The TEN PROGGIEST ALBUMS of the 1970s | RANKED

[@roddmcleodable]

Andy - I grew up in the 80s and never listened to Topographic Oceans because people said it was so bad. In my 40s I finally listened to it and LOVED IT. The Revealing Science of God was like a creation myth about life on earth, creatures moving from the seas to the land, from the forests to the cities... a deep history of biology. Wth great riffs and melodies!

[@garygomesvedicastrology]

Most of the people I knew who hated Tales were part of the populist wave that started around 1972 and was trying to predict what the working classes would like. The move away from Progressive started as early as 1969, then again in late 1971-1972. The timing of Tales release was bad for epic works.

[@smitlag]

I like Andy's videos. But he doesn't seem to venture far outside of England. Maybe it's well deserved since so much of the prog stuff originated there. He never includes the American band Dixie Dreggs. A band of virtuoso musicians that cover literally every genre in every album. You have Celtic, Bluegrass, Jazz fusion, classical, and rock on every album. They were almost an American answer to the Mahavishnu Orchestra.

[@garygomesvedicastrology]

​​@@smitlag​@smitlag I agree. There were even Prog bands in the United States in the late 1960s like the United States of America, for one example. Genesis got inspiration from a Detroit band called SRC. There was also Boston, Styx, the Flock,(the group Jerry Goodman came from), Spirit,Ars Nova. And a lot of 1968 psychedelic was at least proto Prog. I preferred the British groups as well, but there seems to be a kind of a blind spot here to what was being attempted in the United States, in particular. There were also Prog bands in Greece, Scandinavia, Australia and South America. It was a global style. It still has its most fervent audiences in South America.

[@smitlag]

Well, to me anyhow, how do you justify Pink Floyd and overlook Kansas or Ambrosia's early stuff. Musicianship isn't in the same league, although I do enjoy their music. Styx definitely had some prog on their earlier stuff. I'd even ask Andy to venture to New Zealand and listen to some of the deeper work of the Split Enz. Kayak was a great Dutch progressive band that later changed into more of a progressive pop. But, the first 4 or 5 albums definitely were a very melodic form of prog. And we are not even getting into the metal, symphonic prog over the last 20 years. Cairo was another short lived band with some amazing music.

[@garygomesvedicastrology]

@@smitlag Early Split Enz were an incredible band.

[@stevesmith3990]

Tales and Olias give me that warm fuzzy feeling of being able to immerse into another world of music where everything is dreamy and magical, great talk Andy - thanks.

[@RicardoRMartinelli]

The Lamb deserves a movie as much as Tommy had one.

[@danielsaraceni1848]

Thanks for mentioning Henry Cow. They are so overlooked.

[@MattCarter67]

Great to see Henry Cow get an airing! I think In Praise Of Learning is their best.

[@BrennanYoung]

it's a heavy-going ride, for sure. Leg end is easy listening by comparison. "Western Culture" is just a touch more out there IMO. If "In Praise Of Learning" is "Ulysses", "Western Culture" is "Finnegans Wake"

[@MattCarter67]

@@BrennanYoung Yes, Western Culture is an amazing achievement!

[@Baribrotzer]

One big difference between Frank Zappa and Henry Cow: HC are NOT FUNNY. Not at all. They make rather a point of it, in fact.

[@weitzen]

Agreed!!!!

[@wjstephens4654]

Yes indeed. Henry Cow are imo one of the very greatest musical ensembles of the 20th century. IMO their music will live and be studied and admired long after most of the rest will be forgotten.

[@JohnnyRecently]

Great idea for a video, Andy. Resplendent execution. I adore A Passion Play. Thanks for including it. I wish Anderson would have played soprano sax beyond A Passion Play.

[@brucefournier2391]

Totally agree, the soprano added another dimension. I was fortunate to have met Anderson. If memory serves, it was the Songs From the Wood or Heavy Horses tour. I brought up A Passion Play, suggesting, 'will we ever hear another one'. Ian kind of snarked at it and said," that one was Martin's, ask him".

[@massimofalcinelli5043]

Dont worry about the pronunciation, its great that you mentioned the PFM! That was a time, where Italy had a real underground/prog-scene. Area, Osanna, Balletto di bronzo, Museo Rosenbach and other bands are woth listening to too .....nice job, again, Andy!!

[@jdmresearch]

Banco del Mutuo Soccorso and Pierot Lunaire. Also, great.

