How does it compare to the artist's other releases
Outstanding
Value for Money
Good
Advantages:
Has a couple of good Hawkwind tracks unavailable elesewhere
Disadvantages:
Doesn't bear repeated listening
Recommend to potential buyers:
yes
Full review
I consider this to be a "lost" Hawkwind album. Let me qualify that statement. The personnel on this album (apologies for using that word, but I'm used to calling long-playing recordings, albums, so there) are more or less Hawkwind.
It was recorded by Robert Calvert (ex-frontman of Hawkwind,sadly now dead) as a side line. He gathered together the band and a few other friends to record this parody of Lockheed Inc and their deals with the post-war German airforce.
Basically, it's a "comedy" album, albeit one with a heavy metal soundtrack. It's a mixture of "spoken word" and Hawkwind-type songs.
But what does it sound like? Well it opens with a speech given by the Air Defence Minister in a cod German accent reviewing the sorry state of the once glorious Luftwaffe post World War II. "Ve must get up to date! Get mit it!" he screams.
Then comes the first piece of music. A thundering track called "The Aerospace Age Inferno". As soon as this starts you're left in no doubt that this is Hawkwind! Thumping Lemmy bass line, clashing Brock guitar and synthesized beeps and bleeps all in the mix.
Enter an aircraft salesman. A smooth talking American trying to sell Lockheed's latest plane, the "Starfighter", to Germany. Like all sales people he will promise anything to close the deal. The Germans agree to accept the Starfighter even though it's probably not the type of plane they actually need.
The next piece of music is "Widow Maker". Another heavy metal song . The title being the nickname given to the Starfighter after the initial consignment of aircraft produced a large number of fatalities.
A spoken track follows with two pilots discussing the plane and its performance. This is Vivian Stanshall (ex Bonzo Dog Band) and Robert Calvert talking nonsense, but it is funny.
"The Right Stuff" is next up. Heavy metal bravado. Borrowing a phrase from the US Air Force to decsribe their top notch pilots.
"The Board Meeting" is the spoken track which follows. The members of the Air Defence board discuss the performance of the plane and agree that, despite all evidence to the contrary, the plane is a success and will continue with the project.
Then a very odd track. "Song of the Gremlin" is Calvert at his best. The myth that all air accidents are caused by the Gremlin, a creature which dedicates itself to destroying Mankind whenever he tries to fly. Flying being an unnnatural act! This track is repeated later on in the recording. Bizarrely it's a piano based song several miles away from usual Hawkwind stuff.
"Ground Crew" is the next spoken track. Two members of the ground crew are discussing the plane. Highlighting the fact that the air crews had no training on how to maintain the aircraft. Very tongue in cheek. It sounds like a Pete 'n' Dud sketch.
"Hero With a Wing". This is Calvert song describing a creature born of a union between an eagle and the West Wind Witch?? It doesn't really fit into the narrative, but does have some marvellous swirling synthesizer noises all the way through.
"Ground Control to Pilot" is the converation between a pilot and the air traffic controller before take off. Very surreal.
"Ejection". Back to Hawkwind. A full blown heavy metal track. Hawkwind occasionally performed this live.
Then comes a very strange, very funny track. A potential pilot is being interviewed for a job. Has to be heard to be believed.
" I resign" is a little piece of nonsense with a barber shop type thing repeating "I resign" in four part harmony.
The Gremlin returns in a slighly more manic form. The words are repeated with a two second echo delay at a slightly higher pitch. Very odd.
"Bier Garten" is the last spoken track. It's a fair ground barker calling bingo numbers until he is interrupted by a man in the crowd. "Does anybody want to buy a Starfighter?" he asks. "Then buy an acre of ground and wait"
"Catch a Falling Starfighter" is the final track. A very atmospheric piece. Building slowly from a funeral drum to multi-tracked vocals. A very fitting end.
Overall this CD is worth having if you're a Hawkwind fan. It doesn't bear repeated listening, about once or twice a year will do. But it is quite unique.
Robert Calvert did record another similar thing about the Vikings landing in America long before Columbus, called "Lucky Lief and the Longships" but it was nowhere near as well thought out. Thanx to Champ This is probably only for Hawkwind fans.
Capt Lockheed available at HMV and Amazon for anything between £10.00 and £15.00. Virgin don't list it!
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How does it rate alongside the competition
Good
Cover / Inlay Design and Content
Good
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