CARAVAN - S/T SELF-TITLED 12" Vinyl LP Album

In 1968, amidst the psychedelic haze and blues-rock revival, emerged Caravan's self-titled debut, a cornerstone of the Canterbury sound. Blending progressive rock's complexity with jazz's improvisation and psychedelia's whimsy, this album set a unique path. Songs like "Place of My Own" and "Love Song with Flute" showcase their signature sound: intricate arrangements, playful lyrics, and a penchant for musical adventure. This debut marked the start of a career filled with sonic exploration and enduring influence on progressive rock.

 

 

Front Cover Photo Of CARAVAN - S/T Self-Titled 12" LP Vinyl Album

Caravan's Self-Titled Debut: A Progressive Rock Journey Begins
Album Description:

In the vibrant music scene of 1968, amidst the psychedelic experimentation and blues-rock revival, a unique sound emerged from the Canterbury scene in England. Caravan, a band with a whimsical name and a penchant for musical exploration, released their self-titled debut album, setting the stage for a progressive rock journey that would captivate listeners for decades to come.

Historical Context and Musical Exploration

Caravan's debut arrived during a period of immense creativity and change in popular music. Bands were pushing boundaries, blending genres, and experimenting with new sounds. The Canterbury scene, known for its eclectic mix of jazz, rock, and psychedelia, provided fertile ground for Caravan's musical explorations. The band drew inspiration from a diverse range of sources, including jazz legends like Miles Davis and John Coltrane, as well as British rock pioneers like The Beatles and The Kinks.

Genre and Musical Style

Caravan's self-titled album defies easy categorization. It seamlessly blends elements of progressive rock, jazz fusion, and psychedelic rock, creating a sound that is both whimsical and complex. The album features intricate instrumental passages, soaring vocal harmonies, and a playful sense of experimentation. Songs like "Place of My Own" and "Love Song with Flute" showcase the band's knack for crafting memorable melodies and intricate arrangements.

Production and Recording

The album was produced by Ian Ralfini, a veteran producer known for his work with artists like The Yardbirds and Spooky Tooth. It was recorded at Advision Studios in London, a facility that had become a hub for recording progressive rock music. The album's production is notable for its warm, organic sound, which captures the energy and spontaneity of the band's performances.

Caravan's self-titled debut album may not have achieved massive commercial success upon its release, but it laid the groundwork for a remarkable career. The album's unique blend of musical genres, combined with the band's adventurous spirit and playful approach to songwriting, would go on to influence countless musicians in the progressive rock genre and beyond. It stands as a testament to the power of musical exploration and the enduring legacy of a band that dared to be different.

Caravan: Pioneers of the Canterbury Sound
Canterbury Sound Description:

Emerging from the vibrant Canterbury scene in England, Caravan played a pivotal role in shaping the unique musical landscape known as the Canterbury sound. Formed in 1968, the band quickly established themselves as pioneers of this eclectic genre, blending elements of progressive rock, jazz, psychedelia, and even classical music into their unique sonic tapestry.

Their self-titled debut album, released in the same year, serves as a testament to their innovative approach. Songs like "Place of My Own" and "Love Song with Flute" showcase their penchant for crafting whimsical lyrics, complex arrangements, and intricate instrumental interplay. The album's eclecticism and playful experimentation perfectly encapsulate the spirit of the Canterbury scene.

Caravan's connection to the Canterbury sound runs deep. They shared members and influences with other key figures of the scene, such as Soft Machine and Gong. Their music embodied the genre's hallmarks, including:

Eclecticism: Blending diverse musical genres to create a unique sonic palette.

Whimsical lyrics: Often humorous or surreal, with a distinctly English sensibility.

Complex arrangements: Featuring intricate instrumental interplay and unexpected time signature changes.

Emphasis on improvisation: Allowing for spontaneous musical exploration within the framework of the songs.

While Caravan's later albums saw them incorporating more pop-oriented elements, their roots in the Canterbury sound remained evident. Their self-titled debut, along with subsequent releases like "In the Land of Grey and Pink," are considered quintessential examples of the Canterbury sound, showcasing their pioneering role in this vibrant and influential musical movement.

Music Genre:

Progressive rock, Canterbury scene 

Album Production Information:

The album: "CARAVAN - S/T Self-Titled" was produced by : Tony Cox

This album was recorded at: late summer 1968 Advision Studios, London

Advision Recording Studio, located in central London, UK, was originally known as Guy De Bere Studios, built on the site of a former school. Initially designed for jingles and voice-overs, it transitioned to a premier recording facility under Guy Whetstone and Stephen Appleby, equipped with a Telefunken four-track tape machine. Renowned for iconic 1960s and 1970s pop and rock recordings, the studio later became The Sound Company in 1993, undergoing further development.

