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Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular MusicA B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y ZCARAVAN (UK rock band)UK rock band early '70s. Richard Coughlan (drums), Julian 'Pye' Hastings (guitar), David Sinclair (keyboards), Richard Sinclair (bass); all b Canterbury, England, played in local band Wilde Flowers '65-6, which also included Kevin Ayers and members of Soft Machine. Their first album Caravan was notable for being first product by UK act from US MGM/Verve label; UK Decca albums If I Could Do It All Over Again '70, In The Land Of Grey And Pink '71, For Girls Who Grow Plump '73 established fluent purveyors of progressive rock with a jazzy touch (usually from flautist/saxophonist Jimmy Hastings). The Sinclair brothers left to form Hatfield and the North (named after a sign on the M1 out of London); Dave later rejoined briefly; they recruited ex-Delivery keyboardist Steve Miller and carried on: albums Waterloo Lily '72 and Cunning Stunts '75 included flashes of brilliance, but as with other acts the impact of punk left them regarded as passé. They added Geoffrey Richardson on viola and other instruments; further albums included Blind Dog At St Dunstan's '76, Better By Far '77, The Album '80, Back To Front '82. Their best work was on compilation Canterbury Tales '77; also The Show Of Our Lives '81 included '70-5 material, The Collection '84. Proto-hippy Neil (sic; UK TV phenomenon) included their 'Golf Girl' on his Heavy Concept Album '84. |