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ummagumma08 
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Joined: May 06 2004
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 Topic: Best lengthy epic from the classic era
Posted: June 09 2004 at 08:08 |
If anything is to define the progressive rock genre, it must the lengthy epics from the classic era, which truly revolutionise the traditional, (boring?) song-formats, and integrate bits of jazz, classical music etc, and, more than any other element the genre has to offer, distinguishes progressive rock form any other genre.
To chose from these is for me very hard, it must be somewhere between Ritual, Gates of Delirium, A Plague of Lighthouse Keepers, Tarkus, Karn Evil 9, Close to the Edge & Suppers Ready, which I all consider of totally equal strength. But if I must, I suppose my vote goes to….. GATES OF DELIRIUM, Undoubtedly Anderson’s best lyrics to date, (and best vocal performance) really powerful musical display (Moraz’s & Squire’s finest hour) No filler, it's interesting from the very first note to the very end. I’m surprised every time I listen to it, such perfection is almost unbelievable.
Edited by ummagumma08
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Focussed
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Posted: June 09 2004 at 08:19 |
Suppers Ready gets my vote. I love the contrasting atmospheres. This work from 'Foxtrot' is riddled with darkness, English eccentricity and profound religous symbolism. I guess you could say it sounds dreadful, from my description!! But I love it. The drama, the imagary etc etc
The best epic prog tune ever.
Good to see, 'Fountain of Lamneth' by Rush, in your poll. This great work often gets overlooked, and 2112 is usually the only Rush epic that commands any attention. Personally, I prefer 'FOL' to 2112, but this may be because I had heard 2112 so much before I brought 'Caress of Steel' Lets not forget 'Hemispheres' of course, another Rush classic.
Edited by Focussed
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'You cant have two killers living on the same patch!'
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ummagumma08
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Joined: May 06 2004
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Posted: June 09 2004 at 08:19 |
Ups... I wrote "Yes - Thick As a Brick"....
Of course I meant "Jethro Tull - Thick As a Brick"
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diddy
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Posted: June 09 2004 at 08:21 |
Oh, so many awesome epics...hard to choose. The last one I heard was "A plague of Lighthouse Keepers"  and it gets my vote...maybe it would be anoher one tomorrow....
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If liberty means anything at all, it means the right to tell people what they do not want to hear...
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Cesar Inca
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Joined: May 19 2004
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Posted: June 09 2004 at 08:55 |
HI, THIS IS CÉSAR INCA.
I voted on ELP's Tarkus - I find it the most cohesive one of all the suites listed above... though it doesn't mean that the other masterpieces ramble on in their own uninspired lack of articulation, which it's not true. Well... maybe that's true of anyone of Yes's 'Tales' suites, but that's anotehr story. Had I been given two more choices, I would have picked up 'Close to the Edge' and 'A Plague of Lighthouse Keepers'. My Top 5 would have included 'Thick as a Brick' and 'Awaken'.
Regards.
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Dick Heath
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Posted: June 09 2004 at 09:15 |
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Coincidentally I've scheduled Rush's Cygnus Dei X Part 2 into this coming Thursday night's radio show, so wondering whats happen to this (in fact it is worth burning parts 1 and 2 together on a CDR for a fuller and uninterrupted experience). And then Genesis's Lamb and one I've don't like but many others claim they do, Spock Beard's Snow. As I've said before this sort of poll should be based on concensus to give 20 choices, when I'm willing to bet Autobahn and Phaedra wouldn't be there - but as a piece of harmless fun.............................
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Dan Bobrowski
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Posted: June 09 2004 at 10:39 |
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Thick as a Brick - Jethro Tull. I just listened to it yesterday... tomorrow I'll change my answer.
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Vibrationbaby
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Posted: June 09 2004 at 10:52 |
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I went with the Revealing Science. Tales is a tough album but once you get into it and allow yourself enough bloody time it is really interesting. A close second for me would be Echoes by Floyd.
Edited by Vibrationbaby
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Vibrationbaby
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Posted: June 09 2004 at 10:55 |
 ummagumma08 wrote:
If anything is to define the progressive rock genre, it must the lengthy epics from the classic era, which truly revolutionise the traditional, (boring?) song-formats, and integrate bits of jazz, classical music etc, and, more than any other element the genre has to offer, distinguishes progressive rock form any other genre.
To chose from these is for me very hard, it must be somewhere between Ritual, Gates of Delirium, A Plague of Lighthouse Keepers, Tarkus, Karn Evil 9, Close to the Edge & Suppers Ready, which I all consider of totally equal strength. But if I must, I suppose my vote goes to….. GATES OF DELIRIUM, Undoubtedly Anderson’s best lyrics to date, (and best vocal performance) really powerful musical display (Moraz’s & Squire’s finest hour) No filler, it's interesting from the very first note to the very end. I’m surprised every time I listen to it, such perfection is almost unbelievable. |
I agree that Gates Of Delerium is the Yes Tour de Force I particularily like the conclusion.
