Van der Graaf Generator - The Box [2000] (4 x CDs)

VAN DER GRAAF GENERATOR

Van der Graaf Generator - The Box [2000] (4 x CDs)

Van der Graaf Generator are an English progressive rock band, formed in 1967 in Manchester by singer-songwriters Peter Hammill and Chris Judge Smith and the first act signed by Charisma Records. They did not experience much commercial success in the UK but became popular in Italy during the 1970s. In 2005 the band reformed and are still musically active with a line-up of Hammill, organist Hugh Banton and drummer Guy Evans.

They went through several incarnations in their early years, including a brief split in 1969. When they reformed, they found minor commercial success with The Least We Can Do Is Wave to Each Other (released in early 1970 and their only album to chart in the UK), and after the follow-up album, H to He, Who Am the Only One (December 1970), stabilised around a line-up of Hammill, Banton, Evans and saxophonist David Jackson. The quartet subsequently achieved significant success in Italy with the release of Pawn Hearts in 1971. After several exhausting tours of Italy, the band split in 1972. They reformed in 1975, releasing Godbluff and frequently touring Italy again, before a major line-up change and a slight rename to Van der Graaf. The band split in 1978. After many years apart, the band finally reunited at a gig at the Royal Festival Hall and a short tour in 2005. Since then, the band has continued as a trio of Hammill, Banton, and Evans, who record and tour regularly in between Hammill's concurrent solo career.

The group's albums have tended to be both lyrically and musically darker in atmosphere than many of their progressive rock peers (a trait they shared with King Crimson, whose guitarist Robert Fripp guested on two of their albums), and guitar solos were the exception rather than the rule, preferring to use Banton's classically influenced organ, and, until his departure, Jackson's multiple saxophones. While Hammill is the primary songwriter for the band, and members have contributed to his solo albums, the band arranges all its material collectively. Hammill's lyrics covered themes of mortality, due to his love of science fiction writers such as Robert A. Heinlein and Philip K. Dick, along with his confessed warped and obsessive nature. His voice has been a distinctive component of the band throughout its career, with Hammill himself having been described as "a male Nico" or "the Hendrix of the voice". Though the group have generally been commercially unsuccessful, they have inspired several musicians across various genres. (Wikipedia)

Van der Graaf Generator’s “The Box” [2000] is an exceptional four-CD compilation that delves into the band’s diverse and influential career. Released by Virgin Records, this box set is a goldmine for both long-time fans and those new to the progressive rock genre.

Spanning the band’s most productive years, “The Box” captures the essence of Van der Graaf Generator’s unique sound and artistic evolution. It features a mix of previously released tracks, BBC recordings, and live performances that had never been officially released before. This combination of familiar and rare material offers a comprehensive overview of the band’s musical journey.

One of the most impressive aspects of “The Box” is its ability to highlight the band’s versatility. Known for their intricate compositions, dark lyrical themes, and Peter Hammill’s distinctive vocal style, Van der Graaf Generator’s music is showcased across different eras of their career. From their early experimental phase to their more refined later works, each CD in the set represents a different period, allowing listeners to appreciate the band’s growth and the shifts in their musical approach.

Each of the CDs has its own title taken from a Hammill lyric for a song contemporaneous to the band period each particular disc represents. "Bless the Baby Born Today" is a line from "Darkness (11/11)", "The Tower Reels" is from "(In The) Black Room/The Tower", "One More Heaven Gained" is from "La Rossa", and "Like Something Out Of Edgar Allen Poe" is from "When She Comes".

The inclusion of BBC recordings and live performances adds an extra layer of depth to the compilation. These tracks capture the raw energy and spontaneity of the band’s live shows, offering a different perspective compared to their studio recordings. For fans, these rare recordings are a valuable addition, providing insights into the band’s live dynamics and improvisational skills.

While some may argue that the compilation includes edited versions of previously released tracks, which might not appeal to purists, “The Box” remains an essential collection for anyone interested in Van der Graaf Generator and the broader progressive rock genre. It serves as both a comprehensive introduction for new listeners and a valuable archive for dedicated fans. By capturing the band’s innovative spirit and musical prowess, “The Box” solidifies Van der Graaf Generator’s legacy as one of the most influential and enduring acts in progressive rock history. (B)

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Track lists

CD01 Bless The Baby Born Today

01 Van Der Graaf Generator - People You Were Going To 3:32

02 Van Der Graaf Generator - Afterwards 4:45

03 Van Der Graaf Generator - Necromancer 4:11

04 Van Der Graaf Generator - Refugees 6:19

05 Van Der Graaf Generator - Darkness (11/11) 6:52

06 Van Der Graaf Generator - After The Flood 10:59

07 Van Der Graaf Generator - White Hammer 8:16

08 Van Der Graaf Generator - House With No Door 6:33

09 Van Der Graaf Generator - Killer 8:20

10 Van Der Graaf Generator - Lost 11:09

CD02 The Tower Reels

01 Van Der Graaf Generator - Theme 1 3:01

02 Van Der Graaf Generator - W 4:28

03 Van Der Graaf Generator - A Plague Of Lighthouse Keepers 23:06

04 Van Der Graaf Generator - (In The) Black Room/The Tower 11:47

05 Van Der Graaf Generator - Lemmings 16:42

06 Van Der Graaf Generator - Man-Erg 11:09

CD03 A Plague Of Lighthouse Keepers

01 Van Der Graaf Generator - La Rossa 9:51

02 Van Der Graaf Generator - Arrow (Edit) 8:53

03 Van Der Graaf Generator - Still Life 7:26

04 Van Der Graaf Generator - My Room (Edit) 7:29

05 Van Der Graaf Generator - Sleepwalkers 10:26

06 Van Der Graaf Generator - Pilgrims 7:11

07 Van Der Graaf Generator - Childlike Faith In... 12:25

08 Van Der Graaf Generator - Scorched Earth 10:13

CD04 Like Something Out Of Edgar Allen Poe

01 Van Der Graaf Generator - Masks 7:00

02 Van Der Graaf Generator - Meurglys III (Edit) 16:47

03 Van Der Graaf Generator - When She Comes 8:02

04 Van Der Graaf Generator - Wondering 6:42

05 Van Der Graaf Generator - The Wave 3:15

06 Van Der Graaf Generator - Cat's Eye/Yellow Fever 4:49

07 Van Der Graaf Generator - Chemical World 6:14

08 Van Der Graaf Generator - Door 3:26

09 Van Der Graaf Generator - Sci-Finance 6:16

10 Van Der Graaf Generator - The Sphinx In The Face 5:33

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