5 Best Albums to get someone into Classic Prog?
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Forum Name: Top 10s and lists
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URL: http://www.progarchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=107354
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Topic: 5 Best Albums to get someone into Classic Prog?
Posted By: deepcutsprog
Subject: 5 Best Albums to get someone into Classic Prog?
Date Posted: July 21 2016 at 16:54
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Hi guys, I recently uploaded a video designed to help get people into Classic Prog, and thought I would share it with you all. Do you agree with my list? My feelings change every hour on which albums I should have included, but I had to set it in stone at some point! The vid is here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6KMZGMh1Gec My Top 5: 1) King Crimson – In The Court Of The Crimson King (1969)
2) Genesis – Selling England By The Pound (1973) 3) Rush – Moving Pictures (1981) 4) Yes – Fragile (1971) 5) Pink Floyd – Wish You Were Here (1975) |
Replies:
Posted By: Nogbad_The_Bad
Date Posted: July 21 2016 at 17:07
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Only changes I'd make are swap CTTE & DSOTM into the list. ------------- Ian Host of the Post-Avant Jazzcore Happy Hour on Progrock.com https://podcasts.progrock.com/post-avant-jazzcore-happy-hour/ |
Posted By: zravkapt
Date Posted: July 21 2016 at 18:09
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I would change the albums to... Red Foxtrot A Farewell To Kings The Yes Album Animals ------------- Magma America Great Make Again |
Posted By: andreol263
Date Posted: July 21 2016 at 18:16
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a good one^ ------------- 
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Posted By: Bucklebutt
Date Posted: July 21 2016 at 18:55
| Supertramp - Crime of the Century is a nice easy listen, not very proggy tho |
Posted By: TheLionOfPrague
Date Posted: July 21 2016 at 20:30
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Dark Side of the Moon, Close to the Edge, Selling England by the Pound, Thick as a Brick and In the Court of the Crimson King. It hurts me to leave ELP out, but they're usually harder to get into. They might be a bit of a turnoff for someone that doesn't like prog at first listen. ------------- I shook my head and smiled a whisper knowing all about the place |
Posted By: Magnum Vaeltaja
Date Posted: July 21 2016 at 20:59
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I think that for the most part it wouldn't be too wise to go for anything with really extensive epics if you're just compiling a playlist for first time listeners. So, great as it is, that would leave Close To The Edge off. Same for Thick as a Brick, Foxtrot, etc. My 5 albums would probably be
Dark Side, while not especially "prog" IMO, is important to include in case the new listener in question really isn't connecting with the more elaborate stuff and needs something accessible to fall back on. Selling England by The Pound would be a fine choice to include, with a good mix of more accessible and more symphonic material. Nursery Cryme would probably do just fine as a substitution and has the added benefit of not containing a 10+ minute flub (i.e. Epping Forest). Mirage would do well to accompany it, with its primarily symphonic leanings. The Yes and King Crimson albums would be well-suited once they're ready to get into more abstract stuff, especially the latter. It would be criminal not to include an album by either of these bands in a classic prog-related anything, and I feel that Fragile and Court are the best respective starting points. Alternatively we could consider the "sink or swim" philosophy and go balls-to-the-wall immersion right off the bat:
------------- when i was a kid a doller was worth ten dollers - now a doller couldnt even buy you fifty cents |
Posted By: BunBun
Date Posted: July 21 2016 at 21:03
| ^ yea, ELP is definitely not an easy band to get into, in fact, it might scare some people away from prog lol |
Posted By: DDPascalDD
Date Posted: July 22 2016 at 03:02
