Van Der Graaf’s live album – Vital – from 1978 has a remastered reissue on double CD (other formats available…..) which restores the full running order from the original double vinyl.
Earlier versions had some cut to fit on a single CD. None of that here and it’s the full original in all its glory.
Van Der Graaf always one of those “Marmite” bands. You loved them or you hated them. I fall firmly in to the former. Always have.
The intricate, inventive and nothing else quite like it song writing of the musical genius that is Peter Hammill.
This isn’t just prog – this is extreme prog. A full-on sonic assault of intense proportions. Heavy, brutal, sensitive, atmospheric, dark, brooding, powerful and in parts unsettling.
Recorded at the much missed Marquee club in January 1978, it would be the band’s swansong as they split soon after.
A revised line up with Hugh Banton not there, Charles Dickie coming in on cello and David Jackson returning on saxophone resulted in dramatic re workings from the studio versions of some of the set. For example Hammill’s stark guitar having more prominence and Nic Potters bass having the power of a squadron of jet fighters breaking the sound barrier.
Add to that Guy Evans’ intricate drumming and Hammill’s intense vocal with the ability to go from a whisper to a growl to the highest of pitch in an instant the overall band performance is a proper monster.
Lyrically sharp too as Hammill always did (and does) write cleverly with stuff on here going from immortality (Still Life), to galactic exploration faster than the speed of light (Pioneers Over C), and A Plague of Lighthouse Keepers about the lighthouse keeper’s frustration of not being able to do anything for those at sea beyond help.
OK – the music…..
Ship of Fools a big, brutal opener. Stark electric guitar riff and Hammill’s growling vocal delivery. Marvellous. Have a listen:
Still Life has the slow, bleak, brooding, angst-ridden vocal first before breaking out in to frantic heaviness before the bleak ending. Here Hammill’s vocals go through the whole range. Quite something to listen to.
Last Frame thumps away in a much different way to the more restrained studio version. The medley of excerpts from A Plague of Lighthouse Keepers and The Sleepwalkers quite breath-taking that such complicated stuff could be reproduced so well live. Some haunting piano work.
Pioneers Over C full of power and angst and heavy as you like. Potter’s bass so powerful. Sci-Finance nicely heavy as is Door.
And the riotous all out punk thrash of Nadir’s Big Chance is stunning. Set the template for many a new wave band. Indeed – John Lydon no less a fan of Van Der Graaf for example.
Whilst Vital did see the end of Van Der Graaf in 1978, they did reform in 2005 releasing some very fine albums. And Hammill remains a prolific solo artist.
Vital is indeed just that – vital. One of the finest live albums of any rock genre and one that you’ll find nothing else like it.
More vital indeed now this remastered double CD has the full set from the original vinyl release in 1978. Other formats available.
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