Prog Literature

Bonjour,

Having only acquired 'The Prog Rock Files' by Jerry Lucky, a very informative read, certainly at least in terms of the band listings and reference guide...I was wondering what other books any of those in the know might recommend...particularly on the general history of symphonic prog but also namely books that focus on King Crimson, Jethro Tull, Gentle Giant and Pink Floyd...

Suggestions if you so care?

merci.

Thanks Monsiuer Press...

I will track that down.  I am finding that band utterly fascinating right now.  I properly appreciated 'Three Friends' having listened to it on the headphones whilst flying to Sydney a month or so ago.  More recently I've been toe tapping away to 'In A Glass House' I think this is the best so far, have yet to conquer 'Octopus' though, find it more obscure but need to listen

thanks again

Trouserpress wrote: I know what you mean about properly appreciating them! The subtleties in their music can be breathtaking. Take your time with Octopus! I agree it's not the easiest nut to crack. If you haven't already done so I also heartily recommend you invest in Free Hand. Anyway, I'd better shut up. I sometimes wonder if I'm subconciously trying to turn this place into a Gentle Giant forum!

I'll sign up if you do!

 

Right 'Free Hand' it is.......Might just have to be the 30th Anniversary version (and then the original on vinyl....of course! )

 

 

thank you thank you thank you Gabbel, liking the sound of that especially if it's a strong enough read to alter the perception......which can be a little hazy sometimes  

Infinity wrote: thank you thank you thank you Gabbel, liking the sound of that especially if it's a strong enough read to alter the perception......which can be a little hazy sometimes

Try Sid Smith's In The Court Of King Crimson

Graham Bennett's forthcoming Soft Machine: Out Bloody Rageous (but I would say that wouldn't I).

Lost In the Woods: Syd Barrett biog

 

Progressive Rock Reconsidered Kevin Holm-Hudson

The most esoteric book on the subject, although it is worth reproducing one review at Amazon for contemplation:

I had huge hopes for this book -- that title is, after all, a statement of intent. Lesser warriors have gone to battle with louder cries. But the horrible Paul Whitehead cover (called "storm in a teacup") should be a warning. This isn't a funky reevaluation in the wake of Radiohead. This is a group of yawnsome American university professors ranting on about how intellectually advanced prog rock is, and how stupid critics and the listening public are for not agreeing with them. And with friends like these, who needs the NME?

Things get off to a bad start. On the first page of his introduction, Holm-Hudson sets out his stall. He states that most genres of rock have attracted the attention of serious researchers, but not prog. Ouch (as Bill Martin, Edward Macan or Paul Stump -- all writers of good quality serious works on the subject -- would say). He then berates the fans of prog for lacking "a necessary critical perspective". Double ouch. And goes on to dismiss Macan's "Rocking The Classics" for focusing exclusively on British progressive rock bands. (Even though the book he is introducing deals almost entirely with British progressive rock bands - Pink Floyd (two chapters), ELP, King Crimson (two chapters) and Yes (two chapters). Oh, there's also a chapter on the United States of America's "American Metaphysical Circus" as if to say "we got there first" (which is of course nonsense). "The authors in Progressive Rock Reconsidered assume a broader view," he claims, "One that incorporates textual analysis, sociology, journalism, gender studies and religious studies as well as hermeneutic study of the music itself". Well there goes the neighbourhood.

So let's see how good this "broader view" is with a glance down the index. Let's head for P. Do we see PFM? Do we see Porcupine Tree? Do we see Pavlov's Dog? Do we see Popol Vuh? No, but we see an awful lot of Pink Floyd. Oh, and Peter Paul and Mary.

When we get to the actual text the inaccuracies and narrow-mindedness destroy any credibility Holm-Hudson and his professorial buddies might have aimed for. Opening at random we find that "What distinguishes the United States of America from some of their contemporaries (such as...Zappa's Mothers of Invention) is the seriousness and skill with which they incorporated avant-garde and other influences into their music." Which universities did Joseph Byrd go to again? [The answer is Arizona, Stanford and UCLA] But all Zappa was capable of playing was comedy music.

