Space Ritual#Volume 2

{{Short description|1973 live album by Hawkwind}}

{{About|the Hawkwind album|the UK space rock band|Space Ritual (band)}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2014}}

{{Use British English|date=July 2014}}

{{Infobox album

| name = The Space Ritual Alive in Liverpool and London

| type = live

| artist = Hawkwind

| cover = Hawkwind-Space Ritual (album cover).jpg

| alt =

| released = 11 May 1973

| recorded = 22 December 1972 at
Liverpool Stadium
30 December 1972 at
Brixton Sundown, London

| venue =

| studio =

| genre = {{Flatlist|

}}

| length = 86:55 (original album)
132:59 (2007 expanded and remastered edition)

| label = United Artists (most of the world)
Liberty (Japan)
Parlophone (2015 & 2016 reissues)

| producer = Hawkwind

| prev_title = Doremi Fasol Latido

| prev_year = 1972

| next_title = Hall of the Mountain Grill

| next_year = 1974

}}

Space Ritual (officially known as The Space Ritual Alive in Liverpool and London) is a 1973 live double album recorded in 1972 by UK rock band Hawkwind. It is their fourth album since their debut, Hawkwind, in 1970.{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/hawkwind-mn0000672011/discography|website=AllMusic|publisher=RhythmOne|title=Discography Hawkwind}}{{cite web|url=https://ultimateclassicrock.com/hawkwind-debut-album/|website=ultimateclassicrock.com|publisher=Townsquare Media|title=How Hawkwind's Debut Took The Band On Their First Trip Into Space|author=Dave Swanson|date=Aug 14, 2015}} It reached number 9 in the UK Albums Chart and briefly dented the Billboard Hot 200, peaking at number 179.

Background

The album was recorded during the tour to promote their Doremi Fasol Latido album, which comprises the bulk of this set. In addition there are new tracks ("Born To Go", "Upside Down" and "Orgone Accumulator") and the songs are interspersed by electronic and spoken pieces, making this one continuous performance. Their recent hit single "Silver Machine" was excluded from the set, and only "Master of the Universe" remains from their first two albums.

The Space Ritual show attempted to create a full audio-visual experience, representing themes developed by Barney Bubbles and Robert Calvert entwining the fantasy of starfarers in suspended animation travelling through time and space with the concept of the music of the spheres.[http://www.kadu.demon.co.uk/pages/ritual.html Melody Maker, 28 October 1972] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061003015634/http://www.kadu.demon.co.uk/pages/ritual.html |date=3 October 2006}} - Watch This Space The performance featured dancers Stacia, Miss Renee and Tony Carrera, stage set by Bubbles,[http://www.kadu.demon.co.uk/pages/hawknauts.html Music Scene, 1 December 1972] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061003015709/http://www.kadu.demon.co.uk/pages/hawknauts.html |date=3 October 2006}} - Hawkwind Musicnauts lightshow by Liquid Len and poetry recitations by Calvert. On entering the venue, audience members were given a programme[http://www.kadu.demon.co.uk/pages/ritualprog.html Tour Programme] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061003015640/http://www.kadu.demon.co.uk/pages/ritualprog.html |date=3 October 2006}} – An extract from the Saga of Doremi Fasol Latido (reproduced on the 1996 remaster CD) featuring a short sci-fi story by Bubbles setting the band in a Starfarers scenario returning to Earth.{{refn|Dave Brock: "Barney's taking over the concept that originally came from Bob. Barney's continuing where Bob left off - writing the whole story and the programme - the whole fantasy to go with the show. Originally Bob was going to be the Grand Wizard, reading poetry on stage, but he's kind of vanished and I don't know whether he's going to be doing it with us. He might turn up and do part of it, but Nik's going to do the poetry and he'll be the wizard. Barney's done all the designs, written the story, done all the posters, things like that - all the design side."{{cite magazine |magazine=Let It Rock |title=Sonic Assassins and Silver Machines | author=Steve Mann |date=December 1972 }}|group="nb"}}

