H to He. Who Am the Only One [Original recording remastered]

Product Description
Remastered album includes the bonus tracks 'Squid/Octopus' (live) & 'The Emperor In His War-room' (early take). EMI. 2005.

H to He. Who Am the Only One,Van Der Graaf Generator,Blue Plate Caroline,Experimental,Pop,Prog-Rock/Art Rock,Rock,Rock/Pop

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H to He. Who Am the Only One [Original recording remastered]

Average customer rating: A Worthy Lead-Up to _Pawn Hearts_ The most original progressive rock band EVER. A League by Themselves Andy from Lima, Peru Tortured and Haunting

H to He, Who Am the Only One Van Der Graaf Generator Manufacturer: Blue Plate Caroline ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Progressive Rock | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Experimental Music | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music Rock | Imports | Stores | Music Similar Items: Pawn Hearts The Least We Can Do Is Wave to Each Other Godbluff Still Life The Quiet Zone/The Pleasure Dome ASIN: B0009F9O6M Release Date: 2005-06-14

Tracks:

1. Killer
2. House With No Door
3. Emperor In His War-room: The Emperor/The Room
4. Lost: The Dance In Sand And Sea/The Dance In The Frost
5. Pioneers Over C
6. Squid/Octopus
7. Emperor In His War-Room: The Emperor/The Room (Early Take)

Album Description

Remastered album includes the bonus tracks 'Squid/Octopus' (live) & 'The Emperor In His War-room' (early take). EMI. 2005.

Album Details

Following the Release of the Band's Studio Album `present', the Van Der Graaf Generator Catalogue is Finally Being Remastered (By Peter Hammill). Each Comes with Bonus Tracks, Many of which Are Previously Unreleased and Eagerly Awaited by their Many Fans (Whom Include Graham Coxon, John Lydon, Julian Cope, George Martin and Chilli Peppers Guitarist John Frusciante to Name a Few.)

Customer Reviews:

A Worthy Lead-Up to _Pawn Hearts_.......2006-07-21

On _H to He . . ._, the listener hears a prog band firmly developing its own personality, with David Jackson's distinctive saxophone playing and Peter Hammill's quirky sonwriting sensibility standing out. Still, they haven't completely separated from the prog pack at this point, like they would on _Pawn Hearts_. The first song, "Killer," definitely indicates a band striking in its own direction, with Hammill's trudging chromatic organ riff dominating the proceeding in the middle of the song. Then the typical flower generation refrain comes in at the end ("We need love . . ." over and over). Oh well. It was pretty sweet until then.

And after all, it is Britain and it is 1970. You hear Genesis influences in Hammill's erudition, Keith Emerson influences in Hammill's attempts at keyboard histrionics (let's just say the best is yet to come for him), but you especially hear King Crimson influences here. Guy Evans sounds like a Bill Bruford wanna-be for a large part. Listen to track 2, "House with No Door." It's got the precious lyrical sensibility of early Peter Gabriel, but other than that it almost sounds like it could be _Court of the Crimson King_ with its magisterial post-"Whiter Shade of Pale" progression and snare-fill-heavy drum attack. I don't dislike it, but like I said they are not differentiated from the pack as much as they could be.

VDGG, like most of their compeers at this point, seem to be recovering from the 1960's. It took releases like their _Pawn Hearts_ a few years later to establish the truly frantic paranoid mood that was the inevitable result of the Summer of Love (and the ultimate manifestation of this was yet to come with punk; I like to think of _Pawn Hearts_ as pre-punk--one can't say the same thing of _H to He . . ._). Here, you hear some of Hammill's patent angst, but it is not as convincing and unsettling as what was to come. There are plenty of great moments for your appreciation and I recommend this for any fan of challenging rock, but if you are seriously into prog, don't expect this to be far beyond VDGG's most accomplished contemporaries. They pulled out ahead of all of them with _Pawn Hearts_. _H to He . . ._ is at least worthwhile to own to hear the evolution of the band that made one of the three best prog albums ever.

The most original progressive rock band EVER. .......2006-04-06

If there is a band who can express "Being and Nothingness" by Jean Paul Satre or "Being and Time" by Heidegger, THIS IS THE BAND! This band explores the deep dark abyssmal recesses of being with SOUND. Does this "sound" like something you want to experience sonically? You may be saying a big NO! But if you consider yourself a progressive music fan in the very least, then IT IS YOUR DUTY TO LISTEN TO THIS MASTERPIECE! It is one of the most hauntingly disturbing prog masterpieces I have ever encountered. Desert Island record for any progressive rock fan.

