COOK [AKA: LIVE IN THE USA]

This was PFM's first tour of the USA, unfortunately they were always opening up for another band so their sets weren't too long. What surprised me the most about this album was how raw and aggressive it is at times. When I think of PFM I think beauty, class and elegance, thankfully we do get that on this recording as well.

Things get started with "Four Holes In The Ground" which is pretty faithful to the studio version.This is an uptempo track with pulsating organ and energetic drumming.The guitar makes some noise before 1 1/2 minutes and we get some mellotron before 3 minutes. It then calms right down with reserved vocals after 3 1/2 minutes, this is a dreamy section. It then kicks back in. I really like the guitar before 5 minutes. Themes are repeated. "Dove...Quando" features lots of keys.This is a pastoral track with reserved vocals coming in at 2 minutes and flute to follow.

"Just Look Away" opens with guitar and bass in a melancholic intro.The acoustic guitar gets aggressive then it settles down again. An applause after 3 1/2 minutes when it ends. Acoustic guitar and synths as tender vocals arrive after 4 minutes. Beautiful. This is so moving here. I like the vocal melody with flute and organ that follows. Fantastic song ! "Celebration" (including "The World Became The World") is uptempo as the crowd claps along. Vocals before 3 minutes. It changes before 3 1/2 minutes and the mellotron rolls in. It kicks back in quickly. "The World Became The World" arrives before 6 minutes. Gulp. Some great organ to end it. "Mr.Nine Till Five" opens with drums and piano. This is impressive in fact it sounds a lot like AREA right here until the vocals come in. Not a big fan of the vocals here, would have prefered the instrumental. The last minute of the song is like the beginning thankfully.

"Alta Lome Five Till Nine" is worth the price of admission all by itself. An over 15 minute ride through paradise. Just a gorgeous start with the guitar, piano, bass and drums as mellotron comes and goes.This is fairly laid back and guitar led. The tempo picks up 3 minutes in and check out the drums and guitar ! It settles before 6 minutes with violin coming in at 6 1/2 minutes. Check out the instrumental display 9 minutes in as they rip it up. It ends after 10 minutes. A good rhythm with scorching violin follows. Amazing ! Some powerful organ 12 minutes in. My God there are no words to justify this. "The William Tell Overture" ends it as it comes in before 14 minutes.

That last song is one of the best live tracks i've ever heard. It's too bad they didn't record a live album in Italy in 1974 and make it longer, even a double. Anyway this is an excellent historical sample of how well these guys could play live.