SGT. PEPPER'S LONELY HEARTS CLUB BAND

The validity of THE BEATLES as a prog-band can be debated no-end, and I for one, never looked upon the 'Fab Four' as anything but a 60's 'Pop' group. Until recent years, I've looked on this album as a 'cool, 60's hippy' album and didn't quite see the brilliant facets of wonder hidden beneath the surface. I guess we are talking 'Proto' prog, which I understand to be 'not quite prog, but not standard fare either'. What these young lads did (in the name of art, music and entertainment) was to push the envelope of 'basic' recording formulas and techniques to the limit (what multi-track recording machines could offer, how one can manipulate reel-to-reel tape, stereo panning, microphone positioning, acoustics, dynamics - that sort of thing ) - these possibilities obviously manifested themselves within the composers' minds and naturally influenced the song-writing and creative process, resulting in a 'new sound', an inspired listening experience, and presented us with such enduring, vibrant and lovable songs. 'Seargent Pepper's...' has got a bit of everything for everyone !! Hard-Rock, Soft-Rock, Pop-Rock, Raga-Rock, Psychedelic, up-there, in-there and out-there. Truly is a landmark release and should find its way into every prog-lovers collection.