Show of Our Lives-Caravan at the BBC 1968-1975

Two discs 71 and 73 minutes each approximately. The sound for the most part is good to very good. The first two tracks on disc one,being "off air" recordings,are slightly dulled-not having the immediacy of the rest of the tracks-but are still very acceptable. The title dates,while true,are heavier on later years rather than early recordings. There are only two tracks from 1968 and three from 1970. The rest of the music really starts in 1971. Having been a fan of Caravan since the sixties and early seventies,I was surprised at how much I enjoyed these two discs in the present. The studio albums,of which several are considered classics by fans of the group,or the "Canterbury sound"(which truly never existed) are well rehearsed and planned out. On these live recordings,mostly for John Peel (once again championing a new band/sound) the group new they had to deliver the goods-and they did. Probably the closest in sound for those needing an anchor would be very early Pink Floyd(not the blues stuff they initially tried out live) or early Soft Machine. The lyrics are whimsical with that certain English quirkiness so often heard during this era. The vocals are serviceable at best,but for some reason they seem to add something extra to the swirly instrumentals surrounding the words.While the group morphed from a "pop" sound to a "rock" sound to a "jazzier" sound,and then back and forth throughout the seventies,their sound was always identifiable. The instrumentation and the arrangements are truly of their time,and that's what's so fine about this collection. If someone wanted to hear music from this era,and wanted to know what all the fuss was about,this is what I would play them. Live the group had no second chances,so their playing was always on the mark.This collection contains a number of their most well-known compositions,and they are arguably as good as the studio recordings. A number of the tracks are long(10-15 minutes) which give the group a chance to stretch their instrumental prowess. This collection sounds good in the open air coming through speakers or on headphones,where subtle nuances are heard to good effect. The booklet is very informative-telling the story of the group from formation up to their going their own ways in 1984,and then subsequent reformations through 2005. This is a collection that should be much more well-known to anyone who enjoys this type of music.

I am a big fan of Caravan, especially the first 5 albums. These BBC recordings are a treasure trove from that era, supplying new insights into the bizarre and whimsical workings of these Canterbury madmen. If you love Caravan from the first album through "For Girls...", you will love this collection!

As we all know, being a music fan is not easy, especially since the advent of the Compact Disc. Some material gets reissued over & over & over, remixed, remade and remodeled. This CARAVAN at the BBC set is no different. On Disc One, Tracks 1 & 2 were previously released on the compilation ' Green Bottles for Marjorie ' and Tracks 9 & 10 can be found on the Deluxe Edition of ' In the Land of Grey & Pink .' Tracks 2,3,4,5,6,7,8,& 9 on Disc One and 3,4 & 5 on Disc Two were previously released on the Hux compilation ' Songs For Oblivion Fishermen '. Track 7 on Disc Two on was previously released on ' CARAVAN: BBC Radio 1 in Concert ' and Tracks 8 & 9 can be found on the ' Ether Way ' comp. These previously reissued tracks account for almost 5/6 of this set. The only new material here is a previously unissued 1973 "In Concert" broadcast. Sound quality throughout set is decent and somewhat better than on the previous releases, but there is only so much you can do with forty-five year old tapes. The first two tracks were recorded off the radio and have the weakest sound. If you don't have this already or are a CARAVAN fanatic, run to your nearest record shop, oh, sorry, quickly click the order button. If you own the CDs mentioned and are happy, the choice is yours. Here's what new to this set......on DISC ONE:11. A Hunting We Shall Go (9:15)12. Waffle Part One: Be Alright/Chance of a Lifetime (6:46)(BBC In Concert, Paris Theater, 8-2-1973)and on DISC TWO:1. Memory Lain Hugh (5:04)2. Headloss (4:27)(BBC In Concert, Paris Theater, 8-2-1973)For those of you who DON'T have this GREAT set, here's the complete track list......Disc One:1. Place Of My Own (BBC Session - John Peel 31/12/68)2. Ride (BBC Session - John Peel 31/12/68)3. If I Could Do It All Over Again, I'd Do It All Over You (BBC Session - Top Of The Pops 19/08/70)4. Hello Hello (BBC Session - Top Of The Pops 19/08/70)5. As I Feel I Die (BBC Session - Top Of The Pops 19/08/70)6. Love To Love You (And Tonight Pigs Will Fly) (Live At The BBC / 1971)7. Love Song With Flute (Live At The BBC / 1971)8. In The Land Of Grey And Pink (Live At The BBC / 1971)9. Nine Feet Underground (Live At Paris Theatre London / 1971)10. Feelin', Reelin', Squealin' (Live At Paris Theatre London / 1971)11. A Hunting We Shall Go (BBC In Concert (Paris Theatre) 02/08/73)12. Waffle Part One (Be Alright/Chance Of A Lifetime) (BBC In Concert (Paris Theatre) 02/08/73)Disc Two:1. Memory Lain Hugh (BBC In Concert (Paris Theatre) 02/08/73)2. Headloss (BBC In Concert (Paris Theatre) 02/08/73)3. The Love In Your Eye (BBC Session - John Peel 07/02/744. Mirror For The Day (BBC Session - John Peel 07/02/74)5. Virgin On The Ridiculous (BBC Session - John Peel 07/02/74)6. For Richard (BBC Session - John Peel 07/02/74)7. The Dabsong Conshirtoe (BBC In Concert (Paris Theatre) - 21/03/758. Stuck In A Hole (BBC Session - John Peel 26/06/75)9. The Show Of Our Lives (BBC Session - John Peel 26/06/75)

I have all of Caravan's albums on vinyl and still play them. I decided to buy a 'Best of' on CD for convenience- this is an excellent buy!It is refreshing to hear the slightly different versions of some of their best songs- a really nice reminder of the half dozen times that I saw them live in the early 70'sThey were (and still are!)a brilliant under rated band.

Ive been a fan of caravan for a long time (seen em twice in concert) Some tracks are recordings made for radio--others are LIVE recordings. Classic tracks are on here in slightly different versions to the original studio tracks (timings mostly.) Should be in every fans collection.

Great music from a seminal prog rock band of the 1970s

The greatest essentially quirky "English" band of all time are here on a newly collected (but all available before) compilation of BBC Top Gear sessions plus In Concert tracks too....for those people who grew up with Caravan and still know every Dave Sinclair organ solo and can sing along with every Richard Sinclair or Pye Hastings lyric, this release is the perfect start and finish to complete a quintessential Canterbury Scene collection. All these recordings are fantastic quality, not to mention dreamy, beautiful, hugely nostalgic and magnificent in every way.Though the band's still going after numerous line-up changes, Richard Coughlan, drummer extraordinaire throughout Caravan's history, has been very ill, so get well soon matey... as for this release, simply enjoy.

Gros fan des trois premiers albums studio, je ne regrette pas cet achat. Double cd qui restitue bien l'originalité et le son de ce groupe avec les moyens d'enregistrement live de la BBC de l'époque. C'est un peu brutal pour les premiers titres. C'est tout ce que j'ai à raconter, il y a plein de commentaires d'érudits sur Caravan, alors hein, je lâche l'affaire avant la grosse connerie.Quoique... Je crois que suite à la chute de la branche au cours de la séance photos il y a eu quelques changements de vocation dans le personnel: le bassiste est passé aux grelots et l'organiste s'est mis au fifre à un trou. Ce qui a considérablement modifié l'identité sonore du groupe.