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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
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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) 2005 Virgin Records Ltd This label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved. (C) 2005 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 2005 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) 2005 Virgin Records Ltd This label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved. (C) 2005 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 2005 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) 2005 Virgin Records Ltd This label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved. (C) 2005 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 2005 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) 2005 Virgin Records Ltd This label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved. (C) 2005 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 2005 Virgin Records Limited
Robin Cable, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Peter Hammill, Composer, MainArtist - John Anthony, Producer - Hugh Banton, Organ, Piano, AssociatedPerformer
(C) 2005 Virgin Records Ltd This label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved. (C) 2005 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 2005 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) 2005 Virgin Records Ltd This label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved. (C) 2005 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 2005 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) 2005 Virgin Records Ltd This label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved. (C) 2005 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 2005 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) 2005 Virgin Records Ltd This label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved. (C) 2005 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 2005 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) 2005 Virgin Records Ltd This label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved. (C) 2005 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 2005 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) 2005 Virgin Records Ltd This label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved. (C) 2005 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 2005 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) 2005 Virgin Records Ltd This label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved. (C) 2005 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 2005 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) 2005 Virgin Records Ltd This label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved. (C) 2005 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 2005 Virgin Records Limited
David Jackson, Flute, Saxophone, AssociatedPerformer - Peter Hammill, Composer, Guitar, Piano, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Guy Evans, Drums, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - Hugh Banton, Organ, Piano, AssociatedPerformer, Bass (Vocal)
(C) 2005 Virgin Records Ltd This label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved. (C) 2005 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 2005 Virgin Records Limited
David Jackson, Flute, Saxophone, AssociatedPerformer - Peter Hammill, Composer, Guitar, Piano, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Guy Evans, Drums, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - Hugh Banton, Organ, Piano, AssociatedPerformer, Bass (Vocal)
(C) 2005 Virgin Records Ltd This label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved. (C) 2005 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 2005 Virgin Records Limited
David Jackson, Flute, Saxophone, AssociatedPerformer - Peter Hammill, Composer, Guitar, Piano, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Guy Evans, Drums, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - Hugh Banton, Organ, Piano, AssociatedPerformer, Bass (Vocal)
(C) 2005 Virgin Records Ltd This label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved. (C) 2005 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 2005 Virgin Records Limited
David Jackson, Flute, Saxophone, AssociatedPerformer - Peter Hammill, Composer, Guitar, Acoustic Guitar, Piano, Vocals, Vocalist, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Guy Evans, Drums, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - Hugh Banton, Organ, Piano, AssociatedPerformer, Bass (Vocal)
(C) 2005 Virgin Records Ltd This label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved. (C) 2005 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 2005 Virgin Records Limited
David Jackson, Flute, Saxophone, AssociatedPerformer - Peter Hammill, Composer, Guitar, Acoustic Guitar, Piano, Vocals, Vocalist, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Guy Evans, Drums, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - Hugh Banton, Organ, Piano, AssociatedPerformer, Bass (Vocal)
(C) 2005 Virgin Records Ltd This label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved. (C) 2005 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 2005 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) - 17 track(s)
- Total length: 01:02:04
- Main artists: Peter Hammill
- Composer: Various Composers
- Label: EMI Catalogue
- Genre: Pop/Rock Rock
© 2005 Virgin Records Limited ℗ 2005 Virgin Records Limited
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