Prog Folk from the Anglosphere
 

´Twas in the heady years of the late ´60s that progressive rockers and folk musicians got together and spawned the sub-genre known as Prog Folk. This fertile union has sired dozens of artists and albums, but strangely, I didn´t find any MB threads specifically devoted to Prog Folk itself. In MB, we have a Prog section and a Folk section, so it looks as if the parents have divorced and now live in their separate houses. But what about the poor children? Where are all the artists, whose surname is Prog-Folk – where are they to live?

Well, I propose dividing them up like this: all the English-speaking Prog Folk family can live here in the Prog forum, where the emphasis might be on their progness. Meanwhile, any Prog Folkers who grew up in other countries can live with the other parent, in the World/Folk forum, where perhaps the stress might be on regional folkiness.

So I´m opening up twin threads in which people can share recommendations. This one for Anglophonic Prog Folk, and a parallel one for other countries:-

http://www.musicbanter.com/country-f...ml#post1662995

To kick things off, I´d like to post a track by a band I´ve recently come across. This is from the Trees´ excellent 1970 album, On The Shore:-

Long before Ziggy Stardust and the Thin White Duke, there was this incarnation of David Bowie:



(Yes, I'm being predictable.)

Does this count?



Some of Biota's more song-oriented stuff might be fitting as well.

^ Haha! Only in one sense, because you are admirably loyal to your enthusiasms, but for me Cygnet Committee was a complete surprise. I haven´t heard it for years and didn´t think of Bowie as a prog folk Singer; good call, P_S !

^ Of course, Grindy - I´m no genre-nazi! If you´re interested,here are a couple of opinions about this album:- http://www.musicbanter.com/country-f...-thompson.html

What is your own verdict on it?

That Biota track has a strange atmosphere. Thanks.

My turn to be predicatable, by choosing something by those one-time darlings of progfolk, Gryphon. This is from their 2009 re-union tour; a faultless recreation of a track from their 1973 self-titled debute album:-

If it's good, it's good, no matter what the self-regarding hipsters think.

Glad to see it got some recognition here.
I really like it. I'm not a folk fan, but it's weird melodies really make it stand out. His singing being somewhat askew also adds to my enjoyment. Really prefer something like that to more standard vocal styles, which I often find cheesy.


I suppose this is kinda folky, although it's a little too electric at times.

Probably more Prog and Pop than Folk in this song. Still one of my favorite songs I found this year.
Renaissance - northern lights (hq) 70s

I'm not sure if this qualifies more as prog folk or freak folk (or how different those two genres are), but Richard Dawson has become one of my favourites recently. His guitar style is like a refined Bill Orcutt, which is sort of primitive sounding but still very cohesive and interesting. He's also got a lot of Beefheart's fingerprints on his music, which is never a bad thing imo. Lyrically, I think that he's one of the best out there right now. I think of him as really singular, but if anyone can show me some similar stuff that would be great.

Sandy Denny - Who Knows Where The Time Goes
Sandy was in Fairport Convention, Strawbs, and Fotheringay. She also sang duet with Robert Plant on The Battle of Evermore from Led Zeppelin IV.

^ Haha, yes - that song sounds about 90% Pop to me, Nea, although Renaissance have plenty of undeniably Prog Folk material too. I also have been discovering them this year, and was particularly drawn to one of their best-regarded tracks, Ashes Are Burning. I prefer the more complex, 11-min studio version, but this live clip is a good showcase for the powerful voice of Annie Haslam:-



( For the sake of completeness, here´s an old thread about Renaissance - but don´t expect anything very insightful from it:- http://www.musicbanter.com/prog-psyc...naissance.html )

^ This was a completely new name to me, but I loved the guitar-playing and the unexpected opening lyrics. On YouTube I found his Final Moments of the Universe which has some great surreal lyrics. (In answer to your request for sim stuff, I guess you already know about Daniel Johnston, the guy who immediately came to mind as I listened to Nothing Important.)

