA wasn't simply resting on its laurels, they were still trying to be creative and stretch musically - which I think they managed to do while being true to their distinctive sound. It's an album I play fairly often, but seldom make it all the way through.

Don't get me wrong, this isn't a crappy album. Far from it. In terms of importance and high water marks for the band, this ranks right up there. The fact that it wasn't a completely successful effort is beside the point. I'd rather see them try and fail than flounder around writing mediocre songs in the vein of their old stuff. There's truly nothing more sad than a bunch of guys who as they get long in the tooth refuse to acknowledge that time has marched on (not necessarily passed them by, just marched on). They may not be on the cutting edge anymore, but they're not on the cutting room floor either.

Progressive rock isn't dead, it's just moving a little slower than it used to.

Reviewed February 9, 2003

Detours (©1998 SPV)

Disc one: In the Hall Of The Mountain King / How Long / The Perfectionist / Careful Where You Step / Ice Nice / Don't Be Late / Interview / Wind Him Up / Welcome To The Zoo / Take A Chance / William's Walkabout / The Cross

Disc two: Scratching The Surface / On The Loose / The Security Of Illusion / I Walk With You / Time's Up / Heaven Can Wait / The Flyer / You're Not Alone / Framed / Humble Stance

This is another excellent live album from SAGA. Drawing songs from their entire catalog, Saga proves that they still have what it takes. The classics are here: How Long, Don't Be Late, Wind Him Up, On The Loose, Humble Stance; plus a lot of other outstanding material. The audience sings along in all the right places to the old standards, and the new songs mesh well with the older material. The guys even do a mini-unplugged set. Even as a double album there are songs I wish they would have included, so rather than moan about what's missing, I'll listen to what's here and be thankful.

The CD is even enhanced, and includes two videos: Pitchman, and The Intermission. If you thought these guys only did On The Loose this album will really open your eyes to an amazing band.

Tracks: Remember When (Chapter 9) / The One / Follow Me / Uncle Albert's Eyes (Chapter 13) / Home / Don't Say Goodbye / Time Bomb / Not This Way (Chapter 10) / Night to Remember / Goodbye

This is a great album. Okay, I'm a tad biased, after all this is one of my favourite bands. The first listen through it was good, but a little too much of a musical nod to their older albums. Ah, duh full circle should have been a pretty big clue. I'm not sure how the guys managed to look back and still make a forward thinking album. If you liked Saga before, and haven't heard them in a while this will be like a warm fuzzy. If you never jumped off the band wagon here's another reason not to fall off.

Featured Album February 2000

House of Cards (©2000 True North)

Tracks: God Knows / The Runaway / Always There / Ashes To Ashes (Chapter 11) / Once In A Lifetime / So Good So Far / Only Human / That's How We Like It! / Watching The Clock (Instrumental) / We'll Meet Again (Chapter 15) / Money Talks / House Of Cards

CD Single: Money Talks / Don't Give Up / Money Talks CD Extra Video

Saga. The boys finally gave up trying to be fresh and current, and have settled in to giving their fans what they think they want (maybe not all of their fans). I’ve been a fan for about 20 years, and really got into the boys with Heads or Tails, so I don’t hold their first few albums in the same reverence as the really long time faithful.

Musically the boys are in fine form, and House of Cards maintains their hold on the prog hard rock genre; there are enough tongue in cheek musical nods to their past to push fan's nostalgia buttons. Lyrically though the boys could use a writer, I've never had any complaints before, but this time there are some stinkers. The Runaway is embarrassing. “Smack the mouse / Someone’s trying to take it all / Burn the house / I better get a firewall.” It gets worse from there. So Good So Far is a bonus track on the North American version. It’s even better (as in worster) thankfully there’s a lot of music to go with this one.

You’d be hard pressed to associate this with a four star review so far. So let’s get to what really cooks. The tunes. Saga rocks. The interplay between Ian Crichton on guitar, and Jim Gilmour on keyboards in dazzling, and the work by the rest of the band is equally tight. Even the band’s insipid lyrics (not all songs suck to be fair, only a couple) are floated over some great tunes. I guess it doesn’t hurt that these guys are still doing okay in Europe where English isn’t always the language of choice.

The single from the album Money Talks is pretty good. It's not typical Saga which is nice, and the other track is a remake of the old Peter Gabriel song with Alannah Myles lending her voice. Apparently it's from an upcoming solo Sadler effort. It's very good.

