Prism State of the Union

October 17th, 2011

Posted in: None — Tags: None — Admin @ 10:20 pm

It's been awhile - the summer touring season for classic rock bands such as Prism was a good one, despite the shaky world economy and tales of poor concert attendance south of the border.  Gratefully, Prism had perhaps the best tour in recent memory. 

Something extra seemed in the air - people seem appreciative that we're still alive & doing it.  It sparks gratitude in me, and a reflective sense.  Recently I posted on the Ron Tabak Era Facebook group about that reflection.  I offer it here for your approval: 

 

Prism - State of the Union: 

Having recently marked Ron Tabak's 58th birthday, with Christmas and a new year looming, I'd like to offer my current perspective to the friends and fans of Prism.   

 

Being on the inside throughout this long journey, I'm very aware of the perceptions of the band, the public side of its ownership, as well as the the joys and struggles I've had in keeping the music alive to date.  There have been many times I've questioned whether to continue.  

 

I've spurned the idea of self-tribute, look-alikes or sound-alikes of the original team. Back when that team was together, our idea was always, "What can we do next? Where can we take the idea of this band?"  I now appreciate that you approved of our explorations in those days.  

 

Of course we all lost Ron; perhaps it's small comfort to those of us who remain that the team, Ron included, were reuniting on the eve of his passing.  

I'm under pressure to finish my book for publication next year, and I hope it will, in part, convey a real picture of what those days were like for us, when Prism was recording and touring, living and working together.  Ron and I had a special friendship; I hope that comes through in the reading. 

 

In the meantime, through all the detours, victories and mistakes, I can say that fresh feeling of making the music has been the central thread for me continuing to date.  That creative anticipation I felt when we were all in the same room with Ron is the same feeling I carry now.  

 

As to the changes, Henry Small and Darcy Deutsch as vocalists, then my forcibly being recruited, it seems personnel changes are a part of life, unavoidable.  If the Beatles came back to life, I'm sure we'd see Billy Preston and a small orchestra onstage with the survivors, or those willing to be there. 

 

Recording albums with each edition of Prism was our way of saying we're still creating, we still care, still serious about the music.  But I know nothing can replace those moments when it all came together, and magic happened.  Producer Bruce Fairbairn and Ron Tabak are gone, but for that special time, we all came together and made those records, and took it on the road for those years.  

 

I'm still on the road.  When I recorded Big Black Sky a few years back, I became aware I was making the Al Harlow album, not a Prism album.  I'm not ashamed of that; I stand by that music, too.  I intend to write and record more, but not under the Prism banner.  The Prism recording era is now history.   

I now see the band in a fresh perspective, after all these years.  Rocket Norton and I discussed this recently; he said we were so close to it, so inside, it wasn't until later we could see what we were, what we created:  That musical combination of our rock/ R&B/ pop, with the blonde street fighter out front, singing like an angel.  Like brawling brothers, the reality and appreciation kicked in much later for those of us who created it.  

 

If the original five-man team is long gone, I've got my brothers.  If Rocket can't be there, Gary Grace's award-winning drumming and high-harmony vocal can.  Tad's huge bass groove and superb singing can.  Add John Hall's cousin Marc Gladstone on keyboards & vocals, and the current live band is very much at the core of Prism's music.  We're now rehearsing more of the old songs to add to the show.  

 

Something changed this year.  We've all noticed it; a renewed respect for the legacy. Public perception has moved to appreciation that Prism's music is still there, live, and as your faithful steward, I know it's the strength of the band these days; I'm grateful to the guys.  

So I'll try not to let you down; I mention Ron during each show.  We make room for him onstage every night.  I like to think he'd approve.  

 

Hope to see you all soon. 

- Al Harlow

Sept 29, 2011