There are stories within Progressive Rock that seem destined to remain hidden in the folds of time — stories of bands who created masterpieces too soon, too quietly, too far from the spotlight. Among these stands PRE, short for Progressive Rock Experience, an American quintet formed in Kentucky in 1973. Their only self-titled album, recorded the same year and shelved without official release, finally surfaced in 1992 thanks to ZNR Records. By then, it was already a ghost of a past that almost never existed — a record too refined to vanish, yet too obscure to be widely known.
What emerges from those sessions is an extraordinary piece of American Symphonic Progressive Rock, one that mirrors the European canon while maintaining a distinct voice of its own. PRE combined pastoral acoustic passages with powerful organ-driven structures, gracefully moving between delicate introspection and exuberant instrumental interplay. The presence of Hammond organ and Mini-Moog is dominant, often at the heart of long, multilayered developments. The electric guitar alternates between sharp, fluid solos and crystalline twelve-string textures, offering constant contrast and depth. Atop this framework stands the magnificent voice of Alfred Collinsworth, capable of shifting from ethereal calm to dramatic intensity with remarkable elegance.
The group’s influences are evident yet never derivative — one can sense echoes of Yes, ELP, and even the Symphonic poetry of early Genesis, but always filtered through an unmistakably American sensibility. The inclusion of the bow guitar, used for textural emphasis, further enriches the sound palette, lending a subtly experimental edge. What truly impresses, however, is the cohesion and purpose of the compositions: each transition feels organic, the complexity never gratuitous, the arrangements constantly evolving without losing emotional coherence.
PRE’s music unfolds as a continuous dialogue between motion and contemplation. The more dynamic sections, built around tight rhythmic changes and bold keyboard flights, are seamlessly balanced by moments of acoustic delicacy and melodic repose. The album flows with narrative grace, alternating moods in a way that makes the listening experience both immersive and rewarding. The band’s technical skills are beyond question; every instrument serves the architecture of the whole rather than personal display. This is perhaps why the record resonates as a unified artistic statement rather than a collection of songs.
It remains astounding that a work of such craftsmanship and vision was never given the chance it deserved in its time. The 1992 edition — beautifully produced and mixed — revealed a sonic quality that belied its long dormancy, further deepening the mystery of its decades-long obscurity. Brian Paulson, the group’s keyboardist and arguably its creative center, would later remark in an interview: “I’m still Progressive, but I’ve incorporated a more global music source.” His subsequent projects explored new directions, yet one can’t help but hear in PRE the youthful ambition and purity that defined an era of boundless experimentation.
Listening today, PRE stands as one of the unsung masterpieces of American Progressive Rock, a genuine relic of brilliance lost to circumstance. Its balance of Symphonic grandeur, pastoral warmth, and Psychedelic undertones captures the essence of a scene that, even in its marginality, produced works of extraordinary quality. Each track maintains a high emotional and compositional level, never waning in inspiration or precision. Between majestic organ lines, soaring guitar phrasing, graceful vocals and intricate rhythmic transitions, the album deserves to be mentioned among the very best hidden treasures of the 1970s.
And now, history finally gives it justice. PQR Disques has announced the long-awaited official reissue, due January 2026, featuring restored audio, bonus tracks, rare photos, and the first-ever authorized band biography. Available in multiple vinyl editions and a digipack CD, this release marks a symbolic resurrection — a chance for the Progressive community to rediscover a record that time unjustly concealed.
For those who cherish Mirthrandir, Easter Island, Cathedral, Lift, or Earthrise, this album is not merely a recommendation — it’s an essential pilgrimage into the golden age of American symphonic Prog.
PRE may have existed for only a moment, but that moment shines brighter than ever.
— Discography —
“Pre” (1973) but released only in 1992 via ZNR Records (Out of catalog)
Tracklist:
1. Path (1:33)
2. Who’s Laughing Now (3:33)
3. Water Meeting (5:28)
4. Bowing Down (3:37)
5. Ascetic Eros(11:19)
a)Ascetic Eros
b)Hymn Of Transfiguration
6. Firmer Hand (9:05)
7. Child Of Sorow (3:40)
8. Ballet For A Blind Man (19:06)
a)Fields Of Darkness
b)Is It You Who’s Caught The Blues?
c)Must Have Been Ten Years
Lineup:
Alfred Collinsworth / Vocals, 12-string Guitar
Larry Collinsworth / Electric 6- and 12-string Guitars
Brian Paulson / Hammond Organ, Electric and Acoustic Pianos, Mini-Moog
Steve DeMoss / Bass, Vibes, Glockenspiel
Dwight Dunlap / Drums, Percussion
“Originally written for Hidden Rarities – Progressive Rock Journal (2019).
Updated November 2025 following the announcement of the official reissue by PQR Disques.” – Jacopo // PRJ