GOING OFF ON ONE

The Tangent has always been in my point of observation because since their debut album "The Music That Died Alone", I found the kind of music that I really love very much. It's the kind of jazz blended beautifully with rock and delivered in Canterbury style in energetic beat on some of their tracks. I then followed their second album "The World That We Drive through" which was an excellent album even though not as strong as the debut. On their third release "A Place In The Queue" they really satisfied me in terms of the music quality they produce. I feel that I find the sounds of Return to Forever combined with Hatfield and The North or Egg or National Health. I do admire the band's musical talent especially to Andy Tillison, Guy Manning, Jonas Reingold, David Jackson . they are all great names in modern prog. Unfortunately David Jackson left the band before second album was released. But it's still OK, The Tangent is (and will be) a solid band.

My experience with their live albums started when I had "Pyramid and Stars" album and it's really an excellent album. With three studio and one live album, a DVD release is definitely required for their fans base. "Going Off On One" was originally released in a limited edition DVD including double audio CD. As I could not afford the limited edition, I got the audio CD only. The set was recorded in September 2006 at the Club Riga. The seven pieces from the "A Place In The Queue" are all present and great. A am really impressed by the performance of the band.

It starts with the sound of crowd that indicates there was not a lot of people attended the venue and I presume that club is quite a small one. "GPS Culture" blasts the music off energetically with pulsating organ sounds combined with guitar work make the music is rich in textures. Oh yeah . you might love how the organ is played at the back. Awesome! The intertwining work of organ and guitar is truly stunning; especially when it's combined with silent part using flutes as interjecting sounds. Oh man . this is really cool ..!!! Bravo Theo Travis who plays flute brilliantly!

"The Winning Game" is the kind of Canterbury / jazz music. But look, observe how the music flows; listen how the singing by Andy Tillison is performed. You might agree with me a heavy influence of psychedelic right here. It's really unique and accessible to my personal taste. This is a well structured composition and performed skillfully by each member of the band. This live version is much more dynamic than the "The World We Drive Through" album version.

It then moves to a great jazzy piano and heavy vocal section in "In Earnest" (opening track of "A Place In The Queue" album) which is performed longer than the studio version. You might be wondering that this long duration track will get you bored - it's not at all. It's terrific! There are multitudes of styles and tempo changes with great textures of organ / keyboard sounds and solos, plus powerful vocal line. You might compare that this live version has much power than the studio one. The music sometimes turns complex with all instruments play difficult chords with some solos: piano, guitar and keyboards. Oh yes, if you love Canterbury, this track is definitely yours. No doubt. I can sense sometime the music resembles a style of Brian Auger but also a bit of ELP. Krister Jonsson who plays electric guitars also demonstrates his solo stunningly in the vein of classic rock music. It's an awesome song with great composition and structure. I know the track is long but I always repeat the track whenever I listen to it, especially with this live version!

It's not my intention to review on track by track basis as every track is performed excellently by the band. But I just wanna say that .

.the cover of King Crimson's 21st Century of Schizoid Man is FABULOUS!

Well, yeah . you might have been tired listening to all tracks of CD one and most part of CD2 (I don't!) but, bear with me . you will be astonished by their performance of this legendary King Crimson's song! Awesome! Especially if you listen to this track from the passage where Theo Travis has a conversation with the band introducing members of the band. I believe the crowd had never expected that The Tangent would do this. It's a kind of surprise, really! And it serves like an adrenaline exploder! To tell you the truth I just can't explain how wonderful the band plays this. Theo Travis's sax work is great, Andy Tillison's organ sound is so vintage and powerful .. and .. well yeah .. the "distorted" vocal line (by Andy Tillison?) is truly great! When the music enters the interlude part, you will be stunned! (in my local term: nggeblak! really..). Oh man, this is really great to conclude this track. BTW, Jonas Reingold bass playing here is really terrific! He is one of best bass players in modern prog! Bravo Jonas!

But .. the journey hasn't finished yet as it still has one more cover: America! Oh my God .this has gone beyond the version of The Nice and the band makes so many improvisations with all players in the band play their instruments during interlude part. Jamie Salazar performs his great dynamic drumming. This is really a great encore for the show! Oh man .. I have to buy the DVD! I watched You Tube for one track "Lost In London" and have decided to purchase the DVD.

Conclusion: MASTERPIECE!

I really consider this live album as a masterpiece progressive music live performance. The band performs their music (and the covers) brilliantly with practically no flaw at all. Or, if there is a flaw, I can not capture it. If you enjoy Canterbury meets jazz rock, this will really satisfy you to the bone. I have been spinning this album many times and I still want to do it again. Highly recommended. Keep on proggin' ..!

Peace on earth and mercy mild - GW