[@damirhlobik6488]

Il rovescio della medaglia, buon vecchio charlie, the trip, goblin

[@lamecasuelas2]

Biglietto per l'inferno, Campo di marte

[@diogenes2550]

A time is “when”, not “where.”

[@AndrewjWilson]

Another great video ,Andy. Well done. Gentle Giant are big faves of prog band Saga

[@jeffsimon9594]

Yeah, I believe Richard Williams of Kansas was/is also a GG fan

[@VultureClone]

A top prog list without 'Dark side of the moon' or 'Tubular Bells' is such a breath of fresh air. Thank you.

[@tonyrapa-tonyrapa]

I'm not an ELP fanboi but I'm glad to see you are re-evaluating them. I remember you saying, in another video, that Keith Emerson wasn't really as good as the fusion guys. I didn't comment on that video but it didn't sit well with me. I hope you're now realising what an amazing keyboardist he was and that he was more than capable of keeping up with the fusion lads.

[@terrapin323]

This is one of the lists of all time!

[@garygomesvedicastrology]

Barriemore Barlow was on Thick As A Brick, too, in case nobody mentioned it. He was an incredible drummer for Tull. Critics kind of had it om for Tull since Benefit from what I recall. Lots of critics hated Tarkus and Tales from Topographic Oceans too! I think TFTO initiated the trend towards hating Prog, but they had a head start with ELP!

[@scottrap]

Andy, I’ve had “A Passion Play” just sitting there in my vinyl collection and I haven’t really given it a chance until now. I’m seriously digging it so thank you for the tip!

[@drdave300]

I've got the complete Tull collection, and Passion Play is definitely the most-played of them all.

[@LanceRED58]

Andy I've really enjoyed this !!

[@JeffCooper10538]

Brilliant choice for number 1 and agree Olias is up there too. ❤

[@splankhoon]

I have three Gong albums and it's the 'Teapot' trilogy. 'You' is my absolute favourite. Thanks for giving them such a high spot!

[@RicardoRMartinelli]

Back in 89 JT went for the very first time to play in Brazil and I had the opportunity to participate in their press interview. Asked by a provocative reporter if prog was dead, Ian answered that if prog was dead they may just go home to take care of their grandchildren (or something of the sort). I believe they see themselves as a prog band right from the beginning, as one can see from the living in the past album.

[@Benji306]

Thanks Andy! Great list. I might take out the Henry Cow, Jethro Tull and Rush and add; Le Orme - Felona E Sorona Van Der Graaf Generator - Pawn Hearts King Crimson - Red Now that's a 'Proggiest of the 70's list'!!!

[@garygomesvedicastrology]

I agree with Pawn Hearts. I never heard Le Orme and need to correct that. Personally, I think Red really isn't that wonderful-it's good, but a bit safe for me. Rush is a group I admire but don't enjoy that much. HC (and Magma and Hatfield and the North) deserve a lot more attention. I would have included Soft Machine Vol. 2, Third or Fourth, but it is all about our perspective, right? The Gong Trilogy is great but I don't know if I personally would have included it. It was a transition from free form to large fusion-inspired jams; probably an accurate reflection of the band's evolution and Gong 's move from Byg records to more commercial Virgin.

[@user-mad7max11dystopia]

To me, the amazing thing is Rush was a band with nearly impenetrable density and prog lyrics that just were so f***ing great as musicians they built a following in every town across North America that filled arenas and stadiums. My wife used to lock herself away when I put those mice singing on the stereo. Yet despite Geddy Lee’s shrieking we listened and found music and stories we loved. Incredible.

[@grahamnunn8998]

The amazing thing about Passion Play is it was knocked together quickly after the disastrous sessions at Chateau d'Herouville. Modern day releases show those sessions were not so bad, an example of the heights Tull were aiming for!

[@YtuserSumone-rl6sw]

