The Official Progressive Rock Thread

[lasercd]

I'm kicking off this discussion by focusing on one of the all time great bands in the history of progressive rock that happened to come from Italy. Banco Del Mutuo Soccorso was fronted by the incomperable classically trained vocalist Francisco Di Giacomo. Unusual for rock, the band featured two keyboardists - the brothers Gianni and Vittorio Nocenzi, one focusing on piano and the other on Hammond organ and synthesizers. The band wore the unmistakable influences of their English contemporaries on their sleeves - ELP, Genesis, Jethro Tull and Yes - but they were able to pull it all together into something of their own. Along with Premiata Forneria Marconi (PFM), Banco created a soung that later became known as RPI (Rock Progressivo Italiano). Many Italian bands followed in their footsteps in the years to come, few with the virtuositic intensity of Banco Del Mutuo Soccorso.

Io Sono Nato Libero is the band's third album. Prog fans can fight all day long over which is their best. This one is as good a candidate as others. The album primarly features long form compositions, opening with the near 16 minute "Canto nomade per un prigioniero politico". This track is emblematic of the band - its an amazing amalgam of contrasts - acoustic and electric, heavy and light all anchored by Francesco's angelic and operatic vocals. If you are a fan of ELP's Trilogy this track will knock you on your ass. The following track "Non mi rompete" was also a staple of their live performances - a showcase for Francesco's voice. And on it goes...

Sound wise it would be difficult to find much in the 70s Italian prog canon that one would consider "audiophile". A lot of these bands recorded in second tier studios or worked with limited budgets. The band's sang in Italian and that limited their popularity to their home country. Banco was really no exception. Io Sono Nato Libero sounds fine. That's about the best you can say about it. It won't win any awards and it won't make you wince. In fact Italian pressings of the 70s were a bit noisy. You might prefer to jump a tape generation down and pick up an original Japanese pressing. Quite nice actually. Banco did attempt a cross over into the English speaking market with a re-recorded greatest hits package that was released on ELP's Manticore label with limited success.

The band kept going up until recently when Francesco Di Giaccomo was killed in a car crash. The band attempted to carry on but Vittorio Nocenzi became very ill as well and that basically ended the band.

I was privileged to see the band perform at Nearfest 2001. They had lost nothing - all the magic was there. Franceso’s voice hadn’t lost a thing. Vittorio Nocenzi - nicknamed “The Devil’s Right Hand” was a dynamo on keyboards. It genuinely was a bone chilling experience. By the end of the performance everyone was standing and brought the band to tears. It was something very special befitting this band.

[Johnny Vinyl]

Excellent idea for a thread Ken! I know I'm going to be spending some money based on some of your suggestions. I love Prog and I'm looking forward to some new discoveries.

[MylesBAstor]

Thanks Ken! This is a whole new world of rock that I've not been exposed to (as I assume some other here also) and based on your recommendations will certainly be exploring.

[Steve Lefkowicz]

I always had the impression that prog rock of various sub genres lead a lot of us to get involved in high end audio. The music was clearly intended to be listened to intently, rather than as background noise, and the more you heard in it, the more you got out of it. Looking forward to sharing info on bands here.

[allenh]

Thanks Ken! This is a whole new world of rock that I've not been exposed to (as I assume some other here also) and based on your recommendations will certainly be exploring.

+1!

[Rust]

Crack the Sky - Animal Notes
Crack the Sky - Safety in Numbers

Their second and fourth albums. I had never heard of them and bought their 2nd album, Animal Notes on a whim based on the cover art and song titles. It sat around for awhile before finally tossing it on the turntable. I was literally stunned. The performance was tight, the lyrics were satirically sophisticated, everything was well crafted, and it was just flat excellent. IMO they were, in their style, at least as good as any band of the time, superior to most.

I quickly found their fourth album, Safety In Numbers, which took a little searching. If anything it was even better Never managed to find their first album.

Due to mismanagement by their label, or more accurately ineptitude, incompetence and maybe plying the books funny, the band wasn't as successful as it should have been. As a result there were personnel changes and IMO the subsequent albums were not as appealing.

Anyway, here is a link to You Tube from Safety in Numbers, Nuclear Apathy.

[Johnny Vinyl]

Thanks for the reminder. Haven't played my copy of Safety in Numbers for a while. Will cue it up later this afternoon.

