LIVE AT THE PARADISO

Originally released as a bootleg before eventually getting a legitimate release, Live at the Paradiso captures the Softs during the era of Volume Two, and its track list is more or less identical to that album - though unfortunately it begins abruptly in the middle of "Hulloder", presumably because the earlier part was either not recorded or was lost. The sound quality is at best average, betraying its bootleg origins, and more concerningly the mix is somewhat unbalanced; Wyatt's singing, Ratledge's organ and Hooper's bass all from time to time get completely overwhelmed by Wyatt's drumming. That said, because the drums are so prominent in the mix and recorded reasonably clearly, the album provides a great showcase for Wyatt's jazz-influenced drumming skills. Worth it if you like Volume Two and want a somewhat different take on the same material, but go for Volume Two first.