Customer Reviews

Seven Moons Live

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

 

 

"Seven Moons" is a wonderful album, and we have to be grateful for this chance to hear the songs live. And the live versions only underline the strenght and quality of the compositions.

Jack Bruce, despite his many serious healthproblems, sings with passion and is in a lot better voice than on the legendary Cream reunions ('05). But his bassplaying is certainly a far cry from the expressive and excessive madness of bassvirtuosity he displayed in his youth. Gary Husband handles the drums in expert fashion, as one would expect from this wonderful musician, though his drumming sounds a bit 'stiff' especially in the Cream-classics.

But the real star of the show is Robin Trower, who might never have played better than here. His hendrix-influenced playing really soaring to the heights with immense intensity.

The days when Jack and Robin made musical history may be over, but here they show that they still make relevant music. Hard to find a better powertrio around.

Of the dozen or so shows Jack Bruce, Robin Trower and Gary Husband played together in Europe/UK in 2009 this recording captures why the performances were so amazing. Most of the material is from the 2008 released Seven Moons-hence Seven Moons Live. The Seven Moons songs were co-written by Jack and Robin when Jack suggested they write and record a couple new songs when discussions about re-releasing their 1981 recordings brought them together. The two musicians found some highly expressionistic moods and the Seven Moons material is all fresh and evocative of their deep wells of experience. Blues flavored rock numbers such as Lives of Clay; Perfect Place; Bad Case of Celebrity; and Come to Me; are perfect. Trower's guitar is simply excellent throughout. Jack Bruce sings all vocals and plays his instrumental role with the exceptional talent-those of us who have long admired him for enjoy. As a vocalist Jack not only sings the notes but expresses character. The song Carmen (from the duo's 1981 recording) which was kind of a plaintive haunting piece on BLT, is here a tortured song of loss and regret. The richness of Distant Places of the Heart; and Just Another Day are gorgeous mood pieces that after awhile are candidates for Best songs of the album but they must compete with the 3 Cream songs. Sunshine of Your Love, White Room and Politician are Jack Bruce compositions and usually featured in a trio format. With Robin Trower and Gary Husband on drums they alone are worth the price of the recording. Trower has a great tone and he does something different with the opening chords on White Room that is delicious and his solo on Politician is a pleasure. The Last Door is a rocker which along with the title track Seven Moons is a joy for repeat plays. Robin Trower wrote most of the lyrics and arrangements with Jack writing the vocal melody. Gary Husband is the hardest worker in this trio and his drums are strong and original.

Being a long time fan of both these great musicians, it truly pains me to listen to this set. I understand that we all are getting older (I'm 52 this year myself) and Trower and Bruce are both getting up there, but the performances here are not only tired, but lack none of the spark that both these guys once had. Bruce's voice, as many other reviewers point out, is horrid, but it's Trower's guitar that disappoints the most here. Gone is the monster tone that helped him make his mark with records like Robin Trower - Long Misty Days, Bridge of Sighs, and the like.

If you are really interested in these two iconic musicians, go back and review their enormous back catalogs. Both have plenty of lesser known lesser heard material that could make you feel like you are discovering them all over again. In fact I'm not even sure why they put this project together in the first place.

I purchased this CD-Rom following viewing videos of portions of this concert on YouTube. Purchasing the CD as opposed to the DVD allowed me to focus more closely on the quality of the music itself without the distraction of the video.

It is time to admit that the many of the hits by Jack Bruce as part of the megaband Cream were successful due to the fact that they were studio recordings. Prime case in point is the mega hit "White Room". I remember the four note introduction to the song being attempted vocally during live renditions (which didn't really work), it was particularly pathetic with Trower attempting this on the guitar. The result of this was extremely weak and unconvincing. It is painful for me to write this about Trower.

Jack's vocals at one time were great but now, along with his Bass playing have deteriorated, he actually missed a note very visibly during this performance. As a musician it is critical to be on tune and on time. The work by Gary Husband on drums did not really seem to mesh with the band. Much like Cream, here we had a band with three HUGE names with the end being a fraction of the sum of the parts. There can be only one leader of the band.

Although a fan of all these musicians, I believe that there is no real replacement for Jim Dewar's very competent Bass playing and unsurpassed vocals, or Bill Lordan's cymbal work as part of an earlier and far superior Robin Trower Band. Knowing this, Robin would be better served sticking with the better disciplined Dave Bronze on Bass and Pete Thompson on drums.

Jack, Gary and Robin played a few live dates in Europe and this is one of them. I really enjoyed the studio version of "Seven Moons" and playing live give the musicians room to stretch out more. Jacks' bass is more up front, and he reaches on a few notes, but he sounds great to my ears. Robin is playing great as always, playing his own interpertation of the Cream classics, not imitating Clapton, and Gary completes the rhythmn section effectively.


With the exception of an early 80's tune from a previous Trower/Bruce collaboration, and the Cream tunes, all other songs are from "Seven Moons". If you liked that CD, I would say you would like this. If you enjoy blues/rock, or great power trios, try listening to the samples and you should enjoy this, 4.5 stars.

I have not purchased this record. So why am I reviewing it ?? Well, I have listened to it once at a friends house, but I wanted to point out something no other reviewer has said :: Trower and Bruce put out a phenomenal album, "BLT" and a decent album "Truce" in the early eighties. I was so pumped when I saw they had a live album because how could they not possibly play songs that they wrote together ??? Other than songs from "Seven Moons" (which to me was not that inspired), they play one song from BLT .. that's it. The song selection is the real problem. I do agree that Bruce's vocals are God-awful on the Cream songs, but why would I want to hear them --they have been recorded so many times and are so overplayed. The vocals on their own songs sound weary, but I think in a good way. This could have been an awesome set if they just decided to play the 15 best songs that they wrote together. Oh well, a missed opportunity.

Listened to it once so far, sounds like them both,
with a bit more gravel in the voices and a bit less volume on the amps.
Much of it original music, but some chestnuts from both past careers.
If you liked them before, you'll enjoy their current maturity, and darker tonalities.
They can both still rock the blues when they want too.

Seven Moons, both studio and live albums, are among the best records I have heard in the last few years. Superb playing and production make this a must have for anyone remotely interested in this pair. Awesome rock and blues record!!

Let's face it. Jack Bruce HAD one of rock's all time greatest voices, but it's long gone. The fact that he's still performing with his now feeble voice only pours salt into the psychedelic-music-era-is-over wound. I actually cringe listening to some of notes he's trying for especially in White Room.

Trower, on the other hand, plays like he's still 24 counter-balancing Bruce's vocal shortcomings. Full of fire and passion, Robin creates any semblance of emotion this CD has and carries the performance. Too bad Davey Pattison isn't belting out the vocals!

I really enjoyed this and so does everyone I recommend it to. It actually gets better as it goes along. If you are a fan of either Jack Bruce ot Robin Trower (or both !!) you MUST get this .. You will not be dissapointed .