Customer Reviews

Live at the Pongmasters Ball

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

 

 

If you were lucky enough to catch the Ozrics out on their U.S. or UK tour(s) during 2000-01,then you most likely have some idea as to what this 2-CD import is all about.'Live At...' provides us fans with an outstanding audio document of the band's concerts.From looking at the track listing,I believe their UK tour setlist may've been a bit different from their setlist they did while during their U.S. stay.I'll admit that I have heard one CD boot from their U.S. tour and 'Pongmasters Ball' does sound better.Just a great sound mix overall.Was somewhat taken away with several of the tunes that I heard,like the two rarely,if EVER played cuts "It's A Hup Ho World" and "The World Of G'bal",the well done "Saucers" and "Sploosh".Can't deny that I've always loved the band's lengthy numbers such as "Oddentity","Pyramidion","Dissolution" and "The Throbbe".Another worthy 'progressive/space rock' title.A should-have for ALL Ozric fans.

This is my first dive in to live Ozric material (after already owning a most of their studio material) and I have to say I don't regret it one bit. This was a live album recorded March 2002 at the Shepherds Bush Empire with the lineup of Ed, John (who goes by Champignon on this album), Zia, Seaweed, and new drummer Schoo (Stuart Fisher). The material here dates from as far back as Sliding Gliding Worlds (particularly "It's a Hup Ho World" and "Kick Muck") to Curious Corn, with surprisingly no material from Waterfall Cities. Material from The Hidden Step is represented by only two cuts, "Pixel Dream" and "Ta Khut" (albeit shortened). Many of these songs are extended versions giving them a bit different twist as to not make them exact copycats of the studio originals. It's always interesting to hear the 2001-2002 lineup's takes on songs that date back when Joie, Merv (and later on, Rad) were still in the band. I thought the new drummer's style was a cross between Merv and Rad, and so he seem to have little problem alternating between the Merv and Rad-era material. This is how a live album should be: full of inspired playing and of the same high quality as their studio material. This is not like many other live albums by certain other bands where they go on ego trips and end up giving us a really tedious album to listen to. Not with the Ozrcs. Live at the Pongmasters Ball is a two CD set, means you get around two hours of music. If you can't get the chance to see the Ozrics live because of where you live (like me, for example), this is an excellent CD to choose.

First things first, the recording is very good albeit somewhat reduced in volume level, 2 discs/Disc 1 is about 67m in length while Disc 2 is about 46m in length. Performance-wise, there are songs I wish they had performed but didn't. A lot of older material is done here, the esoteric stuff. The new drummer is fine but doesn't have the polish of past drummers (Merv was the best in my opinion) but he does make a good showing even if he tends to overuse that 'crash' cymbal a bit too much, that bothered me after awhile. All the other band members perform well. There is some commentary by John which is at times, hard to understand. Personally, I prefer older live recordings to this one: Spice Doubt, Live Underslunky are better in my opinion but as a collector I had to have this one.

I personally call their Style "Progressive Raving", you start of Dancing (and they outplay you...), then you sit down (Just like Joe Saunders wrote in the CD insert) and flow, flow, till your energy is back to Dance some more.
Well recorded, the Band sounds in top shape. One listening at good Volume and you'll Love it. By the way I own only Nine (9) of their Studio CD's and I'm two years shy of being 50.
The word "Groovy" comes to Mind... Naahh... must be a Flashback.
Keep on Rocking or Raving or whatever you call it!
Chao Pedro Caballo.

This band just keeps on going! I first heard them in '94 on a
local collage radio. I know I haven't been the same since.
They Played live a week later at Shank Hall. The roof there
is now higher!
This is the first recording with the new drummer.
It captures them just like always. The BEST band I ever heard.
I don't say that lightly. I own over 1000 alblums from the late 60's to today and have been listening to music for 30 years.
There is no other band like Ozric Tentacles!
GO SEE THEM LIVE!