It is their most difficult album imo. I too need to revisit it. I adore the mentioned Forest Dance and wish it was much longer. Anyway, to get the concept, @Krendall2006 wrote an explanation on the lyrics and theme which is probably helpful to get ones head around the album: Traditionally, a passion play is a performance about the life of Jesus Christ. These plays could go for hours over a period of days. During intermissions, a fable would be acted out. "The Story of the Hare Who Lost His Spectacles" fills the role of the fable. ACT 1 The first half of the song is about a young man named Ronnie Pilgrim who dies. His spirit is allowed to stay on earth for his funeral (most of the attendees show up late). After his funeral, an angel appears and takes Ronnie to the afterlife. Once there, he is taken to a viewing room to be judged. His life is played like a movie, with the projectionist/judge being God, Jesus, or another angel. (The title of the piece is "In the Offices of G. Oddie & Son") Ronnie's achievements are first shown, but he is warned that it's all downhill from there. Ronnie's many shortcomings are then shown. Ronnie attempts to cover for himself, but the judge isn't fooled. The other angels and spiritual being taunt Ronnie at first, but then ask him what it's like to be alive. Ronnie feels all is lost, but the projectionist tells Ronnie he's been accepted. End Act 1 INTERMISSION It's a simple story of a hare who's lost his glasses. All of his animal friends attempt to come up with a solution, however no one ever asks Hare what he thinks the best solution is. The irony is that Hare already has a solution: a spare set of glasses. The moral: don't meddle in other peoples' business without their request. Fun fact: this segment is narrated/sung by bassist Jeffery Hammond-Hammond, not Ian Anderson. ACT 2 Ronnie is sitting in heaven and is shocked to find it boring. "Well I'll go to the foot of the stairs" is an English expression equivalent to "well I'll be damned." Ronnie walks up to God and begins chewing Him out, stating that Heaven is no place for people. Ronnie decides to try out Hell, thinking that place might be more fun. God, in a loving manner, lets Ronnie go. Ronnie then meets Lucifer, who explains his existence. Ronnie finds Hell even worse (and Lucifer much worse to be around than God) so he looks for another option. He discovers he can be reincarnated. Ronnie takes the option, and the song winds down with his anxious anticipation of being reborn and the extreme pain of the experience. The song ends with the Passion Play starting again, though it never really stopped. End Act 2 and song.

[@ronaldchives2486]

Thank you for mentioning Henry Cow, they have made some of my favourite albums, the drummer Chris Cutler is one of the best drummers I’ve ever heard, highly unusual but oh my, 🙂

[@BrennanYoung]

For me it's between Chris Cutler and Guy Evans. I'd never complain about Bruford or Collins or Peart or any of the other big names, who all fully deserve their monster reputations, they are all great drummers. It's just that Chris Cutler has a sort of unpredictable, explosive quality. He is like listening to a box of assorted fireworks that somebody has just tipped a random shovelful of embers into. Guy Evans is similar, but perhaps a touch more conventional, or maybe it's just that VDGG are a little more accessible than Henry Cow.

[@ronaldchives2486]

@@BrennanYoung I think Guy Evans is great, there’s just something about Chris Cutler’s rimshots even Tom Tom rimshots in with everything else, it’s just mesmerising🙂

[@kw19193]

Now Andrew you do know that PFM also released an English version of this album, yes? The World Became the World is breathtaking. Peter Sinfield provided some of his finest lyrics for this album, the title track and "The Mountain" in particular. Nice to see you rating it so highly. Cheers!

[@1dudeleek]

I have seen quite a bit of your posts right now. And damn, you're really great in getting it done. I mean, a lot of people on KZbin are rambling endlessly about music and it get's boring because they're choosing their picks because it's their picks. But you, and I want to stress this as a compliment Andy, are very bold but honest about the way you approach your subject. I can appreciate that. So, as a long time Beefheart, Zappa and David Sylvian fan, loving Motorhead and Slayer, hate U2, and love the John Zorn view on music, being in awe with bands like The Jam and King Crimson, you opened up another bottle of great openings. Thanks for that Andy. You're for real (and not alone because you worked with Bozzio ;-) Forgot to mention: greetings form the Netherlands.

[@BabosanTV]

Hi Andy, One of the things I appreciate the most is the evolution that you are experiencing. I remember when you dissed bands like ELP or Henry Cow, or at leasts you didn't care much for them. For a person that has been accompaniyng the channel, I've witnissed an evolution, a genuine interest in exploring / dissecting music. Before you challange the viewer, you challange yourself, and that is something I don't get from other youtubers. Keep up the good work. Cheers 👍

[@proghead122]

Andy, I know that you are not a fan of VDGG but surely Pawn Hearts should be on any Proggy list. I never got into A Plague Of Lighthouse Keepers at the time but 50 years later it all made perfect sense at last. you did have one of my absolute faves on there in PFM, I have the blue English version of that one- The World Became The World, The four English albums they made in the 70's for Manticore are probably some of my favourite prog albums and contain some amazing musicianship.

[@Michael-xr5yx]

Acquiring the taste channels arcane medieval creepiness better than any other prog album. And Olias is from another world. Great list!

