By 1977 Caravan, the Canterbury band of Pye Hastings and drummer Richard Coughlan, had settled on a song-based sound far from their long early suites. Better By Far, their eighth studio album, was recorded at Utopia Studios in London in March and April 1977 and released in July on Arista, with Tony Visconti producing.
Hastings wrote most of the material, from the opener Feelin' Alright to the closing Nightmare. Geoffrey Richardson, whose viola had become a signature of the band, wrote Silver Strings and The Last Unicorn, and keyboard player Jan Schelhaas contributed Man In A Car. Dek Messecar had joined on bass. Visconti also plays recorder on The Last Unicorn and electric double bass on Man In A Car, which also features Fiona Hibbert on harp, while Vicki Brown sings on Give Me More.
Japanese CD reissue by Belle Antique, limited edition SHM-CD, remastered, in a paper-sleeve mini LP replica with obi (printed with details of the band's 2022 Japan tour).
