Tractor “Beyond Deeply Vale”
OZIT/ENTS TV DVD 0004
Mysteriously enjoyable and the first of a series of Deeply Vale related
products.
A number of Northern legends are embedded in this intriguing DVD, which provides
excellent navigational fun. Even if Tractor, whose softened and intelligent prog
tones seem to have attained an unlikely poignancy in recent times, are not
within range of your tastes, you can divert to the glorious memories of the
Deeply Vale Free Festival.
This semi-anarchic, rag-taggle collection of wigwams and stage entanglements
took place in the late 70s and, fuelled by the enthusiasm of Ozit-Morpheus
Records owner Chris Hewitt, featured the likes of The Fall, Fast Cars, Steve
Hillage and even Mick Hucknall’s Frantic Elevators. Although these artists are
only featured in a sequence of photographic snapshots, it still makes compelling
viewing.
There are two sets and assorted rarities from Tractor, once the darlings of John
Peel’s innovative Dandelion label. Now trimmed to an invigorating duo, they
possess an aura of calm assurance that is the result of a band who own bagfuls
of surprisingly melodic songs that sway from the trippy to the soulful. The
celebrated idiosyncrasies of their hometown Rochdale, with its darkly brooding
moorlands, seem etched into every song, much in the manner of their Oldham
neighbours - geographically and musically - Barclay James Harvest.
Record Collector, July 2004