LIVE AND RAW 1970 & 71

Live And Raw was released in 2000 by the Angel Air label and presents two BBC sessions 1970 &71 introduced by John Peel. First remark, the sound quality is quite bad : these are not the original BBC masters which doesn't exist anymore, but second or third generation tape transfers....but the rarity and the quality of the material justifies the release! The first four tracks are from a 1970 session still with Carl Palmer and present Atomic Rooster at the peak of their first period with Du Cann and Palmer. The tracks are rougher then on the first record plus a then unreleased Gershatzer and John Du Cann gives the music a harder edge with his guitar playing and singing compared to Nick Graham.The second 1971 session presents material from the second classic record Death Walks Behind You and is eqally good with Paul Hammond on the drum stool.

four stars for the historic value, two for the sound quality