Fool's Mate [Bonus Tracks]

• Artist: Peter Hammill
• Rating:
• Release Date: August 02, 2005
• Type: Lyrics are included with the album
• Genre: Rock

Review

Although not on par with some of his best albums (1977's Over, 1978's The Future Now, etc.), the solo debut from Van Der Graaf Generator's Peter Hammill shows him taking his first steps toward prog rock perfection. What makes Fool's Mate different than VDGG's material is that it's more mainstream, and for the most part, piano- and acoustic guitar-based. But Hammill is still able to convey the grandness of classic VDGG, as heard in the sweeping sounds of "Re-Awakening." And he never grows predictable. The tracks "Sunshine" and "Imperial Zeppelin" show that he doesn't take himself as seriously as many of his then-contemporaries (an important reason why Hammill's music has held up far better over the years than some other prog rock efforts). But Hammill's lyrics aren't as sophisticated and developed as they would later become, which is understandable as this is his first solo outing, after all. And the album's closing song, "I Once Wrote Some Poems" hints at the style Hammill would pursue more thoroughly on future releases (venomous vocals set against contrasting music). Fool's Mate is not as bad as some Peter Hammill purists make it out to be, but casual fans should check out Over or The Future Now first. [This version of the album contains bonus material.] ~ Greg Prato, All Music Guide

Tracks

Track Title	Composers	Performers	Time
Imperial Zeppelin	Peter Hammill	Peter Hammill	(3:38)
Candle	Peter Hammill	Peter Hammill	(4:16)
Happy	Peter Hammill	Peter Hammill	(2:36)
Solitude	Peter Hammill	Peter Hammill	(4:56)
Vision	Peter Hammill	Peter Hammill	(3:13)
Re-Awakening	Peter Hammill	Peter Hammill	(4:01)
Sunshine	Peter Hammill	Peter Hammill	(3:56)
Child	Peter Hammill	Peter Hammill	(4:25)
Summer Song in the Autumn	Peter Hammill	Peter Hammill	(2:13)
Viking	Peter Hammill	Peter Hammill	(4:43)
The Birds	Peter Hammill	Peter Hammill	(3:38)
I Once Wrote Some Poems	Peter Hammill	Peter Hammill	(2:57)
Re-Awakening [#][*]	Peter Hammill	Peter Hammill	(4:36)
Summer Song in the Autumn [#][*]	Peter Hammill	Peter Hammill	(2:50)
The Birds [#][*]	Peter Hammill	Peter Hammill	(3:23)
Sunshine [#][*]	Peter Hammill	Peter Hammill	(3:54)
Happy [#][*]	Peter Hammill	Peter Hammill	(2:49)

Credits

Peter Hammill (Guitar (Acoustic)), Peter Hammill (Piano), Peter Hammill (Vocals), Peter Hammill (Liner Notes), Peter Hammill (Reissue Producer), Peter Hammill (Compilation), Peter Hammill (Remastering), Nic Potter (Bass), John Anthony (Producer), Hugh Banton (Organ), Hugh Banton (Piano), Robin Geoffrey Cable (Engineer), Rod Clements (Bass), Rod Clements (Violin), Guy Evans (Percussion), Guy Evans (Drums), Martin Pottinger (Drums), Paul Whitehead (Cover Design), Paul Whithead (Tamtam), Bob Fripp (Guitar (Electric)), Phil Smee (Packaging), Kathy Bryan (Transfers)