VOLUME THREE

The name Nick Graham (ATOMIC ROOSTER, SKIN ALLEY) was brought to my attention recently and I thought I'd review an album to which he contributed to; Volume 3 of the 'Long Hello' series. The 'Long Hello' project was conceived back in 1973, where ex-VAN DER GRAAF GENERATOR members could get together and have a bash and contribute some compositions which were otherwise overlooked by visionary PETER HAMMILL. It is a somewhat overlooked recording, not that it's a particularly bad one, but it's not the holy grail either. Actually, it's sax player DAVID JACKSON's project more than anything. 'Jaxon', as he is known to many, was also a crucial part of, not only one of the most incredible progressive bands known to humankind - VDGG, but also contributed to several side-projects including Hammill's solo work, 4 Long Hello volumes, Magic Mushroom Band's sensational 'Spaced Out' album, and even hooking up with R.P.I. legends OSANNA. The saxophonist is truly gifted, one of those amazing musicians who could play multiple saxes simultaneously along with The Blockhead's Davey Payne, a trick that only (to my limited knowledge) jazzer Roland Kirk had mastered. Options were open..... Recording took place between September '79 - November '81 and the resultant music reflected a good dose of experimental jazz-prog and New-Wave influences. Amongst the 'big names' we find Graham, Hammill, drummer Guy Evans, bassist Dave Anderson, and guitarist/vocalist Jakko Jakszyk (and others). Opening tune, 'Jacko and the Polar Bear', we find a folksy tune with vocalisings from Jaxon and his then baby son Jacob, leading into an odd-metred riff with Graham on bass and Evans on drums, and Hammill eventually joining in on some atonal organ stabs. Jaxon's whistles and sax work are superb. 'Dr. Mop' is a rather catchy tune featuring Graham on rhythm-box, Anderson on bass, Brian Evans on vox and Jaxon's usual grating sax work. The melody is simple, and it's in- keeping with the new-wave vibe of the time. 'Mayday Mayday' is the instrumental equivalent of the previous track, this time with Jaxon on rhythm-box (and you can't tell the difference ......!!). 'Sogni D'oro' is a longer piece, credited to Jaxon (saxes & keys) & Jakszyk (vox, guitars and bass), along with John Clarke on a Simmons electronic drum kit keeping a steady 4/4 beat. Again more new-wave inclinations along with some ethereal instrumental stretches. Flipside we get another instrumental, 'Stonewall Stands with Thomas Davies' - a more playful tune showcasing saxes and whistles, and rhythm- box. 'Sometimes I Do, Sometimes I Don't' is a cool, melodic tune with Jaxon's saxes leading the way and tasteful bass from Graham. 'Range Change' has some cheezy sounding keys, along with that bloomin' cheap-sounding rhythm-box and bass from Anderson. The saxes are the highlight. The finale of the album is 'The Honing Of Homer', a composition credited to Jackson and Hammill, even if the latter does not appear on the recording itself. Possibly the most exciting piece of the album. Sung by Jakszyk, the tune twists around from new-wave to distinctively weird, and back again. It isn't too far away to what one may find on Hammill's solo albums PH7 or A Black Box. Overall, a good-to-very good album, more of an obscurity for VDGG obsessives..........3.5 stars from me.

Range change

Only one year after the second Long Hello album came this third instalment in the series. Once again it is totally different from the previous one with David Jackson now taking up a leadership role. This is basically a Jackson solo album, which is hard to miss given photo of him on the sleeve with some of his favourite instruments and his name being written out in large letters while "The Long Hello Volume Three" is in smaller letters. Even though Guy Evans is still involved it is not clear why they continued the Long Hello moniker for this album at all.

While the first two Long Hello albums were entirely instrumental, several tracks on this one features vocals. Most of the vocals are done by Jakko Jakszyk, later of 21st Century Schizoid Band and King Crimson. Tracks with Jakszyk on vocals like Sogni d'Oro and The Honing of Homer work very well. Jakszyk also contributes some nice Allan Holdsworth- like guitar. I do not know who sings on Dr. Mop (is it Jackson himself perhaps?), but it works considerably less well. Peter Hammill is credited for playing keyboards, but he does not sing. Hugh Banton is not involved.

Awful drum machines ruin tracks like May Day, May Day and Range Change which sound like leftovers from Volume Two. Volume Three is definitely a better album, but it lacks cohesion, and despite some good moments it is not a strong album overall.