VDGG reforms!!!
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Topic: VDGG reforms!!!
Posted By: MustShaveBeard
Subject: VDGG reforms!!!
Date Posted: September 27 2006 at 16:10
From Sofasound.com :
David Jackson's absence is dissapointing, and I wish it were explained more, but as long as they come to America for once I'll be jollier than Santa! Perhaps there's something we could do to get them over here. ------------- Your life or your lupins!!! |
Van Der Graaf Generator - FutureReplies:
Posted By: Ricochet
Date Posted: September 27 2006 at 16:13
Fantastic! 
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Posted By: AngelRat
Date Posted: September 27 2006 at 17:02
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Good news! Bit of a shame really David Jaxon isn't playing with them anymore. He was so important to the classic VDGG sound. A trio now? No additional members? -------------  |
Posted By: Fassbinder
Date Posted: September 27 2006 at 17:41
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Great and (a little bit) sad news simultaneously... On the one hand, their re-reunion is always welcome. On the other hand, I can't imagine Van der Graaf Generator without Jaxon. I wonder how they will sound. It seems that they won't collaborate with Stuart Gordon within VdGG, which is a pity.
Anyway, it's more great than sad. They are welcome, welcome, welcome...
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Posted By: Arrrghus
Date Posted: September 27 2006 at 17:47
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Holy cheese! I hope they hit the states! I will find a way if they come within 500 miles of me! ------------- 
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Posted By: Bern
Date Posted: September 27 2006 at 18:29
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RIP in bossa nova heaven. |
Posted By: chamberry
Date Posted: September 27 2006 at 19:10
Great news! If only other bands would do the same.
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Posted By: Viajero Astral
Date Posted: September 27 2006 at 22:20
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Indeed. Great news anyway. ------------- 
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Posted By: VanderGraafKommandöh
Date Posted: September 27 2006 at 22:22
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Hmmm, mixed feelings here... They need Jaxon! Maybe he'll make a guest appearance on the album, but not tour with them... maybe a guest sax player... hmmm... All exciting news though, but still sad... hmmm, I wish them well. -------------   
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Posted By: cuncuna
Date Posted: September 27 2006 at 22:25
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Hopefully with fresh Ideas. The latest album was ok, but nothing to loose your breath, except for the first track. ------------- ¡Beware of the Bee! |
Posted By: VanderGraafKommandöh
Date Posted: September 27 2006 at 22:30
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Oh, give it more credit than that Cuncuna, it's a better album than you say. Their ideas were fresh, but in a different style. That's progression. Anyhow, I hope the absence of Jaxon doesn't hinder them too much. He is kind of an essential part of their sound, but he did look tired at the concert I saw. -------------
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Posted By: Fassbinder
Date Posted: September 27 2006 at 22:39
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A guest sax player at the record is not a bad kind of a semi-solution...
But still, we both said more or less the same things... Strange kind of feeling...
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Posted By: VanderGraafKommandöh
Date Posted: September 27 2006 at 22:41
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Theo Travis would be a good choice... But he's probably got commitments. Yes, it's sad... although Peter Hammill albums seem to work, although Jaxon has actually been on a lot more of them than the other two... I guess he's feeling old, I don't blame him. -------------
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Posted By: moodyxadi
Date Posted: September 27 2006 at 23:24
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How can they play their classic material without Jackson? Could any sessionist be as inventive as him? ------------- Bach, Ma, Bros, Déia, Dante. |
Posted By: Fassbinder
Date Posted: September 27 2006 at 23:59
| Good point. Maybe, they will play only new material plus something from Aerosol Grey Machine? |
Posted By: cuncuna
Date Posted: September 28 2006 at 00:08
Bored me after the third song. The second disc, I don't even count it. I was very happy with the Emperor thing, but that was all for me. I agree, is not that bad an album, but a good comeback must involve flames and a storm in your ears, not just a bunch of predictible songs. I'm hoping for a devastating next album. If that doesn't happen, I'll have to stick with good old Peter Hammill solo production. ------------- ¡Beware of the Bee! |
Posted By: VanderGraafKommandöh
Date Posted: September 28 2006 at 00:09
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They played most of the old stuff without Jaxon when they were Van der Graaf. Jaxon only joined them for one gig and that was recorded and became Vital. He wasn't an official member of the band. So they can play their old classics without him, but the charm and intensity would be lost. I mean... Killer without sax... -------------
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Posted By: VanderGraafKommandöh
Date Posted: September 28 2006 at 00:13
I wouldn't call them predictable! Predictable is pop music and pop music is not what VdGG do. The second disk was different... but they were experimenting and I think it's not that bad. I've not really listened to Present as much as I'd like too and that's not due to any dislike for it. I know In Babelsberg is a good tune, but it's yet to click, it's one of those tunes that hits you later. La Rossa is the same for me, I found that a difficult tune to get into at first. There's a hidden charm in Present I believe. -------------
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Posted By: cuncuna
Date Posted: September 28 2006 at 00:21
Also hidden was a challenging album with more than those monotonous bass lines that drive the album from song #2 to the end as a block. ¿Remember "The Jargon King"?. I need something like that. Not exactly like that, but with the same impulse. ------------- ¡Beware of the Bee! |
Posted By: Man With Hat
Date Posted: September 28 2006 at 00:29
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Awesome news...minus this no Mr. sax man thing.
