Soft/Mellow albums
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=121975
Printed Date: August 03 2025 at 07:43
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 11.01 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Soft/Mellow albums
Posted By: dougmcauliffe
Subject: Soft/Mellow albums
Date Posted: January 13 2020 at 14:19
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Hey all I’m looking for some softer easy to listen to prog albums that are relatively upbeat and aren’t gonna pull and sharp turns on you. Any albums well known to obscure are fine for suggestions. The perfect examples would be Les Sinq Saisons by Harmonium and Ommadawn by Mike Oldfield. Thank you!
------------- The sun has left the sky... ...Now you can close your eyes |
Replies:
Posted By: dr wu23
Date Posted: January 13 2020 at 14:42
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This one popped into my head right away.... ------------- One does nothing yet nothing is left undone. Haquin |
Posted By: dr wu23
Date Posted: January 13 2020 at 14:52
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Played this the other day..... ------------- One does nothing yet nothing is left undone. Haquin |
Posted By: Grumpyprogfan
Date Posted: January 13 2020 at 15:09
| Not too familiar with softer music. How about Renaissance, Eno, Gabriel's later music, Moody Blues, Caravan, and the first Crimson album minus 21st Century Schizoid Man. |
Posted By: Mirakaze
Date Posted: January 13 2020 at 15:23
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Off the top of my head, two of my favourite examples of prog that also manages to be quiet, dreamlike and folky are the self-titled album of Storm Corrosion (a collaboration of Steven Wilson and Mikael Åkerfeldt) and http://danileepearce.bandcamp.com/album/petrichor" rel="nofollow - Petrichor by Dani Lee Pearce. Also, I'm not much of a fan of them myself but I think the music of Iamthemorning scratches the same sort of itch for a lot of people. |
Posted By: Lewian
Date Posted: January 13 2020 at 16:08
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Did you try the North Sea Radio Orchestra? All their albums would qualify. Sky 1 maybe also, if you like classically influenced instrumentals.
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Posted By: dwill123
Date Posted: January 13 2020 at 16:48
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I've got to recommend some Strawbs. .
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Posted By: AFlowerKingCrimson
Date Posted: January 13 2020 at 17:36
| Well, I already know you like Camel so I won't suggest them. Not a lot comes to my mind off the top of my head. However, I suggest "geese and the ghost" by Anthony Phillips and "...di terra" by Banco. Both have some rather up beat moments but neither are start to finish heavy and bombastic. |
Posted By: dougmcauliffe
Date Posted: January 13 2020 at 18:33
Ah geese is a great album for what I’m looking for thank you! I’ll check out the Banco as well! ------------- The sun has left the sky... ...Now you can close your eyes |
AFlowerKingCrimson wrote:Posted By: dougmcauliffe
Date Posted: January 13 2020 at 18:33
Renaissance and moodys def fit the bill! Thank you. ------------- The sun has left the sky... ...Now you can close your eyes |
Posted By: AFlowerKingCrimson
Date Posted: January 13 2020 at 18:44
| You mentioned Ommadawn by Mike Oldfield. Have you heard Tubular Bells? If not check that one out. |
Posted By: dougmcauliffe
Date Posted: January 13 2020 at 18:50
I have heard it, a little scarier than what I’m looking for ------------- The sun has left the sky... ...Now you can close your eyes |
Posted By: Snicolette
Date Posted: January 13 2020 at 19:07
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Have you heard anything by Charlie Cawood? Mostly instrumental and finely played. Check out Blurring Into Motion. You may also quite like Anthony Phillips new Strings of Light recording. ------------- "Into every rain, a little life must fall." ~Tom Rapp |
Posted By: dougmcauliffe
Date Posted: January 13 2020 at 23:02
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Thanks for all the suggestions everyone. spent the night tripping, listened to tales from Topographic oceans (skipping ritual part 4 oh god the dingdingding section) and L’heptade XL by harmonium. It was an amazing experience. Will explore all these suggestions throughout the week. ------------- The sun has left the sky... ...Now you can close your eyes |
Posted By: AFlowerKingCrimson
Date Posted: January 13 2020 at 23:07
A bit of a hidden gem these days but try Sacrament by White Willow. They later became a bit heavier but this one is more in the symphonic folk vein.
