@@the_prog_nerd can you get academic credit for the work you do on UA-cam? You might want to check into it. There are several classes like music history or appreciation and critical listening etc. that are essentially what you are doing. Wouldn't it be great if you got college credit for your youtube work? 🤓🤘🖖 just a little something to think about.🤔 See you soon, sincerely Kevin.
Great choices Niamh and definitely some of my favourite albums. My first prog memory was my Dad's copy of Relayer by Yes and also Lord of the Rings by Bo Hannson. Keep up the good work 👍🏻
Okay, I returned to your 'lecture', and agree, listening to prog is like a cinematic experience. It fulfills a different appitite. Music appeals to people for different reasons. I want to be transported to a different dimension!
That last point of yours reminds me of something Lemmy Killmister said. "People don't want to see Joe Bloggs on that stage... They want to see a crazy fucked up unpredictable dangerous alien motherf*cker out there!" (paraphrased) And he was right... Always.
Great list. I would also include Kansas "Leftoverture" esp for metal heads. And Renaissance "Scheherazade and Other Tales" esp. for gals. Also never worry about people thinking that you think you have superior music taste. Chances are you do and if they have problem it well it's THEIR problem
Stop saying sorry, my wife as been calling me a music snob for years, I agree I am and just laugh it off. Most people can't just sit and listen to an album without doing something else. I can listen to album after album, all day, every day, if I had the chance without doing anything else. That's the biggest stumbling block, people's attention span.
My first prog album was Nursery Cryme and I think it might be my favourite of all time! Also I’ve never heard anyone else talk about To Our Children’s Children’s Children, I ADORE that album! Great video as always ❤️
I got into prog via Rush and Genesis. Rush is my dad's favorite band so I already was familiar with some of their more well known tracks from early childhood but a big part of what prompted me to dig into them deeper as well as listen to Genesis (I'd definitely hears OF them before and knew some of their later pop hits but until this year I had never heard any songs from the Peter Gabriel era) was learning that the members of Norwegian synthpop-rock band a-ha were prog fans and cited those two bands in particular as early influences
Hello niamh another amazing presentation How i got involved with prog rock Is because of my dad He was a big pink Floyd fan So i got into because of him And 20 years later I now have 3k lp and CD and VHS and dvds I love all things prog rock By the way I am female prog rock fan and I am proud to be one And i am big Emerson lake and palmer And Keith Emerson is amazing keyboard player I could listen to anything by him Anyway enough of me rambling take care have great day and God bless ❤️🙏🎼🎧🎵🎶
Of the albums you suggest, all but one is in my album collection. I might have recommended: Yes - Close to the Edge, Rush - 2112, or Pink Floyd's - Animals, but your choices are spot on. I grew up with prog- Rush 2112 was one of my first vinyl albums in my early teens (I've replaced it several times). I'm a huge fan of Yes, ELP, Pink Floyd, Supertramp, and many others. My album collection now stands somewhere north of six hundred. I'm not exactly a stodgy old codger. I'm now exploring Porcupine Tree, Everon, and even some Marilon. You don't really get old until you stop exploring. It delights me to find a young fan of the great music I grew up on. Cheers, Niamh!
My "gateway" prog album was Leftoverture by Kansas. I bought it in the summer of 1977. I was 12 years old and could not get enough of Carry On Wayward Son (still can't - that song is absolutely flawless). But the rest of that album was a real eye opener. Eventually led me to discover ELP, Yes, Tull and ultimately King Crimson.
Progressive Music is a strange thing. I was born in '69 and stumbled across Prog in about 1984 when I listened to Gabriels live album for the first time. I then started to go back in time with Gabriel, then Genesis. My Uncle is a closet prog fan, he introduced me to Gentle Giant and Hawkwind. From then on, I had to do it the hard way. Back then, there was no internet, I bought compilation albums of the early 70's in record shops for a couple of pounds and found bands like Van de Graff, Spooky Tooth even Lindesfarn and Traffic. Keep up the good work!
A Beginners Guide To Italian Progressive Rock: -Le Orme - Felona e Sorona -PFM - Storia di un minuto -Banco del mutuo soccorso - Banco del mutuo soccorso -Area (International POPular Group) - Arbeit macht frei Ando so on...
As a French guy, I know more about the French prog scene with groups like Magma, Gong, Ange, Art Zoïd (if you know them), for the English scene, I especially knew the best known (Mike Oldfield, Pink Floyd, King Crimson, Soft Machine) and ... Thanks to your channel, I discovered many old bands which are therefore new to me then, like Atomic Rooster, Van Der Graaf Generator, Focus, Matching Mole, which my father did not have in his vinyl collection. Thank you for my culture, keep on the good job :)
You absolutely nailed it, Niamh. I first got into prog at age 19 with several of these exact albums. I am now well into my 60's and still experience the same joy and sense of musical adventure when I play them. So happy to see Queen 2 in this set as it is my favorite album from them.. and for all the reasons you cited. Please don't ever question or worry about how viewers perceive your disposition or sincerity. It is clear to us your knowledge and interest on the subject are genuine and from your heart. The love you have for these artists, albums, the genre and for music in general comes through as intended.
Thank you, Niamh. As a 62 year old female, you (and a few others) have helped educate me on so much music I missed out on because it wasn't 'mainstream', apparently I am a latent Prog Babe. My older sister used to listen to ELP back in the 70"s in secret because it wasn't considered a normal teenage girl thing to do, but she did see them live (twice), lucky girl! Shes taking the journey with me and has just bought her first King Crimson vinyl. I've bought over 50 cds in the last 6 months and am sure there is more to come. Favs Peter Gabriels Genesis, ELP, early Kansas, Moody Blues, Camel and Porcupine Tree. I have discovered what a mellotron is and how much I like the sound. The rabbit hole that is prog has even led me to Ozric Tentacles for the times I just want to zone out ,drug free, I hasten to add! I too love heavy rock/metal, perhaps not as heavy as you, but Dream Theatre has been added to the growing pile of cds. Hey, I even read primarily science fiction/fantasy and that's apparently a 'boy' thing too. So keep doing what your doing. Prog Babes unite!
Hi #bertiebird if you like those, you'll probably love these: Cream, Wally-'Valley Gardens', Babe Ruth (Check out; 'First base' 1972), Peter Green, & the earlier Fleetwood Mac as a Prog Blues band with Peter Green. They are all 'to die for' :) and I'm sure you'll love them if you google or UA-cam them and have a listen. Enjoy! Ve
That was great and nice that you included Fly By Night, Definitely the start of Rush's prog journey, Thanks Niamh. I love how your channel is PROGressing.
It may not be for everyone, but one of the things that got me really into prog was the live albums. It's usually a good selection of the past works of the band, with the added energy and contagious enthousiasm of the audience.
You NEVER sound pretencious! You sound passionate about music and have a great musical taste. BTW, Rush is one of my favorite bands of all time, I have great knowledge about their discography and totally agree with the "Fly by Night" choose. Another great video, Niamh👏👏👏
The respect for actively listening to prog is so refreshing to see. I was part of the generation before the Internet splatted music from wall to wall. When an album release was met with instant purchase, followed by playing it in the company of friends. No-one would say a word during the playing of it. We listened deeply. Thank you for such an excellent channel!