[@davidf6326]

Acquiring the Taste reminds me of the music that was used for some children's programmes at the time - like Pogles' Wood. No wonder we all grew up a bit strange 😊

[@painless465]

Steve Hillage-Fish Rising BDGG-Pawn Hearts Camel-Mirage Caravan-For Girls who go Plump in the Night Ash Ra Tempel

[@mattstapleton9584]

Cannibal corpse too of course

[@peteh7966]

Gotta love Fish Rising - one of my absolute faves.

[@jeffsimon9594]

@@mattstapleton9584 They hold the high prestigious honour of being banned by the New Zealand gubmint!

[@ChrissHill-im7kj]

Yes Fragile. Starcastle first album King Crimson Red. Chris Squire Fish out of water. Genesis Foxtrot. Pink Floyd. Dark side of the moon. Nektar. Remember the future. Rush 2112. Vander Graaf generator. Pawn Hearts. UK. first album

[@gaborkerenyi4970]

What a super list! F**King Crimson is finally not included! I love that! You also mentioned Le Orme. I suggest their 1973 album Felona e Sorona to every prog fan. I would love to hear this kind of list from 80s, 90s, 2000s prog records as well.

[@jorgehothypego4681]

Side 1 from Tales, The Revealing Science of God, is , in my opinion, at the top of the list of best prog masterpiece...together with Close to the Edge.

[@batterytestchannel-v4v]

+1 for Olias of Sunhillow. The sleeve was gorgeous - I spent many an hour with it in my hands (the cover, that is) while listening to it. Criminally underrated.

[@diogenes2550]

Appreciate the clarification.

[@quayscenes]

Amazing list! So amazing I had to comment twice! Great calls on Olias of Sunhillow and PFM. Tales at number one, "Yes"! Tales as a full album is perfect, sacred, etc. However, I was pleasantly surprised at hearing the recent condensed Tales suite live. Finally, I would argue for including a King Crimson album as a tie for the number one spot.

[@apparaoapparao]

I will guess Astral Weeks doesn’t make the list.

[@leonardoleo6304]

Kkkkkkk

[@Hartlor_Tayley]

Astrid weeks would be better for me at least

[@chrismorgan7494]

😂😂😂

[@timhutton6802]

I wouldn't have said it's prog whatsoever.

[@chrismorgan7494]

@@timhutton6802 I think he was joking, referring to Andy's Astral Weeks video.

[@johndrx165]

I agree with your choice of Trilogy as my favorite ELP album. First concert was 1974 on their Brain Salad Surgery tour. Passion Play is a great choice also.

[@NelsonMontana1234]

Big Gentle Giant fan here and I keep hearing how Acquiring the Taste is their masterpiece but I always felt it was one of their weakest. I agree about ELP. They can be the absolute masters and the next moment curiously trite. Have you seen the video with Emerson and Oscar Peterson? It should have been epic and instead, Keith could not have made himself look worse. As for Tull, Stand Up was before Benefit and I think it's his zenith. . Passion Play may be very "proggy " but it also had the worst element of prog in that it sounded like a bunch of songs stuck together. And without a big finale. After that, I felt he just started repeating himself -- even though he always used great musicians and were tight as hell live. (Though Anderson's antics grew tiresome at that point). Topographic? It's brilliant but they overstepped a bit. That album needed more rehearsal to be what it was trying to be. It feels as if Alan White is overwhelmed. Squier isn't nearly as creative with his use of counterpoint as he usually is. And it seems like Howe wanted a 64 bar solo in every song. And also -- no big ending ala Close To The Edge. Therefore, it comes off as too rambling and too indulgent.

[@H-mu4bo]

Aphrodites Child "666" album is a prog meisterwork. Demis Roussos and Vangelis...religious themed prog that us truly nuts. Catchy too.

[@richardmace1428]

Also - Vangelis album 'Earth'. A bit rocky/proggy/world/ambient.

[@merlin5476]

Heaven and Hell was an amazing album too, hauntingly beautiful.

[@DavidRamos-nz4bh]

Just listened to Henry Cow. Amazing!

[@coolguitarchannel]

That thumbnail is fire

[@spellman007]

Hell ya Henry cow. Wave the red banner.

[@kubhlaikhan2015]

Saw Henry Cow live in north London. Half the audience were laying on the floor zonked on downers, swimming in blood and piss. Still haunts me.