but can't wait for it.  ------------- Dig me...But don't...Bury me I'm running still, I shall until, one day, I hope that I'll arrive Warning: Listening to jazz excessively can cause a laxative effect. |
Posted By: Fassbinder
Date Posted: September 28 2006 at 00:53
When called Van der Graaf they had a violin (and a cello, by the way). Now it'll be organ/bass = Banton, drums = Evans, and Hammill.
It's difficult to imagine them with neither a sax nor a violin.
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Posted By: bucka001
Date Posted: September 28 2006 at 04:48
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It's exciting news. I'll miss Jaxon (a wonderful musician and person), but I think there will be some surprises and great music to be heard by VdGG '07.
I remember the thrill of being able to hand each VdGG member The Book after working with them for nearly 2 1/2 years on it (I'm handing David his in the pic below). While many people will regret Jaxon's absence from the group, it's good to know that the story (and music) will continue... it leaves Phil and I thinking about The Book 2!
 ------------- jc |
Posted By: proggin' justin
Date Posted: September 28 2006 at 07:18
| Jax' sax & Hammill's voice are equally trademarkes of VdGG (not that I don't love the quality of Banton's and Evans' playing & musical intelligence, 'cause I do), but this is what made the band out of this world. Hopefully a solution will be found to give the band the same old aural shine and power. |
Posted By: Bilek
Date Posted: September 28 2006 at 08:51
If only they played anything from Aerosol Grey Machine
 ! ------------- Listen to Turkish psych/prog; you won't regret: Baris Manco,Erkin Koray,Cem Karaca,Mogollar,3 Hürel,Selda,Edip Akbayram,Fikret Kizilok,Ersen (and Dadaslar) (but stick with the '70's, and 'early 80's!) |
Posted By: salmacis
Date Posted: September 28 2006 at 10:23
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Personally, I also didn't feel 'Present' quite lived up to expectations. I knew it wouldn't on the first listen, and it's rare that happens. The reason for that is because to these ears, there were only two proper songs on the album- 'Every Bloody Emperor' and 'Nutter Alert'. The other four on the first disc were rather half formed and jam-like, and I felt 'Abandon Ship' was the weakest thing VDGG have ever recorded. The second disc was pretty much a waste of space. It wasn't a terrible album, but had they taken more time over it- I feel it was obviously rushed to coincide with the gigs, themselves a shock and sudden announcement- I think it could have been a lot better than it was.
Bit of a shock about Jackson- funny how he'd not been in VDGG since November and nobody had heard about it. I think they'll find him a hard man to replace. But at least the others are still going strong.
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Posted By: Fassbinder
Date Posted: September 28 2006 at 11:37
Didn't understand you. Something wrong with the album title? With the logic behind the thought that the music from the debut album can be played without saxophone? The Aerosol Grey Machine material is not SO bad...
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Posted By: Bilek
Date Posted: September 28 2006 at 11:49
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^^ no pun intended... I was serious wishing they play anything from the debut... I really like it!
my real intention was that most bands drop their early albums' tracks from their repertoire as they progress... (King Crimson being the most prominent example) so I am not very hopeful that VdGG will play, either.
btw, I don't think many bands determine their repertoire according to having this instrument or not having the other... otherwise KC wouldn't have been playing 21st Ct. Sch. Man all along the way
oh, also they might play some great stuff from Peter Hammill's solo discography... without the need of a saxophone ...------------- Listen to Turkish psych/prog; you won't regret: Baris Manco,Erkin Koray,Cem Karaca,Mogollar,3 Hürel,Selda,Edip Akbayram,Fikret Kizilok,Ersen (and Dadaslar) (but stick with the '70's, and 'early 80's!) |
Posted By: VanderGraafKommandöh
Date Posted: September 28 2006 at 11:55
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Good points Bilek. I am resigning myself from things though. I'll buy the new album, I'll try and see them at a gig, but I secretly hope that they don't make a new album or tour. I just feel as if we'll all be disappointed. Hopefully, I'll be proved wrong and I'll be happy to eat humble pie. Jim: nice photo! That must have been an exciting moment. The Book is marvellous and I'm sure everyone (even Peter himself), got enjoyment out of it. -------------
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Posted By: Fassbinder
Date Posted: September 28 2006 at 12:27
| I was rarely disappointed by anything Hammill was involved in (except for some songs from the 80's and 90's). I like Present, both sides of it. VdGG were just amazing at the stage. So I keep hoping, but... the fears exist... exist... You're right, Geck0, hopefully we all will be proved wrong... I believe in PH. |
Posted By: RaphaelT
Date Posted: September 28 2006 at 13:20
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They could take Mark Kelly to emulate Jaxon's parts on keyboard. That would be an idea: keyboard trio (Hugh, Mark and Peter on his Yamaha) and perfect drummer, Guy "The Ogre" Evans...
