Looking for peaceful pastoral progrock

[woutwolf]

Hi everyone,

I am looking for softer, peaceful progrock like Willowglass. I hope to find
more pastoral, friendly music within the symphonic rock realm - as it was
called in my adolescent years (53 now) when I discovered Genesis, King
Crimson, Yes, Steve Hackett, Marillion, UK, Gentle Giant.

Recently I only discovered two new 'progrocks': Willowglass and The Watch.
(I love the sound and feel of 'The Watch', but it is frustrating that it is
overly composed, like ego got in the way of inspiration and creativity.) So,
I am looking for something like Willowglass. Maybe there is a band from
before that I never discovered in 'my' time.
Maybe that band uses instruments like flute, twelve string guitar,
mellotron. If these are present, the chance would be greater it is to my
present taste.
Thanks ahead so much for the recommendations!

[Rarebird]

How about Anthony Philips - The geese and the ghost?

[helicase]

The first that spring to mind:
Celeste - s/t (AKA Principe di un giorno)
Agnus - Pinturas y expresiones

[arturs]

When I saw your thread title I was going to recommend Willowglass.

If you don't mind some new-agey trappings, I would suggest Shadowfax s/t.

[warrplayer]

Vietgrove! A great mixture of Floydian dreamscapes with Genesis like acoustic guitar treatments. All instrumental. I think yheir latest is only available as a download. But their CD "The Little Apocrypha" is worth tracking down. One of their members is active on the forum.

[ChrisXymphonia]

Gandalf - Tale From A Long Forgotten Kingdom
Gordon Giltrap's albums Visionary, Perilous Journey and Fear Of The Dark

[Yves]

Are you familiar with Harmonium from the 70s? Both "Si On Avait Besoin D'Une 5e Saison" and "L'Heptade" would fit your bill nicely:

[Forester1]

Rick Wakeman - Country Airs, Night Airs, Sea Airs
Darryl Way - The Human Condition
Vangelis - Chariots of Fire

[Rarebird]

Rick Wakeman - Country Airs, Night Airs, Sea Airs
Darryl Way - The Human Condition
Vangelis - Chariots of Fire

I'm not sure I would consider The Human Condition pastoral.

[polmico]

Are you familiar with Harmonium from the 70s? Both "Si On Avait Besoin D'Une 5e Saison" and "L'Heptade" would fit your bill nicely:

That was my first thought though I'm the outlier and much prefer the first album.



Big Big Train might fit the bill here.

[polmico]

For more "Floydian dreamscapes" (like that), check out the Future Kings of England. Less pastoral and more spaaaaaace, but some nice acoustic moments sprinkled in.

[Burley Wright]

Ammerland by Fuhrs and Frohling is nice.

[viukkis]

A lot of Italian prog fits the description. For starters, I recommend

Premiata Forneria Marconi - the first three (Storia di un minuto, Per un amico and L'isola di niente)
Locanda Delle Fate - Forse le lucciole non si amano più
Le Orme - Uomo di pezza
Quella Vecchia Locanda - Il tempo della gioia
Il Volo - Essere o non essere? Essere, essere, essere!

and I also second the Celeste s/t recommendation.

[PeterG]

Mike Oldfield - Ommadawn


Isildur's Bane



Karda Estra


Jehtro Tull - Songs From The Wood album

[Sunlight Caller]

Mentioned above already but try Big Big Train their 2013 release "English Electric - Full Power" is a must (a 2 disc set which collects the songs from three separate releases over 2012/13). It harks back to that pastoral English sound that typified the classic Genesis releases, the songs are intricate but accessible, it has wonderful playing and vocals, beautiful production values, all songs tell stories and the CD packaging is lavish with detail as to these.

[Forester1]

I'll second "Ammerland" , but not "Ommadawn" - brilliant LP but only pastoral if you live between a motorway & a firing range .
I'd also suggest Sonja Kristina's lovely CD with her acoustic band, Cloud 10, but can not remember its name !

[PeterG]

I'll second "Ammerland" , but not "Ommadawn" - brilliant LP but only pastoral if you live between a motorway & a firing range .
I'd also suggest Sonja Kristina's lovely CD with her acoustic band, Cloud 10, but can not remember its name !

It all depends how one interprets pastoral...but now you mention...yea...some of it is a bit noisy

[progmatist]

Willowglass: any album
The Healing Road: Tales From The Dam
Quaterna Requiem: O Arquiteto
The Inner Road: Visions
Yak: Journey of the Yak

[Nicky Cupcakes]

How about "Speak" by I And Thou from 2012



Or, from the same year, I think, "Gentle Stream" from The Amazing:

[mogrooves]

[walt]

Phil Miller-Fred Baker-Double Up.Just guitars and bass.

Too bad i can't find any clips from this cd.Highly recommended.

[walt]

Or, from the same year, I think, "Gentle Stream" from The Amazing:

Seconded.

[progeezer]

Are you familiar with Harmonium from the 70s? Both "Si On Avait Besoin D'Une 5e Saison" and "L'Heptade" would fit your bill nicely.

Both definitely worth having. Some of the most beautiful music I've ever heard!

Would also agree with just about everything from Big Big Train, and Uomo as well as Felona & Sarona by Le Orme.

!! How could I have forgotten Cirrus Bay? (all of their recorded output)

[Paulrus]

I get into the same mood sometimes and have an iTunes playlist I've put together for just such a need.

Camel's entire "Snow Goose" album is very pastoral as is the first Sebastian Hardie album. Pink Floyd during their "More" period as well, if you don't mind a healthy dose of psych with your bucolic bliss.

You could put together a pretty awesome collection of pastoral prog by mining Renaissance's catalog. The same with Steve Hackett, Happy The Man and Iona. There's also Jade Warrior during their Island period, plus Vermillion Sands' debut (which is very Renaissance-y).

If you are willing to depart somewhat from prog, there's a slew of 80s electronic/new age stuff that's great for when I'm in that mood. I'd include early Andreas Vollenwieder, Pat Metheny, Clannad (and Maire Brennan), Enya, Loreena McKennitt, Kit Watkins, Erik Wøllo, Michael Hedges and even early David Arkenstone.

Be mellow bro!

[WytchCrypt]

In the French (or French lyric) prog realm I'd recommend...

Pulsar - Strands of the Future, Pollen, Halloween
Wapassou - Salambo
Harmonium - Si on Avait Besoin D'une Cinquieme Saison
Pentacle - La Clef Des Songes

Also, while often theatrical and dramatic, these French bands have many great pastoral moments:

Ange - Caricatures, Le Cimitiere des Arlequins, Au Dela du Delire, Emile Jacotey, Par le Fils de Mandrin, Guet Apens
Mona Lisa - Grimaces, Le Petit Violon de Monsieur Gregoire, Avant Qu'll ne Soit Trop Tard

And a band from Turkey singing in English that's very early Camel-ish pastoral:

Asia Minor - From Flesh to Divine, Crossing the Line