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Guitar chord forum - chordie → Bands and artists → Prog Rock Wednesdays
Glad you like it, Uncle Joe.
Peart is certainly in a select class of elite drummers. One thing that always strikes me about him is how high he mounts most of his kit. Most drummers have their toms at waist height and cymbals at the shoulders maybe ... but Neil has his gear so high that he's always reaching for it. Must be tiring, but one certainly can't argue with his quality.
Marillion "Out of This World" Minehead, England, 2003
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fEb2EpXzAsY
Brooding, atmospheric, even dark ... some beautiful guitar work from Steve Rothery. He captures mood as good as anyone else, and you can almost feel each note.
I don't know what that instrument is that singer Steve Hogarth is using, but it appears to be made from a cricket bat. Hmmmm?
Porcupine Tree "Radioactive Toy" Germany, 2005
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lHZy8EglzEQ
A dark and cynical song about the menace of nuclear weapons. Great vocal arrangement for Steve Wilson and John Wesley.
Pink Floyd "Echoes" Pompeii, 1971
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VKtgWx6e0hs
Here's an oldie but a goodie. The acoustics in this ancient ampitheatre must have been incredible, and it made a cool setting for them to play / record / film this rendition of one of their early classics. This was from their 6th album (Meddle, 1971) which was 2 before "Dark Side of the Moon". Nevertheless, it's easy to see where their style was heading.
An interesting note, is that they considered filing a copyright lawsuit against Andrew Lloyd Webber, for his opening movement for "Phantom of the Opera". The opening pipe organ section of Phantom is identical to the main riff of Echoes, i.e., same notes, same time signature, same structure, etc. They didn't proceed, but they certainly have a valid argument.
Ian Anderson "A Change of Horses" Los Angeles, 2009
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SV-UiDj_HwI
This great song has that modernized Celtic feel that I've always loved about so much of Jethro Tull's repertoire, along with some cool time signatures. With the conclusion of the long-time partnership of Ian and guitarist Martin Barre now in the history books, it appears that Anderson wanted "a change of horses" to keep his own musical career from going stale. Who knows? Apart from the fact that his voice is just a shadow of what it once was, Ian can still bring it musically, and this is (for me) as good as anything he's ever written.
Pink Floyd "Echoes" Pompeii, 1971
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VKtgWx6e0hs
Here's an oldie but a goodie. The acoustics in this ancient ampitheatre must have been incredible, and it made a cool setting for them to play / record / film this rendition of one of their early classics. This was from their 6th album (Meddle, 1971) which was 2 before "Dark Side of the Moon". Nevertheless, it's easy to see where their style was heading.
An interesting note, is that they considered filing a copyright lawsuit against Andrew Lloyd Webber, for his opening movement for "Phantom of the Opera". The opening pipe organ section of Phantom is identical to the main riff of Echoes, i.e., same notes, same time signature, same structure, etc. They didn't proceed, but they certainly have a valid argument.
Pink Floyds "Echoes" is one of my favourite prog tracks never saw it live but love the album.
Thanks for the share and info.
ark
Thanks, Arkady ...
I gave a listen to some of your compositions on your site, and was mesmerized. "Lunar Earthrise" is gorgeous, and I certainly hear some Pink Floyd and Tangerine Dream influence there. Great material, my friend!
Funster
Thanks for taking the time to listen glad you like them.
Prog Rock is probably the greatest influence on me of all genres of music so thanks for putting up the thread.
Ark
I'm totally with you, Arkady ...
For whatever reason, I can't stay interested in a song if has only a catchy riff or punch line. Great lyrics come from great poetry, but great music requires thought, planning, complexity, etc. Creative use of instrumentation, key changes, counter-point, rhythmic switching, etc. all make for a more interesting and engaging piece of music. It can be done in most genres, but I feel it really shines brightest in Prog.
The Neal Morse Band "Waterfall" Nashville, 2015
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lJHzdKDctPI
This week's entry is a day early, as I head out for a weekend fishing trip with the kayaks and good friend. We'll be visiting a few waterfalls, so thought this selection would be appropriate. This is one of a number of great pieces by Neal Morse & Co., performed at a concert earlier this year in Nashville. Lots of talent there, and a soothing piece of music.
Emerson, Lake, & Palmer "Pirates" Montreal, 1977
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gD9C1az9ZYc
"Pirates" has all the feeling of a feature film, and Greg Lake has never been in better voice. Many Prog Rock groups over the years have employed an orchestra, which shows the underlying bridge between Prog and Classical music. Hard to believe this video was shot almost 40 years ago, but the performance and recording quality have stood up quite well.
