Peter Hammill - Fool's Mate
By: Lindsay Bianchi | Category: Album Reviews | 12/17/05 | 03:21 PM
 |  |  Grade: B+ | Genre: Prog-Rock
Summary: Hopefully, with re-masters like Fool's Mate (and many others too plentiful to mention) the public will get a better picture of art-rock instead of immediately thinking that mediocre groups like Styx, Kansas, and Queen were the be-all and end-all of this much maligned rock form.
Released in 1971, Peter Hammill's first solo outing; Fool's Mate showcased a somewhat different side of Van Der Graaf Generator's front man. Less ponderous than VDGG's offerings, Fool's Mate gathers together a dozen songs written in the mid-sixties by Hammill (for the most part) and brought to life with the help of his fellow band mates. The tunes vary from whimsical nonsense like "Imperial Zeppelin" to atmospheric tone poems like "Viking." Hammill's piano playing and acoustic guitar work are both expressive, even when sparse. As for his voice, there is little of the bellowing and shrieking that fills albums like Pawn Hearts. These songs are more along the line of "Refugees" from 1970's The Least We Can Do Is Wave To Each Other. |
Joined as well by Robert Fripp and musicians from Lindisfarne, the songs are given shape and dimension. The mandolin on "Candle" is particularly effective, as are the occasional unmistakable guitar licks from Fripp. In addition, the flute and sax touches by Dave Jackson and additional keyboards by Hugh Banton transform the set into what sounds like a kinder, gentler Van Der Graaf.
Drummer Guy Evans also appears as well as old band mate, Nic Potter on bass. It's a friendly, fun album with moments of quiet tenderness and introspection. Hammill himself has said that these songs, often performed by the band in their earlier incarnations, were recorded as a way of putting them to rest before they became too distant in feel to interpret. Luckily for fans of this unique artist, they are preserved forever with appropriate style.
Hammill's solo career stretches toward present day, but this early LP has it's own feel. The re-issue contains five bonus tracks, recently discovered demo versions of some of the albums best songs, performed mostly by Hammill alone on piano.
The lyrics are in keeping with hippie era they sprung from. In "Reawakening," one of the album's liveliest cuts, Hammill sings with syllabic adroitness, "If you catch me running along by the sea, with bare feet in the sand, then you'll know I am dreaming my life out in a way you won't understand." Part Gilbert and Sullivan, part Iron Butterfly, the quirkiness demonstrated here is all but lost to today's musicians and singers. "Reawakening isn't easy when you're tired. Don't push me: I was taught self-expression when I was a child, and so I know the best way to go is slow."
One needs to realize that music production in the 60's and 70's was far less technical than at present. Instrumentation consisted of the basic drum, bass, guitar and organ for many groups. Maybe a sax or flute was added to stretch the sound. Eventually, miraculous instruments like mellotrons and synthesizers led to bigger canvases for the musician to create on and for us lucky listeners to absorb. Some of those effects have been buried by current trends, but time is proving these early artists worth.
Hopefully, with re-masters like Fool's Mate (and many others too plentiful to mention) the public will get a better picture of art-rock instead of immediately thinking that mediocre groups like Styx, Kansas, and Queen were the be-all and end-all of this much maligned rock form. This argument is nothing new to prog-rock fans. Entire catalogs of brilliant music go unheard every year. It is up to those who love it to blast it out of their cars, their homes and anywhere people open their ears. Maybe someday, someone will hear it for what it is, vibrant and lasting.
Very few bands nowadays practice this sort of eccentric music making. I can only think of one that comes close to Hammill's music, with or without his cohorts. The little known Cardiacs, whose music resides on their own label, The Alphabet Business Concern, persevere in the creation of songs that demand to be obsessed over. If you have any doubts, visit the "Concern" online. As for Van Der Graaf, there are several sites you can explore. World Record is an excellent tribute site. Enjoy the search!
Reissue Date: August 9, 2005
|
