R.I.P. Pip Pyle

CD retrospective series

   

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Hattitude - Archive Recordings 1973-1975, Volume 2

Hattitude, the second volume of Hatfield and the North's archive CD series is now available. The Hatfield archive project was given extra momentum by the discovery of a collection of previously unheard live tapes, the highlights of which have been personally compiled by the Hatfield musicians. The new CD is an excellent companion to last year's highly acclaimed first volume, Hatwise Choice. As on that album, the recordings are a mixture of live and studio tracks, include extracts from the band's radio sessions and feature some hitherto unrecorded compositions. Order your copy now from the Hatfield and the North online shop.

Featuring compositions from all four members, Hattitude gives a rare insight into the band's live performances at a time of rapid musical development, charting their evolution from early gigs (including a notable concert recorded in the swirly psychedelic acoustics of Amsterdam's Paradiso club) through to the more sophisticated arrangements of 1975. En route there are moments of surreal humour and instrumental virtuosity, coupled with instances of sheer sonic savagery which reveal the extent of the madness in the group's method. The written passages are punctuated with extended improvisations where the band cut loose in a way they never quite managed to do on their 1970s studio albums. Virtually all the material is from first generation audio sources which have been digitally restored, ensuring good sound quality throughout.

The CD comes in a full colour Digipak with a 20-page booklet containing archive photos and period artwork. The band history initiated in Hatwise Choice continues with the four musicians recounting behind-the-scenes events, road stories, musical reflections and descriptions of recording their debut album in Oxfordshire's Manor Studios. These personal memoirs provide a detailed chronicle of the events of 1973, a 'year in the life' of a young, talented and exciting British band. Hattitude is performed exclusively by the classic Hatfield line-up of Phil Miller (guitar), Pip Pyle (drums), Richard Sinclair (bass / vocals) and Dave Stewart (keyboards / tone generators). The album is authorised and controlled by the four musicians with no record company involvement.

R.I.P. Pip Pyle

Sadly, the CD follows the recent untimely death of the band's drummer and founder member Pip Pyle, who died in Paris on August 28th 2006. Keyboardist Dave Stewart says: "We are devastated by losing Pip - he was our dear friend, a brilliant drummer and an immensely creative lifelong colleague who I regarded as the driving force of Hatfield. He did a great job compiling the material for our archive CD's and was very keen that we should continue the series, so we are dedicating Hattitude (which contains moments of Pip at his best) to him. The music scene will be a duller place without Pip, but his memory and music will live on. On behalf of Pip's family we'd like to thank all the kind folks who have sent supportive messages, they were a consolation for everyone through a very difficult time." Messages of condolence may be left in the guest book at Pip's website.

Burning Shed

The Hatfield archive series is a positive collaboration between Hatfield and the North and Burning Shed, a musician-friendly online label and specialist CD store. Burning Shed's online shop takes most credit cards and offers efficient and secure ordering along with a speedy worldwide delivery service, as some of our satisfied customers' comments below testify.

Hatwise Choice - Archive Recordings 1973-1975, Volume 1

Hatwise Choice (the first album in thirty years to feature the classic Hatfield quartet of Phil Miller, Pip Pyle, Richard Sinclair and Dave Stewart) is still available from the Hatfield and the North online shop. The CD consists of over 68 minutes of unreleased material culled from live concert tapes and first generation radio recordings. The gig tapes show aspects of Hatfield's music never before heard on record - on stage, the tight control of the group's studio work is replaced by a looser, improvisatory approach. Flashes of humour give way to frightening electronic landscapes, interspersed with extended arrangements of the band's compositions and occasional moments of utter musical madness. In keeping with Hatfield's reputation, this is a carefully researched, lovingly compiled package featuring rare tunes, musical surprises, period photos and artwork. The CD comes in a full-colour Digipak with a 20-page booklet, featuring an extensive history written by the four players and additional text by Jonathan Coe, who named his best-selling novel The Rotters' Club after the group's legendary 1974 album.

