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Grateful Dead – Dick’s Picks 26 (Live 1969) (@256)
20 Feb 2011
(Review from allmusic, wikipedia)
This archival release was recorded on April 26, 1969 at the Electric Theater in Chicago and on April 27, 1969 at the Labor Temple in Minneapolis.
Jerry Garcia’s undeniable brilliance as a multifaceted and rarely equalled string man is both literally and figuratively amplified on “Dupree’s Diamond Blues” and “Mountains of the Moon”. These two unplugged tracks both feature Garcia’s inimitable — and all too rare — acoustic guitar leads. His intonation retains the acidic and trippy edge of its electric counterpart; however, the backdrop is much more intimate and rightfully consecrated. Also unique to this era are the keyboard contributions of Tom Constanten. Although often drowned out during the electric sets, Constanten hauntingly augments Garcia’s rich acoustic guitar with an ear toward the Baroque.
Garcia deftly switches axes — without stopping the proceedings — and the band diverges into the powerhouse combo of “China Cat Sunflower” and “Doin’ That Rag”. This is followed by an epic “Cryptical Envelopment”/”The Other One”. Although the Dead continued performing the suite into the early 1970s, 1969 reigns as the apex of this live centerpiece, with this reading being no exception. Also of note is the astonishing diversion into the blues standard “I Know It’s a Sin” — which was rarely performed by the band and makes its first appearance on this archival Dead release.
The meat of the two-disc volume is the complete 100-minute set from the Labor Temple (April 7, 1969) in Minneapolis. The blues rave-up “Turn on Your Love Light” bookends the performance, featuring two equally uncompromising 15-plus minute readings. The primal Dead that exists between them include inspired and unexpected sidetracks into “Me and My Uncle” and “Sitting on Top of the World”. These sinuous sonic diversions serve as prologue to the equally intense yet supple execution of a textbook 1969 rendering of “Dark Star”/”St. Stephen”/”The Eleven” — known to Deadheads as the “Live/Dead sequence”. The bombastic sonic energies are dispersed during the “Morning Dew” encore.
Line-up:
- Jerry Garcia / guitar, vocals
- Bob Weir / guitar, vocals
- Ron “Pigpen” McKernan / harmonica, percussion, vocals
- Phil Lesh / electric bass, vocals
- Tom Constanten / organ
- Mickey Hart / drums
- Bill Kreutzmann / drums
Track List:
CD1
01. Duprees Diamond Blues] – 4:29
02. Mountains of the Moon] – 6:45
03. China Cat Sinflower] – 5:57
04. Doin’ That Rag – 7:17
05. Cryptical Envelopement] – 3:05
06. The Other One] – 7:20
07. The Eleven] – 7:59
08. The Other One] – 1:04
09. I Know It’s a Sin – 4:28
10. Lovelight] – 20:36
11. Me and My Uncle] – 4:11
12. Sitting On Top Of The World – 3:37
CD2
01. Dark Star] – 26:36
02. St. Stephen] – 9:18
03. The Eleven] – 10:18
04. Lovelight – 15:24
05. Morning Dew – 10:47
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National Health – Of Queues And Cures (1978) (@256)
19 Feb 2011
(Review from progarchives.com)
If the first National Health album took a long time to materialize, their second one certainly didn’t make itself long to appear, as it came out the same year as the debut. It is also a fairly different beast than its predecessor, even if only the departed brilliant Neil Murray is now replaced with ex-Henry Cow bassist John Greaves. Although it might appear a minor line-up change, it also opens the studio gates to a bunch of other ex-Cows to participate to the album’s sessions. And this is where the difference appears. The music is less jazz-rock and more pure progressive, a la Egg/ELP-like.
Opening with a wandering bass line and birdsongs, the album on the book-ending Bryden 2-Step is soon a wild jazz-rock, much reminiscent of their first album, but an added slightly symphonic touch. The closing section of this track is the same riff repeated tiredlessly until interrupted its slow death. Collapso is a play on word (calypso) due to the steel drums but outside these drums, you won’t find any Caribbean music here. It is hard to call this track jazz-rock either, especially midway through, when the group members are giving it their all.
Greaves’ bass opens the lengthy “Squarer For Maud”, probably the most Cow-esque National Health track, with Born’s cello in the background with Hastings’ clarinets and Blegvad’s short spoken vocals. However the second part returns to a Caravan-type bossa improvisation, before going in an insane stop & go section to end it.
Just as demented is “Dreams Wide Awake”, where Stewart’s organ goes completely mad in the first part, then in a much quieter Caravan-styled second part, followed by Miller’s usual once-per-album wild solo. “Binoculars” is the only sung song (by John Greaves), features another of Miller’s sizzling solo.
This is another of these links between the RIO circle and the Canterbury family, but sadly seems to indicate that Canterbury is reaching its end as RIO is only really getting under way.
