Unlimited Streaming
Listen to this album in high quality now on our apps
Start my trial period and start listening to this albumEnjoy this album on Qobuz apps with your subscription
SubscribeEnjoy this album on Qobuz apps with your subscription
Digital Download
Purchase and download this album in a wide variety of formats depending on your needs.
Although not on par with his best albums (1977's Over, 1978's The Future Now, etc.), this solo debut, Fool's Mate, shows Van der Graaf Generator's Peter Hammill taking his first steps toward later prog rock perfection. What makes Fool's Mate different than VdGG's material is that it's more mainstream, and for the most part, piano and acoustic guitar-based. But Hammill is still able convey the grandness of classic VdGG, as heard in the sweeping sounds of "Re-Awakening." And Hammill never grows predictable. The tracks "Sunshine" and "Imperial Zeppelin" show that he doesn't take himself as seriously as many of his then-contemporaries (an important reason why Hammill's music has held up far better over the years than some other prog rockers). But Hammill's lyrics weren't as sophisticated and developed as they would later come to be, which is understandable, since it is his very first solo outing, after all. And the album's closing song, "I Once Wrote Some Poems," hinted at the style Hammill would pursue more thoroughly on future releases (venomous vocals set against contrasting music). Fool's Mate is not as bad as some Peter Hammill purists make it out to be, but casual fans should check out Over or The Future Now first.
© Greg Prato /TiVo
You are currently listening to samples.
Listen to over 100 million songs with an unlimited streaming plan.
Listen to this playlist and more than 100 million songs with our unlimited streaming plans.
From €13,50/month
Robert Fripp, Electric Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Robin Cable, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Peter Hammill, Composer, Acoustic Guitar, Piano, Vocalist, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - John Anthony, Producer - Guy Evans, Drums, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - Christopher Smith, Composer - Hugh Banton, Organ, Piano, AssociatedPerformer - Nic Potter, AssociatedPerformer, Bass (Vocal) - Martin Pottinger, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Dave Jackson, Flute, Alto Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone, AssociatedPerformer
(C) 1971 Virgin Records LtdThis label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved.(C) 1971 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 1971 Virgin Records Limited
Ray Jackson, Harp, Mandolin, AssociatedPerformer - Robin Cable, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Peter Hammill, Composer, Acoustic Guitar, Piano, Vocalist, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - John Anthony, Producer - Rod Clements, Violin, AssociatedPerformer, Bass (Vocal) - Martin Pottinger, Drums, AssociatedPerformer
(C) 1971 Virgin Records LtdThis label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved.(C) 1971 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 1971 Virgin Records Limited
Robin Cable, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Peter Hammill, Composer, Acoustic Guitar, Piano, Vocalist, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - John Anthony, Producer - Guy Evans, Drums, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - Hugh Banton, Organ, Piano, AssociatedPerformer - Nic Potter, AssociatedPerformer, Bass (Vocal) - Dave Jackson, Flute, Alto Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone, AssociatedPerformer
(C) 1971 Virgin Records LtdThis label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved.(C) 1971 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 1971 Virgin Records Limited
Ray Jackson, Harp, Mandolin, AssociatedPerformer - Robin Cable, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Peter Hammill, Composer, Acoustic Guitar, Piano, Vocalist, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - John Anthony, Producer - Rod Clements, Violin, AssociatedPerformer, Bass (Vocal) - Martin Pottinger, Drums, AssociatedPerformer
(C) 1971 Virgin Records LtdThis label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved.(C) 1971 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 1971 Virgin Records Limited
Robin Cable, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Peter Hammill, Composer, MainArtist - John Anthony, Producer - Hugh Banton, Organ, Piano, AssociatedPerformer
(C) 1971 Virgin Records LtdThis label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved.(C) 1971 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 1971 Virgin Records Limited
Robin Cable, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Peter Hammill, Composer, Acoustic Guitar, Piano, Vocalist, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - John Anthony, Producer - Guy Evans, Drums, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - Hugh Banton, Organ, Piano, AssociatedPerformer - Nic Potter, AssociatedPerformer, Bass (Vocal) - Dave Jackson, Flute, Alto Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone, AssociatedPerformer
(C) 1971 Virgin Records LtdThis label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved.(C) 1971 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 1971 Virgin Records Limited
