You by Gong

The final installment in Gong's Radio Gnome Invisible trilogy, 1974's You, a key masterpiece for the Canterbury Scene and for Progressive Rock as a whole, is here.

This is the Trilogy
- Flying Teapot (Radio Gnome Invisible Part 1)
- Angel's Egg (Radio Gnome Invisible Part 2)
- You

In the third album, Zero is forced to return from his journey for the first time. He asks Hiram the Master Builder how to structure his vision and build his own Invisible Temple. Having done so, Zero decides to organize the Great Feast of Freaks on the island of Everywhere, Bali. The party goes well, and the Switch Doctor lights everyone's third eye, except Zero, who has lost himself in the pleasures of the Earth: Ananda Banana Fruitcake. Zero has missed the entire revelation granted by the third eye and is forced to continue his existence, revolving around the cycle of death and rebirth, slowly approaching the Angel's Egg. This idea is somewhat reminiscent of Buddhist reincarnation.

The trilogy ends, but the music, eternal, remains, because in this "comic" album of the Theater of the Absurd, the music is grandiose, extremely "serious" in both composition and performance.

An album featuring the band's best lineup and also the last studio album with leader, the magnificent Daevid Allen.

"You" is definitely my favorite and marks the midpoint in the band's evolution from an anarcho-Buddhist comic collective to a revolutionary jazz-rock outfit. As such, it is Gong's best album in my opinion, being the best of both phases.

Mystical idealism is the main ingredient, thanks to the visionary Daevid Allen. The music is excellent and unique. Steve Hillage, who has always had a melodic and structured approach, is wilder and more chaotic here. Pierre Moerlin on drums and Mike Howlett on bass are extremely incisive. Tim Blake's keyboards and synthesizers have a unique sound that influenced subsequent dance music. Didier Malherbe's saxophone and flute solos are fantastic.

Zero the Hero's journey through the Island of Knowhere, populated by Stoned Elves, Radio Gnomes, and Doctor Octaves, may be embarrassing to some, but believe me, this trilogy is immense and should be included in any collection worthy of the name. Gong (or their pseudonyms from the liner notes) are immense in these three surreal yet musically extraordinary works.

The Tracks
Thought for Naught – 1:30
A P.H.P.'s Advice – 1:37
Magick Mother Invocation – 2:11
Master Builder – 6:09
A Sprinkling of Clouds – 8:42
Perfect Mystery – 2:25
The Isle of Everywhere – 10:21
You Never Blow Your Trip Forever – 11:24

Line-Up
Daevid Allen (in the liner notes: Dingo Virgin) - vocals, glissando guitar
Steve Hillage - lead guitar
Gilli Smyth (in the liner notes: Shakti Yoni) - vocals, space whispers
Didier Malherbe (in the liner notes: Bloomdido Bad de Grass) - saxophone, flute, vocals
Tim Blake (in the liner notes: Hi T Moonweed) - Moog and EMS synthesizers, Mellowdrone
Mike Howlett - bass
Pierre Moerlen - drums, percussion
Mireille Bauer - percussion
Benoit Moerlen - percussion
Miquette Giraudy (in the liner notes: Bambaloni Yoni) - vocals