Customer Reviews

Spirit: Live at the BBC 1971-1978

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

 

 

This great box-set contains four concerts with Jack, who must be considered one of the true legends of modern music. A revolutionary pioneer on electric bass, a highly accomplished vocalist, a gifted and very diverse composer. A multitalent spanning so many genres: rock, blues, jazz, avant-garde.

Two of the shows have been released already. The 1971 with Chris Spedding, Graham Bond and John Marshall, and the 1975 presenting one of his hottest bands ever featuring Mick Taylor and Carla Bley. But here in a superior soundquality. We also get a performance from his 1977 outfit with a young Simon Philips, already then a formidable drummer.The interplay between him and Jack's fretless bass-magic certainly more than makes up for the rather inadequate guitarwork of Hughie Burns.

Neither of these shows might be Jack at his absolute best. Being a spontanous and erratic performer, he's rarely at his finest in this more formal settings. But there's plenty to enjoy. Some fine versions of the marvelous songs from his first three solo-albums, some rearranged Cream-classics and from time to time inspired and transcendent moments of pure music.

Spread over the three discs we also get some fine jazzy moments with Jack in the fine company of Jon Hiseman and saxlegend John Surman.

As with all from the bassmaestro, the mastermind behind Cream, this is essential stuff for all lovers of true progressive and inventive music.

2 out of 3 cds were previously released - 1971 with Graham Bond and 1975 with Mick Taylor except for 1 song without a word. 3rd cd is a real treat with live from 1977. Each cd contains additions from jazz session with supreme john surman and colosseum drummer jon hiseman, however without any spectaluar succeess except for 1st cd bonus. Recommended. Hope more is to come from unopen vaults of 80s90s sessions. Jack Bruce dvd from 60th birthday's session is highly expected.

There are 6 selections from a trio performance in this box set which alone justifies the purchase. Surman is on fire and one would never guess Hiseman is the same drummer from Colosseum as he is in free-bop mode in these great tracks (and he does a terrific job). The rest of the box is more into rock music but it's ok too, especially the 3rd cd were Bruce's singing and playing sounds truly inspired. But for a jazz fan such as myself (and i am always after John Surman stuff) this is a slice of heaven.

This CD set of the brilliant musician Jack Bruce's BBC work is for completeists only. Actually I am pretty much of a completist when it comes to Jack Bruce...and I only say this reservation. Bruce has made many brilliant albums for more than 40 years; he has contributed to many others. However, this is a mixed bag at best. It contains 3 concerts live at the BBC. The first concert is the best with some great songs from his early solo period. The second CD is mostly in mono with an inferior band to the first CD playing songs from his second 2 solo albums. The final CD is from 1977 - probably the weakest period of his lengthy career, a period that many regarded as a failed pot shot at 70's pub pop.

Nevertheless Jack Bruce's parallel career as a jazz musician is tacked on the end of these three CDs. As a whole they are fantastic. The amazing John Surman is on saxophone and in great form; John Hiseman plays dazzling drums. If only these sessions could be released as a separate CD...

It has often been said that Jack Bruce's 'How's Tricks' etc period was his least successful but a listen to Disc 3 on offer here could change that opinion. True, these tunes are not as in-your-face as some of his other work, nor as deep musically or lyrically, but they swing and they rock with a confidence, joy and inventiveness that most other bands would give an arm and a leg to achieve. Tony Hymas' synth work is a little twee in parts, particularly on 'Spirit', but this was recorded in 1977 - cut him some slack. The other two discs are great reminders of how much respect there was for intelligent rock and jazz/rock in those days. Disc 2, with Mick Taylor and Carla Bley in the band, is a great complement to 'The Jack Bruce Band Live '75' album recorded at The Free Trade Hall Manchester five days earlier and the first disc, from 1971, has always smoked and now, in this clearer edition, smokes more. The extra tracks on each cd, from Mr. Bruce, Mr. Surman and Mr. Hiseman, are almost reason enough to buy this set alone. Jack Bruce has always been a searching, inventive artist and that is clearly evident across these 3 cds.

Sure, I saw Stanley Clarke a bunch of times during the 70's.........Larry Graham too. I never saw the late Jaco Pastorius; mostly because I hated his tone that he pretty much stuck with till the End. All very talented bass players. But our favourite Scotsman here, the diminutive Mr. Bruce (may not be a knight, but certainly is a 'sir') always did it for me much more so than ALL the others. Plays all instruments when he wants or needs to. And that VOICE!!
This is a wonderfully varied assortment of some of Jack's best solo and post-Cream tunes.
Unusual things like 'A Letter of Thanks' off Harmony Row, a 1971 Masterpiece, is pure delight. Like Wenner originally said in his 1968 Disraeli Gears review ( a RAVE review, if there ever was one) within these grooves are miles of listening pleasure. Only it's not in grooves any more...............it's in the digits. Buy it; you'll love it.

If you are already a Jack Bruce fan, you'll really flip over this! If you are not cognizant of the artistry and genius of Jack Bruce, this may also be THE album to introduce you to his music. The feel and excitement of Jack's varied musical projects are perfectly captured on these discs. This collection contains a lot of Jack's best early-era solo material with such energetic and powerful performances. Highly recommended!