LIVE IN SHERWOOD FOREST '75

An unexpected gift of the gods (or from the cosmic Devas?) to the pot head pixies. This incredible document came out from nowhere and features live covers gongheads would not imagine in their wildest dreams. Recorded live at Nottingham University on November 25th 1975 -the transition's period between You and Shamal- everybody is here, except Captain Capricorn aka daevid Allen. Steve Hillage is on top shape here (have a look at his pic in the booklet). It also features Jorge Pinchevesky on violin (from Clearlight), Patrice Lemoine on keyboards and of course Mike Howlett, Bloomdido, Pierre Moerlen, Miquette Giraudy and Mireille Bauer.

Live pieces from "You", "Shamal" and Hillage's "Fish rising" (completely unexpected!) on the same record.But there's a shadow on this idyllic drawing: sound quality is poor with muffled sound, saturation, level variations (recorded in open air).

The concert begins with a mind blowing "Master builder" cover, featuring an incredible psychedelic guitar solo.

Then comes Chandra, with the new Gong world jazzrock sound from the future Shamal. Excellent.

"Aftaglid" from "Fish rising" is simply fantastic, it's the longest piece and the record's summit, with its fantastic space/cosmic rock flights leaded by Hillage at his best and the long eastern influenced moment. It's simply better than the studio version, and the band on stage manages to play all the subtleties of the piece.

"Cat in Clarks shoes" and "Wingful of eyes" features longer developments than on the future Shamal album and it's quite amazing to hear these pieces which were still in gestation.

"The Salmon song" from "Fish rising" is stunning and also features fantastic guitar.

"Isle of everywhere" is very good also and can compete with the studio version.

"Shamal" ends nicely the record.

The band is at its best, a blend of the technical mastery of You with the funky world jazz rock Shamal sound (Patrice Lemoine on keyboards contribute to this sound with his wha wha distorted keyboards). For sure, good astral vibes were there this very day .

A real surprise which shows that many documents are still unreleased.

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