I think a lot of prog sounds kinda AOR during the more melodic, simple passages. Not surprised of certain past connections.

Someone will eventually write an amazing article that goes over how progressive rock musicians, slagged by punk at the tail end of the 70's, basically took over AOR radio throughout the 80's, but that day is not today.

^ TH is our resident expert on Prog, so I'm happy to take his definition as -er- definitive.

^ Nice to talk to you about music again, Anteater, after our differences in the Trump threads. Thanks for pointing out how at one time Prog started morphing into New Age - so in fact I owe rubber soul an apology for my over-hasty dismissal of his question.

Your mention of Mike Oldfield reminded me of Ommadawn, so I'm gonna take that idea to the bagpipes thread so that I can impress the guys there with my staggering musical erudition: https://www.musicbanter.com/talk-ins...s-kickass.html

Talking about politics is a relatively new thing for me here: I've been around since 2008 after all. :D

There's an interesting argument to be made that early Genesis (circa Trespass) was probably somewhat influential on New Age music as well, though I think that what Paul Horn did with his album Inside The Taj Mahal in 1968 is what kicked things off due to the unique approach it offered at the time.

^ Yes, I think you were more active in the music threads here in an era that many of today's members didn't witness. When I was an MB newbie you were already a venerable expert - which is why I, like several others, was surprised to discover that you're still in your twenties.

Anyway, I don't know the Paul Horn album you mentioned, but I used to have a copy of his Cleopatra album which is perhaps similar. I suppose before the term New Age was invented, proto new age was bubbling up in various places: the quieter moments of prog, Paul Horn's soft jazz that you mention, electronica probably, and for me personally, this album by John Fahey, which at one time I used to listen to night after night to de-stress from my working day. It's still beautiful, still takes me to a special place:-

Thanks but I think it would be inaccurate to describe me as an expert on anything, especially prog. There's a whole hell of a lot of it I have yet to listen to, but it remains my favourite genre so I do know something about it.

Fahey is also influential to the extent that that he and Wes Montgomery both pushed guitar into new musical territory, though Fahey is arguably the single biggest innovator.

Paul Horn recorded Inside in 1968 when he tagged along with The Beatles during their India excursion. I don't know if its the first New Age album, but a lot of people believe it is considering the unique elements of the recording environment and the soothing nature of it.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inside_(Paul_Horn_album)

I remember the good 'ol days when Trollheart, Comus, myself and Booboo were like the resident Prog Panel experts. :p: