Some Thoughts On The Nature Of Progressive Music

Introduction

These are just some of my thoughts on what makes music "progressive" and whether it always needs to be rock-based in the eschelons. While music started probably as chants to the heavens, which became hymns, and songs about life and nature that became the lifeblood of folk music, and these threads eventually led to classical music, in which groups of musicians performed written music together. Then these threads, folk, religious and classical, continued to grow and split, giving us blues, jazz, soul, rock, and roll.

I know this is very simplistic, but it is just the way I see it, and it is still progressing today in ever-changing and growing forms.

So Progressive?

Often, the introduction of orchestral strings or orchestral instruments into the rock universe is seen as progressive, as is the introduction of classical or complex themes.

The concept of the concept album is another concept in the pantheon of progressiveness (sorry for that sentence, but you know what I mean).

Concept albums have been around since the 1940s with Woody Guthrie's "Dust Bowl Ballads", but Sinatra did a few too, and there is more analysis here:

The Moody Blues had been a beat group, but with "Days of Future Past" they created a concept album with orchestral integration, fusing pop/rock with classical instrumentation and arrangements.

"Nights In White Satin" encapsulates the album in single form.

I think the claim for the first progressive album, really laying the foundations for what was to come, was "In The Court Of The Crimson King" by King Crimson, with elements of classical and jazz structures as well as hard rock, with some perfect musicianship and songs that have stood the test of time.

Pete Sinfield's lyrics weave mysticism with deep thoughts, and the title track is a perfect example of progressive rock, or just progressive if you want to label it as that.

When you look at The Who, "Tommy" and "Quadrophenia" are concept albums, definitely rock, but are they Progressive? I think in certain parts they are, and I would say that "Baba O' Reilly" and "Won't Get Fooled Again" from "Who's Next" (The 50th Anniversary release comes with a graphic novel of "Lifehouse" and the album was developed from the aborted 'Lifehouse' project, a multi-media rock opera) definitely are Progressive:

Then we had the likes of Yes, Genesis and Van Der Graaf Generator flexing their musical muscles from the late sixties into the seventies and beyond.

Yes were the ones that most closely embraced classical music, with Rick Wakeman and sections of "Close To The Edge" (which I was sure contained some classical music, but now I can't identify it).

While "Fragile" was probably the classic Yes Progressive First statement (although you could hear that in a lot of "The Yes Album" with Tony Kaye, who was replaced by Wakeman), but "Close To The Edge" told the world they were really here.

Genesis were Progressive from the off, but while "Trespass" is a favourite of mine, the addition of Steve Hackett and Phil Collins saw their albums grow in stature, resulting in their magnum opus "The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway", complete with a huge libretto by Peter Gabriel. Though my favourite song is "Back In New York City" just for that riff.

I'll finish off this by sharing my article on "A Plague Of Lighthouse Keepers" from "Pawn Hearts" by Van Der Graaf Generator, which I believe was performed without any guitars.

Conclusion

I know I have missed so many bands that deserve to be on this list; maybe you can add some in your comments, and I will agree with you.

Thank you so much for reading. I really appreciate it. I am now going to listen to one of these albums, all of which are part of my vinyl and CD collection.