[@jimmycampbell78]

Are you sure you were at a concert? It sounds like you accidentally attended the meeting of some bizarre cult

[@kubhlaikhan2015]

@@jimmycampbell78 That's what it felt like - in fact, TWO cults. One of them looked like university intellectuals sitting on chairs at the front stroking their beards and almost everyone else was at the back on the floor wallowing in vomit. Hands down the most nightmarish gig experience of my entire life. Barbs are the worst drug ever. The pills were floating all over the floor too.

[@richard127gm]

Wow! Bright... Much? You are, however, by far, the most educated and knowledgeable Music pundit. I always gain insights from your shows and never miss an episode. P.S. I've subscribed three times now because YT keeps unsubscribing me. Grrrr.

[@RicardoRMartinelli]

finally talking about the european prog scenario.

[@markruthin]

Spooky, Alucard (yes, I know it was on the debut album) just came on randomly as I was watching your bit about Acquiring The Taste. And you mentioned In A Glass House, which along with Playing The Fool you didn't mention on your Gentle Giant album rankings. But keep up the good work. One of your videos led to me buying £84 of CDs from Amazon, including Ever/IQ which I'd never heard of. And now I need to check out Henry Cow as I recognise some of the names from other albums in my possession. Keep up the good work!

[@toddmcdaniels1567]

Fine list, Andy. I would have included: Jade Warrior - Released, or Last Autumn’s Dream, or Floating World, or Kites. Great band I’d love to see you do a deep dive on. Steve Winwood advocated for getting some of their later albums produced and did some cameo instrumental contributions. The Lamb and Nursery Cryme are my favorite Genesis albums too. I think the Lamb possibly gained more reverence in the US. I remember somebody spray painted a huge ‘Genesis Rael’ on the side of one of the high school buildings (it wasn’t me). They were trying to target a harder edgier sound that was favored in the US at that time. I liked it. It had the Rock component of Prog Rock in a way that SEBtP simply did not.

[@TheGlssr60]

Rocinante is also the name of the ship in "The Expanse". Great sci-fi show if you're interested. And I did think of Cygus X-1 when I heard the name of the ship in that show. "The Revealing Science of God" is the first track of TFTO. "The Ancient" is my least favorite track on the album though. Saw Jon Anderson solo some years back and he was trying to sing the end section of "Ritual" and couldn't remember the words. From about the fifth row I helped him out. He acknowledged me and the crowd gave me a round of applause. One of the best moments of my life.

[@vizzini589]

Well done Andy. Always gain a new appreciation for music after watching one of your vids. When I was a teenager in the mid 70's (was listening to a lot of prog at the time.) decided to buy my first real stereo. So I went to best audio store in the city, brought a few of my favourite albums and started to dig in. After narrowing down the choices, the sales rep says "here, try listening to this" and put on PFM. I was like, what the hell is that? I ended up buying that stereo and been a fan of PFM ever since. Haven't heard anybody reference them in such a long time. Thanks for bringing back such a fond memory.

[@johnreuter4916]

Barlow first plays on TAAB. No one else could have played it as well. He is vastly underappreciated because of the focus on Anderson as the overall creator. He is one of the greatest drummers of all time. I didn't know he was self taught. Love your channel.

[@MarionJInce]

I love Tales from Topographic Oceans, but I didn’t think anybody else did. Good #1 !

[@Jpeterson7]

To me, the Lamb will stand as an epic work forever. Nothing like it. It's stirs up emotions like anger, fear, hope. The sounds they create are stunning. There's space, allowing Phil to shine on drums. It breathes, soars, pummels. I can see why Peter left after it. What else was left to do for him in Genesis?

[@tonyrapa-tonyrapa]

Very much agree with the Gong's PHP Trilogy - a very much underrated trio of albums.

[@russellhammond4373]

Great video and a great top 10 or twelve (depending on how to group things together). I think you covered all proggy bases.

[@quayscenes]

Tuning in to see how many more ways Andy can beat this horse... Then being pleasantly surprised with Henry Cow! (Switching it up and beating the cow instead)! 🐮

[@DavidRamos-nz4bh]

I usually stop the podcast and listen and I was blown away by the Henry Cow stuff. Groundbreaking stuff.

[@quayscenes]

@@DavidRamos-nz4bh I bought that yellow Henry Cow box a few years ago! It is some intense stuff. I have to be in a Cow mood for it though! When I am it smacks!

[@thesteve7397]

I was ready to completely write you off as a music critic when you said you never listened to the first disk of TFTO. Luckily you redeemed yourself when you mentioned how you came to appreciate it in later years. To me Tales feels like two albums; the absolutely brilliant first disk which represents the pinnacle of prog composition, and the second disk which is all over the map stylistically and rather hit and miss musically.