YES!! I love nothing more than smoking a little, laying back, and listening to an entire album. I have listened to stuff like this since I was little and had my Dad’s Tull, Kansas, Zeppelin, The Who, etc. records. So when I go to my parents, I always DJ for my Dad. I try so hard to slip more prog stuff into the playlist because I really want him to just chill and listen to it. But he doesn’t seem to have the same feelings for it like I do 😆 I keep trying though hoping someday he’ll develop the taste for it! Dammit Dad!!
ive been a prog fan for 40 plus years...you articulate my thoughts and feelings about this wonderful genre better than i ever could. you have awesome musical taste.....my taste.
Great video! I’m still semi-new to prog, I wouldn’t call myself an expert or a seasoned listener, but I have explored the genre. I was a massive talking heads fan before I got into progressive rock, so I was fairly familiar with extremely experimental music. Pink Floyd is still my favourite progressive band, and I really love their music. I was looking for a video to maybe see some recommendations, and you delivered! Well done!
Niamh, I am always blown away by your grasp of prog and how much you really love it and GET it. I know your dad has had some influence, and he's got some mighty fine tastes. Today, though, what smacked me upside the head was your knowledge of a Gibson sound, a Les Paul sound, and an SG sound. That's quite impressive! Many, many people I know who've been seriously into (listening to) music for years couldn't tell you Gibson from a Fender, a Paul from a Strat, except by looks alone (and I'd wager most of them wouldn't know such a thing as an SG exists!). So, congrats all 'round...and keep 'em coming!
Wanted to elaborate on your comment about prog not being dance / party music. Your channel I believe has come around at a great time. Since prog is more of a listening experience, more people find them selves alone do to the pandemic. Perfect time to get into prog. I'm sure this has already crossed your mind and may have already mentioned it in a prior video.
Great list/channel and not pretentious at all. My (least challenging) Rush pick would be Permanent Waves or Moving Pictures, and I would also suggest Crime of the Century from Supertramp, Nude or The Snow Goose from Camel, Frequency from IQ, Leftoverture from Kansas, and perhaps Grand Tour from Big Big Train. Also, since you like both metal and prog, I highly suggest you check out the Polish band, Riverside, if you haven't already. My favorite of their albums is Second Life Syndrome.
Really interesting video as someone had just asked me for entry level prog recommendations. The album that clicked for me was probably Selling England by the Pound. From there, the rest of the Gabriel era Genesis, then Rush, Pink Floyd, before finally embarking on Yes, King Crimson and the classics. Caravan's In the Land of Grey and Pink is pretty accessible for a Canterbury band too.
Lol, I remember when I first heard DSOTM, it was really hard for me to get into it being a hard rock fan at the time, around the 3rd time I liked all the details that come with prog rock, I'm now in love with King Crimson and Yes :D
"the difference between progressive rock and regular rock is the length of time before I want to beat myself over the head with an encyclopedia" -my dad As someone who has been listening to prog since pretty early in my life (I had moving pictures on my iPod since I was like 7) I forget how weird of a genre it is, and how difficult 7+ minute songs can be for those not used to it. This is a stellar list to start with, especially the Floyd pick and the rush pick. There's also some stuff on this list I hadn't heard, and am excited to try out! I'll definitely be checking out more of your channel as I love this genre to death and want to explore it even deeper!
I too listened to metal at first and then I inherited a couple of boxes of Classic/Prog stuff. Probably the only person in high school that listened to King Crimson, Yes, Genesis....etc. Rush probably made the classic Prog Rock stuff palatable. Great video.
Prog rock has got to be one of my favorite genre of all time! It really gives you a eargasm when you least expect it. Albums like Breakfast in America and Brain Salad Surgery are my personal favorites!
You are so right - Prog Rock is for EVERYONE! It is not gender-specific. Also, so glad you included an Alan Parsons album in your list, they are such an amazing prog band and not mentioned enough. Also their debut album 'Tales of Mystery And Imagination' is a really amazing listen as well.
I want the thumbnail of this video to be a poster on my wall. Great video btw. Opeth and Steven Wilson introduced me to prog a couple of years ago. Glad to find this channel :-)
This video was amazing! I'm currently taking a Rock n Roll class and this week's discussion was about Prog, and I learned a lot from this video. Thanx!
Stumbled onto this video and wow, nicely done. Well made and good for the newer people looking to get in. For me, my intro to prog was Foxtrot by Genesis, Trilogy by ELP, The Yes Album by Yes, and Octopus by Gentle Giant. Been hooked ever since. As for Rush starting points, FBN is a good one but I always point to A Farewell To Kings.
The hardest thing which you did very well is trying to explain what prog is. I liked it before I really knew what it meant to be prog. I like long complex arrangements with great musicianship and things that are far from normal. I own music that 99% of people will never hear of even in the prog world. The only way to know about some of the stuff out there is experimentation. Take a chance, listen to something you never heard before. Ethos - Ardour is one of those one-off great albums that if I hadn't taken a chance I would never know about them. So good job as usual Niamh.
Just found your channel. Great to see someone talking prog passionately and with some good info. I'll answer your question, "What albums got you into prog?", keeping in mind that I was a huge prog lover in the 1990s/early 2000's and just recently staring really enjoying prog again. So, the first albums that really did it for me include, "The Land of Grey and Pink" by Caravan; "Angel's Egg" by Gong, "Pungent Effulgent" by Ozric Tentacles, "Meddle" by Pink Floyd and "Discipline" by King Crimson. Prog that I've discovered lately that's really floated my boat, includes "Eileen" by Streetmark, "I Robot" by Alan Parsons Project, "Chestnut Loke" by Graphite, "Clowns & Clouds" by Hoelderlin and "Animal Notes" by Crack The Sky. Keep on proggin' folks!
I too hated Larks Tongues In Aspic on my first listen. The album sat on my shelf for about 20 years before I tried to listen to it again. And I loved it! One of the best prog albums ever recorded. I started with the Moody Blues as my first prog band.
Excellent introduction to prog. I find that some prog fanatics are a bit too far up their own but you're not. You're young and enthusiastic and also open minded.
Great video! I always love these sort of 'beginners' guide type videos - not only is it fun to chat about some of the best albums in the genre, but also why they're so great and can make those sorts of connections with people.
To me prog rock is a like reading a great book (on the level similar to Lord of the Rings) so you need time and to be able to focus on it. Also it is like taking a journey in sound. The words I use to describe Yes music are; emotional, positive and uplifting. Maybe too you should mention the year for these. The Moody Blues were late 60's and they were there at the start of the concept album, the start of Prog and music that takes you on a journey. Then next was the King Crimson, Floyd, Yes, ELP and others in the early 70's.
Some may say that a near 26minute video is a good length to introduce people to prog :). I think you've made some great choices - maybe for Genesis Duke could help people who only know them for the pop hits, as things like Dukes travels could then lead people backwards to the good stuff (IMO). My introduction to progressive rock was back in 1973 with ELP's Pictures at an Exhibition and so though it had been going already for 4 or 5 years I sort of grew up with prog alongside heavy rock, particualrly Deep Purple and Uriah Heep who both have had 'proggy' tendencies here and there - especially with the keyboard work of Jon Lord and Ken Hensley -and a lot of prog has a lot of keyboards - organ, synth, piano. Queen is a great example of being proggy without necessarily having to rely on keyboards, albeit they did use a fair bit of piano - and yes I would agree that they are prog - I've said somewhere before that if Bohemian Rhapsody hadnt been such a monster iconic hit single it would be held up as a prog masterpiece. Mike Oldfield definitely prog. What your choices do have is a lot of melody and accessibility - as you say Larks Tongues isnt the place to start though.
