This compilation, which originally appeared in 1985, contains some Van der Graaf Generator tracks that were cut between 1983-1984, along with others recorded nearly a decade earlier.
While the band had split in 1984 and Peter Hammill had pursued a prolific solo career, the remaining members -- Guy Evans, Hugh Banton, and David Jackson -- recorded a number of tracks for reasons that remain unclear (perhaps to see if there was enough magic to continue without Hammill as a lightning-rod frontman).
Whatever the reasons, it is clear from the sound of this music that little, if any of it, was seriously considered for release.
The earlier-period cuts, “The Liquidator” and “Tarzan,” feature Hammill on vocals and guitar, and were recorded between the Pawn Hearts and Godbluff albums.
They appeared previously on the Time Vaults compilation.
The other six cuts, all instrumental, don't reflect VDGG at all; most contain more basic rhythmic and harmonic constructions with actual grooves and vamps.
The exceptions are the Jackson piece “Gentlemen Prefer Blues,” which is effectively a sax solo, and the experimental improvisation "The Main Slide." The other tracks are throwaways.
This one is for collectors only.
| Title/Composers | Performer | Listen | Time | Size | Size | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Saigon Roulette | Van der Graaf Generator | Play | 04:41 | 10 MB | 30 MB |
| 2 | The Liquidator | Van der Graaf Generator | Play | 05:29 | 12 MB | 35 MB |
| 3 | Gentlemen Prefer Blues | Van der Graaf Generator | Play | 02:58 | 6 MB | 18 MB |
| 4 | The Main Slide | Van der Graaf Generator | Play | 04:06 | 9 MB | 19 MB |
| 5 | Tropic of Conversation | Van der Graaf Generator | Play | 07:20 | 16 MB | 45 MB |
| 6 | Spooks | Van der Graaf Generator | Play | 05:13 | 11 MB | 33 MB |
| 7 | The Epilogue | Van der Graaf Generator, Bill Evans Trio | Play | 04:12 | 9 MB | 28 MB |
| 34 mins | 77 MB | |||||
| 34 mins | 210 MB | |||||
| Artist | Job | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hugh Banton | Drum Programming, Keyboards, Saxophone |
| 2 | Eric Cairns | Drums |
| 3 | Bill Evans Trio | Primary Artist |
| 4 | Guy Evans | Balafon, Drum Machine, Percussion, Trumpet |
| 5 | Ian Gomm | Engineer, Guitar |
| 6 | Peter Hammill | Piano, Voices |
| 7 | David Jackson | Flute, Keyboards, Saxophone |
| 8 | Van der Graaf Generator | Primary Artist |
Van der Graaf Generator
| Quality | Format | Encoding | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | MP3 | 320kps 44.1kHz | MP3 is an audio coding format which uses a form of lossy data compression. The highest bitrate of this format is 320kbps (kbit/s). MP3 Digital audio takes less amount of space (up to 90% reduction in size) and the quality is not as good as the original one. |
| CD Quality | FLAC | 16bit 44.1kHz | FLAC is an audio coding format which uses lossless compression. Digital audio in FLAC format has a smaller size and retains the same quality of the original Compact Disc (CD). |