Steve Hillage L CD

 Hillage attains "Nirvana" with "L"
This album, released in 1976, finds Steve Hillage firing on all cylinders. A potent and heady mix of rock, indian and middle eastern influences. Hillage is an excellent guitarist and on "L", he truly shines. If this album has a weak spot, it's the cover of Donovan's "Hurdy Gurdy Man". It's not bad,in fact it's totally servicable. It just doesn't excite. "Hurdy Gurdy Glissando does. Starting slow and spacey with galloping tablas, it continues to pick up speed as it hurtles toward frantic finish. "Electrick Gypsies" is slower and lacks eastern influences. A typically classic fun Steve Hillage. Kind of folky but electric. "Om Nama Shivaya" is very exotic. A traditional indian folk song, Hillage injects swirling, blistering lead guitar as he and long time girlfriend Miquette Giraudy share lead vocal duties. Beautiful and very well done. Next is the album's centerpiece, the massive 12 minute "Lunar Musick Suite" An intense, ominous and heavily middle eastern sounding guitar riff begins hurtling along right from the start. Hillage's guitar work here is nothing short of breathtaking. It eventually slows down to include a bizarre trumpet improv by guest Don Cherry. The tracks final few minutes are sublime. Very spacey and, here's that word again, exotic. Hawkwind fans would love this. The album ends with an great cover of George Harrison's Beatle's tune "It's All Too Much" Great version with a superior guitar solo near the end. I think George would be proud. Much credit must go to producer Todd Rundgren and his band Utopia who played on this album. Too bad they worked together again. This is Steve's best album in my opinion. I don't give 5 stars very often, but this earns it.
Submitted by Timothy C. Maddocks (Westbrook, Maine USA)
Was This L Music Review Helpful? Yes No  3 of 3 found this helpful.

Have you heard this album?