LIVE IN BOSTON

Released in late 2007 by a Japanese label, this cd is available stateside through Abstract Logix. This appears to be the same as an earlier release titled Concert Classics 4. It has been packaged in a mini-LP-Sleeve, including a slip cover and insert. The insert is written in Japanese, except for track titles.

The sound quality is good. It sounds as though no studio overdubs were punched in later. Each musician has his share of clams (mistakes) that are very apparent, especially Allan Holdsworth's guitar. Some notes are not fingered properly or just missing.

The tracks, a mix of those from the s/t U.K. release and the follow up, Danger Money. Hearing Bruford and Holdsworth's playing Carrying No Cross, The Only Thing She Needs and Caesar's Palace Blues offers a slight variation from the DM studio project. Be aware, there is some improvisation, contrary to complaints made in print over the disputes within the band. Obviously these takes offer a bit more air and spontaneity than on the future Bozzio propelled album. Wetton's voice is good, cracking and a bit off here and there, but nothing to ruin the moment. I do enjoy Holdsworth's jazzy underpinning in the softer lyrical opening to Carrying No Cross. Allan's is not simply laying out during the chordal segue before the blowing begins, as is oft referrenced. He plays fills and lightning runs throughout. Wetton's live bass action harkens back to King Crimsons glory days, even taking a solo 6 minutes in. Jobson sounds compelled to give Holdsworth a run at center stage as the piece moves forward, swelling and evolving with full band interplay. Holdsworth pulls off a stunning solo before breaking back into the vocal theme.

The Thirty Years intro is a beautiful clean picked guitar over synthesized sweet violin washes. Wetton attempts to be soft but struggles a bit with a few notes. The audio is very clear, narry any crowd noise, with Bruford's cymbals filling space before the band leaps into a tight instrumental sections. Wetton fuzzes up his bass lines and Holdsy chords along before Jobson's keys take control. Another smoking AH solo before coming back down to another verse. Holdsworth solo out to Jobson's Presto Vivace synth intro to In the Dead of Night. Holdsworth rips it up again. Getting outside into a improv showcase. No shortage of fireworks here. Even little stumbles get you into the moment, rather than detracting.

The final track, Caesar's Palace Blues is interestingly contrasted from the studio take with some fun trade-offs from EJ and AH, sounding like they are totally digging the play. EJ saws the hell out of his violin. This one appears to be fun and spontaneous, even when Wetton completely blows the lyrics.

At $30.00 this is expensive and probably only for completionists like myself, but it is a great moment in time for this short-lived band. 3.75 stars. Prog On!

In my opinion, UK was one of the greatest band in late 70-s, when punk was all around. They released just two studio albums, but both are excellent examples of symphonic jazz-rock of highest quality.

This live relesase existed for years as bootleg, and was released as official CD in Japan in 2007 only. It contains really "live" recordings from 1978 Boston show. No too much overdubs or cleaning. Songs are all wellknown and come from both studio albums.

Sound is clear but quite raw, it gave you a possibility to listen some really unusual for regular recordings things: vocals is in front, but not always synchronised with music, keyboards sound differently from studio recording, some guitar moments are really heavy.etc. But all these nuances don't destroy recording, they just give some "documentary" feeling to it.

In fact, there are not too many different moments from both studio albums, so I believe for many listeners it is more than enough. But any real fan of UK, Allan Holdsworth or any other band's member will find plenty of enjoyng moments listening to this real live evidence from bands great time.

For sure, this release is not only collectrors wet dream. Anyone, who's interested to know UK better, will easily listen it with pleasure as well.

This record was previously released under Concert Classics vol. 4 without the band's consent. It seems this release is a legally correct one.

It's a joy listening to this record as it features the original line-up of UK with Allan Holdsworth (guitar), Eddie Jobson (keyboards, e-violin & electronics), John Wetton (bass & vocals), Bill Bruford (kit drums & percussion) performing tracks from their two albums: UK and Danger Money. As you know, Bill Bruford and Allan Holdsworth were absent for the Danger Money album. So, basically their second album was guitar-less and that what has made this live set is interesting because Allan fills his guitar playing for songs from Danger Money. As I am a big fan of live record even though I have to trade it off, sometime, with poor sonic quality of the CD, I consider this record as a masterpiece of progressive rock live concert. You may discount my rating here but the spirit is that I want express my honest statement that prog rock bands should have this kind of live record. It does not really matter at all if you totally disagree with me and I fully respect your opinion. If you like live record you might be with me. The audio quality is not really bad, it's acceptable. The album cover is terrible. But, the music that counts really. And it's not just the music, it has the soul of true prog rock concert.

The record starts off with and ambient and soaring keyboard work of Eddie Jobson that projects an overture of great rock concert through "Alaska" (1:33), continued wonderfully with "Time To Kill" (7:16) in relatively fast tempo. With this live record the band's music is much improvisational in nature, especially with the stunning guitar work by Allan Holdsworth combined with Jobson's keyboard and violin. As usual Bruford plays his drum with his unique time signature and unique snare sound. He seems to enjoy playing the concert as most of the improvisation tend to be jazzy. Put it right, this live set is more Canterbury than the original studio version. The show goes on with a song from Danger Money album: "The Only Thing She Needs" (7:21) which clearly shows the powerful voice of John Wetton.

