Biography
Caravan are an English band from the Canterbury area, founded by former Wilde Flowers members David Sinclair, Richard Sinclair, Pye Hastings and Richard Coughlan in 1968. The band have not achieved much commercial success, but are considered a key part of the Canterbury scene, blending psychedelic rock, jazz and classical influences to create a distinctive progressive rock sound. The band were originally based in Whitstable, Kent, near Canterbury, but moved to London when briefly signed to Verve Records. After being dropped by Verve, the band signed to Decca Records, where they released their most critically acclaimed album, In the Land of Grey and Pink in 1971. David Sinclair left after the album’s release and the group split up the following year. Hastings and Coughlan added new members, notably viola player Geoffrey Richardson, continuing on before splitting in 1978. The band reformed several times in the following decades, and Caravan still remain active as a live band in the 21st century, despite Coughlan’s death in December 2013. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caravan_(band)
Album & Cover
Cunning Stunts is the sixth studio album by the progressive rock band Caravan, released in 1975. It was their first album with the bass guitarist, vocalist and songwriter Mike Wedgwood. The title of the album is a spoonerism for ‘Stunning Cunts’, which is typical of their cheeky use of language.
As explained by Richard Manning: This was an ‘R’ Type print. I mounted a print of the shop without the foreground figure. I cut out the black diamonds from the suited figure and stripped the back from the print, so that there was no cast shadow when this print was mounted, with Columbia Cement, over the base print. The base print appears where the black diamonds were, so giving the illusion of a transparent body. The Different mirror reflections were separate prints that I cut out, stripped the back and mounted in position with Columbia Cement. http://www.richardmanning.co.uk/hipgnosis-album-cover-art/caravan-cunning-stunts–1976/18
Cover Location: Hipgnosis Studio, London, UK
Who Did What: Photography – S. Thorgerson. Graphics R. Evans
Label: BTM 5000(US), Decca SKL-R5210(UK)
Source: Vinyl. Album. Cover. Art – The Complete Hipgnosis Catalogue By Aubrey Powell
TrackList
| Side One The Show Of Our Lives Stuck In A Hole Lover No Backstage Pass Welcome The Day |
Side Two The Dabsong Conshirtoe -The Mad Dabsong -Ben Karratt Rides Again -Pro’s And Con’s -Wraiks And Ladders -Sneaking Out The Bare Quare -All Sorts Of Unmentionable Things -The Fear And Loathing In Tollington Park Rag |
Credits
Bass, Vocals, Congas – Mike Wedgwood
Drums, Percussion – Richard Coughlan
Guitar, Viola, Flute – Geoff Richardson
Piano, Keyboards, Organ – David Sinclair
Vocals, Guitar – Pye Hastings
