Classical Composer Reacts to Van der Graaf Generator: Pawn Hearts | Lemmings, Theme One, Man-Erg & W

[@itsthatspicymeme]

Man-Erg is one of my favourite songs of all time. I remember looking for if you had reacted to it beforehand and was a little saddened to find out you had not so I am glad to find this months later.

[@billyrobertson3302]

Holy! VDGG. Didn’t expect that! My dads all time favourite band that he passed on his love of to me. Seen VDGG a fair few times and Peter Hammill many over the years with him and we share great memories of Hammill’s music. It started as a bit of a joke because his voice and their musical style was grating, dissonant and overtly theatrical to me, but once it clicked, I got the bug. A truly unique talent and a gentlemen beyond the music. Nice to see you react and comment on these tracks!

[@Olive-gd3wn]

VDGG is one of the must in progrock!

[@Gizzlefitz]

Man Erg is one of the greatest dramatic songs of all time. For any genre. The ending is epic.

[@kevinmuzerMetalMind64]

VDGGI 👍 Sou do apes

[@grahamnunn8998]

Pure genius and so influential on so many very different musicians.

[@grayjohn6332]

and Childlike Faith in Childhood's End.

[@robertochiang8057]

I've always loved the way Peter singing stile follows the lyrics meaning (instruments do it also) but this time he did it GREAT!!!

[@ronjm945]

The comparison to Genesis is well founded in my opinion. They were both label mates on Charisma Records and both were contemporaries. I believe that early Genesis was similar to Van der Graaf Generator. Peter Gabriel’s writing was along similar lines but the other members were not quite as experimental although equally as talented.

[@shadowsandlight7125]

Thanks so much for featuring this album. I hadn’t heard it in decades. It’s more powerful than I remember.

[@tenebr1sm]

Godbluff is a MUST listen

[@whig01]

World Record too.

[@tenebr1sm]

and Still Life :)

[@olli5976]

Godbluff is one of the most intense music albums ever recorded.

[@thewal1ofsleep]

My favorite VDGG record.

[@sspbrazil]

Still Life is my favorite by them.

[@Anteaterman23]

Yes!!! More VdGG please! All of Godbluff is a masterpiece

[@Raed911]

The most avant-garde, progressive, yet melodic track I’ve ever encountered, and I’ve wrapped the discography of Crimson, Zappa, Floyd…etc. This track is so haunting, yet relaxing; at least to my ears.

[@TonyBailey-xf5tn]

The best album I have ever heard by the best band I have ever heard. I have been listening to it regularly for over 50 years and it just blows me away every time. The original version just has Lemmings and Man-Erg on side one. Still Life next, please, Doug.

[@Rowenband]

Oh yes Still Life and Godbluff please.

[@danward7306]

Crap please dont compare to genisis

[@Rowenband]

@@danward7306 What do you mean ? Who compared with Genesis. No comparison possible. These bands are too different. VDGG were much more experimental then Genesis ever was. Genesis has a sense of melodies that VDGG didn't. Why compare. These are two great bands. For my part I prefer VDGG because it touches me like no other band. That's not a reason for me to say they are better. I just wish you don't compare either. And don't say it's crap. It may be crap for you, and then what ?

[@stephenvarty191]

@Rowenband yes we are all different with different tastes. Personally I can't stand ELP or Genesis but I wouldn't call them crap. I just find them boring.

[@Rowenband]

@@stephenvarty191 That's exactly the point. Thanks for your message.

[@dionisispilihos2066]

The most amazing thing about VDGG is that no-one can do a cover as many do with other rock bands. It is impossible to reproduct the original feeling. VDGG is something more than music!!

[@neiljones7715]

Hammill is a genius, so unique and gifted.. 🙏

[@pigonthewind7908]

I really hope to see more Van Der Graaf

[@Chentinno]

Doug, these kind of reviews are the main reason to follow you. I'm a big time VDGG fan, and this particular album is mind-blowing. P.S. Watching your review and waiting for the moment you pull out the 'herbal supplementation' 😅

[@TheB3Nut]

Look up Van Der Graaf Generator Live at the Paradiso, it's on YT. It's a tour de force, and their traversal of Peter Hammill's diabolically-poetic solo track "Gog" (originally on his "In Camera" solo record) from that date is absolutely spine-tingling and harrowing in a good way. Dark and brilliant art. The trio was firing on all cylinders the whole night...