Line-up:
- John Greaves / bass, piano innards (3), crooning (5)
- Phil Miller / guitar
- Pip Pyle / drums, percussion / hand claps (3)
- Dave Stewart / acoustic & electric pianos, organ, Mini-Moog (3, 4)
with
- Selwyn Baptiste / steel drums (2)
- Rick Biddulph / bass on organ solo (4)
- Peter Blegvad / voice (3)
- Georgie Born / cellos (1, 3, 7)
- Jimmy Hastings / clarinets (3, 5), flute (5)
- Phil Minton / trumpets (1, 5, 7)
- Paul Nieman / trombones (1, 5, 7)
- Keith Thompson / oboe (3, 5)
Track List:
01. The Bryden 2-Step (For Amphibians) Pt1 – 8:54
02. The Collapso – 6:18
03. Squarer For Maud – 11:50
04. Dreams Wide Awake – 8:50
05. Binoculars – 11:45
06. Phlakaton – 0:08
07. The Bryden 2-Step (For Amphibians) Pt2 – 5:33
08. Apocalypso – 6:50
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Grateful Dead – Dick’s Picks 25 (Live 1978) (@256)
19 Feb 2011
(Review from thebestofwebsite.com)
This is almost two complete Grateful Dead concerts from 1978; May 10 from Veteran’s Memorial Coliseum in New Haven CT, and May 11 from Springfield Civic Center Arena. From the first evening “Maybe it was the Roses” the third song in set two, and the encore “U. S. Blues” were left off, and from the second evening “Mexicali Blues”, “Mama Tried” and “Peggy-O” from set one. As a result of the cuts “Tennessee Jed” and “New Minglewood Blues” order was switched to give the songs a better flow.
The first set of the Grateful Dead’s May 10 concert at New Haven is great throughout. A powerful “Jack Straw” sets the stage for a perfect beginning to a great evening. The less than five-minute version of “Cassidy” proves that a Grateful Dead song doesn’t have to be ten minutes or longer to jam. The set closer of “Let it Grow” > “Deal” is what Dead Heads hunger for.
The second set from May 10, 1978, is the best of the four sets by far. The first songs two songs of the set end the first disc, “Bertha” > “Good Lovin’” a splendid opening indeed. However, the highlight of the set is a spring flowing “Estimated Prophet” > “Eyes of the World.”
Discs 3 and 4 include most of the Grateful Dead’s May 11, 1978, performance in Springfield. Some highpoints of the first set include “Loser” where Garcia not on wails on his guitar, but after the instrumental he wails on the vocals with a growl; a warm up for their encore. Even better is the “Friend of the Devil,” that has a great instrumental that starts out slow and builds to a powerful peak. The set closer, “Lazy Lightning” > “Supplication” is another gem seeping with rhythm, melody, and power.
The second begins on the first disc with a good “Scarlet” > “Fire on the Mountain.” The last disc has good versions of all the songs, but no real definitive ones. “Dancing in the Streets” hits some interesting rhythmic patterns, but they got carried away with the ending vocals dialogue that goes on too long. The “Stella Blue” is stellar with great dynamics and an outstanding closing instrumental. The “Werewolves of London” is a fun selection, featuring some cool vocal interchange between Jerry and Donna, and Weir seems to be enjoying his opportunity to play slide guitar.
Line-up:
- Jerry Garcia / lead guitar, vocals
- Bob Weir / rhythm guitar, vocals
- Phil Lesh / electric bass, vocals
- Keith Godchaux / piano
- Donna Jean Godchaux / vocals
- Mickey Hart / drums
- Bill Kreutzman / drums
Track List:
CD1
01. Jack Straw – 6:51
02. They Love Each Other – 7:45
03. Cassidy – 5:22
04. Ramble On Rose – 7:29
05. Me & My Uncle – 3:00
06. Big River – 6:56
07. Peggy-O – 7:51
08. Let It Grow – 9:39
09. Deal – 7:05
10. Bertha – 8:07
11. Good Lovin’ – 6:17
CD2
01. Estimated Prophet – 12:03
02. Eyes of the World – 12:17
03. Drums – 17:50
04. The Other One – 16:30
05. Wharf Rat – 10:14
06. Sugar Magnolia – 9:33
CD3
01. Cold Rain & Snow – 7:02
02. Beat It On Down The Line – 3:31
03. Friend of the Devil – 8:36
04. Looks Like Rain – 9:13
05. Loser – 7:47
06. New Minglewood Blues – 5:47
07. Tennessee Jed – 8:47
08. Lazy Lightnin’ – 3:21
09. Supplication – 6:33
10. Scarlet Begonias – 9:41
11. Fire on the Mountain – 8:35
CD4
01. Dancing In The Street – 15:12
02. Drums – 19:53
03. Not Fade Away – 10:21
04. Stella Blue – 8:45
05. Around and Around – 9:15
06. Werewolves of London – 8:30
07. Johnny B. Goode – 4:14
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National Health – National Health (1977) (@256)
18 Feb 2011
(Review from progarchives.com)
Founded in 1975, National Health was one of the last of the great “Canterbury-style” progressive rock bands.