A League by Themselves.......2006-02-23

To think this music was originally recorded more than thirty-five years ago is amazing, considering the punch and vitality it still contains in this new century. VDGG has always been totally unique. Peter Hammill's vision, leading this fine band of musicians to places other bands fear to tread has always been an adventurous and rewarding listening experience. I'll admit, initially it might take a little getting used to for some people. These guys are different, but boy is it worth getting into! H to He contains some of the band's best work. There are moments of straight ahead rock (Killer), achingly beautiful laments (House With no Door) and cool spacey rock (Pioneers Over C). The remastering job sounds great. Get it!

Andy from Lima, Peru.......2006-02-03

I am a Prog Rock fanatic and recently discover this jewel. It is a trip that can take you to the infinite space. A magnificent musicians that you can hear once and again. you have to buy the first three discs (Aerosol..., The least we can do is to wave each other, the best for me, and H to H....), these three works are superb. Pawn hearts is good too, but in my case I have to see the video of A plague of lighthouse keepers (Godbluff dvd) to enjoy more this song, whatever is a trip too.
LONG LIFE TO THE WHITE HAMMER OF LOVE

Tortured and Haunting.......2006-01-02

I went out and bought all of the EMI remastered albums and they are simply superb. The sound quality of H to He Who am the Only One has been vastly improved upon and the liner notes are wonderfully detailed and include various photos of the band scattered throughout. In addition to the original tracks, the electrifying and thunderous 15'24" Squid1/Squid 2/Octopus was added on along with the first version of The Emperor in his War Room. I should note that EMI did not use copy-control technology on the remastered albums so playback problems should not plague listeners.

This is the bleakest, most gothic prog rock I have ever heard. Instrumentation is sparse, with great drumming from Guy Evans (I can really hear the subtleties of his playing on the cleaned up recording), solid bass playing from Nic Potter, twisted Hammond organ work from keyboardist Hugh Banton, angular and aggressive sax playing from David Jackson (he would play two saxes at the same time - in fact Jackson, not to mention Colosseum sax player Dick Heckstall-Smith borrowed this technique from jazzer Rahsaan Roland Kirk) and a tiny bit of aggressive guitar work from guest Robert Fripp on "The Emperor in his War Room". Although synthesizers are largely absent, Hugh Banton is in fact credited with using an oscillator - which is a crude synthesizer (wave form generator actually). The most distinctive aspects of the music are Peter Hammill's anguished lyrics and his vocal delivery, which ranges from a tortured, heavy metal rasp to a smooth, high-pitched falsetto. While some folks find his vocals overwrought and excessively dramatic (this reaches a peak on "Lost"), it really makes this music work. Pieces are in the 6'00-12'25 range, with the heaviest track being the introductory "Killer". Although describing the music in terms of tortured, harsh, and anguished must conjure up sounds of a bandsaw ripping through galvanized steel, the music is not entirely abrasive. "House with No Door" is a very quiet and sad piece, and "The Emperor in his War Room", "Lost", and "Pioneers over c" all feature haunting and reflective sections in amongst the chaos. Though "H to He: Who am the Only One" is a good starting point, other excellent recordings by Van der Graaf Generator include "The Least we can do is Wave to Each Other (1970); Pawn Hearts (1971); Godbluff (1975) and Still Life (1976). Of these recordings, Pawn Hearts is their acclaimed best yet makes for extremely difficult listening.

Average customer rating:

H to He, Who Am the Only One Van Der Graaf Generator Manufacturer: EMI Japan ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Progressive Rock | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Experimental Music | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music Rock | Imports | Stores | Music Similar Items: The Least We Can Do Is Wave to Each Other Pawn Hearts Still Life Godbluff ASIN: B0009OAVHO Release Date: 2005-08-01

Tracks:

1. Killer
2. House with No Door
3. Emperor in His War-Room: The Emperor/The Room
4. Lost: The Dance in Sand & Sea/The Dance in the Frost
5. Pioneers Over Csquid/Octopus [Live in the Studio, "Pawn Hearts" Session
6. Squid/Octopus [Live in Studio, Pawn Hearts Sessions]
7. Emperor in His War-Room [Early Take]

Album Description

Japanese reissue of the 1970 album has been remastered and contains the original 5 tracks plus the 2 bonus tracks 'Squid/Octopus' (live in the studio Pawn Hearts sessions) & 'Emperor In His War-room:The Emperor/The Room' (early take). Virgin. 2005.

