Takin A Walk Celebrates the Top Five Progressive Rock Albums of All Time
What are your favorites? Let's start the discussion with this nearly impossible task
Ok, I admit it is an impossible task to whittle down such a rich music category to five albums, but I love progressive rock and the passion for the music and just felt like having a little weekend mischief. I was definitely inspired by the many comments I recently received from having Jon Anderson of Yes fame on the Takin A Walk podcast and from the comments from previous episodes from folks like Steve Howe of Yes fame and going back to Steve Hackett of Genesis fame. Everybody has a favorite…so here goes.
Number Five
The Yes Album from Yes. The bands third studio album and for me it was my first to really enjoy with a good pair of Koss headphones. “Yours is No Disgrace” knocked me out from the first time I heard it and still does to this day. Mr. Anderson, Mr. Howe and Mr. Squire are out of this world on the entire album. And then there is the drumming of Bill Bruford. Just incredible.
Number Four
King Crimson-In the Court of the Crimson King. This epic 1969 release cements the image of the band as a groundbreaking release in prog rock history led by Robert Fripp and the epic title track.
Number Three
Roxy Music-Avalon-The eighth and final studio album by the band is smooth as silk and Bryan Ferry is at his finest in this gem including one of my favorites, More Than This.
Number Two
Yes-Fragile-Released in 1971, Keyboard master Rick Wakeman joins the band and who can forget the magical genius of Heart of the Sunrise.
Number One
Genesis-Trick of the Tail-The seventh studio album was released in 1976 and in my humble opinion every song is spectacular.
What are your favorite Progressive Rock Albums? I’d love to hear from you.
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Great list Buzz! And given that I inscribed many of my friends HS yearbooks with 'Heart of the Sunrise' quotes there is no doubt I would place Yes' Fragile at #1. Probably need to find a spot for an ELP album in here, and then what if anything do you do with Pink Floyd? Terrific topic.
Hi Buzz great list and subject. As a person from “That” Era :) I loved every one of these and can agree King Crimson - in the court. Omg. And yes. We played Thames all after school every day!
Here’s my thought or question Where do we fit ELP (Emerson-Lake - and Palmer ) in this category ?
Are they part Prog part RnR ? Interesting thought but Brain Salad Surgery is one of the greatest albums of that generation and Karn Evil 9 third impression Part 2 is legendary
Also Another album they did. Tarkio. Tremendous too
Just saying where do they fit?
And what about Renaissance ? What category are they? Hmmm 🤔
But great choices Buzz !, Keep ‘‘em comin my friend!!
TY
Jim Totten
Fox Sports Radio NJ
James.totten@comcast.net