Catapilla was an English progressive rock band active in the early 1970s. They released two albums on the major record label Vertigo Records. The band was formed in 1970 in London, England. The
original lineup consisted of saxophonists Robert Calvert and Hugh Eaglestone, drummer Malcolm Frith, bassist Dave Taylor, guitarist Graham Wilson, woodwinds player Thierry Rheinhardt, and vocalist Jo Meek. Jo Meek's time with the band was brief; she was replaced by her sister Anna by the time of the band's earliest live performances. With vocalist Anna Meek and saxophonist Robert Calvert leading the way, British progressive rock band Catapilla created some of England's most innovative music of the early '70s.
Although they disbanded shortly after the release of their second album, Changes, the group's influence
continues to be felt. In "Catapilla" perhaps the production is not so strong as it was necessary. The album consists of four tracks with extended, instrumental passages where guitar, saxophone, and keyboards get lots of solo space. Far superior to their first album, "Changes" is a very atmospheric piece of music. Their sound is more ethereal and spacey, but still a terrific blend of jazz rock/brass rock with an occasional psychedelic edge. This is another essential album you must hunt down and add to your collection.
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Anna Meek (vocals)
Robert Calvert (saxophone)
Graham Wilson (guitar)
Theirry Reinhardt (alto flute, clarinet, 1971)
Hugh Eaglestone (tenor saxophone, 1971)
Dave Taylor (bass, 1971)
Malcom Firth (drums, 1971)
Ralph Rolinson (keyboards, 1972)
Carl Wassard (bass, 1972)
Brian Hanson (drums, 1972)
CATAPILLA - CATAPILLA 1971
The debut album by one of the most dramatic and certainly the most visionary of all the British prog bands saddled with the epithet jazz-rock opens with little care for any of that. Taking a deep draught from the King Crimson/Van Der Graaf Generator book of sonic brutality, the opening "Naked
Death" is a hard-riffing, thunderous clatter of apocalyptic imagery which -- if Crimson hadn't already dropped the same bomb with "21st Century Schizoid Man" -- might have proved as lethal as the weaponry it discusses. The same taste for Armageddon permeates the remainder of the album. Some spectacular moments drift through the carnage; Robert Calvert's sax and Graham Wilson's guitar might be most comfortable in full bludgeoning mode, but they can show restraint as well. The fact is, Catapilla not only completes the marathon, they also leave you wondering how 24 minutes passed so quickly.
Catapilla – 1971 - Catapilla
Label: Green Tree Records – GTR 009
Format: CD, Album, Reissue, Stereo 1993
Country: Germany
Released: 1971
Genre: Rock
Style: Avantgarde, Prog Rock
TRACKS
01. Naked Death 15:38
02. Tumbleweed 3:54
03. Promises 5:42
04. Embryonic Fusion 24:08
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Vocals – Anna Meek
Saxophone [Sax] – Hugh Eaglestone, Robert Calvert
Bass – Dave Taylor
Drums – Malcolm Frith
Guitar [Guitars] – Graham Wilson
Written-By [All Tracks Written By] – Meek, Wilson, Frith, Calvert, Reinhardt
NOTES
Originally released on Vertigo in 1971.
Flac Size: 376 MB
CATAPILLA - CHANGES 1972
A magnificent disc, Changes offered an absolute shift away from the grinding Armageddon of Catapilla's debut, with the opening "Reflections" viciously carving out a new territory which floats with breathtaking audacity. For over 12 minutes, vocalist Anna Meek and saxophonist Robert Calvert duel and duet in a manner which would influence everything from Deep Purple's voice and guitar
confabulations to Gong's spectral, spacy meanderings. Indeed, experienced Catapilla-watchers will not have been surprised to see Calvert working with that band's Gilli Smyth in the mid-'90s; the blueprint is all over "Reflections." Everything you thought you knew about Catapilla, comes close to rewriting prog history as well. A third album from this most visionary of bands, drawing its impetus from "Reflections" and "It Could Only Happen," might have rendered even Dark Side of the Moon academic. As it is, we can only dream wistfully, "What if?"
Catapilla – 1972 - Changes
Label: Akarma – AK 132
Format: CD, Album, Reissue, Unofficial Release 1993
Country: Italy
Released: 1972
Genre: Jazz, Rock
Style: Prog Rock
TRACKS
01. Reflections 12:14
Written-By – Anna Meek, Graham Wilson, Robert Calvert
02. Charing Cross 6:48
Written-By – Anna Meek, Graham Wilson, Robert Calvert
03. Thank Christ For George 12:11
Written-By – Anna Meek, Graham Wilson, Robert Calvert
04. It Could Only Happen To Me 6:56
Written-By – Graham Wilson, Robert Calvert
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Lyrics By, Vocals – Anna Meek
Alto Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone – Robert Calvert
Design – Martin Dean
Drums – Brian Hanson
Electric Bass – Carl Wassard
Guitar – Graham Wilson
Amazing but underrated band. Thanks Kostas.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Mr Kind
ReplyDelete