R.S.V.P.

3.5 stars. A really enjoyable album with Richard Sinclair's warm and whimsical vocals on several tracks. Richard mostly plays bass or acoustic guitar here and has Didier Malherbe from both GONG and CLEARLIGHT adding clarinet, soprano sax and bamboo flute. Jimmy Hastings adds flute and sax while HAPPY THE MAN's Kit Watkins adds synths and piano. I guess Kit would play in CAMEL too which leads us to Andy Ward from that same band adding drums along with Pip Pyle.

A warm and mellow record overall that sees Richard often in a reflective mood and this was released in 1994. It's like he's looking back at times to those heady Canterbury days. Imagine Richard being in both CARAVAN and HATFIELD AND THE NORTH. Pip actually nails this sentiment with his lyrics on the opener "What's Rattlin'?" which must be a British phrase. Love the name dropping on this one and humour. A top three track for me along with "Out Of The Shadows" and the closer "What In The World". Worst song easily is "Videos" and were talking VHS right? Just a bad commercial sounding track which I started skipping after 3 spins or so.

It's hard to believe that most wouldn't get something out of this record even if your not into Canterbury. I also like how it has a uniform sound to it for the most part.

social review comments | Review Permalink
Posted Wednesday, June 23, 2021 | Review this album | Report (Review #2573945)

In my humble opinion it is a very beautiful, strange, "philological", mature album; but above all: RELAXED! (which is strange for Mr. Sinclair and co.) The intentions are clear right from the start with the "anti-Canterburian" "What's Rattlin'?" written together with Pipi Pyle, wonderful song ... (read more)

Report this review (#2962742) | Posted by Timka | Friday, October 20, 2023 | Review Permanlink

A solid album, almost better than the already good Caravan Of Dreams. Very laid back yet always engaging thanks to Richard Sinclair's voice illuminating the compositions. Album opens with What's Rattlin, a song about being asked about people who haven't been in touch in years. A quaint classi ... (read more)

Report this review (#2570604) | Posted by Beautiful Scarlet | Saturday, June 12, 2021 | Review Permanlink

Richard Sinclair is one of the best bass players in prog-rock. You can notice his brilliant bass lines in records he made with Caravan, Hatfield & the North or Camel. He is also a very good, underrated singer, but maybe that has not been fully appreciated as much of the music he has recorded wit ... (read more)

Report this review (#1285378) | Posted by Jordi Planas | Sunday, September 28, 2014 | Review Permanlink

MEMBERS LOGIN ZONE

As a registered member (register here if not), you can post rating/reviews (& edit later), comments reviews and submit new albums.

You are not logged, please complete authentication before continuing (use forum credentials).