Gentle Giant is one of the most unique progressive bands ever. Very much underrated. Because they did not play for commercial success and even disbanned for ever when they considered that chapter of music was finished (due to punk). Their musicianship is so advanced, that, yeah, one may need to have played some instrument to really understand it. As about the heart, wow, there is a lot of heart in their music. As you said in your prior video (part 1) one needs to listen a few times to this complex music to get into it and become part of your soul. I suggest you do that as well with Gentle Giant. I used to play 4 instruments, also sung in a choire on occasion and I can say Gentle Giant, together with King Crimson, Van Der Graaf Generator, Yes, Genesis and Jethro Tull are the best Prog rock ever produced. For the mind and for the heart the same. Their best albums in order (subjective preference of course): 1. In a glass house 2. Octopus 3. Aquiring the taste 4. Three Friends 5 The power and the glory 6. Free hand 7. Gentle Giant (first) Those first 7 a close call 8. Civilian 9. The missing piece Decent considering comparisons with any other group 10. Interview 11. Giant for a day Decent as well, but somehow less inspired and trying to be updated to late 70's sound (not entirely successful). This comes from someone who listened to all GG albums since they were issued and still does, summing hundreds of times of full album auditions. And I like Big Big Train, Porcupine tree, Marillion, Anglagard, Tool and such, as well. Also, ELP, Renaissance, Pink Floyd, Harmonium, Focus, Camel, Rush, Supertramp, Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple and many others. With all that said, Gentle Giant is still one of the top best, together with King Crimson and Van Der Graaf Generator (can't decide among those three). For anyone interested: www.progarchives.com/artist.asp?id=118 www.progarchives.com/top-prog-albums.asp?salbumtypes=1
Kudos to you for your love of Gentle Giant. All these band inspire dedication, and most are worthy of it. GG not quite 'my cup of tea', but I'm still glad they were around. I keep going back to them, despite the limits on their emotional impact (to these ears, at least). 👍🏻
I've heard David's head/heart argument a lot over the years. (It's been directed at me more than once). It makes sense, but only superficially I think. I think it misunderstands what is being said by the 'intellectuals'. It's not that say, the handing off of one soloist to another is applauded for its cleverness, but that the musical event creates an emotional reaction in the listener that has to be described in musical terms to someone who missed it. How else could you? It's like poetry. You can have a really emotional reaction to a poem or a lyric, but if you try to describe why, you'll soon be talking about the hypnotic rhythm of each verse, or the way it distils what would in prose be a paragraph into a couple of lines... "That's what I've always thought, but it's all so clearly said in just a few words." It immediately sounds like you're having an intellectual reaction, when you're just trying to say why you're having an emotional reaction.
The lucky few who know Gentle Giant are privileged. Fantastic variety and heroic effort put in by these lads. There is humour in there too, like 'Bet You Thought We Couldn't Do It', which is a rather different take on a rock track and not typical GG (hence the title).......or the start of a track (Runaway) on the 'In a Glass House' album that starts with, you guessed it, breaking glass. There is so much in their music that, if you listen carefully, you might even hear the kitchen sink included !!
I loved your first Prog video, but I feel you really missed the mark with Gentle Giant. I completely disagree with the often shared view that they lack emotional resonance. People who say this aren't really listening or hearing the right albums IMO. Listen to Moon Is Down, Black Cat, Schooldays, Raconteur Troubadour, Proclamation, Playing the Game, Aspirations, On Reflection etc., and tell me there is no emotional resonance? Shorter tracks don't always equate to less emotional impact. Also Interview is probably their weakest of the prog period albums (mediocre at best). The other thing I would highly disagree with is that Jethro Tull is more folk/rock than Prog, especially considering you had Supertramp in your top 10 who are definitely more rock than prog. Otherwise, your comments are spot on. I especially like your plug on the GO album, which is massively underrated!
Hi Caravan are one of my favourite bands. The best album for me is The Land Of Grey And Pink nearly as good is For Girls That Grow Plump In The Night. To me the vocals are very English with Pye Hastings having as you say the weaker voice and Richard Sinclair having the more distinctive voice also a fantastic bass player. Richard Sinclair also in the band Hatfield and The North that didn’t get a mention
I actually love Richard Sinclair's voice (in Caravan, Hatfield and the North and Camel), and can't understand how anybody could consider his singing "weak"... But hey, different strokes for different folks.
