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Steve Hillage - Green CD (album) cover

GREEN

Steve Hillage

 

Canterbury Scene

3.90 | 224 ratings

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Easy Livin
Special Collaborator
Honorary Collaborator / Retired Admin
3 stars The green party

Those who think being green is a 21st century invention may be surprised to learn that people such as Steve Hillage were advocating such a philosophy over 30 years ago. "Green" was in fact originally intended to be the second part of pair of releases, the first being based on the colour red. The music for both was written by Hillage and his partner Miquette Giraudy around the same time in 1977, but by the time "The red album" had been released, it had become "Motivation radio".

Hillage is co-producer of this album along with Pink Floyd's Nick Mason, resulting in some rather Floydian sounds and moods appearing at times. As a whole, "Green" is somewhat more ambient than previous releases, relying to a greater extent on guitar synthesisers and repetitive rhythms. Much of the album is instrumental, although there are vocally orientated parts to songs such as the start of "Musik of the trees".

Hillage's guitar work is of course wonderful, although it is not so overtly noticeable on much of the album. Only on tracks such as "Palm trees" do we get the great lead guitar soloing we seek, the instrument being used in a more rhythmic capacity most of the time.

It has to be emphasised that this album is different to those that went before. Some will be enamoured with Steve's subtle change of direction, while others will feel that he has pushed the rock side of his work to one side a little too much, in favour of a more dance orientated approach.

In all, an album where Hillage challenges the faithful to stay with him as he begins to alter course. He offers the enticement of retaining some of what has gone before, while making it clear that he is determined to continue to push the boundaries and to experiment with the sounds and technology available to him.

The Virgin remaster includes four additional live tracks. These include versions of Gong's "Octave doctors" and Buddy Holly's (and the Rolling Stones) "Not fade away". While far from essential, they are a welcome bonus.

Easy Livin | 3/5 |

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