Love this list! Immediately built a playlist of all of these to keep me busy for a few hours. I own most, if not all of these albums on vinyl as well. I might need to set aside a whole day of listening.
This is fantastic! I love your knowledge and enthusiasm. I grew up listening to my dad’s prog rock collection and it’s music like this that eventually led me to study classical music and become an opera singer. This music is the opera of the rock world. It is the highest art form of music in the 20th century combining so many different genres. Keep up your fantastic channel! And women absolutely belong in this world! Hell, they inspire most of it!
Totally agree with Fragile being the gateway prog album from Yes. Once you’ve digested Fragile, the Yes album and Close to the edge, your ears have been trained to digest albums like Tales From Topographic Oceans and Relayer. Tales being one of the most underrated prog albums ever in my opinion.
@@andrejz8954 the Revealing Science of God and The Remembering are 2 of the most underrated songs in prog rock history. They just take a good 10-15 listens each to see why. You really have to pay attention.
Hi #Niamh the Prog Nerd My friend JD who's a subscriber and works for Dave Brock's label 'Gonzo' told me to check you out on here. Very refreshing and engaging. As a long time Prog/Space Rock lyricist and singer, I feel you should point out that one big difference between Prog and modern pop/Dance, is that a lot of Prog lyrics are meaningful and not just random words that rhyme. It's rooted in Blues, where people suffering in slavery expressed their feelings through blues songs. Likewise with the Jazz line cultural root. And finally, you mentioned "classical music" which is somewhat correct, but I think there's a stronger root, lyrically, in European Folk music, mainly Gaelic and British/American Folk. Much of that body of work is as much poetry as musical. Great introductory video. I enjoyed it so much I subbed! Thanks for posting. Ve :)
I think one of the main things people find challenging about prog is how many instrument parts are going on at ones utilising different rhythms. I can defiantly agree with your choice for tubular bells as the whole thing is just slowly stacking different parts on as it changes, almost like a guide for a new listener to follow along.
Great choices and just like everyone else I have to throw in a choice of my own, Caravan - Land of Grey and Pink as its shows the more pastoral and jaunty side of Prog.
When I show people the beginnings of prog , I often begin by showing them Fire - The Crazy World of Arthur Brown . Then , I show them some Procul Harum , King Crimson etc . If you haven't 'experienced' Fire , you should - very cool track that you won't forget .
Came here after watching your appearance on Sea of Tranquility's Favorite Yes albums through the decades video and you now have another subscriber! Glad there is another corner of UA-cam talking about my personal favorite genre of music! Keep up the good work!
Love your enthusiasm. I agree that the genre tends to attract a certain demograph, largely because it tends to be a more personal experience rather than, as you say, a shared/party experience. I would tend to offer 'gateway' bands first before thrusting them headlong into the stronger flavours. Radiohead, Muse, Tangerine Dream, Iron Maden, Mike Oldfield, Kate Bush, even the latter Beatles and the Kinks, then the likes of Pink Floyd, Marillion, Queensryche, Rush and Yes's 90125 album. Only then, release them to the wild darker side of the prog!
...and it"s really cool you recommand Tubular Bells...I got into progrock as well nearly 50 years ago listening to this album (and Meddle by Pink Floyd). For someone coming from Hard Rock etc, I would recommand the early albums of American bands like Styx or Kansas...complex music, but always with a driving guitar.
I think there are many different paths to prog. For metalheads I would recommend Jethro tull "Aqualung", Uriah Heep "Magician's birthday", Rush "Farewell to kings" For classicaly trained people (form the music schools) I would suggest ELP first album and Renaisance with orchestration For folk oriented people Jethro Tull "This as a brick" would be appropiate Easy going would be Camel "Mirage" with charming melodies, Rush 'Moving pictures" with very catchy kind of prog, and prog-like ELO "Discovery" - with beatlesque feel, and some classic Pink Floyd - "Dark side of the moon" is a good choice. I came to prog through avantgarde so my entry points were "Ummagumma" by Pink Floyd, Soft Machine "4" and parts of King Crimson "Islands", "Starless and bible black" and "Moonchild" from their first album". I think "In the court of the crimson king" kinda covers all the bases. It has energetic rock (almost metal-like) it has beautiful melodies, it has avantgarde/free jazzy moments and delicasy and sophistication plus epic title track not too long to grasp. If you like anything on it, the chances are prog rock is for you and you will like the rest and all the other aspects. If not, than probably it's not your thing. But give it some time to grow on you to know for sure.
Renaissance's "Scheherazade" , especially the live version on their Carnegie Hall album, is a work of beauty and sophistication that is at the pinnacle of progressive rock, and music in general.
Hi Niamh. You made some fine choices for a beginner. For me, certain classic rock and hard rock artists made the evolution to prog easy: Yes, Pink Floyd, Rush, etc...The first two Alan Parsons Project albums are also good starting points. While not a lot of women geek out on prog, the ones I've known, like you, have been very passionate and smart about it. It's great to see. Hope some young people watch and like this video, good job!
A great presentation, and some great choices of 'starter' albums in there. I certainly agree with your choice of Genesis album. SEBTP is very representative of early Genesis. As a huge fan I would also include A Trick of the Tail. Queen II is also a fantastic choice; a great rock/prog crossover album. March of the Black Queen is a masterpiece. It's more tricky picking a Rush album. I love Fly by Night, but I would probably choose a slightly more proggy album. The problem is their different 'chapters' are so different to each other. I'd be more inclined to choose A Farewell to Kings as it has a good blend of epic and short songs, without a whole side concept track that beginners may not be 'ready' for. My personal favourite Rush albums would be Hemispheres and Moving Pictures. I'll have a stab at my top ten beginners albums.. To our children's children's children - The Moody Blues A Farewell to Kings - Rush The Yes album - Yes Script for a Jesters Tear - Marillion ELP - ELP SEBTP - Genesis A Trick of the Tail - Genesis DSOTM - Pink Floyd UK - UK Aqualung - Jethro Tull
Hi there Niamh, Thanks for another interesting video. I first used to listen to prog years ago when I was at school in the early 80's. But Prog was so terminally unfashionable then that I stopped listening to it and listened to lots of Indie stuff instead (which I still like too). I only returned to listening to that proggy kind of stuff after someone gave me a tape of Dark Side of the Moon. So I went back and listened to lots of this stuff again and found that I quite liked it!! Nice to see you giving Procul Harum and the Moody Blues a mention.
That Moody Blues Album and ELP pictures at the exhibition was my first 2 Albums of my recent collection. Pink Floyd was the first progressive rock band that I got into.
My advice is what I did. I started with Asia, which was close to the Classic Rock and AOR sound I was already familiar with, then began exploring each band member's prog lineage. Wetton led me to King Crimson and U.K., Howe and Downes led me to Yes, and Palmer led me to ELP. From there, I discovered other prog groups and musicians.
I think Queen covered a range of genres, both within individual L.P.s and as it progressed through the decades, similar to Electric Light Orchestra. I have even recalled reviews of Queen starting off as a heavy metal band or glam rock band. They adjusted with the times. The 'Stormwatch' album by Jethro Tull would have been a good choice too.
I'm not sure you need to be prepared ! Sometimes music just touches you. I was maybe getting into it when teenager when this music was on top (in 1973-74), but I fell in love with yes, Gentle Giant and Van der Graf at first listen.
