Hawkwind- We Took the Wrong Step Years Ago (REACTION & REVIEW)

[@Spirit-Of-The-Age]

If every teenager was introduced to the back catalogue of Hawkwind's music and lyrics from their work between 1970 to 1984...then the world would be a lot better place 😎✊🙏🌻🍀🌲🌞🌛🌈🌎

[@frugalseverin2282]

I'm always ready to hear some Hawkwind. For me they were the band that put the music and fans first, then the business. In 1970 they weren't able to play on the stage so the played outside to the kids that couldn't afford the entry fee. They were going to be paid £35 but they decided to forego the fee in lieu of providing free food for the people. And they've never minded bootleg tapes of their performances, like the Grateful Dead.

[@Spirit-Of-The-Age]

Yup, you are refering to 1970 Isle Of Wight Festival, where Hawkwind became folk heroes, and set the tone for what they were really about..as in a 'true people's band' .....They turned down many paid gigs throughout the 70's and 80's and instead chose to play at Free Festivals instead...indeed it was quite often their own PA equipement that turned areas like Stonehenge from being a few fields around the monument into a full on Free Festival..... Hawkwind were always about getting a 'message' out to the people rather than making profits or becoming famous...This is why they will always be my favourite band of all time...and the lyrics of Robert Calvert (when he was with them) my favourite lyrics of all time....In saying that , they also had many songs without Calvert with highly powerful and important lyrics...including this song, which was warning people way back in 1971 that unless people change how they live, and tune back into Mother Nature and our indigenous, true selves, then we would end up in a corporate distopia of self destruction...where we are now.

[@CuzKatieSaysSo]

My Very First Concert. Milwaukee, Wisconsin KANSAS was the back up band. How extraordinary.

[@michaeljackson5914]

Quintessentially English old bean,hail Hawkwind

[@carlomercorio1250]

You have to listen to Space Ritual in its entirety - classic live double album

[@simonpegge2843]

More Hawkwind please !!!!

[@dannylgriffin]

Yes!

[@peteharper2687]

Hawkwind made some tracks acoustically right from their first album and it would continue to be a recognized part of their music, with a kind of psychedelic folk feel.

[@lordofthehornets4739]

Space Ritual Alive next...Start to finish 😁

[@BaldJean]

Hawkwind always were a band with Sci-Fi and Fantasy content, including things like ecological disaster, total control, robots taking over, space travel and so on. Many songs of them are based on SF-novels or stories like for example "Robot" based on the robot stories by Isaac Asimov, "Fahrenheit 451" based on the novel of Ray Bradbury, "Damnation Alley" based on the novel of the same name by Roger Zelazny or "High Rise" based on the novel by J.G. Ballard. They made an album about the Elric series of Fantasy author Michael Moorcock ("The Chronicle of the Black Sword"). Moorcock appeared on some of their albums too and occasionally was a guest at Hawkwind concerts, for example on the "Live Chronicles" album. Their album "Warrior on the Edge of Time" is also based on a concept by Moorcock, who also had his own band, The Deep Fix; they released the very interesting album "New Worlds Fair" under the name Michael Moorcock & the Deep Fix. As to Elric: He is an albino king (his full name is "Elric of Melniboné) who is a sorcerer and owns a very powerful and evil sword called "Stormbringer". Elric is physically weak and anemic; he has to take certain drugs to maintain his health and stay awake. The acquisition of Stormbringer allows him to stop using the drugs, but he must kill others for this whose souls are stolen by Stormbringer. Stormbringer has a twin sword called "Mournblade"; it is owned by Elric's cousin Yrkoon who wants to be king himself. If you are into fantasy the Elric series is definitely worth reading. The novels in the order in which they take place: "Elric of Melniboné", "The Sailor on the Seas of Fate", "The Weird of the White Wolf", "The Vanishing Tower", "The Bane of the Black Sword" and "Stormbringer". There are also several books with short stories about Elric; the latest "The Citadel of Forgotten Myths" was released in 2022.

[@spazimdam]

This is a beautiful song. I think you called it correctly JP- space folk. This has always been one of my favorite Hawkwind songs. It speaks to regret for the way we humans forget nature and how we should return to it, a common theme throughout Hawkwind's songs. Their fusion of acoustic guitar and spacey synthesizer is grand. I love it.

[@dchalmers9331]

I know you're working your way through In Search of Space but you really need to hear Orgone Accumulator from Space Ritual to hear Lemmy's amazing bass playing. Just stunning! Not to mention one of the greatest, heaviest riffs ever recorded.

