Prog Rock Essentials

News Type: Other — Sat May 5, 2007 3:32 AM EDT

One of the difficulties for the uninitiated into the world of Progressive Rock music is in finding reviews or articles in the "mainstream" publications written by people who actually have any understanding or appreciation for the genre. Far too many rock critics, especially back in the early heyday of Progressive Rock, seemed mystified by the entire scene, preferring instead to be enraptured by more "straight-ahead" rock or "boogie." Latter day critics, are often so busy pandering to current tastes and trends also seem to miss the boat when it comes to evaluating prog.

Who better, then, to discuss and educate the masses on this form of music than the actual FANS of the music, who have some understanding of the history and nuances of the genre and are, on the whole, a fairly well-educated, well-read, and articulate audience. Remember Jack Black's stirring description of Rick Wakeman's solo in "Roundabout" to a classroom of young students?

This would be a good place to start discussing those albums or songs that form the bedrock of the Prog Rock movement, past and present. I have plenty to recommend, but I'll let a few others chime in first with your favorites or your recommendations.

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{"commentId":692082,"authorDomain":"chris-geralds"}

chris-146048

THe Court of the Crimson King Wake of Poseidon -King Crimson

Fox Trot Nursery Crime -Genesis

Meddle Atom Heart Mother - Pink Floyd

Standard fare but a good starting point.

{"commentId":692082,"threadId":"101215","contentId":"701856","authorDomain":"chris-geralds"}

1 vote

#1 - Tue May 8, 2007 3:39 AM EDT

{"commentId":723816,"authorDomain":"tombombadil"}

Tom Bombadil

Good choices, all. And, I like how you didn't necessarily launch with the most obvious choices. I guess, in many ways, In the Court of the Crimson King really is the touchstone for prog.

I've been wondering, what was the first true prog album? Could Sgt. Pepper or Revolver be an influence? Something by Procol Harum or Moody Blues, perhaps? But, I think Court really took things to another level.

C'mon gang, chime in!

{"commentId":723816,"threadId":"101215","contentId":"701856","authorDomain":"tombombadil"}

1 vote

#1.1 - Mon May 21, 2007 8:47 PM EDT

{"commentId":724286,"authorDomain":"sbutki"}

Scott (Scoop) Butki

I think you need more tags.

How are you defining prog rock?

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1 vote

#2 - Tue May 22, 2007 1:02 AM EDT

{"commentId":726120,"authorDomain":"fawnshore"}

Walt D

Genesis, KIng Crimson, Yes, Rush, ELP, Brian Eno, anything with Robert Fripp in it (I know I'm forgetting a bunch, but these immediately come to mind

Kinda sorta prog at times:

the Police, Pink Floyd, Primus, Radiohead, Jeff Beck, almost anything out of Canada between 1975 and 1985.

{"commentId":726120,"threadId":"101215","contentId":"701856","authorDomain":"fawnshore"}

1 vote

#3 - Tue May 22, 2007 3:59 PM EDT

{"commentId":726189,"authorDomain":"paperdragon"}

Dennis P. McCann

Early Tull, Early Floyd, Crimson, Uriah Heep, Roxy, ELP, Early Genesis, Yes.

I've recently been checking out Turkish progressive rock. Bands like Mogollar (Mongols), Erkin Koray... great stuff. Apparently in the late 60's through the 70's there was a thriving progrock scene in Istanbul.

{"commentId":726189,"threadId":"101215","contentId":"701856","authorDomain":"paperdragon"}

1 vote

#4 - Tue May 22, 2007 4:32 PM EDT

{"commentId":727181,"authorDomain":"sbutki"}

Scott (Scoop) Butki

Those are not really answers to my question.

{"commentId":727181,"threadId":"101215","contentId":"701856","authorDomain":"sbutki"}

1 vote

#5 - Wed May 23, 2007 12:06 AM EDT

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TOM BOMBADIL

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