@@georgejacob9099 Ha ha. It happens! Thanks for the tip, but surely Tiktok is mainly for teenagers?! A few shorter vlogs on YT might be a good idea though.
Part 1 and 2 was an honest review of the best of Prog music peppered by rock, folk, jazz and metal influences. I am of a similar age to the author and I have many of the albums listed. Naturally everyone won’t agree with the choices or reasoning for inclusion/exclusion but I’m looking forward to listening to those albums I’m not familiar with. I love ELP and like Focus but I never ever thought they were similar and I love Dream Theater, I think they are the premier band for carrying prog into the 21st century. Thanks for two most enjoyable reviews.
Sorry but Jethro Tull is prog , this band combines fusión Jazz, Folk , hard rock, symphonic rock, classic rock , sometimes blues , and the Albums Thick as a Brick and Passion Play are defined as operatic Prog rock , this is the band that have varied more the different styles, which fits exactly on what is the definition of progressive rock.
Mate we hear you on jethro , you carry on why ? I like Tull But they are never going to appeal to everyone. They are tight. But heavy blues and some Bloke( yeah I know he wrote it. ) whips out a flute. It’s different for sure. But come on.
I forget to mention the influence of blues on them. I know people give them the 'benefit of the doubt' regarding their 'prog status', and I'm happy to go with the flow. Nevertheless, Ian Anderson was sniffy about any association with prog for many years (probably based on JT's reputation in the USA), and he's only acknowledged their prog connections, now that it's only 'Prog' magazine that's writing about them. Regardless, I like them.
There was a 2021 series on the BBC about a true story of a murderer who lived in Thailand called "The Serpent" and killed backpackers. Some of the background music was Rare Bird. I recognised it straight away after all these years.
Oh Caravan are so cool....love them....Girls Go Plump In The Night is my fave...I guess you don't like high pitch voices much? I think it's very fine...uplifting prog and the Canterbury scene ruled!
For me Gentle Giant, in prog terms, are right up there. Their approach ticks the boxes for me over Yes or Genesis. Seems to me they had a purity of approach.
We were in a band, as far away from prog as you get, but we did the all swap instrument thing ( usually to kick the rigid minded guitarist off lead ). The difference with us was we were limited in ability.
I like your comments on vocalists. So many of the lesser known prog bands suffered from poor vocalists, However, I disagree re Caravan love their vocals. Try the latest Styx album - very prog and great melodic prog
Usual classification performed by an English speaker. Where is the Progressivo Italiano or French progressive rock? Banco del Mutuo Soccorso, Area and Magna are worth less than Emerson, Lake & Palmer? Masterpieces like Darwin! or has Mekanïk Destruktïw Kommandöh disappeared? Where is the German scene? Amon Dull, Kraftwerk worth less than Emerson, Lake and Palmer?
Well, regarding Gentle Giant, I think you missed the emotional content of their superb Free Hand, the album prior to Interview. This is my favorite album of theirs and melds gregorian chant-like vocals with jazz rock stylings and complex time signatures. The title track, when cranked, is a total and powerful knock out. Steven Wilson thought enough of this album that his remixed version is incredible. Also, I think you also missed the fact that Jethro Tull's Thick As A Brick and Passion Play albums, that proceeded Aqualung, are great progressive rock albums with single track per side productions.
"Hero and Heroine" is a great album, but I'm not sure it's The Strawbs best record. There's "From the Witchwood," "Bursting at the Seams," and "Grave New World" to contend with as well.
Those are all great albums. 'Witchwood' is quite different from the others though. I do like their earlier albums, as the years pass. I adore 'Lay Down' and always enjoy 'Part of the Union' from the 'bursting' album. Fine band.
Enjoyed your prog videos and was waiting for kudos to Giant. Was intrigued by your thoughts on them, and cant say i disagree. You never mention Aphrodite's Child and 666. This is about the only prog LP I return too nowadays, even though back in the day i owned about 40% of the albums you mention. Hope you continue to do music videos, maybe British bands that never made it in the states. like The Groundhogs, John Martyn, Alan Hull, etc. Keep up the good work!
For me the number one progressive rock album is 666 by Greek band Aphrodite's Child followed by Gentle Giant's Glass House and Acquiring the Taste. But that's my opinion.
Great Video. Lots of good listening choices. I think you may have given up too early on Marillion. They have some great albums post FISH era that may surprise you - BRAVE, Afraid of Sunlight, Marbles, FEAR...are all worth a listen.