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Posted By: richardh
Date Posted: January 14 2020 at 00:10
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Stephen Caudel would be perfect although there are only 2 good albums he has released. Wine Dark Sea - 1980's album . Originally envisaged as a Orchestral plus band suite it then became a solo release where he played all the instruments a la Mike Oldfield. It's a truly beautiful album imo. I would put tis musically somewhere between Oldfield, Camel and Hackett. Earth In Turquoise - late 90's 'comeback' album and pushed by the late great Alan Freeman on his rock show (then airing on Capital radio) . Very solid album and a bit heavier than Wine Dark Sea but not as good compositionally imo. Draws inspiration from the Arthurian legend as many do! |
Posted By: dr wu23
Date Posted: January 14 2020 at 11:45
Yes...I also recommend the first, Ignis Fatuus.  ------------- One does nothing yet nothing is left undone. Haquin |
Posted By: dougmcauliffe
Date Posted: January 14 2020 at 11:47
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I believe they have the keyboard player of my beloved Wobbler^ so I’m interested ------------- The sun has left the sky... ...Now you can close your eyes |
Posted By: AFlowerKingCrimson
Date Posted: January 14 2020 at 12:00
Yes on some of it but only one track on the particular album I mentioned. If you like the lighter moments of early KC or Celeste then check out WW.
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Posted By: Barbu
Date Posted: January 14 2020 at 12:09
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Stormcock by Roy Harper Masterpiece. ------------- |
Posted By: timothy leary
Date Posted: January 14 2020 at 13:21
| Hostsonaten has some mellow offerings. |
Posted By: Dopeydoc
Date Posted: January 14 2020 at 13:23
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I can suggest Moonrise. Any of their 3 first albums (listed in PA). Below an extract from PA biography. "The style of MOONRISE is a blend of influences from bands like Genesis,
Marillion and IQ with melodic AOR, producing atmospheric Neo Progressive
rock that flows gently from start to end but in some tracks Lukasz also
presents us a harder edge with some almost metalic touches, don't
expect radical changes but the excellent guitar work and lush keyboards
make of their debut album an interesting experience."
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Posted By: AFlowerKingCrimson
Date Posted: January 14 2020 at 13:30
Rate your music has those two plus "bow of burning gold." This site(PA) has a total of five albums listed though.
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Posted By: AFlowerKingCrimson
Date Posted: January 14 2020 at 13:37
| Maybe the band Karda Estra? I really only know their first album but apparently most of their stuff is pretty mellow although apparently in a sometimes dark way. |
Posted By: richardh
Date Posted: January 15 2020 at 00:12
Yes I am aware of that and own all of them . My clumsy wording meant to say that he has only 2 albums worth checking out imo.
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Posted By: Prog-jester
Date Posted: January 15 2020 at 02:56
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love me some mellow/ambient prog! Definitely try Talk Talk (and Mark Hollis solo), David Sylvian, The Blue Nile, Tangerine Dream and this goodie: |
Posted By: Meltdowner
Date Posted: January 15 2020 at 05:01
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If you like Oldfield and Camel definitely check out Bo Hansson. I actually prefer Watership Down over The Snow Goose. Since you like Harmonium you could also listen to Maneige's Les Porches. As for Italians, I often turn to Locanda Delle Fate's debut for that kind of mood.
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Posted By: Mortte
Date Posted: January 15 2020 at 06:34
| Lou Reed´s Hudson River Wind Meditations is the most soft & mellow album made by a rock artist. |
Posted By: I prophesy disaster
Date Posted: January 15 2020 at 06:49
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I don't know if they qualify as "Soft/Mellow", but The Long Hello is a group with members from Van der Graaf Generator (but not Peter Hammill) playing jazzy instrumental music with a prettiness that is largely absent from the music of VdGG. But even with its prettiness, the music still has an edge that I find appealing.