[@kenl2091]

Remember that Dave Brock was a busker in his early days and this is the sort of acoustic song that he might have done on a street corner in the sixties so, yeah, space folk if you must!

[@davidbooth7778]

Still got my vinyl! Wonderful memories every time I pull one out and crank up the JBLs.

[@Jack-D-Ripper]

I bought this album when I was 16 and it made a big impression on me. However, for me, "Organ Accumulator" played live on their "Space Ritual" album, is one of the finest space rock anthems and is well worth a listen Justin.

[@alex-E7WHU]

Uncle Sam's on Mars is a belter.. try reacting to it.👍

[@tonyetchells6051]

You haven't lived until you listen to their tracks "Steppenwolf" and "Magnu".

[@glenndespres5317]

just listened to both and I have to agree!!

[@ZalMoxis]

I am a wolfman.... i am a manwolf....

[@stratocruising]

For context, this was written shortly after the dawn of the ecology movement. Rachel Carson's book "Silent Spring" came out in 1962 and warned its readers about the indiscriminate use of pesticides like DDT. Issues like pollution and air quality came to the attention of Americans.

[@Escapee5931]

"Can the step be corrected?" You'll get the answer in "Adjust Me"!

[@sphericalharmony1603]

I'm liking this Hawkwind journey. I guess at the time they were rather overshadowed by other rock bands, and there were a lot of great rock bands around, but they've stood the test of time well.

[@Spirit-Of-The-Age]

They were never really 'overshadowed' by other bands.....Instead they never wanted fame nor to become wealthy...they were always a true people's band and they had (and still have) a huge underground, cult following.......Also because they were part of the true counter culture that was creating alternative communities etc, the Mainsteam Media pretty much blacklisted their music (especially during their golden years in the 70's 80's and into the 90's, when they helped launch the underground 'rave scene) Hawkwind were also a true 'anti establishment' band, and hence that's why so ,any of the original punk bands were influeced by them too. Hawkwind were both proto-punk and also proto-rave .. A true band of the underground and the new age. 😎✊🙏🌻🍀🌲🌞🌛🌈🌎 Their whole back catalogue from 1970 to 1984 (especially) is filled with absolute 'gold' that is still hugely relevant to what is still happening in the world now. 😎✊🙏🌻🍀🌲🌞🌛🌈🌎

[@kensolar69]

Dave plays Folk, Jazz, Blues, Rock, Psychedelic. His first big gig was touring as the guitarist for Memphis Slim and Champion Jack Dupree. both Southern Blues pianists who moved to Paris to escape Jim Crow in the 60's.

[@DarthVader-km6ku]

The whole album is a concept piece about a spacecraft in deep space. The songs are about their dreams while in suspended animation. This is supposed to be part of that concept. The spacecraft is lost. This crewman is lamenting how they got lost. However, as with everything Hawkwind it has multiple meanings. This song was recently chose as one of the top ecology songs of the last 50 years and was part of a charity benefit for "Save the Earth". Just earlier this year. Dave Brock recorded a new version of it for the charity.

[@lukashislop5890]

Genre you should listen to post rock, band you should listen to, Godspeed you black emperor

[@wardka]

I always get this song mixed up with "Down Through the Night," another mostly acoustic piece that came a couple of albums later.

[@rsm3t]

"Have You Seen the Stars Tonight", from the Paul Kantner album "Blows against the Empire", could also be considered space folk.

[@stevensabella7287]

Dont worry about the rest of this album. The next couple of tracks are a bit slighter. Jump to the next one, The storming "Doremi Fasol Latido". Every cut is CLASSIC Hawkwind with Lemmy blasting away! TRUST ME!

[@michaellomax2]

I only got to see Hawkwind once, on their 'Levitation' tour. And they had as guest drummer, Ginger Baker ex Cream. Brilliant. I don't know a lot of Hawkwind but liking this earlier stuff. So atmospheric. Loving the guitar work.

[@tonygrinney7115]

Great song with the spaceyness added. Reminds me of "Hurry on Sundown" from their first album.

[@a.k.1740]

That's what I thought too ! It's certainly the piece that comes closest to it (the guitar arpeggios are very reminiscent).

[@robertbagley9199]

Space Folk? yep I like that. 'Hurry on Sundown' will keep the vibe going JP.

[@goannaj3243]

That line 'Sciptures in the sand' sounded so important, took months the realise it's meaning. Ever been really drunk and some idea seemed so good yet never wrote it down. And turns out to a sober mind so stupid. Thats Sciptures in the sand.

