Prog Rock Wednesdays (Page 13 of 24)

Tangerine Dream    "Cloudburst Flight"    Lisbon, 2010

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BdNj9O1xaY0

This is an updated version of a track from their 1979 album "Force Majeure". It features some more of Bernhard Beibl's terrific guitar work throughout the middle of the song. I once had the clear-cut vinyl edition "back in the day", and found this pic of that edition on the internet below. We all used to get excited about these oddities when they were released. Enjoy the music!

Rush    "Natural Science"    Amsterdam, 2008

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p6-CW-IbuXQ

After a bit of their patent goofing around, the lads go into this amazing piece of work, from their 1980 album "Permanent Waves". Alex Lifeson's guitar was one of the first collaborations he did with Gibson, to incorporate a Piezo pickup in the bridge, and run it through a separate jack which can be seen on the end of his guitar. This enabled him to have a "acoustic guitar" type of sound for songs like this one, and then switch to the electric pickups with a flick of an on-board switch. Gibson would later produce the Alex Lifeson Les Paul Axcess with this feature and a few others, which went to market in 2011.

Dear Santa ... I'd like a red one, please!

Pendragon   "If I Were the Wind"    Katowicz, Poland, 2011

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=031lhdok53U

Some more of NIck Barrett's smooth guitar playing, and moving lyrics about how love helps us ride out the storms of life:

Blue Oyster Cult   "Veteran of the Psychic Wars"    Hollywood, 1981

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7pFdkkjGiEs

Although mostly known as a heavy metal band, BOC did a lot of creative stuff which was "outside the box" for most metal bands in the 70's and 80's. This concert was part of their "Fire of Unknown Origin" tour, for the album released earlier in the same year. It's a terrific album, with amazing guitar work by both Eric Bloom and Donald "Buck Dharma" Roeser. I honestly don't think there was anything "voodoo spooky" about their name, artwork, or intentions. It was the alternative-to-pop / anti-disco element of the 70's, and if you didn't freak people's parents out a bit, they wouldn't buy your albums.

Porcupine Tree    "Don't Hate Me"    Chicago, 2005

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2i0bgYeJBA8

Here's a tune from PT's 1999 album "Stupid Dream", their fifth studio album. The sumptuous bass-drum groove during the middle couple of minutes is one of the best I know of. Gavin Harrison (drummer) and Colin Edwin (bassist) show amazing chemistry in all their live shows. It's too bad this group went their separate ways in 2010, but I'll say it again, "Thank goodness for YouTube!".

Uriah Heep    "The Golden Palace"    Mermaid Theatre, London, 2001

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kHaSS5Y8Nvs

Heep's "Acoustically Driven" album was their 7th live album, and encompassed some of their old standby's and a fresh take on their newer tunes. The only original members (Mick Box, guitar / Lee Kerslake, drums) are joined by newer additions Bernie Shaw (vocals), Trevor Bolder (bass), and Phil Lanzon (keyboards) and a bunch of special guests. The whole album shows a softer side of the group, and beautiful arrangements. It was sold as a matched offset to their album "Electrically Driven" of the same year. And where would a Heep album be without the album artwork of the amazing Roger Dean? Enjoy!

Satellite    "Evening Overture"    Katowizc, 2008

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ifRtRqarAwg

Yet another terrific Prog group from Poland, where a lot of the world's best Prog Rock has been coming from in the past 10 - 15 years. This song is from Satellite's 2004 album "Evening Games".

Hi TIG ... thanks for commenting.

I believe the term Prog Rock came about because many of these bands started experimenting with arrangements & instruments that were outside of the conventional Rock & Roll norms at the time. The term bothers me at times, because it has an "elitist" tone of superiority to it which turns some people off. I don't see it as being any better than any other genre ... everybody likes different things.

I guess the most common influences came from classical music, and many prog groups have been described as what Beethoven might have done if he had synthesizers! Many prog songs are longer than typical, to allow for different arrangements to be put together in one song. A lot of prog musicians come from a classical background, rather than the usual blues background behind most rock & roll.

I just like the complexity, and  being able to crank it up and be absorbed by all the stuff that's going on. It's not very social music admittedly, which is one of many reasons why it's never become truly popular.

Again ... good question, and I appreciate the comments.

I love the guitar work on this one TF and the engineering mixing etc. Reminded me of the Echo's album.
I've  needed some inspiration lately and this is the best thanks for posting.
Also The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway is one of my all time doubles. Fantastic music and imagery it's Genesis at their best IMHO. 
ark

So good to hear from you, Arkady!

I actually thought of you when I was listening to this, as it carries a lot of similarities to your own fantastic work. And I agree that "The Lamb" was an amazing achievement, but I don't I think could pick a favorite album from the "And Then There Were Five" era ... they're all captivating. Despite their creative differences, the Hackett / Rutherford / Gabriel / Collins / Banks version of Genesis was really quite special.

"It's the grand parade of lifeless packaging, all ready to use;
It's the grand parade of lifeless packaging, I just need a fuse."

Yes    "The Revealing Science of God"    Budapest, 1998

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LtXMKt65Z9M

Here's the first track from Yes' 1973 album "Tales from Topographic Oceans". The opening lyrics seem to make sense, but don't. Once memorized, singing them in high school math class can get a person into trouble. This is one their most adventurous albums, and is 100% non-radio friendly. It was a two-album set comprised of 4 songs, each taking up one side of a vinyl LP:

1) The Revealing Science of God (20:25)
2) The Remembering (20:38)
3) The Ancient (18:35)
4) Ritual (21:37)

Flying Colors    "Odyssey"    Tilburg, Netherlands, 2012

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_lHLeEOmsLo

Flying Colors is one of those projects made up of various musicians from other groups, and they recorded this DVD on only their 12th performance together ... they sound like they've been playing together for years! The group is tight and creative, and this track features some amazing bass guitar work by Dave LaRue. They are:

Steve Morse, lead guitar (Deep Purple, Dixie Dregs, Steve Morse Band, Kansas)
Neal Morse, keyboards, vocals (Spock's Beard, Transatlantic)
Mike Portnoy, drums (Dream Theatre, Transatlantic, Liquid Tension)
Casey MacPherson, rhythm guitar, vocals (Alpha Rev, Endochine)
Dave LaRue, bass (Dixie Dregs, Steve Morse Band, Joe Satriani, Steve Vai)