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

Waterloo Lily is a 1972 released album by Caravan on the Deram label. It is the only album made by Caravan with Stephen Miller as the keyboard player. He brought a jazzier feel to the sound of Caravan than had been heard on the previous album. The stand out track is "The Love in Your Eye" which has been featured as a live track for many years by the band. Wikipedia

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 AMG

I know many people will disagree with me, but this is my favourite Caravan album. Steve Miller's electric piano playing is great, especially on 'The Love In Your Eye'.

Tracklisting:

A1. Waterloo Lily

A2. Nothing At All
It's Coming Soon
Nothing At All (reprise)

A3. Songs And Signs

B1. Aristocracy

B2. The Love In Your Eye
To Catch Me A Brother
Subsultus
Debouchement
Tilbury Kecks

B3. The World Is Yours

Pye Hastings: Lead vocals, electric and acoustic guitars
Richard Sinclair: Lead vocal and bass guitar
Steve Miller: Piano, electric piano, electric harpsichord and organ
Richard Coughlan: Drums and percussion

Recorded and mixed at Tollington Park Studios
Produced by David Hitchcock