Top 5 US Prog bands from the 70s
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Topic: Top 5 US Prog bands from the 70s
Posted By: Aaron
Subject: Top 5 US Prog bands from the 70s
Date Posted: March 08 2006 at 11:02
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I was just thinking about my collection and how american prog is something I never focus on. My favorite US prog band is probably Happy the Man, even though, honestly, only their s/t and Crafty hands are the only releases that I would call brilliant. Sure Zappa is great, but after that, who cares, I feel like I am having a brain fart and missing something obvious, but all the US prog bands I am thinking of suck, like Ambrosia or Saga (dont actually know if the are american) or Styx I will admit that I kind of do like Starcastle though, on the occasion that their cheesiness doesnt put me off, and I was just sampling Sweet Smoke, who I'll look into so list a top five or top ten, this has probably been a thread before, at which point one of you will link 10 different threads on the same topic in their post, please do Aaron |
Replies:
Posted By: Ounamahl
Date Posted: March 08 2006 at 11:15
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Utopia is #1, Todd Rundgen is an awesome pop & prog songwriter. singring and the glass guitar forever ------------- This is an electrified fairytale |
Posted By: Ounamahl
Date Posted: March 08 2006 at 11:16
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Spock's Beard comes second
------------- This is an electrified fairytale |
Posted By: Trotsky
Date Posted: March 08 2006 at 11:17
Yes if you do a search for American prog ... you will find 3 threads that will be of interest ...  Excluding Zappa ... 4 of my Top 5 bands are incredibly predictable ... 1) Kansas 2) Utopia 3) Yezda Urfa 4) Cathedral 5) Journey (very largely on the basis of the excellent first album, which is fiery jazz-rock that is nothing like subsequent releases) And, I too have a dislike for Ambrosia, btw ... and find Happy The Man a little frustrating Haven't yet heard full albums by Touch, Starcastle, Lift, Babylon and Mithrandir ... other 70s US prog bands that people mention (well Touch might be a 60s outfit) ------------- "Death to Utopia! Death to faith! Death to love! Death to hope?" thunders the 20th century. "Surrender, you pathetic dreamer.” "No" replies the unhumbled optimist "You are only the present." |
Posted By: Dick Heath
Date Posted: March 08 2006 at 11:22
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Stay awake there in the back row: the topic is on 70's!!!!!!!! And in the 70's Spock didn't have a beard, just pointy ears! |
Ounamahl wrote:Posted By: Aaron
Date Posted: March 08 2006 at 11:22
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right right, Kansas, forgot about them, theyre ok I also like Return to Forever and Dixie Dregs, but I think I would prefer to leave the fusion bands out of this I guess I am looking for a more lesser known list although, to be fair I know nothing about Yezda Urfa and Cathedral, whom I will be looking up right now Aaron |
Posted By: Dick Heath
Date Posted: March 08 2006 at 11:23
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1967 to 69! |
Posted By: Ounamahl
Date Posted: March 08 2006 at 11:24
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Hah sorry, I didn't read the topic very well :D
------------- This is an electrified fairytale |
Posted By: Dr. Occulator
Date Posted: March 08 2006 at 11:25
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Of course I agree with the Kansas, Utopia, Yesda Urfe, Frank Zappa picks but dare I say Steely Dan!!! Of course I do. It's certainly progressive in that they created music like no other before it, incredible musicianship, abstract lyrics and impeccable compositions. Has no-one thought of including them as an 'official' prog-rock band? ------------- My Doc Told Me I Have Doggie Head. |
Posted By: Dick Heath
Date Posted: March 08 2006 at 11:27
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Gypsy for obscureness - although only one distinct prog song on their American Gypsy album (Columbia Records???)?????
