Most appropriate sub-genre for beginning!

 

It would rather scare 'em off

 

   But ... wait according to the site , Camel is a prog institution while ELP are a forgotten 2nd league band.

 

Don't listen to  their suggestions... ELP!!! Look at that name , they must suck!! Better to start with big groups like Camel , even some tobaccos were issued in their honor!! Besides , Camel's approach to prog is so intense , bombastic and emotional that it grabs you by the balls and never lets you go.

 

 

OK enough with jokes here:

 

Camel: Another symphonic band , they released loads of records and their prime was in the 70's. However their were quite consistent. Their records are quite easy to listen but they can turn into background music relatively easy. Good , but not essential if you heard many symph prog before.

 

ELP: Sadly forgotten 70's giant. They play the most "in your face" style of prog you'll ever hear. their music is keyboard based. Two virtuosos and a charismatic lead singer. However their music is not as easy listening as Genesis or Yes. I suggest you to listen to the so called key albums of symphonic first so you can enjoy Brain Salad Surgery much better.

 

Emerson, Lake & Palmer

ELP revolutionized the 70's rock scene by introducing a new line-up format. This fact really mattered due to each musician's geniality and unlimited talent that, put together, generated a level of music never achieved by anybody else as of yet. All of the musicians came from stablished bands before joining forces together: Greg LAKE came from KING CRIMSON, Carl PALMER came from ATOMIC ROOSTER, and Keith EMERSON came from THE NICE.

They explored their capabilities to an extreme, even with the technology limitations of the early 70's, breaking ground, setting the new parameters for a new vein in the english pop music (at the time) which would be called progressive music. ELP released 10 outstanding albums during the 70's, and after a long break, they got back in the 90's with a new approach, but still making good music. In 1986 Cozy POWELL replaced PALMER and they put together EMERSON, LAKE and POWELL, a good effort as well.

They've pushed their ambitions over-the-edge. On "Tarkus" the title suite was an inventive and edgy suite revolving around jazzy textures. Their most popular album "Brain Salad Surgery", was their most grandiose and refined. Next, the more adventurous listener might try "Trilogy" or ELP's self-titled first album. In my opinion, these four albums form the core of ELP's best material. Other good ELP albums include "Pictures at an Exhibition", their provocative, fiery and intense take on a classical work. and "Welcome Back My Friends To The Show That Never Ends", a triple-live album (now on double-CD) with some absolutely stunning playing.

 

 

 

 

Intermediate: Symphonic Prog (the easiest to hear, and the best in my opinion) and maybe Jazz Fusion.

 

Expert: Ecletic Prog (the most complex, in my opinion)