GOING FOR A SONG

Sadly this album is a real letdown in my opinion after the two good art rock albums Culpeper's Orchard did before this. Here the last progressive "artistic" elements have been lost, and the result is a professionally done hillbilly southern rock album, little in style of later The Allman Brothers Band and Lynnyrd Skynnyrd. There are familiar musical tones present from their earlier albums here, for example the strong multi vocal harmonies and the pleasant mixture of acoustic and electronic guitars, but I don't really care much for the dominant straightforward American country rock feeling of this album. On the other hand, these country rock elements were already present even in their first album, but in minor amount than here. Maybe the interest of the musicians moved away from the art rock towards more close-to-earth levels? Artists have to follow their feelings or cash certainly. I would recommend this album only as a curiosity for those who really liked the band's two first albums, or for those who like music of this style. I personally hoped that the little Tuvstarr riding with the elk would have been allowed to be going for a little better song. The band members clearly liked these John Bauer's pictures, as they used his illustration on their second album too, truly enchanting them being.

Decent vocal harmonies on this one, even if they do sound more like the Beatles than they do a Danish band. Otherwise this isn’t much of a prog album, it’s closer to soft rock with a decidedly American country feel to it. If you’re familiar with Home or Laurie Wisefield-era Wishbone Ash you get the idea what this sounds like (and wasn’t Wisefield in both of those bands?). The mandolin parts just serve to reinforce rather than take away from this impression.

There’s an interesting use of a sitar here for rhythm, but since it isn’t all that prominent for the most part the novelty is largely lost unless you listen closely. And the organ is woefully underused in my opinion, getting drowned out by an unusually loud bass line and the twin (sometimes three) guitars.

I can’t say there’s even a single standout track on this album. I’ve only heard bits of the band’s first two albums in the form of streamed samples, but what I’ve heard sounded a lot more artistic and varied than anything here. I guess this was the band’s swan song, and it’s a pretty tepid one. A couple tracks like “Sailor” and “Roger and Out” are actually bad, with awkward guitar riffs and forced harmonies that seem to be off-key for the most part.

There aren’t many redeeming qualities here, and unless you're one of those people who thought Wishbone Ash’s ‘Twin Barrels Burning’ was a masterpiece you probably won’t get into this album much. I may hunt down one of the band’s first two albums just because they were apparently much better than this one, but I have to say that unless you are a fan of the band already this album won’t convert you into one. And that is the definition of a two star album. ‘Nuff said.

peace

Culpeper's debut was a very solid 4 star album for me.Second Sight was a mellower album but still a fine album but 3 stars only.Now with this album Culpeper's Orchard took a turn and started playing a folkyish southern rock country style.It is a decent enough album,but it never really takes off,and just lolly gags along.Instrumemtation is fine and there is now a fair bit of slide guitar added to suit their new genre I suppose.

I do quite like the cover and you get song titles on the front cover,which I guess is the most unique thing about this album.

Though not listed here on Progarchives,there is another album from these guys under the band name Culpeper as opposed to Culpeper's Orchard.It was released in 1977 and was called 'All dressed up and nowhere to go'.This time around they are more jazz rocky canterburish,and is quite good.I would give that album 3 stars.

I suppose it is some sort of achievement, the rapid decline of Culpeper's Orchard. Rarely has a band gone through such a development and I would say that no band ever has survuved such a decline. Going from the ever so brilliant debut, to the "alrighty then" second and ending with this. It is depressing.

On "Second light" they emphasized their country-folk leanings, leaving some of the progressive elements behind. On "Going for a song" they left everything but their country-rock side. What is left is a collection of lacklustre songs recalling The Band and others of that pedigree. Now, there is nothing wrong with The Band and there is nothing wrong with country. It could be argued, even, that there is nothing wrong leaving the progressive train and embarking on a tram, or whatever. The real problem lies in the substandard songs and the lack excitement. This is really not exciting music.

All in all, this is not terrible but not very good music either. It is definately not prog and I think that the lack of success and change in direction lead to the band's demise. Pity, considering the excellence of their debut and the promise of the second.