^ Yes, that´s a nice version of the song, and at last a mention of Fairport Convention, who are often considered the first and best of the prog or electric folk bands. It´s true that members Sandy Denny, Ashley Hutchins and Richard Thompson later turned up in every English progfolk band that ever was; often greater things, imo, because I´ve found a lot of Fairport´s output to be rather disappointing. Instead of adding rock-band excitement, I thought Dave Mattock´s pedestrian drumming in particular had an overall stiffling effect on their songs. Perhaps that´s because at the time, I was hooked on the much sharper sound of Dando Shaft´s debut, An Evening With.... The problem with DS is that just one year later, with their second album, they´d already lost their special spark.



Anyway, many thanks for everybody´s recs so far. When I started this thread, I thought Prog Folk meant Yes but with flutes, so I have some rethinking to do if it is now going to include all your various ideas!

Merry Christmas Lisnaholic,

Seven Hundred Elves - Steeleye Span


The Blacksmith / Steeleye Span "Hark! The Village Wait"

Hey, thanks neapolitan ! Happy Christmas to you too.
I liked both your Steeleye Span selections. The first one I hadn´t heard before and the second I knew would be good because it´s from Hark! The Village Wait. Of what I´ve listened to, that album is my favorite by Steeleye and the Spans.

And how about Spirogyra ? They are usually compared with Comus, and should not to be confused with US jazz band Spyro Gyra (which is what I once did, and made a very disappointing purchase.) They played around with a folk style, but wrote all their own material, albeit only a total of three album´s worth. I like their soaring violin breaks, and their "beauty and the beast" vocal team gives them a more balanced sound than Comus imo. This track is the closer from their first album, St.Radigunds:-



( Spirogyra have yet to register on MB´s Album Review listings, but here´s a review of First Utterance if anyone is interested:- http://www.musicbanter.com/album-rev...utterance.html )

More than many other genres, prog folk gave girls a chance to front a "rock" band. In the first decade of prog rock- the seventies- vocals were often handled by some sweet-voiced female with flowing locks. So much so that it´s easy to get them mixed up. That´s why I thought I´d try a little quiz for anyone who is interested: for each photo, can you say who it is and what seventies band she was in ? As an incentive, the first person to identify them all correctly will get a nomination from me for Biggest Music Nerd of 2015.

http://www.musicaememoria.com/images...-jacqui-02.jpgPhoto A ..... http://cdn.discogs.com/mxUXCEzvt1Eya...47642.jpeg.jpg Photo B
http://www.udiscovermusic.com/wp-con...andy-Denny.jpg Photo C.....http://cache1.asset-cache.net/gc/555...e%2B%2Bw%3D%3D Photo D
https://i.ytimg.com/vi/suha38pojO0/hqdefault.jpg Photo E.....http://pxhst.co/avaxhome/03/50/00195003_medium.jpeg Photo F

Here are my answers:

Well done, Neapolitan, you got them all! :clap:The only one you were doubtful about was indeed Ann Steuart of Tudor Lodge, and she was only there because you introduced me to their music a couple of days ago! How unfair is that?

And how about this band, from Vancouver? Nothing spectacular, but some beautiful folk-sounding music. As the album advances there are fewer vocals and more recorder/ acoustic guitar passages. That´s because Paul Horn was involved in making the album I guess. Anyway, I thought you might like it if you don´t know it already.

Not very obscure, but I've only recently been getting into Roy Harper. Stormcock is a great album.

And if you're wondering, he is indeed the guy referenced in that Led Zep song.

^ I have also allowed Roy Harper to pass me by, despite his high reputation and powerful advocates (i.e. Jimmy Page). So I made an effort with The Same Old Rock, but Roy Harper doesn´t make it easy for us; I wish he'd throw us a verse, a chorus, a hookline once in a while!

The Strawbs From The Witchwood album holds a central position in progfolk; the culmination of Dave Cousins' enthusiasm for folk, and the last album Rick Wakeman played on before defecting to Yes. But what a disappointment this album actually is! Dave Cousins doesn't have much of a voice imo, and the harking back to days of yore comes across as contrived to me. Judge for yourself, on what most people consider to be the album's standout track:-

Mellow Candle were from Dún Laoghaire, Ireland. The singers were just teenagers at the time. In my opinion their music is one of the best example for a blend of Progressive Rock and Folk. This is the kind of album I wish I owned. I read in the comments that the album cost £500. So it might not be likely.

