CONDOMINIUM

I guess that it was a good idea to test this line-up on stage to check how the (German) crowd was reacting. At the end of the day there were a hell of a time that they didn't produce any music.

Most of the songs played here are from their early catalogue and unlike their first live album which was purely jam-oriented, this live one is a very good collection of hard-rock songs played in the spirit of the original.

I would say that it lasts till "Stop, Little Lady". This fourteen minutes version is justified by a superb organ solo (where are you Jon?) and an excellent drum solo (Bernd showcase of course). This was more frequent during the seventies, but to be honest, this live album does have a lot to share with this glorious period. This is my fave out here. A great hard-rock track.

The inevitable "Gamma Ray" closes this good album on the jamming mood. As if the band couldn't resist. A pity because this version which lasts for almost nineteen minutes is not really great. Karaoke and some self indulgence IMO.

But let's not be too harsh. Before this one "The Work Is Done" is a great opener and the version of "Get Ready To Run" which was one of the best songs from "Bäng" (their last studio release before the long break) is another good song as well.

All in all, this is a good hard-rock live album. Somewhat seventies oriented, but I prefer to listen to a band who is faithful to his origins which is definitely the case here.

Three stars (and forget about the non-essential stuff).