Search - Caravan :: Battle of Hastings

What a disappointment!

A. C. H. Bergh | 08/09/2000

(2 out of 5 stars)

"Caravan is one of my favorite bands of all time (to find our why, you might want to read the reviews posted on their best album, In The Land Of Grey And Pink).Until comparatively recently, I though that Caravan had gone nine feet underground ages ago. Not so: occasionally, some of the members of the band get together and release a new CD.This is one of those CD's. It boasts a great line-up, including Pye Hastings, Richard Coughlan, David Sinclair and Jimmy Hatsings... Names instantly familiar to Caravan fans.So all seems to bode well for this recording, doesn't it?Well, don't you believe it. This is a very sorry - and frankly, very dull - effort. All the magic of Caravan (all the whimsical lyrics, the wonderful organ solos, everything) is missing. This is just a painful, sad and utterly unremarkable collection of middle-of-the-road pop songs.Stay away from this recording if you like the "real" Caravan. Instead, go forth and multiply - No, sorry, that's another issue, I mean buy Richard Sinclair's "The Caravan of Dreams". Yes, you can get that through Amazon as well! Hurrah!What, still here? What are you waiting for?"

Very Nice, But May Not Please Old Fans

A. C. H. Bergh | 01/16/2002

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Caravan, led by original member Pye Hastings and apparently still going strong, released this album of all new material back in 1995. It certainly is not another "Land of Grey and Pink", but then, it's not 1971 anymore, either. What it we have here is a beautifully performed and produced collection of mostly mid tempo pop/rock songs. Pye Hastings always excelled at writing this kind of material, and has retained his writing, playing, and singing skills over the years. There is very little jamming, but brother Jimmy Hastings provides several nice flute and sax solos. The graceful arrangements feature organ, piano, violin, acoustic and electric guitars. Frankly, this isn't a "progressive" rock album, but a pleasant listen it is none the less."

Not the classic Caravan you know but ...

A. C. H. Bergh | 06/19/2004

(2 out of 5 stars)

"Out of fairness to Caravan, I first reviewed this album after 1-2 listens. Since then, I've had a chance to listen to it another 5-6 times. My initial review was "**" and I'm bumping it up to "***" and that's the best I'll ever be able to do with this album. It's sitting right at the lower echelon of "***". "Wendy wants another 6-inch mole" (the best track on the cd as it follows suite to the whimsical lyrics/music that fans of Caravan love them for), "I know why you're laughing" and the catchy tune "Sad, sad affair" still show that Caravan still has something left. Yes there are some overly-syrupy songs on this album but there's still a little bit of good mixed in. I'd say out of a 10 point max, this cd would rate a 5.5 or 6 at best. It's nice to see Caravan recording during the 90's and into the millenium. I hope they're around for a long time.If you're a fan of just Caravan's pre-"Cunning Stunts" period only, you'll want to skip this. If you loved "Cunning Stunts" and did not mind "Blind Dog at St. Dunstans" and was able to tolerate the "Better by Far" and 1980-effort, then you'd probobly want to check this out to see for yourself."