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My start with prog wasn't too long ago, and I can remember very clear that Animals and Selling England By The Pound were for me very hard to get into. I think Fragile, The Yes Album and Dark Side Of The Moon are very good starters. The danger of Moving Pictures (and maybe even dark side as well) is, that it can cause confusion about what prog is and what makes it different from classic rock. Also it depends on your audience (obviously), I noticed that people can quite well listen to some Dream Theater but they'll have to be able to listen to metal. Also it doesn't have to be the most simple prog there is just because it is easy to listen. People expect to hear something different and are ready to be blown away, maybe Awaken is just what someone wants to hear... ------------- |
Posted By: Cristi
Date Posted: July 22 2016 at 03:22
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Genesis - SEBTP or Wind & Wuthering Yes - The Yes Album Pink Floyd - WYWH Marillion - Misplaced Childhood Camel - Moonmadness |
Posted By: Sean Trane
Date Posted: July 22 2016 at 03:54
You're going to scare a potential prog newbie with that kind of list (provided the candidate is a pure mainstream guy) You even chose the most aggressive Floyd album, whenb that's exactly the kind of band to make a smooth intro to prog (I'd even give two Floyd in the first five albums to taste: Wall and WYWH, for ex) AFTK and Red will provoke also a WTF reaction >> go for MP and ITCOTCK, instead as for Genesis, I'd say SEBTP or more likely ATotT (both a kinder on the ears) TYA is good, though, but Crime of The Century was my gateway to prog... The album that started it all |
zravkapt wrote:Posted By: moshkito
Date Posted: July 22 2016 at 07:16
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Hi, It's a hard choice and I prefer not to choose. The minute I choose one, I listen to Chicago 1 or 2, or Santana 1, or The Doors, and the shine goes right out. There is way too much stuff out there that is just as good, if not better than anything listed here, and I am not sure that "limiting" the listening ability for someone is a good thing to do. Like us, they must "discover" the life in the music, not have you and I tell them! ------------- 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: Jeffro
Date Posted: July 22 2016 at 10:42
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I attribute my love of prog to that fact that I was introduced to The Beatles at a very early age. I really believe that's what planted the seed. Took a long time to germinate though. I would start with albums that have lots of appeal and are easier to listen to but contain proggy bits. I would probably start with some of the more experimental Beatles albums. The Yes Album is a fine choice as well Dark Side of the Moon, while not as hardcore as some others, would serve well as an intro. As a 35+ year Rush fan I want to say Farewell To Kings or Hemispheres but I'd likely go with Moving Pictures first.
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Posted By: Jeffro
Date Posted: July 22 2016 at 10:45
Of course, but sometimes it helps to have someone at least point you in the right direction. For instance, I had never heard of Gentle Giant until I came to this site. Sometimes you don't know what you don't know.
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Posted By: Terrapin Station
Date Posted: July 23 2016 at 06:54
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I always think that answers to questions like this are best tailored to the individual we're talking about. It depends on what other sorts of music they're into, what their interests are, etc. I think it's usually best to gradually ease someone into something, going for stuff closest to the music they already love first. At least unless you know they're the sort of person who might dig culture shock, so to speak. Then give them something far removed from what they've experienced already. |
Posted By: BaldFriede
Date Posted: July 23 2016 at 07:43
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I think five albums would not be enough; you would need ten to show all the variety of prog. So my choice would be: King Crimson - Lizard Van der Graaf Generator - Pawn Hearts Hawkwind - Warrior on the Edge of Time Amon Düül 2 - Tanz der Lemminge Can - Tago Mago Magma - Mekanik Destruktiw Kommandöh Gong - You Embryo - Embryos Reise Guru Guru - Hinten Tangerine Dram - Rubycon -------------  BaldJean and I; I am the one in blue. |
Posted By: Cristi
Date Posted: July 23 2016 at 08:26
most of these albums would scare away a newbie to classic prog nice list, no doubt, but won't do much for a beginner IMO.
