The Fall of the House of Usher

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I recently have come into contact with this remarkable opera by Van der Graaf Generator's Peter Hammill. Discussion of it is welcome, but I won't be able to add much. My question is: where and how can I find this album for purchase? Is there any way to get ahold of it for a reasaonable price? I checked amazon to start with, and there are no copies of any sort there. Is it one of those rarities that I'd be lucky to get for fifty dollars, or is it possible that I can find it for a normal price somewhere?

Preferably, the updated and remixed version released later, I think. That's the one without the percussion and stuff, right? That's the one I heard, and that's what I'm looking for. Is it in print anywhere?

Edited by LiquidEternity - October 11 2008 at 17:59

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LiquidEternity Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Prog Reviewer Joined: December 07 2007 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 900	Topic: The Fall of the House of Usher Posted: October 11 2008 at 17:50
	I recently have come into contact with this remarkable opera by Van der Graaf Generator's Peter Hammill. Discussion of it is welcome, but I won't be able to add much. My question is: where and how can I find this album for purchase? Is there any way to get ahold of it for a reasaonable price? I checked amazon to start with, and there are no copies of any sort there. Is it one of those rarities that I'd be lucky to get for fifty dollars, or is it possible that I can find it for a normal price somewhere? Preferably, the updated and remixed version released later, I think. That's the one without the percussion and stuff, right? That's the one I heard, and that's what I'm looking for. Is it in print anywhere? Edited by LiquidEternity - October 11 2008 at 17:59

BaldJean Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Prog Reviewer Joined: May 28 2005 Location: Germany Status: Offline Points: 10387	Posted: October 11 2008 at 18:19
	it is currently unavailable. maybe Hammill will reissue it one day, but it is certainly a question of money for him. there are 2 versions of it, one from 1990 which features drums, the other from 1999. the latter version was totally overhauled by Hammill; the drums were removed from the mix since Hammill considered them not fitting for an opera (rightly so, in my opinion), many layers of guitar were added instead, also some violin by Stuart Gordon. Hammiill also resang all of his vocal parts. the album is very dramatic, especially the 6th act. it is also highly complex music; anyone who likes counterpoint should love this album; there is an abundance of it. it is in my opinion the most complex prog album of all times. the composition techniques used here are very advanced. the only way to get it at the moment is second hand from sources like amazon, but the prices asked for it are usually ridiculous. there had been plans to get the opera on stage in Barcelona at some time and also to make a movie of it. these plans, however, failed due to lack of money Edited by BaldJean - October 11 2008 at 18:24
	A shot of me as High Priestess of Gaia during our fall festival. Ceterum censeo principiis obsta

LiquidEternity Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Prog Reviewer Joined: December 07 2007 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 900	Posted: October 11 2008 at 18:24
	Uh huh, a friend who "has" it let me sample it not too long ago. It was the later version, and it blew my mind. I guess I'll just keep an eye on amazon for a while.