In the Court of - King Crimson Close to the Edge - Yes Thick as a Brick - Jethro Tull Brain Salad - ELP Octopus - Gentle Giant Hemispheres - Rush Selling England - Genesis Dark Side - Pink Floyd Leftoverture - Kansas Days of Future Passed - Moody Blues
I'm now a full on prog fan and have been for 25 years. But these two: In the Court of - King Crimson Brain Salad - ELP As a newbie I bought them early on in my prog journey and I found them incredibly hard going. I now enjoy both bands but I think they are two particularly difficult prog rock bands for a newbie. And those two albums have never been my favourites by KC or ELP at any time. Your other selections were immediate enjoyment.
I think it's a great list - I might swap Trilogy for Brain Salad Surgery and possibly Song for America for Leftoverture, but I can't be critical - great list.
My personal 10 picks: 1. King Crimson - In the courrt of the Crimson King 2. Yes - The Yes Album 3. Jethro Tull - Auqualung 4. Genesis - Nursery Cryme 5. ELP - Brain Salad Surgery 6. Camel - Mirage 7. Supertramp - Crime of the Century 8. Pink Floyd - Wish you were Here 9. Kansas - Leftoverture 10. Rush - Moving Pictures
Great list... anyway I have my own personal top 10 : 1. Jethro Tull Thick as a Brick 2. Genesis Selling England by The Pound 3. King Crimson Red 4. Yes Close to the Edge 5. ELP Brain Salad Surgery 6. Van der Graaf Generator Godbluff 7. King Crimson In the court of Crimson King 8. Camel Mirage 9. Yes Fragile 10. Genesis Foxtrot
Camel never makes it to any prog list. I think The Snow Goose is just too radically prog but, being their best, you can't pick any other album. Another album that is always popular in the comments (but never makes the list) is Argus by Wishbone Ash. My favourite radically prog album is Pampered Menial by Pavlov's Dog.
@@Fritha71 BIG Camel fan - for me Breathless, I Can See Your House From Here, Raindances & The Snow Goose are all about on par with Mirage (all excellent records). My absolute #1 Camel record though is Coming Of Age
My 10 picks for the prog newbie - In The Court of the Crimson King - King Crimson The Yes Album - Yes Aqualung - Jethro Tull Argus - Wishbone Ash Dark Side of the Moon - Pink Floyd Tubular Bells - Mike Oldfield A Trick of the Tail - Genesis Permanent Waves - Rush Brain Salad Surgery - ELP Force Majeure - Tangerine Dream😎
Honestly, how useful a list like that would be nowadays? The person would end up listening to Money and Roundabout on Spotify and that will be the end of it. Unless the person is already accustomed with the album format, in which case he's already familiar with prog.
Just curious, how many of his top 10 have you heard before? I don't consider myself a prog fan past Rush but I've listened to 4 of them. I'll be checking out the rest soon though.
@@seanbelcher4486I've only heard Tull, Pink Floyd, Supertramp and Kansas. I'm listening to In the Court of the Crimson King right now. Not sure how I feel about it thus far.
My list Genesis - Foxtrot Yes - Close to the Edge Camel - Mirage Caravan - In the Land of Grey and Pink King Crimson - In the Court of the Crimson King Pink Floyd - Wish You Were Here (because I'm going to assume the person has already heard DOSTM) Rush - A Farewell to Kings Nektar - Remember the Future Kansas - Leftoverture Emerson, Lake & Palmer - debut
I’m not the biggest prog guy out there, but I am a fan of a decent number of bands that happen to be prog. Here’s my list of albums that got me into the style: 1. The Yes Album - Yes Not their proggiest album, but probably the best entry point into their catalog. It’s very melodic and accessible while still being musically complex and interesting. 2. Permanent Waves - Rush This is, in my opinion, the best starting album for Rush because you can easily go from this one to nearly any other Rush album based on what you like. Are you a fan of the more radio-friendly sounds of “The Spirit of Radio?” You’ll love Moving Pictures. Enjoying “Freewill?” Try Fly By Night or A Farewell to Kings. Is “Natural Science” a favorite? Go over to Hemispheres. And if you’re more into “Entre Nous,” you might like Signals or Grace Under Pressure. 3. Selling England by the Pound - Genesis My personal favorite Genesis album, and the first one I really took to. I think this one has their best songs in general, with heavy hitters like “Dancing with the Moonlit Knight” and “Firth of Fifth,” along with easier tracks like “I Know What I Like in Your Wardrobe” and “More Fool Me.” Overall, just a wonderful listen for a first timer, in my experience. 4. Heavy Horses - Jethro Tull I’m a recent Tull fan, only having gotten into them over the past couple of years. I remember starting with Aqualung and Thick as a Brick, but I didn’t enjoy them because I felt like I was immediately jumping in at the deep end. Then I moved to their “folk” period and quickly fell in love with it. I picked Heavy Horses for this because I think it has the most accessible material on it to start with (mainly “Wild Acres,” “The Rover,” “Journeyman,” and “Heavy Horses”). I must say that all of the folk period is great, though, and all are equally good for starters. 5. Song for America - Kansas American Prog Alert! Many will argue that this isn’t the first Kansas album you should listen to to get into prog. Some will say this isn’t even a prog album! But I think it’s a great introduction to the style. Many of the songs are very bluesy, which makes it very accessible to fans of blues rock. And most of the songs are lengthy epics with changing sections and wonderful instrumentation that can warm newcomers up for other prog epics. 6. In the Court of the Crimson King - King Crimson I mean, it was the first true prog album. I think it’s a must-listen just for that fact. I’m still not a big King Crimson fan, but this is a strong album and an essential listen for people getting into prog. 7. Emerson, Lake & Palmer - Emerson, Lake & Palmer One of my personal favorite prog albums, especially since it’s more of a jazz album. Greg Lake, formerly of King Crimson, is on bass and vocals here and displays his abilities wonderfully. Keith Emerson’s piano playing is great on this album, especially on “Take a Pebble,” and Carl Palmer’s drumming is masterful across the whole album. Anyone who enjoys great, high quality musicianship will love this album, especially if they have an appreciation for jazz. 8. Three Friends - Gentle Giant I know, I know, Octopus should be here instead. But I find Octopus to be such a strange album and not at all beginner friendly. In fact, I find it to be the least accessible of the Gentle Giant albums from 1972 to 1977. Three Friends, on the other hand, is very easy to listen to, without sacrificing the prog sensibility. The instrumentation on display is insanely good and the vocals are anywhere from strikingly powerful to simply angelic. The songs on here are more straightforward than most of those on their other albums, so I think it makes for a great introduction to Gentle Giant. Also, it’s a concept album, so it’s a pretty good introduction to those, too. 9. Animals - Pink Floyd I don’t really consider Pink Floyd a “prog” band. I think of them as more of a psych rock group, though they do have their prog moments. And Animals is filled with those moments. First of all, it’s another concept album, this time with epic-length songs. The epics on here are incredible and take the listener on a journey with each one. The musicianship on display is great and pretty heavy, so this could be a good introduction to some heavier prog. 10. Days of Future Passed - The Moody Blues So technically, this could be considered the very first prog album, even before King Crimson came along. But I don’t think of it as prog in the same way as King Crimson or Yes or any of the major prog groups. This album is very orchestral, and it feels like the soundtrack to a classic Disney movie. I think it’s a good album to get into more symphonic prog. And for the more casual listeners, it has the classic “Nights in White Satin,” and the end of “Evening” is sounds really cool.
You have some great choices there. I especially like the one you chose for ELP. They were and still are my favourite band. The album Emerson Lake and Palmer is a perfect choice for someone wanting to get into prog rock for the first time. Albums such as Tarkus and Brain Salad Surgery are a bit too bombastic, a bit too heavy for a beginner, I believe. The 10 I chose, I put Trilogy in there, but your choice is even better.
When I first came online many were saying how great Heavy Horses was. And it is great but took me a while to warm up too. The mouse police never sleep...
Kansas from their eponymous album release up to Monolith were possibly the most consistent American progressive band - with a detectable nod to British Prog, although they always maintained they were showing the Brits they also had, inventive musical chops - just North American!
In The Court Of The Crimson King - King Crimson Close To The Edge -Yes Trick Of The Tail - Genesis Dark Side Of The Moon - Pink Floyd Tarkus - ELP Brave - Marillion Ashes Are Burning - Renaissance The Raven That Refused To Sing - Steven Wilson Pawn Hearts - Van der Graaf Generator Moonmadness - Camel I think those would provide a nice mix for a newbie. Early Kansas, Rush, Tull, Moody Blues et al also in with a shout.
I guess my list has some prog influenced or prog hard rock albums on it but it’s the list that pulled me into a deep appreciation for the genre as a teen in the 1970’s. Styx - The Grand Illusion Rush - 2112 Genesis - Duke Jethro Tull - Aqualung Kansas - Left Overture Supertramp - Crime of the Century Pink Floyd - Wish You Were Here Yes - Fragile ELP - Tarkus Wishbone Ash - Argus
I love Wishbone Ash and I love that album, but I wouldn't classify them as prog rock. My main reason is that there are no keyboards in their music and my thinking is keyboards have to be in there in order for it to be classified as prog rock. Just my opinion of course, but it's a brilliant album.
