LIVE IN EUROPE

If I were to recommend an entry point for the listener curious about this fine band, it would be Live in Europe. This album marks the culmination of the energy and creativity that gave us the first two studio albums, SMPTe and Bridge Across Forever. It contains much from both of these excellent albums, and the performances are excellent. That the band is taking joy in what they do, is obvious from their banter with the audience, and that the audience is enthusiastic is equally clear. To my ear at least, the sound mixing is solid, and the pacing of the album, and of the concert that it documents, is good. Though it is difficult to pick a single track from this double CD, I will give special mention to the medley embedded in "Suite Charlotte Pike." The medley is based around the suite of songs that make up side two of the Beatles' Abbey Road, and after repeated?quite possibly obsessive?listenings, I've got to say that these guys capture the spirit of the music beautifully. While not simply covering the Beatles?the rendition is entirely their own?their joyful rendition of the material rings true to the spirit of the original. It is, quite simply, a privilege to listen to.