Hey Neb - did you get the new box set from them - I really don't know much about them, but I am going to check them out. The box set also has 3 albums re-mixed by Steven Wilson. It looks pricey ($135-$160) but it is 16 cd's and 2 blu-rays.

I've actually never listened to them much. Just wanted to say they are pretty proggy!

Weird weird early proto prog deep cut, not one guitar in the group:

"Copper Sunset" by Aardvark, from early Canterbury Scene where a lot of proggers spawned.

The Jon Lord sonic signature will leap out at you - So striking that I dug deep into the webs to learn who first did this B3 overdrive. Deep Purple was from that same Canterbury scene but they werent doing this yet - the organ on "Hush" sounds like a guy doing kung fu on a Wurlitzer - nothing like this overdriven infernal growling beast sound - early Pink Floyd pretty much straight organ . . . this sound first hit on "Machine Head" that was 1972, this is from 1970.

I think Lord caught this group at a club, or picked up this record before it immediately tanked, and reverse engineered this sound:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=oB51dig1a0Q

[Edited on 2/2/2020 by BrerRabbit]

Dig that Copper Sunset, & have you ever heard the band Death Organ - grinding heavy duty organ that hits like a sledgehammer - their CD “Universal Stripsearch” from 1997 is the one I have, it’s awesome, & even has an occasional guitar solo:o - it crushes, including the take of Tom Sawyer - maybe not ‘prog’ per se, more perhaps like, organ style heavy metal? - fans of Jon Lord/Purple etc would dig

[Edited on 2/4/2020 by Stephen]

A couple of good prog sites are progarchives.com and progessiveears.org/. The comtempory prog I like quite a bit are

Magenta
Big Big Train
Transatlantic
Anathema
Brother ape
The Flower Kings
Frost*
IZZ
The Pineapple Thief

ELP fans should checkout Carl Palmer's ELP Legacy. It replaces Keith's keyboard with a guitarist. Carl at almost 70 still brings it.

Death Organ - grinding heavy duty organ . . .

. . . ok . . . lol

Will look em up - yeah that electroshock organ is cool, hits you in the guts. Similar though far milder effect as when I stuck a kitchen knife in a wall socket at age six - threw me across the room.

[Edited on 2/4/2020 by BrerRabbit]

OK, so I listened to some Tangerine Dream last night from Amazon Music - I think it was a best of. No vocals, all electronic - sounded like the same song over and over again - not for me - although it could be used to go to sleep....

I have these Sleep phones - they are bluetooth headphones that are in a headband. You can wear it anytime, but they are designed for sleeping - the speakers are about as wide as a quarter. With the headband they don't slip much when you move around, and with no wires you don't get tangled up. (I think they sell them with wires and bluetooth). I got the model where you set them on a magnetized square to charge the battery instead of having to fight to plug then into a usb. They are great for trying to sleep - podcasts, music, sounds like the ocean, etc. I have tinnitus, and the buzzing is really loud at night when the house is quiet. Tangerine Dream wasn't too bad for that purpose - but for me to crank up my stereo to just listen too - think I'll pass. Guess I like some lyrics to help differentiate songs......

I also like Pineapple Thief - their new drummer is the guy from Porcupine Tree and King Crimson - Gavin Harrison.

Someone also mentioned Dream Theater. I bought one of their later albums and really liked it. Got tickets to see them in Chicago with one of the Crimson Projects. I was sick the day of the show and couldn't go, so my son went. I have only been too sick to go to 3 concerts - Derek Trucks Band when they recorded Songlines, Dream Theater, and Wilco. My brother and son liked Dream Theater, and I bought one of their live dvd's. I like some of their stuff, but they fit more notes into a song than any group I know - to the point of it getting tiring.......

[Edited on 2/4/2020 by Sang]

Brer Rabbit wrote: "Never heard Marillion - Will czech em out thx. Always searching for new sounds. I dig the prog epics, Topographic Oceans, Thick As A Brick, Remember the Future"

I dig Marillion but they have moved away from epics and have a more modern prog sound a la latter day Rush rather than 70s epics.

