Hawkwindforum

Hi
Iam a long standing fan of 40+ years, And iam i alone in thinking
that the present line has caused the music to suffer over the past few
years

Nigel

Who can say. You're probably in the minory, but then I think the opposite.

I think we're seeing some of the best music in years. Blood of the Earth was excellent and things are looking promising for Onward. And it's been the most stable line-up since goodness knows when, which can only be a good thing.

I think your favourite HW tends to be from the time you first got into them. I first heard ISOS followed by Space Ritual in the early seventies, and this is still my favourite HW era.
Saying that, I enjoy the current stuff, and am looking forward to the new album.

It's all period relevant.
Right from the meaning of the words to the sounds created by the instruments of that era.
Name the alternatives....no Hawkwind at all?
I say sail on mothership and her fine crew.

No complaints from me ,the line up has always changed ,dave must have a turnstile down at the milking shed,and with a band as diverse as hawkwind they cant possibly float your boat all the time ,myself like many others absolutly love the early seventies hawkwind ,as for present day releases "you pays your money and takes your chance"

Evolution innit. Keep moving ONWARD.

I'm also a veteran fan of over 40 years. I love the early stuff, Space Ritual is still my most played album, but I also like most of the 70s/early 80s, and enjoyed much of TMTYL and BOTE. Throughout most of the band's history there have been good periods and the odd 'dry spell'. I do think the current lineup has much potential and am hoping ONWARD doesn't disappoint!

Hawkwind have, since I've been seeing them (31 years), have been very cyclical. I've liked the current line-up since they came together and it's notable that it's very stable (there's even a headline quote in this month's Classic Rock saying this, and that there's no tantrums any more).

Lots of people hark back to them being a jamming band - well, apart from festival appearances, they haven't been that since 1974, when they first went to the USA. Each of us has their favourite era/line-up since. I just enjoy the continuing metamorphosis.

If you listen to 72=74 live stuff, it's interesting to note how much of the later songs and poetry were already in development, years before they were released (i.e. Warriors on the Edge of Time, SotA/Starfarers Lament, Psychedelic Warlords, etc). The band had an excess of ideas that just wouldn't fit into 12" of vinyl. The release of the new album, pretty soon after the last one in HW terms, is a return to having plenty of creativity in the band. Ok, it may not be to everyone's taste (what would be?) but it's a sign of a fruitful line-up.

Good reply Jimski, I like the current line up and they appear to be far happier on stage than when Alan davey was in the band - I always like to get up front at gigs and watch the musical cues and the in-band banter.. Reading that back did remind me of one exception at shepards bush, mr dibbs appeared to be in a bad mood with his own voice!! I suppose everyone has off days tho...

psygazebo wrote:Good reply Jimski, I like the current line up and they appear to be far happier on stage than when Alan davey was in the band - I always like to get up front at gigs and watch the musical cues and the in-band banter.. Reading that back did remind me of one exception at shepards bush, mr dibbs appeared to be in a bad mood with his own voice!! I suppose everyone has off days tho...

I love the current line-up,, and though Dibbs has a voice,
the addition of a pure vocalist with expert singing ability
would bring the music of hawkwind to a wider audience, IMO.
This is not to suggest a "pop-voice" to gain commercial appeal,
just a second main vocalist and front-man to augment the range
and dimension of the lyrical side of things.

Methinx if Lemmy didn't leave HW, their sound would be slightly darker & heavier :).......but it's OK like it is now for HW's standards:)

vikmarlo wrote:

psygazebo wrote:Good reply Jimski, I like the current line up and they appear to be far happier on stage than when Alan davey was in the band - I always like to get up front at gigs and watch the musical cues and the in-band banter.. Reading that back did remind me of one exception at shepards bush, mr dibbs appeared to be in a bad mood with his own voice!! I suppose everyone has off days tho...

I love the current line-up,, and though Dibbs has a voice,
the addition of a pure vocalist with expert singing ability
would bring the music of hawkwind to a wider audience, IMO.
This is not to suggest a "pop-voice" to gain commercial appeal,
just a second main vocalist and front-man to augment the range
and dimension of the lyrical side of things.

A Bob Calvert or Ron Tree!

I like the recent stuff and the albums are getting more frequent again. Of course my favourite is 71-78 depending on mood and I don't expect anything to ever match that.

As long as they do not go into the wimpy dance, Lady Gaga-style CRAP, everything they do is OK by me:):)

Can't buck the trend. I'm still loving them as they are. The last album is ace and am looking forward to 'Onward' too. Mr Dibs does a great job despite some critics. Get their last album if you have any doubts...