Prog Is Not a Four Letter Word [IMPORT]

Various Artists (Artist)

Product Details

• Audio CD (December 5, 2005)
• Original Release Date: December 6, 2005
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: Delay 68 Records UK
• ASIN: B000BAVXB4
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #241,960 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Andy Votel of Twisted Nerve Records has wasted no time in following up the superb Folk Is A Four Letter Word compilation with another delve into a previously uncool musical genre- that most maligned of all, PROG!! But forget the over-compiled and by now mainstream works of Yes, ELP, Genesis, Tull, the Moodies and so forth. This, boys and girls, is Obscurity City. The prog here originates from some of the furthest flung corners of the continent - Poland (Breakout), Turkey (Baris Manco), Germany (Embryo), Italy (Pozzo Del Pichio), France (Jean Claude Vannier) and Wales (Bran) There's even a trip to darkest Filipino territory courtesy of San Ul Lim, stopping off for a Canterbury tale from Egg on the way. Most of these tracks have never been on CD before. Now here they are in a beautifully remastered form, and it's time for all who previously doubted to rediscover. Cherry Red. 2005.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A Musical Excursion Into the Obscure, March 14, 2006

By	Kurt Harding "bon vivant" (Boerne TX) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

Have you ever seen those "Beers of the World" samplers often sold around the holidays as gift-packs for those who appreciate the unusual? Well, if you've ever gotten one, you know what a mixed bag they can be. Those samplers are precisely what Prog Is Not A Four Letter Word reminds me of. This interesting music sampler is an excursion into the obscure for those who dare to listen beyond what is offered on the radio.
I am not sure that every song here should really be classified as prog. Some seem to be mere pop songs. But there is enough to please those seeking exotic new sounds. I don't like every song, but find something appealing in half of them. At least there is nothing which has me groping for the forward button.
The best are three instrumentals: Fugue in D Minor, somewhat evocative of Procol Harum; Zuti List; and Toledo, a long jazzy number that is the finest cut on the CD.
But there are other good ones as well. I like Frustration, which features interesting vocals; Lambarya Puf De, which has some nice flute and a strong Mideastern feel; Powiedzielismy Juz Wszyztko with its haunting female singer; the extended instrumental workout of Hache OG; and Jean Claude Vannier's Roi des Mouches with its exotic Indian undertones.
If you are as musically curious as I am, then you should add this CD to your collection. At three stars its not great, but you will probably find at least a couple of songs you'll want to revisit time and time again. And you'll have some sense of what the rest of the world was doing to leave its mark on the "progressive" genre.