Listen to Van Der Graaf Generator: Pawn Hearts, Side 2 

An acquired taste but once acquired never lost. VDGG my favourite band along with King Crimson. The two greatest bands ever. Truly progressive still, not just playing at it or following a trend, they created true prog rock. The VDGG Charisma Years box is special, this in 5.1 is totally amazing. H to He or God bluff should be your next VDGG. Peter Hammill solo albums are pretty special too, most of them anyway. Members of VDGG also play on his albums, all should really be considered as one. An amazing amount of music for you to discover. I've been a big fan since The Least we can do came out, 1970 I think, collection is upstairs in listening room, now in my 60's and I still think they are the best of the best. Peter Hammill is a special vocalist, Fripp called him the Hendrix of the voice, they were amazing live too.

Thanks for his Jim. VDGG provide moments of sheer beauty and utter chaos often within the same track.

The clicking at 8:40 - I really don't regret dumping my huge vinyl collection for CD in the early 2000s!

Back when I was in my late teens and early twenties, I used to hang out at a friend's house, smoking weed and listening to music, classic combo. This friend had the good fortune of having parents that were quite the afficionados of 70s Rock and Prog and so this reflected in his upbringing and musical taste. Needless to say that when I was introduced to VGG with this song, it was quite the experience. It's almost like a rite of passage!

How did they play this live? Answer: absolutely brilliantly and unforgettably, even after fifty years. I was lucky enough to see them so many times in the 1970s, and again a few years ago in Edinburgh. You need to listen to everything else they did: try Still Life next, and check out Hammill's "solo" work, especially Gog from In Camera, which is Guy Evans' greatest performance.

A sample of that song was used by Steven Wilson in his extraordinary “Voyage 34” by Porcupine Tree. And also on No-Man’s “Sweetheart Raw”, another SW project.

Grinning like a Cheshire cat. You and me both Jim ! This is where you see just what an influence they had on future ( then ) artists... notably Fish , and John Lydon , and indeed VDGG are the most punky of Prog bands. This is , like you say 1971 , the musical world on the whole wasn't quite ready for bonkers and beautiful on this level. Van Der Graaf Generator we salute you !!! 😍🎵🎵🤘

I highly suggest "H to He, Who Am the Only One" as the next album to check out!

Hi Jim! Thanks for this reaction.. is great seeing somebody hear Pawn Hearts for the first time!! I've been listening to it since 1971 and it's still one of my all-time favourites that I play regularly. It *is * challenging on first listen, but then the best prog was always challenging, and that's the way it should be. I heard it first quite by accident: my best friend bought the album because he loved the cover! Anyway, VDGG did split up after the album, as you say, but the split was only temporary and they reunited a few years later to record a few brilliant albums...only to split up again. But that didn't last either, and they got back together around 2010. Their last studio album, Do Not Disturb, was released in 2017. And it may very well be THE last, as Peter Hammill says, to paraphrase, they're all getting a bit too long in the tooth for it. If so, that last album was a hell of a way to go out because it's excellent and you should definitely give it a listen. Incidentally, the band is still gigging too, although they are now down to a three-piece after saxophonist David Jackson left around 2014. Peter Hammill has released more than 30 solo albums over the years and they are eminently worth checking out too. He's one of Britain's finest songwriters: always pushing boundaries, never standing still. Thanks again Jim and all the best!

1971!!!!!!! The studio was incredibly important. At one point they had every tape recorder tied up, multitracking 16 'bands' to create absolute chaos ... David Jackson: 'Jaxonsax' plays his saxophones through multiple effects but most impressive is 'double horns' - playing two saxophones simultaneously. Peter Hammill's voice: From Wikipedia:- "... ranges in tone from peacefully celestial to screaming rants (which are nevertheless highly controlled). Singing in registers from baritone to high falsetto, he growls, croons, shrieks and shouts in ways that have drawn comparison with the guitar playing of Jimi Hendrix."

I am now 70 years young. This album has been part of my DNA since i was a 17 years old, for better or worse! For me the album that defines prog. As i mentioned before Jim, check out the previous album H to He Who Am the Only One, which i rate equally highly but is definitely an easier listen.

