Len_derby Posted February 8, 2012 Share Posted February 8, 2012 I'm really enjoying listening to Soft Machine albums 3 to 7, which I bought for a £10 all together. They're in the 'Original Album Classics' series by Columbia. I haven't listen to some of the this stuff for nigh-on 30 years. Can anyone recommend any books about the band and the Canterfbury Scene they were part of? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Earbrass Posted February 8, 2012 Share Posted February 8, 2012 (edited) Don't know about books, but I would strongly recommend also getting the "BBC - RADIO 1967 - 1971" CD compilation - worth it for the fabulous "Top Gear" live version of Moon in June alone. Also, Vol 2 is a brilliant album. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5L-Ylf4UV1w&feature=fvst Edited February 8, 2012 by Earbrass Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discreet Posted February 8, 2012 Share Posted February 8, 2012 I seem to recall a book called 'Canterbury Rock', but I can't remember any details about it... I'll Google it later, or maybe you can Len, I gotta go do the school run! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Earbrass Posted February 8, 2012 Share Posted February 8, 2012 [quote name='discreet' timestamp='1328711663' post='1531495'] I seem to recall a book called 'Canterbury Rock', but I can't remember any details about it... I'll Google it later, or maybe you can Len, I gotta go do the school run! [/quote] How's your Italian? http://www.amazon.co.uk/Canterbury-Rock-Robert-Machine-Hillage/dp/123262750X/ref=as_li_wdgt_js_ex?&linkCode=wsw&tag=bumblebeecons-21 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KevB Posted February 8, 2012 Share Posted February 8, 2012 Len, you might want to check this thread out; [url="http://www.progarchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=68475"]http://www.progarchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=68475[/url] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discreet Posted February 8, 2012 Share Posted February 8, 2012 [quote name='Earbrass' timestamp='1328711993' post='1531502'] How's your Italian? [/quote] Perfetto! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thunderbird13 Posted February 8, 2012 Share Posted February 8, 2012 I was listening to a Gong compliation on Spotify last night which had some soft Machine interviews and some poetry reading as well - worth a listen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Woodcock Posted February 8, 2012 Share Posted February 8, 2012 Try 'The Music's All That Matters: A History of Progressive Rock' by Paul Stump. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JTUK Posted February 8, 2012 Share Posted February 8, 2012 Most of the guys are still active....-ish, so might be able to get some info on the defintive scene/info. Bit before my time but there are plenty of players still about that will know..!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
molan Posted February 8, 2012 Share Posted February 8, 2012 Phil at BassGear.co.uk has a genuine 'Canterbury Scene' bass hanging on the wall behind his desk. A nice fretless Fender J in sunburst. It was previously owned by Richard Sinclair of Caravan, Hatfield & The North and Camel fame. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Len_derby Posted February 9, 2012 Author Share Posted February 9, 2012 Thanks for all the feedback and info chaps. As someone said above, a lot of these players are still around and active. However, the longest serving bassist, Hugh Hopper, died in 2009. It's all great stuff. Very English and eccentric. Everyone else in the house hates it though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toneknob Posted February 9, 2012 Share Posted February 9, 2012 Caravan are great: check out Waterloo Lily, If I Could Do It All Over Again I'd Do It Over You and their brilliant In The Land Of Grey And Pink. The common thread with these albums is bassist Richard Sinclair - I can't recommend him enough, and his voice is perfect for the band as well. You'll also find him in Hatfield And The North, look out for their eponymous album and follow-up The Rotter's Club. I saw Soft Machine a few times in recent years when Hugh was still with us - wonderful stuff. I once ended up sitting a few feet away from him when they played downstairs at the Pizza Express on Dean St. A big lesson there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
molan Posted February 9, 2012 Share Posted February 9, 2012 [quote name='toneknob' timestamp='1328821514' post='1533365'] Caravan are great: check out Waterloo Lily, If I Could Do It All Over Again I'd Do It Over You and their brilliant In The Land Of Grey And Pink. The common thread with these albums is bassist Richard Sinclair - I can't recommend him enough, and his voice is perfect for the band as well. You'll also find him in Hatfield And The North, look out for their eponymous album and follow-up The Rotter's Club. I saw Soft Machine a few times in recent years when Hugh was still with us - wonderful stuff. I once ended up sitting a few feet away from him when they played downstairs at the Pizza Express on Dean St. A big lesson there. [/quote] You have to pop into BassGear & play on his old fretless - Phil is more than happy for people to play it. It's just not for sale! