Customer Reviews

L

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Before he decided to concentrate on producing trancy dance-music, Steve Hillage did a number of psychedelic music albums (hey, if the shoe fits....) with lots of guitar. Lots and lots and lots of guitar! And it's still a lot of fun to listen to, even if the "supreme wisdom" of the lyrics goes no deeper than a thimble. Who cares? The music is a trip in all of the best senses of that overused characterization, and I'd rather listen to Hillage's cosmic meanderings than dance to all the trancy dance-music in the universe. So there!

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 recordings from the 60's and 70's.

Steve Hillage is known to many fans of progressive/psychedelic music for his brilliant guitar work on Gong's three records "Flying Teapot", "Angel's Egg", and "You." Those encompassed what are referred to as the "Radio Gnome Invisible Trilogy."

When Hillage stepped out on his own the newly found freedom and ability to feature his incredible strengths of soloing and improvisation turned a plethora of heads in the progressive and psychedelic communities.

His admiration and love of the sixties sound clearly shines on the "L" album. Donovan's "Hurdy Gurdy Man" opens the recording with a tasty and intelligent rendition. "Electrick Gypsies" and the "Lunar Musick Suite" are Hillage originals and pull out all stops to take you through a musical odyssey. Before the ride on the Hillage express comes to an end there is the ultimate experience. His cover version of the Beatles (George Harrison's) "It's All Too Much" is one of the finest interpretations of a Beatle recording anywhere!

To further solidify the foundation of this effort it is not always hand in hand that both those looking for an initial CD of an artist and those that have been fans for years can come to the same conclusion. The newbie and the old-timer can get the same satisfaction.

This release is the gift that keeps on giving. With the bonus tracks you can enjoy one more terrific 1960's cover the Byrds "Eight Miles High."

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

A plus that I think should also be mentioned about this album is that it was produced by Todd Rundgren and the musicians playing back-up are his band, Utopia. Add into that mix is jazz trumpeteer, Don Cherry (Neneh's father)and you have one killer album. I think it's Hillage's best work, but I haven't heard nor have I read any material on the bonus tracks.

Steve Hillage's 1975 debut "Fish Rising" remains one of the trippiest and most satisfying albums of all time. It's followup, 1976's "L", was nearly its equal. A *slightly* more commercial record, but still very psychedelic and very progressive, it's really more of the same, just with a slicker production ethic (that's Todd Rundgren, who really was one of the decade's best producers). The lyrics begin to lapse into New Age simplicity but all the talk of pyramids and astral planes does fit the mood of the music nicely. And the music--wow. Superb, Hillage-ified covers of "Hurdy Gurdy Man" and "It's All To Much" fit alongside extremely strong originals like "Lunar Musick Suite" and "Hurdy Gurdy Glissando". "Lunar Musick Suite" is one of his best-ever compositions, a three-part tour de force, although it was even better live. Tibetan bells, jazz-like trumpets, backwards guitars and floaty synthesizers make this a sonic paradise, and Hillage's solos are as mind-bending as always. Although Hillage would remain strong through the rest of the decade, he would never quite be able to top "Fish Rising" and "L": these albums are essential (no, *quintessential*) to any fan of psychedelia or progressive rock.

I rate this one of the best albums of all time along with The Beatles' Sgt Pepper, Floyd's Dark Side of The Moon, and Kate Bush's The Dreaming. Hillage's versions of George Harrison's It's All Too Much and Donovan's Hurdy Gurdy Man are every bit as good as the classic originals and add his trademark guitar and vocals as seasoning. The rest of the album is a brilliant mix of wide-eyed sixties enthusiasm, seventies technology, profound lyrics and an absolute mastery of his instrument. This was Steve Hillage's finest hour.

Steve Hillage / L (with three bonus tracks): This is a terrific album. The Guitar work and singing of Steve Hillage is excellent and, setting aside the silly pseudo-spiritual pretense, these songs (original or covers) are expertly done and a joy to hear.
Five Stars.

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 recordings from the 60's and 70's.

Steve Hillage is known to many fans of progressive/psychedelic music for his brilliant guitar work on Gong's three records "Flying Teapot", "Angel's Egg", and "You." Those encompassed what are referred to as the "Radio Gnome Invisible Trilogy."

When Hillage stepped out on his own the newly found freedom and ability to feature his incredible strengths of soloing and improvisation turned a plethora of heads in the progressive and psychedelic communities.

His admiration and love of the sixties sound clearly shines on the "L" album. Donovan's "Hurdy Gurdy Man" opens the recording with a tasty and intelligent rendition. "Electrick Gypsies" and the "Lunar Musick Suite" are Hillage originals and pull out all stops to take you through a musical odyssey. Before the ride on the Hillage express comes to an end there is the ultimate experience. His cover version of the Beatles (George Harrison's) "It's All Too Much" is one of the finest interpretations of a Beatle recording anywhere!

To further solidify the foundation of this effort it is not always hand in hand that both those looking for an initial CD of an artist and those that have been fans for years can come to the same conclusion. The newbie and the old-timer can get the same satisfaction.

This release is the gift that keeps on giving. Please make sure the version you purchase has the bonus tracks including one more terrific 1960's cover the Byrds "Eight Miles High."

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

Steve Hillage is one of the best artists ever, an I can never stop listening to his music.

His lyrics, etc. are actually good, his band sounds a little like ozric tentacles an pink floyd, but i think hillage is better than pink floyd because it's more psychedelic.

Too bad he doesn't do his own music anymore. System 7 is what he does at present moment but I doubt it's any good as his rock music he did. An compare to other psychedelic trance artists too like astrix, infected mushroom, synsun, crunchy punch, psyshark, etc.

If you like Pink Floyd, Hawkwind, Ozric Tentacles, etc...then check out steve hillage music.

Some of his music also sounds like ozric tentacles as well like pieces of the songs, etc.