Caravan - In the Land of Grey & Pink
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Free Music Notes for In the Land of Grey & Pink
Free Music Review: Last Of The Original Line-Up
Hit: 3 Stars
Caravan's third album (their second for Decca/Deram) had two distinct sides, the second comprising one 22 minute suite conceived by keyboardist Dave Sinclair, Nine Feet Underground, with linking passages devised by the rest of the band. It would be wholly unfair to suggest it should have been renamed Six Feet Underground and quietly buried, but it is a less effective suite than, say, For Richard or The Love In Your Eye, although it became a concert favourite and is a good example of their instrumental dexterity, veering towards the more "progressive" end of their repertoire. The following year Dave Sinclair decamped to Robert Wyatt's Matching Mole, having played on his End Of An Ear solo album, making this the last album with the original line-up.
However, it is the four songs on side one that best stand the test of time. Pye Hastings' only song on the album, Love To Love You, was the first of the results of the album sessions to be granted a release as it came out on a single a month before the album was released. The other side of the single, Richard Sinclair's charming Golf Girl, was equally strong but at 5.02 must have been considered too long to be an A-side. Richard Sinclair also contributed the title song, complete with fabulous bubble blowing solo, and Winter Wine, which Pye Hastings generously describes as "probably the finest song Richard Sinclair has ever written" in the notes to the album. The liner notes also point out with some pride that the album has never gone out of catalogue since its release in 1971.
This re-issue comes bundled with a selection bonus tracks, starting with the out-take I Don't Know It's Name (Alias The Word) and an early version of Aristocracy, which turned up on Waterloo Lily. Work-in-progress versions of Winter Wine and Golf Girl follow, and finally an alternative mix of the last two sections of Nine Feet Underground
Free Music Review: It lacks exhuberance...
Hit: 3 Stars
Low points:
The drumming;
it's flat and conventional. It really drags the songs down
The guitar work;
only interesting in "winter wine", otherwise, it's trite and unnecessary throughout the album
The lead singer;
sometimes displays a low deep and rich voice. Overall, it sounds inhibited.
The second singer;
is R Wyatt's impersonation...hmm.
The organ;
Soli all over the place, especially in the last track (it would have been nicer if each instrument had pulled off a solo in turns. But here, that's Dave Sinclair everywhere. I can see why he decided to leave Caravan after this album to play simpler, more matter-of-fact tunes (O caroline, signed curtain...) on the first Matching Mole record.
>>>>Overall sound: too cold and lacking the excitement of-say- Soft machine's first two records
Having said that, ITLOTGAP should have been a fantastic record, and one that I particularly like for it showcases great compositions and great melodies.
But there are too many things that mar this album and take the mark to a 3/3,5... On this one, I really have a big problem with the playing
Free Music Review: Whimsical but lacks staying power
Hit: 3 Stars
I really liked this when I first heard it. It was melodic and sometimes amusing. However even by the second listen it's appeal had waned. If anyone remembers the British sitcom from the 1980s The Young Ones....well this is the kind of album he'd probably make if he was in a band. Most of the songs are pretty lightweight and ultimately, forgettable.
Yes there are some good tunes here and there, but Sesame Street had good tunes too and I'm not gonna call that great music. Perhaps worst of all is that the last song is based on a not too subtle adaption of the riff to Creams Sunshine Of Your Love. I actually think it's good, but it's still a rip off. Which is too bad, since I actually prefer it to Creams song.
Free Music Review: Wake me when it's over...
Hit: 3 Stars
This was my first introduction to Caravan, and I was really eager to finally hear them. It was not worth the wait. While all the songs are well done and the musicianship is quite good, the album is just....boring. Seriously, these guys make the Moody Blues sound raucous by comparison. "Golf Girl" is a silly song (not that there's anything wrong with that) and "Love to Love You" is forgettable. "Winter Wine" is a nice, mystical piece to fall asleep with. The title track is decent, but the monotonous "Nine Feet Underground" is unbearable...22 minutes of my life I'll never get back. Maybe their other albums have more of a pulse?Free Music Review: In the space between good and great
Hit: 3 Stars
3 1/2
Although the entertaining but hardly invigorating classic British progressive rock group rightfully wasn't able to fully transcend the technological time constraints more unhinged peers occasionally succeeded in, early work consistently grooved to offer a stream of very good material.