In the Land of Grey and Pink by Caravan.

When I started this blog Caravan’s “In the Land of Grey and Pink” was my obvious first choice for two important reasons. 1. This is such a great album not many have listened to and, 2. Rolling Stone in their 1996 edition of the Encylopedia of Rock N Roll decided to remove Caravan from their listings. I wonder how they could keep one-hit-wonder bands such as “Bow Wow Wow” (remember that band from the 80′s) and XTC and remove Caravan who are listenable even after three and a half decades of In the Land of Grey and Pink’s release.

Considered their finest work “In the Land of Grey and Pink” is a milestone in progressive rock. Released in September 1971, “In the land of…” was the band’s third album and was considered “Perfect in every sense” and “Virtually flawless”. The line-up of the band that made this album was the same that existed right from the band’s inception, comprising Pye Hastings (Lead Vocals, Guitars), David Sinclair (Keyboards -organ/piano/mellotron), Richard Sinclair (bass, vocals) and Richard Coughlan (Drums). Other musicians Jimmy Hastings (Pye’s brother) and David Grinsted contribute on flute/trenor sax/piccolo and cannon/bell/wind respectively.

The striking feature of this prog-rock album from other albums of the same genre is that the lyrics are not cryptic or poetic or even dark as prog-rock lyrics tend to be. The songs are about love and the joys and pains in life and such. Even the music doesn’t sound dark, complex or mysterious. Instead what you get is some melodious and easy listening rock and with a touch of melancholy here and there. This album also established Caravan’s signature sound. For vocals both Richard Sinclair and Pye Hastings are wonderful in their own ways. The vocals are haunting, smooth and even funny at times. Richard Sinclair has written most of the songs except for “Love to Love you” which was penned by Pye. No screaming, noise or distortion from the vocals or instruments. The music is soft and mellow demanding consistently repeat listens from you. Songs and music sound ethereal and remind you of wide spaces, breeze, water, nature and even friends.

The songs on the original release were:

1. Golf girl (5:05) – A happy little love song with a dash of humour. Ends with some lovely flute.

2. Winter wine (7:46) – Lovely organ and guitar solo; Some lovely lines from the song go as follows:

…Life’s too short to be sad, wishing things you’ll never have

You’re better off not dreaming of things to come

Dreams are always ending far too soon

Sounds of a distant melody, once played, lost from memory

Funny how it’s clearer now, you’re close to me

We’ll be together all the time…

3. Love to love you (and tonight pigs will fly) (3:06) Smallest song on the album, cute one, with some more flute.

4. In the Land of Grey and Pink (4:51) melodious piano, great organ and guitar work, all that can give you a natural high; lines about “weed” and “smoke it tell we bleed and that’s all we need”.

5. Nine feet underground: (22:40)  – Yes, you read it right, 22 minutes long, this opus in five parts is a classic. The five parts, Nigel blows a tune, Love’s a friend, Make it 76, Dance of the seven paper hankies, Hold grandad by the nose, Honest I did!, Disassociation and 100% proof, bring out the best from the musicians stretching their music prowess without making it boring or tiresome. Towards the end, after 16 or so minutes comes “Disassociation”, one of the sweetest songs you’ll ever hear any prog-rock album. No wonder it and the finale 100% proof were chosen as a remix single on the new mastered album. Here are the lovely lines of Disassociation:

…There’s a place where I can go, where I listen to the wind singing

Songs of happiness I know, and it brings it all back again

Somewhere deep inside of me there’s a song I can sing

Jigsaw puzzles on a tree, and it brings it all back again

Will the day be warm and bright, or will it snow

There are people waiting here who really want to know

And sometimes I think of wind, songs and laughter flowing free

People talking all the time and it brings it all back to me

Can’t you feel it in the air? I wonder what it’s meant to be

It’s the thought that can’t be spared and it brings it all back to me

Yes it brings it all back to me…

The new songs of the remastered CD are:

6. I don’t know its name (alias “The Word”) – Beautiful love song and that too just after the heavy dosage of music from “9 feet underground” with a nice touch of melancholy. Lovely sax and organ work. Unforgettable lines from the album are:

…I remember still the colour of your hair…

…spend these lonely hours dreaming of your touch, I came to love so much

…i tell you that i love you, but still you do not hear

And in my dreams i find you but you disappear…

I am still searching for the lyrics and will post more of this beautiful song when I get them.

7. Aristocracy – Another small song. and not a bad one certainly.

8. It’s likely to have a name next week – The instrumental version of “Winter Wine” with Richard Sinclair just humming for vocals. This was the original “Winter Wine” song “sans” lyrics.

9. Group Girl – considered to be the original version of Golf Girl.

10 Disassociation -100% proof – The final two pieces of “Nine feet underground”. The first piece is certainly worth a second listen.

The remastered CD is the one you should go for. Highly recommended for every serious prog-rock fan.

To buy Caravan’s “In the Land of Grey and Pink” CD from Amazon click here.

Better still download the album for free at UnlimitedDownloadCenter.com.

Caravan still rock for their avid fans. Original memebers include Pye Hastings and Richard Coughlan. Their last tour including their 35′th anniversary concert took place in 2003 after their latest album was released just before the tour. For information on the band, check out http://www.caravan-info.co.uk/