The musical improvisation goes crazy when the band performs "Carrying No Cross" (9:58) from Danger Money album and "Thirty Years" (10:03) from debut album. The appearance of Allan Holdsworth has brought the music into jazz Canterbury style. I personally enjoy the improvisation of guitar, keyboard and violin. The band performs songs from their debut album creatively by putting reversely "Presto Vivace" before "In The Dead Of Night" (7:49). It's a nice shot, really! The live set concludes with a song from Danger Money album: "Caesar's Palace Blues" (4:29) .

Overall, enjoying this live set is really rewarding and makes my adrenalin running rapidly. If you love a live record, this is definitely one of the best prog rock concert. Keep on proggin' ..!

Peace on earth and mercy mild - GW

Review Nº 786

"Live In Boston" is the fourth live album of UK that was released in 2007. It was originally recorded in 1978 from a live show in Boston, Massachusetts in USA under the name of "Concert Classics Vol. 4". It was also re-released in Japan on the CD format in 2007 as "Live In Boston". It was subsequently been re-issued under the name of "Live In America".

The sleeve notes date the concert as 11 September 1978 performed at the Paradise Theatre in Boston. However, that date is wrong because it was on 11 July 1978. The track listing is also incorrect because the real name of the sixth track should be "Presto Vivace/In The Dead Of Night" instead of "In The Dead Of Night". "In The Dead Of Night" was originally a track divided into three parts "In The Dead Of Night", "By The Lord Of Day" and "Presto Vivace And Reprise". So, "Presto Vivace", which originally was the third part, was played as a bridge to the first part of the track "In The Dead Of Night". The problem with these errors is that it was probably a release without the approval of the band.

As many of us know, UK was a progressive rock super group with a very short life that was formed in the end of the classic progressive musical era. It was formed by John Wetton and Bill Bruford after the release of "Red" of King Crimson and Robert Fripp decided to suspend the activity of the band. Initially UK was formed by both musicians with Eddie Jobson and Allan Holdsworth. Jobson was the ex-keyboardist/violinist of Roxy Music. Wetton knew him from his work with Roxy Music in 1976. Bruford recruited the guitarist Holdsworth who had played with him on his solo debut studio album "Feels Good To Me". So, the four musicians released the eponymous debut studio album of UK in 1978.

After only one album the line up of the band changed drastically. Bruford and Holdsworth left and Terry Bozio entered for the group. The concerts by the first line up were bootlegged many times, especially since these gigs featured material that would be released on their second studio album. The show on this live album was broadcast on the radio and recorded in 1978 in Boston. The bootleg character is still preserved, because of the really cheap lay out of the bootleg and the mistakes in the track listing. Besides, the CD has been withdraw from the markets already, because there was a dispute between the Concert Classics and the EG Records over the rights. So, if you get a copy, you have a collector's item on your hands. Still, you can get a copy of the Japanese edition "Live In Boston" but for a highest price. "Live In Boston" has only eighth tracks. "Alaska" was originally released on their eponymous debut studio album. "Time To Kill" was also originally released on their eponymous debut studio album. "The Only Thing She Needs" was originally released on their second studio album "Danger Money". "Carrying No Cross" was also originally released on "Danger Money". "Thirty Years" was originally released on their eponymous debut studio album. "Presto Vivace" was also originally released on their eponymous debut studio album. "In The Dead Of Night" was also originally released on their eponymous debut studio album. "Caesar's Palace Blues" was originally released on "Danger Money".

So, "Live In Boston" offers a live recording of the original UK line up, between their debut album and "Danger Money". The opener "Alaska" and "Time To Kill" come in a routine version because they come from their debut. But then it follows with "The Only Thing She Needs", which should only get its final form on "Danger Money", has truly a furious Holdsworth playing. The difference is even more blatant with "Carrying No Cross". Here the entire instrumental middle section is different, again a breathtaking Holdsworth. One thing becomes clear in these two pieces. Holdsworth was responsible for the jazzy notes on their debut. Without his guitar riffs the music of UK takes on a different character. On "Thirty Years" Holdsworth is all over the place and Bruford rules. The instrumental section is brilliant. "Presto Vivace/In The Dead Of Night" was given to it a new interpretation of the original piece, which is nice. It has some extra key parts here and there, which is very nice. On "Caesar's Palace Blues" the tempo and character were later completely changed on "Danger Money". This live version has nothing to do with the furious virtuosity of the version on "Night After Night".

Conclusion: "Live In Boston" is a great live album, an extraordinary addition to any prog rock collection. Formed with their first and best line up, this is a fine piece that shows the great chemistry of an outstanding prog rock band. Songs like "Time To Kill", "In The Dead Of Night" or even the instrumental "Alaska" are really unforgettable. It completes the live picture of the short-lived, legendary formation of UK and is a real asset for all fans of this kind of music. It was really a pity that Holdsworth and Bruford left the band afterwards the live tour. This recording provides distinct clues as to how close the original line up was to completing their second album before the band split. Whatever, this is a great recording of "Concert Classics Vol. 4", but with a re-mixed and re- mastered work that makes it shine for the diehard fans. This is an expensive version but deserves the money spent on it. Probably, this is the only version you can get.

Prog is my Ferrari. Jem Godfrey (Frost*)