Most uplifting and life affirming music
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=104123
Printed Date: June 21 2025 at 20:06
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Topic: Most uplifting and life affirming music
Posted By: Cosmiclawnmower
Subject: Most uplifting and life affirming music
Date Posted: September 21 2015 at 16:37
In response to the possibility that the subject of suicides in progressive rock music might be a bit too depressing i wondered what were considered the most uplifting and life affirming tracks, songs or pieces of music in the progressive canon and why? Ive already heard one suggestion which i can personally fully endorse and that is 'Awaken' by Yes ------------- |
Replies:
Posted By: SteveG
Date Posted: September 21 2015 at 16:42
Thank you Mr. Lawnmower!  Northern Lights by Renaissance! The only true prog/pop song that I like and always makes me smile! ------------- This message was brought to you by a proud supporter of the Deep State. |
Posted By: Raff
Date Posted: September 21 2015 at 16:43
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Odd as it may sound (considering the circumstances under which it was composed), Robert Wyatt's Rock Bottom is one of the most life-affirming albums I can think of. I always found the liner notes particularly uplifting. |
Posted By: Mellotron Storm
Date Posted: September 21 2015 at 16:52
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Anathema's We're Here Because We're Here came to mind first. ------------- "The wind is slowly tearing her apart" "Sad Rain" ANEKDOTEN |
Posted By: emigre80
Date Posted: September 21 2015 at 17:04
Awaken certainly gets my vote. I defy anyone to listen to it and not have his/her heart lifted.
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Cosmiclawnmower wrote:Posted By: GKR
Date Posted: September 21 2015 at 17:07
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ÉÉÉÉÉÉÉ FEEEEEESTAAA! ------------- - From each according to his ability, to each according to his need. |
Posted By: presdoug
Date Posted: September 21 2015 at 17:08
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The title track of Triumvirat's Spartacus album-a thrilling journey and rousing finale! Makes me want to go outside and tell the world about it, everytime I hear it. |
Posted By: micky
Date Posted: September 21 2015 at 18:10
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said it once..will always say it. Sequenze e Frequenze. if you aren't feeling 'it' after listening to that.. you are a cold heartless souless dead to beauty of life and the world around you f**ker... or just deaf... ------------- The Pedro and Micky Experience - When one no longer requires psychotropics to trip |
Posted By: kenethlevine
Date Posted: September 21 2015 at 21:03
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here are just a few that come to mind Benedictus by StrawbsNorthern Lights by Renaissance (but indeed there are several tracks from that album - A Song for all Seasons - that seem life affirming to me) Never Let Go by Camel |
Posted By: Dellinger
Date Posted: September 21 2015 at 21:12
| Awaken indeed must be among the very top places, if not the very first. And in general, I find many songs from Yes to have this quality. I must add "Histoires Sans Parole" from Harmonium, too. And perhaps even some Mike Oldfield, Ommadawn pt 1 would be the first suspect, I guess. Oh yeah, and I'm just listening to Iamthemorning, songs from that band should be considered too. |
Posted By: RockHound
Date Posted: September 21 2015 at 21:33
| Awaken immediately popped into my mind as well. |
Posted By: someone_else
Date Posted: September 22 2015 at 02:59
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Revelation Road by Manning was the first one that came into my mind. ------------- 
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Posted By: Imperial Zeppelin
Date Posted: September 22 2015 at 03:02
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Anything by Yes. ------------- "Hey there, Dog Man, now I drink from your bowl." |
Posted By: Tom Ozric
Date Posted: September 22 2015 at 03:30
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Many tracks by The Flower Kings. Pendragon too. |
Posted By: aliano
Date Posted: September 22 2015 at 03:54
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New Horizons by The Moody Blues One of the most uplifting and loveliest ballads I've ever heard. |
Posted By: twseel
Date Posted: September 22 2015 at 08:18
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Vision Creation Newsun by Boredoms is pure sweet joy ------------- 
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Posted By: kenethlevine
Date Posted: September 22 2015 at 08:56
it's a great one. It actually crossed my mind but I thought of it as sad, but on reflection it is very positive
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Posted By: prog4evr
Date Posted: September 22 2015 at 09:19
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AWAKEN (on Yes-GFTO, 1977): Absolutely the first one that entered my mind... |
Posted By: SteveG
Date Posted: September 22 2015 at 09:40
I'm on the Donavon train today so it's Colours and Where Your Love Like Heaven! 