[@richard8417]

Finally some Italian prog ❤️

[@aaronconverse9621]

Have to admit that Three Friends is my favorite album of theirs...I guess I'm not proggy enough!

[@mattw8332]

Three Friends is my favourite GG album too.

[@BrennanYoung]

I had "Acquiring the Taste" and "Three Friends" on both sides of a C-90. For me they are a double album, unseparable and brilliant.

[@aminahmed2220]

What a fantastic video have a wonderful weekend Andy ❤😊

[@tonybowman9612]

Thank you for the Jethro Tull recognition. Finally!

[@davidpirkola1547]

The only time I saw Tull in concert was on the PASSION PLAY tour. Incredible concert!

[@jamesgriffithsmusic]

This was brilliant, thanks.

[@AndyEdwardsDrummer]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@Audiojunkabus]

What a fun topic. .. hard to disagree with that list. The 1st album that came to mind for me was Tales of Mystery and Imagination.. it exemplifies the prog rock penchant for experimentation, both in music and in concept. thanks for the free entertainment Andy.

[@zootallures6470]

Magma first three, Daevid Allen's Gong, Soft Machine Vol I& II.

[@zootallures6470]

I wrote the above before the stream. GG is my favorite band and I like seeing Acquiring the Taste on the list because it’s different from the other albums. But even more _Passion Play_ by Jethro Tull because Thick As A Brick is always pushing it out from every list. And yes, agreed that Play is more complex, etc than Brick.

[@nightsazrael]

I watch you, because you are Knowledgeable & amusing. But shockingly, we agree on Genesis"s best albums. 😮 So I subscribed.

[@Leo_ofRedKeep]

Göbekli Tepe was a landing platform for flying teapots. We know this beyond doubt from the tea pillars.

[@Hedmath]

Great list. Nice that PFM got some love. I think that the italian scene was seriously proggy. Museo Rosenbach and Banco del mutuo soccorso could also fit on this list and 30+ more italian bands ;-)

[@ianwhite6812]

Works Volume 1 - my first ever heavyweight vinyl album purchase, when I superglued sides 2 & 3 together to avoid accidently playing them whilst out of my head...

[@Disciple_Of_Lerxst]

I've been a Rush fan for about 45 years and I would agree that AFTK is probably their most progy, although prior to watching this, I'd never given a second of thought as to which was most Progy. Good list.

[@loupasternak]

rush sucks

[@Monetize_This]

Starting w Henry Cow is a good sign! I prefer Leg End. So many great musicians associated with them. Love Peter Blegvad. Great underrated insightful And funny songwriter…they’re definitely in a class by themselves and certainly not for everyone

[@Yes_Jorge_Yes]

Tales is my favorite Yes Album along with Relayer.... and it is the album that I listen the most.

[@paulmcmillen5925]

I love this list. It makes me want to check out more of PFM. Thanks.

[@visionproductionsnz7828]

It's the bleeding "Revealing Science of God" for God's sake Andy! It's one of Yes's three epic masterpieces and an incredible opening to a double vinyl.

[@koszim]

Another amazing video by Andy and thank you. These videos are so important especially for the young ages...because the supremacy and high inteligence of Pink Floyd with Prog Albums like Wish you were here, Animals and the legendary Dark Side of the Moon, overshadowed the entire musical production of that particular decade. Also it's very worrying that some of these bands and artists, today are known only from some Pop songs like Sledgehammer, Easy lover, Owner of a Lonely Heart etc. That's too bad -(

[@justicelovingskunk9910]

I love Henry Cow. Some corrections for you... Chris Cutler wasn't a founding member but joined in 1972, the first album (Legend) was released in 1973. They were from Cambridge not Canterbury and were loosely influenced by the Canterbury scene or at least Soft Machine, but they weren't really in any way part of it. I'm in two minds about classifying them as progressive rock which I think is a post Beatles movement. That's just not part of the sound. Frank Zappa/Mothers is really the starting point for this music.

[@ricwilliams9922]

Phenomenally fun to listen to you!

[@Kuesel68]

I always learn a lot from you, Andy, thanks a lot! I know that you sometimes try to be a bit controversial, but it's not controverisal actually but very well based by your explanations. So let's see what you have which I also included in my list yesterday... Farewell to Kings, Acquiring the Taste, Jethro Tull (but I got the "wrong ones", probably because I am not too familiar with Passion Play), Genesis (but as I mentioned in my other post, you would not put Selling on the list, so this I knew already :)) I left out PFM and ELP, even though that they are really highly influencial and deep prog bands, but it's not much of my taste (as most of Genesis and espeically Yes - I tried to get into these bands many times, they just don't hit me). So my taste is quite different but as I said you explained it very well why you were choosing these albums, thanks!

