If I Could Do It All Over Again, I’d Do It All Over You

For those who still believe prog is a four-letter word, Caravan remain a mystery – More fool them, for they are missing out on some of the sweetest and most tuneful melodies in 70s rock, whether it be the jazz-inflected vaudeville of the title track of If I Could Do It All Over Again, I’d Do It All Over You, the gentle celebration of Virgin On The Ridiculous from Caravan & The New Symphonia or the funky ambition of The Dabsong Conshirtoe on Cunning Stunts.

Formed, like Soft Machine, from the group The Wilde Flowers, Caravan have much in common with UK 70s prog, punning titles, gatefold sleeves, many songs well over 10 minutes long, frequent line-up shifts, but they always had an innate accessibility – partly due to guitarist and lead vocalist Julian ‘Pye’ Hastings’ easy-on-the-ear singing style.

After one album on MGM in 1968, Caravan signed to Decca and released their calling card, If I Could Do It All Over Again, I’d Do It All Over You. Its title track became a turntable hit in 1970, leading to a Top Of The Pops appearance, and the rest of the album parades the group’s variety of styles and includes fan favourite For Richard.

This re-issue faithfully replicates the original 1970 Decca Records UK release and is pressed onto high quality 180g vinyl