Prog albums with fantastic vocal arrangements
Printed From: Progarchives.com
Category: Progressive Music Lounges
Forum Name: Prog Recommendations/Featured albums
Forum Description: Make or seek recommendations and discuss specific prog albums
URL: http://www.progarchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=121981
Printed Date: July 19 2025 at 14:21
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 11.01 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Prog albums with fantastic vocal arrangements
Posted By: hugo1995
Subject: Prog albums with fantastic vocal arrangements
Date 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. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fJVWHSiSlD8" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fJVWHSiSlD8 I also know Porcupine Tree did some complex vocal arrangements, like in this song at this part: http://youtu.be/GlwUwMgRd0I?t=205" rel="nofollow - https://youtu.be/GlwUwMgRd0I?t=205 Also, not prog, but this song has a fantastic background vocal arrangement. I want to find more music like this. http://youtu.be/__VQX2Xn7tI?t=69" rel="nofollow - https://youtu.be/__VQX2Xn7tI?t=69 Another notable mention: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tdCY0CgMoq8" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tdCY0CgMoq8 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. https://youtu.be/fJVWHSiSlD8?t=3455" rel="nofollow - 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.
------------- interests: Moon Safari, Gilgamesh, Egg, ELP, Soft Machine, Gong, Opeth (Everything pre watershed), Brighteye Brison, The Flower Kings |
Replies:
Posted By: Odvin Draoi
Date Posted: January 14 2020 at 15:38
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. 
|
Posted By: ForestFriend
Date Posted: January 14 2020 at 15:43
|
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: http://youtu.be/z6WSLG5r-wE?t=180" rel="nofollow - https://youtu.be/z6WSLG5r-wE?t=180 http://youtu.be/z6WSLG5r-wE?t=180" rel="nofollow - Haken does some interesting stuff as well, admittedly quite GG influenced. They also have a lot of rhythmic layered backing vocals. Cockroach King http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0_e4YX73Ww4" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0_e4YX73Ww4 Because It's There http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3u4d7k3nMXA" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3u4d7k3nMXA ------------- https://borealkinship.bandcamp.com/releases" rel="nofollow - My prog band - Boreal Kinship |
Posted By: hugo1995
Date Posted: January 14 2020 at 16:20
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 |
Odvin Draoi wrote:Posted By: hugo1995
Date Posted: January 14 2020 at 16:21
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 |
Posted By: BrufordFreak
Date Posted: January 14 2020 at 16:25
|
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/ |
Posted By: AFlowerKingCrimson
Date Posted: January 14 2020 at 16:28
|
we have heaven/southside of the sky Also, MDK by Magma. Heck probably a lot of Magma.
|
Posted By: Grumpyprogfan
Date Posted: January 14 2020 at 18:21
| Not prog but Kings X and Jellyfish. |
Posted By: Atavachron
Date Posted: January 14 2020 at 18:56
|
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 |
Posted By: AFlowerKingCrimson
Date Posted: January 14 2020 at 20:58
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).
|
Posted By: Catcher10
Date Posted: January 14 2020 at 21:32
|
There are some early Haken songs with nice vocal harmonies. -------------   
|
Posted By: Atavachron
Date Posted: January 14 2020 at 23:35
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 |
Posted By: Mirakaze
Date Posted: January 14 2020 at 23:40
|
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EJGQ-mDgcL8" rel="nofollow - Don't forget the most essential example! |
Posted By: richardh
Date Posted: January 15 2020 at 00:03
|
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'?! |
Posted By: richardh
Date Posted: January 15 2020 at 00:06
| What about The Moulettes? Very vocal orientated and very original. Check out the album Preternatural especially. |
Posted By: I prophesy disaster
Date Posted: January 15 2020 at 05:48
|
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. ------------- No, I know how to behave in the restaurant now, I don't tear at the meat with my hands. If I've become a man of the world somehow, that's not necessarily to say I'm a worldly man. |
Posted By: BrufordFreak
Date Posted: January 15 2020 at 07:23
Great suggestion! GREAT album! ------------- Drew Fisher https://progisaliveandwell.blogspot.com/ |
Posted By: BrufordFreak
Date Posted: January 15 2020 at 07:24
Great suggestion! GREAT album! ------------- Drew Fisher https://progisaliveandwell.blogspot.com/ |
Posted By: AFlowerKingCrimson
Date Posted: January 15 2020 at 09:11
That video makes it seem as though Tony did all the vocal parts. I always thought it was all four of them.
|
Posted By: siLLy puPPy
Date Posted: January 15 2020 at 10:10
|
-------------  https://rateyourmusic.com/~siLLy_puPPy |
Posted By: Mirakaze
Date Posted: January 15 2020 at 14:49
Nah, Tony did all the parts even in the original version, hence why they all have American accents
 |
Posted By: AFlowerKingCrimson
Date Posted: January 15 2020 at 14:55
Weird how he didn't do any singing in King Crimson though. I'm guessing Tony did all the backup vocals on the barber shopesque "excuse me" from Peter Gabriel's first album too even though he's credited as being the "leader" of the barbershop quartet. Yeah, leader and everything else. Lol.
|
Posted By: hugo1995
Date Posted: January 15 2020 at 15:53
I gave Magma MDK a listen. Thanks for the recommendations, not really what I am looking for though. I'm not looking for Operatic, gregorian chanting styled vocals like Sweeney Todd or Magma. I am looking for beautiful pop styled vocal harmonies that are common in 60s and 70s pop, but also found its way into some prog bands.
