Godbluff [Remastered] - Van Der Graaf Generator

When this was first released on vinyl back in 1975, it was by the newly reformed VDGG.

Peter Hammill, after recording several solo projects (some in collaboration with VDGG members) decided to get back together with the old band. (Hugh Banton, Guy Evans, David Jackson and Peter Hammill). This was the first offering.

The original contained four tracks:-
1. The Undercover Man.
2. Scorched Earth.
...
...has two extras:-
5. Forsaken Gardens and
6. A Louse is not a Home.
Both of these tracks' studio versions were from Hammilll's solo album, "The Silent Corner & The Empty Stage".

I remember buying this just after seeing VDGG play Reading Festival. They were a cult attraction, lots of the crowd didn't like them. There were a few cans thrown as is the case with bands who aren't particulary liked,but I ... more

When this was first released on vinyl back in 1975, it was by the newly reformed VDGG.

Peter Hammill, after recording several solo projects (some in collaboration with VDGG members) decided to get back together with the old band. (Hugh Banton, Guy Evans, David Jackson and Peter Hammill). This was the first offering.

The original contained four tracks:-
1. The Undercover Man.
2. Scorched Earth.
3. Arrow.
4. Sleepwalkers.
The remastered version has two extras:-
5. Forsaken Gardens and
6. A Louse is not a Home.
Both of these tracks' studio versions were from Hammilll's solo album, "The Silent Corner & The Empty Stage".

I remember buying this just after seeing VDGG play Reading Festival. They were a cult attraction, lots of the crowd didn't like them. There were a few cans thrown as is the case with bands who aren't particulary liked,but I was hooked. Watching David Jackson play two saxophones at once was mesmerising.

Back to the CD. The first track, The Under Cover Man, is a slow meandering track at first with whispered lyrics. The first word "Here" is recorded in such a way that Hammill's voice appears just behind your head. Scary! It's a cry from the heart. A wish that a friend once made could be there always, even though events may conspire to separate the two. It's a song of hope in that respect, pointing out that altough we are all alone ultimately, we are all in the same boat. ( A favourite theme of Hammilll's is isolation).

The second track is Scorched Earth. It seems to be about a soldier (or similar) in that it is about a person who has no choice but to follow orders no matter what the consequences. Easy listening this is not, but Hammilll's use of English is outstanding. Why use a common word when one or two obscure ones will do?

The third track is Arrow. Not easy listening. It reminds me of a medieval setting. Each word is carefully chosen. (The lyrics are reproduced in the sleeve notes and you may need a dictionary for some words.) God knows what this song is about, citing gallows and arrows it all gets hard to follow. Having said that, the vocal delivery is stunning.

The fourth track, The Sleepwalkers, is, or seems to be about zombies. An army of zombies marching and dancing around at night. Unable to resist the tune which calls them to follow this path. After the first verse the band breaks into a boss nova to emphasise the dance of the "living dead". Throughout the song, the time signature changes from 4/4 to 6/8, 3/4 and back again to a steady 4/4.

The last two tacks are "live" recordings of tracks taken from one of Peter Hammill's solo albums as mentioned above. The versions presented here are a bit rough.
The first track "Forsaken Gardens" is another of Hammill's favourite themes.
It's all about the regret we feel if we follow a solitary path through life. "Doing your own thing" is ok, but don't forget there are others, seems to be the message here.

The final track, "A Louse is not a Home" is about a man living alone in a large house. He is haunted by the feeling that there is someone else also living there. A strange haunting very long song.

I'd recommend this CD to VDGG fans without hesitation. But for anyone new to the band I'd issue this warning: This is not easy listening. It's not light in any sense of the word. If you like clever lyrics and music which is not restricted to a 4/4 beat then you may enjoy this. Remember this is dark music about dark subjects.
I'd hate anybody to go out and buy this on the strength of this review and discover that they hate it! VDGG are an acquired taste. My advice to you would be to listen first (if you can) then make up your mind. 

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