"Essential Prog" Article

Great article, fine list, Maani...

Although I do disagree with some choices, It is very good you are stick up for the progressive rock community somwhere other than here!

Very nicely done Manni.

Naturally, I don't agree with everything, but I think this is a good starter for someone new to prog.  And I'd only change about 4 or 5 of the albums you list for my island

Just one point, Genesis was formed in 1967, not 1970.  And the band was started by Gabriel and Banks, so it wasn't really founded by just Gabriel.  (I know, just nitpicking details but I thought I should point this out)

A good beginners' guide, as has been said.  Personally, I think I would have not limited this to English-language albums, but to albums from the UK (makes it easier).

Since the listener is going to listen to this music for a very long-time, I think one should choose as much variety as possible, and one can choose some of the more "challenging" (takes more time to appreciate) albums.  There is time to acquire the taste, and since one is on  a desert island, and assuming that person who is being exposed to Prog doesn't have a considerable CD collection of his/her own (hopefully there is no reciprocal deal that you must listen to all of that person's Menudo CDs), that person will probably be happy to hear whatever you have.

Anyway, I also miss the inclusion of Canterbury bands (perhaps The Rotters' Club would have been a good one to choose, or something from Gong).

I personally would have included a Henry Cow album.

I happen to prefer Acquiring the Taste to Octopus, but whatever.

Thick as a Brick is too drawn out I feel (it doesn't hold my interest).  I'd rather Aqualung from Jethro Tull.  Actually, for my listening pleasure (from the Prog Folk category), I'd rather Comus' First Utterance, but bringing that along would be asking for trouble.  Wouldn't want you cohabitant getting any bad ideas.
Gryphon's Midnight Mushrumps would be a good substitute.  Or a Spirogyra album.... St. Radigunds.

As for Yes, I prefer Fragile (and a very easy album to get into, and with more songs there's more variety).  I find parts of Close to the Edge rather boring.

None of those would be my desert island picks (but then selfish me wouldn't be thinking about what music that other person would enjoy ), but good job.  I would avoid really depressing music, and that which may incite violence, however.

You did get many of those essential albums for novices, but none of them have stood the test of time for me very well (but I guess I did start by enjoying them before moving on to other stuff on the whole, so...).   A good choice for acquiring the taste for Prog, but, while historically very important, for me it doesn't represent the best choices for a long-term adventure in Progressive realms.  Subjective.

Note: I am in no way trying to say that my picks are in any way better than yours or more challenging.  I guess I would have gone about it in a different way (rather than "desert island with someone interested in Prog".  I might have tried to highlight the different aspects of Prog by choosing representative album examples from the different categories of classic Prog. Canterbury, RIO, Folk, Jazz Fusion, Raga..., Symphonic etc.  I do think that a wider representation of styles and attitudes would be better for the task at hand, too.

But I understand where you're coming from, and you've done a very good job of it.

Rocktopus: Unlike me, you succinctly brought up good points.

So please excuse me everyone for an unnecessary drivel-dribble post {EDITED to clarify, I mean this post, not the previous one which was rather good.  Partially repeating myself here, I know}.

 I too, was surprised, by Maani's inclusion of Klaatu (passingly wondered if the double-a  was the attraction or pure coincidence ). and Rick Wakeman when Yes is included (to the exclusion of the Canterbury scene, and RIO I like to think too). 

A wider representation of styles/movements under the progressive umbrella would be warranted, I too feel (coupled with fairly strict geographical, rather than just language, limits since the "world of Prog" is so large, and there are so many styles to choose from as it is).

What makes progressive music so exciting, and a lasting passion, is that there is so much variety.  It's eclectic.  We don't master Prog; Prog masters us... to be glib.  If this was simply framed as as a beginners album guide, it should highlight that diversity as much as possible (with fairly representative examples).  As long-term desert island picks, major diversity will be wanted to hold the interest.  And at least that person will probably find something they like if, say symphonic  doesn't appeal that much (though there's plenty of variety in Symph. Prog too).  But as I said, that person will probably be receptive to hearing the music no matter what under the circumstances (assuming that desert island doesn't have a radio, TV and DVD player, internet, Nintendo, more of his or her albums, lots of board games, a fully-automated theme park on a deserted island etc.).

Best would be to have progressive bands that sound very dissimilar.  But a good job indeed, and there is variety there.

Come to think of it: I think would have preferred this scenario if both were locked in a Swedish massage parlour with only thirteen Prog albums and a hundred masseuses to entertain the two... Then I might suggest Samla Mammas Maani, erm I mean Manna.  Did they ever do a  version of "Let's get it on?"

Edited by Logan - June 08 2007 at 22:13

Way to go, Maani -- great list, & great article. Kudos!

maani wrote: Yes, I rue mostly the exclusion of the entire Canterbury school.  However, at the risk of being lambasted, I have to admit that, as much as I like much of it, I don't see it as nearly as "essential" to prog listening (and learning) as other things.  Certainly Mirage, Land of Grey & Pink, Rotters Club (among others) all deserve consideration.  But over the majority of albums chosen?  I don't think so.  I agree with you re First Utterance: an absolutely brilliant and important album.  But, as you suggest, it might be only slightly less continuously listenable than Hamill's personal angst and paranoia.  LOL.

Rocktopus wrote: When you got Yes in there, there's really no need for a Rick Wakeman solo.

I agree. In any case  Wakeman's solo efforts really aren't innovative or essential.

Good effort though Maani, and your reply to Erik about a certain band has saved you a flurry of irate PMs...

erik neuteboom wrote: Tony R30, you are right about 'that certain band' but in my opinion you are missing some very exciting prog when you conclude that Rick Wakeman is not innovative or essential as a solo artist because he has released some solo efforts in his early years that are superior to many progrock efforts in those days, a big hand for Rick Wakeman solo

I meant in the context of an essential 12 prog albums...I have all 4766 of Rick's albums in my collection Erik

I had a problem with the article. While I thought it was well written, I couldn't make up my mind whether Ian was writing a list of key essential prog lps or a beginners guide. IMO, there's a big difference.