Just discovered this great channel. I've been a huge prog fan ever since I discovered Yes when I was 17. I'm about to start a review/discussion podcast about prog with some friends who know nothing about it, and I'm definitely going to show my co-hosts this video to help get them ready for the prog journey. Great video, great album picks.
Love your passion and knowledge of prog. I Was in on the ground floor as a kid in the 60's. Would love to hear you opinion of Nektar 'Remember the Future'.
When i was 10, my first were: Uriah Heep, Deep Purple and Led Zeppelin. Then i found Yes, Pink Floyd, ELP and the others and i prefered prog rock all of my life. I like it very much.
Love your knowledge and presentation. My first introduction to Prog was King Crimsons's debut album. My friend was really into Prog back in the 70's he invited me to a few concerts. Jethro Tull, ELP. Both were great memorable concerts.
Naw... I think you’re wrong dude. If you’re coming into it from a more metal end of the spectrum Hawkwind are the perfect gateway band plus their complete discography, especially the late 70s early 80s is completely accessible for the novice.
@@OrangeSunshine1969 I absolutely couldn’t stand Hawkwind when I first got into prog. So I sat it. Nah jk (lame joke). It was too out there and spacey for me. Also it’s not really representative of prog as a whole because Hawkwind have a very unique style. Mountain Grill is my favourite album by them
@@OrangeSunshine1969 yeah but Space Ritual is a very early record. And while Its kind of Metal It has little to do with actual metal. I mean is more Hard Rock than metal. The only reason a metal head would pick a Hawkwind album is because Lemmy is in It. And the shift from Motorhead to Hawkwind is day and night
@@vismundcygnus4555 well Hawkwind, Nektar and Gong are really representative of space rock. The problem with prog is that many people only lisent to Genesis, ELP, Yes, Camel and Gentle Giant. Prog is not the same as Symphonic Rock.
If anyone had given me a list of albums to listen to, especially if they suggested that I might find other albums too hard... Those would be the last albums I'd bother with! Which is a shame as I wouldn't fault your choices. You are absolutely right that the key to understanding any of them is to listen while fully engaged. In respect of King Crimson - I finally "got it" with them with Discipline, Beat and Three of a Perfect Pair. Maybe not that highly regarded in their Canon but quite straightforward and very very tight musicianship. I liked it when all four would lock into a groove then one tiny thing would be changed and the whole world would collapse!
I subscribed to your channel a while ago. I am ashamed that this is the first video that I REALLY sat down to look at. I'm glad I did. I started listening to prog in 82. Started playing the drums in 83 and I am a full-time musician; old but still kicking! I'm definitely going to check out more of your videos. You are quite informed for being so young and you come across very humble. Keep it up! So happy to see younger people not only have an interest oh, but become obsessed. Hahaha! Your wall in the background looks just like mine when I was your age!
A great video, i wish the Dj and broadcaster John Peel was still alive because he would love this video on the introduction to Prog and he would champion the younger generation with their own individual favourite genre of music and why they love that particular genre.
I got into Prog early 80s aged about 14,borrowing records from my local library, curated by a young librarian who must have had great taste. I discovered 80s Genesis which was quite poppy and accessible, then got Foxtrot out of the library which blew me away. I worked back and out from there, digging out early stuff from bands that were still around in the early 80s. Always felt I had been born 10 years too late. Favourite prog moment was putting on Dark Side, which starts really quiet with the clocks,so I cranked the volume - you should have seen my moms reaction when the alarm went off and that first chord kicked in :-)
When I was young I started with Saga (I bought it because of the cover - I was a Sci-fi-Fan), Pink Floyd, Queen and Rock like that. I always like instrumental parts - the longer the better. That brought me more and more to prog bands.
Dude, i just finished listening to that Lark's Tongues in Aspic album you talked about and it was insane bruh like i couldn't sit still and i wasn't even like dancing it was more like twitching honestly it felt like listening to In the Court of the Crimson King for the first time again
My first encounter with Prog was with a band called Stern Combo Meissen. They are a german band (former East Germany) who did an adaptation of a Modest Mussorgsky song. "Die Nacht auf dem kahlen Berge" is not to recommend to begin with Prog, but still I was mind blown when listening to this 10 minute long monster. The song is on their debut from 1977. After that bands like King Crimson and Jethro Tull followed and I loved them.
Passionate, informed and articulate. That's a hard to find combination. This was a particularly animated presentation, and very enjoyable. I thought your headphone mention was a really good one - they are a great way to sidestep the limitations of some of the tinny speakers that accompany electronic devices today, and really good ones can be had for a fairly reasonable price. I'm thinking that the old adage of "when the student is ready the teacher will appear" will prove true for some of your listeners. Thanks for an excellent edition.
I just got into prog a year ago I thought it was pretty much dead and I was the only one listening to it but it still alive thanks for talking about it you got my sub
I came into prog through classical music (looking for something in rock that could replicate it), and through the Pink Floyd Collection of my father (Mike Oldfield was the soundtrack of my childhood, but I wouldn't say I came into prog because of him). Once I was in, there were no intermediate steps: Tales from Topographic oceans was the first Yes album I listened to (loved it)...and so on
There is another side of prog that I loved as well from the very beginning, and is the electronic prog. Things like Autobahn by Kraftwerk or Equinoxe by Jean Michrel Jarre are structurally and musically real prog. Only the sound is different
Prog researcher presenter Niamh is for sure the one stop Prog information channel. 🤓🤘🖖
Wow, thanks! I am honoured to be able to help people on the journey of prog!
@@the_prog_nerd You are very welcome! You honor us with all your time and effort. Thank you.
@@the_prog_nerd can you get academic credit for the work you do on UA-cam? You might want to check into it. There are several classes like music history or appreciation and critical listening etc. that are essentially what you are doing. Wouldn't it be great if you got college credit for your youtube work? 🤓🤘🖖 just a little something to think about.🤔 See you soon, sincerely Kevin.
@@the_prog_nerd i missed in all your vids Eloy 😈
Great choices Niamh and definitely some of my favourite albums. My first prog memory was my Dad's copy of Relayer by Yes and also Lord of the Rings by Bo Hannson. Keep up the good work 👍🏻
I just rebought the lotr bo haansen album. 25 years ago i set it on my pc tower and it melted it. Finally got to hear it. 😂
Very spot on!! I'm 16 and love prog, I've been listening to prog since around 13. King Crimson is my ultimate favourite band!!!!
Okay, I returned to your 'lecture', and agree, listening to prog is like a cinematic experience. It fulfills a different appitite. Music appeals to people for different reasons. I want to be transported to a different dimension!
That last point of yours reminds me of something Lemmy Killmister said. "People don't want to see Joe Bloggs on that stage... They want to see a crazy fucked up unpredictable dangerous alien motherf*cker out there!"
(paraphrased) And he was right...
Always.
agreed.
Great list. I would also include Kansas "Leftoverture" esp for metal heads. And Renaissance "Scheherazade and Other Tales" esp. for gals. Also never worry about people thinking that you think you have superior music taste. Chances are you do and if they have problem it well it's THEIR problem
Stop saying sorry, my wife as been calling me a music snob for years, I agree I am and just laugh it off.
