Before the recording of
Waterloo Lily,
David Sinclair departed
Caravan to join forces with
Soft Machine skinsman
Robert Wyatt and form
Matching Mole. With the subsequent arrival of former
Delivery member
Steve Miller and an overwhelming jazz influence, the edgier progressive rock and folk elements that were so prevalent on their previous albums are somewhat repressed. The band's performance level did not suffer in the transition. In fact, the addition of
Miller only punctuates
Caravan's previously honed improvisational skills. Beginning with
Waterloo Lily's leadoff title track, there is a sound more akin to the jazzier efforts of
Traffic.
Miller's "Nothing at All" incorporates the jazz fusion even further as the long instrumental introduction more than hints at
Steely Dan circa Katy Lied. The up-tempo staccato bop featuring
Miller's electric piano accents, when juxtaposed with Pye Hastings' liquid-toned electric guitar could easily be mistaken for that of
Walter Becker and Donald Fagan. The remainder of the album centers on a couple of pieces that evoke the sound and spirit of the previous
Caravan outings. Most reminiscent of the classic sound is Hastings' epic "The Love in Your Eye" suite. The track recalls the laid-back intensity and phenomenal improvisational synergy of earlier tracks such as "For Richard" and "Where, but for Caravan Would I," while wisely incorporating
Miller's formidable jazz chops to give the instrumental sections sustained substance throughout. The remastered CD offers three additional compositions circa the
Waterloo Lily sessions. "Pye's June Thing" and "Ferdinand" are two of Hastings' acoustic demos. A considerably more complete "Looking Left, Looking Right" is a treasured recovery from the vaults. Originally vaulted due to the time limitations of vinyl, this track, along with "Pye's Loop" -- which acts as a coda to "Looking Left..." -- mark their debut release here.