[@bongodroid]

"Still Life" is also one of their greatest albums but perhaps 2% more radio-friendly.

[@seghj]

2% haha very good...."Still life" is my fave and it is indeed quite more normal than this one. Not as psychotic

[@frankfriedlos3721]

Yup. "Pilgrims" is actually quite a cheerful, uplifting song. By PH's standards anyway.

[@richardkarbowski5224]

Still Life is possibly my all time favorite album. But VdGG and PH solo have so many great albums, with basically no bad ones. I am an admitted fan boy of the highest order, just to be clear.

[@neilparnell967]

​@@frankfriedlos3721My Room is quite pleasant also and shows that VdGG have a softer side - occasionally.

[@nonamateur]

one of my favorite albums of all time. thank you!

[@DX7036]

Peter wanted to be as a vocalist what Jimi Hendrix was as a guitar player. You should really explore more of VDGG's music and Peter's solo material because it is all too great to let it slip and this album is one of the best of all times imo. They're like the love-child of Genesis and King Crimson , pretty famous here in Italy in the 70's and funnily enough they started to get much more notorious even in their homeland thanks to the appreciation by italian audience. As a side-note it's funny you mentioned Bruce Dickinson because he (as a lot of other singers) was influenced by Peter and Bruce also cited this album as one of his favorites (John Lydon of The Sex Pistols also was a big fan). Underrated band for sure but one of the all-time greats.

[@deancarter9210]

'Man-Erg': the most moving hymn to our divided human nature I know of.

[@neilparnell5712]

Nice to see that VdGG is still relevant today. Man-Erg is a true monolith of the prog world. At time I prefer it to APOLHK but it is a very close call. What a truly monumental album this was, and hymn is such a great description as Hugh Bantons organ in a lot of places is definitely very uplifting.

[@grahamnunn8998]

That wonderful version of Theme One was used as the closing theme to Tommy Vance's Friday Rock Show. This was essential listening on a Friday night to us UK rock fans.

[@lemming9984]

I'd listen to Vance occasionally, but it was a little too much hard rock for me! I really liked Alan Freeman who introduced me to Genesis, VdGG, ELP and many others (early/mid 70s).

[@countzero1136]

Right on! - TV on the radio - Good times. John Peel too - We miss them both

[@Rhialto-the-Marvellous]

Theme One was composed by George Martin and he went on record stating that he despised VDGG's version - personally, it is sublime!

[@lemming9984]

@@Rhialto-the-Marvellous I read somewhere many years ago that Martin actually approved of VdGG's cover!

[@raymondhill2441]

When you get 4 musicians together with so much talent,there's only one outcome

[@JoanneTelling1]

Try 'A louse is not a home' from PH's solo album 'The silent corner and the empty stage.' My favourite song of his.

[@KB.968]

That is a great song! One of my favorites from PH's solo albuns.

[@hilmarkoerner2603]

Thank you for the reminder about this beautifully complex music. Now going back into my library to listen to more.

[@ianp9086]

Some of the more challenging prog but I always loved the organ and sax combination and on Godbluff they really rock with that.

[@DavidImiri]

Glad you liked this Doug - more VDGG please! I would go next to the Still Life album, if you have to cherry-pick, the track Childlike Waiting for Childhood's End. Pawn Hearts is the peak of their fantastic early period, and many consider it their crowning achievement, but others (like myself) find their middle period at least as good, maybe better, certainly more refined and mature. But it's like comparing Supper's Ready and The Lamb for Genesis - hard to pick really. Masterpieces all, anything off Godbluff is greatness as well, or The Quiet Zone/The Pleasure Dome. Or Hammill's solo album The Silent Corner of the Empty Stage. Magnificent music, I think you'll love it.

[@Rowenband]

This band is the most amazing ever, IMHO, and with such meaningful lyrics. Hammill helped me through my hard times in life. He, maybe, saved me a few times.

[@stephenvarty191]

My favourite album by my favourite band.

[@giuliogrifi7739]

Listening to records like this thru a good stereo system from the '70s was (and is)...pure joy...compact discs, digital platforms, etc... just can't compete !!!.

