Search - Caravan :: Caravan & the New Symphonia

The Finest Fusion of Rock and Orchestra

C. Boros | Cleveland, OH United States | 02/24/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The fusion of rock and orchestration is certainly not something new. It seems many rock bands these days are deciding to update their material with an orchestra. Metallica brought back this idea with their 1999 release "S&M." The Scorpions tried doing the same thing and now, KISS is at it in Australia--ready to perform with the Sydney Orchestra in full makeup! God help us all.However, in 1974, the Canterbury prog-rock masters, Caravan, fused the two perfectly. In fact, this could possibly be the best fusion of rock and orchestra ever attempted. The orchestra is used in just the right way--not too overdone and not too overblown. Caravan uses the New Symphonia just like another member of the band--adding an overall effect, which is astonishing and breathtaking. From the power of "For Richard," to the sweetness of "The Love of Your Eyes," this record is sure to be a favorite for any Caravan fan who might be skeptical of this live classical fusion. For others interested in the paring of electricity and orchestra, this album is not one to miss.This new remastered version is a gem. To put it bluntly, it sounds amazing. The orchestra is so clear and perfect, it almost sounds as if this wasn't recorded in 1974. Plus, as a bonus, this disc features three tunes the band recorded that same night without the orchestra as a warm up before hitting the stage with the big band-I don't believe these songs were featured on the original release.While the fusion of orchestra with rock is a novelty these days, Caravan did it best in 1974 with this live release, along with the album prior to this, "Cunning Stunts." Play it loud and play it often!"

Complete at last

Laurence Upton | Wilts, UK | 02/02/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Caravan first worked with an orchestra when recording Pye Hasting's instrumental piece A Hunting We Shall Go for the album For Girls Who Grow Plump In The Night in 1973. The conductor and arranger for the session was Martyn Ford, who had been working with Barclay James Harvest. He enjoyed the experience so much he proposed the idea of a live concert also featuring the New Symphonia Orchestra. The idea was in vogue at the time with artists as diverse as Procol Harum and Deep Purple recording albums with full orchestras on board, sometimes with overblown and pompous results, though this is happily not the case here, where the orchestration genuinely adds a new dimension to the music.

The concert happened on 28 October 1973 and was brilliantly captured on the Pye Mobile by Bill Price for an album, which was duly released in April 1974. Due to the space limitations of vinyl, only the main part of the concert was included, and the running order could not be maintained. It consisted of the lengthy Love In Your Eye (from Waterloo Lily), two hurriedly finished new songs, Mirror For The Day and Virgin On The Ridiculous, and their normal closing number, the suite For Richard.

For this remastered re-issue the entire concert appears for the first time, complete with Pye Hastings' between song banter. Three songs from the current album were performed before the orchestra came on, and for an encore the complete ensemble performed the piece that had kick-started the project, A Hunting We Shall Go. These make a valuable and very welcome addition to an already essential CD."

A Winner

Geoffrey R. Teese | Coos Bay, OR United States | 01/09/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Great CD. This remastered CD, complete with bonus tracks, should be part of every Caravan collection."