The greatest documentary ever!
 

One and half hours of pure gold: Prog Rock Britannia BBC4 An Observation in Three Movements! One of the best, and also one of the most hilarious, documentaries ever! I think it starts with some sort of Tarkus accapella. All the greatest stuff is on that documentary. Even some previously unseen footage.

One of the best parts is definetly Carl Palmer's stainless steel drumset. "First time we needed three men to lift the bassdrum". Now that's progressive! Hoho.

Check it out even if you don't dig; or even don't know; 70's and late 60's progressive rock. I used to be a psytrance man but then I got the disesase called prog fandom and it's great!

Part 1
Part 2
Part 3

I'm still stuck in 1966 with Pink Floyd. I'm not ready for Progressive Rock yet!!!

*blaaaaart*

Pink Floyd aren't prog rock? I thought they were the original definition of it.

Well, maybe that explains why I like them. :D

Talos, Pink Floyd were Psychedelic Rock (as in Austin Powers), then they were Experimental (as in random gong crashes and screaming into the mic) and finally Sold Out Rock (Dark Side of the Moon and onwards).

Just my opinion, but I don't think they were ever Progressive. You need intentionally confusing time signature changes, totally unnecessary solos and grandiose themes. Close to the Edge meets that criteria and yet is a valid work of art. However, most prog rock is cringe-worthy...

B

I have to disagree with this one. Without question, the greatest rock documentary ever is This Is Spinal Tap.

-"But these go to eleven!"

That was always my definition of prog rock too, and why I didn't like it - like Yes, Genesis, etc. Tull is prog rock even though it spans Folk.

But technically Pink Floyd were some of the early progenitors of prog rock, even if it doesn't fit the later (mid 70's) specifications.
Floyd use unusual Time signatures grandiose themes and sound FX all over the place, pre 1969.

Let's classify everything!!!!

*Pointing to an airplane*

Now, that's a flying car.

It takes the wisdom of not living through a period to analyse it clearly. The way prog rock described itself at the time as totally wrong, which is always the case. I like odd estuaries of out-of-fashion music because it puts you in the time it came from. As another example, Abba are extremely interesting because you live through different periods of time just be changing the record. I never understood that when the music was current.

Talos: I call Pink Floyd is experimental, while you call it early prog rock. Let's settle this outside...

B

Hey now, why not just settle this over a beaker of Southern Comfort. Next thing, we'll be arguing over which one was Pink. ;)

I was fortunate to be around as a teenager when PF were in their prime. When they first played DSOTM in my local record shop (ah, the reek of vinyl) all I know is that my little musical heart skipped several beats.

But then I 'progressed' to Steely Dan...