Houdini (Kate Bush, 1982)

Kate Bush is one of the most influential artists in the world since her debut in 1978 and surely is considered as a prog related singer and songwriter. We don't need to search for long and tricky compositions to find the avant-garde habits and the musical research that are the essential elements of prog rock. Take this "Houdini", coming from such a beautiful album as "The Dreaming".

"The Dreaming" was one of the most creative albums by Kate.

All the tempo changes, the passionate vocals, the orchestral touches and, of course, the keen work on sounds make of this song a pure jewel. The chorus is heartbreaking and Kate is perfect when she digs very deep in the human soul as she does in this song. Is this progressive rock? I think so.

The Ninth Wave (Kate Bush, 1985)

I don't think Kate Bush could be tagged as a prog artist, nor as part of any other novement. She's a world apart, a unique mix of feelings and skills. That said, this beautiful suite taken from the album "Hounds of Love" (1985) is probably her proggest release ever. Seven movements, deep folk roots, clever orchestral arrangements, spooky moods, electronic touches, the story about a drowning person, everything here suggests a personal research both in sounds and lyrics.

This is the Aivazovsky's masterpiece titled "The Ninth Wave",

painted in 1850, that inspired Kate Bush.

As usual, the excellent melodies are perfectly in tune with the concept and a wide range of special effects and samples add a theatrical touch to the track. Kate takes care of everything, each detail is meant to add something relevant to the big picture. The listener goes through irish jigs, gloomy choirs, bright tunes and electro-pop beats in a surprising and coloured soul journey, inspired by Ivan Aivazovsky's painting and transfigured by Kate Bush's wild sensitiveness. Such an experience is certainly worth some 25 minutes of your life.