Peter Hammill- A Ritual Mask(STUDIO & LIVE) (REACTION//DISCUSSION)

[@andreasberten764]

... since I discovered VdGG in 1976, PH has been my favorite musician. No one was so innovative, not even Zappa, Ian Anderson or Peter Gabriel, but always so much himself. I've seen him live more than 20 times. Please listen to whole albums of his, e.g. "The Silent Corner And The Empty Stage", "PH7" or "A Black Box" :-) ...

[@Cpayne30]

Digging deep here, wow. Can't wait until you get to A Black Box or Sitting Targets. In my opinion, those are the cream of the crop songwriting-wise.

[@therealtwiggyleaf]

@2003Cpayne, particularly "Flight" from Black Box. Epic tune!

[@lemming9984]

@@therealtwiggyleaf The live version on The Margin is also great. Another Live/Studio for Justin to compare??

[@therealtwiggyleaf]

@@lemming9984 - Yeah, I used to have that album. Then I still had it on MP3, but then lost 60gigs of music when a PC died. These days, I just stream, but I often find the time for "Flight". It is such a great song. 😎

[@markofrontz1343]

Or even drift back to Van Der Graf Generator. Still Life still amazes me to no end.

[@BaldJean]

"Loops & Reels" was originally published on Hammill's own label "Sofa Sounds" in 1983 as a cassette tape only. It was re-released as a CD in 1993. The album contains some of Hammill's most experimental material.

[@MrDanielphenix]

The live version is amazing ! Wish Peter would have made an album with that fantastic band ! Txs for putting that together ... And your works mught open to some people to the genius of Peter hammill...keep the good job !

[@markmaxwell1013]

Funny, I had a busy day and didn't check out today's videos. Was listening to PH's Fools Mate and it reminded me to check out today's vids. After hearing the beautiful Love Songs HAPPY and Vision I wasn't expecting this! PH and PG on the same stage is awesome but the haunting starkness of the studio version is scarier. Cool when your eyes light up because you are you hearing something new and intriguing to you. It annoys me that you can pick things up on a first listen that it sometimes takes me 5 or 10:D Stay the best Justin!

[@lemming9984]

I love this. I actually saw it performed at that WOMAD Festival at Shepton Mallett, Somerset. (We had a break from the festival to see Marillion at Moles Club in Bath which is only a few miles away). Great memories of a wonderful festival.

[@JustJP]

Nice! How was seeing it live?

[@lemming9984]

@@JustJP It was too long ago to remember the setlist, but probably some Hammill and Gabriel songs. I was already a Gabriel and Hammill fan, but didn't like the Police, but Stuart Copeland really impressed me. Shankar was wonderful too, adding something to the songs, rather than just "playing over the top". This set was one of the highlights of the whole festival for me. Fripp was there too but the queue at 9.00 am was already more than the small pavilion could hold for the show in the evening!

[@DaniloJovem]

Thank you Justin! I love how you react the Hammils lyrics!! I learn a lot!!

[@JustJP]

Ty Danilo!

[@ddee203]

Wow! That's a really deep dive, bro.

[@JustJP]

🤿

[@stephencolligan]

What I love about your channel, Justin, is hearing music that passed me by on first release and in effect hearingit with you for the first time. My ears arent quite as "open" as 40 years ago, but I'm still pleasantly surprised by stuff I missed.This track being a case in point. Thank you

[@JustJP]

Appreciate that Steve!

[@gammaanteria]

Nice reaction, JP! Also, that's a cool live video, had never seen it before...great line-up. I think this song appears on Hammill's solo album "Loops & Reels," will have to take it down from the shelf and listen to it again (it's been a while), as well as Stewart Copeland's "The Rhythmatist" (album he made exploring African music influences).

[@mvjonsson]

Genesis also reunited with Peter Gabriel and Steve Hackett on The Womad 1982.

[@ddee203]

Live Hammill and Hammill in the studio are pretty much different. Always

[@AlbertoVO5]

I have been a deep admirer since discovering his music in 1981. Have seen him a half dozen times. His presence during live performances is captivating but the singing, for me, is sub par to his recordings. Some of that’s age but even 4O years ago it was like that.