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beedster Posted February 9, 2012 Share Posted February 9, 2012 There is a current Canterbury scene also Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brummiejon Posted February 10, 2012 Share Posted February 10, 2012 Have a listen to Syd Arthur Talented young lads carrying on the Canterbury sound BJ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JTUK Posted February 10, 2012 Share Posted February 10, 2012 [quote name='Beedster' timestamp='1328830862' post='1533605'] There is a current Canterbury scene also [/quote] So, when you playing next? Must admit, Canterbury has always seemed out on a limb regarding gigs round here. Hardly ever get to play it. As far as I know...CAravan had some dates lined up but a few stalwarts aren't/can't do them, so not sure who the band line-up is. I guess I should visit a few pubs round there Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toneknob Posted February 10, 2012 Share Posted February 10, 2012 [quote name='JTUK' timestamp='1328865026' post='1533768'] As far as I know...CAravan had some dates lined up but a few stalwarts aren't/can't do them, so not sure who the band line-up is. I guess I should visit a few pubs round there [/quote] I saw Caravan playing in a school hall (when I say school, I mean The King's School - it's [i]old[/i]) last Autumn. The line-up is frontman Pye Hastings who's been there forever, Geoffrey Richardson on viola, guitar, spoons etc who's a long-time member. Original drummer Richard Coughlan has had to retire recently due to poor health to be replaced by Mark Walker (also can be seen in Rolf Harris's touring band); Jan Schelhaas and Jim Leverton on keys and bass are relative newcomers (ie within the last 10-20 years) They're doing another Canterbury gig very soon: see [url="http://www.caravan-info.co.uk/events/2012/03/04/canterburychristchurchprogrockweekend2012"]http://www.caravan-info.co.uk/events/2012/03/04/canterburychristchurchprogrockweekend2012[/url] There's some great pubs in the area as well Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toneknob Posted February 10, 2012 Share Posted February 10, 2012 (edited) [quote name='molan' timestamp='1328830654' post='1533598'] You have to pop into BassGear & play on his old fretless - Phil is more than happy for people to play it. It's just not for sale! [/quote] I'll check it out next time I'm passing! I think I have pictures somewhere... *rummage* Is this it? (May 13 2006 at the Borderline, history fans) Edited February 10, 2012 by toneknob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bilbo Posted February 10, 2012 Share Posted February 10, 2012 +1 for the Paul Stump book. I also have a Hatfield and The North DVD I put up for sale on Amazon (mine is the £12 one) http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B000062XI1/ref=olp_product_details?ie=UTF8&me=&seller= Anyone who wants it here can have a Basschat discount!! (PM me) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JTUK Posted February 10, 2012 Share Posted February 10, 2012 [quote name='toneknob' timestamp='1328866413' post='1533803'] I saw Caravan playing in a school hall (when I say school, I mean The King's School - it's [i]old[/i]) last Autumn. The line-up is frontman Pye Hastings who's been there forever, Geoffrey Richardson on viola, guitar, spoons etc who's a long-time member. Original drummer Richard Coughlan has had to retire recently due to poor health to be replaced by Mark Walker (also can be seen in Rolf Harris's touring band); Jan Schelhaas and Jim Leverton on keys and bass are relative newcomers (ie within the last 10-20 years) They're doing another Canterbury gig very soon: see [url="http://www.caravan-info.co.uk/events/2012/03/04/canterburychristchurchprogrockweekend2012"]http://www.caravan-i...rockweekend2012[/url] There's some great pubs in the area as well [/quote] Thanks I knew Richard was inactive as you hardly see him in the pub these days. JL and JR are out and about Don't know the other guys. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beedster Posted February 10, 2012 Share Posted February 10, 2012 [quote name='JTUK' timestamp='1328865026' post='1533768'] So, when you playing next? [/quote] We're very low key Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JTUK Posted February 10, 2012 Share Posted February 10, 2012 [quote name='Beedster' timestamp='1328871373' post='1533965'] We're very low key [/quote] us too...we have had to pull out of Faversham completely... say hi to Bob F if you see him. He said he would call me about a gig ha ha !! bless him Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
molan Posted February 10, 2012 Share Posted February 10, 2012 [quote name='toneknob' timestamp='1328866631' post='1533809'] I'll check it out next time I'm passing! I think I have pictures somewhere... *rummage* Is this it? (May 13 2006 at the Borderline, history fans) [/quote] No - the one Phil has is sunburst, I think he's had it a while as well so maybe pre-dates this one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tlbasss Posted February 10, 2012 Share Posted February 10, 2012 JTUk was that a reference to Mr Bob F****? ( city blues band / standard 5) Will be gigging with him on Saturday. Canterbury seems to be the hot bed of talent at the moment. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eCcyU2s-U0g http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AwhFWiJUPdI Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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