FOOL'S MATE

This record has to be put into context if you are going to enjoy it for what it is rather than what you might have hoped it would be. Recorded when VDGG were still in their first flush and before the first split it predates Pawns hearts in release terms. The Music here is mostly old songs from PH's early output. This is not a VDGG albums although as with all PH album's VDGG is not far away. The songs here are mostly excellent and deserve to be recorded. The Production is wonderful and the early pressings on the Pink Charisma label have a wonderful rich sound that has so far not been reproduced on CD. However the latest re-issue is pretty good and may even be sonically superior. Solitude (4:59) remains my favorite cut but what a choice selection of songs this is Candle (4:17) is typical of these highly polished and very personal gems. I Once Wrote Some Poems (2:46)hints at the more aggressive side of vdgg and was a live favorite at this time. Happy (2:36)is brilliantly quirky, Summer Song (In the Autumn) (2:13) is lovely and sad, and the arrangement is almost perfect, the musicians on this LP are for the most part Charisma stable mates but Fripp yet again lends a few worthwhile licks , and adds to the overall brilliance of this record. This is Peter Hammil's finest sounding recording a real masterpiece of the engineers art. If you can find a perfect copy on the original pink label buy it and treat yourself to a lesson it how good vinyl was at times. Otherwise buy the CD and enjoy. I don't give Five stars often but this recording deserves it !