LIVE CUTS KÖLN 1978

In 1978 SBB had never before been so many days on the road, just ahead of Christmas the band did gigs in Germany (the Follow My Dream tour), now released as a 2-CD entitled Live Cuts Köln 1978. The line-up is Józef Skrzek (vocals and synthesizer), Apostolis Antymos (guitar and drums) and Jerzy Piotrowski (drums). Incredible, how unique this bands sounds, almost epitomizing the eclectic approach within progressive rock, so adventurous, creative and daring. On stage SBB were even more eclectic, surely during their improvisations. The one moment spacy synthesizer flights with soaring strings, or sensational pitchbend driven Minimoog soli (Mountain Melody and Chimery II) like Jan Hammer from Mahavishnu Orchestra. The other moment swinging rhythm guitar with fiery bluesrock like Eric Clapton (in Improv: Przy Okazji), or a long drum solo (in Drums-Battle). And even a beautiful version of Silent Night (Cicha Noc), indeed, Christmas time. The long composition Improv: Snow And Rhine features SBB in its full splendor on stage (and why SBB was named the Silesian Blues Band) : first a swirling mouth-organ solo, then a funky rhythm-guitar and growling bass followed by a fat synthesizer solo with pitchbend, and finally a fiery rock guitar solo, wow, what an unique and adventurous sound, by excellent musicians!

My rating: 3,5 star.