Caravan – Waterloo Lily (1972) 24-bit/96kHz New Vinyl Rip

Before the recording of Waterloo Lily, David Sinclair departed Caravan to join forces with Soft Machine skinsman Robert Wyatt and form Matching Mole. With the subsequent arrival of former Delivery member Steve Miller and an overwhelming jazz influence, the edgier progressive rock and folk elements that were so prevalent on their previous albums are somewhat repressed. The band's performance level did not suffer in the transition. In fact, the addition of Miller only punctuates Caravan's previously honed improvisational skills. Beginning with Waterloo Lily's leadoff title track, there is a sound more akin to the jazzier efforts of Traffic. Miller's "Nothing at All" incorporates the jazz fusion even further as the long instrumental introduction more than hints at Steely Dan circa Katy Lied. The up-tempo staccato bop featuring Miller's electric piano accents, when juxtaposed with Pye Hastings' liquid-toned electric guitar could easily be mistaken for that of Walter Becker and Donald Fagan. The remainder of the album centres on a couple of pieces that evoke the sound and spirit of the previous Caravan outings. Most reminiscent of the classic sound is Hastings' epic "The Love in Your Eye" suite. The track recalls the laid-back intensity and phenomenal improvisational synergy of earlier tracks such as "For Richard" and "Where, but for Caravan Would I," while wisely incorporating Miller's formidable jazz chops to give the instrumental sections sustained substance throughout. Lindsay Planer, Allmusic.

Track listing:

01. Waterloo Lily
02. Nothing at All
It’s Coming Soon
Nothing at All (reprise)
03. Songs and Signs

04. Aristocracy
05. The Love in Your Eye
To Catch Me a Brother
Subsultus
Debouchement
Tilbury Kecks
06. The World is Yours

Personnel:

Richard Coughlan: Drums and percussion
Pye Hastings: Lead vocals, electric and acoustic guitars
Steve Miller: Piano, electric piano, electric harpsichord and organ
Richard Sinclair: Lead vocal on 01, bass guitar
Produced by David Hitchcock for Gruggy Woof
Recorded at Tollington Park studios
Engineer David Grinstead