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Posted By: micky
Date Posted: July 23 2016 at 08:44
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hmmm for the thread win 1. Yes - Close to the Edge for the wussy sympho English sh*t.. 2. Osanna -Palepoli for the red blooded sexual joy of life sh*t... 3. Magma - Kobaia for the wacky, off the wall kind of 'progressive' sh*t 4. Amon Duul 2 - Yeti for the drugged out freaky trippy sh*t.. 5. Captain Beyond - s/t for the pure joy of hearing an Englishman sing like some southern hayseed hick...with plenty of kickass guitars and drums. The quintessiential heavy prog album ------------- The Pedro and Micky Experience - When one no longer requires psychotropics to trip |
Posted By: micky
Date Posted: July 23 2016 at 08:52
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and for the bonus points as I take my victory lap for winnning the thread.. the album that has converted more non-prog fans to prog fans than any of you all sh*tty English suggestions... my running count over the years... 21 non proggers I've exposed... and 19 ADORED the album. Given away 6 copies of the album in fact... my favorite was some guy at my bar.. I ran home and grabbed my copy and gave it to him after he listened to it via youtube... it helps it is cheap to repurchase haha 6)  ------------- The Pedro and Micky Experience - When one no longer requires psychotropics to trip |
Posted By: Pastmaster
Date Posted: July 23 2016 at 10:15
I certainly agree.  I know back when I got into prog, I was recommended Rush first due to my love of hard rock/heavy metal.
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Posted By: presdoug
Date Posted: July 23 2016 at 10:27
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some really great suggestions, folks I think the list would be incomplete, though, without Triumvirat-Illusions On A Double Dimple
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Posted By: The Dark Elf
Date Posted: July 23 2016 at 10:40
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Hmmm...gateway albums. Not too proggy with 20+ minute magnum opuses (like TAAB, Foxtrot or CttE), and certainly nothing that would scare someone away simply by off-kilter vocals alone (like VdGG or Comus, for instance). Ease them in slowly and then hit 'em with a f*cking sledgehammer. Trick of the Tail (accessible but very fusion-like compositionally, with some balladry and acoustics thrown in) Dark Side of the Moon (probably the most accessible Floyd album, with excellent lyrics and memorable songs) Aqualung (probably one of the best blends of acoustics and hard rock ever attempted, with sly lyricism to boot) Crime of the Century (so pleasant, you're unaware its prog) I Robot (again, you can actually hum along to some prog, maybe even dance with 2 left feet) ------------- ...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: BaldJean
Date Posted: July 23 2016 at 11:28
VdGG vocals are not out of kilter at all; they go perfectly along with the lyrics. the so-called "beautiful vocals" are in my opinion often out of kilter. what is the point of singing beautifully about emotions that are anything but beautiful? are these vocals out of kilter? -------------  A shot of me as High Priestess of Gaia during our fall festival. Ceterum censeo principiis obsta |
Posted By: The Dark Elf
Date Posted: July 23 2016 at 11:42
Conversely, why drive prospective listeners away with annoying, excuse me, 'eccentric' vocals? The point of this exercise is to get non-prog listeners into the genre. You don't want to drive them away thinking you're a crazy person for forcing them to listen to something that is definitely an acquired taste, like eating roasted crickets or deep-fried banana slugs.  ------------- ...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: BaldJean
Date Posted: July 23 2016 at 11:46
you have obviously never tasted roasted crickets. they are not an acquired taste at all, they are simply delicious. you are just prejudiced against them ------------- A shot of me as High Priestess of Gaia during our fall festival. Ceterum censeo principiis obsta |
Posted By: The Dark Elf
Date Posted: July 23 2016 at 11:51
On the contrary, I've had chococlate covered ants, roast cricket and grasshoppers, turtle soup, alligator and other various oddities. It's just that, with so many excellent things to eat, I see no reason to try them again. ------------- ...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: BaldJean
Date Posted: July 23 2016 at 11:57
