Catapilla

ClassicRocker, scroll up a few posts and see the one I posted on the 31st of July. When I first started this thread months back, I preferred the s/t debut. This past summer Changes became my new favorite for a number of reasons. It requires repeat listenings, at least in my case, but the more I listened to it, the more I got out of the album. Like I said earlier in this discussion, the song "Reflections" is otherworldly, and "It Can Only Happen to Me" has one of the most passionate, underrated guitar solos of all-time. Also, I prefer Anna Meek's smooth, haunting vocals on Changes compared to the more abrasive approach on the s/t debut. Graham Wilson is a very good guitarist, very over-looked. His solos on Changes are killer. The addition of a keyboardist in Ralph Rolinson provided an almost essential texture to the music. Brian Hanson, now a member on PA, is a very active drummer, and in my opinion, has a very distinctive style that I dig. Carl Wassard is a solid bassist, and adds to the creative fire. Let's not forget about Robert Calvert and his spacey sax playing on the opening song, and his beautiful playing on the closer. I think the Changes line-up was better from a technical stand-point, and even more unique otherwise. Also, the production values are of higher quality, especially when comparing this album to the debut.

 

Sorry for the big rant, but the whole time I've been a member of this site, I've been trying to get people to give Catapilla a spin. In the past year or so, I've become quite a big fan, and I've played the two albums to all my friends countless times. I also turned my Dad their way, since he's a Prog rock fan as well. It is just way too cool that a member of the group has posted here. This group is among my musical heroes, and I'm not just saying that for the hell of it!

Please note that Anna's sister Jo(Lady Jo) is the vocalist on Julian Jay Savarin's 'waiters on the dance' LP...Everyone should have this album in there collection.A tad better than Julian's first effort (Julian's treatment 'A time before this') Jo's not on that album but an Australian singer called Kathy Purden...

 

Actually Jo Meek was the original singer with Catapilla before handing over to Anna.

 

Please note that Catapilla Sax man Rob Calvert has nothing to do with Hawkwinds Rob...Also original drummer Malc Frith never toured with the band..

 

 

Committed   Just re-listened to both of them.

 

Now I seriously wonder where my ears have been and what kind of a blackout has passed over me at the first listening...

 

Because Changes is not less enjoyable than Catapilla, at least... if not even more.

 

Anyway, both albums are superb. The debut is somewhat rawer (or how do you say it in English?), the second one seems to be a little bit richer musically.

 

Utmost enjoyment