palmer_eldritch Posted March 2, 2006 Report Share Posted March 2, 2006 I've been listening to Gong ALL day, so I've decided to start an appreciation thread here. Anyone else here enjoy Gong? Also to announce they are playing a 3 day festival in Amsterdam in November, which i would rather die than miss. Steve Hillage's System 7 are also playing a set amongst loads of other acts at the festival. I can only assume that Hillage isn't going to go all the way to Amsterdam and NOT play with his old band Gong so i'm literally crapping myself about this event.Info on the gig can be found at www.planetgong.co.ukI hope im not the only Gong lover on the site 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan Cynic Posted March 2, 2006 Report Share Posted March 2, 2006 You're not...I mentioned them in the Cold Granite thread. Got into them as a wee schoolboy, and bought their first few albums on import, only to see Camembert Eletcrique issued at 50p when they signed to Virgin.Saw them twice..once at the Music Hall (mid 70s), and a couple of years ago at the Lemon Tree. I love the early, off-the-wall Daevid Allen stuff, but I'm not so keen on their jazz-rock later ones. One of my favourite cassettes as a Teenager was their radio session with Kevin Ayers (John Peel I think), with a great version of Clarence in Wonderland. It's on CD now, so I assume you've got it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest MKII Posted March 2, 2006 Report Share Posted March 2, 2006 I have Magick Brother/Mystic Sister, it's ok, very Piper at the Gates of Dawn. Here's a rare clip featuring David in his Soft Machine days(give it time to load): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=My_CmLOTFPE&search=soft%20machine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan Cynic Posted March 3, 2006 Report Share Posted March 3, 2006 Loved it!!! Apart from the music it had everything else...kittens, puppies, babies, cute wee vans etc (More than a tad sexist, mind, with the lads larking about/doing music whilst the lasses make tea, cook etc).And Daevid plays the tin-whistle the same way as me!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan Cynic Posted March 3, 2006 Report Share Posted March 3, 2006 I think it's officially called Radio Gnome Invisible Part 1, but everyone calls it Flying Teapot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Neubeatz Posted March 3, 2006 Report Share Posted March 3, 2006 Yes, who nicked my "Camambert Electrique" I bet someone here has it stashed somewhere secret! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
haystacks Posted March 3, 2006 Report Share Posted March 3, 2006 I really like Gong (I also like drinking tea) - 'Angels Egg Volume 2' and 'You' are excellent albums full of wacky English humour and great musicianship.Is anyone here into the Canterbury scene in general? I'm really digging bands such as Caravan, Hatfield & the North and Matching Mole just now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
haystacks Posted March 3, 2006 Report Share Posted March 3, 2006 I really like Gong (I also like drinking tea) - 'Angels Egg Volume 2' and 'You' are excellent albums full of wacky English humour and great musicianship.Is anyone here into the Canterbury scene in general? I'm really digging bands such as Caravan, Hatfield & the North and Matching Mole just now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan Cynic Posted March 3, 2006 Report Share Posted March 3, 2006 MKll and myself are big Canterbury scene fans. My i-pod is crammed with Wyatt, Ayers etc Caravan were a big fave of mine for years! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bodast Posted March 3, 2006 Report Share Posted March 3, 2006 And don't forget I spend far too much time wondering whether I prefer Soft Machine or Caravan. But that's alright by me, don't think that I'm complaining, aft.. oh, never mind. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest MKII Posted March 3, 2006 Report Share Posted March 3, 2006 I love all those 'canterbury secene' bands, mmmmmm! There's a lovely innocence to the music, even when it's quite complicated. My sundaramusic track (wtih lyrics by the ol' cynic)The Traveller is a wee musical tribute to all that stuff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chilli Posted March 4, 2006 Report Share Posted March 4, 2006 well we had all the postive, now a reality check.Gong at the Lemon Tree a couple of years ago were cosmic pants, a band obviously playing on reputation & getting hansomely paid in the process, If you compare the late career show show in Aberdeen by say Soft Machine at the students union & the recent Faust EVENT, Gong didn't even make the starting blocks. (phil-lovely late night buses last night after creative cultures show) haystacks are you posting from Prague??