[@sylvanm4216]

Had no idea this live version existed. Very cool!

[@chrisogburn8240]

Me either. I can't wait to see his reaction.

[@JustJP]

Hope you enjoy(ed)!

[@kenl2091]

Seems daft to say so, given his very wide body of work, but this is from Hammill's most experimental period. All of Loops and Reels is worth a listen - the variety of backing tracks has never been reproduced by anyone else - and his solo albums of the time (from pH7 to this one) contain many brilliant musical ideas - I especially recommend 'A Black Box' for a wild ride. 'Flight' from that album has a similar feel to 'A Plague of Lighthouse Keepers' and the two pieces were played live by VdGG on a 2013 tour

[@markspooner1224]

Big thumbs up from me.

[@JustJP]

😁

[@chrisogburn8240]

I already know this jam. Can't wait to see your reaction.

[@Lwize]

Hammill's vocals were too low in the mix on the live track. The only thing missing was Fripp on guitar...

[@Rowenband]

I love this. If I remember well, this song first came out on a cassette (K7), record tape. Very confidential publishing from Hammill. I must still have it somewhere. I loved it. Very strange, from another world. Strange that he talks about cultural appropriation which wasn't something anyone talked in the 90'. I see Someone else already mentioned all this. Sorry for the repetition. Yes Loops and reels was the title of this cassete.

[@pilesovinyl]

Oooh yeah....nice....

[@maruad7577]

For some reason, the music in the first version makes me think of kabuki. I stopped to watch some kabuki to see how on nose I was (maybe not that much but I thought the hero in the kabuki moved in a similar fashion to Godzilla from the early movies). Interesting to listen and watch but not one I would go back to. I much prefer the live version though that might be a reaction to this being fall and the desolation of winter is approaching. Great review.

[@JustJP]

Nice comparison! Never wouldve thought of Kabuki, but it fits

[@jayburdification]

Thanks for playing this, never heard it before. I love PH’s overly theatrical delivery. For some reason it reminds me of the episode “Masks“ from the 7th season of Star Trek: the Next Generation. “Masaka is waking!”

[@therealtwiggyleaf]

Wow! Thanks Justin. PG and PH have been two of my firm favourites for many years. I remember so well when I first heard this WOMAD album, but I have never before seen the live video. Excellent find! However, I agree with you that the studio version is more powerful. Thanks for the review! 😎 By the way, some more Peter Hammill solo stuff wouldn't go amiss! 😁

[@mariosandri4010]

Listening to PH is often like walking on the edge of a cliff (being acrophobic). With all due respect to mr. Copeland, percussions on the studio version are more menacing and reflect the song's spirit. The live version, anyway, is a great rendition. Not an everyday listen, though - probably for fans only.

[@JustJP]

Edge of a cliff is a great description!

[@AlbertoVO5]

Menacing nails it

[@masterofparsnips5327]

I hope Peter recovers from his accident getting tangled in those industrial elastic bands !!

[@AriadneJC]

That was certainly different. Which do I prefer? I think it's difficult to compare as they are each different, despite ostensibly having the same track name and some similar sections. The studio version is certainly stark and makes one, at least on the first listen, slightly off kilter. The live version has a more rhythmic and primitive momentum to it. What a strange but interesting way to start Saturday morning for me!

[@sidecardog5244]

Was this a Peter Cushing, Christopher Lee Hammer horror production?

[@AlbertoVO5]

Nice!

[@roberttee9790]

Black n white, spotlight, cigarette smoke, Jack Kerouac.

[@CanigoCatala]

The theatrical and dramatical voice of Hammil is unique, and was key for VDGG sucess. I never listen to this weird track but with the lyrics I guess it makes quite a lot of sense. I prefer the live version, is just cool to see how they played the song. BTW, react to the Warrning latest stuff (they have been playing since they were 9-13 years old)

[@vdggmouse9512]

Perhaps Peter Hammill's least known tune - and that's saying something. I'm at work so I can't play this video for several hours - so it'll be very interesting to see/hear how you chose to react to this song - as it is not on any Peter Hammill album proper. Wow - what a surprise for you to get to this song.

