CANTERBURY FAYRE 2001

I have to be honest and say that I am not sure just how many live Hawkwind albums I have listened to over the years, but this is one of the few that has been released with a strong sound quality. In fact, it is probably their best live release for many years, with a line-up of Dave Brock, Simon House, Keith Kniveton, Alan Davey, Richard Chadwick and even a special guest vocalist on "Silver Machine" of none other than Arthur Brown himself. The double CD kicks off with the gentle laid back introduction of "5th Second Of Forever" but this is just a ploy as Alan riffs his bass as if Lemmy was back in the fold and the band start to take off.

It must be twenty years since I last saw them in concert, but this album brings it all back as if it was only yesterday. From here it is just a short step to a nine minute version of "Levitation", and the band is in full swing. They have a unique sound, even after all of these years, and with the space rock in full flow there is no-one to touch them. They may have replaced the sax with the violin but all this has done is give them yet another element to their sound.

It may not contain "Brainstorm", but with classics such as "Spirit Of The Age", "Motorway City" and "Hurry On Sundown" as well as a full version of "Silver Machine" there is more than enough here for any Hawkfan to want to have this album. A goody.

Originally appeared in Feedback #73, Jun 03