"The Box" is a comprehensive four-CD box set by Van der Graaf Generator, released in 2000 by Virgin Records. Here are the key details about the release:
The box set includes a collection of recordings that span Van der Graaf Generator's career up to 1978. It features previously released tracks, BBC recordings, and some live recordings that had not been officially released before. This compilation provides a thorough retrospective of the band's music and performances during their active years.
The sleeve notes are enriched with contributions from various figures associated with the band:
- Introductions by Guy Evans and Tony Banks (from Genesis), offering personal insights.
- A detailed timeline of Van der Graaf Generator events from 1967 to 1978, documenting their concerts and activities.
- Essays by band members and aficionados:
- Hugh Banton writes about the organs used in their music.
- Peter Hammill discusses the compositions of Van der Graaf Generator.
- David Jackson explores the role of saxophones in their sound.
- Ian Laycock shares his perspective as a Van der Graaf Generator aficionado.
Each of the four CDs in the box set is titled based on a lyric from a contemporaneous song by Peter Hammill:
- CD 1: "Bless the Baby Born Today" (from "Darkness (11/11)")
- CD 2: "The Tower Reels" (from "(In The) Black Room/The Tower")
- CD 3: "One More Heaven Gained" (from "La Rossa")
- CD 4: "Like Something Out Of Edgar Allen Poe" (from "When She Comes")
"The Box" received acclaim for its meticulous curation and extensive documentation, appealing to both longtime fans and newcomers to Van der Graaf Generator's music. It remains a definitive collection for exploring the band's pioneering blend of progressive rock, avant-garde influences, and poetic lyricism.
Overall, "The Box" stands as a testament to Van der Graaf Generator's influential legacy in progressive rock music, offering a rich tapestry of their recordings and contextual insights into their creative process and impact.