@guytracy7224 Actually Guy, my list included 7 of your bands, not 8. My list of bands - which I've posted elsewhere on this thread - swapped out Styx, ELP and (regrettably) Jethro Tull, for Camel, Caravan and Marillion
@@delby66 Just to point out, there are keyboards on the magnificent album closer 'Throw Down The Sword', courtesy of guest John Tout (of Renaissance), I believe.
My picks: Yes - The Yes Album (Thought Pete was going to go Fragile. This was the first Yes I've heard and I have never been the same.) Rush - Moving Pictures (I just can't leave them off the list. And a newbie has probably heard some of this.) Genesis - Selling England by the Pound (This is the first one from the early prog era that I heard) King Crimson - In the Court of the Crimson King (I heard Discipline first, but that may be over the head for a newbie) ELP - Brain Salad Surgery (Come to the SHOW!!!) Kansas - Leftoverture (I was thinking "Point of Know Return" might be better, but in this case lets throw the newbies into the fire.) Pink Floyd - Dark Side of the Moon (I'm matching Pete too much. This was the first Floyd I heard.) Jethro Tull - Aqualung (First Tull I heard) Alan Parsons Project - I Robot (One of my favorite albums of all time.) Gentle Giant - Freehand (This is what got me hooked.)
Great picks! For whatever reason this is my very personal prog album selection (in alphabetcal order): A Salty Dog - Procol Harum Brain Salad Surgery - Emerson, Lake & Palmer Close to the Edge - Yes Images and Words - Dream Theater Lizard - King Crimson Playing the Fool - Gentle Giant Selling England by the Pound - Genesis Stand Up - Jethro Tull The Tall Ships - It Bites Valentyne Suite - Colloseum
My favorite on this list is "brain salad surgery", by ELP. Keith Emerson was, without a doubt, one of the great exponents of the prog rock scene. Greetings from Brazil 🇧🇷
yes - close to the edge king crimson - in the court of crimson king elp - tarkus genesis - selling england by the pound pink floyd - dark side of the moon Jethro tull - aqualung camel - moonmadness rush - 2112 caravan - in the land of grey and pink gentle giant - octopus
ELP - Tarkus (just shades it from Trilogy) Yes - Close to The Edge Moody Blues - Every Good Boy Deserves Favour Rush - Permanent Waves Pink Floyd - Pulse Jethro Tull - Aqualung Genesis - Selling England By The Pound Strawbs - Hero and Heroine Led Zeppelin - Houses Of The Holy King Crimson - Red
Hi everyone, not listened yet but, as usual, wanted to put up my list before hearing Pete's choices or reading others' comments, so hopefully I'm within whatever parameters Pete's picked! I've tried for a mix of older and (slightly!) newer, UK and elsewhere and I've even included a couple of albums I'm not overly keen on but I think they need to be included. Again, they aren't in any order, just as they came to me! Here goes... GENESIS Selling England By The Pound PINK FLOYD Dark Side of the Moon KING CRIMSON In The Court If The Crimson King YES Close To The Edge CAMEL Mirage MARILLION Misplaced Childhood RUSH Hemispheres JETHRO TULL Aqualung KANSAS Leftoverture PORCUPINE TREE Fear of a Blank Planet
Great list, Pete! For me, my 3 gateway bands were Yes, Rush, and Kansas. I would include a Rush album like Fly by Night or A Farewell to Kings since they both had radio hits that might be familiar to newbies.
Terrific picks, Pete. I guessed them all apart from Porcupine Tree (including what you said about Gentle Giant!). As a Brit, I’m definitely in the “Kansas IS prog rock” camp. I had The Light by Spock’s Beard as my number 10. Such a brilliant album from one of the greatest “2nd generation” prog rock bands, and from the US too!👍
I love your choices, especially the one you chose for ELP. They were and still are my favourite band and your choice is perfect for someone just getting into the prog rock genre. The album is not too bombastic like Brain Salad Surgery, or even Tarkus. I chose Trilogy, but your choice is even better. Well done.
Here's my list (in no particular order): 1) Moody Blues - Days of Future Passed 2) Yes - Fragile 3) Jethro Tull - Aqualung 4) King Crimson - Court of the Crimson King 5) Alan Parsons Project - I, Robot 6) Gryphon - Red Queen to Gryphon Three 7) Rick Wakeman - Six Wives of Henry 8th 8) Pink Floyd - Animals 9) Kansas - Song For America 10) ELP - s/t
So lovely to see Gryphon included! Not so much an underrated as a mostly unknown band. And good gods, they are amazing. Worthy to stand among the rest of the list.
Brave and necessary for those about to explore the most diverse, challenging explosion of music in modern history. I was lucky in that I was 14 in 1968 so experienced it first hand as it happened. 🎉🎉🎉❤❤❤
In no particular order: Jethro Tull - Minstrel in the Gallery Focus - Hamburger Concerto Yes - Fragile Genesis - Wind and Wuthering Gentle Giant - In a glass house Golden Earring - To the Hilt Manfred Mann's Earth Band - Nightingales and Bombers King Crimson - Red ELP - Brain Salad Surgery Kansas - Leftoverture
Genesis - Duke Jethro Tull - Aqualung Pink Floyd - The Wall Yes - Fragile Marillion - Misplaced Childhood King Crimson - Red ELP - Tarkus Rush - A Farewell to Kings Kansas - Leftoverture Supertramp - Breakfast in America
. I'm a Brit ...from Liverpool who was 12 in 1969 when I first heard and bought King Crimson...In The Court of The Crimson King...and loved all things prog ever since. I categorically agree with you and Pete...Kansas are a prog band ...and I great one as well. Peace ✌️
I started exploring prog around three years ago, pretty much entirely thanks to this channel. But I only had 5 of these 10! It's exciting to know that there's so much more to explore.
Thanks so much for including The Moody Blues and Alan Parsons Project in the honorable mentions. Have seen both in concert within the past seven years and they were both incredible.
Very good choice, not only for a newby, but you have considered only english speaking bands. Considering the in the 70’s there was another big prog country (Italy), I suggest you to search italian prog rock and I suggest you 3 titles to begin with: 1. “DARWIN!” by Banco del mutuo soccorso 2. “STOTIA DI UN MINUTO” by P.F.M. 3. “FELPNA E SORONA” by Le orme (but there are a lot of other great albums by great bands).
good stuff. i never considered myself a prog rock fan but i really like a few of these you've mentioned. Dark Side is right up there as my favorite album. so based on your suggestions i listened to King Crimson for the very first time and wow, it's really great! can't believe i've never listened to them before. and since i had heard Bloody Well Right and Dreamer, i decided to check out the entire album Crime of the Century. Holy cow, that album is brilliant! it's been out 50 years and i had never heard the rest of the album. what can i say it's a masterpiece. really touches you on a deeper emotional level. so nowi guess i have to check out some more of these 🙂
I've only recently discovered this channel, and I have been loving these "newbie lists" even when I am a huge fan of the genre. Great stuff. My first Gentle Giant album was Octopus.
Thanks Pete, that was great. Love your comments about Gentle Giant & Zappa, “not for the newbies.” As a meat & two veg rocker in my teens, I only got into Prog later in life. I’m familiar with most of your picks but will be investigating Kansas & Porcupine Tree further.
I started listening to Prog Rock last year thanks to a friend of mine who owns a record store, I knew prog but I never cared too much about it until I re listen to Genesis's Robbery assault and Battery from Trick of the Tail and then I met that guy who owns the record store which sells mostly Prog and I saw a King Crimson Discipline tshirt there and I remember hearing about it countless times so I went home and I listen to In the court of the Crimson King and it was like I entered to a new dimension, after that I listen to Trick of the Tail and it became my favorite Genesis album from the Prog era.
Shows like this make Pete the YT legend that he is! So important to hip peeps to music they might be hesitant to experience - this is the way it's done!
If I had to do this.....umm.... 1. The Alan Parsons Project - I Robot 2. Supertramp - Crime Of The Century 3. Manfred Mann's Earth Band - Nightingales And Bombers (kind of pushing it, but theres a good amount of Prog and even some Jazz Fusion) 4. Kansas - Point Of Know Return 5. Rush - Moving Pictures 6. King Crimson - In The Court Of The Crimson King 7. Pink Floyd - Wish You Were Here 8. Emerson Lake and Palmer - Trilogy 9. Yes - Fragile 10. Genesis - Selling England By The Pound
Ive listened to the whole album like 5 tims already haha . I will keep on with their albums and then your other suggestions. Damn i love music lol @@trainguy7276
This is such a great idea! Albums I grew up with as a teen that we never really called “prog rock”, it was all lumped into classic rock, but we loved it all.
Love the channel! show idea, the way you and Chuck & others discuss stories and interconnetions of musicians/bands , you should do a "best books/docs on Prog groups" or something, you & others knowledge is WELL beyond liner notes and it shows. Keep up the great work!
This series is great.. even for those of us who own all these great albums.. It just reminds you of how good they are and gives you the itch to go and take them out again and give them a spin..
1) Yes - Fragile 2) Yes - Close To The Edge 3) Yes - Relayer 4) King Crimson - Red 5) King Crimson - Starless and Bible Black 6) Kansas - Two For The Show 7) Jethro Tull - Aqualung 8) Jethro Tull - Burstin' Out 9) Symphony X - Odyssey 10) Fates Warning - Perfect Symmetry
Excellent choice Mr Pardo. Well thought out. I've never considered Supertramp to be a Prog rock band. Possible additions: Pawn Hearts, To Our Children's Children's..., Octopus, The Snow Goose... Farewell To Kings...
