PROG STARTER FOR 20
I was asked recently by an old school friend to put together a prog playlist
for him. He knew I was a huge fan and was interested in broadening his musical tastes, particularly within the progressive sphere. He’d already listened to several tracks by Yes and Pink Floyd, which he’d liked, but sadly he had not been able to ‘get into’ Jethro Tull (he will learn!).
I collated what, to my mind, was a reasonable representation of the old and new of the progressive genre. I included a few classic tracks that I thought he would recognise, plus a number of newer artists, which when put together, showcased a wide range of musical styles. It then got me thinking, how would other progressive rock fans judge my ‘prog smorgasbord’, and if they received the same request, what tracks and artists would they put forward to friends as a progressive rock amuse-bouche?
So, here is the playlist I created: 20 progressive tracks, designed to enthral, entice and amaze a prog newbie:
1. Rush – La Villa Strangiato
2. Crippled Black Phoenix – Times, They Are A’raging
3. North Atlantic Oscillation – Drawing Maps From Memory
4. Public Service Broadcasting – Go!
5. Anathema – Thin Air
6. Lunatic Soul – Out On A Limb
7. Porcupine Tree – Dark Matter
8. The Pineapple Thief – Kid Chameleon
9. Sigur Rós – Hoppípolla
10. Brian Eno – An Ending (Ascent)
11. Dead Can Dance – Children Of The Sun
12: King Crimson – 21st Century
Schizoid Man
13. Focus – Sylvia
14. Emerson Lake And Palmer – Fanfare For The Common Man
15. Pink Floyd – Echoes
16. Tangerine Dream – Thru
Metamorphic Rocks
17. Steve Hackett – Spectral Mornings
18. Amplifier – Where The River Goes
19. Steve Wilson – Home Invasion/ Regret #9
20. Klone – Yonder
Putting the list together made me realise just how spoilt we are! The great artists I omitted from this list: Genesis, Mike Oldfield, Vangelis, Jean-Michel Jarre, Opeth, Riverside, Sanguine Hum, Marillion, Ozric Tentacles, etc. All I can say is I hope my friend realises what he has started.
Andrew McKenna, via email What a great starter playlist! We hope your old school friend enjoys the selection and uses it to build his own prog music collection. You’re absolutely correct: we’re very spoiled by all the fantastic music out there. – Deputy Ed.