The Second Caravan

Original released on LP Decca SKL-R 5052

(UK 1970, September 4)

Caravan followed up their eponymous debut with the cryptically titled "If I Could Do It All Over Again I'd Do It All Over You" in the fall of 1970. The new album contains significant progressions over the first one. These include the intricacy with which compositions are sculpted around some of the finest instrumental improvisation in British rock at the time - or arguably since. Caravan's uncanny ability to create a montage that effortlessly maneuvers through acoustic folk and electric progressive rock is best exemplified on the "With an Ear to the Ground" suite. The extended instrumental passages weave in and out of each other, creating a hypnotic and otherwise psychedelic soundscape that would become a trademark of the European progressive rock movement. Another epic, "For Richard" quickly found solid standing as the Caravan live performance closer for decades after first appearing on this album. Juxtaposed against these pieces are several shorter works, which in essence clear the palette for the longer ones. The title track, as well as "Hello, Hello" are perfect examples of how Caravan was able to one-up many of their progressive contemporaries, creating shorter and more accessible songs for radio airplay - resulting in a guest appearance on BBC TV's Top of the Pops program. (Lindsay Planer in AllMusic)

CARAVAN - "In the Land of Grey and Pink"

Original Released on LP Deram SDL -R1 (UK)
and on LP London Records PS 593 (US)
- 1971, APRIL 8 -

"In the Land of Grey and Pink" is one of the best albums of the 70's. The humorous and whimsical charm of 'Golf Girl' and 'In the Land of ...' are a sheer joy to listen to. The lyrics of the latter piece always remind me of Edward Lear, and help make this a very English album (despite Lear's extensive travels). 'Love to Love You' is rather naughty (as Caravan tended to be!) and a typical Pye Hastings composition. 'Nine Feet Underground' is a huge, rambling and ambitious piece which works brilliantly because of the band's ensemble playing, and in particular Dave Sinclair's keyboard work. But my favourite piece is 'Winter Wine', the absolute stunner of the set. It manages to create a happy-sad feeling, somehow, and makes you think of memories that you might have had ... It's hard to find another album that matches this one for variety and strength of song-writing. Although the band may not be the most accomplished musicians about, it doesn't matter as they play together so well. This album should be in everybody's record collection, if they have an interest in English rock/pop music of the 70's.

"In the Land of Grey and Pink" is the band's most magical album and it's a joy to have it on CD again, with a much better reproduced cover and a clutch of glorious bonus tracks. It was always perfectly produced, so the sound quality doesn't sound any better to me - in other words, even this remastered copy is perfectly recognisable from old. Another thing Caravan shared with the other Canterbury bands, apart from their jazzy leanings, is a joy in exquisite melody, and this album is smothered in the things as if there's no tomorrow. Though all their subsequent albums are excellent, Caravan would never sound quite this good again. I am madly in love with this album. Whenever I play it, it's like being with old friends, sharing a smile and a tear and all the enthusiasm of youth. There's room for you too.

CARAVAN'S 1ST ALBUM

Original released on LP Verve VLP 6011 (mono); SVLP 6011 (stereo)

(UK, December 1968)

For their first album, Caravan was surprisingly strong. While steeped in the same British psychedelia that informed bands such as Love Children, Pink Floyd, and Tomorrow, Caravan relates a freedom of spirit and mischief along the lines of Giles, Giles & Fripp or Gong. The band's roots can be traced to a British blue-eyed soul combo called the Wilde Flowers. Among the luminaries to have passed through this Caravan precursor were Robert Wyatt, Kevin Ayers, and Hugh Hopper and Brian Hopper (pre-Soft Machine, naturally). By the spring of 1968, Caravan had settled nicely into a quartet consisting of Pye Hastings (guitar/bass/vocals), Richard Coughlan (drums), David Sinclair (organ/vocals), and Richard Sinclair (bass/guitar/vocals). Inspired by the notoriety and acclaim that Soft Machine encountered during the burgeoning days of London's underground scene, Caravan began a residency at the Middle Earth club. Additionally, the band was shopping a homemade demo tape around to local record companies. Before long, entrepreneur Tony Cox worked out a deal for them to record on the newly founded U.K. division of the Verve label. Caravan's self-titled debut is equally as inventive and infinitely more subtle than the Soft Machine's Volume One or Pink Floyd's Piper at the Gates of Dawn. Two of the album's best tunes - the ethereal "Place of My Own" was backed with the dreamlike "Magic Man" - were issued as the band's first single. Those tracks accurately exemplify the subtle complexities that Caravan would hone to great effect on later recordings. The same can also be said for album cuts such as "Love Song With Flute" and the extended nine-minute "Where but for Caravan Would I?" The latter title aptly exemplifies Caravan's decidedly less than turgid attitude toward themselves - a refreshing contrast from the temperamental and serious Art School approach adopted by Pink Floyd and the Moody Blues. The mono and stereo mixes of the long-player are striking in their disparities. The stereo mix is at times opaque and virtually swallows the vocals most specifically on the tracks "Policeman" and "Grandma's Lawn." Otherwise, there are numerous additional nuances that discern the two. The single version of "Hello Hello" is also included as a bonus. This track was the follow-up 45 to "Place of My Own" and would appear in a slightly different form on their next LP, "If I Could Do It All Over Again, I'd Do It All Over You". Potential consumers should note that the sound quality on this package is indescribably better than the HTD Records 1996 CD pressing.