CARAVAN : SURPRISE SUPPLIES

 

  1. Here Am I
  2. Chiefs and Indians
  3. Can You Hear Me?
  4. All the Way
  5. A Very Smelly Grubby Little Oik / Bobbing Wide / Come on back
  6. Love in Your Eye / To Catch Me a Brother / Sub sultus / debouchment / tilbury kecks

Label : HTD Records

Venue : New Victoria Theatre, London, UK

Recording Date : May 4, 1976

Length : 55:21

Released : 1999

Review (AllMusic) : This disc is derived from Caravan's May 4, 1976, performance at the New Victoria Theatre in London. Keen-eyed and eared enthusiasts will no doubt notice the similarities between this set and several tracks located on various BBC compilations such as Ether Way and BBC Radio 1 Live. While the performances are different, the session taped for broadcast by John Peel was recorded a mere two days later. This flurry of activity by Caravan in the spring of '74 was primarily in support of the band's seventh studio release, Blind Dog at St. Dunstans' -- explaining the concentration of material from that album on this set. The combination of less-than-stellar material, as well as the instability of Caravan's personnel, results in an uneven performance. The addition of synthesizer/keyboardist Jan Schelhaas -- who is also featured on Blind Dog at St. Dunstans' -- masques any attempts at recapturing the classic Caravan sound with ill-placed solos and over-the-top flourishes á la Keith Emerson. Redemption is found during the disc's waning moments during a comfortable "Love in Your Eye" suite. Like a favorite pair of blue jeans or well-worn sneakers, this track is definitely a keeper. The contrast between this cut and the newer works is striking. There is a palpable sense of Caravan rising to the occasion of a more familiar piece. Perhaps this is why it is positioned at the end of the performance. The sound quality on Surprise Supplies is also somewhat lacking. Likewise, when compared to the John Peel sessions located on Ether Way, this recording sounds as if it may be running a semi-tone sharp or fast. Interested enthusiasts are encouraged to seek this disc for the sake of completeness only. Inquiring parties are best served with either Ether Way or BBC Radio 1 Live -- both of which feature material from the same mid-'70s Caravan line-up.