The Hidden Roots Of Prog

The initial idea was to trace how Psychedelia morphed into Prog Rock (as absolutely nobody called it at the time, the favoured phrases being, according to disposition, Progressive Music, Underground, Techno-flash or Pomp Rock) but, as is often the case, this mix took on a life of its own and became something very  different from the original proposition: stretching back to the 1930s, taking in some of the Progressive Jazz  experiments (Stan Kenton came up with that name) of the 50s, tipping the trilby to the UK’s post-skiffle instrumental boom spearheaded by the Shads, before concluding with a freak-out in 1960s L.A.

Still plenty of Prog trademarks, mind: ambition, fancy time-signatures, unusual instrumental combinations, exotic influences, studio tomfoolery, gongs, (lots of gongs) and virtuoso playing to make up for the paucity of vocals.

On the other hand, things have been kept relatively brief with only the final track breaking the 5 minute barrier. Something few self-respecting Prog acts would countenance.

1 Reginald Foresythe-Garden Of Weed

2 Stan Kenton-Thermopylae

3 Jimmy Giuffre-The Train And The River

4 Fred E Katz-Sometimes I Feel Like A Motherless Child

5 The Dave Brubeck Quartet-Blue Rondo A La Turk (Edit)

6 Kenny Graham-Chant

7 Joe Meek And The Blue Men-Glob Waterfall

8 Russ Conway- China Tea

9 The Federals-In A Persian Market

10 Sounds Incorporated-Taboo

11 The Shadows-Wonderful Land

12 Davy Graham & Alexis Korner- 3/4 A.D

13 John Fahey-Dance Of The Inhabitants Of The Palace Of King Philip XIV

14 Gabor Szabo With The Chico- El Toro

15 Duke Ellington- Blue Pepper

16 Graham Bond Organisation- Spanish Blues

17 Manfred Mann- Mr Anello

18 The Beach Boys- Let’s Go Away For Awhile

19 Frank Zappa & The Mothers Of Invention- Invocation & Ritual Dance Of Young Pumpkin