Mellow Candle - Dan the Wing


I just found this today so I don't know too much about the band. I thought you might like it.
Jade - Five of Us

^ Two more great recommendations - thanks, Neapolitan.

This is a kind of "What progfolk are you listening to" post, with the answer to that question being:-



Thanks to Nea's rec, I'm discovering the album Swaddling Songs, and enjoying this track in particular because of how the piano playing opens up at the end.
^ Yes, if you had to define progfolk, Mellow Candle's music would provide a good illustration of the sound. Not so sure about this album being progfolk; Audience are pretty eclectic prog rock, with a touch of folk in the mix sometimes. Anyway, this is a wonderful track, so no apologies if it's a bit off topic:-



I like the sound of this guy's album; it's mellow and rather mysterious. Perry Leopold has a soothing voice, describing things I don't quite grasp. It's the intrigue of that, plus the discreet beauty of the backing instruments that makes me come back for more of Christian Lucifer:-



^ Hope to explore more by these guys today, Neapolitan. This track sounds promising.

The singer in Audience sounds like Chris Cornell or vice a versa. Perry Leopold's singing reminds me of Leo Kottke, when he sings.

Seals and Crofts are described as Soft Rock, and Pop Rock. I'm not really familiar with all of their music, but I think the one song they do, Hummingbird, is pretty close to Progressive Rock territory. It's not the typical verse/chorus song. It has a minute intro, which builds before the whole band joins in, and the bridge is amazing. The bass is very Proggy. It came out in '72 a little later than most Prog-Folk. Maybe S&C marks Folk transitioning from mixing with Hard Rock & Prog (Acid Folk/Folk Prog) to mixing with Rock & Pop.

I had to include both live and album versions.

Hummingbird (live)

Seals and Crofts Hummingbird (Album Version)

I really appreciate your continuing contributions to this thread, Nea, which is why I'm sorry to say that "Hummingbird" doesn't do much for me. The studio version is pretty decent - nice acoustic guitar in the intro, and I like the way the tempo picks up for the first, "Hummingbird don't fly away, fly away" But after that initial surprise, the song doesn't seem to go anywhere.

Anyway, feel free to be as rude as you like about this one:-



Dr Strangely Strange are rather second-tier progfolkers, making only a few albums that met with mixed reviews. Heavy Petting, for instance, with its Roger Dean cover, is described by most internet sites as having just the one worthwhile track, which I am posting here for the kind attention of you and other MBers. ( The guitar solo in the middle is by Gary Moore, aged 17.)

Are you kidding? That was great.

Judy Dyble and Jackie McAuley are Trader Horne. I found this track on a compilation of bands related to Fairport Convention. (I'm not absolutely certain, but think this would fall under Acid Folk.)
Trader Horne / Morning Way

Hey! I also came across Trader Horne recently while looking around at progfolk artists!
For decades, I suspect, they had been completely forgotten, but now the internet has made their music more available again. The track you've posted is pretty sweet; beautifully clear guitar and female vocal , though I would've liked a bit more piano. It turns up tantalizingly for about half a bar at the end. :(

I'm glad you liked the Dr.Strangely Strange, Neapolitan, but I wouldn't rush out to buy their complete discography, if I were you. In fact, I'd recommend the same caution with Amazing Blondel, who for me are just too light, too nice. This track is ok because we are spared the rather weak, ingratiating vocals that spoil most of their material imo:-

Shelagh McDonald is a Scottish folk singer. I guess her music leans more on the British Folk Rock side, but there is some Prog elements in it imo. I really like the piano in this song, there a little bit of Jazz/Rock fusion going on too.

Shelagh McDonald - Waiting for the Wind to Rise

Judy Dyble has released a number of solo recordings since the turn of the millenium. Particularly acclaimed has been the album Talking With Strangers, produced with a lot of input from Tim Bowness of the progressive rock duo No-Man (of which Steven Wilson is the other half). Talking With Strangers is a pretty good example of progressive folk, especially the long closing track "Harpsong". Lisnaholic would like this album as it has lots of piano.