Call me a nut, but these guys are still one of my favourite bands.

Reviewed June 17, 2002

Marathon (©2003 True North)

Marathon / How Are You / Breathing / Hands Up / Streets Of Gold (Chapter 14) / The Blind Side Of Your Heart / Return To Forever / Too Deep / You Know I Know (Chapter 12) / Rise And Shine / Worlds Apart (Chapter 16)

Marathon continues the SAGA ... oh come on, I couldn't resist. The boys once again prove that they aren't dead, but they aren't really charting much new ground either. Who really cares? Progressive rock has few active ambassadors nowadays, and it's great to see that at least some of the old guard still has enough of a fan base to keep releasing new albums.

The music has a familiar, "haven't I heard this before" quality which is cool and disappointing at the same time. There are some really good songs on this one, and Michael Sadler is in fine voice as usual. There are some wonderful moments with songs like "Breathing Lessons", a song that strangely enough reminds me in places of U2's "Numb". It's a great tune, as is "The Blind Side of Your Heart". Oddly it's the mid-tempo songs this time around that really stand out. This isn't to say the boys have gone soft - it's just that so much of their harder stuff is starting to blur together.

It still sounds great, but unless your a die hard fan a lot of this sounds like the same old same old.

PS You can still call me a nut.

Reviewed March 2003

Network (©2004 SPV)

1: On The Air 2: Keep It Reel 3: I'm Back 4: If I Were You 5: Outside Looking In 6: Don't Look Now 7: Live At Five 8: Back Where We Started 9: Believe 10: Don't Make A Sound

It's quite possible that Network is the band's strongest album in 20 years. No kidding. I mean this is one of the strongest and most musically cohesive albums the guys have pulled off in many years.

Okay, I'm a big fan, and my opinion is no doubt biased - but I've stuck through them through the lean years and have always rooted for them to break out like it's 1981. Music is a strange thing, it makes those making it living time capsule. I find it hard to think of the walrus mustached Michael Sadler as the same middle aged man who still sings the old songs. Life moves on, but SAGA has managed to somehow balance the past and present.

Network is still SAGA through and through, but they aren't simply another old nostalgia act flogging their extensive back catalog. They continue to perform, and write new material - material which is as solid or better than anything from their so called heyday. The guys never went away, and if anything they're better than ever (am I repeating myself?)

The only fly in the ointment is the new drummer - okay, not so much the drummer as the sound of the drums. I liked Steve Negus, but then I liked Curt Cress too. Christian is a real solid pounder, and hopefully next time out Jim employs a different snare sound when mixing. It really was quite distracting at times.

If you remember SAGA from the early 80's rest assured they never went away. Where did you go?

Reviewed May 13, 2005

Trust(©2006 Inside Out)

1: That's As Far As I'll Go 2: Back To The Shadows 3: I'm OK 4: Time To Play 5: My Friend 6: Trust 7: It's Your Life 8: Footsteps In The Hall 9: Ice In The Rain 10: You Were Right 11: On The Other Side

Trust took a few listens to click with me. There are some smokers here, and the guys are at the top of their game, but for whatever reason, it’s just not pushing my buttons this time out. Maybe that’s part of the problem – the guys are running through their bag of tricks, and it’s a wearing a little thin. I know there are many who look to their early catalog as their definitive sound, and their fan base tends to frown upon anything that strays from the tried and true. I’m not sure how much a compliment it is to say that the album sounds like outtakes from their early days. The band is better than that.

The guys continue to enjoy their Spinal Tap moments with their revolving cast of drummers. Sitting behind the kit this time is Brian Doerner, who once laid down the beat for Helix. He’s good, and his kit is mixed much better than what was heard on Network.

The album is enjoyable while it’s playing, but it doesn’t stick. “Back to the Shadows” is a tried and true SAGA riff fest. “Trust” is a killer song – one of their best. “You Were Right” throws in a bit of Coldplay’s “Clocks’ either on purpose or by accident. I’m reluctant to refer to much of the album as SAGA filler, as it’s first an unfair comment, and second it’s just not true. If the phrase “typical SAGA album” gets your motor running, then you need to crack open your wallet. This is a typical SAGA album. I bought it, and will get the next one.

