GETTING BETTER

The cover design of this single circulates the same graphics as Steve Hillage's fourth album Green (1978), but in fact only the B side song was taken from it. Hillage's version of the Beatles song 'Getting Better' -- which appeared on Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (1967) -- wasn't originally included on his next rock album Open (1979) either. It is, however, one of the five bonus tracks on the 1990 CD remaster of Open.

I have come across some various artists compilations covering Beatles songs but I hadn't heard this one before. Truth to be told, if you remember the original song and are familiar with Hillage's style, you already have a very good idea of how it sounds. The glissando guitar and the spacey synths, they're all here. There's also a dance-inviting boogie groove in the rhythm section. Personally I prefer the Beatles original, at least for the vocals, because Hillage isn't a great singer in my opinion.

'Palm Trees (Love Guitar)' is a good representative from Green. Actually it's among the album's many highlights, helped by the relatively small amount of vocals. The guitar work is brilliant and the hazy, laid back summer feel is very enjoyable.

Both the album Green and the single 'Getting Better' were co-produced by Pink Floyd's drummer Nick Mason. Excellent collaboration indeed.