Mike Baker

Biography

Mike Baker is an ambitious, esoteric, thoughtful, and intellectually astute individual, so it supriseth not that he would gravitate toward progressive rock as a musical outlet. In the late '80s, he was part of an evolving combo called Shadow Gallery, and many hours were spent rehearsing in-depth material, some of the pieces more suites than songs. Lyrics of epic-poem length and long instrumental jams made up a great deal of the study sessions.

As can be expected, players came and went, some of them exiting baffled and others simply hounded by girlfriends. By the time the band's 1992 debut recording was released, Baker was still standing out front singing like he had been from the beginning. His only partner from the old days was Carl Cadden-James, who kept all ends of the spectrum covered by doubling on bass and flute. Once the band became a recording unit there were still personnel changes, but at a somewhat slower rate. For the 1995 Carved in Stone, Baker was also credited with vocal arrangements. Tyranny, the title of the band's 1998 release, seems like a description of Baker's evolving micro-management of the singers; this time, he was also credited with arrangements, production, and mixing. Listeners have an interesting option if interested in checking out a small dose of Baker and Shadow Gallery. The group's label, Magna Carta, issued a series of compilation sets featuring assorted progressive rock outfits. For example, Baker and cohorts said yes to a Yes tribute released in 1995. ~ Eugene Chadbourne, All Music Guide