Remember Todd Rundgren produced at least one truly solo album - i.e. doing all the instruments himself: because of this I'm reminded that Emitt Rhodes did also produced truly solo albums at the same time. However, I can't remember whether his records contained anything really prog.................... |
Posted By: Zac M
Date Posted: March 08 2006 at 11:28
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Besides American Jazz-Fusion acts, I'd have to say that my favorite
U.S. Prog album from the 70s is Journey's debut, really excellent. By the way, Steely Dan aren't Prog, although they are quite good. ------------- "Art is not imitation, nor is it something manufactured according to the wishes of instinct or good taste. It is a process of expression." -Merleau-Ponty |
Posted By: philhepple
Date Posted: March 08 2006 at 11:36
Ambrosia's first album BLOWS away anything by Starcastle,Yes wantabes, or Happy The Man. You must have missed the first Ambrosia album which is brilliant! "Mama Frog", "Drink Of Water", "Time Waits For No One", "Make Us All Aware", and "Nice Nice Very Nice" are all very original Classic Prog! See this review http://www.progressiveworld.net/ambrosia2.html - http://www.progressiveworld.net/ambrosia2.html |
Posted By: TheProgtologist
Date Posted: March 08 2006 at 11:41
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Kansas Happy the Man Yezda Urfa Cathedral Arabesque
-------------  |
Posted By: Firepuck
Date Posted: March 08 2006 at 11:50
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Five of my favourite US bands from the 70's are: Zappa Kansas Utopia Weather Report Dixie Dregs ------------- Kryten : "'Pub'? Ah yes, A meeting place where humans attempt to achieve advanced states of mental incompetence by the repeated consumption of fermented vegetable drinks." |
Posted By: erik neuteboom
Date Posted: March 08 2006 at 12:03
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Odyssey (great Hammond organ work) Ethos Netherworld Lift (exciting vintage keyboards) Angel (first two albums) Atlantis Philharmonic |
Posted By: Aaron
Date Posted: March 08 2006 at 12:05
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[QUOTE=philhepple] if you insist, I will give the album another spin, I wouldnt deny that Ambrosia is probably better than Starcastle, I would never admit to them being a important band in any way, just fun to listen to sometimes I am surprised to see all these Kansas and Utopia fans, but whatever, you like what you like Aaron |
Posted By: Chris_Kemp
Date Posted: March 08 2006 at 12:20
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Ambrosia (first two albums are awesome; their poppy instincts seem to turn some people off but there is no question these are progressive pop albums at their best) Happy the Man Kansas Utopia Netherworld ------------- "That's not your face...it's mine! IT'S MINE!! |
Posted By: Dr Know
Date Posted: March 08 2006 at 12:29
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Kansas definately take the crown! What about Pavlov´s Dog? |
Posted By: Pylo
Date Posted: March 08 2006 at 12:30
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Only 4 for me
------------- Pylo |
Posted By: jcleary
Date Posted: March 08 2006 at 12:32
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I was at a friends house last year and he put on "Drink Of Water" by
Ambrosia without telling me who it was and GUNNED the volume. I was blown away. I couldn't believe how good the whole album sounded. Before that I had only heard the pop ballads and hadn't given Ambrosia the time of day. I've also heard the second album is good. I'll have to get it. |
Posted By: Dick Heath
Date Posted: March 08 2006 at 12:35
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Interesting the Kerrang Encyclopaedia of Heavy Rock calls the first few Journey albums jazz rock I have real problems with Steeley Dan being dismissed as not being prog, simply because they consistently mixed rock and jazz in their music, ergo a jazz rock band, i.e. fit into the jazz rock fusion sub-section of prog rock. Is this doubt because their songs have lyrics......? |
' including my favourite Back Into The Future - which sound to me to be straightahead rock. And I think I'm right in saying Brit, Ainsley Dunbar played drums (hot from the Mothers) originally in the band before jazz drummer Steve Smith came along. Posted By: gabbel ratchett
Date Posted: March 08 2006 at 13:13
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In no particular order: Shadowfax - Watercourse Way Easily as good as anything that HTM put out. Atlantis Philharmonic - S/T not really great, put pretty damn good. And the two of them did all their stuff live, quite a feat! Osamu Kitajima - his '70's releases are awesome. Expatriot Japanese guy, moved to LA in the mid '70's. If you liked Jade Warrior in the Island label period you'll love this stuff. St. Elmo's Fire - Splitting Ions In The Ether - OK, this came out in '80, but the band started in the late '70's. Probably the best truly heavy US prog band. Right up there with the '73 - '74 King Crimson line-up. Like King Crimson's RED album? Check this out.
