CLARK-HUTCHINSON - Gestalt

First CD reissue of the 3rd Clark Hutchinson album, originally released by Deram Records in 1971. "Andy Clark and Mick Hutchinson recorded four semi-legendary LPs of drug/scatter/raga-blues between 1969 and 1971. Mick Hutchinson was -- and still is -- a gifted guitarist who had began his career playing Indian style music with the tabla expert Sam Gopal. Although he never recorded with Sam Gopals Dream -- a young guitarist named Lemmy eventually fulfilled this role -- Hutchinson and Gopal played together at the legendary 14 hour Technicolour Dream at Londons Alexandra Palace in April of 1967. Later, he teamed up with the multi-instrumentalist Andy Clark. They both played a variety of instruments and this abundance of talent was brought to bear on the extraordinary two man album A=MH? which they recorded during two hectic 12 hour sessions in 1969. The bands last offering before splitting in 1971, Gestalt , was an altogether gentler, more reflective, disillusioned affair. Gestalt is eleven tracks shot through with sadness and regret. To some extent its like listening to an extended meditation on Peter Greens Man of the World. The lyrics are less explicit and less maudlin than on that particular track, but Andy Clarks vocals have the same poignancy, and Mick Hutchinsons guitar deftly and efficiently touches all the right spots. In case youre wondering, a gestalt is a pattern or structure -- an organised whole -- that is more than the sum of its parts. The idea originates with the German system of Gestalt psychology, which holds that perceptions and reactions are gestalts. A clear example is a melody as distinct from the separate notes that go to make it up. However you apply the term to this album, there is something here that transcends the eleven short tracks that go to make it up. Its elusive, like something half-remembered from a dream. Whatever it is, its enough to break your heart." - Simon Smith.