Most people can't just sit and listen to an album without doing something else. I can listen to album after album, all day, every day, if I had the chance without doing anything else. That's the biggest stumbling block, people's attention span.
your absolutely right, that's the entire problem with music today
My first prog album was Nursery Cryme and I think it might be my favourite of all time! Also I’ve never heard anyone else talk about To Our Children’s Children’s Children, I ADORE that album! Great video as always ❤️
The first solo of The Musical Box is one of the best things to ever happen to humanity honestly
I got into prog via Rush and Genesis. Rush is my dad's favorite band so I already was familiar with some of their more well known tracks from early childhood but a big part of what prompted me to dig into them deeper as well as listen to Genesis (I'd definitely hears OF them before and knew some of their later pop hits but until this year I had never heard any songs from the Peter Gabriel era) was learning that the members of Norwegian synthpop-rock band a-ha were prog fans and cited those two bands in particular as early influences
Hello niamh another amazing presentation
How i got involved with prog rock
Is because of my dad
He was a big pink Floyd fan
So i got into because of him
And 20 years later
I now have 3k lp and CD and VHS and dvds
I love all things prog rock
By the way I am female prog rock fan and I am proud to be one
And i am big Emerson lake and palmer
And Keith Emerson is amazing keyboard player
I could listen to anything by him
Anyway enough of me rambling take care have great day and God bless ❤️🙏🎼🎧🎵🎶
Of the albums you suggest, all but one is in my album collection. I might have recommended: Yes - Close to the Edge, Rush - 2112, or Pink Floyd's - Animals, but your choices are spot on.
I grew up with prog- Rush 2112 was one of my first vinyl albums in my early teens (I've replaced it several times). I'm a huge fan of Yes, ELP, Pink Floyd, Supertramp, and many others. My album collection now stands somewhere north of six hundred.
I'm not exactly a stodgy old codger. I'm now exploring Porcupine Tree, Everon, and even some Marilon. You don't really get old until you stop exploring.
It delights me to find a young fan of the great music I grew up on. Cheers, Niamh!
My "gateway" prog album was Leftoverture by Kansas. I bought it in the summer of 1977. I was 12 years old and could not get enough of Carry On Wayward Son (still can't - that song is absolutely flawless). But the rest of that album was a real eye opener. Eventually led me to discover ELP, Yes, Tull and ultimately King Crimson.
Try listening to Gentle giant. My fav. prog band by far
Yes, that would be an excellent intro.
Progressive Music is a strange thing. I was born in '69 and stumbled across Prog in about 1984 when I listened to Gabriels live album for the first time. I then started to go back in time with Gabriel, then Genesis. My Uncle is a closet prog fan, he introduced me to Gentle Giant and Hawkwind. From then on, I had to do it the hard way. Back then, there was no internet, I bought compilation albums of the early 70's in record shops for a couple of pounds and found bands like Van de Graff, Spooky Tooth even Lindesfarn and Traffic. Keep up the good work!
A Beginners Guide To Italian Progressive Rock:
-Le Orme - Felona e Sorona
-PFM - Storia di un minuto
-Banco del mutuo soccorso - Banco del mutuo soccorso
-Area (International POPular Group) - Arbeit macht frei
Ando so on...
Big fan of Italian prog!
@@the_prog_nerd we should collab!
Don't forget a note for D.F.A.!
I am a PFM fan . I also loved the album by Garybaldi : Astrolabio 1973 , Italian Prog rock at it’s best .
And “Tilt” by Arti & Mestieri
Glad to see you included The Moody Blues, & my fave by them! Definitely my gateway group to Prog!
As a French guy, I know more about the French prog scene with groups like Magma, Gong, Ange, Art Zoïd (if you know them), for the English scene, I especially knew the best known (Mike Oldfield, Pink Floyd, King Crimson, Soft Machine) and ... Thanks to your channel, I discovered many old bands which are therefore new to me then, like Atomic Rooster, Van Der Graaf Generator, Focus, Matching Mole, which my father did not have in his vinyl collection. Thank you for my culture, keep on the good job :)
found electrique camembert by gong in a charity shop never looked back
Try listening to Gentle giant. My fav. prog band by far
You absolutely nailed it, Niamh. I first got into prog at age 19 with several of these exact albums. I am now well into my 60's and still experience the same joy and sense of musical adventure when I play them. So happy to see Queen 2 in this set as it is my favorite album from them.. and for all the reasons you cited. Please don't ever question or worry about how viewers perceive your disposition or sincerity. It is clear to us your knowledge and interest on the subject are genuine and from your heart. The love you have for these artists, albums, the genre and for music in general comes through as intended.
Thank you, Niamh. As a 62 year old female, you (and a few others) have helped educate me on so much music I missed out on because it wasn't 'mainstream', apparently I am a latent Prog Babe. My older sister used to listen to ELP back in the 70"s in secret because it wasn't considered a normal teenage girl thing to do, but she did see them live (twice), lucky girl! Shes taking the journey with me and has just bought her first King Crimson vinyl. I've bought over 50 cds in the last 6 months and am sure there is more to come.
Favs Peter Gabriels Genesis, ELP, early Kansas, Moody Blues, Camel and Porcupine Tree. I have discovered what a mellotron is and how much I like the sound. The rabbit hole that is prog has even led me to Ozric Tentacles for the times I just want to zone out ,drug free, I hasten to add! I too love heavy rock/metal, perhaps not as heavy as you, but Dream Theatre has been added to the growing pile of cds. Hey, I even read primarily science fiction/fantasy and that's apparently a 'boy' thing too. So keep doing what your doing. Prog Babes unite!
Gotta stick together !
Hi #bertiebird if you like those, you'll probably love these: Cream, Wally-'Valley Gardens', Babe Ruth (Check out; 'First base' 1972), Peter Green, & the earlier Fleetwood Mac as a Prog Blues band with Peter Green. They are all 'to die for' :) and I'm sure you'll love them if you google or UA-cam them and have a listen. Enjoy! Ve
PS, I forgot 'Caravan' You gotta check out Caravan if you like Camel, lol. Here's a link for "Magic man" ua-cam.com/video/CfkDkT1U5bg/v-deo.html
Great advice for prog novices. Glad you included the Moodies' "Children." Terrific album that is usually overlooked in prog lists.
That was great and nice that you included Fly By Night, Definitely the start of Rush's prog journey, Thanks Niamh. I love how your channel is PROGressing.
My pleasure!
It may not be for everyone, but one of the things that got me really into prog was the live albums. It's usually a good selection of the past works of the band, with the added energy and contagious enthousiasm of the audience.
I have to agree!
You NEVER sound pretencious! You sound passionate about music and have a great musical taste. BTW, Rush is one of my favorite bands of all time, I have great knowledge about their discography and totally agree with the "Fly by Night" choose. Another great video, Niamh👏👏👏
The respect for actively listening to prog is so refreshing to see. I was part of the generation before the Internet splatted music from wall to wall. When an album release was met with instant purchase, followed by playing it in the company of friends. No-one would say a word during the playing of it. We listened deeply.
Thank you for such an excellent channel!
YES!! I love nothing more than smoking a little, laying back, and listening to an entire album. I have listened to stuff like this since I was little and had my Dad’s Tull, Kansas, Zeppelin, The Who, etc. records. So when I go to my parents, I always DJ for my Dad. I try so hard to slip more prog stuff into the playlist because I really want him to just chill and listen to it. But he doesn’t seem to have the same feelings for it like I do 😆 I keep trying though hoping someday he’ll develop the taste for it! Dammit Dad!!
ive been a prog fan for 40 plus years...you articulate my thoughts and feelings about this wonderful genre better than i ever could. you have awesome musical taste.....my taste.