With a frequently changing lineup, the band toured extensively, never getting close to studios and shop for two years. Indeed quite a lot of water went under the bridge from their formation as a sextet. With Bruford now gone and Campbell discouraged, both replaced, the two Gilgamesh members Gowan and Lee were also history, although the former is a guest on all tracks. Among the other guest are the frequent blows of Brother Jimmy Hastings, the percussions of John Mitchell and the acquired taste of ex-Northette Amanda Parsons’ vocals.
Coming with a typical semi-humoristic late 70′s-type of artwork depicting UK healthcare problems, the album holds four tracks over 10 mins+, even if “Borogroves” is divided in two movements, thus making indeed a fifth one.
Opening of the promising Tenemos Road, the group’s musical world clearly takes from where Hatfield (and Gilgamesh to a lesser extent) had left things off. The track jumps hurdles effortlessly and gets to typical Canterbury soundscapes. The following “Brujo” features Hastings’ delightful flute trading licks with Parsons’ almost Chinese-timbred voice. The track slowly gaining momentum until reaching an excellent funk groove where the two keyboards feud with the then-ala mode synth tones. Stewart returns to the fuzzed-out Hammond then Miller’s surprisingly (and short) heroic intervention. Then slowing down and returning on Parsons scats and a short rebuff to end the first side.
The flipside’s Borogoves is mostly an excuse for an excellent bass movement from Neil Murray where the rest of the band can show their chops. The closing monster track Elephants has some incredibly intense moments. In general it follows the colour of the rest of the album, first with an ascending riff, then a funky groove and then a haunting piano riff that allows the group to strut their stuff without showing off, before Parsons returning with sung vocals.
While it was rather clear that this kind of ultra-technical jazz-rock’s heydays were long past, National Health’s debut is still very much an excellent example of the genre
Line-up:
- Phil Miller / guitar
- Neil Murray / bass
- Pip Pyle / drums, cowbell / gong / tambourine (1), glockenspiel / finger cymbals / shaker / bells (2), Pixiephone (4)
- Dave Stewart / acoustic & electric pianos, organ
with
- Alan Gowen / Moog Pianos (1-3)
- Jimmy Hastings / flute (all), bass clarinet (1), clarinet (3)
- John Mitchell / percussion (1), temple blocks / guava (2), congas (3)
- Amanda Parsons / Vocals
Track List:
01. Tenemos Roads – 14:34
02. Brujo – 10:16
03. Borogoves (Excerpt From Part 2) – 4:11
04. Borogoves (Part 1) – 6:34
05. Elephants – 14:20
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Grateful Dead – Dick’s Picks 24 (Live 1974) (@256)
18 Feb 2011
(Review from allmusic)
This archival release contains highlights from the 1974, March 23rd performance at the Cow Palace in Daly City.
There is an unmistakably palpable sense of sonic exploration and experimentation throughout this show — including the performance debuts of “Cassidy” and “Scarlet Begonias”, as well as the third airing of the reworked “U.S. Blues” (which was originally called “Wave That Flag”). In short order, all three tunes would become staples of the Dead’s repertoire for the remainder of their touring career. Additionally, this is the only version of “Cassidy” to be performed by the single-drummer incarnation of the Grateful Dead.
The burgeoning compositions are by no means the only ones to benefit from this newly found infusion of intensity. Standards such as “Beat It on Down the Line” and especially the “China Cat Sunflower”/”I Know You Rider” suite — which is nothing short of a chooglin’ rhythmic orgy — are given notable and enthusiastic airings. The contributions and synergistic energies flowing throughout the band are highlighted by some poignant contributions from Keith Godchaux and Bob Weir. These are crucial during the 45-plus minute epic jam that includes “Uncle John’s Band” and “Morning Dew” and is bookended by what is arguably one of the most probing versions of “Playing in the Band” to have ever been committed to tape.
Although some of the more demanding Deadheads may choose to unwittingly write this release off due to its distilled (ie: incomplete) nature, more discerning enthusiasts will hear that the flow of the two very distinct sets was only enhanced by re-sculpting the proceedings and trimming the occasional excesses.
Line-up:
- Jerry Garcia / lead guitar, vocals
- Bob Weir / rhythm guitar, vocals
- Phil Lesh / bass guitar, vocals
- Donna Godchaux / vocals
- Keith Godchaux / keyboards
- Bill Kreutzmann / drums
Track List:
CD1
01. U.S. Blues – 6:16
02. Promised Land – 4:04
03. Brown-Eyed Woman – 5:26
04. Black-Throated Wind – 7:04
05. Scarlet Begoinas – 7:13
06. BIDTL – 3:46
07. Deal – 5:29
08. Cassidy – 4:08
09. China Cat Sunflower ] – 8:40
10. I Know You Rider – 6:01
11. Weater Report Suite – 15:35
CD2
01. Playin’ In The Band ] – 14:10
02. Uncle John’s Band ] – 9:16
03. Morning Dew ] – 12:30
04. Uncle John’s Band ] – 6:27
05. Playin’ In The Band – 4:10
06. Big River – 5:53
07. Berhta – 6:35
08. Wharf Rat ] – 9:28
09. Sugar Magnolia – 8:57
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Star One – Victims Of The Modern Age (2010) (@256)
17 Feb 2011
(Review from progarchives.com)
After a short respite into a different side project called Guilt Machine, Arjen Lucassen returns to the familiar ground of Star One. It has been seven years since this project’s “Live On Earth” album was released. It was worth the wait, no surprise there. This is not predictable and quite unlike its previous lineup and sound.