Hi Mary, I have most of Marillion's albums, right up to F.E.A.R. I like Marbles in particular. There is much to discover in their extensive catalogue. Perhaps there's too much for the casual listener to digest. Hogarth was a real catch once Fish had gone. Great vocalist.
You should check out the band Izz. They are from New York. Like a mix of Genesis, Yes, Renaissance, and Gentle Giant. Recommend "My River Flows" and "The Darkened Room" as a place to start. My favorite of the newer prog bands.
A great Channel. Found it watching the Genesis album ranking .... Here's one I would like to recommend to you (If no one possibly did before) ist, Stomu Yamashta - Go Live From Paris, which is a great double album. The line-up are the three fantastic musicians that are also on the album you showed plus Klaus Schulze and Al Di Meola and others. I still have the old pressing from '77 I guess, which (in my opinion) sounds quite good. May be there a better and newer releases.
Guess, I overheard that, sorry. Musst check what albums I die mit have a try to complete the Yamashta Collection. Gave the Live Album a spin today and have to admit, it is quite a while ago that I listened to it. At the moment I am listening to VdGG's La Rossa. My current favorite track of VdGG. Hava a nice weekend with lots of great music.
Enjoyed your very personal view of Progressive rock. Many old faves and a few new titles for me to explore. PFM's CHOCOLATE KINGS is now on my list. Your comment of the lead singer's "over-excited Peter Gabriel" reminded me of Roger Chapman, lead singer of the band Family. I'd put them in the Prog Rock camp because of the diverse instrumentation, deep subject matter and dynamic delivery. Chapman's voice is a 'love it or hate it' proposition but, for me, works in the context of the overall sound. Their album FEARLESS (which also features John Wetton) is excellent.
I've never been able to overcome my dislike of Chapman's vocals. I even say him perform with Streetwalkers, but his voice put me off exploring Family's catalogue with any enthusiasm. Probably my loss.
@@davidatkinson-lifematters4826 I totally get that. I was once buying a Family compilation with a friend and he asked me to describe their sound. I made a kind of goat-like braying and he laughed, of course. Wetton's voice on FEARLESS (and subsequent BANDSTAND) help leaven the abrasive vocal attack. Both "Larf and Sing" and "Spanish Tide" (from FEARLESS) are especially melodic. Of course, I'll defend the whole album, especially the anthemic "Save Some for Thee" and the stand alone single "In My Own Time" as being both catchy and powerful. Funny thing about vocalists: two of the more recent bands you recommended in Part I (Big Big Train & Flower Kings) have vocalists that slavishly reproduce the Gabriel-Collins vocal style. As pleasant as that is, it certainly gets in the way of getting into the songs. Do enjoy the sound, though.
Interview is by far their best album, I still listen to it today. You really should give Octopus a listen, it's pretty cool but what do I know I'm an 65 yr old stoner who has a pair of JBL L100's which are the bestest speakers for 70's Prog rock as well as 70's fusion Jazz, ever made.
Hi David, thx for your beautiful videos about prog. They take me back (sigh) to my musical era, to the music I grew up with. I'd like to share with you, if interested to dig deeper, a quick personal guide to the most significant Italian prog albums all released in the early 70's: “Banco del Mutuo Soccorso” and "Metamorfosi" by Banco del Mutuo Soccorso (Francesco Di Giacomo amazing voice) “Storia di un minuto” by Premiata Forneria Marconi (1st album( “Palepoli” by Osanna “Felona e Sorona” by Le Orme “Crac” by Area (more jazzy or jazz rock) Check them out, they deserve Ciao Alberto
agreed. I find I cant really stomach much of the ELP portfolio, but find the first 4 or so Focus Albums to be genius, very different style and track construction.
Hey, thanks for doing these videos (the second one in particular). You mentioned many bands that I knew I liked but had not really explored much. Now I am and I have many more hours of enjoyment ahead. Cheers, Eric
I get what you said about about Nick Barratt's voice in Pendragon... but... they wouldn't be as good as they have been for 40+yrs if he hadn't been 'Nick Barratt'... my pal.
New to your channel, Hemispheres is the Rush album I play the most. Have a dig into their 80/90/ 2000s albums, you won’t be disappointed. Great videos cheers
Please stop moving the vinyl covers while we are trying to read them !!!!! You continously move the disc from hand to hand , waving it..... so we can not read the name of the band !!!!!! ... some albums I recognise them instantly by the cover image but other albums not ! Not all your spectators are english natives... it is difficult to understand sometimes your prononciation !
