PUDDING EN GISTEREN [AKA: PUDDING & YESTERDAY]

This is the last album with the original line-up. Van Geest will unfortunately quit as well as Vrolijk. The former who was a great flute player and really a major role to play and "Supersister" will never be the same again after "Pudding".

Not every number is a great song here and even if the opener was a local (semi) hit, "Radio" is too weird to catch my attention (and the vocals hold an awful Dutch accent). Things are improving with "Psychopath" and its delicate mood which is dramatically contrasts with the gloomy lyrics.

The Canterbury style and its leader "Caravan" are very well challenged during the first long song from this offering. Jazzy but fresh, strong but delicate at the same time. So delicious. Their indefinite sense of humour is highly present during the closing part of "Judy Goes On Holiday". An hilarious doo-wop style which is close (in its spirit) to some "Grobschnitt" delirium.

THE highlight is of course the side-long epic "Pudding En Gisteren". Originally written as a support of a ballet, it is a very enjoyable journey in the land of sweetness, jazzy world and the Canterbury countryside. It is probably the best song that they have ever written.

As for their first two albums (and their next two ones), Polydor issued a budget price edition which comprises of the original "Pudding" and "Superstarshine" which is a collection of single tracks as well as one long live track. This repackaged version are worth watching it out.

Three stars.