------------- dead things don't talk too well, they've got a shaky sense of diction. |
Posted By: philhepple
Date Posted: March 08 2006 at 13:14
Yeah I don't care for any of Ambrosia's pop songs either. Wow "Drink Of Water" at high volume for your first experience off the first album. Great! I think you will like Ambrosia's second CD "Somewhere I've Never Travelled" The best Prog songs are "The Brunt" and "Danse With Me George". I don't care for the third and fourth CDs, but the last studio one "Road Island" has a Prog Rock Gem on it called "Ice Age". Definitely worth checking out. Good Song. |
Posted By: ANDREW
Date Posted: March 08 2006 at 13:51
Top 5:
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Posted By: Greg W
Date Posted: March 08 2006 at 14:33
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Posted By: memowakeman
Date Posted: March 08 2006 at 14:34
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hey from Andrew´s lis t my top 5 are
i was thinking in Mahavishnu Orchestra, but i think it is a multi national band, beautiful!! ------------- Follow me on twitter @memowakeman |
Posted By: ANDREW
Date Posted: March 08 2006 at 14:45
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Posted By: Mellovision
Date Posted: March 08 2006 at 19:29
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Hello group! Scanning my collection I came up with the following. No favorite 5 here, just lot’s of great music
Other than the biggies from the 70’s (Zappa, Kansas,..etc)
Most of these have already been mentioned. But all are great bands from the US during that decade and worth checking out (IMO of course);
Arabesque Babylon Captain Beyond Cathedral Easter Island Ethos Fireballet Flying Island Fred Glass Guns and Butter Hands Happy the Man Lift Maelstrom Mirthrandir The Muffins Pavlov’s Dog Pentwater Victor Peraino's Kingdom Come Polyphony Pre Ram St. Elmo’s Fire Shadowfax Starcastle Surprise Thunderpussy Utopia Viola Crayola Wizards From Kansas Yezda Urfa
Also, a few great pop/prog bands;
Ambrosia Aviary Crack The Sky
If you like the early Journey / Santana sound, I’d also recommend;
Azteca Caldera Chango Malo Mandrill
Plus tons of great Jazz / Fusion / Funk which I figure you not looking into (according to your post). Not to mention many hard rock bands that had progressive moments. Happy Hunting!
------------ Rick |
Posted By: Garion81
Date Posted: March 08 2006 at 19:34
So big deal you got all the way through "A".
------------- 
"What are you going to do when that damn thing rusts?" |
Posted By: Zac M
Date Posted: March 08 2006 at 19:40
The first Journey album is sort of jazzy at times, but not jazz-rock to me. I haven't heard "Back into the Future" yet, but plan on it. By the way, Dunbar is an incredibly underrated drummer. Check him out on "Freedom at Point Zero" by Jefferson Starship, not Prog I know..... I think Steely Dan are good classic rock, and although they mixed jazz, rock and pop, I still don't consider them Prog. They definitely had a unique sound though. They may be more Prog than some other listed bands IMO, but I personally don't think they belong here, and it's not just the lyrics or vocals, for me at least. The possibility of their inclusion has been brought up a few times at least, and it seems that it's the general consensus among Collaborators that they shouldn't be included, and as I already stated, I agree.... ------------- "Art is not imitation, nor is it something manufactured according to the wishes of instinct or good taste. It is a process of expression." -Merleau-Ponty |
Posted By: timothy leary
Date Posted: March 08 2006 at 20:10
| Where`s the flock What the flock? does it get any better than Jerry Goodman on violin? |
Posted By: Zac M
Date Posted: March 08 2006 at 20:13
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Chicago's first four albums + 7 are also of interest in U.S. Prog.
------------- "Art is not imitation, nor is it something manufactured according to the wishes of instinct or good taste. It is a process of expression." -Merleau-Ponty |
Posted By: Cygnus X-2
Date Posted: March 08 2006 at 20:17
------------- 
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Posted By: Zac M
Date Posted: March 08 2006 at 20:21
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How could I forget the Residents????..one of my favorite bands!
