801 LIVE

Short lived and fascinating, 801 burned briefly but brightly in the (northern) summer of 1976 then disappeared. The band brought together Brian Eno, late of Roxy Music, pal Phil Manzanera, Roxy guitarissimo, Simon Phillips (whose diverse list of drum credits deserves a dedicated article), Francis Monkman (Curved Air), well-respected jobbing guitarist Lloyd Watson and bassist Bill MacCormick (Quiet Sun, Matching Mole). The recording was of their last concert and used the recent technical innovation of sending the instrument signals straight into the mixing desk (rather than mic-ing up the stage amps). Result? Possibly the best sounding 'live' album to date. Musically it is wonderfully varied, rocking with complex interplay and mischievous energy; their interpretation of The Beatles 'Tomorrow Never Knows' (here called TNK) is justly famous. But there is much more than creative covers here. Eno's songs are delivered with power and punch, Manzanera's guitar pieces are melodic and inviting while for fans of the often overlooked Quiet Sun album the inclusion of 'Rongwrong' is a delight. An album ultimately impossible to categorise ? rock-fusion-progressive-alternative anyone? ? it remains an enduring delight. The recent 'Collector's Edition' adds a disc of rehearsal recordings: an interesting though inessential addition. www.vinylconnection.com.au