Episode 35 – Grey and Pink Topography: A Canterbury Overview

The so-called “Canterbury scene” was an adventurous musical movement of time and place, bonded tightly by shared influences and an incestuous genealogy. This episode, we climb our favorite limbs from the Canterbury tree, including but not limited to Caravan, National Health, Egg and Quiet Sun. Much respect to Dave Stewart! Be praised, Steve Hillage! Arise, Richard Sinclair! We shout hails to thee, out there in the land of grey and pink. Note I: We mention a couple English bands that intersected with or correlated to the Canterbury scene and sound – Gong and Camel – yet we are remiss in forgetting mention of The Netherlands’ Supersister. Of all the non-English bands that showed Canterbury influence (or shared the same influences), Supersister’s quirk-and-stealth has to be acknowledged first and foremost. Seek out Present from Nancy and To the Highest Bidder for evidence. Note II: Please consider donating if you listen to Radical Research often: paypal.me/rrpodcast

Music cited, in order of appearance: Caravan, “Nine Feet Underground” (In the Land of Grey and Pink, 1971) Soft Machine, “Virtually, Pt. 1” (Fourth, 1971) Matching Mole, “Brandy as in Benji” (Smoke Signals, 2001, recorded 1972) Egg, “A Visit to Newport Hospital” (two moments) (The Polite Force, 1971) Egg, “Boilk” (The Polite Force, 1971) Caravan, “C’thlu Thlu” (For Girls Who Grow Plump in the Night, 1973) Hatfield and the North, “Shaving is Boring” (Hatfield and the North, 1973) Hatfield and the North, “The Yes No Interlude” (The Rotters’ Club, 1975) National Health, “Squarer for Maude” (Of Queues and Cures, 1978) Khan, “Driving to Amsterdam” (Space Shanty, 1972) Steve Hillage, “Aftaglid” (Fish Rising, 1975) Steve Hillage, “Lunar Musick Suite” (L, 1976) Quiet Sun, “Bargain Classics” (Mainstream, 1975) episode 36 preview: Melvins, “The Anti-Vermin Seed” (Hostile Ambient Takeover, 2002)

Radical Research is a conversation about the inner- and outer-reaches of rock and metal music. This podcast is conceived and conducted by Jeff Wagner and Hunter Ginn. Though we consume music in a variety of ways, we give particular privilege to the immersive, full-album listening experience. Likewise, we believe that tangible music formats help provide the richest, most rewarding immersions and that music, artwork, and song titles cooperate to produce a singular effect on the listener. Great music is worth more than we ever pay for it. This is Radical Research Podcast episode 35.