[@oleksandrtkach3505]

Thank you for mentioning Henry Cow and not seeing here Pink Floyd)) Nice video and really powefull list!!

[@lupcokotevski2907]

Love 200 (1970) by Australian composer Peter Sculthorpe, a 20 minute piece written for prog rock band Tully, the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, soprano and male voice. Its debut recorded live in early 1970 at the Sydney Town Hall. Its on youtube. Its not easy to out prog a band with a Symphony. The drummer for Tully was a child prodigy, all of them superb multi instrumentalists.

[@H-mu4bo]

Oh yes Tully were great. I liked bands like Pirana too, even though they were more heavily influenced by Santana.

[@lupcokotevski2907]

@@H-mu4bo yep, they sure were. Australia had so many interesting bands in the early 70's.

[@Hydrocorax]

I can go along with this list. Nice to see "In Praise of Learning" on there. One thing about "The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway," its concept is proggy as all get out, but structurally, the songs are the least proggy of the Gabriel/Genesis era, favoring quite short songs with traditional verse/chorus organization.

[@salsalzman2325]

This is the correct call! Yes, Tales is the proggiest prog album, and if they would have trimmed a few minutes from The Remembering, it would have been the finest prog album as well. It's that close, maybe 5 or 6 redundant minutes removed from perfection.

[@batterytestchannel-v4v]

Regarding ELP, I’d have to give the nod to Tarkus for sheer ridiculousness. “The story of a cybernetic armadillo-like creature named Tarkus. It emerges from a volcanic eruption ("Eruption") and encounters various enemies, represented by different musical movements.” Need I say more?!

[@AndyEdwardsDrummer]

if only the other side was better

[@FOMMaintenance]

If u want ridiculous I'm going with Benny the bouncer on brain salad surgery

[@vergedrums]

@@FOMMaintenanceHell yes! Weirdest ELP song ever.

[@kratino]

@@FOMMaintenance I LOVE Benny. Love it. And it absolutely belongs on this album. Talk about dark!

[@kratino]

@@AndyEdwardsDrummer The Only Way/Infinite Space is terrific.

[@rodhester2166]

It does you and I both good to hear your thoughts on all topics music.. cheers ..

[@timbeaton5045]

@13:1 That fracturing of melody lines between parts is called Hocketting,. BTW.

[@PeterWasted]

I think of Thick as a Brick and Passion Play as companion pieces. Thick as a Brick is about transitions from youth to adulthood to old age and about generational change not really being change at all. It's about the little things in life being the significant things. Passion Play is about Life, Death, Afterlife, Reincarnation and the major things in life being trivial... I assumed for years that it was deliberately done, then I found out about the abandoned recording sessions at Chateau d'Herouville. When these finally surfaced on, "Nightcap" it was clearly not the same thematic concept as Passion Play (I'm not actually sure what the concept was). Passion Play is certainly the more Proggy of the two. For my personal taste, I find, "The hare who lost his spectacles", to be intrusive and unwelcome and I really wish they had made it a separate track on digital media!

[@batterytestchannel-v4v]

Yes, "Hare" really only makes sense on the LP as a kind of intermission / comic relief while you flip the disk.

[@wahid-lg1kk]

Listening to Henry Cow induces in me an almost uncontrollable desire to take a medium sized wooden mallet, and keep time strongly, with my cranium serving for a tympanum. Topographic Oceans is brilliant, now that I am suddenly an old guy, but when I was 13-14 I couldn't deal with it, unless at peak synesthesia, when it would look very nice, grand progressions of geometric figures light years accross composed of intricate patterns of tiny machines spinning away at incomprehensible tasks. Good stuff.

[@gab99]

Need to get brightness /highlights dimmed on that setting 😎

[@grahamnunn8998]

Yer riah is looking too white Andy!

[@davidwylde8426]

I knew where you were going,( been watching for couple of years). It should have been ‘The Lamb’. But given your jazz fusion love …. It all makes sense .

[@garygomesvedicastrology]

I saw the Lamb tour. It was one of the best rock concerts I ever saw. I saw Cecil Taylor, Ornette Coleman, Henry Cow, Magma, King Crimson and Genesis within 6 months in 1974. Tremendous stretch of luck Sun Ra in late 1973. Great time to be alive. (I could have seen Derek Bailey in London, but I felt like I was pressing my luck.) I would have loved to have seen Gong around that time.