And in the end, that may not be a bad thing. SAGA has set the bar almost impossibly high over the past three decades. This is still SAGA and is worth listening to. Trust me (oh come on, I had to fit that in somewhere!)

As a post script, my nine year old son loves this album, and he plays it all the time. So there are new fans out there.

His favourite songs: "That's As Far As I'll Go", "Back to the Shadows", "I'm Okay", "It's Your Life", "On the Other Side". Little kid has taste.

Reviewed June 15, 2006

10,000 Days(©2007 Inside Out)

1. Lifeline 2. Book of Lies 3. Sideways 4. Can't You See Me Now? 5. Corkentellis (instr.) Reinhören 6. More Than I Deserve 7. Sound Advice 8. 10,000 Days 9. It Never Ends

This album came as a bit of a surprise to me on a couple of fronts. The first being that it was even made. After the announcement of Michael Sadler's pending retirement from the band, I figured they were done. The second surprise was that it didn't feel like an after thought. While not the best album they've ever made, this isn't their worst either. My only complaint is the title. !0,000 days. Heck, the guys should have really been clever and called it 10,957.5 days - or worked it out from their first release date to the last. That would have been funny, and wouldn't have invited unfair comparisons to Tool's album of the same name.

Still, for an album I never expected, this was a pleasant surprise, and a fitting send off to one of my all time favourite bands. One of the strengths of the album is that it is a SAGA album. It has the great guitar work you'd expect, it has Michael's vocals, and it has all of the syntho-farto-matic noises you've come to expect and love over the years. For those who can't stand the prog-pop leanings of the band, this isn't an album that is going to cause a lot of excitement, other than the fact that this is the end of the line.

There is a certain element of melancholy throughout the album, which is probably as much my interpretations of the songs as it is deliberate. The band has had an incredible run with relatively few line-up changes, and will be missed by many. I'm sure that there are a bunch of unreleased b-sides and stuff that will eventually make it to release much like "Phase 1" did a few years ago - but that won't be for a couple of years yet. First will be the live album from the farewell tour. Then the rarities album, and then in time for the 35th anniversary the reunion album.

Until then "Time's Up." Or if you prefer to leave things open ended, "It Never Ends."

SAGA has rocked my world, so to the lads "Thank you"

Reviewed November 20, 2007

The Human Condition (©2009 Inside Out)

1. Human Condition 2. Step Inside 3. Hands of Time 4. Avalon 5. Number with a Name 6. Now Is Now 7. Let It Go 8. Crown of Thorns 9. You Look Good to Me

There is nothing as constant as change - and although over the years Saga has changed drummers, and occasionally keyboard players the core heart and soul of the band seemed to revolve around the brothers Crichton. Jim's production, and Ian's grossly under appreciated fretwizardry - but the unmistakable hallmark of a Saga album was Michael Sadler's voice.

When Mister Sadler moved on, the band decided to keep going. After looking around for a bit they settled on a guy named Rob Moratti - a guy with a great set of pipes (who at times reminds me for some reason of James LaBrie from Dream Theater) who doesn't sound even a little bit like Michael Sadler. Which is absolutely perfect if the band is going to continue and not become a great Saga cover band (yes, I am taking a shot of sorts at Journey and Foreigner).

Now there are those who will not embrace this new incarnation and dismiss this as shit. Which I have to say baffles me - are these people defending the band's legacy? Are they drawing lines between Mike and the band? Are they still pissed that Steve Negus isn't in the band? I honestly don't know, and frankly I don't really care - although I have to admit to wondering about Steve - but hey if the band or Steve had anything to say they'd probably say it.

Anyway I digress.

The Human Condition is a band effort with all the members contributing - with new guy Rob featured prominently in the credits. Heck, the back cover of the CD has Rob at the front of the band. How's that for an endorsement of the new guy? Although in reading the credits it's not clear if the band was ever present together at the same time. Drums were recorded at one studio, the guitars at another, vocals somewhere else. So that may why they all get along so well. Still, musically this still sounds like Saga with a new twist, and Rob appears to be fitting in quite nicely. This album has more spark to it than the last couple of Saga efforts. It's like the guys are trying again to prove themselves.

It'll be interesting to hear at some point how Rob handles the back catalog, and if I was to hazard a guess a live DVD will be out before you can say "Arnel Pineda".

Reviewed October 6, 2009