This is a wonderful series and I have had so much fun watching the first three videos although I am not a newbie in these three genres as I started listening to music in 1972. But I am more or less a newbie in thrash metal, doom metal etc. and know right now that my CD collection will grow after having watched those forthcoming videos... I am a sucker for lists and it always a pleasure and a challenge to think about potential recommendations like these or to think about one's favorite records. I still haven't finished my personal list with the 20 albums which changed my life after having watched your wonderful and touching video a few weeks ago. This is much harder than I thought! But I digress... Your prog list is awesome and any newbie will do nothing wrong (to say the least) if he starts with these ten records. Thank you so much for this great idea!
As a prog newbie in 1976, two albums introduced me to prog (or at least prog lite). The first was Eldorado by ELO. As a Beatle freak, it checked all the boxes. The second was Genesis' Trick of the Tail. A gift from my sister that gently pushed me away from the heavy metal I was addicted to at the time.
This is the one I've been wanting to watch as I have been listening to prog for 50 years. When I think of a newbie to prog I think of a very good friend of mine who is the same age (63) and is the most grounded person I know, and his tastes in music are very song oriented, he admitted he only fully "got" Dark Side of the Moon last year. So while I agree with a few of your choices, I would go for more song oriented albums with less orchestration and bombast. Here's my choices: 1: Genesis - Selling England... 2: Jethro Tull - Songs From the Wood 4: Greenslade - Time and Tide 5: Camel - Moon Madness 6: ELP - Black Moon 7:,Pink Floyd - Animals 8: Yes - Drama 9: Renaissance - A Song For All Seasons 10: Alan Parsons Project - I Robot Honourable mentions would be Supertramp - Crises? What Crises? Barclay James Harvest - Time Honoured Ghosts Kansas - Point of No Return Mike Oldfield - Tubular Bells Steve Hillage - Open Caravan - Girls Who Grow Plump in the Night
I'll bet I'm the only person who is going to make his own list!! Well maybe not. I agree with most of Pete's picks and I have a number of the same, but I have differences, too. And I'm remembering this is for newbies. 1-The Yes Album-Yes. 2-Selling England By The Pound-Genesis. 3-Red-King Crimson. 4-Song For All Seasons-Renaissance. 5-Left Overture-Kansas. 6-Crime Of The Century-Supertramp. 7-Brain Salad Surgery-ELP. 8-Uk-Uk. 9-Aqualung-Jethro Tull. 10-2112-Rush. Honorable mentions-Animals-Pink Floyd. Dog And Butterfly-Heart.
Here are my 10 prog albums for any newbies 1. Moody Blues Days of future passed 2. Pink Floyd Dark Side of the Moon 3. Genesis Nursery Cryme 4. Yes Fragile 5. Kansas Left overture 6. Jethro Tull Aqualung 7. King Crimson In the Court of the Crimson King 8. Styx Grand Illusion 9. ELP Brain Salad Surgery 10. Rush Hemisphere’s
I can only think of 5: Yes - Fragile Rush - moving pictures Jethro Tull- aqualung King crimson - in the court of the crimson king Genesis - selling England by the pound
great choice. I will share my personal intro list that carried me through from the late 90s: - Court of the Crimson King - Genesis Foxtrot - Jethro Tull Thick as a Brick - Oldfield Tabular Bells - Floyd Dark Side - Camel Snow Goose - Rush Moving Pictures - Marillion Misplaced Childhood - Porcupine Tree Stupid Dream - Dream Thester Metropolis pt2
I can't quibble about the top 10 but my honourable mentions are Mike Oldfield - Tubular Bells Caravan - For Girls Who Grow Plump In The Night Rush - Permanent Waves
My recommendations for beginners - and in this order: Pink Floyd - Dark Side Of The Moon Supertramp - Crime Of The Century Rush - Moving Pictures Jethro Tull - Aqualung Camel - Mirage Marillion - Misplaced Childhood Renaissance - Scheherazade And Other Stories Kind Crimson - In The Court Of The Crimson King Genesis - Selling England By The Pound Yes - Close To The Edge
Great list and interesting topic. I might add Caravan In the Land of Grey and Pink because of it's catchy accessibility, most notably side 1. Of course, Nine Feet Underground has more progressive elements and may take longer to get used to. But overall a good starter album in my opinion. Gratitude.
Pete, That was a perfect list! but of course, Everyone is going to have a slightly different opinion. My List was almost identical to yours, however, I would replace Crime Of The Century with Moving Pictures. Why waste time with a band that only dabbled in prog? What people always forget is that there is a whole spectrum of prog, with bands like the Moody Blues, Alan Parson's Project, and, yes, Supertramp on one side (the more accessible "poppier" side), and Ver Der Graaf Generator and Gentle Giant on the other (the less accessible, more complex side). Thanks again, brother!
Tough call to narrow it down to ten, but agreed with most, if not all (prog or not debate aside...). I might have switched ELPs first one instead of BSS as being a little more suited for new listeners, but fine line opinion. Some follow-up (after some decides they like the genre) might include: Chris Squire - Fish out of Water Alan Parsons - Tales of Mystery and Imagination Gentle Giant - Octopus Kansas - Monolith Big Big Train - Grimspound Focus - Moving Waves
Great stuff. To me, if you want to really go back to the beginning for a newbie...gotta start with Sgt Pepper, or even just one song...Strawberry Fields Forever.
Here's my list, Pete ... Genesis - Selling England By The Pound Yes - Close To The Edge Pink Floyd - Dark Side Of The Moon Camel - Moonmadness Supertramp - Crime Of The Century Rush - A Farewell To Kings Marillion - Script For A Jester's Tear Caravan - In The Land Of Grey And Pink Wishbone Ash - Argus (first album I ever bought back in 1973 and STILL in my top 10 albums of all time) Kansas - Leftoverture
I tried to make a varied list. Not all are my favorites at all and I had to leave out some great groups. Yes- The Yes Album- This is a great starter for Yes. This is my second or third favorite of theirs. Genesis- FoxTrot ELP- Brain Salad Surgery King Crimson - In the Court of the Crimson King- Porcupine Tree- In Absentia Gentle Giant- Gentle Giant Pink Floyd- The Wall Jethro Tull - Aqualung Spock's Beard - V Kansas- Leftoverture EDIT: I took off Dream Theater and Rush from the original version of my list because there will be a prog-metal list. Rush is heavy enough to be part of that one. ;) Honorable mentions that they should also have but had to list only 10. Rush- 2112- They have better prog albums, but this one is the most accessible. Porcupine Tree- In Absentia Camel- Mirage- I love this album but it might not be absolutely necessary for a starter pack. Dream Theater- Metropolis pt2 - Scenes from a Memory
Great list. My Parsons Project started with the first, "Tales of Mystery and Imagination". "You don't throw Frank Zappa into the lap of someone who's never listened to prog rock before. Just don't do it." Sure, I had maybe half of these filling my ears already, but back in the pre-Internet era, the same friend that handed me a couple Yes albums did just that with The Grand Wazzoo and Apostrophe. So I can only respond with, "Great Googly Moogly!"
Great video Pete and solid choices. i’ve been listening to Prog since ‘74 and at times gone deep almost exclusive and i think your selections are right on.
Great show. I love them all. I would add Van Der Graaf Generator with Pawn Hearts from 1971. The great Peter Hammill with his band. And of course UK with Danger Money.
Apparently, you're one of a small group that does understand the concept, absed on the amount of inane pushback. The amount of willful ostinance is stunning.
Long time Pro Rock fan, I can’t disagree with any of your picks. Like you I might have other personal favorites from some of the bands, “Songs From the Wood” by Tull and “Foxtrot” by Genesis to name a couple, but you can’t go wrong starting out with the albums you hi-light here.
Great list, although regarding Genesis, I would could replace SEBTP with Wind and Wuthering, which was my introduction to prog. W&W grabbed my attention with Eleventh Earl, One for the Vine, Blood on the Rooftops, and Afterglow. I shortly thereafter dug into SEBTP and the rest of the Genesis catalogue.
I agree that Marillion was Bigger than Genesis, in NJ they were ranked the Number #1 progressive rock band with a lead singer that was over 6 feet tall and was Scottish.
My list would be: Beatles - Sgt. Pepper King crimson - In the court... Yes - Close to the edge Genesis - Foxtrot Pink floyd - Dark side... Mike Oldfield - Tubular bells Rush - Moving pictures Dream theater - Images and words Porcupine tree - In absentia Opeth - Damnation
Very well done, Pete! I appreciate the idea for the 'newbies'. Might I suggest Camel, "The Snow Goose" as an alternative to Supertramp, who are only marginally prog rock? Not my fave Camel album, but highly accessible and melodic, and critically acclaimed amongst prog fans.