“Victims of the Modern Age” is another multi-dimensional star studded affair that maintains a theme from start to finish complete with heavy metal guitars, driving spacey keyboards, all the great music you would expect from an Arjen Lucassen project. Besides the genius of Arjen steering his troops into a space metal galaxy once again you have some familiar names that are part of the crew. The ever changing vocal parts and music that matches each unique voice and character.
The music is kept relatively heavy throughout. Driven by crunchy guitars and the thunderous percussion of Ed Warby, it is clear that this something other than Ayreon, despite obvious similarities the two may share. While Arjen is certainly an able guitarist and performer, the riffs here are quite simple, and generally only serve to contribute to the songwriting. A few skillful guitar and keyboard solos grace the mix as well, but the real musical highlight here are the vocalists, as well as the way they are used in the music. The vocals here are generally very melodic, and many of the vocal lines are drenched in catchniess. The real star here is Damian Wilson, whose brilliant operatic tone works beautifully with the heavier atmosphere of the music.
The album seems to be what it was meant to be; a fun and melodic dose of melodic heavy metal; the sort of thing that would be great to hear live someday. Anyone starved to hear something from Arjen Luccassen should give this album a good listen.
Line-up:
- Arjen Lucassen / guitars, keyboards
- Ed Warby / drums
- Peter Vink / bass
- Joost van den Broek / keyboards
- Gary Wehrkamp / guitar
- Russell Allen / vocals
- Damian Wilson / vocals
- Floor Jansen / vocals
- Dan Swano / vocals
- Tony Martin / vocals
- Mike Andersson / vocals
- Rodney Blaze / vocals
Track List:
CD1
01. Down The Rabbit Hole – 1:20
02. Digital Rain – 6:23
03. Earth That Was – 6:07
04. Victim Of The Modern Age – 6:27
05. Human See, Human Do – 5:14
06. 24 Hours – 7:19
07. Cassandra Complex – 5:23
08. It’s Alive, She’s Alive, We’re Alive – 5:07
09. It All Ends Here – 9:46
CD2 (Bonus)
01. As The Crow Dies – 4:42
02. Two Plus Two Equals Five – 5:03
03. Last Day – 4:46
04. Closer To The Stars – 5:11
05. Knife Edge (ELP Cover) – 4:23
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Grateful Dead – Dick’s Picks 23 (Live 1972) (@256)
17 Feb 2011
(Review from thebestwebsite.com)
This is a complete concert performed September 17, 1972, at the Baltimore Civic Center.
The first set starts in high gear and does not let up. They run through outstanding versions of many great songs. “Friend of the Devil” is played in the up tempo style similar to the studio version. There are many more high moments here most notable, a great version of “Bird Song”; great “New Speedway Boogie” tease just after the 9:00 mark. “Playing in the Band” is top notch with great extended jamming. “Casey Jones” is noteworthy as the song improves with Keith Godchaux in the mix. At the end of the song when the boys are throwing those power chords out of their instruments, Godchaux pours out melodic riff after riff.
The second set starts out with “Truckin’” and it is a gem. It takes a more bluesy tone than usual and even has a bluesy rhythm during the instrumental. The “Mississippi Half Step” is still in its infancy as it debuted two months ago. The song continues to develop, it has quite a good jam to finish the song now. “The Other One” clocking in at close to forty minutes is the meat of the show. This version goes in many different directions and will certainly not disappoint fans of their exploratory songs. It leads to a stunning version of “Sing Me Back Home”.
Line-up:
- Jerry Garcia / lead guitar, vocals
- Bob Weir / rhythm guitar, vocals
- Phil Lesh / electric bass, vocals
- Keith Godchaux / piano
- Donna Jean Godchaux / vocals
- Bill Kreutzmann / drums
Track List:
CD1
01. Promised Land – 3:38
02. Sugaree – 7:59
03. Black-Throated Wind – 6:34
04. Friend Of The Devil – 4:19
05. El Paso – 5:11
06. Bird Song – 10:55
07. Big River – 5:22
08. Tennessee Jed – 8:05
09. Mexicali Blues – 3:56
10. China Cat Sunflower -> – 5:17
11. I Know You Rider – 6:16
CD2
01. Playing In The Band – 18:48
02. Casey Jones – 6:17
03. Truckin’ – 12:19
04. Loser – 7:20
05. Jack Straw – 5:22
06. Mississippi Half-Step Uptown Toodeloo-] – 8:38
07. Me And My Uncle – 3:16
CD3
01. He’s Gone – 10:21
02. The Other One – 39:07
03. Sing Me Back Home – 10:50
04. Sugar Magnolia – 9:25
05. Uncle John’s Band – 7:22
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Renaissance – Ocean Gypsy (1997) (@256)
16 Feb 2011
(Review from progarchives.com)
With Michael Dunford holding custody of the Renaissance name, he discovered vocalist Stephanie Adlington while working on the musical version of “Scheherazade”. They recorded and album entitled “Other Woman” under the name of Michael Dunford’s Renaissance, which consisted mainly of upbeat pop rock and run of the mill ballads. Dunford felt that the album had turned out to be more rock orientated than he had intended, and returned to the studio with Adlington to record second album together.
