Search - Hawkwind :: This Is Hawkwind Do Not Panic

Mandatory

Burritoman "USA" | Pennsylvania | 03/26/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"An excellent live album from Hawkwind, a legendary band that has a good many live recordings available. This features great versions of 'Circles', 'Levitation', 'Space Chase' and 'Watching The Grass Grow'. None of the performances are less than fine though, and the sound quality is excellent. Mandatory for Hawkwind fans and serious space-rock enthusiasts. What Hawkwind achieves live most bands can't do in the studio, and this is fantastic."

Hawkwind - 'This Is Hawkwind,Do Not Panic' (Griffin)

Mike Reed | USA | 10/07/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I remember first finding out about this CD reissue.Always thought it was some exclusive import that had a bunch of otherwise unavailable material of the band.Turns out that 'This Is Hawkwind...' is actually a compilation disc.But,a good one at that.Originally released in 1984,as Nik Turner was allowed to return to the band and here,we get the first legit release of Turner's futuristic-like "Watching The Grass Grow".Also on this nine-track disc are some newer versions of a couple of older Bob Calvert tunes,"Death Trap" and "Psi Power".Also liked the somewhat hard rocking version of "Levitation".Noticed that some heavy guitar work on 'This Is Hawkwind...' is provided by Huw Lloyd Langton.Most will probably enjoy the two cuts that were reportedly recorded live at that summer's Solstice Festival,"Stonehenge Decoded" and the previously mentioned "Watching The Grass Grow".Griffin put out a LOT of great Hawkwind lp's reissued on CD.Check them all out."

Hawkwind Live

Mr D. | Cave Creek, Az United States | 02/18/2007

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Never heard of Hawkwind? I'm not surprised, they're not exactly a household name but since you have never heard of them you may find this surprising - over one hundred Hawkwind albums have been released since 1970. That's right, almost three albums a year. True many of them are live bootlegs box compilations and EPs but still, I don't think even the most prolific artist out there has come close to that. Hawkwind is a Space Rock or Experimental Rock band from England.



Obviously there is a lot of history behind this band, which one could probably write a book about but here's the condensed version. Hawkwind was formed in the late '60s by Dave Brock (Singer/Songwriter), Mick Slattery (Guitar) and Nik Turner (Sax/Flute/Singer). Brock was the leader and glue of the band and managed to keep the band afloat through forty personnel changes over 35 years.



Their sound has continued to evolve and morph over the years. Starting with a semi-jazz feel in "Hawkwind," followed by experimental acoustic sounds of early releases - "In Search of Space." They adopted more of a metal sound in the late 70's, a contemporary electronic feeling on "Electric Teepee." They went on to virtually invent a new sub-genre of Progressive rock called psychedelic space-rock, featuring the use of the versatile new instrument - the synthesizer. Their creativity seemed to reach their acme with the use of the synths to augment their acid-space rock expressions.



HAWKWIND



STONEHEDGE - THIS IS HAWKWIND DO NOT PANIC is a live album that was recorded in two locations. The first seven were recorded in Lewisham Odeon theater in London in 1980 and the last two in Stonehenge in 1984. The album was subsequently released in 1984. The music of this album is a curious mix of straight rock, almost sounding like a garage rock (Psi Power)on some tracks and progressive rock sometimes spacy rock ("Angels of Death" & "Shot Down in the Night")on others



CONCLUSION

The more you listen to Hawkwind the more it grows on you. While there's nothing on this particular album that I couldn't go on without hearing again, as a whole it is an interesting, if not impressive, listen and like I said the more you hear it... Overall, for a live album, the production, while not great, is more than acceptable.



If you are interested and have not heard Space Rock with all it's attendant psychedelic nuances, this may be a good place to start. Final Rating - high 3 stars."