For a prog newbie, this would be my list: The Beatles - Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band Jethro Tull - Aqualung Yes - Fragile Pink Floyd - The Dark Side of the Moon Genesis - Selling England by the Pound Camel - Mirage Gentle Giant - Free Hand Supertramp - Crime of the Century Marillion - Misplaced Childhood Dream Theater - Images and Words
from a fair-weather prog fan: Jethro Tull - Aqualung Uriah Heep - Look at Yourself Pink Floyd - Dark Side of the Moon Styx - The Grand Illusion Electric Light Orchestra - A New World Record Emerson, Lake & Palmer - Brain Salad Surgery Supertramp - Crime of the Century The Moody Blues - Days of Future Passed Kansas - Song for America Focus - Moving Waves
Great vid, I’m not a newbie but enjoyed your selection especially the 3 albums at the end. I bought all three straight away! Can’t believe I missed Porcupine Tree before. Good shout on Kansas, who would have thought? Can’t stop playing it. Cheers mate, from England 👍
Thank you for this! Always hear you talk about Prog, Pete, but never knew where to start with the genre... added to my listen list and will get started asap! Can't wait for "Classic Rock" and "Thrash" eventually... think there would be some killer albums in those ones
Thanks for answering my Gentle Giant question. Bought Octopus 2 years ago and just can't wrap my head around it. I've really been into bands like: Arabs in Aspic, The Chronicles of Father Robin, Regna, Big Big Train, Wobbler, just to name a few. I'm going to give Gentle Giant another try.
1:31 Pete's list SPOILER ALERT 1. King Crimson - In the Court of the Crimson King 2. Yes - The Yes Album 3. Jethro Tull - Aqualung 4. Genesis - Selling England By the Pound 5. Pink Floyd - The Dark Side of the Moon 6. Emerson Lake & Palmer - Brain Salad Surgery 7. Supertramp - Crime of the Century 8. Kansas - Leftoverture 9. Marillion - Misplaced Childhood 10. Porcupine Tree - In Absentia Others to explore: The Moody Blues - Day of Future Passed The Alan Parsons Project - I Robot Gentle Giant - Free Hand
Great picks, Pete. In my opinion Porcupine Tree is the best modern prog band, hands down. My pick is Deadwing for their best album, followed by Lightbulb Sun. And as for Steven Wilson solo albums - Hand. Cannot. Erase. and The Raven That Refused To Sing are bona fide masterpieces
Stay tuned for Rush on the prog-metal show....I think they are more important for someone looking to get into prog-metal, as those albums are a huge influence on all of prog-metal. They are also arguably too heavy for those looking to get into regular prog for the first time.
I was surprised not to see one listed but to some degree, pleased. I have always thought of them as Rock Prog rather than Prog Rock. But whilst A Farewell To Kings is my fav, from a more prog perspective, 2112 is likely the best to fit in with the other selections. Perhaps any of the abominable releases from the 80's beginning with Signals might fit it with the genre better.
This is a really awesome pick for your Progressive Rock bands and their top albums especially for newbies to the progressive rock genre this really is a great pick thanks Pet.🎸🎸🎤🇬🇧🥁🎵🎶🎼🎼🎶🎵
I'm trying to remember the order I discovered prog in when I was a kid in the 1970s. I know the first album I discovered was Focus' Moving Waves. Soon after that came Close To The Edge and Selling England by the Pound. Then I explored more of those bands while not really thinking of Meddle and Dark Side of the Moon as prog, but at least adjacent to it. One album that I think deserves more attention though is Todd Rundgren's Utopia album, with the title track - a live performance opening, followed by the quirky Freak Parade and the anthemic Freedom Fighters. That said, side two on the vinyl 'The Icon' is almost unlistenable to me. But side A makes up for it.
It seems that for me, gaining a greater appreciation for keyboards is essential for opening up my attitudes toward prog. And as a friend has been lending me Camel, King Crimson and Jethro Tull albums - it's happening! Always loved Yes, Rush, Kansas and Pink Floyd, but now it's time for Gentle Giant, ELP, Marillion etc.
The first prog band I got into was Genesis in 2021, then Yes and ELP the following year and the Moody Blues last year. Believe it or not, my first prog album was the Lamb Lies Down. I know, VERY unorthodox, but a ton of people I knew on the internet got into Genesis all at once and they were obsessing over this album, and somewhere down the road curiosity struck so I had no choice. (Only after the fact did I learn that it isn't normal for anyone to start off with Lamb.) Foxtrot, Nursery Cryme and Trick of the Tail soon followed. As for the other few, my first albums from them were Fragile (or 90125, I don't quite remember), Tarkus, and In Search of the Lost Chord, respectively. So, from that handful of bands here are the first albums I recommend: Genesis - Trick or Abacab Yes - Going for the One ELP - Brain Salad Surgery Moodies - Days of Future Passed
Proud to say I own each of those albums as well as the majority of all of their catalogs. I would perhaps recommend The Flower Kings “The Rainmaker”. That is pretty accessible FK album where the songs are somewhat shorter by FK standards. Maybe stick a Dream Theater album in there for the metal folks.
Nice FK option, LOVE "Last Minute On Earth" (great Stolt wah work), "City Of Angels", "Road To Sanctuary" & "Serious Dreamers". How 'bout Stardust We Are (nice mix of sub-6 minute songs & a few epics esp the title track) or one of my personal FK faves Space Revolver ("I Am The Sun" is a standout track)? My absolute single fave TFK track is "My Cosmic Lover" but overall the debut Back in the World of Adventures isn't their strongest release
ELO - Out Of The Blue got me into Prog when I was 12 back in the early 90s. I know they get snubbed by Prog and Metal fans but Concerto For A Rainy Day is total prog. In might be sugar Coated but can't thank that album enough for introducing me to an amazing genre of music.
Great list, Pete. I’ve heard most of them and agree they belong on the list. I know you can’t include everybody but if you had included Rush, I guess I would’ve expected Permanent Waves. Semi-prog, semi-hard rock. Natural Science and Jacob’s Ladder are probably the most “prog” on that album.
I think it’s good to be able to remember and hum your favourite Prog albums. I can hum Brain Salad,Tarkus,Trilogy,All Tull,Relayer,Close to The Edge,Fragile and most Floyd but not Larks,Tounges and Aspic by King Poo.
Interesting choice with starter albums. My wife’s uncle pick 5 bands and curated 10 songs from each bands discography as a starter. I would love to see what that would look like.
This is very good starting point . Prog allows you to immerse yourself and escape. For any Newby there's a wonderful journey ahead of you. The albums mentioned are just a taste of what's to come for you and will give you great pleasure although expensive😂. I started my journey with a trick of the tail by genesis in 1976. I then went backwards to nursery cryme and from then on I was hooked. Prog is a world of discovery. Good luck and best wishes tim
Accessibility for the newcomer is important, and your list is excellent in this respect. I could recommend all those albums to a friend without hesitation.
In the Court of - King Crimson
Close to the Edge - Yes
Thick as a Brick - Jethro Tull
Brain Salad - ELP
Octopus - Gentle Giant
Hemispheres - Rush
Selling England - Genesis
Dark Side - Pink Floyd
Leftoverture - Kansas
Days of Future Passed - Moody Blues
That is a great list.
Excellent list except switch Selling England with The Lamb Lies Down in Broadway
I'm now a full on prog fan and have been for 25 years. But these two:
In the Court of - King Crimson
Brain Salad - ELP
As a newbie I bought them early on in my prog journey and I found them incredibly hard going. I now enjoy both bands but I think they are two particularly difficult prog rock bands for a newbie. And those two albums have never been my favourites by KC or ELP at any time.
Your other selections were immediate enjoyment.
❤ greetings from the italy
I think it's a great list - I might swap Trilogy for Brain Salad Surgery and possibly Song for America for Leftoverture, but I can't be critical - great list.
My personal 10 picks:
1. King Crimson - In the courrt of the Crimson King
2. Yes - The Yes Album
3. Jethro Tull - Auqualung
4. Genesis - Nursery Cryme
5. ELP - Brain Salad Surgery
6. Camel - Mirage
7. Supertramp - Crime of the Century
8. Pink Floyd - Wish you were Here
9. Kansas - Leftoverture
10. Rush - Moving Pictures
Great list.
Great list... anyway I have my own personal top 10 :
1. Jethro Tull Thick as a Brick
2. Genesis Selling England by The Pound
3. King Crimson Red
4. Yes Close to the Edge
5. ELP Brain Salad Surgery
6. Van der Graaf Generator Godbluff
7. King Crimson In the court of Crimson King
8. Camel Mirage
9. Yes Fragile
10. Genesis Foxtrot
Yeah good set of albums
I think Camel is a good accessible choice for someone who's new to prog.
Camel never makes it to any prog list. I think The Snow Goose is just too radically prog but, being their best, you can't pick any other album. Another album that is always popular in the comments (but never makes the list) is Argus by Wishbone Ash. My favourite radically prog album is Pampered Menial by Pavlov's Dog.
I'd definitely start with the best of a great double album and definitely got me into Camel
"Mirage" by Camel is a strong starting point
Of course you can: Mirage was my introduction to Camel and it worked beautifully. Many regard THAT album as their best and so do I.@@lupus7194
@@Fritha71 BIG Camel fan - for me Breathless, I Can See Your House From Here, Raindances & The Snow Goose are all about on par with Mirage (all excellent records). My absolute #1 Camel record though is Coming Of Age
My 10 picks for the prog newbie -
In The Court of the Crimson King - King Crimson
The Yes Album - Yes
Aqualung - Jethro Tull
Argus - Wishbone Ash
Dark Side of the Moon - Pink Floyd
Tubular Bells - Mike Oldfield
A Trick of the Tail - Genesis
Permanent Waves - Rush
Brain Salad Surgery - ELP
Force Majeure - Tangerine Dream😎
Love the TD add
Thru Metamorphic Rocks is such a cool song.
Love your Argus pick ! In my top 10.