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Posted By: rogerthat
Date Posted: September 22 2015 at 10:43
Definitely one of my choices. Also love Steve Hackett's Narnia and Spectral Mornings (track). Don't care for the Narnia lyrics but the combination of Walsh's fresh, breezy voice and Hackett's dreamy tone is totally win.
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Posted By: Kirillov
Date Posted: September 22 2015 at 11:07
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The World Is Yours - Caravan |
Posted By: zappaholic
Date Posted: September 22 2015 at 13:28
This is one of the two albums I turn to when I need some full-on joy in my life. The other is Devin Townsend's Synchestra. ------------- "Democracy is the theory that the common people know what they want, and deserve to get it good and hard." -- H.L. Mencken |
Posted By: Kinng
Date Posted: September 22 2015 at 16:12
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Yes, awaken is really awesome. :D another great one is Dog-like Sparky by cardiacs not really life affirming (i guess, no clue what the lyrics are really about) but this song's often stuck in my head and has this part (at 2:40) which never fails to make me smile and always kinda creates this urge to just let go of everything and be the music, or atleast just f**king rave to it. Great song. And paradoxically, i would also say king crimsons starless. i know, it's a depressing song, but everytime i listen to it i feel really good but sad at the same time when it comes to an end, and when the part from the beginning returns with massive guitars it always feels like finally winning. this song somehow manages to put ecstasy and meaninglessness together. through this it can help to accept the bad parts of life and enjoy the good ones, atleast thats how i feel about it. or in other words: It celebrates depression in my ears, and it's awesome  |
Posted By: SteveG
Date Posted: September 22 2015 at 16:15
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Do You Realize by The Flaming Lips. The most uplifting song with the silliest video ever! ------------- This message was brought to you by a proud supporter of the Deep State. |
Posted By: Cosmiclawnmower
Date Posted: September 22 2015 at 16:39
I havent listened to that in years and had forgotton what a lovely breeezy song it was! i seem to remember when it came out it was accompanied by a video of the band on a yacht all looking a bit awkward  but cant seem to find it on youtube..The first track that popped into my mind was 'Theme one' by Van der graaf generator as my wife and i used it as the entrance and exit music at our wedding Another little song (and its not really prog..) which (although wistful) means a lot is 'red, blue and grey' by the Who.. again a song we had at our wedding. ------------- |
Posted By: TeleStrat
Date Posted: September 22 2015 at 18:25
| Van Morrison - Into The Mystic |
Posted By: micky
Date Posted: September 22 2015 at 18:28
shoot and score... ------------- The Pedro and Micky Experience - When one no longer requires psychotropics to trip |
Posted By: TeleStrat
Date Posted: September 22 2015 at 18:35
| ^ It's always been a favorite. |
Posted By: micky
Date Posted: September 22 2015 at 18:38
and always been one of mine as well  Though I must admit.. my absolute favorite from him is one of the most wretchedly depressing pieces of music I think I've ever heard recorded hahaha. He nailed it though..------------- The Pedro and Micky Experience - When one no longer requires psychotropics to trip |
Posted By: emigre80
Date Posted: September 22 2015 at 18:47
which is?