Hatfield & The North - A Brief History

Formed in 1972 and named after a motorway road sign, Hatfield & The North were one of the most original and musically adventurous English bands of the 1970s. The group wrote and played fearlessly creative music, became a legend with music fans in Europe, America and Japan, but broke up in 1975 just as its reputation began to build. Perhaps the best-loved of the so-called 'Canterbury' bands, Hatfield's music was a unique blend of its four members' ideas and compositions. Hattitude reflects this rich diversity, combining the dreamy lyrical songs of Richard Sinclair, Phil Miller's intricate jazz-tinged melodies, Dave Stewart's complex instrumentals and the free-flowing compositions of Pip Pyle, who also contributed the touching autobiographical song 'Fitter Stoke Has A Bath'. During its brief life span, the group recorded two highly acclaimed albums (Hatfield & The North and The Rotters' Club), played numerous live gigs and recorded four BBC radio shows. Apart from the 1980 compilation Afters (now deleted), no retrospective albums were ever released until the advent of Hatwise Choice in January 2005.

Hattitude buyers' comments

"Thrilled when 'Hatwise Choice' came out - but 'Hattitude' is even better, if that's possible. The sound is great, the playing is terrific. Can Vol. 3 beat this?" Simon, Canterbury

"It's rather wonderful. I think you'll agree!" Andrew Robertson

"Just like its predecessor, one of the most essential live albums never released during the '70s! Only... it´s even better!!! Bring on Volume 3!" Christian Isendahl

"My Christmas present to myself came a little belatedly but it was worth the wait: even better than its superb predecessor which is not surprising considering how much effort Pip put into it. Worth buying for the sleevenotes and photos alone. Ian Chippett

"The Hatfields are a band that I keep returning to. Their music is a very personal and idiosyncratic blend of tasteful components. Even against these incredibly high standards, the archival releases provide more pleasure and insight: great sound, sequencing and packaging as well as the odd surprise. Give us more!" Hindrik

"Absolutely jaw-dropping. Still gobsmacked by the sheer aural power and telepathy in these tracks. All the more poignant with Pip's passing... especially the montage he put together. The live tracks are a revelation as well... incredible luck to have them in such great quality. On a rating of ten stars?... eleven. Right across the board... bravo to all involved in making this happen." Tangerine Pete

"Goose bumps. This is a disc I will keep returning to for the rest of my life. Rest in peace, Pip Pyle." Michael

"You can't help but smile when you hear the Hatfields. This band, even their sessions, brighten up any day. The quality was far better than I expected. Wonderful stuff and, like others, I look forward to the 3rd instalment." Peter

"Wonderful stuff. Can't get enough of it. Here's hoping for a 3rd CD." Philly

"Well, that's my festive listening sorted out. My only complaint - way too short... so more please, real soon!" Sean

"Have had a wonderful day listening to 'Hattitude', which arrived this morning. I'd say the live selections were even better than the ones on 'Hatwise'. The studio session stuff was also great. Volume 3 eagerly awaited!" Nick Ellison

"My copy arrived today and it's wonderful... I'm looking forward to the third volume." Simon

"Excellent! I just hope that there's enough material for a final, third volume (as threatened!)" Kevin B.

"Thanks Dave and to everyone else responsible for getting this great music out to everyone! Really enjoyed the first release and I've been eagerly awaiting this new one. Hope it's not the last. Thanks a lot!!!" Rich D.

