Prophets & Sages: An Illustrated Guide to Underground and Progressive Rock 1967-1975 [Paperback]

373 pages of text and photos/graphics, 2 page Preface, 2 page Catalog of prog-rock from the Esoteric, Atomhenge, Reactive, and Manticore labels. The book is laid out chronologically, beginning with THE MOODY BLUES in 1967, and progressing (no pun intended) through to VAN DER GRAAF GENERATOR in 1975. Included are a few pages of 10 great (according to Powell) progressive and underground singles, from the years 1967-1972, which is an interesting addition. There's also a chronological listing of 20 lesser known groups from the era. The vast majority of photos/graphics are in b&w, with 16 pages of color reproductions of album covers from the era. The book itself is a large size (7 3/4" by 10 1/4") soft cover edition.

This great book is obviously a labor of love for author Mark Powell, who has been in the record business a number of years, and has been (and is) a champion of both underground and prog-rock bands from the original era. These bands (both using various combinations of jazz, rock, European classical, psychedelic, blues, folk, and even electronic music) were searching for a new type of sound, away from basic American blues and rock 'n' roll. The amount of information, on both the music and the bands in this book, is staggering. The book covers progressive and underground rock through it's prime years, 1967-1975. The vast majority of artists covered here are British/European, simply because during these years, prog-rock, and the underground scene, was making big gains with both musicians and listeners in Britain. The book came about primarily because Powell was continually asked what his favorite prog-rock/underground albums were.

Because it's a personal selection, a number of bands' finest albums (PINK FLOYD, YES, GENESIS, etc.) you'd expect to see here are largely absent. If the bands are mentioned, it's because Powell wants to highlight a relatively lesser known album, or a point (or points) that might have been overlooked, especially if the album is a good example of prog/underground music that people may have overlooked. But so much has been written about the above (and other) groups' most popular recordings, and that information can easily be found, that simply rehashing the same information would be a waste of time and book space.

Instead there's overviews of groups like; CARAVAN, FAMILY, DEEP PURPLE, Jack Bruce, CAN, COLOSSEUM, JETHRO TULL, MAN, QUINTESSENCE, SPOOKY TOOTH, EGG, GROUNDHOGS, LOCOMOTIVE, LOVE SCULPTURE, T2, PINK FAIRIES, KHAN, STRAWBS, BADGER, PFM, BARCLAY JAMES HARVEST, CAMEL, GONG, GENTLE GIANT, NEKTAR, AMON DUUL II, AFFINITY, RARE BIRD, AUDIENCE, Roy Harper, and on and on. As with any book of this type, you may not find your favorite group (or groups) listed. It's not intended to be an encyclopedia of underground/progressive rock-but what's here is well worth reading-not only Powell's overviews of the groups, but the many period articles and other graphics, which give added flavor and depth to Powell's remarks. From this list, you can tell this book is not aimed only at prog-rock, but also incorporates bands with a straighter approach to rock-many who sometimes had strains of a progressive style in their music. Doing so gives the book added depth and adds even more interest.

This great book belongs in the library of anyone into progressive rock, the underground era, or music in general from Britain during this era. Powell's well thought out essays are interesting and informative. To my knowledge there's not been a book of this scope, written by an industry insider, who loves the music like Powell, before. This book can easily sit next to Charles Snider's "The Strawberry Bricks Guide to Progressive Rock" from a few years back. Hopefully this book will get a U.S. distributor so it will be easily available. One minor quibble-what were they thinking when they came up with the cover art? It's a combination of textbook/ugly, and PINK FLOYD floating colored balls with a light show backdrop. But that's okay, because what's between the covers is well worth your time, and will be something you'll find yourself coming back to time and time again. Prog lovers-get this book. Fans of underground bands will also find this book informative and interesting.

Mark Powell runs Cherry Red records, so if you read this book, you should now many of the albums he discusses have or are being reissued by his company. Powell includes commentary, articles about the bands, and other contemporaneous material that make this fascinating reading for an American fan, since many of the publications he gleams articles from never appeared in the US. These selections are Powell's own, so some Prog chestnuts don't appear, but there is now so much written about this maligned genre that even a junkie like myself can find relief in other books. If you love obscure Prog, then this book is for you.