Track Listing

1. Thoughts For Naught
2. A PH.P.’s Advice
3. Magick Mother Invocation
4. Master Builder
5. A Sprinkling of Clouds
6. Perfect Mystery
7. The Isle of Everywhere
8. You Never Blow YR Trip Forever
9. A PH.P.’s Advice – Alternate vocal version

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #14116 in Music
• Released on: 2004-10-04
• Number of discs: 1
• Formats: Extra tracks, Original recording remastered
• Dimensions: .22 pounds

CD Description
YOU is the final installment in Gong's legendary "Radio Gnome Trilogy", and it marks an important turning point for theband. By 1974, the psychedelic hippie/folk-rock element of the sound that was leader Daevid Allen's most important contribution was beginning to disappear. In its place was a moresophisticated musical vision that owed as much to jazz-rockfusion as to fellow space rockers like Pink Floyd or Hawkwind. Ironically, this is Gong's most "spacy" album, full of extended, ethereal passages that would inspire future generations of space rockers. The sound was equally defined however, by the jazzy flights of saxophonist Didier Malherbe and the sinuous rhythms of bassist Mike Howlett and drummer PierreMoerlen (the band would eventually become the fusion-oriented Pierre Moerlen's Gong). Allen's songs still provide a crucial link to the rest of the trilogy, though the conceptual/mythological aspect is less crucial to YOU.

Customer Reviews

Welcome re-issue of the last part of the Radio Gnome Trilogy
Along with "Angel's Egg", "You" has been faithfully restored in a superbly sounding remastered version. Overseen by Mark Powell, much trouble has been taken to ensure that this is the best version available of this, the third instalment of the Radio Gnome Trilogy. The sound, remastered by Paschal Byrne is crystal clear and brings out all the nuances of the musical collage that was Gong.

Recorded by the classic lineup of Gong, "You" is probably the most musically involving album by the band. Daevid Allen's input was receding, with guitarist Steve Hillage coming more to the fore. There is less of the whimsy and all round good humour associated with "Angel's Egg", but this still remains a classic recording from Virgin Records golden era. The album includes lengthier tracks such as "Master Builder", "Sprinkling of Clouds" and "Isle of Everywhere" which enables members of the band to stretch out. The synths of Tim Blake bubble away nicely and Hillage's soaring, ecstatic sounding guitar is building up in confidence.

It's a shame that EMI/Virgin cannot secure the rights to "Flying Teapot" in order to satisfactorily complete the Trilogy. Maybe someday. But for now do get this and "Angel's Egg" to hear one of the most original and fun bands from the golden age of progressive rock, sounding better than ever.

Unequalled masterpeice of space rock
I will not waste time talking about the `Radio Gnome Trilogy', the previous heavy concept was completely absurd and quite amusing. 'You' is so much more serious as it ties up the characters who seem to be lost in hyperspace. The realisation is at the end of Angel's Egg that the Planet Gong is a figment of anyone's imagination, the conclusion at the end of the trilogy is that you am I and I am you. I hope that does not spoil the ending, but the journey is what is important and what a journey it is. 'You' just improves the more times you listen to it. Everything seems to stem from this album, space rock is one aspect especially the Steve Hillage factor where 'The Glorious Om Riff' is born and this is basically what Ozric Tentacles seemed to base their sound on. Psy Trance and quite a lot of electronic dance music seems to be derived from this album to some extent. It is a polished sound not only in the beautiful CD master but in the composition. The synths are pure and everything is processed very carefully. The album builds to a more and more amazing song, from it's early 'invocation' through 'Master Builder' and the Steve Hillage/Tim Blake masterpiece 'A Sprinkling of Clouds' with slightly quirky asides at times from Daevid Allen, through to 'Isle of Everywhere' and 'You Never Blow YR Trip Forever'. If you like psychedelic music you cannot pass this by, it never fails to trip me out in a most enjoyable and uplifting way, it is not as jazzy or difficult as the other parts of the trilogy, it also works on it's own as the story is less detailed and more universal, the concept is philosphical and not narrative. Especially recommended for Pink Floyd, Hawkwind and space rock fans, it is not as warped sonically as Hawkwind or Krautrock as the way it has been put together is much more precise and careful without distortion, it is clean sounding. This is not to say that this is lightweight in anyway. Do not ignore this if you have never heard it, also if you can find it check out the remix CD of it modern dance and ambient versions of the material, lovingly re-contextualized and presented in a similar way to 'Panthalassa' by Bill Laswell/Miles Davis.

Just magnificent
I've had this treasure for well over thirty years now, and I'm still amazed at the depth and breadth of this album; it's pure magic. When I found out it had been re-mastered I had to get a copy. Really, it's like opening a door and letting in fresh air and crystaline sunlight. You'll be amazed at the brilliant job they've done on the new mix.
If you have Dolby Pro 2 on your surround amp and four speakers, you'll swear that the re-mix has four separate tracks.
Prepare to be stunned!