ARRIVING TWICE

Released in 2000, this cd contains previously unpublished recordings of studio sessions from 1973, 1974 and 1975. Some songs were also recorded on Gilgamesh's first self-titled album, but I like the music from these recordings better than that on their two studio albums. Somehow these recordings sound more melodic and accessible (or even symphonic, I would say), where their two studio albums sometimes lack accessibility to much. Allthough founding member Alan Gowen (on electric piano and synths) is considered one of the key figures in Canterbury music, the music of Gilgamesh is much more in the mainstream powerful experimental jazz(-rock) vein, with heavy guitar work in duels with Gowen's keyboards, and it lacks the tongue-in-cheeck approach from the other Canterbury branches. Better than their studio record's, the recordings on this cd show how the jazz of Gilgamesh and the more orchestral wayward-rock approach of Dave Stewart (from Hatfield and the North), with whom Gowen already collaborated during the last months of Gulgamesh's existence in 1975, could melt together in the unique style of Gowen's and Stewart's next band: National Health. Seen from this point of view, these recordings also have their place in the history of Canterbury music, and they have that role more explicit and on a much higher quality level than their two studio albums. The highlights on this cd are the 17:52 song 'You're Disguised' and the 9:11 song 'One End More', where guitarist Phil Lee is at his best. Besides that, the nine-and-a-half minutes of 'Extract' are of historical value because they are part of the 40-minute suite 'The Double Quartet', which was specially composed by Gowen for the occasion of their legendary two combined gigs with Hatfield an the North in november 1973. In this suite they joined forces after their separated sets, but these sessions unfortunately never were recorded. Four stars: a very good cd, allthough not really a characteristic example of Canterbury music in general.