then why the hell do you consider toasted crickets to be an acquired taste? I am quite certain that if a hundred blindfolded people were given roasted crickets to eat ninety of them would say "delicious". they are definitely not a taste you have to get used to (contrary to, for example, beer) ------------- A shot of me as High Priestess of Gaia during our fall festival. Ceterum censeo principiis obsta |
Posted By: justin4950834-2
Date Posted: July 23 2016 at 11:59
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Easy, albums that don't have the stereotypical progressive sound that people make fun of them for. Just great music in general. Future Days - CAN Crack The Sky - Crack The Sky In Search Of Space - Hawkwind Still Life - Van Der Graaf Generator Red - King Crimson |
Posted By: The Dark Elf
Date Posted: July 23 2016 at 12:03
Who said they were delicious? I tried them. I never will again. I'm sure a blind taste test wouldn't suddenly drive the demand for buying cans of crickets to eat at the next football game. Now slugs? Maybe.  ------------- ...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: BaldJean
Date Posted: July 23 2016 at 12:13
what is in your opinion so eccentric about Hammill's vocals? it the lyrics are "I start to shriek" then "shriek" HAS to be shrieked; anything else would in my opinion be eccentric. and yet things like this are what Hammill is usually criticized for by those who don't like his vocals ------------- A shot of me as High Priestess of Gaia during our fall festival. Ceterum censeo principiis obsta |
Posted By: The Dark Elf
Date Posted: July 23 2016 at 12:17
Honestly, Jean, I just can't stand his vocals. I tried, really I did, but I can't stand listening to him. I've always said I'd buy instrumental VdGG albums because musically I like them - just mask Hammill. ------------- ...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: BaldJean
Date Posted: July 23 2016 at 12:27
well, de gustibus non est disputandum. but you make me curious now - what do you consider to be good vocals? ------------- A shot of me as High Priestess of Gaia during our fall festival. Ceterum censeo principiis obsta |
Posted By: The Dark Elf
Date Posted: July 23 2016 at 12:40
I suppose I could be a smart-ass and say "anyone singing other than Peter Hammill". But honestly, there are just certain performers I simply don't like to listen to. Not in the same range as Hammill, of course, but Lou Reed, for instance, should have never been allowed to sing, even alone in his shower in the morning. Leonard Cohen is another one. Great lyrics, splendid, but his songs are better sung by someone else. But again, that isn't really fair to Hammill, who actually has range beyond monotone. I just don't care for Hammill's delivery and pitch. That's all. ------------- ...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: BrufordFreak
Date Posted: July 23 2016 at 12:51
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OP: an impossible yet, obviously, highly personal task. I'd go with your original gut choices. (Though I'd definitely choose Fragile over CTTE or TYE as an introductory album--because of its diversity; and I might choose Dark Side or even Animals over WYWH, but, then, that, again, is me.) (P.S. Why does Rush get to be included in a "classic" prog list when they arrived very late to the scene? And why not a non-English-speaking album à la RPI or Krautrock? So tough!)
Will there be a complementary go-to site for 21st Century Prog? ------------- Drew Fisher https://progisaliveandwell.blogspot.com/ |
Posted By: dwill123
Date Posted: July 23 2016 at 16:22
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Tarkus - Emerson, Lake and Palmer The Yes Album - Yes In The Court Of The Crimson King - King Crimson (I actually prefer LTiA but feel one needs to listen to Court before taking on LTiA). Nursery Cryme - Genesis Benefit - Jethro Tull |
Posted By: HosiannaMantra
Date Posted: July 23 2016 at 17:30
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For those who want to hear "classic prog" in a nutshell: King Crimson - In the Court of the Crimson King Yes - Close to the Edge Genesis - Foxtrot Camel - Moonmadness Eloy - Ocean For those who want to hear weird and funny things: East of Eden - Mercator Projected Family - Entertainment Samla Mammas Manna - Maltid Gong - Flying Teapot Pink Floyd - Relics For those who tend to hear some more serious experimentation: Ash Ra Tempel - Ash Ra Tempel Henry Cow - Western Culture Art Zoyd - Generation Sans Futur King Crimson - Lark's Tongues in Aspic Soft Machine - Third For those who came from hard rock/heavy metal circles: Uriah Heep - Very 'Eavy Very 'Umble Birth Control - Operation Atomic Rooster - Death Walks Behind You King Crimson - Red Jethro Tull - Benefit For those who listen to pop/mainstream music mostly: Supertramp - Breakfast in America Kayak - Phantom of the Night Pink Floyd - Dark Side of the Moon Traffic - When the Eagle Flies Kansas - Masque For those who want to get into jazzy side of prog: Colosseum - Valentyne Suite Frank Zappa - The Grand Wazoo Soft Machine - Third Samurai - Samurai If - If 3 For those who want to get into foreign language prog: PFM - Storia di un Minuto Triana - El Patio Omega - Csillagok Utjan Novalis - Sommerabend Sfinx - Zalmoxe |