------------- interests: Moon Safari, Gilgamesh, Egg, ELP, Soft Machine, Gong, Opeth (Everything pre watershed), Brighteye Brison, The Flower Kings |
Posted By: Smurph
Date Posted: January 15 2020 at 18:53
|
Greatest vocal arrangements on any album is OoOoOoOoO (Chenile) - and their album Samen. HOLY HELL. ------------- http://pseudosentai.bandcamp.com/" rel="nofollow - http://pseudosentai.bandcamp.com/ wtf |
Posted By: AFlowerKingCrimson
Date Posted: January 15 2020 at 19:24
Only after I mentioned Magma he updated that first post to say he wasn't looking for that. Initially they weren't mentioned until I mentioned them.
|
Posted By: AFlowerKingCrimson
Date Posted: January 15 2020 at 19:27
|
beautiful pop styled vocal harmonies that are common in 60s and 70s pop, but also found its way into some prog bands. Then definitely try Moon Safari(who I believe have already been mentioned). However, I second that recommendation. They have very sunny upbeat multi part vocal harmonies.
|
Posted By: hugo1995
Date Posted: January 16 2020 at 15:04
|
I did listen to Magma. It's the type of prog I would enjoy when I feel like that type of adventurous music. But right now I feel like Moon Safari. Thank you friend, ------------- interests: Moon Safari, Gilgamesh, Egg, ELP, Soft Machine, Gong, Opeth (Everything pre watershed), Brighteye Brison, The Flower Kings |
Posted By: miamiscot
Date Posted: January 17 2020 at 08:40
|
Big fan of the vocal harmonies employed by the Neal Morse Band. Spock's Beard tried their hand at Gentle Giant styled vocals a few times but the voices of Neal Morse, Bill Hubauer, Eric Gillette and (gasp!) Mike Portnoy are a joy to behold... Moon Safari is an obvious choice but I don't connect with the songs as much (except on the amazing Blomljud album...) And Yes did, in fact, nail it on several occasions - not least the middle section of "Starship Trooper."
|
Posted By: Machinemessiah
Date Posted: January 17 2020 at 12:08
|
Perhaps not quite what you're looking for but for me this song and album by Maxophone fits with the "fantastic vocal arrangements" part: I'm a huge fan of this band/record and I think if they had had one or two albums like this, for me they definitely would be part of the 'Big N' club. In fact, after Big N (8 in my case) albums comes this one for me! (…along with the otherwise not very popular PFM's Chocolate Kings  ). |
Posted By: Guldbamsen
Date Posted: January 17 2020 at 12:14
This thread obviously needs some Vodka Cola  https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=U_AHlVwqYSE ------------- “The Guide says there is an art to flying or rather a knack. The knack lies in learning how to throw yourself at the ground and miss.” - Douglas Adams |
Posted By: Machinemessiah
Date Posted: January 17 2020 at 12:21
^ Didn't know it!  liked it instantly!  |
Posted By: Guldbamsen
Date Posted: January 17 2020 at 13:55
My pleasure  I love that track! Demetrio did Doo-Wop like no other. ------------- “The Guide says there is an art to flying or rather a knack. The knack lies in learning how to throw yourself at the ground and miss.” - Douglas Adams |
Posted By: dwill123
Date Posted: January 17 2020 at 15:39
Posted By: moshkito
Date Posted: January 18 2020 at 08:50
|
Hi, CAPABILITY BROWN -- Voice Specially the long piece ... totally awesome! ------------- Music is not just for listening ... it is for LIVING ... you got to feel it to know what's it about! Not being told! www.pedrosena.com |
Posted By: cstack3
Date Posted: January 18 2020 at 13:15
|
This is one of my favorites for choral voice arrangements (1:37 onwards) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iXqPEPP4vpo&list=PLA2-nXsHvm3LJ1AbSgRO1qYEUfjxVemme" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iXqPEPP4vpo&list=PLA2-nXsHvm3LJ1AbSgRO1qYEUfjxVemme ------------- I am not a Robot, I'm a FREE MAN!! |
Posted By: The Dark Elf
Date Posted: January 18 2020 at 18:19
|
An obvious one is A Night At The Opera. Three different singers with lead vocals on separate songs, and wonderful Queenly backing vocals throughout. Even a fairly straightforward folk song like '39 features some great vocals/backing vocals.... Queen II is another. ------------- ...a vigorous circular motion hitherto unknown to the people of this area, but destined to take the place of the mud shark in your mythology... |
Posted By: mathman0806
Date Posted: February 01 2020 at 21:54
Posted By: pingkrimfloyd58
Date Posted: February 04 2020 at 15:15
| Check out “Hours of Wealth” by Opeth. If you’re not into metal screaming you may not like the rest of the album though haha. |
Posted By: BaldFriede
Date Posted: February 04 2020 at 15:24
|
Peter Hammill - The Fall of the House of Usher. Example: -------------  BaldJean and I; I am the one in blue. |