Great video! I’m still semi-new to prog, I wouldn’t call myself an expert or a seasoned listener, but I have explored the genre. I was a massive talking heads fan before I got into progressive rock, so I was fairly familiar with extremely experimental music. Pink Floyd is still my favourite progressive band, and I really love their music. I was looking for a video to maybe see some recommendations, and you delivered! Well done!
Niamh, I am always blown away by your grasp of prog and how much you really love it and GET it. I know your dad has had some influence, and he's got some mighty fine tastes. Today, though, what smacked me upside the head was your knowledge of a Gibson sound, a Les Paul sound, and an SG sound. That's quite impressive! Many, many people I know who've been seriously into (listening to) music for years couldn't tell you Gibson from a Fender, a Paul from a Strat, except by looks alone (and I'd wager most of them wouldn't know such a thing as an SG exists!). So, congrats all 'round...and keep 'em coming!
Wanted to elaborate on your comment about prog not being dance / party music. Your channel I believe has come around at a great time. Since prog is more of a listening experience, more people find them selves alone do to the pandemic. Perfect time to get into prog. I'm sure this has already crossed your mind and may have already mentioned it in a prior video.
Great list/channel and not pretentious at all. My (least challenging) Rush pick would be Permanent Waves or Moving Pictures, and I would also suggest Crime of the Century from Supertramp, Nude or The Snow Goose from Camel, Frequency from IQ, Leftoverture from Kansas, and perhaps Grand Tour from Big Big Train.
Also, since you like both metal and prog, I highly suggest you check out the Polish band, Riverside, if you haven't already. My favorite of their albums is Second Life Syndrome.
Really interesting video as someone had just asked me for entry level prog recommendations. The album that clicked for me was probably Selling England by the Pound. From there, the rest of the Gabriel era Genesis, then Rush, Pink Floyd, before finally embarking on Yes, King Crimson and the classics. Caravan's In the Land of Grey and Pink is pretty accessible for a Canterbury band too.
Lol, I remember when I first heard DSOTM, it was really hard for me to get into it being a hard rock fan at the time, around the 3rd time I liked all the details that come with prog rock, I'm now in love with King Crimson and Yes :D
The first two Queen albums and Focus’ “Moving Waves” got me into prog. Amazing stuff and I still listen to it at times.
"the difference between progressive rock and regular rock is the length of time before I want to beat myself over the head with an encyclopedia"
-my dad
As someone who has been listening to prog since pretty early in my life (I had moving pictures on my iPod since I was like 7) I forget how weird of a genre it is, and how difficult 7+ minute songs can be for those not used to it. This is a stellar list to start with, especially the Floyd pick and the rush pick. There's also some stuff on this list I hadn't heard, and am excited to try out! I'll definitely be checking out more of your channel as I love this genre to death and want to explore it even deeper!
I too listened to metal at first and then I inherited a couple of boxes of Classic/Prog stuff. Probably the only person in high school that listened to King Crimson, Yes, Genesis....etc. Rush probably made the classic Prog Rock stuff palatable. Great video.
Prog rock has got to be one of my favorite genre of all time! It really gives you a eargasm when you least expect it. Albums like Breakfast in America and Brain Salad Surgery are my personal favorites!
You are so right - Prog Rock is for EVERYONE! It is not gender-specific. Also, so glad you included an Alan Parsons album in your list, they are such an amazing prog band and not mentioned enough. Also their debut album 'Tales of Mystery And Imagination' is a really amazing listen as well.
I want the thumbnail of this video to be a poster on my wall. Great video btw.
Opeth and Steven Wilson introduced me to prog a couple of years ago. Glad to find this channel :-)
I love how someone so young knows so much about prog.
This video was amazing! I'm currently taking a Rock n Roll class and this week's discussion was about Prog, and I learned a lot from this video. Thanx!
This Channel is amazing,it was very cool to hear your Dad talk about music also.Cheers from Portland Oregon
The gatekeeping comments are such a shame! Fantastic video, your passion always shines through ❤️
Enjoyed you on Pete's show tonight. Will watch your live stream this weekend. Keep up the good work.
Stumbled onto this video and wow, nicely done. Well made and good for the newer people looking to get in. For me, my intro to prog was Foxtrot by Genesis, Trilogy by ELP, The Yes Album by Yes, and Octopus by Gentle Giant. Been hooked ever since. As for Rush starting points, FBN is a good one but I always point to A Farewell To Kings.
The hardest thing which you did very well is trying to explain what prog is. I liked it before I really knew what it meant to be prog. I like long complex arrangements with great musicianship and things that are far from normal. I own music that 99% of people will never hear of even in the prog world. The only way to know about some of the stuff out there is experimentation. Take a chance, listen to something you never heard before. Ethos - Ardour is one of those one-off great albums that if I hadn't taken a chance I would never know about them. So good job as usual Niamh.
Anything from YES or ELP is a great place to start.
Just found your channel. Great to see someone talking prog passionately and with some good info.
I'll answer your question, "What albums got you into prog?", keeping in mind that I was a huge prog lover in the 1990s/early 2000's and just recently staring really enjoying prog again.
So, the first albums that really did it for me include, "The Land of Grey and Pink" by Caravan; "Angel's Egg" by Gong, "Pungent Effulgent" by Ozric Tentacles, "Meddle" by Pink Floyd and "Discipline" by King Crimson.
Prog that I've discovered lately that's really floated my boat, includes "Eileen" by Streetmark, "I Robot" by Alan Parsons Project, "Chestnut Loke" by Graphite, "Clowns & Clouds" by Hoelderlin and "Animal Notes" by Crack The Sky.
Keep on proggin' folks!
I too hated Larks Tongues In Aspic on my first listen. The album sat on my shelf for about 20 years before I tried to listen to it again. And I loved it! One of the best prog albums ever recorded. I started with the Moody Blues as my first prog band.
Excellent introduction to prog. I find that some prog fanatics are a bit too far up their own but you're not. You're young and enthusiastic and also open minded.
Great video! I always love these sort of 'beginners' guide type videos - not only is it fun to chat about some of the best albums in the genre, but also why they're so great and can make those sorts of connections with people.
To me prog rock is a like reading a great book (on the level similar to Lord of the Rings) so you need time and to be able to focus on it. Also it is like taking a journey in sound. The words I use to describe Yes music are; emotional, positive and uplifting. Maybe too you should mention the year for these. The Moody Blues were late 60's and they were there at the start of the concept album, the start of Prog and music that takes you on a journey. Then next was the King Crimson, Floyd, Yes, ELP and others in the early 70's.
Yes, some very good pics there. I've been listening to (some of), this music for about 50 years now.
Some may say that a near 26minute video is a good length to introduce people to prog :). I think you've made some great choices - maybe for Genesis Duke could help people who only know them for the pop hits, as things like Dukes travels could then lead people backwards to the good stuff (IMO).