------------- "Art is not imitation, nor is it something manufactured according to the wishes of instinct or good taste. It is a process of expression." -Merleau-Ponty |
Posted By: Progfans
Date Posted: March 08 2006 at 20:47
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just a precision, saga come from canada and not usa ------------- La cuisine c,est comme l,amour, il faut y croire pour que ca marche |
Posted By: ClemofNazareth
Date Posted: March 08 2006 at 21:05
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Kansas, of course. Also HP Lovecraft (if you consider them prog), Vanilla Fudge, Captain Beefheart, and It's a Beautiful Day. ------------- "Peace is the only battle worth waging." Albert Camus |
Posted By: Guests
Date Posted: March 08 2006 at 22:22
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Kansas ***** Americas premier progressive rock band (please write more revirews !!!) then (no order) ... Pavlovs Dog **** (get use to David Surkamps voice and you have a great prog band here) Happy The Man *** 1/2 ( I like their first CD) Proto Kaw ***** Starcastle *** (first two albums are great the rest are not so good) Rating system .... * = 1/5 |
.... ***** = 5/5 
Posted By: FragileDT
Date Posted: March 08 2006 at 22:57
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Kansas
Zappa Weather Report Happy the Man I'm glad Weather Report was finally mentioned (as long as were considering fusion.) ------------- One likes to believe In the freedom of music But glittering prizes And endless Compromises Shatter the illusion Of integrity |
Posted By: SirPsycho388
Date Posted: March 08 2006 at 23:17
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Kansas Return To Forever Starcastle Frank Zappa Weather Report *Special Mention to Mahavishnu Orchestra, though they are Multi-National ------------- Strangers passing in the street by chance two separate glances meet and I am you and what I see is me. And do I take you by the hand and lead you through the land and help me understand the best I can |
Posted By: arnold stirrup
Date Posted: March 08 2006 at 23:28
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I've said it before and I'll say it again: Miles Davis, 1969-1975. (from In A Silent Way to Agharta and everything in between). ------------- So much music. So little time. |
Posted By: arnold stirrup
Date Posted: March 08 2006 at 23:41
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Oh yeah, my top 5: Frank Zappa Miles Davis Weather Report Dixie Dregs Grateful Dead Steely Dan ------------- So much music. So little time. |
Posted By: DallasBryan
Date Posted: March 09 2006 at 02:00
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Frank Zappa & the Mothers
Santana Todd Rundgren's Utopia Kansas Herbie Hancock runner ups? Billy Cobham Dixie Dregs Mahavishnu Orchestra Synergy Jefferson Starship |
Posted By: pero
Date Posted: March 09 2006 at 02:15
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TOP 5 Prog: 1. Pavlov's dog 2. Mahavishnu orchestra 3. Return to forever 4. Zappa 5. Flock TOP 5 NON PROG: 1. Hendrix 2. Mountain 3. Billy Cobham 4. Wishbone ash 5. Allman brothers |
Posted By: Pylo
Date Posted: March 09 2006 at 03:47
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I can allow Santana as US (even if born in Mexico), but I think Wishbone Ash is british. ------------- Pylo |
Posted By: robertplantowns
Date Posted: March 09 2006 at 04:56
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"I can allow Santana as US (even if born in Mexico), but I think Wishbone Ash is british." You think correctly. But they are one of those very "American" sounding bands much like Ten Years After. ------------- 
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Posted By: Pafnutij
Date Posted: March 09 2006 at 05:19
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Cathedral Mirthrandir Yezda Urfa OK, I'm out of bands |
Posted By: ANDREW
Date Posted: March 09 2006 at 07:17
Special mention: RAM: "Where? In Conclusion".
