Customer Reviews

Alive & Well: Recorded in Paris

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

If intelligent fusion is your thing - and it must be if you've accessed this particluar band and this very web page, then you can chill out to some of the best live fusion EVER (excepting Brand X, Mahavisnu Orchestra and Weather Report), with this understated SM masterpiece. Why the fractal effect? Because one slice of sound leads into another wider echo, and into another wider echo until, before you know it, you've gotta turn the vinyl over (thank God for the cd), and stay mesmerized until the end. Apart from Karl Jenkins (who's got all pretentious these last few years with soft new age), you'll also discover the superb John Marshall on drums and, for me, one of the best jazz-rock guitarists EVER: John Etheridge. In fact track 2 is practically a religious experience under the Etheridge fretwork that only the best of Holdsworth, McClaughlin and Metheny can equal. And while on the subject, check out 2nd Vision (also featuring John Etheridge and Ric Saunders>, for a superbsound charge into celtic/jazz/rock fusion.

Two discs-38,56 minutes each approximately. The digitally remastered sound is very good-clean and open, with good separation between the instruments. The booklet tells the story of SOFT MACHINE around the time this album was recorded, both live and in the studio. There's also a collage-type photograph of the band in color.

Except for tracks 9 and 10 on the second disc, this music was recorded in the summer of 1977, in Montmartre, Paris. The studio tracks were recorded in London, soon after. The band during this series of concerts consists of; Steve Cook-bass, Rick Sanders-violin, Karl Jensen-keyboards, John Etheridge-guitars, and John Marshall-drums/percussion.

Fans have always been split on what era SOFT MACHINE was best. Was it the earliest days of the band? Was it during the era of albums 3 and 4? Or was it the later editions of the band? The truth is that SOFT MACHINE made good music throughout the band's life. Yes, their sound changed, morphing into a strictly instrumental group, like the band on this new edition of one of their last albums.

With the always reliable, intuitive drumming of Marshall, and Jenkins' keyboard work, and compositional skills, the band had a firm footing for exploring their brand of music. With the fiery electric guitar of Etheridge (who was also a sensitive acoustic player-listen to "Number Three"), the band had a player capable of fretboard shredding at the drop of a hat. Listen to "Odds Bullets and Blades", or "The Nodder" on the first disc, to hear his playing over, under, and through the band. But Etheridge also knew when to leave spaces in the music to good effect. And with Sanders violin, the band had another reliable, exciting soloist (listen to "Huffin'") who was capable of pushing the music forward, or blending his sound into the band for added depth.

The first disc is the original album, which is full of great music-exciting and intelligent. Of all the tracks, the tune "Soft Space" will probably be commented on most. A cursory listen to this composition gives the immediate impression of disco music-all throbbing rhythms repeated over and over for a bit over 8 minutes. But further listening shows that this is indeed SOFT MACHINE. The overall feel of this track is nothing but the band's style covered with a tight, insistent rhythm-nothing spacey, ethereal or visceral sounding.

Disc 2 is given over almost entirely to more fine music from this same series of concerts. Basically, if you've heard the original album, this is more of the same, with a few twists and turns to make things exciting and interesting. The live tracks are definitely not cast-offs, they're every bit as good as the original album, and give added proof that this band was playing sensitive, powerful, intelligent instrumental music. A good example is a version of "The Nodder"-it's a combination of all three of the above adjectives. From there, the next track, "Two Down", is an example of an in your face electric guitar/drums duet. Also here is the popular "Song of Aeolus", which was always exciting live. The track "Sideburn", is a drum solo, so if you're not a fan, the tune could be a bit tedious. But it does segue nicely into "The Tales of Taliesin", another crowd pleaser. Track 8, "Orange Matter/One Over the Eight", begins as a showcase for newcomer Steve Cook's bass playing, with the band (especially Etheridge) joining in along the way.

The two A and B singles, "Soft Space Part One" (edited version), and "Soft Space Part Two" (disco version), were recorded around the same time, and have an insistent, shimmering beat, with the band playing a melody over the repeating rhythm. It's definitely a bold step, but the band had been making bold changes in their music for quite some time. There's really no middle ground-you'll either like it or not.

With the passage of time, fans new to the band are less inclined to compare early SOFT MACHINE with later editions of the band. And that has the effect of shedding light on this era of the band, which has, in the past, been relegated to second status. Yes, the music here (and on "Softs" and other albums) is much different in sound and approach than the early/middle period SOFT MACHINE. But no matter which period you prefer, the truth is that the several incarnations of the band all made good, worthwhile music. Not necessarily better-just different. And good music, played by consummate musicians, is still good music. I've been listening to SOFT MACHINE since the beginning, and I, too, sometimes wondered if the band had lost the plot. But with open ears this later edition of the band had plenty to say. And this expanded edition (along with "Softs" and "Bundles")) is a good place to start. This band still had their chops intact. Listen and hear for yourself.

I had this on Vinyl back in 1978 too. This 2 disc set includes materrial from the concert over a three day period in 1977. It was released in 1978. Thus, the original title.

Even at the time, John Etheridge's guitar playing was impressive. It still is.

The Nodder and the 2.30 minutes guitar piece are the gems on the original album. The second disc here is fantastic! It features a lot of tunes live I had not heard live before. It is simply great! Hot playing and decent song writing from the band, trying for a "come back" release.

It is not perfect but well worth while. Great spins!

In my opinion, along with BrandX and ColosseumII the Bundles/Softs lineup of Soft Machine were the best of 1970's fusion and at least the equal of any of the rated American groups. With this live C.D. the typical energetic,dynamic Softs style is augmented with the addition of a violin player(Rick Sanders)complementing the great John Marshall(drums) and the hugely under-rated John Etheridge(guitar). The Karl Jenkins compositions are again impressive and Steve Cooke(bass)cooks(excuse the pun)up a storm with John Marshall which really powers the outfit along. Certainly Odds Bullets and Blades;Puffin and Huffin are lively exciting pieces which provide the highlights in what is overall a very impressive effort. The only reasons I have not given it 5 stars are that the last track,Soft Space,is rather disco-ish and the mix seems rather flat sonically with a lack of space and "air" to the sound. But if high quality musicianship, inventiveness and originality are required in your listening do yourself a favour and listen to this.

I am short of words to describe this Karl Jenkins, John Marshall and John Etheridge Soft Machine. This is SM sound as conceived and delivered by this crew. It would be an unfair comparison with the SM Third line-up. This material stands on its own. Every musician here seems to be performing a dissertation on Soft Machine course 101 "Performing Live" with utmost brilliancy devoid of pompousness and pretentiousness. This is SM at its professional peak. The end track Soft Space is a reprieve to the intensity of this live album. This is reminiscent of Giorgio Moroder style instrumentals and would play well in dance parties or intro theme for News shows.

Waited 'til the price came down. Had the single LP years ago, but this gem is a double CD. Soft Machine had a coupla incarations and this one is great altho purists like the early "jazzier" period. The fact it is "live" is forgotten 'til you hear the applause.

Well played,well recorded, yet unimaginative. This music is more like a new agey Windham Hill type band only with more furious Al Dimeola style electric guitar. This was basically an "in name only" Soft Machine, with just about all it's core members gone save for Karl Jenkins(and he's not an original Soft either) who has forsaken any horn playing and stuck to keyboards here. Guitarist John Etheridge is a shredder without the personality and voice of an Alan Holdsworth.