PIQUANTIQUE - STOCKHOLM 1973

Here we have another bootleg that was released legally as an official release and it is also the last disc in the Beat the Boots Collection Vol. I. This one is the best of the collection in my opinion, not only in sound (even though it is still below par for FZ releases but better than the others) but also in content and band line up. If you are determined to at least own one bootleg, then this should be the one. However, don't look for vocals on this one, it is completely instrumental except for some comments from FZ to the audience. Most of this was recorded in Skansen, Stockholm, 21-Aug- 1973 as part of a Sweedish television series and apparently there is a video out there which contains the complete performance of "Dupree's Paradise" (the performance on this recording unfortunately is cut short...it actually goes on for about another 10 minutes). Track 4 is the odd track on this recording because it was recorded from this show. The linear notes claim it was recorded in Sydney about a month before, but this is incorrect. According to globalia.net, it was recorded at The Roxy in Los Angeles, CA in December of 1973. I don't know why this track was added, but the volume is obviously lower than the rest of the recording.

Once you get used to the sub-standard sound of this recording, it is really quite easy to listen to, unlike many other untouched bootleg recordings. It starts out with "The Eric Dolphy Memorial Barbeque" on the first track but quickly changes to "Kung Fu". The second track, you'll find yourself warming up to the lower recording quality as you hear a great version of "Redunzl". But things really get great in track 3, Dupree's Paradise. George Duke really kicks some major butt on this track. There is a section where FZ has some fun with the audience and tells them they will continue playing despite the cold weather. Anyone that has tried to play keyboards with cold hands will be amazed that George Duke could play at all. Great stuff. Track 4 again is the odd short track, but it doesn't take away from the entire disc, so at least it fits in as filler between the two long tracks. Track 5 is listed as "Father O'blivion" but this is incorrect....it should have been listed as "Farther Oblivion" (note the difference?). "Farther Oblivion" is obviously a completely different composition than the "Father O'blivion" track from "Apostrophe(!)" that for quite a while was not released anywhere else. However, you will hear a lot of themes throughout this track that were later expanded into songs of their own. I have to mention that Jean-Luc Ponty is simply amazing on both tracks 3 and 5. FZ might have commented that this line up may not have been the most cohesive line-up but I do believe they were one of the most talented.

So this bootleg not only has historical value, but it has quality value too. Yes it is a bootleg, be warned of that, but it is one bootleg that I would recommend to most anyone interested in prog insturmental. I would have to say this would be an excellent addition to any prog rock music collection, if you can find it. Oh by the way, if you can find the bootleg "Oppopoppa", it is also struck from the same recording and has the full version of "Dupree's Paradise" along with "Montana" and a slightly longer version of "Farther Oblivion".