Hey Funster
ELP at their best. The "Pirates" piece incorporates all the elements of what makes them so outstanding in the prog rock genre. I can hear elements of all their previous works and the mix is really complex and original.
What I like about Greg Lake's singing is the fact you can hear every word he sings and considering the orchestral backing he has to compete with is an achievement in it self.
Great Stuff!
ark
Thanks, Arkady .... so glad you enjoyed this!
Greg did have a great voice, and I for one could have wished for more acoustic-based ballads (like Lucky Man, Take a Pebble, etc). Carl Palmer is one of the few drummers who could really do justice to this piece. All in all, a very talented trio.
I wanted to ask you about your own work on OurStage. Do you do all of the instrumentation, recording and mixing? That's very impressive work, and I've been back frequently to enjoy it.
Hi Funster
As you say Carl Palmer is one of the great prog rock drummers. I especially like the start of the second side of the live album "Pictures at an exhibition" where his drumming is electrifying.
To answer your question. The drums, Bass and pads are mainly loops. The rest are produced in a midi. I play the guitar and or keyboard on some tracks but use stock loops if the basic sound is what I'm after.
Most of the tracks laid down are Fx'ed, tweaked, edited and mix by me in musicmaker software.
I was wondering do you do any recording yourself just curious 
ark
Thanks for the "tour", Arkady!
I have no experience recording, apart from recording some stuff decades ago on a "ghetto blaster" on cassette tape. I'm nearing 60 years old, but you probably figured that out already! 
I also haven't performed on stage for several decades, and just jam with a few friends now and then for fun. Mostly, the guitars are my psychiatrists, and are an integral part of unwinding each day after work. I probably spend more time listening than playing, and have been pleased to find lots of newer prog work in the past few years (like yours) to add to the older classic favorites. I've got the group "Believe" playing right now (out of Poland) and their album "This Bread is Mine" is stellar work.
Who would you regard as a few of your favorites?
Believe "Beggar" Katowice, Poland, 2008
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_USAZWNM4d8
Believe's founder Mirek Gil had the idea to invite acclaimed violinist Satomi Noriko to be a part of his new group. The result certainly gives their music another level of feeling and soundscape than a typical rock ensemble would have. Ms. Noriko also appears to enjoy this change of direction from her usual career as a classical & jazz music violinist. This is a group that I just discovered last year, and have enjoyed their work very much.
This is a day early, because the Mayfly hatches are on, and I'm heading out later today for a weekend of trout fishing.
Where do you find drum loops to use ? I have been trying to figure out how to use audacity ( not very successfully I might add) . I wanted to add some drum to my songs when I record, but can't figure out where to get the loops or how to put them in ( even if I do find them) . Appreciate any help or advice you have.
Jim
Yes "The Gates of Delirium"
Part 1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y_nf2bPfgYE (7:19 minutes)
Part 2 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5xscf7hgewA (9:01 minutes)
Written in 1974, and released as a 21:00-minute track on Yes' "Relayer" album. This magnum opus piece of music contains all that Prog Rock critics dislike about PR. It's too long, it's too complicated, the message is unclear, there isn't a toe-tapping hook, and the group is being too pretentious to think that anyone would want to sit through such a thing. My reply would be that, if anyone can compose, write, play and perform like this ... why wouldn't they?
TGoD is one of Yes' signature compositions, and this slightly shortened version, enhanced with the European Festival Orchestra, is a showcase work by one of the top PR groups of all time. I hope you enjoy this song about humanity's predilection for conflict, and the always regrettable outcomes:
"Stand and fight we do consider,
Reminded of an inner pact between us,
That's seen as we go,
And ride there,
In motion,
To fields in debts of honour defending."
"Stand the marchers soaring talons,
Peaceful lives will not deliver freedom,
Fighting we know,
Destroy oppression,
The point to reaction,
As leaders look to you attacking."
Thanks for the "tour", Arkady!
I have no experience recording, apart from recording some stuff decades ago on a "ghetto blaster" on cassette tape. I'm nearing 60 years old, but you probably figured that out already! :D
I also haven't performed on stage for several decades, and just jam with a few friends now and then for fun. Mostly, the guitars are my psychiatrists, and are an integral part of unwinding each day after work. I probably spend more time listening than playing, and have been pleased to find lots of newer prog work in the past few years (like yours) to add to the older classic favorites. I've got the group "Believe" playing right now (out of Poland) and their album "This Bread is Mine" is stellar work.
Who would you regard as a few of your favorites?
