my lack of knowledge

Because of my lack of knowledge about prog rock music, I want to ask about some bands. Some one suggested me to dig out these bands such as Marrilion, Vangelist, UK, and ELP .

I never heard of those bands before, I mean their music. So, I'd like to ask wheter any of you ever listened to their stuffs and give opinions wheter it is worth it or not to dig them out. I don't want to waste my time and money. I got some infos from Stratman (thanks), but I like to find out more.
Thanks


ps:
-i've used the search tool but no match (except the links that stratman gave me about ELP). So i believe that i won't piss anyone with duplicating threads
- you'd probably gonna mock me for not knowing about those bands but i'd appriciate if you give some info first
-this got nothing to do with my question but i just saw the calendar and it's nice to know that you can see all member's birthday there (IMO)

Sorry, I don't have much to add, I listened to ELP a bit, in the songs I've heard they are playing pompous fanfaric prog rock. And as you know they are just three, so it's rather interesting, but not my fave.

UK and Marillion - have heard of them, but never really listened to them.

Vangelist - are you sure it should be "Vangelist"? Because I know a musician called Vangelis who you may be referring to. He composed some very moody music, especially for soundtracks - Blade Runner, Chariots Of Fire. Now he's doing a sort of symphonic keyboard music I think.

Haven't helped you much, but they are of course people who will.

I am very familiar w/ UK & ELP, but not the first 2

UK - get their first self-titled release featuring guitarist Alan Holdsworth, this is considered to be their best by most.
the singer/bass man is John Wetton who also sang in King Crimson & pop band Asia

ELP - all their early work is good
;my favorites are 'Trilogy' & 'Tarkus'

Emmerson, Lake and Palmer (ELP) probably are the most widely recognized of the ones you mentioned. They were very successful through the '70's. Some of their material is very "Pompus and fanfaric" specificaly "Fanfare for the Common Man" (go figgure) composed by Aaron Copeland. Unfortunately that is the most commonly recognized piece of theirs. The Works Vol 1 album is worth a listen. Kieth Emmersons "Piano Concerto No. 1" has been described and Neo-Classical. It is an amazing piece.

Marillion were (are) a very interestin band. They never had the popular recognition of ELP but mad a dent anyway. Alan Holdsworth was the band, much the same as Mark Knopfler was Dire Straits. Once Alan left marillion really dropped off the radar. They are still around, but of no real consequence.

UK and Vangellis I never really got into.

Some other progressive rockers you may want to persue....Allan Parsons Project, Electric Light Orchestra, Budgie and King Crimson. Through Progessive Rock I became interested in Fusion Jazz, the distinction betweeen the two genres being somewhat fuzzy. You may also want to give a listen to...

Jean-Luc Ponty
Pat Metheny
Al DiMeola
Jaco Pastorius
Weather Report
Gill Scott-Heron

Happy hunting.

I would recommend ELP's album Brain Salad Surgery to anyone. While the music on this record never sounded 'pompous and fan-faric' to me, I still quite dig it. I say it's worth the price to hear their cover of 'Toccata', which is quite simply amazing for the period it was recorded in.

So... there you go. I've never heard the other two artists you speak of, sorry.

I used to quite like Vangelis, although I haven't listened to any of his stuff for years now. His album 'China' is well worth a listen if you like synthesizer doodling in a sort of Tangerine Dream type vein.

I love 'To the unknown man'

From 'Spiral'? Don't you find it a bit mawkish and not a little dull?

Nah, it reminds me being a kid and going for night drives in the country with my grandad.

It reminds me of the world snooker championships from a few years ago, they used to play it over the 'Shot of the Tournament' competition, that's probably why I remember it as being so bloody boring.

I never remember them using that. Maybe it was before my time.

Maybe you just fell asleep.

During snooker? No way.

o yea, i think i mis-spelled Vangellis.

Thanks guys and any other info is very welcome