CUNNING STUNTS

Review Nº 908

Caravan was one of the leading acts on the so-called Canterbury scene. But, out of all the Canterbury bands, Caravan was easily the most "accessible" and the best known. Their music almost defiantly neglected the complexity and goes more for a majestic, organ and acoustic based sound drawing on medieval influences as much as lush baroque tricks.

Caravan released their eponymous debut album in 1968, an album influenced by jazz and psychedelia. Their second album, "If I Could Do It All Over Again, I'd Do It All Over You" released in 1970, starts their classic period. The album is influenced by classical and jazz with traditional English influences. Their third album, "In The Land Of Grey And Pink" from 1971, is generally considered their greatest masterpiece. It's probably their most progressive album, which became a prog rock classic. Their fourth album, "Waterloo Lily" released in the following year, marks a clear step towards jazz. Their fifth album of 1973, "For Girls Who Grow Plump In The Night" marks another change, with a more symphonic approach of the band. We can say that with "For Girls Who Grow Plump In The Night" ends their classic era.

"Cunning Stunts" is the sixth studio album of Caravan and was released in 1975. The line up on the album is Pye Hastings (vocals and electric and acoustic guitars), Dave Sinclair (piano, Fender electric piano, organs, Mini Moog and Freeman String Symphonizer), Geoffery Richardson (viola, acoustic and electric guitars, Western concert flute, flute and night-shift whistle), Mike Wedgwood (vocals, bass and fretless bass, congas, Moog brass and string arrangements) and Richard Coughlan (drums and percussion). "Cunning Stunts" also had the participation of Jimmy Hastings (brass arrangement and conduction).

Despite "Cunning Stunts" still remains an impressive work. This is arguably their most uninspired material to date. The effort is certainly far from a total loss, but nowhere nearly is creative as all their five previous studio efforts. However, it shows that Hastings' love towards the most accessible, but well written and well established melodic material has not only increased through the years, but actually transformed him into a first rate composer. Nevertheless, it will be a big mistake to mention Hastings alone. In reality, he isn't even responsible for the majority of the compositions all over the album. The songwriting is more or less equally spread between him, Sinclair and new band member bassist Wedgwood.

"Cunning Stunts" has seven tracks. "The Show Of Our Lives" is a nice, mellow and pleasant opener. The bass guitar is strong and melodic, the vocals and harmonies are accomplished and the guitar adds just the right amount of beautiful playing over the top with some nice guitar soloing by Richardson. "Stuck In A Hole" is one of the most fun, energetic, and moderate tracks in the band's catalog. It's a fun, happy song that sticks in your brain while also featuring great playing and that semi-boogie rhythm. "Lover" is a gentle ballad with a nice guitar work that does finish off with some very lovely violin. It's less enjoyable than the previous two songs, just sounding like a standard mid 70's ballad without much distinction. "No Backstage Pass" is a pretty contemplative medievalist number with introspective and painful lyrics. This is a great song with its catchy upbeat chorus. It eventually ventures into a bit of jazz odyssey with some great soloing paired with a flux vocal. "Welcome The Day" is a great song with a funky Floydian groove. It sounds like its right out of the mid 70's Floyd songbook, with some nice and simple lyrics. Following the two slow previous songs it picks up the pace of the album, which is most welcome. "Dabsong Conshirto" is divided into: "The Mad Dabsong", "Ben Karratt Rides Again", "Pro's And Con's", "Wraiks And Ladders", "Sneaking Out The Bare Quare" and "All Sorts Of Unmentionable Things". This is the main piece on the album that was written by Sinclair. Whilst quite different of his previous opus "For Richard" from the "If I Could Do It All Over Again, I'd Do It All Over You", it does allow to confirm that Caravan is a very much underrated band. This is clearly the best track on the album, a real tour the force of the band, carrying many of the trademarks of them. It's at the same level of the suites performed on their previous albums. "The Fear And Loathing In Tollington Park" is a jaunty little acoustic folk guitar exercise that closes the album gently.

Conclusion: "Cunning Stunts" is another great Canterbury progressive release from Caravan mixing all the right elements throughout. Its songs range from more pop orientated (side A) to the side long epic "Dabsong Conshirto" which shows the more progressive side of Caravan, which is the main reason why I rate this album with 4 stars. Vocals are picture perfect with great harmonies and thoughtful backing vocals. The reason why I like "Cunning Stunts" is that it still carries all the main trademarks of classic Caravan. It's true that it isn't as good as the five previous studio works, and despite not belonging to Caravan's classic era, it's still worth purchasing. So, in summary, "Cunning Stunts" isn't Caravan at their very best but this is still a very beautiful album that is worth to be part of your prog rock collection.

Prog is my Ferrari. Jem Godfrey (Frost*)

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