Guest akanalog Posted September 2, 2004 Report Posted September 2, 2004 saw a few albums by this band in the record store. fripp guesting on guitar on one or two. looked interesting but i wasn't sure what to make of them. looked like they played some longer form songs-sometimes in suite form. overall gave off an early king crimson-ey vibe from the packaging and song titles and fripp i guess. anyone have any opinions of what they sound like? i would like to get into some good jazz influenced prog ("lizards" is halfway there) but don't know where to look. is this band a place to check? Quote
RDK Posted September 2, 2004 Report Posted September 2, 2004 Along with power conditioners and expensive wires, I hear that a Van Der Graaf Generator will do wonders for your audio system... (Sorry - I'll go away now...) Quote
sidewinder Posted September 2, 2004 Report Posted September 2, 2004 From my vague schoolboy recollections of the early 70s, 'King Crimsony' would be a good description, I think. Very much within the prog-rock style of this time. Quote
kdd Posted September 2, 2004 Report Posted September 2, 2004 Try Pawn Hearts, my favorite, and go from there. Good band, had their moments and they have some jazz influence, not much. Quote
A Lark Ascending Posted September 2, 2004 Report Posted September 2, 2004 Very Gothic in sound! Had a slightly free-jazz sax sound in places - well, blow-torch! 'Swing' they didn't! 'Pawn Hearts' (mentioned above) is a marvellous, nightmarish album. I suspect it will sound very dated to new ears. But I play it occasionally for its nostalgic value. Quote
Jazzdog Posted September 2, 2004 Report Posted September 2, 2004 The albums from the mid 70's are slightly more jazzy than the early albums. Check out Still Life or Godbluff. The basic instrumentation is Keys (organ and electric piano) saxophones and drums. And of course Peter Hammill's vocals, which can take some time to get used to if you arent ready for them. Still Life might be the best place to start, it eases into the overall sound of the band, from quiet to loud over a few songs and then back again. Of course, I am a huge fan and have the Box Set and most of Peter Hammill's solo albums!! Quote
Guest ariceffron Posted September 2, 2004 Report Posted September 2, 2004 they are good but they are weird Quote
A Lark Ascending Posted September 6, 2004 Report Posted September 6, 2004 I was listening to a couple of Procol Harum albums a few days back. Made me think of Van der Graf. Van der Graf are like a severely depressed version of Procol Harum who have been through electric-shock treatment and other attempted clinical cures. Given that Procol were not exactly jolly... Quote
Guest ariceffron Posted September 6, 2004 Report Posted September 6, 2004 BULLSHIT THERE IS NO COMPARISON-- IF PROCOL IS MOZART THAN VAN DER GRAAF IS JOHN FUCKING CAGE OR WHATNOT. THERE IS ABSOUTELY NO COMPARISON BETWEEN THE TWO OTHER THAN THEY ARE BOTH BRITSH PROGRESSIVE GROUPS. Quote
take5 Posted September 7, 2004 Report Posted September 7, 2004 The distinguishing characteristic of VGG is Peter Hammill's voice. Imagine Peter Gabriel times a 100- meaning that it's very dramatic and expressive, almost exaggerated. If you can dig "weird" singing, then it's worth checking it out. I only have and am familiar with H to He Who Am the Only One and Pawn Hearts, considered the early classics. Quote
A Lark Ascending Posted September 7, 2004 Report Posted September 7, 2004 BULLSHIT THERE IS NO COMPARISON-- IF PROCOL IS MOZART THAN VAN DER GRAAF IS JOHN FUCKING CAGE OR WHATNOT. THERE IS ABSOUTELY NO COMPARISON BETWEEN THE TWO OTHER THAN THEY ARE BOTH BRITSH PROGRESSIVE GROUPS. Bugger! Wrong again! Quote
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