LIVE AT THE RAINBOW

Mediocre live album released during a period when the band was at it`s peak and touring extensively. Even guitarist Jan Akkerman in an interview with The New Musical Express summed up the band`s performance during this period : " I played sevral times good but most of the time rotten, just because we were working too hard. Four weeks in a row every day with one day off ". This poorly recorded performance at the Rainbow Theatre in London seems to rely only on the commercial success of Hocus Pocus which is poorly attempted here minus the wizardry of the studio. The most notorious omission here being House of the King while Sylvia is played too fast. The most annoying aspect of the album is the recording of Pierre van der Linden`s drum sound which just doesn`t blend in with entire band and sort of makes them sound as if their not even playing together.

There are some moments, however. Organist/flutist Thijs van Leer adds some interesting vocals to Answers Questions? Questions? Answers which was not included on the album version. He does the same with Hocus Pocus which also has a cool Jan Akkerman guitar intro. They just hack their way through Eruption which is sliced and diced into pieces. Stick with the version on the Moving Waves album which is absolutely brilliant. For those wishing for a good live document of the band go for the DVD released in 2005 which also features a great live version of Hamburger Concerto. Dissappointing live effort from an exceptionally talented unit. Sorry. Add ½ star to two.