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{{EngvarB|date=September 2013}}
{{Infobox album | <!-- See Wikipedia:WikiProject_Albums -->
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2020}}
| Name = Blind Dog at St. Dunstans'
{{Infobox album|
| Type = [[Album]]
| Artist = [[Caravan (band)|Caravan]]
| name = Blind Dog at St. Dunstans
| Cover = Blinddogatstdunstans.jpg
| type = Album
| artist = [[Caravan (band)|Caravan]]
| Released = 1976
| cover = Blinddogatstdunstans.jpg
| Genre = [[Progressive rock]]<br />[[Canterbury Scene]]
| Length = 46:20
| alt =
| Label = [[Arista]]
| released = 23 April 1976
| recorded =
| Producer = David Hitchcock
| venue =
| Last album = ''[[Cunning Stunts (Caravan album)|Cunning Stunts]]''<br /> (1975)
| studio =
| This album = ''Blind Dog at St. Dunstans' ''<br />(1976)
| genre = [[Progressive rock]], [[Canterbury scene]]
| Next album = ''[[Better by Far]]''<br />(1977)
| length = 46:20
}}
| label = BTM (UK)<br>[[Arista Records|Arista]] (US)
{{Album ratings
| producer = [[Dave Hitchcock|David Hitchcock]]
| rev1 = [[Allmusic]]
| prev_title = [[Cunning Stunts (Caravan album)|Cunning Stunts]]
| rev1Score = {{Rating|1.5|5}} <ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.allmusic.com/album/r32302 |title=Blind Dog at St. Dunstan's - Caravan &#124; AllMusic |first=Richard |last=Foss |work=allmusic.com |year=2011 [last update] |accessdate=23 June 2011}}</ref>
| prev_year = 1975
| next_title = [[Better by Far]]
| next_year = 1977
| misc = {{External music video
| 1 = [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dMyybsQb7Pg "Jack and Jill" (Remastered)] on YouTube
| header = Official audio}}
}}
}}


[[Canterbury Scene]] [[rock music|rock]] band [[Caravan (band)|Caravan]] released '''''Blind Dog at St. Dunstans' ''''' in 1976, their 7th studio album.
'''''Blind Dog at St. Dunstans''''' is the seventh studio album by [[Canterbury Scene]] [[rock music|rock]] band [[Caravan (band)|Caravan]]. It was released in 1976.


This album has a lighter feel than Caravan's previous releases, shifting toward shorter "poppier" songs. This is in part because Pye Hastings became the major force on the album, writing and singing on 8 out of 9 songs and also because Jan Schelhaas replaced Dave Sinclair on keyboards, moving away from lengthy organ-based instrumentals toward piano and synthesizer.
This album has a lighter feel than Caravan's previous releases, shifting toward shorter, "[[pop music|poppier]]" songs. The lighter feel is due in part to the prominence of [[Pye Hastings]] on the album. He wrote and sang eight of nine songs. Moreover, [[Jan Schelhaas]] had replaced [[Dave Sinclair]] on keyboards, moving away from lengthy organ-based instrumentals toward piano and synthesizer.


==Album Cover and Title==
==Album cover and title==
{{unreferenced section|date=July 2012}}
The cover art and title bring together several elements relating to [[Canterbury]].


Saint [[Dunstan]] was [[Archbishop of Canterbury]] and [[patron saint]] of the blind, after whom a home for the blind was named.
The cover art and title bring together several elements relating to Canterbury.


