This incredible rarity has been unearthed by Herman Permentier - so all credit to him!
* EDIT - THIS VIDEO IS NOW INCLUDED IN THE CHARISMA YEARS BOX SET - A 20 DISC COLLECTION THAT IS UNMISSABLE FOR FANS OF THE BAND
Shot on 16mm and lost in the vaults for nearly 40 years, I've added the album audio to this video shoot for the 7" single "Cats Eye," which was only released in France in 1977, and synced up the footage to the improved sound.
Van Der Graaf is of course the band that evolved from Van Der Graaf Generator after the departure of Hugh Banton (Organs) and David Jackson (Saxophones).
Augmenting the two existing members, Peter Hammill (Guitar and Vox) and Guy Evans, were Graham Smith (from the brilliant String Driven Thing) on violin and Charles Dickie on Cello.
The most interesting addition to this line up was the return of Nic Potter on Bass guitar - who had already played with the band from 1969-70.
Herman Permentier: "Here’s another treasure I have , This time it’s coming from a 16mm film which I have for a very long time. I found it 30 years ago in new Zealand.
I brought it to a professional studio to digitalize the clip. Big thanks to Jim Christopulos to encourage me!!"
Van Der Graaf - Cat's Eye (1977)
I was walking in the evening,
I was looking for something good, clean, fine, pure, straight,
but instead I found the bunker wall and gate.
It was open: I was free. I gave a token guarantee,
though I later knew I had promised more
with an I.O.U. I could scarcely score my way...
Oh But I herald Apocalypse anyway!
I was a prime believer in the faith of 'I'
yellow fever in the cat's eye.
And it's everything you want,
And it's everything you own,
And it's everything you love,
And it's everything you hate,
And it's everything you touch,
And it's everything you dream,
And it's everything you trust;
and it's everything you need.
I got a heart like a rocket, I was out of control,
I'd cleaned out my pockets for some luck to show...
really looking like a hopeless case, I found it in my hand,
it was the Angry Ace.
He wants to talk to me, one on one,
he wants to give me his professional opinion...
but I'm running; I just can't wait,
I haven't got a moment to anticipate,
yes, I'm running, I just can't stop,
I've got to get to the bottom just to get to the top,
I've got the dark alleys and the open skies,
I got the yellow fever from the cat's eye.
Oh - I'll let you know how it goes in the ninth life.