Prog Rock Epics ?

Some really seminal tracks missing here (although I'm very glad to see that someone finally mentioned Nektar)!

Circumstances by Capability Brown
Nova Solis and What Is - Is What by Morgan
Embryonic Fusion by Catapilla
The Disgusting Story of Captain Bloom by Substratum
The Tain by The Decemberists
Live and Return by Dillinger
Kalahen by Dragon
Super Nova by Gracious
In Held 'Twas In I by Procol Harum
Flight by Rare Bird
Credo by Refugee
Illusions On a Double Dimple by Triumvirat
Sunrise by Sahara

Conor Fynes wrote: There are so many... but try 'Tales From Topographic Oceans' by Yes... a collection of epics.

It's odd, but I've never got on with Tales. I dig it out every so often and give it a listen, but.....it just doesn't grab me . I say it's odd because the albums either side of it ie: Close to the edge and Relayer are my two favourite Yes albums. Gates of Delirium ( Relayer ) is my favourite piece of Yes music and I never tire of listening to it. Yet, Tales.....

Edited by Agentorange - October 22 2010 at 17:13

Moonsorrow - Tulimyrsky

Porcupine Tree - Voyage 34  Phases 1-4

I'm wondering if you guys consider long improvised tunes epics? I mean like Miles Davis' Pharaoh's Dance, which is not really as structured as CTTE for example. Or maybe LedZep's Whole Lotta Love&Dazed and Confused from The Song remains the same. (I Don't.)

Mandalaband: Om Mani Padme Hum
Omega: Suite (fr. 2000 Years After the Last War)
Sky: Fifo (suite)
Mike Rutherford: Smallcreep's Day
Jade Warrior: Waves Parts 1 & 2

Since this topic title doesn't specify 20-or-so-minute tracks, I'll add a few in the 10-15 minute range:

Mahavishnu Orchestra: Vision Is a Naked Sword
Curved Air: Piece of Mind
Incredible String Band: A Very Cellular Song
PFM: The Mountain
Banco del Mutuo Soccorso: L'Evoluzione
Chris Squire: Safe (Canon Song)
Refugee: Grand Canyon Suite

Edited by AreYouHuman - June 02 2013 at 21:49

Agentorange wrote: I was listening to The Gates of Delirium by Yes in the car today and was sort of musing on how prog ( whatever it may be ) has this rather cliched reputation of being all about 20 minute long epics when really the number of epics compared to the total amount of prog output isn't really all that high. Which led me to think...just how many prog epics are there ? So I wondered if we might rustle up a quick list. Picking an arbitary starting point of 20 minutes ( sorry 19 minute songs, you're just long songs that need to try harder ) what actually is out there ? Here's a few to start things off.....   2112 - Rush Chupacabras - Phideaux Gates of Delirium - Yes Thick as a Brick ( both parts ) - Jethro Tull Suppers Ready - Genesis Stardust We Are - The Flower Kings Hamburger Concerto - Focus

Yes, you are a newbie. Under 20 minutes is just a long song where they weren't trying? C'mon. To me, there are NO epic prog songs that go over 20 minutes. I may have thought so back in the day, but now? They all sound terribly dated. This is why prog rock is dead. R.I.P. Shorter is often better. But, if I had to pick a long song that truly is an epic it would be 'In Held 'Twas In I' by Procol Harum. Sure, I'm partial.

Also, I'd rather listen to Thick As A Brick edit #1 than the whole album. Music must stand the test of time. That's the real judge. And, sadly, most really long songs don't, in my opinion.

Edited by humor4u1959 - June 03 2013 at 04:20

1. Pink Floyd- "Echoes"