THE DUTCH LESSON

There is no doubt that the Softs are still to this day one of the most important and influential progressive rock bands ever, and this live recording captures the short-lived quartet of Roy Babbington (electric 6-string bass), Karl Jenkins (soprano sax, baritone sax, oboe, electric piano), John Marshall (drums) and Mike Ratledge (electric piano, organ). Actually, this quartet formed the core of the band for a few years in the mid-Seventies, but they first extended with the addition of Allan Holdsworth who was then later replaced by John Etheridge. It is incredible to think that some 50 years after this recording there is still a version of the band going, and a new album (with Marshall still involved) has just been released.

But in 1973 the quartet were back in Rotterdam, playing at De Lantaren, on October 26th to a sell-out crowd. In that audience was record store owner Bert Boogaard, who sat in the front row with a tape machine and captured the night in remarkable quality as this never sounds like an audience recording at all. This was a band who lived for the road and the improvisations and different versions which came with it, and it would have been some surprise to many that they only played one song, "Down The Road", from their latest album, 'Seven'. There had been a heavy use of overdubs on that release and possibly they had decided other songs were not working in the four-man line-up onstage, but for hardcore fans there is the delight of an early version of "Hazard Profile", which would feature in a greatly extended version on their 1975 album, 'Bundles'.

Having a multi-instrumentalist in Jenkins means the band are able to change the approach, but for the most part they are happy with two keyboards players, a bassist with a heavily fuzzed and distorted sound, and a drummer who never seems to settle and who must have been exhausted at the end of every set. This is dynamic and exciting music, and to my mind the best way to listen to this is on headphones and with eyes closed and allow yourself to be taken on a journey of exploration and excitement as one never knows where the music is going to lead, and often that is the same for those playing it as well. Apparently, there are not many recordings available from this period of the band's history, which is a real shame, as this captures the Softs in full flow and there really was/is no-one else like them.

4.5 stars. I consider SOFT MACHINE to be a top ten band so colour me happy with all of the archival live releases that keep showing up. This is the latest from October of 1973, a four piece(Babbington, Marshall, Jenkins & Ratledge) just 2 months from Allan Holdsworth being officially named as the fifth member. I think that live date in Germany in May of this same year with Gary Boyle playing guitar on all tracks and Art Themen adding sax to all tracks made them realize how much better they could be with an expanded lineup, especially one with the talents of an Allan Holdsworth fresh from playing with the legendary NUCLEUS.

Here though after months of playing as a four piece these guys were on fire and also confident and mature enough to go experimental and whatever direction they wanted to go to be honest. Maybe it was playing in front of 400 people instead of thousands that brought out something special this night. A packed house no less and as usual this band just puts their heads down and play non stop from start to finish. An early version of "Hazard Profile" at 14 minutes highlights the second disc here. It will take up half of the "Bundles" album that would be released the following year.

This whole second disc though is fantastic starting with "Chloe And The Pirates" then "Hazard Profile" before a really good improv then a reprise of "Gesolreut". As far as disc one goes that three song run is amazing from "Down The Road", "Ealing Comedy" to "37 1/2" and I have it cranked. If your a fan of "Six" you need this record as it is dominated by that record. "Seven" was released but the band were only keen on playing "Down The Road" from it which is telling I suppose.

It was meant to be I suppose that the year that John Marshall passes we get this release with him front and center on the album cover as well as being front and center on the sound of this record. His rock style and energy are something to hear. "Dutch Lesson" is such a fitting part of his legacy. And Babbington is something else here as well. It really is the rhythm section that stands out for me on this record and I wasn't saying that on that "NDR Jazz Workshop" release from 6 months earlier. And I love that release.

Allow me to reminisce as this might be my last SOFT MACHINE review. So a top ten band for me but unlike most I'm not a big fan of the first two Canterbury records they put out but "Third" to "Softs" is an incredible run and some different styles in there too. My sweet spot is "Seven" to "Softs" and so of course that's the era I tend to lean to when wanting to listen to some live SOFT MACHINE. My top five archival includes the aforementioned "NDR Workshop" with Boyle on guitar. The "Switzerland 1974" with this four piece plus Allan Holdsworth and "British Tour '75" again with this four piece but with guitarist John Etheridge this time and featuring some songs from "Softs".

So those three plus two early live releases from 1970 shows including "Noisette" from January of that year and a five piece with Lyn Dobson adding so much vocally and with the sax and flute. And then "Grides" from October of 1970 where they are back to a four piece of Dean/Wyatt/Ratledge and Hopper. Just outside of these top five for me are this one here "Dutch Lessons", "Virtually", "Heavy Friends", "Backwards", "Live At Hinie Onstad Art Cantre" and "Floating World Live". There is an archival release for everyone believe me. I find "Fifth" the most difficult to listen to of the "Third" to "Softs" run so "Drop" is an archival release I have a very hard time with. It's like they went into the Free jazz style there and it's not easy listening.

If your as big a fan as I am of "Six" then "Dutch Lesson" is essential in my opinion. I have purposely held off listening to this until my Christmas break so I could spend more time with it, time well spent.