Prog Rock

[bipbop13]

Well, here's a genre that I'm familiar with. Most of the giants I already have compilations or own their collections. What I'm looking for here is bands who fell between the cracks mostly, and were around between the 60's & the 80's. I'm not too fond of new prog, or its bands (don't care for Dream Theatre or Marillion). So with that shocking unpopular view out of the way, I'm hoping some of you can help me compile a list of 60's-80's prog bands who deserve more recognition. Thanks in advance!

[Progfan]

I could go on all day about prog rock. Have you sampled any non-UK bands? You probably know that Italy in the 70s was a fertile place for prog. Bands like PFM, Le Orme and Banco are a must if you haven't checked them out. But if you want to stick with English language bands, there were oodles of bands that fell between the cracks in the 70s-so much stuff on the Vertigo label for instance. Who are some of your favorite bands? It might give me a better sense of what you might be looking for.

[HotRats]

You'll find everything you need at http://www.progarchives.com/ I wasn't too fond of the prog rock revival, though I did like IQ (listen to The Enemy Smacks) and I am a fan of Porcupine Tree. I thought Marillion's albums were overproduced but they were very good live, bootlegs from 81-83 are worth a listen

[bipbop13]

Originally Posted by Progfan

I could go on all day about prog rock. Have you sampled any non-UK bands? You probably know that Italy in the 70s was a fertile place for prog. Bands like PFM, Le Orme and Banco are a must if you haven't checked them out. But if you want to stick with English language bands, there were oodles of bands that fell between the cracks in the 70s-so much stuff on the Vertigo label for instance. Who are some of your favorite bands? It might give me a better sense of what you might be looking for.

Let's see, I've got collections of the following bands that I like a lot.

Camel
King Crimson
Yes
Gentle Giant
Rush
Asia
Peter Gabriel
Genesis
Kansas
Moody Blues
Wishbone Ash
Uriah Heep
UFO
Todd Rundgren/Utopia
Pink Floyd
Alan Parsons Project
Captain Beyond


Emerson Lake & Palmer-Working On
Hawkwind-Working On
Focus-Working On
Mike Oldfield-Working On
Atomic Rooster-Working On
Van Der Graaf Generator-Working On
Can-Working On
Man-Working On



Yes, I'll try to stay away from non-English unless it's instrumental.

[Al_The_Strange]

As much as I like the genre, I think you got the essentials I would have brought up. Anything else I have is too new. Although, Dream Theater is sorta borderline (would have made their debut in '89). Arjen Lucassen is probably my favorite prog artist, but I'm not familiar with any of his 80s projects (the bands Vengeance and Bodine).

Looking deeper into it, here are a few other (classic) examples I can think of, some of which might be a stretch (some listed as "prog-related," not really sure where one would draw the line):

Electric Light Orchestra
Emerson Lake & Palmer
Hawkwind
Led Zeppelin
Journey
Mike Oldfield
Radiohead
Styx
Supertramp

[bipbop13]

Originally Posted by Al_The_Strange

As much as I like the genre, I think you got the essentials I would have brought up. Anything else I have is too new. Although, Dream Theater is sorta borderline (would have made their debut in '89). Arjen Lucassen is probably my favorite prog artist, but I'm not familiar with any of his 80s projects (the bands Vengeance and Bodine).

Looking deeper into it, here are a few other (classic) examples I can think of, some of which might be a stretched (some listed as "prog-related," not really sure where one would draw the line):

Electric Light Orchestra
Emerson Lake & Palmer
Hawkwind
Led Zeppelin
Journey
Mike Oldfield
Radiohead
Styx
Supertramp

I've been working on a Hawkwind, and E.L.P. compilation for the past few weeks. I already have collections of E.L.O., Zeppelin, Journey, Radiohead, Styx & Supertramp. I will look into the Mike Oldfield though. Thanks

[Dunemoon]

Try the lighter era of Voivod. Nothingface, Angel Rat and The Outer Limits.

From the 70s check out Harmonium if you want to try non-English prog.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harmonium_(band)

Present day Anathema might be ok for you as well.

[bipbop13]

Well I did my research & this is what I came up with. If you notice any glaring omissions from either this list, or the first one, please let me know....