More humorous is John S Cotner's 26-page musicologist's autopsy on Pink Floyd's "Careful with That Axe, Eugene", titled "Toward a Theory of Textural Rhythm in Early Progressive Rock". Funny, I always thought Eugene was a one-chord jam with screaming, but it seems I'm wrong. Cotner manages to wring the track dry of any sense of feeling, leaving it a dry unappetising husk. And (this being a recurring motif throughout the book) he manages to rubbish Macan along the way.

Then there's Dirk von der Horst's chapter entitled"Precarious Pleasures: Situating Close to the Edge in ConflictingMale Desires"...this is the thing which makes "Progressive Rock Reconsidered" so infuriating. It's dry muso intellectualism. Exactly the criticism levelled at the music itself. Aren't there any writers out there who get off on the music because it's big, brash, room-filling dumb noise? Who doesn't turn "Awaken" up full volume so they can hear that church organ thunder through their floorboards? Who doesn't play prog rock, just once in a while, because they're bored of adolescent boys singing about their spots? Prog rock doesn't need university professors on its team. And, when all's said and done, it certainly doesn't need this book. Spend your money on a Van der Graaf Generator album instead.

And one of the better ones. Charles Murray Shaar: Crosstown Traffic which has recently been republished. Not really a Hendirx biography (there seems to be too many out there at the moment), more a serious consideration where Hendrix would be musically if he was still alive at the beginning of the 90's, the musicians he influenced.

gabbel ratchett wrote: Rocking The Classics (English Progressive Rock and the Counterculture) 1997 Oxford University Press by Edward Macan is a very good read. It might even change the way you look at, or hear all this progressive stuff.

It is good, but far from perfect. It had me get a fine pencil out to mark the errors and misconceptions. Big bloomers are there to be found e.g. with respect to Holdsworth, quoted as "a typical Canterbury guitarist"????? However, it introduced me to Djam Karet which Macan rates as one of the better new prog bands - don't get mentioned here much do they though? I feel too there is over-emphasis about the SE of England/Anglican church connection, whie suffering from a  neglect of American bands. However, Macan's central thesis on musical development  (and this is surely a masters or PhD thesis) uses five examples of classic prog albums, considering them musically, and there is also a chapter on the influence of the artwork for these albums. Macan is a fan of ELP - check out Hermetic Science's two albums, one of which has a transcription of Tarkus for grande piano.

One annoying thing about all those histories of prog, is that they are written considerably long time after the start of the genre, by authors who came to music in the late 70's or later. Hence a lot of source information is 2nd or 3rd hand. We are long overdue for an authorative history by somebody who was there or at least gathers interviews from folks who were there. Sid Smith started his researches and interviews but hasn't had a chance to continue for over 2 years because of lack of funds. Too many of these books aren't commissioned with fat fees upfront, more them being  labours of love, e.g. there is an Allan Holdsworth biog in progress in France for the last  8 years.

Stuart Nicholson's Jazz Rock: A History was about the last related book commisioned, but because of its limited availability nowadays, could only had a 5000 or so copies printed up. (Nicholson is better known for his biographies of mainstream jazz musicians, e.g. Billie Holiday).

Granted, Macan's book is far from perfect. But will the perfect prog history book ever be written?I don't think so. It certainly is worth reading though.

BTW, is that diminutive, static figure in the Travelocity TV commercials little Bobby Fripp?

I think Macan's book (Rocking the Classics) is still the best overview out there. Sid Smith's King Crimson book is great. I have Progressive Rock Reconsidered but haven't read it yet - I sort of like over-intellectualizing, but this particular book might be way over my head as I'm the furthest thing from a musician or music major.

Speaking of over-intellectualizing, there's Bill Martin's Marxist interpretation, Listening to the Future, which is okay but probably infuriating for people who just want to read about music. Or, there's Chris Cutler's postmodern take in File Under Popular, which I actually really like.

As for strict prog overviews, aside from Macan there's not really anything I like. Listening to the Future and Paul Stump's The Music's All That Matters are two other major players, but I didn't find either of them particularly good.

I too have been looking for some new, good reading material. Local Border's here I come. They probably won't have anything I'm looking for but I would love to get my hands on some of these. Thanks guys!

Bradley Smith's "Billboard guide to Progressive Music" is an alright read but it covers so little of the prog story. It would serve as a good primer for those who are just beginning to explore the prog world. The more you read, the more you'll think, the more you'll explore.