The title comes from a [[Noël Coward]] explanation to a child for why one dog had mounted another: one dog was blind and the other was pushing him to St. Dunstan's. The cover notes gives special thanks to Coward. At the end of the song "Jack and Jill", amongst dogs barking, two speaking voices can be heard:
[http://www.saintdunstan.org.uk/section/24 St Dunstan] was Archbishop of Canterbury and patron saint of the blind, after whom a [http://www.st-dunstans.org.uk/ home for the blind] was named.
The title comes from a [[Noël Coward]] explanation to a child for why one dog had mounted another: one dog was blind and the other was pushing him to St. Dunstan's. At the end of the song ''Jack and Jill'' can be heard two speaking voices amongst dogs barking:


<blockquote>First voice: "What are those two doggies doing over there?"
<blockquote>
Second voice "Well, the doggie in front is blind and his friend behind is pushing him all the way to St Dunstan's"</blockquote>
First voice: "What are those two doggies doing over there?"
Second voice "Well, the doggie in front is blind and his friend behind is pushing him all the way to St Dunstan's"
</blockquote>


The album cover shows St. Dunstan’s Street leading to the old West Gate in Canterbury. Members of Caravan used to frequent the pubs near the St Dunstan area. The cover notes gives special thanks to Noël Coward.
The album cover shows St. Dunstan's Street leading to the old [[Westgate, Canterbury|West Gate]] in Canterbury. Members of Caravan used to frequent the pubs near the [[St. Dunstan's, Canterbury|St. Dunstan]] area.


==Reception==
==Reception==
{{Album ratings
| rev1 = [[AllMusic]]
| rev1Score = {{Rating|1.5|5}}<ref name="AllMusic">{{cite web |url= http://www.allmusic.com/album/r32302 |title=Caravan - ''Blind Dog at St. Dunstans''|first=Richard |last=Foss |work=AllMusic.com |year=2011 |accessdate=23 June 2011}}</ref>


}}
The new-style sound brought varying reviews. It contains ‘’excellent sophisticated pop music’’ according to [http://calyx.club.fr/caravan/index.html Calx - The Canterbury Web Site'] and it was rated 3.4 out of 5 by the public in the [http://www.progarchives.com/album.asp?id=3115 Prog Archives]. However, [{{Allmusic|class=album|id=r32302|pure_url=yes}} Allmusic.com] described it as "'A major turn for the worse'" and the album was detrimental to Caravan's career.<ref name=RichardFoss>{{cite web|url={{Allmusic|class=album|id=r32302|pure_url=yes}}|title=Allmusic review|accessdate=2007-11-07|date=1975-03-18}}</ref>
[[AllMusic]] described it as "'A major turn for the worse'" and said the album was detrimental to Caravan's career.<ref name="AllMusic"/>


==Track listing==
==Track listing==
All Songs composed by Pye Hastings, except track 2, composed by Mike Wedgwood.
All songs composed by Pye Hastings, except where noted.


===Side one===
;Side one
{{tracklist
{{tracklist
| music_credits = yes
| title1 = Here Am I
| title1 = Here Am I
| music1 = Pye Hastings
| length1 = 6:19
| length1 = 6:19
| title2 = Chiefs and Indians
| title2 = Chiefs and Indians
| music2 = Mike Wedgwood
| writer2 = Mike Wedgwood
| length2 = 5:13
| length2 = 5:13
| title3 = A Very Smelly, Grubby Little Oik
| title3 = A Very Smelly, Grubby Little Oik
| music3 = Pye Hastings
| length3 = 4:15
| length3 = 4:15
| title4 = Bobbing Wide
| title4 = Bobbing Wide
| music4 = Pye Hastings
| length4 = 1:13
| length4 = 1:13
| title5 = Come on Back
| title5 = Come on Back
| music5 = Pye Hastings
| length5 = 4:50
| length5 = 4:50
| title6 = Oik (reprise)
| title6 = Oik (reprise)
| music6 = Pye Hastings
| length6 = 2:26
| length6 = 2:26
}}
}}


===Side two===
;Side two
{{tracklist
{{tracklist
| music_credits = yes
| title7 = Jack and Jill
| title1 = Jack and Jill
| length7 = 6:26
| music1 = Pye Hastings
| title8 = Can You Hear Me?
| length1 = 6:26
| length8 = 6:17
| title9 = All the Way (with John Wayne's Single-Handed Liberation of Paris)
| title2 = Can You Hear Me?
| music2 = Pye Hastings
| length9 = 9:03
| length2 = 6:17
| title3 = All the Way (with John Wayne's single-handed liberation of Paris)
| music3 = Pye Hastings
| length3 = 9:03
}}
}}


