The Valentyne Suite[1]This is the first “track” of a series called The Tracks of My Years covering personal favourites over the years. was the title of the second album from the Colosseum group[2]Colosseum was one of many groups and artists I heard first on John Peel’s Top Gear radio programme. . It took up the whole of the second side of the album and consisted of three “movements” or themes:
- “Theme One: January’s Search” (6:20)
- “Theme Two: February’s Valentyne” (3:37)
- “Theme Three: The Grass is Always Greener” (6:52)”
The Valentyne Suite has the feeling of a love affair, that flares up and then consumes itself. The first part is January’s Search and the second part is February’s Valentyne. At the end of the second part, phasing or flanging[3]“Now listen, it’s very simple. We take the original image and we split it through a double vibrocated sploshing flange with double negative feedback” is how George Martin explained … Continue reading is used to distort the recording and particularly affects the drums. The final part of the suite is The Grass Is Always Greener, though this wasn’t meant to be the final part. This was meant to be Beware The Ides Of March but that track appeared on Colosseum’s first UK album, Those Who Are About To Die Salute You. On their USA debut album, this track is the third part of The Valentyne Suite.
References
| ↑1 | This is the first “track” of a series called The Tracks of My Years covering personal favourites over the years. |
|---|---|
| ↑2 | Colosseum was one of many groups and artists I heard first on John Peel’s Top Gear radio programme. |
| ↑3 | “Now listen, it’s very simple. We take the original image and we split it through a double vibrocated sploshing flange with double negative feedback” is how George Martin explained it to John Lennon |