Least We Can Do Is Wave to Each Other [Extra tracks, Import, Original recording remastered]

Van Der Graaf Generator | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 14, 2005)
• Original Release Date: 2005
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Extra tracks, Import, Original recording remastered
• Label: Blue Plate Caroline
• ASIN: B0009F9O6C
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #34,546 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Remastered album includes the bonus tracks 'The Boat Of Millions Of Years' (B side of Refugeees single) & 'Refugees' (single version). EMI. 2005.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Most of the elements of the classic sound are in place, May 26, 2006

By 

Jeffrey J.Park (Massachusetts, USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Least We Can Do Is Wave to Each Other (Audio CD)

This 1970 release saw the band moving closer to the "classic" Van der Graaf Generator sound that was established on the follow-up album H to He, He who am the only One (1970) and brought to perfection on the incredible Pawn Hearts (1971). Although in some ways the product of a band still finding their way, this album is very enjoyable.

The heavy, at times cacophonous sound on the album is dominated largely by Peter Hammill's remarkable vocals, which range from a "heavy metal" rasp to a high-pitched "choir boy" vocal style, along with Hugh Banton's twisted/heavily distorted/churchy Hammond organ work, superb drumming by Guy Evans, and David Jackson's saxophone playing, which gets fairly free-form at times. This album did feature a full time bassist position, which was filled by Nic Potter.

I think that it is worth noting that although a great deal of this album is bleak and harsh, the piece Refugees is quite possibly the most beautifully sad composition VDGG ever wrote. Although I do enjoy the abrasive and gothic qualities of the music, Refugees is just a very nice song and one I return to again and again. There are also lighter moments on the short (4'08") track Out of my Book, which features some nice flute playing by David.

The EMI remastered album is excellent with dramatically improved sound quality that brings out the subtle nuances of each piece. Perhaps the greatest sound improvement is with Guy's drums - I can finally hear his playing and he is justifiably regarded as one of prog rock's greatest drummers. The artwork is also excellent and the detailed liner notes feature a number of publicity shots. The bonus tracks include Boat of a Million Years, and an edit of Refugees. Both tracks were released as a single in April 1970.

This album is highly recommended along with H to He, Pawn Hearts, and Still Life (1976).

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars look at the flame if you want to...feel the sharp angle of vision...smell the thick vapor of ozone...feel static motion, January 1, 2006

By 

emperor nobody "il mio nome e nessuno" (california, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Least We Can Do Is Wave to Each Other (Audio CD)

I just bought and listened to the remaster of this album so I thought I'd write down my observations while the music's still ringing in my ears.

This is as Tomas said a true prog classic, the first "real" VDGG album proper... it alternates between lush, melancholic ballads like "Refugees" and "Out of My Book" and ominous, historically-referenced epics like "White Hammer" (about the Spanish Inquisition, which nobody expects, right?) and "After the Flood," about nuclear Armageddon. The remaster even adds an alternate "Refugees" and one of my personal VDGG songs, another historically-based one (this time about Horus, Osiris and Ancient Egypt) called "The Boat of Millions of Years".

My personal favorite is "Whatever Would Robert Have Said," named after Robert Van de Graaf himself...this is a perfect distillation of what this seminal, one-of-a-kind group was/is all about. Great lyrics, fantastic start/stop arrangement, and a vocal from Peter Hammill that alternates between searing and plaintive. Highly recommended and certainly to be included on any "introduction to Progressive Rock" CD you might make to introduce the uninitiated into this wild and woolly genre.

You should get this and all the other VDGG remasters ASAP...this is a highly underrated group with a tremendous influence on musicians from John Lydon to Peter Gabriel.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The White Hammer of love!, September 5, 2005

By 

Tomas "Tomas" (Sweden) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Least We Can Do Is Wave to Each Other (Audio CD)

If you like prog rock this is a must have its a fantastic album, all songs are great my favorits are: White hammer, Refugees and After the flood. But the other songs are all fantastic yust as the singer Peter Hammils voice, he have a great voice, it may sound strange at first becaus its quite uniq but you will get yused to it and love it. the rest of the band also playes fantastic. So if you like good music, this album is for you.