1971 Orig HAMMILL Fools Mate VAN DER GRAAF GENERATOR + ROBERT FRIPP Prog

$

27

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 1973 ORIGINAL first press ~ Heavenly Progressive Classic

                      PETER HAMMILL

             FOOLS MATE                

                          USA - Charisma - CAS 1037

CLEAN ...ORIGINAL 1971 first pressing vinyl in thick textured/grainy gatefold cover...the mad brain of Van der Graaf Generator delivering his FIRST and one of his forever best solo Lp's, right in the prime days of VDGG ... in fact ALL members contribute including King Crimosn's ROBERT FRIPP ...easily could be called a Van der Graaf Generator album ...

YES, You can pretty much tag this one as an honorary Van Der Graaf Generator album, since it features Hammill's bandmates plus Robert Fripp on a majority of the tracks, not to mention the fact that it was recorded in April 1971 at the band's recording haunt of the period, Trident Studios. The classic Generator sound rings out particularly on the first two tracks-the drum rolls and instantly recognizable accentuations of Guy Evans, the engaged windswork of David Jackson, and the imperial character of Hugh Banton's Hammond-combining with Hammill's theatrical vocal flair. The main difference, as outlined by Hammill and readily apparent upon listening, is that the tunes are shorter in length and lyrically place him firmly on earth rather than perched in the doom-laden clouds of the prime Van Der Graaf Generator albums.

The album packs quite a punch with "Imperial Zeppelin" and "Candle" and finds its apex in the ballad "Vision." Sure, the lyrics do wander into the dependably excessive waters of romanticism ("Be my child/Be my lover," "Take my tongue/Take my torment," "Let me die in your arms...") - keep in mind that Hammill was only 17 when he wrote some of these songs. However, the delivery of Hammill's open vocal performance atop Banton's delicate keyboard lines combine to impressive and heartfelt effect. Another highlight is "Re-Awakening," which combines typically harried Van Der Graaf-ian verses with a chorus that enunciates the title as a broad push for affirmation.The observations are typically simpler and more direct than much of his later work, yet sacrifice no insight or originality. Some, like "Summer Song in the Autumn" are quite simply beautiful in both sentiment and presentation. Others might now seem perhaps a bit juvenile -- "I once wrote some poems" was all depth and pain ...and some some 35+ years later it sounds somewhat affected -- but all in all the music and lyrics hold up remarkably well even when compared to the vast and uniformly remarkable corpus of Hammill's work. Compared to just about anything else, these songs will never come up short which is even further proof of the growth in arranging and performing that Hammill and the lads were experiencing during one of their most productive periods. The results are all there to hear.

1. Imperial Zeppelin — 3:38
2. Candle — 4:17
3. Happy — 2:36
4. Solitude — 4:58
5. Vision — 3:15
6. Re-Awakening — 3:57
7. Sunshine — 4:00
8. Child — 4:25
9. Summer Song (in the Autumn) — 2:13
10. Viking — 4:43
11. The Birds — 3:36
12. I Once Wrote Some Poems — 2:45

CONDITION: The cover: The thick grainy gatefold cover is near M- very colorful, has but a small promo circle at top right, almost missed it, very discreet ...otherwise no problems, in collectible keeper condition with NO need to up-grade.

The vinyl: very clean and smooth M- playback is clean highly enjoyable, no disturbance.

keeper!

A GREAT ADDITION TO ANYONE'S COLLECTION !

SEE: SELLERS OTher items for similar cool sounds for "head" people...

EFFICIENT/CAREFUL GRADING

All imperfections are noted both cover & record