HATWISE CHOICE - ARCHIVE RECORDINGS 1973-1975, VOLUME 1

It doesn't get much better than HATFIELD AND THE NORTH. So of course fans have been drooling for more after pretty much having only those two studio albums to enjoy over the years. The "more" came in 2005 with the release of "Hatwise Choice" a compilation of mostly live tracks and I believe one demo. These tracks were taken from the period of 1973 to 1975, a time when the HATFIELD's were a gigging band. Pip Pyle picked and assembled these tunes, and their four stints on the BBC with John Peel are a focus, but the other live recordings take up roughly half of this almost 70 minute record.

In the liner notes they mention that this recording is dedicated to the memory of the irreplaceable John Peel. Of course Peel is thanked in these notes as well, along with Robert Wyatt and others. But I like the thanks to "Alister at the pub in Southall." Almost all of these songs have been re-titled making it fun to find out what the original piece was called. The tracks seemed stripped down really, and more raw. They let their hair down, as opposed to the two studio albums where every note seems to have it's place. Both studio albums could not be more perfect.

This reminds me of how ANGLAGARD sought perfection in the studio, but unlike the HATFIELDS they also sought perfection with their live recordings. The latter was not something that HATFIELD AND THE NORTH strove for. You could say we get a more immature version of the band here on "Hatwise Choice". Yes their hair is down. No Northettes, or incredible guest appearances like on their two studio albums. The sound quality here varies. A few aren't that great but most are very good. A lot of these tracks are quite short as well.

So while this all sounds familiar, it also sounds fresh and different. This is called "Volume 1", and the following year in 2006 they would release "Volume 2", a second compilation album they called "Hattitude". I much prefer the studio albums to these two compilations, but "Hatwise Choice" really is an essential release for Canterbury fans.