Surprised you have not mentioned one of the greatest prog bands ever, UK with Bruford, Wetton, Jobson and Allan Holdsworth. Probably one of the most influential and underrated bands ever, but with masters of their own instruments. Maybe if you did a video on UK many people would be very happy
Fabulous band. Saw them live when they were promoting their first album. Brilliant musicians. Main shortcoming was that, in Wetton, they only had one 'song' writer. Beyond 'In the Dead of Night' it was mostly instrumental. I put them in the same bucket as Brand X, another great band who stretched away from prog and towards jazz rock.
@@davidatkinson-lifematters4826 Love Brand X also, had all their albums together with at least 2000 other LP's. Once decided to retire in Thailand unfortunately I had to sell every album with my Thorens TD160 record player but now thanks to RU-vid I can listen to anything I want so it ain’t too bad although I miss my collection. Back in the 70's my friends thought I was a bit wierd because one minute I was listening to Led Zeppelin and then I would put Miles Davis Bitches Brew or Shakti and then flip back to Soft Machine or Gong. I loved the Canterbury period with Dave Stewart National Health, Hatfield and the North and Gilgamesh, loved and still do to this day the early Genesis, especially Nursery Cryme and Foxtrot. But the guy who has always been very close to my musical heart has to be Allan Holdsworth, maybe because I also knew him personally and loved his incredibly modest and down to earth charachter. Allan always gives me the chills but as you say, music can be very personal and not everyone will feel the same emotions. Nevertheless, I believe that if if someone listens carefully to Allan on Nevermore with the classic intro and the electric solos, I am sure that he or she would be moved as much as I am every time I listen to it and as much as anybody should be when listening to Supper's Ready or Confortably Numb. Great job by the way
Thanks David. You present what I think is a well balanced and rational critique of the classical prog rock genre. Back then (1960's, 70's, 80's), technology was not able to hide poor musicianship like it can today. I am a fan of Jan Akkerman, Roland Orzabel (not prog!) and most recently discovered Jem Godfrey's Frost* (a bit too prog-metal). I guess our tastes change over time, but I do love to just sit/lie down wearing cans, close my eyes, and just listen. Life is a bit less self-indulgent these days, but the memories that these albums recall, does not change! A great era!
I love Tears for Fears too, and I think their music will last for many years to come. Roland is a very mature and creative musician. I tried the first Frost album, and it just didn't grab me.
I also find Gentle Giant studio output as complexity for the sake of complexity for the most part. But they were cool concert band. Really rocking and quite hilarious to watch.
Great video! Thanks. I am a huge Marillion fan (so glad they got a mention). Song For America is the Kansas album to go back to if you have time. Also, did you ever hear Mei by Echolyn? It's got heart!
Vocal by Caravan are not bad. When Richard Sinclair sings, it's wonderful. This man is the top canterbury musician in my advice. When he's not there Caravan, becomes just a good band from having been a determinant force in a musical genre.
David...is that a Lenco table there to your left? If so, you need to show us your system. Another music suggestion...how about showing your favorite obscure albums that most people might not have heard of? There are so many hidden gems that sold squat but deserve to be known. Thanks!!
That's a good idea Jeff. There are several albums I can think of that few people know are out there. No quite sure how interesting it'll be for people though. I'll have a think. That turntable is a Lenco 75, and very good it is too. I have a couple of other, even better, systems. Might show them off at some point!
Glad to hear me too of Wishbone Ash. Live Dates a very good album. Another band not mentioned was Uriah Heep. Not exactly prog, but sort of, and very good
Well the 2nd or 3rd band I ever saw. First were Genesis, then BJH or Heep in quick succession. Some proggy elements in Heep, but definitely a hard rock band. Love the first live album, and of course the two studio classics 'Magician's Birthday' and 'Demons and Wizards'. I bought the single 'Easy Livin' (one of my first records). Still have it. Immense.
Thank you for that explanation of Gentle Giant. I have tried so hard to get into them over the years, one of the main reasons being that it's the only "band" that I know of that my mom listened to in the past (she listenes exclusively to classical music) plus I know that they're very highly regarded musicians... but even just today I put on that Interview album (funny enough, I hadn't seen this video yet) while I was at work and listened through the whole thing and I was just like "I don't really like this. I want to like it so badly, but I'm just not feeling it." I think you did a good job explaining why it hasn't connected with me. All the albums from your first video are top tier.
