So what about the rest of Van Der Graaf Generator?
Printed From: Progarchives.com
Category: Progressive Music Lounges
Forum Name: Prog Bands, Artists and Genres Appreciation
Forum Description: Discuss specific prog bands and their members or a specific sub-genre
URL: http://www.progarchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=45869
Printed Date: March 06 2025 at 02:34
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Topic: So what about the rest of Van Der Graaf Generator?
Posted By: The Pessimist
Subject: So what about the rest of Van Der Graaf Generator?
Date Posted: February 01 2008 at 11:23
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Now we all know that Hamill is talented as hell. But i think the other members are grossly underated: Hugh Banton is not mentioned anywhere as far as keyboard players are concerned, but he is just as virtuoso as Wakeman and Emerson. A fantastically disciplined organist. David Jackson is amongst the finest woodwind players in my books, but like Banton, I see him seldom mentioned. An extremely capable and controlled woodwind player. Guy Evans is THE most grossly underated drummer on the archives. Just as capable as the greatest big band drummers (Buddy Rich, Joe Morello), he is barely noticed at all. What are your opinions on these upsettingly undercredited musicians out of one of the best bands in the world? |
Replies:
Posted By: laplace
Date Posted: February 01 2008 at 11:27
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The thing is, most people name very flashy musicians in the "best agogo/kazoo player" polls and these three are masters of understatement. As with Gentle Giant, I think that everyone knows that each member of VdGG is uncommonly skilled (even the haters hahahaha) but the musicians with greater stagecraft get the credit. I particularly like Hugh Banton's playing and I don't think VdGG would be possible without him. ------------- FREEDOM OF SPEECH GO TO HELL |
Posted By: Duncan
Date Posted: February 01 2008 at 12:32
| Not to mention their chemistry - take Still Life and World Record, which have the least instrumental input from Hammill and least studio-craft of any of their albums; the bizarre drums/organ/sax architecture somehow becomes a dynamic, effortlessly complex, expressive voice that along with Hammill's singing sounds nothing like anything else and can take you just about anywhere. Usually within one song. |
Posted By: sean
Date Posted: February 02 2008 at 22:51
| I think they are overlooked because their playing styles are not very flashy. People like huge drum kits and stacks of six keyboards and really over the top solos when they think of the "best" players on instruments. I think the musicianship in VdGG is superb, but also very disciplined, much like KC. |
Posted By: sleeper
Date Posted: February 03 2008 at 09:41
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Currently listening to the end of White Hammer, its all the proof I need that these guys are briliant. ------------- Spending more than I should on Prog since 2005 
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Posted By: Nightfly
Date Posted: February 03 2008 at 11:56
| A great band and all fine players but I think you're overestimating Guy Evans talents saying he's just as capable as Buddy Rich and Joe Morello. |
Posted By: BaldFriede
Date Posted: February 03 2008 at 14:21
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Their musicianship is often underrated because they certainly don't play flashy. But they are definitely excellent musicians. If you have doubts about Guy Evans I recommend to listen to the first two albums of the "Robot Woman" trilogy by Mother Gong or to "Meetings with Men Machines" and "Die Lösung" by the British Amon Düül. Evans is given a bit more leash there than in the very disciplined VdGG context. -------------  BaldJean and I; I am the one in blue. |
Posted By: paolo.beenees
Date Posted: February 03 2008 at 14:40
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Though I really like VDGG, Peter Hammil is too much a "Primadonna" for my tastes, and its predominant ego has always put the other members of the band in the shadow (especially in their albums after "Godbluff", where Peter tends to be at times overtly mannieristic). So, let's have some justice: I really admire Hugh Benton (and the sounds he can take out of his organ) and, even if I am not so fond of saxophones, I enjoy listening to David Jackson quite a lot. ------------- 
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