Ian Anderson
Jon Anderson
Peter Banks
Tony Banks
Barclay James Harvest
Adrian Belew
Brand X
Bill Bruford
Steven Wilson
Peter Hammill
Renaissance
Magma
Robert Wyatt
Caravan
Khan
Hatfield & The North
Tangerine Dream
Babu
Gong
Soft Machine
Crack The Sky
Brain Eno
Strawbs
Family
Frijid Pink
Robert Fripp
Fuzzy Duck
David Gilmore
Happy The Man
U.K.
Steve Howe
Kraftwerk
Krokodil
Geddy Lee
Alex Lifeson (Victor)
Tony Levin
Max Webster
Neu!
Nosferatu
Ozric Tentacles
Anthony Phillips
Phish
Proto-Kaw
Trevor Rabin
Relayer
Billy Sherwood
Egg
Matching Mole
Devin Townsend
Triumvirat
Umphrey's McGee
Steve Vai
Vangelis
Rick Wakeman
Alan White
Roger Waters
Richard Wright

[Jodi]

I would like to add four (hard to find, though) Alan Parsons solo (more or less) albums:

Freudiana (1991): This was the last true collaboration between Alan and the late, great Eric Woolfson. This album was very much Eric's conception -- a concept album that delved into everything Freud, including some of his psychodynamic theory and dream interpretations. It also explored some of Freud's most famous patients such as a child named Hans (the song "Little Hans"), the boy who was afraid of a horse that would bite him, and Anna O. Clocking in at over 76 minutes in length, this album is vast, sweeping, and immensely enjoyable -- perhaps the best "non-Project" album ever conceived. It also has very, very good sound engineering (of course, by Alan). Even a couple of songs sung by female leads (the first since "Eve"), including Kiki Dee.

Try Anything Once (1993): The first true Parsons solo album, yet it does not miss anything without Woolfson in it. In fact, this concept album about life in general, or however you interpret it's messages about life, is a huge favorite of mine. Brimming with a sound that is really no different than any past "Project" album, it has great songs and instrumentals. Features vocals by Ambrosia's David Pack, Jacqui Copland (female backup vocalist from Duran Duran), 10cc guitarist/vocalist Eric Stewart, and Chris Thompson (frontman of Manfred Mann's Earth Band). A nicely conceived way to spend exactly an hour (the length of this album is precisely 60:00), whether by design or accident.

On Air: Yet another great compilation of songs and instrumentals that delve into the history of flight, with pretty much the same gang from "Try Anything Once".

The Time Machine: Although somewhat weaker than "Try" or "Air", here's a slightly different musical romp about time and all things temporal in nature. It also has a bit of a different bunch of Brits this time around compared to the above three albums.

[Bueller]

I'd co-sign on exploring Prog-Archives. Helpful for categorizing bands into sub-genres that will help you find what you're into. Prog is a very broad term, and bands will differ greatly.

Rate Your Music is another good resource to find new stuff. Check out this list, and go a page or two in to skip over the big names.
Top albums, 1970s Progressive Rock

But definitely check out what Italy had going on. And I see what you're saying about newer 80s/90s prog, but I'd recommend making an exception for Anglagard's 1992 album Hybris. Another one you might not find if you're searching just prog is Mahavishnu Orchestra. Lots of good fusion to get into that you might not see since it's usually under jazz.

[Dunemoon]

Big Big Train has a new one out called Grimspound.

http://www.bigbigtrain.com

[Riddler The Slag]

Porcupine Tree

[Steelmaker]

Huge Rush fan here! Fly By Night, Caress of Steel, Hemispheres, A Farewell to Kings, 2112, Permanent Waves, and Moving Pictures get constant rotation in my playlist!+

I also love (old) Dream Theater. Everything from the debut through Octavarium I love. Everything else since then, meh.

[bipbop13]

Thanks! Rush is one of my favorite bands. Have all their stuff & made compilations. Also have a compilation made for Porcupine Tree. Only like one Dream Theater song, Pull Me Under.

[mrr1]

Not sure if you are familiar with Opeth (started out as a black metal / death metal band), but their last 3 albums are purely melodic and very 70s-prog inspired. I like all the bands you list there, and I think you should hit YouTube and check out some of Opeth's songs from 'Sorceress', 'Pale Communion', and 'Heritage' to see if they're your thing.

[mrr1]

Frank Zappa has a very eclectic catalog and a lot of his cheeky humor and weird instruments turn off a lot of rock fans.

However, some of his albums have great prog-rock elements that need to be heard. The first albums like this that come to mind are 'Hot Rats' and 'One Size Fits All' (the song 'Andy' is a must hear - trust me, it's pretty amazing)

[bipbop13]

I have made a Zappa compilation, and there was only one song of the Opeth discography that I liked which is "Eternal Rains Will Come". Thanks for the suggestions though. The Opeth is listed in my Metal post on page 125.

[bipbop13]

anymore glaring omissions?

[Dunemoon]

Originally Posted by bipbop13

anymore glaring omissions?

Maybe Uriah Heep and Dio era Rainbow. Haven't reread the thread so...

[bipbop13]

Originally Posted by Dunemoon

Maybe Uriah Heep and Dio era Rainbow. Haven't reread the thread so...

GReat bands. I have made collections of them already. Thanks for the reminder though. Need to throw on some Rainbow!