Reunification and legacy

Even though I do not belong to the generation of those who grew up with this music, I have been but ultimately seized by the fascination of the music of Van Der Graaf Generator. Music triggers yes something in people, often without that one can explain exactly what makes it really. Early titles such as Darkness, Killer, Man-Erg, Lemmings, Refugees and The Sleepwalkers have arrived in such inexplicably join me.

After nearly 30 years the classic VDGG formation was again together for a short time. The first audible result was the album Present, the very different reactions has set forth. Another sign of life was finally realtime, this live recording of March 2005 from the Royal Festival Hall, 2 years later than DoCD published.

Real Time presents an incredibly authentic recording, on which the tension of the audience is enormously noticeably. The first flute David Jackson then also trigger a enthusiatischen jubilation and excitement is so immediately there. As one would have over-inflated a balloon and would now deflate slowly to reduce the pressure to an acceptable level down.

But not only the atmosphere of the album is exciting, and the sound quality of this live recording is excellent. Although the band does not harmonize 100% and Peter Hammills voice still falters slightly. Maybe those were the after-effects of myocardial infarction, the Hammill had suffered in late 2003, where he was probably escaped death only narrowly. Meanwhile, he has, however, apparently recovered. I could convince myself on the current tour for the new album a grounding in numbers it recently.

Realtime I find so important, because it is not only regarded as Reunionalbum, but also represents the legacy of the formation Hammill / Evans / Banton / Jackson. In early 2007 left David Jackson Van Der Graaf Generator again and the remaining 3 men do since then as a trio. Since a return Jackson is hardly to be expected, Real Time is the time the document is actually a must if you really like the music of this great band.