For those of you who don't know Caravan, they're an english band from the Canterbury area. If you know british psychedelia/prog/avant history, you'll know that the Canterbury Scene is it's own movement that gave birth to many peculiar bands like Soft Machine, Gong, National Health, Camel and Hatfield and the North. A very wide variety makes the canterbury sound kinda hard to pin down, but it started roughly as a sort of jazzy psychedelia that picked up prog and other influences into the 70s. The one proto Canterbury band formed back in '64 was the "Wilde Flowers". This band broke up in 1967 and while some of the members formed Soft Machine, ex-Wilde Flowers members David Sinclair, Richard Sinclair, Pye Hastings and Richard Coughlan would go on to form Caravan. While Soft Machine and many others would go down the less accessible road of extended jazzy jams and avant-garde influences, Caravan would take folk-jazz-influenced psychedelia and over time move it in a more pop/rock direction.
As a result, Caravan may be the best entry point into Canterbury there is. They're fairly accessible and thoroughly charming. During an interview for the prog rock briannia documentary, Richard Coughlan said they were writing songs outside in the sun and living off girlfriends. They also tried to be as british as they could and listening to Caravan, some of those beautiful Canterbury landscapes and warm summer days infuse the music. They often wrote about things they loved like drugs (sometimes cleverly disguised in the lyrics as "tea") and sex, although always subtle and tongue in cheek rather than obvious and vulgar.
Their earlier albums before they descend into a more pure pop/rock direction are the most appreciated. Their widely regarded masterpiece is the 1971 "In the Land of Grey and Pink" which is often regarded as the quintessential Cantebury album.
Here I've listed their discography with links to on-site album reviews if they exist. I'll also give you spotify links
Green Bottles for Marjorie: The Lost BBC Sessions (2002)
Live at Fairfield Halls, 1974 (2002)
The Show of Our Lives - Caravan at the BBC 1968-1975 (2007) - Listen to it on : Spotify
So what's your favourite Caravan album? I love In the Land of Grey and Pink, but my favourite is 1973 album For Girls Who Grow Plump in the Night. It's a bit rockier than their previous albums and is like the perfect mix of prog and pop/rock.
Here's a vid of the most famous song from that album, "The Dog, The Dog, It's at It Again"!
Comus
06-08-2009 10:30 AM
I sense a Comus Says: Go Caravanning for Seven Days thread coming on soon. Great band.
zeppy111
06-09-2009 10:31 AM
I only have "In the land of grey and pink" and I have heard a few songs of the other albums (5 or 6) and I must say I was very excited by the album. The almost 23 minute long title track was an epic... Unlike a few of the other prog bands albums that I have got lately, this I took a liking too straight away which was a suprise.
Guybrush
06-09-2009 11:08 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Comus
(Post 676452)
I sense a Comus Says: Go Caravanning for Seven Days thread coming on soon. Great band.
Holy **** what an awesome idea :D If you do it, I'll listen to them as well and try and keep up with the Caravan marathon!
Quote:
Originally Posted by zeppy111
(Post 677546)
I only have "In the land of grey and pink" and I have heard a few songs of the other albums (5 or 6) and I must say I was very excited by the album. The almost 23 minute long title track was an epic... Unlike a few of the other prog bands albums that I have got lately, this I took a liking too straight away which was a suprise.
By title track, I guess you mean "nine feet underground" :D Yeah, Grey and Pink is certainly a good album and I love the english folky feel of it. I also agree regarding accessibility .. Caravan was one of the bands (perhaps the band) that got me into prog actually. :)
Anteater
06-15-2009 09:47 AM
Caravan are definitely choice, and the first band anyone should look up if trying to get into Canterbury.
On a personal note, I feel 'If I Could Do It All Over Again, I'd Do It All Over You' is a underrated work. :thumb:
sidewinder
06-16-2009 02:00 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by zeppy111
(Post 677546)
I only have "In the land of grey and pink"
Same, but I've only heard one or two other tracks on top of that.
Guybrush
06-17-2009 02:41 AM
Sometimes when I listen to the title track off the land of grey and pink, I pick up the guitar and sing/play along .. great cheesy fun. :p
And it's rather simple to play too!
Guybrush
01-08-2011 03:33 AM
Those interested in Caravan should check out Dotoar's discograpy review thread!