My introduction to progressive rock was back in 1973 with ELP's Pictures at an Exhibition and so though it had been going already for 4 or 5 years I sort of grew up with prog alongside heavy rock, particualrly Deep Purple and Uriah Heep who both have had 'proggy' tendencies here and there - especially with the keyboard work of Jon Lord and Ken Hensley -and a lot of prog has a lot of keyboards - organ, synth, piano. Queen is a great example of being proggy without necessarily having to rely on keyboards, albeit they did use a fair bit of piano - and yes I would agree that they are prog - I've said somewhere before that if Bohemian Rhapsody hadnt been such a monster iconic hit single it would be held up as a prog masterpiece. Mike Oldfield definitely prog. What your choices do have is a lot of melody and accessibility - as you say Larks Tongues isnt the place to start though.
Love this list! Immediately built a playlist of all of these to keep me busy for a few hours. I own most, if not all of these albums on vinyl as well. I might need to set aside a whole day of listening.
This is fantastic! I love your knowledge and enthusiasm. I grew up listening to my dad’s prog rock collection and it’s music like this that eventually led me to study classical music and become an opera singer. This music is the opera of the rock world. It is the highest art form of music in the 20th century combining so many different genres. Keep up your fantastic channel! And women absolutely belong in this world! Hell, they inspire most of it!
Great video…thanks for your thoughts on prog!! I enjoyed watching it!! Music is for everyone!!!
outstanding video
Thank you so much!!
Totally agree with Fragile being the gateway prog album from Yes. Once you’ve digested Fragile, the Yes album and Close to the edge, your ears have been trained to digest albums like Tales From Topographic Oceans and Relayer. Tales being one of the most underrated prog albums ever in my opinion.
I've been listening to Tales FTO once or twice in my car and it really sounded lame to me... No rhyme or reason at all
@@andrejz8954 listen intently 8 more times. It will click.
@@golions13579 I guess it really could. It's prog after all :)
@@andrejz8954 the Revealing Science of God and The Remembering are 2 of the most underrated songs in prog rock history. They just take a good 10-15 listens each to see why. You really have to pay attention.
Hi #Niamh the Prog Nerd My friend JD who's a subscriber and works for Dave Brock's label 'Gonzo' told me to check you out on here. Very refreshing and engaging.
As a long time Prog/Space Rock lyricist and singer, I feel you should point out that one big difference between Prog and modern pop/Dance, is that a lot of Prog lyrics are meaningful and not just random words that rhyme. It's rooted in Blues, where people suffering in slavery expressed their feelings through blues songs. Likewise with the Jazz line cultural root. And finally, you mentioned "classical music" which is somewhat correct, but I think there's a stronger root, lyrically, in European Folk music, mainly Gaelic and British/American Folk. Much of that body of work is as much poetry as musical. Great introductory video. I enjoyed it so much I subbed! Thanks for posting. Ve :)
I think one of the main things people find challenging about prog is how many instrument parts are going on at ones utilising different rhythms. I can defiantly agree with your choice for tubular bells as the whole thing is just slowly stacking different parts on as it changes, almost like a guide for a new listener to follow along.
Great choices and just like everyone else I have to throw in a choice of my own, Caravan - Land of Grey and Pink as its shows the more pastoral and jaunty side of Prog.
When I show people the beginnings of prog , I often begin by showing them Fire - The Crazy World of Arthur Brown .
Then , I show them some Procul Harum , King Crimson etc .
If you haven't 'experienced' Fire , you should - very cool track that you won't forget .
Maybe listen to the Fire Poem, which leads into the track, Fire on the Album The crazy World of Arthur Brown
Came here after watching your appearance on Sea of Tranquility's Favorite Yes albums through the decades video and you now have another subscriber! Glad there is another corner of UA-cam talking about my personal favorite genre of music! Keep up the good work!
Love your enthusiasm. I agree that the genre tends to attract a certain demograph, largely because it tends to be a more personal experience rather than, as you say, a shared/party experience. I would tend to offer 'gateway' bands first before thrusting them headlong into the stronger flavours. Radiohead, Muse, Tangerine Dream, Iron Maden, Mike Oldfield, Kate Bush, even the latter Beatles and the Kinks, then the likes of Pink Floyd, Marillion, Queensryche, Rush and Yes's 90125 album. Only then, release them to the wild darker side of the prog!
...and it"s really cool you recommand Tubular Bells...I got into progrock as well nearly 50 years ago listening to this album (and Meddle by Pink Floyd). For someone coming from Hard Rock etc, I would recommand the early albums of American bands like Styx or Kansas...complex music, but always with a driving guitar.
I think there are many different paths to prog.
For metalheads I would recommend Jethro tull "Aqualung", Uriah Heep "Magician's birthday", Rush "Farewell to kings"
For classicaly trained people (form the music schools) I would suggest ELP first album and Renaisance with orchestration
For folk oriented people Jethro Tull "This as a brick" would be appropiate
Easy going would be Camel "Mirage" with charming melodies, Rush 'Moving pictures" with very catchy kind of prog, and prog-like ELO "Discovery" - with beatlesque feel, and some classic Pink Floyd - "Dark side of the moon" is a good choice.
I came to prog through avantgarde so my entry points were "Ummagumma" by Pink Floyd, Soft Machine "4" and parts of King Crimson "Islands", "Starless and bible black" and "Moonchild" from their first album".
I think "In the court of the crimson king" kinda covers all the bases. It has energetic rock (almost metal-like) it has beautiful melodies, it has avantgarde/free jazzy moments and delicasy and sophistication plus epic title track not too long to grasp. If you like anything on it, the chances are prog rock is for you and you will like the rest and all the other aspects. If not, than probably it's not your thing. But give it some time to grow on you to know for sure.
Great pick with Tubular Bells!
Renaissance's "Scheherazade" , especially the live version on their Carnegie Hall album, is a work of beauty and sophistication that is at the pinnacle of progressive rock, and music in general.
Great job. I would have added the mahavishnu orchestras first album.
you reaally got me interested
Hi Niamh. You made some fine choices for a beginner. For me, certain classic rock and hard rock artists made the evolution to prog easy: Yes, Pink Floyd, Rush, etc...The first two Alan Parsons Project albums are also good starting points. While not a lot of women geek out on prog, the ones I've known, like you, have been very passionate and smart about it. It's great to see. Hope some young people watch and like this video, good job!
A great presentation, and some great choices of 'starter' albums in there. I certainly agree with your choice of Genesis album. SEBTP is very representative of early Genesis. As a huge fan I would also include A Trick of the Tail. Queen II is also a fantastic choice; a great rock/prog crossover album. March of the Black Queen is a masterpiece. It's more tricky picking a Rush album. I love Fly by Night, but I would probably choose a slightly more proggy album. The problem is their different 'chapters' are so different to each other. I'd be more inclined to choose A Farewell to Kings as it has a good blend of epic and short songs, without a whole side concept track that beginners may not be 'ready' for. My personal favourite Rush albums would be Hemispheres and Moving Pictures. I'll have a stab at my top ten beginners albums..
To our children's children's children - The Moody Blues
A Farewell to Kings - Rush
The Yes album - Yes
Script for a Jesters Tear - Marillion
ELP - ELP
SEBTP - Genesis
A Trick of the Tail - Genesis
DSOTM - Pink Floyd
UK - UK
Aqualung - Jethro Tull
Hi there Niamh, Thanks for another interesting video. I first used to listen to prog years ago when I was at school in the early 80's. But Prog was so terminally unfashionable then that I stopped listening to it and listened to lots of Indie stuff instead (which I still like too). I only returned to listening to that proggy kind of stuff after someone gave me a tape of Dark Side of the Moon. So I went back and listened to lots of this stuff again and found that I quite liked it!! Nice to see you giving Procul Harum and the Moody Blues a mention.
ive been into prog 40 plus years....you are superb.