VDGG and Robert Fripp together. It just doesn't get any better than this.

To me, this is one of the best album ever made. Love this LP so much ! ♥♥

I am a big fan of exploring a band by listening to the chronological order of the albums. It usually helps to understand the musical development. Starting with no 4 is like you start with Led Zeppelin's 4th album (or Yes' or whatsoever). And then you sit there like you sit there, with puzzles all over your face. It's still fun to watch how you don't get them (especially side 1) 😉

This is the album you put on when you want your dinner guests to go home!

Unlike Yes, who tended towards the ‘peace and love’ big picture, VDGG gave the knotty, grainy, extreme close-up stuff that superficially is repellent, but in reality possesses a profound beauty. No happy, hippy-dippy endings with VDGG. Truly progressive and unique. Whenever i hear Peter Hammill I get visions of John Hurt singing in the guise of Caligula 🤔 They did split after this album but reformed three years later and carried on releasing landmark (but underappreciated) albums. No surprise that the likes of John Lydon and Captain Sensible were huge Van Der Graaf/ Hammill fans. Listen to the 1978 double live album Vital. It kicks the Punks out of the park. Strips paint from the walls. Still…most “Prog fans” will toddle off and listen to the Alan Parsons Project, or Porcupine Tree or Dream Theatre 🙄

No matter what you thought of this album, still check out 'Still Life' by VDGG it is an easier listen but still has that VDGG magic that sets it apart from other prog bands.

I only heard this album for the first time a few months ago and it has quickly become one of my favourite records ever by anyone. It gets better with every listen.

My favourite of all the British prog bands, along with King Crimson. If you do more VDGG in the future, I highly recommend their next album "Godbluff" It's slightly more direct and less meandering. And it's dark. And loud. Also, vocalist Peter Hammill's 1974 solo album "The silent corner and the empty stage" is well worth a listen. Probably my favourite Hammill-related album.

Well, that is 20 minutes of my life I am going to repeat a good number of times. There is so much to take in that it will take ages to get to grips with it - but I am ready for the challenge...

It’s a beautiful album. The drummer holding this whole thing down. It’s a trip. I guess they blew a fuse making this one. They got back together a couple years later. Great listen thanks

I have to be honest, Jim. After watching your video review of the first side, I didn't think you'd make it all the way through side two. I've been into VDGG for so long, that they sound normal to me. I admit they are an acquired taste for some, but well worth the effort. There are differing opinions on Hammill's voice, but I think he's an amazingly expressive vocalist.

Someone has probably mentioned already that Pawn Hearts wasn't the end of VDGG as they soon got back together and soldiered on until 1978, producing another 3 albums up to 76. Miraculously, they got back together again around 2004 and produced another 4 albums although the first one in 2005 was sadly the last with David Jackson and they became a trio rather than replace him. Loved your incredulous reaction btw and I imagine that sort of reaction would be quite normal for someone listening to that for the first time!

I really love this piece of music.

That was exactly that kind of reaction when hearing this album for the very first time. Espcially this track catches one off guard and leaves one puzzled, shocked, captivatet and this tage might last for some time. Just great. Thanx

No kidding, this is the best album of the 70s... among plenty of great albums. But this is unnaturally perfect from the start to the end. With no worse moments nor tracks. Every note and every sound is just genius. And vocals... Peter Hammill is so proggy in nature. He just has brought to the Earth to create prog and emanate the poetry. So have Fripp and KC. VDGG are fantastic musicians with fantastic ideas. Production made the rest to create complete masterpiece. Great reaction Jim.

The American release of Pawn Hearts had an extra track which was Theme One.

I actually liked the part 1. For sure not an easy listen at first go because the structure of the “song” is almost invisible. In my family, this sort of music is best to listen with headphones. My wife would go crazy with this as the is so many things happening at the same time. Anyhow, eagerly waiting what will this part 2 give us

Pawn Hearts is very much a product of the studio: lots of overdubs, lots of experimentation. The following two albums Godbluff and Still Life go for more of a live in the studio vibe, and they are just as good.

@7:15 the sounds are just like in Porcupine Tree (sky moves sideways phase one).