[@wendellwiggins3776]

GREAT! Never heard the story about the title. LOL! Loved your analysis! Surprised that I missed this Reaction until now! Pawn Hearts is my ultimate VDDG. For 1971, it is truly an amazing feat. I'd say that they were already above the curve even then and why this was not going to reach huge popular success. I didn't hear it until I was ready at 17 in 1973 to appreciate it. This album is dense & takes you into some very surprisingly strange and mysteriously dark & melodic places seamlessly & brilliantly. Hammil is incredible vocalist

[@eximusic]

Van Der Graaf was one of the last prog bands I was introduced to in my teens. The instrumentation, heavy on keyboards and woodwinds, is unique for the genre and time. And Peter Hammill's unique songwriting comes through in both the Van Der Graaf work and his solo work. Intense and not relaxing music, but rewarding.

[@robertochiang8057]

VDGG sound was built around two keyboards, sax and drums (no guitars or bass), that was an unique sound on rock.

[@eximusic]

@@robertochiang8057 well there was actually guitar, and guitar on Pawn Hearts. Hammill played keys and guitar. AND . . . Robert Fripp on Pawn Hearts!!

[@robertochiang8057]

@@eximusic oh, yes, and there was some bass also (by Hugh). What I mean is those weren`t central to the way they build the group sound (thinking of rock sound as guitar and bass based)

[@silentgnome]

One of the best albums ever made.

[@MoviesNStuff]

VDGG is perhaps my favorite band (and Hammill's solo work) Albums like Godbluff, Still Life, The Silent Corner and the Empty Stage, In Camera, A Black Box (or at least the Flight Suite) etc.

[@kj1859]

All of them... XDDDD

[@vman365]

If you enjoyed listening to this album, try the previous album 1970's "H to He, Who Am The Only One" At least side 1 of the album. It took me a long while to actually appreciate this band's sound and Peter Hammill's vocals but once it clicked, I was hooked. Thanks again for your assessment of Pawn Hearts (side 1). Great job and much appreciated!

[@richard_wenner]

What a wonderful life you must lead to spend so much time before turning this record over and playing this side (given your response to 'Lighthouse Keeper'). Great to watch your response as usual.

[@soggytom]

The parallels to Genesis are real- Pawn Hearts, The Least We can Do and H to He were produced by John Anthony, who also produced Genesis' Trespass, Nursery Cryme and Foxtrot. He also did a couple of Peter Hammill solo albums. You mentioned Paul Whitehead- he also did the covers for all the albums mentioned by both bands (except The Least We Can Do). And of course, both bands were on the Charisma Records label.

[@thomasott6184]

i appreciate that you compare VdGG to Genesis. I am a great fan of early Genesis, too. But when it comes to the real thing, i have to say that VdGG is, by far, the deeper thing, in every aspect. Both Peters are vocalists beyond everything, but the real difference lies in the fact that all VdGG musicians are "beyond everything", which does not apply to Genesis. Of course, Genesis were much more able to be "acceptable" to i wider audience, which VdGG did not want and did never achieve. The simple fact ist, that VdGG existed in a musical sphere that no one beside them dared to approach.

[@soggytom]

@@thomasott6184 I wasn't, and haven't compared the music at all. I love them both, for very different reasons; some of which you just pointed out. I was just informing Doug (and hopefully others) of some of the surprising parallels between the two groups, but none musically.

[@soggytom]

@@thomasott6184 Another non-musical parallel- both groups got their starts with their main members still in school. A quick first album for both, disbanding, then re-forming with a different label and different music.

[@neilparnell5712]

@@soggytom And they toured together as part of the Charisma label ''Six bob tour'' along with Lindisfarne.

[@soggytom]

@@neilparnell5712 I'd pay six bob for that.

[@David-c3s4q]

This album was huge in Italy apparently. I've no idea what that says about the band or about Italy, but it's pretty cool.

[@samuelecallegari6117]

I'm Italian and I don't know either. Now music tastes here are flattened to the American ones but at the time prog rock was big here.

[@Tommy-he7dx]

Can't wait till you discover "Egg - Symphony No.2" off their self titled first album :)

[@acarbonbasedlifeform70]

Great recommendation!

[@spidersfan100]

Thank you for this, Doug. One of my late Father's bands, grew up with this. Thank you, God bless.

[@acarbonbasedlifeform70]

Amazing! Actually one of my top 5 70's records (along with Red, Lizard, Wish You Were Here & Dark Side of the Moon). Peter Hammill is my second favourite musician after Robert Fripp. I'm immensely happy that you are listening to this Doug!

