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"Epic" compositions worth giving a spin

Not concept albums, but a single LP side consisting of a work with some sort of unity/continuity.  Possibly with one or more recurring musical themes or ideas.  Could be vocal or pure instrumental and I would think in the 20-30 minute duration.  What made me think of this is "Supper's Ready," by Genesis, which I've listened to a few times recently.  It seems challenging to put together a piece that has repetition and variety such as this and I think they pulled it off nicely.  I especially like the concert version with the added visual interest of Peter Gabriel's costumes, gestures and mime routines, but for me this one works well with just the music.  Does anyone have a favorite one-side long-form piece to throw out?
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jmcgrogan2's avatar
jmcgrogan2
6,346 posts
 
I don't know how I overlooked In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida by Iron Butterfly.
infection's avatar
infection
807 posts
 
"The British-lead Prog Rock Bands discarded American Rock ’n Roll for Classical and Jazz as the ingredients for their music making."


No they didn’t. 


 "I was not and am not alone in finding the music made by these self-proclaimed and self-congratulatory "Classically trained" musicians pompous, pretentious, and shallow---an exercise in displays of empty virtuosity."


Are you referring to all British prog artists during that period? Do you retain the same belief for contemporary progressive music?
tostadosunidos's avatar
tostadosunidos OP
1,197 posts
 
bdp24, I liked the Kinks (more 60's and early 70's than later, but some good things happened later on) and the British prog-rock bands, to a degree.  I liked Yes through Close to the Edge and Genesis up until The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway.  DIdn't like them after Gabriel left and Phil took over.  I felt King Crimson was usually interesting and good no matter what the lineup.  For a less indulgent and more rock-based sound try the Yes album, my favorite of theirs.
As far as the thread prescription goes, I think any side of Yes' Topographic Oceans fits better than a side of Tommy.
reubent
6,939 posts
 

Timeless - John Abercrombie and Jan Hammer. Simply mezmerizing...

I always felt that U2's Joshua Tree had great continuity and flowed very well.

loomisjohnson
1,907 posts
 
good thread--reminds me of the period after tommy where every technically-proficient band in england made their "concept albums." looking through some of the above-mentioned, it seems that most were more notable for their ambition than their listenability, the kinks (of course) excluded.
two that i'd toss in:
1. side one of "ogden's nut gone flake" (small faces)--i could never quite grasp what the story's about, but it's funny as hell and periodically rocks like the dickens.
2. richard buckner, the wall--an album length rendering of the poet edgar lee masters' "spoon river" done by my favorite dour folkie. really, really good.stuff.
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