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Posted By: micky
Date Posted: September 22 2015 at 18:57
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TB Sheets.. amazing song....and don't doubt this urban legend for a second... it hits you right in the heart.. and rips it out. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/T.B._Sheets" rel="nofollow - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/T.B._Sheets ------------- The Pedro and Micky Experience - When one no longer requires psychotropics to trip |
Posted By: emigre80
Date Posted: September 22 2015 at 19:25
| ^ just listened for the first time. It's a brilliant song. Now if you'll excuse me I'm going to go drown myself. |
Posted By: Cailyn
Date Posted: September 22 2015 at 19:31
Beethoven Ninth, fourth movement...brilliant!! Maybe not prog but perhaps the first proto-prog?  ------------- http://www.cailynmusic.com |
Posted By: Dellinger
Date Posted: September 22 2015 at 21:44
| Yes indeed, that piece of music is sublime and heart lifting too. |
Posted By: SteveG
Date Posted: September 23 2015 at 10:05
| While outside of the prog realm, Midge Ure is nothing less than the Peter Gabriel of pop rock to me. His fascination with offbeat and tribal rhythms as well as constantly challenging the limits of his voice has yielded some of the best pop that I know of. The Breathe album, aside from this leadoff title track is an excellent acoustic based Celtic infused folk rock album and is my favorite album released in the nineties, with several guests spots by Robert Fripp on 'sound scape' guitar. |
Posted By: jayem
Date Posted: September 23 2015 at 13:31
Music powerfully expressing negativity can be the more exhilarating as we feel dark tracks can't get us down (same for dark PA topics) ! The number of uplifting tracks is embarrassingly immense if we can acknowledge some talent to the artist. If we can't, we'll gravely pay tribute to the infortunate talentless ones because of the likely hardships they are bound to face, and wish them the courage to fail. (Then we'd look around us, and aren't there people staring gravely at us for the same reasons !? Rub your nose in sands LOSERS !!!!) ------------- http://www.digger.ch/?lang=en" rel="nofollow - Support mine-clearing ! https://bandcamp.com/machinechance/?lang=en" rel="nofollow - bandcamp collection |
Posted By: Cosmiclawnmower
Date Posted: September 24 2015 at 16:00
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A few more thoughts:- Sunrain (in particular, but the whole of New age of Earth) by Ashra and the whole of MDK by Magma; both best experienced through quality head-phones creating an amazing sense of euphoria and near levitation! Soil Festivities by Vangelis movements one and two.. In the region of the summer stars by the Enid.. ------------- |
Posted By: presdoug
Date Posted: September 24 2015 at 16:46
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Posted By: SteveG
Date Posted: September 24 2015 at 17:39
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If you guys are going classical then it's Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture for me! ------------- This message was brought to you by a proud supporter of the Deep State. |
Posted By: dwill123
Date Posted: September 24 2015 at 18:07
Posted By: Rando
Date Posted: September 24 2015 at 21:33
Definitely "Awaken" is a top choice - For me it's always been The Moody Blues' "To Our Children's Children, Children." The whole album is one of the most uplifting of their albums - Highlights are "Out and In," "Eternity Road," "Candle Of Life," and "Gypsy."  ------------- - Music is Life, that's why our hearts have beats - |
Posted By: Svetonio
Date Posted: September 24 2015 at 21:49
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Oregon |
Posted By: Cosmiclawnmower
Date Posted: September 25 2015 at 13:03
My vote in the classical world is Sibelius 7th symphony in C.. gentle, enchanting, with uplifting swells and sudden flurries.. .. puts me a little in mind of Woolly Wolstenholme/ BJH 'Moonwater' which is also very beautiful------------- |
Posted By: SteveG
Date Posted: September 25 2015 at 16:17
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Posted By: Cosmiclawnmower
Date Posted: September 25 2015 at 16:24
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^ Hehehe How could this fail to be anything but uplifting and life affirming!
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Posted By: SteveG
Date Posted: September 25 2015 at 16:27
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Yeah, the Pope is hard to top in the 'uplifting and life affirming' game! ------------- This message was brought to you by a proud supporter of the Deep State. |
Posted By: emigre80
Date Posted: September 25 2015 at 17:47
Copeland's Fanfare for the Common Man always lifts me up, plus just about anything by Mozart....
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Posted By: jayem
Date Posted: September 26 2015 at 04:18
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...The Pope. They really made it !! Telling any other contender in this thread would be a lie to myself ------------- http://www.digger.ch/?lang=en" rel="nofollow - Support mine-clearing ! https://bandcamp.com/machinechance/?lang=en" rel="nofollow - bandcamp collection |
Posted By: Tom Ozric
Date Posted: September 26 2015 at 04:59
| The song Day After Day by Steve Hillage, actually, the entire 'Open' album from 1979 is just a 40 minute liberating experience. Such positiveness is hard to beat. |
Posted By: micky
Date Posted: September 26 2015 at 08:31
*micky genuflects* actually looking forward to hearing the album in full.. I do wonder the kiddies of the digital age would feel any qualms about illegally downloading it. this ain't Metallica man. it is the Pope and you know sales from it aren't going towards putting another Rolls Royce in the driveway ------------- The Pedro and Micky Experience - When one no longer requires psychotropics to trip |
Posted By: micky
Date Posted: September 26 2015 at 08:33
------------- The Pedro and Micky Experience - When one no longer requires psychotropics to trip |
Posted By: emigre80
Date Posted: September 26 2015 at 08:34
Or a great big pile of cocaine.