[@HerbalistGuybrush]

We might be the same guy.

[@stevestevens1154]

This album is right up there with Genesis Foxtrot.

[@neilparnell5712]

Thank you for saying that, it is also my opinion that Foxtrot and Pawn hearts are 2 of the best prog albums ever, no matter how different they are.

[@Olive-gd3wn]

​@@neilparnell5712They contains both the 2 biggest prog pieces.Supper's ready and A plague of lighthouse keepers.

[@soggytom]

That's cute, Doug, you starting a sentence with "Normally..." when discussing VdGG. I got a good chuckle from that.

[@soggytom]

They did have songs that leaned toward 'normal'. "Lemmings" is not one, however.

[@kenl2091]

Though I'm subscribed, I don't watch too many Daily Dougs unless I'm particularly interested in the tracks being played. This was a must. On some days Pawn Hearts is my favourite album and W is a VdGG track that usually slips through the cracks as it wasn't on the original LP. All four of these are magnificent. I usually consider Man-Erg to be in 11/8 though 5 and 6 works just as well, I suppose. One of the interesting things about W is the play with the phrasing of the vocals - almost like Frank Sinatra used to do (a quick Google tells me this is called rubato) so there's my headline - Peter Hammill, the Frank Sinatra of Prog.

[@jstock2317]

Exploring the space is what VDGG does best! such range and always great instrumentation and vocals! VDGG and Hammill as "solo" together have like 20 great albums! very very very good! like Yes good!

[@webkahmik]

I'll bite: Least We Can Do, H to He, Pawn Hearts, Still Life, Quiet Zone, Vital, Trisector, Do Not Disturb, Fool's Mate, Chameleon, Silent Corner, In Camera, Nadir, Future Now, Ph7, Black Box, Sitting Targets, Patience, Fireships, Thin Air. That's 20, though it could easily be 40 in my admittedly prejudiced opinion.

[@jstock2317]

@@webkahmik it's a good top 20 list! 😆

[@bobfoale3000]

Before the release of the first VDGG album (The Least We Can Do Is Wave To Each Other), David Bowie was singing in a style similar to Anthony Newley. Hearing Peter Hammill encouraged him to expand his singing style

[@petermalik2536]

Ahem, that was their second album...

[@bobfoale3000]

@@petermalik2536 First album! Aerosol Grey Machine was recorded first, but released in America after The Least We Can Do. It wasn’t released in Europe until 1974 and not in the UK (where David Bowie was living) until the 1990’s. (It was also recorded as a Peter Hammill solo album - it was Mercury Records decision to release it as VdGG - one reason they didn’t release it in the UK)

[@giuliogrifi7739]

This band deserves much, much more airplay by the army of reactors !.

[@markphelps75]

Peter Hamill is another unsung genius, like Tim Smith of Cardiacs.

[@leproghead]

Love Cardiacs.

[@neilparnell5712]

Very true and the similarity is apparent to me in their obtuse lyrical styles and completely original musical footprints. I doubt they ever met, but I wish they had. RIP Tim.

[@patvanderreest7416]

What a treat! I know some people don't like his voice, but frankly, as a price of admission to experience Pawn Hearts again, I'll gladly pay. One of the archetypical prog bands, for sure.

[@grahamnunn8998]

I love Peter Hammil but some days I am not ready and his voice scares the cr@p out of me! 😅

[@bobfoale3000]

W is a pun (double-you). Similar to Man-Erg and Mirror Image (from the live album Vital and also one of Hammill’s later solo album), split personalities is a recurring theme in Peter Hammill’s songs

[@Mr.MsSoundFactory-k6m]

Yes sir you got it ..... Peter is the greatest!!!! (double you) always split.

[@grahamnunn8998]

Listen to Vital today, boy that is intense!

[@bobfoale3000]

@@grahamnunn8998 I was there at the Marquee for the 2nd of the concerts that make up that album.

[@grahamnunn8998]

@@bobfoale3000 and lived to tell the tail! I understand the Ham is a really lovely guy which highlights what an amazing performer he is.

[@korbal61]

Many thanks Doug. You made my day with this reaction.

