2007-09-16 15:45:13 · 5 answers · asked by Isis 4 in Entertainment & Music ➔ Music ➔ Rock and Pop
I always loved the treated/electric saxophone playing of David Jackson, the interesting syncopation and solid drumming of Guy Evans, and Hugh Bantons inventive and colourful organ playing.
Peter Hammill was cool too, and his voice was very easily identifiable. At times this was known to grate on some peoples nerves, and I must confess that I preferred the instrumental passages by far.
Their material between their 1969 debut, 'The Aerosol Grey Machine' and 1971's 'Pawn Hearts' was my favorite.
'Aquarian', 'Into a Game', 'Refugees', 'The Emperor in His War-Room' (w Robert Fripp on guitar), 'Man-Erg', and the colossal 'A Plague of Lighthouse Keepers' are all recommended listening for any fan of 70's progressive rock.
The second phase of VdGG beginning with 'Godbluff' in 1975 was pretty good too. The songs 'Sleepwalkers', When She Comes', 'Pilgrims' and 'Scorched Earth', would be a few of my favorite songs by from that period of the band.
The following concert / live performance DVD's are awesome:
http://rateyourmusic.com/release/video/van_der_graaf_generator/godbluff_live_1975/
http://rateyourmusic.com/release/video/van_der_graaf_generator/masters_from_the_vaults/
I think a subsequent issue of the 'Godbluff' DVD also includes the 'Masters From the Vaults' footage as well.
In the dead period, or hiatus between 'Pawn Hearts' and 'Godbluff', Peter Hammill released a few really good solo albums; 'Fool's Mate'(Robert Fripp plays here as well), 'Chameleon in the Shadow of the Night', 'In Camera', 'The Silent Corner and the Empty Stage' and 'Nadir's Big Chance'. The last is a good indicator of what's to come in the next phase of VdGG, 'Godbluff'.
2007-09-17 13:13:59 · answer #1 · answered by Smiley 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Wow! Someone else here who Knows them!
I love the grinding Hammond organs. They are everything I love about 70s prog rock. eg: odd time sigs, lengthy pieces, atypical rock lyrics, etc...
I'd read about them for years before finally giving them a chance 4 years ago. Liked them right off the bat & wondered why I hadn't listened years earlier!
2007-09-16 22:50:16 · answer #2 · answered by Fonzie T 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Like most prog bands, they are adventurous and artistically honest. They don't set out to release catchy Top-40 pop tunes.
2007-09-17 15:27:17 · answer #3 · answered by ? 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
great singer
Amazing musically
emotional
different
this artist really takes you into another world and reminds me of some far out classical pieces
2007-09-16 22:52:33 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
That you can't really use words to describe them, its.....um.... "unique". Wow, that's as far as I can get with describing them...
And also, I love anything prog
2007-09-16 22:49:52 · answer #5 · answered by meep meep 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