In the main, “Ocean Gypsy” contains acoustic reworkings of classic Renaissance songs taken from their most creative years. The temptation to compare Adlington’s vocals with those of Haslam is all too compelling, to the detriment of this collection. There is no question that Adlington is a fine singer, but when compared to Haslam, her voice is prosaic and uninteresting.
That said, this is actually a very enjoyable album. Dunford chose to revisit these songs as a quasi-unplugged project, most of the instrumentation being acoustic guitar and piano. To this has been added sympathetic orchestration, rendering may of the songs quite different from their originals. The opening (title) track for example has some excellent vocalising and a fine orchestrated acoustic break. On the vocalised opening section to following “Things I don’t understand”, Adlington hits the high notes well, the accompanying piano being reminiscent of John Tout’s work with the band. This version of the track is sub-titled “Part 2″ to reflect the editing of the song.
“At the harbour” may not have been an obvious choice from the Renaissance back catalogue, but the interpretation here is excellent. The piano backed choral ending is hauntingly atmospheric, reflecting the anguish and sense of loss of women waiting in vain for their loved ones’ boats to return home. Things take a decided dip for the new song “Star of the show”. This is all too clearly designed to display Adlington theatrical talents, it sounds like it has been lifted straight from a Lloyd Webber/Rice musical. “A trip to the fair” gets us back on track, and features a whimsical sax solo by Jimmy Hastings (of Caravan). The version here brings out quite dramatically the menacing reality of the song.
The album closes with another new song by Dunford, the lyrics being written by his new writing partner Jude Alderson. “The great highway” is much more in the tradition of classic Renaissance, in fact it would have fitted in well on an album such as “Novella”. The track includes fine orchestration, including a “Mocking Bird” (BJH) like break. Ironically, the beauty of the song tends to make you want to hear what Annie Haslam could have done with it!
In all, a highly credible album which keeps the Renaissance flag flying, even if only Dunford remains from the line-up of the originally recorded these songs.
Line-up:
- Stephanie Adlington / vocals
- Michael Dunford / acoustic guitar, background vocals
- Jimmy Hastings / flute, piccolo, soprano saxophone
- Richard Brown / accordion, piano, keyboards
- Alan Daniels / keyboards
- David Woolgar / bass
- Rod Brown / percussion
- Rob Williams / background vocals
Track List:
01. Ocean Gypsy – 6:47
02. Things I Don’t Understand (Part 2) – 4:32
03. Young Prince And Princess – 2:50
04. Carpet Of The Sun – 3:34
05. At The Harbour – 6:53
06. I Think Of You – 3:15
07. Star Of The Show – 3:43
08. Trip To The Fair – 7:08
09. The Great Highway – 6:03
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Grateful Dead – Dick’s Picks 22 (Live 1968) (@256)
16 Feb 2011
(Review from allmusic)
This double-disc release compiles four sets — two nights, two sets per night — documented at the Kings Beach Bowl, on February 23 and 24, 1968.
The Dead were on the very cusp of what would become the band’s second phase. They were wrought with experimentation fuelled by the vigor of youth The avant-garde influence can already be heard on some of the burgeoning material, such as “Born Cross-Eyed” and the “Alligator”/”Caution (Do Not Stop On Tracks)”/”Feedback” montage — all of which would be included on their second long-player “Anthem of the Sun”.
Even the Ron “Pigpen” McKernan-led blues standards — which have been featured in the band’s performance repertoire since their pre-Dead days as the Warlocks — have somehow shifted during this era. The exemplary readings of “(It) Hurts Me Too” and “Good Morning Little Schoolgirl” on this set are exceedingly frenetic. In true Grateful Dead style, the performance is replete with surprises and musical diversions — some anticipated, others not.
The incipient “Dark Star” — which clocks in at a relatively brief seven minutes — is notable as a vehicle for Garcia’s crystalline-toned fretwork.
Deadheads with keen ears may note something familiar during “Feedback.” A few seconds of this performance is included on Anthem of the Sun, during the album’s waning “Feedback” section. Garcia returned to that segment when scoring a scene during the opening animation sequence of the band’s movie soundtrack.
