Steve Hillage ~ England

L (1976)

I was late to the party on getting the scent regarding Fish Rising. But I was really late in obtaining L. I remember seeing this title in the used record stores while in college during the middle 80s. For whatever reason, it didn't capture my imagination, so I left it there. I'm sure I heard the album prior to 2014, but I couldn't remember anything about it. Well, I could say the same thing now, as I revisit the title for the first time in 12 years.

The album opens up quite unusually with a cover of Donovan's 'Hurdy Gurdy Man'. This is followed by a space rock jam supposedly based on the song, though there's no musical evidence of a connection. It's quite spirited, and takes Hillage's You-era Gong style to a similar spot in the galaxy. It becomes clear at this point that there will not be a Canterbury component as on its predecessor. Rather Gong becomes front and center. The music is a mix of cover songs and Gong styled space rock jams. It's this latter sound that Ozric Tentacles would take forward into the 80s and beyond. There's about 25 minutes of really great music, and the remainder is a bit tedious. Not a bad average, and given its influence on future generations, the argument is strong that the album remains in the collection even if it doesn't always pass the bar.

The CD offers three bonus tracks, including an instrumental backing track to The Byrds' 'Eight Miles High', certainly a better fit musically than the Beatles and Donovan covers that made it to the album. The other two bonus tracks are worthy as well. The LP is still a cheap commodity here in the States, giving the CD the edge in both content and marketability.

Ownership: 2007 Virgin Europe (CD). Booklet with historical liner notes, photos, memorabilia, and recording details. Acquired in 2014.

11/22/14; 9/29/26 (review)

Fish Rising (1975)

Steve Hillage's debut is sort of an amalgam of You-era Gong and Hatfield & The North. Certainly the godfather of modern space rock, Hillage's group looks like a proto Ozric Tentacles, complete with wool caps, goofy names, and crazy song titles. Then there's Dave Stewart, probably the last guy to go in for such tropes, though he has history with Arzachel doing just that. With Hillage. Ah what the heck, one more time going out getting high with the boys (and girls) from school before getting serious. Well, sort of serious. So yea, Canterbury goes space rock. A combination that can be nothing but great, especially if one sticks to protocol. And they did.

This is one of those albums I somehow missed in college, but my running set in the early 90s showed me the way.

Ownership: 1975 Virgin UK (LP). Lyric insert and a label audiophile inner. Acquired in 2014.

First copy: 198? Virgin (CD). Acquired in 1992.

1992; 12/27/21 (review)

Also own: Green

Previously owned: Live Herald; Rainbow Dome Musick

12/27/21 (new entry)