[@nbnewman]

Back to my youth ... I remember when this came out and we listened agog to it. "Man Erg" is possibly the most concise statement VdGG ever made, from the 'normalcy' of the opening chords onto the way out 11/8 section. I don't want to repeat anything that anyone else has written so I'll write a few words about 'Theme One', again purchased as a single with the weird and wonderful W on the other side. Several years ago I found (presumably on KZbin) the original George Martin version of his tune. I was quite surprised to discover that VdGG didn't add that much; the drums and bass are ropey on the original, but massed trumpets play the tune and are quite majestic. Banton/Jackson/Evans turned the orchestral sound into rock.

[@markdrechsler5660]

I prefer this side, to side two. I dig the saxophones.

[@electricwizard3000]

Congrats for finding this. It's good music. *Also: Definitely in the Genesis wheelhouse, maybe even more proggy, but on a Hawkwind budget. P.S. You might also enjoy some interesting krautrock, and freak folk/psych stuff like Gong.

[@whig01]

He will need to hear the Gong trilogy at some point.

[@chris-j5f1s]

The first album by VDGG I ever heard, back in '71. Totally blew me away. The highlight for me is Man-Erg, which is literally my favorite song of all time.

[@Chamomileable]

The inversion between "What cause is there left but to die?" and the individualist "What choice is there left but to live?" has always stuck out to me on this album. We're all so easily driven to wanting to call it quits but we're the most capable things on the planet of change when we realize that if we continue on we aren't damned to hatred and failure.

[@neilparnell5712]

God- - all these marvellous comments still coming so recently about a 1971 album is amazing. You are so right about the sentiment in the lyrics, it is just so sad that the masses are incapable of the change of heart exhibited in Peters masterpiece. The Lemmings will either change or be doomed to their fate.

[@HerbalistGuybrush]

I walked the pacific crest trail in 2017 - the highest snowyear of history- and was so much alone in the snows of northern california always listening to godbluff and pawn hearts. It became a kind of spirtual retreat for me to listen to the album. I listened to it 100 times or more and it always stays interesting.

[@halmycroft194]

Another track worth doing but it's a deep cut is the version of Squid/Octopus recorded live in the studio for the Pawn Hearts sessions... it's a jam of two tracks from very early on smooshed together. It's also 16 (approx) minutes of the best music ever put to tape.

[@karllux-d6g]

Hugh Banton, Guy Evans, David Jackson, Peter Hammill. Wow!

[@marcoortolani4285]

thanks Prof. Helvering, I'm not a musician but know music theory as well. marco

[@Chewyy]

I was waiting for this, awesome

[@johndrx165]

My cousin had this album back in the early 70's. I had to get it when I saw it later. Very strange, but super cool. I still have my album in perfect shape. There is a video of them playing some of this live. Amazing!

[@jimbrentar]

some inhalable refreshments go well with this

[@Mark_Williams300]

Hard to dance to is the best under statement I've heard all year

[@mescalineformule4]

We need more Magma review ! Please !

[@relativetimeworx8459]

"You know, I've listened to bands whose music strikes me as immediately commercial..." - checking my Bingo card and I did not have that one as one of the possible first sentences from Doug after listening to this album...!

[@Gizzlefitz]

This was a trip in 1974. I first heard it on LSD and was mesmerized. Still is a trip, through flashbacks.

[@peterfhere9461]

Theme One was written by the Beatle's producer, George Martin. The original (but not this version) was played on the BBC Radio One radio station immediately before the station was lauched in the UK.....

[@MrCuddlyable]

I was with the earliest incarnation of the Van Der Graaf Generator when we began as students in Manchester, UK. The closest they came to popular accessibility was their album "The Least We Can Do is Wave to Each Other" that I recommend you listen to. Congratulations on your research into "Theme One" ! This was indeed composed by George Martin who also composed the double string quartet on "Eleanor Rigby" and the piccolo trumpet solo on "Penny Lane", which led him to be considered a candidate as "the Fifth Beatle". I think you can hear how enthusiastic the VDG were about "Theme One" - they played their version exuberantly on stage and there were some tensions about their recording it viz the copyright issue while BBC used it as a trademark for their new "Radio 1" and "Radio 2" channels, and that it has no vocal involvement by Peter Hamill without whom the VDG wouldn't exist.

[@n-Chantreuse]

Heard a snippet of this at Headstones in Terre Haute. Came back to buy it later. He said it would, "Kick my ass around the room a few times."