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emdiar
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Posted: June 09 2004 at 11:24 |
I voted CLOSE TO THE EDGE, 'cus it was my first "whole side" track, and BRILLIANT, though I must agree with Ummagumma that GATES is more profficient. A difference I think between 'best' and 'favourite'.
Where's Utopia's THE ICON? Or the Floyd's DOGS (way better than ATOM HEART MOTHER.)
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Perception is truth, ergo opinion is fact.
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Joren
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Posted: June 09 2004 at 11:40 |
Thick As A Brick! I just listened to Close To The Edge, but I like Thick As A Brick better...
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ummagumma08
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Joined: May 06 2004
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Posted: June 09 2004 at 11:41 |
I must confess that I'm not familiar with Utopia's “The Icon”, that is the obvious reason it's not included in the poll. I can't say the same about Dogs, it’s possibly one of the prog songs I have known for longest time, it never crossed my mind though, possibly because it doesn't take up an entire LP side. But of course it should have been included. I wouldn't call it better than Atom Heart Mother though
Edited by ummagumma08
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raleighgranprix
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Posted: June 09 2004 at 11:54 |
A good question and a difficult list to make.
I would think, King Crimson's "Larks Tongues in Aspic" comprising of a number of parts (I, II, etc.) would qualify as well.
"Karn Evil" all parts as well.
Edited by raleighgranprix
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"You well heeled big wheel, ha ha, charade you are ... and do you feel abused, down in the pig mine, you're nearly a laugh but you're really a cry ......- PF
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Dan Bobrowski
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Posted: June 09 2004 at 11:59 |
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Newer prog, but if you're into epic, check out Echolyn's "Mei." 49 Plus minutes of fantastic lyrics, anger, highly proficient musicanship.
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emdiar
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Joined: June 05 2004
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Posted: June 09 2004 at 13:09 |
ummagumma08 wrote:
I must confess that I'm not familiar with Utopia's “The Icon”, that is the obvious reason it's not included in the poll. I can't say the same about Dogs, it’s possibly one of the prog songs I have known for longest time, it never crossed my mind though, possibly because it doesn't take up an entire LP side. But of course it should have been included. I wouldn't call it better than Atom Heart Mother though
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Hi Ummagumma08, what can I say? Get your hands on a copy of Utopia's self titled first album, (released 1974). If you love the fury of Gates, then the 30 minute epic "The Ikon" (yes, I spelled it wrong earlier.) should be right up your street.
(p.s. did you know you share your name with a type of Marroccan hashish on sale in Amsterdam?)
Edited by emdiar
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Perception is truth, ergo opinion is fact.
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ummagumma08
Forum Senior Member
Joined: May 06 2004
Location: Denmark
Status: Offline
Points: 280
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Posted: June 09 2004 at 13:20 |
emdiar wrote:
(p.s. did you know you share your name with a type of Marroccan hashish on sale in Amsterdam?)
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Hmm, no I didn't know that...
I thought I shared my name (exept the 08 thing) with a Pink Floyd record from 1969 (hmm... maybe I've misunderstood something )
Thanks for the Recommendation BTW, I'll check it out in the near future.
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DoomHammer
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Joined: May 25 2004
Location: Egypt
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Posted: June 09 2004 at 13:29 |
good choices but too many missing other epics, you better have left it a thread everybody says his one and not a poll
from the poll ELP - Karn evil 9
mine ever (and not in the poll  ): from the album mirage
Camel - Lady Fantasy - Encounter - Smiles For You - Lady Fantasy
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when i sell my life story, maybe i should write it first and do the living later 'cause life is so much cleaner on the page
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ummagumma08
Forum Senior Member
Joined: May 06 2004
Location: Denmark
Status: Offline
Points: 280
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Posted: June 09 2004 at 14:07 |
Of course anyone is free to mention whatever they prefer outside the poll (making a poll doesn't necessarily exclude that option.) It just helps get a clear view over what people think, it would be rather difficult with the absence of a poll. Of course various people think something is missing.
But anyway, my prog experience (2 years) tells me that the epics (with few exceptions, because, unfortunately, I don't know EVERY SINGLE prog album ) listed in the poll supposedly must be of some relevance.
Camel - Lady Fantasy - Encounter - Smiles For You - Lady Fantasy
Isn't at all a bad choice, but lengthy... I wouldn't actually say so. I don't say that it's bad, just that it doesn't fit in the category.
Edited by ummagumma08
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Easy Livin
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Posted: June 09 2004 at 14:39 |
I'm the one who voted for Yes, "The remebering", because I felt sorry for it, and didn't want it to come last!
As my avatar suggests, "Thick as a brick" is right up there too. For a 30 minute epic, Rundgren's "The Ikon" is surprisingly accessible, unlike "A treatise on cosmic fire" by him which is drivel.
Personally, I don't consider "Karn Evil 9" to meet the criteria, to me it's three unrelated pieces. It is good though.
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moonchild
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Joined: May 15 2004
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Posted: June 09 2004 at 14:41 |
Hey! You forgot the 44+ minute Passion Play by Jethro Tull. That's my vote.
*insert raspberry here*
Edited by moonchild
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Best lengthy epic from the classic era