LIVE IN LONDON

I have the most recent remaster of this album with no bonus tracks and an alternate album cover of a late fifties Fleetwood with AMON DUUL on the license plates. I like it ! Great sound on this one as well. This was AMON DUUL II's first trip to the UK and the week before they played they were guests of ROXY MUSIC who were doing sort of a farewell concert at the same venue before their American tour. AMON DUUL II were a little surprised that they were more popular here than in their own country, and they also met a lot of musicians and bands. Even the music press claimed that next to CAN they were the most important German Rock band. Other than the improv all of the music they played comes from "Yeti" and "Tanz Der Lemminge" (3 tracks each). It was held at "The Greyhound" in London's Croydon District on December 16th,1972. We get that classic lineup with names like Weinzierl, Meid, Karrer, Rogner, Knaup, Fichelscher and Leopold.

"Archangels Thunderbird" along with the next two tracks are from the "Yeti" album. We get the band intro then the drums and a full sound kick in. Love Renate's vocals.Too much ! The guitar lights it up after 2 1/2 minutes. "Eye Shaking King" has an abrasive intro then the guitar leads as the drums pound away. So good. It settles when the vocals arrive as contrasts continue.The guitar cries out before 3 minutes as we get this gorgeous solo. Nice bass from Lother Meid 4 minutes in as the guitar continues and the drums pound. Incredible ! Kicking ass ! The vocals are back after 5 minutes. "Soap Shop Rock" is an uptempo rocker. Vocals just before a minute as it settles back some. The guitar is abrasive like Neil Young. A cam before 4 1/2 minutes and the vocals that join in before 5 minutes are so moving. Male vocals a minute later. The guitar throughout this track is amazing and he's ripping it up after 7 minutes. Atmosphere comes in to end it as it blends into "Improvosation". Sounds come and go as this thick atmosphere continues. Killer ! It's building before 3 minutes.

The last three tracks are from "Tanz Der Lemminge". Up first is "Syntelman's March Of The Roaring Seventies".This is folky at first but it gets heavier as the male and female vocals continue. Great sound after 2 1/2 minutes in this instrumental section. Vocals are back before 4 minutes. We get another excellent instrumental passage after 7 minutes. "Restless Skylight-Transistor-Child" opens with guitar followed by a full sound. A calm with male vocals 2 minutes in then it kicks back in before 3 1/2 minutes. They're jamming now. Violin 6 minutes in. "Race From Here To Your Ears" is laid back with male and female vocals. It's transcendent after 2 minutes.

I know i'm an AMON DUUL II fanboy but I can't give this anything less than 5 stars. It's an incredible document of a band at their best.