GREATEST HITS LIVE

This live album has been recorded during the reunion concert for NEARfest in 2002 (so this album is featured twice on the site, the other being "NEARfest 2002" which IMO does not exist (and is not featured on the band's web-site).

The set is probably the best that "Nektar" could play for a reunion. The spirit is a bit the same than for "Keys To Ascension". Let's play some old songs and see what will be the fan's reactions. ..And they were more than happy to re-discover some "Nektar" oldies.

Almost all of "A Tab In The Ocean" will be played as well as the complete "Remember The Future - both parts". I was not particularly enthusiast about the latter studio album but the live renditions of these two tracks (one side each) have always been better. Like here. It is the longest version as well that you can get live : almost as long as on the original studio album.

There will be a decent compilation of the "Recycled" album (total of just over eighteen minutes). They could have added "It's All Over" to it instead of playing this number earlier during the show.

Two songs come from their more "recent" repertoire : "Man In The Moon" and "Now". One blunder with "Nelly The Elephant" which is by far the weakest song and doesn't really deserve to sit on "best of Nektar" IMO. "Fidgety Queen" is not really great either.

I would have hoped for a better sound. It is not desastrous but for a 2002 show, it is just average and that's a disapointment. It almost sounds as one of their old live album ! Anyway, the tracklist is great and even if some songs are played (as usual) on the harder edge it is a recommendable live album.

Three stars.

This live CD is the same set as on the Live DVD and indeed this is better viewed than listened to as Nektar were such a dynamic act live with the psychedelic lighting, but nevertheless this reunion for the NEARfest 2002 event is very good quality. It as as good as the DVD sound and the band were definitely a crowd pleaser. They launch straight into what arguably must be one of their most complex tracks, 'A Tab in the Ocean' and they do it masterfully. This is followed by a scorching version of 'Desolation Valley' and an edit of the magnum opus 'Remember the Future Part One'.

The best song from "Down to Earth" follows with the rollicking 'Nelly the Elephant', always a fan favourite. Some of the lesser known songs follow with 'Man in the Moon', 'It's All Over' and 'Now'. Albrighton is great on vocals and his guitar soars perfectly as it does on the studio releases. It is apparent that the band have really put some effort into making these treasures come to life.

CD 2 begins with the classic 'Recycled' followed by 'A Day in the Life of a Preacher'. The second part of 'Remember the Future' is excellent with 'Lonely Roads' and 'Let It Grow' sections a stand out. A mesmirising version of the rocker with killer riffs follows in 'Crying in the Dark / King of Twilight'. These songs are among Nektar's best and to finish another track from "Down to Earth", 'Fidgety Queen' closes the show. It is a great performance all up and I have a soft spot for this, but the real drawcard comes with listening to this same concert while watching it on DVD.