The Official Caravan Thread

Guybrush · 06-08-2009, 07:02 AM

Caravan

For those of you who don't know Caravan, they're an english band from the Canterbury area. If you know british psychedelia/prog/avant history, you'll know that the Canterbury Scene is it's own movement that gave birth to many peculiar bands like Soft Machine, Gong, National Health, Camel and Hatfield and the North. A very wide variety makes the canterbury sound kinda hard to pin down, but it started roughly as a sort of jazzy psychedelia that picked up prog and other influences into the 70s. The one proto Canterbury band formed back in '64 was the "Wilde Flowers". This band broke up in 1967 and while some of the members formed Soft Machine, ex-Wilde Flowers members David Sinclair, Richard Sinclair, Pye Hastings and Richard Coughlan would go on to form Caravan. While Soft Machine and many others would go down the less accessible road of extended jazzy jams and avant-garde influences, Caravan would take folk-jazz-influenced psychedelia and over time move it in a more pop/rock direction.

As a result, Caravan may be the best entry point into Canterbury there is. They're fairly accessible and thoroughly charming. During an interview for the prog rock briannia documentary, Richard Coughlan said they were writing songs outside in the sun and living off girlfriends. They also tried to be as british as they could and listening to Caravan, some of those beautiful Canterbury landscapes and warm summer days infuse the music. They often wrote about things they loved like drugs (sometimes cleverly disguised in the lyrics as "tea") and sex, although always subtle and tongue in cheek rather than obvious and vulgar.

Their earlier albums before they descend into a more pure pop/rock direction are the most appreciated. Their widely regarded masterpiece is the 1971 "In the Land of Grey and Pink" which is often regarded as the quintessential Cantebury album.

Here I've listed their discography with links to on-site album reviews if they exist. I'll also give you spotify links

Their studio discography goes as follows :

Caravan (1968) - On site Reviews : http://www.musicbanter.com/album-rev...tml#post976576
If I Could Do It All Over Again, I'd Do It All Over You (1970) - On site Reviews : http://www.musicbanter.com/album-rev...tml#post978297
In the Land of Grey and Pink (1971) - On site Reviews : http://www.musicbanter.com/album-rev...tml#post978595
Waterloo Lily (1972) - On site Reviews : http://www.musicbanter.com/album-rev...tml#post979041
For Girls Who Grow Plump in the Night (1973) - On site Reviews : http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...tml#post731982 / http://www.musicbanter.com/album-rev...tml#post979507
Cunning Stunts (1975) - On site Reviews : http://www.musicbanter.com/album-rev...tml#post979599
Blind Dog at St. Dunstans (1976) - On site Reviews : http://www.musicbanter.com/album-rev...tml#post981457
Better by Far (1977) - On site Reviews : http://www.musicbanter.com/album-rev...tml#post985521
The Album (1980)
Back to Front (1982)
Cool Water (1994) - On site Reviews : http://www.musicbanter.com/album-rev...tml#post985726
Battle of Hastings (1995)
The Unauthorized Breakfast Item (2004)

Their live discography goes like this :

Caravan and the New Symphonia (1974)
Live 1990 (1992)
Radio One Live in Concert BBC 1975 (1991)
Live in Holland: Back on the Tracks (1998)
Ether Way (1998)
Show of Our Lives (1998)
Live: Canterbury Comes to London (1999)
Surprise Supplies (1999)
Green Bottles for Marjorie: The Lost BBC Sessions (2002)
Live at Fairfield Halls, 1974 (2002)
The Show of Our Lives - Caravan at the BBC 1968-1975 (2007) - Listen to it on : Spotify

So what's your favourite Caravan album? I love In the Land of Grey and Pink, but my favourite is 1973 album For Girls Who Grow Plump in the Night. It's a bit rockier than their previous albums and is like the perfect mix of prog and pop/rock.

Here's a vid of the most famous song from that album, "The Dog, The Dog, It's at It Again"!