[@JustJP]

I'm filled with surprises 🎁😎

[@markmaxwell1013]

If Justin likes this I'm sure he can handle the dialogue at the beginning and the intensity of the song Still Life. This was so out of left field from what I expected from his next PH solo song!

[@vdggmouse9512]

@@markmaxwell1013 But did he push 'Still Life' back another 2 - 3 weeks by throwing in an unexpected Hammill song? Also - by reacting to 'Ritual Mask' - he may have lost a few possible converts that might have been attracted to 'Still Life' as I think 'Ritual Mask' is a little harder ask - a bit too extreme for our dear average listeners. Me? - I love it!

[@markmaxwell1013]

@@vdggmouse9512 Yes, I was worried about the same thing. Justin seemed really intrigued and impressed by it so it could move Still Life up. I don't know but I hope so. Ritual Mask is absolutely chilling to me but one of the last PH solo songs I would expect anyone to do. I had just finished listening to Fools Mate so when I checked the late vid and saw PH of course I expected Vision or something more "accessible." I'm really surprised at the mostly positive reactions. Maybe people are understanding that PH is a vocal actor as much as a singer. This is what I respect about Justin. He will sacrifice views to get something challenging out there. No artist is more challenging and diverse than Peter Hammill! Pop Genesis, Ritual Mask and then ELO. A bit perplexing. From "pop" to challenging to "easy listening." Never know what to expect with JP! BTW As far as expectations, I believe people have a different kind of expectation from VdGG the group and separate the group from PH solo.

[@michaelhudson2912]

you should react to that live version for Belgian TV of 'A Plague of Lighthouse Keepers' by Van der Graaf. It's on KZbin.

[@ddee203]

The further Peter Hammill was into 80s and 90s the less VDGG his music was. Not even worth mentioning what has been going on for the past 2 decades. Don't expect to hear standard prog after the "Over".

[@-davidolivares]

Justin got this ritual album for a sooonnnnggggg.

[@ddee203]

Would you ever consider doing reactions to the "The house of Ushers"?

[@HippoYnYGlaw]

The studio version reminded me of Bowie performin’ ”Baal” on a bbc Play For Today in 1979?? Does the rockist live version kinda pull the carpet from under the song’s original foundations? It was a jam, you’re right. One of the reasons why Gabriel had to ask The G Boys to bale him out. Your adventurous format here is noted and appreciated JP! Are you the Womad of the digital discussion industry? Possibly. As with Welsh Legend Gareth Bale, sometimes (our) supporters take things for granted.... Music.Sumo.Film. In.that.Order I recall your alleged hair follicle fear? Gareth could provide u with an answer ...Yes consider that Justin Bun take a risk ditch the Hats Policy ! Just a random thought in Life’s Carriages on the tunnelled tracks of train travel...on a Saturday mornin... like the olden days... Wales.Golf. Madrid. Doh I’ve pulled a hamstring. Budgie.SFAok.Manics. In that order. Alternatively it’s happy hour again. What a good place to be. Hull Four London Nil Man Buns of the World Unite ! Resist the Ponytail! Meanwhile Back in the foxtrot sea , Gabriel’s shaven centre partin completely freaked my young teen days out. I remember that. From Langley Park to Memphis indeed! Stick to the hats Justin. Over the hillside if u wanna. Or possibly across the rooftops From rags to riches Now We’re Talkin’.... i am in love ♥️😁

[@-davidolivares]

I love this WOMAD album, but to tell the truth this was my least favorite song on it. In fact, on my CD dub I have at work, this song I just realized is missing. Hearing it once here, would have showed me the errors of my way but, to also see it live made me want to redub a new CD with Rit Mask. I’m glad you enjoyed it. Peace and ritual Music

[@JustJP]

Ty David! I could've gone with one of the more "notable" acts, but wanted to see what Hammill did here. Ty again!

