Music has always played a large part of my life; starting in the late 1950’s when my parent spent the rates money on a new stereogram – so we always had music around the house. Buddy Holly, Eddie Chochran, anyone who was a “rebel” and different – we had them all.

In the early 60’s I grew up with the Beatles and the other 60’s phenomenon – far too many to mention. Interestingly, I never really got on with the Rolling Stones or the Who but preferred the Kinks, the Small Faces and other less popular groups. Pink Floyd were a favourite, but I was a bit biased as I was taught by Roger Waters’ mother and was at the same school as them (although not in the same year).
And so I dipped my toes into the waters that became Prog-Rock. Pink Floyd were the start (I went to see them at Hyde Park where they recorded Atom Heart Mother) and then my parents (my Mum, I think) bought home The Yes Album. Wow! What a group. Others followed, most of which have never been heard of since (who remembers Aardvark?).

I wasn’t neglecting my classical education either. I’d heard a recording of Paganini’s 3rd on the radio and got hooked on him and ended up with all his works. My father was into folk music (he was one of the founders of the Cambridge Folk Festival) and classical too and I was exposed to all manner of people (Pete Seeger and Paul Simon both came round and we had loads of music parties in the early and late 60’s). Then I went to see A Clockwork Orange – very violent film, but the music!!! Got me well into classical.

But I digress. I got to the heady age of 19 and heard (at Durham Uni where I was visiting friends) the first two tracks of Genesis’s Nursery Crymes. I had no idea what it was but I loved it. So, my friends made me a copy of those two tracks on a reel-reel tape and I took it back down to Cambridge on my motorcycle. It didn’t help that the reel came loose and unspun all down the A1, but I retrieved it and it still played. I soon found out what it was and proceeded to buy every Genesis album I could find.

College followed (Durham and Sunderland) and I made loads of friends who had similar tastes. The list of music I bought (generally second hand – there was a decent record shop nearby) was wide ranging: Supertramp. Stackridge, Phil Collins, Queen, David Bowie. Heart. Jethro Tull, Paganini, Rare bird, Rick Wakeman, the Strawbs, The Enid, The Nice, ELP, Uriah Heep, Wishbone Ash, The Alan Parsons Project and a load of others. I still have a fair number of them up in the loft today.

The 1980’s was a bleak time for me – apart from Marillion and IQ. But I had other things to worry about including marriage, a child and divorce. Then a new job with DEC (I am still there today).

And so into the ‘90’s. A brief sojourn into Blues and Jazz didn’t last too long and I was back with my favourite prog rock. This meant more IQ, Pendragon, Galahad and Arena. Which was fine for a while but I needed more – and there was. Loads of it. Just scouring the web was wonderful. I also conversed with Martin Orford of IQ and realised these “gods” were just normal men – but with a talent I envied.

Into the 21st century and my quest (and buying spree) continued. I found Stellar Attraction (thanks Darran) and loads more artists. Until we get to today. Prog Rock is alive and well and I have thousands of albums to share with you.

Just as a taster, these are some of the artists that I have NOT included today – some you will know, some you won’t:
•      Phish
•      Wishbone Ash
•      Acoustic Alchemy
•      Gary Moore
•      Asia
•      Supertramp
•      Taurus
•      Big Big Train
•      Comedy of Errors
•      Laggan Rye
•      Rick Wakeman
•      Ayreon
•      Glasshammer
•      Mystery
•      Pallas
•      Camel
•      It Bites
•      Presto Ballet
•      Twelth Knight
•      GPS
•      Icom
•      MEW
•      Karmekanic
•      Mindgames
•      Unitopia
•      Flash Range
•      Forgotten Suns
•      Fish on Friday
•      K2
•      Deexpus
•      Karnataka
•      Lonely Robot
•      Days Between Stations

So, if you like what you hear, then this is what you can look forward to in the future

Alan

A good read Alan.Thanks I will be listening.

Many thanks for putting this session together, Alan. I'm sure that it will go down well - welcome aboard as a S.A. DJ 

Thanks for the nice intro, Darran.

Alan

Enjoy - I hope you like some of the less well known ones. My tastes are a little different from Darrans as you will find out (if I am allowed to do more).

Alan

Yes, I think so, assuming Darran played them in the order I showed above.

Sorry

Yes Phreak wrote on 15^th Jun, 2015 at 11:15pm:



but I can listen agaib on Wednesday!

Thank you.

Yes, it's on again during next week a few times.

If you've liked it, I'll set up a new session in a month or so. All feedback (good and bad) is appreciated.

Alan

Ok, so the list has been played a few times. I'm now thinking about another one (if Darran lets me).

I've got some ideas (themes?) in mind. I'd appreciate some opinions.
1. All stuff you may not know. This would be artists I have found but that I haven't seen on Darrans playlists.
2. New vs old. Look for new (recent) artists and compare them with where I think they came from. Example- I think Glasshammer sound like Yes, so play a track from each one after the other.
3. Shorties - no track longer than 5 minutes. I know it goes against the grain for prog-rock, but it would mean, if you don't like a track, you don't have long to wait for the next one.
3. Longies - the opposite. No track shorter than 15 minutes which allows you to really get the "feel" of an artist.

So, what do you think?

Alan

Thank you for this show alan.I am looking forward to the next.

I'll start putting another track list together next week. Thanks again for the offer.

Alan