Here is the title track:


Incidentally, she pronounces her name to rhyme with "Bible". I mention this because I have heard her played and mentioned a couple of times on a community radio station, and the announcers invariably pronounce the name as though it rhymed with "nibble". :(

^ This is an excellent track, Neapolitan. I like the kind of low-key approach it has, and the way the elements you mention slowly reveal themselves; the jazzy piano, which, (predicatable comparison, I'm afraid), reminded me of Bryter Layter.

^ Thanks for the recommendation - I'll check out "Harpsong" in a minute. Also thanks for the pronunciation tip about Judy Dyble - there was I thinking she was married to:

http://vignette1.wikia.nocookie.net/...1bacdb5-1-.jpg

Fuchsia there is so much to say about the music I don't know where to begin. It was recorded in the transition years between Psychedelia to Progressive Rock, and it seems where it has a foot in each. There are times they remind me of Genesis, and other times like ELO.

Fuchsia - Gone With The Mouse

Here are a couple of groups that haven't been posted yet. Perhaps a bit more rock oriented, but there are enough folk and prog elements in both bands to include them here (IMO)...

Stewart Copeland was the replacement drummer in a later version of Curved Air before he joined the Police. He was also romantically linked to the singer, Sonja Kristina.

If your into UK 70s/80s-sound folkrock you should look into Holland during that period.
You'd be surprized. And you'd be hard-pressed to tell the difference.
The vocals in English are perfect.

Not folkprog (that is a VERY slim line) ,but folkrock.




....
80s-on you have what was known as wyrdfolk.
Many, many bands.

^ An little-known band and an interesting, complex song, Neapolitan. It's the kind of song that requires a few listens I think, so I'll be coming back to play it again.Thanks.

It seems pretty clear that Fuchsia take their name from one of the characters in that sprawling, wordy classic of gothic fiction, the Gormenghast trilogy. If anyone is in doubt, check out the cover of this paperback edition of the first novel, Titus Groan, which shows the author's own drawing of Fuchsia:-



So this a good place to mention the band that actually called themselves Titus Groan and who, by coincidence, are kind of prog-folky too. This is one of the better tracks off their album, and the song title refers to a part of the enormous Gormenghast castle in which M Peake's novels are set.



^ I haven't Heard the name Fotheringay in years, Psy-Fi ! That video clip is a real time capsule back to the style of so many English bands in the seventies; so serious about getting their music right, so uninterested in putting on a show of any kind.

As for Curved Air, I used to love their Vivaldi tracks, but I'm not sure if they really count as Prog Folk. Unless you can demonstrate otherwise, I'm afraid I'll have to report you to a mod for going off topic!

I almost deleted the Curved Air video, shortly after posting it, because I thought it might not qualify as Prog/Folk. :laughing:

I plead temporary insanity.

^ :laughing: OK, we can let it go this time...


Anyway, John Barleycorn is a well-known album that's often considered to be prog folk. TBH, it's never felt that way to me. It's an album of rock edging towards jazz and it just happens to latch on to a folk song for it's title track:-



Mice and Rats in the Loft is more prog than folk. At the time of its release the album was pretty much ignored, but it's now becoming a cult classic thanks to the internet. Well, it's convinced me! There's lots of musical invention on the album's three tracks; lots of acoustic guitar, strings and I don't know what else. See if this 18-minuter doesn't hold your attention from start to finish as it did with me:-

Their other lp, "Sorcerors", is terrible boring though.

Traffic is one of my favorite bands. I was going to bring them up not so much as a full fledged Folk-Prog band, but a band who occasionally writes a song in the Acid Folk/Prog Folk style. Chris Wood was the one who was into Jazz, Classical and English Folk, so from my point of view I see John Barelycorn Must Die as an example of one of Chris' many electric interest.

