Audio CD review:
Van Der Graaf Generator - Maida Vale: The Radio One Sessions

Van Der Graaf Generator - Maida Vale: The Radio One Sessions

Band: Van Der Graaf Generator Title: Maida Vale: The Radio One Sessions Rating: Release Date: 01 January, 1995 Media: Audio CD Tracks: 1: Darkness 2: Man-Erg 3: Scorched Earth 4: Sleepwalkers 5: Still Life 6: La Rossa 7: When She Comes 8: Masks

Customer Reviews Brilliant! Each of these tunes from that era (Godbluff, Still Life) are incredible "live in the studio" performances that differ enough from the originals to make this recording a must have for fans of this era. Give Darkness and Man-Erg a pass, the rest of the tunes on this disc are nothing short of brilliant! It was with the second phase of this band's history that they really found their own sound. Sound quality is frankly, perfect. The band is in equally top form. Highly recommended. . . Simon. Beautiful record. It covers almost everything they made. Excellent performance and sound quality. Live recording at the BBC without applauses or anything from the audience. Covers almost all of their carreer. A good introduction to an addictive prog band. Compelling document from the Golden age of Progressive Music Called the Golden Age by afficionados the music was characterized by a literacy hitherto unknown in modern music. Vander Graaf Generator is one of the great unrecognised bands from the time of progressive rock. Foremost to the music of that time is the instumentation, imagery and when played live, eclecticism. Van der Graaf, fronted by Peter Hammil was most effective when presented live. Decidedly uncommercial they plumbed the depths of their emotional and musical skills to provide us with these tracks. Recorded in the timeless pristine fashion of the BBC (where the placement of a microphone matters) Hammil provokes us with his powerful emotional vocals. The band, flays us with with musical invention completely inappropriate for a pop band but amazingly effective using influences from Eddie Harris (electric saxophone) to Coltrane to Hendrix all with an orchestral bent. Highlights include the haunting "Still Life" and the mad maelstrom of "Man Erg". Of the BBC recordings released in the wake of the CD, only the recording by Family Live at the Paris Theatre comes close to "Maida Vale". I highly recommend this recording for any real fan of progressive music from the Seventies. . You can see a complete list of all Van Der Graaf Generator discography, or go back to the Van Der Graaf Generator tabs