1 track by 1 band that best sums up prog for you

Ouch, tough topic (but a good one!)

Larks' Tongues In Aspic - King Crimson

A complete explosion for the ear-drums and brain matter, flowing perfectly, with Cross and Muir, especially, appearing and disappearing from the mix as if they'd always/never been there. Loads of diversity, gorgeous violin, some superb solos from Fripp and Cross, one of the most interesting rhythm section sections I've yet heard. More importantly, the combination of the title and the music evokes imagery throughout (for me), with a constant theme and flawless transitions. Absolutely amazing. I might prefer exiles, maybe, just, but this is certainly the one that exemplifies what I love in my prog.

laplace wrote: I usually pick this song over anything from Western Culture because I love the female voice in prog rock.

I'm going to have to think about this one a little bit.   This topic deserves it.

Damn tough, but I think in the end I'll go for Transatlantic- All of the Above, it really does seem to encompass much of what is prog. 

Close to the Edge.  A bit cliched, perhaps?  C'mon, it's a 19 minute long song in four parts with birds and a harp in the introduction, with the rest awash in mellotrons and organs, virtuoso performances by some of the best musicians, and incomprehensible lyrics.  Prog.

The best in my book!

laplace wrote: Dr. Prog wrote: pick one track from one band (song or instrumental) that best sums up what you want to listen to in prog rock, that best defines you as a listener Henry Cow - Beautiful as the Moon; Terrible as an Army with Banners.

Probably Dancing with the moonlight knight by Genesis. I really think it summons up around 90% of what prog is. It´s got everything, interesting intro, gradual guild ups, fast paces, tempo changes, mellotrons, thought out lyrics, great soloing, strange ending and even hooks!

Nice topic Dr. Prog...

lets let the reviews speak for the song that sums it for me..

Franco Battiato - Sequenze e Frequenze

'blends dark experimental sounds with oriental influences; the unusual “filtered” Battiato’s vocals appear after more than two minutes and seem to walk on a “flying musical carpet”, then give way to suggestive percussions and other experimental sounds'

' a long, juicy but also artistic-dissolving dark piece, eccentric on experimentalism, synth sequence and minimal atmospheric conception; the middle-part has a shrill, through a sort of glass-sound play tune, on astral or harsh-vibrating pulses. The piece, so steamy yet contemplative, seems of a very pleasing and intense satisfaction. Mellow on the art (though is it really inartistic?), ravishing on the sound, one almost independent and circulant'

'long dronal synth sounds mixed with a duo of unusual wind instruments for rock (clarinet and oboe) and reminiscent of the Third Ear Band, are slowly guiding us towards a heavenly or celestial almost liturgical singing. The rest of the track hovers between TEB, Tangerine Dream, Terry Riley, Moondog andc some Umma-Saucerful era Floyd. The track ends slowly by fading out the industrial chopper sounds and gets an extension of African instruments'

'delivers a narcotic ambience, an atmospheric deluge throw avant garde noises and mysterious synth chords / oscillations. Aries develops a relatively similar mood and expression, focusing the interest on an effective melody, making a dialogue between trippy, surreal chords, acoustic elements, a ritual percussive rhythm and vague chorus. Some dancing brass parts come into the mix to develop a more achieved musical “trip”'

and my thoughts..

'incredibly intoxicating and hypnotic. I love listening to this song. Like a lot of his music.. not the stuff you listen to when getting revved up for a hot date.. but when you are curled up with a good book on a rainy day.'

again... a song.. and album I highly recommend