[Johnny Vinyl]

Some of you will know about my favourite Progressive Rock band, so my apologies if I appear to be repeating myself.

Harmonium is a prog rock/folk/symphonic band fronted by the very talented Serge Fiori out of Montreal, Quebec. They only ever released 3 studio albums and one live double album. A good amount of their work is available on youtube, so check them them out of you're so inclined. If you're a Prog fan I have no doubt you'll appreciate their work, despite the fact they perform in French.

Here's a sample of a song from their second album:

[rockitman]

Here's a good prog rock title. I have the Classic Records 33. Sounds great. Unreleased 45 RPM Test Press anyone ?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/172152143632?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

[MylesBAstor]

Here's a good prog rock title. I have the Classic Records 33. Sounds great. Unreleased 45 RPM Test Press anyone ?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/172152143632...%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

Ha! I don't have that title at 45 rpm and at those prices probably won't! Probably the person to ask if they have it is MikeL!

[lasercd]

I actually own it but I'm embarassed to say I haven't played it yet. I think mine is number 18 (would have to check).

I guess I should crack it open and give the Audio Desk Pro a Genesis workout tomorrow.

[Steve Lefkowicz]

Just wanted to toss a note about one of my favorite progressive record labels, MoonJune Records. I have almost everything they have released, and most are worth having for both their musical explorations and their sound quality. Progressive rock and jazz from around the world. Who would have thought Indonesia or Serbia would be hotbeds of interesting jazz ensembles?
Much of their catalog is available as full resolution (16/44) FLAC downloads from their Bandcamp site, with some being available in 24/88 or 24/96 for just $1 more. Or you can order CDs direct from them, They have also released a few LPs. I have a personally signed copy of a limited edition LP (I believe only 500 pressed) of Dewa Bujana's Joged Kahyangan which is very nicely done.
They also have an 8.5 hour 80 track sampler avaiable for download for just $1.

http://www.moonjune.com/mjr_web_2013/home_mjr/

https://moonjunerecords.bandcamp.com/

I interviewed Moonjune principle Leonardo Pavkovic for Positive Feedback back in 2011. Super nice guy.

http://www.positive-feedback.com/Issue57/moonjune.htm

[lasercd]

Leo is one of a kind! 😀

[Steve Lefkowicz]

Moonjune will be releasing a new album by Stick Men (Tony Levin, Markus Reuter and Pat Mostellotto) soon. Can't wait to get that. Hope they offer it in 24 bit.They also have a limited edition 2 CD set of Stick Men in concert, with David Cross sitting in! Haven't heard it yet but it should be pretty great.

[MylesBAstor]

Since this thread has been a little dead lately!

[JCOConnell]

I have ITWOTP on Editions EG 1/2 speed LP from the 80's. Just listened to it about a month ago. Not bad.

[Steve Lefkowicz]

I've got an original (American release), the Edition EG 1/2 speed mastered and 24/96 files from the recent Steve Wilson reissues. I still think this album (along with Islands) is terribly underrated.

[Steve Lefkowicz]

Don't know if she's been mentioned here or not yet, but I hope all of you are familiar with Rachel Flowers? Here she is playing Tarkus on Kieth Emerson's own keyboards:

https://youtu.be/FLT3Cb96-Mk

[lasercd]

She's incredibly gifted on keyboards, guitar, and flute. It would be nice to finally hear her perform her own compositions.

[lasercd]

I was at one of my local record shops and stumbled across a mint UK copy (on Blue Horizon) of Focus' "Moving Waves". Only 3 bucks!!

What a killer album. Focus was always on the periphery of my radar. I don't have a deep knowledge of their albums but I've always been respectful of Jan Akkerman and Thijs van Leer. Everyone knows "Hocus Pocus" - been on the radio forever. The star of the show is side B - the side long track "Eruption". This album is Mellotron heaven and Akkerman and van Leer play their dicks off. Fantastic sound quality to boot!

[rbbert]

Look for the double album Focus 3

[lasercd]

I have Focus 3 as well. Focus are a solid B level band for me. Perhaps I should give thrm more attention.

[Johnny Vinyl]

Here's a new discovery for me. I came across this band by accident through a post on the SHForums and looked on YouTube for some material. I found their second album in full and I now need to secure me a copy as I am quite taken with it.

The band is Alquin and they are a Dutch symphonic prog band. They released 4 albums between 1972 and their breakup in 1977.