==Personnel==
==Personnel==
;Caravan
===Band members===
* [[Pye Hastings]] – electric and acoustic guitar, vocals
* [[Pye Hastings]] – vocals (tracks 1, 3–9); electric and [[acoustic guitar|acoustic]] guitars
* [[Geoffrey Richardson (musician)|Geoffrey Richardson]] – [[viola]], electric guitar, [[Western concert flute|flute]], night-shift whistle
* [[Richard Coughlan]] – drum kit, drums
* [[Jan Schelhaas]] – keyboards
* [[Jan Schelhaas]] – keyboards
* [[Mike Wedgwood]] – bass guitar, congas, vocals
* [[Mike Wedgwood]] – vocals (track 2); bass guitar, [[congas]]
* [[Richard Coughlan]] – drums
* [[Geoffrey Richardson (musician)|Geoffery Richardson]] – viola, electric guitar, Western concert flute, flute, night-shift whistle


===Other personnel===
;Additional personnel
* [[Jimmy Hastings]] – flute, alto saxophone, tenor saxophone, clarinet
* [[Jimmy Hastings]] – flute, alto saxophone, tenor saxophone, clarinet
* David Hitchcock – producer
* [[Dave Hitchcock|David Hitchcock]] – producer
* [[Chanter Sisters]] - backing vocalist, backing vocals
* [[Chanter Sisters]] – backing vocalist, backing vocals


===Credits===
;Credits
* Lead vocals on all songs by Pye Hastings, except track 2, by Mike Wedgwood.
* "Here Am I": lead guitar – Pye Hastings
* "A Very Smelly, Grubby Little Oik": lead guitar – Geoffrey Richardson
* "Bobbing Wide": flutes – Geoffrey Richardson
* "Come on Back": lead guitar & flute – Geoffrey Richardson; tenor sax and clarinet – Jimmy Hastings
* "Oik (reprise)": lead guitar & flute – Geoffrey Richardson; tenor sax and clarinet – Jimmy Hastings
* "Jack and Jill": lead guitar – Pye Hastings
* "All the Way (with [[John Wayne]]'s single-handed liberation of Paris)": flute, alto sax – Jimmy Hastings


==Live recordings==
Lead vocals on all songs by Pye Hastings, except track 2, by Mike Wedgwood.
''[[Surprise Supplies]]'' (later renamed ''Here Am I'') is a live album featuring all the ''Blind Dog at St. Dunstans'' songs, except for "Jack and Jill", recorded at a concert of 4 May 1976.{{where|date=July 2021}}


The next day, 5 May 1976, Caravan played on the [[John Peel]] show for [[BBC Radio One]]. Recordings of this show appear on the 1998 release ''[[Ether Way|Ether Way: BBC Sessions, 1975–1977]]'': "All the Way", "A Very Smelly Grubby Little Oik", "Bobbing Wide", "Come on Back" and "Grubby Oik Reprise".
Here Am I - lead guitar - P Hastings
Chiefs and Indians - lead guitar - Richardson
Bobbing Wide - flutes - Richardson
Come On Back - lead guitar & flute - Richardson; tenor sax and clarinet - J Hastings
Oik (reprise) - lead guitar & flute - Richardson; tenor sax and clarinet - J Hastings
Jack and Jill - lead guitar - P Hastings
All the Way (with John Wayne's single-handed liberation of Paris) - flute, alto sax - J Hastings


==Live recordings==
==Charts==
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"
[[Surprise Supplies]] (later renamed ''Here Am I'') is a live album featuring all the '''Blind Dog at St. Dunstans' ''' songs, except for ''Jack and Jill'', recorded at a concert of 4 May 1976.
! Chart (1976)

