BBC LIVE IN CONCERT 1971

I hoovered up all, well nearly all, the BBC/Windsong live archive releases in the mid 90's as they mostly fell in to the wider prog/rock category we all know and love. Imagine my disappointment when I got my copy home, the CD itself printed with the Soft Machine track list and info....and finding it was Frankie Millar and his band! On returning it to HMV, I had to wait another month for a replacement so anticipation was high.

I don't have a favourite Softs period. I appreciate the first 2 psych soaked efforts and the latter full on jazz rock of Bundles but the 3 albums and live releases with Elton Dean in the band , if pushed, would be the ones that came to the desert island with me. This isn't due to Dean himself as such but it is a fairly big part of it. As an aside Dean was in Long John Baldrys blues/soul/rock band and the keyboard player was one Reg Dwight who said he took his future stage name from Baldry and Dean. You have all heard of Long Dean Baldry yes?

So what have we here? I would suggest Softs and their live peak. A bigger wind section than usual so the freewheeling improv of Ratledge and Hopper had to follow the dots a bit more. Wyatt is sublime, but he always was/is. Their set list was as unpredictable as always with a part of Out Bloody Rageous from 3rd a few selections from 4th and an outing for stuff such as Pigling Bland from the not yet released 5th. They also include Deans Neo Caliban Grides from his '71 solo album Just Us...or the long lost Soft Machine album if you prefer. Trust me, find a copy. The band err 'rocks' if that is possible for a jazz/rock freejazz related infused complex set. The two longer tracks allow the band to stretch out but nothing fall short of excellence. I am just surprised they didn't introduce Neo Caliban Grides with 'here's one to stroke your beards to'...

Apart from 3rd, this is my most played Soft Machine album although I confess i don't have at least half of the retro live output. I would recommend it ...along with Elton Deans Just us....to any/everyone.