As the title says, I know very few things about prog music, but the little I discovered pleases me a lot. I am delighted to make discoveries in this vast world of prog.

Until now, I love Vangelis (big fan), some songs of Yes, and I like bands like Glass Hammer and Janison Edge.

Nice to meet you all!

Welcome!  Since you're from France, I'd start exploring the excellent 70's prog from your own backyard 

1)  Ange - their 1st 6 albums

2)  Mona Lisa - their 1st 4 albums

3)  Pulsar - their 1st 3 albums

4)  Atoll - their 1st 3 albums

5)  Pentacle - La Clef Des Songes

6)  Carpe Diem - En Regardent Passer Le Temps

7)  Et Cetera - Et Cetera

8)  Memoriance - L'ecume des Jours D'Apres Boris Vian

Most if not all of these have been uploaded to youtube so you can preview before buying...

Have fun 

Welcome ~

Welcome.

In France, I think I would also include Richard Pinhas and Heldon, though these can be very tough, but Richard's views and ideas on his music are all over EUROCK, and they are difficult to understand, even for me, but the music itself is so different and quite a treat once you get used to it.

I was thinking that Clearlight and Cyreille Verdoux might be a good check also.

I also like, A LOT, Alan Stivell and his unusual mixes, that are special in their own way, and very progressive, although I wonder if his adding a lead guitar to Celtic stuff is something that turns off folks that like Enya. He also is not afraid to be political and attack the French in their history, whose story is not a fun read.

I would suggest just going down the list of the top 250 albums here and checking out what you're not familiar with. Subgenres will suit you and some won't unless you like everything! No need second guessing, just dig in and start exploring! That's the only way i found tons of music i never dreamed of :)

http://www.progarchives.com/top-prog-albums.asp?ssubgenres=&salbumtypes=1&syears=&scountries=&sminratings=0&smaxratings=0&sminavgratings=0&smaxresults=250&x=84&y=6#list" rel="nofollow - Progressive Rock Top Albums / all subgenres - 1 - all years - all countries

Good calls.  I love the Pinhaus album "Chronolyse" and Clearlight's "Forever Blowing Bubbles" 

Hello! My wife and I (same-sex marriage) love Japan; a good friend of us lives in Kyoto where he teaches German at the university.

One can't speak of France and prog without mentioning Magma. Here a youtube clip; their latest epic "Sl*g Tanz" live:

And as far as prog in Japan goes we are especially fond of the Acid Mothers Temple:

 

You have already had so many recommendations that I won´t give you more. If you want to hear some Finnish wonders some day, don´t hesitate to ask.

I almost envy people like you to have a chance to discover for the first time all the richness and variety one can find within prog.  It is quite the journey man...  you may step in a few piles of sh*t along the way but you will also find some of the best music ever recorded. The journey is sifting through the crap, and there is a lot from bands that think silly intellectualism and killer chops = good prog, to find the gold where talent, creativity and a good ear for melody and songwriting intersect.

welcome to the site.  

Melody is only one component of music. There is some brilliant creativity in atonality and dissonance as well. Not everyone's ball of wax of course but i love both sides of the melodic spectrum myself 

By the way, I just went to Marillion concert in Japan with my wife and I had a pleasant time, the band being very generous with its audience and fans.