Artist description Ghosts Of Pompeii is an ever changing work in progressive. A tonal experiment in melody, harmony, nature, and rhythm, cross-pollinating and fusing genres to create a distinctive style apart from others in the progressive art/rock field. While drawing on inspiration from pioneers like YES, ELP, King Crimson, Genesis, and Eloy; it is the influence of obscure artists like Univers Zero, Devil Doll, and Ozric Tentacles who stimulate and challange my imagination. And through the filmscores of composer Bernard Herrmann I've experienced the power and passion of music, which resonates throughout the compositions. The music is firmly in the old school progressive rock genre with elements of jazz-fusion, avant-garde, aggressive electronics, and filmscore.

Music Style Instrumental Progressive Rock

Musical Influences ELP, Genesis, YES, King Crimson & filmscore composer Bernard Herrmann

Similar Artists ELP, Tangerine Dream, Genesis

Artist History In the late 70s' Joseph Shingler manned the keyboards for the theatrical Indiana prog/rock group VESUVIUS - a blend of adventurous schizoid-art/rock, bizarre visuals, and pyrotechnics. Leaving behind a legacy of several over the edge concert performances. Throughout the next two decades he rechanneled his creativity to pursue a career as a free-lance writer, publishing over 40 articles and 4 short stories. "Ghosts Of Pompeii" marks his return to the music scene after a twenty year self-imposed exile.