The original release featured edits and overdubs, the sleeve notes explaining that "We had to cut a piece out of Brainstorm and Time We Left because they were too long", but the 1985 Space Ritual Volume 2 album contains the full unedited versions. A previously unheard edited version of "You Shouldn't Do That" (segued with an unlisted "Seeing It As You Really Are") from this concert was included on the 1976 Roadhawks compilation album, then subsequently included as a bonus track on the 1996 remaster CD. The full unedited version of the track can be found on the Hawkwind Anthology album. June 2007 saw another EMI 2CD remaster issue with different bonus tracks and DVD-audio - this remaster would be reissued in 2013, minus the DVD-audio.

"Sonic Attack" had been written by science fiction author Michael Moorcock, who often performed with the band when convenient and Calvert was unavailable. Here it is recited by Calvert and it was scheduled for single release, promotional copies being distributed in a cloth sleeve, but it never did receive a full release.

Recording

The album was recorded at Liverpool Stadium, 22 December 1972 and Brixton Sundown, 30 December 1972 by Vic Maile and the Pye Mobile. It was produced by Hawkwind, then mixed by Vic Maile and Anton Matthews at Olympic Studios, Barnes. The bonus track "You Shouldn't Do That" was recorded at Brixton Sundown, 30 December 1972, and originally released on the Roadhawks compilation album. "Master Of The Universe" and "Born To Go", bonus tracks on the 1996 2CD release, were recorded at The Roundhouse, 13 February 1972, and originally released on the Greasy Truckers Party various artists album.

Sleeve

{{original research section|date=October 2023}}

The sleeve was designed by Barney Bubbles and came in 3x2 panel foldout, the outer 6 panels being colour, the inner 6 panels being monochrome, the discs in psychedelic patterned orange & yellow inner sleeves were folded into this.[http://www.collectable-records.ru/groups/hawkwind/space.htm Collectable Records] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120206022523/http://www.collectable-records.ru/groups/hawkwind/space.htm |date=6 February 2012 }} – Original foldout cover and inner sleeves

Release history

  • May 1973: United Artists Records, UAD60037/8, UK vinyl – original issues came in 6-panel fold-out sleeve with inner sleeves. Subsequent releases in gatefold sleeve.
  • September 1992: One Way Records, S2257659, USA CD
  • March 1996: EMI Remasters, HAWKS4, UK CD – initial copies in digipak with reproduction of the Space Ritual tour programme (An extract from the Saga of Doremi Fasol Latido)
  • June 2007: EMI Remasters, UK 2CD+DVD
  • 11 October 2010: Rock Classics, [http://www.plastichead.com/catalogue.asp?ex=fitem&verb=F&target=RCV016LP RCV016LP], UK, 2x12" vinyl 1000 copies; [http://www.plastichead.com/catalogue.asp?ex=fitem&verb=F&target=RCV017LP RCV017LP], UK, 2x12" vinyl 1000 copies
  • 21 January 2013: Parlophone Records, HAWKSS 4, Europe 2CD - re-issue of 2007 release, but without DVD - 6 panel fold-out inlay - track listing as per 1996 CD release [https://www.discogs.com/Hawkwind-Space-Ritual/release/4222153 Hawkwind - Space Ritual]
  • 29 September 2023: Cherry Red Records [https://www.cherryred.co.uk/product/hawkwind-space-ritual-50th-anniversary-box-set/ ATOMCD111053], UK, 10 CD + 1 Blu-Ray disc box-set including new stereo and 5.1 remixes by Stephen W. Tayler, plus new mixes of Liverpool, Brixton and Sunderland concerts from 1972, 68 page booklet with essay by Robert Godwin and reproduction original concert program.