Comus · 06-08-2009, 11:30 AM

I sense a Comus Says: Go Caravanning for Seven Days thread coming on soon. Great band.

zeppy111 · 06-09-2009, 11:31 AM

I only have "In the land of grey and pink" and I have heard a few songs of the other albums (5 or 6) and I must say I was very excited by the album. The almost 23 minute long title track was an epic... Unlike a few of the other prog bands albums that I have got lately, this I took a liking too straight away which was a suprise.

Guybrush · 06-09-2009, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Comus

I sense a Comus Says: Go Caravanning for Seven Days thread coming on soon. Great band.

Holy **** what an awesome idea

If you do it, I'll listen to them as well and try and keep up with the Caravan marathon!

Quote:

Originally Posted by zeppy111

I only have "In the land of grey and pink" and I have heard a few songs of the other albums (5 or 6) and I must say I was very excited by the album. The almost 23 minute long title track was an epic... Unlike a few of the other prog bands albums that I have got lately, this I took a liking too straight away which was a suprise.

By title track, I guess you mean "nine feet underground"

Yeah, Grey and Pink is certainly a good album and I love the english folky feel of it. I also agree regarding accessibility .. Caravan was one of the bands (perhaps the band) that got me into prog actually.

Anteater · 06-15-2009, 10:47 AM

Caravan are definitely choice, and the first band anyone should look up if trying to get into Canterbury.

On a personal note, I feel 'If I Could Do It All Over Again, I'd Do It All Over You' is a underrated work.

sidewinder · 06-16-2009, 03:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zeppy111

I only have "In the land of grey and pink"

Same, but I've only heard one or two other tracks on top of that.

Guybrush · 06-17-2009, 03:41 AM

Sometimes when I listen to the title track off the land of grey and pink, I pick up the guitar and sing/play along .. great cheesy fun. :p

And it's rather simple to play too!

Guybrush · 01-08-2011, 04:33 AM

Those interested in Caravan should check out Dotoar's discograpy review thread!

http://www.musicbanter.com/album-rev...-reviewed.html

Dotoar · 01-08-2011, 12:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tore

Those interested in Caravan should check out Dotoar's discograpy review thread!

http://www.musicbanter.com/album-rev...-reviewed.html

Yeah, you did!

snagglepuss · 01-12-2011, 10:54 PM

I love Caravan! Great organ driven, whimsically proggy band.

In The Land of Grey and Pink is probably their best and most well known album. Winter Wine is My favorite off that one.

View Poll Results: Which is your favourite Caravan Studio album?
Caravan	5	38.46%
If I Could Do It All Over Again, I'd Do It All Over You	1	7.69%
In the Land of Grey and Pink	6	46.15%
Waterloo Lily	0	0%
For Girls Who Grow Plump in the Night	1	7.69%
Cunning Stunts	0	0%
Blind Dog at St. Dunstans	0	0%
Better By Far	0	0%
The Album	0	0%
Back to Front	0	0%
Battle of Hastings	0	0%
The Unauthorized Breakfast Item	0	0%
Voters: 13. You may not vote on this poll

