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oliverstoned View Drop Down
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Points: 6308 		Direct Link To This Post Topic: Caravan - First Impressions...
    Posted: March 28 2011 at 08:46
Caravan is the pop -almost poppy sometimes- side of Canterbury when SM is the jazzy side for example so indeed it depends on what you're looking for.

They are many prog bands that i used to listen to and that i don't anymore because i find it too gentle and predicatble for my taste now, such as Camel, which is a Caravan's follower; but for me Caravan's classic such as In the land... & If i could... remain as good and fresh
to my taste because i find it truly original and inspired.
But i dislike everything they did from "For girls"...same for JT after
"A passion play".

Edited by oliverstoned - March 28 2011 at 08:48
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Points: 2585 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: March 28 2011 at 08:39
Originally posted by octopus-4 octopus-4 wrote:

Well, I have reviewed both the albums and for me they are two masterpieces. Golf Girl and If I could... are both dated and influenced by the British glam, but Winter Wine is one of the greatest songs that I've ever heard. Liking those albums or not at the first try depends on what you are looking for.   
      winter wine is one of my favourite ever, such a beautiful melody+ sinclair voice and sinclair organ,Thumbs UpThumbs UpSmile
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Points: 13408 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: March 28 2011 at 07:43
Well, I have reviewed both the albums and for me they are two masterpieces. Golf Girl and If I could... are both dated and influenced by the British glam, but Winter Wine is one of the greatest songs that I've ever heard. Liking those albums or not at the first try depends on what you are looking for.   
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Points: 643 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: March 23 2011 at 16:42
Originally posted by WatcherOfTheSkies88 WatcherOfTheSkies88 wrote:

Just started listening to Caravan for the first time. Bought and listened to "If I could do it all over again, I'd do it all over you" and "In the Land of Grey and Pink", and wanted to give my first impressions of what I've heard...

I have to say that I think that "If I Could..." is a much better album than "In The Land...". "If I could..." just seems to have consistently better songs throughout, especially the "For Richard" suite, which is excellent. That song brilliantly weaves between sections with great melodies. Also, the title track is great, along with "And I Wish I Were Stoned", "As I Feel I Die" and the "With an Ear to the Ground" suite.

As far as "In The Land..." goes... I'm not really a fan of "Golf Girl". Also, "Nine Feet Underground" is not one of the best 20+ epics that I've ever heard. The whole suite just seems to not have much flow to it, and a lot of the melodies are not particularly memorable. The 6 minute intro section in particular is kind of boring... it just keeps on going, and doesn't really go anywhere. I did really enjoy the very last section of the song though and I also did really like "Winter Wine". However, overall, I'm surprised that so many people consider "In The Land..." to be their best album.

Thoughts?
 
Thanks for the review of 'Id Do It All Over You.' I've never heard a note of it, and I can never seem to find it at the seemingly only record store left in town (and my old lady won't let me order anything off of Amazon.com). I think 'In the Land...' is a little overrated myself, but I am a fan of "Nine Feet Underground." It's successor, "Waterloo Lily" is a grand piece of Canterbury, and I highly recommend it! Stay away from their debut, "Caravan" as it's entirely dated and strictly for purists.
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Points: 739 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: March 20 2011 at 15:48
I love Caravan. I find that Caravan - to Live at Fairfield Halls are the best albums, sadly all down hill from there. But going back to TLOGAP, I think it is pretty much as perfect as If I.......but each to their own.
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Points: 1 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: March 11 2011 at 18:59
"For Girls Who Grow Plump in the Night" is great!  My favorite is "Caravan and the New Symphonia" wonderful live Caravan with an orchestra.  
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Points: 1433 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: March 11 2011 at 13:28

Nice Feet Underground is perhaps the grooviest song I own.

Makes me want to dance..... and I'm no dancer by any stretch of the imagination!


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Points: 8513 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: March 11 2011 at 12:53
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.
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Points: 305 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: March 11 2011 at 12:26
So far I have heard "In the Land of Grey and Pink" and "Caravan."  Both are really enjoyable listens.  I will have to get some more.
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Points: 265 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: March 10 2011 at 16:01
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".
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Points: 7028 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: February 18 2011 at 02:26
Originally posted by oliverstoned oliverstoned wrote:

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)
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Points: 6308 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: February 18 2011 at 01:59
IMO, everything they did from "Cunning stunts" is crappy mainstream unfortunatly.
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Points: 6308 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: February 18 2011 at 01:57
Originally posted by oliverstoned oliverstoned wrote:

Do you know the album Caramel from 1973? (a reunion of members of Camel & Caravan). A must have!


It was a joke of course, but sounds like nobody worked.
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Points: 536 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: February 17 2011 at 19:08
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.
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Points: 6308 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: February 17 2011 at 06:56
Do you know the album Caramel from 1973? (a reunion of members of Camel & Caravan). A must have!
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Points: 6308 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: February 17 2011 at 06:51
[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.
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Points: 1902 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: February 16 2011 at 11:51

I think "In the Land of Grey and Pink" is a great album.

One of these days, I'll get more of their albums...
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Points: 1601 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: February 16 2011 at 11:19
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).
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Points: 470 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: February 16 2011 at 11:13
While If I Could.. is slightly better than In the Land of Grey and Pink - I think Nine Feet Underground is very, very good. Possibly the best side-long epic from the classic era of British prog in close contest with A Plague of Lighthouse Keepers. I also like the quirky songs like Golf Girl and Love to love you..  
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Points: 29625 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: February 16 2011 at 10:55
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
Released date are often when it it impacted you but recorded dates are when it really happened...
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