Honestly, how useful a list like that would be nowadays? The person would end up listening to Money and Roundabout on Spotify and that will be the end of it. Unless the person is already accustomed with the album format, in which case he's already familiar with prog.
Mike Oldfield I would go for Ommadawn and TD would be Stratosfear.
I'm starting my prog rock journey today. Thanks Pete
Watch out for falling rocks - the footing's not always good...😎
Just curious, how many of his top 10 have you heard before? I don't consider myself a prog fan past Rush but I've listened to 4 of them. I'll be checking out the rest soon though.
5 or 6. I've heard Jethro tull,yes,marillion,pink floyd, king crimson
@@seanbelcher4486I've only heard Tull, Pink Floyd, Supertramp and Kansas. I'm listening to In the Court of the Crimson King right now. Not sure how I feel about it thus far.
@@vagabond197979I have heard kansas leftoverture. I think I own it
The Yes Album was my introduction to Yes and prog rock in general. Been a huge fan of the genre ever since
My list
Genesis - Foxtrot
Yes - Close to the Edge
Camel - Mirage
Caravan - In the Land of Grey and Pink
King Crimson - In the Court of the Crimson King
Pink Floyd - Wish You Were Here (because I'm going to assume the person has already heard DOSTM)
Rush - A Farewell to Kings
Nektar - Remember the Future
Kansas - Leftoverture
Emerson, Lake & Palmer - debut
I’m not the biggest prog guy out there, but I am a fan of a decent number of bands that happen to be prog. Here’s my list of albums that got me into the style:
1. The Yes Album - Yes
Not their proggiest album, but probably the best entry point into their catalog. It’s very melodic and accessible while still being musically complex and interesting.
2. Permanent Waves - Rush
This is, in my opinion, the best starting album for Rush because you can easily go from this one to nearly any other Rush album based on what you like. Are you a fan of the more radio-friendly sounds of “The Spirit of Radio?” You’ll love Moving Pictures. Enjoying “Freewill?” Try Fly By Night or A Farewell to Kings. Is “Natural Science” a favorite? Go over to Hemispheres. And if you’re more into “Entre Nous,” you might like Signals or Grace Under Pressure.
3. Selling England by the Pound - Genesis
My personal favorite Genesis album, and the first one I really took to. I think this one has their best songs in general, with heavy hitters like “Dancing with the Moonlit Knight” and “Firth of Fifth,” along with easier tracks like “I Know What I Like in Your Wardrobe” and “More Fool Me.” Overall, just a wonderful listen for a first timer, in my experience.
4. Heavy Horses - Jethro Tull
I’m a recent Tull fan, only having gotten into them over the past couple of years. I remember starting with Aqualung and Thick as a Brick, but I didn’t enjoy them because I felt like I was immediately jumping in at the deep end. Then I moved to their “folk” period and quickly fell in love with it. I picked Heavy Horses for this because I think it has the most accessible material on it to start with (mainly “Wild Acres,” “The Rover,” “Journeyman,” and “Heavy Horses”). I must say that all of the folk period is great, though, and all are equally good for starters.
5. Song for America - Kansas
American Prog Alert! Many will argue that this isn’t the first Kansas album you should listen to to get into prog. Some will say this isn’t even a prog album! But I think it’s a great introduction to the style. Many of the songs are very bluesy, which makes it very accessible to fans of blues rock. And most of the songs are lengthy epics with changing sections and wonderful instrumentation that can warm newcomers up for other prog epics.
6. In the Court of the Crimson King - King Crimson
I mean, it was the first true prog album. I think it’s a must-listen just for that fact. I’m still not a big King Crimson fan, but this is a strong album and an essential listen for people getting into prog.
7. Emerson, Lake & Palmer - Emerson, Lake & Palmer
One of my personal favorite prog albums, especially since it’s more of a jazz album. Greg Lake, formerly of King Crimson, is on bass and vocals here and displays his abilities wonderfully. Keith Emerson’s piano playing is great on this album, especially on “Take a Pebble,” and Carl Palmer’s drumming is masterful across the whole album. Anyone who enjoys great, high quality musicianship will love this album, especially if they have an appreciation for jazz.
8. Three Friends - Gentle Giant
I know, I know, Octopus should be here instead. But I find Octopus to be such a strange album and not at all beginner friendly. In fact, I find it to be the least accessible of the Gentle Giant albums from 1972 to 1977. Three Friends, on the other hand, is very easy to listen to, without sacrificing the prog sensibility. The instrumentation on display is insanely good and the vocals are anywhere from strikingly powerful to simply angelic. The songs on here are more straightforward than most of those on their other albums, so I think it makes for a great introduction to Gentle Giant. Also, it’s a concept album, so it’s a pretty good introduction to those, too.
9. Animals - Pink Floyd
I don’t really consider Pink Floyd a “prog” band. I think of them as more of a psych rock group, though they do have their prog moments. And Animals is filled with those moments. First of all, it’s another concept album, this time with epic-length songs. The epics on here are incredible and take the listener on a journey with each one. The musicianship on display is great and pretty heavy, so this could be a good introduction to some heavier prog.
10. Days of Future Passed - The Moody Blues
So technically, this could be considered the very first prog album, even before King Crimson came along. But I don’t think of it as prog in the same way as King Crimson or Yes or any of the major prog groups. This album is very orchestral, and it feels like the soundtrack to a classic Disney movie. I think it’s a good album to get into more symphonic prog. And for the more casual listeners, it has the classic “Nights in White Satin,” and the end of “Evening” is sounds really cool.
You have some great choices there. I especially like the one you chose for ELP. They were and still are my favourite band. The album Emerson Lake and Palmer is a perfect choice for someone wanting to get into prog rock for the first time. Albums such as Tarkus and Brain Salad Surgery are a bit too bombastic, a bit too heavy for a beginner, I believe. The 10 I chose, I put Trilogy in there, but your choice is even better.
Seems like you are a pretty big proghead, no? Don't fight it! 😊
When I first came online many were saying how great Heavy Horses was. And it is great but took me a while to warm up too. The mouse police never sleep...
No need to apologise for Kansas. One of the greatest prog bands ever, in this UK resident's opinion, at least. 👍
Kansas from their eponymous album release up to Monolith were possibly the most consistent American progressive band - with a detectable nod to British Prog, although they always maintained they were showing the Brits they also had, inventive musical chops - just North American!
Spot on!
In The Court Of The Crimson King - King Crimson
Close To The Edge -Yes
Trick Of The Tail - Genesis
Dark Side Of The Moon - Pink Floyd
Tarkus - ELP
Brave - Marillion
Ashes Are Burning - Renaissance
The Raven That Refused To Sing - Steven Wilson
Pawn Hearts - Van der Graaf Generator
Moonmadness - Camel
I think those would provide a nice mix for a newbie.
Early Kansas, Rush, Tull, Moody Blues et al also in with a shout.
I guess my list has some prog influenced or prog hard rock albums on it but it’s the list that pulled me into a deep appreciation for the genre as a teen in the 1970’s.
Styx - The Grand Illusion
Rush - 2112
Genesis - Duke
Jethro Tull - Aqualung
Kansas - Left Overture
Supertramp - Crime of the Century
Pink Floyd - Wish You Were Here
Yes - Fragile
ELP - Tarkus
Wishbone Ash - Argus
Great picks. 8 out of tge 10 bands you listed would be on my list
I love Wishbone Ash and I love that album, but I wouldn't classify them as prog rock. My main reason is that there are no keyboards in their music and my thinking is keyboards have to be in there in order for it to be classified as prog rock. Just my opinion of course, but it's a brilliant album.
@@keithf_ I’m curious to hear the two you would add. 👍🏻
@guytracy7224
Actually Guy, my list included 7 of your bands, not 8.
My list of bands - which I've posted elsewhere on this thread - swapped out Styx, ELP and (regrettably) Jethro Tull, for Camel, Caravan and Marillion
@@delby66
Just to point out, there are keyboards on the magnificent album closer 'Throw Down The Sword', courtesy of guest John Tout (of Renaissance), I believe.
My picks:
Yes - The Yes Album (Thought Pete was going to go Fragile. This was the first Yes I've heard and I have never been the same.)
Rush - Moving Pictures (I just can't leave them off the list. And a newbie has probably heard some of this.)
Genesis - Selling England by the Pound (This is the first one from the early prog era that I heard)
King Crimson - In the Court of the Crimson King (I heard Discipline first, but that may be over the head for a newbie)
ELP - Brain Salad Surgery (Come to the SHOW!!!)
Kansas - Leftoverture (I was thinking "Point of Know Return" might be better, but in this case lets throw the newbies into the fire.)
Pink Floyd - Dark Side of the Moon (I'm matching Pete too much. This was the first Floyd I heard.)
Jethro Tull - Aqualung (First Tull I heard)
Alan Parsons Project - I Robot (One of my favorite albums of all time.)
Gentle Giant - Freehand (This is what got me hooked.)
Great picks!
For whatever reason this is my very personal prog album selection (in alphabetcal order):
A Salty Dog - Procol Harum
Brain Salad Surgery - Emerson, Lake & Palmer
Close to the Edge - Yes
Images and Words - Dream Theater
Lizard - King Crimson
Playing the Fool - Gentle Giant
Selling England by the Pound - Genesis
Stand Up - Jethro Tull
The Tall Ships - It Bites
Valentyne Suite - Colloseum
A Salty Dog great album!
I like the Colloseum inclusion!
Love Lizard but from first four Sinfield era albums it's a most complex. Not for newbies I think.