[@eximusic]

These picks happen to coincide with my favorite picks on several of these bands. Lamb, Tales, Passion Play are my own favorites from those 3 bands and top prog picks for me. Acquiring the Taste also one of my fav Gentle Giant albums, although I might put Glass House or Power and Glory above it. Any Henry Cow pick is a good one. PFM is a good pick and they were popular for the early 70s prog crowd - they were definitely being played on FM underground in the US.

[@Darrylizer1]

I still have my Olias Of Sunhillow album I got in highschool! You are spot on about this album, it's brilliant and one of the best of the era. In fact this whole list is my life in highschool, (just add Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple and the Sex Pistols).

[@RicardoRMartinelli]

Now we can listen to Tales as it is supposed to be played, as a single symphony song with four movements, without intermission and with the extended version, all set as a single track by any audio editor.

[@R2112-i9c]

BJH "Everyone is Everybody Else", Beggars Opera " Waters of Change",Egg s/t,The Trip " Caronte"Julian Jay Savarin" Waiters on The Dance".

[@RicardoRMartinelli]

I only saw the Lamb life version from Genetics, and it is amazing, I can only imagine how deep it was with band.

[@scottbookman]

Peter Blegvad of Slap Happy mention with Henry Cow is brilliant ...his solo albums and work with the Golden Paliminos is fantastic.

[@BrennanYoung]

Desperate Straights is a lovely, weird, sparkling thing. Slapp Happy were definitely more "art rock" than prog but a notable influence on Cardiacs. Blegvad is an extraordinary wordsmith, and a quite quirky songwriter too. He did some very interesting collaborations with Andy Patridge of XTC.

[@scottbookman]

@@BrennanYoung i have the Partridge collaborations too.

[@panurge987]

Thick as a Brick was Barlow's first Tull album.

[@JC-nl5cd]

My brother Andy needs to lecture us on Depeche Mode and their prog origins.

[@Michael-xr5yx]

Lack of vocals make's it a questionable true "concept album" but I'd put Red Queen to Gryphon Three on my list personally.

[@loupasternak]

cool of you to mention this epic work, and I would not even recall that it had not vocals. Thus, that's no knock . Prog has nothing to do with the vocals really.

[@christophermoebs5514]

Benefit is Tull's 3rd album that everyone seems to forget but I liked it when it was released. They lost me after Passion Play because it was like another Thick as a Brick

[@batterytestchannel-v4v]

I agree that Benefit is underrated. And Glen Cornick was an underrated bassist.

[@stevemacarthur9660]

Captain Andy - glad to hear you throwing some love to the Cow - Bittern Storm Over Ulm from Unrest is one of my favorites; Concerts is a very underrated live album, though I suppose they're not everyone's cup of tea.

[@weitzen]

Excellent first choice.....just love that Henry Cow vibe. No time for there politics but love the music , a glorious racket!!!

[@andyshan]

I'm a huge Henry Cow fan, their marvelous boxset collection is a must for fans. I'm not Rush fan, never understood their appeal. I've tried, believe me. Can't stand them. I love Acquiring the Taste, Tony Visconti producing, terrific stuff. Much more inclined towards ELP 1 & 2, anything after that is a bit weak IMO. A Passion Play is their finest moment, Ian Anderson is an extraordinary songwriter across all their 70's albums. Listened to PFM back in the day but don't remember any of their stuff now. Will have to revisit. Olias and Sunhillow is too much of its time. Haven't wanted to listen to it since. The Lamb is a great album, The band wrote the music and it's terrific, Tony Banks especially, and Peter wrote the lyrics and narrative. It's not a Peter Gabriel album. Still love Tales and its marvelous meanderings. The band at their most adventurous. Relayer also. No Buggles allowed.

[@edljnehan2811]

Really?? You really think Trilogy and Brain Salad Surgery or weak? I mean I agree with you on the 1st and 2nd albums however Trilogy in Brain Salad Surgery or powerful and about is p r o g as you can get😊

[@Mark-qz2nu]

Nice to hear you mention a Passion Play 👍 if not for stand up this would be my favorite Tull album.

[@Rasenschneider]

What about "Voyage of the Acolyte" by Steve Hackett? A beautiful and versatile prog concept album!. Nearly a Genesis album.

[@LanceRED58]

Fantastic Album !!!!!