How could he know so much? How could he bear such  knowledge?

How could he dare to write it in he song?

0K so Peter Hammill isn't  Shakespeare.

But his original aim was to be a writer.

And he has certainly written a vast array of subjects in his recorded output over 27 years.
II with passion honesty, spirit.

OK so Peter Hammill isn't the most technically proficient piano and guitar virtuoso of all time.

But he's more than competent on both instruments. And the music he plays serves boldly as a vehicle to carry the weight of the subjects he writes about. As with the writing, so with the playing - no compromise.

0K so Peter Hammill's voice is...?

Well. Quite simply: unique. Note his style of delivery and range, the passion and commitment. Superlatives are highly overrated, aren't they? But his voice really should be recognised as England's finest...

From the core of his early songs, pared down to the bare minimum of vox and piano on these  recordings (a solo version of "Emperor" seems never to have been played live, so this version is a bonus in itself), through to the later flirtations with technology on the 1988 sessions, all these factors - the writing, the playing, the voice - are forcefully present.

So - the writing. Fourteen subjects that no-one else  could possibly address in such a way. (Yes Chris Judge Smith wrote "Time for a Change", I know, but he's family anyway). And each "song" here challenges you to re-assess your own outlook on life.

The playing. Well, Hammill's own no-compromise delivery is mainly slanted towards piano here, butt his guitar is also heard with Graham Smith's violin on 2 of the 3 tracks from the 1977 session. There are over a couple of opportunities for galumping.

And then the voice - Majestic. Tender. Powerful. The swoops and roars. The delivery.

But all these - the writing, the playing, the voice - are  here with  passion, integrity, honesty, spirit.