Caravan Albums (25)
'The Unauthorised Breakfast Item'
Release Date 2/26/2004
Tracks 10
Label Radioactive
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What The Critics Say
The 21st century version of Caravan is here to entertain the die-hard Canterbury heads, and at this late date listeners are served up a platter of new tunes by a bunch of amiable geezers -- and one comparative youngster -- who hope they aren't quite ready for the evening's fading light. Fans of the group should be pleased by some familiar names from the good old days of the '60s and '70s, who appear either as members of the core sextet or as special guests: Pye Hastings, Richard Coughlan, Geoffrey Richardson, Jan Schelhaas, Dave Sinclair, and Jimmy Hastings can all be heard at one point or another on the whimsically named The Unauthorised Breakfast Item, the 2004 CD whose title track references an apparent run-in of sorts with hotel restaurant staff when the band appeared at the 2002 NEARFest in Trenton, NJ. The well-produced ten-track CD includes a ten-page booklet filled with photos and lyrics to the eight non-instrumental tunes, and right from the get-go this might be a warning sign for Caravan fans of a certain age. For while various touches -- Sinclair's trademark fuzz organ keyboard tone during his solo at the conclusion of "Revenge," Jimmy Hastings' lovely soprano sax during "Tell Me Why"'s closing vamp -- might get an old Caravan aficionado pumped up a bit, the fact is that this CD is filled with catchy yet conventional rock songs, some pretty balladeering, and lots of lead vocalizing by Hastings (whose somewhat understated singing style remains engaging and sounds basically unchanged from the early days, even if the booklet photos suggest he might be physically morphing into Bill Clinton). In the band's heyday, Caravan let loose with stunning instrumental passages on extended suites like "For Richard," "Nine Feet Underground," and "The Love in Your Eye." Certainly this pegged the group as a prog rock outfit, but unlike most others in this much-maligned style, Caravan never stalled the momentum or became heavy-handed in their sometimes intricate extended jams -- they rocked out with grace and power even when orchestrated. Here, the brief instrumentals "Wild West Street" and "Linders Field" might toss a bone to those who would like the bandmembers to step back from the mikes and just play for a bit, but the band's spacy instrumental interludes often seem less than fully developed, tending almost toward smooth jazz with an adult contemporary or new age sheen. The hottest soloing is reserved for the aforementioned youngster, guitarist Doug Boyle, whose blues-rock approach (he's a former Robert Plant axeman) passes for street cred in this group and also suggests he's a big fan of Andy Latimer. The Unauthorised Breakfast Item has enough heartfelt vocalizing, driving rhythms, hooky choruses, burning solos, contemporary jazz overtones, and atmospheric production effects to give some satisfaction to those Caravan fans of yore who are still among the living. But newcomers should seek out the band's discography from about 30 years or more ago -- back when the term "progressive rock" could actually mean something -- to experience stronger doses of excitement. (Most of the band's classic early LPs were reissued on CD with bonus tracks in 2001.) The members of Caravan acquit themselves reasonably well here -- and might even have some tricks up their sleeves in the future -- but this album sometimes suggests a meal partaken closer to sunset than sunrise. ~ Dave Lynch, All Music Guide
'With Strings Attached'
Release Date 7/29/2003
Tracks 7
Label Classic Rock Legends
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'A Night's Tale'
Release Date 7/29/2003
Tracks 6
Label Classic Rock Legends
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'Nowhere to Hide'
Release Date 7/29/2003
Tracks 8
Label Classic Rock Legends
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'Live in Nottingham'
Release Date 7/29/2003
Tracks 7
Label Classic Rock Legends
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'Bedrock in Concert'
Release Date 10/8/2002
Tracks 12
Label Classic Rock Legends
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What The Critics Say
This disc is derived from Caravan's May 4, 1976, performance at the New Victoria Theatre in London. Keen-eyed and eared enthusiasts will no doubt notice the similarities between this set and several tracks located on various BBC compilations such as Ether Way and BBC Radio 1 Live. While the performances are different, the session taped for broadcast by John Peel was recorded a mere two days later. This flurry of activity by Caravan in the spring of '74 was primarily in support of the band's seventh studio release, Blind Dog at St. Dunstans' -- explaining the concentration of material from that album on this set. The combination of less-than-stellar material, as well as the instability of Caravan's personnel, results in an uneven performance. The addition of