Listening to Caravan: Cunning Stunts, Part 1

[@richarddobson815]

This is a very timely reaction for me Jim. On Sunday I celebrate (?) my 70th birthday, but back in 1976 a new best friend I had made in my first year living in Durban, South Africa bought me this album for my 23rd. birthday. It is still one of my favourite albums and a prized possession. You are enjoying it already as I thought you would. I will enjoy Parts 2 and 3 for sure!

[@TheSealords]

I'm so happy you're finally back to Caravan! But you've yet to enjoy If I could Do It All Over Again, I'd Do It All Over You, and the PHENOMENAL For Girls who Grow Plump In The Night. Both are just terrific! Don't sleep on these! 🙂

[@AnguaP]

Glad to see you back with Caravan, and also that you get the cheekiness Caravan in naming this album (especially as their previous album was 'For Girls Who Grow Plump in the Night'). I took my supply of progressive rock albums with me when going on babysitting assignments in the '70s, and this one was frequently played (as well as FGWGPitN, and Khan's 'Space Shanty'). I agree with your assessment of how so much amazing music just isn't heard as we're inundated with so much 'new' music. The Canterbury sound is so important to progressive rock, and to music, and it just sparkled as it emanated from stereo speakers back then. Its magic hasn't waned in the passing decades.

[@pattardn]

Stunning! I'm sure XTC listened to this.

[@123agidee_2]

For girls who grow plump in the night and If I could do it all over again, I’d do it all over you are also great albums

[@MisterWondrous]

Stunningly clever title! Love the music too! Sunny days.

[@dongilham1892]

Their best album IMHO, Jim :)

[@Rolling_Ronnie]

The addition of Geoffrey Richardson of Penguin Cafe Orchestra fame gave Caravan a slightly different direction from the earlier Richard Sinclair driven jazzier sounds, but it's still great music (and Geoffrey and Pye Hastings are still going with the band on rare occasions).

[@chrisb3967]

The excuse can always be “well, I was really stoned at the time listening to this” but decades on, and mos def under no influence of anything mind altering, Caravan’s output stands the test of time and is just a fantastic listen. Blind Dog went a bit awry imho but Waterloo, Grey & Pink and this are standout pieces of music.

[@palantir135]

Good evening Jim, I was in middle school when this came out and Caravan wasn’t a band Ihad heard of. Later I found out about them at a friend so I know and own a few albums but not this one. Favorite album so far: In the land of grey and pink. This sounds very nice too. I like it a lot, except for the third song. I must say, in general, I like more of the old stuff that’s new to me than the new stuff that’s new to me. Age must be kicking in 😇😅

[@luton_gmanrock]

I just bought, Caravan - For Girls Who Grow Plump In The Night....if anything, a great album title you'll agree.

[@Rhialto-the-Marvellous]

Once Pye became the dominant creative force I confess Caravan's sound had less resonance. Without the Sinclairs the band were never the same, until the band reformed for the Back to Front album.

[@kenl2091]

I don't think Cunning Stunts was Caravan's best received album (by the fans) but it was certainly better than Blind Dog. I love The Show of our Lives but the highlight is The Dabsong Conshirtoe which ends, as many great pieces do, with absolute cacophony. Enjoy!

[@michaelcapewell4811]

As others have said, you need to go back and do their albums If I Could Do it All Over Again (1970) and For Girls Who Grow Plump (1973). Their debut eponymous lp (1969) is a must too. Cunning Stunts is ok…not their best by a long way with a few dull bits but it’s alright. Keys maestro Dave Sinclair left after it and was replaced by Jan Schelhass, and the next lp Blind Dog at St Dunstans is usually slagged off as too lightweight. I love it! Great, fast moving songs and an anthemic epic to finish with. By then it had become Pye Hastings’ band and he was better at the poppier stuff than the Proggy noodling. Pye drinks in a local micro-pub in Herne Bay. Nice guy. There are loads of Caravan lps from the last 40 years, including a couple recorded by the reformed original line-up, but start with the 70s classics…and yes Stuck in a Hole was the song on CS that i loved instantly too. There’s a lot more like that on Blind Dog, so beware of naysayers 👍

[@markdrechsler5660]

I quite like BDASD, too.

[@michaelcapewell4811]

@@markdrechsler5660 Anyone that likes Stuck in a Hole will love it. Pye Hastings was Caravan’s main writer from the start, except for Land of Grey and Pink. He wasn’t so much into the jazzy stuff so when the Sinclair’s left it became Pye’s band and consequently the music was a pop-prog mix. Blind Dog is full of brisk, hummable tunes, and All the Way is a brilliant way to finish. Avant-Garde lovers hate it but if you like ‘tunes’ it’s a really fine lp 👍

[@thecorkyrhino]

I love lover

[@progperljungman8218]

Maybe time to get yourself a pair of progressive glasses? 😉 (Been there, done that...)

[@billnole2188]

This has a certain John Lennon sound to me. Very nice record.