Author: Peter Podbrežnik
Artist: Gilgamesh
Label: Caroline Records
Released: 1975
Running time: 37:04
Rating: 4/5
The Canterbury scene of British progressive rock was made up of plenty of colorful bands, all wildly different from one another in style. Among its most interesting acts were undoubtedly Gilgamesh, named after the ancient Sumerian divine king-hero, who for most of their relatively short career, during which they put out two studio albums, swore by jazz fusion.
Gilgamesh were founded in 1972 by keyboardist Alan Gowen and drummer Mike Travis, and over the following years a whole bunch of extremely talented musicians passed through their ranks. For most of their career they were closely tied to their Canterbury peers Hatfield And The North and National Health, with whom they shared a string of gigs and swapped members. An early incarnation of Gilgamesh also featured future hard rock/metal bassist Neil Murray (Colosseum II, National Health, Black Sabbath, Whitesnake, Gary Moore, Brian May, MSG and plenty of others), who later returned to his old buddies for a short spell.
In 1975 luck finally smiled on Gilgamesh and they managed to land a deal with Caroline Records, where they recorded their self-titled debut, which today ranks among the classics of the Canterbury scene and of jazz rock fusion alike. The album opens with a ten-minute epic suite in three parts, the standout being the middle one with the comical title »Phil’s Little Dance – For Phil Miller’s Trousers«, dedicated to guitar master Phil Miller (Hatfield And The North, National Health, Matching Mole, Short Wave). It features an ethereal motif built from Gowen’s keyboard-made vocalizations, fragile piano arrangements and melancholic guitar passages from Phil Lee, all underpinned by subtle bass lines courtesy of Jeff Clyne.
For the most part, the sound of »Gilgamesh« is instrumental, melodic-melancholic jazz rock fusion with refined arrangements and virtuoso guitar variations, and stylistically they come closest to Hatfield And The North and National Health. The excellent opener is followed by the shorter »Lady And a Friend«, built on acoustic guitar passages and still-life piano arrangements. »Notwithstanding« is a much more complex piece with plenty of unusual time changes and unpredictable guitar ‘caprices’, all seasoned with subtle rhythmic nuances. »Arriving Twice« is a short, piano-driven overture to the next complex three-part suite, which isn’t as thrilling as the opening one, but the interplay between the intricate, fluid rhythmic turns, guitar variations and dark symphonic arrangements is once again at an enviable level.
»For Absent Friends« is a short acoustic guitar lullaby, followed by the album’s last three-part suite, which is every bit the equal of the opening epic. A mysterious intro gives way to a turbulent section with sparkling guitar passages, rowdy drum fills and virtuoso electric piano arrangements, while clever rhythmic patterns keep trading places. The end result is a real treat for all you jazz rock fusion gourmets.
Gilgamesh may not have been the most innovative or entertaining act of the Canterbury scene, but in their short existence they undeniably made one of the classics of the genre with their debut. They broke up soon after it came out. Gowen then co-founded National Health with Dave Stewart, but in 1977 he decided to record one more Gilgamesh album, titled »Another Fine Tune You’ve Got Me Into« (1979), which also featured former Soft Machine bassist Hugh Hopper. The comeback was short-lived, and today, sadly, only the most devoted fans of the Canterbury branch of progressive rock are familiar with Gilgamesh and their work.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AW8Zia28FRI
Lineup
Alan Gowen – acoustic and electric piano, clavinet, synthesizer, mellotron, vocal arrangement (7-c)
Phil Lee – guitar
Jeff Clyne – bass guitar, double bass
Michael Travis – drums, percussion
GUEST MUSICIANS:
Amanda Parsons – backing vocals (1-c,7-c)
Dave Stewart – vocal arrangements (7-c)
Production
Gilgamesh and Dave Stewart
Track list
1. One End More / Phil’s Little Dance – For Phil Miller’s Trousers / Worlds Of Zin (10:20)
– a) One End More
– b) Phil’s Little Dance – For Phil Miller’s Trousers
– c) Worlds Of Zin
2. Lady and Friend (3:44)
3. Notwithstanding (4:45)
4. Arriving Twice (1:36)
5. Island Of Rhodes / Paper Boat – For Doris / As If Your Eyes Were Open (6:39)
– a) Island Of Rhodes
– b) Paper Boat – For Doris
– c) As If Your Eyes Were Open
6. For Absent Friends (1:11)
7. We Are All / Someone Else’s Food / Jamo And Other Boating Disasters – From The Holiday Of The Same Name (7:48)
– a) We Are All
– b) Someone Else’s Food
– c) Jamo And Other Boating Disasters – From The Holiday Of The Same Name
8. Just C (0:45)