synthesizer/keyboardist Jan Schelhaas -- who is also featured on Blind Dog at St. Dunstans' -- masques any attempts at recapturing the classic Caravan sound with ill-placed solos and over-the-top flourishes รก la Keith Emerson. Redemption is found during the disc's waning moments during a comfortable "Love in Your Eye" suite. Like a favorite pair of blue jeans or well-worn sneakers, this track is definitely a keeper. The contrast between this cut and the newer works is striking. There is a palpable sense of Caravan rising to the occasion of a more familiar piece. Perhaps this is why it is positioned at the end of the performance. The sound quality on Surprise Supplies is also somewhat lacking. Likewise, when compared to the John Peel sessions located on Ether Way, this recording sounds as if it may be running a semi-tone sharp or fast. Interested enthusiasts are encouraged to seek this disc for the sake of completeness only. Inquiring parties are best served with either Ether Way or BBC Radio 1 Live -- both of which feature material from the same mid-'70s Caravan line-up. ~ Lindsay Planer, All Music Guide
'Canterbury Comes To London: Live From Astoria'
Release Date 4/20/1999
Tracks 10
Label Transatlantic
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What The Critics Say
Rarely do reformations of classic rock bands equal the work of the unit to gain initial notoriety. Since their semi-permanent reunion in the '80s, Caravan have not only reworked some of their most beloved works on studio releases such as All Over You and the follow-up, All Over You Too, but the band has also made numerous live recordings highlighting enthusiasts favorites as well as newer material, such as Pye Hastings ballad "Cold As Ice." Canterbury Comes to London is one of the better live performance recordings to feature core band members (Pye Hastings, Geoffrey Richardson, Dave Sinclair and Richard Coughlan) as augmented by other non-Caravan alumni. Notable for their tenure in this incarnation is lead guitarist Doug Boyle -- who is probably best known as Robert Plant's post Robbie Blunt solo axe man. Jim Leverton is another addition whose long and varied residencies include Fat Mattress, Savoy Brown, and Juicy Lucy. Sadly, percussionist Simon Bentall's augmentations seem consistently out of place. The glaring chime crescendos during "Golf Girl" or the needless, yet incessant, tambourine fills and bongo fury which obscure an otherwise striking rendition of "Memory Lain, Hugh" and "Headloss" bear the deepest scars. Conversely, his restraint on "Nine Feet Underground" is duly noted. Enthusiasts whose interest began to wane in Caravan's post- Cunning Stunts era will, at the very least, be pleasantly surprised at the residual intensity and attack which are readily displayed throughout this live set. Immediately the togetherness of the band is demonstrated during the multi-rhythmic passages of "Headloss," as well as throughout "For Richard." There are no lagging tempos, forgotten lyrics, or neglected solos here. Caravan's motifs of musical economy while providing multi-hued sonic canvases are alive and well as Canterbury Comes to London. ~ Lindsay Planer, All Music Guide
'Show of Our Lives'
Release Date 10/28/1998
Tracks 12
Label Mooncrest
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What The Critics Say
This release is not for enthusiasts whose primary criteria include those of sonic quality or program continuity. In fact, bootlegs containing much of the same material as Show of Our Lives circulate from a higher quality source. Primarily owing to the legal ambiguity that governs European broadcast recordings, discs such as this continue to skulk into the marketplace stymieing curious consumers. While the performances highlighted on this volume are quite good, most tracks fade up several seconds in, rendering them incomplete. Another flagrant display of questionable sonic mastering appears during a noisy vinyl transcription of "Love to Love You." Additionally, "Memory Lain, Hugh" and "Headloss" -- which are usually presented as a unified suite -- are separated here by the album's title track. Beyond the sonic foibles, however, are otherwise solid performances by the classic Caravan lineup. Included are the rare "Love Song Without Flute," from Caravan's eponymously titled 1968 debut, and the humorously titled "And I Wish I Were Stoned" and "If I Had to Do It All Over Again, I'd Do It All Over You," both from the album of the latter's name. Other notable works include unique renderings of "Golf Girl," as well as an epic "For Richard." As the liner notes fail to identify source recordings, the supposition is that the material on Show of Our Lives originated as radio broadcasts of varying quality. Indeed, there are striking similarities between this release and the two Caravan sanctioned editions of their BBC Radio appearances -- Songs for Oblivion Fishermen and Ether Way. Additionally, the two legit releases boast infinitely better sound and comprehensive track listings. ~ Lindsay Planer, All Music Guide