I listened to Present the day it was released.. Every Bloody Emperor was the perfect song. It is kind of best summarize of the so-called "war against terrorism", don't you think so?
Jim, next time you see PH, kindly ask him from me, why the hell they did not make it to Poland, last tour. They were playing in Moscow and neglected the country were PH did few gigs and is always very expected here. I was kind of disappointed. Nevertheless, I'm going to see him in Prague in November (why not in Poland, again?).
I hope that Poland will have a chance to appreciate the greatness of at least VDGG trio! ------------- yet you still have time! |
Posted By: bucka001
Date Posted: September 28 2006 at 16:38
I don't think it's totally up to them where they play(ed). For instance, we did talk about the U.S. in the dressing room after one of the concerts and I think the band would like that. But, it's down to logistics and the types of deals being offered (they can't come over and *lose* money, for instance). The band did play Russia and Greece last year (two places they never played in the 70s) so I suppose anything is fair game, including Poland! ------------- jc |
Posted By: RaphaelT
Date Posted: September 28 2006 at 17:46
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This is sad truth about the gigs - anyway, I hope that their second reunion would be as great an event as was the first one.
Paparazzi, hunt for Mr Hammill!! ------------- yet you still have time! |
Posted By: Dr.G
Date Posted: September 29 2006 at 02:09
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I'm sorry DJ won't be a member anymore,but this allows the band to play songs they seldom do.
A new guy on the vacant spot? Why not.
Vanilla Fudge reformed with a new keyboard player and it handled good,in my opinion.
Maybe a new topic: who could replace him,fitting well enough?
A suggestion...or a silly dream,Simon House on the violin,'cause High Tide will never join together!
Yeah,I'm just kidding...please give serious chances for I'm with no real back-ups.
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Posted By: Melomaniac
Date Posted: September 29 2006 at 10:12
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Well, if Mel Collins is available (or still alive) he could easily replace Jackson !!! ------------- "One likes to believe in the freedom of Music" - Neil Peart, The Spirit of Radio |
Posted By: The Wizard
Date Posted: September 29 2006 at 21:25
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This is awesome! I pray they come to America, and they make another masterpiece! -------------  
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Posted By: MustShaveBeard
Date Posted: September 29 2006 at 21:29
The only person that could handle the mayhem of Jackson is a member of the undead; a run-of-the-mill stand-in just would not do VDGG justice. The only way I could see this happening is if he dressed up in a really cool skeleton suit. ------------- Your life or your lupins!!! |
Posted By: borussia
Date Posted: October 01 2006 at 02:59
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I sent an e-mail to hammill's site sofa sound and this was the reply:
it wil be different
there are no chances of jackson being involved On 28 Sep 2006, at 16:39, fabio wrote: > WHAT'S HAPPENED TO JAXON?????? > I DON'T THINK VDGG CUOLD BE THE SAME WITHOUT JACKSON'S SAX. > I HOPE IN A FULLY RE-REUNION. > ARE THERE SOME CHANCES? > THANKS > FABIO |
Posted By: NutterAlert
Date Posted: October 03 2006 at 06:12
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Speculation is rife...
Has Jaxon been sacked from VdGG for his participation in the 'VDGG Classic Rock' rip-off bollucks DVD production that costs about £40 and shows hardly any new info.
Hammill has been scathing about it, but it seems Jackson did a series of new interviews that are shown on the DVD.
Could a furious Hammill have fired Jaxon from VdGG?
I do apolgise for a prog related posting..normal service will resume shortly ------------- Proud to be an un-banned member since 2005 |
Posted By: VanderGraafKommandöh
Date Posted: October 03 2006 at 20:58
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Ooooh, I didn't know this... so you have this DVD then Nutter? I thought it was just due to Jaxon not being up for it myself. -------------
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Posted By: NutterAlert
Date Posted: October 04 2006 at 09:58
Well I don't have it as I warned by music press, etc it was a rip off. Hammill has been very anti this release.
Speculation is that Hammill heard from a source that Jaxon was interviewed for this DVD and blew his top.
Look how terse the wording is on the press release.
------------- Proud to be an un-banned member since 2005 |
Posted By: Fassbinder
Date Posted: October 04 2006 at 22:49
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Back to the speculations on what the new VdGG may play...
Just listened to "Gog" on In Camera remaster -- it may be a real killer number for the trio!
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