Seminal prog albums you’ve never even listened to

[Teddy Vengeance]

What I mean is this...

Like most PEers I’ve listened to tens of thousands of albums in and around the genre, including many of the more obscure (and occasionally, obtuse) artists discussed here.

I finally heard Miles’ In A Silent Way just last week.

And yet I have still never heard Close To The Edge, Wish You Were Here, neither Islands nor Poseidon, and nothing ever by Rush, ‘cept that Snowdog thing when I was 16.

How about you? Are there any seminal prog (or thereabouts) albums or artists you haven’t even listened to once?

[thedunno]

For me its Zappa. I know its essential stuff and that I will probably like a lot of it. The problem that he was soo damn productive during his (too short) lifespan that I would not know where to start.

I still PLAN to dive in someday.

[Zeuhlmate]

Never felt the need to listen to an entire album with Rush, Marillion, Kansas, or the Pink Floyd albums after Whish you were here (that was the drop)...
There are many other albums discussed at PE that I haven't heard.

I would say that you should hear Close to the edge - its has its moments!

[Zappathustra]

I've had another post-drinking listening session of In A Silent Way Saturday night (or better Sunday morning). I adore this record and what a consolation it has provided all these years of returning to it.

It's an embarrassing issue, and I have to think about it to answer. Mainly, it's outside prog that I feel completely illiterate sometimes.

[ThomasKDye]

How about you? Are there any seminal prog (or thereabouts) albums or artists you haven’t even listened to once?

Still haven't listened to VdGG or Magma (I kind of get that Magma may not be my thing, though). I'm curious about VdGG but have just not gotten around to them.

[walt]

I've heard zero Tull after Thick As A Brick.I'm sure there's music there i'd like but those early albums were(are) so important to me i suppose i thought later stuff couldn't possibly reach the heights of the first five.

My loss.

[arturs]

And yet I have still never heard Close To The Edge, Wish You Were Here, neither Islands nor Poseidon, and nothing ever by Rush, ‘cept that Snowdog thing when I was 16.

I admit I'm curious how you could have avoided WYWH and Rush for all these years. Anyone growing up in the late 70s and through the 80s was bombarded with WYWH, Have a Cigar and even Shine On on FM rock radio. Same with Rush, particularly the Moving Pictures album. So you couldn't have avoided them even if you tried. Maybe you are too young for that era? Or maybe you mean you just haven't heard the full albums as opposed to individual tracks?

Regarding your question I don't think any unheard classic prog albums are left for me. The last one was PF's Animals, which my FM rock stations did not play for whatever reason. I rectified that via Youtube a few years ago after a similar thread to this one here on PE.

Zappa would be one where I still have some work to do. But, as pointed out above, he was so prolific and had so many styles that you never know what you will get with him.

[Progatron]

And yet I have still never heard Close To The Edge, Wish You Were Here, neither Islands nor Poseidon, and nothing ever by Rush, ‘cept that Snowdog thing when I was 16.

I don't know if Islands or Poseidon are necessarily what I think of as 'seminal', but I love them both. If you haven't listened to CTTE or WYWH by now, I doubt there's anything I could say to tempt you that you haven't heard at this point!

For me its Zappa. I know its essential stuff and that I will probably like a lot of it. The problem that he was soo damn productive during his (too short) lifespan that I would not know where to start.

I still PLAN to dive in someday.

Take that leap! Yes, it's a huge pool, but it's a rewarding swim! His stuff can be immensely varied, but just pick any album you want from the 1970s and see what you think, for starters.

Still haven't listened to VdGG or Magma (I kind of get that Magma may not be my thing, though). I'm curious about VdGG but have just not gotten around to them.

VDGG are essential IMO, but then because of how unique they are, they are love-it-or-hate-it usually. But if you fall on the 'love it' side, you'll be glad you got into them. One of my top favourite bands, and a deep emotional bond that would be impossible to break. I know what you mean about not getting around to them (you can't listen to everything), but set aside 40 minutes and listen to Pawn Hearts. You'll either hate it, or you'll never look back.

I've heard zero Tull after Thick As A Brick.I'm sure there's music there i'd like but those early albums were(are) so important to me i suppose i thought later stuff couldn't possibly reach the heights of the first five.

My loss.

That's strange to me that you would like the first five so much and then never check out what came after. For one thing, you drew the line just before what is the favourite album of many prog heads, A Passion Play, but also you're missing out on plenty of excellent stuff that came after that. Tull were fantastic at least through the 1970s. Particularly the major gems like Minstrel In The Gallery and Songs From The Wood. You really should investigate!

[Teddy Vengeance]

I admit I'm curious how you could have avoided WYWH and Rush for all these years. Anyone growing up in the late 70s and through the 80s was bombarded with WYWH, Have a Cigar and even Shine On on FM rock radio. Same with Rush, particularly the Moving Pictures album. So you couldn't have avoided them even if you tried. Maybe you are too young for that era? Or maybe you mean you just haven't heard the full albums as opposed to individual tracks.

I’m sure that sounds from those albums entered my ears via background radio or the guy next door’s car 8-track system during the 70s and 80s (I’m 60 now) but I was never conscious of it being WYWH or MP. I could not tell you a thing about how any of the tracks from those albums sound, including Shine On (except, maybe, the titular line) or Have a Cigar.

