Search - Gordon Haskell :: Butterfly in China

Gordon Haskell...overlooked velvet crooner from Prog Rock..

Jon House | Encintas, CA. USA | 03/25/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"It is a sad statement of popular music that a talent like Gordon Haskell lays dormat to the masses. Surely, to those hardcore fans of early 70's progressive music, Gordon Haskell is remembered for his vocals on King Crimson's "In the Wake of Posideon" with his beautiful singing on "Cadence and Cascade"...seems Greg Lake couldn't touch that one---and it's a good thing--for Haskell reached a pinnacle moment with this recording. In fact, as I understand, he still ocasionally does this tune live, as he plays often throughout his native England. Crimson's "Lizard" is filled with Haskell vocals and great bass playing. From that recording he left Crimson. Having gotten to know his close friend and Nigel Slater through various e-mails chats, I understand that Haskell didn't really get on well with Fripp. His first recording, "It is and IT Isn't" was put out on Atlantic Records, and was set to be a breakthrough. Sadly, it was not. I found it as a "cut-out" way back in 1975 when I was prowling the bins of my favorite record stores. It is a wonderful cd, and I suggest it highly. It still stands up today.WIth "Butterfly in China" being an 1990's release, we find Gordon Haskell at peak form. Jazzy, bluesy, filled with a Steely-Dan like sound on several cuts, this cd has spun in my palyer for months. Several friends have caught on to the groove and purchased this cd. None have been disapointed. Seems he watched the Robert Redford flick "Havana" as the choice cuts "Butterfly in China" and "All My Life" feature titles that came--and I can't believe this is coincidence--from that flick. Nevertheless, I am amazed that so few people have heard this cd. Marketing trends favor the youth, and so "long, lost 70's stars" get passed on.Thankfully, Gordon is in full swing and recording frequently. He has collaborated with the great Robbie MacIntosh (Pretenders, Paul McCartney)on a previous cd "All In the Scheme of Things" and at this time---mid March 2001---he is working on cuts for a new cd that will continue this relationship with the great guitarist. I understand that on a recent tour, Robbie MacIntosh and other "heavies" played Haskell's cd backstage. Seems he is truly, a musicians musician.I do plan a trip to England sometime this year with the express hope of seeing Gordon live and hopefully to meet the man. Check his website www.haskelluk.com for tour info.Finally, I highly suggest the amazing "Hambeldon Hill" and the even better "It's just a plot to drive you crazy" which is a starkly confessional acoustic diary of sorts. Guitar and voice only. One take. Think "Pink Moon' by Nick Drake sans the depression, and the confessional remorse/anger of Peter Hammill's post divorce classic form 1977 "Over" and then, add very wonderful tunes (far easier on the ears than Hammill, thank you) and you have another un-discovered gem.Do yourself a favor and give Gordon Haskell a spin. "Butterfly", "Hambeldon Hill" "Plot" "It is and it Isn't"...all surefire introductions to a great talent.Who'd have thought that way back in the early 70's, with stereo playing, lightbox twinkling and requisite "bong" fueled with potent herb...and listening to "Cadence and Cascade" that nearly 30 years later I'd be reviewing that vocalist on amazon.com.Confusion will be my epitaph!"