LIVE IN BOSTON

"Live In Boston" is the fourth live album of UK that was released in 2007. It was originally recorded in 1978 from a live show in Boston, Massachusetts in USA under the name of "Concert Classics Vol. 4". It was also re-released in Japan on the CD format in 2007 as "Live In Boston". It was subsequently been re-issued under the name of "Live In America".

The sleeve notes date the concert as 11 September 1978 performed at the Paradise Theatre in Boston. However, that date is wrong because it was on 11 July 1978. The track listing is also incorrect because the real name of the sixth track should be "Presto Vivace/In The Dead Of Night" instead of "In The Dead Of Night". "In The Dead Of Night" was originally a track divided into three parts "In The Dead Of Night", "By The Lord Of Day" and "Presto Vivace And Reprise". So, "Presto Vivace", which originally was the third part, was played as a bridge to the first part of the track "In The Dead Of Night". The problem with these errors is that it was probably a release without the approval of the band.

As many of us know, UK was a progressive rock super group with a very short life that was formed in the end of the classic progressive musical era. It was formed by John Wetton and Bill Bruford after the release of "Red" of King Crimson and Robert Fripp decided to suspend the activity of the band. Initially UK was formed by both musicians with Eddie Jobson and Allan Holdsworth. Jobson was the ex-keyboardist/violinist of Roxy Music. Wetton knew him from his work with Roxy Music in 1976. Bruford recruited the guitarist Holdsworth who had played with him on his solo debut studio album "Feels Good To Me". So, the four musicians released the eponymous debut studio album of UK in 1978.

After only one album the line up of the band changed drastically. Bruford and Holdsworth left and Terry Bozio entered for the group. The concerts by the first line up were bootlegged many times, especially since these gigs featured material that would be released on their second studio album. The show on this live album was broadcast on the radio and recorded in 1978 in Boston. The bootleg character is still preserved, because of the really cheap lay out of the bootleg and the mistakes in the track listing. Besides, the CD has been withdraw from the markets already, because there was a dispute between the Concert Classics and the EG Records over the rights. So, if you get a copy, you have a collector's item on your hands. Still, you can get a copy of the Japanese edition "Live In Boston" but for a highest price. "Live In Boston" has only eighth tracks. "Alaska" was originally released on their eponymous debut studio album. "Time To Kill" was also originally released on their eponymous debut studio album. "The Only Thing She Needs" was originally released on their second studio album "Danger Money". "Carrying No Cross" was also originally released on "Danger Money". "Thirty Years" was originally released on their eponymous debut studio album. "Presto Vivace" was also originally released on their eponymous debut studio album. "In The Dead Of Night" was also originally released on their eponymous debut studio album. "Caesar's Palace Blues" was originally released on "Danger Money".

So, "Live In Boston" offers a live recording of the original UK line up, between their debut album and "Danger Money". The opener "Alaska" and "Time To Kill" come in a routine version because they come from their debut. But then it follows with "The Only Thing She Needs", which should only get its final form on "Danger Money", has truly a furious Holdsworth playing. The difference is even more blatant with "Carrying No Cross". Here the entire instrumental middle section is different, again a breathtaking Holdsworth. One thing becomes clear in these two pieces. Holdsworth was responsible for the jazzy notes on their debut. Without his guitar riffs the music of UK takes on a different character. On "Thirty Years" Holdsworth is all over the place and Bruford rules. The instrumental section is brilliant. "Presto Vivace/In The Dead Of Night" was given to it a new interpretation of the original piece, which is nice. It has some extra key parts here and there, which is very nice. On "Caesar's Palace Blues" the tempo and character were later completely changed on "Danger Money". This live version has nothing to do with the furious virtuosity of the version on "Night After Night".

Conclusion: "Live In Boston" is a great live album, an extraordinary addition to any prog rock collection. Formed with their first and best line up, this is a fine piece that shows the great chemistry of an outstanding prog rock band. Songs like "Time To Kill", "In The Dead Of Night" or even the instrumental "Alaska" are really unforgettable. It completes the live picture of the short-lived, legendary formation of UK and is a real asset for all fans of this kind of music. It was really a pity that Holdsworth and Bruford left the band afterwards the live tour. This recording provides distinct clues as to how close the original line up was to completing their second album before the band split. Whatever, this is a great recording of "Concert Classics Vol. 4", but with a re-mixed and re- mastered work that makes it shine for the diehard fans. This is an expensive version but deserves the money spent on it. Probably, this is the only version you can get.

Prog is my Ferrari. Jem Godfrey (Frost*)

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