Spanish prog!

My problem with naming Spanish prog just Spanish prog is the problem that, in my opinion, Italian prog is a special category on Prog Archives but I wonder what typical Italian prog is? I love the Italian prog because it blends so wonderfully elements from ELP, King Crimson, Genesis and VDGG with their lush classical tradition but which bands are typical Italian and why? Are these Museo Rosenbach, Le Orme and Banco or more complex and adventurous bands like Latte E Miele and Osanna and Area? Or Semiramis or ..?

For me typical Spanish prog is the blend of flamenco (one of the most known ethnic styles in the world) and progressive rock that emerged, as I earlier said, in the second part of The Seventies, speerheaded by Triana.

I am not stubborn, no,no,no,no .... , dear Sean, but I have a strong opinion about this subject, build upon strong facts. But I am only giving my opinion, if the majority is not OK with me (and the reactions in this topic) then there will not be a new category but it's not consequent to maintain the speccial Italian progrock section is my conclusion after reading the many reactions.

To be continued?

By the way, Martinprog77, I am not really into the kind of music like Rata Blanca but feel free to write a review for this site.

My proposal is to vote in the Special Collabrorations zone for an addition of the Prog Andaluz, bands that blend flamenco/Morish climates and progressive rock like Triana, Cai, Medina Azahara, Azahar, Guadalquivir and Alameda but not bands like Ithoiz Gothic and Granada. Because they blend folk and prog, like Los Jaivas and some Chilean, Argentine and Brasilian progrock bands, but not that distinctive and widespread to deserve a new catgory as the Prog Andaluz bands. What about this Sean (and others)?

erik neuteboom wrote: My proposal is to vote in the Special Collabrorations zone for an addition of the Prog Andaluz, bands that blend flamenco/Morish climates and progressive rock like Triana, Cai, Medina Azahara, Azahar, Guadalquivir and Alameda but not bands like Ithoiz Gothic and Granada. Because they blend folk and prog, like Los Jaivas and some Chilean, Argentine and Brasilian progrock bands, but not that distinctive and widespread to deserve a new catgory as the Prog Andaluz bands. What about this Sean (and others)?

Mmmm that sound interesting. It is true that what characterize most spanish prog bands is their blend of prog rock and flamenco.

But, spain has very differences between regions (at least refering to music ). For example, the northern part of spain; Galicia has a very particular kind of folk, mainly influenced by celtic music and Basque country has their unique type of instruments, like "txistu" (a kind of flute). In addition, it's very easy to distinguised galician folk to basque or whatever type of folk in spain.

What i mean is that there is a very diversity in folk music in spain that can be mix with prog, not only flamenco, but also galician, basuqe, asturian, catolonia, etc. and that diversity is what I understand of "spanish prog".

So, i think every spanish band should be incluided in that category: spanish prog


Perhaps it's a bit radical, isn't it?

Well, this is a difficult question... It's true that you can find different prog styles in Spain, as many people (including myself) have already said. Of course, you can say every Spanish prog band is a part of what we could call "Spanish prog" because they where formed in Spain, but their styles can be very different. The bands from the north used to play folk-prog with some spanish ingredients (typical form the north of Spain)... but some bands from many other countries include the typical sounds of their countries in their music. Then, we could also talk about french prog, nordic prog and so on...

The thing is in the south of Spain many bands played (and some still play) "Prog Andaluz", a fantastic blend of flamenco and prog-rock. Here I agree with Erik, THIS is the style that should be created, maybe not such a BIG term as "Spanish prog" including every Spanish band, but "Prog Andaluz" or something like that. I think this style deserves to be considered as a new branch of progressive rock.

After all, Iceberg, Atila, NHU, Eduardo Bort, Canarios... are good bands, but they played a different style and most of them could be from a different country and we wouldn't realise it. But if you listen to one band playing that "Prog Andaluz" you know without any doubt that they are not only Spanish, but from the SOUTH of Spain. That's SO important and I guess it's the more characteristic prog style, the one that represents in the best way the region where it was born.

That "Prog Andaluz" of the 70s gave rise to "Rock Andaluz" in the 80s, a subgenre that already exists and everybody in Spain has heard about it. So I think it's unfair, now it's time to talk about "PROG Andaluz"

erik neuteboom wrote: Sean, I would like to suggest to make Carakhallo chairman of the Prog Archives New Category Comitee  , OK?

He sounds biased to me and appears to be unfairly lobbied by you and the Andaluz Mafia

Bu the way, "chairman" sounds very nice, Erik, hehe. Mmmm...yes... I wish we get that new category... I want to feel that POWERFUL !!

 

I want American Symphonic Prairie Prog!!!!!!

 

 

 

 

erik neuteboom wrote: OK, it's a deal Garion81?

Just joking with ya'all

erik neuteboom wrote: Is that USA humor  , Garion81? It's a very serious subject, The Beatles just entered Prog Archives, now I want my Prog Andaluz  !

hahahah  USA humor is calling you a friend.... then dropping bombs on you and calling you a menace to the 'New World Order'.



Sean- I'm going to dip my little toe into your discussion with Erik, being how I have only heard one Spanish prog album (though more are on the way).....

Sean I think the primary purpose of this site is to educate... or at least stimulate an  interest in a whole world of prog outside of the big 6 plus todays current favs..

How many people have been exposed to Italian prog because it is ..... seperate.  Would as many people have explored it if 'tucked' away under Symphonic prog.  It is seperate for the fact that unlike English symphonic,  unless you are Italian or a true Renaissance man,  you can not understand what they are singing.  It takes an effort to appreciate it.  Namely a willingness to accept that while you can appreciate and 'evaluate' the music... the lyrics are... unintelligible.  Thankfully we are prog fans, not pop fans and isn't THAT big a deal hahahha.  The same thought could be applied to Spanish prog, the point being that it appears that not many people (judging by the lack of general posting here) know Spanish prog.  Would not highlighting what does appear to be seperate off shoot of Symphonic prog  in it's influences in the least and possibly in it's execution, encourage others to check it out. Just my two cents and thinking outloud......

^^^

I agree Sean and Micky. I have decided when joining this site to ficus on the unknown artists and bands. I am doing this slowly and gradually to have the time to appreciate and understand what I am hearing at that moment. Another thing is I always read the recommendations of certain collaborators here (I think you can guess who they are) since their recomm's are on usually the unknown gems outside the main and popular preferences here on PA. This is why I appreciate threads like this on enad the one on Belgian chamber prog and Italian music and others. There is so much more music to listen and discover, and I can;t see the logic in dicscussing all the time whether Jethro Tull is ion the big 6 or not, or If PF is prog and that sort of pointless debates.

Have a good day all.