SPACE SHANTY

I suppose it's worth saying right off: Space Shanty, the sole release by would-be Heavy-Canterbury Prog supergroup Khan, is one of my favorite albums of all time. Simply put, it's one of the greatest albums that have ever touched these ears. Khan's membership includes most prominently keyboard wizard (literally my favorite keyboardist) Dave Stewart and guitarist Steve Hillage (time and again I find to be one of my favorite guitarists, certainly). They were both members of Acid-Blues Rock group Uriel with Mont Campbell and Clive Brooks, releasing just one self-titled album as Arzachel in '69. With Steve's departure from the group, they changed the name once again, effectively forming the classic Canterbury Prog trio Egg. When Egg disbanded--for the first time before releasing their final album in 1974--Stewart and Hillage joined forces with former Crazy World bassist Nicholas Greenwood (providing his gruff Arthur Brown-esque baritone) and drummer Eric Peachey. Likewise-not-actually-Kentish drummer Pip Pyle was briefly in the band before Space Shanty's recording.

It all begins with the super-epic, mini-epic title track, "Space Shanty". The full-ensemble cacophony dies away and Greenwood enters in vocally. And what follows is pure beeves. One of the things I appreciate in this, enjoyable throughout the album, are the close harmonies between him and co-lead vocalist Steve Hillage. And this is a great showcase of Hillage's and Stewart's ability to play around and off each other. The soloing sections throughout the album range from beautiful and feeling (heard here around minute 2) to raucous and frightening (though less so the latter). This opener is also just a fantastic composition. So much interest. So much to keep pulling you in. And Dave Stewart just always blows my mind. I must say, the person I mention the least is Eric Peachey on drums, but seriously he is just incredible. The band is so well-balanced. Continuing along into the middle section, we get hints at circus fair, Heavy Metal, a little bit of neo-classical (see minute 6), and a heavy dosage of the Avant-garde. The solos nearing minute 7 is one of my favorite moments in music. Total mind-blower, and a fair representation for what's to come. Now, how can I say way less for the rest?...

We get a huge tonal shift for what's next, the beautiful, awe-inspiring "Stranded". What I would consider Dave Stewart's (one) signature Hammond sound is well on display here. This track also has Steve Hillage on lead vocals, soft and emotive. Love him. Just get yourself ready for the section change around the midpoint. I'll keep it down over here in the back, but... I'm in heaven haha. Queue one of my favorite 'solos' ever. Literally Steve duetting himself, eventually switching to this bright acoustic guitar. Once again, a total mind-blower, what the f*ck. Moving right along, seamlessly we get "Mixed Up Man of the Mountains", another Greenwood-fronted number. This song just grooves, Peachey laying down a solid foundation and Nicholas melodically bassing. This band rules haha. And then he scats along with the keys, before another epic guitar-keyboard back-and-forth. Moments like this are why doctors recommend putting this whole album on a few times a year, at least. Some of the swirling synth effects Dave puts on make this pure Canterbury, resembling in part Soft Machine's Mike Ratledge, for instance. And then queue up this absolutely sexy, soaring guitar solo right about the 5 minute mark. Wrap it up, call it a day; another perfect number.

This is then followed by "Driving to Amsterdam", what I always considered to be a sort of sister song to Egg's nearly-as-long "A Visit to Newport Hospital". And they start off with a boom, shifting into another section of jazzy beauty and grace. I always considered this also to be just a little bit more perfect than the rest of the album haha. It gets a track-specific rating of 5.5/5.0. Gorgeous, and inspiring. I expect to cry if it comes on haha. Hope you experience a comparable joy. Another where Peachey is distinctly on fire. Another fantastic keyboard solo, atop Eric's rolling, bubbling tom-play. Hard Bop shifts into view as Steve then takes up the soloing. F*ckin' delicious stuff here. Dave's buzzing Hammond takes over once more for a brief movement back into Heavy Prog territory before the equally astounding ending.

Quickly coming to its close, next is the freakishly upbeat "Stargazers", at times most Avant-garde, dissonant and chromatic. I love the way Steve and Nicholas trade off lead vocals on this one. Steve then has a great solo, fuzzy and emotive. He is just a master of the instrument. And speaking of masters, the next solo, after the second chorus, a very at-times guitar-like keyboard solo, comes from the inimitable Dave Stewart. Such a fun track. This is then followed, again starkly juxtaposed, by the final number, "Hollow Stone". So much to take in and enjoy, just on a sonic and emotional level. Many of the tracks have fun section names, like "March of the Sine Squadrons" off the title track and "Effervescent Psycho Novelty No. 5" off "Stranded", but most memorable, I believe beginning here in the sixth minute, is on this one: "Escape of the Space Pirates". What a killer closer to an absolutely essential album. [By the way, I believe what is effectively the final chord of the album is the first chord on the album, so hypothetically, I could listen through this over and over and over...]

For those who somehow care, my True Rate for this amazing album is 4.958333/5. Certainly notably better to me than some of the best regarded albums in all of Prog, classic, newer or otherwise. I'm always astounded by the album and I get excited just talking about it, but especially showing it to someone new. Anyhow, enjoy. Ramble over. [Much shorter review than I could have imagined haha.]

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