carnelli

It’s been more than 50 years since extraordinary British rock band Van Der Graaf Generator released their legendary fourth studio album, Pawn Hearts: a mind-splitting masterpiece that fascinated an entire generation of music lovers, redefining what could be done within the realm of music. Written by iconic progressive rock author Paolo Carnelli, this is the most extensive treatise of its kind on Van der Graaf’s seminal 1971 record. The book starts with the birth of the Pawn Hearts concept from live band experience, the songs rehearsals and eventually the recording of the album material. A detailed track-by-track musical and lyrical analysis follows. Specific chapters are dedicated to the making and the meaning of the artwork and to the band’s collaboration with King Crimson’s Robert Fripp. The last part of the book deals with the press reaction to the album and the unexpected release of the ’Theme One/W’ 7’’ in 1972. The final chapter recalls the amazing 2013 ’Lighthouse Keepers’ VdGG tour: venues, dates and setlists for the whole tour are included, as well as a detailed Pawn Hearts discography. Some fresh comments on the album from David Jackson, Hugh Banton, Guy Evans, Peter Hammill, Stephen W. Tayler and Paul Whitehead enrich the story. Preface is by Gary Lucas.