! Peak<br />position
The next day, 5 May, Caravan played on the [[John Peel]] show for [[BBC radio]], recordings of this show appear on the 1998 release '''Ether Way: BBC Sessions, 1975-1977''', these are : ''All The Way, A Very Smelly Grubby Little Oik / Bobbing Wide / Come On Back / Grubby Oik Reprise''.
|-
{{Album chart|UK2|53|date=19760509|rowheader=true|accessdate=November 8, 2023}}
|}


==References==
==References==
{{Reflist|2}}
{{Reflist}}


==External links==
==External links==
{{cite web
* {{cite web
| last =
| first =
| title = Calyx, the Canterbury website
| title = Calyx, the Canterbury website
| url=http://calyx.club.fr/caravan/index.html
| url=http://www.calyx-canterbury.fr/caravan/index.html
| accessdate = 2007-07-15 }}
| accessdate = 15 July 2007 }}
* {{cite web
|last=Eric
|first=Grey
|title=Where but for Caravan Would I? No. 6
|url=http://www.caravan-info.co.uk/fanzine/uploads/fanzine6-sep1977.pdf
|accessdate=15 July 2007
|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070817115246/http://www.caravan-info.co.uk/fanzine/uploads/fanzine6-sep1977.pdf
|archivedate=17 August 2007
|url-status=dead
}}
* {{cite web
|last=Eric
|first=Grey
|title=Where but for Caravan Would I? No. 16
|url=http://www.caravan-info.co.uk/fanzine/uploads/fanzine16-feb2003.pdf
|accessdate=15 July 2007
|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070817115315/http://www.caravan-info.co.uk/fanzine/uploads/fanzine16-feb2003.pdf
|archivedate=17 August 2007
|url-status=dead
}}
* Sleeve notes: CD, ''Blind Dog at St. Dunstans''
* [http://www.allmusic.com/album/blind-dog-at-st-dunstans-mw0000039572 Caravan - ''Blind Dog at St. Dunstans'' (1976) album review by Richard Foss, credits & releases] at [[AllMusic.com]]
* [https://www.discogs.com/Caravan-Blind-Dog-At-St-Dunstans/release/1927164 Caravan - ''Blind Dog at St. Dunstans'' (1976) album releases & credits] at [[Discogs|Discogs.com]]
* [http://www.progarchives.com/album.asp?id=3115 Caravan - ''Blind Dog at St. Dunstans'' (1976) album credits & user reviews] at ProgArchives.com
* [https://play.spotify.com/album/2kXA8FLty3m2IHD298VPKk Caravan - ''Blind Dog at St. Dunstans'' (1976) album to be listened] as stream at [[Spotify|Play.Spotify.com]]


{{Caravan}}
{{cite web
| last = Eric
| first = Grey
| title = Where But For Caravan Would I? No. 6
| url=http://www.caravan-info.co.uk/fanzine/uploads/fanzine6-sep1977.pdf
|format=PDF| accessdate = 2007-07-15 |archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20070817115246/http://www.caravan-info.co.uk/fanzine/uploads/fanzine6-sep1977.pdf <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archivedate = 2007-08-17}}


{{Authority control}}
{{cite web
| last = Eric
| first = Grey
| title = Where But For Caravan Would I? No. 16
| url=http://www.caravan-info.co.uk/fanzine/uploads/fanzine16-feb2003.pdf
|format=PDF| accessdate = 2007-07-15 |archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20070817115315/http://www.caravan-info.co.uk/fanzine/uploads/fanzine16-feb2003.pdf <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archivedate = 2007-08-17}}

Sleeve notes: CD, ''Blind Dog at St Dunstans' ''

{{Caravan}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Blind Dog at St. Dunstan's}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Blind Dog at St. Dunstan's}}
[[Category:Caravan albums]]
[[Category:Caravan (band) albums]]
[[Category:1976 albums]]
[[Category:1976 albums]]
[[Category:Progressive rock albums]]
[[Category:Arista Records albums]]
[[Category:Arista Records albums]]
[[Category:Albums produced by Dave Hitchcock]]

[[fr:Blind Dog at St. Dunstans]]
[[nl:Blind Dog at St. Dunstans]]

Latest revision as of 08:14, 7 September 2024

Blind Dog at St. Dunstans
Studio album by
Caravan
Released23 April 1976
GenreProgressive rock, Canterbury scene
Length46:20
LabelBTM (UK)
Arista (US)
ProducerDavid Hitchcock
Caravan chronology
Cunning Stunts
(1975) 		Blind Dog at St. Dunstans
(1976) 		Better by Far
(1977)
Official audio
"Jack and Jill" (Remastered) on YouTube

Blind Dog at St. Dunstans is the seventh studio album by Canterbury Scene rock band Caravan. It was released in 1976.

