It's Prog Jim But Not As We Know It

Chavez Ravine by American Blues guitarist Ry Cooder, is a concept album about how American citizens of Mexican decent were forced from their homes, dispersed and poorly compensated in the California town once known as Chavez Ravine, which was then leveled in order for the city of LA to build Dodger's Stadium. A true story, btw.The album is mostly sung in Spanish by the album's main character's, made up by Cooder, in the concept's songs (there are Spanish/English language translations in the liner notes) and one of the songs even deals with a the legend of an eerie encounter with a alien being who landed his UFO to warn the town villagers of their impending troubles. The legend is real, the alien and UFO are not. Cooder's account of the villager's troubles are heartfelt and the music, which is a hybrid of Mexican influences, electronic, rock, jazz, big band, folk and electric blues is unique and incredibly impressive as is the concept of the album itself. 

Edited by SteveG - April 19 2015 at 12:52

The Daniel Amos Band was a 70s/80s Christian art rock band. Don't let that scare you, though. Their 2nd album Shotgun Angel, from 1977, contains a side-long suite on side 2 about the Book of Revelations. It's a bit cartoon-ish (intensionally so; this band wasn't on the preachy side, they were actually quite humorous). Best of all? They wrote great songs. They often remind me of Steely Dan/ELO (e.g. see here, probably my favorite DA track). Their first album was a country album, their second had prog elements, their third (Horrendous Disc) was a bit harder rocking and arguably their best; after that, they went full-blown new wave (which a lot of people love).

Edited by jude111 - April 18 2015 at 12:58

I saw Daniel Amos live in 1980 as they started their new wave phase. Oddly enough they were using a lot of Ambrosia's gear and cases all marked with the type face from the first album.  ??  

This song by the oddly-named Butthole Surfers reminds me of Gong & Amon Duul II in parts....

jude111 wrote: The Daniel Amos Band was a 70s/80s Christian art rock band. Don't let that scare you, though. Their 2nd album Shotgun Angel, from 1977, contains a side-long suite on side 2 about the Book of Revelations. It's a bit cartoon-ish (intensionally so; this band wasn't on the preachy side, they were actually quite humorous). Best of all? They wrote great songs. They often remind me of Steely Dan/ELO (e.g. see here, probably my favorite DA track). Their first album was a country album, their second had prog elements, their third (Horrendous Disc) was a bit harder rocking and arguably their best; after that, they went full-blown new wave (which a lot of people love). Here is that side 2 suite: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WM01fMltZbA   Then there's the 1972 album Barnstorm, a Joe Walsh-created band. Side one is a suite of songs that flow into one another. A really good album, and these tracks never got airplay or anything... https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL02D17A451BE7753E

Haven't heard much Adam Again, but Larry Norman is my man. "I Wish We'd All Been Ready" is so good it's nuts.

At a time when Prog was considered very uncool Magazine came out with this. plenty of neo prog elements in there to my ears, well before the 80's prog revival too...

Nightfly wrote: At a time when Prog was considered very uncool Magazine came out with this. plenty of neo prog elements in there to my ears, well before the 80's prog revival too...

Edited by Green Shield Stamp - April 21 2015 at 12:12