LIVE

Apparently, this is a vinyl-only release (which kind of explains the redundancy the Hymn To The Sphynx CD release), this second-era TEB live album bears some relatively interesting tracks, because it actually makes a link to the band's first life. While only Sweeney remains from the original line-up, he's joined by the fairly stable second-life line-up that features ex-Softie windman Lynn Dobson, guitarist carter and violinist Black. Released in 2002, the live recording dates from 1990, right around the time of the Magic Music album, but it's confusing matters, because there were two different TEB releases with that title as well.

From that 1990 MM release we have the Sun Ra and Third Ear ragas, and they're not what I would call the gig's highlight, despite the former's heavy Indian-music influences. The main interest of this album (for moi, anyway) is their two first-era compositions of Egyptian Book Of The Dead and Pyramid Song (both from their debut), which is an interesting exercise in comparison between the two eras - quite different versions, and the original being superior, but these are not without charm and featuring some Dobson-scat vocals. It's relatively interesting to hear that this TEB line-up was sounding less "electronic" or "industrial" than in the studio. Up to you if you want to go for the vinyl with a cool snake and pyramid artwork or the ugly artwork CD compilation.