YOUR SHOUT!

Are we in the swim with Penguin Cafe Orchestra, or are they just getting us in a flap?

“Been a fan since 1981. Simon Jeffes wrote some very progressive stuff. Maybe not prog as we know it, but definitely great. He is missed.”

WEDGEPIECE

“Maybe. Crossing some boundaries for sure. Maybe not. But does it matter? What matters to me is that it still sounds fresh and utterly beautiful today. Simon Jeffes was a genius with vision and I love his work.”

BAS LANGERIS

“While not prog per se, the music was good and they had a strong following.”

YSERBIUS GANDALF

“Not very prog imo, but depends on your definition.”

MERCURIOUS

“Working on the basis that they’re not afraid to experiment and push boundaries, I’d say quite prog – perhaps 7/10? And, of course, they also have very strong prog connections through Geoffrey Richardson!”

PAUL COULTHREAD

“Very much so. Their music is eclectic and hard to categorise. It draws on traditional British and European music, US folk/bluegrass, and classical music. There was nothing else like it at the time. Simon Jeffes was a true original. His son, Arthur, successfully keeps the flag flying with Penguin Cafe. North Sea Radio Orchestra are at times similar…”

NIGEL MAY

“Brian Eno was involved early in their career, so most probably, yes.”

STEVE HARRISON

“Neoclassical progressive pop, with just a hint of country and western… obviously.”

ANDREW BUCKLEY

“Simon Jeffes was definitely progressive with his ideas

(Telephone And Rubberband, for example) but essentially they are more classical or chamber orchestra. Having said that, North Sea Radio Orchestra are considered prog, so…”

STACY DOLLER

“They are very progressive, I’ve always seen them that way. I happened to be listening to them the moment I saw this post (Signs Of Life, since you ask, also just had Broadcasting From Home on).”

DUNCAN PARSONS

“Pppp prog up a Penguin.”

JAMES ALLEN

“Very cool name. But never heard of them!”

RICHARD MALLETT

“Very progressive: their creative approach to orchestral music makes each song sound unique. Maybe not progressive rock as such, but all of their music is beautiful.”

ED WILKINS

“They certainly were idiosyncratic. The mix of musical genres was different than most prog, but I don’t think that should disqualify them as such.”

KEITH WILKERSON

“Isn’t everything on E.G. Records prog by default?”

MARTIN INGRAM