Besides not being called a Prog Folk band, I really haven't seen Traffic described by any one as Progressive Rock, even though their exploration into other music areas is just as strong as other Prog bands. Maybe the reasons for this is that started in the Psychedelia era and then later tend to have a stronger Jazz & R&B influence. I'm not too hung up on tagging bands by genres, because a lot of time they cover a wide range of styles. I much prefer what the artists think of their music. Pentangle called their music "Thirteenth Century Rock and Roll," and Traffic called their music the "Headless Horseman Sound." :)

Traffic - Hidden Treasure


Thanks for not totally dismiss it and giving it another try. The lyrics of Fuschia reminds me something between the Psychedelic songs Dave Mason wrote in Traffic and Syd Barrett writing and singing style. Fuschia's music has a sound that is sometimes like Genesis and other times like ELO.

Other book related songs in Acid Folk/Prog Folk would be Aslan (C.S. Lewis) and Magician in the Mountain (J. R. R. Tolkien).

Caedmon - Aslan


There are two bass players that are credit on the album The Sound Of Sunforest, Joe Mudele and Herbie Flowers. The latter played bass for David Bowie and Lou Reed, and played bass on Walk on the Wild Side ... believe it or not. Herbie Flowers was only paid £17 for his contribution on the song. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Sunforest - Magician In The Mountain


That whole magician in a mountain theme is taken up again with the Tree's song Murdoch - one of my all time favorite Prog Folk songs. The guitar playing reminded me of the Outlaws, and I sometimes wonder if Mutt Lange owned this album, a steered the Outlaws in that direction ... or maybe they were influenced by the same bands. The Trees were influenced by the San Fransisco Acid Rock groups as well of course English bands like Pentangle.

Trees - Murdoch

^"Headless Horseman Sound" is a suitably psychedelic description all right! I agree, that labelling John Barleycorn as Prog Folk is pretty misleading. Low Spark is a good album, though my stand-out fave is the title track, rather than Hidden Treasure.

^ I didn't expect "Book-related Acid/Prog Folk" to turn into a sub-sub-sub genre, but so it appears to be! My first impression is that they shared a nice line in album-cover art, but I haven't been won over by the music yet. I really liked the Caedemon song because of its elec guitar, though that touch seems to be the exception for Caedemon rather than the rule. :(

^ Yes, That's a great name, and ditto pastiche album cover! I'll give them a proper listen soon, along with Sunforest.
I'm also looking for music to keep this thread going, though I don't have any new material to offer just now. Instead, in the pedantic way I have, I'm dredging up an old link, in this case because you mentioned Pentangle:-

http://www.musicbanter.com/country-f...pentangle.html

^ This is a little-known piece of information that I wouldn't disagree with, although the title track at least has slowly grown on me.

Sunforest does a variety of music styles, has more of a feel-good Pop sound. King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard does a variety of styles - Garage, Psychedelia, and early RnR styles. They probably use more reverb than was employed back in the 60s. I haven't heard a lot of Caedmon, but I really like the song Aslan.

I discovered Bermuda Triangle about a month ago, but haven't really delve into them much. The band consists of Roger and Wendy Penney. Roger plays an auto-harp, which is more likely to be found in Old Timey and early Country music. Wendy plays bass. She has an unique & sophisticated approach to playing. I think she is pretty good at it. With the high pitch/range "ethereal" vocals and auto-harp, they have more of a acoustic Folk sound than a Prog Folk sound. And yes, that is a cover version of Aerosmith - Dream On.

Bermuda Triangle-Lost Worlds-Late 60's

BERMUDA TRIANGLE ~ Dream On

It was only when I reread your post that it struck me how unexpected it is that Sunforest and Lou Reed should have a musician in common.

Right now I'm exploring the discography of Renaissance, who in their earliest incarnation, had all the prog elements you could wish for:-



For me at least, there was a surprising connection too; the band was formed by none other than Keith Relf, distinctive frontman of the Yardbirds, with his former bandmate Jim McCarty. The girl with the tambourine is Keith's sister, Jane and the keyboard player with glasses was John Hawken, who arrived from The Nashville Teens and who would later move on to The Strawbs.



P.S. My favourite Renaissance lyric so far, more Beefheart than prog folk, is:-

................................................. Black mambo bamboo business on a red sun night.