Some questioned Jethro Tull being prog. I guess the term is fluid, but they do have a lot of work that used odd time signatures, classical elements, epic-length songs, high drama - those elements.

Plus, they wore tights.

I can loosely fit some early Procol Harum under the progressive umbrella. "In Held Twas I" qualifies, I think.

Anyone listen to Caravan? Goofy old school "Canterbury school" progressive rock - not abrasive or edgy, just quirky, almost Monty Pythonish at times, though every old album would have one epic with a massive keyboard solo.

It's great to see everyone's thoughts on Prog... lots of bands for me to check out!

I have Porcupine Tree Deadwing, I'll dig it out and take a listen.

Regarding Frank Zappa being prog or not, I'll need to dig deeper into his albums... I tend to only listen to Apostrophe and Zoot Allures.

Someone I do think had some prog moments was David Bowie, particularly the "Berlin Trilogy" produced by Brian Eno... Low, Heroes and Lodger.

Death Organ - grinding heavy duty organ . . .

. . . ok . . . lol

Only wish was smart enough to post a sample - it’s loud and bombastic yes, but musical & melodic too - Swedish band, think they did 1 or 2 other CDs, unsure - it. is. sla. min’

Not sure which genre ,prog or hippy dippy jam bands have the most unique band names( I am trying to be nice!) 😛

Personally, I thought the Super Bowl halftime show was a perfect example of Progressive Rock.

Personally, I thought the Super Bowl halftime show was a perfect example of Progressive Rock.

I really enjoyed some of the "innovative" camera angles............Peace.......joe

Well, the Super Bowl show did not feature cliched blues licks....maybe some tongue waggling but no licks!

"innovative" camera angles

“progressive” you mean 😮 😛 - yep what was it prog-rocker Frank Zappa 😛 said - Shiek Yerbouti

I love some prog rock, but probably on whole dislike more than I like.

Thinking about it, I love about 20 Yes tunes (but they have a whole lot more that probably aren't my thing!), probably 20 Genesis tunes up through 3 Sides Live (plenty of prog after Gabriel left the band including my favorite Duke), the big 4 Floyd albums of the '70s plus another probably 10 total songs.... some Kansas when they got proggy, most of Rush's material up to 1981, few Asia & ELP tunes, Alan Parson's greatest hits etc etc.

That said, I was watching a Yes video from a tour about 15 years ago doing a more obscure extended suite and it just wasn't my thing at all. I've also seen Yes in concert twice and based on those setlists they were great shows.

So, i'm a prog fan, but have my limits!

Finally! A nod to Kansas.

Finally! A nod to Kansas.

Given the venerable history represented here, I'm surprised we're this far into the thread and no one's mentioned Camel.

For those not familiar, they're UK-based and go back to the early 70's. They were definitely part of the golden age of prog, and despite leader Andy Lattimer's bouts with health issues (and member changes over time), have toured ever since. They recently released a DVD/Blu-ray of their last tour in 2018, with a show from the RAH. Its an excellent production (I had tickets, but due to some conflicts didn't end up going). They do the whole Moonmadness LP, plus assorted old and new classics. Anyway, here's a promo and some classics...

For my money, Andy Lattimer is one of the most melodic and expressive guitarists of the last 50 years, but has never received widespread recognition due to the genre.

Anyway, I've loved prog since its earliest. ELP in 74 was my first big show, and I've seen most of them since. Somebody mentioned Steven Wilson earlier - saw his Hand.Cannot.Erase tour at the Beacon and was really impressed. Wish I could have seen Riverside before Piotr passed away. I've got tickets for the Genesis tribute band Musical Box in March and can't wait. And I hope to get to Steve Hackett in NJ in March too. It might not be like the heyday of the golden age of prog, but its still out there if you look for it.

Good call, Fujirich. The only Camel I know is their all-instrumental "Snow Goose" album, but it is gorgeous music. I will check out your videos.

