Real Time (Royal Festival Hall) [Import]

Van Der Graaf Generator | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 26, 2007)
• Original Release Date: 2007
• Number of Discs: 2
• Format: Import
• Label: Fie
• ASIN: B000MV8GWQ
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #340,165 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Undercover Man

2. Scorched Earth

3. Refugees

4. Every Bloody Emperor

5. Lemmings

6. (In The) Black Room

7. Nutter Alert

8. Darkness

Editorial Reviews

On May 6th 2005, Van der Graaf Generator staged their reunion concert at the Royal Festival Hall in London. The event had sold out within days of its announcement and over twenty-five different nationalities were represented among the ticket holders, none of whom had believed that they would ever see Banton, Evans, Jackson and Hammill perform together again as VdGG. After all, the last time they had done so had been twenty-nine years previously. Expectations and stakes were high. Collective breath was held as they advanced onto the stage. What would they play? How would it sound? Would it be worth risking the reputation of the past with these present efforts? With surprises as well as old favourites, new songs as well as recovered classics the event was, in the end, a triumph for critics and public alike. This double CD contains every note from first to last in real time as a true document of a unique occasion. Standard Jewel Case. --This text refers to an alternate Audio CD edition.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Can't Believe, July 5, 2007

By 

Dr. W. Martin James (Arkadelphia, AR USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Real Time (Royal Festival Hall) (Audio CD)

I can't believe this concert is not coming out on DVD. This double cd is a must for any VDGG fan. Hammill has lost very little of his treasured instrument/voice. The band sounds fantastic. "Sleepwalkers" and "Arrow" have a harder edge to them, making classic tunes even better. The rest of the cd is equally as good. "Nutter Alert," "Every Bloody Emperor," "Man-Erg," and "Childlike Faith in Childhoods End" will make you stand-up and cheer as if you were there in Great Britain. BUY THIS CD then PLAY IT VERY LOUD. David Jackson will amaze as will Hammill.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars LONG LIVE VAN DER GRAAF, March 24, 2007

By 

Ignaciocue (Mexico) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Real Time (Royal Festival Hall) (Audio CD)

I own all the other live vdgg records, and each one has its own 'feel'. Vital is so unique and brutal that stands on other category, and Maida vale, which is also excellent, in my opinion will be outdated by Real Time in sound quality.

This new CD has its own personality, sound and passion. These 4 musicians still play incredibly good. For VDGG fans this is a real trip, a dream come true for many of us. It is unbelievable that they still have this special musical gift and can deliver it so strongly.

FOR ME, THERE IS NO GROUP NOWADAYS THAT GETS CLOSE TO THEM MUSICALLY. THEY SHOULD HAVE MADE IT BIG TIME, but were too deep and non-commercial for their own good. Imagine, Genesis, another of the great ones, opened for them when they were struggling too in England ¡ but Genesis managed to be more melodic and finally broke through. VDGG never sold out their musical integrity.

I saw peter Hammill play live in mexico city some years ago, just him and violinist Stuart Gordon, and they blew off the stage the other italian prog groups that were supposed to be quite good. He had IT and still does. Banton, Evans and Jackson play beautifully along the record, although Hammill has announced Jackson will not play withe them any more, what a pity. David Jackson: please reconsider... Any way, LONG LIVE VAN DER GRAAF ¡

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars WOW!, June 25, 2009

By 

great horse (georgia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Real Time (Royal Festival Hall) (Audio CD)

VDGG! One of the wonders in the world of Rock/Prog music. Not easy listening, not easy to like, most people will never get there. But the effort is rewarding to the few that make it. I was really impressed with this live recording. Not only is it an amazing "comeback" it could be one of the best things in their entire catalog. I am so impressed with the way they play here after 30 years. The record sounds great to my ears and its an ace selection of tunes. Highly recommend this even as a starting point to the band.