Most Poignant Prog Rock Songs

[White Knight]

I would like to get feedback from other members of this forum as to what they would consider to be the most haunting/memorable or lyrical/elegiac works that they have ever heard. For me, I would propose the following: "Just Take a Pebble", "Pirates" and "Trilogy" by Emerson Lake and Palmer; "Witches Promise" from Jethro Tull. Please feel free to comment on my choices and to add your own to this list.. ps. I was fortunate enough to have attended the initial American appearance of ELP at Carnegie Hall in 1970, and their performance still leaves me in awe, most especially their doing " Just Take a Pebble". I will not forget it till the day I die. Ciao for now: White Knight.

[Soubasse]

Good thread idea this, acknowledging the gentler side of Prog! Poignant or touching songs? There are quite a few for me.

I don't know if anyone else categorises Kate Bush as Prog ... well, you can't really categorise her at all really - she's Kate, that's all there is to it!! Anyway, her amazing song This Woman's Work rarely manages to leave my eyes dry by the end.

As far as "mainstream" Prog artists go:

Genesis
Undertow (for me the only listenable song on ATTWT)
Ripples

Peter Gabriel
Biko
In Your Eyes
Father Son
Downside Up

Pink Floyd
When The Tigers Broke Free
Great Gig In The Sky

Porcupine Tree
A Smart Kid
Collapse The Light Into Earth

Sigur Ros
Gitardjamm

Vangelis
12 O'clock
So Long Ago So Clear

Yes
Turn Of The Century
Madrigal
Onward

Awaken ... whilst not necessarily "poignant" as such, it's so damn powerful and just the best bloody thing they ever did!

[teddy]

Poor Boys Blues Barclay James Harvest from Everyone is Everybody Else
I Never Thought I'd Live to be a Hundred Moody Blues from To Our Childrens Childrens Children.
Not sure if you would classify these as prog, but certainly poignant

teddy

[White Knight]

Poor Boys Blues Barclay James Harvest from Everyone is Everybody Else
I Never Thought I'd Live to be a Hundred Moody Blues from To Our Childrens Childrens Children.
Not sure if you would classify these as prog, but certainly poignant

teddy

I think that one could well define the Moody Blues as a progressive group. Your choice of "I Never Thought I'd Live to be a Hundred" is a most excellent one. The first group and song mentioned in your post I have never heard of and thus am totally unfamiliar with. Anyway, ciao for now. Steve.

[Soubasse]

Yep, well I'd certainly put both Barclay and the Moody's in the Prog category. I'll have to check out Poor Boys Blues, not familiar with that one. Never Thought I'd Live To Be 100 definitely qualifies - great track.

[teddy]

Just found Everyone is Everybody Else on spotify. Poor Boy Blues runs into Mill Boys and then For No One. Great to hear then one after the other.
Steve, you must look BJH up and have a listen. I don't think you will be disappointed

teddy

[White Knight]

Teddy, I will most certainly check out BJH as per your suggestion. Steve

[teddy]

Can I mention -Knights in White Satin - by Procul Harem. Loved it. Still love it I know you are a fan of theirs Steve, Anyone else like them?

teddy

[White Knight]

Can I mention -Knights in White Satin - by Procul Harem. Loved it. Still love it I know you are a fan of theirs Steve, Anyone else like them?

teddy

Teddy, a great choice indeed. However, I believe that the group who did this song is the Moody Blues rather than PH.

[teddy]

No, definitely PH Steve, although the MB may have covered it, but not over here. It was too much of a classic for anyone else to attempt it. I will add A Whiter Shade of Pale - also by PH. And how about - The Wind Cried Mary - Hendrick

teddy

[White Knight]

Teddy, great choice by Jimi Hendrix, and if you say that Procol Harum did " Nights in White Satin" in Britain before the Moodies did,then I take you at your word. Hope you are well. Steve.

[teddy]

Steve

If you Google AWSOP it takes you to Procul Harem. No music today as my wife is allegic to any music I like. Also vets visit and desperately trying to get ready for Christmas. Tree went up today. Hooray

teddy

[Art Rock]

Can I mention -Knights in White Satin - by Procul Harem. Loved it. Still love it I know you are a fan of theirs Steve, Anyone else like them?

teddy

The song is Nights in white satin
The band you refer to is Procol Harum

But as stated by others, Nights in white satin is a Moody Blues song. Written by their front man Justin Hayward.

If you don't believe me, try wikipedia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nights_in_white_satin

[teddy]

Go away. I am having a nervious brekdoown and my smeel chppker ins werking and eye am gooing too lay dawne inn a derk ruen. And stey treree four iver

troedy

[John Watt]

It's interesting that "The Wind Cries Mary" by Jimi Hendrix has been mentioned in this light. I saw Jimi and still love most of his music. I think of this song as his country style tune, sliding 6th and 9th chords like a steel guitarist, which didn't come across in the version by that English "classical" pianist.

While using an electric guitar as a sound generator and trigger in the studio might not be the wide array of instrumentation that has been available for centuries, I still listen to "1983, A Merman I Would Be... moon, turn the tides away" as the most important recording I've ever owned. More than sentiment, Jimi creates atmospheric soundscapes that lets your mind find a musical journey that evolves every time I listen. And that's lying in the dark with studio headphones on.

My first thought here was Yes, "Relayer", and the song "Gates of Delirium". When the battle between opposing forces fades, and the remaining voice begins "Soon, oh soon the light, ours forever, ours the right", I find more than a simple mood being portrayed. Patrick Moraz, a European keyboardist and producer, was part of the group for just this one album, and I thought his exceptional synth work was responsible for the best part of the instrumental work, but when I saw Yes live the next year it was Steve Howe sitting behind a double steel guitar, playing my favorite parts.

Maybe I didn't totally fit in with the hard rock club and concert scene back then, even if I was a full time player, but I remember the sixties. Even as a missionary, thinking of music, there's one song that stands out like I was invited into someone's residence to hear some heartfelt complaints, and family decisions, and that's "The Thrill is Gone" by B.B. King. "I Will Survive" by Gloria Gaynor also put it out there for all to see, and be inspired by.

John Williams soundtrack to "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" has it all.

I was just listening to some Emerson, Lake and Palmer at a friends house last night, and it reminded me that I figured out "Take a Pebble" on guitar and used to sing that. It also reminded me how much I liked King Crimson, another vote for musical moods.

and... and... maybe I'm a semi-solid-bodied man,
but that one note I hit that one night might be the best musical moment I ever felt.
That's after derailing my own train with Coltrane.