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Posted By: micky
Date Posted: September 26 2015 at 08:40
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... yeah that too ------------- The Pedro and Micky Experience - When one no longer requires psychotropics to trip |
Posted By: KingCrInuYasha
Date Posted: September 27 2015 at 20:24
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"Peaches En Regalia" by Frank Zappa. ------------- He looks at this world and wants it all... so he strikes, like Thunderball! |
Posted By: Nogbad_The_Bad
Date Posted: September 27 2015 at 20:39
No just padding the Vatican coffers before the next abuse scandal ------------- Ian Host of the Post-Avant Jazzcore Happy Hour on Progrock.com https://podcasts.progrock.com/post-avant-jazzcore-happy-hour/ |
Posted By: sublime220
Date Posted: September 27 2015 at 20:44
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Hoedown. You simply can't be sad hearing it. ------------- There is no dark side in the moon, really... Matter of fact, it's all dark... |
Posted By: GKR
Date Posted: September 27 2015 at 21:12
Damn, you're totally right. ------------- - From each according to his ability, to each according to his need. |
Posted By: Svetonio
Date Posted: September 27 2015 at 23:56
Posted By: Cosmiclawnmower
Date Posted: September 29 2015 at 14:06
'Open' is a great lp.. as is 'Green' and 'Live Herald'.. The band he had around 79 were fantastic- saw him then when they were playing a mix of the studio stuff from live herald (side 4), green and open.. it just picked you up and flew you away to a different place altogether!!!------------- |
Posted By: CosmicVibration
Date Posted: September 29 2015 at 15:32
Posted By: Mascodagama
Date Posted: September 29 2015 at 15:56
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Osibisa's album Woyaya in its entirety. Large parts of the first four Yes albums. Anything by Sloche brings a big grin. Such an infectious sense of enjoyment in what they play and sing. |
Posted By: CosmicVibration
Date Posted: September 30 2015 at 09:52
Posted By: Guldbamsen
Date Posted: September 30 2015 at 11:01
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Caravan does the trick for me. There's just something about Dave Sinclair's keyboard leads that make me leap into the air. Lucio Battisti's Anima Latina also deserves a mention. One of those that makes you feel like a million bucks. ------------- “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: Svetonio
Date Posted: September 30 2015 at 12:51
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Skylights by http://mladendragovic.bandcamp.com/" rel="nofollow - Mladen Dragovic https://mladendragovic.bandcamp.com/" rel="nofollow - https://mladendragovic.bandcamp.com/  |
Posted By: micky
Date Posted: September 30 2015 at 17:53
it is one of those albums that leads directly to procreation and does helps with preserving of the species... ------------- The Pedro and Micky Experience - When one no longer requires psychotropics to trip |
Posted By: Svetonio
Date Posted: October 01 2015 at 05:09
Posted By: emigre80
Date Posted: October 01 2015 at 07:58
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Found this on line the other day: ABWH's I'm Alive plus children dressed as fairies. I defy anyone not to be uplifted by it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OlGHklW_ZII" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OlGHklW_ZII (sorry I don't know how to embed videos)
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Posted By: jayem
Date Posted: October 01 2015 at 08:48
It's a trap that's meant to invite every misanthropist to show up and get brainwashed here in the humanist PA corner. ------------- http://www.digger.ch/?lang=en" rel="nofollow - Support mine-clearing ! https://bandcamp.com/machinechance/?lang=en" rel="nofollow - bandcamp collection |
Posted By: timothy leary
Date Posted: October 01 2015 at 09:35
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Posted By: Guldbamsen
Date Posted: October 01 2015 at 10:46
Sounds like you're talking out of experience (lucky b*****d)I've yet to bag an Italian lady who's into this kind of music............but it's definitely high up on my list  Another one that genuinely makes me feel better about the world and all the little things: One of my go-to tunes ca 10:15 Sunday morning  ------------- “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: Svetonio
Date Posted: October 01 2015 at 11:05
Posted By: emigre80
Date Posted: October 01 2015 at 11:57
So - did it work? (you're my test case
) |
Posted By: emigre80
Date Posted: October 01 2015 at 12:37
Thanks Mr. Leary! I'm going all Kati on you and sending you a big hug!