Hatwise Choice quotes and buyers' comments

" ... the bonkers electronics of Blane Over Paris, the wild and hairy Amsterdamage 11/19... What is striking about Hatwise Choice, which is rough and ready compared to their more manicured studio albums, is how young and brash the Hatfields were, playing rhythmically complex and harmonically sophisticated music as if it were rock'n'roll." John L. Walters, The Guardian

"Brilliant though the band's two studio albums may have been, Hatfield were even better live (on a good night anyway!), and at last here's some substantial evidence of that... my favourite band ever - and I know I'm not alone in thinking so." Aymeric Leroy

"Live is where this band shone. Inventive improvisation, searing solos, particularly from Dave Stewart and his ever humane keyboard playing as well as Phil Miller's richly melodic guitar lines... when everything gelled, well, it rocked." Noel Sidebottom

"Probably the best-loved of the so-called 'Canterbury' bands, over the years." Jonathan Coe

"Amazing and essential addition to the short but sweet Hatfield catalogue! Now we are eagerly awaiting volume 2!" Christian Isendahl

"It's so great to have more of this - there wasn't enough at the time!" Trevor Lines

"Arrived this morning thus scuppering all plans for a productive day. Miracles can happen - even in this day & age." Sean

"I ordered this minutes after I discovered it on this site. I can not believe I'm going to own a third Hatfield and the North official release." Michael Hirsh

"What a gorgeous CD - 68 minutes of musical bliss. Thank you Hatfields - and please let's have vol. 2 real soon." Andrew Robertson

"Great CD - especially the live stuff. The cover says that this is volume 1. Will volume 2 be out soon ?" Nick Bradey

"Joyous - worth paying double for the first two tracks alone" Phil Dent

"YES!!!" Skilly

"Great CD, first class service - thanks!" Simon

"Are we allowed to be having this much fun at our age? Looking forward to the next volume ( ...and the next, and the next, and the next... )" Hugh Manatee

"This is the best-packaged CD that I have ever come across. The music has so much of the feelgood factor and so much joy in it. The ultimate supergroup - in all senses." Peter Johansen

"IMHO, this is the most important Canterbury release of the past twenty-five years. There is not one disappointing second on this CD. It is simply essential." Steven W. Brown

"Congrats on the success of Hatwise Choice. Very good sound and some funny moments such as 'Son Of Plate Smashing Dog'! Liner notes and history are outstanding." Jeff Melton

"Hatwise Choice demonstrates a live aspect of this much-loved band that I was not aware of. The CD has the most inventive and inspired music that I've heard in a long time." Mauro, Italy

"Received Hatwise Choice today. What a fine release this is. Each Canterbury fan should get it! Great work Burning Shed! Thanks Hatfields - my brother took me to a concert of yours in Belgium just before The Rotters' Club came out. It really influenced my life!" Dirk V.

"What a great album from this GREAT band, the best buy for many, many years. A must for all music lovers (not only Canterbury freaks)." Hans Voigt (Norway)

"Most important album to be released in decades! I have several thousand albums - but this one easily fits in the top five (together with the two Hatfield studio albums)." Michael (Sweden)

"Just received my copy today, and it's stunning. Packaging and sound are top notch. Can't wait for Vol. 2!" Robert Carlberg

"Just listened to Hatfield's Hatwise Choice - what a pleasure to hear this material after all these years. Fantastic!" Simon K.

"Fabulous - I have waited for decades for some more of his superb material and here it finally is! Keep it coming..." Guy Manning

"This music has been important for almost 30 years!" Billy Davis

"What a gorgeous CD - 68 minutes of musical bliss. Thank you Hatfields - and please let's have vol. 2 real soon." Andrew Robertson

"Finally... such great music... we hope for more to come." René du Vinage

"This is amazing! I too cannot wait for Vol 2. I am so grateful for this album, the 30 year wait was well worth it!" Philly (Germany)

"Well it's pretty terrific... " Chris Marshall

"I can't tell you how happy I am that these recordings are finally being made available." Jeff Melton

"I never thought I'd live to see a thing as lovely as a 'new' Hatfields CD." Rob Laurie

"It's been a great day - fixed the PSU in the computer, got a massive bag of Revels and this arrived... signed. Bliss!!" Jeff C.

"Superb. Simply that. Lifelong fan. Bring on Vol. 2. Will pay the extra again for the chaps' scribble on the cover, but tragically I've no idea why." Pete Turnpenney

"Everything that was great and fun in English music of the Seventies on one reasonably-priced piece of plastic." Ian Chippett