Line-up:
- Jerry Garcia / lead guitar, vocals
- Phil Lesh / electric bass, vocals
- Bob Weir / rhythm guitar, vocals
- Ron “Pigpen” McKernan / organ, harmonica, percussion, vocals
- Mickey Hart / drums
- Bill Kreutzmann / drums
Track List:
CD1
01. Viola Lee Blues – 19:14
02. Hurts Me Too – 4:12
03. Dark Star – 6:48
04. China Cat Sunflower – 4:37
05. The Eleven – 10:33
06. Turn On Your Lovelight – 12:40
07. Born Cross Eyed – 2:31
08. Spanish Jam – 7:23
CD2
01. Morning Dew – 8:10
02. Good Morning Little School Girl – 14:39
03. That’s It For The Other One: Cryptical Envelopment/The Faster We Go, The Rounder We Get/Cryptical Envelopment – 8:13
04. New Potato Caboose – 9:08
05. Alligator – 3:45
06. China Cat Sunflower – 4:14
07. The Eleven – 7:16
08. Alligator – 6:39
09. Caution (Do Not Stop On Tracks) – 11:48
10. Feedback – 4:55
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Yezda Urfa – Nearfest 2004 (Live) (@256)
15 Feb 2011
(Review from seaoftranquility.org)
Nearfest historically features at least one band from the 1970s who has reunited just in time to perform at the festival. 2004 was no exception, as Indiana proggers Yezda Urfa graced the stage. Featuring 3 of the original 5 members, Yezda Urfa’s music hit home with many of the characteristic trademarks that they were known for 25 years ago; the complex Gentle Giant-like arrangements, soaring harmonies reminiscent of Yes, and the humor of Frank Zappa.
The crowd roared with approval with the opening number “Give ‘em Some Rawhide Chewies”, a intricate ditty with weaving guitar & keyboard parts, complex vocal passages, and a tight rhythm section. Perhaps the most Gentle Giant-ish sounding piece in the band’s repertoire, this tune signaled that a solid performance was perhaps in store for the 1000+ strong in attendance.
For the most part, that was pretty much the case, although at times it was apparent that a lot of rust had settled in, and the band still had some kinks to iron out after all the years apart. During some songs, especially in the early part of the one hour set, the band seemed a little bit out of time in spots, and occasionally singer Platt was a little off key, but the enthusiasm was there, and the band really seemed to appreciate the crowd.
Guitarist Mark Tippins wowed the audience more than a few times with his mix of blues & classical leanings, and paired with keyboardist Barry the two made quite a duo. It wasn’t until half-way into their set, and especially when they started unveiling songs from their debut album Boris that the band really started firing on all cylinders.
Line-up:
- Mike Barry / keyboards
- Brad Christoff / drums
- Marc Miller / bass and vocals
- Ron Platt / lead vocals
- Logan Tippins / acoustic guitar and vocals
- Mark Tippins / electric guitars and vocals
Track List:
01. Intro By Chad – 0:47
02. Give ‘Em Some Rawhide Chewies – 4:04
03. Boris and His Three Verses including Flow Guides Aren’t My Bag – 8:20
04. 3. Almost 4. 6. Yea – 11:27
05. To-Ta in the Moya – 11:20
06. Ron’s band intros – 0:55
07. L.A. – 4:10
08. The Basis of Dubenglazy While Dirk Does the Dance – 11:04
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Grateful Dead – Dick’s Picks 21 (Live 1985) (@256)
15 Feb 2011
(Review from allmusic)
Grateful Dead’s 1985 East Coast fall tour produced a few shows that remain as key entries in their three-decade touring canon. In addition, these three discs also include well over half an hour of material from the Community War Memorial in Rochester, NY, on September 2, 1980.
One of the main reasons this performance ranks so highly is an above-average song selection. For instance, “Stagger Lee,” “Comes a Time,” and a cover of Dylan’s “She Belongs to Me” are all 1985 revivals. While some material stayed out of the rotation longer than others, the influx and overall diversion from routine make more common fodder — such as “Me and My Uncle,” “Big River,” or “Jack Straw” — considerably more palatable.
There are also some unpredictable moments. The most notable occurs during the second set as “Lost Sailor” and “Saint of Circumstance” — which are usually played together — are done separately. This show happens to be the sole occurrence in which both songs are performed, but not sequentially. An unusually animated Bob Weir demonstrates his attributes and support to the aural athletics taking place during a rare cover of “Gloria”.
The nearly 40 minutes of music from September 2, 1980, was added because it contains some amazing music, and because there was a significant amount of time available on the third disc after the “feature presentation”.
Line-up:
- Jerry Garcia / lead guitar, vocals
- Bob Weir / rhythm guitar, vocals
- Phil Lesh / electric bass, vocals
- Brent Mydland / keyboards, vocals
- Mickey Hart / drums
- Bill Kreutzman / drums
Track List:
01. Space -> – 11:26
02. Saint Of Circumstance -> – 6:52
03. Gimme Some Lovin’ -> – 4:27
04. She Belongs To Me -> – 7:54
05. Gloria – 6:51
06. Keep Your Day Job – 4:15
07. Space – 8:33
08. Iko Iko -> – 7:45
09. Morning Dew -> – 11:05
10. Sugar Magnolia – 9:16
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Univers Zero – Clivages (2009) (@256)
14 Feb 2011
(Review from progarchives.com)
With a headless statue as an artwork, the group suffers a few changes compared to the previous Implosion album, but then again line-up changes are usual for Univers Zero. Recorded in May 2009, this studio album covers the same old ground made of sumptuous mid-tempo chamber progressive, most of the usual dithyrambics are still applicable.
