| The Album | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Original UK vinyl cover | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 31 October 1980 | |||
| Recorded | July 1980 | |||
| Studio | Farmyard (Little Chalfont, England) | |||
| Genre | Pop rock | |||
| Length | 43:41 | |||
| Label | Kingdom | |||
| Caravan chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [1] |
The Album is the ninth album released by English progressive rock band Caravan. [2] It was recorded at Farmyard Studios, Little Chalfont, Buckinghamshire in July 1980. [3]
After a year of inaction followed by Caravan being dropped from Arista Records, Caravan reformed with a line up of Pye Hastings, Geoff Richardson, Dave Sinclair, Richard Sinclair and Richard Coughlan. After attempting to record a live album, Richard Sinclair dropped out of the line up and was replaced by Dek Messecar. The group decided to scrap the live album when it was learned that a studio album could be recorded with the same budget. [4]
Members Dave Sinclair and Geoff Richardson contributed to songwriting duties alongside main songwriter Pye Hastings. The material moved in the direction of shorter songs and more mainstream instrumentation than previous albums. [5]
The only promotional work undertaken was an appearance on French television to promote the "Heartbreaker" single release in France. Caravan's performance was interrupted by the news of the failed assassination attempt of John Paul II in Rome. [6]
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Heartbreaker" | Pye Hastings | 3:38 |
| 2. | "Corner of Me Eye" | Geoff Richardson | 3:39 |
| 3. | "Watcha Gonna Tell Me" | Dave Sinclair | 5:48 |
| 4. | "Piano Player" | John Murphy, Dave Sinclair | 5:23 |
| 5. | "Make Yourself at Home" | Dave Sinclair | 3:27 |
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Golden Mile" | Jim Atkinson | 3:11 |
| 2. | "Bright Shiny Day" | Pye Hastings | 6:19 |
| 3. | "Clear Blue Sky" | Geoff Richardson | 6:25 |
| 4. | "Keepin' Up De Fences" | Pye Hastings | 5:21 |
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Heartbreaker (single version)" | 3:40 |
| 2. | "It's Never Too Late" | 6:24 |
Caravan are an English rock band from the Canterbury area, founded by former Wilde Flowers members David Sinclair, Richard Sinclair, Pye Hastings, and Richard Coughlan in 1968. The band have never achieved the great commercial success that was widely predicted for them at the beginning of their career, but are nevertheless considered a key part of the Canterbury scene of progressive rock acts, blending psychedelic rock, jazz, and classical influences to create a distinctive sound.
In the Land of Grey and Pink is the third album by English progressive rock band Caravan, released in April 1971 on Deram Records. It was produced by David Hitchcock and was the last album to feature the original lineup of Richard Coughlan, Pye Hastings, Richard Sinclair and Dave Sinclair until 1982's Back to Front.
Waterloo Lily is the fourth album by Caravan, released in 1972 on the Deram label.
For Girls Who Grow Plump in the Night is the fifth studio album released by the Canterbury scene band Caravan. Richard Sinclair and Steve Miller left the band prior to the recording of this album. They were replaced by John G. Perry and the returning Dave Sinclair. Viola player Geoff Richardson was added to the band.
If I Could Do It All Over Again, I'd Do It All Over You is the second album by Canterbury scene band Caravan, released in September 1970. The album is representative of the Canterbury scene genre, featuring representative organ solos and melodic vocals typical of the band's style. The album was released on Decca Records, as was the title track as a single release.
Blind Dog at St. Dunstans is the seventh studio album by Canterbury Scene rock band Caravan. It was released in 1976.
In 1976, Caravan played concerts to support the release of their latest album Blind Dog at St. Dunstans (1976). A recording of the show at the New Victoria Theatre in London on 4 May 1976 was released as Surprise Supplies featuring songs from Blind Dog at St. Dunstans plus "Love in Your Eye" from the 1972 album Waterloo Lily.
Caravan and the New Symphonia is a record by Caravan recorded on 28 October 1973 at the Theatre Royal in Drury Lane and originally released in 1974 on UK Decca's subsidiary Deram. Bringing the band and The New Symphonia Orchestra together for this recording was the work of Martyn Ford, conductor of the New Symphonia, and John G. Perry, who played bass with Caravan at the time. An expanded and re-ordered version was published in 2001. This version claims to have the tracks in the order as played.
Live at the Fairfield Halls, 1974 is a live album by Caravan. It remained unreleased in the UK until 2002, though most of the set was issued as a double vinyl LP in France and Germany called The Best of Caravan "Live" in 1980. This issue is now very rare and was only available for 3 years. This live set happened to be the first time Mike Wedgwood had played bass for the band.
Cunning Stunts is the sixth studio album by the progressive rock band Caravan, released in 1975. It was their first album with the bass guitarist, vocalist and songwriter Mike Wedgwood. The title of the album is a spoonerism for "Stunning Cunts", which is typical of their cheeky use of language. Three previous Caravan albums with titles that are also sexual plays on words are If I Could Do It All Over Again, I'd Do It All Over You (1970), In the Land of Grey and Pink (1971) and For Girls Who Grow Plump in the Night (1973).
Better by Far is the eighth studio album by Canterbury scene rock band Caravan.
Back to Front is the tenth album by English progressive rock band Caravan, released in 1982. Back to Front featured the original lineup of Richard Coughlan, Pye Hastings, Richard Sinclair and David Sinclair after 1971's In the Land of Grey and Pink and is the last studio album to feature that lineup.
BBC Radio 1 Live in Concert is the 1991 album released by Caravan. It was recorded live on 21 March 1975 at the Paris Theatre, London.
The Battle of Hastings is the twelfth album by the British Canterbury scene progressive rock band Caravan, released in 1995.
The Unauthorised Breakfast Item is the thirteenth studio album by progressive rock band Caravan, released in 2003.
Canterbury Comes to London: Live from Astoria is a live album by the progressive rock band Caravan from 17 September 1997 at The Astoria, London, being released 20 April 1999.
Songs for Oblivion Fishermen is a live album of the progressive rock group Caravan. The material was recorded for the BBC, spanning the years 1970 to 1974.
All Over You...Too is the second compilation album volume of the 1990s reformation of the progressive rock band Caravan released in 2000.
Ether Way: BBC Sessions 1975-77 is a live album by the progressive rock band Caravan released 1998.
Canterbury Tales: The Best of Caravan is the 1976 compilation album released by Caravan. It was expanded, repackaged and released in 1994.