Critics labelled Jethro Tull's Aqualung as a prog album and Ian Anderson (who didn't view it as such) responded by saying "I'll give you prog" and set out to write a spoof concept album Thick As A Brick. Spoof or not it's definitely a prog album with one song being spread over two sides of an album, it's one of the sacred albums of the prog canon. The follow up album A Passion Play is definitely a prog album too. Many people may feel that Tull are hard to categorize, falling between stools as they do, but a lot of fans definitely regard them as a prog band. As an introduction I'd recommend the live album Bursting Out, it's one of the finest live albums ever.
Hi Michael, I might bee being unfair, but I've filed Spock's Beard under prog-metal and I've left their albums on the shelf. Neal Morse's solo stuff sounds great, but most of my expose has been through listening online rather than seeking out his albums. So, I'm only partially familiar, insufficiently so to include them amongst my favourites.
Why does everyone miss out Kevin Ayers albums??????…..”Joy of a Toy”, “Whatevershebringswesing”, “Confessions of Dr Dream” just to mention a few. I love the idiosyncratic ‘Englishness’ of Ayers music and what a talent with a great backing group to boot. The late great John Peel said of Ayers that he had “….a talent so acute that you could perform major eye surgery with it”….high praise indeed from the man who uncovered and exposed so many talents in the music industry.
I bought 'Day for Night' and pretty-much gave up on them after that. I think I switched my allegiance to 'The Flower Kings' soon after. You've tempted my to have a listen to 'The Light' at least. Thanks.
In regard to Gentle Giant not being emotional enough. Songs like, 'Aspirations' and 'Three friends' says otherwise in my mind. Especially the former. It's incredibly beautiful. Not sure if you have heard that one or not though.
You want a great great Prog album that’s more modern is Transatlantic-The Whirlwind from 2009. Amazing it’s up there for me for albums of all time along with thick as a brick and lamb lies down on Broadway
Cardiacs - Sing to God After Crying - many albums worth exploring (neo prog era) Egoband - Italian neo prog Cliffhanger - Netherlands neo prog Echolyn - USA Mei and a few other albums of interest Cast - Mexico - 20 studio albums neo prog 'What about Tangerine Dream?
my top ten prog records gentle giant playing the fool 1976 caravan green 1970 yes tales of trop oceans 1974 minstral in the gallery jethro tull 1975 genesis sebtp 1973 claypool lennon delirium South Of Reality 2019 porcupine tree deadwing 2005 todd rungrens utopia 1974 PF animals 77 supertramp supertramp 1970
Camel would be my all time favourite (Prog ) Band .. Andy Latimer is the only guitarist that can reduce me to tears with the emotions he has in his playing ..
His tone is marvellous, but I think it's a bit samey. But over the years he's come up with some fantastic melodies. I know he's still touring, and I'm ashamed to say I haven't seen them live since the 1970s!
@@davidatkinson-lifematters4826 I also saw Camel three times in the 1970's but not since. I love Andy Latimer's playing and he always reminded me of Dave Gilmour so I wasn't surprised to read that Roger Waters actually auditioned Andy Latimer when Pink Floyd split.
@@michaelkeudel8770 Thanks for posting the link. I’ve not heard of this band and I really enjoyed a quick listen. I need to take some time to check them out. Excellent production too.
@@stephencrawford6082 I love the diversity in their music, and that they can change the song style mid song. Mellow, then ballady, then rock, hard rock, blues, jazz, progressive. The drummer and bassist are phenomenal, the twin guitar players play so incredible together, singing is awesome. And the production mix on the audio for this concert is just incredible, you can hear every instrument clearly throughout the whole mix. This is best played loud.
Aphrodites child. 666"........Sensations fix.fragments of light.....Earth and fire. Songs of the marching children..... Pulsar. Pollen............ all of these albums overlooked and great
Ok , thanks just watched ... glad you talked about GG , also wishbone ashe , strawbs ... being an American and teen growing up in western NY I didn't get to see a lot of these bands in person so I bought albums I honestly would hear friends talk about or play at a party . Being a drumer ( not a good one ) and growing up in concert band in school marching band and also part of a Drum & Bugle corp my ear went to the more complex, complicated music ... just loved it I don't even think of the prog rock over here as prog to an extent though I loved Rush , Kansas , Triumph, Heart , Alice Cooper, and the great Frank Zappa to name a few . ( I used to see live at a bar many times Billy Sheehan ( Talas ) just blow us away with his Bass , so progessive on a Bass I'd ever seen and in a place that you might get 75 - 100 people in jam packed ...