------------- 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: AFlowerKingCrimson
Date Posted: January 15 2020 at 15:13
No, I get that. It just seems that the one I mentioned is rated as highly as the other two(it even has a five out of five on rym).
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Posted By: AFlowerKingCrimson
Date Posted: January 15 2020 at 15:15
He used to do yoga and wanted to make an album he could do yoga to apparently.
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Posted By: Mascodagama
Date Posted: January 15 2020 at 21:52
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Hear: Gotic - Escenes John G. Perry - Sunset Wading Lucio Battisti - Anima Latina Peter Michael Hamel - Organum Alquin - Marks Rägnarok (Sweden) - s/t Quella Vecchia Locanda - Il Tempo Della Gioia ------------- Soldato of the Pan Head Mafia. We'll make you an offer you can't listen to. http://bandcamp.com/jpillbox" rel="nofollow - Bandcamp Profile |
Posted By: Mortte
Date Posted: January 15 2020 at 21:58
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Posted By: richardh
Date Posted: January 16 2020 at 00:18
interesting and a little surprising to me it's so highly rated . Its an okay album. I wish Stephen had done more but I guess he couldn't get the necessary recording deals to do it.
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Posted By: Guldbamsen
Date Posted: January 16 2020 at 04:25
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I almost never see Carol Of Harvest mentioned on here - even in threads about obscure gems - and that is truly a pity! This album should please just about any prog connoisseur that digs a little grass with their prague. This album sounds like it was recorded inside a studio that somehow managed to be an open field as well..ie music from tall grasses: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Ko8hQsai6_Q ------------- “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: TheH
Date Posted: January 16 2020 at 08:09
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Eris Pluvia - Ring of Earthly Light one of the most romantic pastoral Prog Albums ever |
Posted By: miamiscot
Date Posted: January 17 2020 at 08:42
| Anthony Phillips, anyone? |
Posted By: kenethlevine
Date Posted: January 17 2020 at 11:19
agree...though there are parts of "Trial a Little Bit" that are hardly mellow...even if incredibly awesome!
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Posted By: kenethlevine
Date Posted: January 17 2020 at 11:21
one of my top 10 albums of all time. It completely draws me into its world
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Posted By: Guldbamsen
Date Posted: January 17 2020 at 12:05
Heh..well you got me there Ken, but as you rightly state those parts are indeed awesome  I thought you would’ve recommended some Vollenweider  though perhaps not exactly what he’s looking for. (I thoroughly enjoyed reading your recent review stint btw. Quite awesome as well )As for other mellow/soft albums I find the prog folk section to offer up quite a few humdingers. I’ve recently dug back into my old German albums and especially Witthüser & Westrupp’s Trips & Träume as well as the perplexing tale of Jesus on shrooms via Der Jesuspilz hit the spot for me. I think they fit this thread perfectly. Italy has it’s soft and gentle gems as well now that I think of it. One of my faves is Il Paese dei Balocchi. Has this elegant floating feeling - like looking at a plastic bag caught in dancing upwinds. ------------- “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: dr wu23
Date Posted: January 17 2020 at 12:12
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Pulsar...Strands of the Future.... ------------- One does nothing yet nothing is left undone. Haquin |
Posted By: Snicolette
Date Posted: January 17 2020 at 12:17
Would absolutely agree with much of the prog/folk artists.... ------------- "Into every rain, a little life must fall." ~Tom Rapp |
Posted By: kenethlevine
Date Posted: January 17 2020 at 12:22
well thank you much! Andreas Vollenweider is certainly highly recommended if one likes it mellow, with the two best IMO being "Down to the Moon" and "Kryptos" IMO, also sampling 2 distinct eras, his commercial wiondfall and his more studious symphonic world music extravaganzas. But the truth is that so much of what I listen to is mellow and often dreamy that I don't know where to begin, other than to second the insights like yours. I do believe I also enjoyed Witthüser & Westrupp’s Trips & Träume yes, and Nicky, as you state, prog folk is a great place to explore this, perhaps looking at clem of nazareth, sean trane and my reviews (prog folk team). We don't have exactly the same taste (sean is waaaaay more eclectic and bob more erudite) but where we agree, your odds are pretty good.
