Van der Graaf Generator- Refugees REACTION & REVIEW

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[PaulMDove]

Love Hammill's puns - "In the summertime, though August people sneered".

This is one of my favourites. I used to annoy my wife by singing "We walked along, sometimes hand in hand, between the thin lines marking sea and sand" whenever we were at the beach. She knew that reference, so whenever I now say something weird her first guess is usually "Hammill lyrics"; she's usually right.

[ianmc]

Wonderfull album and more remarkable that it was teleased 8 months before Genesis Trespass and ELP's first album. Truly groundbreaking.

[didierchapelot]

One of the most moving and beautiful song ever composed and played. Should have been a massive hit.

[marcomazzola]

So glad you finally approach my fav VDGG album, Justin. This song is pure magic, so poignant. The next one, White Hammer, a song about inquisition, terrifies me every time, and After The Flood is another timeless masterpiece.

[PaulMDove]

"Susie" is the actress Susan Penhaligon. For six months Hammill shared a flat with Mike and Susie, who are some of his oldest friends. Mike and Susie are also referenced in Hammill's solo track Easy to Slip Away: Susie, I guess you're on your way to be a star, but I don't know where you are; the only time I seem to see you is on the TV.

[nobrains]

Yes, this is definitely a favorite VDGG track, and has been for me for fifty years.

[a.k.]

After the excellent opening track with "Darkness (11/11)", we are entitled to this wonderful and elegiac "Refugees" which sounds very 'classic' in its sounds and in the musicians' playing.
Once again, Peter Hammill's voice here is exceptionally soft and suave, quite the opposite of his hoarse voice that he will often take on later. If VDGG's music and Peter's vocals had been like this much more often, I would have liked this band much more !!! Just awesome🤩

[ronniefarnsworth]

This is one of my very favorite VDGG songs and one of Classic Progs very Best
Justin !! ✌
And uplifting tune with that great Hammond Organ, Flute, Strings and Hammill's unique voice & singing . A Great emotional Vibe !!! 👍🎶🎹🎼

[LoganAlbright]

I know everyone else like Pawn Hearts and H to He better, but for me, the one-two punch of Darkness and Refugees, ranging from wild, dark rock to gorgeous emotional ballad, is unequaled in the band’s discography.

[donaldanderson]

This is definitely a favourite. Unbelievably moving.

[sylvanm]

Prettiest song VDGG ever recorded? JP, you should hit "Easy to Slip Away", Hammill’s extraordinary sequel to this song from his second solo album (and recorded with backing by the members of VDGG).

[michaelcapewell]

Top one for me. Some songs can make you well up every time, not just because of the words, but because of the way they are played, the arrangement…just the elegiac beauty of the whole…and this is one of them for me.
Duncan Browne’s My Only Son is another. He’s certainly an artist you need to hear JP 👍

[DavidImiri]

I always loved this track, but having not heard it for a long time, I forgot just how gorgeous it is. Goes straight to the heart. For me, not necessarily top 10 material from their whole catalog, but definitely up there with any of their gentle songs, maybe even the best. But then there's Pilgrims, House with No Door, My Room, Wondering, and Siren Song from The Quiet Zone/The Pleasure Dome. (Ok, they're great at gentle songs too...) Hey, I don't think you've listened to The Quiet Zone/The Pleasure Dome yet, it's a real kicker, especially if you like strings, definitely that one next!

By the way, the gritty drone in the background is definitely Banton's organ, no guitar here.

On another note, the Van Der Graaf generator tower on the album cover always reminded me of an upside down bong. 😄 I had a silver plastic one just like that back in the 70's when I first discovered VDGG - so maybe it's just a quirky teenage association, but has anyone else ever seen it that way?

[raroverX]

My friend find this song creepy but I feel it really beautiful and touching xD
Some groups you gotta listen to: Triana, Locanda della fate, FM, Frutería Toñi...

[Rowenband]

I love it too. Maybe the closest VDGG did from what could have been a hit!?

[bengazeley]

Brilliant track. They played this as an encore when I saw them in London recently.

[ernaldcrisp]

I like your Van Der Graaf interpretations, about things I hadn't considered

[Qkano]

Another great track ...thanks for covering it.
(I play this album at least once a month).

[Yes_Jorge_Yes]

This is my favorite Van Der Graaf tune

[delorangeade]

One of those rare songs that so impressed me on first hearing I had to go out and buy the album. Still the only VDGG I really care about.