Record Label & Catalognr:

Polydor 2310 191

Media Format:

12" LP Vinyl Stereo Gramophone Record

Total Album (Cover+Record) weight: 230 gram

Year & Country:

1968 Made in Germany
Personnel/Band Members and Musicians on: CARAVAN - S/T Self-Titled
  • Pye Hastings – guitar, vocals, bass
  • Dave Sinclair – organ, piano
  • Richard Sinclair – bass, vocals, guitar
  • Richard Coughlan – drums
  • Jimmy Hastings - flute on "Love Song With Flute"
Complete Track-listing of the album "CARAVAN - S/T Self-Titled"

The detailed tracklist of this record "CARAVAN - S/T Self-Titled" is:

    Track-listing Side One:
  1. "Place of my Own" – 4:00
  2. "Ride" – 3:41
  3. "Policeman" – 2:45
  4. "Love Song with Flute" – 4:09
  5. "Cecil Rons" – 4:05
    Side Two:
  1. "Magic Man" – 4:01
  2. "Grandma's Lawn" – 3:23
  3. "Where but for Caravan Would I?" (Sinclair, Hastings, Coughlan, Sinclair, Hopper) – 9:01

CARAVAN - S/T Self-Titled 12" LP Vinyl Album High Resolution & Quality Photos

Front Cover Photo Of CARAVAN - S/T Self-Titled 12" LP Vinyl Album
Front Cover Photo Of CARAVAN - S/T Self-Titled 12" LP Vinyl Album

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Note: The images on this page are photos of the actual album. Slight differences in color may exist due to the use of the camera's flash. Images can be zoomed in/out ( eg pinch with your fingers on a tablet or smartphone )

Photo Of The Back Cover CARAVAN - S/T Self-Titled 12" LP Vinyl Album
Photo of album back cover CARAVAN - S/T Self-Titled 12" LP Vinyl Album

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Close up of record's label CARAVAN - S/T Self-Titled 12" LP Vinyl Album Side One:
Close up of record's label CARAVAN - S/T Self-Titled 12" LP Vinyl Album Side One

Red Colour POLYDOR 2310 191 Record Label Details: Gema, Made in Germany

Index of CARAVAN Vinyl Album Discography and Album Cover Gallery

Band Description:

Caravan is a British progressive rock band that formed in Canterbury in 1968. The band's founding members included Pye Hastings (guitar, vocals), Richard Sinclair (bass, vocals), Dave Sinclair (keyboards), and Richard Coughlan (drums). Caravan is considered one of the most influential bands of the Canterbury scene , a sub-genre of progressive rock that emerged in the late 1960s and early 1970s.

Caravan's music is characterized by its whimsical and light-hearted sound, often featuring intricate keyboard and guitar melodies, complex time signatures, and jazzy improvisation.

In 1971, Caravan released their critically acclaimed third album, "In the Land of Grey and Pink," which is considered by many to be their masterpiece. The album features some of the band's most beloved songs, including "Golf Girl," "Winter Wine," and the title track. "In the Land of Grey and Pink" is also notable for its distinctive cover art, which features a whimsical illustration by artist Anne Marie Anderson.

Throughout the 1970s, Caravan continued to release a string of highly regarded albums, including "Waterloo Lily" (1972), "For Girls Who Grow Plump in the Night" (1973), and "Cunning Stunts" (1975). The band's sound evolved over time, incorporating elements of funk, fusion, and even disco, but always retaining their signature playful and melodic style.

Caravan's popularity declined in the late 1970s, and the band went through a number of lineup changes over the years. However, they have continued to tour and record sporadically, and have maintained a loyal following among progressive rock fans.

CARAVAN - Caravan ( self-titled )
thumbnail image of album front cover

Prog Rock, Canterbury Rock

Caravan is the debut album by the British progressive rock band Caravan. It was released in 1968.

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CARAVAN - If I could do it all over again, I'll do it all over you
thumbnail image of album front cover

Prog Rock, Canterbury Rock

"If I Could Do It All Over Again ... " is the 1970 release by Canterbury scene rock band Caravan. It was the second album by the band, the predecessor to their best-known album" In the Land of Grey and Pink".

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CARAVAN - In The Land Of Grey And Pink
thumbnail image of album front cover

Prog Rock, Canterbury Rock

"In the Land of Grey and Pink" is the 1971 album released by the Caterbury Rock band "Caravan", and was the last album to feature the original lineup of Richard Coughlan, Pye Hastings, Richard Sinclair and Dave Sinclair until 1982.

Learn more