"Essential Prog" Article

Good one, maani. I look forward to your Neo-Prog article with anticipation and awaiting argumentation. 

Big Ears wrote: If anyone understands Beauborg by Vangelis, I'd be interested to read it.

Sometimes I understand it depending on what kind of mood I`m in and who or what  has ticked me off . I think I actually reviewed it here. I wonder what I said???


Edited by Vibrationbaby - June 13 2007 at 15:29

Just saw this thread this morning. Will catch up!!

 

First impressions are good, Maani!

Just out of interest I`m wondering why you didn`t mention in passing something like :
 " ......and then there were the space freak bands such as Guru Guru, Brainticket and Hawkwind which were hippie residue from the sixties who persevered with their own  drug cultured progressive rock explorations in the early seventies."

Just out of interest of course.

maani wrote: Logan: Good comments all.  Yes, if I had started with a different premise, perhaps some different choices might have been made.  But, to paraphrase Herr Rumsfeld, "you work with the premise you're given."  LOL. Also, are you certain you've thought through your suggestion to pick one album from each subgenre?  Tell me, could YOU pick between Yes and Genesis?  Caravan and Camel?  Pink Floyd and Tangerine Dream?  Etc.  I don't really think that approach would suffice; although it would definitely provide a broader range of prog, it would not necessarily lead to "essential" choices given the parameters of the exercise.

Since I suggested geographical (rather than just language) limitations, not every Prog subgenre would need representation (and of course I was in-line with your temporal limits so that limits it more).  Even within the categories there is lots of diversity, of course.

Yes, I think I thought that through sufficiently for my list and approach given your parameters which present some problems (not that you needed to do it the same way as I offered as an alternative). I do see potential problems with this being both a  beginner's guide, and a list of albums that will hold interest over a long time.  For me that presents something of a conflict, but an interesting challenge.

While a definitive list is impossible, I think one could come up with a broader list of essentials that will both serve as a good introduction to progressive music, and have enough diversity to hold interest over a long time.  Time is on your side.

Yes, I rue mostly the exclusion of the entire Canterbury school.  However, at the risk of being lambasted, I have to admit that, as much as I like much of it, I don't see it as nearly as "essential" to prog listening (and learning) as other things.

I find Canterbury very essential.  You have a fairly captive audience; I do think diversity makes sense (especially to alleviate boredom).

Certainly Mirage, Land of Grey & Pink, Rotters Club (among others) all deserve consideration.  But over the majority of albums chosen?  I don't think so.  [As an aside, after my neo-prog list and my non-UK/U.S. list (i.e., mostly non-english-speaking), perhaps I can find a way to do a list that would include everyone from Caravan to Gong to Tangerine Dream to Eno to Henry Cow.  We'll see.]

I look forwards to your other lists (you might consider a non-English language  one).  France, Italy, and Germany, for instance, have amazing scenes.

Maani, I am curious to your opinion about albums like El Patio by Triana and Guet-Apens by Ange, I would like to name these albums 'essential prog albums' because of their huge influence (Prog-Andaluz and development of French progressive rock) and a level mighty close to the symphonic prog dinosaurs.

Greg W wrote: I had a problem with the article. While I thought it was well written, I couldn't make up my mind whether Ian was writing a list of key essential prog lps or a beginners guide. IMO, there's a big difference.   I ,for one, wouldn't want to be trapped on a desert island thinking yeah, this isn't great or essential, and not necessarily what I would want to listen to, but the animals and fish won't be offended.

that rules out your VDGG collection then bro!

Tony R wrote: Rocktopus wrote: When you got Yes in there, there's really no need for a Rick Wakeman solo. I agree. In any case  Wakeman's solo efforts really aren't innovative or essential. Good effort though Maani, and your reply to Erik about a certain band has saved you a flurry of irate PMs...

Edited by gong - June 10 2007 at 03:17

Tony R30, you are right about 'that certain band' but in my opinion you are missing some very exciting prog when you conclude that Rick Wakeman is not innovative or essential as a solo artist because he has released some solo efforts in his early years that are superior to many progrock efforts in those days, a big hand for Rick Wakeman solo

Excellent response, Maani!  And I certainly do think you did a very fine job with it -- not just the picks, but all of it.

Indeed, unlike all the thought, time, and research you put into preparing that, I was speaking impressions/ thoughts more of the cuff -- and not intended as a criticism really, just thoughts for the sake of discussion in this thread.  Given the basic premise and aim of your article, I'm not really sure which music I would ultimately decide on (and I know I'd second, third, fourth... guess my choices).

You do make excellent points which I'll try to address later when I'm not dealing with my kids.

I just wanted to thank you for your excellent response at this time.

Edited to include multiple missing words from what should have been a simple final sentence.


Edited by Logan - June 09 2007 at 16:38