YES - Close to the Edge (1972) - Progressive Rock Music Forum

He certainly did a lot to kick start what would become the New Age movement of the 1990's.

'We're going to need a bigger swear jar.'

Floydoid wrote:

Funnily enough in my digital music collection I have Mike Oldfield filed under New Age.

Actually, originally I knew Mike Oldfield as a New Age artist. I guess there are many reasons to consider him so, and depending on the definition of New Age it might not be so far away from prog itself. I mean, 70's Mike Oldfield definitley fits my idea of what New Age is supposed to be, and at the same time it fits prog... but then, Enya, though obviously New Age, I would definitley never consider her prog.

Most 70's Floyd for psyche, early Tull for bluesy folk and Camel (first 3) for symphonic work well enough. Marillion for neo. King Crimson's debut is a mix hence why they are electic. I think it could go either way with Schizoid man (no pun intended) as it's really heavy and jazzy and very challenging. Greg Lake's normal melliflous vocals are subverted somewhat but it makes a statement!

Mike Oldfield was in some respects the pre-cursor for New age. That hangs round his neck a bit. Tubular Bells is unique and does have strong prog links although I always preferred the live 'rocked up' version that appeared on Exposed as well as the more recently recorded classical symphonic version that also impressed me a lot.

Edited by richardh - January 06 2024 at 23:48

Floydoid wrote:

Dellinger wrote:

essexboyinwales wrote:

Floydoid wrote:

If someone asked you to define prog rock, you'd tell them to listen to 'Close to the Edge'.

OH NO I WOULDN’T!!!

😉

It would actually be the most honest album to show them. Though also the perfect way to scare them off if they are not predisposed to like the music. Perhaps it would have to go along with In The Court of the Crimson King and Selling England by the Pound. Still, perhaps the most likely to succeed would be Dark Side of the Moon, and then go with the next Floyd albums, and then, perhaps some Tull, like Aqualung. From there dive into something deeper.

Oh excellent choices... I'd also chuck in TAAB sooner rather than later, and maybe 'Tubular Bells' even tho it's not strictly prog.!

My Prog 'primer' has always been Trick of the Tail... Have to say that I'd imagine COTCK would be just as 'scary' as Close to the Edge - I did once try to tempt somebody in with Camel/Mirage - and it kind of bombed!

Floydoid wrote:

Dellinger wrote:

essexboyinwales wrote:

Floydoid wrote:

If someone asked you to define prog rock, you'd tell them to listen to 'Close to the Edge'.

OH NO I WOULDN’T!!!

😉

It would actually be the most honest album to show them. Though also the perfect way to scare them off if they are not predisposed to like the music. Perhaps it would have to go along with In The Court of the Crimson King and Selling England by the Pound. Still, perhaps the most likely to succeed would be Dark Side of the Moon, and then go with the next Floyd albums, and then, perhaps some Tull, like Aqualung. From there dive into something deeper.

Oh excellent choices... I'd also chuck in TAAB sooner rather than later, and maybe 'Tubular Bells' even tho it's not strictly prog.!

Oh, 70's Mike Oldfield is more than prog enough for me. If Pink Floyd is prog, then Oldfield is prog, and both have the elements I most love of prog.

essexboyinwales wrote:

Floydoid wrote:

If someone asked you to define prog rock, you'd tell them to listen to 'Close to the Edge'.

OH NO I WOULDN’T!!!

😉

It would actually be the most honest album to show them. Though also the perfect way to scare them off if they are not predisposed to like the music. Perhaps it would have to go along with In The Court of the Crimson King and Selling England by the Pound. Still, perhaps the most likely to succeed would be Dark Side of the Moon, and then go with the next Floyd albums, and then, perhaps some Tull, like Aqualung. From there dive into something deeper.