VERACIOUS (WITH STUART GORDON)

After getting the entire Van der Graaf (Generator) discography, I felt ready to tackle Peter Hammill's solo albums. Veracious is the third solo album I own, the other two being "Fool's Mate" and "In Camera".

At first, I felt a utterly disappointed by this album. It's stripped-down and raw sound was OK during the first two or three songs, but it was harder to endure with each song. I know very well not to compare his solo efforts with his VdGG material, but unwillingly, you do compare it. Most people do, I guess. What I missed most here were the drums. This album only features Peter on vocals, piano and guitar and Stuart Gordon on violin.

Somehow, I forced myself to repeated listenings of the album, and the good news is that the album grows on you. I've come to the point where I really appreciate the raw, but always passionate things presented here. Peter Hammill never tries to sound pretty, but I already knew that ("Vital", anyone?). Stuart Gordon's violin fits the music perfectly: used only when necessary and it never gets in the way of things. The vocal performance of Peter Hammill is impeccable, as is his piano playing. The guitar playing is OK as well. Nothing spectacular, but this record is all about intensity, not virtuosity.

Not being familiar with the original studio recordings, I cannot compare them with these live performances, but I can say it's an album I've truly learned to enjoy. A recommended purchase!

Finding your way to this page indicates that you are already well versed in all things VDGG and Peter Hammill, therefore it's useless to preach to the choir about the unique offerings from an artist who has remained true to his art form for the past 30 plus years. "Veracious" continues that tradition and form, pulling out blinding versions of "Amnesiac", "Like Veronica", "Primo On The Parapet" and "Way Out" from preceding works. Accompanyment from Stuart Gordon on Violin, Hammill plays through performances from three different location and time periods across the globe. Amazingly delicate, Deeply provoking, Hammill remains one of the few relavent artist left in the world today who paints their musical canvases with artistic integrity. Highly recomended for those seeking substantiated evidence that music is indeed alive and well into the 20th century.

Ahhh.... What to say about this album. I won`t tell too much because my revivew wouldn`t be objective. Why? because it was "long ago and far away, long ago just yesterday... Voices linger on..." 14.11.2006 in Prague. As up to now, one of the best moments in my life. Hammill sings just like he did it 15 of 30 years ago, he is still Jimmy Hendrix of voice, nothing has changed. Why am I saying about this in "Veracious" review? Because on this album one can hear how Peter Hammill sings and play currently but nothing can be compared with listening this live..

REGARDS FROM POLAND

There's not much to say about this release. It is a collection of live PH tracks featuring Stuart Gordon. It is absolutely brilliant. It is stripped to the bare minimum but PH still delivers a soul-wrenching performance awash with his trademark vocals. I know that PH's solo stuff is not to everyone's taste but there are some fine tracks here. If you're a fan, waste no time in picking up this release. If not, then this album is a good way to dip your toe in the PH pool and see what he has to offer. Before long you'll be swimming through his emotional currents with the rest of us. Excellent stuff!