Preface: I just wrote a TON and my laptop (like usual) froze up, and I guess it didn't automatically save, because the page was blank... I also hope I don't forget to mention any bands, but here goes.. again.
In the last 2-3 years, I've noticed being only interested in and searching for 70s prog-rock bands fronted by women. Even non-prog, I prefer listening to women, probably because a majority of the vocalists I have in my 5,500 mp3 collection are male and now that I'm months away from 40, I've found myself constantly trying to expand, as opposed to being in my comfort zone, listening to the same stuff.. It's the same way with movies - I like movies centered around ladies, like "Rachel, Rachel" or the very unique Norwegian 2013 movie, "Blind".
Engineering and production is very important to me, which is probably why I prefer the 70s sound (and late 60s). Before that, the drums and bass were too quiet. But, the songs just seem better. I spent years using the spare time to listen to music I didn't know on new bands/artists so I could finally see a band in their prime, and have an upcoming album to look forward to. Roger Waters just released one, but I wasn't expecting anything amazing, but did enjoy the 3 songs, but even that is rare, and I don't expect one artist to keep pumping stuff for 5-6 decades, but there's a lot of stuff just on YouTube that isn't discovered. Even Peter Banks' "Empire" official YouTube channel had songs with 100 views (and there's others with even lower counts). I also seem to love the singers who sing in higher registers, who make great use of vibrato, but don't overdo it like Joan Baez
Here are some of my favorites... If you aren't sure if its prog, list it anyway.. Lots of great acid folk, symphonic, and many other kinds I would call "prog".....
-Curved Air
-Illusion
-Mellow Candle
-Carol of Harvest
-Earth & Fire
-Savage Rose
-Fairport Convention
-Sandrose
-Stairway
-Renaissance
-Fantasy (US band from Florida)
-Spirogyra
-Mother Superior
-Empire
-Amon Duul
-Bran
-Babe Ruth
-Trees
-Lily & Maria
-Affinity
-Comus
-Fotheringay
-The Strawbs
-Pentangle
-Steeleye Span
I also know (and maybe like a song or two) bands/artists like Frumpy, Dagmar Krause, Inga Rumpf, Midwinter, Sally Oldfield...
I also imagine we have people from all over the world, so please, share. It seems like even foreign prog-rock bands sing in English (Carol of Harvest, Savage Rose, etc), but it doesn't matter to me.
Fairuz would never be on anyone's prog-list, but this song is over 9 minutes (I know, bad prog joke), but it does have "parts" and her vocals are unique, and the Middle-Eastern influences (mixed in with others) might be good enough.
Anyway, I appreciate any recommendations (and conversation). Thanks!
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