[@brucster99b2]

Ohhh.... mellow Hawkwind. Is it just me, or is there a slight Ian Anderson, (Jethro Tull), vibe to the vocals?

[@uapuat]

This song is really enhanced by the electronic sounds

[@Bretthall8]

Interesting that you said "no future" considering: "There would have been no Sex Pistols if it wasn't for

[@ZalMoxis]

Go the Hawks.... Hawkwind, In Search of Space, Doremifasolatido, Hall of the Mountain Grill, Warrior on the Edge of Time, Quark Strangeness and Charm, Hawklords - 25 Years on, Levitation, Zones, Church of Hawkwind, Live 79, PXR5, Choose Your Masques, Sonic Attack, Space Ritual, Astounding Sounds, Chronicle of the Black Sword, Space Bandits, on and on they go... BTW Brock was always a really great and under rated busker acoustic player.... Long live the audio generators of Del Detmar and Dik Mik... ✨🌟 - Space is Deeeeeeep!!!

[@pauldocmusic2411]

Cool reaction, this is one of my favourite Hawkwind songs . Sounds like a mix of Pink Floyd and Led Zeppelin while still sounding like Hawkwind if that makes any sense. Always appreciate their acoustic tracks like hurry on sundown, demented man and children of the sun.

[@williamgeorgefraser]

I hope you get round to reviewing the first album fairly soon. You'll love "Hurry On Sundown". However, when you get round to it, I will have a very long story to tell you about the first time I saw them.

[@lemming9984]

...I'm listening!

[@dannylgriffin]

Tell it here! :)

[@ronniefarnsworth6465]

Lol Justin I look back to the "many" bad choices all the time !!! Especially now that I'm older, it's just life we all do it ✌ This is a typical Hawkwind chill "Hippie-Jams" from their Classic & Best era 1970-75'🎶

[@mkelly1004]

Thanks JP. This song and 'Children of the Sun' on this album are both great folk songs.

[@cosmiccat6708]

One of many of my fave Hawkwind tracks. Hope you check out the first album someday...it's an experience! 😊😺

[@johndrake3472]

Silver Machine, Master of the Universe and Zarozinia are three Hawkwind tracks you might like.

[@thesoundship]

Did fell to sleep many times as a teenager with this record in the headphones.

[@Brian-mu3io]

A number of people asking for Hurry on Sundown. I'd add Mirror of Illusion to the Hawkwind request list. This is an excellent track.

[@frugalseverin2282]

Musically I like the acoustic numbers and which they'd done more of them over the years. I think it allows the lyrics to come through better than riffing electric guitars. And I like the reflective viewpoint of this song.

[@markofrontz1343]

I always took this tune to be more societal rather than personal. But I rekon it can be used either way. Hauntingly beautiful, none the less. One of the half dozen groups I never tire of. Whoever Brock surrounds himself with.

[@williamcasperson5692]

The In Search of Space version is the only one on 12 string and with that powerful strumming break in the middle, which I love and think it is a great way to offset the delicacy of the rest of the song. What do you think?

[@mattleppard1964]

Looking forward, if you can, to a listen of the less esoteric but astonishing Live 79 and Levitation albums 🙏

[@robertbagley9199]

Agreed 100%

[@jfergs.3302]

A great tune this, deffo one of my faves on the LP. And a more straight forward, less 'spacey', vibe to it. Though there is an element of that. Some great acoustic geet which also gives it a very Lindisfarne feel. And this feel is further exacerbated by the vocals. The singer, in part, sounding very like Alan Hull. Yeah, great song.

[@jaybird4093]

I liked it but could’ve liked it more. The vocal melody followed the bass line in the guitar. That’s parallel motion. I prefer contrary motion. If the bass line goes down, the vocal melody goes up. If the guitar plays a certain rhythm, then the voice performs a contrasting rhythm. Either way, I like this track enough to listen again. 😁

[@johnmclean9641]

I think looking back and regretting this is important...but we are not learning especially those in charge look at the state of affairs now !

[@sonicart1808]

Awesome choice here JP thanks.... A message for our times.

[@petersokol1603]

It’s the doom of man that he forgets….Merlin.

[@thomashoskins8817]

one me fave HW songs loved all of in search of space everything upto 75 is outstanding but after that it was a bit patchy. Quark and PXR5 were highlights Am so glad you are listening to some of the more non-commercial bands - there was a lovely underground scene outside of the generic and boring pop music I hope one day you will take the time to go through Space Ritual from 1973 - it's a stunner.