[@n-Chantreuse]

The part that I heard was Man-erg, and anything in 11/8 is going to get my attention

[@jelk1188]

Nothing like them before or since. Let’s hope their uncompromising expression lives on and is listened to for decades to come.

[@neilparnell5712]

We still speak of them 50 odd years later and I'm sure the enigma will still persist for many years after our passing.

[@mrddcass6540]

Top prog album for me. Their next one Godbluff is worth a listen too, more straightforward.

[@enricopaoli1183]

Man Erg is one of my fave VDGG songs, along with Childlike Faith in Childhood's End.

[@darijogalic-mt9yq]

bruce dickinson said that was his first lp that he bought

[@Nikioko]

VDGG is one of my favourite Prog bands. And Pawn Hearts with the epic A Plague of Lighthouse Keeper is one of their best albums (Godbluff is my favourite).

[@peterdixon7734]

Pawn Hearts? An excellent choice, sir. (Soon the Earth man will be one of us.)

[@yes_head]

More from VdGG, please.

[@grahammeigh]

My favourite band. Try Godbluff next. Good job. 👍

[@1183newman]

Fantastic reaction of a brilliant band, now you have to do their other great album 'Still Life' in the future. 'H(Hydrogen) To HE(Helium) Who Am The Only One' is also fantastic.

[@coolusername588]

Legendary album.

[@robfractal6820]

VdGG the greatest original prog rock band who didn't have to be guitar (hero) based which is why many people didnt appreciate their music. Thanks Doug!

[@srwilco]

Great reaction! You really should check out Felona y Sorona by Le Orme. Italian prog at its best! Do the whole album in its entirety--it is a great voyage on which to embark!

[@toddcoolbaugh9978]

I loved this reaction. I remember seeing their records, but didn't ever buy one. I also heard foreshadowing of Savatage at moments. I thought the percussion was more than solid on all those tracks.

[@thomasmcd5862]

For more VDGG check out Still Life and Godbluff!

[@grantwilliams2650]

Awesome video! I’d love to hear your takes on the album that came right before this one: H to He, Who Am I The Only One in the future, it’s basically on the same level as Pawn Hearts, especially song 3 and side B

[@ztztzt13]

Oh, my Youth :) I loves this very much. Peter Hamill`s voice is odd but very brilliant and emotional.

[@arqoo1907]

If you like this as an alternative take on prog rock, you should try listening to music by an italian prog band called PFM (or Premiata Forneria Marconi) of which my personal favourite album is Jet Lag, from 1977

[@neilparnell5712]

Brilliant band. Photos of Ghosts and The world became the World are incredible.

[@KB.968]

One of my favorite band! Thanks Doug!!! I was one of the VdGG fans waiting for this Pawn Hearts conclusion. 🙂 A great react video, and I am always looking forward to your final analysis of the song's lyrics. A next look into VdGG could be the Godbluff album or H to He, Who Am I The Only One.

[@mcwulf25]

Saw the band a couple of years ago. No sax but still a great performance by the 3 of them. They included Lemmings in their set.

[@SteveJ0966]

Theme One wasn't on the original UK vinyl (as you note, now I got to your commentary), but was on the US pressing, which was a swine to get hold of. It was used as the theme to a BBC radio show that got a lot of young rockers on the right path back in the day, the Friday Rock Show. It was kind of to rock and metal what John Peel's show was to alternative music. Just listen to Guy Evans' percussion there, wow. Had the pleasure of seeing him and Peter Hammill in concert together at the Queen Elizabeth Hall in London in the early Eighties. Outstanding. You might be interested in a "trilogy" of albums masterminded by Robert Fripp, featuring collaborations between himself, Peter Hammill, Peter Gabriel and Daryl Hall, namely Fripp's debut solo album, "Exposure", Peter Gabriel II (aka "Scratch") and Daryl Hall's "Sacred Songs". See the Wikipedia entry for Exposure for more detail than I have space to go into here. P.S. Darn it Doug, I was about to go to bed then I saw you'd released this and I couldn't not watch. Always fun seeing musicians' brains fracture and reform as they get their heads round the time signatures at play on VdGG albums. Have a good one man,

[@jamescpotter]

For some peculiar reason, I regard Pawn Hearts as one of the best "prog" albums. This album is definitely dark yet it weirdly uplifts. Pete Hammil is progs best vocalist bar none! DOUG! If you want to hear something from 1975 that is Prog POP, listen to Kayak and Royal Bed Bouncer, especially two songs back-to-back: Bury the World and Chance of A Lifetime. These guys (from Holland) were really good! Thanks for the VDGG!

