Caravan – If I Could Do It All Over Again, I’d Do It All Over You

Unfurl copious amounts of bunting, for a celebratory mood is in the air. This here marks the 202^nd posting at Head Full of Snow, a momentous number deserving of an album of gargantuan proportions.

In the absence of such a beast, we have Caravan’s If I Could Do It All Over Again, I’d Do It All Over You, the underwhelming 1970 follow-up to their sparkling self-titled debut.

Once again it’s one of those prickly matters that splits the prog-listening community in two, with one side of the divide saying If I Could Do It All Over Again, I’d Do It All Over You is an exceptional album, populated by wonderfully melodic and intricately formed, career-defining songs. Then there’s me on the other side, who says it isn’t.

Don’t get me wrong, If I Could Do It All Over Again, I’d Do It All Over You has its moments; it just lacks something that was present throughout the whole of Caravan. I wouldn’t say that it’s a decent song that’s absent, as both the bouncy title-track and ‘And I Wish I Were Stoned/Don’t Worry’ are great examples of Caravan’s understated and offbeat sound. It’s just that after these openers it all gets a bit samey, a tad tarnished, and a little bit lacklustre.

I don’t know. Maybe I’m just not listening right. If indeed there is a correct way of listening to something. After all, it’s only vibrations on the air hitting the eardrum in a manner that either causes pleasure or considerable displeasure… Or something like that. I’m not an Otolaryngologist, and if the truth be told I’ve no idea how the human ear works.

But dubious science aside, I can only assume that I am listening correctly and If I Could Do It All Over Again, I’d Do It All Over You simply fails to cut my musical mustard. Perhaps I’ve spent too long in Canterbury the past week or so, with The Soft Machine, Caravan and Hatfield and the North all making an appearance here (or about to), and I’m all jazz-influenced out. Maybe. Perhaps. Who cares?

Caravan was always the soft centre in the progressive selection box, relying on fruity humour and double entendre to supplement their considerable musical talent as opposed to chopsy guitar thumping. This is the beginning of that particular sound, completely different to their debut, and from which future albums would flower. As this would lead to In the Land of Grey and Pink and For Girls Who Grow Plump in the Night, the shroud of the unremarkable that swathes this second release from the Caravan camp can be forgiven. Dave Sinclair’s organ noodling is as strong as ever and vocalist/guitarist Pye Hastings’ brother, Jimmy, once again provides some wonderfully pastoral melodies on the flute.

With the other component parts also ticking along nicely and Hastings’ wispy vocals present and correct, it’s a shame that the album doesn’t do it overall.

Nevertheless, we’re in a celebratory mood having reached that much coveted 202 milestone, so to leave proceedings on a positive note, If I Could Do It All Over Again, I’d Do It All Over You may have its faults, but it’s better than Waterloo Lily.

If I Could Do It All Over Again, I’d Do It All Over You by Caravan is reissued on the Decca label and available to buy from Amazon.co.uk

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album reviews, prog rock