LIVE AT THE FILLMORE EAST

This live set contains six tracks that were performed on "Live At The Monterrey Festival". On this release, the interesting point is that we'll get the lenght of a full concert. While Monterrey only features eight songs for about forty minutes, this one delivers about seventy-five ones.

Airplane was usually exploding on stage (their magnificent performance at Woodstock - but yet to come - will be the real highlight of their live performances). Airplane seems to be a bit tired during this concert, with less punch than usual.

"Pillow" with its two hit-numbers and of course "Baxter" (by far their best studio album so far) are very well represented. "Crown" which was a bit a deception IMO and a rather overrated album is only featured with two songs. Surprisingly, the title track (one of the best of the album) will not be played here. Only one song from their debut album. But this is a normal choice since it was not really representative of their later work.

Their three anthems are featured but "Won't You Try..." is poorly rendered. Uninspired and slow. It probably indicates that some "mushroom substances" were used to perform. But since I haven't seen any footage of this concert, it is only a guess. Grace is of course imposing in "White Rabbit" which is one of the best track here (but I am completely biased as far as this song is concerned, so...). "Somebody To Love" is just average.

There is a very good and extended version of "Star Track" from "Crown" (over seven minutes) with a very good guitar solo. Another highlight.

Another very extended "song" is "Thing" (11'39"). It is a pure psychedelic jam. I guess that whith the help of some "mushroom substances", it could be a good "thing", but for the casual listener (but I guess there is no casual listener that will spend almost twelve minutes to discover this track) it will be probably a dull experience. In a way, this track is pretty similar to what the Floyd will produce in their early days while playing live. The difference being that Floyd articulated their jams around great numbers ("Astronomy...", "Interstellar") while here, it is pure improv.

This one starts with a slow tempo intro (very similar to "Won't You Try" but much, much slower). This 'intro" lasts for about four minutes and then evolves into a great and rythmy guitar number. The finale is rather hectic and furious. At the end of the day, it turns out to be a rather interesting number. An instantaneous of good psyche rock.

"Fat Angel" clocking at over nine minutes is a cover from a Donovan song which will be regularly included in their live sets at the time. This version is not so good as on "Bless".

The tone during the announcements is so low and inexpressive that one gets the feeling that they were quite loaded during this recording. This will affect the quality of this live set. Even if it is a document, it targets die-hard fans only. Two stars.