[@-davidolivares]

@@JustJP Lemme explain, on this channel I’ve got to know more about PH and expect the unexpected. I’m glad you did listen to it. My tastes have changed a bit since buying and dubbing this album back in caveman days.

[@jcrichton7456]

Interesting choice for Peter Hammill! Reminds me of this hilarious Twilight Zone with a great twist ending m.kzbin.info/www/bejne/bpfEnZqJltplecU

[@1nelsondj]

This is over my head and it can stay there. I can't intellectualize enjoyment of music that does not sound like music. How does the artist know if his koto is out of tune? It's fine, there's plenty more music for me to explore, don't quit searching, Justin, there's a reason you're my favorite You Tube reactor.

[@brelfpv1437]

Copeland, so he didn't practice well.

[@a.k.1740]

I am already not very fond of VDGG and Peter Hammill but there for me it is unlistenable. It's like hearing an excerpt from PIL's Flowers of Romance album ! Even the live version with the band doesn't appeal to me. no, sorry, not for me. I prefer Nadir's Big Chance or his other albums from the early 80s like Sitting Targets and Enter K.

[@shyshift]

When you play a black key and the white key next to it on a keyboard it’s always going to sound out of tune. Dissonance can be used creatively but universally appealing. King Crimson are masters at this. Sorry but this first version is bloody awful.

[@jfergs.3302]

Firstly, i quite like Hammill. I've a few of his, two on cassette i particularly cherished, and would play more often, if i could find them! But here i think he's taking the piss, definitely that 1st version. Just came across like an amateurish, discordant mess, with no merit at all i could hear. The 2nd, marginally better, and i use the word 'better' very, very loosely. Only cos it was padded out with some other instruments, and proper percussion. Dreadful. This was 'gifted'... sounded like it was sent as part of a house clearance, to get rid of it. Even the local second hand record store wouldn't take this off the contributors hands, so they gave it away...

[@-davidolivares]

I’ll have you know, I love and listen to this album often. I chose this album to give, I still have and treasure mine… how do I say this, you’ve said some fairly ugly things and I respectfully disagree.

[@jfergs.3302]

@@-davidolivares Oh come on... that house clearance quip, that was funny, and meant to be a joke. Knew i should've added a smiley face at the end :) I've never even heard this album before, have seen 'The Beat' are on it though so it's not all bad. That said, i stand by what i said about ritual mask, this was simply appalling. And interestingly you seem to have thought the same early on, from what you say in your own comment. Though now you seem to be rethinking that, but i think you were right the first time, first impressions, and all that. If you don't mind me asking, about how long was it from you sending this to JP to it being played?

[@-davidolivares]

@@jfergs.3302 Yeah, it was hilarious. Not to long ago, why, he does what he wants… it was a total shock he played RM. Just caught his attention. Yes, he is in danger of getting tons of yard sale records sent to him but I picked and paid decent money for this somewhat rare album. They never issued a CD version that I can find, maybe they will someday. You guys seem to have a small box that good music has to fit in, lots of hating lately. That’s fine, your opinion is equally valid but, my gifts are hand chosen loved pieces my brother. Probably find it funnier after the sting wears off.

[@jfergs.3302]

@@-davidolivares No, no boxes, my tastes are incredibly varied. I just know what i like, and what i don't. Re the question of the record, i was just curious. There's been a spate of freebie tracks lately. Over the 10-11 months i listened JP's mentioned his playlist. The size, how he's working thorough it etc. And i've seen in comments tons of good tracks, albums, which to date have never gotten a mention... But since the PO box, it seems a quick way to cut any possible line (depending how linear he approaches it), or get a certain album played, you can/have to send a copy of it in..... interesting.

[@-davidolivares]

@@jfergs.3302 I think once the new car smell wears off, and a wall of records happens, it’ll even out. Of course, I hoped he’d play something of my gifts but, I honestly want him to hear my choices on the channel or in his own time.