Audio CD review:
Van Der Graaf Generator - First Generation (Scenes from 1969-1971)

Van Der Graaf Generator - First Generation (Scenes from 1969-1971)

Band: Van Der Graaf Generator Title: First Generation (Scenes from 1969-1971) Rating: Release Date: 20 April, 1995 Media: Audio CD Tracks: 1: Darkness (11/11) 2: Killer 3: Man-Erg 4: Theme One 5: Pioneers over C. 6: Plague of Lighthouse Keepers 7: Refugees

Customer Reviews The best-value compilation of early VdGG work And it's one of the cheapest CDs in the catalogue -- what more could you ask for? Well, it's not remastered. Over 71 minutes worth of first-phase Van Der Graaf: two tracks from THE LEAST WE CAN DO, two tracks from H2HE, all the tracks bar one from the classic PAWN HEARTS, and the previously unobtainable 'Theme One', written by Beatles producer George Martin. But I'm quibbling. This is an excellent portfolio from a band which rose to the heights in 70/71 of headlining a tour organised by its label, Charisma, above its stable-mate Genesis! There's nothing from THE AEROSOL GREY MACHINE, the band's first album, which was never released in the UK. It's not an album I know. Until VdGG released the recent INTRODUCTION compilation, this was always the album that I pointed new fans to, along with its companion SECOND GENERATION (if you can get it). Some books classify Van Der Graaf not as progressive but as 'experimental', and far closer to the ambitions of German bands such as Can. Once you know VdGG, you realise how utterly unique they were. Any band that sings about a plague of lighthousekeepers has got to be very weird indeed. The best-value compilation of early VdGG work And it's one of the cheapest CDs in the catalogue -- what more could you ask for? Well, it's not remastered. Over 71 minutes worth of first-phase Van Der Graaf: two tracks from THE LEAST WE CAN DO, two tracks from H2HE, all the tracks bar one from the classic PAWN HEARTS, and the previously unobtainable 'Theme One', written by Beatles producer George Martin. But I'm quibbling. This is an excellent portfolio from a band which rose to the heights in 70/71 of headlining a tour organised by its label, Charisma, above its stable-mate Genesis! There's nothing from THE AEROSOL GREY MACHINE, the band's first album, which was never released in the UK. It's not an album I know. Until VdGG released the recent INTRODUCTION compilation, this was always the album that I pointed new fans to, along with its companion SECOND GENERATION (if you can get it). Some books classify Van Der Graaf not as progressive but as 'experimental', and far closer to the ambitions of German bands such as Can. Once you know VdGG, you realise how utterly unique they were. Any band that sings about a plague of lighthousekeepers has got to be very weird indeed. Absolutely excellent. Ther is also a "Second Generation " compilation of their second era. This is a wonderful compilation of Van der Graff. Triple AAA progressive rock. I bought these two compilations and later had to buy each and every studio albums, totally hooked by this incredible group. . You can see a complete list of all Van Der Graaf Generator discography, or go back to the Van Der Graaf Generator tabs