Reception

{{Album reviews

| rev1 = AllMusic

|rev1Score = {{Rating|4.5|5}}[{{AllMusic|class=album|id=r40140|pure_url=yes}} AllMusic review]

| rev2 = The Encyclopedia of Popular Music

| rev2Score = {{Rating|4|5}}{{cite book|last=Larkin|first=Colin|author-link=Colin Larkin|title=The Encyclopedia of Popular Music|year=2007|publisher=Oxford University Press|edition=4th|isbn=978-0195313734|title-link=The Encyclopedia of Popular Music}}

| rev3 = Head Heritage

|rev3Score = (positive){{Cite web|url=http://www.headheritage.co.uk/unsung/thebookofseth/hawkwind-space-ritual|title=The Book of Seth: Hawkwind — Space Ritual|website=Headheritage.co.uk|access-date=11 May 2023|archive-date=4 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181104053339/http://www.headheritage.co.uk/unsung/thebookofseth/hawkwind-space-ritual|url-status=live}}

|noprose=yes

|rev4 = LouderSound

|rev4Score = {{Rating|4.5|5}}{{Cite web|url = https://www.loudersound.com/reviews/hawkwind-space-ritual-album-of-the-week-club-review|title = Hawkwind: Space Ritual - Album of the Week Club review|date = 2 September 2019|access-date = 18 September 2019|archive-date = 4 September 2019|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190904130646/https://www.loudersound.com/reviews/hawkwind-space-ritual-album-of-the-week-club-review|url-status = live}}

| rev5 = Pitchfork Media

|rev5Score = (8.6/10){{Cite web|url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/10512-space-ritual-collectors-edition/|title=Hawkwind: Space Ritual: Collector's Edition|website=Pitchfork.com|access-date=11 May 2023|archive-date=11 May 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230511103354/https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/10512-space-ritual-collectors-edition/|url-status=live}}

}}

In the Q & Mojo Classic Special Edition Pink Floyd & The Story of Prog Rock, the album came number 8 in its list of "40 Cosmic Rock Albums".Q Classic: Pink Floyd & The Story of Prog Rock, 2005. The album was also included in the book 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die.{{cite book |author1=Robert Dimery |author2=Michael Lydon |title=1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die: Revised and Updated Edition |date=7 February 2006 |publisher=Universe |isbn=0-7893-1371-5}}

Track listing

;Side 1

  1. "Earth Calling" (Robert Calvert) – 1:44
  2. "Born to Go" (Calvert, Dave Brock) – 9:56
  3. "Down Through the Night" (Brock) – 6:16
  4. "The Awakening" (Calvert) – 1:32

;Side 2

  1. "Lord of Light" (Brock) – 7:21
  2. "Black Corridor" (Michael Moorcock) – 1:51
  3. "Space Is Deep" (Brock) – 8:13
  4. "Electronic No. 1" (Michael "Dik Mik" Davies, Del Dettmar) – 2:26

;Side 3

  1. "Orgone Accumulator" (Calvert, Brock) – 9:59
  2. "Upside Down" (Brock) – 2:43
  3. "10 Seconds of Forever" (Calvert) – 2:05
  4. "Brainstorm" (Nik Turner) – 9:20

;Side 4

  1. "Seven By Seven" (Brock) – 6:11
  2. "Sonic Attack" (Moorcock) – 2:54
  3. "Time We Left This World Today" (Brock) – 5:47
  4. "Master of the Universe" (Turner, Brock) – 7:37
  5. "Welcome to the Future" (Calvert) – 2:04

;Bonus tracks on 1996 Remasters CD:

  1. "You Shouldn't Do That" (Turner, Brock) / "Seeing It As You Really Are" [unlisted] (Brock) – 6:58
  2. "Master of the Universe" (Turner, Brock) – 7:23
  3. "Born to Go" (Calvert, Brock) – 13:02