06-08-2009, 07:02 AM	#1 (permalink)
Guybrush Juicious Maximus III Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Scabb Island Posts: 6,525	The Official Caravan Thread Caravan For those of you who don't know Caravan, they're an english band from the Canterbury area. If you know british psychedelia/prog/avant history, you'll know that the Canterbury Scene is it's own movement that gave birth to many peculiar bands like Soft Machine, Gong, National Health, Camel and Hatfield and the North. A very wide variety makes the canterbury sound kinda hard to pin down, but it started roughly as a sort of jazzy psychedelia that picked up prog and other influences into the 70s. The one proto Canterbury band formed back in '64 was the "Wilde Flowers". This band broke up in 1967 and while some of the members formed Soft Machine, ex-Wilde Flowers members David Sinclair, Richard Sinclair, Pye Hastings and Richard Coughlan would go on to form Caravan. While Soft Machine and many others would go down the less accessible road of extended jazzy jams and avant-garde influences, Caravan would take folk-jazz-influenced psychedelia and over time move it in a more pop/rock direction. As a result, Caravan may be the best entry point into Canterbury there is. They're fairly accessible and thoroughly charming. During an interview for the prog rock briannia documentary, Richard Coughlan said they were writing songs outside in the sun and living off girlfriends. They also tried to be as british as they could and listening to Caravan, some of those beautiful Canterbury landscapes and warm summer days infuse the music. They often wrote about things they loved like drugs (sometimes cleverly disguised in the lyrics as "tea") and sex, although always subtle and tongue in cheek rather than obvious and vulgar. Their earlier albums before they descend into a more pure pop/rock direction are the most appreciated. Their widely regarded masterpiece is the 1971 "In the Land of Grey and Pink" which is often regarded as the quintessential Cantebury album. Here I've listed their discography with links to on-site album reviews if they exist. I'll also give you spotify links Their studio discography goes as follows : Caravan (1968) - On site Reviews : http://www.musicbanter.com/album-rev...tml#post976576 If I Could Do It All Over Again, I'd Do It All Over You (1970) - On site Reviews : http://www.musicbanter.com/album-rev...tml#post978297 In the Land of Grey and Pink (1971) - On site Reviews : http://www.musicbanter.com/album-rev...tml#post978595 Waterloo Lily (1972) - On site Reviews : http://www.musicbanter.com/album-rev...tml#post979041 For Girls Who Grow Plump in the Night (1973) - On site Reviews : http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...tml#post731982 / http://www.musicbanter.com/album-rev...tml#post979507 Cunning Stunts (1975) - On site Reviews : http://www.musicbanter.com/album-rev...tml#post979599 Blind Dog at St. Dunstans (1976) - On site Reviews : http://www.musicbanter.com/album-rev...tml#post981457 Better by Far (1977) - On site Reviews : http://www.musicbanter.com/album-rev...tml#post985521 The Album (1980) Back to Front (1982) Cool Water (1994) - On site Reviews : http://www.musicbanter.com/album-rev...tml#post985726 Battle of Hastings (1995) The Unauthorized Breakfast Item (2004) Their live discography goes like this : Caravan and the New Symphonia (1974) Live 1990 (1992) Radio One Live in Concert BBC 1975 (1991) Live in Holland: Back on the Tracks (1998) Ether Way (1998) Show of Our Lives (1998) Live: Canterbury Comes to London (1999) Surprise Supplies (1999) Green Bottles for Marjorie: The Lost BBC Sessions (2002) Live at Fairfield Halls, 1974 (2002) The Show of Our Lives - Caravan at the BBC 1968-1975 (2007) - Listen to it on : Spotify So what's your favourite Caravan album? I love In the Land of Grey and Pink, but my favourite is 1973 album For Girls Who Grow Plump in the Night. It's a bit rockier than their previous albums and is like the perfect mix of prog and pop/rock. Here's a vid of the most famous song from that album, "The Dog, The Dog, It's at It Again"! __________________ Something Completely Different

06-09-2009, 11:31 AM	#3 (permalink)
zeppy111 16, so? Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: South Africa Posts: 630	I only have "In the land of grey and pink" and I have heard a few songs of the other albums (5 or 6) and I must say I was very excited by the album. The almost 23 minute long title track was an epic... Unlike a few of the other prog bands albums that I have got lately, this I took a liking too straight away which was a suprise. __________________ My Blog (album of the day): http://musicfromthesouth.blogspot.com

06-17-2009, 03:41 AM	#7 (permalink)
Guybrush Juicious Maximus III Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Scabb Island Posts: 6,525	Sometimes when I listen to the title track off the land of grey and pink, I pick up the guitar and sing/play along .. great cheesy fun. :p And it's rather simple to play too! __________________ Something Completely Different

01-08-2011, 04:33 AM	#8 (permalink)
Guybrush Juicious Maximus III Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Scabb Island Posts: 6,525	Those interested in Caravan should check out Dotoar's discograpy review thread! http://www.musicbanter.com/album-rev...-reviewed.html __________________ Something Completely Different

01-12-2011, 10:54 PM	#10 (permalink)
snagglepuss Music Addict Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: PA Posts: 136	I love Caravan! Great organ driven, whimsically proggy band. In The Land of Grey and Pink is probably their best and most well known album. Winter Wine is My favorite off that one.