Fool's Mate

Fool's Mate Artist: Peter Hammill
Label: Caroline
Category: Music


Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Media: Audio CD
Number Of Discs: 1


UPC: 017046169721
EAN: 0017046169721
ASIN: B000000HUY


Release Date: 1990-08-30

Fool's Mate


Related Categories:

General General
Categories | Rock | Styles | Music
Progressive Rock Progressive Rock
Categories | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music
Pop Rock Pop Rock
Categories | Pop | Styles | Music
Progressive Progressive
Categories | Rock | Indie Music | Stores | Music

Tracks:

  1. Imperial Zeppelin
  2. Candle
  3. Happy
  4. Solitude
  5. Vision
  6. Re-Awakening
  7. Sunshine
  8. Child
  9. Summer Song (In The Autumn)
  10. Viking
  11. The Birds
  12. I Once Wrote Some Poems

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  2. The Silent Corner & The Empty Stage
  3. pH7
  4. Nadir's Big Chance
  5. Present

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars ONE OF THE 5 BEST ALL TIME PROG LP'S.......2005-03-01

"Fools Mate" is by and large a much more superior statement than ever given credit for. Intended as just a collection of songs, it captures a feeling that few artist are able to conjuor up. If I was shiprecked on an island with just 5 records this would defenitly be one of them. The others maybe being in the vein of such classics as "Abbey Road" "In the Court","A Passion Play" " the Lamb" ect. A TRUE CLASSIC! Recently re-mastered with bonus tracks unfortunatly not that great quality wise but still a very beautiful record. One for the ages!

5 out of 5 stars PETER'S FIRST SOLO OUTING..........2004-06-12

Released in 1971, and described by Peter as made up of songs that didn't fit the Van der Graaf mold, this recording nevertheless gives the listener a clear example of both the lyrical and musical talents and imagination of a performing songwriter whose work would stretch - and burst, on occasion - the envelope on many occasions over the ensuing years. Made up of short (all under 5 minutes) songs that fall more into a `pop' vein than the work he did with the group - and most of his later solo work - Hammill aptly demonstrates his powers of expression, both introspectively and outward-looking.

Hammill is joined here by all of his Van der Graaf bandmates (Guy Evans, David Jackson, Hugh Banton, Nic Potter), plus some other fine players: Rod Clements and Ray Jackson of Lindisfarne (along with VdG and PH, also Charisma artists), along with guitar great Robert Fripp (of King Crimson), a friend and admirer of Hammill who also appears on a couple of VdG albums (H TO HE, WHO AM THE ONLY ONE and PAWN HEARTS). Despite the presence of Evans, Jackson, Banton, Potter and Fripp, the sound on FOOL'S MATE never gets dark or heavy - these players are stellar, and capable of widely varied styles and moods.

Peter's poetry/lyrics are, as always, the centerpiece of his music - even in the case of these `lighter' songs. His insight, intellect and honesty, coupled with his clarity and power of expression, elevate his work to a level far above that inhabited by most writers working in the general area of `rock' music. This sort of statement might very well embarrass Peter, or at the least cause a bit of eye-rolling on his part - but after listening to his work for 35 years, I've yet to find many who can come close to the literacy and depth of his writing.

This release - as is, thankfully, the case in most of his CDs - is true in content to the original LP, unencumbered by `extra' tunes deemed `essential' or `marketable' by a record company. It's fortunate that the great majority of his releases have been on labels that have afforded him a large degree of freedom. Most of what he's done since the early 80s has been independently released by Peter on his own label, so the question of artistic control has been settled long ago.

It's wonderful that Caroline has made this - and several other CDs by Peter as well as Van der Graaf - available at a midline price, but I wish more of them included the lyrics. This is admittedly a small complaint, since Peter's Sofa Sound website (one of the most well-maintained artist sites I've seen) has all of his lyrics and much more available for the interested listener.

4 out of 5 stars One of Hammill best solo efforts.......2004-03-14

Quite "poppy" and certainly not as bombastic as VDGG could be at times. These tunes were written early in Peter's career (pre-VDGG in some cases) and, in Hammill's words, "had no place with Van der Graaf Generator." Features Ray Jackson (from Lindesfarne) on mandolin and Robert Fripp on guitar. Worthwhile.

5 out of 5 stars Stands the test of time.......2001-12-21

I first bought this in vinyl having seen VDGG play in the late sixties and being impressed with Peter Hammill's lyrics and delivery. This first solo offering does not disappoint. Hammill is perhaps the most emotional singer songwriter ever. The songs are tuneful and well constructed and the album also has the other (then) members of VDGG playing as well. I prefer this side of Hammills songwriting to some of his current catalogue. Songs like 'Vision' included on this album form part of his current live shows. Buy it and be pleasantly surprised.

5 out of 5 stars A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man.......1999-07-01

Most of the songs on this album were written when Peter Hammill was only 17, while he was still trying to fashion his own unique voice. So, naturally, some of these songs can seem a bit odd to anyone familiar with any other album by Peter Hammill or by his prog-rock group Van Der Graaf Generator. Nevertheless, this album shows clearly why is it that Peter Hammill is considered by many to be one of the greatest rock poets - just or glad for the sky? The birds don't know which way to sing and, my friends, neither do I."

However, Peter Hammill is not only a great poet, but also a magnificent singer. But, as some critics might say, his weak point is his lack of technical ability as a musician. Well, on this regard, Fool's Mate could have been called "With a Little Help from My Friends", as Hammill gets many contributions from his fellow, and very able, musicians of Van Der Graaf. Also appearing on several track is Bob Fripp, of King Crimson fame, who plays acoustic(!) guitar, and proving he doesn't have to have an electric guitar to sound electrifiyng.

This album is more approachable than most of Hammill's albums, which is not to say it lacks anything - it's still a very strong album, containing great songs, many of them have since gained the status of masterpieces by Hammill's fans.

Music Album:

  1. First Generation: Virgin 25 Years ~ Various Artists
  2. I'm Not Following You ~ Edwyn Collins
  3. Prisoner of the Night ~ Golden Earring
  4. Ten Years After ~ Ten Years After
  5. Beautiful ~ Javier Mendoza Band
  6. Interface ~ Heldon
  7. Paul Weller: Under the Influence ~ Various Artists
  8. Hi Karate ~ Satelliters
  9. All Men: the Best Singers ~ Various Artists
  10. Come ~ The Silencers

Music Album

Music Album

Music CD

Music of the Angels ~ Gerald Jay Markoe

Cat Speaks ~ Cat Anderson

Work of Art ~ Art Farmer Quartet

Same Ol Me ~ Charlie Daniels Band

Mystagogue ~ Ben Thomas

Viva L'Italia ~ Francesco de Gregori

Starportrait 2 ~ Reinhard Mey

Le Futur Que Nous Reserve Til ~ Assassin

Planos Opostos ~ Sergio Molina

A Vontade ~ Baden Powell