CHAMELEON IN THE SHADOW OF THE NIGHT

Peter Hammill himself says that "Chameleon..." "was my first proper solo album". He does get help from his VDGG mates on this album, and the full band on two tracks,but this is mostly Peter playing solo with acoustic guitar, piano and vocals.This was the first solo album he released after VDGG broke up. This is a sad and passionate album with Peter's usual emotional, ranting and theatrical vocal style.

"German Overalls" is lyrically about how bad it had become for VDGG when they toured prior to their breaking up. The lyrics are so sad : "Mannheim : rainy Saturday with no money nor friend...Hugh spends his last mark on coffee and cheese". The song opens with acoustic guitar and vocals. Both get aggressive after a minute. Peter would use harmonium on this track as well. Love the organ after 4 minutes. Some interesting experimental sounds to end the song. "Slender Threads" is a little brighter with reserved vocals and strummed guitar to open. He reminisces about a girl he used to know. A reflective and sad tune.

"Rock And Role" is the first song with the whole band of Evans, Jackson, Banton and Potter. In your face strummed guitar to open as sax, drums and bass come in. One of my favourites. Piano before 4 1/2 minutes but sax is what dominantes the sound for the most part. Amazing tune. "In The End" reveal some of Peter's thoughts about the bands breakup. Mostly piano and vocals. A sad tune really. Interesting the line "No more rushing around, no more travelling chess". PARALLEL OR 90 DEGREES' Andy Tillison would name one of their albums "No More Travelling Chess", a tribute to Hammill. "What's It Worth" is mostly Hammill on vocals and strummed guitar with Jackson adding some flute melodies.

"Easy To Slip Away" opens with piano and reserved vocals. It's about losing friends over the years. Peter plays some mellotron 3 minutes in. Sax comes and goes. Some real passionate and emotional sections in this one. "Dropping The Torch" is a sad look at life really. Reserved vocals and acoustic guitar to start. They both get louder at times. "(In The )Black Room / Tower" is the other song with a full band sound. Actually "Black Room" was a song VDGG were playing on their last tour and it would have been on their next album. It never happened though so Hammill uses it here. It opens in bombastic fashion before setteling down with vocals and piano.The contrast of loud and mellow continue. Such a fantastic song. Sax before 3 minutes. A great instrumental section 4 1/2 minutes in. Incredible sax work and drumming. The second part "Tower" starts after 5 1/2 minutes. It begins with piano,flute and vocals. Outbursts of sound come and go starting before 7 minutes. Intense 8 1/2 minutes in. Passionate ending after 10 minutes.

This is the first of Hammill's classic trilogy. Easily 4 stars and a must for VDGG fans.