Totally agree with you about The Yes Album! Best place to start.
Styx - Grand Illusion is another I might recommend. Great show Pete!
My favorite on this list is "brain salad surgery", by ELP. Keith Emerson was, without a doubt, one of the great exponents of the prog rock scene. Greetings from Brazil 🇧🇷
yes - close to the edge
king crimson - in the court of crimson king
elp - tarkus
genesis - selling england by the pound
pink floyd - dark side of the moon
Jethro tull - aqualung
camel - moonmadness
rush - 2112
caravan - in the land of grey and pink
gentle giant - octopus
ELP - Tarkus (just shades it from Trilogy)
Yes - Close to The Edge
Moody Blues - Every Good Boy Deserves Favour
Rush - Permanent Waves
Pink Floyd - Pulse
Jethro Tull - Aqualung
Genesis - Selling England By The Pound
Strawbs - Hero and Heroine
Led Zeppelin - Houses Of The Holy
King Crimson - Red
Hi everyone, not listened yet but, as usual, wanted to put up my list before hearing Pete's choices or reading others' comments, so hopefully I'm within whatever parameters Pete's picked!
I've tried for a mix of older and (slightly!) newer, UK and elsewhere and I've even included a couple of albums I'm not overly keen on but I think they need to be included. Again, they aren't in any order, just as they came to me! Here goes...
GENESIS Selling England By The Pound
PINK FLOYD Dark Side of the Moon
KING CRIMSON In The Court If The Crimson King
YES Close To The Edge
CAMEL Mirage
MARILLION Misplaced Childhood
RUSH Hemispheres
JETHRO TULL Aqualung
KANSAS Leftoverture
PORCUPINE TREE Fear of a Blank Planet
Great list, Pete! For me, my 3 gateway bands were Yes, Rush, and Kansas. I would include a Rush album like Fly by Night or A Farewell to Kings since they both had radio hits that might be familiar to newbies.
Terrific picks, Pete. I guessed them all apart from Porcupine Tree (including what you said about Gentle Giant!). As a Brit, I’m definitely in the “Kansas IS prog rock” camp. I had The Light by Spock’s Beard as my number 10. Such a brilliant album from one of the greatest “2nd generation” prog rock bands, and from the US too!👍
I love your choices, especially the one you chose for ELP. They were and still are my favourite band and your choice is perfect for someone just getting into the prog rock genre. The album is not too bombastic like Brain Salad Surgery, or even Tarkus. I chose Trilogy, but your choice is even better. Well done.
Sorry mate. I responded to the wrong comment. Silly me.
@@delby66 🤣
Here's my list (in no particular order):
1) Moody Blues - Days of Future Passed
2) Yes - Fragile
3) Jethro Tull - Aqualung
4) King Crimson - Court of the Crimson King
5) Alan Parsons Project - I, Robot
6) Gryphon - Red Queen to Gryphon Three
7) Rick Wakeman - Six Wives of Henry 8th
8) Pink Floyd - Animals
9) Kansas - Song For America
10) ELP - s/t
So lovely to see Gryphon included! Not so much an underrated as a mostly unknown band. And good gods, they are amazing. Worthy to stand among the rest of the list.
Not all really newbie intro albums, you know? I wouldn't have Animals or Court Of The Crimson King as an intro to get someone into prog.
Brave and necessary for those about to explore the most diverse, challenging explosion of music in modern history. I was lucky in that I was 14 in 1968 so experienced it first hand as it happened. 🎉🎉🎉❤❤❤
@@davescryptodays1441 Fair point, you could also exclude Wakeman for not being good for a newbie.
In no particular order:
Jethro Tull - Minstrel in the Gallery
Focus - Hamburger Concerto
Yes - Fragile
Genesis - Wind and Wuthering
Gentle Giant - In a glass house
Golden Earring - To the Hilt
Manfred Mann's Earth Band - Nightingales and Bombers
King Crimson - Red
ELP - Brain Salad Surgery
Kansas - Leftoverture
No Pink Floyd. Shameful
Agree with 8 picks Pete but ELO Eldorado is all day every day a top 10 pick.
I Robot is by far my favorite Alan Parsons album. Nice you've included it here Pete!
Genesis - Duke
Jethro Tull - Aqualung
Pink Floyd - The Wall
Yes - Fragile
Marillion - Misplaced Childhood
King Crimson - Red
ELP - Tarkus
Rush - A Farewell to Kings
Kansas - Leftoverture
Supertramp - Breakfast in America
Sorry Brits, KANSAS is absolutely Prog .
p.s. Great picks Pete !
What about Journey debut ?
Kansas ... for me the only true American prog band from the 1970s
. I'm a Brit ...from Liverpool who was 12 in 1969 when I first heard and bought King Crimson...In The Court of The Crimson King...and loved all things prog ever since. I categorically agree with you and Pete...Kansas are a prog band ...and I great one as well. Peace ✌️
I happened to be listening to Kansas as I came across this. KNEW he had to include them.
Kansas is prog, and a killer band live. Outstanding.
I started exploring prog around three years ago, pretty much entirely thanks to this channel. But I only had 5 of these 10! It's exciting to know that there's so much more to explore.
As a huge Prog Rock fan, I would concur with your choices. Great job, Pete!
Thanks so much for including The Moody Blues and Alan Parsons Project in the honorable mentions. Have seen both in concert within the past seven years and they were both incredible.
Very good choice, not only for a newby, but you have considered only english speaking bands. Considering the in the 70’s there was another big prog country (Italy), I suggest you to search italian prog rock and I suggest you 3 titles to begin with:
1. “DARWIN!” by Banco del mutuo soccorso
2. “STOTIA DI UN MINUTO” by P.F.M.
3. “FELPNA E SORONA” by Le orme
(but there are a lot of other great albums by great bands).
good stuff. i never considered myself a prog rock fan but i really like a few of these you've mentioned. Dark Side is right up there as my favorite album. so based on your suggestions i listened to King Crimson for the very first time and wow, it's really great! can't believe i've never listened to them before. and since i had heard Bloody Well Right and Dreamer, i decided to check out the entire album Crime of the Century. Holy cow, that album is brilliant! it's been out 50 years and i had never heard the rest of the album. what can i say it's a masterpiece. really touches you on a deeper emotional level. so nowi guess i have to check out some more of these 🙂
Great episode, most of these bands are my favorite! Thanks for especially mentioning Marillion, Moody Blues, and APP!
Thanks for this. Just started getting into prog rock in my 40's, and this is a good start. Thank you. will definitely check some of these out.
Ur Genesis choise is my FAV Genesis disc hands down. Great others but Selling England is my goto!! Great list Pete!
I've only recently discovered this channel, and I have been loving these "newbie lists" even when I am a huge fan of the genre. Great stuff. My first Gentle Giant album was Octopus.
Wot no Camel? First album is a must! Other than that some great picks, I have 7/10 of your picks in my collection.
Thanks Pete, that was great. Love your comments about Gentle Giant & Zappa, “not for the newbies.” As a meat & two veg rocker in my teens, I only got into Prog later in life. I’m familiar with most of your picks but will be investigating Kansas & Porcupine Tree further.
I started listening to Prog Rock last year thanks to a friend of mine who owns a record store, I knew prog but I never cared too much about it until I re listen to Genesis's Robbery assault and Battery from Trick of the Tail and then I met that guy who owns the record store which sells mostly Prog and I saw a King Crimson Discipline tshirt there and I remember hearing about it countless times so I went home and I listen to In the court of the Crimson King and it was like I entered to a new dimension, after that I listen to Trick of the Tail and it became my favorite Genesis album from the Prog era.
Shows like this make Pete the YT legend that he is! So important to hip peeps to music they might be hesitant to experience - this is the way it's done!
If I had to do this.....umm....
1. The Alan Parsons Project - I Robot
2. Supertramp - Crime Of The Century
3. Manfred Mann's Earth Band - Nightingales And Bombers (kind of pushing it, but theres a good amount of Prog and even some Jazz Fusion)
4. Kansas - Point Of Know Return
5. Rush - Moving Pictures
6. King Crimson - In The Court Of The Crimson King
7. Pink Floyd - Wish You Were Here
8. Emerson Lake and Palmer - Trilogy
9. Yes - Fragile
10. Genesis - Selling England By The Pound
Thank you for I Robot! Im on my 2nd listen now. Loved it! Gonna continue with the rest albums
@@dokanyonGlad you love I Robot. The sound is just massive on that.
Ive listened to the whole album like 5 tims already haha . I will keep on with their albums and then your other suggestions. Damn i love music lol @@trainguy7276
Alan Parson Project doesn't get enough call outs!
Great to see Manfred Mann's EB in your list. One of my favorite bands.
This is such a great idea! Albums I grew up with as a teen that we never really called “prog rock”, it was all lumped into classic rock, but we loved it all.
Love the channel! show idea, the way you and Chuck & others discuss stories and interconnetions of musicians/bands , you should do a "best books/docs on Prog groups" or something, you & others knowledge is WELL beyond liner notes and it shows. Keep up the great work!
This series is great.. even for those of us who own all these great albums.. It just reminds you of how good they are and gives you the itch to go and take them out again and give them a spin..