Posted By: David64T
Date Posted: July 24 2016 at 08:03
Nice - you've pretty much done what I was thinking of doing! ------------- Seasons Of Change - weekly programme on community radio: https://seasonsofchangeradio.blogspot.com.au/" rel="nofollow - http://seasonsofchangeradio.blogspot.com.au/ |
Posted By: dr wu23
Date Posted: July 25 2016 at 07:19
As far as 'classic prog' goes ....that's a nice list. I wouldn't change it. For newbies it's a fine place to start.  ------------- One does nothing yet nothing is left undone. Haquin |
Posted By: Lewian
Date Posted: July 25 2016 at 07:39
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I think that most of the "classical period" Genesis albums including SEBTP are quite uneven, and I'd rather use their 1973 "Live" album, which is much more consistent in presenting highlights only; also some people (like me) tend to prefer the less polished live sound more generally when done well, and therefore it may be good to have one live album in the collection. (And I think that this reasoning may apply to newbies just as well.) |
Posted By: akaBona
Date Posted: July 25 2016 at 16:05
Yep, what a way to start your journey ... |
Posted By: Terrapin Station
Date Posted: July 25 2016 at 17:04
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Posted By: Magnum Vaeltaja
Date Posted: July 25 2016 at 19:00
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This weekend I actually got a friend of mine, who had never heard prog before, to fall in love with the genre. Bear in mind that he's a classical music fan, so there wasn't as much of a barrier for him to get through in terms of complexity in the music. Anyhow, the first five prog albums that I played for him were (in order):
------------- when i was a kid a doller was worth ten dollers - now a doller couldnt even buy you fifty cents |
Posted By: Kári
Date Posted: February 13 2017 at 13:59
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Genesis - Selling England by the Pound Yes - Fragile Pink Floyd - Dark Side of the Moon Genesis - Trick of the Tail Yes - Close to the Edge
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Posted By: omphaloskepsis
Date Posted: February 13 2017 at 16:02
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Yes- Yes Album Pink Floyd- Dark Side of the Moon Jethro Tull- Aqualung Rush- Moving Pictures Genesis- Trick of the Tail Prog rock newbees aren't ready to step in the court of the Crimson King. |
Posted By: Atavachron
Date Posted: February 13 2017 at 16:18
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^ One of my favorites-- the musicians they had did a great job spoofing classic prog ~ ------------- "Too often we enjoy the comfort of opinion without the discomfort of thought." -- John F. Kennedy |
Posted By: doompaul
Date Posted: February 13 2017 at 16:42
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JT - Songs from the Woods GG - octopus VDGG - Still Life Pink Floyd - Meddle Yes - The Yes Album
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Posted By: Dopeydoc
Date Posted: February 18 2017 at 15:21
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This how I got into prog back in 1968-70: PF - A saucerful of secrets Soft Machine - II KC - In the court of the Crimson King ELP - ELP Yes - Time and a word |
Posted By: Quinino
Date Posted: February 18 2017 at 15:56
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What ? No ELP ? Trilogy certainly has to be included, and I would choose The Lamb over any other Genesis classic album based on the diversity of the songs styles making it potentially more accessible To complete, throw in: Aqualung, Dark Side and Fish Out of Water (and would avoid any VDGG for now) |
Posted By: Tyler2112
Date Posted: February 21 2017 at 05:40
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Rush- Hemispheres ( Moving pictures is great, but it does not have the story and complex lyrics, or progressive jams that Hemispheres does) Genesis- Selling England by the pound ( Great lyrics and album, my personal favorite Genesis album) Jethro Tull- Thick as a brick ( Great lyrics and great jams) Yes- The Yes album ( Fragile is a great album, but you can not beat the great track list of the yes album with songs like starship trooper, yours is no disgrace, and I've seen all good people) Pink Floyd- The Wall ( Great progressive music and lyrics throughout the whole song) |
