REVIEWS FROM VARIOUS SOURCES
This disc features a performance by progressive rockers Caravan from a 1990 show filmed for British television -- most specifically ITV network's Bedrock Series -- which is also available on DVD. This reunion includes the classic lineup of the band. If the inspired performance on Live is any indication, the group is as jazzed by the sounds they were making as the audience most noticeably is. It is almost as if they hadn't been away -- in this incarnation at least -- for over a decade and a half. The set list, although diminutive, stretches an hour in total running time, revealing both enthusiast favorites ("Headloss" as well as a "For Richard" of epic proportions), deep catalog cuts ("Winter Wine" and "Nine Feet Underground"), and even a track from their 1982 reunion disc Back to Front ("Videos of Hollywood"). What the running order does not intimate is the jaw-dropping power of the quintet, featuring notable contributions from Jimmy Hastings (flute/sax). The band adeptly revived themselves by playing into the music in much the same fashion that graces their pre-Cunning Stunts live efforts during the mid-'70s.
By way of accurate comparison, however, it should be noted that this original incarnation of the band never issued any live material -- apart from a few one-off reenactments for the BBC. The raunchy guitar-driven rock of "Headloss" sits surprisingly well when juxtaposed against the decidedly mellower and more recent "Videos of Hollywood." The shorter pieces -- "In the Land of Grey and Pink" and a reworked "If I Could Do It All Over Again, I'd Do It All Over You" -- are no less enthusiastically derived; in fact, the opposite is arguably the case. Although newer enthusiasts will inevitably want to add Live to their collections, it is the more seasoned fan who will be most overwhelmed by the prog rock fury on this extremely worthwhile investment.
Lindsay Planer (ALLMUSIC)
Further evidence that someone else out there is trying to spread the Canterbury word came in the usual roundabout way concerning the Central TV series 'BEDROCK'. Some enlightened soul in Nottingham had seemingly decided that it would be a good idea to channel some funds away from Bullseye, Bob Holness et al, and use then to persuade various Seventies bands to reform, play under blinding stage lights in front of audiences attracted despite dismal publicity, and ultimately to appear on the small screen in the early hours of some midweek morning. As a venture it seems to have met with some degree of success, if we take as examples the three bands which will principally interest readers of FACELIFT, namely HATFIELD AND THE NORTH, GONG and CARAVAN.
Caravan's appearance at the Central studios on 24th July will be screened as part of the second Bedrock series along with the likes of Asia, Rick Wakeman and Curved Air. The original line-up of Richard and David Sinclair, Pye Hastings and Richard Coughlan was featured, with timely additions from Jimmy Hastings on sax and flute. Given the fact that only Richard Sinclair from this band is still predominantly involved with music, the band played a blinding set that showed little sign of rustiness. This was no doubt helped by the fact that the band had played a handful of warm-up gigs, including the Canterbury festival.
This was the only one of the Bedrock gigs I was able to get to, and as the first time I'd seen Caravan was always going to make an impression. That said, it was an indisputably fine performance: both vocalists have retained strong voices, with Pye Hastings particularly surprising me in soaring uninhibited through the opener 'Behind You'. Selection of material was happily dominated by pieces from the original collaborations, with the bands playing all the tracks from 'In the Land Of The Grey and Pink', and the highlight was, as expected, 'For Richard'. The lengthy crescendo towards the celebrated keyboard riff provided the night's most uplifting moment. I'll always be biased towards the lengthier instrumental compositions and any excuse to hear that Sinclatr voice ('Winter Wine' was as a
outstanding), but the whole set was superb.
The live sound during the first half of the performance seemeed to favour rhythm guitar detriment of organ and saxophone, but I was lucky enough to see Central's tape after the gig and presumably this will be rectified for the screening. The mix was a shame, because it obscured the vibrant soloing of Jimmy Hastings, very such an integral part of the show (and who ono reader, with some degree of accuracy, compared to John Gielgud!)
Unlike the Hatfields' performance (which attracted reputedly only 40 people, many there under the impression that it was a heavy metal gig!), the appearance of Caravan was well publicised and one presses that there will be no need for the audience overdubs which accompanied the former. Rumours abound that, quite separate to the Central transmission some of this gig may appear as a live album. Caravan are continuing to play the occasional gig wherever it has been possible to promote them, and it's good to see that organisations such as Sonic Relief are active in this. Whether the band will be performing any new material in the future (as Richard Sinclair for one is certainly keen to do), remains to be seen.
Phil Howitt (FACELIFT MAGAZINE) / september 1990
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