LIVE IN POLAND

This is like listening to the audio of the 'Live @ Montreux dvd' since this show was recorded only 2 weeks prior to the Montreux date. Greg Lake's vocals are in fine form.. and even better than the Montreux video. This is one of the better live show recordings from the the 97/98 tours.The editing between tracks could be better, but overall the sound quality is really good. There was evidently two versions of this put out. I have the

As with a couple of the bootlegs from this same tour, "KE9 -1-2" starts a bit weak, but ends with a bang. Keith does a great job jazzing this up with some new keyboard parts, but he does this over what should be Greg's solo guitar section, because Greg doesn't do the guitar solo. Very sad, since thats always been my favorite part.

Great live versions of "Touch and Go" and "From the Beginning", that are relatively like the original studio version with a little improvising by Keith. On "Knife Edge", Greg even does some great vocal high notes (unusual for him in the 90s) and there is some great Hammond work by Keith. Once again, Carl proves to be king of the bass drums. The vocals are good on all these, but especially "Bitches Crystal" with another great improv section by Keith. I love the jazzy piano/bass improv in the middle of "Take a Pebble", that proves just how good a bass player Greg Lake really was. During "Lucky Man", its so cool to hear the whole audience singing along on the chorus; its sounds like he has back up singers.and Keith gets a little improv Hammond part as well as his moog solo at end.Keith does some great piano work on "Stone of Years". It does bother me though that after "Mass" they go right into Pictures. Battlefield is my favorite part of Tarkus. Great ending to Pictures tho.. Greg even does the high note. Fanfare/Rondo has this great bass feel and also deep in texture. I guess Greg had the bass turned way up.. but you can't help but rock when this is playing. Keith got a mini-moog solo in here also..

Overall I found this to be a great cd and really glad I added it to my collection.