Posted By: someone_else
Date Posted: February 21 2017 at 06:04
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Posted By: AZF
Date Posted: February 21 2017 at 07:15
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Dark Side Of The Moon H To He Who Am The Only One Grave New World Red (Let them discover ITCOTCK themselves) Flying Teapot Pretty good starting list! |
Posted By: Guldbamsen
Date Posted: February 21 2017 at 08:26
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All these lists look the same...but I guess that's what you get when you ask for classic prog. Classic prog though can mean a lot of different things, sure KC, Yes, Floyd, Genesis, ELP, Gentle Giant, Van Damme Generator and Jethro Tull are all great bands who've made some of my favourite albums, but the world doesn't stop at London or Cornwall. How about: Il Balletto di Bronzo - Ys Amon Düül ll - Tanz der Lemming Bubu - Anabelas Harmonium - Si On Avait... SBB - Karlstad ------------- “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: Magnum Vaeltaja
Date Posted: February 21 2017 at 10:55
Right on! Good to see some international representation in this thread as opposed to just more English stuff (even if that is what I included in my response).  I 100% agree with the Harmonium one. Completely accessible and I have yet to meet anyone who didn't like it after I put it on. SBB is also a great choice. Bubu might be a bit riskier since it does get avant-garde at times, but I actually have had success turning people onto prog with this one. I might also suggest the following: Bacamarte - Depois Do Fim Maneige - Les Porches Quarteto 1111 - Onde, Quando, Como, Porque, Cantamos Pessoas Vivas Quella Vecchia Locanda - S/T Weidorje - S/T ------------- when i was a kid a doller was worth ten dollers - now a doller couldnt even buy you fifty cents |
Posted By: Rednight
Date Posted: February 21 2017 at 12:33
------------- "It just has none of the qualities of your work that I find interesting. Abandon [?] it." - Eno |
Posted By: AFlowerKingCrimson
Date Posted: February 21 2017 at 12:49
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I don't know if I posted in this thread before or not but here we go: 1. Yes - Close to the Edge 2. ELP - same 3. Pink Floyd - Wish You Were Here 4. King Crimson - In the Court of the Crimson King 5. Genesis - Selling England by the Pound |
Posted By: Mascodagama
Date Posted: February 21 2017 at 13:43
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OK: 1. Borbetomagus - Seven Reasons For Tears 2. John Coltrane - Ascension 3. Behold The Arctopus - Skullgrid 4. Flying Luttenbachers - Gods of Chaos 5. Lou Reed - Metal Machine Music None of them are classic prog. But if you force some poor sod to sit through that lot, and then play anything by ELP, Yes, Genesis, Tull or KC they will be so grateful they'll probably call their children after you. |
Posted By: Dellinger
Date Posted: February 21 2017 at 21:15
| I just read a review about In the Court of the Crimson King, and I guess it might actually be the best one to start someone with prog... right at the beginning. |
Posted By: Kingsnake
Date Posted: February 22 2017 at 04:14
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Camel - Mirage Jethro Tull - Thick as a Brick Yes - Fragile Moody Blues - Days of Future Passed Gentle Giant - Gentle Giant
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Posted By: floyd4
Date Posted: February 25 2017 at 09:21
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1. Atom Heart Mother 2. In the Court of the Crimson King < id="_npfido" ="applicationpfido" height="0">
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Posted By: AFlowerKingCrimson
Date Posted: February 25 2017 at 10:21
They could be an actual prog band for all we know. It kind of sounds a bit like Starcastle actually.
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Posted By: Argo2112
Date Posted: June 28 2017 at 14:18
Not to heavy, more accessible material, I would do something like :
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Posted By: Arnulf Floyd
Date Posted: July 04 2017 at 02:43
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1: Pink Floyd - The Dark Side of the Moon 2: Yes - Close to the Edge 3: Rush - 2112 4: King Crimson - In The Court of the King Crimson 5: Genesis - Foxtrot ------------- Long Live Rock 'n' Roll |
Posted By: Barbu
Date Posted: July 04 2017 at 03:44
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