Waterloo Lily [Original recording reissued, Original recording remastered]

"The Love in Your Eye" ranks as one of Caravan's best extended numbers, and is clearly the highlight of the album. There's a string section in there, as well as another Jimmy Hastings appearance. The last section is a little more jazz-tinged than earlier works. The title-track is a fun romp in the style of "Hello, Hello". Some wonderful vocal and bass work here from Richard Sinclair. Then there's an excellent jazz-rock instrumental "Nothing at All" (the only one to my ears, that really marks the band's perceived change in style) and a light-hearted song "Songs and Signs" which show off new member Steve Miller at his best. The previous also has some excellent guitar work from the much under-rated Pye Hastings and guest Phil Miller (brother of Steve and later a member of Hatfield and the North). Of the remaining tracks, one is another catchy Pye Hastings acoustic song ("The World is Yours") and t'other is "Aristocracy", a weaker version of a track originally recorded for "In the Land of Grey and Pink" but not released on that LP (it is now on the reissue of that album). It's not bad, it's just nowhere near as good as the earlier version.

Of the bonus tracks the first two are lovely acoustic demos by Pye in the studio, and the last two are actually one track that missed the cut of the album by sheer length. It is called "Looking Left, Looking Right" but Caravan fans might recognise the main riff that was used for "Wendy Wants Another 5' Mole" on more recent album "The Battle of Hastings". Superb song.

The sleeve notes are (as always) excellent. The design is the same as for all the other Decca Caravan reissues, so if you are a collector, your CDs will rack up nicely. The cover art has been restored too.

As I am only 18, my Caravan collection is currently only the full set of Decca reissues alongside the last two proper albums "The Unauthorised Breakfast Item" and "The Battle of Hastings". It has come to my attention that very soon (June 2004) the remaining Caravan albums from the late 70s and early 80s are on the way on Caravan's new label Eclectic discs. So, if you are a Caravan fan, then you'll soon get a chance to get hold of the definitive versions of their 'missing' non-Decca works.