Album Details

Digitally Remastered CD Edition of the Original Album Released in 1970 on Dunhill Records. This EMI Reissue Comes with Two Bonus Tracks: "Squid/Octopus (Live in Studio)" and "Emperor in his War Room (Early Take)". Following the Release of the Band's 2005 Studio Album "Present", the Van Der Graaf Generator Catalog was Remastered by Peter Hammill.

Average customer rating: The Best Responding to Jeffery He to H Who - waa?? This album is in line WORTH PICKING UP IF ONLY FOR THE FIRST SONG

H to He, Who Am the Only One Van Der Graaf Generator Manufacturer: Caroline ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Rock | Styles | Music Progressive Rock | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Experimental Music | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music Progressive | Rock | Indie Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Godbluff The Least We Can Do Is Wave to Each Other Pawn Hearts Aerosol Grey Machine Pawn Hearts ASIN: B000000HTL Release Date: 1992-09-23

Tracks:

1. Killer - Hammill - Banton - Smith
2. House With No Door - Hammill - Jackson
3. The Emperor In His War-Room - Part 1: The Emperor - Part 2: The Room - Hammill
4. Lost - Part 1: The Dance In Sand And Sea - Part 2: The DAnce In The Frost - Hammill
5. Pioneers Over - Hammill - Jackson

Customer Reviews:

The Best.......2005-05-07

i don't suggest starting here with Van Der Graaf. It's an album to work up to. Because it is easily their best. Peter's song writing suggest complete genius here. Very beautiful, very harsh, very strange, very van der graaf. I just want to say all these guys are way above average on their instruments. They just don't "flash". They're not about that. They're about experimentation, pulsation, contrasting beauty with ugliness. Killer.

Responding to Jeffery.......2005-04-18

I'm glad you like the band and this ablum, but as far as Guy Evans being just moderatly competent your showing very little knowledge of drumming. While he may not be as tight as Bill Bruford, he makes playing in odd meters with multiple changes look effortless in the DVD. Just being able to play this music is worth more than that. Also Jackson plays some of the most creative sax and devices I've ever heard. Your review just seemed like a backhanded compliment to me.

He to H Who - waa??.......2003-04-23

Alright, something to do with helium. Maybe Peter Hammill was sniffing it when he sang this stuff. I find he's way over the top, chewing the scenery on every song. He ranks with Richard Harris for over-acting. The songs themselves are pretty boring, not much going on. Would be a total waste if not for Fripp's short guitar solo on one song. I listened to this a few times and sold it on eBay. This is not the great missing piece of the progressive rock puzzle. Too melodramatic. There's not much instrumentally, just hammond organ everywhere, like wallpaper, and some adequate woodwinds. Not much in the way of arrangements either. The songs are too long considering their simplicity. Put in some electric guitar - it's all Hammill's acoustic other than Fripp - and maybe this would do more than make you want to shut your eyes - impossible to sleep though due to Hamill's constant emoting. However, if you are depressed or enjoy being depressed, this may be the album for you.

This album is in line.......2003-02-02

with their first one. Killer and House With No Door are good songs. The lyrics supplement the music very much, and so does Hammil's singing. Robert Fripp's appearance did not change matters significantly.
The rating is more like 3.8

WORTH PICKING UP IF ONLY FOR THE FIRST SONG.......2002-10-07

This is not the first Van Der Graaf Generator album you should buy. That would be World Record, which is probably their most accessible album. Once you've listened to that (and hopefully liked it), pick up Pawn Hearts (which is generally considered their masterpiece) and then come here. H to He Who Am The Only One is difficult to get into, except for the brilliant opening track Killer, which is perhaps my favourite Van der Graaf song ever. Its about a killer fish, of all things.
The other tracks slowly grow on you. They contain some of Peter Hammil's best lyrics and some great music. Its not as complex as other progressive rock bands, but Van der Graaf generator is a tight band that stretches its capabilities.

My second favourite song is Pioneers Over C. because I love space epics. Emperor in his War Room has Robert Fripp as a guest guitarist but he doesn't turn in an overly impressive performance. Still, its a pretty good song as are House with No Door and Lost.

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