I look forward to reading your feedback to upcoming shows. Steve Hackett is a delight; at this point when many of my older heroes have been plagued by age, Steve Hackett really proves the exception. What a great show he puts on.

And The Musical Box! Oh man. I'll be seeing them on April 1st, no fooling. Can't wait.

Seeing Musical Box (again) on April 11.......

Finally! A nod to Kansas.

Little Yes On the Prairie

I love Kansas - saw them open for Hot Tuna in 1974, before they broke thru. performing in ripped jeans and tshirts. Phenomenal.

Great thread .. enjoying everyone's take. It forced me to break out the following:

Kings X - Gretchen Goes to Nebraska ( i'm pretty sure this record is perfect )
Yes - Close to the Edge ( I know for a fact this record is perfect )

Now, prog rock? i always assumed if you loved Robert Fripp, you were a fan of prog rock...
( WTF is Dino talking about? )

Great thread .. enjoying everyone's take. It forced me to break out the following:

Kings X - Gretchen Goes to Nebraska ( i'm pretty sure this record is perfect )
Yes - Close to the Edge ( I know for a fact this record is perfect )

Now, prog rock? i always assumed if you loved Robert Fripp, you were a fan of prog rock...
( WTF is Dino talking about? )

Kings X is a good example of blurred lines between genres. Definitely on the heavy side. Awesome album either way.

Bands like Dream Theater? Absolutely Prog but absolutely metal. There are many of those types of bands that combine elements of various genres.

Yes - Drama is almost their "Heavy" peak and I love that album. Same goes for Relayer which I like as it is darker and rarely got played so it always sounded fresher to me.

Crossover from Prog to Pop
Alan Parsons Project - I love Tales Of Mystery And Imagination but I can't stand the later "radio friendly" stuff.

Finally! A nod to Kansas.

Little Yes On the Prairie

I love Kansas - saw them open for Hot Tuna in 1974, before they broke thru. performing in ripped jeans and tshirts. Phenomenal.

I'm listening to the first Kansas album today.... excellent prog!!!

Anybody agree with me on the Bowie "Berlin Trilogy" albums?

Finally! A nod to Kansas.

Little Yes On the Prairie

I love Kansas - saw them open for Hot Tuna in 1974, before they broke thru. performing in ripped jeans and tshirts. Phenomenal.

I'm listening to the first Kansas album today.... excellent prog!!!

Anybody agree with me on the Bowie "Berlin Trilogy" albums?

Saw them in the Capital Theater, Passaic, NJ a few weeks after Leftoverture was released. They tore that place to shreds - the crowd was going wild all the way to the last row. To this day, I've never seen a band play so tight. One of the best shows of my life!

A more modern prog classic...

Queensryche Operation: Mindcrime

This would be boss, Cruise To the Edge, March 2020

https://cruisetotheedge.com/the-bands/

mentioned this prog cruise to my brother, he texted back:

Close to the edge
Down in the water
Now we're forgotten
In Davy Jones locker

Wow just saw Gong in that cruise line up! I love Gong.

This would be boss, Cruise To the Edge, March 2020

https://cruisetotheedge.com/the-bands/

mentioned this prog cruise to my brother, he texted back:

Close to the edge
Down in the water
Now we're forgotten
In Davy Jones locker

Looks like a fun cruise!!!

Could the Moody Blues have prog leanings - wasn’t Days of Future Passed sort of, in retrospect, a prog sort-of opus recording - A Question of Balance, On The Threshold of a Dream.....I know the later ones, To Our Children’s Children’s Children, up to Seventh Sojourn

Neo-classical, quasi-space music, pseudo-new age....Their music invites labels galore, yet one of their big ones is I’m Just A Singer In A Rock n Roll Band 😮

^ For sure, Moodys. I would throw it in protoprog, the weird stuff that was brewing before anyone knew what prog was.

Really strange looking into what led to prog, where the rift happened - am thinking Iron Butterfly, Electric Prunes, the fringe music.

[Edited on 2/9/2020 by BrerRabbit]