Really like those two videos on Progress Rock! Pink Floyd's Meddle seems to be the most underrated album! I fully agree with you! In terms of Tangerine Dream I would not call them Prog Rock but more electronic music, like Kraftwerk, Klaus Schulze, etc.. If a German band would make it I would suggest CAN. Also Gentle Giant, did not touch my Heart either. There are Lots of YT Videos tackle this genre but most of them do not mention one of the best groups in my opinion which ist UK! Perhaps they came up when Prog Rock had more or less disappeared and they had brought out only two studio albums.
I enyoyed these 2 video's very much, even found some new records to listen to. I completely dig you on Dream Theater, Tool, Mars Volta but I am a big fan of Ayreon. Try Into The Electric Castle as a starter. And besides Pendragon I also like IQ (start with The Seventh house e.g.).
I have the 'Timeline' box set from Ayreon. I remember it being very enjoyable, but sometimes albums get lost in my collection and this is one of them. Time to dig it out again!
I got over Geddy Lees vocals eventually.. ...now love it....I avoided Rush for far too long for that reason....don't be put off everyone.... especially if you are also a Darkness fan🤘😎 falsetto heaven!
Hi David, your channel popped up from You Tubes recommended list. Thanks, loved your two reviews on Albums. As A Manchester lad also (now living in OZ) never got around to listing to BJH in my time. Oh yea, sure do remember Fluffs show on a Saturday after noon while I was doing my paper round. Happy days. Im also a cyclist to BTW.
Great video but come on ,Dream Theater fantastic. Any Mike Portnoy bands. Also pioneers Vanilla Fudge, Crack the Sky.,Deep purple, Spirit, Kraftwerk, Steel Heart How about doing one top Reggae bands. I'll Help you. Bob Marley's WAILERS, Third World, Steel Pulse, Morgan Heritage, Chalice, Gregory Isaacs, Maxi Priest, Bere's Hammond , Alpha Blondie ,Lucky Dube .Toots and the Maytals, Jimmy Cliff, Marcia Griffiths, Sugar Minott, Ijahman, Natalie Rize, Marcus Gad, Mo kalamity, Mello Vibes, Jah nesta. Pablo Moses , Carlene Davis. Freddy McGregor, Dennis Brown Evangelist Roger Mansour former Leslie West Vagrants Drummer and manager of Junior Braitwaite from the original WAILERS
Thank you for the excellent videos. A few days ago, I was looking for radio-like company and decided to look for prog rock on RU-vid. What a surprise to find such a fun, balanced an honest video. I was also quite pleased to find out that some of my opinions are not out there by themselves. Cheers!
Prog , yes Sir , modern prog , the guys ( Jeremy "Jem" Godfrey ) from "Frost" Million Town to start with , not their latest thoug , should be in any Top 5 , including Virgil Donati's Planet X , maybe also prog jazz , and his solo efforts , are brilliant , last but not least , my nr 1 "Sanguine Hum " ! Thankx anyway , aspecially the IQ /and the gut feeling explanation well said David .
Hi, enjoyed your reviews. But there is one group that never gets mentioned in Prog Rock and thats Jade Warrior. I know awful name but exceptional music. I'll add a proviso here, I'm only talking about the four Island albums, Floating World, Waves, Way of the Sun and Kites. These are all instrumental, their other albums have vocals with in my opinion are terrible. But these four are superb. Very melodic, jazz influenced with sometimes controlled heavy rock from guitarist Tony Duhig who died shortly after the last Kite album. I find these album very hard to categorise or pigeon hole. Orchestral in structure but not in sound. Check them out in the order of release on RU-vid. If you haven't heard them before you'll be pleasantly surprised but avoid listening to their previous or subsequent albums before these 4.
For me other prog rock albums are: Soft Machine - Third ('cause of the track The Moon In June), Stray - Saturday Morning Pictures, T2 - It'll all work out in Boomland, Amon Düül II - Tanz der Lemminge.