Group Members Joseph Shingler

Instruments Keyboards, Programming & Sampling

Press Reviews Review in Progressive Ears: Ghosts of Pompeii is a one-man band that has been getting a lot of attention as of late on this forum. In listening to the album, A Fistful of Smoke and a Pocketful of Promises, the diverse influences that composer Joseph Shingler brings to his work (from Latin music to Baroque to Tangerine Dream-esque electronics to ELP style keyboards) is refreshing to listen to when confronted with many so-called progressive acts that stay safe within their Genesis/Yes/Gentle Giant roots. In A Fistful of Smoke...., Shingler's compositions would work very well as soundtrack material, as his expressive use of keys range from madcap organ to spacey atmospherics to analog-sounding experimentation. The keyboard/synth playing on this album is excellent; soundwise, Shingler uses the gamut of analog to synthetic sounds--perhaps to make up for the fact that the album sound palette consists entirely of keyboards, sampling and drum machine. While I personally prefer more analog and "organic" sounds from keyboards, Shingler utilizes his sound textures quite well and his use of more synthetic sounds should only bother the technophobes. My only real compliant about this album is the use of canned drums. Being a one-person project, Ghosts of Pompeii suffers from the lack of a real drummer to either a) play real drums or b) program less repetitive drumbeats. However, that being said, Joe Shingler did a remarkable job for what he had to work with. Perhaps in future recordings, he could intermix the canned drums with acoustic percussion instruments (djembes, tambourines, bongos, etc.), which would help alleviate the "tinny" sound of the canned drums. Also, I have to admit this is a personal preference on my part as I dislike electronic drums. Those who don't mind electronic drums may not have a problem with them on this album. For all of this, however, this album shows some inventive and fresh compositions. Fans of Tangerine Dream, ELP, or electronic or classical music would do well to purchase this album. On Fistful of Smoke and a Pocketful of Promises, Joe Shingler delivers his end of the bargain: damn good music. Review in Progressive Ears: Ghosts of Pompeii is the "one man band" of Joe Shingler, one of our fellow Prog Ears members. This is GoP's seventh release, which was completed in April of 2002. I have always been a fan of keyboard driven music. Not only that, I enjoy listening to the soundscapes that artists like Tangerine Dream and Klaus Schulze have created over the years, which rely almost solely on synthesizers. Even the areas of electronica and ambient I find much enjoyment out of. Those are all good places to start a description of GoP's material. But that is ONLY the start. Shingler adds many influences and genres into his music, that it becomes very eclectic. Jazz, rock, dance, funk, ska, baroque/classical, space, a cappella harmonizing,Latin and tribal, and even just a smidgen of country/western all get their chances to be heard. But this happens all with his one sound and style coming through. Shingler is not an artist that takes himself too seriously that this becomes an over blown statement of music. On the contrary, it comes across with the love of someone that just wants to play and is having fun creating music. It is mostly evident in the bits of humor that get shown throughout the album. Shingler has created some intelligent music that can challenge the listener, yet still have them tapping their feet. The album's opener "Virgin Sacrifice" shows off one of Shingler's best qualities, arrangement of sounds. The album is full of pieces that are very well put together. He seems to have a knack for using many different sounds, but woven together in a manner that fits well, and gives each track a very full sound. He also doesn't let songs go too far. If anything the listener might even think that some songs might be too short. And in a genre where songs can seem very repetitive this quality is a good thing. The second track "The Four Horseman" continues to show off Shingler's arrangement abilities, yet not forgetting melody and hooks. "Caught in a Quagmire" adds some amble guitar work that shows off more through what is added to the sound of the track from the tone. Later his performance on "Kaleidoscope" adds to the list of very well arranged songs, all of these being the strongest on this release. Other highlights on the album include "Introducing - The Velveetatones" which is all vocal. Though one can only assume that it is very realistic sounding samples and not actual voices. It is songs like this that break the album up in a well rounded and intelligently arranged track layout. "Gremlins With Power Tools" adds the eeriness of a dark subject manner juxtaposed with dashes of humor that the title would suggest. "Ignatius Possum Jones - Private Eye" adds almost 50'/60's surfing/rockabilly sound, while still sounding modern. "Eyes Behind the Veil" is more proof of Shingler's keen sense of genre mixing, here taking a middle eastern motif and adding an almost Pink Floyd like drone to the mix, very hypnotic. "Just Happy to be Alive" gives you a taste of how good the sound can be. It starts off with driving drums (that sound very good for being programmed) ala "Rumble Fish Twist" by The Flower Kings. Then the song gets moving in another direction with horns giving it almost a Latin appeal or maybe even ska. The "Raptors Lair" tribal drumming is just plain cool! Yes, it would be more spectacular if it were not samples, but Shingler shows great attention to rhythms created and it is that which can be admired. Joe Shingler's project Ghosts of Pompeii is quite a treat with it's wide array of sounds. His music will lead you to other places. You will soon find out just how many different places you can travel in a shade under an hour. If you are a big fan of the electronic genre and style, or just like good keyboard lead music, you need to hear Ghosts of Pompeii and this would be an excellent album to start with. Review in Progressive Ears: The Last Days of Pompeii is not a prophetic title. And for those of us that are fans of the Ghosts of Pompeii, we are very thankful for this. What it is though is the title of the latest compilation released under Joe Shingler's project name. A wonderful place to start if you want to journey to Pompeii. It has more than doubled the material of it's predecessor Seven from 7, containing seventeen tracks as compared to just seven. Those who might already have a copy of Seven from 7 will recognize six of the tracks. Both releases start off with "Midnight Carrousel" which is a great space/electronica piece. The wonderful "Legend of the Loch", the sweet suite "St. George & the Dragon", and medieval electronica "The Mistral, the Duke, & the Highwayman" also make an appearance. Also along for the ride are what this reviewer considers two of the best from Ghosts. "Temple of Hatshepsut" takes a middle eastern flavor and adds it to some great modern electronic sounds. An incredibly well written and arranged piece. Then there is "These Clowns Came to Kill", which makes an excellent effort to sound like a four-piece. The other eleven tracks that make up this compilation are very accessible for new fans. They give a hint of the Ghosts eclectic nature of influences highlighted by his great arrangements. "Spirits of the Anasazi", "Virgin Sacrifice", "Rainmaker", "Girl in the Streetlight", "When Souls Entwine", and "Escape from the Ant Farm" are all very good tunes. Mostly pointing in the direction of a Tangerine Dream-ish like nature, but also showing flares of various other influences. There is even some room for a couple of ballads with "To Grow Old With You" and "We Are All Called Home". Though there is something dark or brooding hiding below the surface of "Called Home", which gives it a rather mysterious sound. Very nice. "Seven Heads of the Hydra" dare I say has flashes of a Joe Satriani tune. No, it is not actual blistering guitar gymnastics like the virtuoso, but the sounds that are used, plus the melodies and arrangements surely give a nod to Satch. "Whispers of Autumn" has an 80's Asia like melody with Tangerine Dream overtones about it. Then there is one of the best song titles of all time. "Never Smack a Rhino with a Wiffle Ball Bat"; a great tune, but also some good advice. Ghosts of Pompeii has a very strong base in electronic music, but there is so much more to be heard. Shingler's jazz, folk, and rock backgrounds are heard very fluently throughout his releases. His arrangement ideas are excellent. And his own voice comes through. Obviously fans of electronic or keyboard led music would enjoy the Ghosts of Pompeii. And The Last Days of Pompeii is an excellent starting point.

Additional Info Additional CDs Available For Sale At www.planetcd.com and www.bigballoonmusic.com

Location Gary, Indiana - USA

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