1) Yes - Fragile
2) Yes - Close To The Edge
3) Yes - Relayer
4) King Crimson - Red
5) King Crimson - Starless and Bible Black
6) Kansas - Two For The Show
7) Jethro Tull - Aqualung
8) Jethro Tull - Burstin' Out
9) Symphony X - Odyssey
10) Fates Warning - Perfect Symmetry
Many Nice albums created and defined prog. Thick As A Brick was my introduction to Tull in 1972, seems to have had a positive impact on me.
Excellent choice Mr Pardo. Well thought out. I've never considered Supertramp to be a Prog rock band. Possible additions: Pawn Hearts, To Our Children's Children's..., Octopus, The Snow Goose... Farewell To Kings...
This is a wonderful series and I have had so much fun watching the first three videos although I am not a newbie in these three genres as I started listening to music in 1972. But I am more or less a newbie in thrash metal, doom metal etc. and know right now that my CD collection will grow after having watched those forthcoming videos...
I am a sucker for lists and it always a pleasure and a challenge to think about potential recommendations like these or to think about one's favorite records. I still haven't finished my personal list with the 20 albums which changed my life after having watched your wonderful and touching video a few weeks ago. This is much harder than I thought! But I digress...
Your prog list is awesome and any newbie will do nothing wrong (to say the least) if he starts with these ten records. Thank you so much for this great idea!
As a prog newbie in 1976, two albums introduced me to prog (or at least prog lite). The first was Eldorado by ELO. As a Beatle freak, it checked all the boxes. The second was Genesis' Trick of the Tail. A gift from my sister that gently pushed me away from the heavy metal I was addicted to at the time.
Yes, I think ELO deserve a place here, and Eldorado is still legitimately proggy before they got more commercial (which is not a bad thing).
To me,trick of the tail was good but was the first Genesis album post Gabriel and started their change to pop.
The Yes Album was my first real album and a great introduction to the genre.
Aqualung and Dark Side were my first prog records, and they changed my life... my 1st genesis album was nursery crime, so it's my fav with lamb.
This is the one I've been wanting to watch as I have been listening to prog for 50 years. When I think of a newbie to prog I think of a very good friend of mine who is the same age (63) and is the most grounded person I know, and his tastes in music are very song oriented, he admitted he only fully "got" Dark Side of the Moon last year. So while I agree with a few of your choices, I would go for more song oriented albums with less orchestration and bombast. Here's my choices:
1: Genesis - Selling England...
2: Jethro Tull - Songs From the Wood
4: Greenslade - Time and Tide
5: Camel - Moon Madness
6: ELP - Black Moon
7:,Pink Floyd - Animals
8: Yes - Drama
9: Renaissance - A Song For All Seasons
10: Alan Parsons Project - I Robot
Honourable mentions would be
Supertramp - Crises? What Crises?
Barclay James Harvest - Time Honoured Ghosts
Kansas - Point of No Return
Mike Oldfield - Tubular Bells
Steve Hillage - Open
Caravan - Girls Who Grow Plump in the Night
Pete you should have some of the newbies come on the show to discuss the recordings you suggested. Great topic.
I'll bet I'm the only person who is going to make his own list!! Well maybe not. I agree with most of Pete's picks and I have a number of the same, but I have differences, too. And I'm remembering this is for newbies. 1-The Yes Album-Yes. 2-Selling England By The Pound-Genesis. 3-Red-King Crimson. 4-Song For All Seasons-Renaissance. 5-Left Overture-Kansas. 6-Crime Of The Century-Supertramp. 7-Brain Salad Surgery-ELP. 8-Uk-Uk. 9-Aqualung-Jethro Tull. 10-2112-Rush. Honorable mentions-Animals-Pink Floyd. Dog And Butterfly-Heart.
Thanks for reminding me of the UK album!
I almost forgot about it, too.
Here are my 10 prog albums for any newbies
1. Moody Blues Days of future passed
2. Pink Floyd Dark Side of the Moon
3. Genesis Nursery Cryme
4. Yes Fragile
5. Kansas Left overture
6. Jethro Tull Aqualung
7. King Crimson In the Court of the Crimson King
8. Styx Grand Illusion
9. ELP Brain Salad Surgery
10. Rush Hemisphere’s
I can only think of 5:
Yes - Fragile
Rush - moving pictures
Jethro Tull- aqualung
King crimson - in the court of the crimson king
Genesis - selling England by the pound
great choice. I will share my personal intro list that carried me through from the late 90s:
- Court of the Crimson King
- Genesis Foxtrot
- Jethro Tull Thick as a Brick
- Oldfield Tabular Bells
- Floyd Dark Side
- Camel Snow Goose
- Rush Moving Pictures
- Marillion Misplaced Childhood
- Porcupine Tree Stupid Dream
- Dream Thester Metropolis pt2
10:48 "shows you what a great pop songwriter he was.. " Ooooooh what a lucky man, he was!!!
I can't quibble about the top 10 but my honourable mentions are
Mike Oldfield - Tubular Bells
Caravan - For Girls Who Grow Plump In The Night
Rush - Permanent Waves
I don't listen to a lot of prog rock but I've always enjoyed early Genesis and I actually like Camel quite a bit 😊
Been watching your channel for a few years Pete from the UK. Excellent choice and Kansas yes, sadly never seen them live.
My recommendations for beginners - and in this order:
Pink Floyd - Dark Side Of The Moon
Supertramp - Crime Of The Century
Rush - Moving Pictures
Jethro Tull - Aqualung
Camel - Mirage
Marillion - Misplaced Childhood
Renaissance - Scheherazade And Other Stories
Kind Crimson - In The Court Of The Crimson King
Genesis - Selling England By The Pound
Yes - Close To The Edge
Great list and interesting topic.
I might add Caravan In the Land of Grey and Pink because of it's catchy accessibility, most notably side 1. Of course, Nine Feet Underground has more progressive elements and may take longer to get used to. But overall a good starter album in my opinion. Gratitude.
Absolutely, "Land of Grey and Pink" for a newbie. Can't leave that one off.
Pete, That was a perfect list! but of course, Everyone is going to have a slightly different opinion. My List was almost identical to yours, however, I would replace Crime Of The Century with Moving Pictures. Why waste time with a band that only dabbled in prog? What people always forget is that there is a whole spectrum of prog, with bands like the Moody Blues, Alan Parson's Project, and, yes, Supertramp on one side (the more accessible "poppier" side), and Ver Der Graaf Generator and Gentle Giant on the other (the less accessible, more complex side). Thanks again, brother!
Nice list Pete. Thank you for including Porcupine Tree! Rush's "2112" deserves to be in their somewhere.
Tough call to narrow it down to ten, but agreed with most, if not all (prog or not debate aside...). I might have switched ELPs first one instead of BSS as being a little more suited for new listeners, but fine line opinion. Some follow-up (after some decides they like the genre) might include: Chris Squire - Fish out of Water
Alan Parsons - Tales of Mystery and Imagination
Gentle Giant - Octopus
Kansas - Monolith
Big Big Train - Grimspound
Focus - Moving Waves
Great stuff. To me, if you want to really go back to the beginning for a newbie...gotta start with Sgt Pepper, or even just one song...Strawberry Fields Forever.
agreed, I've always thought that side 2 of "Abbey Road" was sort of proggy, with its various changes in tempo and melodies.
Here's my list, Pete ...
Genesis - Selling England By The Pound
Yes - Close To The Edge
Pink Floyd - Dark Side Of The Moon
Camel - Moonmadness
Supertramp - Crime Of The Century
Rush - A Farewell To Kings
Marillion - Script For A Jester's Tear
Caravan - In The Land Of Grey And Pink
Wishbone Ash - Argus (first album I ever bought back in 1973 and STILL in my top 10 albums of all time)
Kansas - Leftoverture
@keithf_ Lots of crossover with the albums I discovered and loved at the time (and still do). Argus and Moonmadness included.
I tried to make a varied list. Not all are my favorites at all and I had to leave out some great groups.
Yes- The Yes Album- This is a great starter for Yes. This is my second or third favorite of theirs.
Genesis- FoxTrot
ELP- Brain Salad Surgery
King Crimson - In the Court of the Crimson King-
Porcupine Tree- In Absentia
Gentle Giant- Gentle Giant
Pink Floyd- The Wall
Jethro Tull - Aqualung
Spock's Beard - V
Kansas- Leftoverture
EDIT: I took off Dream Theater and Rush from the original version of my list because there will be a prog-metal list. Rush is heavy enough to be part of that one. ;)
Honorable mentions that they should also have but had to list only 10.
Rush- 2112- They have better prog albums, but this one is the most accessible.
Porcupine Tree- In Absentia
Camel- Mirage- I love this album but it might not be absolutely necessary for a starter pack.
Dream Theater- Metropolis pt2 - Scenes from a Memory
Great list. My Parsons Project started with the first, "Tales of Mystery and Imagination".
"You don't throw Frank Zappa into the lap of someone who's never listened to prog rock before. Just don't do it."
Sure, I had maybe half of these filling my ears already, but back in the pre-Internet era, the same friend that handed me a couple Yes albums did just that with The Grand Wazzoo and Apostrophe. So I can only respond with, "Great Googly Moogly!"
Great video Pete and solid choices. i’ve been listening to Prog since ‘74 and at times gone deep almost exclusive and i think your selections are right on.
Great show. I love them all. I would add Van Der Graaf Generator with Pawn Hearts from 1971. The great Peter Hammill with his band. And of course UK with Danger Money.