This album has a lighter feel than Caravan's previous releases, shifting toward shorter, "poppier" songs. The lighter feel is due in part to the prominence of Pye Hastings on the album. He wrote and sang eight of nine songs. Moreover, Jan Schelhaas had replaced Dave Sinclair on keyboards, moving away from lengthy organ-based instrumentals toward piano and synthesizer.

Album cover and title

[edit]

The cover art and title bring together several elements relating to Canterbury.

Saint Dunstan was Archbishop of Canterbury and patron saint of the blind, after whom a home for the blind was named.

The title comes from a Noël Coward explanation to a child for why one dog had mounted another: one dog was blind and the other was pushing him to St. Dunstan's. The cover notes gives special thanks to Coward. At the end of the song "Jack and Jill", amongst dogs barking, two speaking voices can be heard:

First voice: "What are those two doggies doing over there?" Second voice "Well, the doggie in front is blind and his friend behind is pushing him all the way to St Dunstan's"

The album cover shows St. Dunstan's Street leading to the old West Gate in Canterbury. Members of Caravan used to frequent the pubs near the St. Dunstan area.

Reception

[edit]
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[1]

AllMusic described it as "'A major turn for the worse'" and said the album was detrimental to Caravan's career.[1]

Track listing

[edit]

All songs composed by Pye Hastings, except where noted.

Side one
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Here Am I" 6:19
2."Chiefs and Indians"Mike Wedgwood5:13
3."A Very Smelly, Grubby Little Oik" 4:15
4."Bobbing Wide" 1:13
5."Come on Back" 4:50
6."Oik (reprise)" 2:26
Side two
No.TitleLength
7."Jack and Jill"6:26
8."Can You Hear Me?"6:17
9."All the Way (with John Wayne's Single-Handed Liberation of Paris)"9:03

Personnel

[edit]
Caravan
Additional personnel
Credits
  • Lead vocals on all songs by Pye Hastings, except track 2, by Mike Wedgwood.
  • "Here Am I": lead guitar – Pye Hastings
  • "A Very Smelly, Grubby Little Oik": lead guitar – Geoffrey Richardson
  • "Bobbing Wide": flutes – Geoffrey Richardson
  • "Come on Back": lead guitar & flute – Geoffrey Richardson; tenor sax and clarinet – Jimmy Hastings
  • "Oik (reprise)": lead guitar & flute – Geoffrey Richardson; tenor sax and clarinet – Jimmy Hastings
  • "Jack and Jill": lead guitar – Pye Hastings
  • "All the Way (with John Wayne's single-handed liberation of Paris)": flute, alto sax – Jimmy Hastings

Live recordings

[edit]

Surprise Supplies (later renamed Here Am I) is a live album featuring all the Blind Dog at St. Dunstans songs, except for "Jack and Jill", recorded at a concert of 4 May 1976.[where?]

The next day, 5 May 1976, Caravan played on the John Peel show for BBC Radio One. Recordings of this show appear on the 1998 release Ether Way: BBC Sessions, 1975–1977: "All the Way", "A Very Smelly Grubby Little Oik", "Bobbing Wide", "Come on Back" and "Grubby Oik Reprise".

Charts

[edit]
Chart (1976) Peak
position
UK Albums (OCC)[2] 53

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b Foss, Richard (2011). "Caravan - Blind Dog at St. Dunstans". AllMusic.com. Retrieved 23 June 2011.
  2. ^ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 8, 2023.
[edit]
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