Abbey Road Medley (The Beatles, 1969)

Even if this famous medley from the "Abbey Road" album skips all labels and includes many and so different short songs, it surely influenced the rising progressive rock and was influenced by it. First of all, this lushing collection of musical themes proves how abundant and diversified was the band's inspiration and how accomplished were their creative skills. And I shouldn't forget George Martin's contribution, he probably provided the "symphonic" side to the big picture. A picture with no title, O must say, so I shold've called this post You Never Give Me Your Money/Sun King/Mean Mr Mustard/Polythene Pam/She Came In Through the Bathroom Window/Golden Slumbers/Carry That Weight/The End. Too much...

Not simply a cover: an immortal rock icon.

This kaleidoscope of musical sketches and the way The Beatles lined up full band arrangements, vocal harmonies and solo performances will become a standard in all forthcoming prog suites. They also chose with care the running order of the songs, so that some of them act like bridges or links between two strong and catchy tunes. 16 minutes of colourful, everchanging and riveting music. And if you don't want to call it prog, you'll have to find a new word for it!

Being for the Benefit of Mr. Kite! (The Beatles, 1967)

Of course, this isn't a prog song, it simply couldn't be. That said, "Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" is one of the most quoted and listed pre-prog albums. This song, in particular, features a lot of elements that perfectly fit into the proto-progressive mood. First of all, it's one of the more complex and colourful songs by The Beatles, packed with organ sounds, overdubbings, tape loops and assorted weirdness. This need for intricacy and the crossover nature of the track are the breeding ground on which our favourite genre will rise.

 

A seminal album. And not only for prog pre-history...

The lyrics confirm such a reading, being inspired by a XIXth Century circus poster and including a good deal of double entendres and allusions, in a vein that many prog bands will exploit some years later. Last but not least, this is a beautiful song, concealing a well written melody into a tricky package. And that doesn't sound new in this blog. So, not prog, you're right, but not so far from that...