LA NOCHE DEL JUGLAR

"Ñu" released a studio album called "La Taberna Encantada" in 1997 (but is absent from PA for reviewing). Since there are several mistakes in "Ñu" 's discography I will soon report these when I will have finished my reviews of this very good Spanish band.

The current mistake is that this is a live album. Not a studio one. Their previous one dated from 1992 : "Imperio De Paletos". Actually, this one holds five songs already featured on "Imperio". So you might think that this album is useless. Well, not really.

Most of these songs will be played differently on this album. Actually this is almost an unplugged album. There will be a much more folkish mood in this live set. Of course, a song as "Robin Hood" was already a folkish one but this is the best version available. And the same will apply for "Tocaba Correr". What to say about "La Granja Del Loco" (the fool's farm). Fully Tullesque ("Songs From The Wood") while most of the time "Ñu" has sounded like the hardest Tull you would have dreamed of (or hate maybe).

This live album will feature a lot of sweet and great flute play. But Molina is a great flute player. And this is probably why I love this unknown band so much. It is really incredible how the music of "Ñu" sounds like. I just hope that some of you have read some of my "Ñu" 's reviews (I have reviewed each of their work) and figure out by themsleves (any Spanish reviewer in the audience ) ?

Needless to talk about "El Flautista" of course (the flute player). It is their "Locomotive Breath" or "Aqualung" meaning that they have played it live an awful lot of times. Always a highlight in their concert. You should really watch this out if you are a flute fan (like I am). This time it won't be shortened (like it was the case in the previous live album). It is an extraordinary prog-folk song. Any folk specialist out there ?

The title track of their last studio album (at the time of release of this live one) "La Taberna Encantada" is another prog-folk jewel. Fantastic flute play. But José Molina IS a flute player. Just listen to "Trovador De Ciudad". What a great intro ! But not only. It is another jewel of an interpretation.

This live album should please any prog-folk fan. Any flute fan. Any good music fan. Of course lyrics are in Spanish but this shouldn't be a reason to ignore this very good band. If you want to discover their harder side in concert, I recommend you to listen to "No Hay Ningun Loco".

"De Fiesta" is another great folk-oriented song. Like in the good old days, some nice violin will be present. If you know a bit the Purple discography (because "Ñu" will also act as a cover band during their darkest days - Purple and Led Zep being the covered ones) you will recognize the riff of "Black Night". Amazing.

IMHHO (humble and honest as always) this is the live album any Tull fan should listen to. Each of them (to which I belong BTW) would be amazed with the great music they would discover. What a live set ! Fabulous, really.

Oh ! I almost forgot (on purpose actually) : there is a surprise on this album. "La Casa Del Rey". Lots of you might know this one. A guess ! Come on ! OK, here are some hints.

Rey means king in Spanish. Still no idea ? Come on ! Another hint ? OK.

Casa means house.

Yes sir, they will play "House Of The King" (from "Focus" for the ones who still don't know). A pleasant version during which a violin solo will replace the flute one. Rather original.

Great unplugged live effort even if the last two songs are not super. I usually do not like at all this type of exercise but this one really blows me. Four stars y muchas gracias para este excellente disco.