 – “PIONEERS OVER C” – LIVE')){kind=link}
Glorious, orchestrated rock tune from Van Der Graaf Generator. I placed “Generator” in parentheses in the title because at this stage of the band’s career, they had decided to abbreviate their title. Anyway, “Pioneers” is an epic composition highlighted by Peter Hamill’s vocals which alternate between mournful wail and guttural snarls. Hammill possesses a truly unique voice in rock. Rob Halford of Judas Priest learned a few tricks from Hamill’s approach it would appear. I like the powerful, effects laden bass guitar. When I first purchased this live set, “Vital” on audio cassette(!!! I date myself), I felt the bass was overdone but it has grown on me through the years. Pretty unique sounding instrument. Fine string and woodwind accents contribute as well to a rich sonic soup in which Hammill spins his yarn of a group of astronauts hopelessly lost in some outer space no man’s land with no chance of ever returning home. “Pioneers Over C” is a fabulous and multi layered melancholic suite. I only wish we could have witnessed the actual performance and didn’t have to depend on the album/CD/record cover as our only visual for a 16 minute time span! Boring! But this piece of music is definitely not boring.
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