What do you like best in prog?

[TruthInAd]

If I were to custom tailor a prog song, or experience, or a compostion that had all the great elements you look for, what would they be?

Perhaps the best way to answer is to define some parameters, and you can add percentages to each one you like.

Music
Vocals required, or optional
Complex or simple bass playing
Guitar required, or as textural backdrop
Keyboards are played as textures, sequences, or virtuoso
Complex or simple drumming
Other acoustic or orchestral instrumentation

Experience
Uses Sci-Fi or Fantasy themes
Uses Truth or Honor themes
Uses Literate Themes
Music evokes images
Music evokes testosterone urge
Music promotes relaxation
Music has both tension and release
Music has purely intellectual stimulation
Music has purely emotional or mood stimulation
Song title matches the song composition
Quality of recording is exquisitely produced
Quality of recording is performed well, but not the optimal production

If I had more time to think, I could add more. For now I would like to to see if there is a trend, or if it's all over the map as for general individual preferences.

Thanks for your feedback if you participate.

TruthInAd

[kirk]

Originally Posted by TruthInAd

Music
Vocals required, or optional
Complex or simple bass playing
Guitar required, or as textural backdrop
Keyboards are played as textures, sequences, or virtuoso
Complex or simple drumming
Other acoustic or orchestral instrumentation

Experience
Uses Sci-Fi or Fantasy themes
Uses Truth or Honor themes
Uses Literate Themes
Music evokes images
Music evokes testosterone urge
Music promotes relaxation
Music has both tension and release
Music has purely intellectual stimulation
Music has purely emotional or mood stimulation
Song title matches the song composition
Quality of recording is exquisitely produced
Quality of recording is performed well, but not the optimal production

where's "ALL OF THE ABOVE"?

i think i'll reserve comment until after a few more responses.

p e a c e

kirk

[Rick and Roll]

that's quite an impressive list. I just like to rock. If I picked one it'd be the mood/emotional thing.

[roger]

depends on my mood, though I do like a good keyboard. odd-time signatures are good.

[Wojtek]

Originally Posted by kirk

where's "ALL OF THE ABOVE"?

Erm...on Transatlantic's debut album

[kirk]

name a phrase in the english language that hasn't been made into
a songtitle....and i'll make it!

k

[sharcnorris]

musicianship, hate 3 chord music
Harmony with tonal gymnastics
strong rhythm section, synergy of complex beats between drummer and bass
world influence, confluent ideas on tone and beat from diverse cultures

or.........its the MELLOTRONS Silly

[roger]

yeah, what sharc said. that, too.

[mossy]

Everything except the testosterone bit.

mossy

[kirk]

hey mossy-
most studies show that female music fans aren't as
"anthem oriented", anthems generally evolving from
the "let's grab a sword , go kill the enemy" male warrior thing.

annie haslam, sandy denny come to mind as exceptions,
pioneers o' brit prog.

a bit of trivia- roger dean's 1st album cover was for Babe Ruth,
a female-lead prog band.

[sharcnorris]

That is Awesome Kirk, I have some Original Frank Frazetta Prints that sparks comparison. Also Wally Wood-ish........Thanx Captain--

would you happen to have a year for that Babe Ruth?

[kirk]

hey sharc-
sadly, i don't hear wally wood mentioned much these days!
i recently went through my old copies of T.H.U.N.D.E.R. agents.
remember those? the lead dynamo story was always his.
what a master. Joe (Kubert) invoked WW and Alex Toth
constantly as modern masters.
---------------

Babe Ruth made 6 albums between 72-77, released a
"best of" in 95. i caught them on American Bandstand...(!)
bought "first base" the next day.

i also have (had?) this one- it's likely at my mom's house
along w/ my 1st "Flash" album ect.

k

[podakayne]

mostly all of what was listed....hold the testosterone(plez no pun intended)...though there's a place for that also...and thanks, l like the intellect angle...tention and release, relaxing or that slight metaphysicality

and thats my 2¢
poda

on another note perhaps you did forget the exotic and/or erotic aspect there's lots of that sprinkled about prog too.

[kirk]

Originally Posted by podakayne

on another note perhaps you did forget the exotic and/or erotic aspect there's lots of that sprinkled about prog too.

tracy, that's very interesting.
i'd question if most males register that facet...
....or would admit to it if they do!

IMO if it moves into fantasy territory, the male fantasy is to
be these artists, or trade places, much like a sports hero.

is it that many prog artists aren't drenched in testoterone,
displaying a sensitive side that makes it appealing?

mossy- which artist or group in particular were you referring to?

k

[yorksrvc]

I'll take this opportunity to create my......SUPERSTAR........Prog Group
Vocals: Absolutely Peter Gabriel from the Lamb era
Drums: Mike Portnoy.from ALL ERA'S!!!
Bass: Ray Shulman........Mr. Under rated himself.....He da bassman
Keyboards: I'll have 2 please.....Tony Banks and Rick Wakeman...let them fight over who leads......it'll all be good!!
Guitar: Steve Hackett and his Firth of Fifth Playing....what a haunt...this would be for me.

NO HORNS!!!
NO ORCHESTRA!!!
Mood set of the Album would be a Storyline based on Liberal and Conservative America......Good Luck!!!
Producer and Co-writer: Steve Wilson
When's it comin' out?!??! Goin' to the Amazon

[sharcnorris]

Superstar Prog Band? this should have been a New thread because I think we all just might Chime in............if this is Fantasy then lets have a Battle of the Bands

Mike Oldfield
Rick Wakeman
Phil Collins
Greg Lake

just imagine the Vocals, the Studio Artistry of Masters together.......ahhhhh

[yorksrvc]

hey sharc.........opinion is pouring out of me........

Mike Oldfield: Excellent choice..he slipped my mind.....would he also play guitar?
Rick Wakeman:

Phil Collins: My favorite drummer, 'til MP came along and I love Phil's vocals

Greg Lake: I like his work, but as a bass player myself, I need a little more action. The thought of Phil and Greg singing together is very interesting

GREAT CHOICES!! I'd like to hear that group too

[sharcnorris]

[quote=yorksrvc]hey sharc.........opinion is pouring out of me........

Mike Oldfield: Excellent choice..he slipped my mind.....would he also play guitar?
QUOTE]
One of the Finest guitarist in the land, yes he presses keys but I'm not sure what you mean.... ahh, you thought of his Vocals on Crisis ( top ten Fav CD's)

[yorksrvc]

sssssssshhhh!! I'm not real familiar with too many of his CD's. The next 2 after Tubular Bells were nice, but I haven't heard him since then. THAT'S a long time ago. I thought he played guitar, just haven't heard in a while. I like your SUPERSTAR Line up

[sharcnorris]

Originally Posted by yorksrvc

sssssssshhhh!! I'm not real familiar with too many of his CD's.:

As the proud owner of 25 of Mikes recording , you are missing some Classics. These recommendations are not like his 1st few...

Platnuim and Qe2 are tonal genious
5 miles out is an opus exceptional
then there is the Simon Phillips years on Drums.......Crisis an exceptional Recording with double footpedals flying

finally you can get these AWESOME recordings for peanuts:http://search.half.ebay.com/Mike-Old...QpgZ2QQmZmusic