;2007 Digital remaster

{{col-begin}}

{{col-2}}

;CD 1

  1. "Earth Calling"
  2. "Born to Go"
  3. "Down Through the Night"
  4. "The Awakening"
  5. "Lord of Light"
  6. "Black Corridor"
  7. "Space Is Deep"
  8. "Electronic No. 1"
  9. "Orgone Accumulator"
  10. "Upside Down"
  11. "10 Seconds of Forever"
  12. "Brainstorm" (full version) - 13:46

;CD 2

  1. "7 By 7"
  2. "Sonic Attack"
  3. "Time We Left This World Today"
  4. "Master of the Universe"
  5. "Welcome to the Future" (full version) - 2:49
  6. "You Shouldn't Do That" (full version) - 10:38
  7. "Orgone Accumulator" (alternate nights performance) - 8:50
  8. "Time We Left This World Today" (alternate nights performance) - 13:22
  9. "You Shouldn't Do That" (alternate nights performance, from the Roadhawks compilation album) - 6:42

{{col-2}}

;DVD Audio

tracks are in both DTS 96/24 and 24 bit/48 kHz Stereo format

  1. "Earth Calling"
  2. "Born to Go"
  3. "Down Through the Night"
  4. "The Awakening"
  5. "Lord of Light"
  6. "Black Corridor"
  7. "Space Is Deep"
  8. "Electronic No. 1"
  9. "Orgone Accumulator"
  10. "Upside Down"
  11. "10 Seconds of Forever"
  12. "Brainstorm"
  13. "7 By 7"
  14. "Sonic Attack"
  15. "Time We Left This World Today"
  16. "Master of the Universe"
  17. "Welcome to the Future"
  18. "You Shouldn't Do That"

{{col-end}}

Personnel

=Hawkwind=

Volume 2

{{Infobox album

| name = Space Ritual Volume 2

| type = live

| artist = Hawkwind

| cover = Space Ritual Volume 2 - Hawkwind.jpg

| alt =

| released = May 1985

| recorded = 22 December 1972

| venue = Liverpool Stadium

| studio =

| genre = Space rock

| length =

| label = American Phonograph – APK8

| producer =

| prev_title = Bring Me the Head of Yuri Gagarin

| prev_year = 1985

| next_title = Hawkwind Anthology

| next_year = 1985

| misc = {{Extra album cover

| header = Alternative cover

| type = live album

| cover = Space Ritual Sundown V. 2 - Hawkwind.jpg

| border =

| alt =

| caption = Space Ritual Sundown V. 2 (2002 Remaster)

}}

}}

{{Album ratings

| rev1 = The Encyclopedia of Popular Music

| rev1Score = {{Rating|3|5}}

}}

Space Ritual Volume 2 is an archive live album by Hawkwind released in 1985 consisting of a live performance from 1972. The tapes were licensed by Dave Brock to former Hawkwind bass player Dave Anderson for release.

This recording is part of the performance that was processed for disc 2 of Space Ritual. Here it is in its original state, with no edits or overdubs, notable differences being a different middle section to "Orgone Accumulator", "Paranoia" included as the middle section of "Time We Left This World Today" and the end portion of "Brainstom" (Often mistakenly stated as "Wind of Change") leading into "7 By 7". "Space Is Deep" and "You Shouldn't Do That" / "Seeing It As You Really Are" from this tape were released on Hawkwind Anthology.

  1. "Electronic No. 1" [listed as "Space"] (Dettmar/Dik Mik) – 2:15
  2. "Orgone Accumulator" (Calvert/Brock) – 8:45
  3. "Upside Down" (Brock) – 2:45
  4. "Sonic Attack" (Moorcock) – 2:50
  5. "Time We Left This World Today" (Brock) / "Paranoia" [unlisted] (Brock) – 13:20
  6. "10 Seconds of Forever" (Calvert) – 2:10
  7. "Brainstorm" (Turner) – 12:00
  8. "7 By 7" (Brock) – 8:50
  9. "Master of the Universe" (Turner/Brock) – 7:40
  10. "Welcome to the Future" (Calvert) – 2:55
  • see [https://web.archive.org/web/20070122130757/http://www.starfarer.net/bringme.html starfarer] for full catalogue of releases, re-releases, retitles of this album.