[@marcoborroni2167]

A humble suggestion from Italy (don't know if someone else already mentioned it...): maybe "W" must be intended as "double you", being this "doubleness" of human beings' nature the theme of the entire song (indeed, a major motive in the whole Peter Hammill's lyrics, especially in those times: as for example in "Man-Erg"). Anyway, many thx for your work Doug! Marco from Italy 😊

[@kevinmcdowell9293]

Love this album. Try listening to "Lost" from H to He. Another song that is full of emotion.

[@KeithMcbride-fy3hy]

Still a favourite in my vinyl collection

[@gyro3454]

Absolutely love van der Graff Generator. Been waiting on you to get back to them since the Plague reaction. ❤❤

[@halmycroft194]

An 11/4 metre when speaking about seeking balance but struggling with it is also really compelling: do you fall on the side of the 5 or the 6? It's the tension of the song. Also, as a minor reference: Refugees was the title of a track off the first VdGG album. About how much Peter Hamill missed his uni friends Susie (Susan Penhalgion, later to he an actor of minor UK fame) and Mike (not sure of him and his eventual direction but a cellist).

[@halmycroft194]

(First *proper* VdGG album. Aerosol Grey Machine probably shouldn't count)

[@bobfoale3000]

@@halmycroft194 Aerosol Grey Machine was given to Mercury Records as a Peter Hammill solo album (although all the, then, members of VDGG appear on it), to release the band from a contract Peter had signed that the rest of the band disagreed with. Mercury released it, in America only, after The Least We Can Do and credited as a VDGG album. Its first European release wasn’t until 1974. According to Discogs the first UK release wasn’t until 1997 (on Peter’s Fie! label), but I’m sure I can remember seeing it in UK record shops before this (but that could have been imports in 2nd hand record stores)

[@nbnewman]

Mike McLean

[@MrCuddlyable]

I believe you meant Susan PENHALIGON who appeared in the soap opera Emmerdale as Jean Hope in 2006, and her film appearances include Under Milk Wood (1972); No Sex Please, We're British (1973); The Land That Time Forgot (1974); The Uncanny (1977); Paul Verhoeven's Soldier of Orange (1977) and as Lucy Westenra in Count Dracula (1977). A very pretty lady who in her time was dubbed "The British Bardot".

[@ansfridaeyowulfsdottir8095]

19:33 That was the theme tune of Alan Freeman's _"Saturday Rock Show"_ in the early '70s. _"Not 'Arf!"_ I used to listen religiously when my parents and sisters were out shopping, hoping to hear Led Zeppelin, Yes and so on. I was too young to buy albums in those days! {:o:O:}

[@lemming9984]

Fluff is the reason I fell in love with Prog. First heard Crimson, VdGG, Genesis ELP, Gentle Giant etc on his Saturday show. I can't remember Theme 1 on his show, but Mountain's Nantucket Sleighride jingle still gives me shivers when I hear it!

[@Eduardo-Ferreira1982]

W would fit perfectly in Fool's Mate.

[@acarbonbasedlifeform70]

My thoughts exactly!

[@LambLiesDownOnBroadway]

Peter Hammill is the hidden gem of prog music.

[@Eduardo-Ferreira1982]

Hey, Doug, maybe you would like to know that Hugh Banton recorded his interpretation of the Brandenburg Concertos. (released on Fie, as well. Peter's label.)

[@mcwulf25]

Yes, the same thinking that went into early 70s Genesis compositions. But rawer and perhaps more jazz. Fish of Marillion fame apparently modelled his voice on Hammil's.

[@21-D_productions]

please more Van and try for some Peter Hammill solo works which are mind-blowing

[@painless465]

I heard John Lydon( Johnny Rotten) based his singing style on Peter Hammill. He was a big fan of VDGG

[@TONE11111]

​​CARDIACS are the Greatest Band in History

[@acarbonbasedlifeform70]

Following around to see a life that's never in

[@SteveJ0966]

Tim always used to swear blind he wasn't influenced by Van der Graaf, but come on!