"A Quest for Prog" is a series of 50 Progressive Rock reviews to be written over a year. The band selection is taken from the book in the first post on this blog. And the albums I am reviewing is based on the highest user ratings for each band on Progarchives.com.
Caravan – In the Land of Grey and Pink (1971)
Produced by David Hitchcock
Pye Hastings – Guitars and vocals
Dave Sinclair – Hammond organ, piano and Mellotron
Richard Sinclair – Bass, acoustic guitar and vocals
Richard Coughlan – Drums
Jimmy Hastings – Piccolo (side 1: 1), flute (side 1: 3 & side 2: 1), saxophone (side 2: 1)
Paul Beecham – Trombone (side 1: 1)
Dave Grinstead – Canon, bell and wind (side 2: 1)
Track listing:
Side one:
01. Golf Girl (5:05)
02. Winter Wine (7:46)
03. Love to love you (And tonight pigs will fly) (3:06)
04. In the Land of Grey and Pink (4.51)
Side two:
01. Nine Feet Underground (22:43)
I. "Nigel Blows a Tune"
II. "Love's a Friend"
III. "Make It 76"
IV. "Dance of the Seven Paper Hankies"
V. "Hold Grandad by the Nose"
VI. "Honest I Did!"
VII. "Disassociation"
VIII. "100% Proof"
Released in 1971 "In the Land of Grey and Pink" was the third album by English band Caravan. Caravan formed in 1968 after David Sinclair, Richard Sinclair, Pye Hastings and Richard Coughlan’s previous band Wilde Flowers dissolved. Initially signed to Verve the band moved to Decca after their first self titled album and to Deram for “In the Land of Grey and Pink”. Even though they have considerable success in Europe and American as a live band this didn’t translate into record sales.
"In the Land of Grey and Pink" follows the format of a lot of Prog albums in having one side with shorter pieces and a longer piece filling the other side.
The first side of shorter songs begins with “Golf Girl” an upbeat tune in the vein of the Small Faces. It has a very British feel to it with coy lyrics which reminded me of the Syd Barrett era Pink Floyd singles (Arnold Layne, See Emily Play and Apples & Oranges). It’s a nice enough tune but fairly restrained and this gives it a fairly light weight delivery.
“Winter Wine” is the next song a folk rock tune similar to Jethro Tull. I liked the lyrics on this one a bit more surreal and less fairy tale. The Keyboard and Guitar solos are good and opens the song up. I like this one even though at times it can be a bit pedestrian.
“Love to love you (And tonight pigs will fly)” is one of those silly little tunes that Englished bands seem to love to write. I gotta say the first thing that came to mind when I listened to this song was the Bay City Rollers. You get the picture. That being said the Piano and Flutes are really well done.
The last song on the first side is the title track “In the Land of Grey and Pink”. Reminiscent of Yes and Syd Barrett’s solo material this for me is the strongest track on this the album. Whereas the other songs on this side are restrained this song, in comparison, lets loose. The lyrics are surreal and at points slightly disturbing. For the life of me I don't know what they are on about. Really strong melody and vocals.
The Second side is dedicated to the 22 minute long “Nine Feet Underground”. Caravan, being quite a restrained band, struggles on this song to keep this piece interesting. It’s a shame because they could have taken some of the ideas here and created some strong shorter songs. The song does make some nice turns which remind me of Van Der Graaf Generator and King Crimson. The final 6 minutes of the song which I gather includes the pieces “Disassociation" & "100% Proof” is the strongest part. The final 3 minutes “100% Proof” is quite riffy and sounds alot like “Sunshine Of Your Love”. Maybe the result of trends or a lack of editing but as a whole “Nine Feet Underground” is unsuccessful.
This album is a disappointment. For me the title and the album art is so strong that if I have seen this in a record store I may have brought it based on that. The title track and parts of “Nine Feet Underground” are strong but not too much more here delivers.
3/10
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