(I love this record and everything on it, so a single-minded 100% positive post is all I can do.) This is by far the best live album ever made and it also surpasses most studio recordings in material, performance and audio. Recorded March -71 in Manchester and Brighton as the band was on their hight of creativity and skill with an unpresidented interaction between the members. This is jazz/prog at its best, played by some of the best. It's advanced and equibrilistic, still not shying away from the simple or beautiful. The accelerandos and ritardandos are smooth, almost intangible at parts, with flawless timing by all. Everything fits as it was from one organism instead of six separate musicians. The groove is fantastic - just listen to the "Walking In The Park" intro and try to sit still. Chris Farlowe has never been better and works as a kind of conferencier - singing, chanting, talking and yodeling through the whole thing. In the northern town where I grew up Colosseum was hot in the early seventies. "The Kettle" played at local discos and we used this album frequently as dance music at private parties. "Skelington" and "Lost Angeles" were favorites - both around fifteen minutes and it took a few beers and numb legs, but always ended with hugs and smiles. I still listen to it frequently and it always cheers me up. First US on green WB/Bronze label (2XS 1942). The premiere UK press had pvc inners with a foam edge, meant to clean the records as they were drawn in and out of the cover. As it turned out the foam reacted with the vinyl and damaged the first track on each side on almost every copy of the first release. Untainted copies are very hard to find. Shown here is the early second issue label, still with "i" logo, and regular f/o cover. (CÖL*)(LYBÖ*)(PRÖZ*)
It was stupid idea with this PVC but concert is amazing and I love this record too! But my top live album is The Who 'Live At Leeds' (especially on extended CD version).
SvaraRaderaHAPPY NEW YEAR!!!
Yes "Live At Leeds" is on my live top 10 too, together with Zappas "Roxy And Elsewhere" and "Steppenwolf Live" among others, but this has always been my absolute favorite.
SvaraRaderaWishing you a Happy New Year!
Erik
RE: the foam, no orig UK copy I've encountered didn't have the damage! What a shame, as some of the copies were near mint otherwise. That being said, the Olive green WB is the way to go for soundquality, IMO. That record sounds fantastic and can be had for next to nothing.
SvaraRaderaIsn't this the greatest live album ever? Why yes sir, it damn well is. Most of the material here originates from the Manchester University show from March 1971, the first show to be recorded. According to Hiseman, "the audience loved it, and the band hated it"(!) and thus more shows were recorded in an attempt to capture the impossible high standard that the group had set for themselves, only to find that the first show was not to be bettered. More material of this memorable night can be heard on the Morituri Te Salutant 4CD boxset from 2009, but -however fascinating- it is clear why those selections didn't become part of the original album.
The mad energy, the almost telepathic improvisations, the vocal acrobatics, the virtuosity; they made it all sound so effortless. Never will there be such an unique and explosive mix of the above qualities as captured herein.
Yup pure magic and I will enjoy again today. Never seen a green WB in Sweden, but if I see I'll take it. Thanks for the tip. The UK second press sounds totally fine too btw.
Radera