Tom Kelly for Symphonic Rock

Hello, introducing Tom Kelly for suggestion for inclusion in the Prog Archives.  I have emailed, but found this later as the preferred method and noted an error on my part that may get it kicked back, eventually.  Please feel free to hack and slash if I’ve overstepped.

Following your suggested procedure:

Tom Kelly is the Artist ~ Possible Subgenre of Symphonic Prog, or Psychedelic Prog or perhaps Symphadelic.  I leave it to the experts of the subgenres to make a final determination.  I will contact your Symphonic team leader separately, as suggested.

A native of Palos Verdes, CA, Tom began guitar lessons at 5, studying with a protégé of Andres Segovia.  He began composing for electric instruments in the late 1960’s, inspired by the classical rock and psychedelic movements. By 1971, he was writing the parts in notation to distribute to his band members.  A music producer of the time dubbed it “classical music for electric instruments.”  The releases offered are all written and performed solely by Tom, on electric and acoustic guitars, bass and keyboards of all sorts and span years from 1978 through 2013.

I offer some youtubes for listening, due to ease of uploading here.   Much of his writing consisted of extended variations on themes, so bear in mind that these are parts of larger pieces.  There are 3 CD’s of material in all, compiled after his death in 2017 and released in September 2018.

First is the title and final track of “Spinning In Eternity,” it is the ultimate track of a suite:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o1bcvoaiuSE

Second is a track from “Burnt Peas/The Tolling of St. John’s Bells,” also part of a suite, “God and the Flatlanders”:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iBSbbMk799k

Third is a track from “A Quail’s House,” you guessed it, part of an extended suite, “A Slight Overture of Sorts”:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Da9oZpP_5rE

Fourth is something that is not part of a suite, at least not exactly.  From “Burnt Peas/The Tolling of St. John’s Bells, “Sloppy Love At Bodie Flats:”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IRoxKIKj9BM

Official website is https://tomkelly.hearnow.com

rdtprog had a great suggestion, here is a link to them all, you just need to scroll down a bit on the page to see a list of all three entire albums.