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Posted By: pero
Date Posted: March 09 2006 at 07:35
Instead of Wishbone ash Captain Beefhart |
Posted By: eugene
Date Posted: March 09 2006 at 07:47
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1/ Happy The Man 2/ Mirthrandir 3/ Yezda Urfa 4/ Frank Zappa 5/ Mahavishnu+Return to Forever+Weather Report 6/ Kansas/Pavlov's Dog/Utopia/Ambrosia/Starcastle/etc etc etc etc etc ............ The only thing I have not listened to yet, but really want to is Cathedral, so after I get hold of it, above list might slightly change. ------------- carefulwiththataxe |
Posted By: jojim
Date Posted: March 09 2006 at 08:25
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I'm a bit confused. Isn't there anybody who is throwing into this thread the name of a highly progressive rock formation that evolved later into a hitparade pop band. Only the fact that they changed their style and song material so terrible proves that they were one of the most progressive rock bands and acts that America has ever seen in the early 70-ies. They made about 20 albums. Perhaps 5 or 6 were pure Prog. This group was highly talented and gifted. Their guitar player was so good. I cannot imagine my whole youth without having listened to their songs and tracks. It was for me like YES, GENTLE GIANT or GENESIS. Same quality of musicianship. Only the sound was pretty different from all those english bands. Common boys. Who I'm talking about?????? ------------- YES - Close to the edge / UK - UK / GENESIS - The lamb lies down / KING CRIMSON - Discipline / MIKE OLDFIELD - Tubular bells / JETHRO TULL - Aqualung / GENTLE GIANT - Three friends / TMO - IMF |
Posted By: Aaron
Date Posted: March 09 2006 at 14:23
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hit us with it broham Aaron |
Posted By: gabbel ratchett
Date Posted: March 09 2006 at 22:43
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chicago, isn't it obvious? ------------- dead things don't talk too well, they've got a shaky sense of diction. |
Posted By: timothy leary
Date Posted: March 10 2006 at 07:21
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Posted By: Dazo
Date Posted: March 10 2006 at 19:04
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Kansas ------------- Call that an argument? That was never an argument. |
Posted By: Snow Dog
Date Posted: March 10 2006 at 19:07
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...and the other 4? ------------- http://www.last.fm/user/Snow_Dog" rel="nofollow"> 
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Posted By: jojim
Date Posted: March 11 2006 at 06:24
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... and the answer is: CHICAGO TRANSIT AUTHORITY aka CHICAGO Listen to their first album (e.g."Free form guitar"), then to their second album ("Suite: Make me smile") and their third album. Even the forth and fifth album are proggish. On the other hand: BLOOD SWEAT AND TEARS is jazz-rock. If CHICAGO is not Prog, what is Prog then? I tried to make listen my friend to that albums. He resigned. To hard to listen to! What do you think about it? ------------- YES - Close to the edge / UK - UK / GENESIS - The lamb lies down / KING CRIMSON - Discipline / MIKE OLDFIELD - Tubular bells / JETHRO TULL - Aqualung / GENTLE GIANT - Three friends / TMO - IMF |
Posted By: jojim
Date Posted: March 15 2006 at 12:22
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Sorry - this thread was not one for me. And CHICAGO seems not to have unconditional admirors. But as I see in an other thread just coming up: Jan Hammer, Jazz Keyboarder and drummer, is leveled olympic status in the PA. OK then. ------------- YES - Close to the edge / UK - UK / GENESIS - The lamb lies down / KING CRIMSON - Discipline / MIKE OLDFIELD - Tubular bells / JETHRO TULL - Aqualung / GENTLE GIANT - Three friends / TMO - IMF |
Posted By: jcleary
Date Posted: March 15 2006 at 12:29
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Sorry Chicago AIN"T PROG!!!!!!!!!!!!
Please go to a Rock Pop forum! |
Posted By: greenback
Date Posted: March 15 2006 at 21:35
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happy the man zappa return to forever kansas srarcastle ------------- [HEADPINS - LINE OF FIRE: THE RECORD HAVING THE MOST POWERFUL GUITAR SOUND IN THE WHOLE HISTORY OF MUSIC!> |
Posted By: King of Loss
Date Posted: March 15 2006 at 21:42
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1. Frank Zappa I'm confused about the rest! |
Posted By: gjamesw
Date Posted: March 16 2006 at 12:05
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Anybody else remember a fantastic prog band from the 70's called Glass Harp? They put out 3 records on Decca, 1. Glass Harp 2. Synergy 3. It Makes Me Glad
They've re-united several times since and dome some nice live albums also. One of the best guitar players in the world in this band, Phil Keaggy. They had a christian bent and I think that hurt them to some point. In the early 70's nobody was singing about god in rock and roll. Check them out if you haven't already. I'd start with Synergy, in my opinion their best.
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