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Van der Graaf Generator
Van der Graaf Generator: Do Not Disturb
by Glenn Astarita
You can't have a serious conversation about the infancy of progressive rock without citing Van der Graff Generator (VdGG) as one of the genre's driving forces amid its influence back in the '70s and beyond. They may not have been as widely known or sold as many records as King Crimson, Yes or Emerson, Lake & Palmer, but VdGG's singular imprint stands tall amongst the upper echelon of bands that sparked a re-imagination of the tried and true, namely conventional ...
read moreMerlin Atmos (Deluxe Edition)
by John Kelman
For a group that has released only three studio albums since reforming in 2005 after a quarter-century hiatus--longer when considering the classic" lineup with singer/pianist/guitarist Peter Hammill, keyboardist Hugh Banton and drummer Guy Evans was last heard on World Record (Charisma, 1976), and forgetting about 2012's atypical ALT (Esoteric), an album of improvisation-driven instrumentals--Van der Graaf Generator sure has released a lot of live albums in the past few years. Since the spectacular Real Time (Fie!, 2007)--which documented ...
read moreVan der Graaf Generator: A Grounding in Numbers
by John Kelman
When, in 2005, Van Der Graaf Generator released its first album in over 25 years, the reunited group proved it was not only possible to go back, but that it could be done without sacrificing forward-thinking modernity. Inconsistent, perhaps, but Present (Charisma/Virgin) demonstrated, with Every Bloody Emperor," a group still capable of soaring majesty and nightmare-inducing maelstroms. The subsequent tour, documented on the breathtaking Real Time (Fie, 2007), provided even clearer notice that VdGG was back, and with a vengeance. ...
read moreVan Der Graaf Generator: Real Time
by John Kelman
Van Der Graaf Generator was always different than its '70s progressive rock contemporaries. Groups like Yes continued to record new material despite considerable acrimony and comings and goings amongst their classic lineups, but on tour they almost exclusively emphasized their '70s repertoire. VDGG dissolved in the late '70s--the result of the rigors of touring and bad finances--but everyone remained in touch, often showing up on singer/primary songwriter Peter Hammill's subsequent solo albums.
The group reconvened in 2004 to see if ...
read moreVan Der Graaf Generator: Present
by John Kelman
Progressive rock--that bastion of early '70s music which lost its dominance with the advent of punk in the middle of the decade--has seen a recent resurgence of interest. And so it's no surprise that bands which have long since disbanded are returning for another kick at the can. Some, like Yes, never actually went away; but despite all attempts to the contrary, the group continues to maintain its viability through live performances that are heavily focused on '70s classics like ...
read moreVan Der Graaf Generator Release New Live Album "Merlin Atmos" On Esoteric Antenna
Source:
Glass Onyon PR - William James
London, UK - ESOTERIC ANTENNA, are pleased to announce the release of the marvellous new live album by Van Der Graaf Generator, Merlin Atmos on February 2, 2015. Recorded in 2013, the limited edition 2CD Digipack features the first ever full live performance of “FLIGHT” and “A PLAGUE OF LIGHTHOUSE KEEPERS” In June 2013, Peter Hammill, Hugh Banton and Guy Evans took to the road in Europe to present a series of live concerts that featured a set list that ...
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Eclectic Second Release By Netherland's Mr Averell Features Lene Lovich, Mike Garson, John, Ellis, Members Of Van Der Graaf Generator And Others
Source:
Glass Onyon PR - William James
The Netherlands – Avant-Garde music aficionados across the globe are excited about the forthcoming second album by Dutch visual sound artist René van Commenée under the guise Mr Averell titled 'Gridlock'. Van Commenée is known in The Netherlands for his music (sound) art objects, theatrical performances and soundtracks for theatre, fireworks spectacles and film. Over the years he has worked with many acknowledged musicians around the world and became well-known by fans of Van der Graaf Generator through his percussion ...
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Van der Graaf Generator Legend Judge Smith Creates A Movie For Your Ears
Source:
Glass Onyon PR - William James
London, UKIndependent composer and recording artist Judge Smith, who in 1967 co- founded with Peter Hammill the influential underground band 'Van der Graaf Generator,' has created a movie for your earsa new concept CD titled 'Orfeas'; a retelling of the ancient myth of Orpheus, the magical musican who travels to the Land of the Dead in search of the lost Eurydice. Since his Van der Graaf Generator days, Judge Smith has been responsible for a wide variety of music projects, ...
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