Caravan – The Show of Our… Live! 10LP Box Set Review – Madfish
Hi everyone, Phil Aston here from Now Spinning Magazine — and this time we’re taking a look inside the brand-new Caravan vinyl box set, The Show of Our… Live!
Released by Madfish Records, this is a beautifully presented 10LP deluxe collection of live performances spanning over 25 years of Caravan’s storied career.
Inside the Box
As you’d expect from Madfish, the packaging is absolutely first class.
A sturdy, high-quality slipcase holds five double (and one triple) albums, all pressed on heavyweight vinyl with poly-lined inner sleeves — something I always appreciate. Also included is a 60-page softback book packed with photographs, memorabilia, and fresh reflections from the band.
The design is in keeping with the other Madfish live vinyl sets for Gentle Giant and Wishbone Ash, but there’s a notable difference here: none of the albums are in gatefold sleeves. Instead, each is housed in a single sleeve, which may surprise some collectors — though it likely helps keep the set compact and consistent with its archival nature.
What’s Included
The box includes five complete live shows, four of which have never been released before:
Keel University – 1976
Bobino, Paris – 1980
Old Buckingham High School – 1990
Park Hotel, Norfolk – 1998
The Stables Theatre, Wavendon – 2001
Each captures a different era of the band’s live evolution, from their Canterbury Scene roots to the more polished performances of the 1990s and 2000s.
The Booklet
Madfish have gone above and beyond here. Instead of a token insert, the 60-page book features band interviews, historical context, gig itineraries, and plenty of previously unseen photos — many taken at the concerts themselves. It’s both a joy to read and a fantastic way to travel through Caravan’s story from the ’70s into the 21st century.
Sound Quality
These recordings sound vibrant, detailed, and excitingly live. Only the Babino, Paris 1980 show dips slightly in fidelity, but even then, it remains very listenable and engaging — certainly not bootleg territory.
The mixes breathe; you can feel the space between instruments, and the interplay between Dave Sinclair’s keyboards and Geoffrey Richardson’s viola, guitar, and backing vocals is a revelation. His viola adds a wonderful texture that lifts many performances to another level.
Performance Highlights
Each setlist varies slightly, but you’ll hear multiple takes on Caravan classics such as:
Nine Feet Underground (appearing in several thrilling versions!)
For Richard
The Love in Your Eye
A Hunting We Shall Go
Winter Wine
The Land of Grey and Pink
Nightmare
The performances are passionate, raw, and real — no post-production polish, just authentic live Caravan. The result feels like being there in the audience, hearing the band at full flight.
This is not an entry point for new listeners. The Show of Our… Live! is a collector’s piece aimed squarely at die-hard Caravan fans — those who already own the studio albums, perhaps the massive CD box set, and simply want to experience these performances on vinyl.
It’s limited, not cheap, but absolutely worth it if you’re already on that Canterbury journey. Every record captures the warmth, humour, and musical telepathy that have made Caravan such a cherished band for over half a century.
Madfish have done them proud once again.
If you’re a dedicated fan — or a vinyl enthusiast who treasures the live energy of a truly great band — this box set deserves a place on your shelf.
Phil Aston | Now Spinning Magazine
