OPEN SEASON

Of all posthumous High Tide releases , this is the only one to give you dates of recording and it does shed some light on the other records released on the SPM label. But we had to wait some 8 years for the Black Widow label to give us what SPM was not able (or willing?!?) to give us.

To my knowledge all tracks were unreleased also until this record. Outside of the two tracks recorded in '00 ( and they have awful recording quality) and another from 90 , all recordings here are from the 70's.

The tracks from 70 have the original line-up (as drummer Hadden was to leave the band for health reasons) and are of good interest especially if you love the debut album (the artwork of this release is obviously a wink at the debut artwork). Of equal intertest are the tracks dating of 71 with Hadden replaced by Drachen Theaker and violinist Simon House (future Third Ear Band) with Android Funnel on guitar (both new members were Arthur Brown collabs) .

The 74 tracks are to have included Dave Tomlin (ex-Third Ear Band) on violin to replace Android. I suspect that the tracks from 90 are also from this period especially the 23min+ monster track Turn Yourself Down which reminds us that High Tide were first and foremost an improv band. The tracks from 74, 76 and 90 are the best quality sound but remain poor by comparison to say, Pink Floyd! The two 76 tracks are also noteworthy , but without Tomlin. However the main attraction are Turn Yourself Down and Garage Gods with delightful improv with Pavli on keys , and Tomiln and House on violins! Maybe the best High Tide tracks ouside the first two historical albums and Ancient Gates!

A very interesting release shedding a bit of light (mostly due to the track listing and credits) but without any text/liner notes. This is too bad as Mellow record had given itself plenty of space for it , but chose to print an impressive poster ( as is possible with the Cd format albeit superb art) of the Flying Dutchman! Although I give a good rating , this album is reserved for fans only, but it does bring light to this band's history!

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