[@moraysimpson2710]

We, as in the human race, took the wrong path, when we decided that the grass was greener on the other side and we'd go and take it. This song resonated with me, when I first heard it about 40 years ago, as a kid and still does now. Hawkwind has been constantly by my side on the path through life and I'm very grateful for that.

[@wirralnomad]

Dave Brock released a new version on his 2012 solo album, it's really good but I will always prefer this version.

[@jamespaivapaiva4460]

One of my favorite's, 12 string bliss! The road to my house allows you to go in 2 different directions, left to town, right to the woods, I will let you figure out, which path I consider "The Wrong Step"! It's a Hawkwind that blows against constraint and conformity, Peace.

[@maruad7577]

I am loving this album. I had only heard rumours of this band it back in the day and now I get to experience it with all of you folk. The future (and the past?) is truly now (even if it isn't necessarily well distributed).

[@sicko_the_ew]

If you define a genre called "Space Folk", then yes, there is. You created it. 🙂 (I get what you're saying, and I agree with you.) I think you might like the *Ganges Delta Blues* , possibly. kzbin.info/www/bejne/bH3RqqZuh5eZjs0 (And as for taking the wrong steps years ago, _Eina_ ! Ouch. Twice. At least twice, maybe more times. Depends on who you call "we", though. "They" took the initial wrong step. "We" disagreed quite strongly, but we went along with the "will of that majority", back then. My folks did. Hated the way things were, but just kept on living as if an ordinary life was possible. Because they were ordinary folk whose ambition was to live an ordinary life, just like most people on Earth are. But the second wrong turn? I was old enough to be part of that big mistake. Not a mistake as far as the principles go, but in the details oh hell ... Turns out the details matter. Might even turn out that the practicalities are more important than even the principles. And yes, it's not such a great idea to look back, but it's getting to be horrible, looking ahead, again. But that's become just our problem, again, like it was maybe in the 1930's). Hmm ... It's hard to tell what _would_ have happened if my province had followed the party my great great grandad supported, and opted out of joining a certain Union, where all the trouble began. I would guess that in the Last Outpost of the British Empire, the empire subjects would've done what the rest of the Empire was doing, so might have gone along with decolonialization-with-indecent-haste, and got to where we are today, much quicker. But maybe they could've found the Third Way that was needed (as proven beyond all doubt by 20:20 hindsight.) By not following the independent path, we've been blown by bigger winds than we blow. Flotsam. You know? There's a sense in which I _am_ allowed to ramble on like this sometimes about Someone Else's Problem, because at critical times this was Everyone's Problem, and the only "solution" available was "everyone's" - the one proven not to work, that has proven not to work again. This is a bit of a bitter thought, for one who at the time of the second or third big mistake was fully on the side of the people who turned out to have all the worst ideas, in time. (There would've been some comfort in being able to tell stupid people like myself, "I told you so", but I never told anyone so. I told everyone the fairy tale instead. Stupid stupid stupid don't look back ... but then you have to look forward. And up ahead there's much to dread. No happy ending on the way. "Hope" means hoping things disintegrate slowly instead of cataclysmically. Flotsam or spume. You can complain, but the wind is going to blow you where it will. So don't look back, don't look forward (unless it's all beautiful up there, with lots of flowers and love and joy), so ... Look Elsewhere. Dive deep into Cardiacs, maybe. Or into something Euler and more enjoyably perplexing. And hope. For nice, _slow_ decay. There's no hurry to bring it all tumbling down.

[@sicko_the_ew]

I should delete that (apart from the Blues). Instead I'll just give you a link and a time reference, and ask you to trust me because I'm an astrophysical dereliction operative (really). If the subject matter doesn't look like it's your kind of thing, skip to the time referred to, and enjoy the instant gratification. kzbin.info/www/bejne/mYWvdJmiZZatq6c 9:16

[@palantir135]

Great song. So this is Hawkwind too? 🤪

[@paulcollins5586]

Absolute classic track.

[@quarkwrok]

Acid folk? Or folk on acid 😄Anyways, I'm enjoying the journey into space.

[@michaelfrank2266]

I think the song is over produced. The background noises hamper what would have been an acceptable acoustic piece. I wouldn't listen to this song twice. Such is my impression. (Regardless, thanks for bringing stuff I ain't heard before.)

[@petersokol1603]

If you want to know the future…look at the past….we repeat it…over and over and over until it all just aches.