Robert Fripp, Electric Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Robin Cable, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Peter Hammill, Composer, Acoustic Guitar, Piano, Vocalist, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - John Anthony, Producer - Guy Evans, Drums, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - Hugh Banton, Organ, Piano, AssociatedPerformer - Nic Potter, AssociatedPerformer, Bass (Vocal) - Dave Jackson, Flute, Alto Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone, AssociatedPerformer
(C) 1971 Virgin Records LtdThis label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved.(C) 1971 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 1971 Virgin Records Limited
Robert Fripp, Electric Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Robin Cable, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Peter Hammill, Composer, Acoustic Guitar, Piano, Vocalist, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - John Anthony, Producer - Hugh Banton, Organ, Piano, AssociatedPerformer - Nic Potter, AssociatedPerformer, Bass (Vocal) - Dave Jackson, Flute, Alto Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone, AssociatedPerformer
(C) 1971 Virgin Records LtdThis label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved.(C) 1971 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 1971 Virgin Records Limited
Robin Cable, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Peter Hammill, Composer, Acoustic Guitar, Piano, Vocalist, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - John Anthony, Producer - Guy Evans, Drums, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - Hugh Banton, Organ, Piano, AssociatedPerformer - Nic Potter, AssociatedPerformer, Bass (Vocal)
(C) 1971 Virgin Records LtdThis label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved.(C) 1971 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 1971 Virgin Records Limited
Ray Jackson, Harp, Mandolin, AssociatedPerformer - Robert Fripp, Electric Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Robin Cable, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Peter Hammill, Composer, Acoustic Guitar, Piano, Vocalist, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - John Anthony, Producer - Rod Clements, Violin, AssociatedPerformer, Bass (Vocal) - Christopher Smith, Composer - Martin Pottinger, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Dave Jackson, Flute, Alto Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone, AssociatedPerformer - Paul Whitehead, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer
(C) 1971 Virgin Records LtdThis label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved.(C) 1971 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 1971 Virgin Records Limited
Robert Fripp, Electric Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Robin Cable, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Peter Hammill, Composer, MainArtist - John Anthony, Producer - Guy Evans, Drums, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - Hugh Banton, Organ, Piano, AssociatedPerformer - Nic Potter, AssociatedPerformer, Bass (Vocal)
(C) 1971 Virgin Records LtdThis label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved.(C) 1971 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 1971 Virgin Records Limited
Robert Fripp, Electric Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Robin Cable, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Peter Hammill, Composer, Acoustic Guitar, Piano, Vocalist, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - John Anthony, Producer
(C) 1971 Virgin Records LtdThis label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved.(C) 1971 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 1971 Virgin Records Limited
Album review
Although not on par with his best albums (1977's Over, 1978's The Future Now, etc.), this solo debut, Fool's Mate, shows Van der Graaf Generator's Peter Hammill taking his first steps toward later prog rock perfection. What makes Fool's Mate different than VdGG's material is that it's more mainstream, and for the most part, piano and acoustic guitar-based. But Hammill is still able convey the grandness of classic VdGG, as heard in the sweeping sounds of "Re-Awakening." And Hammill never grows predictable. The tracks "Sunshine" and "Imperial Zeppelin" show that he doesn't take himself as seriously as many of his then-contemporaries (an important reason why Hammill's music has held up far better over the years than some other prog rockers). But Hammill's lyrics weren't as sophisticated and developed as they would later come to be, which is understandable, since it is his very first solo outing, after all. And the album's closing song, "I Once Wrote Some Poems," hinted at the style Hammill would pursue more thoroughly on future releases (venomous vocals set against contrasting music). Fool's Mate is not as bad as some Peter Hammill purists make it out to be, but casual fans should check out Over or The Future Now first.
© Greg Prato /TiVo
About the album
- 1 disc(s) - 12 track(s)
- Total length: 00:44:26
- Main artists: Peter Hammill
- Composer: Various Composers
- Label: Charisma Catalogue
- Genre: Pop/Rock Rock
© 1971 Virgin Records Limited ℗ 1971 Virgin Records Limited
Improve album information
Why buy on Qobuz...
-
Stream or download your music
Buy an album or an individual track. Or listen to our entire catalogue with our high-quality unlimited streaming subscriptions.
-
Zero DRM
The downloaded files belong to you, without any usage limit. You can download them as many times as you like.
-
Choose the format best suited for you
Download your purchases in a wide variety of formats (FLAC, ALAC, WAV, AIFF...) depending on your needs.
-
Listen to your purchases on our apps
Download the Qobuz apps for smartphones, tablets and computers, and listen to your purchases wherever you go.