THE LONG HELLO

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.

Volume 4 of the 'Long Hello' series has always been my favourite. What Guy Evans does here with his drumming and various percussion is very interesting. Starring some members of Mother Gong's alumni, we have an amazing array of experimental pieces, sometimes jazzy and sometimes spacey. Too many tunes here for track-by-track breakdown, but highlights are : 'Der Traum von Julius' - a strange piece full of mysterious tones, courtesy of Mr Jaxon's sax playing, 'Martha's Express Wishes' - complete with fast paced drumming and nice bass-playing, 'The Finger Points' - a whimsical percussive arrangement with amusing guitaring and 'Haben Sie Waffen Oder Funk Dabei ?' - which reprises Martha's E.W. but this time around with Glissando guitar. Never a dull moment on this record, and whilst sounding different from Van Der Graaf Generator, the ghost of that spirit is still to be found here.

-Historical Information

After Van der graaf generator's fourth studio release "Pawn hearts" the band toured extensively in Italy from 1970 to 1972 (they did three Italian tours in six months). Pawn hearts, which among fans is considered to be the best Vdgg release, was really popular in Italy and held number 1 for 12 weeks in 1972. However, many factors such as the bad financial condition of the members, the lack of support from the record company as well as rioting audiences by different extremist organisations, from Red Brigade to neo-fascists lead Hammill to leave the band and continue his solo career.

The other Vdgg members (Guy Evans, David Jackson and Hugh Banton) would appear as session musicians in his solo records before Vdgg's reunion in 1975. Moreover drummer Guy Evans, organist Hugh Banton and saxophonist David Jackson started a project named "The long hello". They released an album in1974 featuring among other musicians the ex-Vdgg member, bassist Nic Potter. The project was put on hold when Vdgg reunited and was resumed when Vdgg split again in 1978.

-The music

The music is nothing great really. It's an instrumental album that can be listened when you invite people to your house. Most characteristics that made Vdgg such an amazing band are missing here like first of all Peter Hammill himself. Moreover the music is not like what Vdgg where doing. The dark dominant compositions are missing here and are replaced with meaningless compositions which are not that bad but compared with Vdgg's they seem weak, unemotional and uninspiring. Compared to Vdgg releases this one is very easy to digest. It's like jazzy-rock improvisations. Not that bad overall but nothing really worth listening many times. If you are a Vdgg fan and find this somewhere (I don't really think you will anyway) buy it! Good but not even close to Vdgg or even Peter Hammill's solo work. 3 stars!

Being an avid Long hello collectors , I'd been looking for this CD for over 10 years . I can only say it is not as conceptual or elaborated as Vol 1 . rather , it leads the way to what long hello would become later on , striving on short , instrumental , experimental pieces .But alas , without ambient sounds recordings , nor musical virtuosity. The sound is rather early 80's , which in this case means it sounds old and graceless .

I am sad to say , I expeted much more , and this is the one I listen to the least .

Vol 1,3 and 4 are all much better

This is the group/project created by VAN DER GRAAF GENERATOR members when Hammill was busy with his own solo carreer . Jackson, Potter and Evans being the pillars of this and Banton joining here and there. Unfortunately , do not expect this to sound anything like VDGG. The first number gives you hope and although the following numbers are not bad , your interest is not to be maintained . The Banton number being , if my memory serves me right (last listen : 8 years ago) is the worst track on here. The album ( CD ) I had seemed to have a diiferent track listing and a plain white cover. VDGG amateurs , beware of this. I don't know how the other album sound , but beware of this.