Progs' best Keyboard players

I feel it is quite sad to read lists of many really amazing keyboard players, without mentioning one legend and veteran player. whom i regard as not only technical genious, but also a creative master and a pioneer, the ever touring Manfred Mann, whom i have tons of respect for. He have been touring and playing since 1962, and always been one contributer to the development of keyboard n rock and pop, one of the most iconic keyboard players with an personal sound, instantly recongnizeable, 

Edited by Icarium - March 28 2016 at 12:52

Hiromi

My top 7:
1. Dave Stewart - because everything Egg. Key track: "Symphony No. 2" by Egg and "Wring Out The Ground (Loosely Now).
2. Keith Emerson -  I don't think I need to say why. Key track: "The Old Castle/Blues Variation" from Pictures at an Exhibition.
3. Mike Ratledge - especially in his early days, his break-neck tempo speedy salvos are amazing!
4. Vincent Crane - another underrated organ player, look at his work in Crazy World or Atomic Rooster. Key track: hmmm.... "Breakthrough" by Atomic Rooster or "Prelude/Nightmare" by Crazy World of Arthur Brown.
5. Tony Banks - I fell in love with his playing after I heard "The Knife". Key track: so many, but I'd say "The Knife" by Genesis.
6. Pete Bardens - fantastic jazz-influenced playing, fantastic taste and phrasing. Key track: "Lady Fantasy" by Camel.
7. Kerry Minear - gave Gentle Giant a very proggy feel. Key track: "Proclamation" by Gentle Giant.

DiamondDog wrote: King Manuel wrote: The keyboards are my favourite instrument, but I can't say who is my favourite player or who is the best. There are so many different great ones out there , all with their unique style. I agree with this. There is no such thing as the best. The best are all those who have something unique to give.

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King Manuel wrote: The keyboards are my favourite instrument, but I can't say who is my favourite player or who is the best. There are so many different great ones out there , all with their unique style.

richardh wrote: verslibre wrote: They sampled pretty much everything on those Dream Mixes albums, but honestly, most of them just turned me off because they made me want to listen to the actual albums sans the trance beats. I think DMV was the best of the bunch. I managed to avoid those altogether and doesn't seem I've missed much

You really aren't. I will just say this: check the track listing on Dream Mixes V and check for some/any on YT. Don't worry about the rest. And the very first one is abysmal!

verslibre wrote: They sampled pretty much everything on those Dream Mixes albums, but honestly, most of them just turned me off because they made me want to listen to the actual albums sans the trance beats. I think DMV was the best of the bunch.

verslibre wrote: Canyon Dreams was '87, so I think that's safe. That was a good one (which I first watched/heard on VHS, bright hiss and all!). And I keep forgetting Oasis which was also above average, especially considering the albums that directly preceded it. Tyranny Of Beauty had its moments, too. Sampling Ricochet again? Ah, well... LOOM is where it's at these days! Johannes, Jerome, Robert...that live 2CD cooks!

I recommend the last three albums: Man Made Machine, Insekt and Nymf. All are masterpieces. Carptree have a very unique style, difficult to compare to anything else.

progbethyname wrote: King Manuel wrote: The keyboards are my favourite instrument, but I can't say who is my favourite player or who is the best. There are so many different great ones out there , all with their unique style. Very true, but if you had to pick one sound that eminated from a keyboard player who would it be? Picture yourself stranded on a desert island and you could only chose one...come on you can do it. Torture I know, but you gotta pick. Lol

Ok,ok, if I really have to pick one, I think I go for an unusual choice: Carl Westholm (Carptree).