Ranking the Albums: Hatfield and the North

[@peterhopewell9431]

Trivia. In England the old main route from London to Scotland is the A1. The signs in London showing the way to the road always said A1 - Hatfield and the North. There you go.

[@bradleystone2623]

I remember the first time seeing that sign while staying in Islington. A light bulb turned on! I went "oh!"!!

[@concatinate]

Pardo puts out a bunch of Canterbury band ranking discussions today == great Christmas gift for us progheads.

[@leodamsma913]

Without the female vocals these albums wouldn’t be such classics for me, i just love the total pakkage, it all adds to the feel of the album.

[@RichardArchbold-z8s]

I have the debut album as number 1 and The Rotter's Club in second. I bought the debut album in a cut out bin on spec and was rewarded with one of my all time favorite albums. This album was my gateway to all things Canterbury (which followed naturally from my love of those english-centric Kinks records). To this day, the best way for a reviewer to get my attention is to note a new to me band's Canterbury influence.

[@petertaylorson5783]

Superb band that define the Canterbury sound. Love the vocals by Richard Sinclair and the humour throughout. Quintessentially English.

[@garyjoyce2160]

Same ranking Pete. & agreed. “ Silence is Golden “ would be better with both of these. Thanks for your time 👍💯

[@sdrandazzo]

Def Gary lol. Have been calling Eric kindly Silence is Golden for a few years.

[@shaunogle530]

Ranking: Rotters Club, and then Hatfield and the North. The Zappa observation is spot on for the first album. Love the dogs doing their Seamus from Pink Floyd Meddle in the background of your review!

[@davidprice7162]

Every time one of these videos comes out I google the band, because 80% of the time I’ve never heard of them. Wasn’t a fan of these guys, very self indulgent, disjointed prog, but I still love discovering new stuff thanks to you guys. So far the best has been Buffalo from Australia. As good as Black Sabbath, and as catchy as AC/DC, but totally unknown today. .

[@thedarkwizardroom]

Will have to give listen to them. Thanks Pete and heads up TC

[@progfrogian9226]

Dave Stewart is GOD! Technically, the band was not put up with Stewart in it. He came in later to replace Dave Sinclair. They even rehearsed with Alan Gowen before picking Stewart as a replacement. The Prog Frog is a major Hatfield (and Canterbury) fan 🐸

[@thekivster]

National Health’s first album also had female vocalizations on them

[@RanterInShades]

Got into this band at the same tine as Egg. Cool little bands.

[@progfrogian9226]

Oh, and if you can find them, pick up the 2 archival releases : Hatwise Choice and Hattitude. Absolutely essential live Hatfield where they stretch and reshape the studio compositions 🙂

[@alperry7346]

great albums!...i would have mentioned that the time signatures on a lot of these songs are mind blowing...

[@Csharpflat5]

The first commercial jet airliner the Comet was built in Hatfield.

[@justamops]

True story: one morning I was getting ready for work while listening to a station on Apple Music, and the song that came up while I was shaving was “Shaving Is Boring”. I had to laugh, and decided it was true!

[@gwts1171]

I have heard of this band but never listened to them. I'll check them out After watching you ranking. Thanks, Pete!

[@webbvandiver9139]

Have several H&tN songs on my huge prog playlist and like them. They never come up on my shuffle. Pete thx for reminder to revisit.

[@richards3862]

I admit you got me today first the egg people now this band 😮

[@molotulo8808]

I would stick Strawbs with David Cousins in this . I could be wrong. Of course, Egg and Caravan.

[@kenl2091]

Much like some other viewers, I think the female vocalisations add something different that's found in jazz but not so much in rock, yet this is squarely Canterbury style jazzy (note the presence of the 'y') rock rather than US fusion or Jazz rock. I hope that makes sense. 😁 The Rotters Club is superior but there's also some nice additional material available elsewhere (e.g. Hatwise Choice vols 1 and 2)

[@johnhenfrey5936]

I prefer Rotters Club too. Don’t forget to read the book.

[@billmorgan4327]

I have never even heard of these guys.

[@oy6793]

Like The Canterbury stuff ,the Rotters club is also my favorite, I like all of that whimsical British humor ,the zappa comparison is in place

[@TheGenreman]

Will be ranking National Health?

[@seaoftranquilityprog]

Was already done three years ago, as I mentioned.

[@arnaudb.7669]

1- S/T 2- The Rotters Club

[@luisbarao]

Hi Pete. Did you already ranked Cradle of Filth discography?

[@brandonio_granger]

May I suggest ranking the albums by Shocking Blue.

[@seaoftranquilityprog]

I don’t connect with their music other than their big hit.

[@kennbrown4638]

1. Hatfield & the North 2. The Rotter's Club

[@garrystrudwick9400]

Hi Pete Would like to hear your ranking on Frumpy Babe Ruth be cool as well not sure if you have already done that

[@seaoftranquilityprog]

I’ve already done Babe Ruth.

[@garrystrudwick9400]

@seaoftranquilityprog I had a feeling you did Pete Frumpy be cool if you get a chance not a big discography

[@mellotronin54]

There are more albums "Missing Pieces" and "D.S al Coda"

[@seaoftranquilityprog]

Those are National Health albums.

[@craigtoelle1052]

I agree Pete, National Health >>> Hatfield

[@TractorCountdown]

Eccentric would be a good word (that's what your dogs were trying to tell you).

[@JohnMacRae23]

rank lol, tie em up, two of the all time greats

[@anthonybomberry9935]

Embarrassed never heard of em I work to hard

[@anthonybomberry9935]

😅