After a short Koboldian entrance, “Warrior” (from guest Andy Kirk) is one of two epics, and probably one of Univers Zero’s fastest tunes ever in its closing section. “Vacillements” is bassoon playing hide and seek with violin and clarinet, while “Apesanteur” is indeed a very light one, bringing a breath of fresh air. “Soubresaults” is the logical follow-up top “Earth Scream” (both from Denis) and are extremely technical pieces, Denis’ complex drumming certainly not helping.
After a semi-interesting “Three Days”, Bude signs the 14-mins “Straight Edge”, where we hear electric organ and other keyboard give boost to the group and sends a sax solo in the stratosphere. The slow middle section gives Bude a chance to blow sax death thralls that’ll curdle your blood, before the group finds a manic groove for its finale. Berckman’s “Retour De Foire” is like a fairy spell, but by now, we’re waiting for the “Horus” finale, where Daniel Denis lets his son Nicolas handle the drum, the track being a fitting album outro.
This one might be a bit less sombre than usual, but other than that it remains another impeccable Univers Zero album that is easily worth its predecessors.
Line-up:
- Daniel Denis / drums, percussion, sampler
- Michel Berckmans / bassoon, english horn, oboe, melodica
- Kurt Bude / clarinet, bass clarinet, alto sax
- Pierre Chevalier / keyboards, glockenspiel
- Dimitri Evers / electric and fretless bass
- Andy Kirk / guitar (2, 5), percussion (2)
- Martin Lauwers / violin
with
- Nicolas Denis / drums (10)
- Philippe Thuriot / accordion (1, 10)
- Aurelia Boven / cello (10)
Track List:
01. Les Kobolds – 4:17
02. Warrior – 12:12
03. Vacillements – 3:37
04. Earth Scream – 3:11
05. Soubresauts – 8:00
06. Apesanteur – 3:42
07. Three Days – 5:55
08. Straight Edge – 13:59
09. Retour de Foire – 7:44
10. Les Cercles d’Horus – 3:45
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Grateful Dead – Dick’s Picks 20 (Live 1976) (@256)
14 Feb 2011
(Review from allmusic)
This massive set celebrates the Dead’s triumphant return with over five hours of music spread among four discs from two nearly complete performances. This collection is actually two songs shy of containing both shows (due to irreparable flaws in the master tapes).
“Let It Grow” and a decidedly disco “Dancing in the Streets” are among the other titles performed at both concerts and duplicated on this set. The return of the Grateful Dead in 1976 also heralded the restoration of rhythm devils Bill Kreutzmann and Mickey Hart for the first time since early 1971. Their frequent percussive excursions — such as the exquisite sequence that links “Comes a Time” to a feisty “Eyes of the World” — melt away the intervening years as if the two drummers had never been apart. Notable among the material showcased by the Dead during this tour are the addition of new songs and the revival of some old ones. Chief among the new tunes are Bob Weir’s “Lazy Lightning” and “Supplication” — originally performed by Weir and Kingfish during the Dead’s hiatus. Among those returning are “Cassidy” — which had been sparsely performed before the break — as well as primal Deadhead favorites “St. Stephen” and “Cosmic Charlie”. The latter popped up six times only — the performance found here being the final.
Line-up:
- Jerry Garcia / lead Guitar, vocals
- Phil Lesh / electric bass, vocals
- Bob Weir / rhythm guitar, vocals
- Donna Jean Godchaux / vocals
- Keith Godchaux / piano
- Mickey Hart / drums
- Bill Kreutzmann / drums
Track List:
CD1
01. Bertha – 5:27
02. New Minglewood Blues – 4:48
03. Ramble On Rose – 7:11
04. Cassidy – 4:43
05. Brown-Eyed Women – 4:55
06. Mama Tried – 2:48
07. Peggy-O – 9:41
08. Loser – 8:17
09. Let It Grow – 12:25
10. Sugaree – 11:04
11. Lazy Lightnin’ -> – 2:53
12. Supplication – 4:37
CD2
01. Mississippi Half-Step Uptown Toodeloo – 11:27
02. Dancing In The Streets – 12:43
03. Cosmic Charlie – 8:39
04. Scarlet Begonias – 11:07
05. St. Stephen – 4:15
06. Not Fade Away – 9:54
07. Drums – 3:34
08. Jam – 2:05
09. St. Stephen – 2:02
10. Sugar Magnolia – 9:39
CD3
01. Cold Rain & Snow – 6:36
02. Big River – 5:54
03. Cassidy – 4:32
04. Tennessee Jed – 8:37
05. New Minglewood Blues – 6:05
06. Candyman – 7:24
07. It’s All Over Now – 6:39
08. Friend of the Devil – 8:44
09. Let it Grow -> – 11:40
10. Goin Down the Road Feelin Bad – 9:13
CD4
01. Playing In The Band – 10:39
02. The Wheel – 7:07
03. Samson & Delilah – 8:01
04. Jam – 5:39
05. Comes A Time – 7:49
06. Drums – 4:58
07. Eyes Of The World – 8:38
08. Orange Tango Jam – 4:46
09. Dancing In The Streets – 9:15
10. Playing In The Band – 5:05
11. Johnny B. Goode – 4:33
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Grateful Dead – Dick’s Picks 19 (Live 1973) (@256)
13 Feb 2011
(Review from allmusic)
This triple-disc installment captures the Grateful Dead on the road in the American Midwest — Fairgrounds Arena, Oklahoma City on October 19, 1973. The Dead’s performances during this era contain a virtually tangible and overtly emotive quality.
