Genre: progressive
Rating: 3 stars ***
Title: Waterloo Lily
Company: London
Catalog: XPS
615
Year: 1972
Country/State: UK
Grade (cover/record): VG / VG
Comments: US pressing; gatefold sleeve
Available: 1
GEMM catalog ID: 5620
Price: $25.00
1972's David Hitchcock produced "Waterloo Lily" was released in the wake of a personnel change that saw original keyboardist David Sinclair hook up with former Wilde Flower band mates Kevin Ayers and Richard Wyatt in Matching Mole. He was quickly replaced by former Delivery member Steve Miller (brother of Matching Mole's Phil Miller - not the US Steve Miller of 'The Joker' fame). Even to a casual fan like myself, it was obvious that Miller brought a distinctive change to the band's sound. While they remained firmly entrenched in the progressive genre, Miller's keyboards gave material like the title track and the instrumental 'Nothing At All (reprise)' a distinctive blues and jazz vibe. The one notable exception to the new direction was the side two suite 'The Love In Your Eye'. Penned by drummer Richard Coughlan, guitarist Pye Hastings, and bassist Richard Sinclair, the twelve minute composition harkened back to their earlier improvisational moves (complete with Jimmy Hastings flute solo and some killer lead guitar from Pye). Longtime fans apparently weren't all that thrilled with the changes, but to my ears it sounded pretty good in that even the extended jam sessions managed to go by quickly - something that in my estimation sinks a lot of progressive bands. The other revelation came in the form of bassist Sinclair. On earlier albums Sinclair had been relegated to a supporting role, but throughout this set he was featured way up front, his bass patterns occasionally challenging Pye Hastings lead guitar (check out 'It's Coming Soon'). The other thing I've always found kind of funny about Caravan has been their ability to construct highly commercial, radio friendly material. In this case Miller's 'Songs and Signs', 'Aristocracy', and 'The World Is Yours' all could have been FM hits. Not a claim many progressive bands could make ...
"Waterloo
Lily" track listing:
(side 1)
1.) Waterloo Lily (Richard Coughlan - Pye Hastings - Richard Sinclair) - 6:47
2.) Nothing At All (instrumental) (Richard Coughlan - Pye Hastings - Richard Sinclair) - 10:25
i.) It's Coming Soon (Steve Miller) -
ii.) Nothing At All (reprise) (Richard Coughlan - Pye Hastings - Richard Sinclair)
3.) Songs and Signs (Steve Miller) - 3:39
(side
2)
1.) Aristocracy (Richard
Coughlan - Pye Hastings - Richard Sinclair)
- 3:03
2.) The Love In You Eye (Richard Coughlan - Pye Hastings - Richard Sinclair) - 12:29
i.) To Catch Me a Brother (Richard Coughlan - Pye Hastings - Richard Sinclair)
ii.) Subsultus (Richard Coughlan - Pye Hastings - Richard Sinclair)
iii.) Deboughements (Richard Coughlan - Pye Hastings - Richard Sinclair)
iv.) Tilbury Kecks (Richard Coughlan - Pye Hastings - Richard Sinclair) -
3.) The World Is Yours (Richard Coughlan - Pye Hastings - Richard Sinclair) - 3:38
Even though the album was quite good, it did little to improve commercially sales which led to internal frictions among the members. Miller promptly left and in an ironic turn of events was replaced by David Sinclair who'd recently quit Matching Mole. Richard Sinclair also headed out the door, reappearing with Hatfield and the North.