Customer Reviews

Fools Mate

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"Fools Mate" by Peter Hammill was released in 1971, arguably one of the all time great records of its time.

It was not recoded to make a contemporary musical statement but recorded as a collection of songs that time was not allowed to forget. Virgin finally remastered it in 2004. The Japanese gate fold cd is the best way to go for this one although very expensive it captures the true essence and feeling of the record.

A hauntingly beautiful record. It also has one of the best covers in rock history by Paul Whitehead. In this viewers eyes , a better cover than any of the Genesis lp's that Mr whitehead had done.

Peter Hammill called on the entire VDGG to help him with the recording also Bob Fripp of King Crimson and several other prominent musicians, such as Van Der Graaf bassist Nic Potter and Martin Pottinger from Lindisfarne played flawlessly and with passion and diligence ...Viking, witch was co written by Chris Judge Smith is a classic , so is The Birds, Child, I Once Wrote Some Poems, each song will last in your memory forever.

Truly one of the all time great masterpieces of our generation.

Released in 1971, and described by Peter as made up of songs that didn't fit the Van der Graaf mold, this recording nevertheless gives the listener a clear example of both the lyrical and musical talents and imagination of a performing songwriter whose work would stretch - and burst, on occasion - the envelope on many occasions over the ensuing years. Made up of short (all under 5 minutes) songs that fall more into a `pop' vein than the work he did with the group - and most of his later solo work - Hammill aptly demonstrates his powers of expression, both introspectively and outward-looking.

Hammill is joined here by all of his Van der Graaf bandmates (Guy Evans, David Jackson, Hugh Banton, Nic Potter), plus some other fine players: Rod Clements and Ray Jackson of Lindisfarne (along with VdG and PH, also Charisma artists), along with guitar great Robert Fripp (of King Crimson), a friend and admirer of Hammill who also appears on a couple of VdG albums (H TO HE, WHO AM THE ONLY ONE and PAWN HEARTS). Despite the presence of Evans, Jackson, Banton, Potter and Fripp, the sound on FOOL'S MATE never gets dark or heavy - these players are stellar, and capable of widely varied styles and moods.

Peter's poetry/lyrics are, as always, the centerpiece of his music - even in the case of these `lighter' songs. His insight, intellect and honesty, coupled with his clarity and power of expression, elevate his work to a level far above that inhabited by most writers working in the general area of `rock' music. This sort of statement might very well embarrass Peter, or at the least cause a bit of eye-rolling on his part - but after listening to his work for 35 years, I've yet to find many who can come close to the literacy and depth of his writing.

This release - as is, thankfully, the case in most of his CDs - is true in content to the original LP, unencumbered by `extra' tunes deemed `essential' or `marketable' by a record company. It's fortunate that the great majority of his releases have been on labels that have afforded him a large degree of freedom. Most of what he's done since the early 80s has been independently released by Peter on his own label, so the question of artistic control has been settled long ago.

It's wonderful that Caroline has made this - and several other CDs by Peter as well as Van der Graaf - available at a midline price, but I wish more of them included the lyrics. This is admittedly a small complaint, since Peter's Sofa Sound website (one of the most well-maintained artist sites I've seen) has all of his lyrics and much more available for the interested listener.

It is interesting that Peter Hammil, lead screamer for one of England's most dark prog-rock bands, Vander Graff Generator, decided to make his first solo album a singer-songwritter pop juggernaut.

"Candle," could be from a early Elton John LP, and "Sunshine," has Donovan's DNA transplated into Hammil. The rest of the album consists of other balads, and well-written early 70s pop numbers.

Fool's Mate's backing band consists of Van Der Graff memebers, and other English art-rock cohorts. The playing is simple, but fits the material beautifly.

This is a wonderful album, for both Van Der Graff fans and lovers of exquisitely written pop music.

As the author of the Jefferson Airplane book "Take Me To A Circus Tent" and a former radio disc-jockey, I am often asked to write and or discuss various music supplies and recordings from the 60's and 70's.

In 1971 Peter Hammill of Van der Graaf Generator fame released his first solo record "Fool's Mate." Hammill's vocals, guitar, and keyboards alone would be enough to grab the more avant-garde progressive music connoisseur. With help from Robert Fripp (King Crimson), the exploration becomes more intriguing. Thanks to an excellent remastering job the nuances lost on the vinyl recording can be fully digested here.

"Fools Mate" will not take you into the same esoteric realm as a VDGG recording but it will show you the often-overlooked talent of Hammill and the influence he has had on a plethora of performers.

"Candle" with the acoustic-guitar sounding more alive and vibrant than ever (Thanks to the remaster) may have been suited to open the album.

"Happy" has a tremendous impact on the initial listening. Your ears are split on where to focus. One gravitates to the lyrics and how Hammill presents them, the other to the catchy instrumentation that is both fascinating and hypnotic.

Leave it to Peter to follow "Happy" with "Solitude." He conveys the message of isolation by changing not only his emotions but the listeners simultaneously.

"Sunshine" mixes some psychedelic, pop, and progressive sounds rolled into one terrific result. This is another track that you'll be tempted to press "REPEAT" on the CD player as it is about to land on the next song.


If you encompassed his solo career output, you could understand that his compositions and vocal style with their unique textures are not far removed from certain David Bowie, Peter Gabriel, Roxy Music, and Talking Heads tunes.

Please make sure the version you purchase is the remastered (17 asongs in all) with the five bonus tracks (Early demos). Two of which "Sunshine" and "Happy" are imperative now that they have been unearthed.


Enjoy the music and be well,
Craig Fenton
Author of the Jefferson Airplane book "Take Me To A Circus Tent"

Quite "poppy" and certainly not as bombastic as VDGG could be at times. These tunes were written early in Peter's career (pre-VDGG in some cases) and, in Hammill's words, "had no place with Van der Graaf Generator." Features Ray Jackson (from Lindisfarne) on mandolin and Robert Fripp on guitar. Worthwhile.

I first bought this in vinyl having seen VDGG play in the late sixties and being impressed with Peter Hammill's lyrics and delivery. This first solo offering does not disappoint. Hammill is perhaps the most emotional singer songwriter ever. The songs are tuneful and well constructed and the album also has the other (then) members of VDGG playing as well. I prefer this side of Hammills songwriting to some of his current catalogue. Songs like 'Vision' included on this album form part of his current live shows. Buy it and be pleasantly surprised.

Most of the songs on this album were written when Peter Hammill was only 17, while he was still trying to fashion his own unique voice. So, naturally, some of these songs can seem a bit odd to anyone familiar with any other album by Peter Hammill or by his prog-rock group Van Der Graaf Generator. Nevertheless, this album shows clearly why is it that Peter Hammill is considered by many to be one of the greatest rock poets - just or glad for the sky? The birds don't know which way to sing and, my friends, neither do I."

However, Peter Hammill is not only a great poet, but also a magnificent singer. But, as some critics might say, his weak point is his lack of technical ability as a musician. Well, on this regard, Fool's Mate could have been called "With a Little Help from My Friends", as Hammill gets many contributions from his fellow, and very able, musicians of Van Der Graaf. Also appearing on several track is Bob Fripp, of King Crimson fame, who plays acoustic(!) guitar, and proving he doesn't have to have an electric guitar to sound electrifiyng.

This album is more approachable than most of Hammill's albums, which is not to say it lacks anything - it's still a very strong album, containing great songs, many of them have since gained the status of masterpieces by Hammill's fans.

I can only ask you to listen to this album, I'm sure that if you're happen to be a true music lover, you'll love it too.