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10 best prog-rock songs
#1
Here's a voted-upon list w/discussion of this topic. They didn't include any playing vids so I tucked those in at the end.
http://www.thetoptens.com/best-progressive-rock-songs/ << Should be plenty of talk here on this.
NOTE: These are all full versions so set aside a good bit of time--progsters are not succinct.

1) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M58wE8GTGp4
2) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tUDUltSdqIk
3) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6iTEvPzqj_s
4) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dqMLS95zdT8
5) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kcvByrgofjc
6) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M9xwB6TPj7M
7) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xK3qylwd-M0
>> A symphonic version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=453GmkbZszM << an orchestra from Ankara, Turkey << listen for an audience member singing along
8) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aFOrFfORBxw
9) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kmZoQFYYx8U
10) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EUGBJA-eYEY

They also list 90 other contenders--have a ball!

You're gonna hate me for this one: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XdTiGteWvQM
A man accustomed to hear only the echo of his own sentiments, soon bars all the common avenues of delight, and has no part in the general gratification of mankind--Dr. Johnson
What he said. Amen, Bro--JazzboCR
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#2
Jerome is our resident "prog" guy....
It'll be interesting to hear his thoughts of this list...
Would be interesting to see his top10 list also
"BTO....Bachman,Turner,Overweight
They were big in the 70s....for five minutes,on a Saturday,after lunch..."  -  Me 2014.


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#3
I'm not really a prog fan so it wouldn't be right for me to comment as to the list of links...
I do know four of the track and really only like the TAAB one...
I actually prefer Ian Anderson's TAAB2 over the original...but what would I know??.
"BTO....Bachman,Turner,Overweight
They were big in the 70s....for five minutes,on a Saturday,after lunch..."  -  Me 2014.


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#4
That Dream Theater piece, "Octavarium", as arranged and played by that Turkish outfit has its "prog rock" trappings stripped off and the truth revealed--it is modern classical music. Didn't the older Classicists use the most modern instruments and tech, and formats available...and push the envelope? Of course they did--and thus with some (but only some--let's not go overboard) prog rock composers. The thing about Classical music is that it has to be able to be played by any musician who's instrument-competent--that's not decrying extraordinary ability to bring forth the hidden but the ordinary should give meaning to it and give pleasure with it.; it can't be group- or arrangement-specific, and have lasting impact ( not 25, not 50 but 200 years).

Yes I would very much enjoy Jerome's comments, lists, whatever he proffers.
A man accustomed to hear only the echo of his own sentiments, soon bars all the common avenues of delight, and has no part in the general gratification of mankind--Dr. Johnson
What he said. Amen, Bro--JazzboCR
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#5
im curious as to whether this track would be considered "prog rock"????

the reason i ask is because a lot of prog songs are lengthy and have long guitar solos, this track has both!?!

or is it as i consider it...an overblown jam session that goes nowhere without purpose or structure(and im a huge Neil Young fan!)?

[video=youtube;WmHljOmSw6I]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WmHljOmSw6I[/video]
"BTO....Bachman,Turner,Overweight
They were big in the 70s....for five minutes,on a Saturday,after lunch..."  -  Me 2014.


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#6
I believe the main thing to consider is: is there an over-arching theme with interesting passages drawn from it ?; or is it a bunch of nattering strung together in a psuedo-narrative? Is there at all times a core with at least a trail of breadcrumbs leading back to it?
A man accustomed to hear only the echo of his own sentiments, soon bars all the common avenues of delight, and has no part in the general gratification of mankind--Dr. Johnson
What he said. Amen, Bro--JazzboCR
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#7
This is an interesting thread and a fine place to get my feet wet in the forums. Perusing the list I agree and disagree with a number of the selections, as is to be expected, so I’ll begin by putting in my two cents worth on them.


At the top we have Genesis’ “Supper’s Ready.” No argument there. It stands head and shoulders above any other prog-rock composition. A masterpiece. I never tire of hearing this track.


Next is “Shine On You Crazy Diamond” from Pink Floyd which is, again, a musical masterpiece but I do have a nagging question in the back of my mind on whether Floyd can be considered “prog” or should, instead, be listed in the “space rock” category. To my ears their early work definitely fits into the “space rock” mold whereas some of their later work, say post-Dark Side, may be more comfortably placed in the prog category. That said “Wish You Were Here” is without a doubt my favorite album by the Pink-sters. As for the other two Floyd tracks included in the top ten “Echoes” was a great soundtrack to acid trips but for me it contains too much noodling for listening without being under the influence, doesn’t really qualify as prog and fits better in space rock. “Dogs” comes from my least favorite PF recording so I’ll not make a comment on this track at all.


Rush’s “2112” I just didn’t get at all. I found it long, tedious and boring. I like later Rush but their early stuff I avoid. Which is just the opposite with Yes. I like their first few recordings but quickly tired of their oh-so-pristine sound. Many friends tried to get me into “Close to the Edge” and all failed. Give me anything from “The Yes Album” or “Fragile” over this.


Now, King Crimson, the big red, I admire greatly but how do you pick out their finest track? It’s nearly impossible. I can’t argue with either of the KC tracks selected for this list but is it even possible to select just one song from their masterful debut album? I think not and find the album almost demands being listened to as one continuous piece. Sure, “21st Century Schizoid Man” is arguably the most accessible and radio friendly of the tracks on “In The Court of the Crimson King” but the title track is just as good, maybe better. I would also nominate “Larks Tongue in Aspic, Part Two” and “Red” to the list, though “Red” might be more comfortable on a heavy metal list.


Tracks I would include in a great prog collection (in no particular order):


Caravan’s “Nine Feet Underground”
National Health’s “The Collapso”
Brand X “Nuclear Burn”
UK’s “In the Dead of Night/By the Light of Day”
Happy the Man’s “Wind Up Doll Day Wind”
Roxy Music’s “The Bogus Man”
Golden Earring’s “The Vanilla Queen” or “Are You Receiving Me”
Gryphon’s “Checkmate” or “Opening Move” (the entire “Red Queen to Gryphon Three” album is a pleasant listen)
Emerson, Lake & Palmer’s “Take A Pebble”
Premiata Forneria Marconi’s “River of Life”


This is all just coming of the top of my head with minimal research - musical memories from 40 years past.
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#8
Impressive lists all around! Dominated by the usual suspects Yes, Pink Floyd and King Crimson! A recent release by Anathema - Weather Systems blew me away! One of the best albums I've heard in a while! Opeth is very interesting also for contemporary prog!

[video=youtube;JrgrEkhudfo]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JrgrEkhudfo[/video]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MDBykpSX...-s19afgF6- OPETH - Ghost of Perdition
 The ultimate connection is between a performer and its' audience!
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