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Prog albums with fantastic vocal arrangements
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hugo1995 View Drop Down
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    Posted: January 14 2020 at 15:32
There are a few bands that attempted to use Beach Boys/Carpenters styled barber shop vocals in music, typically 'five layered' voicings. 'Yes' really toyed with the idea of layered vocal arrangements, but never really nailed this feat properly in my opinion. I love Yes 

No band has done it better in my opinion than Moon Safari on Blomljud. It is easily my most listened to album of all time, and remains in my everchanging top 5 (at one stage it was #1 for about 2 years). I really wish Flower Kings had vocals like this, I'd like them a lot better if it was the case.


I also know Porcupine Tree did some complex vocal arrangements, like in this song at this part:

Also, not prog, but this song has a fantastic background vocal arrangement. I want to find more music like this.

Another notable mention:

Update: Thanks for the recommendations guys. I am not really looking for operatic styled gregorian chanting music that is common from 'obscure' or avant-garde prog, like Magma, Gentle Giant. I am specifically looking for examples like this part of one of my favorite prog albums. This style of vocals are everywhere in Moon Safari's music, specifically in their first two albums. I'd highly recommend listening to both of their 20 minute epics (We Spin The World, Other Half of the Sky). Legendary Swedish band. I'm starting to think Moon Safari is the only prog band that has done this style of prog.


Edited by hugo1995 - January 15 2020 at 16:01
interests: Moon Safari, Gilgamesh, Egg, ELP, Soft Machine, Gong, Opeth (Everything pre watershed), Brighteye Brison, The Flower Kings
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Odvin Draoi View Drop Down
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In prog metal, not a single band is better than Symphony X (especially their albums The Divine Wings of Tragedy and V: The New Mythology Suite), when it comes to vocal parts. Very creative and consistent vocal melodies and "couldn't be done better" type of arrangements. Did I say I'm a big Symphony X fanboy? Yes, I did. LOL
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I'm sure you probably know Gentle Giant already, but on the chance that someone's not they've got some wonderfully complex vocal arrangements throughout their discography. More "madrigal" than "barbershop", but plenty of 4 or 5 voice arrangements (That they could pull off live, no less)
On Reflection:

Cockroach King
Because It's There
My prog band - Boreal Kinship
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hugo1995 View Drop Down
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Points: 164 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote hugo1995 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January 14 2020 at 16:20
Originally posted by Odvin Draoi Odvin Draoi wrote:

In prog metal, not a single band is better than Symphony X (especially their albums The Divine Wings of Tragedy and V: The New Mythology Suite), when it comes to vocal parts. Very creative and consistent vocal melodies and "couldn't be done better" type of arrangements. Did I say I'm a big Symphony X fanboy? Yes, I did. LOL

I've been meaning to hear Symphony X my entire life, I will do that today.
interests: Moon Safari, Gilgamesh, Egg, ELP, Soft Machine, Gong, Opeth (Everything pre watershed), Brighteye Brison, The Flower Kings
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hugo1995 View Drop Down
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Points: 164 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote hugo1995 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January 14 2020 at 16:21
Originally posted by ForestFriend ForestFriend wrote:

I'm sure you probably know Gentle Giant already, but on the chance that someone's not they've got some wonderfully complex vocal arrangements throughout their discography. More "madrigal" than "barbershop", but plenty of 4 or 5 voice arrangements (That they could pull off live, no less)
On Reflection:

Cockroach King
Because It's There

I have dived into Gentle Giant as far as the first few albums go, but not anymore after that. I did see Haken live when they came to Auckland! Thanks for the recommendations, I will give Gentle Giant a listen (on the stuff you've posted)
interests: Moon Safari, Gilgamesh, Egg, ELP, Soft Machine, Gong, Opeth (Everything pre watershed), Brighteye Brison, The Flower Kings
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Agree that Blomljud is remarkable. 

American band ADVENT does a nice job in the GG department.

I personally love PURE REASON REVOLUTION's 2006 debut, The Dark Third, precisely for the wonderful vocals.

From 2019, I think both TIRILL and THE ANCESTRY PROGRAM did some remarkable/impressive vocal arrangements.

Prog Folk bands MIDLAKE and THE DECEMBERISTS have done some fine vocal work--the former especially after leader Tim Smith left (i.e. on the 2013 album Antiphon).

Also, several of Katharine Blake's projects have produced some amazing vocals, not the least of which has been her band Mediæval Bæbes. 
Drew Fisher
https://progisaliveandwell.blogspot.com/
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we have heaven/southside of the sky

Also, MDK by Magma. Heck probably a lot of Magma.
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Not prog but Kings X and Jellyfish.
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I've always thought the chorales on both 90125 and Big Generator were beautifully done.
"Too often we enjoy the comfort of opinion without the discomfort of thought."   -- John F. Kennedy
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Originally posted by Atavachron Atavachron wrote:

I've always thought the chorales on both 90125 and Big Generator were beautifully done.

Leave it, Big Generator(title track) and rhythm of love but other than those not so much. I guess also the last couple of minutes of I'm running(which has a choir sound).
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Points: 18059 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Catcher10 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January 14 2020 at 21:32
There are some early Haken songs with nice vocal harmonies.
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Originally posted by AFlowerKingCrimson AFlowerKingCrimson wrote:

Originally posted by Atavachron Atavachron wrote:

I've always thought the chorales on both 90125 and Big Generator were beautifully done.
Leave it, Big Generator(title track) and rhythm of love but other than those not so much. I guess also the last couple of minutes of I'm running(which has a choir sound).

Maybe, but in the '80s we took any artistry & complexity we could, and knew not to expect any album to have more than about 40% quality content.   If we were lucky.
"Too often we enjoy the comfort of opinion without the discomfort of thought."   -- John F. Kennedy
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Don't forget the most essential example!
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richardh View Drop Down
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Claire Hammill - Voices

not classed as prog but this little beauty is my favourite 'New age' album. Claire did work with Wishbone Ash and Steve Howe briefly so maybe I can get away with calling her 'Prog Related'?!
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Points: 30345 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote richardh Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January 15 2020 at 00:06
What about The Moulettes? Very vocal orientated and very original. Check out the album Preternatural especially.
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Magma has already been mentioned, so I'll second that if you're looking for a great vocal performance, then you really need to listen to Magma.
 
Another group with interesting vocals is Lost Crowns.
 
 
 
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Originally posted by richardh richardh wrote:

Claire Hammill - Voices

not classed as prog but this little beauty is my favourite 'New age' album. Claire did work with Wishbone Ash and Steve Howe briefly so maybe I can get away with calling her 'Prog Related'?!


Great suggestion! GREAT album!
Drew Fisher
https://progisaliveandwell.blogspot.com/
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Originally posted by richardh richardh wrote:

What about The Moulettes? Very vocal orientated and very original. Check out the album Preternatural especially.

Great suggestion! GREAT album!
Drew Fisher
https://progisaliveandwell.blogspot.com/
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Originally posted by Mirakaze Mirakaze wrote:

Don't forget the most essential example!

That video makes it seem as though Tony did all the vocal parts. I always thought it was all four of them. 
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