Jim, I discovered Van Der Graff Generator in 1974 with the pawnhearts album at Emerson college, thru my college buddys, in Boston, I bought it as a cut out for three dollars which extra track , Theme one.

I've gotten a lot of comments that Peter Hammill reminds them of Rob Halford.

Great band. To me they are the Budgie of prog. Like Budgie did for rock they made great distinctive important albums that are sadly over shadowed by more popular bands. In Budgies case think Rush and Zeppelin. For VDGG i always think of early Priest, Genesis, Roxy Music, King Crimson, elements of Bowie and of course the Canterbury bands. So many great artists to explore and albums like God bluff, World Record and Still Life kick arse. First listen of Pawn Hearts....loving Plague of Lighthouse Keepers.🤘👍🖤👨‍🎤

Good ol Hammil and co -not for everyone but genius and catchy to boot - great start to the day thanks Jim : )

Jim, your first listen reaction to this masterpiece was similar to mine! A quite extraordinary piece of music, which reveals more on repeated listens. So many wonderful parts but the mid section with the keyboards going all over the place & the final section with the incredible chord progression are my favourites. The band's 2 previous albums to this are also excellent, as are the 4 they recorded in the mid '70s when they reformed, 'Godbluff' & 'Still Life' probably being the best of them, worth checking these out as well as some of Mr Hammill's diverse and prolific solo work. Enjoyed your reaction, no doubt you'll want to give it a few further listens to try and work out what the hell is going on!

You really need to study the lyrics of all VdGG / Hammill compositions as there is so much to be gained by linking the music and lyrics as a whole. Peters lyrics are on a whole new level to most other ''dungeons and dragons'' type fantasy lyrics - deep, challenging, psychotic at time - not easy reading but very rewarding.

I have a theory that the A24 movie The Lighthouse was partly inspired by this song.

Jim looking Into the camera in bewilderment....now that's a first!!😂 Next up a bit of Faust i think Jim (try Faust Tapes). Then some God Speed You! Black Emperor. Lift Your Skinny Fists will do. Finally a go on some of the more odd side of Sparks. Lil Beethoven is a good place to go. Odd bands rule!!! Gotta say Van Der Graf Generator own it! Just ordered Pawn Hearts and another 4 of their albums while listening with you Jim....oh and a sneaky Rick Wakeman cd (Henry vlll wives)

There is a video here on youtube of them playing it for (i think) swiss tv. They had to relearn the entire song and I think they only did the entire thing once. The album verson is spliced from many takes.

(chuckle) I knew that you would use the word 'challenging' within this video! Yes, it is challenging music and isn't that a wonderful thing? Challenge is what leads to progress and boy, does this progress from wonderful melodies to the most inventive discordant chaos and back again within 23 minutes. You don't normally examine lyrics closely but those on this album reward the attentive listener. 'Plague' is about the descent to madness of the lonely lighthouse keeper exposed to death and shipwreck over the years and the various singing styles reflect the voices of the keeper and those lost. Few other vocalists walk the tightrope between madness and genius quite so readily. Many listeners are unsettled by the teetering on that tightrope and I can understand that, but rest assured that Hammill completes the walk each and every time. The previous two tracks are just as unusual and one of the best pieces in the progressive canon is the 11/8 (maybe 5/8 alternating with 6/8) rallentando in Man-Erg that you were counting on your fingers in part 1 (and, yes, that's 50% on the sax but how many miles from the jazz stylings of Kenny G et al?) The players deserve a mention. Jackson is one of the few that I will trust with that dreaded Belgian instrument, Evans is such an underrated drummer and Banton makes noises that can come from the depths of hell or the heavens above. (long before Vangelis) Fripp is barely noticeable, but he's there and Hammill can play a mean guitar/piano/anything else required. This remains my favourite album of all time.

You can buy it in 5.1 surrond very cheaply.

Surprised you didn’t comment on the vocals sounding very much like the vocals in your favorite band, Iron Maiden. I always thought B.D. Was inspired by Hammil

No, no, far from the final album. VDGG is still active. And they reformed in1975, with their best period with three albums that are amongst the best ever by any artist : Godbluff, Still Life and World Record.

part 2 .... doesn't change my mind ... music good ...singing not for me

I still don't get it.