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan Cynic Posted March 4, 2006 Report Share Posted March 4, 2006 I enjoyed Gong at the Lemon Tree....I took into account that Daevid and Gilli are even older than us by a long shot, and found it all quite charming.I bought my ticket for their aborted gig at that place in Belmont St which used to be Radars. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chilli Posted March 4, 2006 Report Share Posted March 4, 2006 I enjoyed Gong at the Lemon Tree....I took into account that Daevid and Gilli are even older than us by a long shot' date=' and found it all quite charming.I bought my ticket for their aborted gig at that place in Belmont St which used to be Radars.[/quote']we agree on musical things far too often...............somebody sound the gong for round one & i'll beat u up with with warmed marshmallows, followed quickly by a kick in the pension book Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan Cynic Posted March 4, 2006 Report Share Posted March 4, 2006 I like the sound of the warmed marshmallows!! (but I keep my pension book in a hard bookcase, so you'll get a sore foot!) Bodast ...I have just dug out my copies of 'Egg' and 'Civil Surface' for this afternoon's listening whilst I attach knives to my zimmer frame in case of attack by Chilli! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest MKII Posted March 4, 2006 Report Share Posted March 4, 2006 Soft Machine played students union? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan Cynic Posted March 4, 2006 Report Share Posted March 4, 2006 Lol Coxhill played the Art Gallery....!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
haystacks Posted March 7, 2006 Report Share Posted March 7, 2006 haystacks are you posting from Prague???Erm nope - posting from work the noo but I live in Aberdeenshire. I'm reading this thread and can't believe some of the bands I've missed that played Aberdeen: Gong (even if they were poor, would've been an experience) and Soft Machine (is this true? hard to believe - can someone confirm?), Focus (damn, damn, damn why did I miss this), Ozric Tentacles (see Focus).Are there other past greats who have graced Aberdeen? I did manage to see Hawkwind a couple years back. Maybe I don't want to know, this kicking myself thing is starting to hurt! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pogofish Posted March 7, 2006 Report Share Posted March 7, 2006 Oh yes, there are many old great bands who have played here over the years. Mostly when they were on their way up or down, seldom when they were at the absolute peak, although there are a couple of notable exceptions. I was at the same HW show. Seen them more times than is physically good for me & that was not one of their most memorable performances I'm afraid.You really don't want to know! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pogofish Posted March 7, 2006 Report Share Posted March 7, 2006 Soft Machine played students union?Can't confirm Soft Machine but various members have played here at other times Including one doing a stonking set at the Bobbin Mill once.Back in the day, The Union had a really good roster of regular live bands & often had some absolute crackers in to play. Especially the more off the wall sort eg Nico, Jaques Loussier (Mitchell hall) & The Enid. Even a little known rock band called Texas playing the Beer Bar! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest MKII Posted March 7, 2006 Report Share Posted March 7, 2006 Nice Aberdeen link to the Canterbury Scene: Jimmy Hastings (Caravan and Soft Machine) was born here.Soft Machine played here in 1974. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pogofish Posted March 7, 2006 Report Share Posted March 7, 2006 Soft Machine played here in 1974.Ahh, a little before my time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest MKII Posted March 7, 2006 Report Share Posted March 7, 2006 I was under construction at that time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bodast Posted March 7, 2006 Report Share Posted March 7, 2006 haystacks are you posting from Prague???No, that's me Mike Hey! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan Cynic Posted March 7, 2006 Report Share Posted March 7, 2006 I saw Caravan at the University Union on the 'For girls who grow plump in the night' tour (73ish???). Focus played at Drummonds a couple of months ago...I saw their soundcheck.I'm pretty sure I saw Hatfield and the North here too, 'cos I've got the badge (don't ask why I can't remember...it's a sensitive subject) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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