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Posted By: Guldbamsen
Date Posted: January 17 2020 at 13:53
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Over the last few years I’ve spent a lot of time listening to mellow music. Best way of relaxing a tensionridden broken body I find...but then again that’s also including Tangerine Dream, Klaus Schulze and AIR. The latter made an album called 10000 Hz Legend which should tickle the modern-day progger with an affinity for dreamy mellow soundscapes. As for prog folk I forgot to mention Perry Leopold’s Christian Lucifer. That thing is just gorgeous. Oh my..almost forgot! Here you go folks, thank me later. Lucio Battisti’s Anima Latina  https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=p9waqCjunvQ ------------- “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: kenethlevine
Date Posted: January 17 2020 at 14:14
God yes...I mean...well damn yes
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Posted By: Guldbamsen
Date Posted: January 18 2020 at 04:18
  I popped it on late last night and was yet again reminded of the delicate and mellow nature..you really have to listen to the vocals alongside those beautiful but rather menacing touches to the reeds to notice the darker side of things. The oboe in particular just takes my breath away. I was about to mention another gem of an album but it flew out my nose whilst typing this..err what was it again? Sure, Popol Vuh! Talking about mellow albums and you’re bound to end up in Florian’s lap. Hosianna Mantra is a good starting point imo. I would also strongly recommend Setna’s Guérison from a few years back. Yes I know it’s categorised as Zeuhl here on PA...but Zeuhl is more than the obvious soundtrack music for Hannibal’s elephant hordes storming down the mountainside  Guérison is about as velvety and soothing as it gets, mellow floating somewhat psych inspired wafting fusion.Hah! I remember the actual album I thought of to begin with Just so happens to be located in prog folk.Troisième Rive’s Banlieues: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=tYtAX38V3DQ Sprinkling, sparkly guitars together with a gooey gelatinous backdraft and you get this beautiful ‘daybreak kind of feel’ to the music. It’s been a while but I’m glad I thought of it. Banlieues is hereby today’s next spin! ------------- “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: Guldbamsen
Date Posted: January 18 2020 at 06:25
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Another little obscure gem I thought of is Trefle’s Reflet: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=sGMIO4h7XMY Reminds me of a gentler more soothing take on Ange. ------------- “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: Psychedelic Paul
Date Posted: January 18 2020 at 07:19
| How about "The Geese and the Ghost" (1977) by Anthony Phillips. |
Posted By: grantman
Date Posted: January 18 2020 at 17:15
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the snow goose camel discreet music brian eno oalis of sunhillow jon anderson |
Posted By: pingkrimfloyd58
Date Posted: February 04 2020 at 15:17
| Check out Katatonia’s “Dethroned & Uncrowned”. You won’t be sorry! |
Posted By: fracturematt
Date Posted: February 06 2020 at 15:32
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This is totally out there and probably not anyone's idea of prog, but check out The Kilimanjaro Darkjazz Ensemble. I always like having that on in the backgroud at work. Just good atmosphere. Mellow. Dark. I dig it. |
Posted By: hugo1995
Date Posted: February 06 2020 at 16:34
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Did you say... Soft? ------------- interests: Moon Safari, Gilgamesh, Egg, ELP, Soft Machine, Gong, Opeth (Everything pre watershed), Brighteye Brison, The Flower Kings |
Posted By: Barbu
Date Posted: February 06 2020 at 18:29
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50 Words for Snow ------------- |