What 70s prog albums should I buy?

Thellama73, I'm probably a little hard on Fragile's `Cans and Brahms', but I'm much more forgiving of it these days! I used to just press `skip' straight away, like a knee-jerk reaction, but these days I just let it play.

Is it a good interpretation, Doug? I assumed that classical purists would have really disliked it!

Thanks for the info! I've really been too hard on it, especially considering it's so short. Hardly like an album-breaker or anything!

Wow Dellinger, very interesting! That's from one of the only Wakeman solo albums I truly enjoy all of, so you're right, would have made `Fragile' even better!

I assume if he'd been allowed to include his own original piece, in keeping with the shorter solo pieces scattered throughout `Fragile', it would have been in an edited form, or at least a much shorter arrangement?

Edited by Aussie-Byrd-Brother - September 27 2012 at 19:15

Progbethyname! I was worried about that, so time to turn this train around! Zeqexes, go ahead and buy either of those two albums! You can't go wrong with either...and start planning on your next album/band that isn't Yes!

As for a recommendation - how about the highly regarded `Camel - Moonmadness'?

You mentioned in your original post that up until now you'd only been listening to more modern stuff, why don't you tell us which modern prog artists/albums you've been listening to, and we can suggest 70's albums that might appeal to you along the lines of your current listens?

Edited by Aussie-Byrd-Brother - September 27 2012 at 21:21

No, not a problem, mate, you've clearly been pointed in the right direction and are sure to pick up some fine albums! Happy hunting!

On the other hand, many people (myself included) consider the filler to be very good. (Although I must admit I'm no fan of Cans and Brahms either.)

I'll give you a recommendation that is typically overlooked. Jade warrior "Released" and/or Jade Warrior "Last Autumn's Dream. The band never caught on, I think because of lack of support from the record company they were signed to. But they have all the musicianship, symphonic qualities, dynamic contrast, and pent up aggression as the best of the era, yet still unique as one of the first bands, for instance, to experiment with World Music. Throw in lyrics with "dragon kings" and "circle of orientation spells" and they're nice way enter the era.

BTW, I love the Battle of Epping Forest, hilarious. When it comes to Firth of Fifth I absolutely adore the guitar solo, but care very little for any of the rest of it. I found I was able to enjoy More Fool Me when I entered my forties. Excessive maturity required.

SYMPHONIC  PROG:
Yes, Genesis, Rennesaince, Camel
CANTERBURY SCENE:
Kahn, Caravan, The Soft Machine, Gong
RIO/AVANTE
while centered around more the 60s, Frank Zappa
PROGRESSIVE ELECTRONIC:
Tangerine Dream, Kraftwerk
SPACE ROCK:
Pink Floyd
CROSSOVER PROG:
Kevin Gilbert, Mike Oldfield, Supertramp, The Moody Blues
ECLECTIC PROG:
Peter Hammil, Steve Hackett, Van Derr Graff Generator, King Crimson, Gentle Giant
HEAVY PROG:
Rush, Uriah Heep
KRAUTROCK:
Can, Popol Vuh
PROG FOLK:
Jethro tull
ROCK PROGRESSIVO ITALIANO:
Premiata Forneria Marcorni, Banco Del Mutuo Soccorso, Area
ZHEUL:
Dun, Magma

is that enough? :3

Aussie-Byrd-Brother wrote: Progbethyname! I was worried about that, so time to turn this train around! Zeqexes, go ahead and buy either of those two albums! You can't go wrong with either...and start planning on your next album/band that isn't Yes! As for a recommendation - how about the highly regarded `Camel - Moonmadness'? You mentioned in your original post that up until now you'd only been listening to more modern stuff, why don't you tell us which modern prog artists/albums you've been listening to, and we can suggest 70's albums that might appeal to you along the lines of your current listens?

Actually, for Camel albums, I prefer Mirage. That was the first I got and really love it.