HW: Recent v Old (revisited)

[david hall]

In a bid to get the list back on-topic I re-post my critique of Hawkwind now
up-dated to 2001. Those new to the list feel free to comment, those who
contributed last time - have a second helping or second swipe. It generated
a huge discussion last time may be we'll see some new and different opinions
this time around.

For me Hawkwind, when on form, can be one of the best gigs around. For two
periods one in the late eighties and another they appeared to be in a rut.
Then lo and behold they pull a corker out of the bag. What I'd like to see
is a period of consistent gigs (not difficult for them) and studio output -
a bit more difficult. When I say consistent I don't mean live greatest hits
package year in year out, although I'm sure some on the list would be happy
for them to retread Space Ritual, with some tacks fom HotMG and Warrior,
indefinately. We've all got the records, we can listen to them anytime.
I'd love to buy a new release, with tracks that I don't know, slip it into
the machine....and ...

Then see them on tour!!
Kris if you're reading this I can reccomend the Old Fruitmarket in Glasgow
for a gig. Saw the Jayhawks there last time around - excellent and unique
venue.

See you all at the gigs hopefully

Dave
-----Original Message-----
From: david hall <dave at parma29.freeserve.co.uk>
To: BOC/Hawkwind Discussion List <BOC-L at LISTSERV.SPC.EDU>
Date: 21 November 1999 00:00
Subject: Re: HW: Recent v Old / Poll


>Having caught every tour since 1979 (numerous gigs on some tours) and
bought
>every official release, and having nothing better to do, here's my potted
>history (dates approximate) and opinion of Hawkwind 1979 - 1999. Discussion
>and responses welcome!
>
>The band functions best with a larger line-up. Therefore the ultimate
>re-union line-up.
>
>Dave Brock   (guitar, vox)
>Huw LLoyd-Langton (guitar)
>Lemmy (bass, vox)
>Adrian Shaw (bass, vox)
>Nik Turner (flute, vox, no sax, no theatrics)
>Simon House (violin, organ, mellotron)
>Tim Blake (synths, vox)
>Simon King (drums, percussion)
>Richard Chadwick (drums, percussion)
>Mike Moorcock (poetry)
>Ron Tree (vox for those nippy Calvert numbers)
>
>1979
>Spanking return to form. Simon King sums it up in an interview "this time
>without the prima donnas".
>Gigs were a full on sonic assault. Two guitars, DB out the front, Simon K.
>on the tubs, Tim Blake - cosmic.
>
>1980
>Live 79 (superb but, did we need Silver Machine on it - no, did we need it
>shortened by an explosion - no) released, Shot Down In The Night looks like
>a top 5 cert.
>Implosion alert! Simon King booted out-why?
>Levitation released, superb. Ginger Baker now on the drums. not right for
HW
>say many letters to Sounds Rock mag. Implosion Alert! number two - Tim
Blake
>out.
>Tour okay ace slideshow
>High point - HL-L guitar work
>Lows - no Tim Blake (synths were never as good again), no Simon King and a
>frigging drum solo during Brainstorm. Ginger not powerful enough for HW.
>'tis a pity the Live 79 line-up did not continue.
>
>1981 - 1982
>The RCA years, studio output failed to match the band live. You might be
>able to get one good LP out of Sonic Attack, Masques, and Church. Highs:
>Angel Of Death, Fahrenheit 451, Rocky Paths, Living On A Knife Edge. Martin
>Griffin on drums on short term basis. Although many suspect it is Dave
>banging the biscuit tins
>in the studio, because that's what it sounds like. Simon King almost
>rejoins, a photo with him and the band from 1982? features in Hawkfan.
>Various rumours as to why this didn't happen.
>Live - the band are storming, although a keyboard player was required. Nik
T
>guests on Masques tour. Sonic Attack tour sees the projections blossoming.
>The dancers return for the Masques tour.
>
>1983 - 1984
>Studio output - dodgy.
>Nik T back in the band.
>Live the band are storming when Nik plays at being part of a band and not
>the front man. Flute playing - ace, spoken word - okay. Sax and theatrics -
>sonic farting (fans pissed off in droves). Lemmy rumoured to be joining for
>the Earth Ritual tour - but is a no-show. Dead Fred (ex ICU) on organ and
>violin.
>Alan Davey arrives at a later point.
>
>(Early to mid '80s sees the advent of the Dave Brock chug-a-chug keyboard
>bass line; still in use in 1999!)
>
>1985
>The Black Sword Tour
>Return to form in studio and live. Moorcock guests at Hammersmith. Band on
>form.
>
>1986
>Live LP released -spiffing.
>
>1986 - 1989
>The Curse Of The Blacksword methinks. Mess with Elric's mighty blade and it
>will suck your soul. Lack of quality control on all fronts. Dave and Alan
>start to hide behind stacks of keyboard. Huw leaves....or rather fades
away,
>or was he faded out?
>
>1989
>The return of Simon House. Gigs are fantastic - get these shows out on CD
>now!!!!!
>
>1990
>Space Bandits - apart from "Out Of The Shadows" - crap. Sorry, but there it
>is. Bridgett doesn't cut it in the studio, and live isn't just irritating,
>is in fact dreadful
>(nothing this bad is seen until Rizz).
>1990/1? Tim Blake guests.
>
>1991 - 1994
>The trio years.
>Palace Springs (live with Bridgett, Simon H and Harvey) - average; although
>Treadmill excellent.
>1992 Electric Tepee released generally good. Best LP since Black Sword,
>would have been excellent with a bit of editing (Right To Decide and Secret
>Agent HW classics).
>1993 "It Is The Business....." studio released, patchy but interesting.
>1994 "The Business Trip" live set released. Good
>Live the band are good, when they let it rip (Dave especially when he
>decides to leave the keys for the guitar). Have a habit of letting the
>synths chug away which breaks the momentum. But Richard gives it welly in
an
>attempt to retain balance!! Continue the habit of keyboard versions of old
>songs (Golden Void)...stop it, and insist on playing a truely awful
'reggae'
>thing, ditchthat too (Lee 'Scratch' Perry it isn't)!
>Alan and Dave, especially Dave, now almost static behind the keyboard
>high-rise.
>Alert: stagnation possible!
>Time for a change (line-up expansion required).
>
>1995 - 1996
>Ron Tree arrives. Alien gigs excellent.
>Alien 4 and Love In Space better than Electric Tepee.
>Alan Davey leaves.
>
>1997
>Distant Horizons released. Disappointing, or maybe expctations were too
>high, to say the least.
>Live it is a mixed affair; Dave invisible at the back. A friend says to me
>after the gig "I thought Dave Brock was still in the band". Rizz; get him
to
>****!!! Is the general opinion. Line-up review required.