While over half of the tracks from their recent album “Wake of the Flood” are presented here, from that cache comes a particularly inspired combination of “Eyes of the World” and “Stella Blue”.
The joy of rediscovering these gems night after night fuels the Dead’s passion to expand the music into new malleable forms of expression. A well-developed “Playing in the Band”, as well as “Dark Star”, best demonstrate the advanced state of the Dead’s instincts to explore and uncover new variations on a theme. The incorporation of the “Mind Left Body Jam”, as a conduit between the songs, is an example of this process in motion. Rather than forcing the music down a pre-determined path, they allow it to progress and unfold organically.
The highlight of the set is the “Morning Dew”. It contains everything you want in a “Dew”; perfectly sweet vocals, melodic riffs, Phil bombs, Keith and Bobby riffs, and Jerry’s phrasing. The peaks and valleys shine, and Garcia lays it all out. During the start of the second instrumental the song is so quiet and still. Then, slowly and melodically it picks up energy; it then builds, and builds, and builds into an explosive peak. It’s not just the energy though; the melodies that bring the song to its crest are just as beautiful and important. Pure bliss.
Line-up:
- Jerry Garcia / lead guitar, vocals
- Bob Weir / rhythm guitar, vocals
- Phil Lesh / bass guitar, vocals
- Keith Godchaux / piano
- Donna Godchaux / vocals
- Bill Kreutzmann / drums
Track List:
CD1
01. Promised Land – 3:44
02. Sugaree – 8:17
03. Mexicali Blues – 3:57
04. Tennessee Jed – 8:00
05. Looks Like Rain – 8:04
06. Don’t Ease Me In – 4:23
07. Jack Straw – 5:31
08. They Love Each Other – 5:43
09. El Paso – 4:50
10. Row Jimmy – 9:23
CD2
01. Playin’ In The Band – 18:26
02. China Cat – 9:11
03. I Know You Rider – 6:17
04. Me & My Uncle – 3:33
05. Mississippi Half-Step Uptown Toodeloo – 7:30
06. Big River – 4:51
CD3
01. Dark Star – 15:45
02. Mind Left Body Jam – 10:40
03. Morning Dew – 13:55
04. Sugar Magnolia – 10:09
05. Eyes Of The World – 14:30
06. Stella Blue – 7:57
07. Johnny B. Goode – 4:08
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Univers Zero – Relaps Archives 1984-1986 (@256)
12 Feb 2011
(Review from progarchives.com)
Although presented as an archives compilation, this album could also be a live album since all the tracks were recorded live in a bunch of concert ranging from Feb 1984 until Feb 86, but somehow it also echoes the “Crawling Winds” EP that focused between 1981 and 83.
With its superb red-tainted fossil rock artwork, Relaps rehashes mostly material of “Uzed” and its successor “Heatwave”, in spite of a lengthy lapse of time where the band lay dormant, while Denis and Mergenthaler where active with Art Zoyd. Relaps is an essential piece of work showing that the band’s most exceptional moments were indeed live.
Roughly the disc is made of two main chunks of three tracks (In Hannover, Feb 84) opening and closing the album, with two selections making up the centre. The first chunk includes mostly tracks from Uzed and most notably the always-amazing “Présage”, which is still the cornerstone on which the second phase of Univers Zero sits upon. Equally interesting, “Parade” is a stunning piece that gains from its studio version. After excerpts of “Ligne Claire” watering the mouth, we are thrown into a brilliant rendition of “Emanations” in what became Univers Zero’s last concert for over a decade, the Frankfurt Jazz Festival.
Finally the last chunk comes from Seraing where the tracks are mostly from the future “Heatwave” album with the returning Andy Kirk in the fold and indeed both the 9-mins Heatwave and the 18-mins Funeral Plain are both outstanding versions (especially the latter) and to cap it all off, a short improv of Etrange Mixture.
Line-up:
- Daniel Denis / drums
- Michel Delory / guitar (5-8)
- Dirck Descheemaeker / soprano sax, clarinet, bass clarinet
- Christian Genet / bass
- Patrick Hanappier / violin, viola (5-8)
- Andy Kirk / keyboards (5-8)
- Andre Mergen / cello, alto sax, voice (1-4)
- Jean/Luc Plouvier / keyboards
Track List:
01. L’etrange Mixture du Docteur Schwartz – 4:03
02. Presage – 10:06
03. Parade – 8:13
04. Ligne Claire (extract) – 3:48
05. Emanations – 12:26
06. Hetawave – 8:41
07. The Funeral Plain – 18:07
08. L’etrange mixture du Docteur Schwartz – 4:44
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