Catapilla - Changes

Year of Release: 2001
Label: Akarma Records
Catalog Number: AK 132
Format: CD
Total Time: 37:03:00

British prog-rockers Catapilla released Changes in 1972 on the Vertigo label (cat no. 6360074). This short-lived progressive rock band made an unforgettable impression upon the face of music before their exit into obscurity. It's a wonder how a group that was so well ahead of their time, and who were literally one of the pioneers of an entire generation of music, could be so unrecognized. Now its time to give credit where it is so rightfully due.

Vocalist Anna Meek and saxophonist Robert Calvert play off of each other and ride the prog-rock roller coaster of ever changing sound. Prog-rock enthusiasts get a glimpse of where groups like Pink Floyd and Roxy Music could have derived some ideas from. Meek's eerie vocal rants and Calvert's poignant and atmospheric saxophone are everything Graham Wilson (guitar), Ralph Rolinson (keyboards), Carl Wassard (bass), and Brian Hanson (drums) needed to launch a sound that is all at once mysterious as it is aurally exciting. This LP entailed four ambitious songs of progressive jazz-rock fusion that help to lend a hand in setting the standard for what was to become a new genre. On "Reflections" and "Thank Christ For George" moments of savage guitar lines are calmed by vocals that seem to float over the top of a soothing saxophone, while the complexity of it all pulls you into another dimension. They both clock in at over twelve minutes each. Regardless of the length of the songs you are left wanting for more.

This LP was a sought-after collector's item. The colorful gatefold sleeve, which has a picture of a caterpillar peeping over a leaf as it enjoys its meal, opens and there is a maggot squirming. This image is a point of reference to the music, its very symbolic. Progressive rock is very much like the process of birth and rebirth. The caterpillar goes into a cocoon and emerges as a beautiful butterfly. They couldn't have chosen a better analogy or illustration to explain the musical process. Its time for us all to investigate the impact that groups like Catapilla has had on the history and development of prog-rock.

Issued on CD in Germany in 1993 by Green Tree Records (GTR 010)

Tracklisting:
Side One: Reflections (12:06) / Charing Cross (6:45)

Side Two: Thank Christ For George (12:07) / It Could Only Happen To Me (6:45)

Musicians:
Anna Meek - vocals
Robert Calvert - saxophone
Graham Wilson - guitar
Ralph Rolinson - keyboards
Carl Wassard - bass
Brian Hanson - drums

Discography:
Catapilla (1971/2000)
Changes (1972/2001/1993)

Genre: Progressive Rock

Origin UK

Added: October 26th 2001
Reviewer: Keith "Muzikman" Hannaleck

Hits: 2226
Language: english