IN CONCERT

I may be a grumpy old man, but I do not find Magna Carta live that enjoyable.

This live album is half a half serious music and the rest is jokes. Both verbal and some joky tracks. Jokes and joky tracks is excellent when you are there at a table with a bottle of wine/beer and some good friends. But when you are sitting in a cold flat and you are trying to review the music here on merit; Magna Carta live albums falls flat on their faces. I reviewed their Live In Bergen album and my review of In Concert goes along the same lines. Musically, this band was a pretty good folk rock band. I am not sure where their prog rock credentials comes from. That is, with the exception of a couple of tracks. One of their two "epics" is here too, without making this album any better. Magna Carta is at their best in the same class and style as Simon & Garfunkel. At their worst; a handful of jokes.

I prefer the Magna Carta studio albums. Their live albums are no good musical experiences. I am sure they were an excellent live band. But it does not shine through here. 2 stars is fitting for this album.

2 stars