Another milestone. Congratulations Pete 9️⃣4️⃣k. And , I understand the starter kits list. - I get it. I like this. Great topic Thank you for these 👍💯
Apparently, you're one of a small group that does understand the concept, absed on the amount of inane pushback. The amount of willful ostinance is stunning.
@@georgelamie7001/ to be honest - when Pete started this series, after being a loyal viewer/ I knew it. And I 💯agree with your synopsis my friend 👍💯
Of course George would disagree you need TCOTCK. Ever. 😂
Long time Pro Rock fan, I can’t disagree with any of your picks. Like you I might have other personal favorites from some of the bands, “Songs From the Wood” by Tull and “Foxtrot” by Genesis to name a couple, but you can’t go wrong starting out with the albums you hi-light here.
Great list, although regarding Genesis, I would could replace SEBTP with Wind and Wuthering, which was my introduction to prog. W&W grabbed my attention with Eleventh Earl, One for the Vine, Blood on the Rooftops, and Afterglow. I shortly thereafter dug into SEBTP and the rest of the Genesis catalogue.
I agree that Marillion was Bigger than Genesis, in NJ they were ranked the Number #1 progressive rock band with a lead singer that was over 6 feet tall and was Scottish.
lol
My list would be:
Beatles - Sgt. Pepper
King crimson - In the court...
Yes - Close to the edge
Genesis - Foxtrot
Pink floyd - Dark side...
Mike Oldfield - Tubular bells
Rush - Moving pictures
Dream theater - Images and words
Porcupine tree - In absentia
Opeth - Damnation
Very well done, Pete! I appreciate the idea for the 'newbies'. Might I suggest Camel, "The Snow Goose" as an alternative to Supertramp, who are only marginally prog rock? Not my fave Camel album, but highly accessible and melodic, and critically acclaimed amongst prog fans.
For a prog newbie, this would be my list:
The Beatles - Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band
Jethro Tull - Aqualung
Yes - Fragile
Pink Floyd - The Dark Side of the Moon
Genesis - Selling England by the Pound
Camel - Mirage
Gentle Giant - Free Hand
Supertramp - Crime of the Century
Marillion - Misplaced Childhood
Dream Theater - Images and Words
from a fair-weather prog fan:
Jethro Tull - Aqualung
Uriah Heep - Look at Yourself
Pink Floyd - Dark Side of the Moon
Styx - The Grand Illusion
Electric Light Orchestra - A New World Record
Emerson, Lake & Palmer - Brain Salad Surgery
Supertramp - Crime of the Century
The Moody Blues - Days of Future Passed
Kansas - Song for America
Focus - Moving Waves
Great vid, I’m not a newbie but enjoyed your selection especially the 3 albums at the end. I bought all three straight away! Can’t believe I missed Porcupine Tree before. Good shout on Kansas, who would have thought? Can’t stop playing it. Cheers mate, from England 👍
Thank you for this! Always hear you talk about Prog, Pete, but never knew where to start with the genre... added to my listen list and will get started asap!
Can't wait for "Classic Rock" and "Thrash" eventually... think there would be some killer albums in those ones
Thanks for answering my Gentle Giant question. Bought Octopus 2 years ago and just can't wrap my head around it. I've really been into bands like: Arabs in Aspic, The Chronicles of Father Robin, Regna, Big Big Train, Wobbler, just to name a few. I'm going to give Gentle Giant another try.
1:31 Pete's list
SPOILER ALERT
1. King Crimson - In the Court of the Crimson King
2. Yes - The Yes Album
3. Jethro Tull - Aqualung
4. Genesis - Selling England By the Pound
5. Pink Floyd - The Dark Side of the Moon
6. Emerson Lake & Palmer - Brain Salad Surgery
7. Supertramp - Crime of the Century
8. Kansas - Leftoverture
9. Marillion - Misplaced Childhood
10. Porcupine Tree - In Absentia
Others to explore:
The Moody Blues - Day of Future Passed
The Alan Parsons Project - I Robot
Gentle Giant - Free Hand
Nothing from Rush? Seriously?
Great picks, Pete. In my opinion Porcupine Tree is the best modern prog band, hands down. My pick is Deadwing for their best album, followed by Lightbulb Sun. And as for Steven Wilson solo albums - Hand. Cannot. Erase. and The Raven That Refused To Sing are bona fide masterpieces
I think you gotta have A farewell to Kings or 2112 by Rush on this list for the newbie.
Stay tuned for Rush on the prog-metal show....I think they are more important for someone looking to get into prog-metal, as those albums are a huge influence on all of prog-metal. They are also arguably too heavy for those looking to get into regular prog for the first time.
@@seaoftranquilityprog there's that word again.. heavy.. is something wrong with the Earth's gravitational pull in 1985?
@@seaoftranquilityprogcan’t wait for Rush- Love from 🇮🇳 india. Biggest Rush fan here !
I don't think a farewell to Kings or hemispheres is hard
I was surprised not to see one listed but to some degree, pleased. I have always thought of them as Rock Prog rather than Prog Rock. But whilst A Farewell To Kings is my fav, from a more prog perspective, 2112 is likely the best to fit in with the other selections. Perhaps any of the abominable releases from the 80's beginning with Signals might fit it with the genre better.
This is a really awesome pick for your Progressive Rock bands and their
top albums especially for newbies to the progressive rock genre this really
is a great pick thanks Pet.🎸🎸🎤🇬🇧🥁🎵🎶🎼🎼🎶🎵
Great job! All of your time and effort creating great content is much appreciated. Thank you!!
I'm trying to remember the order I discovered prog in when I was a kid in the 1970s. I know the first album I discovered was Focus' Moving Waves. Soon after that came Close To The Edge and Selling England by the Pound. Then I explored more of those bands while not really thinking of Meddle and Dark Side of the Moon as prog, but at least adjacent to it.
One album that I think deserves more attention though is Todd Rundgren's Utopia album, with the title track - a live performance opening, followed by the quirky Freak Parade and the anthemic Freedom Fighters. That said, side two on the vinyl 'The Icon' is almost unlistenable to me. But side A makes up for it.
It seems that for me, gaining a greater appreciation for keyboards is essential for opening up my attitudes toward prog. And as a friend has been lending me Camel, King Crimson and Jethro Tull albums - it's happening! Always loved Yes, Rush, Kansas and Pink Floyd, but now it's time for Gentle Giant, ELP, Marillion etc.
The first prog band I got into was Genesis in 2021, then Yes and ELP the following year and the Moody Blues last year.
Believe it or not, my first prog album was the Lamb Lies Down.
I know, VERY unorthodox, but a ton of people I knew on the internet got into Genesis all at once and they were obsessing over this album, and somewhere down the road curiosity struck so I had no choice. (Only after the fact did I learn that it isn't normal for anyone to start off with Lamb.) Foxtrot, Nursery Cryme and Trick of the Tail soon followed.
As for the other few, my first albums from them were Fragile (or 90125, I don't quite remember), Tarkus, and In Search of the Lost Chord, respectively.
So, from that handful of bands here are the first albums I recommend:
Genesis - Trick or Abacab
Yes - Going for the One
ELP - Brain Salad Surgery
Moodies - Days of Future Passed
Proud to say I own each of those albums as well as the majority of all of their catalogs. I would perhaps recommend The Flower Kings “The Rainmaker”. That is pretty accessible FK album where the songs are somewhat shorter by FK standards. Maybe stick a Dream Theater album in there for the metal folks.
Nice FK option, LOVE "Last Minute On Earth" (great Stolt wah work), "City Of Angels", "Road To Sanctuary" & "Serious Dreamers". How 'bout Stardust We Are (nice mix of sub-6 minute songs & a few epics esp the title track) or one of my personal FK faves Space Revolver ("I Am The Sun" is a standout track)? My absolute single fave TFK track is "My Cosmic Lover" but overall the debut Back in the World of Adventures isn't their strongest release
ELO - Out Of The Blue got me into Prog when I was 12 back in the early 90s. I know they get snubbed by Prog and Metal fans but Concerto For A Rainy Day is total prog. In might be sugar Coated but can't thank that album enough for introducing me to an amazing genre of music.
ELO are awesome. I always considered them prog. Great for a beginner.
Really enjoy your channel, one could say, I watch it "all the damn time" (or at least quite often) and these intros into different genres is great!
Great list, Pete. I’ve heard most of them and agree they belong on the list.
I know you can’t include everybody but if you had included Rush, I guess I would’ve expected Permanent Waves. Semi-prog, semi-hard rock. Natural Science and Jacob’s Ladder are probably the most “prog” on that album.
I think it’s good to be able to remember and hum your favourite Prog albums.
I can hum Brain Salad,Tarkus,Trilogy,All Tull,Relayer,Close to The Edge,Fragile and most Floyd but not Larks,Tounges and Aspic by King Poo.
Interesting choice with starter albums. My wife’s uncle pick 5 bands and curated 10 songs from each bands discography as a starter. I would love to see what that would look like.
This is very good starting point . Prog allows you to immerse yourself and escape. For any Newby there's a wonderful journey ahead of you. The albums mentioned are just a taste of what's to come for you and will give you great pleasure although expensive😂. I started my journey with a trick of the tail by genesis in 1976. I then went backwards to nursery cryme and from then on I was hooked. Prog is a world of discovery. Good luck and best wishes tim
Pete, great choice(s). You hit the nail on the head. Thanks for your input. Your the best.
Accessibility for the newcomer is important, and your list is excellent in this respect. I could recommend all those albums to a friend without hesitation.