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Posted By: timothy leary
Date Posted: October 01 2015 at 12:49
You are welcome.
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Posted By: NutterAlert
Date Posted: October 01 2015 at 13:23
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Collegium Musicum - Konvergencye |
Posted By: LittleRushmonkey
Date Posted: October 01 2015 at 14:12
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Von Hertzen Brothers - Hold me up Probably one of the most uplifting song I've got in my Spotify Playlist . Great song though! |
Posted By: jayem
Date Posted: October 01 2015 at 16:11
Not sure ? Maybe you'll find a better trap then ! Anyone falling into that one I'll dedicate some of my time to consider what's going on. ------------- http://www.digger.ch/?lang=en" rel="nofollow - Support mine-clearing ! https://bandcamp.com/machinechance/?lang=en" rel="nofollow - bandcamp collection |
Posted By: emigre80
Date Posted: October 01 2015 at 18:10
| ^ No, it's pretty clear I got you with that trap. |
Posted By: Svetonio
Date Posted: October 01 2015 at 18:28
Posted By: jayem
Date Posted: October 02 2015 at 07:37
Nice try, but I cannot be a misanthropist because 1. I never suffer. 2. Bad faith, bad smells, cruelty are all beyond my understanding. ------------- http://www.digger.ch/?lang=en" rel="nofollow - Support mine-clearing ! https://bandcamp.com/machinechance/?lang=en" rel="nofollow - bandcamp collection |
Posted By: emigre80
Date Posted: October 02 2015 at 08:24
not sure I understand your post - please clarify?
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Posted By: jayem
Date Posted: October 02 2015 at 10:01
Could a wise person over here help us clarify please ? I'm out of my depth. Fortunately uplifting music will keep me from drowning. ------------- http://www.digger.ch/?lang=en" rel="nofollow - Support mine-clearing ! https://bandcamp.com/machinechance/?lang=en" rel="nofollow - bandcamp collection |
Posted By: Svetonio
Date Posted: October 02 2015 at 10:06
Posted By: Svetonio
Date Posted: October 02 2015 at 10:24
Posted By: emigre80
Date Posted: October 02 2015 at 10:27
we look for clarification, but Svetonio just posts more videos.
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Posted By: Svetonio
Date Posted: October 02 2015 at 10:33
Posted By: Svetonio
Date Posted: October 03 2015 at 05:38
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This... ...Only one prog song from Abbey Road is really "sunny"...
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Posted By: GKR
Date Posted: October 03 2015 at 11:12
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I should have remembered this one ages ago... ------------- - From each according to his ability, to each according to his need. |
Posted By: Dellinger
Date Posted: October 03 2015 at 22:39
Oh yes. Here comes the Sun. Beautiful, one of my favourite songs from The Beatles. This and While my Guitar Gently Weeps (not a particularly uplifting song, though) are enough to put Harrison at the same song-writing level as John and Paul. |
Posted By: timothy leary
Date Posted: October 24 2015 at 11:09
Posted By: RockHound
Date Posted: July 15 2016 at 07:37
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In light the new Anderson/Stolt release, this seems like a good time to revive this thread. I think the entirety of The Invention of Knowledge is uplifting and life-affirming, and I couldn't be more pleased with what these musicians have produced.
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Posted By: HemispheresOfXanadu
Date Posted: July 15 2016 at 11:48
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Pretty much anything by Snarky Puppy, particularly in conjunction with their energetic live performances (viewable on YouTube). ------------- https://twitter.com/ProgFollower" rel="nofollow - @ProgFollower on Twitter. Tweet me muzak. |
Posted By: carlmarx38
Date Posted: July 18 2016 at 07:02
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Posted By: presdoug
Date Posted: July 18 2016 at 16:30
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Lately, it's been- |
Posted By: BunBun
Date Posted: July 18 2016 at 19:44
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I agree with Hackett's Narnia and Spectal Morning Tracks. I would even add Ace of Wands to that. Anyways, I find a lot of Jazz Fusion is very uplifting. Brand X's Morrocan Roll, one of my favorite albums of all time, always puts me in a great mood. |
Posted By: AlanB
Date Posted: July 19 2016 at 01:26
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A non-prog album from a prog artist. Virtually all the songs on this one are uplifting. Even "My Time Of Dying" manages to be optimistic in tone!  |