No mention of Spock's Beard? As a long-time fan of Yes, their last two albums in particular (Heaven and Earth and The Quest) have been a huge disappointment. However, having recently discovered the music of Spock's Beard, for me they sound the way I wish Yes music had developed. Well worth a listen🙂
Very nostalgic seeing all those bands that were part of may youth pubs and clubs, exciting times I thought would never end (70) any way do you recall Peter Banks the first guitarist for Yes later Flash he went to school with my brother in Barnet and he was actually named the architect of prog rock but you don't see much about him. Thanks ✌
Hi - enjoyed the videos, certainly took me back a good few years. I’ve not read all the comments, so they might have already been mentioned, but a band I still love and think of as the “French Genesis” would be ANGE. They did a trio of classic prog albums in the 70s starting with Au-Dela Du Delire but I would heartily recommend Guet Apens a fine album indeed and the band continue to this day. Good to see Banco Del Mutuo Soccorso mentioned in the comments too - I saw them blow Curved Air off the Salford University stage many years ago! :-)
Stretching the boundary of the genre there, Callum. Outstanding band though. I loved 'For Your Pleasure', but the one that really moved me was 'Manifesto'. That 'Dance Away' tune stuck with me for years.
A lot of talking around and about Gentle Giant while saying pretty much nothing!!! Too bad Mr. Atkinson, you did not get it! "In'terview" as the choice is telling a lot too. This album is not between the GG's best albums! "They appeal to the intellect but not the heart"?!!! Ha-ha, I guess, we all have different hearts!
Please consider,especially their early work,as a poor man’s Yes.Have a listen to their first 2 albums when they were with Wooden Nickel record.Hit and miss tunes but some excellent proggy music in first albums.
Well lack of intelectual musicality how can you said That focus has Elp elements And gentle gaint it’s lack of emotion let me guess? Nektar Is chubby checker on acid And frank zappa is the partridge Family on Cana is by any chance Did find any prog is similar to the village people or tiny Tim The birds are coming with Arthur brown on fire
Enjoyed the video and especially great to see you pick PFM 'Chocolate Kings'. It's easily my favourite of theirs and often gets ignored in favour of the first two Italian language albums. The BBC live concert from that tour is absolutely phenomenal too. I love Gentle Giant too but thought you explained why you don't very well and I can see the merit in your position on them. The only omission for me was England 'Garden Shed' but that isn't widely known.
Well done sir, you mentioned in passing, Hawkwind ( 2nd LP In Search of Space, was a step to the different), and the best prog' of all The Enid If you've not heard them try, (Something Wicked this way Comes).
I saw The Enid live way back in the 70s, but sadly I was drunk at the time, so didn't appreciate them enough. I have a few albums. I should listen to them more.
@@davidatkinson-lifematters4826 thank you for replying - -I've seen them (Enid) many times, (they are like a well kept secret), and they are still going, sort of, and are worth revisiting the aforementioned 'Something Wicked - - -' was a bit of a breakthrough as they used vocals (that has continued). I came to them a bit late and was blown away when I saw them in Bristol. Especially the encore which was Elgar's Nimrod, bloomin' stunning you know one of those moments, - - - because when they ended there was complete silence for a few seconds as we all took it in then the place erupted! Sorry to have babbled on and been a wee bit evangelical. Keep up your great work! All the best AS!
Among the the most sublimely beautiful parts in prog rock is the part of Nine Feet Underground starting at ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-_Sls_QCMG2Y.html. I feel the vocals are one critical part of it.
Hi David, I've enjoyed this and the part 1 videos about 'Greatest Prog Rock Albums'. You covered a lot of ground and from what you've said here in part 2 it seems you are much more fond of the classic or 'Golden age' of prog than much of what came after. I notice that you did not mention any of the bands or albums from what is sometimes described as 'the third wave of prog'. Do yourself a favor and come take a look at a series of three videos that I've been making recently called 'Scandi Skogs Prog'. I include some needle drops/examples of many of the bands I show and discuss. I think you may find that much of this music is worthy of your investigation. Cheers
Moody Blues and Anglagard shoulda been in part 1, but at least in this part. Moodies were one of progs founding fathers, and Anglagard are part of the modern rebirth of prog.
Great to find your site! I love that 1969-75 period when there was so much great prog. My number one album is Ambrosia's first. Never get sick of early Genesis. Have you ever heard of Il Baricentro Trusciant? Wonderful!
Nektar, I've heard now and again over the years, but they never really sustained my attention. The Ozrics, I bought several of their albums in quick succession around 20 years ago. Enjoyable, though I never considered them 'Prog'.
