Caravan - First Impressions...

First heard 'In the Land...' about 5 years ago. Never been inspired to buy anything else by them.

Let's try a forgotten Canterbury gem:

John G. PERRY (Caravan's violonist), "Sunset Wading" (1976)


A concept album on the theme of nature, with some slight
reminiscences of Gong, Clearlight



(See my review)

Edited by oliverstoned - February 17 2011 at 13:11

One of those artists I've been aware of for many years but never got particularly interested in.  I did fairly recently get a Grey And Pink, a Battle Of Hastings, and a live DVD.  Inspired to do so as they came to town on tour with Nektar and I liked what I heard.  I am far from an enthusiastic fan.  Pye's vocal style on the DVD seems a bit anemic.  I'd never knock the band though. Camel is kind of in the same territory for me.


Edited by Slartibartfast - February 16 2011 at 10:56

I can't say anything bad about their S/T, In the Land, If I Could, or For Girls.  All Classics.  If I Could and S/T are my favorites with In the Land being close ( Winter Wine is so dominant).

[QUOTE=Paravion] While If I Could.. is slightly better than In the Land of Grey and Pink - I think Nine Feet Underground is very, very good. /QUOTE]

I do agree.

I've gotta say, Caravan have yet to capture me. I absolutely loved Land o' Grey n' Pink, and decided to expand my collection; I was underwhelmed by Waterloo Lily and profoundly unsatisfied by their subsequent turn for the symphonic. Recently I stumbled across a perfect vinyl copy of Blind Dog and passed on it, though it was only 3 measly dollars.

I do love the debut, strangely enough. I think it's a perfect confection of psychedelic proto-prog. But then If I Could Do It Again leaves me pretty cold. Except for the song about clipping hedges.

IMO, everything they did from "Cunning stunts" is crappy mainstream unfortunatly.

The debut album is absolutely different to every other psychedelic record I have heard. I won't give up "Piper" as my favorite psychedelic recording, but s/t has really tight grooves (wonderful drum sound!)and a really fat organ sound.

"Mr. Policeman" and the similar pieces are quite whimsical, but "Where But For Caravan Would I?" is to my ears the greatest achievement by this band - knowing "In the Land of Grey and Pink".

My first impression sits with a lot here who tried Land... and didn't enjoy it too much. Probably won't seek out any more Caravan unless I get shown a really compelling reason. Like Slart, Caravan kind of sits in the same area as Camel for me, although I like Camel a bit more.

"For Girls Who Grow Plump in the Night" is great!  My favorite is "Caravan and the New Symphonia" wonderful live Caravan with an orchestra.