Hi Funster
My first attempts at recording were on the old 4 track Tascam using cassettes cutting edge then :)
Just keyboard and guitar and vocals and a prayer which mostly wasn't answered. I'm of an age when I remember the prog rock rock bands first time round so I'm grey around the gills too.
Favourite's well...
ELP Pictures at exhibition the cover Mussorgsky's piece (I'm a great fan of a lot of classical music especially Baroque)
YES, GENSIS (early of course with Pete Gabriel)
HAWKWIND, VAN DER GRAFF GENERATOR, early MOTT THE HOOPLE
solo RICK WAKEMAN Journey to the centre of the earth, Arthur and others.
JEFF WAYNE' war of the worlds
Uriah Heep
My knowledge of prog Rock bands has been very limited. Thanks for expanding it with your posts.
ark
That's an all star lineup of favorites, Ark ... excellent!
Like you, I'm also a fan of classical music, with some favorites being Saint-Saens, Mussorgsky, Stravinsky, Katchaturian, Respighi, Holst, and Copeland. I started looking for newer Prog groups a couple of years ago, as I couldn't imagine that the whole genre had been abandoned by the mid-80's. To my surprise and delight, there are a whole slew of new Prog bands active, with several really good ones coming out of Poland (Believe), Wales (Magenta), Sweden (Anglagard), as well as others in the UK. I've found this particular website very useful for finding & researching Prog groups:
Wishbone Ash "The Pilgrim" Las Vegas, 2005
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6bSul2pZnxI
This is Prog Rock's version of "Dueling Banjos" only it's Andy Powell and Jyrki "Muddy" Manninen doing some great pairings on the guitars. This song is from their 1971 album "Pilgrimmage".
Camel "Lunar Sea" London, 1976
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oe134XCf1co
Featuring some more amazing guitar work by Andy Latimer, this is the final track of Camel's fourth album, and the last to feature the band's original line up. There were two different album covers, for the UK (DERAM label) and USA (JANUS label) releases, and this final track also had another curious feature. The last minute or so is a wind effect, so naturally the grooves in the vinyl were very shallow. Back in those days, I had a properly calibrated Thorens turntable, and replaced the needle-cartridge assembly annually. Despite that, the tonearm would often jump back to the start of this section, and the wind would just keep blowing. This was a common and well-publicized anomaly at the time, and some speculated that this was done on purpose to generate conversation, i.e., publicity.
Another oddity occurs in the first track on the album "Aristollus". The song features Andy Ward's voice in the background saying "Aristolus Autolycus" repeatedly, the names of two large craters on the moon. To prevent getting tongue-tied, Andy framed it in his mind as "Aristollus ought to like us", and the simple mind trick worked. So much for the trivia ... I hope you enjoy the song. This is the JANUS cover:
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Echolyn "Mei" Sellersville, PA, 2003
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QYD6sm-YoZ0
We often tend to think of Prog Rock as primarily being a "British thing", but Echolyn is an American group that stands with the best of them. Formed in 1989 by singer / guitarist Brett Kull, drummer Paul Ramsey, and keyboardist Chris Buzby, they've gone through various phases and personnel changes like most groups do. Their 9th of 15 albums, Mei is a single 50-minute song comprising the whole album. This live performance (with chamber orchestra) really highlights the composition and musicianship skills of this group.
And I've been happily tying trout flies to this lately!
Camel "Lunar Sea" London, 1976
Somehow I missed this last week; great track, great album, great band! i was lucky enough to see them in a little club (appx. 250 capacity) in San Francisco in the late 70's... oh, my! What a terrific show!
TF, I wonder if you're also into groups like Can, Eloy, Van der Graaf Generator, Gentle Giant, Curved Air, PFM, Triumvirat, Gong, Starcastle, Dixie Dregs, U.K., Jane, Art Bears, Soft Machine, Caravan, Strawbs, Happy the Man...?
Tenement Funster wrote:Camel "Lunar Sea" London, 1976
Somehow I missed this last week; great track, great album, great band! i was lucky enough to see them in a little club (appx. 250 capacity) in San Francisco in the late 70's... oh, my! What a terrific show!
TF, I wonder if you're also into groups like Can, Eloy, Van der Graaf Generator, Gentle Giant, Curved Air, PFM, Triumvirat, Gong, Starcastle, Dixie Dregs, U.K., Jane, Art Bears, Soft Machine, Caravan, Strawbs, Happy the Man...?
Thanks, Cocktails ...
I've enjoyed a lot of music from pretty all those groups you've mentioned. I think that Gentle Giant is definitely one of the most talented, but I just can't listen to Derek Shulman's singing ... like fingernails on a chalkboard, to my ears.
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