Space Ritual Live 2014

{{Infobox album

| name = Space Ritual Live 2014

| type = live

| artist = Hawkwind

| cover =

| alt =

| released = 30 March 2015

| recorded = 22 February 2014

| venue =

| studio =

| genre =

| length =

| label = Gonzo Multi Media

| producer =

| prev_title = Knights of Space

| prev_year = 2008

| next_title =

| next_year =

}}

On 22 February 2014, Hawkwind performed a one-off show at the Shepherd's Bush Empire, London in conjunction with Rock 4 Rescue in aid of various animal charities (Wet Nose Animal Aid, Animals Asia Foundation, Team Badger and Doris Banham Dog Rescue).{{cite web |url=http://www.o2shepherdsbushempire.co.uk/event/61352/rock-4-rescue-and-hawkwind-tickets |title=O2 Shepherd's Bush Empire Rock 4 Rescue & Hawkwind Event information |website=O2shepherdsbushempire.co.uk |access-date=2015-03-27 |archive-date=2 April 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402171810/http://www.o2shepherdsbushempire.co.uk/event/61352/rock-4-rescue-and-hawkwind-tickets |url-status=live }} The night consisted of two sets, the second being an almost entire run-through of the original Space Ritual album - "Electronic Number 1" being replaced by a new electronic instrumental piece titled "A Step into Space". The event was compered by TV presenter Matthew Wright, and the group were joined by former Soft Machine guitarist John Etheridge on "Down Through The Night" and "Space Is Deep", while "Sonic Attack" was recited from a pre-recording by Brian Blessed who had been involved in other Team Badger projects including the "Save the Badger Badger Badger" single with Brian May. Silver Machine was performed as the encore (unlike the original 1972/3 shows where "You Shouldn't do That" was the encore.) Paradoxically, the single of Silver Machine that helped to finance the original Space Ritual tour, but wasn't actually performed on that tour.

The recording was released by Gonzo Media on 30 March 2015 in three formats: 2CD, 2CD/DVD-Video (set 2), and 2CD/2DVD-Video (both sets).

=Disc 1=

  1. "Seasons" (Jonathan Hulme Derbyshire, Niall Hone, Richard Chadwick)
  2. "Steppenwolf" (Robert Calvert, Dave Brock)
  3. "Arrival in Utopia" [listed as "Utopia"] (Michael Moorcock, Brock)
  4. "Opa Loka" (Alan Powell, Simon King)
  5. "Spiral Galaxy" (Simon House)
  6. "Reefer Madness" (Calvert, Brock)
  7. "Sentinel" (Derbyshire, Hone, Chadwick, Tim Blake)
  8. "Spirit of the Age" (Calvert, Brock)

=Disc 2=

  1. "Earth Calling"
  2. "Born To Go"
  3. "Down Through The Night"
  4. "The Awakening" [listed as "First Landing on Medusa"]
  5. "Lord of Light"
  6. "The Black Corridor"
  7. "Space is Deep"
  8. "A Step into Space"
  9. "Orgone Accumulator"
  10. "Upside Down"
  11. "The Tenth Second Forever"
  12. "Brainstorm"
  13. "Seven by Seven"
  14. "Sonic Attack"
  15. "Time We Left (This World Today)"
  16. "Masters of the Universe"
  17. "Welcome To The Future"
  18. "Silver Machine"

=Personnel=

  • Dave Brock - guitar, vocals and synth
  • Mr Dibs - vocals, bass and fx
  • Nail Hone - bass and vocals
  • Tim Blake - keyboards, theremin
  • Dead Fred|Frederick de la Mort]] (Philip Reeves) - keyboards, violin
  • Richard Chadwick - drums
  • John Etheridge - guitar ("Down Through The Night" and "Space Is Deep")
  • Brian Blessed - vocals ("Sonic Attack")