1998 -  2001
A strange period this....plenty of solo activity from past and present
members. Lots of media activity -  re-releases, TV programmes, adverts.
Unbelievable numbers of unreleased archive material. But sadly no new studio
ouput. What's this?? Rumours of  William Orbit on production duties...the
crowd go mental, the ball's in the back of the net, I hope this happens.
Hawkwind material has on occasion, in the last few years, lacked on the
production side (if Willam can't do it ...what about Brian Eno or Bob
Ezrin - bring back Dave Charles where did he go?).

It finally happened - the reunion gig. On a personal level I thought it was
the best Hawkwind event I've witnessed. High points too many: Dave Brock and
Lemmy "connecting" seemingly, Moonglum played - the best song from
Blacksword! Hopes are raised that
there will be re-newed Hawk activity with extended line-ups. And in some
ways these hopes are realised....unfortunately the Hawkwind spaceship seems
to have fractured..with Hawkwind and Nikwind both gigging. Now this is a bit
of a shame really because although Niks sax can grate sometimes one of my
memories of Hawkestra was Nik incanting a poem and really building the
atmosphere. Also Tim seems to have taken the humph because his name was put
on the bill for a gig without his say-so. Is Huw in the band or not? Is the
new sax player any good? Is he right for Hawkwind? Some reports I've heard
say that he's technically excellent but wrong for the band (shades of Ginger
Baker replacing Simon King). Lemmy now lives in LA - was his participation a
one-off?. Does this mean then that Hawkwind have missed
a window of opportunity for a Hawkestra based recording?
Apart from Hawkestra what is the line-up of Hawkwind 2001?

Welcome to the future!!
What is the future? Dave Brock - over to you!

Dave