progressive rock – Ticket 2 Ride

How I Learned to Stop Fearing Tales From Topographic Oceans and Love the Album

March 24, 2023

I love progressive-rock music, but I’ve never connected with Yes’s majestic Tales From Topographic Oceans. The album is hailed in prog-rock circles as one of the most influential albums of all time. The album is 50 years old in 1973, certainly a time for reflection and discussion, and perhaps another chance to fall in love. … More How I Learned to Stop Fearing Tales From Topographic Oceans and Love the Album

Fresh Music: Discovering Great Music From Yesterday and Today

March 7, 2023

I try not to be a stick in the mud about my musical preferences, as I’ve been known to happen across some fine artists in categories other than my favorites. Here are a few I’m happy to share. Lizzo, Special (2022) Talk about unexpected surprises! I’d never heard a Lizzo song until I checked out … More Fresh Music: Discovering Great Music From Yesterday and Today

5 Defining Jethro Tull Songs

October 8, 2022

When I think of Jethro Tull, these are the songs that come to mind. Not really greatest hits, but definitely great songs. I remember Tull from the beginning, the British blues band that would become the blender of numerous musical genres, but would continue the blues vibe. Picking five songs to represent more than 50 … More 5 Defining Jethro Tull Songs

Classic Band Lineups

September 5, 2022

What lineups were the best for bands? Membership changes happen for various reasons: death, substance abuse, ego, solo careers, etc. Here are some of my favorites: Beatles. The post Best and Sutcliffe days, obviously. Rolling Stones. The Mick Taylor years, after Brian Jones. The classic era. Fleetwood Mac. Obviously, the McVies, Fleetwood, Buckingham and Nicks. … More Classic Band Lineups

Blue Jays (1975): Justin Hayward & John Lodge

August 25, 2022

Of all the Moody Blues solo efforts, I would rank this album as the best. It was the only time that Justin Hayward and John Lodge recorded as a duo. Blue Jays began as a group project during their five year hiatus in the mid-1970s. Hayward sought to begin writing with keyboardist Mike Pinder in … More Blue Jays (1975): Justin Hayward & John Lodge

Marillion: F.E.A.R. (The Album)

June 11, 2022

Marillion. I had heard of the band, but I know nothing about them. Strange, because this band has been around since the 1980s, and is often mentioned as one of the best contemporary progressive-rock bands. Why wasn’t I familiar with their sound? I can thank Larry Graves and Glen Kellaway for introducing me to Marillion. … More Marillion: F.E.A.R. (The Album)

Desert Island Music, More

June 8, 2022

A couple of years ago I made a list of albums I want with me if I’m ever marooned on a desert island. That was fun, and difficult. Yes, a had with me a solar powered record player. Here is a new list, using guidelines from vlogger Glen Kellaway. One album from each decade going … More Desert Island Music, More

Spirit (the band)

May 24, 2022

Fifty years later, the band still sounds great. Spirit has been in news in recent years related to a plagiarism lawsuit against Led Zeppelin over parts of “Stairway to Heaven”. I am not going to get into that, my focus will be on the classic period of the band. Randy California (real name Randy Wolfe), … More Spirit (the band)

A Dozen Debut Albums that Failed Expectations, but are Deserve a Listen

May 16, 2022

Success in the music industry is fickle, a creature of timing, promotion, talent, and luck. Here are five albums I own that sadly were neglected and passed into history. Larry Lee, Marooned. The sweet, polished vocalist of “Jackie Blue” of the Ozark Mountain Daredevils. Offered a solo album where he wrote or co-wrote the songs, … More A Dozen Debut Albums that Failed Expectations, but are Deserve a Listen

1972: The Year in Music (50 Years Ago)

April 13, 2022

These 50 year anniversaries are a bit depressing, how can so much time has passed? I was a teenager then, but not quite age legal to drive. The early 1970s was one of the most eclectic periods in music. The phrase, anything goes, could apply to what you heard in 1972. I am known as … More 1972: The Year in Music (50 Years Ago)

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Category: progressive rock