That Moody Blues Album and ELP pictures at the exhibition was my first 2 Albums of my recent collection. Pink Floyd was the first progressive rock band that I got into.
Love the channel. Keeping the Prog flames burning!!! 🔥 🔥🔥
Great video. Kansas- Leftoverture I believe is also a great gateway album.
Thanks for putting me on the first rung of the prog ladder.👍
My advice is what I did. I started with Asia, which was close to the Classic Rock and AOR sound I was already familiar with, then began exploring each band member's prog lineage. Wetton led me to King Crimson and U.K., Howe and Downes led me to Yes, and Palmer led me to ELP. From there, I discovered other prog groups and musicians.
I think Queen covered a range of genres, both within individual L.P.s and as it progressed through the decades, similar to Electric Light Orchestra. I have even recalled reviews of Queen starting off as a heavy metal band or glam rock band. They adjusted with the times. The 'Stormwatch' album by Jethro Tull would have been a good choice too.
I'm not sure you need to be prepared ! Sometimes music just touches you. I was maybe getting into it when teenager when this music was on top (in 1973-74), but I fell in love with yes, Gentle Giant and Van der Graf at first listen.
I would say the defining characteristic of Progressive Rock is fearless ambition.
Just discovered this great channel. I've been a huge prog fan ever since I discovered Yes when I was 17. I'm about to start a review/discussion podcast about prog with some friends who know nothing about it, and I'm definitely going to show my co-hosts this video to help get them ready for the prog journey. Great video, great album picks.
Thoroughly enjoyed that. Prog on!
Love your passion and knowledge of prog. I Was in on the ground floor as a kid in the 60's. Would love to hear you opinion of Nektar 'Remember the Future'.
I think you did a really nice job. Cheers!
When i was 10, my first were: Uriah Heep, Deep Purple and Led Zeppelin. Then i found Yes, Pink Floyd, ELP and the others and i prefered prog rock all of my life. I like it very much.
Love your knowledge and presentation. My first introduction to Prog was King Crimsons's debut album. My friend was really into Prog back in the 70's he invited me to a few concerts. Jethro Tull, ELP. Both were great memorable concerts.
I think you have to chuck in Marillion’s Script for a Jester’s Tear or Space Ritual by Hawkwind.
Hawkwind is not a good place to start, specially Space Ritual. Its far way advanced for someone who has never lisent to prog.
Naw... I think you’re wrong dude. If you’re coming into it from a more metal end of the spectrum Hawkwind are the perfect gateway band plus their complete discography, especially the late 70s early 80s is completely accessible for the novice.
@@OrangeSunshine1969 I absolutely couldn’t stand Hawkwind when I first got into prog. So I sat it. Nah jk (lame joke). It was too out there and spacey for me. Also it’s not really representative of prog as a whole because Hawkwind have a very unique style. Mountain Grill is my favourite album by them
@@OrangeSunshine1969 yeah but Space Ritual is a very early record. And while Its kind of Metal It has little to do with actual metal. I mean is more Hard Rock than metal.
The only reason a metal head would pick a Hawkwind album is because Lemmy is in It. And the shift from Motorhead to Hawkwind is day and night
@@vismundcygnus4555 well Hawkwind, Nektar and Gong are really representative of space rock. The problem with prog is that many people only lisent to Genesis, ELP, Yes, Camel and Gentle Giant. Prog is not the same as Symphonic Rock.
If anyone had given me a list of albums to listen to, especially if they suggested that I might find other albums too hard... Those would be the last albums I'd bother with! Which is a shame as I wouldn't fault your choices. You are absolutely right that the key to understanding any of them is to listen while fully engaged. In respect of King Crimson - I finally "got it" with them with Discipline, Beat and Three of a Perfect Pair. Maybe not that highly regarded in their Canon but quite straightforward and very very tight musicianship. I liked it when all four would lock into a groove then one tiny thing would be changed and the whole world would collapse!
Great video, and the T shirt is wonderful too. Wel done girl, congratulations !! As we say here: bien ahí nena !! 👌👌💪💪
I subscribed to your channel a while ago. I am ashamed that this is the first video that I REALLY sat down to look at. I'm glad I did. I started listening to prog in 82. Started playing the drums in 83 and I am a full-time musician; old but still kicking! I'm definitely going to check out more of your videos. You are quite informed for being so young and you come across very humble. Keep it up! So happy to see younger people not only have an interest oh, but become obsessed. Hahaha! Your wall in the background looks just like mine when I was your age!
A great video, i wish the Dj and broadcaster John Peel was still alive because he would love this video on the introduction to Prog and he would champion the younger generation with their own individual favourite genre of music and why they love that particular genre.
I got into Prog early 80s aged about 14,borrowing records from my local library, curated by a young librarian who must have had great taste. I discovered 80s Genesis which was quite poppy and accessible, then got Foxtrot out of the library which blew me away. I worked back and out from there, digging out early stuff from bands that were still around in the early 80s. Always felt I had been born 10 years too late. Favourite prog moment was putting on Dark Side, which starts really quiet with the clocks,so I cranked the volume - you should have seen my moms reaction when the alarm went off and that first chord kicked in :-)
When I was young I started with Saga (I bought it because of the cover - I was a Sci-fi-Fan), Pink Floyd, Queen and Rock like that. I always like instrumental parts - the longer the better. That brought me more and more to prog bands.
Dude, i just finished listening to that Lark's Tongues in Aspic album you talked about and it was insane bruh like i couldn't sit still and i wasn't even like dancing it was more like twitching honestly it felt like listening to In the Court of the Crimson King for the first time again
My first encounter with Prog was with a band called Stern Combo Meissen. They are a german band (former East Germany) who did an adaptation of a Modest Mussorgsky song. "Die Nacht auf dem kahlen Berge" is not to recommend to begin with Prog, but still I was mind blown when listening to this 10 minute long monster. The song is on their debut from 1977. After that bands like King Crimson and Jethro Tull followed and I loved them.
First two records that got me interested in prog were The Dark Side Of The Moon by Pink Floyd and Leftoverture by Kansas. I still love them!
Passionate, informed and articulate. That's a hard to find combination. This was a particularly animated presentation, and very enjoyable. I thought your headphone mention was a really good one - they are a great way to sidestep the limitations of some of the tinny speakers that accompany electronic devices today, and really good ones can be had for a fairly reasonable price. I'm thinking that the old adage of "when the student is ready the teacher will appear" will prove true for some of your listeners. Thanks for an excellent edition.
I just got into prog a year ago I thought it was pretty much dead and I was the only one listening to it but it still alive thanks for talking about it you got my sub
I came into prog through classical music (looking for something in rock that could replicate it), and through the Pink Floyd Collection of my father (Mike Oldfield was the soundtrack of my childhood, but I wouldn't say I came into prog because of him). Once I was in, there were no intermediate steps: Tales from Topographic oceans was the first Yes album I listened to (loved it)...and so on
There is another side of prog that I loved as well from the very beginning, and is the electronic prog. Things like Autobahn by Kraftwerk or Equinoxe by Jean Michrel Jarre are structurally and musically real prog. Only the sound is different
Your knowledge is impressive fair play
Your Videos are a Good Inspiration to hear my older vinyl like ELP and Genesis. Thank You very much!!!!👍😎👏