They probably could have gotten a similar music across with acoustic/electric pianos, tuned percussion, and Mellotrons, and the absence of synthesizers would have just enabled a more thorough exploration of the possibilities of the kazoo.  As it is, it's been relegated to the role of novelty instrument.

Perhaps I'm pedantic here but the String Ensemble was not a synth strictly speaking.

Albums as "Aqualung", "Days Of Past Future", "Sargent Pepper", "In The Court Of The Crimson King"  and many others did not include synthesizers, and among the best you can find

Gnidrolog.

Manuel wrote: Albums as "Aqualung", "Days Of Past Future", "Sargent Pepper", "In The Court Of The Crimson King"  and many others did not include synthesizers, and among the best you can find

That's because most of the albums you just mentioned were released before the synth became in vogue.

I like the early and latter day synths in prog.  What the hell is the matter with you???

What this thread needs is some wild RPI. Something that proves the sub isn't all about Italian Symphonic prog (I hate that term) :
Cervello - Melos
Procession - Frontiera
These two are all about the rock. It's raw and melodic at the same time, much credited to the umphh of a guitar attack. I do think I spot a shy mellotron on both albums, but it's a rare thing. Happens on one track in both albums.
While Melos has a wild yet highly welcoming fusion twist to it and Frontiera sounding altogether more earthy and rocking, you still feel a shared fling for the endemic melodic fingerprint of early RPI.

Aphrodite's Child 666 is probably my favourite 'keyboard album' that doesn't have synths. Vangelis didn't start using them until he moved to England in 1975. I think that album proves that prog would still have thrived without synths. A lot of the appeal of the synth was visual with those massive keyboard stacks used by Emerson and Wakeman. Both those musicians could function perfectly well without them although I suspect that Emerson would have been happier with just an organ and piano than Wakeman.

Edited by richardh - July 12 2014 at 04:58

SteveG wrote: HolyMoly wrote: They probably could have gotten a similar music across with acoustic/electric pianos, tuned percussion, and Mellotrons, and the absence of synthesizers would have just enabled a more thorough exploration of the possibilities of the kazoo.  As it is, it's been relegated to the role of novelty instrument. No love for the Jews harp? I'm going with the idea that electric guitars would have  become more prominent and possibly would have eventually surpassed keyboards the same way that did in other genres. Fender Rhodes to Fender Strats.

PC time.
It's a Jaw's harp. As in used in the mouth and supported by the jaw.
Just saying.

JD wrote: SteveG wrote: HolyMoly wrote: They probably could have gotten a similar music across with acoustic/electric pianos, tuned percussion, and Mellotrons, and the absence of synthesizers would have just enabled a more thorough exploration of the possibilities of the kazoo.  As it is, it's been relegated to the role of novelty instrument. No love for the Jews harp? I'm going with the idea that electric guitars would have  become more prominent and possibly would have eventually surpassed keyboards the same way that did in other genres. Fender Rhodes to Fender Strats. PC time.It's a Jaw's harp. As in used in the mouth and supported by the jaw.Just saying.

Thanks for the clarification on the name Jaw's harp (a spelling mistake) and I have to admit that I'm surprised by the number of prog albums and groups that did not use synths when they were actually availabe and were able to make all this exceptional music. But as the old saying goes: 'you learn something new everyday' and I have honestly learned a lot from this post.

Edited by SteveG - July 12 2014 at 12:08