While I have heard about Caravan from just about every single progressive rock fan, I have never given their music the listening it deserves. Considering they supposedly are in a similar root to early Camel, I've been thinking about trying to get into them. Is any of the music similar to the Sinclair line-up of Camel at all? I'd be intrigued to know...
What do you call an alligator in a vest? An investigator.
Zitat von ProphetInTheWind im Beitrag #1While I have heard about Caravan from just about every single progressive rock fan, I have never given their music the listening it deserves. Considering they supposedly are in a similar root to early Camel, I've been thinking about trying to get into them. Is any of the music similar to the Sinclair line-up of Camel at all? I'd be intrigued to know...
Hi David,
Being a cornerstone of the so-called Canterbury scene, Caravan used to be a bit more adventurous expecially in their early years. All of their albums from 1969 to 1975 come highly recommended, with "In The Land Of Grey And Pink" usually considered their masterpiece. After 1975 mainstream (more song-orientated) influences became more prominent but in live concerts they still use to play a nice selection of the early stuff. So they did last weekend at the Caravan Convention in Zoetermeer (Holland) which was tremendously enjoyable.
I've given "In The Land..." a few spins and, though I enjoy it quite a lot, I have noticed it seems to lack the more progressive sound as much as it has a sort of folky-pop sound. However, I do enjoy that sound from the Canterbury artists, even though it's different from Camel's sound.
What do you call an alligator in a vest? An investigator.
I wouldn’t consider Camel as part of the Canterbury scene, they have no similarities to the spirit of the classic Canterbury Bands.
If you want to go into Caravan, avoid comparing them to Camel, otherwise you’ll be disappointed. They are in another level, and their music relies more in great improvisations (usually keyboards, but also violin and flute, and lately guitar) based on their songs. I would recommend hearing their live recordings. Composition wise they are a typical Canterbury band, which I like.
So I suppose that their studio work is more concise, but the live recordings tend to stretch with improvisation? I enjoy improv from certain artists, but I am growing to enjoy the conciseness of any musician or band that can make its point and get done as quick as possible.
David
What do you call an alligator in a vest? An investigator.
To a certain point, the improvisations are also in the studio versions. Give to "In The Land..." a few more spins. Nine Feet Underground could not be more progressive!!
Another important part of Caravan, not to be found on Camel, are the lyrics (although I don't understand them...) which seems to ve very intrincated.
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Sun Jun 10, 2012 4:41 am
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