[rcarlberg]

I think it's shameful not to have even HEARD these seminal albums. How long would it take?

On a related note, however, there are lots of highly-revered bands which I've heard, but never took a liking to and so don't own any. I won't start a flamewar by listing them. Let's just say "some big names."

[Zappathustra]

I browsed the Top200 at Gnosis, and I had to reach at number 195 for an unknown record to emerge (some Spanish band). I guess I am ok.

But I have covered a lot of ground the last 3 years. I made a conscious decision to really explore the genre. Before that I only knew the basic, seminal UK stuff mostly.

[alucard]

Having started listening to Prog in the 70s I discovered and followed (to a certain extent) all "major" bands, but I never listened or own a record by Rush and Marillion. I remember having heard 'Kayleigh' by Marillion and a single by Rush ( they have this high pitched vocals singer don't they?) or anything later from the 80s until Anekdoten, Echolyn etc

[Rarebird]

I'm just discovering Frank Zappa, but I still need to find out what albums I like and which I don't like.
With King Crimson, I never came past In the court of the crimson king.
I don't have any Magma and just one Ange. Magma might be interesting.
From Miles Davis I only have Tutu. Not that much into jazz.
The Gong I love is when Pierre Moerlen took control.

[Gizmotron]

I am in a bit of disconnect here...exactly why is it relevant to post this on a Progressive Music forum if you have not listened to what are arguably some of the most characteristic albums of said genre?

I am not trying to be a wise acre, I am genuinely befuddled as to why it is important to point out what you have not listened to. Is there a benefit from avoiding them?
I hate to say it but it seems to be say you are proud of being closed minded.

Again, I mean no offense...i am just confused.

[ThomasKDye]

I am in a bit of disconnect here...exactly why is it relevant to post this on a Progressive Music forum if you have not listened to what are arguably some of the most characteristic albums of said genre?

I am not trying to be a wise acre, I am genuinely befuddled as to why it is important to point out what you have not listened to. Is there a benefit from avoiding them?
I hate to say it but it seems to be say you are proud of being closed minded.

Again, I mean no offense...i am just confused.

Because we are not required to be all-prog, all the time.

I'm so "closed-minded" that I've discovered Weather Report, Return to Forever, Klaus Schulze, Jean-Michel Jarre, Coyote Oldman, and many others. I will get around to the ones I haven't heard but I've got to get some enjoyment out of the new stuff first.

[Gizmotron]

Because we are not required to be all-prog, all the time.

I'm so "closed-minded" that I've discovered Weather Report, Return to Forever, Klaus Schulze, Jean-Michel Jarre, Coyote Oldman, and many others. I will get around to the ones I haven't heard but I've got to get some enjoyment out of the new stuff first.

Yes, I listen to Classical, jazz (all forms), Chinese music, Indian music, Thai music, African music, ambient music, folk music, and many more.
I personally don't see any borders or restrictions...it is all music. I am all about listening to as much new music as possible. And that generally seems to be the vibe here (encouraging listening). Please don't misunderstand, I have not done or heard it all...there is tons of great music out there I have not heard. But I am working at it every day.

So I am genuinely puzzled about the original post seems to celebrate not listening.

[moecurlythanu]

I am in a bit of disconnect here...exactly why is it relevant to post this on a Progressive Music forum if you have not listened to what are arguably some of the most characteristic albums of said genre?

I am not trying to be a wise acre, I am genuinely befuddled as to why it is important to point out what you have not listened to. Is there a benefit from avoiding them?
I hate to say it but it seems to be say you are proud of being closed minded.

Again, I mean no offense...i am just confused.

I don't think it's closed mindedness at all, just circumstances and musical priorities. I expect that the albums were never listened to because they were never listened to. It happens. Doesn't mean that it's a willful, calculated decision.

There were several that I only heard in the last 3 years, and I'm 58. For me at this time...Tarkus, Trilogy, Pictures At An Exhibition. Also A Saucerful Of Secrets, Ummagumma, Atom Heart Mother, & Obscured By Clouds. However, I've heard a lot of tracks from these albums on live recordings and the like.

[ThomasKDye]

but set aside 40 minutes and listen to Pawn Hearts.

45 minutes, actually, according to Wikipedia. Doing it now. I'll have more insight when I've listened to it twice, but so far it's fun in a Gong/Zappa sort of way.

[rcarlberg]

There's no REQUIREMENT that everybody listens to EVERYTHING. There's certainly no shame in not liking something, even something most people think is a masterpiece.

But there's no reason for pride in never having even heard something. I mean these days, what does it take, two seconds to YouTube anything???

[Progatron]

45 minutes, actually, according to Wikipedia. Doing it now. I'll have more insight when I've listened to it twice, but so far it's fun in a Gong/Zappa sort of way.

Excellent!

[Kcrimso]

Lots of Zappa albums. I hate his "humour".

[Shadow]

Anything RIO. To me it's just not listenable.

[Steve F.]

Anything RIO. To me it's just not listenable.

How would you know?

[Camelogue]

Is this just a way of saying "I don't like what you like?"

[rcarlberg]

How would you know?

To be fair, RIO requires a bit of active ENGAGEMENT (shall we say) from the listener, it does not flow comfortably into the ears without effort.