Charts

class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"
Chart (1973-1974)

! Peak
position

scope="row"|Australian Albums (Kent Music Report){{cite book|last=Kent|first=David|author-link=David Kent (historian)|title=Australian Chart Book 1970–1992|edition=illustrated|publisher=Australian Chart Book|location=St Ives, N.S.W.|year=1993|isbn=0-646-11917-6|page=135}}

| align="center"| 46

scope="row"| Finnish Albums (The Official Finnish Charts){{cite book|last=Pennanen|first=Timo|title=Sisältää hitin – levyt ja esittäjät Suomen musiikkilistoilla vuodesta 1972|edition=1st|publisher=Kustannusosakeyhtiö Otava|location=Helsinki|year=2006|isbn=978-951-1-21053-5| language= fi}}

| align="center"| 27

{{album chart|UK2|9|date=19730603|rowheader=true|access-date=October 30, 2023}}
{{album chart|Billboard200|179|artist=Hawkwind|rowheader=true|access-date=October 30, 2023}}

class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"
Chart (2023)

! Peak
position

{{album chart|Scotland|22|date=20231006|rowheader=true|accessdate=October 30, 2023}}
{{album chart|UKIndependent|11|date=20231006|rowheader=true|accessdate=October 30, 2023}}
{{album chart|UKRock|4|date=20231006|rowheader=true|accessdate=October 30, 2023}}

Certifications

{{Certification Table Top}}

{{Certification Table Entry|type=album|relyear=1973|region=United Kingdom|award=Gold|certyear=1973|certref={{cite web|url=https://static.wixstatic.com/media/dfe380_694247329b1c451d9d827d727c44bf8c~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_821,h_1030,al_c,q_90/dfe380_694247329b1c451d9d827d727c44bf8c~mv2.webp|title=DikMik's 1973 gold disc for Space Ritual|website=Statis.wixstatic.com|access-date=16 April 2023|archive-date=16 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230416222527/https://static.wixstatic.com/media/dfe380_694247329b1c451d9d827d727c44bf8c~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_821,h_1030,al_c,q_90/dfe380_694247329b1c451d9d827d727c44bf8c~mv2.webp|url-status=live}}}}

{{Certification Table Bottom|nosales=true}}

Release history

  • 30 March 2015 - 2CD, Gonzo Media, HAWKGZ102CD{{cite web |url=https://www.gonzomultimedia.co.uk/product_details/15808/Hawkwind-Space_Ritual_Live.html |title=Hawkwind - Space Ritual Live (DCD) |publisher=Gonzomultimedia.co.uk |access-date=2015-03-27 |archive-date=2 April 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402112914/https://www.gonzomultimedia.co.uk/product_details/15808/Hawkwind-Space_Ritual_Live.html |url-status=live }}
  • 30 March 2015 - 2CD/DVD, Gonzo Media, HAWKGZ103DVD{{cite web |url=https://www.gonzomultimedia.co.uk/product_details/15807/Hawkwind-Space_Ritual_Live_.htm |title=Hawkwind - Space Ritual Live (2CD1DVD) |publisher=Gonzomultimedia.co.uk |access-date=2015-03-27}}
  • 30 March 2015 - 2CD/2DVD, Gonzo Media, HAWKGZ104SE{{cite web |url=https://www.gonzomultimedia.co.uk/product_details/15806/Hawkwind-Space_Ritual_Live_-_Special_Edition.html |title=Space Ritual Live - Special Edition (2DVD/2CD) |publisher=Gonzomultimedia.co.uk |access-date=2015-03-27 |archive-date=2 April 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402140359/https://www.gonzomultimedia.co.uk/product_details/15806/Hawkwind-Space_Ritual_Live_-_Special_Edition.html |url-status=live }}

References

Footnotes

{{Reflist|group="nb"}}

Citations

{{Reflist}}